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Phantom Flower
I came to Bloodburn Academy with one goal:
Stay invisible.
After losing my father and being dragged to another country, I wanted nothing more than to blend into the background and get through college in peace.
That would've been easy if a Morozov hadn't set his sights on me.
The infamous mafia heir rules Bloodburn the same way he'll one day rule his empire. He moves through life knowing the world will always bend to his will.
Unfortunately for me, he's decided I should, too.
It doesn't matter that I despise everything he stands for. It doesn't matter that I want nothing to do with his dark and dangerous world. The more I push him away, the more determined he becomes to keep me within reach.
Dimitri Morozov is used to getting what he wants. And for reasons I can't understand, he wants me.
Stay invisible.
After losing my father and being dragged to another country, I wanted nothing more than to blend into the background and get through college in peace.
That would've been easy if a Morozov hadn't set his sights on me.
The infamous mafia heir rules Bloodburn the same way he'll one day rule his empire. He moves through life knowing the world will always bend to his will.
Unfortunately for me, he's decided I should, too.
It doesn't matter that I despise everything he stands for. It doesn't matter that I want nothing to do with his dark and dangerous world. The more I push him away, the more determined he becomes to keep me within reach.
Dimitri Morozov is used to getting what he wants. And for reasons I can't understand, he wants me.
300 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 25, 2026
About the author
Melysia M.
2 books21 followersMelysia writes dark romance filled with obsession, morally questionable decisions, and characters who desperately need therapy but would rather fall in love instead. When she's not plotting emotional damage for fictional people, she's usually reading MM romances, binge-watching BLs, and adding far too many books to her TBR. A lover of adventure both on and off the page, Melysia is always looking for her next travel destination, story idea, or fictional man to become emotionally attached to.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
Did Not Finish
June 30, 2026Muy Wattpad de tu parte...
June 13, 2026
✨ ARC review ✨
🌸 Phantom Flower by Melysia M 🌸
“He was not gentle with the world. But he had been gentle with me.”
first of all, i believe this is the authors debut novel and i am just blown away! the storyline kept me interested the whole time, and i kept asking myself, “am i toxic for wanting Dimitri?’ AND EVEN ‘am i toxic for wanting Dimitri.. AND Ilya?’ 😅😅😅
Phantom Flower is about Rei (or as Ilya would say, Raaaiiii), a flower-loving boy who just moved from Japan to Manhattan.. and Dimitri, leader of The Void Kings (a group of dangerous boys related to the most powerful Russian mafia syndicate in the East Coast). most people fear Dimitri.. and though Rei is among those people, he pushes down his worries and stands up for a kid Dimitri is messing with.. by kneeing him in the 🍆🤭 and there… is where true love begins. BAHAHA. okay, not exactly 😅 this is a *dark* romance, so don’t expect a bunch of cutesy, fluffy stuff. i mean, there are some things that Dimitri does that just makes me sigh with happiness (let’s just say, he never lets his ‘little fairy’ go without a flower 🌸) but there are also times where you don’t know whether to be horny or scared. or both. 💀
i really enjoyed this book and i NEED to know more about what’s going on with Marco, Alexei, Ilya and Kento - like, now!! lol.
‼️ please read content warnings before reading ‼️
some tidbits:
🌸 dark mafia romance
🌸 enemies to lovers
🌸 touch him and 💀
🌸 Marco being a sensitive lil ray of sunshine 🥺
🌸 primal play
🌸 🔫 play
🌸 Dimitri only being soft for Rei!!!
🌸 flowers. so many flowers. 🌸
🌸 Phantom Flower by Melysia M 🌸
“He was not gentle with the world. But he had been gentle with me.”
first of all, i believe this is the authors debut novel and i am just blown away! the storyline kept me interested the whole time, and i kept asking myself, “am i toxic for wanting Dimitri?’ AND EVEN ‘am i toxic for wanting Dimitri.. AND Ilya?’ 😅😅😅
Phantom Flower is about Rei (or as Ilya would say, Raaaiiii), a flower-loving boy who just moved from Japan to Manhattan.. and Dimitri, leader of The Void Kings (a group of dangerous boys related to the most powerful Russian mafia syndicate in the East Coast). most people fear Dimitri.. and though Rei is among those people, he pushes down his worries and stands up for a kid Dimitri is messing with.. by kneeing him in the 🍆🤭 and there… is where true love begins. BAHAHA. okay, not exactly 😅 this is a *dark* romance, so don’t expect a bunch of cutesy, fluffy stuff. i mean, there are some things that Dimitri does that just makes me sigh with happiness (let’s just say, he never lets his ‘little fairy’ go without a flower 🌸) but there are also times where you don’t know whether to be horny or scared. or both. 💀
i really enjoyed this book and i NEED to know more about what’s going on with Marco, Alexei, Ilya and Kento - like, now!! lol.
‼️ please read content warnings before reading ‼️
some tidbits:
🌸 dark mafia romance
🌸 enemies to lovers
🌸 touch him and 💀
🌸 Marco being a sensitive lil ray of sunshine 🥺
🌸 primal play
🌸 🔫 play
🌸 Dimitri only being soft for Rei!!!
🌸 flowers. so many flowers. 🌸
June 28, 2026
Nope.
Someone saying "Stop" and you're not stopping.
That's not "morally complex intimacy" - that's sexual assault or even rape.
Soo - the trigger warnings are kind of shit and I'm at 22%.
Look.
I'm all for "don't get mad when a trigger that IS listed triggers you" - but you can't describe what is basically sexual assault and NOT have it listed.
There are enough people that have survived sexual assault/ rape and/or abusive relationships, and I can imagine these people would like to know what they are getting into before the story escalates to rape between the MC's.......
Not mentioning this is just fucking wrong, not even listing it as CNC ( instead calling it "morally complex intimacy", which is just a bullshit term if I ever heard one...).
So - doesn't really matter how good the rest of the book is.
0⭐️ for that one.
I'm not very "sensitive" when it comes to triggers, but describe assault (and more) done by one MC to the other and justify it as "dark romance" without proper content warning leaves a bad taste....
Someone saying "Stop" and you're not stopping.
That's not "morally complex intimacy" - that's sexual assault or even rape.
Soo - the trigger warnings are kind of shit and I'm at 22%.
Look.
I'm all for "don't get mad when a trigger that IS listed triggers you" - but you can't describe what is basically sexual assault and NOT have it listed.
There are enough people that have survived sexual assault/ rape and/or abusive relationships, and I can imagine these people would like to know what they are getting into before the story escalates to rape between the MC's.......
Not mentioning this is just fucking wrong, not even listing it as CNC ( instead calling it "morally complex intimacy", which is just a bullshit term if I ever heard one...).
So - doesn't really matter how good the rest of the book is.
0⭐️ for that one.
I'm not very "sensitive" when it comes to triggers, but describe assault (and more) done by one MC to the other and justify it as "dark romance" without proper content warning leaves a bad taste....
July 4, 2026
Buena idea, mala ejecución xd
July 1, 2026
Esto fue simplemente… malo.
Fue como un Rina Kent de Temu, de bajo presupuesto.
En fin, un menjunje de otros libros mal redactado.
Fue como un Rina Kent de Temu, de bajo presupuesto.
En fin, un menjunje de otros libros mal redactado.
June 26, 2026
MM
Mafia romance
Enemies to lovers
Forced proximity
Soft x violent
First time
It was like Gossip Girl but make it mafia, I really enjoyed the story it was a great debut novel!, the enemies to lovers was great!!
Loved the relationship and the dynamic between Dimitri and Rei, can’t wait to read more of this series!
And the art 10/10
Thank you, Melysia for an opportunity to read this arc. This is my honest Review
Mafia romance
Enemies to lovers
Forced proximity
Soft x violent
First time
It was like Gossip Girl but make it mafia, I really enjoyed the story it was a great debut novel!, the enemies to lovers was great!!
Loved the relationship and the dynamic between Dimitri and Rei, can’t wait to read more of this series!
And the art 10/10
Thank you, Melysia for an opportunity to read this arc. This is my honest Review
June 28, 2026
“We’re both a little broken, aren’t we?”
“Maybe... we can be broken together.”
^ Page 185.
Kinda lost me in the last 25% or so. Especially when this book is mostly written in 3 line paragraphs then suddenly it's gigantic paragraphs at the end filling the entire screen!
I liked Rei and Dimitri, even though Dimitri was definitely a walking red flag. I didn't like it when he was scaring the shit out of Rei in the car, especially after he told him his dad died in a car. (I might be wrong on that end part as I can't remember if he told him before another driving scene).
I'd like to say if there are more books to this (I'm assuming there are) I'm going to predict:
Ilya (Dimitri's friend) x Kento (Rei's brother)
Alexei (Dimitri's cousin) x Marco (Rei's friend)
More specific spoilers ahead from here...
Daniel's character and what he did to Rei was the most obvious thing I saw coming from the beginning. However, I did suspect Dimitri's father was going to do something to Rei or Dimitri so I thought I was wrong when Daniel was there. But then the only thing that half surprised me was Dimitri's father working with Daniel? But even that didn't make any kinda sense? Daniel is a nobody, Dimitri's father is a Russian mob boss??
But as soon as I found out they're both homophobic and not winning father of the year awards, it was obvious they were going to do something and be the villains of the story.
Dimitri's father felt lacking considering he's Russian mafia boss who's homophobic and his only heir is gay. I was honestly expecting something from him, just anything. Even his death was stupid because he was okay with Dimitri stepping down and Alexei taking over without second thought so Alexei just shoots him?? Felt pathetic.
I feel like I had very mixed opinions while reading this but I enjoyed more than other books I've read recently. I mostly enjoyed this one?
I can't remember what else I wanted to say here and didn't take notes for last 40% as I was too busy reading.
“Maybe... we can be broken together.”
^ Page 185.
Kinda lost me in the last 25% or so. Especially when this book is mostly written in 3 line paragraphs then suddenly it's gigantic paragraphs at the end filling the entire screen!
I liked Rei and Dimitri, even though Dimitri was definitely a walking red flag. I didn't like it when he was scaring the shit out of Rei in the car, especially after he told him his dad died in a car. (I might be wrong on that end part as I can't remember if he told him before another driving scene).
I'd like to say if there are more books to this (I'm assuming there are) I'm going to predict:
Ilya (Dimitri's friend) x Kento (Rei's brother)
Alexei (Dimitri's cousin) x Marco (Rei's friend)
More specific spoilers ahead from here...
Daniel's character and what he did to Rei was the most obvious thing I saw coming from the beginning. However, I did suspect Dimitri's father was going to do something to Rei or Dimitri so I thought I was wrong when Daniel was there. But then the only thing that half surprised me was Dimitri's father working with Daniel? But even that didn't make any kinda sense? Daniel is a nobody, Dimitri's father is a Russian mob boss??
But as soon as I found out they're both homophobic and not winning father of the year awards, it was obvious they were going to do something and be the villains of the story.
Dimitri's father felt lacking considering he's Russian mafia boss who's homophobic and his only heir is gay. I was honestly expecting something from him, just anything. Even his death was stupid because he was okay with Dimitri stepping down and Alexei taking over without second thought so Alexei just shoots him?? Felt pathetic.
I feel like I had very mixed opinions while reading this but I enjoyed more than other books I've read recently. I mostly enjoyed this one?
I can't remember what else I wanted to say here and didn't take notes for last 40% as I was too busy reading.
June 17, 2026
ARC review:
“Tension. That was the game. I wanted him to reach the point where he hated me and wanted me in the same breath.”
1He was not gentle with the world. But he had been gentle with me.”
Dimitri is one of the Void Kings of Bloodburn Academy. A mafia prince who loves to solve problems with violence and used to getting what he wants. And he set his eyes on Reí.
Reí lost his father and now has been moved from Japan to the suburban jungle of the upper east side. Trying to survive and get out with his friend Marco in one piece is the only he really cares about.
Caught in the whirlwind that is Dimitri Rei gets more than swept up.
This story of a mafia prince who terrifies everyone but falls for the soft boy who hates violence and wears a flower in his hair is so cute. A tad dark. A bit more gory. But a lot of cuteness. I love a touch and him and die trope. Dimitri does everything to protect his man. I’d swoon too. This story is fast paced and a wild ride with soft moments.
“Tension. That was the game. I wanted him to reach the point where he hated me and wanted me in the same breath.”
1He was not gentle with the world. But he had been gentle with me.”
Dimitri is one of the Void Kings of Bloodburn Academy. A mafia prince who loves to solve problems with violence and used to getting what he wants. And he set his eyes on Reí.
Reí lost his father and now has been moved from Japan to the suburban jungle of the upper east side. Trying to survive and get out with his friend Marco in one piece is the only he really cares about.
Caught in the whirlwind that is Dimitri Rei gets more than swept up.
This story of a mafia prince who terrifies everyone but falls for the soft boy who hates violence and wears a flower in his hair is so cute. A tad dark. A bit more gory. But a lot of cuteness. I love a touch and him and die trope. Dimitri does everything to protect his man. I’d swoon too. This story is fast paced and a wild ride with soft moments.
June 28, 2026
I refuse to believe this is Melysia’s first book. This story was freaking amazing!
I thought I knew what unhinged was, but Dimitri gave that term a whole new meaning. That man had no control whatsoever when it came to Rei. Sure the way he claimed him as his was, well, a little psycho. But he turned out to care about Rei more than anyone, even his own mother.
After his father’s death, Rei had to move from Japan to NY. Not only did he still have trauma from that, but his mother couldn’t care less about his feelings. The only person he could count on was his best friend Marco.
Being at a school where the kids of the powerful attended wasn’t exactly what he wanted. Especially when THE most powerful of them all set his sights on him. The last thing Rei wanted was to be noticed by Dimitri.
But as luck would have it, that’s exactly what happened. After Rei stood up to the man himself, Dimitri takes it upon himself to show Rei who he belongs to in the most possessive, hottest way. Let’s just say that scene is the catalyst for them becoming more than just predator and prey.
Dimitri wanted Rei at all costs, even if it meant hurting him. But the more he got to know Rei, the more he fell in love with the gentle boy who stood up to him and others to defend his friend. He fell in love with the boy whose love for flowers made him feel safe. And Dimitri would burn the world down if he had to in order to protect him.
“𝒀𝒐𝒖’𝒓𝒆 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒆, 𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒆 𝒇𝒂𝒊𝒓𝒚. 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑰 𝒔𝒂𝒘 𝒚𝒐𝒖. 𝑰 𝒅𝒐 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒎𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒖𝒑 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒔. 𝑰 𝒅𝒐 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒊𝒇 𝑰 𝒂𝒎 𝒕𝒐𝒐 𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒗𝒆, 𝒕𝒐𝒐 𝒗𝒊𝒐𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒕, 𝒕𝒐𝒐 𝒎𝒖𝒄𝒉. 𝑰 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖. 𝑰 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒃𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈. 𝑰 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒕 𝒎𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝑰 𝒃𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒇𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈.”
I just loved how he paid such close attention to Rei’s tells. He quickly became aware of what made him anxious and made sure to fix it to make him feel better.
Dimitri making sure that Rei ALWAYS had a flower was the most beautiful, romantic and loving act a person could do. Especially coming from someone who was supposed to be ruthless and uncaring.
Sure, some of the methods to obtain said flowers weren’t exactly the best way, but what mattered most was that he did whatever it took to make Rei happy. The means of how he did so didn’t matter🥺
Despite of how things started, Rei had never felt as safe and cared for as he did with Dimitri. He knew the kinds of things Dimitri did but he never felt in danger when he was with him. And the way he took such good care of Rei was just so swoon worthy.
“𝑰 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝑰 𝒅𝒓𝒂𝒈𝒈𝒆𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒚 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅. 𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝑰 𝒔𝒘𝒆𝒂𝒓 𝒕𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖… 𝑰 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒚 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒏𝒐 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒆𝒍𝒔𝒆 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒖𝒓𝒕𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏. 𝑰 𝒔𝒘𝒆𝒂𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝒊𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒍𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒐𝒏, 𝑰 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒚 𝒊𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒃𝒖𝒊𝒍𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒂 𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒐𝒏𝒆.”
It shouldn’t make me so happy that when someone touched Rei, Dimitri made them pay but I honestly loved that he did that. Those people were terrible. The way they treated Rei simply for being himself was beyond disgusting.
Dimitri did what nobody else other than his dad ever did for Rei: he protected him. I can’t find fault in that. Love comes in different ways, doesn’t mean Dimitri’s way was wrong. It was just different.
I’m so excited for the next book of this series. I really need to read Marco and Alexei’s story. I’m curious to see how much more unhinged Alexei is compared to Dimitri 😆
I thought I knew what unhinged was, but Dimitri gave that term a whole new meaning. That man had no control whatsoever when it came to Rei. Sure the way he claimed him as his was, well, a little psycho. But he turned out to care about Rei more than anyone, even his own mother.
After his father’s death, Rei had to move from Japan to NY. Not only did he still have trauma from that, but his mother couldn’t care less about his feelings. The only person he could count on was his best friend Marco.
Being at a school where the kids of the powerful attended wasn’t exactly what he wanted. Especially when THE most powerful of them all set his sights on him. The last thing Rei wanted was to be noticed by Dimitri.
But as luck would have it, that’s exactly what happened. After Rei stood up to the man himself, Dimitri takes it upon himself to show Rei who he belongs to in the most possessive, hottest way. Let’s just say that scene is the catalyst for them becoming more than just predator and prey.
Dimitri wanted Rei at all costs, even if it meant hurting him. But the more he got to know Rei, the more he fell in love with the gentle boy who stood up to him and others to defend his friend. He fell in love with the boy whose love for flowers made him feel safe. And Dimitri would burn the world down if he had to in order to protect him.
“𝒀𝒐𝒖’𝒓𝒆 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒆, 𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒆 𝒇𝒂𝒊𝒓𝒚. 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑰 𝒔𝒂𝒘 𝒚𝒐𝒖. 𝑰 𝒅𝒐 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒎𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒖𝒑 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒔. 𝑰 𝒅𝒐 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒊𝒇 𝑰 𝒂𝒎 𝒕𝒐𝒐 𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒗𝒆, 𝒕𝒐𝒐 𝒗𝒊𝒐𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒕, 𝒕𝒐𝒐 𝒎𝒖𝒄𝒉. 𝑰 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖. 𝑰 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒃𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈. 𝑰 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒕 𝒎𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝑰 𝒃𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒇𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈.”
I just loved how he paid such close attention to Rei’s tells. He quickly became aware of what made him anxious and made sure to fix it to make him feel better.
Dimitri making sure that Rei ALWAYS had a flower was the most beautiful, romantic and loving act a person could do. Especially coming from someone who was supposed to be ruthless and uncaring.
Sure, some of the methods to obtain said flowers weren’t exactly the best way, but what mattered most was that he did whatever it took to make Rei happy. The means of how he did so didn’t matter🥺
Despite of how things started, Rei had never felt as safe and cared for as he did with Dimitri. He knew the kinds of things Dimitri did but he never felt in danger when he was with him. And the way he took such good care of Rei was just so swoon worthy.
“𝑰 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝑰 𝒅𝒓𝒂𝒈𝒈𝒆𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒚 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅. 𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝑰 𝒔𝒘𝒆𝒂𝒓 𝒕𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖… 𝑰 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒚 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒏𝒐 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒆𝒍𝒔𝒆 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒖𝒓𝒕𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏. 𝑰 𝒔𝒘𝒆𝒂𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝒊𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒍𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒐𝒏, 𝑰 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒚 𝒊𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒃𝒖𝒊𝒍𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒂 𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒐𝒏𝒆.”
It shouldn’t make me so happy that when someone touched Rei, Dimitri made them pay but I honestly loved that he did that. Those people were terrible. The way they treated Rei simply for being himself was beyond disgusting.
Dimitri did what nobody else other than his dad ever did for Rei: he protected him. I can’t find fault in that. Love comes in different ways, doesn’t mean Dimitri’s way was wrong. It was just different.
I’m so excited for the next book of this series. I really need to read Marco and Alexei’s story. I’m curious to see how much more unhinged Alexei is compared to Dimitri 😆
June 24, 2026
ARC Review:
Totally recommend this book if you’re looking for obsessed, unhinged, possessive MCs who completely change for love.
This is a dark mafia romance with a lot of descriptive violence, so definitely check the content warnings beforehand, but I was absolutely here for it.
Rei was such a sweetheart, and I loved his fierceness and the way he protected the people he cared about. Considering this is the author’s debut novel, I’m even more impressed by how much I enjoyed it.
I loved the relationship between Rei and Dimitri and the way Dimitri waited for Rei to be ready for more. I’m not going to lie, Dimitri was a real asshole toward Rei at the beginning, and there’s a pretty difficult scene to get through. But the character development afterward made it all the more rewarding, and I found myself rooting for them even harder.
The caretaking scenes were everything, and the hurt/comfort elements were some of my favorite parts of the book.
I wholeheartedly recommend this if you’re looking for a dark mafia romance featuring a super possessive, unhinged MC who would do absolutely anything for his Rei ❤️❤️❤️
But check trigger warnings!!
Totally recommend this book if you’re looking for obsessed, unhinged, possessive MCs who completely change for love.
This is a dark mafia romance with a lot of descriptive violence, so definitely check the content warnings beforehand, but I was absolutely here for it.
Rei was such a sweetheart, and I loved his fierceness and the way he protected the people he cared about. Considering this is the author’s debut novel, I’m even more impressed by how much I enjoyed it.
I loved the relationship between Rei and Dimitri and the way Dimitri waited for Rei to be ready for more. I’m not going to lie, Dimitri was a real asshole toward Rei at the beginning, and there’s a pretty difficult scene to get through. But the character development afterward made it all the more rewarding, and I found myself rooting for them even harder.
The caretaking scenes were everything, and the hurt/comfort elements were some of my favorite parts of the book.
I wholeheartedly recommend this if you’re looking for a dark mafia romance featuring a super possessive, unhinged MC who would do absolutely anything for his Rei ❤️❤️❤️
But check trigger warnings!!
June 27, 2026
Well your now a insta buy author and this is your first book? Man was this book good. I honestly loved it through and through and don’t have any complaints. I really liked how this book let the plot take center stage and not the smutt(that was real good too 🙂↕️). This book honestly nailed my favorite tropes i will ALWAYS be a sucker for an awful man who has a soft spot for another guy.I really liked how this book more dived into the romance and cute stuff like i was OVER THE MOON with that ending because come on now…. a field of flowers. I honestly wish i didn’t binge this book in a day so i could’ve spent more time with these two but it was to damn good. I’m super excited for the next book in the series. Another aspect i really like was how well they set up the next book leaving us with a lot of questions about what was going on with Marco, i really hope we get a book of Ilya we did NOT get enough of him in this book.For your first book this was a BANGER 10/10
June 28, 2026
Rei & Dimitri
🖤✨ This story was unexpectedly sweet.
I'm such a sucker for the way Dimitri was only ever soft for his Little Fairy. 🥹 And the way he loved Rei... the way Rei deserved to be loved. It completely melted my heart.
There was something about this book that reminded me of the classics, if that makes sense. It felt like a return to the foundations of dark romance—where the obsession, devotion, tenderness, and emotional payoff all take center stage. ❤️🔥
I had such an amazing time with this one. The romance had me smiling, swooning, and completely invested in these two.
I can't wait to see what Melysia writes next. I'll definitely be reading it. 📚✨
🖤✨ This story was unexpectedly sweet.
I'm such a sucker for the way Dimitri was only ever soft for his Little Fairy. 🥹 And the way he loved Rei... the way Rei deserved to be loved. It completely melted my heart.
There was something about this book that reminded me of the classics, if that makes sense. It felt like a return to the foundations of dark romance—where the obsession, devotion, tenderness, and emotional payoff all take center stage. ❤️🔥
I had such an amazing time with this one. The romance had me smiling, swooning, and completely invested in these two.
I can't wait to see what Melysia writes next. I'll definitely be reading it. 📚✨
Review of advance copy received from Author
Only soft for him…one of my favorite tropes. I loved the way Dimitri took care of Rei like it was just second nature. The dangerous and scary mafia prince completely obsessed with and devoted to the soft new kid with flowers in his hair. Rei is small and vulnerable but strong and quick to stand up to bullies. It was a slow burn with plenty of suspense and emotion. The emotion was so good. I literally read this in one sitting. I loved the side characters and can’t wait for the next book!
June 30, 2026
3.5 for a debut book this isn't bad. Dimitri is nuts about Kei. Kei has a fighting spirit and though he bends he never lets Dimitri break him. I wished it was longer so the darker to sweeter dynamic wasn't so fast. But I did like how they bonded.
I'll definitely read this author's other books in this series when they come out.
I'll definitely read this author's other books in this series when they come out.
June 20, 2026
I really loved this story. Demetri and rei were amazing characters. This was intense and brutal but I loved seeing the soft side of demetri
June 26, 2026
Came across this totally by accident, and devoured it. Light, cute, easy read and you're still emotionally invested in the MMCs
Already excited for the next ones.
Already excited for the next ones.
June 27, 2026
This was dark and adorable. Can’t wait for book 2
June 27, 2026
So cute 🤗
I loved these two! I cant wait for more of the story!! I have so many questions that need answering!
I loved these two! I cant wait for more of the story!! I have so many questions that need answering!
July 3, 2026
Cute! Ready for book 2! 🥰
July 4, 2026
Nadie se había atrevido a tanto. Y mira que hay autoras que creyeron que era buena idea publicar su libro.
June 26, 2026
The writing style was very easy to read, and you can tell the author put a lot of effort into editing and refining the story. I especially enjoyed the relationship dynamic between the two main characters, and I really liked Dimitri’s character development throughout the book.
That said, I do have a few suggestions from a reader’s perspective that you might find helpful for future books.
More depth in emotional scenes:
I would have liked some situations to be explored in more detail rather than being glossed over.
For example, Rei’s trauma was mentioned several times, and he did eventually talk about it with Dimitri. However, I think it would have been even more impactful if that storyline had developed a little more slowly. I would have loved a full scene where Rei struggles to explain what happened and gradually opens up to Dimitri.
The way it was written wasn’t bad at all—it just felt a bit too quick for such an important part of his character.
More focus on the darker elements:
I know this is a dark romance, and there was certainly a fair amount of darkness in the story. But believe it or not 🙃, I would have liked even more.
I would have enjoyed seeing more of Dimitri’s mafia life and his struggles with his father. I also think it could have been interesting if Rei had discovered more about that side of Dimitri, perhaps leading to some conflict or even a temporary breakup. A little extra drama would have worked well here!
I also would have liked more detail about Dimitri’s father and his attempts to get rid of Rei. That subplot felt like it had a lot of potential that could have been explored further.
Rei’s character development:
One thing I didn’t completely understand was Rei’s sudden change in behavior.
At the beginning of the book, I loved that he wasn’t intimidated by the “big bad guy.” His sarcasm, confidence, and refusal to let people talk down to him made him stand out as a main character.
Of course, it makes sense that he would soften once he became comfortable with Dimitri. However, for me, that change felt a little too sudden. I think it would have worked better if it had happened more gradually throughout the story.
More side-character interactions:
I would also have loved more interactions between Rei, Ilya, and Alexei.
The bits of banter between Rei and Ilya near the end of the book were some of my favorite moments, and I would have enjoyed seeing more of that dynamic throughout the story.
Marco and Alexei’s storyline:
I saw at the end of the book that Book 2 will focus on Marco and Alexei, and I’m excited for that!
However, if I’m being honest, I didn’t really realize there was something going on between them until Dimitri asked Alexei, “How is Marco?” Even then, I was still a little confused because I felt like there wasn’t enough information for me to fully understand what was happening.
I completely understand not wanting to reveal too much before their own book, but I think a few more details or scenes involving them would have helped both this story and the setup for the sequel.
Overall thoughts:
Overall, the book was well written and very enjoyable to read. My biggest criticism is that many chapters felt a little surface-level. I would have loved more detail about the characters, their backgrounds, and the darker aspects of the story, along with a bit more angst.
I think that adding more depth to those elements, rather than focusing almost exclusively on the romance, would have elevated the book even further and easily made it a 4-star read for me.
I also want to say that I’m not writing any of this to criticize harshly. I noticed that you’re still fairly early in your publishing journey, and I simply wanted to share some thoughts from a reader’s perspective.
I genuinely enjoyed the book! As you can see, I read it in a single morning, which says a lot. Keep writing, keep improving, and most importantly, keep doing your best—I’m looking forward to seeing what you write next!
That said, I do have a few suggestions from a reader’s perspective that you might find helpful for future books.
More depth in emotional scenes:
I would have liked some situations to be explored in more detail rather than being glossed over.
For example, Rei’s trauma was mentioned several times, and he did eventually talk about it with Dimitri. However, I think it would have been even more impactful if that storyline had developed a little more slowly. I would have loved a full scene where Rei struggles to explain what happened and gradually opens up to Dimitri.
The way it was written wasn’t bad at all—it just felt a bit too quick for such an important part of his character.
More focus on the darker elements:
I know this is a dark romance, and there was certainly a fair amount of darkness in the story. But believe it or not 🙃, I would have liked even more.
I would have enjoyed seeing more of Dimitri’s mafia life and his struggles with his father. I also think it could have been interesting if Rei had discovered more about that side of Dimitri, perhaps leading to some conflict or even a temporary breakup. A little extra drama would have worked well here!
I also would have liked more detail about Dimitri’s father and his attempts to get rid of Rei. That subplot felt like it had a lot of potential that could have been explored further.
Rei’s character development:
One thing I didn’t completely understand was Rei’s sudden change in behavior.
At the beginning of the book, I loved that he wasn’t intimidated by the “big bad guy.” His sarcasm, confidence, and refusal to let people talk down to him made him stand out as a main character.
Of course, it makes sense that he would soften once he became comfortable with Dimitri. However, for me, that change felt a little too sudden. I think it would have worked better if it had happened more gradually throughout the story.
More side-character interactions:
I would also have loved more interactions between Rei, Ilya, and Alexei.
The bits of banter between Rei and Ilya near the end of the book were some of my favorite moments, and I would have enjoyed seeing more of that dynamic throughout the story.
Marco and Alexei’s storyline:
I saw at the end of the book that Book 2 will focus on Marco and Alexei, and I’m excited for that!
However, if I’m being honest, I didn’t really realize there was something going on between them until Dimitri asked Alexei, “How is Marco?” Even then, I was still a little confused because I felt like there wasn’t enough information for me to fully understand what was happening.
I completely understand not wanting to reveal too much before their own book, but I think a few more details or scenes involving them would have helped both this story and the setup for the sequel.
Overall thoughts:
Overall, the book was well written and very enjoyable to read. My biggest criticism is that many chapters felt a little surface-level. I would have loved more detail about the characters, their backgrounds, and the darker aspects of the story, along with a bit more angst.
I think that adding more depth to those elements, rather than focusing almost exclusively on the romance, would have elevated the book even further and easily made it a 4-star read for me.
I also want to say that I’m not writing any of this to criticize harshly. I noticed that you’re still fairly early in your publishing journey, and I simply wanted to share some thoughts from a reader’s perspective.
I genuinely enjoyed the book! As you can see, I read it in a single morning, which says a lot. Keep writing, keep improving, and most importantly, keep doing your best—I’m looking forward to seeing what you write next!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 5, 2026
I had absolutely no idea what to expect when I picked up Phantom Flower. I came across it on Amazon and, judging by the cover, honestly thought it was going to have an anime or manga feel.
I could not have been more wrong.
And I am so glad I was.
If you loved God of Fury, I genuinely think you’ll love this book too. It has that same addictive energy with an obsessive mafia man, incredible chemistry, emotional tension, and a relationship that slowly consumes both characters. It gave me very similar vibes, and I could not get enough.
Rei is a young Japanese man who has recently moved to the United States after losing his father in a tragic accident. He’s stubborn, passionate, and refuses to let anyone walk over him. Even when he’s standing in front of someone who could easily destroy him, Rei refuses to back down.
That someone is Dimitri.
Dimitri is the heir to the Morozov Bratva. Ruthless, intimidating, and capable of incredible violence, he has spent his life preparing to inherit his father’s empire. Fear follows him wherever he goes.
Then Rei stands up to him.
Instead of making Dimitri angry, it fascinates him.
From that very moment, Dimitri becomes utterly obsessed with Rei. Not because he wants to control him, but because he’s captivated by the fire burning inside him. He wants to be near it, even if it means getting burned himself.
I absolutely loved how obsessive Dimitri became. 🖤
He starts out as his father’s enforcer, convinced the Bratva will always come first. But the more time he spends with Rei, the more obvious it becomes that his priorities have completely changed.
The Morozov family is no longer first.
Rei is.
And Dimitri proves it over and over again.
The little things he does completely stole my heart. Every single day he brings Rei fresh flowers because he realizes they make Rei feel safe and in control. Watching this terrifying mafia man become so serious about choosing the perfect flowers every single day was somehow one of the sweetest things I’ve ever read. 🌸❤️
Then there are the quiet moments where Dimitri cooks Japanese food because he knows how much Rei misses home. Those small acts of love meant more than any grand declaration ever could.
Rei’s home life is heartbreaking. His relationship with his stepfather is difficult, and his mother constantly chooses her husband over her own son. Home never truly feels like home, so he spends as much time away as possible.
Meeting Dimitri changes everything.
As frightening as Dimitri can be, he also shows Rei what it feels like to be chosen. To be loved. To be protected. To be someone’s entire world.
Yes, Dimitri has a vicious temper. If someone threatens Rei, he will not hesitate to destroy them. But beneath that dangerous exterior is a man whose devotion knows no limits. He gives Rei acceptance, understanding, patience, and unconditional love in a way Rei never believed possible.
Before Dimitri, Rei was simply surviving.
With Dimitri, he finally starts living.
That journey was my favorite part of the book.
The banter between them was fantastic, the chemistry was undeniable, and the tension just kept building chapter after chapter. This is a true enemies to lovers romance, and the slow burn is absolutely worth the wait.
When the spice finally arrives… wow. 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ It feels earned because of everything these two have been through together. Rather than overshadowing the story, it strengthens the emotional connection between them.
Melysia. M completely surprised me with this book. The writing was addictive, the romance had me hooked, and Dimitri easily became one of my favorite obsessive mafia men I’ve read.
I absolutely fell in love with Rei and Dimitri, and I cannot wait to spend more time with them in future books. 🌸🖤🥀
I could not have been more wrong.
And I am so glad I was.
If you loved God of Fury, I genuinely think you’ll love this book too. It has that same addictive energy with an obsessive mafia man, incredible chemistry, emotional tension, and a relationship that slowly consumes both characters. It gave me very similar vibes, and I could not get enough.
Rei is a young Japanese man who has recently moved to the United States after losing his father in a tragic accident. He’s stubborn, passionate, and refuses to let anyone walk over him. Even when he’s standing in front of someone who could easily destroy him, Rei refuses to back down.
That someone is Dimitri.
Dimitri is the heir to the Morozov Bratva. Ruthless, intimidating, and capable of incredible violence, he has spent his life preparing to inherit his father’s empire. Fear follows him wherever he goes.
Then Rei stands up to him.
Instead of making Dimitri angry, it fascinates him.
From that very moment, Dimitri becomes utterly obsessed with Rei. Not because he wants to control him, but because he’s captivated by the fire burning inside him. He wants to be near it, even if it means getting burned himself.
I absolutely loved how obsessive Dimitri became. 🖤
He starts out as his father’s enforcer, convinced the Bratva will always come first. But the more time he spends with Rei, the more obvious it becomes that his priorities have completely changed.
The Morozov family is no longer first.
Rei is.
And Dimitri proves it over and over again.
The little things he does completely stole my heart. Every single day he brings Rei fresh flowers because he realizes they make Rei feel safe and in control. Watching this terrifying mafia man become so serious about choosing the perfect flowers every single day was somehow one of the sweetest things I’ve ever read. 🌸❤️
Then there are the quiet moments where Dimitri cooks Japanese food because he knows how much Rei misses home. Those small acts of love meant more than any grand declaration ever could.
Rei’s home life is heartbreaking. His relationship with his stepfather is difficult, and his mother constantly chooses her husband over her own son. Home never truly feels like home, so he spends as much time away as possible.
Meeting Dimitri changes everything.
As frightening as Dimitri can be, he also shows Rei what it feels like to be chosen. To be loved. To be protected. To be someone’s entire world.
Yes, Dimitri has a vicious temper. If someone threatens Rei, he will not hesitate to destroy them. But beneath that dangerous exterior is a man whose devotion knows no limits. He gives Rei acceptance, understanding, patience, and unconditional love in a way Rei never believed possible.
Before Dimitri, Rei was simply surviving.
With Dimitri, he finally starts living.
That journey was my favorite part of the book.
The banter between them was fantastic, the chemistry was undeniable, and the tension just kept building chapter after chapter. This is a true enemies to lovers romance, and the slow burn is absolutely worth the wait.
When the spice finally arrives… wow. 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ It feels earned because of everything these two have been through together. Rather than overshadowing the story, it strengthens the emotional connection between them.
Melysia. M completely surprised me with this book. The writing was addictive, the romance had me hooked, and Dimitri easily became one of my favorite obsessive mafia men I’ve read.
I absolutely fell in love with Rei and Dimitri, and I cannot wait to spend more time with them in future books. 🌸🖤🥀
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐ - 5/5
*𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰*
⊹ | 𝙋𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙤𝙢 𝙁𝙡𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧 by Melysia M is a dark M/M romance and the first book in 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘝𝘰𝘪𝘥 𝘒𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 series. It follows the lives of Rei Kurosaki and Dimitri Morozov. This story explores themes that readers may find extremely triggering.
Before I share my thoughts and feelings, let me just say how grateful I am to have had the opportunity to be an ARC reader. This book is my 7th ARC this year, and I couldn't be more honored to have the chance to read so many amazing books!
I swear, dark M/M romance is my new favorite addiction! And yes, this book definitely made it onto my 5-star reads list. It was so freaking good, and I absolutely adored Rei and Dimitri. They were messy, complicated, and went through hell just to get their Happily Ever After. Once I picked this book up, I was immediately hooked by the sheer unhingedness and flew through it in just a couple of hours.
After Rei Kurosaki's father died, he was forced to move to a different country. His main goal was simple: stay invisible. Or at least it was, until Dimitri Morozov set his sights on him. Now, all eyes are on him, and Dimitri is determined to get what he wants. When someone puts a target on Rei's back, he finds himself protected by and trusting the last person he ever expected: Dimitri Morozov.
Dimitri Morozov is the son of a powerful Russian Mafia leader. He's cold, ruthless, and unhinged. No one dares to put up a fight against him, and he is used to getting what he wants until he meets Rei. Dimitri wants to break Rei, but he also wants to be there to catch all the little pieces. Soon, he finds himself determined to figure out who painted a target on what belongs to him. Protecting Rei will cost him everything, but burning the world down and rebuilding it for the man he loves is worth every risk.
I'm genuinely crazy about Rei and Dimitri. Dimitri really set the bar high. Like, THE FLOWERS?!? That man loved Rei and was so sweet with him, which just made me love him even more. I still think that he was unhinged, but hey, you're not going to see me complaining HAHA! Even though Rei was adamant about his feelings toward Dimitri—I loved it, and I'm totally a sucker for a little toxic tension—he eventually realized that no one really saw him like Dimitri did. Their dynamic was emotional, spicy, fun, and... well, complicated.
Not only was I interested in Rei and Dimitri's story, but I was also drawn in by Alexei and Ilya's stories. All the little sneak peeks we got throughout this book have me highly anticipating the next books in the series. Alexei and Marco's story is next, and I'm freaking excited!
Overall, if you love dark M/M romance with a soft MC x unhinged MC dynamic, then 𝘗𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘰𝘮 𝘍𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 is definitely something you should check out. The plot twist toward the end of the book actually surprised me, and I can't wait for y'all to officially meet Rei and Dimitri soon 🤭.
— 𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 𝒃𝒚 𝑷.𝑹.
*𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰*
⊹ | 𝙋𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙤𝙢 𝙁𝙡𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧 by Melysia M is a dark M/M romance and the first book in 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘝𝘰𝘪𝘥 𝘒𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 series. It follows the lives of Rei Kurosaki and Dimitri Morozov. This story explores themes that readers may find extremely triggering.
Before I share my thoughts and feelings, let me just say how grateful I am to have had the opportunity to be an ARC reader. This book is my 7th ARC this year, and I couldn't be more honored to have the chance to read so many amazing books!
I swear, dark M/M romance is my new favorite addiction! And yes, this book definitely made it onto my 5-star reads list. It was so freaking good, and I absolutely adored Rei and Dimitri. They were messy, complicated, and went through hell just to get their Happily Ever After. Once I picked this book up, I was immediately hooked by the sheer unhingedness and flew through it in just a couple of hours.
After Rei Kurosaki's father died, he was forced to move to a different country. His main goal was simple: stay invisible. Or at least it was, until Dimitri Morozov set his sights on him. Now, all eyes are on him, and Dimitri is determined to get what he wants. When someone puts a target on Rei's back, he finds himself protected by and trusting the last person he ever expected: Dimitri Morozov.
Dimitri Morozov is the son of a powerful Russian Mafia leader. He's cold, ruthless, and unhinged. No one dares to put up a fight against him, and he is used to getting what he wants until he meets Rei. Dimitri wants to break Rei, but he also wants to be there to catch all the little pieces. Soon, he finds himself determined to figure out who painted a target on what belongs to him. Protecting Rei will cost him everything, but burning the world down and rebuilding it for the man he loves is worth every risk.
I'm genuinely crazy about Rei and Dimitri. Dimitri really set the bar high. Like, THE FLOWERS?!? That man loved Rei and was so sweet with him, which just made me love him even more. I still think that he was unhinged, but hey, you're not going to see me complaining HAHA! Even though Rei was adamant about his feelings toward Dimitri—I loved it, and I'm totally a sucker for a little toxic tension—he eventually realized that no one really saw him like Dimitri did. Their dynamic was emotional, spicy, fun, and... well, complicated.
Not only was I interested in Rei and Dimitri's story, but I was also drawn in by Alexei and Ilya's stories. All the little sneak peeks we got throughout this book have me highly anticipating the next books in the series. Alexei and Marco's story is next, and I'm freaking excited!
Overall, if you love dark M/M romance with a soft MC x unhinged MC dynamic, then 𝘗𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘰𝘮 𝘍𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 is definitely something you should check out. The plot twist toward the end of the book actually surprised me, and I can't wait for y'all to officially meet Rei and Dimitri soon 🤭.
— 𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 𝒃𝒚 𝑷.𝑹.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review
This one was a doozy!
This book is told through a dual POV, following Dimitri and Rei. Dimitri is the heir to the Russian mafia, while Rei comes from a powerful Japanese legacy family. The story opens with Rei's heartbreaking backstory and his move to a completely different country.
The school both characters attend reminded me of Mean Girls times one hundred. It's filled with wealthy students, heirs to massive conglomerates, and people constantly looking for what they can gain from one another.
Rei is one of the MCs, and I adored him from the beginning. He's small and dainty, and he loves wearing flowers in his hair. I especially loved his relationship with his best friend, Marco, and their friendship only becomes more meaningful as the story progresses.
Dimitri, on the other hand, has a lot of anger and initially comes across as the stereotypical Bratva heir. As the story unfolds and the two get to know each other, their relationship develops into something that feels almost normal, at least as normal as a dark romance can be.
There's also an underlying mystery running throughout the story as we try to figure out who's behind everything. I thought I had it figured out before the ending, and I was almost right. The author keeps you on your toes because so much happens, and you're constantly questioning who's pulling the strings.
I really enjoyed this book. It's my first read from this author, and I'm looking forward not only to this release but also to the second book. I need to know more about these characters, their story, and where everything goes next.
This is definitely a slow-burn romance. The spice level is fairly low, but that doesn't take away from the story at all. When the spicy scenes do happen, they're very spicy, they're just not as frequent as in some other books. I still enjoyed it regardless.
I also loved the artwork included in the book and hope we get even more in the future.
Overall, I would absolutely recommend this book. The attraction and lust develop fairly quickly, but the love story itself is a true slow burn, and I had a great time reading it.
This one was a doozy!
This book is told through a dual POV, following Dimitri and Rei. Dimitri is the heir to the Russian mafia, while Rei comes from a powerful Japanese legacy family. The story opens with Rei's heartbreaking backstory and his move to a completely different country.
The school both characters attend reminded me of Mean Girls times one hundred. It's filled with wealthy students, heirs to massive conglomerates, and people constantly looking for what they can gain from one another.
Rei is one of the MCs, and I adored him from the beginning. He's small and dainty, and he loves wearing flowers in his hair. I especially loved his relationship with his best friend, Marco, and their friendship only becomes more meaningful as the story progresses.
Dimitri, on the other hand, has a lot of anger and initially comes across as the stereotypical Bratva heir. As the story unfolds and the two get to know each other, their relationship develops into something that feels almost normal, at least as normal as a dark romance can be.
There's also an underlying mystery running throughout the story as we try to figure out who's behind everything. I thought I had it figured out before the ending, and I was almost right. The author keeps you on your toes because so much happens, and you're constantly questioning who's pulling the strings.
I really enjoyed this book. It's my first read from this author, and I'm looking forward not only to this release but also to the second book. I need to know more about these characters, their story, and where everything goes next.
This is definitely a slow-burn romance. The spice level is fairly low, but that doesn't take away from the story at all. When the spicy scenes do happen, they're very spicy, they're just not as frequent as in some other books. I still enjoyed it regardless.
I also loved the artwork included in the book and hope we get even more in the future.
Overall, I would absolutely recommend this book. The attraction and lust develop fairly quickly, but the love story itself is a true slow burn, and I had a great time reading it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5/6.
🌶🌶.5/5.
This was wonderful. I was pleasantly surprised with this story. Since it is a debut book, it could've gone one of two ways and I'm so glad to apply to read an arc of this.
This story pulled me in from the very beginning and it basically held me hostage until I finished. It was that good. I didn't even notice time passing by, It was just me and this book and I was enjoying myself immensely.
Dimitri is the feared heir Morozov who frequents Bloodburn academy, along with his entourage Alexei and Ilya, and Rei is a guy who hates people who bullies his sunshine friend, Marco, but also bullies in general and because of that he ends up in Dimitri's path and the Morozov heir could not let it go even if he wanted to.
I just loved how obsessed Dimitri became from the beginning. From the moment he saw the fire within Rei, he just wanted to come closer and maybe burn in that fire. Dimitri is his father's henchman until he receives the throne and he was okay with it until it started taking away the time he had with Rei.
I loved that he very early on knew where his priorities were and the Morozov family wasn't one of them. Rei would always come first and he proved that every single time.
This man f-king picked flowers every single day for Rei because he knew that would make me feel safe and in control so he did that every f-king single time. Dimitri is so judgmental when it comes to flowers, It was so cute and endearing and it ultimately showed how much he loved Rei.
Dimitri was also not afraid to stand up to his father and the fact that he wanted Rei and no one else.
The little things Dimitri did like cooking japanese food for Rei because that's what he loved the most and picking up fresh flowers every single day was everything and more.
Rei has a very tenuous relationship with his stepfather and his mother is a waste of space so he avoids being home as much as he can.
When things started with Dimitri, he started feeling things he didn't know he could feel and Dimitri broadened his horizons in a way that he couldn't stop what was slowly happening between them even if he wanted to.
Dimitri might be a bit hot tempered in a way that he could and would literally unalive you if you somehow wronged Rei but he showed Rei what devotion, love, acceptance, understanding and desire looked like.
He never thought he could have that when even his mother cared more about her dear husband than her own son so in a way what else could he ask for in life?
Before Dimitri he was surviving but with Dimitri he is living and enjoying life with a garden full of the prettiest flowers Dimitri made for him since he noticed Rei needed flowers.
I loved them together and I can't wait to see more of them in future books.
I have my theories too and I look forward to finding out how wrong I am.
Alexei, Ilya and Kento are intriguing and somewhat complex characters and I can't wait to find more about them. Marco, Rei's sunshine, is such a gentle soul and I wish I could put him in a bubble to protect him along with Rei.
Again, I cannot wait to read the upcoming books by this author!
* I read an arc of this book. *
🌶🌶.5/5.
This was wonderful. I was pleasantly surprised with this story. Since it is a debut book, it could've gone one of two ways and I'm so glad to apply to read an arc of this.
This story pulled me in from the very beginning and it basically held me hostage until I finished. It was that good. I didn't even notice time passing by, It was just me and this book and I was enjoying myself immensely.
Dimitri is the feared heir Morozov who frequents Bloodburn academy, along with his entourage Alexei and Ilya, and Rei is a guy who hates people who bullies his sunshine friend, Marco, but also bullies in general and because of that he ends up in Dimitri's path and the Morozov heir could not let it go even if he wanted to.
I just loved how obsessed Dimitri became from the beginning. From the moment he saw the fire within Rei, he just wanted to come closer and maybe burn in that fire. Dimitri is his father's henchman until he receives the throne and he was okay with it until it started taking away the time he had with Rei.
I loved that he very early on knew where his priorities were and the Morozov family wasn't one of them. Rei would always come first and he proved that every single time.
This man f-king picked flowers every single day for Rei because he knew that would make me feel safe and in control so he did that every f-king single time. Dimitri is so judgmental when it comes to flowers, It was so cute and endearing and it ultimately showed how much he loved Rei.
Dimitri was also not afraid to stand up to his father and the fact that he wanted Rei and no one else.
The little things Dimitri did like cooking japanese food for Rei because that's what he loved the most and picking up fresh flowers every single day was everything and more.
Rei has a very tenuous relationship with his stepfather and his mother is a waste of space so he avoids being home as much as he can.
When things started with Dimitri, he started feeling things he didn't know he could feel and Dimitri broadened his horizons in a way that he couldn't stop what was slowly happening between them even if he wanted to.
Dimitri might be a bit hot tempered in a way that he could and would literally unalive you if you somehow wronged Rei but he showed Rei what devotion, love, acceptance, understanding and desire looked like.
He never thought he could have that when even his mother cared more about her dear husband than her own son so in a way what else could he ask for in life?
Before Dimitri he was surviving but with Dimitri he is living and enjoying life with a garden full of the prettiest flowers Dimitri made for him since he noticed Rei needed flowers.
I loved them together and I can't wait to see more of them in future books.
I have my theories too and I look forward to finding out how wrong I am.
Alexei, Ilya and Kento are intriguing and somewhat complex characters and I can't wait to find more about them. Marco, Rei's sunshine, is such a gentle soul and I wish I could put him in a bubble to protect him along with Rei.
Again, I cannot wait to read the upcoming books by this author!
* I read an arc of this book. *
Review of advance copy received from Author
#ARC Review#
Anyone who loves MM dark romance should definitely give this a try. PLEASE CHECK THE TRIGGER WARNINGS.
Phantom Flower by Melysia M is a Dark MM Romance book circling the lives of Rei Kurosaki and Dimitri Morozov. It starts off as a
Bully romance later transforming into a beautiful lovestory just like many other flowers in this story.
Plot:
After losing his father a year ago, Rei had to move to NY along with his family and his new step father.
He had one plan, stay invisible.
New city.
New Iife.
Old Trauma.
Add the College Badboy to the mix.
The infamous Mafia heir who set his eyes on the guy who didn’t back down.
This was such a sweet fluffy read. Flowers always had and will have special meanings in love stories but the use of flowers in this story was just unique.
Rei was such an endearing character. Closed off after his father passed away a year ago, he had his own demons, nightmares pushed away in a corner so no one can see, while he put on a strong front.Flowers were his escape. What everyone saw as a weird quirk, Dimitri noticed that it was a crutch, something that calms Rei down.
Then there’s Dimitri, a mafia heir. He was such a different MMC from other characters. he was a golden retrever only for his Rei, to others, even his best friends he was a black cat. the duality of killing a guy and running home to cook his boyfriend sweet treats was such a whiplash. To put it simply he’s just a “Soft for only him” kinda guy.
P.S. Dimitri making it a thing, getting his rei a flower every day was so cute and endearing. An amazing love story 🩷. All the parents were just shit, and the only good ones seemed to be gone 🥹
The side characters....AHHH ilya is so sassy i love him already his tension with kento is just so palpable. the way kento called him “Little Prince”??? whattt . So excited to read further works from the author.
Thankyou so much for the ARC. I loved it so much.
Anyone who loves MM dark romance should definitely give this a try. PLEASE CHECK THE TRIGGER WARNINGS.
Phantom Flower by Melysia M is a Dark MM Romance book circling the lives of Rei Kurosaki and Dimitri Morozov. It starts off as a
Bully romance later transforming into a beautiful lovestory just like many other flowers in this story.
Plot:
After losing his father a year ago, Rei had to move to NY along with his family and his new step father.
He had one plan, stay invisible.
New city.
New Iife.
Old Trauma.
Add the College Badboy to the mix.
The infamous Mafia heir who set his eyes on the guy who didn’t back down.
This was such a sweet fluffy read. Flowers always had and will have special meanings in love stories but the use of flowers in this story was just unique.
Rei was such an endearing character. Closed off after his father passed away a year ago, he had his own demons, nightmares pushed away in a corner so no one can see, while he put on a strong front.Flowers were his escape. What everyone saw as a weird quirk, Dimitri noticed that it was a crutch, something that calms Rei down.
Then there’s Dimitri, a mafia heir. He was such a different MMC from other characters. he was a golden retrever only for his Rei, to others, even his best friends he was a black cat. the duality of killing a guy and running home to cook his boyfriend sweet treats was such a whiplash. To put it simply he’s just a “Soft for only him” kinda guy.
P.S. Dimitri making it a thing, getting his rei a flower every day was so cute and endearing. An amazing love story 🩷. All the parents were just shit, and the only good ones seemed to be gone 🥹
The side characters....AHHH ilya is so sassy i love him already his tension with kento is just so palpable. the way kento called him “Little Prince”??? whattt . So excited to read further works from the author.
Thankyou so much for the ARC. I loved it so much.
June 30, 2026
🌶🌶/5
I'll start with what I liked first.
This book started out on a high note for me. Was very much enjoying the little war between Rei and Dimitri. I felt the tension & build up. I was giggling kicking my feet having a great time.
I loved Rei's obsessive with flowers and Dimitries obsession with Rei.
Then between the gun/ hunt scene and Dimitri climbing through Rei's window while he is in a towel scenes wooo I was like okayyy I cannot wait to see how this plays out.
Then it fell a little flat for me.
These chapters were pretty surface level. I felt very little emotional or romantic progression.
By the 75% mark I was like we are so close to the end but I am not feeling the love here. It still felt like the start of something, not end of the book we are in love something. And I think that has alot to do with one of my biggest peeves in books and thats telling us what these characters are doing with each other and not showing us ... how are we to feel their connection growing if we aren't immersed in it.
There were two weeks of them living together alone but we saw none of it. The little stolen moments, quality time, sexy touches. That ends up being a theme throughout the whole book.
Thats not to say we didnt see those things period. There just wasn't many of them pushing the relationship further where it should of been by the end of the book. We didn't even get to an 'I love you' stage ):
They didnt hook up untill 90% in and at that point i was just trying get get to the end.
Also ilya repeatedly mispronouncing Rei's name was irritating as hell and I failed to see the point of that.
I still am rating this ⭐️⭐️⭐️ because I did enjoy the first 50% of the book and feel like there was alot of potential for the rest. The last chapter wassss super cut too.
I'll start with what I liked first.
This book started out on a high note for me. Was very much enjoying the little war between Rei and Dimitri. I felt the tension & build up. I was giggling kicking my feet having a great time.
I loved Rei's obsessive with flowers and Dimitries obsession with Rei.
Then between the gun/ hunt scene and Dimitri climbing through Rei's window while he is in a towel scenes wooo I was like okayyy I cannot wait to see how this plays out.
Then it fell a little flat for me.
These chapters were pretty surface level. I felt very little emotional or romantic progression.
By the 75% mark I was like we are so close to the end but I am not feeling the love here. It still felt like the start of something, not end of the book we are in love something. And I think that has alot to do with one of my biggest peeves in books and thats telling us what these characters are doing with each other and not showing us ... how are we to feel their connection growing if we aren't immersed in it.
There were two weeks of them living together alone but we saw none of it. The little stolen moments, quality time, sexy touches. That ends up being a theme throughout the whole book.
Thats not to say we didnt see those things period. There just wasn't many of them pushing the relationship further where it should of been by the end of the book. We didn't even get to an 'I love you' stage ):
They didnt hook up untill 90% in and at that point i was just trying get get to the end.
Also ilya repeatedly mispronouncing Rei's name was irritating as hell and I failed to see the point of that.
I still am rating this ⭐️⭐️⭐️ because I did enjoy the first 50% of the book and feel like there was alot of potential for the rest. The last chapter wassss super cut too.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 2, 2026
DIMITRI AND REI🥺💘 I LOVED THEM AND THEIR STORY SO DAMN MUCH!!
From the very first chapter, I was completely captivated and couldn't put this book down. Every chapter left me eager to see what would happen next.
Rei is such a gentle, kind-hearted soul, yet he's incredibly resilient. All I wanted was to wrap him in a blanket and protect him forever. Dimitri, on the other hand, is a ruthless mafia who's only ever known violence and darkness. Seeing the connection between these two grow was easily one of my favorite parts of the story.
Their interactions had me smiling, kicking my feet, and saying "aww" more times than I can count. The chemistry between them felt so genuine, and I loved watching their relationship blossom throughout the book.
And the flower references? Everythinggg. 😭🌸💗 They made my heart so soft and added such a beautiful touch to the story. I loved them so much. <3
The side characters were just as enjoyable, and I'm already excited to see where their stories go next. Every character added something meaningful to the story and made the world feel even more alive.
I deliberately took my time reading because I didn't want the journey to end. By the time I reached the final page, I wasn't ready to let these characters go.
Phantom Flower is officially out now, and I can't recommend it enough. If you're looking for a heartwarming MM romance with lovable characters and a story that'll leave you smiling, definitely give this one a chance. You might just end up loving Rei and Dimitri as much as I did. 🥹🌸💗
From the very first chapter, I was completely captivated and couldn't put this book down. Every chapter left me eager to see what would happen next.
Rei is such a gentle, kind-hearted soul, yet he's incredibly resilient. All I wanted was to wrap him in a blanket and protect him forever. Dimitri, on the other hand, is a ruthless mafia who's only ever known violence and darkness. Seeing the connection between these two grow was easily one of my favorite parts of the story.
Their interactions had me smiling, kicking my feet, and saying "aww" more times than I can count. The chemistry between them felt so genuine, and I loved watching their relationship blossom throughout the book.
And the flower references? Everythinggg. 😭🌸💗 They made my heart so soft and added such a beautiful touch to the story. I loved them so much. <3
The side characters were just as enjoyable, and I'm already excited to see where their stories go next. Every character added something meaningful to the story and made the world feel even more alive.
I deliberately took my time reading because I didn't want the journey to end. By the time I reached the final page, I wasn't ready to let these characters go.
Phantom Flower is officially out now, and I can't recommend it enough. If you're looking for a heartwarming MM romance with lovable characters and a story that'll leave you smiling, definitely give this one a chance. You might just end up loving Rei and Dimitri as much as I did. 🥹🌸💗
July 3, 2026
3.75/5 ⭐⭐⭐✨ | 2/5 🌶️🌶️
Disclosure: I received a complimentary eARC of Phantom Flower by Melysia M. in exchange for an honest review.
Phantom Flower, the debut novel in The Void Kings series, is a fascinating take on the mafia bully MM romance trope. While it covers familiar ground, Melysia brings unique qualities to the protagonists and supporting cast that elevate it beyond a standard mafia narrative.
Rei arrives at Bloodburn Academy with one goal: stay invisible. That becomes impossible when Dimitri Morozov, an infamous and entitled mafia heir, sets his sights on him. What follows is an intense push-and-pull dynamic between a soft-but-feisty boy and a dangerous, animalistic menace of society.
Dimitri is a challenging, often horrible character, but the moments where he reveals his genuine protectiveness and deep understanding of Rei’s psyche make those scenes feel like gold. The execution for a debut is great, featuring legitimate conflicts that kept me hooked. However, I want to emphasize that readers should be very mindful of their triggers and read the content warnings carefully, as there are some questionable actions that push the boundaries even for a dark romance reader.
Phantom Flower is a story you might love to hate, but it kept me invested from start to finish. It’s a compelling, intense read, and I’m looking forward to seeing how the unanswered questions are addressed in the next installment.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary eARC of Phantom Flower by Melysia M. in exchange for an honest review.
Phantom Flower, the debut novel in The Void Kings series, is a fascinating take on the mafia bully MM romance trope. While it covers familiar ground, Melysia brings unique qualities to the protagonists and supporting cast that elevate it beyond a standard mafia narrative.
Rei arrives at Bloodburn Academy with one goal: stay invisible. That becomes impossible when Dimitri Morozov, an infamous and entitled mafia heir, sets his sights on him. What follows is an intense push-and-pull dynamic between a soft-but-feisty boy and a dangerous, animalistic menace of society.
Dimitri is a challenging, often horrible character, but the moments where he reveals his genuine protectiveness and deep understanding of Rei’s psyche make those scenes feel like gold. The execution for a debut is great, featuring legitimate conflicts that kept me hooked. However, I want to emphasize that readers should be very mindful of their triggers and read the content warnings carefully, as there are some questionable actions that push the boundaries even for a dark romance reader.
Phantom Flower is a story you might love to hate, but it kept me invested from start to finish. It’s a compelling, intense read, and I’m looking forward to seeing how the unanswered questions are addressed in the next installment.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
5/5 ☆
I am absolutely obsessed with this book. From the very first pages, I was completely pulled into Rei and Dimitri’s world and I genuinely didn’t want to put it down. The tension, the chemistry, the danger, the yearning… everything was done so well.
Rei is such a refreshing character! soft, kind, and full of warmth in a world that feels anything but. I loved watching him stand his ground and refuse to let Dimitri’s darkness change who he is. And Dimitri… oh Dimitri. The way this terrifying mafia prince slowly reveals the softer side of himself for his little fairy had me completely gone. 🥹
The contrast between them is what made this story for me. Dimitri is feared by everyone, but Rei (eventually!) sees something underneath all that violence, and watching their relationship develop was such a ride.
The protective moments
The flowers
The tiny glimpses of tenderness between all the chaos
The family dynamics
Also… THE TWISTS. The "reveals" genuinely caught me off guard. Twice!!
This book had everything I love in a dark romance.
Intense characters
Morally grey choices
Danger
Obsession
And those soft moments that make you completely understand why the characters are drawn to each other.
I already need more of this world because I am way too invested in everyone (Marco and Alexei / Ilya and Kento 👀).
A stunning debut and one I know I’ll be thinking about for a long time. 🌸
I am absolutely obsessed with this book. From the very first pages, I was completely pulled into Rei and Dimitri’s world and I genuinely didn’t want to put it down. The tension, the chemistry, the danger, the yearning… everything was done so well.
Rei is such a refreshing character! soft, kind, and full of warmth in a world that feels anything but. I loved watching him stand his ground and refuse to let Dimitri’s darkness change who he is. And Dimitri… oh Dimitri. The way this terrifying mafia prince slowly reveals the softer side of himself for his little fairy had me completely gone. 🥹
The contrast between them is what made this story for me. Dimitri is feared by everyone, but Rei (eventually!) sees something underneath all that violence, and watching their relationship develop was such a ride.
The protective moments
The flowers
The tiny glimpses of tenderness between all the chaos
The family dynamics
Also… THE TWISTS. The "reveals" genuinely caught me off guard. Twice!!
This book had everything I love in a dark romance.
Intense characters
Morally grey choices
Danger
Obsession
And those soft moments that make you completely understand why the characters are drawn to each other.
I already need more of this world because I am way too invested in everyone (Marco and Alexei / Ilya and Kento 👀).
A stunning debut and one I know I’ll be thinking about for a long time. 🌸
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