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Diamanti Billionaire Dynasty #1
Brutal Heir
From Zoe Blake, USA Today Bestselling author of Sweet Cruelty (Best of Booktok) and one of the original voices in dark mafia romance, who's been writing dangerously obsessive love stories for over a decade.
He didn't come to Paris to fall for her. He came to claim her.
She was never supposed to matter.
She was supposed to break.
Sabrina Badalamenti was a means to an end, the unknown daughter of the man threatening to destroy everything Sebastian Diamanti had spent his life building.
Finding her was easy. Bringing her to Rome would be easier.
Keeping his hands off her—that was the complication no one warned him about.
Sebastian is the ruthless heir to the Diamanti empire—a dynasty built on diamonds and ruled by blood.
He is everything his family forged him to be: cold, brilliant, and flawless in his cruelty.
He has a strategy, a vendetta, and a bride already chosen.
All he needs is her compliance.
Sabrina has other ideas.
She's spent her whole life running from a father she's never met, shaped by a mother's warnings about men exactly like him.
She came to Paris to build something of her own.
She didn't come to be claimed by a man who doesn't ask. He takes.
But Sebastian Diamanti doesn't deal in choices.
He deals in possession.
And once something is his, he doesn't let it go.
The harder she fights him, the more certain he becomes: she was always meant to be his.
Even if she never forgives him.
Brutal Heir is a full-length dark mafia romance featuring enemies to lovers, forced proximity, an obsessive morally gray billionaire, family vengeance, and a possessive hero who doesn't believe in letting go.
He didn't come to Paris to fall for her. He came to claim her.
She was never supposed to matter.
She was supposed to break.
Sabrina Badalamenti was a means to an end, the unknown daughter of the man threatening to destroy everything Sebastian Diamanti had spent his life building.
Finding her was easy. Bringing her to Rome would be easier.
Keeping his hands off her—that was the complication no one warned him about.
Sebastian is the ruthless heir to the Diamanti empire—a dynasty built on diamonds and ruled by blood.
He is everything his family forged him to be: cold, brilliant, and flawless in his cruelty.
He has a strategy, a vendetta, and a bride already chosen.
All he needs is her compliance.
Sabrina has other ideas.
She's spent her whole life running from a father she's never met, shaped by a mother's warnings about men exactly like him.
She came to Paris to build something of her own.
She didn't come to be claimed by a man who doesn't ask. He takes.
But Sebastian Diamanti doesn't deal in choices.
He deals in possession.
And once something is his, he doesn't let it go.
The harder she fights him, the more certain he becomes: she was always meant to be his.
Even if she never forgives him.
Brutal Heir is a full-length dark mafia romance featuring enemies to lovers, forced proximity, an obsessive morally gray billionaire, family vengeance, and a possessive hero who doesn't believe in letting go.
404 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 22, 2026
About the author
Zoe Blake
97 books3,290 followersZoe Blake is the USA Today Bestselling Author of the romantic suspense saga The Cavalieri Billionaire Legacy inspired by her own heritage as well as her obsession with jewelry, travel, and the salacious gossip of history’s most infamous families.
She delights in writing Dark Romance books filled with overly possessive billionaires, taboo scenes, and unexpected twists. She usually spends her ill-gotten gains on martinis and vacations.
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/zoeblakebooks/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/zoeblakebooks/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zoeblakebooks
She delights in writing Dark Romance books filled with overly possessive billionaires, taboo scenes, and unexpected twists. She usually spends her ill-gotten gains on martinis and vacations.
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/zoeblakebooks/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/zoeblakebooks/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zoeblakebooks
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
He covers her in DIAMONDS…and cum 💎💦 mafia heir steals enemy’s daughter in a revenge plot but doesn’t expect her to put up such a FIGHT!
“I begged. I came. I broke.”
Sabrina is a fresh faced stylist experiencing Paris Fashion Week with a side of KIDNAPPING! She unknowingly entangles herself with Sebastian aka the King of Diamonds and gets twisted into his revenge plot. Dragged to Italy (his bed!) and forced to work for his company Sabrina refuses to surrender to the arrogant Italian even if the submission promises nirvana 🖤✨ Merciless intimacy filled with unrestrained passion, punishing praise & worshiping humiliation!
There’s something about mmc’s complete possession when coupled with the disregard for consent that showcases the all consuming obsession in dark romances. Sebastian is a sinfully powerful character and I loved seeing him battling his emotions with Sabrina 🖤 Their constant fighting feels like foreplay bound to explode in both of their faces!
💎 she’s supposed to be his revenge but the immediate attraction rattles his world
🖤 dub-con & body betrayal
💎 he’s obsessed with hearing her say his name
🖤 mmc that likes to EAT!
The new world of diamonds perfectly compliments the mafia setting ✨ both RUTHLESS & SEXY! This is a first instalment in a TRILOGY about the same couple so the relationship progression is a bit slower than typically Zoe Blake mafia romances. I’m excited for the 2nd book andhoping begging for some hinted piercing scenes (?!?!) mandated by our main man 👀
4.5 ⭐️
mafia romance
age gap
possessive mmc
dom/sub vibes
fighting & resistance
spanking
kidnapping
touch her & die
workplace romance (kind of)
*cliffhanger
Huge thank you to Zoe Blake for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
“I begged. I came. I broke.”
Sabrina is a fresh faced stylist experiencing Paris Fashion Week with a side of KIDNAPPING! She unknowingly entangles herself with Sebastian aka the King of Diamonds and gets twisted into his revenge plot. Dragged to Italy (his bed!) and forced to work for his company Sabrina refuses to surrender to the arrogant Italian even if the submission promises nirvana 🖤✨ Merciless intimacy filled with unrestrained passion, punishing praise & worshiping humiliation!
There’s something about mmc’s complete possession when coupled with the disregard for consent that showcases the all consuming obsession in dark romances. Sebastian is a sinfully powerful character and I loved seeing him battling his emotions with Sabrina 🖤 Their constant fighting feels like foreplay bound to explode in both of their faces!
💎 she’s supposed to be his revenge but the immediate attraction rattles his world
🖤 dub-con & body betrayal
💎 he’s obsessed with hearing her say his name
🖤 mmc that likes to EAT!
The new world of diamonds perfectly compliments the mafia setting ✨ both RUTHLESS & SEXY! This is a first instalment in a TRILOGY about the same couple so the relationship progression is a bit slower than typically Zoe Blake mafia romances. I’m excited for the 2nd book and
4.5 ⭐️
mafia romance
age gap
possessive mmc
dom/sub vibes
fighting & resistance
spanking
kidnapping
touch her & die
workplace romance (kind of)
*cliffhanger
Huge thank you to Zoe Blake for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Read
September 20, 2026The Diamanti Family is the owner of one of the biggest diamond businesses in the world. Sebastian Diamanti is head of the diamond empire. There is a judge that is on the path to expose and bring down the House of Diamanti for illicit mafia activities. The judge’s daughter, Sabrina Dolce Badalamenti, is on her way to becoming a known fashion designer. Could she be kidnapped or persuaded to fall for Sebastian? Would the judge drop the inquires to save his daughter? Will it turn into a love affair instead of a kidnapping?
Zoe Blake has once again created a new Italian Family that will take us on steamy adventures in Italy. We might even visit with the Cavalieri Family, a former series.
She has knocked it out of the park once again.
Zoe Blake has once again created a new Italian Family that will take us on steamy adventures in Italy. We might even visit with the Cavalieri Family, a former series.
She has knocked it out of the park once again.
September 23, 2026
El comportamiento de Sebastian es demasiado controlador y asfixiante, además resulta que es una trilogía y en la descripción no pone nada sobre ello.
Did Not Finish
September 25, 2026DNF @ 48%. I don’t know if it’s a me issue or what but I just can’t get into it. It’s boring and I don’t like the characters so far. I like sweet and naive FMCs but I don’t like stupid ones.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I enjoyed this enemies-to-lovers, mafia-themed romance, although Sebastian’s intensity toward Sabrina felt a little too much at times and left little room for her character to develop fully early in the book. Despite that, I really enjoyed the plot and the characters.
Sebastian was my ideal anti-hero: dangerous, possessive, and controlling. Definitely someone you should stay away from, but I fell for him anyway. He planned to marry Sabrina, the daughter of a corrupt judge, and use her as a pawn to save his family’s diamond company and get his revenge. What he didn’t expect was to develop real feelings for her, making his carefully laid plans much more complicated.
Sabrina was a young stylist in Paris for Fashion Week when her life was turned upside down, and she was pulled into Sebastian’s dangerous world. Innocent and vulnerable, but also intelligent and defiant, she was determined to stand up to Sebastian despite the impossible situation she found herself in. I admired her spirit and determination to go toe-to-toe with him.
Their chemistry was magnetic, even as Sabrina constantly tried to resist him. With great characters, plenty of suspense, danger, and twists, this was an exciting read that kept me turning the pages. I wasn’t thrilled with the cliffhanger ending, but at least now I have the next book
Sebastian was my ideal anti-hero: dangerous, possessive, and controlling. Definitely someone you should stay away from, but I fell for him anyway. He planned to marry Sabrina, the daughter of a corrupt judge, and use her as a pawn to save his family’s diamond company and get his revenge. What he didn’t expect was to develop real feelings for her, making his carefully laid plans much more complicated.
Sabrina was a young stylist in Paris for Fashion Week when her life was turned upside down, and she was pulled into Sebastian’s dangerous world. Innocent and vulnerable, but also intelligent and defiant, she was determined to stand up to Sebastian despite the impossible situation she found herself in. I admired her spirit and determination to go toe-to-toe with him.
Their chemistry was magnetic, even as Sabrina constantly tried to resist him. With great characters, plenty of suspense, danger, and twists, this was an exciting read that kept me turning the pages. I wasn’t thrilled with the cliffhanger ending, but at least now I have the next book
Review of advance copy received from Author
Review of advance copy received from Author
Never stand in the way of something a Diamanti wants.
Ruthless mafia heir? Check. Innocent woman caught in a revenge game? Check. Chemistry that could set the whole book on fire? Double-check. I was sold before chapter one.
Brutal Heir is not a subtle title, and Sebastian Diamanti is not a subtle man. He's cold, controlling, possessive, and arrogant, and he has decided Sabrina Badalamenti is his. Her opinion on the matter? Irrelevant.
A judge is closing in on the Diamanti empire, and Sebastian's solution isn't the obvious one. He kidnaps the judge's daughter and plans to marry her to shut the investigation down. Ruthless? Absolutely. Foolproof? Not quite, because he never planned on actually falling for her.
Sebastian and Sabrina are toxic and intense, and that's putting it mildly. I was hooked from the first page. I've wanted a closer look at the House of Diamanti since the Cavalieri family series, and this book delivered. It ends on a cliffhanger, because of course it does. Now I'm waiting, as patiently as possible, for book 2 of the Diamanti Billionaire Dynasty.
Never stand in the way of something a Diamanti wants.
Ruthless mafia heir? Check. Innocent woman caught in a revenge game? Check. Chemistry that could set the whole book on fire? Double-check. I was sold before chapter one.
Brutal Heir is not a subtle title, and Sebastian Diamanti is not a subtle man. He's cold, controlling, possessive, and arrogant, and he has decided Sabrina Badalamenti is his. Her opinion on the matter? Irrelevant.
A judge is closing in on the Diamanti empire, and Sebastian's solution isn't the obvious one. He kidnaps the judge's daughter and plans to marry her to shut the investigation down. Ruthless? Absolutely. Foolproof? Not quite, because he never planned on actually falling for her.
Sebastian and Sabrina are toxic and intense, and that's putting it mildly. I was hooked from the first page. I've wanted a closer look at the House of Diamanti since the Cavalieri family series, and this book delivered. It ends on a cliffhanger, because of course it does. Now I'm waiting, as patiently as possible, for book 2 of the Diamanti Billionaire Dynasty.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is the first book in the Diamanti Billionaire Dynasty series. I believe the first three books will be about Sebastian and Sabrina. Sebastian is the CEO of the Diamanti Diamond Company but he is also part of the mafia. Sabrina’s mother was involved with a man who was a judge and because her family was rich and connected she was able to run away to New York and become invisible. Sabrina had been warned by her mother never to go to Italy it was too dangerous but unfortunately Sabrina met Sebastian and he pretty much dominates everything. He is able get her fired, get her to travel to Italy and work for him. Meanwhile he is desperate to have her marry him and have his baby. Along with family’s dispute with Sabrina’s father, him and his father are at odds. Sebastian has three additional siblings who are also intense. Sebastian is definitely a possessive, morally gray, dominate man who wants his way all the time. Poor Sabrina while strong willed and willing to fight and argue with Sebastian she just can’t win against him. This book ends on a major cliffhanger. This book was engaging, spicy and so darn good. I cannot wait for the next book in the series.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Sebastian Diamanti isn’t about to let Sabrina Badalamenti father try to take what his family has built. His plan, take Badalamenti’s daughter has his wife. Sabrina has no clue that she is a pawn in their game. She was warned by her mother to stay away from Italy. When she’s meet him and is taken by a handsome Italian, she also knows she is in danger. Running from Sabastian is never good. He wasn’t about to let her go. What started out as a plan to use her, he becomes more enthralled by her. He wants her as his bride but to do all that, he is going to have to take her to Italy and keep her caged.
OMG, Sabrina always seemed afraid of Sebastian. At every turn, he was forcing their intimacy. Her fighting it and not. But Sabrina is no fool. She unravels everything that is going on without his help. Sebastian thinks he is slick but even the Cavalieri family know he is playing a dangerous game with her. I do love seeing them in this book. They keep warning him but he just isn’t listening. When the Judge finally lays eyes on Sabrina, she has a big target on her. He can’t protect her all the time. And now when he finally names her his fiancée, she is gone. I was wondering how the story would end but it didn’t. It ended on a cliffhanger. WTF!!! I was so absorbed that I didn’t see that coming. We have Sabrina missing, Sebastian still not coming clean to her, her mom missing, and the judge with a vendetta. Now I have to wait till Oct to find out what happened. Zoe, you are killing me.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
OMG, Sabrina always seemed afraid of Sebastian. At every turn, he was forcing their intimacy. Her fighting it and not. But Sabrina is no fool. She unravels everything that is going on without his help. Sebastian thinks he is slick but even the Cavalieri family know he is playing a dangerous game with her. I do love seeing them in this book. They keep warning him but he just isn’t listening. When the Judge finally lays eyes on Sabrina, she has a big target on her. He can’t protect her all the time. And now when he finally names her his fiancée, she is gone. I was wondering how the story would end but it didn’t. It ended on a cliffhanger. WTF!!! I was so absorbed that I didn’t see that coming. We have Sabrina missing, Sebastian still not coming clean to her, her mom missing, and the judge with a vendetta. Now I have to wait till Oct to find out what happened. Zoe, you are killing me.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Zoe Blake you have a winner with this book! Brutal Heir is the first book in the Diamanti Billionaire Dynasty series. The FMC & MMC are Sabrina Dolce Badalamenti and Sebastian Diamanti.
Now this was my kind of book! I loved it! Just the right chemistry bouncing between Sebastian and Sabrina. The kind that keeps you up at night reading beyond your bedtime and not wanting to put the book down.
This book does end on a HUGE cliffhanger. I should have expected it to but I was surprised and yes there was an audible NO……. When I got to it.
Zoe Blake I hope the next book in this series is out soon! I NEED IT!
Now this was my kind of book! I loved it! Just the right chemistry bouncing between Sebastian and Sabrina. The kind that keeps you up at night reading beyond your bedtime and not wanting to put the book down.
This book does end on a HUGE cliffhanger. I should have expected it to but I was surprised and yes there was an audible NO……. When I got to it.
Zoe Blake I hope the next book in this series is out soon! I NEED IT!
Review of advance copy received from Author
To protect his legacy from a ruthless enemy, mafia heir Sebastian Diamanti is forced to play a dangerous game: kidnap his rival's hidden daughter, Sabrina Badalamenti, and bind her to him in a forced marriage.
This dark, page-turning, enemies-to-lovers mafia romance is filled with dangerous twists and turns and plenty of sexy steam. Sebastian is completely over-the-top ruthless and dominant as he uses Sabrina for leverage, but the moment his protective instincts kick in, their chemistry becomes absolutely undeniable. He will do anything to keep her, including burning the world down. I was completely hooked, but fair warning: it ends in a massive cliffhanger.
This dark, page-turning, enemies-to-lovers mafia romance is filled with dangerous twists and turns and plenty of sexy steam. Sebastian is completely over-the-top ruthless and dominant as he uses Sabrina for leverage, but the moment his protective instincts kick in, their chemistry becomes absolutely undeniable. He will do anything to keep her, including burning the world down. I was completely hooked, but fair warning: it ends in a massive cliffhanger.
Review of advance copy received from Author
OMFGoodness! Zoe ma’am…ummm what is that ending 🤯😱😈! It was Epic and Brutal. I loved it.
Holy Hotness ❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥Sebastian is all kinds of walking / talking red flags 🚩 ! But damn is he one sexy man! As a fellow jeweler/diamond grader I’m loving his profession. Sabrina is trying her best to resist- her body says one thing, her mind and heart say others. His red flags are screaming something completely different.
I cannot wait for the next book, and to see what sass Sabrina has in store for his alpha male a$$! Also, to see what revenge Sebastian has in store for everyone.
#mafiaromance #darkromancebooks #forcedproximity #agegap
Holy Hotness ❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥Sebastian is all kinds of walking / talking red flags 🚩 ! But damn is he one sexy man! As a fellow jeweler/diamond grader I’m loving his profession. Sabrina is trying her best to resist- her body says one thing, her mind and heart say others. His red flags are screaming something completely different.
I cannot wait for the next book, and to see what sass Sabrina has in store for his alpha male a$$! Also, to see what revenge Sebastian has in store for everyone.
#mafiaromance #darkromancebooks #forcedproximity #agegap
Review of advance copy received from Author
Rule No 1 - Don’t Disobey Me.
Zoe Blake you are despicable, not really but yes. Again I couldn’t put this one down. 5+🌶️ and then some. Sebastian is so hot, and alpha and domineering and did I mention hot. He is the head of their business and rules like a tyrant, but honestly it is to protect the family. Sabrina is pulled into his world whether she likes it or not. She was supposed to be his pawn until, yup you guessed it, he fell under her powers. Kink and dominance for,the win. And just wait for the ending 😳. Enjoy
Zoe Blake you are despicable, not really but yes. Again I couldn’t put this one down. 5+🌶️ and then some. Sebastian is so hot, and alpha and domineering and did I mention hot. He is the head of their business and rules like a tyrant, but honestly it is to protect the family. Sabrina is pulled into his world whether she likes it or not. She was supposed to be his pawn until, yup you guessed it, he fell under her powers. Kink and dominance for,the win. And just wait for the ending 😳. Enjoy
Review of advance copy received from Author
Another awesome story by Zoe. Beautiful, steamy, drama, danger and a fast smooth ride. Loved every word.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Sebastian and Sabrina are volatile and hot together. She gives him a run for his money and is slowly bringing his humanity back. There are several twists to this book and the ending made me scream. I hope there’s not a long wait for the next one. Thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC. I honestly really enjoyed the ride and you will too. Grab it as soon as it comes out. Zoe Blake knows how to write a JP over the top MMC and a feisty FMC. It’s just ….chef’s kiss!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I really enjoyed Brutal Heir, as I do all of Zoe Blake’s books. Sebastian is intense, controlling, and determined, while Sabrina is feisty and does not make things easy for him.
I loved watching his carefully made plans begin to unravel as she became more than just part of his scheme.
Their story kept me turning the pages and wanting to know what would happen next. What I was not expecting was that cliffhanger -ugh!
Now I need the next book because I have to know how their story continues!
I loved watching his carefully made plans begin to unravel as she became more than just part of his scheme.
Their story kept me turning the pages and wanting to know what would happen next. What I was not expecting was that cliffhanger -ugh!
Now I need the next book because I have to know how their story continues!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Right out of the gate Zoe Blake grabs your interest until finishing the story becomes an obsession. Her prose never disappoint and her new series is outstanding. What I love about her books is the research into worlds we could never hope to experience. I love is that she sprinkles previously loved characters into the story. This one is a cliffhanger so be prepared…but the sequel will be worth the wait. Download and enjoy.❤️❤️❤️
September 22, 2026
I'm not sure how I feel about this yet. I think once I read the rest of the series, I will have a more-formed opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I am bowled over! This one is sinful and dangerous and sexy and painful and everything in between. Sebastian and Sabrina bring the heat and lux like no other. What an amazing one this is.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This might just be my favorite Zoe book!!!
An alpha man obsessed with a sassy heroine is my kryptonite!
I couldn’t put this down. Every cameo from other characters in different books had me squealing, and the push and pull between the couple had me flipping pages way past my bedtime.
And the food porn! I always feel I should take notes in these books as the food sounds absolutely amazing!!
Loved this and can’t wait for the next one!!
An alpha man obsessed with a sassy heroine is my kryptonite!
I couldn’t put this down. Every cameo from other characters in different books had me squealing, and the push and pull between the couple had me flipping pages way past my bedtime.
And the food porn! I always feel I should take notes in these books as the food sounds absolutely amazing!!
Loved this and can’t wait for the next one!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Excuse me?!
The cliffhanger is K*LLING ME!
Sebastian is manipulative. Sneaky. A monster! But oh does he have potential! Despite luring Sabrina into a whirling romance, a far away country and dangers he orchestrated, you can most definitely see he is captivated by her. I NEED the next book!
The cliffhanger is K*LLING ME!
Sebastian is manipulative. Sneaky. A monster! But oh does he have potential! Despite luring Sabrina into a whirling romance, a far away country and dangers he orchestrated, you can most definitely see he is captivated by her. I NEED the next book!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Zoe Blake you dirty, rotten, scoundrel. I was not expecting that smh. You definitely got me this time. I can't wait til October 😩 Sebastian and Sabrina brought all the fire and I loved every minute of it. This book was yummy in all the best ways. Zoe ability to write dub-con as always remains unmatched. Thank you for the ARC
September 24, 2026
I have decided to stop reading a book by Zoe Blake for the first time, as I find it to be quite disappointing. I wonder why the narrative was stretched into a trilogy when the plot feels rather hollow. The writing does not seem to reflect Zoe Blake's usual engaging style and feels impersonal, and even the more intimate scenes lack the passion and depth I was expecting.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book was fast paced and I kept trying to guess what Sebastian would do and he always surprised me. It was spicy, dark, and I couldn’t put it down. Sebastian was as possessive and dominant as you can get and I loved it.
September 24, 2026
Sebastian Had a Plan. Sabrina Became the Problem. We Became Obsessed.
WE'RE BACK, BABY.
There are authors you casually read, and then there's Zoe Blake, whose interconnected universe we've been happily lurking around for so long that we recognize fictional family names like distant relatives.
Brutal Heir takes us into the new Diamanti Billionaire Dynasty, and it has everything we've been missing about Zoe's mafia world: obscene wealth, old grudges, family politics, revenge, possessive men, stubborn women, and enough interconnected breadcrumbs to make longtime readers feel ridiculously smug every time they recognize one.
Sebastian Diamanti has a plan.
Sabrina Badalamenti is part of that plan.
What Sebastian fails to account for is the inconvenient fact that Sabrina has absolutely no intention of making any of this easy for him.
And THAT was our catnip.
Sebastian is calculating, ruthless, controlling, and convinced he's running the board. Sabrina is supposed to be leverage. Instead, she becomes the variable he can't control.
Watching his carefully planned revenge start colliding with actual feelings was DELICIOUS.
More importantly, Sabrina can match him. She doesn't get swallowed by Sebastian's personality or reduced to something for him to possess. She fights him. She challenges him. She screws with his plans. And watching strategic possession slowly mutate into genuine obsession was exactly the flavor of Zoe Blake hero deterioration we ordered.
Then Zoe started dropping breadcrumbs from her wider universe.
If you've read the Cavalieri Billionaire Legacy, PAY ATTENTION.
The connections aren't necessary to understand Brutal Heir, but longtime readers are absolutely getting rewarded. That's one of our favorite things about Zoe's world. These families don't feel like they're existing inside isolated series. The connections make everything feel bigger.
And then we reached the ending.
ZOE.
WHAT WAS THAT?
We are famously terrible candidates for the Unfinished Series Club. We don't enjoy being abandoned in emotional distress while an author wanders off to live her life like she didn't just destroy ours.
But Zoe has earned our trust.
Ms. Blake never edges us for too long, and she certainly doesn't leave us unsatisfied.
So we'll be back.
Obviously.
Tropes we devoured:
🔥 Mafia romance
💎 Billionaire mafia heir
🔥 Enemies to lovers
💎 Revenge plot
🔥 Possessive/obsessive MMC
💎 Feisty FMC
🔥 Family rivalry
💎 Forced proximity
🔥 She's supposed to be a pawn
💎 Touch her and find out
🔥 Interconnected universe
💎 Morally questionable everything
🔥 One HELL of a cliffhanger
Sebastian thought Sabrina was a piece in his revenge plan.
Sir.
She was the plot twist.
Welcome to the Diamanti era. We live here now.
WE'RE BACK, BABY.
There are authors you casually read, and then there's Zoe Blake, whose interconnected universe we've been happily lurking around for so long that we recognize fictional family names like distant relatives.
Brutal Heir takes us into the new Diamanti Billionaire Dynasty, and it has everything we've been missing about Zoe's mafia world: obscene wealth, old grudges, family politics, revenge, possessive men, stubborn women, and enough interconnected breadcrumbs to make longtime readers feel ridiculously smug every time they recognize one.
Sebastian Diamanti has a plan.
Sabrina Badalamenti is part of that plan.
What Sebastian fails to account for is the inconvenient fact that Sabrina has absolutely no intention of making any of this easy for him.
And THAT was our catnip.
Sebastian is calculating, ruthless, controlling, and convinced he's running the board. Sabrina is supposed to be leverage. Instead, she becomes the variable he can't control.
Watching his carefully planned revenge start colliding with actual feelings was DELICIOUS.
More importantly, Sabrina can match him. She doesn't get swallowed by Sebastian's personality or reduced to something for him to possess. She fights him. She challenges him. She screws with his plans. And watching strategic possession slowly mutate into genuine obsession was exactly the flavor of Zoe Blake hero deterioration we ordered.
Then Zoe started dropping breadcrumbs from her wider universe.
If you've read the Cavalieri Billionaire Legacy, PAY ATTENTION.
The connections aren't necessary to understand Brutal Heir, but longtime readers are absolutely getting rewarded. That's one of our favorite things about Zoe's world. These families don't feel like they're existing inside isolated series. The connections make everything feel bigger.
And then we reached the ending.
ZOE.
WHAT WAS THAT?
We are famously terrible candidates for the Unfinished Series Club. We don't enjoy being abandoned in emotional distress while an author wanders off to live her life like she didn't just destroy ours.
But Zoe has earned our trust.
Ms. Blake never edges us for too long, and she certainly doesn't leave us unsatisfied.
So we'll be back.
Obviously.
Tropes we devoured:
🔥 Mafia romance
💎 Billionaire mafia heir
🔥 Enemies to lovers
💎 Revenge plot
🔥 Possessive/obsessive MMC
💎 Feisty FMC
🔥 Family rivalry
💎 Forced proximity
🔥 She's supposed to be a pawn
💎 Touch her and find out
🔥 Interconnected universe
💎 Morally questionable everything
🔥 One HELL of a cliffhanger
Sebastian thought Sabrina was a piece in his revenge plan.
Sir.
She was the plot twist.
Welcome to the Diamanti era. We live here now.
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sebastian and Sabrina are an absolute PROBLEM… and I was here for every second of it. 🖤💎
Give me a ruthless mafia heir, an innocent woman caught in the middle of a revenge game, and enough chemistry to set the entire damn book on fire… and I’m sold.
Sebastian is the kind of MMC you KNOW you should run from, yet somehow you completely understand why Sabrina keeps getting pulled deeper into his orbit. He’s cold, controlling, possessive, arrogant, and absolutely determined to make her his. What starts as revenge quickly becomes something neither of them is prepared for, and watching Sebastian struggle with the fact that his feelings are becoming very real? SO GOOD.
And Sabrina is NOT some helpless heroine waiting around to be rescued. She fights him every step of the way, and I loved that about her. Their constant arguing, power struggles, and refusal to back down from each other created SO much tension. Honestly, half the time it felt like they were one argument away from either killing each other or ripping each other's clothes off. 😂🔥
The chemistry between these two was INSANE. The attraction is immediate, but the relationship itself doesn't magically fall into place. There's a lot of resistance, emotional conflict, obsession, and push-and-pull before they start figuring out what the hell they're actually feeling.
And Sebastian…
That man is OBSESSED. 🖤
The possessiveness.
The fixation.
The jealousy.
The need to hear her say his name.
The way he slowly starts realizing Sabrina isn't just another piece in his revenge plan.
I ate it ALL up.
I also really enjoyed the diamond/mafia world. The whole luxury-meets-ruthless-crime atmosphere gave the story something different, and I loved how glamorous everything felt on the surface while the darkness was simmering underneath.
This is the first book in a trilogy following the same couple, so the romance takes its time developing. Personally, I think that worked really well here because there was so much emotional tension and groundwork being laid for what's coming next.
And THAT ENDING?!
Excuse me?! 😩
You cannot leave me hanging like that and expect me to be patient for the next book. I need answers. I need more Sebastian. I need more Sabrina. And yes, I absolutely need to know where those very interesting little hints are going. 👀
Sebastian and Sabrina are toxic, messy, intense, and completely addictive—and I couldn't look away.
5 ⭐️
🖤 Mafia Romance
💎 Dark Romance
🖤 Age Gap
💎 Possessive/Obsessive MMC
🖤 Kidnapping
💎 Enemies-to-Lovers Vibes
🖤 Power Struggles
💎 Dub-Con/Consent Discussions
🖤 Spicy AF
💎 Touch-Her-and-Die Energy
🖤 Workplace Elements
💎 Cliffhanger (UGGGGGGHHH HATED IT, BUT OH WELL!!!!)
Sebastian and Sabrina are an absolute PROBLEM… and I was here for every second of it. 🖤💎
Give me a ruthless mafia heir, an innocent woman caught in the middle of a revenge game, and enough chemistry to set the entire damn book on fire… and I’m sold.
Sebastian is the kind of MMC you KNOW you should run from, yet somehow you completely understand why Sabrina keeps getting pulled deeper into his orbit. He’s cold, controlling, possessive, arrogant, and absolutely determined to make her his. What starts as revenge quickly becomes something neither of them is prepared for, and watching Sebastian struggle with the fact that his feelings are becoming very real? SO GOOD.
And Sabrina is NOT some helpless heroine waiting around to be rescued. She fights him every step of the way, and I loved that about her. Their constant arguing, power struggles, and refusal to back down from each other created SO much tension. Honestly, half the time it felt like they were one argument away from either killing each other or ripping each other's clothes off. 😂🔥
The chemistry between these two was INSANE. The attraction is immediate, but the relationship itself doesn't magically fall into place. There's a lot of resistance, emotional conflict, obsession, and push-and-pull before they start figuring out what the hell they're actually feeling.
And Sebastian…
That man is OBSESSED. 🖤
The possessiveness.
The fixation.
The jealousy.
The need to hear her say his name.
The way he slowly starts realizing Sabrina isn't just another piece in his revenge plan.
I ate it ALL up.
I also really enjoyed the diamond/mafia world. The whole luxury-meets-ruthless-crime atmosphere gave the story something different, and I loved how glamorous everything felt on the surface while the darkness was simmering underneath.
This is the first book in a trilogy following the same couple, so the romance takes its time developing. Personally, I think that worked really well here because there was so much emotional tension and groundwork being laid for what's coming next.
And THAT ENDING?!
Excuse me?! 😩
You cannot leave me hanging like that and expect me to be patient for the next book. I need answers. I need more Sebastian. I need more Sabrina. And yes, I absolutely need to know where those very interesting little hints are going. 👀
Sebastian and Sabrina are toxic, messy, intense, and completely addictive—and I couldn't look away.
5 ⭐️
🖤 Mafia Romance
💎 Dark Romance
🖤 Age Gap
💎 Possessive/Obsessive MMC
🖤 Kidnapping
💎 Enemies-to-Lovers Vibes
🖤 Power Struggles
💎 Dub-Con/Consent Discussions
🖤 Spicy AF
💎 Touch-Her-and-Die Energy
🖤 Workplace Elements
💎 Cliffhanger (UGGGGGGHHH HATED IT, BUT OH WELL!!!!)
September 24, 2026
Apparently I Have a New Mafia Family to Obsess Over
The absolute chokehold Zoe Blake’s fictional criminal families have on me needs to be studied.
I’ve spent enough time in this woman’s universe that a familiar surname can appear on the page and suddenly I’m sitting up straighter like, “WAIT. I KNOW THESE PEOPLE.”
So obviously I was ridiculously excited to meet the Diamantis.
And Sebastian? Sir. You had such a nice little revenge plan.
It’s adorable that you thought it was going to survive Sabrina.
Sebastian starts Brutal Heir so completely certain of himself. He knows what he wants, he knows how he’s going to get it, and Sabrina Badalamenti is essentially a means to an end. Taking his enemy’s daughter solves a problem and gives him leverage.
What could possibly go wrong?
A WOMAN, Sebastian. A woman could go wrong.
Sabrina was probably my favorite part of this book because she makes him WORK for every ounce of control he thinks he has. She’s stubborn, she pushes back, and she absolutely refuses to conveniently become the obedient little pawn his revenge scheme requires.
Watching that man slowly lose the plot over her was glorious.
Because of course his very reasonable, very strategic plan eventually starts looking suspiciously like:
She’s useful.
She’s my responsibility.
Nobody touches her.
She’s mine.
Oh honey. You caught feelings.
I also had so much fun spotting the little connections to Zoe’s other books. The Cavalieri nods especially had me doing that obnoxious longtime-reader thing where you recognize something and immediately feel like you’ve been personally rewarded for your years of fictional-mafia-family research.
Then I got to the end.
Excuse me???
I knew there was a cliffhanger. I THOUGHT I was emotionally prepared for the cliffhanger.
Reader, I was not prepared for the cliffhanger.
Normally this is precisely why I wait for a series to be finished. I do not enjoy being left alone with my thoughts. But I trust Zoe Blake, so apparently I’m going to sit here patiently like a well-adjusted adult until the next book.
That is a lie.
I will not be patient.
The Diamantis have officially joined my collection of fictional mafia families I am far too emotionally invested in, and I already need to know what happens next.
The absolute chokehold Zoe Blake’s fictional criminal families have on me needs to be studied.
I’ve spent enough time in this woman’s universe that a familiar surname can appear on the page and suddenly I’m sitting up straighter like, “WAIT. I KNOW THESE PEOPLE.”
So obviously I was ridiculously excited to meet the Diamantis.
And Sebastian? Sir. You had such a nice little revenge plan.
It’s adorable that you thought it was going to survive Sabrina.
Sebastian starts Brutal Heir so completely certain of himself. He knows what he wants, he knows how he’s going to get it, and Sabrina Badalamenti is essentially a means to an end. Taking his enemy’s daughter solves a problem and gives him leverage.
What could possibly go wrong?
A WOMAN, Sebastian. A woman could go wrong.
Sabrina was probably my favorite part of this book because she makes him WORK for every ounce of control he thinks he has. She’s stubborn, she pushes back, and she absolutely refuses to conveniently become the obedient little pawn his revenge scheme requires.
Watching that man slowly lose the plot over her was glorious.
Because of course his very reasonable, very strategic plan eventually starts looking suspiciously like:
She’s useful.
She’s my responsibility.
Nobody touches her.
She’s mine.
Oh honey. You caught feelings.
I also had so much fun spotting the little connections to Zoe’s other books. The Cavalieri nods especially had me doing that obnoxious longtime-reader thing where you recognize something and immediately feel like you’ve been personally rewarded for your years of fictional-mafia-family research.
Then I got to the end.
Excuse me???
I knew there was a cliffhanger. I THOUGHT I was emotionally prepared for the cliffhanger.
Reader, I was not prepared for the cliffhanger.
Normally this is precisely why I wait for a series to be finished. I do not enjoy being left alone with my thoughts. But I trust Zoe Blake, so apparently I’m going to sit here patiently like a well-adjusted adult until the next book.
That is a lie.
I will not be patient.
The Diamantis have officially joined my collection of fictional mafia families I am far too emotionally invested in, and I already need to know what happens next.
September 24, 2026
I was waiting for this series forever, and am so glad it's finally here!
Sebastian has built an empire built by diamonds and blood. Out for vengeance against his rival, he plans to get it by taking his enemies daughter as his bride. Sabrina's mother warned her about men like Sebastian and has been running from her father, a man she's never met.
I loved this book and can't wait for the next one.
The two MCs were amazing together with so much tension and passion. As they navigate their way around their new situation of being together they start to realize that things may not be as they seem. Things that have been hidden are revealed and they can never be put back.
Sebastian is dominant, demanding and powerful. And Sabrina is strong, curious yet cautious.
I also was excited to see characters from the other series in this book!!
Overall: 4.25 out of 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
Spice/Heat Intensity: 4 out of 5 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Main Characters: Sebastian & Sabrina
Darkness: 3 out of 5 🖤🖤🖤
Type of book: MF, Dual 1st Person POV
Reading Order: Books need to be read in order
Title: The Diamanti Trilogy - Brutal Heir: Book 1
Ending Type: Cliffhanger
*OTT Possessive, obsessive, dominant, fiercely loyal and protective MMC
*Eyes only for her
*Billionaire
*Enemies to Lovers
*Unknown Surveillance of FMC
*Forced Proximity
*Captive
*Family Vengence
*No cheating or sharing
⚠️ This book has descriptive parts that may be offensive or triggering to some. Please check all the authors' TW/CW before reading! 18+
*I received an early copy of this book and am voluntarily writing this review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Zoe, you did it AGAIN. I meant to read “just a little,” and yeah… suddenly I was flipping page after page and I was completely hooked.
Sebastian is the definition of audacity — a walking, screaming red flag. Possessive, jealous, a CEO who doesn’t understand the word no and never hesitates when he wants something. And what he wants is Sabrina.
Sabrina is stubborn, fiercely independent, determined not to answer to anyone. So when these two start their power struggle, the plot practically writes itself. Add in the fact that Sebastian doesn’t actually love Sabrina — he’s coldly using her as bait in a power play. Or… that was the plan 😉
Sebastian is the classic MMC Zoe excels at writing — the kind you want to strangle, yell at, shake some sense into. The one who laughs at you, amused, when you try to be mad. Dominant to the bone, and Sabrina gets pulled straight into that gravity. I felt every bit of her rage, frustration, obsession — name any emotion aimed at Sebastian, and it’s written so damn well. The dialogue snaps, and there’s even a tiny glimpse of one of my absolute favorite characters from Zoe’s books 🤩
And listen — those spicy scenes? They are spicy. Not suggestive, not mild, but genuinely intense in tone and energy. The way Sebastian dominates the room, the moment, the dynamic — holy hell, the tension hits hard. It’s the attitude, the control, the power shift that lands with full force.
But Zoe… you do NOT end a book like this. I stared at my Kindle convinced a whole chapter was missing. Cruel. Completely cruel. And now I need the next book immediately.
Sebastian is the definition of audacity — a walking, screaming red flag. Possessive, jealous, a CEO who doesn’t understand the word no and never hesitates when he wants something. And what he wants is Sabrina.
Sabrina is stubborn, fiercely independent, determined not to answer to anyone. So when these two start their power struggle, the plot practically writes itself. Add in the fact that Sebastian doesn’t actually love Sabrina — he’s coldly using her as bait in a power play. Or… that was the plan 😉
Sebastian is the classic MMC Zoe excels at writing — the kind you want to strangle, yell at, shake some sense into. The one who laughs at you, amused, when you try to be mad. Dominant to the bone, and Sabrina gets pulled straight into that gravity. I felt every bit of her rage, frustration, obsession — name any emotion aimed at Sebastian, and it’s written so damn well. The dialogue snaps, and there’s even a tiny glimpse of one of my absolute favorite characters from Zoe’s books 🤩
And listen — those spicy scenes? They are spicy. Not suggestive, not mild, but genuinely intense in tone and energy. The way Sebastian dominates the room, the moment, the dynamic — holy hell, the tension hits hard. It’s the attitude, the control, the power shift that lands with full force.
But Zoe… you do NOT end a book like this. I stared at my Kindle convinced a whole chapter was missing. Cruel. Completely cruel. And now I need the next book immediately.
September 8, 2026
3.5 stars.
I normally really enjoy Zoe Blake’s books and was looking forward to this one, especially after meeting Sebastian’s family in the Cavalieri Billionaire series. But this instalment didn’t fully work for me. Even for a Zoe Blake hero, Sebastian’s intensity felt dialled up to an extreme, and his constant control over Sabrina left very little room for any agency on her part, which made the dynamic harder to connect with than normal.
The plot itself is dramatic: Sebastian’s family is under pressure from a judge determined to expose them, and instead of eliminating the threat, he kidnaps the judge’s daughter and plans to marry her to force the investigation to stop. Of course, he hadn't bargained on developing feelings for Sabrina so that makes things a little awkward (for him).
My biggest surprise was the cliffhanger. At around 83% it became clear things weren’t wrapping up, and learning this may be a multi‑book arc left me a bit disappointed. But luckily we don't have to wait long for the next instalment.
Overall, this was still an absolutely fun, easy and enjoyable read. And I have every confidence that Sebastian will redeem himself before the end!
*Thank you to the author for an ARC of this title.
I normally really enjoy Zoe Blake’s books and was looking forward to this one, especially after meeting Sebastian’s family in the Cavalieri Billionaire series. But this instalment didn’t fully work for me. Even for a Zoe Blake hero, Sebastian’s intensity felt dialled up to an extreme, and his constant control over Sabrina left very little room for any agency on her part, which made the dynamic harder to connect with than normal.
The plot itself is dramatic: Sebastian’s family is under pressure from a judge determined to expose them, and instead of eliminating the threat, he kidnaps the judge’s daughter and plans to marry her to force the investigation to stop. Of course, he hadn't bargained on developing feelings for Sabrina so that makes things a little awkward (for him).
My biggest surprise was the cliffhanger. At around 83% it became clear things weren’t wrapping up, and learning this may be a multi‑book arc left me a bit disappointed. But luckily we don't have to wait long for the next instalment.
Overall, this was still an absolutely fun, easy and enjoyable read. And I have every confidence that Sebastian will redeem himself before the end!
*Thank you to the author for an ARC of this title.
September 23, 2026
SEBASTIAN. DIAMANTI. 😩🖤
Esse homem é um PROBLEMA.
Manipulador? Sim.
Possessivo? MUITO.
Obcecado? Completamente.
Sinal vermelho ambulante? Meu amigo, você é o próprio semáforo. 🚨😂
E eu?
LI. TUDO. 🫠
Sabrina não facilita a vida dele — graças a Deus! — e eu AMEI cada discussão, cada disputa de poder e cada momento em que ela basicamente olha para Sebastian e pensa: “você acha mesmo que vai mandar em mim?” 😂
A química desses dois é ABSURDA. 🔥🔥🔥
O homem começa querendo usar Sabrina como parte de um plano de vingança e termina completamente ferrado por ela. E assistir Sebastian tentando fingir que está no controle enquanto claramente está se apaixonando?
DELICIOSO. 😂
Tem máfia, luxo, perigo, obsessão, cenas quentes, personagens conhecidos aparecendo e aquela tensão que faz você falar “só mais um capítulo” umas 47 vezes.
E então...
O FINAL.
ZOE.
VOCÊ NÃO FEZ ISSO.
😩😩😩
Eu terminei olhando para o Kindle como se ele fosse magicamente abrir outro capítulo.
PRECISO DO LIVRO 2.
Preciso de respostas.
Preciso de Sabrina.
Preciso de Sebastian.
Preciso saber o que vai acontecer.
Preciso de TERAPIA depois desse final. 😂
Enfim...
5 estrelas porque aparentemente eu não tenho amor próprio e adoro homens fictícios problemáticos. 🖤😂
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Esse homem é um PROBLEMA.
Manipulador? Sim.
Possessivo? MUITO.
Obcecado? Completamente.
Sinal vermelho ambulante? Meu amigo, você é o próprio semáforo. 🚨😂
E eu?
LI. TUDO. 🫠
Sabrina não facilita a vida dele — graças a Deus! — e eu AMEI cada discussão, cada disputa de poder e cada momento em que ela basicamente olha para Sebastian e pensa: “você acha mesmo que vai mandar em mim?” 😂
A química desses dois é ABSURDA. 🔥🔥🔥
O homem começa querendo usar Sabrina como parte de um plano de vingança e termina completamente ferrado por ela. E assistir Sebastian tentando fingir que está no controle enquanto claramente está se apaixonando?
DELICIOSO. 😂
Tem máfia, luxo, perigo, obsessão, cenas quentes, personagens conhecidos aparecendo e aquela tensão que faz você falar “só mais um capítulo” umas 47 vezes.
E então...
O FINAL.
ZOE.
VOCÊ NÃO FEZ ISSO.
😩😩😩
Eu terminei olhando para o Kindle como se ele fosse magicamente abrir outro capítulo.
PRECISO DO LIVRO 2.
Preciso de respostas.
Preciso de Sabrina.
Preciso de Sebastian.
Preciso saber o que vai acontecer.
Preciso de TERAPIA depois desse final. 😂
Enfim...
5 estrelas porque aparentemente eu não tenho amor próprio e adoro homens fictícios problemáticos. 🖤😂
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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