There’s no such thing as fairytales—until there’s a happily ever after.
When mob boss Nico Drakos dies, his son, omega Zane, knows the time is ripe for change. Just because all the mob’s business dealings have always been illegal, that doesn’t mean they need to stay that way. Zane is well-loved by everyone, and the council is ready to follow him wherever he might lead them. Time to put his business degree to work! The only person that stands in his way is his father’s second-in-command, Donovan Morelli.
Alpha Blaze was practically raised by the mob, groomed and trained to follow orders, no matter how dark. But, seething with jealousy, Donovan gives Blaze a command. One he can’t refuse. While Blaze keeps a wary eye on Zane, he falls under the omega’s spell. Then the alpha does the unthinkable. He defies his order.
Zane needs a safe place to hole up, but he doesn’t give a damn about his surroundings because the alpha everyone considers a bad apple lights a fire in his heart, one Zane is powerless to extinguish. With a memorable cast of supporting characters, this classic fairytale gets a modern mpreg twist.
And while there is no once upon a time, they do live happily ever after.
For fans of alphas and omegas who give everything to be with the one who they love, this first book in Colbie Dunbar and Trisha Linde’s Once Upon An M/M Romance series checks all the boxes. It includes an alpha and omega who refuse to be defined by their past; seven men and women with whimsical quirks whose fierce loyalty to Zane earns them a place in his heart; plus a baby who arrives safely, despite the odds.
Colbie’s characters are sexy, hot, adorable - and often filthy - alphas and omegas. They include feudal lords with dark secrets, outrageous aristocrats with scandals buried deep in their past and poverty-stricken gentleman who have gambled away their inheritance.
Lurking in the background are notorious kings, princesses, and courtiers whose opinions change with each whisper in their ear.
And as for Colbie herself? She dictates her steamy stories with a glass of champagne in one hand. Because why not?
Very interesting take on the Snow White fairytale, with a mob boss' son inheriting the "family business", the 2nd in command hiring an assassin to remove Junior, and the assassin and Junior falling madly deeply truly in love, oopsie baby included. 7 Secret Service agents are the seven dwarves, and the evil stepmother (the aforementioned 2nd in command) gets what he has coming to him, of course, because that's just how fairytales go.
Cute, quick read, with good tension and easy flow - absolutely worth the time spent.
This is the first time I’ve read a Snow White retelling and I absolutely loved it!! It was so neat to see all the characters and the seven “dwarfs”. Honestly the authors did a fantastic job with the retelling aspect. And the rest of it too! I was intrigued with this story from start to finish.
I loved both Dane and Blaze and how they were both into each other right from the beginning. I enjoyed the danger that was added to the story. I also loved how it all ended for them, it made sense and honestly was exactly what I wanted for them! I highly recommend this story!
Hit Me With Your Best Shot Wow how unexpected! I was prepared for a fairytale gay version of Sleeping Beauty with a bad apple. I was shocked at how wrong I'd been. I had been searching for a story to read. I started several books, but none appealed to me. Then last night before going to bed I began this one. I finally had to put it down because I couldn't fall asleep due to all the action and suspense.
I was eager this morning to get up and finish reading the book. It just kept getting better and better. I have The Untouchables series on TV as I write this review. I've always enjoyed Mob movies and TV shows. But a Mob romance ticked all the boxes. The authors were excellent at character development. Everyone was so distinct. I easily remembered names based on the characters quirks and behavior. The very strong mutual attraction between the MCs was unexpected, challenging, crazy, frustrating, and disappointing. Trust after a shocking heartbreak is not easy to regain.
When life becomes Illusions and lies - the stress of maintaining them leads to mistakes. Mistakes that lead to an uncovering of the truth. And in mobster hitman tales truth equals death.
What are you willing to sacrifice for love? Your life? Ending someone else's life to ensure the safety of friends and loved ones? There is so much going on in this book. Forbidden love, Mob Godfather, FBI agents, loyalty shattered by death, hitmen, remorseless men, setting a trap, getting busy, shocking revelations, hiding out, protective instincts, planning for the future, but being afraid is just an Illusion.
What a fantastic story. I can't wait to read the next collaboration between these authors. I highly recommend this book.
Chemistry and passion so strong!! When mob boss Nico Drakos dies, his son, omega Zane is left everything in his will. He is the new Boss. But Zane wanted to change everything up, he didnt want the illegal side which his father thrived on. Nico enjoyed the violence. The one good think about Nico is that he kept Zane away from that side of him. But now Zane had no choice he needed to act and show everyone who was boss!! But not everyone was happy Nico second in command Donovan Morelli. wanted Zane dead and to continue with the ways that it had been. Donovan called his best hitman to take care of Zane. Alpha Blaze was practically raised by the mob, groomed and trained to follow orders, no matter how dark. But when he went to watch Zane he knew he was struggling with his job. There was just something about this Omega and Zane wanted to see more. When the did meet outside Zane's bungalow, The chemistry was electric both were amazed but Zane left. Then he did something to make sure to met him again. But could he kill Zane or would he do everything in his powers to protect him??? OH i really liked this book. I thought they were so addictive i just wanted to keep reading and the book to never end. When zane and Blaze were together you just knew you would be smiling. these two belong together forever. A cracking read!!!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
You can't always pick your family, but you can pick how you live. Zane-Omega buries his mob boss Dad, Nico, who left him in charge of the mob enterprise. Donovan, a sadists was Nico's second. He felt he should be in charge. He was not a nice man. Blaze-Alpha, was taken in by Nico and raised to be efficient and grateful. Donovan hires Blaze to take Zane, out. He wated the hit to be anonymous since Zane was well liked by the enterprise. Wen Zane and Blaze meet, they both feel the attraction like a physical magnetic draw. They find space and crawl into each other's heads. Zane, wants to take the enterprise legit, putting his college degree to good use. He did the books for Nico's legitimate businesses. How will Zane get mob buy-in? How will Donovan react? How long will Blaze take studying his subject? Will Donovan get impatient? Will Donovan notice the feels? Does Zane get the opportunity to legitimize the enterprise? How much push back will there be? Fantastic story! Good vibes between Zane and Blaze as they walk that tipe rope, causing a few bounces. The intrigue of the plan is riviting. Good story, want more! As always Colbie, rocks! Well done. I received an ARC from Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I love this spin on fairytales and with the mob thrown in? What could be better?! Zane and Blaze are great opposites attract MC's even though they are both mob associated. Zane is thrust into a position he wants but then again doesn't because he doesn't believe in the not so legitimate and brutal side of the mob. He wants to bring The Family to the right side of the law without using death and unlawful ways to do it. Due to this we meet Blaze. The mob's number one assassin. We find out he has a heart of gold when it comes to Zane but how far is he willing to go to keep him as his own? If he can get out of this contract, can he keep Zane safe and most of all will Zane ever forgive him for taking the assignment? There are several people along the way that help and hinder this couple. Maybe even seven that help? LOL this really was a fun read written in the fairytale vein. I love to read Colbie Dunbar books because you always get a fun twist.
This book captured me all the way long. Fluffy enough to read it in one sitting and thrilling enough to keep you on the edge. The narration made it easy to feel for the characters in there. To slip into their skins. One of those books I ask myself already in the first chapters: "hey I thought it has a HEA?!" Well, it does, but sooo many times I wondered " oh God, what is happening now?" All you want from an entertaining but still sweet romance. There is a Mpreg, for those who have an issue with it, but at a sweet slow heat, embedded in a lot of action, and a just heart warming relationship between two men. A perfect read for a weekend on the sofa. Well written action-romance, loved it all the way.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book was okay...I thought that it moved at a very fast pace and at times I felt lost and unconnected to the storyline. The relationship between Zane and Blaze also was somewhat of a mystery. I wanted to know more about the reaons Blaze was so drawn to Zane, why him, why now? It's not like Blaze hasn't seen Zane before so I just find this so-called compelling pull between them very abrupt. It also seemed that we jumped around a lot in the book. We would hear from Zane's POV in one location, and then Blaze in another then something actiony would happen and this repeated throughout the story.
I wouldn't say I hated this book, but I also wouldn't see I liked it either. I did give it three stars though because it does have some good substance of an omega and alpha MPREG relationship.
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.
This was a fun twist on the Snow White story. It had so many of the elements, but just enough twists to make it fun and unique. I liked Zane a lot, even though he grew up the son of a mob boss, he was determined to make things legitimate. He could have turned everyone in either before his father died or shortly after, but instead he wanted to make things legitimate, he wanted to make something new out of what he had. Blaze is a hitman for the mob, hired to take out Zane. I liked the interactions between Blaze and Zane. Zane might initially seem like he's naïve, but he clearly knew how to handle himself. Blaze was a nice mix of tough and gentle. I liked the seven "guards", though I wish we had seen more of them.
I love when a fairytale gets reimagined and this take on Snow White was so much fun. Zane is loved by everyone except his late father's evil second in command. He wants to shift the family business to something more legal. Blaze is hired to kill Zane by Donovan (evil second) so he can keep things just the way they are. But Zane and Blaze have a connection that can't easily be destroyed. This was a fun, fast-paced story with lots of action and heat. I liked how Blaze represented the Hunter from Snow White in that he was a hired assassin and he couldn't harm sweet Zane. I also liked the use of the Magic 8 Ball to represent the mirror. And I just loved the authors unique version of the seven dwarves. Excellent story, can't wait to dive into the next book!
When the head of the family died, everyone thought to son would take over. The son didn't want the family business with all its dark dealings and dirty side. He wanted, change to go legitimate but some just can't handle the idea of change. The evil vile second in command Donovan hates the Sun and hates change. Putting a hit on the sun should solve this problems, but only exaserbates the situation. When the Hitman and the son falls for each other life gets suddenly interesting. I enjoyed this series a lot it was very cute with a lot of sweet moments, suspense, and definitely some angst. I will keep reading the rest of the series.
Oh my goodness that was an unexpected and amazing retelling of Snow White. Can a heir of the mob and an assassin find happiness? Can Zane, the heir, survive the ambitious right handed man after his father funeral? Being the mob son but having a good heart isn't easy for Zane especially after an assassin is send to end his life. Blaze is the best at being a hit man, but the moment he's sent to kill Zane everything changes. This story is full of action and adrenaline, unexpected twists and turns, feelings got thrown in the mix and a baby that makes them fight even harder for their future. It was exhilarating and extraordinary and I'm looking forward to the next adventure.
What a great start to a series. I really love mafia romances. The alpha hitman falling in love with his target the omega mafia prince...classic. This romance was emotional. fun, sweet, a little steamy and had some **bang bang shoot em up **action.Experiencing Zane and Blaze coming together was rather entertaining. I just loved the seven agents that had guard duty over Zane. The friendships that came out of that were special and the couple's HEA was nice. They didn't let a "bad apple" spoil their life/future. Love Colbie's books and so excited for the next book in this new series..
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
the novel is light and entertaining with little allusions to the faerytale that make it fun. I really like the characters. Zane is a fighter who instead of adapting to life among gangsters, created his own. While Blaze struggled to find his place in life and it is with Zane that he does. The seven federal agents, I laughed a lot with them and tried to name each one after their little dwarf. I think it is a highly recommended book, that you can read easily and that makes you smile while you read it.
Bad Apple is a fascinating mpreg story that blends fairytale and the mob, something I hadn't read before. Zane's mobster boss dad dies and he wants nothing more to do with them, he just wants to live his life away from mob business. Blaze is hired to kill Zane but instead of doing the job, as he's done before, he falls in love with the omega. This story captured me from the beginning. The journey Zane and Blaze go through to be together..... I look forward to more in the series.
Me gustó bastante, por dos simples razones: 1- Es corto pero no por eso mal desarrollado (a mí parecer) 2- La autora supo reversionar un clásico como Blancanieves y los siete enanitos a una historia BL omegaverse sin que sea tan chocante. Simplemente lo disfruté mucho; quizás sea porque tengo un algo con los Alfa sobreprotectores o porque me gustan muchos los personajes en plan "bad boy" En fin, una historia corta que si te gusta este género refomienco como lectura de fin de semana.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
First time reading both of these authors. It was definately a good start. The world building and characters in this story were well done. It kept me intrested and the pacing was good as well. d think my only critasism per say is in two off the scenes the cold to hot romance/Iove factor was more sudden than I thought it should have been. I Kinda expect it to be a little more drawn out than it was. Overall enjoyed it very much and it was worth she read.
This was so good. As book one I was interested to see how the story would unfold, it was amazing. The characters are so opposite it is a wonder they made it. One a mob bosses son and one a mob bosses muscle. In the end love did beat the odds and Zane and Blaze got there HEA with a little help. Great storyline can’t wait for more.
Cute and quick read! I wish there had been more dialogue between Blaze and Zane, maybe even some memories and scenes made with the agents. Without those it feels a little like a bit of emotion and part of the book is held away from the reader. Overall a good read though.
Loved this!! Zane and Blaze were meant to be!! I loved their journey, as hard as it was, to their happy ending. This is a new author for me, but I loved this so much, so I will be reading more of her other books. Loved this!!😍
I am glad I got around to read this book definitely worth reading. There was a lot of action throughout the book which had me on the edge of my seat. Very impressed so far
Struggled to finish the last 30% of the book as Zane’s hiding dragged on for too long and it bored me to the point that I almost DNF. Skipped and skimmed to the end and even the epilogue was boring.
Cute little book. I enjoyed the characters and plot. I loved the play on Snow White. It could use a touch more editing. The wrong name or word was used a couple of times. I will definitely check out the next book!
Violent but sweet take on Snow White featuring the son of a Mob boss and a mob assassin. After Zane’s father dies, his second in command orders a hit on his life. Blaze is ordered to kill the omega but had a difficult time actually doing it because he’s fascinated with Zane.
While in protective custody, Blaze visits Zane and they begin a relationship. The Feds are trying to take down the new mob boss while keeping Zane safe.
Pregnancy, mob retaliation, a trial, witnesses protection and the pitter patter of little feet.
***** POV… multi first person
Standalone or series… book 1 in series but can be read as a standalone
Wow . So good When Nico dies his son is expected to take over the 'family business ' as head of the mob. But Zane does not want that life , he wants to make the family legit. He had been to collage getting a degree in business which he wanted to use for good . Donovan ( Nico's right hand man ) gets a hit out on Zanes life as he sees him as weak. The moment Blaze see Zane he realises he can't kill him. Once I started reading couldn't put down . Such a different book any the story is great .
Loved this retelling of Snow White set in omegaverse. It’s great Snow White meet the mafia with a HEA ending great can’t wait for the rest . Highly recommended