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Taking Denver: A Dark, Age Gap Mafia Romance
Denver
My dad used to say that weakness is a bullet. He was right—strength is the only option when you’re raised amongst criminals and broken promises. But when I’m accused of murdering my cheating husband, even I know I need more than strength. I need the only person powerful enough to protect me. I need Ranger Luxe.
Ranger is cruel. Wicked. Irresistible. He’s the devil in a designer suit and I’d be a fool to ask for his help. But he lures me in with offers of freedom and power—if I promise to be his.
Ranger
I’m not a good man. A good man would offer her freedom without the strings attached. A good man would let her walk away. I’ll do neither because Denver is mine. She belongs in my house. In my bed. As my wife. I’m the King of the San Francisco underworld, and I’ll make her my queen.
Ethan
I never meant to fall in love. But Denver’s darkness called out to mine and released a part of me long hidden from the world. Now I’m in too deep to walk away. She deserves a better life, and I’ll give it to her. Even if it means going up against the most powerful man in San Francisco.
Taking Denver is an age-gap, dark mafia romance with a love triangle consisting of a strong female lead, a hero with secrets, and a possessive morally gray gangster. This is a multi-POV, but it is Denver's story, so most chapters are hers. Readers are strongly advised to read the trigger warnings listed at the beginning of the book.
My dad used to say that weakness is a bullet. He was right—strength is the only option when you’re raised amongst criminals and broken promises. But when I’m accused of murdering my cheating husband, even I know I need more than strength. I need the only person powerful enough to protect me. I need Ranger Luxe.
Ranger is cruel. Wicked. Irresistible. He’s the devil in a designer suit and I’d be a fool to ask for his help. But he lures me in with offers of freedom and power—if I promise to be his.
Ranger
I’m not a good man. A good man would offer her freedom without the strings attached. A good man would let her walk away. I’ll do neither because Denver is mine. She belongs in my house. In my bed. As my wife. I’m the King of the San Francisco underworld, and I’ll make her my queen.
Ethan
I never meant to fall in love. But Denver’s darkness called out to mine and released a part of me long hidden from the world. Now I’m in too deep to walk away. She deserves a better life, and I’ll give it to her. Even if it means going up against the most powerful man in San Francisco.
Taking Denver is an age-gap, dark mafia romance with a love triangle consisting of a strong female lead, a hero with secrets, and a possessive morally gray gangster. This is a multi-POV, but it is Denver's story, so most chapters are hers. Readers are strongly advised to read the trigger warnings listed at the beginning of the book.
- GenresDark Romance
328 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 28, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
August 7, 2025
my bad, I didn't know this was a love triangle ... I gave it a shot, but I just can't....
December 14, 2025
Taking Denver follows Denver Luxe, who grows up in the mafia world whether she wants it or not. After being accused of murdering her cheating husband, her life completely flips. Instead of running toward freedom, she ends up needing protection, and the only person powerful enough to give that is Ranger Luxe, the most dangerous man in the San Francisco underworld.
At the same time, Denver meets Ethan, someone completely different from the life she knows. He offers her safety, care, and a chance at something normal. This is where the story really starts pulling you in, because Denver is stuck between two men who represent two very different futures. One built on power and control, the other on love and escape.
As the story moves forward, secrets about Denver’s past come out slowly. Nothing is handed to you easily. There is betrayal, manipulation, obsession, and a lot of emotional conflict. The mafia politics, power games, and personal losses keep raising the stakes. By the time the ending hits, you are fully aware that this story was never going to be simple or painless.
Now about the characters.
Denver is a strong FMC who feels realistic. She is not perfect, and she does not always make the best choices, but they make sense for someone raised in violence and control. I liked that she is both caring and sharp. She knows when to fight and when to stay quiet, even if that frustrates the reader sometimes.
Ethan was genuinely easy to like. He is kind, protective, and actually wants what is best for Denver. Emotionally, he made a strong impact, and yes, his role hurt. A lot. I understood why Denver cared for him, and honestly, he deserved better.
Ranger is complicated. He is powerful, controlling, and very sure that Denver belongs with him. His feelings often feel more obsessive than loving, and at times, I questioned his actions. That being said, he fits the dark mafia role perfectly. He is not meant to be soft or gentle, and despite everything, I am team Ranger here.
One thing I personally did not love was Denver being physically involved with both MMCs. That trope is not for me. However, I cannot deny that it added emotional tension and made the love triangle more intense instead of pointless.
Overall, this book delivers exactly what a dark mafia romance promises. Drama, power struggles, morally questionable men, and a strong FMC trying to survive it all. It is not flawless, but it is engaging, emotional, and hard to ignore once you start.
At the same time, Denver meets Ethan, someone completely different from the life she knows. He offers her safety, care, and a chance at something normal. This is where the story really starts pulling you in, because Denver is stuck between two men who represent two very different futures. One built on power and control, the other on love and escape.
As the story moves forward, secrets about Denver’s past come out slowly. Nothing is handed to you easily. There is betrayal, manipulation, obsession, and a lot of emotional conflict. The mafia politics, power games, and personal losses keep raising the stakes. By the time the ending hits, you are fully aware that this story was never going to be simple or painless.
Now about the characters.
Denver is a strong FMC who feels realistic. She is not perfect, and she does not always make the best choices, but they make sense for someone raised in violence and control. I liked that she is both caring and sharp. She knows when to fight and when to stay quiet, even if that frustrates the reader sometimes.
Ethan was genuinely easy to like. He is kind, protective, and actually wants what is best for Denver. Emotionally, he made a strong impact, and yes, his role hurt. A lot. I understood why Denver cared for him, and honestly, he deserved better.
Ranger is complicated. He is powerful, controlling, and very sure that Denver belongs with him. His feelings often feel more obsessive than loving, and at times, I questioned his actions. That being said, he fits the dark mafia role perfectly. He is not meant to be soft or gentle, and despite everything, I am team Ranger here.
One thing I personally did not love was Denver being physically involved with both MMCs. That trope is not for me. However, I cannot deny that it added emotional tension and made the love triangle more intense instead of pointless.
Overall, this book delivers exactly what a dark mafia romance promises. Drama, power struggles, morally questionable men, and a strong FMC trying to survive it all. It is not flawless, but it is engaging, emotional, and hard to ignore once you start.
July 29, 2025
"I didn't choose to be born into this life. I was pushed into this world screaming and covered in blood and will likely leave it the same damn way, but none of that was my choice."
Excuse me... This is a debut?? When I tell you I was captivated throughout the entire story... I mean I hung on every single word, and never grew bored!! That is a rarity for me these days!
"You're not that great."
"Got you wet."
"So does a well-placed shower head."
This is the first book in Denver's story. She's a hilarious badass woman, who's grown up in the mafia world. Accused of killing her husband, she takes off on a beach vacation. That's where she meets Ethan. And when I tell you it starts with a bang, it really does. MY GOSH, the heat!
"You better keep your voice down," he whispers, his thrusts still slow enough to tease and torture me. "Or do you want people to come in here and see you taking my c*ck?"
Very insta, but trust the process and just go with it. You will not be prepared for what's to come! The secrets, action, twists and spice! I ate it up.
Oh and Ranger. How dare I neglect to mention the dark mafia boss who is determined to make Denver his. The jury is still out on him for me. One minute he irks me, the next I am all for him!
"The great Ranger Luxe can't do something? I thought your power knew no bounds."
"Don't test me, Denver," he bites out. "I'm spilling blood for you."
Like I said, this story is going to take you on a ride of ALL the feels. Just dive in. Looking forward to the next book!
"How do you feel, Denver? "Powerful," she whispers."
Excuse me... This is a debut?? When I tell you I was captivated throughout the entire story... I mean I hung on every single word, and never grew bored!! That is a rarity for me these days!
"You're not that great."
"Got you wet."
"So does a well-placed shower head."
This is the first book in Denver's story. She's a hilarious badass woman, who's grown up in the mafia world. Accused of killing her husband, she takes off on a beach vacation. That's where she meets Ethan. And when I tell you it starts with a bang, it really does. MY GOSH, the heat!
"You better keep your voice down," he whispers, his thrusts still slow enough to tease and torture me. "Or do you want people to come in here and see you taking my c*ck?"
Very insta, but trust the process and just go with it. You will not be prepared for what's to come! The secrets, action, twists and spice! I ate it up.
Oh and Ranger. How dare I neglect to mention the dark mafia boss who is determined to make Denver his. The jury is still out on him for me. One minute he irks me, the next I am all for him!
"The great Ranger Luxe can't do something? I thought your power knew no bounds."
"Don't test me, Denver," he bites out. "I'm spilling blood for you."
Like I said, this story is going to take you on a ride of ALL the feels. Just dive in. Looking forward to the next book!
"How do you feel, Denver? "Powerful," she whispers."
October 27, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ OBECECADA POR ELES
May 21, 2025
First of all this book is a 10/10 fucking stars!!!
Secondly, how could you?!! I really liked Ethan!!!! He was a better man than Ranger! I sobbbbbbed like very sobbed!! I absolutely adore and love Denver, she brings caring and fire together. She wants what bests for her but she had stayed for a reason. I get that. And the ending????? Great but still sobbed for Ethan. I agree with Denver, ranger has more of obsession than love but I guess it is what it is. She deserves the world and more. Thank you for writing the best dark mafia romance book out there and cannot wait for more 🖤
Secondly, how could you?!! I really liked Ethan!!!! He was a better man than Ranger! I sobbbbbbed like very sobbed!! I absolutely adore and love Denver, she brings caring and fire together. She wants what bests for her but she had stayed for a reason. I get that. And the ending????? Great but still sobbed for Ethan. I agree with Denver, ranger has more of obsession than love but I guess it is what it is. She deserves the world and more. Thank you for writing the best dark mafia romance book out there and cannot wait for more 🖤
February 20, 2026
After loving my ARC of Saving Ella, I had to check out Kayla's debut novel, which is part of a completed trilogy. Let me tell you: it did not disappoint.
Denver Luxe is - hands down - one of my favourite FMCs so far. She's a born queen: loyal, headstrong, protective, courageous, smart, fierce and takes no shit. A woman like her definitely isn't easy to handle, which is why Ranger Luxe, the man she's trying to escape but who will never let her go, is one of the few people who can actually handle all of her.
Their relationship is toxic, explosive, but also passionate. Each and every time they take a step forward, something happens or comes to light that delays their progress. And I'm absolutely here for it.
This book has been a phenomenal debut and I'm diving right into the second one after this, because I just can't help myself.
If you love a strong FMC and a ruthless and obsessed MMC, this one is for you. Buckle up!
📖 Taking Denver by Kayla Kyng
Rating ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
#reading #bookstagram #review #takingdenver #theluxeuniverse
Denver Luxe is - hands down - one of my favourite FMCs so far. She's a born queen: loyal, headstrong, protective, courageous, smart, fierce and takes no shit. A woman like her definitely isn't easy to handle, which is why Ranger Luxe, the man she's trying to escape but who will never let her go, is one of the few people who can actually handle all of her.
Their relationship is toxic, explosive, but also passionate. Each and every time they take a step forward, something happens or comes to light that delays their progress. And I'm absolutely here for it.
This book has been a phenomenal debut and I'm diving right into the second one after this, because I just can't help myself.
If you love a strong FMC and a ruthless and obsessed MMC, this one is for you. Buckle up!
📖 Taking Denver by Kayla Kyng
Rating ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
#reading #bookstagram #review #takingdenver #theluxeuniverse
January 1, 2026
I really enjoyed this book. The writing style was smooth and the plot kept me interested throughout. A solid and satisfying read. Interested in seeing how book 2 goes.
March 2, 2025
Wow.
This was my first foray into Mafia romance and I finished it in 24 hours - I couldn’t put it down. I laughed, sobbed and blushed on the train. I finished it a few hours ago and I can’t stop thinking about it.
Denver Luxe doesn’t want to be part of this world, but as the daughter of a famous mobster, it’s in her veins.
But then she meets good guy Ethan, who falls in love with her (understandably tbh) and wants to take her away from that life.
Which is all well and good, if not for the obsessive, possessive & completely untouchable Ranger.
A story of murder, revenge, sex and love. A love triangle with no clear winner and characters you’ll become obsessed with.
The writing captivated me from the first sentence and I’m desperate for more.
April 4, 2026
⭐️ Rating: 4
💫 MMC: Ethan – He had me on my knees, I’m not even joking. Ethan is that perfect mix of soft and protective—he loves hard, he cares, and you feel it in everything he does. There’s something so genuine about him, especially compared to the chaos around him. The way he looks after Denver, the way he tries to understand her past, the way he chooses her again and again… it just hits. And then when you learn more about him—his past, why he makes the choices he does—it adds that extra emotional weight. He’s not just the “nice” option, he’s layered, loyal, and completely gone for her.
💫 MMC: Ranger – The obsession. The dominance. The control. Ranger is absolutely unhinged in that dark, possessive, “you’re mine and I’ll burn the world for you” way. He doesn’t just want Denver—he claims her, manipulates everything around her, and orchestrates an entire life just to have her. It’s toxic, it’s intense, and it’s addictive to read. Every time he shows up, the tension spikes. He’s dangerous, calculated, and completely consumed by her—and the fact that he’s willing to destroy everything just to keep her? Yeah… insane energy.
✨ FMC: Denver – Fierce, sassy, and strong. I loved her from the very beginning—she had attitude, backbone, and didn’t just roll over for anyone. She holds her own in a world full of dangerous men and still manages to stay sharp and emotionally layered. She’s been through so much, and watching her navigate all of it while trying to protect herself (and others) made her so easy to root for.
🔥 Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ – Straight in from chapter ONE 🥵 No waiting around. The chemistry is immediate, intense, and stays consistent throughout. It’s not just there for the sake of it either—it ties into the power dynamics, the obsession, and the emotional stakes.
💘 Tropes:
• Love triangle
• Obsessive MMC
• Touch her and die vibes
• Morally grey / unhinged MMC
• Age gap
• Revenge & manipulation
• High-stakes tension
🎭 Vibe / Overall Feel:
This book had me completely hooked from the first chapter. It throws you straight into the spice, but what really keeps you locked in is the plot—it’s fast-paced, messy, and full of twists that constantly shift what you think you know. The tension between Ethan, Ranger, and Denver is so addictive because it’s not just romantic—it’s dangerous, emotional, and unpredictable. There’s always something happening—secrets unraveling, betrayals, power plays—and it keeps escalating in a way that makes it hard to put down. Just when you think you understand what’s going on, something else gets revealed and raises the stakes again. The obsession, the manipulation, the emotional pull—it all blends together into something chaotic but gripping.
⭐ Standout Moments and reactions:
• Ohhhh straight off the bat! I liked Denver immediately — she came in strong, confident, and a little chaotic in the best way. I was instantly on board with her energy
• Oh HOT DAMN—straight into the spice 🥵 — no build up, no warning, just straight into it and I was NOT complaining
• The tension — the explosion — this is where you realise the stakes are actually high and things aren’t going to stay simple
• These two together??? So good — the chemistry was immediate and addictive, I was already invested in their dynamic
• Learning the truth about Denver’s husband — this added so much depth to her character and made everything feel heavier
• Ethan being adorable — Denver overhearing him talk to Sebastian — this was such a soft moment that made me love him even more
• Ranger showing up at the restaurant — the energy SHIFTED instantly, you could feel the danger and tension the second he walked in
• Ohhhh hello tension — Ranger turning it UP — the possessiveness, the control… yeah this is where he really starts to show who he is
• Ethan searching for the truth — Denver’s past, the baby, her husband’s death, Ranger — I loved this because it showed how much he cared, he needed to understand her
• Ranger threatening Ethan — “do not touch her again” + exposing Ethan’s secrets — the power play here??? insane
• RANGER KILLED WYATT!!! — this was a WHAT THE HELL moment… everything started to shift after this
• Seeing just how obsessed and possessive Ranger is — not just protective… obsessed. There’s a difference and he made that very clear
• Ethan ignoring Ranger’s threat — the tension between them just kept building and I was eating it up
• Ethan & Denver sharing their past in the bathtub — intimate, vulnerable, and such a needed emotional moment between them
• “It can’t be goodbye…” — I felt this one, it actually hurt a little
• Ranger at the airport — dominant energy ooff — he doesn’t chase, he claims
• Officer Holden — not falling for Denver’s trap — someone not easily manipulated
• Ethan’s phone call — he loves her — this one hit emotionally, no games, just honesty
• Ranger & Denver’s dinner — her walls starting to come down — you could see the shift in her feelings here
• The waiter attacking Denver — chaotic, unexpected, and showed again she can handle herself
• Ethan watching Denver & Ranger — the tension, the jealousy, the pain… it all layered so well
• Ethan protecting Denver at the club — and HER admitting she killed Wyatt?! — that reveal??? insane timing
• The flashback — truth revealed — everything starts making sense but also gets so much worse
• Axel’s reaction to the truth — emotional impact really hit here
• This detective is an ASSHOLE — genuinely frustrating, made everything more intense
• Someone shooting up Ranger’s car — the stakes just kept escalating
• The cops playing dirty — nothing is straightforward, everything is manipulation
• WHY is Ethan at the police station?! — this had me stressed, something was clearly off
• Denver telling Ranger she loves him — big shift in their relationship dynamic
• Wilder breaking in — threats against Denver — tension and danger just constant
• Ranger’s proposal — and Denver saying YES — I was like WAIT… okay this is happening???
• Detective Archer being Sebastian’s brother!!! — the connections just keep getting messier
• Ethan making a deal with Archer — Ranger finding out → their fight → Ethan finding out about the engagement — everything COLLIDING at once
• Ethan’s past revealed — why he owes Archer → Denver hurt — this added so much depth to Ethan but also pain
• Hayes revealing EVERYTHING — Ranger orchestrated it all (her dad, Wyatt, EVERYTHING?!) — this was a full mind-blown moment
• Hayes finding Wyatt’s ring — trying to arrest Denver — AXEL!!! — the panic, the chaos, the emotions here
• Ethan helping Axel — even after everything, he still shows up
• HE DID IT! Admitted to it all! — Ranger actually set it all up just to get Denver — unhinged. completely unhinged.
• Denver’s threat to Ranger — but Axel is safe — her priorities, her strength, loved this
• They’re married — that shift felt massive after everything
• Ethan at the wedding — the emotional weight of that???
• Harland showing up… — immediate dread
• NO. Not Ethan 😭 — I was NOT okay
• And Harley 😨 — it just kept getting worse
• AND SEBASTIAN 😭 — absolutely brutal
• Ethan’s funeral… Sebastian alive but blaming Denver — the emotional fallout was intense
• The ending — declaring war on the Harland brothers — this sets up absolute chaos and I’m READY
💬 Final Thoughts:
This was chaotic, addictive, and honestly hard to put down. The plot had me completely hooked, the tension was constant, and the dynamic between Ethan, Ranger, and Denver made everything feel high-stakes and emotional. Ethan had my whole heart, Ranger had me stressed but obsessed, and Denver held it all together as a strong, compelling FMC. The twists just kept coming, and even when things got messy or over-the-top, I was still fully invested. That ending though??? Brutal. The deaths, the betrayal, Sebastian being alive but blaming Denver… I was not okay. It felt like everything just shattered in the final stretch, and now it’s setting up full-scale war. I will be diving straight into book two!
💫 MMC: Ethan – He had me on my knees, I’m not even joking. Ethan is that perfect mix of soft and protective—he loves hard, he cares, and you feel it in everything he does. There’s something so genuine about him, especially compared to the chaos around him. The way he looks after Denver, the way he tries to understand her past, the way he chooses her again and again… it just hits. And then when you learn more about him—his past, why he makes the choices he does—it adds that extra emotional weight. He’s not just the “nice” option, he’s layered, loyal, and completely gone for her.
💫 MMC: Ranger – The obsession. The dominance. The control. Ranger is absolutely unhinged in that dark, possessive, “you’re mine and I’ll burn the world for you” way. He doesn’t just want Denver—he claims her, manipulates everything around her, and orchestrates an entire life just to have her. It’s toxic, it’s intense, and it’s addictive to read. Every time he shows up, the tension spikes. He’s dangerous, calculated, and completely consumed by her—and the fact that he’s willing to destroy everything just to keep her? Yeah… insane energy.
✨ FMC: Denver – Fierce, sassy, and strong. I loved her from the very beginning—she had attitude, backbone, and didn’t just roll over for anyone. She holds her own in a world full of dangerous men and still manages to stay sharp and emotionally layered. She’s been through so much, and watching her navigate all of it while trying to protect herself (and others) made her so easy to root for.
🔥 Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ – Straight in from chapter ONE 🥵 No waiting around. The chemistry is immediate, intense, and stays consistent throughout. It’s not just there for the sake of it either—it ties into the power dynamics, the obsession, and the emotional stakes.
💘 Tropes:
• Love triangle
• Obsessive MMC
• Touch her and die vibes
• Morally grey / unhinged MMC
• Age gap
• Revenge & manipulation
• High-stakes tension
🎭 Vibe / Overall Feel:
This book had me completely hooked from the first chapter. It throws you straight into the spice, but what really keeps you locked in is the plot—it’s fast-paced, messy, and full of twists that constantly shift what you think you know. The tension between Ethan, Ranger, and Denver is so addictive because it’s not just romantic—it’s dangerous, emotional, and unpredictable. There’s always something happening—secrets unraveling, betrayals, power plays—and it keeps escalating in a way that makes it hard to put down. Just when you think you understand what’s going on, something else gets revealed and raises the stakes again. The obsession, the manipulation, the emotional pull—it all blends together into something chaotic but gripping.
⭐ Standout Moments and reactions:
• Ohhhh straight off the bat! I liked Denver immediately — she came in strong, confident, and a little chaotic in the best way. I was instantly on board with her energy
• Oh HOT DAMN—straight into the spice 🥵 — no build up, no warning, just straight into it and I was NOT complaining
• The tension — the explosion — this is where you realise the stakes are actually high and things aren’t going to stay simple
• These two together??? So good — the chemistry was immediate and addictive, I was already invested in their dynamic
• Learning the truth about Denver’s husband — this added so much depth to her character and made everything feel heavier
• Ethan being adorable — Denver overhearing him talk to Sebastian — this was such a soft moment that made me love him even more
• Ranger showing up at the restaurant — the energy SHIFTED instantly, you could feel the danger and tension the second he walked in
• Ohhhh hello tension — Ranger turning it UP — the possessiveness, the control… yeah this is where he really starts to show who he is
• Ethan searching for the truth — Denver’s past, the baby, her husband’s death, Ranger — I loved this because it showed how much he cared, he needed to understand her
• Ranger threatening Ethan — “do not touch her again” + exposing Ethan’s secrets — the power play here??? insane
• RANGER KILLED WYATT!!! — this was a WHAT THE HELL moment… everything started to shift after this
• Seeing just how obsessed and possessive Ranger is — not just protective… obsessed. There’s a difference and he made that very clear
• Ethan ignoring Ranger’s threat — the tension between them just kept building and I was eating it up
• Ethan & Denver sharing their past in the bathtub — intimate, vulnerable, and such a needed emotional moment between them
• “It can’t be goodbye…” — I felt this one, it actually hurt a little
• Ranger at the airport — dominant energy ooff — he doesn’t chase, he claims
• Officer Holden — not falling for Denver’s trap — someone not easily manipulated
• Ethan’s phone call — he loves her — this one hit emotionally, no games, just honesty
• Ranger & Denver’s dinner — her walls starting to come down — you could see the shift in her feelings here
• The waiter attacking Denver — chaotic, unexpected, and showed again she can handle herself
• Ethan watching Denver & Ranger — the tension, the jealousy, the pain… it all layered so well
• Ethan protecting Denver at the club — and HER admitting she killed Wyatt?! — that reveal??? insane timing
• The flashback — truth revealed — everything starts making sense but also gets so much worse
• Axel’s reaction to the truth — emotional impact really hit here
• This detective is an ASSHOLE — genuinely frustrating, made everything more intense
• Someone shooting up Ranger’s car — the stakes just kept escalating
• The cops playing dirty — nothing is straightforward, everything is manipulation
• WHY is Ethan at the police station?! — this had me stressed, something was clearly off
• Denver telling Ranger she loves him — big shift in their relationship dynamic
• Wilder breaking in — threats against Denver — tension and danger just constant
• Ranger’s proposal — and Denver saying YES — I was like WAIT… okay this is happening???
• Detective Archer being Sebastian’s brother!!! — the connections just keep getting messier
• Ethan making a deal with Archer — Ranger finding out → their fight → Ethan finding out about the engagement — everything COLLIDING at once
• Ethan’s past revealed — why he owes Archer → Denver hurt — this added so much depth to Ethan but also pain
• Hayes revealing EVERYTHING — Ranger orchestrated it all (her dad, Wyatt, EVERYTHING?!) — this was a full mind-blown moment
• Hayes finding Wyatt’s ring — trying to arrest Denver — AXEL!!! — the panic, the chaos, the emotions here
• Ethan helping Axel — even after everything, he still shows up
• HE DID IT! Admitted to it all! — Ranger actually set it all up just to get Denver — unhinged. completely unhinged.
• Denver’s threat to Ranger — but Axel is safe — her priorities, her strength, loved this
• They’re married — that shift felt massive after everything
• Ethan at the wedding — the emotional weight of that???
• Harland showing up… — immediate dread
• NO. Not Ethan 😭 — I was NOT okay
• And Harley 😨 — it just kept getting worse
• AND SEBASTIAN 😭 — absolutely brutal
• Ethan’s funeral… Sebastian alive but blaming Denver — the emotional fallout was intense
• The ending — declaring war on the Harland brothers — this sets up absolute chaos and I’m READY
💬 Final Thoughts:
This was chaotic, addictive, and honestly hard to put down. The plot had me completely hooked, the tension was constant, and the dynamic between Ethan, Ranger, and Denver made everything feel high-stakes and emotional. Ethan had my whole heart, Ranger had me stressed but obsessed, and Denver held it all together as a strong, compelling FMC. The twists just kept coming, and even when things got messy or over-the-top, I was still fully invested. That ending though??? Brutal. The deaths, the betrayal, Sebastian being alive but blaming Denver… I was not okay. It felt like everything just shattered in the final stretch, and now it’s setting up full-scale war. I will be diving straight into book two!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 20, 2026
If you are into mafia romance, morally grey men and a kick ass love triangle then this is the book for you.
This book has:
🖤Mafia Politics
🩷Kickass FMC
🩶Mafia Romance
🖤Wicked and irresistible MMCs
🩷Love Triangles
🩶Important minor characters
🖤Multi POVs
🩷Gray Morals
🩶Betrayal
🖤Manipulations
🩷Obsessions
🩶Emotional conflicts
Firstly, Kayla how could you do this to me?!
The feels alone nearly killed me.
Denver Luxe has grown up in a Mafia World from birth. Her father was one of the fiercest and violent people in the Underworld until he was killed.
He didn’t want his little girl to be part of that world and thought be had put good enough plans in place. However, he underestimated Ranger Luxe. Denver is accused of killing her cheating husband and runs to Ranger Luxe for help. She thinks she now has freedom and thinks that even though Ranger is morally grey he will help her. Ranger Luxe is hot, sexy, charismatic and intelligence personified in a designer suit. It takes Denver time to realise that love and obsession are a fine line to walk and Ranger will stop at nothing to call Denver his.
Denver thinks she is free and goes on the run to be free of the mafia world and Ranger. In her attempts to stay out of Rangers clutches she runs head long into Ethan. He is the opposite of everything Ranger is and stands for. He is safe, caring, loving and worships the ground that Denver walks on. She is heavily attracted to him and his fire but knows it could end in disaster. When Ranger turns up after an attempt is made on her life, she has a choice to make. Ranger is power, respect, control and fire whilst Ethan is kindness, loving and care.
After they investigate Denver starts to find out things about her dad, deceased husband, Ethan and Ranger. Her world is unravelling and the secrets that unfurls can leave her sinking or rising depending on what she chooses.
The ending was NOTHING like I expected and had me sitting in a world of feels with my heart aching for Denver, Axel ( Rangers Son) and Ethan.
Characters:
Denver tries to be realistic. She knows what world she grew up in and that Mafia Violence is not normal to most. She thinks that it is all she will know until she meets Ethan. Ethan is the breath of fresh air that she needs and can have. She tries to play the game and be a chess master in the mafia world. You see how much Ethan and Axel mean to her and what she will do to protect them even from Ranger. I respect Denver and what choices she has to make in this story. I love her fiery side and the loving side she shows when she is able.
Ethan was such as sweetheart. He thought he knew what he was getting himself into with Denver but he soon realises he will have to get down and dirty if he ever stands a chance against Ranger. If anyone deserved a happy ending in life it was Ethan, he is such a sweetheart.
Ranger is powerful, charismatic, ruthless, intelligent, loving and obsessive. I can see why he had to do some of the things he did. He rules the underworld and you do not get to that position by being meek and mild. He sometimes forgets that he does not have to treat loved ones like Denver and Axel with the same intensity and obsession that he does when ruling the underworld. I sometimes hang my head when reading about Ranger thinking, “Ranger what are you doing?” He walks the line between love and obsession when it comes to Denver. We see the lengths he willing goes to just for Denver alone.
Ranger Luxe is the ruler of the San Fransisco underworld who is ruthless and never to be underestimated
The book has Drama, obsession, mafia politics, power struggles, violence and a woman who is trying to survive it all.
Story - Solid 9/10
Spice - 3/5
An excellent start to a series and looking forward to reading more.
This book has:
🖤Mafia Politics
🩷Kickass FMC
🩶Mafia Romance
🖤Wicked and irresistible MMCs
🩷Love Triangles
🩶Important minor characters
🖤Multi POVs
🩷Gray Morals
🩶Betrayal
🖤Manipulations
🩷Obsessions
🩶Emotional conflicts
Firstly, Kayla how could you do this to me?!
The feels alone nearly killed me.
Denver Luxe has grown up in a Mafia World from birth. Her father was one of the fiercest and violent people in the Underworld until he was killed.
He didn’t want his little girl to be part of that world and thought be had put good enough plans in place. However, he underestimated Ranger Luxe. Denver is accused of killing her cheating husband and runs to Ranger Luxe for help. She thinks she now has freedom and thinks that even though Ranger is morally grey he will help her. Ranger Luxe is hot, sexy, charismatic and intelligence personified in a designer suit. It takes Denver time to realise that love and obsession are a fine line to walk and Ranger will stop at nothing to call Denver his.
Denver thinks she is free and goes on the run to be free of the mafia world and Ranger. In her attempts to stay out of Rangers clutches she runs head long into Ethan. He is the opposite of everything Ranger is and stands for. He is safe, caring, loving and worships the ground that Denver walks on. She is heavily attracted to him and his fire but knows it could end in disaster. When Ranger turns up after an attempt is made on her life, she has a choice to make. Ranger is power, respect, control and fire whilst Ethan is kindness, loving and care.
After they investigate Denver starts to find out things about her dad, deceased husband, Ethan and Ranger. Her world is unravelling and the secrets that unfurls can leave her sinking or rising depending on what she chooses.
The ending was NOTHING like I expected and had me sitting in a world of feels with my heart aching for Denver, Axel ( Rangers Son) and Ethan.
Characters:
Denver tries to be realistic. She knows what world she grew up in and that Mafia Violence is not normal to most. She thinks that it is all she will know until she meets Ethan. Ethan is the breath of fresh air that she needs and can have. She tries to play the game and be a chess master in the mafia world. You see how much Ethan and Axel mean to her and what she will do to protect them even from Ranger. I respect Denver and what choices she has to make in this story. I love her fiery side and the loving side she shows when she is able.
Ethan was such as sweetheart. He thought he knew what he was getting himself into with Denver but he soon realises he will have to get down and dirty if he ever stands a chance against Ranger. If anyone deserved a happy ending in life it was Ethan, he is such a sweetheart.
Ranger is powerful, charismatic, ruthless, intelligent, loving and obsessive. I can see why he had to do some of the things he did. He rules the underworld and you do not get to that position by being meek and mild. He sometimes forgets that he does not have to treat loved ones like Denver and Axel with the same intensity and obsession that he does when ruling the underworld. I sometimes hang my head when reading about Ranger thinking, “Ranger what are you doing?” He walks the line between love and obsession when it comes to Denver. We see the lengths he willing goes to just for Denver alone.
Ranger Luxe is the ruler of the San Fransisco underworld who is ruthless and never to be underestimated
The book has Drama, obsession, mafia politics, power struggles, violence and a woman who is trying to survive it all.
Story - Solid 9/10
Spice - 3/5
An excellent start to a series and looking forward to reading more.
March 14, 2026
Title: Taking Denver (The Luxe Universe: Book 1)
Author: Kayla Kyng
Review: After receiving an ARC for ‘Saving Ella’ and being totally obsessed with it, I had to check out Kayla’s other books.
Taking Denver is the first book in the trilogy from the Luxe Universe series where we meet Denver De Luca and her love interests, Ranger Luxe and Ethan.
Denver is one of my favourite fmc’s to date! She is a total badass, with her wit, sass, take no shit attitude, smarts, natural beauty and VERY strong willed. She is the ultimate fmc that just consumes you from the first chapter. I loved everything about Denver throughout the three books, and her personality, traits and beliefs never wavered.
A woman like Denver is a rare diamond, that’s why Ranger Luxe makes it his personal mission to ensure Denver will be his. Their connection is undeniable and toxic, and we all love a morally grey man. There is only one thing in this world that consumes Ranger. Not violence, not power, not money, not even his son, just Denver. It’s always been her, and always will be. She consumes him, and that is the worst Kryptonite to have. Love makes you weak, or does it make you feel alive in this dark world.
The book starts with Denver being on a private island, taking some much needed time to herself after a traumatic event.
She has a holiday romance that turns out to be a little more serious than she anticipated, but is also attacked and realises that the only person that can really keep her safe is none other than Ranger Luxe.
Denver becomes stuck between two completely different men, but she knows Ethan could never but a part of the life she lives. He’s too good for that and her.
So many secrets and lies come to life and Ranger scrambles to fix things whilst Denver starts to question his motives and if she is really meant to be with him. She sees Ethan as an escape… but Ranger would never let her leave.
Denver made some poor choices throughout this book, but she is still a young woman trying to navigate in a man’s world. Ethan was a likeable character, and he had some serious balls going up against Ranger Luxe. I liked Ranger in the beginning, but throughout the books my opinion changed completely. He hurt Denver so much, and he calls it love. Delusional….
At one point I wasn’t sure if this was going to turn into a throuple situation, but Ranger Luxe isn’t known for sharing. And he made that very clear.
I loved the relationship Denver has with Axel. It broken my heart that he thought he became what he despised most, his father. Happy he got out but at what cost? He left a boy and will return a man with a vendetta.
I’m sensing a pattern here with Kayla’s books. The good guy does finish last and has tragic endings. This book had it all (even ugly crying IYKYK) and I’m jumping straight into the next book in the series.
Kayla Kyng is becoming a fast favourite author for me, and I’m looking forward to more in The Luxe Universe.
"I didn't choose to be born into this life. I was pushed into this world screaming and covered in blood and will likely leave it the same damn way, but none of that was my choice."
“I want you. No matter what comes with that, I want you. But… I also know it isn’t that simple and might never be. So, I need you to know I’m here. I’ll wait for you. We’ll figure something out, even if it’s just pieces of you.”
“I can’t ask you to do that.”
“You’re not asking me. I’m telling you. I can’t let you go, so I’m here whenever you need me, want me… I’m not going anywhere.”
Stars: 5/5 ★
Spice: 3/5 🌶️
Recommend: Yes
Author: Kayla Kyng
Review: After receiving an ARC for ‘Saving Ella’ and being totally obsessed with it, I had to check out Kayla’s other books.
Taking Denver is the first book in the trilogy from the Luxe Universe series where we meet Denver De Luca and her love interests, Ranger Luxe and Ethan.
Denver is one of my favourite fmc’s to date! She is a total badass, with her wit, sass, take no shit attitude, smarts, natural beauty and VERY strong willed. She is the ultimate fmc that just consumes you from the first chapter. I loved everything about Denver throughout the three books, and her personality, traits and beliefs never wavered.
A woman like Denver is a rare diamond, that’s why Ranger Luxe makes it his personal mission to ensure Denver will be his. Their connection is undeniable and toxic, and we all love a morally grey man. There is only one thing in this world that consumes Ranger. Not violence, not power, not money, not even his son, just Denver. It’s always been her, and always will be. She consumes him, and that is the worst Kryptonite to have. Love makes you weak, or does it make you feel alive in this dark world.
The book starts with Denver being on a private island, taking some much needed time to herself after a traumatic event.
She has a holiday romance that turns out to be a little more serious than she anticipated, but is also attacked and realises that the only person that can really keep her safe is none other than Ranger Luxe.
Denver becomes stuck between two completely different men, but she knows Ethan could never but a part of the life she lives. He’s too good for that and her.
So many secrets and lies come to life and Ranger scrambles to fix things whilst Denver starts to question his motives and if she is really meant to be with him. She sees Ethan as an escape… but Ranger would never let her leave.
Denver made some poor choices throughout this book, but she is still a young woman trying to navigate in a man’s world. Ethan was a likeable character, and he had some serious balls going up against Ranger Luxe. I liked Ranger in the beginning, but throughout the books my opinion changed completely. He hurt Denver so much, and he calls it love. Delusional….
At one point I wasn’t sure if this was going to turn into a throuple situation, but Ranger Luxe isn’t known for sharing. And he made that very clear.
I loved the relationship Denver has with Axel. It broken my heart that he thought he became what he despised most, his father. Happy he got out but at what cost? He left a boy and will return a man with a vendetta.
I’m sensing a pattern here with Kayla’s books. The good guy does finish last and has tragic endings. This book had it all (even ugly crying IYKYK) and I’m jumping straight into the next book in the series.
Kayla Kyng is becoming a fast favourite author for me, and I’m looking forward to more in The Luxe Universe.
"I didn't choose to be born into this life. I was pushed into this world screaming and covered in blood and will likely leave it the same damn way, but none of that was my choice."
“I want you. No matter what comes with that, I want you. But… I also know it isn’t that simple and might never be. So, I need you to know I’m here. I’ll wait for you. We’ll figure something out, even if it’s just pieces of you.”
“I can’t ask you to do that.”
“You’re not asking me. I’m telling you. I can’t let you go, so I’m here whenever you need me, want me… I’m not going anywhere.”
Stars: 5/5 ★
Spice: 3/5 🌶️
Recommend: Yes
July 18, 2025
WOW, WOW, WOW!! This book is 10/10!!!
I just couldn’t put this book down - I finished it in 12 hours!!
If your looking for a book with a strong FMC who is fiery, witty, sharp, has an attitude and is so funny this is for you! And we can not forget the morally grey dangerous Mafia MMC who is so obsessed with her he can’t live without her!
****Be warned there is some spoilers below****
Reading this book had me going through so many emotions. I laughed, I blushed and I cried. I don’t mean a little cry, I mean a full on sobbed. ******SPOLIER ALERT**** When Ethan was killed this absolutely gutted me and I could feel Denver’s pain and how distraught she was. But I also felt admiration when she realised that she “IS DENVER LUXE” and how she handled the aftermath.
I absolutely loved the relationships between Ranger & Denver and Ethan & Denver. The way the energy just flowed between them had me hooked from the beginning. I really wanted to hate Ranger when he demanded that Denver come home, because of how well Denver & Ethan seemed made for each other, but I couldn’t. He may have fabricated the entirety of their relationship but the way that he loves Denver is explosive, obsessive and endless.
And the spice!!! OMG the spice in this book is – WOW! There is spice literally from beginning to end. Ethan sounds like he’s packing, but – OMG! Ranger has me all hot and bothered. That man sure knows how to take WHAT.HE.WANTS. IYKYK!
Kayla’s writing is just brilliant and just keeps you hooked the whole way through. You definitely should of released this sooner Kayla!! I have kindly been gifted a copy of the ARC for Finding Denver which I will be starting later on today and to say I can’t wait is an under statement.
Forced Proximity
Dark Mafia Romance
Trio Pov
Obsession
Morally Grey MMC
Strong FMC
I just couldn’t put this book down - I finished it in 12 hours!!
If your looking for a book with a strong FMC who is fiery, witty, sharp, has an attitude and is so funny this is for you! And we can not forget the morally grey dangerous Mafia MMC who is so obsessed with her he can’t live without her!
****Be warned there is some spoilers below****
Reading this book had me going through so many emotions. I laughed, I blushed and I cried. I don’t mean a little cry, I mean a full on sobbed. ******SPOLIER ALERT**** When Ethan was killed this absolutely gutted me and I could feel Denver’s pain and how distraught she was. But I also felt admiration when she realised that she “IS DENVER LUXE” and how she handled the aftermath.
I absolutely loved the relationships between Ranger & Denver and Ethan & Denver. The way the energy just flowed between them had me hooked from the beginning. I really wanted to hate Ranger when he demanded that Denver come home, because of how well Denver & Ethan seemed made for each other, but I couldn’t. He may have fabricated the entirety of their relationship but the way that he loves Denver is explosive, obsessive and endless.
And the spice!!! OMG the spice in this book is – WOW! There is spice literally from beginning to end. Ethan sounds like he’s packing, but – OMG! Ranger has me all hot and bothered. That man sure knows how to take WHAT.HE.WANTS. IYKYK!
Kayla’s writing is just brilliant and just keeps you hooked the whole way through. You definitely should of released this sooner Kayla!! I have kindly been gifted a copy of the ARC for Finding Denver which I will be starting later on today and to say I can’t wait is an under statement.
Forced Proximity
Dark Mafia Romance
Trio Pov
Obsession
Morally Grey MMC
Strong FMC
May 13, 2025
ɴᴏᴡ ʟᴇᴛ ᴍᴇ ꜱᴀʏ ꜰɪʀꜱᴛ: ɪ ᴡᴀʟᴋᴇᴅ ɪɴᴛᴏ ᴛʜɪꜱ ʙᴏᴏᴋ ʙʟɪɴᴅ! ᴏɴᴇ ǫᴜᴏᴛᴇ ʀᴇᴇʟᴇᴅ ᴍᴇ ɪɴ, ᴀɴᴅ ʙᴇꜰᴏʀᴇ ɪ ᴋɴᴇᴡ ɪᴛ—ɪ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴇɴᴛɪʀᴇʟʏ, ʜᴏᴘᴇʟᴇꜱꜱʟʏ ᴏʙꜱᴇꜱꜱᴇᴅ ᴡɪᴛʜ ʀᴀɴɢᴇʀ.
ᴡᴇ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴀ ꜱᴛʀᴏɴɢ ꜰᴍᴄ—ᴡɪᴛᴛʏ, ʀᴀᴢᴏʀ-ꜱʜᴀʀᴘ, ᴀɴᴅ ʜɪʟᴀʀɪᴏᴜꜱ. ᴏɴᴇ ᴍɪɴᴜᴛᴇ ꜱʜᴇ ʜᴀᴅ ᴍᴇ ʜᴏᴡʟɪɴɢ ᴡɪᴛʜ ʟᴀᴜɢʜᴛᴇʀ, ᴛʜᴇ ɴᴇxᴛ ɪ ᴡᴀɴᴛᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴡʀᴀᴘ ʜᴇʀ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʙɪɢɢᴇꜱᴛ ʜᴜɢ.
ʜᴇʀ ꜱᴀꜱꜱɪɴᴇꜱꜱ? ᴏꜰꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄʜᴀʀᴛꜱ.
“𝚈𝚘𝚞’𝚛𝚎 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚐𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚝.” “𝙶𝚘𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚠𝚎𝚝.” “𝚂𝚘 𝚍𝚘𝚎𝚜 𝚊 𝚠𝚎𝚕𝚕- 𝚙𝚕𝚊𝚌𝚎𝚍 𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚠𝚎𝚛 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚍”
ᴀɴᴅ ɢᴜᴇꜱꜱ ᴡʜᴀᴛ? ʀᴀɴɢᴇʀ—ᴏᴜʀ ᴅᴀɴɢᴇʀᴏᴜꜱ ᴍᴀꜰɪᴀ ᴍᴍᴄ—ɪꜱ ᴊᴜꜱᴛ ᴀꜱ ʜᴏᴏᴋᴇᴅ ᴏɴ ʜᴇʀ ᴀꜱ ɪ ᴀᴍ. ʜᴇ ᴋɴᴏᴡꜱ ᴇxᴀᴄᴛʟʏ ʜᴏᴡ ᴛᴏ ɢᴇᴛ ʜᴇʀ ᴡʜᴇʀᴇ ʜᴇ ᴡᴀɴᴛꜱ ʜᴇʀ (ᴀɴᴅ ʟᴇᴛ’ꜱ ʙᴇ ʀᴇᴀʟ, ɪ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅɴ’ᴛ ᴍɪɴᴅ ʙᴇɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ᴇɪᴛʜᴇʀ 🫠).
ʙᴜᴛ ᴊᴜꜱᴛ ᴀꜱ ʏᴏᴜ ᴛʜɪɴᴋ ʏᴏᴜ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ɪᴛ ᴀʟʟ ꜰɪɢᴜʀᴇᴅ ᴏᴜᴛ, ᴇᴛʜᴀɴ, ᴛʜᴇ ɢᴏʟᴅᴇɴ ʀᴇᴛʀɪᴇᴠᴇʀ ᴍᴍᴄ, ᴇɴᴛᴇʀꜱ ᴛʜᴇ ᴍɪx—ʙʀɪɴɢɪɴɢ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴋɪɴᴅ ᴏꜰ ʟᴏᴠᴇ ᴛʀɪᴀɴɢʟᴇ ᴛᴇɴꜱɪᴏɴ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴋᴇᴇᴘꜱ ʏᴏᴜ ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟᴇᴛᴇʟʏ ɢʟᴜᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴛᴏʀʏ.
“𝚃𝚑𝚎𝚗 𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚌𝚔 𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚌𝚔, 𝙴𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚗.” “𝚆𝚑𝚘’𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎?” “𝙰 𝚛𝚎𝚍𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚠𝚑𝚘 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚝𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝚛𝚒𝚍𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞.”
ɴᴏᴡ ʟᴇᴛ’ꜱ ᴛᴀʟᴋ ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴘɪᴄᴇ—ʙᴇᴄᴀᴜꜱᴇ, ᴏʜʜʜ, ɪᴛ ᴡᴀꜱ ꜱᴘɪᴄɪɴɢ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ᴏɴᴇ. ᴀɴᴅ ʟᴇᴛ ᴍᴇ ᴛᴇʟʟ ʏᴏᴜ—ʀᴀɴɢᴇʀ. ʜᴀꜱ. ᴍᴇ. ᴡᴇᴀᴋ. 🥵
𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚝𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚖𝚎 𝚜𝚘 𝚠𝚎𝚕𝚕, 𝚍𝚒𝚍𝚗’𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞?” “𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚠𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚜𝚘 𝚏𝚞𝚌𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚙𝚘𝚠𝚎𝚛𝚏𝚞𝚕, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝙸’𝚟𝚎 𝚗𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚍 𝚊𝚗𝚢𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚎.”
ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴀʏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄʜᴀʀᴀᴄᴛᴇʀꜱ ᴡᴇʀᴇ ᴡʀɪᴛᴛᴇɴ, ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴀʏ ᴛʜᴇʏ ᴅᴇᴠᴇʟᴏᴘᴇᴅ, ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴀʏ ᴛʜᴇʏ ꜱᴀɴᴋ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ᴛᴇᴇᴛʜ ɪɴᴛᴏ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴇᴍᴏᴛɪᴏɴꜱ? ꜰʟᴀᴡʟᴇꜱꜱ. ᴛʜᴇʏ ꜰᴇʟᴛ ʀᴇᴀʟ, ᴀɴᴅ ɪ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅɴ’ᴛ ɢᴇᴛ ᴇɴᴏᴜɢʜ. ᴅᴇɴᴠᴇʀ’ꜱ ʙᴀᴄᴋꜱᴛᴏʀʏ ɪꜱ ꜱʟᴏᴡʟʏ ᴜɴʀᴀᴠᴇʟᴇᴅ ᴛʜʀᴏᴜɢʜᴏᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴏᴏᴋ, ᴋᴇᴇᴘɪɴɢ ʏᴏᴜ ʜᴏᴏᴋᴇᴅ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴡʜᴇɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇɴᴅɪɴɢ ꜰɪɴᴀʟʟʏ ʜɪᴛ? ɴᴏᴛ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ɪ ᴇxᴘᴇᴄᴛᴇᴅ ᴀᴛ ᴀʟʟ.
ᴋᴀʏʟᴀ ᴋʏɴɢ ʜᴀᴅ ᴍᴇꜱꜱᴀɢᴇ ᴀꜰᴛᴇʀ ᴍᴇꜱꜱᴀɢᴇ ɪɴ ʜᴇʀ ᴅᴍꜱ ᴡʜɪʟᴇ ɪ ꜱᴄʀᴇᴀᴍᴇᴅ ᴍʏ ᴡᴀʏ ᴛʜʀᴏᴜɢʜ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴡɪʟᴅ ʀɪᴅᴇ.
“𝙷𝚘𝚠 𝚍𝚘 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚏𝚎𝚎𝚕, 𝙳𝚎𝚗𝚟𝚎𝚛?” “𝙿𝚘𝚠𝚎𝚛𝚏𝚞𝚕,” 𝚜𝚑𝚎 𝚠𝚑𝚒𝚜𝚙𝚎𝚛𝚜.
ꜰᴏʀ ᴀ ᴅᴇʙᴜᴛ, ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴡᴀꜱ ꜰᴀɴᴛᴀꜱᴛɪᴄ! ᴛʜᴇ ᴡʀɪᴛɪɴɢ? ᴛʜᴇ ᴘᴀᴄɪɴɢ? ᴛʜᴇ ᴛᴇɴꜱɪᴏɴ? ᴀʟʟ ᴏꜰ ɪᴛ ᴊᴜꜱᴛ ᴡᴏʀᴋᴇᴅ. ɪꜰ ʜᴏᴛ ᴍᴀꜰɪᴀ ᴍᴇɴ ᴡʜᴏ ᴛᴀᴋᴇ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇʏ ᴡᴀɴᴛ, ᴡʜᴇɴ ᴛʜᴇʏ ᴡᴀɴᴛ, ᴡʜᴀᴛᴇᴠᴇʀ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴏꜱᴛ ᴀʀᴇ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴛʜɪɴɢ—ᴅᴏ ʏᴏᴜʀꜱᴇʟꜰ ᴀ ꜰᴀᴠᴏᴜʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴘɪᴄᴋ ᴛʜɪꜱ ʙᴏᴏᴋ ᴜᴘ ɴᴏᴡ.
- ꜰᴏʀᴄᴇᴅ ᴘʀᴏxɪᴍɪᴛʏ
- ᴏʙꜱᴇꜱꜱɪᴏɴ
- ᴛʀɪᴏ ᴘᴏᴠ
- ʟᴏᴠᴇ ᴛʀɪᴀɴɢʟᴇ
- ᴍᴀꜰɪᴀ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ
ᴡᴇ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴀ ꜱᴛʀᴏɴɢ ꜰᴍᴄ—ᴡɪᴛᴛʏ, ʀᴀᴢᴏʀ-ꜱʜᴀʀᴘ, ᴀɴᴅ ʜɪʟᴀʀɪᴏᴜꜱ. ᴏɴᴇ ᴍɪɴᴜᴛᴇ ꜱʜᴇ ʜᴀᴅ ᴍᴇ ʜᴏᴡʟɪɴɢ ᴡɪᴛʜ ʟᴀᴜɢʜᴛᴇʀ, ᴛʜᴇ ɴᴇxᴛ ɪ ᴡᴀɴᴛᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴡʀᴀᴘ ʜᴇʀ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʙɪɢɢᴇꜱᴛ ʜᴜɢ.
ʜᴇʀ ꜱᴀꜱꜱɪɴᴇꜱꜱ? ᴏꜰꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄʜᴀʀᴛꜱ.
“𝚈𝚘𝚞’𝚛𝚎 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚐𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚝.” “𝙶𝚘𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚠𝚎𝚝.” “𝚂𝚘 𝚍𝚘𝚎𝚜 𝚊 𝚠𝚎𝚕𝚕- 𝚙𝚕𝚊𝚌𝚎𝚍 𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚠𝚎𝚛 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚍”
ᴀɴᴅ ɢᴜᴇꜱꜱ ᴡʜᴀᴛ? ʀᴀɴɢᴇʀ—ᴏᴜʀ ᴅᴀɴɢᴇʀᴏᴜꜱ ᴍᴀꜰɪᴀ ᴍᴍᴄ—ɪꜱ ᴊᴜꜱᴛ ᴀꜱ ʜᴏᴏᴋᴇᴅ ᴏɴ ʜᴇʀ ᴀꜱ ɪ ᴀᴍ. ʜᴇ ᴋɴᴏᴡꜱ ᴇxᴀᴄᴛʟʏ ʜᴏᴡ ᴛᴏ ɢᴇᴛ ʜᴇʀ ᴡʜᴇʀᴇ ʜᴇ ᴡᴀɴᴛꜱ ʜᴇʀ (ᴀɴᴅ ʟᴇᴛ’ꜱ ʙᴇ ʀᴇᴀʟ, ɪ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅɴ’ᴛ ᴍɪɴᴅ ʙᴇɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ᴇɪᴛʜᴇʀ 🫠).
ʙᴜᴛ ᴊᴜꜱᴛ ᴀꜱ ʏᴏᴜ ᴛʜɪɴᴋ ʏᴏᴜ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ɪᴛ ᴀʟʟ ꜰɪɢᴜʀᴇᴅ ᴏᴜᴛ, ᴇᴛʜᴀɴ, ᴛʜᴇ ɢᴏʟᴅᴇɴ ʀᴇᴛʀɪᴇᴠᴇʀ ᴍᴍᴄ, ᴇɴᴛᴇʀꜱ ᴛʜᴇ ᴍɪx—ʙʀɪɴɢɪɴɢ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴋɪɴᴅ ᴏꜰ ʟᴏᴠᴇ ᴛʀɪᴀɴɢʟᴇ ᴛᴇɴꜱɪᴏɴ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴋᴇᴇᴘꜱ ʏᴏᴜ ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟᴇᴛᴇʟʏ ɢʟᴜᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴛᴏʀʏ.
“𝚃𝚑𝚎𝚗 𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚌𝚔 𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚌𝚔, 𝙴𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚗.” “𝚆𝚑𝚘’𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎?” “𝙰 𝚛𝚎𝚍𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚠𝚑𝚘 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚝𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝚛𝚒𝚍𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞.”
ɴᴏᴡ ʟᴇᴛ’ꜱ ᴛᴀʟᴋ ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴘɪᴄᴇ—ʙᴇᴄᴀᴜꜱᴇ, ᴏʜʜʜ, ɪᴛ ᴡᴀꜱ ꜱᴘɪᴄɪɴɢ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ᴏɴᴇ. ᴀɴᴅ ʟᴇᴛ ᴍᴇ ᴛᴇʟʟ ʏᴏᴜ—ʀᴀɴɢᴇʀ. ʜᴀꜱ. ᴍᴇ. ᴡᴇᴀᴋ. 🥵
𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚝𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚖𝚎 𝚜𝚘 𝚠𝚎𝚕𝚕, 𝚍𝚒𝚍𝚗’𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞?” “𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚠𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚜𝚘 𝚏𝚞𝚌𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚙𝚘𝚠𝚎𝚛𝚏𝚞𝚕, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝙸’𝚟𝚎 𝚗𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚍 𝚊𝚗𝚢𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚎.”
ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴀʏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄʜᴀʀᴀᴄᴛᴇʀꜱ ᴡᴇʀᴇ ᴡʀɪᴛᴛᴇɴ, ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴀʏ ᴛʜᴇʏ ᴅᴇᴠᴇʟᴏᴘᴇᴅ, ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴀʏ ᴛʜᴇʏ ꜱᴀɴᴋ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ᴛᴇᴇᴛʜ ɪɴᴛᴏ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴇᴍᴏᴛɪᴏɴꜱ? ꜰʟᴀᴡʟᴇꜱꜱ. ᴛʜᴇʏ ꜰᴇʟᴛ ʀᴇᴀʟ, ᴀɴᴅ ɪ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅɴ’ᴛ ɢᴇᴛ ᴇɴᴏᴜɢʜ. ᴅᴇɴᴠᴇʀ’ꜱ ʙᴀᴄᴋꜱᴛᴏʀʏ ɪꜱ ꜱʟᴏᴡʟʏ ᴜɴʀᴀᴠᴇʟᴇᴅ ᴛʜʀᴏᴜɢʜᴏᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴏᴏᴋ, ᴋᴇᴇᴘɪɴɢ ʏᴏᴜ ʜᴏᴏᴋᴇᴅ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴡʜᴇɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇɴᴅɪɴɢ ꜰɪɴᴀʟʟʏ ʜɪᴛ? ɴᴏᴛ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ɪ ᴇxᴘᴇᴄᴛᴇᴅ ᴀᴛ ᴀʟʟ.
ᴋᴀʏʟᴀ ᴋʏɴɢ ʜᴀᴅ ᴍᴇꜱꜱᴀɢᴇ ᴀꜰᴛᴇʀ ᴍᴇꜱꜱᴀɢᴇ ɪɴ ʜᴇʀ ᴅᴍꜱ ᴡʜɪʟᴇ ɪ ꜱᴄʀᴇᴀᴍᴇᴅ ᴍʏ ᴡᴀʏ ᴛʜʀᴏᴜɢʜ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴡɪʟᴅ ʀɪᴅᴇ.
“𝙷𝚘𝚠 𝚍𝚘 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚏𝚎𝚎𝚕, 𝙳𝚎𝚗𝚟𝚎𝚛?” “𝙿𝚘𝚠𝚎𝚛𝚏𝚞𝚕,” 𝚜𝚑𝚎 𝚠𝚑𝚒𝚜𝚙𝚎𝚛𝚜.
ꜰᴏʀ ᴀ ᴅᴇʙᴜᴛ, ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴡᴀꜱ ꜰᴀɴᴛᴀꜱᴛɪᴄ! ᴛʜᴇ ᴡʀɪᴛɪɴɢ? ᴛʜᴇ ᴘᴀᴄɪɴɢ? ᴛʜᴇ ᴛᴇɴꜱɪᴏɴ? ᴀʟʟ ᴏꜰ ɪᴛ ᴊᴜꜱᴛ ᴡᴏʀᴋᴇᴅ. ɪꜰ ʜᴏᴛ ᴍᴀꜰɪᴀ ᴍᴇɴ ᴡʜᴏ ᴛᴀᴋᴇ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇʏ ᴡᴀɴᴛ, ᴡʜᴇɴ ᴛʜᴇʏ ᴡᴀɴᴛ, ᴡʜᴀᴛᴇᴠᴇʀ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴏꜱᴛ ᴀʀᴇ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴛʜɪɴɢ—ᴅᴏ ʏᴏᴜʀꜱᴇʟꜰ ᴀ ꜰᴀᴠᴏᴜʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴘɪᴄᴋ ᴛʜɪꜱ ʙᴏᴏᴋ ᴜᴘ ɴᴏᴡ.
- ꜰᴏʀᴄᴇᴅ ᴘʀᴏxɪᴍɪᴛʏ
- ᴏʙꜱᴇꜱꜱɪᴏɴ
- ᴛʀɪᴏ ᴘᴏᴠ
- ʟᴏᴠᴇ ᴛʀɪᴀɴɢʟᴇ
- ᴍᴀꜰɪᴀ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ
February 20, 2026
Denver is on a three month vacation in paradise, trying to escape the life she left behind. Accused of murdering her cheating husband, she ran rather than face the press, and the man who held the gun, but what she didn’t intend to do while she was away is fall in love.
Ethan was simply planning to enjoy a boys trip with his three best friends, but when he has a steamy encounter with Denver in the hotel gym, everything changes. Even when he finds out her true identity, and the world she’s connected to, it’s not enough to make him stay away, and despite saying this was just going to be a vacation fling, he is not ready to let her go when they get home.
Ranger may be the coldhearted leader of an underworld organization, but Denver is the only person who has ever held his heart. Even when she was married, he refused to let her go, and now that her husband is gone, he won’t accept anything less than her in his home, as his wife.
This was my first time reading anything by this author and I was hooked from the first chapter. I loved how Denver and Ethan built such a strong connection in a short amount of time, and while they both have a darker side, Denver was able to get a glimpse at the future she’s always dreamed of. However, her connection with Ranger is a whole other beast, with him being a constant in her life since she was only 21. She’s managed to resist him for years, but as he pulls her deeper into his world, she may not be able to say no for much longer. The ending left me in a chokehold and I immediately downloaded book two.
Ethan was simply planning to enjoy a boys trip with his three best friends, but when he has a steamy encounter with Denver in the hotel gym, everything changes. Even when he finds out her true identity, and the world she’s connected to, it’s not enough to make him stay away, and despite saying this was just going to be a vacation fling, he is not ready to let her go when they get home.
Ranger may be the coldhearted leader of an underworld organization, but Denver is the only person who has ever held his heart. Even when she was married, he refused to let her go, and now that her husband is gone, he won’t accept anything less than her in his home, as his wife.
This was my first time reading anything by this author and I was hooked from the first chapter. I loved how Denver and Ethan built such a strong connection in a short amount of time, and while they both have a darker side, Denver was able to get a glimpse at the future she’s always dreamed of. However, her connection with Ranger is a whole other beast, with him being a constant in her life since she was only 21. She’s managed to resist him for years, but as he pulls her deeper into his world, she may not be able to say no for much longer. The ending left me in a chokehold and I immediately downloaded book two.
August 2, 2025
⭐️ 4-Star Book Review: Taking Denver by Kayla King
Whew—this book grabbed me and didn’t let go! I devoured it in one sitting and I’m still reeling from that ending. Seriously… WTF just happened? Was it a dream? A plot twist? A cliffhanger from the underworld? Whatever it was, it worked because I couldn’t look away.
This dark mafia romance is packed with tension, power plays, and one steamy, complicated love triangle. On one side, we’ve got Ethan Defender: the sweet, selfless vet with a heart of gold (and dogs!). The kind of guy who makes you believe in happily ever afters. On the other, there’s Ranger Luxe: cruel, powerful, and possessive. He oozes “mine” energy.
Denver is a fierce heroine caught between two very different kinds of love—one safe, one dangerous—and she holds her own every step of the way. The twists kept coming, the stakes stayed high, and the chemistry? Off the charts. If you’re into tension filled love triangles, mafia drama, and a heroine who refuses to be anyone’s pawn, Taking Denver is your next obsession.
Whew—this book grabbed me and didn’t let go! I devoured it in one sitting and I’m still reeling from that ending. Seriously… WTF just happened? Was it a dream? A plot twist? A cliffhanger from the underworld? Whatever it was, it worked because I couldn’t look away.
This dark mafia romance is packed with tension, power plays, and one steamy, complicated love triangle. On one side, we’ve got Ethan Defender: the sweet, selfless vet with a heart of gold (and dogs!). The kind of guy who makes you believe in happily ever afters. On the other, there’s Ranger Luxe: cruel, powerful, and possessive. He oozes “mine” energy.
Denver is a fierce heroine caught between two very different kinds of love—one safe, one dangerous—and she holds her own every step of the way. The twists kept coming, the stakes stayed high, and the chemistry? Off the charts. If you’re into tension filled love triangles, mafia drama, and a heroine who refuses to be anyone’s pawn, Taking Denver is your next obsession.
September 22, 2025
I started off really liking this book, with Ethan being a gentleman but amazing for Denver and what she needed. I was kind of hoping it would be a story where she can get out of the mafia life and Ethan fights for her, but I was a little let down at how easily he gave her up as Ranger appeared and showed his dominance and obsession over Denver.
The infatuation with Denver from Ethan I think could have been stretched a little further but he was such a well structured character with his own flaws, I just wish it didn’t end that way for him! He deserved so much better, but I guess we will see what else happens in the following books.
Ranger….that man is obsessed and not in a good way at all. He has manipulated, lied to and controlled Denver to keep her in this life that he wanted. He claims he loves her, but it’s not love, it’s obsession and kind of scary, but that’s the world that they are in. I do like the tension between the two and that he is only sweet for her.
Can’t wait to read the rest
The infatuation with Denver from Ethan I think could have been stretched a little further but he was such a well structured character with his own flaws, I just wish it didn’t end that way for him! He deserved so much better, but I guess we will see what else happens in the following books.
Ranger….that man is obsessed and not in a good way at all. He has manipulated, lied to and controlled Denver to keep her in this life that he wanted. He claims he loves her, but it’s not love, it’s obsession and kind of scary, but that’s the world that they are in. I do like the tension between the two and that he is only sweet for her.
Can’t wait to read the rest
April 25, 2026
A 5 star rollercoaster of emotions
Note, I’m leaving the same review for all three books of the trilogy because they’re all 5 freaking stars.
Admittingly, it took me longer than I’d like to admit to get to reading this, I was worried about the love triangle trope but damn Kayla’s writing is 10/10, the PLOT PLOT PLOT!!! This is absolutely one of my top 5 Mafia Romance reads of all time (the three books together) because there is so much PLOT, the spice level is perfect for me as I’m sick of reading books which are mafia romance but have no mafia / plot and are just smut…. I get a lot of people like this, but personally that isn’t for me. KAYLA delivers in all three books and I must say from the first book I couldn’t stand Ranger. I finished Freeing Denver late last night and had an actual dream about next generation books - praying that’s a premonition hahaa. I LOVE LOVE LOVE all three of these books, I read on kindle and really need to add them to my bookshelf as trophies. Thank you Kayla for all the plot and tropes, three masterpieces 🤍
Note, I’m leaving the same review for all three books of the trilogy because they’re all 5 freaking stars.
Admittingly, it took me longer than I’d like to admit to get to reading this, I was worried about the love triangle trope but damn Kayla’s writing is 10/10, the PLOT PLOT PLOT!!! This is absolutely one of my top 5 Mafia Romance reads of all time (the three books together) because there is so much PLOT, the spice level is perfect for me as I’m sick of reading books which are mafia romance but have no mafia / plot and are just smut…. I get a lot of people like this, but personally that isn’t for me. KAYLA delivers in all three books and I must say from the first book I couldn’t stand Ranger. I finished Freeing Denver late last night and had an actual dream about next generation books - praying that’s a premonition hahaa. I LOVE LOVE LOVE all three of these books, I read on kindle and really need to add them to my bookshelf as trophies. Thank you Kayla for all the plot and tropes, three masterpieces 🤍
September 22, 2025
I read this series because I saw book 3 being advertised and it sounded interesting so I signed up to ARC it. I am so unbelievably glad I did because this whole series is incredible.
This series is a beautifully written, multiple POV Mafia romance with so many twists and turns I’m surprised I don’t have whiplash.
Our FMC: Denver is a powerhouse, smart, funny and just wants to be happy.
Our MMC1: Ranger. The author wrote him so brilliantly that I genuinely loved him from the beginning. He’s a master manipulator and I was a victim!
Our MMC2: Colt is a ghost, a myth. A golden retriever with the darkest of sides and a heart made of gold.
I read this series in a weekend, I am exhausted but I couldn’t put it down. This is intense, anxiety inducing, Laugh Out Loud funny and absolutely devastating. I sobbed my heart out at 2am reading this and I loved every single second. I will recommend this series to every person I come across, even if they don’t ask because everyone needs to read this. I am so grateful I was able to read and ARC this series.
This series is a beautifully written, multiple POV Mafia romance with so many twists and turns I’m surprised I don’t have whiplash.
Our FMC: Denver is a powerhouse, smart, funny and just wants to be happy.
Our MMC1: Ranger. The author wrote him so brilliantly that I genuinely loved him from the beginning. He’s a master manipulator and I was a victim!
Our MMC2: Colt is a ghost, a myth. A golden retriever with the darkest of sides and a heart made of gold.
I read this series in a weekend, I am exhausted but I couldn’t put it down. This is intense, anxiety inducing, Laugh Out Loud funny and absolutely devastating. I sobbed my heart out at 2am reading this and I loved every single second. I will recommend this series to every person I come across, even if they don’t ask because everyone needs to read this. I am so grateful I was able to read and ARC this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 27, 2025
This was interesting! Kayla Kyng has a unique way of storytelling, which I enjoyed.
The very first chapter is going to put off a lot of people. I know because it almost did for me. I hate insta-lust, and I wasn’t feeling the heroine’s brashness. But I kept going because I saw another reviewer mention that it gets better… and it does. It's all set up this way for a reason.
I quite enjoyed the love triangle. Not everyone is going to love it. Ranger is a truly morally grey character, not one of those pretend ones, which I loved. I read dark romance because I'm into villains... obviously.
The mafia element was also done well. There were moments that felt genuinely high-stakes, and I found myself nervous a few times. It wasn't too over the top, and I believed this world enough for it to feel real, even with all the death. I wouldn't call this a romance in the traditional sense. I didn’t get enough intimacy between Denver and Ranger to feel satisfied so I'm hoping the other books rectify that.
(SPOILER: i’ve now read the next book and understand the lack of romance in this first book… once again, everything is set up a certain way for a reason so you really cant judge this too early.)
The very first chapter is going to put off a lot of people. I know because it almost did for me. I hate insta-lust, and I wasn’t feeling the heroine’s brashness. But I kept going because I saw another reviewer mention that it gets better… and it does. It's all set up this way for a reason.
I quite enjoyed the love triangle. Not everyone is going to love it. Ranger is a truly morally grey character, not one of those pretend ones, which I loved. I read dark romance because I'm into villains... obviously.
The mafia element was also done well. There were moments that felt genuinely high-stakes, and I found myself nervous a few times. It wasn't too over the top, and I believed this world enough for it to feel real, even with all the death. I wouldn't call this a romance in the traditional sense. I didn’t get enough intimacy between Denver and Ranger to feel satisfied so I'm hoping the other books rectify that.
(SPOILER: i’ve now read the next book and understand the lack of romance in this first book… once again, everything is set up a certain way for a reason so you really cant judge this too early.)
January 19, 2026
I don’t know what Kayla put in this book, but I could not put it down!! I was hooked from the start and the obsession never wavered.
Denver is a force and I am here for every fiery moment of it! We first meet her trying to escape the world she was raised in, only to end up realizing it was her world all along. A world in which she belongs and won’t let anyone else forget it.
The love triangle in this one was well done and I bet you’ll have a hard time choosing between the two. There’s Ethan, the “boy next door” vet who loves fiercely and would do anything to save Denver from the past that haunts her. And then there’s Ranger, the enigmatic mafia boss who’s always been there for her. He sees her, all of her, but will his obsession with her bring them closer together or push her away for good?
That ending and subsequent epilogue has me immediately downloading book 2 and ready to go to war right along side this fierce FMC!
Denver is a force and I am here for every fiery moment of it! We first meet her trying to escape the world she was raised in, only to end up realizing it was her world all along. A world in which she belongs and won’t let anyone else forget it.
The love triangle in this one was well done and I bet you’ll have a hard time choosing between the two. There’s Ethan, the “boy next door” vet who loves fiercely and would do anything to save Denver from the past that haunts her. And then there’s Ranger, the enigmatic mafia boss who’s always been there for her. He sees her, all of her, but will his obsession with her bring them closer together or push her away for good?
That ending and subsequent epilogue has me immediately downloading book 2 and ready to go to war right along side this fierce FMC!
April 14, 2025
Taking Denver - Kayla Kyng
Forced Proximity
Obsession
Trio POV
Love triangle
Dark mafia romance
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
So I went in blind when reading this book and it was the best thing ever! The way the characters where written along with the way they developed throughout the book was amazing, they are in-depth and you really feel like you know them. I loved that you don't find out about Denver's' back story until most of the way through as it adds extra suspense and intrigue. Ethan's' character is just adorable and I love that about him, he just wants the best for Denver! I think because of this I'm team Ethan. Ranger is still good and offers the danger side to life for Denver but Ethan is just chefs kiss!
The ending had me in a chokehold and I may or may not have cried, if ya know, ya know!
Forced Proximity
Obsession
Trio POV
Love triangle
Dark mafia romance
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
So I went in blind when reading this book and it was the best thing ever! The way the characters where written along with the way they developed throughout the book was amazing, they are in-depth and you really feel like you know them. I loved that you don't find out about Denver's' back story until most of the way through as it adds extra suspense and intrigue. Ethan's' character is just adorable and I love that about him, he just wants the best for Denver! I think because of this I'm team Ethan. Ranger is still good and offers the danger side to life for Denver but Ethan is just chefs kiss!
The ending had me in a chokehold and I may or may not have cried, if ya know, ya know!
July 25, 2025
🚨 Dark mafia romance lovers—this one’s for you!
Taking Denver had me in a chokehold from page one. Denver is accused of killing her husband and runs straight into the arms of a dangerous kingpin, Ranger Luxe 👀🔥. Add in a loyal ex who still loves her? We’ve got ourselves a messy, delicious love triangle.
This book is spicy, dark, and full of tension. Denver’s character? Complex, bold, and totally unforgettable. Ranger is that cold, possessive villain you’ll hate to love. And Ethan? The soft spot you didn’t know you needed.
If you’re into:
✅ Mafia drama
✅ Morally grey men
✅ Intense slow burns
✅ Female leads who don’t back down
Then this one belongs on your TBR yesterday.
🌶️ Spice? High.
🖤 Drama? Even higher.
📚 Read it. Obsess over it. You’ve been warned.
Taking Denver had me in a chokehold from page one. Denver is accused of killing her husband and runs straight into the arms of a dangerous kingpin, Ranger Luxe 👀🔥. Add in a loyal ex who still loves her? We’ve got ourselves a messy, delicious love triangle.
This book is spicy, dark, and full of tension. Denver’s character? Complex, bold, and totally unforgettable. Ranger is that cold, possessive villain you’ll hate to love. And Ethan? The soft spot you didn’t know you needed.
If you’re into:
✅ Mafia drama
✅ Morally grey men
✅ Intense slow burns
✅ Female leads who don’t back down
Then this one belongs on your TBR yesterday.
🌶️ Spice? High.
🖤 Drama? Even higher.
📚 Read it. Obsess over it. You’ve been warned.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 30, 2025
5⭐️ 3🌶️
I was immediately pulled into this book. When you have a first chapter like this book has, anyone would be interested to see where it goes. I knew I needed to know more about these characters from the start. This dark mafia romance reminds me of the Queens and Monsters series by J.T. Geissinger but this series is not a standalone interconnected series. I love that the story for this FMC continues on since there seems to be so much to unfold. I was entertained the entire time and read it within 2 days. The ending of this book broke my heart. It’s very rare that a book can make me cry and I was bawling 😭. Even when I was finished with the book, I kept thinking about it and would cry some more. Rip out my heart why don’t you!
I was immediately pulled into this book. When you have a first chapter like this book has, anyone would be interested to see where it goes. I knew I needed to know more about these characters from the start. This dark mafia romance reminds me of the Queens and Monsters series by J.T. Geissinger but this series is not a standalone interconnected series. I love that the story for this FMC continues on since there seems to be so much to unfold. I was entertained the entire time and read it within 2 days. The ending of this book broke my heart. It’s very rare that a book can make me cry and I was bawling 😭. Even when I was finished with the book, I kept thinking about it and would cry some more. Rip out my heart why don’t you!
October 10, 2025
Starting a book by having angry sex with a stranger is either going to set the scene for an amazing book - or be the peak with nothing left to give. This book was definitely the former.
It is the start of a trilogy - a trilogy that I read completely across a couple days.
Denver is our FMC who was thrust into a mafia life she didn't want to be in after her dad passed away. Then you have the MMC's Ranger and Ethan (not a reverse haram/group situation).
Ranger is her tie to the mafia world and will do anything under the guise of "protecting Denver". Ethan is her tie to "normalcy".
There were little details that surprised and although I expected the ending, I didn't expect it there, but it immediately made me pick up book two.
It is the start of a trilogy - a trilogy that I read completely across a couple days.
Denver is our FMC who was thrust into a mafia life she didn't want to be in after her dad passed away. Then you have the MMC's Ranger and Ethan (not a reverse haram/group situation).
Ranger is her tie to the mafia world and will do anything under the guise of "protecting Denver". Ethan is her tie to "normalcy".
There were little details that surprised and although I expected the ending, I didn't expect it there, but it immediately made me pick up book two.
January 23, 2026
Who gave this book the right to be this awesome? I don’t know, probably Kayla becaue she wrote it lol But this book blew my mind. This book has made me love a trope that I don’t usually gravitate towards most of the time: love triangle. But Kyla has written it SO 👏🏻 FUCKING 👏🏻 GREAT 👏🏻 that I ate this book up.
Not many books blow my mind when it comes to endings, but this one definitely has. HOLY SHIT. That’s all I can say.
I can’t wait to start reading Finding Denver and see in what ways Kayla can surprise me again 🖤
PS: Will I ever read a love triangle again? My first impulse is to say no. But if Kayla writes it? YES. I’m positive she can make me read and love any trope I dislike after I’m done reading this trilogy.
Not many books blow my mind when it comes to endings, but this one definitely has. HOLY SHIT. That’s all I can say.
I can’t wait to start reading Finding Denver and see in what ways Kayla can surprise me again 🖤
PS: Will I ever read a love triangle again? My first impulse is to say no. But if Kayla writes it? YES. I’m positive she can make me read and love any trope I dislike after I’m done reading this trilogy.
May 9, 2025
Okay, I was not prepared for how hard this book would grip me. It started with a bang (literally, if you know what I mean 😏) and from that moment on, I was hooked. I’ve been in a reading slump for months, struggling to finish anything, and then this dark, twisty little gem came along and dragged me out of it.
I inhaled this book!
The last 15%? Gave me full-on heart palpitations. I had no clue where the story was going, and honestly, I loved being completely thrown off.
For a debut, this was insanely good. The writing, the pacing, the tension, it all just worked.
I’m already counting down the days until book two because I need more of Denver’s madness life.
I inhaled this book!
The last 15%? Gave me full-on heart palpitations. I had no clue where the story was going, and honestly, I loved being completely thrown off.
For a debut, this was insanely good. The writing, the pacing, the tension, it all just worked.
I’m already counting down the days until book two because I need more of Denver’s madness life.
May 5, 2026
This book was… messier than I expected and I kind of loved it for that.
You’ve got tension, complicated dynamics, and characters making choices that keep you hooked even when you’re like “hmm… okay, we’re doing this?” 😅
Ranger is very much my type, protective, intense, that quiet control energy 🔥 and Denver holds her own in a way that makes you want to root for her.
The only thing for me was the spice felt a little… divided. I wanted more focus where it really mattered (you know exactly where 👀), but the chemistry is there and the potential is strong.
Definitely reads like a setup book, and I’m already into Finding Denver because I need that Denver x Ranger payoff immediately.
You’ve got tension, complicated dynamics, and characters making choices that keep you hooked even when you’re like “hmm… okay, we’re doing this?” 😅
Ranger is very much my type, protective, intense, that quiet control energy 🔥 and Denver holds her own in a way that makes you want to root for her.
The only thing for me was the spice felt a little… divided. I wanted more focus where it really mattered (you know exactly where 👀), but the chemistry is there and the potential is strong.
Definitely reads like a setup book, and I’m already into Finding Denver because I need that Denver x Ranger payoff immediately.
September 22, 2025
This is an intriguing dark mafia romance with the focus firmly on the love triangle. Both men want to protect Denver, but in very different ways—one obsessive and morally black, the other a good man who wants to free her from the mafia life. The romance is gripping, but it also runs alongside her personal journey, as her choice between them becomes tied to how she wants to shape her future. The pacing kept me engaged without ever feeling rushed, and while it didn’t quite hit that “wow” level for me, it was a solid, well-written read that I enjoyed a lot.
February 11, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars
Tropes
✨ Mafia
✨ Multiple POV’s
✨ Morally grey MMC
✨ Badass FMC
✨ Forced proximity
✨ Obsession
Yep this was a good one.
Love all the characters in this book. Our FMC Denver is a total badass who knows what she wants.
And our MMC Ranger 🔥 this man he is obsessed with her. Burn down the world for her.
I loved the plot and the pacing of this. It was action packed from start to finish.
The spice was spicy 🌶️ and starts in chapter one!
And Ethan 😭 so sad… I cried reading that part of the book.
Would definitely recommend to those who love dark mafia romance.
Tropes
✨ Mafia
✨ Multiple POV’s
✨ Morally grey MMC
✨ Badass FMC
✨ Forced proximity
✨ Obsession
Yep this was a good one.
Love all the characters in this book. Our FMC Denver is a total badass who knows what she wants.
And our MMC Ranger 🔥 this man he is obsessed with her. Burn down the world for her.
I loved the plot and the pacing of this. It was action packed from start to finish.
The spice was spicy 🌶️ and starts in chapter one!
And Ethan 😭 so sad… I cried reading that part of the book.
Would definitely recommend to those who love dark mafia romance.
February 25, 2026
Broken Book Therapist Reviews
This hurt... start to finish this was full of pain and betrayal and secrets and seeing options and decisions that would be better and actively deciding not to take them because history and tr@um@ freezes people in place. This is one of those stories where no one wins, just some people survive and you are forever stuck knowing that truth. I didn't plan to cry, but did... didn't expect to feel this much turmoil. If you like stories that will hurt, this one does it.
This hurt... start to finish this was full of pain and betrayal and secrets and seeing options and decisions that would be better and actively deciding not to take them because history and tr@um@ freezes people in place. This is one of those stories where no one wins, just some people survive and you are forever stuck knowing that truth. I didn't plan to cry, but did... didn't expect to feel this much turmoil. If you like stories that will hurt, this one does it.
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