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Fruit of Temptation #0
The Ruined Bride
Unable to bear the smallest touch, Sophie is about to become someone's wife.
Once the cherished daughter of a powerful family, Sophie has become the woman society whispers about: the ruined bride, abandoned by her fiancé and marked by a scandal she never chose.
Marrying her comes with a price.
So when Viktor Rowks, a man with a reputation as damaged as her own, asks for her hand, Sophie sees the offer for what it is: an exchange. One cage for another. One that will help her family, silence the whispers, and bury the ambitions she was never meant to have.
All with a man whose friends destroyed her life.
But is this marriage merely a way for Viktor to repair his reputation and secure a useful alliance, or is there something else beneath his motives?
And if Sophie agrees to this arranged marriage, will she lose herself within it, or finally find a way to reclaim her life?
Once the cherished daughter of a powerful family, Sophie has become the woman society whispers about: the ruined bride, abandoned by her fiancé and marked by a scandal she never chose.
Marrying her comes with a price.
So when Viktor Rowks, a man with a reputation as damaged as her own, asks for her hand, Sophie sees the offer for what it is: an exchange. One cage for another. One that will help her family, silence the whispers, and bury the ambitions she was never meant to have.
All with a man whose friends destroyed her life.
But is this marriage merely a way for Viktor to repair his reputation and secure a useful alliance, or is there something else beneath his motives?
And if Sophie agrees to this arranged marriage, will she lose herself within it, or finally find a way to reclaim her life?
335 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 4, 2026
About the author
Lily D. Grays
2 books33 followersLily D. Grays writes romance about guarded hearts, buried secrets, and love that changes the lives it touches.
When she is not writing, she is probably drinking coffee and daydreaming about yet another impossible couple.
When she is not writing, she is probably drinking coffee and daydreaming about yet another impossible couple.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 270 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
2.25 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑠 ˚. ᵎᵎ
˙✧˖° 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗶 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 ༘ ⋆｡˚
ⓘ 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑒𝑤 𝑚𝑎𝑦 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑜𝑟 𝑠𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑠 ⋆
*ੈ 🎂✩‧₊˚ 𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑠. i went into this book expecting to get something dark and depraved and instead got a long slow boring relationship between a fmc that was dumb as hell and a mmc who had no flaws except for a mistake he made in the past. the thing that really pissed me off was that the author spent so long building the relationship between the fmc and mmc up just to quickly resolve it in the end, with no problems at all. because somehow the fmc can just break through loads of trauma that she has been dealing with for years in one day. not to mention the relationship between the mc’s was like not there at all , when the smut finally happened i skipped over it, icked the f out because i was getting freaking whiplash from how fast the fmc switched up.
the first half of the book i was very confused with a lot of the characters, random names kept appearing and i would be confused as hell trying to figure out who was who. even by the end of the book i was still mixing up people bc the side characters were just really flat and had no real meaning to the story at all. and once again i’m gonna bring up the fact that the mmc was too flawless and kind and didn’t really spike my interest. and the fmc was just annoying and constantly switching up, and the relationship between them seemed to just build out of the blue.
most of this book i had no idea what the world was like bc there was no real world building except for a note from the author in the begging, apparently i think this book is supposed to be set in modern day but things people say in this book and also things people use are not modern day tools, which was very confusing to me. it felt like it was set a long long time ago too bc a lot of the social expectations were very sexist, but don’t worry your pretty little head because the fmc is “not like the other girls”.
honestly i think the main problem with this book was the title of it and the way it was kinda marketed , it seems like it would be a darker book but really its just bleh. if you like to read about journeys of healing , and a nice mmc this book could be for you. it just really wasn’t for me, but thats okay.
𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 ⌗ 07.22.26
꒰💐 ꒱pre read ── started jul 21
i’m super curious about this book, and also want to make my netgalley feedback ratio good again because right now its at 50% … which is lowkey pmo, so here we are.
˙✧˖° 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗶 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 ༘ ⋆｡˚
ⓘ 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑒𝑤 𝑚𝑎𝑦 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑜𝑟 𝑠𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑠 ⋆
*ੈ 🎂✩‧₊˚ 𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑠. i went into this book expecting to get something dark and depraved and instead got a long slow boring relationship between a fmc that was dumb as hell and a mmc who had no flaws except for a mistake he made in the past. the thing that really pissed me off was that the author spent so long building the relationship between the fmc and mmc up just to quickly resolve it in the end, with no problems at all. because somehow the fmc can just break through loads of trauma that she has been dealing with for years in one day. not to mention the relationship between the mc’s was like not there at all , when the smut finally happened i skipped over it, icked the f out because i was getting freaking whiplash from how fast the fmc switched up.
the first half of the book i was very confused with a lot of the characters, random names kept appearing and i would be confused as hell trying to figure out who was who. even by the end of the book i was still mixing up people bc the side characters were just really flat and had no real meaning to the story at all. and once again i’m gonna bring up the fact that the mmc was too flawless and kind and didn’t really spike my interest. and the fmc was just annoying and constantly switching up, and the relationship between them seemed to just build out of the blue.
most of this book i had no idea what the world was like bc there was no real world building except for a note from the author in the begging, apparently i think this book is supposed to be set in modern day but things people say in this book and also things people use are not modern day tools, which was very confusing to me. it felt like it was set a long long time ago too bc a lot of the social expectations were very sexist, but don’t worry your pretty little head because the fmc is “not like the other girls”.
honestly i think the main problem with this book was the title of it and the way it was kinda marketed , it seems like it would be a darker book but really its just bleh. if you like to read about journeys of healing , and a nice mmc this book could be for you. it just really wasn’t for me, but thats okay.
𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 ⌗ 07.22.26
꒰💐 ꒱pre read ── started jul 21
i’m super curious about this book, and also want to make my netgalley feedback ratio good again because right now its at 50% … which is lowkey pmo, so here we are.
August 11, 2026
3.5🌟, 3🌶️
There was something really tender about Sophie and Viktor’s story.
Sophie’s journey of slowly finding her confidence again was beautiful to watch, and Viktor was such a patient, protective, and supportive MMC. I especially loved how he respected her boundaries and gave her the space to heal without ever making her feel broken.
The pacing was a little hit or miss, with the romance taking a long time to build and then moving much faster toward the end. I also wanted a little more depth from their relationship once they finally started opening up to each other. The world and side characters took some getting used to as well, but Sophie’s growth kept me invested.
Overall, this was much more of a healing-focused romance than the darker story I expected, and I think that shift in expectations affected my reading experience. It had some genuinely sweet and emotional moments, and Viktor was absolutely lovely.
Not quite what I expected, but still a story with plenty of heart.
~~~~
Huge thank you to Lily D. Grays and Love Notes PR for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨
There was something really tender about Sophie and Viktor’s story.
Sophie’s journey of slowly finding her confidence again was beautiful to watch, and Viktor was such a patient, protective, and supportive MMC. I especially loved how he respected her boundaries and gave her the space to heal without ever making her feel broken.
The pacing was a little hit or miss, with the romance taking a long time to build and then moving much faster toward the end. I also wanted a little more depth from their relationship once they finally started opening up to each other. The world and side characters took some getting used to as well, but Sophie’s growth kept me invested.
Overall, this was much more of a healing-focused romance than the darker story I expected, and I think that shift in expectations affected my reading experience. It had some genuinely sweet and emotional moments, and Viktor was absolutely lovely.
Not quite what I expected, but still a story with plenty of heart.
~~~~
Huge thank you to Lily D. Grays and Love Notes PR for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨
October 19, 2026
I can’t be bothered to write a full spoiler review.
Super sloooooow burn.
The book was 335 pages and I only found this out when I finished it, before then I legit thought it was like 700 pages, it was slow burn and slow paced.
It’s mostly Sophie’s pov with just a few chapters of Viktors pov. I much prefer equal pov but this really set up the slow burn so well because we didn’t know Viktors reasonings or true feelings until almost the end. But then I felt like after moving at a glacial pace it wrapped up too quickly and I would have loved to see more of them together properly. Especially out and about in society after Sophie’s years long self imposed exile.
Also there’s so much business speak that was so fuckin boring cus it’s so uninteresting to me.
-Dual pov- mostly fmcs though
-small age gap h24, H30- I think?
-arranged marriage/marriage of convenience
-fmc doesn’t like to be touched and barely leaves the house due to a kidnap/sexual assault that happened 5 years before the book starts.
-OMD h was engaged to om at the time of her assault, in the future they’re engaged in name only, she doesn’t really speak to him and he gets someone else pregnant and had to marry her, fmc realises she didn’t love him. He’s pissed when she gets married to the mmc but she’s over him.
-Zero OWD 👏👏👏 fmcs sister mentions that at a gala 3 women tried to hit on mmc but he shut them down and that another woman tried to fall near him so he would catch her and get his attention and he let her fall 🤣 when fmc asks him about this he said he would rather be seen as having no manners than disloyal. Fmc asks him if he has a mistress and he tells her he hasn’t touched anyone during their marriage or long before it.
-HFN
-Epilogue is only a few months later, they’re at her sisters wedding and Sophie is doing well at being out in public again with her husband by her side.
Next book is out next year and it’s going to be their daughters book and I think her love interest is related to her moms rapist 😬
Super sloooooow burn.
The book was 335 pages and I only found this out when I finished it, before then I legit thought it was like 700 pages, it was slow burn and slow paced.
It’s mostly Sophie’s pov with just a few chapters of Viktors pov. I much prefer equal pov but this really set up the slow burn so well because we didn’t know Viktors reasonings or true feelings until almost the end. But then I felt like after moving at a glacial pace it wrapped up too quickly and I would have loved to see more of them together properly. Especially out and about in society after Sophie’s years long self imposed exile.
Also there’s so much business speak that was so fuckin boring cus it’s so uninteresting to me.
-Dual pov- mostly fmcs though
-small age gap h24, H30- I think?
-arranged marriage/marriage of convenience
-fmc doesn’t like to be touched and barely leaves the house due to a kidnap/sexual assault that happened 5 years before the book starts.
-OMD h was engaged to om at the time of her assault, in the future they’re engaged in name only, she doesn’t really speak to him and he gets someone else pregnant and had to marry her, fmc realises she didn’t love him. He’s pissed when she gets married to the mmc but she’s over him.
-Zero OWD 👏👏👏 fmcs sister mentions that at a gala 3 women tried to hit on mmc but he shut them down and that another woman tried to fall near him so he would catch her and get his attention and he let her fall 🤣 when fmc asks him about this he said he would rather be seen as having no manners than disloyal. Fmc asks him if he has a mistress and he tells her he hasn’t touched anyone during their marriage or long before it.
-HFN
-Epilogue is only a few months later, they’re at her sisters wedding and Sophie is doing well at being out in public again with her husband by her side.
Next book is out next year and it’s going to be their daughters book and I think her love interest is related to her moms rapist 😬
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 2, 2026
✍️stop reading books I see on reels✍️
July 5, 2026
An absolute banger of a read! I loved everything about this book! One of the main things I love was how Viktor was not the typical mafia-esque man that is normally read about. He was kind and patient. He waited for Sophia to make the first moves and respected the fact that she couldn’t be touched at all due to her trauma. He was the most respectful and wonderful husband, he was just what Sophia needed. Viktor was able to get Sophia out of her shell, help her be able to handle human touch again. He picked up on all her quirks and didn’t judge her for them, only helped her grow and adjust to life after trauma. My heart melts thinking about them. I also loved how Sophia was incredibly understanding at the end when she found out Viktor had put the ‘seed’ of kidnapping into Sebastian’s mind, all due to some high words that were not meant to ever become true. She was valid in her anger, but she didn’t let it consume her or let it lead to resentment. She grew from it and recognized that he never meant for her to actually get kidnapped.
I do wish that we got more of their touchy-feely love. They finally were holding hands and loving each other at the end, I just wanted a few more chapters of their outspoken love, since we got a lot of the secret love. Overall, an amazing read, definitely keeping an eye out for other works by this author!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
I do wish that we got more of their touchy-feely love. They finally were holding hands and loving each other at the end, I just wanted a few more chapters of their outspoken love, since we got a lot of the secret love. Overall, an amazing read, definitely keeping an eye out for other works by this author!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
2.25 stars.
"The Ruined Bride" by Lily D. Grays had such potential, such an interesting premise, but I don't think the payoff was worth it at all. I love arranged marriage, marriage of convenience, and dark mafia books, so I was really looking forward to this one... but this book is so boring and almost borderline annoying??? I'm sorry, but I did not like this book, and I don't want to lie. It takes about 17% to get invested in anything going on because the author assumes that the readers know things about this universe, this world, these families, that we don't really know at all. She drops us into this world and starts immediately dropping name after name and relationship after relationship without any context whatsoever, and it was difficult to keep everyone and everything straight since it's a veritable info dump. I never knew exactly what was going on behind the scenes with the investments and the money and the families and how the arranged marriages benefited each person and each family individually and which families benefited together. This made it extraordinarily difficult to get into the story since the world-building needs A LOT of work. I even scoured the internet to find out if this was the second book in a series, or perhaps had been based on some other series I was unaware of; that's how much information gets thrown at readers off the bat that we are just expected to know! The way this story unfolds is so grating. The author takes her time sloooooooooooooooooooly building the relationship between the FMC, Sophie, and MMC, Viktor, not in service of a slow-burning romance, but boringly and maddeningly slowly. She spends so long getting their pairing developed that I eventually lost interest in them completely. Too many crumbs, not enough payoff. When the payoff *does* come, I found myself not caring about it at all. And THEN, on top of all of this, everything that happens in the end is wrapped up in a flash!! The massive amounts of trauma that Sophie has gone through throughout the book, all of the issues and anxieties she faced from page one, are instantly fixed virtually overnight!! Everything about her past, everything that happened to her, was revealed so quickly it was almost like it never mattered at all. The flow of the book is not great; it's way too slow, and it feels much longer than it is.
Thank you to Lily D. Grays and Love Notes PR for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
"The Ruined Bride" by Lily D. Grays had such potential, such an interesting premise, but I don't think the payoff was worth it at all. I love arranged marriage, marriage of convenience, and dark mafia books, so I was really looking forward to this one... but this book is so boring and almost borderline annoying??? I'm sorry, but I did not like this book, and I don't want to lie. It takes about 17% to get invested in anything going on because the author assumes that the readers know things about this universe, this world, these families, that we don't really know at all. She drops us into this world and starts immediately dropping name after name and relationship after relationship without any context whatsoever, and it was difficult to keep everyone and everything straight since it's a veritable info dump. I never knew exactly what was going on behind the scenes with the investments and the money and the families and how the arranged marriages benefited each person and each family individually and which families benefited together. This made it extraordinarily difficult to get into the story since the world-building needs A LOT of work. I even scoured the internet to find out if this was the second book in a series, or perhaps had been based on some other series I was unaware of; that's how much information gets thrown at readers off the bat that we are just expected to know! The way this story unfolds is so grating. The author takes her time sloooooooooooooooooooly building the relationship between the FMC, Sophie, and MMC, Viktor, not in service of a slow-burning romance, but boringly and maddeningly slowly. She spends so long getting their pairing developed that I eventually lost interest in them completely. Too many crumbs, not enough payoff. When the payoff *does* come, I found myself not caring about it at all. And THEN, on top of all of this, everything that happens in the end is wrapped up in a flash!! The massive amounts of trauma that Sophie has gone through throughout the book, all of the issues and anxieties she faced from page one, are instantly fixed virtually overnight!! Everything about her past, everything that happened to her, was revealed so quickly it was almost like it never mattered at all. The flow of the book is not great; it's way too slow, and it feels much longer than it is.
Thank you to Lily D. Grays and Love Notes PR for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
July 6, 2026
2.5/5 ⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this e-ARC of this debut novel releasing August 2026.
This is an emotional redemption arranged marriage story, please check your TWs.
Sophie thought her life was over after one incident made her lose it all - herself, her fiancé, and life as she knew it. Years after this event, she is but a shell of herself. But when a successful business man - Viktor - makes an offer for her hand, she decides to accept. Thinking that his reputation is as ruined as hers, so why not help her family out with an advantageous match. But Viktor is not what she thought he was, however secretive and closed off as he can appear.
I had more issues with the flow and structuring of the story, as someone who reads a lot of this genre and this trope being a personal favourite, I can help but compare. I felt quite confused with the intro to the story and it look me until about 15% to get up to date on all the names and so on. I feel like it’s that style of writing that alludes to the reader knowing something they don’t - almost to the point where I went and looked if there was a book 1 somewhere I was missing. But I really enjoyed Sophie’s growth as a character, it was a little instant fix at the end for me after all that lingering and hesitation, but I’m glad these characters find a HEA.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this e-ARC of this debut novel releasing August 2026.
This is an emotional redemption arranged marriage story, please check your TWs.
Sophie thought her life was over after one incident made her lose it all - herself, her fiancé, and life as she knew it. Years after this event, she is but a shell of herself. But when a successful business man - Viktor - makes an offer for her hand, she decides to accept. Thinking that his reputation is as ruined as hers, so why not help her family out with an advantageous match. But Viktor is not what she thought he was, however secretive and closed off as he can appear.
I had more issues with the flow and structuring of the story, as someone who reads a lot of this genre and this trope being a personal favourite, I can help but compare. I felt quite confused with the intro to the story and it look me until about 15% to get up to date on all the names and so on. I feel like it’s that style of writing that alludes to the reader knowing something they don’t - almost to the point where I went and looked if there was a book 1 somewhere I was missing. But I really enjoyed Sophie’s growth as a character, it was a little instant fix at the end for me after all that lingering and hesitation, but I’m glad these characters find a HEA.
September 26, 2026
⭐⭐⭐.5
This was by far the slowest of slowest burns ever. I HATE slow burns but I liked this book. I liked the slowness. The tension. Although it had elements of miscommunication which I also HATE.
This could have been a four to five star read.
This was by far the slowest of slowest burns ever. I HATE slow burns but I liked this book. I liked the slowness. The tension. Although it had elements of miscommunication which I also HATE.
This could have been a four to five star read.
August 6, 2026
This book was SOOOOOOOOOO good i swear to god the amount of times I've personally texted the author on instagram because I was so fucking mindblown. VIKTOR I LOVE YOU you are the standard. Ofc what you did was wrong but it's forgiveable I loved you from page one and I still think about you😭✋🏻
July 26, 2026
✨✨ARC review✨✨
hmmmm... 3 doesn't feel right. maybe 3.5?
yeah. that feels better🤠
but let's get into it. this book is an economist's wet dream. I know absolutely NOTHING about money. or business, for that matter. so for a solid chunk of this book I was just sitting there like 🫠🥸
money is meant to be spent. that's all I know.
BUT.
I absolutely loved that SHE understood it all.
go girls!!! love seeing women be smarter than me because I could never 🤝🏼
what I also really appreciated was how low stakes it all felt. the relationship was the plot. there didn't need to be some huge conspiracy, action scenes, explosions, or kapow-chaow bullshit every other chapter. it was enough.
the story was really about how the right person can help you grow, heal, and become the version of yourself you've always wanted to be. and I thought that was genuinely beautiful.
the relationship dynamics were easily the strongest part of the book, both between Sophie and her family, and especially between Sophie and Viktor.
so yeah. if you're smarter than me and actually understand how to run a business, you'll probably get even more out of this than I did.
or...
if you're like me and you're just here for heart eyes, emotional growth, and a hot MMC on a leash?
then this one's for you🫡🩷
hmmmm... 3 doesn't feel right. maybe 3.5?
yeah. that feels better🤠
but let's get into it. this book is an economist's wet dream. I know absolutely NOTHING about money. or business, for that matter. so for a solid chunk of this book I was just sitting there like 🫠🥸
money is meant to be spent. that's all I know.
BUT.
I absolutely loved that SHE understood it all.
go girls!!! love seeing women be smarter than me because I could never 🤝🏼
what I also really appreciated was how low stakes it all felt. the relationship was the plot. there didn't need to be some huge conspiracy, action scenes, explosions, or kapow-chaow bullshit every other chapter. it was enough.
the story was really about how the right person can help you grow, heal, and become the version of yourself you've always wanted to be. and I thought that was genuinely beautiful.
the relationship dynamics were easily the strongest part of the book, both between Sophie and her family, and especially between Sophie and Viktor.
so yeah. if you're smarter than me and actually understand how to run a business, you'll probably get even more out of this than I did.
or...
if you're like me and you're just here for heart eyes, emotional growth, and a hot MMC on a leash?
then this one's for you🫡🩷
August 3, 2026
This book is an emotional story about healing and forgiveness as well, that really tore at my heartstrings. A little note that this is set in the early twenty first century in a fictional “old money” city so there’s talk of dowrys and social status that are old fashioned. I do love an arranged marriage though, and Viktor was so whipped from the start. He was willing to do anything to give Sophie security and make her comfortable. One thing that did annoy me though, was Sophie being grumpy that he wouldn’t touch her, like of course he wouldn’t she’s been touch averse for five years. But Sophie’s healing journey was inspiring and beautiful. I love how she started taking charge of her own life, going after the business she wanted to pursue and allowing herself to be open and trust Viktor. There is quite a plot twist near the end that had me mad at Viktor but I loved how Sophie was strong and overcame it, part of me felt so proud of her. I grew very attached to these two emotionally stunted characters and loved their healing story together. I give this a 4/5
September 23, 2026
for the life of me, I do not understand why this book is portrayed as a dark maffia romance. anyways enjoy a book that reads 90% of her not wanting to touch anyone because of trauma and only being able to eat in sync with a clock. idk man
July 25, 2026
5 ⭐️
I was so excited to receive an ARC of this book, and it definitely didn’t disappoint! I couldn’t put it down and finished it in just two days.
At the start, you don’t know who Sophie is or why she is the way she is, but as the story unfolds, you’re drip-fed little pieces of information that slowly allow you to put together what happened to her. You don’t get the full picture until near the end, which had me completely gripped the whole way through. Sophie turns out to be such a strong woman, which I loved. At first, she comes across as quite weak and vulnerable, but that’s far from the truth. I loved seeing her grow into herself.
At the beginning, I was ready to hate Viktor, but he completely surprised me. He does everything he can to help and support Sophie, and I ended up liking him a lot. The way he was willing to do absolutely everything for her really showed the kind of person he was.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would 100% recommend it. I can’t wait to read more from this author!
I was so excited to receive an ARC of this book, and it definitely didn’t disappoint! I couldn’t put it down and finished it in just two days.
At the start, you don’t know who Sophie is or why she is the way she is, but as the story unfolds, you’re drip-fed little pieces of information that slowly allow you to put together what happened to her. You don’t get the full picture until near the end, which had me completely gripped the whole way through. Sophie turns out to be such a strong woman, which I loved. At first, she comes across as quite weak and vulnerable, but that’s far from the truth. I loved seeing her grow into herself.
At the beginning, I was ready to hate Viktor, but he completely surprised me. He does everything he can to help and support Sophie, and I ended up liking him a lot. The way he was willing to do absolutely everything for her really showed the kind of person he was.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would 100% recommend it. I can’t wait to read more from this author!
November 6, 2026
read this in one sitting and honestly it wasnt that bad 🙂↔️
August 10, 2026
I couldn’t even make it to the halfway point of this book.
I was confused reading so much of this. There’s an insane amount of business talk given the fact that none of the businesses are ever really described or explained. Like, other than “business” I don’t know what any of these characters do, so the pages upon pages of work talk were completely irrelevant.
Random characters and events were also constantly being introduced, written with the assumption that the reader would know who/what was being talked about, even though they hadn’t been mentioned before. There’s a family that somehow manages to seem very meddling and annoying, yet completely uninterested at the same time.
We also don’t actually know what really happened to either of the characters? Like the whole point is an arranged marriage because of their damaged reputations, due to vague hand-wavey events, but there’s no real background information; we’re just dropped into the story abruptly.
Any communication or development between the MCs was taking so long that I was bored fairly early on, and only continued for as long as I did because I hoped it would get better.
As for the writing, I’m not 100% what the issue is. It’s very stilted and disjointed. It also reads like English maybe isn’t the authors first language? Which of course isn’t a problem, but if you’re going to publish a book in English when it’s not your first language, it needs much better editing. There are slight changes in tense, like “I would” instead of “I will”, and sentences that are structured so bizarrely. Perhaps it’s all because of the period and place the story is supposed to be set, but either way it didn’t work for me.
I was confused reading so much of this. There’s an insane amount of business talk given the fact that none of the businesses are ever really described or explained. Like, other than “business” I don’t know what any of these characters do, so the pages upon pages of work talk were completely irrelevant.
Random characters and events were also constantly being introduced, written with the assumption that the reader would know who/what was being talked about, even though they hadn’t been mentioned before. There’s a family that somehow manages to seem very meddling and annoying, yet completely uninterested at the same time.
We also don’t actually know what really happened to either of the characters? Like the whole point is an arranged marriage because of their damaged reputations, due to vague hand-wavey events, but there’s no real background information; we’re just dropped into the story abruptly.
Any communication or development between the MCs was taking so long that I was bored fairly early on, and only continued for as long as I did because I hoped it would get better.
As for the writing, I’m not 100% what the issue is. It’s very stilted and disjointed. It also reads like English maybe isn’t the authors first language? Which of course isn’t a problem, but if you’re going to publish a book in English when it’s not your first language, it needs much better editing. There are slight changes in tense, like “I would” instead of “I will”, and sentences that are structured so bizarrely. Perhaps it’s all because of the period and place the story is supposed to be set, but either way it didn’t work for me.
August 10, 2026
Okay… I’m in love. 😭🤍
The Ruined Bride is Lily D. Grays' debut, and honestly? For a debut, this is GOOD. There are definitely areas where I think the writing can improve, but I was hooked from beginning to end and I can absolutely see this becoming one of my recommendations.
Sophie was such an interesting FMC to me. I never really felt sorry for her or frustrated with her because, honestly, life happens. 😂 What I loved was how much she continued to push for her marriage and everything connected to Viktor. No matter what happened, there was always this part of her that wanted them to work.
And Viktor???
I LOVED HIM. 😭
He was protective without being the kind of man who thinks a woman's entire happiness has to revolve around him. I especially loved that he gave Sophie space to become the person she wanted to be. He could protect her while still respecting that she had her own dreams, choices and identity.
THAT is the kind of protective MMC I want. 🤭🖤
Their chemistry wasn't just about attraction either. What really sold me was their trust and emotional connection.
Even when they fought, even when things happened that threatened that trust, there was always this emotional connection between them. And honestly, that made their relationship feel believable to me.
The slow burn? YES. 😭
The forced proximity, the emotional tension, the little moments between them… I ate it ALL up.
And Viktor giving Sophie space while still being there for her? Yeah. I noticed. 👀
Although sometimes I'm like… sir, you could cross the boundary a LITTLE. 😭 Just ask us first without making it feel like you're asking permission every five seconds. 😂
One thing I really appreciated was how honest Sophie eventually became about her past relationship.
That conversation where she admitted that he was her first in everything and finally realized why she'd been clinging to him?
I LOVE HONESTY.
I was so glad the book didn't drag that realization out forever. She actually sat with it, understood what was happening and was honest about it.
And then we have Viktor confessing that he was the one who planted the idea with Sebastian…
Sophie getting MAD???
Then eventually becoming rational???
I KNEW IT. 😭😂
That whole situation was one of those moments where I understood why she reacted the way she did, but I also loved watching her actually process it instead of just staying angry forever.
And can we talk about Viktor and his teasing personality?
«“Admit it!”»
Sir. 😭
I was already in love.
One thing I will say is that I think Lily was trying to create a sense of mystery around certain parts of the story, and while it definitely made me curious, I think that aspect of the writing could use some improvement.
But for a debut???
She's good.
The pacing was also one of the reasons this got five stars from me. I never felt like the story was dragging unnecessarily, and I stayed invested throughout.
I also really liked how the book handled Sophie's healing. It didn't feel like Viktor simply swooped in and magically fixed everything. There was room for Sophie to actually become herself again, and I appreciated that.
And THAT is what made their relationship work for me.
They weren't just a couple because they were attracted to each other.
They actually trusted each other.
They challenged each other.
They gave each other space.
And somehow, through everything that tried to break them apart, that emotional connection was still there.
That's what makes The Ruined Bride worth reading for me. 💍🤍
The emotional connection.
The trust.
The slow-burn romance.
Viktor. 😭
And Sophie finally allowing herself to move forward.
I'm in love. This is definitely going on my recommendation list. 📚🤍
Would I recommend it?
100%.
Thank you to Love Notes PR and Lily D. Grays for providing me with an ARC of The Ruined Bride in exchange for an honest review.
…The Ruined Bride needs to be on your TBR.
Lily, this debut was GOOD. 👏🏽💍🤍
The Ruined Bride is Lily D. Grays' debut, and honestly? For a debut, this is GOOD. There are definitely areas where I think the writing can improve, but I was hooked from beginning to end and I can absolutely see this becoming one of my recommendations.
Sophie was such an interesting FMC to me. I never really felt sorry for her or frustrated with her because, honestly, life happens. 😂 What I loved was how much she continued to push for her marriage and everything connected to Viktor. No matter what happened, there was always this part of her that wanted them to work.
And Viktor???
I LOVED HIM. 😭
He was protective without being the kind of man who thinks a woman's entire happiness has to revolve around him. I especially loved that he gave Sophie space to become the person she wanted to be. He could protect her while still respecting that she had her own dreams, choices and identity.
THAT is the kind of protective MMC I want. 🤭🖤
Their chemistry wasn't just about attraction either. What really sold me was their trust and emotional connection.
Even when they fought, even when things happened that threatened that trust, there was always this emotional connection between them. And honestly, that made their relationship feel believable to me.
The slow burn? YES. 😭
The forced proximity, the emotional tension, the little moments between them… I ate it ALL up.
And Viktor giving Sophie space while still being there for her? Yeah. I noticed. 👀
Although sometimes I'm like… sir, you could cross the boundary a LITTLE. 😭 Just ask us first without making it feel like you're asking permission every five seconds. 😂
One thing I really appreciated was how honest Sophie eventually became about her past relationship.
That conversation where she admitted that he was her first in everything and finally realized why she'd been clinging to him?
I LOVE HONESTY.
I was so glad the book didn't drag that realization out forever. She actually sat with it, understood what was happening and was honest about it.
And then we have Viktor confessing that he was the one who planted the idea with Sebastian…
Sophie getting MAD???
Then eventually becoming rational???
I KNEW IT. 😭😂
That whole situation was one of those moments where I understood why she reacted the way she did, but I also loved watching her actually process it instead of just staying angry forever.
And can we talk about Viktor and his teasing personality?
«“Admit it!”»
Sir. 😭
I was already in love.
One thing I will say is that I think Lily was trying to create a sense of mystery around certain parts of the story, and while it definitely made me curious, I think that aspect of the writing could use some improvement.
But for a debut???
She's good.
The pacing was also one of the reasons this got five stars from me. I never felt like the story was dragging unnecessarily, and I stayed invested throughout.
I also really liked how the book handled Sophie's healing. It didn't feel like Viktor simply swooped in and magically fixed everything. There was room for Sophie to actually become herself again, and I appreciated that.
And THAT is what made their relationship work for me.
They weren't just a couple because they were attracted to each other.
They actually trusted each other.
They challenged each other.
They gave each other space.
And somehow, through everything that tried to break them apart, that emotional connection was still there.
That's what makes The Ruined Bride worth reading for me. 💍🤍
The emotional connection.
The trust.
The slow-burn romance.
Viktor. 😭
And Sophie finally allowing herself to move forward.
I'm in love. This is definitely going on my recommendation list. 📚🤍
Would I recommend it?
100%.
Thank you to Love Notes PR and Lily D. Grays for providing me with an ARC of The Ruined Bride in exchange for an honest review.
…The Ruined Bride needs to be on your TBR.
Lily, this debut was GOOD. 👏🏽💍🤍
August 16, 2026
ARC was received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
I was expecting to love The Ruined Bride as I usually love arranged marriage stories, especially slow burn, but unfortunately this didn't work for me.
The story got so bogged down in business talk, yet the businesses themselves were never really described, so it often just felt like jargon being thrown around. Sophie's determination to prove herself to Viktor in business also felt quite awkward at times, for example, when she wrote him a multi-page report on a book he wanted to discuss with her.
The constant misunderstandings were frustrating, especially since so many could have been solved by simply having a conversation. Sophie frequently makes assumptions and overreacts, and there were several instances where I struggled to follow why she was upset as it seemed to come out of nowhere.
I also found some of the dialogue and phrasing quite strange. The phrase "sly fox" was used six times which stuck out, and some other phrases seemed quite old fashioned.
Unfortunately, the enormous focus on business completely sidelined the romance for me, and despite really liking the premise, I came away feeling disappointed.
I was expecting to love The Ruined Bride as I usually love arranged marriage stories, especially slow burn, but unfortunately this didn't work for me.
The story got so bogged down in business talk, yet the businesses themselves were never really described, so it often just felt like jargon being thrown around. Sophie's determination to prove herself to Viktor in business also felt quite awkward at times, for example, when she wrote him a multi-page report on a book he wanted to discuss with her.
The constant misunderstandings were frustrating, especially since so many could have been solved by simply having a conversation. Sophie frequently makes assumptions and overreacts, and there were several instances where I struggled to follow why she was upset as it seemed to come out of nowhere.
I also found some of the dialogue and phrasing quite strange. The phrase "sly fox" was used six times which stuck out, and some other phrases seemed quite old fashioned.
Unfortunately, the enormous focus on business completely sidelined the romance for me, and despite really liking the premise, I came away feeling disappointed.
August 1, 2026
Thank you Lily D.Grays and Love Notes PR for this ARC!!
The Ruined Bride was an okay read, I didn’t really know what I was signed up for when I received this, and to be honest still couldn’t put a “label” on it. But it was still a reasonably decent story!
The slowest of all slow burns, which I did really appreciate. But then it feels like everything happens way too quickly after Sophie first grabs hold of Viktor’s arm. A lot happens in the last 20% of the book and it was a bit whiplash inducing.
I loved Viktor, the ultimate protector who had clearly been mad for Sophie for years. Giving her opportunities which were totally uncommon within their society and time. HOT.
Sophie clearly has a lot of trauma, but manages to keep a strong business head on her. Really growing into her confidence as time with Viktor goes on, I did think that it was a shame we didn’t get to dive a little deeper into her handling her trauma. It felt a bit rushed; it does feel like one day she just wakes up and has it handled.
A sweet and easy romance read 🩷
The Ruined Bride was an okay read, I didn’t really know what I was signed up for when I received this, and to be honest still couldn’t put a “label” on it. But it was still a reasonably decent story!
The slowest of all slow burns, which I did really appreciate. But then it feels like everything happens way too quickly after Sophie first grabs hold of Viktor’s arm. A lot happens in the last 20% of the book and it was a bit whiplash inducing.
I loved Viktor, the ultimate protector who had clearly been mad for Sophie for years. Giving her opportunities which were totally uncommon within their society and time. HOT.
Sophie clearly has a lot of trauma, but manages to keep a strong business head on her. Really growing into her confidence as time with Viktor goes on, I did think that it was a shame we didn’t get to dive a little deeper into her handling her trauma. It felt a bit rushed; it does feel like one day she just wakes up and has it handled.
A sweet and easy romance read 🩷
July 29, 2026
Review of advanced copy received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Guys, I demolished this book in an afternoon/evening. I ate it up. I gave up sleep for this story.
I was immediately invested in Sophie’s story and whilst it was dual POV, it was her story to tell. And oh, the yearning! The way Viktor gave her the space she needed to come out of her shell, heal from her trauma and how, in her own way, allowed him time to heal from his - chef’s kiss!
Whilst the timeline of this story felt a little odd-was it 80’s/90’s, I dunno, this story was perfect.
Everyone should read this book.
Guys, I demolished this book in an afternoon/evening. I ate it up. I gave up sleep for this story.
I was immediately invested in Sophie’s story and whilst it was dual POV, it was her story to tell. And oh, the yearning! The way Viktor gave her the space she needed to come out of her shell, heal from her trauma and how, in her own way, allowed him time to heal from his - chef’s kiss!
Whilst the timeline of this story felt a little odd-was it 80’s/90’s, I dunno, this story was perfect.
Everyone should read this book.
October 19, 2026
This has a very strong start!! I really enjoyed the plot and the depiction of the long term affects of SA on how you view other people. Sophie was perfectly written for her role and Viktor was such an understanding MMC.
I do wish we got to see more moments of how Sophie got to actually liking Viktor rather than it just randomly happening and I'd have liked some moments of them right after they got married and were settling in. I also found the use of exclamation marks so excessive 😭 but otherwise it was a fun read!!
I do wish we got to see more moments of how Sophie got to actually liking Viktor rather than it just randomly happening and I'd have liked some moments of them right after they got married and were settling in. I also found the use of exclamation marks so excessive 😭 but otherwise it was a fun read!!
August 5, 2026
"𝑰 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝑰 𝒇𝒆𝒍𝒍 𝒊𝒏 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝑰 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕 𝒎𝒆𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖. 𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒔𝒏'𝒕 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒂 𝒃𝒊𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑰 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒏𝒐𝒘.”
RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
SPICE: 🌶️🌶️ 2/5
A MAFIA ARRANGED MARRIAGE WITH A HEROINE WHO CAN’T STAND TO BE TOUCHED?!
BABES. I WAS SEATED BEFORE YOU FINISHED THE SENTENCE.
Because give me a dangerous man with secrets, a marriage neither party expects to be simple, and a woman who’s determined not to be swallowed by everyone else’s plans for her life? I’m already emotionally invested and making terrible decisions with my sleep schedule.
LILY D. GRAYS, YOU HAVE MY ATTENTION. 🖤
Four stars, two peppers, and a new-to-me author who absolutely hooked me. The Ruined Bride has all those delicious dark-mafia ingredients I reach for, but underneath the dangerous reputation and arranged-marriage tension is a story about a woman trying to reclaim herself.
Sophie was once the cherished daughter of a powerful family. Then a scandal she never chose upended her life, her engagement ended, and the people around her decided that she was somehow the one who should carry the shame.
OH, LOVELY. A SOCIETY THAT PUNISHES THE WOMAN FOR WHAT WAS DONE TO HER. HOW VERY INNOVATIVE.
She has lived with the aftermath for years. Even the smallest touch can be unbearable. Yet she’s expected to navigate an arrangement that asks her to become someone’s wife, with all the expectations that word carries in her world.
Enter Viktor Rowks.
A man with a damaged reputation of his own, connections to people who helped destroy Sophie’s life, and an offer of marriage that looks suspiciously like another transaction between powerful families.
SIR, YOU ARE NOT EXACTLY ARRIVING WITH A REASSURING CHARACTER REFERENCE.
From Sophie’s perspective, there’s every reason to question his motives. Is she an alliance? A way to restore his standing? Another pawn moved around a board by men with too much influence and not enough accountability?
This isn’t a heroine who can simply decide to trust the handsome stranger because he owns a tailored suit.
What I appreciated most was the importance of physical boundaries. Sophie’s aversion to touch isn’t something that should vanish because a brooding mafia man has decided he wants her. The story’s most meaningful romantic possibility lies in whether she can feel safe enough to make choices for herself, on her own terms.
THE MAN CAN BE POSSESSIVE IN A FICTIONAL MAFIA WAY. HE STILL NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND THE WORD “BOUNDARY.”
And there’s something lovely about a dark romance that understands tenderness can carry as much weight as heat. Patience, giving someone room, not treating affection like a debt owed in exchange for protection—those things make an arranged-marriage romance work for me.
Sophie isn’t just a bride with a painful past. She has ambitions, opinions, and a future beyond the role her family and society have assigned her. I liked that the promise of the story isn’t simply “a powerful man will save her.” It’s whether she can take back the right to define her own life.
BECAUSE A NEW HUSBAND IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR YOUR OWN FREEDOM, DARLING.
Viktor’s part in that journey is interesting precisely because there’s so much reason to distrust him. His choices—and what he does when his own motives are questioned—matter as much as his feelings.
Letting the emotional stakes build makes the moments of closeness mean more. Two peppers from me, but the real tension isn’t a countdown to a bedroom scene. It’s the difficult question of whether Sophie can find connection without surrendering control.
LOOK AT US, BESTIES. STILL IN THE MAFIA, BUT WE’RE DEMANDING EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE WITH OUR CRIMINAL ENTERPRISES. 💀
I also enjoyed the old-money atmosphere, where social standing, family alliances, and reputation have enormous consequences. It gives the arranged marriage a sharper edge. Sophie’s situation isn’t just romantic inconvenience; it’s tied to how little say her society has allowed her over her own future.
The Ruined Bride gave me plenty to care about beyond the initial hook.
A note for readers: the story includes abuse, trauma, and touch aversion. Those themes deserve care, so check the content warnings before reading. This may be dark romance, but Sophie’s experience is never a trivial detail.
FINAL VERDICT:
Four stars and two peppers for an absorbing dark mafia romance that combines an arranged marriage, complicated loyalties, and a heroine fighting to reclaim the life other people tried to define for her.
The Ruined Bride absolutely grabbed me. I came for the dangerous husband and forbidden-feeling marriage arrangement; I stayed for the question of what safety, trust, and real choice could look like for Sophie. Viktor brings the secrets and morally gray tension, but Sophie’s agency is what gives the story its heart.
Lily D. Grays is a new-to-me author, and after this introduction, I’ll definitely be interested in what she writes next.
Now, Viktor?
SHE IS NOT A DEAL TO BE CLOSED OR A REPUTATION TO BE REPAIRED. SHE IS A PERSON. ACT ACCORDINGLY.
Four stars. Two peppers. One bride who deserves to write her own future.
AND ONE READER WHO CAME FOR THE MAFIA MARRIAGE AND GOT HOOKED ON THE WOMAN REFUSING TO DISAPPEAR INSIDE IT. 🖤
Tropes: Dark Mafia Romance • Arranged Marriage • Marriage of Convenience • Touch-Averse FMC • Protective MMC • Slow Burn • Forced Proximity • Healing and Reclaiming Agency
RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
SPICE: 🌶️🌶️ 2/5
A MAFIA ARRANGED MARRIAGE WITH A HEROINE WHO CAN’T STAND TO BE TOUCHED?!
BABES. I WAS SEATED BEFORE YOU FINISHED THE SENTENCE.
Because give me a dangerous man with secrets, a marriage neither party expects to be simple, and a woman who’s determined not to be swallowed by everyone else’s plans for her life? I’m already emotionally invested and making terrible decisions with my sleep schedule.
LILY D. GRAYS, YOU HAVE MY ATTENTION. 🖤
Four stars, two peppers, and a new-to-me author who absolutely hooked me. The Ruined Bride has all those delicious dark-mafia ingredients I reach for, but underneath the dangerous reputation and arranged-marriage tension is a story about a woman trying to reclaim herself.
Sophie was once the cherished daughter of a powerful family. Then a scandal she never chose upended her life, her engagement ended, and the people around her decided that she was somehow the one who should carry the shame.
OH, LOVELY. A SOCIETY THAT PUNISHES THE WOMAN FOR WHAT WAS DONE TO HER. HOW VERY INNOVATIVE.
She has lived with the aftermath for years. Even the smallest touch can be unbearable. Yet she’s expected to navigate an arrangement that asks her to become someone’s wife, with all the expectations that word carries in her world.
Enter Viktor Rowks.
A man with a damaged reputation of his own, connections to people who helped destroy Sophie’s life, and an offer of marriage that looks suspiciously like another transaction between powerful families.
SIR, YOU ARE NOT EXACTLY ARRIVING WITH A REASSURING CHARACTER REFERENCE.
From Sophie’s perspective, there’s every reason to question his motives. Is she an alliance? A way to restore his standing? Another pawn moved around a board by men with too much influence and not enough accountability?
This isn’t a heroine who can simply decide to trust the handsome stranger because he owns a tailored suit.
What I appreciated most was the importance of physical boundaries. Sophie’s aversion to touch isn’t something that should vanish because a brooding mafia man has decided he wants her. The story’s most meaningful romantic possibility lies in whether she can feel safe enough to make choices for herself, on her own terms.
THE MAN CAN BE POSSESSIVE IN A FICTIONAL MAFIA WAY. HE STILL NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND THE WORD “BOUNDARY.”
And there’s something lovely about a dark romance that understands tenderness can carry as much weight as heat. Patience, giving someone room, not treating affection like a debt owed in exchange for protection—those things make an arranged-marriage romance work for me.
Sophie isn’t just a bride with a painful past. She has ambitions, opinions, and a future beyond the role her family and society have assigned her. I liked that the promise of the story isn’t simply “a powerful man will save her.” It’s whether she can take back the right to define her own life.
BECAUSE A NEW HUSBAND IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR YOUR OWN FREEDOM, DARLING.
Viktor’s part in that journey is interesting precisely because there’s so much reason to distrust him. His choices—and what he does when his own motives are questioned—matter as much as his feelings.
Letting the emotional stakes build makes the moments of closeness mean more. Two peppers from me, but the real tension isn’t a countdown to a bedroom scene. It’s the difficult question of whether Sophie can find connection without surrendering control.
LOOK AT US, BESTIES. STILL IN THE MAFIA, BUT WE’RE DEMANDING EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE WITH OUR CRIMINAL ENTERPRISES. 💀
I also enjoyed the old-money atmosphere, where social standing, family alliances, and reputation have enormous consequences. It gives the arranged marriage a sharper edge. Sophie’s situation isn’t just romantic inconvenience; it’s tied to how little say her society has allowed her over her own future.
The Ruined Bride gave me plenty to care about beyond the initial hook.
A note for readers: the story includes abuse, trauma, and touch aversion. Those themes deserve care, so check the content warnings before reading. This may be dark romance, but Sophie’s experience is never a trivial detail.
FINAL VERDICT:
Four stars and two peppers for an absorbing dark mafia romance that combines an arranged marriage, complicated loyalties, and a heroine fighting to reclaim the life other people tried to define for her.
The Ruined Bride absolutely grabbed me. I came for the dangerous husband and forbidden-feeling marriage arrangement; I stayed for the question of what safety, trust, and real choice could look like for Sophie. Viktor brings the secrets and morally gray tension, but Sophie’s agency is what gives the story its heart.
Lily D. Grays is a new-to-me author, and after this introduction, I’ll definitely be interested in what she writes next.
Now, Viktor?
SHE IS NOT A DEAL TO BE CLOSED OR A REPUTATION TO BE REPAIRED. SHE IS A PERSON. ACT ACCORDINGLY.
Four stars. Two peppers. One bride who deserves to write her own future.
AND ONE READER WHO CAME FOR THE MAFIA MARRIAGE AND GOT HOOKED ON THE WOMAN REFUSING TO DISAPPEAR INSIDE IT. 🖤
Tropes: Dark Mafia Romance • Arranged Marriage • Marriage of Convenience • Touch-Averse FMC • Protective MMC • Slow Burn • Forced Proximity • Healing and Reclaiming Agency
October 9, 2026
An interesting premise with the no touch aspect. I was rather confused in the begin of this book trying to understand the setting, and truthfully I have zero idea what time period this is…all I know is it’s not modern times but also not a way back historical setting either. Once I stopped trying to figure that out, I was able to get more into the book. Think the ending was a little lackluster for me after everything, so I do wish that there was just something more there.
August 9, 2026
received this as arc and it was an incredible read! It explores love, identity, trauma, and mental health. loved the writing style—so easy to read but not boring. Loved the growth and strength in Sophie and the consistent and never tiring learning and understanding from Viktor. I just wished it was a bit longer as the end felt slightly rushed.
July 22, 2026
ARC REVIEW:
I absolutely loved this book!
Viktor was such a refreshing MMC!! He was kind, patient, and incredibly respectful of Sophia’s trauma.
Watching her slowly heal and come out of her shell because of his unwavering support was beautiful. 🥹
Their relationship felt genuine and heartwarming, and I loved Sophia’s growth and understanding by the end.
My only wish is that we’d gotten a little more of their openly affectionate moments together, this book should be longeeeeer!
An amazing read
This author definitely got my attention ❤️
I absolutely loved this book!
Viktor was such a refreshing MMC!! He was kind, patient, and incredibly respectful of Sophia’s trauma.
Watching her slowly heal and come out of her shell because of his unwavering support was beautiful. 🥹
Their relationship felt genuine and heartwarming, and I loved Sophia’s growth and understanding by the end.
My only wish is that we’d gotten a little more of their openly affectionate moments together, this book should be longeeeeer!
An amazing read
This author definitely got my attention ❤️
October 2, 2026
I think the storyline was entertaining. I enjoyed the twist at the end. I just don't think the writing was very good.
November 15, 2026
i LOVED it!!!! easy to read and pretty cute the way we sometimes get his POV
September 10, 2026
So that was not ever 1 star but I had to rate something to express my hate for this book WHICH I DNFED AT 50% btw.
God’s strongest soldier here btw🫡
God’s strongest soldier here btw🫡
September 17, 2026
3.25 ⭐
a great book for a debut author!
loved it 😍
lesser rating cuz the ending seemed rushed. it could have been more paced
a great book for a debut author!
loved it 😍
lesser rating cuz the ending seemed rushed. it could have been more paced
July 29, 2026
A lovely romance following Sophie, who is trying to navigate her new reality after facing life-altering abuse and Viktor- her future husband.
Sophie was incredibly strong and smart, while Viktor surprised me with his tenderness that I didn’t expect when I first started the book.
The relationship between the two gradually develops and we get to see why and how they fall in love with each other, which I always appreciate when reading a romance, especially when it deals with sensitive subject matters, so I was glad for the slow burn.
Sophie was incredibly strong and smart, while Viktor surprised me with his tenderness that I didn’t expect when I first started the book.
The relationship between the two gradually develops and we get to see why and how they fall in love with each other, which I always appreciate when reading a romance, especially when it deals with sensitive subject matters, so I was glad for the slow burn.
August 14, 2026
4.5*
this was too good i am so getting more recs from book twt hehehe
this was too good i am so getting more recs from book twt hehehe
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