Dueling Obsessions

by S. D. Paine

Primrose Eleanor Kingsley has finally escaped her perfectly curated life in Chicago for a new life in London. Under the pseudonym Nora King, she’s determined to make a name for herself as a respected true crime journalist. But when a potentially groundbreaking story lands her in dangerous territory, it’s not just her job that’s in jeopardy.

Declan O’Rourke was molded into a weapon at an early age. When the one person he cared for abandoned him, he vowed never to let another into his life again. Until she turned up. An American journalist with eyes like sparkling emeralds and a quiet determination, she instantly piqued his curiosity. With her corruptible heart now trapped within his bloodstained hands, idle curiosity turns into deadly obsession.

Ellis Bainbridge kept his inner turmoil in check by ruling London’s hottest club with an iron fist. He lured people to the brink of insanity, bringing their most forbidden desires to life. But not his own. Never his own. When an American wanders into his club with an interest in the voyeur rooms, Ellis becomes enthralled. And he’ll do whatever it takes to keep her—in his club, in his bed, and in his grasp.

Nora, Declan, and Ellis are keeping secrets from everyone, including themselves. Their lives become entwined in ways none of them could predict. When Nora’s life is threatened, the two jaded men must finally expose their secrets, or risk losing her forever.

Genres: Romance

271 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 13, 2026

Reviews

[De Rijdende Boekenwurm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Naughty Nook PR for providing the eARC. This is my honest opinion.

A Dangerous Game of Desire and Control

‘Dueling Obsession’ by S.D. Paine delivers a dark, emotionally charged story where attraction and conflict continuously collide. From the first chapters, the narrative pulls the reader into a tense emotional landscape in which every interaction feels loaded with meaning and hidden intentions.

The strength of this story lies in its psychological focus. Rather than rushing into romance, the author allows tension to simmer, building a connection shaped by resistance, vulnerability, and an undeniable pull neither character fully understands. The dynamic between the protagonists thrives on emotional friction, creating a push and pull that keeps the pages turning almost effortlessly.

The pacing is carefully layered. Quieter moments provide insight into the characters’ inner struggles, while confrontational scenes raise the emotional stakes at exactly the right moments. This rhythm gives the story an addictive flow, where each chapter subtly deepens the obsession hinted at in the title. The emotional intensity grows gradually, making the relationship feel consuming rather than instant.

S.D. Paine writes characters who exist in shades of gray. Their flaws, guarded emotions, and conflicting desires add realism and depth, allowing the romance to feel raw and unpredictable. Choices carry consequences, and the story never lets emotional tension fully settle, which strengthens the immersive experience.

‘Dueling Obsession’ is not a soft romance. It leans into emotional complexity and darker relationship dynamics, rewarding readers who enjoy intensity, layered characters, and relationships that feel as dangerous as they are irresistible. Some stories end when love begins, but this one lingers in the moments where emotions become impossible to ignore.

Enemies to Lovers | Obsessive Attraction | Dark Romance | Power Dynamics | Slow Burn | Morally Gray Characters | Emotional Push and Pull

[Kerri Wells Goetzman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dueling Obsessions had all the elements I usually enjoy. It was a dark romance with morally gray characters and a why choose dynamic, butit ended up being more of a mixed experience.

The premise is really strong. Nora reinventing herself in London while chasing a dangerous true crime story immediately pulled me in, and I loved the idea of her getting tangled up with two very different but equally dangerous men. There’s a lot of potential in that setup, and at times, the story really delivers on the tension and intrigue.

Nora was probably my favorite part. She’s determined, resilient, and clearly trying to take control of her life after everything she’s been through. I appreciated that she actively puts herself in risky situations to chase her goals, even when it’s not the smartest choice.

The pacing was uneven for me. A lot happens...different locations, multiple threats, intertwining storylines, but it can feel rushed and slightly overwhelming at times. I found myself wishing certain plot points had been explored more clearly, especially when it came to the danger surrounding Nora.

The romance and dynamic between the three definitely carry the story, and there are moments where their connection works well. But overall, I wanted more emotional depth beyond the immediate pull of attraction and obsession.

It’s still an entertaining read with a dark, gritty vibe and plenty of drama to keep things moving. It just didn’t fully hit the emotional level I was hoping for.

[high.lady.katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book is HOT! I love S.D. Paine’s writing style 🖤🖤🖤 really enjoyed everything about this! The fast paced plot had it all, mystery, trauma, laughs, violence and SPICE! And when the bfs are bfs it’s always a good time! Dark romance/ why choose fans do not miss this!

Definitely looking forward to more of the Twisted Series!


✨Tropes✨
🖤Dark Romance
💙MMF / Why Choose
🖤Age Gap
💙Mafia Adjacent
🖤Kinky Awakenings
💙Mistaken Identities
🖤BDSM Club Owner
💙They Fall First
🖤Masked Men

[Amber Falleaf · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW


•Why Choose
•Dark Romance
•Morally Grey

This book has 2 MMC Declan and Ellis. They are both obsessed with our FMC Nora.
Nora is working as a new reporter in London, while hiding from her ex.

Boyfriends are Boyfriends, Protective MC’s, Strong FMC

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 I enjoyed this mafia / dark romance. Some parts I felt liked were too quick but I liked the flow of things.
This is a MMF with spicy scenes and with a HEA.
Definitely looking to maybe other couples from the series!

[Vivien R · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an entertaining and very spicy story about Nora, who aspires to be a true crime journalist. When she meets MMCs Ellis and Declan things get very hot and spicy fast. This is a why choose MMF story. I loved the k!nk club scenes. The characters are intriguing and their relationship flows well together. Would definitely recommend and read more from this author.

[Janet Guzman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hot hot hot!!!! Declan, Nora & Ellis were 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 and Sienna, Lyra and Alec were hilarious.. hopin to see what happens w/Alec & Sienna next 👀👀👀👀👀 still one of my fav authors💜💜💜

[Kelsey Fletcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was EVERYTHING I wanted and more. Declan, Ellis, and Nora have some of the most amazing chemistry of all time. Nora escaping her foul fiancé and fleeing to London ended up leading to so much craziness. So much debauchery and so much v¡0|€nc€ but I was here for all of it. Declan and Ellis being as obsessed with Nora as they were with each other was *chef’s kiss* and I loved how different they were from each other while also being very similar in some ways. Provocateur scenes were poppin’ in the best ways and I loved how Nora had like no sense of self-preservation. She stayed putting herself in super dangerous situations in her search for a true crime story but I’m not mad because that’s what led her to Declan in the first place. There’s not even words to accurately explain how hot the spicy scenes in this were but I suggest you have a glass of ice-cold water on hand while you read🥵😮‍💨🫠 Sienna and Lyra were really great side characters and I’m super interested to see if they get books of their own to see what happens with them and the guys interested in them. The final showdown was so amazing and then everything they came after it was absolute perfection. This deserves a million stars.

[Nicole Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dueling Obsessions is an intense dark romance filled with mystery, obsession, and dangerous chemistry. Nora’s investigation pulls her into a complicated and secretive world where nothing is quite what it seems.

The dynamic between Nora, Declan, and Ellis creates constant tension and intrigue throughout the story. Each character brings their own secrets and emotional complexity, which makes the relationships feel layered and compelling.

If you enjoy dark romance with suspense, morally complex characters, and high emotional tension, this book delivers a gripping and addictive read.

[Heather Santos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This story was amazing from start to finish! I loved the characters and the story! Amazingly written by an incredible author!

[Natalie Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this as an Advanced Reader Copy.

This book had me hooked from the beginning! I love a FMC that finds her inner strength and becomes the woman she truly is.
After fleeing a dangerous relationship Nora meets two men separately. One a deadly masked man. The other a broody business man.
Both men are immediately drawn to Nora. She has built walls to protect herself. Watching these men break down those walls as she does the same to them was so beautiful. Declan, the masked man, that's only soft for her. Ellis, the withdrawn business man, that only opens up to them.
The twists and turns of this story kept me captivated! S.D. Paine is quickly becoming a go-to author for me!

[Haley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one! Like her other books, this one really drew me in from the start!

You’ll enjoy it if you like spice, touch her and ☠️, tension, MMF, lots of emotions, secret identity, etc.

I was a little worried in the beginning/ mid section there (lol) but everything played out nicely! Overall there’s just a lot of action to the romance and it’s very balanced!

I really recommend!!

[E · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing! I loved every minute of it, so much so that I found it hard to put down. Nora certainly struck gold after the horrible life she has in America. For the first time I actually don't have a favourite, both men are amazingly well written characters. I hope we get Sienna and Alec's story next.

[Krystal G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh boy this was hot! Loved the story. Slower in some parts, but kept me coming back for chapter after chapter.

🔥 Masked Men
🔥 MMF Why Choose
🔥 Kinks Awakened
🔥 Touch Her and Die
🔥 Stalker

5 🌟 5 🌶 (even the hubby loved it without reading a word 😉)

[Steph · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book and was not paid for my review.

***
Primrose Kingsley has traded her gilded cage in Chicago for a life hiding in London under a pseudonym, Nora King. Determined to break into true crime journalism, her investigation lands her in the path of two dangerous men: Declan, am enforcer whose curiosity has curdled into obsession, and Ellis, a club owner who reigns over London’s most forbidden desires. As their lives entwine, Nora’s secrets and safety are put on the line, forcing Declan and Ellis to reveal their own dark truths or lose her to the shadows forever.
• Why Choose MMF
• Dark Romance
• Hidden Identity
• Morally Grey Heroes
• Dark & Gritty
***
This is my first dive into darky, twisty, and filthy fun in a while, and it was a good time. We follow Nora as she escapes a hellish pre-planned life amongst the upper echelons of Chicago society, fleeing a truly abusive and horrific fiancé. She chooses to hide in London, making fast friends and finding her place in journalism. But she wants more; a true crime obsessive, she sneaks into a London bar that is frequented by a well-known gang, and this is where Nora’s new life truly begins.

Nora is a great FMC; she is feisty and strong, dealing with horrors, and yet she never lets her chin drop or anything truly break her. She is determined to follow a career she loves, throwing herself into dangerous situations. Luckily, two equally dangerous men are there to catch her. Declan is our broken and truly twisted MMC, he has been honed into a weapon by his father, abused, and forced into being a reaper for the gang, a role that Declan fills out with finesse. Then there is Ellis, equally broken, but his violence is turned inwards, battling demons and desires he thinks are evil. Ellis spends his life facilitating other people’s desires and kinks, but can he open himself up to Declan and Nora?

The story is fast paced with so much packed in; reflecting back, it was a wild ride! Going from America to London and back again several times; American high society, Russian Bratva, and London gangs all rubbing shoulders and more. There is plenty of action, gore, and black morals, so make sure you check the trigger warnings!

The spice is SPICING, let me tell you! Our big, dark, and broken MMCs may be dangerous and demanding in their lives, but with Nora, only her pleasure will do—and they deliver it over and over again in some disturbingly delightful ways. When the trio eventually come together - because the author makes you work for it—it is so great to see how that level of trust has grown from lust to love.

This book was a wild ride, and it was fun to read. I’m thankful to the author for the chance to ARC read; it almost tipped into 4 stars, but some of the pacing felt a bit off for me. That being said, if you are looking for gangs, mayhem, and a why choose that is extra stabby, then this is the choice for you.

⭐⭐⭐ - Feisty, stabby, twisted & spicy.

[MaeBae · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐ rounded up

Thanks so much S.D. Paine and Naughty Nook PR for the book. I was gifted this book as an advance review copy (ARC) for free, and I am leaving this review completely voluntarily.

I went into Dueling Obsessions by S. D. Paine knowing next to nothing about it, and honestly I'm so glad I took the chance. This was my first time reading this author, and it turned out to be such a fun ride.

The story centers on Nora, a woman who has escaped a dangerous, abusive relationship and is starting fresh in London under a new identity. As she begins rebuilding her life, she crosses paths with two very different men who quickly become the heart of her world, and from there, the story takes off beautifully, weaving romance and thriller elements together in a way that had me completely hooked.

If you love popular dark romance tropes, this one delivers in a big way: morally gray characters, a why-choose dynamic, high spice, dangerous men, and even a masked mystery element. Oh, and the boyfriends-who-are-also-boyfriends dynamic? Done so well; I'm absolutely here for it. There are some mafia-adjacent elements too, but they never felt overwhelming, which I appreciated. I'm not typically a huge mafia romance reader, so I liked that it stayed more in the background and let the character dynamics take center stage.

Nora's personal journey was one of my favorite things about this book. Trauma and healing are woven throughout, and I thought the author handled those themes with a lot of care. Nora's story is ultimately about reclaiming her sense of self and agency after abuse, and her exploration of BDSM is framed around consent, trust, and empowerment. The contrast between her past and her present gave the romance real emotional depth and made it feel meaningful rather than just steamy. The dynamic between all three main characters was fantastic. The two men constantly toe the line between protective and obsessive, which is exactly the kind of slow-burn tension I live for in a dark romance. It kept everything feeling intense while still holding onto the emotional core of the story.

I also loved that we get POVs from all three main characters. It added so much richness to their motivations and inner lives. I tend to get restless with single-POV stories, so this really elevated the whole experience for me.

All in all, Dueling Obsessions was a really satisfying blend of dark romance and suspense, with strong characters, plenty of tension, and a world that feels like it has so much more story left to tell. I genuinely hope S. D. Paine continues the series, because I'll absolutely be reading whatever comes next.

Happy reading friends,
~ Maebae 💚

I’m a fellow book lover reviewing the good, the bad, and everything bookish in-between. All thoughts, opinions, and reactions are completely my own. I wasn’t paid, sponsored, or influenced in any way.

[Jennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH. MY. GOD. Where do I even BEGIN with this book?! 🔥

I absolutely love love LOVE that not once — NOT ONCE — did any of the villains actually break Nora. After everything Jameson put her through (and it was horrific), she could have shattered. She could have stayed small. She could have let fear define her. But no. She said enough. She fled. She chose herself.

Yes, she gets triggered. Yes, she falls apart sometimes. But what makes her unstoppable is that she always stands back up. Chin high. Eyes blazing. “Never again.” That resilience? That strength? It had me feral. She doesn’t back down from danger — she RUNS toward it with her thrill-seeking investigative journalism and that instant, electric connection with Declan. She is no fragile heroine. She is fire forged in trauma and I adored every second of it.

And DECLAN.

No apologies. None.

Murder in his eyes.
Hand necklaces.
That sexy smirk.
The protective obsession for Nora.

The man radiates danger — every look, every word, every move — and yet when it comes to Nora it’s all I adore you and I will burn the world down for you. The sexual tension? YES. YES. AND JUST YES. Every scene crackled. And that love that shouldn’t be but absolutely is? The years of torment? The longing? HEART. SHATTERING. I ate it up.

And then there’s Ellis. The quieter one. The connected, calculated, dangerous one who falls so fast and so hard. Poor Nora truly never stood a chance with these two. His protection is just as fierce, just as unwavering — but layered in that self-loathing, that shame, that heartbreaking guilt over loving her. It made me want to crawl into the pages and hug him… and also watch him ruin lives for her.

The dynamic between the three of them? Electric. Protective. Healing. Raw. Watching them choose each other — not just in passion but in trust, in vulnerability, in rebuilding after trauma — was everything. They didn’t just fall in love. They found sanctuary in one another.

Dark. Spicy. Obsessive. Emotional. Healing.

This wasn’t just romance — it was survival, devotion, and the kind of love that grows in the shadows and dares anyone to try and tear it apart.

And I am absolutely unwell about it. 🖤🔥

[Lovelettelore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some obsessions burn slow… others strike like a match 🔥

📖 Duelling Obsessions by S.D. Paine
⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️.5
Mafia Adjacent Romance

Tropes:
👩‍❤️‍👨 Why Choose
🕵️ Stalker
🎭 Hidden Identities
⏳ Age Gap
🖤 Mafia Adjacent
⚡ Insta Love / Lust

Nora King escapes her abusive ex-fiancé and moves to London to chase her dream of becoming a true crime journalist. While pursuing a dangerous story, she crosses paths with Declan O’Roarke — a man raised and molded into a weapon by his father. The moment he notices Nora, obsession takes root. Then there’s Ellis, who she meets at a club where sparks instantly fly. But Nora, Declan, and Ellis are all hiding secrets — from the world and from each other.

This was a fun, easy read. It wasn’t overly complicated, and the storyline kept me engaged. The romance definitely takes center stage, though it doesn’t always feel fully balanced with the suspense elements.

I did feel a bit disconnected from the story at times. Everything unfolds very directly, and I struggled to fully embody the characters emotionally. Which is disappointing because I genuinely liked the premise.

Nora is strong-willed and resilient. As a survivor of abuse, she refuses to remain a victim, and I admired how fearless she was when chasing stories — even when they could put her in danger.

Declan and Ellis, however, felt a little underdeveloped for me. I understood what they felt for Nora — and for each other — but their motivations didn’t always feel fully fleshed out. It sometimes felt like pieces of their emotional depth were skipped, which made it harder for me to fully connect with them.

I enjoyed the romance and the overarching plot, but I wanted more emotional depth beyond lust and obsession. I also wished for clearer explanations regarding the multiple antagonists. Things were explained, but it didn’t fully sink in for me, and I found myself slightly confused about certain motivations.

That said, the HEA was satisfying, and I really liked how everything wrapped up. I’m definitely curious to see if Sienna and Alec will get their own book.

Thank you Naughty Nook PR and S.D. Paine for this ARC.

[Rachel Nahabedian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liked It / Loved It

🖤 Dark Romance
💙 MMF / Why Choose
🖤 Age Gap
💙 Mafia Adjacent
🖤 Kinky Awakenings
💙 Mistaken Identities
🖤 BDSM Club Owner
💙 They Fall First
🖤 Masked Men

Full disclosure: I don’t typically read TW/CWs because I have very few triggers, but one element popped up that I really don’t enjoy. About a third of the way in, I went back to check the TW/CWs and the blurb (which I also never read), and it wasn’t mentioned in either. I even reached out to others who had read it to confirm whether it was actually present.

Without spoiling anything, two of the MCs are operating under an assumption that, for me personally, felt like it warranted a content warning. It was significant enough that I almost DNF’d. However, once I was reassured that the assumption was incorrect and nothing crossed a line, I picked it back up.

And I’m glad I did.

I really enjoyed the plot overall (minus that one speed bump). Honestly, the story didn’t even need that element. It was strong enough without it. For a book just under 300 pages, it packs in a lot without ever really slowing down.

Nora is such a solid FMC. She's strong, capable, and determined. She’s been through a lot, but she refuses to let it define her. Even in her weaker moments, she gets back up and keeps going.

Ellis and Declan were equally compelling. Brothers raised together but shaped by very different relationships with their father, they end up on completely different paths while carrying the same underlying feelings of shame and inadequacy.

And the three of them together just…work. Each of them brings something the others need, and watching them find healing, love, and comfort in one another was really satisfying.

I’ll definitely be picking up the next book. I’m really hoping it’s Alec and Sienna. That dynamic was way too fun not to explore more.

Thank you to SD Paine and Naughty Nook PR for the ARC!

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

After escaping from her abusive ex, Nora changed her name and moved to London to start a new life as a journalist. Now as she’s following leads for a potential new story, she finds herself diving into the worst of the underworld, and crossing paths with a masked assassin. Despite knowing she shouldn’t, she can’t help but feel the attraction, and every encounter they have becomes more charged. This doesn’t stop her from engaging in a flirtation with a handsome club owner as well, and the more digging she does, the more she realizes how everything is connected.

After his brother disappeared, and his father turned his wrath on him, Declan swore he would never let anyone get close, until he crossed paths with a beautiful American journalist. Now he finds himself looking for excuses to cross paths with her, under the guise of keeping her safe, but his caring quickly turns into obsession, and when her past comes back to threaten her, he turns to the least likely accomplice to get her back.

Ellis may be a successful business owner, with one of London’s hottest clubs in his portfolio, but he has always kept others at arms length. When Nora walks in one day and he sees a spark in her that captivates him, he becomes fixated on having her and keeping her, and will do whatever it takes to make it happen.

I received an early copy of this book from Naughty Nook and boy did this ever heat up. The chemistry in this book was off the charts, and there were twists I didn’t see coming. I loved how strong Nora was, and willing to do whatever it took to keep the ones she loved safe, and the added connection between Declan and Ellis added a whole other delicious element. The secondary characters added to the story, and set things up for future books I can’t wait to read.

[Brittney · Rating 5 out of 5]

📚 Dueling Obsessions
🖋️ S. D. Paine
✨ Twisted Desires #1

🖤 One phrase: voyeur club obsession with dangerous men and dirtier secrets.

This sounds like dark romance catnip. A true crime journalist trying to build a name for herself in London getting tangled up with not one but two deeply damaged, deeply obsessive men? Yeah, that is already a problem I would like to read about. What makes this one special is the whole setup feels drenched in secrecy, power, and that “this is a terrible idea but keep going” energy. The book is positioned as Twisted Desires #1, and retailer listings tag it with dark romance, MMF/why choose, age gap, mafia adjacent elements, masked men, and a BDSM club owner vibe.

My favorite part is easily the dynamic. Nora walking into this world of voyeur rooms, bloodstained hands, and men who seem way too interested in keeping her close? Deliciously unwell. Declan sounds like the lethal obsession angle, Ellis sounds like the seductive control angle, and putting both of them around one curious journalist feels like the exact recipe for chaos.

✨ Tropes & vibes
🖤 MMF obsession
🎭 masked men
🔪 true crime journalist heroine
🥀 morally gray men
👁️ voyeur club energy
🔥 slow burn tension
🕯️ dark secrets everywhere

📖 Read this if you like
😈 dark romance with psychological bite
🖤 why choose with dangerous men
🔥 stories built on control, tension, and obsession
🌙 books that feel seductive and a little threatening

This fully sounds like the kind of book where everybody needs therapy and nobody is going.

#DuelingObsessions #SDPaine #DarkRomanceReads #WhyChooseRomance #Bookstagram @Naughtynookpr

[Diagnosed Bookaholic · Rating 4 out of 5]

All of the characters in this story are battling their own demons, and it shows. Both MMCs operate firmly in morally grey territory, driven by conflicting desires and layered emotional complexity. No one is fully innocent—and honestly, that’s part of the appeal.

The FMC escapes an abusive relationship and begins rebuilding her life through her journalism career. While investigating a string of murders, she crosses paths with Dec and Ellis. She’s feisty, strong, and determined to carve out her own path, even in the face of danger.

The romance between our three main characters build through tension, power struggles and fixation rather than soft affection, so expect intensity rather than softness.

The plot weaves together ongoing murder cases tied to mafia and gang activity, with investigation threads running throughout. The danger isn’t just background—it directly impacts the relationships and raises the stakes. With its psychological edge and suspense-driven pacing, the story fully leans into that “danger meets desire” space where attraction and risk blur together.

This is a dark, why-choose romance that embraces heavier relationship dynamics. It’s fast-paced, action-packed, and filled with tension and spice.

And the spice? Absolutely crackling. The chemistry builds gradually as trust develops, with a strong focus on her pleasure. When the relationship deepens, so does the intensity—leading to some highly anticipated group scenes that definitely deliver.

Murder, danger, longing, heartbreak, and desire all come together to make this a really enjoyable read.

[Ashley M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big thanks to S.D. Paine and Naughty Nook PR for this ARC!

I already knew I would enjoy this one because I love S.D. Paine's writing. Dueling Obsessions is a dark romance that packs a lot into such a short story. I was drawn in right from the beginning. Meeting the FMC and learning about her traumatic life was heartbreaking, but it was also crucial to how the story unfolds.

This story has emotional depth, an intense plot, and incredible character chemistry. There are two MMCs: one is a masked man who’s part of a dangerous gang, and the other is slightly older and owns a BDSM club. After meeting Nora, both men set their sights on her… hence the title Dueling Obsessions.

After escaping her old life and moving to London to start over with a new identity, Nora meets these two men, and the story really takes off. As her past begins to catch up with her, Nora’s life turns into a dangerous game of survival, with her ex and the gangs of London searching for her. Despite their complicated history, the two MMCs end up working together to protect her and help save her from the past—and the people—she can’t seem to outrun.

The spice is definitely spicy, the character connections go deeper than just insta-love, and the plot itself is well done. This fast-paced story was impressive, especially considering how much was happening in so few pages.

Definitely check this one out if you love why-choose dark romance!

[Rachel Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a wild and steamy ride! I really loved the last series I read from SD Paine, so I was definitely excited for new releases from her. And this one was dark and delicious and delivered.

Nora has fled her old life in the US to try and start new in the UK. She works as a reporter and along with her friend, Sienna, they work to uncover a series of murders going on. Through her investigating she meets Declan and Ellis, two men who are tied together through their family and mafia dealings.

I really loved Nora, she is determined and brave and refuses to let her past stop her. I also really enjoyed the dynamics between Declan and Ellis, both with her individually and then later all together. Declan especially has been twisted into his Reaper dealings for his father and family. These two men think that they cannot be together, and you'll just have to keep reading!

Some things felt a bit quick, and I wish we had gotten maybe a bit more time with both men. Maybe a bit more emotion and depth?

I am gonna need Sienna and Alec's story though! And also Nora's cousin, I want her story too! Lots of fun to be had in this 'verse I feel like, so I hope we get more soon!

I received this book for an honest review.

[Breanna Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

The entire time I was reading this, I kept thinking this story is so much fun! Squeals and leg kicking fun because the characters and story were so well written. The FMC finally gathers her courage to abandon her abusive fiance and toxic family and goes against everything she was groomed to be and do. She’s witty, funny and not catty which I really appreciate. She’s fiercely protective of her friends and cousin and I’m so proud of how brave she became. I also love how her messed up upbringing made her so numb when she witnesses her first murder. The way she’s drawn to a masked murder is chefs kiss 😘. The background story on the MMC’s and how it unravels is so interesting and kept me wanting to know more. The taboo aspect was fun and the spice between all three of them was scorching hot 🥵. There was no ow drama and no third act break up which is so refreshing. I needed these dangerous, obsessive men to be her golden retrievers and wow was that delivered. I can’t wait to continue with the next couple and I hope the back story on the potential female serial killer comes into play. This story is amazing and you need to read it!

[Lara Loves Lit · Rating 5 out of 5]

This quickly paced, dark why choose romance is filled with suspense, action and plenty of spice. I loved the dynamics between Nora, Ellis and Declan, and their love that defies society’s norms.

Nora, as the determined investigative reporter gives you an FMC with grit, and her push to solve the city’s crimes puts her in some dangerous and questionable situations that made me anxious turning the page. Other than taking chances that made we wince, I love how strong and independent she is. Declan is morally grey and once he becomes obsessed with Nora, he becomes a stalker who protects her while at the same time being a villain she might be looking for. His masked encounters were some of my favorite in the book, and his methods of ‘interrogation’ left me hot and bothered. Finally, buttoned up and outwardly controlled, Ellis runs a hot club in London, and his interest in Nora builds to obsession as he wants to be the one to teach her about her deepest desires. I loved the juxtaposition of personalities between Ellis and Declan and how Nora becomes the connection that cements their relationship.

With a strong plot filled with some twists, this age gap, MMF/Why Choose, dark mafia adjacent romance had delicious spice and checked all my boxes! This was my first novel by S.D. Paine, and I will definitely be coming back for more!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Kristen N · Rating 4 out of 5]

Primrose leaves the abuse, a prison, an entire life that is meaningless to her becoming Nora a journalist is London. A girl who wants to do crime journalism for London Times. A girl who in the hopes of a story meets two men that will change her life forever.

This story didnt rush a romance, it gave a story of pain and hurt, making it flourish into something uniquely beautiful.

Nora was a wonderfully crafted FMC you could see her pain and struggles of becoming someone who could finally fight the criminal system that once killed her mother.

Declan and Ellis felt more incomplete. While you knew of the troubles they were feeling inside the story only showed you glimpses where you almost craved more from them. They became two completely different children because of the same incident but there again you only got a glimpse into what actually happened to make them the men they were in the story.

overall, the story was fantastic, giving an insight to a different sort of story of pain and healing and I cant wait to see if the author does another story with Sienna and Alec.

[Natasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This dark romance story hooked me from the first chapter. We follow Nora, our feisty FMC who is determined to follow her dream and be a crime reporter while desperately trying to escape her abusive ex.

The pacing was consistent throughout the story with the right amount of tension, high stakes, and moments of quiet to focus on the psychological impacts through all three MCs points of view. I appreciated how the story took its time to develop the unique perspectives of each character and ensured a deep connection with them. The conversations felt real and the actions for each character were in keeping with their personalities and rationale. 

The spice was definitely on point and it naturally added to the story, while exploring all of their deepest, darkest desires. While there was a lot of spice, I didn’t feel as though it detracted from the storyline but rather added to it. 

If you’re looking for a dark romance with morally grey MMC, strong FMC, suspense, great spice, and a happily ever after, this is for you! I will absolutely be continuing with this series.

[Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need a fan or a cool glass of water, because this book was extra steamy. Dueling Obsessions hit all the right notes and the dynamic between Nora King, Declan O’Rourke, and Ellis Bainbridge is oh so satisfying. This is one of those books where the character arcs and plot were equally well development and I really enjoyed that this book contained some of the favorite tropes - mafia, domineering older MMCs, secret identifies, why choose. With all of that combined, it made this book such a great read.

The standout character was Nora, she's one of those characters who strength comes from standing back up again after life deals her multiple blows. Plus watching her go toe-to-toe with both Declan and Ellis was entertaining in all the best ways. For having heavier plot lines, I appreciated the subtle lines of humor and occasional easter eggs, it kept the book from feeling flat.

This was a great read and cannot wait to see what comes next.

[Bobbi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do not understand how this author does it. I don't just want more, I need it.

Fleeing an extremely abusive relationship, Nora finds herself in London working as an entertainment/column journalist, but she wants more. She wants to do hard news and to prove herself to her boss, she starts investigating 3M, a large underworld gang. She finds herself infatuated with one of their enforcers and later, the owner of a BDSM club. None of them have any clue just how this will end.

The thing I love about S.D. Paine's books is how she manages to not only make her MCs captivating, but her side characters have so much character development to them that you can't help but fall in love with them. This was a spicy read that captures the readers' attention quickly and has it in a choke hold until the end.

4⭐!

Thank you to the author and @naughtynookpr for providing me with a copy for purposes of review. My opinions are honest and completely my own