Corrupt Desires

Desires Trilogy #2

by Ashley McKnight

Emilia Bonetti is no stranger to danger. As the only heir to a powerful Italian family, she's been raised in a world where loyalty is earned in blood and betrayal means death. But when a rival family threatens to take her as leverage in a deadly power struggle, her world gets turned upside down.

Enter James Stonewell, the sharp, cunning lawyer her family trusts with their darkest secrets. Emilia can't stand him—the way he stares, the way he speaks, always so calm and controlled. But she has no idea that beneath his stoic exterior burns an obsession. From the moment he met her, James has been captivated by the fiery princess, and he’ll do anything to protect her—even if it means crossing lines he vowed never to touch.

As tension mounts and the threat to her life becomes more real, Emilia must decide if James is truly deserving of all her hate, or if the passion between them is more dangerous than the mafia war threatening to tear them apart.

Corrupt Desires is a spicy romance with dark elements that is book two of the Desires Trilogy. Corrupt Desires cannot be read as a standalone, and it is highly recommended that you read book one, Deadly Desires, first.
Please check the content disclaimer at the beginning of the book or for a full list of trigger warnings, check out my website www_dot_authorashleymcknight_dot_com

Genres: Dark Romance, Dark, Romance

288 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 5, 2025

About the author

Ashley McKnight is a dark romance author who thrives on writing deliciously dark love stories with morally grey men you’ll go crazy for. A proud Wisconsin native, she survives the harsh winters cozied up with a blanket, her dog, and a book collection that could double as a small library. When she’s not crafting stories that leave readers questioning their morals, you can find her binge-watching The Office, plotting her next bookish obsession, or bribing her characters to behave (spoiler: they never do).

Looking for a love story that’s a little bit sinful and a whole lot addictive? Ashley’s got you covered.

Reviews

[Kenzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW.

WOW! Emilia is a boss babe! Love the spiciness of her personality and attitude. This book pulled me right in. James is wonderful. He has a great job and a protective side. Love all the spice that this book had to offer! Mafia, arranged marriage and spice!

[Kendra Job · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 2 in the Desires Trilogy! This one focuses on Jax’s brother, James, who we met in book 1. Although I wouldn’t say it’s required to read book 1 to enjoy this book I would highly recommend reading book 1 as this one does start off right where book 1 ended so if you haven’t read book 1 you may find yourself wondering what exactly they’re doing in the scene and what happened. After the beginning though, both Jax and Melody are mentioned periodically so knowing them and their story will definitely help you enjoy this book better.
I enjoyed James and Emilia’s story much more as it didn’t feel as instalovey to me as the first book did since James and Emilia have known each other for years. This book is filled with spice and gore alike. It is a book you definitely want to check the trigger warnings for as there are A LOT of them especially towards the end. Emilia goes through so much in this book and James is there for her through it all, although it does take some time for Emilia to return James’s feelings. If you love marriage of convenience, one bed, mafia, and a billionaire obsessed MMC then this is the book for you!
Thank you Ashley McKnight and Luna Literary for this roller coaster of an ARC read!

[Sinful Stacks✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ | 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Corrupt Desires delivers a gritty, high-stakes mafia romance with age-gap heat, dark secrets, and dangerous power plays. Emilia Bonetti is fierce, guarded, and determined to protect the people she loves—even if it means marrying the one man she’s sworn to hate. James, a broody, battle-scarred lawyer with ties to her family, has waited years for a chance to prove he’s more than the monster she thinks he is.

What starts as a forced marriage of convenience quickly unravels into something more intimate and volatile. The chemistry between Emilia and James is undeniable, and their slow-burn tension explodes into steamy, emotionally charged moments. But love in the mafia world comes with brutal consequences—and nothing is off-limits when enemies close in.

This book doesn’t shy away from darker themes, and while the spice hits hard, it’s the emotional unraveling and loyalty-driven choices that linger. A few pacing dips and dramatic plot twists packed into the final act hold it back from a higher rating, but if you’re a fan of tortured heroes, resilient heroines, and morally gray love stories, this one will leave its mark.

HEA included—but not without bloodshed. 💀❤️

[Layna Leighann · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️/4🔥

I love a resilient FMC!

Corrupt Desires is a spicy, dark romance with a proper MMC and an independent and resilient FMC. This is book #2, James story, and it was just as good as Jaxon's in book #1.

Arranged marriages aren't usually my cup of tea, but I like how it was done here. The plot wasn't lost, and the spice was well-balanced and hot as hell!

I can't wait to continue this series and find out Kayden's story! 😏🔥

[booksandcoffeewithjordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

BETA READ & REVIEW

I absolutely devoured this book. I read book one in the series this last summer and just knew the rest of the series was going to be so good. Corrupt Desires did not disappoint in the slightest.

Corrupt Desires follows Emilia and James on their unique relationship. There are so many delicious tropes and aspects in this story, such as: marriage of convenience, forced proximity/one bed, billionaire MMC, hate to love, kidnapping, mafia/crime family, and so much more.

This story had me hooked from page one and I read it all in one setting. This one definitely was a step up from book one in all the best ways. There was so much more grit to the climax of the story and the kidnapping aspect was INSANE. Ashley McKnight really knocked it out the park with this one. I was on the edge of my seat, eyes bugging, mouth dropped, on so many occasions. It was such an exhilarating read for sure.

Highly highly recommend!

[Sarah Putrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 2 in the desires series and we get to find out Jax's brother James' story. You can read this as a standalone but this does take place right after book 1 ends and there are a lot of references mentioned to book 1 so I highly recommend reading book 1 first. Plus book 1 is so worth the read too!

Corrupt Desires follows Emilia and James. Emilia is the princess of a Mafia family and James is the lawyer for her family. Her family have tried to arrange her to marry James but he wanted her to live her life a little bit before doing so. They have an age gap of 12 years. He wanted her to experience things before settling down with someone who had already done all those things. She didn't know that though so she has hated him for years. When things go astray for her family and another Mafia family is trying to get her she's forced to make a choice. James calls in a favor to marry Emilia not only to help but because he wants her. Proving to her will be the challenge so will keeping her safe. What could go wrong? What could go right...

This is a dark romance with LOTS of triggers so definitely check out those trigger warnings before getting into the book. Theres lots of spice in this one as well! Lots of tropes in here with hate to love, close proximity, one bed, billionaire MMC, marriage of convenience, Mafia family and kidnapping.

I can't wait to read Kayden's story next!

[✨booktrovertkait ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Tea 🫖
💍 Marriage of convenience
🖤 Age gap
💍 One bed
🖤 Revenge
💍 Mafia Princess
🖤 Lawyer MMC
💍 Hate to love
🖤 Dual POV

🖤 This is book two in the Desires Trilogy, an interconnected standalone that brings Emilia and James front and center. You can read it solo, but if you’ve read Deadly Desires, you’ll love how the stories link up!

💍 Emilia and James were forced into each other’s orbit by a marriage of convenience in order to keep Emilia safe from a rival family that threatens to take her as leverage for power. I knew I was in for a dangerous delicious ride and this did not disappoint!

🖤 Emilia is fiery and takes no sh*t. And James? He’s calculated, obsessive, and so down bad for her. This man GROVELED for seven years just to take her on a date. Their chemistry had the right balance of push and pull. Emilia’s stubbornness only makes James want her more, and I was here for it.

“𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗹𝘆 𝘄𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗺𝗲. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗺𝗲, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗜 𝗳𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗿.” 🥹🖤

💍 This book checked all the boxes with those tropes. A dose of danger, secrets, betrayals and loyalty for family. It’s dark. It’s spicy 🌶️ and you my friend, need to read it.

[Toxic · Rating 5 out of 5]

“𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐈 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮, 𝐄𝐦. 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐞𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐚𝐧’𝐭 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤, 𝐈’𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮. 𝐈’𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠. 𝐀𝐧𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞.”

This is the second instalment of the Deadly Desires trilogy and it did not disappoint! Ashley’s style of writing is top quality and I literally cannot wait for the third instalment.

Our FMC - Emilia is just a fierce little firecracker and knows her worth. That’s why she’s so stubborn when she thinks our MMC doesn’t want her. But boy is she wrong.

Our MMC - James, with his British accent is a true gentleman, who has fallen head over heels with Em. He didn’t let up for 7 whole years and until a situation arose where he could help her family.

This story takes us along with them on their journey and you need to strap in. It’s a wild ride of brutality, loss and grief, love and desperation. Please check the triggers as it’s full of them.
Thank you Ashley, for giving me the honour of reading it early!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
Morally Grey families
Trafficking/touch her and 💀
Trigger heavy
British man with a cup of tea

[Amilia Poling · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Check Triggers!!*
On the I really enjoyed this one! I enjoyed Emilia, and I really liked how she worked so hard to stand up for herself and worked to maintain her family's legacy. It was really great to watch her maintain her strength and resilience throughout the whole story. And seeing James's steadfast dedication to her and to what she needed was so amazing to watch. I loved how he worked with her family and his own to be able to keep her as safe he could. These two were so great to watch come together and overcome their miscommunications. I really liked the story, but I do feel like there were pieces that could have been expanded on more; some plot moments felt a bit abrupt and disjointed. There was almost a sense of wanting the book to be longer so we could get a better, deeper sense of the angst in the MC's, but also in the plot on the whole. Overall, I did enjoy this a great deal, and I'm so glad I got to read it! 3.75 stars; 3.75 chili peppers

Tropes:
- Mafia Romance
- Hurt/Comfort
- Dark Romance
- Marriage of Convenience
- Age Gap

[Randi · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ ARC REVIEW ✨

Rating: 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 3/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Ashley does not disappoint with book two in the Desires Trilogy! Emilia is a fierce Mafia Princess FMC who is put into a forced marriage with our MMC James. Now mind you, James is just as fierce and possessive. I love that he always puts Emilia first, despite her wanting absolutely nothing to do with him.

The plot is good with how everything comes together, we also see some cameo and mentions of previous characters from book one! I absolutely love how Ashley was able to have the conflict with Emilia within herself about how she felt about James. Then more truth comes out, and she finds herself in a predicament.

The spice, SPICES. I am a sucker for the tropes in this book. We have Mafia, “my wife,” v!rgin, age gap, hate to love, and more. Honestly….I just love it.

Ashley is an underrated author. That is all I can say. You all need to check her out and read this series! Because the third book is going to be coming…soon I imagine. I already cannot WAIT for that man. I just KNOW how delicious he is going to be.

[Patricia Monica Provost · Rating 5 out of 5]

James and Emilia 🥰

James Stonewell is the family lawyer for the Bonetti. He is secretly in love with their adopted daughter Emilia Bonetti. They were supposed to be engaged but James declined. She’s 12 years younger than him and wanted her to experience life. But he tried, and tried for her to said yes to a date. She always said no. Until Anthony Romani decided he would marry Emilia so that the Bonetti paid for killing one of his brothers. So the only way to save Emilia is to marry James. Would it be enough to save her from the Romani’s? Will Emilia will love James?

Second book of the Deadly Desires series. I loved Emilia!! I love her strength and her sassy personality! James is a gentleman answering so serious but he loves her soooo much!!! Ashley McKnight writing is raw, is decisive, is direct. Not for the faint hearted and please read the triggers first! I love that book and I hope the next one will be Kayden 🫠 I highly recommend the series!!

[LovelybeautycReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Corrupt Desires drags you deep into a brutal underworld of corruption, drugs, and human trafficking—a place where power is currency and loyalty is rare. This isn’t just a love story; it’s a raw, unflinching dive into the shadows where not everything is black and white.

The book brilliantly shows both sides of the criminal world: one family consumed by greed and domination, the other bound by loyalty and the desperate need to protect their own. Just because someone causes chaos doesn’t mean they condone cruelty—and that fine line is what this story explores so powerfully.

There are scenes that are hard to stomach, moments that make you wish no one had to endure such horrors. But in the midst of the darkness, there are glimmers of humanity—characters who break the law not out of selfishness, but to save the innocent.

A twist that will blindside you, leaving you questioning everything. Gritty, emotional, and unforgettable, Corrupt Desires is a story of love, survival, and the blurry moral lines we cross for those we care about.

[Jamie Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whelp, I now know what happens when you p*ss off a mafia Princess!!!! Also, never, under any circumstances, thr3at3n someone she loves!!!!

This is book 2 in the Desires Trilogy and if you liked the first book then you are in for a serious....... treat!!!!! This book is even better!!

Emilia is a mafia Princess and the only heir to the Bonetti family. While she may be used to having a target on her, this time is different. This time she has to do the one thing she vowed she never wanted. Oooooorrrrrr doesn't she?

While we saw James, lawyer (The Englishman), in Deadly Desires, we get to know I'm waaay better in this one. When I tell you this man has it bad for Em, I mean seven years of trying to win her over bad... he will do everything to keep her safe and out of the enemy's hands.

This is where things get crazy in a great way!!! I loved every bit of it too. The way James Obsesses over her in way that even swoon-worthy isn't a grand enough description. The way she gives him her sass the entire book. She is such a bad*ss FMC. He isn't a slouch at 6'3", lawyer and pale green eyes.
If this isn't your jam - then you need a new jam!!!

Thank you Luna Literary and Ashley for letting be an Arc reader of this amazing book!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🚩🚩🚩
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5

[Tiffiny Hires · Rating 4 out of 5]

Corrupt Desires is book two in the Desires Trilogy. This story follows James, a billionaire lawyer, and Emilia, the only daughter to a mafia family. When Emilia is faced with threat, James took his opportunity to swoop in with a marriage of convenience. This forces both characters to spend time together giving us great banter and even better spice! The character development was amazing. The storyline really grabbed my attention from the beginning. I was NOT ready for the twist at the end. Thank you so much Ashley McKnight for such an amazing story. I can’t wait to see what you have in store for book three!

[Stardust & Smut · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ashley has done it again! Im just obsessed with the fast paced insta love stories of this Desires trilogy. Don’t get me wrong, I love a sloww burn. Sometimes I just want to get straight to the point ya know 😜 I really enjoyed the weave of characters between the two books. Again there was heavy trauma that the FMC endures on page. I love how attentive the MMC was to her trauma and giving her the time and space she needs to heal.
Marriage of convenience is a newer trope for me but after this one I think I may active search out some books with this. I totally dig it.

[Rachel Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

heavy, emotional and I’m so invested!

Phewwwwww!!! I will definitely say read your trigger warnings!! I loved the story! This gave me a full range of emotions. I feel so tightly connected to Emilia! What heartbreak and challenges she had to endure, but finally softening her heart for James 😍😌 the action was full and all the way to the end. That epilogue! 🤯 I’m so hooked and ready for book 3!

[Jelea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though I haven't read book one in this series yet, James and Emilia's story had me sucked right in. I finished this book in one evening! (yes, I'm going back to read #1).

If you like a good spicy mafia book, this is right up your alley. But - please read the full list of triggers prior to reading this book. Emilia goes through a lot in this book, and I encourage the reader to be prepared.

ARC Review

[Becky Mansur · Rating 4 out of 5]

dark and enjoyable

I read this one back to back with the first book and really enjoyed them. Emilia is a strong FMC and James is a good balance for her. There is plenty of dark themes, mafia, sex trafficking, murder, etc as well as some fantastic steamy scenes. I can’t wait to see what happens with Kayden and I’m assuming Jess.

[Erin Saulpaugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 2 in the series. It is recommended that you read book 1 first. I didn't do that, and to be honest, I didn't feel lost, and I really enjoyed reading this. I would read the trigger warnings just in case. This book is right up my alley, and I hope to read more books from this author. now I'm off to read book one.

[Lauren Head · Rating 5 out of 5]

Corrupt Desires is a dark romance that will sink its teeth into you! This is book #2, James story, and it was just as good as Jaxon's in book #1 (which I should’ve read before this one don’t come for me). The plot wasn't lost, and the spice was spicing! 🥵🥵

[Alexis Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was a very emotional/action filled read. The way everything played out was very emotion filled and broke my heart at some points. The love between these two was undeniable and the hate she first felt really filled their relationship out overall was amazing I loved how James was always looking out for her. The story overall was everything I loved

[♥︎Obsidian°Scorpio°Reads♥︎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ashley Drew Me In Fast with this one.

this is Book 2 of Desires Trilogy an the way i feel for James, so qick in this was a defeat, to say the least! This man i would crawl to. this held me captive from start to finish an wish I could read it for a first time again.

read thoughs TRIGGERS

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🔥🔥🔥🔥/5

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The only man you’re allowed to marry against your wishes is me, love.”

Corrupt Desires has the type of arranged marriage that I love in a dark romance. James and Emilia’s story was plot driven, super hot and well done!

[Veronica · Rating 5 out of 5]

ohhhh yesssss mam 😮‍💨 🥵 sir James is definitely that man I loved the banter between James and Emilia I was happy when Emilia finally opens her heart to James and I love how protective he is for Emilia and spice 🥵 my my I needed a fan 🪭 to cool off the ending was wild and bittersweet at the same time and than you for writing about the serious topics that was needed all in all I enjoyed this book so much and that epilogue I think I know who's Kayden is talking about 👀 🤫

[Perla Najera · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ arc review ✨

em was an absolute baddie!

i was so sad that she thought james was only after her because of her parents!

and he didn’t understand why she hated him😭

but i loved them together!!

such a power couple🖤

[samantha lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Yes, love. I fucking crave you. Now be a good girl, put those pretty lips around my cock.” 🥵

i had a great time reading book 2 in the desires trilogy! this time we’re following Emilia & James and they are hot hot hot! this story has got spice and action! lots of emotion and a twist! it’s raw and steamy and just what you want out of a dark mafia romance 🤌🏼

you’ll enjoy this book if you like:
a feisty FMC 🌶️
a MMC with a filthy mouth 🤭
lots of banter 🗣️
“where’s my wife” 🫠

I take the strawberry from my mouth and hold it up to hers. “Here, take a bite and taste just how sweet you are to me.” 🍓

[ElderEmoSmutQueen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read back to back with book 1 Deadly Desires, this follows on beautifully from where we left off with Jaxon and Melody.
Book 2 focuses on the eldest Stonewell brother James, aka the Englishman and Emilia, the only daughter and sole heir to the Bonetti Crime Family.

Dark mafia vibes throughout with our FMC and the villain set out to claim her. Emilia's strong hatred towards James (even though he's the 'good guy') only helps to fuel the passion and conviction of the storyline and the relationship between Emilia and James.

With a 12 year age gap, a marriage of convenience, forced proximity and only one bed, the tension between the MC's is something else. He is a obsessive, morally grey, possessive alpha male who fell first and she is a strong willed, feisty, smart mouthed independent woman who hates him for the stupidest of reasons. Their personalities clash, but their chemistry is undeniable.

Lots of spice in this book, cant keep their hands off each other.

There are some parts of the books that I felt were a little wordy but it does not detract from the story. I love the plot, characters and spice and felt connected to them instantly. I like to be emotionally invested in the lives of fictional people (much more exciting than my day to day) and this book definitely gave me that. So much so that I already want to know what happens in book three with our third Stonewell brother, Kayden.

The twist had me saying "No Fucking Way! I knew something was off!" out loud!

Please remember that this is a DARK romance and to check the content warnings before reading. There are some themes in the book that made me grit my teeth, more out of anger than discomfort (I don't have triggers, luckily for me, coz I'm into some dark shit)

All in all, I give it s 4.5 - good short read, continued the characters journeys well and was an enjoyable read for me. Would highly recommend.

[Ashley Dang · Rating 4 out of 5]

She's the mafia princess, he's her family lawyer... and he turned down a marriage proposal for her all those years ago but for some reason she's determined to win her over and she can't figure out why, yet when a rival gang makes it known they want to capture her, they enter into a arranged marriage... and he just might finally prove to her that he wants her as his wife. Emilia Bonetti is the heir to a powerful Italian family and her world is constantly drenched in politics, blood, and trading favors with the family lawyer, the older handsome Jams Stonewall. James might appear stoic but underneath it is a deep obsession with her that she definitely has no idea she has... since he turned down the marriage proposal her father made for her and him all those years ago. Yet despite turning it down he is constantly asking her to go out to dinner with him and trying to win her over. James is older than Emilia by at least 12 years and when he turned down the marriage proposal he knew he just wanted her to have the chance to live her young life... but now years have pass and he is determined to make her his. When a dangerous group makes it known they want to capture Emilia, James calls in a favor and soon Emilia and James are wed. Emilia thinks this is only until the danger is over but James is determined to make this a real marriage and finally win her over. This was definitely an interesting mafia dark romance and I loved the pining, age gap, arranged marriage aspect of the story. Its the second book in the series but I do think it can be read as a standalone. I do think if you like any of those tropes you should absolutely give this a go!

Release Date: May 5, 2025

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Luna Literary for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

[Em · Rating 3 out of 5]

“That one is dangerous, and dangerous intrigues me.”

If you enjoy spice, this is the book for you - it has no lack of smut, and is paired with dark themes. The story and idea behind Corrupt Desires was very promising from the beginning, but had some pitfalls that made my rating lower.

For starters, I felt the start of the story rushed into the relationship - I understood that this was due in part to the nature of the situation, however, I felt this could have been expanded upon further. There was more that could have been done as Emilia stewed in her feelings about, more to share about how James truly felt about her and what led to his decision, and ultimately, more of a build-up to her accepting her feelings. This all felt very rushed and like she changed her mind immediately, all in the name of getting to the smut.

Initially, I was put off by the physical relationship as I was very uncomfortable with how he approached their first encounter together. It never happened again, as she quickly changed her mindset, but I almost didn't want to keep reading due to how their first exchange took place. The bulk of the book was about their physical relationship, and lacked emotional depth. I didn't understand what drew these two together beyond physical chemistry. I wish I got more about their emotional and intellectual connection, so I could better understand what it was that actually made them love each other and not just lust for each other. The spicy scenes were very well written, don't get me wrong, I just need a little more to make me feel like a relationship is actually there beyond a physical connection.

What really caught me and dragged me back into this book, was the suspense of the story in the last 30%. It really changed the trajectory of the story, and my opinion of it. If the whole book was this dynamic and thrilling, I'd have a higher rating. That being said, I recognize that some people would not like that, and prefer more spice. If that's you, you'll definitely like this, just make sure you read the triggers thoroughly.

[Breanna Starr · Rating 3 out of 5]

A billionaire lawyer MMC and a feisty mafia "princess" FMC in a marriage of convenience, forced proximity, age gap, dark, spicy romance.

!!!!This book was definitely DARK, so please check trigger warnings before reading!!!!

This book was a good, fast, veryyyy spicy romance that is centered around a "set-up" marriage between James and Emilia to keep her protected. Emilia is the daughter of the Bonetti mafia family and the heir to their dynasty. In order to prevent her from being taken by a rival family, she is meant to marry James Stonewell, the lawyer of the Bonetti family. James has been obsessed with Emilia for the longest time and wanted her all to himself, and now he does.

I enjoyed this book but also felt it fell flat at times. To me, it felt like the couple really didn't have a connection besides sexual. We never saw they actually talk about things and connect, but rather them interact and it leads to sex. The spicy scenes were really spicy and kind of long. The first half of the book was dragging for me, but the second half really picked up in plot and action. There was definitely things that made me very uncomfortable to read, as they were VERY DARK. I would recommend this book to other readers and I look forward to the next book centering about Kayden!!

Thank you to Luna Literary and Ashley McKnight for the e-ARC in exchange for a honest review.