Malevolent Secrets

by Demi Ryder

Beneath mafia secrets lies the deadly truth—I'm carrying the enemy's child.

My fiancé was found dead.
I was on a hunt for the beast who murdered him.

I didn’t mean to fall into the devil’s sculpted arms.
Lorenzo Duretti’s touch became my obsession—his darkness my desire.

Now I’m torn between revenge and protection. I need both.
Because the baby in my womb will be bound to his father’s deadly empire.

Lorenzo swears he’ll keep us safe, but how can I trust a ruthless killer?


Malevolent Secrets is a ruthless tale of revenge and forbidden love. It’s a standalone dark mafia romance with no cheating or cliffhangers. But it does have enemies turning to lovers, an age gap, a surprise pregnancy, and a kidnapping that will have you on the edge of your seat. Don’t be scared. It’s morally gray and twisty here, but there’s always a happy ending.

Genres: Romance, Dark, Dark Romance

357 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 12, 2024

About the author

Demi Ryder creates sexy dark mafia worlds that will make you weak in the knees. Deliciously dangerous alphas and the fiery heroines who fall prey in their naughty games are calling you.

Don’t be scared. It’s morally gray and twisty here, but there’s always a happy ending.

>>> Follow Demi on Goodreads (click that “Follow Author” button!)

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Reviews

[Suzana · Rating 5 out of 5]

🔪Contemporary
🔪Romantic suspense
🔪Dark romance
🔪Mafia romance
🔪Mafia crime world
🔪Billionaire. Italian mafia boss
🔪Enemies to lovers
🔪Forbidden
🔪Age gap
🔪Surprise pregnancy
🔪K!dn@pping
🔪Revenge
🔪Enough emotional baggage to fill a room
🔪Off – the- charts chemistry
🔪The secrets/ danger they are thrown into
🔪Engaging / riveting / gripping / gritty / addictive storyline
🔪Page turner / suspenseful / fast paced
🔪Fun cast of supporting characters

Malevolent Secrets is the third in Ruthless Mafia Sinners series. Malevolent Secrets is an exciting and suspenseful novel that keeps readers hooked with its unpredictable plot. It explores themes of revenge and forbidden love, including enemies turning into lovers, an age gap, a surprise pregnancy, and a kidnapping. The story is morally complex and packed with twists, making it both engaging and entertaining.

Daniella is on the path of revenge when she unexpectedly falls for Lorenzo Duretti, a man whose dark allure captivates her. Now, she faces a dilemma between seeking revenge and ensuring her safety. Lorenzo never intends to let her go and promises to protect her. Together, they navigate a perilous world. Lorenzo and Daniella are relatable characters in this engaging enemies-to-lovers story. There is an obvious attraction and a strong bond between them, despite their evident issues and circumstances. With danger surrounding them, an unknown future, the mafia, and sizzling chemistry, Lorenzo and Daniella must figure out their next move: either they will take a chance on each other or burn together.

This is a fast-paced and engaging story that balances romance, intrigue, and danger. Recommended.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc Review

Every now and then comes along a read that you want to sponge read. This is one of these reads. Do yourselves a favour and nourish this read.

A tragic start. Nevertheless look forward to late night phone calls. Daniella has gone through this situation more than once. Now, she won’t stop looking for answers. She needs to uncover the truth of what has now upheaved her life.

The old rabbit hole….. this is where Daniella has found herself. In the land of Lorenzo Duretti - Capo of the Duretti family. She will adjust herself into someone she isn’t not. Pretend, using her body, lying - whatever needs to be done for justice. But will justice prevail or will further secrets be exposed?

Scorchingly hot 🔥🔥🔥🔥 the sexual scenes are deliciously smoking/delightful. Daniella though has tangled herself within Lorenzo’s web. Intentionally or unintentionally is the question.

Overall, this was a storyline that needed to be savoured . Don’t rush the read as you will become emotional with the story of Daniella. A great start only becoming hotter. What Dani survived through was heartbreaking but it also changed her aspects on life.

Lorenzo, head Capo had a reputation to uphold. There was always a twist around every corner. Crime families, feuds, death as always but most importantly a well written storyline. No further spoiling but an enjoyment to read. Highly recommend. Question - is there a continuation? No cliffhanger but open to continuation.

Originally posted on Booksprout

[Heather Dudley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Malevolent Secrets is a book in the Ruthless Mafia Sinners series. Malevolent Secrets follows the journey of Daniella and Lorenzo. Daniella is a fantastic main female character in Malevolent Secrets, she is a character whom can be quite relatable for some readers. Lorenzo is a powerful leader in the Italian Mafia family. Daniella was engaged to a man by the name of Jeremy, but sadly he died in a car accident which is what she was told however she later finds out that he was actually killed. After the passing of her fiancé, she didn't think she would ever find happiness again, but she finds that with Lorenzo. This is all the details I'm going to share about Malevolent Secrets because I don't want to fully ruin this amazing book for future readers. Author Demi Ryder is a fabulous author who writes entertaining and enjoyable mafia romance stories. Malevolent Secrets is beautifully written and well balanced with emotions, action-packed scenes, romance and various other aspects. I'm looking forward to reading more amazing mafia romance stories by Demi Ryder. I would HIGHLY recommend this amazing book for anyone to read.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Linda Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Complicated mafia romance
Daniella Roberto is 25yo and happily living with her fiancé Jeremy whose tragic death changes the whole trajectory of her life. They were so happy in their little bungalow with mismatched furniture. When she decides to find out who wanted Jeremy dead and why things get very interesting. She in her naivety goes to the warehouse where the notorious Massimo Ranieri of the Ranieri Family transacts business to ask what he knows about Jeremy. He suggests that she might want to investigate Lorenzo Durretti who is very much a mafioso himself. Whoa! There are sparks at the first meeting of Daniella and Lorenzo. There are twists and surprises in several instances. There are irritating people, despicable people and good bad-people.
I would prefer that this author refrains from making her FMC so naïve/witless/innocent to the point that I am ready to throw my tablet at the wall. Otherwise, thoroughly entertaining steamy romance that kept me reading to get to the ending. I volunteered to review an ARC of this book through Booksprout. Love Ms. Ryder’s covers!

[Victoria Golby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark Mafia Romance

A stand-alone dark mafia romance, full of action, drama, murder, kidnapping, mafia, danger, steamy romance, passion and great chemistry with twists and a HEA.

When Daniella realises her fiancé's death wasn't an accident she also discovers he wasn't who she thought he was. As she delves deeper into the dark mafia world, uncovering secrets, she finds herself catching the eye of Lorenzo in his club and falling for his charm. When she finds their one night stand becoming frequent visits she realises that Lorenzo isn't going to let her go, but he might have had something to do with her fiancé's death.

Lorenzo wants to keep Daniella safe, but is that possible when he's a ruthless mafia killer and she's now tied to his family. But when she's taken by the son of a rival, wanting to take control of his empire, he'll do anything to get her back.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Carol Brannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this book.
It started out great, a woman set on getting revenge for the death of her fiance, but then it just spiralled.
Dani meets a man at a bar ran by the people she believes is responisble for her fiances death, but after all her research into the crime family she didn't know the man was the leader of the family.
After sleeping with him she ends up pregant, moves into the family home, finds out he's not resposible and the end.
Every thing in the book seems forced or seems like it happens off screen. There is suppose to be a big payback scene, never happens, then they jump to her having the baby, they get married, and he kills the rival. The End
You never really get the whole story about anything that happens between the characters, like your suppose to make it all up yourself.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shifty Bugger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

I absolutely loved reading this book it had me hooked from the start until the very end, the story was about Lorenzo D and Daniella, Daniella received a call her fiancee had died in a car crash. Revenge is on her mind so she looked into who he worked for only to be approached by a Mafia guy and letting her know his name was Lorenzo, so Daniella quite her job and told Lorenzo she needs a job so she can work real close to him. Lorenzo doesn't know how to stay away from her it was instant attraction it was hot and spicy. There was so many secrets, secrets on both sides it could end them, there was lots of action, enemies 3lodeceit, betrayal, lies, kidnapping, lust, passion and maybe even love.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lisa Nizz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daniella thought she had finally found happiness after losing both her parents. She was engaged to Jeremy, they had a modest home and were going to have a life together. He gets a call that he has a problem at work and doesn’t return. The police call her to identify his body. Apparently Jeremy had a secret life. Daniella is lead to mafia capo Lorenzo Duretti. She is drawn to Lorenzo and starts a relationship with him. But lovers, family and friends all around them hide secrets. Danger lurks everywhere threatening their lives.

This was an action packed romance. A fast read. I loved Lorenzo, seeing his softer side. Daniella was a feisty female lead and Rene was one tough chick. I would really like to see a second book about Rene and Vincent, hint, hint Demi!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mafia Wife · Rating 3 out of 5]

Her fiancé dies under mysterious circumstances and someone points her to the local mafia boss. He is the boss and has many secrets, but his desire for her isn't one of them. This is a romance, with two people in difficult circumstances that are inexorably drawn together. They have to navigate the secrets between them, along with a mafia war that has been brewing. I would say that the mafia war is the predominant story line in this book followed by the romance. Lorenzo and Daniela have undeniable chemistry and passion. I thought the character development was decent. I would have liked more with the romance and less with the mafia drama as at times it was repetitive. It was well written and was an engaging story.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lisa Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daniella was happy until he fiancé died, it changed everything about her life. She needs to find answers after it is discovered his death was not an accident. She goes to see the man who showed up at the funeral, Massimo Ranieri. He tells her she may want look to Lorenzo Durretti, head of the Durretti mafia family. From the first time she meets Lorenzo the sparks fly between the pair but it is only one night, right? Except it ends up being much more than one night and she ends up pregnant by Lorenzo.

This is an action packed, steamy read with plenty of drama as there more pieces to the puzzle that Dani needs to discover.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Louisa Saunders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daniella is devastated when her fiancé dies in a car accident, until she finds out the brakes on his car were cut and he wasn't who she thought he was. The further she goes to find her answers the more secrets she uncovers about the man she was going to marry.
When Daniella meets Lorenzo in his club she doesn't know who he is but there are instant sparks and attraction and she can't say no to allowing herself a night of freedom from grieving. Except one night turns into two and she can't stay away from the man who may have killed her fiancé!

Steamy scenes, great chemistry between the main characters, good mafia plot twists and an enthralling story!

[Trina Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG this was another great book. It was a steamy page turner and the suspense was intense. I was on the edge of my seat and I couldn't even put it down. Daniella and Lorenzo chemistry was sizzling hot and the physical attraction was tension but their were a twisted of dark secrets and it was very unpredictable tragic of drama.Could he be the one to save her or will he destroyed the romance he have for her in this moment.Was he falling in love with her and nothing was going to change in this right moment. I highly recommend this book and you won't be disappointed. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review. Trina Jones

[Danee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful and great story. Daniella is out for revenge when her fiancé died in a car accident and that it was not just an accident, but that his brakes were cut and that he was murdered. When she comes into contact with Lorenzo she is at a two point because she wants revenge on the enemy but also has feelings for him. Can she find out who her fiancé really was and get her revenge, or will she let it go and go for a chance at love and a happy ending together?

I received an Advance Reader sample of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review

[YAZ3885 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Malevolent Secrets follows the journey of Daniella and Lorenzo. He is a powerful leader in the Italian Mafia family. She wants revenge and answers about the murder of her fiance (Jeremy who had another life she didn't know about). When Lorenzo and Daniella meet each other in his club she doesn't know who he is but there's instant sparks and attraction between them. She can't say no to a night of freedom from grieving, one night turns into two and they can't stay away from each other.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mindy Lopez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Book 3 in the Ruthless Mafia Sinners Series by this author, and can be read as a standalone. It is an enemies to lovers, mafia romance between Daniella and Lorenzo. These flawed but likeable souls and the unique plot make for an entertaining read. It is a love story with drama and steam, danger and suspense, sexual tension and chemistry, and twists and turns, plus appealing secondary characters to keep the reader interested. An emotional ride.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sheri Corriero · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a mafia revenge/enemy to lovers type of book. Daniella’s fiancée is dead, and she sets out for payback. She ends up with Lorenzo Duretti and has a surprise pregnancy and then finds out it is his family that was responsible for her fiancee’s death. She wants revenge but now she can’t. Lorenzo needs to protect her. There are nice steamy scenes between them. I enjoyed reading it. I received an ARC copy from the author, and this is my honest review.

[L KQ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pursuing Revenge

While pursuing a lead on her fiancé murder, Daniella finds herself on a collision course toward Lorenzo. Revenge won't be so easy as deception lies around every corner and truth isn't what it seems. Their chemistry was absolutely on fire and the emotionally charged plot was intense and interesting. It was exciting and suspenseful as it all unfolds into a beautiful blend of greatness.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Brittany IdealistPages · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book but at first threw me off i honestly thought it would be the first guy she end up with not the last guy but when it started I kept on reading and it sucks that this book was easy to put down but I wish it wasn’t because I believe this book had a lot of potential and honestly it caught my attention so thank you for a good read.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crazy Times!!!

This was my first book by Demi Ryder and I thoroughly enjoyed it! The story is filled with Romance, Suspense and Sex. The characters Daniela and Lorenzo are well developed and keep you wanting to read to find out what happens next, I couldn't put it down and read it in 1 day. I will be checking out other books by this Author. Enjoy!!!

I received an ARC copy of this book and giving a voluntary and very honest review.

[Marsha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful mafia romance and is Lorenzo and Daniella's story. Daniella lost her fiancee in a tragic car accident. She is told the car was tampered with, so she goes to find out answers. Daniella starts at a club owed by Lorenzo Duretti. This story has action, kidnapping, secrets, danger, passion and steam.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Frani Zumwalt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daniella is trying to find out who killed her fiance. She finds a name of a mafia boss who tells her it was someone named Lorenzo Duretti another mafia boss . She goes and does my research on Lorenzo and finds out he has a club. She goes to the club and a man approaches her. She has another drink and winds up going home with him.
This is a must read book. The storyline and characters are awesome

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

daniella is on the path after the one who took her fiances life, only to find herself in the arms of lorenzo, and he doesn't plan on letting her go especially when his future and hers are entwined for ever. Well written engaging enemies to lovers, drama romance and more!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Merry Jelks-Emmanuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daniella and Lorenzo are on a collision course when their paths cross. She is out to take down the man that killed her fiancé. Connecting with Lorenzo places Daniella in a dilemma because she finds herself drawn to the enemy and now expecting a child. Will she and Lorenzo's relationship blossom and bring about happiness.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Earth Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read. Expect the unexpected. As always Demi does not disappoint. I really enjoyed my journey with Lorenzo and Daniella. I could not put this book down. This book is well written and the characters are great. Lots of surprises await as you turn the pages. I highly recommend this book. Enjoy everyone

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Malevolent Secrets is a dark mafia romance read that has suspense, and heat plus put a capital F in there since it is also FANTASTIC. Let me just say that I was on pins and needles reading this book all due to the storyline and characters that were really engaging. This is another GREAT book by Demi.

[Erika Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read and you will not be disappointed! There are twists and turns in Lorenzo and Daniella's story that you'd never expect. You don't know who to trust, dislike, or which side to take at certain points. I hope this is the start of a series because I must know what happens with Renee and Vincent!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lorenzo and Daniella. She wants revenge for her fiancés murder. She goes to the crime boss Massimo and asks and he points her in the direction of Lorenzo. WOW instant attraction. So many twists and turns. Very entertaining couldn't put it down.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jenn H · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book will take you all over the place on the feels…. There’s death of a beloved fiancé, mystery of attempting to trying to solve his death/murder, the intrigue of duelling mafia families, the romance/seduction of trying to get answers from a mafia don and the feeling of guilt and betrayal of moving on in life after losing a loved one.

[Kandiemarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an engaging and entertaining story. It's action-packed, exciting, unpredictable and the sex scenes are smoking hot. Fabulous characters and the storyline is intense. I was all for it and couldn't put it down. Captivated from the start and definitely recommend reading. Look forward to reading more from Demi Ryder.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shyla · Rating 5 out of 5]

First time reading this author and I really enjoyed the pace and flow of the book! This one is a little different than your normal Mafia reads
Honestly. Dani’s fierce is murdered and she goes digging and find more than she realizes. I highly recommend this if you’re looking for something fast and to clean your pallet! I’ll definitely be checking out more from this author!