A Vicious Love Burns

House of Croft #5

by Sophie Barnes

Danger isn't just coming—it's personal…

Adrian Croft has sacrificed everything to protect his family. But when a brutal string of murders rock London, he's briefly distracted from the ruthless heir of an Irish crime lord—an enemy with ties to Adrian's darkest past. With Bow Street floundering and innocent lives at stake, Adrian steps back into the fray… and the cost is more than he ever expected.

Five months pregnant and desperate to be by her husband's side, Samantha Croft returns from her wintry retreat in the country—only to find herself in the crosshairs of the man determined to destroy her husband. Finn O'Leary doesn't care who he has to break to bring Adrian down, and Samantha may be his most valuable target.

-One series, one couple, and the brutal challenges they must face-

Perfect for fans of What Angels Fear, Silent in the Grave, and Murder on Black Swan Lake, Sophie Barnes delivers a thrilling new installment in the House of Croft series—where passion meets peril, and every page sizzles with suspense.

Genres: Mystery, Regency Romance

446 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 28, 2025

About the author

USA TODAY bestselling author Sophie Barnes writes historical romance novels in which the characters break away from social expectations in their quest for happiness and love. Having written for Avon, an imprint of Harper Collins, her books have been published internationally in eight languages. With a fondness for travel, Sophie has lived in six countries, on three continents, and speaks English, Danish, French, Spanish, and Romanian with varying degrees of fluency. Ever the romantic, she married the same man three times—in three different countries and in three different dresses.

When she’s not busy dreaming up her next swoon worthy romance novel, Sophie enjoys spending time with her family, practicing yoga, baking, gardening, watching romantic comedies and, of course, reading.

For all the latest releases, promotions, and exclusive story updates, subscribe to Sophie Barnes’ newsletter today: www.sophiebarnes.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSophie...
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Sophie-Barnes/...

Reviews

[eyes.2c · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Croft saga continues

Samantha is pregnant. Adrian’s empire is being threatened by a vicious Irish gangster, Finn O’Leary.
The demise of Adrian’s rule is personal for Finn. Adrian killed his father.
Meanwhile Detective Kendrick and Bow Street are flummoxed by a murder where a man has been killed and then had his throat cut. More deaths follow. There’s a pattern, but what is it? Is the assailant a woman?
Melody Roberts returns from her travels on the continent as the companion to Lady Heathbrooke and runs into Marsdale!
When Samantha is kidnapped Lord Harlowe’s adopted daughters, part of the Nightingale Project, swing into action, Melody with them.
This all just as Marsdale has turned to Melody. Now things will change!
Another feisty involving read!

An Independent ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adrian Croft has sacrificed everything to protect his family. But when a brutal string of murders rock London, he's briefly distracted from the ruthless heir of an Irish crime lord—an enemy with ties to Adrian's darkest past. With Bow Street floundering and innocent lives at stake, Adrian steps back into the fray. Five months pregnant and desperate to be by her husband's side, Samantha Croft returns from her wintry retreat in the country—only to find herself in the crosshairs of the man determined to destroy her husband. Finn O'Leary doesn't care who he has to break to bring Adrian down, and Samantha may be his most valuable target.
The fifth book in this brilliant series & I highly recommend reading from the start. Very well written, fast paced, wonderful characters, danger, intrigue & romance. I found it very hard to put down & several times was on the edge of my seat. I’ve grown to love Adrian & loved how protective he is of Samantha & how he almost fell to pieces, he wants to concentrate on the threat from O’Leary but gets drawn into murder case. I also loved how Peter & Gabriella’s relationship has deepened but then it’s not smooth sailing for them. Also Melody is back & Edward receives a shock. The book ends on a cliff hanger when Wrengate, yes Wrengate asks for help. Intriguing, engrossing, captivating & enthralling
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

[Lindsay pinkcowlandreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

Adrienne and Samantha Croft are back in London from a sojourn in the country to take care of some family business … and my family business that means taking down Finn O’Leary, who has come to steal the house of cross domination over the London underground! But this isn’t a regular photo, Finn has come for vengeance, not just glory and he’s a wildcard!

I absolutely loved getting to see the progression of Adrienne and Samantha‘s relationship and how they are working together on a new case with Cheif constable Kendrick… the streets of London, have been quiet for a while, but a new murderer has hit the streets it appears to be personal! Speaking of personal, Chief Kendrick starts getting pretty close to his investigating partner, and the daughter of his boss Gabriella Hastings. It appears that their enemies arc is slowly shifting to lovers! But this isn’t the only couple getting closer, Adrian‘s best friend. The girl of Marsdale has also returned in town just in time to reunite with his aunt‘s companion, Melody. Their match will make the ton wag their tongues, but if it’s true, love, it may be worth it!

I’m absolutely addicted to this series and these characters! I love being able to follow along as the relationships evolve and get a fun and exciting mystery at the same time. Romance and murder mystery, the best of both worlds! I highly recommend jumping into this series, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm still pulling my thoughts together after finishing A Vicious Love Burns, the fifth book in Sophie Barnes's action-packed, suspenseful historical mystery series, House of Croft, but I do have to agree with the author and others who have noted that this book has been their favorite of the series so far. It's been mine too!

It's long (at 446 pages) and detailed (but not redundant when Barnes recaps some of the events of the previous four books), and I highly recommend starting this series at the beginning. It will make this book an even richer, immersive experience if you've read each of the previous installments. Can you start with Book 5, since it has such a great title and draws readers to pick up the series here? You could, but why would you when you'll probably just want to go back and read the other books to fully appreciate all the nuances of this ever revolving cast of characters and their ties to each other. I have to give Sophie Barnes a tremendous amount of credit for keeping almost all of the plates spinning up in the air as we move into the final (?) stretch of the series with the last three books. How she does it is utterly amazing!

And I will add that for those who have been keeping up with the Crofts but have not yet read this book, we see quite a bit less of Samantha and Adrian Croft, but the supporting characters - like Peter Kendrick and Miss Hastings, Lord Marsdale and Melody Roberts - come to the forefront and have their turn around the dance floor, so to speak, albeit not as smoothly as we might have hoped. I feel like Edward has had more than he can take at this point, and we'll likely see a darker side to him than we have in the past We even catch a glimpse of a more humane Duke of Wrengate, who surprisingly is not as old or as curmudgeonly as I'd previously imagined - Sebastian (who knew that's his given name?) is not yet 30, and he has two younger sisters for whom he is responsible in addition to the duchy. Harlowe returns to the series fold, and Finn O'Leary remains lurking in the shadows, bidding his time before wreaking more havoc.

Perhaps my only critical point regarding this book is that it seems to end somewhat abruptly, with the last few chapters acting more like an extended epilogue that shows where everyone stands before A Deadly Inferno Consumes (Book 6) the House of Croft. I'm in it until the end, and I'm already looking forward to whatever Sophie Barnes has next up her sleeve for this cast of characters, but I would ever so politely request that Murry not be killed off anytime over the next three books. I don't think my heart could take it after all that's happened to him.

4.75 stars, rounded up to 5

I received an Advanced Reader Copy from the author, and I am leaving my honest review voluntarily.

[Tina Miles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. A lot happens in this book, and I feel the murders are a plausible vengeance.
In spite of several tantalizing clues I haven’t yet figured out who is pulling the string even though it’s apparent he is nobility ‘the gentleman’.
Several of the women in this book have been through harrowing experiences, especially Samantha. Gabriella will be quite changed by her experience in capturing the murderer. And it was quite a surprise to see what Peter Kendrick did to save her. He will have a lot more understanding of Croft now although it will be interesting to see how he struggles to convince himself that he is not the same type of person as Croft.
Finn O’Leary had turned into a dangerous villain, who provides a good amount of suspense and danger to the story. There’s a lot of potential there for danger in future books.
I must say that I am thrilled that Kendrick and Gabriella have resolved their romantic tangle. I’m quite glad that the author didn’t stretch this out over 3+ books as other authors seem to. I do enjoy how they spar with each other and the ongoing gag about Peter smoking his cheroots. I also really liked the idea of their ‘Agreement’ since it seems consistent with Gabriella’s personality.
The resolution of Edward, Marsdale and Melody’s, Samantha’s ‘sister’, romance will pose quite a problem in the future. Edward has turned from the honest, amenable person into quite a complicated character. I look forward to seeing what happens there though I suspect things will turn out okay down the road.
This series contains many themes, the behaviour of the aristocracy vs the behaviour of the lower classes, the manipulation of women by men, the women who break the restrictions of their gender, the theme of doing anything for love.

I’m looking forward to the next book.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant. Especially well done, because I have not read the prior books, yet the skill of the author is such that I understood the plot developments and read the entire book with interest. Now I have to go back and read the prior books. # free books

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

The wow continues. Story is told from different viewpoints. You get invested in a character’s story and then wham! the unexpected happens! A happy expectation and a couple of budding romances interspersed with murder mayhem, a deadly threat to life and happiness, enemies to allies and a shadowy puppeteer pulling the strings to control the outcome. What’s not to love about this series. I hope it will be turned into a TV series.

I received an ARC of this book and loving it from start to end and leaving my review voluntarily.

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story captivates and draws you in from the beginning. There is a great main plot, with a murderer loose, and a secondary one with Adrian searching for an old enemy bent on revenge. There are a couple of romances, lots of interesting characters, some good and some evil, plot twists, and overall, a wonderful can't put it down story.
I can't wait for the next one in the series!
I received this as an ARC, and these are my opinions.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

A complex series of unexpected twists and turns. Who do you trust is always an issue. First and foremost is protecting those you love. Descriptive violence.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of the book from Booksprout.

[Rebel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, hold onto your heart—A Vicious Love Burns by Sophie Barnes is pure, edge-of-your-seat chaos in the best possible way. From my point of view, this series keeps delivering that perfect mix of high-stakes crime, scorching romance, and emotional gut-punches that leave me shaking, sighing, and craving more.
Adrian Croft is everything I want in a hero: brooding, ruthless, protective to the nth degree, and utterly incapable of letting anyone he loves get hurt. Watching him juggle family, a relentless enemy, and his own demons? I felt every second of his tension. And then there’s Samantha—five months pregnant, fearless, and determined to stand by Adrian even when danger is stalking her every step. The way Sophie Barnes writes their bond… oh, it’s raw, it’s real, and yes, it’s hot.
Finn O’Leary is the kind of villain who makes you shiver—and not in a good way. His obsession with destroying Adrian and using Samantha as leverage had my nerves on fire. I was yelling at the pages, clutching my Kindle, and rooting for the Crofts to come out on top while knowing the danger lurking around every corner is very, very real.
Sophie Barnes keeps the tension sky-high in this installment—murders, betrayals, and heart-stopping twists all collide in London’s dark streets. And yet, even amidst the chaos, the romance, loyalty, and love that bind Adrian and Samantha made my heart ache and cheer at the same time.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — A Vicious Love Burns is high-stakes, steamy, and emotionally gripping. If you love mafia romance with family, danger, and a hero who will stop at nothing to protect his own, this one will leave you breathless and begging for the next Croft installment.

[Elizabeth Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and the author for an ARC of this book. It took me longer than expected to read it, but I loved it. Now that Adrian and Samantha have a strong, healthy relationship and are expecting a baby, it’s time to move on to building some of the other relationships in the book—like Chief Constable Peter Kendrick and Gabriella Hastings, and Adrian's best friend, Edward Price, Earl of Marsdale, and Samantha’s adoptive sister, Melody Roberts.

But first, we’ll throw in a sinister plot from newly-introduced villain, Finn O’Leary, whose father was killed by Adrian and who has sworn vengeance. Naturally, his first line of attack will be to kidnap Samantha. It’s just a matter of time until he finds his opportunity, and when he does, it seems like everyone is invested in finding her—including Kendrick and Harlowe. Even Wrengate helps, at Edward’s prodding.

There were some fun images that jumped out at me, like this one, right after Samantha had been taken: “No one uttered another word as the carriage drove on. It shook in response to every pothole and jerked to the side when they rounded a corner. The hoofbeats accompanied the uneven ride, like a mangled piece of music where the coachman’s whip set the tempo.” It so perfectly encapsulated the anguish Adrian was feeling.

At the end, Samantha and Adrian are safe and back together. If you think this is a spoiler, I don’t know what to tell you. It should have been obvious this would happen. Anyway, it looks like Peter and Gabriella may find the love they’ve been looking for in one another. Meanwhile, Edward and Melody’s relationship is in a questionable period that defies explanation. I’m looking forward to learning more in the next installment of the lives of these characters I have come to love. Highly recommended series.

[Rose Seals · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW, what an action packed story in this series. Full of drama, suspense, intrigue, revenge, murder, love, hate, emotions, friends, family, action and so much more. All these characters are igniting the pages with fireworks, conflicts and are multidimensional. Adrian and Samantha are married and expecting a baby. He's in London and she is in their country estate but does return to London after hearing about a murder. Meanwhile in London a murder has happened, Peter Kendrick is now looking for a killer with Gabriella to help him. Lots of emotions and feelings between them. Then add in O'Leary who is after Adrian, wanting to take over his empire and not above kidnapping Samantha and Adrian's valet. There is so much occurring that it's a story that you really can't put down and leaves you wanting more. Another question who is the gentleman at the end of the story, guess will have to wait for the next book to find out. Would offer this story a 10 if possible. Would strongly recommend to everyone.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Margaret Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adrian and Samantha Croft are once again embroiled in assisting Bow Street investigators solve the murder of a local man when a villain from his past comes to town to wreak vengeance on him. The plot of the story draws Adrian in multiple directions and he is forced to depend on his best friend, Edward, and a few other peers as well as Peter Kendrick, chief constable at Bow Street to help him locate and retrieve Samantha when she is kidnapped. Samantha will also have to face her foster father Harlowe and the other ladies he fostered, whom she considers as sisters. At the end of this installment, Adrian and Samantha are still searching for the man who terrorized her and Adrian’s valet. The reader is also left with hints of a new adventure for the couple which will unfold in the next sequel. I will be on tenterhooks until it is released.
NI received an ARC from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Suzanne Irving · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like how Sophie Barnes manages to write about the upper crust and the underbelly of London and that by setting it in a time of such change she has such a scope to develop her stories in. The Crofts are up against a difficult foe in Finn O’Leary and his determination to take over the underworld of London. I really like that Ms Barnes writing this longer form of story that allows her to follow one couple for more than one book.
I also like that there are lots of other little stories within the book and that she has obviously done lots of research and gives us a glimpse into what it would be like living there at that time.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ghazal · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Vicious Live Burns is the 5th book innthe series and the continuing saga of Adrian and Samantha. Adrian may be a villain to some, but the devotion to his wife, especially after all they have been through, is admirable. The love he carries and bears is always evident in his actions. Without giving anything away, let's just say my heart was in my throat and I was on tenterhooks through most of the book. My heart beating way faster than normal and o captivated by the story that it was near impossible to put down. An absolutely amazing job by Sophie Barnes.

[Rosie Trzewik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another gripping story as the saga continues. Adrian and Samantha are expecting their first child, but that doesn’t stop the evil surrounding them. There’s a new villain trying to overthrow Adrian empire, the one he tried to leave behind. Unfortunately with the murder of his beloved sister Evie he needed the connections and contacts of that world. This also lead to making connections with the right side of the law. Balancing on the edge of good and evil he loses prospective and when his wife is kidnapped help comes from all sides to save Samantha.
First off this is book 5 you must read the previous books. There is a new villain or two, plus the on going mystery of the murder of Evie. A touch of romance is also a byline. It will leaving you wanting more since the mystery is yet to be solved. Thank you for this ARC, all opinions expressed are my own. #NetGallery #AViciousLoveBurns #HouseofCroft

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Vicious Love Burns by Sophie Barnes is the fifth book in the best series, House of Croft. The past, the present and the hope for the future collide in this addition to Adrian and Samantha Croft’s saga. Unable to stop himself Adrian goes after a ruthless killer while needing to find and stop an old enemy who has revenge plans against Adrian. Such a dark, delish twisty tale. It has highs that made me smile and lows that were heart pounding. Why hasn’t Masterpiece Theater grabbed this series up and turned this into a series, I can’t help but wonder.

[Marjorie Messerschmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sophie again knocks it out of the park with another dark Croft story! So much is going on between families and enemies and Bow Street. We still have a new villain killing people in London but now there’s a new villain looking for revenge and there are ongoing relationships with our female spies that get you excited, then deflated, then excited again. There are still many secrets out there…

[Lisa H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, the suspense!

Adrian Croft has a pregnant wife, Samantha. She becomes a target of Finn. The crime lord. This is book six of an on going Victorian mystery with Adrian and Samantha as the core investigating dual, but, hello, pregnant?
It’s so good!
Recommend.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so much fun!!! I didn't know this series and it proved to be a lovely surprise!
I loved the characters, their code of honour, their original personalities. I particularly enjoyed the female characters which were a real surprise..... The plot was really good, its subplot as well. I now need to get the earlier books of this series. I am very curious about how it all started! A very entertaining novel!
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an outstanding story. It was so full of adventure and just a good ole story. I loved it. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book.

[Lindy Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A breathtaking installment to the House of Croft Series. The heart pounding action never lets up and you never know what dangers or surprises lurk around every bend and behind each colleague or potential threat. It's a thriller. The only disappointment is having to wait almost a year for the next installment!

[Lyn D Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This fifth book in the House of Croft series is a suspenseful historical romance with complex and unexpected twists and turns that kept me very engaged. I enjoyed how their relationship continues to grow. I highly recommend reading!

[E.C. Nece · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series

I love this series. Well developed and thoughtfully written. I highly recommend this series and all Sophie Barnes wonderful stories.

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to the author for a copy of this ebook and this is my freely given opinion.

I love and hate this series - it is a great series that combines angst, drama, trauma, romance, intrigue beautifully with some very complex characters who each carry their own mixed bags of history and morality, and weaves stories that show how their experiences twist and torture their minds, choices, and relationships. Love it... But this is a series, and one that builds stories and relationships in the story between the covers. So while I love the main story between the covers, the ones that continue beyond the ending between this particular set of covers tortures me - BECAUSE I HAVE TO WAIT FOR MORE. Many of us live in the days of 5G and wifi , streaming, Amazon Prime - essentially near instant gratification and I have become a creature who enjoys such luxuries so I am both in turns wonderfully satisfied by the story told in book 5 and grossly frustrated waiting for more of what Ms. Barnes, the wonderful story teller that she is, to dole out more of this series for our delectation.

In this story, Adrian's past comes back to haunt him and must face down a nemesis who threatens all that he controls and what he has come to care for most. This when Adrian and Samantha are finally appearing to find their future path to happiness together. Samantha still is at odds with Harlowe, and they worry about what his enmity means to them, but at present have a tenuous truce - or is it a stalemate because of the risk of mutual destruction? But she appears to miss the sisterhood she had, especially as she explores a future she had never considered before? Edward also contemplates a new path for his future, daring to step out from the cloud of his despair after Evie's death, but still mostly innocent of the intrigue and secrets those he is close to are hiding from him. Kendrick and Gabriella are still chafe each other at Bow Street, but both are tentatively admitting their growing attraction and attachment to each other, and a willingness to explore something together beyond the threshold of murder.

Such a shame that someone has the temerity and inconsideration to ex-military men and Kendrick and Gabriella, despite their own hard work and discovers, have to end up having to seek out the Croft's help.

The murder mystery that Bow Street is investigating cross overs with the Croft's personal drama, but are parallel stories that intersect. The stories are gripping, and pushes along the development of the characters and their personal relationships very well. Kendrick, whom I did not like very much in the initial books, is growing in depth and appeal as more of him comes out, and his relationship with Bow Street and Gabriella. But then, this story throws a massive wrench into their journey - even as it intertwines their lives even more with the Crofts, and points Kendrick down a more shadowed path as well. Edward is having his eyes open to the reality around him and I am growing very interested in how his future plays out, especially as he gets drawn more into the intrigue surrounding the Crofts. And of course there is much curiosity in how Harlowe and his remaining Nightingales play out, especially in relationship to Adrian and Samantha. And then there is Wrengate - more of his and his family's story come out here, and he may not be the total villain he appeared before.

So many questions are left unanswered and I want more more more! Last, but not least - the answer of who is ultimately responsible for Evelyne's death is still unknown...

I hate cliffhanger endings, and this has so storylines that hint at much more to come, and I find myself standing on the edge of that cliff, just waiting to fall over.

But I also know, that when this incredible series does finally end - I will be crushed that there is not more to come.

5 out of 5

[Erin Arkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sophie Jordan’s A Vicious Love Burns (Book 5 in the House of Croft series) is everything I was hoping to get with this book. Not only do we get to see how the relationship progresses between Adrian and Samantha, but we finally see some progress with Kendrick/Gabriella and Marsdale/Melody with some page time...it may not have all been good but it was important and I can't wait for more in the next book. In addition to that, there is of course some danger and murder involved as well. No spoilers though - I promise.

The story dives right into the danger for Adrian and Samantha. Having returned to London after 5 months in the country, with a series of murders happening across London that Kendrick has asked for his help on, Adrian is pulled back into the fray. This moment of distraction is what allows the Croft's most personal threat to act. Finn O'Leary was introduced in the last book, but if you recall, he's willing to do anything to destroy Adrian and when he sees the chance to take what he values most - Samantha - he does.

As Adrian realizes what has happened, he determines he will do and give up anything to save Samantha but he also finds out that he doesn't have to face O'Leary alone. He has people he can count on for help which include Kendrick, Marsdale, and surprisingly enough, Wrengate to an extent. I thought the secondary characters really stood out in this book. At the same time, while we knew Samantha was tough, we see just how far she is willing to go to protect her baby and her anger and desire for vengeance isn't lessened at all which we get to see in action.

But as they are working to address this problem, there is still the other problem of the murderer on the loose in London and Kendrick can't lose sight of the fact that he still has a job to do but when he has Gabriella (with help) chase down a potential victim, things take a turn. This part of the story was great because I thought it showed just how much of a journey his character has been on since book one. The things he has done in this book are extremely different from how I would have expected him to act in the first book. I actually like him better now and I like how his storyline has progressed with Gabriella.

Marsdale and Melody's storyline will be interesting as we go forward. I understand the anger on his part for being kept in the dark but his actions aren't ones that everyone will support so I'm curious to see how it all turns out.

This book delivered everything a romantic suspense reader could want: detailed plotting, great character chemistry, and emotional depth. The pacing is on point, with every twist and turn working to keep you in suspense. I highly recommend this book for those who enjoy mysteries with historical settings and where the characters are going through some personal trials. As I mentioned earlier, I look forward to the next installment of this series and if you haven't picked it up yet, now is a great time to start.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚A Vicious Love Burns
✍🏻Sophie Barnes
Blurb:
Danger isn't just coming—it's personal…

Adrian Croft has sacrificed everything to protect his family. But when a brutal string of murders rock London, he's briefly distracted from the ruthless heir of an Irish crime lord—an enemy with ties to Adrian's darkest past. With Bow Street floundering and innocent lives at stake, Adrian steps back into the fray… and the cost is more than he ever expected.

Five months pregnant and desperate to be by her husband's side, Samantha Croft returns from her wintry retreat in the country—only to find herself in the crosshairs of the man determined to destroy her husband. Finn O'Leary doesn't care who he has to break to bring Adrian down, and Samantha may be his most valuable target.

-One series, one couple, and the brutal challenges they must face-

Perfect for fans of What Angels Fear, Silent in the Grave, and Murder on Black Swan Lake, Sophie Barnes delivers a thrilling new installment in the House of Croft series—where passion meets peril, and every page sizzles with suspense.
My Thoughts
Adrian Croft has sacrificed everything to protect his family. But when a brutal string of murders rock London, he's briefly distracted from the ruthless heir of an Irish crime lord—an enemy with ties to Adrian's darkest past. With Bow Street floundering and innocent lives at stake, Adrian steps back into the fray. Five months pregnant and desperate to be by her husband's side, Samantha Croft returns from her wintry retreat in the country—only to find herself in the crosshairs of the man determined to destroy her husband. Finn O'Leary doesn't care who he has to break to bring Adrian down, and Samantha may be his most valuable target. Very well written, fast paced, wonderful characters, danger, intrigue & romance. I found it very hard to put down & several times was on the edge of my seat. I’ve grown to love Adrian & loved how protective he is of Samantha & how he almost fell to pieces, he wants to concentrate on the threat from O’Leary but gets drawn into murder case. I also loved how Peter & Gabriella’s relationship has deepened but then it’s not smooth sailing for them. Also Melody is back & Edward receives a shock. The book ends on a cliff hanger when Wrengate, yes Wrengate asks for help. Intriguing, engrossing, captivating & enthralling
Thanks NetGalley, and Author Sophie Barnes for the advanced copy of "A Vicious Love Burns" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#SophieBarnes
#AViciousLoveBurns
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

We have here a series of murders whose investigation draws in multiple layers of society, which are neatly layered together to form an intriguing story. We start with the Chief Constable Peter Kendrick and his assistant, chief magistrate’s daughter Miss Gabriella Hastings, who has been a valuable aid to him in solving other cases. They are taking the lead in a new murder investigation.

Adrian Croft and his pregnant wife Samantha (whom we met in the earlier books) are under the crosshairs of an Irish crime lord, Finn O’Leary. Finn is out to destroy Adrian and has no hesitancy in using the pregnant wife to do so. Upper crust friends (and enemies!) of the Crofts are skillfully woven into the story, which breathe life into it.

I was impressed by the skill with which the author wove all the couples and their love stories (or lack thereof) into this book. Rather than just the story of a series of murders solved by an investigator, we see this a picture in time of multiple layers of society, as these murders occur and other, new, threats arise. Some of the couples progress in their personal love stories, one couple seems to fall apart, and one couple makes declarations to each other, setting the stage for their story to blossom in a future book. Only one gentleman, unhappy in life and taking it out on others, remains unchanged in this story, and one hopes that someday he, too, will find love and happiness—-but it will have to be in another story.

The first of the book spent time bringing all the characters into the story. For those who have read the previous books, it is a nice, brief refresher. For new readers, there is enough information that they can get a sense of the relationship of the characters in the earlier books, so that they can pick up the current story easily. Thereafter, the story picked up the pace and became riveting! I read straight through to the end, wishing the next book were already published! If you have read any of the other books, do not miss this one. If this is your first book in the series, I suspect you would enjoy reading the earlier books, which are just as exciting!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Fanosse23 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prepare yourself—A Vicious Love Burns is an unforgettable thrill ride. Sophie Barnes grips you from the first page and doesn’t let go until the final, heart-pounding moment. Twists? Check. Dark secrets? Check. Revenge, betrayal, and enough emotional turmoil to keep you guessing until the bitter end? Absolutely.

Adrian Croft is the kind of morally gray anti-hero you can’t help but root for—even when his choices leave a trail of chaos. He’s sacrificed everything for his family, but with his wife Samantha pregnant, the stakes are higher than ever. Enter a brutal enemy from Adrian’s past, hell-bent on destroying everything he holds dear. As if that’s not enough, a new murderer is stalking London’s streets, targeting young men, and Kendrick—Adrian’s complicated ally—needs his help.

The tension ramps up when Samantha returns from their country estate, only to become entangled in a ruthless crime lord’s vendetta against Adrian. The plot is a tangled web of fierce loyalty, deadly enemies, and tangled romances. Kendrick and Gabriella’s slow-burn connection? Electric. Melody’s return? A storm brewing. Marsdale and Adrian’s fraught dynamic? A ticking time bomb.

Is Harlowe truly an ally, or is there a darker game at play beneath his helpful facade? As Wrengate’s tangled past unfurls, shadows of his family’s story emerge—blurring the lines between villain and victim. Nothing is as it seems.

Sophie Barnes masterfully paints Adrian as a flawed, desperate man who does terrible things for all the right reasons. His relationship with Samantha is raw, messy, and utterly real—a love that burns with both passion and pain. This installment pulls no punches, diving headfirst into gritty confrontations and heart-wrenching decisions.

By the end, you'll be breathless, questioning every character's motives, and desperate to know what's next. The emotional stakes soar, the action remains relentless, and the new romances add an intoxicating edge. Barnes's writing is sharp and immersive, refusing to let you look away. As always, she leaves us hanging with anticipation, offering just enough of a tease about what's coming next.

I received a free copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Cathy Geha · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Vicious Love Burns by Sophie Barnes
House of Croft #5

~ I couldn’t put it down…had to finish it… another very late night…definitely worth it though I may be tired today ~

What I liked:
* Adrian: strong, resilient, bright, protective, head of a generational crime syndicate, lives by his personal moral compass, deeply and sincerely in love with his pregnant wife Samantha
* Samantha: strong, lethal, bright, protective, independent, deeply and sincerely in love with Adrian, raised and trained to be a covert asset for the government with four other young girls
* Slipping easily back into this compelling, immersive, marvelous series
* Watching the romance between Chief Constable Peter Kendrick and Miss Gabriella Hastings continue to heat up and approving of the direction it is taking – a well matched team in more ways than one
* Supporting characters: Murry – more than just Adrian’s valet; the four women that were close as siblings and raised with Samantha: Melody, Holly, Tara & Hazel – eager to hear more about each one of them
*Finding out what the next episode is in the slow burn romance between Edward Pryce, Earl of Marsdale and secret Nightingale covert operative Melody Roberts
* The police procedural aspects of the murder mystery that sees a number of young men killed
* The ongoing darker thread with Finn O’Leary who is set on revenge against Adrian and wondering how and when he will meet his comeuppance
* The mysteries still in play – wanting to know who the mastermind who set Adrian’s sister up for death is and finding out what the truth is about Wrengate
* Knowing that there is a book to look forward to that will probably deal with one of the mysteries mentioned above

What I didn’t like
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Thinking about manipulative, cold, and cunning and potentially evil Dorian Harlowe who trained the Nightingale operatives is
* Finn O’Leary: cold, ruthless, amoral, bent, cold blooded killer, evil, and bent on revenge
* Having to wait for the next book

Did I like this book? Definitely
Would I read more in this series? Without a doubt!

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars