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Eyes on You
He is her stalker… and her savior.
Nikolai Volkov is a hacker king who never wanted to wear any crown.
But when his father is murdered, he’s thrust to the head of a Russian Bratva—a brutal empire of guns and blood. Power isn’t a choice. Neither is loyalty.
Lyla Laine Oakley is small-town sin wrapped in sunshine—naïve, untouched, and so temptingly out of place in a city built on underworld crime.
Chasing Broadway dreams, Lyla is unaware she’s dancing in a club owned by monsters who plan to sell her to the highest bidder.
She is nothing more than an easy target in Manhattan.
But where others see prey, Nikolai sees something worth protecting.
And once he locks eyes on her…they never leave.
He becomes her silent shadow.
Watching. Studying. Obsessing.
Until watching isn’t enough.
Until protection turns into obsession.
And possession becomes addiction.
The most dangerous men never fall without a fight…
and when Lyla sees the darkness behind the man, she’ll have to
Will she run from the monster in the shadows?
Or let him claim her as his own?
Eyes on You is a dark mafia romance of obsession and protection, where a ruthless antihero stalks his prey… and falls harder than he ever thought possible.
Eyes on You
Stalker
Alpha male
She’s a Virgin
Opposites Attract
He falls first
Possessive/Obsessive
Protective Rage
“Touch Her and Die”
Age Gap
Romantic Suspense
Nikolai Volkov is a hacker king who never wanted to wear any crown.
But when his father is murdered, he’s thrust to the head of a Russian Bratva—a brutal empire of guns and blood. Power isn’t a choice. Neither is loyalty.
Lyla Laine Oakley is small-town sin wrapped in sunshine—naïve, untouched, and so temptingly out of place in a city built on underworld crime.
Chasing Broadway dreams, Lyla is unaware she’s dancing in a club owned by monsters who plan to sell her to the highest bidder.
She is nothing more than an easy target in Manhattan.
But where others see prey, Nikolai sees something worth protecting.
And once he locks eyes on her…they never leave.
He becomes her silent shadow.
Watching. Studying. Obsessing.
Until watching isn’t enough.
Until protection turns into obsession.
And possession becomes addiction.
The most dangerous men never fall without a fight…
and when Lyla sees the darkness behind the man, she’ll have to
Will she run from the monster in the shadows?
Or let him claim her as his own?
Eyes on You is a dark mafia romance of obsession and protection, where a ruthless antihero stalks his prey… and falls harder than he ever thought possible.
Eyes on You
Stalker
Alpha male
She’s a Virgin
Opposites Attract
He falls first
Possessive/Obsessive
Protective Rage
“Touch Her and Die”
Age Gap
Romantic Suspense
599 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 26, 2025
332 people are currently reading
2260 people want to read
About the author
Evie James
6 books131 followersEvie James is a lifelong creative, book enthusiast, and romance author who crafts angsty, fast-paced contemporary novels filled with heartache, heat, and unexpected twists. She writes strong, sassy heroines who know how to push every button on a man and possessive alphas who would burn the world down for their woman. Evie guarantees a hard-won happily-ever-after in every book.
A true romantic and animal lover, she’s a Cancer sign to a fault—deeply emotional, fiercely loyal, and guided by intuition. She channels these traits into her writing, creating characters and stories that resonate with passion and vulnerability.
When not writing, she can be found baking, spending time with her family, or doting on her four dogs in Nashville, TN.
Connect with her on IG and FB (@evie.james.author)
A true romantic and animal lover, she’s a Cancer sign to a fault—deeply emotional, fiercely loyal, and guided by intuition. She channels these traits into her writing, creating characters and stories that resonate with passion and vulnerability.
When not writing, she can be found baking, spending time with her family, or doting on her four dogs in Nashville, TN.
Connect with her on IG and FB (@evie.james.author)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews
not-for-me
September 29, 2025DNF @39%
I can't with this story, just I can't. I don't care what happens to these characters at all at the moment.
I can't with this story, just I can't. I don't care what happens to these characters at all at the moment.
August 21, 2025
⭐️ARC Review⭐️
5⭐️/4🌶️
Eyes on You by Evie James is mafia romance crack. Nikolai Volkov is the kind of obsessive antihero your mafia mommy warned you about—dangerous, broody, and watching from the shadows… but in a way that makes you want him to never stop. Lyla is sunshine with a Broadway dream, and watching her light collide with his darkness is pure magic.
It’s twisted, it’s addictive, and it’s the kind of book that makes you question if maybe being stalked by a Bratva king wouldn’t be the worst thing ever. 👀🔥
5⭐️/4🌶️
Eyes on You by Evie James is mafia romance crack. Nikolai Volkov is the kind of obsessive antihero your mafia mommy warned you about—dangerous, broody, and watching from the shadows… but in a way that makes you want him to never stop. Lyla is sunshine with a Broadway dream, and watching her light collide with his darkness is pure magic.
It’s twisted, it’s addictive, and it’s the kind of book that makes you question if maybe being stalked by a Bratva king wouldn’t be the worst thing ever. 👀🔥
August 29, 2025
“You taste like sunshine and sin. Like you were made for me to ruin.”
thank you so much evie for the arc !! i absolutely ate this tf up 😍
this is a mafia romance, bratva, age gap, stalker vibes, virgin fmc, grumpy + sunshine, opposites attract, possessive and obsessive, he falls first, duo pov, interconnected standalone 💕
nikolai wanted to avoid the mafia lifestyle but ever since his father was killed, he has been dragged into this world of violence and lies. he becomes the head of the russian bratva which he never wanted to begin with. through all this, nikolai still has his love for hacking and finding secrets about people he has to play nice with. when he catches the eyes of an innocent barista who finds herself oblivious to the dangers around her, he becomes intrigued and wants to know everything about her. lyla is a part time barista, part time dancer at the strip club. she is someone who came all the way across oceans to find her big break and fulfill her dreams. but with that comes spending a lot of money … money she doesn’t have. she doesn’t know much about the gangs and mafia groups who control this city. so when she is also dragged into danger, nikolai won’t stop until she is safe. he even starts a war over her 🤗
i absolutely fell in love with lyla 🥰 she is such a hardworking baddie and she is fierce yet demure 💋 but miss girl literally has no survival skills or a sense of danger around her 😭 she can be so delusional yet so in tuned at the same time it’s actually quite funny 😂 then nikolai is over here stressing out which had me actually DYING 💀 this man is so obsessed. he was intrigued the moment she sassed him and he just didn’t know it then 🤭 they both bicker constantly and it seems to never end. but their moments together was one of the best i’ve ever read 🥹
i’m so hype for the rest of this series !! definitely going to go back to get some glimpses of nikolai in some of evie’s other books 😍
🌶️🌶️🌶️
thank you so much evie for the arc !! i absolutely ate this tf up 😍
this is a mafia romance, bratva, age gap, stalker vibes, virgin fmc, grumpy + sunshine, opposites attract, possessive and obsessive, he falls first, duo pov, interconnected standalone 💕
nikolai wanted to avoid the mafia lifestyle but ever since his father was killed, he has been dragged into this world of violence and lies. he becomes the head of the russian bratva which he never wanted to begin with. through all this, nikolai still has his love for hacking and finding secrets about people he has to play nice with. when he catches the eyes of an innocent barista who finds herself oblivious to the dangers around her, he becomes intrigued and wants to know everything about her. lyla is a part time barista, part time dancer at the strip club. she is someone who came all the way across oceans to find her big break and fulfill her dreams. but with that comes spending a lot of money … money she doesn’t have. she doesn’t know much about the gangs and mafia groups who control this city. so when she is also dragged into danger, nikolai won’t stop until she is safe. he even starts a war over her 🤗
i absolutely fell in love with lyla 🥰 she is such a hardworking baddie and she is fierce yet demure 💋 but miss girl literally has no survival skills or a sense of danger around her 😭 she can be so delusional yet so in tuned at the same time it’s actually quite funny 😂 then nikolai is over here stressing out which had me actually DYING 💀 this man is so obsessed. he was intrigued the moment she sassed him and he just didn’t know it then 🤭 they both bicker constantly and it seems to never end. but their moments together was one of the best i’ve ever read 🥹
i’m so hype for the rest of this series !! definitely going to go back to get some glimpses of nikolai in some of evie’s other books 😍
🌶️🌶️🌶️
August 24, 2025
Nikolai never wanted power but when his father was killed, he found himself head of a Russian Bratva he never wanted to rule. He’s a hacker at heart so when he encounters Lyla, part time barista and part time dancer in a strip club with dreams of Broadway, he can’t help but dig into her live and soon she’s his new obsession. He stalks her to protect her and when she finds herself in danger, Nikolai will do whatever it takes to save her- even start a war.
Urm. Wow. I need a sec. This was intense and packed with everything I love the most. Lyla isn’t your usual FMC. This girl is feisty and seems to have no sense of danger or self preservation! She fights Nik at every turn and it’s refreshing to read! And then there’s Nik. Oh Nik. How I adore this man! He’s the type of stalker you want (yes, I just said that!) He’s thoughtful and protective and the right amount of obsessive. Plus he’s hot as hell!! I knew I’d love him from the glimpses we’ve had of him in the Broken Heroes series but I was not prepared!! Nikolai Volkov is firmly in my top 5 MMCs ever! I cant wait for the rest of this series and to see how this underlying plot plays out because I am fully invested!!
Urm. Wow. I need a sec. This was intense and packed with everything I love the most. Lyla isn’t your usual FMC. This girl is feisty and seems to have no sense of danger or self preservation! She fights Nik at every turn and it’s refreshing to read! And then there’s Nik. Oh Nik. How I adore this man! He’s the type of stalker you want (yes, I just said that!) He’s thoughtful and protective and the right amount of obsessive. Plus he’s hot as hell!! I knew I’d love him from the glimpses we’ve had of him in the Broken Heroes series but I was not prepared!! Nikolai Volkov is firmly in my top 5 MMCs ever! I cant wait for the rest of this series and to see how this underlying plot plays out because I am fully invested!!
August 23, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
🩷Stalker
🩷Alpha male
🩷She's a Virgin
🩷Opposites Attract a He falls first
🩷Possessive/Obsessive
🩷Protective Rage
🩷Touch Her and Die
🩷Age Gap
🩷Romantic Suspense
He calls her “little lamb”
Eyes on you has a whole new meaning after finishing this book 🥵
Absolute best mafia book I’ve ever read. It had my heart pounding and my mind reeling the entire time. Lyla is a fierce FMC that overcomes everything that’s thrown her way and comes out stronger. Nikolai and his obsession with Lyla was everything. I can not wait for more Sin Syndicate books!
The idea that someone like him—dangerous, cold, untouchable—was obsessed with me? It should’ve terrified me. And it did, a little. But mostly? It made me feel alive.
“You taste like sunshine and sin,” he rasped. “Like you were made for me to ruin.”
He didn’t just explore—he claimed. His tongue stroked deep, his teeth grazing my lower lip. Each nip was a dark promise. He was marking me. And I let him.
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
🩷Stalker
🩷Alpha male
🩷She's a Virgin
🩷Opposites Attract a He falls first
🩷Possessive/Obsessive
🩷Protective Rage
🩷Touch Her and Die
🩷Age Gap
🩷Romantic Suspense
He calls her “little lamb”
Eyes on you has a whole new meaning after finishing this book 🥵
Absolute best mafia book I’ve ever read. It had my heart pounding and my mind reeling the entire time. Lyla is a fierce FMC that overcomes everything that’s thrown her way and comes out stronger. Nikolai and his obsession with Lyla was everything. I can not wait for more Sin Syndicate books!
The idea that someone like him—dangerous, cold, untouchable—was obsessed with me? It should’ve terrified me. And it did, a little. But mostly? It made me feel alive.
“You taste like sunshine and sin,” he rasped. “Like you were made for me to ruin.”
He didn’t just explore—he claimed. His tongue stroked deep, his teeth grazing my lower lip. Each nip was a dark promise. He was marking me. And I let him.
August 23, 2025
This was so good! Such a fast paced, dangerous life our characters are living. Lyla is a dancer and a waitress, but she keeps auditioning for a role to dance and act professionally. When she meets Nikolai, she has no clue that her whole life will change. But it's more to do with the world she's unintentionally found herself in than with him.
As Nik stalks Lyla, he learns more about her than probably anyone else, and she quickly realizes that he's following her. But she's not sure she's upset about it. Finally calling him out, she realizes a small part of the danger she's in. Not taking the warning she goes back to life as normal, overworked and in danger constantly.
When she finally realizes the reality of what's she's in the middle of, Nik goes from stalker to savior, keeping her safe from worse fates. But being stuck in the middle of a mafia war isn't a picnic for anyone.
As Nik stalks Lyla, he learns more about her than probably anyone else, and she quickly realizes that he's following her. But she's not sure she's upset about it. Finally calling him out, she realizes a small part of the danger she's in. Not taking the warning she goes back to life as normal, overworked and in danger constantly.
When she finally realizes the reality of what's she's in the middle of, Nik goes from stalker to savior, keeping her safe from worse fates. But being stuck in the middle of a mafia war isn't a picnic for anyone.
August 23, 2025
Hot. Steamy. Dangerous. Romantic.
Eyes on you captures the underground life that has Nikolai and Lyla thrown into each other's paths. Lyla Oakley trying to make it in the world whilst chasing her dreams ends up being chased by more - monsters in the dark. Yet, one has her eye - she can feel him, sense him and she's not afraid. Nikolai never wanted the throne he sits in now but he's made it his mission to turn around the ways of the Syndicate, he just never anticipated Lyla crashing into his life and his need to claim her overpowering everything. Lyla, as smart and cunning as she is has become a victim and blind to the future that lay ahead and only Nikolai will be able to pull her from the fire. Guarding what's his, rebuilding an empire and trying to erase the feelings he has for her - Nikolai is forced to allow her into his sanctuary, the only place to keep her safe. To keep her his. While playing in a dance of fight or flight and attraction vs salvation, they've loosened each other's restraints (ones put on by their own accord and the other, expectations of following duty, dreams and reality). They let the walls crash down and bare themselves to each other - every secret, sin, piece of pain, every minute of their lives they recount, all shared; whispered into the safety of their new normal, their new dynamic. Roles changing and acceptance given, they emerge as a duo made unstoppable.
Taunting the villain yet falling in love wasn't the plan but it made for one hell of a story and a way to draw out the prey. Lyla and Nik forge on in a new sense of honesty, trust and vulnerability that came easily and crashed into a carefully curated Bratva - rewriting what it means to be loyal, protected and save those that are preyed on in the darkness. Creating a new sense of family and loyalty, Lyla and Nikolai become the rulers of the Syndicate and together only they can fight what lurks in the shadows, stalks the innocent and bring down the worst of the worst - global annihilation and refortifying and reshaping what it truly means to be a part of the Sin Syndicate.
Major thank you to Evie for allowing me to read this for you and be a part of the Sin Syndicate and your world.
Eyes on you captures the underground life that has Nikolai and Lyla thrown into each other's paths. Lyla Oakley trying to make it in the world whilst chasing her dreams ends up being chased by more - monsters in the dark. Yet, one has her eye - she can feel him, sense him and she's not afraid. Nikolai never wanted the throne he sits in now but he's made it his mission to turn around the ways of the Syndicate, he just never anticipated Lyla crashing into his life and his need to claim her overpowering everything. Lyla, as smart and cunning as she is has become a victim and blind to the future that lay ahead and only Nikolai will be able to pull her from the fire. Guarding what's his, rebuilding an empire and trying to erase the feelings he has for her - Nikolai is forced to allow her into his sanctuary, the only place to keep her safe. To keep her his. While playing in a dance of fight or flight and attraction vs salvation, they've loosened each other's restraints (ones put on by their own accord and the other, expectations of following duty, dreams and reality). They let the walls crash down and bare themselves to each other - every secret, sin, piece of pain, every minute of their lives they recount, all shared; whispered into the safety of their new normal, their new dynamic. Roles changing and acceptance given, they emerge as a duo made unstoppable.
Taunting the villain yet falling in love wasn't the plan but it made for one hell of a story and a way to draw out the prey. Lyla and Nik forge on in a new sense of honesty, trust and vulnerability that came easily and crashed into a carefully curated Bratva - rewriting what it means to be loyal, protected and save those that are preyed on in the darkness. Creating a new sense of family and loyalty, Lyla and Nikolai become the rulers of the Syndicate and together only they can fight what lurks in the shadows, stalks the innocent and bring down the worst of the worst - global annihilation and refortifying and reshaping what it truly means to be a part of the Sin Syndicate.
Major thank you to Evie for allowing me to read this for you and be a part of the Sin Syndicate and your world.
September 11, 2025
I ate this book up faster than I could have imagined. Less than 24 hours - devoured whole. While I've seen so many mafia and stalker books on the market, 'Eyes on You' surpassed any expectation I had for it. The fmc, Lyla - literal baddie wrapped in southern sass. The mmc, Nikolai - BLOWN AWAY with the multi-faceted personality. I was not expecting to like it as much as I did, or for the pace to be as heart-stopping and fast-paced as it was. For dipping my toe into the realms of Evie James' writing, this was an amazingly solid start. I was locked in from the first page and held captive (in the best way) through the whole dang thing!
Would I recommend? - Absolutely yes to anyone that loves a stalker, mafia, dark romance. The vibes between Lyla and Nikolai are FIRE, but even more than that, the plot and pace of Nikolai's world is literally what had me pulled through the whole thing. So yes, please, give it a read if you need a quick standalone that will have you on your toes the entire time!
✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧
Lyla may be a small-town southern girl from the sticks of Tennessee, but her heart and her tenacity were MADE for Manhattan. She's got the grit of someone that knows how to work for what she wants - it's not given, it's earned in blood, sweat and tears (literally). And I think that's what draws our mmc, Nik, to her just as much as her sweetly sinful sexual nature. I mean, what's more intriguing to the devil than the angel in disguise?
Their banter was off-the-charts fun. Sassy quips from Lyla that brought out that lip-tilted smirk from Nik. And I loveeee a good 'her laugh makes sounds like sunshine' moment that wrecks the exterior of the mmc they once thought bulletproof and James delivered that ten-fold!
I think the most surprising part to me in the entire book was THE PLOT. While it starts out as the tortured stalker-mafia hottie wants to keep the small-town girl for himself, it became so much more than that as the story progressed. When you thought that Lyla was just the girl that was oblivious to the world she was currently walking into and that made her less, James shows us IMMEDIATELY that just because you're unaware doesn't mean you won't fight back harder and fiercer once your eyes are opened. If anything, Eyes on You isn't just about the stalker tendencies of Nik, it's also about the eyes on the entire underworld on Lyla and what she turns out to be. It feels very phoenix rising from the ashes.
I feel like I'm talking so much about Lyla and honestly, top fmc, for me (outside of fantasy books). But Nik needs his time in the spotlight too.
He is what you expect. HOT. TATTED. MAFIA BOSS. LETHAL. But as all morally grey lovers know, it's the protective, i'll burn the world for her, energy that really seals the deal for our favorite mmc's and Nik is EXACTLY that. Sinful, smirk-filled, and sensationally so human underneath it all, he'll have you begginggggg for more of his POV throughout.
Honestly, 10/10 such a good ride the whole way through. Converted to a Evie James supporter 100%! I can't wait to see what else the Sin Syndicate has in store in the next one!!!!
Thank you, THANK YOU, to Evie James for letting me a part of her ARC readers for 'Eyes on You'! I've had the best time getting to know you and my fellow ARC readers in our chat and can't say enough about how FUN this book was!
Would I recommend? - Absolutely yes to anyone that loves a stalker, mafia, dark romance. The vibes between Lyla and Nikolai are FIRE, but even more than that, the plot and pace of Nikolai's world is literally what had me pulled through the whole thing. So yes, please, give it a read if you need a quick standalone that will have you on your toes the entire time!
✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧
Lyla may be a small-town southern girl from the sticks of Tennessee, but her heart and her tenacity were MADE for Manhattan. She's got the grit of someone that knows how to work for what she wants - it's not given, it's earned in blood, sweat and tears (literally). And I think that's what draws our mmc, Nik, to her just as much as her sweetly sinful sexual nature. I mean, what's more intriguing to the devil than the angel in disguise?
Their banter was off-the-charts fun. Sassy quips from Lyla that brought out that lip-tilted smirk from Nik. And I loveeee a good 'her laugh makes sounds like sunshine' moment that wrecks the exterior of the mmc they once thought bulletproof and James delivered that ten-fold!
I think the most surprising part to me in the entire book was THE PLOT. While it starts out as the tortured stalker-mafia hottie wants to keep the small-town girl for himself, it became so much more than that as the story progressed. When you thought that Lyla was just the girl that was oblivious to the world she was currently walking into and that made her less, James shows us IMMEDIATELY that just because you're unaware doesn't mean you won't fight back harder and fiercer once your eyes are opened. If anything, Eyes on You isn't just about the stalker tendencies of Nik, it's also about the eyes on the entire underworld on Lyla and what she turns out to be. It feels very phoenix rising from the ashes.
I feel like I'm talking so much about Lyla and honestly, top fmc, for me (outside of fantasy books). But Nik needs his time in the spotlight too.
He is what you expect. HOT. TATTED. MAFIA BOSS. LETHAL. But as all morally grey lovers know, it's the protective, i'll burn the world for her, energy that really seals the deal for our favorite mmc's and Nik is EXACTLY that. Sinful, smirk-filled, and sensationally so human underneath it all, he'll have you begginggggg for more of his POV throughout.
Honestly, 10/10 such a good ride the whole way through. Converted to a Evie James supporter 100%! I can't wait to see what else the Sin Syndicate has in store in the next one!!!!
Thank you, THANK YOU, to Evie James for letting me a part of her ARC readers for 'Eyes on You'! I've had the best time getting to know you and my fellow ARC readers in our chat and can't say enough about how FUN this book was!
August 25, 2025
This book didn’t just knock my socks off-it stripped emotions bare. If you’re into dark romance books, this will definitely be your new obsession. Evie James served up every single one of my guilty-pleasure tropes on a silver platter: stalker vibes, protective rage, a deadly little ‘touch her and ☠️,’ and of course… he falls first (swoon). Plus, the addition of mafia heat and it had me forgetting about sleep, work, life and even my morals! Lyla and Nikolai don’t just tell a story, they drag you on a ride so deliciously dangerous you’ll forget which way is up. Five hundred plus pages (closer to six hundred) felt like five minutes because I was too busy swooning, gasping, and whispering ‘just one more chapter.’ The author, Evie James, doesn’t just write the book - she seduces through her ability to weave a compelling life between the two main characters. Now, I’m shamelessly begging for more of Lyla and Nikolai because once they’re in your head, there’s no taming their flames.
August 22, 2025
Releases August 26
Nikolai is in the Russian mafia. Lyla is a southern belle from Tennessee coming to NYC to live out her dream of becoming a dancer. She works at a cafe and is an aerialist dancer at a club to make ends meet. What she doesn’t know is that she has caught the attention of not one Mafia but two. What happens when she gets in the middle of a gang turf war?
The Sin Syndicate has standards/ order, they don’t go after women and children. Unlike the other mafia, who go after anyone and everyone. Nik begins to stalk her and as a hacker digs into her live and proceeds to push the boundaries. What happens when all eyes are on Lyla? Will she be able to escape the hands of the mafias or is she bound for a life of the unknown?
🌸Strong FMC
🌸Stalker/ hacker
🌸spicy 🥵
🌸touch her and ☠️
🌸mafia dark romance
Favorite quotes
“Watching her was becoming an obsession”
“Make love to the eyes on you”
Nikolai is in the Russian mafia. Lyla is a southern belle from Tennessee coming to NYC to live out her dream of becoming a dancer. She works at a cafe and is an aerialist dancer at a club to make ends meet. What she doesn’t know is that she has caught the attention of not one Mafia but two. What happens when she gets in the middle of a gang turf war?
The Sin Syndicate has standards/ order, they don’t go after women and children. Unlike the other mafia, who go after anyone and everyone. Nik begins to stalk her and as a hacker digs into her live and proceeds to push the boundaries. What happens when all eyes are on Lyla? Will she be able to escape the hands of the mafias or is she bound for a life of the unknown?
🌸Strong FMC
🌸Stalker/ hacker
🌸spicy 🥵
🌸touch her and ☠️
🌸mafia dark romance
Favorite quotes
“Watching her was becoming an obsession”
“Make love to the eyes on you”
September 25, 2025
I liked the premise of this book but I just couldn’t connect with the FMC at all. She runs her mouth and runs from the MMC too much, all while he’s just trying to save her from her stupid life choices. I DNF’d around 65% because at this point she doesn’t even know his name and he’s saved her life like 100 times by now and she’s still fighting him. They really haven’t even spent any time together and it was a struggle to get to this point. I just couldn’t do it anymore.
August 25, 2025
Eyes On You follows the story of Lyla and Nikolai. Nikolai is the hunter and Lyla is the hunted by not only Nikolai but half of NYC. Lyla is a prize to be cherished and where she is headed no one but Nikolai can cherish her in the way she needs and deserves.
Nikolai is not what he seems to be. He can cook, he is firm with commands, takes no BS and is infatuated with Lyla. Nikolai is drawn to Lyla like a moth to a flame and he is going to get burned one way or another. As the story develops we find out that Lyla has secrets too as well as a little fight left in her. We find out where she's come from and why she's in NYC distracting Nik from his day job.
Once these two clash the world around them burns to ashes. Eyes On You is your introduction to the Sin Syndicate. Welcome.
Buckle in babes.. Lyla is all sass and Nik is all dominance.
Thank you to the author for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Nikolai is not what he seems to be. He can cook, he is firm with commands, takes no BS and is infatuated with Lyla. Nikolai is drawn to Lyla like a moth to a flame and he is going to get burned one way or another. As the story develops we find out that Lyla has secrets too as well as a little fight left in her. We find out where she's come from and why she's in NYC distracting Nik from his day job.
Once these two clash the world around them burns to ashes. Eyes On You is your introduction to the Sin Syndicate. Welcome.
Buckle in babes.. Lyla is all sass and Nik is all dominance.
Thank you to the author for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 26, 2025
I devoured this book.plenty of suspense & spice. Nikolai is the perfect alpha male ready to claim his prey. Lyla, the strong, full of life brat, ready to fight him at every turn. They are perfect together. I love this book. my first Evie James read, and I can't wait for more. Eyes On You is the first book in the Syndicate Series. It's definitely worth the read!
August 25, 2025
Review from the Publisher
Eyes on You is the first installment in Evie James’s Sin Syndicate series, a dark mafia romance that blends danger, desire, and high-stakes suspense. At its heart is Nikolai Volkov, a hacker king thrust into the violent world of organized crime, whose obsession with a small-town dreamer ignites a story of passion, power, and vigilante justice. With evocative prose, rich world-building, and unforgettable characters, James delivers a compelling tale where loyalty is bloodstained, love is perilous, and every choice carries consequences. Readers of mafia romance and dark romance will find themselves captivated by this intense, addictive opening to the Sin Syndicate series.
Eyes on You is the first installment in Evie James’s Sin Syndicate series, a dark mafia romance that blends danger, desire, and high-stakes suspense. At its heart is Nikolai Volkov, a hacker king thrust into the violent world of organized crime, whose obsession with a small-town dreamer ignites a story of passion, power, and vigilante justice. With evocative prose, rich world-building, and unforgettable characters, James delivers a compelling tale where loyalty is bloodstained, love is perilous, and every choice carries consequences. Readers of mafia romance and dark romance will find themselves captivated by this intense, addictive opening to the Sin Syndicate series.
August 25, 2025
5-⭐️s
Dark, delicious, and unforgettable.
Eyes on You is the kind of mafia romance that hooks you from page one and doesn’t let go. This is a story of obsession, danger, and forbidden passion between Nikolai—an antihero Bratva boss with a hacker’s mind—and Lyla, the fiery dancer who stumbles into his shadowy world of organized crime.
The romance is twisted and raw, but it’s also layered with themes of loyalty, survival, and vigilante justice. Nik doesn’t just want Lyla—he claims her, protects her, and burns down anyone who threatens her. The way Evie James balances suspense, sensuality, and mafia politics is masterful.
If you love dark romance with an edge—obsessive alpha male, stalker hero, high stakes, and a heroine who gives as good as she gets—this book will wreck you in the best way. Absolutely five stars.
Dark, delicious, and unforgettable.
Eyes on You is the kind of mafia romance that hooks you from page one and doesn’t let go. This is a story of obsession, danger, and forbidden passion between Nikolai—an antihero Bratva boss with a hacker’s mind—and Lyla, the fiery dancer who stumbles into his shadowy world of organized crime.
The romance is twisted and raw, but it’s also layered with themes of loyalty, survival, and vigilante justice. Nik doesn’t just want Lyla—he claims her, protects her, and burns down anyone who threatens her. The way Evie James balances suspense, sensuality, and mafia politics is masterful.
If you love dark romance with an edge—obsessive alpha male, stalker hero, high stakes, and a heroine who gives as good as she gets—this book will wreck you in the best way. Absolutely five stars.
August 29, 2025
✨Wow!!! This played out like a movie in my head. This had everything in it, from Mafia wars to Romantic Suspense. And let me tell you the spice was 🥵🥵🥵.
✨I just loved the witty banter between the FMC and MMC. You really felt that slow burn! 🔥 It was great and had me wanting to read more!
✨This is the first book in The Sin Syndicate Series. I can’t wait for the rest of the series!
💗FAVORITE QUOTES💗
“My light in the darkness. I will guard you until the end”
“Lyla was a lamb in a city of wolves, and I had just caught her scent”
“She was a match, and I was soaked in gasoline”
✨I just loved the witty banter between the FMC and MMC. You really felt that slow burn! 🔥 It was great and had me wanting to read more!
✨This is the first book in The Sin Syndicate Series. I can’t wait for the rest of the series!
💗FAVORITE QUOTES💗
“My light in the darkness. I will guard you until the end”
“Lyla was a lamb in a city of wolves, and I had just caught her scent”
“She was a match, and I was soaked in gasoline”
January 8, 2026
felt like a chat-gpt written book
August 29, 2025
✨ 4.5⭐️ Review – Eyes on You by Evie James ✨
Evie James delivers a stalker-to-lover mafia romance that’s equal parts addictive, dangerous, and heartbreakingly tender. Eyes on You introduces us to Nikolai Volkov—a hacker king forced into the bloody crown of a Bratva boss—and Lyla Laine Oakley, a sunshine-sweet small-town dreamer caught in the darkest shadows of Manhattan.
From the moment Nikolai lays eyes on Lyla, the wolf finds his lamb. His obsession becomes her protection, his hunger turns into possession, and the city’s monsters don’t stand a chance once he marks her as his. The stalker trope is written with such intensity that every glance feels electric, every interaction pulsing with “touch her and die” energy. Their opposites-attract chemistry is undeniable—his power against her innocence, his obsession against her hope.
What I loved most is how Evie balances the raw violence of mafia life with an achingly tender romance. Nikolai’s protective rage and Lyla’s quiet strength made me root for them even when I knew their love was forged in shadows. The pacing is sharp, the suspense kept me hooked, and the steamy tension? Off the charts.
Why 4.5⭐️ instead of 5? I only wanted more. More pages, more glimpses of their future, because this wolf and his lamb deserve the world.
🖤 Dark. Addictive. Obsessively romantic. Nikolai Volk
Evie James delivers a stalker-to-lover mafia romance that’s equal parts addictive, dangerous, and heartbreakingly tender. Eyes on You introduces us to Nikolai Volkov—a hacker king forced into the bloody crown of a Bratva boss—and Lyla Laine Oakley, a sunshine-sweet small-town dreamer caught in the darkest shadows of Manhattan.
From the moment Nikolai lays eyes on Lyla, the wolf finds his lamb. His obsession becomes her protection, his hunger turns into possession, and the city’s monsters don’t stand a chance once he marks her as his. The stalker trope is written with such intensity that every glance feels electric, every interaction pulsing with “touch her and die” energy. Their opposites-attract chemistry is undeniable—his power against her innocence, his obsession against her hope.
What I loved most is how Evie balances the raw violence of mafia life with an achingly tender romance. Nikolai’s protective rage and Lyla’s quiet strength made me root for them even when I knew their love was forged in shadows. The pacing is sharp, the suspense kept me hooked, and the steamy tension? Off the charts.
Why 4.5⭐️ instead of 5? I only wanted more. More pages, more glimpses of their future, because this wolf and his lamb deserve the world.
🖤 Dark. Addictive. Obsessively romantic. Nikolai Volk
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 27, 2025
I didn’t even have to look up to know she was smiling. Anyone this chipper before six a.m. was either a psychopath or a problem 🎀🌷💝Eyes on You: A Stalker to Dark Angel Mafia Romance 🌸by Evie James
𝗡𝗢 𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗜𝗟𝗘𝗥𝗦
𝗜'𝘃𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗳𝗶𝗮 𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 & 𝗵𝗮𝘁𝗲-𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘀𝗵*𝘁𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 ... 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲, 𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗼𝗯𝘃𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲.
This damn book has me perplexed. Such a great start. Loved the ambience and settings. MMC came out like a storm. MFC was interesting.
A few minor things in the beginning that irked me but I could overlook. ::: Repetitive phrases and words::: but ok- I was in- we were rolling along.
Second half of book- 𝖽𝗂𝖽 𝗌𝗈𝗆𝖾𝗈𝗇𝖾 𝖾𝗅𝗌𝖾 𝗌𝗍𝖺𝗋𝗍 𝗐𝗋𝗂𝗍𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗌𝗍𝗈𝗋𝗒? 𝖶𝖾 𝗅𝗈𝗌𝗍 almost all redeeming qualities for the characters. MFC was coming off like a bad joke.
Then after the couple start ‘coupling’… WTF happened to the dialogue? It felt so 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗻-𝗱𝗼𝗴 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗯𝗮𝗱 𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗯𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘆 that I physically CRINGED… what happened? I’m still asking myself that.
And then we get to the ________scenes & I was laughing because it became fucking ridiculous at that point.
Really?!?!
That’s how this went down.
𝗦𝗢: 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘀𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻-- 𝖻𝗂𝗀 𝗅𝖾𝗍 𝖽𝗈𝗐𝗇. I’m just simply confused about the entire thing. Seriously feels like 2 different people wrote parts of this novel.
I’m torn on the rating here. Probably 2.5 stars but will round up for Goodreads- but not sure how I even feel about that! WTF
🌷🌷🌷
★•*´¨`*•★• Happy reading ┊┊┊┊ ➶ ❁۪ ｡˚ ✧
𝗡𝗢 𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗜𝗟𝗘𝗥𝗦
𝗜'𝘃𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗳𝗶𝗮 𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 & 𝗵𝗮𝘁𝗲-𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘀𝗵*𝘁𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 ... 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲, 𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗼𝗯𝘃𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲.
This damn book has me perplexed. Such a great start. Loved the ambience and settings. MMC came out like a storm. MFC was interesting.
A few minor things in the beginning that irked me but I could overlook. ::: Repetitive phrases and words::: but ok- I was in- we were rolling along.
Second half of book- 𝖽𝗂𝖽 𝗌𝗈𝗆𝖾𝗈𝗇𝖾 𝖾𝗅𝗌𝖾 𝗌𝗍𝖺𝗋𝗍 𝗐𝗋𝗂𝗍𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗌𝗍𝗈𝗋𝗒? 𝖶𝖾 𝗅𝗈𝗌𝗍 almost all redeeming qualities for the characters. MFC was coming off like a bad joke.
Then after the couple start ‘coupling’… WTF happened to the dialogue? It felt so 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗻-𝗱𝗼𝗴 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗯𝗮𝗱 𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗯𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘆 that I physically CRINGED… what happened? I’m still asking myself that.
And then we get to the ________scenes & I was laughing because it became fucking ridiculous at that point.
Really?!?!
That’s how this went down.
𝗦𝗢: 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘀𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻-- 𝖻𝗂𝗀 𝗅𝖾𝗍 𝖽𝗈𝗐𝗇. I’m just simply confused about the entire thing. Seriously feels like 2 different people wrote parts of this novel.
I’m torn on the rating here. Probably 2.5 stars but will round up for Goodreads- but not sure how I even feel about that! WTF
🌷🌷🌷
★•*´¨`*•★• Happy reading ┊┊┊┊ ➶ ❁۪ ｡˚ ✧
August 29, 2025
What To Expect:
- Stalker
- Alpha male
- Opposites Attract
- He falls first
- Possessive/Obsessive
- Protective Rage
- Touch Her and 💀
- Age Gap
- Romantic Suspense
4.5⭐️ so i rounded up
oh. my. god. evie you did it again!! literal chef's kiss
lyla is like literal sunshine but she is also very feisty and i loved her so much. even though this book is a little more intense and dark romance, part of me couldn't help but giggle every time she sould fight nik on anything. it was just so amusing to me 😅
and nik, hot damn, i dont even know where to begin with him. i mean yeah you've got the broody, stalker, hacker and alpha vibes from him but there is also a lot more to him. i never thought i would say this but nik is the kind of stalker you might actually want. am i crazy for saying that, probably 😂🤷🏻♀️. but man was he protective and a little obsessive over lyla and he would do anything for her.
if you have read the broken heroes trilogy then you would have met nik and i have been craving his story. and it really surpassed every expectation i had set in my mind for his possible story while reading the broken heroes series. so i am sooo beyond grateful to be able to read and review this book as well as being apart of evie's sin syndicate team. thank you so much evie!!
- Stalker
- Alpha male
- Opposites Attract
- He falls first
- Possessive/Obsessive
- Protective Rage
- Touch Her and 💀
- Age Gap
- Romantic Suspense
4.5⭐️ so i rounded up
oh. my. god. evie you did it again!! literal chef's kiss
lyla is like literal sunshine but she is also very feisty and i loved her so much. even though this book is a little more intense and dark romance, part of me couldn't help but giggle every time she sould fight nik on anything. it was just so amusing to me 😅
and nik, hot damn, i dont even know where to begin with him. i mean yeah you've got the broody, stalker, hacker and alpha vibes from him but there is also a lot more to him. i never thought i would say this but nik is the kind of stalker you might actually want. am i crazy for saying that, probably 😂🤷🏻♀️. but man was he protective and a little obsessive over lyla and he would do anything for her.
if you have read the broken heroes trilogy then you would have met nik and i have been craving his story. and it really surpassed every expectation i had set in my mind for his possible story while reading the broken heroes series. so i am sooo beyond grateful to be able to read and review this book as well as being apart of evie's sin syndicate team. thank you so much evie!!
August 30, 2025
4.25 Stars!
The WAY this book hooked me from the very beginning and held me until the end. Kudos Evie. Kudos.
What I absolutely LOVED:
* The SASSY female main character (FMC) and she had no problem putting the MMC in his place in the very beginning (even if she didn't know he was a mafia member).
* How hard the FMC was working to make ends meet and to survive. She had such strength and worked many job and barely slept. You go girl.
* The OBSESSION the MMC had with the FMC was alluring and addictive. So good.
*The mafia/dark and action packed plot upped the suspense and had me on the edge of my seat.
*The spice was SPICY! HOT. HOT. HOT.
This was a great dark, mafia romance read! Go check it out!
The WAY this book hooked me from the very beginning and held me until the end. Kudos Evie. Kudos.
What I absolutely LOVED:
* The SASSY female main character (FMC) and she had no problem putting the MMC in his place in the very beginning (even if she didn't know he was a mafia member).
* How hard the FMC was working to make ends meet and to survive. She had such strength and worked many job and barely slept. You go girl.
* The OBSESSION the MMC had with the FMC was alluring and addictive. So good.
*The mafia/dark and action packed plot upped the suspense and had me on the edge of my seat.
*The spice was SPICY! HOT. HOT. HOT.
This was a great dark, mafia romance read! Go check it out!
August 28, 2025
Ever since reading Mission shift iv’e been patiently waiting to get my hands on Nikolai book Eyes on you.
His character I loved he’s dark and mysterious with so many layers to peel back i was invested from the start.
Layla she’s a sassy 20 year old country girl trying to get into broadway having two jobs a coffee shop and dancing in a club.
When These two meet in the coffee shop , there first exchanged is cold from Nikolai but Layla she happy go lucky when Nikolai try’s to move her on her quick wit exchange shocks Nik.
The journey that we take with these two it keeps you turning the page, the chemistry is evident there steamy scenes are hot, it not hard not to love these as the characters are easy to like.
I have one issue The tropes in this book hit the spot for a dark Mafia romance but I feel like the Mafia side wasn’t covered enough the love story 100 % but the mafia side was 80%
For me it’s 4 stars
His character I loved he’s dark and mysterious with so many layers to peel back i was invested from the start.
Layla she’s a sassy 20 year old country girl trying to get into broadway having two jobs a coffee shop and dancing in a club.
When These two meet in the coffee shop , there first exchanged is cold from Nikolai but Layla she happy go lucky when Nikolai try’s to move her on her quick wit exchange shocks Nik.
The journey that we take with these two it keeps you turning the page, the chemistry is evident there steamy scenes are hot, it not hard not to love these as the characters are easy to like.
I have one issue The tropes in this book hit the spot for a dark Mafia romance but I feel like the Mafia side wasn’t covered enough the love story 100 % but the mafia side was 80%
For me it’s 4 stars
August 29, 2025
Interesting. I wish the MMC was a little softer. Some parts seemed to drag and some went too fast. Overall it set up a new series and the other characters seem interesting.
September 2, 2025
DNF - 66%
It’s the same thing over and over and over and over again. Literally it’s like the MMC is talking to a brick wall or the FMC has some serious issues.
And I’m sorry but can we get rid of the trope of FMCs saying “nothing can hurt me because I say so” like babe, it doesn’t work that way. You can’t walk in front of a car and expect it not to hit you because you say so.
It’s the same thing over and over and over and over again. Literally it’s like the MMC is talking to a brick wall or the FMC has some serious issues.
And I’m sorry but can we get rid of the trope of FMCs saying “nothing can hurt me because I say so” like babe, it doesn’t work that way. You can’t walk in front of a car and expect it not to hit you because you say so.
August 27, 2025
Evie James has crafted an absolute masterpiece with Eyes On You a dark mafia romance that delivers on every single promise and then some! From the very first page, I was utterly ensnared in Nikolai Volkov's world, and by the end, I was left breathless and craving more. This book is everything I crave in a dark romance: intense obsession, fierce protection, undeniable chemistry, and a hero who will burn the world for his woman.
Nikolai Volkov is the epitome of the morally gray antihero you can't help but fall for. Thrust into the brutal world of the Russian Bratva after his father's murder, he's a hacker king who never wanted a crown, but wears it with a lethal grace. His journey from reluctant leader to an utterly consumed, possessive force is mesmerizing. When he locks eyes on Lyla, his transformation from silent observer to unwavering protector is both terrifying and incredibly seductive. He's dark, dangerous, and his obsession with Lyla is palpable – a silent, deadly promise of protection that evolves into something fiercely possessive and utterly addictive.
Lyla Laine Oakley is the perfect ray of sunshine in Nikolai's dark world. She's small-town innocent, chasing Broadway dreams, and completely unaware she's dancing on the edge of a dangerous underworld. She could easily be just a "prey," but Evie James makes her so much more. Lyla is naive, yes, but she's not weak. Her vulnerability draws Nikolai in, but her quiet strength and dreams make her a heroine you genuinely root for.
The stalker-savior trope is executed flawlessly here. Nikolai's progression from silent shadow, watching and studying Lyla, to actively intervening and claiming her, is a masterclass in tension and desire. The chemistry between them is off-the-charts – a slow burn that ignites into an inferno you can feel through the pages. The line between protection and obsession blurs beautifully, creating an intoxicating dance of power and surrender.
The world-building is gritty and immersive, pulling you deep into the dangerous underbelly of Manhattan's crime world. The stakes are high, the danger is ever-present, and the plot is thrilling, keeping you on the edge of your seat. Evie James doesn't shy away from the darkness, making Nikolai's actions and motivations feel authentic and compelling.
If you love a ruthless antihero who falls harder than he ever thought possible, a heroine who brings light to the shadows, undeniable chemistry, and a plot that keeps you absolutely hooked, then stop what you're doing and read Eyes On You RIGHT NOW. This is a five-star, must-read dark mafia romance that will claim your heart and mind. I can't recommend it enough!
Nikolai Volkov is the epitome of the morally gray antihero you can't help but fall for. Thrust into the brutal world of the Russian Bratva after his father's murder, he's a hacker king who never wanted a crown, but wears it with a lethal grace. His journey from reluctant leader to an utterly consumed, possessive force is mesmerizing. When he locks eyes on Lyla, his transformation from silent observer to unwavering protector is both terrifying and incredibly seductive. He's dark, dangerous, and his obsession with Lyla is palpable – a silent, deadly promise of protection that evolves into something fiercely possessive and utterly addictive.
Lyla Laine Oakley is the perfect ray of sunshine in Nikolai's dark world. She's small-town innocent, chasing Broadway dreams, and completely unaware she's dancing on the edge of a dangerous underworld. She could easily be just a "prey," but Evie James makes her so much more. Lyla is naive, yes, but she's not weak. Her vulnerability draws Nikolai in, but her quiet strength and dreams make her a heroine you genuinely root for.
The stalker-savior trope is executed flawlessly here. Nikolai's progression from silent shadow, watching and studying Lyla, to actively intervening and claiming her, is a masterclass in tension and desire. The chemistry between them is off-the-charts – a slow burn that ignites into an inferno you can feel through the pages. The line between protection and obsession blurs beautifully, creating an intoxicating dance of power and surrender.
The world-building is gritty and immersive, pulling you deep into the dangerous underbelly of Manhattan's crime world. The stakes are high, the danger is ever-present, and the plot is thrilling, keeping you on the edge of your seat. Evie James doesn't shy away from the darkness, making Nikolai's actions and motivations feel authentic and compelling.
If you love a ruthless antihero who falls harder than he ever thought possible, a heroine who brings light to the shadows, undeniable chemistry, and a plot that keeps you absolutely hooked, then stop what you're doing and read Eyes On You RIGHT NOW. This is a five-star, must-read dark mafia romance that will claim your heart and mind. I can't recommend it enough!
August 30, 2025
Perfect balance of mafia and obsessive devotion
ARC Review: Eyes on You by Evie James
From the very first page, Eyes on You consumed me. This isn’t just another mafia romance, it’s an intoxicating blend of obsession, danger, and unexpected tenderness that gripped me from beginning to end.
What sets this story apart is Nikolai. He’s every inch the ruthless mafia antihero: cold, commanding, and terrifying in his power. But the deeper you go, the more you see that his obsession with Lyla isn’t just control, it’s devotion. He stalks, protects, and plans every move with a precision that only money and power can buy, yet never once does he force her hand. Instead, he gives her the rarest thing a man like him could offer: choice. That, to me, is what made his obsession so compelling.
Lyla, on the other hand, was the perfect counterpart. Feral, sharp, and unafraid to challenge him, she refused to be silenced even when she knew exactly how dangerous he was. Their push and pull was electric. Every argument, every stolen glance, every dangerous moment crackled with tension. I loved that she wouldn’t bend, and I loved even more that he respected her for it, even when it drove him mad.
And then came his softer side. The moment he discovered Lyla’s innocence he immediately shifted gears, composing himself, protecting her, and allowing her space to decide for herself. That balance between brutal obsession and self-restraint made him unforgettable.
By the time I reached the “Eyes on me” scene, I was feral. 🖤 This book had me highlighting every other page, swooning one minute and shivering the next.
Evie James crafted a story that feels sharp, haunting, and addictively romantic, a perfect balance of mafia grit and obsessive devotion. I’m so honored I got to read this ARC, and I can’t wait to see what’s next in the series.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5 spice
ARC Review: Eyes on You by Evie James
From the very first page, Eyes on You consumed me. This isn’t just another mafia romance, it’s an intoxicating blend of obsession, danger, and unexpected tenderness that gripped me from beginning to end.
What sets this story apart is Nikolai. He’s every inch the ruthless mafia antihero: cold, commanding, and terrifying in his power. But the deeper you go, the more you see that his obsession with Lyla isn’t just control, it’s devotion. He stalks, protects, and plans every move with a precision that only money and power can buy, yet never once does he force her hand. Instead, he gives her the rarest thing a man like him could offer: choice. That, to me, is what made his obsession so compelling.
Lyla, on the other hand, was the perfect counterpart. Feral, sharp, and unafraid to challenge him, she refused to be silenced even when she knew exactly how dangerous he was. Their push and pull was electric. Every argument, every stolen glance, every dangerous moment crackled with tension. I loved that she wouldn’t bend, and I loved even more that he respected her for it, even when it drove him mad.
And then came his softer side. The moment he discovered Lyla’s innocence he immediately shifted gears, composing himself, protecting her, and allowing her space to decide for herself. That balance between brutal obsession and self-restraint made him unforgettable.
By the time I reached the “Eyes on me” scene, I was feral. 🖤 This book had me highlighting every other page, swooning one minute and shivering the next.
Evie James crafted a story that feels sharp, haunting, and addictively romantic, a perfect balance of mafia grit and obsessive devotion. I’m so honored I got to read this ARC, and I can’t wait to see what’s next in the series.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5 spice
August 31, 2025
what a ride!!! and I loved it the whole way!!
Wow!!! What a great story and a great ending! The storytelling is so detailed you feel like you are in the story and walking the streets with them. The personalities of the MMC and FMC are very well developed and honestly believable. You get pulled into the details of the story and the whole journey of good and bad and that gray line. Can’t wait for part two.
SPOILERS
So I started off loving the FMC. She is a firecracker no doubt and comes in taking no prisoners with her fiery tongue. You can tell right away that he knows she is a force to be reckoned with so it’s just a matter of time. As the story goes I was a bit frustrated with the FMC- she is still the same personality, which made it more realistic. She isn’t like one of those this would never happen how she falls for the guy. That was what drove me nuts because she literally was not having it. The shift in their relationship makes sense when you think of her personality from the being- she is consistently a take the bull by the horns type of girl, so all the ups and downs are consistent. She is actually a very well written FMC and her complexity is what I loved in the end. I love Nikolai and I think his character will develop even more in book two. You see glimpses of who he is and he is a definitely a more than meets the eye type. I was actually happy with the ending, even though you know there is more to come. She never played the damsel - not even at the end which was great!
This is a great book- can’t wait for the next book in the Sin Syndicate.
Wow!!! What a great story and a great ending! The storytelling is so detailed you feel like you are in the story and walking the streets with them. The personalities of the MMC and FMC are very well developed and honestly believable. You get pulled into the details of the story and the whole journey of good and bad and that gray line. Can’t wait for part two.
SPOILERS
So I started off loving the FMC. She is a firecracker no doubt and comes in taking no prisoners with her fiery tongue. You can tell right away that he knows she is a force to be reckoned with so it’s just a matter of time. As the story goes I was a bit frustrated with the FMC- she is still the same personality, which made it more realistic. She isn’t like one of those this would never happen how she falls for the guy. That was what drove me nuts because she literally was not having it. The shift in their relationship makes sense when you think of her personality from the being- she is consistently a take the bull by the horns type of girl, so all the ups and downs are consistent. She is actually a very well written FMC and her complexity is what I loved in the end. I love Nikolai and I think his character will develop even more in book two. You see glimpses of who he is and he is a definitely a more than meets the eye type. I was actually happy with the ending, even though you know there is more to come. She never played the damsel - not even at the end which was great!
This is a great book- can’t wait for the next book in the Sin Syndicate.
August 30, 2025
Review: Eyes on You by Evie James
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🌶️🌶️🌶️½
Eyes on You is hands-down one of the best mafia romance novels I’ve read in a long time. Evie James has a remarkable talent for storytelling — from the very first page, I was completely hooked. Her ability to craft characters and scenes that pull you in and refuse to let go is nothing short of extraordinary. I couldn’t put it down!
Nik is everything you’d expect from a mafia anti-hero — mysterious, dangerous, and utterly ruthless — but somehow, he’s impossible to hate. On the contrary, I found him deliciously sexy and the kind of dark fantasy man you can’t help but fall for. He’s enigmatic but magnetic, and every scene with him just sizzles.
Lacey (or Lyla) is a standout heroine. She’s fearless, hardworking, and refuses to be intimidated, even when the stakes are high. I was rooting for her from the beginning. Her resilience and determination to chase her dreams, despite everything she’s endured, are truly inspiring.
If I had to point out one drawback, it would be the pacing. It’s a bit of a slow burn, and then suddenly all the “sexy” action hits at once. I wish there had been a more balanced build-up. Also, the epilogue left me slightly confused — if Delgado is still at large, how are Nik and Lyla walking around so freely?
That said, none of these things stopped me from loving the story. The chemistry, the suspense, the emotional pull — it all worked. This book deserves all five stars and a solid 3 ½ hot peppers for the heat level!
Highly recommend for mafia romance lovers looking for a story with depth, danger, and just the right amount of spice.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🌶️🌶️🌶️½
Eyes on You is hands-down one of the best mafia romance novels I’ve read in a long time. Evie James has a remarkable talent for storytelling — from the very first page, I was completely hooked. Her ability to craft characters and scenes that pull you in and refuse to let go is nothing short of extraordinary. I couldn’t put it down!
Nik is everything you’d expect from a mafia anti-hero — mysterious, dangerous, and utterly ruthless — but somehow, he’s impossible to hate. On the contrary, I found him deliciously sexy and the kind of dark fantasy man you can’t help but fall for. He’s enigmatic but magnetic, and every scene with him just sizzles.
Lacey (or Lyla) is a standout heroine. She’s fearless, hardworking, and refuses to be intimidated, even when the stakes are high. I was rooting for her from the beginning. Her resilience and determination to chase her dreams, despite everything she’s endured, are truly inspiring.
If I had to point out one drawback, it would be the pacing. It’s a bit of a slow burn, and then suddenly all the “sexy” action hits at once. I wish there had been a more balanced build-up. Also, the epilogue left me slightly confused — if Delgado is still at large, how are Nik and Lyla walking around so freely?
That said, none of these things stopped me from loving the story. The chemistry, the suspense, the emotional pull — it all worked. This book deserves all five stars and a solid 3 ½ hot peppers for the heat level!
Highly recommend for mafia romance lovers looking for a story with depth, danger, and just the right amount of spice.
August 31, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Nikolai & Lacey
Reading Mission shift we’re introduced to a glimpse of Nikolai and I wanted to know his story. When I found out that he was the Mmc in Eyes On You I was so happy and he didn’t disappoint. Evie you have a way of writing some amazing Mmc’s and Nikolai was one of many that I was excited and surprised, he ended up being a stalker. Umm one of my favorite tropes and he’s the head of the mafia well bratva. And writing some strong fmcs who will argue and fight back when their man is in danger.
This book was so good from beginning to the end. I was loving Lacey so much with her Tennessee country whipping ways. She worked so hard to get to New York just to fall into the wrong club. A hometown girl with spunky ways with a very sad background. The story she told about her family had me in tears and I just wanted to give her a hug. I love how she fought Nik especially when she tried to escape like woahh girl.
Nikolai what more can I say about him more praise for him always. Nik my sweet hacker has his naughty ways especially that Xyst scene OMFG was that hotttttt. Did I expect that umm heck no but I was here for it.
If you love a possessive, hot, sweet, stalker, hacker with a way with words and a hand that can spank your ass and have you begging for more. And a strong fmc, that does aerial dancing at a strip club, loves reading smut then this is a book you need.
I can’t wait for the next books.
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Nikolai & Lacey
Reading Mission shift we’re introduced to a glimpse of Nikolai and I wanted to know his story. When I found out that he was the Mmc in Eyes On You I was so happy and he didn’t disappoint. Evie you have a way of writing some amazing Mmc’s and Nikolai was one of many that I was excited and surprised, he ended up being a stalker. Umm one of my favorite tropes and he’s the head of the mafia well bratva. And writing some strong fmcs who will argue and fight back when their man is in danger.
This book was so good from beginning to the end. I was loving Lacey so much with her Tennessee country whipping ways. She worked so hard to get to New York just to fall into the wrong club. A hometown girl with spunky ways with a very sad background. The story she told about her family had me in tears and I just wanted to give her a hug. I love how she fought Nik especially when she tried to escape like woahh girl.
Nikolai what more can I say about him more praise for him always. Nik my sweet hacker has his naughty ways especially that Xyst scene OMFG was that hotttttt. Did I expect that umm heck no but I was here for it.
If you love a possessive, hot, sweet, stalker, hacker with a way with words and a hand that can spank your ass and have you begging for more. And a strong fmc, that does aerial dancing at a strip club, loves reading smut then this is a book you need.
I can’t wait for the next books.
September 24, 2025
There’s something deliciously unsettling about Eyes on You—the kind of story that lingers in your bones long after you’ve closed the final page. I didn’t expect to feel so emotionally tangled, but this book had me questioning trust, perception, and the quiet ways fear can shape our choices.
The writing is sharp and immersive, with a rhythm that pulled me in and refused to let go. I found myself holding my breath during certain scenes—not because of what was happening on the surface, but because of the emotional undercurrents rippling beneath. It’s not just suspenseful; it’s psychologically intimate.
What really struck me was how the author captured the vulnerability of being watched—literally and metaphorically. There’s a rawness to the protagonist’s experience that felt deeply relatable, especially as a woman navigating a world that doesn’t always feel safe. I felt her paranoia, her doubt, her need to reclaim control. It was haunting in the best way.
This isn’t just a thriller—it’s a mirror. And while I won’t spoil anything, I will say that the ending left me both satisfied and slightly haunted. In a good way.
If you’re looking for a read that’s more than just plot twists—something that makes you feel, reflect, and maybe even squirm a little—Eyes on You is worth your time.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The writing is sharp and immersive, with a rhythm that pulled me in and refused to let go. I found myself holding my breath during certain scenes—not because of what was happening on the surface, but because of the emotional undercurrents rippling beneath. It’s not just suspenseful; it’s psychologically intimate.
What really struck me was how the author captured the vulnerability of being watched—literally and metaphorically. There’s a rawness to the protagonist’s experience that felt deeply relatable, especially as a woman navigating a world that doesn’t always feel safe. I felt her paranoia, her doubt, her need to reclaim control. It was haunting in the best way.
This isn’t just a thriller—it’s a mirror. And while I won’t spoil anything, I will say that the ending left me both satisfied and slightly haunted. In a good way.
If you’re looking for a read that’s more than just plot twists—something that makes you feel, reflect, and maybe even squirm a little—Eyes on You is worth your time.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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