Saint, a ruthless heir to a crime empire. Aria Heart shared a past with Saint and has worn his ring for 17 years. When Saint forces her into an arrangement that binds them in both a marriage and a dangerous game of Villan vs. Damsel, she must navigate the treacherous waters of loyalty, lust, love, and survival.
"I stole her. She ruined me. Now, we're bound for life." – Saint
3.5 stars This was a good forced marriage/kidnapping story.
Saint and Aria crossed paths during their childhood. Aria's bravery and protectiveness over him at such a young age was the only time he truly felt love. His father was ruthless and ruled both him and his empire with fear. Seeing how fearless she was when it came to his father left a lasting impression on him. Almost two decades later they unexpectedly cross paths again and Saint immediately makes a proposition to make Aria his... forever. Saint thought that he had control, but he clearly had not realized he met his match. The lies, the manipulation, the secrets were full force. Aria was a piece of work and I loved how she was just as controlling and manipulative as Saint.
The storyline was good, but really needed to be edited. The author made it a key point to state that he wouldn't give her panties to wear, but in the next scene Saint is taking off her panties?? There were incomplete sentences, it just distracted from the story.
Also for those that prefer black love stories, Saint is Italian.
Shantel, girl.... I believe I know how you are coming when I pick up one of your reads; however, I am never really ready. We meet Saint as a sullen and broken-down young boy by the life he was forced to lead with his father at the helm. He didn't agree with any of his father's decisions, but fear kept him silent. One day while his father was taking a meeting, he meets a small, young girl, that he instantly wants to protect. He soon finds out that although she is small, she is mighty, fiery, strong, and fearless. She even steps in front of him to protect him from his father, making her a hero in his book. That day changed him in ways he could never explain to anyone, as she had been the only person in his life to date, that made him feel as if he mattered.
Years later, Saint and Aria meet again in the most unfortunate way, and Saint plays to win. When he forces her hand, I knew that it would be a fight to the death. Aria is not with the games, and she will give him a run for his money. Although Aria wants to hate Saint for what he is putting her through, there is something about him, the danger and darkness that he possesses that draws her in. She is pissed at herself for even wanting him this way after all that he has done.
Saint enjoys toying with Aria, as he knew what his every move was doing to her. His obsession for her had gone into overdrive. Aria would never admit what Saint's presence does to her, and she is feeling a way. Will these two be each other's ruin, or will they become the most villainous power couple of all time? The more we learned about Saint's feelings for Aria, you feel sorry for him. He was robbed of his childhood by only being taught cruelty, evil, and violence by his father. He never knew anything else. Aria was the only light, and person who treated him with kindness, so he held on to those feelings tightly.
The things that Saint did to "protect" Aria were over the top!! Whew.... 🤯 Miss Aria did not bat an eye, his actions not fazing her at all. I knew then she was just as crazy as he was! 👀 Then the story got flipped on its head. What???? 😮 Chile I did not see any of that coming, and I couldn't do anything but smile. Miss Aria told us she was not one to be played with! Damn!!😤 Enjoyed it ma'am. Keep em' coming. 👍🏿👍🏿
That did not go the way I expected but I was thoroughly invested. Even at the very end the tea was hot. Aria hid her unhinged behavior very well. Two peas in a pod.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I've never been this confused after reading a book in my entire life lol but it was so well written I overlooked it. There were a few typos but the storyline was great. I wished it was longer. I didn't think I'd enjoy it as much as I did.I think it was because it was written in a suspenseful way. This was my first time reading anything from Shantel and I was impressed. I just wished it was longer as the build up and fleshing the characters out with their back stories would've made it a 5.
Dnf’d at 73%…I really did try to finish it. I skipped thru it hoping I would get to some good parts but like I really didn’t like this book. I like my MMCs crazy & kinda mean so like Saint was kinda perfect with his psycho ass but I just wasn’t feeling the dynamic between him & Aria.
Saint Valentine by Shantel Davis really caught me off guard—in the best way.
I don’t usually reach for dark romance, and I honestly didn’t know what to expect. But this novella pulled me in quick with its sharp turns and emotional tension. The story was short, but packed with impact. The FMC and MMC were both well-developed and compelling… and also? I kind of hate them. But like, in that “you’re so toxic and I still need to know everything about you” way.
The ending? Whew. I wasn’t ready.
The wording felt a little strange at times, but I was into it enough to overlook that. I also went in thinking this was a Black romance and was surprised to find it’s interracial—but the emotional stakes stayed high and the vibes were still giving.
If Saint Valentine was my first real taste of dark romance, consider me intrigued. It reminded me that even in twisted, chaotic circumstances, people find a way to survive—together or not.
Saint Valentine is a fast-paced, engaging mafia romance filled with danger, secrecy, and delicious tension. The sexual chemistry between Saint and Aria had me hooked from the start — their push and pull is addictive, amplified by the risks of the mafia world. Shantel Davis balances action and spice perfectly, keeping every chapter sharp and compelling.
With tropes like forced marriage, revenge, secrecy, a morally unhinged MMC, and a badass FMC, this story hits all the dark romance notes I love. Their relationship feels like strangers-to-lovers with enemies-to-lovers energy, making it fiery, dangerous, and impossible to put down.
Shantel Davis does it again. The plot twist in the book you don’t see coming and you will enjoy the ride because it gives you an ending, but you’re not sure how to feel about it.
Imagine my surprise to see a new book by one of my favorite authors pop up on my next reads list❤️ good as always I can never complain when the book is by Mizz Davis.
This book threw me for a loop in a such a delicious way!!!! Saint is not average Alpha male and it was hoooootttttt! Aria wasn’t a punk either. This bloody valentine had everything suspense, thriller, jokes, sex and intimacy all with a twist. Ms. Davis you did your thang!!
I wish the book was longer. Aria was the perfect match for Saint. It bother Saint that Aria outsmarted him lol. But I am glad he was able to move past that.
Star level: 3.5 stars Spice level: 2/5 🌶️ Trope: second chance romance, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, mafia Trigger warnings: mention on death, forced marriage, kidnapping Fav quotes: ““You’ve got my blessing then, son. If you do one day ask,” he said. “If you survive this life, you’ll need someone strong like her to help you.��� ““You’ll need a strong woman like my daughter to stand by you through the thick of it, like her momma does me.” ““You gave me a gun once,” I said. “Now you have one drawn on me. Oh, how times have changed, Aria.” “She was going to fight me at every turn, I knew it. But she would either bend to my will, or I’d break her.” “I would never. She'd taught me that hitting the ones you cared for makes you weak.” “I’m going to make you crave me the way I crave you. And when you’re so deep in it, so fucking addicted to me, you won’t be able to breathe without me, without my touch. And when I control every inch of you—your body, your mind, your soul—I’ll make you beg for what you need, and I’ll deny you just to watch you unravel. Then I’ll remind you of this moment—the moment you looked me in the eye and told me you hated me. And I hope it hurts you as much as it does me.” ““Because if any of the men at our wedding look at you the way I know they will... with you in this—there’ll be a bloody Valentine’s Day massacre.” ““Don’t hate me, Aria,” I whispered. “I can’t let you go. You’re mine, like the sun is tied to the sky, like the ocean is bound to the shore. We were always meant to collide.” “I tried to put all the feelings that I couldn’t say in that kiss. I love you, I’m sorry. I need you. Please don’t go. Stay.”
About the book: not your normal mafia book because our FMC is also a baddie and never a push over. Aria and Saint have known each other since the were kids and Saint knew he was going to marry her after their two play dates. I should’ve known he was a little coo coo. After years of not seeing each other they finally come face to face but it’s not all sprinkles and sunshine Aria was between saving herself or her friends. And this is whrrr the story takes off Saint taking Aria and her friends and he told her he would let her friends go once they get married. And she might have agreed but she didn’t make it easy for Saint and he already knew that. I was expecting the 3rd act breakup but I’m glad we didn’t get it. I did enjoy the twist at the end.
A Dark, Twisted Love Story Bound by Obsession and Loyalty
“I stole her. She ruined me. Now, we're bound for life.” – Saint
This was my first read by Shantel Davis, and it absolutely won’t be my last. Saint Valentine pulled me in from the very first page and kept me hooked with its intoxicating mix of dark romance, betrayal, and undeniable chemistry.
Saint, the ruthless heir to a crime empire, is the definition of unhinged — dangerous, possessive, and completely obsessed with Aria. But beneath his brutal exterior, there’s a fierce, unwavering love for her that I couldn’t help but adore. Their connection is raw, messy, and often manipulative, but it’s also real in a way that’s hard to look away from.
Aria herself was no angel, and while I didn’t love her decision to have the doctor lie to Saint about his father, it added to the twisted complexity of their relationship. Both Saint and Aria were guilty of their own forms of manipulation, yet through it all, their love and loyalty to each other stood strong — even in the face of danger, betrayal, and a deadly game of villain versus damsel.
If you love dark romance with morally gray characters, scorching tension, and a love story that thrives in chaos, Saint Valentine is definitely worth the read. Shantel Davis delivered a captivating tale of love, obsession, and survival, and I can’t wait to dive into more of her work.
Playing Checkers vs Playing Chess Saint Valentine by Shantel Davis the first of a pair of books in her series, No Saviors Here. Saint has few pleasant memories from his dysfunctional childhood; his father headed a criminal enterprise, and his harsh methods were also utilized as discipline in his rearing of Saint. During his childhood, the only people to show him a measure of kindness and support were Aria Heart and her father. Aria and Saint only had two encounters, but the memory of Aria standing up to his father in his defense has stuck with him for the almost two decades that they were apart. Now a mistake by her friends has brought Aria back into his orbit and Saint capitalizes on this situation by pressuring her to marry him! Saint has been obsessed with Aria for all these years and is open about his emotions. On the other hand, Aria is much harder to read and does not appear to have the same feelings of connection and commitment. As always, Ms. Davis excels at creating twisty narratives with murky motives and OTT feelings. By the end of the story, readers are wondering who’s zooming who? The quiet and enigmatic Luciano is featured in the next book in the series as he tries to win the heart of Ava. In just the few scenes he is featured in this story, readers get a sense of his unique characteristics and appeal. Can’t wait to read his story. https://theretiredreader.com/f/saint-...
A nice quick & short read. I enjoyed this book & the fact that Aria had Saint pretty much wrapped around her finger despite him thinking he was in control the whole time😂
She was crazier than him, she really is a no nonsense character which is rare to see from a FMC but i liked it. I definitely didn’t see the plot twist coming with her dad that was a good touch but didn’t have much impact since its not like he got to have his own revenge loll. Would’ve been nice to see Drake confront Saint’s dad.
do feel like I wanted more development with Saint & Aria’s relationship, by the end i still felt like there was a lot they needed to work through. I didnt like that he had to find out a year later about- the dna results since by then his dad is gone anyway so she could’ve just come clean a year ago loll. It’s like he’s so infatuated with her he’ll let anything slide no matter how crazy🤣. I need him to be a bit more in control. We didn’t even get to see what her punishment would be since she hit him 3x’s👀 I like my men soft but still dominant, she was definitely more of that here lol. I’d have a liked a 2nd book on these twinor just have this one be longer because i definitely finished this so quick, overall a nice read.
2.5/5.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I love my book men obsessed, unhinged, and dripping with “touch her and die” energy—and Saint Valentine DELIVERED. Because how do you kidnap a woman and then whisper:
"Don’t hate me, Aria," I whispered. "I can’t let you go. You’re mine, like the sun is tied to the sky, like the ocean is bound to the shore. We were always meant to collide.”
Sir. Please.
But what really got me? The FMC turned out to be just as unhinged—and I was not ready. That plot twist in the last few chapters? Did not see that coming. Shantel Davis gave us obsession, danger, passion, and two characters who are both absolutely insane on their own.
Listen that ending was a twist that kept twisting. How do you trust someone you barely know? How can you trust someone when your intentions weren’t pure?
Saint and Aria crossed paths when they were kids. Aria wants to save any and everyone. It’s almost as if she wants to feel pity for someone or thing. Saint on the other hand is a man of very few words and nothing but action. He has a God complex if that’s what you want to call it and a need for control.
That second encounter changed everything. How will they come back from her giving him that tool and telling him to use it?
Saint and Aria had a complicated history. Meeting as children, Aria gave Saint a gun to kill his dad because he was a terrible person. They meet again 17 years later when Saint is going to kill the son of someone who stole from his organization. Aria comes in to stop him and Saint realizes instantly that he must not let her go. He tells her the only way to save her friends is to marry him and she agrees. From there Saint is focused on getting her to marry him willing, all the while, Aria has different plans. The plot twist and ending left you like wow. At the end Saint realizes that he loves her but does not trust her because she lied to him and played him, but did he deserve it?
I enjoyed the book. Saint was too controlling though he was deciding what outfits she wore and almost took away her choice of what wedding dress she wanted. If it wasn’t for the fact both of them are crazy I wouldn’t think their relationship would last. It ends with Saint finding out she lied, confronting her, Aria saying she’ll leave, and Saint saying he loved her but didn’t trust her and she most likely didn’t trust him either. You can’t build and have a healthy relationship without some type of trust. At least both of them were the same level of obsessed with each other even though he took the cake with having pictures of her everywhere in his room.
Depending on some, they probably love this pair. They are "morally gray"/slightly psychotic, deadly dangerous, lots of chemistry and heat, devious, afraid that some bodies throat will be slit...by each other. They're perfect for each other, yet cruel and mean to each other in psychotic way. A twisted ending, not really HEA. They are really more compatible in bed, obsessed/infatuated than in love-cant trust each other as far as you can throw them...maybe what should be expected in that mafia life. But most of this authors fans will love this book.
When I want something dark, I reach for this author. A broken boy meets a girl who becomes his protector, and he never forgets her. Years later, fate brings them together again, and this time he refuses to let her go, even if he has to bargain to keep her. The pacing kept me hooked from start to finish. What stood out most was the twist in Aria’s character. In the end, she proves to be just as twisted, if not more, than Saint. This is not a light romance, but if you crave flawed characters, moral grayness, and intensity mixed with obsession, it is a solid 4.5-star read.
Very underwhelming. I’m not sure what I expected but Aria and Saint were a very odd match, and the plot twist at the end was definitely unexpected. The twists just kept getting even more twisted and I’m not sure how I feel about it, because it just gave messed up on all angles.
Even at the end Saint and Aria’s relationship was questionable, so this book was a meh for me because I’m confused what the vibe is meant to be. Yes he’s been molded by his dad yadda yadda, there was that missing oomph u know.
I'm new to this author I thought the book was good, but I did not like the ending. It felt like their story was not finished. I hate that Aria had the doctor lie about Saint's father, that was wrong of her. I think Saint would have probably killed his father over Aria, anyway. Overall good book, just wish the characters had developed more with each other at the end.
I don't regret reading this one, but I'm not overjoyed either. The twist at the end changed the entire trope of the book. It's not that is was a bad twist—even though I was of fan—it just didn't make sense for the storyline. It became more of a mystery romance vs. a dark romance.
There were way too many inconsistencies throughout. The prologue was odd. They were 8 and 10 having grownup thoughts of conversations. It was weird.