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Dearly Departed Duet #2
Depraved
I thought I knew loyalty, but Gage shattered that illusion the moment he betrayed me. Now, with my leader dying and my chance to take control of the Cortez family slipping away, I’m on the hunt. River, Sarge, and Alex stand by my side as we search for him, determined to make him pay.
But just when I think I have a handle on things, a new threat rears its ugly head. More than just betrayal. The wolves are circling, and the only blood family I have left is in danger. It forces me to make a choice I never wanted to—working with the man who hurt me the most. The man I promised to kill.
This is the second and last book in the Dearly Departed Duet. TW for graphic violence, morally black characters, SA depictions, and an insane FMC.
But just when I think I have a handle on things, a new threat rears its ugly head. More than just betrayal. The wolves are circling, and the only blood family I have left is in danger. It forces me to make a choice I never wanted to—working with the man who hurt me the most. The man I promised to kill.
This is the second and last book in the Dearly Departed Duet. TW for graphic violence, morally black characters, SA depictions, and an insane FMC.
- GenresWhy Choose
184 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 19, 2025
About the author
Penn Cassidy
48 books501 followersI spend 95% of my life huddled in my little office, at my little desk, vividly hallucinating about characters and scenarios that don't exist. Then I write it all down for you to enjoy!
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 7, 2025
Heat level: 4/5. I looked forward to this one as soon as I finished book 2 honestly. This one definitely has more spice than book 1 and I'm here for it. Not me waiting for a group scene the whole time 😂 Layla is such a badass queen and force to be reckoned with. With 4 men at her side, she could rule the world. This book has it all: revenge, reunions, action, & heat. Loved it!
January 23, 2025
It's one of the top reads so far of 2025!
Layla is a badass, but we knew this from book one! Raised basically by the Cartel as a cold-blooded killing machine.. she made her way to the top..kicking ass and taking names later! The different connections she has with her men that broke through her tall walls of protection..I loved as a reader! The ending in this book made me forgive that man who did the deepest betrayal! Please read this book!
Layla is a badass, but we knew this from book one! Raised basically by the Cartel as a cold-blooded killing machine.. she made her way to the top..kicking ass and taking names later! The different connections she has with her men that broke through her tall walls of protection..I loved as a reader! The ending in this book made me forgive that man who did the deepest betrayal! Please read this book!
December 18, 2025
to sendo muito generosa na quantidade de estrelas pq se eu tivesse com mais ódio no coração seria 1,5 no máximo.
por mais que tenha servido um pouco de entretenimento, eu senti que foi bem inferior em relação ao primeiro livro.
a começar que parece que o livro todo é muito apressado, sem desenvolvimento das coisas e dos relacionamentos amorosos. eu tentei gostar mas não deu muito certo.
todo o desenvolvimento que tava tendo no primeiro livro com os relacionamentos amorosos da layla parece que foi tudo pro lixo nesse segundo livo, e foi tudo resumido a sexo. ficou tenebroso. os personagens só transavam e transavam mas não tinha um nada de desenvolvimento.
todo o resto da história também, a morte do raul, a mãe da layla, tudo foi jogado no livro sem mais nem menos e deixado lá.
parece que o livro foi cortado no meio porque quando as coisas tavam encaminhando pra acontecer, simplesmente termina tudo de uma vez só e o livro acaba.
fiquei muito triste com isso porque gosto demais do primeiro livro e não queria que a conclusão da história tivesse sido assim.
só dei essa nota por dó e por apego ao primeiro livro.
por mais que tenha servido um pouco de entretenimento, eu senti que foi bem inferior em relação ao primeiro livro.
a começar que parece que o livro todo é muito apressado, sem desenvolvimento das coisas e dos relacionamentos amorosos. eu tentei gostar mas não deu muito certo.
todo o desenvolvimento que tava tendo no primeiro livro com os relacionamentos amorosos da layla parece que foi tudo pro lixo nesse segundo livo, e foi tudo resumido a sexo. ficou tenebroso. os personagens só transavam e transavam mas não tinha um nada de desenvolvimento.
todo o resto da história também, a morte do raul, a mãe da layla, tudo foi jogado no livro sem mais nem menos e deixado lá.
parece que o livro foi cortado no meio porque quando as coisas tavam encaminhando pra acontecer, simplesmente termina tudo de uma vez só e o livro acaba.
fiquei muito triste com isso porque gosto demais do primeiro livro e não queria que a conclusão da história tivesse sido assim.
só dei essa nota por dó e por apego ao primeiro livro.
April 10, 2025
This book was a let down for me. I loved bits of it, but overall... It was a miss. I really would have loved to see more of a character growth and relationship growth between Sarge and Layla especially. I get why it took so long with River, but for both relationships not to go anywhere until after 80% of this book was just ridiculous. Gage earned his place so I get their relationship, but his test of loyalty was ehh for me. And Layla ended up gaining the empire, so it would have been nice to actually see her in that role. That part of the storyline just seemed like it was an afterthought since it was mostly just mentioned and nothing was really explored.
August 3, 2025
**3.75 for the duet.
The first book in this series felt like an MF novel just cause there was not much happening between the other MMCs. But that was resolved in book 2, albeit on the latter half. The FMC was kidnapped when she was younger and sold to the cartel wherein she became an assassin/stripper. This is definitely found family. It was well written but I think the main issue for me is the ending - there was no epilogue.
Overall, I liked it. I have read other books from this author and she creates strong FMCs, which I love. Will be looking out for more of her other books.
The first book in this series felt like an MF novel just cause there was not much happening between the other MMCs. But that was resolved in book 2, albeit on the latter half. The FMC was kidnapped when she was younger and sold to the cartel wherein she became an assassin/stripper. This is definitely found family. It was well written but I think the main issue for me is the ending - there was no epilogue.
Overall, I liked it. I have read other books from this author and she creates strong FMCs, which I love. Will be looking out for more of her other books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 2, 2025
New Queen in town
This was one of them reads that felt like no other, what an absolute masterpiece of a duet. A FMC that was made for the world that they live in, she rules her kingdom with an iron fist, she’s one crazy and bloody thirsty woman!
I do love it when it’s a woman’s world 😜
Highly recommend 10/10
This was one of them reads that felt like no other, what an absolute masterpiece of a duet. A FMC that was made for the world that they live in, she rules her kingdom with an iron fist, she’s one crazy and bloody thirsty woman!
I do love it when it’s a woman’s world 😜
Highly recommend 10/10
August 21, 2025
This Is Who Were Are
This life of ours was fucking rough, and it was bloody, raw and disgusting sometimes. But it’s who we were. It was our purpose. Dying peacefully and alone in our beds was never in the cards for us. Someday, I’d go out in a blaze of fucking glory, laughing all the way to hell.
This life of ours was fucking rough, and it was bloody, raw and disgusting sometimes. But it’s who we were. It was our purpose. Dying peacefully and alone in our beds was never in the cards for us. Someday, I’d go out in a blaze of fucking glory, laughing all the way to hell.
May 9, 2025
I love me a classic assassin/mafia baddie who's burns the world down in revenge.
January 29, 2026
Bit of a letdown, but still enjoyed it.
March 31, 2025
oof, this is really more of 2.5 star for me i think. i'm not sure what happened, but it felt like we lost all touch with reality on this one. details didn't seem to line up and i lost interest.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews