Deep Attraction

by L. Dianna

In a world where power is everything and love is the ultimate weakness, the most dangerous threat isn’t the enemy outside your door...

...It’s the one in your arms.

Zane Santino.
Cold. Ruthless. Calculated.
Everyone who’s ever walked close enough to the underworld has heard the stories.
But I didn’t know who he was when he saved me the first time.
Not even when he saved me the second time.
To me, he was a dark knight, answering my prayers every time I called.
Until the day he could have given me back my freedom, but he took me as his prisoner instead.

Now I'm a pawn.

Trapped in a game I never agreed to play, reduced to nothing but a piece everyone wants to move in this twisted game of vengeance.
I swore I’d never trust him again, no matter how good-looking he is, how dangerously good his lips feel against the most sensitive parts of my skin, or how every time he touches me, I forget why I have to keep fighting him.


**The viral hit with over 30 MILLION reads worldwide – now available in print for the first time!**
** This is not a standalone. Chloe & Zane's story continues in Deep Attraction series Part 2 **
This is a mafia romance featuring morally gray characters forced into impossible situations. Contains mature themes and scenes that may be disturbing to readers. Please check the content warning at the beginning of the book.

Genres: Dark Romance, Romance

388 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 5, 2025

Reviews

[Beatriz Silva · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the privilege of being a Beta and ARC reader of this book and I’m so grateful for this honor.

I first found this story on Episode about 9 years ago and I fell in love with it back then and now, reading this story in book form I love it even more.

This is a Mafia romance, with all the “touch her and die” and instant attraction vibes, so if you like that then I would really recommend you give this book a shot.

Just want to finish this review of by saying that I can’t wait to read the next book!!

[Bianca Santos · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25

Eu estou obcecada... OBCECADA COM ESTE LIVRO!! DIANNA WHAT IS THIS!? 😮‍💨

Temos um romance intenso e envolvente, que mistura paixão, desejo e emoções profundas? SEM SOMBRA DE DÚVIDA!!

A autora constrói personagens marcantes, com química imediata e conflitos que prendem o leitor do início ao fim!! O Zane é misterioso, possessivo e intenso. A Chole é forte, determinada e uma mulher complexa que só quer salvar a irmã. Depois a química é tão boa e carregada de tensão GOD 😮‍💨

E ESTE FINAL! PRECISAMOS DA PARTE DOIS PARA ONTEM PLEASE 😫

Obrigada Dianna por esta oportunidade 🫂

[Mikaela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a book! It only took a few chapters before I was completely hooked. I can’t wait for the next part! I always know a book is truly great when I’m left speechless and struggling to put my thoughts into words — and that’s exactly what’s happening right now. I had such a good time reading this and honestly can’t think of a single bad thing to say about it!

The story is beautifully written, and the plot feels well thought out, with a touch of Beauty and the Beast in the best possible way. The author does a fantastic job conveying the characters’ emotions — the anxiety, the yearning, everything comes through so vividly!

I received a free review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Kaitlyn Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️
Yup just as good as when I read it on episode!!

[CMM · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Never accept anything from monsters because they always come back to collect"

Thanks to L.Dianna for letting me dive into this world with an ARC for my honest review.

Okay, but you know when you start a book and you read the first chapter and you are already super invested? Ya... that was me. And do you know who keeps thinking about this book even though its been a minute since I read the arc - also me. I miss theeeeeeeem.

I don't read exclusively mafia books - but I have read a lot in the last few years. I also really love suspense in my books and usually will pick a darker themed/suspense romance over any other genre. Give me a "Who did this to you?" and I am done. I love a protective morally corrupted MMC. So, I knew already that the genre & tropes were going to be a win for me.

This is one of my favourite mafia reads to date and I know already that it's going to get better as the series moves forward. It's gritty and dark, and the tension is undeniable. And when you get those moments of raw vulnerability and emotions, it pulls you right into the scene.

For our MMC: You have the infuriating and swoonworthy Zane Santini. We are introduced to his mafia family and there are some key characters from this group. Despite a haunting past.. things have run smoothly for quite some time for him and his crew. But of course, Zane's life goes up in smoke when he runs quite literally into her.

Who did he run into? Oh, I am so glad you asked... because she is the fiesty and loveable FMC. Chloe King has had a really shit life and it's pretty noticeable from the first few pages that she has been hurt. We find her having to work at a strip club for her scum of the earth boss. She hates it, but she does what she has to do. And now she has the attention of Zane and he cannot get her out of his mind.

The story had me hooked the entire time. There is a lot moving pieces happening behind the scenes where we have no idea what is going to happen while these two fight their attraction and undeniable feelings for each other.

& that cliffhanger. I don't want to give anything away so I will just leave it at this..

Ma'am.

L Dianna.

I will be there on release day of book 2 with open arms<3

Thank you again for trusting me with your baby. I know how important this world has been to you and how hard you have worked on this series through out the years. I loved it from the very beginning and I will be back for more. Congrats on your debut!!

[Brittany Espinoza · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off you cannot believe the happiness I have that L. Dianna is publishing this story. I have followed her journey for the past 10 years. I have read all the different version of Deep Attraction (Episode, Wattpad, Patreon, to ARC). It has been a VERY LONG journey. I am so proud of how far she has come and to being able to debut Deep Attraction to the world.

So now that my appreciation gushing is over. My honest review (trying not to be biased) this book is a MUST read. Zane and Chloe are LIFE and endgame. To read the internal turmoil between the two characters. The irresistible attraction and undeniable chemistry. It’s just perfect they are perfect. Besides a few grammar errors I’ve found. Which is to be expected since L. Dianna main language isn’t English it Portuguese. She did a wonderful job with the translation to English.

The mafia, enemies to lover, love at first site, and touch her ☠️ categories are all present and dominate. Zane is the MMC we all love to read about. Chloe is the FMC that is fierce at times but has her emotional sides. She is loyal (to a fault) IYKYK. She has her struggles but that is what makes the story everything.

I could keep going on for days about how great this story is. I’m also trying not to give away too many spoilers. So, you must add this to your next read!

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the great opportunity to get the ARC of this book and I am so grateful for it. I learned of this story years ago in another platform and it was great… now the book I couldn’t put down at all.
Love how every character has their own background and it differs from the other platform story. It made it complex and lovely. Now I can’t wait for the next part.

I won’t be leaving any spoilers and will tell you to get ready for the ride.

[Nikki Hemenway · Rating 2 out of 5]

I so badly wanted to love this book, as I found it on Episode ages ago and absolutely loved it then. Unfortunately I had to DNF. The story is there but it lacks a lot and just needs more. I felt nothing towards this even though this is the typically the kind of book that would hook me immediately. The writing is a bit poor in spots and could really use an editor on this story, I just couldn’t get past some of the bad grammar/errors.

[Adrienne Riddle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so excited to have been able to read this book! I read it many years ago as it was coming out on episode and it lived up to the nostalgia. This book has been aged up and lived up to the dark romance tag in a way I was not expecting. I loved so much about this book! I was falling off the mafia/dark romance train as so many books have disappointed me recently, but this book changed that! Deep Attraction so quickly brought back my love of mafia books. There was tension and chemistry between the characters that I’ve been missing! I would not describe it as slow burn; however, I felt like the way their relationship is written you do get a similar vibe of rooting for Zane and Chloe while they struggle to find each other! I loved that Chloe could be both strong and insecure. Her character was well written in ways I feel most mafia romances miss. She was strong when she needed to be, but there were moments she wasn’t able to be strong and it is so realistic! It made her more relatable as a character. Zane of course is your typical hot mafia man. He is powerful and cold with a soft spot for only Chloe. Now, the cliffhanger this book left me on killed me!! I read this book all in a day and half because I loved it so much, but now I am stuck not knowing what happened! I love a good cliffhanger, but dang I wish I knew when part two comes out!

Now, as much as I loved this book, there were a few things I think that kept it from being a 5/5 instead of my 4.5/5. One, the writing can be a bit confusing. There are some moments where I had to read it a few times before I understood what the author was trying to say. I believe English is her second language so that may be why! Also, the book progressed very fast. Some people may like how fast paced it was, but I was hoping it would slow down a bit. Besides those two things this book was amazing and I am eagerly awaiting the next one! Thank you L. Dianna for letting me Arc read this amazing book.

[Aliyah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rating: 2.5/5 stars

Okay I might be a part of the minority of people BUT I am still going to give my opinion. I have been following this story since day 1 on episode and man oh man did i DEVOUR it on there. (I haven’t read it in YEARS so my memory on it is very spotty). I also devoured this book in just a couple hours as it was an easy read.

This story was okay at best. I wished Zane and Chloe’s connection was made deeper by having more intimate moments other than them just sleeping together. I found that I started to get bored of the sex scenes as it felt like it was every other chapter they were sleeping together. I did find myself begging Chloe to just be honest with Zane but that girl was scared and then we had the cliffhanger at the end which had me confused.
I also found myself confused by what happened after the mayor’s daughter’s party. I don’t know, I wish there was more detail, more context in my opinion it would’ve left me less confused and feeling like things were just jumping from scene to scene instead of transitioning.

I loved how Zane is an anti-hero of sorts and that makes him quite dynamic, it would’ve been nice to see him more vulnerable but given this is a duology, I’m sure we’ll get more moments in the next book.

This was her L Dianna’a first novel and I commend her as I couldn’t produce this but it did feel like a first novel at times. Regardless, I will be reading the next book in the series!

[Emilia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of diving back into this story (now as a full-fledged book) and I really enjoyed getting to know these characters from their own POVs.
Chloe and Zane are a fiery couple: two sides of the same coin, two people who together create both sparks and chaos. Both are well-developed characters, but Chloe can be very quick to jump to conclusions and make some bad decisions… which, low-key, pisses me off. Zane, on the other hand, is great - dark, tall, handsome, and rich, with an obsession for a girl he never expected to be “the one.”

I did find the story a bit stagnant at times; not because of the plot itself, but because there are a lot of sex scenes. To the point where it felt a bit repetitive.
It’s definitely a mafia romance, filled with violence, money, rival gangs, and jealousy, which makes for a really interesting setup. I just wish there had been a bit more focus on the mafia side of things instead of so many intimate scenes… but hey, if that’s your thing, you’ll get plenty of it here.

Overall, a solid start to the series with a nail-biting cliffhanger. Can’t wait for part 2!

[Ya-Chernoh (Booktok) Kamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review
This book got me hooked and it’s very special for me! I was 17 when I read it for first time in an inactive story! It has always been my fave and this time it will come out as a book. Chloe is the best and badass characters. Her development in this book is so great even thought it’s the first book. Zane…..omg he is the darling! He’s so
rough but also got soft spot for her. This book is included kidnapping, morally grey anti hero, found family vs blood loyalty etc! The way this book got me so nervous and now it leaves with cliffhanger 😭💝 Wauw I can’t wait already to book two! The spice is so UUUFFF IT WAS SPICING! The details are juicy….hot like aaah you have to give it a try. Amazing book with cliffhanger. Dianna….you are the sweetest and best author, thank you so much for chose me to be an ARC Reader. Never give up. And looking forward to book two 🌸
Stars: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️,5

[Ana Sofia Alves · Rating 5 out of 5]

🇬🇧Oh my God! I need the second book right now! I am invested! I was not expecting this ending, for real! I like the character development, and the way my heart was violently beating being nervous because of the fmc choices. I am loving Zane, and I want it to work out, but I also understand where she is coming from with her decisions 😭 but I am NERVOUS! I need to next book! The writing is very straight forward, very easy to follow. And the plot is nice! Now this is a mafia romance at best.
Recommend 🖤

🇵🇹 Meu Deus! Preciso do segundo livro já! Estou completamente envolvida! Não esperava este final, de verdade! Gostei do desenvolvimento das personagens e da forma como o meu coração batia forte de nervosismo por causa das escolhas da protagonista. Estou a adorar o Zane e quero que resulte, mas também percebo as decisões dela 😭 mas estou NERVOSA! Preciso do próximo livro! A escrita é muito direta, muito fácil de acompanhar. E o enredo é ótimo! Isto sim é um romance de máfia.
Recomendo 🖤

[Dark Book Girlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always a pleasure and honour to get asked to ARC read a book by an author.

This book definitely brings the heat though unfortunately it was lacking in some areas. In some parts I found the writing to be a bit confusing causing me to have to back track a few times.
While I do love spice in my books I think this could have had a couple less spicy scenes to focus more on plot, but that is just my personal preference.
I love the dark mafia world created in this book my issue was with Chloe constantly flying off the handle for the smallest thing, that kind of did my head in and made me feel sorry for Zane in parts lol.
Even with my own personal preferences I would definitely recommend this book.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVE this book and I want the next books to come out ASAP. I have read Dianna's work on other platforms before so I already knew she was an incredible writer but MY GOSH! I am SO invested. Zane and Chloe's tension and connection was so visceral from their first meeting to the last page and carries on BEYOND the turning of the last page. The story just HOOKS you. Honoured to say that I am an OG before this goes viral.
Amazing work, truly, and I hope you are busy working on the next book because it is NEEDED.
Highly recommend to anyone who enjoys dark romance mafia vibes but with actual DEPTH not just pure smut (although that was thoroughly enjoyable too 😏).
LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading this masterpiece. I am a huge fan of the author for more than 9 years. I could experience every single emotion the characters were feeling. It’s like the book sucks you in to its world. You might feel like Chloe is a damsel in distress but knowing her backstory, she has every right to act the way she does in the book because her character will grow and redeem itself in the upcoming books.
Zane will learn how to navigate his emotions and stop being a red flag.
The whole book is put together in an amazing way and even though English is not the author’s first language, her writing style was incredible.

[Tesh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow Zane is a true anti hero. Not the nice guy saving the damsel. He is saving her but for his own reasons.

When Chloe gets into danger, Zane is there to save her, till he takes her for revenge.

The chemistry is undeniable between these two but the relationship is filled to the brim with friction. The irresistible pull for Chloe against Zane is always there and she can't resist.

Very well written. This was a great start to the duet and I'm looking forward to the rest. Great work!

[Karja26 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Came across this author via TikTok and I was immediately drawn to the plot of her book and has to read! (Later discovered she had written it years ago via wattpad, so super congrats on this official publication of your work!)

So glad I did because it had me in a chokehold from page one and super sad when I “turned the last page”. I’m eagerly awaiting the continuation because that cliffy left me on tenterhooks!!!!!!!!!

[Metka · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading this book, and I can honestly say it's one of the best stories I've ever experienced. Zane and Chloe are incredible main characters - so vividly written that their emotions, choices, and growth stayed with me long after I reached the end, their connection hit so deeply. It completely stole my heart, from the first chapter, I felt myself sinking into the world the author created.

I've read versions of this book on other platforms before, but I absolutely loved the changes in this edition. The updates add depth and clarity to the story. It's rare for a story you already enjoy to become even better, but this one truly exceeded my expectations.

A fantastic read from start to finish - highly recommended.

[Federica Pieri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the first stories I read on Episode app, and I fell in love with it, so much, I read it thousands of time and I honestly thought it couldn't be better than that, and I was also a little bit scared because not all the books written from Episode are still good... I was so wrong... This is SO.MUCH.BETTER... Deeper, more intense... And the yearning, the passion... It went over my wildest expectation, I just finished it and can't wait for the second book!

[Book Lovers Hangout · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am obsessed with this story. It was suspenseful. It was engrossing. It was every emotion you can think of wrapped up in one story and I was there for this journey. The characters are complex and well developed and I am very impressed with this new author. I can't wait to see what they have in store for us next! I will definitely be reading more.

[MC Larios · Rating 5 out of 5]

IMA NEED THAT PART TWO ASAP!!!!!

rereading the beginning of zane and chloe’s story felt exactly like it did all those years ago— thrilling, unforgettable, beautiful, and so emotional!! 😭

i need zane to find chloe and for the truth to come out!!!! 🥹 i always forget how angsty they were, ughhh 10/10!!!

[Kaylee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I literally can’t believe I have to wait until next year to read the next book…🥲😭 This book was so GOOD!! I’ve been reading her stories since she was on Episode and I can’t believe 10 years later I’m reading a book about one of my favorite episode story😭

[Ana Mendes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely recommending this one ! It’s a great book , fluid .
One of my favourites dark romance !
Thank you for making it a book !!!
I already read it in a platform but this one is even better and I wasn’t expecting it to be any better !

[Micki Lake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book so much! Great storyline and i could really connect with the characters <3

[J K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Idec, this was my favourite & the episode gurl in me loved it!!!

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this story back when it was just a story on episode and seeing it published as a full novel was such a treat. The characters, the tension, and the plot all feel even stronger now. I flew through it and loved every minute. I can’t wait for the second part!

[Berenice Casales · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Sarah Raynor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can’t get enough!

I cannot wait for the next book. I cannot get enough of it. It keeps my attention, and makes me want to keep reading.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,5