Speak Now

Opposites Attract #2

by R.S. McKenzie

Declan

I’ve always been angry, always had a short fuse. It got worse when my best friend was killed. I avenged his death, but it made me hollow. I had no one to count on.

When my life is threatened, I have no one to turn to. Not until Nico invades my life and promises to keep my secrets. Once I have him, there’s no way I’m letting him go.

Nico

One of my favorite things to do? Piss off the younger Whitlock. He makes it too easy. When I see him in my favorite kink club, I decided to push his buttons. What happens next is a night I’ll never forget.
And I can’t keep Declan off my mind.

When I find out he’s being blackmailed with no one to help him untangle that web, I offer to help him out while keeping it a secret from Carter, his older, overprotective brother.

As we grow closer, I vow to do anything to keep him safe.

Anything.

Speak Now is a mild annoyance to lovers, mafia son and bodyguard, grumpy/sunshine MM romance with two men that shouldn’t fall in love, but do.

Genres: M M Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Dark, Grief, Dark Romance, Abuse, Crime

276 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 26, 2026

Reviews

[Julia (bookish.jka) · Rating 4 out of 5]

"A throat clearing has us breaking apart, Declan pushing me off hard until I land a few feet from him. I look up to see Kai, his expression a mix of incredulity and humor. His liops twitch as he stuffs his hands in his pants pockets. "You don't kiss me like that when we spar, Nico."

Speak Now is book two in the Opposites Attract series by R.S. McKenzie, which follows on from With This Ring (which I highly recommend!) with the series focusing on the Whitlock and Carter mafia families.

This is Declan and Nico's story.

What To Expect:

🖤MM mafia romance
🖤Bodyguard/mafia son
🖤Dark themes
🖤Violence and loss
🖤Grumpy/sunshine
🖤First times
🖤All the spice
🖤HEA

Loved both these boys!

Can't wait for Gavin and Percy in To Love and To Cherish.

4 stars

[Betty Loves Books Galore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an annoyance to more romance, featuring Nico and Declan, and is book one in the Opposites Attract series.

Declan, hardened by grief and anger, finds unexpected support when Nico steps in to protect his secrets and help him escape blackmail.

This was an emotional read with great chemistry and strong hurt-comfort vibes. I loved watching teasing turn into trust and seeing Declan finally get someone who chooses him and keeps him safe. These two were so good together.

Things to expect in this book are:
Book 1 in series
MM dark mafia romance
Check CW
Annoyance to more
Mafia son x bodyguard
Grumpy x Sunshine
Hurt / Comfort
MC with freckles
Kink club hook up
Spicy times & dirty talk
Spanking & marking
Pierced c*ck
Olive oil as lube
Admit feelings
Blackmail mystery
Kidnapping & Torture
Escape & Revenge
Found family
HEA

[NitaBee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rtc

[DeeReads412 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is seriously amazing! I loved With This Ring, and Speak Now was just as good! I adore Declan, sweet grumpy Declan. His heartbreak from losing Hendrix broke my heart. You could feel it right down to your bones. It showed a softer side of Declan. He was so strong and could definitely take care of himself, but I loved how he needed Nico in so many ways. Nico's protective nature was probably my favorite part of this book. It was there and steadfast but never overwhelming. They are so perfect for each other!

I absolutely adored how RS McKenzie can immerse you in a world, and characters and make you feel like you are right there in on the action. This story had me tearing up, laughing, and feeling totally justified in feeling a little unhinged. I will forever read anything RS writes!

If you are looking for a fun, fast paced MM mafia romance this is DEFINITELY a book for you!

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew I was gonna love Declan from With this Ring!

1st person POV Dual
Plot 4.5/5
Spice 3.5/5
Annoyance to lovers
Mafia son / Bodyguard
Hurt / Comfort
Switch Roles
HEA



My heart broke for Declan! I didn't expect his story to be so emotional, he is a hot head at times and seemed so impulsive, but there was so much more going on with him! The loneliness that he suffered all his life, and what happened to his mother! 😭

Then comes Nico! Nico breaks through all those walls and damn if it isn't beautiful! It's not all rainbows and butterflies for them but they make it after some horrid shit happens to Declan.

[Leelah🍁♋️ Orion · Rating 4 out of 5]

he has his person!

This was such a great story. Thank you thank you for writing stories with Black Brown and other POC in it. I loved watching these two break each others walls down to see beyond the hardness, and actually see each others tenderness. I loved how they saw each other when no one else did. That they took the time to see each other. The banter was fun and had me chuckling a few times. I loved the possessiveness of each other even before they were each other’s person. I love the chaotic family that had nothing but love for each other. The writing was great at it usually is with this author and the spice was fire.

My one and only complaint…. This story was about men who are criminals, the thing I appreciate most was that these criminals were never derogative towards people’s gender, sexuality, or race. That’s why I can read. So please remember that when speaking about our disabled communities. The off handed comment about the “freaks who wear masks” was not needed and is harmful. As a person who would be a freak who has to mask because she’s immunocompromised, that wasn’t a great thing to read. So please be kind, even if you don’t understand it, even if you aren’t in the community.


In the know:
Dual POV
No cheating/sharing
No om/ow drama
Yay Diversity (though better care needs to be had for our disabled community in this book)
Kinda relationship before spice

[Gül Türkay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Speak Now — R.S. McKenzie


What does a person want from the one standing in front of them?
Of course, to be loved, to be seen, to feel understood.😌
That’s exactly what Declan had been searching for for years.

Beneath his grumpiness, his anger, and his hard shell, all he ever wanted was for someone to truly see him.
And Nico… did that from the right place, in the right way 🖤

I felt their emotions down to my bones.
Nico tore down Declan’s walls one by one and never gave up.
I completely fell in love with Declan — grumpy yet so incredibly sweet!😍

The enemies-to-lovers dynamic between Nico and Declan was done amazingly well.🔪😈

The way Nico approached Declan carried pure daddy energy 🖤
It didn’t take him long to realize that what looked like an ordinary stone covered in mud was actually a diamond.

And the spicy scenes… absolutely perfect.
I call it the chef’s touch — well-balanced, impactful, and elevating the emotional intensity of the story 🌶️✨

Even though this is the second book in the series, the story strongly maintains its connection to the first book and successfully ties the plot together.

I'll just say that I love this book..

[Jacqueline (Fall In Love With The Sound of Words) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 in the Opposites Attract series delivered exactly what I expected and needed in this sequel.

Declan after loosing his best friend in the previous book is lost and hurting, but no one seems to see that, partially because he refuses to let anyone. However, Nico sees him. Both men don’t like the other until a chance encounter at Devil’s Den club shows them they are compatible in at least one area.

Declan is being blackmailed and Nico decides to help him, whether Declan wants it or not. What ensues is journey of healing that Declan is desperate for.

I liked Declan and Nico much more than Kai and Carter. I felt Declan was really treated so poorly by everyone, but Nico really stepped up for him. The plot took a back seat to the emotional turmoil and romance, it felt more like a plot device for the catalyst that turned lust to love. Once the culprits were discovered everything moved very quickly and resolved quickly as well.

I am excited for Gavin and Percy’s book!

I received an arc copy in exchange for a review. All thoughts are my own.

[Michele (_LivesBtweenPgs_) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Take me back to them!
I never ever expected Declan 🥹
Nico was his perfect match in all the ways he could be. His comfort, his center, his calm in the rage storm. His everything.

I absolutely loved everything about this book and these two. I was curious about Declan in book 1 and now that I got his story I adore him even if he is a lovable unhinged psycho, add in Nico and we have ourselves a party.

Declan’s pain and hurt jumped off the page at me and I felt it in my chest. Deep down he just wanted them to care about him instead of tearing him down.
All it took for everyone to open their eyes was the unthinkable.

RS McKenzie does simply amazing at these dark stories!
I cannot wait for Percy & Gavin!
The shy nerdy type and bodyguard who is just as unhinged as the men he protects, yes please!

[ReadingWithShadow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Speak Now (ARC)
Author: @rs_mckenzie_author

⭐ Rating:🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 /5

Since I read With This Ring, I knew Nico and Deck was going to be one of my favorites. The way their small banter and gruffs in the first book. Deck, this man deserves all the love and hugs. Nico was definitely everything Deck needed that he didn't know he needed! This book was phenomenal in all aspects of banter, spice, character growth and plot.

Amazing read add it to your TBR right now. But make sure you check it out, With this Ring to know Kai and Carter's story.

Of course check your triggers and happy reading!


#readingwithshadow #speaknow #bookrecs #bookreviews #followformore

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book follows on from book 1 but features a different couple although there is quite a lot of Kai and Carter from book 1.
This is Declan, Carters brother and Nico one of Kai's bodyguards
Declan is getting blackmail letters and reluctantly lets Nico in so he can help him fine the writer.
When Declan discovers the cage boss at the casino is stealing, he ends up dead and the letters stop. However on a night out Nico and Declan let their guard down and Declan ends up getting kidnapped by the blackmailler.
The guys then have to find the abductor in time to stop them killing Declan.
I enjoyed this instalment but the torture scene was a little too much for me.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
I hadn’t read book 1, Kai and Carter’s story, so had no preconceived ideas about Declan or Nico coming into the book. Declan is a real hothead, acting from a place of anger rather than thinking things through, sometimes a liability in his role in charge of security for the Whitlock-St. Clair crime family. He functions with the trauma from the murder of his mother at age eight, and the death of his best friend and bodyguard in the recent past. His father was the head of the organization, now run by his brother Carter and his husband Kai. After his mother’s death, Carter received all the attention from his father as the heir, while Declan was either ignored or criticized for doing things his own way, and so is angry most of the time. Nico is Kai’s bodyguard, but he sees things in Declan that no one else does, understanding how the loss of his best friend and the constant criticism from his family has a negative effect on his disposition and his life. Even though Nico and Declan don’t really like each other, Nico shows an understanding for Declan that no one else has since the death of his BF, Hendrix, offering to listen and keep his secrets. When an unexpected encounter has the two hooking up one night, an unusual relationship is born, one where the two become closer physically and emotionally, each having the other’s back. When Declan is being blackmailed, Nico finds out and offers to help, while keeping the knowledge from Declan’s family as requested, all while the bond between them continues to strengthen. As the blackmailer steps up pressure, Declan finds himself in a situation where he must fight for his life, with Nico being the driving force behind his will to live and see him again.

The story is dark, violent and bloody on the mob side, with steamy encounters between Declan and Nico breaking up the more violent parts with a softness and tenderness not really expected between the two as feelings grow. As Declan and Nico deal with the darker parts of their lives, they also find the person that they can trust, the one to support, protect, and love them, an anchor in the chaotic world they live in. Characters are realistic and relatable, you can feel Declan’s anger oozing from the page, and the calm that descends on him when he is with Nico. Nico helps him learn to control his anger and thinking things through more clearly in a way he never had before. You see Declan change into a better, more comfortable and complete version of himself under Nico’s love and care. It was satisfying to see Declan get the love he had missed through his losses, and to see Nico gain something he had never expected, also.

I will go back to read Carter and Kai’s story, to see what Declan was like before Nico’s influence, as well as get the backstory for this one, and will watch for the story for the next couple to find each other within this unusual found family. If you don’t mind violence, blood and gore when you read, and you like two strong, ruthless, brutal men finding their more tender side as they navigate their violent and chaotic world, this book would probably work for you. I know it did for me.

I received an advance copy of the book for free and this is my voluntary review.

[True Loveislovereview · Rating 5 out of 5]

Declan is the second son of the Whitlock family, which is connected through marriage to the St. Clair family. Both are mafia families with legal and illegal businesses. (see book #1)

Declan’s father and his older brother, Carter, always talk down to him and berate him, as if he’s inadequate. It makes him furious. Well, I felt the same, I wanted to strangle Carter! Maybe Declan is impulsive and kills too easily, but he’s capable! He had to figure out everything by himself!
Losing Hendrix, his best friend, makes him drift. He was his right hand, his bodyguard, he misses him badly and feels alone. He won’t let anyone get close again, it hurts too much!

There’s one person who sees him: Nico, Kai St. Clair’s best friend and bodyguard.
Nico is the only one who sees Declan’s grief, the anger, and maybe his loneliness. But Declan can’t stand Nico, right? Right!
Until, Nico offers him some sexual relief. Declan takes the offer, it’s just a one-time thing.
Uh-uh, as if! It was the best he ever experienced, and it was mutual.

Declan is getting blackmailed, and Nico offers him help, he’s the only one who knows.
Slowly Declan lets his guard down, for Nico and nobody else!

Oh boy, without spoiling what happens next I’ll only tell you they got Declan, bad!

What a fabulous story this was! It was rough, with deadly violent men, with big mouths.
Declan and Nico are vicious and ruthless, but despite this, you’ll love them.
Every action and situation was palpable. The struggle, the violent eliminations, the torture, the grief, the love, I felt it all. Everything was so wonderfully executed!
While reading I was sitting on the edge of my couch, so much suspense!
The somewhat softer parts and the sexual side of this story were just as fabulous!
Overall, a great story, captivatingly written, in short: a winner!


Read and reviewed for LoveBytes - LGBTQ bookreviews

[TLR · Rating 3 out of 5]

Awkward writing in the first half & unbelievable story (spoilers)

The first part of the book seemed to have been written by someone else. It was awkward to read because the author of the first half did not understand the concept of verb agreement. The verb tenses were all over the place within the body of a single sentence. The second half was better written, technically speaking.
As for the story, it could have been a lot stronger. No legit crime family is going to look at that casino cashier, as he was described, and think he was capable of an elaborate blackmailing scheme— especially when Declan himself said he’d never harmed the cashier or his family before so why would he seek revenge?
And what legit crime family is going to kill someone and then keep the son of the man they murdered in the trusted inner circle as a guard? After Declan was taken, it’s hard to believe the son (aka Austin) was not the first suspect. He wasn’t a suspect at all and poor Declan had to rescue himself while his family sat there wondering where he went with their thumbs up their you-know-whats.
The author should have used a little more creativity. As it is, it’s not a believable story and I rolled my eyes more than once. Still, I finished it, which is saying something in this climate of sub-standard, self-published books that so often are not worth finishing. Hence the 3 stars. If this were 10 years ago before people started publishing their own work, I’d give this a 1 star. See how our standards are going down?
I’d like to be kinder here but I feel like if the readers don’t do the job that an editor obviously wasn’t hired to do, then the quality is just going to keep getting worse and worse. I’m a writer. And I’m constantly disappointed in the way things are going. To all writers, PLEASE HIRE AN EDITOR!

[Ana Silva · Rating 5 out of 5]

How many times can I say I loved this book?? I don’t think saying it a million times would be enough to express how beautiful, sexy, hurt/comfort and absolutely amazing it was.

Declan had my heart since book one. I have a weak heart for the underdog and in book one, Declan was treated like a hothead(ok, he was😅), and was never taken seriously. His father and brother never saw his true potential because they only focused on his trigger happy nature.

They didn’t see how much he was hurting after losing his mom and later his best friend. They only saw what they wanted not the real him.

But Nico did see his pain. He could see how much Declan was hurting inside and even though they hated each other, it didn’t stop him from wanting to help.

What started as a means for stress release, became so much more than they expected. It was inevitable for feelings to develop between them when they spent so much time together.

Declan’s scowls and bad temper didn’t scare Nico. On the contrary, they made him even more attractive. Nico knew it was just Declan’s defense mechanism to not seem weak.

I can’t forgive R.S. for what she did to Declan but I understand why she did it. He became a lot stronger after that experience and it allowed his family to see he was so much more than just his shoot first, ask later personality. He was just as good as the rest of them.

“𝑰 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝑵𝒊𝒄𝒐.” 𝑯𝒆 𝒃𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒔 𝒂 𝒍𝒂𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒆𝒔 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒂 𝒔𝒐𝒃. “𝑰 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝑰’𝒅 𝒔𝒂𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕. 𝑵𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝑰’𝒅 𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒂 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒂𝒚 𝒊𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖.”

“𝑰’𝒎 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆, 𝑫𝒆𝒄𝒍𝒂𝒏. 𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝑰’𝒎 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒈𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆.”

I loved them so much! If anyone deserved to be happy, it was Declan. He finally found someone who saw HIM and loved everything that entailed.

[Latty|The Creative · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE IT 🔥🔥🔥🔥

I've been savoring this book; it's like I didn't want it to end, but sigh, here we are :).

OMG!!!!! NICO and DECLAN the men that you ARE!!! These two gave energy back in With This Ring and while I suspected they'd make a hot couple they ended up defying my expectations by being wholesome, yes these two hardcore mafia men are wholesomely beautiful! And they're verse!!!!!! Tell me something hotter!!!!!

I'm glad these two got their own story because it's sooooo good and speaks volumes about them as a couple. Through Nico and Declan, we get to see my babies Kai and Carter in a new light, I would've never guessed Carter was borderline like Charlie in his treatment towards Declan and I'm glad Nico clocked him on that and it was also nice seeing Kai's development through these two perspectives.

This was darker than book 1 a lot more bloodier and I ate it up! Declan even in his situation stood on business and I've never respected him more. Though heavier than book 1 I love that the type of humor I live for remains in the story, I love how Rs McKenzie tends to do that in her stories.

Manuel, good seeing him again, and congrats on his promotion he deserves it! Speaking of Manuel I appreciated the fact that he wasn't there to replace Hendrix and the fact that Rs made sure he wasn't forgotten is the most realistic representation of loving not only a friend but someone you consider your sibling.

I feel as if I'm rambling and I could go on and on about how this book both smashed my expectations and impressed me and I'm sooo looking forward to book 3 because there is no way Gavin and Percy ain't getting on the fun, right Rs McKenzie ;). You don't have to confirm or deny just whisper and tell me in my ear ;) ;) ;).

Speak Now, LOVE IT!!!

[Mandy (MP Book Reviews) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Declan has always lived with anger simmering under his skin, a fire that only worsened after his best friend was killed. Avenging that death left him hollow and alone, with no one to trust when threats start closing in—until Nico steps into his life. What begins as Nico teasing the younger Whitlock at a kink club turns into a night neither of them can forget, and soon Nico discovers Declan is being blackmailed with no one to turn to. Determined to protect him, Nico keeps Declan’s secrets even from his overprotective brother, and the two grow closer as danger tightens around them. With a mafia war brewing and their feelings deepening, Declan and Nico—bodyguard and mafia son—must fight to keep each other safe and figure out whether their forbidden connection can become something real.

I came away from this one feeling a bit disappointed. The story dragged in places, slipping into a repetitive cycle of dislike and sniping between the two men that felt overdone and, at times, monotonous. Their dynamic relied so heavily on mutual irritation that it left little room for deeper character development or emotional nuance beyond the constant self‑inflicted angst. That said, the final stretch of the book was far stronger. Once the tension between them finally shifted into passion and genuine connection, the story became far more engaging and satisfying. Their chemistry does land — it just takes a long, bumpy road to get there. A romance with a rewarding ending, but one that requires patience to push through the slower, repetitive middle. This was an MM story with mature content.

[Mikaela (risqué.romance) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Speak Now - RS McKenzie
5/5✨🌟

* SPOILERS *

This is the second book in this amazing series. I really thought that the first book in this series was my favorite with Carter and Kai but geez, Declan and Nico take it a whole other level and I was here for it. I love me a good mafia book with all the possessive vibes.

Annoyance to lovers is where it’s at. The little snide comments or even the playful banter had me eating this book up. Declan had me laughing with his dry humor or as Nico says… “his signature scowl”. Also, I absolutely loved the most sweetest moment in the shower scene when Nico washes Declan but damn… those survival words. Geez. I was an emotional roller coaster right there.

I’m not going to give too much away because you just have to read it! I am loving this series how each couple has made me fall in love with them.

I love the found family especially and how they truly look out for one another. I was jumping for joy when Declan and Carter finally had a very needed conversation and I even teared up because ugh, these two have been through it. I also really enjoyed the conversation that Nico and Carter had because protective vibes all around.

I love Nico and his protective ways. The little pet names had me smiling so hard because ugh, pet names and endearments are everything.

All in all, I need more from this series.

I received a copy of this book and this is my honest review.

[Nina Diab · Rating 5 out of 5]

'I ask, even though I know I shouldn’t. This isn’t what we are. We f---, I keep his secrets about whoever is blackmailing him, and make sure Carter never finds out about any of this. I don’t get to be in his business about where he got his scars.
But there’s something about this Whitlock man that makes me want to. I’m a fool, I know it. At no point have Declan and I ever had an even halfway decent conversation...
I should have kept my mouth shut, but… where’s the fun in that? I want to break down those walls, bulldoze those defenses. Despite having Carter, Declan feels alone. He needs someone now that Hendrix is gone. I’m setting myself up for failure. I’m here now. Declan will be mine. Fully and completely.
What a fool I am.'

I loved this book. This story was fast-paced, dark and dangerous, with suspense and plenty of action. Great world building and wonderful characters. I loved both Nico and Declan. I loved the dynamic between them and the way their relationship developed. Declan was so guarded and angry. And he had a right to be. But Nico wouldn't give up on him; wouldn't stop trying to get under those walls. Take that chance in spite of everything and risk his heart. The chemistry between them was scorching hot! I got emotionally invested in these two and was hooked. I can't wait to listen to this in audio! 5 stars

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you R.S. McKenzie for a copy of this book. This review is entirely my own.

Declan is here and this baby brought the pain. Declan isn't seen by his brother and father. They see him as someone who shoots first and asks questions later. They are not wrong but there is so much more to Declan.
Nico is intrigued by Declan and is the only person that seems to see what Declan tries so hard to hide, he sees what others do not see. One chance night will change their lives. When Nico finds out that Declan is being blackmailed, he steps in to help. He does so much more than just offering his help. He shows Declan that he is trustworthy and will have his back.
When something happens, one of them will go to hell and back to show the other how he feels, while the other will fight his way back to the man he loves.

This book was full of spice, of twists and two men that will fight each other and everyone that tries to come between them. This book will grip you from the moment you start reading but it will not let go. There was a point on the book that was extremely hard to read just because of what was happening. I was on the edge of my seat and when it ended, all I could do was sit there think about these boys and this story.

[SNik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second in series (Opposites Attract), but can be read as a standalone. Dislike to lovers. Grumpy/sunshine. Dual POV. Heed content warnings.

Declan has a reputation as the hothead in the Whitlock crime family, and maybe he does kill first and ask questions later, but he’s struggling and no one sees it except Nico. He may not be Declan’s bodyguard, but Nico does feel a protective pull towards Declan, especially once he finds out Declan is being blackmailed.

There was something about these two giving in to their attraction and then feeling immediately possessive that made this such a fun story. I enjoyed that there wasn’t a power imbalance between them and that both could be vicious but also caring. There was plenty of steam but also the real connection of Nico’s kindness and respect filling Declan’s need to be acknowledged as capable but also supported. My favorite parts are when they both internally acknowledge that they aren’t planning to let the other go and the absolute commitment.

[Amalas · Rating 5 out of 5]

If barbed quips, trading punches and general dislike could be considered love languages...

Declan and Nico were never meant to be friends, let alone lovers. Members of rival families that become a blended family leads to a fire that burns hotter than either of them could have imagined.

Declan has walls no one can see see, and is capable of hiding his pain from those that are supposed to be closest to him. He loves and hates that Nico is the one person that can see what he's hiding.
Nico offers support and solice to Declan at a time when Declan is drowning. Declan doesn't trust it, and doesn't want it. Or does he? Nico continues to show up, waiting for Declan to let him in.

One night turns into more, but is it just physical? Are they capable of finding happiness with each other? Or will unknown threats rip them apart before they have a chance to figure it out? Declan and Nico fight for each other and fight for their happiness. The battle isn't short and definitely isn't easy. But their happy ever after is worth every bruise and broken bone.

[Audie Godfrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading Speak Now had me laughing and then crying. Declan and Nico...pure enemies to lovers, but that touch him and die that comes in towards the end...SWOON! Watching these two navigate each other was beautiful. I have never enjoyed seeing sparring as foreplay as much as I did these two, But the first time Nico called Deck Baby, oh I melted! The trials that these two went through made their happy ending so much happier!
I will definitely be rereading this again a few times! Having read With This Ring First, I wanted to hug Declan so many times in that one but in his own book, I just wanted to snuggle him. The chemistry between him and Nico builds so beautifully and what was supposed to be just a convenient one night thing, changed everything. The appearance of Carter and Kai and the seamless integration and even the building of their relationships between the four of them is just beautiful. I can see myself rereading this a few times this year when I need a comfort read. Yes, for me whose favorite color is morally grey...definitely a comfort read!

[Deb Kel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Speak Now delivers a gripping MM romance that blends danger, vulnerability and unexpected tenderness. Declan’s anger and grief sit at the heart of the story, giving his gruff exterior real emotional weight. His need for control clashes beautifully with how much he comes to rely on Nico, even as he fights it.

Nico’s easy confidence and protective instincts balance Declan’s intensity, creating a dynamic that feels both playful and deeply grounded. What starts as provocation quickly turns into something far more meaningful, with trust built through shared secrets and growing stakes. The mafia backdrop adds tension without overwhelming the romance, keeping the story fast-paced and engaging.

Emotional, entertaining and full of chemistry, this is a satisfying read for fans of grumpy/sunshine pairings and protective love interests.

I received a free arc copy and this is my honest review

[Julia Toth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was dark and somewhat unhinged and I loved every moment of it! After Carter getting his happily ever after now it's his brother's turn to find his person. Declan is permanently scowly and assumed to be a hot head, but Nico gets to know him and finds that Declan also has a softness that only comes out with him. I loved them together! They were protective of each from the start and I loved how they fit as a couple. Nico was a great influence for Declan, and Declan finally had a person who looked beyond the surface. I loved how soft Declan was for Nico and how he opened up to him. I also really enjoyed when they were pushing each other's buttons just to rile each other up.

This was dark, but not emotionally heavy, there was some great banter and some sweet moments inbetween the violence and gore. I enjoyed it a lot and I'm excited for the next book in this series and to see more of Kai and Carter and Nico and Declan.

[Kierra Hayes · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️

Speak Now was a good read for me. I liked that the dynamic between Nico and Declan wasn’t a full enemies-to-lovers situation—more like an annoyed, “you’re a fly buzzing around me” kind of vibe because they came from rival mafia families. They didn’t hate each other, but they definitely weren’t trying to like each other either.

It was really cute how Nico just went with the flow on the surface while secretly knowing this was endgame for him and patiently waiting for Declan to catch up. I also loved that Nico was the one who realized Declan was hurting after a certain death and showed him empathy instead of pushing him away. He was willing to see past the walls Declan had built up, which made their connection feel stronger.

Overall, it was a really enjoyable story.

[April Flores · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review:
⭐️4.75

Speak Now is book 2 of The Opposites Attract Series. This is Declan’s and Nico’s story.
I was hooked! I couldn’t put this one down. I love a good Mafia book and this did not disappoint.
Declan is impulsive, has anger issues and is feeling lonely. He’s also being blackmailed.
Nico has more self control and loves riling Declan up.
One hot night at a club has both of them wanting more of each other.
Nico helps Declan with the blackmailing issue and teaches him more self control.
Their relationship is intense, possessive, and protective. They have chemistry and can’t get enough of each other.
When the blackmailing gets worse Nico will do anything to protect him.
I can’t wait for the next one loving this whole series so far!

[Hollyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ratings:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/4
🌶️🌶️/5


Tropes:
🏷️Bodyguard Romance
🏷️Enemies to Lovers
🏷️Dark Romance
🏷️MM Romance
🏷️Romantic Suspense


My Review:
Declan is trying to prove himself to his family. He is known as being a loose cannon but in reality there is a lot to his decisions that no one sees. Nico is working as a guard for Declan’s brother in law. And they have an attraction that they both don’t want to act on because they don’t like that they like each other. I did like that Nico saw beyond the mask of Declan. I mean he didn’t at first but when he did Declan started trusting him more and he let walls down, which I think he needed someone to be able to put the walls down for. I liked these two and it was a pretty entertaining MM Dark Romance Read!

[Wicked River Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a ride! I’ve been curious about Declan since With This Ring (book 1 in this series) and I’m so glad we got his story. I loved seeing the other sides of Declan and getting to know him a bit more beyond the hothead he was made out to be. Nico was perfect for Declan! He never tried to change him, he just sat back and observed giving him the ability to learn Declan and once he did he was able to connect with him. I enjoyed their relationship dynamic. The banter was fun and the shift in relationship was also fun to see! I’m excited about book three! One slightly jumpy but ever dependable character has me intrigued!!


❤️ARC REVIEW🤍


☑️ Trigger Warnings.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy!! My brain can’t even process properly right now. This book was sooo good!! Declan and Nico were pure fire!! Their chemistry was incredible, even when they “hated” each other. The way they had each other’s back’s and were there for one another was incredible. If you are a little squeamish then you might want to skim some of the captive scenes, bc seriously they will make you cringe, but they made you feel what the characters were going through. Also loved seeing more of Carter and Kai and I cannot wait for the next book!!

I received this ARC from the author and these are my honest opinions.