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Deceptive Desires: A Dark Mafia Enforcer Romance
I try to make every day a great day, until suddenly, he’s the one making them great. My hero is everything I could ever want. But what do I do when I find out I’ve been falling in love with a lie?
Cecilia
My days pass in a blur.
Yoga, work, and friends occupy my time.
I don’t have any complaints though.
There isn’t anything I’d change.
Not until I literally fall into the arms of my hero,
And he shows me all that I’ve been missing.
Roman’s sweet, gentle, and kindhearted.
He cares for me and loves me in a fairytale way.
There’s a reason I call him ‘héroe.’
He’s saved me countless times,
And I’ve never been happier.
But I’m warned against him.
My best friend calls him a God of Darkness,
And passerbies shrink at the sight of him.
I just don’t see it.
I know I can be blinded by my optimism,
But how can someone who treats me so well be anything but sincere?
Roman
I love my life.
There’s nothing I want to change.
As the enforcer for the Syndicate, I spend my days inflicting pain.
My anger fuels me,
And I bask in the ruthless reputation I’ve earned.
I’m the monster the other monsters fear,
And I fucking love it.
Until an innocent goddess tumbles into my arms.
Suddenly, my life is turned upside down.
I’m having to hide who I am and what I do,
Because I won’t change me,
But I also can’t let her see beneath the mask.
My sweet sunshine is too pure for my life,
And despite it being in her best interest,
I can’t seem to stay away.
The more I’m around her, the more I learn about her…
The more I know she’s mine.
And I’ll do anything to keep her.
Even if that means deceiving her.
No one, not even she, can keep me away,
And if it comes to it, she won’t have a choice.
This is a dark, mafia romance built on love, deception, and betrayal. He didn't plan on falling in love, but now nothing can take his sunshine away. Intended for readers 18+.
Cecilia
My days pass in a blur.
Yoga, work, and friends occupy my time.
I don’t have any complaints though.
There isn’t anything I’d change.
Not until I literally fall into the arms of my hero,
And he shows me all that I’ve been missing.
Roman’s sweet, gentle, and kindhearted.
He cares for me and loves me in a fairytale way.
There’s a reason I call him ‘héroe.’
He’s saved me countless times,
And I’ve never been happier.
But I’m warned against him.
My best friend calls him a God of Darkness,
And passerbies shrink at the sight of him.
I just don’t see it.
I know I can be blinded by my optimism,
But how can someone who treats me so well be anything but sincere?
Roman
I love my life.
There’s nothing I want to change.
As the enforcer for the Syndicate, I spend my days inflicting pain.
My anger fuels me,
And I bask in the ruthless reputation I’ve earned.
I’m the monster the other monsters fear,
And I fucking love it.
Until an innocent goddess tumbles into my arms.
Suddenly, my life is turned upside down.
I’m having to hide who I am and what I do,
Because I won’t change me,
But I also can’t let her see beneath the mask.
My sweet sunshine is too pure for my life,
And despite it being in her best interest,
I can’t seem to stay away.
The more I’m around her, the more I learn about her…
The more I know she’s mine.
And I’ll do anything to keep her.
Even if that means deceiving her.
No one, not even she, can keep me away,
And if it comes to it, she won’t have a choice.
This is a dark, mafia romance built on love, deception, and betrayal. He didn't plan on falling in love, but now nothing can take his sunshine away. Intended for readers 18+.
385 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 7, 2025
16 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
About the author
Ellie Hallaron
3 books14 followersEllie Hallaron is an author and lifelong storyteller, always turning ordinary moments into something worth retelling.
She fell in love with books early on, and growing up, the only punishment that ever stuck was having them taken away. Novels have always felt like home, first as a reader, now as a writer.
Ellie writes emotionally charged romance with depth, intensity, and heroes you probably shouldn't fall for… but absolutely will.
When she’s not writing, she’s usually with friends and family who patiently endure her spirals over fictional characters, or she’s dreaming up the next story.
She’s thrilled to finally share her words with readers. And she’s just getting started.
STALK ELLIE ONLINE HERE:
TikTok: @EllieHallaron.Author
Instagram: @EllieHallaron.Author
She fell in love with books early on, and growing up, the only punishment that ever stuck was having them taken away. Novels have always felt like home, first as a reader, now as a writer.
Ellie writes emotionally charged romance with depth, intensity, and heroes you probably shouldn't fall for… but absolutely will.
When she’s not writing, she’s usually with friends and family who patiently endure her spirals over fictional characters, or she’s dreaming up the next story.
She’s thrilled to finally share her words with readers. And she’s just getting started.
STALK ELLIE ONLINE HERE:
TikTok: @EllieHallaron.Author
Instagram: @EllieHallaron.Author
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
October 9, 2025
This book was amazing!! I didn’t think I would like Roman more than Matthias from book one, but book two was amazing! I loved Roman’s character development and growth and how much his family reacts to it as well 😝 iykyk
Cecilia was such a different personality from Margot and her sunny personality compared to Roman’s darkness made for such a good storyline. The plot moves at a good pace where you get time to learn more about Cecilia and Roman as people and then as a couple before trouble comes along.
Overall a very engaging, spicy, and emotional novel.
I simply cannot wait to read book 3!!
Cecilia was such a different personality from Margot and her sunny personality compared to Roman’s darkness made for such a good storyline. The plot moves at a good pace where you get time to learn more about Cecilia and Roman as people and then as a couple before trouble comes along.
Overall a very engaging, spicy, and emotional novel.
I simply cannot wait to read book 3!!
October 7, 2025
Was lucky to get an ARC copy of this and really enjoyed it! Better than book 1! Who doesn’t love a possessive man!
November 14, 2025
3.25 for this one all because of the annoying FMC!
All of the stars here go to Roman. I loved him. He was obsessive, possessive, sweet and caring. Only to his girl. Everyone else is afraid of him. He did do some things to get her to be closer to him that I didn’t necessarily agree with but his obsession with her was the best.
Now to the reason I didn’t love this book. The damn FMC, Celia!! She’s all rainbows and sunshine and at the beginning it was endearing but then it became the most annoying thing. Like saying she forgives the guy who drugged her! Like wtf? Her level of naivety became beyond frustrating!! It was like this girl didn’t have two brain cells to rub together. She had no backbone when it counted. She let her guy bff treat her a certain way without saying anything, she let her boss call her a slut and proposition her without saying anything!! She let some guy rob her without even putting up a fight. She was like a dead fish. And then..then, the time she does fight back is against the man she loves who would literally do anything for her. Like please make that make sense?!! It became so hard to read her POV I was so over her honestly.
Also for the FMC to have so many things happen to her during the book while nothing bad has ever happened to her before was just so unrealistic. She’s all “nothing ever bad happens in Boston” and then she gets drugged, she gets mugged and her boss hits on her. Oh so all of a sudden all this stuff is happening now? I was also very upset by the fact that Roman and Gracie didn’t tell Celia who drugged her!! Like why the hell wouldn’t you tell someone that the person who drugged you was someone you trusted. He could have easily contacted her again and she would be none the wiser. That was so stupid. Celia made me so mad when she believed Leo and ran away without even talking to Roman. Another reason her naivety ruined this book for me. She spent 5 weeks away all because of one conversation with a man she hadn’t seen or spoken to in months. Didn’t talk to her family or friends in that whole time and when she comes back she doesn’t even contact them? And we never see her explaining to them why she wasn’t in contact for so long??
Super bummed Gracie and Dom don’t end up together. I honestly that they would have made a great pair. I loved Gracie, she was a fierce friend and I hated that she was there for the first half of the book and then went away to London and she was just never mentioned again until the epilogue.
No cheating or OW drama
OM drama (her bff wants her)
5 week separation (because the FMC is an idiot)
Virgin FMC/ experienced MMC (because of course)
Drugging (by MMC and also not by MMC)
Torture and murder
HEA
All of the stars here go to Roman. I loved him. He was obsessive, possessive, sweet and caring. Only to his girl. Everyone else is afraid of him. He did do some things to get her to be closer to him that I didn’t necessarily agree with but his obsession with her was the best.
Now to the reason I didn’t love this book. The damn FMC, Celia!! She’s all rainbows and sunshine and at the beginning it was endearing but then it became the most annoying thing. Like saying she forgives the guy who drugged her! Like wtf? Her level of naivety became beyond frustrating!! It was like this girl didn’t have two brain cells to rub together. She had no backbone when it counted. She let her guy bff treat her a certain way without saying anything, she let her boss call her a slut and proposition her without saying anything!! She let some guy rob her without even putting up a fight. She was like a dead fish. And then..then, the time she does fight back is against the man she loves who would literally do anything for her. Like please make that make sense?!! It became so hard to read her POV I was so over her honestly.
Also for the FMC to have so many things happen to her during the book while nothing bad has ever happened to her before was just so unrealistic. She’s all “nothing ever bad happens in Boston” and then she gets drugged, she gets mugged and her boss hits on her. Oh so all of a sudden all this stuff is happening now? I was also very upset by the fact that Roman and Gracie didn’t tell Celia who drugged her!! Like why the hell wouldn’t you tell someone that the person who drugged you was someone you trusted. He could have easily contacted her again and she would be none the wiser. That was so stupid. Celia made me so mad when she believed Leo and ran away without even talking to Roman. Another reason her naivety ruined this book for me. She spent 5 weeks away all because of one conversation with a man she hadn’t seen or spoken to in months. Didn’t talk to her family or friends in that whole time and when she comes back she doesn’t even contact them? And we never see her explaining to them why she wasn’t in contact for so long??
Super bummed Gracie and Dom don’t end up together. I honestly that they would have made a great pair. I loved Gracie, she was a fierce friend and I hated that she was there for the first half of the book and then went away to London and she was just never mentioned again until the epilogue.
No cheating or OW drama
OM drama (her bff wants her)
5 week separation (because the FMC is an idiot)
Virgin FMC/ experienced MMC (because of course)
Drugging (by MMC and also not by MMC)
Torture and murder
HEA
October 8, 2025
⭐️⭐️Disappointing Follow-Up That Lost the Spark of Book One (ARC)
I really wanted to love this book after how much I enjoyed the first in the series, but unfortunately, this one just didn’t work for me. I tried....honestly, I did but I couldn’t connect with Cecilia at all, I did not like her one bit. Her extreme naivety made her come across as frustratingly gullible and dimwitted, and it completely killed the chemistry I was expecting between her and Roman.
The entire vibe felt off compared to what book one built up for his character, and I found myself skimming through most of Cecilia’s chapters just to get through it because she was so unrealistically annoying. There was also a major plot hole that bothered me, the scene where she’s roofied is brushed aside and not addressed again for ages considering this was done by one of her bestfriends, which really disrupted the story’s flow and credibility.
Overall, I’m just so disappointed. What started as a promising dark mafia romance turned into something that felt shallow and mismatched. I still love Roman as a character, but this pairing and storyline just didn’t deliver for me.
BookBound and Blushed
Sonya
I really wanted to love this book after how much I enjoyed the first in the series, but unfortunately, this one just didn’t work for me. I tried....honestly, I did but I couldn’t connect with Cecilia at all, I did not like her one bit. Her extreme naivety made her come across as frustratingly gullible and dimwitted, and it completely killed the chemistry I was expecting between her and Roman.
The entire vibe felt off compared to what book one built up for his character, and I found myself skimming through most of Cecilia’s chapters just to get through it because she was so unrealistically annoying. There was also a major plot hole that bothered me, the scene where she’s roofied is brushed aside and not addressed again for ages considering this was done by one of her bestfriends, which really disrupted the story’s flow and credibility.
Overall, I’m just so disappointed. What started as a promising dark mafia romance turned into something that felt shallow and mismatched. I still love Roman as a character, but this pairing and storyline just didn’t deliver for me.
BookBound and Blushed
Sonya
October 10, 2025
héroe and sunshine 💙
What a rollercoaster!! This book has so many juxtapositions that make it great. We start with the MMC -Roman Montclair.
He is...so many things. Hes brutal in his role as the enforcer for the syndicate. He's unhinged in how he manipulates situations to get exactly what he wants with Cecilia- it sounds creepy but it's also totally hot. He's also so dang sweet and romantic. Then, we have Cecilia- sunshine incarnate- she starts her mornings off with affirmations, is so kind to her friends, and loves doing yoga 😏😏 . I was curious how someone so sweet and a little naive like Cecilia would match with someone ruthless like Roman.
One of the things I love about Ellie's writing is that the main characters go through a transformation throughout the story. Roman's character arch shows how much his emotional intelligence grows, he starts off cold, detached, but at the end, he's professing his love in Spanish and giving up control to Cecilia. Her growth happens within her sense of herself- faced with tough decisions- she knows exactly what she wants, who she wants it with, and isn't holding back from getting it. I'm definitely coming back for more and Dom's story is up next!
What a rollercoaster!! This book has so many juxtapositions that make it great. We start with the MMC -Roman Montclair.
He is...so many things. Hes brutal in his role as the enforcer for the syndicate. He's unhinged in how he manipulates situations to get exactly what he wants with Cecilia- it sounds creepy but it's also totally hot. He's also so dang sweet and romantic. Then, we have Cecilia- sunshine incarnate- she starts her mornings off with affirmations, is so kind to her friends, and loves doing yoga 😏😏 . I was curious how someone so sweet and a little naive like Cecilia would match with someone ruthless like Roman.
One of the things I love about Ellie's writing is that the main characters go through a transformation throughout the story. Roman's character arch shows how much his emotional intelligence grows, he starts off cold, detached, but at the end, he's professing his love in Spanish and giving up control to Cecilia. Her growth happens within her sense of herself- faced with tough decisions- she knows exactly what she wants, who she wants it with, and isn't holding back from getting it. I'm definitely coming back for more and Dom's story is up next!
October 8, 2025
Tropes: dark grumpy x sunshine • hidden identity • forced proximity • crime syndicate romance
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ (moderately spicy, passionate but plot-driven)
Deceptive Desires by Ellie Hallaron (Book 2 in The Syndicate Series) completely pulled me out of a two-month reading slump. In Innocent Intentions (Book 1), we met Matthias and Margot, and got a glimpse of Roman, the Syndicate’s hitman and enforcer. In this book, Roman finally takes the lead, and his story with Cecelia is pure chemistry and chaos in the best way.
Roman rescues Cecelia after she’s injured and concussed. She’s a peace-loving, yoga-obsessed, innocent soul who has no idea what he really does for a living. Their attraction is instant. She sees him as her hero, never realizing some of the situations he’s saving her from are ones he helped create.
When the truth about Roman’s world finally comes out, everything explodes. The question becomes: can their love survive the lies?
I loved how Ellie Hallaron gave each POV such a distinct tone. Roman’s intensity versus Cecelia’s soft, hopeful voice. The dark-grumpy-meets-sunshine dynamic hits perfectly here. The pacing is tight, the writing is sharp, and you can’t help but root for this beautifully mismatched pair.
This is an addictive, emotional, and deliciously steamy read.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ (moderately spicy, passionate but plot-driven)
Deceptive Desires by Ellie Hallaron (Book 2 in The Syndicate Series) completely pulled me out of a two-month reading slump. In Innocent Intentions (Book 1), we met Matthias and Margot, and got a glimpse of Roman, the Syndicate’s hitman and enforcer. In this book, Roman finally takes the lead, and his story with Cecelia is pure chemistry and chaos in the best way.
Roman rescues Cecelia after she’s injured and concussed. She’s a peace-loving, yoga-obsessed, innocent soul who has no idea what he really does for a living. Their attraction is instant. She sees him as her hero, never realizing some of the situations he’s saving her from are ones he helped create.
When the truth about Roman’s world finally comes out, everything explodes. The question becomes: can their love survive the lies?
I loved how Ellie Hallaron gave each POV such a distinct tone. Roman’s intensity versus Cecelia’s soft, hopeful voice. The dark-grumpy-meets-sunshine dynamic hits perfectly here. The pacing is tight, the writing is sharp, and you can’t help but root for this beautifully mismatched pair.
This is an addictive, emotional, and deliciously steamy read.
October 15, 2025
I will never ever tire of Ellie's writing. Yet again she's given us all a book that makes me want to scream into a pillow and cry happy tears at the same time. book 2 is sexy, funny, dangerous and I could not put it down! (ARC reader)
October 7, 2025
This book is just wow! If you loved Innocent Intentions you must read Deceptive Desires. I loved both books, but this one is on a whole different level. Roman is the bad guy that you can’t help but like and wish him a happy ending. And Cecilia is just a ball of oblivious sunshine who loves Roman’s charm. The development of their relationship is not too fast and not too slow which I really enjoyed. I can’t recommend this book enough!
September 30, 2025
I received this book as an Arc and let me tell you! I was waiting for Romans story while I read Innocent Intentions and this book did not disappoint!
Roman is a murderous psycho who forces himself to become the hero to keep his girl. He becomes everything she needs him to be, all while hiding his true self from her—but don’t worry, you still get everything you want from a dark romance. Roman and Cecilia are the perfect pair of good and bad and the ending?? *happy tears*
Roman is a murderous psycho who forces himself to become the hero to keep his girl. He becomes everything she needs him to be, all while hiding his true self from her—but don’t worry, you still get everything you want from a dark romance. Roman and Cecilia are the perfect pair of good and bad and the ending?? *happy tears*
November 21, 2025
Needed him to grovel more & her to make suffer a bit
December 28, 2025
★★★★★ (5/5)
Deceptive Desires by Ellie Hallaron is a stunning follow-up in The Syndicate Series that leans fully into emotional conflict, moral gray areas, and the irresistible pull between light and darkness. This book hooked me early and never let go, delivering both swoony romance and gut-punch tension in equal measure.
Cecilia is pure sunshine without being naïve. Her optimism feels genuine, earned, and deeply tied to who she is, which makes her connection to Roman even more compelling. Watching her fall in love with someone she believes to be her hero—while sensing that something doesn’t quite add up—creates a constant undercurrent of unease that works beautifully for the story.
Roman absolutely steals the show. He’s ruthless, self-aware, and unapologetic about the darkness he inhabits, yet completely undone by Cecilia’s presence. The contrast between who he is in the Syndicate and who he becomes with her is fascinating. His internal struggle—wanting to keep her pure while knowing he’s built on lies—adds real emotional weight, not just surface-level angst.
The romance is intense and consuming, built on moments that feel tender and dangerous at the same time. The deception isn’t just a plot device; it’s the emotional backbone of the story, and the tension surrounding when (and how) the truth might surface is perfectly paced. Ellie Hallaron does an excellent job of making the stakes feel personal as well as dangerous.
Dark, emotional, and addictive, Deceptive Desires is a mafia romance that understands its characters and trusts the reader to sit with the discomfort of loving someone who may not be what they seem. If you love sunshine heroines, morally gray antiheroes, and romance threaded with secrets and betrayal, this book is absolutely worth five stars.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Deceptive Desires by Ellie Hallaron is a stunning follow-up in The Syndicate Series that leans fully into emotional conflict, moral gray areas, and the irresistible pull between light and darkness. This book hooked me early and never let go, delivering both swoony romance and gut-punch tension in equal measure.
Cecilia is pure sunshine without being naïve. Her optimism feels genuine, earned, and deeply tied to who she is, which makes her connection to Roman even more compelling. Watching her fall in love with someone she believes to be her hero—while sensing that something doesn’t quite add up—creates a constant undercurrent of unease that works beautifully for the story.
Roman absolutely steals the show. He’s ruthless, self-aware, and unapologetic about the darkness he inhabits, yet completely undone by Cecilia’s presence. The contrast between who he is in the Syndicate and who he becomes with her is fascinating. His internal struggle—wanting to keep her pure while knowing he’s built on lies—adds real emotional weight, not just surface-level angst.
The romance is intense and consuming, built on moments that feel tender and dangerous at the same time. The deception isn’t just a plot device; it’s the emotional backbone of the story, and the tension surrounding when (and how) the truth might surface is perfectly paced. Ellie Hallaron does an excellent job of making the stakes feel personal as well as dangerous.
Dark, emotional, and addictive, Deceptive Desires is a mafia romance that understands its characters and trusts the reader to sit with the discomfort of loving someone who may not be what they seem. If you love sunshine heroines, morally gray antiheroes, and romance threaded with secrets and betrayal, this book is absolutely worth five stars.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 24, 2026
I was so excited for this book, after reading Innocent Intentions. It was everything I was hoping for!
Roman is the Syndicate’s enforcer. He is brutal, he spares nothing to stop the enemy and protect what is theirs.
Cecelia is an innocent dove. She teaches yoga, finds joy in the smallest of things. She’s an absolute delight.
When an unfortunate accident leaves her falling, quite literally, into Roman’s arms. He has no idea why this woman is in his arms but he finds her intoxicating, and he needs to know more!
Roman WILL have his sunshine! He just has to figure out how to be the perfect boyfriend, to be everything she needs him to be. Which is going to be a feat because Roman is not a kind or loving man. He is a brutally feared enforcer!
Cecelia falls fast and hard for her héroe. He is the kindest, sweetest man she has ever met. But she has no idea what he does for a living. When he introduces her to his family and they hear her gushing about her sweet boyfriend, they are gobsmacked that she’s been so deceived. She must know the truth, but they can’t betray Roman.
When Cecelia is confronted with the truth, her entire world collapses! She can’t face him, so she flees. Little does she know he will stop at nothing to get his sunshine back!
Roman spends the next several weeks in hell, he has to find her!! And when he does, he will lock her away until she loves him as she once did.
Watching Roman go through desperate heartache had me in tears! This book is more intense than the first, building off of a family I already love!!
If you love a great dark mafia romance series with completely unhinged MMCs that are fiercely loyal to those they love, this is a MUST read! 🖤
Roman is the Syndicate’s enforcer. He is brutal, he spares nothing to stop the enemy and protect what is theirs.
Cecelia is an innocent dove. She teaches yoga, finds joy in the smallest of things. She’s an absolute delight.
When an unfortunate accident leaves her falling, quite literally, into Roman’s arms. He has no idea why this woman is in his arms but he finds her intoxicating, and he needs to know more!
Roman WILL have his sunshine! He just has to figure out how to be the perfect boyfriend, to be everything she needs him to be. Which is going to be a feat because Roman is not a kind or loving man. He is a brutally feared enforcer!
Cecelia falls fast and hard for her héroe. He is the kindest, sweetest man she has ever met. But she has no idea what he does for a living. When he introduces her to his family and they hear her gushing about her sweet boyfriend, they are gobsmacked that she’s been so deceived. She must know the truth, but they can’t betray Roman.
When Cecelia is confronted with the truth, her entire world collapses! She can’t face him, so she flees. Little does she know he will stop at nothing to get his sunshine back!
Roman spends the next several weeks in hell, he has to find her!! And when he does, he will lock her away until she loves him as she once did.
Watching Roman go through desperate heartache had me in tears! This book is more intense than the first, building off of a family I already love!!
If you love a great dark mafia romance series with completely unhinged MMCs that are fiercely loyal to those they love, this is a MUST read! 🖤
January 13, 2026
This book demonstrates the big bad killer can also be the soft and caring partner. I LOVE SEEING BOTH SIDES OF ROMAN. Very much the “touch her and ☠️” mentality, very much the “protect her at all cost” mentality.
Now he did go off the damn rails there at the end and i was caught completely off guard, but he came back to earth a bit once he realized acting insane wasn’t getting him his end goal so i appreciate that 😂
I don’t think i’ve ever seen a more naive FMC but it suits the storyline so well and she balances the darkness that’s ensuing.
The build 😮💨😮💨😮💨😮💨
The spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️
The character development 🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼
Opposites attract/grumpy x sunshine
I do wish we got a little more of the dynamic with her bestfriend once she came back from studying abroad and how she reacted to this unhinged behavior from everyone involved because she was a great side character that i think would made for some interesting scenes as that developed due to the dynamic she had with both the MMC AND FMC.
Great read and I cannot wait for the next one 👏🏼
Now he did go off the damn rails there at the end and i was caught completely off guard, but he came back to earth a bit once he realized acting insane wasn’t getting him his end goal so i appreciate that 😂
I don’t think i’ve ever seen a more naive FMC but it suits the storyline so well and she balances the darkness that’s ensuing.
The build 😮💨😮💨😮💨😮💨
The spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️
The character development 🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼
Opposites attract/grumpy x sunshine
I do wish we got a little more of the dynamic with her bestfriend once she came back from studying abroad and how she reacted to this unhinged behavior from everyone involved because she was a great side character that i think would made for some interesting scenes as that developed due to the dynamic she had with both the MMC AND FMC.
Great read and I cannot wait for the next one 👏🏼
November 5, 2025
I had the opportunity to be a beta reader for Deceptive Desires, and I can genuinely say that Ellie has outdone herself. You truly see development between all the characters, and the writing is phenomenal. The relationship between Roman and Cecilia begins under false pretenses, but turns into something so real you can't stop reading. Roman is still that dark heroe that we turned out to love in book 1 of the Syndicate Series but we see a new side of him in this book from Cecilia's doing. Roman and Cecilia bring out the best in each other in this grumpy sunshine novel and you can't help but root for them throughout the story. Plus there's a level of spice between the characters that make you want to read more. Overall, I would highly recommend this book for those of you looking to get into dark romance and hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
January 22, 2026
dark hero and his sunshine
*spoiler*
Roman is a dark hero and Celia is a ray of sunshine who only sees the good. Roman is the enforcer for his crime family but fate has him rescuing his sunshine and she only sees him as her hero. I really enjoyed their relationship and seeing Roman being an absolute gummy bear for her. There were more of the mafia side than the first book which I enjoyed but hope to see even more in the next book. It made me frustrated that Celia didn’t give Roman the benefit of the doubt after all the cryptic messages his family gave her but other then that I really enjoyed there love story and was glad to see that got their dream together.
*spoiler*
Roman is a dark hero and Celia is a ray of sunshine who only sees the good. Roman is the enforcer for his crime family but fate has him rescuing his sunshine and she only sees him as her hero. I really enjoyed their relationship and seeing Roman being an absolute gummy bear for her. There were more of the mafia side than the first book which I enjoyed but hope to see even more in the next book. It made me frustrated that Celia didn’t give Roman the benefit of the doubt after all the cryptic messages his family gave her but other then that I really enjoyed there love story and was glad to see that got their dream together.
December 31, 2025
I would actually give this book 3-1/2 stars. I enjoyed the this second book in the series, however I felt that Cecilia was a little too naive. That being said, she does grow throughout the book as does Roman.
I am looking forward to reading Dom and Katarina’s story soon. Many thanks to Ellie Hallaron for allowing me to be an ARC reader for the next book. I have to say, I am thoroughly enjoying the Montclair Family.
I am looking forward to reading Dom and Katarina’s story soon. Many thanks to Ellie Hallaron for allowing me to be an ARC reader for the next book. I have to say, I am thoroughly enjoying the Montclair Family.
January 3, 2026
OKAY WOW! I am loving this series! I am so interested in all of the brothers and their story line! I rated it 4 star because the fmc was a little too perfect in the beginning and too happy lol. I like Roman's broody attitude! I did like the fmc better at the end of the book! Sometimes her dialogue was too long but it was her personality to talk like that. ROMAN WAS OBSESSED! So excited for the next one
January 14, 2026
How could this series get any better?
I absolutely DEVOURED this book. The writing? Immaculate. The vibes? There. This book was perfectly paced with the right amount of plot and romance. Cecilia was a likeable character- sweet, oblivious, and adorable. Roman played hero, but his true personality shown by the end complimented hers. This book is great if you love:
-Mafia
-Spanish rep FMC
-Obsessive, possessive mmc
-Touch her and die
-a bittt of kidnapping
I absolutely DEVOURED this book. The writing? Immaculate. The vibes? There. This book was perfectly paced with the right amount of plot and romance. Cecilia was a likeable character- sweet, oblivious, and adorable. Roman played hero, but his true personality shown by the end complimented hers. This book is great if you love:
-Mafia
-Spanish rep FMC
-Obsessive, possessive mmc
-Touch her and die
-a bittt of kidnapping
January 26, 2026
I loved it! Roman the enforcer and Celia the sweetheart! This story kept me on my toes …
The only thing that drove me nuts was the nicknames … sunshine I just feel like mafia is not gna overuse a nickname lol but other than that I love the story… Leo pissed me off and I’m glad they got the revenge!
Margot is still one of my favorites and loved seeing a little bit of her in the story as well!!!!
The only thing that drove me nuts was the nicknames … sunshine I just feel like mafia is not gna overuse a nickname lol but other than that I love the story… Leo pissed me off and I’m glad they got the revenge!
Margot is still one of my favorites and loved seeing a little bit of her in the story as well!!!!
January 16, 2026
I had high hopes for this book because I loved the first book with Matthias. I thought Rohman was gonna blow me away, but he didn’t. I just couldn’t handle the amount of lies. For me it was too much and too unbelievable. I might consider 3 1/2 stars just for their wedding vows in the epilogue.
January 18, 2026
This book was amazing!!! I could not put it down! It has obsession, overly protective boyfriend, and the Mafia! What more do you need??
If you love dark mafia romance as much as I do: you will love love love this book! Yes I put 3 loves in there because I absolutely love this book!!!!
If you love dark mafia romance as much as I do: you will love love love this book! Yes I put 3 loves in there because I absolutely love this book!!!!
September 23, 2025
A powerful and impactful story that beautifully embraces cultural differences, blending dark romance with the perfect grumpy-sunshine dynamic. Roman and Cecilia’s love is truly unforgettable
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