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From the Shadows

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Nothing stays in the shadows forever…not even the monsters.Jessaline Lapin knows where the bodies are hidden. Cleaning for le milieu isn't bad work…messy, sure, but it pays well and affords ample opportunity to pursue other interests. Her gardening business keeps the money clean, dabbling in writing is fun, but what really holds her attention is the gloomy, moody, single dad whose ever present rain cloud makes her toes curl.

Edmond E. Yore is stuck in a job that’s as dangerous as it is lucrative, and getting out alive isn’t an option. As legal counsel for the notorious crime family, he’s used to dealing with messy situations, but lately, his personal life is bleeding into the professional one, and Jessaline is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore, and things are starting to slither dangerously out of control.

When the person most precious to them both goes missing, the only response is to burn it all down.

Perfect for fans of Brynne Weaver and J.T. Geissinger, From the Shadows is a dark mafia romance about a gloomy single dad, a biohazard cleaner who knows where the bodies are buried, and a workplace romance that gets very messy…very quickly.

256 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 8, 2026

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About the author

K.C. Enders

16 books247 followers

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5 stars
23 (32%)
4 stars
25 (35%)
3 stars
16 (22%)
2 stars
6 (8%)
1 star
1 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
Profile Image for The Book Ssirren.
7,678 reviews189 followers
October 8, 2026
Loved Eddie and Jess. Their lives couldn’t be more opposite but it doesn’t stop them from being attracted to one another. I loved the back and forth between them and how Jess helped Eddie out with his daughter. This has a perfect balance of spice as well. It definitely pulled me in and had me turning the pages looking forward to what comes next. This was a really goods read and I loved it.
Profile Image for Rachel Nahabedian.
1,087 reviews31 followers
October 25, 2026
Loved it

🧸 Winnie the Pooh retelling
🖤 Dark mafia romance
👨‍👧 Single dad
⚖️ Morally gray characters
🌶️ Open-door romance
💬 Banter and flirting
🌱 Opposites attract

Going into this ARC, all I knew was that it was a "dark fairytale retelling," but I had no clue which fairytale I was getting. Imagine my surprise when I realized this was actually a Winnie the Pooh mafia retelling! I was immediately sold. This is the third book in the series, and while I definitely plan on going back for the first two, starting with a gloomy single dad inspired by Eeyore was honestly a win for me (Eeyore is my favorite).

One of the best things about this book was how KC reimagined the Hundred Acre Wood characters. Rather than following a traditional retelling, the characters' personalities, quirks, and dynamics were woven into a much darker world. From what I was able to discern from this book, Christophe and Winnie have that childhood-friends dynamic, with her innocence balancing his more serious, head of the mafia nature. Truie Cochonette's (Piglet) and Teague Grey's (Tigger) counterparts bring together anxious, logical energy and chaotic enthusiasm, while Eddie and Jess perfectly capture the gloomy Eeyore and garden-loving Rabbit vibes. Discovering each new connection felt like finding another little Easter egg, and I couldn't help smiling every time I recognized someone. There are plenty of other familiar faces sprinkled throughout, too, which made the whole experience even more entertaining.

Eddie was an instant favorite. He's a grumpy, emotionally complicated single dad trying to navigate his responsibilities while protecting his daughter from the darker parts of his world. Jess brings a completely different energy to his life, and watching them find their rhythm together was such a treat. She has a big heart, a sharp tongue, and a wonderfully unique ADHD personality that makes her stand out. The way she connects with Evie was especially sweet, and her willingness to show up when things get difficult made me love her even more.

Despite the shorter length, the romance worked for me. Eddie and Jess already have an established history through their connections to the same dangerous world, so their relationship didn't feel quite as sudden as it might have otherwise. Their chemistry comes through in the teasing, flirting, and constant back-and-forth, and the spice adds to their dynamic without taking over the entire story. I loved how KC balanced the darker atmosphere with moments of genuine tenderness and humor.

The mafia setting brings plenty of tension and danger, but what made this story memorable for me was the contrast between Eddie's complicated responsibilities and the softer side of him that comes out as a dad. Seeing Jess become such an important part of his and Evie's lives gave the romance an extra layer of warmth without losing the edge that makes this world so entertaining.

And can we talk about how clever this whole concept is? A dark Winnie the Pooh retelling centered on the mafia was not something I knew I needed, but now I'm completely invested. The character inspirations alone made this a blast to read, and the romance gave me plenty more reasons to keep turning the pages.

I had such a good time with this one! If the series is finished, I'll happily accept that, but if KC ever decides to return to the Hundred Acre Wood, I'll be first in line for another installment. I would absolutely read five more of these.

Thank you, KC, for the ARC!
Profile Image for Denise Rodríguez.
174 reviews
October 16, 2026
ARC Review From the Shadows KC Enders

Thank you KC Enders for the opportunity of reading your book is a pleasure for me collaborate with you and I hope can do it again.

This book was such an interesting read! I really enjoyed the dark mafia atmosphere, the dangerous world surrounding the characters, and the mix of romance and suspense throughout the story. There’s something about dark romances with morally gray characters that always keeps me intrigued, especially when secrets, danger, and complicated relationships are involved.

I also loved the single-dad trope! It adds another layer to the story and makes the romance even more interesting. The combination of a dangerous mafia world with a more personal, emotional side to the characters made this book stand out for me.

Overall, I had a great time reading this one. It kept me interested, and I enjoyed the darker elements mixed with the romantic tension. While it wasn’t quite a five-star read for me, I definitely think it’s worth picking up if you enjoy dark mafia romances, morally gray characters, and single-dad MMC.

Tropes:

* Dark Mafia Romance
* Single Dad
* Morally Gray MMC
* Dangerous Secrets
* Romantic Suspense
* High-Stakes Romance

Content Warnings: Mafia and organized crime, violence, and other dark themes.

5/5⭐️
4/5🌶️

🇪🇸:Español:

Este libro fue una lectura muy interesante! Disfruté mucho la atmósfera oscura de la mafia, el mundo peligroso que rodea a los personajes y la combinación de romance y suspenso a lo largo de la historia. Hay algo en los romances oscuros con personajes moralmente grises que siempre consigue atraparme, especialmente cuando hay secretos, peligro y relaciones complicadas de por medio.

También me encantó el trope de papá soltero. Siento que le aporta otra dimensión a la historia y hace que el romance sea todavía más interesante. La combinación de un mundo mafioso lleno de peligros con un lado más personal y emocional de los personajes fue algo que disfruté bastante.

En general, fue una lectura que me mantuvo interesada y que disfruté por esa mezcla de elementos oscuros, tensión romántica y situaciones peligrosas. Aunque no llegó a ser una lectura de cinco estrellas para mí, definitivamente creo que vale la pena darle una oportunidad si te gustan los romances oscuros de mafia, los protagonistas moralmente grises y los papás solteros.

Tropes:

* Dark Mafia Romance
* Single Dad
* Morally Gray MMC
* Dangerous Secrets
* Romantic Suspense
* High-Stakes Romance

⚠️ Trigger Warnings:

* Mafia y crimen organizado.
* Violencia.
* Temas oscuros y situaciones peligrosas.
Profile Image for Victoria.
327 reviews
October 23, 2026
Well, apparently I've developed a habit of discovering new authors by jumping straight into the middle of their series! 😂 Thankfully, From the Shadows by KC Enders turned out to be a rather enjoyable introduction, and Eddie and Jess certainly made an impression.

There's something about a mafia romance that combines danger, morally grey characters, and a softer, more emotional side that always manages to grab my attention. Throw in a single dad and a woman who isn't afraid to hold her own, and you've pretty much guaranteed I'll be interested.

Eddie and Jess were such an entertaining pair. Their lives and responsibilities are complicated, and neither of them exactly operates in a conventional world. Yet somehow, they fit together brilliantly.

I particularly loved that Jess wasn't your typical innocent heroine suddenly finding herself surrounded by dangerous men. She's already part of that world, understands exactly what it involves, and has a wonderfully sharp tongue to go with it. Eddie might be accustomed to dealing with difficult situations, but Jess certainly knows how to keep him on his toes!

Their back-and-forth was easily one of my favourite parts of the book. The flirting, the teasing, and the tension between them made their interactions so much fun to read. I also appreciated that the spice complemented their chemistry rather than overwhelming the story. There was a lovely balance between the attraction, the developing relationship, and everything happening around them.

And then there's little Evie. 🥹

I have such a soft spot for single-dad romances when the child feels like a meaningful part of the story rather than simply being there to tick a trope box. Watching Jess interact with Evie and seeing that caring, protective side of her was genuinely lovely. Those moments brought some much-needed warmth to an otherwise dangerous world.

The mafia setting also delivered plenty of intrigue, secrets, and suspense. I enjoyed how the darker elements sat alongside the romance without completely taking over. There was enough happening to keep me curious, and I found myself looking forward to picking up my Kindle to see what would unfold next.

Was it a five-star read for me? Not quite. But I had a genuinely good time with this one, and that's what matters.

If you're a fan of morally grey mafia romances, strong heroines, single dads, fantastic banter, and a touch of found family, I'd definitely recommend giving this one a go.

Now I'm rather curious about the books I skipped!

Thank you to KC Enders and Plot Twist Marketing for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Dee.
2 reviews
October 6, 2026
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Overall, love the book!

I like the first interaction between the Jess and Eddie. It not the same old thing where the guy see the girl in a compromising/ complicated situation. Here they knew each other beforehand and it is something refreshing in this sort of genre.

The sexual tension between them was so good and when they do it, it was not like the same old explicit scenes describing each and every movement for 50+ pages. It was just short yet downright raw, and erotic. It takes a very good author to build the chemistry with right words. At some point, I was basically biting my lip from smiling so hard.

I am not charmed very easily yet this troupe is rare, and it worked really well. Also, the bond between Evie & Jess was so damned cute!

Now, there is something that was missing. I felt like there are moments where I find my mind straying away. Certain moment in the book fails to grab my attention because it felt unimportant. Probably it is important, but my mind just trying to filter it out. Maybe it just me. Or it could have something more eye grabbing. So that is why I took away 1.0 stars away. But I still love it!
Profile Image for Angelica.
69 reviews
October 24, 2026
Saturday, October 24, 2026
12:21 PM

"Standing stock still, speechless and salivating... oh yes. Good alliteration. Please don't let me forget that when my brain comes back online."

This story was too cute! Absolutely loved the representation on how Jess's brain was a little different and no one thought otherwise about it. Her personality definitely fit being the mafia's literal cleaner.

It was a nice twist having the MMC be outside of the mafia rather than the head guy. We saw a lot of turmoil with him trying to reconcile the job/client he inherited vs being a good dad.

Jess went all in with helping Eddie out with the little one. It was so adorable watching the relationship between them grow.

I do wish the storyline was a bit more stretched out. We have a ton of dialogue with Jess's inner thoughts that's insanely descriptive, but the storyline isn't as well developed as that. The twist at the end and how it ended was a little underwhelming.


**I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.**
Profile Image for Carole.
2,700 reviews19 followers
October 8, 2026
From the Shadows is an engaging Contemporary Romance and book three of the Honey and Ruin series.
Mafia darkness settles into the story of Jessaline Lapin who currently happens to clean up Mafia messes, and single dad Edmond E. Yore who does just about the same but as their legal counsel. They both work for le milieu crime family and how the two end up together comprises a story of drama, a crazy ex wife, family dynamics, suspense, action, adventure, passion, emotion, and what ends up becoming a found family.
Nicely written with good characterizations I enjoyed their chemistry and entertaining story that weathered every obstacle to find an HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for luna dark reads.
17 reviews
October 11, 2026
ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

I have mixed feelings about this one. I enjoyed the banter, the flirting, and the FMC’s smart mouth. I also loved how she cared for the MMC’s daughter and how protective he was of her.

However, the romance felt rushed. They went from flirting to sleeping together, and then so many things happened without giving their relationship enough time to develop. I wanted more emotional depth, better communication, and a chance to actually experience them falling in love rather than jumping from one major milestone to another.

The ending was especially rushed for me. There were things I liked, but overall, I wanted more from the story and the romance.
Profile Image for Reading  In the  Red Room .
3,724 reviews73 followers
September 26, 2026
Loved!! A dark suspenseful read that I really enjoyed. Two people who have jobs they question on a regular basis…but in an odd way..know it’s where they belong. Eddie is a single father with a..one could say crazy baby mama. He is a lawyer for a guy who acts first and calls his lawyer later. Then there is Jess she is the cleaner…she literally cleans up her bosses messes with soap and a mop…she also has an iron clad NDA..yep their boss is very interesting. These two however have sassy banter and killer chemistry and tell one heck of a story. A story that was well written, well layered and one that I truly enjoyed!
Profile Image for Dakota.
46 reviews1 follower
October 12, 2026
This was the PERFECT ending to this series! I’ve been in love with the Le Milieu gang since book 1 and somehow KC made each book even better than the ones before.

And the secret trope in this one??? Executed perfectly! I was giggling and kicking my feet for most of this book. The banter between Jess and Eddie, the boys all bonding and forming their humongous family. Ugh, it was amazing. And seeing our baby Roux become a fully formed part of the family was EXACTLY what I needed!

Jess, the cleaner, and Eddie, the family lawyer, may just be my favorite pairing from this series. I was so sad it’s come to an end but, my gosh, was that end satisfying!
Profile Image for Kimberley.
167 reviews
October 11, 2026
ARC Review

I really liked Jess and Eddie's story 🥰 It was dark, really spicy, entertaining, intriguing and cute when Evie was there ❤️ I really liked the MCs and I thought that Jess' work was really original. The only thing that bug me a little was the french nickname/code name. I think it was meant to sound really cool if you don't speak french, but for me I could only read them in my full *Québécois* accent 🫣 I've still managed to read the rest of the book and really like it 🤩 There were some stressful parts and I really enjoyed the story and the tropes 😍 It was an easy to follow and a fast paced book ! So I totally recommend it, especially if you live single-dad x Mafia Romance 🖤
32 reviews1 follower
October 3, 2026
I absolutely loved this book! Eddie and Jess were both pining for each other, but while Eddie was trying not to act on his feelings, Jess was constantly flirting and pushing with inappropriate innuendoes. When Eddie has childcare issues, Jess steps up in a big way, and seeing Jess with his daughter is what finally pushes him over the edge! Their banter is as perfect as their chemistry, and when push comes to shove they overcome their own fears to save each other and keep their family safe!
253 reviews
October 12, 2026
Gotta love an enjoyable dark romance

I chose to read this without reading the other two books in the series mainly because i saw it was a single dad story with an accidental pregnancy! I found it to be a quick read that was really good especially how instead of just having a morally Grey mmc the fmc was morally grey as well which was fun! I enjoyed all the moments between Eddie and Jess especially jess' moments with little evie!
Profile Image for Kathryn Wagner.
26 reviews
October 29, 2026
From the shadows was a wonderful reading experience I won’t soon forget! 🐍🤍🔥

Eddie and Jess are so good! Well written with great chemistry and witty banter! Filled with themes: she falls first- he falls harder, touch her and you die, chosen family, mafia romance.

It’s an easy read while still holding you captive! I couldn’t put it down. It’s my first taste of K.C. Enders works and I cannot wait to try more!

Received as an ARC in exchange for an honest review
Profile Image for Haley Bohme.
45 reviews4 followers
October 1, 2026
From the Shadows was such a fun read! I was pulled into the story pretty quickly, and the mix of suspense, secrets, and romance kept me wanting to see what would happen next. There were definitely moments where I thought I had things figured out, only to question myself again.

I really enjoyed the characters and the tension between them. Their relationship added so much to the story without taking away from everything else happening, and I loved seeing how things unfolded throughout the book.

If you enjoy romance with plenty of suspense, secrets, and tension, definitely add From the Shadows to your TBR! 🖤
72 reviews2 followers
October 6, 2026
If you can take Eeyore and Rabbit from Winnie the Pooh and make them into a person, these characters would be exactly that!! This series is probably one of my all time favs!

I love the just F^
This was first person dual pov
Single Dad
Spice was maybe 🌶️🌶️, but it’s super angsty and feisty.
Banter was great
2,056 reviews12 followers
October 14, 2026
What a great book. Once I started reading From the Shadows, I was hooked. A definite page turner that keeps you turning the pages to find out what is going to happen next. Jess and Eddie have a great dynamic. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
15 reviews9 followers
October 11, 2026
Such an interesting take on these characters and it had me anticipating what was coming next. Such an amazing book that I couldn’t put it down.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for brenda hurley.
1,861 reviews12 followers
October 18, 2026
This book has drama secrets. The plot has plenty of emotional and arranged, marriage and danger and secrets. the main characters had a love-hate relationship. That’ll keep you turning the page.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Deana Ashley.
236 reviews7 followers
October 20, 2026
Great continuation to a series really good banter between Jessie and Eddie great world building and definitely suspenseful and intriguing
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews