Beautiful Villain

Beautifully Ruined #0

by Iris T. Cannon

I ran from one villain… only to fall into the arms of another.

MIKAYLA
Most brides walk down the aisle. I ran.
Straight out of the church, barefoot, dress in my fists, freedom in sight...
And directly into the bumper of a very expensive car.
The man behind the wheel isn’t a stranger.
He’s my fiancé’s mortal enemy.
Gianni Cavalho.
Cold. Calculated. Beautiful in the way disasters often are.
Now I’m caught in a war between two men.
Two men who would tear apart cities, families… me… just to destroy each other.
Stuck in the middle of their war—I must choose.
Which villain I will survive… and which one will break me beyond repair.

GIANNI
She quite literally threw herself into my path—veil, chaos, and all.
A runaway bride in the middle of the road.
An inconvenience I didn’t need.
Until I found out who she belonged to.
Archie Popovich.
My enemy’s weakness, gift-wrapped and dropped at my feet.
I should’ve handed her back in pieces.
Instead, I use her to drag him into a war he wouldn’t walk away from.
Except… she burns through every line I draw like she was made to undo me.
Now I’m left wondering—
Is she worth the chaos she brings into my war…
…Or am I about to start another one I can’t control just to keep her?

Beautiful Villain kicks off the Beautifully Ruined series—where ruthless men don’t ask, they take… and love is just another weapon in their war. Dark. Addictive. Impossible to put down. Start this series… and kiss your sleep goodbye.

Genres: Dark Romance

264 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 18, 2026

Reviews

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

Some women are like a box of chocolates - you never know when they'll kick your butt or break your heart. Let me introduce you to one of those women: Mikayla Gregory. She's been through some crazy stuff, including some seriously bad dad jokes courtesy of her stepfather. She's resilient, brave, and maybe a little bit crazy. I really dug her character. Gianni, on the other hand, seems like a calculated monster, but does he have a soft spot for Mikayla or is it all just a clever ploy? I devoured this book and all the deliciously dangerous things inside it. The spice was just right - not too hot, not too cold, but just right for a thrilling story.

Thanks to Book Sirens for sending me an advanced copy to read and review.

[❥ KAT ❥ Kitty Kats Crazy About Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 [3.5 STAR REVIEW]

It’s been a while since I’ve jumped into the mafia genre, this used to be my go too when I needed a break from others as it normally ticks boxes I seek.

This in that aspect kind of missed the mark (for me) I’m used to authors who dip their toes in this genre to unleash everything they can towards us readers.

First we have a runaway bride
Knocked down in the middle of the road and whisked away by the grooms enemy.

When the groom finds out where she’s holed up and with whom, I was really expecting more of a backlash instead of the little bit of action we got with a drive by shooting, keep in mind these two men are the most feared men within the city, so yes I was expecting so much more.

The man was humiliated, left standing at the altar in front of all to see.

I was expecting bloodshed, death, carnage, guns blazing, gang wars over territory. It touched a little bit on those areas but not enough to feed my dark soul. This for me just missed the mark, it was too insta for me.

Even though I didn't enjoy this as much as I was hoping, I have read others by this author which I've thoroughly enjoyed. And yes I will be reading more from this author in the future.

This book would be a great one to dip your toes into if you've not jumped into the mafia genre before, it's not dark, and had some super sweet parts in this which I did enjoy.

[Vivien R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mikayla and Gianni’s story is so good. This is the prequel to the series. She is a runaway bride. She was given as payment for her father’s debt to a man she doesn’t want. Then she literally runs into Gianni, her fiancé’s enemy. Their connection is so strong. You can tell they’re going to be something special.

[Marilena Roxana · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.6 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Laura Wolff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE IRIS T CANNON! I want to shout it from the roof tops. She is the most amazing author. Ugh I want to jump into the chaos of her stories and be a part of this world. Every. Single. Time. She. Pulls. Me. In.

Beautiful Villian is the story of Gianni and Mikayla. It’s a love story as they all turn out to be but with gun fire, murder, kidnapping, mafia vendettas and revenge. Plus a splash of “what is she doing to me?” and “why do I want this monster?” And all the lust and spiciness your little heart could ever want.

Gianni is stoic, he is the leader of Tuscany, he is calculating, meticulous, and does not do anything spontaneously or without reason. So when his driver hits a runaway bride with their car, he is forced to make a decision. He picks her up off the road and takes her home, all while grumbling about how she is ruining his leather. He is infuriatingly patient and calm, but Mikayla may be his undoing.

Mikayla is trying not to throw up or throw herself out a window to get away from the monster her step father promised her to, in order to clear his bad debts. Now she is standing in the bridal suite of the chapel wondering how it ever got this far. Then she decides the window isn’t a bad idea and takes off. Only to be hit by Gianni’s luxury sedan. Now she is in the hands of another monster but isn’t sure what to make of him or why he is helping her.

I loved their dynamic and how they played to each others strengths. She is quiet but witty and he is calm and broody. It’s a perfect balance. But the war that’s brewing because he has her is coming and they both have to decide what to do next, which would be easy if Gianni would stop looking at her like she was his dinner.

This is a mafia romance so buckle up for some gruesome bloodshed, harsh language, gun fights and mafia drama.

This is part of the beautifully ruined series and I’m hooked!.

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

[InkedSirenXO · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of advanced copy received from author


This book didn’t just pull me in—it grabbed me by the throat, whispered “good luck,” and slammed the door behind me.

Beautiful Villain is the kind of dark mafia romance that feels like standing in the eye of a storm: eerily calm one second, violently consuming the next.

Mikayla running from the altar? Iconic. Chaotic. Immediately had me rooting for her. But the real twist of the knife is where she lands—straight into the orbit of Gianni Cavalho, a man carved from control, danger, and the kind of beauty that should come with a warning label.

And Gianni?
He’s not your typical morally gray man. He’s fully dipped in shadow… and somehow still the one you can’t look away from.

The tension in this story is feral. Not just romantic tension—but power, revenge, obsession. Every interaction feels like a chess move where someone’s about to flip the board instead.

✨ What makes this a 5-star read:
• Enemies-to-something far more dangerous energy
• A heroine who is not weak—even when she’s caught in the middle
• A hero who is calculated chaos wrapped in expensive suits
• Stakes that feel real—like hearts, cities, and souls are all collateral
• Writing that feels sharp, addictive, and impossible to put down

And that central question?
Not who will she choose… but who will survive loving her—and who won’t?

This isn’t a love story.
It’s a war story dressed up in romance, where love is just another weapon… and everyone is aiming to destroy.

Final verdict:
If you like your romance dark, obsessive, and a little bit unhinged—this book will own you. Sleep is not invited. 🖤🔥

[Jinane Abou Hassan zahran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful Villain by Iris T. Cannon is the perfect introduction to her Beautifully Ruined series and I already can’t wait to devour every book in it. Dark, spicy, and emotional, it has everything I love in a dark mafia romance: power, danger, territory wars, forced proximity, and strong characters; a FMC who refuses to be a damsel in distress and a MMC who would burn the world for the woman he loves, even when she was never meant to be his. Running from her wedding, Mikayla escapes one dangerous man only to fall into the hands of another, Gianni. He's cold, ruthless, and always in control. What starts as leverage quickly turns into something neither of them expected, especially with the tension of being caught between two equally dangerous men. Gianni and Archie mirror each other. They are both powerful, both relentless, both wanting the same woman and the same territory. The story leans more on power and leverage in the first half, with the chemistry building slowly before becoming intense and consuming in the second, and honestly… this might be Iris’s hottest book yet!!! Gianni’s softer side added depth, and Mikayla held her own perfectly; I loved her strength. With high stakes driven by loyalty, revenge, and war, this is a strong and addictive start to the series, and truly, no one, and I mean no one, writes emotional dark romance like Iris T. Cannon.

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

[Booked.withb · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Beautiful Villain” Iris T Cannon ✨👰🏽‍♀️

Huge thank you to Iris, the amazing indie Aussie author, for the gifted copy—I'm genuinely obsessed and so grateful. I’ve officially found a new series to binge and I’m not okay about it 😭

Okay I’m actually still not over this?? This book pulled me out of a reading slump and refused to let me breathe once I started.

So it’s a dark mafia romance and basically… Mikayla runs from her wedding barefoot, full chaos bride energy, and immediately gets hit (literally) with a whole other nightmare situation involving Gianni—who is her fiancé’s enemy and also exactly the kind of cold, terrifying, ridiculously intense MMC you know you should run from but absolutely can’t.

From there it’s just pure chaos in the best way. Forced proximity, mafia war drama, obsession vibes, rival families trying to destroy each other, and her stuck right in the middle like the ultimate pawn who slowly becomes way more than that. The tension between them is insane—like constant push and pull, dangerous chemistry, and that “this is going to end badly but I don’t care” feeling the whole time.

Tropes? Oh it’s got everything:
runaway bride, dark mafia romance, enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, obsession/possessive MMC, love triangle, rival mafia war, morally grey characters, high stakes survival, betrayal, power games and that addictive “I should not want him but I do” energy.
Honestly I binged it. Couldn’t stop. Didn’t want it to stop.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mikayla stood in front of the mirror and didn't know the person she was stirring at. This was supposed to be her wedding day. Today she was paying her stepfather debt off, marrying a man she hated. Except that window was calling her name, could she escape this nightmare. Finally running down the grass bank freedom was in her reach, just keep going. Gianni loved his car, he'd had it imported and was enjoying the feel of the car, until the woman ran right in front of his car. Now he was trying to help her putting her in the car to make sure she's ok. What were the chances of her being the bride of his enemy. Now he had a decision to make. Mikayla doesn't know who he is. But he's just as dangerous as the man she was supposed to marry. Or is he. Gianni has options, but can he really use her as a bargaining chip. Is he her protector, or is she just useful. What will happen when the man she's supposed to marry finds her. This is a brilliant story of self worth, family, obligations, trust and love. But will it be too late to be honest. This is a new author to me and I can't wait to read more of their books.

[Mariaan Belinfante · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.7* Mikayla, promised to Russian Mafia head, Archie Popovich, by her stepfather to write-off his gambling debts, in a moment of desperation pulled a runaway bride on the day of the wedding. Unfortunately or maybe fortunately she got het by Gianni Cavalho's car. Not wanting police involved, he put her in his car and took her home. Upon learning the groom is Archie, he knew he either has to return her or have a war on hand. Archie won't take kindly to being public humiliation. They both wanted the Provence territory, but Gianna thought he could use Mikayla as leverage against Archie. The fates had other plans though. All it took to shake Gianni out of his rigidness , was a kidnapping after he let her walk away as well as a nudge from Dunn. Mikayla with her fiery spirit and naivety had kept in under his stoic facade. There's action mafia style, the said kidnapping, plenty of spice towards the end and a HEA, but somehow some oomph was amiss for me.

I received an advanced review copy and I leave my review voluntary.

[SusanT62 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mikayla’s stepfather’s gambling debts must be paid. She is the payment as she must marry Archie or step daddy is not going to be in one piece. She makes a getaway squeezing out of the church’s bathroom window only to be hit by a car! Gianni picks her up and takes her home.

This was a well written and extremely entertaining book. The characters are all captivating from Mikayla, Archie, Gianni, Atlas and the rest of the gang! At times, the conversations, banter and the inner dialogues were hilarious! Gianni and Mikayla are perfect for one another. Archie is the villain but he is so likable and I hope he gets his own book! There is lots of action on all levels. The amount of erotic action is just perfect! My only quibble is the epilogue was too short and sort of a cliffhanger!.

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

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gianni & Mikayla

The author has a way of writing that isn’t your standard mafia trope. The “villain” Archie has his own POV, and by the end of the book, I realized that even villains need love. I love that she pushes the boundaries of what is considered normal in this trope.

Mikayla is being forced into an arranged marriage due to her stepfather's gambling debts. Archie has a past of going through wives, and Mikayla is scared for herself. She runs away from the church right into the path of a car, driven by Gianni.

Gianni is one of the city's powerful men; he’s in direct competition with Archie. Once he knows the name and who Mikayla is, his first thought is to use her as leverage.

Twists and turns, growth and love. I devoured the book in a couple of hours. Five stars.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[╰⊱♥⊱╮ღ꧁Kathy,Ahmazing Book Faerie꧂ღ╭⊱♥≺ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Im not usually a 'mafia' trope reader, but I found myself enjoying this ARC copy that came from the author through Booksirens. I've previously read books by this author, and gave been most satisfied with them.

Im not sure just who the real villain was in the story, but one of the two MMC was! This is actually unique in that we get an insight into not only the two main characters, Mikayla and Gianni, but also Archie, Gianni's arch enemy, and the man Mikayla is running from.

I actually started feeling sad for Archie, by the time the story was ending, it turns out he was very misunderstood, and not quite the villain everyone thought he was!!!! Bit of a twist there.
All in all this was a great story, and yes, I hope to get the opportunity to ARC read the next installment.

[Chrissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story grabs you from the first page and with the vivid writing, character development and perfectly paced storyline,  you feel like you are a invisible observer. This is not your usual Mafia story. Mikayla is put in the most tenuous situation that will change her life forever. Because of her stepfather's gambling debt, she is to marry mobster Archie Popovich. At the last minute, not really thinking about the repercussions, Mikayla runs away. As she's running away in her wedding dress,  she's hit by a car owned by gangster Gianni Cavalho. Talk about "out of the frying pan and into the fire ", it's hard to determine who the bad guy really is. The twists and turns keep you invested. Another hit by Iris. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Cindy Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful Villain is the introduction to the Beautifully Ruined series. It is well-written and suspenseful.

Mikayla is supposed to be marrying Archie to help pay off her stepfather's gambling debts. She decides to escape and runs into Gianni's car. He got her in the car and made sure she was okay. Mikayla doesn't know that she was about to marry Gianni's enemy. Gianni has to decide whether to return Mikayla to Archie or face a war. Gianni could use Mikayla as leverage. What will he decide?

I loved the attraction between Mikayla and Gianni. Their story is filled with action and angst. I look forward to the next story.

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

[ajscenic · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very good read, excellent in fact! The writing flows from the first page and I instantly knew I will be reading this book in one stint and will not be able to put it down.
I like Mikayla’s character. She doesn’t pretend to be something she is not. She speaks her mind, but carefully and isn’t afraid to ask the hard questions. I find that trait admirable. Gianni is a harder character to like and comes across as a bit aloof at firSt, I like how Mikayla breaks down his barriers and reveals the real Gianni behind the mask. It is a slow reveal, but a fun one nevertheless.
This is a great book, with fun characters, sticky situations that hinge of life and death decisions, along with a heartwarming romance. 5 stars!

[Kendra Dickinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who's story begins running from their wedding to a Russian mafia head, being hit by a car and ending in the home of an Italian Mafia head? Mikayla's story is definitely not for the weak, but I love how strong she was. Everyone loves a stoic man who tries to show no emotion but has ALL of the emotions i.e Gianni. This story had a great emotional build up for all of the characters involved even Archie (bad Russian mafia books).

There was action, dismembered body parts, obsessive/Possessive protective MMC, a strong FMC and clearly a love story and maybe a development of another.

Let's just say this was a Helen of Troy mafia tale and I loved it!

I am voluntarily leaving this review as this was an ARC

[Athena, the goddess of books · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adore the runaway bride trope, so of course I had to read Mikayla’s story! She escapes an arranged marriage to a dangerous mobster, only to fall into the hands of another villain. What starts as a kidnapping, with an annoying hero who’s more concerned about his furniture than the bride he just hit with his car, turns into a complicated bond with an unexpected protection. Mikayla is forced to navigate her new reality, but she finds her own way in the end, but not without hardship! I want now to see what Atlas has in store for us!

I received this book thanks to BookSirens and it was a perfect read!

[Kasey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This author is a must-read for me, and I was thrilled to discover that she had a new series coming out! “Beautiful Villain” serves as a prequel to the series and follows the journey of Mikayla and Gianni. Mikayla finds herself in an arranged marriage with a Russian mobster, Archie, to settle her father’s debt. Before the wedding, she makes a daring escape and crosses paths with Gianni, Archie’s enemy. Seeking refuge in Gianni’s home, Gianni hopes to use her a leverage to seek revenge. The story unfolds with explosive intensity, delving into dark and suspenseful territory. The narrative flows seamlessly, leaving readers questioning the true nature of the villain. Mikayla emerges as a resilient and determined female protagonist, fighting against the odds and striving for a better life. Gianni, on the other hand, embodies coldness, ruthlessness, and an unwavering sense of control. However, he must relinquish some of his dominance when he realizes Mikayla’s is not just leverage. The palpable tension between them adds depth to their evolving relationship, and I thoroughly enjoyed witnessing their growth. The plot is captivating, the suspense is thrilling, and I am eagerly anticipating the continuation of this captivating series!

[Jennifer Hash · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great introduction for me into Iris Cannon's work!
This book had some expected & unexpected events, starting with the man who hit Mikayla with his car while in her wedding dress as she pulled a Runaway Bride. Mikayla runs directly from one gangster forcing her into marriage directly into the front end of another's car.

Yet, upon awakening, she finds herself not shackled or restricted. Rather, she encounters a man who sees her, hears her, listens to her. There are some good moments of angst between them (cue the thigh clenching & toe-tapping).

I definitely recommend this as a mafia romance worth reading.

[SinfulReadsByV · Rating 4 out of 5]

We’ve got an FMC giving runaway bride vibes, but make it dark… and I loved that extra meet-cute twist. It adds instant drama and pulls you right in. Mikayla, whew… my heart hurt for her. She’s been through so much, and her parent? A whole piece of work. You can feel her pain, but she’s also fierce and determined, which makes her a well-rounded character. Then there’s Gianni… broody, calculated, and always playing the long game. Flawed in his thinking but I think that dark streak makes him tastier. The push and pull between them? So good. This was my first Iris read, and I really enjoyed her writing style.

[OooLaLa Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Fell For The Villains Too 😏

OMG Besties… this prequel came in swinging and did not miss. That opening chapter alone had me like 😳 because Mikayla really said “run now, figure it out later”… and somehow ran straight into another villain. The chaos? Immediate. The tension? Delicious.

Gianni is cold, calculated, and absolutely the kind of morally grey menace we eat up every time. But listen... Archie’s POV?! I was NOT expecting to feel anything for that man, yet here I was low-key emotional in his chapters. Why do villains always have layers that pull you in like this?!🤔

The banter had me giggling (yes, the “minions” moment lives rent-free), and those lighter moments balanced out the darker themes so well. But don’t get it twisted... this is still intense, possessive, and dripping with danger. Forced proximity, power plays, and that “who will ruin me first” tension? Whew.😮‍💨

Gianni and Mikayla’s dynamic is addictive from the jump, and if this is just the prequel… yeah, I’m already obsessed. Go ahead and add this whole series to your TBR! Seriously. 😉

My Ratings:  ⭐ 4.5/5  ▪︎  🥵 3/5

🥀 My ratings and review are my own. For my rating scale breakdown, head over to my Goodreads &/or Amazon profile! 🖤

[Johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 of the BEAUTIFULLY RUINED series. Can be read as a standalone.

'Except… she burns through every line I draw like she was made to undo me.
Now I’m left wondering—
Is she worth the chaos she brings into my war…
…Or am I about to start another one I can’t control just to keep her?'

The characters were very complex and complicated and perfectly steamy together. Plot was intriguing and intense and exciting and well paced. World building was solidly drawn and impressive. All in all a great addition to the series. 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.

[B's Dark Romance Recs · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great read for someone who is wanting to get into Mafia Romance but isn’t sure if they’ll like it. Although I was hoping for more bloodshed and violence, it was a great read, and I thoroughly enjoyed both the plot and the characters. I especially liked how it wasn’t just the FMC and MMC duel POV, and we had the POV of a secondary character and the main ‘Villain’ so we were able to get a wide perspective on what was happening.

This is a prequel book for the series Beautifully ruined, and I can’t wait to read the rest of the series, and they are immediately getting added to my TBR

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Crystal Junebug · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book completely pulled me in from the start. This story had the perfect mix of dark tension, emotional drama, and addictive chemistry that made it impossible to stop reading. The MCs felt intense in the best way, especially the male lead, who somehow managed to be both infuriating and completely captivating at the same time. I loved how the story balanced romance with suspense without either one overpowering the other. Every chapter gave me something new to obsess over, and the emotional payoff at the end was so worth it. Definitely a 5-star read for me. I would definitely recommend it.

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

[Brooke · Rating 2 out of 5]

Beautiful Villain is what I would describe as a bare bones story. It had all the makings to be something really enjoyable but unfortunately it fell short for me. I felt that we didn’t get nearly enough world building, character development, or relationship development. The villain wasn’t villainy enough and ended up being not nearly as brutal as he was described as being. There was a character named Enzo who was mentioned as being with Gianni in one chapter and then the next he was with Archie. This was never explained so I’m assuming it was an error. It wasn’t a bad story by any means, just needs some more fleshing out.

[GKP2460 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful Villian is the prequel to the Beautifully Ruined series. I read One Beautiful Heir first instead of this one and I definitely recommend reading Beautiful Villian first. This is Mikayla and Gianni's fantastic story! It's a dark, steamy read with so much emotion and drama. Mikayla has been promised to Archie, the Pakhan of the Russian mafia as payment for her father's debts. Runaway bride enters the picture when she makes the decision that she can't marry Archie. This story quickly gains momentum and does not slow down all the way through. Another incredible read from this author!

[Elise Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a very well written story about a man who reluctantly saves a woman and finds out her truth and she is a strategic and has leverage against a man who he must win a territory from. He tries to

Not fall in love with her but …. Where there’s heat there’s fire and this burn for each other is a hot sexy and a love that will make you wanting more! It’s a standalone but part of a number of books that follow this mafia dark romance and you’ll definitely crave more I received this as an ARC and am glad to give it this rating

[SJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Iris T. Cannon wites it I'm going to read it. This prequel to her mafia series was the perfect setup. I loved everything about Mikayla and Gianni's story. It has the perfect balance of that action and suspense I've come to love from the mafia world and the steamy tension filled romance. This book was non-stop entertainment and so easy to read fast with characters and their story that had me captivated and devouring the pages.


Tropes:
Villian gets the girl
Runaway bride
Forced proximity
Captor/Captive
Obssesed/Possesive MMC
Morally gray
Multiple POV

Check TW

[MrsL · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the next one of the series.
The two main male characters, Gianni and Archie, are enemies. Mikaela should have been Archie's wife but she leaves him at the altar and runs away only to be hit by Gianni's car.
What starts out as leverage turns into something more and Gianni has to decide what he really wants, and Mikayla has to decide whether she stays or goes, and what the consequences of either decision are.

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