The Merciless King

Dark Kings of NYC #5

by Juliette N. Banks

One minute I’m discharging from the marines, the next I’m undercover in the Baldassare mafia searching for my kidnapped cousin, thanks to fellow marine and billionaire Connor Barrett. He found me a way in. Her name is Gianna Baldassare. Do I care that I’m using her? Not at fucking all. To begin with. Then her long dark lashes and Italian curves start to affect more than one body part, and royally messes everything up. ---My friend Mia got out. There has to be a way for me to escape this life. Except how many powerful, gorgeous billionaires are there wanting to take on a mafia brat?Zero. That’s how many. So when another buffed up gangster smirks at me, seeking to join my father’s dangerous business, I figure why not. It’s just another day in crime lord paradise. It’s his funeral. Until I learn Braxton’s not who he says he is, and I’m left torn between loyalty and freedom. The price we both have to pay could be far more than we bargained for. Which one of us will run first?The Merciless King is the next book in The Dark Kings of NYC series - a dark billionaire mafia romance, by bestselling author Juliette N. Banks. If you enjoy darker spicy romances with twists, battling mafia families, and dominant, protective heroes, then you’ll love this book. Expect a happy ever after in every book, and a different couple.

Genres: Contemporary Romance

316 pages, Paperback

Published August 27, 2024

About the author

Juliette N. Banks is a romance author who has taken the genre by storm with her steamy contemporary (mafia and billionaire) and paranormal romances.

If you're looking for sexy books with alpha heroes you'll fall in love with, then grab one of Juliette's free books and adopt a new book boyfriend today!

Juliette has a vast background in consumer marketing and was previously published with Random House. She lives in New Zealand with Tilly, her Maine Coon kitty, and travels frequently.

Reviews

[Michelle Alleyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG!!!!! I loved this book sooooo much I need to read it again just to get all the feels all over like it’s my first time! I didn’t think this series could get any better after Mack but oh how I LOVE Braxton!!!!! ❤️❤️❤️ He is the man of my dreams. He’s assertive, confident, dominant but so caring and compassionate at the same time. 🤗 Gianna is badass and I love her confidence and she’s not afraid to go after what she wants. Together, they’re a force to be reckoned with. Their passion came off the pages and enveloped me and I’m in bliss after this book. Can’t wait to read Dante’s story because he sounds very mysterious! Excellent work Juliette!!! 👏🏽👏🏽🙌🏽

[Tbascoebuzz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This love story was so sweet. I just loved Braxton. He was such a strong, manly man with such sensitivity to Gianna‘s feelings and emotions. But alas, their love story was based on lies and false assumptions from its beginning. It was destined to end with heartache. Ms. Banks conveyed it all superbly. From the suspenseful drama and plot twists down to the steamy moments. And she weaves everything together, conveying Braxton’s dilemma and his duty of rescuing his cousin from human traffickers while hiding under a well scripted disguise within the Mafia. This installment, while riddled with editing issues, was intensely addicting.

[Heather Brown- maddox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Braxton and Gianna have instant chemistry that will scorch you from the get go. Once you learn about Braxton’s back story and why he became a Dark King UGH. I just wanted to rip him out of the story and bring him to my house. Brax and Gia’s story pulled on my heart strings soooo much I cried. This book is everything you could ever want in a mafia book and more. Steam, lust, angst, suspense, plus two amazing characters. Another amazing book by Juliette that will keep you hooked until the end and wanting more.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️❤️❤️🔥🔥🔥

I can’t tell you how much I love Juliette N Banks books are and should read them. Braxton is a marine who left the military so he can find his cousin who disappears. He goes to the Dark Kings for help and see if they would get him into the Italian mafia. Connor Barrett’s wife knows Gianna B who is an Italian princess in the mafia. Once Brax & Gianna meet their attraction is off the charts 🔥🔥. Thank you Juliette for writing this story & can’t wait for the next book The Gangster King.

[Mariaan Belinfante · Rating 4 out of 5]

A non stop read session. Braxton requested help from Connor to rescue his cousin Amy from drug trafficking and intended to fake a relationship with Gianna to get in with her notorious mafia family. Fate and love had other plans, but a few bridges will have to be crossed first. An emotional, but enjoyable read. The entire Dark Kings series is great and the next book blub is already having me excited

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Braxton and Gianna's story made me laugh and cry at the same time. If this was a movie instead of a book, their story will have you sitting on the edge of your seat. There is danger, hot and steamy sex and some very panty wetting scenes. Their story is one that I will always love, and has become one of my favorites.

[Gabriele Salinas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Juliette Banks confection!

This was a great page turner! It deals with difficult topics like human trafficking, mafia, family and missed them with an undercover good to find a family member and love, loyalty and brotherhood. There is a lot of steam and sizzle as well as danger, excitement and moments holding your breath! This is Braxton and Gia’s tale.

[JessicaA Gonzales · Rating 4 out of 5]

super fast paced!! but i loved every minute and i cant wait for Dante’s book. the story of Braxton and Gianna is such a whirl wind romance that u cant help but get caught up. love it. recommend the whole dark king series. 100%

[Jenn Mecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my god! Juliette Banks does not disappoint! Absolutely loved and devoured Braxton and Gianna’s story. I’ve read everything out of Ms. Banks’s books (except for the vampire series, sorry not my thing) and I haven’t found a book of hers I didn’t love! Can’t wait for more!!

[Frani Zumwalt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Braxton goes to see Connor to see if he can help to find his cousin who was taken to be sold as a slave.
Mia sets him up with Gianna the mafia princess. They hit it off very well
They fall in love but don’t want to admit it to the other
Must read book. Awesome storyline and characters.

[Kylie Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mercilessly delicious

Another 5 start hit! I adore the dark kings, they are everything you could want in 1 delicious package. I'm looking forward to reading about Gia's brother, he has secrets, secrets I can't wait to unwrap.

[Cynthia Siermienski · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Merciless King (The Dark Kings of NYC Book 5)

Another amazing story of good verses evil. This was full of exciting moments of danger. The romance was off the chart. Can't wait to read the next book in this series.

[Beatrice Gleaves · Rating 5 out of 5]

love this author's books

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Joan Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another really good read about hot alpha males from NYC from Miss Banks !!!! The Dark Kings are too hott to handle !!

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gianna and Braxton have scorching chemistry. Their love story was hot as hell and epic. Love at first sight is what happened to these two as if they were fated mates. Yes I got all my shifter feels with this one without the actual shifting. There is a human trafficking situation in the storyline so if that’s a trigger this may not be the book for you. As always, Juliette gives you a HEA with a tease making you want the next book.