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Vesperi Empire #2
Brutal Flame
Brat meets brat-tamer. Forced proximity. Touch her and die. "Who did this to you." Dark mafia romance. Slow burn.
Chloe Ferraro was sent to Rome as a hostage — her family's youngest daughter, traded to the Vesperis like a debt payment. Her father called it diplomacy. Chloe calls it what it is: he got rid of the daughter who sets things on fire and causes problems he can't clean up. Fine. She didn't come for him. She came because her older sister Lucia was sent here two years ago under the same arrangement, and Lucia never came home. The family says she left. Chloe doesn't believe it.
Matteo Vesperi is the underboss — Dante's younger brother, the man who handles the violence the Don is too visible for. He came back from two years in Albanian captivity with scars he doesn't talk about, a hand that doesn't close properly, and a control so airtight that most people mistake it for calm. Dante tells him to handle the Ferraro girl. Keep her contained. Keep her quiet. Keep her from becoming a problem.
She sets his car on fire in the compound driveway. While he's watching.
He doesn't flinch. She hates that more than anything.
Chloe is chaos and noise and destruction, and she aims every bit of it at the one man who absorbs it without breaking. She pushes. He holds. She escalates. He watches. What she doesn't know is that his stillness isn't indifference — it's discipline forged in a place she can't imagine, and she's the first person in years who makes him want to stop pretending he's fine.
What he doesn't know is that the chaos is a cover. Every fire she starts, every rule she breaks — it's misdirection, pulling attention away from the real search. Because Chloe is turning over every stone in Rome looking for the truth about what happened to Lucia. And what she finds will burn down more than a car.
Brutal Flame is a dark mafia romance. Book 2 of The Vesperi Empire series featuring a brat who burns everything she touches and the damaged underboss who lets her.
Chloe Ferraro was sent to Rome as a hostage — her family's youngest daughter, traded to the Vesperis like a debt payment. Her father called it diplomacy. Chloe calls it what it is: he got rid of the daughter who sets things on fire and causes problems he can't clean up. Fine. She didn't come for him. She came because her older sister Lucia was sent here two years ago under the same arrangement, and Lucia never came home. The family says she left. Chloe doesn't believe it.
Matteo Vesperi is the underboss — Dante's younger brother, the man who handles the violence the Don is too visible for. He came back from two years in Albanian captivity with scars he doesn't talk about, a hand that doesn't close properly, and a control so airtight that most people mistake it for calm. Dante tells him to handle the Ferraro girl. Keep her contained. Keep her quiet. Keep her from becoming a problem.
She sets his car on fire in the compound driveway. While he's watching.
He doesn't flinch. She hates that more than anything.
Chloe is chaos and noise and destruction, and she aims every bit of it at the one man who absorbs it without breaking. She pushes. He holds. She escalates. He watches. What she doesn't know is that his stillness isn't indifference — it's discipline forged in a place she can't imagine, and she's the first person in years who makes him want to stop pretending he's fine.
What he doesn't know is that the chaos is a cover. Every fire she starts, every rule she breaks — it's misdirection, pulling attention away from the real search. Because Chloe is turning over every stone in Rome looking for the truth about what happened to Lucia. And what she finds will burn down more than a car.
Brutal Flame is a dark mafia romance. Book 2 of The Vesperi Empire series featuring a brat who burns everything she touches and the damaged underboss who lets her.
- GenresDark Romance
274 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 13, 2026
About the author
Wren Fox
19 books27 followersWren Fox writes emotionally charged romance with a dark, dangerous edge—and just enough hope to leave your heart bruised and begging for more. Her stories dive deep into love, lust, trauma, and survival, all wrapped up in tension you can cut with a knife.
When she's not lost in fictional chaos, Wren is probably hanging out with Grimm, her loyal (and sometimes chaotic) Doberman sidekick, who firmly believes he's the real star of the show. Together, they navigate life one coffee, plot twist, and sarcastic remark at a time.
Wren believes in fierce heroines, broken but beautiful heroes, and that love—even the messy kind—is always worth fighting for.
Connect with Wren:
Newsletter: https://houseofkingpublishing.kit.com...
When she's not lost in fictional chaos, Wren is probably hanging out with Grimm, her loyal (and sometimes chaotic) Doberman sidekick, who firmly believes he's the real star of the show. Together, they navigate life one coffee, plot twist, and sarcastic remark at a time.
Wren believes in fierce heroines, broken but beautiful heroes, and that love—even the messy kind—is always worth fighting for.
Connect with Wren:
Newsletter: https://houseofkingpublishing.kit.com...
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
Review of advance copy
Chloe Ferraro is a walking, talking mess, and honestly, I love her for it.
Her family sends her to Rome as a bargaining chip for the Vesperis—basically the same way they did two years earlier with her sister Lucia, who never came home. But Chloe isn’t willing to accept the official story that her sister simply walked away. She’s come to Rome to find out what the hell really happened.
And then Matteo Vesperi shows up.
Matteo is Dante’s younger brother and the man in charge of the most violent side of the family business. After spending two years held captive in Albania, he returns a wreck, covered in scars, and with a rather impressive sense of self-control.
Until he meets Chloe.
Because Chloe just can’t sit still. She breaks the rules, provokes people, causes scenes, and—as a small sample of her personality—sets Matteo’s car on fire right in front of him.
And he, instead of losing his cool, simply watches her.
That’s where a dynamic begins that I absolutely loved: she provokes him and he holds his ground; she ups the ante and he remains calm. It’s that classic clash between the protagonist who’s pure fire and the seemingly cold man who appears impossible to rattle.
But the best part is that behind all of Chloe’s behavior, there’s a reason. Her chaos isn’t just chaos. While everyone thinks she’s just a troublesome brat, she’s using every fire, every rule she breaks, and every distraction to investigate what happened to her sister.
And that’s where the story gains a lot more depth.
What I liked most was Chloe. Without a doubt.
She’s brazen, impulsive, rebellious, and has absolutely no intention of letting herself be tamed. I really love it when a protagonist doesn’t just react to what’s happening, but actually gets herself into every possible mess on her own.
And then there’s Matteo, who’s practically her polar opposite. A man broken by his past, controlled to the extreme, and with that “I don’t need to raise my voice for everyone to know I’m dangerous” vibe.
The combination works because she manages to crack his facade, while Matteo is probably the only person capable of facing all of Chloe’s chaos without trying to shut it down.
And yes, we’ve got the mafia, danger, secrets, and plenty of tension, but there’s also an air of mystery surrounding Lucia that makes you want to keep reading to find out what really happened.
I highly recommend it, especially if you like dark mafia romances with a troubled heroine—in the best possible way.
If you’re looking for a sweet heroine who patiently waits for the hero to solve all her problems, Chloe is NOT your girl.
But if you like feisty female leads, dangerous and traumatized men, forced proximity, slow burn, tension that builds little by little, and that dynamic where she’s a fire and he’s the only one who knows how to handle it, I think this book can give you exactly what you’re looking for.
Plus, following *Brutal Crown*, this second book continues to expand the Vesperi universe and completely shifts the focus to Chloe and Matteo. *Brutal Flame* has that mix of mafia + mystery + dark romance + an absolutely unhinged protagonist that can be incredibly addictive.
Give it a try. But get ready for Chloe, because this woman didn’t come to Rome to play by the rules. She came to set things on fire, seek answers, and turn Matteo’s life upside down.
And, honestly…
Who needs therapy when you can set the mobster’s car on fire?.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Her family sends her to Rome as a bargaining chip for the Vesperis—basically the same way they did two years earlier with her sister Lucia, who never came home. But Chloe isn’t willing to accept the official story that her sister simply walked away. She’s come to Rome to find out what the hell really happened.
And then Matteo Vesperi shows up.
Matteo is Dante’s younger brother and the man in charge of the most violent side of the family business. After spending two years held captive in Albania, he returns a wreck, covered in scars, and with a rather impressive sense of self-control.
Until he meets Chloe.
Because Chloe just can’t sit still. She breaks the rules, provokes people, causes scenes, and—as a small sample of her personality—sets Matteo’s car on fire right in front of him.
And he, instead of losing his cool, simply watches her.
That’s where a dynamic begins that I absolutely loved: she provokes him and he holds his ground; she ups the ante and he remains calm. It’s that classic clash between the protagonist who’s pure fire and the seemingly cold man who appears impossible to rattle.
But the best part is that behind all of Chloe’s behavior, there’s a reason. Her chaos isn’t just chaos. While everyone thinks she’s just a troublesome brat, she’s using every fire, every rule she breaks, and every distraction to investigate what happened to her sister.
And that’s where the story gains a lot more depth.
What I liked most was Chloe. Without a doubt.
She’s brazen, impulsive, rebellious, and has absolutely no intention of letting herself be tamed. I really love it when a protagonist doesn’t just react to what’s happening, but actually gets herself into every possible mess on her own.
And then there’s Matteo, who’s practically her polar opposite. A man broken by his past, controlled to the extreme, and with that “I don’t need to raise my voice for everyone to know I’m dangerous” vibe.
The combination works because she manages to crack his facade, while Matteo is probably the only person capable of facing all of Chloe’s chaos without trying to shut it down.
And yes, we’ve got the mafia, danger, secrets, and plenty of tension, but there’s also an air of mystery surrounding Lucia that makes you want to keep reading to find out what really happened.
I highly recommend it, especially if you like dark mafia romances with a troubled heroine—in the best possible way.
If you’re looking for a sweet heroine who patiently waits for the hero to solve all her problems, Chloe is NOT your girl.
But if you like feisty female leads, dangerous and traumatized men, forced proximity, slow burn, tension that builds little by little, and that dynamic where she’s a fire and he’s the only one who knows how to handle it, I think this book can give you exactly what you’re looking for.
Plus, following *Brutal Crown*, this second book continues to expand the Vesperi universe and completely shifts the focus to Chloe and Matteo. *Brutal Flame* has that mix of mafia + mystery + dark romance + an absolutely unhinged protagonist that can be incredibly addictive.
Give it a try. But get ready for Chloe, because this woman didn’t come to Rome to play by the rules. She came to set things on fire, seek answers, and turn Matteo’s life upside down.
And, honestly…
Who needs therapy when you can set the mobster’s car on fire?.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Brutal Flame shares the story of Matteo and Chloe and boy is it a ride. When we meet Chloe she is pure destruction and all brat. Well most of the book she is pretty defiant but she has her reasons. She wants to know what happened to her sister and she is going to need help. Enter Matteo.
Matteo is the calm surrounding Chloe. He doesn't react the way she expects throughout the entire book. I loved their interactions so much. It had me giggling when she didn't get what she wanted. & then smirking when Matteo made sure to capture her in way no one else could.
Underneath all the broody silence both of these MCs are broken in different ways. They end up paring up to solve the mystery of where the money went, who betrayed whom, and what happened to her sister. The supporting characters do an excellent job of elevating the story so it not only keeps your attention but engages you so much you forget your sitting in a chair reading and not walking the streets of Naples.
I really enjoyed this story, the layers, the character arcs and the conclusion. We also got to see characters from the first book with a nice surprise.
I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Matteo is the calm surrounding Chloe. He doesn't react the way she expects throughout the entire book. I loved their interactions so much. It had me giggling when she didn't get what she wanted. & then smirking when Matteo made sure to capture her in way no one else could.
Underneath all the broody silence both of these MCs are broken in different ways. They end up paring up to solve the mystery of where the money went, who betrayed whom, and what happened to her sister. The supporting characters do an excellent job of elevating the story so it not only keeps your attention but engages you so much you forget your sitting in a chair reading and not walking the streets of Naples.
I really enjoyed this story, the layers, the character arcs and the conclusion. We also got to see characters from the first book with a nice surprise.
I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 15, 2026
This was a super entertaining read, kept me glued to its pages from cover to cover.
A dark mafia plot that brings a very damaged man suffering from PTSD and a young woman looking for attention and her sister. Chloe is given as a sort of payment to the enemy family. She is not the normal prisoner, she is bratty, a bit of a pyromaniac, but observant and intelligent. Matteo has survived pain and isolation which have turn him cold and brutal, but the shannenigans that Chloe brings make him pay attention. He realizes that she uses fire to get attention but is starving for information which he is happy to help along as she shares what she is finding, too.
They are so attracted to each other, but he is not willing to fully claim her until she comes to him not as passion, but a willingness to belong. When their passion starts to make them open up about their pasts, fears, and wishes they discover that they connect in a way that makes them better, gives them freedom, and a new sense of family. Be ready to see them soften to each other and discover who is the real culprit behind their family's tragedies.. be ready for secrets and twists!!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A dark mafia plot that brings a very damaged man suffering from PTSD and a young woman looking for attention and her sister. Chloe is given as a sort of payment to the enemy family. She is not the normal prisoner, she is bratty, a bit of a pyromaniac, but observant and intelligent. Matteo has survived pain and isolation which have turn him cold and brutal, but the shannenigans that Chloe brings make him pay attention. He realizes that she uses fire to get attention but is starving for information which he is happy to help along as she shares what she is finding, too.
They are so attracted to each other, but he is not willing to fully claim her until she comes to him not as passion, but a willingness to belong. When their passion starts to make them open up about their pasts, fears, and wishes they discover that they connect in a way that makes them better, gives them freedom, and a new sense of family. Be ready to see them soften to each other and discover who is the real culprit behind their family's tragedies.. be ready for secrets and twists!!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 10, 2026
Mafia tropes are a top for me, a classic. I will always reach for a Mafia trope and when they are done like this, I struggle to put them down.
We fell for the Don in book one and now in book two we are SWOONING for the enforcer.
I really really enjoyed the juxtaposition of these MCs, like REALLY enjoyed it. It added just another layer of depth to the greater plot and I was super into it. Also because I saw so much of myself reflected back at me in the FMC. I just loved the balance and blend of these two and would totally read an entire collection just about them.
The greater story of this will grip you and not let you go until you finish the final page. I really struggled to put this one down. Trust me when I tell you, the late nights are worth it!
Love this collection, impatiently waiting for what's next!
We fell for the Don in book one and now in book two we are SWOONING for the enforcer.
I really really enjoyed the juxtaposition of these MCs, like REALLY enjoyed it. It added just another layer of depth to the greater plot and I was super into it. Also because I saw so much of myself reflected back at me in the FMC. I just loved the balance and blend of these two and would totally read an entire collection just about them.
The greater story of this will grip you and not let you go until you finish the final page. I really struggled to put this one down. Trust me when I tell you, the late nights are worth it!
Love this collection, impatiently waiting for what's next!
August 27, 2026
Chloe is sent to Rome, like her sister Lucia, to the Vesperis as a bargaining chip. Her main reason is to find out what happened to her sister. Matteo is Dante Vesperi’s younger brother, who spend years held captive, has PTSD but has complete self control. Chloe is the brat does everything that would make a sane man lose his temper, the façade he holds starts to crack. She constantly tries to push his buttons, when he does not respond as she expects he should, it seems to make her worse. Their chemistry ramps up as they try to solve what happened to her sister and who is responsible. Looking forward to the next in the series.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy
From the moment we meet Matteo and Chloe, I knew this was going to be an unforgettable connection. Chloe is feisty and clever, while Matteo is probably the only ruthless, wicked man who can rein her in. And oh my gosh, when she kept poking his buttons, let's just say it went up in a blaze of glory. I found myself holding my breath to see how he was going to respond, and it was completely unexpected. A true wild ride between two very strong personalities with very different goals. I absolutely loved how the main focus was on their missions and their budding romance was a satisfying bonus.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Brutal Flame was exactly what I was looking for in a dark Italian mafia romance. The story had plenty of danger, possessiveness, secrets, and tension that kept me turning the pages. The chemistry between the characters was intense, and I loved the push-and-pull between them.
The mafia world added an exciting layer to the romance, and the drama kept me guessing about what would happen next. The characters had flaws, but that made their story feel even more compelling. If you enjoy dark mafia romances with a possessive hero, forbidden attraction, and plenty of twists, this is definitely one to add to your list!
The mafia world added an exciting layer to the romance, and the drama kept me guessing about what would happen next. The characters had flaws, but that made their story feel even more compelling. If you enjoy dark mafia romances with a possessive hero, forbidden attraction, and plenty of twists, this is definitely one to add to your list!
August 9, 2026
This series just keeps getting better! You get the same Vesperi family we are coming to know and love but also a new spit-fire (some pun intended) that brings Cher own brand of chaos. Matteo has flinched away from others for a very long time, for a very good reason of course, but he learns to trust again. Chloe has been overlooked and mislabeled her whole life and finally gets someone that sees into her soul. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll come out the other side ready for more. I can’t wait for book three!
Review of advance copy received from Author
5 Stars for Brutal Flame by ( new for me ) authors Wren Fox and Sable Sinclair
This is a very well written mafia dark romance ! What you will find :
Warring mafia families
Treachery , deception and betrayal
Strong MFC
Underboss who understands loyalty
Great chemistry between Matteo and Chloe
Loved it ! Page Turner ! I will definitely check out more by this author! This is the kind of read that pulled at my heart strings !.
I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a very well written mafia dark romance ! What you will find :
Warring mafia families
Treachery , deception and betrayal
Strong MFC
Underboss who understands loyalty
Great chemistry between Matteo and Chloe
Loved it ! Page Turner ! I will definitely check out more by this author! This is the kind of read that pulled at my heart strings !.
I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy
Chloe was on a mission to find out what happened to her sister 2yrs ago in rome when she was sent to the Vesperis, and so she caused problems till her father sent her, but that doesnt stop her, not even Matteo whose tasked with handeling her, but he just watches and waits and she burns the world around him, but will it be enough to find her sister? Or will another type of fire burn them? Well written the story and characters draw you in with steamy desires, high emotions, twists and more.
August 16, 2026
While this book has some hard-to-read subject matter and is dark, there is such a light in it as well. The way Matteo and Chloe just get each other, and the healing happens not because it is worked for or forced, but because it is allowed to grow in the spaces. I absolutely loved this book. A new author to me, but one definitely worth keeping an eye on and reading more.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 17, 2026
You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll swoon, and probably yell at your Kindle a few times for good measure. This story has all the feels, plenty of family chaos, and just enough spice to keep things interesting. I loved every minute of it and am already impatiently waiting for Book Three! Give it to me NOW, please and thank you. 😍🔥.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 26, 2026
This story draws you into A story filled with passion violence and The way of life
I enjoyed this story so much I tried reading it 1 day couldn't do it woke up early the next morning to finish it. The characters were Enticing keeping the story moving along. The storyline The storyline was 1 that had many twists and turns even though you could figure out some ahead of time. I will be reading more of this series because characters are just so likable.
I enjoyed this story so much I tried reading it 1 day couldn't do it woke up early the next morning to finish it. The characters were Enticing keeping the story moving along. The storyline The storyline was 1 that had many twists and turns even though you could figure out some ahead of time. I will be reading more of this series because characters are just so likable.
August 16, 2026
Brutal Flame: A Dark Italian Mafia Brat Romance (Vesperi Empire Book 2) By: Wren Fox and Sable Sinclair. Mateo Vesperi has experienced the worst being tortured, his nightmares are nonstop. He meets Chloe Ferraro who was dropped off as leverage. Chloe love to burn and somehow she becomes Mateo fascination. It’s a story with many twist and turn . I so enjoyed it and look forward to Enzo story.
August 17, 2026
Wow, just wow!! I was sucked in right from the start and not let go until the end. Matteo and Chloe seem like such an unlikely pair, but he balances her out perfectly. It was so amazing to watch as they connected. So great!!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 5, 2026
They are 2 people "hunting a ghost through old compound records."
This is Chloe and Matteo's dark, intense love story that involves a secret investigation that burns hot. Their relationship begins with sparks, smolders and then heats up as passion blazes. Chloe and Matter are surrounded by danger, violence, betrayal and difficult truths. Excellent book and series!
This is Chloe and Matteo's dark, intense love story that involves a secret investigation that burns hot. Their relationship begins with sparks, smolders and then heats up as passion blazes. Chloe and Matter are surrounded by danger, violence, betrayal and difficult truths. Excellent book and series!
Review of advance copy
What a great Mafia book. Rival families, shooting and betrayal runs throughout. Matteo and Chloe find each other and both are damaged by their pasts. This book is not to be missed.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is a new to me author and I enjoyed every moment of this read. You can't help but love a woman who gets under the skin of a tough Alpha man. This is an intense, thrilling read!! If you love dark, steamy, and full of chemistry you will love this book!!!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews