Love INFAMOUS: Dark obsessive second-chances romance

by Astrid Ares Wise

369 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 20, 2026

Reviews

[Päivi (Lukunurkka)]

Tämä toinen osa ilmestyi minulle Netgalleyyn luettavaksi, joten pitihän tähän tarttua hetimiten. Siinä missä ensimmäisessä osassa mentiin ehkä välillä vähän tukka putkella niin huomaa, että tässä toisessa osassa tarina on jotenkin rauhallisemmalla otteella luotu ja se rullaa eteenpäin vähän keskittyneemmin. Lukijaa ei kuitenkaan päästetä helpolla, ei todellakaan. Tässä duologiassa on todella synkkiä teemoja eivätkä ne sovellu kaikkien lukemistoon. Olen aina miettinyt sitä kun joku sanoo, että jokin kirja tuhosi heidät - nyt tiedän miltä se tuntuu. Minä vollotin käytännössä puolet kirjasta sen tapahtumien vuoksi ja sen vuoksi kun jännitti mitä ihmettä tässä vielä tulee tapahtumaan sivujen edetessä. Huhuh, melkoinen matka. Vaikka kirja on synkkä, antaa se välillä lukijalleen myös pieniä ilon pilkahduksiakin ja jännittävää loppua kohden ei vaan malttanut lopettaa lukemista millään. Kaikki kulminoituu ehkä vähän katkeransuloiseen loppuun, joka sai vollottamaan ja vähän kiristelemään hampaitakin. En muista, että mikään kirja olisi myllyttänyt minua henkisellä tasolla näin paljon, mutta tämä kyllä teki sen. Kun lopetin kirjan, minun piti hetken aikaa tuijottaa seinää hiljaisuudessa. Vakuuttava, raaka ja surullinen, jossa on hiukan niitä hyviäkin asioita.
**
This second installment became available to me on NetGalley, so I simply had to dive right in. While the first book sometimes moved at a breakneck pace, this sequel unfolds with a more measured approach, allowing the story to progress with greater focus. That said, the reader isn't let off easily—far from it. This duology deals with truly dark themes that won't be for everyone. I’ve always wondered what people mean when they say a book "destroyed" them—now I know exactly what that feels like. I spent practically half the book sobbing—both because of the events unfolding and the sheer suspense of wondering what on earth would happen next. Phew, what a journey. Even though the book is dark, it offers occasional glimmers of joy, and as the suspense built toward the finale, I found it impossible to put down. Everything culminates in a somewhat bittersweet ending that left me both sobbing and gritting my teeth. I can’t recall another book that has put me through such an emotional wringer, but this one certainly did. When I finished reading, I had to sit in silence for a while, just staring at the wall. A compelling, raw, and sorrowful story—yet one that holds onto a few good things, too.

[Auriel.writes]

Love Infamous — Astrid Ares Wise
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 stars
Bloody hell. I could NOT put this down. 😂
Love Infamous continues Dean and Willow’s story, and from the minute Dean ends up in prison, the twists just keep coming. Every time I thought I knew where the story was heading, it changed direction again — but never in a way that felt predictable or thrown in just for shock value.
Dean and Willow are separated and both end up on very different paths. Willow is trying to build some kind of life after everything that happened, while Dean’s time in prison becomes brutal in ways I wasn’t expecting.
Please check the trigger warnings before reading this one. It deals with rape, trafficking, drugging, violence and exploitation, and it definitely does not shy away from difficult material.
Willow also gets another potential love interest, Trevor, who initially seems almost refreshingly easy compared with Dean. But this is Love Infamous, so obviously nothing stays simple for long. 👀
The trafficking storyline from the previous book becomes much bigger here, and slowly all those threads start connecting — the Halloween massacre.
And then the twists REALLY start.
There were several moments where I genuinely thought, WHAT?! 😂
What I loved most was that I never felt ahead of the story. Every revelation changed what I thought I understood, and even when it looked as though Dean and Willow’s story had reached its conclusion… nope.
Dean is still Dean — morally black, completely unhinged and somehow impossible to stop reading about — and Willow remains the person at the centre of everything he does.
Dark, disturbing, emotional, completely unpredictable and ridiculously addictive.
And that ending? I’m not entirely convinced we’re finished with Dean Harper yet. 👀
5★ — absolutely loved it.

[Shanaé]

⭐⭐⭐⭐
🔥🔥🔥
💀💀💀💀💀

CHECK THE TRIGGER WARNINGS. This book contains heavy themes that may be disturbing to some readers.

This is book 2 in the duology, and I highly recommend reading book 1 first since this is a direct continuation.

This is not a romantic love story. It is toxic, unhinged, and downright chaotic in every way. Book 2 continues with Willow and Dean navigating what remains of their lives following the events of book 1 - no spoilers here.

Willow is a survivor in every sense of the word. She’s still stubborn, but we see her begin to find her voice and speak up for herself, which was refreshing after seeing her meeker side in book 1.

Dean is a killer and an all-around psychopath, but just like in book 1, there are moments where a small part of you can’t help but feel bad for him and others where you completely hate him.

The plot is medium-paced, dark, and unforgiving, even more so than the first book, which is saying something. So again, CHECK THE TRIGGER WARNINGS. This book is not light or sweet. The spice is high and heavily dubious.

Read If You Enjoy
* Unhinged, Psychotic MMCs
* Touch Her and Die
* Professional Followers
* Forced Proximity
* Secret Identities
* Trauma-Bonded MCs

I received an advance reader copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[NadezhdaGGCS]

This second installment became available to me on NetGalley, and I was so glad. Picked this up because I was craving something properly dark, and it definitely delivers. This is heavy, intense stuff definitely not for the faint of heart, as the extensive content warnings already suggest. The toxic dynamics, the obsession, and the sheer emotional weight of Dean and Willow’s story kept me hooked, even when it felt a bit overwhelming.
​I wouldn't say I loved every single page at times the angst and bleakness wore me down a little, and some plot points felt heavily stretched. But there’s no denying the grip this book has. The tension is palpable, the chemistry is scorching and messy, and it evokes such raw, visceral reactions that you can't just brush it off.
​It left me mentally exhausted in the best kind of way, processing all the emotional wreckage. Not an easy read, and certainly not a comforting one, but if you’re into messy, high-stakes dark romance, it’s a solid, gripping ride. Four stars.🥰

[Amber is Always Reading]

I’m reeling after the ending of this book..or should I say cliffhanger?

Love Infamous is decidedly darker than Love Nefarious,and that’s saying something!
Dean and Willow are two characters who just don’t know when to pull the fire alarm and get out of the burning building that is their lives.

I don’t think I’ve ever read about any other couple that has gone thru the amount of physical and emotional abuse, and trauma that they both endure in this series.

I enjoyed reading about their reunion,brief and rife with tragedy as it was,and I am having a difficult time rating this book because there’s no conclusion or explanation for most of the events found in it.

I will say,it’s been entertaining and disgusting to read,in equal measure.

[Kheyra Santos]

I really enjoyed this one! I loved the chemistry between the characters and the darker, more complicated side of the romance. There was plenty of tension, secrets, and emotional moments that kept things interesting. A few parts felt a little slower than I would have liked, but overall I had a good time with the story and enjoyed the characters.

[Lolli]

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Dual POV
HEA; Book 2 of the Sicarius duology

Thank you Astrid and Netgalley for the opportunity to review this ARC copy.
*I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*

[Ashley]

I would say you really really need to be into dark romance but also I didnt fully believe it.

I do like Astrid's writing but this wasn't my favorite.

3.5 stars
5 chili peppers (because it will trigger a lot of people)