The Devil and His Fawn

Saint Vale #1

by Charity Ferrell

The devil has decided he wants me …
And what he wants, he gets.

After being expelled from three universities, I'm sent to Saint Vale University, a secluded college for the world's richest and most corrupt heirs.

That's where I learn about the Night Sons, a secret society of masked men who rule the campus from the shadows.

Every year, each Night Son claims a Fawn—a female student chosen to serve as a pawn, plaything, or … sacrifice.

Once a Night Son chooses you, your fate is sealed.

When Enzo Marchetti, son of the most feared Mafia boss in the world, selects me, I'm pulled into a world of manipulation, obsession, and violence.

The harder he tries to break me, the more I refuse to bend.
And the more obsessed he becomes with owning me.

He starts seeing me as more than just a Fawn.
And I begin to see the man behind the mask.
Because beneath Enzo's ruthless exterior is someone who's loyal to his brotherhood and dangerously protective of the people he loves.

But when my past comes back to haunt me, Enzo faces an impossible choice:
Honor the oath he swore … or destroy everything for the girl he was never supposed to want.

Genres: Dark Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Romance, Dark, College, Dark Academia, Found Family

488 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 30, 2026

About the author

Charity Ferrell is a Wall Street Journal, USA Today, #1 Amazon, and #1 Apple bestselling author.

She resides in Indianapolis, Indiana. When she’s not writing, she’s hanging out with her dog, on a Starbucks run, shopping online, or spending time with her family.

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Reviews

[Kealyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Devil and His Fawn by Charity Ferrell

3.5/5 stars

This is such a tricky book for me to rate. My mind went all over the place while I was reading this one. Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy it a lot. But it never fully grabbed me, which was a shame. I am a huge bully romance fan and I just missed something woven through the pages.

This is the story of Enzo and Blair. Enzo's family is one of the cruelest mobsters families out there and he truly enjoys killing and torturing people.

I wasn't a rescuer of strays, and I enjoyed kicking people when they were down. If I were honest, which I rarely was, I liked kicking them until they were six feet under.
I decided right then that she was it.
My Fawn.
My Chosen for the year.

Meanwhile Blair gets dumped at Saint Vale University by her mother and stepfather. We quickly find out Blair had a terrible and painful past and went through a lot of things. Things that still haunt her.

Saint Vale isn't a regular University. The mob runs the school and all the teachers and headmaster have to bow down to the sons of the mobsters. They can do anything without any consequences. Every year the Sons choose a Fawn. A girl they use, sleep with and torture as they see fit. It comes with a level of protection, but all to the Son's discretion. What they say, goes.

The second Enzo's eyes land on Blair he knows she will be his Fawn this year. He wants to consume her. Break her. Make her body realize he is all there is.

"By the time I'm done with you, my little Fawn, you won't remember who you were before me. I'll own you, every inch of you, until the day you take your last breath."

But Blair isn't a hurt little duck. Her past made her fierce and she vows not to bow down to Enzo.

Enzo Marchetti would regret ever choosing me to be his Fawn.

But the second they interact, things are different. All the other sons see how differently Enzo treats Blair. And Blair's new friend Daphne tells her the same thing. At first Enzo keeps his distance. He treats her poorly and he forces her to recognize him as her elder.

But everything changes when Blair does one little thing.

I kept her facing me because I couldn't stop kissing her.
Couldn't stop tasting her.
And that was a problem for me.
It terrified me.

Who is Blair? Is she here to spy on the Sons? And who the hell is Enzo and why does he hold so much power in his hands? And before they know it their past crashes into the present and they have to deal with unexpected events.

While I really, really loved the premise of the book and while I really loved reading this one. I missed a deeper connection to the characters and the overall storyline. I didn't feel any yearning or any sparks really fly between Blair and Enzo. Yes, sometimes it was written on the pages, but I didn't feel any of those emotions. Normally when I read a dark academia my heart starts to pound and warmth floods my body. That never happened with this one. Their love wasn't easily felt. In certain scenes I was like: here it is! But it quickly fizzled out a few sentences later.

The transition from lust to love wasn't easily felt either. And I really missed that. I was so ready to fall head over heels in love with this book and its characters. But a huge disconnect stayed between us the entire time.

Like I said before it was still a fun and enjoyable book. But the nudge to make it epic and addictive wasn't there for me. I might be an outlier, so do read it if it speaks to you, but I just wished there was a bit more. More chemistry, more love, more connection.

So I'll rate this book 3.5 out of 5 stars overall! A fun and enjoyable read! ♥

[Kursed Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

At Saint Vale University, the Night Sons are groomed for power. Enzo Marchetti is no exception. Rich, ruthless, and dangerously entitled, Enzo embodies everything the elite society stands for.

From the moment Blair Dupont sets foot on campus, Enzo selects her as his Fawn and makes her life a living nightmare. He torments her at every turn, blurring the line between control and cruelty. Yet, buried beneath the taunts and calculated torment are fleeting glimpses of something softer. As those moments begin to add up, Enzo almost starts to feel human—almost enough to make Blair believe he could love her in return.

Sometimes second generation series’ are duds for me. That was my fear when I learned this new series would kick off with Christian “Monster” Marchetti’s son. Let me just tell you, Enzo stands on his own. I thoroughly and completely enjoyed this story and the Saint Vale world. I’m so excited to see where Charity takes the series next.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Format: 📱

🗄️ Genre: Contemporary Romance
🗂️ Subgenre(s): Dark, Gothic, Mystery/Suspense, New Adult

Ending: 💗 {HEA}
POV: 👫🏻 {Dual | Present • Past}
Emotions: 😳🤬🥵😭😍
Darkness: 🖤
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥
Spice: 🌶️🌶️

✨ Tropes: Billionaire, Blackmail, Bully, Enemies-to-Lovers, Forced Proximity, Mafia/Bratva/Organized Crime (Adjacent), Secret Society
 
💫 Microtropes: “Fuck It”, “Good Girl”, Hand Necklace, Lap Sitting, Panty Thief, Sassy FMC, Tragic Past, Virgin FMC, “Who Hurt You?”

🔆 Character: Illegal Enterprises, Student

💋 Kinks: Biting/Marking, 🩸 + 🔪 Play, Crawl, Masked MMC, Spitting

🤰🏻 Pregnancy: n/a

🚩 Red Flags: Alphahole, Branding, Drugged (by MMC), Touch-Her-and-💀, Tracking/Spying

⛔️ Safety Squad: Rough Handling of FMC (by MMC) Unaliving, Unorthodox Rituals, Violence, and other potentially triggering elements. Triggers may appear both on- and off-page and in the past and/or present. If you have any hesitation, check the warnings before diving in. Otherwise, blind is best!!

📍 Setting: College, New York 🇺🇸

📣 Type: The Devil & His Fawn is the first book in Saint Vale series of interconnected standalones.

⚠️ Warning: The hate-to-want-you in this one will give you whiplash and damp panties.

🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.

[Cokiereads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charity has a new genre to write about... dark academia! And while this is kinda an extension of the Marchetti series, the main characters in this series are brand new, so you can jump right in.

Enzo Marchetti is dangerous. Honestly I think hes crazy, wild and at times just unhinged. There were times where I didn't know what he was going to do or say next.

Our girl, Blair is naive, innocent and at times... I hate to say it, a little clueless. She has seen evil before (can't say more) but the way Enzo acts surprises her (and a lot of the time it isn't sweet) I just wanna scream at her run, girl run! But she's got Enzos undivided attention. There's no way he'd ever let her go.

To me this is a new premise. Blair is Enzo's Fawn which is a complicated system in which he protects her but also... isn't a gentleman. Whew. It gets so dark. I wanted Blair to be more... like Enzo's sister in law (IYKYK). But I had to keep reminding myself, these are two different characters.

If you want a nice, simple, non violent story.... this ain't it. Want darkness, complicated, and twisted? Its here.

[De Rijdende Boekenwurm]

Thank you to Valentine PR for the ARC. This is my honest, voluntary review.

When darkness pulls too close to the heart

A story that wraps itself around danger and desire in a way that feels both intoxicating and unsettling, where every choice seems to carry a hidden cost.

‘The Devil and His Fawn’ by Charity Ferrell builds its tension slowly, letting the atmosphere settle in first before it tightens its grip. The pacing leans into that slow burn unease, where moments of stillness feel just as loaded as the explosive ones. There is a constant undercurrent of psychological pull, as if every interaction is layered with something unspoken waiting to surface.

The character dynamics are where the story truly sharpens. Power, vulnerability, and emotional conflict intertwine in a way that keeps the tension alive even in quieter scenes. Nothing feels entirely safe, and that is exactly what keeps the pages turning. The structure supports this beautifully, revealing just enough at the right moments to keep the mind guessing without ever fully settling.

A dark and emotionally charged read that lingers long after the final page, like a shadow you only notice when the light shifts.

dark romance | obsession | possessive love | innocence meets darkness | morally grey hero | emotional intensity | forbidden vibes

[Giulia · Rating 4 out of 5]

“By the time I’m done with you, my little Fawn, you won’t remember who you were before me. I’ll own you, every inch of you, until the day you take your last breath.”

⭐️4.5

Why does becoming a Fawn intrigue me so much while also making me question my own taste? 😂

This book was such a pleasant surprise, I genuinely couldn’t put it down. I was completely immersed in the plot, the layers of secrets, the constant twists… and, of course, Enzo.

If you’re expecting a truly morally black MMC, Enzo delivers in every way. He’s driven by power, control, and access, and there’s nothing he won’t do to get what he wants. He’s unhinged, thrives on pain, and becomes instantly obsessed with Blair the moment she arrives at Saint Vale University. Blair, who carries a deeply traumatic and mysterious past, is quickly pulled into a world of manipulation, obsession, and violence. What makes their dynamic so compelling is how she challenges him and she breaks all his rules. What starts as ownership slowly evolves into something deeper, more protective, and unexpectedly intense. Enzo will stop at nothing to make anyone who hurt her pay.

This is definitely a dark read, so check trigger warnings beforehand. The initiation into becoming a Fawn is especially intense, filled with psychological torture that’s written so vividly it feels almost immersive.

I really enjoyed the plot, the complicated family dynamics, and all the twists along the way. It kept me hooked from beginning to end, and I’m excited to see what comes next in the series!

Thank you to Valentine PR for the e-ARC!

[Katelynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a stellar way to kick off a new series! Enzo and Blair gave me all the feels in this dark romance. Enzo is deadly with a penchant for violence and seemingly an impenetrable surface. But he sees Blair get dropped off at the university and sets them at a collision course. Blair is surprisingly secretive and I couldnt predict the twists her story took. I liked that she had a feistiness with Enzo that took so much bravery. These two did the push and pull before finally giving into the growing tension. This series has some good breadcrumbs for other future characters. I was engrossed in this plot and so excited to see how it would play out.

[Mandyloves2read · Rating 5 out of 5]

OBSESSED 😩🔥 The Devil And His Fawn by Charity Ferrell is EVERYTHING I want in a mafia romance!!

This book is dark, addictive, and full of that delicious tension that had me flipping pages like my life depended on it. The MMC?? Sir… the control, the intensity, the way he claims what’s his 👀🫠 I was DONE for.

And the FMC? She’s not just some weak little pawn , there’s depth there, strength, and that push-and-pull between them?? CHEF’S KISS.

The chemistry is off the charts, the angst is angst- ing , and the spice?? Oh it’s SPICING 🌶️🔥

If you love:
✨ Dark mafia vibes
✨ Possessive alpha MMC
✨ Intense chemistry
✨ Emotional + spicy chaos

RUN don’t walk 🖤

5/5 ⭐️

[Kaity · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blaire and Enzo may not have a good meet cute, but holy hell, their chemistry made up for it. He was so morally - or should I say completely - grey, and she wouldn't bow to him. It was epic!!!

I was surprised that it took a while to get to the spice, but holy damnnnnnn!! It was worth the long wait!!

Thank you Charity and Valentine PR for an advanced copy.

[christina jaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, I am just absolutely speechless 😶 with this amazing book. I didn’t know how crazy amazing this was going to be until I got halfway through and I was completely hooked the raw darkness and love was breath taking😍💯 the hurt and suspense just added to it and I really cannot wait for the next one to come out hopefully with Brooks and Daphne and of course, all of the rest of them ❤️ everyone needs to get this asap

[Maddie (Bookaholic_Dreamer) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Devil and His Fawn by Charity Ferrell is the first book in the newest series Saint Vale revolving around the second generation, who are the children of the first generation from Marchetti Mafia and Lucky Kings series.
Kicking off the debut, we follow the youngest son of Cristian Marchetti; Enzo Marchetti and Blair Dupont through the telling of their dual POVs.

Given the mix of Bully, Mafia, Secret Society, Mystery, Dark Romance, Suspense and some action-packed thrills to make up the plot and subplots, it allowed for a rich storytelling to be laid out and told.
It’s what led to author Charity presenting much to uncover and explore through, considering all that needed to be learned as the story progressed.
And with the addition of mysteries, secrets, lies and deceit at nearly every turn and corner, you couldn’t helped but grip on harder and tighter.

Talk about suspense-fulness.
The narrative had you on the edge of your seat, waiting to see just what else author Charity would bring to the table, considering the many questions that arose throughout, leaving you waiting in anticipation of the answers. Seeing as the story took you on a whirlwind ride, that was dark, twisted and depraved.
All the while bringing the drama and action-packed thrills.

Enzo and Blair’s journey was a wild and crazy one.
From not only seeing their characters developed, which had them opening up through the unravelling of their layers.
And in Blair’s case, the walls she hid behind, slowly but surely coming down, the further and deeper the story progressed.
Author Charity came through in having quite an in-depth look at Enzo and Blair, not just through their POV chapters. But also through their inner monologue that paved the way for an even more in-depth look into their characters by seeing past the surface level through their thoughts, feelings, views and opinions, allowing for raw, nitty gritty, emotional moments seeing as what they were both facing, enduring and battling through.

As for Enzo and Blair’s relationship, it too played a fair part in their wild and crazy journey.
It was messy from their back and forth, with pushing and pulling constantly, never allowing it to be easy for the other.
Dark in being unhinged and unrestrained courtesy of the RED FLAGS that was Enzo and his behaviour towards Blair. Particularly in the early stages of their relationship.
And hectic with how the two went from 1-100 in their physical moments.
Yet it was entertaining in seeing Blair stand her ground, not allowing Enzo to push her around so easily. Always willing to try not to give in, at least not without putting up a fight metaphorically.

Despite being a dark romance, the story had its moments of bringing forth the laughter too.
Particularly when it came to Enzo and the relationship he shared with his younger sister Seraphina. It made for some funny moments seeing their banter when it came to their sibling relationship.

Seeing appearances from the first generation, who were now secondary characters was a nice touch.
It was something I truly enjoyed, as it allowed us an update on them in the years that had past since the release of their books without the first generation series.
But also making sure to never take the spotlight away from Enzo and Blair, since it was their story.

My only critique was the story did feel a little too long overall.

Nevertheless The Devil and His Fawn by Charity Ferrell made for quite the read in being rich from the storytelling.
Especially considering the many elements that made this dark, chaotic and wild ride when it came to following Enzo and Blair’s journey. Resulting in an enjoyable read overall.



*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Elif Hazar · Rating 5 out of 5]

ᴛʜᴇ ᴅᴇᴠɪʟ ᴀɴᴅ ʜɪꜱ ꜰᴀᴡɴ || ᴀʀᴄ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ

"𝓘'𝓶 𝓲𝓷 𝓵𝓸𝓿𝓮 𝔀𝓲𝓽𝓱 𝔂𝓸𝓾, 𝓶𝔂 𝓕𝓪𝔀𝓷. 𝓘 𝔀𝓪𝓷𝓽 𝓪𝓵𝓵 𝓸𝓯 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓯𝓸𝓻𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻."

✨5/5
🌶️4.5/5

I was on the verge of losing my mind—I simply couldn’t put it down; it was so gripping and fluid. Enzo sees Blair on a rainy day and falls for her at first sight; even though he doesn’t realise it himself, the moment he sees her, he seals his fate.

𝘏𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘢 𝘍𝘢𝘸𝘯.
𝘔𝘺 𝘍𝘢𝘸𝘯.
𝘔𝘺 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳.

Blair and Enzo’s relationship was so striking that I don’t think I could describe it in any other words—it was an incredibly dark, passionate affair in which we experienced every emotion to the very extreme. Enzo keeps calling her ‘my little Fawn’, trying to break down the wall she’s put up against him and make her his own. Deep down, that sense of belonging isn’t just as a ‘fawn’ but as the woman of his life.

“𝘔𝘺 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘧𝘢𝘸𝘯, 𝘐'𝘐𝘐 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩."

And my goodness, whilst I must give Marchetti Men a special mention, there’s the perfect darkness of our Night Sons… that terrifying, possessive energy they radiate from beneath those masks, and the initiation ritual they organised for their fawns. As I read about Blair’s initiation, I thought I’d die of a heart attack; in every single moment, I felt that desperate longing for power. My Night Sons crew are a striking, masked band of firebrands, bound together.

𝐼𝑓 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑠𝑒𝑒 𝑎 𝑔𝑢𝑦 𝑤𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑘…
𝐷𝑜. 𝑁𝑜𝑡. 𝑅𝑢𝑛.

And I’d like to make a special mention of Brooks and Daphne. Despite having very few scenes, the intense energy of their mutual hatred was electrifying. The way Brooks becomes reckless whenever Daphne is involved, even as he tries to hate her for his father’s sake. And the fact that he goes mad and kills the man at the mere thought of another man choosing the girl he’s been bullying as Fawn. Brooks, “THE MAN THAT YOU ARE.” I’m going absolutely mad to read you.

𝑱𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒔𝒂𝒚 𝒇𝒖𝒄𝒌 𝒊𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝑫𝒂𝒑𝒉𝒏𝒆

🕯️ Dark Academia
🗝️Secret Society
❌Masked Men
🖤 Morally Grey MMC x Good Girl FMC
🔥 Hate to Love
☠️ Touch Her and Dîe

[Emmy Wong · Rating 5 out of 5]

I freaking love Charity Ferrell’s Marchetti Mafia series so when I found out that she’s writing a second generation of characters from that series, I just had to read it. I thought no one could be more unhinged than Cristian “Monster” Marchetti, but his son is next level of UNHINGED. This is a dark academia, bully romance, and it’s pretty heavy bullying too so please check your triggers. But if you love the Lords series and the Legacy of Gods series you will LOVE this book. There’s literally everything a dark romance reader could want, an intense and crazy plot, a fiery enemies to lovers romance, and a psycho mmc who murders all the people who hurt her. That in itself was a recipe for success, but her amazing writing made it ten times better. I love the plot, which centred on Enzo being obsessed with her (in a more psycho bully way) the second he saw her, and then dedicated himself to making her his “fawn” for the year. I loved Blair, because of her kick ass sarcasm and personality, and how she manages to stand tall despite all her trauma. However, Enzo is determined to own ALL OF HER, and get ALL of her secrets (which shouldn’t be hot but it is). This book is so intense with many amazing plot twists, that will keep you hooked that time flies by while reading. The chemistry and banter between Enzo and Blair, emits the best kind of enemies to lovers tension, but deep down Enzo is obsessed with her. He does show many psycho and ASPD traits, but she’s his soft spot and it’s so obvious that literally everyone can see it. This book was a masterpiece (and so was the jaw dropping smut), and give it a 5/5

[Shyla S]

The Devil and His Fawn by Charity Ferrell kicks off the Saint Vale series, a next-generation spin-off centered on the children of beloved characters from the Marchetti Mafia and Lucky Kings worlds—and it absolutely delivers on every level. Fans of the original series will immediately recognize Enzo as the son of Cristian and Natalia from Gorgeous Monster, and let me just say… he more than lives up to his legacy.

This book dives into a secret society, dark academia setting filled with suspense, angst, and an intense, almost eerie atmosphere. Ferrell fully leans into the darkness, creating a plot that’s addictive, unpredictable, and a little unhinged in the best way.

Enzo is the kind of MMC dark romance readers crave: obsessive, ruthless, andcompletely morally gray. He’s not just protective—he’s lethal. The way he spirals into obsession over the heroine is both terrifying and mesmerizing, and yes, he absolutely earns his “psycho” label. If someone hurts her? They don’t just regret it—they don’t survive it. Somehow, you still find yourself rooting for him.

The romance is a fiery enemies-to-lovers dynamic packed with sharp banter, emotional intensity, and explosive chemistry. Their push-and-pull relationship keeps you hooked as their connection slowly deepens beneath all the chaos.

The plot is twisty, intense, and never slows down, blending secret society intrigue with high-stakes drama and constant danger. There’s never a dull moment.

As a huge fan of Charity Ferrell’s Marchetti Mafia series, I had high expectations... and she exceeded them.. A second-generation series with a secret society trope? Instant obsession. I was instantly sold, and this book did not disappoint.

If you love dark romance with high stakes, morally corrupt heroes, and a plot that keeps you on edge, The Devil and His Fawn is a must-read. This is only the beginning of Saint Vale, and I already need more.

𝙃𝙚𝙧𝙤/𝙃𝙚𝙧𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙚 = Enzo Marchett and Blair Dupont
𝘾𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙛𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧 = No
𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙚 = Yes
𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙢𝙚(𝙨) = Dark Academia • Secret Society • Mafia • Morally Grey & Obsessive MMC • Enemies to Lovers • Touch her & D!e • Suspense • Shy Heroine • Dual POVs
𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙒𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 = Language • Sexual Content • Graphic Violence • Brief mention of Child loss • Cults •
𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙩 𝙇𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙡 = 4🔥
𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙧 𝙍𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 = 5 ⭐️

[Lemon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Plot: 5/5 • Spice: 3/5 ➡️➡️➡️ I love a morally gray, with the emotional range of a teaspoon MMC. Where his demeanor crumbles for the FMC unexpectedly. I crave this shit.


Blair was shipped off to her fourth college in just a few years. She’s been abused, assaulted and unloved her entire life. She keeps her secrets close. No one knows anything about her. Enzo notices her the second she steps on campus. As the leader of a secret society he RUNS the college. Everyone is beneath him. Including the faculty. His father is leader of the mafia.


In this secret society, the Sons are allowed to claim a woman as their “Fawn”. Enzo’s last Fawn died falling out of her dorm window. When Enzo claims Blair as his Fawn she rebels against it. Her life being on the line. No one goes against him. The attraction to each other is there, but Blair is trying to keep her head down and just survive. Enzo drags her into his society kicking and screaming.


After she survives a brutal initiation things start to connect with Enzo and Blair. She confesses (through duress) some of her secrets. Things she’s never told anyone before. Try as he might Enzo fights his feelings. She’s just a Fawn. She shouldn’t mean anything.


In the end Enzo breaks all the laws. Morally, physically, society wise; all of them. For Blair.


Enemies to lovers. OOT MMC. Touch her and absolutely die. Virgin FMC. College setting. Secret society. Mafia/political ties. Cult background. Abuse. Found family. He falls first. HE.


Loved this one. 😉

[Andreea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’d been craving a dark romance that truly delivers that dark vibe, and The Devil and His Fawn by Charity Ferrell definitely managed to do that.

At the beginning, I honestly felt like crying in Blair’s place and running away myself. That’s exactly why it was so interesting to see how the relationship between the characters transforms, how they will leave those cold and harsh moments behind. I also loved that the secret society is actually explored in detail and it’s not just a background element meant to ease the members’ dark impulses, but something that plays an important role in the story.

When it comes to Blair, I was really curious to learn more about her. Even though we get a dual pov and spend time in both characters’ minds, I liked that there’s still a sense of mystery, as we gradually uncover details about the characters and their lives. There were also moments when I was taken by surprise, and I really enjoyed that.

I liked that it takes quite a while for Enzo to realize that something is different this time, that, in his eyes, Blair isn’t like the others before her. I couldn’t help but smile every time he insisted that whatever he has with Blair won’t last, that it’s just for fun. Some details about the secret society and the way they treat the Fawns will make you want Blair to stay far away from Enzo and will make it hard to believe in their relationship. And yet, I found it fascinating to watch how indifference slowly turns into something more, how that cold heart begins to beat.

★★★★

Congrats, Charity Ferrell! Thanks @valentine_pr_ for the ARC of this book!

[Lindsey Innocente · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Second gen, dark academia from Charity? Say less ✔️

It was very atmospheric leading me to feel as though I was walking the gothic halls of Saint Vale. The suspenseful story line kept me on the edge of my seat!
Not the mention the cameos of Monster Marchetti and the family.. what a great surprise.

Enzo and Blair’s story was quite addicting, though admittedly too long. I found myself wishing it was about 100 pages less.


Read if you enjoy

🖤Dark academia
🖤Secret society
🖤Mafia family
🖤Hate to love
🖤Morally grey MMC


Thank you Charity & Valentine PR for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[ApoorvaReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

i went in this book with low expectations since secret society is not a trope i was usually enjoy but the blurb pulled me in so i decided to sign up for the arc was lucky enough to get it.

I loved the main character dynamics, the side characters and the whole world setting.

The mysterious setting was very well done and i was really invested in the whole plot.

I enjoyed Enzo and Blair relationship and how Enzo was a full on pitch black character.

I’m excited and will be seated for next book in the series.

Thankyou author and valentine pr for the arc.

[The Book Ssirren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buckle up because this was a wild ride. I had to hang on to iPad for dear life. Enzo and Blair had me in a chokehold. This was dark and chaotic. The twists and turns had me on the edge of my seat, devouring this like it was the last book I’d ever read. Enzo and Blair were messy. Enzo was psychotic in the hottest way. This was one of the best mafia reads ever.

[daisy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this world so much. I enjoyed every second of this and loved the plot/setting. The writing was so so good.

& this being second gen had me EMOTIONAL 🤣. What do you mean benny is 50!!!!! 😭😭😭

Update: its been hours and i am still thinking about them & this world

[Cristina]

No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t stay engaged. It took 3 days for me to give up. Some insta-lust didn’t help either.

[Jamie Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good but so dark at the same time. Enzo was most definitely an unhinged morally gray MC and Blair was his victim, at least at first she was. I liked the mystery behind who Blair and her family were. I liked how the truth of her past was slowly revealed throughout the story, bits and pieces of it were shown a little at a time. Blair's past was awful and I liked how Enzo went around and got revenge on the people who hurt her. The mystery behind the attempted assassinations in the book was also interesting. This book was so good but so dark and unhinged at the same time, I loved it.
A few of my favorite quotes:
“𝗪𝗲’𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲, 𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗿. 𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘂𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘁.”

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘷𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘥𝘦𝘷𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘺 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭. 𝘉𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘢 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘣𝘪𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘐𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘮 𝘴𝘮𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘢 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦. 𝘏𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘮𝘦𝘴𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘻𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘦𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘩𝘪𝘤, 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘵 𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘦.
“𝗬𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗜’𝗱 𝗯𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿.”

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow this latest book by Charity had me on the edge of my seat from page one.

Enzo and Blair’s story reminded me of a rollercoaster ride. There were moments that had me gasping from the twists and turns, moments that made me want to close my eyes from fear and definitely had me catching my breath at the end.

This is an absolute read for any mafia lover

[Reading with 2 book lovers Sarah P - · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holy devil, this was a captivating read, this is the first book in a new series and i very muched loved Enzo and Blair. This story had me addicted right fromnthe start. Highly recommended

[Kim Cass · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Enzo Marchetti sets his sights on new student Blair to make her his Fawn for the year, he thinks it’s going to be easy. Break her down, control her, move on, simple right? But Blair has secrets of her own, and what starts as a very intense battle of power evolves as they turn into something way more complicated and emotional.

Y’all, when I found out this was Christian and Natalia Marchetti’s son’s book, I SCREAMED. Finally, a second gen series about their kids (no I’m not forgetting Gigi and Benny, the OG). But seriously, I was already sold and it did not disappoint. I don’t usually gravitate towards secret society books, but this one had me fully intrigued for all the right reasons. The world of Saint Vale is dark, twisted, and honestly so interesting. The whole concept of the Sons choosing a Fawn for the year…it’s intense. And in Enzo’s case, he takes it to a whole other level.

“She’s mine. My Fawn. Mine.”

Enzo was…a lot, being the youngest Marchetti son and a full-blown troublemaker was definitely a dangerous combo. I’m not even going to lie, I did not like him at the start. He was ruthless for no real reason and just SO unhinged. The Marchetti chaos is definitely alive and well in him, but once he started to actually acknowledge his feelings and let those walls come down, that’s when things shifted for me. That’s when I started to see him differently, especially in the way he was with Blair. While the crazy Marchetti genes were alive and well, so was the Marchetti heart that we all loved in the original series.

And Blair actually really surprised me. She comes across as naive and submissive at first but there’s this quiet fire in her that she never lets Enzo take away. I loved that she challenged him, that she didn’t just fold under his control. She wasn’t some helpless wildflower despite everything she’d been through. Watching her grow into her own and step into her strength was so satisfying and I was really rooting for her the whole way.

“Give me your soul, and I swear to you, I’ll always keep you safe.”

I really liked this one! Charity really did her thing with this world and created something that super dark, layered, and full of chaos, but in a way that keeps you hooked and wanting more. And getting to see the Marchetti family again, now with the next generation taking the lead? I ate that up. Also quick shoutout to Benny and Gigi with the younger siblings, loved every second.

I’m so excited to see where this series goes next because you just know the Marchetti madness is only getting started. Between the siblings, the cousins, friends and everyone in between, it’s about to be absolute chaos…and I’m so here for it.

[Kay Daniels (Kay Daniels Romance) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enzo Marchetti is ALL the red flags and lives in a morally black world with zero regrets. He truly embodies everything it means to be a younger Marchetti and I loved all of his sharp edges. He believes everyone else is subpar which made it so much fun to watch as he fell for Blair Dupont. Especially since Enzo never thought of himself falling for such a weakness, he's a dark anti-hero through and through, and when he becomes obsessed with his Fawn - to the point where he will burn down the world for her - and it is just delish!!❤️👌

The Marchetti's are known as the monsters in the Mafia world and my mind kept picturing a young Christian in Enzo's shoes. 🥵Christian is his father after all, and the OG Monster Marchetti to boot. I've had a crush on Daddy Marchetti since his debut, so of course I couldn't help but love his son as well. I mean Enzo is basically the same anti-hero just hopped up on the added hormones of youth, along with the nativity of experience that only comes with age. I mean, Enzo is a Marchetti through and through. A leader when it came to running things at school, keeping his nephews and relatives in line, (did you catch that-nephews--yeah the age difference, I'll just say if you haven't read the original books, do and you'll know, ok, back on track---) along with the rest of the Sons. Anywhere you go, people feared the name Marchetti, no matter the age of the person attached to it - which is what made Blair such a fresh and rare addition to Saint Vail. She'd never heard of him or most of the rich, elite kids who attended. It was one more thing that ignited Enzo's obsession for her. Blair was not only wrapped up in secrets, but for a girl with fight and grit, she was also innocent. Time would tell if she survived being Enzo's Fawn, or if it would destroy them both.

It's a dark, red-flagged road for Enzo and Blair, as this book is not definitely not a sweet love story, but it does fit both of them. Trust me, that sentence will make sense when you read the book. 😏 Blair is no wallflower, but she is a woman full of secrets and Enzo is just the man with the skills to uncover all of them.🥵❤️🖤😍

This is just the beginning of a brand new world with Saint Vail and I now have a brand new obsession with this series.😏🥰I can't wait for it to expand as each person finds their match. It's going to be an exciting journey and I love all the cameos from the OG's. It's crazy to think of them as parents at this stage, but I also love it too!!

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️ 5/5
🔥 5/5
🌶️ 5/5
💧 5/5

The Devil and His Fawn by Charity Ferrell, provided via VPR, was another incredible read that reminded me why I consistently enjoy Charity Ferrell’s books so much.

I’ve read multiple books from Charity before this one, including her mafia romances, the Twisted Fox series, and the Blue Beech series, and I genuinely have yet to read a book from her that I didn’t enjoy. Because of that, going into this book I already had a strong feeling I would love it — and I absolutely did.

What made this one especially interesting was that it stepped into dark academia romance while still keeping the addictive emotional tension, morally gray dynamics, and intense relationship development that I already associate with her writing.

Enzo and Blair’s relationship immediately pulls you into the story.

Enzo selects Blair and essentially sets his sights on making her life miserable, tormenting her constantly while maintaining control over nearly every interaction between them. But as the story progresses, the lines between cruelty, obsession, control, protectiveness, and genuine feelings slowly begin to blur in ways that made the tension between them impossible to ignore.

One thing I really appreciated was that Blair doesn’t simply fade into the background of Enzo’s personality. She holds her own against him which keeps their dynamic emotionally engaging throughout the story.

The chemistry, emotional tension, manipulation, obsession, and dark academia atmosphere all worked together incredibly well and made this book extremely hard to put down.

Honestly, one of the biggest signs that I was completely immersed in this book was the fact that I forgot to take notes while reading. I usually write down thoughts and reactions throughout ARCs, but this time I was so invested in the story that I simply kept reading without stopping.

Overall, The Devil and His Fawn is an addictive dark academia romance filled with obsession, emotional tension, morally gray characters, secret society elements, and intense relationship dynamics that made this such an immersive and enjoyable read from beginning to end.

[Mads | MadLeReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

🖤 dark college romance
🔫 mafia
🫣 secret society
🎀 bad boy x good girl

4.5 ⭐️

Thank you Charity Ferrell and Valentine PR for the eARC!

"I wanted to pry her brain open to see all her loves, so I could give them to her. Then I wanted to find her fears and destroy them."

Blair is sent to St. Vale University, a secluded university built for the world's most elite and corrupted heirs. The place is ruled by the Night Sons, a secret society of masked men. And each year, a Son chooses a female student to serve as a Fawn aka a pawn, a plaything, or a sacrifice...

Unfortunately Blair catches the attention of Enzo Marchetti, son of the most feared mafia boss in the world, and he selects her as his Fawn. And when her past comes back to haunt her, Enzo is her best bet to protect her but he'll have to make an impossible choice...

Enzo is one demented man! This is probably one of Charity Ferrell's darkest books yet. If you liked dark romances like The Ritual and Legacy of Gods, this has similar vibes with secret societies and irredeemable men who get off on tormenting the object of their obsessions.

Enzo literally said "Only I was allowed to make my Fawn sad." But you got that right, anyone else who messes with Blair is 🪦

Their dynamic was intense from the start! Blair had a bit of that stubborn fighting spirit in the face of Enzo, the devil himself. She soon realized the devil was just the thing she needed to chase away the demons haunting her. And Blair became Enzo's obsession he was willing to easily break all his personal rules for. His obsession growing into more of that affection (demented still) was subtle. But I ate up the cute little things like him holding her hand. I wanted more of them by the end!

The world building of the Night Sons did take a minute to establish throughout so it does kind of slow the pace a bit. But the suspense and the dark crazy chaos definitely had me on the edge of my seat. I'll be back for more of this series. It was also wonderful to see characters from the previous generation as parents too 🥹

[Jela Heneghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now this is how you do a second generation spinoff series! It’s dark, dangerous, and definitely sexy with an underlying danger.

The Devil and His Fawn is an addictive forced proximity mafia/secret society romance between Blaire and Enzo. She’s new to the university and completely unaware of what she’s about to become a part of, and he’s the son of the most notorious mafia don who’s just as morally gray (black?) as his father. He takes her as his “fawn” as part of a secret society ritual/tradition, but their chemistry is so off the charts that eventually it’s not just some agreement between the two but much more. Danger lurks, though, and things aren’t quite what they seem. What happens when that danger finally catches up to them?

I adore these characters for a multitude of reasons, but the way Blaire just isn’t about to let Enzo get away with whatever he wants is quite possibly my favorite reason. She genuinely has no desire to tolerate the way he’s used to being able to treat others, and it’s really rather entertaining. He on the other hand isn’t used to be tested so much, and I love how totally intrigued and unhinged it made him. Sparks really fly between them, and without ruining anything for you I’ll just say that the slowish burn is worth the wait.

And as for the story itself, I couldn’t get enough. I’m such a fan of how Ferrell took the bones of the previous series and built upon them but not in the way I would’ve expected. Yes, there are commonalities because of the characters and all that, but this is a different theme for sure, which I seriously loved. This book isn’t just more of the same; rather, it’s an evolution of what came before, and it absolutely works.

So, if you’re a fan of dark romance, then this is a must read that I highly recommend. Blaire and Enzo’s story is phenomenal, and it has me impatiently waiting for the next installment in the series.

[Karen Mc · Rating 5 out of 5]

“How far would I allow the devil to drag me in?”

HOLY HEART THRASHER! Author Charity Ferrell has crafted her darkest and most deviant masterpiece yet! The Devil and His Fawn had me in the biggest chokehold! I was so OWNED by this romance that’s beautifully broken, brilliantly told, and brutally tortuous. Pure. Heart-pounding. Addiction.

Ferrell dips back into the Marchetti world with the second generation of children whose parents I loved. The Devil and His Fawn is a fierce fusion of mafia, bully, secret society, and suspense. Oh did I live for the boarding school setting. With strong and crush-worthy characters, this chilling romance captivates from beginning to end.

Heartthrob hero and Saint Vale Academy leader, Enzo, is a mafia god: possessive, obsessive, unhinged, and a bit psycho. Enzo is the ultimate bad boy—and you can’t help but want to worship him, peeling back his many layers, to uncover the hero masking as a villain. He has met in match in Blair, a heroine who is as strong as she is stunning. Blair has endured a painful past so bullying from Enzo? Bring it. This goddess can handle it and him.

Blair and Enzo see drawn together like a moth to a flame. She brings out his heart while he brings out her courage. These two shattered souls are whole together. Their story resonated with me. The push and pull, the combustible chemistry, and undeniable love ... I felt this hero and heroine so much.

Daysssss. Days later and this devil is still consuming me: mind, heart, and soul. The terrifying twists and turns … the entertaining inner thoughts … the brutal betrayal and bullying … the hot and cold … holy high! I was UNDONE!

The Devil and His Fawn is a dark romance lover’s dream. A heart-pounding, gut-twisting, mind-bending, must-read romance. A top 2026 read. Oh did I love living in the Saint Vale world.

💋💋💋💋💋💋 but worth all the fawn kisses

P.S. I must beg for a model cover for this stunning story to match the previous generation.

➡️ https://amzn.to/4t37dQw

Reviewed on behalf of Bookalicious Babes Blog

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boundaries, You Just Crossed Them Charity and I'm All In! The Devil and His Fawn is the first book in the brand new Dark Academic series of Saint Vale by Charity Ferrell. Morally Grey hero, shy heroine, college secret society, unpredictable suspense with a HEA. This is a second generation spin off of the Marchetti Mafia series and if you thought (I Did) that those men were unhinged...well it goes Above & Beyond and I just want more. Download today for a dark mafia romance that you won't be able to put down.

TW: This book contains graphic violence, brief mention of child loss, and mention of cult involvement.


I would like to Sincerely Thank Charity Ferrell for my ARC and in return I voluntarily promised an honest review.


Enzo Marchetti is the youngest son of Cristian Marchetti, the most feared boss of the Italian Mafia Family. Zo learned everything from his father and brother and he's even more psychologically unhinged.

Blair Dupont has been expelled from yet another college and has been sent to Saint Vale University, in Westchester, New York. It's a college for elite rich kids and corrupt heirs of the the Night Sons, a secret society.

The Night Sons rule the campus and each year a Son has to claim a Fawn. The Fawn is put through hell until they break mentally or commit suicide.

Enzo chooses Blair as his Fawn and so begins his obsession, manipulation and the game of who is going to break first because Blair isn't about to back down.

They start to see behind each others facades and become more than A Son & his claimed Fawn. Then ghosts from her past arrive with deadly intentions.

Enzo swore an oath but when the girl who showed him the light in his dark world is threatened, then he will destroy everything to keep her.