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Power & Punishment
In a city ruled by power, loyalty, and violence, some sins demand punishment.
Ten years ago, I walked away from my family's blood-soaked empire and swore I'd never look back.
Then my brother was murdered.
Now I'm hunting a killer through the same underworld I spent a decade trying to escape, and every trail leads to one man.
Leo DeLuca.
Golden boy politician. Ruthless power broker. The kind of man who smiles while hiding a knife behind his back.
He should be my prime suspect.
Instead, he becomes my biggest distraction.
The closer I get to the truth, the harder it becomes to tell where the investigation ends and the obsession begins. Because Leo is hiding secrets that could destroy everything I've built.
The problem is, somewhere along the way, I stopped trying to prove Leo was guilty and...started hoping he wasn't.
Ten years ago, I walked away from my family's blood-soaked empire and swore I'd never look back.
Then my brother was murdered.
Now I'm hunting a killer through the same underworld I spent a decade trying to escape, and every trail leads to one man.
Leo DeLuca.
Golden boy politician. Ruthless power broker. The kind of man who smiles while hiding a knife behind his back.
He should be my prime suspect.
Instead, he becomes my biggest distraction.
The closer I get to the truth, the harder it becomes to tell where the investigation ends and the obsession begins. Because Leo is hiding secrets that could destroy everything I've built.
The problem is, somewhere along the way, I stopped trying to prove Leo was guilty and...started hoping he wasn't.
394 pages, Paperback
Published September 4, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 8, 2026
4.5 ⭐️
ARC review!
I was so excited to read this novel as I have loved previous works by this author. When I first started reading, I knew I was going to love Mia. She is such a witty and badass person. Throughout the story, Mia is a strong female character, and I love that she held onto that strength and resilience throughout the book.
In the beginning, I hated Leo and I was really worried that was going to ruin this book for me. I did not believe he would be a character that I would want to root for. But slowly, my opinion of him began to change. Until I found myself hopeful that things would go well for him. He has an interesting sense of humor, and there were often statements he made that I couldn't help but laugh about.
This book kept me guessing. Trying to think about what would happen next. I love it when a book leads to questions like that and trying to think things through. T. L. Moon has a great writing style with good pace. One minor downfall was that there were a few grammatical/spelling errors throughout the book that interrupted her normal flow.
Overall, this was a great book! I would recommend it to anyone who likes dark romance books. Whether that be those who have read many dark romances or those who have not yet but have an interest to. This book would be a great place to start! I look forward to the next book in this series. I am very interested to see where the plot will go.
ARC review!
I was so excited to read this novel as I have loved previous works by this author. When I first started reading, I knew I was going to love Mia. She is such a witty and badass person. Throughout the story, Mia is a strong female character, and I love that she held onto that strength and resilience throughout the book.
In the beginning, I hated Leo and I was really worried that was going to ruin this book for me. I did not believe he would be a character that I would want to root for. But slowly, my opinion of him began to change. Until I found myself hopeful that things would go well for him. He has an interesting sense of humor, and there were often statements he made that I couldn't help but laugh about.
This book kept me guessing. Trying to think about what would happen next. I love it when a book leads to questions like that and trying to think things through. T. L. Moon has a great writing style with good pace. One minor downfall was that there were a few grammatical/spelling errors throughout the book that interrupted her normal flow.
Overall, this was a great book! I would recommend it to anyone who likes dark romance books. Whether that be those who have read many dark romances or those who have not yet but have an interest to. This book would be a great place to start! I look forward to the next book in this series. I am very interested to see where the plot will go.
September 24, 2026
I was so excited to read this book after ready the syniposis. When I first started reading I knew this was my kind of book within the first page, I knew Instantly i was going to love Mia. She is a witty and badass female character. Throughout the story, Mia is a strong female character, and I love that she held onto her strength and resilience throughout the whole book.
In the beginning, I really disliked Leo and I was really worried that was going to utterly ruin this book for me. I did not believe he would be a character that I would want to root for by the middle of the story. But slowly, my opinion of him changed. Then I found myself hopeful that things would go well for him. He has a unique sense of humor, and there were often statements he made that really made me laugh.
This book kept me guessing making me think about what was going to happen next. I love it when a story leads me to asking questions like that and trying to think things through. T. L. Moon has a great writing style with a good pace.
Overall, this was a fantastic book! I would recommend it to anyone who likes dark romance books. Whether that be those who have read many dark romances or those who have not yet but have an interest to. This book would be a great first dark romance read its not to heavy! I look forward to the next book in this series. I am very interested to see where the plot will go and what will unfold next.
In the beginning, I really disliked Leo and I was really worried that was going to utterly ruin this book for me. I did not believe he would be a character that I would want to root for by the middle of the story. But slowly, my opinion of him changed. Then I found myself hopeful that things would go well for him. He has a unique sense of humor, and there were often statements he made that really made me laugh.
This book kept me guessing making me think about what was going to happen next. I love it when a story leads me to asking questions like that and trying to think things through. T. L. Moon has a great writing style with a good pace.
Overall, this was a fantastic book! I would recommend it to anyone who likes dark romance books. Whether that be those who have read many dark romances or those who have not yet but have an interest to. This book would be a great first dark romance read its not to heavy! I look forward to the next book in this series. I am very interested to see where the plot will go and what will unfold next.
September 6, 2026
ARC reader! Thank you for selecting me to be an Arc reader for your book!
I loved the FMC detective x MMC corrupt politician.
Definitely some steamy scenes ! I want to know the reason why he calls her, her full name instead of her nickname (Mia). He does have a bunch of pet names for her but doesn’t call her the one she offered🤷🏼♀️. The murder mystery going on had a real twist! I honestly didn’t see that coming. My guess was Leo’s secretary was a mole or something. I really liked that both families accepted the respective MC in due time. Most of the books I read the MCs don’t have family; despite the unorthodox families I enjoyed seeing their dynamics. This book has a nice balance of relationship growth and main plot/story.
The ending wrapped up nicely to set up for the next book(s). Not too much a cliffhanger, which I appreciate! I’m interested to see Mari and Michael’s relationship develop in the next book(s). There are some sprinkles of tension in them. I can sense possibly bodyguard trope… I do hope Mia and Leo and still the main characters because it seems the main story directly involves them.
I loved the FMC detective x MMC corrupt politician.
Definitely some steamy scenes ! I want to know the reason why he calls her, her full name instead of her nickname (Mia). He does have a bunch of pet names for her but doesn’t call her the one she offered🤷🏼♀️. The murder mystery going on had a real twist! I honestly didn’t see that coming. My guess was Leo’s secretary was a mole or something. I really liked that both families accepted the respective MC in due time. Most of the books I read the MCs don’t have family; despite the unorthodox families I enjoyed seeing their dynamics. This book has a nice balance of relationship growth and main plot/story.
The ending wrapped up nicely to set up for the next book(s). Not too much a cliffhanger, which I appreciate! I’m interested to see Mari and Michael’s relationship develop in the next book(s). There are some sprinkles of tension in them. I can sense possibly bodyguard trope… I do hope Mia and Leo and still the main characters because it seems the main story directly involves them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 7, 2026
Absolutely LOVED this book! A mafia romance book but with an NYPD twist.
Mia is an NYPD detective on a homicide case when she realizes she knows the victim, her brother Vince, who she hasn’t seen for years - since he sent her away from the family life of crime.
Leo is her prime suspect. She’s been warned to stay away from him from her brother, Dante, her sister in law, Alice & the police commissioner. But that just makes her more interested in what they are all hiding. But Leo isn’t who any of them think he is…
This book has the mafia aspect that I love along with the FMC being an NYPD cop. The writing pulls you in and doesn’t let you go. There’s secrets between family, dirty cops on mafia pay roll, the MMC has his own agenda that only his second knows of, kidnapping and a plot twist at the end that is perfect.
This is the first book of a series, so even side characters have an important role and are written with some depth to get to know them.
With the way the book ended, I’m looking forward to
the second one and what is going to happen with Michael and Maribella!
I received this book as an Advanced Reader Copy and am writing this review voluntarily.
Mia is an NYPD detective on a homicide case when she realizes she knows the victim, her brother Vince, who she hasn’t seen for years - since he sent her away from the family life of crime.
Leo is her prime suspect. She’s been warned to stay away from him from her brother, Dante, her sister in law, Alice & the police commissioner. But that just makes her more interested in what they are all hiding. But Leo isn’t who any of them think he is…
This book has the mafia aspect that I love along with the FMC being an NYPD cop. The writing pulls you in and doesn’t let you go. There’s secrets between family, dirty cops on mafia pay roll, the MMC has his own agenda that only his second knows of, kidnapping and a plot twist at the end that is perfect.
This is the first book of a series, so even side characters have an important role and are written with some depth to get to know them.
With the way the book ended, I’m looking forward to
the second one and what is going to happen with Michael and Maribella!
I received this book as an Advanced Reader Copy and am writing this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
"And the worst part is you're the only thing that's felt right all day."
I liked this but it didn't grip me in any major emotional way. Mia is a homicide detective and Leo is a city councilman. Both have ties to varying levels of mafia in NYC. The spicy scenes were few and far between and while I know this will be a series and will likely continue with the mafia plot interwoven through the rest of it, I don't feel like anything major was resolved by the end. Sure, the murderer is revealed but like all in the last 5%. Just kind of felt like everything just.. stopped.
For some reason, Leo only calls Mia by her full name, not the nickname she prefers even though he hears her introduce herself as Mia multiple times. She never once corrects him. Yet, I doubt Leo is his full name. If it were me, I would have either demanded the full name, googled it, or called him any variation of Leo I could think of. Leonard, Leonardo, Leopold, all of it.
I liked this but it didn't grip me in any major emotional way. Mia is a homicide detective and Leo is a city councilman. Both have ties to varying levels of mafia in NYC. The spicy scenes were few and far between and while I know this will be a series and will likely continue with the mafia plot interwoven through the rest of it, I don't feel like anything major was resolved by the end. Sure, the murderer is revealed but like all in the last 5%. Just kind of felt like everything just.. stopped.
For some reason, Leo only calls Mia by her full name, not the nickname she prefers even though he hears her introduce herself as Mia multiple times. She never once corrects him. Yet, I doubt Leo is his full name. If it were me, I would have either demanded the full name, googled it, or called him any variation of Leo I could think of. Leonard, Leonardo, Leopold, all of it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy
4.75/5. Official Advanced Reader. Thank you T.L Moon!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I ended up finishing it in five days because I couldn’t put it down. The characters feel real and I love the interactions between the MMC and FMC.
The plotting was very clever and was a twist of the typical way you would think a mafia story would go. The story felt fast but in a way that kept you engaged without feeling the story was rushed.
Mia was such a strong character who I fell in love with. She showed how trauma and vulnerability can evolve and she was developed beautifully. Leo was also a good character and his development also felt great and real.
Honestly this was a great read and for the first book in a series that I want to read more of!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I ended up finishing it in five days because I couldn’t put it down. The characters feel real and I love the interactions between the MMC and FMC.
The plotting was very clever and was a twist of the typical way you would think a mafia story would go. The story felt fast but in a way that kept you engaged without feeling the story was rushed.
Mia was such a strong character who I fell in love with. She showed how trauma and vulnerability can evolve and she was developed beautifully. Leo was also a good character and his development also felt great and real.
Honestly this was a great read and for the first book in a series that I want to read more of!
September 12, 2026
Thankyou T. L. Moon for trusting me with an arc of Power & Punishment
Ooh this was good I finished it in a day
A mafia romance featuring a strong heroine and the man who will burn down the world for her
The book pulled me in quickly the perfect mix of suspense, danger and romance
The banter between Mia and Leo lightens things up just enough but doesn’t distract from the plot
If you are a fan of thrillers or romantic suspense then you definitely need to pick up this book immediately
Hoping there is a book 2 as I want more of these characters
Expect:🔥dark romance🔥mafia romance🔥enemies to lovers🔥thriller🔥morally grey characters🔥
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. 5
Ooh this was good I finished it in a day
A mafia romance featuring a strong heroine and the man who will burn down the world for her
The book pulled me in quickly the perfect mix of suspense, danger and romance
The banter between Mia and Leo lightens things up just enough but doesn’t distract from the plot
If you are a fan of thrillers or romantic suspense then you definitely need to pick up this book immediately
Hoping there is a book 2 as I want more of these characters
Expect:🔥dark romance🔥mafia romance🔥enemies to lovers🔥thriller🔥morally grey characters🔥
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. 5
Review of advance copy received from Author
Wow. Just wow. This book captured my attention. I did not want to put it down. Loved the dark romance and banter between Leo and Mia. Fingers crossed there’s a book two coming out because I’m all for it! Strong heroine and the man willing to burn for her. Captures all the feels!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book was amazing! Caught my attention from page 1 and loved the romance/suspense aspect. Loved the banter between Leo and Mia. I really hope there is a second book to continue this story!
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5/5
Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️
Strong FMC and morally grey MMC who will burn down the world for her
“I know you’ll try to do everything on your own because that’s what you’re used to, and I’ll continue to overstep because I have no self-control when it comes to you.”🤭
Official ARC reviewer
Thank you, T. L. Moon
Last month I came across a reel with the blurb of Power & Punishment.
As a big Mafia Romance fan , I was instantly intrigued, especially since this was the first time I encountered a plot intertwining a politician and a detective. Without a second thought, I signed up for the ARC, and to my delight, I received it in the mail and let me tell you, I devoured it in 7 days.
Loved the FMC Mia Russo was strong, determined, not the usual damsel in distress kind of character. What I particularly liked was how the author portrayed her vulnerable side, revealing her deep seated fears of losing those she loves this complexity made Mia a relatable character with layers who resonates with readers on a personal level
Our MMC Leo de Luca was down bad for her 😌 🫢 the way he was in denial that he wasn't was cute. MMC was also determined towards his mission. (just had to remind himself to not lose sight in FMC's presence🤭)
If you ask me how bad
"Every breath, heartbeat, and step feels meaningless without her beside me."
Also loved their banter (Dante and Leo's banter too 😂)
The chemistry was palpable between the main characters
the plot twist was surprising, didn't expect that.
Loved how the plot was written. the way it was revealed in the grand scheme of things in a way that kept me on the edge of my seat
felt sad for Victor and Alice would love to see Alice get her hea too
Since this is the 1st book in the series and there is more to know about this world and characters
Couldn't wait for the next book in the series I have my hunch on the next couple so fingers crossed
Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️
Strong FMC and morally grey MMC who will burn down the world for her
“I know you’ll try to do everything on your own because that’s what you’re used to, and I’ll continue to overstep because I have no self-control when it comes to you.”🤭
Official ARC reviewer
Thank you, T. L. Moon
Last month I came across a reel with the blurb of Power & Punishment.
As a big Mafia Romance fan , I was instantly intrigued, especially since this was the first time I encountered a plot intertwining a politician and a detective. Without a second thought, I signed up for the ARC, and to my delight, I received it in the mail and let me tell you, I devoured it in 7 days.
Loved the FMC Mia Russo was strong, determined, not the usual damsel in distress kind of character. What I particularly liked was how the author portrayed her vulnerable side, revealing her deep seated fears of losing those she loves this complexity made Mia a relatable character with layers who resonates with readers on a personal level
Our MMC Leo de Luca was down bad for her 😌 🫢 the way he was in denial that he wasn't was cute. MMC was also determined towards his mission. (just had to remind himself to not lose sight in FMC's presence🤭)
If you ask me how bad
"Every breath, heartbeat, and step feels meaningless without her beside me."
Also loved their banter (Dante and Leo's banter too 😂)
The chemistry was palpable between the main characters
the plot twist was surprising, didn't expect that.
Loved how the plot was written. the way it was revealed in the grand scheme of things in a way that kept me on the edge of my seat
felt sad for Victor and Alice would love to see Alice get her hea too
Since this is the 1st book in the series and there is more to know about this world and characters
Couldn't wait for the next book in the series I have my hunch on the next couple so fingers crossed
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I would really give this 4.5-stars. This is a DEFINITE recommend. Once the book is released, I will add more. Right now, I don't want to give anything away. Do yourself a favor and buy the book.
I received an ARC copy from the author, and boy am I glad she chose me to be one of them.
Power & Punishment had me from the beginning. The character's are well developed, and the story pulled me in from page one.
If you're looking for a thriller with a romance subplot, this is the book for you. Follow along as Leo and Mia fight their way through hard times while fighting against the odds that keep pulling them together.
I received an ARC copy from the author, and boy am I glad she chose me to be one of them.
Power & Punishment had me from the beginning. The character's are well developed, and the story pulled me in from page one.
If you're looking for a thriller with a romance subplot, this is the book for you. Follow along as Leo and Mia fight their way through hard times while fighting against the odds that keep pulling them together.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews