A Symphony of Shadows: A Dark Vampire Mafia Romance

by Charley Black

In the fog-shrouded streets of Blackwater City, some debts can only be paid in blood...

Liliana Russo would burn the world down for her father's violins. So when she discovers his priceless collection has been stolen—sold like common trinkets to cover her bastard fiancé's gambling debts—she does the unthinkable. She walks straight into the lair of Blackwater's most lethal predator and demands he give them back.

Big mistake.

Dante Marino doesn't negotiate. He takes. For four centuries, the vampire don has ruled his empire through fear, blood, and absolute control. Lesser men grovel at his feet. Enemies disappear without a trace. But this fierce little violinist storms into his domain, looks death in the eye, and makes him an offer that stops his cold Play for me, and I'll return one violin at a time.

She should run. Instead, she accepts.

What begins as a transaction becomes an obsession. Each haunting performance cracks something open in Dante's chest—something that's been dead for centuries. Her defiance ignites a hunger that has nothing to do with blood and everything to do with the way she trembles when he touches her. The way she plays, like her soul is bleeding through her fingertips. The way she looks at the monster and sees the man he used to be.

But in Blackwater City, desire is a weapon, and love is a death sentence. When ancient enemies smell weakness and deadly secrets crawl from the shadows, Dante and Liliana face an impossible

Play their parts as written—or improvise a love song that breaks every rule.

In the shadows, their love becomes a dangerous melody.

Genres: Dark Romance, Vampires

387 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 28, 2025

About the author

Charley Black is an up-and-coming writer and author who has been creating stories since she was twelve years old. Her early short stories dabbled in different genres, but her passion for romance novels — paranormal romance in particular — always shone through. Charley currently resides in Rhode Island, with her family and works at a local university. Entwined will be the first of three novels set in the Within the Darkness universe.

Reviews

[Coffeebooklibrary Rhea Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Soooooooooo much I can say about this book.

Firstly - characters, EVERY single character has a purpose and I found myself wanting to uncover their stories (can’t wait for book 2)

Second - enemies to lovers, written unlike anything I have ever read. The language used draws you into their relationship, feeling the emotions with them. Navigating the delicate balance between pain & truth

Third - vampire diaries was child play NOTHING compares to Charley Black penmanship !

[Angelbelle Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

✍🏾 Arc review

Liliana and Dante 🥹🫶🏾

I found the writing in this to be descriptive and I loved the way music was so intertwined in the story

The steel toed-boots did have to make an appearance for some of the characters though so be prepared for some bull 🥾💥 I actually had 2 theories about the story and yup! They were both wrong 🤣

Ms girly Liliana had me side-eyeing her a few times though cause I definitely would have moved a little differently lol but shoutout to Emilia for being a good friend and providing the cover 💯

~ add to your tbr if you like ~
🧛when bitey things happen
💰Crime lord shenanigans
🎻A musical story
💪🏾When justice gets served

Oh and Dante’s decision toward the end 🤔 yall read this and let me know what you think cause tuh 😑 thank you *redacted* ❤️

[Emily Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark and delicious! I love all the aspects of this book. We’ve got vampires, music. I’m still processing it all. I absolutely loved it! Such a thrilling ride. Thank you to the author for allowing me to have this as a ARC read.

[Katiebug · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was SO excited to receive a review copy for this book!
Dante Marino is a brooding, centuries-old vampire who happens to be a mafia don. He laments over the things he lost so long ago, including the music he once created with his violin. Coincidentally (or not) he happens to cross paths with Liliana Russo as she pours her heart and soul into her violin. He is instantly drawn to her. Being a man of power, he is able to purchase her late father's collection of violins, and she is determined to get them back. As was his plan.....
So begins a passionate and forbidden love affair complete with steamy encounters and a lot of danger!

I loved so many things about this story, but I really loved the storyline being centered around the violin. The use of the Italian language is also a game changer. Can it get any sexier than a hot vampire speaking Italian words of love to you?? Looking forward to the next book in the series - hopefully with more of Dante's brother, Luca!

[V Brown LetsBeRealBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

October 28 Release Date.

Pre-order is now available!

Charley Black's "Symphony of Shadows" is a Dark mafia vampire Romance that masterfully weaves together the lives of Liliana, a human, and Dante, a Mafia Vampire, in the foreboding city of Blackwater. This story is a gripping and hauntingly beautiful exploration of the complexities of human nature. The plot is expertly crafted, filled with unexpected twists that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. The story begins with the tragic loss of Liliana's father, leaving her mother with a significant debt burden. Liliana's inheritance of her father's prized violin collection sets in motion a chain of events that will alter her life forever. As the narrative unfolds, it takes a dark and unexpected turn, leading readers down a path of intrigue and suspense. "Symphony of Shadows" is a mesmerizing tale that will captivate readers from start to finish!

[Lorraine Whiteley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark, thrilling & exciting. It took me a bit to get into it, but once it took, it ran. I received an ARC and leave this review voluntarily.

[chelsannereads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating 3.8 🌟

Huge thanks to the author for letting me read this as an ARC! 🥹 If you’re into vampire x human romance with a musical twist, this book might be your vibe.

Not gonna lie, the hype felt a bit slow at first but after chapter 20 it finally clicked for me. The moment the guys started protecting their women? I was hooked. That’s exactly the kind of dynamic I love, and it made the story way more exciting. Plus, seeing Dante melt only for Liliana? Pure heartwarming gold ❤️

Lowkey… I need a novella just for Luca, Emilia, Matthias, Elias, and Geneva. The side characters were so fun and honestly deserve their own spotlight.

Overall, if you’re into morally grey main characters, give this a shot. Who knows you might fall for it more than I did. Everyone vibes with a book differently anyway!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Tess Tejedor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am very grateful to have received an ARC of this book. I am always excited for a new vampire romance. I’ll admit that this one took a while for me to really get into. The writing was beautiful, and themes of powerful emotion and music threaded through the story were refreshing. Unfortunately I had a hard time relating to the main characters, and it may have kept me from getting fully immersed in their story. I wish there had been more about Dante and Liliana, especially Dante because he has all the makings of an epic heartthrob vampire. Once the plot started moving it was a real roller coaster, and ended up becoming a fun story with great twists. I would like to see at least a novella about Luca and Emilia, their story definitely sparked so many questions. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Dyslexic Reviewer - Spoil Free Reviews

Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Author: @authorcharleyblack
POV: Dual 1st person
Gene: Urban Paranormal Romance
Triggers: Open Door, Blood play, Kidnapping/Captivity, Emotional Manipulation
Read Time: 10-12 hours
Expected Publishing Date: 10/28/2025


What I loved about this book:
❤️ World Building: The world building is sweeping and beautiful. It has the feels of a gothic, or even Victorian setting, though it is a contemporary urban novel. It takes you into the society of the elite centering around music and politics, as well as the dark underside of the vampire mafia, and where those two societies overlap.

❤️ The Characters: Liliana and Dante are a work of art. They are so well written with immense depth and feeling. The single minded obsession that Dante has for the music and for Liliana is almost visceral in nature. I’m excited that some of the secondary characters in this story will be having their own books, because I got invested in their stories as well.

❤️ The Story: The story itself was sweeping. You get a taste of the upper echelons in society and how they can be corrupt in different ways. You get the workings of the underground mafia who actually rule the city. But it’s the music that pulls you into the story, into the obsession that this story is all about.

❤️‍🔥Overall: This book is unlike anything I’ve read before, I almost felt too plebeian for it. But it’s a wonderful book and well worth the read.

I got this ARC book for free for my honest opinion, you know the drill 😉

#VampireRomance #DarkRomance #ParanormalRomance #MafiaRomance #BookLovers #NewRelease #PreOrder #SteamyReads #BloodBond #BookCommunity #Romance #SupernaturalRomance #VampireBooks #DarkBooks #ClassicalMusic #ASymphonyOfShadows #SteamyReads #GothicRomance #VampireMafia #ForbiddenLove #BloodBond #Bookstagram #BookAddict

[Bree · Rating 2 out of 5]

There was an interesting premise here, but it didn’t quite work for me.

First Liliana is annoying. She’s naive, and constantly crying but at the end she’s mad Dante didn’t make a decision for her although everything we’ve seen would indicate she wouldn’t want that. It’s like the Matthias thing had to happen for another book later in the series.

The character personalities we see throughout the book
don’t match her inner dialogue/thoughts about people. When working through her feelings for Dante she’s constantly talking about how she should go for the safe option with Clive but everything we’ve seen of Clive suggests he’s at best mean, and at worst abusive. So really the safe thing is…human?

Also why does she continue with engagement once the violins are sold? That’s literally her whole motivation. For her mother? They don’t even seem like they like each other. But in the end all of sudden there’s genuine love that’s just complicated.

There are details that are given then dropped and never touched on again. The actual villain wasn’t surprising because we’d already been told earlier that they had something to do with everything even if we didn’t have all the details. Also the details about Clive and her mother?! That’s just forgotten.

[Kit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Charley Black and Book Funnel for sending me an advanced reader copy of this book.

Vampires and the Mafia? Sign me up! I had to request this ARC as soon as I saw the trope list as so much of it spoke to me as a reader. It was definitely a little out of my comfort zone, but I promised myself this year that I’d expand my reading palate.

I did enjoy the darkness throughout this story, and Liliana was quite the female protagonist, but I began to struggle nearing the end. It may have been an issue with me, being in a small reading slump, but I felt the ending was drawn out. I do understand why because it’s book one in a series and there has to be room to continue the story, but it became a bit longwinded for my taste.

The writing was nice and there were quite a few places where I was highlighted multiple things on one page, so that’s definitely a plus.

[Cora · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of A Symphony of Shadows, and honestly this book swept me away. From the very first chapter, Charley Black builds a darkly enchanting world full of secrets, betrayal, and slow-burn tension that had me turning pages long past midnight.

The prose feels almost lyrical, perfectly matching the haunting tone of the story, and the characters are beautifully layered, flawed, fierce, and utterly captivating. I loved how every chapter felt like it carried a note in a larger melody, building toward something both tragic and breathtaking.

Without giving spoilers, I’ll just say the twists hit at exactly the right moments, and the emotional payoff was worth every page.

[CLorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Symphony of Shadows by Charley Black is the first book I have read by this author. The story appears to be an Interracial Romance, but little background is given about the h other than skin tone and that perhaps her background contains some Italian ancestry. I enjoyed the premise behind the story; Liliana Russo is a violin virtuoso with the sad task of preserving and protecting the only true legacy her father left her, his priceless collection of violins. Dante Marino is a centuries old vampire; he wields great power as the unofficial ruler of the city of Blackwater. His shadowy presence has an impact on the many mechanisms of the city even in the highest echelons. When Dante hears Liliana playing a piece, he had tried hard to master eons ago, on HIS long-lost violin, he is transfixed. Liliana can feel the raw power and pull emanating from Dante, but she has complications in her life which do not allow her to even contemplate their connection. Indeed, the book has many roadblocks and complexities: Dante has a host of enemies (some recent and some from centuries ago) and these enemies are actively working against all that Dante holds dear, Liliana’s mother is pushing her toward an undesirable but financially savvy match with one of Dante’s enemies; and perhaps most importantly, Liliana is a human with a limited life span. This story is an enjoyable read when the action is concentrated on Dante and Liliana’s burgeoning and intense relationship. However, the story also sets up two or maybe three more pairings for future stories (perhaps). We meet Dante’s brother, Luca, an enemy and fellow vampire, Matthias, and Elias a wolf-shifter, in addition two women Emilia and Geneva (friends of Liliana) who are in the beginnings of relationships with the three men. These additions made the story a bit cumbersome. Also, Liliana’s mother Carlotta is an ambiguous character…. throughout the story she was harsh and controlling, pushing Liliana towards vile Clive and maybe involved with him in more than a transactional relationship, then at the 11th hour she becomes maternal and self-sacrificing. This changing stance did not mesh up with the optics she presented before. Bottom line: there is a lot to like and enjoy about this story, especially Liliana and Dante’s love of music and love for each other. I rated it 3.75 rounded to 4.
Favorite Lines:
I already know why Hawthrone is drawn to her like a moth to a flame.
The art café welcomes us with its familiar smell of paint and possibility.
But here I am, caged like one of his precious violins—beautiful, valuable, silent unless someone else decides to make me sing.
“Good girl. Now play me music that’s dark, filled with desire.” I tell her.
A shift has occurred between us. I can feel it humming in the air now—a connection that wasn’t there before.
Dante emerges from the Maserati like darkness made flesh.
“You silence the darkness, Liliana. You make me remember what beauty sounds like.”
“The music isn’t diminished, Dante. It’s infinite.”

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
https://theretiredreader.com/read-for...

[Kelsey (Selfish Book Club) · Rating 1 out of 5]

⭐️
(NO SPOILERS)
ARC Reader

I wanted to like this book. I did like this book, for the first half. But after that, it took kind of a weird turn. The bad guys became the good guys (for no clear reason), the plot holes became way too big to ignore, and it really deviated from the original storyline. Also, partway through the book, everyone starts speaking a lot of Italian, and even though it’s translated on the page, it’s really distracting from the story. There were details that were mentioned that seemed like they would be important later, but were never mentioned again. Near the end of the book, a character reveals that they have a supernatural power that was not hinted at beforehand, or ever mentioned afterward. Also, there were a few things near the end that felt like they were pulled directly from Twilight. The first half of the book was good, but it became really disjointed and seemed like it was unplanned toward the end.

If this book had been more heavily edited, I think that some of those issues could have been mitigated. I believe the author is planning on publishing a sequel so maybe some of these things will be resolved, but I would really encourage the author to plan out the entire series before starting the first book. The original set-up at the beginning of the book isn’t bad and I think if the author had focused more on seeing that plot line through, she could have lined herself up for a sequel instead of jamming together a bunch of events that didn’t really fit together. And again, more editing would have helped to take out some things that were distracting, redundant, or just not important.

That being said, I did really like the author’s writing style. She uses a lot of descriptive language and similes that make it really easy to see the characters and the story in your head. She clearly did a lot of research for this book because the musical references are spot on and help to paint that mental picture. I think some more planning and editing would really bring her work to life.

[Angelina · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Warning: Long Review)

WOW! I'm a avid reader, I'm a homebody, that doesn't have A TV or cellphone. I watch YT sometimes, and don't really use social media except to check news pretty much, to date I have read 235 books this year, I'm 41 books ahead of my reading goal for the year. I say all of this to bring the point home that it's not often I find A book that draws me in the way this one did. If the Author doesn't have some music background I will be highly surprised. How the music is intertwined with the story, how each song had a story of it's own. I felt like I was caught up in the music as the MFC was. I felt both MC's emotions, the high, the lows, the fear, the frustration, the obsession, the love and the pain. You are transported into the pages along with the characters. The ending will have you in tears, but full of joy at the same time. Before you start this, be ready to start and not want to stop. I suggest finding an open time slot, exit this world for a bit, and enter a beautiful world where things in the dark are spine tingling, dark, sensual and mysterious. Watch a beautiful love story that will stretch the ages, and see glimpses of budding relationships. Watch the hunters become the hunted. fall under the spell of the violin.
Above is what I felt, now I will give star ratings below.

Overall rating: 5 (would of given a higher rating if possible)
Plot: 5
Suspense/Mystery: 5
Steam: It's hard to give it a single star rating. If you like smut, you won't get that in this book, if you're looking for real descriptive sex scenes, there isn't that either. If you are looking for sensual, and intense, beautiful and tangible, you get a full 5 stars.
World Building: 5
Character Building: 5
I cant not wait for the next book!!

[Megan Voss · Rating 5 out of 5]

A symphony of bloody genius, vampire pun intended.

I was drawn by the dual perspective that had the perfect level of overlap to share both Liliana's and Dante's perspectives. The perspective of a human woman striving to honour her father's legacy as a violinist, and the perspective of a vampire male who is leading the largest mafia syndicate. All of this occurs within the city of Blackwater, a city of fog and mystery, sin and social standing.

Lilliana is a woman trying to save her father's legacy from the claws of her mother, who only wishes for "the best" for her daughter and her social standing. She is thrust into the arms of a man whom she despises for a marriage to secure her and her mother's social standing in Blackwater. That is, until she finds herself in the circle of Dante Marino, the enigmatic mafia leader. Despite warnings, Liliana can't seem to stay away.

The pull from both sides, to do right by her mother, or to follow her heart that leads to Dante, is treacherous. What will she choose?

---

Oh boy, I loved this book. The musical aspects were amazing, and I frequently would pull up the violin pieces that were being played within the story. I am by no means a music aficionado, but Charlie's description of the music was amazing and brought me into the world of classical music.
When I thought I knew what was going on in the background plot, some twists and turns pulled me in different directions.
I love the way Charlie lets us into Liliana and Dante's heads to see their reaction to each other and the situations around them. The descriptive writing is beautiful and detailed to paint a perfect picture.

[Brittany Capel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t rate this enough, on a 5 star scale it’s a 10.
First of all, Charley, what an amazing book, you are a beautiful author.

From the moment I started this book I was hooked.
If you’re looking for your next morally grey vampire mob boss, you’re in luck, you get Dante 😏
And your sweet innocent FMC Liliana, who as the story goes on gets to grow into herself and make choices to stand up for herself and choose what she wants.

Dante and Lily’s story is very well written throughout the book, you get all the small pieces and details that lead you to each monumental moment in the story line for what is coming next.
From innocent girl who’s is grieving the loss of her father, to being tied to the most influential gangsters in town, Lily stands up for what she wants. And what does she want? Well her precious family heirlooms but also… our vampire daddy Dante….

I would like to see a novella for Luca, Matthias, and Elias because they played such a huge part in the story telling and I think they have stories of their own 😉

✨Morally grey vampire mob boss
✨Forbidden Romance
✨Mafia aesthetic
✨Vampires/Werewolves
✨Touch her and Die

I highly suggest this read!!!
Releasing on October 28th, 2025!

[Mandy Britt · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the shadowy depths of Blackwater City, where secrets fester and vampires rule, Charley Black's "A Symphony of Shadows" plays a dangerous and unforgettable tune.
​Liliana Russo would burn the world down for her father's priceless violins. So when they're stolen, she does the unthinkable: she storms into the lair of Dante Marino, the city's deadliest vampire don, and demands he give them back.
​Dante doesn't negotiate; he takes. He offers her a deal laced with temptation: play for him, and he’ll return her violins, one by one. She should run, but instead, she accepts. What follows is a dark and dangerous dance of obsession, as Liliana's music ignites a hunger in Dante that has nothing to do with blood.
​As their forbidden love grows, it threatens to expose deadly secrets and awaken ancient enemies. In a city where desire is a weapon, they must choose between playing their parts as written or improvising a love song that breaks every rule.
​With a perfect balance of tension, suspense, and raw emotion, "A Symphony of Shadows" is a gripping, pulse-pounding romance that will leave you breathless.

[Aria · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Symphony of Shadows by Charley Black is an atmospheric novel that truly shines in its descriptions of music. The author’s language is wonderfully poetic whenever music is center stage—those scenes are evocative, beautifully written, and easily the strongest part of the book. From the first page, the reader is drawn into a sensory world of melody and emotion; it’s clear that Black has a gift for capturing the power and magic that music holds, and lovers of lyrical writing will appreciate those passages.However, outside these musical moments, the story left me wanting more. The plot, characters, and world never reached the same level of depth or emotional investment for me, and most elements beyond the music felt somewhat flat or underdeveloped. While the premise has promise and there’s a clear creative energy running through the text, it never quite fully delivers on that potential. Still, fans of poetic prose and stories where music takes center stage may find something to enjoy in these pages. Three stars for the absolutely gorgeous musical descriptions, even if the story as a whole didn’t resonate as strongly for me.

[NyckiD · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Centuries Old Mafia Vampire and his Musical Muse 🎻



A fascinating take on a vampire mafia story. From the very beginning, Dante and Liliana have this unseen magnetic music chord that will pull you in. Dante’s calculated manipulative dark sensual dance with Liliana keeps her playing his violins and much more. He’s lived over four hundred years in darkness but Liliana slowly brings warmth and light to his heart that stopped its beating rhythm long ago. Everything ties together seamlessly; the music, a love story and a sophisticated vampire mafia syndicate. Well developed quick witted characters give a unique addition to the storyline. Mysteries, intrigue and suspense will keep you on edge until the last page. Be mindful of the trigger warnings in this one as it leans on the more graphic side of violence and other sensitive topics. The spice is 🌶️🌶️🌶️. There’s so many more stories to be told in the underworld of Blackwater City that has me in waiting mode for book two.
Definitely a page turner that incorporates the Italian language(perfettamante) perfectly😉 If you’re team dark paranormal vampires in the mafia, this is worth a read or honorable mention on your TBR list.☺️

[Charlys Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

📖 ARC Review 📖

Haunting. Seductive. Tragic.

A Symphony of Shadows is a dark, melodic descent into obsession and desire that feels like being wrapped in fog and violin strings.
Charley Black crafts a story that’s both tender and ruthless, where every note bleeds emotion and every glance feels like a confession.

Dante and Liliana are magnetic opposites: a centuries-old vampire don who’s forgotten what it means to feel, and a mortal violinist whose passion reignites the humanity he thought was lost. Their chemistry is dangerous and beautiful, equal parts power and surrender.

I loved the gothic atmosphere, the criminal underworld laced with supernatural danger, and how music became its own form of seduction.

If you love forbidden attraction, morally gray antiheroes, and romance tangled with danger, A Symphony of Shadows will play on your heartstrings long after the final page.

🎻 Tropes & Vibes:
🩸 Forbidden attraction
🖤 Vampire x mortal
💀 Mafia / crime syndicate
🎻 Musical connection
🔥 Blood and desire
🏙️ Gothic city atmosphere

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Alijo · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ARC Review✨

You get:

🩸Vampires
🩸Mafia
🩸He falls first
🩸Touch her and die
🩸Found family

I am obsessed. This book brings you Liliana, a violinist, who is grieving the death of her father. Due to the debt he has left, her mother has given her two choices, either an arranged marriage with the worlds biggest douche bag or to sell her father’s violin collection, which has a worth of millions. She agrees to the marriage yet the violins still get sold to Dante Marino, who isn’t just a crime lord, but a vampire (as all crime lords should be). He agrees to give her back the violins, but at the cost of a performance for each one. Getting to follow Dante and Liliana’s story is a wild ride and I promise, you will also fall in love with the side characters (the gasp I gasped 57% into the book). I am so excited to see where this series goes next. Especially Emilia and a certain stalkers’s story.

[Olivia Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

A mafia vampire romance WITH. ACTUAL. WORLD BUILDING!!!!! There's lore, there's backstory that makes sense with the character development, there's logic even amidst the fantasy elements. I loved this book and it was easily a 5 star read on its own, but my favorite thing about it was that it made me genuinely excited for MORE. The potential of this world Charley Black has built is so tangible and I can see so many more sexy, thrilling stories coming from it. The spice was good, but the yearning and the tension and MEANING behind the spice was even better. Liliana and Dante share this deep love for music that lives in their very bones, and it makes the connection between them so beautiful and so undeniable, even to us as readers. Also- vampire mafia boss who pretends to be his own ancestor and descendant is actually genius. Begging for Dante Marino to be the next viral book boyfriend so that I can look at his pretty face even more.

[Brit Andrews · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Symphony of Shadows is just your classic story of girl is an accomplished violinist and has inherited a collection of violins including one that once belonged to the local vampire crime boss and upon hearing her play he becomes obsessed with her... you know just a regular story… but really Liliana was having a bad go at life after the death of her father with her mother pushing her into a marriage of convenience that she does not want. And Dante is just hanging out in the shadows doing business dealing with his own problems and lightly stalking Liliana. Their worlds collide when he ends up in possession of her violins and she wants them back. So they make a deal and things do not at all go how they planned. There’s unwanted finances, criminal activity, danger and music.

I liked Liliana and Dante a lot even though they both were not making the best decisions. Looking forward to see what’s coming up next in the series.

[Ingrid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark, Violent, and Surprisingly Engaging – A Unique Vampire Mafia Romance

This Vampire Mafia Romance dives deep into themes of legacy, violence, and power—especially the massive power imbalance between the two main characters. While that dynamic won’t be for everyone, it’s written in a way that makes the story stand out from others in the genre.

The characters are very well developed, each with their own motivations, history, and emotional layers, which makes the darker elements of the plot even more compelling. The storyline itself is unique and kept me turning the pages, even when the world felt brutal.

Overall, it’s an engaging read with a fresh take on vampire romance. If you enjoy darker romances with complex characters and high-stakes tension, this one might be exactly what you’re looking for.

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

[Nickole · Rating 4 out of 5]

rcvd an ARC from the author. we meet Dante, vampire crime boss and unofficial ruler of thr city. he has lived a long time but when he sees a lovely Liliana playing music on one of his instruments from his time as a mortal...his heart wants to have her. liliana's father has passed and her stepmother has basically wed her to a cruel man so she could live a life of luxury and that included Liliana's father's collection of musical instruments. Dante has a plan to get to know Liliana, a plan where she cannot refuse. she doesn't know what he is but she knows her dangerous but she doesn't feel in danger while in his company. A song for an instrument that's all it was ever supposed to be. danger lurks around every corner, betrayals and uncovered lies lead to more than what Dante and Liliana bargained for.

[TheCozyChapter · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 glowing, vampiric stars ✨🖤

This book swept me up from the very first page and refused to let me go. I was hooked — the kind of hooked where you’re reading at midnight whispering “one more chapter” because Dante and Liliana have their claws in you.

Dante is the perfect blend of dangerous, obsessive, protective, and unexpectedly tender. And Liliana? She’s gentle, fierce, talented, and exactly the kind of heroine you want to protect and cheer for.

The tension, the plot, the world-building — everything blended together into one gorgeous, addictive, atmospheric experience. I never struggled to follow the story; it carried me so naturally that I didn’t even notice how fast I was reading until suddenly… the book was over and I wanted more.

This felt like a dark, romantic melody wrapped around my heart.
I absolutely loved it.

[Andreanne Parcel · Rating 5 out of 5]

English below :
Wow ! Ce livre m'a conquis dès les premiers mots, pour ne pas dire dès les premières notes. Enfin un livre où on voit des vampires qui sont dirigés par leurs pulsions et leur instinct de prédateur.
La plume de Charley Black est fluide. l'histoire est ficelée comme une symphonie. Elle nous emporte dans un univers d'urban fantasy mélangeant mafia et vampires.
J'ai hâte au 2e tome :)

English :
Wow! This book won me over from the very first words, if not the very first notes. Finally, a book where we see vampires ruled by their impulses and predatory instincts.
Charley Black's writing is fluid. The story is crafted like a symphony. It transports us into an urban fantasy world blending mafia and vampires.
I can't wait for book 2 :)

[Coull1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review of Symphony of Shadows.
This vampire, dark mafia enemies to lovers novel had a bit of a slow start for me but once it pickup the pace It became of page turner for me! I really enjoyed the dark urban city of Blackwater and the background of the music world of the symphonies, violins and how our MMC Dante played a part in this. Dante and Liliana have some pretty intense chemistry from the get go along with their passion for each other and their music . The side characters were great, not only diving into the world of vampires we get other supernatural beings as well and some very nasty villains! Charley Blacks writing is beautiful and draws you into her dark passionate story great novel for spooky season.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to love this book but I thought it was very predictable. I didn't hate it and thought it was very well written. I think most people would really like this book. However, it was just not the book for me. The back and forth between the FMC and some of the MC got to be very mundane for me. I was just trying to push through waiting for some big reveal to happen that did not come. Yet, I do think other people will let this book and the build up to the conclusion. I do think you should give it a try to see what you think of it. It has vampires, humans, werewolves, and all kinds of mystical creatures in it.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.