Cinder

MC Fables #2

by Penny Dee

“You’re playing with fire, Little Cinder...”

LARS
I’ve been called a lot of things in my life. Enforcer. Savage. Monster.
None of them bother me. I know what I am.
I am the iron fist of the Knights of St. Boniface Motorcycle Club. I protect the club and keep my family safe.
What I don’t do? Get involved.
Until her.
She’s trouble in torn denim, cowboy boots, and a smile I can’t get out of my head.
I should walk away.
But I can’t.
Even when I know she’ll ruin me.

ELLA
After my father dies, my half-brother turns our home into a living hell, then sells me to a man with blood on his hands and cruelty in his smile.
That’s when he appears. The inked biker with a piercing glare and a body you’d happily die worshipping.
At first he is a threat. Then he becomes my sanctuary.
But he doesn’t know who I really am, or what I’ve been sent to do.
Or the danger we’ll face when all our secrets come burning down.

Cinder is a wickedly dark Cinderella retelling set in the gritty world of the Knights of St. Boniface motorcycle club. A mafia-meets-MC romance, it brims with sizzling chemistry, dangerous secrets, and a brutal, broken hero who would burn the world down to protect the woman he loves.
For readers 18+

Tropes
Mafia meets MC romance
She's a mafia heiress
He's the MC Enforcer
Enemies to friends to lovers
Forced proximity
Romantic suspense
Touch her & die
Who did this to you?
Found family
Dark Cinderella retelling
Twists!!

Genres: Dark Romance, Retellings, Enemies To Lovers, He Falls First, Dark, Found Family, Contemporary

446 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 21, 2025

About the author

Penny Dee writes mafia and motorcycle club romance. Her stories bring the suspense, the feels, and a whole lot of heat.

She found her happily ever after with an Australian hottie who she met on a blind date.


You can connect with Penny Dee here:
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Reviews

[➦Paulette & Her Sexy Alphas]

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️/2 🌶️

This book had everything, action, suspense, spice, you name it. I’m such a sucker for fairytale retellings, and when you mix in a dark romance twist? Yeah, I’m gone 🙌🏼

I really thought nothing could top Beast, but wow… Lars proved me so wrong. He’s officially my new favorite Knight. And Ella? That girl is such a baddie, I loved her from the very first page. I loved both of them so much, their chemistry, their banter, everything!🖤

The story flew by with its fast pace, the angst, and the plot kept me hooked the whole way through.

I can’t wait to see who gets the next book! My patience is going to be tested 😅

Trope: MC/Mafia romance, Fairytale retelling

[C · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

[Naes.bookcorner · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG what a book!!! I was instantly hooked from the start and devoured, and when I say I devoured it I mean I DEVOURED it in a few hours! MC cross mafia yes please! Penny Dee has done it again! I absolutely loved this book, it is the perfect 2nd book to the series, it has everything you want in a book, suspense which has you sitting on the edge of your seat, romance and banter, a smart sassy fierce FMC and a big strong savage softy enforcer MMC who will do anything to save his girl.
I absolutely loved the storyline and how we got flashbacks in certain parts of the story, this book had me second guessing myself thinking I knew what was about to happen, only to gasp when something else happened or something I didn’t see coming.
I highly recommend adding this and book 1 beast to your tbr
Thank you so much penny dee for giving me the opportunity to read and review this amazing book!

[Robyn Corcoran · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved book one, Beast, and eagerly awaited the second book in the Knights of St. Boniface MC. Without a doubt, Cinder is just as fantastic and the wait was worth it.

This MC series, loosely based on various fables, is a very clever idea and is written extremely well. The author has woven a modern-day tale that is intriguing and exciting. The romance between Lars and Ella is compelling, with both characters immediately feeling their magnetic attraction.

I love the way Lily silently berates her brother and imagines doing things to him to stop his nasty and demanding behaviour. I could have gladly picked up something and hit him over the head he made me so angry. This is how powerful the writing is in this book.

Lars is a great character too because of his honesty and belief in treating women and children with respect. When he loves someone he is all in and only focused on his true love. Even he found this a surprise.

Although readers are given a certain amount of information with regard to the suspense element of the story, there is the ongoing feeling of not knowing how things could possibly turn out for Lily, and it is nail-bitingly good.

As the tension built and Lily finds herself in serious trouble, I couldn’t read fast enough—absolutely brilliant suspense and great twists. Be warned though—this story is an emotional roller coaster ride but I would gladly hop back on it is that wonderful.

[Lorna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this, this story is the retailing of Cinderella, mixed with mafia, crossed with the motorbike club and a dash of an evil twisted narcissist half brother.

This story follows Ella the mafia princess and Lars the motorbike enforcer. Ella's dad is killed by a car bomb and her twisted narcissist half brother takes over as Don Moretti and sells Ella as a virgin bride to the Bratva for 10 million dollars, the Bratva Don wants a recipe that the motorbike club has and uses Ella to get inside to find it while holding her sister over her head as a way of getting her to comply with their needs.

[World Of Books 65 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The mistress of MC romances strikes again! Penny Dee delivers a heart-stopping ride with Cinder, the second book in her MC Fables series, and from page one I was hooked.

Picking up where Beast left off, this dark Cinderella-inspired mafia and motorcycle club romance is absolute perfection. Lars, the ruthless enforcer of the Knights of St. Bon MC, wears his title with pride—dangerous, loyal, and savage when necessary, he will do anything to protect his club and his president.

Ella’s world crumbles after her father’s death, leaving her and her young sister at the mercy of her cold, mafia-connected stepbrother. His first act? To sell Ella off to a powerful and dangerous Russian mafia boss. But fate has other plans—Lars steps in as an unexpected savior, and what follows is a story drenched in danger, dark secrets, and a sizzling chemistry that practically burns through the pages.

Penny Dee doesn’t just write romance—she crafts a visceral experience filled with gasp-worthy twists, gritty suspense, and heat that will leave you breathless. Cinder is a must-read for anyone who craves dark, sizzling MC romances with a mafia edge.

My only complaint? Having to wait for the next installment.

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can't go wrong!

First there was Beast, then there was Lars! And don't you dare make me choose - but just quietly, I think I'd pick Lars!

I absolutely loved this book! MC romance meets mafia meets retelling... it simply couldn't go wrong!

I really enjoyed the contrast between the instant chemistry between Lars and Ella and their very progressive relationship. Insta love can often feel fake and rushed to me so I really appreciated the pace these two move at. It felt more realistic and in keeping with Ella's troubles.

I don't know if you can not love Ella, she's such a sweetheart, fierce and strong but also soft, loving and caring. And smart. Can I be her when I grow up? I'll take Lars too while we're at it!

Because Lars is one hot, morally grey but so soft hearted man that will melt your heart - among other things!

I enjoyed the return to the clubhouse and I can't wait to find out whose story we'll follow next!

Summary
Rating 4⭐
Spice 3.5🌶️

Tropes
* MC / Mafia
* Found family
* Who did this to you
* Retelling
* Evil step family
* Plot twist(s)
* Troubled past

[Sammie Bow · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️

This one pulled me in from the start and I just couldn’t stop reading. Entertaining, spicy and action packed.

The thing I don’t like about this series is the fact that the ‘club girls’ live at the clubhouse. Even though it wasn’t thrown in the face & they are all nice and know not to touch the guys with old ladies BUT I’d rather they weren’t around all the time…seems odd to live with a group of girls who have slept with your man multiple times 🤷‍♀️

POV: Dual, 1st person.
SERIES or STANDALONE: 2nd in series, can be read as a standalone.
TROPES: M/F adult, mafia/MC, kinda Cinderella retelling romance.
SIZE: 434 (last page) Kindle pages.
CHARACTERS: Lars (34) & Ella (25)

PLOT: 4 📚
ROMANCE: 5 ❤️
SPICE/STEAM: 3 🌶
DARKNESS/TRIGGERS: 2 😈 (violence, abuse, murder, attempted SA)

⚠️ My bookshelves can contain spoilers.

[Cris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Penny Dee has done it again! She’s given us a really great read, full of excitement and passion, with a touch of humor and mystery tossed in for good measure. I absolutely love Lars and Ella, their chemistry is amazing. There is so much working against them to be a couple, but thankfully they don’t quit on each other. I will say that Luca is one villain who deserves anything and everything that comes to him…such an evil jerk! Totally enjoyed the book and I’m looking forward to who’s next!

[Terri West · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gripping MC story from this talented author. With great characters and exciting plot that flows well, following the fable theme from book one.
I loved the combination of gritty MC meets the dark Mafia, whilst bringing in the element of romance and spice. This was a book that grabbed me from the outset and I consumed it in one sitting, yes it's that good.
Great read, I thoroughly recommend.

[Surrender2silk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book two in the MC Fables series. After her father’s death her stepbrother toke over his umpire. Ella has to do everything he wants. He sends her to the club to get some he needs. Lars is the best enforcer for the club. He knows she’s lying but she to cute just to send her away. She needs help fingers crops it’s not to late to tell Lars her fears. Great add on to this fairy tale twist.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Penny Dee writes such a neat twist on the fairytales. I loved h and H (Ella and Lars). Her writing was beautifully done as well as intriguing. Finished in one sitting. I loved the mixture of fantasy, the bikers, the mafia, as well as the surprises! Keep me on my toes.

[Carol Roll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

This book was SO GOOD!! Grabs your attention from the start and keeps it. Good characters and storyline along with some good twists and turns along with action and suspense. Very enjoyable. Can't wait for the next book in this series.

[Mary Allan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this as part of ARC reading group what a great read, highly recommend reading.. 5 stars

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

really good

[Cristina]

Writing style didn’t work for me.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mafia princess and MC enforcer! This second in the series keeps you on the path of the Knights MC and does it deliver. The twists and turns you won’t believe, but my favorite is the family they have ❤️. But there is a rat and a young girls life at risk. Lars know’s something is not right and keeps that in mind to save his love 🖤. The ending will definitely catch you by surprise!!

[Becky Poirier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this one even more than the last

There wasn't a dull moment. I was intrigued by the characters from the start and eager to read how their love story unfolded. You will not be disappointed by this book.

[Natalie Waterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series, i have to say i actually enjoyed this book more than the first, i couldn't put it down. I hope there will be more of the knights series.

[Heather Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

New to MC romances

I love paranormal romance and recently found one that was shifter/MC, but it wasn’t great. This is not shifter, but damn. It was SO good. I’m really excited to read more of Dee’s work and I NEED more books about this crew!!

[Sunshine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one seemed a little more far fetched. Still enjoyed it but it was a little to much

[Googly55 · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. OTT, ridiculous retelling of Cinderella that involves cheesy dialogue and a secret recipe (that the h must steal) for a sex drug that’s made from super rare berries. 🫩

[T · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mafia meets MC club with a Cinderella retelling
Enjoyed the 2nd book but Beast will always be my favourite.

If you love:
• Enemies to lovers
• Forced proximity
• Dark romance with danger and secrets
• "Touch her & die" vibes

⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Naiomi Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG, these books are getting better and better.

Ada Sinclair, Walker Williams have done an amazing job with the narration.

[reader_dreamer_4life · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way I devoured this book!
Lars and Ella's story had it all.... banter, chemistry, suspense, secrets, action, spice, angst, and a twist I did not see coming.

From the moment these two meet there was an undeniable pull.
Ella is on a desperate and secret mission to save her sister, while Lars, the clubs enforcer can instantly tell she is hiding something.
Lars wants to protect the club while at the same time uncover her secrets so he can protect her.
I adored Ella! She's strong, determined, sassy, loyal and caring. I can't deny that her secret mission was making me edgy as I was so nervous for her when it all came to the surface.
I mean lying to members of an MC can't be good right?
Then we have... our MMC Lars. Good lord I loved this man! Ella summed him up perfectly...
"He's an avenging angel in a leather cut."
He is everything you would want.... sexy, loyal, protective, caring, obsessive and brutal when needed.

The tension, the chemistry and the amazing banter between these two had me hooked...
Then... their journey was angsty, suspenseful, spicy, and action-filled.

I'm loving this MC brotherhood and all the side characters. Can't wait for more of them in future books.
I know she is young in this book, but I hope Ella's sister gets a HEA in the future.
Bring on Book 3! I can't wait to dive back in to this world!

[Marisol J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't get enough!!

This is book 2 of the MC Fables. I thought I loved Beast, but Cinder blew past it to that #1 spot. I loved this "retelling" of a Cinderella story. The MMC is Lars Andersson an enforcer who has sworn off love and is focused on his job with the MC. FMC is Elenor "Ella" Morreti daughter of mafia a Don who is at the mercy of her half brother. A psychotic, narcissistic man who took her father's place as Don since due to his death. Her brother makes an arrangement for her to be married to the Bratva leader. But before she can be married off, she is forced to enter the MC and steal from them. Her first night at a party in the MC, Ella and Lars see each other and that starts the push and pull between them. But nothing is easy though when you are from a mafia family, arranged to be married to leader of the Bratva and forced to lie about who you really are while at the same time falling in love with someone you can't have.

Lars is a sweetheart. Yes an enforcer, but beyond that he has a heart of gold.

If you are still on the fence about reading this book, just do it!! You will not be disappointed. I didn't want the story to end. Absolutely one of my favorites. ❤️

[Louise O · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cinder (MC Fables #2 by Penny)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (4/5 stars)

Cinder is book two in the MC Fables series, set in the gritty world of the Knights of St. Boniface motorcycle club.

Ella is just trying to survive. After her father’s death, her half-brother moves in and moves his mother in and immediately decides he’s the head of the family. With that control, he dictates Ella’s future and sends her on a mission to the clubhouse, one that puts everything she cares about most at risk.

Lars, the club’s enforcer, lives to protect his family, even if that means being the monster others fear. But when Ella walks into the clubhouse, his carefully constructed walls start to crumble—even though his instincts warn him to tread carefully. Haunted by guilt from the past, Lars struggles with his demons while fighting to protect what he now considers his. Even if it puts him directly in the line of fire.

I personally really enjoyed this story. I’m a sucker for motorcycle romances, and Penny has delivered another gripping read that keeps you hooked right until the end.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (4/5 stars)

[E Dom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark and Sweet

This book is a good mix of mafia meets MC and it didn’t necessarily disappoint.

Ella’s father dies in a car bomb and her unruly brother takes over as mafia Don. He physically abuses her and threatens her with the life of her sister. He sells her to a Russian Bratva Pakhan, but the Pakhan has other plans for her. He sends her on a wild goose chase to the Knights MC, and is wanting her to retrieve a recipe for the drug they make and sell. as she is there, she meets Lars, and it is instant attraction. He ends up, hiring her to work at the castle, and she uses this as her advantage to get away from her brother. The story spirals into a constant stream of events, a slow burn, and a fairytale ending.

My only frustration with this book is the entire time you’re screaming “just tell him! Just tell him!” There are also a lot of twists at the end of the story, so I feel like we don’t get a whole lot of the happy ending of Lars and Ella. Looking forward to any future stories for this MC series.

Happy reading!!

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first book by Penny and my first fairytale retelling. I actually really enjoyed this one and want to go back to read book 1.

Ella is the daughter of a mafia Don and Lars is the enforcer for the Knights MC club. Ella's step brother is a psychopath and abuses her, and threatens if she falls out of line that he'll hurt their younger sister.

Ella agrees to be sold to another awful man to save her sister from being hurt. Ella is a virgin and to be sold to a 60 something Russian man who is evil and abusive. She's tasked with finding a recipe within the MC castle hidden in the library.

The Mc is where she meets Lars and discovers the chemistry between them. They go back and forth if it's a good idea, both drawn to each other. Lars has sworn off relationships after his past, but they can't stay away from each other. They realize they need each other more than they care about consequences or fallout.

This had suspense, 💀, mafia/ biker vibes and i was here for it all.