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Devil's Own #1
King of the Cage: A Dark Irish Mafia Romance
To survive, I'm forced to marry my brother's enemy...
They call him the Lost Boy of Hell's Kitchen.
A legendary fighter, an ex-con and son of the Irish Mob... Bran O'Connor has trouble written all over him.
It was supposed to be a one night thing, but that turned out to be only the beginning.
When I get in over my head with a secret society, I have to rely on him to protect me.
He'll do it... for a price.
My hand in marriage.
King of the Cage is a dark Irish mafia romance featuring an Irish mobster, forced marriage and a dark and twisted secret society. This hero is OTT protective, and the object of his obsession is a stabby, black cat heroine. Set in a dark and dangerous world, check the TWs in the book, and only read if you are over eighteen.
They call him the Lost Boy of Hell's Kitchen.
A legendary fighter, an ex-con and son of the Irish Mob... Bran O'Connor has trouble written all over him.
It was supposed to be a one night thing, but that turned out to be only the beginning.
When I get in over my head with a secret society, I have to rely on him to protect me.
He'll do it... for a price.
My hand in marriage.
King of the Cage is a dark Irish mafia romance featuring an Irish mobster, forced marriage and a dark and twisted secret society. This hero is OTT protective, and the object of his obsession is a stabby, black cat heroine. Set in a dark and dangerous world, check the TWs in the book, and only read if you are over eighteen.
464 pages, Paperback
First published November 6, 2024
5500 people are currently reading
8694 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 598 reviews
January 15, 2026
4.5 stars
My first, but definitely not my last, Mila Kane book!!! This was the perfect mix of a mafia romance, but with lots of thriller/mystery aspects that made the plot so nail-biting and exciting.
This is one of those books that’s hard to talk about without giving anything away, because there were so many surprises in the plot throughout the whole book. Some of them I sort of saw coming, but I was also absolutely blindsided by some of them. Some twists you have to take with a grain of salt, but I still really appreciated them because it made the book unique compared to other mafia romances.
The mafia elements in this book are so quintessential mafia and gave me exaaactly what I was looking for. The MMC is so possessive and yummmm.
preread
Is she back in her mafia era??!
My first, but definitely not my last, Mila Kane book!!! This was the perfect mix of a mafia romance, but with lots of thriller/mystery aspects that made the plot so nail-biting and exciting.
This is one of those books that’s hard to talk about without giving anything away, because there were so many surprises in the plot throughout the whole book. Some of them I sort of saw coming, but I was also absolutely blindsided by some of them. Some twists you have to take with a grain of salt, but I still really appreciated them because it made the book unique compared to other mafia romances.
The mafia elements in this book are so quintessential mafia and gave me exaaactly what I was looking for. The MMC is so possessive and yummmm.
preread
Is she back in her mafia era??!
December 4, 2024
I have been craving another Mafia Romance from Mila Kane and now I know why. This was a thrill ride. I was immediately hooked on Bran & Giada. Her black cat hacker energy as a daughter of the Italian Mafia and his sunshine Lost Boy forgotten son of the Irish Mob was an amazing pairing.
From the moment she caught his eye and pretended to be his fake girlfriend by sitting in his lap... The woman was in over her head and it was glorious. Then when he agrees to literally fight for her he wants a reward. She has no intention of things going any further but Bran has fallen fast and HARD. He just can't get enough.
The plot was also very engaging. A dangerous drug that goes beyond date-r*ape usage gets used on both of their loved ones. Giada is on the case from the hacking side and Bran is on the hunt in the streets. When they have to team up to infiltrate a secret society to get answers, things continue to escalate and lead to a Forced Marriage.. Well, it's a one-sided force anyway.
I was locked into this story and I loved all the nods to previous books, as Mila always does, and I look forward to Giada's brothers book too!
4.5 Stars
3 on the spice scale
CW: Violence, involuntary drugging, kidnapping, human trafficking, stalking, initiation rituals, parent with dementia
*Thank you to Grey's Promo and the author for an ARC of this title.*
From the moment she caught his eye and pretended to be his fake girlfriend by sitting in his lap... The woman was in over her head and it was glorious. Then when he agrees to literally fight for her he wants a reward. She has no intention of things going any further but Bran has fallen fast and HARD. He just can't get enough.
The plot was also very engaging. A dangerous drug that goes beyond date-r*ape usage gets used on both of their loved ones. Giada is on the case from the hacking side and Bran is on the hunt in the streets. When they have to team up to infiltrate a secret society to get answers, things continue to escalate and lead to a Forced Marriage.. Well, it's a one-sided force anyway.
I was locked into this story and I loved all the nods to previous books, as Mila always does, and I look forward to Giada's brothers book too!
4.5 Stars
3 on the spice scale
CW: Violence, involuntary drugging, kidnapping, human trafficking, stalking, initiation rituals, parent with dementia
*Thank you to Grey's Promo and the author for an ARC of this title.*
December 8, 2024
I had to dnf at 14%
The MFC is known as the Man-eater of the De Sanctis family because she is a dom in the bedroom and hooks up with random men.
She is also known as good enough to bang yet not good enough to date 🙄
The MMC sees her, wants her, declares her his and then offers her to himself as a prize. He orders her to remove her panties, and bend over the sink and then wait for him.
Well I'll be damned! If this ain't love! 🙄🤦♀️
Anyway, a badass MFC is not tantamount to be the female version of a manwhore. That only makes her a manwhore without the "man". Just saying 🤷♀️
Oh oh wait forgot to mention that he's a 6 feet 5, 6 FEET 5!!! and she's a wee thing of 5 feet nothing and he needs to contort himself in order to reach her n*pple LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL..... I CAN'T 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
The MFC is known as the Man-eater of the De Sanctis family because she is a dom in the bedroom and hooks up with random men.
She is also known as good enough to bang yet not good enough to date 🙄
The MMC sees her, wants her, declares her his and then offers her to himself as a prize. He orders her to remove her panties, and bend over the sink and then wait for him.
Well I'll be damned! If this ain't love! 🙄🤦♀️
Anyway, a badass MFC is not tantamount to be the female version of a manwhore. That only makes her a manwhore without the "man". Just saying 🤷♀️
Oh oh wait forgot to mention that he's a 6 feet 5, 6 FEET 5!!! and she's a wee thing of 5 feet nothing and he needs to contort himself in order to reach her n*pple LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL..... I CAN'T 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
January 19, 2025
This was going really well and I thought it was going to be a 5 star read - until the 80% mark. The whole amnesia thing was so unnecessary and then what? She suddenly gets all her memories back in 2 sentences??? Make it make sense bruh. The plot wasn't that great imo but I was curious to see where the author was going with it. Tbh it didn't feel very well thought out and the last 20% was wayyyy too dramatic/exaggerated and just felt underwhelming, yk? Giada's character was something I thought I would relate to - and I did, to a certain extent - esp since she's so badass and smart but I felt like there was a lot of 'tell' there rather than 'show.'
With that being said, Bran and his filthy yet sweet mouth was the highlight of this book for me. He was a goner for Giada from the get go (just how I like it) and was OBSESSED to the point that he forced her to marry him lolololol. I've highlighted so many of his quotes it's actually CRAZY. Also their banter and the smut scenes were top notch. Overall, this was a good read - not great, even though it could have been - but still enjoyable.
DeclanQuinn and Sol and the Doc are probably gonna get a book based on the hints that were dropped in this one but personally, I was eager to read Elio's story. After a quick search on the zon, it turns out that his book IS next...but it's a second chance romance with 'the one that got away' vibes so idk how to feel about that. Hopefully it'll be good since this author usually writes safe stories :)
P.S. I'm excited to read Killian's story too eventhough we haven't officially met him yet (hint: he's an ex-con too😏)
safety squad:
- no OM/OW drama
- no cheating/sharing
- forced marriage
- mafia romance
- rival families
- boy obsessed
- ex con
- celibate hero
- he falls first and harder
- “my wife” moments
- no condoms
- mentions of dementia, amnesia (temporary), abduction, cancer, being drugged, gore, violence etc so don't forget to check the TWs
- HEA
With that being said, Bran and his filthy yet sweet mouth was the highlight of this book for me. He was a goner for Giada from the get go (just how I like it) and was OBSESSED to the point that he forced her to marry him lolololol. I've highlighted so many of his quotes it's actually CRAZY. Also their banter and the smut scenes were top notch. Overall, this was a good read - not great, even though it could have been - but still enjoyable.
DeclanQuinn and Sol and the Doc are probably gonna get a book based on the hints that were dropped in this one but personally, I was eager to read Elio's story. After a quick search on the zon, it turns out that his book IS next...but it's a second chance romance with 'the one that got away' vibes so idk how to feel about that. Hopefully it'll be good since this author usually writes safe stories :)
P.S. I'm excited to read Killian's story too eventhough we haven't officially met him yet (hint: he's an ex-con too😏)
safety squad:
- no OM/OW drama
- no cheating/sharing
- forced marriage
- mafia romance
- rival families
- boy obsessed
- ex con
- celibate hero
- he falls first and harder
- “my wife” moments
- no condoms
- mentions of dementia, amnesia (temporary), abduction, cancer, being drugged, gore, violence etc so don't forget to check the TWs
- HEA
February 25, 2025
3.5 ⭐
The last quarter made this a whole lot better.
Ngl, this was way longer than it needed to be. I feel a lot of stuff was thrown into the story, and while I was able to follow the plot, it became somewhat over the place.
There are just too many things going on at once; add in the side characters to keep track of.
Also, despite the fact that this is already a long-ass book, there are still some things that remain unanswered. Like Bran and his father's relationship, I know the prick tried to be a decent father in the last 5%, but you can't just throw that stuff out there and not show the readers how these two are finally repairing their relationship.
Then what happened to Alice? Did she get better? Was she okay? What does Giada find in the basement? Were there people locked up there? I just wished I knew what had happened there and what the purpose of those rooms was.
The villain had it so easy. I don't think she even felt any pain. She just...died, and that's about it. While I understand that it was fitting because her own creation was used on her, I still think her comeuppance was so anticlimactic. Like I need more violence when it comes to nasty people.
Then the MCs, for the majority of the book, only shared a mutual lust for one another. I'm really torn about whether I should feel happy that they're both hoes. I thought it would be interesting since the playing field is supposed to be even. But then I realized I always got the ick when the MMC loves to sleep around, and it really gets under my skin. And when I found out that the FMC does the same thing, I was really frustrated as well.
Seriously, was it that hard to create a character whose badass reputation didn't equate to being a wh*re? These MCs can still be ruthless, feared, or admired by others due to their strength or intelligence, all while keeping their affairs private and not flaunting it.
Because let's face it: some readers (like myself) are quick to label some MMCs as manwhores, but FMCs are not called as such. Maybe some of them are just so done with the double standards in real life, but that doesn't make it any better when we simply flip the situation and change the double standards application. It's just not okay. This is obviously a me problem, but since this is my review, I'll just say what I want to...
Anyway, moving on. The romance was difficult to believe at first because, like I said, their only attraction was based on physical aspects. I'm still not sure why Bran became fixated on Giada. Meanwhile, she was putting on a show of being this strong and badass woman, but in reality, she's just all talk and no substance.
Maybe I just had too much expectations based on the book's blurb, but she ends up just like every other FMC in organized crime stories who loses all sense when the MMC is around and is completely driven by her hormones.
She couldn't even demonstrate her hacking and fighting skills. She was constantly in danger and couldn't do anything to escape her predicament. I really expected to have a strong FMC, but unfortunately, she's just not impressive at all.
Look, I understand that this review leans more towards the negative side than the positive. Buuut, I truly had a good time in the last quarter, and that's why I'm giving this rating. I enjoyed the tension and angst created by the temporary amnesia, and it was satisfying to see everything come together in the end, with the bad characters getting what they deserved.
But overall, I honestly suggest for readers to be patient, because it does take some time for it to get better. And if they're looking for a devoted MMC, then look no further; Bran will definitely serve and more.
Book info:
- Insta-lust
- Irish x Italian
- Forced marriage
- Dislike to love
- OTT JPP H
- Selling/Production of drugs
- Drugging
- Kidnapping
- Amnesia (temporary)
- No cheating, OM/OW
- No V (no info on their last)
- Separation (more than a week because of her amnesia)
- HEA (married, planning to expand their family)
The last quarter made this a whole lot better.
Ngl, this was way longer than it needed to be. I feel a lot of stuff was thrown into the story, and while I was able to follow the plot, it became somewhat over the place.
There are just too many things going on at once; add in the side characters to keep track of.
Also, despite the fact that this is already a long-ass book, there are still some things that remain unanswered. Like Bran and his father's relationship, I know the prick tried to be a decent father in the last 5%, but you can't just throw that stuff out there and not show the readers how these two are finally repairing their relationship.
Then what happened to Alice? Did she get better? Was she okay? What does Giada find in the basement? Were there people locked up there? I just wished I knew what had happened there and what the purpose of those rooms was.
The villain had it so easy. I don't think she even felt any pain. She just...died, and that's about it. While I understand that it was fitting because her own creation was used on her, I still think her comeuppance was so anticlimactic. Like I need more violence when it comes to nasty people.
Then the MCs, for the majority of the book, only shared a mutual lust for one another. I'm really torn about whether I should feel happy that they're both hoes. I thought it would be interesting since the playing field is supposed to be even. But then I realized I always got the ick when the MMC loves to sleep around, and it really gets under my skin. And when I found out that the FMC does the same thing, I was really frustrated as well.
Seriously, was it that hard to create a character whose badass reputation didn't equate to being a wh*re? These MCs can still be ruthless, feared, or admired by others due to their strength or intelligence, all while keeping their affairs private and not flaunting it.
Because let's face it: some readers (like myself) are quick to label some MMCs as manwhores, but FMCs are not called as such. Maybe some of them are just so done with the double standards in real life, but that doesn't make it any better when we simply flip the situation and change the double standards application. It's just not okay. This is obviously a me problem, but since this is my review, I'll just say what I want to...
Anyway, moving on. The romance was difficult to believe at first because, like I said, their only attraction was based on physical aspects. I'm still not sure why Bran became fixated on Giada. Meanwhile, she was putting on a show of being this strong and badass woman, but in reality, she's just all talk and no substance.
Maybe I just had too much expectations based on the book's blurb, but she ends up just like every other FMC in organized crime stories who loses all sense when the MMC is around and is completely driven by her hormones.
She couldn't even demonstrate her hacking and fighting skills. She was constantly in danger and couldn't do anything to escape her predicament. I really expected to have a strong FMC, but unfortunately, she's just not impressive at all.
Look, I understand that this review leans more towards the negative side than the positive. Buuut, I truly had a good time in the last quarter, and that's why I'm giving this rating. I enjoyed the tension and angst created by the temporary amnesia, and it was satisfying to see everything come together in the end, with the bad characters getting what they deserved.
But overall, I honestly suggest for readers to be patient, because it does take some time for it to get better. And if they're looking for a devoted MMC, then look no further; Bran will definitely serve and more.
Book info:
- Insta-lust
- Irish x Italian
- Forced marriage
- Dislike to love
- OTT JPP H
- Selling/Production of drugs
- Drugging
- Kidnapping
- Amnesia (temporary)
- No cheating, OM/OW
- No V (no info on their last)
- Separation (more than a week because of her amnesia)
- HEA (married, planning to expand their family)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 27, 2024
As always, Mila has done it again, making me fall in love with Bran and Giada's story. RTC 🔥
January 7, 2025
Maybe 2.5?
Every time I started to enjoy this book 💥TYPO💥Use of the wrong word ✅ Weird punctuation✅
Very distracting.
Every time I started to enjoy this book 💥TYPO💥Use of the wrong word ✅ Weird punctuation✅
Very distracting.
November 24, 2024
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Trope: reverse grumpy/sunshine
Angst: 😱😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥1/2
"𝘈 𝘮𝘢𝘯'𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘢𝘴𝘯'𝘵 𝘢 𝘨𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘪𝘮. 𝘏𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘰 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥, 𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘢 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘣𝘢𝘥. 𝘐 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥𝘯'𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘱 𝘩𝘪𝘮. 𝘐𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦."
All the stars! King of the Cage is fabulously written, super fast-paced, and has so many twists and turns it will keep you glued to your Kindle. There's just so many things to love:
✅ Enemies to lovers
✅ Forced marriage
✅ Big size difference
✅ Reverse grumpy/sunshine
✅ He falls first
✅ Secret society
"𝘐 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘵 𝘰𝘥𝘥𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧-𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘤𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘨𝘢𝘻𝘦, 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘯𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘥. 𝘌𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘯𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘥, 𝘐 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘥. 𝘏𝘦'𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘮𝘦, 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘢𝘴𝘴, 𝘱𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘦. 𝘏𝘦'𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘭."
While the story draws you in, it's really the characters that make this story for me. Bran and Giada, together, just hit the perfect spot. Their chemistry is off the charts, each being everything the other needs. At first glance, you're not sure it would work. Bran is this physically huge, larger-than-life guy who is a fighter and a jokester. Giada is this black cat chick who has to constantly work to get respect in a man's world and has always been told she's "too much." He's a romantic at heart, and she's .... not, lol. But Bran sees her, validates her, and helps her learn how to accept herself ❤️. At the same time, she's the only person he can truly be vulnerable with as well.
"𝘐 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘎𝘪𝘢𝘥𝘢, 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘰. 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘯𝘰 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦. 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰. 𝘚𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘐 𝘴𝘢𝘸 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘢𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘰𝘰𝘮 𝘢𝘵 𝘙𝘦𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘰'𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘥𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘚𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘮𝘦 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘸. 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘮𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘧𝘦. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘦𝘦, 𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘤𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴. 𝘐 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘧𝘢𝘵𝘦. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰��𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘸𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘵, 𝘸𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥. 𝘐 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘺 𝘣𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴. 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘺 𝘐 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶."
/le swoon 🥹
SUCH a fantastic read and totally going in my Best of 2024 pile - highly recommend!
Trope: reverse grumpy/sunshine
Angst: 😱😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥1/2
"𝘈 𝘮𝘢𝘯'𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘢𝘴𝘯'𝘵 𝘢 𝘨𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘪𝘮. 𝘏𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘰 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥, 𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘢 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘣𝘢𝘥. 𝘐 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥𝘯'𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘱 𝘩𝘪𝘮. 𝘐𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦."
All the stars! King of the Cage is fabulously written, super fast-paced, and has so many twists and turns it will keep you glued to your Kindle. There's just so many things to love:
✅ Enemies to lovers
✅ Forced marriage
✅ Big size difference
✅ Reverse grumpy/sunshine
✅ He falls first
✅ Secret society
"𝘐 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘵 𝘰𝘥𝘥𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧-𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘤𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘨𝘢𝘻𝘦, 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘯𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘥. 𝘌𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘯𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘥, 𝘐 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘥. 𝘏𝘦'𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘮𝘦, 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘢𝘴𝘴, 𝘱𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘦. 𝘏𝘦'𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘭."
While the story draws you in, it's really the characters that make this story for me. Bran and Giada, together, just hit the perfect spot. Their chemistry is off the charts, each being everything the other needs. At first glance, you're not sure it would work. Bran is this physically huge, larger-than-life guy who is a fighter and a jokester. Giada is this black cat chick who has to constantly work to get respect in a man's world and has always been told she's "too much." He's a romantic at heart, and she's .... not, lol. But Bran sees her, validates her, and helps her learn how to accept herself ❤️. At the same time, she's the only person he can truly be vulnerable with as well.
"𝘐 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘎𝘪𝘢𝘥𝘢, 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘰. 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘯𝘰 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦. 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰. 𝘚𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘐 𝘴𝘢𝘸 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘢𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘰𝘰𝘮 𝘢𝘵 𝘙𝘦𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘰'𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘥𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘚𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘮𝘦 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘸. 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘮𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘧𝘦. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘦𝘦, 𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘤𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴. 𝘐 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘧𝘢𝘵𝘦. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰��𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘸𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘵, 𝘸𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥. 𝘐 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘺 𝘣𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴. 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘺 𝘐 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶."
/le swoon 🥹
SUCH a fantastic read and totally going in my Best of 2024 pile - highly recommend!
Read
February 4, 2025DNF 31%
At this point in 2025, I’m just asking for a book that is not annoying. Is that a hard thing to ask for? 🥹
She was annoying, he was dumb and I might in a bitch mood and they are completely lovable characters.
At this point in 2025, I’m just asking for a book that is not annoying. Is that a hard thing to ask for? 🥹
She was annoying, he was dumb and I might in a bitch mood and they are completely lovable characters.
November 27, 2024
Once I started this book I couldn’t put it book down. I loved both characters, but Giada especially, she had me loving her instantly! FMC are normally harder for me to like because at some point they can be very annoying and frustrating- but not Giada. From start to finish she was excellent. I loved her fierce and sassy personality, and how independent she was. She didn’t need a man to survive, but she also didn’t fight and deny the attraction between her and Bran. And I loved Bran. He wanted his selkie and he took her! He was absolutely the best.
This book was definitely a great read and all the side characters were equally enjoyable and have me excited for their stories- especially Elio!
This book was definitely a great read and all the side characters were equally enjoyable and have me excited for their stories- especially Elio!
May 2, 2025
☆5 Universe, please send me a Brandon O’Connor 🙏
He’s all I want for Christmas. RTC
He’s all I want for Christmas. RTC
December 4, 2024
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️
This was my first Mila Kane book, and I could not put it down. It instantly sucked me into this story, and it was fast-paced, exciting, spicy, and well written.
Bran is the huge, sexy outcast, wild card, and fighter of the Irish mafia. He instantly becomes obsessed with Giada when he sees her at an Italian mafia wedding. They are from rival families, but they currently have a truce. Giada is the black cat hacker for her family, and she uses Bran to put a creepy member of the Italian mafia in his place when he keeps making advances on her and won’t take no for an answer. Bran wants Giada as his prize for fighting the loser, but she will make him work for it.
They also end up working together to stop this secret society that is putting a dangerous drug on the market. Giada gets herself in a dangerous situation, and a forced marriage may be the only way to keep her safe.
These two characters were so perfect for each other, and they had amazing chemistry. I loved everything about Bran! This man is so protective and obsessed with his woman.
I can’t wait to continue the series and read more from this author.
Thank you to Greys Promo for providing the ARC.
🌶️🌶️🌶️
This was my first Mila Kane book, and I could not put it down. It instantly sucked me into this story, and it was fast-paced, exciting, spicy, and well written.
Bran is the huge, sexy outcast, wild card, and fighter of the Irish mafia. He instantly becomes obsessed with Giada when he sees her at an Italian mafia wedding. They are from rival families, but they currently have a truce. Giada is the black cat hacker for her family, and she uses Bran to put a creepy member of the Italian mafia in his place when he keeps making advances on her and won’t take no for an answer. Bran wants Giada as his prize for fighting the loser, but she will make him work for it.
They also end up working together to stop this secret society that is putting a dangerous drug on the market. Giada gets herself in a dangerous situation, and a forced marriage may be the only way to keep her safe.
These two characters were so perfect for each other, and they had amazing chemistry. I loved everything about Bran! This man is so protective and obsessed with his woman.
I can’t wait to continue the series and read more from this author.
Thank you to Greys Promo for providing the ARC.
January 28, 2025
I remember really liking Giada in Renato and Charlie’s book so I was looking forward to reading this.
I loved Bran and Giada. He was so obsessed with her from first sight. I have to say though I absolutely hated when he called her ‘wee one’ because as an Irish person it’s what someone would refer to kids as and it just cringed me out when he called her that.
I also wish we saw more of Giada in action with her work for the DeSanctis family, in Unholy Vows she worked a lot for Renato but in her own book it seemed she had fuck all to do. I would have liked to see her skills not just be told about them.
I really liked all the side characters and will read their books if they’re released.
Dual PoV
h27, H30s??
Forced marriage
Mafia
Safe no owd/omd 👏🥰
No third act breakup
HEA
Epilogue 6 months later- still happily married and he bought them a new house and they’re gonna try for a baby
I loved Bran and Giada. He was so obsessed with her from first sight. I have to say though I absolutely hated when he called her ‘wee one’ because as an Irish person it’s what someone would refer to kids as and it just cringed me out when he called her that.
I also wish we saw more of Giada in action with her work for the DeSanctis family, in Unholy Vows she worked a lot for Renato but in her own book it seemed she had fuck all to do. I would have liked to see her skills not just be told about them.
I really liked all the side characters and will read their books if they’re released.
Dual PoV
h27, H30s??
Forced marriage
Mafia
Safe no owd/omd 👏🥰
No third act breakup
HEA
Epilogue 6 months later- still happily married and he bought them a new house and they’re gonna try for a baby
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 24, 2024
✨ARC Review✨
Loved, loved, loved I absolutely loved Giada and Brandon’s story. I just could not put this book down👏🏼
Now our two MMCs meet at Renato’s wedding (we meet Renato in unholy vows) and I can say for sure that Brandon was head over heels for Giada from the moment he met her. Now while our MC’s might be from rival families their chemistry is absolutely off the charts😮💨
“If you want to rescue someone, Irish, try taking someone who won’t bring a war down on your house.” She knows who I am. That pleased me somehow.
“Like you, sweet cheeks?” I offered.
“You’d never survive me.”
While these two may technically may be enemies this does not stop from being tangled up in something much much darker and the pair have to work together but infiltrating a secret society to uncover the truth.
Now I absolutely adore a man who knows exactly what he wants and will stop at nothing till it is his and that is exactly Brandon O’Connor. While Giada and Brandon become husband and wife in an unconventional way, their wedding scene had me absolutely cackling. Giada literally just woke up from a nap to saying or not so saying her vows😂
Giada I absolutely love her she is fierce, sassy and I honestly vibed with her so much. Brandon had me constantly swooning, left right and centre😫
Overall, this book was an absolute page turner. The plot, suspense and spice were absolute perfection and I was sucked into the story from the very first chapter. I am very very excited for Giada’s brothers story Elio that will be coming in the near future.
Thank you so much to the author and greys promotions for proving this e-arc for my honest thoughts 💭
Loved, loved, loved I absolutely loved Giada and Brandon’s story. I just could not put this book down👏🏼
Now our two MMCs meet at Renato’s wedding (we meet Renato in unholy vows) and I can say for sure that Brandon was head over heels for Giada from the moment he met her. Now while our MC’s might be from rival families their chemistry is absolutely off the charts😮💨
“If you want to rescue someone, Irish, try taking someone who won’t bring a war down on your house.” She knows who I am. That pleased me somehow.
“Like you, sweet cheeks?” I offered.
“You’d never survive me.”
While these two may technically may be enemies this does not stop from being tangled up in something much much darker and the pair have to work together but infiltrating a secret society to uncover the truth.
Now I absolutely adore a man who knows exactly what he wants and will stop at nothing till it is his and that is exactly Brandon O’Connor. While Giada and Brandon become husband and wife in an unconventional way, their wedding scene had me absolutely cackling. Giada literally just woke up from a nap to saying or not so saying her vows😂
Giada I absolutely love her she is fierce, sassy and I honestly vibed with her so much. Brandon had me constantly swooning, left right and centre😫
Overall, this book was an absolute page turner. The plot, suspense and spice were absolute perfection and I was sucked into the story from the very first chapter. I am very very excited for Giada’s brothers story Elio that will be coming in the near future.
Thank you so much to the author and greys promotions for proving this e-arc for my honest thoughts 💭
December 12, 2025
“One day, the spring tide will bring a selkie to you. She’s yours, this magical creature… you’ll have to decide to let her go or to hide her seal skin, so she can never leave. If you let her keep her the skin, she might leave sometimes, but she’ll always come back. If you hide it, one day, she’ll find it and leave for good. Or so the song has it.”
Brandon O’Connor. Lost Boy of Hell’s Kitchen.💚
Thirty-one.
Irish mafia heir, youngest O’Connor son.🍀
Six-five.
Tattoos decorating the backs of his hands, trailing up his forearms and neck. Ogham tattoo over his heart.
Fighter. Impulsive. Reckless.
Long dirty-blond hair with dark-green eyes.
Been to jail twice, close friends with Nikolai Chernov (Malevolent King) because of jail. Nikolai is married to Sofia (De Sanctis, brother is Renato) and Nikolai's half-brother is Kirill Chernov (Wicked Heir).
Dad is Colm, brother is Killian (in jail), stepbrother is Ronan, sister is Quinn (youngest).
Giada Santori. The praying mantis. Selkie.🖤
Twenty-seven.
De Sanctis IT woman.
Five foot nothing.
Small and curvy body, waist-length black hair, dark eyes.
Older brother is Elio (Brutal Legacy), second-in-command in the family. Enemies with Brandon.
“Ask for forgiveness, never permission.”
The book starts out at Renato’s wedding. Renato De Sanctis (Unholy Vows) is the capo and invited all kinds of possible connections, hence the O’Connor family invite, despite the tense between the De Sanctis and O’Connor families. Giada uses Brandon to get away from a creep and Brandon ends up starting a fight, but welcomes anyone who wants a turn. He wants a prize and has his sights set on Giada. Giada wanders off and goes home, where Brandon tracks her down, but the night is interrupted when he finds out his sister, Quinn, is in the hospital. She was drugged with something called Zombie juice. Bran reaches out to Nikolai about it and they’re working to get Z juice off the streets.
Turns out there’s a secret society, The Enclave, where Zombie juice is being created, so Bran ends up working to be initiated. Giada was lured to The Tartarus Hotel as an offering, but Bran finds her, so he gets to claim her. They tell him he gets to decide who gets a turn and he said there must be a mistake because Giada is his fiancée, so they get out of that situation. In order to track down the creator of Z juice, Bran continues with the initiation to become a brother to The Enclave.
Giada’s POV: The Tartarus Hotel. I was no expert on Greek mythology, but even I knew what Tartarus represented in ancient stories. The abyss beneath the Underworld. The lowest level of Hell.
Meanwhile, Bran forces Giada to marry him, she’s pissed about it, but they end up falling for each other. Giada gets in a situation where she loses her memories from the past few months and doesn’t remember Brandon. Brandon and Elio are enemies, but they come together to end The Enclave because of the Zombie Juice and the havoc Z juice can cause. During this war, Giada gets her memories back because of seeing Bran’s tattoo over his heart. The Italians and Irish win against the The Enclave and dismantle any trace of the formula for Zombie Juice.
Six months later… Brandon buys a brownstone house for him and Giada to start a family. They get their happily ever after, while the Russians (Chernov), Italians (De Sanctis & Santori), and Irish (O’Connor) settle into a comfortable partnership.
Overall, I was hoping Giada would be tougher, since she’s portrayed as a spitfire and very resilient in the other books, but she didn’t feel that way in her book. Despite that, I’d have to say that Bran and Giada are my favorite couple of these interconnected standalones.
Wicked Heir⭐️⭐️⭐️
Savage Throne ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Malevolent King ⭐️⭐️
Runaway Queen ⭐️⭐️
Unholy Vows ⭐️⭐️
King of the Cage ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Brutal Legacy ⭐️⭐️
Brandon O’Connor. Lost Boy of Hell’s Kitchen.💚
Thirty-one.
Irish mafia heir, youngest O’Connor son.🍀
Six-five.
Tattoos decorating the backs of his hands, trailing up his forearms and neck. Ogham tattoo over his heart.
Fighter. Impulsive. Reckless.
Long dirty-blond hair with dark-green eyes.
Been to jail twice, close friends with Nikolai Chernov (Malevolent King) because of jail. Nikolai is married to Sofia (De Sanctis, brother is Renato) and Nikolai's half-brother is Kirill Chernov (Wicked Heir).
Dad is Colm, brother is Killian (in jail), stepbrother is Ronan, sister is Quinn (youngest).
Giada Santori. The praying mantis. Selkie.🖤
Twenty-seven.
De Sanctis IT woman.
Five foot nothing.
Small and curvy body, waist-length black hair, dark eyes.
Older brother is Elio (Brutal Legacy), second-in-command in the family. Enemies with Brandon.
“Ask for forgiveness, never permission.”
The book starts out at Renato’s wedding. Renato De Sanctis (Unholy Vows) is the capo and invited all kinds of possible connections, hence the O’Connor family invite, despite the tense between the De Sanctis and O’Connor families. Giada uses Brandon to get away from a creep and Brandon ends up starting a fight, but welcomes anyone who wants a turn. He wants a prize and has his sights set on Giada. Giada wanders off and goes home, where Brandon tracks her down, but the night is interrupted when he finds out his sister, Quinn, is in the hospital. She was drugged with something called Zombie juice. Bran reaches out to Nikolai about it and they’re working to get Z juice off the streets.
Turns out there’s a secret society, The Enclave, where Zombie juice is being created, so Bran ends up working to be initiated. Giada was lured to The Tartarus Hotel as an offering, but Bran finds her, so he gets to claim her. They tell him he gets to decide who gets a turn and he said there must be a mistake because Giada is his fiancée, so they get out of that situation. In order to track down the creator of Z juice, Bran continues with the initiation to become a brother to The Enclave.
Giada’s POV: The Tartarus Hotel. I was no expert on Greek mythology, but even I knew what Tartarus represented in ancient stories. The abyss beneath the Underworld. The lowest level of Hell.
Meanwhile, Bran forces Giada to marry him, she’s pissed about it, but they end up falling for each other. Giada gets in a situation where she loses her memories from the past few months and doesn’t remember Brandon. Brandon and Elio are enemies, but they come together to end The Enclave because of the Zombie Juice and the havoc Z juice can cause. During this war, Giada gets her memories back because of seeing Bran’s tattoo over his heart. The Italians and Irish win against the The Enclave and dismantle any trace of the formula for Zombie Juice.
Six months later… Brandon buys a brownstone house for him and Giada to start a family. They get their happily ever after, while the Russians (Chernov), Italians (De Sanctis & Santori), and Irish (O’Connor) settle into a comfortable partnership.
Overall, I was hoping Giada would be tougher, since she’s portrayed as a spitfire and very resilient in the other books, but she didn’t feel that way in her book. Despite that, I’d have to say that Bran and Giada are my favorite couple of these interconnected standalones.
Wicked Heir⭐️⭐️⭐️
Savage Throne ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Malevolent King ⭐️⭐️
Runaway Queen ⭐️⭐️
Unholy Vows ⭐️⭐️
King of the Cage ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Brutal Legacy ⭐️⭐️
December 4, 2024
I enjoyed this book so much.
Mila Kane is one of my favourite authors, because she never lets me down and she knows how to get my attention
Giana and bran s story has my whole heart, I loved reading them and come along with their journey.
I received an Arc copy in exchange of an honest review
Mila Kane is one of my favourite authors, because she never lets me down and she knows how to get my attention
Giana and bran s story has my whole heart, I loved reading them and come along with their journey.
I received an Arc copy in exchange of an honest review
May 4, 2025
3 🌟 This was good but not my favorite in the mafia series by this author. Still fun, tho.
December 9, 2024
Me : I'm all about feminism, girl power, and healthy relationships.
Hot, ruthless mafia mobster : *exists*
Me: just marry me 🧎♀️
If you're looking for a steamy read, this book may be for you. Bran and Giada are really hot together 🥵 but of course they have to make their life difficult at first.
These two are not particularly fond of each other. Their families are enemies and they have a thousand reasons to stay apart.. but fate has a different path for them because they find themselves collaborating in taking down a secret society that wants them both dead.
Bran y'all.. I cried. 😭 I love him so much! He's the cheekiest mafia mobster I've ever read. His lines had me giggling. He's such a brat. This book is grumpy x sunshine and he's the sunshine!! 😭 Giada had no chance yall. She tried to be cold and distance and he took down her walls one by one.
I loved that. 🥹
Bran and Giada were an unlikely pair. He is one of the most feared man in the city, and she distrusts men and can't stand to be cornered and manhandled. Well.. imagine all the fun I had watching these two banter and run around each other. 😭
One of my favorite moments was when Giada was about to leave and said “Don’t pout. If you pout, I won’t bring you a cookie when I get home.”
And he was like “But I want my cookie now.”
Bye I'm dead. 💀 HE'S AN IRISH MOBSTER. 🤧😂
Don't ask me why I love this book so much. It was HOT, wild, intense, funny and cute at the same time.
Hot, ruthless mafia mobster : *exists*
Me: just marry me 🧎♀️
If you're looking for a steamy read, this book may be for you. Bran and Giada are really hot together 🥵 but of course they have to make their life difficult at first.
These two are not particularly fond of each other. Their families are enemies and they have a thousand reasons to stay apart.. but fate has a different path for them because they find themselves collaborating in taking down a secret society that wants them both dead.
Bran y'all.. I cried. 😭 I love him so much! He's the cheekiest mafia mobster I've ever read. His lines had me giggling. He's such a brat. This book is grumpy x sunshine and he's the sunshine!! 😭 Giada had no chance yall. She tried to be cold and distance and he took down her walls one by one.
I loved that. 🥹
Bran and Giada were an unlikely pair. He is one of the most feared man in the city, and she distrusts men and can't stand to be cornered and manhandled. Well.. imagine all the fun I had watching these two banter and run around each other. 😭
One of my favorite moments was when Giada was about to leave and said “Don’t pout. If you pout, I won’t bring you a cookie when I get home.”
And he was like “But I want my cookie now.”
Bye I'm dead. 💀 HE'S AN IRISH MOBSTER. 🤧😂
Don't ask me why I love this book so much. It was HOT, wild, intense, funny and cute at the same time.
December 1, 2024
Bran had first laid eyes on his "selkie" while attending Renato and Charlie's wedding. I remember their book, it was my first book by Mila Kane, and I fell in love with them in Unholy Vows
Mila has made me fall in love with Bran and Giada as well. This unlikely pair are stubborn and fight for what they believe in, and I absolutely loved everything about their story.
Bran had literally saved Giada but at the same time put both of them at risk in doing so. He forced her to marry him. Something she never wanted to do.
He is possessive and protective everything she hates in a man, but she's falling anyways.
“What the hell? That wasn’t a wedding. I never said yes!” The priest shrugged. “I heard a ‘yes.’”
“As did I, wee one,” Bran said, pulling me close despite my hard shoves at his chest. “Everyone here will attest to that, so that makes you — my wife.”
It's a brilliant story, I definitely recommend 👌
Mila has made me fall in love with Bran and Giada as well. This unlikely pair are stubborn and fight for what they believe in, and I absolutely loved everything about their story.
Bran had literally saved Giada but at the same time put both of them at risk in doing so. He forced her to marry him. Something she never wanted to do.
He is possessive and protective everything she hates in a man, but she's falling anyways.
“What the hell? That wasn’t a wedding. I never said yes!” The priest shrugged. “I heard a ‘yes.’”
“As did I, wee one,” Bran said, pulling me close despite my hard shoves at his chest. “Everyone here will attest to that, so that makes you — my wife.”
It's a brilliant story, I definitely recommend 👌
November 24, 2024
I literally could not put this book down, it was one of the better reads I’ve taken on in a while.
To be fair, anytime you have an Irish MMC, I’m already very interested, but add in a good sense of humor, tattoos, and a man bun…Heck yes. I am here.for.this! And I loved that the FMC was such a strong woman in her own right, although I wish we could have seen more of her hacking skills in action.
Marco was easily my favorite supporting character and I’m going to need a LOT more of him in any future books in this world.
Another thing I really enjoyed about this book was its perfect balance of steamy romance and an actual plot that could stand on its own without the romance. I love a good secret society situation!
Definitely recommend this for anyone who enjoys any of the following tropes: mafia, forced marriage, enemies-to-lovers, he falls first, secret society, dark, touch her and die.
To be fair, anytime you have an Irish MMC, I’m already very interested, but add in a good sense of humor, tattoos, and a man bun…Heck yes. I am here.for.this! And I loved that the FMC was such a strong woman in her own right, although I wish we could have seen more of her hacking skills in action.
Marco was easily my favorite supporting character and I’m going to need a LOT more of him in any future books in this world.
Another thing I really enjoyed about this book was its perfect balance of steamy romance and an actual plot that could stand on its own without the romance. I love a good secret society situation!
Definitely recommend this for anyone who enjoys any of the following tropes: mafia, forced marriage, enemies-to-lovers, he falls first, secret society, dark, touch her and die.
December 4, 2024
5 ⭐️
Why you’ll love this book!!
☘️ Dark Irish Mob Romance
🖤 Possessive Obsessive Hero
☘️ Stalking
🖤 Kidnapping
☘️ He Falls First
🖤 Enemies To Lovers
☘️ Forced Marriage
🖤 Touch Her And Die
I loved this book this was my first book by Mila Kane.. I am a sucker for a forced marriage lol it’s my red flag in books apparently lol.. I loved Bran and Giada’s story. I loved how strong and independent Giada is and how she knows what she wants.. I loved Bran and how he went after what he wanted no matter what ..I loved how he was a romantic for her and I also loved all the side characters this book was amazing and had me hooked from the beginning!!
Why you’ll love this book!!
☘️ Dark Irish Mob Romance
🖤 Possessive Obsessive Hero
☘️ Stalking
🖤 Kidnapping
☘️ He Falls First
🖤 Enemies To Lovers
☘️ Forced Marriage
🖤 Touch Her And Die
I loved this book this was my first book by Mila Kane.. I am a sucker for a forced marriage lol it’s my red flag in books apparently lol.. I loved Bran and Giada’s story. I loved how strong and independent Giada is and how she knows what she wants.. I loved Bran and how he went after what he wanted no matter what ..I loved how he was a romantic for her and I also loved all the side characters this book was amazing and had me hooked from the beginning!!
December 12, 2024
Tropes: dark Mafia romance, rival mob families to lovers, reverse grumpy / sunshine, forced marriage / proximity, amnesia
Feels: 3.5/5
Steam*: 3/5
Kinks: n/a
Angst: low/medium
HEA: yes
Pairing: MF
Triggers/potential icks/content warnings: forced druggings, mind control, references to SA of minor characters, violence / torture / murder, unsafe sex, minor character with dementia
4 Stars
Giada is 27. She is the daughter of Italian mafia. She is independent, feisty, and confident about what she wants. She is integral to her family's business, she works as a hacker for them while also pursuing Justice for victims she's come across along the way, she's particularly protective of female victims. She has a reputation as a man eater, because she doesn't do relationships, she just picks up men sometimes for a good time and leaves without a thought afterward, eviscerating their manhood a little.
At of family wedding, she meets Bran, the 31-year-old second son of an Irish mob family. Bran was invited to the wedding as a bit of an olive branch, but his family is near war with hers, they are not allies, they are rivals. When Bran spots her, he is quickly entranced, lusting after her, feeling possessive of her, and impressed by the feisty bad b**** vibes she exudes. He wants her, and within a short while he hears from his dad that the dad wants him to marry her to force the rival Italian mafia to accept them onto their turf. Bran is his own person and well he wants to impress his father, he has no plan to just do his bidding. But Giada and Bran end up both investigating a shady secret society that is distributing a drug that turns its victims into zombies that can be controlled and sexually assaulted and then made to forget what happens to them. Despite both of them being dark characters, this goes against their moral compass and they want to stop this from happening in their city. They are forced to team up and pretend to be a couple, and Bran takes the opportunity to force her into marrying him because it's what he wants.
S*** gets more dangerous around them and her family also wants to interfere in their relationship. One of them gets dosed with the amnesia drug, but not sexually assaulted, and they have to find their way back to each other while still fighting off terrible threats.
I really appreciate this book on multiple fronts. This was an insta connection done well - there was an instant lust and possessiveness at first meeting, but I like that it wasn't instalove. It was only at the 61% Mark that they are starting to realize what they feel is love. He falls first. I love that Giada is such a strong female character - she saves herself multiple times, she's sexually liberated, she snarks and gives people a hard time. She is fierce. And Bran worships her and admires her for the amazing woman she is. The smut is solid, and Bran is often very focused on her pleasure. There is no other man or other woman drama. The book had solid plot, with suspense and tension and conflict. I appreciate that this author says she only writes safe romances, I like that the author is committing to not having characters cheat.
What didn't I love? There were a fair number of typos in this book. Also at the end of the book, there's a scene where Bran may or may not have removed her birth control implant without her consent / knowledge. He better just have been teasing! Because messing with someone's birth control is a line that shouldn't be crossed in my opinion.
Some notable moments:
I love a woman who is strong enough to save herself! "Giada lifted the fire extinguisher and smacked him hard on the jaw. The poor sucker never even saw it coming. He dropped like a bag of rocks. Giada put down her makeshift weapon and grabbed Rafe’s thumb, pressing it to the scanner on his door. “Jesus, remind me not to get on your bad side,” I remarked, enjoying the sight of Giada handling business completely, and utterly effortlessly."
"“Giada Santori, do you take this man, Brandon O’Connor, to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, to shelter and respect, to protect until your dying breath?” “No! I absolutely fucking do not,” I retorted. “Excellent, then in the power vested in me from that website I registered on a few hours ago, I now pronounce you husband and wife."
I love this small passing moment where he gives up smoking for her. "She wandered over to the small table I had in the corner and picked up a box of cigarettes. She wrinkled her nose. “You smoke?” she asked in a scathing tone. “Not anymore, I guess. What’s that saying? Happy wife, happy life, right?”"
"“Which is all a long-winded way of saying that no matter how we met, where, or when… I’d fall in love with you every time, in every eventuality, selkie. There’s no version of my life where I don’t love you. That’s what fate means. I was fated to love you, and I will be here, unwaveringly doing that, until you come back to me.”"
*FYI about steam: I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink.
**Note about spoilers: I like to comment on the plot of a book in reviews, so I almost always mark my reviews as containing spoilers. But I try to avoid spoiling the big dramatic moments! As a reader, I personally like to know what I'm getting into before I read a book so I know more about the content and if it's to my taste/mood, so I try to give that information in my reviews for myself when I'm considering rereading and also for other readers.
Feels: 3.5/5
Steam*: 3/5
Kinks: n/a
Angst: low/medium
HEA: yes
Pairing: MF
Triggers/potential icks/content warnings: forced druggings, mind control, references to SA of minor characters, violence / torture / murder, unsafe sex, minor character with dementia
4 Stars
Giada is 27. She is the daughter of Italian mafia. She is independent, feisty, and confident about what she wants. She is integral to her family's business, she works as a hacker for them while also pursuing Justice for victims she's come across along the way, she's particularly protective of female victims. She has a reputation as a man eater, because she doesn't do relationships, she just picks up men sometimes for a good time and leaves without a thought afterward, eviscerating their manhood a little.
At of family wedding, she meets Bran, the 31-year-old second son of an Irish mob family. Bran was invited to the wedding as a bit of an olive branch, but his family is near war with hers, they are not allies, they are rivals. When Bran spots her, he is quickly entranced, lusting after her, feeling possessive of her, and impressed by the feisty bad b**** vibes she exudes. He wants her, and within a short while he hears from his dad that the dad wants him to marry her to force the rival Italian mafia to accept them onto their turf. Bran is his own person and well he wants to impress his father, he has no plan to just do his bidding. But Giada and Bran end up both investigating a shady secret society that is distributing a drug that turns its victims into zombies that can be controlled and sexually assaulted and then made to forget what happens to them. Despite both of them being dark characters, this goes against their moral compass and they want to stop this from happening in their city. They are forced to team up and pretend to be a couple, and Bran takes the opportunity to force her into marrying him because it's what he wants.
S*** gets more dangerous around them and her family also wants to interfere in their relationship. One of them gets dosed with the amnesia drug, but not sexually assaulted, and they have to find their way back to each other while still fighting off terrible threats.
I really appreciate this book on multiple fronts. This was an insta connection done well - there was an instant lust and possessiveness at first meeting, but I like that it wasn't instalove. It was only at the 61% Mark that they are starting to realize what they feel is love. He falls first. I love that Giada is such a strong female character - she saves herself multiple times, she's sexually liberated, she snarks and gives people a hard time. She is fierce. And Bran worships her and admires her for the amazing woman she is. The smut is solid, and Bran is often very focused on her pleasure. There is no other man or other woman drama. The book had solid plot, with suspense and tension and conflict. I appreciate that this author says she only writes safe romances, I like that the author is committing to not having characters cheat.
What didn't I love? There were a fair number of typos in this book. Also at the end of the book, there's a scene where Bran may or may not have removed her birth control implant without her consent / knowledge. He better just have been teasing! Because messing with someone's birth control is a line that shouldn't be crossed in my opinion.
Some notable moments:
I love a woman who is strong enough to save herself! "Giada lifted the fire extinguisher and smacked him hard on the jaw. The poor sucker never even saw it coming. He dropped like a bag of rocks. Giada put down her makeshift weapon and grabbed Rafe’s thumb, pressing it to the scanner on his door. “Jesus, remind me not to get on your bad side,” I remarked, enjoying the sight of Giada handling business completely, and utterly effortlessly."
"“Giada Santori, do you take this man, Brandon O’Connor, to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, to shelter and respect, to protect until your dying breath?” “No! I absolutely fucking do not,” I retorted. “Excellent, then in the power vested in me from that website I registered on a few hours ago, I now pronounce you husband and wife."
I love this small passing moment where he gives up smoking for her. "She wandered over to the small table I had in the corner and picked up a box of cigarettes. She wrinkled her nose. “You smoke?” she asked in a scathing tone. “Not anymore, I guess. What’s that saying? Happy wife, happy life, right?”"
"“Which is all a long-winded way of saying that no matter how we met, where, or when… I’d fall in love with you every time, in every eventuality, selkie. There’s no version of my life where I don’t love you. That’s what fate means. I was fated to love you, and I will be here, unwaveringly doing that, until you come back to me.”"
*FYI about steam: I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink.
**Note about spoilers: I like to comment on the plot of a book in reviews, so I almost always mark my reviews as containing spoilers. But I try to avoid spoiling the big dramatic moments! As a reader, I personally like to know what I'm getting into before I read a book so I know more about the content and if it's to my taste/mood, so I try to give that information in my reviews for myself when I'm considering rereading and also for other readers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 30, 2025
This might be a new record for the fastest I have ever read a book.
I fall victim to the KU book ads Every. Single. Time. and this was one of them. Once I started, I couldn’t put it down. The author’s ideas were great, it was her delivery that seemed to struggle. I still thoroughly enjoyed it though. There were so many parts that had me laughing out loud and the plot kept me going. I loved all the characters in this story and now I want to go back and read Kane’s other books whenever I’m in need of a guilty pleasure, palate cleanser.
I fall victim to the KU book ads Every. Single. Time. and this was one of them. Once I started, I couldn’t put it down. The author’s ideas were great, it was her delivery that seemed to struggle. I still thoroughly enjoyed it though. There were so many parts that had me laughing out loud and the plot kept me going. I loved all the characters in this story and now I want to go back and read Kane’s other books whenever I’m in need of a guilty pleasure, palate cleanser.
December 12, 2024
Meh. 3 might be generous- it could have been A LOT better
I'm not saying it's bad, but the super drug/secret society "plot" seemed like it was meant to be the star- and I find that to be perma eye roll inducing.
Giada and Bran were supposed to be the focus. Rival mafia families? Banter? Chemistry? Some inevitable dumbass violent mafia confrontation- while they become a team. Hello? THAT.
NOT. A shit secondary side character that makes absolute nonsensical terrible decisions to repeatedly bring us to the doorstep of the super secret club of depraved white guys.
And then the rotted cherry on top is the amnesia/oh no she magically forgot everything(including her personality) third act pseudo break up
Which I'm sorry but how did different characters in this get put in the same position of forgetting an attack(or attempt) and then the other characters are like 'oh don't tell her, even though she's still going to interact with the person responsible socially, it'll just upset her'. IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE ONCE. But multiple times? Really?
I get it, plot device to lure us to the masked rich people rapey fight club. Same with the whole mafia aspect evaporating for I'm going to say most of it
Plot devices. Bad ones.
Kindleunlimited. I think despite being listed as the first book in a series, it might be a spin off?
I'm not saying it's bad, but the super drug/secret society "plot" seemed like it was meant to be the star- and I find that to be perma eye roll inducing.
Giada and Bran were supposed to be the focus. Rival mafia families? Banter? Chemistry? Some inevitable dumbass violent mafia confrontation- while they become a team. Hello? THAT.
NOT. A shit secondary side character that makes absolute nonsensical terrible decisions to repeatedly bring us to the doorstep of the super secret club of depraved white guys.
And then the rotted cherry on top is the amnesia/oh no she magically forgot everything(including her personality) third act pseudo break up
Which I'm sorry but how did different characters in this get put in the same position of forgetting an attack(or attempt) and then the other characters are like 'oh don't tell her, even though she's still going to interact with the person responsible socially, it'll just upset her'. IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE ONCE. But multiple times? Really?
I get it, plot device to lure us to the masked rich people rapey fight club. Same with the whole mafia aspect evaporating for I'm going to say most of it
Plot devices. Bad ones.
Kindleunlimited. I think despite being listed as the first book in a series, it might be a spin off?
June 11, 2025
My face is all hot 🤣 This was so good!
September 1, 2025
4.5 Stars
April 13, 2025
(I received an ARC for this book)
Trigger Warnings include:
This is a dark mafia romance, featuring a possessive, obsessive hero, who is partial to stalking and kidnapping and forcing the object of his obsession to marry him. It also includes a long list of mafia related terrible things: graphic descriptions of violence and fighting, involuntary drugging with intent to harm, a dark secret society with depraved initiation rituals, instances of kidnapping and captivity, torture and murder, BC tampering. There are also discussions around a parent who is medically declining.
Bran and Giada embody everything I love about dark mafia romances! A possessive, protective, and obsessive MMC. A fierce, unapologetic FORCE of an FMC. I knew the second they met they’d be a whole lot of fun! And boy were they! Bran was raised as the black sheep, the family disappointment. But he is the furthest thing from that! Giada’s job was to protect her family and their men. Mix their powers and strengths together, and they easily become a power couple! Something Bran had no issue with! Giada took a bit more convincing though! And THAT journey was a lot of fun! Simply put: I am in love with both of them! Please do NOT make me choose! They gave me the giggles, they made me swoon, they made me sweat. The third act had me in TEARS! (I was so attached to them by that point, I was left with no choice but get emotional!) And then I spent the rest of the book unsure if I was going to cry some more or puke.
This book is slightly connected to another series Mila is in the process of writing. The first book (Unholy Vows) was one of my favorite reads this year. And after reading this one I am even more excited about the second book! AND the next book in this series! Officially in love and obsessed with these families!
wee one: 46
selkie: 51
My Favorite Quotes:
• “Just be yourself. There is no one in the world who can be you, except you.”
• “You owe me what you promised… and I will be taking it. I fought for you. I won you. I found you… you’re mine.”
• “No one gets to hear your pleasure but me. Don’t you dare come right now, in front of all these motherf!ckers.”
• “You smell like me. I kind of like the idea of you wearing my c!m against your c!nt all night long. Since I don’t have a ring to give you, I’ll mark you this way.”
• “In the power vested in me from that website I registered on a few hours ago, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Kiss each other, kill each other, do what you want.”
• “The only help I need is right here. This c!nt is my therapy of choice.”
• “Call our marriage ridiculous one more time, and I’m going to roll you over and turn your pretty peach of an !ss as red as an apple. Then…I’m going to eat it. Every. Single. Bite.”
• “From now on, I come from your touch or not at all.”
• “You are my dying wish.”
• “I’d fall in love with you every time, in every eventuality. There’s no version of my life where I don’t love you.”
• “My fate is to annoy you until the end of our days. I’ll be fine.”
8/10 Dirty Birdy
6/10 Arranged (Forced) Marriage
7/10 Dark Romance
6/10 Forced Proximity
7/10 Mafia Romance
6/10 Second Chance
This is my review for Unholy Vows
This is my review for Brutal Legacy
Trigger Warnings include:
This is a dark mafia romance, featuring a possessive, obsessive hero, who is partial to stalking and kidnapping and forcing the object of his obsession to marry him. It also includes a long list of mafia related terrible things: graphic descriptions of violence and fighting, involuntary drugging with intent to harm, a dark secret society with depraved initiation rituals, instances of kidnapping and captivity, torture and murder, BC tampering. There are also discussions around a parent who is medically declining.
Bran and Giada embody everything I love about dark mafia romances! A possessive, protective, and obsessive MMC. A fierce, unapologetic FORCE of an FMC. I knew the second they met they’d be a whole lot of fun! And boy were they! Bran was raised as the black sheep, the family disappointment. But he is the furthest thing from that! Giada’s job was to protect her family and their men. Mix their powers and strengths together, and they easily become a power couple! Something Bran had no issue with! Giada took a bit more convincing though! And THAT journey was a lot of fun! Simply put: I am in love with both of them! Please do NOT make me choose! They gave me the giggles, they made me swoon, they made me sweat. The third act had me in TEARS! (I was so attached to them by that point, I was left with no choice but get emotional!) And then I spent the rest of the book unsure if I was going to cry some more or puke.
This book is slightly connected to another series Mila is in the process of writing. The first book (Unholy Vows) was one of my favorite reads this year. And after reading this one I am even more excited about the second book! AND the next book in this series! Officially in love and obsessed with these families!
wee one: 46
selkie: 51
My Favorite Quotes:
• “Just be yourself. There is no one in the world who can be you, except you.”
• “You owe me what you promised… and I will be taking it. I fought for you. I won you. I found you… you’re mine.”
• “No one gets to hear your pleasure but me. Don’t you dare come right now, in front of all these motherf!ckers.”
• “You smell like me. I kind of like the idea of you wearing my c!m against your c!nt all night long. Since I don’t have a ring to give you, I’ll mark you this way.”
• “In the power vested in me from that website I registered on a few hours ago, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Kiss each other, kill each other, do what you want.”
• “The only help I need is right here. This c!nt is my therapy of choice.”
• “Call our marriage ridiculous one more time, and I’m going to roll you over and turn your pretty peach of an !ss as red as an apple. Then…I’m going to eat it. Every. Single. Bite.”
• “From now on, I come from your touch or not at all.”
• “You are my dying wish.”
• “I’d fall in love with you every time, in every eventuality. There’s no version of my life where I don’t love you.”
• “My fate is to annoy you until the end of our days. I’ll be fine.”
8/10 Dirty Birdy
6/10 Arranged (Forced) Marriage
7/10 Dark Romance
6/10 Forced Proximity
7/10 Mafia Romance
6/10 Second Chance
This is my review for Unholy Vows
This is my review for Brutal Legacy
no-way-jose
December 8, 2024No rating, DNF while suffering thru the 2nd chapter. Heroine is my least favorite… the tough girl, female version of a manwhore.
June 19, 2025
Another one of my raccoon trash reads 😭 Knew that going in but omfg this was such a terrible book. The amnesia trope (one of my favorite tropes btw!!) was terribly executed. She got her memory back in 2 sentences?? Also the entire zombie juice plot made zero sense and was not well planned. When Alice was “attacking” her in the final throw down, Giada could have just told her to stop?? Because the whole point of z juice is that they listen to your every command?? It was never specified that only one person could give a command. And Bran was terribly written as well. Why did he go to jail? It was brought up a million times but never told why. And also why did his father randomly decide he was proud of Bran? So many plot holes. Will not continue the series
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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