Brutal Surrender: A Steamy Grumpy/Sunshine Dark Mafia Romance:

by Shira Knight

"Devoured this book in one sitting." 5 Stars Goodreads

"Full of surprises and plenty of spice!" Goodreads

Only She Brings Light To His Darkness.

APOLLO
I'll take her body. Use her. Own her.
But she can never have my heart.
My heart died screaming in flames.
Now there's only fury and the kind of darkness that makes devils run away.
They call me the Marelli Wildcard because I'm one heartbeat away from detonation.
Then she walks into my club, Brooklyn's most exclusive underground paradise of sin.
All sunshine and sweetness
I'll chain her to my side. Corrupt that maddening innocence.
Claim every trembling inch of her.
But my shattered heart? That stays buried.

SHIV
My sister vanished into Brooklyn's brutal underworld.
Apollo Marelli—the Mafia's most dangerous Prince—is my only chance.
Lethal. Broken. Devastating.
His ruthless touch awakens savage desires I've buried for years.
The danger is closing in. My sister's time is running out.
And this beautiful, broken monster who swore he'd never love again?
Will his darkness destroy us both?
Or will I be the one to heal his shattered heart?

What to know about Brutal Grumpy, possessive, hot-tempered Mafia Prince.Sweet sunshine heroine.Opposites attractForced proximity in a very steamy workplace.Touch her and he'll paint the streets red.Love that heals the deepest loss.Shocking secrets.HEA guaranteed.All content warnings on Shira’s websiteBrutal Surrender is a full-length, scorching-hot grumpy/sunshine, opposites attract DARK MAFIA ROMANCE with mature themes. Book 2 in the Brooklyn Brutal Mafia Romance Series. It can be read as a standalone.

Brooklyn Brutal Dark Mafia Romance Series
The Marelli Brothers
#1 Brutal Possession
#2 Brutal Surrender
#3 Brutal Desire
#4 Brutal Hunger

522 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 6, 2026

Reviews

[Viper Spaulding · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dangerous and dirty!

As with the first book, this story starts with a heinous act of violence that sets everything in motion. A favorite minor character from the first book is removed from the story to start our anti-hero, Apollo, down his dark road to recovery. Two years later, he meets a blonde bundle of sunshine named Shiv, who has a secret agenda of her own, and Apollo is alternating between soaking up her incandescent rays and using whatever means necessary to get to the bottom of her truths.

Shiv is, by mafia standards, an innocent, but she's got a dirty streak that almost matches Apollo's, making their early scenes fairly sizzle with passion as they get to know and learn to rely on each other. This author is not shy about including copious amounts of steamy scenes, and since their working location is his "adults only" club there's absolutely no pearl-clutching allowed.

There's a strong secondary storyline that serves as the backdrop to their romance, and it's quite a powerful tear-jerker. I loved the way the author resolved the missing niece issue, though I'm sentimental enough to have been hoping for a more universally happy ending for the unseen but focused-on secondary characters.

If you're looking for a mafia romance that'll rip your heart open before stitching it back together, this book was written for you. It's every bit as good as the first book, and I'm definitely looking forward to reading more in the series.

[Amanda Mae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brutal Surrender is the second book in the Brooklyn Brutal series by Shira Knight. I couldn’t wait to dive back into the Marelli family drama and explore the Brooklyn Underground. And this book delivers; I loved this book! Shira Knight is quickly becoming one of my favorite mafia romance writer. Brutal Surrender is a beautifully written story full of emotion, heart, action, twists and turns, and romance. One minute while reading I was laughing and the next page had me in tears. Shira Knight did a good job of adding depth to both Shiva and Apollo. She did a good job of tackling difficult topics such as grief and insecurities. Shiv is on my list of favorite female main characters. I loved that even though she was shy, she had a quiet strength. And her phrases had me laughing. The banter between Shiv and Apollo had me laugh and the spice between them was utterly delicious.
Not only was the romance plot well written, but the author took time and care with the mafia plotline as well. For the last part of the book; I was on the edge of my seat. I couldn’t put my kindle down. I stayed up past my bedtime to finish this book. Now I can’t wait to read the next book in the series. Thanks Shira Knight for giving me an opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Whitney Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing read from Shira Knight!
This book starts off heartbreakingly, but does an amazing job slowly mending that broken heart!
Apollo is a man drowning in grief, guilt and sorrow when the story starts, and when he meets Shiv, he slowly starts to breathe for the first time in two years.
When we meet Shiv, she’s filled with insecurities that sneak up on her, when she meets Apollo, he makes her feel sexy and beautiful, and helps her take down that voice in her head that told her nobody could ever want a “big girl”.
This book deals with both grief and insecurities so beautifully.
Apollo talks about his grief in a way that’s so realistic and it’s something everyone can relate to. From the moments we wake up and it feels like losing them all over again, to the moments where it just hits you out of no where.
And then the insecurities that Shiv faces in this book. As a big girl myself, it was beyond realistic. It was just incredible!
Thank you Shira Knight for another amazing story!

[Country Mama · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brutal Surrender by Shira Knight is a Dark Mafia romance in the Brooklyn Brutal Dark Mafia Romance series by the author, specifically book 2. Our MMC is Apollo who in the very start of the book looses Sophia who he loves so much and she is taken from him. He seeks revenge for what happened for Sophia, now that is his only mission in life. This resonated with me, I would like to think that I would do the same thing if something happened to my husband or to my kids in the same manner. He is obviously having trouble just living without his loved wife a few years later, even as a mob boss. Then in steps Shiv, or Shevonne who is our FMC; who is coming from a salon and these two have a dirty and super hot mistaken identity interaction. I loved this book as I love a possessive alpha take charge man, like Apollo. He is take charge and filthy and I loved that about him! I thought the author did a great job with writing this book and the steam is off the charts! I really like mafia romances and this was an excellent and highly recommended one!

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did read Book 1 in the series - Brutal Possession, and this 2nd book - Brutal Surrender. They are considered interconnected standalones, so it's not necessary to read the 1st to read the 2nd... BUT, if you love dark mafia romances, you'll definitely want to read both because they're THAT good!! :)

Shiv & Apollo's book is SO good!! I was hooked from the very beginning & could not put it down, I binged it in one sitting!!

The book is fast paced, full of well written characters, witty banter, suspense & lots of spicy moments!!!

Shiv is just supposed to do makeovers & is mistaken for a different "night time" type of employee... problem is they both become attracted (and he makes her come) before she can explain who she is. LOL

She's trying to find out what happened to her sister who went missing... and throughout the book, Shiv & Apollo work together to find out what is going on & why there are missing women (and babies).

Can't wait to read more books in the series & by the author!!

Thank you to the author, Shira Knight, for the ARC read. All opinions are my own.

[SuzieQuzie7973 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you thank you thank you to Mitchell and Joseph Ltd. and Shira Knight for sharing this ARC with me, in exchange for my honest opinions and thoughts.

Brutal Surrender is book #2 in the Brooklyn Brutal series. I devoured this book in one sitting. I just couldn't put it down. I have a feeling that all of the books in this series will be super delicious and the spicyness will be ever so yummy LOL. Apollo and Shiv, omg omg their story and chemistry is phenomenal. Apollo will literally burn the world down for Shiv. I fell in love with Apollo, even with all his mafianess and his assholeness. The character development and world building is perfect. I truly cannot wait for book #3, I will be on the edge of my seat waiting for everything Ms. Shira writes.

I wholeheartedly recommend that y'all get y'alls hands on this book, trust me, y'all won't be disappointed.

[Jenn C · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly didn’t think this one could be better than the first, and let me tell you — I was dead wrong. I was emotionally invested and completely hooked on this author’s writing. This book had me fully locked in from start to finish.

It’s fast paced, emotional, and the spice was chef’s kiss. I loved seeing more depth added to the characters and how the story connected back to the first book. The storyline was great, and the chemistry between Shiv and Apollo… swoon worthy.

I have so many thoughts and am really invested to see how this series unfolds and how each book dives deeper into the mafia ties. I cannot wait for the next book to drop. Jordan’s story should be amazing.

Thank you to Shira Knight for the advance reader copy.

[Sharon Cohen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved loved loved this book. Wow, what a beautiful couple they are. Him, part of a mob family, her a not so confident lady, great connection these two have from the start. Both bring the best out in each other, she is funny and sweet and stands her ground, he is hard as nails, used to getting his own way but has a very vulnerable side. This book is very very spicy 🌶️🌶️🌶️, oh my goodness, hot, hot, hot! You will not be able to put it down, nor will you want to. Another super spicy🌶️ super hot🔥, super dangerous but so intriguing novel from the incredible Shira Knight. An excellent mobster, steamy romance.

[Joanna McQueen · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading the first book in this dark mafia series, I knew I needed to read the second. And I also knew, that as soon as finished the second I’d read any subsequent books in this series.

I loved the characters, their relationships and the mystery and drama that surrounded them. Shira does a great job of balancing the wild, the romantic, and the dark with the mysterious and the thrilling.

I loved the scintillating dynamics between Apollo and Shiv, the development of their personalities and their personal growth. It wasn’t about the spice for me.

I also loved the mystery of past and present story lines. Knight draws you into the mystery with gentle seduction and torturous teasing.

I highly recommend Brutal Surrender and I’m grateful to the publisher for the eARC to enjoy.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book of the series and features the people we know and love from the first book but it has a focus on Apollo. I really was truly shocked near the end when so much was revealed. It was full of surprises and plenty of spice! I am now waiting patiently for the next book to come out.

[Lisa Chambers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful Buildup

I can't wait to read the next installment. These men and what they've been through and the beautiful women who get to stand beside them and love them. Two books in and I'm on the edge of my seat. Can't wait to continue their story and solve the mysteries of their past.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my word, Shira Knight has delivered another outstanding book! The second installment in the series had my adrenaline pumping.

How can anyone resist the feisty Adonis that is Apollo? It's as if two worlds collide with Apollo and Shiv together.

Shiv feels very insecure when she first meets Apollo, but he makes her feel attractive. The chemistry between them is off the charts.

It's a mafia-themed book—yes, an amazing and gritty story—what more could you ask for?

[Victoria Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy of second book in this series from the publisher and I’m obsessed.
The characters are great! I love the hothead MMC paired with the bubbly FMC. Their story has a great arc. And the FMCs self esteem struggles are super relatable for me. Might’ve cried a little for her.
The twists in this book will have you gasping like I did. A betrayal that really surprised me, like was NOT expecting that person to be the bad guy.
The spice is, once again, amazing. Shira Knight has a way with the spice.
This book is perfect for lovers of opposites attract, mafia thrillers, and murder mysteries tangled up with steamy moments.
Cannot wait to read Jordan’s story next!!

[Kellie April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much Shira for an ARC of this book!
Another Marelli brother to fall in love with?? Say less, I’m in!
Shiv was not my favorite FMC that I’ve read but i think all her quirks were so essential to breaking down the walls that Apollo has built around himself, if she wasn’t exactly who she was so confidently then this book couldn’t have worked the way it did.
I was such a big fan of the first book in this series and the second book confirmed i will continue to read everything she does!