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Merciless Queen
Harlow
My Captor. My Devil. My Wife.
Vincenzo Mancini claims me as his own, his most valued possession.
And he’s made it clear. Only death can set me free.
That is, until she crashes into my life like a demon from Hell.
Caterina Moretti is powerful, malevolent, gorgeous.
She kidnaps me, intending to kill me to fulfill her vengeance.
I escaped one monster’s den, just to be forced into a gilded cage.
Just a pawn in a ruthless game of cat and mouse.
And then? She became my wife.
Caterina
My Enemy. My Obsession. My Wife.
I wear the crown, and Chicago bows at my feet.
Everyone knows not to cross the Moretti family.
Almost everyone...except Vincenzo Mancini.
When I catch wind of my enemy’s upcoming wedding, I take what matters most to him.
Harlow Lewis. An angel who mistakes me for her savior.
But I’m nothing more than another monster painted in a different color.
Her pain is palpable, and it’s clear she’s not the enemy.
And yet, I still keep her as my own.
Marrying her was never my intention. But now...she’s mine.
Merciless Queen is a dark mafia romance featuring a marriage of convenience, a grumpy, possessive hero, and a broken yet fiercely strong-willed heroine. This is book one of a gripping duet and ends on a cliffhanger. By the end of book two, our heroine will get the happy ending she deserves.
My Captor. My Devil. My Wife.
Vincenzo Mancini claims me as his own, his most valued possession.
And he’s made it clear. Only death can set me free.
That is, until she crashes into my life like a demon from Hell.
Caterina Moretti is powerful, malevolent, gorgeous.
She kidnaps me, intending to kill me to fulfill her vengeance.
I escaped one monster’s den, just to be forced into a gilded cage.
Just a pawn in a ruthless game of cat and mouse.
And then? She became my wife.
Caterina
My Enemy. My Obsession. My Wife.
I wear the crown, and Chicago bows at my feet.
Everyone knows not to cross the Moretti family.
Almost everyone...except Vincenzo Mancini.
When I catch wind of my enemy’s upcoming wedding, I take what matters most to him.
Harlow Lewis. An angel who mistakes me for her savior.
But I’m nothing more than another monster painted in a different color.
Her pain is palpable, and it’s clear she’s not the enemy.
And yet, I still keep her as my own.
Marrying her was never my intention. But now...she’s mine.
Merciless Queen is a dark mafia romance featuring a marriage of convenience, a grumpy, possessive hero, and a broken yet fiercely strong-willed heroine. This is book one of a gripping duet and ends on a cliffhanger. By the end of book two, our heroine will get the happy ending she deserves.
430 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 15, 2025
24 people are currently reading
120 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
October 18, 2025
3.5 ⭐️- this book won’t be for everyone.
One of the MCs (Harlow) is the victim of sex trafficking and was abused, tortured, and brutalized in unspeakable ways and the author doesn’t shy away from it on page and in flashbacks. It can be A LOT.
The mafia Boss MC (Cat) is a bit over the top but I can forgive it because I want Harlow protected, loved and avenged with every fiber of my being. A violent, powerful lesbian who hates men who hurt women is the perfect partner for our sweet baby angel Harlow and treats her like a princess. Watching her slowly heal and thrive is a balm to the soul.
Cons: Some of the internal dialogue gets a bit repetitive, the SA flashbacks are unflinching and hard to read and this book ends on a cliffhanger with book two not due until Sept2026.
Kindle Unlimited
One of the MCs (Harlow) is the victim of sex trafficking and was abused, tortured, and brutalized in unspeakable ways and the author doesn’t shy away from it on page and in flashbacks. It can be A LOT.
The mafia Boss MC (Cat) is a bit over the top but I can forgive it because I want Harlow protected, loved and avenged with every fiber of my being. A violent, powerful lesbian who hates men who hurt women is the perfect partner for our sweet baby angel Harlow and treats her like a princess. Watching her slowly heal and thrive is a balm to the soul.
Cons: Some of the internal dialogue gets a bit repetitive, the SA flashbacks are unflinching and hard to read and this book ends on a cliffhanger with book two not due until Sept2026.
Kindle Unlimited
September 24, 2025
Where do I start? Harlow's past is horrifying, but Smoke handles it with such care. You can feel the pain Harlow went through and still struggles with so easily. Cat is the perfect foil to that, putting up the front of a badass untouchable mafia queen. However, even her murder puppies know Harlow is special. Mind the heavy themes, but this book is amazing and I need book 2 ASAP!
November 5, 2025
no way i have to wait until NEXT YEAR for the next book 😭😭
November 10, 2025
i love dark mafia romance
i am however concerned by the fact that this a trilogy and not a duology and how we’re going to make it last that long
i am however concerned by the fact that this a trilogy and not a duology and how we’re going to make it last that long
October 1, 2025
Well...wow. I loved this book and went through it in a few days. The themes are heavy, when its called dark it really is so mind that, there were times I had to put it down to process. That said I think that CL Smoke handles them well, Harlow and Caterina's story put me through every emotion and the ending I think stopped my heart. Its going to feel like a long wait for Savage Queen after that cliffhanger
September 18, 2025
I absolutely devoured this book! I love dark mafia romances and this is one of the best ones I have read so far.
Both Cat and Harlow are such lovable characters in every way. Harlow's trauma is so terrible, but seeing her growth and strength in overcoming it is so beautiful. Contrary to most romance books, there was no third act break-up and the characters did not struggle when finally admitting their feelings for the other. As someone who often thinks third act break-ups are unnecessary, I really appreciated that choice.
The spicy scenes did not disappoint. They were perfectly done. The way she wrote them to work with Harlow's trauma while still giving us the spice we all crave was lovely.
Dark romance is supposed to have characters that are very morally gray, and personally I love a good murderer in mine. Seeing Cat love torturing and killing her victims was great. I think CL Smoke really nailed that line between super f**ed, but also sexy as hell. She also really took "touch her, and you die" to a whole new level.
Overall, this was fantastic, and I can't wait to dive into CL Smoke's back catalog and for the next installment in this series. Especially after that cliffhanger!
Both Cat and Harlow are such lovable characters in every way. Harlow's trauma is so terrible, but seeing her growth and strength in overcoming it is so beautiful. Contrary to most romance books, there was no third act break-up and the characters did not struggle when finally admitting their feelings for the other. As someone who often thinks third act break-ups are unnecessary, I really appreciated that choice.
The spicy scenes did not disappoint. They were perfectly done. The way she wrote them to work with Harlow's trauma while still giving us the spice we all crave was lovely.
Dark romance is supposed to have characters that are very morally gray, and personally I love a good murderer in mine. Seeing Cat love torturing and killing her victims was great. I think CL Smoke really nailed that line between super f**ed, but also sexy as hell. She also really took "touch her, and you die" to a whole new level.
Overall, this was fantastic, and I can't wait to dive into CL Smoke's back catalog and for the next installment in this series. Especially after that cliffhanger!
November 8, 2025
Merciless Queen hit me harder than I expected. It’s raw, intense, and beautifully written — a story that doesn’t just revel in darkness but explores what it means to heal inside it. Harlow’s journey is both brutal and empowering, and I loved watching how her connection with Caterina became the unexpected light in all that chaos.
Their dynamic is magnetic — fierce, tender, and filled with a kind of emotional honesty that felt earned. The way they evolve together, meeting each other’s pain and need in equal measure, felt so natural. Nothing about it felt forced; it simply flowed.
C.L. Smoke does an incredible job balancing grit with vulnerability, violence with intimacy. My only complaint? That freaking cliffhanger. I wasn’t ready to be left hanging like that — but I’ll absolutely be coming back for book two.
A dark, addictive, and surprisingly healing read.
🌟 4.5
🔥 4
Their dynamic is magnetic — fierce, tender, and filled with a kind of emotional honesty that felt earned. The way they evolve together, meeting each other’s pain and need in equal measure, felt so natural. Nothing about it felt forced; it simply flowed.
C.L. Smoke does an incredible job balancing grit with vulnerability, violence with intimacy. My only complaint? That freaking cliffhanger. I wasn’t ready to be left hanging like that — but I’ll absolutely be coming back for book two.
A dark, addictive, and surprisingly healing read.
🌟 4.5
🔥 4
December 13, 2025
Y’all, I decided to completely fucking WRECK myself for my birthday weekend with this read. What in the fuck what I was thinking to start this knowing damn well I would be sitting ruined for FAR too long in limbo. I decided I’m going to read it again, immediately.
Cat and Harlow are magnificent. This book is very dark, and I have felt like I was sitting in the car alongside them on this roller coaster, and all we’ve been able to do is crawl to the top of the first big hill. To be continued, right as you see the drop.
Very few books crawl into these darkest bits of me and pull me up to the surface, I couldn’t have made a better choice.
Cat and Harlow are magnificent. This book is very dark, and I have felt like I was sitting in the car alongside them on this roller coaster, and all we’ve been able to do is crawl to the top of the first big hill. To be continued, right as you see the drop.
Very few books crawl into these darkest bits of me and pull me up to the surface, I couldn’t have made a better choice.
October 19, 2025
WOW! 4.5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
READ THOSE TRIGGERS PEOPLE. This is heavyyyyyyy
This book has some heavy topics, but the author handles it well. Caterina is a bada** babe who protects Harlow. The cliffhanger made me groan, but it's okay. I can wait for book two. Harlow deserves her happy ending and I cannot wait to read it!
READ THOSE TRIGGERS PEOPLE. This is heavyyyyyyy
This book has some heavy topics, but the author handles it well. Caterina is a bada** babe who protects Harlow. The cliffhanger made me groan, but it's okay. I can wait for book two. Harlow deserves her happy ending and I cannot wait to read it!
November 29, 2025
i have to wait until September of NEXT YEAR for book 2??? this cliff hanger was like a punch to the gut. ugh i might die 😭😭
such a devastatingly beautiful book about healing and accepting love. i was captivated by Cat and Harlow’s story and reading about their love growing by each chapter. i am so excited to continue their story and see Vincenzo taken the fuck out🔪
such a devastatingly beautiful book about healing and accepting love. i was captivated by Cat and Harlow’s story and reading about their love growing by each chapter. i am so excited to continue their story and see Vincenzo taken the fuck out🔪
December 11, 2025
It's a beautiful story. I thought the author was courageous to write this. There is a lot of dark throughout the book. But there is light, and that's what the readers hang onto. Plot development is pretty typical. Cliffhanger was also expected. The prose is repetitive. But I decided to give this 5 stars.
January 1, 2026
Great story…needs a lot of editing
LOVE THIS AUTHOR and I loved this story but the fact that it needs a lot of editing detracts from the overall quality. There are a lot of run on sentences and a lot of repetitive inner monologue happening. But, overall, I can’t wait to see how it ends.
LOVE THIS AUTHOR and I loved this story but the fact that it needs a lot of editing detracts from the overall quality. There are a lot of run on sentences and a lot of repetitive inner monologue happening. But, overall, I can’t wait to see how it ends.
September 17, 2025
How do I describe this book? I laughed, I cried, I swooned.
I've never been on such an emotional rollercoaster in my life! the story was hard to read with certain points, but the romance and how Caterina helped Harlow was beautiful. The cliffhanger now? BRUTAL. I NEED BOOK 2 ASAP!!!
I've never been on such an emotional rollercoaster in my life! the story was hard to read with certain points, but the romance and how Caterina helped Harlow was beautiful. The cliffhanger now? BRUTAL. I NEED BOOK 2 ASAP!!!
October 4, 2025
What a warrior
Harlow is such a strong person and warrior who tries hard. Of course she stumbles and starts over. Caterina is awesome for essentially waking Harlow up and giving her a life! The ending…. I groaned.
Harlow is such a strong person and warrior who tries hard. Of course she stumbles and starts over. Caterina is awesome for essentially waking Harlow up and giving her a life! The ending…. I groaned.
October 17, 2025
Holy shit I fucking love sapphic Mafia books, this book got me hooked and didn't put it down until I had to do house chores 😆 my favorite part was when Caterina calls Harlow Bellissima I was a fucking mess ,that cliffhanger tho OMG 😱 can't wait to read book ✌🏻
September 25, 2025
CL Does It Again!!
This book is amazing and got me hooked from page one. I love how CL creates her stories and the care and attention she takes in talking about her certain topics. I can’t wait to read book 2!
This book is amazing and got me hooked from page one. I love how CL creates her stories and the care and attention she takes in talking about her certain topics. I can’t wait to read book 2!
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October 19, 2025A real sickness... good lord. I have a feeling if she was a man, she would be no different. And that's sick.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews