Insurgence

by Stella Eve

Mae Soares

My parents were shady people. I knew that. They thrived on their perfect image and their perfect family. What I did not know was that their money came from the Tokyo yakuza, and that after their deaths, their debt would become my problem.

When their boss shows up and asks me to marry him instead, my life changes in an instant. I’m swept up into a world of crime and money, where apparently, violence is always the answer.

Little does the yakuza know that I don’t follow anyone’s rules but my own, and I don’t like trying to be controlled.

Tetsu Kuro is in for it if he thinks that I’m going to let him tell me what to do.

Tetsu Kuro

I didn’t have time for love. The underground world didn’t allow for that.

But when I laid eyes on Mae Soares… I knew she had to be mine, whether she wanted to be mine or not. So I gave her an offer that she couldn’t refuse and took her as mine.

And then the Japanese yakuza imploded on itself, with a new player coming in and causing chaos just for the fun of it.

The problem? Mae is the target.

And I will be damned if anyone tries to take her away from me.

Genres: Dark Romance

356 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 1, 2025

About the author

30-year-old spicy romance author. Love of KPOP and coffee.

Reviews

[Savanah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you for the ARC!
 
What to expect:
🖤 Dark Romance
💀 Mafia
💍 Forced Marriage
 
Mae Soares
My parents lived for their perfect image—but after their deaths, their debt became mine. When their boss demanded I marry him, I was dragged into a world of crime and blood. But the yakuza will learn fast—I don’t play by anyone’s rules but my own.

Tetsu Kuro
Love wasn’t in my plans—until Mae. One look, and I knew she was mine. I made her an offer she couldn’t refuse. But when the yakuza fell into chaos and Mae became the target, one thing became clear: I’ll burn the city down before I let anyone take her from me.

I was intrigued when I read the synopsis since I haven't read a yakuza romance before. Unfortunately the plot fell a bit flat for me—it wasn’t as developed as I’d hoped it would be. Everything felt rushed, from the moment Tetsu met Mae to the quick resolution of the conflict. I wanted more internal struggle from the characters; instead, they felt surface-level. A deeper look into Mae’s upbringing and her parents would’ve added much-needed depth and emotional weight.

‼️Check content warnings before reading‼️

[Lenore · Rating 3 out of 5]

up to page 40:
Introduction: Everything is explained very quickly. The love interest is introduced with no real reason given yet as to why he wants Mae when he could have literally anyone. we have hints she likes bad boys / danger but no examples yet.
up to page 200:
Love at 1st sight and weird past things going on...
Everything is very surface level and sometimes the logic circles back around itself. Like the brother has a month or more with no parents or Tetsu and he didn't make any moves but he started a mafia war to get her attention?
idk definitely some logic hops. The love/smut part is pretty decent though so give it a try.

[sads · Rating 3 out of 5]

thank you to lovenotes PR and the author for an arc of the book! I was really intrigued when I read the synopsis, I haven’t read many yakuza romance books so I was excited to pick this up.

Unfortunately the plot fell a little flat for me, it wasn’t as developed as I would’ve liked it to be. Everything felt rushed in the book, from the minute tetsu saw Mae to the minute they wrapped up the supposed problem. I would’ve loved to see more internal conflict from the characters, everything about them felt very surface level. More explanation of Mae’s upbringing and her parents would’ve added a lot more substance to the book.

I actually did really love tetsu and Mae they were so cute 😭 and the found family in the yakuza was so funny 🤞

[Emmy Wong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did someone say cinnamon roll mafia man? Because this book gave me the shock of my life and the laugh of my freaking life. An orphaned girl has to pay off her parent’s debt to the mafia, and ends up doing that by marrying the boss, we’ve seen that before. But this boss, is so sweet, he’s a golden retriever on the inside (but not in bed), but still has that dangerous killer mafia boss vibe. The second he sees her, he knows she’s the one and immediately charms her instead of threatening her. She has no choice but to agree but there’s a major threat coming to them and tensions are close to snapping… The plot was great, I did think there was a little bit of a slower spot near the middle but overall it was tense, thrilling and has a dangerous mystery vibe. I was not expecting those plot twists, they were crazy and I was stunned out of my mind. I really enjoyed the plot and I think it ended perfectly. And characters, although Tetsu was kind of the same throughout the book, Mae had huge character development. Going from this scared girl who has no idea what this mafia man wants with her, to a confident wife who bosses her husband around. I loved Tetsu so much, he was so contradictory it’s funny. I love it so much when the mmc is all stabby and intimidating at work but melts like a puddle in front of their wife. Not just him, the whole mafia family is hilarious, Yuta and the rest were the sweetest and funniest mafia bosses I’ve ever read about. I loved this and can’t wait to read more of this series! I give this a 4/5

[Maddi Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insurgence was my very first Yakuza-themed novel, and I LOVED IT. From the very first chapter, the story pulled me right in with its intensity, danger, and complex characters. Every time I put it down, I found myself itching to pick it back up just to see what would happen next.
The pacing was fantastic — fast enough to keep the tension high, but with just the right amount of detail to make the world feel real and immersive. The Yakuza setting added such a fresh and gripping layer to the story; it felt different from anything I’ve read before.

The overall experience was absolutely thrilling. I’m really glad I got the chance to read this ARC, and I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for more books .

[Girlzgottaread · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise of this one had me hooked right away... a Tokyo yakuza twist on the classic mafia romance setup sounded so good. I was so ready for it. The promise of danger, control, and rebellion sounded like exactly my kind of read.

But unfortunately, it just didn’t land the way I hoped. Mae and Kuro had potential, but their relationship felt very surface-level and I struggled to connect with either of them. The story itself never quite found its rhythm, and by the 50% mark, it felt like it was circling the same beats without much growth or tension.

The concept was there but it just needed more emotional depth and spark to pull me in.


💀 Mafia / Yakuza Romance
💔 Promising concept, but fell flat

Thank you to the author and to lovenotes pr for the opportunity to read this arc! 💗

[Briandher_reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

First thing first, I cannot believe this has been in the works since 2020! I can’t imagine holding in such great work for 5 years!

Stella, you had me falling in love with the touch her and die vibes this masterpiece gave off. On top of the love story we got to experience, this book was so insightful to a culture I knew nothing about it. The pictures this read had me imagining of Tokyo has me dying dying to visit!

The intensity this book brought on so many different levels had me overall rating this book at ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - don’t forget to read that prologue, I’m dying for what’s next! 🤭

[Ana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, it was fun, very insta-love kinda of think that I’m not very found of but comic at the same time. All the interactions between the main cara haters had a purpose and it was laughable. It had several mafia moments, for sure, and not only smut (which in the whole book maybe could count at 2%)

[Amz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mafia romance packed with the fave tropes like enemies to lovers, forced proximity, and a protective alpha male. Mae is smart and fierce, Tetsu is brooding and dangerous, and their chemistry makes the tension electric. A gripping, page turning read!

[Lauren Goodall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Forced marriage, Yakuza crime world, and dangerous stakes make for a tense, romantic setup. The tension between Mae and Tetsu is compelling, and the underworld backdrop adds spice. However, some plot felt a little predictable at times.

[Val · Rating 3 out of 5]

i really enjoyed it in the mood I was for in the past few days but I think this was kind of a bit rushed which helped me get interested initially but lost me further down the line. Still, it's a yakuza romance so ofc it was fun.

TYSM to the author and lovenotes pr for the arc

[Tqa London · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐ /5
🌶🌶🌶 /5

This was such an easy dark romance read, fast-paced, addictive, and honestly perfect if you want something quick and spicy. The action wasn’t super extreme, but it definitely had moments that were gorily graphic. My only big wish? I really wanted a deeper dive into Mae’s upbringing or her past instead of spending so many pages on them constantly getting it on. The plot had potential to be even stronger with more backstory.

Also… I’m knocking off two stars because the author mentioned that Rebecca Yarros, Sarah J. Maas, and J.K. Rowling were her inspirations. Sorry girlie — I liked your book, but I personally can’t support or relate to that. It immediately took me out of the experience.

Tetsu falls in love with Mae literally at first sight. Their marriage starts as a business deal, but after their first date? He goes absolutely feral for her. Yes, it’s insta-love… and yes, they sleep together less than 20% into the book LMAO. If you hate insta-love, you’ll DNF this immediately, but I personally don’t mind it, so I rolled with it.

Mae’s childhood was heartbreaking. Neglected, isolated, locked inside her home until college, and kept in the dark about everything her parents were doing behind her back. The book is full of plot twists (like one betrayal after another) which kept me hooked. If only we get to read more about it tho.

What I loved most? Their chemistry and banter.
Tetsu is such a softie for Mae. He’s absolutely whipped, JUST for her, and it’s adorable. Mae even adopts a black cat named Sunshine from a cat café just to spite him… and of course Tetsu ends up loving watching Mae and Sunshine together. Sunshine even prefers him over her mama 😭💀

"It's like he knew I was still pissed at him, so he dressed his hottest to make me melt into the palm of his hand."

I didn’t get to annotate much on my Kobo because I ate this book up. Tetsu went from tough Yakuza leader to a cinnamon roll who were bossed around by his wife, but Mae? She has HUGE character development. She goes from this scared, confused girl to a confident wife who bosses her husband around like a queen.

And Tetsu?? Please. I LOVE when the MMC is intimidating, and terrifying at work but melts into a puddle for his wife. That contradiction gives me life.

"I couldn't help the images that flashed through my mind of my future with Mae. Shit, I would give her anything she ever wanted. She'd be the most spoiled person in Tokyo."

And the side characters?? They OWNED me.
Tetsu, Yuto, Kazome, and Itto’s brotherhood was so refreshing to read. Their dynamic, their chaos, their banter, EVERYTHING. They’re absolutely hilarious and genuinely some of the sweetest, funniest mafia men I’ve seen in any dark romance. Every time they appeared, I was fully entertained.

And don’t even get me started on the next book.
Kimmi + Yuto?? I NEED IT. The man adopted five chicks and wants to become a farmer if he can’t sell drugs anymore because he got bored being stuck in Korea with Kimmi? I’m in tears.

Tropes:

🖤 Dark Romance
💀 Mafia
💍 Forced Marriage
🗡️ Touch Her and Die
💔 Family Betrayal
⚡ Insta-Love
🌸 Scared-to-Strong FMC

Thank you Love Notes PR for the eARC. 💖

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC provided by LoveNotes PR in exchange for honest review.

Insurgence is the story of recently orphaned Mae, who is trying to rebuild her life when she finds out her parents owed a debt to the Yakuza, and she is given 3 choices - refuse to pay it back and die, work for the Yakuza to pay it off, or, intriguingly - marry Tetsu Kuro, Yakuza boss. She chooses the latter, and discovers that he is super hard on the outside, with a gooey centre when it comes to her. An issue arises within the Yakuza, and it soon becomes clear that this is far more of a personal attack than just an attack on certain districts. Can Tetsu get to the bottom of it before Mae gets hurt?

This is a really enjoyable novel. Stella Eve has crafted a great mix of Mafia business and violence, suspense, love, humour and spice. Mae starts off feisty, becomes a little shy once she meets her future husband, but quickly regains her spark, proving to be a very good match for Tetsu. Her character development shows her going from a newly graduated young woman trying to make plans for her life to a mafia Princess, strong, decisive and prepared to act ruthlessly once the chances she gives are exhausted. She knows she can't be totally antagonistic to Tetsu, but likes to throw in the occasional challenge, like adopting Sunshine (the black cat!). She loves deeply, both Tetsu and her found family within the Yakuza (I am a SUCKER for the found family trope), but underestimate her caring nature at your peril.

Tetsu is a ruthless mafia boss, but one look at Mae and he's a goner. It is love at first sight for him, and his ultimate goal changes from Yakuza success at all costs to keeping Mae happy and safe. He is a true mafia man, tough on the outside, with a core that melts as soon as he's anywhere near her. He loves that she has that spark, despite his feigned exasperation, but the touch-her-and-die vibes are ultimate. When the main villain of the story manages to abduct her, his fury knows no bounds, and he literally splits his wounds open in his determination to get her back by his side.

The supporting cast provide a lot of the comic relief that a suspense-heavy novel like this needs - Yukie and Yuto in particular bringing a lot of laughter. The scenes in which Tetsu and his team are together with no jeopardy make the Yakuza seem human, instead of just deadly mafia men, something you haven't really considered a possibility, but leaves you wondering whether there is truth in it.

My only real criticism is that there wasn't a lot of relationship development before Mae and Tetsu were declaring their love. I understand that the marriage had to be brought forward because of the plot, but I would have liked to have seen more scenes exploring them getting to know each other - date nights, just watching Netflix on the sofa, that kind of thing. It feels like insta-lust turned into insta-love within a chapter, and it just feels a little jarring. Some more filler would have benefitted the development of the love story and made it feel a bit more realistic. Other than that, Insurgence was a great read, and I am very much looking forward to the next instalment, telling the story of Yuto and Kimmi Yun.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to review this book!

[bbieghoul · Rating 3 out of 5]

*ARC Review*
Insurgence by Stella Eve

About the Book:
Mae Soares finally escapes her controlling parents when they are killed in a car accident. Or so she thought. Turns out, they owed a debt to the Tokyo Yakuza, and they’ve come to collect…
Testu Kuro is the leader of the Tokyo Yakuza, too busy running Japan’s underground to be looking for love. Until he meets Mae and realises, he wants her for himself. Knowing she can’t pay off her parent’s debt, he offers her his hand in marriage instead…

Review:
I was really excited going into this book. I have not read many Mafia romances, or books with the forced-marriage trope, so this was relatively new to me.
I liked how the book started with Mae left with her parent’s debt and therefore forced into marriage to Tetsu. However, I did not understand how this benefitted Tetsu. The jump to marriage was very quick with no clear reason for him offering this, when he could have just offered her a job instead. Their relationship moved very fast and lacked any frustration or yearning that would help build it up.
The other members in the Yakuza are like brothers to Tetsu, and between them there is a lot of funny banter. They are obviously comrades who would die for one another. Unfortunately, I think this took away from the threatening, merciless Yakuza vibe that they should have given off. In one instance, they were bickering in front of an enemy, where I would have expected a strong and united front. Several times a character was startled by someone entering their home, which again took away from what I expected: trained fighters with sharply honed senses.
Lastly, there are a couple of times where Mae physically slaps/hits Tetsu. One of which is because he does not want to include her in a meeting. I assume this is to show her as strong-willed and willing to stand up for herself, but unfortunately this did not sit right with me.
All that being said, I did push on and finish the book, as I was invested in the storyline. Although it did feel a tad rushed, I did enjoy the direction it took and the outcome.
There is plenty of spice, from early on in the book, and the prologue sets up the next book nicely.
I would still recommend this for those who enjoy mafia romances, as it did have that ‘touch her and die’ vibe as well as a dangerous and exciting plot that makes you not want to put it down. The last few chapters finally had me falling in love with the characters, and I still would consider reading the next instalment to hear from them all again.
3/5 Stars

[Adyasa]

A𝐕𝐀𝐈𝐋𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐄 NOW

Insurgence by @stellaeveauthor is now available on Amazon and KU!

What to expect:
🖤 Dark Romance
💀 Mafia
💍 Forced Marriage

📚 BLURB 📚
Mae Soares
My parents were shady people. I knew that. They thrived on their perfect image and their perfect family. What I did not know was that their money came from the Tokyo yakuza, and that after their deaths, their debt would become my problem.
When their boss shows up and asks me to marry him instead, my life changes in an instant. I'm swept up into a world of crime and money, where apparently, violence is always the answer.
Little does the yakuza know that I don't follow anyone's rules but my own, and I don't like trying to be controlled.
Tetsu Kuro is in for it if he thinks that I'm going to let him tell me what to do.
Tetsu Kuro
I didn't have time for love. The underground world didn't allow for that.
But when I laid eyes on Mae Soares… I knew she had to be mine, whether she wanted to be mine or not. So I gave her an offer that she couldn't refuse and took her as mine.
And then the Japanese yakuza imploded on itself, with a new player coming in and causing chaos just for the fun of it.
The problem? Mae is the target.
And I will be damned if anyone tries to take her away from me.













@lovenotes.pr #lovenotespr #insurgence #stellaeve #authorstellaeve #stellaeveauthor #books #bookrecommendations #bookrecs #reader #newbooks #romance #romancebooks #romancereads #bookish #bookstagram #romanceauthor #availablenow #ku #kindleunlimited #darkromance #mafiaromance #mafia #forcedmarriage
Insurgence: Tokyo Yakuza Book 1

[TheCozyChapter · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 glowing, Yakuza-scarred stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Insurgence surprised me in the best possible way. I’ve read mafia romances before… but a Yakuza romance? Almost unheard of: and Stella Eve absolutely delivered.

From page one, the tone is dark, seductive, atmospheric, full of danger but also heart. The author mentions she’s never been to Japan, yet the cultural touches, the crime-family dynamics, and the emotional weight behind the Yakuza world felt thoughtful, immersive, and respectful. I was hooked.

✨ Mae & Tetsu ✨
Oh my goodness, Tetsu. He is a top-tier MMC — sweet, calm, observant, and so achingly protective. He reads Mae like she’s a language only he speaks. He falls first, falls fast, and falls hard. Possessive in the exact right way and deeply devoted in every scene.

Mae was such a warm, stubborn, loyal little firecracker, and their chemistry? Electric.
The spicy moments were intense, emotional, beautifully timed.

🌸 Tropes I loved:
• Yakuza / mafia romance
• Forced marriage / marriage of convenience
• Touch her and 💀
• He falls first (and harder than gravity itself)
• Sweet but dangerous MMC
• Big family secrets & dramatic reveals
• A heroine who gives as much as she gets

The story felt like being pulled into Mae’s world: the tension, the danger, the tenderness, the unraveling secrets. I didn’t just read it… I lived in it for a while. The pacing never faltered, and the world building carried me straight through the book in one breathless swoop.

If you love:
❤️ dark romance
❤️ protective MMCs
❤️ mafia vibes with a fresh twist
❤️ emotional intensity + heat
❤️ stories that feel like a movie in your head

…put Insurgence on your TBR immediately.
Stella Eve did something special with this story. And I already miss Tetsu.

Thank you to Stella Eve and Love Notes pr for this amazing ARC! It was a huge pleasure to read this one.

[Akku · Rating 4 out of 5]

✦ 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 - 4✨

✦ 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 - November 1, 2025

✦ 𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 -
• forced marriage
• mafia boss x innocent girl
• touch her and die vibes
• dark romance
• protective hero
• slow burn with tension
• possessive mmc with a soft spot

✦ 𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 -
Insurgence follows Mae, a quiet girl trying to rebuild her life after her parents’ mysterious death. But everything changes when the Yakuza shows up at her door demanding repayment for a debt she didn’t even know existed. To protect herself, she’s pulled into a dangerous world where love, loyalty, and violence are all tangled together. Her life takes a shocking turn when she’s forced to marry Tetsu Kuro, the cold and calculating Tokyo Yakuza boss who hides a softer side behind all that danger.
This story had such a perfect mix of fear, passion, and obsession. The intensity between Mae and Kuro had me hooked from their very first scene. Kuro is brutal with the world but gentle with her, and that contrast made his character so addictive. I also loved Mae’s strength she wasn’t just a scared girl; she fought through fear and found her own voice. The writing had that cinematic vibe that made every confrontation, every quiet moment, feel alive.
The pacing stayed solid, and the emotional parts really hit. There were some moments I wished had more depth, but overall, the story kept my heart racing. It’s dark, messy, and full of devotion — exactly the kind of mafia romance that leaves you with chills and a little ache in your chest.
Thank you so much love note pr for the free ARC!

[Nathalie Najibi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay so Insurgence was a whole ride, messy, dramatic, addictive, and sometimes confusing, but definitely entertaining.

We follow Mae Soares, whose “perfect” life completely shatters when she finds out her parents were drowning in Tokyo yakuza debt. And instead of money, guess who gets used as the payment? Yep. Mae. She’s pushed into a marriage with Tetsu Kuro, a powerful yakuza boss who is equal parts dangerous, magnetic, and frustrating in that “sir please get a grip” kind of way.

The atmosphere is one of the book’s strengths, dark Tokyo streets, criminal politics, and this constant feeling that Mae is standing on a trapdoor. The tension between her and Tetsu is easily the highlight. It’s not fluffy romance; it’s morally gray, high-stakes, and full of that slow-burn “do I hate you, do I want you, or do I want to run?” energy. When the chemistry hits, it hits.

But let me be honest, the pacing sometimes had me blinking like “wait, what just happened??” Some reveals feel rushed, and I wish certain emotional moments had more space to breathe. And while the characters are compelling, there were times when I wanted just a little more depth, especially with Mae trying to reclaim her power in a world stacked against her.

Still, I can’t lie: I was turning those pages. The drama?? The danger?? The morally questionable choices??? Delicious.

Overall: a solid dark romance with great tension, a strong setting, and a plot that keeps you hooked even when it stumbles. Not perfect, but definitely a book that stays in your head after you close it. 3.5 stars from me.

[Tvisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

'INSURGENCE' by Stella Eve (Book 1 in Tokyo Yakuza series) is the most interesting book you could have in your TBR 😩❤️.

A perfect read for girls who want their "Big boys" for this cuffing season coz this book is spicy as hell. 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

With this read you are welcomed into the underworld of:
- Dark Romance
- Mafia Romance
- Forced Marriage/ Marriage of convenience
- Dark Family secret
- Big Revealation
- Possesive MMC
- Feisty/Stubborn FMC

Tropes:
-Love at first sight
-He falls first & harder
- touch her & die
- Richie Richh MMC
- He understanding & polite
- Reads you like a book
- Happy Ending

It was the most satisfying read. I read the book in just 4 days. The chemistry between the MMC & FMC was EPIC!!!! Can't wait to read the whole series of Tokyo Yakuza.
Dedication: For all those who like their mafia men to be massive simps for their women: I got you. Meet Tetsu🤌🏻

Captivating lines:
“I’m Tetsu Kuro, one of the three leaders of the Tokyo Yakuza."
“I will forgive every cent of debt you have, under the condition that you become my wife .”
"I would kill, I would die, before I let any harm come to Mae."
THERE'S SO MANY OF THEM. READ THE BOOK & FIND OUT YOURSELF 🤭

Surprising Chapters : 1, 9, 10 (it's all about sunshine 🐈‍⬛🤣), 11, 12, 18, 23.
All the chapters are my fav 😭🤌🏻 they are packed with romance, humor, extra spiciness & pure luxury 😩❤️.

DON'T MISS OUT ON THIS BOOK, IT'S DOPE!!! DO READ IT.

[Maria Hussain · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪
Omg I just loved this book so much! Honestly, I didn’t expect to fall for it the way I did. As much as I adore Russian and Italian mafia stories, Stella really did something different with this one we hardly get books about the Yakuza, and the whole storyline felt so fresh and unique.

The story starts off with Mae, whose parents die in a car crash, and a few months later she finds out they had taken a loan from the Yakuza. That’s when Tetsu steps in and offers her a deal marry him in exchange for clearing the debt.

One thing I really loved about Mae was how mature she was. She didn’t overreact or act childish about her situation. She understood the reality, stayed calm, and handled everything with grace. She didn’t play the “poor me” card she made the best of what she had, and that honestly made her stand out to me.

And don’t even get me started on Tetsu my Yakuza Daddy. His character was everything. I love that he wasn’t your typical cold, emotionless mafia man. He actually showed emotions and cared deeply for the people he loved. He wasn’t psychotic or unhinged just a strong, protective, real man.

Mae and Tetsu together were perfection. I adored how they communicated and respected each other’s boundaries and choices. And the spice? Yeah, it was definitely hot enough to melt your screen.

Overall, I’m obsessed with this book it was such a refreshing twist on the mafia trope, and now I’m counting the days until book 2 comes out!

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insurgence | arc review | releases 1st November

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

It’s been quite a while since I’ve picked up a mafia romance - and oh, how I’ve missed it! 😮‍💨 Insurgence pulled me right back into that dangerous world I love so much.🥀

I absolutely adored the overall vibe and aesthetic of this book. The pacing was spot on, keeping me hooked from start to finish, and the story beautifully blends fear, passion, and utter obsession in a way that just works.🥀🖤

Mae and Kurto had my attention from their first interaction. The chemistry, the tension, the danger - it all had me flipping pages nonstop. What really stood out to me was how gentle Kurto could be with her, a stark contrast to the brutal Yakuza world he’s part of.
And Mae? I admired her strength so much. She wasn’t just a scared girl; despite everything thrown her way, she still found her voice and fought to be heard.🖤

If I had one small wish, it would be for certain parts to be a bit longer, just to dive even deeper into the emotion and tension between them. But overall, this story was an addictive read, and I’ll definitely be picking up the other books in the series.🔥🥀

[Asulley4785 · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️ARC Reader & This is my Honest Review⭐️

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.
**A Dark, Addictive Ride Full of Passion and Power**

*Insurgence* by Stella Eve is the kind of story that grabs you from the first page and refuses to let go. It’s dark, seductive, and dangerously addictive — everything I love in a romance with high stakes and heart-pounding tension.

Stella Eve masterfully builds a world full of rebellion, secrets, and desire. The chemistry between the main characters practically crackles off the page — raw, electric, and laced with that perfect mix of love and defiance. The heroine is fierce yet deeply human, and the hero… let’s just say he’s the kind of morally gray, brooding man you can’t help but fall for, no matter how many lines he crosses.

The writing is lush and cinematic, the pacing relentless, and every twist had me gasping. It’s a story of survival, power, and forbidden passion that hits every emotional note.

If you love dark romance with depth, danger, and unforgettable characters, *Insurgence* is a must-read. I couldn’t put it down — and I’m already counting the days until the next book.

[Sam McInnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was fabulous! From the moment I began reading it hooked my attention to the plot and I loved the authors ability to develop the story and draw the reader in along the way. The MLC had interesting depth and the shift between how he was in his day to day and how he was with the FLC was great to read. The supporting male characters were entertaining too and had me giggling regularly. I really valued the elements of the family dynamics for the FLC and the twists that developed for her throughout the story. My one piece of feedback would be that I wish there was more character development between the lead characters before they became besotted as I felt that had room for further growth. This is minor though and didn’t take away from the overall storyline. This book made my romance heart happy and I finished it feeling satisfied with the book’s finish. As it was set in Tokyo, Japan there were elements that the author included to try provide an accurate picture. I haven’t been to Japan so cannot comment entirely on the accuracy but what was included did appear to be relevant for the story and added a nice touch.

[That Aesthetic Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Insurgence by Stella Eve was such an interesting start to the Tokyo Yakuza series. It had all the tropes I love, morally grey MMC, an intense forbidden pull, criminal underworld vibes, danger, tension, literally everything that usually has me fully feral🙂‍↕️And honestly, the concept and the world Stella built were so intriguing. I could see the potential immediately✨

That being said, I did struggle to fully get into it at first. The pacing felt a bit rushed to me, especially in the beginning! I wanted more buildup, more tension, more time to sit in the emotions before the story jumped to the next moment. The plot had so much room to breathe, and I kept wishing it had slowed down just a tiny bit to let the characters and relationships develop more naturally.

But the pieces that did land? They were so good. The Tokyo underworld setting, the danger, the criminal family politics, the push and pull between the leads... I could feel the intensity Stella was aiming for🔥

Overall, even with a few pacing bumps, this was a solid, exciting start to a series with tons of potential!! I’m definitely curious to see where Stella Eve takes it next!!!

[Nikki B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insurgence is a mafia, billionaire romance. This story had me hooked only because I expected Tetsu to be a ruthless, big, broody mafia man that dominating and fierce. What we got though, was basically a cinnamon roll, golden retriever mafia guy. And to be honest, I feel like that was so fitting for his character. Also... I loved that for Mae. She seems so sweet.
Mae's parents have died in a car accident, to her knowledge, though there were never any bodies. She used the money her parents left behind to put herself through school. She gets a knock on her door one day from the Yakuza and learns that her parents borrowed money from them and she is now responsible for the debt. She either has to pay back the money, or marry Kuro. I guess in the beginning, not knowing anything about Kuro, the decision sounds scary, but once you get to know him, it was obviously a gift wrapped in a nice little bow.
While I loved this for Mae, I felt like their relationship seemed a little too forced. I didn't feel like they were genuinely falling for each other. That didn't take away from the story at all though. It was still a great read and I recommend reading it. Can't wait for the next one.

[Alexis Fraser · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review:

This was my first Japanese mafia romance, and I wasn’t sure what I was walking into, but Insurgence surprised me in the best way. Mae is thrown into a world of crime, control, and chaos, and she adapts quickly.

Tetsu Kuro is intense. Possessive from the beginning, protective to the extreme, and somehow still funny in his own broody way. Their dynamic is fast, fiery, and full of banter.

The spicy scenes are frequent...sometimes a little rushed or repetitive, but the emotional tension underneath kept me invested.

I did feel a little lost early on with all the character names flying around, especially the switch between first and last names. A quick character key would’ve helped. And while Mae’s personality grows with the story, I missed some of the spark she had at the beginning. It felt like she was reshaped a bit too much by the plot.

Still, this was a solid, fast-paced read with action, heat, and a heroine who refuses to be tamed. I’ll definitely be picking up the next book in the series.

[Payton R · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you lovenotes pr and Stella eve for gifting me an early copy of this book!

Insurgence by Stella Eve had all the ingredients for something dark, thrilling, and emotional — Japanese mafia romance, forced marriage, and those deliciously moody themes that usually hook me fast. But this one just didn’t quite land the way I hoped. The pacing felt really rushed in the beginning, like the story didn’t give itself time to breathe before diving straight into the drama. I don’t usually mind a bit of insta-love, but here it didn’t feel organic — more like it just… happened, without enough buildup to make me believe in the chemistry.

Mae’s character had so much potential, and I found myself wishing we got a deeper look into her backstory and motivations — there were pieces of her that felt hinted at but never fully explored. While I did enjoy the concept and the tension woven into the mafia setup, the plot itself felt a little flat, missing that emotional punch to really pull me in. It had promise, but it just didn’t quite hit the way I wanted it to.

[Misa Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always, thank you to @lovenotes.pr and @stellaeveauthor for allowing me to review this book. I truly appreciate it!

*** Please check the trigger warnings ⚠️
Not everyone has the same taste in books and have their own limits***

Mafia romances are one of my FAVORITE tropes. Mae is dealing with the unexpected death of her parents when Tetsu, the leader of the Tokyo Yakuza mafia, shows up to collect on a debt her parents left it behind. The offer? Marry him and the debt will be forgiven.

The book had its ups and downs. I thought the whole romance felt unrealistically rushed. There wasn't the true back and forth that you would think to see when a forced marriage occurs. There was no anger, no build up of the list between them. It just suddenly was...

There were some parts from the mafia aspect that didn't make sense, like her physically putting her hands on him, an argument in front of enemies, etc.

Overall, I liked the book. The spicy scenes mixed with the "touch her and die" vibes made up for some of the things I didn't like.

Overall: 4 out of 5 ⭐

[Laya]

Insurgence ofrece un enfoque distinto dentro del romance de mafia al situarse en el mundo de la yakuza y enmarcar la historia de Mae Soares, una joven que hereda la deuda criminal de sus padres y se ve obligada a casarse con Tetsu Kuro, el líder de la organización. Desde ese punto, la novela combina acción, tensión y una relación marcada por la fuerza de dos personalidades que chocan y, poco a poco, aprenden a confiar el uno en el otro.

La ambientación es envolvente y el ritmo resulta adictivo, con giros inesperados y personajes secundarios que aportan dinamismo y humor. Mae destaca por su evolución: pasa de ser una joven perdida a una mujer segura y difícil de manipular. Kuro, por su parte, mezcla dureza y ternura de una forma sorprendente y efectiva.

Si bien algunos momentos podrían haber tenido mayor profundidad emocional o un desarrollo más pausado, la historia en su conjunto funciona muy bien y mantiene el interés de principio a fin. Es una lectura intensa, entretenida y con un toque diferente dentro del género

[Misty Boozer · Rating 5 out of 5]

So this book is a dark mafia romance with what seems to be a forced marriage. This book is he pretty much falls in love with her at first sight. He does not believe that that is a thing that is even a possibility. He believes that Disney channel movies lie about that. However, unlike most Mafia romances that we read this one is not set stateside. It's not Italian. It's not Russian. This book is set in Japan with the Yakuza Mafia. So if you really like Mafia romances but you're wanting just something a little bit different that hits just a little bit different that has a lot of spice in it. I mean as soon as that spice hit in the book, I felt like you couldn't go two chapters without having there be at least something sexual happen in the book. Honestly, I fell in love with and really wanted to be an arc reader for this. I didn't think that I was going to be one of the ones chosen though So being chosen was actually really something that happened to excite me. I got all excited. I did start this book like 4 hours ago and finished it within like 4 hours. Like I said it was just a book that I could not put down. It wasn't like the normal Mafia book you read and like I said, it's not anything to do with like Russian or Italian or Mafia in general. This is about the Yakuza it is set in Japan. Most of the books that we get with Mafia are not set in Japan. They're set in the United States or Italy or Russia. Some even are set in Mexico. I think this is the first one that I've read that isn't like a graphic novel that is set in Japan. In fact, I think this author is going to give Rina Kent's world run for her money because it's just that good. Like I love Rena Kent but by the end of it I really just got tired of feeling like All of her books had that enemy to love her vibe. This one does not have that vibe. It does have the mafia. It does have the craziness. It's got the darkness but like I said you see the craziness that you want from rina's world. But you also see like the love that you need to make the book what it is.