Rose Kolo writes dark, high-heat romance where obsession, control, and dangerous loyalty collide. Her stories explore morally gray characters, tangled histories, and the kind of love that refuses to stay buried.
Her books are set in the shadowed world of crime families, where loyalty can be as lethal as betrayal and passion often comes with a cost.
Rose is the author of Once More, the first book in the Once More Duet and part of The Dark Series I.
When she isn’t writing, she’s usually listening to the same song on repeat and finding other innovative ways to drive her husband crazy. 😈
She is currently working on the next book in The Dark Series, With Teeth, releasing May 2026.
Haya knows her place. Below everyone else. Not pretty. Not useful. Not anything except to clean, or belittled and to just blend into the background. Andreas is finally free from his cell and going back to the compound. He'd given six years of his life to save his brother. Yet who do they send to pick him up. Haya. Why her. She's a nobody. Yet he knew that wasn't really true. But he wants revenge on the people who wronged him. That is until he sees the bruises, the scares along her neck. Somebody's going to pay. The Dark and father trained them all to protect the compound and all it's business. We'd all become his son's not blood, but we are family we've chosen. Or have we. Six years and a lot has changed. Things are falling apart. Nobody is actually working together. Someone is trying to collapse The Dark from the inside. This is a story or loss, betrayal and want. Haya wants to be wanted for her. Andreas wants payback. Yet neither are able to admit. Can Andreas protect Haya. Or will Haya finally stand up for herself. What will the consequences be. I really need book 2 I couldn't put the book down
This is a visceral, atmospheric descent into a world where survival is a currency and devotion is a weapon. By centering on Haya, a woman conditioned to be invisible, and Andreas, a man hardened by a wrongful prison sentence, the story transforms a tactical kidnapping into a high-stakes study of obsession and resilience. The "touch before trust" dynamic is masterfully executed, grounding the dark, morally gray themes in a palpable tension that feels earned rather than forced. It’s a hauntingly beautiful exploration of reclamation, proving that even in a landscape defined by cruelty and power imbalances, the fiercest bond is the one forged between two people who have nothing left to lose.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book was so dark, but so good. Haya and Andreas were perfectly imperfect. Being taken as a pawn but finding that’s really not the plan anymore. Touch before trust is a big deal. But Haya has learned that she really doesn’t matter. So where does that leave her when Andreas takes her. The twists and turns were intense. Had me totally invested and turning pages anticipating what was going to happen next. Loved this. It was so dark and really an excellent read.
It took a little patience to get into this one, but it was absolutely worth it. The FMC goes through such a difficult and emotional journey, and it really stuck with me. I’m already looking forward to seeing what happens next in book two!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is book one of a duet. I did not realize that when I first started reading it so as I was getting to the end, I was confused and wondering how they were gonna possibly wrap it all up. They don’t. You have to wait for a book 2. There was a family, not all bound by blood. She grew up trying to stay in the shadows. She knew that too much attention can put you on the wrong side of father. He took the fall for the family to prove his loyalty and is now coming home. Only he realizes now that it was never really a family you could trust. She is the only one who is worth saving. This is a dark mafia adjacent story. The characters are unique and have great depth. They are well written, and it is easy to become invested in their story. It is written in a somewhat ambiguous way to preserve some of the mystery of the story. But as you get into it, it really sucks you in.. I would say that most of this book is laying the groundwork for book 2 developing relationships and establishing connections, but I can’t wait to see how it plays out.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I found this to be an okay read. It was just too slow for my liking. I will say it is a book that would be good for someone who likes revisiting their books in the future. I felt really bad for Haya, though, because there was a lot of emphasis on how much of a "nobody, just the help" she was, and it's almost like she believed that. I think this played a part in the hidden want Andreas had for her. The events that played out towards the end of the book have me wanting book two. I want to see how both characters would use their strengths and feelings to their advantage.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is Book 1 of The Dark Serie. And a FANrastic start it is! Look forward to more from this world.
'The longer they circle each other, the harder it becomes to pretend what’s between them is simple. But in their world, nothing ever is. And the world they belong to isn’t finished with either of them yet.'
The characters were very complex and compelling and complicated and dark and obsessive and perfectly steamy together. Plot was intriguing and intense and well paced. World building was excellent and impressive. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend!
Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
4 1/2 stars The darkness in this story borders on intriguing yet disturbing all at the same moment. I read this book with caution but couldn’t put the book down even if I wanted to because once you’ve entered this world, it’s truly captivating. I look forward to reading the next book.
I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
WOW!! I loved reading Once More!! It is spicy hot and dark. Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down. I stayed up late into the evening to see what was going to happen next. I couldn't get enough! I can't wait to read the next book! Highly recommend!.
This is the first story i've read from this author. Its was amazing. It did not disappoint. It kepted my attention from the beginning. Its thrilling, suspenseful, intense. I can't wait to read more from this author.