Little Villain

The Deadly Little Thing Trilogy #2

by B. Mackenzie

One bullet and a promise were all it took to shatter Ava’s newfound peace.

Determined to reclaim a piece of her humanity, she sets out on a path to salvage what was stolen from her the day she walked out of that hospital with Beth all those years ago. Her life in Montana may have given her countless gifts, but it had taken from her just as mercilessly.

Now, returning to the chaos of the world she left behind after Marcus tried to kill her, Ava faces a startling truth: the greatest threats in her life are the ones she created. Harry hadn’t prepared her for this—for them. Declan and Liam Campbell are battles she never anticipated, two men who challenge her in ways she was never trained for. She was taught to be a weapon, to destroy, to kill, to survive; but she was never shown how to navigate the path her life has now taken.

When another devastating betrayal comes to light, Ava must decide who and what she can trust.

Caught between loyalty, desire, and the weight of her haunting past, Ava begins to unravel. Her carefully constructed walls are crumbling, and she may not be able to hold herself together under the weight of it all.

Book 2 in the Deadly Little Thing Trilogy, this dark, unrelenting tale of love, betrayal, and the devastating cost of reclaiming your humanity asks: Will Ava find salvation, or will the fear of repeating her past destroy her before she has a chance for a future?

Perfect for fans of:
• Dark mafia romance
• Complex heroines and morally gray heroes
• Romantic suspense with high stakes
• Love triangles and forbidden desires
• Gritty, emotional storytelling

This gritty, dark romance will captivate fans of L.J. Shen, J.T. Geissinger, and Sophie Lark. Dive into Ava’s journey and prepare for a gripping story of betrayal, redemption, and passion.

Genres: Dark

388 pages, Paperback

First published March 13, 2025

Reviews

[Sydney Pinkerton · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHAT THE HELL?!?!?! WHY???? I need book 3 ASAP. I can’t believe what B. Mackenzie just put me through!! I can’t even.. I’m mad, but I loved this book!!! I need more! I was honored to read this ARC, please give me more. lol. This was a very captivating story that obviously isn’t over yet. I am ready, but not ready, for the conclusion to this story.

[Krista Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much for this ARC I was addicted from the very first chapter! I love all the characters in this series and I can’t wait to see what is going to happen in book 3. So much character development in this story and a ton of action! I just kept turning the pages and wanting more.

[Sherri Lynn Parent · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️

I really wish this book would have hit the way I hoped it would.
I feel like the plot was a side character and had little to do with the story. Much of the story is her struggle to get over herself and figure out what she wants in life, or who. She's meant to be this crazy badass and yet she seemed to be very childish for the majority of the story.

Finding out Harry was alive and faked his death was great but that's all you get, there is nothing much else that is said about it.

Little is said about Marcus either, if the story is meant to revolve around the two of them and their connection should he not be in the majority of the story. Ava spends most of her time in the same city as Marcus, who wants her back and will do anything to hurt her if she refuses, according to the idea of the story. Except he only shows up two or three times throughout the entire book.

The ending, whether foreshadowed or not was really unnecessary for the plot of this particular book. However, it may be required for some important scene in the next, that is yet to be known.

I feel that the story could have been written better with a more well rounded plot and a more cohesive storyline.
I hope the book receives at least one more round of edits/proofreading before it is published. I understand I received an ARC copy and for that I am thankful, however there were a few sentences that didn't make sense and some punctuation and spelling that pulled me from the story and required me to reread things a few times to understand what was actually meant in the situation.
A few times, I also felt pulled from the story by the jumps in destinations and times and had to reread sections or just "wing it" until I realized what was actually going on.

Thank you again for the ARC copy of this book. My review is left with honesty and of my own accord.

[Courtney Zenk · Rating 4 out of 5]

So happy to have gotten the ARC for this!!! I loved it and thought it was even better than the first one. Loved getting more backstory and watching the relationships develop. Can’t wait for the 3rd book!!!

THE SPICE?! Chefs kiss.

[Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another good story. Ava is just as amazing as ever, even with the issues she goes through. It was another high level spice book but just as enjoyable as the first. I did struggle some with the editing and continuity throughout this book but I'm hoping edits come through soon. They were annoying, but not bad enough to DNF or lose more than one star. What an ending too! I am excited for the rest of this tale.

[Sara Sofia · Rating 5 out of 5]

wtf was happened in this book 😭

first of all, i’m in love with all the characters and the plot is so good.
the ending broken my heart heart completely.
and i’m read for the next one.

thanks for the opportunity to be an arc reader. little fury and little villains have both my heart 🖤

the smut is amazing, the love story, the environment.. i have no words to describe how i feel while i’m reading 🥹

[Happyreaderkt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mafia romance: I loved Little Fury and fell in love with this one as well. You have to read the first book. I Thought I had it figured out until I realized I didn’t. Ava, Liam and Declan are back with a vengence! I love Ava who’s a bad a$$ MFC she will f$&k your day up, trained assassin she will always come out in top. B Mackenzie had my jaw dropped, anxiety at heightened levels, & broke my heart ( yes I cried). Book 3 is going to be intense! Our characters will be seeking revenge against none other than Marcus. The twist and turns were easily followed unexpected as they were. Little Villian had me wanting more. Thank you for the ARC, I can’t wait to see what happens next! 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ spice

[Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

The emotional roller coaster this book took me on is insane and i loved it. I am absolutely gutted and need the third book yesterday. I don’t think a book has left me speechless before; im still trying to process so bear with me. You need to read Little Fury first and its so worth it; B. Mackenzie has me in a chokehold. Add both books to your TBR ASAP!

[Alisha Pascual · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again, this book had me on an emotional rollercoaster. And those plot twists?! Usually I can tell where a story is heading and what’s likely to happen but I was so suprised at what happened. Then you have all these amazing characters that are added—Jonah, Colin, Dimitri, etc. This is such an amazing, beautifully written dark mafia romance.

I am a wreck after reading this. Both books are amazingly written and good books will make you cry whether it’s happy, sad or angry crying. And I did it all. So excited for the next book, to see the journey that book will take us on.

[DeAnna Beeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

All aboard this extremely emotional roller-coaster of plot twists. The passion between the characters is top tier, and I love how developed each character is!
The way book one ( Little Fury) made me want to scream out loud I should've known book two was going to come in even hotter. That damn cliffhanger. I need book 3 like yesterday.
There's just something about a Mafia romance that hits every time.

Favorite Quote:

“I would raze the world over your death; I would leave nothing standing until everyone has lost as much as me,”

[E.J. Lindell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the absolute honour to be a beta/arc reader of this book. The spice was absolutely thrilling and by the time I was halfway through reading I was throwing hands: At the author, At the characters, at everything. And when I got to the end I was wrecked.

Well done. I cannot wait to get my hands on book 3

[Courtney Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg! Was such an amazing continuance to Little Fury. Loved this! And spice was spicing!!!

[Jeannette Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC Review.

This book fell a little flat for me. I was expecting a lot of Marcus and Ava, and it just wasn’t there. Some of the plot was good and twists were there. And granted a lot could be explored in the next book but a lot of it just fell short.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought book one was bad, but this book was worse. I started reading later in the day only to end up reading until 5 am. I couldn't put it down. You are still following Ava in this story, but her story has a few twists along the way in this book. I will warn you that this one ends on a cliffhanger, and you will be foaming at the mouth for book 3.

[Elissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

To say I have mixed feelings about this book is an absolute understatement. I started reading this on a 7.5 hour red-eye flight and I did have hopes of sleeping, until I started reading this book. No sleep for this girl. Am I happy with aspects, obviously! Am I furious at B. Mackenzie for other aspects, Absolutely! I’ll admit, I’m a little heartbroken over the cliffhanger at the end. Thank you so much for the ARC for this book, I have been waiting on pins and needles waiting for the second book! Needless to say, I can’t wait for the third book.

[Destiny Erisman · Rating 4 out of 5]

First and foremost, I feel compelled to mention that Little Villain by B. Mackenzie should have included a trigger warning. While the novel doesn’t go into graphic detail, it contains a scene of sexual assault that took me completely by surprise. As someone who can usually compartmentalize, I was not prepared for the shock, and it was difficult to push through. It took me two days to get back into the story. Please be aware of this if you decide to read it.
That being said, Mackenzie delivers what she does best: intense, steamy scenes that are undeniably captivating. The romance is over the top, as expected, but it’s also one of the reasons her books are so popular. There were moments in the plot that felt a bit rushed or forced, and I’ll admit I got frustrated in parts. But by the end of the book, I understood why those moments were necessary. The tension was building to the heartbreaking conclusion, which truly left me gasping.
I had an inkling that something devastating was coming, but I did not expect Mackenzie to break my heart so thoroughly—especially with the way she left me feeling for Ava, the main character. The emotional weight of the story sticks with you long after you finish.
Would I recommend it? Yes, but with caution. The book hits hard emotionally, but it’s worth reading if you’re a fan of Mackenzie’s storytelling. I’m already looking forward to diving into book three!

[Sakura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first dark and mafia romance, and I am surprised I liked this much. The plot, written style and characters are good, the plot twist and all the emotions going through every page were excellent.
I was also lucky enough to get the first book, and I was really glad I applied to get the ARC. I can't seriously wait for the next book and see how everything gets solved.

Thank you so much to @epicabookpr and @b.mackenzie_author for giving me the chance of being an ARC.

#newrelease #kindleunlimitedbooks #kindleunlimited #darkromancebooks #romancereaders #bookstoread #mustread #darkromanceThis is my first dark and mafia romance, and I am surprised I liked this much. The plot, written style and characters are good, the plot twist and all the emotions going through every page were excellent.
I was also lucky enough to get the first book, and I was really glad I applied to get the ARC. I can't seriously wait for the next book and see how everything gets solved.

Thank you so much to @epicabookpr and @b.mackenzie_author for giving me the chance of being an ARC.

#newrelease #kindleunlimitedbooks #kindleunlimited #darkromancebooks #romancereaders #bookstoread #mustread #darkromance

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh man, jumping back into Ava’s world felt like diving headfirst into chaos, the best kind though. You think you’re ready after the first one, but nope, this one cranks the tension way up. It’s darker, messier, and somehow even more emotional. Every time you think you’ve got things figured out, something flips and you’re left just… staring at the page like “wait, what?!”

Ava is still that unstoppable force, but there’s a lot more vulnerability showing through now, which honestly made me love her even more. And the new dynamics? Wild. The chemistry, the tension, the trust issues. It’s all tangled together in such a good way.

I will say, this one hits heavier emotionally. It’s got that mix of betrayal, longing, and survival that keeps your heart pounding and your brain screaming for everyone to just please catch a break already.

It’s intense, addictive, and so well-written that you can’t stop even when you probably should be sleeping. If you liked the first one, this takes everything you loved and pushes it to the edge and somehow still leaves you begging for the next part.

[Carrie Kroll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book! Another incredible read by B. Mackenzie! There's so many things to say about this book. Her writing is so easy to get lost in. I loved witnessing the relationship between Ava, Declan and Liam, the love, the connection the spice. I Love Matt as well! I couldn't put this book down once I started it. I felt the same way about her first installment. You feel like you know the characters, she so effortless writes full rounded lovable characters and a storyline that keep you reading for more! There are some surprises and things you were not expecting while reading the book. So be prepared.:) She made me feel all the feels in this one! Its worth the ride and cannot wait for book 3! Its a must read! I just ordered a physical copy for my library, it deserves a spot on my shelf! :)

[Leah Desjardins · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️
3 🌶️

This one wasn’t as good as the first one in the series but was still a good book and I read it in an afternoon.

Some twists and turns you didn’t really see coming but I was surprised that Marcus is hardly in this book at all.

The ending is really something but was definitely foreshadowed that Marcus was going to “enter into his villain era” even though he already had in the first book.

Matt was an incredible character from the first book and honestly, you just end up liking him more and more throughout this book.

Ava definitely has a lot of trauma and as a result a lot of trust issues which she actively works on throughout this book. Liam and Declan are both still amazing in this book and you can see how much they care for Ava.

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 was absolutely amazing!!! I loved all the raw emotions and problems that happened throughout this book honestly. I’m looking forward to the final book within the series because I’m dying to know what happens next. I have my theories but of course I’m not the author so i have no idea. Again only cons are the spelling errors that seem to happen in this book as well. They don’t seem as bad as book 1 but my recommendation would be to have multiple people really read through it so ur able to fix those before publishing. I really hope this author continues to write though she truly has so much potential just from these two books that are the only ones I’ve seen published for her. As long as some things get tweaked i think she will be the next big thing.

[Lil Paige Ternah · Rating 5 out of 5]

So damn good. Ava is such a bad ass FMC. Her evolving emotionally is sooo relatable!

Do I have feelings? yes

Do I ever admit them when I need to? no

Does it bite me in the ass and perpetuate my cycle of loneliness and reckless behaviour? ya duh! How else do I end up at some guys' studio apartment who promised "a good time" only to get "safely" railed for 7 minutes🙄. Last time I text bathroom numbers btw...

Ava is far from worthless but I get why she places blame where she does. This isn't a cry for attention. For some of us, self worth is constantly moving - never in one place for long. It just is how it is and it takes special people to see through the crap.

Listen Linda, I know my self worth but sometimes I go on sale. 😉

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, just wow, this dark romance had everything. A bad ass strong-willed FMC who takes shit from ever few. It has love and strong growing relationships and heartbreak. And an ex-boyfriend who will not just f*ck off. That guy has got to go hate him in book one. I hate him now. This book had me flipping the pages, and when she finally said yes to making the throuple a thing and expressing all her feelings... you rip my heart out. oh, I can't wait till book 3. I so hope she gets her revenge on that asshole!!! 5 stars and definitely 5🌶 on the spicy scale!!! This definitely needs to be your next dark romance read!

[Shweta Jain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little Villain is the second book in The Deadly Little Things Trilogy. I picked it up with low expectations since I didn’t really enjoy the first book—but as the story progressed, I started loving it. I finally got what I felt was missing earlier.

When it comes to a mafia romance, my brain automatically looks for all the dark stuff—killings, kidnappings, revenge—and this book delivered! The intensity, the twists, and the emotions were exactly what I was craving.

And that ending? It hit me so hard I almost wanted to step into the book and take down the villain myself. Now I’m way too excited to dive into the final part of this trilogy.

[Marsha Graniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG!! Little Villain wrecked me!! This is the continuation of Ava's story with her protectors, Liam and Declan, and her team. This story picks up from Little Fury, and the changes she has gone through caused her to run and mistrust people. I love how she is still badass and cares so much for her team, but also gradually opens her heart to Liam and Declan. Their story slowly brings Ava back to herself and offers her more to life than just being alone. I love their chemistry and how they push her to be the best person she knows she can be. I really enjoyed the story and that ending!! WHY?!?! If you think Little Fury was heartbreaking with the twists and surprises, this one is devastating!!

[Evonna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! From the first page, I was hooked by the gripping story, complex characters, and raw emotions. Ava’s strength and struggles kept me invested, and the tension between her, Liam, and Declan was impossible to put down.

I appreciated how the book explored dark themes with honesty while delivering intense action and heart-stopping romance. The writing was immersive, making me feel every moment. I highly recommend this for fans of dark mafia romance—I can’t wait for the next book!

[Emily Kusmier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m eating these books up

Ma’am are you alright? Like I thought we were friends, besties. How are you going to do me like that with this book?! Then your note at the end of the book? Rude

Anyways, this is the book that’s going to break you. The first book sets you up and you’re like okay I can get into this. I enjoy these characters, the plot, everything. There is tons of foreshadowing so you know something is going to happen and you’re stuck watching in pain.

Off to read the next book and hopefully get some vengeance.

[Michelle Muller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy COW! I loved book one (Little Fury - and yes you do need to read these in order) and couldn't wait for the 2nd installment and it DID NOT DISAPPOINT! We pick up after book 1's cliff hanger and watch Eva, Liam and Doc continue with their lives. There's some great moments that I did NOT expect and through the whole book I felt all the emotions. I could not stop reading this book and finished it in less than 24 hours. And that ending - I was NOT ready for it and 4 days later I'm still a little mad lol But I'm on pins and needles waiting for the next installment! Thanks B. Mackenzie for keeping me on my toes and I so appreciated getting an ARC read of this so I didn't have to wait longer.

[A W · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for a book that has spice from start to finish, look no further. The plot holds your attention, and both Little Fury and Little Villain will have you hooked. I, however, am dead now. I absolutely love little Fury and little villain. I can't wait for book 3.



I, respectfully, want to fight you B. How could you end it like that. My heart is broken and now I must find all the pieces. All the plans, the future, everything is now disrupted.


I read Little Villain as an ARC.

[Cassidy Janssen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where to start! I was given this book as an arc and I am so grateful for the opportunity! I will now be foaming at the mouth for another year till I get my hands on book 3!

If you love a good, friends to lovers to enimes to lovers trope this one it for you. Then add in the mafia element/ with a healthy sprinkle of found family and trained unalivers you are going to be hooked from page 1.

Spicy 🌶️ 🌶️🌶️.5
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️