Shattered Hopes

Letters of Ruin #2

by Addy Anders

He stole my brother. So, I stole his freedom…There’s a villain in all of us.
I just never realized that until the worst day of my life.
It started with a sandwich from a stranger. An act of kindness that was nothing more than a veneer to hide the devil behind the mask.
Renzo Iannelli took everything from me that day. My family. My life. My future.
I wasn’t even a blip on his radar when he made me an orphan—left alone to be bruised and abused in foster care—all for the sake of his revenge.
Well, he got his. Now, I’m going to get mine.
No matter how long it takes, no matter what I have to sacrifice, I will make him rue the day he destroyed my life.
But the world is never black and white, and there are far more heartless monsters closing in around me.
So what happens when the devil I know becomes the only person I can trust?
He was my downfall.
I never expected him to also be my redemption.


***This is a full-length mafia romance standalone novel with a guaranteed HEA. Each book in this interconnected series features a different couple. As it contains dark and mature themes, see the content warnings page.

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

405 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 23, 2026

About the author

Addy Anders writes romance meant to tug hard on your heartstrings and never let go. Her books deliver deliciously possessive anti-heroes, strong heroines, a touch of angst to set you on edge, and a cocktail of spice.

Addy loves to travel, preferably outside of major cities. When she’s not writing or out in the wilderness, she can be found with her kindle and a very large cup of tea surrounded by her very supportive husband, two kiddos, and two fur babies.

Reviews

[De Rijdende Boekenwurm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Grey’s Promotions for providing the eARC. This is my honest opinion.

Passion Wrapped in Darkness

'Shattered Hopes' is a deeply emotional journey that draws readers straight into Ainsley and Renzo’s world, where longing, regret and unresolved pain linger beneath every interaction. The tension between them is palpable from the very beginning. Each glance and restrained exchange carries the weight of their shared history and unspoken desire.

What makes the story particularly compelling is the emotional vulnerability of both characters. Their inner conflicts between pride and forgiveness, fear and longing feel authentic and layered, giving weight to every choice they make. The connection between them is not built on passion alone, but on wounds that have yet to heal, which adds depth to their evolving relationship.

The writing is fluid and immersive, carrying the reader effortlessly through the emotional highs and devastating lows. The pacing leans toward a slow burn, allowing the tension to simmer before it fully ignites. Dialogue feels emotionally charged, often revealing as much through silence as through spoken words. This restrained intensity strengthens the overall impact of the story.

While some plot developments follow familiar romance tropes and a few twists may feel predictable to seasoned readers of the genre, the emotional execution ensures these moments still resonate. The darker undertones and heightened stakes add tension to the narrative, even if certain elements remain more atmospheric than fully explored. Secondary characters add texture to the story, though a few could have been developed further to leave a stronger impression.

Ultimately, 'Shattered Hopes' offers a powerful blend of heartache and hope. It may not reinvent the genre, but it delivers an emotionally driven romance with sincerity and depth. For readers who appreciate angsty, character focused stories with intense chemistry and emotional growth, this is a poignant and satisfying read that lingers beyond the final page.

Forbidden love | Second chance romance | Mafia romance | Angsty romance | Emotional scars | Past trauma | Protective hero | Strong heroine | High emotional tension | Redemption

[Magic book club · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

This is the second book of the series and my first book by the author. I like the writing style and I like the strong female character even though there is an age gap.

I enjoyed it and I'm impatiently waiting for the sequels.

---

"Get in the car."

I'd never seen a face go through quite so many emotions in so little time before. "Fuck a dick, you shit-ass motherfucker on a limp noodle biscuit with crap on top, you goddamn asshole. I'm not going anywhere with you."

"Vivid. Now get in."

"Well." Then she went right back to ignoring me, picking up speed despite her limp.

With an irritated grunt, I hit the brakes and put the car in park.

Six steps later, I was towering over her, even as she tried to speed up.

"I don't like to repeat myself.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

[Hasna · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was my first time reading a book by the author and i devoured this book up. each chapter made me want to keep reading. i enjoyed reading this book and could not put it down one bit.

the writing in the book was really good and loved ever bit of it.

renzo and ainsley are so cute together, though i was a little skeptical about their relationship but nevertheless they made it work.

i am so happy that ainsley and her siblings got to live the life they deserved together!

What to expect:
Mafia romance
She fell first, he fell harder
Age gap
Forbidden Love
Strong FMC
Found Family
Angsty
Enemies to Lovers

⚠️ do check trigger warnings before reading ⚠️

thank you so much to greys promo for sending me this ARC ☺️.

[Alexia Gauthier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Revenge looks good on them

4.5 ⭐️ | 3.25 🌶️

If there’s one thing Addy Anders does exceptionally well, it’s dragging your heart through the dark and making you grateful for the scars.

Shattered Hopes, the second installment in the Letters of Ruin series, is gritty, sensual, and far more emotional than I expected; and I say that as someone who already knew the universe and Addy’s signature punch-you-in-the-feels writing style from book one.

This story belongs to Renzo Iannelli and Ainsley and what a tangled, morally messy, utterly addictive ride it is.

Renzo, our MMC, is the newly crowned mafia Don of San Francisco… but crowns like his are soaked in blood. To take power, he killed his own father, the very man responsible for selling Renzo’s sister into sex slavery. He’s ruthless, calculating, and carved from trauma. A villain? Maybe. A product of his circumstances? Absolutely.

And then there’s Ainsley.

Ainsley, who loses her brother in the crossfire of Renzo’s vengeance. Ainsley, who’s shoved into a broken foster system with nothing but grief and fury to keep her warm at night. Ainsley, who decides that if the world made her into a weapon, she’s going to sharpen herself.

This is where the revenge trope shines. Because this isn’t petty. This is slow-burn, marrow-deep, life-defining revenge.

But here’s the thing: this story isn’t just about payback.

It’s about growth.
It’s about forgiveness.
It’s about accepting love when you feel unworthy of it.
And yes… it might feel a little twisted at first glance. He killed her brother. There’s a 13-year age gap. There’s a forbidden element that toes the line in the most dangerous way. On paper? Chaos.

On the page? It works.

The enemies-to-lovers tension is sharp and electric. Their dynamic simmers with anger, guilt, and undeniable chemistry. And when the emotional walls start to crack? It’s not soft or pretty; it’s raw. Messy. Earned.

I loved that Ainsley is strong without being invincible. She’s angry. She’s traumatized. She makes questionable choices. But she never feels weak. Watching her navigate a world full of monsters (some obvious, some hidden) was both heartbreaking and empowering.

Renzo, on the other hand, is the devil you know. And somehow, against all logic, he becomes the safest place in a world that keeps trying to devour her. That moral gray area? Chef’s kiss.

The found family elements hit hard, especially within the brutality of the mafia backdrop. Addy balances violence and vulnerability beautifully. Just when you think it’s all blood and power plays, she slips in moments of tenderness that catch you off guard.

Spice level? It’s not wall-to-wall smut, but when it lands, it lands. Intense, emotionally charged, and perfectly timed.

Overall, this was a solid 4.5-star read for me. Dark, sexy, layered, and surprisingly healing beneath all that vengeance. If you love mafia romance with high stakes, forbidden tension, a strong heroine, and a hero who walks the fine line between villain and salvation; you need this on your radar.

Huge thank you to Grey’s Promotions for the e-ARC, and congratulations to Addy Anders on the upcoming release on February 23rd. I’ll be thinking about Renzo and Ainsley for a long time.

[Diamanti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hello, people!
First of all, let me mention that this book is the second book in the Letters of Ruin series.
The protagonists are Ainsley and Renzo. Renzo is a cruel and ruthless man who goes to extremes. Ainsley has experienced a lot of pain and her soul thirsts for revenge.
Through these characters, the reader experiences various and deep emotions, as well as being faced with heartbreaking truths. The messages and themes that emerge from the story are many. Some of them are pain, anger, prostitution, forgiveness, love, violence and the need for justice.
The author once again creates a wonderful story, captivating her readers with her dark, emotional, moving and fast-paced writing.

Many thanks to the author and Grey's Promotions for the eARC!

This is my honest review!

[Kassie Bates · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️- i knew renzos story would be so good 😍😍

The emotional rollercoaster? Addy does it SOOOOO GOOOD.
Renzo is so morally grey but beautifully so.

[Lisa Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky to be able to read this as an ARC and wow , its the first one I have had by this author and loved it. The storyline was unreal , perfect spice and action. Really enjoyed

[Mira Ella Ludwig · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝕊𝕙𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕖𝕕 ℍ𝕠𝕡𝕖𝕤 ✉️

Welcome back, my sweet, awful creatures! 🦇

Addy Anders and Grey's Promotion have sent me an ARC of Shattered Hopes. This is so special to me because I had enjoyed the first book so much that they were sweet enough to send me the second book as well. Do you think the second book impresses me as much as the first one? Let's find out!

A 15-year-old girl's (Ainsley's) brother gets shot in a gunfight with the Mafia, and the man accused of murdering her brother was called Renzo, the same man who gave Ainsley a sandwich when she was starving with hunger. When she finds out it was he who murdered her brother, she swears to turn his life into a living hell. She starts by sending him threatening letters and then ends up burning his car. Renzo was a man of rules; he would never hurt a child, but he would still make them pay for their sins. He decides that Ainsley should do his dirty work until he decides that her debt is paid off. During their new arrangement, Renzo notices that she walks around in worn clothes, her body is covered in bruises, and her figure is too thin for a child her age. After some research, he finds out that her adoptive parents had been abusing her, and so he plans on adopting her. Unfortunately, things don’t always work out the way we want them to… Renzo finds himself in prison, unable to protect her, leaving only one other option. His cousin has to adopt her. Seven years pass, in which Renzo (now 34) and Ainsley (now 22) send each other letters every other week. The letters help them form a bond, feelings that should have never built up. Ainsley fell for him; Renzo was oblivious… until that one steamy night changed everything between them.

AHHHH! This book hit every single one of my intimate desires! I'm a sucker for age-gap romances, especially when combined with mafia romances. (Insert nail-biting Megan Thee Stallion.) The first book of this series was already so good that I did not expect the second one to surpass it, but Addy Anders, of course, knows what we want and delivered.

The storyline was well thought out and written in a way that pulls the reader into the world of the book, letting us experience the story as if we were the FMC. (This could also be because I related to the FMC completely.) The pace is fast, I'd say. I finished it in two workdays, so if I had more time, then I would have easily finished it in a day.

Our main characters, Ainsley and Renzo, are both quite traumatized individuals, and it is the main reason, IMO, why they felt pulled to each other to begin with. Renzo had lost his whole family until he found his sister, who had been kidnapped. and Ainsley, who had no family left after her brother's death. It was fate.

Ainsley is a strong FMC who could disregard her fears to get whatever she was after; she wouldn't let anyone step on her no matter what. She is strong-willed, independent, and knows what she wants.

Renzo, on the other hand, has a complicated personality. Even though he is a good man (under mafiatic circumstances), prison turns him into a cold-hearted, angry, and hopeless man. The only thing that keeps him going is Ainsley. She is the light in his darkness. With her, he finds himself once again.

The smut is on the rougher side, which I think, with mafia romances, is to be expected. (Consensual biting, slapping, and light degrading, etc.) If you're a mafia romance reader, you are most certainly into that, so be prepared to feel your lower abdomen flip during those scenes because they ARE that good.

One thing that might cause controversial views is the age gap situation, though again I promise there is nothing happening between them in the letters or in person until they are both consenting adults.

I enjoyed this book much more than the first; I felt the story was written with so much more love and focus, which makes sense, as the author herself said that this story came to her mind first before she even wrote the first book.

Thank you, Addy Anders, for the ARC!

Until next time

mira 💗

[Lucia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book gives us the story of Renzo and Ainsley, a plot filled with intense emotions and unforgettable moments that I truly loved.

First, we meet Ainsley, a girl who has lost everything, her family was taken from her, and the only person she had left was her brother, but even he was taken away. At first, Ainsley believed her brother was innocent, until she discovered the truth, that revelation filled her with anger and resentment toward Renzo, who was involved in her brother’s death, from that moment on she swears revenge and promises to make Renzo pay for all the pain he caused her.

On the other hand, there is Renzo, a man burdened by guilt, not being able to save his mother and sister haunts him deeply. When he learns about everything Ainsley is going through, he begins to investigate her life, a mistake on Ainsley’s part puts her directly in Renzo’s sight, and as he gets to know her, he realizes how broken she is inside. Despite being only fifteen years old, Ainsley takes care of several children as if they were her own siblings, this awakens Renzo’s protective instincts, and he decides to protect her and the children.

However, danger soon follows. Just when Renzo decides to give them safety and stability, he is trapped in an ambush that sends him to prison for seven long years. That time changes him and makes him more dangerous, yet he never loses contact with Ainsley, through letters, a special bond grows between them he sees her as a little sister, and she sees him as her protector, over time, when Ainsley reaches adulthood, those feelings begin to change.

When Renzo is finally released from prison, their reunion is intense and full of tension at first, he does not recognize her. The girl he exchanged letters with has grown into a strong and determined woman, Renzo struggles with his emotions, believing he should not fall in love with her, but the heart does not follow rules. He knows he made mistakes and that if he wants her back, he will have to fight for her, especially when an old enemy returns to destroy him.

In the end, Renzo accepts that he wants to love and be loved, he shows Ainsley that he is ready to be the man she deserves, the man who fought to protect her, who stood by her side when her life was in danger, and who showed her his true self. Together, they find what they always wanted, someone to trust and lean on. Ainsley heals the wounds of her past and finds a family with Renzo, Lou, Tore, Vinny, Bee, and Boyan.

I deeply loved Ainsley’s character. Her strength at such a young age is inspiring and proves that no matter how hard life gets, you must keep moving forward and never give up. I also loved seeing how she slowly opened her heart to Renzo, and learned to look beyond the powerful man who leads an empire. Renzo also won my heart he is a man who only wanted to protect those he considers family, he carried his pain in silence, but with Ainsley, he allowed his heart to soften and heal, his doubts were understandable, yet in the end, he knew he had found his equal and the woman of his life.

The preview of the third book leaves me full of questions and eager to continue exploring this world. I also loved the relationship between Renzo, Tore, and Vinny. They protect each other no matter what and form an unbreakable brotherhood, something truly precious.

Thank you to the author for giving us a story that conveys so much emotion on every page and truly touches the reader’s ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

An emotionally charged mafia romance, that completely pulled me in from the start, Shattered Hopes follows Ainsley’s story as her world unravels. Within a few short years, she loses her parents and the privileged life they gave her until, at fourteen, her brother is all she has left. Desperate to provide for her, he becomes entangled with the wrong people and is ultimately killed in a mob boss’s act of revenge. Thrown into foster care where she endures abuse, Ainsley’s grief and anger becomes the driving force of the story as it fuels her determination to make Renzo Iannelli, the man she holds responsible, pay not only for her brother’s death but the ensuing nightmare her life has become.

This truly is a slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers romance. Ainsley first meets Renzo when she is fourteen to his twenty-seven, and she despises him with a fiery intensity despite knowing how powerful and dangerous he is. All she wants is revenge, for him to hurt as deeply as she’s been hurt. On the other hand, when Renzo looks at the broken, angry girl, he’s reminded of the sister he failed to protect from their father. He sees Ainsley’s actions as more of a nuisance than a real threat, but to maintain authority, he can’t let her open defiance slide and go unpunished. He decides to keep her close and eventually have her work for him, until he notices her bruises and witnesses how fiercely protective she is toward her foster siblings. From that moment, his plans begin to shift, though he never could anticipate the personal cost to himself. Soon after, Renzo loses eight years of his life, and during that time he and Ainsley communicate only through letters, which slowly reveal their vulnerabilities and watching their walls slowly come down on paper was one of my favourite aspects of the book.

When they finally meet again, Renzo doesn’t recognise the woman Ainsley has become and treats her like any other nameless and instantly forgettable conquest, an approach that doesn’t go down well with Ainsley. In the intervening years apart, she’s been living under the protection of his found family, safe and possibly a little spoiled by his men who now look on her as their younger sister. She’s still as fiery as ever, but Renzo’s feelings toward the grown woman she’s become are now anything but brotherly. Filled with angst, heart-stopping tension, and explosive chemistry, the push and pull between Ainsley and Renzo is magnetic. Yet the enemies responsible for stealing eight years from Renzo’s life still lurk in the background, determined to control him once more. If you enjoy emotionally intense mafia romances featuring morally gray heroes, fierce heroines, and a love story where she might fall first, but he falls harder, then this book definitely delivers.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ainsley was orphaned as a child when her parents were killed in a car accident. Her older brother took custody and spent years trying to raise her in their memory, but when she was fourteen, tragedy struck again when her brother was killed in a gang shooting. When the news reveals the man responsible, only to then announce that no charges are bring laid, she vows to make him pay. Living in foster care means that she doesn’t have many options, but she is determined to avenge her brother’s death. When she finally meets the man responsible, he initially threatens her, after which she takes drastic measures to get his attention. Rather than act on his threats, he begins to support her and her foster siblings, sending food and clothes, but before he can act on his plans to adopt them, he is arrested and sentenced to 25 years in prison. Over the next seven years, Ainsley begins to write him letters.

When Renzo’s father sold his sister to traffickers, he knew it was time to eliminate him. The attack was brutal and left many dead, but what he hadn’t counted on is a feisty teenager challenging him. While it would have been easy to leave her to her own devices, something about her makes him decide to bring her into the fold. When his plans to adopt her and her foster siblings falls to the wayside with his arrest, he arranges for his cousin to carry forward with the plan, and for seven years, he becomes Ainsley’s secret confidant, and gets to know the girl behind holding the pen. As she gets older, he begins to feel more for her than just a family figure, but knows that he can never cross that line.

I received an early copy of this book from Grey’s Promo and really loved it. We were introduced to Renzo’s character as Tessa’s brother in Blind Devotion, so I was thrilled to get to see more of him. I loved the way this story was structured, with the origin of the relationship very clearly defined before Renzo is sent away. As their letters change over seven years, it becomes apparent that Ainsely wants more from him, but he is always insistent that can never happen, and yet when she helps to get him released, all bets are off. Ainsley was a strong character right from the beginning, so it was clear that she would become unstoppable as an adult, the chemistry between Ainsely and Renzo was explosive, and they both had some serious burn the world down energy. While this story could have been weird given their age gap and earlier encounters, the author wrote it beautifully, making it clear that this was a connection that grew in adulthood, not a moment before.

[Marion Löw · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this new instalment, which runs partly parallel to the first part of the series and picks up where the first book left off and tells the story of Persetta's brother Renzo and the young orphan Ainsley. The plot is very well written, action-packed and well-paced, even though it extends over a longer period of time. It is a slow-burning enemy-to-lovers Mafia romance with additional love-hate, revenge, age gap and forbidden love tropes, and is full of drama, violence, suspense, danger, twists and turns, and spicy love scenes.
I really liked the protagonists. Renzo is a brutal and powerful morally gray hero, but also caring and protective. Ainsley is the star of the book. She is strong, determined and cheeky, knows how to stand her ground, doesn’t let herself be intimidated and brings Renzo to his knees. I really liked the tension, the chemistry and the interactions between the two. What I liked best, however, was the funny and teasing correspondence while he was in jail and how their relationship slowly developed through their epistolary.
TW: child abuse, violence, death, sex

After Renzo Iannelli murders his father, who sold his younger sister Persetta to a human trafficking ring, he takes over the family business, makes enemies and sets out to find Persetta, stepping over many dead bodies to do so.
Ainsley Burch is a pampered teenage girl raised by her brother Noah after their parents' fatal accident, but then Noah is shot dead and Ainsley ends up in the foster care system. She hates Renzo Iannelli, who is responsible for her brother's death and her new circumstances, and wants to make his life difficult. But one of her pranks goes awry and Ainsley now owes him a favor. To her surprise, Renzo wants to adopt her and her little foster siblings, but instead he ends up in prison, and his cousin steps in for him. For years, they write letters to each other and Ainsley slowly falls in love with the man she is supposed to hate, but then Renzo is released from prison and takes over his business again, and a relationship between them seems impossible...

If you like gritty and spicy mafia romances with protective anti-heroes, strong, sassy heroines, lots of bickering, tension, action and suspense, you are sure to enjoy this book!

Thank you Addy Anders and Grey Promotion for the ARC of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and left voluntarily.

#DarkRomance #MafiaRomance #AgeGap #ForbiddenLove #EnemiestoLovers
@addyanders_author @greyspromo

[Kirsty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I need a moment. Shattered Hopes by Addy Anders did not gently tug at my feelings. It grabbed them by the throat and said sit down, we are going somewhere dark.

This book opens with a sandwich. A simple, ordinary act of kindness. And somehow that tiny detail made everything worse. Because from that bite forward, you know innocence is about to be devoured whole. Renzo Iannelli does not just ruin her life. He detonates it. One decision. One act of revenge. And she is left an orphan, tossed into a system that bruises what little he did not already break. My heart hurt in a deep, simmering way.

And then she grows teeth.

Watching her transform from collateral damage into calculated vengeance was everything. She is not naive. She is not soft. She is patient. Cold. Focused. The kind of heroine who understands that revenge is not a spark but a slow burn. She does not want justice. She wants balance. She wants him to feel it.

Renzo is the devil you expect in a mafia romance. Powerful. Untouchable. Ruthless. But what makes this story addictive is that he is not just a cardboard villain. He is layered in guilt, in pride, in blind spots he never knew he had. When the lines between enemy and protector begin to blur, it feels dangerous. Intimate. Wrong in the best possible way.

The world around them is not safer. If anything, it is worse. The mafia politics, the looming threats, the reminder that monsters do not travel alone. At some point you start realizing Renzo might be the devil she knows, but there are bigger predators circling. And that shift? Chef’s kiss. Watching her forced to rely on the very man she swore to destroy was deliciously complicated.

Their chemistry is sharp. Tense. Every interaction feels like it could end in a kiss or a knife wound. The push and pull between revenge and redemption kept me flipping pages like my life depended on it. And when vulnerability finally cracks through all that armor? I melted. Completely.

This is dark. It is gritty. It does not pretend love is clean or simple. But somehow, through all the bloodstained history and broken trust, Addy Anders builds a romance that feels earned. Hard fought. Fierce.

[Little monster · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love your mafia romances drenched in vengeance, moral gray areas, and a hero who walks the razor’s edge between monster and savior, this one will absolutely sink its claws into you.


From the very first line, the premise is gripping. Our FMC Ainsley motivation is crystal clear and emotionally charged — revenge born from devastating loss. Her pain feels raw and believable, and watching her transform from victim to someone willing to play in the shadows is one of the book’s biggest strengths. She’s not naïve, not soft, and definitely not passive… which makes her journey incredibly compelling. Our MMC Renzo Iannelli? Whew. He is the kind of morally black (not just gray) mafia man readers of dark romance crave. Dangerous, controlled, and layered with just enough vulnerability to keep you hooked. The tension between him Ainsley is thick from the start, fueled by betrayal, anger, and eventually that irresistible push-pull that defines the genre. What really works here is the emotional conflict, this isn’t just revenge for the sake of drama — the story leans into the messy reality that the world isn’t black and white. The shift from enemies to something far more complicated feels earned, and the “devil you know” dynamic adds delicious angst.
This is firmly on the darker side of mafia romance. Sensitive readers should definitely check the content warnings, as the themes lean heavy and unapologetic.

This was a gritty, emotionally charged mafia romance that delivers angst, danger, and a hard-won happily ever after. If you enjoy possessive antiheroes, revenge plots, and relationships forged in fire, this book will absolutely work for you. Please do read the first book Blind Devotion as it does interconnect with some of the characters but I really did enjoy this and can't wait for the third book.

[Bella · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Shattered Hopes by Addy Anders

This book wrecked me in the best possible way. Shattered Hopes is dark, emotional, and gripping from the very first page, and it never lets up. I went in expecting a gritty mafia romance and came out completely shattered by the depth of pain, resilience, and twisted connection between these characters.

The story hits hard right away. The betrayal, the loss, and the long shadow it casts over her life feel brutally real. Her anger and need for vengeance are raw and justified, and I loved how Addy Anders never softens her edges or rushes her healing. She is fierce, broken, and determined in a way that makes you root for her even when her choices are morally gray.

Renzo is everything I love in a dark romance hero. Dangerous, complicated, and deeply flawed, yet layered with moments that make you question everything you thought you knew about him. Watching the dynamic between them evolve from hatred to something far more tangled and intimate is intense and emotionally charged. The tension is constant, and every interaction feels loaded with history and unspoken pain.

What really sets this book apart is how it explores the idea that monsters are not always who we expect, and sometimes the devil you know becomes the only safe place left. The romance is slow, messy, and earned, and the emotional payoff is incredibly satisfying.

Dark, angsty, and full of heart beneath the violence, Shattered Hopes is a powerful mafia romance that delivers on emotion, chemistry, and redemption. If you love morally gray characters, revenge-fueled plots, and a hard-won happily ever after, this one deserves every star.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Nickie Sale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shattered Hopes by Addy Anders is the 2nd book in Letters of Ruin series. I have not read the first book and whilst not it’s not necessary to have read the 1st, it does give you some context for some of the characters. Ainsley, orphaned at a young age, spends years of abuse in foster care when her brother is caught in the crossfire of a revenge war and killed. Renzo Iannelli is the powerful, ruthless mafia man, who killed him.

Ainsley can’t forgive or forget him, she wants her revenge, she wants to destroy Renzo. However, Ainsley accidently puts herself on his radar, Renzo learns what she’s been through, sees how broken she is and sees how despite her young age, 15, how she takes care of other children. Renzo’s instincts are to protect Ainsley and the other children. Renzo, even though he killed his father, still feels guilty that he couldn’t save his sister, when his father sold her into sex slavery.

Before Renzo can put his plans for Ainsley into place, he’s sent to prison, so for the next seven years he keeps in contact with Ainsley via letters and the bond they develop is more of a big brother little sister vibe than anything else. But as Ainsley leaves her teenage years behind so those feelings change. Wow that reunion when he’s released is pure tension and more tension, whilst they both struggle with their emotions.

Ainsley and Renzo’s journey is a highly emotional enemies to lovers. Renzo must show Ainsley who he truly is and that he deserves her love and will fight for her and protect her. Ainsley had to overcome her past, heal from her old wounds but also learn to open her heart to Renzo. Together they give each other someone to both trust and hold on to when they need to.

[ljamison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t realize when I read this book that it was the second book in the Letters of Ruin series. I did wonder about Renzo’s sister and how her plight was resolved and we didn’t see it. Now I must go back and read the first book to understand. This was an amazing book. Ainsley was the daughter of two wealthy doctors who unfortunately died. She had to live with her brother who was also in medical school with huge school loans struggling financially to care for him and his sister. Her brother dies in a mafia crossfire and Ainsley blames Renzo.
The book is broken into three parts. The first part is Ainsley as a child who is now in foster care and consumed with so much anger and hatred that makes her act out and stalk Renzo. The second part is a series of letters between Ainsley and Renzo as she now becomes a young adult and begins to appreciate him and in fact become quite infatuated with him. The third part is Renzo and Ainsley being reunited with her being an adult, hoping for a relationship with him and him wanting nothing to do with her but being extremely attracted to her. I loved how the author showed Ainsley growing up and that the past did not consist of flashbacks. Ainsley is such a tough firecracker. She is fierce, determined and driven. Renzo on the other hand is aloof, confident and compassionate. He is annoyed with his pest (as he calls her) but he is concerned about her situation. Because this is an age gap romance and Renzo meets Ainsley when she is a child, the book shows the changing evolution of their relationship. He views her as an annoying child, a teenage nuisance and then as an alluring woman. The book was so good, engaging I didn’t want to stop reading it, wondering how these two unlikely people were going to achieve their HEA.

[Akku · Rating 4 out of 5]

• 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 - 4✨

• 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 - February 23, 2026

• 𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 -
- mafia romance
- age gap
- forbidden feelings
- grief to love
- protective hero
- trauma bond
- touch her and die
- slow burn

• 𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 -
This story follows Ainsley, a girl who loses everything at a young age. After her parents and brother die, she grows up in the foster system carrying anger and grief. Renzo is the heir to a powerful mafia family and is connected to the tragedy that destroyed her life. Years later, when they meet again as adults, their hate slowly turns into something deeper and more dangerous. It is a story about loss, revenge, guilt, and choosing love even when the past is heavy.
This book had such an emotional base. The childhood trauma part really hit hard. Ainsley’s pain felt real and raw.
Renzo gives strong silent mafia energy. He is cold, powerful, and very protective. I liked his possessive side, especially when he went into full protective mode. Those scenes were strong and dramatic in a good way.
The age gap tension and forbidden vibe added spice to the story. The angst carried the book for me. Their connection was built on grief and guilt, which made it messy but emotional.
At some points, I wanted deeper emotional conversations between them. Some conflicts felt like they could have been explored more. I enjoyed it, but I still wanted a little more depth in certain scenes.
Overall, it is a dark, emotional mafia romance with heavy themes and a protective hero. If you like angsty love stories with trauma, power, and obsession, this one will fit your vibe.
Thank you book sirens for the free ARC!

[Anushka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly, this book was unexpectedly good. I’ve read a lot of mafia romance novels trying to find something that feels different within the trope. While I already enjoy mafia romance as a genre, this book truly stands out.

It incorporates several compelling elements: a significant age gap, enemies-to-lovers, the hero having killed her brother, and a letter exchange between the main characters. What I appreciated most was that the story didn’t gloss over the mafia aspects. Instead, it fully developed that world and kept readers informed and engaged in the intricacies of the criminal dynamics, which added depth and realism to the plot.

One of the strongest parts of the book is the letter exchange between the main characters. In my opinion, it’s the highlight of the story (Although it can feel slightly stretched at times, I would definitely recommend sticking with it—the letters and everything that follows are absolutely worth it.)

At the beginning of the novel, the female lead is still a teenager. However, there is no romantic involvement between the main characters during that time. Their relationship only begins once she is an adult, which is an important distinction.
As for the spice level, it’s relatively low for much of the book since the female lead is not yet an adult for a significant portion of the story. That said, once she is older, the romantic scenes increase and are well-written and satisfying without overshadowing the plot.

Overall, this was a very enjoyable read. I found myself far more hooked than I initially expected, and I would definitely say it’s worth picking up.

[Audi Walbridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

400 pages went so fast.

This is book two and Ainsley & Renzo's story.

Mafia, enemies to lovers (Ainsley for sure saw him as an enemy), and age gap romance.

✅️✅️✅️

Ainsley, orphaned after her parents died in an accident, to put in the system after her brother was killed, and who to blame? Well mafia boss Renzo.

Renzo *chefs kiss*
Mafia boss but has morals (they're just grey so it's okay) super serious, but also has a secret soft side.

Ainsley overcome with grief and anger wants to do nothing but be a thorn in side, she even resorts to arson. Renzo however doesn't hurt children.

Unfortunately Ainsley's placement is not the same & she is treated terribly. She takes the brunt when she can to protect her foster siblings Boyan and Lou. Renzo is going to step in and save them, and things go south.

Blurry lines of truth and lies and false testimonies send our beloved Renzo to prison, and his cousin put in charge of the mafia, Lou, Boyan, & Ainsley.

Ainsley and Renzo become pen pals even though he tells her to stop writing him. He is completely appropriate this entire time, Renzo would never.

FF to Renzo's release, Ainsley is no longer a child.
Their banter is great, she's still feisty and refuses to bow down, but she's fallen and she hopes he has too. Will the walls he put up fall, and let him have what he wants and thinks he can't have?

It heated up so fast the action happened so fast that I didn't want it to end, and I could read another book about them. His surprise for her!

I can't wait for the next book either though and hope we also get a Tore and Bre story!

[Aubrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book more than the first one. I loved Ainsley. She’s fierce, stubborn, and goes after what she wants without shame. Renzo feels unworthy. He killed her brother, there’s a 13-year age gap, it’s forbidden.

What should feel irredeemable somehow transforms into something raw and deeply human. The enemies-to-lovers tension is razor sharp—every interaction between Ainsley and Renzo hums with anger, guilt, and chemistry that refuses to be ignored. Their connection isn’t soft or convenient. It’s messy. Hard-earned. Built on confrontation instead of comfort.

Ainsley is one of those heroines who feels real in the most uncomfortable ways. She’s furious. She’s grieving. She’s traumatized. She makes decisions that make you want to shake her, but never once does she feel weak. Her strength isn’t about perfection; it’s about survival. Watching her navigate a world crawling with monsters (some obvious, some hiding behind polished smiles) is both heartbreaking and empowering.

And Renzo? He is the devil you know. Morally gray doesn’t even begin to cover it. Yet somehow he becomes the safest place in a world determined to consume her. That contradiction is what makes him compelling. He doesn’t beg for redemption—he earns proximity, inch by inch. The tension between who he was and who he’s trying to be creates a dynamic that’s magnetic.

The found family elements hit just as hard as the romance. Against the brutal mafia backdrop, the loyalty and unexpected tenderness feel almost rebellious. Addy masterfully balances violence with vulnerability. Just when the story leans too far into bloodshed and power plays, she slips in quiet moments of care that land like a punch to the chest.

This isn’t a sweet love story. It’s not clean. It’s not comfortable. It’s about two broken people choosing something different than the pain that shaped them. And somehow, against all logic, you end up rooting for them.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in this series and again brilliant story. Ainsley had lost everything. First her parents killed in a car accident. Then her beloved brother. Now part of the foster system she will be passed around, being fifteen meant nobody would adopt her. Now she knows who murdered her brother, and she'd make him pay for her heartbreak. Stuck in a foster home with adults who really only do it for the money, she cares for the two younger children. Renzo took over control after his father's death, whilst looking for his sister who his father had sold off to punish his wife. Now he was receiving threats from a stalker who wants revenge. He needed to know who it was, and why they wanted revenge. A fifteen year old girl, how is that possible. He can't and won't hurt a child. But she owed him after what she'd done. Seven years later, how time changes everything. Nothing is what it seems. However he was a criminal, she was now family. Nothing could ever change between them. But now enemies are piling up. Secrets and traitors were causing more trouble. This is a story that keeps you guessing. With heartfelt messages and dear diary letters can revenge become something more. The way the story unfolds you begin wondering who is trustworthy, and who is playing both sides. I couldn't put this book down and loved the characters, especially Bee. I really hope she'll get a book of her own.

[Christine ARGYROPOULOU · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75⭐️

I really adored this book❤️I got this book as an ARC and i absolutely devoured it.

I loved their tension and i think that the age gap was written so good, i really liked that he wasn’t weird wanting her when she was underage and there was not weird thoughts before he got out of prison.
Omg i loved the aspect of the pen pals ❤️it was an aspect of the book that really made me enjoy it more because we saw them getting to know each other and have actual conversations.
The spice was really nice and i think i enjoyed that it was just 3-4 chapters and it was not repetitive ❤️

I really liked their tension plot it was something unique. He is responsible for her brothers death,he saves her. Omg 😍
I also really liked the Fm protagonist because she was so strong and smart but also independent . I really enjoyed her scenes that she was a powerful bad bitch who know what she wanted and went for it.
He was strong and i liked that he know what she wanted in the end and acted as he should❤️

I loved the mafia aspect and the fact that it was not just in the background but there was an actual plot with the mafia of the Greeks❤️

Honestly the only reason i am giving this 4.75⭐️ is because i wanted more scenes after he got out of prison because i felt it was a little rushed but on the other hand they were talking for 7 years. Maybe is just me but i would like some more scenes before they were officially together ❤️🖤🥂

[Emmy Wong · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was an age gap mafia romance with a fun enemies to lovers kind of dynamic. The story is told chronologically in three parts, “then”, the letters, and “now”. In “then” the fmc is a minor while the mmc is in his twenties, however there is nothing romantic about their relationship at that time. They’re mostly enemies and she wants revenge for killing her brother. They have such a funny dynamic and really she isn’t threatening, just a pain in his ass. However the letters are when their more romantic relationship dynamic is shown and they really are so cute. However I do believe that the letters were a little slower but were great for building up their relationship for when they finally see each other again. Honestly that twist got me so bad I didn’t know whether to laugh or to cry. The plot was really good, great twists but I do think this book was more character carried. Especially with Renzos denial, like I get it you’re older, but I think I’ve read way too many age gap books where the guy is just “omg I’m so much older than you we can’t be together” but they end up being together anyway, so I would appreciate if you admitted feelings earlier dude. Either way this book was a fun read, some typical mafia violence stuff too and amazing characters. Also Bee and Tores better get their own book! I give this a 4/5

[thebeespot72 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shattered Hopes is a Forbidden Romance readers’ dream story. It’s like for readers that love the kind of forbiddeness that often happens in K. Webster’s books—you know what I mean? If you can handle that kind of forbidenness and enjoy it, then you’re going to love Shattered Hopes. That 13-year age gap tells a full story, and Author Addy Anders delivers it with Mafia, another favorite of mine.

The Mafia serves as the baseline for Shattered Hopes, but Ainsley and Renzo’s story begins early in their timeline to establish their relationship—albeit innocent at that stage. Even at a young age, Ainsley shows incredible perseverance, strength, and plenty of snark. I loved the letter-writing aspect of their relationship during their time apart due to unfortunate circumstances. I felt her feelings shift in those letters. Her snark certainly stayed true too.

Renzo always knew how to handle Ainsley from day one. He did struggle with their age and his role in her life—I won’t spoil that part, but it made their relationship even more forbidden, which certainly spiced things up.

The spice was fire and well-written. Renzo is jealous/possessive and all things alpha. Shattered Hopes was a great read!

Thank you to Author Addy Anders for the gifted e-copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sadie-Vex · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’d never read a book by Addy Anders before, so I had no idea what to expect. What I got was amazing. I loved this story.

I thought I was getting an age-gap, slow-burn, enemy-to-lovers story, and I did, but it’s so much more. The first half grabbed me by the heart and had me invested. The second half filled me with hope and amazement at how layered these characters are. This isn’t just a shallow mafia romance. It somehow takes something that shouldn’t work and not only makes it work, it exceeds everything I thought it could be.

Ainsley is the heart of the story. She carries a grief and anger that feel real and earned, but she’s bold, smart, and never lets anyone, including Renzo, shrink her. Her journey is tough and heartbreaking at times, but her growth and the found family she builds make her unforgettable.

Renzo isn’t an angel. He’s intense, dangerous, but principled. Yet from the start, you can see there’s more to him. It’s how he shows care, restraint, loyalty, and protectiveness that makes him compelling.

The connection between them is amusing, sad, and wonderful, and it just works. Every page just pulled me in further.

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

Ratings Explained:

★☆☆☆☆ – This book wasn’t for me
★★☆☆☆ – I didn’t like it
★★★☆☆ – It was okay
★★★★☆ – I liked it
★★★★★ – I loved it.

[Megan Meyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished Shattered Hopes by Addy Anders and whew… I am not okay. This book had me completely wrapped up in its chaos, pain, and slow-burn tension from the very first chapter.

This story is dark, gritty, and emotionally intense — but underneath all that edge is something surprisingly tender. Our heroine has been through so much, carrying loss and trauma that would break most people. She’s fueled by revenge, determined to take down the man who ruined her life… except nothing is ever that simple when feelings start getting involved. And the way pain and desire collide in this story? Absolutely addictive.

What I loved most was how real the growth felt. The enemies-to-lovers tension wasn’t rushed or surface level. It was messy. Complicated. Full of angst and moments that made my chest ache. Watching walls slowly crumble and trust build in the smallest, most fragile ways had me completely invested.

Addy Anders does not hold back with the heavy themes, but that emotional weight is what makes this story hit so hard. Every twist, every vulnerable moment, every spark of connection felt earned.

If you love dark mafia romance with high tension, emotional depth, and a couple that fights their way to their HEA, this one will absolutely wreck you in the best way.

And honestly? I’m still thinking about them. 🖤

[Kristy James · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m super grateful to have been chosen to receive an ARC for Ainsley and Renzo’s story. This is my first read by this author and it won’t be my last!

Ainsley and Renzo had an interesting start and I’m so happy that Addy put the spin in on it that she did for them. It’s what saved the book for me, I’ll be honest. Before the spin with Renzo landing himself in jail I was kinda worried for the age gap trope for a minute lol 😅 I was worried how the story was going to go. She wrote the characters so beautifully and they had so much angst when Ainsley reached adulthood.

Ainsley was a strong FMC who knew exactly what and who she wanted. Even with her hard start in life, she never compromised herself. And Renzo is such a broody and grumpy mafia don, but not when it comes to his woman. Don’t we all love men who hate the world but love their women? Hard and tough on everyone else but squishy soft for their ladies? Hell, I know I do!

If you’re looking for a page turning read that will keep you engaged throughout the story, a badass power couple, and a nice little sprinkle of spice: then give this one a read! ✨

Dual 1st POV
Enemies to Lovers
Age Gap
Forbidden
Spice (🌶️🌶️/5) for me
Found family

[Katrine Ladefoged · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book❤️ this is the second book in the series and Addy has done it again - amazing writing that tucks on your heart strings 🫶🏼
It’s giving enemies to lovers, kind of forbidden love with some touch her and die - so 10/10 chefs kiss
You have the FMC Ainsley who has lost everything but still keeps on fighting (especially to her foster siblings) - who feeds of of revenge plans for her brothers killer - the MMC Renzo. Renzo is the definition of a hard shell but soft for her 🫶🏼 (well eventually we get there - and the road ahead is long and twisted and angsty and absolutely amazing - I’ve cried soooo many times in this book)
Renzo promises to adopt her and her foster siblings but things take a turn and he is in prison for the next 7 years - however Ainsley never stops writing him even though he tells her to stop - but the tenacity she puts out gives him no choice but to look forward to her letters (and who knows maybe there is something special in these letters 😉)
Get your tissues out for when he gets out of prison, I cried soooooooo much omg - I thought he was stupid for not giving in and I love a girly who stands by who they are but man the events that let us here made the reward even better
I can’t wait for the third book in this series ✨

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
I firstly want to thank the wonderful Addy Anders for the opportunity to read the ARC of Shattered Hopes, and she has once again not disappointed! ✨️ Shattered Hopes is a beautifully dark and twisted romance with the broody untouchable (until her) Mafia Don MMC, and the strong willed and cunning FMC.
I really loved this book as it was not an immediate romance but rather a relationship developed over many years of bonding, trust and just the characters learning about one another. The writing was unlike anything I've read before with the incorporation of a letter exchange that made the book truly enjoyable to read.
Overall there was the perfect amount of the darkness and suspense that comes from a Mafia lifestyle, as well as the tension between our two main characters. I truly fell in love with the characters and the world building (Tore being a fav of mine).
It was just a beautiful mix of tension, shock, love truly just a roller coaster of emotions that made me feel so invested in the story and fully connected to the characters all throughout the book.
Again I am so thankful to Addy Anders for the opportunity. I could not recommend checking this book out enough on the 23rd of Feb (you should also check out Blind Devotion while you're at it)!