Loving the Wicked

The Wicked Trilogy #2

by Rebecca Johnpee

DELUXE EDITION–featuring gorgeous deep turquoise sprayed edges!

The next exciting novel in Rebecca Johnpee's Wicked trilogy where dark steamy mafia romance meets heist thriller.

Elio
They say obsession is a weakness. But I’ve never been stronger. No distractions. No softness. No Zahra.

Until she returns.

She’s trouble wrapped in a fantasy, and even as she threatens everything I've built, I find myself falling.

And for the first time in my life, I don’t want to stop.

Zahra
I’ve waited years for this.

Every lie, every con, every stolen secret has led me to the endgame.

Just as everything begins to fall into place, a ghost from my past appears. Now the clock is ticking. And if I make the wrong move, I won’t just lose the man I’m falling in love with.

I’ll lose everything.

Loving The Wicked is slow burn mafia meets heist romance that explores darker themes, subjects, and scenes that may not be suitable for everyone. Please see the author's content note at the beginning of the book.

Loving the Wicked
*Second chance
*Revenge
*Who did this to you?
*Touch her/him and die.
*Morally gray MMCs
*Found Family

At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Genres: Dark Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Mafia Romance, Romance, Audiobook, Found Family, Dark

Kindle Edition

Expected publication June 2, 2026

About the author

Rebecca Johnpee has been daydreaming epic, too-good-to-be-true scenarios since she discovered the magic in imagination. Once she found the art of putting those vivid scenarios on paper, she set out to make sure her characters found a home in the heart of readers. Today, she writes romance across multiple genres, letting whichever story calls to her lead the way. When she’s not busy crafting new worlds, Rebecca is planning her next adventure to island countries, where she can indulge in her love for the ocean, meet new people, and immerse herself in different cultures.

Reviews

[Liana Gold · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ 4 ⭐️ For Elio, Zahra remains trouble and paradise, his greatest weakness...and she continuous to threaten everything he's built, including the mental walls that he's secured for years with ease. Yet he finds these walls starting to develop cracks and chipped paint...it's only a matter of time before his walls are completely shattered and there is a point of no return for him. She is his ENDGAME.

Loving the Wicked picks up with the cliffhanger that made my jaw drop at the end of book one. The story continues but on a much DARKER notes that I was NOT ready for! It carries all the elements of book one but with more pulse and twisted, hidden agendas that in my opinion were so cruel, dangerous and shocking...this book consumed me. The drama in this book is simply complicated and it only amplified the emotional stakes. The heist becomes really dangerous... not just physically dangerous but emotionally damaging and obsessive for both Elio and Zahra--the best way to literally compare it to--is that to a deadly volcanic eruption but followed by a tsunami. Just when you think you can relax and process all the dark themes, you are once again engulfed by another storm. That last REVEAL messed with my head!

AN AUDIOBOOK is the way to go with this series. You really need to hear the FERVOR in Marcio Catalano's voice and his rhythms and tones and pitches and his whispers..my goodness it's so distinctive and REALLY elevates the experience. He's like the Teddy Hamilton of Fourth Wing/Iron Flame and the Antony Palmini of ACOTAR and Quicksilver. His narration style is emotion-heavy and all the spice, steamy scenes .. NO NOTES.

Jaclyn Kelso who reads Zahra.. girl you need an award for how MORALLY GRAY you are...seriously.. Zahra's character is on another level. She's kind of the bad girl-turned-vigilante in this book but still emotionally damaging. I love them together. They are so toxic for each-other but at the same time they deserve to be together because they are like MOTHS TO A FLAME. Despite everything that happens along the road...they are crawling back to eachother.

You are not ready for HOW book 2 ends...


Narrators: Jaclyn Kelso, Marcio Catalano
Duration: 12 hours 52 min
Speed 1.5x

Many thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio and the author, Rebecca Johnpee for an early ALC!

Publication date: June 9, 2026

[Durr E]

Absolutely love the 1st book can't wait for the next 2

[Essie]

Omg how am I just seeing this?! There’s a title already?! I CAN’T WAIT!!

[Jennifer Wycech]

Dark Romance
Mafia Romance
Enemies to lovers
Second chance
Found Family
Dual POV - 1st person

Dual narration - Jaclyn Kelso & Marcio Catalano
Wonderful voices.

Book #2 The Wicked Trilogy
*read in order*

Ellio & Zahra are such an intriguing couple. Their story spans across three books so be aware there are cliffhanger endings. Their story is captivating and twisty. Loving this trilogy so far. If you enjoy a gripping, twisty, spicy, and a little mysterious story then you will enjoy this book, but start with book 1 The Wicked.

Overall, this is a good book and I am looking forward to book 3.

[Anime Girl]

Somehow found my way around leaving a review even before the book is out.

I have a strong feeling that we're gonna get the infamous
"Fck zahra, red! RED!"

In this one (giggles deviously)

[librarybylibby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elio is such a little weirdo and I love him

Tropes include: dark romance, mafia, enemies to lovers, second chance, found family, slow burn, touch her & 💀, revenge, morally gray MCs, who did this to you?, obsessive/possessive hero

The Basics:
Elio & Zahra
1st Person Dual POV
Book 2 of “The Wicked Trilogy”
Narrated by: Jaclyn Kelso & Marcio Catalano
🎧 12 hours 26 min
Cliffhanger 🧗
CW: trafficking, violence, murder, suicidal ideation & actions, hallucinations, mental health struggles in general
🌶️🌶️/5
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5

Things I Loved:
•zahra’s fear of cats
•elio’s social ineptitude
•the spice 🥵
•elio & zahra’s aversion to relationships but inability to stay apart
•gemma & elio’s friendship
•elio and ilia’s budding brotherhood
•gran

I listen to a lot of audiobooks… like a lot, a lot. So when I say that Marcio Catalano might be my favorite male narrator, that’s saying something. His portrayal of Elio is spot on and only amplified my love of the character. He’s clear in his delivery while still being entertaining. Jaclyn Kelso also did a wonderful job with Zahara. They both helped to elevate this story and made the 12+ hours of audio fly by and left me wanting more.

It’s been awhile since I listened to The Wicked, so I forgot how hilarious and dry Elio was. He’s so unintentionally charming, which is my catnip when it comes to MMCs. He struggles heavily with his mental health throughout and it’s heartbreaking, but necessary.

Zahra is such a badass and we get to see a little bit more of that come out in this book. It’s clear just how lonely she is, and everything about her wants to be trusting - wants to be loved and to love - but the world keeps showing her how dangerous that is.

With Elio’s dark past constantly plaguing him, the pair are one big emotionally stunted mess. She reacts with emotion first and he’s logical to the point of annoyance, but in a weird way, it kind of works. The push and pull between the two is just the right balance.

The drama was a little hard to follow at times, but it kept me on my toes the entire time and I was anxious to figure out what was going to happen at every turn. I’m still a little lost about a couple things that I feel like we’re kind of glossed over but hopefully that’s all taken care of in book 3.

The only thing I wish there was more of was street - we got to learn and love so much about them in book 1 and I was missing that found family piece this go around.

Can’t wait for the third and final part of this trilogy! I only wish it was coming out sooner because I’m horrible at waiting 😉

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Rebecca Johnpee for the opportunity to listen to this ALC 🤍

[Aleksandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much Macmillan for sending me this ARC!

Let me begin by saying this book deserves a million stars, the author is a genius and Zahra and Elio are one of the best couples ever written and they own my heart but OMG what was that ending!?! I know this book doesn't even release for another half a year (I'll be forever grateful to Macmillan International for sending me an ARC) but I'm already desperate for book 3.


Alright, now that I got my ramblings out, the proper review:

Loving the Wicked is the second book in a Dark Romance trilogy and after loving the first book, I can now definitely say I am obsessed with this story, Zahra and Elio own my heart and I can’t wait for the third book.

Loving the Wicked is everything I loved in the first book and even more. There is so much action, hidden agendas, secrets, plotting, heartbreak but also laugh out loud scenes with the best found family ever and so much tension between our main characters. I truly believe this author is a genius with how everything is connected and even a seemingly not important information has such a big impact later, I loved slowly discovering all the hidden agendas and there were so many shocking revelations here, I feel like we got answers to many questions I’ve been asking in book 1 only to have twice as many questions now, I can’t wait to see how everything unfolds in the next book.

I already loved Elio and Zahra, both individually and as a couple, but they truly stole my heart in this book. They both had difficult pasts and had to deal with a lot in the present, my heart was breaking so much for them both in this book and I found myself even crying a few times, it was darker and at times more tragic than book 1 and I hope we will see them both healing in book 3. But despite all that, they were still incredible together, there was so much tension and angst between them but also banter and some sweet moments, I loved every scene with these two and how perfect they were for each other, equally unhinged and toxic but in a way that just worked for them, and let me say the spicy scenes had me blushing a few times, they were fire together and they are quickly becoming one of my favorite bookish couples.

Loving the Wicked is an amazing second book in this incredible series that I absolutely loved and recommend to everyone. And let me just say if you thought the book 1 cliffhanger was bad, you’re not ready for this one, I’ve been staring at the wall for hours after finishing reading and am still not okay with what happened, book 3 can’t come soon enough!

[Stina Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

REBECCA. Where is book three. WHERE IS IT. I am on my knees. I am not okay.
Let me try to compose myself long enough to tell you why this series has completely taken over my brain and refused to leave.
Elio. That is it. That is the whole argument. I will love this man forever and without condition, and here is why, I am almost certain he is neurodivergent, and if that is the case, Rebecca Johnpee has done something I have genuinely never encountered before in my reading life. A neurodivergent MMC written with this much care, this much depth, this much love. The way he carries himself, the way he exists in the world, the way he loves, it is unlike anything I have read on a page before.
Now imagine this, a man who has spent his entire life convinced he was incapable of feeling real emotion. And then imagine being the person he feels it all for. The enormity of that. The tenderness and the weight of being loved by someone who never believed he could. I am not a book boyfriend person. I want to be very clear about that. I do not do that. And yet here I am, completely undone by a fictional man, with zero regrets and zero shame.
The pain in this book though, why do authors insist on ripping their readers apart? Why is that the job? I felt everything, and not gently. This series burrowed so deeply into my mind that I genuinely could not enjoy anything else after finishing it. Other books felt distant. My brain was still here, still with Elio, still processing.
If you want action, mystery, and the most compelling MMC you have ever had the privilege of reading, this series is everything. It is the whole package wrapped in something that will haunt you long after the last page.
Rebecca, I will be waiting for book three with every ounce of patience I can gather, which is not very much. I will be shaking my leg. I will be biting my nails. I will be checking for updates more than I should admit. But I will be here, ready, because this series deserves every bit of the wait.
Love this series completely and without reservation. Now please, for the love of everything, book three.

[S. R. Langstaff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving the wicked

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

First I want to say a huge thank you to NetGalley as well as Rebecca Johnpee

I was so excited to continue the story of Z and Elio. However, this next installment of their life confused the hell out of me and made me ask more questioned than answering questions I previously had. But like in the best way possible. I appreciate the added depth to the characters especially the little twist that occur for 3 of characters ….IYKYK

I will say that Z and Elio feel way too toxic, they are both trying to over come their own issues and they have no business trying to work on these issues together. The birthday scene and the conversation between Elio and Z made me so angry because they both so manipulative and sometimes I can’t tell if it’s intentional or not and that kills me.

I don’t fully understand the purpose of Gemma yet but I do like her and gran and hope that we get to see more of them in book 3. But I need better closure, this author loves to edge us readers and it’s honestly killing me….this cliff hanger specifically might actually be the final nail in my coffin

On a serious note, this series has been amazing and unlike most books, I’ve enjoyed seeing a spin in power and an addition to the struggle. I also feel like the immediate responses the two main characters have for each other feel more realistic. Nothing is ever just instantly okay or forgive and forget, Z has an attitude and acts accordingly , she. Never just sits back and takes crap from anyone. Cannot wait until book three comes out.

[Blair Warner · Rating 5 out of 5]

What and ending..and wth. Now I need the third book. I will not rest until it is in my hands. Elio and Zarah went through the wringer in this one. Their banter is top tier. The tension still incredible. But they clash and pull at each other and they are just so toxic that you can't look away. I will say this does contain more sensitive topics than the first one including flashbacks to what Zarah went through as a child. This one does go darker than the first in my opinion at times. I do love the more vulnerable times that they both have with each other and how they both are more touch him/her and die. They will literally kill each other but also kill other who hurt them. I love it. I really do love the plot progression as well. I am dying to know what happens next as I stated in the beginning of this review with the ending. I still have so many questions and we are left with that cliff hanger!
Please take into consideration what the author warnings state at the beginning of the book. Speaking of which I love how the author gives them! The audio has the narrators give them in duet narration and in the book itself it is written out a script! The audio is dual narration other than that and it is fantastic the same narrators deliver a fantastic performance. It is the same narrators as before and I will say the issues I had before with book one in the beginning I did not have with this one. Highly recommend!
Thank you so much to Tor|Bramble and Macmillan Audio for the complimentary copies. All thought and opinions are my own.

[Jess Firlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did I find parts of this book confusing and fear I missed the whole big twist at the end? Yup. But the vibes were right and made me stay up all night reading again, so it's still 5 stars for me.

The cliffhanger from the first book made me anxiously await being able to read this one (fortunately, the suspense only lasted the weekend and then I was given access to the sequel on Netgalley, yay).

But I was so wrapped up in hearing more about the cliffhanger that I forgot to even consider the possibility that this one could also end on a cliffhanger lol
Which it does. But it's a fun cliffhanger...even though I want the presumably unpopular outcome lol

I also really enjoyed seeing so much more of Elio's mental health. As someone with major depressive disorder I found him very relatable...at least on the depression side of things.

And I still need answers about why Zahra and the devil were given different permissions and admittance from Elio. I just want to see it from Elio's perspective, even though it's probably just like "well if MY brother wants it then sure"

[My Reading Era · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elio and Zarah have the kind of relationship that constantly teeters between love and hate, shifting from one to the other. Neither of them trusts easily, and with the trauma they both carry, their relationship is far from simple. Still, I loved them together because they understand each other in a way no one else truly can. Their love is messy, complicated, and deeply layered, which made their dynamic even more compelling to read.

Jaclyn Kelso and Marcio Catalano did an incredible job bringing Elio and Zarah’s personalities and relationship to life. They captured every ounce of tension, passion, and emotional complexity flawlessly, making it impossible not to feel invested in them.

This ends on a cliffhanger and I can’t wait for book three!


Thank you, Rebecca Johnpee, Tor Publishing group and Macmillan Audio for the ALC/ARC.

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

First the audio review- once again, Jaclyn Kelso and Marcio Catalano absolutely killed this narration. The characters were so much more complex in this second book and they absolutely just crushed it.

OK the review without spoilers- Zahra and Elio are so much more complex in Loving The Wicked. We thought we had seen it all in The Wicked, and we had seen a lot, but no where close to this one.

For those of us that loved Elio in book 1- he will make you fall even harder here. His backstory, his struggles. The way that he opens himself up. I really was all team Elio in this book.

Zahra currently has me screaming and wanting to throw things but that is the beauty of imperfect characters right? Miscommunication is human. So I love that she has me yelling lol.

But that cliffhanger was diabolical and I need book 3 immediately.

[Tabatha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a solid dark romance read. It leans heavily into slow burn, which is not always my favorite, but it worked here for the most part.

I liked the dynamic between Elio and Zahra. There is tension, obsession, and that push and pull that keeps things interesting. Zahra especially stood out to me. She is calculated and driven, and I liked watching her story unfold.

The pacing is definitely slower, but it builds the relationship and the stakes over time. The mix of mafia and heist elements added another layer and kept me invested. Overall, a strong follow up with darker themes and a slow burn romance that pays off!

The dual narration was great & something I’m really learning to love in dark romance.

Thanks to NetGalley & Macmillan Audio for the gifted copy!

[Synthia Whitaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

REBECCAAAAA!!!! Zahara was stressing me out this book!
Girl knows how to write characters.
ELIO- think Sheldon from the big bang theory meets scar face
Zahara- think Esmeralda from Norte dame meets black widow

How do you love someone that lacks feeling and understanding.. so you thought. She’s a thief, he’s a neurodivergent mob boss. Both broken and toxic but yet I’m left feeling emotionally invested in both of them.

In book two we are packing what exactly screwed these two up in life and how it brought them together. However will them with holding information from each tear them apart.

I had the opportunity to listen to the ALC and it was sooo good. Both voice actors Jaclyn Kelso; Marcio Catalano put their everything and emotion in the narration. I look forward to the 3rd book.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I definitely enjoyed this one more than book 1 and oh my freaking cliffhanger.
I loved watching Elio and Zarah slowly find their footing together, their banter was hilarious. The character growth, found family and those vulnerable moments when everyone starts opening up a little more really pulled me in.
I will say Zarah frustrated me at times with some of the decisions she made but also understood her. After everything she’s been thru, after the darkness she survived and that primal need to burn the whole corrupt system down…I get it. I see her.
🎧narrated by Jaclyn Kelso and Marcio Catalano and enjoyed it! I was a little confused when Jaclyn did the MMC parts, she spoke with an accent. But other than that, great duo.

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the ALC!

[Erin H · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

I was right. My last 2 updates while reading this were right. The ending of this has my JAW ON THE FLOOR.

Everything I wanted in book 1 was in this book and then some. Answers, more questions, history, tension, high stakes heist, devotions, twists, and turns, you name it this had it.

I had to take a couple breaks for the sake of my sanity, but I loved this book! I'll be thinking about the ending for a while. Thank GOD the next book comes out in December so I don't have to wait forever to find out why happens.

Thank you so much Rebecca, Tor Publishing Group, and NetGalley for the eARC of this book!

🖤dark romance
🖤mafia and secret societies
🖤second chance
🖤secret identities
🖤hate to love
🖤found family

[Brianna Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMGG I DEVOURED THIS

There was so much action, hidden agendas, secrets, heartbreak but also laugh at loud scenes and so much tension between the main characters that I absolutely couldn’t put down. We got so many answers to questions from book 1.

Elio and Zarah were my absolute favorite couple that stole my heart. They both had different pasts and had to deal with a lot in the present. There was so much tension and angst between them that I absolutely loved but there was also some sweet moments that had me giggling. I loved how these two were like kind of meant for each other, equally unhinged and toxic but the spicy scenes definitely had me blushing.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not read the first book, but it is on my TBR list. I recieved the audiobook via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Although, I did not read the 1st book, I felt as if this one picked up where the last left off. I was still able to read this, and NOT feel like I was missing a bunch of details. The audio was phenomenal. Kept me hooked the entire time. I was actually mad when I had to turn it off to return to reality, I just wanted to keep going to find out what happened next. Very well written, and great choice of narrators.

[Dani Reyes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly don’t even know what to say about this book because it was so good. How did I devour this in like three days?! That’s actually insane. But to be fair, the first book had me just as hooked.

I think what really made me love this book was the characters more than the actual plot. The cast completely carried the story for me, and I was so invested in all of them. But also… this whole thing lowkey gave Epstein files-level mess,
HOLY SHIT, what was that ending ?!? I DONT HAVE WORDS…. I NEED THE THIRD BOOK ASAP!

[Jessica Blancas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me hooked !!! I read the e book of the first one In the series just so I could be prepared for this one and was not disappointed. I listened to the audio version of this book and I’ll say this the narrators did the book justice. You could feel the book come to live. They really had a way to convey the emotions in the book. I love how Elios Spanish came through at times. The plot was crazy and I never knew what to expect and of course the book ended on a cliff hanger so now I’m anxious to read the next book. Zhara is just a bad ass fmc loved her. Great read !

[Franny · Rating 3 out of 5]

First off, the narrator for Zahra continued to give Elio an accent (probably for consistency). If I do read the last book, I will eyeball read it. Zahra continues to be a poor decision maker and I continued to find her annoying. I get that Zahra and Elio have issues from their upbringing, but I can’t handle the lack of communication between the two anymore.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ALC.

[Brittany Selken · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a early copy of this book from NetGalley .

OMG I need the next book in this series like ASAP I need to know what that cliffhanger was about like I need to know what is going to happen now with this couple. Like I’m glad they gave it a go with the relationship between them like they really bought the best out of each other. And all the secrets that had came out in this story I need answers to them.

[Tanja · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book. OH MY GOD. I loved every minute I spent being back with Elio and Zahra. That ending though!? Criminal behavior, and chapter 30!? 😭😭 I dual read this and the audiobook was soooo good! Jaclyn Kelso and Marcio Catalano did a FANTASTIC job bringing this story to life! I fear I need to be sedated until December because I need the next book like I need air right now.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

They’re still looking for the painting from The Wicked, the heist plot continues but is complicated with butting heads. We get to know a bit more of Zahra’s past and lots of secrets are revealed. It is still action packed and the romance is in full swing along with trust issues.

Thank you to Tor Publishing Group & NetGalley for an ARC of this book, in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Chelsea Dreyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for a honest review!

The chemistry between Elio and Zarah is absolutely off the charts! I honestly can’t even put into words how perfectly Rebecca Johnpee wrote these two. Every interaction between them felt intense, emotional, and completely addictive to read.

Rebecca continues to prove she’s one of the best authors when it comes to bringing characters to life. Every single character felt vivid and memorable, but personally I just wanted even more page time with Zarah and her gang. Their dynamic together was chef’s kiss. The humor, banter, and chaos between them had me genuinely laughing out loud multiple times.

This series has pulled me in from the start and kept me fully invested in both the romance and the friendships. Definitely a fun and emotionally charged read that I’d recommend and can’t wait for the third book!

[♥(っ◔◡◔)っowen♥]

Thank you Bramble Books for gifting me a ARC copy of this book via Netgalley! All options are my own.

[Jennifer*Scorpio*Cats*Coffee*Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

More RTC

I should have been sleeping this morning after work but instead I was speeding through the ending at 190 mph and then slammed into a brick wall and WHAT DO YOU MEAN?!?!?!

[vanshikha sakala · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝟱★ — 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗼 𝗥𝗲𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗰𝗮 𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗻𝗽𝗲𝗲, 𝗧𝗼𝗿 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗨𝗦, 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗥𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝗱𝗲𝗹𝘄𝗲𝗶𝘀𝘀 𝗣𝗹𝘂𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗥𝗖.

RTC

[Tanytifabooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

MY GOD!!! RTC