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Black Tape
No league. No rules. No mercy.
Welcome to the Compound—an underground hockey ring where players bleed for bets and the only thing colder than the ice is the men who survive it.
Julian Reaver was a golden boy once. NHL star. Untouchable.
Now he’s banned, broken, and dragged into a world that wants him either useful… or dead.
Rafael “Rafe” Scalzi is the man assigned to break him—a goalie, an enforcer, a monster carved from control and silence.
Rafe doesn’t believe in saving people. He believes in owning them.
And Julian? He’s exactly the kind of chaos Rafe was built to handle.
What starts as punishment turns into something darker. Something consuming.
Rafe decides when Julian skates, when he breathes, when he earns his next high—and the deeper Julian falls, the tighter that control becomes.
Welcome to the Compound—an underground hockey ring where players bleed for bets and the only thing colder than the ice is the men who survive it.
Julian Reaver was a golden boy once. NHL star. Untouchable.
Now he’s banned, broken, and dragged into a world that wants him either useful… or dead.
Rafael “Rafe” Scalzi is the man assigned to break him—a goalie, an enforcer, a monster carved from control and silence.
Rafe doesn’t believe in saving people. He believes in owning them.
And Julian? He’s exactly the kind of chaos Rafe was built to handle.
What starts as punishment turns into something darker. Something consuming.
Rafe decides when Julian skates, when he breathes, when he earns his next high—and the deeper Julian falls, the tighter that control becomes.
328 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 9, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
May 14, 2026
I don’t understand what happened…
The first half or so was amazing, and then everything went downhill. What the hell happened? I skimmed so much, at one point I just went and read the epilogue because I couldn’t do it anymore.
It felt like it wasn’t the same author who wrote the first 40/45%, because that was so addictive. I was hooked and I was certain it would be a 5⭐ read. And then there was a shift, and the story lost its appeal, if I can say it like that.
Also, the fact that no one helped Julian with his addiction? Excuse me? Why? He was clean for four days!! Why give him drûgs after that? That made absolutely no sense.
Never mind. That was extremely disappointing because it had so much potential. I feel robbed. 💔
The first half or so was amazing, and then everything went downhill. What the hell happened? I skimmed so much, at one point I just went and read the epilogue because I couldn’t do it anymore.
It felt like it wasn’t the same author who wrote the first 40/45%, because that was so addictive. I was hooked and I was certain it would be a 5⭐ read. And then there was a shift, and the story lost its appeal, if I can say it like that.
Also, the fact that no one helped Julian with his addiction? Excuse me? Why? He was clean for four days!! Why give him drûgs after that? That made absolutely no sense.
Never mind. That was extremely disappointing because it had so much potential. I feel robbed. 💔
April 18, 2026
An underground hockey fight club run by the mafia?! Yes, please!! This whole book felt dark and grungy, and the language used by the author makes every single moment feel monumental. Sometimes I didn’t like Julian, but he is actively fighting drug addiction and doesn’t cope the way he probably could or should. Everyone in this book is unhinged and it’s awesome 😅
The spice: dark, depraved, and HOT
Really my only complaint was the storyline with Ezio, because I have no idea why he did what he did or why he doesn’t like Julian. That whole thing felt underdeveloped and unresolved.
The spice: dark, depraved, and HOT
Really my only complaint was the storyline with Ezio, because I have no idea why he did what he did or why he doesn’t like Julian. That whole thing felt underdeveloped and unresolved.
April 16, 2026
this author just NEVER MISSES
April 11, 2026
ARC Homest Review
So I’m gonna come right out and say it. This book was so much more than what I expected.
Rafe
Julian
This book was raw. This book made you put it down and actually process a few of the scenes. Especially withdrawals when he was getting his doses I’ll be honest I kind of struggled with that because I was kind of waiting to see like halfway through the book. He would get over his addiction like you know any other bug., but to see that it took actually time and effort and patience, and so much effort into getting over that addiction and Ms Sage didn’t really say that the addiction was over in the book, but the way he was able to replace it with something so much more “healthier” (let’s be honest this ain’t healthy, but you know🤭) .
Julian came broken, came with walls up already defensive ready to fight for himself all alone not knowing that there was somebody watching him waiting for him. Little Halo…. And by the end of the book, the way he was still fierce on the ice, even after put, even after what ice-skating put him through in his teammates, and everybody he still came out on top.
Rafe fierce, strong, possessive, obsessive, man that deep down deep down somewhere he loves his pretty boy. In the beginning, it was hard he had to be rough to break him in, but then when he realized why, oh boy…. Like he said to Leonardo. He would burn down and scorch everything for him.
If you want raw honesty, if you want to book that will make you cry because I will be honest I cried a few times throughout this book, you need to pick this up and read it. It took me a few days to read, cause I had to put it down in process a few times really think about things. But this book is going on shelf.The physical copy is going on my shelf.
Thank you, Miss Sage for giving me the opportunity to read the advanced readers copy of this book and I hope that in the future you will write more wonderful books because I devoured this one and I think I will reread it again.
So I’m gonna come right out and say it. This book was so much more than what I expected.
Rafe
Julian
This book was raw. This book made you put it down and actually process a few of the scenes. Especially withdrawals when he was getting his doses I’ll be honest I kind of struggled with that because I was kind of waiting to see like halfway through the book. He would get over his addiction like you know any other bug., but to see that it took actually time and effort and patience, and so much effort into getting over that addiction and Ms Sage didn’t really say that the addiction was over in the book, but the way he was able to replace it with something so much more “healthier” (let’s be honest this ain’t healthy, but you know🤭) .
Julian came broken, came with walls up already defensive ready to fight for himself all alone not knowing that there was somebody watching him waiting for him. Little Halo…. And by the end of the book, the way he was still fierce on the ice, even after put, even after what ice-skating put him through in his teammates, and everybody he still came out on top.
Rafe fierce, strong, possessive, obsessive, man that deep down deep down somewhere he loves his pretty boy. In the beginning, it was hard he had to be rough to break him in, but then when he realized why, oh boy…. Like he said to Leonardo. He would burn down and scorch everything for him.
If you want raw honesty, if you want to book that will make you cry because I will be honest I cried a few times throughout this book, you need to pick this up and read it. It took me a few days to read, cause I had to put it down in process a few times really think about things. But this book is going on shelf.The physical copy is going on my shelf.
Thank you, Miss Sage for giving me the opportunity to read the advanced readers copy of this book and I hope that in the future you will write more wonderful books because I devoured this one and I think I will reread it again.
August 14, 2026
3.5 unhinged ✨ stars ✨ rounded up to 4. This was truly insane. Was the writing great, the story phenomenal? No. Was it unhinged / ott madness that I crave at times? Yes 🙂↕️🙂↕️🙂↕️🙂↕️
April 18, 2026
It had so much potential!
I can't believe I'm saying this.. but as a smut reader.. this is too much even for me. But the idea of the book, the plot in the first half kept me interested.. second half was disappointing.. could've built on the character development so much more.
I can't believe I'm saying this.. but as a smut reader.. this is too much even for me. But the idea of the book, the plot in the first half kept me interested.. second half was disappointing.. could've built on the character development so much more.
April 16, 2026
This story was absolutely chaotic and dark, just the way I like it.
Julian is a former "golden boy" NHL player who is kicked out of the league for purposely losing a game and is scooped up by the La Fiamma Nera Syndicate for costing them money. He is then forced to play in their underground hockey ring to earn them back the money. Enter Rafe, the brooding and hot as sin leader of the La Fiamma Nera hockey team. He is dangerous, rough, demanding, intimidating, and, to Julian, downright addictive.
This was one if the most chaotic stories I have ever read and I don't think there was one sane character in this book. Each member of the team definitely has more than one screw loose. Soooooo.... apparently I am a chaos junkie (who knew?). The relationship between Julian and Rafe is anything but healthy. However, they feed off of eachother in a an all consuming way that makes them not good, but needed for eachother. And you might as well sign the death certificate for anyone who stands between them.
Julian is a former "golden boy" NHL player who is kicked out of the league for purposely losing a game and is scooped up by the La Fiamma Nera Syndicate for costing them money. He is then forced to play in their underground hockey ring to earn them back the money. Enter Rafe, the brooding and hot as sin leader of the La Fiamma Nera hockey team. He is dangerous, rough, demanding, intimidating, and, to Julian, downright addictive.
This was one if the most chaotic stories I have ever read and I don't think there was one sane character in this book. Each member of the team definitely has more than one screw loose. Soooooo.... apparently I am a chaos junkie (who knew?). The relationship between Julian and Rafe is anything but healthy. However, they feed off of eachother in a an all consuming way that makes them not good, but needed for eachother. And you might as well sign the death certificate for anyone who stands between them.
May 9, 2026
i'd read anything Sage Riven writes, yup yup yup
May 1, 2026
Pas tout compris a ce que jai lu pour celui là pour le coup mais c'était... fun i guess ?
September 23, 2026
JULIAN & RAFE!!! “Jules” “My halo” UGHHH😭
This book was absolutely insane and unhinged, which is exactly what I needed, and I came out of it completely satisfied. There was definitely zero relationship buildup, but I actually think the insta-obsession worked for this story and was even necessary for Julian to move past his trauma. Rafe is absolutely fucking crazy, but when he said he was going to carve out Julian’s past and replace it with himself, he MEANT IT.
And this has to be the most chaotic found family I’ve ever seen, but I am DYING for future books because of it. I need to see what happens with this entire group of deranged men. Kai and Luca next PLEASE!!!
I also really liked that, despite how possessive Rafe was of Julian, he never tried to get in the way of Julian bonding with the rest of the team or felt threatened by Julian’s dependence on Kai. And I loved that his version of “owning” him was to prop him up to be captain, to be king, to be the best.
Absolutely ridiculous. Absolutely chaotic. Exactly what I needed. 4 stars!
Highlights:
Aware that this room is mine, that the air is mine, that he’s mine whether he understands it yet or not.
Mine. He’s mine again. … Body, mouth, fury, blood. Mine.
He fucking skates around him—blood pouring down his leg in bright red sheets—blade dripping in his right hand—and he scores. He fucking scores.
He bats his lashes. Actually bats his lashes. I stare down at him. Sugar. Manipulation. Pure, golden-boy poison. And fuck, he’s cute when he lies.
I slap the tape over his mouth, clean and firm. And then I kiss it hard.
He doesn’t break eye contact for a second. “I’m going to kill that man.”
“If he’s the reason you’re this broken,” Rafe says, voice low and terrifyingly steady, “the reason I have to drag you out of your own mind, the reason you’re playing on the most dangerous rink there is just to stay alive…” He leans in closer, so close I feel his breath on my lips. “If he’s the reason you stare at the ice like it’s a fucking trauma flashback—he’s going to die. Slowly. And painfully.”
“And if you ever miss him again, Jules… I swear I’ll fuck the memory out of you.”
I’m gonna make you forget every touch before mine. Every hand. Every lie.”
Luca scoffs like I’m the dumbest thing he’s smelled all week. “Daddy, pretty boy. Doctor Death.” His smile widens, sharp. “Kai. Mine.” … Rafe’s voice hits the hallway like a gunshot made of gravel and hell. “KAI! Get your feral dog off my feral dog!”
“I was killing the man who touched what’s mine.”
“I’d burn the entire compound for any of those boys, Leonardo.” I let that settle. Then I turn my head and meet his eyes. “But for him?” I smile, slow and fucking feral. “I’d burn everything else too.”
“I love you.”
He doesn’t speak. He simply crosses the room with slow, deliberate strides and drops himself straight into my lap like gravity dragged him home, thighs bracketing my hips, chest brushing mine, the weight of him settling with perfect, possessive certainty. “Time for my dose,” he purrs,
YOU WISH YOU COULD FUCK THIS
— my boy, my brat, my halo—
“You,” Leonardo says with absolute certainty, “are my son.”
“I love you, Rafe.” This time, he doesn’t groan. He doesn’t snap or growl or break. He simply whispers it back—right against my mouth, lips brushing mine like a secret too sacred to speak any louder. “I love you.”
“Fucking junkie,” I growl against his lips. “Yours,” he gasps, voice cracking on the word. “You better be.”
This book was absolutely insane and unhinged, which is exactly what I needed, and I came out of it completely satisfied. There was definitely zero relationship buildup, but I actually think the insta-obsession worked for this story and was even necessary for Julian to move past his trauma. Rafe is absolutely fucking crazy, but when he said he was going to carve out Julian’s past and replace it with himself, he MEANT IT.
And this has to be the most chaotic found family I’ve ever seen, but I am DYING for future books because of it. I need to see what happens with this entire group of deranged men. Kai and Luca next PLEASE!!!
I also really liked that, despite how possessive Rafe was of Julian, he never tried to get in the way of Julian bonding with the rest of the team or felt threatened by Julian’s dependence on Kai. And I loved that his version of “owning” him was to prop him up to be captain, to be king, to be the best.
Absolutely ridiculous. Absolutely chaotic. Exactly what I needed. 4 stars!
Highlights:
Aware that this room is mine, that the air is mine, that he’s mine whether he understands it yet or not.
Mine. He’s mine again. … Body, mouth, fury, blood. Mine.
He fucking skates around him—blood pouring down his leg in bright red sheets—blade dripping in his right hand—and he scores. He fucking scores.
He bats his lashes. Actually bats his lashes. I stare down at him. Sugar. Manipulation. Pure, golden-boy poison. And fuck, he’s cute when he lies.
I slap the tape over his mouth, clean and firm. And then I kiss it hard.
He doesn’t break eye contact for a second. “I’m going to kill that man.”
“If he’s the reason you’re this broken,” Rafe says, voice low and terrifyingly steady, “the reason I have to drag you out of your own mind, the reason you’re playing on the most dangerous rink there is just to stay alive…” He leans in closer, so close I feel his breath on my lips. “If he’s the reason you stare at the ice like it’s a fucking trauma flashback—he’s going to die. Slowly. And painfully.”
“And if you ever miss him again, Jules… I swear I’ll fuck the memory out of you.”
I’m gonna make you forget every touch before mine. Every hand. Every lie.”
Luca scoffs like I’m the dumbest thing he’s smelled all week. “Daddy, pretty boy. Doctor Death.” His smile widens, sharp. “Kai. Mine.” … Rafe’s voice hits the hallway like a gunshot made of gravel and hell. “KAI! Get your feral dog off my feral dog!”
“I was killing the man who touched what’s mine.”
“I’d burn the entire compound for any of those boys, Leonardo.” I let that settle. Then I turn my head and meet his eyes. “But for him?” I smile, slow and fucking feral. “I’d burn everything else too.”
“I love you.”
He doesn’t speak. He simply crosses the room with slow, deliberate strides and drops himself straight into my lap like gravity dragged him home, thighs bracketing my hips, chest brushing mine, the weight of him settling with perfect, possessive certainty. “Time for my dose,” he purrs,
YOU WISH YOU COULD FUCK THIS
— my boy, my brat, my halo—
“You,” Leonardo says with absolute certainty, “are my son.”
“I love you, Rafe.” This time, he doesn’t groan. He doesn’t snap or growl or break. He simply whispers it back—right against my mouth, lips brushing mine like a secret too sacred to speak any louder. “I love you.”
“Fucking junkie,” I growl against his lips. “Yours,” he gasps, voice cracking on the word. “You better be.”
June 26, 2026
I have mixed feelings about this book.
On one hand, I liked the plot .. Mafia hockey! Yes please! There is nothing soft about these men. It is chaotic and violent and messy. There are zero boundaries and no healthy relationships in sight! I adored it! It's raw and ugly! And the possessiveness! Dear god it's swoon worthy!
On the other hand.. there is something about the writing that is.. off. It's impersonal.. and the amount of times something is said then it is described as hard afterwards.. like he was hit. Hard. Or he was pushed against the boards. Hard. Insert something happening here. Hard. Always seemed to follow always just like that. Instead of staying he swung hard or he was pushed into the boards with more force that any man should possess or any other descriptive way of saying it! It's always just hard. Always a sentence then a period then the damn word hard followed by a period. And I get it every now and again but damn, it happened soooo much in this book.. it really shouldn't have bothered me this much but I was so close to DNFing this book because of it.
On one hand, I liked the plot .. Mafia hockey! Yes please! There is nothing soft about these men. It is chaotic and violent and messy. There are zero boundaries and no healthy relationships in sight! I adored it! It's raw and ugly! And the possessiveness! Dear god it's swoon worthy!
On the other hand.. there is something about the writing that is.. off. It's impersonal.. and the amount of times something is said then it is described as hard afterwards.. like he was hit. Hard. Or he was pushed against the boards. Hard. Insert something happening here. Hard. Always seemed to follow always just like that. Instead of staying he swung hard or he was pushed into the boards with more force that any man should possess or any other descriptive way of saying it! It's always just hard. Always a sentence then a period then the damn word hard followed by a period. And I get it every now and again but damn, it happened soooo much in this book.. it really shouldn't have bothered me this much but I was so close to DNFing this book because of it.
May 25, 2026
4.5⭐
A dark MM hockey romance , a Story about
obsession, addiction, control and chaos.
Julian firmer "disgraced"NHL golden boy who is kicked out due to something he didn't do, kidnapped them forced to play hockey where literally anything goes to pay back a debt, he is a feral unhinged brat.
There he finds rafe or Rafe finds him, the brooding, angry. Violent man who puts Julian back together with some help from the rest of the "team" and then proceeds to do things to Julian with a gun ,which Julian loves and wants more of, they have a very toxic and unhealthy relationship but apparently that's what they both want and need.
I loved who Julian became, he embraced his feral sidenwith his new band of misfits\family\team.
Thought they would help him get over his addiction but instead they controlled it for him and Rafe became a new addictiom
Would have liked a bit more background on Ezio-why did he hate Julian ,was it jealousy?only reason it loses half a star
A dark MM hockey romance , a Story about
obsession, addiction, control and chaos.
Julian firmer "disgraced"NHL golden boy who is kicked out due to something he didn't do, kidnapped them forced to play hockey where literally anything goes to pay back a debt, he is a feral unhinged brat.
There he finds rafe or Rafe finds him, the brooding, angry. Violent man who puts Julian back together with some help from the rest of the "team" and then proceeds to do things to Julian with a gun ,which Julian loves and wants more of, they have a very toxic and unhealthy relationship but apparently that's what they both want and need.
I loved who Julian became, he embraced his feral sidenwith his new band of misfits\family\team.
Thought they would help him get over his addiction but instead they controlled it for him and Rafe became a new addictiom
Would have liked a bit more background on Ezio-why did he hate Julian ,was it jealousy?only reason it loses half a star
October 28, 2026
I enjoyed the reading but there were some things I didn’t like.
1. The author repeat the same things over and over again. There are chapters with repeated paragraphs.
2. Nothing actually happens. They are playing but not playing. The author fills the pages with poetic bullshit and it’s crazy when trying to imagine mafia hockey players skating like they are possessed, grinning, cracking their jaws but never actually playing.
3. First half of the book is amazing, very interesting but then it falls and falls deep. It feels like the author was tired of writing and asked someone else to finish the story and this person is some twisted Pablo Neruda fan.
4. The way Leonardo disowned Ezio was very stupid and the whole arch was stupid too.
5. I would have liked an explanation about how this mafia gangsters became hockey players and maybe it’s just me but I didn’t understand the compound thing and how they have a rink with ice there.
This book had potencial.
1. The author repeat the same things over and over again. There are chapters with repeated paragraphs.
2. Nothing actually happens. They are playing but not playing. The author fills the pages with poetic bullshit and it’s crazy when trying to imagine mafia hockey players skating like they are possessed, grinning, cracking their jaws but never actually playing.
3. First half of the book is amazing, very interesting but then it falls and falls deep. It feels like the author was tired of writing and asked someone else to finish the story and this person is some twisted Pablo Neruda fan.
4. The way Leonardo disowned Ezio was very stupid and the whole arch was stupid too.
5. I would have liked an explanation about how this mafia gangsters became hockey players and maybe it’s just me but I didn’t understand the compound thing and how they have a rink with ice there.
This book had potencial.
April 26, 2026
dark hockey mafia romance?? sign me up!
i loved this! it was dark and chaotic.
we have rafe, the enforcer and goalie of an underground hockey team, and then there’s julian, ex NHL hockey player.
julian goes through a lot which makes him make some questionable decisions but he had rafe there to pull him through. i loved how possessive rafe was of julian. the stuff he did for his halo was unhinged, but that’s what made this so good.
if you’re looking for a MM romance with a unhinged MC who will do anything to protect what’s his, i’d definitely recommend this!
i loved this! it was dark and chaotic.
we have rafe, the enforcer and goalie of an underground hockey team, and then there’s julian, ex NHL hockey player.
julian goes through a lot which makes him make some questionable decisions but he had rafe there to pull him through. i loved how possessive rafe was of julian. the stuff he did for his halo was unhinged, but that’s what made this so good.
if you’re looking for a MM romance with a unhinged MC who will do anything to protect what’s his, i’d definitely recommend this!
May 29, 2026
the concept of dark hockey is so funny to me but i do enjoy it!
oh to be loved and owned by rafe! we love julian! wish he called him jules more often.
100% thought there was gonna be group sex between luca, julian, rafe and kai and then shit hit the fan LMAO
nathan was a sick individual and a lowlife, glad he's gone!
there's lots to unpack with rafe's backstory and leonardo.
everybody is crazy! let me find out the mafia has an underground hockey betting ring.
oh to be loved and owned by rafe! we love julian! wish he called him jules more often.
100% thought there was gonna be group sex between luca, julian, rafe and kai and then shit hit the fan LMAO
nathan was a sick individual and a lowlife, glad he's gone!
there's lots to unpack with rafe's backstory and leonardo.
everybody is crazy! let me find out the mafia has an underground hockey betting ring.
April 9, 2026
dark chaotic daddy! I had the privilege of reading this as a ARC! Sage doesn't miss on the darkness and all the feelings, I laughed and cried, gasped and fanned myself of the spicy levels. The chaotic love story of Rafe and Julian is dark and an a wild ride, all the twists and turns.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 read
🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 spicy
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 read
🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 spicy
September 13, 2026
This was a DARK romance do not be mistaken but the found family was so wholesome even though it was unhinged. It reminded me of the found family in the vile house series ( which I recommend ) it really made me excited for the next books in the series, I need a Luca and Kai book like yesterday ❤️
Definitely recommend, rafe was the definition of touch him and you die.
Definitely recommend, rafe was the definition of touch him and you die.
September 18, 2026
beginning was good
It’s started out really good. I loved it till about the halfway point. Then it seemed like everything was repetitive. Like the same thing said over and over or explained in 3 different ways. Other than that it was a great book. It’s loved the characters I just wish it could have had more depth to them.
It’s started out really good. I loved it till about the halfway point. Then it seemed like everything was repetitive. Like the same thing said over and over or explained in 3 different ways. Other than that it was a great book. It’s loved the characters I just wish it could have had more depth to them.
April 10, 2026
Love this author!
Black Tape by Sage Riven is absolutely amazing. I devoured it. I love Julien and Rafe!! This book was thrilling, exciting, and absolutely filthy. I hope there are more books, for sure. I definitely want to know more about Luca and Finn!!
Black Tape by Sage Riven is absolutely amazing. I devoured it. I love Julien and Rafe!! This book was thrilling, exciting, and absolutely filthy. I hope there are more books, for sure. I definitely want to know more about Luca and Finn!!
May 26, 2026
fab read
Wow really loved reading this book rafe and Julian are everything together Finn and Luca are hilarious but best part was seeing rafe fall head over heels for bratty Julian so sweet xx
Wow really loved reading this book rafe and Julian are everything together Finn and Luca are hilarious but best part was seeing rafe fall head over heels for bratty Julian so sweet xx
May 11, 2026
The first half was so so intersting,,But then...BOOM! A huge dissapointment because was just sex and more sex ,and drugs,and more drugs!
Why no one helped him giving up on drugs?Just why?
And it was a relationship so toxic and just based on drugs and more sex and codependence
Why no one helped him giving up on drugs?Just why?
And it was a relationship so toxic and just based on drugs and more sex and codependence
July 1, 2026
SIX STARS⭐️…I love every bit of it …🤌🏻💕 very well written ..Thankyou Sage 😍…
July 8, 2026
Damn this book was fucking good. Yes, that's it, that's my review.
July 10, 2026
3.5 (rounded up)
July 30, 2026
pure psychotic, heart wrenching perfection.
July 11, 2026
This was pretty dark, spicey & hockey. Filled to the brim with morally grey characters that I’m hoping get their own stories 🙏
April 24, 2026
ARC Review!
This book was amazing❣️❣️❣️
Exactly my taste - dark, emotional, mafia, hockey, mm - I love 💕
I was in love with almost every character💐
Let's start with our broken baby boy Julian 🥀:
It was so easy to have empathy with him and I understood this character so well with every reaction he had and how his personality developed.
Then there is his lover bossy Rafe 😈:
I didn't like him at first but at the point where he learned about Julian's story I loved how possessive he got. He was actually a good influence for Jules.
Their relationship was so cute but tbh toxic as well. Like I said on some aspects Rafe had a good influence on Julian. But his possessiveness lead to them becoming codependent on each other. Rafe also still enables Julians addiction. But he definitely gave Julian a lot of mental strength. They are such a power couple and they would do everything for each other.
Other interesting characters:
- Daddy Doctor Kai ❤️🩹: He was a morally grey character and sometimes as a reader you weren't sure if he was an ally or a villain. But I liked him more everytime we had a new scene with him. I wish we got a book for him bc I want to know his backstory so bad and I want to know more about his and Lucas relationship.
- Puppy Finn 🐶: He was such a sweetie and a character who made some scenes feel less heavy.
- Mystery Misha 💌: I need to know more about him and what's going on with Corso. Are they enemies? Rivals? Lovers? Could be all of them. But I need to know more about him.
- Don Leonardo ⚡: I was surprised that he didn't become an antagonist. Was he necessarily likeable? Not really. But the scene near the end with Rafe made me tear up a little.
The Hockey-Mafia group in general is very wholesome and I hope it won't stay a single book and instead becomes a series 🥺🖤
I recommend this book to dark romance lovers who enjoy reading toxic but still beautiful relationships 💕
I finished this book in one day bc it was so easy to read 🌹
This book was amazing❣️❣️❣️
Exactly my taste - dark, emotional, mafia, hockey, mm - I love 💕
I was in love with almost every character💐
Let's start with our broken baby boy Julian 🥀:
It was so easy to have empathy with him and I understood this character so well with every reaction he had and how his personality developed.
Then there is his lover bossy Rafe 😈:
I didn't like him at first but at the point where he learned about Julian's story I loved how possessive he got. He was actually a good influence for Jules.
Their relationship was so cute but tbh toxic as well. Like I said on some aspects Rafe had a good influence on Julian. But his possessiveness lead to them becoming codependent on each other. Rafe also still enables Julians addiction. But he definitely gave Julian a lot of mental strength. They are such a power couple and they would do everything for each other.
Other interesting characters:
- Daddy Doctor Kai ❤️🩹: He was a morally grey character and sometimes as a reader you weren't sure if he was an ally or a villain. But I liked him more everytime we had a new scene with him. I wish we got a book for him bc I want to know his backstory so bad and I want to know more about his and Lucas relationship.
- Puppy Finn 🐶: He was such a sweetie and a character who made some scenes feel less heavy.
- Mystery Misha 💌: I need to know more about him and what's going on with Corso. Are they enemies? Rivals? Lovers? Could be all of them. But I need to know more about him.
- Don Leonardo ⚡: I was surprised that he didn't become an antagonist. Was he necessarily likeable? Not really. But the scene near the end with Rafe made me tear up a little.
The Hockey-Mafia group in general is very wholesome and I hope it won't stay a single book and instead becomes a series 🥺🖤
I recommend this book to dark romance lovers who enjoy reading toxic but still beautiful relationships 💕
I finished this book in one day bc it was so easy to read 🌹
May 1, 2026
Underground mob hockey fight club with instalove.
July 2, 2026
2.5/5 — this was so poorly executed that it actually made me a bit sad. Most of the plot stayed on the surface and it never dived deeper, which made the dark toxicity between the two mmc’s feel rushed and unbelievable. The first half was great and then it felt like the writer just totally lost the characters and the plot.
The mmc’s had a sudden change of character (mouthy mmc suddenly wasn’t as bratty anymore) and there was barely any depth, just a rushed backstory for Rafe and a one dimensional one for Julian.
I did really really see the potential with the found family, but due to the lack of world and character building it just never reached the potential the plot actually has. The side characters deserve their own book (Luca and Kai, Finn, Misha; all top notch), but only if, once they are the main characters, the writer treats them better than Rafe and Julian.
The mmc’s had a sudden change of character (mouthy mmc suddenly wasn’t as bratty anymore) and there was barely any depth, just a rushed backstory for Rafe and a one dimensional one for Julian.
I did really really see the potential with the found family, but due to the lack of world and character building it just never reached the potential the plot actually has. The side characters deserve their own book (Luca and Kai, Finn, Misha; all top notch), but only if, once they are the main characters, the writer treats them better than Rafe and Julian.
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