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Tartarus Mafia #1
Justyce
𝙅𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙮𝙘𝙚
It’s been eleven years since I banished Kenzie from Dana Point, and her memory has haunted me ever since. Little does she know but the life she has established in New York is about to come to an end. Soon she will find herself in my depraved and bloodied hands. I'm the underboss of the Tartarus mafia and she will bow to me, whether she likes it or not, because I always get what I want, and I want her.
𝙆𝙚𝙣𝙯𝙞𝙚
Life always has a funny way of tempting fate. I promised myself I'd never return to Dana Point after the violence I'd witnessed eleven years ago, but actions beyond my control brought me back home. Once there, I'm not at all surprised to find Justyce is the reason for my predicament. He thinks I'll fall for him, for the incubus within, but he fails to remember that I see him, I've always seen him, and that'll be his downfall.
It’s been eleven years since I banished Kenzie from Dana Point, and her memory has haunted me ever since. Little does she know but the life she has established in New York is about to come to an end. Soon she will find herself in my depraved and bloodied hands. I'm the underboss of the Tartarus mafia and she will bow to me, whether she likes it or not, because I always get what I want, and I want her.
𝙆𝙚𝙣𝙯𝙞𝙚
Life always has a funny way of tempting fate. I promised myself I'd never return to Dana Point after the violence I'd witnessed eleven years ago, but actions beyond my control brought me back home. Once there, I'm not at all surprised to find Justyce is the reason for my predicament. He thinks I'll fall for him, for the incubus within, but he fails to remember that I see him, I've always seen him, and that'll be his downfall.
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About the author
Lena Moore
11 books51 followersLena Moore is an Australian based author who writes multiple genres such as Dark Romance, Erotic Romance, Romantic Suspense and Paranormal Romance just to name a few.
Lena is also a loving and annoying wife and a mother of three boys with her qualification in Counselling, and is a certified birth and postnatal doula. She loves listening, singing and headbanging to metal music and spending time with her family.
When not writing you'll find her brainstorming more sinfully twisted stories with inked up alphas or in the downward dog position getting her yoga on, reading or cooking for the village.
"I try and focus my writing on deep, dark and all things taboo, because hey, we all have a little darkness lurking.”
Lena is also a loving and annoying wife and a mother of three boys with her qualification in Counselling, and is a certified birth and postnatal doula. She loves listening, singing and headbanging to metal music and spending time with her family.
When not writing you'll find her brainstorming more sinfully twisted stories with inked up alphas or in the downward dog position getting her yoga on, reading or cooking for the village.
"I try and focus my writing on deep, dark and all things taboo, because hey, we all have a little darkness lurking.”
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
February 3, 2022
⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
Lena has done it again, another dark, erotic, gripping, couldn’t put it down book!
I didn’t like Justyce but I don’t think you’re supposed to… And Kenzie drove me crazy but then again, I think she’s supposed to so yeah Lena definitely gets you feeling the feels!
Lena has done it again, another dark, erotic, gripping, couldn’t put it down book!
I didn’t like Justyce but I don’t think you’re supposed to… And Kenzie drove me crazy but then again, I think she’s supposed to so yeah Lena definitely gets you feeling the feels!
February 25, 2022
I couldn't put this book down justyce has you loving the bad guy because you can understand his pain. I how lena Moore puts you in touch with your dark and sinful side that lurks in us This book was worth every penny of it and I highly recommend this book you will have many sleepless nights but it is worth it I can't wait to read more in this series.
December 22, 2023
⚠️ Check TWs! Heavy content! ⚠️
This has taken a bit to write down, and I still don't know how to even put my thoughts down coherently.... this was perfect from beginning to end. The character growth/development of Justyce and Kenzie is astounding. The plot twists are crazy good.
Thank you for the copy, Lena!
This has taken a bit to write down, and I still don't know how to even put my thoughts down coherently.... this was perfect from beginning to end. The character growth/development of Justyce and Kenzie is astounding. The plot twists are crazy good.
Thank you for the copy, Lena!
November 15, 2021
I really need half stars because this is really a 4 1/2 for this. It’s an emotionally driven read which I love. It’s dark and dirty and twisted af. Again all things I love in a dark book but it also has some banter and lighter moments to break it. There were some things I didn’t see coming which is delightful bonus when reading. My only dislike is I had to use a dictionary to look up several words that I don’t think a fancy version benefited the read. That takes me out of my book bubble. I like staying in my book bubble. Lena doesn’t disappoint with her dark romances. Some of it may be the difference in cultures since we live on different contents but it’s a wonderful reader .
November 23, 2023
Wow this book is a lot… firstly it’s dark so check the content warnings for it. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, tried to take it slow and pace myself reading it only to end up devouring it in one night. The characters are so in-depth that your heart breaks for them with every twist and turn. You’re not left guessing as to who the characters are or what they look like. Their drive and passions are so detailed that every move they make is so justifiably them. The world Lena has built is so in-depth but yet so vague like so many mafia books. Always left wondering as to the ins and out of the mafia setting however the dynamic of the hierarchy and the power plays are heavily outlined so there’s no questions on that. The characters go through and have been through hell together and apart which becomes apparent from the get go. Despite the darkness surrounding them they connect so well. Their chemistry is explosive, when they are together it’s like nothing else matters and they can just explode off one another, the sass and the banter make the characters so enjoyable to read. They are exactly what each other needs and the HEA is achieved so brilliantly, it doesn’t leave you wondering at all.
In terms of spice, there is some darker themes including some bḏ$m style stuff but the scenes aren’t extremely frequent, they are spaced out well for the book. I’m going to put it at around a 4/5 for spice but overall it’s got to be a 5/5. I connected so well with the characters and with the world they are created into, I honestly didn’t want it to end. I definitely recommend checking it out. It is dark thou and there is some triggering scenes so approach with caution but definitely approach!
In terms of spice, there is some darker themes including some bḏ$m style stuff but the scenes aren’t extremely frequent, they are spaced out well for the book. I’m going to put it at around a 4/5 for spice but overall it’s got to be a 5/5. I connected so well with the characters and with the world they are created into, I honestly didn’t want it to end. I definitely recommend checking it out. It is dark thou and there is some triggering scenes so approach with caution but definitely approach!
November 30, 2023
Loveable Underboss of the Tatarus Mafia.
Justyce is twisted and battling his own mental demons. Dark and Sinful is his game. All the forbidden things turn him on.
His family Acheron, Arrow and Raine are the family he chose. All play their roles in the club and are making it better from underneath their evil fathers hands.
Kenzi is the girl who’s always gotten under Justyce skin. And it’s the same for Kenzi.
11 years after he chased her out of Dana Point Kenzi finds herself back there repaying a debt.
Lana Moore has done it again with Justyce being everything you want in a Dark Romance. It’s dark, Dirty, Erotic and borderline Immoral.
Absolutely loved it and did not want to put it down.
Justyce is twisted and battling his own mental demons. Dark and Sinful is his game. All the forbidden things turn him on.
His family Acheron, Arrow and Raine are the family he chose. All play their roles in the club and are making it better from underneath their evil fathers hands.
Kenzi is the girl who’s always gotten under Justyce skin. And it’s the same for Kenzi.
11 years after he chased her out of Dana Point Kenzi finds herself back there repaying a debt.
Lana Moore has done it again with Justyce being everything you want in a Dark Romance. It’s dark, Dirty, Erotic and borderline Immoral.
Absolutely loved it and did not want to put it down.
May 7, 2023
What a wonderfully dark ride this book took me on! The MMC Justyce is the perfect balance of strong and aggressive, just how I like them! The pacing was perfectly balanced and the plot was there, and then some. It also had great twist and turns! The spice was 🔥, that library scene!! The vocabulary and descriptions were next level. Hats off to you Lena, I cannot wait to continue this series and feed my new addiction to these characters!! If you write it, I will be there to read it!!
June 18, 2023
Another 5 star read for me!
Justyce has so many different elements that create a captivating story that hooked me from the beginning. Deception, betrayal, lust, tension and so much more. Justyce isn't your knight in shining armor, but he will make you crave him and all of his dark traits. Give this book a shot if you want to unravel the tangled web that is the dynamic of Justyce and Kenzi.
Lena is a favorite author of mine, so no surprise that I loved another one of her books. Can't wait to read more of this series.
Justyce has so many different elements that create a captivating story that hooked me from the beginning. Deception, betrayal, lust, tension and so much more. Justyce isn't your knight in shining armor, but he will make you crave him and all of his dark traits. Give this book a shot if you want to unravel the tangled web that is the dynamic of Justyce and Kenzi.
Lena is a favorite author of mine, so no surprise that I loved another one of her books. Can't wait to read more of this series.
July 10, 2023
I would lean more toward giving this book 3.5 stars. It was more than just ok, but there were a few things that didn’t sit well with me.
The storyline was good enough, however some of the wording pointed more toward the author’s home in Australia, instead of the characters’ home in Dana Point, CA (USA). For example, “boot” instead of “trunk” when speaking of a the storage space of a car. Some of the different wording made the flow a little choppy. There were also quite a few grammatical errors that jump out (ex/ apostrophes to denote plurals), which should be more on an editor than an author. A lot of these little things probably won’t matter to most readers. Just pointing out the things that dropped my star score for the book.
Again, the story line was good enough, and when the next one becomes available, I’ll most likely read it.
The storyline was good enough, however some of the wording pointed more toward the author’s home in Australia, instead of the characters’ home in Dana Point, CA (USA). For example, “boot” instead of “trunk” when speaking of a the storage space of a car. Some of the different wording made the flow a little choppy. There were also quite a few grammatical errors that jump out (ex/ apostrophes to denote plurals), which should be more on an editor than an author. A lot of these little things probably won’t matter to most readers. Just pointing out the things that dropped my star score for the book.
Again, the story line was good enough, and when the next one becomes available, I’ll most likely read it.
December 3, 2023
It’s been a while since I’ve read a dark romance like this one and boy was it good!
January 29, 2022
4 Stars
This. Book. Lena definitely knows how to take me out of my comfort zone and take a chance. I'm going to preface this review and state that this book is dark. To say that I love dark is a massive understatement. I love all the dark and all the taboo.
It's just particular content that I usually veer away from but that doesn't take away from the substance of the book! I don't want to say any spoilers so my recommendation is to go into this book blind! If you love dark, mafia, a badass heroine, and a dark/take-no-shit anti-hero with strong secondary characters then you'd love this book.
Justyce and Kenzie definitely had chemistry that was screaming off the pages. I think they fit each other perfectly and seeing Justyce get territorial or possessive was such a sight.
This book also has an amazing amount of substance. The world was absolutely enthralling and gave away to so much temptation that I wished that the world was not fictitious. The twists and turns did not disappoint and just added so much to the story. A lot of the time when it comes to romance, we can usually see where an author may struggle with adding mystery/suspense but Lena definitely knows how to write and it shows.
I can't wait to see where this series goes and we get some glimpses with some of the secondary characters so that should be interesting! I can definitely see the spice amping up, along with the drama!
This. Book. Lena definitely knows how to take me out of my comfort zone and take a chance. I'm going to preface this review and state that this book is dark. To say that I love dark is a massive understatement. I love all the dark and all the taboo.
It's just particular content that I usually veer away from but that doesn't take away from the substance of the book! I don't want to say any spoilers so my recommendation is to go into this book blind! If you love dark, mafia, a badass heroine, and a dark/take-no-shit anti-hero with strong secondary characters then you'd love this book.
Justyce and Kenzie definitely had chemistry that was screaming off the pages. I think they fit each other perfectly and seeing Justyce get territorial or possessive was such a sight.
This book also has an amazing amount of substance. The world was absolutely enthralling and gave away to so much temptation that I wished that the world was not fictitious. The twists and turns did not disappoint and just added so much to the story. A lot of the time when it comes to romance, we can usually see where an author may struggle with adding mystery/suspense but Lena definitely knows how to write and it shows.
I can't wait to see where this series goes and we get some glimpses with some of the secondary characters so that should be interesting! I can definitely see the spice amping up, along with the drama!
March 12, 2022
As sisters we love doing everything together, especially reading and sharing our thoughts. Until this novel…. One of us is extremely impatient and can’t wait for the other to land before she’s sending threatening messages. She has a broken finger so I wasn’t really scared. But little did she know, I had already finished the book. I just wanted to go back and read the second half again. We are big fans of Lena, so we knew we’d like the book. What we didn’t know was we’d be addicted. We’ve read many mafia books and they’re more or less the same. This book gave us so much more. Not saying other books are boring. It's just that with some, you can tell where the book is going early on. The impatient one usually ends up skimming through these novels or doesn’t finish them at all. That was not the case with this book. She devoured Justyce and threatened to sister divorce me if I didn’t hurry up. The thing that annoys us with many mafia books is the heroine starts out Mother Theresa innocent, but by the end of the book she’s basically Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s love child. We did not have that problem with this book. We loved Kenzie, she’s not a weak character or what we’re used to and that was very refreshing. Lena always provides an emotional read that contains twists and turns. Overall the novel was beautifully executed. We can’t wait for the next installment.
January 3, 2023
Holy H*lol😱
Lena, Lena, Lena! I love you Bestie! You Rocked this book like the others! Hot, steamy, and sexy scenes! His dad is a sick sob! I am so happy for HEA they needed it! 🥰 Can't wait to read his brothers and sister stories 🥰
Lena, Lena, Lena! I love you Bestie! You Rocked this book like the others! Hot, steamy, and sexy scenes! His dad is a sick sob! I am so happy for HEA they needed it! 🥰 Can't wait to read his brothers and sister stories 🥰
December 22, 2023
❗️SPOILERS❗️
_______________________
🖤"You taste like sin and every depraved thing that you ultimately are. You can keep running from it but I'll let you in on a little secret, you're just like me."
_______________________
I was given an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion and review. This is the first Lena Moore book I've read - and I'm looking forward to reading more. Justyce is the first book in the Tartarus Mafia series, I can't wait for Raine's story next. This is an enemies to lovers novel written in dual POV.
✔️Mafia
✔️Enemies to Lovers
⚠️Read the Triggers.
_______________________
🖤"I was a prisoner to Justyce before I even arrived back here, back in his clutches."
_______________________
Justyce and Kenzi have had a pull towards one another since High School. He's the heir to the Tartarus Mafia, and when she witnesses him murder someone, he sends her away. After 11 years, she comes back to town thinking her Mother is on deaths doorstep, but it turns out her step father traded her to pay for his debt. Even though the two of them fight how they feel for one another, everyone around Justyce knows that he cares about her - even if he doesn't admit it. His Father has Kenzi kidnapped, and this is where I remind you to read the triggers. But, it's also where the plot kept me on the edge of my seat. I don't want to ruin it completely - so you'll have to read it to find out why.
_______________________
🖤"His darkness dances perfectly with mine."
_______________________
THOUGHTS WHILE READING: ⬇️
▪️ I'm confused why he hates Kenzi, he's the one who sent her away! What did he expect her to do?
▪️ Why exactly does he always say Kenzi is dark like him, I wish there was some backstory of her like secretly murdering someone.. lol. Darkness see's darkness and all.
▪️ Their internal dialogue with themselves is killin' me.
▪️ Holy FCKKK that 3some with Archeron. 🤤🔥But, also I can't believe Justyce actually let that happen.
▪️ His Dad is a complete psycho but I knew he was going to take Kenzi.
▪️ What exactly makes Georgie the better option to take over?
▪️ I knew Rodriguez was gonna want the Mom, so were they a thing before hand? If so, good for her 'cause the Dad deserved it.
▪️ When she says she loves him to the angel. "Can you tell him I love him, please? I didn't get to tell him." oooh.. my heart.
▪️ The masks! I love how he was saving one for her.
▪️ I don't know if the psych ward is the best place for the Dad, I can see it play out down the line that he escapes somehow.
▪️ Please let it be Arrow and Raine in book #2.
_______________________
🖤"And with that I float off to a place where there is no pain, no worry or heartache. A place where all I can see is darkness."
_______________________
_______________________
🖤"You taste like sin and every depraved thing that you ultimately are. You can keep running from it but I'll let you in on a little secret, you're just like me."
_______________________
I was given an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion and review. This is the first Lena Moore book I've read - and I'm looking forward to reading more. Justyce is the first book in the Tartarus Mafia series, I can't wait for Raine's story next. This is an enemies to lovers novel written in dual POV.
✔️Mafia
✔️Enemies to Lovers
⚠️Read the Triggers.
_______________________
🖤"I was a prisoner to Justyce before I even arrived back here, back in his clutches."
_______________________
Justyce and Kenzi have had a pull towards one another since High School. He's the heir to the Tartarus Mafia, and when she witnesses him murder someone, he sends her away. After 11 years, she comes back to town thinking her Mother is on deaths doorstep, but it turns out her step father traded her to pay for his debt. Even though the two of them fight how they feel for one another, everyone around Justyce knows that he cares about her - even if he doesn't admit it. His Father has Kenzi kidnapped, and this is where I remind you to read the triggers. But, it's also where the plot kept me on the edge of my seat. I don't want to ruin it completely - so you'll have to read it to find out why.
_______________________
🖤"His darkness dances perfectly with mine."
_______________________
THOUGHTS WHILE READING: ⬇️
▪️ I'm confused why he hates Kenzi, he's the one who sent her away! What did he expect her to do?
▪️ Why exactly does he always say Kenzi is dark like him, I wish there was some backstory of her like secretly murdering someone.. lol. Darkness see's darkness and all.
▪️ Their internal dialogue with themselves is killin' me.
▪️ Holy FCKKK that 3some with Archeron. 🤤🔥But, also I can't believe Justyce actually let that happen.
▪️ His Dad is a complete psycho but I knew he was going to take Kenzi.
▪️ What exactly makes Georgie the better option to take over?
▪️ I knew Rodriguez was gonna want the Mom, so were they a thing before hand? If so, good for her 'cause the Dad deserved it.
▪️ When she says she loves him to the angel. "Can you tell him I love him, please? I didn't get to tell him." oooh.. my heart.
▪️ The masks! I love how he was saving one for her.
▪️ I don't know if the psych ward is the best place for the Dad, I can see it play out down the line that he escapes somehow.
▪️ Please let it be Arrow and Raine in book #2.
_______________________
🖤"And with that I float off to a place where there is no pain, no worry or heartache. A place where all I can see is darkness."
_______________________
May 7, 2022
My first Mafia novel and certainly not my last! From the start, this is the first book I've personally come across that had a playlist added, so naturally I immediately went into my spotify and added those songs to listen to while reading. Once I hit play, I was a touch hesitant because, as much as I enjoy those songs, it isn't the usual type I would listen to while READING! Nevertheless, I opened the book and started reading. And. The way that listening to these songs SET THE SCENE for the absolute debauchery that we are introduced to in chapter one that is the club! Excellent. Loved it! It added such an extra dimension to the story for me.
I adored the dark romance element to this, and the friendships between Justyce and his crew were fantastic! I cannot wait to see what else Lena brings out.
Please keep in mind this is a dark romance and as such please be aware of tws!
I adored the dark romance element to this, and the friendships between Justyce and his crew were fantastic! I cannot wait to see what else Lena brings out.
Please keep in mind this is a dark romance and as such please be aware of tws!
August 16, 2022
3.5 stars rounded down to 3
This book is incredibly dark so if you have triggers I highly recommend checking before you read.
It took me a bit to get into the book but once things started to heat up I could not put it down.
It felt a little rushed in places and could have spent a little bit more time with flashbacks to show how much they meant to each other in the past to make the current a little more believable.
The spice was next level though and had me blushing in a certain Library scene (IYKYK)
I hope we get to see a bit more of Justyce and Kenzie together in book 2 as I would have liked to see a little bit more of them together after everything that happened in the last few chapters.
This book is incredibly dark so if you have triggers I highly recommend checking before you read.
It took me a bit to get into the book but once things started to heat up I could not put it down.
It felt a little rushed in places and could have spent a little bit more time with flashbacks to show how much they meant to each other in the past to make the current a little more believable.
The spice was next level though and had me blushing in a certain Library scene (IYKYK)
I hope we get to see a bit more of Justyce and Kenzie together in book 2 as I would have liked to see a little bit more of them together after everything that happened in the last few chapters.
March 19, 2022
Dark & Spicy
Right off the bat the book drags you in to the dark and fascinating Tartarus mafia world. The chemistry between Kenzie and Justyce was off the charts. Knowing how badly they wanted each other, and at the same time they didn’t want to want each other, really built the angst between the two.
There were definitely twists and turns I didn’t see coming in this one. I cannot wait to read Archeron’s story. If you like dark, twisty, depraved, and sexy this is definitely the book for you!
Love Lena Moore and can’t wait to read more from her.
Right off the bat the book drags you in to the dark and fascinating Tartarus mafia world. The chemistry between Kenzie and Justyce was off the charts. Knowing how badly they wanted each other, and at the same time they didn’t want to want each other, really built the angst between the two.
There were definitely twists and turns I didn’t see coming in this one. I cannot wait to read Archeron’s story. If you like dark, twisty, depraved, and sexy this is definitely the book for you!
Love Lena Moore and can’t wait to read more from her.
March 18, 2022
Whew
First time reading this author, but it won't be the last. Definitely dark, but that's my kinda book. The characters, the sex, the story, the HEA, all around were great. It could of used a little more editing but otherwise worth the read.
First time reading this author, but it won't be the last. Definitely dark, but that's my kinda book. The characters, the sex, the story, the HEA, all around were great. It could of used a little more editing but otherwise worth the read.
April 7, 2022
Bring on the Tartarus Mafia!
Holy shit, I loved this book!!
The debauchery. The depravity. The spice! 🥵
Justyce was all kinds of fucked up - and I loved every second of him! And dear, sweet beautiful Kenzi 😍 what an amazing, strong FMC!
A great start to this series.🖤
Holy shit, I loved this book!!
The debauchery. The depravity. The spice! 🥵
Justyce was all kinds of fucked up - and I loved every second of him! And dear, sweet beautiful Kenzi 😍 what an amazing, strong FMC!
A great start to this series.🖤
January 26, 2023
Great story
I loved this story but the use of the word Horripilation so many times bugged me a little instead just goosebumps and vermilion instead of red bugged me a little but it was a great story I wanted a better ending maybe
I loved this story but the use of the word Horripilation so many times bugged me a little instead just goosebumps and vermilion instead of red bugged me a little but it was a great story I wanted a better ending maybe
Read
June 23, 2022Couldn't get into it.
August 8, 2022
Justyce
Justice and Kenzie are meant for each other. Plot is good character are brilliant. Spice level 5. Onto the next book
Justice and Kenzie are meant for each other. Plot is good character are brilliant. Spice level 5. Onto the next book
December 15, 2022
👏 This 👏 book!
Dark ✔️ Twists and Turns ✔️ Spicy ✔️
Dark mafia romance, enemies to loves plus hot as sin spice what's not to love!
Dark ✔️ Twists and Turns ✔️ Spicy ✔️
Dark mafia romance, enemies to loves plus hot as sin spice what's not to love!
January 25, 2023
A bit dark
Was darker than the books I normally read but great book will read more in the series glad justyce snd kenxie got revenge on his dad
Was darker than the books I normally read but great book will read more in the series glad justyce snd kenxie got revenge on his dad
August 28, 2023
Be aware of the trigger warning.
I think it was a perfect balance between a slow pace and and fast pace troughout the book. The first part was a bit slower to allow reader the learn about the different main characters and set the intrigue.
Then, when I got to the second part and the pace picked up, it all changed.
If I were to chose 3 words for the second part it would be:
Chockehold
Satisfying
Anticipation
After the introduction of the world and the characters, when the action really started, hell was I in a chokehold and it was so hard to put that down.
The character growth and the ending were so satisfying. Twists and revelation were on the menu.
Finally, that created a great annticipation for the next book in the series and I am ready for whats comming next.
I think it was a perfect balance between a slow pace and and fast pace troughout the book. The first part was a bit slower to allow reader the learn about the different main characters and set the intrigue.
Then, when I got to the second part and the pace picked up, it all changed.
If I were to chose 3 words for the second part it would be:
Chockehold
Satisfying
Anticipation
After the introduction of the world and the characters, when the action really started, hell was I in a chokehold and it was so hard to put that down.
The character growth and the ending were so satisfying. Twists and revelation were on the menu.
Finally, that created a great annticipation for the next book in the series and I am ready for whats comming next.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews