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Society of Villains #3
Fallen Rook
Willkommen in der Society of Villains! Band 3 der viralen Dark-Mafia-Romance-Reihe von SPIEGEL-Bestsellerautorin L.J. Shen endlich auf Deutsch!
Mafiaprinz Enzo Ferrante war schon immer der Außenseiter der Familie. Vom eigenen Vater nie anerkannt, hat er sich seinen Platz mit Härte und Loyalität erkämpft – als Mann fürs Grobe, der keine Schwäche zeigt. Bis er Tom Rothwell begegnet. Ausgerechnet der FBI-Special-Agent, der die Ferrantes zu Fall bringen soll, bringt Enzo plötzlich aus dem Konzept. Was als Feindschaft beginnt, wird bald zu einer verbotenen Anziehung, die einen hohen Preis fordern könnte, sollten andere davon erfahren …
Mafiaprinz Enzo Ferrante war schon immer der Außenseiter der Familie. Vom eigenen Vater nie anerkannt, hat er sich seinen Platz mit Härte und Loyalität erkämpft – als Mann fürs Grobe, der keine Schwäche zeigt. Bis er Tom Rothwell begegnet. Ausgerechnet der FBI-Special-Agent, der die Ferrantes zu Fall bringen soll, bringt Enzo plötzlich aus dem Konzept. Was als Feindschaft beginnt, wird bald zu einer verbotenen Anziehung, die einen hohen Preis fordern könnte, sollten andere davon erfahren …
544 pages, Paperback
First published September 22, 2026
About the author
L.J. Shen
89 books60.9k followersL.J. Shen is a New York Times, USA Today, WSJ, Washington Post and #1 Amazon Kindle Store bestselling author of contemporary romance books.
She writes angsty books, unredeemable anti-heroes who are in Bill Gates's tax bracket, and sassy heroines who bring them to their knees (for more reasons than one).
Keep up with L.J. on all platforms:
Newsletter Sign up ➜ https://bit.ly/3LhsIrb
Instagram➜ shorturl.at/cDJRZ
TikTok ➜ shorturl.at/frw59
Facebook➜ https://goo.gl/fKCSo4
Website ➜ www.authorljshen.com
She writes angsty books, unredeemable anti-heroes who are in Bill Gates's tax bracket, and sassy heroines who bring them to their knees (for more reasons than one).
Keep up with L.J. on all platforms:
Newsletter Sign up ➜ https://bit.ly/3LhsIrb
Instagram➜ shorturl.at/cDJRZ
TikTok ➜ shorturl.at/frw59
Facebook➜ https://goo.gl/fKCSo4
Website ➜ www.authorljshen.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,779 reviews
Review of advance copy
4.5 stars ✨
"Ours was the story of how I fell in love with a beautiful monster.
And how, for him, I'd become one, too."
Stoppp this was worth the wait 😩😩 This book gave me everything and more from an emotional perspective.
But I do have a little complaint and that's more to do with the levels of my own investment in Luca, but while we were taking a sweet time building and setting up the stage for him and Sofia, it overpowered Enzo and Tom quite fair bit. And as much as I LOVEDDDDDDDD and went feral over Luca and Sofia, it felt like I'm reading a novella for a different couple in the main couple's book. If that makes sense. But anyway, back to Enzo and Tom.
Oh how I loved these two men. They're everything to me. Especially Enzo. He's such a gentle soul, the way he's open about his vulnerabilities. The struggles he had to face and that suppressed trauma had me feeling so much for him. He loves fierce and honest and the contrast between his true self and the facade of a mobster was interesting. I just wanted to hold him and tell him how loved he is.
As for Tom? Fucking hell, this man had me giggling so much. I adore a good sense of dry humor and his timing was perfect. 😭😭 But then you find out, he's not just a stoic federal agent. He's got layers that even I didn't expect. And when he unraveled? It hurt like a bitch. But I'm so glad, he's a man who doesn't give up on his butterfly. The sacrifices he made? Oof 🥺
"... You're my butterfly, Vincenzo. And I'm your net. I'll never let you fall. I'll always catch you. It might feel a little suffocating sometimes, but I can't help it. I'm wired to protect you."
The romance had me giggling, kicking my feet and blushing. The banter and chemistry between the two men is so witty, and slow burning fire that doesn't manifest to consume, but heals. It's the kind of relationship not formed in just heat and passion, although it's there. It's more that you see them grow together, see them heal together, see them accept each other... scars and all 🥹🥹
Coming to the other characters, Achilles had me cackling. He's so unhinged, I love him 😭😭 Also, can we talk about how mature Tiernan is now?? Like the growth arc from Bad Bishop to this point? I'm fucking impressed. Also, holy shit, Katya?? I see you girl. I can't wait for this baddie's book. There's so much power and fierce wildflower energy in her. You cannot not love her.
But mostly, it's Luca. always knew his potential. To see him unraveling has me on my knees. To see him yearn, change, try, go feral and mad possessive was EVERYTHING to me. And Sofia is THAT relatable bitch y'all, who just looked at her husband and told him he looks like shit in the most elegant way possible. She's me. I'm her. I can't wait to see them parent and reconcile.
GIVE ME THE NEXT BOOK 🥹🥹🥹
~•~•~
SHUT UP IT'S HERE
I'M SCREAMING
I HAVE IT 😩 Enzo and Tom, I'm coming for you, my babies. And possibly go feral over every Luca crumb I get.
"Ours was the story of how I fell in love with a beautiful monster.
And how, for him, I'd become one, too."
Stoppp this was worth the wait 😩😩 This book gave me everything and more from an emotional perspective.
But I do have a little complaint and that's more to do with the levels of my own investment in Luca, but while we were taking a sweet time building and setting up the stage for him and Sofia, it overpowered Enzo and Tom quite fair bit. And as much as I LOVEDDDDDDDD and went feral over Luca and Sofia, it felt like I'm reading a novella for a different couple in the main couple's book. If that makes sense. But anyway, back to Enzo and Tom.
Oh how I loved these two men. They're everything to me. Especially Enzo. He's such a gentle soul, the way he's open about his vulnerabilities. The struggles he had to face and that suppressed trauma had me feeling so much for him. He loves fierce and honest and the contrast between his true self and the facade of a mobster was interesting. I just wanted to hold him and tell him how loved he is.
As for Tom? Fucking hell, this man had me giggling so much. I adore a good sense of dry humor and his timing was perfect. 😭😭 But then you find out, he's not just a stoic federal agent. He's got layers that even I didn't expect. And when he unraveled? It hurt like a bitch. But I'm so glad, he's a man who doesn't give up on his butterfly. The sacrifices he made? Oof 🥺
"... You're my butterfly, Vincenzo. And I'm your net. I'll never let you fall. I'll always catch you. It might feel a little suffocating sometimes, but I can't help it. I'm wired to protect you."
The romance had me giggling, kicking my feet and blushing. The banter and chemistry between the two men is so witty, and slow burning fire that doesn't manifest to consume, but heals. It's the kind of relationship not formed in just heat and passion, although it's there. It's more that you see them grow together, see them heal together, see them accept each other... scars and all 🥹🥹
Coming to the other characters, Achilles had me cackling. He's so unhinged, I love him 😭😭 Also, can we talk about how mature Tiernan is now?? Like the growth arc from Bad Bishop to this point? I'm fucking impressed. Also, holy shit, Katya?? I see you girl. I can't wait for this baddie's book. There's so much power and fierce wildflower energy in her. You cannot not love her.
But mostly, it's Luca. always knew his potential. To see him unraveling has me on my knees. To see him yearn, change, try, go feral and mad possessive was EVERYTHING to me. And Sofia is THAT relatable bitch y'all, who just looked at her husband and told him he looks like shit in the most elegant way possible. She's me. I'm her. I can't wait to see them parent and reconcile.
GIVE ME THE NEXT BOOK 🥹🥹🥹
~•~•~
SHUT UP IT'S HERE
I'M SCREAMING
I HAVE IT 😩 Enzo and Tom, I'm coming for you, my babies. And possibly go feral over every Luca crumb I get.
April 28, 2026
she fucking did it again and we never doubted her for a second. in fucking sane, every time luca and sofia were on page i had to stop my self from physically licking my screen. the plot was perfect, all the family scenes warmed my heart and the theories!! endlesssss. LUCA HOW CAN YOU SAY THAT AND HOW ARE WE SUPPOSED TO WAIT MONTHS???
dont even play.
the best scene in this book was easily all of camorra clan gathered at tiernan and Lilas house at 2 in the morning as if it was 2 pm at thanksgiving maybe even one of the best scenes in LJ Shen history. (luca&sofia luca&sofia luca&sofia luca&sofia luca&sofia) 🙇♀️
okay i supposed i shoudl say something about tom and enzo since it IS their book, they were great and everything i expected but the real stars of the show were obc luca and sofia, but also the tiernan&lila/tierney&achilles crumbs were everything.
my quotes:
“It’s bigger than you. A man like you, a man who loves so hard, so deep, cannot play pretend his whole life. You’re a butterfly, Enzo. Free. Brave. Endlessly transformative.”
“Only a fool would trade true love for dirty money and endless death.” (LUCAAAA)
“He’d fooled all of us into thinking he had no weaknesses, no blind spot, no heart.”
“I want Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas Eve to be chaotic and loud and wonderfully dysfunctional. I want group chats that make people’s eyes water. Secret handshakes and inside jokes only we’re privy to.”
when i tell you me and annie have been waiting for this forever and i remember annie telling me back in april that September would come by faster than we thought and now its finally here and im so glad i have my heart and soul annie to read this with (we both will finish this in a day). and im so excited to finish this and talk with my girls nadine, mina and georgia about this too.
dont even play.
the best scene in this book was easily all of camorra clan gathered at tiernan and Lilas house at 2 in the morning as if it was 2 pm at thanksgiving maybe even one of the best scenes in LJ Shen history. (luca&sofia luca&sofia luca&sofia luca&sofia luca&sofia) 🙇♀️
okay i supposed i shoudl say something about tom and enzo since it IS their book, they were great and everything i expected but the real stars of the show were obc luca and sofia, but also the tiernan&lila/tierney&achilles crumbs were everything.
my quotes:
“It’s bigger than you. A man like you, a man who loves so hard, so deep, cannot play pretend his whole life. You’re a butterfly, Enzo. Free. Brave. Endlessly transformative.”
“Only a fool would trade true love for dirty money and endless death.” (LUCAAAA)
“He’d fooled all of us into thinking he had no weaknesses, no blind spot, no heart.”
“I want Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas Eve to be chaotic and loud and wonderfully dysfunctional. I want group chats that make people’s eyes water. Secret handshakes and inside jokes only we’re privy to.”
when i tell you me and annie have been waiting for this forever and i remember annie telling me back in april that September would come by faster than we thought and now its finally here and im so glad i have my heart and soul annie to read this with (we both will finish this in a day). and im so excited to finish this and talk with my girls nadine, mina and georgia about this too.
September 27, 2026
4⭐️ So, for all the good time I had with this book (mainly because of Enzo), the ending actually took me by surprise.
I knew Tom pulled some shit BTS, but damn, this mf really went ALL OUT FROM THE START??!! 😭
May this kind of love, obsession, and stalking find me too. PLEASE!!!💀
preread :p
CAN‘T WAIT TO SEE WHAT ALL THE HYPE IS ABOUT!!😭
I knew Tom pulled some shit BTS, but damn, this mf really went ALL OUT FROM THE START??!! 😭
May this kind of love, obsession, and stalking find me too. PLEASE!!!💀
preread :p
CAN‘T WAIT TO SEE WHAT ALL THE HYPE IS ABOUT!!😭
September 18, 2026
leigh, you are a menace. i was starving and you DELIVERED.
enzo 🥹🥹🥹🥹 he’s such a bby girl, i love him so much. he was sooo sweetie piii. im 100% letting him choose my dresses, tell me what makeup i should do, and taking all his skincare and dermatologist recommendations. and PLEASE free him from that grumpy old man because he deserves better!!
i have been LIVING for the lucasofia crumbs. they were so yummmmm. every little crumb had me absolutely fed, and now i need their book immediately.
and omg, the amount of theories i have sitting in my notes!! leigh, do i need to give you my kidney for a few more hints?? because i am DESPERATE.
i was also living for the ferrante family crumbs. they were genuinely one of the highlights of the book for me 💥💥💥💥 i need MORE of them.
that’s it hand over lucasofia’s book. NOW.
me every single time luca opens his mouth:
Thank fuck I’d never had serious aspirations about becoming don. The stress would do terrible things to my glowing skin.
“Only a fool would trade true love for dirty money and endless death.”
“Sofia.” Luca stepped toward her, shaking off Azzurra. His fingers twitched longingly. He didn’t dare touch her, but he wanted to. “You look”—he swallowed hard—“ good.” “Thank you, Luca.” She served him a lenient smile, running a hand over her belly protectively. “Wish I could say the same about you.” 😭
“I did what you said.”
“And?” Sofia sounded like a patient teacher.
“And it didn’t work at all.” She patted his cheek. “That’s too bad, Luca. At least you tried.”
“Sofia,” Luca pleaded.
“Is it Katya?” Luca ignored him. “Should we kidnap her?” “I can do it,” Tristan volunteered. im sensing a captive/captor trope 👀
“‘The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting,’”
He’d fooled all of us into thinking he had no weaknesses, no blind spot, no heart.
“I don’t like you,” I admitted. “Join the fucking club. My wife’s the president, by the way.” 😭🤣
enzo 🥹🥹🥹🥹 he’s such a bby girl, i love him so much. he was sooo sweetie piii. im 100% letting him choose my dresses, tell me what makeup i should do, and taking all his skincare and dermatologist recommendations. and PLEASE free him from that grumpy old man because he deserves better!!
i have been LIVING for the lucasofia crumbs. they were so yummmmm. every little crumb had me absolutely fed, and now i need their book immediately.
and omg, the amount of theories i have sitting in my notes!! leigh, do i need to give you my kidney for a few more hints?? because i am DESPERATE.
i was also living for the ferrante family crumbs. they were genuinely one of the highlights of the book for me 💥💥💥💥 i need MORE of them.
that’s it hand over lucasofia’s book. NOW.
me every single time luca opens his mouth:
Thank fuck I’d never had serious aspirations about becoming don. The stress would do terrible things to my glowing skin.
“Only a fool would trade true love for dirty money and endless death.”
“Sofia.” Luca stepped toward her, shaking off Azzurra. His fingers twitched longingly. He didn’t dare touch her, but he wanted to. “You look”—he swallowed hard—“ good.” “Thank you, Luca.” She served him a lenient smile, running a hand over her belly protectively. “Wish I could say the same about you.” 😭
“I did what you said.”
“And?” Sofia sounded like a patient teacher.
“And it didn’t work at all.” She patted his cheek. “That’s too bad, Luca. At least you tried.”
“Sofia,” Luca pleaded.
“Is it Katya?” Luca ignored him. “Should we kidnap her?” “I can do it,” Tristan volunteered. im sensing a captive/captor trope 👀
“‘The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting,’”
He’d fooled all of us into thinking he had no weaknesses, no blind spot, no heart.
“I don’t like you,” I admitted. “Join the fucking club. My wife’s the president, by the way.” 😭🤣
March 12, 2026
Five seconds after Twisted Pawn I already need this book more than my next breath! I cannot wait.
September 24, 2026
this series is changing my brain chemistry one book at a time holy shit!!!
Enzo and Tom my loves 💘🦋 yes, just yes.
“𝘖𝘶𝘳𝘴 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘐 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘯 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘰𝘸, 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘪𝘮, 𝘐’𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘦, 𝘵𝘰𝘰.”
L.J Shen queen 💋🧎🏻♀️ the humor, the plot, the found family ALLLLL 10/10
the Luca and Sofia crumbs i ATE UP gimme that book right now!!!!!!!
chapter 41 was lowk my fav part 🖤🖤
and Tiernan 😜😜 hehe lemme go reread Bad Bishop real quick 🏃🏻♀️
Enzo and Tom my loves 💘🦋 yes, just yes.
“𝘖𝘶𝘳𝘴 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘐 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘯 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘰𝘸, 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘪𝘮, 𝘐’𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘦, 𝘵𝘰𝘰.”
L.J Shen queen 💋🧎🏻♀️ the humor, the plot, the found family ALLLLL 10/10
the Luca and Sofia crumbs i ATE UP gimme that book right now!!!!!!!
chapter 41 was lowk my fav part 🖤🖤
and Tiernan 😜😜 hehe lemme go reread Bad Bishop real quick 🏃🏻♀️
September 21, 2026
⋰˚☆ 4
I finished this in a day. This series, so far, has been my literal obsession. Everything has been the epitome of perfection. As this is my first M/M romance book, it didn’t disappoint. I do find myself enjoying sapphic romance immensely more, nonetheless, I was still engaged with this new genre. I buddy read this with none other then, Naima. We seriously couldn’t wait for this book to come out, and it surely delivered.
Starting off with the characters, Enzo & Tom. Gosh, after reading the first two books of the series, I knew Enzo was going to be a great character. He is very comical, charming, and the way you can differentiate him from his aloof brothers is very wholesome. He’s such a cutie, but he is also undoubtedly a little crazy. His character was definitely a breath of fresh air considering the toxicity this whole series has been through, either way, I’m not complaining. He and Tom are the perfect match.
As for Tom, he was just hot. At moments he honestly severed nothing, and Enzo was carrying the book. On the same note, he is without a doubt the one for Enzo. The attraction between them was undeniably ardent. Jealousy, possessiveness, indisputable love. Just amazing. This book is the nexus of opposites attract.
Plot? 10/10. LJ Shen always comes to make the plot coexist in her books. I realized in a lot of romance books, the plot is always pulling a Houdini, but not with Lj. Or, at least for this series because I haven’t read her other books. This series is pure perfection, with such a heavy action related narrative. It’s never a dull moment.
I seriously can’t wait for the next book.
I finished this in a day. This series, so far, has been my literal obsession. Everything has been the epitome of perfection. As this is my first M/M romance book, it didn’t disappoint. I do find myself enjoying sapphic romance immensely more, nonetheless, I was still engaged with this new genre. I buddy read this with none other then, Naima. We seriously couldn’t wait for this book to come out, and it surely delivered.
Starting off with the characters, Enzo & Tom. Gosh, after reading the first two books of the series, I knew Enzo was going to be a great character. He is very comical, charming, and the way you can differentiate him from his aloof brothers is very wholesome. He’s such a cutie, but he is also undoubtedly a little crazy. His character was definitely a breath of fresh air considering the toxicity this whole series has been through, either way, I’m not complaining. He and Tom are the perfect match.
As for Tom, he was just hot. At moments he honestly severed nothing, and Enzo was carrying the book. On the same note, he is without a doubt the one for Enzo. The attraction between them was undeniably ardent. Jealousy, possessiveness, indisputable love. Just amazing. This book is the nexus of opposites attract.
Plot? 10/10. LJ Shen always comes to make the plot coexist in her books. I realized in a lot of romance books, the plot is always pulling a Houdini, but not with Lj. Or, at least for this series because I haven’t read her other books. This series is pure perfection, with such a heavy action related narrative. It’s never a dull moment.
I seriously can’t wait for the next book.
September 22, 2026
I’ll come back later to write a proper review. It’s currently 5 AM and I need to get some sleep, but all I can say for now is that this book gave me exactly what I wanted and hit the mark perfectly. It made me obsessed with it, and specifically obsessed with Enzo. He was such a Golden Retriever 😭😭
Currently Reading
May 4, 2026OMG ITS HAPPENING!!!!
Enzoooooo I did not expect this couple but I'm EXCITED and miss L.J Shen come here for a sec fallen Rook???? If you guys know anything about chess then yk that Rooks only move straight...yeah yeah I'll go scream somewhere else😚
Also the cover!!!! Stunning
Enzoooooo I did not expect this couple but I'm EXCITED and miss L.J Shen come here for a sec fallen Rook???? If you guys know anything about chess then yk that Rooks only move straight...yeah yeah I'll go scream somewhere else😚
Also the cover!!!! Stunning
September 25, 2026
These 2 were absolutely perfect, I loved every single minute of it 💙 this is definitely going to be one of my favourite series of all time
10/10 for the audio as well 😮💨😮💨
10/10 for the audio as well 😮💨😮💨
September 23, 2026
Lj tries so hard to be Rina Kent
September 23, 2026
3⭐️
ну шо його казать, коли воно канєшно. але я не могла не спокуситися на першу мм книгу шен, тому ми тут 😁
загалом стосовно пари енцо і тома - непогано. я б ще читнула майбутні мм книги шен, тільки не в цьому сетингу. бо ця тупа мафійка мене вже втомила. мужики, які міряються пісюнами, мов ті підлітки.. meh 🫤
з приводу персонажів.
енцо - чисто ніко на мінімалках. така ж доросла дитина, мегактивний, кумедний, задовбе в смс буркотливого федерала.
прямо тепле сонечко, такий зранений, ніжний, щирий пиріжечок, і за сумісництвом засновник гуртка виробів зі шкіри 😈🤭 його ми любимо ☺️
том - той самий буркотливий федерал, з не менш тяжкими травмами в особистому житті та агресивними нападами птср. готовий багатьом пожертвувати заради коханої людини. і мені мало б бути його шкода, але тут пані шен сама винна. бо авторка чисто в своєму стилі: «я дам йому двічі жорстко проїбатися заради максимального градусу драми, але в останніх абзацах книги знову переконуватиму, який він хуй розумний» та як же ти бісиш цим!
через такі тупі вчинки головного героя, заважаєш мені насолоджуватися смачною хімією між енцо та томом. і замість того, щоб полюбити тома, він починає мене бісити разом з авторкою 😡
бо те, що він витворив під кінець, ну просто знахідка для лоха. пропозиція - хуйня собача, так і запишемо. він взагалі не знає енцо, і йому срати, що думає енцо, але паралельно намагається щось белькотіти про почуття. ха-ха смішно від цього довбня 🥴
якраз про почуття. не відчула я того великого кохання, заради якого тут йшли на такі жертви. цікавіть, інтерес, хіть, поведінка цуцика від енцо, який намагається розібратися у своїй сексуальності - це все було, і тут усе зрозуміло. а потім оп, два рази поговорили по душах, вивалили свої травми й таємниці, і все - кохання. ну ніт
тому най буде ця оцінка:
➛ за непогані емоційні гойдалки. бо мені ж так подобається коли моїми емоціями маніпулюють 😅
➛ за ніжні інтимні моменти між енцо і томом. як він цілував його шрами 🥹
➛ за ці слова:
➛ і за самого енцо 🦋
p.s. як закручують історію луки й софії - дійсно цікаво. усі ці крихти в цій частині прям нямка, як і троп «криза в шлюбі». бо наразі в них пиздець, а не шлюб. зрозуміло, що ми багато чого не знаємо, але про це мені вже бук бесті розкажуть, що там і як в 4 книзі. бо я з серією прощаюсь 👋
ну шо його казать, коли воно канєшно. але я не могла не спокуситися на першу мм книгу шен, тому ми тут 😁
загалом стосовно пари енцо і тома - непогано. я б ще читнула майбутні мм книги шен, тільки не в цьому сетингу. бо ця тупа мафійка мене вже втомила. мужики, які міряються пісюнами, мов ті підлітки.. meh 🫤
з приводу персонажів.
енцо - чисто ніко на мінімалках. така ж доросла дитина, мегактивний, кумедний, задовбе в смс буркотливого федерала.
прямо тепле сонечко, такий зранений, ніжний, щирий пиріжечок, і за сумісництвом засновник гуртка виробів зі шкіри 😈🤭 його ми любимо ☺️
he had suffered unspeakable violence and abuse, and still, he was sweet, compassionate, and genuinely funny. if he could cling on to his humanity in these circumstances, then dammit, so could i.
том - той самий буркотливий федерал, з не менш тяжкими травмами в особистому житті та агресивними нападами птср. готовий багатьом пожертвувати заради коханої людини. і мені мало б бути його шкода, але тут пані шен сама винна. бо авторка чисто в своєму стилі: «я дам йому двічі жорстко проїбатися заради максимального градусу драми, але в останніх абзацах книги знову переконуватиму, який він хуй розумний» та як же ти бісиш цим!
через такі тупі вчинки головного героя, заважаєш мені насолоджуватися смачною хімією між енцо та томом. і замість того, щоб полюбити тома, він починає мене бісити разом з авторкою 😡
бо те, що він витворив під кінець, ну просто знахідка для лоха. пропозиція - хуйня собача, так і запишемо. він взагалі не знає енцо, і йому срати, що думає енцо, але паралельно намагається щось белькотіти про почуття. ха-ха смішно від цього довбня 🥴
якраз про почуття. не відчула я того великого кохання, заради якого тут йшли на такі жертви. цікавіть, інтерес, хіть, поведінка цуцика від енцо, який намагається розібратися у своїй сексуальності - це все було, і тут усе зрозуміло. а потім оп, два рази поговорили по душах, вивалили свої травми й таємниці, і все - кохання. ну ніт
тому най буде ця оцінка:
➛ за непогані емоційні гойдалки. бо мені ж так подобається коли моїми емоціями маніпулюють 😅
➛ за ніжні інтимні моменти між енцо і томом. як він цілував його шрами 🥹
➛ за ці слова:
“it’s bigger than you. a man like you, a man who loves so hard, so deep, cannot play pretend his whole life. you’re a butterfly, enzo. free. brave. endlessly transformative.” his lips twisted in a half smile, half grimace. “and you’re so fucking beautiful, i forget how to breathe when you’re around.”
➛ і за самого енцо 🦋
p.s. як закручують історію луки й софії - дійсно цікаво. усі ці крихти в цій частині прям нямка, як і троп «криза в шлюбі». бо наразі в них пиздець, а не шлюб. зрозуміло, що ми багато чого не знаємо, але про це мені вже бук бесті розкажуть, що там і як в 4 книзі. бо я з серією прощаюсь 👋
September 24, 2026
4.5⭐️
"Ours was the story of how I fell in love with a beautiful monster. And how, for him, I’d become one, too."
So, I loved this book so much. The characters and this world are so special to me.🥹 L.J. Shen’s writing style is seriously addictive. I devoured this book in a day.
Enzo and Tom are the sweetest. At first it felt like they fell for each other really fast. There wasn’t really any buildup.🙃 That was honestly the only thing I didn’t totally love.
However, I have to say that they won me over incredibly quickly. Their back and forth was adorable. I loved how they communicated with each other, especially about their pasts.
—> Enzo’s nickname for Tom: "Tomcat"🥹
—> Tom calling Enzo "butterfly"
One of the biggest surprises for me was seeing Luca totally obsessed with his wife! I did not expect that. I can’t wait for his and Sofia’s story in Heartless King.
"I am your don, and if anyone - anyone - touches a hair on my wife’s head, I’ll be sure to kill them myself. Very. Very. Slowly."
—> I also loved how his family called Luca out when he wanted to make Sofia jealous with another woman. That was hilarious. In general, all those family moments have a special place in my heart. Tiernan & Lila, Achilles & Tierney, Luca & Sofia, Enzo & Tom, and even Tristan was there all the time. The brotherly bond was one of my favorite things about this book.
—> Also, Luca being protective of Enzo and threatening Tom to be good to him. Luca has a good chance of becoming my favorite once his book is out.
"He is a romantic.
I know.
You break his heart, I break your spine. You understand me?
Clear as day.
You’ll treat him right.
The world will be his oyster. No happier men will ever walk this earth.
Then you have my blessing."
The entire mafia plot was also really good. I love how the story continues with each book in this series. The last 150 pages, especially, were incredible. Tom literally sacrificing everything to save the Ferrantes because he didn’t want to lose Enzo was everything.
"I’m doing this because I have little choice. You’re my butterfly, Vincenzo. And I’m your net. I’ll never let you fall. I’ll always catch you. It might feel suffocating sometimes, but I can’t help it. I’m wired to protect you."
I’m also thinking Katya and Tristan Hale might be getting a book. Tristan seemed a little too interested in kidnapping her.😏
I also have a feeling the other MM book in this series will be about Jeremie? And maybe everyone was wrong about Jeremie and Sofia (I just think that would make so much sense).
And I think the last book in this series will be about Alex. And maybe with that agent who talked about infiltrating the Bratva?
tropes:
~ mafia romance
~ fbi agent x camorra enforcer
~ secret relationship
~ MM romance
~ grumpy x sunshine
current rating:
1. Bad Bishop (#1, 5⭐️)
2. Fallen Rook (#3, 4.5⭐️)
3. Twisted Pawn (#2, 4⭐️)
next:
Heartless King —> Luca & Sofia💜
Wicked Queen —> Katya & Tristan?
Corrupt Knight —> Jeremie & ?
Devil’s Gambit —> Alex & ?
"The tyrant dies, and his rule is over. The martyr dies, and his rule begins."
"Ours was the story of how I fell in love with a beautiful monster. And how, for him, I’d become one, too."
So, I loved this book so much. The characters and this world are so special to me.🥹 L.J. Shen’s writing style is seriously addictive. I devoured this book in a day.
Enzo and Tom are the sweetest. At first it felt like they fell for each other really fast. There wasn’t really any buildup.🙃 That was honestly the only thing I didn’t totally love.
However, I have to say that they won me over incredibly quickly. Their back and forth was adorable. I loved how they communicated with each other, especially about their pasts.
—> Enzo’s nickname for Tom: "Tomcat"🥹
—> Tom calling Enzo "butterfly"
One of the biggest surprises for me was seeing Luca totally obsessed with his wife! I did not expect that. I can’t wait for his and Sofia’s story in Heartless King.
"I am your don, and if anyone - anyone - touches a hair on my wife’s head, I’ll be sure to kill them myself. Very. Very. Slowly."
—> I also loved how his family called Luca out when he wanted to make Sofia jealous with another woman. That was hilarious. In general, all those family moments have a special place in my heart. Tiernan & Lila, Achilles & Tierney, Luca & Sofia, Enzo & Tom, and even Tristan was there all the time. The brotherly bond was one of my favorite things about this book.
—> Also, Luca being protective of Enzo and threatening Tom to be good to him. Luca has a good chance of becoming my favorite once his book is out.
"He is a romantic.
I know.
You break his heart, I break your spine. You understand me?
Clear as day.
You’ll treat him right.
The world will be his oyster. No happier men will ever walk this earth.
Then you have my blessing."
The entire mafia plot was also really good. I love how the story continues with each book in this series. The last 150 pages, especially, were incredible. Tom literally sacrificing everything to save the Ferrantes because he didn’t want to lose Enzo was everything.
"I’m doing this because I have little choice. You’re my butterfly, Vincenzo. And I’m your net. I’ll never let you fall. I’ll always catch you. It might feel suffocating sometimes, but I can’t help it. I’m wired to protect you."
I’m also thinking Katya and Tristan Hale might be getting a book. Tristan seemed a little too interested in kidnapping her.😏
I also have a feeling the other MM book in this series will be about Jeremie? And maybe everyone was wrong about Jeremie and Sofia (I just think that would make so much sense).
And I think the last book in this series will be about Alex. And maybe with that agent who talked about infiltrating the Bratva?
tropes:
~ mafia romance
~ fbi agent x camorra enforcer
~ secret relationship
~ MM romance
~ grumpy x sunshine
current rating:
1. Bad Bishop (#1, 5⭐️)
2. Fallen Rook (#3, 4.5⭐️)
3. Twisted Pawn (#2, 4⭐️)
next:
Heartless King —> Luca & Sofia💜
Wicked Queen —> Katya & Tristan?
Corrupt Knight —> Jeremie & ?
Devil’s Gambit —> Alex & ?
"The tyrant dies, and his rule is over. The martyr dies, and his rule begins."
September 25, 2026
mafia enforcer x FBI agent
cuddle up & push LGBTQ agenda on a corporate level 🏳️🌈💦 SO SMUTTY I actually couldn’t read it in public!
Enzo is a tough mafia enforcer still figuring out his sexuality. Spoiler alert: HE’S HELLA GAY! YAY! So gay in fact that he gets on his knees for the FBI agent that’s about to inprison his entire family ⛓️💥 This mafia man gets GETTING SPANKED!! Tom helps him explore his sexuality but when the mafia agenda is pushed aside…these two reach a new level of DARK emotional bonding & intense orgasms!
Such a perfect pairing of opposites attract!! Golden retriever x black cat with one bouncing off the walls while the other stoically watches from afar 💙🖤Enzo’s hilarious banter was exactly what Tom needed to disrupt his mundane. These two were both BIG BOYS so the smut was….INTENSELY HOT well more like a SCORCHING FIRE BLAZE!!
💦 mafia enforcer gets spanked & manhandled
🖤 trauma healing with familial acceptance and newfound love
💦 his instagram handle ‘Italiansausage’ *I’m howling*
🖤 WHEN HE SPITS INTO HIS MOUTH and tells him to gurgle!
Once again I’m so impressed by the writing! The hilarious banter and unhinged characters were perfectly wrapped in a darker romance centred on gay awakening and trauma healing. The portrayal of sexual violence was SO INTENSE and will stick with me for awhile though.
p.s. CAN WE TALK ABOUT LUCA?!!!
mafia MM romance
golden retriever x black cat
age gap!
grumpy x sunshine
gay awakening
stalking (both!)
chronic illness
sexual violence and dub-con
found family
HEA
Enzo is a tough mafia enforcer still figuring out his sexuality. Spoiler alert: HE’S HELLA GAY! YAY! So gay in fact that he gets on his knees for the FBI agent that’s about to inprison his entire family ⛓️💥 This mafia man gets GETTING SPANKED!! Tom helps him explore his sexuality but when the mafia agenda is pushed aside…these two reach a new level of DARK emotional bonding & intense orgasms!
“So…I’m definitely gay?”
“I don’t know what you are. Other than fucking annoying. I do know that with one-hundred-percent certainty.”
Such a perfect pairing of opposites attract!! Golden retriever x black cat with one bouncing off the walls while the other stoically watches from afar 💙🖤Enzo’s hilarious banter was exactly what Tom needed to disrupt his mundane. These two were both BIG BOYS so the smut was….INTENSELY HOT well more like a SCORCHING FIRE BLAZE!!
💦 mafia enforcer gets spanked & manhandled
🖤 trauma healing with familial acceptance and newfound love
💦 his instagram handle ‘Italiansausage’ *I’m howling*
🖤 WHEN HE SPITS INTO HIS MOUTH and tells him to gurgle!
Once again I’m so impressed by the writing! The hilarious banter and unhinged characters were perfectly wrapped in a darker romance centred on gay awakening and trauma healing. The portrayal of sexual violence was SO INTENSE and will stick with me for awhile though.
p.s. CAN WE TALK ABOUT LUCA?!!!
mafia MM romance
golden retriever x black cat
age gap!
grumpy x sunshine
gay awakening
stalking (both!)
chronic illness
sexual violence and dub-con
found family
HEA
October 5, 2026
از همین الان قراره دلم براشون تنگ بشه 😭
من واقعا عاشق این کتاب شدم؛ اون حجم از تنش، خشم، اعتماد و احساسی که بینشون بود واقعاً فوقالعاده بود. مخصوصاً اینکه هرچی جلوتر رفتم، بیشتر حس کردم هیچکدوم از این دوتا اون چیزی نیستن که اول فکر میکردم.
به معنای واقعی کلمه، همه کاراکترای کتاب یه طرف انزو یه طرف؛ انزو تبدیل شد به خل و چل موردعلاقم 😭😂
بچه های قشنگ من 🦋🩵
من واقعا عاشق این کتاب شدم؛ اون حجم از تنش، خشم، اعتماد و احساسی که بینشون بود واقعاً فوقالعاده بود. مخصوصاً اینکه هرچی جلوتر رفتم، بیشتر حس کردم هیچکدوم از این دوتا اون چیزی نیستن که اول فکر میکردم.
به معنای واقعی کلمه، همه کاراکترای کتاب یه طرف انزو یه طرف؛ انزو تبدیل شد به خل و چل موردعلاقم 😭😂
بچه های قشنگ من 🦋🩵
Currently Reading
September 23, 2026 ꒰ ⁺˖┊┊ Preread ۫ ‧ ♟️ ₊˚. ꒱
The way I dropped everything. School can wait, I need my Enzo time rn.
The way I dropped everything. School can wait, I need my Enzo time rn.
Read
March 16, 2026FALLEN ROOK
♜ eBook: https://amzn.to/4cMeUWN
♜ Paperback: https://amzn.to/4rxMrYs
♜ Walmart Exclusive:
♜ Audiobook (narrators TBA):
♜ UK/Commonwealth: https://shor.by/aOmt
🚩 Please read trigger warnings if you have any.
♜ eBook: https://amzn.to/4cMeUWN
♜ Paperback: https://amzn.to/4rxMrYs
♜ Walmart Exclusive:
♜ Audiobook (narrators TBA):
♜ UK/Commonwealth: https://shor.by/aOmt
🚩 Please read trigger warnings if you have any.
October 5, 2026
Could the author have made this book any more cringe-worthy? The answer is no. Oh my god
Currently Reading
October 5, 2026˚₊‧꒰ა Pre read ⋆｡𖦹°⭒˚｡⋆
This series is just getting better as I read so I’m hoping this is the five star read I’ve been dying for😭
I’m so ready for the angst and tension 😼
Also reading it with my bae Yelena 🩵😝
This series is just getting better as I read so I’m hoping this is the five star read I’ve been dying for😭
I’m so ready for the angst and tension 😼
Also reading it with my bae Yelena 🩵😝
September 26, 2026
𓏲 ๋࣭ ࣪ 4.5🌟
HAHASHHA I ATEEE THIS SHIT UP , someone tell me what this woman put into this ? And tom omg so daddy material 🫠🫠
------
𖦹 Pre-Read:
Lowkey forgot to update, but so far an loving this one. The banter is so fire and they are such cuties 🤭🫠
HAHASHHA I ATEEE THIS SHIT UP , someone tell me what this woman put into this ? And tom omg so daddy material 🫠🫠
------
𖦹 Pre-Read:
Lowkey forgot to update, but so far an loving this one. The banter is so fire and they are such cuties 🤭🫠
September 24, 2026
(⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5) I don’t know. It wasn’t terrible, but it wasn’t great. This book lost so much of the plot that was present in book one & two. I felt like there wasn’t much else going on besides whatever was happening between Tom & Enzo, only snippets of Luca chaos. It was 400 plus pages of a mafia story & it barely even had a story to hang onto until near the end. Enzo & Tom for sure had great chemistry, but it didn’t feel like a slowburn. The first 40% of it escalated their connection so quickly and kind of unexpectedly. I wanted to love it, because I’ve loved Enzo, but it was missing whatever drug the first two had.
The “skating” of boundaries as Enzo called it or lack of consent imo really took something away from the romance aspect of the story & left me feeling disappointed. Enzo went back to him like 10 pages later. I didn’t even want to finish it honestly. Also not a fan of age gaps & then constant reminder nicknames like “kid”. Ick.
The last 25% is where I was most engaged in the story & their relationship. I honestly spent more time locking in to anything related to Luca & Sofia. I was eating up every crumb that was offered.
Definitely loved the first two & I’m looking forward to Luca for sure, but I’m sad to say this one was a miss for me. I was so looking forward to it.
The “skating” of boundaries as Enzo called it or lack of consent imo really took something away from the romance aspect of the story & left me feeling disappointed. Enzo went back to him like 10 pages later. I didn’t even want to finish it honestly. Also not a fan of age gaps & then constant reminder nicknames like “kid”. Ick.
The last 25% is where I was most engaged in the story & their relationship. I honestly spent more time locking in to anything related to Luca & Sofia. I was eating up every crumb that was offered.
Definitely loved the first two & I’m looking forward to Luca for sure, but I’m sad to say this one was a miss for me. I was so looking forward to it.
Read
April 8, 2026Ok, main character prediction based on book title
3. Fallen Rook - Enzo - Tom Rothwell
4. Corrupt Knight -Jeremie - Sofia
5. Wicked Queen - Katya
6. Heartless King - Luca
7. Devil's Gambit - Tristan
3. Fallen Rook - Enzo - Tom Rothwell
4. Corrupt Knight -Jeremie - Sofia
5. Wicked Queen - Katya
6. Heartless King - Luca
7. Devil's Gambit - Tristan
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.25⭐️
3🌶
What happens when Agent Tom Rothwell stops stalking the Camorra enforcer for the FBI, and starts stalking him because he can't stay away, instead? You get a hot and spicy dark, MM romance that had me glued to the pages and unable to put the book down! 🥵🥵🥵
--"Have you smiled today?" 🫠--
What's inside:
- MM Romance
- Dark Mafia Romance
- Grumpy x Sunshine
- Past Trauma & Healing
- Stalking
- Gay Awakening
- Enemies to Lovers
- Hates Everyone but Him
- Clark Kent type FBI Agent
- Golden Retriever Mafia Enforcer
I have to start with Enzo. 🖤
This poor tortured soul still finds a way to be bright and shiny with his banter and golden retriever ways, even as he struggles to be his authentic self and work through the damage his father caused as he was growing up. I absolutely love him as a character and had so much fun with him in this book.
--“Why won’t you admit that you like me, Tom?” He forced his gaze up to meet mine. His hands trembled in his lap. “Because I’m not a liar, Enzo.”--
Tom... he's that dark, broody, closed-off FBI agent that has been ruthlessly determined to bring down the Camorra family. When he tries to seduce Enzo for information, he soon find himself seduced right back, and having to choose between the life he has always planned for, and the life he finds himself craving.
-- He kissed me like he wanted to destroy me. I kissed him like I was going to let him.--
I absolutely loved Tom and Enzo's story - the way that Enzo helped Tom learn to smile again, and the way Tom helped Enzo find the strength to be his authentic self and stop hiding in the shadows. Their story is definitely my favorite of this series so far, and I think it might be tough to beat. I am enamored with these two and their story had me giggling, tearing up, and swooning, the whole way through.
Thank you to LJ and her PA, TJ, for the opportunity to ARC read another amazing LJ Shen book. I am 100% here for this entire series and can't wait to dive into Heartless King next.
3🌶
What happens when Agent Tom Rothwell stops stalking the Camorra enforcer for the FBI, and starts stalking him because he can't stay away, instead? You get a hot and spicy dark, MM romance that had me glued to the pages and unable to put the book down! 🥵🥵🥵
--"Have you smiled today?" 🫠--
What's inside:
- MM Romance
- Dark Mafia Romance
- Grumpy x Sunshine
- Past Trauma & Healing
- Stalking
- Gay Awakening
- Enemies to Lovers
- Hates Everyone but Him
- Clark Kent type FBI Agent
- Golden Retriever Mafia Enforcer
I have to start with Enzo. 🖤
This poor tortured soul still finds a way to be bright and shiny with his banter and golden retriever ways, even as he struggles to be his authentic self and work through the damage his father caused as he was growing up. I absolutely love him as a character and had so much fun with him in this book.
--“Why won’t you admit that you like me, Tom?” He forced his gaze up to meet mine. His hands trembled in his lap. “Because I’m not a liar, Enzo.”--
Tom... he's that dark, broody, closed-off FBI agent that has been ruthlessly determined to bring down the Camorra family. When he tries to seduce Enzo for information, he soon find himself seduced right back, and having to choose between the life he has always planned for, and the life he finds himself craving.
-- He kissed me like he wanted to destroy me. I kissed him like I was going to let him.--
I absolutely loved Tom and Enzo's story - the way that Enzo helped Tom learn to smile again, and the way Tom helped Enzo find the strength to be his authentic self and stop hiding in the shadows. Their story is definitely my favorite of this series so far, and I think it might be tough to beat. I am enamored with these two and their story had me giggling, tearing up, and swooning, the whole way through.
Thank you to LJ and her PA, TJ, for the opportunity to ARC read another amazing LJ Shen book. I am 100% here for this entire series and can't wait to dive into Heartless King next.
August 29, 2026
I just wrote the stupid review, where did it go????😭😭😭
Wdym the audiobook has full cast and Corvin King, jason clark, aiden snow and teddy hamilton are narrating it??? This is gonna be delicious😍😛🌝
~~~~~
umm so I want this book so bad. i was thinking enzo x jeremy until I saw tom and enzo interact and boy it was so fucking hot😂also if you want mm cop x mafia you can check out vitale brothers series👀
Wdym the audiobook has full cast and Corvin King, jason clark, aiden snow and teddy hamilton are narrating it??? This is gonna be delicious😍😛🌝
~~~~~
umm so I want this book so bad. i was thinking enzo x jeremy until I saw tom and enzo interact and boy it was so fucking hot😂also if you want mm cop x mafia you can check out vitale brothers series👀
September 12, 2026
ARC review:
5⭐️♾️: I AM FLOORED. Leigh’s first MM book and she absolutely knocked it out of the park! This story was an exciting and emotional rollercoaster. Enzo Ferrante is my baby! He’s so unhinged and effortlessly charming yet broken and innocent at the same time 🥹. Loved Enzo immediately when we met him earlier in the series, love him even more now. Tom Rothwell, he was equally broken and his obsession was so real. And you knew that deep down he loved Enzo from the beginning, it just took him some time to get there. He was so calculated and smart and I loved that Enzo was the only person that could unravel him. Their chemistry and banter was 🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻. Their secret trysts were 🥵🥵🥵. These forbidden MM romances always carry such sadness and Leigh really captured that well. I felt so gutted and heartbroken for Enzo and Tom that they couldn’t be with each other in the open. The events at 67% had me 😭🥺. Luckily everything worked out and in spectacular fashion 😏. I couldn’t put this book down and honestly didn’t want it to end. This one might be my fave of the series. Although Luca “where is my wife?” Ferrante and Sofia’s book feels like it will be epic 🧐. Can’t wait!
ALC review:
5⭐️♾️: OBSESSSSSED. I’m completely obsessed with Enzo and Tom 😍😍😍. Even more after doing an immersion re-read. Corvin King and Anthony Palmini slayed the narration so hard! They really brought these characters to life. The full cast narration was everything 🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻. I was just as enraptured the second time around. This has become another comfort read 😏.
5⭐️♾️: I AM FLOORED. Leigh’s first MM book and she absolutely knocked it out of the park! This story was an exciting and emotional rollercoaster. Enzo Ferrante is my baby! He’s so unhinged and effortlessly charming yet broken and innocent at the same time 🥹. Loved Enzo immediately when we met him earlier in the series, love him even more now. Tom Rothwell, he was equally broken and his obsession was so real. And you knew that deep down he loved Enzo from the beginning, it just took him some time to get there. He was so calculated and smart and I loved that Enzo was the only person that could unravel him. Their chemistry and banter was 🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻. Their secret trysts were 🥵🥵🥵. These forbidden MM romances always carry such sadness and Leigh really captured that well. I felt so gutted and heartbroken for Enzo and Tom that they couldn’t be with each other in the open. The events at 67% had me 😭🥺. Luckily everything worked out and in spectacular fashion 😏. I couldn’t put this book down and honestly didn’t want it to end. This one might be my fave of the series. Although Luca “where is my wife?” Ferrante and Sofia’s book feels like it will be epic 🧐. Can’t wait!
ALC review:
5⭐️♾️: OBSESSSSSED. I’m completely obsessed with Enzo and Tom 😍😍😍. Even more after doing an immersion re-read. Corvin King and Anthony Palmini slayed the narration so hard! They really brought these characters to life. The full cast narration was everything 🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻. I was just as enraptured the second time around. This has become another comfort read 😏.
September 24, 2026
Alright, here it is. Genuinely surprised myself with how quickly I finished this given the way work is kicking my ass 🤡. But I’ve been dying to know who the Book 4 couple is and I wanted Tierney and Achilles crumbs lol 😌. Maybe Alex too 🤫. Anyways, this review will mostly focus on safety, there will be detailed spoilers ahead. So leave now, dont cry to me later about it. Goodreads doesn’t even notify me 😒.
My other little disclaimer is Leigh is not safe, for those of who dont know, and she’s pretty proud of that as an author. Given this is her first MM and those romances aren’t my personal preference, I was’t expecting much. Full disclosure, I do like her writing 😝. But even I’ll admit she either gives you the best MMC or the nastiest, bottom of the barrel fucker I wouldn’t even piss on if on fire 🙄. So it’s always roulette when she gifts us a novel. Knowing that, I was surprised in some ways here, kind of disappointed for her past FMCs, and kind of down right traumatized in other ways .
Our two MMCs are Enzo Ferrante (brother of Achilles and Luca) and Tom Rockwell. Enzo is the closeted mafia enforcer. Tom is an FBI agent. So you can imagine, this covers a lot of fun tropes 😮💨. Enzo is kind of openly in the closet, his brothers and dad suspected he was gay. But his father threatened him when he was younger he’d kill him and any guy he gets into bed with. So Enzo never actually explores his sexuality. Tom is Bi and has been out since his early 20s, he’s approaching 40 now. Enzo is 26 so age gap! 💁♀️ Tom has been in a relationship with both men and women. Now he only hooks up with emotionally unavailable people, strictly above the age of 35 (sadly I’m disqualified 🥺). For those of you who haven’t read the other books, Tom has basically been stalking Enzo’s family for the last 3 years, trying to build a case against them. Turns out Enzo has been poisoning his dad, cause he’s shitty and ruins his family’s lives. He literally said I’ll take one for the team bitches 😌.
Then decides the best way to celebrate would be to go out and hook up with a dude for the first time 💀. Things go sideways because the dude tries to blackmail Enzo and Tom steps in and kills him, because blackmailing someone in the closet is one of his biggest triggers. Enzo wasn’t into the BJ he was getting, asks to kiss Tom to make sure he’s really gay💀☺️ . Turns out he is and this is the man he wants to get down with🤡.
Ok I have an issue with Tom’s character a bit. Cause he was always stoic and calculating in the other books. Here he melts into a puddle after like three chapters 🤦♀️. I guess we’re meant to believe that’s Enzo's invincible charm? Ok moving on, safety. Yeah kind of not safe, but also MOSTLY safe. So Enzo is technically engaged to Katya (Alex, Pakhaan’s baby sis). He had to take over the role of fiancee after Achilles backed out in the last book. The two are friends and get along, but he’s not attracted to her. They agree both can take lovers after their wedding. We support equal opportunity cheating, women’s rights and wrongs! 👩🎓 She FaceTimes him as she gets ready for a date with her professor (currently studying abroad in London; damn Leigh we want this book PLEASE🙏). These two are pretty buddy buddy with each other cause she’s topless in a thong on the phone with him. Even after he starts hooking with Detective Grump by the way 💀.
There’s no cheating between the main couple, but there is cheating 😐. Tom used to hook up with a closeted former army friend of his. this guy’s dad was a pastor, so while they dated, they couldn’t be a couple in public. Tom gets deployed again, Matt doesnt want him to go, he doesn’t listen. Matt ends up married to Iris, they have a son named Silas by the time Tom returns. He’s devastated but also starts hooking up with Matt again anyways. This drives a huge wedge in Matt’s marriage plus Tom pressures him to leave. Tom is also suffering from PTSD and heavily drinking by this point. They have an explosive fight, which leads to Matt taking his life 3 weeks after his son’s birthday. Tom continues to feel guilt about this, even though it’s been nearly 8 years. He was anonymously sending money to Iris so her and Silas would be taken care of. Iris suspected an affair but never confirmed anything. Eventually, she comes to see him and invites him to be a part of Silas’ life. They’re close now and Tom serves as a father figure. Tom’s grandma refers to Silas as her grandchild too. Enzo stalks Tom one day and mistakenly assumes he’s married, but this is quickly cleared up 👀.
Speaking of which, I can’t help but be a little bitter about how quickly miscommunication is cleared up in Leigh’s first MM trope 😒. Cause usually alot more suffering on the FMC’s part and revenge fucking on the MMC’s part are involved in her books. Like the Devil Wears Black is that trope embodied, and the ending is all sympathy for the poor heartbroken cheater MMC. Speaking of past trauma, Leigh also recreates one of the most traumatic scenes I’ve read by her— you know the one from Kiss Thief 😒. Where Keaton basically rapes Francesca on her FIRST time . Yeah Tom pulls one of those here, because he’s ALWAYS a top lol. Basically Katya comes to town and Tom sees this while hoping to meet up with Enzo. He gets jealous because he’s denying Enzo a real relationship due to his job literally investigating his family. He goes home, gets drunk and becomes his mean PTSD self again. Enzo shows up all innocent, and although is told to go away doesn’t listen. Tom ends up topping him with no lube on his FIRST time. 😔 It’s traumatizing, Enzo doesn’t feel great about it. But the whole scene after just reads as the victim trying to justify the abuse again. I genuinely almost quit here. You can tell how bad I want book 4, based off how I kept going. They literally only make up by Tom agreeing to bottom for Enzo for the first time in his life lol. 🙄
Genuinely I had to giggle at this, because this is why I just can’t get behind MM written by straight woman. It’s so obvious you’re perpetuating stereotypes. Whatever. This is basically the worst of it. Which I still consider pretty mild, because the FMCs will usually be cheated on too. Like literally right next door listening to the MMC fucking another woman, or worse see their husbands fucking a prostitue in their dress while trying to get milk from the fridge 🤡 (remember Tiernan and Lila, I mean they weren’t together at the time and they’re cute as hell in the book but still). I guess suffering is only specific to the female gender.
The other double standard I can’t ignore is their healthy body counts. The FMCs are usually virgins, or have only had disappointing, limited sexual experience 🥺. Here both Enzo and Tom have had longterm relationships in the past. Enzo had a longterm gf in high school and college, who cheated on him with Achilles (Achilles thought this would help him leave the closet, he does apologize lol). They’ve both had a fair bit of sexual experience, Enzo goes to whore houses. He post thirst traps for instagram followers, always ready to hook up. Tom has had steady hookups. None of the past partners are paraded around in front of them though, like other MF books. They actually dont even really come up aside from Matt. There’s a bit of a dead first love type trope, where Enzo thinks he’s competing with a ghost for a bit. But this is cleared up almost immediately after Enzo mistakenly thinks Tom just used him as a stand in for Matt during sex.
Honestly thinking back, a lot of the best things about this felt a little like God of Fury’s reheated nachos. Butterfly, lotus flower… giving very similar vibes here 🤔. Then there’s the whole cutting/self hate plot too. Thankfully, Leigh didn’t try to blame Enzo’s sexuality on a woman’s sexual abuse 🙏. She’s pretty firm this is just who Enzo is and we see him learn to love that too. Enzo is also portrayed as a lovable ally to women. He looks out for the whores that work for his family, driving them home if the subway isn't safe, beating the shit out of/killing rapists. He's a good guy that does bad things for a reason-- and he is pretty adorable.
I didn’t even intend to write a review comparing this against her prior MF romances, so I’ll apologize🧎♀️. But given this her first MM romance, I was genuinely so surprised since it’s pretty safe 🤯. Feels like these Mafia/Biker MM romances written by straight women go one of two ways, where it’s either completely devoid of the typical double standards FMCs face or they amp up the buffanooery to the millionth degree to make the characters as promiscuous as possible. I guess Leigh chose the former? If you’ve read Leigh’s work this fairly unusual for her. She tends to use angst as a plot device, actually she’s known for it 😭. It pretty much ALWAYS involves OW drama or cheating 😮💨 (and I haven’t even read all her work yet). This isn’t the last MM romance in the series by the way, she announced there will be one more couple in this series.
My predictions for the last few couples, Book 4 is Luca and Sofia confirmed— signed and sealed 😌. I’m thinking Book 5 is gonna be Katya and Tristan, I weirdly remember something about him and London where Katya currently is 👀. Plus they need to fix the Camorra- Bratva alliance SOMEHOW 😔. I think Book 6 is Jeremie as one half of the other MM couple. I think the last book will Alex and the Vegas FBI female officer. So essentially the MF version of this book 😝( I guess Leigh just wants us to be patient lmao😭🤡).
My other little disclaimer is Leigh is not safe, for those of who dont know, and she’s pretty proud of that as an author. Given this is her first MM and those romances aren’t my personal preference, I was’t expecting much. Full disclosure, I do like her writing 😝. But even I’ll admit she either gives you the best MMC or the nastiest, bottom of the barrel fucker I wouldn’t even piss on if on fire 🙄. So it’s always roulette when she gifts us a novel. Knowing that, I was surprised in some ways here, kind of disappointed for her past FMCs, and kind of down right traumatized in other ways .
Our two MMCs are Enzo Ferrante (brother of Achilles and Luca) and Tom Rockwell. Enzo is the closeted mafia enforcer. Tom is an FBI agent. So you can imagine, this covers a lot of fun tropes 😮💨. Enzo is kind of openly in the closet, his brothers and dad suspected he was gay. But his father threatened him when he was younger he’d kill him and any guy he gets into bed with. So Enzo never actually explores his sexuality. Tom is Bi and has been out since his early 20s, he’s approaching 40 now. Enzo is 26 so age gap! 💁♀️ Tom has been in a relationship with both men and women. Now he only hooks up with emotionally unavailable people, strictly above the age of 35 (sadly I’m disqualified 🥺). For those of you who haven’t read the other books, Tom has basically been stalking Enzo’s family for the last 3 years, trying to build a case against them. Turns out Enzo has been poisoning his dad, cause he’s shitty and ruins his family’s lives. He literally said I’ll take one for the team bitches 😌.
Then decides the best way to celebrate would be to go out and hook up with a dude for the first time 💀. Things go sideways because the dude tries to blackmail Enzo and Tom steps in and kills him, because blackmailing someone in the closet is one of his biggest triggers. Enzo wasn’t into the BJ he was getting, asks to kiss Tom to make sure he’s really gay💀☺️ . Turns out he is and this is the man he wants to get down with🤡.
Ok I have an issue with Tom’s character a bit. Cause he was always stoic and calculating in the other books. Here he melts into a puddle after like three chapters 🤦♀️. I guess we’re meant to believe that’s Enzo's invincible charm? Ok moving on, safety. Yeah kind of not safe, but also MOSTLY safe. So Enzo is technically engaged to Katya (Alex, Pakhaan’s baby sis). He had to take over the role of fiancee after Achilles backed out in the last book. The two are friends and get along, but he’s not attracted to her. They agree both can take lovers after their wedding. We support equal opportunity cheating, women’s rights and wrongs! 👩🎓 She FaceTimes him as she gets ready for a date with her professor (currently studying abroad in London; damn Leigh we want this book PLEASE🙏). These two are pretty buddy buddy with each other cause she’s topless in a thong on the phone with him. Even after he starts hooking with Detective Grump by the way 💀.
There’s no cheating between the main couple, but there is cheating 😐. Tom used to hook up with a closeted former army friend of his. this guy’s dad was a pastor, so while they dated, they couldn’t be a couple in public. Tom gets deployed again, Matt doesnt want him to go, he doesn’t listen. Matt ends up married to Iris, they have a son named Silas by the time Tom returns. He’s devastated but also starts hooking up with Matt again anyways. This drives a huge wedge in Matt’s marriage plus Tom pressures him to leave. Tom is also suffering from PTSD and heavily drinking by this point. They have an explosive fight, which leads to Matt taking his life 3 weeks after his son’s birthday. Tom continues to feel guilt about this, even though it’s been nearly 8 years. He was anonymously sending money to Iris so her and Silas would be taken care of. Iris suspected an affair but never confirmed anything. Eventually, she comes to see him and invites him to be a part of Silas’ life. They’re close now and Tom serves as a father figure. Tom’s grandma refers to Silas as her grandchild too. Enzo stalks Tom one day and mistakenly assumes he’s married, but this is quickly cleared up 👀.
Speaking of which, I can’t help but be a little bitter about how quickly miscommunication is cleared up in Leigh’s first MM trope 😒. Cause usually alot more suffering on the FMC’s part and revenge fucking on the MMC’s part are involved in her books. Like the Devil Wears Black is that trope embodied, and the ending is all sympathy for the poor heartbroken cheater MMC. Speaking of past trauma, Leigh also recreates one of the most traumatic scenes I’ve read by her— you know the one from Kiss Thief 😒. Where Keaton basically rapes Francesca on her FIRST time . Yeah Tom pulls one of those here, because he’s ALWAYS a top lol. Basically Katya comes to town and Tom sees this while hoping to meet up with Enzo. He gets jealous because he’s denying Enzo a real relationship due to his job literally investigating his family. He goes home, gets drunk and becomes his mean PTSD self again. Enzo shows up all innocent, and although is told to go away doesn’t listen. Tom ends up topping him with no lube on his FIRST time. 😔 It’s traumatizing, Enzo doesn’t feel great about it. But the whole scene after just reads as the victim trying to justify the abuse again. I genuinely almost quit here. You can tell how bad I want book 4, based off how I kept going. They literally only make up by Tom agreeing to bottom for Enzo for the first time in his life lol. 🙄
Genuinely I had to giggle at this, because this is why I just can’t get behind MM written by straight woman. It’s so obvious you’re perpetuating stereotypes. Whatever. This is basically the worst of it. Which I still consider pretty mild, because the FMCs will usually be cheated on too. Like literally right next door listening to the MMC fucking another woman, or worse see their husbands fucking a prostitue in their dress while trying to get milk from the fridge 🤡 (remember Tiernan and Lila, I mean they weren’t together at the time and they’re cute as hell in the book but still). I guess suffering is only specific to the female gender.
The other double standard I can’t ignore is their healthy body counts. The FMCs are usually virgins, or have only had disappointing, limited sexual experience 🥺. Here both Enzo and Tom have had longterm relationships in the past. Enzo had a longterm gf in high school and college, who cheated on him with Achilles (Achilles thought this would help him leave the closet, he does apologize lol). They’ve both had a fair bit of sexual experience, Enzo goes to whore houses. He post thirst traps for instagram followers, always ready to hook up. Tom has had steady hookups. None of the past partners are paraded around in front of them though, like other MF books. They actually dont even really come up aside from Matt. There’s a bit of a dead first love type trope, where Enzo thinks he’s competing with a ghost for a bit. But this is cleared up almost immediately after Enzo mistakenly thinks Tom just used him as a stand in for Matt during sex.
Honestly thinking back, a lot of the best things about this felt a little like God of Fury’s reheated nachos. Butterfly, lotus flower… giving very similar vibes here 🤔. Then there’s the whole cutting/self hate plot too. Thankfully, Leigh didn’t try to blame Enzo’s sexuality on a woman’s sexual abuse 🙏. She’s pretty firm this is just who Enzo is and we see him learn to love that too. Enzo is also portrayed as a lovable ally to women. He looks out for the whores that work for his family, driving them home if the subway isn't safe, beating the shit out of/killing rapists. He's a good guy that does bad things for a reason-- and he is pretty adorable.
I didn’t even intend to write a review comparing this against her prior MF romances, so I’ll apologize🧎♀️. But given this her first MM romance, I was genuinely so surprised since it’s pretty safe 🤯. Feels like these Mafia/Biker MM romances written by straight women go one of two ways, where it’s either completely devoid of the typical double standards FMCs face or they amp up the buffanooery to the millionth degree to make the characters as promiscuous as possible. I guess Leigh chose the former? If you’ve read Leigh’s work this fairly unusual for her. She tends to use angst as a plot device, actually she’s known for it 😭. It pretty much ALWAYS involves OW drama or cheating 😮💨 (and I haven’t even read all her work yet). This isn’t the last MM romance in the series by the way, she announced there will be one more couple in this series.
My predictions for the last few couples, Book 4 is Luca and Sofia confirmed— signed and sealed 😌. I’m thinking Book 5 is gonna be Katya and Tristan, I weirdly remember something about him and London where Katya currently is 👀. Plus they need to fix the Camorra- Bratva alliance SOMEHOW 😔. I think Book 6 is Jeremie as one half of the other MM couple. I think the last book will Alex and the Vegas FBI female officer. So essentially the MF version of this book 😝( I guess Leigh just wants us to be patient lmao😭🤡).
September 26, 2026
4.5 ✨’s
“That I couldn’t fight this. This… this thing you stir in me. Even back then, I had a catastrophic feeling I was going to destroy my life to save yours.”
I am convinced that these books are laced with something because I am addicted and can’t get enough 😩 this book didn’t just have the mafia plot still going on , which by the way *chefs kiss*, the tension, the chemistry, but it had such a profound emotional depth to it, I can’t get over it. 🥲
Enzo and Tom, love, loved , loved!!
Enzo, I just wanted to hug him the entire time. 🥹 he was such a lover boy. He was so kind and gentle and when he opened up about his issues, it was so painful to read, but so liberating to see him break of all that was holding him back. the way he loves fiercely and is loyal , ugh I love him so much!! It was so interesting to see his soft side in contrast to his psycho side. Also why did he have me laughing so much with his inner monologue and his texts to Tom. He kept provoking him so much , it was perfect!!
Tom, of course he had to be a a grumpy, sarcastic fed who looks like Henry Cavill’s Clark Kent 😩 but besides his looks my gosh I didn’t expect to love him so much!!! He came off as cold and aloof , but his back story was so sad to see and the way he held off on being happy until Enzo! I couldn’t get enough. The way he literally plotted and sacrificed so much for Enzo. 🥹 Also this man was so down bad romantic without even trying to be. 😮💨 only thing I will say is the “kid” nickname was not it. I truly had to block that out, but he did redeem himself with the second nickname he gave him.
The romance between these two was so electric. The banter and chemistry they had with one another was intense, sexy and full of angst. the slow burn was burning so good as well. I will say they did have a fast start and had a lot of push and pull moments between one another , but it worked so well based on what they were going against. It was so wholesome to see them accept one another and heal each other’s insecurities and scars from the past. 🥹
Now , the reason why this wasn’t a higher rating for me was that that a lot of their book was overshadowed by Luca and Sofia’s marriage situation and look I love Luca and will get to him, but I felt like we could have done a little less with them so they didn’t overtake so much of Enzo’s and Tom’s story.
BUT , on the subject of side characters, I am willing to pay an Etsy witch for Luca’s book in my hands rn!! 😩 he grew on me so much. Every crumb and moment we got of this man had me feral 🧎🏻♀️ like the way this man was possessive , going crazy, and yearning for Sofia , I fear his book is going to be the end of me. The amount of groveling we are going to get 😩 and Sofia wow she shocked me because she is probably the baddest person in this series. The way she had Lucas on his knees, I’m already beyond obsessed with these two.
Achilles , this man had me laughing so much especially at Lucas expense. Tierney, still a baddie and Tiernan , why does his character development make him so much more hotter?! 🥵 they were all so perfect and they way they supported Enzo during the last few chapters, it was so perfect!!
I’m also very intrigued with Katya and Tristian tbh 👀 there’s more than meets the eye with her and I can’t wait for her book.
What am I supposed to do now that this is over and we don’t have a release day yet for the next book?! 😩
“Our story was of how I feel in love with a beautiful monster. And for him, I’d become one too.” 🦋
“That I couldn’t fight this. This… this thing you stir in me. Even back then, I had a catastrophic feeling I was going to destroy my life to save yours.”
I am convinced that these books are laced with something because I am addicted and can’t get enough 😩 this book didn’t just have the mafia plot still going on , which by the way *chefs kiss*, the tension, the chemistry, but it had such a profound emotional depth to it, I can’t get over it. 🥲
Enzo and Tom, love, loved , loved!!
Enzo, I just wanted to hug him the entire time. 🥹 he was such a lover boy. He was so kind and gentle and when he opened up about his issues, it was so painful to read, but so liberating to see him break of all that was holding him back. the way he loves fiercely and is loyal , ugh I love him so much!! It was so interesting to see his soft side in contrast to his psycho side. Also why did he have me laughing so much with his inner monologue and his texts to Tom. He kept provoking him so much , it was perfect!!
Tom, of course he had to be a a grumpy, sarcastic fed who looks like Henry Cavill’s Clark Kent 😩 but besides his looks my gosh I didn’t expect to love him so much!!! He came off as cold and aloof , but his back story was so sad to see and the way he held off on being happy until Enzo! I couldn’t get enough. The way he literally plotted and sacrificed so much for Enzo. 🥹 Also this man was so down bad romantic without even trying to be. 😮💨 only thing I will say is the “kid” nickname was not it. I truly had to block that out, but he did redeem himself with the second nickname he gave him.
The romance between these two was so electric. The banter and chemistry they had with one another was intense, sexy and full of angst. the slow burn was burning so good as well. I will say they did have a fast start and had a lot of push and pull moments between one another , but it worked so well based on what they were going against. It was so wholesome to see them accept one another and heal each other’s insecurities and scars from the past. 🥹
Now , the reason why this wasn’t a higher rating for me was that that a lot of their book was overshadowed by Luca and Sofia’s marriage situation and look I love Luca and will get to him, but I felt like we could have done a little less with them so they didn’t overtake so much of Enzo’s and Tom’s story.
BUT , on the subject of side characters, I am willing to pay an Etsy witch for Luca’s book in my hands rn!! 😩 he grew on me so much. Every crumb and moment we got of this man had me feral 🧎🏻♀️ like the way this man was possessive , going crazy, and yearning for Sofia , I fear his book is going to be the end of me. The amount of groveling we are going to get 😩 and Sofia wow she shocked me because she is probably the baddest person in this series. The way she had Lucas on his knees, I’m already beyond obsessed with these two.
Achilles , this man had me laughing so much especially at Lucas expense. Tierney, still a baddie and Tiernan , why does his character development make him so much more hotter?! 🥵 they were all so perfect and they way they supported Enzo during the last few chapters, it was so perfect!!
I’m also very intrigued with Katya and Tristian tbh 👀 there’s more than meets the eye with her and I can’t wait for her book.
What am I supposed to do now that this is over and we don’t have a release day yet for the next book?! 😩
“Our story was of how I feel in love with a beautiful monster. And for him, I’d become one too.” 🦋
October 4, 2026
4.5 ⭐️
yayyy we finally got Enzo and Tom's story! This was a great ride, not that I expected differently to be honest, because this series is super fun and entertaining, and I laughed my ass off more than once at Enzo's banter and remarks, man is completely and utterly unhinged! And silly big time lol
I must say that I liked this one much more than the previous one (AchillesxTierney), mostly because the other was very chaotic both relationship and plot wise, while this one was more focused on developing both their relationship and the plot. Some things left me with obvious question like what did Luca do in the end? And how did he do it ?? That's probably my biggest question that I'm hoping to answer in the next book! Because it has to be his hehe.
Relationship wise I think it was beautiful, spicy and quite emotional at times. While I feel like it leaned heavier on Tom's past and experience, it just felt like it had more depth, that kinda left Enzo at times just super silly to me, instead of fleshing him out more? I suppose I felt that rather more when it was revealed about Tom's past relationship. It was a sad one but it made him much more complex as a character. I understand that Enzo's past is rather just in the closet, but I think on Enzo's side it felt rather more focused on his psychopathic tendencies and his respect and dedication to the family, rather than the exploration of his sexuality. Not sure if the intention was to focus this way, but that's how it felt to me. I would've loved to have more of his inner turmoil about it, and I don't mean just exposition, but actual patterns or feelings he experienced in his past. Because he is my boy and I love him so much, I wanted more more! Also I have to appreciate that the author included the psoriazis thing, because as someone that personally struggles with skin issues similar to that, I could relate so much to his pain!
Nevertheless, I really liked how we got to see all of our beloved characters again, Tiernan - I still love you baby - and Lila, Tierney, Achilles, Luca, Alex etc. I must say I'm super attached to this universe. Safe to say the author is also adding a lot of plot armor to the characters, because while I wanted to feel like my heart is being pulled out a little, it was still handled safely, a bit too safe for me, in moments that I thought would be maybe a bit devastating.
Which is why I think I'm A LIIIITTTLE biased because it's hard for me to rate this any lower, even if some things felt like they were missing for me to hit that ultimate 5 star rating. But either way I'm already too invested in this universe, family and relationships in order to back out, it would have to be something really awful to pull me away from it, which was not the case at all for this story. If anything I ate it the fuck up and left no crumbs. 🖤💙
Ranking alert:
1. Bad Bishop
2. Fallen Rook
3. Twisted Pawn
TBC
yayyy we finally got Enzo and Tom's story! This was a great ride, not that I expected differently to be honest, because this series is super fun and entertaining, and I laughed my ass off more than once at Enzo's banter and remarks, man is completely and utterly unhinged! And silly big time lol
I must say that I liked this one much more than the previous one (AchillesxTierney), mostly because the other was very chaotic both relationship and plot wise, while this one was more focused on developing both their relationship and the plot. Some things left me with obvious question like what did Luca do in the end? And how did he do it ?? That's probably my biggest question that I'm hoping to answer in the next book! Because it has to be his hehe.
Relationship wise I think it was beautiful, spicy and quite emotional at times. While I feel like it leaned heavier on Tom's past and experience, it just felt like it had more depth, that kinda left Enzo at times just super silly to me, instead of fleshing him out more? I suppose I felt that rather more when it was revealed about Tom's past relationship. It was a sad one but it made him much more complex as a character. I understand that Enzo's past is rather just in the closet, but I think on Enzo's side it felt rather more focused on his psychopathic tendencies and his respect and dedication to the family, rather than the exploration of his sexuality. Not sure if the intention was to focus this way, but that's how it felt to me. I would've loved to have more of his inner turmoil about it, and I don't mean just exposition, but actual patterns or feelings he experienced in his past. Because he is my boy and I love him so much, I wanted more more! Also I have to appreciate that the author included the psoriazis thing, because as someone that personally struggles with skin issues similar to that, I could relate so much to his pain!
Nevertheless, I really liked how we got to see all of our beloved characters again, Tiernan - I still love you baby - and Lila, Tierney, Achilles, Luca, Alex etc. I must say I'm super attached to this universe. Safe to say the author is also adding a lot of plot armor to the characters, because while I wanted to feel like my heart is being pulled out a little, it was still handled safely, a bit too safe for me, in moments that I thought would be maybe a bit devastating.
Which is why I think I'm A LIIIITTTLE biased because it's hard for me to rate this any lower, even if some things felt like they were missing for me to hit that ultimate 5 star rating. But either way I'm already too invested in this universe, family and relationships in order to back out, it would have to be something really awful to pull me away from it, which was not the case at all for this story. If anything I ate it the fuck up and left no crumbs. 🖤💙
Ranking alert:
1. Bad Bishop
2. Fallen Rook
3. Twisted Pawn
TBC
September 29, 2026
This book was an emotional roller coaster! Everything you think you know is happening, is wrong and everyone secretly has their hands on the strings. For me, this is a book you can't DNF because you are DNF'ing based on what you think you know before the drop even hits.
Tom and Enzo... what can I say other than these two broken individuals were meant for each other. Both carry heavy trauma and a complicated past that they have to fight to overcome to find each other. There are going to be moments... moments in this book where you look at them differently and then all of sudden, fall for them again. We all know L.J by now, she always throws in curve balls we don't expect that have us questioning how we feel.
While this isn't my favorite of the series, I do think it's the most complex and I ABSOLUTELY cannot wait for the last book. I am begging on me knees to know what happens next.
- Mafia Romance
- MM Romance
- Gay Awakening
- Forbidden Romance
- Enemies to Lovers
- Age Gap
Tom and Enzo... what can I say other than these two broken individuals were meant for each other. Both carry heavy trauma and a complicated past that they have to fight to overcome to find each other. There are going to be moments... moments in this book where you look at them differently and then all of sudden, fall for them again. We all know L.J by now, she always throws in curve balls we don't expect that have us questioning how we feel.
While this isn't my favorite of the series, I do think it's the most complex and I ABSOLUTELY cannot wait for the last book. I am begging on me knees to know what happens next.
- Mafia Romance
- MM Romance
- Gay Awakening
- Forbidden Romance
- Enemies to Lovers
- Age Gap
September 30, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
“He kissed me like he wanted to destroy me. I kissed him like I was going to let him.”
yeahhhh this ENTIRE series is gold. Enzo & Tom have my heart forever and ever!!!! also I need Luca’s book like I need AIR !!!!!!
“He kissed me like he wanted to destroy me. I kissed him like I was going to let him.”
yeahhhh this ENTIRE series is gold. Enzo & Tom have my heart forever and ever!!!! also I need Luca’s book like I need AIR !!!!!!
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