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The Alarie Heirs #2
Betrayed in the Dark
Betrayed.
With one letter, that’s what he did to me,
irrevocably splitting my heart down the middle,
causing everything we once shared in secret to become nothing more than a distant memory.
One I try desperately to forget.
So, imagine my shock when my brothers stood before me
to tell me who my new bodyguard would be while I fought back tears,
pretending my heart had never belonged to him.
And only him.
Especially since another man’s ring now rests on my finger.
Yet, every moment spent in his presence makes it harder to stay away.
Every secret embrace makes it nearly impossible to remember why I should hate him.
Even though I never could.
But as lines get crossed and feelings threaten to unravel everything,
there’s one thing I must remind myself:
This wedding is happening,
whether I want it to or not.
There’s just one problem.
The same man who is doing everything in his power to stop me from walking down the aisle
is the one I’m ultimately doing it all for:
Eli Lyon.
With one letter, that’s what he did to me,
irrevocably splitting my heart down the middle,
causing everything we once shared in secret to become nothing more than a distant memory.
One I try desperately to forget.
So, imagine my shock when my brothers stood before me
to tell me who my new bodyguard would be while I fought back tears,
pretending my heart had never belonged to him.
And only him.
Especially since another man’s ring now rests on my finger.
Yet, every moment spent in his presence makes it harder to stay away.
Every secret embrace makes it nearly impossible to remember why I should hate him.
Even though I never could.
But as lines get crossed and feelings threaten to unravel everything,
there’s one thing I must remind myself:
This wedding is happening,
whether I want it to or not.
There’s just one problem.
The same man who is doing everything in his power to stop me from walking down the aisle
is the one I’m ultimately doing it all for:
Eli Lyon.
369 pages, Paperback
Published October 21, 2025
28 people are currently reading
3392 people want to read
About the author
Ashley Elizabeth
6 books251 followersAshley Elizabeth is an author of steamy contemporary romance. Her books will always tell a love story with just the right amount of spice, and most importantly, end with a happily ever after. When she’s not reading a romance novel or overthinking everything, you can find her at Starbucks, keeping them in business, or watching Jurassic Park for the thousandth time with her fur baby, Bailey.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 175 reviews
October 17, 2025
*MF Romance
*Contemporary
*Dual-1st-PoV
*Dark Themes
*Criminal Family
*Bodyguard MMC
*Stubborn FMC
*OM/OW Drama
*Love Letters
*Mid- burn
*Standalone
*Interconnected Series
Such a powerful storyline of how far and willing someone is to save the love of their life ❤️
This book follows the only Alarie sister Madeline and her brother’s best friend Eli Lyon as they face a tumultuous relationship with plenty of other man/woman drama….but with a greater purpose 🙈
Eli’s and Madeline’s relationship began whilst he was in the military and yet one fateful letter sent everything in a tailspin - it’s cleverly written as the letter is hinted at throughout the book but you don’t actually know what it says or it’s true impact until wayyyy later on! Eli comes home to find his soulmate engaged to another and it’s clear that there’s some coercion or something going on as she’s become a different person 😣 yet he’s determined to do anything her can to show her she is HIS and will do anything to protect her 😍 they clash and explode in the absolute best ways as they cannot deny that blazing connection between them 🌶️💥🔥 I loved their that their past letters to each other being interspersed throughout this book, it really added another element to their story and the connection between them 😍
I blitzed through this in one night as I needed to know what the letter send and also what they were going to do to Alastor 😅 I did guess a little beforehand the main cause behind Madeline’s fake engagement and although I was correct in my assumption it didn’t hugely detract away from the enjoyment of reading this 😃 overall a great book in this world and looking forward to what’s In store for the next Alarie!
*Contemporary
*Dual-1st-PoV
*Dark Themes
*Criminal Family
*Bodyguard MMC
*Stubborn FMC
*OM/OW Drama
*Love Letters
*Mid- burn
*Standalone
*Interconnected Series
Such a powerful storyline of how far and willing someone is to save the love of their life ❤️
This book follows the only Alarie sister Madeline and her brother’s best friend Eli Lyon as they face a tumultuous relationship with plenty of other man/woman drama….but with a greater purpose 🙈
Eli’s and Madeline’s relationship began whilst he was in the military and yet one fateful letter sent everything in a tailspin - it’s cleverly written as the letter is hinted at throughout the book but you don’t actually know what it says or it’s true impact until wayyyy later on! Eli comes home to find his soulmate engaged to another and it’s clear that there’s some coercion or something going on as she’s become a different person 😣 yet he’s determined to do anything her can to show her she is HIS and will do anything to protect her 😍 they clash and explode in the absolute best ways as they cannot deny that blazing connection between them 🌶️💥🔥 I loved their that their past letters to each other being interspersed throughout this book, it really added another element to their story and the connection between them 😍
I blitzed through this in one night as I needed to know what the letter send and also what they were going to do to Alastor 😅 I did guess a little beforehand the main cause behind Madeline’s fake engagement and although I was correct in my assumption it didn’t hugely detract away from the enjoyment of reading this 😃 overall a great book in this world and looking forward to what’s In store for the next Alarie!
October 9, 2025
I love the Alarie Heirs series and all of these family members! Madeleine is part of the very powerful Alarie family. Eli has been an honorary member of the family since he was little. These two grew up together. When he goes off to the military, they start writing each other letters and their friendship blossoms into something more. But one last letter causes her heartbreak and she finds herself doing something she can’t undo.
This story is full of yearning and angst. Madeleine and Eli share a beautiful connection that is soul deep. They go from friends, to lovers, to barely being able to look at each other, yet not being able to stay away from one another. It’s frustrating at times too because I just wanted to scream at them to sit down and talk it out. I absolutely adore her brothers too and can’t wait to find out what’s going on with Mauro & his FMC. He and Alex have me most intrigued.
This story is full of yearning and angst. Madeleine and Eli share a beautiful connection that is soul deep. They go from friends, to lovers, to barely being able to look at each other, yet not being able to stay away from one another. It’s frustrating at times too because I just wanted to scream at them to sit down and talk it out. I absolutely adore her brothers too and can’t wait to find out what’s going on with Mauro & his FMC. He and Alex have me most intrigued.
October 21, 2025
I would suggest you read the first book in the series, Broken in the Dark, to get a feel of Madeline and Eli and the way they do/don’t interact with each other.
We get past and present settings to get see the connection and the love between Madeline and Eli. Things were set in motion for Madeline(unknowingly to her) to seek help outside her family for her beloved Eli. A deal was brokered and Eli came back to a situation where he is left in disbelief. Every moment between them felt electric-a lingering glance, a brush of fingers not quite touching, words left unsaid but heavy with meaning. The air between them pulsed with history and heartache, making even the quietest scenes feel intimate. And the romance? It wasn’t just physical it was deeply emotional, every encounter steeped in vulnerability and longing. It was a love that spoke in silences and stayed long after the page was turned.
Now I’m ready for book 3…ASAP.
We get past and present settings to get see the connection and the love between Madeline and Eli. Things were set in motion for Madeline(unknowingly to her) to seek help outside her family for her beloved Eli. A deal was brokered and Eli came back to a situation where he is left in disbelief. Every moment between them felt electric-a lingering glance, a brush of fingers not quite touching, words left unsaid but heavy with meaning. The air between them pulsed with history and heartache, making even the quietest scenes feel intimate. And the romance? It wasn’t just physical it was deeply emotional, every encounter steeped in vulnerability and longing. It was a love that spoke in silences and stayed long after the page was turned.
Now I’m ready for book 3…ASAP.
October 29, 2025
I really don't know how to put this book into words.
You can read this one as a standalone - personally, I think part of the draw to Eli and Maddy is not knowing their connection from the previous book. But if you read the previous book, then parts of the mystery behind their interactions are already known.
I really enjoyed the flow and pacing of this story. The letters between them are placed perfectly within the story and help readers learn about their history and how they came to be where they are today.
This is a thrilling romantic, mafia suspense story. It's a great way for people to dip their toes into the darker-ish parts of the romance world without getting turned off completely from dark romance.
Loved this one! Can't wait for the next book in this series!!
You can read this one as a standalone - personally, I think part of the draw to Eli and Maddy is not knowing their connection from the previous book. But if you read the previous book, then parts of the mystery behind their interactions are already known.
I really enjoyed the flow and pacing of this story. The letters between them are placed perfectly within the story and help readers learn about their history and how they came to be where they are today.
This is a thrilling romantic, mafia suspense story. It's a great way for people to dip their toes into the darker-ish parts of the romance world without getting turned off completely from dark romance.
Loved this one! Can't wait for the next book in this series!!
October 11, 2025
*ARC Review*
“Betrayed in the Dark” was a mix of angst, heartbreak, and heartfelt secret [and obvious] longing. Adored Eli and Maddy. There was so much domesticity enveloping them even when they weren’t actually together. I love that behind everyone else’s backs even with her compromised they still shared so many intimate moments. Eli was so protective and ugh he really was her knight in shining armor. Tortured war hero, absolutely in love with this girl who’s been the light of his eyes. The “It’s only ever been you” —it’s not explicit, but I’m pretty sure they’ve been each other’s first and only!!
I want to see Vin shine. He’s such a good big brother. And as I said in my review of “Broken in the Dark,” it’s so refreshing that he’s not aloof like many head of the family big brothers in dark romances as such.
I did miss Leo and Scarlett, because separately they made their appearances, but even when they were in a scene together there was no interaction that stood out as cheesy or just them talking/being tender with each other—usually these cameos are present in the subsequent books of a series. So I missed not getting to see that. But his overprotectiveness was mentioned throughout, so I guess that was enough.
Rating 4.8 ⭐️
Spice 3.3 🌶️
Tropes/Micro-tropes:
💍Arranged marriage (not to mmc)
💍Bodyguard x Best friend’s little sister
💍Panic attacks
💍Reverse “who did this to you?”
💍Fmc w migraines
💍Mmc w PTSD
💍Spanking
💍Slight exhibitionism kink
💍Breath play
~Mmc with an accent! and military past, letters exchanged over the years, found family (mmc grew up with fmc’s family), friends to lovers to enemies then lovers again, miscommunication, miscarriage recollection, grief, psychotic and obsessive bitch trying to keep mmc and fmc apart.
🪄❤️🩹He calls her “Princess”❤️🩹🪄
She stress shops and anxiously eats tubs of ice cream!
She’s also a boss—defiant and outspoken!
Epic lines:
🎡“You never had the chance to grieve this loss properly. So, let me hold you a little while longer. Let me take all the tears and pain and hold on to it for you so you don’t have to bear the weight of the world on your shoulders anymore. You’re not alone, love. I’m here.”
🎡“I’m going to spend forever loving you. Although, to tell you the truth, forever doesn’t sound like enough time.”
*Spoilers*
-Eli and Maddy marrying each other in secret right before chaos ensues? Kinda epic.
-What word starts with “h” followed by a “u” and has the implication of wedding bells all over? Lol it took me some seconds to get what Madeleine was going to say as she was cut off, but her dreamy eyes tied it together!
-Cressida being an evil bitch really caught me off guard (way to go! villain in book one was predictably confirmed in his first mention, so this was a great improvement in writing).
“Betrayed in the Dark” was a mix of angst, heartbreak, and heartfelt secret [and obvious] longing. Adored Eli and Maddy. There was so much domesticity enveloping them even when they weren’t actually together. I love that behind everyone else’s backs even with her compromised they still shared so many intimate moments. Eli was so protective and ugh he really was her knight in shining armor. Tortured war hero, absolutely in love with this girl who’s been the light of his eyes. The “It’s only ever been you” —it’s not explicit, but I’m pretty sure they’ve been each other’s first and only!!
I want to see Vin shine. He’s such a good big brother. And as I said in my review of “Broken in the Dark,” it’s so refreshing that he’s not aloof like many head of the family big brothers in dark romances as such.
I did miss Leo and Scarlett, because separately they made their appearances, but even when they were in a scene together there was no interaction that stood out as cheesy or just them talking/being tender with each other—usually these cameos are present in the subsequent books of a series. So I missed not getting to see that. But his overprotectiveness was mentioned throughout, so I guess that was enough.
Rating 4.8 ⭐️
Spice 3.3 🌶️
Tropes/Micro-tropes:
💍Arranged marriage (not to mmc)
💍Bodyguard x Best friend’s little sister
💍Panic attacks
💍Reverse “who did this to you?”
💍Fmc w migraines
💍Mmc w PTSD
💍Spanking
💍Slight exhibitionism kink
💍Breath play
~Mmc with an accent! and military past, letters exchanged over the years, found family (mmc grew up with fmc’s family), friends to lovers to enemies then lovers again, miscommunication, miscarriage recollection, grief, psychotic and obsessive bitch trying to keep mmc and fmc apart.
🪄❤️🩹He calls her “Princess”❤️🩹🪄
She stress shops and anxiously eats tubs of ice cream!
She’s also a boss—defiant and outspoken!
Epic lines:
🎡“You never had the chance to grieve this loss properly. So, let me hold you a little while longer. Let me take all the tears and pain and hold on to it for you so you don’t have to bear the weight of the world on your shoulders anymore. You’re not alone, love. I’m here.”
🎡“I’m going to spend forever loving you. Although, to tell you the truth, forever doesn’t sound like enough time.”
*Spoilers*
-Eli and Maddy marrying each other in secret right before chaos ensues? Kinda epic.
-What word starts with “h” followed by a “u” and has the implication of wedding bells all over? Lol it took me some seconds to get what Madeleine was going to say as she was cut off, but her dreamy eyes tied it together!
-Cressida being an evil bitch really caught me off guard (way to go! villain in book one was predictably confirmed in his first mention, so this was a great improvement in writing).
October 10, 2025
Betrayed in the Dark by Ashley Elizabeth caught my attention from the prologue, not only because of the story, but also because of the intensity in the author’s writing — it even brought me to tears within the first few pages. Once I started it, I couldn’t put it down.
Eli was so easy to love! He’s possessive, but not in a way that crosses Madeline’s boundaries. He’s attentive and caring, easily reading Madeline and always putting her first. Madeline is such an interesting character too — strong, considering the world she lives in. But I loved seeing those rare moments of vulnerability she shares with Eli. Their connection feels truly special — Madeline can be her real self around him, and Eli’s demons quiet in her presence.
Together? Sparks fly! Their interactions are absolutely delightful. I knew I was going to love them from their very first meeting. They broke my heart at times, but slowly pieced it back together. And I have to admit, the way certain things are kept hidden definitely kept me hooked. My curiosity was off the charts.
I had so many theories about what really happened. It’s clear there are some misunderstandings at play, but it takes a while to see how everything fits together. I was dying to find out what those four words were. Did I figure out a few things a bit early? Yes, but there were still plenty of surprises along the way.
This was my first encounter with @ahsleyelizabethauthor, but definitely not the last! I love stories that make me cry, spark my curiosity and make me fall in love with the characters’ relationships, and Betrayed in the Dark ticked all those boxes!
“We all bear scars.Some that can be seen, and others that can’t.” ❤️🩹
Releases October 21st! Thank you so much @greyspromo for sending me this ARC! ❤️
Eli was so easy to love! He’s possessive, but not in a way that crosses Madeline’s boundaries. He’s attentive and caring, easily reading Madeline and always putting her first. Madeline is such an interesting character too — strong, considering the world she lives in. But I loved seeing those rare moments of vulnerability she shares with Eli. Their connection feels truly special — Madeline can be her real self around him, and Eli’s demons quiet in her presence.
Together? Sparks fly! Their interactions are absolutely delightful. I knew I was going to love them from their very first meeting. They broke my heart at times, but slowly pieced it back together. And I have to admit, the way certain things are kept hidden definitely kept me hooked. My curiosity was off the charts.
I had so many theories about what really happened. It’s clear there are some misunderstandings at play, but it takes a while to see how everything fits together. I was dying to find out what those four words were. Did I figure out a few things a bit early? Yes, but there were still plenty of surprises along the way.
This was my first encounter with @ahsleyelizabethauthor, but definitely not the last! I love stories that make me cry, spark my curiosity and make me fall in love with the characters’ relationships, and Betrayed in the Dark ticked all those boxes!
“We all bear scars.Some that can be seen, and others that can’t.” ❤️🩹
Releases October 21st! Thank you so much @greyspromo for sending me this ARC! ❤️
October 11, 2025
“𝙄𝙣 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙, 𝙄’𝙢 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙖𝙨 𝙖 𝙘𝙤𝙡𝙙, 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙗*𝙩𝙘𝙝 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙨 𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙘𝙮 𝙤𝙣 𝙣𝙤 𝙤𝙣𝙚.”
Book 2 in the Alarie series, if you have not read book 1 broken in the dark, I highly suggest doing so and then reading this one.
After reading broken in the dark I was extremely enticed with the story behind Madeleine and Eli.
Betrayed in the dark, is their story.
Madeleine is the only daughter in the Alarie family. She has 4 brothers. (One being Leo the MMC in broken in the dark 🥵)
Eli is Leo’s best friend, and has been a part of their family for many years.
After many years in the military, and now ex Navy Seal, Eli is back on the Alarie estate and Madeleines new body guard.
There was so much to speculate throughout this book. Madeleine is engaged to Alastor, and no one seems to know why. Something happened between her and Eli, which forces her to “hate” him.
This book made me cry, swoon, laugh and frustrated. It was a rollercoaster of emotions.
You get brothers best friend, second chance, found family, morally grey, forced proximity, touch her and die, and it’s always been you.
I did not want this book to end, but thankfully there are 3 more coming for the rest of the Alarie men 🥵.
Leo was added to my book boyfriend list, and Eli is right there with him 🥹❤️
“𝙄’𝙢 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙘𝙖𝙢𝙚 𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙈𝙞𝙙𝙙𝙡𝙚 𝙀𝙖𝙨𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙄’𝙫𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙞𝙣 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙢𝙮 𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙧𝙚 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙖𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙢𝙖𝙣. 𝙄’𝙢 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙗𝙧𝙪𝙩𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙧𝙞𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙙 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙨𝙩, 𝙨𝙝𝙧𝙚𝙙𝙙𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙖 𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙛*𝙘𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙥𝙞𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙨. 𝙎𝙤, 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙖𝙘𝙘𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙢𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙝𝙪𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙨𝙝𝙚’𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙘𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙚𝙢𝙞𝙩𝙨 𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙞𝙨 𝙢𝙮 𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙨𝙩, 𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙣𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩?”
Book 2 in the Alarie series, if you have not read book 1 broken in the dark, I highly suggest doing so and then reading this one.
After reading broken in the dark I was extremely enticed with the story behind Madeleine and Eli.
Betrayed in the dark, is their story.
Madeleine is the only daughter in the Alarie family. She has 4 brothers. (One being Leo the MMC in broken in the dark 🥵)
Eli is Leo’s best friend, and has been a part of their family for many years.
After many years in the military, and now ex Navy Seal, Eli is back on the Alarie estate and Madeleines new body guard.
There was so much to speculate throughout this book. Madeleine is engaged to Alastor, and no one seems to know why. Something happened between her and Eli, which forces her to “hate” him.
This book made me cry, swoon, laugh and frustrated. It was a rollercoaster of emotions.
You get brothers best friend, second chance, found family, morally grey, forced proximity, touch her and die, and it’s always been you.
I did not want this book to end, but thankfully there are 3 more coming for the rest of the Alarie men 🥵.
Leo was added to my book boyfriend list, and Eli is right there with him 🥹❤️
“𝙄’𝙢 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙘𝙖𝙢𝙚 𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙈𝙞𝙙𝙙𝙡𝙚 𝙀𝙖𝙨𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙄’𝙫𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙞𝙣 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙢𝙮 𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙧𝙚 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙖𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙢𝙖𝙣. 𝙄’𝙢 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙗𝙧𝙪𝙩𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙧𝙞𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙙 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙨𝙩, 𝙨𝙝𝙧𝙚𝙙𝙙𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙖 𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙛*𝙘𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙥𝙞𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙨. 𝙎𝙤, 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙖𝙘𝙘𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙢𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙝𝙪𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙨𝙝𝙚’𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙘𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙚𝙢𝙞𝙩𝙨 𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙞𝙨 𝙢𝙮 𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙨𝙩, 𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙣𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩?”
October 12, 2025
“𝑯𝒆 𝒉𝒖𝒓𝒕 𝒉𝒆𝒓. 𝑯𝒆 𝒉𝒖𝒓𝒕 𝒎𝒚 𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒔𝒔.”
“𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒐𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕’𝒔 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏.”
Those lines live rent-free in my head.
Betrayed in the Dark was one of my most anticipated reads — and Eli and Madeleine completely owned me. The yearning between them? Constant. Heavy. Deliciously painful. It’s that kind of slow-burn ache that settles in your chest and refuses to leave.
The angst had me on edge the entire time — every glance, every near-touch, every unspoken word felt like it was charged with history and heartbreak. And the spice? Let’s just say it wasn’t only physical — it hit on such an emotional level that every scene carried weight. It wasn’t just heat, it was connection.
Alastor, we hate you (deeply and personally). But Madeleine’s sacrifice was everything — quiet, selfless, and so heartbreakingly pure. Through every betrayal and every year apart, Eli and Madeleine kept finding their way back. It’s love that hurts, heals, and still chooses itself.
Dark, emotional, and achingly romantic — this story doesn’t just burn; it lingers.
The Alarie Heirs? Absolute chaos and charm wrapped in perfection. Each one has such a distinct vibe, it’s impossible not to fall for them all in different ways. If you haven’t read Book 1 yet — go, *run*! You need the full experience.
As for me? I’m just over here *impatiently waiting* for Mauro’s story. I already know he’s going to ruin me (in the best way). 💀❤️
“𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒐𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕’𝒔 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏.”
Those lines live rent-free in my head.
Betrayed in the Dark was one of my most anticipated reads — and Eli and Madeleine completely owned me. The yearning between them? Constant. Heavy. Deliciously painful. It’s that kind of slow-burn ache that settles in your chest and refuses to leave.
The angst had me on edge the entire time — every glance, every near-touch, every unspoken word felt like it was charged with history and heartbreak. And the spice? Let’s just say it wasn’t only physical — it hit on such an emotional level that every scene carried weight. It wasn’t just heat, it was connection.
Alastor, we hate you (deeply and personally). But Madeleine’s sacrifice was everything — quiet, selfless, and so heartbreakingly pure. Through every betrayal and every year apart, Eli and Madeleine kept finding their way back. It’s love that hurts, heals, and still chooses itself.
Dark, emotional, and achingly romantic — this story doesn’t just burn; it lingers.
The Alarie Heirs? Absolute chaos and charm wrapped in perfection. Each one has such a distinct vibe, it’s impossible not to fall for them all in different ways. If you haven’t read Book 1 yet — go, *run*! You need the full experience.
As for me? I’m just over here *impatiently waiting* for Mauro’s story. I already know he’s going to ruin me (in the best way). 💀❤️
December 6, 2025
3.75
I was really excited to read about Eli and Madeleine's story after getting the snippets in the first book.
This series is def a palette cleanser series for me, just a quick, entertaining(enough), and found family-esque read. I love the sibling relationships I've seen so far, also alex?............................GIVE IT TO ME RIGHT NOW. Really excited for Mauro and Alina, especially after that ending?????
Back to Eli and Maddy, I will see my expectations were a little blown over and I didn't enjoy this that much but it was a quick read and nothing about the plot made me super annoyed or angry(unlike something I just read recently) and I loved a lot of aspects of their relationship, like the letters, the yearning over the years was great BUT, I do think that if there was more tension built up between them with him being her bodyguard and living with her, it wouldn't felt so much better when they finally gave in, but the spice coming up so early just didn't sit right FOR ME, in terms of the story, especially regarding a specific few words that Maddy was hanging onto, it just didn't make much sense for the spice to be there so early in the book, when we could've been building up more tension over yk what.
The plot twist, for me was kind of obvious, but I still liked how things went, especially with the whole Alex aftermath. Also just can't get over the family, how they always have each others backs, how protective they are over Maddy, literally just warmed my whole heart. My guess is that next is Mauro's book, then Alex, and last would be Vin?
Spoiler: PS. I was hoping for Cressida to either be part of Alex's story(which kind of looks like she will be partially bc he killed her), I wanted for her to be a good person in the end, misunderstood perhaps, or be a crazy psychopath, which she technically was, would have loved to explore her mental disorders though.
I was really excited to read about Eli and Madeleine's story after getting the snippets in the first book.
This series is def a palette cleanser series for me, just a quick, entertaining(enough), and found family-esque read. I love the sibling relationships I've seen so far, also alex?............................GIVE IT TO ME RIGHT NOW. Really excited for Mauro and Alina, especially after that ending?????
Back to Eli and Maddy, I will see my expectations were a little blown over and I didn't enjoy this that much but it was a quick read and nothing about the plot made me super annoyed or angry(unlike something I just read recently) and I loved a lot of aspects of their relationship, like the letters, the yearning over the years was great BUT, I do think that if there was more tension built up between them with him being her bodyguard and living with her, it wouldn't felt so much better when they finally gave in, but the spice coming up so early just didn't sit right FOR ME, in terms of the story, especially regarding a specific few words that Maddy was hanging onto, it just didn't make much sense for the spice to be there so early in the book, when we could've been building up more tension over yk what.
The plot twist, for me was kind of obvious, but I still liked how things went, especially with the whole Alex aftermath. Also just can't get over the family, how they always have each others backs, how protective they are over Maddy, literally just warmed my whole heart. My guess is that next is Mauro's book, then Alex, and last would be Vin?
Spoiler: PS. I was hoping for Cressida to either be part of Alex's story(which kind of looks like she will be partially bc he killed her), I wanted for her to be a good person in the end, misunderstood perhaps, or be a crazy psychopath, which she technically was, would have loved to explore her mental disorders though.
October 18, 2025
ARC REVIEW.
6 stars!!
An absolute masterpiece of a book.
How could you not be completely obsessed with a tattooed military man turned bodyguard who calls the woman he is devoted to PRINCESS? Because everything about that makes me weak.
Madeline Alarie is a head strong, tough woman who will show you that she is capable of doing anything by herself, even if it means getting herself into a really tough unexpected situation that nobody can understand.
But that's okay because the author sends you on an emotional SPIRAL throughout the entire book.
You'll feel content and happy, and then you're tearing up and then you're getting angry, then you're happy again, then your jaw hits the floor and then you're SOBBING.
Madeline and Eli are truly my new power couple.
They are so good for each other, you can feel the love and chemistry throughout the entire book.
The Alarie brothers are one of my favorite families, they make you feel safe and honestly there was one scene in this book that really took me by surprise in the BEST way.
Thank you again Ashley Elizabeth for blessing me with an ARC so I can be one of the first to read this incredible book!
6 stars!!
An absolute masterpiece of a book.
How could you not be completely obsessed with a tattooed military man turned bodyguard who calls the woman he is devoted to PRINCESS? Because everything about that makes me weak.
Madeline Alarie is a head strong, tough woman who will show you that she is capable of doing anything by herself, even if it means getting herself into a really tough unexpected situation that nobody can understand.
But that's okay because the author sends you on an emotional SPIRAL throughout the entire book.
You'll feel content and happy, and then you're tearing up and then you're getting angry, then you're happy again, then your jaw hits the floor and then you're SOBBING.
Madeline and Eli are truly my new power couple.
They are so good for each other, you can feel the love and chemistry throughout the entire book.
The Alarie brothers are one of my favorite families, they make you feel safe and honestly there was one scene in this book that really took me by surprise in the BEST way.
Thank you again Ashley Elizabeth for blessing me with an ARC so I can be one of the first to read this incredible book!
October 23, 2025
Book 2 in The Alarie Heirs series: Eli and Madeleine. This is a billionaire, mafia, bodyguard, touch her and d!e, tattooed MMC, strong and fierce FMC, “who hurt you”, secrets, forced proximity, childhood friends to lovers, to estranged to lovers again, brothers best friend, “its always been her”, PTSD representation, military MMC, letters to eachother, dark second chance romance.
This being book 2 in the series it would be better to read book 1, Broken In The Dark, to get the full picture on backstories and character roles, but you can read this on its own and pick up most of everything going on.
I really enjoyed this book. It had me guessing and intrigued, trying to figure out what happened between Eli and Madeleine and why she was agreeing to marry Alastor.
Would definitely recommend, it sucked me in from the start and I was invested until the end
This being book 2 in the series it would be better to read book 1, Broken In The Dark, to get the full picture on backstories and character roles, but you can read this on its own and pick up most of everything going on.
I really enjoyed this book. It had me guessing and intrigued, trying to figure out what happened between Eli and Madeleine and why she was agreeing to marry Alastor.
Would definitely recommend, it sucked me in from the start and I was invested until the end
October 17, 2025
I loved this book so much! It had me feeling so many things all at once but the miscommunication had me screaming at my kindle. It really is a beautiful story with excellent writing and great characters. I love the plot! It’s as deeply emotional and had a really strong found family between Eli and Madeline’s family, and of course amazing relationships within the family as well as well. They’ve been in love since they were kids but get seperated when he goes to the military, only for him to come back and see her with another man. He gets assigned as her bodyguard and yess the forced proximity is hitting hard. There’s so much tension, and they’re both
incredibly broken, but won’t admit it, just waiting for the other to crack. have such a soft spot (or more like tendency to cry) when reading love letters. And Eli wrote letters to her all the years her was away serving the military. she was his hope, he looked forward to receiving the letter every day, and he’s the definition of whipped! The author used suspense really well, because she kept hinting at the letter that made her and at him in the first place but didn’t tell us into very far in. And the plot twists that followed were shocking. This book is a 4.5/5 because it really touched my heart and I cried quite a lot. However point five off because of the continued miscommunication! Babe if you’re mad at your boyfriend, talk to him!
incredibly broken, but won’t admit it, just waiting for the other to crack. have such a soft spot (or more like tendency to cry) when reading love letters. And Eli wrote letters to her all the years her was away serving the military. she was his hope, he looked forward to receiving the letter every day, and he’s the definition of whipped! The author used suspense really well, because she kept hinting at the letter that made her and at him in the first place but didn’t tell us into very far in. And the plot twists that followed were shocking. This book is a 4.5/5 because it really touched my heart and I cried quite a lot. However point five off because of the continued miscommunication! Babe if you’re mad at your boyfriend, talk to him!
November 4, 2025
Annnd here's me crying like a baby over here. Ashley's books always bring out the whole spectrum of emotions for me. She writes so passionately and you can tell she puts her heart and soul into every one of her characters. Madelaine & Eli are that couple that you want nothing but absolute happiness for. They are just utter perfection together. And once again Ashley takes us on a wild ride of secrets, deceptions, miscommunication and so much passion!
If you haven't picked up the Alarie series you really need to, I'm looking forward to the next siblings story and as much as I thought it might be Vin, I'm thinking it's Mauros' turn and OMG I can't wait. The silent brother.
Thanks to Ashley & Grey's promotions for the eArc!
If you haven't picked up the Alarie series you really need to, I'm looking forward to the next siblings story and as much as I thought it might be Vin, I'm thinking it's Mauros' turn and OMG I can't wait. The silent brother.
Thanks to Ashley & Grey's promotions for the eArc!
December 21, 2025
the first 75% was SICKKKK I was hitting the quan like crazy
It kinda got lost in the sauce after that, the reveal feeling a little too rushed and then that Mauro reveal right at the end??? Girl I kinda rolled my eyes BUTTTTT I love them sosososos much so I am SAT for their story
Madeline a baddie and she always will be don’t playyyyy!!
3.75
It kinda got lost in the sauce after that, the reveal feeling a little too rushed and then that Mauro reveal right at the end??? Girl I kinda rolled my eyes BUTTTTT I love them sosososos much so I am SAT for their story
Madeline a baddie and she always will be don’t playyyyy!!
3.75
October 28, 2025
Have you read Betrayed in the Dark by @ashleyelizabethauthor yet?
It’s now LIVE!
The Alaries don’t follow the rules. They make their own goddamn ones.
Guys this book drew me in from page one. We are following Madeline, only daughter of a powerful family, and Eli, her bodyguard/former lover.
I’m not normally one for a second chance romance but the YEARNING this man has in this book is everything.
Five stars all around and I will definitely be continuing this series! 🖤
#darkromance #BillionaireRomance #TouchHerandDie #BrothersBestFriend #MafiaRomance #BodyguardRomance
It’s now LIVE!
The Alaries don’t follow the rules. They make their own goddamn ones.
Guys this book drew me in from page one. We are following Madeline, only daughter of a powerful family, and Eli, her bodyguard/former lover.
I’m not normally one for a second chance romance but the YEARNING this man has in this book is everything.
Five stars all around and I will definitely be continuing this series! 🖤
#darkromance #BillionaireRomance #TouchHerandDie #BrothersBestFriend #MafiaRomance #BodyguardRomance
October 22, 2025
Forgive me ahead of time, because I'm going to be obsessing over the Alarie Heirs until I loose my voice. 🤪 I was already hooked with 𝘉𝘳𝘰𝘬𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘋𝘢𝘳𝘬, but Ashley just knocked my socks off with 𝘉𝘦𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘥 𝘐𝘯 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘋𝘢𝘳𝘬. And those little crumbs we keep getting fed for the other heirs - Yes, please! 🤌
Dark romance lovers, start this series now, and thank me later! 😘
🖤 Billionaire Romance
🖤 Mafia Vibes
🖤 Marriage Of Convenience (but not to MMC)
🖤 Brother's Best Friend
🖤 Second Chance
🖤 Forced Proximity
🖤 Touch Her and 💀
🖤 "It's Always Been You"
🖤 Dual POV
Thank you @ashleyelizabethauthor and @greyspromo for the ARC! 🫶
Dark romance lovers, start this series now, and thank me later! 😘
🖤 Billionaire Romance
🖤 Mafia Vibes
🖤 Marriage Of Convenience (but not to MMC)
🖤 Brother's Best Friend
🖤 Second Chance
🖤 Forced Proximity
🖤 Touch Her and 💀
🖤 "It's Always Been You"
🖤 Dual POV
Thank you @ashleyelizabethauthor and @greyspromo for the ARC! 🫶
October 28, 2025
Maddy and Eli's story had me on the edge the whole time. Never knowing that outside forces were at play to keep them apart and for those outside forces to gain the Alarie status through marriage. So much angst and heartbreak and scheming going on. However, the Alarie brothers and mama Alarie always knew who Maddy was meant to be with. But Maddy and Eli had to find their own way back to one another. And they did.
October 21, 2025
4 ⭐️
I kindly request that Grey's Promo start to include tissues when sending an ARC of Ashley's books, or better yet, I will invoice my therapist bill and a box of tissues directly to Ashley because I did not expect to be crying from barely finishing the prologue. I don't know what it is about Ashley's prologues reining me in and having me holding my breath, every single time, but she accomplishes without fail.
I honestly didn't expect for this to hurt, maybe even more than how Broken in the Dark was, and that one HURT, but the emotional rollercoaster to Eli and Madeleine's story was so intense and full of yearning and mutual pining, with their unresolved tension. They went from friends to lovers to strangers, when Eli returns from his deployment and learns that the woman he loves is engaged to another man, and now he's been assigned as her bodyguard for her protection.
The element of suspense Ashley creates while crafting a beautiful love story was no different when it came to Eli and Madeleine. Both of them are hurting, hiding life-changing secrets and mutually pining all the while in such close proximity, with Madeleine's upcoming nuptials. I'm biased because Eli immediately had my heart, when I first learned that he was British (hey, twin), heavily tattooed, and was over 6ft, and to top it off, he loved The Great British Bake Off. Sigh, if I didn't love Madeleine as much as I did, I would be asking for Eli's hand in marriage myself.
Equally, I was so excited to reunite also with the Alarie siblings and be back on the Alarie Estate. Seeing how settled and happy Leo and Scarlett are through the lens of their best friends, while also getting to know Eli and Madeleine better from the letters that they wrote to each other when Eli was deployed. Their exchange of letters was one of my many enjoyable moments of theirs, even if it did bring me to tears on more than one occasion.
I've said it before and I'm back saying it again; Ashley has such a captivating and unique way when it comes to telling her characters stories that makes you feel as if you're getting your heart ripped out right there with them. Her balance of a cosy dark romance really has shone through with the Alarie siblings, and I honestly cannot wait for the rest of them and their stories to follow.
Thank you always to Greys for the e-arc, I wasn't joking about the tissues, either. I can't wait to reunite back again for certain non-verbal Alarie sibling!
Tropes
Brother’s best friend
Bodyguard romance
It’s always been you
Forced proximity
Touch her and die
Pre-read September 2025: I’m feral for this man, your honour 😮💨
I kindly request that Grey's Promo start to include tissues when sending an ARC of Ashley's books, or better yet, I will invoice my therapist bill and a box of tissues directly to Ashley because I did not expect to be crying from barely finishing the prologue. I don't know what it is about Ashley's prologues reining me in and having me holding my breath, every single time, but she accomplishes without fail.
I honestly didn't expect for this to hurt, maybe even more than how Broken in the Dark was, and that one HURT, but the emotional rollercoaster to Eli and Madeleine's story was so intense and full of yearning and mutual pining, with their unresolved tension. They went from friends to lovers to strangers, when Eli returns from his deployment and learns that the woman he loves is engaged to another man, and now he's been assigned as her bodyguard for her protection.
The element of suspense Ashley creates while crafting a beautiful love story was no different when it came to Eli and Madeleine. Both of them are hurting, hiding life-changing secrets and mutually pining all the while in such close proximity, with Madeleine's upcoming nuptials. I'm biased because Eli immediately had my heart, when I first learned that he was British (hey, twin), heavily tattooed, and was over 6ft, and to top it off, he loved The Great British Bake Off. Sigh, if I didn't love Madeleine as much as I did, I would be asking for Eli's hand in marriage myself.
Equally, I was so excited to reunite also with the Alarie siblings and be back on the Alarie Estate. Seeing how settled and happy Leo and Scarlett are through the lens of their best friends, while also getting to know Eli and Madeleine better from the letters that they wrote to each other when Eli was deployed. Their exchange of letters was one of my many enjoyable moments of theirs, even if it did bring me to tears on more than one occasion.
I've said it before and I'm back saying it again; Ashley has such a captivating and unique way when it comes to telling her characters stories that makes you feel as if you're getting your heart ripped out right there with them. Her balance of a cosy dark romance really has shone through with the Alarie siblings, and I honestly cannot wait for the rest of them and their stories to follow.
Thank you always to Greys for the e-arc, I wasn't joking about the tissues, either. I can't wait to reunite back again for certain non-verbal Alarie sibling!
Tropes
Brother’s best friend
Bodyguard romance
It’s always been you
Forced proximity
Touch her and die
Pre-read September 2025: I’m feral for this man, your honour 😮💨
October 27, 2025
Thank you Grey's Promotions and Ashley Elizabeth for this delightful ARC. I had an asbolute blast reading this book. So much so that I read it in two days because I could not put it down. I needed to know what happened next because all I wanted to know was what happened between Eli and Madeleine. It follows Madeleine as she preps her wedding with another guy named Alastor. Eli ends up becoming her bodyguard in order to protect her during tense times. All we know in the beginning is that Madeleine and Eli had some sort of break up and that she receives a letter with four words that broke her heart. What kept me going was trying to figure out what that letter said and why she was marrying a man she did not want to marry.
Also, Eli's first chapter confused me because this man is down bad for her and I just could not see what he could have written that made her feel betrayed. Like seriously, what was in that letter?? I loved Eli. He was seriously down bad for her like yearning status and I absolutely loved it. He was not letting her get away so easily and was there for her whenever she needed him even when she thought she didn't need anyone. He protected her through everything.
I also loved Madeleine. I love how she loves so strongly and fierecely. She is stubborn and strong but can also be vulnerable to the people she loves. She has an outward facade that she shows to the world because she lives in a world where women are seen as inferior. She does not let that stop her and shows everyone why they should be afraid of her. She is the embodiment of who I wish I could be (minus the whole mafia adjacent thing of course). I love her relationship with her brothers and how funny they are together. And I love how she has a bonus family with her best friends Alina and Scarlett. She takes care of the people she loves and that includes those that work for her and even those that she believes need the extra help.
Personally, I loved the chemistry between them and the whole "it has always been you" stance. When it got to finally figuring out what is happening, I was intrigued the whole time but also sad and wishing I could hug Madeleine and tell her that I was here for her and that she didn't need to hold everything in. When she told Eli, my heart shattered because my poor baby boy. I love how her family quickly stepped in to help her and assist her in any way that they could. I also love the little side stories with Vin and his "contract" and Mauro and Alina's secrets.
I wish we could have had more scenes with Alina and Scarlett. Like I get this is Eli and Madeleine's book but it did not feel to me as if they were best friends at times. Alina and Scarlett felt more like tertiary characters who were just there to be there. I wanted more scenes of them talking and having sleepovers or just hanging out and talking about nothing. Just a bit more of that. I also wish we would have seen the same thing with Madeleine and her brothers. Like they definitely got more book time but I wanted to see more of the sibling goofiness. I also wanted to see that with Eli and the boys as well (we did get more scenes with them together but it felt more like working than just hanging out to hang out with each other). I also wanted more depth to the conversations Eli and Madeleine had. Like I know they are in love with each other but I wanted more deep conversations between them that would make me swoon even more.
Overall, I had a wonderful time reading this book and I love how it ended perfectly. It was wrapped up in a perfect bow for their relationship and set the stone for the next book which I need NOW! and not in 2026 please and thank you. This was my first book that I read frmo Ashley Elizabeth and as soon as I finished it, I started reading Broken in the Dark so I am reading slightly out of order but also not since they are interconnected and I am already hooked.
Also, Eli's first chapter confused me because this man is down bad for her and I just could not see what he could have written that made her feel betrayed. Like seriously, what was in that letter?? I loved Eli. He was seriously down bad for her like yearning status and I absolutely loved it. He was not letting her get away so easily and was there for her whenever she needed him even when she thought she didn't need anyone. He protected her through everything.
I also loved Madeleine. I love how she loves so strongly and fierecely. She is stubborn and strong but can also be vulnerable to the people she loves. She has an outward facade that she shows to the world because she lives in a world where women are seen as inferior. She does not let that stop her and shows everyone why they should be afraid of her. She is the embodiment of who I wish I could be (minus the whole mafia adjacent thing of course). I love her relationship with her brothers and how funny they are together. And I love how she has a bonus family with her best friends Alina and Scarlett. She takes care of the people she loves and that includes those that work for her and even those that she believes need the extra help.
Personally, I loved the chemistry between them and the whole "it has always been you" stance. When it got to finally figuring out what is happening, I was intrigued the whole time but also sad and wishing I could hug Madeleine and tell her that I was here for her and that she didn't need to hold everything in. When she told Eli, my heart shattered because my poor baby boy. I love how her family quickly stepped in to help her and assist her in any way that they could. I also love the little side stories with Vin and his "contract" and Mauro and Alina's secrets.
I wish we could have had more scenes with Alina and Scarlett. Like I get this is Eli and Madeleine's book but it did not feel to me as if they were best friends at times. Alina and Scarlett felt more like tertiary characters who were just there to be there. I wanted more scenes of them talking and having sleepovers or just hanging out and talking about nothing. Just a bit more of that. I also wish we would have seen the same thing with Madeleine and her brothers. Like they definitely got more book time but I wanted to see more of the sibling goofiness. I also wanted to see that with Eli and the boys as well (we did get more scenes with them together but it felt more like working than just hanging out to hang out with each other). I also wanted more depth to the conversations Eli and Madeleine had. Like I know they are in love with each other but I wanted more deep conversations between them that would make me swoon even more.
Overall, I had a wonderful time reading this book and I love how it ended perfectly. It was wrapped up in a perfect bow for their relationship and set the stone for the next book which I need NOW! and not in 2026 please and thank you. This was my first book that I read frmo Ashley Elizabeth and as soon as I finished it, I started reading Broken in the Dark so I am reading slightly out of order but also not since they are interconnected and I am already hooked.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 31, 2025
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ashley Elizabeth delivered with an even more gripping, angsty, tear your heart out and patch it back together second book to the Alarie Heirs Series. I enjoyed this book more than the first book in the series. I started and didn’t put it down until I was reading the last word.
BITD follows the only female in the Alarie empire, Madeliene, and Leo Alarie’s best friend since childhood Eli Lyon. You could feel (and read) the tension between Madeliene and Eli during the first book and I was anxious to dig into their story and uncover the secrets that tore them apart. 4 words written in a letter turned Madeliene’s world upside down. With a broken heart and a divine stubborness to protect herself, she pushed away from any relationship resembling love. As if the world weren’t spinning enough, Madeliene finds herself in a “do or die” situation which causes her to make a deal with the devil himself.
Eli Lyon left the Alarie estate to join the military. When Eli receives a letter from an unsuspecting Alarie, he strikes up their communication to fill the hole leaving created in his heart. He has always felt a magnetism to the Princess under his best friends brotherly protection. Admiring from a distance…..most of the time. So imagine his surprise when he returns home from his honorable discharge to find the girl he promised his heart to engage to another man. Madeliene twisted the knife when she treated Eli like they had no history at all. What is he missing?
Eli’s best friend assigns Eli as Madeliene’s personal bodyguard. I mean….if he must. Eli always knew he would take a bullet for Madeliene. Oh wait…. He has. And maybe this forced proximity will give him the opportunity to find out what happened, because this marriage isn’t happening. Not while he is still breathing. He can feel Madeleine’s heart hasn’t rejected him fully. Her body, it recognizes and craves him as much as before. Something doesn’t feel right. Eli will get the truth by any means necessary.
Tropes:
Brother’s Best Friend
Found Family
Forced Proximity
Bodyguard and his assignment
Second chance
Secret relationship
Possessive grey MMC
Boss Babe FMC
Past and present dual POV - with a glimpse at some of the letters between the two
Ex-Military man
If you are a fan of angst filled suspensful romances with the dooming clock ticking. A FMC who won’t budge on the sacrifices she made and can certainly take care of herself and and MMC that challenges her in every way because he wants to be the one she falls apart in front of, this is the book for you!!
Plot was engaging. Spice was delicious. Top read for the year, hands down
Ashley Elizabeth delivered with an even more gripping, angsty, tear your heart out and patch it back together second book to the Alarie Heirs Series. I enjoyed this book more than the first book in the series. I started and didn’t put it down until I was reading the last word.
BITD follows the only female in the Alarie empire, Madeliene, and Leo Alarie’s best friend since childhood Eli Lyon. You could feel (and read) the tension between Madeliene and Eli during the first book and I was anxious to dig into their story and uncover the secrets that tore them apart. 4 words written in a letter turned Madeliene’s world upside down. With a broken heart and a divine stubborness to protect herself, she pushed away from any relationship resembling love. As if the world weren’t spinning enough, Madeliene finds herself in a “do or die” situation which causes her to make a deal with the devil himself.
Eli Lyon left the Alarie estate to join the military. When Eli receives a letter from an unsuspecting Alarie, he strikes up their communication to fill the hole leaving created in his heart. He has always felt a magnetism to the Princess under his best friends brotherly protection. Admiring from a distance…..most of the time. So imagine his surprise when he returns home from his honorable discharge to find the girl he promised his heart to engage to another man. Madeliene twisted the knife when she treated Eli like they had no history at all. What is he missing?
Eli’s best friend assigns Eli as Madeliene’s personal bodyguard. I mean….if he must. Eli always knew he would take a bullet for Madeliene. Oh wait…. He has. And maybe this forced proximity will give him the opportunity to find out what happened, because this marriage isn’t happening. Not while he is still breathing. He can feel Madeleine’s heart hasn’t rejected him fully. Her body, it recognizes and craves him as much as before. Something doesn’t feel right. Eli will get the truth by any means necessary.
Tropes:
Brother’s Best Friend
Found Family
Forced Proximity
Bodyguard and his assignment
Second chance
Secret relationship
Possessive grey MMC
Boss Babe FMC
Past and present dual POV - with a glimpse at some of the letters between the two
Ex-Military man
If you are a fan of angst filled suspensful romances with the dooming clock ticking. A FMC who won’t budge on the sacrifices she made and can certainly take care of herself and and MMC that challenges her in every way because he wants to be the one she falls apart in front of, this is the book for you!!
Plot was engaging. Spice was delicious. Top read for the year, hands down
October 21, 2025
𝐈'𝐦 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮'𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧.
𝐈'𝐦 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨 𝐟𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐈 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐞𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐦𝐞.
Oh to be loved by a man like Eli Lyon! He is a fictional man written by a woman and Ashley did everything in her hands to make sure that Eli stays in our heart even after we are finished with the book!
"Betrayed in the Dark" drips with longing, regret, and the haunting beauty of what’s lost and found again - a love story that shatters and mends with every page. From the very first page, it pulls you into a world of heartbreak and forbidden longing that refuses to let go.
Eli, our swoon-worthy MMC - was an ex-military, who after a tragic incident was forced to retire. He was also a best friend to one of the Alarie boys and eventually became a family member of the Alaries. He wanted to be a knight in shining armour for his princess ever since he laid his eyes on her - our fierce, beautiful, boss lady FMC - Madeline Alarie, the only sister of the Alarie boys and their apple of the eye.
The story follows Madeline whose heart was shattered by Eli - the man she once loved in secret, the same man now assigned to protect her. But as usual a dramatic plot twist happens - Madeline is engaged to another man under difficult circumstances - a choice she had to make, a choice that made her destroy her soul to save her loved one. But when Eli walks back into her life, old wounds reopen and buried feelings come rushing to the surface. What follows is a painful, passionate struggle between duty and desire, between the past she can’t forget and the future she’s trying to build.
Another thing that made this book one of my favourite bodyguard/mafia romances - is the family bonding that's been represented here - the bond between the Alarie siblings, the bond between the best-friends and how they were each ready to do anything for their loved ones no matter what's at stake - family comes first always!
This isn’t just another bodyguard romance - it’s a beautifully written tale of second chances, emotional scars, and the kind of love that never really dies. The tension is electric, the writing raw and intimate, and every chapter leaves you aching for more. I enjoyed reading the book so much that I finished it in three days only and I would recommend this book to everyone who is looking for a good mafia/bodyguard romance with the correct blend of passion, tension, mystery and spice to it!
𝐈'𝐦 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨 𝐟𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐈 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐞𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐦𝐞.
Oh to be loved by a man like Eli Lyon! He is a fictional man written by a woman and Ashley did everything in her hands to make sure that Eli stays in our heart even after we are finished with the book!
"Betrayed in the Dark" drips with longing, regret, and the haunting beauty of what’s lost and found again - a love story that shatters and mends with every page. From the very first page, it pulls you into a world of heartbreak and forbidden longing that refuses to let go.
Eli, our swoon-worthy MMC - was an ex-military, who after a tragic incident was forced to retire. He was also a best friend to one of the Alarie boys and eventually became a family member of the Alaries. He wanted to be a knight in shining armour for his princess ever since he laid his eyes on her - our fierce, beautiful, boss lady FMC - Madeline Alarie, the only sister of the Alarie boys and their apple of the eye.
The story follows Madeline whose heart was shattered by Eli - the man she once loved in secret, the same man now assigned to protect her. But as usual a dramatic plot twist happens - Madeline is engaged to another man under difficult circumstances - a choice she had to make, a choice that made her destroy her soul to save her loved one. But when Eli walks back into her life, old wounds reopen and buried feelings come rushing to the surface. What follows is a painful, passionate struggle between duty and desire, between the past she can’t forget and the future she’s trying to build.
Another thing that made this book one of my favourite bodyguard/mafia romances - is the family bonding that's been represented here - the bond between the Alarie siblings, the bond between the best-friends and how they were each ready to do anything for their loved ones no matter what's at stake - family comes first always!
This isn’t just another bodyguard romance - it’s a beautifully written tale of second chances, emotional scars, and the kind of love that never really dies. The tension is electric, the writing raw and intimate, and every chapter leaves you aching for more. I enjoyed reading the book so much that I finished it in three days only and I would recommend this book to everyone who is looking for a good mafia/bodyguard romance with the correct blend of passion, tension, mystery and spice to it!
October 23, 2025
Ashley Elizabeth returns with the second instalment in The Alarie Heirs series, delivering another deeply emotional and tension-filled romance that explores heartbreak, loyalty, and forbidden love. The prologue was exceptionally powerful and projects the pains that Madeline was feeling. Cold and alone in the dark.
Book 2 centres on Madeleine, a woman who torn between duty to her family and desire, and Eli Lyon, her first love and the man who shattered her heart and now acts as her bodyguard while she gets ready to marry someone else. A marriage that her four brothers, along with Eli, believe is not real and they embark on covert meetings in order to get to the bottom of what is really going on.
From the very first page, the story grips readers with its raw vulnerability. Madeleine’s internal struggle is real as she tries to suppress her feelings for Eli. The chemistry between the two is undeniable, and Ashley masterfully builds tension through secret trysts and emotional encounters that blur the lines between love and betrayal.
Despite Madeline's strong armour, Eli manages to slip through and she soon realises that there is no longer any use in denying what they have both known all along. Elis has been the only one that she can be vulnerable around and I love that she showed that side of her.
Eli is an equally compelling character. He is as protective as he is persistent, and he is also an emotionally complex character that really struggles with life after the military. His presence reignites the emotions that Madeline had long since buried, making her question everything she thought she wanted. The stakes are high, and the emotional payoff is intense, especially as the story unfolds.
The question soon becomes, will the wedding happen? Or wont it? The Alarie brothers get closer and closer to the answers they need and the suspense has you fully invested and once all the pieces started getting connected, everything moved quickly.
Ashley’s writing is full of passion and angst, and she doesn’t shy away from the darker elements of romance and some of the harder topics. Fans of mafia romance and emotionally driven love stories will find this book fantastic.
Overall, Betrayed in the Dark is a gripping, steamy, and emotionally charged romance that will leave readers breathless. Ashley once again delivers a narrative that burns with intensity and stays with you, long after the final page.
Book 2 centres on Madeleine, a woman who torn between duty to her family and desire, and Eli Lyon, her first love and the man who shattered her heart and now acts as her bodyguard while she gets ready to marry someone else. A marriage that her four brothers, along with Eli, believe is not real and they embark on covert meetings in order to get to the bottom of what is really going on.
From the very first page, the story grips readers with its raw vulnerability. Madeleine’s internal struggle is real as she tries to suppress her feelings for Eli. The chemistry between the two is undeniable, and Ashley masterfully builds tension through secret trysts and emotional encounters that blur the lines between love and betrayal.
Despite Madeline's strong armour, Eli manages to slip through and she soon realises that there is no longer any use in denying what they have both known all along. Elis has been the only one that she can be vulnerable around and I love that she showed that side of her.
Eli is an equally compelling character. He is as protective as he is persistent, and he is also an emotionally complex character that really struggles with life after the military. His presence reignites the emotions that Madeline had long since buried, making her question everything she thought she wanted. The stakes are high, and the emotional payoff is intense, especially as the story unfolds.
The question soon becomes, will the wedding happen? Or wont it? The Alarie brothers get closer and closer to the answers they need and the suspense has you fully invested and once all the pieces started getting connected, everything moved quickly.
Ashley’s writing is full of passion and angst, and she doesn’t shy away from the darker elements of romance and some of the harder topics. Fans of mafia romance and emotionally driven love stories will find this book fantastic.
Overall, Betrayed in the Dark is a gripping, steamy, and emotionally charged romance that will leave readers breathless. Ashley once again delivers a narrative that burns with intensity and stays with you, long after the final page.
October 27, 2025
Affinity Star read!!!!!! 💫
Loved this book!!!!
It is one of my favorites for the year.
I couldn’t put this book down!!
And I stayed up all night to read this book and finished it in one day, but I also didn’t want it to end.
I loved the romance between Madeleine and Eli in this book 📖.
Loved this bodyguard/brother’s best friend romance book.
I loved Eli’s Nickname Princess for Madeleine❤️❤️❤️
This was also a spicy read too.🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
I hated Aastor Madeleine’s fiancé and what he did to both Madeleine and Eli in this book. And also how he treated Madeleine too. I loved that Madeleine and Eli wrote each other letters while he was on his deployment. I loved getting a little bit more of Leo and Scarlett from the first book. I loved Madeleine’s brothers Leo, Vincenzo, Alessandro and Mauro and how they loved and protected Madeleine in this book 📖.
I loved that they both always loved each other in this book and that they both protected each other in this book too. I hated Aastor’s parents and how they were with Madeleine in this book. 📕
And I was so glad that both her brothers and Eli didn’t want her to marry Aastor in the book.
I liked Enzio Aastor’s brother and how he helped Madeleine’s brothers and Eli stop his brother and father and also get control of his family.
I loved Madeleine’s friendship with Scarlett and Alina in this book.
I loved how protective Eli was over Madeleine and also how he stood up to Aastor for her too. And I also loved how he was always there for her. And I also loved both Madeleine and Eli’s families in this book.
And I also loved how Madeleine help Eli too in this book. 📕
I loved Reginald Madeleine’s driver and how he was with her and also help her when she needed it.
And I also loved how Madeleine helps the Women’s shelter and other people in this book. 📕
I hated Aastor’s sister Cressida and what she did to Madeleine and Eli in this book.
I felt sorry for what happened to Madeleine in this book. I loved how jealous Eli was over Aastor being with Madeleine and it wasn’t him. I was so happy when they got their happy ending together and they are also going to have a baby together.
And I loved it so much I bought the book 📖. I read the first book in this series and loved it too and I was waiting for this book and I knew I would love this book too and it was also on my October TBR List. Ashley Elizabeth is becoming one of my favorite authors.❤️❤️❤️❤️ And I can’t wait to read the next book in this series.
Loved this book!!!!
It is one of my favorites for the year.
I couldn’t put this book down!!
And I stayed up all night to read this book and finished it in one day, but I also didn’t want it to end.
I loved the romance between Madeleine and Eli in this book 📖.
Loved this bodyguard/brother’s best friend romance book.
I loved Eli’s Nickname Princess for Madeleine❤️❤️❤️
This was also a spicy read too.🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
I hated Aastor Madeleine’s fiancé and what he did to both Madeleine and Eli in this book. And also how he treated Madeleine too. I loved that Madeleine and Eli wrote each other letters while he was on his deployment. I loved getting a little bit more of Leo and Scarlett from the first book. I loved Madeleine’s brothers Leo, Vincenzo, Alessandro and Mauro and how they loved and protected Madeleine in this book 📖.
I loved that they both always loved each other in this book and that they both protected each other in this book too. I hated Aastor’s parents and how they were with Madeleine in this book. 📕
And I was so glad that both her brothers and Eli didn’t want her to marry Aastor in the book.
I liked Enzio Aastor’s brother and how he helped Madeleine’s brothers and Eli stop his brother and father and also get control of his family.
I loved Madeleine’s friendship with Scarlett and Alina in this book.
I loved how protective Eli was over Madeleine and also how he stood up to Aastor for her too. And I also loved how he was always there for her. And I also loved both Madeleine and Eli’s families in this book.
And I also loved how Madeleine help Eli too in this book. 📕
I loved Reginald Madeleine’s driver and how he was with her and also help her when she needed it.
And I also loved how Madeleine helps the Women’s shelter and other people in this book. 📕
I hated Aastor’s sister Cressida and what she did to Madeleine and Eli in this book.
I felt sorry for what happened to Madeleine in this book. I loved how jealous Eli was over Aastor being with Madeleine and it wasn’t him. I was so happy when they got their happy ending together and they are also going to have a baby together.
And I loved it so much I bought the book 📖. I read the first book in this series and loved it too and I was waiting for this book and I knew I would love this book too and it was also on my October TBR List. Ashley Elizabeth is becoming one of my favorite authors.❤️❤️❤️❤️ And I can’t wait to read the next book in this series.
October 14, 2025
ARC review
⭐5/5
🌶️3/5
📌Check TW
Oh, how I loved this book! It was everything I hoped for and so much more.
Madeleine and Eli’s journey was filled with yearning, heartbreak, and devotion. They grew up together since Eli was her brother’s best friend, which made him a constant presence in her life. When Eli left for the military, Madeleine took a chance and wrote him a letter. That single moment changed everything. Their friendship slowly turned into something deeper, and before long, they were falling deeply in love. They kept their relationship a secret, holding on to each other through every deployment. I could feel their love pulsing through every word, every letter, every promise they made. Until one final letter changed it all.
Eli adored Madeleine with every part of him. He was protective and devoted, yet he never tried to dim her strength as a fierce mafia heiress. And Madeleine, for all her power and confidence, had a heart that softened completely for Eli. Together, they were unstoppable. Every glance, every touch, every quiet word between them carried so much emotion it nearly broke me.
Throughout the story, I kept guessing what would happen next, but nothing prepared me for the twists at the end. Madeleine’s choices came from a place of love and loyalty, and her silence was not about miscommunication but about protecting the people she cared for. Her pain was real, and her heartbreak felt like my own when she believed Eli had betrayed her.
The chemistry between them was electric. The spice was perfection, but what truly moved me was how their connection went far beyond the physical. It was raw, emotional, and beautifully intimate.
I especially loved the inclusion of their letters. They added a bittersweet, nostalgic touch that showed how their love blossomed slowly yet powerfully. Each exchange captured their longing and their unshakable bond, reminding me how inevitable their love truly was.
If you love mafia romance, forbidden love, and that “it’s always been you” kind of story, you need to read this book. It will stay with you long after you turn the last page.
Thank you so much to Ashley and Grey's Promotions for a copy of this beautiful ARC!
⭐5/5
🌶️3/5
📌Check TW
Oh, how I loved this book! It was everything I hoped for and so much more.
Madeleine and Eli’s journey was filled with yearning, heartbreak, and devotion. They grew up together since Eli was her brother’s best friend, which made him a constant presence in her life. When Eli left for the military, Madeleine took a chance and wrote him a letter. That single moment changed everything. Their friendship slowly turned into something deeper, and before long, they were falling deeply in love. They kept their relationship a secret, holding on to each other through every deployment. I could feel their love pulsing through every word, every letter, every promise they made. Until one final letter changed it all.
Eli adored Madeleine with every part of him. He was protective and devoted, yet he never tried to dim her strength as a fierce mafia heiress. And Madeleine, for all her power and confidence, had a heart that softened completely for Eli. Together, they were unstoppable. Every glance, every touch, every quiet word between them carried so much emotion it nearly broke me.
Throughout the story, I kept guessing what would happen next, but nothing prepared me for the twists at the end. Madeleine’s choices came from a place of love and loyalty, and her silence was not about miscommunication but about protecting the people she cared for. Her pain was real, and her heartbreak felt like my own when she believed Eli had betrayed her.
The chemistry between them was electric. The spice was perfection, but what truly moved me was how their connection went far beyond the physical. It was raw, emotional, and beautifully intimate.
I especially loved the inclusion of their letters. They added a bittersweet, nostalgic touch that showed how their love blossomed slowly yet powerfully. Each exchange captured their longing and their unshakable bond, reminding me how inevitable their love truly was.
If you love mafia romance, forbidden love, and that “it’s always been you” kind of story, you need to read this book. It will stay with you long after you turn the last page.
Thank you so much to Ashley and Grey's Promotions for a copy of this beautiful ARC!
October 18, 2025
Betrayed In The Dark is book two in the Alarie series. If you haven’t read book one, it won’t kill your reading, but it will make book two better if you read in order. That being said. The books have only gotten better in my opinion. Eli is so close with the Alarie family, he is considered family. When he goes to the military, he and Madeline write and the friendship becomes more. Stolen moments and letters lead to love, until one letter ends in heartbreak for Madeline.
The story line is epic, the plot twist, unexpected, and I was all in from the beginning. I was just waiting for the other shoe to drop. Let me tell you it's no slipper, this one makes noise! Eli has never stopped loving Madeline and when he returns from the military to find another man's ring on her finger, he is determined to stop the wedding from happening. It’s a good thing her brothers agree. However there is a secret that Madeline knows that is keeping her from breaking off this horrible engagement. Alastor and his sister Cressida, well lets just say there is no love lost for them in this reading. Ashley does a masterful job of keeping you in suspense until she is ready to drop that other shoe! You won’t regret investing in this series for one word.
The suspense had me turning page after page. I really liked how Ashley wove the letters into the book as it gives even more insight into these two characters. Eli will burn the world down for his “Princess” and all she wants to do is protect the man she loves, but thinks she should hate. The way he lays his claim over and over, just had me swooning. “You are never to touch what's mine again.” Oh and the spice....yes, please and thank you. The connection, even though she tries to deny it, cannot be denied.
Each character so far is unique in a way I love and every story is complete. I really enjoyed this read and even though it is a mafia romance, it doesn't center on that. The romance between the characters is at the forefront. I am so intrigued by what is going on with Mauro?!?!? Please Ashley, give us book three SOON!
The story line is epic, the plot twist, unexpected, and I was all in from the beginning. I was just waiting for the other shoe to drop. Let me tell you it's no slipper, this one makes noise! Eli has never stopped loving Madeline and when he returns from the military to find another man's ring on her finger, he is determined to stop the wedding from happening. It’s a good thing her brothers agree. However there is a secret that Madeline knows that is keeping her from breaking off this horrible engagement. Alastor and his sister Cressida, well lets just say there is no love lost for them in this reading. Ashley does a masterful job of keeping you in suspense until she is ready to drop that other shoe! You won’t regret investing in this series for one word.
The suspense had me turning page after page. I really liked how Ashley wove the letters into the book as it gives even more insight into these two characters. Eli will burn the world down for his “Princess” and all she wants to do is protect the man she loves, but thinks she should hate. The way he lays his claim over and over, just had me swooning. “You are never to touch what's mine again.” Oh and the spice....yes, please and thank you. The connection, even though she tries to deny it, cannot be denied.
Each character so far is unique in a way I love and every story is complete. I really enjoyed this read and even though it is a mafia romance, it doesn't center on that. The romance between the characters is at the forefront. I am so intrigued by what is going on with Mauro?!?!? Please Ashley, give us book three SOON!
October 16, 2025
4.5 Stars
Eli is Leo’s best friend and has grown up with the Alarie family and is considered a brother to them. He has just returned from military duty only to find out his only love is engaged to another man. A man no one approves of and one he knows she would never be with.
Maddie is the youngest of the Alarie family and is protected at all costs. When it comes out that she is engaged to a known family enemy, Eli and her brothers forge a plan to keep her safe and to unravel the mystery of her engagement.
Eli, tasked with her safety and will do whatever he can to find out what his love has gotten herself into that took her away from him. Eli will not stop until he gets his princess back. No one touches what is his.
This is my second book by Ashley Elizabeth, and I’m invested in every character and want all their stories now. Ashley’s writing is excellent with every emotion jumping off the page. Eli and Maddie have such a tumultuous story, and the twists and turns Ashley created will have you wondering just what the heck you’re reading! Lol I love it that she has all the characters have a role in each book. It portrays the family bond so much more.
Ashley’s writing will have you absorbed from the first chapter, and you will not see what’s coming in this book. I thought I had figured it out, but I was so wrong. Ashely will make you feel the tension, pain, love, and loss throughout this story. Even the underlying story from book one gets increasingly interesting as it goes.
You won’t regret reading this author. You can read this book as a standalone, but you can enhance the story much more if you read the first book. There are so many nuances to this book that your head will spin in the best of ways. Watch out for those twists and turns – you won’t see them coming.
I highly recommend this series!!! And as for what is next… she drops hints for a couple of characters, so you have to stay and find out! I cannot wait for the next book in this series!!
Eli is Leo’s best friend and has grown up with the Alarie family and is considered a brother to them. He has just returned from military duty only to find out his only love is engaged to another man. A man no one approves of and one he knows she would never be with.
Maddie is the youngest of the Alarie family and is protected at all costs. When it comes out that she is engaged to a known family enemy, Eli and her brothers forge a plan to keep her safe and to unravel the mystery of her engagement.
Eli, tasked with her safety and will do whatever he can to find out what his love has gotten herself into that took her away from him. Eli will not stop until he gets his princess back. No one touches what is his.
This is my second book by Ashley Elizabeth, and I’m invested in every character and want all their stories now. Ashley’s writing is excellent with every emotion jumping off the page. Eli and Maddie have such a tumultuous story, and the twists and turns Ashley created will have you wondering just what the heck you’re reading! Lol I love it that she has all the characters have a role in each book. It portrays the family bond so much more.
Ashley’s writing will have you absorbed from the first chapter, and you will not see what’s coming in this book. I thought I had figured it out, but I was so wrong. Ashely will make you feel the tension, pain, love, and loss throughout this story. Even the underlying story from book one gets increasingly interesting as it goes.
You won’t regret reading this author. You can read this book as a standalone, but you can enhance the story much more if you read the first book. There are so many nuances to this book that your head will spin in the best of ways. Watch out for those twists and turns – you won’t see them coming.
I highly recommend this series!!! And as for what is next… she drops hints for a couple of characters, so you have to stay and find out! I cannot wait for the next book in this series!!
October 12, 2025
🖤💛ARC REVIEW💛🖤
Betrayed in the Dark
5 ⭐️/ 4🌶️ Releasing 10•21•25
“𝙁*𝙘𝙠 𝙢𝙚”
“𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘥𝘢𝘺, 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘦𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘺-𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘺𝘴, 𝘐’𝘷𝘦 𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵.”
“𝙄 𝙜𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙣 𝙤𝙧𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙤 𝙛𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙤𝙬 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙞𝙩, 𝙨𝙤𝙡𝙙𝙞𝙚𝙧.”
When I say I couldn’t get enough of Madeleine and Eli, I’m serious. I devoured this book. It was hard to set it down.
Eli left the Alarie estate and joined the military, over the span of his many deployments he exchanged secret letters with Madeleine. Their friendship grew into something more until one day Madeleine received a letter from Eli containing four words that shattered her whole world.
Eli returns home from the military to find the love of his life is engaged to another man and he’s bound and determined to put an end to the wedding. With that at the top of his priority list, so is figuring out how to deal with the PTSD from his experiences overseas.
After received the devastating four worded letter that crushed her soul. She’s made the ultimate sacrifice to save the one her heart truly beats, kept locked away as a secret from anybody in her family. And now she’s determined to uphold her end of the deal and make sure her wedding goes through as planned to keep who she loves safe.
The entire story flowed so smoothly. I really liked how the author put some of the letters that Madeleine and Eli exchanged throughout the book. It really added to the back story of how they fell in love. Eli is extremely OTT and pössessive of Maddy. She’s his princess and he is her knight in shining armor. And heavens help anybody who dares disrespect her because “𝑶𝒏𝒆 𝒅𝒐𝒆𝒔𝒏’𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒍𝒆 𝒂 𝒒𝒖𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒊𝒏 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒅𝒐𝒎.”
The spice between Eli & Maddy was hot as hëll 🥵😮💨
Big plot drop, for book three of the Alarie Heirs, at the end of the book that leaves you begging for Mauro and his FMCs book to be released asap. Pretty please Ashley, I’m on my knees begging for Mauro’s book🧎🏼♀️➡️🙏🏼 I’m desperate for him.
Betrayed in the Dark
5 ⭐️/ 4🌶️ Releasing 10•21•25
“𝙁*𝙘𝙠 𝙢𝙚”
“𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘥𝘢𝘺, 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘦𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘺-𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘺𝘴, 𝘐’𝘷𝘦 𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵.”
“𝙄 𝙜𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙣 𝙤𝙧𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙤 𝙛𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙤𝙬 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙞𝙩, 𝙨𝙤𝙡𝙙𝙞𝙚𝙧.”
When I say I couldn’t get enough of Madeleine and Eli, I’m serious. I devoured this book. It was hard to set it down.
Eli left the Alarie estate and joined the military, over the span of his many deployments he exchanged secret letters with Madeleine. Their friendship grew into something more until one day Madeleine received a letter from Eli containing four words that shattered her whole world.
Eli returns home from the military to find the love of his life is engaged to another man and he’s bound and determined to put an end to the wedding. With that at the top of his priority list, so is figuring out how to deal with the PTSD from his experiences overseas.
After received the devastating four worded letter that crushed her soul. She’s made the ultimate sacrifice to save the one her heart truly beats, kept locked away as a secret from anybody in her family. And now she’s determined to uphold her end of the deal and make sure her wedding goes through as planned to keep who she loves safe.
The entire story flowed so smoothly. I really liked how the author put some of the letters that Madeleine and Eli exchanged throughout the book. It really added to the back story of how they fell in love. Eli is extremely OTT and pössessive of Maddy. She’s his princess and he is her knight in shining armor. And heavens help anybody who dares disrespect her because “𝑶𝒏𝒆 𝒅𝒐𝒆𝒔𝒏’𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒍𝒆 𝒂 𝒒𝒖𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒊𝒏 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒅𝒐𝒎.”
The spice between Eli & Maddy was hot as hëll 🥵😮💨
Big plot drop, for book three of the Alarie Heirs, at the end of the book that leaves you begging for Mauro and his FMCs book to be released asap. Pretty please Ashley, I’m on my knees begging for Mauro’s book🧎🏼♀️➡️🙏🏼 I’m desperate for him.
October 28, 2025
Is it ok that I want to become an honorary Alarie member stat? This series was all new to me. New author, new characters, new books to come with a family that instantly looked irresistible with personality and bite. I loved Broken in the Dark and this one is even better 🖤
The Alarie brothers are irrevocably sexy and commanding, I know I’m going to adore every second of their stories, but Eli had already made his way into our hearts in the last one. Having his love story with Madeleine is exactly what we needed! He is loyal to a fault, brave, in love with one woman and you know what a man who knows exactly what he wants without flinching does to us 🖤
The added cherry on top is the fact he’s walking around being sexy as hell speaking with that irresistible British accent. The Alarie brothers have competition - it’s going to get crowded up in my fave fantasy boyfriend’s cabin!
Madeleine is the glue that holds this fraternity together. The woman leading the Alarie family alongside her brothers and mother with strength and compassion. She’s vulnerable in silence and has a face of steel when she needs to be in charge. Just like Eli she will do anything for the one she loves, even loose him forever.
I’m a lover of long childhood to adult love stories. These two are united by their unwavering commitment to the family and to each other. Their love was always meant to be. Much like Leo & Scarlett, they’ve always been together and though Eli left for a while, he never stopped protecting his Princess. What they go through broke my heart but inevitably put it back together, no one can keep them apart - the way they came together was soft and infinite -
I loved these two and I cannot wait for Mauro (if I’m right and he’s next) to whisper sweet nothings to us in his story. Though I’m already partial to Vin 🫣 something about a boss man in a suit.
Thank you Ashley for taking me into this world & making them part of my life 🖤
The Alarie brothers are irrevocably sexy and commanding, I know I’m going to adore every second of their stories, but Eli had already made his way into our hearts in the last one. Having his love story with Madeleine is exactly what we needed! He is loyal to a fault, brave, in love with one woman and you know what a man who knows exactly what he wants without flinching does to us 🖤
The added cherry on top is the fact he’s walking around being sexy as hell speaking with that irresistible British accent. The Alarie brothers have competition - it’s going to get crowded up in my fave fantasy boyfriend’s cabin!
Madeleine is the glue that holds this fraternity together. The woman leading the Alarie family alongside her brothers and mother with strength and compassion. She’s vulnerable in silence and has a face of steel when she needs to be in charge. Just like Eli she will do anything for the one she loves, even loose him forever.
I’m a lover of long childhood to adult love stories. These two are united by their unwavering commitment to the family and to each other. Their love was always meant to be. Much like Leo & Scarlett, they’ve always been together and though Eli left for a while, he never stopped protecting his Princess. What they go through broke my heart but inevitably put it back together, no one can keep them apart - the way they came together was soft and infinite -
I loved these two and I cannot wait for Mauro (if I’m right and he’s next) to whisper sweet nothings to us in his story. Though I’m already partial to Vin 🫣 something about a boss man in a suit.
Thank you Ashley for taking me into this world & making them part of my life 🖤
October 11, 2025
A second-chance love that burns and breaks in all the right ways
5 ⭐️ | 4.25 🌶️
Where has Ashley Elizabeth been all my life?! Betrayed in the Dark absolutely wrecked me (in the best possible way). This book is raw, emotional, passionate, and beautifully written from start to finish. As the second installment in the Alarie Heirs series, it delivers a perfect blend of forbidden love, heartbreak, and redemption that had me clinging to every page.
Madeleine Alarie, the youngest of the family, has always loved Eli Lyon, her brothers’ best friend and protector. But when love meets betrayal, secrets, and impossible choices, the result is a story that cuts deep. The chemistry between them is electric, the tension palpable, and the emotions real.
Ashley Elizabeth’s writing is addictive. The way she crafts longing, heartbreak, and slow-burn intensity is masterful. The pacing never drags, and every twist lands with precision: equal parts pain and pleasure. I devoured this book in one sitting and felt every beat of their love story like it was my own.
✨ Tropes you’ll devour:
• He falls first (and hard)
• It’s always been you ❤️
• Mafia family secrets
• Bodyguard/protected dynamic
• Second-chance romance
• Deliciously mouthy MMC
• Spice that makes your heart (and everything else) ache
Even if you haven’t read the first Alarie Heirs book (like me), you can dive right into this one, and trust me, you will be going back to start from the beginning after this.
Huge thanks to Grey’s Promotions for the e-ARC, and massive congratulations to Ashley Elizabeth. Betrayed in the Dark is a masterpiece.
Run, don’t walk. This is an emotionally charged, beautifully written, and sinfully addictive read that will ruin you for all other second-chance romances.
5 ⭐️ | 4.25 🌶️
Where has Ashley Elizabeth been all my life?! Betrayed in the Dark absolutely wrecked me (in the best possible way). This book is raw, emotional, passionate, and beautifully written from start to finish. As the second installment in the Alarie Heirs series, it delivers a perfect blend of forbidden love, heartbreak, and redemption that had me clinging to every page.
Madeleine Alarie, the youngest of the family, has always loved Eli Lyon, her brothers’ best friend and protector. But when love meets betrayal, secrets, and impossible choices, the result is a story that cuts deep. The chemistry between them is electric, the tension palpable, and the emotions real.
Ashley Elizabeth’s writing is addictive. The way she crafts longing, heartbreak, and slow-burn intensity is masterful. The pacing never drags, and every twist lands with precision: equal parts pain and pleasure. I devoured this book in one sitting and felt every beat of their love story like it was my own.
✨ Tropes you’ll devour:
• He falls first (and hard)
• It’s always been you ❤️
• Mafia family secrets
• Bodyguard/protected dynamic
• Second-chance romance
• Deliciously mouthy MMC
• Spice that makes your heart (and everything else) ache
Even if you haven’t read the first Alarie Heirs book (like me), you can dive right into this one, and trust me, you will be going back to start from the beginning after this.
Huge thanks to Grey’s Promotions for the e-ARC, and massive congratulations to Ashley Elizabeth. Betrayed in the Dark is a masterpiece.
Run, don’t walk. This is an emotionally charged, beautifully written, and sinfully addictive read that will ruin you for all other second-chance romances.
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