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Belluci Mafia #3
Corrupted Empire
We had a chance at paradise. Then I watched it all burn.
Lies. Secrets. Shadows. Blood.
My world is filled with these things. I thought I knew how to navigate them.
I was wrong.
And it’s about to cost me everything.
My empire is crumbling, because I made the same mistakes my father did.
But it’s not just riches I’m losing.
It’s also the only chance I ever had at happiness.
My woman… Our son…
They are the last things left that matter to me.
I’ll sacrifice everything to save them.
My only question is…
Will that be enough?
CORRUPTED EMPIRE is the third and final book in the Belluci Mafia trilogy. Gabriel and Alexis’s story concludes in this emotional, suspenseful mafia romance. Be sure to read Book One, CORRUPTED ANGEL, and Book Two, CORRUPTED QUEEN, before beginning this one!
Lies. Secrets. Shadows. Blood.
My world is filled with these things. I thought I knew how to navigate them.
I was wrong.
And it’s about to cost me everything.
My empire is crumbling, because I made the same mistakes my father did.
But it’s not just riches I’m losing.
It’s also the only chance I ever had at happiness.
My woman… Our son…
They are the last things left that matter to me.
I’ll sacrifice everything to save them.
My only question is…
Will that be enough?
CORRUPTED EMPIRE is the third and final book in the Belluci Mafia trilogy. Gabriel and Alexis’s story concludes in this emotional, suspenseful mafia romance. Be sure to read Book One, CORRUPTED ANGEL, and Book Two, CORRUPTED QUEEN, before beginning this one!
344 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 2, 2020
1447 people are currently reading
1085 people want to read
About the author
Nicole Fox
195 books4,824 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 - 30 of 200 reviews
May 12, 2021
1.5 stars
June 1, 2024
2.75/5 ⭐️
If F/MMC would communicate just in the slightest and stop throwing tantrums, this trilogy would’ve easily fit in one book.
A trilogy getting better in the second half of the last book is just wrong and for that the rating is generous.
If F/MMC would communicate just in the slightest and stop throwing tantrums, this trilogy would’ve easily fit in one book.
A trilogy getting better in the second half of the last book is just wrong and for that the rating is generous.
March 29, 2023
When they are on the same team this book became so much better.
October 29, 2022
❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋
Great finish for our Mafia romance
It’s all falling apart , but can the Don pull it all back before it’s his life on the line.
💋💋
Great finish for our Mafia romance
It’s all falling apart , but can the Don pull it all back before it’s his life on the line.
October 29, 2024
Book 2 was the best of the series for me. The one thing I did like about this Mafia book was that he wasn't always "winning the war". Female lead was immature at times, male lead was wishy-washy...but not a horrible series.
September 5, 2020
This is the 3rd and concluding part of this amazing trilogy as Gabriel and Alexis’ journey continues. Gabriel still believes that he has been betrayed by Alexis and they separate, leaving her alone, pregnant with their 2nd child, and bringing up Harry. Gabriel is determined to keep his distance from Alexis, but they are in constant danger, and his need to protect his family overrules his heart. Will these two be able to trust each other again? This is a well written flawless story which is an emotional roller coaster throughout, and is filled with intrigue, suspense, drama, twists, action, betrayal, vengeance, danger, secrets, mystery, distrust, and love which all leads to a riveting and steamy read. I was totally captivated throughout this addictive page turner, and I highly recommend for all readers.
November 9, 2020
Plenty of action with twists and turns. The main characters were interesting and they actually challenged each other rather than the female character giving up what makes her unique and just falls into bed with the hero. It wasn't written like most HEA but had some darkness in the plot. There is a lot of sex between them throughout the book, sometimes I skimmed those due to a bit of overkill. Don't always have to go overboard with the sex to have a good book with romance. I really enjoyed the book. I will have to get the others to see how everything started.
September 3, 2020
That's what I'm talking about when I recommend Nicole Fox as a Mafia Queen! An outstanding and very satisfying finale to this trilogy. And I am so thrilled that Alexis has been redeemed for me. I finally saw the fierce, trust worthy, non-compromising partner she could be to Gabriel. Finally, communication, trust and honesty made this a satisfying end!!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 8, 2020
This series was so much fun.
Our heroine kicks some major butt in this one, which is awesome and refreshing for this genre.
The author has no fear of killing off characters throughout the series, which doesn't change here, and this book keeps up the action and wraps all the major plot threads nicely.
Our heroine kicks some major butt in this one, which is awesome and refreshing for this genre.
The author has no fear of killing off characters throughout the series, which doesn't change here, and this book keeps up the action and wraps all the major plot threads nicely.
October 3, 2025
Tiger Queen
This was definitely the best book of the series! The storyline was great and the action was intense! The only thing that bothered me is that Alexis ( to me) is a curvy woman, at least in the pages and it doesn't reflect the book cover and that distracted me somewhat.
This was definitely the best book of the series! The storyline was great and the action was intense! The only thing that bothered me is that Alexis ( to me) is a curvy woman, at least in the pages and it doesn't reflect the book cover and that distracted me somewhat.
February 14, 2024
Good ending to the story, but was disappointed to see that the couple still kind of had communication issues. First, when Gabriel didn’t tell Alexis about her mom, and then when Alexis left the closet to go looking for her phone.
September 24, 2024
Muchas inconsistencias con el tiempo y pequeños puntos de la trama, escenas poco realistas, incluso para un romance de mafia y demasiada escritura para la cantidad de acción/trama que tuvo lugar.
May 27, 2025
soooo freaking good
October 30, 2021
“Purple heroin is a vile substance. Because the heroin is mixed with carfentanil, it’s both cheaper and deadlier than the pure variety. I hated every second that I was made to pump that poison into the city’s veins, but the Cartel had dirt on me, and I needed time to figure out how to extricate myself from their stone grip without going down too in the process.”
“The past month has been nothing but a shitstorm, and it feels like I’ve been battered on all sides. The Cartel have been closing in on my territory with their Irish allies, and the police are a hair’s breadth away from making a discovery that could bring me down for good. To top it all off, I’ve got a baby on the way—and the woman carrying that child is the very person who betrayed me and sent me hurtling into this shitstorm in the first place.”
“So, though I watch Alexis for a long time, I keep my distance. And I will continue keeping my distance. She is beautiful but deadly, like foxglove, with its pink, bell-shaped flowers and the heart-stopping poison hidden within them.”
“I kept Gabriel’s name and the Italian Mafia out of it as much as I could. Since Debbie is aware of Gabriel’s mob connections—having been threatened and blackmailed by his former Irish rival Andrew Walsh—she knows exactly what I did and why.”
“Gabriel doesn’t want to speak to me, so maybe I should just leave it at that. We will live our separate lives, and he can continue watching from a distance.
And me? I guess I’ll continue loving him from a distance”
“None of them are answering their phones. And Alexis and Harry aren’t at the apartment.”
Carlos’ threat rings through my ears.
Your whole world is about to come crashing down at your feet.
I shake my head. “Find them. Now.” I turn and storm toward my office, resisting the urge to dash out the front door and find them myself.”
“As requested, Silvano calls me in less than half an hour to update me on Alexis’ whereabouts. “She’s safe,” he says. “Angelo and the others have her, and they’re bringing her back to the apartment now. Angelo says there were two members of the Cartel trying to subdue her when they found her. He had to let them go so they could prioritize getting Harry and Alexis away safely.”
“with the whiskey meandering through my veins, I’m feeling uncharacteristically chatty.
“There’s not much to talk about, Tracey.” I shrug. “I love a woman who did something unforgivable, and now there’s no going back.”
“Watching Alexis on the camera has become a guilty pleasure of mine, verging on addiction. With less work to do on a daily basis, I have more time to fill. And Alexis is just begging to be watched. She has started speaking to the cameras on a regular basis, like her life confined to the apartment is a reality show with an audience of one.
But she’s not really speaking to the cameras. She’s speaking to me.”
“There’s no guarantee she will be there,” Silvano says carefully. “This could be a trap.”
“It’s definitely a trap,” I snap. “But if there is a chance that we can rescue Clara, we need to take it.”
“I grit my teeth. “You’re leading the Cartel?”
Felicity laughs, an airy sound that seems so out of place in this den of horrors. “Don’t look so surprised, darling. You knew I was ambitious.” She cocks the gun. “I did have my sights on the Italian Mafia, but some little shit got in my way and took it for himself.”
“I wonder what ‘truth’ Felicity thinks she can use to destroy me. And why me? Why not Gabriel?”
“I don’t know when or if I’ll get to speak to Gabriel again, but at least I’ve learned one thing from the conversation. He doesn’t hate me. If he truly hated me, he wouldn’t have given in. He wouldn’t have talked to me in the first place.
I hand the phone back to Angelo, feeling a little lighter than I did before. Gabriel doesn’t hate me. And if Gabriel doesn’t hate me, we might actually be able to mend the fissure keeping us apart.”
“I don’t know why Felicity’s reveal has rattled me so much. There is something incredibly disturbing about having my father’s former lover come back into my life, years after she nearly brought my father’s empire to ruin.”
“I wanted us to be a family so badly. It seemed like you wanted it too, but was that ever real? Did you really care for me like you seemed to, or were you just playing the game? It hurts so much to know that I was played a fool, but if I could go back in time, I can’t see myself doing anything differently. That’s the effect you have on me, Alexis. I would walk headfirst into my betrayal time and time again if it meant I got back those fleeting, perfect days.”
“I can’t stop thinking about Alexis,” I say with a defeated sigh. “I have so many other things to worry about, and yet I can’t get the damn woman out of my head.”
“Of course you can’t,” Silvano says simply. “You love her.”
“I just think it all seems a bit much, Gabriel,” he says. “What are you going to do if she fails?”
“Then I will know that I was right to push her out of my life,” I reply. “And that is where she will stay.”
“And if she passes? You’re just going to trust her again?” he asks quizzically. “Gabriel, the way I see it, you either trust this girl and love her, or you don’t. If you give her opportunities to disappoint you on a silver platter, you’re going to end up disappointed.”
“I keep my eyes glued to the screen, waiting for the smallest indication that Alexis is thinking about the documents in my unlocked desk drawer.”
“Only, Alexis doesn’t open the drawer. The most she does is pick up the round glass paperweight from my desk and start tossing it into the air. At one point she drops it and has to chase it across the room, but then she hurriedly sets it back on the desk and sits down again.”
“That’s because I don’t know what to tell her. Can we be a family? No. I still can’t trust her. I can’t let myself feel for her. The concept of a family entails unconditional love, and I cannot offer that to Alexis when she could just as easily use it against me.”
“I do need a partner, but I’m a criminal, Alexis,” I say. “I always have been, and I always will be. I have killed more people than I can count. I will never know if all of them deserved it. Can you accept that?”
When I first met Alexis, she made no bones about how it was her sole desire to bring good into the world. Being with me would tarnish that, even if she will control the charities.
Alexis’ mouth curves just a fraction at the edges, and she gives a short nod. “Yes.”
The word sits heavy on the table in front of us. Yes.
She is finally giving into me. Completely. Her submission tastes so sweet on my tongue that I suddenly lose all desire for dessert. Desire floods my senses, and I catch her gaze across the table.”
“I could be making a mistake, but from where I’m standing, taking on Alexis as my partner in life and in business might just be the best fucking decision I’ve ever made.”
“It’s our world now,” she snaps. “And I do understand. I’ve been following the Cartel’s atrocities for months now, and nothing you do could be worse than those monsters. As far as I’m concerned, violence is the only language they understand, and thus the only one we should be speaking with them.”
“Listen, bitch,” I snarl. “I don’t know who the fuck you think you are, but you might want to think for a second about who I am. What I can do. You ought to be careful what you say around me if you want to avoid any trouble.”
I freeze, horrified at what I’ve just said, but it’s too late.
Ruby smiles knowingly. “It’s been nice talking to you, Alexis.”
“You’ll die on the front lines,” he mutters. “Or be captured. Or arrested.”
“Then that will be my fate.” I glare at him. “My father gave orders from behind a silver screen, and because of that, he lost sight of the suffering and the lives of his men. He viewed his own men and his enemies as chess pieces, not as humans. I will not make that same mistake.”
“It’s not an ambush,” I breathe. “It’s a sting.” Then I yell to David, “Get us out of here!”
“Was that okay?” I ask. “Did you—did you not have a problem lying to the police?”
Alexis pulls my hand over and places it on her belly, pressing down. Her baby bump is barely visible, but I can feel the firmness of it.
“When it comes to our family, I’ll do anything,” she says.”
“This is my home, Gabriel. You are my home. I don’t believe that I could be any safer than I am here, and as long as here is where you are, then it’s where I am too.”
“I love you, Gabriel,” she whispers.
The words are more delectable than chocolate. I didn’t realize how much I’d wanted to hear them until they danced from her lips.
“I love you too,” I whisper back.”
“You have to know,” he says. There is a wildness in his eyes now. “The reason Felicity has been targeting you…The reason she sent you those strange texts…” Gabriel forces the next few words out, even though it looks like they burn as they cross his tongue. “Felicity Huffman is your mother.”
“The sound of muffled shouts and gunfire permeates the ballroom. My hands tighten on Alexis as adrenaline shoots through my veins like liquid fire.
We are under attack.”
“I don’t give him the chance. I aim. I fire.
Turtleneck falls back onto the floor, blood pooling around his torso from the two gunshot wounds in his belly. There is an expression of genuine surprise on his face. That irks me.
“Did you think you could lay hands on the Bellucci Mafia queen and get away with it?” I ask.”
“You were never my mother, bitch,” Alexis snaps. Then she pulls the trigger.
The bullet hits Felicity in the chest, and she collapses.”
“Gabriel’s eyelids flutter. I can tell that he’s working hard to stay awake. When he speaks next, his words have taken on a slurred edge. “Alexis’ word is to be taken as law, especially given that I don’t know how long I will be laid up. She has my full trust, and if anyone has a problem with that, they must speak to me directly. Understood?”
“Gabriel tips my chin back toward him. “I love you so much more than I ever thought I could love anyone,” he says in a gravelly voice. Will you marry me?”
“The past month has been nothing but a shitstorm, and it feels like I’ve been battered on all sides. The Cartel have been closing in on my territory with their Irish allies, and the police are a hair’s breadth away from making a discovery that could bring me down for good. To top it all off, I’ve got a baby on the way—and the woman carrying that child is the very person who betrayed me and sent me hurtling into this shitstorm in the first place.”
“So, though I watch Alexis for a long time, I keep my distance. And I will continue keeping my distance. She is beautiful but deadly, like foxglove, with its pink, bell-shaped flowers and the heart-stopping poison hidden within them.”
“I kept Gabriel’s name and the Italian Mafia out of it as much as I could. Since Debbie is aware of Gabriel’s mob connections—having been threatened and blackmailed by his former Irish rival Andrew Walsh—she knows exactly what I did and why.”
“Gabriel doesn’t want to speak to me, so maybe I should just leave it at that. We will live our separate lives, and he can continue watching from a distance.
And me? I guess I’ll continue loving him from a distance”
“None of them are answering their phones. And Alexis and Harry aren’t at the apartment.”
Carlos’ threat rings through my ears.
Your whole world is about to come crashing down at your feet.
I shake my head. “Find them. Now.” I turn and storm toward my office, resisting the urge to dash out the front door and find them myself.”
“As requested, Silvano calls me in less than half an hour to update me on Alexis’ whereabouts. “She’s safe,” he says. “Angelo and the others have her, and they’re bringing her back to the apartment now. Angelo says there were two members of the Cartel trying to subdue her when they found her. He had to let them go so they could prioritize getting Harry and Alexis away safely.”
“with the whiskey meandering through my veins, I’m feeling uncharacteristically chatty.
“There’s not much to talk about, Tracey.” I shrug. “I love a woman who did something unforgivable, and now there’s no going back.”
“Watching Alexis on the camera has become a guilty pleasure of mine, verging on addiction. With less work to do on a daily basis, I have more time to fill. And Alexis is just begging to be watched. She has started speaking to the cameras on a regular basis, like her life confined to the apartment is a reality show with an audience of one.
But she’s not really speaking to the cameras. She’s speaking to me.”
“There’s no guarantee she will be there,” Silvano says carefully. “This could be a trap.”
“It’s definitely a trap,” I snap. “But if there is a chance that we can rescue Clara, we need to take it.”
“I grit my teeth. “You’re leading the Cartel?”
Felicity laughs, an airy sound that seems so out of place in this den of horrors. “Don’t look so surprised, darling. You knew I was ambitious.” She cocks the gun. “I did have my sights on the Italian Mafia, but some little shit got in my way and took it for himself.”
“I wonder what ‘truth’ Felicity thinks she can use to destroy me. And why me? Why not Gabriel?”
“I don’t know when or if I’ll get to speak to Gabriel again, but at least I’ve learned one thing from the conversation. He doesn’t hate me. If he truly hated me, he wouldn’t have given in. He wouldn’t have talked to me in the first place.
I hand the phone back to Angelo, feeling a little lighter than I did before. Gabriel doesn’t hate me. And if Gabriel doesn’t hate me, we might actually be able to mend the fissure keeping us apart.”
“I don’t know why Felicity’s reveal has rattled me so much. There is something incredibly disturbing about having my father’s former lover come back into my life, years after she nearly brought my father’s empire to ruin.”
“I wanted us to be a family so badly. It seemed like you wanted it too, but was that ever real? Did you really care for me like you seemed to, or were you just playing the game? It hurts so much to know that I was played a fool, but if I could go back in time, I can’t see myself doing anything differently. That’s the effect you have on me, Alexis. I would walk headfirst into my betrayal time and time again if it meant I got back those fleeting, perfect days.”
“I can’t stop thinking about Alexis,” I say with a defeated sigh. “I have so many other things to worry about, and yet I can’t get the damn woman out of my head.”
“Of course you can’t,” Silvano says simply. “You love her.”
“I just think it all seems a bit much, Gabriel,” he says. “What are you going to do if she fails?”
“Then I will know that I was right to push her out of my life,” I reply. “And that is where she will stay.”
“And if she passes? You’re just going to trust her again?” he asks quizzically. “Gabriel, the way I see it, you either trust this girl and love her, or you don’t. If you give her opportunities to disappoint you on a silver platter, you’re going to end up disappointed.”
“I keep my eyes glued to the screen, waiting for the smallest indication that Alexis is thinking about the documents in my unlocked desk drawer.”
“Only, Alexis doesn’t open the drawer. The most she does is pick up the round glass paperweight from my desk and start tossing it into the air. At one point she drops it and has to chase it across the room, but then she hurriedly sets it back on the desk and sits down again.”
“That’s because I don’t know what to tell her. Can we be a family? No. I still can’t trust her. I can’t let myself feel for her. The concept of a family entails unconditional love, and I cannot offer that to Alexis when she could just as easily use it against me.”
“I do need a partner, but I’m a criminal, Alexis,” I say. “I always have been, and I always will be. I have killed more people than I can count. I will never know if all of them deserved it. Can you accept that?”
When I first met Alexis, she made no bones about how it was her sole desire to bring good into the world. Being with me would tarnish that, even if she will control the charities.
Alexis’ mouth curves just a fraction at the edges, and she gives a short nod. “Yes.”
The word sits heavy on the table in front of us. Yes.
She is finally giving into me. Completely. Her submission tastes so sweet on my tongue that I suddenly lose all desire for dessert. Desire floods my senses, and I catch her gaze across the table.”
“I could be making a mistake, but from where I’m standing, taking on Alexis as my partner in life and in business might just be the best fucking decision I’ve ever made.”
“It’s our world now,” she snaps. “And I do understand. I’ve been following the Cartel’s atrocities for months now, and nothing you do could be worse than those monsters. As far as I’m concerned, violence is the only language they understand, and thus the only one we should be speaking with them.”
“Listen, bitch,” I snarl. “I don’t know who the fuck you think you are, but you might want to think for a second about who I am. What I can do. You ought to be careful what you say around me if you want to avoid any trouble.”
I freeze, horrified at what I’ve just said, but it’s too late.
Ruby smiles knowingly. “It’s been nice talking to you, Alexis.”
“You’ll die on the front lines,” he mutters. “Or be captured. Or arrested.”
“Then that will be my fate.” I glare at him. “My father gave orders from behind a silver screen, and because of that, he lost sight of the suffering and the lives of his men. He viewed his own men and his enemies as chess pieces, not as humans. I will not make that same mistake.”
“It’s not an ambush,” I breathe. “It’s a sting.” Then I yell to David, “Get us out of here!”
“Was that okay?” I ask. “Did you—did you not have a problem lying to the police?”
Alexis pulls my hand over and places it on her belly, pressing down. Her baby bump is barely visible, but I can feel the firmness of it.
“When it comes to our family, I’ll do anything,” she says.”
“This is my home, Gabriel. You are my home. I don’t believe that I could be any safer than I am here, and as long as here is where you are, then it’s where I am too.”
“I love you, Gabriel,” she whispers.
The words are more delectable than chocolate. I didn’t realize how much I’d wanted to hear them until they danced from her lips.
“I love you too,” I whisper back.”
“You have to know,” he says. There is a wildness in his eyes now. “The reason Felicity has been targeting you…The reason she sent you those strange texts…” Gabriel forces the next few words out, even though it looks like they burn as they cross his tongue. “Felicity Huffman is your mother.”
“The sound of muffled shouts and gunfire permeates the ballroom. My hands tighten on Alexis as adrenaline shoots through my veins like liquid fire.
We are under attack.”
“I don’t give him the chance. I aim. I fire.
Turtleneck falls back onto the floor, blood pooling around his torso from the two gunshot wounds in his belly. There is an expression of genuine surprise on his face. That irks me.
“Did you think you could lay hands on the Bellucci Mafia queen and get away with it?” I ask.”
“You were never my mother, bitch,” Alexis snaps. Then she pulls the trigger.
The bullet hits Felicity in the chest, and she collapses.”
“Gabriel’s eyelids flutter. I can tell that he’s working hard to stay awake. When he speaks next, his words have taken on a slurred edge. “Alexis’ word is to be taken as law, especially given that I don’t know how long I will be laid up. She has my full trust, and if anyone has a problem with that, they must speak to me directly. Understood?”
“Gabriel tips my chin back toward him. “I love you so much more than I ever thought I could love anyone,” he says in a gravelly voice. Will you marry me?”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 20, 2020
This was the best book in the trilogy. In the first book, Gabriel got on my nerves, in the second one, Alexis got on my nerves. In this one, neither of them did. Finally, they were communicating and trusting one another. Although both still acted before thinking things through, in Corrupted Empire Gabriel and Alexis were actually acting like adults. They put their pettiness aside and worked with each other and finally become the power couple I knew they could be. I liked that we actually saw Alexis using her intelligence, her background in journalism and her connections to do some good. I like that she became a badass boss bitch. I like that Gabriel finally learned that people are going to fuck up and sometimes may let you down but that shouldn't be a reason to give up on them completely.
The action and surprises kept me on my toes and the romance was great. I'm quite happy with how everything turned out especially since I had my doubts after the 1st book in the series.
The action and surprises kept me on my toes and the romance was great. I'm quite happy with how everything turned out especially since I had my doubts after the 1st book in the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 28, 2024
FMC is a doormat. Irritated I believed some reviews calling her strong. The amount of bs she accepted from the MMC is a joke. And he expected her to grovel (well she does, lustfully & with little prodding).
I read a lot of mafia & dark romance & I get the dynamics between the FMC & the MMC are gonna be rough & volatile. But fmc doesn’t have to be a doormat. And the blurbs are misleading cuz the mmc has zero remorse & doesn’t have to work for anything in their relationship. He is cold & shameless throughout the entire trilogy.
I like this author but I’ve read a few of her books & can’t get over the fmc having no backbone.
Doesn’t feel like romance or angst when it’s a weak female character accepting the guy’s bs & calling it love. How? It’s abuse. Come on, I’ve read so many books with abuse but at least there’s some eventually revolution where the wrong partner realizes there
F-ups & works to fix it. Not that abuse is ever okay, but it’s mafia & dark (semi); It’s not non-fiction. No delusions of what it is.
Ugh! My hormones can’t take this weak chick crap! There’s too much of the passive chick crap all across the romance genre.
Only good thing in this trio is there’s no real owd/omd.
The writing is good, but the depth of characters is sadly a HUGE let down.
And I don’t usually write reviews cuz I get too wordy & overthink everything (can barely send texts & emails for same reason lol 🤪)
I read a lot of mafia & dark romance & I get the dynamics between the FMC & the MMC are gonna be rough & volatile. But fmc doesn’t have to be a doormat. And the blurbs are misleading cuz the mmc has zero remorse & doesn’t have to work for anything in their relationship. He is cold & shameless throughout the entire trilogy.
I like this author but I’ve read a few of her books & can’t get over the fmc having no backbone.
Doesn’t feel like romance or angst when it’s a weak female character accepting the guy’s bs & calling it love. How? It’s abuse. Come on, I’ve read so many books with abuse but at least there’s some eventually revolution where the wrong partner realizes there
F-ups & works to fix it. Not that abuse is ever okay, but it’s mafia & dark (semi); It’s not non-fiction. No delusions of what it is.
Ugh! My hormones can’t take this weak chick crap! There’s too much of the passive chick crap all across the romance genre.
Only good thing in this trio is there’s no real owd/omd.
The writing is good, but the depth of characters is sadly a HUGE let down.
And I don’t usually write reviews cuz I get too wordy & overthink everything (can barely send texts & emails for same reason lol 🤪)
January 11, 2021
This is the final book of this series and what a rollercoaster. I’m rating a 3 starts because this series was actually far from realistic and Alexis annoyed me like no other character. It was a constant back and forth between both MC’s and while Gabriel had his issues, Alexis was constantly back and forth and their relationship gave me whiplash. She wants to betray him (and she does) then wants to be a United front after? She felt very Anastasia Steele to me. Not really knowing what she wants. Once she gets it, she doesn’t really want it anymore. I’ve never disliked an MC more. However, if you’re into witty and passive aggressive female MC this would be the book for you.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 22, 2021
DNF'd at 50%. I just couldn't take any more of Alexis. In the previous book she was a deceitful disloyal sneak. In this one she's a conniving wretch manipulating her way back into Gabriel's bed:
"I want to see you"
"where Harry goes, I go"
"you won't even look at me?"
"have you forgotten that we have another child on the way?"
"I want us to be a family again"
And after being a goody-two-shoes snitch--- she's now trying to come off as a badass mafia queen, getting up in Felicity's face publicly, at a charity event. Soooo done with this broad.
"I want to see you"
"where Harry goes, I go"
"you won't even look at me?"
"have you forgotten that we have another child on the way?"
"I want us to be a family again"
And after being a goody-two-shoes snitch--- she's now trying to come off as a badass mafia queen, getting up in Felicity's face publicly, at a charity event. Soooo done with this broad.
September 1, 2020
The third and final book in this wonderful trilogy!!
Just when I thought that things could not possibly get any better this third book in trilogy just blows that thought right out the window. Alexis and Gabriel are still at loggerheads and since her supposed betrayal they have been living separately.
Pregnant with their second child Alexis has been raising Harry and continuing to be under constant threat from Gabriel’s enemies who at present are the Irish who are still determined to see them all at least buried three feet under with a bullet to the head.
Harry is still high on the Walsh’s target as he is next in line to Gabriel as his only son and heir and having already been kidnapped Alexis and Gabriel ensure that his security is covered at all times, he is such a happy and mischievous two year old little boy and he has been missing hi Daddy.
Without wanting to give away any surprises a blast from the past makes herself felt by Gabriel and Alexis and it soon becomes apparent that she is far more involved in both of their lives that they could ever have envisioned, she is cold and calculating an extremely clever and when the truth of her identity and her intention becomes known it is a totally unexpected and brilliantly planned storyline.
This is something that author Nicole Fox excels at wonderful characters and original, captivating storylines that keep you guessing right to that vey las word on the very final page in this wonderful trilogy…..
I voluntarily received and review an Advanced Reader Copy
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and look forward to reading any future publications; keep up all the great writing.
Just when I thought that things could not possibly get any better this third book in trilogy just blows that thought right out the window. Alexis and Gabriel are still at loggerheads and since her supposed betrayal they have been living separately.
Pregnant with their second child Alexis has been raising Harry and continuing to be under constant threat from Gabriel’s enemies who at present are the Irish who are still determined to see them all at least buried three feet under with a bullet to the head.
Harry is still high on the Walsh’s target as he is next in line to Gabriel as his only son and heir and having already been kidnapped Alexis and Gabriel ensure that his security is covered at all times, he is such a happy and mischievous two year old little boy and he has been missing hi Daddy.
Without wanting to give away any surprises a blast from the past makes herself felt by Gabriel and Alexis and it soon becomes apparent that she is far more involved in both of their lives that they could ever have envisioned, she is cold and calculating an extremely clever and when the truth of her identity and her intention becomes known it is a totally unexpected and brilliantly planned storyline.
This is something that author Nicole Fox excels at wonderful characters and original, captivating storylines that keep you guessing right to that vey las word on the very final page in this wonderful trilogy…..
I voluntarily received and review an Advanced Reader Copy
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and look forward to reading any future publications; keep up all the great writing.
September 9, 2020
** spoiler alert ** This is the final book of the trilogy. Amazing writing, a page turner riddled with suspense, shootings, betrayals, kidnapping, secrets and lies. This book will draw you in and keep you on the edge of your seat until the well deserved HEA. In this book Gabriel is still avoiding Alexis because she betrayed him by writing the story and as much as he tries to avoid her, he can't stop looking at the camera's or getting updates from her guards. Alexis starts talking to Gabriel through the camera's and tells him she does not regret nor will she apologize for writing about the purple heroine that is killing people, but she also points out that she did not mention him in the article even though she had enough evidence and that he carried some blame as well since he never confided his reasons for involvement. It was amusing to read about Gabriel setting up Alexis in his office, waiting for her to steal information. It took him a while to realize he was as much to blame for the situation as Alexis and that he is not perfect.
When Alexis's best friend is kidnapped, she begs Gabriel to help and that kidnapping leads to a trap and Gabriel's discovery who is running the cartel. Turns out that Alexis had closer connections to this leader, than anyone knew. I cheered when Gabriel and Alexis teamed up and became an united front against the cartel and they started trusting each other. Loved the epilogues - great and well deserved HEA
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
When Alexis's best friend is kidnapped, she begs Gabriel to help and that kidnapping leads to a trap and Gabriel's discovery who is running the cartel. Turns out that Alexis had closer connections to this leader, than anyone knew. I cheered when Gabriel and Alexis teamed up and became an united front against the cartel and they started trusting each other. Loved the epilogues - great and well deserved HEA
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 18, 2020
5 STARS is not nearly enough for this book !!!!! LOVED IT !!!
ARC received from Booksprout and author - opinions expressed are my own and have not been influenced in any way.
Nicole Fox has written an unbelievably awesome series - Corrupted Empire is Book #3 - I highly suggest reading Book #1 Corrupted Angel and Book #2 Corrupted Queen. This is one of the BEST series I have read this year.
Book 3 picks up with Alexis and Gabriel living apart due to the trust that has broken between the two. Alexis and their young son Harry ( although protected and watched by Gabriel’s best surveillance team ) haven’t seen or spoken to Gabriel in over a month. Alexis’s best friend Clara is kidnapped and in danger - Alexis reaches out and pleads with Gabriel to help find her. This begins the process of them healing and finding their way back to each other. Alexis decides she is all in and that means showing Gabriel she is completely trustworthy when it comes to his business and their family.
All the loose ends are tied up in Corrupted Empire - it is my favorite in the series. I can’t wait to check out other work by this author. Ms Fox knows how to write strong female characters - I loved the growth Alexis displays through out the series.
Unbelievable HEA with a couple committed to each other and really having each other’s backs!!
My heart melted at the epilogue and reading The End of this amazing book !!
Highly recommend this book , series and author !!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
ARC received from Booksprout and author - opinions expressed are my own and have not been influenced in any way.
Nicole Fox has written an unbelievably awesome series - Corrupted Empire is Book #3 - I highly suggest reading Book #1 Corrupted Angel and Book #2 Corrupted Queen. This is one of the BEST series I have read this year.
Book 3 picks up with Alexis and Gabriel living apart due to the trust that has broken between the two. Alexis and their young son Harry ( although protected and watched by Gabriel’s best surveillance team ) haven’t seen or spoken to Gabriel in over a month. Alexis’s best friend Clara is kidnapped and in danger - Alexis reaches out and pleads with Gabriel to help find her. This begins the process of them healing and finding their way back to each other. Alexis decides she is all in and that means showing Gabriel she is completely trustworthy when it comes to his business and their family.
All the loose ends are tied up in Corrupted Empire - it is my favorite in the series. I can’t wait to check out other work by this author. Ms Fox knows how to write strong female characters - I loved the growth Alexis displays through out the series.
Unbelievable HEA with a couple committed to each other and really having each other’s backs!!
My heart melted at the epilogue and reading The End of this amazing book !!
Highly recommend this book , series and author !!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 6, 2020
This story contained unexpected twists before a dramatic conclusion.
by sewsummore
This book is the final book in the Belluci Nafia Trilogy, and what a dramatic conclusion it proved to be. Having vanquished the Cartel and the Irish mob, cleared the streets of the "Purple Heroin, Alexis and Gabriel finally marry and as they say the rest is history. I prefered this book out of the three books in the trilogy. Alexis made a fitting Mafia Queen who never lost sight of her humanity, she had not wanted that life but it was something she had to accept, or walk away from Gabriel , and that was something she could never do. She had to prove herself before Gabriel could begin to forgive her for her treachery. When Alexis made her decision to become part of the mafia, she never backed down from the difficult decisions that would have to be made. It was the change in Alexis's perceptions and how she dealt with those changes within herself that made me admired her. Gabriel had his part to play in this book, he could not walk away from his Alexis with waking away from his son. All the time they were apart, he fought his attraction to Alexis, but in the end he could not walk away from what was mean't to be. I loved reading this book with all the unxpected twists and drama it produced as the story unfolded to the end.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
by sewsummore
This book is the final book in the Belluci Nafia Trilogy, and what a dramatic conclusion it proved to be. Having vanquished the Cartel and the Irish mob, cleared the streets of the "Purple Heroin, Alexis and Gabriel finally marry and as they say the rest is history. I prefered this book out of the three books in the trilogy. Alexis made a fitting Mafia Queen who never lost sight of her humanity, she had not wanted that life but it was something she had to accept, or walk away from Gabriel , and that was something she could never do. She had to prove herself before Gabriel could begin to forgive her for her treachery. When Alexis made her decision to become part of the mafia, she never backed down from the difficult decisions that would have to be made. It was the change in Alexis's perceptions and how she dealt with those changes within herself that made me admired her. Gabriel had his part to play in this book, he could not walk away from his Alexis with waking away from his son. All the time they were apart, he fought his attraction to Alexis, but in the end he could not walk away from what was mean't to be. I loved reading this book with all the unxpected twists and drama it produced as the story unfolded to the end.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
September 5, 2020
3.5 stars
She is a journalist and he is a mafia boss. They have an insta connection. They have a history and don’t know it. The sex scenes in all 3 books were really hot. The characters were awesome and Nicole really brought a connection with them. There was one thing that really ruined things for me though; a timing issue. It really shouldn’t be a big deal, but to me it is. If you have not read the last 2 books in the series, don’t read this any further in the review......at the end of book 2, she gets pregnant and is banished to an apartment while he doesn’t speak to her. She mentions that she has been there for 2 months. When she goes to the doctor, the doctor says she is 7 weeks pregnant. How does that work? Then, she drinks wine at dinner. Though throughout the rest she drinks no alcohol beverages. It is a pet peeve of mine and my mind was searching for those details throughout the rest of the book. I also wished the characters got together sooner. The drama got a bit much eventually. I do recommend though. It was well written other than that. Both characters were super strong and I liked them. I binged all 3 books and Nicole put them out so close together so I didn’t have to wait too long, which I liked. I get frustrated when I am left on a cliffhanger and have to so long I lose interest.
She is a journalist and he is a mafia boss. They have an insta connection. They have a history and don’t know it. The sex scenes in all 3 books were really hot. The characters were awesome and Nicole really brought a connection with them. There was one thing that really ruined things for me though; a timing issue. It really shouldn’t be a big deal, but to me it is. If you have not read the last 2 books in the series, don’t read this any further in the review......at the end of book 2, she gets pregnant and is banished to an apartment while he doesn’t speak to her. She mentions that she has been there for 2 months. When she goes to the doctor, the doctor says she is 7 weeks pregnant. How does that work? Then, she drinks wine at dinner. Though throughout the rest she drinks no alcohol beverages. It is a pet peeve of mine and my mind was searching for those details throughout the rest of the book. I also wished the characters got together sooner. The drama got a bit much eventually. I do recommend though. It was well written other than that. Both characters were super strong and I liked them. I binged all 3 books and Nicole put them out so close together so I didn’t have to wait too long, which I liked. I get frustrated when I am left on a cliffhanger and have to so long I lose interest.
September 16, 2020
Ok, this review is for all 3 books in this trilogy. The books are all a single blur for me, but I promise no spoilers.
What a ride! Admittedly, the book starts off kinda good, then seems to slow down for me. When Alexis and Gabriel meet in a club, the sparks are definitely there. Alexis, not knowing that Gabriel is heir to a powerful and deadly Mafia family. They have one night of amazingness, and the next time Alexis sees him is two years later when she's interviewing him for a story. Since Alexis didn't know Gabriel's true identity, she didn't realize that the billionaire business man she's interviewing is the man from that one night stand--and the father of her son.
This series was full of action, twists and turns, lots of violence (it's a Mafia story, so no shocker there). But there's a love story in there, too. As Alexis and Gabriel co-parent, they begin to see each other deeper than their outside personas. Gabriel is a wonderful father, and Alexis isn't afraid of who he is. There are certain conflicts in their respective professions, and as much as Gabriel wants to mold Alexis into something she's not, he's very impressed with her strong will. This was a complicated story with some very simple aspects that give it humanity and humility. I truly enjoyed this story.
What a ride! Admittedly, the book starts off kinda good, then seems to slow down for me. When Alexis and Gabriel meet in a club, the sparks are definitely there. Alexis, not knowing that Gabriel is heir to a powerful and deadly Mafia family. They have one night of amazingness, and the next time Alexis sees him is two years later when she's interviewing him for a story. Since Alexis didn't know Gabriel's true identity, she didn't realize that the billionaire business man she's interviewing is the man from that one night stand--and the father of her son.
This series was full of action, twists and turns, lots of violence (it's a Mafia story, so no shocker there). But there's a love story in there, too. As Alexis and Gabriel co-parent, they begin to see each other deeper than their outside personas. Gabriel is a wonderful father, and Alexis isn't afraid of who he is. There are certain conflicts in their respective professions, and as much as Gabriel wants to mold Alexis into something she's not, he's very impressed with her strong will. This was a complicated story with some very simple aspects that give it humanity and humility. I truly enjoyed this story.
September 3, 2020
This is a fantastic conclusion to the incredible “Belluci” mafia trilogy & I thoroughly enjoyed reading each book in it. The plot is well-paced & filled with intrigue & suspense. There is good world building with excellent scene descriptions. The characters are quite unique, strong-willed individuals with a determination to succeed at any cost but one of them (Gabriel Belluci) later discovers that success does not always mean love & happiness then circumstances forces his wife (Alexis) & their son (Harry) to move back into the mansion & there may be a second-chance for them until a unwanted blast from the past appears.
There is: Bulluci mafia, the Cartel, Irish Mafia, rivalry, deadly drugs, law enforcement, friendship, adventure, action, twists & turns, family issues, drama, intrigue, secrets, mystery, deceit, betrayal, trust issues, protectiveness, danger, threats, confrontations, vengeance, attacks, conflict, violence, brutality, death, injuries, attempted manipulations, distrust, defiance, discovery, compromises, contentment, love, steamy scenes & two excellent well-deserved satisfying epilogues. I would recommend this highly intriguing, romantic mafia trilogy to people who enjoy reading this genre.
There is: Bulluci mafia, the Cartel, Irish Mafia, rivalry, deadly drugs, law enforcement, friendship, adventure, action, twists & turns, family issues, drama, intrigue, secrets, mystery, deceit, betrayal, trust issues, protectiveness, danger, threats, confrontations, vengeance, attacks, conflict, violence, brutality, death, injuries, attempted manipulations, distrust, defiance, discovery, compromises, contentment, love, steamy scenes & two excellent well-deserved satisfying epilogues. I would recommend this highly intriguing, romantic mafia trilogy to people who enjoy reading this genre.
September 3, 2020
My fave part well one of
She did this to me. I try to make myself hate her every day, and some days I even think I do. Today is not one of those days. Antonio pulls up across the street from their apartment. I look up to see the window to Alexis’ bedroom is lit up, golden light framing her head and shoulders in side profile. She is brushing her shoulder-length brown waves, probably getting ready to go to bed. She looks beautiful. She always does. She looked beautiful early in the morning, her eyelids heavy with sleep. She looked beautiful when she snapped at me, even as her words burned my skin. She looked beautiful with her hair splayed over my pillow, her naked body laid out below me like the most indulgent buffet. Alexis never struggled with beauty. Loyalty, on the other hand? She sold me out the first chance she got, probably making a shiny mint for herself in the process. Not that I should have been surprised—only a couple months prior to that, she’d made a run for it with our child. So, though I watch Alexis for a long time, I keep my distance. And I will continue keeping my distance. She is beautiful but deadly, like foxglove, with its pink, bell-shaped flowers and the heart-stopping poison hidden within them.
She did this to me. I try to make myself hate her every day, and some days I even think I do. Today is not one of those days. Antonio pulls up across the street from their apartment. I look up to see the window to Alexis’ bedroom is lit up, golden light framing her head and shoulders in side profile. She is brushing her shoulder-length brown waves, probably getting ready to go to bed. She looks beautiful. She always does. She looked beautiful early in the morning, her eyelids heavy with sleep. She looked beautiful when she snapped at me, even as her words burned my skin. She looked beautiful with her hair splayed over my pillow, her naked body laid out below me like the most indulgent buffet. Alexis never struggled with beauty. Loyalty, on the other hand? She sold me out the first chance she got, probably making a shiny mint for herself in the process. Not that I should have been surprised—only a couple months prior to that, she’d made a run for it with our child. So, though I watch Alexis for a long time, I keep my distance. And I will continue keeping my distance. She is beautiful but deadly, like foxglove, with its pink, bell-shaped flowers and the heart-stopping poison hidden within them.
August 19, 2023
❣️My thoughts:
I read the three books back to back as its interconnected series related to the same couple and the books are about journey in the Mafia world.
For me all the books were amazing and they completed each other the first book (Corrupted Angel) was an introduction to the relationship between Alexis and Gabriel how they met what they are going through and the dark side of Gabriels Mob life and hardships, Alexis is feisty as hell and ver strong who believes in her self and what she wants in life and in her career she is not afraid of goi g after it, the first book ends on a cliffhanger and we are dragged into the second book (Corrupted Queen)where Alexis is running away from Gabriel due to something happening in the first book, 3rd and final book (Corrupted Empire) is them trying to work their way through the hell that has been opened on them due to something that was done by Alexis in the second book.
I cant say anything else as it will spoil the books, but I highly recommend it if you are a Dark mafia and Romance lover ❤️🔥❤️🔥
❣️Trops:
-Dual POV
-Strong FML
-Notorious/ Evel MML
-Enemies to Lovers
-Dark Mafia/Crime
-Surprise Baby
-cliffhanger at the end of book 1&2
❣️Ratings:
Corrupted Angel 4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Corrupted Queen 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Corrupted Empire 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
September 11, 2020
El libro comienza con un Gabriel desconfiando de Alexis, viviendo separado de ella y de su hijo mientras sigue en plena batalla con el Cartel. Además los cargos que pesan en su contra hacen que Gabriel se encuentre entre la espada y la pared en más de una ocasión. Alexis empieza a trabajar en centros de rehabilitación ayudando a gente a recuperarse después de la heroína púrpura, y aunque ese trabajo le gusta sigue echando muchísimo de menos a Gabriel. Pasan semanas hasta que se produce un acercamiento y, poco a poco, vuelven a pasar tiempo juntos pero Gabriel tiene sus reservas a la hora de volver a confiar en ella. Alexis ha cambiado a lo largo del tiempo, ha empezado a aceptar su rol como mujer de mafioso, y aunque intenta que sus manos estén limpias, acaba por tener que manchárselas a la hora de proteger a su familia. Felicity Huffman, la amante del Padre de Gabriel, vuelve al ataque con un secreto debajo del brazo que desestabilizará a Alexis.
En definitiva, la historia de Alexis y Gabriel es una historia de amor bien complicada pero muy entretenida.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
En definitiva, la historia de Alexis y Gabriel es una historia de amor bien complicada pero muy entretenida.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 16, 2025
This one is the best book of the whole series and possibly the book that made Nicole Fox realize she’s better at writing standalone stories. In my eyes she’s the queen of mafia romances that are shorter.
I skipped the second half of the second book and read this one and I don’t regret or miss any information.
Finally the characters are on the same page with only 3 hours left in the audiobook and Alexis still has a false sense of a backbone towards the halfway mark after we already can’t stand her. She’s actually lucky to be alive. I’ve never hated someone who doesn’t exist so bad. I’m glad she got her big girl moment though that made me proud.
I will say there’s only one type of man that tells you devastating news before an important event and then forces you to keep your composure. The same type of person that ruins your birthdays. Adding this part in and giving Gabriel that disgustingly terrible timing discredits his growth but of course he redeems himself.
They do truly deserve each other though.
I skipped the second half of the second book and read this one and I don’t regret or miss any information.
Finally the characters are on the same page with only 3 hours left in the audiobook and Alexis still has a false sense of a backbone towards the halfway mark after we already can’t stand her. She’s actually lucky to be alive. I’ve never hated someone who doesn’t exist so bad. I’m glad she got her big girl moment though that made me proud.
I will say there’s only one type of man that tells you devastating news before an important event and then forces you to keep your composure. The same type of person that ruins your birthdays. Adding this part in and giving Gabriel that disgustingly terrible timing discredits his growth but of course he redeems himself.
They do truly deserve each other though.
September 3, 2020
This book is the conclusion of Gabriel and Alexis's story. Gabriel has set up Alexis and Harry in an apartment to keep tabs on them. He can't get over the fact that he feels Alexis betrayed him, and he tries to tell himself that he has not further interest in her other than her being Harry's mom. However, he can't help but secretly watch her at times. Alexis on the other hand, still loves Gabriel, and wants to prove to him that she can trust him and they can become partners. Meanwhile, Gabriel and his men are fighting a war with purple heroin and the people distributing it. I love the fact that the more you get to know Gabriel, he is not the monster he thinks he is, and when you see him with his son, you realize he needs both Harry and Alexis in his life. The ending is SO GOOD! I highly recommend this book and the entire series. Ms. Fox is an excellent writer and I highly recommend this book. I did receive an arc for an honest review.
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