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LUST AND HONOR: A Dark Mafia Romance
Maxim
I don’t do love. Only lust. I don’t do mercy. Only blood. And I sure as hell don’t do second chances.
But then she walked into my club, all innocent red hair, freckles, and trembling lips. I took her because I thought she was an escort sent for me. She wasn't.
One night. One mistake. She disappeared from my bed before sunrise.
Three years later, she's standing in front of me with something she's been hiding all these years.
Something with my dark eyes and her red hair.
Now she's under my roof, under my protection, and under my skin.
She hates me. She wants me. She fears me. And I... I'm obsessed with every damn inch of her.
I'll destroy anyone who tries to take them from me, even if the biggest threat is the monster I see when I look in the mirror.
Welcome to my world, little strawberry. There's no escaping it.
***
LUST & HONOR is a dark, scorching standalone mafia romance featuring a ruthless, possessive antihero, a secret baby, forced proximity, and the woman he refuses to let escape twice. No cliffhanger. HEA guaranteed.
I don’t do love. Only lust. I don’t do mercy. Only blood. And I sure as hell don’t do second chances.
But then she walked into my club, all innocent red hair, freckles, and trembling lips. I took her because I thought she was an escort sent for me. She wasn't.
One night. One mistake. She disappeared from my bed before sunrise.
Three years later, she's standing in front of me with something she's been hiding all these years.
Something with my dark eyes and her red hair.
Now she's under my roof, under my protection, and under my skin.
She hates me. She wants me. She fears me. And I... I'm obsessed with every damn inch of her.
I'll destroy anyone who tries to take them from me, even if the biggest threat is the monster I see when I look in the mirror.
Welcome to my world, little strawberry. There's no escaping it.
***
LUST & HONOR is a dark, scorching standalone mafia romance featuring a ruthless, possessive antihero, a secret baby, forced proximity, and the woman he refuses to let escape twice. No cliffhanger. HEA guaranteed.
400 pages, Paperback
Published August 25, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 210 reviews
September 30, 2026
This book is officially going on my list of the worst books I’ve ever read… How is it possible that, with 2027 just around the corner, we’re STILL getting the cliché of the extremely promiscuous hero and the virgin heroine?
Listen, I have no problem with a hero being like that if the moment he lays eyes on the heroine, he stops and falls completely for her. But this book ruined everything.
The book literally starts with the hero receiving oral sex from one of his many prostitutes (because yes, he has a whole club full of women). From that point on, practically every woman he sees or who appears in the story is there because he has either already fucked her or is about to fuck her.
The heroine doesn’t work for him, despite what the synopsis says. She accidentally sleeps with him, and then three years pass… Do you think he was celibate during those three years? Or that he ever thought about the heroine? NO. Until the moment he sees her again, she hasn’t even crossed his mind. This man was far too busy with every woman in the area. Meanwhile, of course, the heroine remained celibate.
What pissed me off the most is that from the very beginning, he acts like he owns her and refuses to let any other man get near her. He even asks her if she slept with anyone else during the years they were apart.
And then, while they’re arguing, she accuses him of assaulting her that night when she accidentally slept with him, and he tells her that he’ll show her what it REALLY means to be raped…
I had to stop reading for a moment because that made me absolutely sick.
It also made me furious that the heroine wasn’t firmer with him. Every few minutes she was completely melting because of something he said. If I were her, I would have been planning my escape from that walking disease-ridden red flag.
And let me emphasize this again: throughout the book, we keep getting appearances from his former fuck buddies. At one point, a model hints that she wants to sleep with him again, and he turns her down… BUT HE STILL GRABS HER ASS.
And now comes the worst part…
The night he rescues the heroine and her daughter, you’d think he would go after the heroine and demand some answers, right?
HAHAHAHAHAHA. NO.
This asshole goes straight back to his club, gathers all his women around him, and obviously spends the night with them.
I genuinely don’t want to keep going because I’m tired of writing about this garbage. This book doesn’t deserve any more of my time.
Go to hell, author, for writing such a pathetic heroine.
And I don’t care if this is a mafia romance. I’ve read books with promiscuous heroes before, but they had heroines who knew their worth and stood up for themselves—and the hero was on his knees for her from the very beginning.
Listen, I have no problem with a hero being like that if the moment he lays eyes on the heroine, he stops and falls completely for her. But this book ruined everything.
The book literally starts with the hero receiving oral sex from one of his many prostitutes (because yes, he has a whole club full of women). From that point on, practically every woman he sees or who appears in the story is there because he has either already fucked her or is about to fuck her.
The heroine doesn’t work for him, despite what the synopsis says. She accidentally sleeps with him, and then three years pass… Do you think he was celibate during those three years? Or that he ever thought about the heroine? NO. Until the moment he sees her again, she hasn’t even crossed his mind. This man was far too busy with every woman in the area. Meanwhile, of course, the heroine remained celibate.
What pissed me off the most is that from the very beginning, he acts like he owns her and refuses to let any other man get near her. He even asks her if she slept with anyone else during the years they were apart.
And then, while they’re arguing, she accuses him of assaulting her that night when she accidentally slept with him, and he tells her that he’ll show her what it REALLY means to be raped…
I had to stop reading for a moment because that made me absolutely sick.
It also made me furious that the heroine wasn’t firmer with him. Every few minutes she was completely melting because of something he said. If I were her, I would have been planning my escape from that walking disease-ridden red flag.
And let me emphasize this again: throughout the book, we keep getting appearances from his former fuck buddies. At one point, a model hints that she wants to sleep with him again, and he turns her down… BUT HE STILL GRABS HER ASS.
And now comes the worst part…
The night he rescues the heroine and her daughter, you’d think he would go after the heroine and demand some answers, right?
HAHAHAHAHAHA. NO.
This asshole goes straight back to his club, gathers all his women around him, and obviously spends the night with them.
I genuinely don’t want to keep going because I’m tired of writing about this garbage. This book doesn’t deserve any more of my time.
Go to hell, author, for writing such a pathetic heroine.
And I don’t care if this is a mafia romance. I’ve read books with promiscuous heroes before, but they had heroines who knew their worth and stood up for themselves—and the hero was on his knees for her from the very beginning.
June 7, 2026
Maxim, the deadly and ruthless Consigliere to Don Carlo Bruni (who are like brothers), is loving life as a single man. The number of women he sleeps with is way too high to count, and he likes it that way. All the women want him, but he's never had a real relationship and doesn't intend to. Until one night he mistakes Ava for someone else, and now he can't get her out of his mind. The problem? She vanishes for three years. When she accidentally finds her way back into his life, he realizes she's held a secret she never intended to tell him about.
Maxim is both sweet, gentle and kind while also being ruthless, cruel and cold. Ava has so many conflicting emotions (as did I!!). She's hesitant, shy, and unsure, while also being a survivor and fighter who'll do absolutely anything for her little girl. Their relationship was a very complicated one, but you could tell they were meant for each other. Once Maxim found out her secret, he wouldn't let her go. The steamy scenes were seductive, intense and hot!
My heart broke for both Maxim and Ava from the tragic childhood they had, or should I say survived. He becomes one of the most feared consiglieres, the mafia's right-hand man, and she ends up hiding, keeping a low profile, so the men hunting her don't find her.
Then there's the Little Carrot - Aurora. She's very shy, especially around men. Maxim gets a call that Carlo's nanny and her kid were taken in a van, and they need to get them back. I'm not usually a fan of surprise babies, but this one works for me. Maxim is the best father, and I loved them together. He's an amazing father who is always there for her!
The book is on the longer side, but it never once felt like it was dragging, and I actually wanted to read more... I read an almost 400-page book in one day! The story was exciting, and the characters were addictive.
Overall: 4.75 out of 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐.75
Spice/Heat Intensity: 4.5 out of 5 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
Main Characters: Maxim & Ava
Nickname: Strawberry
Darkness: 5 out of 5 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
Type of book: MF, Dual 1st Person POV
Reading Order: Standalone with Interconnected Characters throughout the series
Title: The Honor Series- Lust and Honour: Book 3
Epilogue: Yes
Ending Type: HEA
*OTT: Possessive, obsessive, dominant, and protective MMC
*Eyes only for her
*Secret Baby
*Dub/Non Con
*Emotional Trauma
*Who did this to you
*Forced Proximity
*Mafia
*Torture/Body Mutilation/Graphic Violence
*Human Trafficking
*Kidnapping & Captivity
*Emotional Abuse
*Coercion/Psychological Manipulation
*Power Dynamics
*Found Family
*Innocent FMC
*No cheating or sharing
⚠️ This book has descriptive parts that may be offensive or triggering to some. Please check all the authors' TW/CW before reading! 18+
*I received an early copy of this book and am voluntarily writing this review.
Maxim is both sweet, gentle and kind while also being ruthless, cruel and cold. Ava has so many conflicting emotions (as did I!!). She's hesitant, shy, and unsure, while also being a survivor and fighter who'll do absolutely anything for her little girl. Their relationship was a very complicated one, but you could tell they were meant for each other. Once Maxim found out her secret, he wouldn't let her go. The steamy scenes were seductive, intense and hot!
My heart broke for both Maxim and Ava from the tragic childhood they had, or should I say survived. He becomes one of the most feared consiglieres, the mafia's right-hand man, and she ends up hiding, keeping a low profile, so the men hunting her don't find her.
Then there's the Little Carrot - Aurora. She's very shy, especially around men. Maxim gets a call that Carlo's nanny and her kid were taken in a van, and they need to get them back. I'm not usually a fan of surprise babies, but this one works for me. Maxim is the best father, and I loved them together. He's an amazing father who is always there for her!
The book is on the longer side, but it never once felt like it was dragging, and I actually wanted to read more... I read an almost 400-page book in one day! The story was exciting, and the characters were addictive.
Overall: 4.75 out of 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐.75
Spice/Heat Intensity: 4.5 out of 5 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
Main Characters: Maxim & Ava
Nickname: Strawberry
Darkness: 5 out of 5 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
Type of book: MF, Dual 1st Person POV
Reading Order: Standalone with Interconnected Characters throughout the series
Title: The Honor Series- Lust and Honour: Book 3
Epilogue: Yes
Ending Type: HEA
*OTT: Possessive, obsessive, dominant, and protective MMC
*Eyes only for her
*Secret Baby
*Dub/Non Con
*Emotional Trauma
*Who did this to you
*Forced Proximity
*Mafia
*Torture/Body Mutilation/Graphic Violence
*Human Trafficking
*Kidnapping & Captivity
*Emotional Abuse
*Coercion/Psychological Manipulation
*Power Dynamics
*Found Family
*Innocent FMC
*No cheating or sharing
⚠️ This book has descriptive parts that may be offensive or triggering to some. Please check all the authors' TW/CW before reading! 18+
*I received an early copy of this book and am voluntarily writing this review.
September 12, 2026
Initially I felt conflicted when reading this book, I wasn’t sure if they were both masochists or just genuinely horrible people.
All in all, I’ve come to the conclusion that both of the main characters are incredibly flawed—that’s probably the only reason they ever worked out, honestly. No one slightly sane would stay in a relationship like that.
Continuing, there were some extremely horrible parts in this book, all the misogyny, and the way that Maxim was constantly claiming “ownership” over Ava, so much that it almost seemed that her thoughts weren’t even her own.
But, in contrast, the good moments in the book (though few) were very heartwarming. For example, Maxim and Ava and Aurora learning how to be a family, Maxim learning how to be a father and the connection that Emily and Ava had with living in a world that is so controlled by men.
I will say that I understood (in the beginning) why Ava was so intrigued and enamoured with Maxim, he did save her from being defiled after all, but even past that, with the way he continued to treat her over and over again, how he kept saying he was ‘obsessed’ with her and then he’d ‘unconsciously’ or consciously hurt her—almost like her comfort and her limits were a game to him. I couldn’t get past how toxic this was.
There’s one thing about have a kink about getting hit in the bedroom, but how far can you call it a kink before it just becomes plain abuse?
For example, “I treat whores and flings well, but the pain I’m causing Ava feels like a reminder, to both of us, who she belongs too.” And this is just one of many quotes that made me sick to my stomach when reading them.
All the fights that they had didn’t make sense, some of them—yes, a lot of them? No.
A lot of this book was pointless.
My favorite part was probably when she killed Lorenzo and when she overcame her obsession with purity and admitted to herself that she loves Maxim just as much as she hates him.
But even with how easy this book was to read, it is very difficult to palate with all the mentions and depictions of sexual assault.
Overall, a very misogynistic and character driven book that I will always think of in disgust in my future. (If I think of it).
All in all, I’ve come to the conclusion that both of the main characters are incredibly flawed—that’s probably the only reason they ever worked out, honestly. No one slightly sane would stay in a relationship like that.
Continuing, there were some extremely horrible parts in this book, all the misogyny, and the way that Maxim was constantly claiming “ownership” over Ava, so much that it almost seemed that her thoughts weren’t even her own.
But, in contrast, the good moments in the book (though few) were very heartwarming. For example, Maxim and Ava and Aurora learning how to be a family, Maxim learning how to be a father and the connection that Emily and Ava had with living in a world that is so controlled by men.
I will say that I understood (in the beginning) why Ava was so intrigued and enamoured with Maxim, he did save her from being defiled after all, but even past that, with the way he continued to treat her over and over again, how he kept saying he was ‘obsessed’ with her and then he’d ‘unconsciously’ or consciously hurt her—almost like her comfort and her limits were a game to him. I couldn’t get past how toxic this was.
There’s one thing about have a kink about getting hit in the bedroom, but how far can you call it a kink before it just becomes plain abuse?
For example, “I treat whores and flings well, but the pain I’m causing Ava feels like a reminder, to both of us, who she belongs too.” And this is just one of many quotes that made me sick to my stomach when reading them.
All the fights that they had didn’t make sense, some of them—yes, a lot of them? No.
A lot of this book was pointless.
My favorite part was probably when she killed Lorenzo and when she overcame her obsession with purity and admitted to herself that she loves Maxim just as much as she hates him.
But even with how easy this book was to read, it is very difficult to palate with all the mentions and depictions of sexual assault.
Overall, a very misogynistic and character driven book that I will always think of in disgust in my future. (If I think of it).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Lust and Honor was such a wild, addictive ride. Look, we have antiheroes... and then we have ANTIHEROESwho have you questioning your own morals. Like, how are we supposed to be totally fine with a MMC who is this ruthless, this possessive, and this deeply morally grey even with the FMC?! 😅😂 But those rare sweet moments? Chef’s kiss. They hate hard, but they love even harder, and that contrast makes it completely impossible to put down.
Add in forced proximity and a secret baby plotline? Say less.
I’m already completely hooked on this series, so if you need me, I’m off to start Love and Honor (Book #1) right now!
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬
🖤 Mafia Romance
🖤 Dark Romance
🖤 Ruthless & Possessive Antihero
🖤 Secret Baby
🖤 Forced Proximity
Add in forced proximity and a secret baby plotline? Say less.
I’m already completely hooked on this series, so if you need me, I’m off to start Love and Honor (Book #1) right now!
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬
🖤 Mafia Romance
🖤 Dark Romance
🖤 Ruthless & Possessive Antihero
🖤 Secret Baby
🖤 Forced Proximity
September 8, 2026
Максим Морети (35) и Ава Уилсън (25)
⚜️Получих ранно копие на тази книга от автора⚜️
📣🚨🛑РЕВЮ СЪДЪРЖАЩО СПОЙЛЕРИ🛑🚨📣
Максим е дясната ръка на Карло Бруни и от името на Фамилия Бруни управлява един от бордеите в Рим.
Той е женкар и купонджия. Никога не прекарва две нощи с една и съща жена и се кълне във всичко свято, че никога няма да има семейство и деца.
След една доста напрегната работна вечер, в която Максим има нужда да изпусне парата, той отива в бордея, където управителката обещава да му изпрати едно от новите момичета. Така, когато красива червенокоса жена го приближава, той е убеден, че е изпратена от управителката и прекарва една незабравима нощ с момичето, което на другия ден изчезва, и се оказва, че не е част от новия персонал. Максим не може да спре да мисли за нея, но тя сякаш се е изпарила във въздуха. След цели три години той я среща отново и научава не само самоличността ѝ, но и за тайната, която тя е крила през последните 3 години.
Ава е израснала в дом, пълен с насилие. Баща ѝ е трафикант на жени, а майка ѝ е била поробена от него. Когато Ава е на 13, в поредния гневен изблик баща ѝ убива майка ѝ, а Ава бяга от дома, озовавайки се на улиците на Неапол. Там тя прекарва 5 месеца, след като е спасена от една монахиня. В следващите 5 години Ава живее с монахинята, но баща ѝ я открива и опитва да я продаде на жесток мъж... и тогава Ава бива спасена от един непознат мъж, който ѝ дава своята визитка, казвайки ѝ, че може да го потърси, ако изпадне в беда.
Няколко години Ава не може да спре да мисли и да копнее за този мъж.
Използвайки визитката му, тя отива в клуба, за който не подозира, че е бордей, в търсене на Максим. И когато го среща, е повече от очевидно, че той не я помни и че я мисли за някоя друга, но месеците в копнеж я карат да го последва в една от стаите и да прекара нощта с него.
Когато на сутринта обаче разбира, че той е собственик на бордей, Ава е убедена, че той, също като баща ѝ, търгува с невинни жени и решава никога повече да не се доближава до него.
Три години по-късно Ава работи като детегледачка за влиятелен бизнесмен и съпругата му и отглежда сама 2-годишната си дъщеричка Аврора, когато хората на баща ѝ я намират и ги отвличат... а този, който ги спасява, е шефът ѝ... заедно с Максим.
Оказва се, че шефът ѝ е главата на мафиотската фамилия Бруни и близък приятел на Максим. И сега, когато Максим научава, че има дъщеря, той няма да позволи на Ава да продължи да бяга от него.
Книгата започна много интересно. Женкарят Максим, който не искаше жена и деца, изведнъж научи, че е татко на малко морковче (така нарича дъщеря си, защото е наследила оранжевата коса на майка си) и от нищото се превърна в страхотен грижовен баща. Беше готов да спечели дъщеричката си. Аврора беше прекалено малка и тепърва осъзнаваше концепцията за това какво е бащата, и беше адски трогателна сцена, как Максим и Карло се прибраха от пътуване, децата на Карло скочиха да го гушкат, а Аврора ги гледаше тъжно и с копнеж, и тогава Максим я повика и тя го нарече Татко... стопих се, беше адски сладка сцена и обожавам Максим като татко🥰
След като спечели дъщеричката си, Максим беше решен да спечели и Ава, но Ава не искаше да бъде спечелена. На моменти имах усещането, че Ава не знаеше какво иска, дали иска Максим или да намери някой друг. Постоянно го отблъскваше, а той като мъж със силен и леко избухлив характер, не го приемаше добре.
Вместо да седнат и да се разберат кой какво иска и как могат да го постигнат, те нямаха достатъчно добра комуникация, Максим правеше нещо, като предварително си е наумил някакви неща, Ава го разбираше погрешно, правеше в отговор някаква простотия и пропастта между тях растеше. На моменти Максим беше адски жесток, и отново, държеше се така, защото правеха глупости и не комуникираха.
По едно време уж се разбраха, уж се събраха, всичко цветя и рози. Сладките моменти между тях бяха страхотни, тъй че хем ги обожавам, когато са заедно, хем им се дразня, като правят простотии. Имаше моменти, в които Максим казваше и правеше точните неща, като когато ѝ обясняваше как иска толкова деца, колкото е склонна да му даде, или като се разправи с гаднярката, която беше обидила Ава, и ми идеше да го разцелувам, толкова сладък беше. Ама после Ава видя нещо, направи си погрешно заключение и действа отново супер глупаво, което доведе до поредния разрив между тях. Максим беше решен най-после да сложи край на недоразуменията и Ава отново напук забърка поредната простотия. Историята наистина ми хареса, имахме много интересни моменти, имахме съспенс и насилие покрай бащите на Ава и Максим, които бяха доста кофти персонажи и си заслужиха начина, по който бяха наказани, и все пак 2-те неща, които наистина ме изнервиха, бяха непрестанните препратки към това какъв женкар е Максим и как постоянно това ни беше навирано в лицето от първото изречение на книгата, и второ това, че Ава не знаеше какво иска и правеше тъпотии и простотии. Освен това, в началото фокусът беше директно към Аврора, но впоследствие тя почти изчезна от картинката и беше споменавана от време на време.
И действието се развива в Италия, но ако не ни беше казано, нямаше да го разберем. Нямаше ги и типичните изрази на италиански, които обикновено имаме в подобни книги. Примерно галени имена или нещо такова, което да има италианско звучене. Все търсех нещо италианско, ама нямаше, дори нямаше споменаване на примерно италианска храна. И имената на много хора не бяха италиански. Дори Карло никой не го наричаше Капо. Ако не пише, че са в Рим и че са мафия, от книгата не се разбира.
Това е първата книга, която чета на тази авторка. И имайки предвид, че това е 3-та книга от поредицата, любопитството ми към книгата на Карло и Емили е доста голямо. Тук бяха супер сладка, адски влюбена двойка и понаучихме доста за трудното начало между тях. Определено ще ми е интересно да прочета тяхната история.
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Трета книга от поредица "The Honor"
📚 Сюжетни линии:
❤️🔥 Свалка за една нощ
🤰 Неочаквана бременност
👶 Тайно дете
🔞 Той я взема за ескорт
🖤 Мафиотски антигерой
🫣 Невинна героиня × опасен мъж
🏠 Принудителна близост / Forced Proximity
🔥 Силно привличане и напрежение
🛡️ Защитнически настроен герой
👨👩👧 Втори шанс
🩹 Травматично минало
🩸 Отмъщение
🇮🇹 Италианска мафия
💪 Главният герой: Максим
Дясна ръка на Карло Бруни. Управител на бордей. Женкар, силен, безскрупулен, манипулативен, защитнически настроен, лоялен до гроб на своя капо. С тежко минало и жажда за отмъщение. Никога не е искал жена и деца, но в мига, в който разбира, че има дете, решава, че ще обърне света, за да защити Аврора и Ава.
🎀 Главната героиня: Ава
Детегледачка за семейство Бруни. Решена да отгледа детето си сама, защото вярва, че Максим е зъл като баща ѝ, тя не подозира, че мъжът, за когото работи, е близък на Максим. Умна, нежна. С тежко детство. На моменти не знае какво иска и прави простотии.
🫣 Има ли проблем с друг мъж или жена?
И с жени, и с мъже, все някой им мъти водата и поражда поводи за ревност и правене на глупости.
🤬 Има ли изневяра?
Директна не, ама индиректно има дразнители и моменти, които, извадени от контекста, изглеждат като изневяра по някакъв начин.
😏 Колко опит имат героите?
Максим има мноооого опит, Ава е девствена.
🥵 Колко горещи са секси сцените?
🌶🌶🌶 не прекалено описателни, не прекалено пикантни.
💔 Разделят ли се героите за определен период от време?
Между първата и втората им среща има 3 години разлика.
😍 Има ли щастлив край?
Да.
⚠️ Списък с предупреждения:
⚠️ Насилие и убийства
🔫 Огнестрелни оръжия и мафиотски конфликти
🩸 Кръв и физически наранявания
🚨 Отвличане и задържане против волята
👊 Физическо насилие
🏠 Домашно насилие и насилие в семейството
🧒 Травматично детство и насилие над дете
💔 Смърт на родител / загуба на близък
🕸️ Трафик на хора и сексуална експлоатация
🔞 Проституция / секс индустрия и секс клуб
❤️🔥 Сексуално съдържание за възрастни
🗣️ Груб и сексуален език
💊 Упояване/дрогиране против волята
🧠 Травма и последици от преживяно насилие
🔪 Отмъщение и саморазправа
👶 Дете, поставено в опасност
☠️ Организирана престъпност
⬅️ Предишна книга? ⬅️
"Love and Honor"
⚜️Получих ранно копие на тази книга от автора⚜️
📣🚨🛑РЕВЮ СЪДЪРЖАЩО СПОЙЛЕРИ🛑🚨📣
Максим е дясната ръка на Карло Бруни и от името на Фамилия Бруни управлява един от бордеите в Рим.
Той е женкар и купонджия. Никога не прекарва две нощи с една и съща жена и се кълне във всичко свято, че никога няма да има семейство и деца.
След една доста напрегната работна вечер, в която Максим има нужда да изпусне парата, той отива в бордея, където управителката обещава да му изпрати едно от новите момичета. Така, когато красива червенокоса жена го приближава, той е убеден, че е изпратена от управителката и прекарва една незабравима нощ с момичето, което на другия ден изчезва, и се оказва, че не е част от новия персонал. Максим не може да спре да мисли за нея, но тя сякаш се е изпарила във въздуха. След цели три години той я среща отново и научава не само самоличността ѝ, но и за тайната, която тя е крила през последните 3 години.
Ава е израснала в дом, пълен с насилие. Баща ѝ е трафикант на жени, а майка ѝ е била поробена от него. Когато Ава е на 13, в поредния гневен изблик баща ѝ убива майка ѝ, а Ава бяга от дома, озовавайки се на улиците на Неапол. Там тя прекарва 5 месеца, след като е спасена от една монахиня. В следващите 5 години Ава живее с монахинята, но баща ѝ я открива и опитва да я продаде на жесток мъж... и тогава Ава бива спасена от един непознат мъж, който ѝ дава своята визитка, казвайки ѝ, че може да го потърси, ако изпадне в беда.
Няколко години Ава не може да спре да мисли и да копнее за този мъж.
Използвайки визитката му, тя отива в клуба, за който не подозира, че е бордей, в търсене на Максим. И когато го среща, е повече от очевидно, че той не я помни и че я мисли за някоя друга, но месеците в копнеж я карат да го последва в една от стаите и да прекара нощта с него.
Когато на сутринта обаче разбира, че той е собственик на бордей, Ава е убедена, че той, също като баща ѝ, търгува с невинни жени и решава никога повече да не се доближава до него.
Три години по-късно Ава работи като детегледачка за влиятелен бизнесмен и съпругата му и отглежда сама 2-годишната си дъщеричка Аврора, когато хората на баща ѝ я намират и ги отвличат... а този, който ги спасява, е шефът ѝ... заедно с Максим.
Оказва се, че шефът ѝ е главата на мафиотската фамилия Бруни и близък приятел на Максим. И сега, когато Максим научава, че има дъщеря, той няма да позволи на Ава да продължи да бяга от него.
Книгата започна много интересно. Женкарят Максим, който не искаше жена и деца, изведнъж научи, че е татко на малко морковче (така нарича дъщеря си, защото е наследила оранжевата коса на майка си) и от нищото се превърна в страхотен грижовен баща. Беше готов да спечели дъщеричката си. Аврора беше прекалено малка и тепърва осъзнаваше концепцията за това какво е бащата, и беше адски трогателна сцена, как Максим и Карло се прибраха от пътуване, децата на Карло скочиха да го гушкат, а Аврора ги гледаше тъжно и с копнеж, и тогава Максим я повика и тя го нарече Татко... стопих се, беше адски сладка сцена и обожавам Максим като татко🥰
След като спечели дъщеричката си, Максим беше решен да спечели и Ава, но Ава не искаше да бъде спечелена. На моменти имах усещането, че Ава не знаеше какво иска, дали иска Максим или да намери някой друг. Постоянно го отблъскваше, а той като мъж със силен и леко избухлив характер, не го приемаше добре.
Вместо да седнат и да се разберат кой какво иска и как могат да го постигнат, те нямаха достатъчно добра комуникация, Максим правеше нещо, като предварително си е наумил някакви неща, Ава го разбираше погрешно, правеше в отговор някаква простотия и пропастта между тях растеше. На моменти Максим беше адски жесток, и отново, държеше се така, защото правеха глупости и не комуникираха.
По едно време уж се разбраха, уж се събраха, всичко цветя и рози. Сладките моменти между тях бяха страхотни, тъй че хем ги обожавам, когато са заедно, хем им се дразня, като правят простотии. Имаше моменти, в които Максим казваше и правеше точните неща, като когато ѝ обясняваше как иска толкова деца, колкото е склонна да му даде, или като се разправи с гаднярката, която беше обидила Ава, и ми идеше да го разцелувам, толкова сладък беше. Ама после Ава видя нещо, направи си погрешно заключение и действа отново супер глупаво, което доведе до поредния разрив между тях. Максим беше решен най-после да сложи край на недоразуменията и Ава отново напук забърка поредната простотия. Историята наистина ми хареса, имахме много интересни моменти, имахме съспенс и насилие покрай бащите на Ава и Максим, които бяха доста кофти персонажи и си заслужиха начина, по който бяха наказани, и все пак 2-те неща, които наистина ме изнервиха, бяха непрестанните препратки към това какъв женкар е Максим и как постоянно това ни беше навирано в лицето от първото изречение на книгата, и второ това, че Ава не знаеше какво иска и правеше тъпотии и простотии. Освен това, в началото фокусът беше директно към Аврора, но впоследствие тя почти изчезна от картинката и беше споменавана от време на време.
И действието се развива в Италия, но ако не ни беше казано, нямаше да го разберем. Нямаше ги и типичните изрази на италиански, които обикновено имаме в подобни книги. Примерно галени имена или нещо такова, което да има италианско звучене. Все търсех нещо италианско, ама нямаше, дори нямаше споменаване на примерно италианска храна. И имената на много хора не бяха италиански. Дори Карло никой не го наричаше Капо. Ако не пише, че са в Рим и че са мафия, от книгата не се разбира.
Това е първата книга, която чета на тази авторка. И имайки предвид, че това е 3-та книга от поредицата, любопитството ми към книгата на Карло и Емили е доста голямо. Тук бяха супер сладка, адски влюбена двойка и понаучихме доста за трудното начало между тях. Определено ще ми е интересно да прочета тяхната история.
💫Обобщение: 💫
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🔢 Част от поредица ли е?
Трета книга от поредица "The Honor"
📚 Сюжетни линии:
❤️🔥 Свалка за една нощ
🤰 Неочаквана бременност
👶 Тайно дете
🔞 Той я взема за ескорт
🖤 Мафиотски антигерой
🫣 Невинна героиня × опасен мъж
🏠 Принудителна близост / Forced Proximity
🔥 Силно привличане и напрежение
🛡️ Защитнически настроен герой
👨👩👧 Втори шанс
🩹 Травматично минало
🩸 Отмъщение
🇮🇹 Италианска мафия
💪 Главният герой: Максим
Дясна ръка на Карло Бруни. Управител на бордей. Женкар, силен, безскрупулен, манипулативен, защитнически настроен, лоялен до гроб на своя капо. С тежко минало и жажда за отмъщение. Никога не е искал жена и деца, но в мига, в който разбира, че има дете, решава, че ще обърне света, за да защити Аврора и Ава.
🎀 Главната героиня: Ава
Детегледачка за семейство Бруни. Решена да отгледа детето си сама, защото вярва, че Максим е зъл като баща ѝ, тя не подозира, че мъжът, за когото работи, е близък на Максим. Умна, нежна. С тежко детство. На моменти не знае какво иска и прави простотии.
🫣 Има ли проблем с друг мъж или жена?
И с жени, и с мъже, все някой им мъти водата и поражда поводи за ревност и правене на глупости.
🤬 Има ли изневяра?
Директна не, ама индиректно има дразнители и моменти, които, извадени от контекста, изглеждат като изневяра по някакъв начин.
😏 Колко опит имат героите?
Максим има мноооого опит, Ава е девствена.
🥵 Колко горещи са секси сцените?
🌶🌶🌶 не прекалено описателни, не прекалено пикантни.
💔 Разделят ли се героите за определен период от време?
Между първата и втората им среща има 3 години разлика.
😍 Има ли щастлив край?
Да.
⚠️ Списък с предупреждения:
⚠️ Насилие и убийства
🔫 Огнестрелни оръжия и мафиотски конфликти
🩸 Кръв и физически наранявания
🚨 Отвличане и задържане против волята
👊 Физическо насилие
🏠 Домашно насилие и насилие в семейството
🧒 Травматично детство и насилие над дете
💔 Смърт на родител / загуба на близък
🕸️ Трафик на хора и сексуална експлоатация
🔞 Проституция / секс индустрия и секс клуб
❤️🔥 Сексуално съдържание за възрастни
🗣️ Груб и сексуален език
💊 Упояване/дрогиране против волята
🧠 Травма и последици от преживяно насилие
🔪 Отмъщение и саморазправа
👶 Дете, поставено в опасност
☠️ Организирана престъпност
⬅️ Предишна книга? ⬅️
"Love and Honor"
October 7, 2026
She hid his daughter for three years. Now he refuses to let either go.
Ava has spent her life escaping men who turn control into fear, so when one reckless night with Maxim leaves her pregnant, disappearing feels like survival. Three years later, the ruthless mafia enforcer she never forgot discovers Aurora, dragging Ava straight back into the kind of world she swore she’d never belong to.
Maxim doesn’t forgive betrayal, and learning she hid his daughter cuts deeper than anything else could. He claims his place in Aurora’s life with terrifying certainty, then turns that same relentless focus on Ava until protection, possession, desire, and control become almost impossible to separate.
But Ava isn’t the frightened girl he once rescued. She fights him, challenges him, and refuses to surrender the parts of herself she fought to keep. Their attraction is jealous, brutal, and consuming, fueled by the unsettling truth that they recognize the same damage in each other.
When distrust is weaponized against them, Maxim’s obsession turns destructive, and Ava is forced to confront just how dangerous loving him can be. He’s left facing the ugliest parts of himself, while she has to decide whether trust can survive fear, violence, and the need to hold on too tightly.
Ava grows from guarded survival into a woman willing to claim her desire while still defending her boundaries. Maxim begins to understand that possession and protection aren’t enough without trust, restraint, and vulnerability. Together, they move from fear and obsessive attraction into a volatile, deeply dependent bond that only works once choosing each other becomes more important than controlling each other.
A dark, intense, ultra-steamy secret baby, forced proximity, second chance, enemies to lovers mafia romance driven by obsession, jealousy, betrayal, and brutal devotion. It’s about trauma, power, trust, survival, and two damaged people learning that love can’t survive as another form of captivity.
The Elevator Pitch: A woman who spent her life running from dangerous men finds herself bound to the most ruthless one of all when a secret from their single night together comes back into the light. Forced into his world, she discovers that the possessive criminal she fears is also the man who makes her feel protected, desired, and dangerously understood. Their second chance burns through distrust, obsession, and old wounds as both of them struggle to decide whether love can survive when control has always felt safer than vulnerability.
Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥 Ultra-Steamy / Erotic Romance
Ava has spent her life escaping men who turn control into fear, so when one reckless night with Maxim leaves her pregnant, disappearing feels like survival. Three years later, the ruthless mafia enforcer she never forgot discovers Aurora, dragging Ava straight back into the kind of world she swore she’d never belong to.
Maxim doesn’t forgive betrayal, and learning she hid his daughter cuts deeper than anything else could. He claims his place in Aurora’s life with terrifying certainty, then turns that same relentless focus on Ava until protection, possession, desire, and control become almost impossible to separate.
But Ava isn’t the frightened girl he once rescued. She fights him, challenges him, and refuses to surrender the parts of herself she fought to keep. Their attraction is jealous, brutal, and consuming, fueled by the unsettling truth that they recognize the same damage in each other.
When distrust is weaponized against them, Maxim’s obsession turns destructive, and Ava is forced to confront just how dangerous loving him can be. He’s left facing the ugliest parts of himself, while she has to decide whether trust can survive fear, violence, and the need to hold on too tightly.
Ava grows from guarded survival into a woman willing to claim her desire while still defending her boundaries. Maxim begins to understand that possession and protection aren’t enough without trust, restraint, and vulnerability. Together, they move from fear and obsessive attraction into a volatile, deeply dependent bond that only works once choosing each other becomes more important than controlling each other.
A dark, intense, ultra-steamy secret baby, forced proximity, second chance, enemies to lovers mafia romance driven by obsession, jealousy, betrayal, and brutal devotion. It’s about trauma, power, trust, survival, and two damaged people learning that love can’t survive as another form of captivity.
The Elevator Pitch: A woman who spent her life running from dangerous men finds herself bound to the most ruthless one of all when a secret from their single night together comes back into the light. Forced into his world, she discovers that the possessive criminal she fears is also the man who makes her feel protected, desired, and dangerously understood. Their second chance burns through distrust, obsession, and old wounds as both of them struggle to decide whether love can survive when control has always felt safer than vulnerability.
Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥 Ultra-Steamy / Erotic Romance
September 6, 2026
Story ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice🌶️🌶️
Good Book, Wrong MMC
Hmm… overall, I thought the book was good. I didn’t read the first two books in the series, so maybe that’s why I wasn’t as invested in the characters or this particular MMC.
I love my men obsessive, possessive, and sexy—but not abusive. And, in my opinion, that’s exactly where this MMC crossed the line for me. He’s a mafia man, so I expected some questionable behavior, but watching him abuse the “mother of his child”—beating her with a belt and backhanding her hard enough to leave a mark—was just not my type of MMC. There’s a difference between dark, possessive behavior and straight-up abuse, and for me, this crossed that line.
I did like Ava’s growth throughout the book. I just don’t think she became strong enough to truly take on her MMC. And honestly, I think that’s what was missing for me. She has a daughter, and if my spouse ever did any of the things he did to her, I would have done it right back. 😂 I needed her to have more of that fight in her.
The spice was good, although it didn’t really happen until around 60% into the book. And then we got the original chapter where the FMC became pregnant, which definitely added another layer to everything.
So overall, the book was good. It had plenty going for it, but unfortunately, it just wasn’t my type of book or MMC. There’s a difference between loving a dark romance and being okay with behavior that gets too close to abuse, and this one landed on the wrong side of that line for me.
I actually have a book by one of my favorite authors that I feel the same way about—I didn’t dislike the writing or the story, but the relationship got so close to abuse that it completely took me out of the romance.
Spice🌶️🌶️
Good Book, Wrong MMC
Hmm… overall, I thought the book was good. I didn’t read the first two books in the series, so maybe that’s why I wasn’t as invested in the characters or this particular MMC.
I love my men obsessive, possessive, and sexy—but not abusive. And, in my opinion, that’s exactly where this MMC crossed the line for me. He’s a mafia man, so I expected some questionable behavior, but watching him abuse the “mother of his child”—beating her with a belt and backhanding her hard enough to leave a mark—was just not my type of MMC. There’s a difference between dark, possessive behavior and straight-up abuse, and for me, this crossed that line.
I did like Ava’s growth throughout the book. I just don’t think she became strong enough to truly take on her MMC. And honestly, I think that’s what was missing for me. She has a daughter, and if my spouse ever did any of the things he did to her, I would have done it right back. 😂 I needed her to have more of that fight in her.
The spice was good, although it didn’t really happen until around 60% into the book. And then we got the original chapter where the FMC became pregnant, which definitely added another layer to everything.
So overall, the book was good. It had plenty going for it, but unfortunately, it just wasn’t my type of book or MMC. There’s a difference between loving a dark romance and being okay with behavior that gets too close to abuse, and this one landed on the wrong side of that line for me.
I actually have a book by one of my favorite authors that I feel the same way about—I didn’t dislike the writing or the story, but the relationship got so close to abuse that it completely took me out of the romance.
September 3, 2026
So we have a few things going on here that I want to call out first:
Dub-con
Secret Baby
Forced Proximity
Touch her and ☠️
Age Gap
Mistaken identity
Off page SA and threat of CSA
Okay, if you’re still with me then I’m going to go ahead and share my thoughts. First off: I don’t like secret baby tropes, specifically where the FMC hides the baby from the ‘evil’ MMC. But this one is done so well. I understood why Ava didn’t come to Maxim about the baby. I would’ve made the same decision.
Anyway. We have some craziness straight away with Maxim expecting a new ‘girl’ at the ‘club’ and Ava showing up at the wrong time. Should she have clarified she wasn’t a SW? Probably. But she has her reasons for not speaking up and I mean who hasn’t found themselves forgetting all reason and logic in the presence of intense lust?!
When shit hits the fan and Ava and Maxim are unexpectedly thrown back together it’s not Maxim’s finest hour in how he deals with the sudden revelation that he’s a father. It’s kind of hard not to hate him. That happens a couple times through the story. But as we get to know him better we see he isn’t as bad as he acts.
Ava doesn’t have an easier back story. While this contributes to moments of miscommunication as neither her nor Maxim trust the other to divulge this information right away. Eventually they do come to trust one another. But not until something tragic happens to make them realize life is too short for this nonsense.
I cannot stress this part enough: if you like a good eye-for-an-eye revenge this is for you. Think Dante by Sadie Kincaid. I would’ve appreciated a bit more of the revenge scene but just knowing what was coming for them was good enough.
Very good read. Highly recommend.
Dub-con
Secret Baby
Forced Proximity
Touch her and ☠️
Age Gap
Mistaken identity
Off page SA and threat of CSA
Okay, if you’re still with me then I’m going to go ahead and share my thoughts. First off: I don’t like secret baby tropes, specifically where the FMC hides the baby from the ‘evil’ MMC. But this one is done so well. I understood why Ava didn’t come to Maxim about the baby. I would’ve made the same decision.
Anyway. We have some craziness straight away with Maxim expecting a new ‘girl’ at the ‘club’ and Ava showing up at the wrong time. Should she have clarified she wasn’t a SW? Probably. But she has her reasons for not speaking up and I mean who hasn’t found themselves forgetting all reason and logic in the presence of intense lust?!
When shit hits the fan and Ava and Maxim are unexpectedly thrown back together it’s not Maxim’s finest hour in how he deals with the sudden revelation that he’s a father. It’s kind of hard not to hate him. That happens a couple times through the story. But as we get to know him better we see he isn’t as bad as he acts.
Ava doesn’t have an easier back story. While this contributes to moments of miscommunication as neither her nor Maxim trust the other to divulge this information right away. Eventually they do come to trust one another. But not until something tragic happens to make them realize life is too short for this nonsense.
I cannot stress this part enough: if you like a good eye-for-an-eye revenge this is for you. Think Dante by Sadie Kincaid. I would’ve appreciated a bit more of the revenge scene but just knowing what was coming for them was good enough.
Very good read. Highly recommend.
September 4, 2026
This one just became my favorite in the series! Holy smokes! I love the first two but this one blew my mind! I've also been waiting for Maxims story since book 1 so there's that 🤣 the secret baby trope was executed perfectly. I'm usually a little iffy when it comes to that and I can pretty particular on execution but I thought Lia did a fantastic job with the entire premise.
Maxim is so intense, and possessive. Lia knows how to write an alpha Mafia MMC. He had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. As for Ava I loved her character. You're rooting for her the entire time especially when you learn about her past, her thought process when it came to Aurora and everything about her as a person and her actions make total sense.
I always enjoy the faster pace of this authors stories. There's never a dull moment, full of action, something is always going on that has you screaming into the void because WTH.
I totally devoured this one in record time and highly recommend! 🖤🖤
Dark mafia romance
Possessive MMC
Innocent FMC
Age gap
Secret baby
Forced proximity
High spice
Maxim is so intense, and possessive. Lia knows how to write an alpha Mafia MMC. He had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. As for Ava I loved her character. You're rooting for her the entire time especially when you learn about her past, her thought process when it came to Aurora and everything about her as a person and her actions make total sense.
I always enjoy the faster pace of this authors stories. There's never a dull moment, full of action, something is always going on that has you screaming into the void because WTH.
I totally devoured this one in record time and highly recommend! 🖤🖤
Dark mafia romance
Possessive MMC
Innocent FMC
Age gap
Secret baby
Forced proximity
High spice
September 7, 2026
Maxim (36) & Ava (25).
He is competing with Tony for the biggest €@+]%%# of the series. I haven’t decided yet.
He is inexcusable most of the time. He treats her bad and she is not doing much about it. I expected her to have some backbone but no, she is a naive, foolish girl that falls in love for reasons I didn’t understand.
There was practically no grovel and that pissed me off more than his horrible behaviour. And she didn’t even ask for it 🫤
I can’t say I didn’t enjoy it, I just expected something more.
-Dual 1st person POV
-Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5
Overall: 3.5/5 ⭐️ for me.
I received an Adv. Readers version of this book and I have given this honest and voluntary review.
He is competing with Tony for the biggest €@+]%%# of the series. I haven’t decided yet.
He is inexcusable most of the time. He treats her bad and she is not doing much about it. I expected her to have some backbone but no, she is a naive, foolish girl that falls in love for reasons I didn’t understand.
There was practically no grovel and that pissed me off more than his horrible behaviour. And she didn’t even ask for it 🫤
I can’t say I didn’t enjoy it, I just expected something more.
-Dual 1st person POV
-Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5
Overall: 3.5/5 ⭐️ for me.
I received an Adv. Readers version of this book and I have given this honest and voluntary review.
September 18, 2026
I've been Waiting for Maxim's book since we met him in book
1
Maxim is intense and possessive and some points of the book I actually disliked the man and his qualities and his actions.
I was gripped from the very first page and was on the edge of my seat for pretty much the whole book
This book is dark and has so many twists and turns that you need to make sure you have read the trigger warnings
Thankfully maxim manages to redeem himself and become of my favourite mmcs of the series.
This is my honest Review
1
Maxim is intense and possessive and some points of the book I actually disliked the man and his qualities and his actions.
I was gripped from the very first page and was on the edge of my seat for pretty much the whole book
This book is dark and has so many twists and turns that you need to make sure you have read the trigger warnings
Thankfully maxim manages to redeem himself and become of my favourite mmcs of the series.
This is my honest Review
September 15, 2026
ARC Review
Lust and Honor is book 3 of the Honor Series.
I knew i was going to love Maxim's story. He had such great roles in the first two books. i was excited to finally read what happened at Heaven. :)
He is the Don's right hand man and best friend. He is feared and every woman knows who he is. You dont fck with Maxim.
Reading MAxim turn into a big softie around his carrot was great to read. Maxim and Ava in the pool!!! loved that scene!!
Thank you Lia Lamar for letting me be a part of your ARC team
Lust and Honor is book 3 of the Honor Series.
I knew i was going to love Maxim's story. He had such great roles in the first two books. i was excited to finally read what happened at Heaven. :)
He is the Don's right hand man and best friend. He is feared and every woman knows who he is. You dont fck with Maxim.
Reading MAxim turn into a big softie around his carrot was great to read. Maxim and Ava in the pool!!! loved that scene!!
Thank you Lia Lamar for letting me be a part of your ARC team
October 9, 2026
What a horrible book! WHAT WAS THAT?! 😭 What do you mean, you let him blame you and have absolutely ZERO self-respect? You’re out here grovelling at his feet like a Victorian maid begging for a crumb of affection. THE ACTUAL FUCK?! 💀
Make his life a living hell, let HIM suffer for once, and THEN we’ll talk. Strawberry, sweetheart, I’ll be your poisonous strawberry 🍓☠️ sweet on the outside, lethal on the inside. Because at this point, someone needs to put a little venom in the plot! And make MAXIM SUFFER DOG! Horrible!!!!!!! I only liked carrot.
Make his life a living hell, let HIM suffer for once, and THEN we’ll talk. Strawberry, sweetheart, I’ll be your poisonous strawberry 🍓☠️ sweet on the outside, lethal on the inside. Because at this point, someone needs to put a little venom in the plot! And make MAXIM SUFFER DOG! Horrible!!!!!!! I only liked carrot.
September 4, 2026
4.5 Stars
If you love mafia romance but need something besides yet another arranged marriage plot, this book is for you.
I found myself thinking about this book when I wasn't reading it, wondering what was going to happen next and how the characters were doing. Yes, I'm a big blob of empathy and I feel for the characters I read because they are obviously real people.
This is a refreshing, dark mafia romance. Let me explain: not many dark romances can be called refreshing, but when you've read SO many dark mafia romances, you KNOW the same story has been told MANY times. BUT this book was refreshing, because I had not heard THIS story before.
He's a walking red flag. He is NOT a good guy. Do I care? Not even a little. Why am I like this???
This book walks the line and hangs off the line, but I just cuddle up with those trigger warnings and red flags. Maxim and Ava meet when they are younger and he saves her life. When they meet again, Maxim doesn't recognize Ava — and then comes the secret baby trope.
Check your trigger warnings, buckle up, and enjoy the ride.
If you love mafia romance but need something besides yet another arranged marriage plot, this book is for you.
I found myself thinking about this book when I wasn't reading it, wondering what was going to happen next and how the characters were doing. Yes, I'm a big blob of empathy and I feel for the characters I read because they are obviously real people.
This is a refreshing, dark mafia romance. Let me explain: not many dark romances can be called refreshing, but when you've read SO many dark mafia romances, you KNOW the same story has been told MANY times. BUT this book was refreshing, because I had not heard THIS story before.
He's a walking red flag. He is NOT a good guy. Do I care? Not even a little. Why am I like this???
This book walks the line and hangs off the line, but I just cuddle up with those trigger warnings and red flags. Maxim and Ava meet when they are younger and he saves her life. When they meet again, Maxim doesn't recognize Ava — and then comes the secret baby trope.
Check your trigger warnings, buckle up, and enjoy the ride.
October 9, 2026
Some men make terrible heroes, and Maxim is certainly no knight in shining armour. But goodness, did this man test my patience and my ability to forgive a fictional character!
Ava broke my heart. After everything life had already taken from her, she still managed to hold on to a part of herself that was gentle, hopeful and capable of loving. There was something painfully innocent about the way she held on to the memory of a good looking man who once saved her life from her father, believing that somewhere in this cruel world, there was still someone she could trust.
And then there’s Maxim. Arrogant, ruthless, shamelessly experienced with women and carrying enough demons to fill an entire graveyard. He’s the sort of man who can make you want to throw your book across the room and pick it straight back up because you absolutely HAVE to know what he’ll do next.
What fascinated me most was how differently these two carried their scars. Ava fought to protect what remained of her heart, while Maxim seemed determined to destroy anything that threatened the walls he’d built around his own. Their connection was messy, passionate and, at times, downright infuriating.
I particularly loved that Ava wasn’t simply there to soften a dangerous man. She had her own battles to fight, her own morals to wrestle with and every reason to question whether loving Maxim was worth the heartbreak.
And the spice? Well, let’s just say Lia Lamar wasn’t feeling particularly shy when she wrote this one! 🔥
This book moves at a cracking pace. Between the mafia politics, revenge, betrayal, possessiveness and some seriously heated encounters, there was hardly a moment to catch my breath.
Was Maxim always deserving of Ava? Absolutely not. Did I find myself invested in whether he could become the man she needed? Completely.
Lust and Honor is a wickedly entertaining, emotionally charged mafia romance about the damage people carry, the choices they make and how difficult it can be to trust someone with your heart when life has taught you that love comes at a price.
Dark, deliciously chaotic and impossible for me to put down.
Some men make terrible heroes, and Maxim is certainly no knight in shining armour. But goodness, did this man test my patience and my ability to forgive a fictional character!
Ava broke my heart. After everything life had already taken from her, she still managed to hold on to a part of herself that was gentle, hopeful and capable of loving. There was something painfully innocent about the way she held on to the memory of a boy who once saved her, believing that somewhere in this cruel world, there was still someone she could trust.
And then there’s Maxim. Arrogant, ruthless, shamelessly experienced with women and carrying enough demons to fill an entire graveyard. He’s the sort of man who can make you want to throw your book across the room and pick it straight back up because you absolutely HAVE to know what he’ll do next.
What fascinated me most was how differently these two carried their scars. Ava fought to protect what remained of her heart, while Maxim seemed determined to destroy anything that threatened the walls he’d built around his own. Their connection was messy, passionate and, at times, downright infuriating.
I particularly loved that Ava wasn’t simply there to soften a dangerous man. She had her own battles to fight, her own morals to wrestle with and every reason to question whether loving Maxim was worth the heartbreak.
And the spice? Well, let’s just say Lia Lamar wasn’t feeling particularly shy when she wrote this one! 🔥
This book moves at a cracking pace. Between the mafia politics, revenge, betrayal, possessiveness and some seriously heated encounters, there was hardly a moment to catch my breath.
Was Maxim always deserving of Ava? Absolutely not. Did I find myself invested in whether he could become the man she needed? Completely.
Lust and Honor is a wickedly entertaining, emotionally charged mafia romance about the damage people carry, the choices they make and how difficult it can be to trust someone with your heart when life has taught you that love comes at a price.
Dark, deliciously chaotic and impossible for me to put down.
I would like to thank the author Lia Lamar for allowing me to read this as an early reader and this review is of my own opinions and thoughts about the novel.
September 29, 2026
4.5/5 ⭐
4/5 🌶
TW's: graphic violence, torture, body mutilation, kidnapping, captivity, human trafficking, explicit sexual content, references to & threats of sexual assault, emotional abuse, coercion, dub-con elements, & possessive relationship dynamics.
**This is book 3 in an interconnected series. Each book is set in the same location, time frame, & the same characters are in all 3 books, but each book specifically follows a different couple. They can be read in order or read as stand-alones.**
This book pulls you in fast & keeps you there until the very end. I couldn't put this down, I had to know what was going on, who was where, who died, etc......It was great. The book checked almost all of my boxes overall; I think the thing I loved most (& appreciated the most) was you have an unhinged mafia soldier MMC, the right hand man of a boss, who doesn't automatically start feeling 'in love', just a **little** obsessive & true to a thick skulled 'manly man' doesn't know how to process feelings or communicate, same with the FMC. This was not insta-love for either of the MC's, this was years in the making.
Ava (FMC) wasn't born into a great life, abusive father & her mother was an abducted Irish slave (trafficked & Ava didn't know). Her father killed her mother.....while she watched. She gets out of the house & is living on the streets for 6 months (I think, I'm not 100% sure) before Sister Maria took her in & gave her a home. Eventually Ava's father found her & took her captive to use her to settle one of his debts. While this nasty ass dude was trying to rape her.....enter Maxim (MMC), who was honestly just passing by while taking care of business for his don. He beats the rapist dude to death & saves Ava. She thought of him as a hero, thought he was some good Samaritan who stepped in when she was in need........that was dumb. She built him up for years & when she finally got enough courage to find him & thank him, he mistakes her for a 'new girl' at the brothel/club he runs & he unknowingly takes her virginity. She 'found' out that he owned (he doesn't) a brothel & he was no different from her father (he is). So she moves on with her life.
Maxim (MMC) Don Carlo's right hand man, unhinged as fuck (love it), morally black (love it), through & through MAN WHORE (like so many women).......he never wanted to settle down, never wanted to be limited to just 1 woman the rest of his life, never wanted kids.....he didn't think he'd be content with that life (I think he just felt like he didn't deserve a life like that). Ava has been Don Carlo's nanny for a year but Maxim doesn't know, he just knows that Carlo & Emily have a nanny that is sequestered in the hotel that Emily runs. The nanny & her kid have been kidnapped & Carlo & Maxim go after them & save them. Maxim takes one look at the nanny & immediately recognizes her as the girl he saved years ago. & then he realizes that she has a kid......."Is that my kid?" & then his whole world is upside down.
There's lots of brooding, mantrums, lack of communication, & everything else that makes a good drama on page. There's more kidnapping, there's vengeance & justice, there's self healing, there's a little bit of everything in this book. Loved every part, even the lack of communication (makes for a drama), but I still wanted to start smacking characters in the forehead. Also, after Maxim finds out that Aurora (Ava's daughter aka Carrot) is actually his daughter..........he transitions into the role of parent almost seamlessly.......Aurora gets the princess treatment fo sho.
My favorite (made my heart clench) line(s).....'If you want...she can call you dad.' -Ava , 'That's your call. Just to be clear, you've got a better chance of outrunning a bullet than getting away from me. But I won't lie; your constant plotting to bolt, lumping me in with your father, trying to cut me out for my daughter's life, it gets under my skin. It might sound crazy, but if by some miracle your dumb plan works one day, I want Aurora to lose a friend, not her father. Get to know the real Maxim. Only when you're certain I'm nothing like that so-called father of yours, when you're sure I can be a good dad to your girl, when you're ready to put down roots here without tricks or lies--then tell her to call me Dad.' -Maxim
This is my honest review & I am leaving it voluntarily. Thank you to the author for the opportunity to ARC this!
4/5 🌶
TW's: graphic violence, torture, body mutilation, kidnapping, captivity, human trafficking, explicit sexual content, references to & threats of sexual assault, emotional abuse, coercion, dub-con elements, & possessive relationship dynamics.
**This is book 3 in an interconnected series. Each book is set in the same location, time frame, & the same characters are in all 3 books, but each book specifically follows a different couple. They can be read in order or read as stand-alones.**
This book pulls you in fast & keeps you there until the very end. I couldn't put this down, I had to know what was going on, who was where, who died, etc......It was great. The book checked almost all of my boxes overall; I think the thing I loved most (& appreciated the most) was you have an unhinged mafia soldier MMC, the right hand man of a boss, who doesn't automatically start feeling 'in love', just a **little** obsessive & true to a thick skulled 'manly man' doesn't know how to process feelings or communicate, same with the FMC. This was not insta-love for either of the MC's, this was years in the making.
Ava (FMC) wasn't born into a great life, abusive father & her mother was an abducted Irish slave (trafficked & Ava didn't know). Her father killed her mother.....while she watched. She gets out of the house & is living on the streets for 6 months (I think, I'm not 100% sure) before Sister Maria took her in & gave her a home. Eventually Ava's father found her & took her captive to use her to settle one of his debts. While this nasty ass dude was trying to rape her.....enter Maxim (MMC), who was honestly just passing by while taking care of business for his don. He beats the rapist dude to death & saves Ava. She thought of him as a hero, thought he was some good Samaritan who stepped in when she was in need........that was dumb. She built him up for years & when she finally got enough courage to find him & thank him, he mistakes her for a 'new girl' at the brothel/club he runs & he unknowingly takes her virginity. She 'found' out that he owned (he doesn't) a brothel & he was no different from her father (he is). So she moves on with her life.
Maxim (MMC) Don Carlo's right hand man, unhinged as fuck (love it), morally black (love it), through & through MAN WHORE (like so many women).......he never wanted to settle down, never wanted to be limited to just 1 woman the rest of his life, never wanted kids.....he didn't think he'd be content with that life (I think he just felt like he didn't deserve a life like that). Ava has been Don Carlo's nanny for a year but Maxim doesn't know, he just knows that Carlo & Emily have a nanny that is sequestered in the hotel that Emily runs. The nanny & her kid have been kidnapped & Carlo & Maxim go after them & save them. Maxim takes one look at the nanny & immediately recognizes her as the girl he saved years ago. & then he realizes that she has a kid......."Is that my kid?" & then his whole world is upside down.
There's lots of brooding, mantrums, lack of communication, & everything else that makes a good drama on page. There's more kidnapping, there's vengeance & justice, there's self healing, there's a little bit of everything in this book. Loved every part, even the lack of communication (makes for a drama), but I still wanted to start smacking characters in the forehead. Also, after Maxim finds out that Aurora (Ava's daughter aka Carrot) is actually his daughter..........he transitions into the role of parent almost seamlessly.......Aurora gets the princess treatment fo sho.
My favorite (made my heart clench) line(s).....'If you want...she can call you dad.' -Ava , 'That's your call. Just to be clear, you've got a better chance of outrunning a bullet than getting away from me. But I won't lie; your constant plotting to bolt, lumping me in with your father, trying to cut me out for my daughter's life, it gets under my skin. It might sound crazy, but if by some miracle your dumb plan works one day, I want Aurora to lose a friend, not her father. Get to know the real Maxim. Only when you're certain I'm nothing like that so-called father of yours, when you're sure I can be a good dad to your girl, when you're ready to put down roots here without tricks or lies--then tell her to call me Dad.' -Maxim
This is my honest review & I am leaving it voluntarily. Thank you to the author for the opportunity to ARC this!
October 2, 2026
🖤 Loving the Monster Beneath the Armor 🖤
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars | 🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3 Chili Peppers
Some five-star reads make you swoon from beginning to end. Others make you angry, break your heart, have you questioning the MMC more than once, and somehow still leave you completely obsessed by the time you reach the last page. Lust & Honor was definitely the second kind for me.
Maxim and Ava's story took me on an emotional roller coaster. This is DARK, and there were moments, especially during the first half, when I genuinely struggled with how much Ava endured. Maxim is not simply morally gray. This man is ruthless, possessive, emotionally damaged, and at times incredibly difficult to like. There were scenes where I was so angry with him that I honestly didn't know how he was ever going to redeem himself in my eyes.
But then Lia Lamar slowly started peeling back his layers.
Learning about Maxim's childhood and finally understanding some of the reasons behind the man he became absolutely broke my heart. It didn't excuse his behavior toward Ava, but it helped me understand him. And watching his growth throughout the story, particularly the complete shift in the way he eventually treats Ava, ended up being one of my favorite parts of the book.
Ava was incredibly strong in her own way. After everything she survived growing up and everything she continues to face, she still has this softness about her without ever feeling weak. She sees pieces of Maxim that others don't, but I loved that their HEA wasn't simply about Ava loving the darkness out of him. Maxim had to change. He had to learn what loving Ava actually required from him.
And then there is Aurora. 🥹 Watching this tiny little girl completely wrap the big, terrifying mafia man around her finger was EVERYTHING. Maxim may have initially struggled with discovering he was a father, but once that protective instinct kicked in, I was done. The relationship between Maxim and his little "Carrot" gave this incredibly dark story some of its sweetest moments.
I also loved how quickly this story moved. Between the secret baby, forced proximity, danger, revenge, kidnappings, family secrets, and all the mafia chaos, there was constantly something happening. I stayed completely invested because I needed to know how these two broken people were ever going to find their way to something resembling trust, love, and a family.
Was Maxim easy for me to love? Absolutely not. 😂 But that almost made his transformation more satisfying. By the ending, I could finally see the man Ava had always believed existed underneath all that anger and darkness, and their HEA hit so much harder because of everything it took to get there.
Dark, intense, emotional, and completely addictive, Lust & Honor put me through it, but Maxim's growth, Ava's resilience, their love for Aurora, and that ending ultimately made this a five-star read for me. ❤️
Please check the author's full content warnings before reading. This story contains several very dark and potentially triggering themes.
Thank you to Lia Lamar for the gifted advanced reader copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars | 🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3 Chili Peppers
Some five-star reads make you swoon from beginning to end. Others make you angry, break your heart, have you questioning the MMC more than once, and somehow still leave you completely obsessed by the time you reach the last page. Lust & Honor was definitely the second kind for me.
Maxim and Ava's story took me on an emotional roller coaster. This is DARK, and there were moments, especially during the first half, when I genuinely struggled with how much Ava endured. Maxim is not simply morally gray. This man is ruthless, possessive, emotionally damaged, and at times incredibly difficult to like. There were scenes where I was so angry with him that I honestly didn't know how he was ever going to redeem himself in my eyes.
But then Lia Lamar slowly started peeling back his layers.
Learning about Maxim's childhood and finally understanding some of the reasons behind the man he became absolutely broke my heart. It didn't excuse his behavior toward Ava, but it helped me understand him. And watching his growth throughout the story, particularly the complete shift in the way he eventually treats Ava, ended up being one of my favorite parts of the book.
Ava was incredibly strong in her own way. After everything she survived growing up and everything she continues to face, she still has this softness about her without ever feeling weak. She sees pieces of Maxim that others don't, but I loved that their HEA wasn't simply about Ava loving the darkness out of him. Maxim had to change. He had to learn what loving Ava actually required from him.
And then there is Aurora. 🥹 Watching this tiny little girl completely wrap the big, terrifying mafia man around her finger was EVERYTHING. Maxim may have initially struggled with discovering he was a father, but once that protective instinct kicked in, I was done. The relationship between Maxim and his little "Carrot" gave this incredibly dark story some of its sweetest moments.
I also loved how quickly this story moved. Between the secret baby, forced proximity, danger, revenge, kidnappings, family secrets, and all the mafia chaos, there was constantly something happening. I stayed completely invested because I needed to know how these two broken people were ever going to find their way to something resembling trust, love, and a family.
Was Maxim easy for me to love? Absolutely not. 😂 But that almost made his transformation more satisfying. By the ending, I could finally see the man Ava had always believed existed underneath all that anger and darkness, and their HEA hit so much harder because of everything it took to get there.
Dark, intense, emotional, and completely addictive, Lust & Honor put me through it, but Maxim's growth, Ava's resilience, their love for Aurora, and that ending ultimately made this a five-star read for me. ❤️
Please check the author's full content warnings before reading. This story contains several very dark and potentially triggering themes.
Thank you to Lia Lamar for the gifted advanced reader copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 6, 2026
Maxim and Ava’s relationship can best be described as volatile. Toxic in so many ways, yet somehow there are those little moments when you think, okay, maybe Maxim isn’t so bad after all… only for him to turn around and be the exact asshole you thought he was in the first place. The whiplash is REAL. This is very much a love-hate relationship, and honestly, sometimes I wasn’t sure whether I wanted them to kiss or kill each other. He calls her Strawberry, which is actually rather fitting considering how soft and easily bruised she could be, but I really wish he had treated her with that in mind. Instead, Maxim treats women in general as though they’re only good for one thing, and that attitude definitely did him no favors with me. Now, this is a dark romance, so you go in expecting morally grey characters, questionable choices, and relationships that aren’t all love and kisses. I’m all for that. But Maxim? That man had enough red flags to decorate an entire parade. There were more than a few moments when I felt he crossed the line, and I desperately wanted Ava to push back harder and stand up to him more. I completely understood why Ava kept her pregnancy a secret, though. And honestly, one of the things that kept me turning the pages was learning Maxim and Ava’s backstories. Both of them had endured so much, but what fascinated me was how differently they dealt with their trauma. Maxim became cold, ruthless, and emotionally shut down, while Ava remained kind and compassionate. Her strength wasn’t in becoming hardened by everything she had suffered—it was in the fact that she could still love despite it all, even someone like Maxim. The shift in the way Maxim treated Ava comes late, but thankfully, it does happen. I just wish Ava had made him work for her forgiveness a hell of a lot harder. After everything, I needed more groveling. Much more groveling. 😂 What I did absolutely love though was Maxim’s relationship with his daughter, Aurora, once he discovered she exists. There’s something ridiculously heartwarming about watching a big, bad mafia man who didn’t want children get completely wrapped around a little girl’s finger. Watching him melt for his daughter was easily one of my favorite parts of the book. Aurora had that man figured out in approximately five minutes. Between the mafia setting, danger, revenge, kidnappings, the secret baby, forced proximity, and a whole lot of family secrets, there is never a dull moment. But be warned, this book is dark, intense, messy, and highly emotional, with plenty of toxic relationship drama to keep the pages turning. Just be prepared for the whiplash, because Maxim will have you falling for him one minute and wanting to throw the book at him the next.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 8, 2026
This review might contain some spoilers!!! But I try to keep it a no spoiler review.
book is reminds me of a Wattpad mafia story. It’s a little chaotic but it tells a story.
I was debating between 2.75 and 3 ⭐️
it was an easy read for the most part, I was able to read it all in one day. This book is 3rd in the series (I didn’t read the other two book, but those characters are in this one). Which might have made me not care as much as the other character and their stories.
Maxim (the mmc) is a huge manwhore, who ends up having a one-night stand with Ava (the fmc), who was a virgin. Ava ends up pregnant and Maxim gets all possessive and gives her all these rules to follow (basically holding her as his prisoner). Somehow through all of that they end up in love and having loads of sex.
I wasn’t too crazy about the characters at the start. They did warm up to me towards the ending. There was probably little to no character growth, Maxim did become more likable. Ava grew as well too, she wanted to be better for her daughter. But over all Ava had little to no backbone through most of the book.
There were plenty of good scenes throughout the book. I felt there were times the author rushed through some scenes. I enjoyed the plot, just wished there was more to it…I guess.
There wasn’t any graveling (I’m a huge fan grovel).
Maxim was a dick and constantly treated Ava poorly. After there first hook up, Maxim was more concerned about if he had raped her then finding her. He had a whole thing for red-heads and said she was the best he ever had (something along the lines of…). Never once went to look for her. She just happened to stumble back into his life 3 years later, finding out he had a kid. he goes to have a threesome after finding out and is somehow really possessive over Ava. He later tells her (after a fight) that he hasn’t been with anyone since she came back into his life… this fight started after Ava saw Maxim with a girl grinding on him. 🤷♀️
I’m all for possessive men (in books), but this couple drove me crazy.
All in all, there story was like a Stockholm Syndrome love story (not fully, but you get the picture).
Huge thank you to the author to let me read and review this book honestly!
book is reminds me of a Wattpad mafia story. It’s a little chaotic but it tells a story.
I was debating between 2.75 and 3 ⭐️
it was an easy read for the most part, I was able to read it all in one day. This book is 3rd in the series (I didn’t read the other two book, but those characters are in this one). Which might have made me not care as much as the other character and their stories.
Maxim (the mmc) is a huge manwhore, who ends up having a one-night stand with Ava (the fmc), who was a virgin. Ava ends up pregnant and Maxim gets all possessive and gives her all these rules to follow (basically holding her as his prisoner). Somehow through all of that they end up in love and having loads of sex.
I wasn’t too crazy about the characters at the start. They did warm up to me towards the ending. There was probably little to no character growth, Maxim did become more likable. Ava grew as well too, she wanted to be better for her daughter. But over all Ava had little to no backbone through most of the book.
There were plenty of good scenes throughout the book. I felt there were times the author rushed through some scenes. I enjoyed the plot, just wished there was more to it…I guess.
There wasn’t any graveling (I’m a huge fan grovel).
Maxim was a dick and constantly treated Ava poorly. After there first hook up, Maxim was more concerned about if he had raped her then finding her. He had a whole thing for red-heads and said she was the best he ever had (something along the lines of…). Never once went to look for her. She just happened to stumble back into his life 3 years later, finding out he had a kid. he goes to have a threesome after finding out and is somehow really possessive over Ava. He later tells her (after a fight) that he hasn’t been with anyone since she came back into his life… this fight started after Ava saw Maxim with a girl grinding on him. 🤷♀️
I’m all for possessive men (in books), but this couple drove me crazy.
All in all, there story was like a Stockholm Syndrome love story (not fully, but you get the picture).
Huge thank you to the author to let me read and review this book honestly!
September 19, 2026
The second I started, this mafia world took me captive and never let me go. I haven’t read the other books within this series, but I was still able to get completely lost in their world.
Maxim and Ava fit together magnificently. Their differences played off one another while also helping each of them evolve into a stronger pairing. I admired Ava’s determination to protect her daughter, Aurora, while also recognizing when she was truly stuck. As a reader, I felt that Ava often went against her own nature for the sake and happiness of Aurora. That level of selflessness is one of the reasons I think she stood out so differently to Maxim compared to all the other women who had come and gone in his life.
Maxim…what do I even say about him?! There were a couple of scenes where I genuinely don’t know how Ava maneuvered through them as calmly as she did. My anger was boiling, and I was seeing RED. Lashing out against Maxim was all I thought about through a few scenes.
For his growth toward Ava, I’m not sure I noticed an immediate change, although perhaps that shift became more apparent during a particular fighting scene toward the end of the book. He seemed to receive forgiveness so easily while I was over here holding grudges left and right. But maybe that speaks to who Maxim is. This was the world he knew when it came to love, relationships, and family. While I will never excuse his behavior, I can understand his actions a little better when looking at them through the lens of his upbringing and what he was taught.
For all of Maxim’s faults, he is absolutely the man you want in your corner when it comes to protection. He is ruthless, acts first and questions later, and is loyal to a fault.
And the other characters, now that I’ve been introduced to them, I find myself wanting to go back and read the rest of the series! I was only given a glimpse into these other mafia men and Emily, and I need to see where their stories started!
If mafia romance is your thing, I definitely recommend adding this one to your list! But be warned, Lust & Honor packs the spice!
Maxim and Ava fit together magnificently. Their differences played off one another while also helping each of them evolve into a stronger pairing. I admired Ava’s determination to protect her daughter, Aurora, while also recognizing when she was truly stuck. As a reader, I felt that Ava often went against her own nature for the sake and happiness of Aurora. That level of selflessness is one of the reasons I think she stood out so differently to Maxim compared to all the other women who had come and gone in his life.
Maxim…what do I even say about him?! There were a couple of scenes where I genuinely don’t know how Ava maneuvered through them as calmly as she did. My anger was boiling, and I was seeing RED. Lashing out against Maxim was all I thought about through a few scenes.
For his growth toward Ava, I’m not sure I noticed an immediate change, although perhaps that shift became more apparent during a particular fighting scene toward the end of the book. He seemed to receive forgiveness so easily while I was over here holding grudges left and right. But maybe that speaks to who Maxim is. This was the world he knew when it came to love, relationships, and family. While I will never excuse his behavior, I can understand his actions a little better when looking at them through the lens of his upbringing and what he was taught.
For all of Maxim’s faults, he is absolutely the man you want in your corner when it comes to protection. He is ruthless, acts first and questions later, and is loyal to a fault.
And the other characters, now that I’ve been introduced to them, I find myself wanting to go back and read the rest of the series! I was only given a glimpse into these other mafia men and Emily, and I need to see where their stories started!
If mafia romance is your thing, I definitely recommend adding this one to your list! But be warned, Lust & Honor packs the spice!
September 18, 2026
I’ve been waiting for this since the first book, and when Lia asked if I wanted to beta read it, I was absolutely thrilled. I already loved it back then, but the final version is even better. The slight changes Lia made are absolutely perfect.
Maxim is the perfect mix of cocky, confident man-whore, and God, I wanted to strangle him more than once because of his self-destructive tendencies and the way women practically fight over him. He’s definitely a dream for many women, but holy hell. What a character.
My heart melted watching how that tiny carrot wrapped the big bad bear around her finger almost instantly. Despite his first reaction to fatherhood, Maxim is a naturally protective dad. As a partner... well, questionable 🤭
Ava is sweet and soft, not naïve, but her own kind of gentle enigma. And the willpower this woman has! I loved how she challenged Maxim, and honestly, I would've wanted even more of that.
Ava and Maxim are two broken souls who deal with life very differently. Ava is kind but stubborn. Maxim is dominant, used to being in control, and when he feels cornered, he lashes out like a wounded predator. I'm convinced he has absolutely no idea how many situations his carrot is going to drag him into, forcing him to swallow his pride over and over again.
Carlo is still my love, but damn, I adore Maxim too. I can't choose between these men. I want them both 😭
All in all, I'm completely enchanted. This book fits perfectly with the tone of the previous two while still giving us something new.
And can we talk about Lia for a second? Her acknowledgements left me blushing and completely speechless. She is genuinely one of the kindest and sweetest people I've ever met, yet she's out here creating ruthless mafia men, heart-stopping plot twists, and scenes that have me yelling at my Kindle in pure frustration. How someone so lovely can cause this much emotional damage to her readers will forever amaze me.
Maxim is the perfect mix of cocky, confident man-whore, and God, I wanted to strangle him more than once because of his self-destructive tendencies and the way women practically fight over him. He’s definitely a dream for many women, but holy hell. What a character.
My heart melted watching how that tiny carrot wrapped the big bad bear around her finger almost instantly. Despite his first reaction to fatherhood, Maxim is a naturally protective dad. As a partner... well, questionable 🤭
Ava is sweet and soft, not naïve, but her own kind of gentle enigma. And the willpower this woman has! I loved how she challenged Maxim, and honestly, I would've wanted even more of that.
Ava and Maxim are two broken souls who deal with life very differently. Ava is kind but stubborn. Maxim is dominant, used to being in control, and when he feels cornered, he lashes out like a wounded predator. I'm convinced he has absolutely no idea how many situations his carrot is going to drag him into, forcing him to swallow his pride over and over again.
Carlo is still my love, but damn, I adore Maxim too. I can't choose between these men. I want them both 😭
All in all, I'm completely enchanted. This book fits perfectly with the tone of the previous two while still giving us something new.
And can we talk about Lia for a second? Her acknowledgements left me blushing and completely speechless. She is genuinely one of the kindest and sweetest people I've ever met, yet she's out here creating ruthless mafia men, heart-stopping plot twists, and scenes that have me yelling at my Kindle in pure frustration. How someone so lovely can cause this much emotional damage to her readers will forever amaze me.
October 5, 2026
This was super plain, and the FMC had no backbone. She was basically a simple simp, but that was okay because I guess that was just her character. And throughout the whole book, all the way to the end, she never grew a spine, so yeah, what can I say?
And both MCs had no chemistry. It was mostly physical and emotional attraction from the FMC’s side, and let’s just not talk about the MMC because he was an asshole throughout the whole book. I honestly felt like he was only into this woman because she was the mother of his daughter, and he was more emotionally invested in his daughter than in the FMC.
Like, how he slept with FMC three years ago, and the only thing he remembered about her was that she was a redhead. And even that wasn’t because he remembered her specifically; it was because of his daddy issues. After sleeping with her, he didn’t even try to find her. He was only slightly concerned about whether he had raped her, and that was literally mentioned in one sentence. And during those three years, he never once remembered her, while we got the FMC’s POV, where she was still thinking about this dude.
Then, three years later, when he saw the FMC again, he was like, “Ooh, is she my daughter?” And after getting confirmation, he went off to have an orgy. And throughout all of that, he never stopped groping women and grinding on other women. He was literally a pig.
Overall, this was just a boring read, honestly. The MMC basically gaslighted the FMC into being with him. It was honestly stupid at times, but yeah, I finished it, so I’m going to give it 3 stars. Because there was no character development on either MC’s side. The FMC was written as a doormat and sex-starved, and she stayed that way throughout the whole book. And the MMC was written as a fuckboy pig, and he remained the same throughout the whole book.
And both MCs had no chemistry. It was mostly physical and emotional attraction from the FMC’s side, and let’s just not talk about the MMC because he was an asshole throughout the whole book. I honestly felt like he was only into this woman because she was the mother of his daughter, and he was more emotionally invested in his daughter than in the FMC.
Like, how he slept with FMC three years ago, and the only thing he remembered about her was that she was a redhead. And even that wasn’t because he remembered her specifically; it was because of his daddy issues. After sleeping with her, he didn’t even try to find her. He was only slightly concerned about whether he had raped her, and that was literally mentioned in one sentence. And during those three years, he never once remembered her, while we got the FMC’s POV, where she was still thinking about this dude.
Then, three years later, when he saw the FMC again, he was like, “Ooh, is she my daughter?” And after getting confirmation, he went off to have an orgy. And throughout all of that, he never stopped groping women and grinding on other women. He was literally a pig.
Overall, this was just a boring read, honestly. The MMC basically gaslighted the FMC into being with him. It was honestly stupid at times, but yeah, I finished it, so I’m going to give it 3 stars. Because there was no character development on either MC’s side. The FMC was written as a doormat and sex-starved, and she stayed that way throughout the whole book. And the MMC was written as a fuckboy pig, and he remained the same throughout the whole book.
September 23, 2026
Lust and Honor by Lia Lamar is an engaging historical romance that skillfully blends passion, emotional conflict, and compelling character growth. Set against a richly detailed backdrop, the novel explores the tension between desire and duty, creating a story that keeps readers invested from beginning to end.
One of the book's strongest elements is the chemistry between the main characters. Their relationship develops through a combination of attraction, trust, and personal challenges, making their journey feel both believable and emotionally satisfying. Lamar does a strong job balancing romantic tension with character development, allowing readers to connect with the protagonists on a deeper level.
The historical setting adds depth and atmosphere without overshadowing the central romance. The story is filled with moments of drama, longing, and heartfelt emotion, while the supporting cast helps bring the world to life. Themes of honor, sacrifice, and personal choice are woven naturally throughout the narrative, giving the romance greater emotional weight.
At times, certain plot developments feel somewhat familiar to readers who frequently read historical romance, and a few secondary characters could have been explored in greater depth. Some conflicts also resolve a bit more neatly than expected. However, these are minor issues in an otherwise enjoyable and well-crafted story.
Overall, Lust and Honor is a captivating romance with memorable characters, strong emotional stakes, and an appealing historical setting. Fans of character-driven love stories filled with passion and heart will find plenty to enjoy, making this a solid four-star read.
One of the book's strongest elements is the chemistry between the main characters. Their relationship develops through a combination of attraction, trust, and personal challenges, making their journey feel both believable and emotionally satisfying. Lamar does a strong job balancing romantic tension with character development, allowing readers to connect with the protagonists on a deeper level.
The historical setting adds depth and atmosphere without overshadowing the central romance. The story is filled with moments of drama, longing, and heartfelt emotion, while the supporting cast helps bring the world to life. Themes of honor, sacrifice, and personal choice are woven naturally throughout the narrative, giving the romance greater emotional weight.
At times, certain plot developments feel somewhat familiar to readers who frequently read historical romance, and a few secondary characters could have been explored in greater depth. Some conflicts also resolve a bit more neatly than expected. However, these are minor issues in an otherwise enjoyable and well-crafted story.
Overall, Lust and Honor is a captivating romance with memorable characters, strong emotional stakes, and an appealing historical setting. Fans of character-driven love stories filled with passion and heart will find plenty to enjoy, making this a solid four-star read.
September 29, 2026
ARC review received from Netgalley.
Book 3 in the interconnected Honor Series, but it can be read as a standalone.
Maxim is definitely a walking red flag. 😂🚩 He’s ruthless, powerful, possessive and a complete womanizer at the beginning of the book. What bothered me more, though, was his entitlement and double standards when it came to Ava. There were moments where his behaviour towards her was way too violent for my personal taste, especially when he held her to standards he didn’t hold himself to.
Ava is a little naive at times and carries a lot of trauma from her past. She does push back against Maxim occasionally, although not always as much as I would have liked. 😂 I think their similar traumatic experiences also play a part in why she is able to understand certain parts of him and forgive him relatively quickly.
That being said, I really enjoyed Maxim’s character arc. Watching this ruthless womanizer slowly become fiercely loyal to one woman was probably my favourite part. And honestly, this is one of the reasons mafia romance is so addictive. 😂 Give me the ruthless man who goes from “I don’t belong to anyone” to “I would burn the whole world down for her.” 🔥🖤
I also loved seeing Maxim with his daughter, Aurora. He is immediately protective of her, and watching them build their relationship was one of the sweetest parts of the book.
The story was somewhat predictable for me, especially after reading A LOT of dark mafia romance, but it was still a fast-paced and entertaining read with plenty of drama, betrayal, danger and spice. 🔥🌶️
Overall, a fun and fast dark mafia romance with a happy ending. 🖤🥀
⚠️ Check the trigger warnings before reading.
Book 3 in the interconnected Honor Series, but it can be read as a standalone.
Maxim is definitely a walking red flag. 😂🚩 He’s ruthless, powerful, possessive and a complete womanizer at the beginning of the book. What bothered me more, though, was his entitlement and double standards when it came to Ava. There were moments where his behaviour towards her was way too violent for my personal taste, especially when he held her to standards he didn’t hold himself to.
Ava is a little naive at times and carries a lot of trauma from her past. She does push back against Maxim occasionally, although not always as much as I would have liked. 😂 I think their similar traumatic experiences also play a part in why she is able to understand certain parts of him and forgive him relatively quickly.
That being said, I really enjoyed Maxim’s character arc. Watching this ruthless womanizer slowly become fiercely loyal to one woman was probably my favourite part. And honestly, this is one of the reasons mafia romance is so addictive. 😂 Give me the ruthless man who goes from “I don’t belong to anyone” to “I would burn the whole world down for her.” 🔥🖤
I also loved seeing Maxim with his daughter, Aurora. He is immediately protective of her, and watching them build their relationship was one of the sweetest parts of the book.
The story was somewhat predictable for me, especially after reading A LOT of dark mafia romance, but it was still a fast-paced and entertaining read with plenty of drama, betrayal, danger and spice. 🔥🌶️
Overall, a fun and fast dark mafia romance with a happy ending. 🖤🥀
⚠️ Check the trigger warnings before reading.
October 1, 2026
I was so lucky to be given an advanced reader copy of this book and I was certainly not disappointed. Like the other 2 this story ruined me and put me back together again.
Maxim and Ava's story was soo good and shocking. Lia has this way of making you hate and love her MMCs simultaneously and that's how I felt throughout this book with Carlo. He is definitely my favourite MMC of hers but Maxim is definitely my second favourite because god he's so hot and yet such an asshole. I gotta give my praise to our girl Ava for not only surviving him but staying as well.
Usually the secret baby trope isn't something I go for, but it was written so beautifully in this story that I couldn't get enough, while my heart was racing at every twist and turn. From leading up to him finding out he's a dad and then the betrayal, it had me feeling everything all at once. Like damn, I just wanted to get to the happy ending cuz all the heartache was killing me.
Maxim is definitely morally irredeemable but I low-key love him. Both him and Carlo are That type of toxic that I'd say I'd hate and never go for but secretly could see myself in a relationship like Emily and Ava.
The spice tho was so spicy. There's no surprise why Maxim had all the women after him cuz he's an animal in bed and Ava is one lucky girl to experience all her firsts with him.
I also loved how when Maxim did finally come to terms with being a dad, he really did stand up and he was an amazing father to Aurora which was adorable especially when she started calling him daddy for the first time it was so adorable. He'd sacrifice the world and Carlo for her which speaks volumes and just shows how devoted he is to her.
Maxim and Ava's story was soo good and shocking. Lia has this way of making you hate and love her MMCs simultaneously and that's how I felt throughout this book with Carlo. He is definitely my favourite MMC of hers but Maxim is definitely my second favourite because god he's so hot and yet such an asshole. I gotta give my praise to our girl Ava for not only surviving him but staying as well.
Usually the secret baby trope isn't something I go for, but it was written so beautifully in this story that I couldn't get enough, while my heart was racing at every twist and turn. From leading up to him finding out he's a dad and then the betrayal, it had me feeling everything all at once. Like damn, I just wanted to get to the happy ending cuz all the heartache was killing me.
Maxim is definitely morally irredeemable but I low-key love him. Both him and Carlo are That type of toxic that I'd say I'd hate and never go for but secretly could see myself in a relationship like Emily and Ava.
The spice tho was so spicy. There's no surprise why Maxim had all the women after him cuz he's an animal in bed and Ava is one lucky girl to experience all her firsts with him.
I also loved how when Maxim did finally come to terms with being a dad, he really did stand up and he was an amazing father to Aurora which was adorable especially when she started calling him daddy for the first time it was so adorable. He'd sacrifice the world and Carlo for her which speaks volumes and just shows how devoted he is to her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 19, 2026
4.25 ⭐🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
Goodness me! Having had a couple days after finishing this book to really sit with it, because my word that was just alot to process. There are moment of this book where I felt myself wanting to bundle Maxim and Ava into a big hugs for everything they go through in this book!
If you look up play-boy, man-wh0re in the dictionary, there would be a picture of our MMC, Maxim in pride of place there! Every night, a new woman, with a stipulation that they have red hair....
In comes our FMC, Ava an innocent v!rgin, looking for her hero, but finding Maxim who mistakes her for a stranger, they have one hot night together and they go off in their separate directions thinking they'll never meet again - little did they know that three years later life or destiny would throw them back into each others lives with a dramatic flare!
What follows is lots of secrets, mistrust, and plenty of emotional baggage to go along with it. Rediscovering each other and raising a child who was the result of their one night of passion. There are twists and turns and sometimes I wanted to throw the book due to miscommunication or just sheer pig-headedness of Maxim but in the end I loved this book! I love how they go to bat for each other, neither of them breaking their spirit to bow to the other which I think is what makes me love Maxim and Ava most - as well as how much they adore their daughter!
Fair warning: there are some dark themes to this book including themes of non/con and depictions of r@pe so please read trigger warning before diving in.
Goodness me! Having had a couple days after finishing this book to really sit with it, because my word that was just alot to process. There are moment of this book where I felt myself wanting to bundle Maxim and Ava into a big hugs for everything they go through in this book!
If you look up play-boy, man-wh0re in the dictionary, there would be a picture of our MMC, Maxim in pride of place there! Every night, a new woman, with a stipulation that they have red hair....
In comes our FMC, Ava an innocent v!rgin, looking for her hero, but finding Maxim who mistakes her for a stranger, they have one hot night together and they go off in their separate directions thinking they'll never meet again - little did they know that three years later life or destiny would throw them back into each others lives with a dramatic flare!
What follows is lots of secrets, mistrust, and plenty of emotional baggage to go along with it. Rediscovering each other and raising a child who was the result of their one night of passion. There are twists and turns and sometimes I wanted to throw the book due to miscommunication or just sheer pig-headedness of Maxim but in the end I loved this book! I love how they go to bat for each other, neither of them breaking their spirit to bow to the other which I think is what makes me love Maxim and Ava most - as well as how much they adore their daughter!
Fair warning: there are some dark themes to this book including themes of non/con and depictions of r@pe so please read trigger warning before diving in.
September 5, 2026
Lust and Honor is the third book in The Honor series by Lia Lamar and this book is about Maxim and Ava. This book is a dark accidental pregnancy that happens with a ONS and years later the MMC gets the surprise of his life. I was disgusted with the hero all of the book, he was a complete Manwhore and double standard and groveling wasn't apart of his DNA. The book is dark but has many unpredictable twists and turns and ends with a HEA. Please mind those triggers ladies...
TW: graphic violence, torture, body mutilation, kidnapping, captivity, human trafficking, explicit sexual content, references to and threats of sexual assault, emotional abuse, coercion and dub-con elements, and possessive power relationship dynamics, psychological manipulation.
I would like to Thank Lia Lamar for my ARC and in return I voluntarily promised an honest review.
Maxim Moretti is Don Bruni's right hand man and he also manages the club Heaven. He never wants to get married and have kids, he's to busy plowing his way through the population of Italy.
Ava Wilson has come to Thank Maxim for saving her life a few years ago but he mistakes her for a prostitute and takes her innocence and leaves. Once she finds out the kind of man he is her hero worship dies a sudden death.
Three years later he comes face to face with the woman who rocked his world and with her is a little girl with his eyes. He immediately becomes obsessed and won't let either slip through his fingers again.
TW: graphic violence, torture, body mutilation, kidnapping, captivity, human trafficking, explicit sexual content, references to and threats of sexual assault, emotional abuse, coercion and dub-con elements, and possessive power relationship dynamics, psychological manipulation.
I would like to Thank Lia Lamar for my ARC and in return I voluntarily promised an honest review.
Maxim Moretti is Don Bruni's right hand man and he also manages the club Heaven. He never wants to get married and have kids, he's to busy plowing his way through the population of Italy.
Ava Wilson has come to Thank Maxim for saving her life a few years ago but he mistakes her for a prostitute and takes her innocence and leaves. Once she finds out the kind of man he is her hero worship dies a sudden death.
Three years later he comes face to face with the woman who rocked his world and with her is a little girl with his eyes. He immediately becomes obsessed and won't let either slip through his fingers again.
September 10, 2026
📖 Lust and Honor by Lia Lamar
Book 3 in the Honor Series
Oh my gosh… I have waited SO long for Maxim’s story, and let me tell you—it did NOT disappoint! 🔥
We finally get the story of our sexy made man, Maxim, and our beautiful Irish girl, Ava. And Maxim? This man gives a whole new meaning to the word player… or rather, “manwhore.” 😂 There probably isn’t a woman in his vicinity who hasn’t caught his attention.
Then there’s Ava—complicated, innocent, and carrying secrets of her own. Their paths cross for the first time when Maxim unknowingly saves her, only to cross paths again when he mistakes her for a working girl. And as fate would have it, that one fateful night changes everything… including the arrival of little Aurora. 👀
But I’m not telling you anything more because I refuse to spoil the fun! 😉
I have to admit, I was PISSED at Maxim and Carlo when they discovered Aurora and Ava’s hidden past. The way they treated Ava had me wanting to throw my Kindle across the room! 😤 Thankfully, Maxim manages to redeem himself by the end… and boy, was I glad about it!
🖤 What You Can Expect
🔥 Forced Captivity
🔥 Virginal FMC
🔥 Morally Black MMC
🔥 Touch Her and 💀
🔥 Secret Baby
CHECK YOUR TRIGGERS BEFORE READING!
This book is an absolute masterpiece and deserves a spot on your TBR! 📚🔥
Expected Release Date: 29 September
Trust me, you will NOT be disappointed!
Happy reading, my darklings! 🖤📖
Book 3 in the Honor Series
Oh my gosh… I have waited SO long for Maxim’s story, and let me tell you—it did NOT disappoint! 🔥
We finally get the story of our sexy made man, Maxim, and our beautiful Irish girl, Ava. And Maxim? This man gives a whole new meaning to the word player… or rather, “manwhore.” 😂 There probably isn’t a woman in his vicinity who hasn’t caught his attention.
Then there’s Ava—complicated, innocent, and carrying secrets of her own. Their paths cross for the first time when Maxim unknowingly saves her, only to cross paths again when he mistakes her for a working girl. And as fate would have it, that one fateful night changes everything… including the arrival of little Aurora. 👀
But I’m not telling you anything more because I refuse to spoil the fun! 😉
I have to admit, I was PISSED at Maxim and Carlo when they discovered Aurora and Ava’s hidden past. The way they treated Ava had me wanting to throw my Kindle across the room! 😤 Thankfully, Maxim manages to redeem himself by the end… and boy, was I glad about it!
🖤 What You Can Expect
🔥 Forced Captivity
🔥 Virginal FMC
🔥 Morally Black MMC
🔥 Touch Her and 💀
🔥 Secret Baby
CHECK YOUR TRIGGERS BEFORE READING!
This book is an absolute masterpiece and deserves a spot on your TBR! 📚🔥
Expected Release Date: 29 September
Trust me, you will NOT be disappointed!
Happy reading, my darklings! 🖤📖
September 16, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Stars
Lust & Honor by Lia Lamar
Honor Series #3
Lia Lamar’s writing is effortless, and once again, she delivered a quick, engaging read that was so easy to get lost in.
Ava and Maxim have plenty in common, especially when it comes to their childhoods. Their chemistry is intense, and it only gets stronger once Ava admits her feelings.
Maxim is a Mafia manwhore, and he completely owns that reputation. He likes a different woman every night, never goes back for seconds, and definitely doesn’t do relationships or feelings. So, naturally, everything changes when he becomes a dad.
His OTT possessiveness and jealousy really take centre stage when it comes to Ava, the mother of his child, and I enjoyed seeing this side of him emerge as he navigated feelings he was definitely not prepared for.
The spicy scenes were a tad brutal for my personal taste. I would have liked a little more tenderness and softness surrounding those moments, but the chemistry between Ava and Maxim was undeniable.
One of my favourite parts was the found-family element. I also loved catching up with Emily and Carlo and getting to spend more time with characters I’ve come to enjoy throughout the series.
Overall, Lust & Honor was another quick and engaging addition to the Honor Series, with plenty of chemistry, possessiveness, Mafia drama, and found-family feels.
Thank you to the author for the ARC. This is my honest review.
Lust & Honor by Lia Lamar
Honor Series #3
Lia Lamar’s writing is effortless, and once again, she delivered a quick, engaging read that was so easy to get lost in.
Ava and Maxim have plenty in common, especially when it comes to their childhoods. Their chemistry is intense, and it only gets stronger once Ava admits her feelings.
Maxim is a Mafia manwhore, and he completely owns that reputation. He likes a different woman every night, never goes back for seconds, and definitely doesn’t do relationships or feelings. So, naturally, everything changes when he becomes a dad.
His OTT possessiveness and jealousy really take centre stage when it comes to Ava, the mother of his child, and I enjoyed seeing this side of him emerge as he navigated feelings he was definitely not prepared for.
The spicy scenes were a tad brutal for my personal taste. I would have liked a little more tenderness and softness surrounding those moments, but the chemistry between Ava and Maxim was undeniable.
One of my favourite parts was the found-family element. I also loved catching up with Emily and Carlo and getting to spend more time with characters I’ve come to enjoy throughout the series.
Overall, Lust & Honor was another quick and engaging addition to the Honor Series, with plenty of chemistry, possessiveness, Mafia drama, and found-family feels.
Thank you to the author for the ARC. This is my honest review.
October 9, 2026
A scorching mafia romance with a huge heart
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Dark, steamy and surprisingly tender
I devoured Lust & Honor and loved every page. Maxim is the kind of hero you shouldn’t root for. He’s a possessive, ruthless mafia enforcer who runs Rome’s most notorious club and swore he’d never settle down. Then Ava walks into his life, and watching him come undone is pure joy.
Ava is the heart of this book. Her backstory, from a terrible childhood to the sanctuary she found with Sister Maria, gives her real depth. She’s gentle but not weak, and when she finally stands up to Maxim, she makes him earn every inch of her forgiveness. I adored the “gift me your death” showdown. It had the perfect mix of danger, heartbreak and swoon.
The secret baby storyline is done so well. Little Aurora, his “little carrot”, steals every scene, and seeing a man this feared turn to mush for his daughter melted me. The mix of heat, humour and emotion is spot on. The banter with Carlo and the rest of the Bruni crew made me laugh out loud, and the villains are properly hateable.
It’s dark and it’s spicy, so check the content warnings, but the payoff is worth it. The story is gripping, the chemistry is scorching, and the happy ending is earned. It works perfectly as a standalone, but I’ll be reading the rest of the Honor Series.
Highly recommend to anyone who loves a morally grey hero, a fierce heroine and a love story that fights its way to the end.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Dark, steamy and surprisingly tender
I devoured Lust & Honor and loved every page. Maxim is the kind of hero you shouldn’t root for. He’s a possessive, ruthless mafia enforcer who runs Rome’s most notorious club and swore he’d never settle down. Then Ava walks into his life, and watching him come undone is pure joy.
Ava is the heart of this book. Her backstory, from a terrible childhood to the sanctuary she found with Sister Maria, gives her real depth. She’s gentle but not weak, and when she finally stands up to Maxim, she makes him earn every inch of her forgiveness. I adored the “gift me your death” showdown. It had the perfect mix of danger, heartbreak and swoon.
The secret baby storyline is done so well. Little Aurora, his “little carrot”, steals every scene, and seeing a man this feared turn to mush for his daughter melted me. The mix of heat, humour and emotion is spot on. The banter with Carlo and the rest of the Bruni crew made me laugh out loud, and the villains are properly hateable.
It’s dark and it’s spicy, so check the content warnings, but the payoff is worth it. The story is gripping, the chemistry is scorching, and the happy ending is earned. It works perfectly as a standalone, but I’ll be reading the rest of the Honor Series.
Highly recommend to anyone who loves a morally grey hero, a fierce heroine and a love story that fights its way to the end.
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