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The Shadows Syndicate #3
Caught in the Crossfire
Keep your enemies close…and your arch-nemesis closer.
Max is the last person I want by my side, but he’s all I have when a new enemy comes after me. Another one of my father’s mistakes I must atone for.
My ticket to freedom means working together, but our temporary truce has an expiration date—after that, the gloves are off.
Bruised and bloody-minded, I’m determined to wipe our enemies off the map, even if the men I love threaten to lock me away to keep me safe.
But it’s looking like I’ve bitten off more than we can chew. And now, my arch-nemesis—the man I let slip through our fingers—is making an offer we can’t refuse.
They say the enemy of my enemy is my friend. We’ll see if that’s true when the real showdown begins.
Caught in the Crossfire is a multi-first person POV mafia romance, with open door spice, non-stop action, and a heroine who doesn’t have to choose. It is the third book in The Shadows Syndicate series.
Max is the last person I want by my side, but he’s all I have when a new enemy comes after me. Another one of my father’s mistakes I must atone for.
My ticket to freedom means working together, but our temporary truce has an expiration date—after that, the gloves are off.
Bruised and bloody-minded, I’m determined to wipe our enemies off the map, even if the men I love threaten to lock me away to keep me safe.
But it’s looking like I’ve bitten off more than we can chew. And now, my arch-nemesis—the man I let slip through our fingers—is making an offer we can’t refuse.
They say the enemy of my enemy is my friend. We’ll see if that’s true when the real showdown begins.
Caught in the Crossfire is a multi-first person POV mafia romance, with open door spice, non-stop action, and a heroine who doesn’t have to choose. It is the third book in The Shadows Syndicate series.
562 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 22, 2025
63 people are currently reading
245 people want to read
About the author
R.E. May
4 books67 followersRE May (also known as Rachel May) loves mac n’ cheese, staying up way too late to read, laughing with her husband, and being a mom to her beloved daughter. She’s always on the lookout for her new favorite hot wings, and she’s never met a pup she didn’t want to pet. She writes books filled with strong women on journeys of self-discovery as they grow into their full badassery and ultimate power.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
September 9, 2025
Okay, confession: I didn’t want to start this book. The thing is, Rachel gets me ATTACHED and then she fucks me over by making it end - preferably on a cliffhanger - and I’m left staring at the wall, unblinking.
Don’t get me wrong though: I dived in headfirst and immediately got submerged again in the suspense in which OFRI left us behind. The storytelling sucks you in and ‘reading one more chapter’ constantly led me to lose track of time. The tensions are running up high between our Syndicate of Shadows and Volpe, but Wynn and Leona are fighting a battle with themselves as well, and they’re struggling. The thing is, the Albanians and enemies in general don’t cease their criminal activities so the Shadows need to keep at it, no matter the interpersonal issues.
I loved how they kept trying to be their best self for each other, even though the circumstances were far from easy and sometimes plain abysmal. There were a few moments in which I wanted to take *some of them* and lock them into a closet until they finally talked and figured things out. It frustrated me to no end - isn’t it nice when a book gets you so immersed that it confuses you when you cannot intervene? This story has me so incredibly emotionally invested and I cannot wait for more. When I saw the page count it worried me but looking back, it wasn’t enough. Rachel, if you’re reading this: me and my nervous system really need a happy ending, please.
Don’t get me wrong though: I dived in headfirst and immediately got submerged again in the suspense in which OFRI left us behind. The storytelling sucks you in and ‘reading one more chapter’ constantly led me to lose track of time. The tensions are running up high between our Syndicate of Shadows and Volpe, but Wynn and Leona are fighting a battle with themselves as well, and they’re struggling. The thing is, the Albanians and enemies in general don’t cease their criminal activities so the Shadows need to keep at it, no matter the interpersonal issues.
I loved how they kept trying to be their best self for each other, even though the circumstances were far from easy and sometimes plain abysmal. There were a few moments in which I wanted to take *some of them* and lock them into a closet until they finally talked and figured things out. It frustrated me to no end - isn’t it nice when a book gets you so immersed that it confuses you when you cannot intervene? This story has me so incredibly emotionally invested and I cannot wait for more. When I saw the page count it worried me but looking back, it wasn’t enough. Rachel, if you’re reading this: me and my nervous system really need a happy ending, please.
September 25, 2025
3.5 stars ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
☆⋆｡𖦹°‧★ Caught in the Crossfire☆⋆｡𖦹°‧★
⁺₊★·.´🎧✩°｡ 0:56 ──♡───── 3:32 ⁺₊🎧★·.·´
🎶 "So this is me swallowin' my pride. Standin' in front of you sayin' I'm sorry for that night” 🎶
Forced into an uneasy truce with Max, the man she hates most, Leona (h) must face a new threat born of her father’s past mistakes. Their fragile alliance is her only ticket to survival, but as the battles grow bloodier and her lovers try to cage her in the name of protection, the war spirals beyond her control. When the enemy she failed to destroy returns with an offer too dangerous to ignore, Leona learns that the enemy of her enemy might be her only chance to win the ultimate showdown.
— ⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆• THOUGHTS⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ⋆—
The kidnapping was pretty much anticipated because something had to go wrong. Things were going too smoothly. All that said, it was unfortunate that she had to endure so much physical assault and pain, and I feel like she needed more time to process it. But she had Max, and that changed things. From the very start, Max was the number one villain. The whole goal was to get rid of him. By the end of the series, though, she had built this unexpected connection with him. She could not let him go again because he became her lifeline, and she was his as well. On the ship, they trauma bonded. It created a kindred spirit between them, a momentary truce. Despite still wanting to hypothetically kill each other, I do not think that is going to happen. I do not think she could ever fully help him, even if she wanted to, but she is going to try to understand his intentions from the very start. That has the potential to change the entire dynamic. Whether he still has an opportunity to be with her is unclear. He was not added into the end of this book, but that leaves room for possibility in the final one. I developed a soft spot for Max. 😭💓💌❤️ SORRY I KNOW BUT LISTEN. The shared history is not something you just move on from quickly. They always had lingering tension, and the fact that he never truly wanted to hurt her makes his story more complicated. Seeing his perspective as a kid, struggling in silence, warms you up to him. Whether he becomes one of the MMCs or not, I cannot say. But even if it only ends in friendship and closure, I think I would be okay with that. Of course, I would gladly welcome Max into the harem - but that is my take.
[Ciel]
MY ANGEL BOY.🤍❤️💗💌💖 Bilingual king who has come out of his shell and loves both Leona and Wynn. I love the confidence he has gained since the beginning of the series. At first, he was shy, unsure of himself, and felt like he did not deserve a place among the Shadows because of his personality. He constantly thought he had to prove himself to belong. Now, you can tell he is confident in his own skin, and a lot of that comes from Leona constantly praising him. He knows that he belongs. He still appreciates the praise, but he now has enough confidence to back himself up and say, yes, I am a great hacker, I am intelligent, and I deserve to be here because I have done so much to help my team. It is beautiful to see how he took that confidence and used it to push Wynn a little, inviting him to be part of his dynamic with Leona, because he felt something for him too. Before, he would have kept that to himself and felt unworthy, but now he is going after what he wants. I am so proud of him. Even when he suffered his hand injury, he did not let it stop him. He never blamed Wynn for it. He accepted it with grace, reminding himself that he is still talented and capable. That alone shows how much he has grown. He has become a strong-willed character who not only supports his team but also calls people out when things are wrong 💌💓🤍. From a shy hacker to a confident and vital part of the group, his growth has been incredible. I have so much respect for him.
[Wynn]
WYNNNN💌💘❤️💗. He was getting shit from Ryuji left and right, getting blamed for letting Leona get kidnapped, and he felt responsible for Ciel’s hand injury. He could not catch a break. He was losing himself, making careless mistakes, and felt like he did not even belong with Ciel or Leona. He started pushing them away because he felt undeserving. My heart broke for him. It made me feel so bad because he was one of the main people she could rely on, the one who often brought everyone together, and now he was shutting down. Wynn deserves better than the world gives him.
[Ryuji/Cas]
I saw this coming, and they need to kiss. They have been at each other’s throats since the last book, which is why it was obvious. It was predictable because of the lingering tension, and it really feels like they just need to get it out of their system. They rile each other up constantly. Cas feels the need to protect Leona, while Ryu feels the need to let her grow as a person. In that sense, they are complete opposites. After she was taken, though, they reached an understanding. Cas realized that he was glad she had been trained, that Ryu had helped teach her how to survive and handle herself, because otherwise it would have been nearly impossible. On the other hand, Ryu was upset, feeling like she needed to be kept in a bubble. He blamed everyone else because he did not understand what he was really feeling - love 🥺💗💌🤍. Ryu’s realization of being in love terrified him. He was uncomfortable with the idea of loving someone so much that they had control over his emotions and his every thought. He lashed out because he did not know how to process it. Cas, meanwhile, finally began to feel like part of the Shadows and was welcomed in, which is all Leona ever wanted: for her guys to become a family. Now, they are starting to build their own group dynamics. They are close as a whole, but they also have separate personal bonds with one another, and it works because of their different personalities. They are becoming a family, and together they are shaping their own little syndicate💗💌❤️.
[Obi]
He completely lost it when he lost her. Keep in mind, he loves being in control and has been pulling strings from the very beginning to bring them all together, but this was something he never anticipated. Because control is everything to him, losing Leona threw him off guard. He did not know how to handle it, and his only thought was to get her back in that moment. He pulled every connection he had and tried to do everything possible to bring her home. It was not easy, but you could see him letting his guard down, becoming more raw and transparent with his feelings instead of hiding them away. He could not hide them, because for the first time, he was truly shaken. When he finally got her back, there was no need to hold back 💌💗😭🤍
. He was open about what he wanted, and his possessiveness only grew stronger. That is where the elements of punishment and bondage came in, because he wanted her to learn a lesson - especially since she constantly puts herself in dangerous situations and refuses to listen to advice. Their dynamic is unique, messy, and intense, but it works. The sharing scenes highlight it even more, especially with Obi adding another layer to the tension and connection.
[Max?]
RYUJI CALLING HIM MAXY. SORRY YALL MAX saved this series. 💌💗😭🤍 Leona and Max have the most unresolved tension, and they need to kiss. Please tell me he is part of the harem now, because the history between them and the enemies to allies dynamic is peak. I have had a soft spot for him since book one because of their childhood best friend bond. Now, watching him protect her, help her through panic attacks, and even go to the Shadows for help in the end - oh Max, I love you. No hard feelings. He is my baby. I need him in this harem. He was just a kid when he lost his father and had to carry the weight of what Leona’s father did. All he ever wanted was to protect his best friends, and in the process, he lost them. He was only a child. Keep in mind, I once said he was irredeemable, but listen. The history between them and the way she loved him is not something you get over overnight. She wanted him for years. She wanted to marry him and build a life with him. And the whole time, he was lying, keeping her at arm’s length, calling her a sister so he could push her away, all in the name of protecting her. It has always been about her and Cas. Meanwhile, Max has been alone, silent, and suffering. Give him his best friends back. He needs family 🥺💗💌🤍
.
— ⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆ OVERALL⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆—
Future me, when you read this next year: Max was beat up badly and ended up asking the Shadows for help. They are trying to figure out who hurt him. The reason is tied to the fact that he would have turned in Leona, yet he was still protecting her after all this time. The Albanians have been an enemy because of something Max has been hiding, and he still has not told anyone the full truth. There are so many unanswered questions about his intentions and why he did everything in the first place. Secrets are still everywhere. Cas has read the diary that Max received from his father on his fifteenth birthday, and that diary shaped him as a person. It will be interesting to see how this all works out.
☆⋆｡𖦹°‧★ Caught in the Crossfire☆⋆｡𖦹°‧★
⁺₊★·.´🎧✩°｡ 0:56 ──♡───── 3:32 ⁺₊🎧★·.·´
🎶 "So this is me swallowin' my pride. Standin' in front of you sayin' I'm sorry for that night” 🎶
Forced into an uneasy truce with Max, the man she hates most, Leona (h) must face a new threat born of her father’s past mistakes. Their fragile alliance is her only ticket to survival, but as the battles grow bloodier and her lovers try to cage her in the name of protection, the war spirals beyond her control. When the enemy she failed to destroy returns with an offer too dangerous to ignore, Leona learns that the enemy of her enemy might be her only chance to win the ultimate showdown.
— ⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆• THOUGHTS⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ⋆—
The kidnapping was pretty much anticipated because something had to go wrong. Things were going too smoothly. All that said, it was unfortunate that she had to endure so much physical assault and pain, and I feel like she needed more time to process it. But she had Max, and that changed things. From the very start, Max was the number one villain. The whole goal was to get rid of him. By the end of the series, though, she had built this unexpected connection with him. She could not let him go again because he became her lifeline, and she was his as well. On the ship, they trauma bonded. It created a kindred spirit between them, a momentary truce. Despite still wanting to hypothetically kill each other, I do not think that is going to happen. I do not think she could ever fully help him, even if she wanted to, but she is going to try to understand his intentions from the very start. That has the potential to change the entire dynamic. Whether he still has an opportunity to be with her is unclear. He was not added into the end of this book, but that leaves room for possibility in the final one. I developed a soft spot for Max. 😭💓💌❤️ SORRY I KNOW BUT LISTEN. The shared history is not something you just move on from quickly. They always had lingering tension, and the fact that he never truly wanted to hurt her makes his story more complicated. Seeing his perspective as a kid, struggling in silence, warms you up to him. Whether he becomes one of the MMCs or not, I cannot say. But even if it only ends in friendship and closure, I think I would be okay with that. Of course, I would gladly welcome Max into the harem - but that is my take.
[Ciel]
“You came for me,” I said to the six of us, still crammed in a hug. “Thank you for coming. I don’t know how much longer I could have lasted.”
“I will always find you, baby girl,” Ciel whispered. “I will follow you anywhere.”
MY ANGEL BOY.🤍❤️💗💌💖 Bilingual king who has come out of his shell and loves both Leona and Wynn. I love the confidence he has gained since the beginning of the series. At first, he was shy, unsure of himself, and felt like he did not deserve a place among the Shadows because of his personality. He constantly thought he had to prove himself to belong. Now, you can tell he is confident in his own skin, and a lot of that comes from Leona constantly praising him. He knows that he belongs. He still appreciates the praise, but he now has enough confidence to back himself up and say, yes, I am a great hacker, I am intelligent, and I deserve to be here because I have done so much to help my team. It is beautiful to see how he took that confidence and used it to push Wynn a little, inviting him to be part of his dynamic with Leona, because he felt something for him too. Before, he would have kept that to himself and felt unworthy, but now he is going after what he wants. I am so proud of him. Even when he suffered his hand injury, he did not let it stop him. He never blamed Wynn for it. He accepted it with grace, reminding himself that he is still talented and capable. That alone shows how much he has grown. He has become a strong-willed character who not only supports his team but also calls people out when things are wrong 💌💓🤍. From a shy hacker to a confident and vital part of the group, his growth has been incredible. I have so much respect for him.
[Wynn]
“You’re running yourself into the ground, Wynn. You’re not letting yourself heal. Mentally and physically. What happened to you was horrible, and you’ve barely given yourself a second to process it.”
WYNNNN💌💘❤️💗. He was getting shit from Ryuji left and right, getting blamed for letting Leona get kidnapped, and he felt responsible for Ciel’s hand injury. He could not catch a break. He was losing himself, making careless mistakes, and felt like he did not even belong with Ciel or Leona. He started pushing them away because he felt undeserving. My heart broke for him. It made me feel so bad because he was one of the main people she could rely on, the one who often brought everyone together, and now he was shutting down. Wynn deserves better than the world gives him.
[Ryuji/Cas]
“How the fuck can you say you want to protect her when you aren’t strapping up beside me, ready to hunt those fuckers to the ends of the earth?”
“Because right now she needs us. She smiled at you, Ryuji. A fucking smile. Don’t you understand what that meant? What you do for her?”
I saw this coming, and they need to kiss. They have been at each other’s throats since the last book, which is why it was obvious. It was predictable because of the lingering tension, and it really feels like they just need to get it out of their system. They rile each other up constantly. Cas feels the need to protect Leona, while Ryu feels the need to let her grow as a person. In that sense, they are complete opposites. After she was taken, though, they reached an understanding. Cas realized that he was glad she had been trained, that Ryu had helped teach her how to survive and handle herself, because otherwise it would have been nearly impossible. On the other hand, Ryu was upset, feeling like she needed to be kept in a bubble. He blamed everyone else because he did not understand what he was really feeling - love 🥺💗💌🤍. Ryu’s realization of being in love terrified him. He was uncomfortable with the idea of loving someone so much that they had control over his emotions and his every thought. He lashed out because he did not know how to process it. Cas, meanwhile, finally began to feel like part of the Shadows and was welcomed in, which is all Leona ever wanted: for her guys to become a family. Now, they are starting to build their own group dynamics. They are close as a whole, but they also have separate personal bonds with one another, and it works because of their different personalities. They are becoming a family, and together they are shaping their own little syndicate💗💌❤️.
[Obi]
“Careful, Leona,” Obi said, drawing the eye of everyone at the table, “or you will be punished.”
“Punished?” I squeaked. “What the hell does that mean?”
“Push me and find out,” he said calmly.
He completely lost it when he lost her. Keep in mind, he loves being in control and has been pulling strings from the very beginning to bring them all together, but this was something he never anticipated. Because control is everything to him, losing Leona threw him off guard. He did not know how to handle it, and his only thought was to get her back in that moment. He pulled every connection he had and tried to do everything possible to bring her home. It was not easy, but you could see him letting his guard down, becoming more raw and transparent with his feelings instead of hiding them away. He could not hide them, because for the first time, he was truly shaken. When he finally got her back, there was no need to hold back 💌💗😭🤍
. He was open about what he wanted, and his possessiveness only grew stronger. That is where the elements of punishment and bondage came in, because he wanted her to learn a lesson - especially since she constantly puts herself in dangerous situations and refuses to listen to advice. Their dynamic is unique, messy, and intense, but it works. The sharing scenes highlight it even more, especially with Obi adding another layer to the tension and connection.
[Max?]
“Mi dispiace, mi dispiace,” he whispered, over and over as he gently wiped the blood spatter from my face with the sleeve of his jacket.
“Piccola.”
It was just us, Max and Leona, the same kids we were when he held my hand and sang me to sleep
RYUJI CALLING HIM MAXY. SORRY YALL MAX saved this series. 💌💗😭🤍 Leona and Max have the most unresolved tension, and they need to kiss. Please tell me he is part of the harem now, because the history between them and the enemies to allies dynamic is peak. I have had a soft spot for him since book one because of their childhood best friend bond. Now, watching him protect her, help her through panic attacks, and even go to the Shadows for help in the end - oh Max, I love you. No hard feelings. He is my baby. I need him in this harem. He was just a kid when he lost his father and had to carry the weight of what Leona’s father did. All he ever wanted was to protect his best friends, and in the process, he lost them. He was only a child. Keep in mind, I once said he was irredeemable, but listen. The history between them and the way she loved him is not something you get over overnight. She wanted him for years. She wanted to marry him and build a life with him. And the whole time, he was lying, keeping her at arm’s length, calling her a sister so he could push her away, all in the name of protecting her. It has always been about her and Cas. Meanwhile, Max has been alone, silent, and suffering. Give him his best friends back. He needs family 🥺💗💌🤍
.
— ⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆ OVERALL⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆—
Future me, when you read this next year: Max was beat up badly and ended up asking the Shadows for help. They are trying to figure out who hurt him. The reason is tied to the fact that he would have turned in Leona, yet he was still protecting her after all this time. The Albanians have been an enemy because of something Max has been hiding, and he still has not told anyone the full truth. There are so many unanswered questions about his intentions and why he did everything in the first place. Secrets are still everywhere. Cas has read the diary that Max received from his father on his fifteenth birthday, and that diary shaped him as a person. It will be interesting to see how this all works out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 9, 2025
This is the 3rd book in a series, so I won’t spoil any story. This series is highly underrated and YOU should definitely read it.
Thank you to R.E. May for providing this free advanced reader. The opinions expressed are my own.
I was SO SURPRISED to have received this ARC in my mail inbox. It felt like a gift that arrived just in time to make my day. I read (more like devoured) the first two books in April this year and I was instantly hooked. Both were a highlight for me and they have a special place in my heart.
RACHEL E. MAY, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO ME? This was one of the most fun and sexy books I’ve read this year. I was having a hard time in my private life, and this was perfect to take my mind off of things, allowing me to escape. Did I cry? Yes. Am I fine? No. Give me 5 to 6 business days to recover. Thanks.
It was heart-wrenching. Leona’s story – and her men’s – is a story many women experience (except maybe being a mafia queen??). R.E. May captures important topics, such as trauma, ptsd and trafficking (and so much more) in such a heartfelt way. She doesn’t forget that the characters are human beings with their own quirks. BUT first and foremost, she never forgets to put the fun into MAFIA. The banter had me giggling and the spice had me kicking my feet. AND THE BI REP??? HELLO?? ✨🏳️🌈✨
I really like the book’s pacing. Planning scenes were skipped as they were not as important to the story and other parts could be highlighted. I mean there were moments where I had to sit upright because things got down.
And did you know that the characters are inspired by the Manga Yona of the Dawn? I SCREAMED when she revealed this on instagram. I am a huge Yona fan! RACHEL, I DEMAND MORE.
Thank you to R.E. May for providing this free advanced reader. The opinions expressed are my own.
I was SO SURPRISED to have received this ARC in my mail inbox. It felt like a gift that arrived just in time to make my day. I read (more like devoured) the first two books in April this year and I was instantly hooked. Both were a highlight for me and they have a special place in my heart.
RACHEL E. MAY, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO ME? This was one of the most fun and sexy books I’ve read this year. I was having a hard time in my private life, and this was perfect to take my mind off of things, allowing me to escape. Did I cry? Yes. Am I fine? No. Give me 5 to 6 business days to recover. Thanks.
It was heart-wrenching. Leona’s story – and her men’s – is a story many women experience (except maybe being a mafia queen??). R.E. May captures important topics, such as trauma, ptsd and trafficking (and so much more) in such a heartfelt way. She doesn’t forget that the characters are human beings with their own quirks. BUT first and foremost, she never forgets to put the fun into MAFIA. The banter had me giggling and the spice had me kicking my feet. AND THE BI REP??? HELLO?? ✨🏳️🌈✨
I really like the book’s pacing. Planning scenes were skipped as they were not as important to the story and other parts could be highlighted. I mean there were moments where I had to sit upright because things got down.
And did you know that the characters are inspired by the Manga Yona of the Dawn? I SCREAMED when she revealed this on instagram. I am a huge Yona fan! RACHEL, I DEMAND MORE.
September 11, 2025
I have dubbed this woman the queen of cliffhangers
It’s gunna be a long wait 😩
It’s gunna be a long wait 😩
September 29, 2025
why do i actually love Max
LOL
LOL
September 12, 2025
Rating: 5/5 ⭐️
Spice: 5/5🌶️🥵
*no spoilers!*
Leona and The Shadows are BACK 🔥 Caught in the Crossfire picks back up on the cliffhanger we ended on in Only Fools Rush In and WHEW does this series never fail to keep me on the edge. I don’t even know how to sum up all that happens in this book - it was such an emotional rollercoaster but I loved every second. There’s drama, angst, groveling, twists and turns, flashbacks, spice, and MORE. It’s. Just. So. Good. The bond between Leona and her men is growing so perfectly - their individual dynamics AND the group dynamics. Hello, bi awakening(s?!) 🏳️🌈 It’s also possible I’m coming to love a character I thought I hated… And leaving me feeling this way on another cliffhanger?! Rachel, what are you doing to me?!
Fallon, Willow, and Zoya are always such a fun part of these stories as well. I love that this world is full of fearless women 💅 Can I be added to their group chat now?!
This book is chonky (almost 600 pages!) but it moved along so effortlessly that you’d never realize it if you didn’t look at the page count. I binged the first two books of this series back in June (which kicked off this whole book journey!) and have been in a Shadows DROUGHT waiting for CitC - but the wait was so worth it! Now we eagerly await book four 😈
CitC is book three of The Shadows Syndicate series - which means you still have time to catch up on the first two books, Blood in the Water and Only Fools Rush In before Caught in the Crossfire releases on September 22nd!
The biggest thank you to R.E. May for the ARC 🖤
Spice: 5/5🌶️🥵
*no spoilers!*
Leona and The Shadows are BACK 🔥 Caught in the Crossfire picks back up on the cliffhanger we ended on in Only Fools Rush In and WHEW does this series never fail to keep me on the edge. I don’t even know how to sum up all that happens in this book - it was such an emotional rollercoaster but I loved every second. There’s drama, angst, groveling, twists and turns, flashbacks, spice, and MORE. It’s. Just. So. Good. The bond between Leona and her men is growing so perfectly - their individual dynamics AND the group dynamics. Hello, bi awakening(s?!) 🏳️🌈 It’s also possible I’m coming to love a character I thought I hated… And leaving me feeling this way on another cliffhanger?! Rachel, what are you doing to me?!
Fallon, Willow, and Zoya are always such a fun part of these stories as well. I love that this world is full of fearless women 💅 Can I be added to their group chat now?!
This book is chonky (almost 600 pages!) but it moved along so effortlessly that you’d never realize it if you didn’t look at the page count. I binged the first two books of this series back in June (which kicked off this whole book journey!) and have been in a Shadows DROUGHT waiting for CitC - but the wait was so worth it! Now we eagerly await book four 😈
CitC is book three of The Shadows Syndicate series - which means you still have time to catch up on the first two books, Blood in the Water and Only Fools Rush In before Caught in the Crossfire releases on September 22nd!
The biggest thank you to R.E. May for the ARC 🖤
September 18, 2025
Let me start by saying that I think Rachel is the devil and very likely a sadist. I think she thrives on the emotional distress of her readers. That being said, damn, she knows how to write a book.
Things I loved: the real conflict, especially in regard to trauma
The realism in the functioning of the relationship between her men
The big bed
Fallon
The spice
BISEXUAL BADDIES/SEXUAL TENSION
Banter
What I hated: That it ended and I have to wait for the next book. Also, that I left the book having conflicted feelings about something I KNEW was going to happen and that falls on Rachel as well because SHE KNOWS WHAT SHE DID.
So anyway, if I haven’t convinced you... READ THESE BOOKS!
Things I loved: the real conflict, especially in regard to trauma
The realism in the functioning of the relationship between her men
The big bed
Fallon
The spice
BISEXUAL BADDIES/SEXUAL TENSION
Banter
What I hated: That it ended and I have to wait for the next book. Also, that I left the book having conflicted feelings about something I KNEW was going to happen and that falls on Rachel as well because SHE KNOWS WHAT SHE DID.
So anyway, if I haven’t convinced you... READ THESE BOOKS!
September 24, 2025
I have so many things I want to say about this book. But I just can’t. I can’t because I refuse to spoil anything. So this will be vague however as soon as you’re done reading this (or as you’re reading) I expect you in my DMs screaming about it!
I’m currently rereading (yes yes already) and there are so many things that have a different impact and meaning because now I know things I didn’t know the first time.
The amount of times I’ve cried, laughed, and swooned while I reading this was insane, my husband is probably concerned lol. I also think Rachel would like a break from my screaming in her DMs.
If I could give this book a million stars I would in a heartbeat.
I’m currently rereading (yes yes already) and there are so many things that have a different impact and meaning because now I know things I didn’t know the first time.
The amount of times I’ve cried, laughed, and swooned while I reading this was insane, my husband is probably concerned lol. I also think Rachel would like a break from my screaming in her DMs.
If I could give this book a million stars I would in a heartbeat.
September 22, 2025
Rachel, when I catch you Rachel, when I catch you.
I told her I was hesitant to start because of her penchant to cause emotional damage and she said it wouldn’t be that bad. Insert proof here
WELL RACHEL. I AM EMOTIONALLY DAMAGED.
She really knows how to gut punch you and drag you through the coals then offer a helping hand to help you feel better JUST TO DO IT AGAIN. I knew what I was getting into and still didn’t expect to be wrecked. Also the way she can make me hate a character then turn around and make me feel sympathy and start to care for said character. Just phenomenal writing and with the way the story is unfolding and Leona just becoming stronger and stronger, I’m so looking forward to the next book.
I told her I was hesitant to start because of her penchant to cause emotional damage and she said it wouldn’t be that bad. Insert proof here
WELL RACHEL. I AM EMOTIONALLY DAMAGED.
She really knows how to gut punch you and drag you through the coals then offer a helping hand to help you feel better JUST TO DO IT AGAIN. I knew what I was getting into and still didn’t expect to be wrecked. Also the way she can make me hate a character then turn around and make me feel sympathy and start to care for said character. Just phenomenal writing and with the way the story is unfolding and Leona just becoming stronger and stronger, I’m so looking forward to the next book.
January 29, 2026
This was fine. All of these books are wayyy too long and can be condensed. I'm not liking the whole polycube or whatever is going on. If they accept Max into their family without SEVERE groveling from him I'm going to scream. He literally tortured Cas close to death, shot at Leona, punched her, and set off a bomb near her. Yea...no thanks. I honestly don't even want him in the family. We will see what happens in the next book.
October 17, 2025
I need book 4 RIGHT NOW.
To think I started reading this expecting a fun little trash read and then it turns out to be the (to me) GOLD STANDARD of a why choose reverse harem mafia romance.
I love all of the guys and all of the girls (Fallon, please add me to your little irish mob harem). Everyone has their own personality, everyone is fleshed out, everyone has their quirks and problems and just feels real. I laughed out loud a couple of times (I love a sassy comeback) and oooohed and awwwwwed at the budding romance between two of the guys, because the MFMMMM finally turned into a MMFMMM and I could not be happier with this development.
And the story? I salute the way the author handled the whole human trafficking plot and the way trauma works and affects the victims, even years later. There is no magic cure, what happened isn‘t suddenly resolved and the flashbacks and panic attacks just creep up on you, even if you try too bury it all deep within yourself.
I never expected the redemption of one character, but here we are. I am worried about him. Actually worried. And scared of what happens next, what with two other powerful organisations involved in everything.
To think I started reading this expecting a fun little trash read and then it turns out to be the (to me) GOLD STANDARD of a why choose reverse harem mafia romance.
I love all of the guys and all of the girls (Fallon, please add me to your little irish mob harem). Everyone has their own personality, everyone is fleshed out, everyone has their quirks and problems and just feels real. I laughed out loud a couple of times (I love a sassy comeback) and oooohed and awwwwwed at the budding romance between two of the guys, because the MFMMMM finally turned into a MMFMMM and I could not be happier with this development.
And the story? I salute the way the author handled the whole human trafficking plot and the way trauma works and affects the victims, even years later. There is no magic cure, what happened isn‘t suddenly resolved and the flashbacks and panic attacks just creep up on you, even if you try too bury it all deep within yourself.
I never expected the redemption of one character, but here we are. I am worried about him. Actually worried. And scared of what happens next, what with two other powerful organisations involved in everything.
September 22, 2025
Okay we are all for a savage MMC who will stop at nothing to save his girl. Hear me out… what if there were 5 trained assassins who would stop at nothing for THEIR girl. Need I say more?
I was reading and forgetting to breathe by 10% in. This book had my blood pressure up from the first page and it was a roller coaster of a ride all the way through. There are rocket launchers casually wielded. Where else can you find that?
The banter, the tension, the girl group chats. Here for all of it.
Thanks for pulling me out of a slump with this exciting read! And as usual just yeeting me right off the cliff for that ending. Knew it was gonna happen, still surprised.
Thank you for the ARC opportunity and indulging my late night, unhinged feedback!
I was reading and forgetting to breathe by 10% in. This book had my blood pressure up from the first page and it was a roller coaster of a ride all the way through. There are rocket launchers casually wielded. Where else can you find that?
The banter, the tension, the girl group chats. Here for all of it.
Thanks for pulling me out of a slump with this exciting read! And as usual just yeeting me right off the cliff for that ending. Knew it was gonna happen, still surprised.
Thank you for the ARC opportunity and indulging my late night, unhinged feedback!
November 8, 2025
You leave me there?!
I won’t even know if Max is okay till next year?!
And I’ll be honest I love Max lol, I love all the guys but now I want max in on it.
I have read all the books in this series in the past 5 days. And now I have to wait. Till next year. This is brutal.
I miss Ryu haha.
I won’t even know if Max is okay till next year?!
And I’ll be honest I love Max lol, I love all the guys but now I want max in on it.
I have read all the books in this series in the past 5 days. And now I have to wait. Till next year. This is brutal.
I miss Ryu haha.
September 19, 2025
ARC REVIEW ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"What if admitting I was hurt was admitting I was vulnerable enough to be hurt? What did that mean for my future dreams of running this city and protecting the women who lived in it?"
Caught in the Crossfire, the third book of The Shadows Syndicate, dives right into where we left off with the second book's cliffhanger. If you haven't read the first two books of this series, this is your sign to do so.
Leona is truly becoming the woman she was always meant to be. She's a fighter, a survivor, just an overall badass as she continues to try to make NYC a safer place for the women who live there. Meanwhile, the stakes are higher, the risks are greater and danger waits behind every corner with so much more to lose.
We discover more about Max and his past so we find out what has made him into the man he is today. He's so much different than I expected and I think I may be developing a soft spot for him. I am seriously questioning my moral compass right now but I make no apologies.
All of the characters showed tremendous growth and development but possibly none more than Wynn. My heart broke for him as he tried to make up for his sins but remained full of guilt. Food for thought: What makes you a good person? Are the good things you do enough to absolve you from the bad?
This is a story about trauma and healing, forgiveness and redemption, self-worth and making the world a better place. It takes the "who did this to you" and "hurt/comfort" tropes and shatters your heart with a tidal wave of feelings and emotions. Leona's men would do anything and everything to protect her and she would do the same for them. There's more action too, not to mention more spice (yes, more group scenes!). Case in point, chapter 62!! Follow that up with the banter in chapter 63 and I'm a happy girl!
But don't forget that Rachel loves edging us with those cliffhangers so just when things are finally moving along smoothly, we're left at the cusp of something big and begging for the final book!
▪️Who comes out on top?
▪️Who is left standing?
▪️Who will control NYC?
▪️Will the city ever be safe?
I can't wait to find out! I know it will be worth the wait!!
"She is the star that lights the night sky. She is my reason for breathing; she always has been."
"I didn’t give a fuck about love before meeting you, but you’re my everything. You make me feel whole."
"Give me your soul, and I shall give you mine."
✨️why choose (mmfmmm)
✨️who did this to you
✨️group scenes
✨️hurt / comfort
✨️touch her and die
✨️good girl
✨️forced proximity
✨️cliffhanger
"What if admitting I was hurt was admitting I was vulnerable enough to be hurt? What did that mean for my future dreams of running this city and protecting the women who lived in it?"
Caught in the Crossfire, the third book of The Shadows Syndicate, dives right into where we left off with the second book's cliffhanger. If you haven't read the first two books of this series, this is your sign to do so.
Leona is truly becoming the woman she was always meant to be. She's a fighter, a survivor, just an overall badass as she continues to try to make NYC a safer place for the women who live there. Meanwhile, the stakes are higher, the risks are greater and danger waits behind every corner with so much more to lose.
We discover more about Max and his past so we find out what has made him into the man he is today. He's so much different than I expected and I think I may be developing a soft spot for him. I am seriously questioning my moral compass right now but I make no apologies.
All of the characters showed tremendous growth and development but possibly none more than Wynn. My heart broke for him as he tried to make up for his sins but remained full of guilt. Food for thought: What makes you a good person? Are the good things you do enough to absolve you from the bad?
This is a story about trauma and healing, forgiveness and redemption, self-worth and making the world a better place. It takes the "who did this to you" and "hurt/comfort" tropes and shatters your heart with a tidal wave of feelings and emotions. Leona's men would do anything and everything to protect her and she would do the same for them. There's more action too, not to mention more spice (yes, more group scenes!). Case in point, chapter 62!! Follow that up with the banter in chapter 63 and I'm a happy girl!
But don't forget that Rachel loves edging us with those cliffhangers so just when things are finally moving along smoothly, we're left at the cusp of something big and begging for the final book!
▪️Who comes out on top?
▪️Who is left standing?
▪️Who will control NYC?
▪️Will the city ever be safe?
I can't wait to find out! I know it will be worth the wait!!
"She is the star that lights the night sky. She is my reason for breathing; she always has been."
"I didn’t give a fuck about love before meeting you, but you’re my everything. You make me feel whole."
"Give me your soul, and I shall give you mine."
✨️why choose (mmfmmm)
✨️who did this to you
✨️group scenes
✨️hurt / comfort
✨️touch her and die
✨️good girl
✨️forced proximity
✨️cliffhanger
September 15, 2025
ARC Review five star read!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5
“I love you, Leona. I love you with every shard of my blackened heart. Every atom of my being. I didn’t give a fuck about love before meeting you, but you’re my everything. You make me feel whole.”
Absolutely love this book, I devoured it in a few days. I did a re-read of book 1 and 2 which made it even better jumping into this ARC read. Perfect balance of both plot and spice, I could not put the book down. If you have not read The Shadows Syndicate series highly recommend you read. After book 2 Only Fools Rush In I was fully against Max, I hated him. By the end of book 2 I said you could not ever make me like Max, no way could he have redemption. But this Book made me slowly understand his decisions and dare I say it make me love him as a character. Seeing how much he did to try to protect Cas and Leona and how he was there for Leona when she needed him most made me fall for him. I wanted to hate him but I just couldn’t any more by the end of the book.
I also loved the development of all the different relationships with everyone but especially Ceil and Wynn. They had such great build up of anticipation, making it that much better as their relationship grew. I also loved the hints between the growth of relationship for Cas and Ryu has me wishing book 4 was out now. I absolutely love Ryu teasing Cas about their sexual tension. I can’t wait for Cas to break and give in to the relationship. With Obi I loved the yearning between him and Leano. The slow build up made it all the more sweeter, and when he took control was top tier.
Love and hated the cliffhanger, it makes me so excited for book 4. This was my first ARC read and I loved it. Will continue to recommend this book to everyone. !!
Mafia Romance
Why Choose (MFMMMM)
Found Family
Possessives MMCs
Thank you to RE May for giving my the opportunity to be ARC reader for this book.
“I love you, Leona. I love you with every shard of my blackened heart. Every atom of my being. I didn’t give a fuck about love before meeting you, but you’re my everything. You make me feel whole.”
Absolutely love this book, I devoured it in a few days. I did a re-read of book 1 and 2 which made it even better jumping into this ARC read. Perfect balance of both plot and spice, I could not put the book down. If you have not read The Shadows Syndicate series highly recommend you read. After book 2 Only Fools Rush In I was fully against Max, I hated him. By the end of book 2 I said you could not ever make me like Max, no way could he have redemption. But this Book made me slowly understand his decisions and dare I say it make me love him as a character. Seeing how much he did to try to protect Cas and Leona and how he was there for Leona when she needed him most made me fall for him. I wanted to hate him but I just couldn’t any more by the end of the book.
I also loved the development of all the different relationships with everyone but especially Ceil and Wynn. They had such great build up of anticipation, making it that much better as their relationship grew. I also loved the hints between the growth of relationship for Cas and Ryu has me wishing book 4 was out now. I absolutely love Ryu teasing Cas about their sexual tension. I can’t wait for Cas to break and give in to the relationship. With Obi I loved the yearning between him and Leano. The slow build up made it all the more sweeter, and when he took control was top tier.
Love and hated the cliffhanger, it makes me so excited for book 4. This was my first ARC read and I loved it. Will continue to recommend this book to everyone. !!
Mafia Romance
Why Choose (MFMMMM)
Found Family
Possessives MMCs
Thank you to RE May for giving my the opportunity to be ARC reader for this book.
September 23, 2025
Format: 📱 eBook 📱 (ARC)
Check TWs before reading. Series must be read in order.
Holy f*ck. this book. That cliffhanger.
Keeping that first line for initial reaction after I put the book down yesterday, because I still can't come up with the words to describe my thoughts and feelings on this - but I'm gonna try.
Leona is so f*cking strong. There is no other way to say it. She's an absolute bada$$, as we've learned from the previous two books, but her strength really shines in the events of this book. This one is much darker than the previous two, with certain themes being more present and hitting harder as it does involve our FMC, but her journey after it? May treated it with sensitivity and love, and made it feel like such a genuine and real grief/healing process.
This book is a beast. But every single word counted. - you could not have cut anything out without harming the story. May perfectly blends the dark romance genre with the mafia subgenre, injecting some favourite tropes (who doesn't love a good "touch her and d!e" moment; and holy bi-rep, batman!), alongside such true, human emotion that works perfectly. As in, zero notes. This has to be my top read of the month, if not the last few months.
The emotions you feel with Leona and her men through this one? They gutted me at points. But it was so amazing to read that I could not put the book down. But not only does May make the emotional and healing hit hard, but she also brings it with the action, the suspense, and the plot twists - some of which I definitely did not see coming.
I'm still reeling from that cliffhanger, and I am eagerly awaiting the final book in the series (and praying the date on Amazon is just a placeholder!). I *need* to know how everything ends like I need air to breathe right now (yes, intense but so f*cking true).
Thank you to the author for the eARC opportunity. These are my honest thoughts that I have provided voluntarily.
Check TWs before reading. Series must be read in order.
Holy f*ck. this book. That cliffhanger.
Keeping that first line for initial reaction after I put the book down yesterday, because I still can't come up with the words to describe my thoughts and feelings on this - but I'm gonna try.
Leona is so f*cking strong. There is no other way to say it. She's an absolute bada$$, as we've learned from the previous two books, but her strength really shines in the events of this book. This one is much darker than the previous two, with certain themes being more present and hitting harder as it does involve our FMC, but her journey after it? May treated it with sensitivity and love, and made it feel like such a genuine and real grief/healing process.
This book is a beast. But every single word counted. - you could not have cut anything out without harming the story. May perfectly blends the dark romance genre with the mafia subgenre, injecting some favourite tropes (who doesn't love a good "touch her and d!e" moment; and holy bi-rep, batman!), alongside such true, human emotion that works perfectly. As in, zero notes. This has to be my top read of the month, if not the last few months.
The emotions you feel with Leona and her men through this one? They gutted me at points. But it was so amazing to read that I could not put the book down. But not only does May make the emotional and healing hit hard, but she also brings it with the action, the suspense, and the plot twists - some of which I definitely did not see coming.
I'm still reeling from that cliffhanger, and I am eagerly awaiting the final book in the series (and praying the date on Amazon is just a placeholder!). I *need* to know how everything ends like I need air to breathe right now (yes, intense but so f*cking true).
Thank you to the author for the eARC opportunity. These are my honest thoughts that I have provided voluntarily.
October 6, 2025
Wow! Wow 🥹❤️ What a journey with Queen Leona and her MEN 🫦 Their dynamic, strength, her chemistry with each of them, and their unconditional love for her are incredible 😩 Leona, Caspian, Ryuji, Ciel, Obi, and Wynn 🥹 Thank you so much, R.E. May, for this ARC 😩❤️
These men have different personalities, but they're united in their love for her 🥹 They are all incredibly obsessed and know how to share alright 😏 Protective, obsessed, Mafia men, gentlemen, touch her and die, dominant, rich, assassins, handsome af, intelligent, and will do anything for her 🧎♀️
Ciel is quiet, deadly, and gentle, but one heck of a hacker 😏 Ryuji is grumpy and hotheaded but kneels before Leona without a thought. Obi is protective, dominant, and grumpy, but deadly 😩 Wynn is possessive, fierce, and loves to banter 🔥 Caspian has owned me since book one. He is protective and grumpy but loves her so much. He never thought he would get to be in her life 🥹
Leona Vero 🧎♀️ This woman is a Mafia Queen 😏 Her life was upended on her 21st birthday. Sunshine, Mafia princess, talented, protective, fierce, independent, bratty, deadly, touch them and die, beautiful, intelligent, loves these men with all her heart, adores her friends, and seeking justice 🔥 I adored this woman, and loved seeing her grow and become the fierce woman that she is 🥹
I knew Max was hiding so much 😩 and this book changed everything! I knew his feelings were not what he said!!! This book revealed so much and answered more questions. I can't wait for book 4 😩
These men have different personalities, but they're united in their love for her 🥹 They are all incredibly obsessed and know how to share alright 😏 Protective, obsessed, Mafia men, gentlemen, touch her and die, dominant, rich, assassins, handsome af, intelligent, and will do anything for her 🧎♀️
Ciel is quiet, deadly, and gentle, but one heck of a hacker 😏 Ryuji is grumpy and hotheaded but kneels before Leona without a thought. Obi is protective, dominant, and grumpy, but deadly 😩 Wynn is possessive, fierce, and loves to banter 🔥 Caspian has owned me since book one. He is protective and grumpy but loves her so much. He never thought he would get to be in her life 🥹
Leona Vero 🧎♀️ This woman is a Mafia Queen 😏 Her life was upended on her 21st birthday. Sunshine, Mafia princess, talented, protective, fierce, independent, bratty, deadly, touch them and die, beautiful, intelligent, loves these men with all her heart, adores her friends, and seeking justice 🔥 I adored this woman, and loved seeing her grow and become the fierce woman that she is 🥹
I knew Max was hiding so much 😩 and this book changed everything! I knew his feelings were not what he said!!! This book revealed so much and answered more questions. I can't wait for book 4 😩
September 23, 2025
This why-choose book had me in an absolute chokehold and on several occasions left me unable to breathe! Sure, her men make her pancakes for breakfast (the sweetest kings) but they’ll also brutally eliminate anyone who so much as glances at their queen the wrong way. It’s all about balance, right? 😏
We pick up right where we left off in book two and by this point in the series I’m invested in these characters that when one of them is hurting, I feel it too! 😭The tears I shed at various moments definitely qualified as emotional damage!
The romance in this book kicks up a notch, raising the stakes for these morally black characters, including matters of the heart. It adds that layer of tension I crave in a romance. This continues to be an addictive dark mafia series complete with complex emotions, unresolved trauma and a tangled web of power, danger and (plenty of!!!) desire. 🔥🔥🔥 With shocking revelations and plenty of plot twists, Caught In The Crossfire kept me hooked from start to finish!!!
So to cut a long story short, FIVE STARS. NO NOTES! INCREDIBLE! 👏👏👏
“I’ve never seen anything so beautiful and so deadly as you. My goddess of death. Queen of the Shadows.”
Tropes and vibes:
🖤Dark mafia romance
🖤Why choose MMFMMM
🖤Touch her and die
🖤Who can you trust?
🖤Bodyguard
🖤Hot ass@ssins in tactical gear
🖤Badass FMC
🖤Spicy!! (3.5🌶️)
🖤Queer rep
🖤He’s a 10 but he gives her a collar to wear so everyone know who she belongs to 😏
Thank you to the author for the gifted e-arc
We pick up right where we left off in book two and by this point in the series I’m invested in these characters that when one of them is hurting, I feel it too! 😭The tears I shed at various moments definitely qualified as emotional damage!
The romance in this book kicks up a notch, raising the stakes for these morally black characters, including matters of the heart. It adds that layer of tension I crave in a romance. This continues to be an addictive dark mafia series complete with complex emotions, unresolved trauma and a tangled web of power, danger and (plenty of!!!) desire. 🔥🔥🔥 With shocking revelations and plenty of plot twists, Caught In The Crossfire kept me hooked from start to finish!!!
So to cut a long story short, FIVE STARS. NO NOTES! INCREDIBLE! 👏👏👏
“I’ve never seen anything so beautiful and so deadly as you. My goddess of death. Queen of the Shadows.”
Tropes and vibes:
🖤Dark mafia romance
🖤Why choose MMFMMM
🖤Touch her and die
🖤Who can you trust?
🖤Bodyguard
🖤Hot ass@ssins in tactical gear
🖤Badass FMC
🖤Spicy!! (3.5🌶️)
🖤Queer rep
🖤He’s a 10 but he gives her a collar to wear so everyone know who she belongs to 😏
Thank you to the author for the gifted e-arc
September 24, 2025
This book was everything I wanted—and more—from the third installment of this series. It shattered my heart, then rebuilt it even stronger. The group dynamic was absolute perfection, and while some moments broke me (especially anything involving Wynn, Leona, and yes… Max 👀), they also made me love these characters even more.
The spice? Ohhh my, it was absolutely delicious. Obi completely stole the show for me! Ryu, with his sassy mouth, growth, and undeniable charm, made me melt. Cas’s deepening connection with him pulled me in further, and sweet Ciel has fully claimed my heart. His bond with Wynn was so tender and beautifully written, and all of their bond with Leona? That was EVERYTHING.
I loved how Max’s past wove into the plot. That man makes me want to kick his ass one minute, then swoon the next with the way he shows up for Leona. And Leona herself—what a queen. She’s endured so much, but her strength and her ability to work through her pain, and open up to the guys made me admire her endlessly.
Yes, it’s a thick book, but it never felt that way. I was invested from start to finish. The character growth was spot-on, the emotions leapt right off the page, and the romance and spice were perfection. That cliffhanger? Brutal (but expected after the first two books). Now I’m desperate for book four!
Huge thanks to R.E. May for letting me be part of the ARC team—this was such a thrilling, emotional, and spicy ride.
The spice? Ohhh my, it was absolutely delicious. Obi completely stole the show for me! Ryu, with his sassy mouth, growth, and undeniable charm, made me melt. Cas’s deepening connection with him pulled me in further, and sweet Ciel has fully claimed my heart. His bond with Wynn was so tender and beautifully written, and all of their bond with Leona? That was EVERYTHING.
I loved how Max’s past wove into the plot. That man makes me want to kick his ass one minute, then swoon the next with the way he shows up for Leona. And Leona herself—what a queen. She’s endured so much, but her strength and her ability to work through her pain, and open up to the guys made me admire her endlessly.
Yes, it’s a thick book, but it never felt that way. I was invested from start to finish. The character growth was spot-on, the emotions leapt right off the page, and the romance and spice were perfection. That cliffhanger? Brutal (but expected after the first two books). Now I’m desperate for book four!
Huge thanks to R.E. May for letting me be part of the ARC team—this was such a thrilling, emotional, and spicy ride.
September 19, 2025
Caught in the Crossfire is the third book (of four) in The Shadows Syndicate, a dark why choose mafia romance series. I received an advance review copy and my thoughts are my own. Thank you to the author for my eArc.
Tropes and themes include:
✨Why choose (mmfmmm)
✨Banter
✨Touch her and die
✨Hurt/comfort
✨Who did this to you
✨Spanking
✨Bi-awakening
✨Good girl
✨Girl squad
✨Found family
Rating: 5/5 Stars 3/5 Flames
Nicknames: Princess, Darling, Baby Girl, Angel
The Lovely: Oh I love these characters with my whole heart, no exceptions. Their interactions and relationships have me feeling all the feels, even after I finished. The emotion the author infuses into the characters is outstanding. I’ve come to love all the MMCs but for very different reasons.
Also Lovely: This book is jam-packed action-wise and that action is interwoven with the fallout of what happened at the end of book two. Because, let’s be real, the author is gonna put them through the ringer.
Recommendation: The cliffhanger at the end of book two about did my nerves in and the cliffhanger at the end of this book didn’t leave me in much better shape. The fourth and final book in the series is expected to be released in 2026. If you like a dark why choose mafia romance, heavy on the action and emotional damage, I think you would like this book.
Tropes and themes include:
✨Why choose (mmfmmm)
✨Banter
✨Touch her and die
✨Hurt/comfort
✨Who did this to you
✨Spanking
✨Bi-awakening
✨Good girl
✨Girl squad
✨Found family
Rating: 5/5 Stars 3/5 Flames
Nicknames: Princess, Darling, Baby Girl, Angel
The Lovely: Oh I love these characters with my whole heart, no exceptions. Their interactions and relationships have me feeling all the feels, even after I finished. The emotion the author infuses into the characters is outstanding. I’ve come to love all the MMCs but for very different reasons.
Also Lovely: This book is jam-packed action-wise and that action is interwoven with the fallout of what happened at the end of book two. Because, let’s be real, the author is gonna put them through the ringer.
Recommendation: The cliffhanger at the end of book two about did my nerves in and the cliffhanger at the end of this book didn’t leave me in much better shape. The fourth and final book in the series is expected to be released in 2026. If you like a dark why choose mafia romance, heavy on the action and emotional damage, I think you would like this book.
October 27, 2025
I’m liking where the story is going
Although I feel like it’s being dragged out a bit more than it should be
-Max’s chapters are crazy - I love the insight, and getting to know what he’s going through
-fmc was a little annoying
-some parts dragged
-the smut was 🤌🏼
I hate how Kindle notes and highlights NEVER WORK 😭
────── ✧ ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ♡ ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ✧ ──────
⊹ 𝔀𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓮𝔁𝓹𝓮𝓬𝓽 ⊹
❥Mafia
❥Reverse Harem (MMFMMM)
❥Forced Proximity
❥Found Family
❥SPICYY
❥Badass FMC
❥Assassins MMC
❥Bodyguard MMC
❥Action + suspense
❥Found family/loyalty tested
❥Jaw-dropping twists
_________________________________
Blood in the Water | Review
Only Fools Rush In| Review
Caught in the Crossfire | Review
Fall Before Her Throne | TBR
Blog ಇ StoryGraph ಇ Instagram ಇ Twitter ಇ Facebook
Although I feel like it’s being dragged out a bit more than it should be
-Max’s chapters are crazy - I love the insight, and getting to know what he’s going through
-fmc was a little annoying
-some parts dragged
-the smut was 🤌🏼
I hate how Kindle notes and highlights NEVER WORK 😭
────── ✧ ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ♡ ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ✧ ──────
⊹ 𝔀𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓮𝔁𝓹𝓮𝓬𝓽 ⊹
❥Mafia
❥Reverse Harem (MMFMMM)
❥Forced Proximity
❥Found Family
❥SPICYY
❥Badass FMC
❥Assassins MMC
❥Bodyguard MMC
❥Action + suspense
❥Found family/loyalty tested
❥Jaw-dropping twists
_________________________________
Blood in the Water | Review
Only Fools Rush In| Review
Caught in the Crossfire | Review
Fall Before Her Throne | TBR
Blog ಇ StoryGraph ಇ Instagram ಇ Twitter ಇ Facebook
September 22, 2025
So many unexpected revelations
First off fuuuuuuuuuu........ck!!!!!
RE May is absolutely devastating with her cliffhangers. Just as thinks are looking up something bug has to happen and then.... It ends and you just sit there blinking wondering WTF to do now....
This book was full of revelations. We finally get to see Wynn and Ciel face the fact that they are interested in each other. There is also another hint at a possibility for something but we will have to see what happens with that. The biggest revelations come from Max.
We find out a bit about what led him to where he is now and what his plans were before Cas and Leona messed them all up. We also see how Max and Leona deal with what has happened at the start with her kidnapping. Also, she doesn't want him dead now and that was an interesting turn of evens though I can understand why.
The real players are all out in the open and we have to see how the Leona and her Shadows are going to make it through this final hurdle. I absolutely need the last book in this series like yesterday. How in the heck do I wait and see what's next?
My brain has so many ideas and so many more questions. Please send help!!!!
First off fuuuuuuuuuu........ck!!!!!
RE May is absolutely devastating with her cliffhangers. Just as thinks are looking up something bug has to happen and then.... It ends and you just sit there blinking wondering WTF to do now....
This book was full of revelations. We finally get to see Wynn and Ciel face the fact that they are interested in each other. There is also another hint at a possibility for something but we will have to see what happens with that. The biggest revelations come from Max.
We find out a bit about what led him to where he is now and what his plans were before Cas and Leona messed them all up. We also see how Max and Leona deal with what has happened at the start with her kidnapping. Also, she doesn't want him dead now and that was an interesting turn of evens though I can understand why.
The real players are all out in the open and we have to see how the Leona and her Shadows are going to make it through this final hurdle. I absolutely need the last book in this series like yesterday. How in the heck do I wait and see what's next?
My brain has so many ideas and so many more questions. Please send help!!!!
October 7, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
This is the third book in the Shadows Syndicate series and it does need to be read in order. I don’t even know where to start with this one! I absolutely loved it 😍 I love how this story effortlessly flows and makes you fall in love with all the characters! I love the plot twists and the fact that it’s never easy to pinpoint who the villains are. Of course RE May loves to leave you on a cliffhanger and the cliffhanger from the last book was so crazy that I didn’t know how she’d up it but trust me she keeps you on your toes! I loved watching more of the characters fall in love and more of the characters growing and getting stronger. I loved the developing dynamic and the twists put into it to spice it up. The spice in this book is *chefs kiss*! So hot! I adore all of these characters and I cannot wait to jump back into the story in the final book! I can only imagine it will be totally epic and give me all the emotions! I don’t know how I’ll go on without these characters 😩 Overall this book was perfect and I have no complaints other than wanting it to continue forever!
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
This is the third book in the Shadows Syndicate series and it does need to be read in order. I don’t even know where to start with this one! I absolutely loved it 😍 I love how this story effortlessly flows and makes you fall in love with all the characters! I love the plot twists and the fact that it’s never easy to pinpoint who the villains are. Of course RE May loves to leave you on a cliffhanger and the cliffhanger from the last book was so crazy that I didn’t know how she’d up it but trust me she keeps you on your toes! I loved watching more of the characters fall in love and more of the characters growing and getting stronger. I loved the developing dynamic and the twists put into it to spice it up. The spice in this book is *chefs kiss*! So hot! I adore all of these characters and I cannot wait to jump back into the story in the final book! I can only imagine it will be totally epic and give me all the emotions! I don’t know how I’ll go on without these characters 😩 Overall this book was perfect and I have no complaints other than wanting it to continue forever!
September 18, 2025
WOW , I’m speechless this book was everything I could ask for and more (literally iykyk) I did reread book 1&2 so if you read them a while ago I really recommend rereading them before reading this , okay so now the review
The series have such a special place in my heart I loved every second of it, the guys , Leona my queen she grow so much since the first book and i was so proud seeing how far she grew and became the queen she is , I really loved her relationship with the girls and I’m excited to see more of them in final book ( I feel like I stabbed myself) my men Ciel and Wynn their relationship is so beautiful it was so heart warming seeing them together also how far they grew , everyone in the book grew so much since book 1 and I was so proud to see it the character development of each one of them the author is brilliant really there are a lot of things that were beautifully said and perfectly done , I really read A LOT OF WC and sometimes someone gets sidelined or all of the men have the same energy that you can’t tell whos who , but here ? everyone got their justice and you could tell that everyone has their own thing and such , I feel there is a lot of things I want to say but I feel like it will spoil something’s so this where I’m gonna stop😭😭 I really recommend this book it’s the PERFECT WC you could ever read ✋🏻
The series have such a special place in my heart I loved every second of it, the guys , Leona my queen she grow so much since the first book and i was so proud seeing how far she grew and became the queen she is , I really loved her relationship with the girls and I’m excited to see more of them in final book ( I feel like I stabbed myself) my men Ciel and Wynn their relationship is so beautiful it was so heart warming seeing them together also how far they grew , everyone in the book grew so much since book 1 and I was so proud to see it the character development of each one of them the author is brilliant really there are a lot of things that were beautifully said and perfectly done , I really read A LOT OF WC and sometimes someone gets sidelined or all of the men have the same energy that you can’t tell whos who , but here ? everyone got their justice and you could tell that everyone has their own thing and such , I feel there is a lot of things I want to say but I feel like it will spoil something’s so this where I’m gonna stop😭😭 I really recommend this book it’s the PERFECT WC you could ever read ✋🏻
September 24, 2025
Caught in the Crossfire by R.E. May is everything I love in a dark, addictive romance — danger, passion, betrayal, and that raw intensity that keeps you turning pages long past midnight.
From the very first chapter, I was hooked. The story is full of heart-stopping moments and emotional depth. As one line reminds us, “Sometimes the deadliest battles are the ones we fight within ourselves.” That theme runs through every twist, making the characters feel real and achingly human.
The chemistry? Off the charts. The tension between love and survival is captured perfectly in the words: “He wasn’t supposed to matter, but every look, every touch, set me on fire.”
R.E. May doesn’t just give us a romance — this is a story about loyalty, sacrifice, and finding light in the darkest places. “In the shadows, we found each other. In the crossfire, we discovered what it meant to truly survive
From the very first chapter, I was hooked. The story is full of heart-stopping moments and emotional depth. As one line reminds us, “Sometimes the deadliest battles are the ones we fight within ourselves.” That theme runs through every twist, making the characters feel real and achingly human.
The chemistry? Off the charts. The tension between love and survival is captured perfectly in the words: “He wasn’t supposed to matter, but every look, every touch, set me on fire.”
R.E. May doesn’t just give us a romance — this is a story about loyalty, sacrifice, and finding light in the darkest places. “In the shadows, we found each other. In the crossfire, we discovered what it meant to truly survive
September 25, 2025
So hooked I read slowly for once
I am totally hooked with this series!
Book 3 is a brilliant addition to the series. So many emotional moments, and watching the dynamics grow between the main characters was emotional at times and hot at others!
This is book 3 in a why choose mafia romance and follows Leona a mafia princess in her journey of revenge, self discovery and finding her home/love/family.
Check out the triggers as there are some heavier moments and trauma that might hit hard for some people.
It is so well written that I slowed my reading down as I didn't want to miss a thing!
I cannot wait for book 4 as it of course, ended on a cliffhanger 🤣
I am totally hooked with this series!
Book 3 is a brilliant addition to the series. So many emotional moments, and watching the dynamics grow between the main characters was emotional at times and hot at others!
This is book 3 in a why choose mafia romance and follows Leona a mafia princess in her journey of revenge, self discovery and finding her home/love/family.
Check out the triggers as there are some heavier moments and trauma that might hit hard for some people.
It is so well written that I slowed my reading down as I didn't want to miss a thing!
I cannot wait for book 4 as it of course, ended on a cliffhanger 🤣
September 23, 2025
I’m not sure what I was expecting but I really liked the first two, and this one kinda fell short for me a bit. I liked the plot of them taking down the traffickers and the alliance with Max but I wanted more romance. The relationships were just starting to bloom when she was kidnapped and they kinda took a back seat to trauma in this book. I’m glad that they worked through it but I was not super excited. I’m clad things were resolved between C and W but even that was kinda meh. I am not on board with the tension between C(2) and R, I don’t think we need two bi couples in this harem.
October 1, 2025
3.5 stars
“I’ve never seen anything so beautiful and so deadly as you. My goddess of death. Queen of the Shadows.”
This series has so many twist and turns and the relationship building between all the guys and the fmc has been good, but 3 books in and another cliffhanger has me losing my enthusiasm for the series. I did love the girl group. The Ciel and Wyatt moments were so good and I love the rest of the guys too. I will read the next one. Fingers crossed it's the conclusion of the story.
“I’ve never seen anything so beautiful and so deadly as you. My goddess of death. Queen of the Shadows.”
This series has so many twist and turns and the relationship building between all the guys and the fmc has been good, but 3 books in and another cliffhanger has me losing my enthusiasm for the series. I did love the girl group. The Ciel and Wyatt moments were so good and I love the rest of the guys too. I will read the next one. Fingers crossed it's the conclusion of the story.
September 8, 2025
I was so beyond grateful to receive an ARC copy of this book as I absolutely loved the first 2 books.
I don’t have too much to say as I don’t want to give any spoilers away, other than I loved the character development and growth and each one has a special place in my heart and I certainly couldn’t choose between them. Sheer perfection and I am so desperate for book 4 (final book) as the cliffhanger was excruciating!!!
I don’t have too much to say as I don’t want to give any spoilers away, other than I loved the character development and growth and each one has a special place in my heart and I certainly couldn’t choose between them. Sheer perfection and I am so desperate for book 4 (final book) as the cliffhanger was excruciating!!!
September 9, 2025
The emotional roller coaster that is Caught in the Crossfire…WOW!!
Without giving anything away- this book gave me every emotion under the sun and left me feeling all sorts of hope for the world.
The story line? Amazing, the character arcs? Jaw dropping, the chemistry? Off the charts!
The perfect amount of spice, jam packed with action, and a twist that really sends you reeling!
R.E. May really out did herself with this one!!
Without giving anything away- this book gave me every emotion under the sun and left me feeling all sorts of hope for the world.
The story line? Amazing, the character arcs? Jaw dropping, the chemistry? Off the charts!
The perfect amount of spice, jam packed with action, and a twist that really sends you reeling!
R.E. May really out did herself with this one!!
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