When the brutal leader of the Irish mob murders my fiancé in front of me, I suck the olive right out of my martini and start to choke. Mad Darragh could have left me there. He's sadistic, cruel, and just crazy enough to enjoy watching me suffocate. But he doesn't. He hooks his fists beneath my ribs, pressing mercilessly. As I lose consciousness the last thing I hear is his "Every breath you breathe belongs to me now, pet. "
Turns out he wants more than just my breath. He wants my hand in marriage. And he's willing to break every rule in the book to get it. Darragh doesn't know who he's up against. He may be a gambling man. He may only play for keeps. . . But my name is Valentina Titone. And when I play, I play to win. A Game So Reckless is part one of Valentina and Darragh's story. It is a dark age-gap enemies to lovers mafia romance. It is recommended to read the preceding duet before this book (A Debt So Ruthless and A Vow So Soulless) but it is not necessary.
I devoured this in one sitting and couldn’t put it down. Valentina is engaged to Dario, but all that changes when Darragh shows up one night and unalives him in front of her. Oh, did I mention he saves her too? So naturally, that means she belongs to him now. He’s obsessed with her and doesn’t like ANYONE touching her, and if they do well, they 💀.
🔥 “Every breath you breathe belongs to me now, pet.” ~~~ Valentina Titone is one fierce young woman! Born in the Mafia world, her life has already been decided for her and she’s almost willing to accept it. Almost. Because, Valentina is a Titone after all! I loved her courage, feistiness and stubbornness. Even more, she’s quite rebellious, although sometimes she’s a little reckless, too. Valentina is awesome and I loved her so, so much!
And then, there’s Darragh Gowan - the sadistic leader of Toronto’s Irish mob. He’s dangerous, unhinged, uncontrollable, powerful, cruel and quite reckless. But, surprisingly, there is a lot more to him than meets the eye. Yes, Darragh is violently possessive and obsessive and will stop at nothing to get what he wants. But he also takes care and fiercely protects what’s his. And he’s a man of his word (in most cases). Darragh is not a good man but I couldn’t help but love everything about him!
I loved everything that happened between Valentina and Darragh! After her nineteenth birthday, Valentina is engaged to be married to a sleazy man, chosen by her father. Until Darragh crashes into her world, throws her fiancé off a building and sets his sights on her. I loved those two together! The tension between them was palpable and I loved every second of their games of push and pull. And, even though they shouldn’t, not only they couldn’t stop thinking about each other, but they also couldn’t seem to stay away. Even more, everything happening between Valentina and Darragh was intense and dangerous, the spice included, and I couldn’t get enough! But even when Darragh finally decides what he wants from the young Titone princess, things don’t go as planned, and that cliffhanger of an ending, had me both screaming and excited to see how their story will continue in the next book!
Overall, A Game So Reckless is an intense, dark and twisted story and another fantastic addition to the series.
I couldn’t put it down and I absolutely loved every single page of it!
Aaahhhh!! Vero Heath's cliffhangers are devastating! I get sucked in every time. I am so excited that Mad Darragh got a book. I am all about this unhinged, hot AF Irishman. And I'm loving Valentina.
This was a super sexy slow burn. I'm not normally a big fan of a slow burn, but this one singes just enough to keep you going. Virgin, Mafia daughter FMC and big, bad Mob boss MMC make the best story. Darragh kills Valentina's fiance and then saves her life. She in turn lies about what happened, and Darragh is now obsessed with her. You know the type - touch her and 💀. There are fewer things better than a Mafia Stalker Romance. Yummmm.
I'm going to take this moment to remind you that this book does end on a cliffhanger. It's one I didn't expect but probably should have. I'm not confident in my ability to patiently wait for the conclusion to come out in June!
I’ve developed a serious obsession with mafia romance books, and this one was absolutely fantastic! I didn’t read the first two books in the series, but after this one, I’m definitely considering circling back to them. Right from the beginning, the book grabbed me with a heart-racing moment where the protagonist nearly chokes to death on an olive—honestly, it’s exactly why I steer clear of olives! The story is rich with emotion intoxicating, the line between right and wrong is wonderfully blurred. The pacing is quick, but the romance doesn’t feel rushed. They take their time figuring each other out, and just when it seems like they might get their happily ever after, the author hits us with a jaw-dropping cliffhanger. Now, I’m eagerly counting down the days until the next book releases on June 10th! I highly recommend if you enjoy dark romance.
First off - thank you to the author for an advanced reader copy of this book. **some spoilers may be attached in this review**
4.5 stars rounded up to 5 because I love these characters!
I wasn't so sure I was going to like Valentina and Darragh together but man did I really get sucked into this story. The first dual set by this author got me hooked and I cannot wait to see how this one ends. The last 2 chapters really hit me and now the next release date cannot come fast enough.
Darragh is growing on me as a character and making me love him just as much as Elio from the first duet of books.
**If you are squeamish to periods/adult acts while on the period, there are a few chapters where this is in play.
Yes.... I'm into it. Your first encounter with the dude is him throwing your fiance over the edge of a building- yep, download. I must have missed that the next book isn't coming out till June. SO - FUTURE SELF, it ends like this, big red nails her down, virginity- swiped. Ring on her finger, but he has to bounce over to Ireland real quick to clean up some shit but he's coming back for her, she's like- oh shit, no thanks, I'm not pure anymore- we are all set here. She comes out, her dad finds out big red and her have lied to him, not good. BETRAYED. SO, he sets her up to marry someone else and they are getting on a plane tonight to go do just that. Irishman is going to be pissed and kill everyone for sure, and we will wait for that.
Vero GIRL what did you put in these books because I am utterly shocked???!!!! I am in LOVE. I never thought I would love Darragh and Vale but togheter they are something else. I'm just sorry that it ended quickly and I can't wait for the next book. I should have waited because now I can't even focus without thinking about these two 😩 I love love love the male characters point of views, I love how you may think they're just insufferable until you read what they think. Yes, it all may be over the top but let's not forget we are in mafia world so we can't except ordinary stuff I mean. Again I would give 10000 stars. Loved this book, it's so good. 🌶️🌶️
"I don’t want to look soft and pretty tonight. I want to look like I eat men’s hearts for breakfast, goddąmnit."
Vero Heath writes some of my favorite mafiå romance books, and this one was no exception. I've been waiting for this character arc since the first book and it did not disappoint.
I loved seeing how the characters fight the pull they feel towards each other. The chemistry between them is real and electric.
This book does end on a cliffhanger, but the 2nd part is available now. Be sure to check tw before reading. This is a dark mafiå book after all...
Thanks so much to Vero Heath for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really flew through this book once I got into it. While I think my overall love for mafia romances have dwindled in the last few years, Vero finds a way to bring me back in. I appreciate as a Canadian reviewer that I know all the settings in this series.
While I do think there are a lot of trope crossovers from the first two books, the females leads are different enough that we get something new from this story.
Overall, a good read and can't wait for book four.
Man oh man this book was everything I wanted and more. I loved Valentina from the parts she played in the first 2 books and having her story unfold in this one was everything. Valentina is a girl lost in a world she is forced to survive in and until she meets Darragh she has never taken her life into her own hands. Darragh is a strong sexy Irish man who knows what he wants and will stop at nothing to get it together they make this book so deliciously twisted I absolutely need more of them!
Unexpected yet surprisingly good . Never would I have thought of these two together. But I’m glad Valentina dodged a bullet. But why, why, why, why? Why did you have to do a cliffhanger like that? I was so invested in this storyline and I was ready for what was to come only to be thrown off the deep end and having no idea how this will continue… It’s a good story with enough depth, spice, mafia elements and a whole new side to Valentina which was awesome.
J'ai adoré ! Je savais que j'allais aimé Darragh quand on le rencontre dans le tome précédent. Mais je pensais pas quand j'aimerais autant la dynamique avec Valentina. Il y a une super alchimie entre les 2 ! Le rythme était très bien, et le roman pas trop long pour une première partie de la duologie. Leur banter et leur relation en général m'a rappelée un peu Rafe et Penny dans Sinners consumed. J'ai hâte que la suite sorte !
Every.single.release is a page turning, unputdownable, thrill of a read! I absolutely adore the world built in the Titans and Tyrant series. The fact that all the stories are interconnected make it so I don't have to leave some of my favorite characters behind. I may even like Darragh better than Elio 🫣
If you're looking for a quick, satisfying, mafia dark romance read - you must pick this up!
I cannot believe I have to wait for the next one! Omg this was so great. I loved Valentina’s attitude in the last two books but seeing inside her brain in this one was perfection! Darragh lives up to his nickname of being mad but omg he does it for the right reasons. In Vero I trust to get us to that happy ending but omg I know it’s going to be a rollercoaster getting there.
Absolutely loved this book. Darragh and Valentina are perfect for each other. I do hate her dad though, like really really hate him, I mean he is a mob boss but he's just so uncaring about his family and only wants to use them especially Valentina, I hope Darragh kills him in the next book and Elio becomes the boss. Can't wait for the next book.
I'm addicted with Valentina and Darragh's story! I can't wait for the next book. Darragh gives the word villain a new meaning. OMG, he's insanely hot, intoxicating and fascinating, his want and obsession with Valentina it's on a new level of madness. I can't get enough of it!
Vero why??? Why? Why? Why? That cliffhanger?? I am absolutely in love with the series but I'm heartbroken about this cliffhanger! Gah 😫. The mmc *swoon* is incredible. Vero Heath is an incredible writer and I can't wait for the next book!
🤯🤯 I knew this pairing would be explosive and cause heads to roll, but wow! Definitely a must read and I need book 4 like yesterday!! I'm so hooked and can't wait for more Valentina and Darragh!
(Reread) 8/18/25 • i love darragh & valentina SO MUCH. i love how vero writes these unapologetic morally gray, down-bad-only-for-their-lady MMCs. i love doing this reread when i can just open their second book right after. ugh, perfection all around
—————— 4.5 ⭐️ ARC • **laying facedown on the floor of my kitchen** she warned me. she warned me there was a cliffhanger & i knew there was one & yet i still got yeeted right off the cliff.
i finished this ARC in less than 24 hours. it is no secret that i love love LOVE Vero’s writing — i loved deirdre & elio’s duology and i was so excited that valentina’s was next. (it was so fun the little bits of deirdre & elio we got to see in this book!)
i love valentina — her sass, her strength, her unapologetic & entirely self-aware way of navigating this world she’s a part of, her recklessness — it was so much fun to be in her POV. and darragh is so FUN — i love seeing an unhinged, morally gray, “mad” MMC. i love their push & pull, their arguments, their intensity.
it did get dark & sexy, and tbh, vero, only your writing would have me feeling a certain way here (iykyk). the tension was so good & the build-up was so fun, and darragh has some great lines & gestures as well. i am truly gnawing at the bars of my enclosure needing this all to work out for them.
i wouldn’t say the cliffhanger was an intense “plot” cliffhanger, but imo, it’s an intense personal/character cliffhanger and i am so worried about both of them, send help. i love being an ARC reader, but dear god, i feel greedy, but i am already impatiently waiting for the next one.
“[…]You should know by now that there are no white knights in our world, my pretty little Titone. There are no heroes.” He gives me a biting sort of smile. “So you’re going to have to just make do with the villain.”
—
Rating: 5/5 Spice: 2/5 POV: Dual 1st
You know when you go into a book fully aware that it will end on a cliffhanger, but it still gets you bad because the cliffy doesn’t happen where you thought it would? Yeah, Vero got me good 😭 FLIPPING DESK MODE ACTIVATED 🚨
If you have already read the first two books of this series, then you are familiar with Darragh and Valentina: the Irish mobster and the Sicilian mafia princess of the Titone family. Born and raised in that world, she knows she is destined to be married off by her father to secure power or leverage. Unfortunately, that destiny comes knocking too soon and wears the name Dario Fabbri— Toronto city councillor and son of a real estate mogul. She doesn’t like the man, but she doesn’t expect to watch her fiancé be thrown off a rooftop by her family’s enemy before she accidentally chokes on an olive. And it is on that rooftop that her fate changes and veers off course when she reaches for Darragh Gowan for help.
”Every breath you breathe belongs to me now, pet.”
Darragh was simply unhinged in his obsession with Valentina, and I LIVED FOR IT! I honestly didn’t expect to love that pair as much as I did. The tension was just delicious, whew! That man would be a red flag in real life, but here? Book boyfriend status, of course. I need part 2, please.
Shoutout to my next love, Curse. The A on his palm stands for my name, A-Sopha. Case closed.