Kyla Warren never expected life to hand her anything—especially not an entanglement with a ruthless mafia boss. She learned early on that if she wanted something, she had to get it for herself. But when the man she trusted the most pushes her aside like yesterday’s news, she’s left standing in the wreckage, trying to piece herself back together. Before she can even catch her breath, she’s pulled into a world she never wanted to be a part of—a high-stakes game of power, deception, and dangerous attraction. And the only way out? Making a deal with Romare "Ruger" Croix, an alpha male with a deadly reputation in the streets.
Ruger is the kind of man Kyla swore she’d never entertain—arrogant, dangerous, and the walking definition of power. Too many women fall at his feet, but Kyla? She’s built different. She’s got her own mind, her own rules, and she refuses to be just another woman lost in his shadow. Their connection is fire and friction, a battle of wills where neither is willing to fold. But the more she fights him, the more undeniable their pull becomes.
In Ruger’s world, loyalty is everything, and power comes at a price. Kyla quickly realizes she’s in deeper than she ever imagined, and walking away might not be an option. When a choice presents itself—one that could change both of their lives forever—they’re forced to ask Is this just survival? Or is it something real?
Because love isn’t just a risk. It’s a war. And Kyla and Ruger are about to find out if they’re willing to fight for it. If you love alpha male energy, enemies-to-lovers heat, urban romance, and high-stakes mafia drama, this one’s for you.
I really enjoyed this book. The MMC had to grow on me a little, but I liked him, the FMC, and the surrounding family members. I'm not sure if the other characters will get books as well or if there will be multiple books. It ended on a cliffhanger, and I really need to know what happens next. I didn't realize this book was just released in February, so I have no clue when the next book is supposed to be released.
Can I call you Stephanie?! Cause that's how you acting right now Ms. Partee! Where do I begin huh?! Just frame the pen at this point it's diabolical! Romare and Kyla about to have me sliding down the walls somewhere. I just knew Mocha had that man's child and didn't tell him which is crazy! Rook needs to cool it because Quest seems real unproblematic. Whiskey finally let someone in and he gets played Im still trying to figure out how much he heard of Tina and Tems conversation because how did he find out about Stellan's plan. It's looking like we not about to get that honeymoon and I was looking forward to Romare turning Kyla every where but loose.
One thing I've always loved about this Author is her delivery with penning a story. Her storylines and character development be one point. Kyla mother Mira and her sister Khaleesi are some trifling and scandalous piss poor excuse of women and mother's. Khaleesi is the mother of three but yet don't take care of her children as she should. The responsibility falls on Kyla. You can see Khaleesi jealousy of Kyla from the beginning. Kyla was a virgin, in school, and worked but took care of her niece and two nephews as if she birth them and Khaleesi seemed to be envious of her little sister. Their mother Mira is a old hoe and scandalous as hell. Getting into a debt she couldn't pay it off. She decided to hand Kyla over to Stellan evil ass. I'm glad Whiskey stepped in and got Kyla away from Stellan because there's no telling where she would've end up dealing with him and his creepy ass son Gee. Whiskey knew what Stellan and Gee was capable of. Ruger wasn't feeling it when his father told him in order to take over. He had to be marry. Meeting Kyla in a unorthodox way wasn't what he planned. Kyla definitely wasn't expecting the proposition that was given to her but she knew in order to get away from her hoe and scandalous ass mother and sister, as well as being able to be their for her niece and nephews. She was going to take Ruger up on his offer. Neither one of them expected to develop feelings. You can see the changes Ruger made since having Kyla in his life. He's beyond smitten with her. I'm glad the whole Croix family accepted Kyla with open arms. They've shown her more love in just a few weeks than she received from her mother and sister. Outside of their family, her niece and nephews. Kyla had her best friend Mocha. Mocha seriously pissed me off when I realized her connection to Poet Croix. She should've been told that man the truth because the way this ended. All hell is about to break loose. I knew Whiskey dealing with Tem was going to end up with some bs. She worked for Stellan and with her sister Tina in her ear. Nothing good was going to come from it. I was hoping Tem would've told Whiskey the truth instead of listening to Tina snake ass. Now with the truth out. Tem just put her life in danger. Rook Croix can be serious when he need to but he plays too much to. He do need to grow up. He have a child on the way but hopping from woman to woman may end up being his down fall.
Whew, this one had me HOOKED from the first page! I’ve been getting into arranged marriages in romance, but this one? Different. It had the perfect blend of grit, high stakes, and an unexpected slow-burn connection that had me flipping pages like my life depended on it. Kyla, baby girl, I love you! Her story? So heartfelt. She’s holding it all together, not just for herself but for her nieces and nephews, stepping in as the mother they never had. With a mother who did her dirty and a sister who’s deep in the streets, Kyla had no choice but to be stronger than most. She’s in college, handling her business, and just trying to survive but life had other plans. And then here comes Ruger. Dangerous, powerful, and the definition of an alpha, but not in a forced way. He’s the kind of man who commands a room without saying a word. The way he moves? Whew. Kyla never expected to end up in his world, but when fate twists in her favor (or maybe against her), she finds herself in an arranged marriage that turns into something much deeper. The chemistry? Off the charts. Their back-and-forth, the push and pull, the undeniable attraction? I LIVED for it. But this book wasn’t just about romance; it had layers. The character development was 10/10, the storyline was A1, and the drama? Pure chef’s kiss. And can we talk about the side characters? Kyla’s best friend and that UNCLE? Oh, the author has me invested because their stories? Yeah, they NEED to be told. That cliffhanger?? I nearly threw my Kindle! But I’m not rushing the author because when Book 2 drops, I’m dropping everything too! If you love alpha energy, forced proximity with real emotional depth, and a slow-burn romance that feels earned, this is your book! Don’t walk, RUN to read it.
When Ms. Partee spins a yarn, it's like a siren's song - you can't help but get reeled in, even if the tale itself leaves something to be desired. Kyla's family may not have deserved her, but at least the kids were spared the horrors of having a mother and grandmother who'd pimp out their virginity to settle debts. Thank goodness Whiskey was in the right place at the right time to save the day. Now Ruger's got the perfect partner to help him take over, though he might want to work on his people skills first. As for Mocha and Poet, it's a wonder they didn't realize sooner that their daughter belonged to him - talk about a paternity plot twist! And Temp better watch their back, because if they're the one who snatched that baby girl, they're in for a world of trouble. Looks like Whiskey and their paramour are about to bid farewell to their happily ever after.💙💙
Okay so this was pretty decent. Umm it took a little time for the characters to grow on me but I liked it. A little predictable but I did enjoy the cliffhanger because things were finally heating up. Umm Kyla’s mom and sister are trash. The Tems chick is trash as well I don’t care what excuse she may want to use but why would she think what she did is cool? That was real bold of her but it was crazy to me that Whiskey invited this random chick to the wedding to begin with. Root needs to grow up expeditiously. It’s messed up that Mocha hid Poets daughter from him all these years with no real reason why and then thought it was cool to pursue a relationship with him without telling him her daughter is his….yea that’s gonna end well. Rigger and Kyla I liked them even though the miscommunication was quite annoying.
Alot going on but pretty good. Kyla is the only mature, responsible person in her family. So when her mother runs up a debt with a local pimp/bad guy she hands Kyla over go settle her debt. Kyla is basically rescued by Whiskey when she was offered to him by the same pimp/bad guy to settle his gambling debt. Kyla is then asked/made to marry Whiskey's nephew Ruger. So the rest of the story is about Kyla and Ruger getting to know one another, and the introduction of various characters. Mocha, Kyla's best friend had a long weekend fling with Ruger's brother Poet. Unbeknown to the others Mocha had Poet's baby, so there's that piece of drama. Uncle Whiskey is messing with Tems, but Tems has conspired with her sister, Tina, to kidnap Mocha and Poet's daughter for a ransom. So its getting messy. Hopefully it won't get to the place where its too much going on.
I absolutely love the family they are so welcoming and so authentic and real with each other. Ky deserves every bit of happiness she has been getting after her terrible family pawned her off. Mocha definitely shoud have been told poet that he was envies father i really don't understand why Tina is obsessed with mocha and her life in any way it's giving she want to be her girlfriend lmao. Tem I really wanted to like her and hope she spoke up about how her sister was forcing her to do this but the fact that you let them take that baby is unforgivable and I hope they do everything under the sun to her.
I loved this. Kyla definitely had a hard life . I'm so glad that Stellan & Gee didn't have a chance to put her on the human trafficking path. Now she has been able to boss up on her momma and sister. That darn Khaleesa and Mira those two I swear they are trifling . But I see karma going to kick their asses they don't see it coming. I love that everyone is so surprised, Ruger has a soft side. That's really Romare lol 😆. I knew Whiskey heard something at That door. Poor Tem her sister has got her tangled ina web that's going to be HELL to pay, taking Envi . Essentially, now that they know that she's a CROIX. I'm ready for part 2
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
When I tell you this book was so fire that’s exactly what I mean. I hope Myra and Kaleesi gets left in the gutter along with Tems and Tina. I feel so bad for mocha. I know poet is going to be mad because she didn’t tell him, but I hope he push his feelings to the side because they clearly have something. Kyla and Ruger is a match made in heaven and I hope once all this settles, he takes care of herand those three babies. This book had me losing sleep. It was so good. I just need to know how long the wait is because I’m on the edge of my seat dying to know what’s gonna happen and who’s gonna fall.
This book had me hot. I have so many thoughts and feelings! I think is might end up being on of my favorite of hers. When I say it would be on sight for her momma and sister every time. I mean every time. I hope she takes them kids. I can’t wait for karma to get them, Misha, Tina, & Micha. Whiskey is a real one. The way Kyla glow up and boss up is about to be everything. Regardless of her feelings Mocha was wrong. I can tell this series is about to go bananas! And I’m going to be here for every second of it.
Ooh, this is so a page-turner… Talk about family dynamics (nothing is spared)… Entitlement to what is not yours causes individuals to commit questionable acts
Kyla raised her family and then her mother and sister had the nerve to expect the ultimate sacrifice…
Hiding a child’s identity has backfired on Mo, now she has to face the…
How will Poet deal with the deception… will his daughter be returned unharmed…
What will be the repercussions for Tem for crossing Whiskey…
Will Kyla be subjected to Ruger’s wrath for withholding Envi’s placement…
Part one of "Saved By A Mafia Boss" was excellent! Poor Kyla was doing her best to take care of her sister's three children (sis and grandma are total trolls and deadbeats), working, and finish college. Troll mother owed a pimp money, so of course, she gave Kyla to the pimp/sex trafficker to settle her debt. Just before being shipped to Miami and sold to a Russian, pimp/sex trafficker lost her in a card game! Thank goodness for a lousy hand and a compassionate heart!
I love mafia drama books.mocho should have been told poet about Envi.kyla didn't deserve what happen to her.khalessi and Mira need to get there life together and stop being in them clubs. I wish tem would have stood up to her sister and told whiskey what her sister was planning. I love me some Ruger,Rook and whiskey. If you love drama and boss energy this is the book for you.
I think this is going to be one of my favorites penned by S.L. Partee. She always leaves you looking crazy and wanting more. I loved Kyla and Ruger, even when I wanted to push him down, lol. I asked the lover boy that Poet is, but I'm going to enjoy seeing that crazy come out in the next book about Envi. I hope he doesn't do Mocha too bad. She deserves everything he gives her, though, because she had too many times to come clean. I just need part 2!!!
This book had me in a chokehold from the start…From Kyla catching her long time boyfriend getting head from her sister’s friend to her mother using her to pay a debt she owed…Then being rescued by Whiskey Croix…Then unbeknownst to her she finds out she has to marry Rugar Croix…Then her bestie is reunited with Poet the man she has a child with that he doesn’t know about…Then on her wedding day at the reception all H*LL breaks loose…Part 2 here I come!!!
I love this book from start to finish. I just need rook to grow up so But also like in a man that has become I just hope that Kyla has the strength to with stand some of the BS that's gonna happen because of River position! Mocha was wrong in every sense not the word, she should have come clean to Poet about Envi being his child! I knew UNC overheard Tina and Tem! I can't wait to read part 2!
As usual you deliver!!! Now I’m mad I have to wait for the next part… But baaabyyy I can’t wait!!! Kyla is the sweetest even with everything she deals with she still keeps her head up… Mocha got some splainin to do for sure… and I can’t wait to see what happens to Kyla’s sister cuz she definitely needs some act right!!! Whew chile this was just a great read
This book was good. I love the whole Criox mafia family. I so glad Whiskey rescued Kyla and the way they took her in. Ruger and Kyla know theyre in love. Mira and Khalessi are trash. Tem was put in a tough spot because of her sister Tina. I know they probably took that baby to Stellan I can't wait for part 2.
S.L Partee you have done it again. You never ceases to amaze me. I absolutely loved this book. I’m loving the Croix men. I can’t wait for the enemies to be dealt with. That ending left me with my mouth wide opened. This is most definitely a must read. I can’t wait to read part 2. I highly recommend this book.
All I'ma say is I'm ready for part 2. Kayla deserves all things that are good and positive in her life. She got a trifling mama, sister, and boyfriend turned ex. Mocha smh I don't understand why she kept that secret so long. Now she see why she made a selfish and stupid decision. Whiskey love his swag. I hope Tem and him work out.
OMG THE CROIX FAMILY BOUT TO TURN THE CITY RED! I'm glad Rugar actually likes Kyla i think that make a great couple. I don't agree with mocha she should have told Poet now look that damn Stellan got his daughter. I cant believe Temptress she need to die for her treachous ways with her sister. Cant wait til part 2!
It took a moment for me to get into this story but once I did it got good... We get the tale of two families one is close and one if fu-ed up. We get a dash every type of guy in the brothers and real friendship in Mocha and Kyla. Alot was going on but it stay weaved together and I will be reading book 2.
If there’s one thing S.L.Partee is going to do that is give you a plot twist. She is definitely one of the most creative writers out here. She knows how to take a tangle web and weave a master storyline. She does not rely on outlandish characters and over the top ratchetness to keep her viewers engaged. She is the truth.
Now I love them boys but that Whiskey babyyyyyy he don’t play about family. Mocha should’ve been said something. Tem didn’t have to pull that play omg Part 2 me please. Read the book
I can’t believe tem went through with Tina told her the only thing that will save her is to be pregnant I like her for uncle I wish mo would’ve told poet beforehand now them croix bout to paint the city red I can’t wait to see what happens next see you soon
Once again from start to finish you did your thing, outstanding work. You never disappoint your storyline just flowed and captured and held my attention. The drama, action, and even the sex was firer can’t wait for part 2
Come on book 2....Kayla definitely cared more for her mom and sister than she should have...Mocha should have been told Poet her secret...Tina, Khaleesi and the mom needs a really bad punishment performed on them