Revenge and Honor

by Lia Lamar

HE DIDN’T SAVE ME, HE CLAIMED ME.

At sixteen, something broke inside me. Something that turned touch into fear and desire into a curse I carried for years. I always thought the right man would fix it. I was wrong.
My boyfriend stole from the most dangerous man alive and ran. He took something priceless with him and left me behind. Now I am trapped in the hands of a ruthless mafia Don with a shaved head, cold eyes, and a reputation soaked in blood. The Wife Killer.
He looks at my bruised body and sees only what he’s owed. But the way his gaze lingers, possessive and unrelenting, tells a different story. No one touches what’s his. And now, I’m his.
Two months. That’s the ultimatum.
My fear. My body. My surrender.
I am his compensation. The one woman he has sworn to claim and protect with lethal force.
And the worst part? My fear of being touched has never been stronger, while he’s the one man I cannot escape and the only one who makes my broken parts ache for more.

Genres: Dark Romance, Mafia Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Romance, Dark

363 pages, Paperback

Expected publication March 19, 2026

Reviews

[Tay's Reviews🔥🌶📚 · Rating 5 out of 5]

5🌟
5🌶🎆

I recommend reading the trigger warnings for this one🖤

Where to begin...?

This was honestly one of the most brutal but beautiful stories I have read yet to date. Its not just another mafia affair; it's a heartbreaking, gut wrenching map of lives, drawn through many ranging routes and reasonings.

I may be a bit bias as Carlo similarly resembles my own amore mio-The way he's described to everyone is heartless, uncaring, stone.
But to the one who has his heart, he is gentle, loving, and considerate.
Even though these new emotions are confusing to him, the great Don Carlo does what any man would in his uprising of situations.

This was such an affecting narrative that captured just about every personal emotion from me; that alone deserves a 5🌟However, I would rate this particular novel a 10 if I could🖤

A special thanks and gratitude to the very generous Author Lia Lamar, thank you for allowing me to be an arc reader on your new fabulous release. 🥂

[Javiera · Rating 4 out of 5]

CONCHETUMARE. BECAUSE I HAVE NO WORDS IN ENGLISH TO DESCRIBE MY REACTION 🤯

First of all, thank you very much Lia for the opportunity. You really surprised me, and I enjoyed so much this book 🫢

SIN EMBARGO, AUNQUE ES MAFIA Y POR ENDE, OSCURO, CON ADVERTENCIAS Y DEMÁS. LEÁNLAS, PORQUE YO QUEDÉ🫣⚠️

So, esta es mi primera vez leyendo a la autora y fue un total acierto para mí, realmente me atrapó desde el momento uno con el drama de que Carlos (el diablo de la mafia) tiene una leyenda que lo precede en donde todas sus esposas mueren. Sin embargo, cuando Emilia viaja junto a su pareja y conoce a este hombre, quién iba a pensar que encontraría que su pareja le es infiel con la esposa de ese señor mafioso, iniciando un juego de venganza y honor 🤯

Y CONCHETUMARE. OSEA LITERALMENTE ES MI FRASE DEL LIBRO JAJAJA.

Carlos es un maldito bastardo, en donde realmente presiona (tenemos actos sin consentimiento⚠️) a Emily de una manera que me tenía gritando y chillando, pero a la vez, ella le respondía, le hacia frente, a pesar de que terminaba en crisis de pánico y con el otro arrepintiendose de todo, pero no queriendo "demostrar" que esta muchacha ya estaba en lo profundo de su corazón😔

Sin embargo, más allá del drama romántico, también estaba toda la situación del mito de Carlos, la traición de la ex esposa, las bandas rivales y todo un dramón que me tenía con los pelos de punta hasta el final 🧍🏻‍♀️

Aunque hay cositas que claramente no me sorprendieron, si quedé en algunos momentos demasiado wtf con todo lo que iba pasando JAJAJ 🙇🏻‍♀️

Por otra parte, necesito mencionar mi profundo amor a Giorgio. CONCHETUMARE, que hombreeeeeee. A pesar de ser el guardaespalda de Emily por orden de Carlos, termina convirtiendose en uno de mis personajes favoritos de la historia, ya que está ahí para ella, le hace entender y le valida todos los sentimientos en relación a Carlos, osea es el mejor amigo de las girls 🥹

Por último, me encantó la declaración de amor, me encanta leer mafia, so es uno de los libros que más he disfrutado e incluso leí/escuché en dos días, porque solo quería saber que pasaría JAJAJ 🫢. Sin embargo, cuando se menciona contenido altamente sensible, delicado y con advertencias, me hace ir con cuidado por como se abarca, desarrolla y cierra tales situaciones y en ese sentido Carlos se merecía rogar más por el perdón (aunque exista esta línea muy delgada en el mafia romance).

[Helene Lægteskov · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my, what a wonderful story this is! I’ve read a lot of mafia books, and this one is without a doubt, one of the best I’ve ever read. Once I’ve started the book, I couldn’t stop reading it.
Yes, it’s the typical “touch her and die” but the way Emily is real in her emotions, that’s something I’ve been missing in a lot of the other mafia books.

From the beginning to the end, throughout their entire journey, there is not a single place in the book where I feel like yelling at her or rolling my eyes at her, and that’s saying a lot, since so many other mafia books have irritated female leads.

At the beginning of the book, it’s hard to learn the names of the characters, but after a few times where I had to go back in the book and just refresh my memory of who was who, I was fine remembering them all. Be aware of the trigger list. There are certain places in the book where it can be difficult to read, especially around rape and panic attacks.

I really hope there will be a book about Maxim and Bardo.



Oversæt

[Sundy Tr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carlo (28) & Emily (20). A mafia don and an outsider.

It’s the first book of a mafia series by a new author and I can say I found it quite enjoyable and read it in a couple of days. It’s a bit darker than my usual mafia reads but I liked it.

I can’t say I was thrilled with the FMC. She was too naive, sometimes boring and also we didn’t get to know much about her past, it felt like something was missing.

The MMC was definitely a morally grey character who had troubled admitting his feelings; feelings that did not just appear by looking at Em. I liked him more than Em because he was what I expected him to be, ruthless and harsh at first.

There were some plots and twists and things got more intense after 60-70%. I think there should be some more development in the final incident, it felt a bit rushed.

I will be reading the next one for sure though.

-Dual 1st person POV
-Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Overall: 3.5/5 ⭐️ for me.

I received an Adv. Readers version of this book and I have given this honest and voluntary review.

[Angelica Ybarra · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review
release date: 3.34.36
Read Trigger Warnings

I could not put this book down!! i was hooked from the beginning. I absolutely loved how the story flowed, and the chemistry between the FMC and MMC. I loved that the side characters are just as involved as the lead characters.

I've been reading alot of books with a strong FMC and Emily is no different. I love how she is put in tough situations but still manages to be brave and stand up for herself.

the big bad Mafia boss, Carlo, which i love!!! I loved his persona.

thank you For allowing me to be a part of the ARC team. I look forward to reading more about this Mafia world

[Faiza BEGUM · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’ve spent any time in the mafia romance world, you know how often the same tropes repeat themselves. That’s why this book felt like such a rare find. From the first chapters, it completely absorbed me. I kept telling myself I’d read just one more scene, and suddenly hours had passed.

Yes, it carries that fiercely protective, “cross the line and face the consequences” energy readers expect from the genre. But what truly elevates this story is its heroine. Emily isn’t just placed in dangerous circumstances — she reacts to them in ways that feel raw, grounded, and deeply human. Her fear, her resilience, her setbacks, and her growth all unfold in a way that feels authentic rather than theatrical. I never found myself frustrated with her choices, which is honestly unusual in mafia romance. Everything she does aligns with who she is, and that consistency makes her journey incredibly compelling.

The MMC is equally layered. He’s flawed, intense, and bound to make mistakes, yet you can’t help rooting for him. Watching him struggle, stumble, and slowly evolve adds weight to the romance. Their relationship doesn’t gloss over the darkness of their world; instead, it confronts it directly. The emotional tension between them feels earned, not manufactured.

The supporting cast is extensive, and early on I had to pause a couple of times to remind myself who was who. Once everyone found their footing in the story, though, the dynamics became clear and added richness to the overall narrative.

It’s important to mention that this isn’t a light read. The story tackles heavy themes, including sexual violence and the psychological aftermath of trauma. Certain scenes are intense and may be difficult for some readers, so checking the content warnings beforehand is strongly recommended.

What impressed me most was the unpredictability. Just when I thought I had the direction figured out, the plot shifted in a way that kept the tension high and the stakes real. In a genre that can sometimes feel formulaic, this story dares to surprise.

Overall, this is a gritty, emotionally immersive mafia romance that blends passion with pain and strength with vulnerability. It’s the kind of book that lingers long after you finish — and I’m already hoping Maxim and Bardo get stories of their own.

[Jin · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a book!!! This wasn’t what I expected. It’s full of emotions, anger, loyalty, love, regret and so much more.
I have read mafia books and this is fast becoming one of my favorite. It made me angry, sad, happy, anxious and fall i love with mafia books all over again.

Emily witness horrendous rape of her best friend while out enjoying her 17th birthday ever since then, she can’t be intimate with anyone. So couple years later, Tony pays extra attention and doesn’t force her to sleep with him, she thought he will break her spell and become her forever. When Tony invites her to Italy, she is excited to go along and enjoy the vacation. However, everything changes when she arrive at the mansion. She realizes his family is in Mafia.
Carlo will be don soon and things were looking to work in favor until he meets stranger who happens to run into him half naked. He didn’t know who she was and why she was in his house. When he finds out she is Tony’s girlfriend from US. He knew Tony is sneaky bastard he couldn’t stand and he felt he would create more problems but didn’t know what until the day of the event.
Tony ran off with Carlos’s wife and left Emily behind. Now Emily belongs to Carlo without her knowing. He told her she belong to him and he will never let go.
Emily didn’t lose her feistiness and strong will. She tested her boundaries even if she can’t go outside and she remind him he can’t control everything about her.

Emily, a virgin and Carlo who never loved his previous wives, creates fiery dynamic and they love hard and fight harder. They buttheads all the time. He only commands and never apologizes. But when his rage takes over, he can’t be stopped and his action caused catastrophic damage on Emily.
They are falling into each other yet they don’t know it yet. They have a hard time admitting and accepting how they feel. It will test their loyalty and love when time comes.

This story kept me on my toes throughout. Action, angst never stops and it was worth reading it.
I am glad I got to read this. I enjoyed everything about Emily and Carlo and this book really got me out of reading funk i was in.
Thanks to Author for my Arc. I would love to read your other books.

[Martina Peeva · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, I want to thank the author for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. I truly appreciate being able to dive into the story early.

I’m giving this one 4 stars because there were a few things that felt a little off to me. The first couple of chapters were slightly confusing (the horseback scene, which suddenly felt like we were transported somewhere completely different). It took me a bit to find my footing but once the story started unfolding, it really began to shine.

I’ve been reading mafia romance for quite a while now, so I’d say I’m pretty familiar with the genre. This book definitely delivered strong emotions and high tension from both main characters.

Carlo’s transformation was one of my favorite parts. At first, he’s introduced as this ruthless, coldblooded mafia man with the infamous nickname "The Wife Killer" (thanks to his two deceased wives and the rumors surrounding them). And yet, from the very beginning, you can see his interest in Emily. The subtle gestures, the way he watches her, the protectiveness - it was all there under the surface.

I especially liked the way he helped her work through her fear of intimacy. It wasn’t rushed, and it added emotional depth to their relationship. Watching him slowly fall for her while being in complete denial about it was really entertaining to me. And by the end? Total teddy bear energy.

Maxim and Brando were also such fun additions. Their dynamic brought lighter moments into an otherwise intense story. Based on the epilogue, I’m guessing the next book will focus on Maxim, and I’m already curious to see what happens between him and the mysterious redhaired girl.

One thing I’m still wondering about is Tony and Lucia. I’m not sure if their story is being saved for another book, but I definitely felt like there was more there.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It kept me on edge, was packed with action and strong emotions, and held my attention the whole time. I’m excited to see where this series goes next.

[D.3.b.0.r.a.h · Rating 4 out of 5]

Revenge and honor pulled me in almost immediately but i did struggle somewhat with the way the trauma was portrayed in the beginning.

What felt confusing to me was the emotional contrast between Emily and her friend. While her friend directly experienced the assault and seemed able to process and contextualize it, Emily appeared to carry a much heavier and more lingering psychological burden despite not having endured the same event herself. I understand that trauma can manifest differently for everyone, and that secondary trauma is very real. However, in this case, the imbalance felt slightly underexplored to me. I found myself wanting a deeper dive into Emily’s internal struggle to better understand why the impact on her felt so overwhelming in comparison. With more emotional groundwork, I think that dynamic would have resonated more strongly.

However, once the focus shifted more heavily onto the character dynamics, the story truly came alive.

I genuinely loved both main characters. Emily is the kind of heroine you instinctively root for, not because she’s fragile, but because she isn’t. She never comes across as helpless or passive. No matter the situation, she doesn’t simply let things happen to her. She stands her ground, especially with Carlo, and that strength made her character so much more compelling.

Maxim and Brando were fantastic additions to the story. Their dynamic brought moments of lightness into an otherwise intense narrative, balancing out the darker themes without diminishing them.

And then… Diablo 💔 That moment genuinely hurt and added extra weight to an already intense story.

There were still a few lingering questions: How did Emily recognize him? He learned some details about her family, but much was left unexplored. I’m also still wondering about Tony and Lucia. It feels like there’s more there, and I can’t help but hope their story is being saved for a future installment.

Overall, this book kept me on edge, packed with tension, action, and morally gray intensity. I can’t wait to see where this series goes next.

[Elin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aaaaargh! I had been waiting for this book for so long. From the moment I read the blurb, I knew I needed it. Trauma and a man carrying the title wife killer? Sign me up immediately. And I’m very happy to say, it did not disappoint.

Ratings
Spicy: 🌶️🌶️ 2/5
Plot: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5
Characters: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5

Emily came across as sweet, though a little naïve in the beginning. Throughout the story, she grows into someone I genuinely respect. Her development felt natural in many ways, and I liked seeing her become stronger and more aware of her situation. Carlo, on the other hand, confused me at first. He almost felt like he had a double personality. His behavior seemed contradictory, and I wasn’t sure what to make of him. As the story progressed, though, I started to understand him better, and that internal duality made much more sense within the bigger picture.

The plot itself wasn’t necessarily surprising to me, but it flowed really well. It’s one of those books that simply reads easily. I finished it in two days because I just kept picking it up again. It was immersive and engaging without feeling overly complicated.

One thing I struggled with a little was how quickly Emily seemed to move past her major trauma. It was very clear that she had experienced something deeply impactful, but her recovery felt somewhat rushed. In my opinion, that doesn’t fully reflect reality, and that disappointed me a bit because I would have loved to read more about that process. There was so much emotional depth to explore there, and it felt like a missed opportunity not to dive deeper into how that trauma truly shaped her.

That being said, the plot twist toward the end was a very welcome surprise. It definitely kept the tension high and made the final part of the book exciting.

All in all, this was a delicious read that I truly enjoyed. Exactly the kind of dark, slightly twisted story I had been craving.

[Zoe Holt · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love your romance dark, dangerous, and emotionally charged, Revenge and Honour delivers a gripping mafia story that doesn’t hold back.

The novel follows sweet, naïve Emily, who travels to Italy with her supposed boyfriend expecting romance and adventure whilst meeting the family, only to find herself caught in a brutal game of war. What unfolds is far from a fairy tale. Instead, Emily is thrust into a world of power, vengeance, and survival, where she must battle not only the forces around her but also her own heart.

At the center of this storm is a man known as the “wife killer” a figure as feared as he is compelling. Their relationship begins as a transaction, a form of payment he feels his owed, but what starts as obligation slowly deepens into something far more complicated. The emotional tension between them is layered with danger, passion, and an undercurrent of revenge that keeps the pages turning.

The book shines in its depth. It’s not just about romance; it’s about honour, loyalty, trauma, and the blurred lines between right and wrong. The chemistry is intense, the stakes are high, and the darker themes add weight to the story. Readers should absolutely take note of the trigger warnings, as this is not a light or fluffy read. The violence and emotional intensity are central to the plot and handled in a way that reinforces the rawness of the world the characters inhabit.

What truly stands out is the cast. Several side characters are intriguing enough to deserve their own stories, and the layered dynamics within the mafia setting give richness beyond the central romance.

Overall, Revenge and Honour is a passionate, dark mafia romance that explores how love can grow in the most unexpected, and dangerous circumstances. A compelling read for fans of intense, morally grey love stories, just be prepared for the emotional ride. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ as just wanting a bit more chaos and kinky fuckery 😂🤷‍♀️

[Erin Ellison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mafia romances have become hit or miss for me lately. I feel like a lot of them are a repetitive plot for the most part. I will say this one definitely took me by surprise with some of the elements that were in it! It was refreshing. I didn't find it to be a repetitive plot or predictable and quite a few things that happened I definitely didn't see coming. There definitely wasn't a dull moment in this one! So much happened!

I really enjoyed both MC's. Emily is the type you're rooting for right away. Especially with everything that happens to her in the beginning. And I love how she stood her ground with Carlo. Carlo stuck true to the morally grey aspect including when it came to Emily. He definitely wasn't all sunshine and rainbows with her right away. Their relationship was totally flawed and intense but eventually got built into something more and I'm so glad the author built that up at a slower pace.

The pacing overall was excellent. Spice was perfect. There's tons of triggers so read those. I didn't read them and a couple things that happened surprised me a bit because I wasn't expecting the story to go that way! (I don't get triggered and like the element of surprise but that is not for everyone!)

I also found myself really drawn to a few of the side characters that are eventually probably going to have their own story. It was nice to start building that connection with those characters in the first book and they added a lot of depth to this first story. Makes me look forward to the next one! I was left with a question or two but I have a feeling it'll get answered in the next book!

✔️Dark Mafia Romance
✔️possessive MMC
✔️forced proximity
✔️trauma/ healing
✔️Spicy
✔️Touch her and 💀

Thank you for my ARC! I'm leaving this review voluntarily.

[PandaTh3bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off thank you for letting me read this as an arc reader!

I was genuinely blown away by this book. As someone who reads a lot of mafia romance, I can confidently say this one stands out from the crowd. It grabbed my attention right away and kept me completely absorbed until the very last page.

Yes, it features the well known protective, possessive dynamic that’s common in the genre, but what makes this story shine is the depth of the heroine. Emily feels incredibly authentic. Her reactions, fears, and emotional growth all come across as honest and believable. Instead of feeling exaggerated or overly dramatic, she feels like a real person placed in extraordinary circumstances.
One of the things I appreciated most is that I never once felt annoyed with her. In many mafia romances, I find myself frustrated with the female lead at some point, but that never happened here. Her actions and choices made sense for who she is, which made it so much easier to stay fully invested in the story.

At first, it can take a little effort to keep track of the different characters, and I did have to flip back briefly to remind myself who was who. However, once everyone was established, it became much easier to follow.
It’s also important to note that this book deals with some heavy subject matter. There are scenes involving sexual assault and depictions of panic attacks that may be difficult for some readers, so checking the trigger warnings beforehand is a good idea.

Overall, this is an intense, emotionally driven mafia romance that delivers both heart and grit. It’s definitely one I’ll be thinking about for a long time.

[Alison turton · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for your next mafia obsession with a Beauty and the Beast vibe, then look no further than Carlo the deliciously deranged and undoubtedly unhinged Mafia Don whose love comes with a side of obsession that often provokes violence.

As a man who has lived and breathed all things mafia for his entire life, Carlo, also known as “the wife killer” is well known for his cruel brutality and after a massive betrayal that he never saw coming that cruelty is front and centre when he is fighting against his growing feelings for the sweet, innocent Emily. Punishing her for crimes that she had no part in.

Carlo fights against his attraction for Emily, convinced that love would be dangerous and make his Capos and soldiers see him as weak instead of the power house that he actually is. That being said, Emily may have started as a pawn in the battle for power but she ends the brutal battle for power as the Queen to Carlo’s King and his “anchor in the storm” as he finally realises that she’s the only thing that matters.

Throughout the book Emily shows a devotion and loyalty to Carlo that seems impossible given his constant dismissal of her and his feelings. But Emily sees the man beneath the Don, she sees Carlo for who he really is and loves him wholeheartedly showing her love, devotion and loyalty despite the danger she faces.

This book is full from start to finish with danger, action and the darker elements we all love in our Mafia romances. There’s also love, obsession, touch her and die vibes, and more than a few steamy and spicy scenes to keep your blood flowing. It’s a great book and I highly recommend you give it a read.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was provided an ARC and this is my honest review

I am rating this book with a 3,5⭐️
This book is hard to rate . I really enjoyed a lot of it but there were some stuff I could not overcome, in order to give it a 4 or 4,5.

What I liked:
First of all the plot was good. There was some twists and turns. I wish that the last twist would be more developed as it was a bit rushed at the very end of the book.
The mafia part of it was also very good. Lots of villains and Carlo was truly a morally grey character. I liked that he stayed true to his villain side for a good portion of the story. I would even liked it more if he did not get so soft so fast with her.

What I did not like :
1- too many rushed backstories. The first chapter felt bizarre, and I wished it would have been a prologue with scenes that would explain why she was so traumatized. To me it felt superficial. And I did not understand why her friend who was assaulted was just fine where she had PTSD. And she got over it was too easy. I did not buy the whole thing. It felt unnecessary.

2- A lot of the main characters dialogues felt a bit off . How she talks, how she argues with him. I did not enjoy a lot of their interactions.

3- Some parts of the story were confusing. Not sure if it’s because there were a lot of characters or what but I got lost sometimes. I felt like some explanations were not given, like when you missed a book in a series .

That being said I will definitely read the rest of the series when it gets out !

[RedFireLady · Rating 3 out of 5]

3⭐️
2.25 🌶

What's inside:
-Virgin FMC
-Past Trauma (she's scared of sex)
-Forced Proximity
-Possessive MMC
-Touch Her and ☠️
-Healing
-Spice


Revenge and Honor by Lia Lamar is a spicy dark mafia romance that will leave you wanting more of the yummy Don Carlo!

Emily is a very real FMC. Due to past trauma she is scared of sex and is still a virgin. When she visits Italy with her boyfriend she quickly finds this trip is not going how she expected, especially once Carlo sets his sights on her.

Carlo is known as "The Wife Killer". He's dark, intense and every bit the tough mafia man that held was raised to be. When Emily comes crashing into his life he becomes obsessed with her and he realizes that she isn't like the other women that he has known.

As someone that reads a lot of dark romance & pitch black books, this worked as a good palate cleanser for me. The story flowed well but didn't require a ton of investment, but I enjoyed it and it kept me engaged. I liked watching the character progression of both Emily and Carlo - how Emily learned to own her situation and find her own inner strength and how Carlo learned to find his softer side.

The climax of the book felt a little late and easy. There wasn't a ton of build up or drama. It all happened in the last 10% of the book and it was over almost as fast as it had started. I would have liked to see more drama and tension around that, but again, this was an easy read and so that moment went along with that theme for me.

If you are into dark mafia romance then this may be a book that you woukd enjoy.

[Sheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re a veteran reader of the Mafia romance genre, you know how easy it is for these stories to fall into predictable patterns, but Lia Lamar’s Revenge and Honor is a refreshing exception. What makes this book so compelling is the strength of its lead characters, particularly Emily. She is the type of protagonist you find yourself rooting for immediately; you want her to achieve her happy ending, but you specifically want her to do it without having to sacrifice her soul or her sense of self in the process. Then there is Carlo, the kind of complex character you secretly cheer for despite his flaws. You go into the story knowing he is likely going to royally mess things up before he finds his way, but that journey makes his arc all the more engaging.

Beyond the character work, the most impressive feat of this novel is its unpredictability. In a genre that can sometimes feel formulaic, I was pleasantly surprised to find that I couldn't guess where the plot was headed. Just when I thought I had the story figured out, Lamar shifted directions, which kept the tension high and the reading experience exciting. I also loved how the characters handled the more difficult, uncomfortable moments of their reality. Rather than shying away from the darkness or the friction between them, they faced it head-on. This honesty and willingness to lean into discomfort was incredibly refreshing, making Revenge and Honor a standout start to the series.

[Anni · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Revenge and Honor by Lia Lamar

This is the first book I’ve read by Lia Lamar, and once I got into it, I couldn’t put it down.

I won’t say it hooked me instantly. At first, the characters were introduced very quickly and mostly within the same scene, so it took a little time to get everyone straight in my head. I did have to flip back a few times, and for a moment it even felt like I might have missed a book one. That said, it didn’t take long before I was fully invested and already craving book two.
Whether it’s Maxim and his mysterious redhead or Brandon and his many women, there are plenty of threads I want to follow.

Now for the real standout: Carlo and Emily. What a partnership. Their relationship is beautifully flawed, intense, and addictive. The chemistry between them is off the charts, absolute fire. Every scene they share crackles with tension and emotion, and I loved watching their dynamic unfold.

The writing is strong, with plenty of layers woven into the plot. It’s a story that keeps revealing more as you go, which made it even harder to put down. Yes, there are a few flaws, but honestly, they barely mattered because the overall experience was so enjoyable.

This was a fantastic read, and I’ll definitely be reading more from this author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me hooked from the very first chapter and refused to let go. The world-building is rich and dangerous (love that it’s set in Italy), the tension is razor-sharp, and the chemistry between the main characters is off the charts. Every interaction crackles with intensity, making it impossible not to root for them—even when you know you probably shouldn’t . Carlo is everything you want in a dark romance hero: ruthless, protective, and layered with just enough vulnerability to make you melt. Emily is strong, intelligent, and emotionally compelling—she holds her own in a world designed to break her, and watching her grow is incredibly satisfying.
What truly sets this story apart is the emotional depth woven into the danger and passion. The stakes feel real, the twists hit hard, and the romance is both fiery and heartfelt. By the end, I was completely invested and already wishing for more.
If you love dark romance, morally gray characters, and high-stakes passion, this mafia romance is an absolute must-read. I devoured it and would 100% read it again. Lastly I NEED a Brando book stat, and maybe tell me more about Maxim’s mysterious redhead lady.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emily a young girl who saw her best friend go through something no girl should ever have to deal with… is terrified and triggered by the word sex and the action of sex. She somehow finds herself in curious situations.. they call her a trouble maker.. she finds herself a guy Tony seems nice enough sweet not super pushy on sex.. he brings her to Italy to meet the family and the story spirals from there.. Carlo, Tony’s cousin is a ruthless man.. they call him a wife killer… she learns on her trip that Tony is not who he said he is.. and he is part of a powerful mafia family. A twist happens causing Carlo to keep Emily for himself as payment for Tony’s faults.
Carlo and Emily’s story is one of push and pull an enemy to lovers feel.. Carlo is a typical hardheaded mafia head and Emily doesn’t know when to back down. The family drama continues on and the story has its fair share of spice🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️. Carlo fights his feeling for a long time and puts poor Emily through the wringer.. but she doesn’t give up and she doesn’t let him get away with shit. Follow their story.. fall in love there’s a few heart stopping moments some tears may be shed.
This book was a great read and kept me super into it!
Advanced copy ARC Read!

[Sarah Reapz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc Review 📚 Released 24th March 📚
⚠️ READ TRIGGER WARNING IN THE BOOK⚠️
I really liked this read It was interesting. once I started I couldn't put it down.
Emily had been through so much tragedy in her life then became trapped due to her partners actions. Left behind somewhere unknown she has to face the consequences and accept her fate. The Don was not pleasant at first but he grew on me he realized his mistakes and accepted his fate whatever it would be.
I love the relationships they all had such as his right hand men and the people who protected Emily it truly felt like a family in the end.
I'm curious about a few things such as Tony, Lucia, Michael, Aida, The mystery red head for Maxim.
Did they ever find them to punish them for betrayal?
Did Aida become a scorned lover as she always seemed to play games with Emily?
Did Maxim hurt the red head or is she a friend from Emily's past trying to find her or a master plan to make the Dons family look weak and pathetic to hurt women like that to gain a movement to show the Dons family not fit to rule.
Guess I'm hoping the questions I have will be answered in the next book.
Should give it a read if you like
🖤 Mafia
🖤 Dark romance
🖤 Touch her you die
🖤 Enemies to lovers

[Skye Watt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness talk about not being able to put the book down, I think if I didn’t need sleep I would have finished this book in one night as I just wanted to keep going, I’m sure my motto was just one more chapter for this book.

Revenge and Honor follows the story of Carlo and the unexpected beautiful Emily.

Carlo has a bad reputation within the mafia world and has been fighting to becoming the next don, while Emily is a young woman who’s be taken from one country to another and has her own bag of trauma that she has to deal with.

When Carlo’s brother Tony brings home his girlfriend Emily things become tense and a little awkward to say the least, but as the story progresses things take a unexpected turn and it may or may not be the best thing that can happen to the both of them.

To find out what happens in this story go and get your copy when it’s released as I personally don’t think you will regret it but make sure you check your trigger warns.

Thank you to Lia for allowing me to be an advanced reader it truly was a blessing to be part of this team.

This line grabbed me big time.

“Like a commander who’s taken down a king and claimed his queen. Passionate, hot, victorious.” - Carlo

[Drea Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honest & Voluntary ARC Review

At the beginning of the book, while getting to know the characters, I caught myself going back to my highlights a few times. I had read some of the early ARC reviews before starting, and I’m honestly glad I did because otherwise I might have felt like I missed something.

First and foremost — please read the trigger warnings before even thinking about starting this book. This story covers a lot of heavy themes.

There is “other woman” drama. Carlo is with another woman in front of Emily, which was tough for me. I know in reality that’s often how things go before a committed relationship is established, but I personally prefer the fantasy where he can’t stand to be with anyone else once he’s met her.

That said, if you’re here for spice — this author absolutely knows how to write it. The scenes are incredibly well done, down to the smallest sensations. Having read a lot of spicy books, I can confidently say the chemistry and detail stand out.

There’s a little bit of everything in this one — other woman drama, family drama, emotional tension — so again, check those trigger warnings.

Overall, this is my honest and voluntary review. I was lucky enough to receive an ARC copy. Happy reading!

[Maureen Walsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5


I’ll be honest — I found this book quite confusing at the start, and it didn’t immediately pull me in. It took me a little while to find my footing in the story and really connect with what was happening.

However, once I got past the initial chapters, the writing began to flow easily and smoothly, with a really good pace. From that point on, I found myself getting more and more invested.

I absolutely loved the MCs, Emily and Carlo. Emily finds herself in a situation not of her own making, and you can’t help but feel for her. Carlo is completely OTT — possessive, obsessive, and totally in denial about his feelings — which made him both frustrating and irresistible. Their chemistry is intense and builds beautifully as the story progresses. The deeper I got into the book, the more addictive it became, and I was fully hooked on their journey. I loved them together.

The family and friends added so much to the story as well — they brought warmth, depth, and personality.Loved them all!

Despite the not-so-great start for me, this turned out to be a very good read overall. I’m definitely looking forward to what comes next in this world.

Thank you for the ARC!

[Katherine Schimpf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, started the book in the morning, put it down to take my dog out, make and eat supper, then finished the same evening….I have to say I hate Tony, hes a dink, and there is a love/hate relationship with Brando. We meet Emily who witnessed a very traumatic event as a 16 year old, that left her paralyzed with it came to physical relationships. Thinking things would change when she met Tony who was wealthy (but she didn’t want him for the $$), and when he suggested they head to Italy for his brothers wife’s birthday, after 3 months of dating, who was she to say “NO”. Rumours fly about the house about Tony’s brother, and when Emily comes face to face with Carlo, she is scared. Events unfold that bring Carlo and Emily together, but not in the traditional sense…Carlo is trying to become the Capo, but his family is working in the shadows trying to corrupt his plan. The last 20-30 pages of the story have you on your seat, wondering what will happen, will the book end with a HEA or will it be a cliffhanger….all I can say is that I want more of this series, I need to know what happens next!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jenny_loves_to_read❤️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was given an ARC for an honest review.

DNF at 30%

I was very excited to be chosen for an ARC of Lia Lamar's newest book Revenge & Honor. The synopsis sounded exactly like the mafia romance books I devour like m&m's. Unfortunately, I had a very hard time getting into this book and DNF at 30% read.

The beginning was choppy and hard to understand. There was very little backstory or context around the main female character and how she started dating the man who would betray her (small mention of something happening to her BFF). I couldn't follow the family members, and while there is a family tree graphic at the beginning of the book, even that did not clear my confusion.

When the MMC arrives on scene it is confusing at to what the scene is and what is happening. I kept flipping back through previous pages thinking I missed something.

I may give this another try and see if I can get further into the book. However, I must just be a person who needs a complete visual backstory in order to understand. I DO appreciate the author providing me with an ARC copy and hope I can be chosen for future reads.

[Breony Cradock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Revenge and Honour by Lia Lamar

Before diving into this story, I suggest reading the content and trigger warnings for both newcomers to mafia romance and returning readers. It’s your choice, though.

Thank you Lia for the opportunity to read this ARC.

As a fan of dark mafia romance, I devoured this story in one sitting and couldn’t put it down. It’s undoubtedly one of the best mafia romance books I’ve read. What sets it apart is its unique writing style and the way the book and story are developed, particularly in the first few chapters. However, as a typical mafia romance, it still delivered the beloved “touch her and die” moment. The writing, cover and background of the story were all fantastic.

I fell in love with some characters and hated others. I even wanted to jump into the book and kill them myself! I must admit, I didn’t like the main characters at first but they grew on me as the story progressed especially the main male character and his arrogance. The characters were well-written and I’m eager to continue reading this series as the books come out. I really need more and I’m already considering re-reading this one.

[Brooke Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, I really didn’t want to like this book. I tried hard to not like it. But Carlo and Emily had me crying like a baby several times and now that the book is done I miss them 😭. This ended far better than I expected.

Mafia✅ Forced Proximity✅ Touch her and ☠️✅

It was a little rough going at first. It dove straight into a memory of an off page character being assaulted. The assault played a pivotal role in the storyline. But the rush to set a background from the start was awkward. I prefer that background be built in as flashbacks, or as a prologue even and then a quick timeline jump to where the story should start. The delivery of the information was very matter of fact and lacked the dimension needed to explain the effect it had.

There were technically multiple plot twists, but several of the early ones dropped anti-climatically and would’ve been more impactful with more build out around those points.

I believe this is a 1st in a series so I wonder if some of the items without a finesse have their moment coming. I can see at least 5 subsequent books with current side characters.

[Teri Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy Smokes, Lia Lamar. This was a book I sunk my teeth into. It was highly immersive, interesting and intriguing. I enjoyed this book so much. I don’t love how the MMC and FMC came together. She was a beautiful and relatively strong young woman who thought she had made a good decision, but still had an inkling something was off. He was a confident, strong, very self-serving mafia man. A lot of things happened to her that were out of her control, but very much in control of the MMC. It wasn’t a light drama by any means. Secrets and surprises were revealed throughout the story and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. In this story you’ll find blame, possessiveness, assault tears, and a ton more. I teared up on more than one occasion. One or two times the story broke my heart. And there is also love. And, the spice was oh, so good! The writing style was easy to follow and understand and moved at a good pace. Check TWs. There are some really big ones. I am very satisfied with the ending and I would highly recommend this novel.

[Jaso Saeed · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was an intense and emotionally charged experience from the very first page to the last. The story is dark, raw, and sometimes uncomfortable, but it’s written with depth that really pulls you into the characters’ inner struggles. The heroine felt incredibly real in her fear and vulnerability, and her growth throughout the story was gradual and believable. As for the hero, he’s the kind of morally gray—almost black—character you might hate and be drawn to at the same time.
Their relationship isn’t easy or romanticized. It’s full of tension, pain, and control, which is exactly what made it feel powerful and authentic. The author doesn’t try to soften the darkness, and that honesty made every scene and every choice feel meaningful. Even the difficult moments served a purpose in shaping the story.
Thank you to the author for providing an early copy. This was a gripping and memorable read. It’s definitely not for everyone, but readers who enjoy dark, emotionally complex stories will likely find it compelling.