Glitter and Grim

by Ann Morgan

“I’m not a monster,” he said, voice low. “But I’ll be your monster.”

Masie Blythe only wants two to get over her ex-almost fiancé, and to see her art in the world renowned Stratford and Sons gallery. After a string of dead-end jobs, and even worse one night stands, she's farther away from that goal than she thinks. Until one day, by chance, she sees a flyer for a temporary front desk position.

Enzo "The Reaper" Rossi is a man marked in blood with a dangerous past. He'll do anything to protect the ones he loves, including selling his soul to Giovanni Aiello, the king of the Chicago underworld.

When Enzo finally takes a chance to leave his life of violence behind, he doesn't expect to find love. Masie draws him in like a moth to flame, and she does not flinch once she finds out his violent past. But loving her is dangerous. But for her, Enzo is willing to risk everything. Even his life.

Enzo is the darkness she cannot resist, the danger she cannot outrun, and the man who would burn the world to keep her safe.

Can Masie survive the chaos he drags her into?
Or will loving him cost them both everything?


Glitter and Grim is a high-heat, open-door, dark romantic comedy. It contains mature themes and explicit content which may be disturbing to readers. Please check the TWs at the beginning of the book and read at your own discretion.


Grumpy x Sunshine
Morally Gray MMC
He falls first, and hard
Touch her and die

294 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 13, 2025

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a debut book, this was a great read! I was able to be an ARC reader for this story. The plot centers around tall, dark, and broody MMC, Enzo, who falls immediately in love with the bright, cheery, artsy MFC, Masie, and together they try to navigate the turbulent waters of the mafia. I really enjoyed the book even though I’m not a fan of the love at first sight tropes. I did feel the main characters and their love was a tad bit rushed, but despite this, the book kept my interest and I was looking forward to seeing what would happen next. Can’t wait for the next book, hoping it will be centered around Marigold, Masie’s bestie, and her love interest Ryland.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for the plot
🌶️🌶️ for the spice

[Susan Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! I got to read it as an ARC reader and I’m looking forward to more writing from this author. There was enough banter to make me laugh out loud, light to medium spice and romcom vibes to make you giggle and kick your feet. There’s a dark and hurt mmc that deserves healing and love and a happy artistic thrifter mfc who’s brave enough to help him fight his battles.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - 4 stars
🌶️🌶️🫑 - 2.5 peppers for spice

[Breanne Lachey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This dark mafia romance with a touch of thriller completely hooked me. From the very first chapter, I was invested and kept coming back for more. The suspense had me constantly guessing what would happen next, every twist pulled me deeper into the story.

I loved the soulmate, love-at-first-sight connection between the main characters. Their chemistry was intense and magnetic in that fated, can’t-stay-away kind of way. The mix of danger, passion, and loyalty made this such an addicting read.

I’m seriously hoping we’ll get to see more of Ryland and Marigold’s story in the future, and honestly, I’d love a book diving into Liv’s life while Enzo was gone too. There’s definitely room for more in this world, and I’d be first in line to read it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5 stars
Dark, emotional, and full of tension. Glitter and Grim is the kind of story that keeps your heart racing and your mind spinning long after the last page.

[Antonia Belcik · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, I want to say thank you Ann for the ARC! It was amazing to get to read your story and I hope you're proud of yourself!!

Personally, I am not a fan of the third person povs, but that's just my personal preference. I really enjoyed the story, though I do think everything was a bit rushed between Masie and Enzo. Especially how they were saying that they were in love with each other even though they only knew each other for a couple weeks and hardly knew anything about one another.

Aside from it being rushed (in my opinion) I really enjoyed the book! I will be reading the next one. Here's to hoping it'll be Mar and Ryland's book!

Again, thank you Ann for the ARC!

[Rachel’s Coffee & Rain Reads]

Darn. I had high hopes for this one but I just couldn’t keep going after 61%. The premise was interesting, I really liked Enzo and wanted his POV the whole time. Masie was ok, I don’t have any feelings towards her at all. The romance had no lead up so there was no investment in them getting together. Like strangers to “I love you” in a couple days…? It was honestly jarring and felt disingenuous. Antonio was a great mentor figure, until he was unhinged upon finding Enzo and Masie together. The dialogue started to feel like bad soap opera writing. I’m bummed but life’s too short and my tbr is too long. 😕

[Sam Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I typically don’t enjoy reading books in third POV but it actually took me a chapter or two to actually realize it wasn’t in first POV. The author hooks you right in to the storyline about an artist looking to make her way in the world and Reaper, the enforcer to a crime organization. The plot is the perfect mix of romance, humor, thrill and spice. Masie brings the light to Enzo’s life, but will he be able to keep her or will he only have his darkness and lack of humanity?

“The decision was made and marked in blood. No one else would touch her. No one else would ever think about her like that. Not as long as he was standing here.”

[Hannah Cruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me hooked from Hello! I seriously couldn’t get enough! Enzo has so much history and the instant connection with Masie was so relatable and cute! The emotions had me in a choke hold! From the cutesy head over heels to that spicy need I just couldn’t resist!😍

If you need a book that has twists, darkness, spice and a sexy Italian tattooed man this is it🤤 I can’t wait to see what’s to come! I can say I need more Marigold and Ryland!👀 I truly loved this book and putting in words just how much is hard to do!😭 Beautifully told and it gives you everything you didn’t know you needed😍

[Brianna Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

I I really liked Glitter and Grim! I read it as an ARC and the mix of romance and mystery kept me turning the pages. I loved seeing how much Enzo grew throughout the story. The relationship between Enzo and Masie was super cute, but I do wish it had been a little more of a slow burn — it felt a bit rushed at times and I wanted more!

Overall, it was such a fun read with great characters and a unique world. I really hope the next book is about Ryland and Marigold — I need more of their story! 💜

[Brianna Blanzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re looking for an insta-love, fast paced, third person POV this book is for you! I was obsessed with Masie and Enzo from the beginning and found myself feeling allll the emotions throughout the book. This dark romantic comedy did not disappoint! If you love an MMC who does NOT play about his girl, this is for you 😍

Thankful I got an ARC of this book 🫶🏻

[Rhonda Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author Ann did a great job in this story. I completed this book in 2 days. I did not want to stop reading as I was drawn in. Masie FMC who gets a job in a art gallery where she meets EnzoMMC (Reaper) who is security but is Giovanni’s main mafia man who left Masie and her mom when she was a baby. Enzo wants out and will get out even if it means dying for his love for Masie.Spice is a level one so go out and start this series!

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good. I love a mafia man with a heart of gold MMC. The grumpy sunshine vibe is so cute and I really enjoy the relatability of the MC. The art world setting gave a very unique take on the typical mafia romance, and it was refreshing. Definitely recommend reading.

[Angel Webster · Rating 4 out of 5]

the books ending was absolutely swoon worthy!

hes the big bad reaper
she's like the cute like art nerd

he falls first and hard
protective, territorial, and she makes him soft!

I think this was just the cutest, was spicy though

[Livia Mojica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this instant love mafia rom com! Enzo was so dreamily protective of his Maise. I am so happy we got a HEA and I’m super curious to find out more about Liv!

[Mersades Barrier · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG!! This is such a cute book! From the mafia cinnamon roll to the sunshine artist. If you love insta love this is definitely from you!

[Maegan Britain]

DNF @ 23%

The writing is very amateur and the characters have no chemistry.

[Kasha Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was such a good read and right up any rom com dark romance alley! The author let me be an arc reader and I cannot wait for everyone else to get their hands on this!!! You will not be disappointed

[Anastasia Waite · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enzo, better known as the reaper.. people fear him more than they fear death itself. Day by day.. Enzo feels the last of his humanity slipping away. Finally, Enzo wants out. As he shows up to final the score… he sees her. Masie is the first bit of light Enzo has seen in 10 years. Everything he wants to be he can see with her, with her by his side he almost feels like he is worthy of it. Little does Enzo know… Maise holds the key to his freedom.

Thank you Ann Morgan for the advanced reader copy! Can’t wait to see what else you write!