What do you think?
Rate this book
Hunted Kingdom #2
Ember: A Mafia Romance
Not yet published
Expected 14 Jul 26400 pages, Paperback
Expected publication July 14, 2026
About the author
Naima Simone
173 books2,217 followersPublished since 2009, USA Today Bestselling author Naima Simone loves writing sizzling romances with heart, a touch of humor and snark. Her books have been featured in The Washington Post and Entertainment Weekly, and described as balancing “crackling, electric love scenes with exquisitely rendered characters caught in emotional turmoil.”
She is wife to Superman, or his non-Kryptonian, less bullet proof equivalent, and mother to the most awesome kids ever. They all live in perfect, sometimes domestically-challenged bliss in the southern United States.
She is wife to Superman, or his non-Kryptonian, less bullet proof equivalent, and mother to the most awesome kids ever. They all live in perfect, sometimes domestically-challenged bliss in the southern United States.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
February 16, 2026
naima simone you are crazy in the best way
March 10, 2026
This doesn’t happen often, but the second book in this series was better than the first! I really enjoyed this story line! Also just love Naima and her crazy self! :)
January 26, 2026
4.25 stars!
naima did not come to play with ember!! the cinderella inspiration was incredible. ember was a strong fmc, and asad, our mmc, was NOT intimidated by that. and the ending??? i did not see that coming. this kept me hooked from beginning to end!
tropes:
• cinderella retelling
• step siblings
• arranged marriage
• touch him/her and 💀
naima did not come to play with ember!! the cinderella inspiration was incredible. ember was a strong fmc, and asad, our mmc, was NOT intimidated by that. and the ending??? i did not see that coming. this kept me hooked from beginning to end!
tropes:
• cinderella retelling
• step siblings
• arranged marriage
• touch him/her and 💀
April 15, 2026
“A love story forged in fire, ash, and obsession.”
From the very first line, Ember doesn’t ask for your attention—she demands it. And once you step into her world? There’s no escaping the flames.
Ember as an FMC is everything. Calculated, fierce, unapologetically powerful—she’s not trying to survive the game, she’s rewriting the rules while holding the match. Her voice is sharp, her choices are bold, and every move she makes feels like it could either crown her… or destroy everything.
Then there’s Asad Prince—obsessive, dangerous, and completely unhinged in that dark-romance way we secretly crave. The tension between him and Ember? Absolutely feral. This isn’t your typical enemies-to-lovers—it’s a battlefield where desire and dominance collide, and neither of them is willing to surrender.
🔥 Chemistry that burns through the pages
🔥 Power plays that keep you on edge
🔥 A romance that feels equal parts toxic and irresistible
The arranged marriage trope is done so well here—it’s not just forced proximity, it’s forced vulnerability, forced confrontation, forced truth. Every interaction between them is loaded, layered, and dangerously addictive.
And the Cinderella reimagining? Twisted, dark, and brilliant. Ember isn’t waiting for rescue—she is the reckoning. The glass slipper doesn’t fit softly here… it cuts.
What truly stood out is how deeply emotional this story is beneath all the intensity. Ember’s fight for her legacy, her autonomy, and her identity adds real weight to the story, making every moment hit harder.
Final verdict:
This book is dark, addictive, and completely consuming.
🖤 Read it for Ember—the FMC who refuses to bow.
🔥 Stay for the obsession and power struggle.
👠 Leave slightly emotionally damaged… but wanting more.
From the very first line, Ember doesn’t ask for your attention—she demands it. And once you step into her world? There’s no escaping the flames.
Ember as an FMC is everything. Calculated, fierce, unapologetically powerful—she’s not trying to survive the game, she’s rewriting the rules while holding the match. Her voice is sharp, her choices are bold, and every move she makes feels like it could either crown her… or destroy everything.
Then there’s Asad Prince—obsessive, dangerous, and completely unhinged in that dark-romance way we secretly crave. The tension between him and Ember? Absolutely feral. This isn’t your typical enemies-to-lovers—it’s a battlefield where desire and dominance collide, and neither of them is willing to surrender.
🔥 Chemistry that burns through the pages
🔥 Power plays that keep you on edge
🔥 A romance that feels equal parts toxic and irresistible
The arranged marriage trope is done so well here—it’s not just forced proximity, it’s forced vulnerability, forced confrontation, forced truth. Every interaction between them is loaded, layered, and dangerously addictive.
And the Cinderella reimagining? Twisted, dark, and brilliant. Ember isn’t waiting for rescue—she is the reckoning. The glass slipper doesn’t fit softly here… it cuts.
What truly stood out is how deeply emotional this story is beneath all the intensity. Ember’s fight for her legacy, her autonomy, and her identity adds real weight to the story, making every moment hit harder.
Final verdict:
This book is dark, addictive, and completely consuming.
🖤 Read it for Ember—the FMC who refuses to bow.
🔥 Stay for the obsession and power struggle.
👠 Leave slightly emotionally damaged… but wanting more.
February 23, 2026
Now this is a true villain origin story.
I don't know how Mrs. Simone does it, but I laughed, cried, and clutched my pearls all within 383 pages. Loved every raunchy, diabolical minute of this story.
Asad Prince is hands down the best character ever. The character development on him needs to be studied. I went from hating him, to fearing him, and then understanding him.
Ember Cross also needs to be studied. She's sick and depraved, but I totally understood it. Maybe that makes me sick and depraved too.
I'm ready for the next dark mafia fairytale reimagining. Will it be Beauty and the Beast? I, for one, vote for Princess and the Frog. Voodoo, the bayou, and a splash of the mafia? Sounds like a time to me.
I don't know how Mrs. Simone does it, but I laughed, cried, and clutched my pearls all within 383 pages. Loved every raunchy, diabolical minute of this story.
Asad Prince is hands down the best character ever. The character development on him needs to be studied. I went from hating him, to fearing him, and then understanding him.
Ember Cross also needs to be studied. She's sick and depraved, but I totally understood it. Maybe that makes me sick and depraved too.
I'm ready for the next dark mafia fairytale reimagining. Will it be Beauty and the Beast? I, for one, vote for Princess and the Frog. Voodoo, the bayou, and a splash of the mafia? Sounds like a time to me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Rating: 4/5
Heat Level: 4/5
Pub Date: July 14th
Premise:
After Ember's father, the CEO of a fashion empire and a more covert drug empire dies, her wicked stepbrother Asad takes over with one caveat: he has sixty days to marry, and he wants to marry Ember, not only because she's the genius behind the drugs they manufacture, and also because he's always wanted her.
My review:
The most batshit, horniest, and darkest Cinderella-inspired romance I've ever read and I mean all those words in a complimentary sense. In a time when even mafia romances are starting to feel sanitized, Naima Simone goes all-in on BOTH a hero and heroine who are morally-grey, fucked up, and twisted... which makes them perfect for each other.
In many ways, this feels like such a classic mafia romance because daddy's dead, there's a criminal empire succession crisis AND marriage contract to be fulfilled... which is how Ember is coerced into an engagement with her hot evil stepbrother and childhood tormentor Asad. Where Ember differs from your standard mafia romance heroine is that she's willingly taking part in the organized crime element— she puts her multiple degrees to good use by creating the designer drugs that fund her family's empire. Her test subjects are... deserving, and she isn't afraid to put more lethal compounds to good use. In that sense, she's Asad's perfect counterpart, even though she hates his guts FOR GOOD REASON. He was her bully growing up, and his mother, the wicked stepmother of this story, abused her. I think the dark romance of it all allows you to buy into Ember falling in love with Asad despite this, though it does take a minute— AS IT SHOULD.
Naima Simone writes moments of violence with genuine shock factor where Asad is concerned, and in a way, it feels refreshing (see: what I said earlier about sanitized mafia romances). On the other hand, he's actually pretty damn down-bad for Ember from the start, even though he kind of(?) tries to push her away... with death threats. And despite their initial enmity, his devotion to Ember almost never wavers. Almost.
The sex:
If there's one thing mafia romances love, it's a virgin and, I guess, a surprise virgin, so the sex is actually more tender than you think... dare I say, ROMANTIC, as far as sex between two stone-cold killers go, and the dirty talk is off the charts insane— I'm telling y'all, Naima is a romance author who is So Good at writing dirty talk in a way I'm seeing less and less these days.
Overall:
You want something fun (and funny!) and dark and hot, this is your book, and I would highly highly recommend you try Huntsman as well as Ember.
Thank you to Tor and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
Heat Level: 4/5
Pub Date: July 14th
Premise:
After Ember's father, the CEO of a fashion empire and a more covert drug empire dies, her wicked stepbrother Asad takes over with one caveat: he has sixty days to marry, and he wants to marry Ember, not only because she's the genius behind the drugs they manufacture, and also because he's always wanted her.
My review:
The most batshit, horniest, and darkest Cinderella-inspired romance I've ever read and I mean all those words in a complimentary sense. In a time when even mafia romances are starting to feel sanitized, Naima Simone goes all-in on BOTH a hero and heroine who are morally-grey, fucked up, and twisted... which makes them perfect for each other.
In many ways, this feels like such a classic mafia romance because daddy's dead, there's a criminal empire succession crisis AND marriage contract to be fulfilled... which is how Ember is coerced into an engagement with her hot evil stepbrother and childhood tormentor Asad. Where Ember differs from your standard mafia romance heroine is that she's willingly taking part in the organized crime element— she puts her multiple degrees to good use by creating the designer drugs that fund her family's empire. Her test subjects are... deserving, and she isn't afraid to put more lethal compounds to good use. In that sense, she's Asad's perfect counterpart, even though she hates his guts FOR GOOD REASON. He was her bully growing up, and his mother, the wicked stepmother of this story, abused her. I think the dark romance of it all allows you to buy into Ember falling in love with Asad despite this, though it does take a minute— AS IT SHOULD.
Naima Simone writes moments of violence with genuine shock factor where Asad is concerned, and in a way, it feels refreshing (see: what I said earlier about sanitized mafia romances). On the other hand, he's actually pretty damn down-bad for Ember from the start, even though he kind of(?) tries to push her away... with death threats. And despite their initial enmity, his devotion to Ember almost never wavers. Almost.
The sex:
If there's one thing mafia romances love, it's a virgin and, I guess, a surprise virgin, so the sex is actually more tender than you think... dare I say, ROMANTIC, as far as sex between two stone-cold killers go, and the dirty talk is off the charts insane— I'm telling y'all, Naima is a romance author who is So Good at writing dirty talk in a way I'm seeing less and less these days.
Overall:
You want something fun (and funny!) and dark and hot, this is your book, and I would highly highly recommend you try Huntsman as well as Ember.
Thank you to Tor and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
May 13, 2026
Naima really took a classic story structure and dragged it through obsession, grief, tension, and emotional chaos in the BEST way possible because Ember had me locked in BAD.
This book was sharp. Heavy. Intense. Everybody was carrying secrets, power plays, unresolved hurt, and enough tension to set the whole story on fire. And honestly? I loved every second of it.
Ember our FMC was exactly what I needed. Smart. Angry. Guarded. She wasn’t written to be soft just to make other people comfortable, and I appreciated that. She moved like somebody who had already survived too much and learned how to weaponize silence, intelligence, and restraint. I never felt like she lost herself inside the romance either.
Now Asad…
That man was a problem from beginning to end.
Possessive. Calculated. Completely committed to making everybody miserable except Ember. The tension between them carried this constant “I shouldn’t want you, but I refuse to let you go” energy that kept me turning pages nonstop. Every conversation felt loaded. Every interaction felt like a challenge. Nobody was backing down.
And listen…Naima knows how to WRITE tension. Not just physical chemistry either. Emotional tension. Power tension. The kind where two characters are constantly testing each other to see who folds first.
What I loved most was that the story never felt one-sided. Ember matched his energy every single time. Even when the situation around her tried to strip her of control, she still found ways to reclaim pieces of herself. That balance made the relationship work for me.
Also…the atmosphere of this book? Rich people behaving horribly while dressed beautifully will always do it for me. Add in the family mess, manipulation, legacy drama, obsession, and emotional instability? Yeah. Exactly my kind of chaos.
And that ending! Absolutely not. I need to discuss it immediately because ma'am lol.
Overall, Ember was addictive, emotionally reckless, and impossible to put down finished in three days. Definitely one of my favorite darker romance reads this year.
Tropes:
• dark romance
• fairytale-inspired storyline
• arranged marriage
• enemies-to-lovers
• forced proximity
• morally gray characters
• obsessive love interest
• complicated family dynamics
• emotional tension
• power struggle romance
Thank you to NetGalley and Naima Simone for the advanced copy of Ember.
This book was sharp. Heavy. Intense. Everybody was carrying secrets, power plays, unresolved hurt, and enough tension to set the whole story on fire. And honestly? I loved every second of it.
Ember our FMC was exactly what I needed. Smart. Angry. Guarded. She wasn’t written to be soft just to make other people comfortable, and I appreciated that. She moved like somebody who had already survived too much and learned how to weaponize silence, intelligence, and restraint. I never felt like she lost herself inside the romance either.
Now Asad…
That man was a problem from beginning to end.
Possessive. Calculated. Completely committed to making everybody miserable except Ember. The tension between them carried this constant “I shouldn’t want you, but I refuse to let you go” energy that kept me turning pages nonstop. Every conversation felt loaded. Every interaction felt like a challenge. Nobody was backing down.
And listen…Naima knows how to WRITE tension. Not just physical chemistry either. Emotional tension. Power tension. The kind where two characters are constantly testing each other to see who folds first.
What I loved most was that the story never felt one-sided. Ember matched his energy every single time. Even when the situation around her tried to strip her of control, she still found ways to reclaim pieces of herself. That balance made the relationship work for me.
Also…the atmosphere of this book? Rich people behaving horribly while dressed beautifully will always do it for me. Add in the family mess, manipulation, legacy drama, obsession, and emotional instability? Yeah. Exactly my kind of chaos.
And that ending! Absolutely not. I need to discuss it immediately because ma'am lol.
Overall, Ember was addictive, emotionally reckless, and impossible to put down finished in three days. Definitely one of my favorite darker romance reads this year.
Tropes:
• dark romance
• fairytale-inspired storyline
• arranged marriage
• enemies-to-lovers
• forced proximity
• morally gray characters
• obsessive love interest
• complicated family dynamics
• emotional tension
• power struggle romance
Thank you to NetGalley and Naima Simone for the advanced copy of Ember.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I went into this book completely blind and honestly? That made the experience even better. I was initially a little disappointed when I realized it wasn’t directly interconnected with the first book, but that feeling disappeared almost immediately once Ember and Asad took over the page.
Naima has a gift for writing fiercely independent women, and Ember might be one of my favorites yet. She’s sharp, relentless, and refuses to break under the weight of the world around her. Whether she’s protecting her business, defending her legacy, or standing toe-to-toe with monsters in tailored suits, she commands every scene she’s in.
But Asad? That man was spiraling in the best way possible.
Because the story is told through dual POVs, we get a front-row seat to the absolute chaos happening in his mind whenever Ember is involved. His devotion is dark, obsessive, and borderline destructive—but there’s something deeply captivating about watching a man completely lose himself over a woman who refuses to be owned.
The arranged marriage trope was executed perfectly here. It wasn’t just forced proximity—it was forced honesty, forced vulnerability, and two people being pushed into confronting parts of themselves they’d rather keep buried. Every conversation felt sharp-edged and emotionally charged, and the tension between them was addictive from beginning to end.
I also loved the Cinderella reimagining woven throughout the story. The references were subtle enough to feel clever rather than gimmicky, while still adding an extra layer of depth to the darker mafia setting. This isn’t a soft fairytale, though. Ember isn’t waiting to be rescued she is the reckoning. And the glass slipper? Here, it cuts.
Underneath all the violence, power plays, and intensity is a surprisingly emotional story about identity, autonomy, grief, and love twisted into something dangerous. Both Ember and Asad experience genuine internal growth, and watching them choose each other despite all the damage was one of the strongest parts of the book.
Naima has a gift for writing fiercely independent women, and Ember might be one of my favorites yet. She’s sharp, relentless, and refuses to break under the weight of the world around her. Whether she’s protecting her business, defending her legacy, or standing toe-to-toe with monsters in tailored suits, she commands every scene she’s in.
But Asad? That man was spiraling in the best way possible.
Because the story is told through dual POVs, we get a front-row seat to the absolute chaos happening in his mind whenever Ember is involved. His devotion is dark, obsessive, and borderline destructive—but there’s something deeply captivating about watching a man completely lose himself over a woman who refuses to be owned.
The arranged marriage trope was executed perfectly here. It wasn’t just forced proximity—it was forced honesty, forced vulnerability, and two people being pushed into confronting parts of themselves they’d rather keep buried. Every conversation felt sharp-edged and emotionally charged, and the tension between them was addictive from beginning to end.
I also loved the Cinderella reimagining woven throughout the story. The references were subtle enough to feel clever rather than gimmicky, while still adding an extra layer of depth to the darker mafia setting. This isn’t a soft fairytale, though. Ember isn’t waiting to be rescued she is the reckoning. And the glass slipper? Here, it cuts.
Underneath all the violence, power plays, and intensity is a surprisingly emotional story about identity, autonomy, grief, and love twisted into something dangerous. Both Ember and Asad experience genuine internal growth, and watching them choose each other despite all the damage was one of the strongest parts of the book.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you Bramble for the gifted copy
💉Cinderella reimagining
💙Toxic AF MMC
💉Forced proximity
💙Step siblings
💉“Marry me or else”
💙Enemies to lovers
Following the death of her father and the loss of her legacy, Ember Cross finds herself forced into a deal with her step brother and childhood tormenter Asad Prince
‘Asad does the unthinkable. The most profane, terrible thing he’s done to me so far. He closes the gap between us, grasps my upper arms in an implacable grip, and tugs me forward . . . And presses the softest kiss to my forehead.’
🔥 Listen if you love when the MMC takes control and says the foulest sexiest things then you just found your next book boyfriend cause he talked her through it!!! 🥵 I’m begging for some audio cause I just know listening will take this to a whole new level 🙏🏾
But yall these people really played in Ember’s face smh whole time she could have just created a little something and it’s lights out for them 😵 nothing like a woman in stem 😌💅🏾
Ember is a standalone in The Hunted Kingdom series, and just like with Huntsman Naima had a magical way of putting a spin on a retelling ❤️
If you love when both MC’s are morally grey and touch her/him and 🪦 vibes then grab this one
I can’t wait for my preorder to come in with the final edits ❤️
‘But when it comes to you, I’ve never been blind or stupid. Nah, you’ve been my dedicated field of study for years.’
💉Cinderella reimagining
💙Toxic AF MMC
💉Forced proximity
💙Step siblings
💉“Marry me or else”
💙Enemies to lovers
Following the death of her father and the loss of her legacy, Ember Cross finds herself forced into a deal with her step brother and childhood tormenter Asad Prince
‘Asad does the unthinkable. The most profane, terrible thing he’s done to me so far. He closes the gap between us, grasps my upper arms in an implacable grip, and tugs me forward . . . And presses the softest kiss to my forehead.’
🔥 Listen if you love when the MMC takes control and says the foulest sexiest things then you just found your next book boyfriend cause he talked her through it!!! 🥵 I’m begging for some audio cause I just know listening will take this to a whole new level 🙏🏾
But yall these people really played in Ember’s face smh whole time she could have just created a little something and it’s lights out for them 😵 nothing like a woman in stem 😌💅🏾
Ember is a standalone in The Hunted Kingdom series, and just like with Huntsman Naima had a magical way of putting a spin on a retelling ❤️
If you love when both MC’s are morally grey and touch her/him and 🪦 vibes then grab this one
I can’t wait for my preorder to come in with the final edits ❤️
‘But when it comes to you, I’ve never been blind or stupid. Nah, you’ve been my dedicated field of study for years.’
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Ember by Naima Simone is a romance that doesn’t hold back;it embraces its rawness in a way that feels honest, intense, and completely absorbing. From the very first pages, the emotions are unfiltered, pulling you into a story that explores vulnerability, desire, and the complexities of love without hesitation. One of the most captivating elements of this book is the flawless way Naima Simone builds both emotional depth and sexual tension. The chemistry between the characters is undeniable, simmering beneath every interaction and making even the smallest moments feel charged and significant. It’s not just about attraction; it’s about anticipation, connection, and everything left unsaid.The relationship unfolds with a perfect balance of passion and emotional honesty. The rawness of their journey makes their growth feel real and earned, and the tension between them only heightens the impact of every turning point in the story.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Ember by Naima Simone
Naima! Naima Simone is quickly becoming one of those authors you keep your eyes on—and honestly, an auto‑buy author at this point. I still remember reading my first book by her, Church Girl, and now that I’m on my third, I can confidently say Ember is my favorite in the series so far.
Her Cinderella retelling is everything: clever, fresh, and full of personality. Even the character names had me grinning. This book hooked me from page one. I could’ve devoured it in a single sitting, but I forced myself to slow down because I didn’t want it to end. And when I finally reached the last page? I still wasn’t ready to say goodbye.
I’m begging—please let this Disney retelling streak continue. We need more fairy‑tale reimaginings that center Black characters, and Simone delivers them with fire.
Highly recommend. Just read it.
🔥 Tropes
Enemies to lovers
Arranged marriage
Forced proximity
Touch her/him and die
Morally grey MMC/FMC
Fairy tale reimagining
Naima! Naima Simone is quickly becoming one of those authors you keep your eyes on—and honestly, an auto‑buy author at this point. I still remember reading my first book by her, Church Girl, and now that I’m on my third, I can confidently say Ember is my favorite in the series so far.
Her Cinderella retelling is everything: clever, fresh, and full of personality. Even the character names had me grinning. This book hooked me from page one. I could’ve devoured it in a single sitting, but I forced myself to slow down because I didn’t want it to end. And when I finally reached the last page? I still wasn’t ready to say goodbye.
I’m begging—please let this Disney retelling streak continue. We need more fairy‑tale reimaginings that center Black characters, and Simone delivers them with fire.
Highly recommend. Just read it.
🔥 Tropes
Enemies to lovers
Arranged marriage
Forced proximity
Touch her/him and die
Morally grey MMC/FMC
Fairy tale reimagining
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Cinderella inspiration was there but honestly not needed because this book was amazing and I loved everything about it. I didn't realize this was a part of a series so I will go back and read the first book. The characters are amazing and the plot of who's actually behind everything kept me guessing. Ember's father, who was the CEO of a fashion and a drug empire has died, and he left everything to her stepbrother Asad. Ember was not shocked at all because her father kept her hidden in plain sight all of her life. She also had her own plans to leave all of them behind and start her own empire. Asad was a complete psycho but a psycho with a purpose and plans of his own. He is seen as Ember's childhood bully but is he really? I'm going to stop here and say, "GO READ THE Book"! It is worth the read and you will not be disappointed. The only thing I wished was that Ember would have beat the hell out of her stepmother because she needed a good ass whooping!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
ARC Review:
Rating: 4.5⭐️
I really enjoyed this book! I went in blind and didn’t realize it wasn’t interconnected with the first book, which was a little bit of a bummer at first, but I got over that pretty quickly.
This Cinderella retelling was absolutely my kind of read. Once again, Naima Simone gave me an unhinged FMC who was right up my alley. She was smart, badass, and held her own even when her family was completely against her.
And Asad…Yeah… he definitely grew on me. Because a “touch her and die” man is going to get me every single time.
As everything started unfolding, I didn’t expect all of the twists, but there were definitely some people I side-eyed from the beginning, so I wasn’t completely surprised by where we ended up. Overall, this book kept me entertained from start to finish, and I was here for it.
Rating: 4.5⭐️
I really enjoyed this book! I went in blind and didn’t realize it wasn’t interconnected with the first book, which was a little bit of a bummer at first, but I got over that pretty quickly.
This Cinderella retelling was absolutely my kind of read. Once again, Naima Simone gave me an unhinged FMC who was right up my alley. She was smart, badass, and held her own even when her family was completely against her.
And Asad…Yeah… he definitely grew on me. Because a “touch her and die” man is going to get me every single time.
As everything started unfolding, I didn’t expect all of the twists, but there were definitely some people I side-eyed from the beginning, so I wasn’t completely surprised by where we ended up. Overall, this book kept me entertained from start to finish, and I was here for it.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you author and Netgalley for letting me read this arc!
The wildest Cinderella-esque spin I ever did read. Dark, feral levels of raunchy, surprisingly layered with vulnerability and emotions? Stellar.
Ember and Asad definitely had chemistry. A meaaaan hate lust to start for sure but in a, I want to take you for a test drive and leave you in a ditch when I'm done, type 🤣
I liked Ember, big badass. Smart, plotty and holds her own. Asad being obsessive, unhinged a bit, and down bad in the best way for his girl. They were practically feral for each other honestly, after that first time? They just didn't quit 😂
Them both being the 'touch them and 💀' type was great. Loved it.
Very much started hating Asad, and then over time, as he let in Ember, kind of loved the development path we're led on to a sort of understanding love for his crazy.
Overall wild ride would recommend
The wildest Cinderella-esque spin I ever did read. Dark, feral levels of raunchy, surprisingly layered with vulnerability and emotions? Stellar.
Ember and Asad definitely had chemistry. A meaaaan hate lust to start for sure but in a, I want to take you for a test drive and leave you in a ditch when I'm done, type 🤣
I liked Ember, big badass. Smart, plotty and holds her own. Asad being obsessive, unhinged a bit, and down bad in the best way for his girl. They were practically feral for each other honestly, after that first time? They just didn't quit 😂
Them both being the 'touch them and 💀' type was great. Loved it.
Very much started hating Asad, and then over time, as he let in Ember, kind of loved the development path we're led on to a sort of understanding love for his crazy.
Overall wild ride would recommend
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
I didn't read the first book in this series and I think I should have....I felt like I was going into this story a little blind but maybe not?
Ember is a bada** that doesn't take shit from anyone....she can't show weakness, thanks to the world that she lives in. Asad, her stepbrother and the heir to her father's company/fortune, doesn't put up any shit....so they should be perfect for one another, right?
First time reading a Naima Simone book and I would definitely read others by her. I struggled to connect with Ember for about half of this book...but I am glad I kept going.
Thanks to Bramble for the ARC!
Ember is a bada** that doesn't take shit from anyone....she can't show weakness, thanks to the world that she lives in. Asad, her stepbrother and the heir to her father's company/fortune, doesn't put up any shit....so they should be perfect for one another, right?
First time reading a Naima Simone book and I would definitely read others by her. I struggled to connect with Ember for about half of this book...but I am glad I kept going.
Thanks to Bramble for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book is much more my usual style with its darkness and sass, and I had such a good time with it. One thing I really appreciated was that the conflict never had me screaming “just talk to each other” every five minutes. The character dynamics actually felt believable, which made the tension work so much better.
The writing was also extremely descriptive in a way that felt immersive instead of overwhelming. I felt like I was in the room with the characters, but the descriptions never took away from the storyline or slowed things down. It was a really nice change of pace and made the whole reading experience feel vivid from start to finish.
The writing was also extremely descriptive in a way that felt immersive instead of overwhelming. I felt like I was in the room with the characters, but the descriptions never took away from the storyline or slowed things down. It was a really nice change of pace and made the whole reading experience feel vivid from start to finish.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Ember was even better than the first book. Naima Simone’s writing style is so addictive—it pulls you in right from the start and doesn’t let go.
I loved the subtle Cinderella vibe woven into a gritty mafia romance, especially with such a strong, determined FMC who refuses to be overlooked. It gave the story that perfect balance of dark and empowering.
And that ending… wow. I’m still thinking about it. Completely unexpected and left me needing more immediately.
I genuinely couldn’t put this book down and can’t wait to see what she writes next.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a captivating and emotional read with undeniable chemistry between the characters. I loved the balance of romance, tension, and heartfelt moments throughout the story. The characters felt real and relatable, which made me even more invested in their journey. I loved that it was fast paced but the ending did seem rushed
March 31, 2026
Asad, it took a hot minute to like this character. But dang it Naima delivered! Everything Asad did to Ember was to save her when they were growing up. Ember was such a likable character and strong and fierce! Great read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 12, 2026
Okay, so I had some high expectations for this. Cinderella being my favorite fairytale and I adored how fresh Huntsman was. Well, this met every single one of those expectations.
Full review to come.
Thanks to st. Martins press and Netgalley for an ARC.
Full review to come.
Thanks to st. Martins press and Netgalley for an ARC.
March 28, 2026
This book was INCREDIBLE!
May 4, 2026
Naima Simone can have all my money! I will buy whatever she writes. Ember was unhinged in the best way. The wildest spin on a cinderella story I have ever come across. The twist and turns were crazy! I was on the edge of my chair while reading the whole time, not knowing what the hell was coming next!
I truly love Naima’s writing style and her characters are always so relatable (if you know her characters.. idk if that’s a good or bad thing LOL).
Pure entertainment! Thank you so much to the author and publisher for this eARC! I cannot wait to purchase the trophy.
I truly love Naima’s writing style and her characters are always so relatable (if you know her characters.. idk if that’s a good or bad thing LOL).
Pure entertainment! Thank you so much to the author and publisher for this eARC! I cannot wait to purchase the trophy.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews