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Spitfire: A Dark Stalker Romance
Aries is the spark. The warrior. The wildfire that refuses to be contained.
FBI Agent Scarlett Lyssa believes she's one step away from catching the state's most elusive serial killer, known only as Ashmaker. Her partner, Jasper, is determined to keep her alive to solve the case and make her his indefinitely.
Xavier is trying to outsmart the FBI, but he has no desire to stop the killer.
He's fascinated and obsessed with Ashmaker, and the woman standing in the middle of it all has become his greatest fixation and desire.
As Ashmaker's twisted games close in, Scarlett finds herself trapped between two dangerously possessive men, a string of brutal murders, and a mystery that feels disturbingly personal.
One man would die to protect her. The other would kill to claim her.
Every clue pulls her closer to the truth.
Every murder drags her deeper into a nightmare where obsession is mistaken for love, trust is the deadliest weapon, and monsters don't always know what they are.
In this game of hunters and killers...
Someone is lying.
Someone is watching.
Someone already owns her.
A dark romance soaked in obsession, psychological suspense, serial killers, vigilante justice, morally gray characters, and a toxic love triangle where love and madness become impossible to separate. Part of the Dark Star shared world.
FBI Agent Scarlett Lyssa believes she's one step away from catching the state's most elusive serial killer, known only as Ashmaker. Her partner, Jasper, is determined to keep her alive to solve the case and make her his indefinitely.
Xavier is trying to outsmart the FBI, but he has no desire to stop the killer.
He's fascinated and obsessed with Ashmaker, and the woman standing in the middle of it all has become his greatest fixation and desire.
As Ashmaker's twisted games close in, Scarlett finds herself trapped between two dangerously possessive men, a string of brutal murders, and a mystery that feels disturbingly personal.
One man would die to protect her. The other would kill to claim her.
Every clue pulls her closer to the truth.
Every murder drags her deeper into a nightmare where obsession is mistaken for love, trust is the deadliest weapon, and monsters don't always know what they are.
In this game of hunters and killers...
Someone is lying.
Someone is watching.
Someone already owns her.
A dark romance soaked in obsession, psychological suspense, serial killers, vigilante justice, morally gray characters, and a toxic love triangle where love and madness become impossible to separate. Part of the Dark Star shared world.
- GenresDark RomanceStalker
362 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 3, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews
September 29, 2026
Don’t look at the dates read, I had to stall it to read ARCs 🤣🤣
It’s one of those stories you become invested in, with the right amount of intrigue, twists and angst. Because it covers a lot within the pages; we are led through this one from three different POVs, Scarlett the FMC, Xavier and Jasper the MMCs. Each has their own background but more Xavier and Scarlett. Jasper and Scarlett are FBI agents therefore, work closely together. Whilst Xavier, is there in the background. I don’t want to give you anymore because that would totally spoil the story for you 🤣
I enjoyed it, the build up and the ultimate crescendo worked within the pages. It’s one of those you predict early in, though to me that’s what the author was aiming for, it’s how she led us through giving us background insights, the why’s, where’s and what’s, to the present day, a great storyline that keeps you reading, maybe with a little stutter near the end 🫣
Spice | FMM | Mutilation | Forced Proximity | Bondage | Dismemberment | lots of ilia’s 🤭| CA | SA | Morally Black MMC and many more
It’s one of those stories you become invested in, with the right amount of intrigue, twists and angst. Because it covers a lot within the pages; we are led through this one from three different POVs, Scarlett the FMC, Xavier and Jasper the MMCs. Each has their own background but more Xavier and Scarlett. Jasper and Scarlett are FBI agents therefore, work closely together. Whilst Xavier, is there in the background. I don’t want to give you anymore because that would totally spoil the story for you 🤣
I enjoyed it, the build up and the ultimate crescendo worked within the pages. It’s one of those you predict early in, though to me that’s what the author was aiming for, it’s how she led us through giving us background insights, the why’s, where’s and what’s, to the present day, a great storyline that keeps you reading, maybe with a little stutter near the end 🫣
Spice | FMM | Mutilation | Forced Proximity | Bondage | Dismemberment | lots of ilia’s 🤭| CA | SA | Morally Black MMC and many more
September 26, 2026
Spoilers ahead 3.5*
Well.........aside from the corpse fucking......it wasn't as bad as I thought 😩. I will absolutely NOT be doing this again however.
We have the tale of FBI agent Scarlet and her partner Jasper who are on the haunt for a serial killer who kills men, stuffing their cocks in their mouths and burning the scene after this destroying evidence. They're stumped, pressure is rising.....and now the killer is escalating.
************
The actual murders and Scarlet's connection was well done. Idk anything about DID so I can't say If that's how it works lol but it sounds plausible idk I don't read for reality 😂. It sure sounded good and edge of my seat intriguing though. I did not like the ending though, I wanted them to keep going, the wheels of justice are slow AF Ashmaker makes sense to me, and idk man it's like we always gotta take something from the h. Like damn let the girl be a serial killer in her HEA in peace gosh dammit🤭🙄........she already switched jobs what's next settling down to be a wife 😩let her out!!
I liked this as a MFM..... I did not like Jasper being one of those males. Why? He was her partner for months.....he wanted her but he was fucking OW, matter of fact when the book began he had fucked the mayor's wife the night before 😑. But in his POV he's trying his best to convince me he wants the h. Like fucker shut your stupid whoring mouth!! This is why the relationship development is also called into question, they have a wuickie then things start developing and before you even blink he's possessive and then in love......like sirrrrrrrrrr you were fucking OW just recently where did all these feelings come from? Were they hiding in your toes???????? 😒 I like his J/P scenes and actually liked him but the author ruined it by having him be a manwhore who admitted he liked sleeping with married women, as it made things easier.😒. Once he got with her absolutely no others tho.
Then there's Xavier.......ummmmm my baby needs some help 🤔 don't judge him too harshly, he's been through some shit my poor love. He's been stalking and protecting the h for years. Idk if I'll say he was celibate..... I mean there was a corpse 😭😭😭😭so maybe there were some live ones too??? Idk man I gotta protect my mental health, so for me he was in love with the h and aside from that one scene where he was actually thinking of her when he did what he did 🙁there was no mention of others. Xavier was a serial killer too and he had a split personality as well. I liked his next personality, he cracked me up 😂. I liked my boy Xavier he deserved all the things. He wasn't too right, but hey there's nothing wrong with that🤷🏽♀️.
Had this had better relationship development I would've definitely rated it higher, even with all the gore 😭
All in all, please don't be like me.....READ THE TRIGGER WARNINGS ,😭😭😭🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️😭😭😭😭
Mentions of flashbacks to child abuse, multiple sexual assault of the h......man I was so fucking glad those fuckers got there's. I wanted it detailed and on page 😩
Murder, mentions of child abuse
Look just look up the TW the list might be a few pages long 😂
**************
No cheating
MFM
Manwhore MMC1
Idk bout MMC2 past
I loved their fighting between the men 🤭 until they decided to share
*That lil statement in the end there by Xavier 👀 that's the scene we needed a bonus off dear author 🤭
Thoughts while reading
Did he just....... Fuck a corpse???? 👀😩
The MMC in this needs therapy......
Hell I'll probably need therapy after I read this because wtf do you meannnn????
Whoever read this and reviewed it and made it sound good.....count your fucking days😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
I don't think I've ever read a DARK romance and THIS is how I chose to pop that cherry 😞😕I....... I've got no words man........
Currently reading....... Maybe???? 🤔
Well.........aside from the corpse fucking......it wasn't as bad as I thought 😩. I will absolutely NOT be doing this again however.
We have the tale of FBI agent Scarlet and her partner Jasper who are on the haunt for a serial killer who kills men, stuffing their cocks in their mouths and burning the scene after this destroying evidence. They're stumped, pressure is rising.....and now the killer is escalating.
************
The actual murders and Scarlet's connection was well done. Idk anything about DID so I can't say If that's how it works lol but it sounds plausible idk I don't read for reality 😂. It sure sounded good and edge of my seat intriguing though. I did not like the ending though, I wanted them to keep going, the wheels of justice are slow AF Ashmaker makes sense to me, and idk man it's like we always gotta take something from the h. Like damn let the girl be a serial killer in her HEA in peace gosh dammit🤭🙄........she already switched jobs what's next settling down to be a wife 😩let her out!!
I liked this as a MFM..... I did not like Jasper being one of those males. Why? He was her partner for months.....he wanted her but he was fucking OW, matter of fact when the book began he had fucked the mayor's wife the night before 😑. But in his POV he's trying his best to convince me he wants the h. Like fucker shut your stupid whoring mouth!! This is why the relationship development is also called into question, they have a wuickie then things start developing and before you even blink he's possessive and then in love......like sirrrrrrrrrr you were fucking OW just recently where did all these feelings come from? Were they hiding in your toes???????? 😒 I like his J/P scenes and actually liked him but the author ruined it by having him be a manwhore who admitted he liked sleeping with married women, as it made things easier.😒. Once he got with her absolutely no others tho.
Then there's Xavier.......ummmmm my baby needs some help 🤔 don't judge him too harshly, he's been through some shit my poor love. He's been stalking and protecting the h for years. Idk if I'll say he was celibate..... I mean there was a corpse 😭😭😭😭so maybe there were some live ones too??? Idk man I gotta protect my mental health, so for me he was in love with the h and aside from that one scene where he was actually thinking of her when he did what he did 🙁there was no mention of others. Xavier was a serial killer too and he had a split personality as well. I liked his next personality, he cracked me up 😂. I liked my boy Xavier he deserved all the things. He wasn't too right, but hey there's nothing wrong with that🤷🏽♀️.
Had this had better relationship development I would've definitely rated it higher, even with all the gore 😭
All in all, please don't be like me.....READ THE TRIGGER WARNINGS ,😭😭😭🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️😭😭😭😭
Mentions of flashbacks to child abuse, multiple sexual assault of the h......man I was so fucking glad those fuckers got there's. I wanted it detailed and on page 😩
Murder, mentions of child abuse
Look just look up the TW the list might be a few pages long 😂
**************
No cheating
MFM
Manwhore MMC1
Idk bout MMC2 past
I loved their fighting between the men 🤭 until they decided to share
*That lil statement in the end there by Xavier 👀 that's the scene we needed a bonus off dear author 🤭
Thoughts while reading
Did he just....... Fuck a corpse???? 👀😩
The MMC in this needs therapy......
Hell I'll probably need therapy after I read this because wtf do you meannnn????
Whoever read this and reviewed it and made it sound good.....count your fucking days😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
I don't think I've ever read a DARK romance and THIS is how I chose to pop that cherry 😞😕I....... I've got no words man........
Currently reading....... Maybe???? 🤔
September 26, 2026
JEE-ZUSSS 🥵
5 "what the fuck did I just read" stars for this fast paced, suspenseful story.
There was action, mystery, intrigue, dirty talk, a stabby female, serial killers, a plot, some of the filthiest smut I've had the pleasure of reading - in short, IT HAD IT ALL. The TW list boasts an impressive 66 items. I went in blind so fun times 😂
I was immediately captivated by the storyline of 2 FBI agents chasing a serial killer and a mysterious hottie lurking in the background. The pacing was on point and we're moving along as things start to unfold and puzzle pieces start fitting together.
Our dear Scarlett is a kick ass federal agent who can hold her own in a fist fight while dealing with misogyny in the workplace, all the while hunting a serial killer and their accomplice. Well, guess what? She's been hunting herself cuz she's the serial killer and we find that she's dealing with DID as a result of her trauma. There's graphic details of her abuse, including SA. Along the way, she falls in love with 2 the MMCs.
Xavier was my man. He actually should've been the only MMC. He was trauma bonded to her and stalked her through the years, helping to cover her crimes, falling in love with both personalities and keeping her safe. He made me feel the depth of his devotion through his actions. He also had a tragic childhood although we don't get much details. When he discovered Ashmaker was Scarlett, he didn't find any interest in another female. Admittedly, he engaged in necrophilia in the beginning of the story but I forgive him LOL.
Jasper, in contrast, was mid at best. Ok, I actually didn't like him. He's been working with FMC as his partner for 9 months and has been abrasive towards her. His POVs were boring and he admit that he wouldn't sacrifice his career for her while he was also sleeping around. In fact, he slept with the mayor's wife the day before he slept with Scarlett. Sorry, but gross. He also has a history of sleeping around/ONS and prefers married women. Again, gross. His love for Scarlett also came out of nowhere so it felt very shallow and insta-lusty. Hence, I didn't feel like this should've been a why choose.
This one is gory and I loved all the details on the torture scenes cuz these mofos deserved it. Other reviewers said it gave Mindf*ck vibes and I agree.
And if you're into smut, this one is definitely for you. Scenes between Xavier and Scarlett were so hot and dirtaaay. The mouth on that guy 😮💨 Ugh so yummy.
Safety - non virgins, no sexual history given but she didn't really do ONS and it's been some time for her while Xavier didn't give manwhore vibes but Jasper did 😒, no cheating, no sharing (outside of the group), there is 1 graphic on page sex scene with OP (beginning of the story where Xavier fucked a corpse 😬).
5 "what the fuck did I just read" stars for this fast paced, suspenseful story.
There was action, mystery, intrigue, dirty talk, a stabby female, serial killers, a plot, some of the filthiest smut I've had the pleasure of reading - in short, IT HAD IT ALL. The TW list boasts an impressive 66 items. I went in blind so fun times 😂
I was immediately captivated by the storyline of 2 FBI agents chasing a serial killer and a mysterious hottie lurking in the background. The pacing was on point and we're moving along as things start to unfold and puzzle pieces start fitting together.
Our dear Scarlett is a kick ass federal agent who can hold her own in a fist fight while dealing with misogyny in the workplace, all the while hunting a serial killer and their accomplice. Well, guess what? She's been hunting herself cuz she's the serial killer and we find that she's dealing with DID as a result of her trauma. There's graphic details of her abuse, including SA. Along the way, she falls in love with 2 the MMCs.
Xavier was my man. He actually should've been the only MMC. He was trauma bonded to her and stalked her through the years, helping to cover her crimes, falling in love with both personalities and keeping her safe. He made me feel the depth of his devotion through his actions. He also had a tragic childhood although we don't get much details. When he discovered Ashmaker was Scarlett, he didn't find any interest in another female. Admittedly, he engaged in necrophilia in the beginning of the story but I forgive him LOL.
Jasper, in contrast, was mid at best. Ok, I actually didn't like him. He's been working with FMC as his partner for 9 months and has been abrasive towards her. His POVs were boring and he admit that he wouldn't sacrifice his career for her while he was also sleeping around. In fact, he slept with the mayor's wife the day before he slept with Scarlett. Sorry, but gross. He also has a history of sleeping around/ONS and prefers married women. Again, gross. His love for Scarlett also came out of nowhere so it felt very shallow and insta-lusty. Hence, I didn't feel like this should've been a why choose.
This one is gory and I loved all the details on the torture scenes cuz these mofos deserved it. Other reviewers said it gave Mindf*ck vibes and I agree.
And if you're into smut, this one is definitely for you. Scenes between Xavier and Scarlett were so hot and dirtaaay. The mouth on that guy 😮💨 Ugh so yummy.
Safety - non virgins, no sexual history given but she didn't really do ONS and it's been some time for her while Xavier didn't give manwhore vibes but Jasper did 😒, no cheating, no sharing (outside of the group), there is 1 graphic on page sex scene with OP (beginning of the story where Xavier fucked a corpse 😬).
September 7, 2026
I ate this up. Such a good storyline. I loved the vibes, the characters and felt for them all. Definitely a must read! Part of the Dark Star Series!
October 19, 2026
Spitfire by A.L. Maruga
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️
An FBI investigation, a serial killer and two possessive men with very different ideas about protecting the same woman. Consider me VERY interested. 🖤
Spitfire brings together dark romance and psychological suspense in a way that makes the danger feel personal. Scarlett is caught between investigating Ashmaker and navigating Jasper and Xavier and there is nothing simple about either situation. The attraction comes tangled up with obsession, secrets and some deeply questionable boundaries.
I loved the contrast between Jasper and Xavier and the tension that creates around Scarlett. Having all three perspectives adds another layer to their dynamic especially when their motivations don’t line up. The mystery gives the story plenty to dig into alongside the romance and the spice certainly doesn’t soften the darkness.
Five stars for a twisted, intense read where trusting someone might be the worst decision you make. These characters need supervision and apparently I need more books like this. 😂🖤
🔪 Serial killer mystery
🖤 Stalker romance and obsession
🔥 Possessive love interests
🕵️ FBI investigation
📖 Multiple POVs
Stay bookish. Keep it wicked. 🖤
Yours between the pages,
Kayla📚
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️
An FBI investigation, a serial killer and two possessive men with very different ideas about protecting the same woman. Consider me VERY interested. 🖤
Spitfire brings together dark romance and psychological suspense in a way that makes the danger feel personal. Scarlett is caught between investigating Ashmaker and navigating Jasper and Xavier and there is nothing simple about either situation. The attraction comes tangled up with obsession, secrets and some deeply questionable boundaries.
I loved the contrast between Jasper and Xavier and the tension that creates around Scarlett. Having all three perspectives adds another layer to their dynamic especially when their motivations don’t line up. The mystery gives the story plenty to dig into alongside the romance and the spice certainly doesn’t soften the darkness.
Five stars for a twisted, intense read where trusting someone might be the worst decision you make. These characters need supervision and apparently I need more books like this. 😂🖤
🔪 Serial killer mystery
🖤 Stalker romance and obsession
🔥 Possessive love interests
🕵️ FBI investigation
📖 Multiple POVs
Stay bookish. Keep it wicked. 🖤
Yours between the pages,
Kayla📚
September 4, 2026
If you are a fan of the Mindf*ck series then this is for you!
This book is so beautifully unhinged and emotional. If I didn't start this so late at night I easily could have read it in one sitting. With that being said make sure to read the trigger warnings!
My heart broke for the FMC and later for both MMCs in their own way. I love how they both protect her in their own way.
Some of my favorite quotes:
"Mirror, Mirror on the wall, who's the deadliest of them all?" - Xavier
"Will you walk into my parlor? Said the Spider to the Fly," I whisper my favorite Mary Howitt line. - Xavier
"Life's too short and ugly to be so miserable." - Jasper.
This book is so beautifully unhinged and emotional. If I didn't start this so late at night I easily could have read it in one sitting. With that being said make sure to read the trigger warnings!
My heart broke for the FMC and later for both MMCs in their own way. I love how they both protect her in their own way.
Some of my favorite quotes:
"Mirror, Mirror on the wall, who's the deadliest of them all?" - Xavier
"Will you walk into my parlor? Said the Spider to the Fly," I whisper my favorite Mary Howitt line. - Xavier
"Life's too short and ugly to be so miserable." - Jasper.
September 11, 2026
ARC REVIEW
Okay, this book is UNHINGED. And I mean that in the best possible way because these characters??? The chaos??? The obsession??? I was HOOKED😭
Scarlett is such a badass FMC. She’s an FBI agent, a total boss lady, and very much a take-no-shit-from-anyone kind of woman. People at work might hate her, but she genuinely does not care, and I loved that about her.
Then we have Xavier… and this man is PITCH BLACK. Morally questionable is putting it mildly because he is straight-up unhinged, obsessive and absolutely nothing like what I expected him to be. The way he is obsessed with Ashmaker and Scarlett, his Spitfire??? 🫠 Sir, what are you DOING to me??? And Jasper… Scarlett’s partner at work, the one I was rooting for from the very beginning. Call me biased, idc, but he is YUMMY🤭 He’s unhinged in his own way and somehow grew on me so much. And Jasper and his little vixen??? PLEASE. The nicknames in this book had me FERAL. 🫠
BUT HERE’S THE THING.I went into the first half fully TEAM JASPER and somehow, by the second half, this author had me switching sides and screaming TEAM XAVIER.
LIKE???? WHATTTT??? 😭
The author genuinely played with my feelings because Xavier turned out to be SO different from what I expected, and suddenly I was sitting there completely obsessed with him. How did I go from rooting for Jasper to falling in love with Xavier??? I don’t even know. 💀
And the suspense!!! The twists and turns!!! The storyline!!! And THAT CLIMAX??OMFGGGG. I literally screamed so loud. 😭 The book kept throwing things at me when I thought I had it figured out, and by the time everything came together, I was just sitting there like WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK JUST HAPPENED. THE SPICE IS SPICYYYYY. No complaints whatsoever. 🤭
A.L. Maruga, you did it AGAIN😭🔥 I love how dark and completely unhinged her books are. There’s something about the way she creates these morally fucked-up characters and throws them into an equally chaotic storyline that just WORKS for me.
PLEASE check the trigger warnings before reading this one.
Okay, this book is UNHINGED. And I mean that in the best possible way because these characters??? The chaos??? The obsession??? I was HOOKED😭
Scarlett is such a badass FMC. She’s an FBI agent, a total boss lady, and very much a take-no-shit-from-anyone kind of woman. People at work might hate her, but she genuinely does not care, and I loved that about her.
Then we have Xavier… and this man is PITCH BLACK. Morally questionable is putting it mildly because he is straight-up unhinged, obsessive and absolutely nothing like what I expected him to be. The way he is obsessed with Ashmaker and Scarlett, his Spitfire??? 🫠 Sir, what are you DOING to me??? And Jasper… Scarlett’s partner at work, the one I was rooting for from the very beginning. Call me biased, idc, but he is YUMMY🤭 He’s unhinged in his own way and somehow grew on me so much. And Jasper and his little vixen??? PLEASE. The nicknames in this book had me FERAL. 🫠
BUT HERE’S THE THING.I went into the first half fully TEAM JASPER and somehow, by the second half, this author had me switching sides and screaming TEAM XAVIER.
LIKE???? WHATTTT??? 😭
The author genuinely played with my feelings because Xavier turned out to be SO different from what I expected, and suddenly I was sitting there completely obsessed with him. How did I go from rooting for Jasper to falling in love with Xavier??? I don’t even know. 💀
And the suspense!!! The twists and turns!!! The storyline!!! And THAT CLIMAX??OMFGGGG. I literally screamed so loud. 😭 The book kept throwing things at me when I thought I had it figured out, and by the time everything came together, I was just sitting there like WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK JUST HAPPENED. THE SPICE IS SPICYYYYY. No complaints whatsoever. 🤭
A.L. Maruga, you did it AGAIN😭🔥 I love how dark and completely unhinged her books are. There’s something about the way she creates these morally fucked-up characters and throws them into an equally chaotic storyline that just WORKS for me.
PLEASE check the trigger warnings before reading this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 3, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Okay, WOW.
Spitfire is like an absolutely unhinged episode of Criminal Minds, except darker, dirtier, a hell of a lot spicier, and somehow everyone involved needs therapy. 😂🖤
Once I picked this up, I genuinely did not want to put it down.
The blurb gives you an idea of what you're walking into, but it doesn't even begin to cover the depth of this story. This is dark romance tangled together with psychological thriller, serial killer suspense, obsession, trauma, morally questionable characters, and enough twists to have me questioning absolutely everyone.
And I mean EVERYONE.
We get multiple POVs throughout the story: Scarlett, Jasper, Xavier, and Ashmaker. And I loved how much that added to the psychological aspect of the book. You would think being inside everyone's heads would make it easier to figure out what the hell was happening.
NOPE. 😂
If anything, every POV gave me another reason to question what I thought I knew.
Scarlett and Jasper are FBI partners hunting Ashmaker, a serial killer leaving increasingly disturbing scenes behind. They're also competing for the same promotion while very obviously having feelings neither of them has been willing to acknowledge.
Until Jasper finally snaps.
And apparently this man has never heard the phrase ease into it, because once that line gets crossed, Jasper takes possessive and obsessive to an entirely different level. 👀
Then we have Xavier.
Oh, Xavier.
A mysterious journalist with his own fascination with Ashmaker, and an obsession with Scarlett that becomes increasingly impossible to ignore. Xavier's POV added another whole level of uncertainty because his own mind isn't always a place he can completely trust. Trying to understand him, his motivations, and exactly what role he was going to play had me constantly second-guessing myself.
And poor Scarlett is standing directly in the middle of all of it.
She's trying to catch a serial killer while dealing with two increasingly possessive men, clues that seem specifically designed for her, memories from her childhood beginning to resurface, and the growing realization that this case may be far more personal than she ever imagined.
The deeper Scarlett digs, the more everything starts unraveling.
Who is lying?
Who can she trust?
What actually happened in her past?
What does Ashmaker want with her?
And WHAT THE FUCK IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING?! 😂
A.L. Maruga drops pieces of the puzzle throughout the different POVs, and I became completely obsessed with trying to put them together before Scarlett did. Every time I thought I had something figured out, another piece would shift and suddenly I was questioning my entire theory again.
And then...
THE PLOT TWIST.
Excuse me?!
I DID NOT SEE THAT COMING.
Those are my favourite kinds of psychological thrillers. I don't want to figure everything out halfway through. I want an author to make me suspicious of everyone, convince me I've finally cracked it, and then gleefully rip the rug out from underneath me.
Spitfire absolutely delivered.
But underneath the murders, obsession, darkness, and complete chaos, there's also a surprisingly complex exploration of trauma and mental health. Scarlett's past becomes increasingly important as the story progresses, and watching those buried pieces begin connecting to the present added so much more depth than I initially expected.
This book is messy in the BEST possible way. It's dark, depraved, suspenseful, obsessive, spicy, violent, psychological, and ridiculously addictive.
Apparently the darker and more unhinged A.L. Maruga gets, the happier my little black heart becomes. 😂🖤
If you like dark romance mixed heavily with psychological thrillers, serial killers, obsessive characters, morally questionable decisions, unreliable-feeling perspectives, and plots that make you question your own ability to solve anything...
READ. THIS. BOOK.
But seriously, check the content warnings. There are a LOT, and they're there for a reason. I love going into dark books fairly blind, but this one covers some extremely heavy material, so know your own limits before diving down this particular rabbit hole.
Absolutely brilliant.
Thank you so much to A.L. Maruga for choosing me as an ARC reader and trusting me with Spitfire. All thoughts and opinions are completely my own. 🖤
Okay, WOW.
Spitfire is like an absolutely unhinged episode of Criminal Minds, except darker, dirtier, a hell of a lot spicier, and somehow everyone involved needs therapy. 😂🖤
Once I picked this up, I genuinely did not want to put it down.
The blurb gives you an idea of what you're walking into, but it doesn't even begin to cover the depth of this story. This is dark romance tangled together with psychological thriller, serial killer suspense, obsession, trauma, morally questionable characters, and enough twists to have me questioning absolutely everyone.
And I mean EVERYONE.
We get multiple POVs throughout the story: Scarlett, Jasper, Xavier, and Ashmaker. And I loved how much that added to the psychological aspect of the book. You would think being inside everyone's heads would make it easier to figure out what the hell was happening.
NOPE. 😂
If anything, every POV gave me another reason to question what I thought I knew.
Scarlett and Jasper are FBI partners hunting Ashmaker, a serial killer leaving increasingly disturbing scenes behind. They're also competing for the same promotion while very obviously having feelings neither of them has been willing to acknowledge.
Until Jasper finally snaps.
And apparently this man has never heard the phrase ease into it, because once that line gets crossed, Jasper takes possessive and obsessive to an entirely different level. 👀
Then we have Xavier.
Oh, Xavier.
A mysterious journalist with his own fascination with Ashmaker, and an obsession with Scarlett that becomes increasingly impossible to ignore. Xavier's POV added another whole level of uncertainty because his own mind isn't always a place he can completely trust. Trying to understand him, his motivations, and exactly what role he was going to play had me constantly second-guessing myself.
And poor Scarlett is standing directly in the middle of all of it.
She's trying to catch a serial killer while dealing with two increasingly possessive men, clues that seem specifically designed for her, memories from her childhood beginning to resurface, and the growing realization that this case may be far more personal than she ever imagined.
The deeper Scarlett digs, the more everything starts unraveling.
Who is lying?
Who can she trust?
What actually happened in her past?
What does Ashmaker want with her?
And WHAT THE FUCK IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING?! 😂
A.L. Maruga drops pieces of the puzzle throughout the different POVs, and I became completely obsessed with trying to put them together before Scarlett did. Every time I thought I had something figured out, another piece would shift and suddenly I was questioning my entire theory again.
And then...
THE PLOT TWIST.
Excuse me?!
I DID NOT SEE THAT COMING.
Those are my favourite kinds of psychological thrillers. I don't want to figure everything out halfway through. I want an author to make me suspicious of everyone, convince me I've finally cracked it, and then gleefully rip the rug out from underneath me.
Spitfire absolutely delivered.
But underneath the murders, obsession, darkness, and complete chaos, there's also a surprisingly complex exploration of trauma and mental health. Scarlett's past becomes increasingly important as the story progresses, and watching those buried pieces begin connecting to the present added so much more depth than I initially expected.
This book is messy in the BEST possible way. It's dark, depraved, suspenseful, obsessive, spicy, violent, psychological, and ridiculously addictive.
Apparently the darker and more unhinged A.L. Maruga gets, the happier my little black heart becomes. 😂🖤
If you like dark romance mixed heavily with psychological thrillers, serial killers, obsessive characters, morally questionable decisions, unreliable-feeling perspectives, and plots that make you question your own ability to solve anything...
READ. THIS. BOOK.
But seriously, check the content warnings. There are a LOT, and they're there for a reason. I love going into dark books fairly blind, but this one covers some extremely heavy material, so know your own limits before diving down this particular rabbit hole.
Absolutely brilliant.
Thank you so much to A.L. Maruga for choosing me as an ARC reader and trusting me with Spitfire. All thoughts and opinions are completely my own. 🖤
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 30, 2026
Fantastic book.
I love all the blood, guts, and gore you can dish out. I also love dirty and depraved MMCs. So, SPITFIRE is right up my alley. Scarlett and Xavier are perfect in their rolls throughout—and, man oh man, they are sex-EEE together. Jasper is mediocre, at best, but doesn’t manage to ruin the excitement or intrigue for me.
This is for those who view content warnings as an appetizer menu, like your main men pitch black, your main females so gray they could be black, and love that HEAs aren’t just for the ‘good guys’.
*** Recommended ***
MMC:
✨Jasper
✨Xavier
FMC:
✨Scarlett
HEA/Cliffhanger:
✨HEA
Series:
✨Book 3: Dark Stars Series
Tropes:
👉dark twisted romance
👉why choose
👉stalker romance
👉enemies to lovers
👉obsessive mmc
👉vigilante justice
👉serial killers
👉secret identity
Triggers:🛑see content warning page/author’s website for full list🛑
💥18+
💥 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️, mf, open🚪sex, dub-con
💥profanity
💥violence, torture, child abuse, sexual abuse, gore
💥death, suicide
💥drug abuse
💥alcohol abuse
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I love all the blood, guts, and gore you can dish out. I also love dirty and depraved MMCs. So, SPITFIRE is right up my alley. Scarlett and Xavier are perfect in their rolls throughout—and, man oh man, they are sex-EEE together. Jasper is mediocre, at best, but doesn’t manage to ruin the excitement or intrigue for me.
This is for those who view content warnings as an appetizer menu, like your main men pitch black, your main females so gray they could be black, and love that HEAs aren’t just for the ‘good guys’.
*** Recommended ***
MMC:
✨Jasper
✨Xavier
FMC:
✨Scarlett
HEA/Cliffhanger:
✨HEA
Series:
✨Book 3: Dark Stars Series
Tropes:
👉dark twisted romance
👉why choose
👉stalker romance
👉enemies to lovers
👉obsessive mmc
👉vigilante justice
👉serial killers
👉secret identity
Triggers:🛑see content warning page/author’s website for full list🛑
💥18+
💥 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️, mf, open🚪sex, dub-con
💥profanity
💥violence, torture, child abuse, sexual abuse, gore
💥death, suicide
💥drug abuse
💥alcohol abuse
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 11, 2026
I devoured this book. It's dark romance through and through - I know the FMC is an FBI agent, but don't expect a police procedural here.
Our FMC, Scarlett, is hunting a serial killer, and her partner Jasper is determined to claim Scarlett along the way. The insta-lust here is palpable, but I didn't mind it - the spice is hottt.
Where things start departing from the expected is, there are secrets here. There's Xavier, who's obsessed with the serial killer and wants to keep the FBI from solving the case. There are backstories and twists and turns galore, and I'm not ashamed to say that I didn't guess the ending early on.
My favorite part of this book is that instead of the typical "strong but unsure" FMC who has to learn to kick ass - Scarlett already kicks ass, and she knows it. Her strength and the mysteries that are solved really turn things on their heads, and I am totally here for it. I loved this book, and I'm looking forward to more from this shared world.
Our FMC, Scarlett, is hunting a serial killer, and her partner Jasper is determined to claim Scarlett along the way. The insta-lust here is palpable, but I didn't mind it - the spice is hottt.
Where things start departing from the expected is, there are secrets here. There's Xavier, who's obsessed with the serial killer and wants to keep the FBI from solving the case. There are backstories and twists and turns galore, and I'm not ashamed to say that I didn't guess the ending early on.
My favorite part of this book is that instead of the typical "strong but unsure" FMC who has to learn to kick ass - Scarlett already kicks ass, and she knows it. Her strength and the mysteries that are solved really turn things on their heads, and I am totally here for it. I loved this book, and I'm looking forward to more from this shared world.
September 3, 2026
Rounding up from 3.5 stars.
This was really good, and the spice was definitely top tier.
I loved how much background we got on Xavier and Scarlett. It really made me feel their emotions.
The plot twist I had figured out before I was even 50% in though. There were too many hints and clues thrown in that it made it glaringly obvious.
Still really good, and would definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys the serial unaliver trope.
This was really good, and the spice was definitely top tier.
I loved how much background we got on Xavier and Scarlett. It really made me feel their emotions.
The plot twist I had figured out before I was even 50% in though. There were too many hints and clues thrown in that it made it glaringly obvious.
Still really good, and would definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys the serial unaliver trope.
September 16, 2026
This freaking book ! I thought it was going to go one way , but of course it took a total 180 and threw a huge twist at me .
It was action packed right from the start , it really kept me engaged with the story and kept me guessing the whole time . Also the tension and banter ? Ugh ! Loved it so much .
It was action packed right from the start , it really kept me engaged with the story and kept me guessing the whole time . Also the tension and banter ? Ugh ! Loved it so much .
September 23, 2026
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Spitfire was such a mindfuck. I did figure out the twist early on but I did like the dynamic between our main characters. The backstories put more emphasis on why the Ashmaker was how they were and reminded me a bit of another character that I would die for, IYKYN. The romance didn’t overshadow the plot but just added more oomph to the relationships.
Spitfire was such a mindfuck. I did figure out the twist early on but I did like the dynamic between our main characters. The backstories put more emphasis on why the Ashmaker was how they were and reminded me a bit of another character that I would die for, IYKYN. The romance didn’t overshadow the plot but just added more oomph to the relationships.
September 29, 2026
AL Maruga has quickly became one of my favourite authors, and with the dark, twisted, and spicy worlds with hot MMCs and a kick-ass FMC, it's easy to see why!!
This is the story of 2 FBI agents hunting a serial killer, with several POVs and a storyline that will have you slack-jawed and crying for more. Be prepared for some twists and turns along the way!!!!
This is the story of 2 FBI agents hunting a serial killer, with several POVs and a storyline that will have you slack-jawed and crying for more. Be prepared for some twists and turns along the way!!!!
September 8, 2026
4.75⭐️
Omg my mind is currently wrapping around this mind-f of a read! Wow! The spice, the twists, the characters and the story itself is just wow! You wouldn’t expect this story to become what it is by just the blurb…. But my my my it was so good. Highly recommend. Check your ⚠️
Omg my mind is currently wrapping around this mind-f of a read! Wow! The spice, the twists, the characters and the story itself is just wow! You wouldn’t expect this story to become what it is by just the blurb…. But my my my it was so good. Highly recommend. Check your ⚠️
September 10, 2026
I absolutely love the serial criminal trope, so I had to read this story, and it was completely unputdownable for me. When the twist came, I saw it coming, but not quite in the way it actually went down. I loved every broken piece of our characters, and the spice was something else. Did I want 1–2 more chapters after that epilogue? Hell, yes. Who wouldn’t?
The story gave me strong Mindf@ck series vibes, which I absolutely loved. I also really liked the way the author chose to unfold the story and how we got to know so much of each character’s background before they all came together.
In one word, the story was perfect for me. It’s short enough to keep you completely engaged, but long enough to contain all the necessary information, a good plot, spicy spice time, and very likable characters.
I have to send a big, but very big THANK YOU to both BookSirens and to the author for allowing me to read and review this wonderful story!
The story gave me strong Mindf@ck series vibes, which I absolutely loved. I also really liked the way the author chose to unfold the story and how we got to know so much of each character’s background before they all came together.
In one word, the story was perfect for me. It’s short enough to keep you completely engaged, but long enough to contain all the necessary information, a good plot, spicy spice time, and very likable characters.
I have to send a big, but very big THANK YOU to both BookSirens and to the author for allowing me to read and review this wonderful story!
September 3, 2026
Spitfire
By A.L Maruga
Fierce AF FMC
Toxic Love Triangle
Law Enforcement
Serial unaliver
Psychological Suspense
MFM
Cat & Mouse
Stalker
"I am death. I am justice that was not served. I am their retribution."
I read this in one sitting. I could not put it down!
Please read the triggers!
This book was a high 5 🌟 read for me. It had everything I want in a book. I'm in my stalker era and it definitely gave me that. It gave me dark & unhinged CSI vibes with some questionable smut scenes. I love a book that makes you question your own sanity 😂 and still makes you want to read more. The twists gave me some whiplash and even i couldn't piece together the puzzle that is spitfire!
I actually shouted at my kindle! And had thoughts about throwing it at the plot twist so tie everything down. I gave you a warning ⚠️
Overall I absolutely loved Spitfire, and definitely need to dive into more of AL Maruga work because were all unhinged over here!
By A.L Maruga
Fierce AF FMC
Toxic Love Triangle
Law Enforcement
Serial unaliver
Psychological Suspense
MFM
Cat & Mouse
Stalker
"I am death. I am justice that was not served. I am their retribution."
I read this in one sitting. I could not put it down!
Please read the triggers!
This book was a high 5 🌟 read for me. It had everything I want in a book. I'm in my stalker era and it definitely gave me that. It gave me dark & unhinged CSI vibes with some questionable smut scenes. I love a book that makes you question your own sanity 😂 and still makes you want to read more. The twists gave me some whiplash and even i couldn't piece together the puzzle that is spitfire!
I actually shouted at my kindle! And had thoughts about throwing it at the plot twist so tie everything down. I gave you a warning ⚠️
Overall I absolutely loved Spitfire, and definitely need to dive into more of AL Maruga work because were all unhinged over here!
September 9, 2026
This was a wild ride from start to finish. It was twisty, humorous in a dark way and full of tension. I mean, serial unalivers and FBI agents having done of the spiciest scenes I've read in a minute? Yep. That'll do it. The dirty talk from these men was chef's kiss perfection. I loved the identity reveal and that ending had my jaw on the floor. Absolutely recommend but check the tw/cw lists because it wouldn't be an A.L. Maruga without a 60+ option menu.
September 4, 2026
❤️ ARC REVIEW ❤️
Spitfire by AL Maruga
Scarlette, Jasper & Xavier
❤️ AVAILABLE NOW ❤️
My Rating: 4.5☆
Dark Star Series Book 3
Aries FMC ♈️
Stalker Romance
FBI Agents
Obsessed Serial Unaliver
Coworkers to Lovers
Love Triangle
Secret Identity
Vigilante Justice
Spicy Rating: 4.25🌶
Spitfire is book three in The Dark Star shared world, a series written by 12 different authors. Each book dives into the core obsession of its zodiac sign and can be read as a standalone in any order. Spitfire dives into Aries.
Spitfire is a dark romance packed with psychological suspense, serial unalivers, vigilante justice, and morally grey characters where the heroes have an unhinged obsession. It features a toxic love triangle where monsters don't always know what they are, one man would die to protect her, the other would kill to claim her.
REVIEW:
Forget everything I thought I knew, I was so wrong. I very rarely read trigger warnings, and this book was no exception. If you're like me, go in blind if you can. I just dive in and let whatever needs to happen, happen. Trust the process. It all makes sense at the end, and it's so satisfying seeing how it all unfolds.
I was curious. I was intrigued. I kept guessing. The story is interesting and I just wanted to know more. By chapter 27, I was mind-blown. 🤯 I really enjoyed this book. However, this is a very dark book. Forget morally grey, this is morally black. So if you need to, please check trigger warnings.
This is the second book I've read by A.L. Maruga. I discovered her last October after reading Lethal from the Wellard Asylum shared world. I knew right then that I needed to read more from her, and this new shared world gave me just the perfect excuse.
Thank you for letting me ARC read this book. Spitfire is now available to read. ❤️
Spitfire by AL Maruga
Scarlette, Jasper & Xavier
❤️ AVAILABLE NOW ❤️
My Rating: 4.5☆
Dark Star Series Book 3
Aries FMC ♈️
Stalker Romance
FBI Agents
Obsessed Serial Unaliver
Coworkers to Lovers
Love Triangle
Secret Identity
Vigilante Justice
Spicy Rating: 4.25🌶
Spitfire is book three in The Dark Star shared world, a series written by 12 different authors. Each book dives into the core obsession of its zodiac sign and can be read as a standalone in any order. Spitfire dives into Aries.
Spitfire is a dark romance packed with psychological suspense, serial unalivers, vigilante justice, and morally grey characters where the heroes have an unhinged obsession. It features a toxic love triangle where monsters don't always know what they are, one man would die to protect her, the other would kill to claim her.
REVIEW:
Forget everything I thought I knew, I was so wrong. I very rarely read trigger warnings, and this book was no exception. If you're like me, go in blind if you can. I just dive in and let whatever needs to happen, happen. Trust the process. It all makes sense at the end, and it's so satisfying seeing how it all unfolds.
I was curious. I was intrigued. I kept guessing. The story is interesting and I just wanted to know more. By chapter 27, I was mind-blown. 🤯 I really enjoyed this book. However, this is a very dark book. Forget morally grey, this is morally black. So if you need to, please check trigger warnings.
This is the second book I've read by A.L. Maruga. I discovered her last October after reading Lethal from the Wellard Asylum shared world. I knew right then that I needed to read more from her, and this new shared world gave me just the perfect excuse.
Thank you for letting me ARC read this book. Spitfire is now available to read. ❤️
September 29, 2026
🔥 SPITFIRE — A.L. MARUGA 🔥
WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCKERY DID I JUST READ?! 🫠🔥
I have had A.L. Maruga books sitting on my TBR, looking at me wantonly like the stalker in this book… and I am currently kicking myself for not picking them up sooner.
Because HOLY MOTHER.
A.L. Maruga’s writing is absolutely ENTHRALLING.
This book grabbed me by the throat, dragged me into the darkness and basically said, “You’re not sleeping tonight, love.”
And apparently I said…
“Fine. Carry on.” 😂
🚨 TRIGGER WARNING BEFORE WE GO ANY FURTHER: 🚨
You know I don’t check my triggers.
But everyone else should.
And I mean SHOULD.
This book comes with a very long list, and they are definitely not there for decorative purposes. This is DARK romance, and some of the content is seriously dark.
Now that public service announcement is out of the way…
WHAT A READ!
I started this thinking I’d have a little read before bed.
Fast forward to the early hours of the morning and I’m lying there on the edge of my bed, completely INVESTED, refusing to put it down.
I literally fell asleep reading because I was exhausted…
…woke up…
…and CARRIED ON READING. 😂
That’s how hooked I was.
We’ve got FBI Agent Scarlett Lyssa hunting Ashmaker, a serial killer who mutilates their victims before setting them on fire.
Because apparently regular murder wasn’t dramatic enough. 🫠🔥
Then there’s Jasper, Scarlett’s partner, who is determined to keep her alive… and possibly make her his indefinitely.
And Xavier…
Oh, Xavier.
This man is UNHINGED.
Obsessed with Ashmaker.
Obsessed with Scarlett.
Possessive as hell.
Morally questionable doesn’t even begin to cover it.
And did I love him?
Unfortunately… yes.
Do I question my taste in fictional men?
Absolutely not. 😂🔥
Scarlett is an absolute badass. Strong, determined and refusing to be pushed aside despite people around her clearly underestimating her.
Jasper took a little longer to worm his way into my heart, but he got there.
And then there’s Ashmaker…
Let’s just say I had some feelings about their particular brand of vigilante justice. 👀
I’m also going to say something here because I initially went into this expecting a love triangle…
IT ISN’T. 😉
And as someone who isn’t a fan of love triangles, I am VERY happy to report that I survived this one without wanting to launch my Kindle across the room. 😂
Instead, what I got was a dark, twisted game of WHO CAN YOU ACTUALLY TRUST?
I had theories.
I had suspicions.
I thought I had it figured out.
And while I did start putting some pieces together fairly early, that didn’t stop me from enjoying the absolute rollercoaster of madness getting there.
Because the atmosphere?
The suspense?
The obsession?
The morally questionable men?
YES. YES. AND YES.
And the spice…
Lord have mercy. 🥵
This book is dark, twisted, spicy and filled with characters who clearly looked at the moral compass and decided it wasn’t for them.
And honestly?
I respect the commitment. 😂
Then came that EPILOGUE.
EXCUSE ME?!
A.L. Maruga… we need to talk.
Because I need more.
I need more of Xavier.
I need more of this world.
And frankly, I need to know what the hell you have been putting in your ink because I have clearly been missing out.
SPITFIRE was my first A.L. Maruga read…
…and it most definitely will NOT be my last.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
If you love dark romance, psychological suspense, FBI profilers, serial killers, vigilante justice, obsessive/unhinged men, morally black characters, secret identities, forbidden attraction, primal spice and a mystery that will have you questioning EVERYONE…
Put this on your TBR.
Just…
CHECK. YOUR. TRIGGERS.
Seriously.
THIS IS NOT A SUGGESTION. 🚨🖤
And A.L. Maruga?
I’m coming for the rest of your backlist.
My TBR is already terrified. 😂📚🔥
WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCKERY DID I JUST READ?! 🫠🔥
I have had A.L. Maruga books sitting on my TBR, looking at me wantonly like the stalker in this book… and I am currently kicking myself for not picking them up sooner.
Because HOLY MOTHER.
A.L. Maruga’s writing is absolutely ENTHRALLING.
This book grabbed me by the throat, dragged me into the darkness and basically said, “You’re not sleeping tonight, love.”
And apparently I said…
“Fine. Carry on.” 😂
🚨 TRIGGER WARNING BEFORE WE GO ANY FURTHER: 🚨
You know I don’t check my triggers.
But everyone else should.
And I mean SHOULD.
This book comes with a very long list, and they are definitely not there for decorative purposes. This is DARK romance, and some of the content is seriously dark.
Now that public service announcement is out of the way…
WHAT A READ!
I started this thinking I’d have a little read before bed.
Fast forward to the early hours of the morning and I’m lying there on the edge of my bed, completely INVESTED, refusing to put it down.
I literally fell asleep reading because I was exhausted…
…woke up…
…and CARRIED ON READING. 😂
That’s how hooked I was.
We’ve got FBI Agent Scarlett Lyssa hunting Ashmaker, a serial killer who mutilates their victims before setting them on fire.
Because apparently regular murder wasn’t dramatic enough. 🫠🔥
Then there’s Jasper, Scarlett’s partner, who is determined to keep her alive… and possibly make her his indefinitely.
And Xavier…
Oh, Xavier.
This man is UNHINGED.
Obsessed with Ashmaker.
Obsessed with Scarlett.
Possessive as hell.
Morally questionable doesn’t even begin to cover it.
And did I love him?
Unfortunately… yes.
Do I question my taste in fictional men?
Absolutely not. 😂🔥
Scarlett is an absolute badass. Strong, determined and refusing to be pushed aside despite people around her clearly underestimating her.
Jasper took a little longer to worm his way into my heart, but he got there.
And then there’s Ashmaker…
Let’s just say I had some feelings about their particular brand of vigilante justice. 👀
I’m also going to say something here because I initially went into this expecting a love triangle…
IT ISN’T. 😉
And as someone who isn’t a fan of love triangles, I am VERY happy to report that I survived this one without wanting to launch my Kindle across the room. 😂
Instead, what I got was a dark, twisted game of WHO CAN YOU ACTUALLY TRUST?
I had theories.
I had suspicions.
I thought I had it figured out.
And while I did start putting some pieces together fairly early, that didn’t stop me from enjoying the absolute rollercoaster of madness getting there.
Because the atmosphere?
The suspense?
The obsession?
The morally questionable men?
YES. YES. AND YES.
And the spice…
Lord have mercy. 🥵
This book is dark, twisted, spicy and filled with characters who clearly looked at the moral compass and decided it wasn’t for them.
And honestly?
I respect the commitment. 😂
Then came that EPILOGUE.
EXCUSE ME?!
A.L. Maruga… we need to talk.
Because I need more.
I need more of Xavier.
I need more of this world.
And frankly, I need to know what the hell you have been putting in your ink because I have clearly been missing out.
SPITFIRE was my first A.L. Maruga read…
…and it most definitely will NOT be my last.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
If you love dark romance, psychological suspense, FBI profilers, serial killers, vigilante justice, obsessive/unhinged men, morally black characters, secret identities, forbidden attraction, primal spice and a mystery that will have you questioning EVERYONE…
Put this on your TBR.
Just…
CHECK. YOUR. TRIGGERS.
Seriously.
THIS IS NOT A SUGGESTION. 🚨🖤
And A.L. Maruga?
I’m coming for the rest of your backlist.
My TBR is already terrified. 😂📚🔥
October 8, 2026
FBI agent Scarlett Lyssa and her partner, Jasper, are hunting a serial killer, and Scarlett has a feeling they’re getting close. Closer than she thinks. I felt my feminist hackles rise at the way her colleagues (and I use the term loosely) constantly underestimated her. Will we ever be rid of the misogynistic dickwads who can’t stand women invading their precious little boy clubs? Probably not. But thankfully, women like Scarlett have bigger balls—and, frankly, bigger dicks—than these assholes could ever dream of. There’s no doubt Scarlett is one tough federal agent, but she’s also dealing with a few complications of her own, including her abrasive partner, Jasper, who obviously has the hots for her. He claims he prefers married women, but apparently Scarlett is the exception. And when these two finally cross that professional line, Jasper goes from possessive to absolutely feral, determined to make Scarlett his. But then there’s Xavier. Scarlett’s unknown protector. Her stalker. A journalist by trade and completely unhinged by nature, Xavier is possessive, obsessive, and suffering from the same affliction as Scarlett—his Spitfire. Seriously… is there anyone sane in this book? Meanwhile, Scarlett is stuck in the middle, trying to keep her head in the investigation while everything around her starts unraveling. The deeper she digs, the stranger things become. Clues seem to be speaking directly to her. Forgotten childhood memories begin clawing their way back to the surface. And slowly, Scarlett starts to realize that this case might be a hell of a lot more personal than she ever imagined. Scarlett’s past becomes increasingly important as the story progresses, and I really enjoyed seeing how those buried pieces connected to the present. It added a surprising amount of depth to the story and gave the psychological side of things far more weight. I did see the twist coming, but honestly, I don’t think that was entirely the point. For me, this story felt like an exploration of trauma, mental health, and the ways unresolved trauma can manifest in the most unusual—and sometimes seriously fucked-up—ways. Of course, this is an MFM romance, so you know there’s going to be spice, and holy hell, does this book deliver. The filthy mouths on those two men? Absolutely delicious. 🥵 This book comes with a long list of trigger warnings, and it absolutely lives up to the hype, so make sure you know what you’re getting yourself into before diving in. But if you like your dark romance served with serial killers, heavy psychological vibes, obsessive and slightly (okay, wildly) unhinged characters, violence, gore, morally questionable decisions, plenty of spice, and a plot that twists and turns its way towards one unforgettable finale, then you can always count on A.L. Maruga to deliver the goods. And that epilogue? Yeah. You’re going to want to read that one for yourself.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you for picking me for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
WOW! Once I picked this up, I did not want to put it down.
This book is like an unhinged episode of Criminal Minds but a hell of a lot spicier. If you have any triggers, please check them as there are heavy subjects covered.
This is a dark, psychological thriller that will have you questioning your own sanity. We are introduced to multiple POVs including Scarlett, Xavier, Jasper and Ashmaker and two characters that have mental health concerns. I appreciate that the author appears to have done their research on these subjects.
Scarlett and Jasper are working for the FBI as partners on the biggest case of their career, chasing the notorious cereal redrummer; Ashmaker. They are in competition for the same promotion, Scarlett hiding behind a wall she has built to protect herself until Jasper snaps one day and can't hide his feelings and lust for her anymore. From this moment on, he takes obsession and possession to new levels.
Xavier is a mysterious journalist who is obsessed by both Scarlett and Ashmaker. He struggles with his mental health and has another part of himself that speaks to him in his head that he wars with to keep control. He makes a deal to spend one night with Scarlett in exchange for information to do help catch Ashmaker and it quickly becomes apparent that it is beyond obsession and he wants to mark and own every part of her.
Scarlett ends up finding herself in the middle of both Jasper and Xavier, them both trying to claim her as their own. All whilst Ashmaker seems to be escalating.
Clues are being left in amongst the burnt ashes of Ashmaker's victims that are specifically for Scarlett to find. And amongst the chapters, AL is leaving clues for us as we are taken on twists and turns, trying to piece the puzzle together.
As Scarlett begins to remember more of her childhood and the trauma that she faced, the story begins to unravel. How will this effect the story? Trust will be broken, secrets will be spilled. What will happen with Ashmaker? Which man's obsession will win Scarlett's heart?
"I am death. I am justice that was not served. I am their retribution."
"Common sense is telling me to leave, that no information Xavier has is worth degrading myself for. The other part of me, the one that dreams of dark things, and fantasises about men in masks, primal chases, and enjoys pain with her pleasure, is fully on board and refuses to move an inch."
"Only a monster can truly hunt and kill another monster."
WOW! Once I picked this up, I did not want to put it down.
This book is like an unhinged episode of Criminal Minds but a hell of a lot spicier. If you have any triggers, please check them as there are heavy subjects covered.
This is a dark, psychological thriller that will have you questioning your own sanity. We are introduced to multiple POVs including Scarlett, Xavier, Jasper and Ashmaker and two characters that have mental health concerns. I appreciate that the author appears to have done their research on these subjects.
Scarlett and Jasper are working for the FBI as partners on the biggest case of their career, chasing the notorious cereal redrummer; Ashmaker. They are in competition for the same promotion, Scarlett hiding behind a wall she has built to protect herself until Jasper snaps one day and can't hide his feelings and lust for her anymore. From this moment on, he takes obsession and possession to new levels.
Xavier is a mysterious journalist who is obsessed by both Scarlett and Ashmaker. He struggles with his mental health and has another part of himself that speaks to him in his head that he wars with to keep control. He makes a deal to spend one night with Scarlett in exchange for information to do help catch Ashmaker and it quickly becomes apparent that it is beyond obsession and he wants to mark and own every part of her.
Scarlett ends up finding herself in the middle of both Jasper and Xavier, them both trying to claim her as their own. All whilst Ashmaker seems to be escalating.
Clues are being left in amongst the burnt ashes of Ashmaker's victims that are specifically for Scarlett to find. And amongst the chapters, AL is leaving clues for us as we are taken on twists and turns, trying to piece the puzzle together.
As Scarlett begins to remember more of her childhood and the trauma that she faced, the story begins to unravel. How will this effect the story? Trust will be broken, secrets will be spilled. What will happen with Ashmaker? Which man's obsession will win Scarlett's heart?
"I am death. I am justice that was not served. I am their retribution."
"Common sense is telling me to leave, that no information Xavier has is worth degrading myself for. The other part of me, the one that dreams of dark things, and fantasises about men in masks, primal chases, and enjoys pain with her pleasure, is fully on board and refuses to move an inch."
"Only a monster can truly hunt and kill another monster."
September 19, 2026
🖤 SPITFIRE 🖤 ♈️ARIES♈️
by A.L Maruga
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - 𝓻𝓪𝓽𝓮
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ - 𝓼𝓹𝓲𝓬𝓮
🔥🔥🔥🔥 - 𝓹𝓵𝓸𝓽
🩸🩸 - 𝓰𝓸𝓻𝓮
🖤 𝓶𝓪𝓲𝓷 𝓬𝓱𝓪𝓻𝓪𝓬𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓼🖤
Scarlett, Xavier, & Jasper
🖤 𝓽𝓻𝓸𝓹𝓮𝓼🖤
📕sexual assault
📕graphic violence
📕abuse
📕thoughts of suicide
📕murder
🖤𝓺𝓾𝓸𝓽𝓮𝓼🖤
“Mirror, mirror, on the wall. Who’s the deadliest of them all?”
"Will you scream for me, hmmm, Scarlett? Maybe you'll beg me to ride you like my own prized horse, little vixen."
"I really like this version of you, Scarlett, it makes me feel all huge and manly."
🖤 𝓻𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀🖤
Spitfire is one hell of an unhinged rollercoaster that comes out a lot darker, spicier, with a whirlwind of a twist by the end that catches you off guard. And Maruga absolutely delivered with this psychological thriller romance that perfectly combines serial killers, obsessive characters, and morally black decision making skills. If you needed one push to bump this to the top of your TBR list, this is it. But definitely check your triggers before proceeding, as things get dark in this addition to the Dark Star series.
*spoilers*
FBI Agent Scarlett Lyssa is determined to catch Ashmaker, a notorious serial killer who has managed to always stay one step ahead of the authorities. But as Scarlett becomes closer to uncovering the truth, the investigation becomes disturbingly personal.
Her partner, Jasper, is extremely protective of her, but his devotion begins to blur into something far more possessive without her realizing. Meanwhile, Xavier becomes fascinated with both the case and Scarlett herself, developing an unhealthy and unhinged obsession that quickly crosses dangerous boundaries.
As the murders continue with more bodies piling up and the clues start to become increasingly personal, Scarlett realizes someone is watching her… and may know more about her than they should. Caught between obsession, protection, and a killer who seems to anticipate her every move, Scarlett must figure out who she can trust before she becomes the next target in his crossfire. In a world where love can look dangerously similar to possession, the line between hunter and prey is about to disappear.
🖤𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓻𝓪𝓵𝓵🖤
This book has me going in so many directions. Going through all the emotions. The pacing keeps you captivated until the end. The characters are just perfectly written that you really engage with them. The spice is hot and intense. An emotionally chaotic ride that will keep you invested the entire ride, gripping onto the edge of your seat.
**no AI was used to generate any part of this review**
by A.L Maruga
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - 𝓻𝓪𝓽𝓮
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ - 𝓼𝓹𝓲𝓬𝓮
🔥🔥🔥🔥 - 𝓹𝓵𝓸𝓽
🩸🩸 - 𝓰𝓸𝓻𝓮
🖤 𝓶𝓪𝓲𝓷 𝓬𝓱𝓪𝓻𝓪𝓬𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓼🖤
Scarlett, Xavier, & Jasper
🖤 𝓽𝓻𝓸𝓹𝓮𝓼🖤
📕sexual assault
📕graphic violence
📕abuse
📕thoughts of suicide
📕murder
🖤𝓺𝓾𝓸𝓽𝓮𝓼🖤
“Mirror, mirror, on the wall. Who’s the deadliest of them all?”
"Will you scream for me, hmmm, Scarlett? Maybe you'll beg me to ride you like my own prized horse, little vixen."
"I really like this version of you, Scarlett, it makes me feel all huge and manly."
🖤 𝓻𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀🖤
Spitfire is one hell of an unhinged rollercoaster that comes out a lot darker, spicier, with a whirlwind of a twist by the end that catches you off guard. And Maruga absolutely delivered with this psychological thriller romance that perfectly combines serial killers, obsessive characters, and morally black decision making skills. If you needed one push to bump this to the top of your TBR list, this is it. But definitely check your triggers before proceeding, as things get dark in this addition to the Dark Star series.
*spoilers*
FBI Agent Scarlett Lyssa is determined to catch Ashmaker, a notorious serial killer who has managed to always stay one step ahead of the authorities. But as Scarlett becomes closer to uncovering the truth, the investigation becomes disturbingly personal.
Her partner, Jasper, is extremely protective of her, but his devotion begins to blur into something far more possessive without her realizing. Meanwhile, Xavier becomes fascinated with both the case and Scarlett herself, developing an unhealthy and unhinged obsession that quickly crosses dangerous boundaries.
As the murders continue with more bodies piling up and the clues start to become increasingly personal, Scarlett realizes someone is watching her… and may know more about her than they should. Caught between obsession, protection, and a killer who seems to anticipate her every move, Scarlett must figure out who she can trust before she becomes the next target in his crossfire. In a world where love can look dangerously similar to possession, the line between hunter and prey is about to disappear.
🖤𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓻𝓪𝓵𝓵🖤
This book has me going in so many directions. Going through all the emotions. The pacing keeps you captivated until the end. The characters are just perfectly written that you really engage with them. The spice is hot and intense. An emotionally chaotic ride that will keep you invested the entire ride, gripping onto the edge of your seat.
**no AI was used to generate any part of this review**
August 28, 2026
Thank you for letting me be a arc reader for this!!
First, a quick warning, this book has A LOT of trigger warnings over 60, actually. I personally went in without checking them because I prefer to experience a story without knowing too much beforehand, but if you have specific triggers, I highly recommend looking through the list before starting.
This story is an absolute mess in the best possible way. There are several POVs throughout the book, including Ashmaker, Jasper, Xavier, and Scarlett, and each one adds another layer to an already complicated story.
Ashmaker is essentially wreaking havoc wherever he goes, leaving a trail of destruction behind him. Meanwhile, Scarlett and Jasper are determined to find him. Jasper’s feelings for Scarlett are intense and obsessive, while Xavier enters the story as a reporter and quickly becomes one of the more mysterious pieces of the puzzle. He hears voices in his head, and honestly, figuring out what is real and what isn’t had me questioning everything.
And then there’s Scarlett.
Her perspective was especially interesting because there are moments where you’re left wondering whether we’re hearing her actual thoughts, or whether something else is happening entirely. The deeper you get into her story, the more unsettling things become.
As the story progresses, Scarlett’s childhood and the horrific things she experienced start coming back to the surface. Once those pieces of her past begin connecting with what is happening in the present, the entire story takes a completely different direction.
Suddenly, nobody feels completely trustworthy.
Who is telling the truth? What is really going on with Ashmaker? And where does that leave Scarlett, Jasper, and Xavier? The further I got, the more questions I had, and I genuinely couldn’t predict where everything was going to end up.
This was such a chaotic, dark, and surprisingly addictive read. There were so many moments where I had to stop and process what I had just read, but I couldn’t put it down. The different POVs worked really well for the story and made it even harder to figure out who or what I should trust.
THE PLOT TWIST?? My god. I didn’t expect that.
I had a great time with this one and will definitely be checking out more from this author. Just please, PLEASE check those trigger warnings if you need to. There are a lot of them for a reason.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
First, a quick warning, this book has A LOT of trigger warnings over 60, actually. I personally went in without checking them because I prefer to experience a story without knowing too much beforehand, but if you have specific triggers, I highly recommend looking through the list before starting.
This story is an absolute mess in the best possible way. There are several POVs throughout the book, including Ashmaker, Jasper, Xavier, and Scarlett, and each one adds another layer to an already complicated story.
Ashmaker is essentially wreaking havoc wherever he goes, leaving a trail of destruction behind him. Meanwhile, Scarlett and Jasper are determined to find him. Jasper’s feelings for Scarlett are intense and obsessive, while Xavier enters the story as a reporter and quickly becomes one of the more mysterious pieces of the puzzle. He hears voices in his head, and honestly, figuring out what is real and what isn’t had me questioning everything.
And then there’s Scarlett.
Her perspective was especially interesting because there are moments where you’re left wondering whether we’re hearing her actual thoughts, or whether something else is happening entirely. The deeper you get into her story, the more unsettling things become.
As the story progresses, Scarlett’s childhood and the horrific things she experienced start coming back to the surface. Once those pieces of her past begin connecting with what is happening in the present, the entire story takes a completely different direction.
Suddenly, nobody feels completely trustworthy.
Who is telling the truth? What is really going on with Ashmaker? And where does that leave Scarlett, Jasper, and Xavier? The further I got, the more questions I had, and I genuinely couldn’t predict where everything was going to end up.
This was such a chaotic, dark, and surprisingly addictive read. There were so many moments where I had to stop and process what I had just read, but I couldn’t put it down. The different POVs worked really well for the story and made it even harder to figure out who or what I should trust.
THE PLOT TWIST?? My god. I didn’t expect that.
I had a great time with this one and will definitely be checking out more from this author. Just please, PLEASE check those trigger warnings if you need to. There are a lot of them for a reason.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
September 4, 2026
📖 ARC REVIEW 🖤💀
Spitfire
✍️ A.L. Maruga
💀 Jess’s Skeleton Rating:
💀💀💀💀 — An emotional rollercoaster that had me questioning EVERYTHING.
🖤 What to expect:
❤️ Stalker
🔪 Obsessive serial unaliver
🖤 Coworkers to lovers
♈ Law enforcement / FBI
❤️ Cat & mouse
🔪 He falls first & HARD
🖤 Possessive & unhinged MMC
♈ Secret identity
❤️ Primal
🔪 Dub Con / CNC
🖤 Vigilante justice
♈ Aries FMC
❤️ Forbidden attraction
🔪 Love triangle
⚠️ Please check the trigger warnings before reading. There are a lot, and Spitfire definitely doesn't hold back when it comes to its darker and more gruesome moments.
💭 My Thoughts
Firstly, thank you A.L. Maruga for allowing me to be an ARC reader for Spitfire. 🖤
This book was an absolute emotional rollercoaster. Half the time I didn't know whether I was coming or going with these characters — even after I thought I'd worked out what was happening!
I went into this one mostly blind, and the author's note at the beginning had me a little scared about what I'd gotten myself into. 😂 But I'm actually glad I didn't know too much beforehand. If you do have triggers though, definitely read the warnings first.
From the beginning, we're thrown straight into the mystery of Ashmaker, a brutal serial killer Scarlett and Jasper are trying to catch.
Scarlett had me from the start. 🖤 The banter, chemistry, tension and absolute hatred between these characters kept me completely hooked — especially the hatred between Jasper and Xavier. Toxic love triangle indeed. 😂🔪
My feelings towards Jasper and Xavier may have changed a few times depending on what was happening... and there were definitely moments where I was questioning EVERYTHING.
Even though I managed to work out quite a few things early on, I could NOT predict that ending. And trust me, I tried. I genuinely had no idea how everything was going to play out.
The chemistry and spice between the MCs is raw, intense and unrelenting, perfectly matching the darker tone of the story. 🌶️🔥
Overall, Spitfire had me gripped. It's fast-paced, twisted, emotional and completely chaotic — I couldn't put it down.
🖤 Thank you again A.L. Maruga for trusting me with an ARC. As always, these are my honest thoughts and opinions.
#Spitfire #ALMaruga #ARCReader #DarkRomance #JesssSkeletonRating
Spitfire
✍️ A.L. Maruga
💀 Jess’s Skeleton Rating:
💀💀💀💀 — An emotional rollercoaster that had me questioning EVERYTHING.
🖤 What to expect:
❤️ Stalker
🔪 Obsessive serial unaliver
🖤 Coworkers to lovers
♈ Law enforcement / FBI
❤️ Cat & mouse
🔪 He falls first & HARD
🖤 Possessive & unhinged MMC
♈ Secret identity
❤️ Primal
🔪 Dub Con / CNC
🖤 Vigilante justice
♈ Aries FMC
❤️ Forbidden attraction
🔪 Love triangle
⚠️ Please check the trigger warnings before reading. There are a lot, and Spitfire definitely doesn't hold back when it comes to its darker and more gruesome moments.
💭 My Thoughts
Firstly, thank you A.L. Maruga for allowing me to be an ARC reader for Spitfire. 🖤
This book was an absolute emotional rollercoaster. Half the time I didn't know whether I was coming or going with these characters — even after I thought I'd worked out what was happening!
I went into this one mostly blind, and the author's note at the beginning had me a little scared about what I'd gotten myself into. 😂 But I'm actually glad I didn't know too much beforehand. If you do have triggers though, definitely read the warnings first.
From the beginning, we're thrown straight into the mystery of Ashmaker, a brutal serial killer Scarlett and Jasper are trying to catch.
Scarlett had me from the start. 🖤 The banter, chemistry, tension and absolute hatred between these characters kept me completely hooked — especially the hatred between Jasper and Xavier. Toxic love triangle indeed. 😂🔪
My feelings towards Jasper and Xavier may have changed a few times depending on what was happening... and there were definitely moments where I was questioning EVERYTHING.
Even though I managed to work out quite a few things early on, I could NOT predict that ending. And trust me, I tried. I genuinely had no idea how everything was going to play out.
The chemistry and spice between the MCs is raw, intense and unrelenting, perfectly matching the darker tone of the story. 🌶️🔥
Overall, Spitfire had me gripped. It's fast-paced, twisted, emotional and completely chaotic — I couldn't put it down.
🖤 Thank you again A.L. Maruga for trusting me with an ARC. As always, these are my honest thoughts and opinions.
#Spitfire #ALMaruga #ARCReader #DarkRomance #JesssSkeletonRating
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5 ⭐️
Thank you so much A.L. Maruga for an ARC copy of this!
CHECK YOUR TRIGGERS!!!! … There now that I’ve gotten that out of the way, this was another hit by A.L. Maruga for me!
I’m a sucker for unhinged books / characters and Spitfire delivers exactly that! It was a struggle for me to put this book down because I was so invested in reading it, I literally fell asleep while reading it cause I was exhausted but didn't want to stop reading.
Scarlett Lyssa is an FBI agent and her and her partner, Jasper, are attempting to catch Ashmaker — a serial killer who after mutilating their victums, sets them on fire (hence the name Ashmaker). Xavier is obsessed with Ashmaker (and doesn’t want the FBI to catch them) and also is obsessed with Scarlett.
I love my man Xavier, and so what that he’s a little (okay maybe very) unhinged, I still love him. Jasper for me was a slow burn to love. He grew on me throughout the story cause he really is a little sweetie to Scarlett. And Scarlett is literally amazing and despite her entire team clearly not respecting her, she continues to show up and do her job and she is so incredibly strong. Then of course we have Ashmaker… who has my full support for their actions!
I figured out early on what was likely going on but I absolutely loved the wild ride that this story took me on. And that epilogue? I need more 👀… I also just in general need more of Xavier cause oh my god that man could fuck! 🥵
This books is dark, it’s spicy, it has morally black characters, it has some of my fav triggers (the sexy ones not the other ones), and it made me fall more in love with A.L. Maruga’s unhinged writing.
Somethings to expect:
❤️ Stalker
🔪 Obsessive serial unaliver
🖤 Coworkers to lovers
♈ Law enforcement - FBI
❤️ Cat and Mouse
🔪 He falls first & hard
🖤 Possessive & unhinged MMC
♈ Secret Identity
❤️ Primal
🔪 Dub Con / CNC
🖤 Vigilante Justice
♈ Aries FMC
❤️ Forbidden attraction
🔪 Love triangle
Thank you so much A.L. Maruga for an ARC copy of this!
CHECK YOUR TRIGGERS!!!! … There now that I’ve gotten that out of the way, this was another hit by A.L. Maruga for me!
I’m a sucker for unhinged books / characters and Spitfire delivers exactly that! It was a struggle for me to put this book down because I was so invested in reading it, I literally fell asleep while reading it cause I was exhausted but didn't want to stop reading.
Scarlett Lyssa is an FBI agent and her and her partner, Jasper, are attempting to catch Ashmaker — a serial killer who after mutilating their victums, sets them on fire (hence the name Ashmaker). Xavier is obsessed with Ashmaker (and doesn’t want the FBI to catch them) and also is obsessed with Scarlett.
I love my man Xavier, and so what that he’s a little (okay maybe very) unhinged, I still love him. Jasper for me was a slow burn to love. He grew on me throughout the story cause he really is a little sweetie to Scarlett. And Scarlett is literally amazing and despite her entire team clearly not respecting her, she continues to show up and do her job and she is so incredibly strong. Then of course we have Ashmaker… who has my full support for their actions!
I figured out early on what was likely going on but I absolutely loved the wild ride that this story took me on. And that epilogue? I need more 👀… I also just in general need more of Xavier cause oh my god that man could fuck! 🥵
This books is dark, it’s spicy, it has morally black characters, it has some of my fav triggers (the sexy ones not the other ones), and it made me fall more in love with A.L. Maruga’s unhinged writing.
Somethings to expect:
❤️ Stalker
🔪 Obsessive serial unaliver
🖤 Coworkers to lovers
♈ Law enforcement - FBI
❤️ Cat and Mouse
🔪 He falls first & hard
🖤 Possessive & unhinged MMC
♈ Secret Identity
❤️ Primal
🔪 Dub Con / CNC
🖤 Vigilante Justice
♈ Aries FMC
❤️ Forbidden attraction
🔪 Love triangle
September 5, 2026
🔥 BOOK REVIEW 🔥
Spitfire — A.L. Maruga
Dark Star Series, Book 3
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️ | 🖤 TOP READ
Over 60 trigger warnings?! Say less. I was already intrigued—but I was NOT prepared for how completely UNHINGED this book was going to be. 😂🖤
At nearly 400 pages, Spitfire isn’t technically a short read, but it sure as hell FEELS like one because once I started, I could not put it down. Scarlett is an FBI agent hunting a serial killer known as Ashmaker, but the deeper she gets into the case, the more twisted and personal everything becomes. Throw in two dangerously possessive men—one who would die to protect her and another who would kill to claim her—and I was absolutely LOCKED IN.
The obsession. The stalking. The serial killer mystery. The psychological mind games. The toxic love triangle. The constant feeling that someone knows something you don’t. 👀 Every new piece of information just made me need MORE.
And then THAT PLOT TWIST?! 🤯 EXCUSE ME?! Easily one of the biggest WTF moments I’ve read this year. I genuinely did not see it coming, and those are the twists I live for.
I’m normally not the reader reaching for something because it’s going to emotionally wreck me, but apparently if you make the emotional devastation pitch-black, obsessive, twisted, and completely unhinged, I’m all in. 😂
This was my first A.L. Maruga book, but it sure as hell won’t be my last. Spitfire was dark, disturbing, addictive, and exactly my kind of fucked up.
If you like your romance with more red flags than actual romance, RUN. 🏃♀️💨🖤
♈️ Aries FMC
🔪 Serial Killer / Vigilante Justice
🖤 Stalker Romance
🔥 Obsession & Possession
🔺 Toxic Love Triangle
🕵🏻 FBI Agents
💀 Coworkers to Lovers
👀 Secret Identity
⛓️ Forbidden Attraction
🖤 Morally Gray… and Much Darker Characters
⚠️ CHECK THE TRIGGER WARNINGS. Seriously. There are 60+.
Spitfire — A.L. Maruga
Dark Star Series, Book 3
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️ | 🖤 TOP READ
Over 60 trigger warnings?! Say less. I was already intrigued—but I was NOT prepared for how completely UNHINGED this book was going to be. 😂🖤
At nearly 400 pages, Spitfire isn’t technically a short read, but it sure as hell FEELS like one because once I started, I could not put it down. Scarlett is an FBI agent hunting a serial killer known as Ashmaker, but the deeper she gets into the case, the more twisted and personal everything becomes. Throw in two dangerously possessive men—one who would die to protect her and another who would kill to claim her—and I was absolutely LOCKED IN.
The obsession. The stalking. The serial killer mystery. The psychological mind games. The toxic love triangle. The constant feeling that someone knows something you don’t. 👀 Every new piece of information just made me need MORE.
And then THAT PLOT TWIST?! 🤯 EXCUSE ME?! Easily one of the biggest WTF moments I’ve read this year. I genuinely did not see it coming, and those are the twists I live for.
I’m normally not the reader reaching for something because it’s going to emotionally wreck me, but apparently if you make the emotional devastation pitch-black, obsessive, twisted, and completely unhinged, I’m all in. 😂
This was my first A.L. Maruga book, but it sure as hell won’t be my last. Spitfire was dark, disturbing, addictive, and exactly my kind of fucked up.
If you like your romance with more red flags than actual romance, RUN. 🏃♀️💨🖤
♈️ Aries FMC
🔪 Serial Killer / Vigilante Justice
🖤 Stalker Romance
🔥 Obsession & Possession
🔺 Toxic Love Triangle
🕵🏻 FBI Agents
💀 Coworkers to Lovers
👀 Secret Identity
⛓️ Forbidden Attraction
🖤 Morally Gray… and Much Darker Characters
⚠️ CHECK THE TRIGGER WARNINGS. Seriously. There are 60+.
September 3, 2026
Well… I’ll try to stay as cryptic as possible with this one. Sometimes I genuinely hate how well I understand the compartments of the human mind.
I knew the core twist already in the first chapter. And no, it won’t be obvious to everyone — but when you work with people and study the complexities of the human psyche, some patterns just click instantly.
That didn’t take anything away from the experience. The book hooked me immediately.
As always with Maruga, the trigger warnings are heavy, and she states that clearly in her foreword. They’re not for decoration — take them seriously.
Maruga guides the reader through obsession, toxic dynamics, and the darker corners of human behavior with skill. She feeds the reader breadcrumbs that reward anyone who likes to connect threads while reading.
I loved Scarlet from the start — a woman made of fire and ice, navigating the male‑dominated FBI world with sharp professionalism. Her relationships with Jasper and Xavier are pure obsession: intense, toxic, and suffocating, caught between two possessive MMCs.
When it comes to depicting a toxic relationship that tears apart a person’s sense of right and wrong, Maruga is one of the most skilled authors out there. It shows on every single page. The story drags you into WTF moments, makes you question your own thoughts, because honestly — to enjoy Maruga’s books the way I do, something in your head has to be a little crooked 😉
Nothing that happens in this book is acceptable or “right” in real life, but within the pitch‑black narrative it keeps the reader in a tight grip all the way to the end.
Short version: I recommend it — as long as you can handle over 60 triggers. Check them beforehand. Trust me.
I knew the core twist already in the first chapter. And no, it won’t be obvious to everyone — but when you work with people and study the complexities of the human psyche, some patterns just click instantly.
That didn’t take anything away from the experience. The book hooked me immediately.
As always with Maruga, the trigger warnings are heavy, and she states that clearly in her foreword. They’re not for decoration — take them seriously.
Maruga guides the reader through obsession, toxic dynamics, and the darker corners of human behavior with skill. She feeds the reader breadcrumbs that reward anyone who likes to connect threads while reading.
I loved Scarlet from the start — a woman made of fire and ice, navigating the male‑dominated FBI world with sharp professionalism. Her relationships with Jasper and Xavier are pure obsession: intense, toxic, and suffocating, caught between two possessive MMCs.
When it comes to depicting a toxic relationship that tears apart a person’s sense of right and wrong, Maruga is one of the most skilled authors out there. It shows on every single page. The story drags you into WTF moments, makes you question your own thoughts, because honestly — to enjoy Maruga’s books the way I do, something in your head has to be a little crooked 😉
Nothing that happens in this book is acceptable or “right” in real life, but within the pitch‑black narrative it keeps the reader in a tight grip all the way to the end.
Short version: I recommend it — as long as you can handle over 60 triggers. Check them beforehand. Trust me.
October 1, 2026
ARC review
Spitfire is the perfect combination of unhinged mystery Dark Romance. Between Scarlett deteriorating mental health the strain the case of the bloody arsonist has on her, the good to be true goody-two shoes partner Jesper that was dripping in sex and obsession and the great unknowable lab dog of Xavier I couldn't get enough of this story. It managed it plot so well in between the spice scenes and every one of them felt earned with is quite the feat these days within the Dark Romance genre
I particularly enjoyed how it ramped up the stakes gradually--one by one the revelations came and the story got more and more exiting. Xavier was a personal favourite and I have a sneaking suspicion the author felt the same because of one comment made by Jesper. I'm well aware it is a staple of the genre but still--out of the mouth of the other MMC it was kind of silly.
This book has four narrators and the author managed to balance all their distinctive styles quite well. Especially considering were we end up because god freaking damn that plot twist--you bloody had me there. I was so bloody convinced! I fell right into it. Perhaps because I'm not used to being surprised by these novels anymore
For those who have a tendency to skip over the trigger warnings or use it more as a buffet: it is important that you heed the warnings around child abuse; it is neigh on explicit in the case of sexual violence ( implication not on page depiction) on the page and in some cases like beatings and whippings on the page.
The mental disorders mentioned also seemed to be treated with respect for as far as I could tell and one has to appreciate that. No talk of curing or eliminating. I adore that.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Spitfire is the perfect combination of unhinged mystery Dark Romance. Between Scarlett deteriorating mental health the strain the case of the bloody arsonist has on her, the good to be true goody-two shoes partner Jesper that was dripping in sex and obsession and the great unknowable lab dog of Xavier I couldn't get enough of this story. It managed it plot so well in between the spice scenes and every one of them felt earned with is quite the feat these days within the Dark Romance genre
I particularly enjoyed how it ramped up the stakes gradually--one by one the revelations came and the story got more and more exiting. Xavier was a personal favourite and I have a sneaking suspicion the author felt the same because of one comment made by Jesper. I'm well aware it is a staple of the genre but still--out of the mouth of the other MMC it was kind of silly.
This book has four narrators and the author managed to balance all their distinctive styles quite well. Especially considering were we end up because god freaking damn that plot twist--you bloody had me there. I was so bloody convinced! I fell right into it. Perhaps because I'm not used to being surprised by these novels anymore
For those who have a tendency to skip over the trigger warnings or use it more as a buffet: it is important that you heed the warnings around child abuse; it is neigh on explicit in the case of sexual violence ( implication not on page depiction) on the page and in some cases like beatings and whippings on the page.
The mental disorders mentioned also seemed to be treated with respect for as far as I could tell and one has to appreciate that. No talk of curing or eliminating. I adore that.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Let me start this with saying there's over 60 trigger warnings....so yeah. Like, if you need to, definitely check those. I only did, to warn you. I like to dive freely 🤷♂️.
This comes with multiple POVs. You've got Ashmaker, Jasper, Xavier, and most notably Scarlett. Ashmaker is out here ridding the world of filth. Meanwhile, Scarlett and Jasper are actively trying to hunt him down. Xavier is an interesting puzzle piece who comes into the picture as a reporter. Xavier hears voices in his head. Scarlett's thoughts are loud, or are they thoughts? Jasper is obsessively in love with Scarlett. Yet Xavier wants to mark every inch of her he can.
When the past starts to unravel and the brutality Scarlett faced as a child begins to come to light, everything changes. Who can be trusted? What will happen with Ashmaker? Which man gets the right to claim? Will Scarlett drown in her past or stand tall?
This was such a wild read, and I enjoyed every second of it. Can't wait to read more from this author. Once again, if you got triggers, do yourself the favor of checking the list first.
"Sins must be paid in blood.."
"Secrets are like a cancer; at first they start small and inconspicuous, but quickly grow until they consume you."
"Lips that uttered falsehoods and fake promises are no more."
"Justice waits for no one. Sins must be cleansed."
"I am furious rage, punishment, and death for the sins you have committed against your victims."
"Aries will always initiate; she's the reason for everything in their world. Leo sustains with loyalty, strength, and courage, and Gemini adapts and connects both of them, while keeping them safe."
This comes with multiple POVs. You've got Ashmaker, Jasper, Xavier, and most notably Scarlett. Ashmaker is out here ridding the world of filth. Meanwhile, Scarlett and Jasper are actively trying to hunt him down. Xavier is an interesting puzzle piece who comes into the picture as a reporter. Xavier hears voices in his head. Scarlett's thoughts are loud, or are they thoughts? Jasper is obsessively in love with Scarlett. Yet Xavier wants to mark every inch of her he can.
When the past starts to unravel and the brutality Scarlett faced as a child begins to come to light, everything changes. Who can be trusted? What will happen with Ashmaker? Which man gets the right to claim? Will Scarlett drown in her past or stand tall?
This was such a wild read, and I enjoyed every second of it. Can't wait to read more from this author. Once again, if you got triggers, do yourself the favor of checking the list first.
"Sins must be paid in blood.."
"Secrets are like a cancer; at first they start small and inconspicuous, but quickly grow until they consume you."
"Lips that uttered falsehoods and fake promises are no more."
"Justice waits for no one. Sins must be cleansed."
"I am furious rage, punishment, and death for the sins you have committed against your victims."
"Aries will always initiate; she's the reason for everything in their world. Leo sustains with loyalty, strength, and courage, and Gemini adapts and connects both of them, while keeping them safe."
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