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Love and Honor: A Dark Mafia Romance
He ruined her…and doesn’t even remember it.
Lucia
I walked down the aisle in white…toward a devil waiting at the altar.
They gave me to him like a sacrifice.
My name became his.
But my heart? It was never his to take.
It belonged to another man.
The devil’s enemy, his own blood.
Antonio Bruni.
The one I’d loved in silence for years…
The one I thought would be my escape.
I was wrong.
Because long before I ever took my first breath, my fate had already been promised…
Not to the man at the altar.
But to him.
A buried secret.
One no one ever spoke of.
One he was never supposed to know.
And yet…he did.
Because when he stepped out of the shadows on my wedding night, he wasn’t there to save me. He was there to take what he believed was already his—hard, raw, and without mercy.
He ruined me before my own husband could.
Then walked away…only to come back for what he left unfinished.
My soul.
Now I’m trapped between two monsters.
One who would kill to protect his honor…
And one who would burn the world to take back what was stolen from him.
And me?
I’m the line between them.
The sin. The weapon. The betrayal.
Because in this world, love is weakness…
And honor demands blood.
Love & Honor is a dark mafia romance featuring an innocent heroine, a morally gray hero, betrayal, obsession, and heavy emotional tension in a dangerous mafia world. This is the second book in the Honor series. While reading Revenge & Honor first is recommended for a deeper understanding of the characters and world, this book can still be read as a complete standalone. No cliffhanger, and a guaranteed HEA.
Lucia
I walked down the aisle in white…toward a devil waiting at the altar.
They gave me to him like a sacrifice.
My name became his.
But my heart? It was never his to take.
It belonged to another man.
The devil’s enemy, his own blood.
Antonio Bruni.
The one I’d loved in silence for years…
The one I thought would be my escape.
I was wrong.
Because long before I ever took my first breath, my fate had already been promised…
Not to the man at the altar.
But to him.
A buried secret.
One no one ever spoke of.
One he was never supposed to know.
And yet…he did.
Because when he stepped out of the shadows on my wedding night, he wasn’t there to save me. He was there to take what he believed was already his—hard, raw, and without mercy.
He ruined me before my own husband could.
Then walked away…only to come back for what he left unfinished.
My soul.
Now I’m trapped between two monsters.
One who would kill to protect his honor…
And one who would burn the world to take back what was stolen from him.
And me?
I’m the line between them.
The sin. The weapon. The betrayal.
Because in this world, love is weakness…
And honor demands blood.
Love & Honor is a dark mafia romance featuring an innocent heroine, a morally gray hero, betrayal, obsession, and heavy emotional tension in a dangerous mafia world. This is the second book in the Honor series. While reading Revenge & Honor first is recommended for a deeper understanding of the characters and world, this book can still be read as a complete standalone. No cliffhanger, and a guaranteed HEA.
322 pages, Paperback
Published May 15, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
May 28, 2026
Lucia has liked Tony since she was 16, and he was the one she was supposed to marry. But her parents decided that they wanted money, so they agreed to a forced marriage with Carlos (Tony's cousin), also known as "The Wife Killer", stopping the original agreement. Carlos is a successful businessman and the next in line to become the capo of the most powerful mafia families. Lucia went through with it to make sure her brother, Fabiano, stayed safe.
Lucia was protective of those she loved to the point that she would put herself in a situation that she wasn't okay with just to make sure they were safe. Tony was dominant and possessive, but also had a cruel side. There was one part where I felt extreme anger towards him, as what he did was so mean, and I didn't know how they would move past it. I do wish there was a little more to it before she forgave him, but she doesn't do it right away, so he knows that he messed up. I think the things he did and said to her were because he was trying to protect himself from getting hurt, and because he thought she wanted Carlos, he wanted her to pay for it (but he really cared and wanted her). Despite their issues, their chemistry was high, passionate and intense, and the spice was steamy!
I was invested in the story of love, betrayal, lies, and all the intense emotions that come with life in a criminal underworld—a poor woman caught in a spiderweb of power and control. There was an interesting twist at the end that surprised me, and it doesn't happen all that often, but it worked with the story!
I enjoyed this book a little better than the first one and am excited for book 3!
Overall: 4.25 out of 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
Spice/Heat Intensity: 5 out of 5 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Main Characters: Toni, (Antonio) & Lucia
Darkness: 3 out of 5 🖤🖤🖤
Type of book: MF, Duel 1st Person POV
Reading Order: Standalone with interconnected characters. The first book will give you background on the characters, but you could read this without the first one.
Title: The Honor Series- Love and Honor: Book 2
Epilogue: Yes
Ending Type: HEA
*OTT: Possessive, obsessive, dominant, and protective MMC
*Eyes only for her
*Dub/Non Con
*Forced Marriages
*Mafia
*Enemies to Lovers
*V FMC
*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.
Lucia was protective of those she loved to the point that she would put herself in a situation that she wasn't okay with just to make sure they were safe. Tony was dominant and possessive, but also had a cruel side. There was one part where I felt extreme anger towards him, as what he did was so mean, and I didn't know how they would move past it. I do wish there was a little more to it before she forgave him, but she doesn't do it right away, so he knows that he messed up. I think the things he did and said to her were because he was trying to protect himself from getting hurt, and because he thought she wanted Carlos, he wanted her to pay for it (but he really cared and wanted her). Despite their issues, their chemistry was high, passionate and intense, and the spice was steamy!
I was invested in the story of love, betrayal, lies, and all the intense emotions that come with life in a criminal underworld—a poor woman caught in a spiderweb of power and control. There was an interesting twist at the end that surprised me, and it doesn't happen all that often, but it worked with the story!
I enjoyed this book a little better than the first one and am excited for book 3!
Overall: 4.25 out of 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
Spice/Heat Intensity: 5 out of 5 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Main Characters: Toni, (Antonio) & Lucia
Darkness: 3 out of 5 🖤🖤🖤
Type of book: MF, Duel 1st Person POV
Reading Order: Standalone with interconnected characters. The first book will give you background on the characters, but you could read this without the first one.
Title: The Honor Series- Love and Honor: Book 2
Epilogue: Yes
Ending Type: HEA
*OTT: Possessive, obsessive, dominant, and protective MMC
*Eyes only for her
*Dub/Non Con
*Forced Marriages
*Mafia
*Enemies to Lovers
*V FMC
*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.
May 23, 2026
It’s probably no surprise that after finishing the first book, these two — Lucia and Toni — were firmly on my shit list considering everything that happened. So my starting point with Lia was… let’s say skeptical, when I realized this book is their story, and it even has a h a p p y ending.
I honestly can’t remember the last time I read a book where I so genuinely wanted to slap some sense into the male lead. My anger toward Toni’s coldness and cruelty just kept growing instead of softening. Meanwhile Lucia had all my sympathy and worry from the very beginning.
Lucia is a brutal pawn in Toni and Carlo’s power struggle, and everything that happens drags the reader into such a storm of emotions that I was constantly on edge. I cried my eyes out at several points and held my breath more times than I can count. The plot is wickedly twisted and at the same time so addictive that I simply couldn’t put the book down.
I have to give Lia credit — I’ve never pouted at an author because of a plot twist, but dear god, I did that here. I had to fight myself to keep reading instead of sulking. And honestly, that’s kind of genius: getting the reader so deeply invested in the characters that you feel everything with them. Of course, the risk is that you might sulk so hard you can’t finish the book.
Somewhere deep, in the last possible corner of Toni’s soul, there is softness — we see glimpses of it throughout the book. And yes, even this cold, revenge‑driven mafia man loves Lucia, but his ability to understand and show it is… lacking. And when both characters have the temperament of an inferno and stubbornness harder than stone, the result is a mix of hilarious, horrifying, and heartbreaking moments.
Against all expectations, I ended up loving this couple, and now I’m genuinely excited for the third book — the story I’ve been waiting for since the beginning.
I honestly can’t remember the last time I read a book where I so genuinely wanted to slap some sense into the male lead. My anger toward Toni’s coldness and cruelty just kept growing instead of softening. Meanwhile Lucia had all my sympathy and worry from the very beginning.
Lucia is a brutal pawn in Toni and Carlo’s power struggle, and everything that happens drags the reader into such a storm of emotions that I was constantly on edge. I cried my eyes out at several points and held my breath more times than I can count. The plot is wickedly twisted and at the same time so addictive that I simply couldn’t put the book down.
I have to give Lia credit — I’ve never pouted at an author because of a plot twist, but dear god, I did that here. I had to fight myself to keep reading instead of sulking. And honestly, that’s kind of genius: getting the reader so deeply invested in the characters that you feel everything with them. Of course, the risk is that you might sulk so hard you can’t finish the book.
Somewhere deep, in the last possible corner of Toni’s soul, there is softness — we see glimpses of it throughout the book. And yes, even this cold, revenge‑driven mafia man loves Lucia, but his ability to understand and show it is… lacking. And when both characters have the temperament of an inferno and stubbornness harder than stone, the result is a mix of hilarious, horrifying, and heartbreaking moments.
Against all expectations, I ended up loving this couple, and now I’m genuinely excited for the third book — the story I’ve been waiting for since the beginning.
May 25, 2026
Love and Honor by Lia Lamar completely hooked me almost immediately and kept me invested the entire way through.
Plot: The story flowed really well and I found it hard to put down once I started. There were a few moments where I got a little confused about how much time had passed between scenes or chapters, but it usually became clear pretty quickly so it never fully pulled me out of the story.
Characters: Lucia and Tony definitely carried this book. Lucia was born into the mafia life and fully understood what was expected of her from the beginning. She was promised to Tony before she was even born, but greed and power changed everything. Through everything she endured, Lucia stayed incredibly brave, especially when it came to protecting her brother, Fabiano.
Tony though… whew 😅 That man spent about 99% of this book being an asshole. He repeatedly crossed lines with Lucia and there were multiple dub-con scenes that honestly made it hard for me to like him for a large part of the story. As the reader, you can tell it all stems from his feelings for her and his desire to keep her, but he himself doesn’t even fully recognize it at first. Once he finally DOES realize how he feels, his character becomes a thousand times better and by the end I actually found myself liking him. Still not making my book boyfriend list though 😭
Spice: If you enjoy dub-con, the scenes were written really well. For me personally though, there were just a few too many dub-con moments and not enough fully consensual scenes.
Ending: The last few chapters genuinely made me cry 😭 As a mother especially, my heart absolutely broke during certain moments and I can’t even imagine going through that kind of pain. The epilogue honestly felt a little unnecessary to me though. I think if it had focused on a different moment, I would have enjoyed it a lot more.
Plot: The story flowed really well and I found it hard to put down once I started. There were a few moments where I got a little confused about how much time had passed between scenes or chapters, but it usually became clear pretty quickly so it never fully pulled me out of the story.
Characters: Lucia and Tony definitely carried this book. Lucia was born into the mafia life and fully understood what was expected of her from the beginning. She was promised to Tony before she was even born, but greed and power changed everything. Through everything she endured, Lucia stayed incredibly brave, especially when it came to protecting her brother, Fabiano.
Tony though… whew 😅 That man spent about 99% of this book being an asshole. He repeatedly crossed lines with Lucia and there were multiple dub-con scenes that honestly made it hard for me to like him for a large part of the story. As the reader, you can tell it all stems from his feelings for her and his desire to keep her, but he himself doesn’t even fully recognize it at first. Once he finally DOES realize how he feels, his character becomes a thousand times better and by the end I actually found myself liking him. Still not making my book boyfriend list though 😭
Spice: If you enjoy dub-con, the scenes were written really well. For me personally though, there were just a few too many dub-con moments and not enough fully consensual scenes.
Ending: The last few chapters genuinely made me cry 😭 As a mother especially, my heart absolutely broke during certain moments and I can’t even imagine going through that kind of pain. The epilogue honestly felt a little unnecessary to me though. I think if it had focused on a different moment, I would have enjoyed it a lot more.
May 25, 2026
Love and Honor by Lia Lamar completely hooked me from the very first chapters and never let go. This was one of those rare books I picked up intending to read “just a few chapters” and somehow ended up binging in a single day because I physically could not put it down. The pacing flowed effortlessly, the writing was immersive and easy to follow, and every chapter seemed to leave me wanting more. There were a few moments where the timeline between scenes or chapters felt slightly unclear, but the confusion never lasted long enough to pull me out of the story.
What truly made this book stand out was the complexity of the characters and relationships. Lucia and Tony absolutely carried this story. Lucia was born into the mafia world and understood from childhood what her future was supposed to look like. Promised to Tony before she was even born, her life is ultimately shaped by greed, betrayal, and power struggles that completely derail what should have been. Despite everything thrown at her, Lucia remains incredibly strong and resilient, especially when it comes to protecting her younger brother, Fabiano. One of my favorite parts of the novel was watching her growth throughout the story. She refuses to simply bend to Tony’s will, and seeing her challenge him instead of submitting made her feel so much more compelling than many mafia romance heroines.
And then there’s Tony… honestly, for most of this book, he is a complete asshole 😅 He’s possessive, cruel at times, and repeatedly crosses lines with Lucia, which made him difficult to like for a large portion of the story. There are several dub-con scenes throughout the novel, and while they were undeniably written with intensity and emotional tension, there were moments where I personally wished there had been more fully consensual interactions between them. Readers who enjoy darker mafia romances and dub-con dynamics will probably appreciate how well those scenes are executed, but for me there were just a few too many. Still, what makes Tony work as a character is that beneath all of his brutality and control, you can clearly see how deeply his feelings for Lucia run long before he’s willing to admit it himself. Once he finally recognizes what she truly means to him, his character development becomes incredibly satisfying. By the end of the book, I was shocked to realize how attached I had become to him.
The chemistry between Lucia and Tony was absolutely addictive. Their relationship is built on years of resentment, longing, betrayal, obligation, and buried feelings, which made every interaction feel layered and meaningful. The hatred and tension between them in the beginning was delicious, and I loved that their connection evolved gradually instead of relying on insta-lust. The romance felt far more emotionally complex than many mafia romances, and that’s what made it so memorable. Even the side characters felt fully developed and important to the story, which made the world feel richer and more believable.
Without giving too much away, the premise itself immediately grabbed my attention. Lucia being promised to Carlo — “The Wife-Killer” — was enough to hook me instantly, and once Antonio entered the picture, the story only became darker, deeper, and more emotionally intense. This genuinely felt like a mafia romance done right: morally gray characters, messy emotions, meaningful intimacy, family loyalty, power struggles, and consequences that actually carried emotional weight.
The final chapters absolutely wrecked me emotionally. As a mother especially, some scenes were heartbreaking in a way that lingered long after I finished reading. I genuinely teared up during parts of the ending because the emotional pain felt so raw and real. The epilogue, however, felt slightly unnecessary to me. I think ending on a different moment would have made the conclusion stronger emotionally, but it didn’t ruin my overall experience at all.
Overall, Love and Honor was everything I want in a dark mafia romance: emotionally charged, addictive, intense, and filled with flawed but unforgettable characters. It perfectly delivered on the morally gray mafia hero, the unplanned pregnancy trope, and the slow emotional unraveling between two people bound together long before they truly understood each other. Lucia and Tony easily became one of my favorite romance couples of the year, and this book is absolutely one I’ll be recommending to anyone looking for a darker, more emotionally layered mafia romance.
What truly made this book stand out was the complexity of the characters and relationships. Lucia and Tony absolutely carried this story. Lucia was born into the mafia world and understood from childhood what her future was supposed to look like. Promised to Tony before she was even born, her life is ultimately shaped by greed, betrayal, and power struggles that completely derail what should have been. Despite everything thrown at her, Lucia remains incredibly strong and resilient, especially when it comes to protecting her younger brother, Fabiano. One of my favorite parts of the novel was watching her growth throughout the story. She refuses to simply bend to Tony’s will, and seeing her challenge him instead of submitting made her feel so much more compelling than many mafia romance heroines.
And then there’s Tony… honestly, for most of this book, he is a complete asshole 😅 He’s possessive, cruel at times, and repeatedly crosses lines with Lucia, which made him difficult to like for a large portion of the story. There are several dub-con scenes throughout the novel, and while they were undeniably written with intensity and emotional tension, there were moments where I personally wished there had been more fully consensual interactions between them. Readers who enjoy darker mafia romances and dub-con dynamics will probably appreciate how well those scenes are executed, but for me there were just a few too many. Still, what makes Tony work as a character is that beneath all of his brutality and control, you can clearly see how deeply his feelings for Lucia run long before he’s willing to admit it himself. Once he finally recognizes what she truly means to him, his character development becomes incredibly satisfying. By the end of the book, I was shocked to realize how attached I had become to him.
The chemistry between Lucia and Tony was absolutely addictive. Their relationship is built on years of resentment, longing, betrayal, obligation, and buried feelings, which made every interaction feel layered and meaningful. The hatred and tension between them in the beginning was delicious, and I loved that their connection evolved gradually instead of relying on insta-lust. The romance felt far more emotionally complex than many mafia romances, and that’s what made it so memorable. Even the side characters felt fully developed and important to the story, which made the world feel richer and more believable.
Without giving too much away, the premise itself immediately grabbed my attention. Lucia being promised to Carlo — “The Wife-Killer” — was enough to hook me instantly, and once Antonio entered the picture, the story only became darker, deeper, and more emotionally intense. This genuinely felt like a mafia romance done right: morally gray characters, messy emotions, meaningful intimacy, family loyalty, power struggles, and consequences that actually carried emotional weight.
The final chapters absolutely wrecked me emotionally. As a mother especially, some scenes were heartbreaking in a way that lingered long after I finished reading. I genuinely teared up during parts of the ending because the emotional pain felt so raw and real. The epilogue, however, felt slightly unnecessary to me. I think ending on a different moment would have made the conclusion stronger emotionally, but it didn’t ruin my overall experience at all.
Overall, Love and Honor was everything I want in a dark mafia romance: emotionally charged, addictive, intense, and filled with flawed but unforgettable characters. It perfectly delivered on the morally gray mafia hero, the unplanned pregnancy trope, and the slow emotional unraveling between two people bound together long before they truly understood each other. Lucia and Tony easily became one of my favorite romance couples of the year, and this book is absolutely one I’ll be recommending to anyone looking for a darker, more emotionally layered mafia romance.
May 28, 2026
Love & Honor by Lia Lamar completely consumed me from the very first chapters ❤️🔥 This was one of those books I picked up intending to read “just a few chapters” & somehow ended up binging in a single day because I physically could not put it down. The writing was immersive, emotional, addictive, & so easy to get lost in. Every chapter pulled me deeper into this brutal mafia world full of betrayal, obsession, tension, & morally gray characters who completely took over my thoughts.
Without giving too much away, Lucia is promised to Carlo — a man known as “The Wife-Killer” — which immediately hooked me. But once Antonio “Toni” Bruni enters the story, everything becomes darker, messier, & far more intense than I expected. Lucia was promised to Toni long before she was even born, but greed, power struggles, betrayal, & family politics completely destroy what should have been. What follows is such a twisted, addictive story about love, revenge, obsession, loyalty, & two people who were always destined for each other even while trying to destroy one another.
Lucia was SUCH a strong FMC ❤️ Born into the mafia world, she fully understands from childhood what is expected of her, but that never stops her from fighting back. One of my favorite parts of this story was watching her growth throughout the book. Despite everything she endures, Lucia remains incredibly brave, especially when it comes to protecting her younger brother Fabiano. I loved that she challenged Toni constantly instead of simply bending to his will. She was resilient, stubborn, vulnerable, & honestly carried so much of the impact of this story.
And then there’s Toni 😮💨🔥 Whew. This man put me THROUGH IT. For a large portion of this book, I genuinely wanted to knock some sense into him because he was cold, cruel, emotionally repressed, obsessive, possessive, & repeatedly crossed lines with Lucia. He spends most of the story consumed by revenge, anger, & his desperate need to keep Lucia as his, even when he doesn’t fully understand his own feelings yet.
What makes Toni such an unforgettable character though is the fact that underneath all the cruelty, rage, & control issues, there are tiny glimpses of softness buried deep inside him. You can see how much Lucia truly means to him long before he’s capable of admitting it himself. Once Toni finally realizes the depth of his feelings, his unraveling becomes incredibly addictive to watch. Against all expectations, I ended up loving him by the end — definitely one of the most memorable mafia MMCs I’ve read in a long time.
The chemistry between Lucia & Toni was absolutely addictive ❤️🔥 Their relationship is built on years of resentment, buried longing, betrayal, obligation, obsession, & inner conflict, which made every interaction between them feel layered & meaningful. The hatred & tension between them in the beginning was DELICIOUS. I loved that their relationship evolved gradually instead of relying on insta-lust because it made every breakthrough hit even harder. Their connection felt messy, painful, toxic at times, but also deeply layered in a way that made this romance stand out from so many others in the genre.
I also really appreciated how well-developed the side characters felt throughout the story. Everyone felt important to the world & added something meaningful to the plot. The power struggles, betrayals, secrets, family dynamics, & consequences throughout the story made the mafia world feel darker, richer, & far more realistic than many mafia romances I’ve read.
Overall, Love & Honor was everything I want in a dark mafia romance ❤️🔥 Twisted, addictive, morally messy, tension-filled, & impossible to stop thinking about. Between the obsession, betrayal, morally gray hero, unplanned pregnancy trope, & the beautifully messy relationship between Lucia & Toni, this book easily became one of my favorite mafia romances of the year. If you love darker romances filled with layered relationships, dangerous devotion, & flawed characters who completely consume each other, this one absolutely deserves a spot on your TBR.
Without giving too much away, Lucia is promised to Carlo — a man known as “The Wife-Killer” — which immediately hooked me. But once Antonio “Toni” Bruni enters the story, everything becomes darker, messier, & far more intense than I expected. Lucia was promised to Toni long before she was even born, but greed, power struggles, betrayal, & family politics completely destroy what should have been. What follows is such a twisted, addictive story about love, revenge, obsession, loyalty, & two people who were always destined for each other even while trying to destroy one another.
Lucia was SUCH a strong FMC ❤️ Born into the mafia world, she fully understands from childhood what is expected of her, but that never stops her from fighting back. One of my favorite parts of this story was watching her growth throughout the book. Despite everything she endures, Lucia remains incredibly brave, especially when it comes to protecting her younger brother Fabiano. I loved that she challenged Toni constantly instead of simply bending to his will. She was resilient, stubborn, vulnerable, & honestly carried so much of the impact of this story.
And then there’s Toni 😮💨🔥 Whew. This man put me THROUGH IT. For a large portion of this book, I genuinely wanted to knock some sense into him because he was cold, cruel, emotionally repressed, obsessive, possessive, & repeatedly crossed lines with Lucia. He spends most of the story consumed by revenge, anger, & his desperate need to keep Lucia as his, even when he doesn’t fully understand his own feelings yet.
What makes Toni such an unforgettable character though is the fact that underneath all the cruelty, rage, & control issues, there are tiny glimpses of softness buried deep inside him. You can see how much Lucia truly means to him long before he’s capable of admitting it himself. Once Toni finally realizes the depth of his feelings, his unraveling becomes incredibly addictive to watch. Against all expectations, I ended up loving him by the end — definitely one of the most memorable mafia MMCs I’ve read in a long time.
The chemistry between Lucia & Toni was absolutely addictive ❤️🔥 Their relationship is built on years of resentment, buried longing, betrayal, obligation, obsession, & inner conflict, which made every interaction between them feel layered & meaningful. The hatred & tension between them in the beginning was DELICIOUS. I loved that their relationship evolved gradually instead of relying on insta-lust because it made every breakthrough hit even harder. Their connection felt messy, painful, toxic at times, but also deeply layered in a way that made this romance stand out from so many others in the genre.
I also really appreciated how well-developed the side characters felt throughout the story. Everyone felt important to the world & added something meaningful to the plot. The power struggles, betrayals, secrets, family dynamics, & consequences throughout the story made the mafia world feel darker, richer, & far more realistic than many mafia romances I’ve read.
Overall, Love & Honor was everything I want in a dark mafia romance ❤️🔥 Twisted, addictive, morally messy, tension-filled, & impossible to stop thinking about. Between the obsession, betrayal, morally gray hero, unplanned pregnancy trope, & the beautifully messy relationship between Lucia & Toni, this book easily became one of my favorite mafia romances of the year. If you love darker romances filled with layered relationships, dangerous devotion, & flawed characters who completely consume each other, this one absolutely deserves a spot on your TBR.
May 29, 2026
Love & Honor by Lia Lamar completely consumed me from the very first chapter. While I went into this expecting a standard, high-stakes mafia romance, I was surprised by how much heart, vulnerability, and genuine emotional weight were woven into the narrative.
The plot is as dark and twisted as the genre demands. Lucia is promised to the ruthless, "Wife-Killer" Carlo, despite being originally betrothed to Antonio “Toni” Bruni long before she was born. This betrayal sets off a chain of power struggles, family politics, and revenge that kept me hooked throughout.
Yet, the story is far more than just plot-driven drama; it is a character-driven journey that feels surprisingly intimate. The author takes the time to build the emotional history between these characters rather than rushing for shock value, which made the intense scenes hit even harder.
Lucia is a standout heroine—resilient, stubborn, and deeply protective of her younger brother, Fabiano.
Watching her refuse to bend to the will of the mafia world, and specifically to Toni, was a highlight of the book.
Toni himself is a complex, morally gray hero who put me through the wringer. He is cold, possessive, and cruel, but the tiny, buried glimpses of his devotion kept me fully invested.
Watching him slowly unravel as he finally realizes the depth of his feelings was deeply satisfying and made him one of the most memorable MMCs I have read in a long time.
The chemistry between them is layered and addictive. Their relationship is not based on instant gratification, but on years of resentment, buried longing, and intense inner conflict. It is messy, painful, and at times toxic, but it feels earned and authentic.
Because the author took the time to craft their dynamic with such care, there were quiet, devastating moments in the story that forced me to pause and truly process the weight of what I had just read.
The side characters and the dangerous political landscape added a richness to the setting that made the world feel darker and more realistic than many other mafia romances.
Love & Honor is everything I want in a dark romance: a perfect balance of tension, danger, and raw emotion. It is a haunting, chaotic, and beautiful ride that has easily become one of my favorite reads of the year.
The plot is as dark and twisted as the genre demands. Lucia is promised to the ruthless, "Wife-Killer" Carlo, despite being originally betrothed to Antonio “Toni” Bruni long before she was born. This betrayal sets off a chain of power struggles, family politics, and revenge that kept me hooked throughout.
Yet, the story is far more than just plot-driven drama; it is a character-driven journey that feels surprisingly intimate. The author takes the time to build the emotional history between these characters rather than rushing for shock value, which made the intense scenes hit even harder.
Lucia is a standout heroine—resilient, stubborn, and deeply protective of her younger brother, Fabiano.
Watching her refuse to bend to the will of the mafia world, and specifically to Toni, was a highlight of the book.
Toni himself is a complex, morally gray hero who put me through the wringer. He is cold, possessive, and cruel, but the tiny, buried glimpses of his devotion kept me fully invested.
Watching him slowly unravel as he finally realizes the depth of his feelings was deeply satisfying and made him one of the most memorable MMCs I have read in a long time.
The chemistry between them is layered and addictive. Their relationship is not based on instant gratification, but on years of resentment, buried longing, and intense inner conflict. It is messy, painful, and at times toxic, but it feels earned and authentic.
Because the author took the time to craft their dynamic with such care, there were quiet, devastating moments in the story that forced me to pause and truly process the weight of what I had just read.
The side characters and the dangerous political landscape added a richness to the setting that made the world feel darker and more realistic than many other mafia romances.
Love & Honor is everything I want in a dark romance: a perfect balance of tension, danger, and raw emotion. It is a haunting, chaotic, and beautiful ride that has easily become one of my favorite reads of the year.
May 27, 2026
ARC read from the author....
I've been waiting for this book since finishing Revenge and Honor. It did not disappoint.
I didn't want to like Tony since he was an a** in the 1st book and it took a bit to get past his arrogance in this book. Once he and Lucia were alone and their story developed, it was plain to see how he felt about her. Admittedly, he has a funny way of showing her he cares. It's hard to imagine how Lucia can be such a strong woman, but obey Tony's every command. However, as the book progresses, it becomes clearer that he doesn't take her strength away. He's making decisions for her so she doesn't need to be strong all the time. He's dominant. She knew that and accepts him. He's her protector. He'd burn the world down for her. It took the birth of their daughter for him to realize his feelings, but he got there. They are finally in a good place..but always waiting for the past to catch up.
When the inevitable happens and Lucia and Antonia are taken away from him by Carlo, you can feel his desperation to get to them. He's shattered. Carlo is still holding a grudge from 5 years ago. We find out what Emily went through after Tony and Lucia ran away. It's heartbreaking and we understand a little more why Carlo is still upset. It's tragic when Lucia stays with Tony and sends her daughter away knowing they are going to die. That's the kind of love they have. Thankfully, Emily's heart isn't as cold as her husband's. She saves them and they are able to reunite with Antonia. Do they live happily ever after? We don't find out by the end of the book... but there is a bonus short story (Stained Honor) that explains how and why Emily did what she did and the fallout from her actions. Definitely suggest reading this.
This story line isn't for everyone. The characters behaviors and actions are not considered to be normal... but it's a story... with a happy ending-ish. Read the triggers. Obviously, if any of them are offensive to you, you may want to reconsider these books.
I've been waiting for this book since finishing Revenge and Honor. It did not disappoint.
I didn't want to like Tony since he was an a** in the 1st book and it took a bit to get past his arrogance in this book. Once he and Lucia were alone and their story developed, it was plain to see how he felt about her. Admittedly, he has a funny way of showing her he cares. It's hard to imagine how Lucia can be such a strong woman, but obey Tony's every command. However, as the book progresses, it becomes clearer that he doesn't take her strength away. He's making decisions for her so she doesn't need to be strong all the time. He's dominant. She knew that and accepts him. He's her protector. He'd burn the world down for her. It took the birth of their daughter for him to realize his feelings, but he got there. They are finally in a good place..but always waiting for the past to catch up.
When the inevitable happens and Lucia and Antonia are taken away from him by Carlo, you can feel his desperation to get to them. He's shattered. Carlo is still holding a grudge from 5 years ago. We find out what Emily went through after Tony and Lucia ran away. It's heartbreaking and we understand a little more why Carlo is still upset. It's tragic when Lucia stays with Tony and sends her daughter away knowing they are going to die. That's the kind of love they have. Thankfully, Emily's heart isn't as cold as her husband's. She saves them and they are able to reunite with Antonia. Do they live happily ever after? We don't find out by the end of the book... but there is a bonus short story (Stained Honor) that explains how and why Emily did what she did and the fallout from her actions. Definitely suggest reading this.
This story line isn't for everyone. The characters behaviors and actions are not considered to be normal... but it's a story... with a happy ending-ish. Read the triggers. Obviously, if any of them are offensive to you, you may want to reconsider these books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 23, 2026
Thank you to the author Lia Lamar for the eARC copy! All opinions are my own.
Five Stars!!
It has been a while since I binged a book in a whole day and thoroughly loved it! One of the very few where there's a highlight for practically every chapter. The writing was stellar and easy to understand what was happening in their world. Without giving too much away, Lucia is promised to a man named Carlo aka The Wife-Killer. Immediately that grabbed my attention then we met the MMC, Antonio who was Lucia's first love from afar and the story gets deeper from there.
Finally, a mafia romance done properly and more realistic than most in my eyes. Love that this is more complex between the characters than lust. The sex scenes are meaningful and add to the tension in the story. I appreciate that the main characters and even the background characters were written so well I felt like I knew them. Love and Honor is exactly what I'm looking for in the unplanned pregnancy trope with a morally gray MMC.
As for the characters themselves, Lucia and Tony worked perfectly together. I liked watching her character growth and seeing an FMC finally challenge Tony instead of bending to his will. Antonio! He is the exact villainous morally grey mafia man I crave to read about. The hatred Tony and Lucia have towards each other was absolutely delicious! I loved how Tony gradually warmed up to Lucia and it wasn't forced or insta lust.
Overall Love and Honor is chef's kiss in mafia romance and quite possibly one of my new favorites to recommend! Lucia and Tony are one of top couples from romance this year. I cannot wait to sign up for an ARC of the next book! Thank you again to the author, Lia Lamar.
Five Stars!!
It has been a while since I binged a book in a whole day and thoroughly loved it! One of the very few where there's a highlight for practically every chapter. The writing was stellar and easy to understand what was happening in their world. Without giving too much away, Lucia is promised to a man named Carlo aka The Wife-Killer. Immediately that grabbed my attention then we met the MMC, Antonio who was Lucia's first love from afar and the story gets deeper from there.
Finally, a mafia romance done properly and more realistic than most in my eyes. Love that this is more complex between the characters than lust. The sex scenes are meaningful and add to the tension in the story. I appreciate that the main characters and even the background characters were written so well I felt like I knew them. Love and Honor is exactly what I'm looking for in the unplanned pregnancy trope with a morally gray MMC.
As for the characters themselves, Lucia and Tony worked perfectly together. I liked watching her character growth and seeing an FMC finally challenge Tony instead of bending to his will. Antonio! He is the exact villainous morally grey mafia man I crave to read about. The hatred Tony and Lucia have towards each other was absolutely delicious! I loved how Tony gradually warmed up to Lucia and it wasn't forced or insta lust.
Overall Love and Honor is chef's kiss in mafia romance and quite possibly one of my new favorites to recommend! Lucia and Tony are one of top couples from romance this year. I cannot wait to sign up for an ARC of the next book! Thank you again to the author, Lia Lamar.
May 28, 2026
Read your trigger carefully 😁👍🏽
It's Lucia and Tony story 😃 IYKYK 🙈
" No one touches you but me . Ever .no one is even Allowed to look at you "
In this book , we get to see the other side of the story which is darker and has more violence and more suffering.
Tony is so unhinged and unbearable most of the book , I read so many dark romances but for me he is the most unhinged one , as he is cruel to Lucia , he doesn't understand his feelings till there are huge consequences and high prices to be paid.
Lucia suffered a lot from the beginning, I was surprised with how she got into this mess , I was really mad at everyone who treated her like a puppet in their hands and she didn't know what she can do to save her brother 🥺
It bothers me that even Tony was bad to her , What the hell is wrong with him 😑😑
Tony was belittling her and he was a complete monster and an as*hole who only wanted revenge and he was trying to hurt Carlo by using Lucia even when she did what he wanted and left with him 😑 😑 which made me mad like 50% in the book.
Chapter 16, 😱😱 oh my god my heart was in my throat, my heart was beating so fast , this chapter grabbed me I was so intrigued with what Tony was planning and how Lucia will react .
The twists in this book happens in a time that you think everything is fine and nothing bad will ever happen 🙈
The last 10% of the book broke my heart completely, I got tears in my eyes for them and for Antonia 😭😭😭 I didn't expect to feel bad as from the beginning I didn't have any empathy for them they are cheaters no matter what but god I wanted a miracle to happen so bad 🥺
Emily still my favorite, she is the best ❤️❤️😍😍 I love her 😍😍 still Carlo and Emily are my favorite couples ❤️❤️❤️
It's Lucia and Tony story 😃 IYKYK 🙈
" No one touches you but me . Ever .no one is even Allowed to look at you "
In this book , we get to see the other side of the story which is darker and has more violence and more suffering.
Tony is so unhinged and unbearable most of the book , I read so many dark romances but for me he is the most unhinged one , as he is cruel to Lucia , he doesn't understand his feelings till there are huge consequences and high prices to be paid.
Lucia suffered a lot from the beginning, I was surprised with how she got into this mess , I was really mad at everyone who treated her like a puppet in their hands and she didn't know what she can do to save her brother 🥺
It bothers me that even Tony was bad to her , What the hell is wrong with him 😑😑
Tony was belittling her and he was a complete monster and an as*hole who only wanted revenge and he was trying to hurt Carlo by using Lucia even when she did what he wanted and left with him 😑 😑 which made me mad like 50% in the book.
Chapter 16, 😱😱 oh my god my heart was in my throat, my heart was beating so fast , this chapter grabbed me I was so intrigued with what Tony was planning and how Lucia will react .
The twists in this book happens in a time that you think everything is fine and nothing bad will ever happen 🙈
The last 10% of the book broke my heart completely, I got tears in my eyes for them and for Antonia 😭😭😭 I didn't expect to feel bad as from the beginning I didn't have any empathy for them they are cheaters no matter what but god I wanted a miracle to happen so bad 🥺
Emily still my favorite, she is the best ❤️❤️😍😍 I love her 😍😍 still Carlo and Emily are my favorite couples ❤️❤️❤️
May 26, 2026
The Bruni family are back… with a vengeance! This book takes place at the same time as “Revenge and Honor” and I would recommend reading that one first. The two overlap but the reader sees things from a different perspective and the focus is on the relationship between Antonio and Lucia.
I spent much of the book not liking Tony at all. He is vindictive and manipulative and the things he inflicts on Lucia are downright cruel. How Lucia puts up with it all astounds me but I understand why as she is besotted with him and always has been. She is caught between Antonio and Carlo who use her to further their vendetta against each other. Tony does have at least one redeeming feature though, his gradual realisation of what Lucia means to him.
Emily and Carlo from the first book also have major parts to play in.”Love and Honor” By the end of “Revenge and Honor” I had developed quite a soft spot for Carlo but I found myself doing a complete about turn and deciding he wasn’t a particularly nice character either. Full marks to the author for provoking such strong feelings in me about both of these male characters
This book is not for faint hearted; it’s dark and emotional with strong, brutish, stubborn Mafia men who, at times, don’t seem to have much of a conscience.. There are occasions when the characters are given near impossible choices but that is one of the things that makes this such an addictive read.
I spent much of the book not liking Tony at all. He is vindictive and manipulative and the things he inflicts on Lucia are downright cruel. How Lucia puts up with it all astounds me but I understand why as she is besotted with him and always has been. She is caught between Antonio and Carlo who use her to further their vendetta against each other. Tony does have at least one redeeming feature though, his gradual realisation of what Lucia means to him.
Emily and Carlo from the first book also have major parts to play in.”Love and Honor” By the end of “Revenge and Honor” I had developed quite a soft spot for Carlo but I found myself doing a complete about turn and deciding he wasn’t a particularly nice character either. Full marks to the author for provoking such strong feelings in me about both of these male characters
This book is not for faint hearted; it’s dark and emotional with strong, brutish, stubborn Mafia men who, at times, don’t seem to have much of a conscience.. There are occasions when the characters are given near impossible choices but that is one of the things that makes this such an addictive read.
May 27, 2026
🖤 my review for Love And Honor 🖤
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶🌶
This book was a roller-coaster full of emotions!!!
But holy shit I don't even remember the last time I read a book with a MMC that was being this level of an asshole.
I hated this character 80% of the book 😅
With that said I couldn't keep my hands off this book!! It was written so well and I got so invested in the MCs lives and feelings it was seriously hard to keep my own emotions in check! I cried more than I like to admit...
Toni was one of the coldest and most cruel MMC I've ever read about. He definitely had his moments when the softer side shine through but they were few and short-lived. He grew in my eyes about 80% into the book where he really showed a gentler side of him. And that HEA is worth waiting for!
Poor Lucia was a pawn in a war between Carlo and Toni. Both wanted power and she got in the middle. I was rooting for her the entire book! The plot in fantastic throughout the entire book! I was sitting on pins and needles more times than I can count.
The spice in this book contains a lot of dub-con moments but they, in my mind, are written really well.
In the end I ended up really liking Toni and Lucia as a couple! The road there was filled with twists and turns and sometimes I didn't even see the light at the end of the tunnel but it definitely is a HEA in the end of that book!
A huge thank you to Lia for gifting me this book! I truly enjoyed reading and reviewing it!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶🌶
This book was a roller-coaster full of emotions!!!
But holy shit I don't even remember the last time I read a book with a MMC that was being this level of an asshole.
I hated this character 80% of the book 😅
With that said I couldn't keep my hands off this book!! It was written so well and I got so invested in the MCs lives and feelings it was seriously hard to keep my own emotions in check! I cried more than I like to admit...
Toni was one of the coldest and most cruel MMC I've ever read about. He definitely had his moments when the softer side shine through but they were few and short-lived. He grew in my eyes about 80% into the book where he really showed a gentler side of him. And that HEA is worth waiting for!
Poor Lucia was a pawn in a war between Carlo and Toni. Both wanted power and she got in the middle. I was rooting for her the entire book! The plot in fantastic throughout the entire book! I was sitting on pins and needles more times than I can count.
The spice in this book contains a lot of dub-con moments but they, in my mind, are written really well.
In the end I ended up really liking Toni and Lucia as a couple! The road there was filled with twists and turns and sometimes I didn't even see the light at the end of the tunnel but it definitely is a HEA in the end of that book!
A huge thank you to Lia for gifting me this book! I truly enjoyed reading and reviewing it!
May 25, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Love and Honor by Lia Lamar was such an addictive read and a great continuation to the series. As book 2, I absolutely loved finally getting to read Tony and Lucia’s story because it made so many moments and scenes from book 1 make so much more sense.
The chemistry between the characters was intense, emotional, and completely pulled me into the story. The mix of romance, tension, drama, and mafia elements kept me hooked the entire time, and I found myself constantly wanting to know what would happen next.
The action in this book was very well written and balanced perfectly with the romance. Both elements worked so well together and made the story feel intense, emotional, and exciting the entire way through.
One of my favourite things about this book was getting more depth and understanding behind the characters and their relationships. Seeing everything unfold from Tony and Lucia’s perspective added so much more emotion to the overall story and made me even more invested in the series.
This book honestly left me wanting more, and I already cannot wait to continue the series and see what happens next.
If you love mafia romance with emotional tension, strong character connections, addictive storytelling, and well-written action and romance, I’d definitely recommend this series
Love and Honor by Lia Lamar was such an addictive read and a great continuation to the series. As book 2, I absolutely loved finally getting to read Tony and Lucia’s story because it made so many moments and scenes from book 1 make so much more sense.
The chemistry between the characters was intense, emotional, and completely pulled me into the story. The mix of romance, tension, drama, and mafia elements kept me hooked the entire time, and I found myself constantly wanting to know what would happen next.
The action in this book was very well written and balanced perfectly with the romance. Both elements worked so well together and made the story feel intense, emotional, and exciting the entire way through.
One of my favourite things about this book was getting more depth and understanding behind the characters and their relationships. Seeing everything unfold from Tony and Lucia’s perspective added so much more emotion to the overall story and made me even more invested in the series.
This book honestly left me wanting more, and I already cannot wait to continue the series and see what happens next.
If you love mafia romance with emotional tension, strong character connections, addictive storytelling, and well-written action and romance, I’d definitely recommend this series
May 28, 2026
Tony was meant to become the next Don of the Bruni family. But when his father dies, his uncle Fernando takes control and begins paving the way for his illegitimate son to inherit the title instead. Everything that was supposed to belong to Tony is slowly taken away from him.
Lucia was promised to Tony from the day she was born, but she too becomes another casualty of Don Fernando’s schemes when she is married off to Tony’s cousin, Carlo. However, Tony is not willing to let Lucia go so easily.
Love and Honor is the second book in the series and tells the story of Tony and Lucia. Throughout the novel, Lucia grows from an innocent young girl into a strong, stubborn woman willing to sacrifice everything for the people she loves — even when that love is not returned.
Everything Lucia endures would destroy most women, but instead it transforms her into someone powerful and impossible to break.
For much of the story, Tony is the kind of MMC you love to hate cruel, possessive, and driven by revenge against his cousin, using Lucia as part of that vengeance. Yet the chemistry and emotional tension between Tony and Lucia are what truly drive the story forward.
Love and Honor is a dark mafia romance filled with intense emotions, betrayal, revenge, and dangerous power plays.
Lucia was promised to Tony from the day she was born, but she too becomes another casualty of Don Fernando’s schemes when she is married off to Tony’s cousin, Carlo. However, Tony is not willing to let Lucia go so easily.
Love and Honor is the second book in the series and tells the story of Tony and Lucia. Throughout the novel, Lucia grows from an innocent young girl into a strong, stubborn woman willing to sacrifice everything for the people she loves — even when that love is not returned.
Everything Lucia endures would destroy most women, but instead it transforms her into someone powerful and impossible to break.
For much of the story, Tony is the kind of MMC you love to hate cruel, possessive, and driven by revenge against his cousin, using Lucia as part of that vengeance. Yet the chemistry and emotional tension between Tony and Lucia are what truly drive the story forward.
Love and Honor is a dark mafia romance filled with intense emotions, betrayal, revenge, and dangerous power plays.
May 22, 2026
Ugh, Toni, Toni... I wasn’t a big fan of his in the first book, and in this one, I straight-up hated him until about the halfway mark, haha! He is the textbook mafia hero - rough, manipulative, and at times, downright cruel. His dynamic with Lucia was anything but easy. From the very beginning, he treated her horribly just to fuel his twisted plans and land a blow against Carlo.
Lucia, on the other hand, was so innocent, gentle, and sometimes naive. She’s been in love with Toni since day one and is forced to marry someone else, even though she was promised to Toni before she was even born. Despite her feelings for him, she genuinely wanted to stay loyal to her marriage, but Toni—in his typical fashion—manipulated the hell out of her. Of course, he falls for her along the way, which is the only thing that saved him from being permanently canceled in my book!
They went through absolute hell to finally get to the point where they admit their love for each other.
The ending was incredibly emotional and gripping. Also, a quick tip for other readers: definitely subscribe to the author’s newsletter to get the bonus novella about Emily and Carlo!
Overall, a fantastic, emotion-packed book. I’m still crossing my fingers and waiting for Maxim’s book next. I really hope he's up!
Lucia, on the other hand, was so innocent, gentle, and sometimes naive. She’s been in love with Toni since day one and is forced to marry someone else, even though she was promised to Toni before she was even born. Despite her feelings for him, she genuinely wanted to stay loyal to her marriage, but Toni—in his typical fashion—manipulated the hell out of her. Of course, he falls for her along the way, which is the only thing that saved him from being permanently canceled in my book!
They went through absolute hell to finally get to the point where they admit their love for each other.
The ending was incredibly emotional and gripping. Also, a quick tip for other readers: definitely subscribe to the author’s newsletter to get the bonus novella about Emily and Carlo!
Overall, a fantastic, emotion-packed book. I’m still crossing my fingers and waiting for Maxim’s book next. I really hope he's up!
May 24, 2026
Forbidden Love✅ Forced Proximity ✅ Enemies to lovers ✅
You want to read Revenge and Honor before this. It’s the same timeline but from different perspectives. Heed the trigger warnings: pregnancy is a central topic and while the PPD isn’t as large a topic it is a very real and raw depiction and made me take a break for a couple of days before I could finish the book.
We meet Tony and Lucia in Revenge and Honor. We get a glimpse of them that doesn’t paint them in the best light. The rest of that book is focused on Emily and Carlo, whose story continues in Love and Honor.
Tony and Lucia started as a love story that never was. Then Tony decided to make it true. Lucia loved him from afar for a long time so she was a reluctant participant but couldn’t be considered blameless in the whole mess.
While things they do make them seem less awful, the MMCs in this series aren’t the lovable bad guys you want. They’re just bad guys that are slightly less awful to their leading ladies. And the FMCs? Making the best of a bad situation at best.
It is an engaging story and seeing the other side of the first book in this one was a great way to demonstrate how short sighted and small minded people are when led by pride over common sense.
You want to read Revenge and Honor before this. It’s the same timeline but from different perspectives. Heed the trigger warnings: pregnancy is a central topic and while the PPD isn’t as large a topic it is a very real and raw depiction and made me take a break for a couple of days before I could finish the book.
We meet Tony and Lucia in Revenge and Honor. We get a glimpse of them that doesn’t paint them in the best light. The rest of that book is focused on Emily and Carlo, whose story continues in Love and Honor.
Tony and Lucia started as a love story that never was. Then Tony decided to make it true. Lucia loved him from afar for a long time so she was a reluctant participant but couldn’t be considered blameless in the whole mess.
While things they do make them seem less awful, the MMCs in this series aren’t the lovable bad guys you want. They’re just bad guys that are slightly less awful to their leading ladies. And the FMCs? Making the best of a bad situation at best.
It is an engaging story and seeing the other side of the first book in this one was a great way to demonstrate how short sighted and small minded people are when led by pride over common sense.
May 22, 2026
What a book. This is certainly a book you won't put down until you finish it. This book follows Revenge and Honor which is Emily and Carlo's story. This book tells the story for Lucia and Tony. Lucia always knew she was promised to Tony, until her father decided she would become Carlo's wife. Knowing there was nothing she could do, she just had to go along with it. Tony couldn't believe it not only had Carlo took away his chance of becoming Don, but now he was taking the woman promised to him before she was even born. How was he going to get his own revenge. Being sent away from Italy to run Chicago was supposed to make everything better. All it did was make him brood more, he couldn't let go. So he planned. Lucia hides how she feels. Even to the one man she's always loved. The story is compelling and moves so fast that sometimes it makes you wonder how neither of them realise their true feelings. It was nice to see the softer side of Tony instead of the ruthless, arrogant person he plays so well. I couldn't get over the twist at the end. Please make sure to read the triggers as some parts may be hard for some. I can't wait to read what comes next
May 29, 2026
✨ ARC Review – Love and Honor by Lia Lamar ✨
Hear me out, my mafia girlies… this book?! I genuinely don’t even have the words.
At one point I seriously considered DNF’ing because Tony made me THAT mad. But am I glad I pushed through? Absolutely.
Before you dive into this one, make sure you’ve read Revenge and Honor first because there are definitely spoilers for book one.
I adored Carlo and Emily in the first book and couldn’t stand Tony and Lucia. Then somehow this book had me almost hating Carlo (almost… let’s not get carried away 😂).
Tony, our MMC, proper pissed me off. There was a point where I genuinely thought this man was completely and utterly UNREDEEMABLE. But Lia Lamar somehow pulled off the impossible and gave him one of the best redemption arcs I’ve read.
And Lucia? My sweet, innocent girl. She tested my patience a few times with how desperate she was for Tony despite him acting like a complete douche… but by the end, I absolutely loved her.
🖤 What we got:
• Morally BLACK MMC
• Virginal MFC
• Touch Her and Die
• Captive Trope
My mafia girlies, you NEED to read this one. Trust me.
Happy reading! 🖤
Hear me out, my mafia girlies… this book?! I genuinely don’t even have the words.
At one point I seriously considered DNF’ing because Tony made me THAT mad. But am I glad I pushed through? Absolutely.
Before you dive into this one, make sure you’ve read Revenge and Honor first because there are definitely spoilers for book one.
I adored Carlo and Emily in the first book and couldn’t stand Tony and Lucia. Then somehow this book had me almost hating Carlo (almost… let’s not get carried away 😂).
Tony, our MMC, proper pissed me off. There was a point where I genuinely thought this man was completely and utterly UNREDEEMABLE. But Lia Lamar somehow pulled off the impossible and gave him one of the best redemption arcs I’ve read.
And Lucia? My sweet, innocent girl. She tested my patience a few times with how desperate she was for Tony despite him acting like a complete douche… but by the end, I absolutely loved her.
🖤 What we got:
• Morally BLACK MMC
• Virginal MFC
• Touch Her and Die
• Captive Trope
My mafia girlies, you NEED to read this one. Trust me.
Happy reading! 🖤
Did Not Finish
May 26, 2026I was provided an ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.
Unfortunately I won’t be rating this book as I DNF it during chapter 2.
I got in unaware that this was the prequel of book 1 and was a bit blindsided. I was wondering why Carlo who was happily coupled with Emily at the end of book 1, was now marrying Lucia.
To be honest I did not remember the names of the characters and had to read some reviews where I read that Lucia was the ex wife that ran away with the cousin .
Anyway, the first chapter irked me. No way an innocent virgin would just give up her virginity to another guy on her wedding day as a sacrifice to « save » him. And the guy was wasted drunk, on top of this. And the whole wedding dress removal trope was borderline ridiculous. And was he with another woman when she got on the bathroom ? This was not explained at all.
I did not like either of these 2 in book one and was not looking forward to reading their story, even more when it started like this .
Not for me thanks !
Unfortunately I won’t be rating this book as I DNF it during chapter 2.
I got in unaware that this was the prequel of book 1 and was a bit blindsided. I was wondering why Carlo who was happily coupled with Emily at the end of book 1, was now marrying Lucia.
To be honest I did not remember the names of the characters and had to read some reviews where I read that Lucia was the ex wife that ran away with the cousin .
Anyway, the first chapter irked me. No way an innocent virgin would just give up her virginity to another guy on her wedding day as a sacrifice to « save » him. And the guy was wasted drunk, on top of this. And the whole wedding dress removal trope was borderline ridiculous. And was he with another woman when she got on the bathroom ? This was not explained at all.
I did not like either of these 2 in book one and was not looking forward to reading their story, even more when it started like this .
Not for me thanks !
May 27, 2026
Arc review copy from author for free spoiler free real review. 5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Book 2 follows Tony and Lucia. Book 1 is strongly recommended to read before book 2 as many things go together.
We see why Tony does what he does. Why he is so angry at Carlo and why he hates him so much. We see the torment and the dilema that Lucía goes through. From before the wedding to after they leave. We see into what shaped them. Lucía does what she is told and maries who she is told. Thats the way it is. But her heart belongs to someone else. We see her life with Carlo and know she deserves to be happy.
Tony was not my favorite in book 1 and I wasn't sure how Lia was going to redeem him and make him a loveable character... but let me tell you this man dug his way into my heart and stayed there because by the end I also fell for Tony probably more than I did with Carlo.
Was Tony an ass ? Yes
Did Tony torment Lucía? Yes
Did Tony make want to jump in the book and slap him a few times!? Yes!!!
But in the end he did what needed to be done and trust me. It was a lot he had to do.
Book 2 follows Tony and Lucia. Book 1 is strongly recommended to read before book 2 as many things go together.
We see why Tony does what he does. Why he is so angry at Carlo and why he hates him so much. We see the torment and the dilema that Lucía goes through. From before the wedding to after they leave. We see into what shaped them. Lucía does what she is told and maries who she is told. Thats the way it is. But her heart belongs to someone else. We see her life with Carlo and know she deserves to be happy.
Tony was not my favorite in book 1 and I wasn't sure how Lia was going to redeem him and make him a loveable character... but let me tell you this man dug his way into my heart and stayed there because by the end I also fell for Tony probably more than I did with Carlo.
Was Tony an ass ? Yes
Did Tony torment Lucía? Yes
Did Tony make want to jump in the book and slap him a few times!? Yes!!!
But in the end he did what needed to be done and trust me. It was a lot he had to do.
May 31, 2026
I really enjoyed Love and Honor by Lia Lamar. This book pulled me straight back into the Honor Series and kept me hooked the whole way through.
I’m always here for a good mafia romance, and this one had everything I love: an arranged marriage, plenty of tension, obsession, betrayal, and all the emotional chaos. Lucia was such a strong character. Even when she was thrown into a dangerous and brutal world, she never lost herself. Tony was the perfect morally grey anti hero. He was possessive, brooding, frustrating, and impossible not to love.
The chemistry between these two was intense from the start, and I loved watching their relationship evolve from distrust and resentment into something much deeper. The mafia atmosphere was gritty and immersive, and there was so much emotion woven throughout the story. Watching Tony face his past and work through his demons made his character growth feel genuine and satisfying. Add in the heat, the drama, and all the twists, and this was a fantastic read that kept me turning the pages until the very end
I’m always here for a good mafia romance, and this one had everything I love: an arranged marriage, plenty of tension, obsession, betrayal, and all the emotional chaos. Lucia was such a strong character. Even when she was thrown into a dangerous and brutal world, she never lost herself. Tony was the perfect morally grey anti hero. He was possessive, brooding, frustrating, and impossible not to love.
The chemistry between these two was intense from the start, and I loved watching their relationship evolve from distrust and resentment into something much deeper. The mafia atmosphere was gritty and immersive, and there was so much emotion woven throughout the story. Watching Tony face his past and work through his demons made his character growth feel genuine and satisfying. Add in the heat, the drama, and all the twists, and this was a fantastic read that kept me turning the pages until the very end
May 25, 2026
I’m not sure I’ve read a book or series where my dislike for characters has flipped so aggressively. The characters I loved in the first book became the characters I hated by the end of the second book! We find out why Toni and Lucia did what they did in the first book. I still hated Toni for half this book. He’s the typical mafia boss who’s stubborn and proud and quick to anger or feel disrespected. He treated Lucia like crap even though he was falling in love with her and didn’t know how to process it. Lucia frustrated me a couple times because as Toni said she is the most tactless woman alive. They finally work their issues out and are able to love each other. Their love is so beautiful and strong. The spicy scenes were really well written and the roller coaster this book took me on made me read it in one sitting! The plot twist…I was sobbing. This book gave me all the feels. Loved it!
May 29, 2026
4.5 ⭐️ 2🌶️
This is book two in the Honor series. After reading book one I had a few theories for book two and I can say with confidence that book two was far better than any of my theories! It was great to see Emily appear in this one after seeing her whole relationship development in book one. L&H follows Lucia and Tony. She was promised to him before she was born but she fell for him on her own when she was 16. Over the years her father decided to change things and told the Don that Lucia was promised to the next don and not Tony. This pisses both Tony and Lucia off but neither can do anything about it. Toney ends up taking over the role of don in Chicago and Lucia her role as a wife. After a year Tony decides he’s had enough and he had to have Lucia. They end up starting a war, having a child and having a happy ever after. But it’s not a quick happy ending there’s a few twists and turns before they can actually be happy and stay together!
This is book two in the Honor series. After reading book one I had a few theories for book two and I can say with confidence that book two was far better than any of my theories! It was great to see Emily appear in this one after seeing her whole relationship development in book one. L&H follows Lucia and Tony. She was promised to him before she was born but she fell for him on her own when she was 16. Over the years her father decided to change things and told the Don that Lucia was promised to the next don and not Tony. This pisses both Tony and Lucia off but neither can do anything about it. Toney ends up taking over the role of don in Chicago and Lucia her role as a wife. After a year Tony decides he’s had enough and he had to have Lucia. They end up starting a war, having a child and having a happy ever after. But it’s not a quick happy ending there’s a few twists and turns before they can actually be happy and stay together!
May 30, 2026
I’m left with mixed feelings after finishing this ARC of Love & Honour.
On one hand, it’s a dark romance that absolutely delivers on the grit, pacing, and tension you’d expect from the genre. It's incredibly well-written and kept me turning the pages late into the night.
On the other hand, it pushed into "extra twisted" territory that personally made it hard for me to fully invest in the plot. Specifically, the dynamic between Tony and Lucia features non-consensual elements that felt too extreme for me to reconcile, especially with how quickly she accepts it. Coming off the previous book with Carlo and Emily - which I absolutely loved - this one was a much tougher pill to swallow.
The Verdict: If you love your dark romance on the extreme/deeply twisted side, you will likely devour this. It's an entertaining, fast-paced ride, but I’d definitely recommend going into it with caution regarding the trigger warnings!
On one hand, it’s a dark romance that absolutely delivers on the grit, pacing, and tension you’d expect from the genre. It's incredibly well-written and kept me turning the pages late into the night.
On the other hand, it pushed into "extra twisted" territory that personally made it hard for me to fully invest in the plot. Specifically, the dynamic between Tony and Lucia features non-consensual elements that felt too extreme for me to reconcile, especially with how quickly she accepts it. Coming off the previous book with Carlo and Emily - which I absolutely loved - this one was a much tougher pill to swallow.
The Verdict: If you love your dark romance on the extreme/deeply twisted side, you will likely devour this. It's an entertaining, fast-paced ride, but I’d definitely recommend going into it with caution regarding the trigger warnings!
May 23, 2026
ARC Review
Holy crap is all I’m going to say.
This a is a story about Lucia stuck between two cousins. One she was promised to prior to birth and the other that she was given two after he was given to after he become Capo. The only issue is Tony was not giving her up.
That is were the spice beings on Lucia wedding day. I was not expecting this and this was just the beginning.
I literally could not put this book down. The “relationship” between Tony and Lucia was intense. When she told told Tony he owned her 26 orgasms and what he did to call her bluff had me sitting on my seat.
I highly suggest you read this book. I have now started to follow Lia Lamar.
Outstanding and I will be reading this again. I always get more out of my second read.
Thank you Lia!!
@lialamar
Holy crap is all I’m going to say.
This a is a story about Lucia stuck between two cousins. One she was promised to prior to birth and the other that she was given two after he was given to after he become Capo. The only issue is Tony was not giving her up.
That is were the spice beings on Lucia wedding day. I was not expecting this and this was just the beginning.
I literally could not put this book down. The “relationship” between Tony and Lucia was intense. When she told told Tony he owned her 26 orgasms and what he did to call her bluff had me sitting on my seat.
I highly suggest you read this book. I have now started to follow Lia Lamar.
Outstanding and I will be reading this again. I always get more out of my second read.
Thank you Lia!!
@lialamar
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 23, 2026
Lucia (21) & Tony (29).
We are introduced to these two in the first book since she is Carlo’s wife and he is his cousin.
Tony is an absolute @$$. Worse than his cousin Carlo. Which is a good trait for a dark romance. Lucia is like Emily, slightly boring and indifferent. I couldn’t understand her decisions and the way she acted most of the time.
There are a couple of powerful, angsty scenes that I really enjoyed.
I would have liked to see some of their normal days as a couple, they were skipped and I’m not sure how he fell for her.
There should have been some serious groveling after some stunts he pulled and how he treated her but we didn’t really get any.
But I had a great time reading it nonetheless.
-Dual 1st person POV
-Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5
Overall: 3.75/5 ⭐️ for me.
I received an Adv. Readers version of this book and I have given this honest and voluntary review.
We are introduced to these two in the first book since she is Carlo’s wife and he is his cousin.
Tony is an absolute @$$. Worse than his cousin Carlo. Which is a good trait for a dark romance. Lucia is like Emily, slightly boring and indifferent. I couldn’t understand her decisions and the way she acted most of the time.
There are a couple of powerful, angsty scenes that I really enjoyed.
I would have liked to see some of their normal days as a couple, they were skipped and I’m not sure how he fell for her.
There should have been some serious groveling after some stunts he pulled and how he treated her but we didn’t really get any.
But I had a great time reading it nonetheless.
-Dual 1st person POV
-Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5
Overall: 3.75/5 ⭐️ for me.
I received an Adv. Readers version of this book and I have given this honest and voluntary review.
May 26, 2026
Dark Mafia romance
Arranged marriage
M/F
Check triggers.
Lucia & Tony’s story.
You must read Revenge & Honor to get an idea of the story and the characters before reading this story.
Lucia’s family arranged marriage to Carlo. She should’ve been Tony’s. She married Carlo to protect her younger brother from their father.
Tony will do anything to get Lucia back and make her his. He wants revenge after Carlo took her.
In Revenge & Honor I hated Tony for what he put Emily through but hearing his & Lucia’s story I understand why he did what he did.
Loved that eventually Tony starts to love Lucia. She has been with love with Tony for years.
Maxim is the next story and I’m looking forward to reading more of these characters.
Loved the bonus story (Stained Honor) that takes place after the events of Love & Honor and follows Carlo and Emily in the aftermath.
Arranged marriage
M/F
Check triggers.
Lucia & Tony’s story.
You must read Revenge & Honor to get an idea of the story and the characters before reading this story.
Lucia’s family arranged marriage to Carlo. She should’ve been Tony’s. She married Carlo to protect her younger brother from their father.
Tony will do anything to get Lucia back and make her his. He wants revenge after Carlo took her.
In Revenge & Honor I hated Tony for what he put Emily through but hearing his & Lucia’s story I understand why he did what he did.
Loved that eventually Tony starts to love Lucia. She has been with love with Tony for years.
Maxim is the next story and I’m looking forward to reading more of these characters.
Loved the bonus story (Stained Honor) that takes place after the events of Love & Honor and follows Carlo and Emily in the aftermath.
May 27, 2026
Tony and Lucia you get a sneak peek at the beginning in Revenge and Honor book 1. This book gives you the full picture. If you thought Carlo was bad Tony makes his moves look saintly! Tony is more pushy more selfish and doesn’t care what his actions cost anyone. Typical mafia boss!
Lucia and Tony’s story is a rough start after they leave Italy things are all rainbows and sunshine! Lucia feels trapped Chicago isn’t for her. Her and Tony have a toxic relationship, I’m honestly shocked she didn’t kill him! But crazy events cause a man to reevaluate his actions and it changes their whole relationship! Towards the end of the book I was not expecting! The sacrifices that were willingly made broke my heart! It was so well written I felt like I was there as a bystander!
This book ends on a HEA as happy as a mafia book can be right 😉
Lucia and Tony’s story is a rough start after they leave Italy things are all rainbows and sunshine! Lucia feels trapped Chicago isn’t for her. Her and Tony have a toxic relationship, I’m honestly shocked she didn’t kill him! But crazy events cause a man to reevaluate his actions and it changes their whole relationship! Towards the end of the book I was not expecting! The sacrifices that were willingly made broke my heart! It was so well written I felt like I was there as a bystander!
This book ends on a HEA as happy as a mafia book can be right 😉
May 22, 2026
I’m not a fan of the characters in this book. I remember Tony from Revenge and Honor. Unfortunately there wasn’t much to like about him. I feel his character was the same in this book, full of revenge on what he lost, or perceived as his loss, and he took it out on Lucia.
My favorite books are mafia stories where the male character is brutal and hateful, but also the alpha caveman. I didn’t feel this with Tony. Honestly, I’m not sure why Lucia ever forgave him.
Then to bring Carlo back to fulfill his revenge didn’t sit right with me because I had already fallen in love with him in Revenge and Honor.
This book just isn’t sitting right with me. But I really liked Revenge and Honor so I’m going to be hopeful for the third book in the series.
My favorite books are mafia stories where the male character is brutal and hateful, but also the alpha caveman. I didn’t feel this with Tony. Honestly, I’m not sure why Lucia ever forgave him.
Then to bring Carlo back to fulfill his revenge didn’t sit right with me because I had already fallen in love with him in Revenge and Honor.
This book just isn’t sitting right with me. But I really liked Revenge and Honor so I’m going to be hopeful for the third book in the series.
May 27, 2026
The Bruni family are back with a vengeance. This story runs the same timeline as “Revenge and Honor”
So I would take the time to read it first as in this book you see things from there perspective.
Toni Toni Toni ……….. I DESPISED you from the last book and it took a solid ¼ - ½ way through this book. He is textbook rough, manipulative, and cruel. The dynamic between Lucia and Toni was rough. Straight out the gate he treated her like crap to fuel his own wicked plan. Lucia is a sweet soul but sometimes naïve. She has been in love with that man since the beginning but forced to marry another, even though she was promised to Toni.
They went through hell (I’m looking at you Toni) to get to the point of finally loving her.
What a Ride
So I would take the time to read it first as in this book you see things from there perspective.
Toni Toni Toni ……….. I DESPISED you from the last book and it took a solid ¼ - ½ way through this book. He is textbook rough, manipulative, and cruel. The dynamic between Lucia and Toni was rough. Straight out the gate he treated her like crap to fuel his own wicked plan. Lucia is a sweet soul but sometimes naïve. She has been in love with that man since the beginning but forced to marry another, even though she was promised to Toni.
They went through hell (I’m looking at you Toni) to get to the point of finally loving her.
What a Ride
May 31, 2026
This is my voluntary and honest ARC review!
When an author can make you hate the MMC at the beginning of a book and then have you desperately rooting for him not to be killed by the end, you know you’re reading a talented author.
I highly recommend reading Revenge and Honor first, as it provides valuable insight into the characters and relationships that carry into this story. The first book does an excellent job of setting the stage, and this one will have you hooked from the first page to the last.
If you love dark romance, this book delivers with tropes including arranged marriage and a virgin FMC, along with plenty of tension, emotion, and spice galore that will keep you invested throughout.
Thank you Lia Lamar for the Advance Reading Copy!
When an author can make you hate the MMC at the beginning of a book and then have you desperately rooting for him not to be killed by the end, you know you’re reading a talented author.
I highly recommend reading Revenge and Honor first, as it provides valuable insight into the characters and relationships that carry into this story. The first book does an excellent job of setting the stage, and this one will have you hooked from the first page to the last.
If you love dark romance, this book delivers with tropes including arranged marriage and a virgin FMC, along with plenty of tension, emotion, and spice galore that will keep you invested throughout.
Thank you Lia Lamar for the Advance Reading Copy!
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