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The Wicked Trilogy #1
The Wicked
Wattpad superstar Rebecca Johnpee bursts onto the dark romance scene with her fan favorite novel
The Wicked
—where mafia romance and heist thriller collide in an intensely unforgettable romance—in print for the first time.
Elio Marino, also known as “The Wicked,” is a man whose presence alone is enough to evoke a feeling more sinister than a dark graveyard. As head of the ruthless and notorious Marino Family, nothing can shake him, or so he believed.
Zahra Faizan is…dangerous. Growing up with men who treated bullets like sugar cubes, she has risen from the streets and created the most notorious gang of thieves in the country. But after a job goes wrong, Zahra finds herself and her crew held captive by The Wicked, and she will do just about anything to take advantage of it. Even if it means working with The Wicked and pulling off the biggest heist her gang has ever dreamed of.
Can she tame The Wicked and bring him to his ruin? Or tame him and keep him to herself? After all, even the wicked needs love.
Elio Marino, also known as “The Wicked,” is a man whose presence alone is enough to evoke a feeling more sinister than a dark graveyard. As head of the ruthless and notorious Marino Family, nothing can shake him, or so he believed.
Zahra Faizan is…dangerous. Growing up with men who treated bullets like sugar cubes, she has risen from the streets and created the most notorious gang of thieves in the country. But after a job goes wrong, Zahra finds herself and her crew held captive by The Wicked, and she will do just about anything to take advantage of it. Even if it means working with The Wicked and pulling off the biggest heist her gang has ever dreamed of.
Can she tame The Wicked and bring him to his ruin? Or tame him and keep him to herself? After all, even the wicked needs love.
498 pages, Hardcover
First published November 25, 2025
466 people are currently reading
16176 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca Johnpee
5 books273 followersRebecca Johnpee has been daydreaming epic, too-good-to-be-true scenarios since she discovered the magic in imagination. Once she found the art of putting those vivid scenarios on paper, she set out to make sure her characters found a home in the heart of readers. Today, she writes romance across multiple genres, letting whichever story calls to her lead the way. When she’s not busy crafting new worlds, Rebecca is planning her next adventure to island countries, where she can indulge in her love for the ocean, meet new people, and immerse herself in different cultures.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 257 reviews
November 25, 2025
Reading this book gives off the same satisfaction as chugging water at 3am. This scratched an itch so far back in my brain and the only way I’ll ever get anything close to the same feeling is with book two in my hands. I NEED IT REBECCA 👹👹
Will never get over the fact that there was not a single dry page for me.
Each character was solid. The plot and the pacing was chefs kiss. I could not have asked for anything more. The difference in povs between zahra and Elio 😫😫 I’m genuinely licking my fingers. This was a ten course meal and I was not ashamed to dig in with my bare hands! 🙏
The way I actually cried fat wet tears like five or six times during the book 😭🤚 what was this madness!! I wasn’t prepared and I’m litch not ready to say goodbye bc what do you meannnnn it over. What do you mean I turned the last page of this book and I don’t have anything more!!! What do you mean this book isn’t even out yet 😫😫😫
Elio is the most entertaining pov to be in. Not always in a happy way 🤚 but boi does he give the best inner monologue.
This guys, THIS is what I’ve been asking for the entire time. Like holy grail type shit. The enemies are CONCRETE ENEMIES and the morally grey mmc is ACTUALLY morally grey. Not some dark mysterious type that uses morally grey as a gimmick when actually he’s a good guy underneath it all, no, Elio is truly so messed in the head it’s terrifying and I could not look away. I don’t even want to. But his story and how he became who he is 😭😭😭😭😭 just stop it. The way I’m DREADING book 2 you don’t understandddddd.
Zahra, you little shit. The way I am so conflicted i genuinely don’t have words. I love her despite it all. She is exactly what I needed to see in an fmc. Like she is the prime example of a complex, morally grey and highly cunning fmc. I love to see it.
The writing takes a second to get used to but once you carry on it just clicks. There’s a reason why the writing is how it is. It makes sense to their character and how it’s the writers stylistic choice.
All in all, I’m gna be thinking about this one for a veryyyy long time that’s for sure.
ೃ⁀➷ Thank you NetGalley and Tor Bramble for the ARC! ♥︎
Will never get over the fact that there was not a single dry page for me.
Each character was solid. The plot and the pacing was chefs kiss. I could not have asked for anything more. The difference in povs between zahra and Elio 😫😫 I’m genuinely licking my fingers. This was a ten course meal and I was not ashamed to dig in with my bare hands! 🙏
The way I actually cried fat wet tears like five or six times during the book 😭🤚 what was this madness!! I wasn’t prepared and I’m litch not ready to say goodbye bc what do you meannnnn it over. What do you mean I turned the last page of this book and I don’t have anything more!!! What do you mean this book isn’t even out yet 😫😫😫
Elio is the most entertaining pov to be in. Not always in a happy way 🤚 but boi does he give the best inner monologue.
This guys, THIS is what I’ve been asking for the entire time. Like holy grail type shit. The enemies are CONCRETE ENEMIES and the morally grey mmc is ACTUALLY morally grey. Not some dark mysterious type that uses morally grey as a gimmick when actually he’s a good guy underneath it all, no, Elio is truly so messed in the head it’s terrifying and I could not look away. I don’t even want to. But his story and how he became who he is 😭😭😭😭😭 just stop it. The way I’m DREADING book 2 you don’t understandddddd.
Zahra, you little shit. The way I am so conflicted i genuinely don’t have words. I love her despite it all. She is exactly what I needed to see in an fmc. Like she is the prime example of a complex, morally grey and highly cunning fmc. I love to see it.
The writing takes a second to get used to but once you carry on it just clicks. There’s a reason why the writing is how it is. It makes sense to their character and how it’s the writers stylistic choice.
All in all, I’m gna be thinking about this one for a veryyyy long time that’s for sure.
ೃ⁀➷ Thank you NetGalley and Tor Bramble for the ARC! ♥︎
November 14, 2025
This dark mafia romance was outstanding!! It had a great storyline, perfect tropes and I found it to be extremely entertaining! This is the first book in the trilogy and I am so excited to read the next one this author comes out with! It was very well written, picturesque, captivating and well organized. This book is a true enemies to lovers, then possibly enemies again?! It has a Mafia King that you can’t help but fall for. A strong female main character that I really loved! All the family secrets that you end up finding out was wild! The found family trope was a favorite of mine.
This book has banter, tension, and some spicy scenes! The balanced perspectives really stood out to me. The slow burn romance in this novel had me hooked! This book does leave on a cliffhanger, with you wanting more! I was entertained from beginning to end! Be sure to read the content warnings prior to reading the book. I give this a solid 4 out of 5 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley, author Rebecca Johnpee and Tor Publishing Group | Bramble for the eARC of this incredible book! All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
This book is set to be released on November 25, 2025!
This book has banter, tension, and some spicy scenes! The balanced perspectives really stood out to me. The slow burn romance in this novel had me hooked! This book does leave on a cliffhanger, with you wanting more! I was entertained from beginning to end! Be sure to read the content warnings prior to reading the book. I give this a solid 4 out of 5 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley, author Rebecca Johnpee and Tor Publishing Group | Bramble for the eARC of this incredible book! All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
This book is set to be released on November 25, 2025!
January 3, 2025
I already know this is going to be my bestest 5★ read ever. This book owns my fucking soul.
Will update the review when the book comes out.
Will update the review when the book comes out.
December 1, 2025
this was absolutely fuckin perfection
July 19, 2025
when the enemies ENEMIES
November 25, 2025
arc review to come 🖤
April 27, 2025
DEFINITELY 5★
Cannot wait to see the published version😫 THE WICKED IS COMINGGG
Cannot wait to see the published version😫 THE WICKED IS COMINGGG
December 4, 2025
This book is wrongfully characterized as dark romance. There is nothing dark about the (precisely 3) romantic or spicy parts of this book. The characters are severely immature - FMC is annoying and completely insufferable with very few redeeming qualities. MMC is brilliant while also being completely numb? A man in a trench coat is hot???? Idk I wasn’t buying any of it. This book may possibly appeal to fans of Butcher + Blackbird which also was not for me. The first half felt like reading a comic book filled with high-school-aged characters. The storyline almost worked for about 15 minutes in the middle then you were thrown back into a chaotic and underdeveloped wanna-be mafia heist. It felt like the author was trying to do too much and 500 pages was WAY too long. If my OCD had allowed, I would have DNFed this book after the first 100 pages.
December 26, 2025
The Wicked by Rebecca Johnpee is a dark, slow burn mafia and heist romance about Elio, the feared head of the Marino Family known as “The Wicked” for the secrets, violence, and calculated silence that surround him, and Zahra, a bold thief and leader whose life has been shaped by danger, loss, and grit, as their forced proximity and unpredictable alliance sets fire to both crime and desire in ways that neither of them anticipated. This first book of The Wicked Trilogy weaves enemies to lovers tension with heist stakes, blackmail, revenge, and complicated, morally gray characters.
From the moment I stepped into this story I was swept up in how fierce and vivid the world felt, with Elio’s cold command and Zahra’s sharp wit and hardened resilience pulling me into a narrative that is both brutal and strangely tender in its way of unraveling trust. Johnpee’s pacing has a slow burn cadence that made every glance, every negotiation, and every step closer between the leads feel earned and electric, balancing the violence of their surroundings with moments that hinted at vulnerability beneath all that grit.
Zahra’s backstory and her crew’s misadventure lent the plot a layer of high risk that kept the tension taut, while Elio’s internal struggle with softness toward Zahra added an emotional rhythm that grounded the heat and chaos in something deeply human. Thematically I found myself reflecting on power and agency, how survival shapes us, and what it takes to let someone in when every part of you has learned to survive alone.
Even though at times the intensity felt almost overwhelming, it was precisely that fierce energy that made me care about these characters and their choices, and the messy, smoky way their connection unfolded held me close to every chapter. Because this novel lives in darker spaces and does not shy away from its tougher edges, I would give The Wicked 4 out of 5 stars for its compelling protagonists, addictive enemies to lovers arc, and the way it made me feel both exhilarated and thoughtfully drawn into its stormy world.
From the moment I stepped into this story I was swept up in how fierce and vivid the world felt, with Elio’s cold command and Zahra’s sharp wit and hardened resilience pulling me into a narrative that is both brutal and strangely tender in its way of unraveling trust. Johnpee’s pacing has a slow burn cadence that made every glance, every negotiation, and every step closer between the leads feel earned and electric, balancing the violence of their surroundings with moments that hinted at vulnerability beneath all that grit.
Zahra’s backstory and her crew’s misadventure lent the plot a layer of high risk that kept the tension taut, while Elio’s internal struggle with softness toward Zahra added an emotional rhythm that grounded the heat and chaos in something deeply human. Thematically I found myself reflecting on power and agency, how survival shapes us, and what it takes to let someone in when every part of you has learned to survive alone.
Even though at times the intensity felt almost overwhelming, it was precisely that fierce energy that made me care about these characters and their choices, and the messy, smoky way their connection unfolded held me close to every chapter. Because this novel lives in darker spaces and does not shy away from its tougher edges, I would give The Wicked 4 out of 5 stars for its compelling protagonists, addictive enemies to lovers arc, and the way it made me feel both exhilarated and thoughtfully drawn into its stormy world.
November 4, 2025
ATTENTION, if you want ENEMIES to ?lovers? it does not get more enemies than this. THIS is the definition of ENEMIES!!!
I think the MMC threatened and literally attempted to kill the FMC approximately 45 times throughout this book. I gasped outloud many times. 10/10 no notes.
This book was the most MAFIA mafia book I think I’ve ever read. Do not speak to Elio wrong or he’s pulling a gun on you every day everytime.
The FMC Zahra & her ragtag crew of friends are thieves.
The MMC Elio is the leader of the most powerful mafia families in Italy.
The thieves aka “Street” try to steal from the mafia family and are then forced to work for them to do art heists in exchange for their ultimate freedom.
There were a few plot twists throughout this that had me GAGGED.
I LOVED that the FMC of this is middle eastern. She is very witty and funny. I really enjoyed her internal monologue and the banter between characters.
One thing that was a little confusing for me was that the novel is set in Italy and the characters are speaking English (i believe?) but the FMC & MMC speak Spanish to eachother (it’s their special thing).
Why I didn’t give it 5 stars is at some points there were pacing issues.
And at absolutely no point in this story do you ever believe a single character is telling the truth at all whatsoever. The tension is phenomenal and I do feel the chemistry but I really don’t know what is the reality and what is the truth. They are all using eachother and it’s hard to figure out what anyone’s true intentions are. And I felt this way from start to finish. I think that was the author’s point but it made it hard for me to fully love the main characters & their relationship.
That being said, I did have fun. I do plan on immediately continuing the series and am excited to see where the story goes. This is the first book in a trilogy.
CHECK THE TRIGGER WARNINGS before reading. There is a lot of extremely dark back stories.
Thanks to Tor and NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion!
I think the MMC threatened and literally attempted to kill the FMC approximately 45 times throughout this book. I gasped outloud many times. 10/10 no notes.
This book was the most MAFIA mafia book I think I’ve ever read. Do not speak to Elio wrong or he’s pulling a gun on you every day everytime.
The FMC Zahra & her ragtag crew of friends are thieves.
The MMC Elio is the leader of the most powerful mafia families in Italy.
The thieves aka “Street” try to steal from the mafia family and are then forced to work for them to do art heists in exchange for their ultimate freedom.
There were a few plot twists throughout this that had me GAGGED.
I LOVED that the FMC of this is middle eastern. She is very witty and funny. I really enjoyed her internal monologue and the banter between characters.
One thing that was a little confusing for me was that the novel is set in Italy and the characters are speaking English (i believe?) but the FMC & MMC speak Spanish to eachother (it’s their special thing).
Why I didn’t give it 5 stars is at some points there were pacing issues.
And at absolutely no point in this story do you ever believe a single character is telling the truth at all whatsoever. The tension is phenomenal and I do feel the chemistry but I really don’t know what is the reality and what is the truth. They are all using eachother and it’s hard to figure out what anyone’s true intentions are. And I felt this way from start to finish. I think that was the author’s point but it made it hard for me to fully love the main characters & their relationship.
That being said, I did have fun. I do plan on immediately continuing the series and am excited to see where the story goes. This is the first book in a trilogy.
CHECK THE TRIGGER WARNINGS before reading. There is a lot of extremely dark back stories.
Thanks to Tor and NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion!
December 13, 2025
Audiobook/BookReview 📖🎧❤️🔥
thank you so much partner @brambleromance @macmillan.audio for the gifted ARC + audiobook!
The Wicked
by Rebecca Johnpee
narrated by Jaclyn Kelso, Marcio Cataland
out now!
Elio
They call me "The Wicked."
I've earned that name with blood, silence, and the weight of every secret I carry.
As head of the Marino Family, nothing slips past me.
Not lies. Not weakness. Not fear.
But when she enters my world...everything tilts.
Zahra
I'm dangerous-and l've had to be.
I grew up with men who treated bullets like sugar cubes.
I've risen from the streets to create the most notorious gang of thieves in the country. But after a job goes wrong, my crew and I are held captive by The Wicked, and I'll do just about anything to take advantage of it. Even if it means working with The Wicked and pulling off the biggest heist I've ever dreamed of.
I'm dancing with the devil, and the cost might be my body-my very soul.
But I'm willing to pay the price if it means I get him...
❤️🔥 My thoughts:
Well dammit that ending!! I’ll just be impatiently waiting for book two Loving The Wicked… In the meantime let’s talk about The Wicked! I split my time equally between physically reading and audiobook listening. Truthfully, I preferred the physical book. The narrators were fine but my imagination with this story and the authors writing was just my cup of tea. It’s fast paced and entertaining as all hell. I have only read a handful of mafia romance but I can see why they are so popular. It’s a pretty dang good enemies to lovers storyline full of morally grey characters . If you enjoy all the touch them and die vibes… you’ll have to give this one a read or a listen. The Wicked is out today 11/25!
Happy reading 📖 🎧❤️🔥
thank you so much partner @brambleromance @macmillan.audio for the gifted ARC + audiobook!
The Wicked
by Rebecca Johnpee
narrated by Jaclyn Kelso, Marcio Cataland
out now!
Elio
They call me "The Wicked."
I've earned that name with blood, silence, and the weight of every secret I carry.
As head of the Marino Family, nothing slips past me.
Not lies. Not weakness. Not fear.
But when she enters my world...everything tilts.
Zahra
I'm dangerous-and l've had to be.
I grew up with men who treated bullets like sugar cubes.
I've risen from the streets to create the most notorious gang of thieves in the country. But after a job goes wrong, my crew and I are held captive by The Wicked, and I'll do just about anything to take advantage of it. Even if it means working with The Wicked and pulling off the biggest heist I've ever dreamed of.
I'm dancing with the devil, and the cost might be my body-my very soul.
But I'm willing to pay the price if it means I get him...
❤️🔥 My thoughts:
Well dammit that ending!! I’ll just be impatiently waiting for book two Loving The Wicked… In the meantime let’s talk about The Wicked! I split my time equally between physically reading and audiobook listening. Truthfully, I preferred the physical book. The narrators were fine but my imagination with this story and the authors writing was just my cup of tea. It’s fast paced and entertaining as all hell. I have only read a handful of mafia romance but I can see why they are so popular. It’s a pretty dang good enemies to lovers storyline full of morally grey characters . If you enjoy all the touch them and die vibes… you’ll have to give this one a read or a listen. The Wicked is out today 11/25!
Happy reading 📖 🎧❤️🔥
December 4, 2025
✨ 5 stars ✨
So… I was reading, and reading. Flipping pages. When I suddenly got interrupted, BY THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS page. I need a second book now.
Guys, we all know this came from wattpad, and there is one art the Wattpad authors have mastered, and that is writing banter. This book is no exception, the banter was exquisite.
The thing that a lot of funny books lack, is depth. But even in that category this book delivered. The characters were developed, minor characters included. And the deep connection the main leads had, shone through the story.
'Then why don’t you tell people the truth?”
“No one has ever asked.'
Last but not least, THEY WERE SO HOT. Omg.
'You’re my first. I don’t like a mess, but I’ll take yours any day.'
Looking out for book 2!
So… I was reading, and reading. Flipping pages. When I suddenly got interrupted, BY THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS page. I need a second book now.
Guys, we all know this came from wattpad, and there is one art the Wattpad authors have mastered, and that is writing banter. This book is no exception, the banter was exquisite.
The thing that a lot of funny books lack, is depth. But even in that category this book delivered. The characters were developed, minor characters included. And the deep connection the main leads had, shone through the story.
'Then why don’t you tell people the truth?”
“No one has ever asked.'
Last but not least, THEY WERE SO HOT. Omg.
'You’re my first. I don’t like a mess, but I’ll take yours any day.'
Looking out for book 2!
November 20, 2025
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️/5
Feelings turning the last page: MY HEART HURTS REBECCA I’M IN PHYSICAL PAIN I NEED BOOK 2‼️😭🙃
10-second synopsis: Zahra and her merry band of thieves find themselves in the clutches of Elio Marino aka The Wicked after a job has gone wrong. He offers them their freedom…but everything comes with a price!
Review: WOW I loved this book. It was refreshing and a different take on mafia romance. Zahra and Elio HATE each other you guys and I ATE UP all their interactions. The members of Street had me cackling - the way they talk to and feed off each other is everything. The action throughout had me on the edge of my seat - a perfect balance of action, downtime, and tension🔥🔥.
Zahra is a fantastic FMC who has been through so much and has had to get street smart over the years. Gah I felt for her so much throughout this book. Elio is the same way. He’s such a unique MMC in how he thinks and acts and I honestly love him so much. I just want to give both of them a hug.
The ending had my stomach hurting and I can’t wait for book 2 😅❤️❤️.
The audiobook narration was PHENOMENAL. Jaclyn Kelso is a STAR. With all the different voices for different characters? Fantastic. This was my first Marcio Catalano narration and it will not be my last. I absolutely LOVED him as Elio. Perfectly captured his personality!!!
Check your TWs because there are some dark moments and both Z/E have traumatic childhoods.
Thank you so much to Macmillan Audio for the ALC and Tor and Bramble for the eARC!!
Spice: 🌶️🌶️/5
Feelings turning the last page: MY HEART HURTS REBECCA I’M IN PHYSICAL PAIN I NEED BOOK 2‼️😭🙃
10-second synopsis: Zahra and her merry band of thieves find themselves in the clutches of Elio Marino aka The Wicked after a job has gone wrong. He offers them their freedom…but everything comes with a price!
Review: WOW I loved this book. It was refreshing and a different take on mafia romance. Zahra and Elio HATE each other you guys and I ATE UP all their interactions. The members of Street had me cackling - the way they talk to and feed off each other is everything. The action throughout had me on the edge of my seat - a perfect balance of action, downtime, and tension🔥🔥.
Zahra is a fantastic FMC who has been through so much and has had to get street smart over the years. Gah I felt for her so much throughout this book. Elio is the same way. He’s such a unique MMC in how he thinks and acts and I honestly love him so much. I just want to give both of them a hug.
The ending had my stomach hurting and I can’t wait for book 2 😅❤️❤️.
The audiobook narration was PHENOMENAL. Jaclyn Kelso is a STAR. With all the different voices for different characters? Fantastic. This was my first Marcio Catalano narration and it will not be my last. I absolutely LOVED him as Elio. Perfectly captured his personality!!!
Check your TWs because there are some dark moments and both Z/E have traumatic childhoods.
Thank you so much to Macmillan Audio for the ALC and Tor and Bramble for the eARC!!
December 2, 2025
I think this might be the author’s debut, and wow, what an incredible start to a trilogy. Elio truly lives up to “The Wicked,” all quiet power and deadly secrets, while Zahra is fierce, dangerous, and impossible not to look away from. Every interaction between them…🔥🥵
The audiobook narrators, Jaclyn Kelso & Marcio Catalano, did an amazing job bringing these characters to life.
Thank you @macmillan.audio for the gifted ALC and for introducing me to a new author I’ll definitely keep reading.
The audiobook narrators, Jaclyn Kelso & Marcio Catalano, did an amazing job bringing these characters to life.
Thank you @macmillan.audio for the gifted ALC and for introducing me to a new author I’ll definitely keep reading.
December 8, 2025
Whoever said this book was like the sweetest oblivion needs their phone privileges taken and they need death row
November 27, 2025
Okay so first off, it takes place in Milan. Yet the characters say “do you like Italian food?” BRUH THEY ARE ITALIAN AND LIVE IN MILAN WHAT DO YOU MEAN!
I liked the first half and then second half had me lost and confused
I liked the first half and then second half had me lost and confused
Want to read
May 27, 2025something beautiful about reading this on wattpad so long ago and now it’s being published. oh it’s going to DEVOUR even more
December 3, 2025
Tropes:
🚬 Enemies to lovers to enemies to lovers
💃🏻Heists, betrayal, lies
🚬Mafia/ Dark Romance
💃🏻Found family
🚬POC cast
💃🏻Queer rep
🚬Mafia boss x Thief
💃🏻Slow burn
🚬Cliffhanger ending
I was HOOKED from the very first page of this book.
I have been eyeing this book from when it was on wattpad years ago, and finally got my hands on the e-ARC this year, and let me tell you...
Zahra [FMC] and Elio [MMC] are very memorable characters, both of them are morally grey, liars, and have a dynamic I adore. She's the rage baiter, he's the rage baited. 🤣 She's the liar, he's the betrayed. 👀
I'll try to keep this review short and spoiler free, but Zahra is exactly what you'd think an unlikeable character is. She breaks the stereotypes of what an FMC should be. She doesn't give a shite about what anyone thinks of her, she is selfish, she does things for HERSELF (and her team ofcourse). It's amazing to see two main characters have the same type of power in a story. They're enemies, like two bulls headstrong and fighting each other, they're charged with angst, revenge and manipulation, they're exactly the same yet so different and that's what set this couple apart for me. The story is INTENSE. I love an FMC that doesn't perform for anyone. She puts Elio in place, and nobody's DARED to do that to him yet.
The story is packed with comedy as well, which I loved. Like when Zahra said she DGAF about Elio's trauma. 🤣😭 When Street creates chaos, they're all cat fighting each other like classmates do, it's really funny and sweet. This book has everything: love, hate, realism and guns blazing.
If you want a true enemies to lovers, with a POC cast and an FMC who doesn't fit into molds, this book is for you. 😌 This book ends with a cliffhanger and there's a book 2 coming which I'm so excited about!! I can't wait to dive into Zahra's backstory and see what she's gonna do.
Thankyou to Rebecca Johnpee, the author and NetGalley for the e-ARC, I'm also grateful to be in the Street Team. 🫶🏻
🚬 Enemies to lovers to enemies to lovers
💃🏻Heists, betrayal, lies
🚬Mafia/ Dark Romance
💃🏻Found family
🚬POC cast
💃🏻Queer rep
🚬Mafia boss x Thief
💃🏻Slow burn
🚬Cliffhanger ending
I was HOOKED from the very first page of this book.
I have been eyeing this book from when it was on wattpad years ago, and finally got my hands on the e-ARC this year, and let me tell you...
Zahra [FMC] and Elio [MMC] are very memorable characters, both of them are morally grey, liars, and have a dynamic I adore. She's the rage baiter, he's the rage baited. 🤣 She's the liar, he's the betrayed. 👀
I'll try to keep this review short and spoiler free, but Zahra is exactly what you'd think an unlikeable character is. She breaks the stereotypes of what an FMC should be. She doesn't give a shite about what anyone thinks of her, she is selfish, she does things for HERSELF (and her team ofcourse). It's amazing to see two main characters have the same type of power in a story. They're enemies, like two bulls headstrong and fighting each other, they're charged with angst, revenge and manipulation, they're exactly the same yet so different and that's what set this couple apart for me. The story is INTENSE. I love an FMC that doesn't perform for anyone. She puts Elio in place, and nobody's DARED to do that to him yet.
The story is packed with comedy as well, which I loved. Like when Zahra said she DGAF about Elio's trauma. 🤣😭 When Street creates chaos, they're all cat fighting each other like classmates do, it's really funny and sweet. This book has everything: love, hate, realism and guns blazing.
If you want a true enemies to lovers, with a POC cast and an FMC who doesn't fit into molds, this book is for you. 😌 This book ends with a cliffhanger and there's a book 2 coming which I'm so excited about!! I can't wait to dive into Zahra's backstory and see what she's gonna do.
Thankyou to Rebecca Johnpee, the author and NetGalley for the e-ARC, I'm also grateful to be in the Street Team. 🫶🏻
December 22, 2025
What do you mean I have to wait for book two?!
That was fucking CRUEL Rebecca
😩
That was fucking CRUEL Rebecca
😩
December 18, 2025
3.5 stars. Rounded down because honestly for someone who is a mafia man he was a little too sensitive for me lol. Conflicted on if I will continue on with this series.
December 7, 2025
Finally! No notes
December 12, 2025
I got this book from my Book of the Month subscription. It was listed as extra spicy and gruesome. Instead it was all chaos and no development. Plot holes all over the place. The female lead was unlikeable and spoke like a child. The male lead was boring, I read over 400 pages and can’t even describe him well enough. If you’re looking for a spicy mafia read this is not for you.
December 18, 2025
I KNOW this book did not just leave me hanging like that… because excuse me??? 😭
The plot twists. The heavy emotions. The secrets stacked on secrets. A sexy mafia boss. A strong FMC. Enemies-to-lovers tension. Found family. This book truly said “let me ruin your peace” and meant it.
Zahra and Elio are not a couple…
but they’re also not not a couple — and that’s the problem. 😮💨🔥
They’re cut from the same cloth: blunt, fearless, loyal to their core, don’t care what anyone thinks, and will do whatever it takes to protect their people. The chemistry is intense, unspoken, and loaded with I’d burn the world for you but don’t label it energy. The tension alone deserves its own warning label.
Rebecca Johnpee delivers twist after twist with emotional weight that hits hard, leaving you questioning everything right up to that jaw-dropping ending.
And that ending??
No closure. No mercy. LITERALLY just me staring at the wall trying to emotionally recover. 🫠
If you love mafia romance with sharp characters, explosive tension, morally gray loyalty, and a story that keeps you hooked from page one to that ending… add this to your TBR immediately.
The plot twists. The heavy emotions. The secrets stacked on secrets. A sexy mafia boss. A strong FMC. Enemies-to-lovers tension. Found family. This book truly said “let me ruin your peace” and meant it.
Zahra and Elio are not a couple…
but they’re also not not a couple — and that’s the problem. 😮💨🔥
They’re cut from the same cloth: blunt, fearless, loyal to their core, don’t care what anyone thinks, and will do whatever it takes to protect their people. The chemistry is intense, unspoken, and loaded with I’d burn the world for you but don’t label it energy. The tension alone deserves its own warning label.
Rebecca Johnpee delivers twist after twist with emotional weight that hits hard, leaving you questioning everything right up to that jaw-dropping ending.
And that ending??
No closure. No mercy. LITERALLY just me staring at the wall trying to emotionally recover. 🫠
If you love mafia romance with sharp characters, explosive tension, morally gray loyalty, and a story that keeps you hooked from page one to that ending… add this to your TBR immediately.
December 9, 2025
What the hell?!
How is this not all over social media?! It is SO damned good. I dont think I had been this engrossed in a book in a long time! It has it all! The romance, the morally grey characters, the suspense and love triangle! I dont think ive been this upset over and ending since Iron Flame! Put this in your TBR and go read it. The audiobook was 10/10 as well.
How is this not all over social media?! It is SO damned good. I dont think I had been this engrossed in a book in a long time! It has it all! The romance, the morally grey characters, the suspense and love triangle! I dont think ive been this upset over and ending since Iron Flame! Put this in your TBR and go read it. The audiobook was 10/10 as well.
December 19, 2025
Give me more. The ending was so abrupt and left us with so many questions. I need the second book right now! I loved the MCs. The character development was great. Can't wait to see where the story goes!
December 22, 2025
What does fine stand for? Freaked out, insecure, neurotic, and emotional. Had the best time- so many twists and turns.
November 5, 2025
I got an ARC of this book and I really enjoyed it. I have not read it on Wattpad like others have. It took me a little bit to get into it but when the action started I was hooked. It has mafia romance with a big heist plot and a strong FMC. I didn’t realize it was going to be a trilogy so I was a little bummed to find that out at the ending because it basically has a to be continued ending. Thankfully not too big of a cliffhanger but leaves me wanting to know what happens next.
November 11, 2025
OMG DID I EAT THIS UP! Rebecca Johnpee delivers when it comes to enemies to lovers! I was so excited to get this as an ARC. I am I lover of dark, mafia romance and this did not disappoint!
We have Elio who the leader of his own empire and known as The Wicked because of his reputation of his cruel deeds and no mercy.
We have our smart mouth Zahra who is part of a gang of people who do heists for a living. Her team decides to steal from The Wicked and are captured. In order to save her friends Zahra agrees to enlist the entire gang to work for Elio behind the shadows.
These two absolutely HATE each other. I’m pretty sure they’ve tried to unalive one another 50 times throughout the book. I kept thinking how are they going to turn to lovers after this??? But the SLOW BURN had me flipping through the pages. I absolutely loved the banter and wittiness from each of the characters. And the more you read and find out more of everyone’s background (because everyone seems to be keeping secrets) the more questions you have. I’m starting to have trust issues. You can’t trust anyone in here. You have no idea who is telling the truth!
There was times when I thought the pacing of the book was really slow and there was just so much information being thrown at you all at once. But I will absolutely be reading the next installment!
Thank you Rebecca Johnpee and NetGalley for this amazing ARC!
Tropes:
💋 Enemies to lovers
💋 Forced Proximity
💋 Grumpy/sunshine
💋 He falls first & hard
💋 Mafia boss/thief
💋 Found Family
💋 Slow burn
We have Elio who the leader of his own empire and known as The Wicked because of his reputation of his cruel deeds and no mercy.
We have our smart mouth Zahra who is part of a gang of people who do heists for a living. Her team decides to steal from The Wicked and are captured. In order to save her friends Zahra agrees to enlist the entire gang to work for Elio behind the shadows.
These two absolutely HATE each other. I’m pretty sure they’ve tried to unalive one another 50 times throughout the book. I kept thinking how are they going to turn to lovers after this??? But the SLOW BURN had me flipping through the pages. I absolutely loved the banter and wittiness from each of the characters. And the more you read and find out more of everyone’s background (because everyone seems to be keeping secrets) the more questions you have. I’m starting to have trust issues. You can’t trust anyone in here. You have no idea who is telling the truth!
There was times when I thought the pacing of the book was really slow and there was just so much information being thrown at you all at once. But I will absolutely be reading the next installment!
Thank you Rebecca Johnpee and NetGalley for this amazing ARC!
Tropes:
💋 Enemies to lovers
💋 Forced Proximity
💋 Grumpy/sunshine
💋 He falls first & hard
💋 Mafia boss/thief
💋 Found Family
💋 Slow burn
December 23, 2025
REBECCA, what is this book. I am OBSESSED. No truly, obsessed in a way where I finished it and just sat there staring at my wall like how am I supposed to function after that. LIKE WHAT NOW?! I do not even know how to put into words how much I loved this hot mafia romance but I am going to try because my brain is still screaming.
Elio. SIR. Broody, sad, dangerous, so hot I cannot think straight, the very definition of touch her and die but also do not look at me because I have feelings I do not want to admit to. He is the perfect mix of protective and stubborn and I ate up every single moment he was on the page. And Zahra is such a badass. She has been forced to survive and steal and outsmart everyone since she was young and you can feel every ounce of grit in her. I loved her so much. Their dynamic is chaos and longing and tension and banter that made me kick my
And Street, my god the banter and the energy, I adore him. Milk and Upper are everything too. I could picture every single scene in this book like it was a movie, the kind of movie you finish and immediately Google when the sequel comes out because you simply cannot wait. The narrators were perfect, like dangerously perfect, and made the whole thing even hotter and more intense.
The moment I got to the end I was not well. I am still not well. I need book two like yesterday.
Elio. SIR. Broody, sad, dangerous, so hot I cannot think straight, the very definition of touch her and die but also do not look at me because I have feelings I do not want to admit to. He is the perfect mix of protective and stubborn and I ate up every single moment he was on the page. And Zahra is such a badass. She has been forced to survive and steal and outsmart everyone since she was young and you can feel every ounce of grit in her. I loved her so much. Their dynamic is chaos and longing and tension and banter that made me kick my
And Street, my god the banter and the energy, I adore him. Milk and Upper are everything too. I could picture every single scene in this book like it was a movie, the kind of movie you finish and immediately Google when the sequel comes out because you simply cannot wait. The narrators were perfect, like dangerously perfect, and made the whole thing even hotter and more intense.
The moment I got to the end I was not well. I am still not well. I need book two like yesterday.
March 16, 2025
ts FIRE so excited to read it again 🥀🥀
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