What do you think?
Rate this book
Society of Villains #3
Fallen Rook
From New York Times bestselling author L.J. Shen comes a sizzling age-gap, forbidden MM romance about an FBI agent and the Camorra enforcer who thaws his frozen heart.
Tom
I know a secret that can destroy the most powerful crime organization in America.
For years, I’ve watched Enzo Ferrante get away with murder. Literally.
He’s slipped between the FBI’s fingers time after time, spreading terror and mayhem on the streets of New York, masked beneath a gorgeous face and elegant pedigree.
A sloppy error on his part results in an incident that unexpectedly binds us together.
Suddenly, I’m no longer the special agent who is thirsty for his blood.
I’m his savior. His god. The light in his pitch-black existence.
Now that I caught the social butterfly in my spider web, I’m never letting go.
He is about to taste the venomous kiss of betrayal as I put him and his entire family behind bars for the rest of their lives.
Because when the night falls, the Camorra’s enforcer crawls between my sheets and whispers all his sordid secrets in my ear.
Enzo Ferrante is completely and utterly mine, and nobody knows.
Not even his lovely fiancée.
Tom
I know a secret that can destroy the most powerful crime organization in America.
For years, I’ve watched Enzo Ferrante get away with murder. Literally.
He’s slipped between the FBI’s fingers time after time, spreading terror and mayhem on the streets of New York, masked beneath a gorgeous face and elegant pedigree.
A sloppy error on his part results in an incident that unexpectedly binds us together.
Suddenly, I’m no longer the special agent who is thirsty for his blood.
I’m his savior. His god. The light in his pitch-black existence.
Now that I caught the social butterfly in my spider web, I’m never letting go.
He is about to taste the venomous kiss of betrayal as I put him and his entire family behind bars for the rest of their lives.
Because when the night falls, the Camorra’s enforcer crawls between my sheets and whispers all his sordid secrets in my ear.
Enzo Ferrante is completely and utterly mine, and nobody knows.
Not even his lovely fiancée.
479 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 22, 2026
About the author
L.J. Shen
127 books61.3k followersL.J. Shen is a New York Times, USA Today, WSJ, Washington Post and #1 Amazon Kindle Store bestselling author of contemporary romance books.
She writes angsty books, unredeemable anti-heroes who are in Bill Gates's tax bracket, and sassy heroines who bring them to their knees (for more reasons than one).
Keep up with L.J. on all platforms:
Newsletter Sign up ➜ https://bit.ly/3LhsIrb
Instagram➜ shorturl.at/cDJRZ
TikTok ➜ shorturl.at/frw59
Facebook➜ https://goo.gl/fKCSo4
Website ➜ www.authorljshen.com
She writes angsty books, unredeemable anti-heroes who are in Bill Gates's tax bracket, and sassy heroines who bring them to their knees (for more reasons than one).
Keep up with L.J. on all platforms:
Newsletter Sign up ➜ https://bit.ly/3LhsIrb
Instagram➜ shorturl.at/cDJRZ
TikTok ➜ shorturl.at/frw59
Facebook➜ https://goo.gl/fKCSo4
Website ➜ www.authorljshen.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,661 reviews
Review of advance copy
4.5 stars ✨
"Ours was the story of how I fell in love with a beautiful monster.
And how, for him, I'd become one, too."
Stoppp this was worth the wait 😩😩 This book gave me everything and more from an emotional perspective.
But I do have a little complaint and that's more to do with the levels of my own investment in Luca, but while we were taking a sweet time building and setting up the stage for him and Sofia, it overpowered Enzo and Tom quite fair bit. And as much as I LOVEDDDDDDDD and went feral over Luca and Sofia, it felt like I'm reading a novella for a different couple in the main couple's book. If that makes sense. But anyway, back to Enzo and Tom.
Oh how I loved these two men. They're everything to me. Especially Enzo. He's such a gentle soul, the way he's open about his vulnerabilities. The struggles he had to face and that suppressed trauma had me feeling so much for him. He loves fierce and honest and the contrast between his true self and the facade of a mobster was interesting. I just wanted to hold him and tell him how loved he is.
As for Tom? Fucking hell, this man had me giggling so much. I adore a good sense of dry humor and his timing was perfect. 😭😭 But then you find out, he's not just a stoic federal agent. He's got layers that even I didn't expect. And when he unraveled? It hurt like a bitch. But I'm so glad, he's a man who doesn't give up on his butterfly. The sacrifices he made? Oof 🥺
"... You're my butterfly, Vincenzo. And I'm your net. I'll never let you fall. I'll always catch you. It might feel a little suffocating sometimes, but I can't help it. I'm wired to protect you."
The romance had me giggling, kicking my feet and blushing. The banter and chemistry between the two men is so witty, and slow burning fire that doesn't manifest to consume, but heals. It's the kind of relationship not formed in just heat and passion, although it's there. It's more that you see them grow together, see them heal together, see them accept each other... scars and all 🥹🥹
Coming to the other characters, Achilles had me cackling. He's so unhinged, I love him 😭😭 Also, can we talk about how mature Tiernan is now?? Like the growth arc from Bad Bishop to this point? I'm fucking impressed. Also, holy shit, Katya?? I see you girl. I can't wait for this baddie's book. There's so much power and fierce wildflower energy in her. You cannot not love her.
But mostly, it's Luca. always knew his potential. To see him unraveling has me on my knees. To see him yearn, change, try, go feral and mad possessive was EVERYTHING to me. And Sofia is THAT relatable bitch y'all, who just looked at her husband and told him he looks like shit in the most elegant way possible. She's me. I'm her. I can't wait to see them parent and reconcile.
GIVE ME THE NEXT BOOK 🥹🥹🥹
~•~•~
SHUT UP IT'S HERE
I'M SCREAMING
I HAVE IT 😩 Enzo and Tom, I'm coming for you, my babies. And possibly go feral over every Luca crumb I get.
"Ours was the story of how I fell in love with a beautiful monster.
And how, for him, I'd become one, too."
Stoppp this was worth the wait 😩😩 This book gave me everything and more from an emotional perspective.
But I do have a little complaint and that's more to do with the levels of my own investment in Luca, but while we were taking a sweet time building and setting up the stage for him and Sofia, it overpowered Enzo and Tom quite fair bit. And as much as I LOVEDDDDDDDD and went feral over Luca and Sofia, it felt like I'm reading a novella for a different couple in the main couple's book. If that makes sense. But anyway, back to Enzo and Tom.
Oh how I loved these two men. They're everything to me. Especially Enzo. He's such a gentle soul, the way he's open about his vulnerabilities. The struggles he had to face and that suppressed trauma had me feeling so much for him. He loves fierce and honest and the contrast between his true self and the facade of a mobster was interesting. I just wanted to hold him and tell him how loved he is.
As for Tom? Fucking hell, this man had me giggling so much. I adore a good sense of dry humor and his timing was perfect. 😭😭 But then you find out, he's not just a stoic federal agent. He's got layers that even I didn't expect. And when he unraveled? It hurt like a bitch. But I'm so glad, he's a man who doesn't give up on his butterfly. The sacrifices he made? Oof 🥺
"... You're my butterfly, Vincenzo. And I'm your net. I'll never let you fall. I'll always catch you. It might feel a little suffocating sometimes, but I can't help it. I'm wired to protect you."
The romance had me giggling, kicking my feet and blushing. The banter and chemistry between the two men is so witty, and slow burning fire that doesn't manifest to consume, but heals. It's the kind of relationship not formed in just heat and passion, although it's there. It's more that you see them grow together, see them heal together, see them accept each other... scars and all 🥹🥹
Coming to the other characters, Achilles had me cackling. He's so unhinged, I love him 😭😭 Also, can we talk about how mature Tiernan is now?? Like the growth arc from Bad Bishop to this point? I'm fucking impressed. Also, holy shit, Katya?? I see you girl. I can't wait for this baddie's book. There's so much power and fierce wildflower energy in her. You cannot not love her.
But mostly, it's Luca. always knew his potential. To see him unraveling has me on my knees. To see him yearn, change, try, go feral and mad possessive was EVERYTHING to me. And Sofia is THAT relatable bitch y'all, who just looked at her husband and told him he looks like shit in the most elegant way possible. She's me. I'm her. I can't wait to see them parent and reconcile.
GIVE ME THE NEXT BOOK 🥹🥹🥹
~•~•~
SHUT UP IT'S HERE
I'M SCREAMING
I HAVE IT 😩 Enzo and Tom, I'm coming for you, my babies. And possibly go feral over every Luca crumb I get.
November 5, 2026
All my stars go to Luca and Tiernan and this insane mafia family I love so much. However I can’t ignore what this book was at its core… a romance. And the romance was shit. I cringed, I got second hand embarrassment, I felt zero chemistry and I literally dragged my way through this. BUT THE LUCA AND SOFIA CRUMBS WERE EVERYTHING I NEED THEIR BOOK MORE THAN AIR!!! Luca has been my favorite brother from the moment I met him and the way he is so pathetic oh my god I cannot wait to watch him YEARN and get on his knees for Sofia!!
April 28, 2026
she fucking did it again and we never doubted her for a second. in fucking sane, every time luca and sofia were on page i had to stop my self from physically licking my screen. the plot was perfect, all the family scenes warmed my heart and the theories!! endlesssss. LUCA HOW CAN YOU SAY THAT AND HOW ARE WE SUPPOSED TO WAIT MONTHS??
dont even play.
the best scene in this book was easily all of camorra clan gathered at tiernan and Lilas house at 2 in the morning as if it was 2 pm at thanksgiving maybe even one of the best scenes in LJ Shen history. (luca&sofia luca&sofia luca&sofia luca&sofia luca&sofia) 🙇♀️
okay i supposed i shoudl say something about tom and enzo since it IS their book, they were great and everything i expected but the real stars of the show were obc luca and sofia, but also the tiernan&lila/tierney&achilles crumbs were everything.
my quotes:
“It’s bigger than you. A man like you, a man who loves so hard, so deep, cannot play pretend his whole life. You’re a butterfly, Enzo. Free. Brave. Endlessly transformative.”
“Only a fool would trade true love for dirty money and endless death.” (LUCAAAA)
“He’d fooled all of us into thinking he had no weaknesses, no blind spot, no heart.”
“I want Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas Eve to be chaotic and loud and wonderfully dysfunctional. I want group chats that make people’s eyes water. Secret handshakes and inside jokes only we’re privy to.”
when i tell you me and annie have been waiting for this forever and i remember annie telling me back in april that September would come by faster than we thought and now its finally here and im so glad i have my heart and soul annie to read this with (we both will finish this in a day). and im so excited to finish this and talk with my girls nadine, mina and georgia about this too.
dont even play.
the best scene in this book was easily all of camorra clan gathered at tiernan and Lilas house at 2 in the morning as if it was 2 pm at thanksgiving maybe even one of the best scenes in LJ Shen history. (luca&sofia luca&sofia luca&sofia luca&sofia luca&sofia) 🙇♀️
okay i supposed i shoudl say something about tom and enzo since it IS their book, they were great and everything i expected but the real stars of the show were obc luca and sofia, but also the tiernan&lila/tierney&achilles crumbs were everything.
my quotes:
“It’s bigger than you. A man like you, a man who loves so hard, so deep, cannot play pretend his whole life. You’re a butterfly, Enzo. Free. Brave. Endlessly transformative.”
“Only a fool would trade true love for dirty money and endless death.” (LUCAAAA)
“He’d fooled all of us into thinking he had no weaknesses, no blind spot, no heart.”
“I want Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas Eve to be chaotic and loud and wonderfully dysfunctional. I want group chats that make people’s eyes water. Secret handshakes and inside jokes only we’re privy to.”
when i tell you me and annie have been waiting for this forever and i remember annie telling me back in april that September would come by faster than we thought and now its finally here and im so glad i have my heart and soul annie to read this with (we both will finish this in a day). and im so excited to finish this and talk with my girls nadine, mina and georgia about this too.
September 27, 2026
4⭐️ So, for all the good time I had with this book (mainly because of Enzo), the ending actually took me by surprise.
I knew Tom pulled some shit BTS, but damn, this mf really went ALL OUT FROM THE START??!! 😭
May this kind of love, obsession, and stalking find me too. PLEASE!!!💀
preread :p
CAN‘T WAIT TO SEE WHAT ALL THE HYPE IS ABOUT!!😭
I knew Tom pulled some shit BTS, but damn, this mf really went ALL OUT FROM THE START??!! 😭
May this kind of love, obsession, and stalking find me too. PLEASE!!!💀
preread :p
CAN‘T WAIT TO SEE WHAT ALL THE HYPE IS ABOUT!!😭
November 4, 2026
WHAT DO YOU MEAN I HAVE TO WAIT MONTHS FOR BOOK 4?! 😭
Luca officially has my attention 👀 I NEED his and Sofia’s book like yesterday 😯🫠🤔🤐
Okay, back to this book…
My sweet baby Enzo 🥺 Is it possible not to love this man? I think not 🫠
I honestly didn’t know what to expect going into this forbidden MM romance but, once again, Shen had me ADDICTED from page one! I don’t know how she does it but I’ve been glued to the pages since the beginning of Bad bishop (book one) 🙇🏻♀️
Fallen Rook feels more emotional than the other books in this series, and I think that’s is largely due to Enzo’s adorable, charming self. Shen takes mafia romance to a new level in this FBI agent x Camorra enforcer mix 🖤 It certainly stands out from the masses, yet continues a similar theme I have noticed throughout the series of learning who you are and how to be your true self in the dark world - something I think we can all relate to…
Prepare to have your heart melted and you soul warmed by this loveable duo 🖤
FBI Agent Tom Rothwell has been stalking the Camorra enforcer Enzo for years. He knows the deepest secrets of the darkest, most powerful crime organisations in America. But what happens when his stalking motive slips from investigating crimes to not being able to stay away? Captured and captivated by him, Tom’s black and white life is set to change forever….No one knows, not even his fiancée…How much are they willing to sacrifice to save the man they love?
“It’s no life, erasing yourself to make others around you shine.” 🥲
I absolutely fell in love with Enzo. He may be the youngest of the brothers but he is arguably the least unhinged (although that remains debatable 🔪 😂). What really stands out about his character is unwavering loyalty and kindness. He is such a sweet, gentle soul despite all he’s been through. Seeing him open up, face his trauma, and begin a journey of healing and self-discovery was so heartwarming. I absolutely loved reading his POV; he knows how to bring life and laughs to every situation. But most of all: He loves so hard and deserves so much love in return.
"A man like you, a man who loves so hard, so deep, cannot play pretend his whole life. You’re a butterfly, Enzo. Free. Brave. Endlessly transformative.” 🦋
We didn’t know a huge amount about Tom before this book but it’s safe to say he totally won me over. He comes across as a broody, clinical, closed-off FBI agent that never strays from his rigid black and white routine. However, I loved watching his high walls come crumbling down as he fell hard for Enzo. The further into the story we go the more of his sense of humour we get to see; dry and witty. Furthermore, we learn why lives such a controlled life, peeling back layers that I did not expect. He makes the perfect match for Enzo because he too deserves so much love for the sacrifices he’s made.
Gosh, I adored these two men so much, and their story was so beautiful 🥹 The way they gave each other exactly what the other needed was so heartwarming. Enzo helped bring colour and warmth to Tom’s cold existence, while Tom played a huge role in helping Enzo to see his authentic self and gave him strength to accept himself fully. I haven’t read many MM romances but this is definitely my favourite. One of my favourite aspects to their relationship was the ongoing banter; it was absolutely hilarious! Add to that their sizzling chemistry and slow-burning tension 🥵 It was such a wholesome connection but there was definitely (a little too much) spice 🌶️
“You're my butterfly, Vincenzo. And I'm your net. I'll never let you fall. I'll always catch you.” 💙
Overall, this was another fantastic addition to the series. I’m totally immersed in this mafia world and loving every second of it. I have however reached the sad reality that the next book isn’t going to be released until next year 😭 I am honestly devastated because I’ve got my eye on Luca and Sofia and I NEED to know what’s going on with them 👀 Also, I have to give a shout out to the other characters in this series and there ongoing cameo roles. The developments from Bad bishop until now are pretty mind-blowing. And finally, I have to give an honourable mention to the badass queen Katya - there is SO much potential for her character! We better be getting a book dedicated to her 🙇🏻♀️
4.5 🌟🌟🌟🌟✨
Luca officially has my attention 👀 I NEED his and Sofia’s book like yesterday 😯🫠🤔🤐
Okay, back to this book…
My sweet baby Enzo 🥺 Is it possible not to love this man? I think not 🫠
I honestly didn’t know what to expect going into this forbidden MM romance but, once again, Shen had me ADDICTED from page one! I don’t know how she does it but I’ve been glued to the pages since the beginning of Bad bishop (book one) 🙇🏻♀️
Fallen Rook feels more emotional than the other books in this series, and I think that’s is largely due to Enzo’s adorable, charming self. Shen takes mafia romance to a new level in this FBI agent x Camorra enforcer mix 🖤 It certainly stands out from the masses, yet continues a similar theme I have noticed throughout the series of learning who you are and how to be your true self in the dark world - something I think we can all relate to…
Prepare to have your heart melted and you soul warmed by this loveable duo 🖤
FBI Agent Tom Rothwell has been stalking the Camorra enforcer Enzo for years. He knows the deepest secrets of the darkest, most powerful crime organisations in America. But what happens when his stalking motive slips from investigating crimes to not being able to stay away? Captured and captivated by him, Tom’s black and white life is set to change forever….No one knows, not even his fiancée…How much are they willing to sacrifice to save the man they love?
“It’s no life, erasing yourself to make others around you shine.” 🥲
I absolutely fell in love with Enzo. He may be the youngest of the brothers but he is arguably the least unhinged (although that remains debatable 🔪 😂). What really stands out about his character is unwavering loyalty and kindness. He is such a sweet, gentle soul despite all he’s been through. Seeing him open up, face his trauma, and begin a journey of healing and self-discovery was so heartwarming. I absolutely loved reading his POV; he knows how to bring life and laughs to every situation. But most of all: He loves so hard and deserves so much love in return.
"A man like you, a man who loves so hard, so deep, cannot play pretend his whole life. You’re a butterfly, Enzo. Free. Brave. Endlessly transformative.” 🦋
We didn’t know a huge amount about Tom before this book but it’s safe to say he totally won me over. He comes across as a broody, clinical, closed-off FBI agent that never strays from his rigid black and white routine. However, I loved watching his high walls come crumbling down as he fell hard for Enzo. The further into the story we go the more of his sense of humour we get to see; dry and witty. Furthermore, we learn why lives such a controlled life, peeling back layers that I did not expect. He makes the perfect match for Enzo because he too deserves so much love for the sacrifices he’s made.
Gosh, I adored these two men so much, and their story was so beautiful 🥹 The way they gave each other exactly what the other needed was so heartwarming. Enzo helped bring colour and warmth to Tom’s cold existence, while Tom played a huge role in helping Enzo to see his authentic self and gave him strength to accept himself fully. I haven’t read many MM romances but this is definitely my favourite. One of my favourite aspects to their relationship was the ongoing banter; it was absolutely hilarious! Add to that their sizzling chemistry and slow-burning tension 🥵 It was such a wholesome connection but there was definitely (a little too much) spice 🌶️
“You're my butterfly, Vincenzo. And I'm your net. I'll never let you fall. I'll always catch you.” 💙
Overall, this was another fantastic addition to the series. I’m totally immersed in this mafia world and loving every second of it. I have however reached the sad reality that the next book isn’t going to be released until next year 😭 I am honestly devastated because I’ve got my eye on Luca and Sofia and I NEED to know what’s going on with them 👀 Also, I have to give a shout out to the other characters in this series and there ongoing cameo roles. The developments from Bad bishop until now are pretty mind-blowing. And finally, I have to give an honourable mention to the badass queen Katya - there is SO much potential for her character! We better be getting a book dedicated to her 🙇🏻♀️
4.5 🌟🌟🌟🌟✨
September 18, 2026
leigh, you are a menace. i was starving and you DELIVERED.
enzo 🥹🥹🥹🥹 he’s such a bby girl, i love him so much. he was sooo sweetie piii. im 100% letting him choose my dresses, tell me what makeup i should do, and taking all his skincare and dermatologist recommendations. and PLEASE free him from that grumpy old man because he deserves better!!
i have been LIVING for the lucasofia crumbs. they were so yummmmm. every little crumb had me absolutely fed, and now i need their book immediately.
and omg, the amount of theories i have sitting in my notes!! leigh, do i need to give you my kidney for a few more hints?? because i am DESPERATE.
i was also living for the ferrante family crumbs. they were genuinely one of the highlights of the book for me 💥💥💥💥 i need MORE of them.
that’s it hand over lucasofia’s book. NOW.
me every single time luca opens his mouth:
Thank fuck I’d never had serious aspirations about becoming don. The stress would do terrible things to my glowing skin.
“Only a fool would trade true love for dirty money and endless death.”
“Sofia.” Luca stepped toward her, shaking off Azzurra. His fingers twitched longingly. He didn’t dare touch her, but he wanted to. “You look”—he swallowed hard—“ good.” “Thank you, Luca.” She served him a lenient smile, running a hand over her belly protectively. “Wish I could say the same about you.” 😭
“I did what you said.”
“And?” Sofia sounded like a patient teacher.
“And it didn’t work at all.” She patted his cheek. “That’s too bad, Luca. At least you tried.”
“Sofia,” Luca pleaded.
“Is it Katya?” Luca ignored him. “Should we kidnap her?” “I can do it,” Tristan volunteered. im sensing a captive/captor trope 👀
“‘The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting,’”
He’d fooled all of us into thinking he had no weaknesses, no blind spot, no heart.
“I don’t like you,” I admitted. “Join the fucking club. My wife’s the president, by the way.” 😭🤣
enzo 🥹🥹🥹🥹 he’s such a bby girl, i love him so much. he was sooo sweetie piii. im 100% letting him choose my dresses, tell me what makeup i should do, and taking all his skincare and dermatologist recommendations. and PLEASE free him from that grumpy old man because he deserves better!!
i have been LIVING for the lucasofia crumbs. they were so yummmmm. every little crumb had me absolutely fed, and now i need their book immediately.
and omg, the amount of theories i have sitting in my notes!! leigh, do i need to give you my kidney for a few more hints?? because i am DESPERATE.
i was also living for the ferrante family crumbs. they were genuinely one of the highlights of the book for me 💥💥💥💥 i need MORE of them.
that’s it hand over lucasofia’s book. NOW.
me every single time luca opens his mouth:
Thank fuck I’d never had serious aspirations about becoming don. The stress would do terrible things to my glowing skin.
“Only a fool would trade true love for dirty money and endless death.”
“Sofia.” Luca stepped toward her, shaking off Azzurra. His fingers twitched longingly. He didn’t dare touch her, but he wanted to. “You look”—he swallowed hard—“ good.” “Thank you, Luca.” She served him a lenient smile, running a hand over her belly protectively. “Wish I could say the same about you.” 😭
“I did what you said.”
“And?” Sofia sounded like a patient teacher.
“And it didn’t work at all.” She patted his cheek. “That’s too bad, Luca. At least you tried.”
“Sofia,” Luca pleaded.
“Is it Katya?” Luca ignored him. “Should we kidnap her?” “I can do it,” Tristan volunteered. im sensing a captive/captor trope 👀
“‘The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting,’”
He’d fooled all of us into thinking he had no weaknesses, no blind spot, no heart.
“I don’t like you,” I admitted. “Join the fucking club. My wife’s the president, by the way.” 😭🤣
March 12, 2026
Five seconds after Twisted Pawn I already need this book more than my next breath! I cannot wait.
September 24, 2026
this series is changing my brain chemistry one book at a time holy shit!!!
Enzo and Tom my loves 💘🦋 yes, just yes.
“𝘖𝘶𝘳𝘴 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘐 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘯 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘰𝘸, 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘪𝘮, 𝘐’𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘦, 𝘵𝘰𝘰.”
L.J Shen queen 💋🧎🏻♀️ the humor, the plot, the found family ALLLLL 10/10
the Luca and Sofia crumbs i ATE UP gimme that book right now!!!!!!!
chapter 41 was lowk my fav part 🖤🖤
and Tiernan 😜😜 hehe lemme go reread Bad Bishop real quick 🏃🏻♀️
Enzo and Tom my loves 💘🦋 yes, just yes.
“𝘖𝘶𝘳𝘴 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘐 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘯 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘰𝘸, 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘪𝘮, 𝘐’𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘦, 𝘵𝘰𝘰.”
L.J Shen queen 💋🧎🏻♀️ the humor, the plot, the found family ALLLLL 10/10
the Luca and Sofia crumbs i ATE UP gimme that book right now!!!!!!!
chapter 41 was lowk my fav part 🖤🖤
and Tiernan 😜😜 hehe lemme go reread Bad Bishop real quick 🏃🏻♀️
October 18, 2026
This was giving 5 star vibes from the jump but I’m not sure what happened halfway through
The ending clawed things back slightly… but I fear once I started picturing Enzo as Paulie D, it was beyond saving for me 😭💀
Pre-read:
FINALLY TOMCAT & ENZO BABY LET'S GO!
buddy read w the loml Jess <3
The ending clawed things back slightly… but I fear once I started picturing Enzo as Paulie D, it was beyond saving for me 😭💀
Pre-read:
FINALLY TOMCAT & ENZO BABY LET'S GO!
buddy read w the loml Jess <3
Read
May 4, 2026No rating or review because I feel like if I had read this in a different time I would’ve liked it more I read %80 of it I didn’t finish it I will in couple months I might even do the audiobook next time I don’t know
OMG ITS HAPPENING!!!!
Enzoooooo I did not expect this couple but I'm EXCITED and miss L.J Shen come here for a sec fallen Rook???? If you guys know anything about chess then yk that Rooks only move straight...yeah yeah I'll go scream somewhere else😚
Also the cover!!!! Stunning
OMG ITS HAPPENING!!!!
Enzoooooo I did not expect this couple but I'm EXCITED and miss L.J Shen come here for a sec fallen Rook???? If you guys know anything about chess then yk that Rooks only move straight...yeah yeah I'll go scream somewhere else😚
Also the cover!!!! Stunning
September 21, 2026
⋰˚☆ 4
I finished this in a day. This series, so far, has been my literal obsession. Everything has been the epitome of perfection. As this is my first M/M romance book, it didn’t disappoint. I do find myself enjoying sapphic romance immensely more, nonetheless, I was still engaged with this new genre. I buddy read this with none other then, Naima. We seriously couldn’t wait for this book to come out, and it surely delivered.
Starting off with the characters, Enzo & Tom. Gosh, after reading the first two books of the series, I knew Enzo was going to be a great character. He is very comical, charming, and the way you can differentiate him from his aloof brothers is very wholesome. He’s such a cutie, but he is also undoubtedly a little crazy. His character was definitely a breath of fresh air considering the toxicity this whole series has been through, either way, I’m not complaining. He and Tom are the perfect match.
As for Tom, he was just hot. At moments he honestly severed nothing, and Enzo was carrying the book. On the same note, he is without a doubt the one for Enzo. The attraction between them was undeniably ardent. Jealousy, possessiveness, indisputable love. Just amazing. This book is the nexus of opposites attract.
Plot? 10/10. LJ Shen always comes to make the plot coexist in her books. I realized in a lot of romance books, the plot is always pulling a Houdini, but not with Lj. Or, at least for this series because I haven’t read her other books. This series is pure perfection, with such a heavy action related narrative. It’s never a dull moment.
I seriously can’t wait for the next book.
I finished this in a day. This series, so far, has been my literal obsession. Everything has been the epitome of perfection. As this is my first M/M romance book, it didn’t disappoint. I do find myself enjoying sapphic romance immensely more, nonetheless, I was still engaged with this new genre. I buddy read this with none other then, Naima. We seriously couldn’t wait for this book to come out, and it surely delivered.
Starting off with the characters, Enzo & Tom. Gosh, after reading the first two books of the series, I knew Enzo was going to be a great character. He is very comical, charming, and the way you can differentiate him from his aloof brothers is very wholesome. He’s such a cutie, but he is also undoubtedly a little crazy. His character was definitely a breath of fresh air considering the toxicity this whole series has been through, either way, I’m not complaining. He and Tom are the perfect match.
As for Tom, he was just hot. At moments he honestly severed nothing, and Enzo was carrying the book. On the same note, he is without a doubt the one for Enzo. The attraction between them was undeniably ardent. Jealousy, possessiveness, indisputable love. Just amazing. This book is the nexus of opposites attract.
Plot? 10/10. LJ Shen always comes to make the plot coexist in her books. I realized in a lot of romance books, the plot is always pulling a Houdini, but not with Lj. Or, at least for this series because I haven’t read her other books. This series is pure perfection, with such a heavy action related narrative. It’s never a dull moment.
I seriously can’t wait for the next book.
September 22, 2026
I’ll come back later to write a proper review. It’s currently 5 AM and I need to get some sleep, but all I can say for now is that this book gave me exactly what I wanted and hit the mark perfectly. It made me obsessed with it, and specifically obsessed with Enzo. He was such a Golden Retriever 😭😭
October 5, 2026
Could the author have made this book any more cringe-worthy? The answer is no. Oh my god
October 5, 2026
از همین الان قراره دلم براشون تنگ بشه 😭
من واقعا عاشق این کتاب شدم؛ اون حجم از تنش، خشم، اعتماد و احساسی که بینشون بود واقعاً فوقالعاده بود. مخصوصاً اینکه هرچی جلوتر رفتم، بیشتر حس کردم هیچکدوم از این دوتا اون چیزی نیستن که اول فکر میکردم.
به معنای واقعی کلمه، همه کاراکترای کتاب یه طرف انزو یه طرف؛ انزو تبدیل شد به خل و چل موردعلاقم 😭😂
بچه های قشنگ من 🦋🩵
من واقعا عاشق این کتاب شدم؛ اون حجم از تنش، خشم، اعتماد و احساسی که بینشون بود واقعاً فوقالعاده بود. مخصوصاً اینکه هرچی جلوتر رفتم، بیشتر حس کردم هیچکدوم از این دوتا اون چیزی نیستن که اول فکر میکردم.
به معنای واقعی کلمه، همه کاراکترای کتاب یه طرف انزو یه طرف؛ انزو تبدیل شد به خل و چل موردعلاقم 😭😂
بچه های قشنگ من 🦋🩵
September 25, 2026
These 2 were absolutely perfect, I loved every single minute of it 💙 this is definitely going to be one of my favourite series of all time
10/10 for the audio as well 😮💨😮💨
10/10 for the audio as well 😮💨😮💨
October 5, 2026
⋆˚࿔ Review 𝜗𝜚˚⋆
— ✧ rating: ☆ ☆ ☆
I’m being generous with this rating bc the beginning fooled me 😭. I was gearing up for what could have been my favorite read of this year, but I ended up SO dissatisfied. The potential was there, the setup had me excited, and I genuinely thought I was about to eat this book up. Unfortunately, things went downhill, and by the end, I was left wondering what exactly went wrong.
°ᡣ𐭩.°.જ⁀➴ Enzo 🫶🏽
Enzo was amazing. Wish he had a little more self-respect, but whatever. I love his personality, he carried this book, but there’s only so much he could do 😭. He was hilarious and genuinely had me laughing out loud. I looked forward to his moments because he actually had a personality that made me want to keep reading.
He’s too good to be that loser, I’m sorry. He has the personality, the looks, the skills, like he’s PERFECT. And yet here he is putting up with Tom’s nonsense. I needed him to stand up a little more because why are you giving this man so many chances when he keeps giving you reasons not to? 😭
Honestly, Enzo deserved better. I loved him so much, and I wish the story had given him a relationship that made me as happy as his character did. He was carrying the entertainment, and I needed the romance to meet him halfway.
°ᡣ𐭩.°.જ⁀➴ Tom 🙄
Now onto that loser Tom. I knew I didn’t like his ass from Twisted Pawn bc he was awful there too. And somehow, he managed to continue being awful here. This man keeps doing terrible things and doesn’t even apologize for them, yet Enzo forgives him, and that irritated me SO BAD.
Like, sir??? Can we get some accountability around here? Why is Enzo doing all this forgiving when Tom can barely be bothered to acknowledge what he did wrong? I don’t mind flawed characters, but I need them to actually recognize their flaws and make an effort to do better. You can’t just keep hurting someone and expect everything to be fine because you have a sad backstory.
His personality is nothing to speak of. He’s a brick wall. Not even grumpy, just a miserable old bitch 😭. I genuinely struggled to understand what Enzo saw in him beyond the obvious attraction because personality-wise, this man was giving me NOTHING.
And I really didn’t care for his “heartbreaking” background. I know we’re supposed to understand him better because of what he’s been through, but unfortunately, I just wasn’t moved. A tragic past doesn’t automatically make me sympathize with a character, especially when they’re actively making everyone else’s life miserable. At some point, I need more than a sob story, sir.
My BIGGEST pet peeve with this book is him calling Enzo “kid.” WTF IS THAT ABOUT??? 😭 Even in the middle of sex, btw. That’s weird to me. Like, please, read the room. You’re supposed to be having a romantic moment, and that’s what you choose to call him??? I cannot.
Plus, he had a pet name for him, so why didn’t he just use it? Enzo’s wasn’t any better either, but whatever. 💀 I was already struggling with Tom, and then this man kept calling him kid and making it worse for himself.
I fear I am officially Tom’s biggest hater because nothing this man did could convince me to like him. Enzo, baby, please stand up.
★ - ̗̀⇢. Overall thoughts
The book wasn’t moving, but it wasn’t terrible either. I just expected SO much more, especially because the beginning had me convinced I was going to love it. The story had potential, but the execution didn’t work for me, and I found myself getting increasingly frustrated as I kept reading.
The smut was lackluster, the plot was meh, and the romance just didn’t give me what I wanted. Which is especially disappointing because I was looking forward to these two, but the chemistry and relationship weren’t enough to make up for everything else I disliked.
I did love seeing Achilles and Tierney again, so a whole star for them 🙂↕️. I love them sm, and seeing them again was genuinely one of my favorite parts of the book. They were a welcome addition because at least I had something to be excited about 😭.
Overall, I’m disappointed because I really thought this was going to be a favorite, but it just wasn’t for me.
Thank you for coming to my TED Talk. xx 💋
ෆ ༚︶︶︶︶ෆ ༚꒰ ෆ ꒱༚ ෆ︶︶︶︶༚ ෆ
˚₊‧꒰ა Pre read ⋆｡𖦹°⭒˚｡⋆
This series is just getting better as I read so I’m hoping this is the five star read I’ve been dying for😭
I’m so ready for the angst and tension 😼
Also reading it with my bae Yelena 🩵😝
— ✧ rating: ☆ ☆ ☆
I’m being generous with this rating bc the beginning fooled me 😭. I was gearing up for what could have been my favorite read of this year, but I ended up SO dissatisfied. The potential was there, the setup had me excited, and I genuinely thought I was about to eat this book up. Unfortunately, things went downhill, and by the end, I was left wondering what exactly went wrong.
°ᡣ𐭩.°.જ⁀➴ Enzo 🫶🏽
Enzo was amazing. Wish he had a little more self-respect, but whatever. I love his personality, he carried this book, but there’s only so much he could do 😭. He was hilarious and genuinely had me laughing out loud. I looked forward to his moments because he actually had a personality that made me want to keep reading.
He’s too good to be that loser, I’m sorry. He has the personality, the looks, the skills, like he’s PERFECT. And yet here he is putting up with Tom’s nonsense. I needed him to stand up a little more because why are you giving this man so many chances when he keeps giving you reasons not to? 😭
Honestly, Enzo deserved better. I loved him so much, and I wish the story had given him a relationship that made me as happy as his character did. He was carrying the entertainment, and I needed the romance to meet him halfway.
°ᡣ𐭩.°.જ⁀➴ Tom 🙄
Now onto that loser Tom. I knew I didn’t like his ass from Twisted Pawn bc he was awful there too. And somehow, he managed to continue being awful here. This man keeps doing terrible things and doesn’t even apologize for them, yet Enzo forgives him, and that irritated me SO BAD.
Like, sir??? Can we get some accountability around here? Why is Enzo doing all this forgiving when Tom can barely be bothered to acknowledge what he did wrong? I don’t mind flawed characters, but I need them to actually recognize their flaws and make an effort to do better. You can’t just keep hurting someone and expect everything to be fine because you have a sad backstory.
His personality is nothing to speak of. He’s a brick wall. Not even grumpy, just a miserable old bitch 😭. I genuinely struggled to understand what Enzo saw in him beyond the obvious attraction because personality-wise, this man was giving me NOTHING.
And I really didn’t care for his “heartbreaking” background. I know we’re supposed to understand him better because of what he’s been through, but unfortunately, I just wasn’t moved. A tragic past doesn’t automatically make me sympathize with a character, especially when they’re actively making everyone else’s life miserable. At some point, I need more than a sob story, sir.
My BIGGEST pet peeve with this book is him calling Enzo “kid.” WTF IS THAT ABOUT??? 😭 Even in the middle of sex, btw. That’s weird to me. Like, please, read the room. You’re supposed to be having a romantic moment, and that’s what you choose to call him??? I cannot.
Plus, he had a pet name for him, so why didn’t he just use it? Enzo’s wasn’t any better either, but whatever. 💀 I was already struggling with Tom, and then this man kept calling him kid and making it worse for himself.
I fear I am officially Tom’s biggest hater because nothing this man did could convince me to like him. Enzo, baby, please stand up.
★ - ̗̀⇢. Overall thoughts
The book wasn’t moving, but it wasn’t terrible either. I just expected SO much more, especially because the beginning had me convinced I was going to love it. The story had potential, but the execution didn’t work for me, and I found myself getting increasingly frustrated as I kept reading.
The smut was lackluster, the plot was meh, and the romance just didn’t give me what I wanted. Which is especially disappointing because I was looking forward to these two, but the chemistry and relationship weren’t enough to make up for everything else I disliked.
I did love seeing Achilles and Tierney again, so a whole star for them 🙂↕️. I love them sm, and seeing them again was genuinely one of my favorite parts of the book. They were a welcome addition because at least I had something to be excited about 😭.
Overall, I’m disappointed because I really thought this was going to be a favorite, but it just wasn’t for me.
Thank you for coming to my TED Talk. xx 💋
ෆ ༚︶︶︶︶ෆ ༚꒰ ෆ ꒱༚ ෆ︶︶︶︶༚ ෆ
˚₊‧꒰ა Pre read ⋆｡𖦹°⭒˚｡⋆
This series is just getting better as I read so I’m hoping this is the five star read I’ve been dying for😭
I’m so ready for the angst and tension 😼
Also reading it with my bae Yelena 🩵😝
![Profile Image for maddi ⋆˚ᨳଓ.⋆ (semi-ia) [BIBBLE WORSHIP DAY (angelina’s bday!!)].](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1787463738i/184211532._UX200_CR0,0,200,200_.jpg)
October 15, 2026
ᣟ𐚁˳˚ ❛ 𝑦𝑜𝑢'𝑟𝑒 𝑚𝑦 𝑏𝑢𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑓𝑙𝑦, 𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑧𝑜. 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑖'𝑚 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑛𝑒𝑡. 𝑖'𝑙𝑙 𝑛𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑙𝑒𝑡 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑓𝑎𝑙𝑙. 𝑖'𝑙𝑙 𝑎𝑙𝑤𝑎𝑦𝑠 𝑐𝑎𝑡𝑐ℎ 𝑦𝑜𝑢. 𝑖𝑡 𝑚𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑓𝑒𝑒𝑙 𝑠𝑢𝑓𝑓𝑜𝑐𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑠, 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑖 𝑐𝑎𝑛'𝑡 ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑝 𝑖𝑡. 𝑖'𝑚 𝑤𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑐𝑡 𝑦𝑜𝑢. ❜ ⋆˚𖤓˖°
✧˖°. ┆★★★★ ¼ — 𝟰.𝟮𝟱 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘀
ılı.lıllılıı.ıllı..
𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑙𝑦 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑦𝑖𝑛𝑔 ‧₊ ♪˚⊹
guilty conscience ❘ tate mcrae
0:28 ─•────── -2:02
⇆ㅤ ◁◁ ❚❚ ▷▷ㅤ ↻
ⓘ 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑒𝑤 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑠 𝑠𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑠
₊ 🧺 ⊹ 𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑠 ⋆˚࿔
O. M. G. i'm actively screaming btw WTF HELLOOO?! starting w lucasofia in an attempt to get them out of my system so we can focus on enzotom, I AM SCREAMINGGG THE CRUMBS IN HERE WERE FULL SNACKS AND I WAS EATING THEM UPPPP 😩 their banter was saurrr good in this sofia literally has him WHIPPED and wrapped around her pinky and she is WRECKING him i loveee to see ittt 👌 BUT WHEN SHE GOT LOWKEY KIDNAPPED I WAS DYINGGG i honestly didn't think we'd see her again in this book and i was mentally prepping myself to deal w that BUT THEN LUCA GOT OUR GIRL BACK AND IT'S ALL G NOW 🤗 i love luca sm in this and i love him more every book so i cannot WAITTTT to finally read abt themmm!! 🤭
the ending was pretty perfect honestly, obvi there's still a lot of tension and mystery to overthink abt (i wouldn't have it any other way) but everyone was there and it was so sweet and so wholesome, the found family was LOCKED INNNN in this book and it was incredible!! it's one of my fav tropes and made up a lot of my fav scenes. the ending ferrante family dinner was def my fav, especially bcuz it actually had ALL of them together, but all the scenes w the whole family made me sooo freaking happyyy!! AND SEEING ACHILLES AND TIERNEY MY BABIESSSSS 😭 they're my favies forever don't play ✋ lilatiernan r lowkey annoying...🫣 BUT I STILL LIKE THEM!!
i was rlly feeling the plot in this one and LOVING it!! most of it was pretty unpredictable, although i wasn't v shocked when slava was revealed as the informant BUT THE INCEST SIDE PLOT?! I WAS CRYINGGG CACKLING MY HEART OUT I KNEW HE WAS WEIRD FROM THE START ✋ as for alex...i'm not too sure how i feel abt him. he's lowkey pmo and i don't trust him v much AND HE IS MILKING TFFF OUT OF THAT ONE TIME W TIERNEY OMLLLL i want him gagged idc if tiernan loves him
🩵 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠 ⊹ ࣪ ౨ৎ˚₊
🧥 𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑧𝑜 ❛ 𝑏𝑢𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑓𝑙𝑦 ❜ 𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑒 ⋆˚꩜｡
⤿ ENZOOOO MY BABYYYY!! he kinda carried this book when tom's chapters weren't doing it for me 🙂↕️ HE'S SO SILLY AND SO FUNNY AND HIS INSTAGRAM POSTS WERE MY LIFE FUELLLL if he was real and i had instagram i'd follow him immediately i want him as my friend (speaking of, his relationship w tierney is the cutest and sweetest i love them sfm <3 my favies). his self-acceptance/self-discovery journey was so heart-breaking but sweet to read abt and i'm soso happy he's finally able to truly be himself AND be comfortable in his own skin <3 THE SCENE WHERE HE APOLOGISED TO LUCA AND ACHILLES FOR COMING OUT AND THEY GAVE HIM THE WHOLE SPEECH ABT HOW THEY'LL ALWAYS LOVE AND ACCEPT HIM HAD ME SMILING AND TEARING UP AGHHHH i love my crazy babies 🥹 i loved it when he went lowkey crazy too like him making designer coats out of flayed mobster's skin?? ICONIC 🙂↕️ HIM SLOWLY POISONING VELLO AND EVENTUALLY KILLING HIM?! DIVAAAA idk what i was expecting but it was NOT that 🤭 i love that he knew his worth tho like he did NOT hesitate to dump tom whenever he did him dirty AS HE SHOULD 👏
𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑚𝑎𝑠 ❛ 𝑐𝑙𝑎𝑟𝑘 𝑘𝑒𝑛𝑡 ❜ 𝑟𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑤𝑒𝑙𝑙 ⊹₊⟡⋆
⤿ my spidey senses r always right i knew i liked him in b2 🤭 mr mysterious doesn't smile clark kent gosh i rlly liked him he was so grumpy but actually so cutie insideee 🥹 the one thing i didn't like tho was how he acted so superior in regard to being out whilst enzo wasn't?? like he was always commenting on protecting him and giving him time and whatnot but i think it was just the sheer amount of times it was mentioned that annoyed me like we get it ur old and experienced and he's not 😭 he was so thoughtful tho and kind of an overthinker he got rlly shy and flustered easily and it was so cutieeeahhh!!
❤️🩹 𝑒𝑛𝑧𝑜 + 𝑡𝑜𝑚 ₊˚⊹ ᰔ
⤿ they're prolly the sweetest couple but they were also so toxic 😩 i'm always down for a break-up-to-make-up or two but they were breaking-up every other chapter it was too muchhh my heart was dying but it was so good 😭 there was sm shame and secrecy and pain around their relationship it was actually so heart-breaking to read and they both have so many issues and they were so broken but they healed each other and got better for each other and gave each other reason's to live and do the hard things and it was SO heart-warming 🥹 that one chapter that was JUST their texts had me smiling like an idiot nd tearing up bcuz enzo’s rant abt kids and family and them being parents in the future WAS THE SWEETESTTTT 😭
🎧 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑦𝑙𝑖𝑠𝑡 ‧₊ ♪˚⊹
⤿ no i'm not in love - tate mcrae
⤿ killing my time - g flip
⤿ it could've been u - addison rae
⤿ so it goes... - taylor swift
⤿ dirty little secret - artemas !!
⤿ hanging out to dry - florence road
⤿ mind games - sickick
⤿ sleepless - dutch melrose
⤿ r u mine? - arctic monkeys !!
⤿ w.d.y.w.f.m? - the neighbourhood
💌 𝑞𝑢𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑠 ⛧⋆˚࿔⋆
✧ ❛ ℎ𝑒 ℎ𝑎𝑑 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑗𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑏𝑖 𝑎𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑤ℎ𝑜 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑎𝑓𝑡𝑒𝑟 ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑎𝑡 𝑎 𝑝𝑒𝑡 𝑛𝑎𝑚𝑒. ℎ𝑒 ℎ𝑎𝑑 𝒏𝒐𝒕. 𝑜𝑛𝑙𝑦 ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑢𝑐𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 ℎ𝑎𝑑. 𝒆𝒏𝒛𝒐 𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒆, 𝒍𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔. ❜
✧ ❛ 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑚𝑎𝑛'𝑠 ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑠 𝑑𝑖𝑑 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑖𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠. 𝑡𝑜𝑜 𝑏𝑎𝑑 𝑖 𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑚 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑚𝑒. ❜
✧ ❛ 𝑖𝑡 ℎ𝑢𝑟𝑡𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑡ℎ𝑒, 𝑡𝑜𝑚. ❜
❛ 𝑖 𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤. 𝑖𝑡'𝑠 𝑔𝑟𝑜𝑤𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑝𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑠, 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦. 𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑤𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑡𝑙𝑒, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑏𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑠 ℎ𝑢𝑟𝑡, 𝑏𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑤𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑔𝑟𝑜𝑤𝑖𝑛𝑔? ❜
❛ 𝑦-𝑦𝑒𝑠? ❜
❛ 𝑤𝑒𝑙𝑙, 𝑖𝑡'𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑎𝑚𝑒 𝑛𝑜𝑤, 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑖𝑛 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑏𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑠, 𝑖𝑡'𝑠 𝑝𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑖𝑛 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑠𝑜𝑢𝑙. 𝑦𝑜𝑢'𝑟𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑦𝑜𝑢'𝑟𝑒 𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑙, 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦. 𝑒𝑚𝑏𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑤ℎ𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑎𝑟𝑒. 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑠 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒. ❜
✧ ❛ 𝑙𝑢𝑐𝑎: 𝑠ℎ𝑢𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑢𝑐𝑘 𝑢𝑝, 𝑎𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑠. 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤 𝑠ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑎 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑝.
𝑎𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑠: 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑑 𝐾𝐴𝑅𝑀𝐴 𝐼𝑆 𝐴 𝐵𝐼𝑇𝐶𝐻 𝐴𝑁𝐷 𝐼'𝑀 𝑆𝑈𝐹𝐹𝐸𝑅𝐼𝑁𝐺 𝐻𝐸𝑅 𝑊𝑅𝐴𝑇𝐻 𝑤𝑟𝑜𝑛𝑔, 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑛𝑧𝑜. ❜ - i love him 😩
✧ ❛ 𝑖 𝑑𝑜𝑛'𝑡 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢, ❜
❛ 𝑗𝑜𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑢𝑐𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑐𝑙𝑢𝑏. 𝑚𝑦 𝑤𝑖𝑓𝑒'𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡, 𝑏𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑦. ❜ - AHHHHHHHH 🤭
✧ ❛ 𝑠𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢'𝑟𝑒 𝑛𝑜𝑡...𝑎𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑒? ❜
❛ 𝑖 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛, 𝑖 𝑐𝑎𝑛'𝑡 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑎𝑘 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑎𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑠, 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑖'𝑚 𝑎𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑦𝑜𝑢'𝑟𝑒 𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑤ℎ𝑜 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑦𝑠 𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑎𝑡 𝑎 ℎ𝑖𝑔ℎ 𝑠𝑐ℎ𝑜𝑜𝑙 𝑙𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑙. ❜
✧ ❛ 𝑖 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑘𝑠𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑛𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑐ℎ𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑚𝑎𝑠 𝑒𝑣𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑜𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑙𝑜𝑢𝑑 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑤𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑓𝑢𝑙𝑙𝑦 𝑑𝑦𝑠𝑓𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙. 𝑖 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑔𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑝 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑡𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑚𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝑝𝑒𝑜𝑝𝑙𝑒'𝑠 𝑒𝑦𝑒𝑠 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟. 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑡 ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑗𝑜𝑘𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑛𝑙𝑦 𝑤𝑒'𝑟𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑣𝑦 𝑡𝑜. ❜
✧ ❛ 𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑜𝑓 ℎ𝑜𝑤 𝑖 𝑓𝑒𝑙𝑙 𝑖𝑛 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑎 𝑏𝑒𝑎𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑓𝑢𝑙 𝑚𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑟. 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ℎ𝑜𝑤, 𝑓𝑜𝑟 ℎ𝑖𝑚, 𝑖'𝑑 𝑏𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑛𝑒, 𝑡𝑜𝑜. ❜
✧ ❛ 𝑦𝑜𝑢'𝑟𝑒 𝑎 𝑏𝑢𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑓𝑙𝑦, 𝑒𝑛𝑧𝑜. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑒. 𝑏𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑒. 𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑙𝑦 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒. 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦𝑜𝑢'𝑟𝑒 𝑠𝑜 𝑓𝑢𝑐𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑏𝑒𝑎𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑓𝑢𝑙, 𝑖 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑔𝑒𝑡 ℎ𝑜𝑤 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑦𝑜𝑢'𝑟𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑. ❜
⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹
⋆˚꩜｡ ┆ 𝑝𝑟𝑒-𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑 .ᐟ ₊ 🦋 ⊹
lucasofialucasofialucasofia 🙇♀️ and enzotom ig :) jokesss but like not rlly 😈 my actual edition has the skull cover - WHICH IS GORGEOUS BUT LOWKEY TERRIFYING IDK WHY 😭 - but this is the closest to my pg counttt <3
✧˖°. ┆★★★★ ¼ — 𝟰.𝟮𝟱 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘀
ılı.lıllılıı.ıllı..
𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑙𝑦 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑦𝑖𝑛𝑔 ‧₊ ♪˚⊹
guilty conscience ❘ tate mcrae
0:28 ─•────── -2:02
⇆ㅤ ◁◁ ❚❚ ▷▷ㅤ ↻
⋆˚꩜｡❛ 𝑖'𝑙𝑙 𝑏𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑏𝑎𝑐𝑘 '𝑡𝑖𝑙 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑝𝑠 𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑝 𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 ❜˖ ݁♬⋆.˚𝄞
ⓘ 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑒𝑤 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑠 𝑠𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑠
₊ 🧺 ⊹ 𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑠 ⋆˚࿔
O. M. G. i'm actively screaming btw WTF HELLOOO?! starting w lucasofia in an attempt to get them out of my system so we can focus on enzotom, I AM SCREAMINGGG THE CRUMBS IN HERE WERE FULL SNACKS AND I WAS EATING THEM UPPPP 😩 their banter was saurrr good in this sofia literally has him WHIPPED and wrapped around her pinky and she is WRECKING him i loveee to see ittt 👌 BUT WHEN SHE GOT LOWKEY KIDNAPPED I WAS DYINGGG i honestly didn't think we'd see her again in this book and i was mentally prepping myself to deal w that BUT THEN LUCA GOT OUR GIRL BACK AND IT'S ALL G NOW 🤗 i love luca sm in this and i love him more every book so i cannot WAITTTT to finally read abt themmm!! 🤭
⋆˚꩜｡❛ 𝑤𝑎𝑖𝑠𝑡-𝑑𝑒𝑒𝑝 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑒𝑑 ❜˖ ݁♬⋆.˚𝄞
the ending was pretty perfect honestly, obvi there's still a lot of tension and mystery to overthink abt (i wouldn't have it any other way) but everyone was there and it was so sweet and so wholesome, the found family was LOCKED INNNN in this book and it was incredible!! it's one of my fav tropes and made up a lot of my fav scenes. the ending ferrante family dinner was def my fav, especially bcuz it actually had ALL of them together, but all the scenes w the whole family made me sooo freaking happyyy!! AND SEEING ACHILLES AND TIERNEY MY BABIESSSSS 😭 they're my favies forever don't play ✋ lilatiernan r lowkey annoying...🫣 BUT I STILL LIKE THEM!!
i was rlly feeling the plot in this one and LOVING it!! most of it was pretty unpredictable, although i wasn't v shocked when slava was revealed as the informant BUT THE INCEST SIDE PLOT?! I WAS CRYINGGG CACKLING MY HEART OUT I KNEW HE WAS WEIRD FROM THE START ✋ as for alex...i'm not too sure how i feel abt him. he's lowkey pmo and i don't trust him v much AND HE IS MILKING TFFF OUT OF THAT ONE TIME W TIERNEY OMLLLL i want him gagged idc if tiernan loves him
⋆˚꩜｡❛ '𝑐𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑖 𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑑 𝑦𝑜𝑢, 𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔, 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑤𝑟𝑜𝑛𝑔? ❜˖ ݁♬⋆.˚𝄞
🩵 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠 ⊹ ࣪ ౨ৎ˚₊
🧥 𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑧𝑜 ❛ 𝑏𝑢𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑓𝑙𝑦 ❜ 𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑒 ⋆˚꩜｡
⤿ ENZOOOO MY BABYYYY!! he kinda carried this book when tom's chapters weren't doing it for me 🙂↕️ HE'S SO SILLY AND SO FUNNY AND HIS INSTAGRAM POSTS WERE MY LIFE FUELLLL if he was real and i had instagram i'd follow him immediately i want him as my friend (speaking of, his relationship w tierney is the cutest and sweetest i love them sfm <3 my favies). his self-acceptance/self-discovery journey was so heart-breaking but sweet to read abt and i'm soso happy he's finally able to truly be himself AND be comfortable in his own skin <3 THE SCENE WHERE HE APOLOGISED TO LUCA AND ACHILLES FOR COMING OUT AND THEY GAVE HIM THE WHOLE SPEECH ABT HOW THEY'LL ALWAYS LOVE AND ACCEPT HIM HAD ME SMILING AND TEARING UP AGHHHH i love my crazy babies 🥹 i loved it when he went lowkey crazy too like him making designer coats out of flayed mobster's skin?? ICONIC 🙂↕️ HIM SLOWLY POISONING VELLO AND EVENTUALLY KILLING HIM?! DIVAAAA idk what i was expecting but it was NOT that 🤭 i love that he knew his worth tho like he did NOT hesitate to dump tom whenever he did him dirty AS HE SHOULD 👏
𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑚𝑎𝑠 ❛ 𝑐𝑙𝑎𝑟𝑘 𝑘𝑒𝑛𝑡 ❜ 𝑟𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑤𝑒𝑙𝑙 ⊹₊⟡⋆
⤿ my spidey senses r always right i knew i liked him in b2 🤭 mr mysterious doesn't smile clark kent gosh i rlly liked him he was so grumpy but actually so cutie insideee 🥹 the one thing i didn't like tho was how he acted so superior in regard to being out whilst enzo wasn't?? like he was always commenting on protecting him and giving him time and whatnot but i think it was just the sheer amount of times it was mentioned that annoyed me like we get it ur old and experienced and he's not 😭 he was so thoughtful tho and kind of an overthinker he got rlly shy and flustered easily and it was so cutieeeahhh!!
⋆˚꩜｡❛ 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑚𝑦 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑎𝑙𝑠 𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑡, 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑑𝑜𝑛'𝑡 𝑝ℎ𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑚𝑒 ❜˖ ݁♬⋆.˚𝄞
❤️🩹 𝑒𝑛𝑧𝑜 + 𝑡𝑜𝑚 ₊˚⊹ ᰔ
⤿ they're prolly the sweetest couple but they were also so toxic 😩 i'm always down for a break-up-to-make-up or two but they were breaking-up every other chapter it was too muchhh my heart was dying but it was so good 😭 there was sm shame and secrecy and pain around their relationship it was actually so heart-breaking to read and they both have so many issues and they were so broken but they healed each other and got better for each other and gave each other reason's to live and do the hard things and it was SO heart-warming 🥹 that one chapter that was JUST their texts had me smiling like an idiot nd tearing up bcuz enzo’s rant abt kids and family and them being parents in the future WAS THE SWEETESTTTT 😭
⋆˚꩜｡❛ 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑏𝑎𝑡𝑠ℎ𝑖𝑡 𝑐𝑟𝑎𝑧𝑦 ❜˖ ݁♬⋆.˚𝄞
🎧 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑦𝑙𝑖𝑠𝑡 ‧₊ ♪˚⊹
⤿ no i'm not in love - tate mcrae
⤿ killing my time - g flip
⤿ it could've been u - addison rae
⤿ so it goes... - taylor swift
⤿ dirty little secret - artemas !!
⤿ hanging out to dry - florence road
⤿ mind games - sickick
⤿ sleepless - dutch melrose
⤿ r u mine? - arctic monkeys !!
⤿ w.d.y.w.f.m? - the neighbourhood
⋆˚꩜｡❛ 𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑎 𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑘𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑙𝑦, 𝑖𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡'𝑠 𝑤𝑟𝑜𝑛𝑔 ❜˖ ݁♬⋆.˚𝄞
💌 𝑞𝑢𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑠 ⛧⋆˚࿔⋆
✧ ❛ ℎ𝑒 ℎ𝑎𝑑 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑗𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑏𝑖 𝑎𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑤ℎ𝑜 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑎𝑓𝑡𝑒𝑟 ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑎𝑡 𝑎 𝑝𝑒𝑡 𝑛𝑎𝑚𝑒. ℎ𝑒 ℎ𝑎𝑑 𝒏𝒐𝒕. 𝑜𝑛𝑙𝑦 ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑢𝑐𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 ℎ𝑎𝑑. 𝒆𝒏𝒛𝒐 𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒆, 𝒍𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔. ❜
✧ ❛ 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑚𝑎𝑛'𝑠 ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑠 𝑑𝑖𝑑 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑖𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠. 𝑡𝑜𝑜 𝑏𝑎𝑑 𝑖 𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑚 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑚𝑒. ❜
✧ ❛ 𝑖𝑡 ℎ𝑢𝑟𝑡𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑡ℎ𝑒, 𝑡𝑜𝑚. ❜
❛ 𝑖 𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤. 𝑖𝑡'𝑠 𝑔𝑟𝑜𝑤𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑝𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑠, 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦. 𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑤𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑡𝑙𝑒, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑏𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑠 ℎ𝑢𝑟𝑡, 𝑏𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑤𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑔𝑟𝑜𝑤𝑖𝑛𝑔? ❜
❛ 𝑦-𝑦𝑒𝑠? ❜
❛ 𝑤𝑒𝑙𝑙, 𝑖𝑡'𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑎𝑚𝑒 𝑛𝑜𝑤, 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑖𝑛 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑏𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑠, 𝑖𝑡'𝑠 𝑝𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑖𝑛 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑠𝑜𝑢𝑙. 𝑦𝑜𝑢'𝑟𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑦𝑜𝑢'𝑟𝑒 𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑙, 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦. 𝑒𝑚𝑏𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑤ℎ𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑎𝑟𝑒. 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑠 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒. ❜
✧ ❛ 𝑙𝑢𝑐𝑎: 𝑠ℎ𝑢𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑢𝑐𝑘 𝑢𝑝, 𝑎𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑠. 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤 𝑠ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑎 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑝.
𝑎𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑠: 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑑 𝐾𝐴𝑅𝑀𝐴 𝐼𝑆 𝐴 𝐵𝐼𝑇𝐶𝐻 𝐴𝑁𝐷 𝐼'𝑀 𝑆𝑈𝐹𝐹𝐸𝑅𝐼𝑁𝐺 𝐻𝐸𝑅 𝑊𝑅𝐴𝑇𝐻 𝑤𝑟𝑜𝑛𝑔, 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑛𝑧𝑜. ❜ - i love him 😩
✧ ❛ 𝑖 𝑑𝑜𝑛'𝑡 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢, ❜
❛ 𝑗𝑜𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑢𝑐𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑐𝑙𝑢𝑏. 𝑚𝑦 𝑤𝑖𝑓𝑒'𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡, 𝑏𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑦. ❜ - AHHHHHHHH 🤭
✧ ❛ 𝑠𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢'𝑟𝑒 𝑛𝑜𝑡...𝑎𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑒? ❜
❛ 𝑖 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛, 𝑖 𝑐𝑎𝑛'𝑡 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑎𝑘 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑎𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑠, 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑖'𝑚 𝑎𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑦𝑜𝑢'𝑟𝑒 𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑤ℎ𝑜 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑦𝑠 𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑎𝑡 𝑎 ℎ𝑖𝑔ℎ 𝑠𝑐ℎ𝑜𝑜𝑙 𝑙𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑙. ❜
✧ ❛ 𝑖 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑘𝑠𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑛𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑐ℎ𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑚𝑎𝑠 𝑒𝑣𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑜𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑙𝑜𝑢𝑑 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑤𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑓𝑢𝑙𝑙𝑦 𝑑𝑦𝑠𝑓𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙. 𝑖 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑔𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑝 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑡𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑚𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝑝𝑒𝑜𝑝𝑙𝑒'𝑠 𝑒𝑦𝑒𝑠 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟. 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑡 ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑗𝑜𝑘𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑛𝑙𝑦 𝑤𝑒'𝑟𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑣𝑦 𝑡𝑜. ❜
✧ ❛ 𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑜𝑓 ℎ𝑜𝑤 𝑖 𝑓𝑒𝑙𝑙 𝑖𝑛 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑎 𝑏𝑒𝑎𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑓𝑢𝑙 𝑚𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑟. 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ℎ𝑜𝑤, 𝑓𝑜𝑟 ℎ𝑖𝑚, 𝑖'𝑑 𝑏𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑛𝑒, 𝑡𝑜𝑜. ❜
✧ ❛ 𝑦𝑜𝑢'𝑟𝑒 𝑎 𝑏𝑢𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑓𝑙𝑦, 𝑒𝑛𝑧𝑜. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑒. 𝑏𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑒. 𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑙𝑦 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒. 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦𝑜𝑢'𝑟𝑒 𝑠𝑜 𝑓𝑢𝑐𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑏𝑒𝑎𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑓𝑢𝑙, 𝑖 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑔𝑒𝑡 ℎ𝑜𝑤 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑦𝑜𝑢'𝑟𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑. ❜
⋆˚꩜｡❛ 𝑔𝑢𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝐼'𝑙𝑙 𝑙-𝑙-𝑙-𝑙-𝑙𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑎 𝑔𝑢𝑖𝑙𝑡𝑦 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 ❜˖ ݁♬⋆.˚𝄞
⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹
⋆˚꩜｡ ┆ 𝑝𝑟𝑒-𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑 .ᐟ ₊ 🦋 ⊹
lucasofialucasofialucasofia 🙇♀️ and enzotom ig :) jokesss but like not rlly 😈 my actual edition has the skull cover - WHICH IS GORGEOUS BUT LOWKEY TERRIFYING IDK WHY 😭 - but this is the closest to my pg counttt <3
September 25, 2026
mafia enforcer x FBI agent
cuddle up & push LGBTQ agenda on a corporate level 🏳️🌈💦 SO SMUTTY I actually couldn’t read it in public!
Enzo is a tough mafia enforcer still figuring out his sexuality. Spoiler alert: HE’S HELLA GAY! YAY! So gay in fact that he gets on his knees for the FBI agent that’s about to inprison his entire family ⛓️💥 This mafia man gets GETTING SPANKED!! Tom helps him explore his sexuality but when the mafia agenda is pushed aside…these two reach a new level of DARK emotional bonding & intense orgasms!
Such a perfect pairing of opposites attract!! Golden retriever x black cat with one bouncing off the walls while the other stoically watches from afar 💙🖤Enzo’s hilarious banter was exactly what Tom needed to disrupt his mundane. These two were both BIG BOYS so the smut was….INTENSELY HOT well more like a SCORCHING FIRE BLAZE!!
💦 mafia enforcer gets spanked & manhandled
🖤 trauma healing with familial acceptance and newfound love
💦 his instagram handle ‘Italiansausage’ *I’m howling*
🖤 WHEN HE SPITS INTO HIS MOUTH and tells him to gurgle!
Once again I’m so impressed by the writing! The hilarious banter and unhinged characters were perfectly wrapped in a darker romance centred on gay awakening and trauma healing. The portrayal of sexual violence was SO INTENSE and will stick with me for awhile though.
p.s. CAN WE TALK ABOUT LUCA?!!!
mafia MM romance
golden retriever x black cat
age gap!
grumpy x sunshine
gay awakening
stalking (both!)
chronic illness
sexual violence and dub-con
found family
HEA
Enzo is a tough mafia enforcer still figuring out his sexuality. Spoiler alert: HE’S HELLA GAY! YAY! So gay in fact that he gets on his knees for the FBI agent that’s about to inprison his entire family ⛓️💥 This mafia man gets GETTING SPANKED!! Tom helps him explore his sexuality but when the mafia agenda is pushed aside…these two reach a new level of DARK emotional bonding & intense orgasms!
“So…I’m definitely gay?”
“I don’t know what you are. Other than fucking annoying. I do know that with one-hundred-percent certainty.”
Such a perfect pairing of opposites attract!! Golden retriever x black cat with one bouncing off the walls while the other stoically watches from afar 💙🖤Enzo’s hilarious banter was exactly what Tom needed to disrupt his mundane. These two were both BIG BOYS so the smut was….INTENSELY HOT well more like a SCORCHING FIRE BLAZE!!
💦 mafia enforcer gets spanked & manhandled
🖤 trauma healing with familial acceptance and newfound love
💦 his instagram handle ‘Italiansausage’ *I’m howling*
🖤 WHEN HE SPITS INTO HIS MOUTH and tells him to gurgle!
Once again I’m so impressed by the writing! The hilarious banter and unhinged characters were perfectly wrapped in a darker romance centred on gay awakening and trauma healing. The portrayal of sexual violence was SO INTENSE and will stick with me for awhile though.
p.s. CAN WE TALK ABOUT LUCA?!!!
mafia MM romance
golden retriever x black cat
age gap!
grumpy x sunshine
gay awakening
stalking (both!)
chronic illness
sexual violence and dub-con
found family
HEA
September 23, 2026
╰┈➤ 3.75 stars ⭐️.ᐟ ˎ
⤷ .𖥔 ݁ ˖.ᐟ Spoiler-Free Review ⋆˚ʚɞ ᵎᵎ
˚₊‧꒰ ❝ ⌗ Maybe I'm your drug, but you're my life support. ❞ ࠬ ׅ ໑ ₊
⁀➴ ♡ Overall Thoughts ⁺˖ ⸝⸝
After a month, I've FINALLY finished this book. And let me tell you, this one was a doozy, so prepare yourselves. For some reason, I just couldn't get into this one. Which is especially disappointing because this was an anticipated release for me. Unfortunately, I didn't like too many things, and for a good portion of the book, those negatives outweighed everything I enjoyed. I was sitting firmly at a 2.0 for at least the first 50% because I struggled to connect with the characters, the romance felt rushed, and the overall execution wasn't hitting how I wanted it to. Thankfully, things eventually turned around. The second half was SO much better and gave me a lot of what I felt was missing from the beginning. It's honestly a little frustrating when a book takes this long to win you over, especially when you went into it expecting to love it. I can appreciate the improvement, but I also can't ignore how much of a struggle the first half was.
⁀➴ ♡ Romance ⁺˖ ⸝⸝
˚₊‧꒰ ❝ ⌗ This man's hands did terrible things. Too bad I still wanted them all over me. ❞ ࠬ ׅ ໑ ₊
I really wanted to love this romance. A forbidden, age-gap relationship with a dark, obsessive edge is EXACTLY my kind of thing. While those elements are technically there, the execution left me wanting so much more. I understand Tom and Enzo have history, but this book is meant to work as a standalone. If you haven't read the previous books, I don't think that history translates particularly well into the relationship we're presented with here. Instead of feeling like two people gradually developing feelings for each other, their progression felt uneven and rushed for a good portion of the first half. Because WHY was I less than 100 pages in and already reading internal monologues suggesting they had serious feelings for each other? Considering their dynamic, I expected more resistance, tension, and a slower build. I wanted to feel the push and pull of a relationship that probably shouldn't happen, not feel like I'd skipped several chapters of emotional development. The foundation for a genuinely compelling romance was there, but the pacing didn't give it the room it needed to hit as hard as it could have. And then we have the pet names. Usually, I'm not particularly bothered by them, but Tom calling Enzo "kid" was something I just couldn't get past. I know there's an age gap, and Enzo is less experienced than Tom, but there's a time and place for it. Why are we calling someone "kid" in the middle of an intimate moment? It completely took me out of the scene, and eventually, I was speed-reading through some of their intimate moments because I felt so uncomfortable. Not exactly the reaction I want to have when reading a dark romance. Another thing I couldn't ignore was how it felt like every time they were intimate, they would break up immediately afterward. Like, damn, did the post-nut clarity hit that hard? Because the emotional whiplash was becoming a little ridiculous. Despite all of this, I don't think they're a bad match. In a weird way, I actually think they're cute together, and there were a few moments that genuinely made me giggle or smile. Those moments were too few and too far between for me to get invested in their relationship the way I wanted. I also really enjoyed the handful of scenes where they simply sat down, talked, and allowed themselves to be open with each other. Those moments felt softer, more emotionally intimate, and honestly more romantic to me than some of their physical encounters. I wish we'd gotten more of that. One thing I was also side-eyeing was the way mental illness was approached in their relationship. Recognizing something in your partner and immediately thinking, "Hey, I have that too!" doesn't necessarily feel like the healthiest foundation for a relationship, at least not without more reflection and understanding. I would have appreciated a little more nuance rather than that realization feeling like a shortcut to connection. Ultimately, I think Tom and Enzo had the potential to be a really compelling couple. I just never felt their relationship fully lived up to that potential. The ingredients were there; the execution simply wasn't consistent enough for me.
⁀➴ ♡ Characters ⁺˖ ⸝⸝
˚₊‧꒰ ❝ ⌗ To be loved by you is the greatest honor anyone could have. ❞ ࠬ ׅ ໑ ₊
﹕ ꒰ა Vincenzo Ferrante .ᐟ ֹ ₊
Enzo was the saving grace of this book. He's immature, chaotic, and definitely not always the most sensible person in the room, but at least he's entertaining! He brought a personality to the story that I wanted more of, and he was one of the few things that kept me invested when the rest wasn't working for me. I also appreciated the moments when we got to see a softer, more vulnerable side of him, especially when he and Tom were actually communicating instead of getting caught up in their usual cycle. Those glimpses made him feel more layered and helped me see the potential in their relationship, even when I wasn't entirely sold on it.
﹕ ꒰ა Thomas Rothwell .ᐟ ֹ ₊
I don't know if it's because I've read so much dark romance this year, but the tall, dark, and broody MMC just isn't doing it for me anymore. At least, not when there's little else to make him stand out. Tom felt like a recycled character I've read a hundred times before. He's the brooding, intimidating man with a softer side for the person he loves, and while I can absolutely enjoy that archetype, I need something more to make it memorable. For most of this book, I struggled to find that something with Tom. I didn't necessarily dislike him; I just didn't have many strong feelings about him, which, arguably, is worse. That said, I did appreciate how gentle he could be with Enzo. Those moments gave him a little more dimension and showed there was more to him than the usual dark-romance exterior. I just wish we'd gotten more opportunities to explore that side of him and understand him as a person beyond his relationship with Enzo.
⁀➴ ♡ Writing and Plot ⁺˖ ⸝⸝
My biggest issue here is that the story felt like it was missing a substantial plot outside of the romance. Now, I understand that this is a romance book, and I'm not expecting every page to be filled with mafia politics and criminal activity. But given the world this series takes place in, I expected the mafia elements to play a bigger role. Instead, we get very little of that side of the story, and the moments involving mafia business often seem more focused on other characters than on Tom and Enzo themselves. I hate constantly comparing this book to the previous installments, but it's hard not to when those books gave me more of what I expected from this series. Here, the story felt almost like a filler episode in a TV show: enjoyable enough in places, but primarily focused on setting things up for the next couple rather than giving this particular story enough substance of its own. The pacing didn't help, either. The first half dragged for me, and I struggled to get invested in what was happening. Then the second half finally picked up, and suddenly I was enjoying myself much more. I don't know what it is about this series, but I'm starting to notice a pattern: I struggle through the first half of these books, only for the second half to completely win me over. It's a very confusing reading experience, and I'm not sure whether to be impressed by the turnaround or frustrated that it takes so long to get there.
⁀➴ ♡ Final Thoughts ⁺˖ ⸝⸝
I really, REALLY want to continue this series. I enjoy being in this world, and there's clearly something about these characters and their stories that keeps pulling me back in. Unfortunately, Fallen Rook didn't quite live up to my expectations, especially considering how excited I was to read it. I spent a good chunk of this book feeling disappointed, and while the second half improved my overall experience, it couldn't erase my issues with the pacing, the romance, and the lack of a stronger plot. I can see the potential in Tom and Enzo's relationship without pretending I was completely captivated. Still, I'm glad I stuck with it instead of DNF-ing and letting that first half determine my entire opinion. The turnaround was real, even if it took some struggle to get there. At least the next book is about Luca and Sofia, and I'm genuinely looking forward to their story. PLEASE let this one be the book that has me hooked from beginning to end. Fingers crossed!
╭────── • ────୨ৎ──── • ────────╮
🕮 ✎𓂃 Society of Villians Series。°˖⌕
#1 [ Bad Bishop ] - 5.00 ♡
#2 [ Twisted Pawn ] - 4.50 ♡
#3 [ Fallen Rook ] - 3.75 ♡
#4 [ Heartless King ] - TBD ♡
#5 [ Wicked Queen ] - TBD ♡
#6 [ Corrupt Knight ] - TBD ♡
#7 [ devil's Gambit ] - TBD ♡
╰────── • ────୨ৎ──── • ────────╯
｡ﾟ•┈୨♡୧┈• ｡ﾟ
꒰ ⁺˖┊┊ Preread ۫ ‧ ♟️ ₊˚. ꒱
The way I dropped everything. School can wait, I need my Enzo time rn.
⤷ .𖥔 ݁ ˖.ᐟ Spoiler-Free Review ⋆˚ʚɞ ᵎᵎ
˚₊‧꒰ ❝ ⌗ Maybe I'm your drug, but you're my life support. ❞ ࠬ ׅ ໑ ₊
⁀➴ ♡ Overall Thoughts ⁺˖ ⸝⸝
After a month, I've FINALLY finished this book. And let me tell you, this one was a doozy, so prepare yourselves. For some reason, I just couldn't get into this one. Which is especially disappointing because this was an anticipated release for me. Unfortunately, I didn't like too many things, and for a good portion of the book, those negatives outweighed everything I enjoyed. I was sitting firmly at a 2.0 for at least the first 50% because I struggled to connect with the characters, the romance felt rushed, and the overall execution wasn't hitting how I wanted it to. Thankfully, things eventually turned around. The second half was SO much better and gave me a lot of what I felt was missing from the beginning. It's honestly a little frustrating when a book takes this long to win you over, especially when you went into it expecting to love it. I can appreciate the improvement, but I also can't ignore how much of a struggle the first half was.
⁀➴ ♡ Romance ⁺˖ ⸝⸝
˚₊‧꒰ ❝ ⌗ This man's hands did terrible things. Too bad I still wanted them all over me. ❞ ࠬ ׅ ໑ ₊
I really wanted to love this romance. A forbidden, age-gap relationship with a dark, obsessive edge is EXACTLY my kind of thing. While those elements are technically there, the execution left me wanting so much more. I understand Tom and Enzo have history, but this book is meant to work as a standalone. If you haven't read the previous books, I don't think that history translates particularly well into the relationship we're presented with here. Instead of feeling like two people gradually developing feelings for each other, their progression felt uneven and rushed for a good portion of the first half. Because WHY was I less than 100 pages in and already reading internal monologues suggesting they had serious feelings for each other? Considering their dynamic, I expected more resistance, tension, and a slower build. I wanted to feel the push and pull of a relationship that probably shouldn't happen, not feel like I'd skipped several chapters of emotional development. The foundation for a genuinely compelling romance was there, but the pacing didn't give it the room it needed to hit as hard as it could have. And then we have the pet names. Usually, I'm not particularly bothered by them, but Tom calling Enzo "kid" was something I just couldn't get past. I know there's an age gap, and Enzo is less experienced than Tom, but there's a time and place for it. Why are we calling someone "kid" in the middle of an intimate moment? It completely took me out of the scene, and eventually, I was speed-reading through some of their intimate moments because I felt so uncomfortable. Not exactly the reaction I want to have when reading a dark romance. Another thing I couldn't ignore was how it felt like every time they were intimate, they would break up immediately afterward. Like, damn, did the post-nut clarity hit that hard? Because the emotional whiplash was becoming a little ridiculous. Despite all of this, I don't think they're a bad match. In a weird way, I actually think they're cute together, and there were a few moments that genuinely made me giggle or smile. Those moments were too few and too far between for me to get invested in their relationship the way I wanted. I also really enjoyed the handful of scenes where they simply sat down, talked, and allowed themselves to be open with each other. Those moments felt softer, more emotionally intimate, and honestly more romantic to me than some of their physical encounters. I wish we'd gotten more of that. One thing I was also side-eyeing was the way mental illness was approached in their relationship. Recognizing something in your partner and immediately thinking, "Hey, I have that too!" doesn't necessarily feel like the healthiest foundation for a relationship, at least not without more reflection and understanding. I would have appreciated a little more nuance rather than that realization feeling like a shortcut to connection. Ultimately, I think Tom and Enzo had the potential to be a really compelling couple. I just never felt their relationship fully lived up to that potential. The ingredients were there; the execution simply wasn't consistent enough for me.
⁀➴ ♡ Characters ⁺˖ ⸝⸝
˚₊‧꒰ ❝ ⌗ To be loved by you is the greatest honor anyone could have. ❞ ࠬ ׅ ໑ ₊
﹕ ꒰ა Vincenzo Ferrante .ᐟ ֹ ₊
Enzo was the saving grace of this book. He's immature, chaotic, and definitely not always the most sensible person in the room, but at least he's entertaining! He brought a personality to the story that I wanted more of, and he was one of the few things that kept me invested when the rest wasn't working for me. I also appreciated the moments when we got to see a softer, more vulnerable side of him, especially when he and Tom were actually communicating instead of getting caught up in their usual cycle. Those glimpses made him feel more layered and helped me see the potential in their relationship, even when I wasn't entirely sold on it.
﹕ ꒰ა Thomas Rothwell .ᐟ ֹ ₊
I don't know if it's because I've read so much dark romance this year, but the tall, dark, and broody MMC just isn't doing it for me anymore. At least, not when there's little else to make him stand out. Tom felt like a recycled character I've read a hundred times before. He's the brooding, intimidating man with a softer side for the person he loves, and while I can absolutely enjoy that archetype, I need something more to make it memorable. For most of this book, I struggled to find that something with Tom. I didn't necessarily dislike him; I just didn't have many strong feelings about him, which, arguably, is worse. That said, I did appreciate how gentle he could be with Enzo. Those moments gave him a little more dimension and showed there was more to him than the usual dark-romance exterior. I just wish we'd gotten more opportunities to explore that side of him and understand him as a person beyond his relationship with Enzo.
⁀➴ ♡ Writing and Plot ⁺˖ ⸝⸝
My biggest issue here is that the story felt like it was missing a substantial plot outside of the romance. Now, I understand that this is a romance book, and I'm not expecting every page to be filled with mafia politics and criminal activity. But given the world this series takes place in, I expected the mafia elements to play a bigger role. Instead, we get very little of that side of the story, and the moments involving mafia business often seem more focused on other characters than on Tom and Enzo themselves. I hate constantly comparing this book to the previous installments, but it's hard not to when those books gave me more of what I expected from this series. Here, the story felt almost like a filler episode in a TV show: enjoyable enough in places, but primarily focused on setting things up for the next couple rather than giving this particular story enough substance of its own. The pacing didn't help, either. The first half dragged for me, and I struggled to get invested in what was happening. Then the second half finally picked up, and suddenly I was enjoying myself much more. I don't know what it is about this series, but I'm starting to notice a pattern: I struggle through the first half of these books, only for the second half to completely win me over. It's a very confusing reading experience, and I'm not sure whether to be impressed by the turnaround or frustrated that it takes so long to get there.
⁀➴ ♡ Final Thoughts ⁺˖ ⸝⸝
I really, REALLY want to continue this series. I enjoy being in this world, and there's clearly something about these characters and their stories that keeps pulling me back in. Unfortunately, Fallen Rook didn't quite live up to my expectations, especially considering how excited I was to read it. I spent a good chunk of this book feeling disappointed, and while the second half improved my overall experience, it couldn't erase my issues with the pacing, the romance, and the lack of a stronger plot. I can see the potential in Tom and Enzo's relationship without pretending I was completely captivated. Still, I'm glad I stuck with it instead of DNF-ing and letting that first half determine my entire opinion. The turnaround was real, even if it took some struggle to get there. At least the next book is about Luca and Sofia, and I'm genuinely looking forward to their story. PLEASE let this one be the book that has me hooked from beginning to end. Fingers crossed!
╭────── • ────୨ৎ──── • ────────╮
🕮 ✎𓂃 Society of Villians Series。°˖⌕
#1 [ Bad Bishop ] - 5.00 ♡
#2 [ Twisted Pawn ] - 4.50 ♡
#3 [ Fallen Rook ] - 3.75 ♡
#4 [ Heartless King ] - TBD ♡
#5 [ Wicked Queen ] - TBD ♡
#6 [ Corrupt Knight ] - TBD ♡
#7 [ devil's Gambit ] - TBD ♡
╰────── • ────୨ৎ──── • ────────╯
｡ﾟ•┈୨♡୧┈• ｡ﾟ
꒰ ⁺˖┊┊ Preread ۫ ‧ ♟️ ₊˚. ꒱
The way I dropped everything. School can wait, I need my Enzo time rn.
September 23, 2026
3⭐️
ну шо його казать, коли воно канєшно. але я не могла не спокуситися на першу мм книгу шен, тому ми тут 😁
загалом стосовно пари енцо і тома - непогано. я б ще читнула майбутні мм книги шен, тільки не в цьому сетингу. бо ця тупа мафійка мене вже втомила. мужики, які міряються пісюнами, мов ті підлітки.. meh 🫤
з приводу персонажів.
енцо - чисто ніко на мінімалках. така ж доросла дитина, мегактивний, кумедний, задовбе в смс буркотливого федерала.
прямо тепле сонечко, такий зранений, ніжний, щирий пиріжечок, і за сумісництвом засновник гуртка виробів зі шкіри 😈🤭 його ми любимо ☺️
том - той самий буркотливий федерал, з не менш тяжкими травмами в особистому житті та агресивними нападами птср. готовий багатьом пожертвувати заради коханої людини. і мені мало б бути його шкода, але тут пані шен сама винна. бо авторка чисто в своєму стилі: «я дам йому двічі жорстко проїбатися заради максимального градусу драми, але в останніх абзацах книги знову переконуватиму, який він хуй розумний» та як же ти бісиш цим!
через такі тупі вчинки головного героя, заважаєш мені насолоджуватися смачною хімією між енцо та томом. і замість того, щоб полюбити тома, він починає мене бісити разом з авторкою 😡
бо те, що він витворив під кінець, ну просто знахідка для лоха. пропозиція - хуйня собача, так і запишемо. він взагалі не знає енцо, і йому срати, що думає енцо, але паралельно намагається щось белькотіти про почуття. ха-ха смішно від цього довбня 🥴
якраз про почуття. не відчула я того великого кохання, заради якого тут йшли на такі жертви. цікавіть, інтерес, хіть, поведінка цуцика від енцо, який намагається розібратися у своїй сексуальності - це все було, і тут усе зрозуміло. а потім оп, два рази поговорили по душах, вивалили свої травми й таємниці, і все - кохання. ну ніт
тому най буде ця оцінка:
➛ за непогані емоційні гойдалки. бо мені ж так подобається коли моїми емоціями маніпулюють 😅
➛ за ніжні інтимні моменти між енцо і томом. як він цілував його шрами 🥹
➛ за ці слова:
➛ і за самого енцо 🦋
p.s. як закручують історію луки й софії - дійсно цікаво. усі ці крихти в цій частині прям нямка, як і троп «криза в шлюбі». бо наразі в них пиздець, а не шлюб. зрозуміло, що ми багато чого не знаємо, але про це мені вже бук бесті розкажуть, що там і як в 4 книзі. бо я з серією прощаюсь 👋
ну шо його казать, коли воно канєшно. але я не могла не спокуситися на першу мм книгу шен, тому ми тут 😁
загалом стосовно пари енцо і тома - непогано. я б ще читнула майбутні мм книги шен, тільки не в цьому сетингу. бо ця тупа мафійка мене вже втомила. мужики, які міряються пісюнами, мов ті підлітки.. meh 🫤
з приводу персонажів.
енцо - чисто ніко на мінімалках. така ж доросла дитина, мегактивний, кумедний, задовбе в смс буркотливого федерала.
прямо тепле сонечко, такий зранений, ніжний, щирий пиріжечок, і за сумісництвом засновник гуртка виробів зі шкіри 😈🤭 його ми любимо ☺️
he had suffered unspeakable violence and abuse, and still, he was sweet, compassionate, and genuinely funny. if he could cling on to his humanity in these circumstances, then dammit, so could i.
том - той самий буркотливий федерал, з не менш тяжкими травмами в особистому житті та агресивними нападами птср. готовий багатьом пожертвувати заради коханої людини. і мені мало б бути його шкода, але тут пані шен сама винна. бо авторка чисто в своєму стилі: «я дам йому двічі жорстко проїбатися заради максимального градусу драми, але в останніх абзацах книги знову переконуватиму, який він хуй розумний» та як же ти бісиш цим!
через такі тупі вчинки головного героя, заважаєш мені насолоджуватися смачною хімією між енцо та томом. і замість того, щоб полюбити тома, він починає мене бісити разом з авторкою 😡
бо те, що він витворив під кінець, ну просто знахідка для лоха. пропозиція - хуйня собача, так і запишемо. він взагалі не знає енцо, і йому срати, що думає енцо, але паралельно намагається щось белькотіти про почуття. ха-ха смішно від цього довбня 🥴
якраз про почуття. не відчула я того великого кохання, заради якого тут йшли на такі жертви. цікавіть, інтерес, хіть, поведінка цуцика від енцо, який намагається розібратися у своїй сексуальності - це все було, і тут усе зрозуміло. а потім оп, два рази поговорили по душах, вивалили свої травми й таємниці, і все - кохання. ну ніт
тому най буде ця оцінка:
➛ за непогані емоційні гойдалки. бо мені ж так подобається коли моїми емоціями маніпулюють 😅
➛ за ніжні інтимні моменти між енцо і томом. як він цілував його шрами 🥹
➛ за ці слова:
“it’s bigger than you. a man like you, a man who loves so hard, so deep, cannot play pretend his whole life. you’re a butterfly, enzo. free. brave. endlessly transformative.” his lips twisted in a half smile, half grimace. “and you’re so fucking beautiful, i forget how to breathe when you’re around.”
➛ і за самого енцо 🦋
p.s. як закручують історію луки й софії - дійсно цікаво. усі ці крихти в цій частині прям нямка, як і троп «криза в шлюбі». бо наразі в них пиздець, а не шлюб. зрозуміло, що ми багато чого не знаємо, але про це мені вже бук бесті розкажуть, що там і як в 4 книзі. бо я з серією прощаюсь 👋
September 24, 2026
4.5⭐️
"Ours was the story of how I fell in love with a beautiful monster. And how, for him, I’d become one, too."
So, I loved this book so much. The characters and this world are so special to me.🥹 L.J. Shen’s writing style is seriously addictive. I devoured this book in a day.
Enzo and Tom are the sweetest. At first it felt like they fell for each other really fast. There wasn’t really any buildup.🙃 That was honestly the only thing I didn’t totally love.
However, I have to say that they won me over incredibly quickly. Their back and forth was adorable. I loved how they communicated with each other, especially about their pasts.
—> Enzo’s nickname for Tom: "Tomcat"🥹
—> Tom calling Enzo "butterfly"
One of the biggest surprises for me was seeing Luca totally obsessed with his wife! I did not expect that. I can’t wait for his and Sofia’s story in Heartless King.
"I am your don, and if anyone - anyone - touches a hair on my wife’s head, I’ll be sure to kill them myself. Very. Very. Slowly."
—> I also loved how his family called Luca out when he wanted to make Sofia jealous with another woman. That was hilarious. In general, all those family moments have a special place in my heart. Tiernan & Lila, Achilles & Tierney, Luca & Sofia, Enzo & Tom, and even Tristan was there all the time. The brotherly bond was one of my favorite things about this book.
—> Also, Luca being protective of Enzo and threatening Tom to be good to him. Luca has a good chance of becoming my favorite once his book is out.
"He is a romantic.
I know.
You break his heart, I break your spine. You understand me?
Clear as day.
You’ll treat him right.
The world will be his oyster. No happier men will ever walk this earth.
Then you have my blessing."
The entire mafia plot was also really good. I love how the story continues with each book in this series. The last 150 pages, especially, were incredible. Tom literally sacrificing everything to save the Ferrantes because he didn’t want to lose Enzo was everything.
"I’m doing this because I have little choice. You’re my butterfly, Vincenzo. And I’m your net. I’ll never let you fall. I’ll always catch you. It might feel suffocating sometimes, but I can’t help it. I’m wired to protect you."
I’m also thinking Katya and Tristan Hale might be getting a book. Tristan seemed a little too interested in kidnapping her.😏
I also have a feeling the other MM book in this series will be about Jeremie? And maybe everyone was wrong about Jeremie and Sofia (I just think that would make so much sense).
And I think the last book in this series will be about Alex. And maybe with that agent who talked about infiltrating the Bratva?
tropes:
~ mafia romance
~ fbi agent x camorra enforcer
~ secret relationship
~ MM romance
~ grumpy x sunshine
current rating:
1. Bad Bishop (#1, 5⭐️)
2. Fallen Rook (#3, 4.5⭐️)
3. Twisted Pawn (#2, 4⭐️)
next:
Heartless King —> Luca & Sofia💜
Wicked Queen —> Katya & Tristan?
Corrupt Knight —> Jeremie & ?
Devil’s Gambit —> Alex & ?
"The tyrant dies, and his rule is over. The martyr dies, and his rule begins."
"Ours was the story of how I fell in love with a beautiful monster. And how, for him, I’d become one, too."
So, I loved this book so much. The characters and this world are so special to me.🥹 L.J. Shen’s writing style is seriously addictive. I devoured this book in a day.
Enzo and Tom are the sweetest. At first it felt like they fell for each other really fast. There wasn’t really any buildup.🙃 That was honestly the only thing I didn’t totally love.
However, I have to say that they won me over incredibly quickly. Their back and forth was adorable. I loved how they communicated with each other, especially about their pasts.
—> Enzo’s nickname for Tom: "Tomcat"🥹
—> Tom calling Enzo "butterfly"
One of the biggest surprises for me was seeing Luca totally obsessed with his wife! I did not expect that. I can’t wait for his and Sofia’s story in Heartless King.
"I am your don, and if anyone - anyone - touches a hair on my wife’s head, I’ll be sure to kill them myself. Very. Very. Slowly."
—> I also loved how his family called Luca out when he wanted to make Sofia jealous with another woman. That was hilarious. In general, all those family moments have a special place in my heart. Tiernan & Lila, Achilles & Tierney, Luca & Sofia, Enzo & Tom, and even Tristan was there all the time. The brotherly bond was one of my favorite things about this book.
—> Also, Luca being protective of Enzo and threatening Tom to be good to him. Luca has a good chance of becoming my favorite once his book is out.
"He is a romantic.
I know.
You break his heart, I break your spine. You understand me?
Clear as day.
You’ll treat him right.
The world will be his oyster. No happier men will ever walk this earth.
Then you have my blessing."
The entire mafia plot was also really good. I love how the story continues with each book in this series. The last 150 pages, especially, were incredible. Tom literally sacrificing everything to save the Ferrantes because he didn’t want to lose Enzo was everything.
"I’m doing this because I have little choice. You’re my butterfly, Vincenzo. And I’m your net. I’ll never let you fall. I’ll always catch you. It might feel suffocating sometimes, but I can’t help it. I’m wired to protect you."
I’m also thinking Katya and Tristan Hale might be getting a book. Tristan seemed a little too interested in kidnapping her.😏
I also have a feeling the other MM book in this series will be about Jeremie? And maybe everyone was wrong about Jeremie and Sofia (I just think that would make so much sense).
And I think the last book in this series will be about Alex. And maybe with that agent who talked about infiltrating the Bratva?
tropes:
~ mafia romance
~ fbi agent x camorra enforcer
~ secret relationship
~ MM romance
~ grumpy x sunshine
current rating:
1. Bad Bishop (#1, 5⭐️)
2. Fallen Rook (#3, 4.5⭐️)
3. Twisted Pawn (#2, 4⭐️)
next:
Heartless King —> Luca & Sofia💜
Wicked Queen —> Katya & Tristan?
Corrupt Knight —> Jeremie & ?
Devil’s Gambit —> Alex & ?
"The tyrant dies, and his rule is over. The martyr dies, and his rule begins."
October 26, 2026
4.5 stars
Enzo & Tom
what a freaking rollercoaster! i’m a total sucker for the law-enforcement/criminal storyline. I’d say LJ Shen did good with her first MM romance even if the plot itself didn’t really provide anything new. i was still reminded why i used to love reading her books back in the day.
the full-cast audio with Corvin King and Stephen Dexter at the helm absolutely didn’t hurt selling this book to me either.
so yes, people, give it up for federal agent Tom Rothwell and mafia prince/enforcer/rook Vincenzo Ferrante (aka Enzo). They were hot together and i certainly loved all the dramalama. although i must say, some of the drama could’ve been resolved less maturely if you ask me. *lol
I had no problems reading this one as a standalone, so neither should you. (a note for clarification: the characters Tiernan and Tierney are respectively MCs of the previous two books and twins)
overall intriguing characters with intriguing dynamics and a whole lot of arranged marriages. i might come back next year for the King-player and his reluctant wife.
*************
Society of Villains Series
Book 1 - Bad Bishop
Book 2 - Twisted Pawn
Book 3 - Fallen Rook (MM) - 4.5 stars
Book 4 - Heartless King - release 03/27
Book 5 - Wicked Queen
Book 6 - Corrupt Knight
Book 7 - Devil’s Gambit
Enzo & Tom
what a freaking rollercoaster! i’m a total sucker for the law-enforcement/criminal storyline. I’d say LJ Shen did good with her first MM romance even if the plot itself didn’t really provide anything new. i was still reminded why i used to love reading her books back in the day.
the full-cast audio with Corvin King and Stephen Dexter at the helm absolutely didn’t hurt selling this book to me either.
so yes, people, give it up for federal agent Tom Rothwell and mafia prince/enforcer/rook Vincenzo Ferrante (aka Enzo). They were hot together and i certainly loved all the dramalama. although i must say, some of the drama could’ve been resolved less maturely if you ask me. *lol
“Why do I get to walk free and they have to pay the price?” I roared. “Because I sucked some fed’s cock?”
“Yes,” he said bluntly, his eyes burning with all the emotions he didn’t let show. “You want the honest-to-God answer, Enzo? Then yes. It was because you fucked exactly the right person, at exactly the right time, […]”
I had no problems reading this one as a standalone, so neither should you. (a note for clarification: the characters Tiernan and Tierney are respectively MCs of the previous two books and twins)
overall intriguing characters with intriguing dynamics and a whole lot of arranged marriages. i might come back next year for the King-player and his reluctant wife.
*************
Society of Villains Series
Book 1 - Bad Bishop
Book 2 - Twisted Pawn
Book 3 - Fallen Rook (MM) - 4.5 stars
Book 4 - Heartless King - release 03/27
Book 5 - Wicked Queen
Book 6 - Corrupt Knight
Book 7 - Devil’s Gambit
Read
March 16, 2026FALLEN ROOK
♜ eBook: https://amzn.to/4cMeUWN
♜ Paperback: https://amzn.to/4rxMrYs
♜ Walmart Exclusive:
♜ Audiobook (narrators TBA):
♜ UK/Commonwealth: https://shor.by/aOmt
🚩 Please read trigger warnings if you have any.
♜ eBook: https://amzn.to/4cMeUWN
♜ Paperback: https://amzn.to/4rxMrYs
♜ Walmart Exclusive:
♜ Audiobook (narrators TBA):
♜ UK/Commonwealth: https://shor.by/aOmt
🚩 Please read trigger warnings if you have any.
September 26, 2026
𓏲 ๋࣭ ࣪ 4.75🌟
HAHASHHA I ATEEE THIS SHIT UP , someone tell me what this woman put into this ? And tom omg so daddy material 🫠🫠
"I want you to know that there was never anyone else. Only ever you."
Omg I can't tell you how much I loved this one, Tom and Enzo were so cute and everything I'd imagined and more 🥺 , their banter was mwah , the chemistry , the tension , like genuinely I ate it up in one setting .
Their romance had me kicking my feet and screaming in my pillow , their slow burn was so suffocating I was drowning in it in a good way , the banter was so so so AGH obsessive .
"You have my word,” Luca said. “I am the lesser evil.” “Still evil.” “Monsters deserve to live, too. We’re a part of the ecosystem.” “How so?” “We devour one another, doing some of your work for you."
Bonus point for the cameos and I can't wait for Lucas and Sofia's story
------
𖦹 Pre-Read:
Lowkey forgot to update, but so far an loving this one. The banter is so fire and they are such cuties 🤭🫠
HAHASHHA I ATEEE THIS SHIT UP , someone tell me what this woman put into this ? And tom omg so daddy material 🫠🫠
"I want you to know that there was never anyone else. Only ever you."
Omg I can't tell you how much I loved this one, Tom and Enzo were so cute and everything I'd imagined and more 🥺 , their banter was mwah , the chemistry , the tension , like genuinely I ate it up in one setting .
Their romance had me kicking my feet and screaming in my pillow , their slow burn was so suffocating I was drowning in it in a good way , the banter was so so so AGH obsessive .
"You have my word,” Luca said. “I am the lesser evil.” “Still evil.” “Monsters deserve to live, too. We’re a part of the ecosystem.” “How so?” “We devour one another, doing some of your work for you."
Bonus point for the cameos and I can't wait for Lucas and Sofia's story
------
𖦹 Pre-Read:
Lowkey forgot to update, but so far an loving this one. The banter is so fire and they are such cuties 🤭🫠
September 24, 2026
(⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5) I don’t know. It wasn’t terrible, but it wasn’t great. This book lost so much of the plot that was present in book one & two. I felt like there wasn’t much else going on besides whatever was happening between Tom & Enzo, only snippets of Luca chaos. It was 400 plus pages of a mafia story & it barely even had a story to hang onto until near the end. Enzo & Tom for sure had great chemistry, but it didn’t feel like a slowburn. The first 40% of it escalated their connection so quickly and kind of unexpectedly. I wanted to love it, because I’ve loved Enzo, but it was missing whatever drug the first two had.
The “skating” of boundaries as Enzo called it or lack of consent imo really took something away from the romance aspect of the story & left me feeling disappointed. Enzo went back to him like 10 pages later. I didn’t even want to finish it honestly. Also not a fan of age gaps & then constant reminder nicknames like “kid”. Ick.
The last 25% is where I was most engaged in the story & their relationship. I honestly spent more time locking in to anything related to Luca & Sofia. I was eating up every crumb that was offered.
Definitely loved the first two & I’m looking forward to Luca for sure, but I’m sad to say this one was a miss for me. I was so looking forward to it.
The “skating” of boundaries as Enzo called it or lack of consent imo really took something away from the romance aspect of the story & left me feeling disappointed. Enzo went back to him like 10 pages later. I didn’t even want to finish it honestly. Also not a fan of age gaps & then constant reminder nicknames like “kid”. Ick.
The last 25% is where I was most engaged in the story & their relationship. I honestly spent more time locking in to anything related to Luca & Sofia. I was eating up every crumb that was offered.
Definitely loved the first two & I’m looking forward to Luca for sure, but I’m sad to say this one was a miss for me. I was so looking forward to it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.25⭐️
3🌶
What happens when Agent Tom Rothwell stops stalking the Camorra enforcer for the FBI, and starts stalking him because he can't stay away, instead? You get a hot and spicy dark, MM romance that had me glued to the pages and unable to put the book down! 🥵🥵🥵
--"Have you smiled today?" 🫠--
What's inside:
- MM Romance
- Dark Mafia Romance
- Grumpy x Sunshine
- Past Trauma & Healing
- Stalking
- Gay Awakening
- Enemies to Lovers
- Hates Everyone but Him
- Clark Kent type FBI Agent
- Golden Retriever Mafia Enforcer
I have to start with Enzo. 🖤
This poor tortured soul still finds a way to be bright and shiny with his banter and golden retriever ways, even as he struggles to be his authentic self and work through the damage his father caused as he was growing up. I absolutely love him as a character and had so much fun with him in this book.
--“Why won’t you admit that you like me, Tom?” He forced his gaze up to meet mine. His hands trembled in his lap. “Because I’m not a liar, Enzo.”--
Tom... he's that dark, broody, closed-off FBI agent that has been ruthlessly determined to bring down the Camorra family. When he tries to seduce Enzo for information, he soon find himself seduced right back, and having to choose between the life he has always planned for, and the life he finds himself craving.
-- He kissed me like he wanted to destroy me. I kissed him like I was going to let him.--
I absolutely loved Tom and Enzo's story - the way that Enzo helped Tom learn to smile again, and the way Tom helped Enzo find the strength to be his authentic self and stop hiding in the shadows. Their story is definitely my favorite of this series so far, and I think it might be tough to beat. I am enamored with these two and their story had me giggling, tearing up, and swooning, the whole way through.
Thank you to LJ and her PA, TJ, for the opportunity to ARC read another amazing LJ Shen book. I am 100% here for this entire series and can't wait to dive into Heartless King next.
3🌶
What happens when Agent Tom Rothwell stops stalking the Camorra enforcer for the FBI, and starts stalking him because he can't stay away, instead? You get a hot and spicy dark, MM romance that had me glued to the pages and unable to put the book down! 🥵🥵🥵
--"Have you smiled today?" 🫠--
What's inside:
- MM Romance
- Dark Mafia Romance
- Grumpy x Sunshine
- Past Trauma & Healing
- Stalking
- Gay Awakening
- Enemies to Lovers
- Hates Everyone but Him
- Clark Kent type FBI Agent
- Golden Retriever Mafia Enforcer
I have to start with Enzo. 🖤
This poor tortured soul still finds a way to be bright and shiny with his banter and golden retriever ways, even as he struggles to be his authentic self and work through the damage his father caused as he was growing up. I absolutely love him as a character and had so much fun with him in this book.
--“Why won’t you admit that you like me, Tom?” He forced his gaze up to meet mine. His hands trembled in his lap. “Because I’m not a liar, Enzo.”--
Tom... he's that dark, broody, closed-off FBI agent that has been ruthlessly determined to bring down the Camorra family. When he tries to seduce Enzo for information, he soon find himself seduced right back, and having to choose between the life he has always planned for, and the life he finds himself craving.
-- He kissed me like he wanted to destroy me. I kissed him like I was going to let him.--
I absolutely loved Tom and Enzo's story - the way that Enzo helped Tom learn to smile again, and the way Tom helped Enzo find the strength to be his authentic self and stop hiding in the shadows. Their story is definitely my favorite of this series so far, and I think it might be tough to beat. I am enamored with these two and their story had me giggling, tearing up, and swooning, the whole way through.
Thank you to LJ and her PA, TJ, for the opportunity to ARC read another amazing LJ Shen book. I am 100% here for this entire series and can't wait to dive into Heartless King next.
Read
April 8, 2026Ok, main character prediction based on book title
3. Fallen Rook - Enzo - Tom Rothwell
4. Corrupt Knight -Jeremie - Sofia
5. Wicked Queen - Katya
6. Heartless King - Luca
7. Devil's Gambit - Tristan
3. Fallen Rook - Enzo - Tom Rothwell
4. Corrupt Knight -Jeremie - Sofia
5. Wicked Queen - Katya
6. Heartless King - Luca
7. Devil's Gambit - Tristan
September 12, 2026
ARC review:
5⭐️♾️: I AM FLOORED. Leigh’s first MM book and she absolutely knocked it out of the park! This story was an exciting and emotional rollercoaster. Enzo Ferrante is my baby! He’s so unhinged and effortlessly charming yet broken and innocent at the same time 🥹. Loved Enzo immediately when we met him earlier in the series, love him even more now. Tom Rothwell, he was equally broken and his obsession was so real. And you knew that deep down he loved Enzo from the beginning, it just took him some time to get there. He was so calculated and smart and I loved that Enzo was the only person that could unravel him. Their chemistry and banter was 🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻. Their secret trysts were 🥵🥵🥵. These forbidden MM romances always carry such sadness and Leigh really captured that well. I felt so gutted and heartbroken for Enzo and Tom that they couldn’t be with each other in the open. The events at 67% had me 😭🥺. Luckily everything worked out and in spectacular fashion 😏. I couldn’t put this book down and honestly didn’t want it to end. This one might be my fave of the series. Although Luca “where is my wife?” Ferrante and Sofia’s book feels like it will be epic 🧐. Can’t wait!
ALC review:
5⭐️♾️: OBSESSSSSED. I’m completely obsessed with Enzo and Tom 😍😍😍. Even more after doing an immersion re-read. Corvin King and Anthony Palmini slayed the narration so hard! They really brought these characters to life. The full cast narration was everything 🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻. I was just as enraptured the second time around. This has become another comfort read 😏.
5⭐️♾️: I AM FLOORED. Leigh’s first MM book and she absolutely knocked it out of the park! This story was an exciting and emotional rollercoaster. Enzo Ferrante is my baby! He’s so unhinged and effortlessly charming yet broken and innocent at the same time 🥹. Loved Enzo immediately when we met him earlier in the series, love him even more now. Tom Rothwell, he was equally broken and his obsession was so real. And you knew that deep down he loved Enzo from the beginning, it just took him some time to get there. He was so calculated and smart and I loved that Enzo was the only person that could unravel him. Their chemistry and banter was 🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻. Their secret trysts were 🥵🥵🥵. These forbidden MM romances always carry such sadness and Leigh really captured that well. I felt so gutted and heartbroken for Enzo and Tom that they couldn’t be with each other in the open. The events at 67% had me 😭🥺. Luckily everything worked out and in spectacular fashion 😏. I couldn’t put this book down and honestly didn’t want it to end. This one might be my fave of the series. Although Luca “where is my wife?” Ferrante and Sofia’s book feels like it will be epic 🧐. Can’t wait!
ALC review:
5⭐️♾️: OBSESSSSSED. I’m completely obsessed with Enzo and Tom 😍😍😍. Even more after doing an immersion re-read. Corvin King and Anthony Palmini slayed the narration so hard! They really brought these characters to life. The full cast narration was everything 🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻. I was just as enraptured the second time around. This has become another comfort read 😏.
August 29, 2026
I just wrote the stupid review, where did it go????😭😭😭
Wdym the audiobook has full cast and Corvin King, jason clark, aiden snow and teddy hamilton are narrating it??? This is gonna be delicious😍😛🌝
~~~~~
umm so I want this book so bad. i was thinking enzo x jeremy until I saw tom and enzo interact and boy it was so fucking hot😂also if you want mm cop x mafia you can check out vitale brothers series👀
Wdym the audiobook has full cast and Corvin King, jason clark, aiden snow and teddy hamilton are narrating it??? This is gonna be delicious😍😛🌝
~~~~~
umm so I want this book so bad. i was thinking enzo x jeremy until I saw tom and enzo interact and boy it was so fucking hot😂also if you want mm cop x mafia you can check out vitale brothers series👀
September 24, 2026
Fallen Rook. 1 star
I HATED THIS BOOK!! This was my first time reading LJ Shen. I don't know if she was trying so hard to be Rina Kent ( btw I don't like rk's straight romances and MM ones are great except Kiss the Villain)
I HAVE TO RANT, SO BUCKLE UP; THERE WILL BE SPOILERS!!
So we meet our MC, Enzo Ferrante; he's in the mafia, and he killed his father by skewing his medications. This guy talks like he's 12, and he's 26; btw, he had me rolling my eyes at every sentence. Omgggg 🤧 he needs to figure out whether he's gay or not, so he goes to a club for a hookup. His hookup turns out to be someone who knows he's from the mafia and tries to threaten him by revealing his sexuality, and then our broody, grumpy FBI agent comes like a savior and saves Enzo by killing the hookup guy. And the big grumpy Tom Rothwell is so fucking stupid. He thinks like a child, and he's forty- omgggg, the ageeeee gappppp 🤮. I was literally fighting myself. Then, our sweet, loving Enzo decides he wants to confirm if he's gay or not, so he asks Tomcat (that's what Enzo calls him, ewwww) to kiss him... like, bruh, we're in chapter 3....where's the tension...I didn't see it. Guess what, they kissed, and the 'forty-year-old man' suddenly wants everything with this kid (not my words; he calls him kid, and it icks me out so bad), and he SPITS INTO HIS MOUTH!!!! I was so out, but I still read further.
Then, Enzo is messaging him, sending him thirst traps to lure him, and Tomcat is like I can't do this and all that bullshit. And then, he has work on some case which is against the ferrante's and he thinks it is a good opportunity to get fuck him and gather all the info from Enzo. WHAT A GENIUS, NO!!!
It felt like a copy-paste of God of Fury at times. I love GOF btw, but this was just 🤮. Enzo has some disorder, so it makes him hurt himself, so Tomcat gets concerned and keeps invading his personal space even if Enzo declines. Obviously they make out; I'm telling you there is no plot. All they do is make out every two chapters. It was so boring. And yeah, Enzo is engaged to some girl, Katya, for his mafia alliances, and both of them didn't liked each other. Katya is with some professor ( I did like that relationship; they were respectful to each other...), and then came the biggest thing, which threw every bit of my sanity away, to give this book even a one star.
Tomcat had one of his ptsd epidodes because of his first love, Matt, who is dead now, and he gets jealous seeing Katya and enzo were chilling and being a couple. And then, when Enzo came to him that night, he lashed out at him because he was jealous, and then told Enzo to leave, as he might do something they both would regret. Enzo didn't leave, and they started making out, and he was being hard on him, like controlling, not soft, basically forcing himself. Enzo said no and told him to stop; Tomcat didn't listen and threw him on the floor and fucked him raw. I mean, no lube, no protection, and it was Enzo's first time, for your information. HE SEXUALLY ASSAULTED HIM. Enzo was clearly in pain, then started enjoying as you know.... and don't come and tell me he was not himself and had one of his episodes. Yes, they shouldn't be having sex at the first place. Anyway....this made me physically, mentally, spiritually sign out from the book.
Then, Enzo was like You sexually assaulted me, but he didn't stop him, and all that, and Tomcat was sorry that he did, and he hates himself for it, and all of it felt so fake and guess what, Enzo forgives him because he understood him. FUCKKK OFFFF.
Then they had more sex, then more sex, then more; basically, all they had was sex every other chapter. Then, on Tomcat's birthday, he turned forty, and Enzo bought him a dick-shaped candle???? Are you fucking kidding me rn???? And yeah, then they had one good conversation where Enzo tells him about his disorder and how all his happiness is for show; it was an okay scene, but I was mentally checked out. I didn't care about them.
Then, after 70% of the book plot came, it was finally the other FBI agents arresting Enzo for the Ferrante case, which fyi tomcat lied to him that it was closed, but he was successfully collecting all the information from Enzo. And now Tomcat plays the saviour and gets Enzo out of jail and said he worked his ass off to make Enzo a plea deal to get out of his mafia world so that they could be together. ( it was okay, ig; I didn't care atp). Enzo rejected, he said he couldn't leave his brothers in prison, and all that bullshit of you betrayed me, crying and all that shit, and they broke up (yeah, they got into a relationship in theee middle).
One of the scenes which I liked was Enzo coming out to his brothers and his wives, and the wives being supportive and eventually his brothers too. I also liked the scene between him and Katya where he told her he was gay and she was understanding and broke the arrangement between him. But I fucking dislike how women are portrayed in this story; Katya was just a tool here, and also how other men treat women. Some shit was happening that I despised, and I didn't understand because I haven't read other books in the series.
Then, Tomcat came on Ferrante's side because he loves Enzo so much that he would give up his career for him. They planned and plotted together, and yeah, after a few chapters it was happily ever after. I don't know; I did like some parts, as I mentioned, but overall this is a shitty book. If you like poor writing, cringe dialogue, boring sex- eww, the sex was so boring- I didn't like anything, and THAT ASSAULT thing just changed everything for me in a bad way. I can never ever appreciate assault in a book, even if you give me a hundred reasons for it. A BIG NOOOO!!!
I HATED THIS BOOK!! This was my first time reading LJ Shen. I don't know if she was trying so hard to be Rina Kent ( btw I don't like rk's straight romances and MM ones are great except Kiss the Villain)
I HAVE TO RANT, SO BUCKLE UP; THERE WILL BE SPOILERS!!
So we meet our MC, Enzo Ferrante; he's in the mafia, and he killed his father by skewing his medications. This guy talks like he's 12, and he's 26; btw, he had me rolling my eyes at every sentence. Omgggg 🤧 he needs to figure out whether he's gay or not, so he goes to a club for a hookup. His hookup turns out to be someone who knows he's from the mafia and tries to threaten him by revealing his sexuality, and then our broody, grumpy FBI agent comes like a savior and saves Enzo by killing the hookup guy. And the big grumpy Tom Rothwell is so fucking stupid. He thinks like a child, and he's forty- omgggg, the ageeeee gappppp 🤮. I was literally fighting myself. Then, our sweet, loving Enzo decides he wants to confirm if he's gay or not, so he asks Tomcat (that's what Enzo calls him, ewwww) to kiss him... like, bruh, we're in chapter 3....where's the tension...I didn't see it. Guess what, they kissed, and the 'forty-year-old man' suddenly wants everything with this kid (not my words; he calls him kid, and it icks me out so bad), and he SPITS INTO HIS MOUTH!!!! I was so out, but I still read further.
Then, Enzo is messaging him, sending him thirst traps to lure him, and Tomcat is like I can't do this and all that bullshit. And then, he has work on some case which is against the ferrante's and he thinks it is a good opportunity to get fuck him and gather all the info from Enzo. WHAT A GENIUS, NO!!!
It felt like a copy-paste of God of Fury at times. I love GOF btw, but this was just 🤮. Enzo has some disorder, so it makes him hurt himself, so Tomcat gets concerned and keeps invading his personal space even if Enzo declines. Obviously they make out; I'm telling you there is no plot. All they do is make out every two chapters. It was so boring. And yeah, Enzo is engaged to some girl, Katya, for his mafia alliances, and both of them didn't liked each other. Katya is with some professor ( I did like that relationship; they were respectful to each other...), and then came the biggest thing, which threw every bit of my sanity away, to give this book even a one star.
Tomcat had one of his ptsd epidodes because of his first love, Matt, who is dead now, and he gets jealous seeing Katya and enzo were chilling and being a couple. And then, when Enzo came to him that night, he lashed out at him because he was jealous, and then told Enzo to leave, as he might do something they both would regret. Enzo didn't leave, and they started making out, and he was being hard on him, like controlling, not soft, basically forcing himself. Enzo said no and told him to stop; Tomcat didn't listen and threw him on the floor and fucked him raw. I mean, no lube, no protection, and it was Enzo's first time, for your information. HE SEXUALLY ASSAULTED HIM. Enzo was clearly in pain, then started enjoying as you know.... and don't come and tell me he was not himself and had one of his episodes. Yes, they shouldn't be having sex at the first place. Anyway....this made me physically, mentally, spiritually sign out from the book.
Then, Enzo was like You sexually assaulted me, but he didn't stop him, and all that, and Tomcat was sorry that he did, and he hates himself for it, and all of it felt so fake and guess what, Enzo forgives him because he understood him. FUCKKK OFFFF.
Then they had more sex, then more sex, then more; basically, all they had was sex every other chapter. Then, on Tomcat's birthday, he turned forty, and Enzo bought him a dick-shaped candle???? Are you fucking kidding me rn???? And yeah, then they had one good conversation where Enzo tells him about his disorder and how all his happiness is for show; it was an okay scene, but I was mentally checked out. I didn't care about them.
Then, after 70% of the book plot came, it was finally the other FBI agents arresting Enzo for the Ferrante case, which fyi tomcat lied to him that it was closed, but he was successfully collecting all the information from Enzo. And now Tomcat plays the saviour and gets Enzo out of jail and said he worked his ass off to make Enzo a plea deal to get out of his mafia world so that they could be together. ( it was okay, ig; I didn't care atp). Enzo rejected, he said he couldn't leave his brothers in prison, and all that bullshit of you betrayed me, crying and all that shit, and they broke up (yeah, they got into a relationship in theee middle).
One of the scenes which I liked was Enzo coming out to his brothers and his wives, and the wives being supportive and eventually his brothers too. I also liked the scene between him and Katya where he told her he was gay and she was understanding and broke the arrangement between him. But I fucking dislike how women are portrayed in this story; Katya was just a tool here, and also how other men treat women. Some shit was happening that I despised, and I didn't understand because I haven't read other books in the series.
Then, Tomcat came on Ferrante's side because he loves Enzo so much that he would give up his career for him. They planned and plotted together, and yeah, after a few chapters it was happily ever after. I don't know; I did like some parts, as I mentioned, but overall this is a shitty book. If you like poor writing, cringe dialogue, boring sex- eww, the sex was so boring- I didn't like anything, and THAT ASSAULT thing just changed everything for me in a bad way. I can never ever appreciate assault in a book, even if you give me a hundred reasons for it. A BIG NOOOO!!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,661 reviews