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Scream.: Duchess & Devils Book One
SABRINA WINTERS
I’ve turned into nothing more than a shell of my former self after something happens to me.
Something I can’t face.
but when my father owes the Devil of New York his soul,
he only has one bargaining chip-
me.
I can feel the safe haven I’ve carefully built crashing down around me brick by unforgiving brick as I stand face-to-face with the leader of the criminal underground - my husband.
Now I must navigate this unwanted marriage of convenience while doing my best to never reveal the truth about myself or my past.
Will all my efforts to rebuild myself be eradicated?
Could there be more to the darkness that shrouds my husband than I ever thought possible, or will my past come back to haunt me and tear us apart?
Something I can’t face.
but when my father owes the Devil of New York his soul,
he only has one bargaining chip-
me.
I can feel the safe haven I’ve carefully built crashing down around me brick by unforgiving brick as I stand face-to-face with the leader of the criminal underground - my husband.
Now I must navigate this unwanted marriage of convenience while doing my best to never reveal the truth about myself or my past.
Will all my efforts to rebuild myself be eradicated?
Could there be more to the darkness that shrouds my husband than I ever thought possible, or will my past come back to haunt me and tear us apart?
422 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 13, 2025
403 people are currently reading
1320 people want to read
About the author
Ruby M. Darling
11 books465 followersRuby Darling is a small town Texas Native that reads too much Dark Fantasy Romance and sleeps too little, which has probably caused her to be delusional enough to create a world of her own. She hopes you have a great time under the glamour and in the veil.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 146 reviews
June 5, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Sometimes you finish a book, and sometimes a book finishes you. Sabrina Winters is here to finish you. I’ll tell you why in a minute. First, this book is part 1 of a duet. You don’t have to read Speak & Stutter beforehand if you don’t want to.. (I would, but that’s just me 🤷🏻♀️) but you’ll see a lot of the characters from those books here since Sabrina and Raven are BESTIES. BFFS. And they’re so darn sweet 🥹
ANYWAYS, let’s talk about Sabrina, her new betrothed Maksim, and her bodyguard Parker.. shall we? Did someone say cupcakes? 😂
Sabrina is a survivor of a terrible SA. She is a shell of who she used to be. She’s broken. She has agoraphobia, she hates everyone, and she hates herself for becoming a statistic. So to make matters worse, her father sets up an arranged marriage with the mafia king (big, dumb, mafia idiot) Maks, to pay off his debt.
Maks is NOT interested in being a husband. He just wants his money. He’s never loved anyone. Loving someone makes you weak. NOT HAPPENING.. 👀
Parker is Brinas bodyguard. He’s hopelessly devoted to keeping Sabrina safe at all costs. Even if it means he has to watch her marry the Bratva king. But it’s okay. He’ll be there. She’s always got him.
Now, there’s a LOT of plot here. A lot of side story, backstory, and individual story to unpack. I don’t want to spoil all of that for you here but.. pay attention.
Maks and Savage (Parker) quickly understand that in order for them both to give Sabrina the life and love and support that she needs, they’ll need to work together. And boy oh boy, do they ever WORK together.
The spice? Obviously on point. As usual with Ruby, and MFM books in general, you get some individual scenes with Sabrina and her men, as well as a couple delicious group scenes that will live rent free in my head for years to come. 🥵 (Maksim takes a phone call while getting a BJ at one point and I just CANTTTTT 💀)
So basically, it looks cute, it looks pretty.. but inside? A story about a woman overcoming everything that should have never happened to her, and her two men who want to help her forget. Packed to the brim with lots of “my wife”, “f*ck it”, weighted blankets, PINK EVERYTHING, mafia idiots, sexy workouts, runs in the park, “oh god, actually it’s your HUSBAND”, and lots and lots of baking. All tied up with a pretty Armani bow. 🥰
Sabrina is SMART, and although she wants to SCREAM, she might just SNAP instead 🙂↕️💕
*I am an alpha reader, beta reader, ARC reader, and Rubys PA, and this is STILL my honest review.*
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Sometimes you finish a book, and sometimes a book finishes you. Sabrina Winters is here to finish you. I’ll tell you why in a minute. First, this book is part 1 of a duet. You don’t have to read Speak & Stutter beforehand if you don’t want to.. (I would, but that’s just me 🤷🏻♀️) but you’ll see a lot of the characters from those books here since Sabrina and Raven are BESTIES. BFFS. And they’re so darn sweet 🥹
ANYWAYS, let’s talk about Sabrina, her new betrothed Maksim, and her bodyguard Parker.. shall we? Did someone say cupcakes? 😂
Sabrina is a survivor of a terrible SA. She is a shell of who she used to be. She’s broken. She has agoraphobia, she hates everyone, and she hates herself for becoming a statistic. So to make matters worse, her father sets up an arranged marriage with the mafia king (big, dumb, mafia idiot) Maks, to pay off his debt.
Maks is NOT interested in being a husband. He just wants his money. He’s never loved anyone. Loving someone makes you weak. NOT HAPPENING.. 👀
Parker is Brinas bodyguard. He’s hopelessly devoted to keeping Sabrina safe at all costs. Even if it means he has to watch her marry the Bratva king. But it’s okay. He’ll be there. She’s always got him.
Now, there’s a LOT of plot here. A lot of side story, backstory, and individual story to unpack. I don’t want to spoil all of that for you here but.. pay attention.
Maks and Savage (Parker) quickly understand that in order for them both to give Sabrina the life and love and support that she needs, they’ll need to work together. And boy oh boy, do they ever WORK together.
The spice? Obviously on point. As usual with Ruby, and MFM books in general, you get some individual scenes with Sabrina and her men, as well as a couple delicious group scenes that will live rent free in my head for years to come. 🥵 (Maksim takes a phone call while getting a BJ at one point and I just CANTTTTT 💀)
So basically, it looks cute, it looks pretty.. but inside? A story about a woman overcoming everything that should have never happened to her, and her two men who want to help her forget. Packed to the brim with lots of “my wife”, “f*ck it”, weighted blankets, PINK EVERYTHING, mafia idiots, sexy workouts, runs in the park, “oh god, actually it’s your HUSBAND”, and lots and lots of baking. All tied up with a pretty Armani bow. 🥰
Sabrina is SMART, and although she wants to SCREAM, she might just SNAP instead 🙂↕️💕
*I am an alpha reader, beta reader, ARC reader, and Rubys PA, and this is STILL my honest review.*
July 20, 2025
✨4 stars✨
June 22, 2025
Another 5 star read from Ruby. This is going to be a duet and you should probably read "Speak" and "Stutter" first as the charters from the first duet will be a part of the story here as well.
Sabrina is Ravens bestie and comes back into her life when Raven finds all of her men. Sabrina is also a patient of Damon's and is in on going treatment with him.
Her past trauma and her drama with her new Mobster husband and her bodyguard Parker will all spill into the influence off Raven and her men's story.
Sabrina is forced to marry Maxim, the mobster boss with a bad reputation and their tendency scam of a marriage unfolds it is so well written and played out between them. I loved the banter and the way Maxim quickly realises how he feels about her. But Sabrina who’s had a crush on her bodyguard and a former soldier, southern statue of a man, she is confused by how he reacts to her being married to Maxim, and its not at all what you'd think.
These three almost seamlessly slide into a ménage à trois when the men agree the best way to care for and protect Sabrina from her trauma is by alining both their passion for her, and also F her at the same time.
This is just as spicy as Ruby's other books but again with such a great balance of giving all the charters a great back story so there's both smut (that will cinche your eye brows off while reading 🔥) but also dive deep into a suspense story about the secrete society and the past trauma that Sabrina is trying to deal with so she can move on in life.
Sabrina is Ravens bestie and comes back into her life when Raven finds all of her men. Sabrina is also a patient of Damon's and is in on going treatment with him.
Her past trauma and her drama with her new Mobster husband and her bodyguard Parker will all spill into the influence off Raven and her men's story.
Sabrina is forced to marry Maxim, the mobster boss with a bad reputation and their tendency scam of a marriage unfolds it is so well written and played out between them. I loved the banter and the way Maxim quickly realises how he feels about her. But Sabrina who’s had a crush on her bodyguard and a former soldier, southern statue of a man, she is confused by how he reacts to her being married to Maxim, and its not at all what you'd think.
These three almost seamlessly slide into a ménage à trois when the men agree the best way to care for and protect Sabrina from her trauma is by alining both their passion for her, and also F her at the same time.
This is just as spicy as Ruby's other books but again with such a great balance of giving all the charters a great back story so there's both smut (that will cinche your eye brows off while reading 🔥) but also dive deep into a suspense story about the secrete society and the past trauma that Sabrina is trying to deal with so she can move on in life.
September 29, 2025
Holy sh*t. This audio is one of the hottest audios I’ve EVER listened to. Amy as a very posh, British lawyer being growled at by Joe Arden as a Mafia Don AND a filthy talking southern boy was 🥵🫠. I was turning down the volume to my AirPods just in case someone around me could hear because my GOD was this audiobook spicy. I have a very good poker face and can easily read or listen to smut in public and this one had me testing ALL my limits. I feel like I could never look Joe Arden in the face again after to listening to this book 🫣.
So anyway, this book was just moving along at a regular pace. Beautiful, successful socialite went through something terribly traumatic. She was arranged to marry a billionaire mafia boss to pay her dad’s debt. She was dealing with her trauma in a very unhealthy way until she was forced to marry. Then there were a lot of pink parts, lots of super spicy healing and then TRAUMA AND A HUGE CLIFFHANGER! This book took such a turn and I’m unwell. I was just enjoying Mak’s and Parker’s praises and then all of a sudden I was crying. So take that as you will. I’m hoping Ruby saves my soul in book 2 🤞🏻
So anyway, this book was just moving along at a regular pace. Beautiful, successful socialite went through something terribly traumatic. She was arranged to marry a billionaire mafia boss to pay her dad’s debt. She was dealing with her trauma in a very unhealthy way until she was forced to marry. Then there were a lot of pink parts, lots of super spicy healing and then TRAUMA AND A HUGE CLIFFHANGER! This book took such a turn and I’m unwell. I was just enjoying Mak’s and Parker’s praises and then all of a sudden I was crying. So take that as you will. I’m hoping Ruby saves my soul in book 2 🤞🏻
June 27, 2025
needs a better editor
The acknowledgments thank the author’s editor but she needs a better one because there were multiple instances where the wrong word was used or just misspelled.
The acknowledgments thank the author’s editor but she needs a better one because there were multiple instances where the wrong word was used or just misspelled.
September 30, 2025
Arranged marriages and bodyguards? Sign me uppp. On top of that you tell me there’s an audiobook with great narrators in it too? Yes I’m absolutely sold 🤣 this book was great and had a really good plot, I loved that we got to see characters from speak in this and loved both the fmc and our mmcs. I also thought it got quite emotional and shed a tear or two while listening to the audiobook too 😪
September 24, 2025
I listened to the audiobook version of this story and I am so pleasantly surprised. This is my first read by Ruby Darling and I honestly wasn't sure what to expect. I love a good why choose and the blurb caught my attention so I dove in, and I am so glad I did. I felt for Sabrina from the very beginning. Made to marry a man she does not love, dealing with the trauma of the horrible even she survived. There was a moment where Maksim described seeing Sabrina screaming underwater while in the bathtub and my heart broke for her. I had a bit of a hard time warming up to Maksim because he was such a jerk to her in the beginning. I'm not bully romance kind of girl, but he worked so hard to be better for her, to love her and to give her everything she needed, including Parker, that I kinda fell for him too. Parker was pure delicious sweetness and I couldn't get enough of him. The chemistry between these three was magic, and the relationship development was phenomenal. The spice was so freaking good, I think it was some of the best I've read in a MFM story. Even though there was so much spice, the story itself was so interesting, emotional, suspenseful. There was lots of conflict both individually and collectively, which made this story so much more interesting. The narration by Joe Arden and Amy Hall was masterful. I loved every second of it, including that darn cliffhanger. I can't wait for the next installment.
September 30, 2025
Fantastic follow up from speak & stutter 😭 I loveeee how amazing & strong Sabrina is even in her weakest moments. I also loved seeing Raven & her boys 😭 so precious
Thank you Ruby & Blue nose for the ALC!
Thank you Ruby & Blue nose for the ALC!
September 29, 2025
ALPHA READ - ARC REREAD
The Duchess has arrived✨✨✨
The anticipation of Sabrina’s story was so strong throughout the Tongueless duet that I just knew it was going to absolutely rock me in the very best of ways.
Sabrina Winters is, for all accounts, an image of impeccable perfection. But behind that frosty exterior a warrior who has survived and had to claw her way back out hangs in the balance. Only her bodyguard, Parker Savage Hayes, knows a fraction of what lies beneath the veneer she shows. When her dad must make a deal basically for his life, she agrees to marry ✨the devil of New York✨ Maksim Giordano. Maksim has ruled over his empire and has never felt the need or desire to be married- until it benefits him. Once Sabrina is within his grasp he realizes he’ll stop at nothing to truly make her his- in all ways. As Sabrina navigates her marriage and feelings towards Maksim, she must also face the desire and longstanding attraction she’s avoided for Parker. But the three of these tortured souls must fight for their love- and for one another.
After alpha reading this book I knew reading it all together was going to be a wild ride and whewww do you need a seatbelt for this one! I absolutely love the marriage of convenience trope and its done so well with the begrudging Maksi baby who finally falls in love with his betrothed. And Parker, her bodyguard and quite honestly her PERSON. The trio just completes each other in all of the very best ways.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The cliffhanger ending on this one could send you into a grippy sock vacation tbh. Thank everything that is holy that my girl Ruby loves me enough to let me continue alpha reading for her and this story is continuing for me in snippets and chapters. These three are such special characters and I can’t wait for everyone to love them as much as I did.
Thank you so much to Ruby for allowing me to be a part of your journey 🖤
SCREAM- OUT NOW!!
The Duchess has arrived✨✨✨
The anticipation of Sabrina’s story was so strong throughout the Tongueless duet that I just knew it was going to absolutely rock me in the very best of ways.
Sabrina Winters is, for all accounts, an image of impeccable perfection. But behind that frosty exterior a warrior who has survived and had to claw her way back out hangs in the balance. Only her bodyguard, Parker Savage Hayes, knows a fraction of what lies beneath the veneer she shows. When her dad must make a deal basically for his life, she agrees to marry ✨the devil of New York✨ Maksim Giordano. Maksim has ruled over his empire and has never felt the need or desire to be married- until it benefits him. Once Sabrina is within his grasp he realizes he’ll stop at nothing to truly make her his- in all ways. As Sabrina navigates her marriage and feelings towards Maksim, she must also face the desire and longstanding attraction she’s avoided for Parker. But the three of these tortured souls must fight for their love- and for one another.
After alpha reading this book I knew reading it all together was going to be a wild ride and whewww do you need a seatbelt for this one! I absolutely love the marriage of convenience trope and its done so well with the begrudging Maksi baby who finally falls in love with his betrothed. And Parker, her bodyguard and quite honestly her PERSON. The trio just completes each other in all of the very best ways.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The cliffhanger ending on this one could send you into a grippy sock vacation tbh. Thank everything that is holy that my girl Ruby loves me enough to let me continue alpha reading for her and this story is continuing for me in snippets and chapters. These three are such special characters and I can’t wait for everyone to love them as much as I did.
Thank you so much to Ruby for allowing me to be a part of your journey 🖤
SCREAM- OUT NOW!!
July 1, 2025
“Only in death will you ever get away from me, Duchess. Even then, be prepared for me to find you in the ether, or heaven or hell, where you go, I will find you. And you will forever be my bride.”
SCREAM
by Ruby M. Darling
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
🧁🧁🧁🧁🧁
First book in the Duchess & Devils series with multi-pov from the FMC Sabrina and her MMC’s Parker the bodyguard and Maksim husband & Mafia Don makes for a dark spicy why choose suspense romance.
If you read Speak and Stutter then you may remember Raven’s best friend Sabrina and caught snippets of Sabrina, Parker and Maksim throughout the duet. If you have not read this duet, then I highly recommend reading it first, though not necessary.
One of the things I love about Ruby M. Darling books is that there is so much suspense action going on and it’s always fast paced all the way through the end, but she is able to work in lots of spice that will have you melting! Of course, with any dark romance if you have triggers, you may want to check those, if not happy reading!
Sabrina is a beautiful strong curvy woman who is working to overcome trauma. Baking cupcakes is relaxing and her men love to eat them, but there is so much more to her persona. I love the banter and the moments of humor just as much as the spice, suspense and action. There were even times I was in tears. Sabrina is relatable and I think that is one of the reasons I love her and Raven so much. The men, however are hot and the spice is chef kiss! You can’t help but fall for both Maksim and Parker!
Scream has age gap, mafia, syndicate secret society, bodyguard, arranged marriage, why choose MMF, just to name a few. It’s too good to miss and I can’t wait for the next release!
SCREAM
by Ruby M. Darling
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
🧁🧁🧁🧁🧁
First book in the Duchess & Devils series with multi-pov from the FMC Sabrina and her MMC’s Parker the bodyguard and Maksim husband & Mafia Don makes for a dark spicy why choose suspense romance.
If you read Speak and Stutter then you may remember Raven’s best friend Sabrina and caught snippets of Sabrina, Parker and Maksim throughout the duet. If you have not read this duet, then I highly recommend reading it first, though not necessary.
One of the things I love about Ruby M. Darling books is that there is so much suspense action going on and it’s always fast paced all the way through the end, but she is able to work in lots of spice that will have you melting! Of course, with any dark romance if you have triggers, you may want to check those, if not happy reading!
Sabrina is a beautiful strong curvy woman who is working to overcome trauma. Baking cupcakes is relaxing and her men love to eat them, but there is so much more to her persona. I love the banter and the moments of humor just as much as the spice, suspense and action. There were even times I was in tears. Sabrina is relatable and I think that is one of the reasons I love her and Raven so much. The men, however are hot and the spice is chef kiss! You can’t help but fall for both Maksim and Parker!
Scream has age gap, mafia, syndicate secret society, bodyguard, arranged marriage, why choose MMF, just to name a few. It’s too good to miss and I can’t wait for the next release!
September 6, 2025
This story really dragged for a whole lot of not a lot happening. The grammatical errors were awful, and if I had to read the terms mix-matched one more time I would not have finished.
June 13, 2025
This book ruined me—in the best, most soul-melting way.
Why Choose? ✔️
Arranged Marriage? ✔️
Mafia ties and deadly secrets? ✔️
Obsessed bodyguard who worships from the shadows? Double ✔️
Smut that made me question my moral compass? Screaming.
Sabrina, our broken but fiery Duchess, is thrown into a forced marriage with Maksim—the cold, calculating heir of power. He’s danger in a tailored suit. But then there’s Parker. Oh, Parker. The loyal bodyguard who sees through every crack in her armor. His love is silent, obsessive, and achingly tender. He doesn't shout his love—he bleeds it. And I bled right alongside him. 🖤💔🔥
Chapter 23.
CHAPTER. TWENTY. THREE.
I’m still not over it. The gym scene? I needed holy water, a fan, and a moment of silence for my sanity.
Mental health rep? Beautifully handled with honesty and raw vulnerability.
The writing? Addictive. Gritty. Poetic.
The ending? RUDE, uncalled for, and perfect.
If you love your romance dark, your men morally grey, and your emotions annihilated—this book delivers. I’m not okay. And honestly? I don’t want to be. 🖤
Why Choose? ✔️
Arranged Marriage? ✔️
Mafia ties and deadly secrets? ✔️
Obsessed bodyguard who worships from the shadows? Double ✔️
Smut that made me question my moral compass? Screaming.
Sabrina, our broken but fiery Duchess, is thrown into a forced marriage with Maksim—the cold, calculating heir of power. He’s danger in a tailored suit. But then there’s Parker. Oh, Parker. The loyal bodyguard who sees through every crack in her armor. His love is silent, obsessive, and achingly tender. He doesn't shout his love—he bleeds it. And I bled right alongside him. 🖤💔🔥
Chapter 23.
CHAPTER. TWENTY. THREE.
I’m still not over it. The gym scene? I needed holy water, a fan, and a moment of silence for my sanity.
Mental health rep? Beautifully handled with honesty and raw vulnerability.
The writing? Addictive. Gritty. Poetic.
The ending? RUDE, uncalled for, and perfect.
If you love your romance dark, your men morally grey, and your emotions annihilated—this book delivers. I’m not okay. And honestly? I don’t want to be. 🖤
December 14, 2025
Oh. My. Goodness. I cannot believe it ended like that. I went into this book completely unprepared for the emotional damage and absolutely did not expect a major cliffhanger. I am not okay.
I loved the way Sabrina’s story unfolded alongside Parker and Maxim. Their dynamic was so well done, and it truly showed how the relationship was stronger with all of them together. They worked better as a unit than they ever could apart, and watching that bond deepen was incredibly satisfying.
My heart broke for Sabrina and everything she endured. Trauma is so often misunderstood, and Ruby Darling did an amazing job portraying how deeply it can affect someone both mentally and physically. The way Maxim and Parker supported Sabrina—each in completely different but equally meaningful ways—was beautiful. They loved her in ways that allowed her to slowly find herself again, and that growth felt raw, real, and earned.
I can’t say much more without spoilers, but that ending… absolutely criminal. I need the next book immediately because there is no way I can recover from this cliffhanger on my own.
I loved the way Sabrina’s story unfolded alongside Parker and Maxim. Their dynamic was so well done, and it truly showed how the relationship was stronger with all of them together. They worked better as a unit than they ever could apart, and watching that bond deepen was incredibly satisfying.
My heart broke for Sabrina and everything she endured. Trauma is so often misunderstood, and Ruby Darling did an amazing job portraying how deeply it can affect someone both mentally and physically. The way Maxim and Parker supported Sabrina—each in completely different but equally meaningful ways—was beautiful. They loved her in ways that allowed her to slowly find herself again, and that growth felt raw, real, and earned.
I can’t say much more without spoilers, but that ending… absolutely criminal. I need the next book immediately because there is no way I can recover from this cliffhanger on my own.
July 24, 2025
When her world is turned upside down, Sabrina completely loses herself and hides behind a facade… but when an arranged marriage is forced upon her she decides this could be her path to escape- a means to an end.. but her new husband takes his vows quite seriously, especially the whole “til death do us part”- part and he has no intention of letting Sabrina go.
Her baggage doesn’t scare him, in fact he’s eager to unpack it, even if it includes her first love/bodyguard coming along for the ride. With the two of them by her side, she will start to live again, finding that girl she buried long ago and maybe even replacing her grave with someone who deserved it all along…
Why choose x somno x mafia x bodyguard x arranged marriage
Her baggage doesn’t scare him, in fact he’s eager to unpack it, even if it includes her first love/bodyguard coming along for the ride. With the two of them by her side, she will start to live again, finding that girl she buried long ago and maybe even replacing her grave with someone who deserved it all along…
Why choose x somno x mafia x bodyguard x arranged marriage
November 17, 2025
After devouring the Tongueless duet, I was itching for more about Sabrina and I devoured this book as well! I knew I’d be left on a cliffhanger, but let’s just say I am going to be not so patiently waiting for the next book! The suspense might actually kill me! The audio for this is performed in duet by Amy Hall & Joe Arden - they were both so perfect for this book!
I loved seeing Sabrina’s growth throughout this book and I cannot wait to see that continue. Despite everything that she’s been through, she is surviving the only way she knows how. And both Maksim and Parker are so obsessed with keeping her safe and happy. And I’m utterly obsessed with them! Plus I loved seeing Raven and her men, because I’m still not over how much I love them!
Read if you enjoy:
🧁MFM
🩷arranged marriage
🧁mafia
🩷secret society
🧁possessive/obsessed mmcs
🩷bodyguard
I loved seeing Sabrina’s growth throughout this book and I cannot wait to see that continue. Despite everything that she’s been through, she is surviving the only way she knows how. And both Maksim and Parker are so obsessed with keeping her safe and happy. And I’m utterly obsessed with them! Plus I loved seeing Raven and her men, because I’m still not over how much I love them!
Read if you enjoy:
🧁MFM
🩷arranged marriage
🧁mafia
🩷secret society
🧁possessive/obsessed mmcs
🩷bodyguard
July 29, 2025
The plot and spice just grab you! The embedded stories and watching the unfolding... I looooved this book and the duet before it. The banter and angst were there with enemies to lovers to marriage of convenience vibes, and I'm here for it! Oh, and her body guard “She was right to keep him on as her detail. And I'm sorry to say this, but you could see how much he cares for her from the moon. That guy has the literal map to your wife's heart. His only soft spot is her. But his need to protect her is stronger."
The cliffhanger(s)..... I don't think I will be okay for some time....
The cliffhanger(s)..... I don't think I will be okay for some time....
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 17, 2025
Ohhh this was so good. I absolutely loved their dynamic — the group scenes and overall relationship chemistry were chef’s kiss. Everything did come together a little too easily for my taste, but honestly? I was having way too much fun to care. The connections, the tension, the way they all worked together… totally amazing. I’m already desperate for the next book, but I don’t see another title listed yet. Does anyone know what it’s called or when it’s dropping? Because I need it immediately. 😅📚
May 31, 2025
Scream by Ruby M. Darling is the third book in the Rayne-Moore university series. Following the Tongueless duet this is the first book in the Duchess & Devils Duet. We not only step back into the secret society world, but we are adding the element of mafia into the mix. Ruby is hitting us with some major trauma right from the beginning and we will navigate and heal. From an arranged marriage to a why choose, we come into some of the most delicious tropes, as virgin MMC, bodyguard, Mafia Dom/ Pakan , Brat FMC, Smart.
Let’s get to Sabrina, she is a brilliant lawyer, smart, forced into this marriage that makes her journey interesting, emotional and bring out how much a lot of people can relate to personal issues. In the perfection you can see the perfect, imperfect woman that learns to live and heal with her flaws.
Raven is the pillar of friendship that made us already fall in love with her and the man but now seeing her with Sabrina is just beautiful and I aspire to be her when I grow up!
The men of this book…. Oh Ruby you outdid yourself! Can we have them in real life! I’m so ready for them to be real! Parker has the best emotional intelligence a character should have, and on the other hand we have Maksim that surprises you at every turn and brings so much to the table!
There is suspense, mystery and secrets that will keep you at the edge of your seat and put you right up on a cliffhanger. Oh man that cliffhanger, it feels like Ruby wanted to kill us by hanging there!! ( pun intended)
For the spice all I’ll say get your toys ready and charged! You will definitely need those!
Let’s get to Sabrina, she is a brilliant lawyer, smart, forced into this marriage that makes her journey interesting, emotional and bring out how much a lot of people can relate to personal issues. In the perfection you can see the perfect, imperfect woman that learns to live and heal with her flaws.
Raven is the pillar of friendship that made us already fall in love with her and the man but now seeing her with Sabrina is just beautiful and I aspire to be her when I grow up!
The men of this book…. Oh Ruby you outdid yourself! Can we have them in real life! I’m so ready for them to be real! Parker has the best emotional intelligence a character should have, and on the other hand we have Maksim that surprises you at every turn and brings so much to the table!
There is suspense, mystery and secrets that will keep you at the edge of your seat and put you right up on a cliffhanger. Oh man that cliffhanger, it feels like Ruby wanted to kill us by hanging there!! ( pun intended)
For the spice all I’ll say get your toys ready and charged! You will definitely need those!
September 28, 2025
ALC Review ⬇️
When I ARC read this story, I was immediately drawn in to the trio that is Sabrina, Maksim and Parker (Savage). When it was announced that the story would be told in duet by Amy Hall and Joe Arden? I knew it would be great…and when I pushed play and heard these voices?
Amy Hall is THE goddess of the story, giving Sabrina the voice her character deserves. Sabrina is a survivor who disguises her pain in a palette of pink. Amy’s portrayal of Sabrina is a layered masterclass of character study; as a listener I felt that Amy performed with intentionality and intensity. Amy perfects the powerful, painful, and playful sides of Sabrina with a rich and husky British accent. The accent itself is expressive, despite Sabrina having PTSD and closing herself off. Amy has molded Sabrina’s perceived coldness in a precise manner— allowing her to warm up and eventually engulf her life in the beautiful flames of love.
Joe Arden is Maksim and Parker — the arranged husband and the loyal bodyguard. Maksim is all-consuming; he swears off falling in love with Sabrina right from the outset. For Maks, Sabrina is a necessary business transaction. Joe is convincing as the mafia man who is powerful in every aspect of his life, and becomes wrapped around Sabrina’s delicately gloved finger. Maksim is guarded and Joe walks the fine line of giving him edge while also giving him a gradual release of softness. My favorite aspect of Maksim and Sabrina’s love story is how they gradually, tentatively, genuinely open up to each other in a way that is honest.
For me, Joe’s performance truly shines as Parker/Savage. The accent is perfection — giving this ten year older former military man a spicy southern edge that is seductive and succinct. Parker is a man of few words, quietly protecting and admiring from the sidelines. Yet Parker, with his uncanny ability to read people and situations, ends up being the guidance both of them need. Joe’s performance made me love Parker MORE through his delivery.
This story is a fully-formed slow burn that has an intricate plot that is tied quite snuggly with Ruby Darling’s “Tongueless Duet” and again, Joe brings Jonas, Damon and Maverick back without missing a beat. Amy takes the torch from Heather Firth while voicing Raven and matches Heather’s performance note for note.
This story does end on a cliffhanger, which simply means Ruby is doing her due diligence to deliver us an HEA of epic proportions.
ARC REVIEW ⬇️
I will start with this: if you have not read Ruby M. Darling’s previous books (Speak & Stutter), you’re going to need to go ahead and do that now before proceeding with Scream.
Sabrina’s world is entirely her own, and she is a twin flame to her best friend Raven in the most important ways that matter. At the heart of this story is a woman trying to find and make peace with one mistake that categorically sent her heart and mind reeling.
Sabrina suffers a traumatic event and it sets into motion a chain reaction of adaptations that have her withdrawing and battening down the hatches. She is a successful woman in her own right, has a family who cares about her and a bodyguard who would walk through hell for her. When her father makes a deal with Maksim Giordano, promising him Sabrina’s hand in exchange for an “in” with the syndicate, Sabrina’s world is flipped upside down.
Oh, and Maks? He’s only one of the most powerful Mafia bosses in NYC and has a few delicious secrets of his own.
What I deeply respect about Ruby’s writing is that she lets Sabrina, Maksim and Parker lead the story with tenderness AND tenacity. It is clear from the start that Sabrina holds the power that drives every motivation in this story. She is feisty and intelligent; her scenes with Maksim had me giggling and ravenous for the tension between them to break. Because these two? Magnetic.
Maksim burrowed deep into my soul immediately, he was so fun to peel back and uncover. He is pivotal to so much of this story and the more I read, the more I fell head over heels for this Russian/Italian mafia man who grunts, grimaces, and devours his “duchess”. There is a scene later on in the book when he describes how he first knew he loved her. And I was a puddle.
One of my favorite annotations?
"You may no longer be the sun, Duchess, but you are the sliver of moonlight old sailors prayed for to guide them through dark, treacherous waters. And that's greater to the ones you impact than you could ever imagine."
And Parker? This man… he is a former soldier, southern grown statue of a man hired by Sabrina’s mom and has been by her side for years. He worships her from afar in a way that had my heart racing: his southern growl is just the tip of his tatted, peridot & forest eyes, and a roughed up yet polished persona that had me wondering who was going to snap first.
These men are poetically and purely patient for Sabrina, while also helping her discover the depths of her own strength. The wit, steam, and rich plot I’ve come to expect from Ruby’s writing is all here, with a larger cast of characters to love. This story does bend on a cliffhanger, which sent my heart and mind reeling.
When I ARC read this story, I was immediately drawn in to the trio that is Sabrina, Maksim and Parker (Savage). When it was announced that the story would be told in duet by Amy Hall and Joe Arden? I knew it would be great…and when I pushed play and heard these voices?
Amy Hall is THE goddess of the story, giving Sabrina the voice her character deserves. Sabrina is a survivor who disguises her pain in a palette of pink. Amy’s portrayal of Sabrina is a layered masterclass of character study; as a listener I felt that Amy performed with intentionality and intensity. Amy perfects the powerful, painful, and playful sides of Sabrina with a rich and husky British accent. The accent itself is expressive, despite Sabrina having PTSD and closing herself off. Amy has molded Sabrina’s perceived coldness in a precise manner— allowing her to warm up and eventually engulf her life in the beautiful flames of love.
Joe Arden is Maksim and Parker — the arranged husband and the loyal bodyguard. Maksim is all-consuming; he swears off falling in love with Sabrina right from the outset. For Maks, Sabrina is a necessary business transaction. Joe is convincing as the mafia man who is powerful in every aspect of his life, and becomes wrapped around Sabrina’s delicately gloved finger. Maksim is guarded and Joe walks the fine line of giving him edge while also giving him a gradual release of softness. My favorite aspect of Maksim and Sabrina’s love story is how they gradually, tentatively, genuinely open up to each other in a way that is honest.
For me, Joe’s performance truly shines as Parker/Savage. The accent is perfection — giving this ten year older former military man a spicy southern edge that is seductive and succinct. Parker is a man of few words, quietly protecting and admiring from the sidelines. Yet Parker, with his uncanny ability to read people and situations, ends up being the guidance both of them need. Joe’s performance made me love Parker MORE through his delivery.
This story is a fully-formed slow burn that has an intricate plot that is tied quite snuggly with Ruby Darling’s “Tongueless Duet” and again, Joe brings Jonas, Damon and Maverick back without missing a beat. Amy takes the torch from Heather Firth while voicing Raven and matches Heather’s performance note for note.
This story does end on a cliffhanger, which simply means Ruby is doing her due diligence to deliver us an HEA of epic proportions.
ARC REVIEW ⬇️
I will start with this: if you have not read Ruby M. Darling’s previous books (Speak & Stutter), you’re going to need to go ahead and do that now before proceeding with Scream.
Sabrina’s world is entirely her own, and she is a twin flame to her best friend Raven in the most important ways that matter. At the heart of this story is a woman trying to find and make peace with one mistake that categorically sent her heart and mind reeling.
Sabrina suffers a traumatic event and it sets into motion a chain reaction of adaptations that have her withdrawing and battening down the hatches. She is a successful woman in her own right, has a family who cares about her and a bodyguard who would walk through hell for her. When her father makes a deal with Maksim Giordano, promising him Sabrina’s hand in exchange for an “in” with the syndicate, Sabrina’s world is flipped upside down.
Oh, and Maks? He’s only one of the most powerful Mafia bosses in NYC and has a few delicious secrets of his own.
What I deeply respect about Ruby’s writing is that she lets Sabrina, Maksim and Parker lead the story with tenderness AND tenacity. It is clear from the start that Sabrina holds the power that drives every motivation in this story. She is feisty and intelligent; her scenes with Maksim had me giggling and ravenous for the tension between them to break. Because these two? Magnetic.
Maksim burrowed deep into my soul immediately, he was so fun to peel back and uncover. He is pivotal to so much of this story and the more I read, the more I fell head over heels for this Russian/Italian mafia man who grunts, grimaces, and devours his “duchess”. There is a scene later on in the book when he describes how he first knew he loved her. And I was a puddle.
One of my favorite annotations?
"You may no longer be the sun, Duchess, but you are the sliver of moonlight old sailors prayed for to guide them through dark, treacherous waters. And that's greater to the ones you impact than you could ever imagine."
And Parker? This man… he is a former soldier, southern grown statue of a man hired by Sabrina’s mom and has been by her side for years. He worships her from afar in a way that had my heart racing: his southern growl is just the tip of his tatted, peridot & forest eyes, and a roughed up yet polished persona that had me wondering who was going to snap first.
These men are poetically and purely patient for Sabrina, while also helping her discover the depths of her own strength. The wit, steam, and rich plot I’ve come to expect from Ruby’s writing is all here, with a larger cast of characters to love. This story does bend on a cliffhanger, which sent my heart and mind reeling.
November 18, 2025
Spicyyyyyyy, but it got a little slow and the “my husband” and “my wife” got annoying and repetitive. Ended with a cliffhanger though so I’m sure I’ll listen to the next one when it comes out 🙃
October 14, 2025
I really loved the audio for this!! This was just what I needed after reading Speak & Stutter. I actually loved this FMC more. 💖 some parts were a bit slow but I did enjoy it and OMG the cliffhanger NOOO!!!!
June 13, 2025
Wow… I finished this book a little while ago and I am still thinking about it!!! I loved Scream so much! The angst, the twists, the turns… the spice! Wow the spice!! If you take anything away from this review let it be that this is most definitely a one handed read! I fell hard for all the characters but I truly connected with Sabrina and everything she went through! She’s a fighter and nothing short of amazing!!! Ruby you have done it again with another 5 star banger that is gonna have me impatiently waiting for the next book! I can’t wait!
June 15, 2025
Sabrina, Parker, &, Maksim 😍
This is a must freakin read! I was laughing, fanning myself (cause the spice be spicing 🥵🥵), and crying. That ending 😭😭.
Who doesn't love a why choose with an age gap between her bodyguard and a virgin mafia x Bratva boss?
The chemistry between Sabrina and Parker started for the both of them when he was hired to be her bodyguard. He knows her, can tell when she is slipping, and is ALWAYS there for her (I absolutely loved Parker from the start.)
Then comes Maksim, the Ogre (LOL) who grunts in acknowledgement when Sabrina talks to him, is a complete arse to her from the start (don't worry we fall in love with him too) and their chemistry is just as electric as hers and Parker's.
I was sucked in from page one and fell in love with Sabrina. She is such a badarse and handles her pain the best she can. I love her growth she has with Maks and Parker. Parker has such patience for her, and Maks slowly starts to learn that his WIFE isn't weak or useless. Giving her the respect she deserves.
Raven and her guys are back! You know we can't ever get enough of them, but in all honesty, I'm not going to be able to get enough of Sabrina and her guys either. Raven is supportive of her best friend, and I love seeing that. They are best friend soul mates
Ruby, you are amazing, and this book (although I cried) is *chef's kiss*. Keep writing love and we'll keep reading 🩷
This is a must freakin read! I was laughing, fanning myself (cause the spice be spicing 🥵🥵), and crying. That ending 😭😭.
Who doesn't love a why choose with an age gap between her bodyguard and a virgin mafia x Bratva boss?
The chemistry between Sabrina and Parker started for the both of them when he was hired to be her bodyguard. He knows her, can tell when she is slipping, and is ALWAYS there for her (I absolutely loved Parker from the start.)
Then comes Maksim, the Ogre (LOL) who grunts in acknowledgement when Sabrina talks to him, is a complete arse to her from the start (don't worry we fall in love with him too) and their chemistry is just as electric as hers and Parker's.
I was sucked in from page one and fell in love with Sabrina. She is such a badarse and handles her pain the best she can. I love her growth she has with Maks and Parker. Parker has such patience for her, and Maks slowly starts to learn that his WIFE isn't weak or useless. Giving her the respect she deserves.
Raven and her guys are back! You know we can't ever get enough of them, but in all honesty, I'm not going to be able to get enough of Sabrina and her guys either. Raven is supportive of her best friend, and I love seeing that. They are best friend soul mates
Ruby, you are amazing, and this book (although I cried) is *chef's kiss*. Keep writing love and we'll keep reading 🩷
September 29, 2025
4.75⭐️ TG + KOW = THIS with mafia setting! 💖 The vibes here were 🤌🏼 But also Ruby’s writing took off! The inner monologue of each of these characters was perfection, the dialogue and banter…? TO DIE FOR! I don’t think I’ve eaten something up like this with toe-curling excitement in a while! Fresh, fun, dark at times, definitely broody, and two men that will definitely live rent free in my mind for a while!
Just got a little long at the end, but the cliffhanger… WHAT?! Need pt2… like now.
Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book for an honest review.
Just got a little long at the end, but the cliffhanger… WHAT?! Need pt2… like now.
Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book for an honest review.
July 14, 2025
Lots of editing issues with words and sentences being messed up. Also I just think it was just too toxic how insta love she became with Maks with him being a complete dick, her scared of sex, then oh right after seeing her attacker she has sex with him?? And then her just continuously making Parker feel like the help after wanting to bring him into the relationship, saying you love maks before Parker is so stupid when it started with Parker being there for her first. DNF after 50%.
June 16, 2025
Darling has done it again— but worse.
And by worse, I mean emotionally devastating in the best possible way. 🥹
I thought I was already emotionally unwell after surviving the Rayne-Moore University series (Speak and Stutter wrecked me), but clearly, I had no idea how much lower I could be dragged, and how much I’d enjoy it.
In this expansion of the Rayne-Moore universe, the Duchess & Devil series kicks down the door and announces, “Hope you weren’t emotionally stable.” This book holds nothing back. What starts as a cautionary tale about Sabrina Winters, a former Rayne-Moore student whose night of fun turns into lifelong trauma, spirals into something darker, deeper, and disturbingly addictive.
Now an adult, Sabrina copes with a well-dressed smile, a tendency to self-destruct, and a full-time, ex-military bodyguard who’s probably just as emotionally repressed as she is. (Spoiler: I adore him.) Her coping mechanisms? Bad. Her chemistry with said bodyguard? Worse. In the best way.
But beneath the spice, violence, and vengeance, Darling cuts deep with questions that linger long after the last page:
What does love look like when you’ve been shattered by every form of it? Romantic, familial, platonic— even the elusive act of loving yourself.
Can healing be found on a path lined with blood and barbed wire?
And my personal favorite: How do you learn to love who you’ve become… when you’re not sure that person deserves redemption?
This book is more than just tension and trauma; it’s a dark, razor-sharp journey of survival and transformation. Yes, it will make you swoon. Yes, it will make you cry. And yes, it will absolutely make you sweat. 😮💨 The spice is filthy in the most cathartic way.
Darling blends dark romance and emotional reckoning like a sadist with a poet’s pen. I was not ready, and I loved every soul-destroying second of it.
If you're a dark romance fan, run to this book— but don’t skip Speak and Stutter first. While this is its own series, the emotional depth and character callbacks pack more of a punch with the full background. (Plus, spoilers.)
Five stars, ten therapy sessions, and one emotional support playlist later. I’m ready for whatever nightmare Darling dreams up next.
And by worse, I mean emotionally devastating in the best possible way. 🥹
I thought I was already emotionally unwell after surviving the Rayne-Moore University series (Speak and Stutter wrecked me), but clearly, I had no idea how much lower I could be dragged, and how much I’d enjoy it.
In this expansion of the Rayne-Moore universe, the Duchess & Devil series kicks down the door and announces, “Hope you weren’t emotionally stable.” This book holds nothing back. What starts as a cautionary tale about Sabrina Winters, a former Rayne-Moore student whose night of fun turns into lifelong trauma, spirals into something darker, deeper, and disturbingly addictive.
Now an adult, Sabrina copes with a well-dressed smile, a tendency to self-destruct, and a full-time, ex-military bodyguard who’s probably just as emotionally repressed as she is. (Spoiler: I adore him.) Her coping mechanisms? Bad. Her chemistry with said bodyguard? Worse. In the best way.
But beneath the spice, violence, and vengeance, Darling cuts deep with questions that linger long after the last page:
What does love look like when you’ve been shattered by every form of it? Romantic, familial, platonic— even the elusive act of loving yourself.
Can healing be found on a path lined with blood and barbed wire?
And my personal favorite: How do you learn to love who you’ve become… when you’re not sure that person deserves redemption?
This book is more than just tension and trauma; it’s a dark, razor-sharp journey of survival and transformation. Yes, it will make you swoon. Yes, it will make you cry. And yes, it will absolutely make you sweat. 😮💨 The spice is filthy in the most cathartic way.
Darling blends dark romance and emotional reckoning like a sadist with a poet’s pen. I was not ready, and I loved every soul-destroying second of it.
If you're a dark romance fan, run to this book— but don’t skip Speak and Stutter first. While this is its own series, the emotional depth and character callbacks pack more of a punch with the full background. (Plus, spoilers.)
Five stars, ten therapy sessions, and one emotional support playlist later. I’m ready for whatever nightmare Darling dreams up next.
October 1, 2025
🎧⭐️ALC Review⭐️🎧
Holy Sh*t! I was not prepared for this book. Just wow! This book completely blew me away in the best possible way. The writing, the story, the dialogue, the emotions were all there and all perfect. Everything about this book was incredible. This was my first book by Ruby, and I can say unequivocally it will not be my last. And that cliffhanger??? Are you kidding me??? Brutal, but so beautifully done at the same time. I will definitely be going back for the second book in this duet. Then there is the narration. The narrators are incredible in their own right, but paired together and with this book, it was exquisite. Amy has been a favorite for a while now, and she was amazing as Sabrina, and captured the essence of her perfectly. Then Joe put on a brilliant performance as Maksim and Parker. I don’t know when book 2 is supposed to come out but I need it to be as soon as possible.
Narration: Duet narration, first-person present tense, multiple-POV some flashbacks
Tropes: slight age gap, past trauma, Italian m@fia, bodyguard, secret society, CNC, dub-con, group scenes, ‘my wife’, MFM, arranged marriage, lawyer, bi-continental, other series cameos, therapy, $omnophilia, pink, OCD, BBW
Overall: 5 ❤️
Spice: 4 🌶️
Humor: 2.5 😂
Drama: 4 🎭
Darkness: 3 🖤
Narration: 5 🎧
Sabrina has been a shell of herself for two years. Ever since that fateful night she refuses to talk about, preferring to pretend it never happened and not talking about it. When she hears from her father that in order to pay off his debts, she is to marry Maksim, the Devil of New York.
Maksim doesn’t necessarily want to marry Sabrina, but he does want what is owed to him, and plans to use the marriage not only for repayment of the money he is owed but also to get a foot in the door with the Syndicate.
Sabrina’s relationship with Parker is complicated, and the two seem to float around each other, orbiting, but never crossing that line. Until they do. This could be just the thing to bring all of them together. A unit that can help Sabrina find her way out of the dark, and give them all an HEA, unless the past comes back to ruin everything.
Holy Sh*t! I was not prepared for this book. Just wow! This book completely blew me away in the best possible way. The writing, the story, the dialogue, the emotions were all there and all perfect. Everything about this book was incredible. This was my first book by Ruby, and I can say unequivocally it will not be my last. And that cliffhanger??? Are you kidding me??? Brutal, but so beautifully done at the same time. I will definitely be going back for the second book in this duet. Then there is the narration. The narrators are incredible in their own right, but paired together and with this book, it was exquisite. Amy has been a favorite for a while now, and she was amazing as Sabrina, and captured the essence of her perfectly. Then Joe put on a brilliant performance as Maksim and Parker. I don’t know when book 2 is supposed to come out but I need it to be as soon as possible.
Narration: Duet narration, first-person present tense, multiple-POV some flashbacks
Tropes: slight age gap, past trauma, Italian m@fia, bodyguard, secret society, CNC, dub-con, group scenes, ‘my wife’, MFM, arranged marriage, lawyer, bi-continental, other series cameos, therapy, $omnophilia, pink, OCD, BBW
Overall: 5 ❤️
Spice: 4 🌶️
Humor: 2.5 😂
Drama: 4 🎭
Darkness: 3 🖤
Narration: 5 🎧
Sabrina has been a shell of herself for two years. Ever since that fateful night she refuses to talk about, preferring to pretend it never happened and not talking about it. When she hears from her father that in order to pay off his debts, she is to marry Maksim, the Devil of New York.
Maksim doesn’t necessarily want to marry Sabrina, but he does want what is owed to him, and plans to use the marriage not only for repayment of the money he is owed but also to get a foot in the door with the Syndicate.
Sabrina’s relationship with Parker is complicated, and the two seem to float around each other, orbiting, but never crossing that line. Until they do. This could be just the thing to bring all of them together. A unit that can help Sabrina find her way out of the dark, and give them all an HEA, unless the past comes back to ruin everything.
October 2, 2025
Scream by Ruby Darling
Audio review. Love this is finally on audio. LOVE Joe Arden.
•AGE-gap
•Why Choose MMF
•virgin mafia king MMC
•smart mouth FMC
•Arranged Marriage
•Mafia ties and deadly syndicate secrets
•Obsessed bodyguard who worships from the shadows
•CLIFFHANGER
•Sabrina ~ rich socialite that turns into a weak/broken woman due to trauma.. has loved Parker secretly for years. The men finally bring her back to life.
•Parker~ Sabrina’s bodyguard.. her mother hired him after the incident with Raven at RMU. Ten years older than Sabrina… has been in love with Sabrina for years.
•Maksim ~ mafia king. Silent/broody alpha-hole. Husband by arranged marriage.
Sabrina went to a concert one night and was SAed. She’s never been the same since. Parker has noticed but doesn’t know exactly what happened. They are so close. She begs for him to stay with her whenever she marries Maksim. Sabrina & Maksim get married.. (he just wants his money from her father). They go on a honeymoon that his father setup for them. Neither knew it was coming. He sneaks into her room at night to comfort her nightmares but he does this in a sexual way without her realizing it. Parker catches up to them after being there for 4 days. He’s so obsessed with her. It’s beautiful how he loves her. I love that we get all three POVs of these characters. Half way through the story, the spice hits. Maksim loses his virginity to his wife. && Parker admits that he loves her. She finally tells the men what happened to her. Kane 🍇 ed her one night at the concert then dropped her off at home. Maksim finally tells her he loves her. Love how Parker/Maksim come together to love her. Kane is “stalking” her here & there. I believe her dad had something to do with her…Kane has stolen people for his game.. Maksim is taken by Kane.. Parker is shot…...ends on a cliffhanger…….
Favorite moment:
Whenever Maksim grabbed his assistant “man handled” him and the assistant said to put him down because he was getting a weird boner. I laughed SO hard! This scene was amazing 🤣🤣 we need MORE of these.
Audio review. Love this is finally on audio. LOVE Joe Arden.
•AGE-gap
•Why Choose MMF
•virgin mafia king MMC
•smart mouth FMC
•Arranged Marriage
•Mafia ties and deadly syndicate secrets
•Obsessed bodyguard who worships from the shadows
•CLIFFHANGER
•Sabrina ~ rich socialite that turns into a weak/broken woman due to trauma.. has loved Parker secretly for years. The men finally bring her back to life.
•Parker~ Sabrina’s bodyguard.. her mother hired him after the incident with Raven at RMU. Ten years older than Sabrina… has been in love with Sabrina for years.
•Maksim ~ mafia king. Silent/broody alpha-hole. Husband by arranged marriage.
Sabrina went to a concert one night and was SAed. She’s never been the same since. Parker has noticed but doesn’t know exactly what happened. They are so close. She begs for him to stay with her whenever she marries Maksim. Sabrina & Maksim get married.. (he just wants his money from her father). They go on a honeymoon that his father setup for them. Neither knew it was coming. He sneaks into her room at night to comfort her nightmares but he does this in a sexual way without her realizing it. Parker catches up to them after being there for 4 days. He’s so obsessed with her. It’s beautiful how he loves her. I love that we get all three POVs of these characters. Half way through the story, the spice hits. Maksim loses his virginity to his wife. && Parker admits that he loves her. She finally tells the men what happened to her. Kane 🍇 ed her one night at the concert then dropped her off at home. Maksim finally tells her he loves her. Love how Parker/Maksim come together to love her. Kane is “stalking” her here & there. I believe her dad had something to do with her…Kane has stolen people for his game.. Maksim is taken by Kane.. Parker is shot…...ends on a cliffhanger…….
Favorite moment:
Whenever Maksim grabbed his assistant “man handled” him and the assistant said to put him down because he was getting a weird boner. I laughed SO hard! This scene was amazing 🤣🤣 we need MORE of these.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 14, 2025
HAPPY RELEASE DAY FOR SCREAM BY @authorrubymdarling ! The Somno Queen is back with another amazing book!
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In Scream, Devils & Duchess Book #1, we follow Sabrina Winters, Raven from Speak/Stutters, best friend. Which I have to say I LOVED seeing all the interactions, conversations and love between these best friends. While Sabrina and Raven are so different, they are so similar in so many other ways!
Our FMC Sabrina is a victim of SA, while also living in the shadows of her father who has found himself in debt to the mafia king. Unfortunately his bad life decisions are forcing him to arrange a marriage between his daughter Sabrina, and the mafia king Maksim, until his debts are paid.
Maksim (Maks) is our mafia king turned arranged marriage reluctant husband to Sabrina. He wants nothing to do with his new wife, (for now 😉), but will deal with it so he can get the money he is owed. Oh, and did I mention he's a virgin?
Parker is Sabrina's long term bodyguard. He goes above and beyond to keep her safe. When Maks comes into the picture, his feelings for Sabrina start to come out a little stronger than they had before. But he will still protect Sabrina, even if it means he doesn't have a shot with Sabrina.
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One thing I have always loved about Ruby's writing is how detailed she gets with scenes, characters, their development and connections without it being overwhelming. So many authors leave you trying to figure out details of stories on your own, but Ruby leaves no stone unturned every step of the way.
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Can we talk about the spice now? I think I have only tossed out 5 🌶 ratings to 3 authors, and yet again, Scream is one of them! As always, PLEASE for the love of all things good and holy read the trigger warnings!
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Now continue into the comments for a little sappy moment from me, that might not matter to a lot of people, but was an experience I had along the way reading Scream.
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🏷 #rubymdarling #scream #spicybookrecs #whychooseromance #mafiaromance #darkromancereads #darkromanceauthor #bookrecommendations #Kindle #KindleUnlimited #bookstagram #booktok
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In Scream, Devils & Duchess Book #1, we follow Sabrina Winters, Raven from Speak/Stutters, best friend. Which I have to say I LOVED seeing all the interactions, conversations and love between these best friends. While Sabrina and Raven are so different, they are so similar in so many other ways!
Our FMC Sabrina is a victim of SA, while also living in the shadows of her father who has found himself in debt to the mafia king. Unfortunately his bad life decisions are forcing him to arrange a marriage between his daughter Sabrina, and the mafia king Maksim, until his debts are paid.
Maksim (Maks) is our mafia king turned arranged marriage reluctant husband to Sabrina. He wants nothing to do with his new wife, (for now 😉), but will deal with it so he can get the money he is owed. Oh, and did I mention he's a virgin?
Parker is Sabrina's long term bodyguard. He goes above and beyond to keep her safe. When Maks comes into the picture, his feelings for Sabrina start to come out a little stronger than they had before. But he will still protect Sabrina, even if it means he doesn't have a shot with Sabrina.
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One thing I have always loved about Ruby's writing is how detailed she gets with scenes, characters, their development and connections without it being overwhelming. So many authors leave you trying to figure out details of stories on your own, but Ruby leaves no stone unturned every step of the way.
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Can we talk about the spice now? I think I have only tossed out 5 🌶 ratings to 3 authors, and yet again, Scream is one of them! As always, PLEASE for the love of all things good and holy read the trigger warnings!
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Now continue into the comments for a little sappy moment from me, that might not matter to a lot of people, but was an experience I had along the way reading Scream.
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🏷 #rubymdarling #scream #spicybookrecs #whychooseromance #mafiaromance #darkromancereads #darkromanceauthor #bookrecommendations #Kindle #KindleUnlimited #bookstagram #booktok
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