Scarred Wife

by Sam Crescent

Seven years ago, Vanessa Norma was taken and held for ransom. When something went wrong, she nearly died. Although someone saved her, she now has to live with the permanent scar and being known as damaged goods.

Diago is a monster. He is the villain in most stories. He kills without mercy.

The night he saved Vanessa, something happened, something changed. She was the first person to seek comfort in him, and now, he knows she is at risk of being sold to the highest bidder, as her father needs money.

No one will fight him. Everyone is afraid of him. So he takes Vanessa for his own.

Weds her. Beds her. Makes her all his.

But her family is going to die. He intends to kill her father for the sins he’s committed. He doesn’t care if Vanessa wants him to or not.

Genres: Romance, Dark Romance, Slow Burn

115 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 24, 2024

About the author

Sam Crescent is passionate about fiction. She loves a good erotic romance and so it only made sense for her to spread her wings and start writing. She began writing in 2009 and finally got that first acceptance in 2011 by Total-E-Bound.
She loved creating new characters and delving into the worlds that she creates. When she’s not panicking about a story or arguing with a character, she can be found in her kitchen creating all kinds of havoc. Like her stories the creations in the kitchen can be just as dubious but sometimes things turn out great.

Reviews

[*CJ* · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Scarred Wife” is the story of Vanessa and Diago.

Actually pretty sweet.

Hero is the big bad hero who has a soft spot for the “scarred” heroine. How he saves her life and makes her his, while punishing the ones who are responsible for her pain forms the story.

I liked how nice the hero and caring was, otherwise story was dark. Heroine was typical.

Safe?
3/5

[Dul · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tengo más química con un libro que estos dos

[Viv “BookVixen” Gutierrez · Rating 5 out of 5]

this one brings the swoon!!!

This one was a winner! I love when SC writes cold, hard, villainous heroes. It just makes their fall all the sweeter. And I think she shines the most when she writes bag guy heroes—theres just more intensity and emotion in her writing.

This hero was cold as ice, and the only one who could melt him was the heroine! YASSSSS, more of this please!!! He has been obsessed with her for years!

Even tho the heroine was shy, reserved and sweet, she was also strong and resilient. She has been through so much abuse and made it thru without it corrupting her.

Safe. Heros past isn’t mentioned. Unknown if he was faithful from when he met her. Im choosing to believe he was! Heroine is a virgin and belongs only to her hero! No ow/om, no cheating or sharing. HEA with epilogue years out

[Kellyythoralabatalla · Rating 2 out of 5]

Este no me pareció horrible y lo pude terminar, no como los otros de esta autora pero si me pareció super aburrido. Yo no sé porque les gusta escribir personajes masculinos que son tan simples, hiper fríos y son química. 😮‍💨

[Flo₂₂ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dnf 60%
I got bored 😴 🙈
It was a nice read but it was just to plain and i also didn't feel that chemistry. I needed more of it at the beginning. It seemed all a little mechanical

[Carolina]

—𝑳𝒐 𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓é 𝒔𝒊 𝒏𝒐 𝒎𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒓𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒑𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒔, 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒐 𝒕𝒆 𝒂𝒎𝒐. 𝑻𝒆 𝒂𝒎𝒐 𝒎𝒖𝒄𝒉í𝒔𝒊𝒎𝒐, 𝒚 𝒒𝒖𝒆 𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒔 𝒂 𝒂𝒒𝒖𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒂 𝒇𝒊𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒂 𝒚 𝒎𝒆 𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒗𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒔 𝒇𝒖𝒆 𝒍𝒐 𝒎𝒆𝒋𝒐𝒓 𝒒𝒖𝒆 𝒉𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒆 𝒑𝒐𝒓 𝒎í. 𝑴𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒅𝒆𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒅𝒐 𝒒𝒖𝒆 𝒎𝒆 𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒃𝒂 𝒎𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒐 𝒑𝒐𝒓 𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒐, 𝒚 𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒓 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒈𝒐 𝒎𝒆 𝒉𝒂 𝒅𝒂𝒅𝒐 𝒈𝒂𝒏𝒂𝒔 𝒅𝒆 𝒗𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒓.

[Curvy Girl Book Nerd (Jen S) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scarred Wife is Book 1 of Villians. It's a short and steamy OTT, opposites-attract, grumpy-sunshine, forced-proximity, age-gap, curvy virgin gets her morally grey hunk mafia romance. Vanessa is a 25-year-old sweet, kind, curvy, and scarred daughter of a mafia man. She had been kidnapped 7 years prior and was scarred by her captors as revenge towards her evil father. She is now considered damaged goods in the eyes of her family. Diago is a hunky, grumpy, morally grey mercenary and hired hitman with allegiance to no one but the highest bidder. He is the man who rescued Vanessa 7 years ago. She clung to him and trusted him, and wormed her way into his heart. She was in bad shape and doesn't remember. He has watched her for 7 years, knowing he wanted to make the sweet, curvy beauty his. He takes her from her father's house at a party and does not plan to return her. She knows her father was evil, but Diago reveals her father was even behind her kidnapping, hoping to get money. As they live together, she knows Diago will not hurt her. They grow to love each other, and her family will find out what he will do to protect his woman. I loved Diago and how he treated Vanessa as time wore on. It was rough at first, but the way he loved and cared for her exactly as she was warmed my heart. And Vanessa was so sweet, deserving to have someone return her love. I loved it!.

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

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

One kidnapping leaves Vanessa (FMC) with scars both on the outside and inside too that have changed her life. It doesn't help that the life that she's been brought up in sees her as a commodity that is damaged. Which leaves her as regarded as worthless except in Diago's eyes. A man who is seen as a dangerous and cold man. Only to everyone else Vanessa. It's when Vanessa and Diago are away from everyone else that you see how they are together. Diago is protective & caring as well as helping Vanessa grow as a character to see what he sees in her behind her scars.

Yes there are some dark content in this book so be warned. I enjoyed reading this book and I'm looking forward to getting my hands on more books in this series.

[Anni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet.

[Katie ❤️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit short for my liking and there could have been more detail in the relationship.

[Queen I of Book Whore. · Rating 1 out of 5]

A poor version of The Butcher's Wife by the same author,what's worse is they said this garbage is a new series. Sam Crescent is not even trying anymore,just changes the names of characters with the same crap.

[Vfc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vanessa Norma was abducted seven years ago, and held for ransom. She was very sought after. Monetary offers, as well as … other offers. During her captivity, she is hurt. Her mercurial father organised her abduction, in a brutal act, Vanessa was no longer appealing, but she is rescued. Her rescuer (Diago) learnt some hard truths. The person who organised her kidnapping was none other than her father. He saw the interest placed in you as a young woman, and exploited it, so he hired a couple of amateurs goons to kidnap her. She was only supposed to be gone for a short time. Nothing bad was meant to happen. During her stay, things went wrong, and her father loving the attention, tried to capitalise on it. The men he’d hired knew they were being played. It’s why she wasn’t raped, but they wanted to punish him, which is why they hurt her.

She nearly died. Although someone saved her, she now has to live with the permanent scar and being known as damaged goods. He doubted she even remembered when he had saved her seven years ago.

The night Diago saved Vanessa, something happened, something changed. She was the first person to seek comfort in him, and now, he knows she is at risk of being sold to the highest bidder, as her father needs money. He didn’t hurt her, because he didn’t want to hurt her.

Everyone fears him. So he claims Vanessa. Diago had always hated Isaac Norma. He was pretentious and lived far above his means.

Seven years ago, Isaac had been on the verge of bankruptcy, it was only the prospect of his daughter being put up for sale to the highest bidder that saved him. There were the deals offered out of pity, once the extent of Vanessa’s injuries were revealed.

He’d bided his time, watched as Isaac had once again squandered his fortune, and listened to the whispers as he tried to sell off his daughter.

People feared Diago, called him a monster, and she’d even heard whispers of the bets taken on when he was going to kill her. Diago would never kill her, she knew that with her whole heart. Her husband loved her, just as she loved her monster of a husband. He’d kept his promise and given her the world. All she had ever wanted was for someone to love her and accept her love in return. Diago did that. And he made her the happiest woman in the world.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Diago and Vanessa. Her father was cruel and tried to sell her. Seven years ago Diago saved her. He walked into her fathers party. He was considered cruel and evil and her father didnt care for him. She was not allowed to know why she was just a woman after all and her only job was to look pretty but she didnt even look pretty with the scar on her face from the kidnapping years back. Her father tried in vain to marry her off or pay a debt with her but no one would have her. She was damaged they would say. Her father asked Diago if he could get him something and he said yes and walked to Vanessa and said Im taking her and they left to her fathers utter astonishment. He took her to repay a debt owed him by her father. Diago didnt know how to handle feelings so he didnt treat her well. He was indifferent towards her. But he watched her. She intrigued him. He smiled. He never smiled. She expected him to be angry with her for looking through his house but he never was. She was always treated badly like she was nothing more than her scar. Their interaction was a little tense. She became more bold and spoke her mind which he liked. He was still quite and barely spoke but she enjoyed spending time with him and cooking for him. He was a complex man full of surprises. She was becoming to like him. Vanessa has been looking for her nanny for years. Secrets are revealed. Horrible secrets. They come to an understanding. She loved him. He told himself it was an arrangment. But he would kill anyone that lay a hand on her. He would protect her in ways others had failed to. He couldnt take his hands or eyes off her. Only an arrangment. He needed her. Loved how he fell. What a wonderful story of two damaged people. Theres lies, secrets, danger and revenge and lets not forget passion.

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

[Heather Dudley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scarred Wife is the first story in the Villains series by Author Sam Crescent. Author Sam Crescent is an absolutely amazing author who creates not only amazing mafia romance stories, but also paranormal romances that have captivating storylines/plots, amazing characters, and fantastic outcomes for the characters. This author has become one of my many favorite authors who I absolutely love reading. Scarred Wife is a suspenseful and definite page-turner of a mafia romance story that I couldn’t set down until I finished reading the book. The story was quite captivating from beginning to end, the characters were well-developed/written and perfectly executed throughout the book. Scarred Wife follows the journey about Diago and Vanessa. Diago is a typical alpha mafia male who will take the daughter of a man, who owes a massive amount of money, as payment. Vanessa was a nervous and shy when she was first brought to Diago’s home by him. Eventually Vanessa begins to develop feelings for Diago and before long she’s fallen in love with him. Scarred Wife was an absolute pleasure to read, getting to know both Diago and Vanessa as the main characters of the book. Scarred Wife is the first mafia romance story that I have read by Author Sam Crescent. Scarred Wife is most certainly a book that I would give as a recommendation for anyone who loves reading mafia romance stories and enjoys reading books by Sam Crescent. I’m definitely going to be reading more different types of romance stories by Author Sam Crescent in the near future.

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

[Francesca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Villains - Book 1 - Scarred Wife - By Sam Crescent

Vanessa Norma is a beautiful soul inside an out. At twenty five even though she is still beautiful her Mafia family and those attached to it consider her to be damaged goods after she was taken when she was younger, kidnapped and brutally scarred on her face. Diago is a man feared by all, he is who is sent to do the jobs nobody else will. Seven years ago he was sent to rescue Vanessa Norma when she was only eighteen years old. No one knows but he has watched over her all these years, preparing to make her his own and that is exactly what he is going to do! An exciting new series from Sam Crescent, a well written story with strong characters that I thoroughly enjoyed reading and watching as Vanessa flourished under the loving guidance of Diago. Just beautiful. I can't wait to see who is next as there was no clue from this story at all. Lots to look forward to no doubt.
Please note that I was given an arc of this book for my honest review which is exactly what I have given.
5 out of 5 stars.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vanessa was damaged goods. Well that is what her father thought of her. A scar down her face left her unwanted till Diago. Seven years ago he saved her from her kidnappers. Now he is here to collect the one woman that he will never let go. I do love that Diago saw her as the beauty she is. The scar meant nothing to him. He knew she was special. Vanessa brought a peace to his soul as well as showed him what love was. You learn that he isn’t all bad. He does take care of those that hurt women and children. I was saddened to learn about one person but you knew it was coming. And her father was a piece of work. He deserved his fate. Her family cared nothing for her but for themselves. She found a man that would always protect and love her.

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

[Cin Pell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick read, very emotional, with action, secrets and betrayal, that will keep you intrigued.

Reduced to the background and silenced by her own family, Vanessa realizes they aren’t who she thought. The image of a good family she once believed she had started to crumble seven years ago, after her attack. She’s damaged goods that no one wants.

Diago has waiting on the sidelines long enough, seven years to be exact. He is the one everyone fears… everyone but Vanessa that is. He wants her, he takes her and anyone who has harmed her will pay a heavy price. He’ll do anything to protect what’s his, and that include Vanessa!

Another really good book by Sam Crescent!.

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

[I’m a Paula too… Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scarred Wife…

Sam Crescent writes prolifically and she writes well. I have enjoyed some of her books, and this one was really good. This is the first of her Villains series, and it promises to be a fun series.

The scarred wife is Vanessa, and the villain is Diago. Vanessa got her scar from a botched kidnapping, where her captors cut her face. It got infected so she has a prominent scar. Diago actually saved her when this happened seven years ago.

This was a fun little read. The main characters were fleshed out just enough. The plot line was relatively straightforward and simple, so no major twists or turns. I really enjoyed it, and I’ll be happy to check out the rest of the series as it expands.

Recommended!

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

So far, I have loves all the stories I have read by this author and this one is no different. A dark, short read about Diego and Vanessa which I did not want to end. I wasn't expecting it to be so dark but it still made for a good story. No fluff no muss just straight to the point of Diego saving Vanessa not once but to times from her family. The spicy scenes were great without being over the top and Vanessa definitely deserved her happy ending. The sadness for Maureen stayed with Vanessa but Diego got her closure and a dog. Definitely recommend for a short dark read with a happy ever after.

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

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

I thoroughly enjoyed this one!
I was invested from the very first sentence.
Vanessa was kidnapped when she was eighteen.
Diago is the man that saved her but she so remember as she was delirious with fever from an infection.
She has a scar on her face from when she was kidnapped and is now considered damaged goods.
While at a party with her parents, Diago shows up and shortly after takes Vanessa as his payment and leaves.
He has no intention of hurting her and oddly enough, she's not afraid of him.
Will she call in love? Is he capable of loving her?
The betrayal, wow!
Highly recommend!!

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

So so good! I have read other novels by this author and really enjoyed them. This novel did not disappoint. From the first chapter this novel pulled me in and held on tight. I loved Diago and Vanessa’s story. Vanessa is such a beautiful character. She is not only beautiful on the inside but is also beautiful despite the scar she has on her face. I loved that Diago was able to see how special and beautiful despite what her family thinks of her. I loved how protective and caring Diago was with Vanessa after everything she has been thru. Their chemistry was so good! I loved this novel. I can hardly wait to see what this author has coming next.

[Hailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Scarred Wife (Villains Book 1) by Sam Crescent, Vanessa Norma is haunted by a traumatic past after being kidnapped and left with a permanent scar, labeled as damaged goods by society.

Diago, a ruthless villain with no mercy, is the man who saved her that fateful night. Although he’s feared by all, something about Vanessa draws him in. Knowing her father plans to sell her off, Diago takes matters into his own hands—claiming her as his wife and making her his. Despite her protests, Diago is set on vengeance, determined to destroy her family for their wrongdoings.

This dark, gripping romance explores themes of power, protection, and the twisted bond between two scarred souls.

[Meme · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick read for me, I started the story and just read right through in one sitting. The story is typical of this author, there is a curvy girl and good looking, alpha man. I did like the begining when he just walked in and bam he's in charge and no one questions him. There wasn't a whole lot of them getting to know each other in the beginning before things got steamy, but eventually they got "settled in" together. The story ended in a happily ever after, no cliffhanger. There is no cheating in the story, but there is violence and very minimal humor.

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

[Brenda Ashworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scarred Wife

He is a killer for the the mafia that was hired to rescue the daughter of one one the mafia men. He watched after and saw how she was treated by him and her family because she trusted him and treated him like a person. He stopped her father from his further plans and showed up at a party and took her away. She didn't know what he had planned but she wasn't afraid. Her family was cold and her father scary, her treated her terrible and she heard him planning bad things for her to make him money. Her new life gets interesting, but the heat is certainly welcome after being in the cold.. I highly recommend this book.

[Ꭿຖᥲ·♡ ྀི · Rating 2 out of 5]

2✯

-dual POV
-virgin heroine (25)
-no cheating or scenes with OP
-I wouldn't call the hero an alpha, he told the heroine he fell in love with her the moment he met her when she was 18 but for some reason he waited 7 years to make his move, he kept tabs on her because he knew her family especially her father treated her like shit so I don't really understand why he waited so long to save her...
-no ow/om drama
-no separation
-it wasn't mentioned if the hero was celibate after meeting the h (he was faithful after reconnecting with her)
-slow burn eww
-epilogue: 5 years later -married with 2 kids

[Andra Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scarred Wife is the first book in the Villians series. lt is a surprising tale of a monster of a human who happens to be a contradiction in saving the life of the one woman who dares to love him. Vanessa and Diago are opposites, yet they are perfectly suited for one another. Their story is compelling, and you want them to make it to their happily ever after.

Scarred Wife is a page-turner with drama, action of the criminal type, romance, and a bit of humor. I look forward to other books in this series.

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

[Danee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful and emotional story with a dark edge. We are taken along in the lives of Vanessa and Diago. Vanessa has suffered injuries due to her father and is scarred for life. Diago does not let that stop him and finds her beautiful and she is everything to him. Despite the fact that he has a dark and sinister side, he is very different to her. Whatever you do in life there is one thing he does not do and that is you do not hurt children and women he protects them and those who do try they can expect him and that is something you do not want.



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

[La'Jacinth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Diago!!! I mean I really really love Diago. He gives no fuxs and takes no prisoners but he loves Vanessa from the moment he touched her.

Although Vanessa was treated less than by everyone except Diago, sh3 held onto he ideals and childlike thoughts. Vanessa had to come to terms with her life and she did but still shielded by Diago wh9 saw her for who she was despite the scar left by her past.

In my book this was the best by far standalone I have read by Sam in a while.

Definitely a 5 star must read!!!!.

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

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vanessa was kidnapped seven years ago and Diago saved her but didn't let on who he was. I honestly hated her family for how they treated her after the kidnapping. When her father has debts to pay, but can't, Diago tells him he's taking Vanessa as payment. It takes awhile but she warms up to him and then you know they're going to end up falling for each other but he has to take care of issues that are still popping up from her past. Sam Crescent always writes the bad boys so well and the women are strong, feisty and can hold their own. Another great story!

[laura.lovesreading · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book moved me to tears in parts, had me laughing out loud and smile giddily. It wakes every emotion effortlessly and in a perfect way. You go on a journey with the characters finding your true self, confidence you got destroyed by others, self love, happiness and safety.
I‘m in love with the way the characters grow throughout the story, no unnecessary drama, just two souls coming together and becoming their best selves.

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