City of Wind and Lies

by Darma Day

Wren James
A hookup with a masked man who sent my cheating ex running down the alley? Count me in.

I never expected to see him again, least of all at my new hire orientation a few weeks later.

Yet, here I am, cornered by him in the breakroom. I've seen the power these hands hold—the way they can go from damaging to delicate in a matter of moments. Now, they're just inches away from mine.

Bowie, my one-night stand turned boss with benefits.

The more time I spend around him the more I suspect he’s involved with something beyond this investment firm. Yet there’s something so dangerously beautiful about this man, the same way a shard of glass shimmers in the light. If I dare to trace his jagged edges, I wonder how long it’ll be before they make me bleed?

Bowie Sorrentino
Loyalty means everything to the family, second only to legacy. My father reminds me of that every time he points out I still don’t have an heir. As the head of the Chicago outfit, at the age of thirty-seven, you'd expect I'd have a wife and a couple of brats by now, but none of the women I've met have been worth my time.
Until the night I met her.
She changed everything.
She changed me.
The closer we get, the more willing I am to trade my life for hers. The question lingers— will she willingly trade her normalcy for a life cast with shadows of violence? And if she does, can I ever truly keep her safe?

Genres: Dark Romance, Mafia Romance, Romance, Dark, M F Romance, Workplace Romance, Forced Proximity

416 pages, Paperback

Published February 14, 2025

About the author

Darma Day is an American indie author who loves reading steamy romance novels as much as she does writing them.

Writing relatable characters in multiple genres (including paranormal, mafia, and more to come) she continues to write the stories that live rent-free in her head.

When she isn’t reading or writing, she is busy with her full-time job in industrial sales, being a wife, dog mom, and coffee connoisseur.

If you’ve happened upon this, know that I truly appreciate that you are here reading my works.

You can follow @Darma_Day on Instagram for updates on her latest works.

Reviews

[Izzah ꒰Duchess of Cabria ಇ ⭑✧ ᴏɴ ᴘᴀᴛʀᴇᴏɴ ✧ ⋆꒱ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Like mixing too many flavored sodas

When the author sat down to write this and thought "Mmm, who should be my target audience?" 🤔💭 she ended up settling for "everyone!!" 🤪

A dislodged IUD baby with my one-night stand turned boss turned regular hookup was not on my bingo card.

↠ ONS
↠ FwB
↠ Office romance
↠ Surprise pregnancy

Okay, that's quite a bit of tropes.

↠ Cheating ex
↠ Orphan heroine

Fine, fine. That's enough

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.
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.
.
.
.
.
.
.
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↠ Mafia romance 🤡


・
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━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
🕮⋆˚࿔✎𓂃 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️! Loved this mafia dark romance. I even enjoyed the pregnancy troupe. Wren was such a fun character & Bowie was so possessive I loved every second! Lots of action, and just about the right amounts of dark themes without it being too heavy.

[Amanda Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first Darma Day book did not disappoint!

All I can say is Wow. This book nabbed my attention right from the get go and kept me completely invested all the way through the end! I love that Wren was strong as a FMC and could hold her own as Bowie's equal. In mafia books, the FMC can often come across as weak or as a damsel in distress, but that was not the case here. Can't wait to read more from this amazing author!

[C.J. Primer · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of my top reads of 2024

Bowie Sorrentino is the book boyfriend I didn’t know I needed. He’s tattooed, pierced, and so dang swoon-worthy! I was melting from his first interaction with Wren.

Wren James may be one of my favorite FMC’s ever. She’s so relatable, so sassy and strong and hilarious. She’s the kind of girl I want to be friends with in real life, and her friendship with Drea was one of my favorite aspects of the story.

Not only is the spice in this book top notch, but it doesn’t lack for plot. Several twists had me GASPING! I was completely sucked into this world and didn’t want to leave it when the book ended.

10/10 recommend! Read this book!

[georgia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc Review! ✨

Thank you to Darma Day for allowing me to be an arc reader for this new release & providing me with this reader copy of City of Wind & Lies in exchange for an honest review! 🤍

Overall Rating: 4.75/5 ⭐️ (rounded up)
Spice Rating: 3/5 🌶️

I loved this read! This was the first read of Darma Day that I’ve read, and I was thoroughly impressed and delighted throughout my time reading! So happy to have been able to meet Day at a random point in time within the last month, get introduced to their story and characters & get to experience this book before & during its release!

June was a busy month for me, but I felt when I was able to sit down and read this one, I went through it so quickly- it was so easy to follow with its short chapters and immersive storytelling, and it was so easy to get sucked into the story, and the characters are too relatable snd lovable at the same time. The mafia action bits weren’t redundant or overbearing like they can tend to be.

As a mafia romance, I liked that this book wasn’t SOLELY focused on the mafia and organized crime elements, but rather a huge part of relationships & the main love interests as they navigate this world together, and figure themselves out with one another. Sometimes the action-ish parts in mafia books can be so repetitive & overdone but those parts in this book felt perfect & well-paced. Compared to other mafia books, this may even be considered even a little more lighthearted than what you would when thinking of mafia romances, but it didn’t take away from those more mafia-focused components either. I loved it - It was refreshing and satisfying to get the best of both worlds in this read. also…that plot twist? I had absolutely no idea it was coming and i’m still reeling over it.

The nature of Wren & Bowie’s relationship felt organic & realistic - and their domestic cutesy scenes together were to die for! I love a good book that not only has fantastic spice when it does, but also such good & mundane scenes for the love interests. I adored the dynamics of Wren and Bowie as a couple through reading as well - i loved that not only was Bowie a dominant mafia man willing to do bad things for the ones he loves, but that he would also turn right back around and be so gentle and tender with his woman. I think he might actually be the perfect billionaire boyfriend??? and don’t even get me started on the spice! and his jacob’s ladder???? and the mouth on this man??? the way this man operates, i can only dream of finding someone who’ll do the same for me one day.

I highly recommend this read for those into mafia romances that tend to lean on the darker side but also love a man who’s only soft for his girl! I’m so excited for this book’s upcoming release & I can’t wait to read more by Day!

make sure to check trigger & content warnings before reading! :)

⭐️ dark mafia romance
⭐️ alpha male & morally gray mmc
⭐️ age gap
⭐️ nickname in another language
⭐️ spicy & kink exploration
⭐️ relatable & sassy fmc
⭐️ he washes her hair & makes her breakfast
⭐️ protective & possessive mmc
⭐️ “who did this to you?”
⭐️ touch her & die
⭐️ he has a pierced 🐓
⭐️ boss x employee
⭐️ found family
⭐️ one night stand

I recieved in ARC copy of City of Wind & Lies and all thoughts & comments on this review are my own!

City of Wind & Lies comes out June 28th, 2024!

[Brittany (happy.ending.always) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely Amazing!!!!

Absolutely amazing Darma! Look out world, Darma Day is here to slay!!! She blew me away! I was on the edge of my seat. Did NOT want to put this down. I am not a big mafia romance reader, but Darma has changed that! If she writes it, I will read it.

This to me was also soooo entertaining because it was one night stand turned pregnancy and oh wahoo my favorite he is her boss! That is what drew me into the story. I heard it was hook up only to find out your hook up is your boss! That hooked me! Add in Wren and how she is desperate for a family and for someone to love! And Bowie who is so closed off, not looking for love, he just wants to be the best at everything he does and then pow, Wren comes into his life and wakes him up!!!

These two characters blew me away! Darma’s writing is soooo amazing and fun! I was hooked from the very beginning. I cannot wait to read more books by her! Definitely check this out, you’ll love it!!!

[Kaeli ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5🌟 I’m SOO excited that this was my first read of the new year because IT FREAKING SLAPPED! 😩😍🥺 The writing, the banter, the romance AND hot Italian men 🥵 ffffff it was all sososososo good! Bowie is an absolute dream boat 🤤 and Wren is the perfect feisty 😈 gal to complete him! This is a mafia/workplace romance so if those are your cuppa tea, you’ll definitely enjoy this! You can truly feel the amount of care and passion that went into building this story and I felt like I was part of this family too by the end. Darma is an absolute queen at storytelling and I can’t wait to read her other pieces!

Although I am greedy and would take about 18 more books involving Bowie & Wren please & thank you! 😉

😍🌹🥃🥵🎲🏙️❤️‍🔥😈

[Jenn M · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my most favourite August reads!



I picked this book up because from the outset it checked many of my must read boxes and I am sooooo happy I did! This is the first time I have read anything from this author but it will NOT be my last. This book was HAWT, swoonworthy and packed full of action. I loved every minute of it and  read this good sized novel in one sitting. Everything, and I mean everything got pushed aside so that I could keep reading. I need more of this author!

[iky reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had the perfect amount of age gap and mafia and enough touch her and die that it will make your toes curl. I will admit, my type of tropes!

The MMC is so lovable even though he is the mafia boss, he comes across as a relatable good guy. The FMC was a sweetheart with a feisty streak, she loves the way her handsome Mafia man who knows how to keep her satisfied with his controlling nature but she isn’t a push over. They have serious chemistry which is super spicy!

This does have a HEA and is a series with each book being a stand alone.

[Camilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very mid-tier mafia romance. Felt like too many tropes/plot points thrown together for it to make a good story. Add in several totally unnecessary brands named, and a very predictable plot, and you get one bored and slightly annoyed me.

That said, the first 30% were so fun that I decided to stick with it to the end.

But, please!! There's no need to say it's an ASOS crop top or MAC lip gloss. It doesnt add anything to the story.

in City of Wind and Lies you get:
- One Night Stand turned Boss/Employee turned Accidental Pregnancy
- Mafia boss
- Orpan FMC
- Age Gap

[Nicole Tetreault · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rounded up from 4.5⭐️

This was so good. It was exciting as hell, it was v spicy, I loved the characters, and the couple of plot twists at the end were jaw dropping. There were a couple of things I wish we didn’t just breeze over so quickly and casually and the way that there were 3 different spellings of “Corinne/Corrine/Corrinne” over the span of like 5 pages was just something I couldn’t stop thinking about. But overall a fantastic mafia romance.

[Tay_is_reading_again · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s so much going on in this book but somehow it all works together! This was my first book by Darma Day and I really enjoyed it!! It is incredibly fast paced and there is never a dull or boring moment in this book.


Read this if you like:
🖤 mafia romance
🖤work place romance
🖤one night stand
🖤surprise pregnancy
🖤”who did this to you?”
🖤 touch her and ☠️

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Dianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️s. Loved the book!! I was only bothered by the scene where Wren is asleep and he decides to insert himself into her mouth to please himself. I get the author addresses it down the road as it being consensual and sexy, but it was a little disturbing at first. Other than that, I loved the book from start to finish. It did have a tinge of Fifty Shades of Grey fan fiction vibes, but not completely. It was my first book by Darma Day and overall it didn’t disappoint.

[Nicole Hupp · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first book of Darma’s I’ve read and I’ve now become a fan wanting to read some more of her. Really really liked this one, and as a fan of most mafia romances I’d say this one hits all the checks that you want and need in a mafia romance book, but it also has an office workplace/billionare boss element to it, which makes it very appealing to me. Lots of office shenanigans with plenty of desk use and bending over.

Bowie our leading man is an extremly d0minant mmc. The guy has a 10 bar j@cobs Ladder pi€rcing for Pete’s sake. And yes he makes her count them as they enter 😉. But with Wren he loves to cuddle after and often after a very hard @ggresive night and that right there is just 🥰.

Wren is a girl who is pretty feisty and strong but she has her struggles and often they are her fear of being left and forgotten. Growing up in foster care is a huge reason for this. But with Bowie he can’t get enough. The whole book was very steamy and these two just couldn’t keep their hands off each other. The two of them just worked and they felt right for each other. Wren loves all of the shades of grey that make up Bowie. Bowie in turn like all great dark mmc’s will burn the world down to keep her safe. He also loves to wake her up with his 🍆 inside her which I loved.

Now other than the smut and with this being a mafia romance. There was some top notch t0rture scenes. With the mmc Bowie delivering it to the ones who deserve it. So yes this is a book with plenty of mafia related triggers. There are a few other triggers involving smexual ass@ult towards the FMC. Nothing graphic and it is important to the story. But be sure to check all the triggers before reading.

[Shelby (spice.girlsbookstore) · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Tropes:
Mafia
Touch her & die
Possessive MMC
Accidental pregnancy

Hot danggggg I loved this book!!! If you love mafia mmc’s who are possessive and hard to everyone else but the FMC then you’ll love Bowie. I need Bowie in my life tbh, omg. 🥵 Our sweet FMC and her sidekick bff give these mafia boys a run for their money with their sass and I giggled so much at their side banter. Seriously, you need to go read this as soon as it’s live.

[Addicted · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF

[CD · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don’t usually leave reviews but after this experience, I feel like I just have to.

The first two shifter books were enjoyable. There were a few little hiccups but nothing that ruined the story. Then came City of Wind and Lies and suddenly it felt like a completely different person had taken over. It was well written and flowed nicely but I have a feeling that had more to do with a sharp editor than anything else.

And this is where things get a little messy. City of Wind and Lies doesn’t just feel inspired by other books. It feels like it borrowed from them the way my cousin Sven borrowed my uncle’s tractor and never gave it back. Readers who have read Twisted Games by Anna Huang will probably recognize the line “So fing beautiful so fing mine.” Sadie Kincaid’s Joey already gave us the piercing counting scene. HD Carlton’s Molly had the “eyes on me” quote first. Nikola Haken’s characters have already “prayed to a god they don’t believe in” and Machado captured “the way he looks at me like it physically pains him to not claim me” in The Husband Stitch with much more skill.

There’s more, but you see what I say. It all starts to feel a little too familiar, like something you’ve heard before but can’t quite place and before you know it, you’re wondering if you accidentally picked up the wrong book.

The latest release was even more obvious. If The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood had a lawyer they might be preparing a strongly worded letter. Add in a little Bloody 7 for the darky dark and even the dedication sounds suspiciously like a reworded Star Trek reference. I think it’s wonderful when authors try new things but there’s a difference between being inspired and making readers feel like they’ve already read the book somewhere else.

I’ve been supporting indie authors for years because I love discovering fresh original stories and I really wanted to be impressed. Instead, I was left disappointed and after a not-so-great experience at a recent signing I’m feeling even less enthusiastic. Let’s just say the author didn’t seem all that interested in talking to readers. If scrolling through a phone or chatting with the person next to them is more exciting than engaging with the people who support their work maybe book signings aren’t the best place to be.

I respect anyone who wants to grow and try new things but originality is important. If paranormal romance is where the strongest writing is maybe that’s where the focus should stay. At the very least the next book should have its own story instead of feeling like a bunch of other books stitched together like a quilt that doesn’t quite match.

Shukran for coming to my TED Talk. Ma’a salama.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

🄲🄸🅃🅈 🄾🄵 🅆🄸🄽🄳 🄰🄽🄳 🄻🄸🄴🅂
By Darma Day



The beginning of City of Wind and Lies was in the Violence & Virtues: Mafia Anthology back in February and I was so excited to read Bowie and Wrens full story that I stalked Darma page for all the updates.

Starting back at the beginning and having their full story… it was TOTALLY worth the wait!!

Yessss to what ever Bowie wants!

I love a good Mafia romance and this has all the feels I love!

❤️Age Gap 37/23
🖤Masquerade One Night Stand
❤️Morally Grey
🖤Boss/Employee
❤️Sassy/Fiery FMC
🖤Bowies Dirty Talk 🔥
❤️Spice Hangover
🖤Protective/Possessive MMC

“𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘦."
“𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘳𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘪𝘹 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰'𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢𝘧𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘱𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘶𝘱 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘪𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘴."

Bowie was put on notice that he is at a point that he should have a family of his own to remain the head of the family. An unexpected meeting/rescue that goes from a one super spicy night stand to Boss and employee turns into something so much more that has him confronting his own feelings about what he thought he wanted.

“𝘛𝘰𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘐 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘱 𝘧ü𝘤𝘬î𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘺 𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘺𝘦𝘦.”

Bowie was a dirty talking totally possessive MMC who was different with Wren she brought out is protective instincts. I loved that while she would sometimes submit she could take care of herself and didn’t need to be rescued. I also loved the side characters that play a big part in the book. A great read and if it isn’t on your list it should be you can thank me later after you meet Bowie and are saying yesssss.

[Aprils _ Bookheaven · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

City of Wind and Lies is a Dark Mafia Romance with an amazing storyline, twist and Spice 🌶️🌶️ So Spicy 🔥🔥

Bowie Sorrentino runs a business and he is the head of Mafia - Chicago Outfit. At the age of 37 he was expected to have a wife and heir but he didn't want to settle down with some bring & docile woman. Wren is a 23 year old Sassy female who was an orphan. Bowie saved her from her cheating Ex and they had passionate masked one-night Stand together. They met again when Wren started to work in Bowie's firm. The chemistry between them was so intense, they couldn't get enough of each other & insatiable. They didn't realise when their Lust filled connection turned into Love.
But Bowie kept his mafia identify secret at the beginning and there were many threats and enemies.

I love how Bowie & Wren are perfectly fit for each other. Bowie is Morally Grey man - Hot, Dirty Talking, Possessive, Protective, Dominant & can be Delicate only for Wren. Wren is Sassy & Fiery Female, who is submissive but can be stubborn and call out Bowie on his shit. bowie is ready to unalive anyone who tried to hurt Wren. Wren always wanted to be Loved & Cared and she found it in Bowie. Bowie found the Love & Family he never thought he wanted. Wren accepted all his monsters and is ready to take all Fifty Shades Of Grey of Bowie to be with him and Bowie is ready to stay down on his knees only to pleasure her.

I loved reading this story and I highly recommend it to everyone who enjoys reading Dark Mafia Romance with Morally Grey Man & Fiesty female.

[spicybookmama · Rating 5 out of 5]

“ I’ve never been one to color outside the lines, but this man does something to me that makes me want to scribble across the whole page.“

🖤City of Wind and Lies by Darma Day is a top shelf, dark mafia romance with some taboo office romance and who did this to you vibes. Excellent plot that is perfectly paced and allows the characters to develop and the story to unfold.
🖤Wren is a headstrong independent woman who, after removing herself from an unfulfilling relationship takes a moment to live life and have an amazing one night stand. Venturing into a new job she is getting her life back on track. Bowie, our possessive, protective, alpha male who is head of the Chicago outfit, remains stoic and controlled on the outside but is emotionally turbulent on the inside. Full of family responsibility and duties he has yet to find time for or someone worthy of a relationship. Wren and Bowie’s chemistry is undeniable and the unorthodox start of their relationship leads to super exciting tension field events. The spice is definitely spicin’ in the right way and only added to the story. The side characters are well written and enhanced the progression of the narrative.
🖤 I truly enjoyed this wonderful, fast paced, action packed, spicy dark romance. Definitely recommend City of Wind Lies to any romance reader.

“ Wren is the only woman on the planet that has ever brought me to my knees, and I will stay on them if it brings her pleasure.”

[Emma Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

🅱🅾🅾🅺 🆁🅴🆅🅸🅴🆆 - ᴄɪᴛʏ ᴏғ ᴡɪɴᴅ ᴀɴᴅ ʟɪᴇs - ᴅᴀʀᴍᴀ ᴅᴀʏ
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

I was lucky enough to read the first part of this book in an anthology earlier this year and I totally fell in love with Bowie and Wren so I was ecstatic to read the rest of their story in the full novel.
Being that this is a Mafia Romance, Bowie isn’t meant to be loveable or charming or utterly swoon-worthy but he is. There’s just something about the way Darma has written him that makes you adore him pretty much from his first time on page. He is dark and growly and has touch her and die vibes which call out to all the darkest parts of the psyche. He’s fabulous at dropping a ‘good girl’ too 🥵
Wren isn’t whiny or insufferable, instead being feisty and standing up to Bowie. When she first came on page I wasn’t sure what way she was going to go but I’m so relieved that Darma chose to write her the way she did.
I really like Darma’s writing style and the way she’s not afraid to use short chapters to help heighten tension or feeling - it packs a big impact. As a relatively new indie author Darma is definitely one to watch if this book is anything to go by! As ever, this is a mafia romance and is dark, so please check triggers before jumping in.

[Noemi Salazar · Rating 5 out of 5]

City of Wind and Lies
By Darma Day

5⭐ 5🌶️ Tropes: Age Gap - Touch her & ☠️ - Boss/employee

Main Characters
Bowie & Wren

Stand out lines/quotes:
Convo between B & W
W- Are you going to kill him?
B- Eventually
W- Okay
B- Just like that. You’re okay with it?
W- I am because I trust you.
B- Fuck I love you!... Wren…-
W- I love you too!

My Thoughts:
Um… Yeah… this was really, really good! It was giving all the spice while still delivering a pretty darn good plot! Wren is adorable and strong despite her history and she’s not annoying like some characters with similar histories are made to be. Bowie… Bowie is f***...he is completely YUMMY!!!! And that Jacob’s Ladder… 🥵 H.O.T.!!!

The side characters were good too. Drea kind of annoyed me with how pushy she is but I mean we all have that pushy friend that we can't help but love so, I guess I get why she’s written the way she was. Dallas is a teddy bear beneath that hard exterior. Rocco is reserved but honest, I like him.

This was my first Darma Day book, but it is most definitely NOT my last!

Oh, and uh…my husband enjoyed the book too! 😜

[Katherine Pesich · Rating 4 out of 5]

You guys...the excitement I had for this ARC read was insane, and when it finally came in I could not put it down. I burned through the pages so fast!

I really enjoyed the way this book moved along considering the insta-lust situation the characters found themselves in. The way their relationship developed after their first initial encounter felt natural even though things were a little backwards for them. The spice also felt natural and well placed throughout the story and it did not disappoint.

I love a man who will burn the world for his woman, and I love a man who shows his softer side only to her. Bowie did it for me.
Although there are some darker elements and trigger warnings for this one I didn't find anything to be too heavy like in other mafia books.
I would have liked to see Bowie's brutality a bit more.
If you're looking to get into Mafia romance and are looking for something that isn't too heavy but still has a TW shopping list, then City of Wind and Lies would be a good place to jump in.
🖤🖤🖤
TW's
*Violence
*Torture
*Kidnapping
*SA
*Pregnancy
*Physical Assault
*CNC/Dubious Consent
🖤🖤🖤🖤

[Laura Montesinos · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Wren finds her boyfriend cheating on her, she leaves, and goes to her best friends place. Agreeing to take the place of a worker -- Rachel -- at a masked event, the last thing she’s prepared for is to be hassled by her ex.

When a masked man see’s her being manhandled, he steps in.

‘A hookup with a masked man who sent my cheating ex running down the alley? Count me in.’

The last thing Wren expected was for that one night stand to be her boss at her new job. But when she recognized him from his tattoo, and he doesn’t recognize her, she’s able to focus on her work.

Until one day her ex shows up and now her boss knows who she is.

“Wren,” he interrupts my projectile word vomiting. The corner of his mouth quirks up in the barest of smirks. “Or should I say, Rachel?”

Starting a relationship with her boss is the last thing on her mind. But when the attraction grows, bonds form, and secrets come out, will Wren be able to handle who Bowie Sorrentino is in the shadows?

This book is a dark romance standalone and does contain spice.

[XenyMarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a super spicy and fun fast-paced read. The chemistry between Bowie and Wren was instant, and after that first encounter, they just couldn't keep their hands off each other.

This book tells the story of a regular girl who after finding her ex cheating on her, has a one night stand with a man who will later become her boss and just so happens to be the head of the mafia. In Bowie, Wren found what she was always looking for, to feel loved and wanted. While Bowie found what he never wanted but now can't live without, a family of his own.

The "who did this" vibes are strong with this one, and even though it had dark elements, it was more lighthearted than what you would expect from a mafia romance without taking away from the mafia elements. This was a nice change from what I'm used to.

Quote: “Sinking my teeth into the flesh of his thumb, I tempt the devil, offering myself as his next sin.”

[Carliann Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Wow, this book! These characters! Wren is a new favorite of mine- I adore all of her sass and feisty energy. Her and Drea’s friendship was gold. Darma Day knows how to write a story that shows how quickly relationships can build, accurately represents some mental health issues, and realistically portrays all the violence in this kind of story. I loved every second of this book and definitely recommend people read it, especially if you’re into mafia romance! I’m secretly not-so-secretly hoping for another book from this world of characters. 😉🖤

Favorite quotes:

“I've never been one to color outside the lines, but this man does something to me that makes me want to scribble across the whole page.”

“There’s something so dangerously beautiful about this man, the same way a shard of glass shimmers in the light. But one slip of a finger and the same edge that paints an array of colors will draw a nasty scar.”

[⟢₊ Ana ⟣ · Rating 5 out of 5]

“A man willing to take someone’s life for me?
And they say chivalry is dead.” ♥

4.5 ⭐️

I knew I was going to like this book as soon as I read the first few pages and let me just say…. It did not let me down 😍
Also- I loved the Dedication. (IFKYK)

Bowie was the perfect MMC, his whole vibe was hot. Plus he’s tattooed, morally grey, and possessive 😋10/10 book boyfriend material. I also adored Wren the FMC, She was strong-willed and the perfect match for Bowie.

There’s a lot of spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ and I loveee when the MMC calls her “Bella” (Beautiful in Italian) It makes my heart full on swoon ~

The Side characters were enjoyable as well and I thought Dallas / Drea were cute, I’m hoping to get a book two with their story next!!!

I really liked the writing style and I can’t wait to read more by Darma Day. ♡
(Huge thank you for the ARC)

Tropes:
🖤 Mafia romance
🖤 Age gap
🖤 Morally grey MMC
🖤 Protective/possessive MMC
🖤 Boss/employee

[thebeespot72 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Those 400+ pages went by quickly in Darma Day’s recent release, “City of Wind and Lies.” Readers who love stories that get right to it and hook you from the beginning will love “City of Wind and Lies” as I did.

Wren and Bowie’s first meet-up was not your typical “meet-cute.” It was far from it and included Bowie coming to Wren’s rescue, and it ended with them getting it on. And let me tell you, the way Author Darma Day writes all the steamy scenes in this book will have even a non-annotator wanting to annotate.

Wren later ends up working for Bowie––all the while, Bowie’s family pressures him to marry and start a family. Wren has no idea of this nor what kind of family business Bowie is involved in. But when Wren finds out she’s pregnant, things shift with her relationship with him.

“City of Wind and Lies” is packed with spice, page-turning action, and an overall solid plot that kept me eager to discover what happened next. I’m hoping to read more from this author!

[j a y • d e p r a v e d - .dammnitjay. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a mafia romance, where not only is your FMC relatable but the MMC gives off that massive energy of "she is mine". Darma when writing this book wanted to give a book you can ease into and feel all the sexual tension build.
Bowie Lorenzo Sorrentino, a few words to describe him? Simple. Filthy mouthed. Possessive. Protective. And something that I'll leave as a surprise. 

Wren James, a few words for her? Hard working. Tough but has struggled. Loving but only for the right people. And survivor.
Now as with any book, I always recommend reading all content and trigger warnings (its not the authors fault if you ignore them!)--This book does offer some rougher scenes.
These two characters end up being the perfect fit for one another, and honestly, I think Darma did such justice to not just the story line but also the spice in this. I recommend it for sure and I hope you go and read it.It was my first read from her, and I can happily say it wont be my last.

[Hollylovesbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Wʀᴇɴ ɪs ᴛʜᴇ ᴏɴʟʏ ᴡᴏᴍᴀɴ ᴏɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴘʟᴀɴᴇᴛ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ʜᴀs ᴇᴠᴇʀ ʙʀᴏᴜɢʜᴛ ᴍᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴍʏ ᴋɴᴇᴇs, ᴀɴᴅ I ᴡɪʟʟ ᴅᴀᴍɴ ᴡᴇʟʟ sᴛᴀʏ ᴏɴ ᴛʜᴇᴍ ɪғ ɪᴛ ʙʀɪɴɢs ʜᴇʀ ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴜʀᴇ.”

• I KNEW I was going to love this book. I had zero doubts. And well, love it I did. The teasers and tropes pulled me in. And the book did not disappoint whatsoever.

• Wren and Bowie. From the unconventional beginning to the rollercoaster ride you are taken on. I swear I got anxiety during multiple points. I was nervous. The spice was spicing and it was hot. I also smiled & had awe moments.

• The side characters didn’t lack either. I adore that. They mean as much to me as the MCs if I’m being honest. And I’d hang out with all of them. Minus the d!ckheads you encounter. You’ll know who I mean when you read it.

• If you like mafia romances, this book is a big recommend.