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Mafia Babes #3
Apricity
My vendetta comes first.
My only goal in life is to decimate the Enzino Family.
Kidnapping the spoiled mafia prince before his wedding wasn’t what I had in mind. But needs must when the devil drives—I just didn’t know I’d be babysitting his minion.
ArtEnzino.
Tiny, feisty, snarky, and completely insane. He walks around wearing skimpy skirts and delicate body chains while shaking his lace-clad butt. I might kill him sooner than planned; to hell with my boss’s schemes. After all, a punishment from him would be less agonizing than spending another moment dodging Art’s flirtatious advances.
I don’t know what his game is, but I won’t bite. I may be Bi, but I don’t share my bed with trash—even if he’s disguised himself as a sexy, elvish-looking twink who smells like sunshine and apples.
Art is still the enemy—son of the man who destroyed my family and brother of the monster who scarred my face and took everything from me.
I’ve waited years to savor my revenge, and now the time has finally come.
I’ll do whatever it takes to return peace to my parents, and no one will stop me. Especially not an overly promiscuous, brainless mafia prince who only cares about indulging and partying.
WARNING: This is book three in the Mafia Babes series, a dark-themed, action-packed, enemies-to-lovers, size difference, revenge, MM romance. Most characters in this series are morally gray, ruthless, and rough criminals. This third book features a merciless, vengeful, aloof mafioso and a sassy, a little odd, relentless mafia prince. There are rough s*x scenes between the MCs, degradation kink, male lingerie, and the dirt*est talk. One MC has sex with a woman (no cheating). The story contains on-page descriptions of violence, torture, discussions of domestic abuse, and gun/knife use. Morality’s gray area is quite stretched in this story. Please check the more detailed triggers at the beginning of the book.
*Each book follows a different couple and can be read as a standalone, but because of the recurrent characters, reading them in order will give a more complete sense of the stories.
Read less
My only goal in life is to decimate the Enzino Family.
Kidnapping the spoiled mafia prince before his wedding wasn’t what I had in mind. But needs must when the devil drives—I just didn’t know I’d be babysitting his minion.
ArtEnzino.
Tiny, feisty, snarky, and completely insane. He walks around wearing skimpy skirts and delicate body chains while shaking his lace-clad butt. I might kill him sooner than planned; to hell with my boss’s schemes. After all, a punishment from him would be less agonizing than spending another moment dodging Art’s flirtatious advances.
I don’t know what his game is, but I won’t bite. I may be Bi, but I don’t share my bed with trash—even if he’s disguised himself as a sexy, elvish-looking twink who smells like sunshine and apples.
Art is still the enemy—son of the man who destroyed my family and brother of the monster who scarred my face and took everything from me.
I’ve waited years to savor my revenge, and now the time has finally come.
I’ll do whatever it takes to return peace to my parents, and no one will stop me. Especially not an overly promiscuous, brainless mafia prince who only cares about indulging and partying.
WARNING: This is book three in the Mafia Babes series, a dark-themed, action-packed, enemies-to-lovers, size difference, revenge, MM romance. Most characters in this series are morally gray, ruthless, and rough criminals. This third book features a merciless, vengeful, aloof mafioso and a sassy, a little odd, relentless mafia prince. There are rough s*x scenes between the MCs, degradation kink, male lingerie, and the dirt*est talk. One MC has sex with a woman (no cheating). The story contains on-page descriptions of violence, torture, discussions of domestic abuse, and gun/knife use. Morality’s gray area is quite stretched in this story. Please check the more detailed triggers at the beginning of the book.
*Each book follows a different couple and can be read as a standalone, but because of the recurrent characters, reading them in order will give a more complete sense of the stories.
Read less
420 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 16, 2026
About the author
Paulina Ian-Kane
29 books508 followersI can't remember a time when I wasn't reading a book. Whether it was sci-fi, romance or a detective story didn't matter, because it was the perfect way to escape from reality for a little while. When I wasn't reading, I was imagining my own stories, and after a while I started writing them, hoping to give other people that little escape I still enjoy so much.
My books are full of dark humor, spicy kinky scenes, possessive, obsessed, protective MCs and always have happy endings.
I live in Japan with my two kids and my stinky, super cute Frenchie.
Find me online:
@paulinaiankanebooks on Facebook and Instagram!
My books are full of dark humor, spicy kinky scenes, possessive, obsessed, protective MCs and always have happy endings.
I live in Japan with my two kids and my stinky, super cute Frenchie.
Find me online:
@paulinaiankanebooks on Facebook and Instagram!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
July 24, 2026
Absolute perfection, I couldn't get enough of it, this was absolutely the best in this series and the best that I've read by this author so far.
Art and Luca were magic from the start. I'm a sucker for a good enemies to lovers and this had it in spades. Art's father and half-brother, the Enzino's, murdered Luca's parents when he was only 8 (or 9?) on his *birthday* and Mario scarred Luca's face too, intending to kill him but he didn't.
Instead Luca met Marco at that boys home and the Leone's took him in, same as they did Marco, and he, Marco and Sebastiano (the Don's biological son) are a trio of unstoppable mobsters, made only so strong by their deep bond as brothers. Now that the Don is dead, Sebastiano rules the Leone crime family, with Luca and Marco as his left and right hand men.
Marco has Fly - and they're still amazing and I was happy to get more of them in this one - and Luca is soon about to get himself a smile, feisty little rabid squirrel who has seems to think birds have it out for him for some reason.
Art was just known as Art to Fly in the first book, but we found out he's actually Arturo Enzino, the bastard child of Jack Enzino, head of the Enzino family and a piece of shit all around.
Luca has rightly despised the Enzino family since they butchered him and murdered his parents, but just having been born by Jack Enzino and a sex worker, Art gets his hatred too just by having his last name.
But Art has been abused and tortured by both his father and half-brother, Mario, who has a weird incestuous like obsession with Art which is 100% not reciprocated and also he's a pure psychopath in ever sense of the word, and he's hurt Art for years at this point, while also having that disturbing obsession.
So Art actually has no love for his brother or father, so Luca thinking he's close enough to know much about the Enzino family and the goings on of their operation is something he'll soon find he's wrong about.
He hates Art at first, and naturally Art hates him back because he kidnapped him, tied him up, hurt him a bit as well. But there is an underlying attraction there that both can't help but feel, much to their chagrin - or at least Luca's chagrin.
He does, early on, have sex with a woman who is a sex worker, one he frequents, after about a week of knowing Art and having held him captive. He is increasingly feeling lust and attractions and the start of feelings for Art, but he hates him so much at the same time for being an Enzino, so he tries to tell himself fucking someone else and getting it out of his system will make him feel better, and not want Art.
It is somewhat detailed, it certainly isn't vague - but he can't help but thinking about Art the whole time and thinking of Art is what gets him hard anyway. So yes, he's with someone else but it's early on and before anything happens between Art and Luca. I also appreciated that it warned for it as well, so I knew it was coming.
But, that's it for them with anyone else. Otherwise it's just them two - and hell, once they actually have sex, they're like rabid animals with each other, they can't get enough. They seriously have a fuck fest for about 20 hours which is INSANE.
BUT OH was is so damn good and hot as fuck! I couldn't get enough of these two and raced through reading this. I love love loved these two. The push and pull, the love and "hate" between them, the rough sex that they got lost in, that they'd lose their minds over??? Oh fuck yes, gimme gimme gimme.
I live for this kind of enemies to lovers, love/hate, push and pull, it's so fucking hot. And of course the softer moments in between, that shows them falling for each other, the ultra possessiveness, the growly "he's mine" like oh yes please!
Also Luca despising Art just for his last name but falling for Art anyway is *chef's kiss* because his love for Art comes to override any hate he might have once felt just for Art being an Enzino, his feelings are that powerful.
And Art truly is nothing like them, and while he's perhaps more sassy and has a bit more spunk and fight in him than Fly (which, I love Fly's adorably sweet nature, don't get me wrong!) he's still overall a sweet, kind guy who just wants to wear feminine clothes a lot of the time and wear make up and be able to free to be who he is and live his life. I love how he's tiny but loves to eat (lucky! I wish I could eat a lot of unhealthy shit and not gain weight!) and Luca soon enough can't help but get treats for Art.
Art being so sweet on Luca's birthday to go and get donuts too...
Like they may say they "hate" each other but everyone knows it's just love, full on love. Luca is just a hardened mafioso man who doesn't know how to deal with emotions. Like with Marco, Art is his exception to his cold exterior. I LIVE for that, for the dynamic between them. I loved it all.
Also this is definitely a strong HEA for these two, but the plot isn't finished fully by the end of this and will definitely carry over into Sebastiano's book - which I can't wait to learn more about Sebastiano and who the man will be to get past his walls and who he will allow to touch him (as he seems to be very germaphobic or just hates being touched or have anyone in his personal space. Seems a bit of germaphobia as well, though) and who he will do anything to protect.
Also, .
Definitely, I highly recommend this it was *chef's kiss* perfection! Art and Luca are perfect for each other and together, and this is the best in the series, hands down.
Until the next one, I absolutely can't wait! 🥰✨
My Ratings for the Mafia Babes series:
✨ Petrichor: 5 stars (my review)
✨ Pragma: 3.75 stars (my review)
✨ Apricity: 5 stars
Art and Luca were magic from the start. I'm a sucker for a good enemies to lovers and this had it in spades. Art's father and half-brother, the Enzino's, murdered Luca's parents when he was only 8 (or 9?) on his *birthday* and Mario scarred Luca's face too, intending to kill him but he didn't.
Instead Luca met Marco at that boys home and the Leone's took him in, same as they did Marco, and he, Marco and Sebastiano (the Don's biological son) are a trio of unstoppable mobsters, made only so strong by their deep bond as brothers. Now that the Don is dead, Sebastiano rules the Leone crime family, with Luca and Marco as his left and right hand men.
Marco has Fly - and they're still amazing and I was happy to get more of them in this one - and Luca is soon about to get himself a smile, feisty little rabid squirrel who has seems to think birds have it out for him for some reason.
Art was just known as Art to Fly in the first book, but we found out he's actually Arturo Enzino, the bastard child of Jack Enzino, head of the Enzino family and a piece of shit all around.
Luca has rightly despised the Enzino family since they butchered him and murdered his parents, but just having been born by Jack Enzino and a sex worker, Art gets his hatred too just by having his last name.
But Art has been abused and tortured by both his father and half-brother, Mario, who has a weird incestuous like obsession with Art which is 100% not reciprocated and also he's a pure psychopath in ever sense of the word, and he's hurt Art for years at this point, while also having that disturbing obsession.
So Art actually has no love for his brother or father, so Luca thinking he's close enough to know much about the Enzino family and the goings on of their operation is something he'll soon find he's wrong about.
He hates Art at first, and naturally Art hates him back because he kidnapped him, tied him up, hurt him a bit as well. But there is an underlying attraction there that both can't help but feel, much to their chagrin - or at least Luca's chagrin.
He does, early on, have sex with a woman who is a sex worker, one he frequents, after about a week of knowing Art and having held him captive. He is increasingly feeling lust and attractions and the start of feelings for Art, but he hates him so much at the same time for being an Enzino, so he tries to tell himself fucking someone else and getting it out of his system will make him feel better, and not want Art.
It is somewhat detailed, it certainly isn't vague - but he can't help but thinking about Art the whole time and thinking of Art is what gets him hard anyway. So yes, he's with someone else but it's early on and before anything happens between Art and Luca. I also appreciated that it warned for it as well, so I knew it was coming.
But, that's it for them with anyone else. Otherwise it's just them two - and hell, once they actually have sex, they're like rabid animals with each other, they can't get enough. They seriously have a fuck fest for about 20 hours which is INSANE.
BUT OH was is so damn good and hot as fuck! I couldn't get enough of these two and raced through reading this. I love love loved these two. The push and pull, the love and "hate" between them, the rough sex that they got lost in, that they'd lose their minds over??? Oh fuck yes, gimme gimme gimme.
I live for this kind of enemies to lovers, love/hate, push and pull, it's so fucking hot. And of course the softer moments in between, that shows them falling for each other, the ultra possessiveness, the growly "he's mine" like oh yes please!
Also Luca despising Art just for his last name but falling for Art anyway is *chef's kiss* because his love for Art comes to override any hate he might have once felt just for Art being an Enzino, his feelings are that powerful.
And Art truly is nothing like them, and while he's perhaps more sassy and has a bit more spunk and fight in him than Fly (which, I love Fly's adorably sweet nature, don't get me wrong!) he's still overall a sweet, kind guy who just wants to wear feminine clothes a lot of the time and wear make up and be able to free to be who he is and live his life. I love how he's tiny but loves to eat (lucky! I wish I could eat a lot of unhealthy shit and not gain weight!) and Luca soon enough can't help but get treats for Art.
Art being so sweet on Luca's birthday to go and get donuts too...
Like they may say they "hate" each other but everyone knows it's just love, full on love. Luca is just a hardened mafioso man who doesn't know how to deal with emotions. Like with Marco, Art is his exception to his cold exterior. I LIVE for that, for the dynamic between them. I loved it all.
Also this is definitely a strong HEA for these two, but the plot isn't finished fully by the end of this and will definitely carry over into Sebastiano's book - which I can't wait to learn more about Sebastiano and who the man will be to get past his walls and who he will allow to touch him (as he seems to be very germaphobic or just hates being touched or have anyone in his personal space. Seems a bit of germaphobia as well, though) and who he will do anything to protect.
Also, .
Definitely, I highly recommend this it was *chef's kiss* perfection! Art and Luca are perfect for each other and together, and this is the best in the series, hands down.
Until the next one, I absolutely can't wait! 🥰✨
My Ratings for the Mafia Babes series:
✨ Petrichor: 5 stars (my review)
✨ Pragma: 3.75 stars (my review)
✨ Apricity: 5 stars
July 19, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🫦🫦🫦🫦🫦
I found Paulina not too long ago, and after finishing her Angels of Wrath series, then diving into Petrichor and Pragma, I felt incredibly lucky that Apricity dropped just days later. And here we are. 🪩🍎
I dove straight in, and I was not disappointed for a single second. 🖤
Paulina created Art in a way that had me completely captivated. He already had me curious in Petrichor, but she truly delivered here. Art is such a layered, complex character — bratty, self-aware and deeply vulnerable all at once, yet still able to show the world his teeth when needed. Because he had to learn early how to hide what was really going on inside. 🥺 Mario and Jack, though? Absolutely hateable. Ughh. 😤
And then there is Luca. 👀 The big bad boy, fueled entirely by his thirst for revenge — until he finally meets an opponent worthy of him. His sole mio. And Art's snarky, unapologetic mannerisms? Absolutely no match for Luca's patience. 😏 I loved the slow, delicious build-up and then the filthy scenes... wow. It got hot and stayed hot. Like a certain appendage of his. 😈 IYKYK.
An incredible story that kept me completely consumed from start to finish. I can not wait to learn more about Seb's story — though I can be patient for him since Paulina promised us the spin-off with the triplets first. 🎉👀 YES.
Go read this if you love morally grey men finally meeting their match, slow-burning tension that explodes spectacularly, and a dynamic that is equal parts chaotic and electric. 🖤🔥
🪩 Rivals to Lovers
🍎 Kidnapping
🪩 Mafia
🍎 Abuse & Past Trauma
🪩 Size Difference
🍎 Bear x Twink
🪩 Grumpy & Sunshine
🍎 Spitting, Spanking, Cockwarming, Overstimulation, Dry Orgasm, Sexathon, Dirty Talk, Degradation, Praise
❗️Check TW ❗️
120/26
I found Paulina not too long ago, and after finishing her Angels of Wrath series, then diving into Petrichor and Pragma, I felt incredibly lucky that Apricity dropped just days later. And here we are. 🪩🍎
I dove straight in, and I was not disappointed for a single second. 🖤
Paulina created Art in a way that had me completely captivated. He already had me curious in Petrichor, but she truly delivered here. Art is such a layered, complex character — bratty, self-aware and deeply vulnerable all at once, yet still able to show the world his teeth when needed. Because he had to learn early how to hide what was really going on inside. 🥺 Mario and Jack, though? Absolutely hateable. Ughh. 😤
And then there is Luca. 👀 The big bad boy, fueled entirely by his thirst for revenge — until he finally meets an opponent worthy of him. His sole mio. And Art's snarky, unapologetic mannerisms? Absolutely no match for Luca's patience. 😏 I loved the slow, delicious build-up and then the filthy scenes... wow. It got hot and stayed hot. Like a certain appendage of his. 😈 IYKYK.
An incredible story that kept me completely consumed from start to finish. I can not wait to learn more about Seb's story — though I can be patient for him since Paulina promised us the spin-off with the triplets first. 🎉👀 YES.
Go read this if you love morally grey men finally meeting their match, slow-burning tension that explodes spectacularly, and a dynamic that is equal parts chaotic and electric. 🖤🔥
🪩 Rivals to Lovers
🍎 Kidnapping
🪩 Mafia
🍎 Abuse & Past Trauma
🪩 Size Difference
🍎 Bear x Twink
🪩 Grumpy & Sunshine
🍎 Spitting, Spanking, Cockwarming, Overstimulation, Dry Orgasm, Sexathon, Dirty Talk, Degradation, Praise
❗️Check TW ❗️
120/26
July 25, 2026
Ahhh, I don't care what anyone says - we all read for the feels, and Paulina just does it for me 🤍
I'm 34, I have two degrees and know five languages.. and for some reason I thought sole mio meant my soul 😅
HA!
Turns out I DO learn new things from my porn books after all!
I also seriously adore how she always teaches me new words.
I mean - did you know what petrichor means? It's become one of my favourite words. Or pragma ?
But as beautiful as petrichor is, apricity somehow stole my heart 🥹
“And two days ago, when a-again he was…all I could think about was you.
Because now you are my warmth in the coldness, Luca.
My apricity.”
Also - Paulina writes probably the best brats ever 😄
“I grab his red silk tie and pull, but he doesn’t budge.
He is humongous.
What does he eat—babies? Cool Ranch babies? When did I eat Cool Ranch chips last?”
Bussy is totally something new too 🤭
Art is absolutely hilarious, my precious baby, and you'd never guess how deeply hurt and vulnerable he really is 🥺
His crow fear was so completely ridiculous - and absolutely hilarious! It's rare for an author to pull off that level of absurdity without it feeling forced, and Paulina manages it every single time and I just LOVE it!
“Aurora, I can’t marry you because…I want his babies.”
He pats my chest.”
But oh my GOD! THE chemistry! between Art and Luca was mind-blowing!!! (or not mind, really 😄)
Paulina writes some of the most delicious sex scenes I've ever read and they never get repetitive. But here they were downright explosive 🥵
AND it's one of the truest enemies-to-lovers books I've read. They stayed committed to the trope right until the very end 🖤
The banter between everyone - not just the MCs!! was on another level 🙃
That’s where I have to say - this is MY FAVOURITE of the series, you don’t have to read them in order, but they are all AMAZING!
And I don't even like dogs that much (sorry, cat person here), yet she still managed to make me cry over one 🥹
So yes, my favourite in the series by a mile. I had the biggest grin on my face the entire time 🖤
“In clear gangster fashion, he asks me,
“Hauled onto my shoulder or wrapped around me?”
I'm 34, I have two degrees and know five languages.. and for some reason I thought sole mio meant my soul 😅
HA!
Turns out I DO learn new things from my porn books after all!
I also seriously adore how she always teaches me new words.
I mean - did you know what petrichor means? It's become one of my favourite words. Or pragma ?
But as beautiful as petrichor is, apricity somehow stole my heart 🥹
“And two days ago, when a-again he was…all I could think about was you.
Because now you are my warmth in the coldness, Luca.
My apricity.”
Also - Paulina writes probably the best brats ever 😄
“I grab his red silk tie and pull, but he doesn’t budge.
He is humongous.
What does he eat—babies? Cool Ranch babies? When did I eat Cool Ranch chips last?”
Bussy is totally something new too 🤭
Art is absolutely hilarious, my precious baby, and you'd never guess how deeply hurt and vulnerable he really is 🥺
His crow fear was so completely ridiculous - and absolutely hilarious! It's rare for an author to pull off that level of absurdity without it feeling forced, and Paulina manages it every single time and I just LOVE it!
“Aurora, I can’t marry you because…I want his babies.”
He pats my chest.”
But oh my GOD! THE chemistry! between Art and Luca was mind-blowing!!! (or not mind, really 😄)
Paulina writes some of the most delicious sex scenes I've ever read and they never get repetitive. But here they were downright explosive 🥵
AND it's one of the truest enemies-to-lovers books I've read. They stayed committed to the trope right until the very end 🖤
The banter between everyone - not just the MCs!! was on another level 🙃
That’s where I have to say - this is MY FAVOURITE of the series, you don’t have to read them in order, but they are all AMAZING!
And I don't even like dogs that much (sorry, cat person here), yet she still managed to make me cry over one 🥹
So yes, my favourite in the series by a mile. I had the biggest grin on my face the entire time 🖤
“In clear gangster fashion, he asks me,
“Hauled onto my shoulder or wrapped around me?”
July 17, 2026
*Rating: 4/5*
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ (Multiple scenes)
Check trigger warnings
♠️Review:♠️
I had a lot of fun reading this one. The banter between Luca and Art was incredibly entertaining. It’s refreshing to see an enemies-to-lovers that actually portrays the couple as enemies for a good chunk of the book. Once the enemies era is over they have so many cute moments together (everything with the necklace😭). Plus possessiveness is as always my absolute favourite and it was shown in spades here. There are definitely darker elements to this story that add extra tension and make the bond between Luca and Art feel even deeper and that much more intimate.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and will be staying tuned for the rest in the series:)
*SPOILERS*
♦️Additional Info♦️
OM Drama: Luca hooks up with a woman in a fairly detailed but short scene prior to anything happening between him and Art. Once they hookup for the first time, they are only with each other.
Cheating: No
3rd Act Breakup: Sort of (Characters are not in a relationship but feelings are involved when a short separation happens).
Relationship Angst: Low-Medium
HEA
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ (Multiple scenes)
Check trigger warnings
♠️Review:♠️
I had a lot of fun reading this one. The banter between Luca and Art was incredibly entertaining. It’s refreshing to see an enemies-to-lovers that actually portrays the couple as enemies for a good chunk of the book. Once the enemies era is over they have so many cute moments together (everything with the necklace😭). Plus possessiveness is as always my absolute favourite and it was shown in spades here. There are definitely darker elements to this story that add extra tension and make the bond between Luca and Art feel even deeper and that much more intimate.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and will be staying tuned for the rest in the series:)
*SPOILERS*
♦️Additional Info♦️
OM Drama: Luca hooks up with a woman in a fairly detailed but short scene prior to anything happening between him and Art. Once they hookup for the first time, they are only with each other.
Cheating: No
3rd Act Breakup: Sort of (Characters are not in a relationship but feelings are involved when a short separation happens).
Relationship Angst: Low-Medium
HEA
July 19, 2026
4.5 stars, Mafia boss Sebastiano Leone, ordered Luca Neto to kidnap Art Enzino for business reasons.
The Enzinos killed Luca’s parents when he was a child. He promised himself to avenge them.
Now he has to look after his enemy, this fragile, outrageous arrogant, snarky, feisty, insane, and always super horny guy who drives him crazy and murderous.
Art keeps Luca on his toes, this mountain of a ruthless man is driving him crazy (and super horny)
Even after the best (hate)fuck of his life, Luca wants to destroy Art, make him want him, and shatter and kill him.
Only, Art isn’t who he thought he was, slowly he understands Art has been through hell with his father and psychopathic half-brother.
Art has a high sex drive and their hate sex is quite something, there’s nothing sweet to find.
When Art develops feelings he knows he’s the only one, Luca hates him, and it’s time to leave.
Beyond their situationship, we witness the bloody, ruthless, and criminal mafia business. Fly and Marco are here too, still madly in love.
It was a great read, with morally grey characters, Art and Luca are even more unhinged than Fly and Marco.
A strongly written, sexy, rough, tough, and awesome story.
Can’t wait for Seb’s story.
The Enzinos killed Luca’s parents when he was a child. He promised himself to avenge them.
Now he has to look after his enemy, this fragile, outrageous arrogant, snarky, feisty, insane, and always super horny guy who drives him crazy and murderous.
Art keeps Luca on his toes, this mountain of a ruthless man is driving him crazy (and super horny)
Even after the best (hate)fuck of his life, Luca wants to destroy Art, make him want him, and shatter and kill him.
Only, Art isn’t who he thought he was, slowly he understands Art has been through hell with his father and psychopathic half-brother.
Art has a high sex drive and their hate sex is quite something, there’s nothing sweet to find.
When Art develops feelings he knows he’s the only one, Luca hates him, and it’s time to leave.
Beyond their situationship, we witness the bloody, ruthless, and criminal mafia business. Fly and Marco are here too, still madly in love.
It was a great read, with morally grey characters, Art and Luca are even more unhinged than Fly and Marco.
A strongly written, sexy, rough, tough, and awesome story.
Can’t wait for Seb’s story.
July 17, 2026
Decent book
So this was a decent book but could have been better. The MF scene should have been in the content warnings. I know some people like smut just for the sake of smut but I have no need to read a detailed sex scene with somebody that is not the other main character. Gross. Luckily it was just one scene and I skipped it. And if you insist on having a scene like that at least let it be with another guy and not a woman. I'm reading a mm book for a reason. And it was really gross because he was hooking up with her because he was worked up from being around Art. Yuck. Could have just mentioned it in passing. Didn't need the details. The real spice didn't start till 200 pages in but once it did it was great. Other than that one nasty scene the book was pretty great but it only gets 4 stars because of that. If you love enemies to lovers and hate f*cking you'll love this!
So this was a decent book but could have been better. The MF scene should have been in the content warnings. I know some people like smut just for the sake of smut but I have no need to read a detailed sex scene with somebody that is not the other main character. Gross. Luckily it was just one scene and I skipped it. And if you insist on having a scene like that at least let it be with another guy and not a woman. I'm reading a mm book for a reason. And it was really gross because he was hooking up with her because he was worked up from being around Art. Yuck. Could have just mentioned it in passing. Didn't need the details. The real spice didn't start till 200 pages in but once it did it was great. Other than that one nasty scene the book was pretty great but it only gets 4 stars because of that. If you love enemies to lovers and hate f*cking you'll love this!
July 16, 2026
rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
darkness: 🖤🖤🖤
feelings: 😭🥰😱🥵☠️😍🫠😡🤣🥹
I had already fallen in love with Art in Petrichor and was very eager to read Luca’s story. Apricity exceeded all my expectations for this book. The brutal force of the emotions Luca has been bottling up inside himself for thirty years is unleashed on Art.
Introduced in Petrichor as Fly’s eccentric, wealthy friend, I was eager to learn more about Art and his entanglement with New York’s mafia families. I admire the strength he has maintained.
The book is a true firework of emotions, and I literally devoured it. I can’t wait to look behind Seb’s stoic facade in the next book.
spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
darkness: 🖤🖤🖤
feelings: 😭🥰😱🥵☠️😍🫠😡🤣🥹
I had already fallen in love with Art in Petrichor and was very eager to read Luca’s story. Apricity exceeded all my expectations for this book. The brutal force of the emotions Luca has been bottling up inside himself for thirty years is unleashed on Art.
Introduced in Petrichor as Fly’s eccentric, wealthy friend, I was eager to learn more about Art and his entanglement with New York’s mafia families. I admire the strength he has maintained.
The book is a true firework of emotions, and I literally devoured it. I can’t wait to look behind Seb’s stoic facade in the next book.
July 26, 2026
Little confused about the rating, but it delivers exactly what it promised in the blurb. Art and Luca seemed impossible to me. The hate Luca holds for the Enzino family has no bounds, but Arturo broke all his guards and plant that sweet ass exactly where it belongs. I should say I really loved Art, he is fun and sweet in his own way, sassy and unapologetic. His dog Nacho was hilarious. I didn’t really liked Luca… so brash and I don’t know he was too much of an asshole to Art in my opinion. What I found too much was the “national treasure” Luca’s di*k was…like the author wrote an ode to that magic co*k, yes we get it it’s 9 inch… let’s move on 🤦♀️otherwise the banter was great, the plot also. I can’t wait for Seb’s book. I really hope don Sebastiano is the daddy dom I expect him to be 😉🌸
July 19, 2026
"I haven’t shown my heart to a single being before you. I didn’t even suspect I had one. If I ever did, I buried it with my parents thirty years ago. Now it pounds and bleeds and breaks and hardens for you, Art Enzino. Because I’ll hate-love you until its last beat.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
1st person POV Dual
MM
Plot 5/5- Completely hooked!
Spice 3.5/5
Emotions 3/5
Darkness 2/5
Mafia men
Bratty Mafia prince/ Right hand Mafia enforcer
Kidnapping
Revenge
Rough/ hate sexy time
Art is exactly who I was expecting him to be and so much more! He is a confident spitfire sassy twink who is so comfortable on his own skin, but he is also this fragile man who is abused by his family. It takes someone who hates him in a different way to for him to really shine, and this is where Luca came in!
These two are fire and gasoline! Luca's hate for Art's family burns bright and it's taken out on Art.
I loved this whole book! The emotions throughout, the way the plot keeps you wanting more, the spice! God it's was all amazing!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
1st person POV Dual
MM
Plot 5/5- Completely hooked!
Spice 3.5/5
Emotions 3/5
Darkness 2/5
Mafia men
Bratty Mafia prince/ Right hand Mafia enforcer
Kidnapping
Revenge
Rough/ hate sexy time
Art is exactly who I was expecting him to be and so much more! He is a confident spitfire sassy twink who is so comfortable on his own skin, but he is also this fragile man who is abused by his family. It takes someone who hates him in a different way to for him to really shine, and this is where Luca came in!
These two are fire and gasoline! Luca's hate for Art's family burns bright and it's taken out on Art.
I loved this whole book! The emotions throughout, the way the plot keeps you wanting more, the spice! God it's was all amazing!
July 19, 2026
I loved them! I really like how Paulina creates the dynamics between her characters and their personalities. Art provokes him quite a bit, and Luca ends up giving in, but he always maintains his character and dominance over Art. The mafia plot keeps you hooked and leaves you wondering what will happen next. I'm really looking forward to reading the next book ❤️
July 20, 2026
4.5/5 ⭐️
Devoured as expected. It was a WHOLE lot of smut but obviously with a lot of casual mafia dealings hahaha. I think Art has made himself into my top 5 favorite twinks ever because what do you mean that boy is HILARIOUS!! He was so unapologetically himself even with his traumas. The way he teased and instigated Luca until he went full beast on him was amazing. Give it to him to be able to tame him!! I absolutely love the way the author portrayed Art’s life as being stuck in his families cage, but when Luca took him and put him into another, he found a freedom he’d never thought he’d find but always dreamed of. I really also loved the way we saw Luca’s walls breaking when it came to Art and wanting to keep him, especially after realizing that Art despised his family. And God when he told Art about why he hated them and Art got emo??? Yeah, I was emo too. That boy had such a big heart despite the life he was dealt and how he was treated growing up. But he found this wacko of a man and decided that being stuck with him didn’t seem so bad after all. Because underneath the tough mafia exterior was someone who held onto so much pain and had been for so long. So much so that he didn’t believe it in himself to want someone, let alone to wanting to keep and love them always 😭
I also really always enjoy stories like this where the MMC claims to can’t stand the other MMC but does all these things to take care of them??? Like that was Luca to a T. So you’re telling me you stocked your house with all Art’s favorite foods, bought him boba and sweet treats, cuddled him in bed, and f*cked him like an animal and thought there were no feelings involved? Like LOL. The way his internal monologue was always “Fuck!” after he felt all those warm and gooey feelings when Art did or said something made me crack up because yeah, the boy tamed you and is definitely proud of it. Not to mention that all the shit Art pulled on him would’ve got anyone else killed was a big indicator too. And just the way he felt when he saw the scars on Art’s back knowing where they came from??? Like my guy, you’re obsessed with him.
The only thing I didn’t quite like (but wasn’t a big deal) was the timeline of the story. Like the entire book took course over one month when I felt like it could’ve been a little bit longer. It sort of felt like their relationship went from 0 to 100 all of sudden when Luca gave in at the club. There was attraction there for both of them but it just felt fast when Luca was dead set on hating Art, using him, and then getting rid of him. But I swear it was than two weeks before he found himself addicted. Anyway, that’s fine, just something I kept in the back of my mind. BUT I always do say that in the mafia-verse these overprotective, jealous, and possessive MMC’s don’t care about timeline because when someone belongs to them, they just do so might as well put a ring on it sooner than later!
Their love confessions were perfect with the “i hate-love you” because it is just so them. The way Luca just said he’d never shown anyone his heart to anyone before him… and that it now it pounds, bleeds, breaks, and hardens for Art? That he’ll hate-love him until his hearts last beat??? On the floor. And it’s of course always better when Luca says it with some Italian mixed in 🙂↔️ The sole mio?? Dead. Art really is his sunshine 🥹
So happy that Art now gets to live the rest of his life with his well endowed thug who gives and shows him the love he never experienced. That he finally found someone who makes him feel safe and free for the first time in his life 🥺 And may he always keep his caveman on his toes with the crazy shit that comes out of his mouth!! Hahaha. Loving them!
— quotes
“And he smells like fucking sunshine and… and Honeycrisp—the apple variety my mother used to buy from the little shop around the corner from our house. How is that possible?”
“I hate him, but he is a serious treat to the eyes. If I had ovaries, they would have melted by now. Sheesh, I’m such a slut for bad boys.”
“The natural light coming through the windows invigorates me. Apricity. That’s what is called the uplifting, calming feeling of the sun warming one’s skin on a cold day.”
“It’s quite puzzling how I want to fuck him and kill him at the same time. Maybe I can fuck him to death?”
“I’ve been treated like shit my whole life. A hard fuck makes me forget about how shitty and suffocating everything is. What’s wrong with that? You… you feel like the worst, most tempting escape I’ve ever needed.”
“His eyes—I vaguely recall trying to convince myself they weren’t beautiful the first time they met mine. I’ve been determined not to see anything good in him, but those sunshine flecks almost drowning in the sky-blue pools are undoubtedly gorgeous.”
“I’ll make you regret tempting me.” — “I’ll never regret. I want you so fucking much.”
“There are worse evils in my life.” His eyes are empty, devoid of any feeling. “You can try to hurt me and hate me all you want, but it won’t change anything.”
“I still want to kill him nine times a day. I also want him to look at me and touch me ten times more on that same day.”
“Those big pecs make me feel inexplicably protected. The warmth of the sun is on his clothes—mmm—and the smell coming off him of tobacco and lavender are a dark temptation mixed with safety. He’s dangerous to me in a new, completely different way now. A much more lethal one.”
“Arturo Enzino was supposed to be an entitled, snobbish, selfish Mafia prince. Who is he then? The sneaky liar, careless, arrogant, pathetic, and reckless? Or the vulnerable, selfless, feisty, unbreakable, and sassy minx?”
“Oh crap, am I into him? Not only his dick. Him. The vindictive wacko. The ruthless gangster. The bleeding man.” — “Oh crap, I am into him! I’m truly fucked. Fear and denial spread quickly inside my chest. My heart is racing, my mouth feels dry and it’s kind of hard to breathe.”
“His lips suddenly crush mine and then he starts to kiss the hell out of me—if this can even be called a kiss. It feels more like an assault, an assertion of dominance, aggressive and bruising. Hateful.” — “It’s beyond overwhelming, beyond right and wrong, beyond any rational thought. I shouldn’t feel this good.”
“I’ve been pinned against the wall by a big, sexy, growly wacko, who smells like dark, inner dreams, and makes me crave things I’ve never dared to want before. Like running away from him as fast as my legs can carry me, hoping he would chase me.”
“His grip feels anchoring rather than restrictive now. Pleasant. Don’t know when that changed. But it did. A thought suddenly hits me. When did Luca Nero start to feel safe to me?”
“Because no one lays a finger on Arturo fucking Enzino but me. I own the brat. Own. The fuck is that supposed to mean? God, this is fucked up. This feeling, this possessiveness toward an Enzino. It has escalated in what… twelve days? It has to be lust. An animalistic attraction.”
“But one thing is for sure: from the moment I met him, I wanted those green eyes on me, no matter how much he disliked me, treated me poorly, or pushed me away. Because when he looks at me, I see limitless possibilities in those pools, I see a different, brave Art Enzino. And I like him.”
“That’s when he kisses me. Deep and passionate, his tongue takes everything I have. And I melt against him, the ice around my heart thaws as the flame of lust reaches it. My body reacts to him so naturally. How can this be wrong?”
“The first time I saw you,” … “You were eating an apple. The juice was dripping all over your chin, and you wiped it away with your fingers and then licked them one by one.” — “His eyes fall on my mouth, and I feel my heart racing. Is that why he always buys me apples?”
“I’m breaking the promise I made to myself many years ago. But it’s okay because it’s for you.” I swallow, feeling so vulnerable and afraid. But I keep whispering, “I’m yours, Luca Nero, even though I know you’ll never belong to me.” (Yeah bye😭)
“Art’s light blue eyes suddenly appear in front of me. How they crease when he smiles. The glow he radiates spreading all over his face, to his perfectly shaped lips and neat eyebrows. It’s like watching a stream of sunlight spilling from the clouds. He’s delicate and bright and vivid. He’s warmth and sorrow. Feistiness and vulnerability.”
“Because if Art indeed is my enemy, the only thing he’s actually guilty of is driving me fucking crazy. He drenched me in all his insanity, his brilliant spirit, and those quirky idiosyncrasies of his.”
“Whether he was fucking me to death or glaring at me, I’ve never felt more alive than when I was with him. Without him, it’s as if a massive hole has been punched straight through my heart.”
“I thought Luca Nero was a lesser evil, but it turned out he is the most diabolical man I’ve ever encountered. He succeeded where no other man has before. He tamed me and conquered me and I hate him for that more than ever.”
“He is the idiot. Because I miss him. Because I don’t want to live without him. Because my body is his if he just fucking claims it.”
“No one has ever come for me. No one has ever treated me like I was worth saving.” — “It’s everything I’ve ever longed for—someone strong enough to stand by my side. Fiercely, unequivocally in my corner.” (😭😭😭)
“Wha… do you think you hold the rights to my hellish life? Like some sort of demon?” — “If a demon is the only one who is going to fuck with you, yeah. I hold the shit out of those rights. They were signed with blood, mine and yours.”
“The fucked-up part? I want, and will protect you from everyone else.”
“”And two days ago, when a-again he was… all I could think about was you. Because now you are my warmth in the coldness, Luca.” My apricity.”
“I made my life out of loss and anger and revenge.” … “Then you came. I wanted to hurt you and destroy you, but you were the one to turn my world upside down. I had to hate you—had to—while you kept making me forget why.”
“He looked like a fucking ray of sun, my sun. Sole mio.”
“I want to tear you apart only to put you back together again. Because I know where all your crazy, annoying, fucking beautiful pieces go, I know the right place for them. With mine.”
“I haven’t shown my heart to a single being before you. I didn’t even suspect I had one. If I ever did, I buried it with my parents thirty years ago. Now it pounds and bleeds and breaks and hardens for you, Art Enzino. Because I’ll hate-love you until its last beat.” (I CANTTTT)
“I’m madly in hate-love with you too, you wacko. And your dick.”
“You need to understand the notion that you are mine.” — “That word is profoundly foreign to me. I like hearing it from you.”
““It looks good on you, just like my marks do.” I kiss the pendant, sending a prayer to my parents. One filled with love and peace.”
“I hate-love all of you, to your bones and soul,” — “My forehead drops on his, and I breathe in his scent. My sunshine and apple, my sole mio.”
“We’ll fucking build our life on each scar, sole mio. Every memory we make will push the bad ones into a mental corner until there won’t be space for them anymore. I promise you that.”
“I close my eyes, trembling, letting everything that Art is seep into me. His wet lips brush over them next, lingering, leaving sweet, soft kisses that lighten my soul. A single tear falls down my cheek. It’s an unfamiliar feeling. I haven’t cried since my mother’s death, but it makes sense that he is the one awakening such a powerful emotion inside me.”
“But now he is here, and his scent is all over me again—tobacco and lavender, underlaid with whiskey and something unidentifiable that has my breath catching. Because I know that I’m addicted to it, to every little thing about Luca Nero.”
“Luca Nero, I was yours way before your stubborn self became mine.” I pull on his chest hair to emphasize my words. “I’ll never leave you again. You know why? Because I refuse to have another single night without you. I belong in your hot, sweaty arms when I’m asleep. And if you are so afraid I’ll flee, you can always tie me up.”
“It’s like God felt bad for me, so she gathered up all the love I was never given, wrapped it in flesh and bone, and sent Luca to me—adding an extra dose of roughness and dominance to the massively well-endowed thug.”
“I’ve never felt safer. I’m okay. It will be okay, I can honestly believe it because I’m free. I’m finally free.” (🥹🥹)
“Wow, and the proposal gets better by the minute.” — “How about this? You owe me a wish,” I remind him of the time we were in the warehouse and he promised me a wish for my birthday. “I wish you’ll say yes to my marriage proposal.”
“The necklace around my neck and now this bracelet, they are proof that this is all real.”
“Ti amo, sole mio, sposami,” — “We tried so hard to hate each other, before we tried to love each other. It was within that space, that undulated gap between hate and love that we fought so desperately, until we both yielded to it and embraced it together. And now we will remain in that space forever.” — “Sí. I’ll marry you, Luca Nero.”
“I was trying to escape from my family’s rotten prison when Luca took me into another cage, and there I found the freedom I’ve always dreamed of. I found love and happiness and a man I can call mine.” (Like stop😭🥹)
“I want to become a Nero as soon as possible,” — “You already are, sole mio. You are mine.”
Devoured as expected. It was a WHOLE lot of smut but obviously with a lot of casual mafia dealings hahaha. I think Art has made himself into my top 5 favorite twinks ever because what do you mean that boy is HILARIOUS!! He was so unapologetically himself even with his traumas. The way he teased and instigated Luca until he went full beast on him was amazing. Give it to him to be able to tame him!! I absolutely love the way the author portrayed Art’s life as being stuck in his families cage, but when Luca took him and put him into another, he found a freedom he’d never thought he’d find but always dreamed of. I really also loved the way we saw Luca’s walls breaking when it came to Art and wanting to keep him, especially after realizing that Art despised his family. And God when he told Art about why he hated them and Art got emo??? Yeah, I was emo too. That boy had such a big heart despite the life he was dealt and how he was treated growing up. But he found this wacko of a man and decided that being stuck with him didn’t seem so bad after all. Because underneath the tough mafia exterior was someone who held onto so much pain and had been for so long. So much so that he didn’t believe it in himself to want someone, let alone to wanting to keep and love them always 😭
I also really always enjoy stories like this where the MMC claims to can’t stand the other MMC but does all these things to take care of them??? Like that was Luca to a T. So you’re telling me you stocked your house with all Art’s favorite foods, bought him boba and sweet treats, cuddled him in bed, and f*cked him like an animal and thought there were no feelings involved? Like LOL. The way his internal monologue was always “Fuck!” after he felt all those warm and gooey feelings when Art did or said something made me crack up because yeah, the boy tamed you and is definitely proud of it. Not to mention that all the shit Art pulled on him would’ve got anyone else killed was a big indicator too. And just the way he felt when he saw the scars on Art’s back knowing where they came from??? Like my guy, you’re obsessed with him.
The only thing I didn’t quite like (but wasn’t a big deal) was the timeline of the story. Like the entire book took course over one month when I felt like it could’ve been a little bit longer. It sort of felt like their relationship went from 0 to 100 all of sudden when Luca gave in at the club. There was attraction there for both of them but it just felt fast when Luca was dead set on hating Art, using him, and then getting rid of him. But I swear it was than two weeks before he found himself addicted. Anyway, that’s fine, just something I kept in the back of my mind. BUT I always do say that in the mafia-verse these overprotective, jealous, and possessive MMC’s don’t care about timeline because when someone belongs to them, they just do so might as well put a ring on it sooner than later!
Their love confessions were perfect with the “i hate-love you” because it is just so them. The way Luca just said he’d never shown anyone his heart to anyone before him… and that it now it pounds, bleeds, breaks, and hardens for Art? That he’ll hate-love him until his hearts last beat??? On the floor. And it’s of course always better when Luca says it with some Italian mixed in 🙂↔️ The sole mio?? Dead. Art really is his sunshine 🥹
So happy that Art now gets to live the rest of his life with his well endowed thug who gives and shows him the love he never experienced. That he finally found someone who makes him feel safe and free for the first time in his life 🥺 And may he always keep his caveman on his toes with the crazy shit that comes out of his mouth!! Hahaha. Loving them!
— quotes
“And he smells like fucking sunshine and… and Honeycrisp—the apple variety my mother used to buy from the little shop around the corner from our house. How is that possible?”
“I hate him, but he is a serious treat to the eyes. If I had ovaries, they would have melted by now. Sheesh, I’m such a slut for bad boys.”
“The natural light coming through the windows invigorates me. Apricity. That’s what is called the uplifting, calming feeling of the sun warming one’s skin on a cold day.”
“It’s quite puzzling how I want to fuck him and kill him at the same time. Maybe I can fuck him to death?”
“I’ve been treated like shit my whole life. A hard fuck makes me forget about how shitty and suffocating everything is. What’s wrong with that? You… you feel like the worst, most tempting escape I’ve ever needed.”
“His eyes—I vaguely recall trying to convince myself they weren’t beautiful the first time they met mine. I’ve been determined not to see anything good in him, but those sunshine flecks almost drowning in the sky-blue pools are undoubtedly gorgeous.”
“I’ll make you regret tempting me.” — “I’ll never regret. I want you so fucking much.”
“There are worse evils in my life.” His eyes are empty, devoid of any feeling. “You can try to hurt me and hate me all you want, but it won’t change anything.”
“I still want to kill him nine times a day. I also want him to look at me and touch me ten times more on that same day.”
“Those big pecs make me feel inexplicably protected. The warmth of the sun is on his clothes—mmm—and the smell coming off him of tobacco and lavender are a dark temptation mixed with safety. He’s dangerous to me in a new, completely different way now. A much more lethal one.”
“Arturo Enzino was supposed to be an entitled, snobbish, selfish Mafia prince. Who is he then? The sneaky liar, careless, arrogant, pathetic, and reckless? Or the vulnerable, selfless, feisty, unbreakable, and sassy minx?”
“Oh crap, am I into him? Not only his dick. Him. The vindictive wacko. The ruthless gangster. The bleeding man.” — “Oh crap, I am into him! I’m truly fucked. Fear and denial spread quickly inside my chest. My heart is racing, my mouth feels dry and it’s kind of hard to breathe.”
“His lips suddenly crush mine and then he starts to kiss the hell out of me—if this can even be called a kiss. It feels more like an assault, an assertion of dominance, aggressive and bruising. Hateful.” — “It’s beyond overwhelming, beyond right and wrong, beyond any rational thought. I shouldn’t feel this good.”
“I’ve been pinned against the wall by a big, sexy, growly wacko, who smells like dark, inner dreams, and makes me crave things I’ve never dared to want before. Like running away from him as fast as my legs can carry me, hoping he would chase me.”
“His grip feels anchoring rather than restrictive now. Pleasant. Don’t know when that changed. But it did. A thought suddenly hits me. When did Luca Nero start to feel safe to me?”
“Because no one lays a finger on Arturo fucking Enzino but me. I own the brat. Own. The fuck is that supposed to mean? God, this is fucked up. This feeling, this possessiveness toward an Enzino. It has escalated in what… twelve days? It has to be lust. An animalistic attraction.”
“But one thing is for sure: from the moment I met him, I wanted those green eyes on me, no matter how much he disliked me, treated me poorly, or pushed me away. Because when he looks at me, I see limitless possibilities in those pools, I see a different, brave Art Enzino. And I like him.”
“That’s when he kisses me. Deep and passionate, his tongue takes everything I have. And I melt against him, the ice around my heart thaws as the flame of lust reaches it. My body reacts to him so naturally. How can this be wrong?”
“The first time I saw you,” … “You were eating an apple. The juice was dripping all over your chin, and you wiped it away with your fingers and then licked them one by one.” — “His eyes fall on my mouth, and I feel my heart racing. Is that why he always buys me apples?”
“I’m breaking the promise I made to myself many years ago. But it’s okay because it’s for you.” I swallow, feeling so vulnerable and afraid. But I keep whispering, “I’m yours, Luca Nero, even though I know you’ll never belong to me.” (Yeah bye😭)
“Art’s light blue eyes suddenly appear in front of me. How they crease when he smiles. The glow he radiates spreading all over his face, to his perfectly shaped lips and neat eyebrows. It’s like watching a stream of sunlight spilling from the clouds. He’s delicate and bright and vivid. He’s warmth and sorrow. Feistiness and vulnerability.”
“Because if Art indeed is my enemy, the only thing he’s actually guilty of is driving me fucking crazy. He drenched me in all his insanity, his brilliant spirit, and those quirky idiosyncrasies of his.”
“Whether he was fucking me to death or glaring at me, I’ve never felt more alive than when I was with him. Without him, it’s as if a massive hole has been punched straight through my heart.”
“I thought Luca Nero was a lesser evil, but it turned out he is the most diabolical man I’ve ever encountered. He succeeded where no other man has before. He tamed me and conquered me and I hate him for that more than ever.”
“He is the idiot. Because I miss him. Because I don’t want to live without him. Because my body is his if he just fucking claims it.”
“No one has ever come for me. No one has ever treated me like I was worth saving.” — “It’s everything I’ve ever longed for—someone strong enough to stand by my side. Fiercely, unequivocally in my corner.” (😭😭😭)
“Wha… do you think you hold the rights to my hellish life? Like some sort of demon?” — “If a demon is the only one who is going to fuck with you, yeah. I hold the shit out of those rights. They were signed with blood, mine and yours.”
“The fucked-up part? I want, and will protect you from everyone else.”
“”And two days ago, when a-again he was… all I could think about was you. Because now you are my warmth in the coldness, Luca.” My apricity.”
“I made my life out of loss and anger and revenge.” … “Then you came. I wanted to hurt you and destroy you, but you were the one to turn my world upside down. I had to hate you—had to—while you kept making me forget why.”
“He looked like a fucking ray of sun, my sun. Sole mio.”
“I want to tear you apart only to put you back together again. Because I know where all your crazy, annoying, fucking beautiful pieces go, I know the right place for them. With mine.”
“I haven’t shown my heart to a single being before you. I didn’t even suspect I had one. If I ever did, I buried it with my parents thirty years ago. Now it pounds and bleeds and breaks and hardens for you, Art Enzino. Because I’ll hate-love you until its last beat.” (I CANTTTT)
“I’m madly in hate-love with you too, you wacko. And your dick.”
“You need to understand the notion that you are mine.” — “That word is profoundly foreign to me. I like hearing it from you.”
““It looks good on you, just like my marks do.” I kiss the pendant, sending a prayer to my parents. One filled with love and peace.”
“I hate-love all of you, to your bones and soul,” — “My forehead drops on his, and I breathe in his scent. My sunshine and apple, my sole mio.”
“We’ll fucking build our life on each scar, sole mio. Every memory we make will push the bad ones into a mental corner until there won’t be space for them anymore. I promise you that.”
“I close my eyes, trembling, letting everything that Art is seep into me. His wet lips brush over them next, lingering, leaving sweet, soft kisses that lighten my soul. A single tear falls down my cheek. It’s an unfamiliar feeling. I haven’t cried since my mother’s death, but it makes sense that he is the one awakening such a powerful emotion inside me.”
“But now he is here, and his scent is all over me again—tobacco and lavender, underlaid with whiskey and something unidentifiable that has my breath catching. Because I know that I’m addicted to it, to every little thing about Luca Nero.”
“Luca Nero, I was yours way before your stubborn self became mine.” I pull on his chest hair to emphasize my words. “I’ll never leave you again. You know why? Because I refuse to have another single night without you. I belong in your hot, sweaty arms when I’m asleep. And if you are so afraid I’ll flee, you can always tie me up.”
“It’s like God felt bad for me, so she gathered up all the love I was never given, wrapped it in flesh and bone, and sent Luca to me—adding an extra dose of roughness and dominance to the massively well-endowed thug.”
“I’ve never felt safer. I’m okay. It will be okay, I can honestly believe it because I’m free. I’m finally free.” (🥹🥹)
“Wow, and the proposal gets better by the minute.” — “How about this? You owe me a wish,” I remind him of the time we were in the warehouse and he promised me a wish for my birthday. “I wish you’ll say yes to my marriage proposal.”
“The necklace around my neck and now this bracelet, they are proof that this is all real.”
“Ti amo, sole mio, sposami,” — “We tried so hard to hate each other, before we tried to love each other. It was within that space, that undulated gap between hate and love that we fought so desperately, until we both yielded to it and embraced it together. And now we will remain in that space forever.” — “Sí. I’ll marry you, Luca Nero.”
“I was trying to escape from my family’s rotten prison when Luca took me into another cage, and there I found the freedom I’ve always dreamed of. I found love and happiness and a man I can call mine.” (Like stop😭🥹)
“I want to become a Nero as soon as possible,” — “You already are, sole mio. You are mine.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 17, 2026
The way i love this world an the way these characters had me in a choke hold from the very start! Their relationship is probably one of my favorites to date! If you love a good mm mafia romance i highly suggest diving into this amazing world!
Did Not Finish
September 15, 2026I put this on hold at 18% I will not finish. Bruh this shit is stupid sorry not sorry
For me Luca was fully in the right. At this point no one knows anything about Art except he is part of the Enzino family so why be delicate with him? They are the God damn Mafia! Bruv his family is game to kill all of you and take your shit! But don't hurt him?
Seb ordering Luca to not hurt art? Bruh those are some shit ass brothers. Why put art in Luca care at all ? Just get some impartial goon to sit on the annoying fucker until you need him. It's like Seb wants to hurt Luca.
And Marco or Seb didn't have to tell Fly shit about anything. But they did and then used him to guilty Luca in to"behaving "that is seriously seriously fucked up for a dude that is loyal as fuck to both of them . If you can't allow him to get his revenge then remove him from the situation. Why expose him to BS?
Seb and Marco know Luca history with that family. Know his pain and put Fly feeling in front of that because Fly is Marco bf?
The Mafia? BF feeling over protecting family?
I've been told by the author multiple times that Marco is Luca brother . Marco know Luca history doesn't know shit about this art fucker but he's putting his bf in front his brother? I understand that whole touch him and die thing is a kink in these "dark romance" books but it is a massive turn off to me as a reader when someone puts aside years of strong friendship and loyalty in a situation like this. Because Luca would take a bullet for Marco BF and Marco would expect Luca to take a bullet for his BF but Marco can't be bothered to stand up even a little for his friend? That's giving flacied penis energy.
p.s I fucking hate Fly selfish little shit. The more I read this series the deeper my hate for this fictional character grows. It's wild how everyone just bows down to him because he is short , pretty ,fem, bossy, white ,slutty? Bruh that not everyone type. He brings nothing to the table but an asshole. Light eyes and blond hair , cute butt gets him the world? Like come round the actual BX and find out how far that gets you bruv.
I feel for you Luca that fam kept you waiting for years and dangling bs in your face .
Next point. Don't care if Art is being placed as the victim in this story Luca should have slapped the shit out of him right in the ally, cuffed him ,gagged him, knocked him out and fully looked him over. That's just standard for a basic ass kidnapping.
Luca missing a whole fucking phone is stupid. Art texting a hacker friend after he moaned about having nobody but Fly like 10 pg before BS. Art turning down being rescued is unbelievable.
It was at that point I stopped reading. Wrote this long ass pointless review and gave up on the book.
I was getting super hyped about Seb's book because he was my favorite since book one but now I don't think I will bother with it.
For me Luca was fully in the right. At this point no one knows anything about Art except he is part of the Enzino family so why be delicate with him? They are the God damn Mafia! Bruv his family is game to kill all of you and take your shit! But don't hurt him?
Seb ordering Luca to not hurt art? Bruh those are some shit ass brothers. Why put art in Luca care at all ? Just get some impartial goon to sit on the annoying fucker until you need him. It's like Seb wants to hurt Luca.
And Marco or Seb didn't have to tell Fly shit about anything. But they did and then used him to guilty Luca in to"behaving "that is seriously seriously fucked up for a dude that is loyal as fuck to both of them . If you can't allow him to get his revenge then remove him from the situation. Why expose him to BS?
Seb and Marco know Luca history with that family. Know his pain and put Fly feeling in front of that because Fly is Marco bf?
The Mafia? BF feeling over protecting family?
I've been told by the author multiple times that Marco is Luca brother . Marco know Luca history doesn't know shit about this art fucker but he's putting his bf in front his brother? I understand that whole touch him and die thing is a kink in these "dark romance" books but it is a massive turn off to me as a reader when someone puts aside years of strong friendship and loyalty in a situation like this. Because Luca would take a bullet for Marco BF and Marco would expect Luca to take a bullet for his BF but Marco can't be bothered to stand up even a little for his friend? That's giving flacied penis energy.
p.s I fucking hate Fly selfish little shit. The more I read this series the deeper my hate for this fictional character grows. It's wild how everyone just bows down to him because he is short , pretty ,fem, bossy, white ,slutty? Bruh that not everyone type. He brings nothing to the table but an asshole. Light eyes and blond hair , cute butt gets him the world? Like come round the actual BX and find out how far that gets you bruv.
I feel for you Luca that fam kept you waiting for years and dangling bs in your face .
Next point. Don't care if Art is being placed as the victim in this story Luca should have slapped the shit out of him right in the ally, cuffed him ,gagged him, knocked him out and fully looked him over. That's just standard for a basic ass kidnapping.
Luca missing a whole fucking phone is stupid. Art texting a hacker friend after he moaned about having nobody but Fly like 10 pg before BS. Art turning down being rescued is unbelievable.
It was at that point I stopped reading. Wrote this long ass pointless review and gave up on the book.
I was getting super hyped about Seb's book because he was my favorite since book one but now I don't think I will bother with it.
September 26, 2026
This bookwas recommended by someone in a facebook group and the blurb had me intrigued enough to give it a try. Although i haven’t read the previous books in this series the book gives us enough of a back story on the characters that you don’t feel like you are missing crucial information. This one is about Luca, the though of the group who carries deep scars inside and outside and has been waiting for his revenge on Arts family for years, and he finally gets his shot at it, kinda. He gets the order to kidnap Art but not hurt him too much, which he takes to heart. They immediately hate each other on sight but as time passes Art can see an ally in Luca, and Luca sees that Arts status as the black sheep of the family has merit. As romance books go, their feelings for one another grow reluctantly and they eventually give in to them. The spice was really good and the spicy scenes were thoroughly written out so you can enjoy them. I will definitely look into the rest of the series
“It’s like God felt bad for me, so she gathered up all the love I was never given, wrapped it in flesh and bone, and sent Luca to me—adding an extra dose of roughness and dominance to the massively well-endowed thug.”
“It’s like God felt bad for me, so she gathered up all the love I was never given, wrapped it in flesh and bone, and sent Luca to me—adding an extra dose of roughness and dominance to the massively well-endowed thug.”
October 18, 2026
fuck, it hurts me to give such a low rating (3.75), but i blame it on Art.
god, i dislike him SO MUCH.
i loved Akira with all his sassiness and nonsense. can't say the same about art.
i could barely stand his POV and his conversations with Luca. he was a fucking annoying, small-dick whore and just a whiny guy.
i already didn't like him from book 1. i don't understand how my fly could be friends with him, but whatever.
Luca, on the other hand... LOVE THE GUY! this Italian mafia man is a dream ehheeh
but since book one, the one who stole my heart wasn't Luca, Fly, River or Akira (sorry, Marco, i'm still working on forgiving you for the fuck-ups you made in your book). no, the one who stole my attention was Seb.
i really hope Seb's book will be amazing.
the author said hopefully by march 2027, and i can't wait to read it!
his personality intrigues me, and his looks just make me wanna climb him like a tree.
let's see 👀
anyway, the plot was really good. i loved it. Unfortunately for me, i dislike Art so much that i couldn't enjoy the book as much as i wanted to...
SO ANNOYING 😭
btw, THE SPICE... FUCKING HELL, THE SPICE, GUYS 🥵🔥😭
god, i dislike him SO MUCH.
i loved Akira with all his sassiness and nonsense. can't say the same about art.
i could barely stand his POV and his conversations with Luca. he was a fucking annoying, small-dick whore and just a whiny guy.
i already didn't like him from book 1. i don't understand how my fly could be friends with him, but whatever.
Luca, on the other hand... LOVE THE GUY! this Italian mafia man is a dream ehheeh
but since book one, the one who stole my heart wasn't Luca, Fly, River or Akira (sorry, Marco, i'm still working on forgiving you for the fuck-ups you made in your book). no, the one who stole my attention was Seb.
i really hope Seb's book will be amazing.
the author said hopefully by march 2027, and i can't wait to read it!
his personality intrigues me, and his looks just make me wanna climb him like a tree.
let's see 👀
anyway, the plot was really good. i loved it. Unfortunately for me, i dislike Art so much that i couldn't enjoy the book as much as i wanted to...
SO ANNOYING 😭
btw, THE SPICE... FUCKING HELL, THE SPICE, GUYS 🥵🔥😭
September 16, 2026
loved it
Loved every minute of this read arturo is a character so funny and sassy Luca stood no chance against his charm and heels and falls under his spell so sweet to watch the hate turn into love and the ending was great so good to see them fully admit their feelings to each other
Loved every minute of this read arturo is a character so funny and sassy Luca stood no chance against his charm and heels and falls under his spell so sweet to watch the hate turn into love and the ending was great so good to see them fully admit their feelings to each other
July 22, 2026
Luca Neto is focused on one thing: destroying the Enzino family. Kidnapping their mafia prince wasn’t part of the plan, but it leaves him stuck dealing with Art Enzino — tiny, chaotic, flirtatious, and tied to the people who ruined Luca’s life. Art may look like a tempting, elvish twink, but he’s still the enemy: son of the man who destroyed Luca’s family and brother of the monster who scarred him. Luca has waited years for revenge, and he won’t let Art — or anyone — get in the way of finally bringing peace to his parents.
I loved this dark, intense story, especially the way it blended violence, vengeance, and the raw, brutal passion that Luca used to vent his hatred toward the Enzino family. The violent hate‑sex was a deliberate part of his character — a release valve for everything he’d endured — and it fit the tone of the book perfectly. Art’s personality was wonderfully complex, shaped by years of neglect and abuse, and it made his chaotic behaviour feel real rather than exaggerated. Both Luca and Art might seem unhinged on the surface, but the story makes it clear they’re products of their pasts, and that depth made their dynamic compelling. The whole book was packed with emotion and feeling, easy to understand and easy to get swept up in. A dark, dramatic, addictive read. This was an MM story with mature content.
** Please note the trigger warnings and be kind to yourself.
I loved this dark, intense story, especially the way it blended violence, vengeance, and the raw, brutal passion that Luca used to vent his hatred toward the Enzino family. The violent hate‑sex was a deliberate part of his character — a release valve for everything he’d endured — and it fit the tone of the book perfectly. Art’s personality was wonderfully complex, shaped by years of neglect and abuse, and it made his chaotic behaviour feel real rather than exaggerated. Both Luca and Art might seem unhinged on the surface, but the story makes it clear they’re products of their pasts, and that depth made their dynamic compelling. The whole book was packed with emotion and feeling, easy to understand and easy to get swept up in. A dark, dramatic, addictive read. This was an MM story with mature content.
** Please note the trigger warnings and be kind to yourself.
September 16, 2026
Oh my gosh, talk about opposite attraction! ⚡️ Now I don't know who my favorite couple is: Marco and Fly, River and Akri, or Luca and Art, because this was super spicy—my word! 🌶️
There were so many moments, but this one stood out:
“Your vengeance is mine now, along with everything else,” he whispers, touching the pendant with his lips before pushing himself onto his tiptoes and kissing my chin. 💋
We started out so bitter with hatred to reach this point; it was a good experience.
I'm looking forward to Seb because I've been intrigued by that man more and more with each book.
There were so many moments, but this one stood out:
“Your vengeance is mine now, along with everything else,” he whispers, touching the pendant with his lips before pushing himself onto his tiptoes and kissing my chin. 💋
We started out so bitter with hatred to reach this point; it was a good experience.
I'm looking forward to Seb because I've been intrigued by that man more and more with each book.
Read
August 30, 2026time of death: 10%
super juvenile, i can’t get behind it. maybe i’ll give it another go eventually?
super juvenile, i can’t get behind it. maybe i’ll give it another go eventually?
August 4, 2026
Ughh I hate m/f sex, it ruins everything.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Nope. I still can’t pick a favorite from this series. I love them all in different ways and I can’t choose between them.
This has got to be one of the best enemies-to-lovers stories I’ve ever read. The vendetta Luca had against Art’s family was soul crushing. He had every right to hate everyone in that wretched family. They took everything from him and left him with a permanent sorrow that he could barely breathe.
Luca had been waiting years for a chance to avenge his parents. The more time that passed, the more the hate grew. It took a great amount of control and support from his boss and best friend for him to wait for the right moment.
When the opportunity to strike presents itself, Luca doesn’t think about it twice and goes after Art. He’s not the one who unalived his parents but in Luca’s mind, he’s guilty by association. Anyone with the Enzino last name is just as guilty as the ones who actually committed the crime.
Art has never been like his father and brother. He actually hates them with all his heart. His father has done nothing but stand by as his brother abused him. The only time Art is useful is when he can do something for them.
He’s never had anyone care about him until he met Fly. The two of them became like brothers during the hardest time of Fly’s life. But that friendship was threatened the moment they realized they were part of a rivalry neither of them cared about.
Being the mafia prince to one of NY’s most powerful families was the curse Art had to live with. As the son of the enemy, being friends with Fly only put him at risk. Something Fly’s fiancé wasn’t too happy about.
But it was this friendship that held Luca from exacting his revenge on Art. The moment Art was within his grasp, all Luca wanted was to do all the despicable things he dreamed of doing to his parents unaliver. But Luca was not to harm Art or else he’d have to deal with Fly’s soon to be husband and it wouldn’t be pretty 😆
Art didn’t know why he was being treated with such contempt but it didn’t scare him. He was used to the pain and abuse, and what Luca did to him was nothing compared to what he’d been through. Luca somehow was the lesser evil and if Art had to choose, he’d choose Luca every time.
Luca couldn’t understand why Art was so nonchalant about his situation. The more he tried to make sense of it, the more complicated it became. Especially when the chemistry between them began sizzling. It was impossible for Luca not to be tempted by Art’s beauty. It was only a matter of time before that chemistry made them combust.
Luca knew he was screwed the moment he touched Art’s body. He knew deep in his soul that there’ll be no going back. Art was his and he was the only one who could hurt him.
Art never felt anything like what he felt for Luca. He knew there would never be anything between them because of Luca’s vendetta, but the heart wants what it wants, and his wanted Luca. But there was so much more to the broody man than just the physical and sexual attraction. It was the pain he was carrying for so many years and the promise of getting justice for his parents.
The more time they spent together, the more the lines blurred, and when Art is forced to go back, he knows his chances of getting out of his situation alive are slim. But he couldn’t let Luca get hurt. He was willing to do anything to make sure he was safe.
Art leaving hit Luca hard. He couldn’t deny anymore that he was in love with him. Somewhere between the hate seggs and his vendetta, he fell for the man who was just as much a victim of the Enzino family as he was. It wasn’t just about avenging his parents anymore, now it was about making them pay for what they did to Art.
I love that they went from hating to loving each other so fiercely. The circumstances of how they met weren’t ideal but it brought them together. They lived through so much pain and suffering, yet they found love amidst all the hate.
“𝑾𝒆’𝒍𝒍 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒃𝒖𝒊𝒍𝒅 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆 𝒐𝒏 𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉 𝒔𝒄𝒂𝒓, 𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒆 𝒎𝒊𝒐. 𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒎𝒆𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒚 𝒘𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒑𝒖𝒔𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒂𝒅 𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝒂 𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒄𝒐𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒓 𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒃𝒆 𝒔𝒑𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎 𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆. 𝑰 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕.”
This has got to be one of the best enemies-to-lovers stories I’ve ever read. The vendetta Luca had against Art’s family was soul crushing. He had every right to hate everyone in that wretched family. They took everything from him and left him with a permanent sorrow that he could barely breathe.
Luca had been waiting years for a chance to avenge his parents. The more time that passed, the more the hate grew. It took a great amount of control and support from his boss and best friend for him to wait for the right moment.
When the opportunity to strike presents itself, Luca doesn’t think about it twice and goes after Art. He’s not the one who unalived his parents but in Luca’s mind, he’s guilty by association. Anyone with the Enzino last name is just as guilty as the ones who actually committed the crime.
Art has never been like his father and brother. He actually hates them with all his heart. His father has done nothing but stand by as his brother abused him. The only time Art is useful is when he can do something for them.
He’s never had anyone care about him until he met Fly. The two of them became like brothers during the hardest time of Fly’s life. But that friendship was threatened the moment they realized they were part of a rivalry neither of them cared about.
Being the mafia prince to one of NY’s most powerful families was the curse Art had to live with. As the son of the enemy, being friends with Fly only put him at risk. Something Fly’s fiancé wasn’t too happy about.
But it was this friendship that held Luca from exacting his revenge on Art. The moment Art was within his grasp, all Luca wanted was to do all the despicable things he dreamed of doing to his parents unaliver. But Luca was not to harm Art or else he’d have to deal with Fly’s soon to be husband and it wouldn’t be pretty 😆
Art didn’t know why he was being treated with such contempt but it didn’t scare him. He was used to the pain and abuse, and what Luca did to him was nothing compared to what he’d been through. Luca somehow was the lesser evil and if Art had to choose, he’d choose Luca every time.
Luca couldn’t understand why Art was so nonchalant about his situation. The more he tried to make sense of it, the more complicated it became. Especially when the chemistry between them began sizzling. It was impossible for Luca not to be tempted by Art’s beauty. It was only a matter of time before that chemistry made them combust.
Luca knew he was screwed the moment he touched Art’s body. He knew deep in his soul that there’ll be no going back. Art was his and he was the only one who could hurt him.
Art never felt anything like what he felt for Luca. He knew there would never be anything between them because of Luca’s vendetta, but the heart wants what it wants, and his wanted Luca. But there was so much more to the broody man than just the physical and sexual attraction. It was the pain he was carrying for so many years and the promise of getting justice for his parents.
The more time they spent together, the more the lines blurred, and when Art is forced to go back, he knows his chances of getting out of his situation alive are slim. But he couldn’t let Luca get hurt. He was willing to do anything to make sure he was safe.
Art leaving hit Luca hard. He couldn’t deny anymore that he was in love with him. Somewhere between the hate seggs and his vendetta, he fell for the man who was just as much a victim of the Enzino family as he was. It wasn’t just about avenging his parents anymore, now it was about making them pay for what they did to Art.
I love that they went from hating to loving each other so fiercely. The circumstances of how they met weren’t ideal but it brought them together. They lived through so much pain and suffering, yet they found love amidst all the hate.
“𝑾𝒆’𝒍𝒍 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒃𝒖𝒊𝒍𝒅 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆 𝒐𝒏 𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉 𝒔𝒄𝒂𝒓, 𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒆 𝒎𝒊𝒐. 𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒎𝒆𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒚 𝒘𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒑𝒖𝒔𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒂𝒅 𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝒂 𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒄𝒐𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒓 𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒃𝒆 𝒔𝒑𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎 𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆. 𝑰 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕.”
September 3, 2026
Here's "Apricity" by Paulina Ian-Kane. This is the third novel her Mafia Babes series.
["My vendetta comes first.
My only goal in life is to decimate the Enzino Family.
Kidnapping the spoiled mafia prince before his wedding wasn’t what I had in mind. But needs must when the devil drives—I just didn’t know I’d be babysitting his minion.
Art Enzino.
Tiny, feisty, snarky, and completely insane. He walks around wearing skimpy skirts and delicate body chains while shaking his lace-clad butt. I might kill him sooner than planned; to hell with my boss’s schemes. After all, a punishment from him would be less agonizing than spending another moment dodging Art’s flirtatious advances.
I don’t know what his game is, but I won’t bite. I may be Bi, but I don’t share my bed with trash—even if he’s disguised himself as a sexy, elvish-looking twink who smells like sunshine and apples.
Art is still the enemy—son of the man who destroyed my family and brother of the monster who scarred my face and took everything from me.
I’ve waited years to savor my revenge, and now the time has finally come.
I’ll do whatever it takes to return peace to my parents, and no one will stop me. Especially not an overly promiscuous, brainless mafia prince who only cares about indulging and partying."]
I waited for ages and ages for this one, counting down the days until it came out. Then I couldn't read it. I'm not sure if it was the length (worth it) or the angst (worth it) or the triggers (worth it), but I put it off.
This book was sooo good (I still think I like Fly's the best). The hate-hate-hate that somehow, someway, when no one was looking (except Marco and Seb), it turned into hate-love. How many couples do their big grand feelings declarations by saying "I hate-love you"? These two. (While surrounded by blood and dead bodies? Everyone in this series (seriously)). Mafia romances, man.
I canNOT wait for Seb's story. The guy who's going to be Seb's HEA is going to be Fly + Art on crack, but somehow sweet.
Trigger Warnings: on-page disfigured young man dead body, graphic violence, murder, torture with very gory details, torture of a MC, knife cutting/use, gun use, reference to past torture, obsessed brother/twisted relationship, descriptions of past and present abuse, description of injuries past and present, on-page assault of MC, attempted kidnapping, and more.
#petrichor #pragma #apricity #mafiababes #mafiababesseries #paulinaiankane #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks
["My vendetta comes first.
My only goal in life is to decimate the Enzino Family.
Kidnapping the spoiled mafia prince before his wedding wasn’t what I had in mind. But needs must when the devil drives—I just didn’t know I’d be babysitting his minion.
Art Enzino.
Tiny, feisty, snarky, and completely insane. He walks around wearing skimpy skirts and delicate body chains while shaking his lace-clad butt. I might kill him sooner than planned; to hell with my boss’s schemes. After all, a punishment from him would be less agonizing than spending another moment dodging Art’s flirtatious advances.
I don’t know what his game is, but I won’t bite. I may be Bi, but I don’t share my bed with trash—even if he’s disguised himself as a sexy, elvish-looking twink who smells like sunshine and apples.
Art is still the enemy—son of the man who destroyed my family and brother of the monster who scarred my face and took everything from me.
I’ve waited years to savor my revenge, and now the time has finally come.
I’ll do whatever it takes to return peace to my parents, and no one will stop me. Especially not an overly promiscuous, brainless mafia prince who only cares about indulging and partying."]
I waited for ages and ages for this one, counting down the days until it came out. Then I couldn't read it. I'm not sure if it was the length (worth it) or the angst (worth it) or the triggers (worth it), but I put it off.
This book was sooo good (I still think I like Fly's the best). The hate-hate-hate that somehow, someway, when no one was looking (except Marco and Seb), it turned into hate-love. How many couples do their big grand feelings declarations by saying "I hate-love you"? These two. (While surrounded by blood and dead bodies? Everyone in this series (seriously)). Mafia romances, man.
I canNOT wait for Seb's story. The guy who's going to be Seb's HEA is going to be Fly + Art on crack, but somehow sweet.
Trigger Warnings: on-page disfigured young man dead body, graphic violence, murder, torture with very gory details, torture of a MC, knife cutting/use, gun use, reference to past torture, obsessed brother/twisted relationship, descriptions of past and present abuse, description of injuries past and present, on-page assault of MC, attempted kidnapping, and more.
#petrichor #pragma #apricity #mafiababes #mafiababesseries #paulinaiankane #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks
Review of advance copy received from Author
So this one is slightly darker then some of the other books in the series definitely make sure you check the TWs before going in! This is also a true enemies to lovers story....there is ALOT of hate to get through before our guys get their hard earned HEA!
Last thing! This is book 3 in the Mafia Babes series, they are written as standalones but I recommended at least reading book 1 Petrichor before this because you get a background on both these guys and The Family. There are also prominent characters from that book that play in this one! 🖤
🌶🌶🌶🌶
Art is the black sheep of the Enzino Family. He barely acknowledges them unless he has to. Growing up under his Father and Half brother was not easy and he literally has the scars to prove it. Luca is the adopted brother of Sebastiano who is the Don of the Leone family he is also quite the Enforcer when he has to be. Luca has had a vendetta against the Enzino's since he was a child and they had his parents killed. So when the opportunity arises to "People Steal" Art and get some information out of him Luca is ready! What Luca isn't ready for is the absolute hurricane that is Art and he soon finds out that Art hates his family just as much as Luca does...but Art is still and Enzino and Luca now has to decide if this is something he can get passed to take down the bigger players!
My gosh I couldn't put this one down. The absolute hate that Luca felt towards Art had me really nervous about how these two could make it and if Luca could see Art as someone separate from his family. The chemistry between these two though 🥵 you knew when they finally lit the match it was going to be explosive and boy was it! My heart really went out to both guys here they really deserved their HEA!
Tropes/Tags
Mafia Romance
Enemies to Lovers
Age Gap
Forced Proximity
Revenge/People Stealing
Possessive MC
Found Family
Slow Burn
Size Difference
Lingerie
Degradation K!nk
Huge 🍆
Dirty Talk
Spanking
Biting
Last thing! This is book 3 in the Mafia Babes series, they are written as standalones but I recommended at least reading book 1 Petrichor before this because you get a background on both these guys and The Family. There are also prominent characters from that book that play in this one! 🖤
🌶🌶🌶🌶
Art is the black sheep of the Enzino Family. He barely acknowledges them unless he has to. Growing up under his Father and Half brother was not easy and he literally has the scars to prove it. Luca is the adopted brother of Sebastiano who is the Don of the Leone family he is also quite the Enforcer when he has to be. Luca has had a vendetta against the Enzino's since he was a child and they had his parents killed. So when the opportunity arises to "People Steal" Art and get some information out of him Luca is ready! What Luca isn't ready for is the absolute hurricane that is Art and he soon finds out that Art hates his family just as much as Luca does...but Art is still and Enzino and Luca now has to decide if this is something he can get passed to take down the bigger players!
My gosh I couldn't put this one down. The absolute hate that Luca felt towards Art had me really nervous about how these two could make it and if Luca could see Art as someone separate from his family. The chemistry between these two though 🥵 you knew when they finally lit the match it was going to be explosive and boy was it! My heart really went out to both guys here they really deserved their HEA!
Tropes/Tags
Mafia Romance
Enemies to Lovers
Age Gap
Forced Proximity
Revenge/People Stealing
Possessive MC
Found Family
Slow Burn
Size Difference
Lingerie
Degradation K!nk
Huge 🍆
Dirty Talk
Spanking
Biting
August 8, 2026
I Hate-Love this Book!
Once again, this author absolutely NAILED it!
Just FYI... If you haven't read "Petrichor" and/or "Pragma" yet, run, don't walk and go purchase your copy. And no. Don't borrow them, purchase them. Because these are books you are going to want in your collection.
So, anyway... about this book. Well, this has the perfect combination of suspense, intrigue, romance, and spice. And ohhhh boy, oh boy… does the spice EVER spice! 🫠🔥
Honestly, I recommend reading this one somewhere with air conditioning. Preferably industrial-strength air conditioning. A fan would also work. Or perhaps a fire extinguisher. And if all else fails… cold shower. Possibly several. 😂
I absolutely loved watching the dynamics between Luca and Art change as their relationship developed. The internal conflict, the uncertainty, and that whole “I absolutely should NOT want this man… but apparently my body didn’t get the memo” situation made their journey so much fun to read.
And the chemistry between these two? GOOD LORD. 🔥🔥🔥
Every time I thought things were finally going to calm down, the author apparently said, “Oh, you thought THAT was hot? Hold my necktie.” 😂
The suspense and intrigue kept me turning the pages, while Luca and Art’s relationship kept me glued to them. What can I say? I love me a Mafia Famiglia...
Honestly, I came for the story, stayed for the suspense, and nearly spontaneously combusted because of the spice.
Once again, another fabulous read from an author who clearly has no intention of letting her readers maintain a normal body temperature. 😂🔥
Five stars from me. And possibly a new air-conditioning unit. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Once again, this author absolutely NAILED it!
Just FYI... If you haven't read "Petrichor" and/or "Pragma" yet, run, don't walk and go purchase your copy. And no. Don't borrow them, purchase them. Because these are books you are going to want in your collection.
So, anyway... about this book. Well, this has the perfect combination of suspense, intrigue, romance, and spice. And ohhhh boy, oh boy… does the spice EVER spice! 🫠🔥
Honestly, I recommend reading this one somewhere with air conditioning. Preferably industrial-strength air conditioning. A fan would also work. Or perhaps a fire extinguisher. And if all else fails… cold shower. Possibly several. 😂
I absolutely loved watching the dynamics between Luca and Art change as their relationship developed. The internal conflict, the uncertainty, and that whole “I absolutely should NOT want this man… but apparently my body didn’t get the memo” situation made their journey so much fun to read.
And the chemistry between these two? GOOD LORD. 🔥🔥🔥
Every time I thought things were finally going to calm down, the author apparently said, “Oh, you thought THAT was hot? Hold my necktie.” 😂
The suspense and intrigue kept me turning the pages, while Luca and Art’s relationship kept me glued to them. What can I say? I love me a Mafia Famiglia...
Honestly, I came for the story, stayed for the suspense, and nearly spontaneously combusted because of the spice.
Once again, another fabulous read from an author who clearly has no intention of letting her readers maintain a normal body temperature. 😂🔥
Five stars from me. And possibly a new air-conditioning unit. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC REVIEW
If you know anything about me, you know I have a weakness for the weird ones.
Not just sunshine characters, but chaos goblins.
The ones who walk into a room and somehow every conversation, every interaction, every situation immediately becomes just a little more unhinged because they're there.
That's Art.
And Paulina Ian-Kane writes chaos goblins SO well.
Art is witty, bratty, unpredictable, and somehow manages to inject levity into even the darkest moments. He takes no prisoners—not his abusive father, not his creepily attentive brother, and certainly not the massive, scarred mafioso who's kidnapped him in search of revenge.
Which brings me to Luca...
Sir, PLEASE!!
The FILTH that came out of this man's mouth should probably be illegal in all fifty states. I think he may actually be my favorite hero in the series so far. Beneath all the intimidation and violence is a man completely consumed by vengeance after his ripped away from him in the most brutal way possible. Unfortunately for Art, the people responsible happen to share his last name.
Cue the kidnapping.
Cue the family feud.
Cue one very inconvenient attraction.
The chemistry between these two is explosive from the start. The banter is razor sharp, the heat absolutely delivers, and the push and pull between revenge and desire kept me glued to the pages.
As always with this series, you can also expect plenty of violence, torture, found family, and enough humor to keep the darkness from becoming overwhelming.
Verdict:
Bloody, hilarious, filthy, and completely entertaining. If your ideal mafia romance includes revenge, relentless banter, and two men who absolutely should not want each other but absolutely do... Apricity is going to be a very good time.
ARC Disclosure: I received a complimentary e-book copy of this title as an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
If you know anything about me, you know I have a weakness for the weird ones.
Not just sunshine characters, but chaos goblins.
The ones who walk into a room and somehow every conversation, every interaction, every situation immediately becomes just a little more unhinged because they're there.
That's Art.
And Paulina Ian-Kane writes chaos goblins SO well.
Art is witty, bratty, unpredictable, and somehow manages to inject levity into even the darkest moments. He takes no prisoners—not his abusive father, not his creepily attentive brother, and certainly not the massive, scarred mafioso who's kidnapped him in search of revenge.
Which brings me to Luca...
Sir, PLEASE!!
The FILTH that came out of this man's mouth should probably be illegal in all fifty states. I think he may actually be my favorite hero in the series so far. Beneath all the intimidation and violence is a man completely consumed by vengeance after his ripped away from him in the most brutal way possible. Unfortunately for Art, the people responsible happen to share his last name.
Cue the kidnapping.
Cue the family feud.
Cue one very inconvenient attraction.
The chemistry between these two is explosive from the start. The banter is razor sharp, the heat absolutely delivers, and the push and pull between revenge and desire kept me glued to the pages.
As always with this series, you can also expect plenty of violence, torture, found family, and enough humor to keep the darkness from becoming overwhelming.
Verdict:
Bloody, hilarious, filthy, and completely entertaining. If your ideal mafia romance includes revenge, relentless banter, and two men who absolutely should not want each other but absolutely do... Apricity is going to be a very good time.
ARC Disclosure: I received a complimentary e-book copy of this title as an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 21, 2026
As always, Paulina books never disappoint because this one was so good! I literally read it in 24 hours because I couldn't stop myself. Of course, the Mafia Babies series is amazing, but this book is definitely my favorite in the series.
Let's talk about the characters. I absolutely loved Art. He was everything—sassy, bratty, cute, and mouthy. I mean, what else would you expect from a twink? He was so fashionable, and I adored him. I loved their benter, their conversations, and how he always managed to rile Luca up. I also didn't expect his half-brother to be like that, and seeing my baby get hurt made me want to hug him.
Then there's Luca. At first, I didn't like him, but since it's an enemies-to-lovers romance driven by revenge, his behavior made perfect sense. It wasn't about whether I liked him at first—it fit the story perfectly. I loved watching him slowly start to care about Art and fall in love with him without even realizing it. The way he began to appreciate Art's fashion, his heat, his body chains—everything about him—was so well done.
The plot was perfect. It had captivity, enemies to lovers, revenge, grief, hurt/comfort, and an amazing size difference. And the smut... oh my God, it was so hot. So, so hot. Even the humiliation scenes fit the story perfectly. I absolutely loved this book.
Let's talk about the characters. I absolutely loved Art. He was everything—sassy, bratty, cute, and mouthy. I mean, what else would you expect from a twink? He was so fashionable, and I adored him. I loved their benter, their conversations, and how he always managed to rile Luca up. I also didn't expect his half-brother to be like that, and seeing my baby get hurt made me want to hug him.
Then there's Luca. At first, I didn't like him, but since it's an enemies-to-lovers romance driven by revenge, his behavior made perfect sense. It wasn't about whether I liked him at first—it fit the story perfectly. I loved watching him slowly start to care about Art and fall in love with him without even realizing it. The way he began to appreciate Art's fashion, his heat, his body chains—everything about him—was so well done.
The plot was perfect. It had captivity, enemies to lovers, revenge, grief, hurt/comfort, and an amazing size difference. And the smut... oh my God, it was so hot. So, so hot. Even the humiliation scenes fit the story perfectly. I absolutely loved this book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
From the second I started this book until the moment it ended, I was absolutely drawn to these characters. Fly and Marco were originally my favorites, but these two absolutely blew that out of the water.
The way these two interact with each other is so interesting. They have a constant push and pull, but it flows so perfectly that it almost doesn’t even feel like a push and pull. They just fit together so fluidly, even though they’re literally enemies and hate each other, and you completely understand why. It’s so hard to explain, but I am absolutely living for it. You can tell Luca is very revenge-driven, but you can also see the underlying hurt. He feels so blatantly, and I immediately fell for him. Art’s brattiness is so funny and counteracts the angst of Luca’s character so perfectly.
I just can’t say enough about how perfectly these two fit together, and the storyline was perfect. It wasn’t overly predictable, had great twists and turns, and the perfect amount of angst and conflict. It was perfect. I’d give this book infinite stars if I could.
I also want to add that I adored seeing Fly so much in this book, along with the little glimpses of Akira and River. I just can’t wait to see where Paulina goes with Seb’s story next.
The way these two interact with each other is so interesting. They have a constant push and pull, but it flows so perfectly that it almost doesn’t even feel like a push and pull. They just fit together so fluidly, even though they’re literally enemies and hate each other, and you completely understand why. It’s so hard to explain, but I am absolutely living for it. You can tell Luca is very revenge-driven, but you can also see the underlying hurt. He feels so blatantly, and I immediately fell for him. Art’s brattiness is so funny and counteracts the angst of Luca’s character so perfectly.
I just can’t say enough about how perfectly these two fit together, and the storyline was perfect. It wasn’t overly predictable, had great twists and turns, and the perfect amount of angst and conflict. It was perfect. I’d give this book infinite stars if I could.
I also want to add that I adored seeing Fly so much in this book, along with the little glimpses of Akira and River. I just can’t wait to see where Paulina goes with Seb’s story next.
September 26, 2026
Oh my Lordy, Art and Luca were hotttttttt
Luca truly came through, I knew he’d hold out for a good long time about his feelings towards Art. I loved seeing him finally fall and open up.
There were a few moments where I thought maybe Luca would truly believe that Art was playing him. Especially in that warehouse scene, I was absolutely waiting for some shit to go down.
I would have liked to dive into Art a bit more. I know we know why he’s a one and done and why he doesn’t like knives. But his mother abandoned him with that piece of shit and his half brother! How the heck is that poor darling somewhat put together. He was prepared to marry a female and even mentioned conversion camp!? I’m still not quite sure how he had any of his own money though? Ergh when his brother admitted to them finally being able to be together, could see it from a mile off and it still made me sick!
Luca was a bit more complicated, but more in the sense of his loyalty to the family, following orders and balancing all that with his own personal vendetta.
So well done and I really liked the ending with the second correct proposal haha.
I need to know more about Seb and his boy and if he’s going to have something to do with a member of the Bratva that have assisted more than once now I believe!!
Luca truly came through, I knew he’d hold out for a good long time about his feelings towards Art. I loved seeing him finally fall and open up.
There were a few moments where I thought maybe Luca would truly believe that Art was playing him. Especially in that warehouse scene, I was absolutely waiting for some shit to go down.
I would have liked to dive into Art a bit more. I know we know why he’s a one and done and why he doesn’t like knives. But his mother abandoned him with that piece of shit and his half brother! How the heck is that poor darling somewhat put together. He was prepared to marry a female and even mentioned conversion camp!? I’m still not quite sure how he had any of his own money though? Ergh when his brother admitted to them finally being able to be together, could see it from a mile off and it still made me sick!
Luca was a bit more complicated, but more in the sense of his loyalty to the family, following orders and balancing all that with his own personal vendetta.
So well done and I really liked the ending with the second correct proposal haha.
I need to know more about Seb and his boy and if he’s going to have something to do with a member of the Bratva that have assisted more than once now I believe!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
" We'll f*cking build our life on each scar, sole mio. Every memory we make will push the bad ones into a mental corner until there won't be space for them anymore. I promise you that."
.
.
Apricity is my quarterly reminder of how obsessed I am with Paulina Ian Kane's writing prowess and the characters/universes she creates. Undoubtedly, Apricity is my favorite installment in the mafia babes series. It's dark, gripping, sexy, and chock-full of spice.
From the previous installments, you are very familiar with our MMC's Luca and Art, but truly, Petrichor doesn't scratch the surface of how emotionally complex these two are. As Apricity unfolds, neither Luca or Art is what I would have expected; they are so much more and then some.
Apricity is darker than its predecessors, and it touches on tougher topics of conversation. Including Luca's need for revenge and Art's complex relationship with his family. It leads the reader to see why these two are perfectly designed for one another emotionally and physically. And as for spice....Paulina does what she always does best. It's a somewhat slow burn that once sparked blazes into one spicy inferno.
Not to mention her ability to craft hilarious banter, and provide us with cameos from our Babes and Angels. Honestly, I have nothing but praise for Apricity and for fellow Mafia Babe lovers just know you're in for one hilarious, emotional, and sexy ride when this one comes out.
.
.
Apricity is my quarterly reminder of how obsessed I am with Paulina Ian Kane's writing prowess and the characters/universes she creates. Undoubtedly, Apricity is my favorite installment in the mafia babes series. It's dark, gripping, sexy, and chock-full of spice.
From the previous installments, you are very familiar with our MMC's Luca and Art, but truly, Petrichor doesn't scratch the surface of how emotionally complex these two are. As Apricity unfolds, neither Luca or Art is what I would have expected; they are so much more and then some.
Apricity is darker than its predecessors, and it touches on tougher topics of conversation. Including Luca's need for revenge and Art's complex relationship with his family. It leads the reader to see why these two are perfectly designed for one another emotionally and physically. And as for spice....Paulina does what she always does best. It's a somewhat slow burn that once sparked blazes into one spicy inferno.
Not to mention her ability to craft hilarious banter, and provide us with cameos from our Babes and Angels. Honestly, I have nothing but praise for Apricity and for fellow Mafia Babe lovers just know you're in for one hilarious, emotional, and sexy ride when this one comes out.
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