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The Painted Sinners #2
Black Heart Painted Gold
Atticus is dead to me.
But walking away isn’t an option when Seven and Elijah still need my help.
For them, I’ll do anything.
I’ll put on a mask and become someone else. I’ll slip into Ambrose’s world, play the part of his lost daughter, and dig up the secrets that can finally tip the scales in our favor.
But Ambrose is more ruthless than we ever imagined. Colder. Smarter. A monster who built his empire on blood and lies. And the deeper I go, the more the lines between hunter and prey begin to blur.
Now the only way out is together—even if that means trusting the man who betrayed me.
Atticus swears he’ll burn the world down before he lets their enemy hurt me, and part of me wants to believe him. To believe he’s as sorry as he seems when he grovels.
Because if we can’t put the past behind us, we’ll lose the only thing we have left.
Each other.
Black Heart Painted Gold is a dark, high-heat revenge romance with ruthless, morally gray antiheroes, and an undercover heroine who walks right into the lion’s den.
602 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 5, 2026
About the author
Elena Lawson
41 books1,823 followersElena lives in Canada with her husband, daughter, and their Siberian cat overlords. She writes dark, why-choose romances full of feisty heroines, unforgettable heroes, and their kindle-melting chemistry.
When she comes out of her writing cave, she can be found binge-watching true-crime shows, obsessively rearranging her bookshelves, or chasing the sun around the globe.
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorlealately
When she comes out of her writing cave, she can be found binge-watching true-crime shows, obsessively rearranging her bookshelves, or chasing the sun around the globe.
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorlealately
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 567 reviews
April 29, 2026
Decent read… I was a little frustrated with this one and it dragged for me 😕
June 14, 2026
3.3
So I waited an entire year after that cliffhanger in book 1… only to get hit with another one?! 😭 I had finally forgiven Daddicus, and then this book goes and delivers the cliffhanger of all cliffhangers.
Thankfully book three comes out in October because I need answers immediately.
This one didn’t hit quite as hard for me as the first book, but I still really enjoyed it. I loved seeing Aurora step up and put herself on the line for her harem of men…she’s such a badass and continues to prove why I love her character.
And Sev…WOW. That man is absolutely down bad for his girl and I am here for every second of it.
Now I just need this final book to give these characters a break and let them be happy for once. Please. They’ve earned it.
So I waited an entire year after that cliffhanger in book 1… only to get hit with another one?! 😭 I had finally forgiven Daddicus, and then this book goes and delivers the cliffhanger of all cliffhangers.
Thankfully book three comes out in October because I need answers immediately.
This one didn’t hit quite as hard for me as the first book, but I still really enjoyed it. I loved seeing Aurora step up and put herself on the line for her harem of men…she’s such a badass and continues to prove why I love her character.
And Sev…WOW. That man is absolutely down bad for his girl and I am here for every second of it.
Now I just need this final book to give these characters a break and let them be happy for once. Please. They’ve earned it.
March 14, 2026
If you read the first book in the series you better buckle up and make sure you have a pillow close to scream into so you don’t scare your neighbors with that ending and cliffhanger.
The second book picks up right where the first one left off which I appreciated. Only a few days had gone by and man is Daddicus in the dog house after the ending to book one. Atticus has some major groveling and apologies to make up for how he handled things with Aurora and boy oh boy does he crawl on his hands and knees to win her back.
This one was such a wild ride and honestly makes me even more feral for the next book. There were so many twists and turns that I did not see coming that the ending almost sent me over the edge. After the ending of the first book, I knew it was going to end on a huge cliffhanger, but I did not see that ending coming at all. These books are definitely not for the faint of heart but they are so worth it if you are obsessed with dark romances, fast pace plot, and masked men. The spice alone had me drooling.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
*Thank you to the author, Elena Lawson for the ARC!*
🖤 Dark why choose
🩸Found family
🖤 Only soft for her
🩸Psycho golden retriever
🖤 Revenge romance
🩸 Top tier groveling
🖤 Damaged heroes
The second book picks up right where the first one left off which I appreciated. Only a few days had gone by and man is Daddicus in the dog house after the ending to book one. Atticus has some major groveling and apologies to make up for how he handled things with Aurora and boy oh boy does he crawl on his hands and knees to win her back.
This one was such a wild ride and honestly makes me even more feral for the next book. There were so many twists and turns that I did not see coming that the ending almost sent me over the edge. After the ending of the first book, I knew it was going to end on a huge cliffhanger, but I did not see that ending coming at all. These books are definitely not for the faint of heart but they are so worth it if you are obsessed with dark romances, fast pace plot, and masked men. The spice alone had me drooling.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
*Thank you to the author, Elena Lawson for the ARC!*
🖤 Dark why choose
🩸Found family
🖤 Only soft for her
🩸Psycho golden retriever
🖤 Revenge romance
🩸 Top tier groveling
🖤 Damaged heroes
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March 11, 2026Thank you for this ARC. These are my true and honest thoughts.
At this point I have no idea what I will rate this book. I read the first book on a whim after randomly seeing a post from the author one day. I loved the first book, and was so happy that I read it so close to the release of this one. But this book was a whole lot of words for a whole little of actual story.
I actually hate that I love the premise of the plot so much that I couldn’t bring myself to stop reading it. And getting to the end was the biggest letdown.
The first half of the book was utterly pointless. Not until 52% in does the story actually start. The second half of the book was completely action and I felt dizzy. I think it would’ve been better if the author had balanced it more.
The pacing was off, the dialogue was long, unnecessary and painful, and the characters had zero depth to them in this book, which is completely different from the first book.
I am not providing a star rating yet, because I think my disappointment will settle and I’ll be able to rate this book more accurately when I’ve had time to decompress.
One thing I will say, is I will absolutely read the 3rd book. The actual plot is amazing for a dark romance book. And I don’t think I could live my life not seeing how it ends. So I have already purchased the next book. Plus, I know the author can write well, since the first book was amazing, so I am hopeful book 3 will redeem itself.
Thank you, again, to the author for this ARC read.
At this point I have no idea what I will rate this book. I read the first book on a whim after randomly seeing a post from the author one day. I loved the first book, and was so happy that I read it so close to the release of this one. But this book was a whole lot of words for a whole little of actual story.
I actually hate that I love the premise of the plot so much that I couldn’t bring myself to stop reading it. And getting to the end was the biggest letdown.
The first half of the book was utterly pointless. Not until 52% in does the story actually start. The second half of the book was completely action and I felt dizzy. I think it would’ve been better if the author had balanced it more.
The pacing was off, the dialogue was long, unnecessary and painful, and the characters had zero depth to them in this book, which is completely different from the first book.
I am not providing a star rating yet, because I think my disappointment will settle and I’ll be able to rate this book more accurately when I’ve had time to decompress.
One thing I will say, is I will absolutely read the 3rd book. The actual plot is amazing for a dark romance book. And I don’t think I could live my life not seeing how it ends. So I have already purchased the next book. Plus, I know the author can write well, since the first book was amazing, so I am hopeful book 3 will redeem itself.
Thank you, again, to the author for this ARC read.
May 6, 2026
One of the best why choose series I have EVER READ!!
That ending has literally thrown me through a wall 🥺
That ending has literally thrown me through a wall 🥺
June 4, 2026
4 ⭐
➳ started on 5/12/26
➳ finished on 5/17/26
➳ started on 5/12/26
➳ finished on 5/17/26
March 7, 2026
I am gonna say 2.5 and this is coming from liking the first book so much it got a 4 😭
spoilers.
I also will note that yet again I'm one of the first non arc reviews and I'm the only not 4 or 5 star I think. I yell about this I feel like all the time, but Arcs aren't truthful at this point. I get wanting hyoe surrounding the book being published but it's so dishonest if not a single person had questions? Things that didn't add up? something they didn't like? ANYWAY ENOUGH OF MY DISLIKE OF ARCS.
I am super sad here friends...The first book set up a pretty awesome plot and started to set up relationships between the four characters that were developing and had depth. I really liked it! Now I will preface what I'm about to say that the author notes the original plan was for this series of three books to be a stand alone and I believe it because this second book did not seem as flushed out or planned and it kept me from really enjoying it at the same level.
Let's start with the smut because it's pretty prevalent but it almost came off forced if that makes sense. We get the primal hunting scene, the erotic painting scene, and then the threesome. It seemed more like wanting to add attention grabbing scenes than really playing into their overall relationships and the book itself. Now you can say "Hey you read romance, smut scenes happen why are you complaining?" and I would say fair, but I liked the genuine connection from book one and when I felt it going to sensational scenes we can post about online as attention grabbers I was put off. In that same vein, the reference to being viral on tiktok made me cringe. I know that modern books will have modern things but it will forever take me out of a book when the book itself mentions TikTok.
Now onto Aurora. I liked her enough in book one. I felt like she had room for growth but was overall a pretty strong character. Imagine my surprise with this one. She is whiny and petty when it comes to Atti, makes amazingly stupid choices over and over and expects no consequences, and then no offense to this fictional character she lets her emotions cloud her judgement and directly leads to her being taken and imprisoned honestly. I just wanted some of her intelligence and cunning back. She ended up being a hot mess who likes sex, which again fair.
Now for the major reason this one ended up with a 2.5 for me. The guys are billed as way to intelligent for this book to even be possible. My very first question when they came up with the plan to send her in as the fake daughter? Well there were cameras in Paris where his guys clearly saw you....wouldn't he know she was with you? low and behold I was right just not fully because even though we hear over and over how careful and skilled they were Ambrose WAS AT THE ART GALLERY. Then every single step of the way in this book I thought to myself "Well that's incredibly stupid and you shouldn't be doing that" in the effort to save time I will do some bullet points
*If you are the only person who uses the laundry mat for laundry won't it be super obvious and weird that you just disappear into the back room?
*This man automatically trusts you and wants to meet you, then wants to automatically take you overseas and you don't think he's suspicious?
*HOW COULD YOU HAVE POSSIBLY FALLEN ASLEEP ENOUGH THEY REMOVED A TRACKING DEVICE FROM YOUR BRA
*The goons magically never came to where your super secret meet up place was? and you didnt ask why?
*in that same vein you all had two separate occasions where you went together for the weekend, and one of them came over and you slept together. Again, this is covert and secretive and you are just doing this?
I am going to stop with the bullet points there but the whole book I wanted to pull my damn hair out! The intelligence and sophistication we get in book one just clearly does not translate in book two. I feel like I'm reading two separate sets of characters and like they all aged down in book two. it's more petty, they make rookie mistakes, and not a single person questions a single thing.
I am not sure I will read the next book, I was just too excited for this one 😭
spoilers.
I also will note that yet again I'm one of the first non arc reviews and I'm the only not 4 or 5 star I think. I yell about this I feel like all the time, but Arcs aren't truthful at this point. I get wanting hyoe surrounding the book being published but it's so dishonest if not a single person had questions? Things that didn't add up? something they didn't like? ANYWAY ENOUGH OF MY DISLIKE OF ARCS.
I am super sad here friends...The first book set up a pretty awesome plot and started to set up relationships between the four characters that were developing and had depth. I really liked it! Now I will preface what I'm about to say that the author notes the original plan was for this series of three books to be a stand alone and I believe it because this second book did not seem as flushed out or planned and it kept me from really enjoying it at the same level.
Let's start with the smut because it's pretty prevalent but it almost came off forced if that makes sense. We get the primal hunting scene, the erotic painting scene, and then the threesome. It seemed more like wanting to add attention grabbing scenes than really playing into their overall relationships and the book itself. Now you can say "Hey you read romance, smut scenes happen why are you complaining?" and I would say fair, but I liked the genuine connection from book one and when I felt it going to sensational scenes we can post about online as attention grabbers I was put off. In that same vein, the reference to being viral on tiktok made me cringe. I know that modern books will have modern things but it will forever take me out of a book when the book itself mentions TikTok.
Now onto Aurora. I liked her enough in book one. I felt like she had room for growth but was overall a pretty strong character. Imagine my surprise with this one. She is whiny and petty when it comes to Atti, makes amazingly stupid choices over and over and expects no consequences, and then no offense to this fictional character she lets her emotions cloud her judgement and directly leads to her being taken and imprisoned honestly. I just wanted some of her intelligence and cunning back. She ended up being a hot mess who likes sex, which again fair.
Now for the major reason this one ended up with a 2.5 for me. The guys are billed as way to intelligent for this book to even be possible. My very first question when they came up with the plan to send her in as the fake daughter? Well there were cameras in Paris where his guys clearly saw you....wouldn't he know she was with you? low and behold I was right just not fully because even though we hear over and over how careful and skilled they were Ambrose WAS AT THE ART GALLERY. Then every single step of the way in this book I thought to myself "Well that's incredibly stupid and you shouldn't be doing that" in the effort to save time I will do some bullet points
*If you are the only person who uses the laundry mat for laundry won't it be super obvious and weird that you just disappear into the back room?
*This man automatically trusts you and wants to meet you, then wants to automatically take you overseas and you don't think he's suspicious?
*HOW COULD YOU HAVE POSSIBLY FALLEN ASLEEP ENOUGH THEY REMOVED A TRACKING DEVICE FROM YOUR BRA
*The goons magically never came to where your super secret meet up place was? and you didnt ask why?
*in that same vein you all had two separate occasions where you went together for the weekend, and one of them came over and you slept together. Again, this is covert and secretive and you are just doing this?
I am going to stop with the bullet points there but the whole book I wanted to pull my damn hair out! The intelligence and sophistication we get in book one just clearly does not translate in book two. I feel like I'm reading two separate sets of characters and like they all aged down in book two. it's more petty, they make rookie mistakes, and not a single person questions a single thing.
I am not sure I will read the next book, I was just too excited for this one 😭
March 15, 2026
3⭐️ 3🌶
I have very mixed feelings about this book. Overall, I ended up feeling pretty disappointed, which is especially frustrating because I absolutely loved the first book 😭.
The pacing felt really off to me. It took almost 50% of the book before anything significant actually happened, which made the first half drag quite a bit. It very much felt like a classic “middle book” in a series.. mostly setting things up for the next installment rather than delivering a strong story on its own.
The plot also felt quite predictable. I figured out fairly early on where things were heading, which unfortunately took away some of the tension and excitement.
Another thing that disappointed me was the promised top-tier groveling from Daddicus. The first book really set the stage for what could have been some incredible groveling, so my expectations were high… but it never really delivered. Such a shame, because the buildup in book one made it seem like we were about to get something really satisfying.
That said, the highlight of the book was definitely chapter 48, when we finally got some real why choose energy 🌶🔥🔥🔥. I’m also never going to complain about some primal play showing up, so that was a very welcome surprise 🥵.
All in all, the book was… fine. Not bad, but not nearly as good as I had hoped. I just expected more from it on several levels.
I have very mixed feelings about this book. Overall, I ended up feeling pretty disappointed, which is especially frustrating because I absolutely loved the first book 😭.
The pacing felt really off to me. It took almost 50% of the book before anything significant actually happened, which made the first half drag quite a bit. It very much felt like a classic “middle book” in a series.. mostly setting things up for the next installment rather than delivering a strong story on its own.
The plot also felt quite predictable. I figured out fairly early on where things were heading, which unfortunately took away some of the tension and excitement.
Another thing that disappointed me was the promised top-tier groveling from Daddicus. The first book really set the stage for what could have been some incredible groveling, so my expectations were high… but it never really delivered. Such a shame, because the buildup in book one made it seem like we were about to get something really satisfying.
That said, the highlight of the book was definitely chapter 48, when we finally got some real why choose energy 🌶🔥🔥🔥. I’m also never going to complain about some primal play showing up, so that was a very welcome surprise 🥵.
All in all, the book was… fine. Not bad, but not nearly as good as I had hoped. I just expected more from it on several levels.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Atticus is suffering the consequences of his own actions. After his massive accusations and threats to Aurora, she wants nothing to do with him. Elijah and Seven refuse to be the in-between as he sorts out how to gain her trust, while they enter a mission that is bound to set all of them at risk. With their hearts on the line, and a dangerous man bearing down on them, the scars from their past are bound to surface.
*****
OMFGGGGGGG! This was phenomenal. I was hoping for a book full of Atticus groveling and did this one ever deliver. His perspective of being haunted by his choices, his weaknesses, and his ill temper were absolutely perfect. I loved watching him suffer her closeness, while also her overall indifference to him while he tried to earn back her attention and trust.
I also felt like we got a further evolution into Atticus's personality, as well as the other men as they sorted out their feelings for Aurora while she risked her life for theirs. Their time apart and together gave insight into how the betrayal upset their dynamics, and I loved to see peeks of Aurora's temper, naivety and bravery throughout.
I'm so glad the authors decided to extend this duet into a series, as the twists, turns and absolutely devastating cliffhangers at the end have me dying for the next one!
*****
Thank you to the authors for the advanced reader copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
*****
OMFGGGGGGG! This was phenomenal. I was hoping for a book full of Atticus groveling and did this one ever deliver. His perspective of being haunted by his choices, his weaknesses, and his ill temper were absolutely perfect. I loved watching him suffer her closeness, while also her overall indifference to him while he tried to earn back her attention and trust.
I also felt like we got a further evolution into Atticus's personality, as well as the other men as they sorted out their feelings for Aurora while she risked her life for theirs. Their time apart and together gave insight into how the betrayal upset their dynamics, and I loved to see peeks of Aurora's temper, naivety and bravery throughout.
I'm so glad the authors decided to extend this duet into a series, as the twists, turns and absolutely devastating cliffhangers at the end have me dying for the next one!
*****
Thank you to the authors for the advanced reader copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Black Heart Painted Gold
The Painted Sinners Series book 2
By Elena Lawson
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶
🖤 Dark romance
🥀 Why choose
🖤Found Family
🥀 Forced Proximity
🖤 M@sked Men
🥀 Anastasia Vibes
🖤 Revenge
EXCUSE ME!? but what? This second instalment of The Painted Sinners Series (that was originally supposed to be one book may I add) had me feeling all my feels from giggling, to tearing up, to downright mad both at characters and maybe Elena because WHO ENDS A BOOK LIKE THAT?!
We are back to following Aurora and her men 😍 feeling out all our feels even forgiveness in this book which is a BIG thing for Aurora IYKYK because of something that happened in book 1 (White Rose Painted Red). But we also see some truths come out about Aurora's long lost parents 😉 and of course the need for Revenge is still a hot topic in this instalment.
So will they finally see it come into fruition or will father dearest destroy more than the art?
This has to be my favourite in this series so far 😍 I mean Masked men heist? Sign me up for Menage a MaskTok anyway 😉🤤
Black Heart Painted Gold releases today! March 3rd 😘🖤
#darkromance #maskedmen #masktok #bookreview #booktokfyp
The Painted Sinners Series book 2
By Elena Lawson
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶
🖤 Dark romance
🥀 Why choose
🖤Found Family
🥀 Forced Proximity
🖤 M@sked Men
🥀 Anastasia Vibes
🖤 Revenge
EXCUSE ME!? but what? This second instalment of The Painted Sinners Series (that was originally supposed to be one book may I add) had me feeling all my feels from giggling, to tearing up, to downright mad both at characters and maybe Elena because WHO ENDS A BOOK LIKE THAT?!
We are back to following Aurora and her men 😍 feeling out all our feels even forgiveness in this book which is a BIG thing for Aurora IYKYK because of something that happened in book 1 (White Rose Painted Red). But we also see some truths come out about Aurora's long lost parents 😉 and of course the need for Revenge is still a hot topic in this instalment.
So will they finally see it come into fruition or will father dearest destroy more than the art?
This has to be my favourite in this series so far 😍 I mean Masked men heist? Sign me up for Menage a MaskTok anyway 😉🤤
Black Heart Painted Gold releases today! March 3rd 😘🖤
#darkromance #maskedmen #masktok #bookreview #booktokfyp
May 16, 2026
"𝑯𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒔𝒆𝒅, 𝑹𝒐? 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒇𝒖𝒄𝒌𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒉?"
"𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒂𝒓𝒌 𝒔𝒘𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒔 𝒎𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑰 𝒔𝒆𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒚 𝒆𝒚𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒅𝒔, 𝑰 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒛𝒆 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒄𝒖𝒕𝒔 𝒅𝒆𝒆𝒑𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒚 𝒔𝒉𝒓𝒂𝒑𝒏𝒆𝒍 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅."
WHAT A CLIFF HANGER, when's the final book out then because I need to know what is going on! The last 20% had me sat on the edge of the seat with the twists and gagging to know what was going to happen next.
Everything about this series is fantastic. 3 morally gray men & 1 girl, but she's badass. She's sexy and fearless. She's a great MMC.
The spice 🌶️😛, the setting, the characters & the plot, no notes. This is a great series if you want a dark romance, masked men & fast paced plot that's super easy reading!
"𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒂𝒓𝒌 𝒔𝒘𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒔 𝒎𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑰 𝒔𝒆𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒚 𝒆𝒚𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒅𝒔, 𝑰 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒛𝒆 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒄𝒖𝒕𝒔 𝒅𝒆𝒆𝒑𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒚 𝒔𝒉𝒓𝒂𝒑𝒏𝒆𝒍 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅."
WHAT A CLIFF HANGER, when's the final book out then because I need to know what is going on! The last 20% had me sat on the edge of the seat with the twists and gagging to know what was going to happen next.
Everything about this series is fantastic. 3 morally gray men & 1 girl, but she's badass. She's sexy and fearless. She's a great MMC.
The spice 🌶️😛, the setting, the characters & the plot, no notes. This is a great series if you want a dark romance, masked men & fast paced plot that's super easy reading!
March 21, 2026
That ending was absolutely criminal…
I need book 3. 😭😭😭
I need book 3. 😭😭😭
April 2, 2026
This was unfortunately not great
March 11, 2026
ARC Review – Black Heart Painted Gold
by Elena Lawson
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐| 🌶️🌶️🌶️
This second installment in The Painted Sinners series pulled me right back into Aurora’s dangerous world. The tension after the betrayal in book one is still very real, and watching the fallout between Aurora and Atticus made this story incredibly intense.
Aurora continues to prove she’s an absolute force. When Seven and Elijah need her help, she doesn’t hesitate to walk straight into danger, infiltrating Ambrose De La Rosa’s world by pretending to be his missing daughter. The deeper she goes, the more dangerous the game becomes, and Ambrose proves to be a cold and ruthless enemy.
The groveling, the guilt, the longing… it all builds into a slow, emotionally charged reconciliation that makes every moment feel earned. And when the walls finally start to crack between them, the chemistry is explosive.
Secrets about Aurora’s past start to surface, the tension keeps building, and that ending left me desperate for the next book.
If you love dark romance with revenge, morally gray antiheroes, and high emotional tension, this one is definitely worth the read.
by Elena Lawson
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐| 🌶️🌶️🌶️
This second installment in The Painted Sinners series pulled me right back into Aurora’s dangerous world. The tension after the betrayal in book one is still very real, and watching the fallout between Aurora and Atticus made this story incredibly intense.
Aurora continues to prove she’s an absolute force. When Seven and Elijah need her help, she doesn’t hesitate to walk straight into danger, infiltrating Ambrose De La Rosa’s world by pretending to be his missing daughter. The deeper she goes, the more dangerous the game becomes, and Ambrose proves to be a cold and ruthless enemy.
The groveling, the guilt, the longing… it all builds into a slow, emotionally charged reconciliation that makes every moment feel earned. And when the walls finally start to crack between them, the chemistry is explosive.
Secrets about Aurora’s past start to surface, the tension keeps building, and that ending left me desperate for the next book.
If you love dark romance with revenge, morally gray antiheroes, and high emotional tension, this one is definitely worth the read.
March 2, 2026
ARC Review
Ratings
Plot: 5⭐️
Spice: 3.5🌶️
The Painted Sinners series is a MFMM dark romance featuring a badass FMC that will do anything for the men she loves and 3 morally gray MMCs that will burn the world down for her.
Black Hearts Painted Gold strongly focuses on the relationship evolution of Aurora and Atticus, while navigating the group’s plan to get revenge against Ambrose De La Rosa for what he did to Elijah and the Ashford family.
This put me through it!
Picking up where we left off in book 1, Atticus does not exist to Aurora but she agrees to the plan of impersonating the missing De La Rosa daughter.
Atticus shows so much emotional growth in this book. We see him work so much on his need to control everything and take accountability for the way he treated Aurora.
The tension between Atty and Ro is intense, and when it finally snaps and she accepts him into her RH, the spicy is HOT.
The twist at the end, finding out more about Aurora’s family is, the nightmares Eli was having about what would happen to Ro and what Ambrose eventually does to her, and finally how this book ended and not knowing what happens to Atticus, all nearly broke me.
Ratings
Plot: 5⭐️
Spice: 3.5🌶️
The Painted Sinners series is a MFMM dark romance featuring a badass FMC that will do anything for the men she loves and 3 morally gray MMCs that will burn the world down for her.
Black Hearts Painted Gold strongly focuses on the relationship evolution of Aurora and Atticus, while navigating the group’s plan to get revenge against Ambrose De La Rosa for what he did to Elijah and the Ashford family.
This put me through it!
Picking up where we left off in book 1, Atticus does not exist to Aurora but she agrees to the plan of impersonating the missing De La Rosa daughter.
Atticus shows so much emotional growth in this book. We see him work so much on his need to control everything and take accountability for the way he treated Aurora.
The tension between Atty and Ro is intense, and when it finally snaps and she accepts him into her RH, the spicy is HOT.
The twist at the end, finding out more about Aurora’s family is, the nightmares Eli was having about what would happen to Ro and what Ambrose eventually does to her, and finally how this book ended and not knowing what happens to Atticus, all nearly broke me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 3, 2026
I wasnt big on Reverse Harems until I began this series. I was super excited to receive the ARC and dive right into book 2. I love the multiple povs and that each of the MMCs have a different style and personality. I love Aurora, and everything she stands for.
I'm really looking forward to book 3 and see how this series ends. There were a few curveballs in this book I wasn't prepared for but loved. I also really love how the book doesn't drag and use a ton of fillers, instead it just gets right to the plot!
I'm really looking forward to book 3 and see how this series ends. There were a few curveballs in this book I wasn't prepared for but loved. I also really love how the book doesn't drag and use a ton of fillers, instead it just gets right to the plot!
March 13, 2026
okay the romance & spice is good af. but the plot… THE PLOT IS EVEN BETTER 🔥 now I gotta wait for book three 🫣
May 1, 2026
Not good but not bad.
March 10, 2026
I HOPE YOU CAN HEAR MY SCREAMS FROM WHEREVER YOU ARE!! WHY DO YOU HATE ATTICUS???! He's my favorite and he deserves better 😭😭😭😭😭 I loved this book but I feel like I need to wait for the conclusion to give my unclouded review
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2026
I feel like this book took longer to get into than the first one, but can see that it was all about setting the scene for the final book.
Excited to see the chaos of the next book though🤩
Excited to see the chaos of the next book though🤩
March 3, 2026
I am loving this sereis. Even if it was only meant to be a duet, I am not at all upset. It doesn’t seem like it’s dragging on, I feel like this is giving Aurora’s, Atticus’s, Seven’s, and Elijah’s story exactly what it needs. I loved the first book, the introduction to the boys and how Aurora came to be part of their lives. Then when things went down and Atticus messed up bad, book 2 is showing Atticus changing and coming to terms with certain things and most of all his groveling. They are still on the same trajectory of vengeance for Eli and Julian, but things go wrong and now the boys have to rescue and get their girl back. The ending of book 1 broke my heart but book 2 is healing it, and I believe that book 3 will complete it. To see the progression of not only the relationship between all four of them but of themselves, I think that was my favorite part, how they are evolving and becoming. This series is so captivating, loving it!!!
March 15, 2026
4.25⭐️
Woaaaaah that ending. Seriously the last 20% was just a fucking wild ride of crazy shit happening. I thought there was more but it ended so abruptly on a massive cliffhanger. The audacity!! 😂😂
Thankfully the third book is coming out in October so not a super long wait but damn! I got a bit emotional at the end the book. Wasn’t expecting the whole story to hit as much as it did.
I enjoyed book 2 a lot. I still preferred book 1 which I rated a 4.5⭐️, the reason for that is this book felt a little bit longer than it needed to be. Especially the first 30% and the drawn out drama between Aurora and Atticus. I was frustrated at her behaviour a lot in the first 50% of the book and felt that Aurora was the weaker link of the book to be completely honest. She was very reckless in most of the book and just didn’t keep a cool head through it. The guys are what really anchored the story and I found myself loving Atticus even though I didn’t like him as much in book 1. The issue I also found is Atticus is held to the fire by Aurora and the other MMCs for his actions and triggers, but everyone else is allowed to be themselves and use their past trauma for their behaviors, but he isn’t. I felt that he was treated rather unfairly especially by Aurora, but she can be the way she is because of her history.
The original plan for this book was to be a duology but the author decided to write three books. I do feel like that’s justified based on the actual story but you can tell she was finding things to kind of play out the story a little longer in book 2. But it was still a super easy fun read. Definitely invested in where the story goes and how she will end it all.
Woaaaaah that ending. Seriously the last 20% was just a fucking wild ride of crazy shit happening. I thought there was more but it ended so abruptly on a massive cliffhanger. The audacity!! 😂😂
Thankfully the third book is coming out in October so not a super long wait but damn! I got a bit emotional at the end the book. Wasn’t expecting the whole story to hit as much as it did.
I enjoyed book 2 a lot. I still preferred book 1 which I rated a 4.5⭐️, the reason for that is this book felt a little bit longer than it needed to be. Especially the first 30% and the drawn out drama between Aurora and Atticus. I was frustrated at her behaviour a lot in the first 50% of the book and felt that Aurora was the weaker link of the book to be completely honest. She was very reckless in most of the book and just didn’t keep a cool head through it. The guys are what really anchored the story and I found myself loving Atticus even though I didn’t like him as much in book 1. The issue I also found is Atticus is held to the fire by Aurora and the other MMCs for his actions and triggers, but everyone else is allowed to be themselves and use their past trauma for their behaviors, but he isn’t. I felt that he was treated rather unfairly especially by Aurora, but she can be the way she is because of her history.
The original plan for this book was to be a duology but the author decided to write three books. I do feel like that’s justified based on the actual story but you can tell she was finding things to kind of play out the story a little longer in book 2. But it was still a super easy fun read. Definitely invested in where the story goes and how she will end it all.
June 2, 2026
Not often I find book 2 better than book 1 in reverse harems. But this one did it for me 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 ugh I can’t wait until October for book 3 😩
Atticus: Saw a few reviews saying Atticus didn’t grovel enough. But I think for his character it was done perfectly. Someone who has to always be in control and be the one making decisions, and not admitting mistakes, finally coming to trust other people and let go a little. It was done well in my opinion. He feels he let his family down in numerous ways so his actions to protect that are also overbearing make sense. It’s a trauma response in a way
Sev: I just love him. He loves and supports unapologetically. He’s a true ride or die. He always loved and supports all his family, even when they are wrong and he needs to check them he still does it in a way that’s healing.
Elijah: his story is heartbreaking. And I can truly understand why he’s so hesitant to let aurora be involved at all, wouldn’t you?? But he’s seeing that light at the end of the tunnel and learning what was broken may not be able to be fixed but instead adapted and repaired in new ways and I love that growth for him.
Aurora: my girl is headstrong. She’s a little reckless yeah but also handling this shit better than most people would 😂 she deserves a few crashouts. She’s been used and manipulated her whole life and Atticus should have seen those crashouts coming from a mile away even if his intentions are good. They don’t feel that way to someone who has trauma.
Book 3 better deliver us a fantastic revenge arch 😈😈😈😈😈😈
Atticus: Saw a few reviews saying Atticus didn’t grovel enough. But I think for his character it was done perfectly. Someone who has to always be in control and be the one making decisions, and not admitting mistakes, finally coming to trust other people and let go a little. It was done well in my opinion. He feels he let his family down in numerous ways so his actions to protect that are also overbearing make sense. It’s a trauma response in a way
Sev: I just love him. He loves and supports unapologetically. He’s a true ride or die. He always loved and supports all his family, even when they are wrong and he needs to check them he still does it in a way that’s healing.
Elijah: his story is heartbreaking. And I can truly understand why he’s so hesitant to let aurora be involved at all, wouldn’t you?? But he’s seeing that light at the end of the tunnel and learning what was broken may not be able to be fixed but instead adapted and repaired in new ways and I love that growth for him.
Aurora: my girl is headstrong. She’s a little reckless yeah but also handling this shit better than most people would 😂 she deserves a few crashouts. She’s been used and manipulated her whole life and Atticus should have seen those crashouts coming from a mile away even if his intentions are good. They don’t feel that way to someone who has trauma.
Book 3 better deliver us a fantastic revenge arch 😈😈😈😈😈😈
March 17, 2026
I am losing my mind over the twists and turns this story has taken. The ending has me wanting to hurl my kindle or stand in a corner with my face against the wall.
This story picks up with book 1 left us. Atticus finds himself royally f*cked and basically nonexistent to Aurora. As the guys revenge plans are put in motion things start to feel shakier and shakier. I spent this whole book with a sense of foreboding hanging over my head. We know something(s) bad is coming but what?
The plot here is so good. This is one of those rare dark romances where plot reigns supreme over spice. The heat is still there but we’re hanging on by our fingernails over where the overall story is going. This is an epic game of chess and no one knows what moves are coming next but Elena left us with the bad guy in checkmate. I need book 3 and I need it now.
This story picks up with book 1 left us. Atticus finds himself royally f*cked and basically nonexistent to Aurora. As the guys revenge plans are put in motion things start to feel shakier and shakier. I spent this whole book with a sense of foreboding hanging over my head. We know something(s) bad is coming but what?
The plot here is so good. This is one of those rare dark romances where plot reigns supreme over spice. The heat is still there but we’re hanging on by our fingernails over where the overall story is going. This is an epic game of chess and no one knows what moves are coming next but Elena left us with the bad guy in checkmate. I need book 3 and I need it now.
March 15, 2026
ARC Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Don’t let the length of time it took me to read this book turn you away. I WANTED to binge it; I wished I could have binged it. Damn, it had me hooked. And that cliffhanger was BRUTAL!
From the ending of book one, I was convinced that nothing Atticus could do would make me like him again. I was proven wrong, and perhaps by the end of this book, he came close to edging out Seven as my fav.
Let’s be honest, no one could beat Sev. He’s all in, guns ablazing, knives out for Aurora. Pretty much perfection.
I can’t wait for the final chapter in their saga!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Don’t let the length of time it took me to read this book turn you away. I WANTED to binge it; I wished I could have binged it. Damn, it had me hooked. And that cliffhanger was BRUTAL!
From the ending of book one, I was convinced that nothing Atticus could do would make me like him again. I was proven wrong, and perhaps by the end of this book, he came close to edging out Seven as my fav.
Let’s be honest, no one could beat Sev. He’s all in, guns ablazing, knives out for Aurora. Pretty much perfection.
I can’t wait for the final chapter in their saga!
March 1, 2026
If you don’t like cliffhangers, wait until the next books comes out. I was a little disappointed to find out that the first and second book in this series end on a cliffhanger when they were not portrayed as that. I’m a person who likes the whole story at once, and cliffhangers and I don’t get along because I usually forget what happens by the time the next book comes out.
This book was good, but I skimmed a lot of it because it felt like there was too much context. Aurora being mad and rude to Atticus for the first 50% of the book also put me in a sour mood. She on purpose gloated with Seven and Eli to make him feel like shit. On top of that, the action with Ambrose truly only started at 75%?? It felt like there was a lot happening, but not enough related to the main plot of the story. A bit of a let down, but I’m sure I’ll end up reading the third book where the plot (HOPEFULLY) gets resolved.
This book was good, but I skimmed a lot of it because it felt like there was too much context. Aurora being mad and rude to Atticus for the first 50% of the book also put me in a sour mood. She on purpose gloated with Seven and Eli to make him feel like shit. On top of that, the action with Ambrose truly only started at 75%?? It felt like there was a lot happening, but not enough related to the main plot of the story. A bit of a let down, but I’m sure I’ll end up reading the third book where the plot (HOPEFULLY) gets resolved.
March 15, 2026
4.5⭐️ Loved it! A really enjoyable read. Struggled to put it down. I’m so invested in the story. Can’t wait for the next book.
March 25, 2026
ARC REVIEW‼️
4.5 rounded up!
I LOVED the first book and the second did not disappoint! I love me a good why choose with some groveling and suspense and this book is so Den of Vipers coded. BUUUUTTT I have a love/hate relationship with cliffhangers and now I have to wait for the next book. The MMCs all balance each other out and it was perfect for the FMC.
4.5 rounded up!
I LOVED the first book and the second did not disappoint! I love me a good why choose with some groveling and suspense and this book is so Den of Vipers coded. BUUUUTTT I have a love/hate relationship with cliffhangers and now I have to wait for the next book. The MMCs all balance each other out and it was perfect for the FMC.
June 9, 2026
This book dragged a lot at the beginning which was frustrating, but at the end it was so good!!! I can’t believe it ended on a cliffhanger and i have to wait for the next 😭
March 10, 2026
Review of ARC copy from Author - I get so caught up this story! I like that it’s happening from multiple POVs so you don’t feel like you are missing gaps. They all have such strong characters. It has some spice but a solid story line to follow with which is a must for me! I need the third one ASAP because this cliffhanger…..Damn!
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