Maceo

Dillinger Chronicles #2

by Kimberly Brown

Maceo Dillinger is the second eldest son of the Dillinger clan. Being a part of his family organization means Maceo is no stranger to danger, but he as a secret that might just cost him his life. He’s taken on an unapproved caseload and has brought his girlfriend Sharina Gladden along for the ride.

His already dangerous world turns treacherous when Maceo finds himself as a target. The time for keeping secrets is over as escalating threats become increasingly deadly. Maceo is forced to come clean and rely on his family to ensure both his and Sharina’s survival.

When the world gets dark, sometimes you need more than bulletproof vests and backup plans. With Maceo and Sharina living on borrowed time, every second has to count. Who will survive and who will meet a most tragic demise?

Genres: Audiobook, Urban, Romance, African American Romance, African American, Drama, Erotica

343 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 7, 2025

About the author

Kimberly Brown is a South Carolina born and raised author of contemporary/urban romance. She strives to create stories that readers can visualize in their heads as the pages turn. Writing has been a part of her journey since a young age but really became a focal point during her high school years. With the support of her classmates, she began sharing her love of words with others. In 2019 she took her first step towards becoming a serious writer with self-publishing. August of 2021, she made her BLP debut with “Pretty Caged Bird” and is continuing to grow her catalog. With a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a pending masters in Mental Health Counseling, Kimberly loves to incorporate mental health into her writings as she feels it is not talked about or address enough within the African American community.

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Reviews

[Annette Williams]

Shar and Maceo were a true representation of Drunk In Love while in their Bonnie & Clyde era. She was his rider and he was her hitta. These two were the very definition of love, loyalty, devotion, and family over everything. “You know what our family motto is, Charity? ‘Revenge is an act of passion; vengeance is an act of justice.’ Today, justice is mine.” Oh, Charity. She FAFO how the Dillingers get down and didn't live to tell the tale. Mace’s story is exactly what I expected. It was funny, dark, gritty, exciting, and it gave exactly what it was suppose to give. Now that we got a lil preview of Mia’s love interest, I’m uber excited for her story. Titan is with the shyts and he don’t mind pullin’ his gat out on Deuce, Devin or Kerrion. My guy stands on business and he ain’t never scared. I'm keepin' my fingers crossed Mia’s story is next cause, it’s gon’ be good and messy. 😏

[Melise]

This was good, but not as good as the first one. I think the storyline for this one was a little better lol but I don’t want no more kidnapping the rest of this series cus ain’t no way that after Salima’s incident Shar was able to be snatched up. I feel like we did spend just a tad too much time doing mundane things with the couple before we got to the actual action. The fact that they let Charity make it so long was kinda wack especially when the Sr. Stanley was talking cash sh*t “I know everything I’m everywhere yadda yadda” but twice some BS done happened and you wasn’t locked in. I love Mr.Gladden down lmaoo and I’m happy he wasn’t scared to put them paws on folks about his baby.

[Anayah]

All I can say is... yes. I will be continuing this series, thank you.

[Shawn M.]

I’m sorry this was a hell no for me. This was boring as hell and long for no reason . I heard smoke was the best and I kinna wanna read it but this was a waste. Maceo was cool but him and Sharina was stupid as hell. How you a regular ass bitch just decide to go get into some shit for a nigha self esteem issues. Then you get ur ass kidnapped because I wanna go take ur birth control out knowing a bitch trying to kill you??? Seriously??? Like u biig dummy!!! Like everything about them was boring and dumb…. I just couldn’t get into their story. Seem like they was all sex and nothing more. I just can’t get with it. 🤷🏾‍♀️🤦🏾‍♀️🙄….

[Danielle Marcia]

This was action-packed, and the humor made it better, especially with all the dark moments. I’m really enjoying the Dillinger family!

[Brittni]

All Maceo and Sharima wanted to do was hump each other like bunnies and complete covert missions with a shared false sense of invincibility and a stupid, naive, "ride or die" mentality. Noting that their frontal lobes were not fully developed, I looked forward to their delusion bubble popping when a psychopath interfered with their plans. I enjoyed this one more than Deuce.

Update: Just noticing my mistake. I've been calling the FMC Sharima instead of Sharina all this time and throughout my notes bc I got her name mixed up with Salima from the first book 🤦🏾‍♀️🤣

[LaShaun’s Literary Lounge]

3.5 stars 🌟🌟🌟

[babygyalreadit]

I love the characters I just am not a fan of how their story was told and that they were already together at the start of the book. Most of the relationship was already in progress from book one so we missed out on seeing them fall in love and instead we were given snippets of moments via flashbacks so it was hard to believe it because we didn’t experience it if that makes sense.

I love this family and this series so far but the outside plot in this one I think overshadowed the romance. Edited for Smokes book tho.

[tane'a]

4.5⭐️

[Stacie]

Absolutely loved!! Rtc!!

Reread July 25, 2026
Still absolutely loved!!

[SumFire]

I came in pondering WHY Maceo is not Main character material. He may not be my bookbae, but this book, this storyline, This family was completely worth the read.

Second in command and couldn't see all these 🚩🚩🚩, But crying cause you want your own thing.

Maceo had my annoyance on 10! Like watching WYT people in a horror movie like "the killer is in the house"! Lol!

The villain? Chef kiss! Charity villained, like a villain never villained before! She was a BEAST!!

I love that I got to see this couple sort of bond in the previous book. Since their relationship was a bit caught up in the struggle of this turf war in this book.

Sharina and Maceo had to fight for those little moments together, and so it made them so much more precious for them and me as a reader. She was his ride, and he was her roller. I can't say enough!

This book brought all the action and angst that the previous book didn't, and that is saying a lot because I loved me some Deuce!

📚Genre: urban romance/ Crime Fam
🔥Spice Level: 🔥🔥
⚠️Possible Triggers: Kidnapping Murder Human Trafficking Hematolagnia (Blood Fetish)

I said what I said and as always: don't take my word for it. Read the book, form your own opinions, and support your authors! 🫶🏿📖👏🏾

[becs 🌻🌸🌷]

2.5 ⭐️

Imagine my surprise when I open this book and realise I’m not gonna be reading Maceo and Shar going from fwb to lovers. The book just started with them as lovers with a serious time jump and I didn’t appreciate that.

Also, Sharina is a dumbass and this book dragged for me so badly. Her first dumb mistake was sneaking with Maceo behind the family’s back because his pride was hurt 👎🏾

Second dumb mistake was knowing that girl’s crazy ass was going after her and still deciding to leave home to remove a freaking birth control. Girl it couldn’t wait until that crazy bitch was dead??? Do not piss me off omgggg

Then Maceo pissed me off when Sharina is continuously telling him she’s having bad feelings about Charity and he keeps brushing her off.

Lastly, every single important plot point was a flashback and those were not needed at all. Just keep everything in the present instead of flashbacks to one day ago?! It kind of gives lazy writing to me if I’m being honest.

Ps: If anybody gets kidnapped in book 3 I would be stopping this series because pleaseeee. Give me a different storyline for the conflict!!! Make somebody run away or get shot or something else. But no more kidnappings it’s so overdone and just makes me hate how careless the fmc’s are 😭😭😭

[thebookcritic_]

I didn’t really like this one. Although there was action, it dragged for me. No matter how much the author tried to convince us, Maceo rushed and took that step because they were in danger. Funny enough, Maceo kind of felt like the odd man out and he’s the only one of his brothers without a nickname. I hated that Charity got a POV. Everything should’ve been revealed from Maceo or Shar’s POV. Especially because the scene was repeated in the next POV. I feel like the whole marriage thing was overdone. It didn’t matter if they were married or not. It was over the top. As dark as this book went, Charity would’ve actually marked Shar up.

Jaeda and Mia would be Deja’s ‘sisters’ not aunts.

[dhaybooks]

love my girl sharina but i liked the first book more

[Tamika Jones]

🌟4
Shar is my spirit animal. Two people who weren’t looking for love and ended up falling straight into it forever warms my heart. Now they both was dumb as hell with the Bonnie and Clyde act but hey if the sex is that good who am I to judge. Even though people were main characters I was sad to see the death of a few people that’s associated with the family. Jae surprised me with the type of hittah she is. She is definitely one not to be played with that’s for sure and I’m looking forward to her book.

P.S. I can already see Mia book with her love interest is about to be a hot mess and I’m ready for that ride too🤭

[Sharika Sellman]

Maceo and Shar were definitely a match for each other ! I enjoyed seeing how they brought out the softest in each other and how they ain’t play about one another . Bonnie and Clyde 🥰🤞🏽

I enjoyed the banter throughout the book between them , the siblings and the in- laws . I also how no matter what one does the others always have their back but after telling them how they fxxcked up lol .

[Ryann']

Updating my rating to 4.75 stars! I haven't stopped thinking about it since I read it.

4 stars even! Lots of spicy scenes, a little predictable, a tiny bit sad, but very good! I like that this started with them already in a relationship and working up from there! Definitely not a book to read in public though, I spent most of my commute checking to see if anyone could hear the audiobook playing because the spicy scenes were so explicit. They had me blushing and everything

[Candee]

3.5 🌟
“When you love a woman, she should never have to ask you for shit. It’s your job as a man to know what she needs. If you don’t know what she needs, give her the means to get it herself.”

[Qua'Tesha Ratliff]

Sharina and Maceo were so compatible. Down to the crazy lol! I loved it! Those Dillinger men don’t play about their women and their women don’t play about them!

[Robyn Fletcher]

Chaper 24/25 was twist I wasn't expecting. She did her thing with this book.

[Sisireia]

I'm hooked on this series! I love the banter between the siblings when they all get together and I love the way they love one another. The Dillinger's are doing great work and while it may not be savory, it's for the greater good. Something tells me though, we may be seeing Charity again.

[Jerrica (Mrsmar10Reads) Martin]

Shar and Maceo

These two were crazy in love. I knew they would have an intensity to them when I read Deuce's book, but they exceeded expectations. Charity/Quinn, that is what you call a real psychopath! The Dillingers, The Gladdens, and everybody made this book complete. I think I can already see where Mia and Jaeda's book may be heading and I'm excited... Especially for our girl Jaeda to find her equal. Mr. Stanley and Mr. Paul having a whole fight was the light that whole situation needed!😳

[Tams Reading Nook]

This was a nice addition to this series. Maceo’s love for Shar was undeniable, and they were definitely on their Bonnie & Clyde ish. Maceo’s insecurities leading to his reckless decision which put his family in danger had me putting my book down a few times. When Shar tried warning and he wasn’t listening was frustrating and had me punching the air, because Maceo, please! I enjoyed the sibling banter between Maceo, Smoke, and Deja. It was hilarious. Especially when they went to see about her friend in her room, I hollered. Now Charity, she worked on my nerves! It took too long for her to get what she deserved, but when fate finally knocked on her door, I was here for it.

See the full review on my blog.

[Goddess’ Smut Library 🩷]

3.25⭐️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

First, I would like to say that the drama in this book was very unnecessary. I get that the author had to have a plot, but I really thought it was just annoying. I love the chemistry between the FMC and the MMC, but I felt like it was very surface-level. We really didn’t get a lot of one-on-one interactions with them. And I just knew that there was going to be a surprise pregnancy, but there wasn’t because their sexual chemistry is off the charts 🤭The villain of the story was literally sick in the head, and the whole book was focused basically on her. I liked that a lot of the minor characters stood out, and with reading the first book in this book, we were continuing to get to know them better.


Friends to lovers✔️
Found family✔️
secret marriage ✔️
kidnapping ✔️
rescue missions ✔️

[Jite]

wow.

Because I thought I already knew Maceo and Shar’s relationship from Book 1, I didn’t expect this book to be as emotional, suspenseful, fun, dark and and romantic as it was. Understanding Maceo’s motivation for wanting to take trafficking rescue jobs to be seen and valued and Shar wanting to feel empowered after being unable to intervene in her cousin’s kidnapping in the previous book made this feel more emotionally-grounded. As a main couple, they were well-matched with Shar’s love language being getting gifts and Maceo’s being giving them.

I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would and even though Smoke has the next book and to be honest nobody reading this cares about Smoke (we all want Jaeda), reading this has convinced me that Smoke’s book will be a revelation and I can’t wait to check it out.

[Shalana]

3.5 ⭐

Sharina and Maceo are crazy in love and honestly just damn crazy, but it works for them. In this book they are a year or so into their relationship so we're seeing a couple already in love and really working through the dynamics of everything else in their lives.

Sharina is a ride or die...in the truest sense because baby girl almost died behind Maceo's ass. Maceo is working through what he sees as his place in his family and trying to keep both he and Sharina safe.

Lots of violence and lots of heat. Decent read but not my fav book by Ms. Brown.

[Lia]

This is easily a 5-star book but I have it 4 because Maceo was my least favourite character and I didn't like the flashbacks and repetitiveness. Other than that I loved the plot twist and the action filled parts and the ending was satisfactory. I'm excited to read more books in the series. I hope Mia gets her book. I'm curious about her and Titan 👀

[Tazja Lewis]

Yassssss Shar!!! She riding for her man lol. This whole family is hilarious. I want the book for the baby sister. Meeting her “Boo” in this book seems like it’s either going to be very interesting or annoying lol.

[Jaszmin]

I was not expecting the thrill that came with this book. Maceo and Shar really had me stressed with the secrets and the way they were moving. I honestly think Mia's book should be next. I dont even remember Smoke being in this book or having a love interest.

[Mika Verrett]

✨Book Review✨

Going into this book, we already knew Maceo and Shar ended up together since Shar is Salima’s best friend from Book 1 and Maceo is Deuce’s brother. So the question wasn’t if they would get together—it was how they got there.

And after reading their story, I’ve decided we’re officially dubbing these two the Dillinger family’s Bonnie and Clyde. 😂

Because when I say they were ride or die for each other, I mean exactly that.

From the very beginning, Shar and Maceo were locked in. No hesitation. No confusion. No wondering where they stood. They were all in, and I loved every second of it.

Now Maceo…

Sir.

I understood where he was coming from with taking contracts outside of the family organization. I really did. His desire to prove himself and feel needed made sense.

But let’s be honest.

It was also a terrible idea. 😂

My boy was taking entirely too many risks and putting himself in situations that could have easily been avoided. His heart was in the right place, but sometimes good intentions aren’t enough. You have to use your brain, and unfortunately there were real consequences and casualties because of some of those decisions.

I spent a good portion of this book wanting to shake him and tell him to sit down somewhere.

Now Shar?

My girl knew exactly who she was.

She wasn’t playing about her role, her position, or her man.

Maceo caught a lot of heat for bringing her into the organization, but Shar was never some innocent bystander being dragged along. She willingly chose her place beside him and stood ten toes down every step of the way.

That’s what made their dynamic work so well for me.

They weren’t just lovers.

They were partners.

True partners.

And I absolutely loved that.

And let’s talk about Maceo being the biggest trick in the entire Dillinger family for a second. 😂

Because baby, when that man loves, he LOVES.

Maceo was not playing about Shar, and one thing he was going to do was make sure she knew exactly how much she meant to him. The level of generosity this man showed throughout the book was honestly impressive.

A PRIVATE PLANE as a wedding gift?!

Sir. 😮‍💨

That’s the type of carrying on I like to see.

Maceo spent the entire book making it clear that Shar wasn’t just somebody he loved—she was somebody he valued. And I appreciated that Kimberly Brown showed that through both his actions and the way he provided for and protected the woman he loved.

Listen, if my man isn’t spending private-plane-money on me, is he really my man? 😂

We love a man with deep pockets who’s not afraid to open them.

One of my favorite parts of the book was Shar’s relationship with her father.

It was refreshing to see such a strong father-daughter bond on the page. That man did not play about his daughter, and I loved every minute of it. Watching Paul square up with Senior over Shar had me cracking up because both of those men were standing firmly in their “protect our kids at all costs” era. 😂

Honestly, one thing Kimberly Brown continues to do well throughout this series is showcase Black fathers who love, protect, and show up for their children.

I love seeing it.

Another thing I’m really enjoying is how naturally each spouse is being integrated into the Dillinger family. Every new addition feels welcomed, valued, and included. The family dynamic continues to be one of my favorite aspects of this series.

And can we talk about Jaeda for a second?

My sweet girl is so shy and innocent that the fact she hasn’t even had her first kiss yet is honestly adorable. 🥹

But I’m definitely curious to see how her story unfolds.

Now Mea and Tyson?

Whew.

That relationship already feels like it’s going to be toxic, messy, and completely entertaining.

And I’m absolutely going to be seated for every second of it. 😂

Then we have Charity.

Let’s talk about this woman.

Because BABY…

That broad was a certified nutcase.

The entire family had to pull up and get involved because she had completely lost the plot. And that final scene involving her and Blaine only confirmed what I had been thinking the entire book.

That woman is insane. 😂

Overall, the Dillinger family has me completely locked in.

The romance is good.

The action is good.

The family dynamics are good.

The sibling interactions are hilarious.

And every book leaves me wanting to know more about the next person in line.

At this point, I’m fully invested in the entire clan.

So naturally, I’m running straight to Smoke’s book because I need to know what he’s got going on.

If you enjoy crime-family organizations, ride-or-die couples, strong family bonds, protective fathers, sibling shenanigans, action, romance, and a family that will absolutely pull up for one another when needed, then this is definitely a series worth checking out.


Book: Maceo
Author: Kimberly Brown
Genre: Urban Romance
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🥵🥵🥵🥵