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Lucky Kings #3

Sinful Hearts

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He was promised a bride and has no idea the wrong sister is walking down the aisle.

When my sister runs off on her wedding day, I’m forced to take her place.
Emilio Lastro is a brutal Mafia capo, known for his carnage.
He doesn’t know I’m not the bride he signed for.
I’m terrified of what he’ll do when he pulls back the veil and finds me instead.

But that’s not the worst part.
I’m not only replacing my sister.
My family has also secretly instructed me to kill him.

Will my sin be killing him … or giving the monster my heart?

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About the author

Charity Ferrell

46 books3,189 followers
Charity Ferrell is a Wall Street Journal, USA Today, #1 Amazon, and #1 Apple bestselling author.

She resides in Indianapolis, Indiana. When she’s not writing, she’s hanging out with her dog, on a Starbucks run, shopping online, or spending time with her family.

JOIN MY NL: https://bit.ly/2YHF7im
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WEBSITE: http://charityferrell.com

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TIK TOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@charityferrell
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INSTAGRAM: @charityferrell

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 209 reviews
Profile Image for Kursed Reads.
843 reviews9,712 followers
October 10, 2025
When her sister runs, Liliya Morozova is forced to walk down the aisle in order to fulfill the family’s contract with the Lombardis.

Emilio Lastro, capo for the Lombardi family knows Dasha would have been the safe Morozova sister to wed because she doesn’t set his blood ablaze like his new wife does. As much as he might want to tame her, he also is drawn to her feistiness.

I think Emilio might be my new favorite MNC from the series. Scratch that, he definitely is. For all his faults and underhanded decisions, he is obsessed with Liliya in the best way. Their banter is top tier, the chemistry is off the charts, and watching this walking red flag of a man fall - hard - is the crack we all crave.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Darkness: 🖤
Heat: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Range of Emotions: 😬🙄🥵🫠😍
Ending: 💗 {HEA}
POV: 👫🏻 {Dual | Present}

🗄️ Genre: Contemporary Romance
🗂️ Subgenre(s): Dark, New Adult

✨ Tropes: Arranged Marriage, Contract, Enemies-to-Lovers, Forced Proximity, Mafia/Bratva/Organized Crime
 
💫 Microtropes: Alphahole, Caveman Carry, Jealous/Possessive, Pet Name, Sassy FMC, Touch-Her-and-💀, Tracking/Spying, Virgin FMC

💋 Kinks: Domination, Finger Licking Good

🤰🏻 Pregnancy: Epilogue

📍 Setting: New York City

⚠️ Warning: This steamy read will leave your panties damp and your cheeks flushed.

🚩 Safety Squad: Unalìvíng, Violence, and other potentially triggering elements. If you have any hesitation, check the warnings before diving in. Otherwise, blind is best!!

📣 Type: Sinful Hearts is part of the Lucky Kings series of interconnected standalones, but can be read as a standalone. While no other books need to be read in order to follow the story, reading prior books may enhance the experience.

🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.
Profile Image for iremucka.
329 reviews22 followers
October 10, 2025
Günahkar Kalpler aka Boşver bebeğim ben seni üzerim ❤️‍🔥

Yazarın şu serisini beğenmiştim Gorgeous Monster, yine aynı tayfayı görmek iyi geldi. Emilio bir gelin satın almıştır ama yemin etmeye gelen gelin başkası çıkar ve olaylar gelişir. 😚
Beklediğimi aldığım bir mafya okuması oldu (cümleye gel)🤓
Aşağıdakileri seviyorsanız okuyunuz. 🤤

Anlaşmalı Evlilik ✅
Yanlış Gelin ✅
Düşmandan Sevgiliye✅
Mafya // Bratva✅

**
O bir oda dolusu kırmızı bayrak, ben ise beyaz bayrağımı sallamak üzereyim.
**

🚩 🚩 🚩
Profile Image for Melanie (mells_view).
1,951 reviews396 followers
October 11, 2025
“Kill me or f*ck me, Liliya.” His intense stare is locked on mine. “Put me out of my misery either way.”

I mean. There are many great mafia romance authors in the world, but there’s just something special about Charity Ferrell for me. I pick up one of her books and I legitimately have a hard time putting it down to do anything else. Sinful Hearts was definitely one I could not stop reading.

In Sinful Hearts Liliya’s sister is set to marry Emilio as contracted between the mafia and the Bratva. Unfortunately Dasha is a run away bride, and in order to save her family Liliya is made to step up and take her place. Let’s just say she is less than thrilled about it and while Emilio tries to seem affronted by the bride switch up, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to find out why he’s so bothered.

I enjoyed Sinful Hearts and would honestly recommend it to anyone who enjoys classic arranged marriage mafia romance books. The tension between Liliya and Emilio is fire from the very start. She pushes back and he honestly doesn’t even know how to handle it. When they fall though, do they fall. Charity’s writing is hard to put down and will leaving you asking for what she has coming next!

AVAILABLE NOW!
*ARC
Profile Image for Cokiereads.
735 reviews39 followers
November 4, 2025
Liliya is getting married. Beautiful, right? Wrong. She's the wrong bride. After her sister (the real bride) runs off, her brother demands she puts on the dress and takes her place.

Let's just say Emilio isn't pleased. Drawn to Liliya but definitely not wanting to go there, he wanted Liliya's sister. Less trouble, less drama in his mind.

I love the arranged marriage trope but with the twist this one presented was so much more angsty. And it was a slow burn too! It was fantastic that we got to delve into their growing relationship
and nothing about it was rushed.

Emilio was cold, mysterious and it wasn't hard to fall for him. Liliya was saucy and definitely not a wallflower bride.

If you haven't heard me say it, Charity has made some fantastic mafia stories. If someone is asking for mafia recs I point them her way. Its some of the best I've read!
Profile Image for lowkeyreader.
5,610 reviews52 followers
February 18, 2026
Sinful Hearts by Charity Ferrell is a spicy and intense mafia romance filled with layers of betrayal, family secrets, and sizzling chemistry. The story centers on Liliya, a feisty and outspoken woman forced into an arranged marriage with Emilio, a brutal and feared mafia capo known for his deadly reputation. The dynamic between Liliya and Emilio is explosive, filled with hilarious banter and heady tension as their relationship evolves from forced proximity to something deeply charged and complex.

I enjoyed the mix of dark romance with moments of humor, especially Liliya’s fearless personality contrasting Emilio’s sinister yet magnetic demeanor. Ferrell’s writing delivers emotional depth alongside the high-stakes mafia backdrop, making their journey compelling. The romance is tough but beautiful, capturing the push and pull of opposites attracting in the most unexpected ways.

While the story embraces plenty of red flags and danger, the authentic emotional connection and intense passion between the leads keep it engaging. Overall, Sinful Hearts is a solid 4-star read for fans of dark, suspenseful mafia romance with a strong heroine and magnetic anti-hero.
Profile Image for catiesbooksandthings.
320 reviews5 followers
October 3, 2025
"Kill me or f-ck me, Liliya. Put me out of my misery either way."

Liliya Morozova was never meant to be his bride. But when her sister runs away, she is forced to walk down the aisle.

Emilio Lastro is a brutal Mafia capo for the Lombardi family. He is known as a monster, killing more people then most. When Liliya is forced to marry him after her sister disappears, she is also tasked with the job of killing Emilio by her brother Aleksy. The thing is, while this marriage is not something that either of them asked for, it might just end up being the thing that they both need.

I absolutely love Emilio and did not realize how much I needed his story. While I loved Damien and Julian's stories, Emilio's was something else. He definitely gives BDE and I loved him for it. His is magnetic and charismatic and it was very hard not to fall for him. I loved how protective he is of the people that he cares about and he is not afraid to show it (and most of the time its violently).

Liliya is this feisty, independent woman who is not afraid of Emilio and does not have a problem putting him in his place. She is the one and only person who is able to do this, everyone else who tries usually ends up dead. Watching her be conflicted and having to choose between killing her husband or loving him was so fun. I thought that Charity did an amazing job writing this and I loved every minute of it.

The push and pull between Emilio and Liliya was so good and made the tension that much more. There banter was amazing. They both had me laughing at times because of how their personalities were at war with each other along with the extreme chemistry that they both had for each other.

This book was really good and had me hooked wanting to know what was going to happen. The twist that came in the middle of the book was great and I was really happy for Emilio. I am hoping that we get Leo's story next!

Read this if you like:
-Mafia romance
-Arranged marriage
-Wrong bride
-Her plan is to kill him
-Touch her and d!e
-Forced Proximity
-Anti-hero

Thank you Charity Ferrell and Valentine PR for the privilege to read this book early in exchange for my honest thoughts and review.
Profile Image for Nadezhda.
63 reviews1 follower
October 2, 2025
"He is a room full of red flags, and I'm about to wave my white one."

First of all, I'd like to thank Valentine PR and Charity Ferrell for the opportunity to read the ARC of Sinful Hearts. Don't miss the release on October 8.
I enjoyed reading this book. It was so good, and it reminded me that I don't read mafia romances too often, but I should.

"Even the darkest hearts can find their happily ever after."

Emilio is a ruthless mafia capo, and he is known as a killer, someone who rarely forgives, and almost never misses when he wants things done.
Liliya becomes his bride when her sister flees her own wedding, and her family basically sell her out to save face.

This story had everything I want in it: enemies to lovers, grumpy x sunshine (or grump-ier), slow burn, arranged marriage. What else is there to ask from it?

I don't want to say something that will spoiler the book for those they haven't read it yet, so I'll just say that I loved it very much and I highly recommend it. It makes he happy that I was lucky enough to witness Emilio and Liliya fall in love and get their happily ever after.
And let's not forget the humor, and the sass. Liliya is one of the strongest female characters that exist in books and that's really good to see that she did not have to wield a knife to show how brave she is.
And once she realizes she has fallen in love with Emilio, she is ready to have him by her side, forever. And Emilio finds nothing wrong with that.

Truly a story filled with lots of grumbling Emilio, learning how to trust your heart and not preventing it from loving who it wants to love, and lots of humor. And of course, mafia guys doing mafia things.

I hope as many people as possible get to read this book when it publishes.
I'll go sit and think about this book for the next 3-5 business days now.
Profile Image for Carolyn.
1,163 reviews33 followers
October 16, 2025
Trouble meets Trouble! Sinful Hearts is the third installment in the Lucky Kings series by Charity Ferrell. Each book can be read as a stand alone but for better clarity it's probably best to be read in order. Mafia, marriage of convenience, enemies to lovers are a few of the tropes to be enjoyed in this book. The witty banter had me LOL and it more than made up for the slow burn spice but the pregnancy epilogue earned another star rating.

TW: Murder, Guns, Knives, Violence, Sexual Assault off page, Tracking, Spying, J/P, Domination.


Emilio Lastro, Capo for the Lombardi Italian Mafia Family is to be married to Dasha, daughter of the Morozova Russian Bratva Family but when he lifts the brides veil he finds the wrong bride.

Liliya Morozova is forced to take her sisters place when Dasha runs away from the church. Liliya doesn't want to marry a cold blooded murderer. She's a nurse, she saves lives...

Emilio forces Liliya to move in with him to fulfill the contract, plus he doesn't trust her. This bride sets his blood on fire and with each smart comment out her mouth he just wants to shut her up with a part of his anatomy shoved down her throat.

Liliya isn't thrilled with her situation but she's been directed to make him happy then unalive him. She's conflicted... does she or doesn't she choose love or death?

Profile Image for Reading is escaping reality .
1,077 reviews16 followers
October 4, 2025
This book had everything I love in a mafia romance—forced marriage, a broody alpha anti-hero, a strong (and yes, virgin!) FMC, and enough dark twists to keep me hooked from start to finish.

Forced into marriage by her brother, neither of them wanted to admit how badly they craved each other. The tension between them was deliciously unbearable. Feelings meant heartbreak, but resisting was impossible. I couldn’t stop laughing when he suggested the “game” and she fired back—it was such a perfect mix of banter, sass, and raw chemistry.

The story had the right balance of steamy romance, sharp wit, and darker undertones that make mafia romances so addictive. I loved every single minute of it! By the end, I wasn’t just obsessed with this couple—I wanted to go back and devour all the other characters’ stories too.

If you’re into dark romance, forced marriage, and alpha heroes with sharp edges, this series is a must-read.
Profile Image for Julie Fortner.
139 reviews1 follower
October 20, 2025
This book was full of emotion, tension, and the kind of slow-burn chemistry that makes your heart race and your stomach flip. The characters were flawed and real, and I loved watching them battle between what their hearts wanted and what their pasts tried to hold them back from.

There were moments that had me swooning, moments that broke me, and a few that made me want to scream at the pages — in the best way possible. Charity has such a gift for writing love stories that are messy, passionate, and utterly addictive.

If you love small-town angst, deep emotion, and characters you can’t stop thinking about long after the last page, Sinful Hearts is one you’ll want to add to your TBR immediately.
Profile Image for Spooks Reads it.
376 reviews28 followers
October 8, 2025
If you need a good dark mafia romance ooo this is indeed for you!
@charityferrell you've out done yourself with this one
🥵🥵 @valentine_pr_ thanks for the amazing arc opportunity
SINFUL HEARTS gets a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me
Emilio was supposed to marry Lilyas sister instead he got Lilya and the way this man speaks ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥 Jesus an arranged marriage turns into something more sinister 😈our Fmc has spunk and sass absolutely loved her character! An enemies to lovers and possessive mmc he goes in the Mafia book boyfriend of 2025 list 🥀
Profile Image for Dani Mazziotta.
139 reviews9 followers
October 8, 2025
this was a good book to get back into my mafia romance era(I HAVE MISSED IT SOOOOOO MUCH, IDK WHY I EVER LEFT)
anyways this author was a first timer for me so i wasn't too sure if i would like it or not but i devoured this book!!

liliya is such a sassy brat(same) also i love her name and i'm so glad it wasn't an overused russian name!! and emilio is your typical mafia capo, grumpy and not wanting to show weakness but liliya wears him down eventually.

thank you vpr for the arc <3
Profile Image for Karen Mc .
1,127 reviews771 followers
October 19, 2025
“They do say the Devil is alluring. It’s how he draws you in.”

Author Charity Ferrell has done it again! Oh mercy, Sinful Hearts had me at the prologue and never stopped ensnaring me. A heady fusion of savage and sweet, this love story enchants from cover to cover. Pure heart-pounding addiction!

An arranged marriage meets mafia romance, Sinful Hearts is the perfect blend of passion, suspense, and danger. Prepare to be wowed by the thrilling, full-throttle plot full of twists and trepidation. The writing is both witty and fiery with bang-up banter, immediately sucking you in and owning every part of you.

The characters are crafted to perfection with depth and strength in spades. A fierce and feisty Russia Bratva heroine is paired with a hardened and intense Mafia anti-hero and it’s magical. Enzo and Lilia are so attuned to each other with an awareness felt everywhere. Together, they are undeniable! I felt their deep connection grab me through the pages.

Sinful Hearts is another gem in Ferrell’s scintillating mafia world. I fell hard for this romance full of intense twists, insane intensity, and unforgettable characters. I felt the combustible chemistry … the deep connection … the family pressure and pain … the fiery angst and the heartfelt adoration … I felt it all! I burned for this book that’s breathtaking and brilliantly told.

💋💋💋💋💋 sinfully sweet kisses

➡️ https://amzn.to/3KU4aK8

Reviewed on behalf of Bookalicious Babes Blog
Profile Image for Paige Willerick.
245 reviews45 followers
September 25, 2025
A sibling swap and a forced marriage and the rest is... enemies. There was so much tension I couldn't put it down!
Profile Image for Justina Bascombe.
378 reviews4 followers
October 9, 2025
mafia romance

This was really good. I liked seeing this one play out. Being forced into a marriage in place of her sister but ending up falling in love with him anyway.
Profile Image for Kaity.
1,753 reviews38 followers
October 31, 2025
the way he falls for her.... morally grey man is forced to marry a strong wilful woman who makes him fall from day ONE!! ;DD
Profile Image for Kam.
573 reviews3 followers
September 28, 2025
Fun read!!!

I really liked the storyline. Swapped sister for an arranged/forced marriage?? Yesssss. I like the banter and the running. Each character was easy to read from and it was cute to see how their feelings grew for each other along with their trust for the other. Seriously fun and cute and funny to read

I wasn’t the biggest fan of how this seemed rather flat? Like not multidimensional. As in not a lot of world building, relationship building, etc. some things were described a little more than others but for the most part a lot was not described at depth. Hope that makes sense??

Thank you to VPR for this arc!!!
Profile Image for Mandy (Bestie Book Reviews).
470 reviews168 followers
March 18, 2026
Sinful Hearts is a spicy, fast paced, arranged marriage, wrong bride, mafia romance! Liliya is forced by her brother to marry Emilio when her sister the intended bride runs. Then her brother tasks her with killing him. Fearful for herself and her sister Liliya tries to run but Emilio won't let go of what is his.
The audiobook is narrated by Avery Reid and Walker Williams. They both know how to bring the mafia world to life. Loved the audio!!
This was my first book by Charity Ferrell and I greatly enjoyed it. Will definitely be reading more books in this series!
Profile Image for Nelsharry Baerga.
90 reviews2 followers
October 24, 2025
Wrong bride but right one at the same time this was an absolutely delicious mafia romance, with unexpected turns, and wild plot twists. The story line never wavered and it was such an amazing read.
Profile Image for Laurenreadingrecs .
638 reviews42 followers
March 3, 2026
4.5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Tropes:

🖤Dark Mafia
❤️Possessive MMC
🖤Touch her and die vibes
❤️Forced marriage
🖤That’s My Wife
❤️Found Family
🖤enemies to lovers
❤️burn the world for her

Sinful Hearts is the 3rd and final book in the Lucky Kings series. Now this can totally be read as a standalone however, I would recommend starting from the beginning or even with the Marchetti series as there is plenty of side characters and discussions that crossover. Sinful hearts we finally get Emilio and Liliya story and boy is it a good one.

Our FMC, Liliya, is the sister of Dasha who is about to marry Emilio in a contract marriage. But on the day of the wedding Dasha runs away and is replaced with Liliya. She expects Emilio to kill her for the betrayal but the opposite happens.

Emilio, known for his cold heart killer statue but deep down loves fiercely and is super protective and would destroy anyone who got in his way to protect what is his. He never wanted to care for Liliya but the heart wants what it wants.

This book was perfect. It was the slow burn and tension that a good mafia romance brings but balanced well with charity’s storytelling that pulls the emotions out.

I loved that Emilio met his match in the sassy and pistol Liliya who was the perfect balance to his character.

The audio was performed in dual narration by Avery Reid and Walker Williams. I absolutely love to listen to Walker especially in mafia and as Emilio he didn't disappoint. Avery was equally great as Liliya. Both used the right tone and emotion and banter. I absolutely love listening to the story.

I don’t know if anyone will top Damien for me but Emilio comes pretty close.

Great end to an amazing series from Charity.
Profile Image for Reading with 2 book lovers Sarah P -.
3,947 reviews46 followers
November 4, 2025
arranged marriage mafia story? yes please. this is the 3rd book in this series and it did not dissapoint. I devoured this story. highly recommended series
Profile Image for Katherine.
2 reviews
July 26, 2025
Cant wait to read this…. 👏 I love Charity Ferrel’s books especially Marchetti Mafia Series.
Profile Image for Pana.
372 reviews42 followers
February 16, 2026
I loved this plot and the storyline. It was served hot and steamy just like Charity delivers.

4⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Tropes:
Mafia
Arranged marriage
Forced proximity
Touch her and die
Hidden identity
Profile Image for Maddie (Bookaholic_Dreamer).
986 reviews84 followers
October 1, 2025
Sinful Hearts is the final interconnected Standalone in the Lucky Kings series by Charity Ferrell.
Book 3 has us following Emilio Lastro; Capo to Antonio Lombardi from Gorgeous Villain in Marchetti Mafia series. And Liliya Morozova, sister of Bratva boss through their dual perspective.

Seeing as the book was jam packed when it came to the many tropes that made up the story such as Enemies to Lovers, Touch Her and Die, Arranged Marriage, Forced Marriage, Close Proximity, Bratva, Mafia and Dark Romance. Its what made it turn out to be quite an exciting and entertaining read.
Especially when it came to seeing how it all contributed into the adventurous journey that was Emilio and Liliya’s story.

I loved that the narrative was thorough in pacing out the development of Emilio and Liliya’s relationship.
The fact that it wasn’t rushed in any way, seeing as it took a good amount of time to see bigger and deeper evolving to take place in the changes showcased, making it feel all the more realistic and genuine in my opinion at least.
From seeing how Emilio and Liliya came to be in each other’s lives, it was to be expected that their journey would have to overcome hurdles and boundaries, while growing along the way before they truly accepted one another.
And that was something author Charity showcased very well in my opinion when it came to the storytelling of the two in Sinful Hearts.
Particularly due to the character development that played the part into it.
By unravelling their layers and learning all about them, their lives as well as their feelings and views to the situation they found themselves in. We got to see a lot more that meets the eye, more so in Emilio's case given from who he was in the beginning, to who he would become in the end.

“My new husband, so hot and cold. So brutal yet tender. It’s like the villain and hero are waging a war inside him.”

As for their Arranged and Forced Marriage, although it caused bumps along the way, due to the ups and downs, going back and forth with all the pushing and pulling.
It not only made it entertaining to see, given their banter, particularly Liliya who always gave it back to Emilio given her strong, sassy side.
There was an emotional side to see as well, given the suffering, pain and hurt it caused simultaneously too at times.

Just like the previous books from Lucky Kings series, Sinful Hearts made for a filling narrative, considering what was going on and took place all throughout.
Yet it was to be expected due to the subplots alongside the main plot line. all of it bringing forth drama, mystery, suspense, action-packed thrills and of course steamy spice.
Then again, it wouldn’t be a Mafia/Bratva world if there wasn’t any craziness to ensue given the hatred between the two opposing sides.
Something that was very much obvious and presented front and centre, other than when it came from Mafia Capo Emilio being married to a Bratva Liliya.
And yet it didn't stop the heat from rising between the two.

“Sex with Emilio wasn’t gentle, sweet, or lovey-dovey. It was messy, chaotic, and fueled with frustration. Just like our marriage.”

With a storyline that was the right combination of all things that make up the Mafia world, alongside the Spicy Romance.
Author Charity Ferrell made Sinful Hearts to be a book that I thoroughly enjoyed reading.
Although I have to say it is bittersweet knowing this is the end to not only Lucky Kings series. But to this Mafia world that I have loved and enjoyed reading.



*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Eleanor Butler.
482 reviews10 followers
Review of advance copy
March 8, 2026
🖤🔥 Dark, Dangerous, and Completely Addictive 🔥🖤

🎧 𝙰𝚄𝙳𝙸𝙾𝙱𝙾𝙾𝙺 𝚁𝙴𝚅𝙸𝙴𝚆 𝙰𝙻𝙲🎧
Sinful Heart by Charity Ferrell
𝙽𝚊𝚛𝚛𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚍 𝚋𝚢: 𝙰𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢 𝚁𝚎𝚒𝚍 & 𝚆𝚊𝚕𝚔𝚎𝚛 𝚆𝚒𝚕𝚕𝚒𝚊𝚖𝚜
𝟝⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Had me hooked from the first chapter. This dark romance delivers intense chemistry, emotional scars, and a love story that feels as dangerous as it is irresistible.

This is Emilio and Lilia.📚

Emilio Lastro – A brutal and feared mafia capo with a reputation for violence and control. Beneath the ruthless exterior is a man who demands loyalty and he doesn’t forgive betrayal easily.  Emilio is the kind of morally gray hero who commands every scene—sexily powerful, possessive, and fiercely protective especially towards those he love.
He went into the arranged marriage eyes wide open with the wrong bride, one who holds a secret.
Except. He holds a bigger one.

〰️*💗*〰️

The heroine Lilia
When her sister runs away on her wedding day, Lilia is forced to step in and marry a man she thought was ruthless as he is beautiful. The problem? The groom is a ruthless mafia capo who was promised her sister—not her. Even worse, her family secretly sends her into the marriage with one mission: kill him.

But the longer she stays with him, the harder it becomes to see him as the monster everyone claims he is. What begins as deception slowly turns into a dangerous attraction, forcing her to decide which sin is greater—betraying her family or falling in love with the man she was meant to destroy.

she has one order—to kill her husband.

While Lilia refuses to be controlled by her family and new husband, the tension between her and Emilio strength and vulnerability makes their connection explosive.
And Watching them battle their pasts while slowly falling into something deeper was oh so captivating.

💗*🖤*💗*🖤*💗

🎙𝔹𝕌𝕋 𝕃𝕀𝕊𝕋𝔼ℕℕℕℕℕℕ!
This audiobook is dark, spicy, and full of tension.
But it’s The dual narration by Avery Reid and Walker Williams that adds depth and intensity.
They absolutely bring this story to life, capturing the dark intensity, the emotional depth, and the electric chemistry between Emilio and Lilia.
Their performances make every moment feel raw, immersive, and impossible to pause.
It’s one you’ll want in your ears.
💗*🖤*💗*🖤*💗

𝕋ℍ𝕆𝕌𝔾ℍ𝕋𝕊💭
Dark, spicy AF,and full of tension.
The arranged marriage trope mixed with a secret assassination mission creates constant suspense. With Emilio’s wickedly possessive alpha vibes and Lilia inner conflict and quite strong Will that make their connection even more intense and romantic.
But is the banter this girl brings despite her circumstances along with Emilio conflict of emotions towards her that I enjoy the most.
Ohhh.. that and his dirty mouth and the spicy moments and the unhinged way he shows his love.

𝔽𝕚𝕟𝕒𝕝 𝕋𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥 💭
If you love dark romance filled with obsession, loyalty, and characters willing to risk everything for love… and not to mention the spice that’s just right….. this one is a must listen. 🖤🎧

✨𝚂𝙸𝙽𝙵𝚄𝙻 𝙷𝙴𝙰𝚁𝚃𝚂 𝚅𝙸𝙱𝙴𝚂💕
💗Dark Romance
🖤Morally Gray Hero
💗Possessive Alpha
🖤Touch Her & Die
💗Emotional Trauma & Healing
🖤Intense Chemistry
💗Mafia Romance
🖤Arranged Marriage
💗Spicy!

A Sinfully Dark Love that consumes, Corrupts, and Captures the Heart!

A shout out to Valentine_pr and to you my Besties for reading my review ramblings and recommendations.
Until next time
One Love 💕 one book at a time.

〰️🦋𝒢ℯℴ𝓇ℊ𝒾ℴ𝓊𝓈🦋〰️
Profile Image for C_C.
213 reviews5 followers
October 7, 2025
ARC Review

"Sinful Hearts"

(Lucky Kings # 3)

by Charity Ferrell

Tropes:
🖤Mafia romance
❤️Possessive MMC
🖤Touch her and die vibes
❤️Arranged marriage
🖤Wrong bride
❤️Found family
🖤Enemies to lovers
❤️Burn the world for her



It follows the story of Emilio, a ruthless Italian Mafia capo, and Liliya, a daughter of the Morozova Russian Bratva.

I loved it, truly loved it.
I have read my fair share of contract marriage books set in Mafia worlds. And I say it again: I loved this one.

Yes, it's raw and unhinged and we know it's wrong. But it's also sooooo funny, and tender in the madness, and hopeful between blood and bullets. And it's wild and has so much chemistry from the push and pull these two live in.
Have I said I loved it? Oh, I did.


Thank you to the author and Valentine PR for this amazing ARC.

---

some my favorite quotes:


"I didn't wake up today thinking I'd be the sacrificial lamb."

As I slowly lifted my gaze to his, my heart hammered in my chest as my eyes met wicked ones.
They were dark and narrow, like he was already reading my soul.

His face was heaven, and his heart hell.

I turn my head, staring at him in shock. "You want me to murder the murderer?"

Silence is our main form of communication.
Arguing seems to be the second.

"You're my wife," I say. "And you'll be my wife until the day you die."

"If you want books, I'll have one of my men take you to the bookstore."
"With an unlimited budget?"
"Sure"
"That's a very dangerous statement."

"I won't turn into Prince Charming. I'm the villain, day in and day out. There's no getting rid of the beast inside me."

This new wife will be the death of me.
I won't die at the hands of a murderer.
It'll be from a heart attack from the stress she gives me.

my mind floods with thoughts of all the ways I could pleasure her.
And all the ways I could punish her.

I've never felt a pull like this toward anyone before. It's like I lose all my will power and control around her.

My wife is getting under my skin.
She's consuming me in every way.

"They won't admit it, but women love it when you k*ll for them."

"If another man even thinks about touching you, there isn't a single author twisted enough to write the kind of hell I'd unleash on him."

Our eyes meet like a fatal attraction.

He's a room full of red flags, and I'm about to wave my white one.

“Kill me or f*ck me, Liliya.” His intense stare is locked on mine. “Put me out of my misery either way.”



Profile Image for Kim Cass.
206 reviews9 followers
September 29, 2025
Liliya becomes Emilio’s bride last minute when her sister decides to run away. But what starts off as an arranged marriage between two very different people turns into a battle of wills as they both fight their urges to give their marriage a chance. Love was never a part of the deal…but what if it was?

“That’s all we need. That simple spark, the match, to light our fire.”

Y’all aren’t even ready for this one! What happens when you marry off a firecracker bratva princess and a hardened (yet soft for his wife) capo? Explosive chemistry, that’s what. Going in, I knew the drill...but this one stood out so much cause of how perfect Emilio and Liliya were for each other. They fit together so well, she softens him up, he gives her the warmth she deserves. He doesn’t want to box her into the life of a mafia wife, she wants him to love her beyond what is typical of an arranged marriage.

“I choose you. I will always choose you.”

Emilio was just as dangerous yet hot as his mafia family so of course he didn’t disappoint. From the start, I was kicking and dancing just at how protective and soft he was for Liliya from early on, it really emphasized what a good guy he was. Whether it was working behind the scenes to avenge his wife or openly being there for her, dang this man. He was so guarded from the start (for good reason) but the loving words and softness that came from him was so endearing.

Liliya on the other hand was such a real and relatable FMC. She was an every girl, with her awesome sense of humour and chaotic ways of thinking, I had no problem falling in love with her character. You can best believe I was cackling at her being so happy when getting her entire TBR, the imliterallyjustagirl101 (IYKYK) and how unrefined her thoughts were. She was just a really fun and down to earth character to read, loveable to her core.

“This is the future I want. With you. Forever.”

Most of Charity Ferrell’s books leave me with butterflies in my stomach but this one had me going straight feral. Whether it was the explosive and hot chemistry or the way that our beloved couple let go of their doubts and just fell for each other, every moment felt so special and essential to the strong bond that Emilio and Liliya formed. This book flew by, I couldn’t believe how quickly I finished it and yearned for more. And that epilogue was just chefs kiss, I couldn’t have been happier. I’m not ready to let go of the dangerous yet romantic world of the mafia/bratva families in Charity’s world so I’m really hoping that someday we’ll get to see more to come.
59 reviews1 follower
March 17, 2026
"Even the darkest hearts can find their happily ever after."


Sinful Hearts is the final interconnected Standalone in the Lucky Kings series by Charity Ferrell. Dual Narration by Avery Reid and Walker Williams
Book 3 has us following Emilio Lastro; Capo to Antonio Lombardi from Gorgeous Villain in Marchetti Mafia series. And Liliya Morozova, sister of Bratva boss through their dual perspective.

4.5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Tropes:

🖤Dark Mafia
❤️Possessive MMC
🖤Touch her and die vibes
❤️Forced marriage
🖤That’s My Wife
❤️Found Family
🖤enemies to lovers
❤️burn the world for her


Sinful Hearts is the third and final book in the Lucky Kings series. I’ve only read this book, and I can confirm it works perfectly as a standalone.

Emilio is known for his cold, killer demeanor, but beneath that icy exterior lies a fiercely loving and protective heart. He would destroy anyone who threatened what was his. He never planned on caring for Liliya, but as we all know, the heart wants what it wants.

Liliya, on the other hand, was forced to take her sister’s place and marry Emilio. As a daughter in a mafia family, she had very few options. She tries to follow her sister’s lead and escape from her new husband not once, but multiple times and quickly learns the consequences of those choices.

This book is more than just a mafia romance. It’s about two people navigating their feelings for one another, learning to trust each other with their secrets, and discovering that they will fiercely protect one another. The slow burn and tension that a good mafia romance promises are perfectly balanced with a story that pulls at your emotions.

I loved watching Emilio meet his match in the sassy and spirited Liliya. She was the perfect balance to his intense and controlling nature.

The audiobook, performed in dual narration by Avery Reid and Walker Williams, was fantastic. Walker’s performance as Emilio was everything I hoped for intense and commanding while Avery’s portrayal of Liliya brought all the sass, emotion, and nuance. Their chemistry and timing made the story even more immersive.

As my first Charity Ferrell read, I am officially hooked. Thank you for letting me be part of your team and support this amazing book!
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