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Dark Syndicate #5
Heartless Lover
What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger…
For a man like me, that thing is darkness.
The darkness from my past never ended my life.
It darkened my heart and flowed through my veins, fueling my hunger for revenge.
That's why I accepted the job to protect her.
Her: Summer Reeves.
The beautiful angel who became an asset to me when she saw something she shouldn’t have seen.
The job should have been simple.
Protecting her meant getting closer to catching the man who betrayed me.
I learned long before I joined the Bratva that you have to be heartless to be strong.
Except, she was the wild card I never saw coming.
From the moment her lips touched mine, she became the exception to my rules.
That was the moment I claimed her.
I didn’t care that she didn’t belong in my world.
Or that belonging to a man like me was her worst nightmare.
I always get what I want.
She’s mine to protect.
So when death comes to take her, I plan to fight to keep her.
For a man like me, that thing is darkness.
The darkness from my past never ended my life.
It darkened my heart and flowed through my veins, fueling my hunger for revenge.
That's why I accepted the job to protect her.
Her: Summer Reeves.
The beautiful angel who became an asset to me when she saw something she shouldn’t have seen.
The job should have been simple.
Protecting her meant getting closer to catching the man who betrayed me.
I learned long before I joined the Bratva that you have to be heartless to be strong.
Except, she was the wild card I never saw coming.
From the moment her lips touched mine, she became the exception to my rules.
That was the moment I claimed her.
I didn’t care that she didn’t belong in my world.
Or that belonging to a man like me was her worst nightmare.
I always get what I want.
She’s mine to protect.
So when death comes to take her, I plan to fight to keep her.
322 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 16, 2021
247 people are currently reading
1094 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
January 28, 2022
Esta serie me tiene hooked.
El primer libro me gustó y conformé fue avanzando la serie iba mejorando, poniéndose más adictiva e interesante.
Pero este libro no me termino de encantar para empezar no me gustaron los protagonistas, ni el desarrollo de su relación, su historia de amor no fue bonita.
Lo que más me había encantado de estos libros, era la acción, la intriga y el suspenso, pero hasta siento que en este libro se perdió.
El siguiente libro, lo voy a leer porque me quiero saber el misterio, pero no voy totalmente convencida ya que el age gap no me gusta y siento que la diferencia va a ser grande.
El primer libro me gustó y conformé fue avanzando la serie iba mejorando, poniéndose más adictiva e interesante.
Pero este libro no me termino de encantar para empezar no me gustaron los protagonistas, ni el desarrollo de su relación, su historia de amor no fue bonita.
Lo que más me había encantado de estos libros, era la acción, la intriga y el suspenso, pero hasta siento que en este libro se perdió.
El siguiente libro, lo voy a leer porque me quiero saber el misterio, pero no voy totalmente convencida ya que el age gap no me gusta y siento que la diferencia va a ser grande.
September 24, 2021
I loved this! 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 by Faith Summers is a dark, mafia stand-alone, forced proximity, enemies to lovers romance. 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 is my first book by the author but certainly won’t be my last. I love an author that is able to write with a deep level of emotional connection and still be told in a non-overly dramatic way. While this is book 5 in the 𝗗𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀, it can be read without needing to read any of the prior books.
I had no idea going into this book that I would love it this much! Right off the bat you’re pulled in with excitement and suspense! This story was beautiful. I loved the romance between Summer and Eric! If you love that angst in enemies to lovers romance books, you’ll enjoy this one. Even when they each tried hard not to catch feelings, they can’t help but fall hard.
We begin with Summer Reeve’s story. A young woman in facing possible death at the hands vicious criminals due to being a witness to murder. Summer’s is hardcore brutal. There are absolutely hard to read parts of her story.
Eric Markov is the CEO of Markov Tech and Obshchak in the Voirik Brotherhood. He is focused on revenge due to the atrocious acts done to him and his family 5 years ago.
Summer and Eric meet in an explosive way. Eric now has Summer captive, but he can’t help but feel for her. Summer is fighting to stay alive and fighting her feelings for Eric.
I loved this book. The connection was everything. The author wrote the feelings and inner monologue beautifully. I loved that this story had the best parts of the captive element and amazing steamy scenes without making Eric out to be a psychotic a-hole. I appreciated that his character was brutal and cold but then warmed up to become the ultimate book boyfriend. Summer’s history is dark, but necessary for her backstory. The way Eric treats her is both dominant and caring, the best combination.
I am so grateful to have received an ARC and am leaving my review voluntarily.
September 21, 2021
I absolutely loved this story from page one the the end! It kept me immersed and enthralled from the beginning, it was intense, it was riveting, but most importantly it was scrumptious!
Summer finds herself in a scary situation and she scrambles to get herself safely away from the danger. She thinks she has achieved this but all of a sudden Eric is the new monster in her life and she struggles to find her balance and footing.
Faith Summers and Khardine Gray have given their readers a sensational story of lost love, survival, and an emotionally gripping tale.
Summer finds herself in a scary situation and she scrambles to get herself safely away from the danger. She thinks she has achieved this but all of a sudden Eric is the new monster in her life and she struggles to find her balance and footing.
Faith Summers and Khardine Gray have given their readers a sensational story of lost love, survival, and an emotionally gripping tale.
February 15, 2022
Oh my god. Ngl but I did not expect this book to be this good. I went in thinking that this would be another disappointing ARC read but boy, wasn't I wrong!
As a sucker for dark romance and anti-heroes, I can confirm that this book is every dark romance lover's fantasy. The smut and angst were, no doubt, top tier <3
I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Eric and Summer. My fav part of Heartless Lover was obv, the smut and the way the authors managed to do justice to the MCs' backstories.
Not to mention, Eric Markov is absolutely droolworthy and the perfect mix of Russian and Italian. I am not embarrassed to admit that I am completely and utterly obsessed with him✨
I would totally recommend this one since it also happens to be one of my fav books now. I can't tell you how refreshing it felt to honestly read a good book after a series of disappointing reads :))
As a sucker for dark romance and anti-heroes, I can confirm that this book is every dark romance lover's fantasy. The smut and angst were, no doubt, top tier <3
I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Eric and Summer. My fav part of Heartless Lover was obv, the smut and the way the authors managed to do justice to the MCs' backstories.
Not to mention, Eric Markov is absolutely droolworthy and the perfect mix of Russian and Italian. I am not embarrassed to admit that I am completely and utterly obsessed with him✨
I would totally recommend this one since it also happens to be one of my fav books now. I can't tell you how refreshing it felt to honestly read a good book after a series of disappointing reads :))
September 25, 2021
3.75 stars
This was a lot more fun and entertaining that I expected it. I liked the main plot and the obvious chemistry between the main characters. I liked how the H went above and beyond to protect the h and although certain things about the mafia world didn't made much sense (like the H bossing around the Pakhan... yeah no) the book was very engaging and I had a great time reading it.
Be mindful of the TW since it IS dark mafia romance but if you are okay with them then I recommend this one!
*ARC provided by PR team in exchange for an honest review*
This was a lot more fun and entertaining that I expected it. I liked the main plot and the obvious chemistry between the main characters. I liked how the H went above and beyond to protect the h and although certain things about the mafia world didn't made much sense (like the H bossing around the Pakhan... yeah no) the book was very engaging and I had a great time reading it.
Be mindful of the TW since it IS dark mafia romance but if you are okay with them then I recommend this one!
*ARC provided by PR team in exchange for an honest review*
September 18, 2021
HEARTLESS LOVER is the fifth instalment in Faith Summers’ contemporary, adult DARK SYNDICATE dark, erotic, Mafia romance series. This is thirty-one year old, CEO of Markov Tech, and Obshchak in the Voirik Brotherhood Eric Markov, and twenty-four year old, former actress Summer Reeves’ story line. HEARTLESS LOVER can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.
WARNING: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.
Told from dual first person perspectives (Eric and Summer) HEARTLESS LOVER follows in the aftermath of the murder of Summer’s twin Scarlett, a victim of mistaken identity while visiting her sister in Italy. As Summer was the intended target, and witnessed the murder of her beloved sister, our heroine heads back to America where she will find herself the prisoner of Eric Markov, the Obshchak in the Voirik Brotherhood. Eric needs information about a man from his past but using Summer will place her in the direct line of fire. What ensues is the acrimonious but building relationship between Eric and Summer, and the potential fall-out as both of their paths collide in a battle of revenge.
Summer Reeves back story is heart breaking and dark, and with it reveals a spiral from which Summer struggles to recover. Finding herself a prisoner of a man who is heartless and cruel, Summer battles between head and heart as each encounter begins to tear down the wall she built years before. Eric Markov has lost everything and spent five years in absolute h*ll. Determined to take down the people who all but destroyed his life, Eric will use any means necessary, including our story line heroine.
The relationship between Eric and Summer begins when Summer is abducted by shortly after her arrival back home in California. Eric’s attraction to Summer is immediate, and with it some questionable motives and ambiguous consent. Summer’s past continues to control her present, and with it, Eric’s interest becomes problematic for our story line heroine. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense but I struggle with the use of a certain four-letter word.
There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including Eric’s right hand man Borya, bodyguard Oleg, housekeeper and cook Lyssa, Pakhan Aiden Romanov, Dominic D’Agostino and Alejandro Ramirez, Eric’s sister Olivia, and Summer’s father John Reeves. The requisite evil has many faces.
HEARTLESS LOVER is a story of betrayal and revenge, power and control, secrets and lies, abuse, murder, seduction and love. The premise is dark, gritty and heart breaking; the romance is impassioned and aggressive; the characters are energetic, broken but healing.
www.thereadingcafe.com
WARNING: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.
Told from dual first person perspectives (Eric and Summer) HEARTLESS LOVER follows in the aftermath of the murder of Summer’s twin Scarlett, a victim of mistaken identity while visiting her sister in Italy. As Summer was the intended target, and witnessed the murder of her beloved sister, our heroine heads back to America where she will find herself the prisoner of Eric Markov, the Obshchak in the Voirik Brotherhood. Eric needs information about a man from his past but using Summer will place her in the direct line of fire. What ensues is the acrimonious but building relationship between Eric and Summer, and the potential fall-out as both of their paths collide in a battle of revenge.
Summer Reeves back story is heart breaking and dark, and with it reveals a spiral from which Summer struggles to recover. Finding herself a prisoner of a man who is heartless and cruel, Summer battles between head and heart as each encounter begins to tear down the wall she built years before. Eric Markov has lost everything and spent five years in absolute h*ll. Determined to take down the people who all but destroyed his life, Eric will use any means necessary, including our story line heroine.
The relationship between Eric and Summer begins when Summer is abducted by shortly after her arrival back home in California. Eric’s attraction to Summer is immediate, and with it some questionable motives and ambiguous consent. Summer’s past continues to control her present, and with it, Eric’s interest becomes problematic for our story line heroine. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense but I struggle with the use of a certain four-letter word.
There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including Eric’s right hand man Borya, bodyguard Oleg, housekeeper and cook Lyssa, Pakhan Aiden Romanov, Dominic D’Agostino and Alejandro Ramirez, Eric’s sister Olivia, and Summer’s father John Reeves. The requisite evil has many faces.
HEARTLESS LOVER is a story of betrayal and revenge, power and control, secrets and lies, abuse, murder, seduction and love. The premise is dark, gritty and heart breaking; the romance is impassioned and aggressive; the characters are energetic, broken but healing.
www.thereadingcafe.com
October 11, 2021
I am so in love with this series that Faith has put together. Heartless Lover is a dark read that will keep you on your toes. You will feel so heartbroken for Scarlett while she goes through the trauma- a lot of it is in her past- that gets brought back to the present, that it will keep you going. Eric we met in the last book and he is on the road for revenge, Scarlett just happens to be the person who will help him with that process. When these two get together it becomes an explosion of feelings, arguments, touches, and eventually a happy ending worth waiting for.
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Blog: http://myfantasylandblog.com/
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March 17, 2022
AAAAAAHHHHHH amé améééé...disfruté esta historia muchísimo omg Eric es tan intenso que me sorprendía...Summer es una chica muy fuerte, a pesar de todo supo cómo levantarse y seguir adelante.
September 19, 2021
My god this was a great read. I'm so sad the next book will be the final in the series.
I was so happy when Eric got his book. His story was a tough one from previous books bc of his captivity.
Both Eric and Summer were great leads. You question who had it worst and it drives you to them. I wish there would be a book with all of them again.
I was so happy when Eric got his book. His story was a tough one from previous books bc of his captivity.
Both Eric and Summer were great leads. You question who had it worst and it drives you to them. I wish there would be a book with all of them again.
September 26, 2021
Eric is finally getting his revenge after being betrayed by a friend. He has returned to his family and taken over his birthright. His sister and mom are safe. He is following the bread crumbs, but ends up with dead ends and also discovers there is more going on than previously known. This could bring everything that he has built up falling down.
Summer is running and hiding from her past. Too bad that most of the time, the past comes back. She sees and something that she should have not. Due to a surprise visit from her twin, it is her twin that suffers a tragic death instead of her. She is on the run, again, wondering how she can protect what is left of her family. The guilt is weighing her down.
Eric and Summer paths collide. She has information that he needs. She needs help and protection. The deal he offers her is in his best interest. She doesn't have any options and decides to go with it. What started as one sided deal evolves into more. Feelings that were not there before come into play. Will Eric be able to keep his promise to keep Summer safe or will it all be for naught?
Faith Summers brings the dark and edgy story to life. The characters are very well developed and show their flaws. This can be read as standalone, but I recommend reading the series in order since there are players who show up from previous books. I enjoyed this book and could not put it down. It is a great book for a weekend or a lazy day.
I received an ARC for a free and honest review.
Summer is running and hiding from her past. Too bad that most of the time, the past comes back. She sees and something that she should have not. Due to a surprise visit from her twin, it is her twin that suffers a tragic death instead of her. She is on the run, again, wondering how she can protect what is left of her family. The guilt is weighing her down.
Eric and Summer paths collide. She has information that he needs. She needs help and protection. The deal he offers her is in his best interest. She doesn't have any options and decides to go with it. What started as one sided deal evolves into more. Feelings that were not there before come into play. Will Eric be able to keep his promise to keep Summer safe or will it all be for naught?
Faith Summers brings the dark and edgy story to life. The characters are very well developed and show their flaws. This can be read as standalone, but I recommend reading the series in order since there are players who show up from previous books. I enjoyed this book and could not put it down. It is a great book for a weekend or a lazy day.
I received an ARC for a free and honest review.
April 28, 2024
“You're not going to get rid of me that easily, Babydoll."
"I don't want to get rid of you at all."
maybe it got too dark for me, and the thing is, I wasn't in the best place to read it, so.. yeah I just wanted to finish the book already.
I'll give it this: it has a plot, and not only that, I enjoy a plot being developed book by book, it was interesting and it did show sings it was thought about it (that's how low I have the bar in stories like this lol)
anyway, onto the last book! can't believe I'm so close to finish this series
"I don't want to get rid of you at all."
maybe it got too dark for me, and the thing is, I wasn't in the best place to read it, so.. yeah I just wanted to finish the book already.
I'll give it this: it has a plot, and not only that, I enjoy a plot being developed book by book, it was interesting and it did show sings it was thought about it (that's how low I have the bar in stories like this lol)
anyway, onto the last book! can't believe I'm so close to finish this series
September 24, 2021
I’m going to be honest, I don’t remember much about this book. It was largely forgettable on both plot and characters. Let me see if I can break it down. We follow Eric (Olivia’s brother from the last book) as he devotes his time trying to find his once best friend Robert. Robert is the one that betrayed him and basically the cause of him (more or less) being held captive in Brazil. His search leads him to Summer who knows Robert as Jake, having met him when she was in Monaco working in a sex club. Summer saw and heard things she shouldn’t have heard which led to her twin sister taking a bullet that was meant for her. Definitely not as action-filled as the last installment. For me, it was disappointing.
January 28, 2022
Summer y Eric mis chiquitos 🥺💖
September 19, 2021
Good plot. Terrible storytelling! The ending was so abrupt and so unrealistic! 0.5 star
September 26, 2021
Summer Reeves is on the run, after being a witness to something she should never have seen when her boss, Jake, shot another man in cold blood. Her twin sister, Scarlett, has come to Monaco to see Summer celebrate her landing of the lead role in Lover's Purgatory, but Summer never has a chance to see her. Summer is still on the run from her enemies, and when they mistake Scarlett for her, she vows to find them and make them pay. Eric Markov is Bratva and has been lured into a trap, kidnapped in Brazil and held by his former best friend, Robert, to get to the plans for the weapon of all weapons, held by Eric's grandfather. Turns out that Robert and Jake are the same man, and Eric needs Summer's help in tracking him down to kill with his own hands. What results is a relationship that is acrimonious at first, but warms a little as they both start to drop the walls around them, and when they do, the passion is overwhelming. But Summer has some monsters to eradicate from her life before she can be a woman who isn't broken and in pain. She breaks my heart when she asks herself if Scarlett would still be alive if she'd never been born. When she is at her lowest, her knight in shining armor is there to save her and it opens his eyes as to how he has changed. This is a provocative and touching story that, although dark, is a beautiful romance.
October 3, 2021
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Trope: kidnapping/enemies to lovers
Angst: 😰😰😰
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Triggers: past torture, sexual assault; suicide attempt; dubcon
If you're looking for a fluffy love story, you're definitely not going to get that here. This is a heart wrenching tale of betrayal, survival, revenge, but ultimately redemption. The storyline was great and fast paced. Both Summer and Eric have horrific backgrounds and deep emotional scars. The passion between the two of them was unexpected, but all consuming and Eric is determined to solve the mystery of how Summer got in the vulnerable position she's in.
Trope: kidnapping/enemies to lovers
Angst: 😰😰😰
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Triggers: past torture, sexual assault; suicide attempt; dubcon
If you're looking for a fluffy love story, you're definitely not going to get that here. This is a heart wrenching tale of betrayal, survival, revenge, but ultimately redemption. The storyline was great and fast paced. Both Summer and Eric have horrific backgrounds and deep emotional scars. The passion between the two of them was unexpected, but all consuming and Eric is determined to solve the mystery of how Summer got in the vulnerable position she's in.
May 20, 2024
Pudo haber sido mejor.
October 1, 2021
The fifth instalment in this dark, erotic, Mafia romance series. Eric has survived 5 long years being held for his knowledge is now a thirty-one year old, and the now Obshchak in the Voirik Brotherhood Summer Reeves becomes his weakness and insight to information they are seeking....
If you are reading this series then know this book also has a WARNING: Due to the nature of the story there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.
(Eric and Summer) HEARTLESS LOVER follows in the aftermath of the murder of Summer’s twin Scarlett, a victim of mistaken identity while visiting her sister in Italy. As Summer was the intended target, and witnessed the murder of her beloved sister, our heroine heads back to America where she will find herself the prisoner Eric who needs information about a man from his past but using Summer will place her in the direct line of fire. What ensues is the building relationship between Eric and Summer, and the potential fall-out as both of their paths collide in a battle of revenge.
Summer's back story is heart breaking and dark, and with it reveals a spiral from which Summer struggles to recover. Summer battles the feelings between her head and heart ...each encounter with Eric and his fierce admiration and then angst ....begins to tear down the wall she built the many years before. Eric Markov has lost everything and spent five years in absolute h*ll. Determined to take down the people who all but destroyed his life, Eric will use any means necessary, including our heroine.
The relationship begins when Summer is abducted shortly after her arrival back home in California. Eric’s attraction to Summer is immediate, and with it questionable motives..... Summer’s past continues to control her present, Eric’s interest becomes problematic for her....
The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense
Characters include Eric’s right hand man Borya, bodyguard Oleg,(who eventually dies) housekeeper and cook Lyssa, Pakhan Aiden Romanov, Dominic D’Agostino and Alejandro Ramirez, Eric’s sister Olivia, and Summer’s father John Reeves. The requisite evil has many faces as you the reader will find out.....
a story of betrayal and revenge, power and control, secrets and lies, abuse, murder, seduction and love, dark, gritty and heart breaking.... romance is passionate and aggressive; the characters are energetic, broken but because of their past they somehow begin healing one another....
Was continued awesome reading of this series....
If you are reading this series then know this book also has a WARNING: Due to the nature of the story there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.
(Eric and Summer) HEARTLESS LOVER follows in the aftermath of the murder of Summer’s twin Scarlett, a victim of mistaken identity while visiting her sister in Italy. As Summer was the intended target, and witnessed the murder of her beloved sister, our heroine heads back to America where she will find herself the prisoner Eric who needs information about a man from his past but using Summer will place her in the direct line of fire. What ensues is the building relationship between Eric and Summer, and the potential fall-out as both of their paths collide in a battle of revenge.
Summer's back story is heart breaking and dark, and with it reveals a spiral from which Summer struggles to recover. Summer battles the feelings between her head and heart ...each encounter with Eric and his fierce admiration and then angst ....begins to tear down the wall she built the many years before. Eric Markov has lost everything and spent five years in absolute h*ll. Determined to take down the people who all but destroyed his life, Eric will use any means necessary, including our heroine.
The relationship begins when Summer is abducted shortly after her arrival back home in California. Eric’s attraction to Summer is immediate, and with it questionable motives..... Summer’s past continues to control her present, Eric’s interest becomes problematic for her....
The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense
Characters include Eric’s right hand man Borya, bodyguard Oleg,(who eventually dies) housekeeper and cook Lyssa, Pakhan Aiden Romanov, Dominic D’Agostino and Alejandro Ramirez, Eric’s sister Olivia, and Summer’s father John Reeves. The requisite evil has many faces as you the reader will find out.....
a story of betrayal and revenge, power and control, secrets and lies, abuse, murder, seduction and love, dark, gritty and heart breaking.... romance is passionate and aggressive; the characters are energetic, broken but because of their past they somehow begin healing one another....
Was continued awesome reading of this series....
September 21, 2021
He’s now the Obshchak in the Voirik Brotherhood, but his path was not an easy one. His father and grandfather did not want him in the mafia world, but circumstances changed as did his life. Now he’s a powerful man in the bratva, and the CEO of his family’s company. None of it came easy to him. Now Eric Markov is works closely with his Pakhan, Aiden Romanov, who is also soon to be his brother in-law. Eric has vengeance on his mind and the Dark Syndicate is helping him to get it. With the information they now have regarding a woman that may be able to help them locate the one man that Eric wants to destroy, he has a captive in him penthouse.
She’s had her fair share of tragedy in her life, and when she finds herself walking into a situation that puts her life in danger, again, she has no choice but to hide. When tragedy strikes again, she’s even more determined to hide herself away and make sure that she stays alive. However, Summer finds that there are more people that want to take her, hopefully they don’t all want her dead. Summer’s family has dwindled and she’s all alone, so she has to find a way to trust Eric and the syndicate to keep her alive and protect her. Trust does not come easy to Summer, so the battle will be interesting.
Both Eric and Summer have a hard time trusting and lowering their walls. After Eric gets to know Summer, he finds that his brain is starting to work against the thoughts of using her as bait to capture Robert. These two will fight a battle that they’ll both lose, there is no fight against your own heart. I love the Dark Syndicate series and Eric’s story was one I had been waiting for. He’s a broken man and Summer is a broken woman, but their pieces fit perfectly together. I loved the book and I love the characters in the series. The stories are action packed, tragic, steamy, and so good that I hate to have them end. I am looking forward to more in the Dark Syndicate series and I give this book a 5-star review.
She’s had her fair share of tragedy in her life, and when she finds herself walking into a situation that puts her life in danger, again, she has no choice but to hide. When tragedy strikes again, she’s even more determined to hide herself away and make sure that she stays alive. However, Summer finds that there are more people that want to take her, hopefully they don’t all want her dead. Summer’s family has dwindled and she’s all alone, so she has to find a way to trust Eric and the syndicate to keep her alive and protect her. Trust does not come easy to Summer, so the battle will be interesting.
Both Eric and Summer have a hard time trusting and lowering their walls. After Eric gets to know Summer, he finds that his brain is starting to work against the thoughts of using her as bait to capture Robert. These two will fight a battle that they’ll both lose, there is no fight against your own heart. I love the Dark Syndicate series and Eric’s story was one I had been waiting for. He’s a broken man and Summer is a broken woman, but their pieces fit perfectly together. I loved the book and I love the characters in the series. The stories are action packed, tragic, steamy, and so good that I hate to have them end. I am looking forward to more in the Dark Syndicate series and I give this book a 5-star review.
September 25, 2021
This is the 5th story in the Dark Syndicate Series, Heartless Lover. This is a dark mafia enemies to lovers story about Eric who has a very dark past with one goal to get revenge on those who took everything away from him and tortured him and his family for 5 years. Eric is the CEO of Markov Tech along with the Obshchak in the Voirik Brotherhood and Aiden is his Pakhan who offers him help along with Dominic D’Agostino and Alejandro Ramirez. Aiden gives the order to retrieve Summer who maybe able to offer them some answers into finding Robert/Jake the ex best friend who betrayed Eric in ways no one should have to deal with. Summer is an innocent bystander who overhead a conversation she never should have working in Monaco, a sex club to pay off her drug debt and the men believe they killed her as her twin came for a surprise visit and was killed in her place. Summer has a past that is very hard to read and your heart will go to the young woman and everything she’s endured. Eric and Summer are two individuals who do not believe they should live as their actions have caused harm and pain to their loved ones. The chemistry and attraction is one of a kind between these two and Eric wants the upper hand ignores it to stick to his plan. Eric slowly brings down Summers walls not realizing his are also coming down and he is gentle and caring with how he treats Summer. Eric is a brutal man when needed and Summer brings out the human side that allows him to see more than revenge. When the past is in front of Eric he does what is necessary to make sure the woman he loves can walk away and with the help of others they have a fight of their lives and discover more enemies then they thought possible. This one of a kind story is a special love story that you’ll want to read again to make sure you did not miss a thing!! I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
November 29, 2021
Meh. It was fine.
Written in dual first person POV. Lots of sexy times. No humor but I wasn’t expecting any. HEA for the MCs and sets up the next book. In theory, this book could be read as a standalone but it’s probably better if you’ve read the entire series or at least book 4. Beware of the trigger warnings - torture is described while there are some other things that are mentioned but occur “off-screen”.
My biggest complaints are with the characters and the editing. Neither MC is truly likable - you’ll root for them but only because you’re supposed to. I usually read quickly (not a “speed reader” and I don’t skim) but this book just dragged and I couldn’t wait for it to be over so that I could move on to something else. But when the end came, it was too quick - everything for the MCs was resolved in a blink and the book was over a few pages later. It was pretty anticlimactic.
The editing also needed some serious help. There were lots of sections that could have been removed as they didn’t add anything to the story and just made it drag. Also, someone should explain how/when to use “worst” and “worse”. I’ve noticed the same issues in all of the books in this series but I didn’t care enough about the plot of this book to let it distract me this time.
I’ll read the last book of this series but mainly because I usually finish a series if I’ve read more than the first book. The exceptions are when the last/next book has a subject matter that I do not enjoy and there isn’t an overarching plot that hasn’t concluded, or if the books are “serialized” (you know what I’m talking about - there are a bunch of books in the series, as in over 10, and most are about one couple and are fairly short) and I’ve gotten bored or the current plot is complete.
Written in dual first person POV. Lots of sexy times. No humor but I wasn’t expecting any. HEA for the MCs and sets up the next book. In theory, this book could be read as a standalone but it’s probably better if you’ve read the entire series or at least book 4. Beware of the trigger warnings - torture is described while there are some other things that are mentioned but occur “off-screen”.
My biggest complaints are with the characters and the editing. Neither MC is truly likable - you’ll root for them but only because you’re supposed to. I usually read quickly (not a “speed reader” and I don’t skim) but this book just dragged and I couldn’t wait for it to be over so that I could move on to something else. But when the end came, it was too quick - everything for the MCs was resolved in a blink and the book was over a few pages later. It was pretty anticlimactic.
The editing also needed some serious help. There were lots of sections that could have been removed as they didn’t add anything to the story and just made it drag. Also, someone should explain how/when to use “worst” and “worse”. I’ve noticed the same issues in all of the books in this series but I didn’t care enough about the plot of this book to let it distract me this time.
I’ll read the last book of this series but mainly because I usually finish a series if I’ve read more than the first book. The exceptions are when the last/next book has a subject matter that I do not enjoy and there isn’t an overarching plot that hasn’t concluded, or if the books are “serialized” (you know what I’m talking about - there are a bunch of books in the series, as in over 10, and most are about one couple and are fairly short) and I’ve gotten bored or the current plot is complete.
October 10, 2021
I really needed this book and was so happy to start the fifth book in this series. I recently have read some mediocre Mafia genre that was written by good authors only to be disappointed. This was such a good book with characters that provided the reader with a sizzling love/hate relationship throughout the book. Eric's character is anything but a boy scout and Summer's past isn't your homegrown garden variety. Eric's past, as revealed in the prior novel is one of pain and suffering that would destroy any man. Summer's history is slowly revealed in bits and pieces which is riddled with lies, cover-up, abandonment and dirty secrets. The two characters are thrown together based upon Summer's relationship with Eric's long-time friend turned enemy, Robert. Their sexual connection happens early on in the book when Summer is Eric's captive but doesn't come full circle until later in the book.
This book was everything that I have come to expect from this author. I have read the entire series and have been captivated by each book. This author knows how to connect the reader with the heart and soul of her characters. She develops each character in a way that reels the reader in with her nuisances, damaged pasts, secrets and shades of grey. Her characters are not black and white and keep you guessing throughout the book. It's a wonderful recipe that has an excellent plot, action, suspense, angst, a love/hate relationship between the two main characters that can melt your panties. Her characters are damaged and scarred but find resurrection in each other by the books' end.
Enjoy.
This book was everything that I have come to expect from this author. I have read the entire series and have been captivated by each book. This author knows how to connect the reader with the heart and soul of her characters. She develops each character in a way that reels the reader in with her nuisances, damaged pasts, secrets and shades of grey. Her characters are not black and white and keep you guessing throughout the book. It's a wonderful recipe that has an excellent plot, action, suspense, angst, a love/hate relationship between the two main characters that can melt your panties. Her characters are damaged and scarred but find resurrection in each other by the books' end.
Enjoy.
September 23, 2021
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of "HEARTLESS LOVER" OMG!!!! What an amazing brilliantly written dark intense drama, so much heartache, guilt, sadness, betrayal, intrigue, suspense, violence, loss, grief, emotionally gripping storyline.
Summer Reeves gets herself in a life & death situation Marquees is a cop who takes care of his informants she was in the wrong place saw something she shouldn't have now Jake Wainwright & Micah Santa Maria want her dead.
Eric Markov was held Captive for 5yrs in Brazil by his BF Robert Carson & Jude Kuzmin he wanted to take over Markov Tech & the weapon Eric's grandfather developed.
Olivia Markov didn't believe Eric was dead Aiden Pakhan was looking or his 10yr son they end up meeting he helps her find Eric in Brazil & saves his life.
Eric captures Summer thinking she had info on Robert Carson but she didn't know him by that name they had an enemies to lovers chemistry both two very broken damaged people who fit together.
I loved the journey Eric & Summer take you on she awakens something in him she's a balm to his soul, he makes her feel something shes never felt in her life cared for.
I definitely recommend to get this excellently well written story it pulls at the heartstrings everything Summer's been through & still survived same with Eric the shocking ending will blow you away but so so good.
I can't wait for the next book in this awesome series Faith Summers you never disappoint always a pleasure to read your books looking forward to "Alejandro Ramiz's" story next. AWESOME AWESOME READ!!!!
Summer Reeves gets herself in a life & death situation Marquees is a cop who takes care of his informants she was in the wrong place saw something she shouldn't have now Jake Wainwright & Micah Santa Maria want her dead.
Eric Markov was held Captive for 5yrs in Brazil by his BF Robert Carson & Jude Kuzmin he wanted to take over Markov Tech & the weapon Eric's grandfather developed.
Olivia Markov didn't believe Eric was dead Aiden Pakhan was looking or his 10yr son they end up meeting he helps her find Eric in Brazil & saves his life.
Eric captures Summer thinking she had info on Robert Carson but she didn't know him by that name they had an enemies to lovers chemistry both two very broken damaged people who fit together.
I loved the journey Eric & Summer take you on she awakens something in him she's a balm to his soul, he makes her feel something shes never felt in her life cared for.
I definitely recommend to get this excellently well written story it pulls at the heartstrings everything Summer's been through & still survived same with Eric the shocking ending will blow you away but so so good.
I can't wait for the next book in this awesome series Faith Summers you never disappoint always a pleasure to read your books looking forward to "Alejandro Ramiz's" story next. AWESOME AWESOME READ!!!!
October 5, 2021
Spoiler for the previous book!
Another great book for this series. This is one that will really pull you in from the start, and you won't want to put it down. The chemistry is great, and the plot is something that's a bit different for the usual Mafia which I really enjoyed too.
Summer is living in Monaco, as she left the US running from her past. She's working for some dangerous people, saw and heard things she shouldn't have, and we start off with her discovering these bad people have mistakenly murdered her twin sister instead of her! She has a friend who helps her flee back to the States, but then our hero Eric tracks her down as he thinks she has information he needs.
Eric is the brother of the heroine from the previous book, Olivia and we saw him being rescued from Brasil in the end of that book. This story picks up just over a year after he's returned, and he is on a mission to find his old friend Robert, who trapped him in to being abducted.
Poor Summer ends up being kept in Eric's penthouse apartment and he will keep her there until she can tell him what he wants to know. The sexual tension is pretty intense and we go on a really exciting, page turning journey with this couple. They both have a troubled past and are struggling in their lives even before they met and the events that happen in this book. It was so beautiful, and a fantastic read. I feel like this authors stories are getting better and better with each book in this series, and I'm really looking forward to the next one.
Another great book for this series. This is one that will really pull you in from the start, and you won't want to put it down. The chemistry is great, and the plot is something that's a bit different for the usual Mafia which I really enjoyed too.
Summer is living in Monaco, as she left the US running from her past. She's working for some dangerous people, saw and heard things she shouldn't have, and we start off with her discovering these bad people have mistakenly murdered her twin sister instead of her! She has a friend who helps her flee back to the States, but then our hero Eric tracks her down as he thinks she has information he needs.
Eric is the brother of the heroine from the previous book, Olivia and we saw him being rescued from Brasil in the end of that book. This story picks up just over a year after he's returned, and he is on a mission to find his old friend Robert, who trapped him in to being abducted.
Poor Summer ends up being kept in Eric's penthouse apartment and he will keep her there until she can tell him what he wants to know. The sexual tension is pretty intense and we go on a really exciting, page turning journey with this couple. They both have a troubled past and are struggling in their lives even before they met and the events that happen in this book. It was so beautiful, and a fantastic read. I feel like this authors stories are getting better and better with each book in this series, and I'm really looking forward to the next one.
September 22, 2021
Summer overheard and saw something she wasn’t meant to. Unbeknown to Summer her twin sister had come for a surprise visit and was in Summers flat when Jake and Micah came for her. Thinking it was Summer Jake killed her. Marquees a cop who has been friends with her helps her get away. She ends up going to her grandmothers cottage to hide out. That is where Eric Markov finds her, Summer tries to shoot him but misses. He says he a friend who knows she’s Summer Reeves. Then end up fighting and Eric tears her dress off. When Summer wakes up she is lying on a bed and shouts for help Eric goes and ends up restraining her with cuff and fastening her to the wall. Eric wants to find out what she knows about Robert who took five years of his life. If it hadn’t been for his sister Olivia who overheard a phone call and realised he was alive and went in search of him.
Eric goes to see a video of Robert and in it he shoots what looks like Summer but is told it’s her twin sister next he goes to see her father to let him know she is ok. When he goes back to see Summer he gives her a shirt to wear and then shows her a photo of Robert and asks who she knows him as and what information she has. So starts the time Eric and Summer spent together and what information they find. This is a gripping story I couldn’t put down I received an ARC for an honest review which I have given
Eric goes to see a video of Robert and in it he shoots what looks like Summer but is told it’s her twin sister next he goes to see her father to let him know she is ok. When he goes back to see Summer he gives her a shirt to wear and then shows her a photo of Robert and asks who she knows him as and what information she has. So starts the time Eric and Summer spent together and what information they find. This is a gripping story I couldn’t put down I received an ARC for an honest review which I have given
September 24, 2021
Heartless Lover is the first book that I've read in Faith Summers' Dark Syndicate series and I enjoyed reading this book and starting to read a new series. I didn't find that I couldn't read this book or understand it because it was book five in the series and I hadn't read any of the other books.
Summer Reeves has been running for years, it all started when her mother committed suicide and blamed her, and her father not believing her about what her step father did to her when she was 16. It's been years but she can't move on, so when she's indebted to a horrible man, Robert, because of the drugs she used to forget her past she witnesses something she shouldn't. Because of what she saw it got her identical twin sister, Scarlet, killed, with them thinking Scarlet was Summer. So Summer is on the run, yet again.
Eric Markov has had only one thing on his mind for years, revenge... Years ago Eric was betrayed by Robert and he is making everyone who helped Robert betray him and his family pay dearly. So when Eric finds out that Summer is on the run from Robert he's determined to find out why and to possibly use her as bait for Robert. But as Eric and Summer spend more time together, confessing their past pains and exploring a no strings relationship with one another their no strings soon becomes very entangled... Can Summer and Eric survive their need to escape their pasts?
Summer Reeves has been running for years, it all started when her mother committed suicide and blamed her, and her father not believing her about what her step father did to her when she was 16. It's been years but she can't move on, so when she's indebted to a horrible man, Robert, because of the drugs she used to forget her past she witnesses something she shouldn't. Because of what she saw it got her identical twin sister, Scarlet, killed, with them thinking Scarlet was Summer. So Summer is on the run, yet again.
Eric Markov has had only one thing on his mind for years, revenge... Years ago Eric was betrayed by Robert and he is making everyone who helped Robert betray him and his family pay dearly. So when Eric finds out that Summer is on the run from Robert he's determined to find out why and to possibly use her as bait for Robert. But as Eric and Summer spend more time together, confessing their past pains and exploring a no strings relationship with one another their no strings soon becomes very entangled... Can Summer and Eric survive their need to escape their pasts?
September 29, 2023
📓 Amante sem Coração: Romance Dark de Máfia (Sindicato Sombrio Livro 5)
Autora Faith Summers
Lido em e-book 329 páginas
Summer estava no lugar e hora errada, mas quem acabou sofrendo as consequências foi sua irmã gêmea, agora ela precisava fugir, entretanto, acabou sendo pega por Eric, um homem que estava mexendo com sua cabeça.
Eric foi traído pelo melhor amigo, levado e mantido preso por longos cinco anos, até ser resgatado e jurar encontrar e eliminar seu inimigo, todavia, a única pessoa que tinha tais informações era ela: Summers.
Os inimigos eram escorregadios, mas Eric não mediria esforços para localizá-los e se vingar, nem que fosse preciso fazer ela de isca para atrair Robert.
Algo muito grande estava prestes a acontecer, com o programa que funcionava como um anti-espião em posse dos inimigos, porém não estava funcionando como devia, Eric sabia o que fazer mais isso não era a única coisa, cada vez mais outros estavam sendo descobertos e todos da corja como Robert, seu ex-amigo.
Eric e Summer estavam cada vez mais envolvidos, mas muitas coisas precisavam ser resolvidas entre os dois. Uma cama para dois, envolvimento forçado, romance dark, almas quebradas, vingança, descobertas e muito hot, é o que você vai encontrar nessa história. Não é preciso ler os outros, porém, o Eric aparece no final do livro anterior.
Autora Faith Summers
Lido em e-book 329 páginas
Summer estava no lugar e hora errada, mas quem acabou sofrendo as consequências foi sua irmã gêmea, agora ela precisava fugir, entretanto, acabou sendo pega por Eric, um homem que estava mexendo com sua cabeça.
Eric foi traído pelo melhor amigo, levado e mantido preso por longos cinco anos, até ser resgatado e jurar encontrar e eliminar seu inimigo, todavia, a única pessoa que tinha tais informações era ela: Summers.
Os inimigos eram escorregadios, mas Eric não mediria esforços para localizá-los e se vingar, nem que fosse preciso fazer ela de isca para atrair Robert.
Algo muito grande estava prestes a acontecer, com o programa que funcionava como um anti-espião em posse dos inimigos, porém não estava funcionando como devia, Eric sabia o que fazer mais isso não era a única coisa, cada vez mais outros estavam sendo descobertos e todos da corja como Robert, seu ex-amigo.
Eric e Summer estavam cada vez mais envolvidos, mas muitas coisas precisavam ser resolvidas entre os dois. Uma cama para dois, envolvimento forçado, romance dark, almas quebradas, vingança, descobertas e muito hot, é o que você vai encontrar nessa história. Não é preciso ler os outros, porém, o Eric aparece no final do livro anterior.
September 25, 2021
OH MY HELL! Summer Reaves has walked through the fire in her life, and most of it, she walked alone as the majority of her family was horrible & didn't listen to her when she asked for help until she stopped asking anyone. She did have a twin who was amazing, but when Summer witnessed something she shouldn't have, Scarlett (her twin) was mistaken for Summer & murdered. Eric Markov is a genius & the CEO of Markov Tech and Obshchak in the Voirik Brotherhood, but trust me, he's seen his fair share of betrayal & it was brutal. In the present, he's tasked with taking her & keeping her safe, but she's not happy about it, and he's not nice about it at the beginning, however, they do have an abundance of chemistry that doesn't take long to ignite. The longer she stays with him, it's getting harder for him to keep her out but he does try & it hurt my girl. Summer has gone through so much that she finally broke completely, and he doesn't know what to do to bring her back. Not to mention, those men who were after Summer, have finally realized that she's not dead. Heartless Lover was dark, had angst for days, twists coming in hot, action, and heat so in my eyes, was the perfect read for me! HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
September 28, 2021
“He shot and killed your sister because of you…”
Words Summer Reeve’s father tells her regarding the accidental death of her twin sister Scarlett. A murder meant for her, not her twin. Enter Eric Markov, Bratva boss out for revenge against the very man responsible for Scarlett’s murder determined to “keep” Summer safe no matter the cost. Faith Summers’ has once again masterfully created characters to love. Eric was kidnapped and held for five years because he is a Tech Wiz and knows the ins and outs of his grandfather’s weaponry designs. We know this from a previous book but need not to have read it to understand his motivation as Summers’ catches the reader up masterfully. His hatred for his childhood best friend is understandable. Summer and her twin are close as is recalled through Summer’s memories.. their shared love of acting handed down through their grandmother and mother. Only Summer’s life trajectory takes an unfortunate turn which leads her to Monaco, a sex club, evil men like Eric’s once best friend friend Robert, and into the arms of Eric. Can these two trust each other? With their secrets? With friendships? With healing? With their hearts? Faith Summers takes the reader on a “couldn’t put it down” thriller…. Literally.
Words Summer Reeve’s father tells her regarding the accidental death of her twin sister Scarlett. A murder meant for her, not her twin. Enter Eric Markov, Bratva boss out for revenge against the very man responsible for Scarlett’s murder determined to “keep” Summer safe no matter the cost. Faith Summers’ has once again masterfully created characters to love. Eric was kidnapped and held for five years because he is a Tech Wiz and knows the ins and outs of his grandfather’s weaponry designs. We know this from a previous book but need not to have read it to understand his motivation as Summers’ catches the reader up masterfully. His hatred for his childhood best friend is understandable. Summer and her twin are close as is recalled through Summer’s memories.. their shared love of acting handed down through their grandmother and mother. Only Summer’s life trajectory takes an unfortunate turn which leads her to Monaco, a sex club, evil men like Eric’s once best friend friend Robert, and into the arms of Eric. Can these two trust each other? With their secrets? With friendships? With healing? With their hearts? Faith Summers takes the reader on a “couldn’t put it down” thriller…. Literally.
September 21, 2021
I am convinced that there is absolutely nothing Ms. Faith Summers couldn't write.
Heartless Lover is the 5th installment to The Dark Syndicate Series and one hell of a release.
This publication has an incredibly crafted storyline that reels you right in and immediately keeps you riveted, until the very last word, and then it leaves you begging for more. You get to catch up with past characters as well as learn all about the new and captivating main ones, all while getting lost in a fantastical Mafia/Bravata world. Summer Reeves and Eric Markov are like oil and water one moment and then adding gasoline to a flame the next, however, together, they are perfect and will save what's left of their souls and then mend their hearts, all while fighting danger and their combustible chemistry. Heartless lover is quite simply an addictive and incredibly designed must devour romance.
I was beyond fortunate to have requested an advanced reader's copy of Heartless Lover, from The Bad Boy Update, in exchange for my honest and voluntarily given opinion.
I highly recommend reading this release, as well as the entire Series, as a whole, ASAP.
Heartless Lover is the 5th installment to The Dark Syndicate Series and one hell of a release.
This publication has an incredibly crafted storyline that reels you right in and immediately keeps you riveted, until the very last word, and then it leaves you begging for more. You get to catch up with past characters as well as learn all about the new and captivating main ones, all while getting lost in a fantastical Mafia/Bravata world. Summer Reeves and Eric Markov are like oil and water one moment and then adding gasoline to a flame the next, however, together, they are perfect and will save what's left of their souls and then mend their hearts, all while fighting danger and their combustible chemistry. Heartless lover is quite simply an addictive and incredibly designed must devour romance.
I was beyond fortunate to have requested an advanced reader's copy of Heartless Lover, from The Bad Boy Update, in exchange for my honest and voluntarily given opinion.
I highly recommend reading this release, as well as the entire Series, as a whole, ASAP.
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