Dorien "D. Lowe" Loweman has lived most of his life in the shadows. Trained as a child, forged into a mercenary, and now the coldest enforcer in the South-Hurst Syndicate. Quiet, calculated, and lethal, D. Lowe trusts no one and loves nothing except his brothers. That is, until Stacey Monroe, an abuse survivor with a daughter and a guarded heart, crashes into his world.
Fleeing a violent husband who wears both a badge and mask of rage, Stacey has no time for anything other than survival. But when D. Lowe offers her safety, peace and something ever rarer... patience, she begins to trust again. Slowly, gently, their connection grows from protection to partnership. From survival to sacred.
But you have to fight for peace in South-Hurst.
Her abusive husband, a dirty cop named Tyson Monroe escalates a twisted vendetta against the Syndicate. D. Lowe is forced back into the life he thought he buried. One of strategic warfare, and ghosts with familiar faces. With the Syndicate and their women under attack, and Stacey and her daughter in danger, D. Lowe must reveal secrets that could destroy everything.
As his past collides with his future, the quiet soldier must fight a final fight... for love, redemption, and the right to finally step out of the shadows.
D.Lowe stole my heart!! 🥹💕 This man was EVERYTHINGGGG!!! A gentle giant!! I wasn’t expecting him to be so sweet, loving & nurturing to Stacey & her daughter! We really didn’t learn too much about him in the other books so I was surprised at the things he went through in his past & all he had endured!! He was such a strong guy & he needed someone like Stacey to soften him up!
Stacey went through a lot of Abuse & assault from her husband! He was TRASH! I wanted him GONE immediately 😒😭 I love the way the guys & their wives rallied around her & let her know she was protected as long as she was with them!
The lengths that D. Lowe went to, to keep Stacey & her daughter safe really made my heart smile!! I was literally cheesing from ear to ear at the way he rebuilt her confidence & gave her a safe space to be loved & cherished by him! This was such a good ending to the series!! I’m so sad that it’s over!!! I loved reading about all the guys & their ladies! If you haven’t already get into all 5 books! You won’t be disappointed!
This was the PERFECT ending to the Syndicate series! D.Lowe/Shadow was so mysterious throughout all 4 books and in this book we really got to know more about this fierce & quiet protector. I enjoyed watching him and Stacey find peace & safety in one another. Also my heart couldn’t take the cuteness of this big burly dangerous killer who turns into putty for a 3yr old who calls him Bear🥹
Tyson was HELL ON WHEELS MAN and idk what took the Syndicate so long to decide to handle him😩I read with bated breath just wondering what he was going to do to them next. He wasn’t letting up. It made for an enjoyable and suspenseful read.
Just like in the other books. The brotherhood with the syndicate is profound. And we saw the table rattle just a bit with them in this book. But I love that no matter what challenge they face they face it together and forgive quickly.
Book touches on a couple sensitive topics like child soldiers, war crimes, SA and IPV.
Shadow Games ended the series out with a bang! I am hoping that there is a holiday follow-up or something because I don’t want to let these characters go. D. Lowe and Stacey took me through it emotionally! From the opening chapter, I was holding my breath because nobody deserves to deal with the pain that D. Lowe endured. And then add in the things Stacey and Destiny had to endure, I was literally unwell. But the way the family came together was beautiful.. a true village and example of family first. I couldn’t stand Detective Tyson, he made me itch!!! Ugh! 😩 Daddy Bear was just what Stacey and Destiny needed! I loved how the both of them healed together. 🤧😭❤️
I have truly enjoyed reading all five books. Each of the siblings are crazy. They have their own thing going and it’s amazing that they all found love but what’s crazier is how they deal with problems, but I am all here for it lol hopefully we get to hear what they’re up to whenever she feels like writing about them again, but definitely one of my top five books for 2025
Finding Peace in the Shadows: A Beautiful End to the Syndicate
Next to Mo and Yaya, D. Lowe and Stacey’s story was easily my favorite. Shadow’s journey really showcased the author’s true creativity; in the previous books, not much was mentioned about him, and seeing why in this installment revealed how Author Dominique clearly saw the ending of the Syndicate’s story from the very beginning. This was such a beautiful story of two broken people healing each other with love without any pressure. I honestly thought Stacey was going to be the one to off her husband, but the author switched it up on us in the best way.
I loved how Shadow naturally stepped up to become the protector for both Stacey and Destiny. It was also so moving to see the strength and courage Stacey had to stay gone and survive, not just for her daughter but for herself. There was so much to love about this story, but I especially loved how Shadow indirectly brought healing to all his brothers. In the end, love found every one of them and a true family was built. Well done, Author Dominique, on a perfect finale!
This series gave everything I THOUGHT the Delgado/Inferno series would give.
Perfect pacing throughout the series. There were highs and lows and I felt like the reader’s feelings were considered in the building of this series. Although dark and graphic in some books it wasn’t overwhelming. Because book 1 started with a bang. Really setting the tone. book 2 TOOK ME THROUGH IT with Lucky. Book 3 gave some relief with prestige, family drama and fatal attraction. Book 4 gave stalking, and the back and forth of cheating/leaving a marriage you outgrew. Book 5, tied up loose end, revealed secrets, and ended the series the same way it began, with a bang and getting it back in blood . 🩸
Favorite word "Beloved" can someone's child call me "Beloved"?? D. Lowe Dorien Amadou the MAN that you are, I don't how many times I screamed and kicked my feet when I was reading this book.
I loved how Destiny turned this man into a teddy bear, he fell in love with her cuteness the first time he saw her a clung on to him and call him "bear", ughhh that was cute. Another thing I loved more about this book was the brotherhood of the syndicate, it's how they love and protect each other. Yhoo, Tyson annoyed me, I felt like the syndicate took time to deal with his ass.
Dorien has been through a lot, the things he saw and endured, yeah he's a strong man. He's what Stacey and baby girl needed after what Detective Tyson put them through.
This series was so amazing. Shadow by far is my favorite of the men. His story filled with tragedy made a strong protective king who rightfully found his queen who like him deserved true happiness. It's bittersweet to end this series but I'm happy that everyone got their families and the love that they needed.
Everyone who tried to break them got what they deserved. At the end of the day the Syndicate men were more than just brothers, they were family and the way they rode for each other is why I loved them. Thank you Dominique for creating these beautiful men and for your amazing storytelling.
So glad Stacy was able to get her and baby girl away. She deserves all the tender, loving, and care that her new found family provided for her. D. Lowe man my heart went out to him, he was just a child he had seen and done so much, but he was just a big gentle teddy bear. I hated he waited so long to tell his truth, some people was born to protect and the fact that everyone always called on him he needed a soft landing to fall on. Him and Stacy are so good together and he was so good to Destiny. Such a beautiful ending to this series.
This was the perfect ending to wrap up the series 🥹. I love this group so much; these men love their women fiercely, and the bond between them all is unmatched. The family, friendship, trust, and loyalty really stood out, and this one had me in tears more than once. They were exactly what each other needed.
This is how you close out a series; every storyline felt complete. Chef’s kiss. I can’t wait to read more from this author.
Please read the trigger warnings before diving in!
Oh my heart! I truly had no idea what was gonna happen in this one but the way it was wrapped up was absolutely perfect.
D. Lowe aka Shadow has been quite almost the entirety of this series and we finally get his story. I honestly didn’t know what to expect and he definitely had some layers to him that I didn’t even think was possible for him to have.
Stacey came in literally needing help and in the process of being around this family found her own strength to get herself and her daughter to safety and to their forever family.
This series has been action packed since the first book and although I’m sad it’s over these characters will stay with me for a very long time.
Dorian and Stacey warmed my heart. I loved the way he was so loving and patient with not only her but also her baby. Finding out about his past was so gut-wrenching. He went through so much at such a young age that it made my heart literally break for him. But this book is so much more than the romance because Dominique Black layers the story so beautifully. The way she's able to weave the love story in with Dorian's background while also answering questions the reader didn't even know they had was amazing.
Hands down, this is one of the best series I've read! Top 5 at least. And we talking Danger series, Product if Street series, and a few other bangers! My favorite part of it all was the family. The bonds are amazing amongst the brothers and sisters too. I highly recommend anyone to read the series. My favs were 1, 4 and 5! But they're all too good! Bravo, Dominique! I'm speaking Wesleigh and Winston into existence as narrators of this series!!!! Yaaaaaaaaaas ❗️💥🔥❤️
This was a great way to end this series! I wasn’t really into Mo, Roc and Dre’s stories (for various reasons, the relationship between Dre and Nina felt disconnected to me so I didn’t finish the book, I’m not into cheating tropes so it was a no for me for Roc and Mo & Yaya… yeah I skimmed through to get the jist of their book). But Amadou aka Dorian was a great story to end things for the syndicate. A true ashes to beauty type of love! They deserved to be loved softly! Destiny was the cutest, she loved her bear!
This story!!! Ohhh my heart, my heart, my heart. This, THIS is how you end a series. Closing it beautifully but also keep us wanting more. I wanna know so bad how the Syndicate is doing now? Is there more babies? How are Geechie and Memere? What’s next for all my love bugs? How are kids doing? I need an update. I’m gonna miss them so bad. Especially my Boo’s Roc, Mo, and Amadou cause baby why choose 😌
This was really good. All the connections made throughout this book are top tier. D. Lowe is the man. Out of all the men I think he is my fave. Stacey was so traumatized and this man showed her how to stand tall and say it with her chest. Did Mo ever apologize? Maybe I missed it. I like Mo but he was wrong for what he said to her.
I pray we get some updates or the kids continue the family legacy or something. I aint ready to let this crew go!
I loved the wrap up to so of the stories, that was in the midst of D. Lowe and Stacey's story. The abuse that these two endured was sad and heartbreaking. Stacey needed safety and patience, D. Lowe gave her that. Destiny was too cute. I liked seeing the whole syndicate working together. Roc forgave Candy really quickly but oh well this is book world. Candy was foul for not doing better by her son.
WHEN I TELL YOU NOTHING ABOUT THIS SERIES GAVE NEW AUTHOR..... NOTHING. Whole series had me locked in. Read the whole series in one weekend. 5 different stories, but all had heat, fire, love, suspense, spice, more love and more heat. I loved this series down. So perfectly written. I felt everything. Don't just take my word for it. Find out for yourself. I'm a Syndicate Lover for life. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
I’ve been tapped in with this author since the beginning, and she is a phenomenal writer! It’s easy to love the characters and admire their flaws and family. I finished this book in a morning and cannot wait to see what she comes up with next. Read the entire series!
Dominique Black is one of my new favorite authors! To say this was her first works makes them even more amazing ! Such a well written series. I’m certain I’ll be re-reading this series as I’m sure I’ll miss these characters and yearn to revisit their stories. Oh and.. "Who Put This Ish Together... D Lowe - That's Who!!! (LOL)
Girl you have had me in a choke hold for 3 days reading this series. I have never enjoyed a series so much and I am a reader honey. Character development to spin a top tier ending. You got a thing chick and I’m here for it. Many blessing and much success! My new best friend now get to writing!#inspired
This was the PERFECT ending to the series. It gave me all the feels. Dorien was such a gentle giant. The scenes with Destiny and her “Bear” warmed my heart! Learning about Dorien’s past brought the entire story together. I’m glad I stuck it out with the men and women of the South Hurst Syndicate. The series is worth the read! Excited to read more from this author.
This book was my favorite out of them all! I knew it was going to be good when the first chapter had me bawling!! Amadou and Stacey deserved each other, all the love, all the happiness in the world. So happy all the dirty cops got dealt with, that's my kind of justice!
I read all five books in two days. The author did a big one with these books and had everything I was sad to see some of the characters go but still she did her big one
I found this author thru kindle unlimited recommendations and it's been the best recommendation ever!!! I loved this series so much. Shadow was every thing u hear me. When a man says he got u and shows it....fire!!
What a way to end a series. Shadow was exactly what his call signal was! Shadow was the ultimate protector! I really enjoyed this series as whole each book had its own lane but was very much cohesive.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Shadow!!!!!! This was a great way to end the series for sure! I’m still not a fan of how she writes her FMC. They are the reason for a lot of foolishness! However, DORIENs story was very trauma packed and was the best to save for the last.
Ahhhh. I flew through this series!!! Book #1 still has my heart. The order would def be #1, #2, #3, #5, #4. All these characters had my emotions on a rollercoater though! I’m sad I finished it so soon. This last book tied it all up in a bow 🎀
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This and Sage and Sin are my favorites. I love the brotherhood and the way they love their families. This series is the first time I've heard of this author. I glad I gave it a chance.
I love this series down I don’t know who I love the best . I love them all . Great job to the author she made you fall in love with all the lead characters. Love the brother hood they formed also how they loved their women down . Great read