Vicious

by V.A. Costa, Vanessa Abreu

He's been watching her for six months. Now it's her turn to give him everything.
Cassian Virelli is a man who doesn't accept refusal. When he finally meets Detective Serena Ashcroft, the brilliant investigator who's been unknowingly hunting his organisation, he knows two things with absolute certainty: she's dangerous, and she's his.
Serena doesn't believe in coincidence or in men who claim obsession is love. But Cassian doesn't just claim it; he proves it. With access to his intelligence network, his resources, and his unwavering devotion to her success, he becomes the only ally she has in a murder investigation that threatens to destroy everything.
The problem? Cassian isn't her saviour. He's her darkest mirror.
Vicious is a dark romance for readers who understand that love isn't always light; sometimes it's two morally grey people recognising themselves in each other and refusing to let go, no matter the cost.
Content warnings: Stalking, obsession, organised crime, murder, explicit sexual content, psychological manipulation
Heat level: Very High | Darkness level: Very High

474 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2026

Reviews

[Kitty]

I got an ARC of this book. Unfortunately I had to DNF it.

After my first time around, the author advised that there was a download error and chunks of the book were repeated.

I downloaded it again but I found there were still words and odd combinations of words repeated constantly and I really tried to give it a chance as I loved the first one in the series, Venom.

“Tactical” “Operation” and others were used repeatedly. A variation of operate or operation was used almost 400 times.

I’m not sure what’s happened between the first and this one but this book definitely needed a proofread, editing and alpha/beta reading. I can only assume this hasn’t been done.

I wouldn’t be able to recommend this.

[The Book Ssirren]

I devoured this. I loved the storyline so much. I’ve never read a story like this before and the contrast between the characters was amazing. I loved how opposite one scooter they were, yet how exactly alike they were at the same time. This immediately pulled me in and kept me captivated from beginning to end. Absolutely loved this story.

[Pranav Bhatnagar]

Vicious is the kind of dark romance that grabs your attention through its danger and then keeps you there through the emotional complexity of the people at its centre. Serena immediately impressed me because she is intelligent, relentless and extraordinarily determined to uncover the truth, but beneath that investigative mind is a woman carrying an enormous amount of responsibility and emotional weight. She does not simply chase answers because she wants to solve a case she genuinely cares about the people whose stories have been left unfinished, and that made her feel incredibly real to me. Cassian is almost her complete opposite, yet somehow that contrast makes their connection so compelling. He is controlled, calculating, powerful and accustomed to operating in a world where morality is rarely uncomplicated, but beneath that intimidating exterior is a man capable of fierce loyalty and surprisingly profound tenderness. I loved the tension created when these two strong personalities are forced to understand one another, because neither can simply remain the person they were before meeting. Their relationship develops through suspicion, danger, reluctant trust and an increasingly powerful emotional pull, and I appreciated how much time the story gives to that transformation. The investigative elements also kept me completely engaged. Serena's determination to connect seemingly unrelated disappearances, her ability to notice details others overlook and her refusal to abandon victims who can no longer speak for themselves gave the story a strong emotional purpose. At the same time, Cassian's world introduces a completely different kind of danger, filled with secrets, power struggles and people whose loyalties cannot easily be trusted. What affected me most was the way the story refuses to make love simple. Serena and Cassian are both carrying histories that influence the choices they make, and their connection forces them to confront uncomfortable truths about trust, control, vulnerability and what they are willing to sacrifice for someone they care about. The alternating perspectives work beautifully because they allow the reader to understand both the relentless investigator and the dangerous man standing on the other side of her world. V. A. Costa has created a dark, intense and emotionally absorbing romance where suspense and character development constantly feed into one another. I genuinely became invested in Serena and Cassian, not because their relationship is easy, but because watching two guarded people slowly become important to one another feels incredibly powerful. This was a gripping and emotionally charged reading experience, and I loved how much heart exists beneath all the darkness.

[Simone B]

I really did love this book and it drew me in from the very beginning.

Vanessa is an epic writer and I thought she did a fantastic job of creating a world I could easily picture in my mind, and of developing amazing characters in vivid detail.

I really enjoyed the intensity of this story and the growing connection and the bond that was beginning to develop between the two main characters.

There was so much potential in their dynamic particularly with the mirroring aspects of their personalities and the amazing tension between them.

Serena is a brilliant, intelligent, determined and relentless FMC - especially when it comes to uncovering the truth.

Cassian - the MMC - is a much more controlled, calculating and intimidating character who also values the truth.

I really enjoyed the contrasts between the two of them but also the way in which their connection was developing through their similarities.

There was suspicion, danger and lots of reluctant trust and the story was fast-paced, action-packed and really good.

This being said I did actually DNF this book at Chapter 13...

And honestly, it wasn’t because I didn’t like it - I did.

It wasn’t because I thought it wasn’t good - it really is.

However for me personally there was just too much repetition...

- repetition of words and terminology such as “tactical,” “operationally,” “extraction” and “operational”.

- repetition of chapters - I thought I was going actually crazy around chapter 11, 12 and 13...

And whilst I completely understand the meaning and relevance behind the terminology being used, the frequency that the words appeared started to pull me out of the story and took away some of my enjoyment of its progression for me.

I just dont think Im emotionally ready to have a book mess with my mind at this moment in time...

I do realise I may have stopped reading too soon and that I may have missed the point where this all settles down and there is meaning given to it all, so I really don’t want my DNF to take away from the fact that I was genuinely enjoying the story and where it was heading.

There was a lot that I loved - the characters; their intensity; the mystery; the pace and especially the developing bond between the MMC and FMC.

For now though it is a soft DNF rather than a never-ever and I may well pick it back up at a later date...

[whatmrsdobbsreads]

Vanessa… Vanessa… VANESSA! What have you done to me?! 😩🖤
Cassian and Serena are the ultimate power couple — a morally grey duo who would quite literally burn the world down for each other. 🔥
This book has EVERYTHING I was hoping for: ✨ Tension that keeps building
✨ A relationship that develops beautifully
✨ Strong, fierce characters
✨ Morally grey perfection
✨ Spice that brings the 🔥
✨ And darkness… beyond measure
I absolutely LOVED the intertwining of Venom throughout this story. And there is something about even the mention of Kellan that does things to me that I simply cannot explain. 👀🖤
This chapter of The Seven Vices did not disappoint. It gave me everything I wanted and then somehow left me wanting MORE.
More obsession.
More morally grey men.
More darkness.
MORE.
And just a quick question, Vanessa…
Where exactly can I get myself a man like Cassian who gifts me beautiful jewellery?! 👀💎😂
Take a bow, Vanessa. 👏🏻🖤
That’s another man you’ve added to my collection of morally dark book boyfriends, and honestly… I’m not even mad about it.
Now I need to know what Book 3 is going to do to me! 😩
🖤 Favourite line:
"Love doesn't make him weak, it makes him dangerous."
And honestly… that line sums Cassian up perfectly. 🔥
#Vicious

[Readerlouiselycett]

I fucking loved this book better the the first I do say but I still be a kellan girly 😉 I was honoured this book and I waited and waited I got to the point I was so inpatient 🫣 but honestly love every part of it definitely a 5 star 🤭👏

She was a person who come out the forces and police forces (investigator) herself she came so close to cass cases and what he does but one person was watch her every move and he took her in as one of his assets she felt thing trough out her body for him but didn’t understand it cass watch her trough cameras Nikolai was the one who watch her outside her own house pas couple of days cass would kill for Serena
And Thomas overly obsessed with Serena when she loves Cassian and Thomas I’ve very jealous what Cassian and Serena have got and Cassian would burn every building every city down to save Serena specifically if anyone get in the way of Serena the will kill for each other

[Sandy]

I can't decide how dark the hero is because his operations help in a way. His connections are widespread, and I can't really comprehend his involvement in everything important happening.
It's interesting how it started between the protagonists, how they intertwined so inevitably with each other, diving to the deepest end with no chance to surface back.
In the story, there wasn't only surveillance and information gathering, but also dealing with danger, betrayal, and eliminating threats.
The heroine's skills would be more impressive if they worked in all situations, but she missed how close she was to a dangerous man. Luckily, nothing happened to her because of that person.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Meg Williams]

Vicious — V.A. Costa
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I’m honestly speechless… I adored the first book in this series, and she has done it again! Phenomenal from start to finish. The writing was amazing, and the storyline was so gripping that I genuinely didn’t want to put the book down.

I loved the morally grey MMC who would honestly set the world on fire for her, alongside a badass FMC who is just as strong and fierce. They are such an incredible, equal pair, and I absolutely loved their dynamic.

I’m stunned, shocked and completely obsessed with this book. I genuinely don’t know what else to say other than WOW!

[Katie Gaunt]

Serena, a girl who used to be in the police force now investigating and currently chasing Cass’s cases, she’s literally so close to unravelling everything he does when he has to find a way to stop her. make her his asset, or make her disappear! The badass couple they become is unreal! They would literally burn the world for each other
The tension? The feelings? The chemistry? ABSOLUTELY INSANE!!
I thought nothing could top book 1 but THIS ONE DELIVERS🙌🏼
It’s gripping, unputdownable and hooked me from the beginning
If you haven’t already.. RUN don’t walk to read this!!!🖤.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Charlene Bugby]

I was glued to this from the very first page. It is a possessive, dark romance with a nice hint of spice in there. I love the growth of the FMC. I don’t want to give to much away as I want people to read it for themselves but if you love mafia vibes, organised crime, obsession, stalker, spice, possessiveness, touch her and die vibes and a bad ass FMC then this is the book for you. Can’t wait for the next one in the series.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Vicky Snook]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I’m genuinely obsessed with this book. The way Cassian and Serena’s obsession with each other develops had me completely hooked. I loved reading their relationship form and seeing just how intense and consuming it became. The chemistry, tension and obsession between them were EVERYTHING. I couldn’t put this one down and honestly didn’t want it to end. ❤️.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lil’s Booknook✨]

Once again, V A Costa has smashed this.

The characters instantly gripped me, the way they work together and the attention to detail when it comes to investigative work.

I adore the underworld themes and how it’s similar yet different to the first book VENOM.


Overall 10/10. I adored this book in the same way I adored the first one.

[Sue]

This book is amazing I was lucky enough to read as an arc for the author and it’s as good as the first book maybe even better. The storyline was amazing and characters were really likeable. The main character relationship was amazing and you wanted to see them develop and it didn’t disappoint I can’t wait to read the 3rd book

[Louise McPadden]

I really loved this book.

Cassian and Serena are a fantastic power couple.

They are a morally grey couple who would literally burn the world.

Loved how the tension kept building throughout the pages. Couldn’t stop reading .

Great plot twists throughout book.

Need the 3rd one

Read as an ARC and have given a honest review .

[Hadi]

This was dark, beautiful, obsessive and intense. It takes a lot for a woman who has always lived in the light to willingly cross over to the darker side, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching that transition unfold. What made it even better was that ultimately, the choice was hers.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Elise Gott]

I enjoyed this book but I preferred the first book in the series, Venom. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a dark romance where the FMC is just as if not more dark than the MMC and wants to see a woman whose man stands beside her while she shows she's strong enough to protect herself.

[Mg Sparks]

Enjoyed think i may have enjoyed this one even more than the first. Cant wait to see what comes next!.

[Margaret Priest]

I read this as an arc!! Finished it 2 days ago and forgot to post.

Omg my she done it again!! Absolutely obsessed!!!

Im absolutely in love with Serena the power woman she is!!!
I cannot wait for more😍