Beautiful Carnage

by Peckham & Valenti

Genres: Dark Romance, Romance, Dark

480 pages, Hardcover

Published May 27, 2025

Reviews

[cathy ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually really enjoy this book. I had me laughing and kicking my feet. I really enjoy Rocco’s character. He was such a hot head and a massive dick but he was a true one though. That boy loved fiercely. He loved Solan so much in his own weird way. But their banter and the sexually tension was everything. Rocco handcuffing himself to her was so dumb but also priceless. That was such a good time!

I also loved the brothers, Frankie and Enzo they had me dying laughing. The whole bet they made with Rocco and it back firing was everything.

I did enjoy the twist in the story when it came to Nicoli. That I didn’t see coming. I don’t like that at the end they couldn’t find him but were searching for him. I need to know what’s going on!

But I really did enjoy this book!

[Ashley Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

I took a minute to get into this book and wasn’t sure if I was going to like it. Boy did that change. The playfulness between these two characters I absolutely loved! I also enjoyed all the food included that Sloan (FMC) loved to cook. Then when I got to about 85% all the twists and turns! I had no clue those were coming. Loved!

[GetBookishWithBritt · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

[Jade Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ rounded ^ ✨
So good! My favorite mafia romance I’ve read so far.

[Casey Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rocco's love for Sloane is simply unmatched! ❤️ 🔥

[Talanoa Fonua · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐️

[Teia Tawzer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super slow and towards the end I loved loved loved but now I need the second book!!

[Abigail Hachey · Rating 4 out of 5]

slooowwww start. felt a little young at the beginning but picked up and i ended up liking it a lot.

[Katie Bruckman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really have to say when I first started this book I wasn't a huge fan, but I think that was the narrators. They ended up growing on me the and by the end of this book. I was obsessed. Essentially, if you're not a fan at first, give it some time.

[Tyler Hutchinson Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so FUN! I loved it. Love the Twisted Sisters anyways and they didn’t disappoint with this! I’ve never been much into mob based stories but this was one great. There was angst, violence, found family, all the feels & twists. Highly highly recommend if you are looking for a fun, sexy read!

[Lisa Ann D. · Rating 1 out of 5]

After reading 30% of this novel, I’ve decided to DNF for now. It’s not working on any level for me and if I dared to rate it thus far: at best it’s a 1 star read. Heavy subject matter/plot and it seems very juvenile.

I may try it again in the future to see if it clicks better; but it will be a while before attempting.

Positive: the cover and artwork are pretty cool.

I hate to DNF- but life’s too short to struggle through this.

[Sarah Medlin · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF'd at page 162. I didn't know this was a bully romance and the MMC is irredeemable to me.

[Jen Speck · Rating 3 out of 5]

3⭐️ Would’ve been 4, but it’s super distracting when a book takes place in the US, with American characters, but uses UK English. It’s such an easy fix and just feels lazy.

[Laura Rouzer-Eash · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good storyline and hilarious banter. Had a great time reading this book.

[Cass LeGrand · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rating: 2.75 - 3 stars at best

Okay- so this book. Where do I begin with this. Felt like a wattpad AU Romeo and Juliet fanfic that a middle schooler wrote with no understanding of what Stockholm syndrome was about. I should preface that I’m not super hugely into mafia romance books, just cause it’s just not my cup of tea. So I definitely gave this one a chance because it was a dark romance. And let’s just say that I was not expecting this to be as stereotypical as possible. My first issue with this book was how FAST it began, I loved the intro for how our two main characters meet but it jumps in really fast and we don’t get to really know much about Sloan at all. My other issues are the names for these characters. Because I really feel like the author(s) just googled Italian names and just picked the most stereotypical ones. Like really? Rocco, Frankie, Enzo, GUIDO, GUISEPPE?!?! Like come on. Another issue I had was expecting it to really delve into the whole Stockholm syndrome aspect because that was kind of the premise that I got from the description of the book before reading it. But no. Just ya know gonna let this guy who is supposed to be crazy and deranged beat her and torture her and they just magically fall in love because he’s attractive and he doesn’t “cage” her. Not to mention that after the cousin tries to rape her (the first time) that Rocco thinks it’s a perfect opportunity to try to make a move on her. Like literal seconds after the altercation. Not to mention that after the second rape attempt where Sloan ends up killing the cousin, which was immensely cathartic, Rocco decides that “hey, while my cousins body is burning outside you wanna fuck?” And let’s just say that yeah, this book was very lack luster in the sex scenes. I’ve never skipped over one while reading at all. And these were just painful, so immensely vanilla to my taste (literally. If you know you know). It just makes me really sad because this book had so much potential and especially with the plot twist with Nicoli at the end was definitely one I was not expecting. Because without that being a thing in the book I was about to not finish this book with only being less than 10 pages from finishing it. It was also a let down too because I was excited to read something from Caroline and Susan because of the Zodiac Academy books being so popular. Now, this is only my opinion and how I felt through out this book, it’s no shade to the authors whatsoever, but for it being my first delve into mafia “dark” romance it just didn’t help change my perspective on this type of books.

[Kenz✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m so pleasantly surprised by this book as this is the first non-romantasy book I have read from the Twisted Sisters. I figured it would be full of plot twists and wild, unhinged darkness, but the ending twist absolutely floored me. I am usually pretty good at sussing out what will happen, and I didn’t even anticipate the twist at all.

Sloane is yet again another incredible, fierce, and driven FMC. She never gives up fighting through the traumatic turn of events she constantly faces. I admire her willpower and determination, but also her love and loyalty. Rocco was just plain hot with his villainous ways, but even villain proved to have a soft side for just the right woman. Their playfulness and the spice throughout the darkness of the book was uplifting and chefs kiss. I could read more about just their relationship.

I am so excited to read book two as this world still has so much to expand upon!

[Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️ for Sloan & Rocco.

I really don’t like mafia romance books but I give it a try every time hoping I’ll change my mind. This book was a very slow pace at the beginning and the banter did grew on me. What did not grow on me however, was the ridiculousness of the book.

There is a scene in this book where Rocco straight punches a wolf in the face Beauty and the Beast style. I did finish the book and I will say there was a couple plot twists I didn’t see comings.

Maybe pick this up if you’re needing something slightly silly and very serious.

[Mifti · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book.

Oh Rocco Romero - the man that you are.
I’m totally in love with the MMC in this book. He was just absolutely crazy and maybe a little insane.

So no spoilers babes but there is a specific scene in the forest with a specific animal - excuse me this was ridiculous…BUT ALSO SO HOT what

The plot twist in the end? Phenomenal

The other plot twist towards the end?
Absolutely NOT. Thankfully the book is already over ugh I hate that trope.
Therefore it’s only 4 stars

[Jordan Carbaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why the fudge did it take me this long to start this book? It was freaking amazing! I usually only like to read physical copies but I don’t think I’ll be able to wait for the second book’s physical to come out. This book is an easy read. It will have you kicking your feet and crying. It’ll make you wonder if YOU are crazy for finding the MMC hot. One of the best mafia romances I’ve ever read, and I’ve read a lot.

[a · Rating 3 out of 5]

Giving this book 4 stars doesn’t feel right so 3 ⭐️ it is.
It was okay. It wasn’t bad but the ending more than anything was disappointing because it just rushed through everything. But where I really started to lose interest was the WOLF SCENE? DAFUQ? Like come on. It was so cringe and out of nowhere and written so strangely to me that I felt like I was reading an entirely different book.

[Katelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Who doesn’t enjoy a mafia romance every now and then? This one had solid plot building and kept my interest, but I didn’t fully connect with it. The ending felt a bit rushed—everything happened so fast, it didn’t quite land for me.

[Caitlin Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I tell you I couldn’t put this book down, I’m telling you I finished it in around 6 hours. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough!!! Mafia romances are some of my favorite and this one has a perfect burn!

[Patricia Lord · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a so full of suspenseful drama, enemies to lovers, forced proximity romance that will have you laughing, on the edge of your seat, rooting for the couple on one hand and hating the MMC on the other. Overall it was a. Amazing great book.

[Catie Fickin · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️

In my opinion, three stars was generous. Mafia romance is usually a genre I enjoy, but I struggled to stay engaged with this book. It wasn’t until roughly 70% in that it became interesting. While the plot had potential, it ultimately wasn’t executed as well as I’d hoped.

[Darcy🌟💋 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Literally could not put this down

[mkswatson · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 1/2 ⭐️

So good! I love be a good bully romance, and this one checked all the boxes!

[Emma · Rating 1 out of 5]

not for me

[Chloe Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

In love with it! Can’t wait for Beautiful Savage!

[Aspen Groen · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[laughingzebra · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ve never known these authors to do boring but that’s what this was for me. This is the dark mafia romance that’s been written 5000 times. Boys from mafia A kidnap girl from mafia B…