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The Crimson Lily: A Dark Mafia Romance
I don’t remember anything.
I was told it was an accident.
Then the Russian mafia came knocking.
A dagger of glass. A best friend I forgot. The glint of a gun. I only recall fragments of my past as I’m sent to Paris, bound to a man I don’t know, to hunt down a man I don’t remember.
Maksim. My captor. Their enforcer. His ice-cold gaze terrifies me as much as it tempts me. He’s dangerous. Possessive. Deadly.
Every word is a command. Every touch a threat.
I should fear him. But as everything turns bloody, why is he the only thing that makes sense?
The Crimson Lily is a romantic suspense novel / dark mafia romance with forced proximity, wild desire, and a HEA. It follows an amnesia-stricken heroine, a morally grey mafia enforcer, and the dangerous bond that forms between them. The story explores dark themes and contains mature content that may not be suitable for every reader. All sexual encounters are fully consensual.
I was told it was an accident.
Then the Russian mafia came knocking.
A dagger of glass. A best friend I forgot. The glint of a gun. I only recall fragments of my past as I’m sent to Paris, bound to a man I don’t know, to hunt down a man I don’t remember.
Maksim. My captor. Their enforcer. His ice-cold gaze terrifies me as much as it tempts me. He’s dangerous. Possessive. Deadly.
Every word is a command. Every touch a threat.
I should fear him. But as everything turns bloody, why is he the only thing that makes sense?
The Crimson Lily is a romantic suspense novel / dark mafia romance with forced proximity, wild desire, and a HEA. It follows an amnesia-stricken heroine, a morally grey mafia enforcer, and the dangerous bond that forms between them. The story explores dark themes and contains mature content that may not be suitable for every reader. All sexual encounters are fully consensual.
327 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 29, 2025
31 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
About the author
V. M. Couture
2 books10 followersV. M. Couture writes dark romance because why fall for heroes when villains are much sexier? Sometimes her books live in the real world, other times in the fantasy one she built through years of healthy! escapism. When she’s not splashing (questionable) words onto a page, she’s on a mountain or a plane, living somewhere between Ireland, France, and Canada. She spends her days alternating from quill to computer hacking tools. Don’t worry, it’s all legal. Unlike what happens in her books.
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January 5, 2026The premise was interesting but the single pov (up to the point I read) bored me… 🤷🏻♀️
Dnf @ 19%
Dnf @ 19%
September 15, 2025
Omg what a ride... The Crimson Lily is a dark romance. Liliana wakes up one day with no memories of anything. She meets Maksim, who takes her a wild journey, and while on it, she discovers all about her life... the chemistry between Lily and Maksim was beautiful to watch grow. I'm so glad you didn't leave it and to give us a chance to read it..
I received a free copy of this book, and i am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book, and i am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 5, 2025
⭐ 4.5 Stars — Dark, Suspenseful, and Addictively Twisted
The Crimson Lily grabbed me from page one and didn’t let go. I love a good mafia romance, but this one delivered more tension, danger, and psychological suspense than I expected — in the best way.
The chemistry between Lily and Maksim is pure kiss-or-kill energy. Every scene crackles with that dangerous attraction, and I was obsessed. Add in the amnesia mystery, and I was devouring chapters needing answers now.
If you love possessive antiheroes, forced proximity, and high-stakes passion, this one owns you start to finish.
The Crimson Lily grabbed me from page one and didn’t let go. I love a good mafia romance, but this one delivered more tension, danger, and psychological suspense than I expected — in the best way.
The chemistry between Lily and Maksim is pure kiss-or-kill energy. Every scene crackles with that dangerous attraction, and I was obsessed. Add in the amnesia mystery, and I was devouring chapters needing answers now.
If you love possessive antiheroes, forced proximity, and high-stakes passion, this one owns you start to finish.
October 4, 2025
this was a well written and interesting story which was psychologically complex, unique and a bit dark. liliana has lost her memory due to what they think was an accident and then she is suddenly attacked by the bratva who she was involved with but has no memory of why. they don't believe her until they see the hospital reports and maksim is sent to stay with her and take her to paris in search of something she alone knows how to unlock the secrets of. its been stolen by her boss and the bratva want it back. it is a puzzle that needs solving and apparently she holds the key but with her memory gone she has no idea about any of it. bits and pieces start to come back and she must try and figure out what is going on, what she got herself involved in, what her boss is doing and why he's involved, all while trying to stay alive and not get killed by multiple sources that seem out to get her.
this story is quite complicated with many characters u don't really know what side they are on and if they can be trusted. there are multiple factions involved that want this artifact and to unlocks its secrets which means they are after Liliana as the only person who can solve the riddle. but liliana's brain is a blank canvas other than a few flashes here and there. she has no idea who to trust, who's after her, where the artifact is, why she apparently went to the bratva herself, or anything. she ends up reconnecting with old friends who try to help but they don't know whats going on either. she then becomes involved with maksim who is cold, calculating, cruel, like to inflict pain, violent, holding secrets, manipulative yet seems to be slightly protective of her. once they become involved sexually Liliana discovers a side to herself she didn't know about and is a bit scary liking things that are unusual and dark which draws her even more to maksim. how will she solve the riddle of the artifact and even get it back when she can't remember what she needs to know. when the small fragments that return don't make any sense. and she's getting in deeper and deeper maksim who is basically her jailer making sure she does what the bratva wants and capable of hurting or killing her. danger and betrayal are everywhere, she has to learn to understand herself and her deepest desires which are not normal and reconcile what she is capable of herself not only witnessing but taking part in.
as her memory tries hard to return and more fragments come she learns more and more about betrayal and her life which she's forgotten and why she is the way she is. why no one came forward to claim her or visit her in hospital when she lost her entire life. be prepared for a dark themed story with many plot twists and mind bending themes and details to follow to the conclusion.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
this story is quite complicated with many characters u don't really know what side they are on and if they can be trusted. there are multiple factions involved that want this artifact and to unlocks its secrets which means they are after Liliana as the only person who can solve the riddle. but liliana's brain is a blank canvas other than a few flashes here and there. she has no idea who to trust, who's after her, where the artifact is, why she apparently went to the bratva herself, or anything. she ends up reconnecting with old friends who try to help but they don't know whats going on either. she then becomes involved with maksim who is cold, calculating, cruel, like to inflict pain, violent, holding secrets, manipulative yet seems to be slightly protective of her. once they become involved sexually Liliana discovers a side to herself she didn't know about and is a bit scary liking things that are unusual and dark which draws her even more to maksim. how will she solve the riddle of the artifact and even get it back when she can't remember what she needs to know. when the small fragments that return don't make any sense. and she's getting in deeper and deeper maksim who is basically her jailer making sure she does what the bratva wants and capable of hurting or killing her. danger and betrayal are everywhere, she has to learn to understand herself and her deepest desires which are not normal and reconcile what she is capable of herself not only witnessing but taking part in.
as her memory tries hard to return and more fragments come she learns more and more about betrayal and her life which she's forgotten and why she is the way she is. why no one came forward to claim her or visit her in hospital when she lost her entire life. be prepared for a dark themed story with many plot twists and mind bending themes and details to follow to the conclusion.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 24, 2025
❤️ Blurb -
I don’t remember anything.
I was told it was an accident.
Then the Russian mafia came knocking.
A dagger of glass. A best friend I forgot. The glint of a gun. I only recall fragments of my past as I’m sent to Paris, bound to a man I don’t know, to hunt down a man I don’t remember.
Maksim. My captor. Their enforcer. His ice-cold gaze terrifies me as much as it tempts me. He’s dangerous. Possessive. Deadly.
Every word is a command. Every touch a threat.
I should fear him. But as everything turns bloody, why is he the only thing that makes sense?
The Crimson Lily is a romantic suspense novel / dark mafia romance with forced proximity, wild desire, and a HEA. It follows an amnesia-stricken heroine, a morally grey mafia enforcer, and the dangerous bond that forms between them. The story explores dark themes and contains mature content that may not be suitable for every reader. All sexual encounters are fully consensual.
💜 Review -
What a wild ride this was. The author's writing hooked me in from the very first page and I kept reading until the end as I wanted to know what happened. I loved the story and there was plenty of spice. There was enough content and twists and turns to keep me interested and reading until the end. Plus I liked the characters in the story. I highly recommend it and I look forward to reading more by the author.
💙 Release date -30th September.
💝 Thank you to the author for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
I don’t remember anything.
I was told it was an accident.
Then the Russian mafia came knocking.
A dagger of glass. A best friend I forgot. The glint of a gun. I only recall fragments of my past as I’m sent to Paris, bound to a man I don’t know, to hunt down a man I don’t remember.
Maksim. My captor. Their enforcer. His ice-cold gaze terrifies me as much as it tempts me. He’s dangerous. Possessive. Deadly.
Every word is a command. Every touch a threat.
I should fear him. But as everything turns bloody, why is he the only thing that makes sense?
The Crimson Lily is a romantic suspense novel / dark mafia romance with forced proximity, wild desire, and a HEA. It follows an amnesia-stricken heroine, a morally grey mafia enforcer, and the dangerous bond that forms between them. The story explores dark themes and contains mature content that may not be suitable for every reader. All sexual encounters are fully consensual.
💜 Review -
What a wild ride this was. The author's writing hooked me in from the very first page and I kept reading until the end as I wanted to know what happened. I loved the story and there was plenty of spice. There was enough content and twists and turns to keep me interested and reading until the end. Plus I liked the characters in the story. I highly recommend it and I look forward to reading more by the author.
💙 Release date -30th September.
💝 Thank you to the author for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
September 11, 2025
Huge thanks to the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
What a dark, delicious ride. From page one I felt like I’d been dropped into a velvet-lined trap, equal parts danger and seduction. Lysa wakes up with no memories, and watching her peel back those layers while slipping into the Crimson Lily persona is like watching a match burn in slow motion. You know something’s about to ignite and you can’t look away.
The chemistry with the mafia enforcer? Complicated, sharp-edged, and absolutely addictive. They circle each other like predators and lovers at the same time, and every scene between them buzzes with that love-or-kill tension.
The pacing kept me hooked, though once or twice I wished for a deeper breath between the bullets and betrayals. Still, Couture’s writing makes even the darkest moments shimmer, and there’s just enough sly humor and flirtation to keep it from feeling bleak.
If you crave dark romance with a brain and a bite, amnesia twists, secret missions, morally gray everything, The Crimson Lily delivers. Dangerous, decadent, and just a little wickedly fun.
What a dark, delicious ride. From page one I felt like I’d been dropped into a velvet-lined trap, equal parts danger and seduction. Lysa wakes up with no memories, and watching her peel back those layers while slipping into the Crimson Lily persona is like watching a match burn in slow motion. You know something’s about to ignite and you can’t look away.
The chemistry with the mafia enforcer? Complicated, sharp-edged, and absolutely addictive. They circle each other like predators and lovers at the same time, and every scene between them buzzes with that love-or-kill tension.
The pacing kept me hooked, though once or twice I wished for a deeper breath between the bullets and betrayals. Still, Couture’s writing makes even the darkest moments shimmer, and there’s just enough sly humor and flirtation to keep it from feeling bleak.
If you crave dark romance with a brain and a bite, amnesia twists, secret missions, morally gray everything, The Crimson Lily delivers. Dangerous, decadent, and just a little wickedly fun.
October 3, 2025
From the get go this book packed a punch, I couldn't put ut down!
I love MAFIA books, the dark delectable captor Maksim and a heroine who has no memory of her best friend. Intrigue, Suspense, Dark, Twisted, all rolled into one, The Crimson Lily has it all!
Maksim is a dangerous predator, his possesive behaviour is full on. Lily is a mystery, not knowing what happened to her sends her on an adventure with Maksim. Together they ignite, the tension between them growing into so much more. The mysterious way in which Lily finds out the truth putting herself & Maksim in danger was enthralling.
A really good storyline that gripped me, made me smile at times but most importantly I didn't want this to end. I look forward to reading more books by V. M. Couture as I really like the way she writes. 5 Epic Stars!I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I love MAFIA books, the dark delectable captor Maksim and a heroine who has no memory of her best friend. Intrigue, Suspense, Dark, Twisted, all rolled into one, The Crimson Lily has it all!
Maksim is a dangerous predator, his possesive behaviour is full on. Lily is a mystery, not knowing what happened to her sends her on an adventure with Maksim. Together they ignite, the tension between them growing into so much more. The mysterious way in which Lily finds out the truth putting herself & Maksim in danger was enthralling.
A really good storyline that gripped me, made me smile at times but most importantly I didn't want this to end. I look forward to reading more books by V. M. Couture as I really like the way she writes. 5 Epic Stars!I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 25, 2025
I'd like to start by saying please make sure to read the content warnings before reading this book. Having said that, I really enjoyed reading this story. Liliana awakes not knowing anything about her life. Just a little snip it's of memories that she can't really piece together. Now, her life is in the hands of people she doesn't know and who wants something she can't remember. Maksim is Russian Bratva, and his only job is to complete missions however he has to. He has two rules, and she's about to make him break them. This is a compelling story that really does twist and turn. Both main characters are complicated people. Now working together can they help each other. Just who is the enemy, and who can they trust. I've never read anything by this author before, but I will certainly be looking for more from them.
August 30, 2025
The Crimson Lily is a dark romance with plenty of steam and intrigue. What do you do when you don't remember who you are and your past comes knocking hard and fast? Along with the past, it brings a potential future filled with darkness and a man who deepest darkness wants to mark you as his, maybe. I think Lili and Maksim are the perfect, imperfect couple and as they race toward fulfulling an obligation that could ge them both killed, I found myself wishing for their happily ever after.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 31, 2025
This book is a wild ride of passion, intrigue, and adventure. It is not for the faint of heart so definitely read the trigger warnings! It has a great story line with lots of twists and turns. The spice level is definitely high and it has a very gray MMC that is into possession and dominance. but somehow he still has a soft side. Beginning to end this book hooks you in and keeps you reading to find out what happens next. I would absolutely recommend this book! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 9, 2025
Imagine waking up without your memory. Needing doctors and kind strangers to tell you who they believe you to be. This book took me by surprise. I enjoyed the thrill of seeing through “innocent” eyes. You will also love this book if you like adventure and a little grimy humor. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Be ready for everything you believe to twist by the end of the journey. Happy reading!
September 30, 2025
Lilliana is that new kind of female Heroine who takes no prisoners even when they are vulnerable.
Suffering from amnesia, Lilliana is bound to a Russian Mafia captor, Maksim and sent to Paris to track down a treasure.
Maksim has an allure to him that attracts Lilliana. He is brutal and deadly written an air about him and almost caustic with her but she can't help but fall.
An intricate story woven in layers of plot making for a great read. Great work!
Suffering from amnesia, Lilliana is bound to a Russian Mafia captor, Maksim and sent to Paris to track down a treasure.
Maksim has an allure to him that attracts Lilliana. He is brutal and deadly written an air about him and almost caustic with her but she can't help but fall.
An intricate story woven in layers of plot making for a great read. Great work!
September 30, 2025
This book was all one fast-moving thrilling suspenseful full of mysteries that kept me eagerly captivated and turning pages. The book is delivered through the FMC Liliana's 1st person POV. So through her amnesia-riddled mind, we are uncovering all sorts of exciting memories that aid in solving the mystery of what happened to her all while a steamy romance builds through all the action.
Contains:
Mafia
Morally-gray
Amnesia
Explicit
HEA
Check TW
Contains:
Mafia
Morally-gray
Amnesia
Explicit
HEA
Check TW
October 4, 2025
4.25/5 ⭐️
This book hooked me in right from the start. I am always a lover of dark romance, and this story leaned into the dark but also didn't get too much into the spice right away, which I liked, and this is as someone who loves spice. The amnesia plot and trope were well done, and I couldn't put this one down. If you love morally grey MMCs and dark romance, definitely give this one a read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book hooked me in right from the start. I am always a lover of dark romance, and this story leaned into the dark but also didn't get too much into the spice right away, which I liked, and this is as someone who loves spice. The amnesia plot and trope were well done, and I couldn't put this one down. If you love morally grey MMCs and dark romance, definitely give this one a read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 11, 2025
In the begin of the book, I had a hard time keeping interested in it. The dynamic between the main character and her love interest wasn’t my favorite. However, I am very glad I stuck it out. I really enjoy the whole back half of the book. I actually didn’t put the book down. I wasn’t the biggest fan of the main character for a while in the story.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 17, 2025
The Crimson Lily is an exciting and unique dark Mafia romance which well written and difficult to put down. It features Maksim, an enforcer. who travels to Paris with Lily. an amnesia victim with only flashes of past memories. This intriguing dark romance has secrets, suspense, forced proximity, plot twists, amazing characters, sizzling passion, and trigger warnings.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 3, 2025
A credible story about the inner working of the Italian and Russian mafia, deadly enemies who come together to defeat an even greater danger (the Syndicate). One person holds the key to a solution, but she is suffering from amnesia….. will her memory return in time?
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
September 15, 2025
liliana (lily) cant remember anoytging and relies on drs and those around her to remember butbwhen the bratva come for her, their enforcer Maksim takes her captive on the hunt for a man she doesnt even remember. But will their chemistry sizzle into something more alone the way? Well written engaging steamy desires twists and more!
October 7, 2025
First my applause and appreciation to the incredible Author for the opportunity to read and review this novel. I want to say this novel is so incredible it had me so entranced with every upcoming chapter as I was reading. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time .. I just have one thing on my mind will there be more to Maksim’S and Lili’s story
September 8, 2025
A great book to read characters were well written and story flowed great. The story had a few dark elements but not dark. I would recommend this book and will be reading more from this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 16, 2025
This was a great book. It kept me interested and wanting to learn more about Liliana and her past. I fell in love with the relationship between them and the relationships she built. This would definitely be something I recommend to others! Also spicy 🌶️
October 3, 2025
This book was great! It’s got suspense, spice, love, and more. The spice was on point, I might add! You can expect a HEA. I’ve always been a fan of darker themes and this did not disappoint at all. I highly recommend it.
October 5, 2025
Loved every bit of it since page 1 I finished it in one sitting that’s how hooked it got me!!! Definitely recommend 💯 this was my first mafia dark romance and I loved it 😍 #maksim #lily #thecrimsonlily #vmcouture #mafiaromance
October 8, 2025
The actual story was good. Good plot, keep you engaged. It is dark. Actually a little dark for me. So read your trigger warnings . It deals a lot with pain for pleasure which is not really my trope.
Good storyline though. If you like this type of romance it’s a good read.
Good storyline though. If you like this type of romance it’s a good read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 2, 2025
This is a very entertaining story. The plot is gripping and full of suspense, danger and drama. I loved how the characters complimented each other. They had great chemistry. A must-read.
October 9, 2025
loved it. it was such a a great book but slow at first for me but then it picked up.
October 19, 2025
DNF AT 14%
i don’t know, the book was slow, didn’t get my attention super much, and it was only one pov. i prefer dual-pov. im sure some might like it but definitely not me lol
i don’t know, the book was slow, didn’t get my attention super much, and it was only one pov. i prefer dual-pov. im sure some might like it but definitely not me lol
October 3, 2025
‘The Crimson Lily’ is definitely a must read!
What a wonderful dark and dangerous read! This may have been a work of fiction, but it had a heartbeat all the same. It was like waking up in a dark house with no windows or doors… equal parts intriguing and infuriating.
Lily awakens with amnesia; with bits and bobs of pictures in her mind. Maksim is the lethal enforcer who takes her captive in search of someone she doesn’t even remember. Somewhere along the way Lily realizes that with all the chaos, danger and subterfuge that Maksim is the only person she trusts. Theirs is a hard fought love story.
10/10 RECOMMEND
I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
What a wonderful dark and dangerous read! This may have been a work of fiction, but it had a heartbeat all the same. It was like waking up in a dark house with no windows or doors… equal parts intriguing and infuriating.
Lily awakens with amnesia; with bits and bobs of pictures in her mind. Maksim is the lethal enforcer who takes her captive in search of someone she doesn’t even remember. Somewhere along the way Lily realizes that with all the chaos, danger and subterfuge that Maksim is the only person she trusts. Theirs is a hard fought love story.
10/10 RECOMMEND
I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 15, 2025
DNF@ 35% ⭐️2 ⭐️ Not dark.
The author has potential, but this is boring and flat.
Decent writing regarding syntax, but the pacing is bad, there is no tension or chemistry between the mfc and mmc, and the mfc’s behavior makes no sense considering what’s going on.
There’s not even more than a few brief interactions with the mmc to at least build tension in the beginning. Then they have boring sex because they are both there and available or something—idk, I quit afterward.
To summarize, one could skip paragraphs—pages—and miss nothing important.
The author has potential, but this is boring and flat.
Decent writing regarding syntax, but the pacing is bad, there is no tension or chemistry between the mfc and mmc, and the mfc’s behavior makes no sense considering what’s going on.
There’s not even more than a few brief interactions with the mmc to at least build tension in the beginning. Then they have boring sex because they are both there and available or something—idk, I quit afterward.
To summarize, one could skip paragraphs—pages—and miss nothing important.
October 1, 2025
A must read book. Exciting story full of twists to keep me glued to the pages. Lots of danger, secrets, drama, and suspenseful scenes. Character interaction was awesome in this story. definitely a unique relationship between main characters, but their story was so freaking good.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews