Dark & Lovely Things

by Lola Dresden

They married me to a dead man.
Now his brother wants to ruin me.

The Vassallo manor is a gilded cage where widows are trophies and vows are written in blood. I was meant to be nothing more than a pawn—a name spoken at the table, a body dressed in black.

But Dante Vassallo doesn’t play by their rules. He watches me with eyes like knives, touches me like a warning, and leans close enough that I feel the danger in his breath.

Every glance is a sin.
Every touch, a betrayal.
And if I give in to him, it won’t just break me—it will destroy us both.

A gothic mafia romance full of family secrets, dangerous obsession, and forbidden heat. Perfect for readers who crave arranged marriage, brother’s keeper tension, and enemies-to-lovers slow-burns that cut like a blade.

278 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 13, 2025

Reviews

[Anni]

ARC Review: Dark and Lovely Things by Lola Dresden 3.5 stars.

This was such a mixed read for me. On one hand, I loved the writing , Lola Dresden’s writing is lush and atmospheric, and her descriptions were so vivid I felt like I was right there in the story. There is no doubt that she can write. The whole book gave me strong gothic vibes: candlelit rooms, silver trays, whispered secrets, and an overall sense of moody elegance.

But at the same time, I was really confused about the setting. I couldn’t tell what era the story was supposed to be in. At moments it felt like a 19th-century gothic romance, all silks, widows, and servants and then suddenly characters were checking their phones and driving cars? It completely threw me off, and I kept trying to work out when this story was actually taking place.

I think if it had been clearly set in the 18th or early 19 th century, it would’ve been an easy 5 stars from me.
I also would have loved more backstory on the main characters and a POV from the male lead (the MMC) to round things out.

There’s a second book coming, and while I’m curious to see if it clarifies the setting or deepens the story, I’m not sure yet if I’ll pick it up. The jury’s still out on that one.

[AnaConda]

Since she is so proud about it on her social media: this author just loves to use AI for her books. She loves even more to mock real authors for being upset about having their books scraped by AI. Truly, charming

[J.B.]

Bad, AI-written drivel. I couldn't get past the first page for the barrage of AI cliches. Over-description, constant use of trailing present participles, things in threes, excessive explaining of every little subtlety every character does, use of the word 'something' when this so-called author couldn't be bothered to come up with an actual adjective, constant mentions of eye movements, mouth movements and 'silence pressing in.'

It's all just surface-level rubbish that doesn't say anything and leaves you feeling hollow. Reading a page of this tripe is no more interesting than reading the back of a detergent bottle. This apparent author has used the average-machine to generate almost everything in this book by the looks of it, including the front cover and the blurb.

Don't bother reading this, because the author couldn't even be bothered to write it. And given the complete lack of sales and the fact that nearly all of the reviews on here are ARCs, this literary turd is exactly where it belongs: at the bottom of the pile. It's quite clear that this person just wants the prestige of being an author without having the talent to make it happen, so she's resorted to this. What's also quite revealing is that even ARC reviews have said this book sucks, and ARCs are basically bribes for good reviews. AI has sold you the illusion that you too can be an author if you utilize this magic machine and you've fallen for it. The billionaire AI owners are taking your subscription fee and laughing all the way to the bank, meanwhile your name is forever attached to a book so bad that you can't even pay people to pretend to like it.

Take it from a publishing professional: use your brain to write books, because there's no audience for this machine-generated nothingness. And of course, I'm sure the author will respond to me trying to defend their AI usage because they always do, but this is far from my first rodeo, so I'll give you some advice: don't bother. The reviews, sales, lack of engagement and bad prose say more than your arbitrary metrics ever will. And if this is your best output, I suggest you give up writing and try something else.

[SsanT62]

Dark & Lovely Things is the start of a new series, Vassallo Wolves. It combines elements of the gothic novel and the mafia. It is a riveting beginning as Isolde buries her husband and the next day, they are planning to marry her off again. In this world, women are commodities. Isolde’s wealth is not hers but under her husband control and she is a very wealthy woman.

We are introduced to many of the players. Zeno, Maria, Luisa, Antonio, Marcello and Dante. The chemistry between Dante and Isolde is palpable. I enjoyed their interactions. Dante wants her and he will have her even if he has to burn everything down.

The story has many twists and we are left waiting for the next book to find out what happens next.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[DJ Reader]

I’ve read two dark stories by this author and both were really well written save the endings. The open ended unnecessarily cavalier ending is a bit frustrating. It’s like one more chapter is one two many for the reader. I’m not sure if this is a device the author adopted to set us up for a series or just meant to add to the suspense, but I find it a bit annoying and made the difference between 4/5 star and 3 star quality. I don’t like it. For the amount of detail put into the storyline vs the way it all ends I find it a bit unappealing.

Disappointed, very disappointed. I don’t think this needed another book

[FS Meurinne]

This gothic mafia romance pulled me in with its lush, atmospheric writing and haunting tension. Isolde’s story, married to one brother, desired by another, unfolds in a world where women are controlled and every touch feels like a sin. The chemistry between Isolde and Dante crackles, and the setting is rich with candlelit shadows and whispered secrets. However, I struggled with the unclear timeline; one moment felt like the 1800s, the next like the present day. While the cliffhanger ending left me torn, I’m curious about where the series goes next. A dark, moody, and compelling start.

[Dark Reader]

This is book 1 in a series and a dark mafia romance - check triggers before reading.

The writing here is atmospheric and Gothic, and the reader is immediately immersed in the world of this mafia family, where our FMC Isolde is married to one brother who dies, promised to another, and drawn to yet another brother, our MMC Dante. The chemistry is electric and it's a fun, if dark, read. I would like to see a bit more consistent world-building, but there are more books to come in this series, and I'm looking forward to reading them.

[Johanna]

From the author: 'A gothic mafia romance full of family secrets, dangerous obsession, and forbidden heat.' That sums it up perfectly.

The plot was intriguing, dark, disturbingly delicious. The world building was excellent and impressive and expertly drawn for the reader. The characters were so very well written and dark and complex and complicated and absolutely fascinating. Cannot wait for more from this world. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly

Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!

recommend.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[brenda hurley]

This book kept me turning the pages. to be married to one but wanted by another. There's secrets and desires and the ending with a cliffhanger wants me to read the next book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cheyenne Rivera]

such a great story, the plot is ploting, the characters are great. overall i really enjoyed this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Julianna Horgdal]

A widowed, given to another after her husband death. Her husband family using her as if she was their property. But she never loved her husband, instead she is in love with his brother that is promised to another. Instead she is given to the cousin. When she confuses to the priest that she had not love her husband. The mother locked her away, until the wedding day to the cousin. She tried to run but was caught by the brother and brought back to the house.

Until one night when her takes her from the room. And hidden in the dark he claims her for his own.