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Twisted Mafia Vows #1
Poisoned Heart
It was supposed to be blackmail. Now we’re choosing the wedding cake.
I’m Corvus Van der Horn, and as my family’s poisoner and torturer, I’m a master of control, cruelty, and patience. My prisoners are faceless pawns who ought to fear me.
Until Dalton.
He should be forgettable—a washed-up fighter and gambler with more debt than sense. Then I saw his phone. Turns out half the city’s men would sell their souls to let him wreck them. Now I can’t stop asking why.
So we strike a deal: his freedom, in exchange for the kind of night I could never risk with anyone else. A chance to give up control. Just once.
Now he’s under my skin like a disease. And saving him requires a cover story so outrageous it might actually work—an engagement. Me. Engaged. To a man who can’t bluff to save his life and thinks planning ahead means ordering two beers instead of one.
Our deal was supposed to be a secret. A mistake I’d bury.
Instead, I’m drowning in wedding chaos and my own desire.
But when I realize someone is hunting my husband-to-be, they wake up the worst part of me. Because no one—no one—messes with what’s mine.
⚠⚠⚠⚠⚠⚠⚠⚠⚠⚠
“Poisoned Heart” is a standalone M/M Dark Mafia Romcom where a ruthless mafioso loses control to the one man he should have never touched. Desire, obsession, and a trainwreck of wedding preparations collide in a story about love that feels like the sweetest poison.
Violence, strong language, aphrodisiac, blackmail
I’m Corvus Van der Horn, and as my family’s poisoner and torturer, I’m a master of control, cruelty, and patience. My prisoners are faceless pawns who ought to fear me.
Until Dalton.
He should be forgettable—a washed-up fighter and gambler with more debt than sense. Then I saw his phone. Turns out half the city’s men would sell their souls to let him wreck them. Now I can’t stop asking why.
So we strike a deal: his freedom, in exchange for the kind of night I could never risk with anyone else. A chance to give up control. Just once.
Now he’s under my skin like a disease. And saving him requires a cover story so outrageous it might actually work—an engagement. Me. Engaged. To a man who can’t bluff to save his life and thinks planning ahead means ordering two beers instead of one.
Our deal was supposed to be a secret. A mistake I’d bury.
Instead, I’m drowning in wedding chaos and my own desire.
But when I realize someone is hunting my husband-to-be, they wake up the worst part of me. Because no one—no one—messes with what’s mine.
⚠⚠⚠⚠⚠⚠⚠⚠⚠⚠
“Poisoned Heart” is a standalone M/M Dark Mafia Romcom where a ruthless mafioso loses control to the one man he should have never touched. Desire, obsession, and a trainwreck of wedding preparations collide in a story about love that feels like the sweetest poison.
Violence, strong language, aphrodisiac, blackmail
361 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 23, 2026
187 people are currently reading
702 people want to read
About the author
K.A. Merikan
132 books3,084 followers(Goodreads profile run by Kat)
K. A. Merikan is a duo of queer writers who don’t believe in following the well-trodden path. In their books you can dip your toe into dangerous romance with mafiosi, outlaw bikers and bad boys, all from the safety of your sofa. They love the weird and wonderful, stepping out of the box, and bending stereotypes both in life and in fiction. Their stories don’t shy away from exploring the darker side of M/M romance, and feature a variety of anti-heroes, rebels, misfits, and underdogs who go against the grain.
Be prepared for shocking twists, dark humor, raw emotions, and sizzling hot scenes.
K.A. Merikan also writes steamy M/M romcoms as Devon Doe.
e-mail: kamerikan@gmail.com
More information about ongoing projects, works in progress and publishing at:
K.A. Merikan’s author page: http://kamerikan.com
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/kamerikan
K. A. Merikan is a duo of queer writers who don’t believe in following the well-trodden path. In their books you can dip your toe into dangerous romance with mafiosi, outlaw bikers and bad boys, all from the safety of your sofa. They love the weird and wonderful, stepping out of the box, and bending stereotypes both in life and in fiction. Their stories don’t shy away from exploring the darker side of M/M romance, and feature a variety of anti-heroes, rebels, misfits, and underdogs who go against the grain.
Be prepared for shocking twists, dark humor, raw emotions, and sizzling hot scenes.
K.A. Merikan also writes steamy M/M romcoms as Devon Doe.
e-mail: kamerikan@gmail.com
More information about ongoing projects, works in progress and publishing at:
K.A. Merikan’s author page: http://kamerikan.com
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/kamerikan
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews
January 22, 2026
4-4.5 Stars?
I enjoyed this installment so much more than Christmas Mafia Prince, where we initially meet Corvus.
Corvus was such an interesting character and I loved getting to know more about his unique mafia world. We get to know some of the other family members a bit better in this installment, which was great.
Dalton is such a sweet heart!!! I loved him in this, trying so hard to be sweet to his man and trying to break down Corvus' walls. At least Corvus finally gets his shit together and realizes what an amazing man he has in Dalton.
I liked that there was a little bit of plot thrown in that was external to their romance.
I loved getting to see more into this mafia family and their crazy family traditions. Looking forward to more from this world!
ARC provided by GRR.
I enjoyed this installment so much more than Christmas Mafia Prince, where we initially meet Corvus.
Corvus was such an interesting character and I loved getting to know more about his unique mafia world. We get to know some of the other family members a bit better in this installment, which was great.
Dalton is such a sweet heart!!! I loved him in this, trying so hard to be sweet to his man and trying to break down Corvus' walls. At least Corvus finally gets his shit together and realizes what an amazing man he has in Dalton.
I liked that there was a little bit of plot thrown in that was external to their romance.
I loved getting to see more into this mafia family and their crazy family traditions. Looking forward to more from this world!
ARC provided by GRR.
January 21, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
Usual unhinged, crazy, ott Merikan shenanigans 😅🖤
Had a lot of fun with Corvus and Dalton and this mafia family.
Full RTC
Usual unhinged, crazy, ott Merikan shenanigans 😅🖤
Had a lot of fun with Corvus and Dalton and this mafia family.
Full RTC
January 30, 2026
It says right there on the title this is number 1 in a series, the Twisted Mafia Vows. But not really, this is clearly a sequel to Christmas Mafia Prince, one of the MCs is a cousin of one of the MCs there and clearly 4 cousins from this ultra rich kind of Mafia family are all going to get their romances. So count this as number 2, and it would help if one read Christmas Mafia Prince before. I did not, read a bit and quit, and the things which put me off in that book (the cartoon like character of the violence and family wealth, the oh so casual human hunting and random killing even if yeah the tone was cartoon/superhero for "fun") are still here and still put me off. It is again set around the family's Christmas tradition of hunting (and killing) their (human) enemies for trophies, so yeah, that is that.
But here I just loved the main characters, and how they connected - the needy himbo superstud set to be one of the hunting targets, and the inhibited emo goth poisoner torturer who got fascinated by the thirsttrap. And somehow they ended up engaged in order to save the life of the former prisoner. They were so much fun: their engagement, co habitation and wedding planning details. And a truly romantic speech about how one of the MCs sees the other and what he is getting out of their relationship. I loved that part, their chemistry, their relationship working, enough for me to overlook the violence and torture and all and yeah, lame ass plot reveal...
But here I just loved the main characters, and how they connected - the needy himbo superstud set to be one of the hunting targets, and the inhibited emo goth poisoner torturer who got fascinated by the thirsttrap. And somehow they ended up engaged in order to save the life of the former prisoner. They were so much fun: their engagement, co habitation and wedding planning details. And a truly romantic speech about how one of the MCs sees the other and what he is getting out of their relationship. I loved that part, their chemistry, their relationship working, enough for me to overlook the violence and torture and all and yeah, lame ass plot reveal...
January 30, 2026
I absolutely love it when bright rays of sunshine envelope little black clouds. The authors had a great time writing this and it shows.
I enjoyed it!
I enjoyed it!
February 21, 2026
“You will fuck me like your life depends on it. Because it does.”
Loved this!! I’m obsessed with Corvus and Dalton! A mafia bad boy who wants to be submissive so badly but can’t trust anyone enough to let go literally holds a himbo stud’s life in his hands so he can get railed the way he wants 🥵 Dalton is such a sweetie pie and constantly meets Corvus where he’s at while gently bringing his walls down. Seeing Corvus be able to be soft and taken care of was a treat.
Plus all the external drama was fun as heck.
The girls rarely miss with me but this is one of my very favourites 🥰
He’s awakening the kind of animalistic instincts that maybe should have stayed buried. I want to stretch in his lap as he pets me, kisses me, appreciates, and yes, fucks me too.
Loved this!! I’m obsessed with Corvus and Dalton! A mafia bad boy who wants to be submissive so badly but can’t trust anyone enough to let go literally holds a himbo stud’s life in his hands so he can get railed the way he wants 🥵 Dalton is such a sweetie pie and constantly meets Corvus where he’s at while gently bringing his walls down. Seeing Corvus be able to be soft and taken care of was a treat.
Plus all the external drama was fun as heck.
The girls rarely miss with me but this is one of my very favourites 🥰
He’s awakening the kind of animalistic instincts that maybe should have stayed buried. I want to stretch in his lap as he pets me, kisses me, appreciates, and yes, fucks me too.
February 21, 2026
I don't know what's happening with these authors, but lately their books aren't dark romances at all or well thought-out. It's like there's a big spark missing, not much imagination. It's not the same as some older books. 2.5⭐
This world was supposed to be dark and gruesome and the members of this mob family pretty damn cruel and interesting, if nothing else. But that's not happening. We're just told they're badasses and on top of it all, their love stories aren't that great either.
🟢 A bouncer who's in major debt / the family's torturer and poison specialist
🔵 Age gap 28/30
🟣 Size difference (both tall and muscular, but one is substantially taller and bulkier, a former MMA fighter)
🟡 Both gay
🔵 Fake engagement
🟠 Emo, gothic vibes
🟢 Corvus is definitely autistic
🌶️ Sex is good; first times; oral, rimming, kissing, cuddling, penetrative; t/b (but should have been a very submissive b)
Corvus is this attractive goth god who's prickly, unique, not inclined to touch or open up, so when the opportunity presents itself to live out his sexual fantasy without getting any kind of consequences for it, he's snatching up the hot prisoner, who's waiting for their annual family's Christmas hunt.
Corvus is in the closet and if you ask me, has a problem connecting with another person, so he's always in control, but in his wildest fantasies he's letting a bigger guy dominate him while Corvus loses his mind, and that's exactly what happens when he reads Dalton's Grindr messages, when Dalton is one of the guys about to be hunted down that Christmas. He finds a guy with stellar reviews about his performance in bed and wants a taste.
Their first time was quite good, I did expect Dalton to be a bit more aggressive and really consume Corvus, but he was walking on eggshells, trying to save his life, so it's understandable he wasn't as courageous.
When the Christmas hunt happens and Corvus saves Dalton because he wants more sex, they're found out and Corvus improvises by telling everyone they're engaged. Dalton goes back home with Corvus and they're actually going through with the wedding, they have about a month to get to know each other and the relationship development in the meantime left much to be desired.
A lot of moments between them were awkward and unfinished. I didn't really feel Corvus fell in love. I did believe they were great in bed, sure, but that's about it. That was all that worked.
Dalton even got a dingy one bedroom apartment with the mattress on the floor so we'll know for sure he knows what he's doing in the sack, right? But still, I kept waiting for that shoe to drop and Dalton just having enough and taking the reins, to stop being this bimbo who's only thinking about sex and then being sad because people want him for his dick alone, I mean, how about some character development?
He should've been more dominant in this relationship for sure. In the end he's just an ex-manwhore who's found a honeypot and loves it. There's literally nothing more to him.
Corvus is completely submissive and needed that dominance from Dalton. But their dynamic was this constant push and pull, a lot of distrust and missed opportunities, not an ounce of good communication and in the end the very good dick wins, so, in this case I'm not a fan, because the authors could've done so much more with Dalton's character.
When the wedding was approaching and more and more cousins got pulled into the mix, you got weird situations like this one where Corvus asked Damen to be his best man
“Will you be my best man?”
Damen frowns, looking around as if he’s in need of help.
Oh, please, Damen, you’ve never needed anyone’s help in your life with the kind of charm and temper you have! Do this one thing for me.
Why isn't this family more likeable? Every single guy is obnoxious. And they're not connected at all. They don't really like each other. I wanted them to be this force of nature, a very impactful, strong, dangerous family, but strongly connected, and they're really not.
Corvus and Dalton's relationship and wedding is just crazily boring and a chore to read.
I still want to know more about Remo.
This world was supposed to be dark and gruesome and the members of this mob family pretty damn cruel and interesting, if nothing else. But that's not happening. We're just told they're badasses and on top of it all, their love stories aren't that great either.
🟢 A bouncer who's in major debt / the family's torturer and poison specialist
🔵 Age gap 28/30
🟣 Size difference (both tall and muscular, but one is substantially taller and bulkier, a former MMA fighter)
🟡 Both gay
🔵 Fake engagement
🟠 Emo, gothic vibes
🟢 Corvus is definitely autistic
🌶️ Sex is good; first times; oral, rimming, kissing, cuddling, penetrative; t/b (but should have been a very submissive b)
Corvus is this attractive goth god who's prickly, unique, not inclined to touch or open up, so when the opportunity presents itself to live out his sexual fantasy without getting any kind of consequences for it, he's snatching up the hot prisoner, who's waiting for their annual family's Christmas hunt.
Corvus is in the closet and if you ask me, has a problem connecting with another person, so he's always in control, but in his wildest fantasies he's letting a bigger guy dominate him while Corvus loses his mind, and that's exactly what happens when he reads Dalton's Grindr messages, when Dalton is one of the guys about to be hunted down that Christmas. He finds a guy with stellar reviews about his performance in bed and wants a taste.
Their first time was quite good, I did expect Dalton to be a bit more aggressive and really consume Corvus, but he was walking on eggshells, trying to save his life, so it's understandable he wasn't as courageous.
When the Christmas hunt happens and Corvus saves Dalton because he wants more sex, they're found out and Corvus improvises by telling everyone they're engaged. Dalton goes back home with Corvus and they're actually going through with the wedding, they have about a month to get to know each other and the relationship development in the meantime left much to be desired.
A lot of moments between them were awkward and unfinished. I didn't really feel Corvus fell in love. I did believe they were great in bed, sure, but that's about it. That was all that worked.
Dalton even got a dingy one bedroom apartment with the mattress on the floor so we'll know for sure he knows what he's doing in the sack, right? But still, I kept waiting for that shoe to drop and Dalton just having enough and taking the reins, to stop being this bimbo who's only thinking about sex and then being sad because people want him for his dick alone, I mean, how about some character development?
He should've been more dominant in this relationship for sure. In the end he's just an ex-manwhore who's found a honeypot and loves it. There's literally nothing more to him.
Corvus is completely submissive and needed that dominance from Dalton. But their dynamic was this constant push and pull, a lot of distrust and missed opportunities, not an ounce of good communication and in the end the very good dick wins, so, in this case I'm not a fan, because the authors could've done so much more with Dalton's character.
When the wedding was approaching and more and more cousins got pulled into the mix, you got weird situations like this one where Corvus asked Damen to be his best man
“Will you be my best man?”
Damen frowns, looking around as if he’s in need of help.
Oh, please, Damen, you’ve never needed anyone’s help in your life with the kind of charm and temper you have! Do this one thing for me.
Why isn't this family more likeable? Every single guy is obnoxious. And they're not connected at all. They don't really like each other. I wanted them to be this force of nature, a very impactful, strong, dangerous family, but strongly connected, and they're really not.
Corvus and Dalton's relationship and wedding is just crazily boring and a chore to read.
I still want to know more about Remo.
January 24, 2026
4 🌟
Corvus and Dalton 🖤
Whew. That’s an opening line 🥵
These two were so much fun in like the most toxic but lovable way? This was a wild ride for sure.
The entire premise is a bit out there, so if we just put that to the side this was fun. You just can’t take any of it too seriously.
Dalton I feel like slowly got more and more dense as the story went on. Like when he’s following a recipe and doesn’t question the raw chicken . . . In the pancake?! But I loved how open and himself he was, and he loved without restriction or reservations. He is lighthearted and fun, and the perfect balance to Corvus’ more uptight personality.
I loved that Dalton could break down Corvus’ highly built walls. Corvus was so used to hiding who he was, he didn’t know how to let anyone see him in a vulnerable light.
I was a bit annoyed with some of the assumptions or lack of communication between them at times, but overall this was an enjoyable read.
I’m definitely interested in reading more about this family, and all their homicidal Christmas traditions.
.
.
.
.
‼️⚠️ Potential spoilers ⚠️‼️
Dynamic: MM — strict
Sharing? No
Cheating? No
Breakup? Yes
Sex scene with OM or OW No
‼️⚠️ Content ⚠️‼️
— mafia romance
— first times
— owes a debt
— banter
— blackmail
— tattooed MMC
— fake engagement
— forced marriage
— instalust
— sex w/ condoms
— drugging (aphrodisiac) between MMCs
— rimming
— thigh fucking
— bareback
I received an ARC of this book, and this is my honest and voluntary review.
Corvus and Dalton 🖤
Whew. That’s an opening line 🥵
These two were so much fun in like the most toxic but lovable way? This was a wild ride for sure.
The entire premise is a bit out there, so if we just put that to the side this was fun. You just can’t take any of it too seriously.
Dalton I feel like slowly got more and more dense as the story went on. Like when he’s following a recipe and doesn’t question the raw chicken . . . In the pancake?! But I loved how open and himself he was, and he loved without restriction or reservations. He is lighthearted and fun, and the perfect balance to Corvus’ more uptight personality.
I loved that Dalton could break down Corvus’ highly built walls. Corvus was so used to hiding who he was, he didn’t know how to let anyone see him in a vulnerable light.
I was a bit annoyed with some of the assumptions or lack of communication between them at times, but overall this was an enjoyable read.
I’m definitely interested in reading more about this family, and all their homicidal Christmas traditions.
.
.
.
.
‼️⚠️ Potential spoilers ⚠️‼️
Dynamic: MM — strict
Sharing? No
Cheating? No
Breakup? Yes
Sex scene with OM or OW No
‼️⚠️ Content ⚠️‼️
— mafia romance
— first times
— owes a debt
— banter
— blackmail
— tattooed MMC
— fake engagement
— forced marriage
— instalust
— sex w/ condoms
— drugging (aphrodisiac) between MMCs
— rimming
— thigh fucking
— bareback
I received an ARC of this book, and this is my honest and voluntary review.
Review of advance copy
I have enjoyed several MM romance books by K.A. Merikan and the blurb for this one totally sucked me in - I am definitely in my dark MM mafia romance era! 😅 Poisoned Heart is book 1 in the author's Twisted Mafia Vows series and this is Corvus and Dalton's story.
The only problem for me was that this book wasn't really a dark MM mafia romance, even though Corvus is painted as a 'ruthless mafioso' and there are some mafia-type action scenes, it still all feels pretty light-hearted and more about the MM romance than the dark mafia themes.
Now don't get me wrong, the spice was spicing, Dalton was a loveable golden retriever and it was a fun, smutty, quick read - just don't expect that dark mafia vibe.
3.5 stars
The only problem for me was that this book wasn't really a dark MM mafia romance, even though Corvus is painted as a 'ruthless mafioso' and there are some mafia-type action scenes, it still all feels pretty light-hearted and more about the MM romance than the dark mafia themes.
Now don't get me wrong, the spice was spicing, Dalton was a loveable golden retriever and it was a fun, smutty, quick read - just don't expect that dark mafia vibe.
3.5 stars
January 28, 2026
(3.75)
трошки repressed, трошки closeted, доволі бешений чел влаштовує собі bottoming trial run за участі чувака, якого завтра мають вбити, або історія про те, як ввімкнені сповіщення рятують життя.
я давно вже не особливо вдивляюсь в анотації книжок цих авторок, бо переважна більшість того, що я в них читала, мені заходила. так і тут — я спонтанно хапнула цю новиночку, взагалі не знаючи шо це. і яким же приємним сюрпризом це для мене обернулося! роменсик просто офеґезний!! і зав'язка прикольна, і сюжет ненапряжний, а динаміка між героями яка неймовірна, ух! я обожнюю оце поєднання dark and prickly контроль фріків з щирими easy going тіпами. а у цій конфігурації, що тут? ХЕЛ ФАКІНГ ЄА??
мені навіть ті дрібочки драми в їхніх стосунках полюбились! ревнощі (chef's fucking kiss), insecurities, зізнання, прощання, groveling... don't even get me started, як корвус приплівся тоді йому був на скрипці брітні спірс під вікно грати, лол, як вони виясняли стосунки, сусіди й перехожі здивлялись та коментували---- це все було так cheesy, мелодраматично й кумедно (але також й напрочуд доладно), я не можу, а аа
я послухала цю книжечку за день, і весь час в процесі посмішка не злазила з мого обличчя. чудовий досвід! 10/10, дайте ше
honorable mentions: ДАЛТОН!!!! омфґ, чел просто саме втілення симпатичності, атвічаю!! (мені жах яка заздрісна його відкритість та здатність to go with the flow); unintentional аутинг (та сцена була дуже класна, айм СОРІ); шальона невимушеність сюжету; милі дрібні детальки; на диво, аспен
p.s. до мене не одразу дійшло, в якому всесвіті ми перебуваємо, лол. я ще й так дивувалась, мовляв, ого, оце пані авторки шось зациклились останнім часом на сюжетах з сім'ями, де в якості двіжухи на різдво вони полюють на людей. а виявилось, що це ж книжечка про нашого любимого емо кузена!! поки на горизонті не з'явились деймен з кіліаном, я взагалі не вдупляла, що це за сеттинг 🤭
p.s. кількість негетеро кузенів зростає, а тому чекаємо нових книжок, ай ґесс 🤭
трошки repressed, трошки closeted, доволі бешений чел влаштовує собі bottoming trial run за участі чувака, якого завтра мають вбити, або історія про те, як ввімкнені сповіщення рятують життя.
я давно вже не особливо вдивляюсь в анотації книжок цих авторок, бо переважна більшість того, що я в них читала, мені заходила. так і тут — я спонтанно хапнула цю новиночку, взагалі не знаючи шо це. і яким же приємним сюрпризом це для мене обернулося! роменсик просто офеґезний!! і зав'язка прикольна, і сюжет ненапряжний, а динаміка між героями яка неймовірна, ух! я обожнюю оце поєднання dark and prickly контроль фріків з щирими easy going тіпами. а у цій конфігурації, що тут? ХЕЛ ФАКІНГ ЄА??
мені навіть ті дрібочки драми в їхніх стосунках полюбились! ревнощі (chef's fucking kiss), insecurities, зізнання, прощання, groveling... don't even get me started, як корвус приплівся тоді йому був на скрипці брітні спірс під вікно грати, лол, як вони виясняли стосунки, сусіди й перехожі здивлялись та коментували---- це все було так cheesy, мелодраматично й кумедно (але також й напрочуд доладно), я не можу, а аа
я послухала цю книжечку за день, і весь час в процесі посмішка не злазила з мого обличчя. чудовий досвід! 10/10, дайте ше
honorable mentions: ДАЛТОН!!!! омфґ, чел просто саме втілення симпатичності, атвічаю!! (мені жах яка заздрісна його відкритість та здатність to go with the flow); unintentional аутинг (та сцена була дуже класна, айм СОРІ); шальона невимушеність сюжету; милі дрібні детальки; на диво, аспен
p.s. до мене не одразу дійшло, в якому всесвіті ми перебуваємо, лол. я ще й так дивувалась, мовляв, ого, оце пані авторки шось зациклились останнім часом на сюжетах з сім'ями, де в якості двіжухи на різдво вони полюють на людей. а виявилось, що це ж книжечка про нашого любимого емо кузена!! поки на горизонті не з'явились деймен з кіліаном, я взагалі не вдупляла, що це за сеттинг 🤭
p.s. кількість негетеро кузенів зростає, а тому чекаємо нових книжок, ай ґесс 🤭
January 23, 2026
Dalton was taken from his truck by armed men and woke up in a tiny cell with no windows.
Yes, he’s not surprised, he is broke and owes the Van Horns a mountain of money.
Corvus van Horn is the family poisoner, he’s a torturer and cruel.
What he found on Dalton’s mobile made him wonder if he could use this big stud of a prisoner as his personal fucktoy.
Dalton’s mobile shows he’s a stallion in bed. That’s what Corvus wants.
So Dalton will not be used as a prey for the family hunt, but secretly for Corvus’s pleasure. No one has to know Corvus likes men.
Dalton is more than just a good fuck, Corvus is happy to use him, until his cousin takes a picture of them with Corvus on his knees before Dalton.
A fast lie, and before you know it, they’re engaged, with a marriage on the horizon.
Dalton has a good time and develops feelings for Corvus, but he can’t deny he feels used, as Corvus confirms every time. Dalton is a giant guy, simple-minded, he just wants to be chosen for once in his life, not for his stamina and his big D.
Corvus has trust issues, big ones, even more so when someone is targeting Dalton.
This is just a little bit about their story. It was entertaining as fuck. A meddling family, hot encounters, and trust issues! The story is full of desire and obsession, fun, hurt, and feelings are all over the place. A great story, entertainingly written. I enjoyed it immensely!
Read and reviewed for LoveBytes - LGBTQ bookreviews
Yes, he’s not surprised, he is broke and owes the Van Horns a mountain of money.
Corvus van Horn is the family poisoner, he’s a torturer and cruel.
What he found on Dalton’s mobile made him wonder if he could use this big stud of a prisoner as his personal fucktoy.
Dalton’s mobile shows he’s a stallion in bed. That’s what Corvus wants.
So Dalton will not be used as a prey for the family hunt, but secretly for Corvus’s pleasure. No one has to know Corvus likes men.
Dalton is more than just a good fuck, Corvus is happy to use him, until his cousin takes a picture of them with Corvus on his knees before Dalton.
A fast lie, and before you know it, they’re engaged, with a marriage on the horizon.
Dalton has a good time and develops feelings for Corvus, but he can’t deny he feels used, as Corvus confirms every time. Dalton is a giant guy, simple-minded, he just wants to be chosen for once in his life, not for his stamina and his big D.
Corvus has trust issues, big ones, even more so when someone is targeting Dalton.
This is just a little bit about their story. It was entertaining as fuck. A meddling family, hot encounters, and trust issues! The story is full of desire and obsession, fun, hurt, and feelings are all over the place. A great story, entertainingly written. I enjoyed it immensely!
Read and reviewed for LoveBytes - LGBTQ bookreviews
February 2, 2026
This was great. I was so excited to read more about Corvus. He is such an interesting character, and I do love a goth boy. But I loved Dalton as well; he was such a sweetheart. It may have taken him a while, but he did eventually manage to break through Corvu's prickly exterior. A great start to a new series and I can't wait for more.
February 8, 2026
Another dark yet fun and spicy read from K.A. Merikan! I’ve been waiting for this since the Christmas book and it was great!!
Full RTC
Full RTC
January 27, 2026
Love the little twists in this book with Dalton & Corvus. I’m glad that these two figured out their stuff especially Corvus I didn’t like the way he treated Dalton. But I love the way attentive Dalton was to Corvus and they got their HEA. From being faked engaged to falling in love with each other was so perfect for them.
February 19, 2026
This was my first K.A. Merikan book and it most certainly won't be my last. This was so much fun. I was addicted from page one and struggled to put my Kindle down for even a moment. I really liked Dalton and Corvus as characters and found their relationship cute. I'm excited to see how the next installment in this series goes.
March 4, 2026
Perhaps, 3.5⭐️ but I decided to be generous and roundup because this was a silly goofy fun time and I really did like Corvus and Dalton.
January 27, 2026
Dalton is the Remedy
Dee’s Grade: A+
I was looking forward to Corvus’s book. I loved every moment of it. Dalton was Corvus’s perfect match. I love that while things moved fast between them, it wasn’t without its trials and tribulations.
Dee’s Grade: A+
I was looking forward to Corvus’s book. I loved every moment of it. Dalton was Corvus’s perfect match. I love that while things moved fast between them, it wasn’t without its trials and tribulations.
January 23, 2026
Ohhh I wanted to love this so much, but it was a bit of a mixed bag for me. I tend to love KA Merikan’s books, although I’ve struggled with their previous Mafia series, Guns n Boys. So maybe their mafia worlds aren’t for me? Idk, I’m sad about it.
What I expected was a gritty mafia tale between a down on his luck bouncer and a mafia enforcer with a penchant for poison. What I got was an insular, domestic tale between an idiot who just kept rolling over despite his partner’s bad behaviour and an insecure monster, whose monstrousness was only ever hinted at, not really shown.
The beginning was really strong; they meet in terrible circumstances, with Corvus’s family about to kill Dalton due to him being saddled with a crazy amount of debt. I loved the ice-cold, calculating Corvus and the unlucky himbo Dalton. After a night of passion, Corvus using Dalton to test out his sexuality, with the expectation of Dalton taking his secret to his grave, Corvus has a change of heart and decides to save Dalton.
From there, we have a spattering of fake dating/arranged marriage (when the pair are outed and Corvus saves face by saying Dalton is his fiancé), domestic drama (Dalton accidentally sets the house on fire trying to make a cute dinner) and so much uncertainty between the paid (Dalton feels he’s not good enough, Corvus is worried Dalton is using him). I was just… not what I expected. Not bad exactly, but not what I wanted.
We get told that Corvus goes off to work every day as a torturer for the his mafia family, but we never see any of his work. Which I think undermines some of the ‘dangerous, killer bottom vs. sunshiney himbo top’ that the narrative was pushing. I also felt that the conflict that came in the last few pages was just… odd. The person who was out to hurt Dalton (the reason he was in debt in the first place) just seemed to have weak reasoning, like it was a hastily tied thread.
So overall, if you go into it expecting a forced proximity, character-heavy smush fest with a very loose plot, this will be good for you. Don’t expect anything truly mafia-heavy or gritty.
What I expected was a gritty mafia tale between a down on his luck bouncer and a mafia enforcer with a penchant for poison. What I got was an insular, domestic tale between an idiot who just kept rolling over despite his partner’s bad behaviour and an insecure monster, whose monstrousness was only ever hinted at, not really shown.
The beginning was really strong; they meet in terrible circumstances, with Corvus’s family about to kill Dalton due to him being saddled with a crazy amount of debt. I loved the ice-cold, calculating Corvus and the unlucky himbo Dalton. After a night of passion, Corvus using Dalton to test out his sexuality, with the expectation of Dalton taking his secret to his grave, Corvus has a change of heart and decides to save Dalton.
From there, we have a spattering of fake dating/arranged marriage (when the pair are outed and Corvus saves face by saying Dalton is his fiancé), domestic drama (Dalton accidentally sets the house on fire trying to make a cute dinner) and so much uncertainty between the paid (Dalton feels he’s not good enough, Corvus is worried Dalton is using him). I was just… not what I expected. Not bad exactly, but not what I wanted.
We get told that Corvus goes off to work every day as a torturer for the his mafia family, but we never see any of his work. Which I think undermines some of the ‘dangerous, killer bottom vs. sunshiney himbo top’ that the narrative was pushing. I also felt that the conflict that came in the last few pages was just… odd. The person who was out to hurt Dalton (the reason he was in debt in the first place) just seemed to have weak reasoning, like it was a hastily tied thread.
So overall, if you go into it expecting a forced proximity, character-heavy smush fest with a very loose plot, this will be good for you. Don’t expect anything truly mafia-heavy or gritty.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 23, 2026
ARC Review
*mild spoilers ahead*
Poisoned Heart is one of those books that doesn’t waste any time turning up the heat. Dalton and Corvin are physically drawn to each other from chapter one. It’s a super fast burn, at least when it comes to the physical side of their relationship. Everything else, though, is a lot harder to figure out.
The thing is, I totally buy the sexual chemistry between them. These guys are super compatible in that department. But romantically? I just don’t see it. Besides his body and dominant top energy, Dalton doesn’t seem to offer anything that would appeal to Corvin's sophisticated, intellectual tastes. As a character, Dalton really isn’t interesting, at least, I couldn’t find one trait that stood out, which made his point of view pretty dull for me. Corvin is a bit more interesting, but the whole hot and cold routine gets old fast.
So, while I enjoyed the overall vibe, especially the family dynamics, I never fully connected with the central relationship. I didn’t feel much chemistry, and the power imbalance at the beginning kind of ruined it for me. Corvin treats Dalton terribly, always putting him down whenever his walls are challenged, and Dalton has the kind of doormat attitude that usually bugs me.
Still, the book does have a few redeeming qualities. The pacing is quick, the banter is sharp, and it’s well written, even if there isn’t much plot outside of the fake-arranged marriage. Some of the side characters are interesting (not Aspen, though, he’s insufferable, unnecessary, and I really disliked him). It’s not a bad book, but it just didn’t click for me. It felt kind of generic, without anything unique to make it stand out.
*mild spoilers ahead*
Poisoned Heart is one of those books that doesn’t waste any time turning up the heat. Dalton and Corvin are physically drawn to each other from chapter one. It’s a super fast burn, at least when it comes to the physical side of their relationship. Everything else, though, is a lot harder to figure out.
The thing is, I totally buy the sexual chemistry between them. These guys are super compatible in that department. But romantically? I just don’t see it. Besides his body and dominant top energy, Dalton doesn’t seem to offer anything that would appeal to Corvin's sophisticated, intellectual tastes. As a character, Dalton really isn’t interesting, at least, I couldn’t find one trait that stood out, which made his point of view pretty dull for me. Corvin is a bit more interesting, but the whole hot and cold routine gets old fast.
So, while I enjoyed the overall vibe, especially the family dynamics, I never fully connected with the central relationship. I didn’t feel much chemistry, and the power imbalance at the beginning kind of ruined it for me. Corvin treats Dalton terribly, always putting him down whenever his walls are challenged, and Dalton has the kind of doormat attitude that usually bugs me.
Still, the book does have a few redeeming qualities. The pacing is quick, the banter is sharp, and it’s well written, even if there isn’t much plot outside of the fake-arranged marriage. Some of the side characters are interesting (not Aspen, though, he’s insufferable, unnecessary, and I really disliked him). It’s not a bad book, but it just didn’t click for me. It felt kind of generic, without anything unique to make it stand out.
Review of advance copy received from Autore
ARC REVIEW
POISONED HEART (TWISTED MAFIA VOWS 1)
RELEASE: 23.01.2026
RECENSIONE:
Ho atteso questo libro sin dal primo momento in cui Corvus ci é stato presentato in Christmas Mafia Prince e infatti appena é stato possibile richiedere la copia ARC mi ci sono fiondata.
Le storie di K.A. Merikan sono molto particolari e non per tutti. Nonostante il genere dark Romance non sia tra i miei preferiti (Io sono una drogata di college Au dolcine) le Merikan sono tra i pochi autori che leggo sempre volentieri.
POISONED HEART non mi ha deluso per niente (a parte un personaggio di cui vi parlerò tra pochissimo). Il secondo personaggio principale di questo romanzo é Dalton, un uomo che ha perso più di un milione al gioco e per questo é stato punito dalla famiglia Van der Horn... in che modo? Come uno dei tanti prigionieri che saranno le prede della caccia di Natale (che abbiamo visto in Christmas Mafia Prince). Questa famiglia é parecchio strana e ha gusti strani e idee strane ma proprio perché sono dei pazzi, alla fine gli si perdona tutto.
Corvus sceglie Dalton come uomo per la sua prima volta (tanto Dalton sta per morire, nessuno scoprirà mai che Corvus é gay) dopo aver sbirciato i suoi messaggi sulla chat di Grindr e aver visto quanto é dotato.
Nonostante la loro prima e unica volta doveva essere solo uno sfizio, Corvus salva Dalton da morte certa e non riuscendo a trattenere l'istinto, spinge Dalton in un capanno vuoto. Durante il momento intimo, però, il cugino di Corvus, Aspen, entra nel capanno FILMANDO IN DIRETTA Corvus e Dalton.
Ecco diciamo che l’outing é una cosa che non tollero mai per cui quando nessuno se la prende con Aspen (perché lo stronzetto sopravvive fino a fine libro) ci sono rimasta parecchio male. Corvus per salvare la faccia annuncia a tutti che lui e Dalton sono fidanzati (prossimi alle nozze) e la madre, entusiasta, inizia subito con i preparativi.
La relazione tra Corvus e Dalton non inizia benissimo: non solo l'outing infame, ma altri personaggi mettono in testa idee stupide a Corvus che non si fida di Dalton a lungo, nonostante Dalton sia un pulcino tenero e che volevo abbracciare per tutto il libro. Ho “sofferto” molto leggendo la storia perché Corvus non si é comportato sempre bene con Dalton e alcuni suoi atteggiamenti mi hanno fatto venire voglia di prenderlo a ceffoni qualche volta 🤣
Ora… le Merikan hanno presentato un personaggio… sarà il protagonista del secondo libro della serie?! Lo scopriremo nei prossimi mesi!! Raccomandato a chi gi�� ha letto le Merikan e a chi é aperto con la mente. Loro non sono per tutti,ma che emozioni ti fanno provare!!!
Grazie Grr e K.A. Merikan per la copia ARC.
-----
ENGLISH REVIEW
I was waiting for Corvus' book since "Christmas Mafia Prince" and Merikan didn't disappoint!
Dalton was amazing and very sweet, I really liked him a lot and I was angry with Corvus because at first he used to treat him badly. But their relationship grows better with each chapter and they will have their HEA.
I didn't like at all Aspen, he was a stupid kid and his actions were awful but nobody punished him, even Corvus who had any reason to torture him (A girl can dream).
The main characters are pretty and after a rough start, they start to know each other better and I really liked their relationship even if I still believe that Dalton is too much fantastic for Corvus!!!
Amazing book, can't wait for book 2!
Thank you K.A. Merikan and GRR for my ARC COPY.
POISONED HEART (TWISTED MAFIA VOWS 1)
RELEASE: 23.01.2026
RECENSIONE:
Ho atteso questo libro sin dal primo momento in cui Corvus ci é stato presentato in Christmas Mafia Prince e infatti appena é stato possibile richiedere la copia ARC mi ci sono fiondata.
Le storie di K.A. Merikan sono molto particolari e non per tutti. Nonostante il genere dark Romance non sia tra i miei preferiti (Io sono una drogata di college Au dolcine) le Merikan sono tra i pochi autori che leggo sempre volentieri.
POISONED HEART non mi ha deluso per niente (a parte un personaggio di cui vi parlerò tra pochissimo). Il secondo personaggio principale di questo romanzo é Dalton, un uomo che ha perso più di un milione al gioco e per questo é stato punito dalla famiglia Van der Horn... in che modo? Come uno dei tanti prigionieri che saranno le prede della caccia di Natale (che abbiamo visto in Christmas Mafia Prince). Questa famiglia é parecchio strana e ha gusti strani e idee strane ma proprio perché sono dei pazzi, alla fine gli si perdona tutto.
Corvus sceglie Dalton come uomo per la sua prima volta (tanto Dalton sta per morire, nessuno scoprirà mai che Corvus é gay) dopo aver sbirciato i suoi messaggi sulla chat di Grindr e aver visto quanto é dotato.
Nonostante la loro prima e unica volta doveva essere solo uno sfizio, Corvus salva Dalton da morte certa e non riuscendo a trattenere l'istinto, spinge Dalton in un capanno vuoto. Durante il momento intimo, però, il cugino di Corvus, Aspen, entra nel capanno FILMANDO IN DIRETTA Corvus e Dalton.
Ecco diciamo che l’outing é una cosa che non tollero mai per cui quando nessuno se la prende con Aspen (perché lo stronzetto sopravvive fino a fine libro) ci sono rimasta parecchio male. Corvus per salvare la faccia annuncia a tutti che lui e Dalton sono fidanzati (prossimi alle nozze) e la madre, entusiasta, inizia subito con i preparativi.
La relazione tra Corvus e Dalton non inizia benissimo: non solo l'outing infame, ma altri personaggi mettono in testa idee stupide a Corvus che non si fida di Dalton a lungo, nonostante Dalton sia un pulcino tenero e che volevo abbracciare per tutto il libro. Ho “sofferto” molto leggendo la storia perché Corvus non si é comportato sempre bene con Dalton e alcuni suoi atteggiamenti mi hanno fatto venire voglia di prenderlo a ceffoni qualche volta 🤣
Ora… le Merikan hanno presentato un personaggio… sarà il protagonista del secondo libro della serie?! Lo scopriremo nei prossimi mesi!! Raccomandato a chi gi�� ha letto le Merikan e a chi é aperto con la mente. Loro non sono per tutti,ma che emozioni ti fanno provare!!!
Grazie Grr e K.A. Merikan per la copia ARC.
-----
ENGLISH REVIEW
I was waiting for Corvus' book since "Christmas Mafia Prince" and Merikan didn't disappoint!
Dalton was amazing and very sweet, I really liked him a lot and I was angry with Corvus because at first he used to treat him badly. But their relationship grows better with each chapter and they will have their HEA.
I didn't like at all Aspen, he was a stupid kid and his actions were awful but nobody punished him, even Corvus who had any reason to torture him (A girl can dream).
The main characters are pretty and after a rough start, they start to know each other better and I really liked their relationship even if I still believe that Dalton is too much fantastic for Corvus!!!
Amazing book, can't wait for book 2!
Thank you K.A. Merikan and GRR for my ARC COPY.
February 3, 2026
I really enjoyed this one. Corvus was so adorable, all strict while being a bit of a slut underneath all his primness. Then we have Dalton, who is very open and easy to understand. He is forward, has no ill intent, and likes to push. I loved their interactions, how sexy the sex scenes were, and how Dalton was able to uncover Corvus one layer at a time. I appreciate how Corvus was so suspicious even when the relationship was going well, he wasn't blindly in love, and how he learned to grovel and get down from his high horse. The scene with him playing the violin, seeking forgiveness, was adorable. I liked how the 'bad guy' was so obvious, yet it wasn't handled immediately. It made sense that the ending was like the beginning, with them back at the house where it all started. I also loved Corvus' mother.
Also, Aspen, what a riot and an impertinent little shit.
Also, Aspen, what a riot and an impertinent little shit.
February 3, 2026
The authors describe this book as a dark mafia romcom and that’s exactly what it was.
It was fun, sexy, a little dark and a lot crazy! 🤣
I loved it. I was sucked in from the fist page and enjoyed every minute of this. The audiobook was great. Storyline was solid. The main focus of the book is definitely the romance and I that was just fine with me 😍
It was fun, sexy, a little dark and a lot crazy! 🤣
I loved it. I was sucked in from the fist page and enjoyed every minute of this. The audiobook was great. Storyline was solid. The main focus of the book is definitely the romance and I that was just fine with me 😍
February 9, 2026
3.5 stars
I was super impressed by the innovative way the main characters meet; I’d never read anything even remotely similar! And the majority of the story was exciting and entertaining, but there was something about the last 25% or so that began to bore me. I guess once the legitimate angst and drama settled, I was ready to move on.
I was super impressed by the innovative way the main characters meet; I’d never read anything even remotely similar! And the majority of the story was exciting and entertaining, but there was something about the last 25% or so that began to bore me. I guess once the legitimate angst and drama settled, I was ready to move on.
February 18, 2026
Dnfed at 30% when dalton said he wouldn’t have sex with Corvus until he was no longer a prisoner. So Corvus solution was to drug dalton and make him believe it was daltons idea to have sex with Corvus. Thats rape and I won’t read anything like that especially if the book ends with them being together. Disgusting.
Review of advance copy
After reading Christmas Mafia Prince, I was really looking forward to Corvus’s story. I loved Corvus and Dalton together. Dalton is the biggest sweetheart—he really tried so hard with Corvus. Corvus was a character, that’s for sure. I loved the spice and the unhinged family. The story kept me entertained.
February 2, 2026
1.5 stars
It was ridiculously unrealistic, some plot points made no sense.
Also it felt like more than half of it was just sex scenes.
It was ridiculously unrealistic, some plot points made no sense.
Also it felt like more than half of it was just sex scenes.
January 23, 2026
A final holiday story from the dynamic author duo. Despite my rating, I do think many people looking for escapist bleak/twisted romance will enjoy this read, especially if they enjoyed the previous book, Christmas Mafia Prince. Unfortunately, for me, after that one being a favorite 5-star read, this was a miss. But there is also a lot to enjoy, so don’t let my picky reactions turn you off if you’re looking for some deadly mafia romance fun.
This is a sequel to CMP, featuring Damen’s intriguing cousin, the strange and rather emo brooding Corvus, family poisoner. I was looking forward to reading his story (despite there being a weird cousin-attraction vibe from book 1, which was confirmed in an awkward moment here. I guess these things happen for cousins. Moving on.)
Corvus is prepared for this year’s family Christmas day hunt, in which his mafia family will gather and release the family betrayers they’ve kept imprisoned in the estate basement, then hunt them down for sport. Whoever collects the most heads wins.
But there’s a man down there who Corvus becomes intrigued by when he reads all the myriad Grindr messages on his confiscated phone, all praising his big…assets. And Corvus thinks, this is my one chance to try something I never, ever want anyone to know about. One last screw for this guy, and no witness left to tell my tale.
Naturally you can guess how well that works out!
Dalton was the star here for me. The setup with Corvus becoming fascinated by Dalton is fun, and I didn’t even mind all the info on how…popular Dalton has been, because he’s a big ole sweetie who hopes to find someone to love, and all anyone’s ever thought he’s good for is his impressive cock and skillz in the bedroom. I mean, he was also driven to participating in underground fighting matches to the death by his deadbeat (and now dead) father, but…truly, he’s a big sweetie who hopes for someone to love who’ll truly love him.
That made it credible to me that he fell for Corvus so fast. The conflict and tension stem from Corvus’s far less trusting nature, and trust me, Corvus has a very, VERY good reason for not trusting anyone who tries to get close to him. Great recipe for disaster, with one open-book hero diving all in, and the other so closed, every move Dalton makes to please him is under suspicion. High romantic tension and trust reversals.
And due to family shenanigans and Corvus’s strangling sense of pride, they’re getting married. In a matter of weeks. Because. Reasons.
The tension and forced proximity of the arrangement shone. But parts kept falling apart for me, feeling inconsistent, with Corvus’s flip flopping, and I had a big problem with the family’s lack of looking into why Dalton was one of the prisoners slated for the hunt in the first place. The entire thing was fishy, and no one cared enough to look into that. Not even Corvus. It was disappointing. If you’re going to hunt people fto the death or fun, make sure there’s an actual moral code motive to include the people. Owing money ain’t it.
There’s a very sour OM drama moment of Dalton deciding to make Corvus jealous, the tenor of which was off because Dalton actually would have been into the other guy and kinda was, and that gave me the ick. Of course that ends poorly for all involved, and it left a bad taste. The man’s name was also almost exactly the same as another character at the end of the book, an antagonist, which seemed like a poor choice and easily fixed. (Not to mention, Dalton in this book, after Damen being the hero of the previous? Their names are easy to mix up at a glance. Another choice, but, whatevs.)
I also kept wondering, where was Damen’s brother, the troublemaker Titus, from book 1? He was banned from the hunt for 5 years, but not from the family. No mention of him and his wife Bree at all seemed weird. This was not thought through, which is a sense I got from much of this book. It felt rushed.
Corvus’s internal struggles and doubts did continue to raise stakes and create strong conflict, but I wound up feeling bad for Dalton—and very proud of him for ultimately standing up for himself and not putting up with it, same as Killian in book 1!—and when Corvus still had a brief doubt him at the very end, that didn’t sit well either. He gives him the benefit of the doubt, and of course all is well, but, his knee-jerk reaction was STILL to doubt, after all they went through.
The worst part for me though was the big reunion moment and an important decision/progression in their physical relationship happening in Dalton’s apartment. Where he’d just been thinking about how many OM had stumbled out of that very bed, totally wrecked. (No mention of changing the sheets since he was last there either…It’s a Thing for me…I know, I know. Eye roll. But also…ewwwww.) And the handcuffs he used on so, so many guys are a point of discussion in a way that gave me more of the ick. At least please get new toys. I skimmed the scene due to the location. It’s a Me thing, but, the location ruined what should have been a rewarding step forward in their relationship. Most readers likely won’t be bothered or think a thing of it, and I hope that’s you, if you give this book a chance.
Another sour note, Aspen, Corvus’s young cousin. I loved him in the previous book. Here, he got on my last nerve. Obnoxious, pushy, nosy to the point of truly inappropriate, and the fact that he forced Corvus to reveal a certain private thing at the end was reprehensible and gross. And he’d already outed him to everyone too, even though accidentally. It was such a different take on his character for me, because he made me laugh so much in the previous story. Here I hoped someone would discipline him to do better. No luck. They enable him to keep it up.
I also didn’t understand how the baddies at the end got involved with a completely separate thing that was hired for the wedding. I ended the book confused at how that connection would have happened, bc it seemed a coincidence, and I didn’t buy it, which undercut the moment. The motive for the danger was already kinda flimsy. It was a lot of trouble to go through for…that.
Minor thing, but, I wished Corvus had had more opportunities to use his poisoning skills. They aren’t part of the story after the opening, just his knockout drug. I wanted baddies to die foaming at the mouth, spouting secrets under truth serum…something. Yes, these authors bring out my vicious side! 😂
Anyway, I was bumped out of the story a lot, but I also did enjoy many things, including Dalton’s optimism and joy in bringing Corvus real pleasure, his willingness to take a chance, and the contrast in Dalton’s golden-retriever goodness and Corvus’s black-cat personality. And the Thing he created for Dalton was so sweet and personal! He has it in him to be a great MC, but for me this didn’t get there, and I felt let down.
HEA, hunter and captive/prey, big 🍆, mafia, forced marriage/engagement of convenience to save face, romantic suspense. Outing. Violence and mayhem! No OM action; one sour OM drama moment that could have been better handled. Info on Dalton’s past actually didn’t bother me much…well, okay, it did a little when it came up at just the wrong moments…until the end, where the situation wrecked the big moment. Recommended for other people, but, I’ll re-read Christmas Mafia Prince and call it a day.
I own a copy of the book.
This is a sequel to CMP, featuring Damen’s intriguing cousin, the strange and rather emo brooding Corvus, family poisoner. I was looking forward to reading his story (despite there being a weird cousin-attraction vibe from book 1, which was confirmed in an awkward moment here. I guess these things happen for cousins. Moving on.)
Corvus is prepared for this year’s family Christmas day hunt, in which his mafia family will gather and release the family betrayers they’ve kept imprisoned in the estate basement, then hunt them down for sport. Whoever collects the most heads wins.
But there’s a man down there who Corvus becomes intrigued by when he reads all the myriad Grindr messages on his confiscated phone, all praising his big…assets. And Corvus thinks, this is my one chance to try something I never, ever want anyone to know about. One last screw for this guy, and no witness left to tell my tale.
Naturally you can guess how well that works out!
Dalton was the star here for me. The setup with Corvus becoming fascinated by Dalton is fun, and I didn’t even mind all the info on how…popular Dalton has been, because he’s a big ole sweetie who hopes to find someone to love, and all anyone’s ever thought he’s good for is his impressive cock and skillz in the bedroom. I mean, he was also driven to participating in underground fighting matches to the death by his deadbeat (and now dead) father, but…truly, he’s a big sweetie who hopes for someone to love who’ll truly love him.
That made it credible to me that he fell for Corvus so fast. The conflict and tension stem from Corvus’s far less trusting nature, and trust me, Corvus has a very, VERY good reason for not trusting anyone who tries to get close to him. Great recipe for disaster, with one open-book hero diving all in, and the other so closed, every move Dalton makes to please him is under suspicion. High romantic tension and trust reversals.
And due to family shenanigans and Corvus’s strangling sense of pride, they’re getting married. In a matter of weeks. Because. Reasons.
The tension and forced proximity of the arrangement shone. But parts kept falling apart for me, feeling inconsistent, with Corvus’s flip flopping, and I had a big problem with the family’s lack of looking into why Dalton was one of the prisoners slated for the hunt in the first place. The entire thing was fishy, and no one cared enough to look into that. Not even Corvus. It was disappointing. If you’re going to hunt people fto the death or fun, make sure there’s an actual moral code motive to include the people. Owing money ain’t it.
There’s a very sour OM drama moment of Dalton deciding to make Corvus jealous, the tenor of which was off because Dalton actually would have been into the other guy and kinda was, and that gave me the ick. Of course that ends poorly for all involved, and it left a bad taste. The man’s name was also almost exactly the same as another character at the end of the book, an antagonist, which seemed like a poor choice and easily fixed. (Not to mention, Dalton in this book, after Damen being the hero of the previous? Their names are easy to mix up at a glance. Another choice, but, whatevs.)
I also kept wondering, where was Damen’s brother, the troublemaker Titus, from book 1? He was banned from the hunt for 5 years, but not from the family. No mention of him and his wife Bree at all seemed weird. This was not thought through, which is a sense I got from much of this book. It felt rushed.
Corvus’s internal struggles and doubts did continue to raise stakes and create strong conflict, but I wound up feeling bad for Dalton—and very proud of him for ultimately standing up for himself and not putting up with it, same as Killian in book 1!—and when Corvus still had a brief doubt him at the very end, that didn’t sit well either. He gives him the benefit of the doubt, and of course all is well, but, his knee-jerk reaction was STILL to doubt, after all they went through.
The worst part for me though was the big reunion moment and an important decision/progression in their physical relationship happening in Dalton’s apartment. Where he’d just been thinking about how many OM had stumbled out of that very bed, totally wrecked. (No mention of changing the sheets since he was last there either…It’s a Thing for me…I know, I know. Eye roll. But also…ewwwww.) And the handcuffs he used on so, so many guys are a point of discussion in a way that gave me more of the ick. At least please get new toys. I skimmed the scene due to the location. It’s a Me thing, but, the location ruined what should have been a rewarding step forward in their relationship. Most readers likely won’t be bothered or think a thing of it, and I hope that’s you, if you give this book a chance.
Another sour note, Aspen, Corvus’s young cousin. I loved him in the previous book. Here, he got on my last nerve. Obnoxious, pushy, nosy to the point of truly inappropriate, and the fact that he forced Corvus to reveal a certain private thing at the end was reprehensible and gross. And he’d already outed him to everyone too, even though accidentally. It was such a different take on his character for me, because he made me laugh so much in the previous story. Here I hoped someone would discipline him to do better. No luck. They enable him to keep it up.
I also didn’t understand how the baddies at the end got involved with a completely separate thing that was hired for the wedding. I ended the book confused at how that connection would have happened, bc it seemed a coincidence, and I didn’t buy it, which undercut the moment. The motive for the danger was already kinda flimsy. It was a lot of trouble to go through for…that.
Minor thing, but, I wished Corvus had had more opportunities to use his poisoning skills. They aren’t part of the story after the opening, just his knockout drug. I wanted baddies to die foaming at the mouth, spouting secrets under truth serum…something. Yes, these authors bring out my vicious side! 😂
Anyway, I was bumped out of the story a lot, but I also did enjoy many things, including Dalton’s optimism and joy in bringing Corvus real pleasure, his willingness to take a chance, and the contrast in Dalton’s golden-retriever goodness and Corvus’s black-cat personality. And the Thing he created for Dalton was so sweet and personal! He has it in him to be a great MC, but for me this didn’t get there, and I felt let down.
HEA, hunter and captive/prey, big 🍆, mafia, forced marriage/engagement of convenience to save face, romantic suspense. Outing. Violence and mayhem! No OM action; one sour OM drama moment that could have been better handled. Info on Dalton’s past actually didn’t bother me much…well, okay, it did a little when it came up at just the wrong moments…until the end, where the situation wrecked the big moment. Recommended for other people, but, I’ll re-read Christmas Mafia Prince and call it a day.
I own a copy of the book.
January 25, 2026
“You will fuck me like your life depends on it. Because it does.”
You’ve likely seen this line around a lot to promote this book or in reviews. As the first line of Poisoned Heart, it was guaranteed to grab my attention.
Something about Corvus and Dalton really appealed to me. Maybe it’s because neither of them really seemed to have any idea what they were doing in their relationship, and it manages to be both funny and endearing as hell, even though it’s a darker book. They seem so different, but they also just work. Their chemistry is instantly smoking, and the feelings grow from there.
Dalton – bless his ‘little’ cotton socks – was so full of good intentions and optimism, even in the unusual situation he found himself in, and it was impossible not to like him. I found it so incredibly endearing how accepting and enthusiastic he is about this forced arranged marriage. He’s extremely observant and makes kind, considerate gestures to try and prove himself a good husband, even if they turn into a disaster!
Dalton’s so desperate for someone to love him, and that made my heart pang a little. He’s a golden retriever with a big heart but he's willing to fight for those he cares about.
Corvus is much more complicated, and I loved seeing Dalton peel back his layers. Corvus is an expert poisoner, but he also enjoys an unexpected side hobby. He has to work through a lot in this book – including coming to terms with his family knowing about his sexuality and dealing with the negative opinions his father instilled into him – and he has lots of fears and insecurities to conquer.
Despite trying to keep his distance, Corvus needs someone like Dalton to pull him out of his shell. Dalton’s affection – bright and true – and openness with his feelings helps the other man to open his heart, and I really loved that for him. I relished seeing both Corvus’s vulnerable side and his (surprisingly) needy side. While he’s a grump to begin with, Dalton manages to break through his tough exterior.
I really enjoyed this dark rom com. Personally I didn’t think it was that mafia-y; it definitely had elements of it – including the premise of how these two meet and the interrogation later – with moments of significantly darker material, but the story was mostly about the relationship between these two.
-----
Some of my favourite quotes
“You will fuck me like your life depends on it.”
Corvus is so fucking beautiful it's distracting. It's like I'm hypnotized by a cobra and admiring it even though I should worry about the venom already inside me.
“I’m not a pet to be bought and kept. If this is how you see me, you might as well grab a crossbow yourself and be done with it.”
Dalton is a beautiful inked beast I intend to tame for my purposes.
“We are cuddling tonight. I’m putting my foot down.”
“You know what’s comfier than your sofa?” “Your hole. It was so hot and snug around me.”
“Good, because I may seem harmless to you, but I wouldn’t be to anyone who thinks they can make a move on you.”
“The way you yield under me? Because you want to? Because I make you want to? It’s hot. End of story. You’re Corvus fucking Van der Horn. You can do whatever the fuck you want.”
“It doesn’t matter to me that you’re not the best at paperwork, and that kind of stuff. I am. I can deal with it for you, and the rest of it— I really like the rest, Dalton.”
“But you’re... letting me be myself… Like I’m allowed to be many things at once, and you see them all.”
“I want to be your rock. But you have to let me.”
“I definitely don’t deserve better than you, Dalton. That’s like telling me to look for a taller mountain after I already climbed Mount Everest,”
“You gave me something I stopped hoping for, Dalton. When I’m with you, my life has depth, and color, and I no longer focus on my guilt.”
“You make me feel like I deserve more than the life everyone expects of me… But you always just took me the way I am, and never teased me.” “Because the real you is the man I fell for.”
“Would you still love me if I was a cockroach?” “No,”
You’ve likely seen this line around a lot to promote this book or in reviews. As the first line of Poisoned Heart, it was guaranteed to grab my attention.
Something about Corvus and Dalton really appealed to me. Maybe it’s because neither of them really seemed to have any idea what they were doing in their relationship, and it manages to be both funny and endearing as hell, even though it’s a darker book. They seem so different, but they also just work. Their chemistry is instantly smoking, and the feelings grow from there.
Dalton – bless his ‘little’ cotton socks – was so full of good intentions and optimism, even in the unusual situation he found himself in, and it was impossible not to like him. I found it so incredibly endearing how accepting and enthusiastic he is about this forced arranged marriage. He’s extremely observant and makes kind, considerate gestures to try and prove himself a good husband, even if they turn into a disaster!
Dalton’s so desperate for someone to love him, and that made my heart pang a little. He’s a golden retriever with a big heart but he's willing to fight for those he cares about.
Corvus is much more complicated, and I loved seeing Dalton peel back his layers. Corvus is an expert poisoner, but he also enjoys an unexpected side hobby. He has to work through a lot in this book – including coming to terms with his family knowing about his sexuality and dealing with the negative opinions his father instilled into him – and he has lots of fears and insecurities to conquer.
Despite trying to keep his distance, Corvus needs someone like Dalton to pull him out of his shell. Dalton’s affection – bright and true – and openness with his feelings helps the other man to open his heart, and I really loved that for him. I relished seeing both Corvus’s vulnerable side and his (surprisingly) needy side. While he’s a grump to begin with, Dalton manages to break through his tough exterior.
I really enjoyed this dark rom com. Personally I didn’t think it was that mafia-y; it definitely had elements of it – including the premise of how these two meet and the interrogation later – with moments of significantly darker material, but the story was mostly about the relationship between these two.
-----
Some of my favourite quotes
“You will fuck me like your life depends on it.”
Corvus is so fucking beautiful it's distracting. It's like I'm hypnotized by a cobra and admiring it even though I should worry about the venom already inside me.
“I’m not a pet to be bought and kept. If this is how you see me, you might as well grab a crossbow yourself and be done with it.”
Dalton is a beautiful inked beast I intend to tame for my purposes.
“We are cuddling tonight. I’m putting my foot down.”
“You know what’s comfier than your sofa?” “Your hole. It was so hot and snug around me.”
“Good, because I may seem harmless to you, but I wouldn’t be to anyone who thinks they can make a move on you.”
“The way you yield under me? Because you want to? Because I make you want to? It’s hot. End of story. You’re Corvus fucking Van der Horn. You can do whatever the fuck you want.”
“It doesn’t matter to me that you’re not the best at paperwork, and that kind of stuff. I am. I can deal with it for you, and the rest of it— I really like the rest, Dalton.”
“But you’re... letting me be myself… Like I’m allowed to be many things at once, and you see them all.”
“I want to be your rock. But you have to let me.”
“I definitely don’t deserve better than you, Dalton. That’s like telling me to look for a taller mountain after I already climbed Mount Everest,”
“You gave me something I stopped hoping for, Dalton. When I’m with you, my life has depth, and color, and I no longer focus on my guilt.”
“You make me feel like I deserve more than the life everyone expects of me… But you always just took me the way I am, and never teased me.” “Because the real you is the man I fell for.”
“Would you still love me if I was a cockroach?” “No,”
February 3, 2026
🖤☠️When I'm with you, my life has depth, and color, and I no longer focus on my guilt🩸🖤
"You will f*** me like your life depends on it. Because it does."
"He stands out the way a black hole does among stars. If death wore a suit, it would look exactly like the one before me."
"I don't care about your identity. What I want is s**, not dates."
"Corvus is so f****** beautiful it's distracting. It's like I'm hypnotized by a cobra and admiring it even though I should worry about the venom already inside me."
"Dalton will be my Christmas present to myself."
"Oh, we are not getting divorced. Ever."
"But what if either of us--"
"No, if you become my husband, I will not be letting you go."
"The warmth he exudes brings peace, as if I'm curled up in some underground den, where no danger can reach me."
"Dalton is here for the Corvus no one else knows, that bit of me I keep hidden within the walls of my home."
"You gave me something I stopped hoping for, Dalton. When I'm with you, my life has depth, and color, and I no longer focus on my guilt."
This was such a fantastic and unhinged story. Ever since I read Christmas Mafia Prince, I was very intrigued by the silent, gothic murderer Corvus. That family is so unhinged and wild and I'm so excited we get a new series about them! This book has some amazing troupes like forced marriage, captor/captive, black cat/golden retriever, mafia romance, and hurt/comfort. The spice in this started off fast and delicious 🔥🔥🔥🔥. The emotional aspect of this book was written perfectly 🥹. The humor in this story had me laughing so much 🤣.
This story follows Corvus and Dalton. Corvus is the poisoner/torturer in the family. He is secretly in the closet as his family is very traditional, so he has to hide who he truly is at all times. His family is having the traditional Christmas hunt where they hunt and kill people who have wronged them. Dalton ends up in one of the holding rooms as he owes the family money. Corvus stumbles upon Dalton's grindr account and sees what he's packing 😏😂. Since Dalton is about to die anyways, he makes a trade for sex in lieu of the poison antidote. What Corvus didn't expect was to like Dalton so much. He ends up saving Dalton and says he's his fiance 😅. Will Dalton and Corvus end up trying to kill each other? Will Corvus let Dalton in? Can Dalton survive this family of psychopaths?
I loved the dynamics between these two men. From their sexual chemistry to their banter/interactions, they were such opposites but so perfect for each other. Corvus was a black cat goth who was cold, distant, mean, and didn't trust anyone. Dalton was a himbo, golden retriever, ray of sunshine with a streak of violence. I love how obsessed and protective of each other they both were. I loved how Corvus was a ruthless killer who needed to always be in control except when it came to the bedroom activities where he wanted to relinquish control. Dalton was used to being used for his body and never being enough for anyone. I love how easily Corvus accepted all parts of Dalton. I loved how Dalton made a safe space for Corvus to be himself and vulnerable 🥹🥹. The spicy scenes were hot and spicing 🥵🔥😉💦. This was a hard earned HEA as Corvus was paranoid and didn't trust but when it happened it made my dark heart happy 🖤.
I love all the unhinged side characters in this story. I loved seeing Killian and Damen. I really need a book for Aspen. He is so crazy and wild. Remo is a dark horse who is very intriguing as well. The humor and banter between everyone had me cackling hard 😂. I can't wait to see where this series goes! 🏹🩸☠️🔪💉😈🖤
"Would you love me of I was a cockroach?"
"No," I say without hesitation, and he starts laughing so hard he has tears in his eyes, and I end up snorting with laughter, which I never do. This is what I love about him, the easy way in which he can rail me like a monster then make me smile.
"You will f*** me like your life depends on it. Because it does."
"He stands out the way a black hole does among stars. If death wore a suit, it would look exactly like the one before me."
"I don't care about your identity. What I want is s**, not dates."
"Corvus is so f****** beautiful it's distracting. It's like I'm hypnotized by a cobra and admiring it even though I should worry about the venom already inside me."
"Dalton will be my Christmas present to myself."
"Oh, we are not getting divorced. Ever."
"But what if either of us--"
"No, if you become my husband, I will not be letting you go."
"The warmth he exudes brings peace, as if I'm curled up in some underground den, where no danger can reach me."
"Dalton is here for the Corvus no one else knows, that bit of me I keep hidden within the walls of my home."
"You gave me something I stopped hoping for, Dalton. When I'm with you, my life has depth, and color, and I no longer focus on my guilt."
This was such a fantastic and unhinged story. Ever since I read Christmas Mafia Prince, I was very intrigued by the silent, gothic murderer Corvus. That family is so unhinged and wild and I'm so excited we get a new series about them! This book has some amazing troupes like forced marriage, captor/captive, black cat/golden retriever, mafia romance, and hurt/comfort. The spice in this started off fast and delicious 🔥🔥🔥🔥. The emotional aspect of this book was written perfectly 🥹. The humor in this story had me laughing so much 🤣.
This story follows Corvus and Dalton. Corvus is the poisoner/torturer in the family. He is secretly in the closet as his family is very traditional, so he has to hide who he truly is at all times. His family is having the traditional Christmas hunt where they hunt and kill people who have wronged them. Dalton ends up in one of the holding rooms as he owes the family money. Corvus stumbles upon Dalton's grindr account and sees what he's packing 😏😂. Since Dalton is about to die anyways, he makes a trade for sex in lieu of the poison antidote. What Corvus didn't expect was to like Dalton so much. He ends up saving Dalton and says he's his fiance 😅. Will Dalton and Corvus end up trying to kill each other? Will Corvus let Dalton in? Can Dalton survive this family of psychopaths?
I loved the dynamics between these two men. From their sexual chemistry to their banter/interactions, they were such opposites but so perfect for each other. Corvus was a black cat goth who was cold, distant, mean, and didn't trust anyone. Dalton was a himbo, golden retriever, ray of sunshine with a streak of violence. I love how obsessed and protective of each other they both were. I loved how Corvus was a ruthless killer who needed to always be in control except when it came to the bedroom activities where he wanted to relinquish control. Dalton was used to being used for his body and never being enough for anyone. I love how easily Corvus accepted all parts of Dalton. I loved how Dalton made a safe space for Corvus to be himself and vulnerable 🥹🥹. The spicy scenes were hot and spicing 🥵🔥😉💦. This was a hard earned HEA as Corvus was paranoid and didn't trust but when it happened it made my dark heart happy 🖤.
I love all the unhinged side characters in this story. I loved seeing Killian and Damen. I really need a book for Aspen. He is so crazy and wild. Remo is a dark horse who is very intriguing as well. The humor and banter between everyone had me cackling hard 😂. I can't wait to see where this series goes! 🏹🩸☠️🔪💉😈🖤
"Would you love me of I was a cockroach?"
"No," I say without hesitation, and he starts laughing so hard he has tears in his eyes, and I end up snorting with laughter, which I never do. This is what I love about him, the easy way in which he can rail me like a monster then make me smile.
January 27, 2026
3.5 rounded up
This isn't your typical romance where the MCs have a sweet meet cute and show interest in more than being friends and go from there. Here we have Corvus, a mafioso who specializes in torture and poison , and Dolton, a down on his luck bouncer who gambles away a million dollars and finds himself in a cell about to be hunted for sport by Corvus' family as tradition. The only reason Dalton ends up staying alive is because of Corvus' curiosity with the number of extremely satisfied old hook ups leaving messages for Dalton in hopes of a repeat of his extenuous....assets. (IYKYK) Corvus has been keeping his sexuality a secret and had stopped hooking up on the down low so his family doesn't find out. Except, he has needs and desires that don't match what a man of power like him would usually want (to bottom and be dominated) so he makes a deal with Dalton for one good night and he'll give him an advantage to hopefully have a chance to survive the hunt. Dalton doesn't really have much to lose and honestly both men definitely had the hots for each other so he figured, why not?
What was supposed to be one night however ends with both men in the predicament of being discovered and trying to keep Dalton alive and also keep some of Corvus' pride by saying they're engaged. Now they have to go through with the rouse yet the more time they spend together, in the bedroom and outside of it, the more it seems maybe they can actually have a good life together. But that isn't always easy when Corvus has major trust issues and Dalton doesn't feel good enough and was made to feel like all he was good at was fighting and sex. Plus add in someone after Dalton and that's enough drama for two men just getting to know each other.
I actually really enjoyed this book but some things just didn't completely work for me and I wish some things were more fleshed out to make it more enjoyable as most of the plot was the forced proximity, mafia affiliations, family and a bit of mystery as to who was behind wanting Dalton gone. The mystery part could have been so much better but Dalton didn't really investigate anything and the person and their reason for doing what they did didn't really add anything like it could have if it was more thought out. This book could have honestly been shorter but for what it was I did have a good time reading it. There were some really sweet moments and some very very hot ones too. Dalton was my absolute favorite and even though it took me some time with Corvus I liked him too if only he wasn't so hot and cold almost to the end. I think I'll give the rest of the series a read when they come out.
This isn't your typical romance where the MCs have a sweet meet cute and show interest in more than being friends and go from there. Here we have Corvus, a mafioso who specializes in torture and poison , and Dolton, a down on his luck bouncer who gambles away a million dollars and finds himself in a cell about to be hunted for sport by Corvus' family as tradition. The only reason Dalton ends up staying alive is because of Corvus' curiosity with the number of extremely satisfied old hook ups leaving messages for Dalton in hopes of a repeat of his extenuous....assets. (IYKYK) Corvus has been keeping his sexuality a secret and had stopped hooking up on the down low so his family doesn't find out. Except, he has needs and desires that don't match what a man of power like him would usually want (to bottom and be dominated) so he makes a deal with Dalton for one good night and he'll give him an advantage to hopefully have a chance to survive the hunt. Dalton doesn't really have much to lose and honestly both men definitely had the hots for each other so he figured, why not?
What was supposed to be one night however ends with both men in the predicament of being discovered and trying to keep Dalton alive and also keep some of Corvus' pride by saying they're engaged. Now they have to go through with the rouse yet the more time they spend together, in the bedroom and outside of it, the more it seems maybe they can actually have a good life together. But that isn't always easy when Corvus has major trust issues and Dalton doesn't feel good enough and was made to feel like all he was good at was fighting and sex. Plus add in someone after Dalton and that's enough drama for two men just getting to know each other.
I actually really enjoyed this book but some things just didn't completely work for me and I wish some things were more fleshed out to make it more enjoyable as most of the plot was the forced proximity, mafia affiliations, family and a bit of mystery as to who was behind wanting Dalton gone. The mystery part could have been so much better but Dalton didn't really investigate anything and the person and their reason for doing what they did didn't really add anything like it could have if it was more thought out. This book could have honestly been shorter but for what it was I did have a good time reading it. There were some really sweet moments and some very very hot ones too. Dalton was my absolute favorite and even though it took me some time with Corvus I liked him too if only he wasn't so hot and cold almost to the end. I think I'll give the rest of the series a read when they come out.
January 30, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Top 10 Books EVER
Poisoned Heart by K.A. Merikan
Some books are great. Some books are unhinged in the best possible way.
Poisoned Heart is the kind of story that grabs you by the throat, makes you fall in love against your will, and then dares you to deny it afterward.
This was supposed to be blackmail.
Then it was supposed to be a deal.
Then it was supposed to be fake.
And suddenly… it’s wedding planning, possessive devotion, and mine said with lethal intent.
Corvus Van der Horn is everything I crave in a dark romance MMC—cold, elegant, dangerous, and utterly incapable of letting go once he decides something belongs to him. His voice drips with control and inevitability, perfectly summed up in this line:
“Oh, we are not getting divorced. Ever.”
Sir. EXCUSE ME.
Dalton, on the other hand, is a golden retriever himbo masterpiece—a washed-up fighter with a soft heart, bad decisions, and absolutely zero survival instincts when it comes to powerful, obsessive men. He’s warmth and sincerity wrapped in chaos, and the way Corvus looks at him—like a weakness and a treasure all at once—is intoxicating.
Their dynamic is immaculate:
🖤 Ice Prince Mafioso x Himbo Bad Boy
🖤 Golden Retriever x Black Cat
🖤 Cinderfella energy with teeth
🖤 Prisoner / Blackmail / Fake Relationship that spirals gloriously out of control
🖤 Wedding Fever that goes from absurd to deadly serious real fast
What starts as control quickly turns into obsession. What starts as a transaction becomes protection. And when Corvus realizes someone might hurt what’s his? It’s chilling and deeply satisfying:
“No one—no one—messes with what’s mine.”
This book thrives on contrast: cruelty and tenderness, power and devotion, violence and domesticity. One minute you’re dealing with a professional poisoner and torturer, the next you’re drowning in wedding chaos and possessive vows that feel terrifyingly sincere.
K.A. Merikan excels at writing love that is not safe, not healthy, and yet somehow feels inevitable. Corvus doesn’t soften—he reorients. Dalton doesn’t become stronger by force—he becomes cherished. And together, they form something twisted, devoted, and unforgettable.
This isn’t just one of my favorite K.A. Merikan books.
This is a top 10 of all time read for me—and the kind of romance that rewires your brain chemistry.
Read it if you love:
🖤 Obsessive MMCs
🖤 Fake relationships that become deadly real
🖤 Golden retrievers claimed by monsters
🖤 Dark romance with humor, heat, and heart
🖤 “Touch him and die” energy wrapped in wedding cake
I will never be normal about this book. Ever. 🖤
Poisoned Heart by K.A. Merikan
Some books are great. Some books are unhinged in the best possible way.
Poisoned Heart is the kind of story that grabs you by the throat, makes you fall in love against your will, and then dares you to deny it afterward.
This was supposed to be blackmail.
Then it was supposed to be a deal.
Then it was supposed to be fake.
And suddenly… it’s wedding planning, possessive devotion, and mine said with lethal intent.
Corvus Van der Horn is everything I crave in a dark romance MMC—cold, elegant, dangerous, and utterly incapable of letting go once he decides something belongs to him. His voice drips with control and inevitability, perfectly summed up in this line:
“Oh, we are not getting divorced. Ever.”
Sir. EXCUSE ME.
Dalton, on the other hand, is a golden retriever himbo masterpiece—a washed-up fighter with a soft heart, bad decisions, and absolutely zero survival instincts when it comes to powerful, obsessive men. He’s warmth and sincerity wrapped in chaos, and the way Corvus looks at him—like a weakness and a treasure all at once—is intoxicating.
Their dynamic is immaculate:
🖤 Ice Prince Mafioso x Himbo Bad Boy
🖤 Golden Retriever x Black Cat
🖤 Cinderfella energy with teeth
🖤 Prisoner / Blackmail / Fake Relationship that spirals gloriously out of control
🖤 Wedding Fever that goes from absurd to deadly serious real fast
What starts as control quickly turns into obsession. What starts as a transaction becomes protection. And when Corvus realizes someone might hurt what’s his? It’s chilling and deeply satisfying:
“No one—no one—messes with what’s mine.”
This book thrives on contrast: cruelty and tenderness, power and devotion, violence and domesticity. One minute you’re dealing with a professional poisoner and torturer, the next you’re drowning in wedding chaos and possessive vows that feel terrifyingly sincere.
K.A. Merikan excels at writing love that is not safe, not healthy, and yet somehow feels inevitable. Corvus doesn’t soften—he reorients. Dalton doesn’t become stronger by force—he becomes cherished. And together, they form something twisted, devoted, and unforgettable.
This isn’t just one of my favorite K.A. Merikan books.
This is a top 10 of all time read for me—and the kind of romance that rewires your brain chemistry.
Read it if you love:
🖤 Obsessive MMCs
🖤 Fake relationships that become deadly real
🖤 Golden retrievers claimed by monsters
🖤 Dark romance with humor, heat, and heart
🖤 “Touch him and die” energy wrapped in wedding cake
I will never be normal about this book. Ever. 🖤
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