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Beautiful Carnage
480 pages, Hardcover
Published May 27, 2025
41 people are currently reading
1193 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
December 27, 2025
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!
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!
July 13, 2025
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!
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!
February 27, 2025
4.5 ⭐️ rounded ^ ✨
So good! My favorite mafia romance I’ve read so far.
So good! My favorite mafia romance I’ve read so far.
January 2, 2026
Rocco's love for Sloane is simply unmatched! ❤️ 🔥
February 22, 2026
Here I was hoping that the Twisted Sisters might give this cliché trope an interesting new twist but, alas, I was disappointed.
I didn't feel the connection between the main characters and the story didn't really capture me either. I hate male characters thinking they own women and the MMC belongs in that categy (even after falling for the FMC tbh). The FMC was supposed to come of as strong but that didn't really convince me either. The incredibly rushed ending made it feel like even the authors were over the story.
Overall, this had potential but in the end fell unfortunately short on delivering on that.
I didn't feel the connection between the main characters and the story didn't really capture me either. I hate male characters thinking they own women and the MMC belongs in that categy (even after falling for the FMC tbh). The FMC was supposed to come of as strong but that didn't really convince me either. The incredibly rushed ending made it feel like even the authors were over the story.
Overall, this had potential but in the end fell unfortunately short on delivering on that.
November 3, 2025
Super slow and towards the end I loved loved loved but now I need the second book!!
August 26, 2025
slooowwww start. felt a little young at the beginning but picked up and i ended up liking it a lot.
January 19, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️
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.
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.
July 4, 2025
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.
July 23, 2025
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!
February 6, 2026
Rating 4.75 ⭐️
Spice 🌶🌶
Multi pov
Mafia romance
Rival families
Wedding day kidnapping
Forced proximity
Snowed in
Age gap (20/28)
Feisty FMC
Witty banter
Dog companion
Touch her & die
HEA
Beautiful Carnage is exactly the kind of mafia romance I’ve been searching for and struggling to find. It’s romance-forward, character-driven, and grounded in familiar mafia tropes that are actually executed with intention and restraint. The politics exist, but they’re a subplot, and for me, that worked in the book’s favor. I’m far more interested in the people inside this world than another rehash of territory disputes, and this story clearly understood that.
The premise doesn’t overcomplicate itself: rival families, a deeply personal vendetta, and a wedding-day kidnapping meant to be leverage. Sloan is taken specifically because she’s her father’s only child, and the story never pretends otherwise. She’s a hostage, and she’s treated like one. That commitment to the premise is a huge reason this book works.
Rocco is an asshole in the beginning. Intentionally. Sloan is miserable. The tension, fear, and anger are real, and the book doesn’t rush past that discomfort to soften him too quickly. At the same time, it never tips into gratuitous darkness. There’s violence, cruelty, and intimidation, but there are also clear lines that aren’t crossed.
One of the most refreshing aspects of this book is the Romero family dynamic. These men are violent, chaotic, and fully entrenched in the mafia world, but they draw firm boundaries. Gratuitous torture, rape, and sexual violence are not tolerated, full stop. When those ideas are even suggested, they’re immediately shut down. For me, that matters. A lot of mafia romance leans heavily into dubious consent and shock value. Beautiful Carnage proves you can maintain darkness and danger without crossing into lazy or exploitative territory.
This is a romance-forward story, and it knows it. The rivalry and vendetta provide pressure, not the main focus. What carries the book is the forced proximity and the slow dismantling of inherited hatred. ⁹ļImportantly, this isn’t a lust-driven “forbidden attraction” from page one. Sloan and Rocco recognize each other as attractive early on, but that’s where it stays for a while. The weight of their families, the vendetta, and Sloan’s captivity override physical desire for a meaningful stretch of time. When their relationship does shift, it feels earned.
A huge part of why their dynamic works so well is the banter. Sloan and Rocco are both intelligent, sharp, and quick on their feet, and their dialogue reflects that. They challenge each other, trade barbs, and feed into each other’s energy in a way that feels natural rather than forced. The banter isn’t just flirtation, it’s a form of power balancing. It shows Sloan’s willingness to step up and fight back verbally when she can’t physically, and it allows Rocco to cut loose in a way he rarely does with anyone else.
That back-and-forth does a lot of character work. It establishes mutual respect long before romance fully enters the picture and reinforces that Sloan isn’t simply enduring her circumstances, she’s actively engaging with him on equal intellectual footing. At the same time, it reveals Rocco’s ability to soften, joke, and be human with her in private, further separating who he is with Sloan from who he has to be in the outside world. Also, Rocco’s awareness of their power imbalance is a standout element. When he realizes his attraction is genuine, he deliberately pulls back. He refuses to push things further until Sloan can come to him by choice. That recognition and respect sets this romance apart from a lot of others in the genre.
The spice is there, but it’s measured. Not a slow burn exactly, but a progression that makes sense given the circumstances and time spent together. They’re isolated for about a month and that time matters.
Despite being young, Sloan is one of the strongest female characters I’ve read in a mafia romance. She’s resilient from the start. She doesn’t collapse under pressure, doesn’t romanticize her captivity, and doesn’t stop trying to escape. She plans. She attacks. She actively works to survive and regain control. And before the events of the book, her time away in Italy was time well spent adding depth to her character. She didn’t waste it. She learned self defense skills, made friends, experienced life, and recognized that freedom for what it was; a limited opportunity. That awareness gives her depth and agency that’s often missing in similar stories. She has emotional and somewhat immature moments, of course, but she doesn’t let attraction override self-preservation or logic. It takes time before she even allows herself to consider the possibility of more, and that restraint makes the romance feel grounded.
Rocco is not the typical brooding, suffocated eldest son. He’s serious when needed, but privately chaotic, humorous, affectionate, and deeply connected to his brothers. He sings. He jokes. He laughs. His love for his family is open and unashamed. And speaking of his dlfamily... What stood out most is that none of the Romero brothers feel trapped by their roles. They serve their family because they choose to, not because they’re crushed under expectation. Rocco would give it all up for Sloan if it came to that, but he’s also content with who he is. That balance is rare in mafia romance and made him a genuinely enjoyable MMC to read.
The Romero brothers deserve their own mention because they’re genuinely fun to read. They aren’t just background muscle or interchangeable mafia archetypes, they add personality, humor, and warmth to the story in a way that keeps the tone from becoming too heavy. Their banter with each other and with Sloan brings much-needed levity, especially in a situation that could have easily felt relentlessly bleak. You can feel the history and affection between them, and it reinforces the idea that this family, while violent and chaotic, is also deeply bonded. They’re protective without being overbearing, unhinged without being cruel, and consistently entertaining whenever they’re on the page. More importantly, they feel like people with lives beyond the main plot. Each brother has a distinct presence, and the book lays enough groundwork that it’s hard not to want more from them. I genuinely hope they eventually get their own stories, because the foundation is already there and I’d absolutely read them.
The story is primarily told through Sloan and Rocco, but it also includes a limited third POV from Nikolai, Sloan’s mafia fiancé. Initially, this feels like it might set up a love triangle, but it doesn’t go that route, and I’m glad it didn’t.
Instead, Nikolai’s chapters provide an outside perspective on the broader mafia world while Sloan and Rocco remain largely isolated together. In that context, his POV makes sense and it also gives us one of the most unexpectedly delightful side elements in the book: Coco, Sloan’s Pomeranian.
After Sloan is kidnapped, Coco is left behind with Nikolai and, for reasons known only to his tiny, fluffy heart, immediately decides that Nikolai is his person. From there, Coco becomes his ride-or-die companion, tagging along in a motorcycle saddlebag while Nikolai raids Romero properties and searches relentlessly for Sloan. The contrast is hilarious: the most unmasculine dog imaginable, armed with the heart and loyalty of a wolf.
Coco isn’t a major character by page count, but every appearance lands. He adds levity without undercutting the stakes and somehow makes the violence feel more human rather than less serious. Honestly, part of me wishes Sloan had known just how feral her little Pomeranian was in her absence, it would have made it even better.
The story pacing overall is strong. The standalone format works well, though the transition from the climactic drowning scene to the epilogue feels slightly rushed. Everything else unfolds naturally and at a believable pace.
If you’re looking for a mafia romance that delivers tension without gratuitous cruelty, darkness without exploitation, characters that are allowed to be intelligent, flawed, and human, and a central relationship that’s built on respect as much as desire, Beautiful Carnage is absolutely worth picking up.
Spice 🌶🌶
Multi pov
Mafia romance
Rival families
Wedding day kidnapping
Forced proximity
Snowed in
Age gap (20/28)
Feisty FMC
Witty banter
Dog companion
Touch her & die
HEA
Beautiful Carnage is exactly the kind of mafia romance I’ve been searching for and struggling to find. It’s romance-forward, character-driven, and grounded in familiar mafia tropes that are actually executed with intention and restraint. The politics exist, but they’re a subplot, and for me, that worked in the book’s favor. I’m far more interested in the people inside this world than another rehash of territory disputes, and this story clearly understood that.
The premise doesn’t overcomplicate itself: rival families, a deeply personal vendetta, and a wedding-day kidnapping meant to be leverage. Sloan is taken specifically because she’s her father’s only child, and the story never pretends otherwise. She’s a hostage, and she’s treated like one. That commitment to the premise is a huge reason this book works.
Rocco is an asshole in the beginning. Intentionally. Sloan is miserable. The tension, fear, and anger are real, and the book doesn’t rush past that discomfort to soften him too quickly. At the same time, it never tips into gratuitous darkness. There’s violence, cruelty, and intimidation, but there are also clear lines that aren’t crossed.
One of the most refreshing aspects of this book is the Romero family dynamic. These men are violent, chaotic, and fully entrenched in the mafia world, but they draw firm boundaries. Gratuitous torture, rape, and sexual violence are not tolerated, full stop. When those ideas are even suggested, they’re immediately shut down. For me, that matters. A lot of mafia romance leans heavily into dubious consent and shock value. Beautiful Carnage proves you can maintain darkness and danger without crossing into lazy or exploitative territory.
This is a romance-forward story, and it knows it. The rivalry and vendetta provide pressure, not the main focus. What carries the book is the forced proximity and the slow dismantling of inherited hatred. ⁹ļImportantly, this isn’t a lust-driven “forbidden attraction” from page one. Sloan and Rocco recognize each other as attractive early on, but that’s where it stays for a while. The weight of their families, the vendetta, and Sloan’s captivity override physical desire for a meaningful stretch of time. When their relationship does shift, it feels earned.
A huge part of why their dynamic works so well is the banter. Sloan and Rocco are both intelligent, sharp, and quick on their feet, and their dialogue reflects that. They challenge each other, trade barbs, and feed into each other’s energy in a way that feels natural rather than forced. The banter isn’t just flirtation, it’s a form of power balancing. It shows Sloan’s willingness to step up and fight back verbally when she can’t physically, and it allows Rocco to cut loose in a way he rarely does with anyone else.
That back-and-forth does a lot of character work. It establishes mutual respect long before romance fully enters the picture and reinforces that Sloan isn’t simply enduring her circumstances, she’s actively engaging with him on equal intellectual footing. At the same time, it reveals Rocco’s ability to soften, joke, and be human with her in private, further separating who he is with Sloan from who he has to be in the outside world. Also, Rocco’s awareness of their power imbalance is a standout element. When he realizes his attraction is genuine, he deliberately pulls back. He refuses to push things further until Sloan can come to him by choice. That recognition and respect sets this romance apart from a lot of others in the genre.
The spice is there, but it’s measured. Not a slow burn exactly, but a progression that makes sense given the circumstances and time spent together. They’re isolated for about a month and that time matters.
Despite being young, Sloan is one of the strongest female characters I’ve read in a mafia romance. She’s resilient from the start. She doesn’t collapse under pressure, doesn’t romanticize her captivity, and doesn’t stop trying to escape. She plans. She attacks. She actively works to survive and regain control. And before the events of the book, her time away in Italy was time well spent adding depth to her character. She didn’t waste it. She learned self defense skills, made friends, experienced life, and recognized that freedom for what it was; a limited opportunity. That awareness gives her depth and agency that’s often missing in similar stories. She has emotional and somewhat immature moments, of course, but she doesn’t let attraction override self-preservation or logic. It takes time before she even allows herself to consider the possibility of more, and that restraint makes the romance feel grounded.
Rocco is not the typical brooding, suffocated eldest son. He’s serious when needed, but privately chaotic, humorous, affectionate, and deeply connected to his brothers. He sings. He jokes. He laughs. His love for his family is open and unashamed. And speaking of his dlfamily... What stood out most is that none of the Romero brothers feel trapped by their roles. They serve their family because they choose to, not because they’re crushed under expectation. Rocco would give it all up for Sloan if it came to that, but he’s also content with who he is. That balance is rare in mafia romance and made him a genuinely enjoyable MMC to read.
The Romero brothers deserve their own mention because they’re genuinely fun to read. They aren’t just background muscle or interchangeable mafia archetypes, they add personality, humor, and warmth to the story in a way that keeps the tone from becoming too heavy. Their banter with each other and with Sloan brings much-needed levity, especially in a situation that could have easily felt relentlessly bleak. You can feel the history and affection between them, and it reinforces the idea that this family, while violent and chaotic, is also deeply bonded. They’re protective without being overbearing, unhinged without being cruel, and consistently entertaining whenever they’re on the page. More importantly, they feel like people with lives beyond the main plot. Each brother has a distinct presence, and the book lays enough groundwork that it’s hard not to want more from them. I genuinely hope they eventually get their own stories, because the foundation is already there and I’d absolutely read them.
The story is primarily told through Sloan and Rocco, but it also includes a limited third POV from Nikolai, Sloan’s mafia fiancé. Initially, this feels like it might set up a love triangle, but it doesn’t go that route, and I’m glad it didn’t.
Instead, Nikolai’s chapters provide an outside perspective on the broader mafia world while Sloan and Rocco remain largely isolated together. In that context, his POV makes sense and it also gives us one of the most unexpectedly delightful side elements in the book: Coco, Sloan’s Pomeranian.
After Sloan is kidnapped, Coco is left behind with Nikolai and, for reasons known only to his tiny, fluffy heart, immediately decides that Nikolai is his person. From there, Coco becomes his ride-or-die companion, tagging along in a motorcycle saddlebag while Nikolai raids Romero properties and searches relentlessly for Sloan. The contrast is hilarious: the most unmasculine dog imaginable, armed with the heart and loyalty of a wolf.
Coco isn’t a major character by page count, but every appearance lands. He adds levity without undercutting the stakes and somehow makes the violence feel more human rather than less serious. Honestly, part of me wishes Sloan had known just how feral her little Pomeranian was in her absence, it would have made it even better.
The story pacing overall is strong. The standalone format works well, though the transition from the climactic drowning scene to the epilogue feels slightly rushed. Everything else unfolds naturally and at a believable pace.
If you’re looking for a mafia romance that delivers tension without gratuitous cruelty, darkness without exploitation, characters that are allowed to be intelligent, flawed, and human, and a central relationship that’s built on respect as much as desire, Beautiful Carnage is absolutely worth picking up.
June 23, 2025
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.
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.
February 5, 2025
DNF'd at page 162. I didn't know this was a bully romance and the MMC is irredeemable to me.
May 25, 2025
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.
January 2, 2026
Good storyline and hilarious banter. Had a great time reading this book.
July 18, 2025
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.
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.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 26, 2026
Sloan and Rocco
Romeo and Juliette, mixed with kidnapping.
There are both from Maia families who have been fighting each other for decades. Sloan has been trapped underneath her father’s thumb her whole life, and her decides to marry her to his prodigy, Nicoli, who is basically her adoptive brother.
Rocco and his brothers kidnap her on her wedding day. They take her to a house in the woods. At first they are super against each other. Sloan fights Rocco any chance she can get.
Rocco and his brothers make Bet that he can’t makes her fall in love with him or sleep with him. However, in the mean time, Rocco and Sloan start developing feelings.
Rocco’s cousin guido, try’s to rape her one day when Rocco is out, but Sloan fights back, pushing him down the stairs and killing him.
Since she has been kidnapped, Nicoli, has been searching for her, hinting that the Romeo’s are harming her.
She eventually gets “rescued”, and ends up back home. Sloan finds out that her father actually kidnapped Nicoli when he was 4. Stealing him from the Romero family. She also finds out she is pregnant with Rocco’s baby. Her father finds out and tries to kill her. Rocco and Nicoli save her, but Nicoli disappears. She ends up with Rocco and has a daughter.
Really enjoyed the banter between characters. Did feel like the ending was kind of rushed, however, lots of plot twist and good spice. 4.2 ⭐️
Kidnapping / mafia/ surprise pregnancy
Romeo and Juliette, mixed with kidnapping.
There are both from Maia families who have been fighting each other for decades. Sloan has been trapped underneath her father’s thumb her whole life, and her decides to marry her to his prodigy, Nicoli, who is basically her adoptive brother.
Rocco and his brothers kidnap her on her wedding day. They take her to a house in the woods. At first they are super against each other. Sloan fights Rocco any chance she can get.
Rocco and his brothers make Bet that he can’t makes her fall in love with him or sleep with him. However, in the mean time, Rocco and Sloan start developing feelings.
Rocco’s cousin guido, try’s to rape her one day when Rocco is out, but Sloan fights back, pushing him down the stairs and killing him.
Since she has been kidnapped, Nicoli, has been searching for her, hinting that the Romeo’s are harming her.
She eventually gets “rescued”, and ends up back home. Sloan finds out that her father actually kidnapped Nicoli when he was 4. Stealing him from the Romero family. She also finds out she is pregnant with Rocco’s baby. Her father finds out and tries to kill her. Rocco and Nicoli save her, but Nicoli disappears. She ends up with Rocco and has a daughter.
Really enjoyed the banter between characters. Did feel like the ending was kind of rushed, however, lots of plot twist and good spice. 4.2 ⭐️
Kidnapping / mafia/ surprise pregnancy
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 5, 2026
This book completely consumed me. *Beautiful Carnage* is the kind of dark romance that grabs you from the first chapter and refuses to let go.
Rocco is ruthless, obsessive, and unapologetically dangerous—the perfect morally gray mafia anti-hero. His obsession with Sloan made every interaction between them intense, unpredictable, and seriously addictive to read. Sloan isn’t just a pawn in the mafia war either; she’s strong, emotional, and constantly pushing back against the chaos around her, which made me root for her even more.
The enemies-to-lovers tension was EVERYTHING. The chemistry between them was explosive, and the push-and-pull dynamic kept me turning pages way past when I should have been sleeping. The dark themes, the revenge plot, the kidnapping trope, and the constant danger made the story feel gritty and addictive.
What I loved most was how the story balanced brutal mafia politics with emotional vulnerability. Beneath all the violence and revenge, there’s a surprisingly intense love story that slowly builds through all the chaos.
If you love dark romance with:
🔥 obsessive anti-heroes
🔥 enemies to lovers tension
🔥 mafia family drama
🔥 steamy chemistry
🔥 a protective but dangerous MMC
then this book is absolutely worth the read.
I’m officially hooked on this world and can’t wait to dive deeper into the Dark Empire series. 💔🔥
July 19, 2025
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!
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!
January 23, 2026
This was honestly a bomb book I low-key wasn’t expecting it to be good. I was like OK we’ll just see how it goes. I need a new mafia romance and at first it was like OK I see you. I see you but then it was like this is a little bit weird but then getting closer to the end showing them actually really falling for each other and then all the what the freaks that happened. It was like OK OK I see you. I see you. See you. See you Cause. Yeah it ate the house boots down. I cannot wait to read Nicola’s book. He’s just such a Cutie baby. But now I was shocked when the brother thing came out that was not what I was expecting and then when he said we’re going to visit your mother I low-key thought that he might’ve been literally like keeping her mother in a cage or something but no this book was bomb. I wish we had a bit more time of her being pregnant and then like getting back together after he saved her, but we can’t get what we want all the time but it really was a good book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 4, 2025
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.
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.
October 5, 2025
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
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
January 11, 2026
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.
July 22, 2025
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.
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.
January 23, 2026
I was hooked on this book and actually really loved it. I’m looking forward to when I can get the next one. I don’t know how to explain why I loved it but it hooked me, the brothers were great when they were feeling charming or funny. Also the mental image of a bad ass mafioso just performing raid after raid against a rival family while a Pomeranian named Coco joined him, is just peak.
June 27, 2025
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.
August 12, 2025
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!
January 6, 2026
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.
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