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Empire of Kings #3
Lovely Venom
I’ve spent six years hiding behind a fake identity, too many deadbolts, and secrets that could destroy me.
Trust isn’t an option. Especially when it comes to the man who doesn’t know I’m rival blood.
In the Cosa Nostra, they call him Il Corvo—the Raven.
On the surface, he’s cold, controlled, aloof…and definitely not interested.
So I made a deal with a mysterious masked stranger instead.
It was supposed to be a simple arrangement. He would help me explore my desires and overcome my fears. No names, no attachments. But when it got too real, I ran.
What I didn’t know was that he had secrets of his own.
Because the man who’s haunted me for the last three years?
He might go by a different name…
But he and the Raven are one and the same.
Trust isn’t an option. Especially when it comes to the man who doesn’t know I’m rival blood.
In the Cosa Nostra, they call him Il Corvo—the Raven.
On the surface, he’s cold, controlled, aloof…and definitely not interested.
So I made a deal with a mysterious masked stranger instead.
It was supposed to be a simple arrangement. He would help me explore my desires and overcome my fears. No names, no attachments. But when it got too real, I ran.
What I didn’t know was that he had secrets of his own.
Because the man who’s haunted me for the last three years?
He might go by a different name…
But he and the Raven are one and the same.
450 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 18, 2026
About the author
A. Zavarelli
57 books7,858 followersA. Zavarelli is a USA Today and Amazon bestselling author of dark and contemporary romance.
When she’s not putting her characters through hell, she can usually be found watching bizarre and twisted documentaries in the name of research.
She currently lives in the Northwest with her lumberjack and an entire brood of fur babies.
Facebook Page- https://geni.us/AZavarelliAuthor
Facebook Reader Group- https://geni.us/FemmeFatales
Mailing List: https://geni.us/ucfAZH1
Instagram- https://geni.us/AZavarelliInstagram
Amazon- https://geni.us/AZavarelliAmazon
Bookbub- https://geni.us/AZavarelliBookbub
Twitter- https://geni.us/AZavarelliTwitter
Website- https://www.azavarelli.com
When she’s not putting her characters through hell, she can usually be found watching bizarre and twisted documentaries in the name of research.
She currently lives in the Northwest with her lumberjack and an entire brood of fur babies.
Facebook Page- https://geni.us/AZavarelliAuthor
Facebook Reader Group- https://geni.us/FemmeFatales
Mailing List: https://geni.us/ucfAZH1
Instagram- https://geni.us/AZavarelliInstagram
Amazon- https://geni.us/AZavarelliAmazon
Bookbub- https://geni.us/AZavarelliBookbub
Twitter- https://geni.us/AZavarelliTwitter
Website- https://www.azavarelli.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 227 reviews
August 31, 2026
2.75 ⭐️
For a book containing this many secrets, Lovely Venom sure took its time actually telling me any of them.
I had masked identities, mafia politics, rival blood, stalkers, old betrayals, forced proximity and enough unresolved history to fill a filing cabinet. Meanwhile, the central secret was being guarded like the nuclear launch codes and Cristian Vitale was doing unpaid overtime trying to keep me entertained until somebody finally handed over the password.
What worked for me
(aka: Cristian Vitale fought for this rating with his bare hands)
The Raven Had Me in His Talons
Cristian was easily my favourite part of this book. Cold, controlled, observant and absolutely riddled with My Woman Syndrome, his obsession came with receipts. He notices everything, remembers everything and protects without making a performance of it, all while being possessive without steamrolling consent. Honestly, his restraint was hotter than half the actual spice.
Then we discover that the bossy mafia man is also a quiet caretaker with an unexpected nerd streak and enough emotional competence to know when to push and when to wait. His devotion felt earned rather than declared and the history behind all that watching, wanting and holding himself back only made it better. Sir was committed to the bit and apparently I’m very easy to manipulate.
Consent King With a Control Problem
Turns out my favourite flavour of dominant MMC is bossy with excellent boundary recognition. Cristian could take control without taking away choice and some of his best moments came from what he deliberately DIDN'T do. Restraint looks good on the Raven.
Their chemistry followed the same rule: show me, don't brief me. The banter, caretaking and domestic moments sold their connection far better than another trip aboard the Internal Monologue Express.
The Raven Cinematic Universe
I also really liked how the Raven symbolism developed. What initially felt like a cool mafia moniker gradually connected to different parts of Cristian's personality and their relationship in ways I genuinely enjoyed. The astronomy elements were especially effective because they gave him another dimension without feeling like the book had suddenly handed him a random hobby for personality points.
Apparently my weakness is now bossy mafia astronomy nerd. Good to know.
The writing itself was solid too. There are some genuinely great romantic lines scattered throughout this book and when Zavarelli keeps things concise, she can land a moment beautifully. The problem was never that there wasn't anything good here.
The problem was getting there.
Where it lost me
(aka: Same fear. Different chapter)
The Internal Monologue Express Has No Brakes
My pacing problems started EARLY.
Lovely Venom has a fantastic amount of plot sitting on the table but somehow it frequently felt like very little was actually moving. There were secret identities, old betrayals, mafia rivalries, stalking, danger, obsession and years of complicated history available to propel this story forward, yet so much page time was spent inside lengthy internal monologues explaining feelings, fears and coping mechanisms I'd already understood.
The first half gave me information before it gave me connection. Backstory would arrive in chunks. Side-character conversations sometimes felt suspiciously like someone had wheeled in the exposition PowerPoint. Important pieces of history were explained rather than experienced, while other crucial information was deliberately kept vague.
I knew the characters' emotional paperwork before I felt like I actually knew them.
And that became one of my biggest frustrations throughout the book: Lovely Venom could land a fantastic emotional one-liner and then spend another page explaining the one-liner I had already understood.
Please. I got it. Advance the plot.
Chantel and the Factory Reset Button
Unfortunately, I never fully connected with Chantel.
I understood her trauma intellectually. I understood why trust frightened her, why control mattered, why she kept escape routes open and why emotional vulnerability felt more dangerous than physical vulnerability. The book explained all of that extensively.
But understanding a character and connecting with her aren't necessarily the same thing.
For a large chunk of the book, Chantel's emotional arc felt less like progression and more like a loop. She'd get closer to Cristian, experience a genuinely good breakthrough, encounter something that triggered her fear, retreat into the same assumptions and Cristian would once again have to recognise what was happening, adjust his behaviour, reassure her or prove himself.
Then we'd make progress.
Then factory reset.
Again.
And again.
Cristian increasingly felt like he was carrying both sides of the emotional group project. He recognised her patterns. He adapted. He communicated. He consistently demonstrated what she meant to him through words and actions. Meanwhile, I kept waiting for Chantel's breakthroughs to accumulate enough that her response to fear would finally change.
There are meaningful moments of growth eventually and I appreciated them. But they came too late to undo how repetitive the journey had become for me.
The Reveal That Took 84 Years
This was probably my biggest disappointment.
The central identity mystery is treated like THE SECRET. The thing that could destroy everything. The final locked door between these characters. So naturally, the longer the book withheld it, the bigger my expectations became.
At first, I was curious.
Then I was impatient.
Then I started theorising.
Then I correctly guessed the general shape of it.
And then I waited.
And waited.
And waited.
By the time the truth finally arrived, my reaction wasn't shock. It was basically, “...yeah?” The reveal wasn't necessarily bad. It was overprotected.
If you're going to guard information for that much of the book and repeatedly use the fear of its discovery to fuel your heroine's emotional conflict, the payoff needs to justify the amount of narrative weight placed on it. For me, it didn't.
Worse, I wanted that truth to represent Chantel's ultimate act of trust. After everything Cristian had demonstrated, I wanted her to decide that loving him meant risking rejection and telling him anyway. That would have made all those chapters of fear, avoidance and incremental vulnerability click into place for me.
The eventual execution didn't give me the catharsis I'd been waiting for.
Lots of Spice, Not Enough Breathing Room
And listen: I'm not filing a complaint against the spice.
The spice was good. WELL written. Their dynamic worked for me and there were scenes where the physical intimacy genuinely revealed something about trust, surrender or their changing relationship.
Compatibility confirmed. Repeatedly. Thoroughly.
There was so much spice packed into the later portion that it eventually started feeling repetitive, particularly because major emotional and plot threads were still waiting for their turn. I found myself thinking I would happily trade a couple of those scenes for more time dealing with the revelations and consequences the entire book had been building toward.
That's what made the ending especially frustrating. A story that had felt long and drawn out for so much of its runtime suddenly seemed to discover the concept of efficiency when it reached the things I actually wanted explored.
Major revelations? Wrapped up.
Long-standing threats? Handled.
Emotional fallout? Neatly resolved.
HEA loading? Done.
Excuse me? NOW we're in a hurry?
The imbalance made the pacing problems even more noticeable. I didn't necessarily need a shorter book. I needed the book to spend less time circling established conflicts and more time letting its biggest developments breathe.
Final Thoughts
Lovely Venom had all the right ingredients but spent too long simmering and rushed the serving. Cristian kept me seated but the pacing, repetitive emotional loops and underwhelming payoff kept this firmly below 3 stars.
Final Verdict
2.75 ⭐️ - Cristian fought for that third star. The pacing said no.
He caught feelings. I lost patience. Balance.
Tropes and Vibes:
• Mafia romance
• Rival families / forbidden bloodlines
• Secret identity
• Masked encounters
• Possessive and protective MMC
• Cold, controlled mafia boss
• Bossy nerd supremacy
• Dominance / submission dynamics
• Consent king behaviour
• Forced proximity
• Acts of service
• “Who did this to you?” energy
• Hypervigilant / emotionally guarded FMC
• Domestic mafia bliss
• Found-family energy
• Pregnancy
• High spice
• Raven / constellation symbolism
☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
Pre-read:
She doesn’t know he’s her masked stranger.
He doesn’t know she’s rival blood.
Perfect. Everyone’s a liar. I’m seated. 🫡
May he catch feelings and immediately make them everyone else’s problem 🤞🏼✨️
For a book containing this many secrets, Lovely Venom sure took its time actually telling me any of them.
I had masked identities, mafia politics, rival blood, stalkers, old betrayals, forced proximity and enough unresolved history to fill a filing cabinet. Meanwhile, the central secret was being guarded like the nuclear launch codes and Cristian Vitale was doing unpaid overtime trying to keep me entertained until somebody finally handed over the password.
What worked for me
(aka: Cristian Vitale fought for this rating with his bare hands)
The Raven Had Me in His Talons
Cristian was easily my favourite part of this book. Cold, controlled, observant and absolutely riddled with My Woman Syndrome, his obsession came with receipts. He notices everything, remembers everything and protects without making a performance of it, all while being possessive without steamrolling consent. Honestly, his restraint was hotter than half the actual spice.
Then we discover that the bossy mafia man is also a quiet caretaker with an unexpected nerd streak and enough emotional competence to know when to push and when to wait. His devotion felt earned rather than declared and the history behind all that watching, wanting and holding himself back only made it better. Sir was committed to the bit and apparently I’m very easy to manipulate.
Consent King With a Control Problem
Turns out my favourite flavour of dominant MMC is bossy with excellent boundary recognition. Cristian could take control without taking away choice and some of his best moments came from what he deliberately DIDN'T do. Restraint looks good on the Raven.
Their chemistry followed the same rule: show me, don't brief me. The banter, caretaking and domestic moments sold their connection far better than another trip aboard the Internal Monologue Express.
The Raven Cinematic Universe
I also really liked how the Raven symbolism developed. What initially felt like a cool mafia moniker gradually connected to different parts of Cristian's personality and their relationship in ways I genuinely enjoyed. The astronomy elements were especially effective because they gave him another dimension without feeling like the book had suddenly handed him a random hobby for personality points.
Apparently my weakness is now bossy mafia astronomy nerd. Good to know.
The writing itself was solid too. There are some genuinely great romantic lines scattered throughout this book and when Zavarelli keeps things concise, she can land a moment beautifully. The problem was never that there wasn't anything good here.
The problem was getting there.
Where it lost me
(aka: Same fear. Different chapter)
The Internal Monologue Express Has No Brakes
My pacing problems started EARLY.
Lovely Venom has a fantastic amount of plot sitting on the table but somehow it frequently felt like very little was actually moving. There were secret identities, old betrayals, mafia rivalries, stalking, danger, obsession and years of complicated history available to propel this story forward, yet so much page time was spent inside lengthy internal monologues explaining feelings, fears and coping mechanisms I'd already understood.
The first half gave me information before it gave me connection. Backstory would arrive in chunks. Side-character conversations sometimes felt suspiciously like someone had wheeled in the exposition PowerPoint. Important pieces of history were explained rather than experienced, while other crucial information was deliberately kept vague.
I knew the characters' emotional paperwork before I felt like I actually knew them.
And that became one of my biggest frustrations throughout the book: Lovely Venom could land a fantastic emotional one-liner and then spend another page explaining the one-liner I had already understood.
Please. I got it. Advance the plot.
Chantel and the Factory Reset Button
Unfortunately, I never fully connected with Chantel.
I understood her trauma intellectually. I understood why trust frightened her, why control mattered, why she kept escape routes open and why emotional vulnerability felt more dangerous than physical vulnerability. The book explained all of that extensively.
But understanding a character and connecting with her aren't necessarily the same thing.
For a large chunk of the book, Chantel's emotional arc felt less like progression and more like a loop. She'd get closer to Cristian, experience a genuinely good breakthrough, encounter something that triggered her fear, retreat into the same assumptions and Cristian would once again have to recognise what was happening, adjust his behaviour, reassure her or prove himself.
Then we'd make progress.
Then factory reset.
Again.
And again.
Cristian increasingly felt like he was carrying both sides of the emotional group project. He recognised her patterns. He adapted. He communicated. He consistently demonstrated what she meant to him through words and actions. Meanwhile, I kept waiting for Chantel's breakthroughs to accumulate enough that her response to fear would finally change.
There are meaningful moments of growth eventually and I appreciated them. But they came too late to undo how repetitive the journey had become for me.
The Reveal That Took 84 Years
This was probably my biggest disappointment.
The central identity mystery is treated like THE SECRET. The thing that could destroy everything. The final locked door between these characters. So naturally, the longer the book withheld it, the bigger my expectations became.
At first, I was curious.
Then I was impatient.
Then I started theorising.
Then I correctly guessed the general shape of it.
And then I waited.
And waited.
And waited.
By the time the truth finally arrived, my reaction wasn't shock. It was basically, “...yeah?” The reveal wasn't necessarily bad. It was overprotected.
If you're going to guard information for that much of the book and repeatedly use the fear of its discovery to fuel your heroine's emotional conflict, the payoff needs to justify the amount of narrative weight placed on it. For me, it didn't.
Worse, I wanted that truth to represent Chantel's ultimate act of trust. After everything Cristian had demonstrated, I wanted her to decide that loving him meant risking rejection and telling him anyway. That would have made all those chapters of fear, avoidance and incremental vulnerability click into place for me.
The eventual execution didn't give me the catharsis I'd been waiting for.
Lots of Spice, Not Enough Breathing Room
And listen: I'm not filing a complaint against the spice.
The spice was good. WELL written. Their dynamic worked for me and there were scenes where the physical intimacy genuinely revealed something about trust, surrender or their changing relationship.
Compatibility confirmed. Repeatedly. Thoroughly.
There was so much spice packed into the later portion that it eventually started feeling repetitive, particularly because major emotional and plot threads were still waiting for their turn. I found myself thinking I would happily trade a couple of those scenes for more time dealing with the revelations and consequences the entire book had been building toward.
That's what made the ending especially frustrating. A story that had felt long and drawn out for so much of its runtime suddenly seemed to discover the concept of efficiency when it reached the things I actually wanted explored.
Major revelations? Wrapped up.
Long-standing threats? Handled.
Emotional fallout? Neatly resolved.
HEA loading? Done.
Excuse me? NOW we're in a hurry?
The imbalance made the pacing problems even more noticeable. I didn't necessarily need a shorter book. I needed the book to spend less time circling established conflicts and more time letting its biggest developments breathe.
Final Thoughts
Lovely Venom had all the right ingredients but spent too long simmering and rushed the serving. Cristian kept me seated but the pacing, repetitive emotional loops and underwhelming payoff kept this firmly below 3 stars.
Final Verdict
2.75 ⭐️ - Cristian fought for that third star. The pacing said no.
He caught feelings. I lost patience. Balance.
Tropes and Vibes:
• Mafia romance
• Rival families / forbidden bloodlines
• Secret identity
• Masked encounters
• Possessive and protective MMC
• Cold, controlled mafia boss
• Bossy nerd supremacy
• Dominance / submission dynamics
• Consent king behaviour
• Forced proximity
• Acts of service
• “Who did this to you?” energy
• Hypervigilant / emotionally guarded FMC
• Domestic mafia bliss
• Found-family energy
• Pregnancy
• High spice
• Raven / constellation symbolism
☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
Pre-read:
She doesn’t know he’s her masked stranger.
He doesn’t know she’s rival blood.
Perfect. Everyone’s a liar. I’m seated. 🫡
May he catch feelings and immediately make them everyone else’s problem 🤞🏼✨️
August 20, 2026
When Chantel flees Sanctum after things with Bran become too intense, she cuts off all communication.
Three years later, she reaches out again, and Bran is elated. But things quickly become complicated when Chantel finds herself in a situationship with Cristian Vitale, while her escalating stalker keeps pulling him deeper into her life.
As the lines between everything begin to blur, Chantel discovers that Cristian’s apparent hatred for her isn’t quite what it seems. And she’s harboring secrets of her own that could change everything.
This one wasn’t action-packed or particularly dark and gritty. It was more of a slow, steady build as Chantel learned to trust and lean on Cristian.
And Cristian knew exactly what would spook her and exactly how to handle her, both in and out of the bedroom. His quiet intensity and unflappable love for her were everything.
Knowing what he knew all along, and watching Chantel slowly figure it out, made his devotion that much better.
These two were everything. ❤️
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
Format: 📱
🗄️ Genre: Contemporary Romance
🗂️ Subgenre(s): Dark-ish, Mystery/Suspense, New Adult
Ending: 💗 {HEA}
Length: 📚📚📚📚📚
POV: 👫🏻 {Dual | Present}
Emotions: 🥺🤬🥵🫠😍
Darkness: 🩶🩶
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
✨ Tropes: Billionaire, Enemies-to-Lovers, Family Saga, Forbidden, Forced Proximity, Found Family, Heroine in Danger, Hidden Identity, Hurt/Comfort, Mafia/Bratva/Organized Crime, Pen Pal (Online)
💫 Microtropes: Black Cat FMC, Boy Obsessed, Caretaker/Protective MMC, Caveman/Bridal Carry, Celibate MMC, “Good Girl”, Growl, Hand Necklace, He Falls First, He Falls Harder, Lap Sitting, Masked MMC, Pet Name (Dea, Princess), Secrets & Lies, She’s a Runner, Tattooed MMC, Tragic Past, “We’ll Make It Fit”, “Who Hurt You?”, “You Take Me So Well”
🔆 Character: Dancer, Illegal Enterprises
💋 Kinks: Biting/Marking, Blindfold, Collared, Cum Jammer, Domination, Edging, Finger Licking Good, Handcuffs, Pearl Necklace/Spunk Art, Phone/FaceTime Fun, Praise, Spanking
🤰🏻 Pregnancy: Minor Storyline
🚩 Red Flags: Alphahole, Bulldozer MMC, Dominant MMC, Jealous/Possessive/Obsessive, MINE!, My Wife, Touch-Her-and-💀, Tracking/Spying
⛔️ Safety Squad: Assault (Not by MMC), OW/OM Drama (Not Really/Before Together • One Sided), Rape (Mentioned • Not by MMC), Stalking (Not by MMC), Unaliving, Violence, and other potentially triggering elements. Triggers may appear both on- and off-page, in the past and/or present, and to main and/or side characters. If you have any hesitation, check the warnings before diving in. Otherwise, blind is best!!
📍 Setting: Seattle, Washington 🇺🇸
📣 Type: Lovely Venom is part of the Empire of Kings series of interconnected standalones. While no other books need to be read in order to follow the story, reading prior books may enhance the experience.
⚠️ Warning: This sweet and smutty read will leave your panties damp, your cheeks flushed and have you DoorDashing batteries for BOB.
🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.
Three years later, she reaches out again, and Bran is elated. But things quickly become complicated when Chantel finds herself in a situationship with Cristian Vitale, while her escalating stalker keeps pulling him deeper into her life.
As the lines between everything begin to blur, Chantel discovers that Cristian’s apparent hatred for her isn’t quite what it seems. And she’s harboring secrets of her own that could change everything.
This one wasn’t action-packed or particularly dark and gritty. It was more of a slow, steady build as Chantel learned to trust and lean on Cristian.
And Cristian knew exactly what would spook her and exactly how to handle her, both in and out of the bedroom. His quiet intensity and unflappable love for her were everything.
Knowing what he knew all along, and watching Chantel slowly figure it out, made his devotion that much better.
These two were everything. ❤️
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
Format: 📱
🗄️ Genre: Contemporary Romance
🗂️ Subgenre(s): Dark-ish, Mystery/Suspense, New Adult
Ending: 💗 {HEA}
Length: 📚📚📚📚📚
POV: 👫🏻 {Dual | Present}
Emotions: 🥺🤬🥵🫠😍
Darkness: 🩶🩶
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
✨ Tropes: Billionaire, Enemies-to-Lovers, Family Saga, Forbidden, Forced Proximity, Found Family, Heroine in Danger, Hidden Identity, Hurt/Comfort, Mafia/Bratva/Organized Crime, Pen Pal (Online)
💫 Microtropes: Black Cat FMC, Boy Obsessed, Caretaker/Protective MMC, Caveman/Bridal Carry, Celibate MMC, “Good Girl”, Growl, Hand Necklace, He Falls First, He Falls Harder, Lap Sitting, Masked MMC, Pet Name (Dea, Princess), Secrets & Lies, She’s a Runner, Tattooed MMC, Tragic Past, “We’ll Make It Fit”, “Who Hurt You?”, “You Take Me So Well”
🔆 Character: Dancer, Illegal Enterprises
💋 Kinks: Biting/Marking, Blindfold, Collared, Cum Jammer, Domination, Edging, Finger Licking Good, Handcuffs, Pearl Necklace/Spunk Art, Phone/FaceTime Fun, Praise, Spanking
🤰🏻 Pregnancy: Minor Storyline
🚩 Red Flags: Alphahole, Bulldozer MMC, Dominant MMC, Jealous/Possessive/Obsessive, MINE!, My Wife, Touch-Her-and-💀, Tracking/Spying
⛔️ Safety Squad: Assault (Not by MMC), OW/OM Drama (Not Really/Before Together • One Sided), Rape (Mentioned • Not by MMC), Stalking (Not by MMC), Unaliving, Violence, and other potentially triggering elements. Triggers may appear both on- and off-page, in the past and/or present, and to main and/or side characters. If you have any hesitation, check the warnings before diving in. Otherwise, blind is best!!
📍 Setting: Seattle, Washington 🇺🇸
📣 Type: Lovely Venom is part of the Empire of Kings series of interconnected standalones. While no other books need to be read in order to follow the story, reading prior books may enhance the experience.
⚠️ Warning: This sweet and smutty read will leave your panties damp, your cheeks flushed and have you DoorDashing batteries for BOB.
🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.
Review of advance copy received from Author
★★★★.25
A. Zavarelli has me in a chokehold and I’m not even complaining 🤭
I didn’t expect Cristian to be the gentlest soul everrr 🥹🥹🥹🥹
The Vitale brothers share a very special trait ✨ Stalking ✨ AND masks
I’m so obsessed with this series and the dynamics in every book, and this one was no different
Chantel spent years hiding behind a fake identity and running from her past. She can’t trust anyone and she’s traumatized, until Cristian steps up. She thinks he hates her, and she can’t want him because he’s her “situationship’s best friend” or so she thought. 👀
When an unfortunate thing happens one night, she understands why they call him Il Corvo, the Raven, because now he will never let anything hurt her, even when she’s still hiding so much from him
Cristian wasn’t supposed to fall for her, but he did. Even when she didn’t know who the man behind the mask was, even when she felt overwhelmed and left for three years, he waited. He never touched anyone else because he knew she needed the time, but when he caught her the second time, he was done waiting. It was time to take what’s his, even if the trust between them was still unbalanced. He would do anything to have her and protect her again 🤭🧎🏻♀️
Their dynamic was top notch for me. I loved witnessing them slowly learn to trust each other and watching Chantel heal from her past while Cristian helped her through it. She deserves the world 🥹
This story definitely has some dark elements to it, so please check the TW on the author’s website
And for more reading enjoyment, read the first two books because you will definitely get obsessed with all these characters (Beautiful Torment,Pretty Prey)
I can’t wait to see how Ares will redeem himself in the following books because this man definitely has a LOT of work to do 🧍🏻♀️
buddy read with both my lovelies Milica & Miljana ❤️
—————
Pre read
ITS HERE 💃🏻
_____
I need this.. Like NOW
_________________
Instagram
Facebook
Blog/Website ;)
A. Zavarelli has me in a chokehold and I’m not even complaining 🤭
“I want to give you everything, Chantel, and I need it to be something you choose.”
I didn’t expect Cristian to be the gentlest soul everrr 🥹🥹🥹🥹
The Vitale brothers share a very special trait ✨ Stalking ✨ AND masks
I’m so obsessed with this series and the dynamics in every book, and this one was no different
Chantel spent years hiding behind a fake identity and running from her past. She can’t trust anyone and she’s traumatized, until Cristian steps up. She thinks he hates her, and she can’t want him because he’s her “situationship’s best friend” or so she thought. 👀
When an unfortunate thing happens one night, she understands why they call him Il Corvo, the Raven, because now he will never let anything hurt her, even when she’s still hiding so much from him
Cristian wasn’t supposed to fall for her, but he did. Even when she didn’t know who the man behind the mask was, even when she felt overwhelmed and left for three years, he waited. He never touched anyone else because he knew she needed the time, but when he caught her the second time, he was done waiting. It was time to take what’s his, even if the trust between them was still unbalanced. He would do anything to have her and protect her again 🤭🧎🏻♀️
“I’m not a liar or a cheat.” He presses the words against my ear. “And I haven’t been with anyone else in three years. Not since the first time I touched you.”
Their dynamic was top notch for me. I loved witnessing them slowly learn to trust each other and watching Chantel heal from her past while Cristian helped her through it. She deserves the world 🥹
This story definitely has some dark elements to it, so please check the TW on the author’s website
And for more reading enjoyment, read the first two books because you will definitely get obsessed with all these characters (Beautiful Torment,Pretty Prey)
I can’t wait to see how Ares will redeem himself in the following books because this man definitely has a LOT of work to do 🧍🏻♀️
buddy read with both my lovelies Milica & Miljana ❤️
—————
Pre read
ITS HERE 💃🏻
_____
I need this.. Like NOW
_________________
Instagram Facebook Blog/Website ;) 
September 20, 2026
Finally I finished this book, unfortunately I actually don’t have much time to read.
This story is what I like the most: mafia man, a lot of action and romance.
It’s worth reading.
This story is what I like the most: mafia man, a lot of action and romance.
It’s worth reading.
August 13, 2026
this series is crack. give me the next one now!!
August 19, 2026
I’ll admit it: when I realised Chantelle and Christian’s book was next, I was a little disappointed. 🙈 I know, I know… never judge a book before you’ve read it! Well, consider me thoroughly humbled because WOW. This book was AMAZING! 😍
I absolutely loved their story. There was so much more depth to both characters than we’d seen in the first two books, and getting to really dive into Chantel and Christian, their personalities, their pasts, and their relationship was everything. The way their relationship developed had me completely hooked. ❤️
And Christian… WHAT. A. MAN. 🥵 Absolute hunk. I mean, respectfully… sir, please leave some oxygen for the rest of us!
This whole series just keeps getting better, and I am now ridiculously excited for Mariella and Ares story next. I genuinely thought we might get a little teaser or some information about their book at the end, so imagine my disappointment when I turned the last page and got NOTHING. 😭
So, naturally, I’ll now be stalking the author until release day. No pressure. 😂
Honestly, I cannot wait! This entire series is fantastic, and I’m seriously considering going back and rereading the first two books because I just love these characters and this world so much. ❤️📚
Bring on Mariella and Ares story… I’m ready! (And possibly a little obsessed.) 😂
I absolutely loved their story. There was so much more depth to both characters than we’d seen in the first two books, and getting to really dive into Chantel and Christian, their personalities, their pasts, and their relationship was everything. The way their relationship developed had me completely hooked. ❤️
And Christian… WHAT. A. MAN. 🥵 Absolute hunk. I mean, respectfully… sir, please leave some oxygen for the rest of us!
This whole series just keeps getting better, and I am now ridiculously excited for Mariella and Ares story next. I genuinely thought we might get a little teaser or some information about their book at the end, so imagine my disappointment when I turned the last page and got NOTHING. 😭
So, naturally, I’ll now be stalking the author until release day. No pressure. 😂
Honestly, I cannot wait! This entire series is fantastic, and I’m seriously considering going back and rereading the first two books because I just love these characters and this world so much. ❤️📚
Bring on Mariella and Ares story… I’m ready! (And possibly a little obsessed.) 😂
August 19, 2026
ATE THIS UPPPPPPPP Cristin was the definition of a man obsessed🙂↕️🙂↕️
August 23, 2026
I have loved every.single.book in this series… the Vitale men 🥵🥵 if you love mafia, men wearing masks, stalking all of the best dark romance tropes this series is for you
August 19, 2026
4.5
Oh dear god how can i love a man so obsessed, so possessive and so dedicated to his woman he'll do anything - and i mean anything - to make her happy?!
'Cause just like his brothers, Cristian is perfection 😍😅🤣
What can i say? I have a soft spot for the Vitale brothers, but mostly i love their family bond 🖤
The story is fast paced and intriguing, even without shocking plot twists.
However what i'm really waiting for is Ares & Mariella' story. Sorry not so sorry. 🤷🏻♀️
Oh dear god how can i love a man so obsessed, so possessive and so dedicated to his woman he'll do anything - and i mean anything - to make her happy?!
'Cause just like his brothers, Cristian is perfection 😍😅🤣
What can i say? I have a soft spot for the Vitale brothers, but mostly i love their family bond 🖤
The story is fast paced and intriguing, even without shocking plot twists.
However what i'm really waiting for is Ares & Mariella' story. Sorry not so sorry. 🤷🏻♀️
August 16, 2026
4.5⭐️ “Tell me who hurt you” THISSSSSSSS is what i want in a mafia romance omg… from the plot to the romance, to the writing, i was SAT. I literally started highlighting in the PROLOGUE. The gentleness and care that Cristian gave Chantel all while exuding serious touch her and die vibes.. i was EATINGGGGG this up. Then that plot twist? Please, i was a big gagged not gonna lie lol. Plus, the book just made me even more excited to go read and the other characters books. This had everything i want in a mafia romance, oh this was so good.
September 7, 2026
“𝕴 𝖜𝖆𝖓𝖙 𝖙𝖔 𝖌𝖎𝖛𝖊 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖊𝖛𝖊𝖗𝖞𝖙𝖍𝖎𝖓𝖌, 𝕮𝖍𝖆𝖓𝖙𝖊𝖑, 𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝕴 𝖓𝖊𝖊𝖉 𝖎𝖙 𝖙𝖔 𝖇𝖊 𝖘𝖔𝖒𝖊𝖙𝖍𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖈𝖍𝖔𝖔𝖘𝖊.”
RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5
SPICE: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 4/5
I’m going to breathe through this and attempt to keep my thighs clenched.
You know that meme of the old lady desperately scaling the gates because she needs to get inside?
That’s me right now trying to gain permanent entrance into this book.
Ma’am, move over. We climb at dawn.
Chantel has spent six years hiding behind a fake identity, locked doors, and enough secrets to destroy the fragile life she has built. Trust is not an option—especially when the truth running through her veins could make her an enemy of the Cosa Nostra.
Cristian Vitale is known as Il Corvo—the Raven.
Cold. Controlled. Aloof. Tattooed. Dangerous. Completely uninterested in Chantel.
Or so she thinks.
Three years earlier, Chantel entered into an anonymous arrangement with Bran, a mysterious masked stranger who promised to help her safely explore her desires and overcome her fears. No real names. No personal attachments. No crossing the carefully established boundaries.
It worked until their connection became too intense and too real.
So Chantel did what Chantel does best.
She ran.
Three years later, she reaches out to Bran again while simultaneously becoming entangled with Cristian—the man who appears to dislike her but keeps showing up whenever she needs him.
What Chantel doesn’t know is that Bran and Cristian are the same man.
HELLO, I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT AN EMOTIONAL AMBUSH.
✨ Mafia Romance
✨ Hidden Identities
✨ Masked MMC
✨ Enemies to Lovers
✨ Forbidden Romance
✨ Forced Proximity
✨ Stalker Suspense
✨ He Falls First and Harder
✨ Celibate MMC
✨ Protective/Caretaking MMC
✨ “Good Girl”
✨ “Who Hurt You?”
✨ Touch Her and D!e
✨ Found Family
I already love a masked-man situation because apparently concealing a fictional man’s face also conceals every ounce of my common sense.
But giving me a masked man AND an aloof mafia man, then revealing they’re the same obsessed psychopath?
A. Zavarelli, you greedy, benevolent genius.
Cristian knows exactly who Chantel is from the beginning. He knows why she ran from Bran, what frightens her, what she desires, and how easily she can be spooked when someone gets too close. He understands her more intimately than she realizes while she believes she is dealing with two entirely separate men.
One is the anonymous man she trusted with her fantasies.
The other is the Raven, whose apparent dislike keeps her guarded.
Meanwhile, Cristian is carrying three years of longing, devotion, and secrets while waiting for the woman he has never been able to forget.
THE RESTRAINT.
Couldn’t be me. I would have lasted fourteen minutes before producing identification, supporting documents, and a detailed PowerPoint titled “Surprise, It’s Me—Please Stop Running.”
Cristian’s quiet intensity absolutely made this book for me. He isn’t loud or chaotic about his obsession. He’s controlled. Watchful. Patient.
Which is somehow worse for my health.
This man has been loving Chantel from the shadows for years. He knows when to push and when pushing will send her straight into survival mode. He knows what she needs inside the bedroom, but more importantly, he understands what she needs outside it.
He never mistakes her fear for rejection. He recognizes it for what it is: the instinct of a woman who has survived by keeping everyone at a distance.
And instead of demanding that she simply trust him, he consistently gives her reasons to.
I AM UNWELL.
Cristian’s devotion is absolutely unhinged, but it is also remarkably steady. He protects Chantel, monitors threats, takes care of her, and remains unfazed by the defenses she has spent years constructing. His love feels inevitable—not because he forces it from her, but because he never stops making space for her to find her way toward him.
Is he controlling, possessive, obsessive, and morally questionable?
Obviously.
His nickname is the Raven, not the Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
But he sees Chantel’s fear without treating her as fragile. He understands that protecting her does not mean taking away her voice, even if his methods occasionally make privacy laws weep.
And Chantel’s emotional journey was just as compelling.
She has lived for years expecting her real identity to destroy everything. The possibility of discovery isn’t merely uncomfortable—it could place her directly in the path of people who view rival blood as a death sentence. Every lock, lie, and carefully maintained distance has helped her survive.
Trusting Cristian means risking more than her heart.
It means allowing another person close enough to uncover the truth.
Watching Chantel slowly learn to lean on him was the heart of this story. She doesn’t transform overnight because a hot man growls “mine” in her general direction. Her trauma doesn’t disappear when the sex begins. Every step forward requires her to challenge the instincts that once kept her alive.
Sometimes she moves closer.
Sometimes she panics.
Sometimes she runs like the building is on fire.
She’s a runner, she’s a track star—and Cristian apparently has the endurance to retrieve her every single time.
Their relationship is a slow, steady unraveling of Chantel’s fear and Cristian’s secrets. We, as readers, understand the connection between Bran and Cristian, so watching her gradually piece everything together creates this delicious tension. Every interaction carries two meanings because Cristian remembers an intimacy Chantel doesn’t know they share.
Once she begins to recognize that Cristian’s supposed hatred may be something entirely different?
MY THIGHS SUBMITTED THEIR RESIGNATION.
This book wasn’t as action-heavy or relentlessly gritty as I initially expected from the premise. The mafia danger and escalating stalker threat remain important, but they aren’t the primary focus for much of the story.
Instead, LOVELY VENOM is built around emotional suspense.
The central tension comes from waiting for Chantel to feel safe enough to trust Cristian, waiting for their identities and secrets to collide, and knowing the truth could either bind them together or send her running permanently.
That quieter focus worked beautifully for me because it gave their relationship room to develop. Cristian’s love wasn’t demonstrated only through violence or grand possessive declarations. It appeared in his patience, his attention, and his ability to anticipate what Chantel needed without making her feel ashamed for needing it.
Don’t worry, though. The man is still perfectly capable of violence.
He contains both caretaker energy and “touch her and your family will require a closed casket” energy.
We love range.
And then we need to discuss the spice.
FOUR PEPPERS. FOUR ALARMS. EVACUATE THE BUILDING.
Masked encounters. Blindfolds. Domination. Edging. Praise. Biting. Marking. Restraints. “Good girl.” “You take me so well.” The anatomical optimism of “We’ll make it fit.”
WHAT EXACTLY WAS I SUPPOSED TO DO WITH ALL THAT?
Stay calm?
I’m a medical professional, not a miracle worker.
Cristian knows Chantel’s fears, boundaries, and desires, and that knowledge makes every intimate scene feel intensely tailored to her. He understands when she needs control, when she wants to surrender it, and how to make her feel safe enough to explore the parts of herself she once believed she needed to hide.
The physical chemistry was scorching, but the emotional meaning underneath it made the scenes even more powerful. Their arrangement with Bran initially gave Chantel the freedom to explore without the vulnerability of being fully known.
Cristian’s challenge is showing her that she can be known completely and still be wanted.
Secrets, trauma, rival families, and all.
That distinction turned what could have been purely erotic into something deeply intimate.
I also loved the found-family elements and connections to the larger Empire of Kings world. This can be read as a standalone, but readers familiar with the previous books will likely catch additional context and appreciate the returning characters more.
The wider cast gives Chantel something she has rarely experienced: people who might choose her not because of her bloodline, false identity, or usefulness, but because she belongs with them.
The suspense surrounding her stalker adds genuine danger without overpowering the romance. Cristian is pulled further into Chantel’s life as the threat escalates, forcing her to rely on the exact man she believes she should avoid.
Poor thing.
Imagine being forced to accept protection from a tattooed, obsessed, celibate mafia man who has secretly spent three years longing for you.
Thoughts and prayers.
LOVELY VENOM gave me hidden identities, forbidden attraction, emotional healing, mafia-family danger, a heroine learning to trust, and a hero whose calm exterior conceals a truly magnificent level of obsession.
Cristian isn’t frantic in his devotion. He is inevitable.
He has already chosen Chantel. He has already waited years. He knows her secrets before she can confess them and loves her with an intensity she cannot yet comprehend.
All that remains is for Chantel to finally understand that the masked man who taught her to surrender and the Raven who makes her feel protected have always been one and the same.
These two were everything.
Five stars for Il Corvo, his runaway princess, and the revelation that the most dangerous man in the room may also be the only one patient enough to make her feel safe.
Now, if anyone needs me, I’ll be outside attempting to scale the gates again.
CRISTIAN, OPEN UP. I JUST WANT TO TALK.
The talking will not require clothes.
RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5
SPICE: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 4/5
I’m going to breathe through this and attempt to keep my thighs clenched.
You know that meme of the old lady desperately scaling the gates because she needs to get inside?
That’s me right now trying to gain permanent entrance into this book.
Ma’am, move over. We climb at dawn.
Chantel has spent six years hiding behind a fake identity, locked doors, and enough secrets to destroy the fragile life she has built. Trust is not an option—especially when the truth running through her veins could make her an enemy of the Cosa Nostra.
Cristian Vitale is known as Il Corvo—the Raven.
Cold. Controlled. Aloof. Tattooed. Dangerous. Completely uninterested in Chantel.
Or so she thinks.
Three years earlier, Chantel entered into an anonymous arrangement with Bran, a mysterious masked stranger who promised to help her safely explore her desires and overcome her fears. No real names. No personal attachments. No crossing the carefully established boundaries.
It worked until their connection became too intense and too real.
So Chantel did what Chantel does best.
She ran.
Three years later, she reaches out to Bran again while simultaneously becoming entangled with Cristian—the man who appears to dislike her but keeps showing up whenever she needs him.
What Chantel doesn’t know is that Bran and Cristian are the same man.
HELLO, I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT AN EMOTIONAL AMBUSH.
✨ Mafia Romance
✨ Hidden Identities
✨ Masked MMC
✨ Enemies to Lovers
✨ Forbidden Romance
✨ Forced Proximity
✨ Stalker Suspense
✨ He Falls First and Harder
✨ Celibate MMC
✨ Protective/Caretaking MMC
✨ “Good Girl”
✨ “Who Hurt You?”
✨ Touch Her and D!e
✨ Found Family
I already love a masked-man situation because apparently concealing a fictional man’s face also conceals every ounce of my common sense.
But giving me a masked man AND an aloof mafia man, then revealing they’re the same obsessed psychopath?
A. Zavarelli, you greedy, benevolent genius.
Cristian knows exactly who Chantel is from the beginning. He knows why she ran from Bran, what frightens her, what she desires, and how easily she can be spooked when someone gets too close. He understands her more intimately than she realizes while she believes she is dealing with two entirely separate men.
One is the anonymous man she trusted with her fantasies.
The other is the Raven, whose apparent dislike keeps her guarded.
Meanwhile, Cristian is carrying three years of longing, devotion, and secrets while waiting for the woman he has never been able to forget.
THE RESTRAINT.
Couldn’t be me. I would have lasted fourteen minutes before producing identification, supporting documents, and a detailed PowerPoint titled “Surprise, It’s Me—Please Stop Running.”
Cristian’s quiet intensity absolutely made this book for me. He isn’t loud or chaotic about his obsession. He’s controlled. Watchful. Patient.
Which is somehow worse for my health.
This man has been loving Chantel from the shadows for years. He knows when to push and when pushing will send her straight into survival mode. He knows what she needs inside the bedroom, but more importantly, he understands what she needs outside it.
He never mistakes her fear for rejection. He recognizes it for what it is: the instinct of a woman who has survived by keeping everyone at a distance.
And instead of demanding that she simply trust him, he consistently gives her reasons to.
I AM UNWELL.
Cristian’s devotion is absolutely unhinged, but it is also remarkably steady. He protects Chantel, monitors threats, takes care of her, and remains unfazed by the defenses she has spent years constructing. His love feels inevitable—not because he forces it from her, but because he never stops making space for her to find her way toward him.
Is he controlling, possessive, obsessive, and morally questionable?
Obviously.
His nickname is the Raven, not the Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
But he sees Chantel’s fear without treating her as fragile. He understands that protecting her does not mean taking away her voice, even if his methods occasionally make privacy laws weep.
And Chantel’s emotional journey was just as compelling.
She has lived for years expecting her real identity to destroy everything. The possibility of discovery isn’t merely uncomfortable—it could place her directly in the path of people who view rival blood as a death sentence. Every lock, lie, and carefully maintained distance has helped her survive.
Trusting Cristian means risking more than her heart.
It means allowing another person close enough to uncover the truth.
Watching Chantel slowly learn to lean on him was the heart of this story. She doesn’t transform overnight because a hot man growls “mine” in her general direction. Her trauma doesn’t disappear when the sex begins. Every step forward requires her to challenge the instincts that once kept her alive.
Sometimes she moves closer.
Sometimes she panics.
Sometimes she runs like the building is on fire.
She’s a runner, she’s a track star—and Cristian apparently has the endurance to retrieve her every single time.
Their relationship is a slow, steady unraveling of Chantel’s fear and Cristian’s secrets. We, as readers, understand the connection between Bran and Cristian, so watching her gradually piece everything together creates this delicious tension. Every interaction carries two meanings because Cristian remembers an intimacy Chantel doesn’t know they share.
Once she begins to recognize that Cristian’s supposed hatred may be something entirely different?
MY THIGHS SUBMITTED THEIR RESIGNATION.
This book wasn’t as action-heavy or relentlessly gritty as I initially expected from the premise. The mafia danger and escalating stalker threat remain important, but they aren’t the primary focus for much of the story.
Instead, LOVELY VENOM is built around emotional suspense.
The central tension comes from waiting for Chantel to feel safe enough to trust Cristian, waiting for their identities and secrets to collide, and knowing the truth could either bind them together or send her running permanently.
That quieter focus worked beautifully for me because it gave their relationship room to develop. Cristian’s love wasn’t demonstrated only through violence or grand possessive declarations. It appeared in his patience, his attention, and his ability to anticipate what Chantel needed without making her feel ashamed for needing it.
Don’t worry, though. The man is still perfectly capable of violence.
He contains both caretaker energy and “touch her and your family will require a closed casket” energy.
We love range.
And then we need to discuss the spice.
FOUR PEPPERS. FOUR ALARMS. EVACUATE THE BUILDING.
Masked encounters. Blindfolds. Domination. Edging. Praise. Biting. Marking. Restraints. “Good girl.” “You take me so well.” The anatomical optimism of “We’ll make it fit.”
WHAT EXACTLY WAS I SUPPOSED TO DO WITH ALL THAT?
Stay calm?
I’m a medical professional, not a miracle worker.
Cristian knows Chantel’s fears, boundaries, and desires, and that knowledge makes every intimate scene feel intensely tailored to her. He understands when she needs control, when she wants to surrender it, and how to make her feel safe enough to explore the parts of herself she once believed she needed to hide.
The physical chemistry was scorching, but the emotional meaning underneath it made the scenes even more powerful. Their arrangement with Bran initially gave Chantel the freedom to explore without the vulnerability of being fully known.
Cristian’s challenge is showing her that she can be known completely and still be wanted.
Secrets, trauma, rival families, and all.
That distinction turned what could have been purely erotic into something deeply intimate.
I also loved the found-family elements and connections to the larger Empire of Kings world. This can be read as a standalone, but readers familiar with the previous books will likely catch additional context and appreciate the returning characters more.
The wider cast gives Chantel something she has rarely experienced: people who might choose her not because of her bloodline, false identity, or usefulness, but because she belongs with them.
The suspense surrounding her stalker adds genuine danger without overpowering the romance. Cristian is pulled further into Chantel’s life as the threat escalates, forcing her to rely on the exact man she believes she should avoid.
Poor thing.
Imagine being forced to accept protection from a tattooed, obsessed, celibate mafia man who has secretly spent three years longing for you.
Thoughts and prayers.
LOVELY VENOM gave me hidden identities, forbidden attraction, emotional healing, mafia-family danger, a heroine learning to trust, and a hero whose calm exterior conceals a truly magnificent level of obsession.
Cristian isn’t frantic in his devotion. He is inevitable.
He has already chosen Chantel. He has already waited years. He knows her secrets before she can confess them and loves her with an intensity she cannot yet comprehend.
All that remains is for Chantel to finally understand that the masked man who taught her to surrender and the Raven who makes her feel protected have always been one and the same.
These two were everything.
Five stars for Il Corvo, his runaway princess, and the revelation that the most dangerous man in the room may also be the only one patient enough to make her feel safe.
Now, if anyone needs me, I’ll be outside attempting to scale the gates again.
CRISTIAN, OPEN UP. I JUST WANT TO TALK.
The talking will not require clothes.
September 9, 2026
4.5⭐️ 4🌶️ holy shit i ate this up🤪 i think this is actually my favorite in the series so far... but i fear if Ares & Mariella are next, this might get dethroned rather quickly hahahaha i have been FERAL for those two since book 1!!
okay- back to Chantel & Cristian. our MMC is a consent kiiiiing and i absolutely loved him from the jump. give me a man obsessed who feeds off of control, and i'm sat. add in a badass FMC who has learned to take care of herself after a tragic past, who eventually learns to trust others and show the softness she's kept hidden... i'm done for!
this had all of that and more. and while the 'big reveal' was a bit predictable, i think it was meant to be. i'm almost certain the author wanted readers to slowly collect breadcrumbs and piece together everything so that we would be more focused on how Cristian and his family react when they find out/the fallout of the reveal rather than the information itself.
this is a very character driven story with plenty of angst and a good helping of action and drama mixed in too. i am so excited to continue this series and find out who the rest of the crew ends up with!
okay- back to Chantel & Cristian. our MMC is a consent kiiiiing and i absolutely loved him from the jump. give me a man obsessed who feeds off of control, and i'm sat. add in a badass FMC who has learned to take care of herself after a tragic past, who eventually learns to trust others and show the softness she's kept hidden... i'm done for!
this had all of that and more. and while the 'big reveal' was a bit predictable, i think it was meant to be. i'm almost certain the author wanted readers to slowly collect breadcrumbs and piece together everything so that we would be more focused on how Cristian and his family react when they find out/the fallout of the reveal rather than the information itself.
this is a very character driven story with plenty of angst and a good helping of action and drama mixed in too. i am so excited to continue this series and find out who the rest of the crew ends up with!
August 24, 2026
***5 "Aeterna!!!" stars***
"I'm the venom he can't survive.
I'm his kiss of death."
I love the Vitale brothers!!!! And I love their girls!!!
This series is on my top 5 favorite series of all time!!!
Each book is full of intension and wild moments...
Their passion is exploding and now I am frustrated between three brothers!!! How can you choose between Angelo, Romeo and Christian??? And dear God, there are two more of them!!! And Ares!!! We can't forget the cunning Greek God, Ares!!!
Okay!!! I am a lost cause, because I am enjoying these men way too much!!! LOL!!!
But let's focus on Christian and Chantel!!!
"You had every chance to escape me. But you didn't. Now you're mine."
Chantel is a girl hiding from her past... For the past six years, she had become a different person from what she used to be...
She is a burlesque dancer, full of mystery and passion!!! But behind that persona is hiding a girl full of insecurities who never stopped watching behind her back!!!
The only time, she allowed herself to be free and feel was behind masks with a stranger that could make her feel safe!!! But when it got real, she ran away....
Now, she is trying to get out of a relationship with Cristian Vitale's best friend!!!
Cristian who is giving her always the stink eye... the man who is getting out of a room when she is into it!!! This man hates her and she doesn't know why...
"Love is a liability, and I'd seen what it did yo my family. I had no desire to repeat that history."
Cristian Vitale is controlled, angry and a difficult man to please...
But he has a weakness in the form of a wild, gorgeous dancer!!!
He let her once slip away from under him, but he won't make the same mistake again...
It's his time to have her and no one and nothing can stop him!!!
Or her secrets can destroy everything???
"I hate you for doing this to me."
"I know. But I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere."
I loved Cristian and Chantel!!!!
I loved how this man was for this woman!!! I liked the way he was approaching her and how patient was with her!!! I liked everything about him!!! It was impossible to not love him fiercely!!!
And Chantel knew that and that was why she was running away from him!!! He was dangerous for her heart!!!
She was the lovely venom, but he was a dangerous wardlock who could chain her to him for the rest of their lives!!!
Yep, I am a goner for these two and their story and I can not wait to see what Ashleigh has in the store for us next in the series!!! I believe Ares and Mariella will be next and they will take a big space into our hearts and I am here for everything they will throw our way!!!
"I knew this would be addictive."
"Good. Don't ever forget who your dealer is."
**I received an ARc for the exchange of an honest review**
"I'm the venom he can't survive.
I'm his kiss of death."
I love the Vitale brothers!!!! And I love their girls!!!
This series is on my top 5 favorite series of all time!!!
Each book is full of intension and wild moments...
Their passion is exploding and now I am frustrated between three brothers!!! How can you choose between Angelo, Romeo and Christian??? And dear God, there are two more of them!!! And Ares!!! We can't forget the cunning Greek God, Ares!!!
Okay!!! I am a lost cause, because I am enjoying these men way too much!!! LOL!!!
But let's focus on Christian and Chantel!!!
"You had every chance to escape me. But you didn't. Now you're mine."
Chantel is a girl hiding from her past... For the past six years, she had become a different person from what she used to be...
She is a burlesque dancer, full of mystery and passion!!! But behind that persona is hiding a girl full of insecurities who never stopped watching behind her back!!!
The only time, she allowed herself to be free and feel was behind masks with a stranger that could make her feel safe!!! But when it got real, she ran away....
Now, she is trying to get out of a relationship with Cristian Vitale's best friend!!!
Cristian who is giving her always the stink eye... the man who is getting out of a room when she is into it!!! This man hates her and she doesn't know why...
"Love is a liability, and I'd seen what it did yo my family. I had no desire to repeat that history."
Cristian Vitale is controlled, angry and a difficult man to please...
But he has a weakness in the form of a wild, gorgeous dancer!!!
He let her once slip away from under him, but he won't make the same mistake again...
It's his time to have her and no one and nothing can stop him!!!
Or her secrets can destroy everything???
"I hate you for doing this to me."
"I know. But I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere."
I loved Cristian and Chantel!!!!
I loved how this man was for this woman!!! I liked the way he was approaching her and how patient was with her!!! I liked everything about him!!! It was impossible to not love him fiercely!!!
And Chantel knew that and that was why she was running away from him!!! He was dangerous for her heart!!!
She was the lovely venom, but he was a dangerous wardlock who could chain her to him for the rest of their lives!!!
Yep, I am a goner for these two and their story and I can not wait to see what Ashleigh has in the store for us next in the series!!! I believe Ares and Mariella will be next and they will take a big space into our hearts and I am here for everything they will throw our way!!!
"I knew this would be addictive."
"Good. Don't ever forget who your dealer is."
**I received an ARc for the exchange of an honest review**
August 23, 2026
4.5 nerdy ⭐️
September 15, 2026
5 Raven Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️♾️
4🌶
"Ti sceglierei in ogni vita."
...venind de la un morocănos întunecat, tăcut,mereu calculat ..🤌😮💨🫦
4🌶
"Ti sceglierei in ogni vita."
...venind de la un morocănos întunecat, tăcut,mereu calculat ..🤌😮💨🫦
August 12, 2026
“𝙄’𝙢 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙠𝙞𝙨𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙙𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙝.”
I’m addicted to A. Zavarelli’s books and each book she writes is somehow even better than the previous one. She can do no wrong in my eyes. Period.
This book is the 3𝙧𝙙 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 in the 𝙀𝙢𝙥𝙞𝙧𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙆𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 series and my favorite one so far!! She set the standard really high for mafia romance books with this one and Cristian Vitale, the MMC in this book, is currently my favorite mafia man.
This story is so good, and the plot is executed to p e r f e c t i o n! I’m in a slump right now and don’t know what to read because no book can compare to this one. I need A. Zavarelli to hurry up with the next one!! AND I CAN’T WAIT FOR THE NEXT ONE!!! 🤍🤍🤍
𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙡: “𝙄 𝙠𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙗𝙚 𝙖𝙙𝙙𝙞𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚.”
𝘾𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙖𝙣: “𝙂𝙤𝙤𝙙. 𝘿𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙙𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙚𝙧 𝙞𝙨.”
I’m addicted to A. Zavarelli’s books and each book she writes is somehow even better than the previous one. She can do no wrong in my eyes. Period.
This book is the 3𝙧𝙙 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 in the 𝙀𝙢𝙥𝙞𝙧𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙆𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 series and my favorite one so far!! She set the standard really high for mafia romance books with this one and Cristian Vitale, the MMC in this book, is currently my favorite mafia man.
This story is so good, and the plot is executed to p e r f e c t i o n! I’m in a slump right now and don’t know what to read because no book can compare to this one. I need A. Zavarelli to hurry up with the next one!! AND I CAN’T WAIT FOR THE NEXT ONE!!! 🤍🤍🤍
𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙡: “𝙄 𝙠𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙗𝙚 𝙖𝙙𝙙𝙞𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚.”
𝘾𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙖𝙣: “𝙂𝙤𝙤𝙙. 𝘿𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙙𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙚𝙧 𝙞𝙨.”
Read
July 11, 2026I’m already emotionally invested in a book that hasn’t even been printed yet
AHHHHHH I CANT WAITTTTTTT
AHHHHHH I CANT WAITTTTTTT
August 16, 2026
Lovely Venom by A. Zavarelli was a release I had been eagerly waiting for and I’m so happy it lived up to my expectations. I honestly don’t know which book from the series I’ve enjoyed the most so far, but I do know I can’t wait to read more from A. Zavarelli.
The author creates mafia romances that leave their mark on the reader. I’m always glad that it’s not the shocking moments that define her stories, but the intensity and emotion with which they are told. Chantel and Cristian have so many obstacles to overcome if they want their relationship to work, so the story moves at quite a fast pace. I was also incredibly curious to see how everything would come together in the end, which is why I devoured the story in a very short time. I also love books that make me cry, and Lovely Venom definitely did its job.
💘 “But I had no idea that while I was busy securing the fortress around my heart, I was robbing us of precious time.”
Cristian was such a memorable character, one I’m definitely going to remember remember because of his intensity. I love it when mmcs have a softer side when it comes to the women they love, wanting to protect them and be there for them and he definitely excels in this department. I also really enjoyed the storyline involving Bran, which, although quite obvious to the reader, adds a little bit of suspense when it comes to Chantel. The author played with the words and the story so beautifully and I was eagerly waiting for the moment when the truth would finally come to light because there are many secrets that could disrupt the fragile balance between the two of them.
💘 “Words alone mean nothing to Chantel. She expects that everyone will eventually betray her, and I’m not giving that fear another second to breathe.”
But beyond the relationship between Chantel and Cristian, I really loved the found family aspect of the story. The atmosphere the author creates makes you want to get to know every single character.
● ● ● ● ◐
The author creates mafia romances that leave their mark on the reader. I’m always glad that it’s not the shocking moments that define her stories, but the intensity and emotion with which they are told. Chantel and Cristian have so many obstacles to overcome if they want their relationship to work, so the story moves at quite a fast pace. I was also incredibly curious to see how everything would come together in the end, which is why I devoured the story in a very short time. I also love books that make me cry, and Lovely Venom definitely did its job.
💘 “But I had no idea that while I was busy securing the fortress around my heart, I was robbing us of precious time.”
Cristian was such a memorable character, one I’m definitely going to remember remember because of his intensity. I love it when mmcs have a softer side when it comes to the women they love, wanting to protect them and be there for them and he definitely excels in this department. I also really enjoyed the storyline involving Bran, which, although quite obvious to the reader, adds a little bit of suspense when it comes to Chantel. The author played with the words and the story so beautifully and I was eagerly waiting for the moment when the truth would finally come to light because there are many secrets that could disrupt the fragile balance between the two of them.
💘 “Words alone mean nothing to Chantel. She expects that everyone will eventually betray her, and I’m not giving that fear another second to breathe.”
But beyond the relationship between Chantel and Cristian, I really loved the found family aspect of the story. The atmosphere the author creates makes you want to get to know every single character.
● ● ● ● ◐
September 22, 2026
Warning--if you start reading this book you need to have time set aside to keep reading it.
This story is a beautiful and emotional love story between a woman with a terrible and tragic past and the man who fell in love with her from the first moment he saw her.
A. Zavarelli knows how to write yearning, desire, pain and obsession. She brought that and so much more to this story. Chantel is an amazing FMC. She's talented. Creative. Multifaceted. Her dance scenes are absolute master pieces. She's got skeletons in her closet and locks the doors so that the past can't come inside to get to her. So relatable. And, quietly vulnerable.
Cristian is wow. I wondered how Ms. Zavarelli was going to bring him to the same Obsessive and Possessive table that Angelo and Romeo already managed to be at and take control over, but she did not disappoint. Cristian is simply the coolest Vitale brother. He's got a freaking observatory in his wing of the compound. He's so smart. He's elegant in his Mafia side, not so brutal as Romeo and not so controlling as Angelo, but he's perfect in his role in his family and the Cosa Nostra. He's stubborn. He's ruthless. And, he's passionate. Which made him a fabulous MMC to read.
This story has so many twists and turns. Reveals that are a whole lot shocking. Some hard, hard scenes to read about and sit with afterward because they are agonizing. Our favorite cheeky Greek Ares has some page-time and it's amazing how well A. Zavarelli creates this whole Mafia underworld with vibrant characters who are so real and well-rounded they leap off the pages and make it feel like you-as the reader- are part of the family, too. And, Nona, as always wins for being the cutest all-knowing grandma!
5+ out of 5 Stars for the story
5++ out of 5 hearts for the romance
5* out of 5 Stars for how freaking patient Cristian is with Chantel
7!!! out of 5 peppers for the heat because Cristian is a filthy Vitale just like his brothers
10+ out of 5 stars for the angst, need, desire and overall satisfaction of a story told by a skilled and wonderful author.
Now, I'm so excited for Ares to show his Italian woman what it looks like when a Greek is determined to get what he wants.
This story is a beautiful and emotional love story between a woman with a terrible and tragic past and the man who fell in love with her from the first moment he saw her.
A. Zavarelli knows how to write yearning, desire, pain and obsession. She brought that and so much more to this story. Chantel is an amazing FMC. She's talented. Creative. Multifaceted. Her dance scenes are absolute master pieces. She's got skeletons in her closet and locks the doors so that the past can't come inside to get to her. So relatable. And, quietly vulnerable.
Cristian is wow. I wondered how Ms. Zavarelli was going to bring him to the same Obsessive and Possessive table that Angelo and Romeo already managed to be at and take control over, but she did not disappoint. Cristian is simply the coolest Vitale brother. He's got a freaking observatory in his wing of the compound. He's so smart. He's elegant in his Mafia side, not so brutal as Romeo and not so controlling as Angelo, but he's perfect in his role in his family and the Cosa Nostra. He's stubborn. He's ruthless. And, he's passionate. Which made him a fabulous MMC to read.
This story has so many twists and turns. Reveals that are a whole lot shocking. Some hard, hard scenes to read about and sit with afterward because they are agonizing. Our favorite cheeky Greek Ares has some page-time and it's amazing how well A. Zavarelli creates this whole Mafia underworld with vibrant characters who are so real and well-rounded they leap off the pages and make it feel like you-as the reader- are part of the family, too. And, Nona, as always wins for being the cutest all-knowing grandma!
5+ out of 5 Stars for the story
5++ out of 5 hearts for the romance
5* out of 5 Stars for how freaking patient Cristian is with Chantel
7!!! out of 5 peppers for the heat because Cristian is a filthy Vitale just like his brothers
10+ out of 5 stars for the angst, need, desire and overall satisfaction of a story told by a skilled and wonderful author.
Now, I'm so excited for Ares to show his Italian woman what it looks like when a Greek is determined to get what he wants.
August 25, 2026
Lovely Venom was dark, intense, and completely addictive in that “I should probably take a break, but absolutely will not” kind of way. A. Zavarelli knows how to pull readers into a dangerous world filled with obsession, secrets, and morally questionable people who somehow still manage to own your heart. This book had a heavy, edgy atmosphere from the start, and I was hooked on the tension long before the romance fully hit its stride.
The chemistry between the main characters was seriously wild. Their relationship was messy, complicated, and not always easy to watch, but that was exactly what made it so compelling. There is a lot of push-and-pull, emotional baggage, and power imbalance to unpack, yet beneath all the darkness, there are vulnerable moments that made me understand why they kept finding their way back to each other. The hero is very much the kind of man readers will either want to shake or become completely obsessed with—possibly both at the same time.
I also loved how the suspense and darker themes kept the story from ever feeling too comfortable. The plot had enough twists and looming danger to keep the pages turning, and the supporting characters added layers without distracting from the central relationship. A few moments felt a little over-the-top, and there were times I wanted the characters to make better choices for the sake of my blood pressure, but honestly, that chaos is part of the appeal.
Overall, Lovely Venom is a deliciously dark, steamy, and emotionally charged read. It is not gentle or easygoing, but it delivers on angst, obsession, and high-stakes romance. I am giving it four stars because it kept me entertained, slightly stressed, and fully invested from beginning to end. If you enjoy dark romance with dangerous men, complicated heroines, and plenty of emotional turbulence, this one is worth adding to your list.
The chemistry between the main characters was seriously wild. Their relationship was messy, complicated, and not always easy to watch, but that was exactly what made it so compelling. There is a lot of push-and-pull, emotional baggage, and power imbalance to unpack, yet beneath all the darkness, there are vulnerable moments that made me understand why they kept finding their way back to each other. The hero is very much the kind of man readers will either want to shake or become completely obsessed with—possibly both at the same time.
I also loved how the suspense and darker themes kept the story from ever feeling too comfortable. The plot had enough twists and looming danger to keep the pages turning, and the supporting characters added layers without distracting from the central relationship. A few moments felt a little over-the-top, and there were times I wanted the characters to make better choices for the sake of my blood pressure, but honestly, that chaos is part of the appeal.
Overall, Lovely Venom is a deliciously dark, steamy, and emotionally charged read. It is not gentle or easygoing, but it delivers on angst, obsession, and high-stakes romance. I am giving it four stars because it kept me entertained, slightly stressed, and fully invested from beginning to end. If you enjoy dark romance with dangerous men, complicated heroines, and plenty of emotional turbulence, this one is worth adding to your list.
August 18, 2026
• 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 - 5✨
• 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 - August 18, 2026
• 𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 -
- dark mafia romance
- secretly obsessed hero
- he falls first
- hidden identity
- rival families
- possessive & protective hero
- forced proximity
- morally grey hero
• 𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 -
Lovely Venom is the third interconnected standalone in the Empire of Kings series, and this one follows Cristian and Chantel. Chantel has spent years hiding behind a fake identity while carrying secrets that could put her in danger. Cristian is cold, controlled and feared in the mafia world, but behind that calm exterior is an obsession with Chantel that has been growing for years. When their paths finally collide, secrets, attraction and danger make it impossible for either of them to stay away.
I absolutely loved the dark and intense atmosphere of this book. Cristian was everything I wanted from a dark mafia MMC - quiet, patient, ruthless and completely obsessed with his woman. 🥵 Chantel was strong and resilient, and I really loved seeing her slowly learn to trust again.
The chemistry between them was SO good, and I loved the obsession, possessiveness and protective energy throughout the story. There was also plenty of banter, found family, emotional moments and twists that kept me hooked. 🥹❤️
A. Zavarelli really knows how to create these intense relationships while still giving the characters room to heal and grow. I was completely invested in Cristian and Chantel, and I honestly did not want their story to end.
This was such a fun and addictive dark romance read, and now I’m already impatient for the next couple book - Ares and Mariella book!!
Thank you candipr for the ARC!
• 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 - August 18, 2026
• 𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 -
- dark mafia romance
- secretly obsessed hero
- he falls first
- hidden identity
- rival families
- possessive & protective hero
- forced proximity
- morally grey hero
• 𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 -
Lovely Venom is the third interconnected standalone in the Empire of Kings series, and this one follows Cristian and Chantel. Chantel has spent years hiding behind a fake identity while carrying secrets that could put her in danger. Cristian is cold, controlled and feared in the mafia world, but behind that calm exterior is an obsession with Chantel that has been growing for years. When their paths finally collide, secrets, attraction and danger make it impossible for either of them to stay away.
I absolutely loved the dark and intense atmosphere of this book. Cristian was everything I wanted from a dark mafia MMC - quiet, patient, ruthless and completely obsessed with his woman. 🥵 Chantel was strong and resilient, and I really loved seeing her slowly learn to trust again.
The chemistry between them was SO good, and I loved the obsession, possessiveness and protective energy throughout the story. There was also plenty of banter, found family, emotional moments and twists that kept me hooked. 🥹❤️
A. Zavarelli really knows how to create these intense relationships while still giving the characters room to heal and grow. I was completely invested in Cristian and Chantel, and I honestly did not want their story to end.
This was such a fun and addictive dark romance read, and now I’m already impatient for the next couple book - Ares and Mariella book!!
Thank you candipr for the ARC!
August 23, 2026
Cristian was the best. This man really surprised me. The way he was patient with Chantel and knew exactly what she needed and knew what would happen if he pushed, it was perfect. He was perfect. He knew just how to handle her and when to push her, but also when to just back off and leave her be. She had serious trust issues with men because of her past, and she was constantly expecting Cristian to screw up and prove her right- even though deep down she didn’t want to be right. She wanted to trust him and let her walls down, but there was one huge secret she was keeping and knew when Cristian found out it’d be a betrayal to him and his family.
Their story wasn’t really dark and action packed, but it did have its moments that kept you in suspense. And I really loved how it was a process for Chantel to trust Cristian. Even though they had intense chemistry, their relationship developed over time and it was perfect. I’m excited that Ares book is next. I’m looking forward to seeing how he redeems himself after all the shit he’s done. I like him, he has his moments- like how he stepped in to save Chantel and protect her, but he’s got his work cut out for when it comes to the Vitales, especially Mariella.
Their story wasn’t really dark and action packed, but it did have its moments that kept you in suspense. And I really loved how it was a process for Chantel to trust Cristian. Even though they had intense chemistry, their relationship developed over time and it was perfect. I’m excited that Ares book is next. I’m looking forward to seeing how he redeems himself after all the shit he’s done. I like him, he has his moments- like how he stepped in to save Chantel and protect her, but he’s got his work cut out for when it comes to the Vitales, especially Mariella.
August 19, 2026
🐦⬛🖤 I seriously have a weakness for these men, and at this point, I do not want a cure.
Lovely Venom gave me exactly the kind of morally questionable man I love finding between the pages of a book. Cold, controlled, mysterious, and dangerous? Add in the fact that he's known as Il Corvo—the Raven—and really, what was I supposed to do?
The masked-stranger element hooked me immediately. There's something delicious about knowing there's more happening beneath the surface while watching all those secrets and hidden identities slowly unravel.
But what really worked for me was the connection between these characters. Both of them are hiding pieces of themselves, both have reasons not to trust, and neither realizes just how tangled their lives have already become. The tension that creates made it very easy to keep turning the pages.
Mafia romance, rival blood, secrets, a mysterious masked man, and an MMC who is exactly the kind of fictional red flag I apparently collect for fun.
Do I recognize the problem?
Absolutely.
Am I interested in fixing it?
Absolutely not. 😂🖤
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Lovely Venom gave me exactly the kind of morally questionable man I love finding between the pages of a book. Cold, controlled, mysterious, and dangerous? Add in the fact that he's known as Il Corvo—the Raven—and really, what was I supposed to do?
The masked-stranger element hooked me immediately. There's something delicious about knowing there's more happening beneath the surface while watching all those secrets and hidden identities slowly unravel.
But what really worked for me was the connection between these characters. Both of them are hiding pieces of themselves, both have reasons not to trust, and neither realizes just how tangled their lives have already become. The tension that creates made it very easy to keep turning the pages.
Mafia romance, rival blood, secrets, a mysterious masked man, and an MMC who is exactly the kind of fictional red flag I apparently collect for fun.
Do I recognize the problem?
Absolutely.
Am I interested in fixing it?
Absolutely not. 😂🖤
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
August 24, 2026
This isn't a love story. It's an obsession.
If you're into bad boys who don't ask for your love — they just claim it — then Lovely Vicious by A. Zavarelli is about to wreck you in the best way.
Picture this: a world of gangs, buried secrets, and a toxic, possessive love that defies every ounce of logic. Morally gray characters, tension that crackles from page one, and the kind of dark romance that keeps you holding your breath until the last chapter.
If you're a fan of Rina Kent, Cora Reilly, or H.D. Carlton — this one's for you. 📖🔥
This isn't for readers who want a soft little love story. This is for the ones who want an obsession, and a love interest who scares you just a little... exactly the way you like it.
If you're into bad boys who don't ask for your love — they just claim it — then Lovely Vicious by A. Zavarelli is about to wreck you in the best way.
Picture this: a world of gangs, buried secrets, and a toxic, possessive love that defies every ounce of logic. Morally gray characters, tension that crackles from page one, and the kind of dark romance that keeps you holding your breath until the last chapter.
If you're a fan of Rina Kent, Cora Reilly, or H.D. Carlton — this one's for you. 📖🔥
This isn't for readers who want a soft little love story. This is for the ones who want an obsession, and a love interest who scares you just a little... exactly the way you like it.
August 18, 2026
This book is very appropriately titled as I most definitely will drink this lovely venom over and over again!
Dark-ish, and intense our main character Cristian is unapologetically cold, calculating and super alpha controlling. Then just when you want to kick him on the throat he shows a side of him that has you swooning as he is completely lovely and endearing.
I really enjoyed how this story evolved and developed.
They weren’t supposed to actually like each other but as the story developed they made discoveries about the other drawing them close to each, and creating an intimate and trusting attitude.
The plot twists really tested their relationship read what happens!
4.5 stars!
Dark-ish, and intense our main character Cristian is unapologetically cold, calculating and super alpha controlling. Then just when you want to kick him on the throat he shows a side of him that has you swooning as he is completely lovely and endearing.
I really enjoyed how this story evolved and developed.
They weren’t supposed to actually like each other but as the story developed they made discoveries about the other drawing them close to each, and creating an intimate and trusting attitude.
The plot twists really tested their relationship read what happens!
4.5 stars!
August 19, 2026
Thank you to the author and Candi Kane PR for the gifted e-copy.
“She spread through my veins and into the marrow of my bones, a venom so lovely and sweet. . .”
Vibes: the hero you want even when you shouldn’t
The push and pull in this book was perfect. She is guarded and he gives her support in every way. Acts of service your love language? Then this book is for you. He shows up in every way. Dirty mouth included.
Tropes:
Burlesque Dancer
Secret Identity
He Falls First
Obsessed MMC
Past Trauma
Hurt/Comfort
“She spread through my veins and into the marrow of my bones, a venom so lovely and sweet. . .”
Vibes: the hero you want even when you shouldn’t
The push and pull in this book was perfect. She is guarded and he gives her support in every way. Acts of service your love language? Then this book is for you. He shows up in every way. Dirty mouth included.
Tropes:
Burlesque Dancer
Secret Identity
He Falls First
Obsessed MMC
Past Trauma
Hurt/Comfort
October 3, 2026
3.75⭐ - 4⭐
Nu știu dacă merită 3.75⭐ sau 4⭐. A fost în același timp grăbită și totuși nu s-a întâmplat nimic. Plotul a fost pierdut cumva, scenele grafice mult prea multe și inutile, în detrimentul personajelor, cumva mi s-a părut că le-a luat din valoare. Tensiunea prea puțină, deși acțiunea și atmosfera a fost prielnică. Cea mai slabă din serie de până acum, dar totuși de calitate. Sper ca povestea Marielei și a lui Ares să apară cât de curând.
Nu știu dacă merită 3.75⭐ sau 4⭐. A fost în același timp grăbită și totuși nu s-a întâmplat nimic. Plotul a fost pierdut cumva, scenele grafice mult prea multe și inutile, în detrimentul personajelor, cumva mi s-a părut că le-a luat din valoare. Tensiunea prea puțină, deși acțiunea și atmosfera a fost prielnică. Cea mai slabă din serie de până acum, dar totuși de calitate. Sper ca povestea Marielei și a lui Ares să apară cât de curând.
August 20, 2026
Absolutely devoured this book - stayed up until 2 am! This book is so good!
August 28, 2026
I wanted to love this so much since the author has some amazing pieces. But it was just super boring😭
August 31, 2026
Ow owww!!! It’s been a minute since I’ve read a 5/5!! Tension was TEA, characters were TEA, plot was TEA
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