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King of Hearts
I came to steal the virgin. I stayed to corrupt her.
I was tied up with a gun in my mouth.
She thought she was in control.
But she was dead f**king wrong.
Because I’d made a decision from the second I saw her perfect, virgin lips:
This girl was going to be MINE.
She could cuff me down, rough me up, whatever she wanted to do.
It wasn’t going to stop the inevitable.
One way or another, I was going to break myself free… then I was going to break her in.
That’s exactly what happened.
And when it did, her moans were as pleasing as I’d imagined.
Watching her crumble on my fingers was pure bliss.
But some others aren’t so happy with the situation.
Like the men who hired me to kill her and her father in the first place.
They’ll stop at nothing to make me pay for my betrayal.
They should be careful, though.
Because I have a woman to protect now.
And I’ll slaughter any bastard who dares lay a finger on my angel.
KING OF HEARTS is a full-length, standalone, super steamy, bad boy mafia romance novel from bestselling author NICOLE FOX.
This suspenseful, action-packed mafia romance is intended for mature audiences, due to violence, strong language, dark themes and elements, and explicit intimate scenes. The romance between the alpha male bad boy and the fiery woman he can't resist ends with a guaranteed happily ever after (HEA) ending, has absolutely NO CHEATING, and does NOT include a cliffhanger of any kind.
This contains the following tropes: loss of virginity, dominant/submissive, and enemies to lovers.
I was tied up with a gun in my mouth.
She thought she was in control.
But she was dead f**king wrong.
Because I’d made a decision from the second I saw her perfect, virgin lips:
This girl was going to be MINE.
She could cuff me down, rough me up, whatever she wanted to do.
It wasn’t going to stop the inevitable.
One way or another, I was going to break myself free… then I was going to break her in.
That’s exactly what happened.
And when it did, her moans were as pleasing as I’d imagined.
Watching her crumble on my fingers was pure bliss.
But some others aren’t so happy with the situation.
Like the men who hired me to kill her and her father in the first place.
They’ll stop at nothing to make me pay for my betrayal.
They should be careful, though.
Because I have a woman to protect now.
And I’ll slaughter any bastard who dares lay a finger on my angel.
KING OF HEARTS is a full-length, standalone, super steamy, bad boy mafia romance novel from bestselling author NICOLE FOX.
This suspenseful, action-packed mafia romance is intended for mature audiences, due to violence, strong language, dark themes and elements, and explicit intimate scenes. The romance between the alpha male bad boy and the fiery woman he can't resist ends with a guaranteed happily ever after (HEA) ending, has absolutely NO CHEATING, and does NOT include a cliffhanger of any kind.
This contains the following tropes: loss of virginity, dominant/submissive, and enemies to lovers.
185 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 2, 2019
74 people are currently reading
307 people want to read
About the author
Nicole Fox
195 books4,799 followersNicole Fox writes smart, sexy mafia romance novels. She is a crazy cat lady in her late 30s with a coffee addiction, an overactive imagination, and a husband who somehow puts up with her impulsive need to keep buying new plants for their house.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
February 22, 2019
Better than I expected!
I have to admit that until about 15% in I thought it would be a DNF for me. I just didn't quite get or like Kennedy. Somewhere around 15% though it all finally clicked. He actually meets Row in person, and their interaction was not just really enticing, but interesting. Row was so calm and pragmatic in contrast to Kennedy's brash rush in where angels fear to trod boldness. He is convinced of his own lack of worth though only Row sees it. I love how confident and competent she is while being completely unassuming. These two were just fated. I liked their devotion to family and loyalty to friends. In addition, there was a little action and suspense mixed in. Though characters from previous books were mentioned or briefly featured, I read this as a standalone with no problems. I look forward to more from this author.
I have to admit that until about 15% in I thought it would be a DNF for me. I just didn't quite get or like Kennedy. Somewhere around 15% though it all finally clicked. He actually meets Row in person, and their interaction was not just really enticing, but interesting. Row was so calm and pragmatic in contrast to Kennedy's brash rush in where angels fear to trod boldness. He is convinced of his own lack of worth though only Row sees it. I love how confident and competent she is while being completely unassuming. These two were just fated. I liked their devotion to family and loyalty to friends. In addition, there was a little action and suspense mixed in. Though characters from previous books were mentioned or briefly featured, I read this as a standalone with no problems. I look forward to more from this author.
January 8, 2019
Allowing story
This book is a lot of different things rolled into one, funny smart and sexy. The different pov keep the story flowing. I would recommend people to read this story, you won't be disappointed
This book is a lot of different things rolled into one, funny smart and sexy. The different pov keep the story flowing. I would recommend people to read this story, you won't be disappointed
January 20, 2019
King of Hearts by Nicole Fox
The more I read mafia romances from Nicole the more I become a fan of that themed-styled of writing. "I received an advanced copy of this manuscript and am voluntarily leaving an honest review."
The more I read mafia romances from Nicole the more I become a fan of that themed-styled of writing. "I received an advanced copy of this manuscript and am voluntarily leaving an honest review."
June 11, 2025
Not what I was expecting…
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Tropes: Spicy mafia romance, enemies to lovers, D/s dynamic
********************
Triggers: Violence, explicit sexual situations, attempted SA
********************
Quote: “I’m going to love you forever.”
********************
Synopsis: Kennedy, a former mafia hit man turned skip tracer, is dispatched to bring Row and her father to his boss. Esposito is a vile man. Row and Kennedy meet in a dive bar, and she has him pretend to be her husband to keep some local thugs away. The sparks fly. As the truth of why he’s there is revealed, Row tries to bargain sex for her and her father’s freedoms.
Does he accept? Is their combustible chemistry and budding Dom/sub relationship enough? And what about the loathsome Esposito?
********************
Review: This is my third Nicole Fox, and while I raved about the Sapphire Duo, I don’t feel I can rave about this one. It’s not bad, but it didn’t knock my socks off. It was kind of short, so it felt rushed. I couldn’t get behind the main characters…their actions and motivations didn’t grab me. There also didn’t feel like there was a great deal of character development.
Kennedy was supposed to be fatefully, soul deep, in love with his best friend’s wife. But as soon as Row started taking on the role of his submissive, his feelings for her flew out the window. And she barely gets jealous when he talks about it? No. No woman, no matter how secure, is not going to be even just a smidge jealous in that situation.
The story is more smut than romance. And it’s damned fine smut. The D/s was written with care. The descriptions of Greece are beautiful and made me long to go visit. Overall, it was good, but not one I’m liable to recommend.
********************
Ratings: Movie NC17, overall 3/5, 2/5 romance, 4/5 violence, 4/5 spice. Cover 3/5.
********************
Tropes: Spicy mafia romance, enemies to lovers, D/s dynamic
********************
Triggers: Violence, explicit sexual situations, attempted SA
********************
Quote: “I’m going to love you forever.”
********************
Synopsis: Kennedy, a former mafia hit man turned skip tracer, is dispatched to bring Row and her father to his boss. Esposito is a vile man. Row and Kennedy meet in a dive bar, and she has him pretend to be her husband to keep some local thugs away. The sparks fly. As the truth of why he’s there is revealed, Row tries to bargain sex for her and her father’s freedoms.
Does he accept? Is their combustible chemistry and budding Dom/sub relationship enough? And what about the loathsome Esposito?
********************
Review: This is my third Nicole Fox, and while I raved about the Sapphire Duo, I don’t feel I can rave about this one. It’s not bad, but it didn’t knock my socks off. It was kind of short, so it felt rushed. I couldn’t get behind the main characters…their actions and motivations didn’t grab me. There also didn’t feel like there was a great deal of character development.
Kennedy was supposed to be fatefully, soul deep, in love with his best friend’s wife. But as soon as Row started taking on the role of his submissive, his feelings for her flew out the window. And she barely gets jealous when he talks about it? No. No woman, no matter how secure, is not going to be even just a smidge jealous in that situation.
The story is more smut than romance. And it’s damned fine smut. The D/s was written with care. The descriptions of Greece are beautiful and made me long to go visit. Overall, it was good, but not one I’m liable to recommend.
********************
Ratings: Movie NC17, overall 3/5, 2/5 romance, 4/5 violence, 4/5 spice. Cover 3/5.
June 27, 2020
I’ve had this book in my library for about a few months now but wasn’t quite sure about it. But honestly one of my favourite reads in a little while. I loved both characters from the get go and I know that’s weird especially seen Kennedy was hired to find and kidnap Rowena and her father for a mob boss. But Kennedy from super protective of Rowena but couldn’t figure out his feelings. Row was soooo smart and strong and not like most of the whinny weak heroines in most of these books. Really sexy and very confident in all aspects. Sex scenes were sexy as well. The book was well written and the climax flowed really well. Usually at some point I get frustrated with these books but Nicole Fox did a fabulous job and at no point did I want to pull my hair out of my head because it was very consist, flowed well and not drawn out.
January 13, 2025
Row and Kennedy
I wasn’t sure I’d finish this but after the first 50 pgs, it got better. It’s a fairly short read so everything happens fast. The villains are one dimensional, like cartoon characters. The pacing is fast. There’s adventure and intrigue. Rowena is smart and strong. These 2 have a dom/sub dynamic but it’s pretty mild compared to much darker books I’ve read. No 3rd act breakup, they are in it together all the way to their HEA. The ending kind of fizzled for me. The main villain was built up throughout the plot as being much worse than he actually turned out to be. Overall a quick read with a really simple plot.
I have to add that I didn’t like the names of the main characters. Not really main character makes to me. Just my particular preference. It’s one reason I almost didn’t finish.
I wasn’t sure I’d finish this but after the first 50 pgs, it got better. It’s a fairly short read so everything happens fast. The villains are one dimensional, like cartoon characters. The pacing is fast. There’s adventure and intrigue. Rowena is smart and strong. These 2 have a dom/sub dynamic but it’s pretty mild compared to much darker books I’ve read. No 3rd act breakup, they are in it together all the way to their HEA. The ending kind of fizzled for me. The main villain was built up throughout the plot as being much worse than he actually turned out to be. Overall a quick read with a really simple plot.
I have to add that I didn’t like the names of the main characters. Not really main character makes to me. Just my particular preference. It’s one reason I almost didn’t finish.
November 16, 2022
Fox has become one of my new favorite authors.
Anytime I read a book by her, I ALWAYS get wrapped up in the story. A lot of times, I will finish a book, I'm the type of person that reads all the way to the end, and I will get caught up in one of the books that's given as a preview at the end.
I had to stop myself from reading those cause I knew I would immediately download if I read it. LOL
This story was short but it was still a good read. I really like the heroine's character. She was smart and analyzed everything. This was more of a faced paced romance too, which I don't enjoy as much but still loved it. The smut was delicious.
I'm going to have to read all of Fox's books because I just love her work!
Anytime I read a book by her, I ALWAYS get wrapped up in the story. A lot of times, I will finish a book, I'm the type of person that reads all the way to the end, and I will get caught up in one of the books that's given as a preview at the end.
I had to stop myself from reading those cause I knew I would immediately download if I read it. LOL
This story was short but it was still a good read. I really like the heroine's character. She was smart and analyzed everything. This was more of a faced paced romance too, which I don't enjoy as much but still loved it. The smut was delicious.
I'm going to have to read all of Fox's books because I just love her work!
January 12, 2021
This is the one! I can connect with Rowena on a deeper level. I SWEAR TO GOD. When I read her POV, she’s just entirely me. Although I don’t feel the deep romantic feelings between both characters, like I’d usually feel when I read some other mafia-dark-suspense-romance stories. I think it’s because of how Row just sees the world with curiosity and clinical in such way that made her more sophisticated, more capable, and way smarter than the usual helpless girls that occurred in other mafia themed books. And that’s why because of how her character is written, I’ll gladly give this book a 5/5 stars!
November 6, 2023
DNF
I tried to read this book but there were inconsistencies that bugged me. Did she have dark green eyes or pale blue? Stuff like that. I was reading it as a freebie the author sent out, so the format was whacky and every time I opened it back up, it would start at the beginning of the book. That has nothing to do with the two stars, just an annoying fact😂 I wanted to finish it but only got to 35% and since I didn’t pay for it, I didn’t force myself to finish it.
I tried to read this book but there were inconsistencies that bugged me. Did she have dark green eyes or pale blue? Stuff like that. I was reading it as a freebie the author sent out, so the format was whacky and every time I opened it back up, it would start at the beginning of the book. That has nothing to do with the two stars, just an annoying fact😂 I wanted to finish it but only got to 35% and since I didn’t pay for it, I didn’t force myself to finish it.
January 6, 2019
This is a well written and all round entertaining mafia romance. Kennedy and Row have explosive chemistry between them, and this story is action packed, filled with drama and love. I was enthralled throughout, and look forward to reading more form this talented author, whose work I highly recommend for all.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy from the author.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy from the author.
April 10, 2020
I received a free copy of this book and am.giving an honest opinion.
I enjoyed this book and thought that these characters were fun. I liked how the h wasn't helpless and even though the H was very dominant, he still seemed to actually listen to the h.
There is quite a bit of sexy time and it is very rough.
I enjoyed this book and thought that these characters were fun. I liked how the h wasn't helpless and even though the H was very dominant, he still seemed to actually listen to the h.
There is quite a bit of sexy time and it is very rough.
January 27, 2019
Hit man love
Gotta love when a hit man finds love among the ruins of an ancient civilization. Not sure this was my favorite fairy tale but it did make for an informative learning and sexually hot read.
Gotta love when a hit man finds love among the ruins of an ancient civilization. Not sure this was my favorite fairy tale but it did make for an informative learning and sexually hot read.
February 23, 2019
This book has excitement, suspense, HOT SEXY situations with plenty of twists and turns. It has everything that anyone could ask for in this story!
I received this book as an ARC copy for a voluntarily honest review.
I received this book as an ARC copy for a voluntarily honest review.
January 18, 2025
I loved their relationship development and absolutely swoon over Kennedy with how possesive and 🌶 he is. However, I did find the ending to be a bit rushed. It's almost like the author gave up or didn't know what to do. There was certeinly a HEA, but it felt lacking.
January 7, 2019
A great Mafia romance which I enjoyed from beginning to the end it's well written great chemistry between them plenty of action. I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book.
October 26, 2019
I was pleasantly surprised with this story. Kennedy & Row are so good together. Lots of hot sex scenes & more romance than drama which worked with this one.
November 4, 2020
good fun read
August 14, 2021
It was really good I just wish we could have seen his friends with her and them meeting each other and got an epilogue
January 31, 2023
I enjoyed Row and Kennedy’s story. I found their relationship interesting from the start even though I think it started a bit too soon.
Definitely recommend this!
Definitely recommend this!
March 29, 2025
Omg lol I can’t even. It was a good story. Really fast paced which I expected. Sometimes I just be in the mood for this shit 😂😂
April 10, 2025
It was a nice quick read. Steamy, small character development and a nice story line.
August 3, 2025
I enjoyed the story from start to finish. The twist and turns, the chemistry between the two and His surprise when he realized he had feelings… I just didn’t like the pet name he gave her…but, that’s just me……it’s worth reading!!
December 27, 2021
Kennedy is a really interesting character. I loved reading about Row! Her career and her mind made her so interesting. I liked this a lot! Also really great spice.
November 21, 2024
Not one of her better ones. Very quick in storyline, others have a better one than this.
April 3, 2020
Me gusto mucho Row no es la típica heroína que secuestrada que no sabe que hacer. Sabe lo que quiere y no se avergüenza, analiza y no saca conclusiones rápidas. Kennedy también me encanto un ex asesino a sueldo que cambia de vida pero que no va llorando por los rincones arrepentido por lo que ya no puede cambiar.
Me encanta la química y conexión que hay entre los dos desde un primer momento.
Libro divertido, corto y dulce.
Me encanta la química y conexión que hay entre los dos desde un primer momento.
Libro divertido, corto y dulce.
December 30, 2019
Just like always, this book is awesome!! Nicole Fox is such an amazing writer and keeps you invested in the story from start to finish. This story has amazing chemistry between Kennedy and Row, lots of action, twists and turns and a whole lot of sexiness. You do not want to miss out on reading this book!!
I received an arc for an honest review.
I received an arc for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews