Vicious Union

Flor de Muertos #1

by Jocelyne Soto

The son of the most dangerous Kingpin in Mexico.

The heir to the throne.

The man that individuals fear the most, next to my father.

According to my father those are things that I should be proud of. I should be proud of my heritage and wear it on my back with honor.

I’ll honor my heritage but I will not honor the path that is set out for me. The life that my father lives is not for me. I will do anything in my power to walk away from that life, and that apparently includes getting married in Vegas after a night of drinking.

She’s beautiful, everything that I have ever wanted, but I can’t have her. Not with the life that I live.

Not with the blood I have on my hands.

Genres: Dark Romance, Romance, Mafia Romance, Audiobook, Latinx, Contemporary, Dark

346 pages, Paperback

First published August 22, 2021

About the author

Jocelyne Soto is a writer, born and raised in California. She started her writing journey in 2015 and in 2019 she published her first book. She is an independent author who loves discovering new authors on Goodreads and Amazon. She comes from a big Mexican family, and with it comes a love for all things family and food.

Jocelyne has a love for her mom’s coffee and writing. In her free time, she can be found reading a romance novel off her iPad or somewhere in the black hole of YouTube.

Reviews

[💜VGreedyReader🖤 · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ 4.5 rising stars ⭐️

A fast paced tale a page turner filled with passion and exploding chemistry.

We all know love can be found when you least expect it, surely Serena knew finding Mr Right in Vegas wpuld be so cliché and yet how could she imagine a trip with her BFF to get over her ex would turn into something more.

~𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙫𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙤𝙮 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙚𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙣 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙬𝙖𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙠𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙖𝙛𝙚~

As life would have it, nothing is what it seems and although Serena never claimed to go for Prince Charming maybe this time she got more than she bargained for.

Leo was born into a life he despises, he’s the heir to the biggest Cartel empire the son of a ruthless Kingpin cursed with eventually taking over his reign. He never wanted this for himself and yet he can’t find a way out without compromising his life or that of those he cares for. He doesn’t want this life for the mysterious black haired beauty he meets one night in Vegas but he can’t fight the pull she has on him .

~𝙄 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙘𝙩 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙞𝙣 𝙖 𝙬𝙖𝙮 𝙢𝙮 𝙛𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙢𝙮 𝙢𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧. 𝙄𝙩 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨𝙣'𝙩 𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙎𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙖 𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙢𝙚, 𝙄 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙠𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙖𝙣𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙢 𝙝𝙚𝙧. 𝙉𝙤 𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩~

An impossible love story born in a world marred with blood, death and corruption, a future stilted before it could ever be conceived, a satisfying plot dotted with enough action culminating into an explosive finale that begs for the next book to know more about this world and its side characters. A seemingly impossible happy end that would require the ultimate sacrifice.

This is a new to me author and I enjoyed this riveting story, sometimes the narrative fell flat but its easy reading made up for it, I love the inner dialogues Serena has with her mind, I would have liked more of the banner between her and her brain. Book one had me intrigued to know more of this world.

★★★ 𝔸ℝℂ 𝕘𝕚𝕧𝕖𝕟 𝕚𝕟 𝕖𝕩𝕔𝕙𝕒𝕟𝕘𝕖 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕒𝕟 𝕙𝕠𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕥 𝕣𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨 ★★★

[Stacie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 Stars!

This was good. I really liked both Leo and Serena. I enjoy seeing them.come to really care for each other. But I'm not too satisfied with the ending. It's not a cliffhanger, but it feels incomplete. Maybe the story will continue in book two. I'll be on to that one soon. I'm already vested in Isabella's and Santiago's story.

This one needed just a little more editing and little more fleshing out. Like are there consequences to Leo's actions?? There has to be something? And what actually really happen to his mother? Maybe we'll see in the next book. I want Leo and Serena to be safe and for their HEA to be a little more secure. Happy reading!

[kindlequeenandcoffee · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5⭐️ 2.5/5🔥

A one night stand turned into a three day weekend of fun turned into a lifetime together?! Leo and Serena “accidentally” have a crazy night and ends with them having rings on there fingers. I enjoyed this but what I wanted more was maybe for him to have taken a different approach on the “I’m Leonard Morales, my fathers the most feared” IDK, probably didn’t even quote it correctly.

Leo and Serena passion and nights together were filled with real and raw moments. It was adorable!

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Serena and Leo have a great story. It's really an opposites attract/instant attraction book. I absolutely love Leo. He is the alpha, bad-boy, possessive, dream guy. Serena is your typical down-to-earth, good girl school teacher. I was really hoping we were going to get some action with her loser ex-boyfriend, but no such luck.

I will say that a lot of the book for me was predictable, which is why I'm taking away a star. Even with that said, it was a great book that I couldn't put down. I'm looking forward to Isabella and Santo's book.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Karla Lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was addicting to read. It was a unique way to read a relationship in the crime world where it wasn’t arrange and it was with a person who knew nothing about the criminal acts they were into. Leo is the second to take the throne of the kingpin in Mexico. We see him have a wild weekend with Serena when they meet in Vegas. When they end up spontaneously getting married, Leo tries his best to convince Serena to go back to her normal life and not get involved with him. Serena feels this intense pull between them and wants to give their a marriage a go. What she doesn’t understand is the amount of obstacles they have to overcome.

[Glenda Carrillo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun and surprisingly sweet read! I was expecting….I don’t know what I was expecting, but it wasn’t this. For someone who had never read a cartel romance, this was the perfect introduction imo.

Leo travels to Las Vegas to close on a deal for his father, the kingpin of Los Muertos. The hat he did not expect was to end up married to Serena. Someone the family would not approve of.

Serena didn’t expect to fall for the guy with the pretty eyes and tough exterior. Will she run when she finds out who he is?

I loved this so much!

[Marlene Ramos · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ⭐

eng/esp review

***

tbh i think i really liked this one because it was so refreshing to see a mexican mafia story because i've never read one :)

anyways, the story was ok, at first the writing style was kinda cringy but as i got used to it i ended up enjoying it! also idk if the author speaks spanish or knows the mexican slang because as a mexican myself it didn’t make sense sometimes lmfao

overall it was pretty good ;)

***

creo que me gustó este porque es bastante refrescante ver una historia de mafia mexicana porque nunca había leído una :)

anyways, la historia estuvo ok, al principio el estilo de escritura era medio cringy pero cuando me acostumbré lo terminé disfrutando! además idk si la autora habla español o sabe los modismos mexicanos porque como una mexicana no entendía muy bien lmfao

igual mayormente estuvo bueno ;)

[Sofia Silva Rodriguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐️
- este libro me ha sorprendido a buenas, me esperaba q fuera un libro de mafia sin más pero en realidad ha sido un libro de mafia q me ha enganchado un montón y con el cual me lo he pasado muy bien
- me encantó el personaje principal masculino, Leo simplemente me pareció un amor en el sentido q hace todo lo q puede y mas para proteger a esos a los q quiere y me flipo
- también me gustó mucho Serena, como desde el principio vemos q es una mujer fuerte y q piensa defender lo q quiere y eso en un libro de mafia donde ella no está en la mafia me encantó
- siento q dentro de lo q cabe está historia es bastante diferente a los libros de mafia q he leído antes ya q él no quería formar parte de ese mundillo y es algo q no había visto antes
- si q es verdad q es un libro de mafia más pero q sin duda disfruté y pienso continuar con la saga sin duda porque me lo he pasado muy bien leyéndolo

[Adriannarosita · Rating 1 out of 5]

A disappointing read.

Spoilers


Reading a book about a Mexican Cartel, I thought I was going to get more action, more about the Mexican tradition, and culture, I did not. Yes the MMC is the next in line as the head of the largest Cartel, you don’t any other detail than every other page letting us now Leo is the baddest around and he didn’t get there by being nice. That may not be the exact words but something along this lines are in that book about and every other page.

Leo is killing people for speaking to the feds and yet he is an open book to a woman he literally just met in Vegas and practically anyone who would let him talk. A Mexican cartel book, based in both Mexico and Texas, written by a Mexican, I would have thought I found a book where both love interests were Mexican however one of the love interests are white. Usually I wouldn’t care but what was up with the author making sure we knew the FMC was white every other chapter? I did not like how the FMC was written either. Leo’s POV tells you that Serena was strong wield and spoke up. Serena’s POV shows opposite of that, it shows her timid and when she visits Leo’s family, she basically got scared, shut down and went elsewhere and then it goes back to Leo’s POV and he says she handled herself with pride?

Also, what does Serena think the cartel is? She said she’s not scared of the cartel and Leo’s a sweet guy and would never hurt anyone even though he literally kills people for a living. She also freaks out when he had a gun and starts shooting at people. And the way she keeps putting herself and her best friend in danger really pissed me off. Leo keeps telling her that they need a divorce and she keeps saying no but once the father tells her the exact same thing all of a sudden she does it. This book could have been written better. I don’t mind the insta love trope but this had a lot of “I can fix him” which I don’t like. This is my first “cartel/mafia” book and I hope other books aren’t written like this.

[Laura Fabian · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review

Vicious Union goes straight to my favorites list! This book exceeded all expectations I had, and it was definitely worth the wait. Jocelyne Soto did an amazing job with ALL of her characters, as well as bringing the "drunk marriage in Vegas" plot to completely unexpected and very interesting situations, this is definitely the perfect start to the Flor de Muertos series.

In this first book we meet Leonardo Morales, son of the leader of the most feared and important cartel in Mexico, but Leo has a peculiarity: he hates the life in he has been forced to grow and what he has become, still, he accepts it and does what he has to do to fulfill his duty, but above all, to protect his younger sisters and the people he loves. Leo was a character that surprised me a lot, I didn’t expect him to be so cute, tender, adorable and flirtatious, I think he’s nothing like what criminal romance has us used to and that's why enjoy it a lot more. I loved his bravery, his intelligence and that he always tries to stand up to his father, but the best thing is that Leonardo is not that possessive and womanizing male character who only treats with respect the woman he is falling in love with, and that is something very positive and necessary in romance books. The plus with Leo are all those times that he speaks in Spanish, especially towards the end of the book.

On the other hand we have Serena, a second grade elementary school teacher who loves her job, is dedicated, kind and VERY funny, she’s in a difficult moment, sentimentally speaking. Serena has lived an unpleasant family life, but has the unconditional support of her best friend Aria. I fell in love with her because she’s a girl with a good heart , someone who sees the good in people and is willing to make others see it too, something that with Leo becomes a bit complicated, but it was beautiful read it, also, when things in her life turn upside down, she is the bravest and strongest of all!

It’s in the development of the love story where I think Jocelyne Soto went further, since from the first meeting of Leonardo & Serena everything is peculiar and different. I really enjoyed EVERYTHING that happens in Las Vegas, the sexual tension and attraction between the two characters is something that is so well written that it makes it impossible to deny the chemistry between these two. I don’t want to say much about what happens there, but it’s not a spoiler to say that it ends in a sudden and unplanned wedding, and from that everything is getting better and better because the plot continued to surprise me with a development quite unexpected, that although at times it made me doubt, it ended up working perfectly. Serena & Leonardo are definitely for each other, he is everything she needs: someone attentive, kind, who cares about her and lets her know how valuable she is, and she is the refuge that Leo needs to escape from the life he leads, his opportunity to be him and not the person he learned to be. Also, these two share all kinds of moments where they are together and I fell a little more in love with them throughout each page.

And although for me the development of the love story always has a little more priority, Vicious Union caught my attention with the plot of the Mexican cartel too, with mysterious threats, characters who are willing to get their hands dirty, with a look at the future stories of the series and mention of my favorite Mexican tradition: El Día de Muertos, which although small, I think it makes its importance and beauty very clear. Another very important aspect was the introduction of Leonardo's two younger sisters: Isabella & Camila, two girls with different personalities who promise to be excellent protagonists that I can't wait to read, because the last chapters in this first book of the Flor de Muertos series left me wanting more.

🇪🇸
ARC otorgada a cambio de una reseña honesta

¡Vicious Union va directo a mi lista de favoritos! Superó todas las expectativas que tenía, y sin dudas, valió la pena esperar por el. Jocelyne Soto hizo un trabajo increíble con TODOS sus personajes, además de que llevo la trama del “drunken marriage en Las Vegas” por situaciones completamente inesperadas y muy interesantes, definitivamente este es el inicio perfecto para la serie Flor de Muertos.

En el primer libro de la serie conocemos a Leonardo Morales hijo del líder del cartel más temido e importante en México, pero Leo tiene una peculiaridad: odia la vida en la que se ha visto obligado a crecer y en lo que se ha convertido, aún así lo acepta y hace lo que tiene que hacer para cumplir con su deber, pero especialmente para proteger a sus hermanas menores y a las personas que ama. Leo fue un personaje que me sorprendió mucho, no esperaba que fuera tan lindo, tierno, adorable y coqueto, creo que no es nada parecido a lo que el romance criminal nos tiene acostumbradas y por eso lo disfrute mucho más. Me encantó su valentía, inteligencia y que siempre intente hacerle frente a su padre, pero lo mejor es que Leonardo no es este personaje masculino posesivo y mujeriego que solo trata con respeto a la mujer de la que se está enamorando, y eso es algo muy positivo y necesario en los libros de romance. El plus con Leo son todas esas veces que habla en español, especialmente hacia el final del libro.

Del otro lado tenemos a Serena una profesora de segundo grado de primaria que ama su trabajo, es dedicada, amable y MUY divertida, ella se encuentra en un momento complicado, sentimentalmente hablando, pero no tiene el corazón roto como tal. Serena ha vivido una vida familiar poco agradable y amorosa, pero cuenta con el apoyo incondicional de su mejor amiga Aria, Serena me enamoró porque es una chica de buen corazón, alguien que ve lo bueno en las personas y esta dispuesta a hacer que los demás lo vean también, algo que con Leo se vuelve un poco complicado, pero que fue hermoso leer, además, cuando las cosas en su vida se ponen de cabeza, ella es la más valiente y fuerte de todas!

En el desarrollo de la historia de amor es donde yo creo que Jocelyne Soto fue más allá, pues desde el primer encuentro de Leonardo & Serena todo es peculiar y diferente. Realmente disfrute TODO lo qué pasa en Las Vegas, la tensión sexual y atracción qué hay entre ambos personajes es algo que está tan bien escrito que hace que sea imposible negar la química qué hay entre estos dos. No quiero decir mucho de lo qué pasa ahí, pero no es un spoiler decir que termina en una boda repentina y no planeada, a partir de la cual todo se pone mejor y mejor porque la trama siguió sorprendiéndome con un desarrollo bastante inesperado, que aunque por momentos me hacía dudar, terminó funcionado a la perfección. Serena & Leonardo son definitivamente el uno para el otro, él es todo lo que ella necesita: alguien atento, amable, que se preocupe por ella y que sepa lo valiosa que es, y ella es el refugió que Leo necesita para escapar de la vida que lleva, es su oportunidad de ser él y no la persona que aprendió a ser. Además, estos dos comparten todo tipo de momentos cuando están juntos y yo me enamoré un poco más a lo largo de cada página.

Y aunque para mi siempre tiene un poco más de prioridad el desarrollo de la historia de amor, Vicious Union también capturo mi atención con la trama del cartel, con amenazas misteriosas, personajes que están dispuestos a ensuciarse las manos, con un vistazo a las historias futuras de la serie y mención de mi tradición mexicana favorita: El Día de muertos, que aunque pequeña, creo que deja muy clara su importancia y belleza. Otro aspecto muy importante fue la introducción a las dos hermanas menores de Leonardo: Isabella & Camila, dos chicas con personalidades diferentes y que prometen ser unos personajes principales excelentes a los que no puedo esperar para leer, ya que los últimos capítulos de este primer libro en la serie Flor de Muertos me dejaron queriendo más.

[Vero Exposito · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5 Stars

Stupid, stupid and more stupid. What I like about my mafia romances is the build up, the angst, the drama. This book was predictable as hell and boring. It gave me nothing new or even old. The romantic relationship between the MC'a was never developed, just a bunch of time jumps. The family relationship wasn’t either like we just got told so many things but never shown. The whole deal with the DEA made no sense; honestly nothing made sense. I had high hopes for this but it didn’t eat, it fasted. En fin, toodles!

[Ayushi (bookwormbullet) · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 stars rounded up

[Maritza · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is trash. Hot garbage. Filled with cliches and cringey scenes. I paid for the audio and wish I could get a refund lol I couldn’t even hate read this. The narrators are both awful.

[Joy Avery Lovesbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐'s

     Vicious Union was definitely time well spent. This was my first book by this author and I'm so glad I took a chance on her. This was the first book in the Flor de Muertos series and features Serena and Leo.
     Leo is the heir to the most dangerous cartel in Mexico. He hates that fact. He is an intelligent and caring man but has what it takes to get his hands bloody, especially if it means protecting those he loves.
     Serena is a sweet, elementary school teacher who has just been left by her jerk of an ex. Her best friend takes her to Vegas to get her mind off of the breakup and cheer her up. She ends up getting a whole lot more than was expected. 
     The heat that brews between Serena and Leo jumped off the page and into my pants. They are the epitome of opposites attracting. She is the light to everything that makes him dark. He is determined to keep her protected after a few too many drinks ends with them saying "I do".
     This book had everything I love in a book. I stayed on the edge of my seat and didn't want to put it down. I loved the subtle differences in this mafia read and others I've read. Some things were a bit predictable but it didn’t take away from the whole experience. The world building and character development were spot on. I can’t wait to read the rest of this series and in the meantime, I'll be dreaming of getting my own Leo.

[Nagma (Take A Look At My Bookshelf) · Rating 5 out of 5]

As soon as I read the blurb, I knew this was a book I would love!

Vicious Union by Jocelyn Soto is a cartel, drunken marriage in Vegas romance featuring two people who could not be more opposite. Leonardo Morales is the heir to the most feared cartel in Mexico. He hates the life he has been forced to be part of, but accepts his duty to protect his family. Serena is a second-grade teacher. She loves her job and is dedicated to her students.

Their first meeting is one of instant attraction, and I thoroughly enjoyed their chemistry and interactions. The development of their relationship was completely unexpected, and I loved how they made each other better. Leo was cute and flirtatious with Serena which is something you wouldn’t expect from the heir to a cartel.

I truly enjoyed Leonardo and Serena’s love story and all the supporting characters we were introduced to. I can’t wait for the next book in this series! Vicious Union left me wanting more of Jocelyn Soto’s writing and these characters.

Rating: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Oredeen (honest reviews) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dnf. This very much gave I’m such a bad guy I have to keep telling you I’m a bad guy, cause I’m a bad guy, and you should run away from me because I’m a bad guy.

Character development was definitely lacking.

[Kimberlyyyreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worth the wattpad-esque vibes 😏

[Valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars…
A fast paced, romance with spicy love scenes (🌶️🌶️ out of 5). There are a few things that bothered me. And some things I liked. Let’s get into it.

The romance - very tense, heat building, lustful. The reader is eager for Leo and Serena to get together (and stay together). And since they get married in Vegas after a drunken stupor, they toy with the decision to go separate ways or see what happens. What complicated things is - Leo is the son of a cartel leader. And that’s his work. Any sane person would run in the opposite direction.

Leo - he’s torn between the life he was born into, his set future and what he actually wants…which is a normal life. When he meets Serena he starts to feel like it could happen. He can’t let her go. He could make the divorce happen but he leaves it up to Serena because he can’t actually bring himself to do it. I liked his POV chapters.

Serena - I realize that romance books are not exactly reality based but Serena bothered me. 1) she just broke up with her boyfriend and she has “need to be loved” issues so much so that she attaches to the son of a cartel leader. A rebound. A Vegas fling. 2).All throughout this book I kept thinking she’s really stupid. But there are so many lines saying she’s headstrong, smart, not a pushover. But is she, really? She doesn’t say anything to make these things true. “She stands with her head up” - yea but she said absolutely nothing? 3). I don’t know why this bothered me also but she’s also a “gringa” love interest and that was just a let down. I was looking forward to a Latin Love Fest and I didn’t get it. BUT - her POV chapters - she seemed like any normal young person looking for love. She is NOT unlikeable. You want her to end up with Leo and to be happy or somehow help him get the life he wants. She mentally weighs out her decisions. Even if they make no sense. I liked her mental mind banter.

There’s some action throughout. It’s cartel so there’s some violence, murders, kidnapping. Yes, it’s page turning. Probably nothing like Netflix Narcos or real life cartel but it’s a romance book so it’s vanilla cartel.

There are some typos. Also there’s Spanish intertwined in the book but it felt unnatural? It felt like Spanish 101 but not conversational, what I imagine cartel-speak might be like. I questioned the part explaining Dia de los Muertos because it has nothing to do with Halloween. I’m not sure what the author wrote was accurate.

🌶️🌶️- some of the wording in the sex scenes were odd and threw me off. While many were very hot and kept you reading, there’d be a word that would stop you and squashed the excitement. Ex…”the outer rim of her hole.” I honestly don’t know who says that? “Her hole” Or do they? I’ve NOT read other erotica describe female parts as “the hole” or “puckered hole”…it doesn’t sound arousing or sexy…maybe it’s just me but I feel like it could be written better.

This is a simple, easy to read, fast paced romance. It’s slightly intense, enjoyable, and I couldn’t put it down. Overall a “yes” from me. Even with the tiny criticisms, my honest feedback, im looking forward to hearing more about Leo and Serena. The next book of the trilogy is about Leo’s sister so im looking forward to book 2…and 3.

[K. Ramjohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vicious Union is the first novel in the Flor de Muertos series and my first book by this author. The story was an enjoyable blend of romance, violence, action, cartel business, family drama and steam and I enjoy it. Serena and Leo's story was both engrossing and suspenseful and I was hooked until the end. The son of the leader of the Mexican cartel and the second grade school teacher had chemistry and attraction that was instantaneous and undeniable. They were supported by a cast of secondary characters who greatly added to the tale and helped move the story forward. I loved that this was a mix of mafia and Vegas romance and I really enjoyed the suspense element in the story. Vicious Union was a great beginning to this series and I can't wait to read more from this author. I would definitely recommend this novel.

[emilee · Rating 5 out of 5]

oh my gods - i just devoured this whole book in one sitting. i absolutely loved it. the fast pace, the instant love is what had me. i love a good romance story that is fast paced with instant love, it’s one of my favorite romances that i love wholeheartedly within me. this book really brought that girl out in me. serena and leo really stuck out to me, like they were just perfect in my eyes. i don’t know what in me snapped and said that i really loved this book. i love how their love story was blooming in each chapter, like ugh, it made me so happy inside and i just needed more of serena and leo in my life.

this book has captured my attention and i will not stop thinking about serena and leo. they just really made my morning with their story and now jocelyne is on my go to authors now!

the spice was definitely SPICING…just know that leo knows how to EAT 🫦🤌🏽🙏🏽

[book_fairy13 · Rating 4 out of 5]

***RECEIVED ARC FOR HONEST REVIEW***
I didn't know what to expect when I started this book and it did not disappoint.
It was amazing!!

Leo and Serena have amazing chemistry and are perfect for each other. Serena is trying to get over her pathetic ex-boyfriend and Leo is trapped in a world, where he has no choice but to be the "villain".

I loved how they fell for each other instantly and were drawn to each other. It was nice to see that they made each other better and were themselves around each other. Leo was a villain but a prince just for Serena ❤️.

I cannot wait to read what happens next!!!

[Yvette89 · Rating 4 out of 5]

What happened in Vegas gets Serena caught up in the Mexican Cartel. A fun weekends ends with her married to Leo. He is second in command of the most dangerous cartel in Mexico. He offers her a out she declines. She sees the men he is underneath his cartel persons. He loved hard, he is protective and loyal to those he believes in. They think she will make him weak. She makes him stronger. He will will do anything to protect her even go against the cartel.
Serena is. I shrinking violet. She is strong and meets Leo head on. She is willing to be a part of his dangerous life as long as they are together.?
A good story full of danger and excitement.

[Mari · Rating 3 out of 5]

1. Insta love
2. Not a fan of FMC
3. MMC was ok. There was no need for him constantly calling himself a bad guy. We get it, you’re a criminal and do bad ish
4. The frase “her little body” gives me the ick in this context.
5. I expected more action.
6. This book had potential, author should keep writing and perfecting her work.
7. I read the book in audio form. The female narrator wasn’t the right fit for how the FMC’s voice was described. Also, being that the female narrator was also narrating Spanish speaking characters, a bilingual narrator should have had this job. The bad accent was like nails on a chalkboard

[Weekend Reader_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Girl Serena run. She really was dickmatized because she didn't take every out offered to her. The you're a prince not a villain was cheesy but you can ignore that. Also you'll be able to piece together who put the hit on her. What I don't understand is the ultimatum with Ronaldo it was too easy but the extended epilogue makes me think things are going to pop off. I need Santos to get his girl and Aria to get a boo (possibly Madden).

CN: violence, torture, assault, gun violence

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Vicious Union was SO DANG GOOD, and I think I am going to really enjoy the Flor de Muertos series. This may have been my introduction to Jocelyne Soto's work, but you better believe I will be checking out her other books.

Loved Leo and Serena's story. Loved the dramatic moments. Loved the steamy moments. Loved it all. Cannot wait to see what happens with Bella in the next book.

[Katie ratherbereadinggg · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars This is my first book from this author and I will definitely read more from them. I wanted a bit more here in terms of relationship development - more showing rather than telling - and the pacing was off to me. But I liked the writing, I was engaged the whole time, and I will pick up the next book in the series.

[mall0rie666]

DNFd on maybe page 3? Perhaps I’ve been spoiled with excellent writing recently, but I could immediately tell this was not gonna hit for me.

[Cristal · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5!

[Johana · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF

[Sonia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ending felt like it wasn’t enough for me but only because I didn’t want the story to end!