Big Bad Wolf, Book 1

Wolf Duet #1

by Diana A. Hicks

Santino Buratti is ruthless, powerful, and only cares about one thing...his latest prey Lucinda O'Brien.

As the only daughter of a mafia kingpin in Chicago, I grew up knowing my virginity was a commodity to be sold to the highest bidder.

When I moved to New York City to meet my future husband, I did so with my eyes wide open. To save my family, I agreed to marry a man twice my age, bear his children, and become his puppet.

But then, I met Santino Buratti, the man who takes what he wants without asking—ruthless as he is beautiful, powerful, and stubborn as all hell.

A Note from Diana: Big Bad Wolf is book one in the Wolf Duet and is part of the Crime Society World. It contains explicit scenes, kidnapping, and dubious situations some readers might find offensive and/or triggering.

This duet is the darkest mafia romance I've done. You're going to love Santino and his twisted ways. This is Santino and Luce's forbidden love story.

Genres: Dark Romance, Dark, Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Contemporary Romance, Paranormal, Contemporary

308 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 30, 2021

About the author

Diana A. Hicks is an award-winning author of contemporary romance that's sometimes dark, sometimes suspenseful, but always steamy. Her upcoming release, Empire of Ache & Ruin coming May 6, 2025!

When Diana is not writing, she enjoys hot yoga, kickboxing, traveling, and indulging in the simple joys of life like wine and chocolate. She lives in Atlanta and loves spending time with her two children and husband. Connect with Diana on social media to stay up to date on her latest releases.

Available now:
The Crime Society Series
Lost Raven (FREE)
King of Beasts, Book 1
Queen of Beasts, Book 2

Wolf's Lair (FREE)
Big Bad Wolf, Book 1
Big Bad Red, Book 2
Once Upon a Christmas (FREE)

Dark Beauty (FREE)
Wings of Ruin, Book 1
Wings of Silence, Book 2

Wicked Seduction, Book 1
Wicked Temptation, Book 2
Heartless Vow (FREE)

Steal My Heart Series
Entangle You
Unravel You
Ignite You
Release You

Cole Brothers Series
Unleash You
Defy You
Provoke You
Escape You
Escape My Love (FREE)

Cocky Hero Club
Irresistible Bastard


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Reviews

[Veronica Ticker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found the same compelling aspects as in the previous duet in the Crime Society world: an incredibly passionate relationship with kinky elements, gang rivalries, a man torn between love and loyalty to his mafia family. They were developped in a different way of course, and I may have loved it a bit more.

The instalove bit annoyed me a little–it was more instalust than love at first sight and evolved into an unhealthy obsession. But hey, it was par for the course. And once Luce and Santino are reunited, no need for seduction, they could dive right into sexy times. Which was a bit disconcerting since Luce appeared to have had absolutely no interest in sex before she met Santino.

Though they have a strong sex drive together, the kinky element comes from another character, Luce’s fiancé. Much older, calculating, with peculiar tastes, Liam is a powerful opponent and I can’t wait to see how his conflict with Luce and Santino will resolve.

The mafia part of the story was much more captivating than in the first duet. There was a lot of red herrings still, but you could actually follow the trails and it made sense. Until the next hint at something bigger going on. There’s still a lot of mysteries at the end of the book, and I’m excited to read more about Liam’s big plan and how the Society will deal with it.

My main complaint, besides some stupid moves from the Society, was the lack of feeling of time passing. There are few time indications, and because there were some time lapses, it was sometimes hard to know how long it was between two key moments.

Now to wait for the second book in the duet.

Quickie

- Series: Big bad wolf duet #1 (ends on a cliffhanger)
- Hashtags: #mafia romance #erotica #suggested BDSM #instalove #virgin
- Triggers: violence and death, dubious consent
- Main couple: Lucinda O’Brien & Santino Buratti
- Hotness: 4/5
- Romance: 3/5
- + ruthless Santino’s tender touches
- – this crime society doesn’t seem that bright…

[Ree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I knew this was a dark mafia romance, but I never expected this! I’d say dark is an understatement. But it’s a truly fantastic book! I loved both Luce and Santino. I definitely hated Walsh. The characters are extremely well developed and their interactions are fascinating. I won’t go into the story itself so I can avoid spoilers, but I will say this: I will absolutely be reading the second book in this set, and it is definitely scorching HOT!

[Maria11 · Rating 4 out of 5]

oh my

Darn could not put this down. This is one messed up story for sure. I am at the edge to see how this is going to turn out. They have some kind of chemistry that melts my kindle. They are both really stubborn though and she just doesn’t see that Walsh killed her family. So glad the next one is out there to read!

[Little monster · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the next book in the Crime Society World, I really enjoyed the first in this series and I was really looking forward to reading this one.....and I can tell you I wasn't disappointed!!!

Santino is a ruthless man and part of the Italian mafia.......he always gets what he wants and his new prey is Lucinda O'Brian who's family is Irish Mafia!!! Her family are in a bit of trouble and to get them out of it she must marry someone she's never met before.......so when they do meet its clear he just wants her as his pet his sex slave. So when she meet Santino at the crucible ( which is the club from the first books ) his side meeting the other side. All hell breaks loose and everyone makes a run for it and Luce disappears, but once his eyes lock on to hers and he's had a taste of her, he can't get her out of his head!!!

So when she runs once knowing what she's in for and a secret is exposed, she goes to the one place she knows she'll find Santino to get her revenge!!!! But what will Santino do once he's got his hands on the woman he's not been able to stop thinking about? Will he send her back to her fiancé? Or will he keep her for himself? It was really nice seeing Rex and Cat from the previous books make an appearance too, I enjoyed those two so much so it was fantastic to see them again. Honestly this book is everything and more I couldn't put it down. I'm so glad we're gonna get a part two and I honestly cannot wait to get my hands on it!!!

[Jennifer Pierson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Big Bad Wolf is such a fantastic story that kept my heart racing from cover to cover that I'm going to keep this as vague as possible since I know for a fact that it's so much better to go in blindly. Santino is our ruthless hero who tends to get what he wants, and he wants our heroine Lucinda aka Luce badly which is going to get messy since her destiny has always been to marry someone who benefits her irish crime family. There's no doubt they have insanely intense chemistry but he kind of wants her as a sexy slave, and she's not down with that at all. There are a lot of moving parts in this story so the twists are definitely coming in hot, the actions is crazy from the jump (I mean mafia tends to do that), and all kinds of questions that haven't been answered yet since this is the first book in a duet, but I can say that I'M HERE FOR IT ALL! I know that I'm not telling anyone a lot but even if I were to be one of those people who gives spoilers away, I still couldn't achieve the shock factor or the anxiety of being on the edge of my seat very well so just hit those one click buttons as I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

[Cindy Fong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another heart pounding dark mafia story with ties to the Enclave. This time the focus is on the Buratti family . Santino is the successor and it is coming time for him to take that seat. Luce is the pawn used to try to help the Red Wolves of Chicago to keep their territory, but on her first day in New York she finds herself face to face with Santino and her heart;s future. As everyone postures for dominance, Luce and Santiago bond but that bond can unravel in an instant. Luce and Santiago need to fulfill their destines, even is if isn't together. The characters are multi-faceted, Santino shows his softer side and I am all for it! I can't wait for part two of this duet to see what happens next.

[book_fairy13 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luce and Santiago are everything.

I love Luce, she would do anything for the people she loves. Her determination and inner strength is one of the most aspiring qualities.

Santiago's life has always been leading to be a Don.

So when the Italian Prince and Irish Princess get together, you better be ready for a whole load of drama and mystery!!

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (5/27/2022)! 🎁

[Kim Whitehead · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first I had a hard time trying to figure out what was happening. Continuing, I ended up desperate for more! My goodness it turned into a game of cat and mouse! Exciting!

[Lisbeth · Rating 1 out of 5]

Lectura básica y predecible.

[Josmely · Rating 5 out of 5]

The hold this book had on me!!!! I COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN. I loved everything about it. Santino and Lucindas story is a bit complicated. she supposed to marry some sick old man to help her family and Santinos people are the threat her family needs protection from. It was insta lust between them, which I honestly prefer over insta love bc it gave it time for them to actually get to know each other and develop feelings for one another. this book does end in a cliffhanger (gonna start the second book after I finish this review 😩).
I'll only like the saying 'be a good girl' if Santino is the one saying it

[Lidia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sin palabras cuando te crees que todo se va a solucionar por tus actos todo se vuelve en tu contra. Solamente abra una cosa buena hasta que descubra quien es el. Abra solución para que pueda estar tranquila? Podrán ser felices?. Muchas felicidades voy al desenlace 😘😘

[Tamarra Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating, dangerous, dark, twisted, intriguing, chilling yet oh so beautiful.

Santino and Lucinda

When Lucinda is shipped off, forced to marry a man, older than her, to solidify a business arrangement at the insistence of her father, she has no idea what to expect, let alone what she is in for.

Liam does not treat her the way she deserves, humiliating and degrading her, but she has a fighting spirit.

And then she meets a handsome stranger. And then he becomes enamored with her, going to every length to find her.

When Santino and Lucinda are thrusted into each other lives, they push each other completely, wholeheartedly, irrevocably until the inferno implodes between them. He asserts his dominance from the get-go, and she is not sure how to accept him, let alone how to take him.

Lucinda fights Santino at every turn, but she cannot help but be responsive to the way he touches her, the way he makes her feel, she is determined not to feel, but she has this need inside of her that only he can satiate, for him to take her on a sensual and erotic journey of self-discovery, drowning her entire being in unthinkable pleasures.

Lucinda discovers that Santino has very explicit kinks and very dark and dirty desires, she also finds that she has desires herself, to be pleasured, to be taken in any way possible, her wants and needs taken beyond heightened passion, fulfilling this dark, powerful erotic sensual need inside of her and Santino gave her all of that and more.

The secrets, the lies, the twists, the turns lead to the inevitable, the truth. Their story was raw and sensual, as it was powerful and confronting. Their love for each other heartbreakingly beautiful. It was fast paced and thrilling, it made my heart race and soar to unfathomable heights. The need to see their growing attraction, the lust and fear, to own and dominate, retaliate, to take control, God it was hot.

I was hooked from the very first chapter right up until the last. I loved the different points of view, it told a telling story, especially the complex family dynamics between Lucinda and Santino. The author knows how to write, to ensnare her readers to ensure they will come back for more. There are themes and triggers that will test any readers but will help you connect with the characters on their level.

And those scenes/ BDSM elements in and out of the bedroom were absolutely daring, filthy, provocative, possessive, controlling, oh so steamy, deliciously wicked, dirty, hot, beautiful, dark, sensually erotic, naughty, raw, powerful, passionate, wet, dominating, and wild but that ending though....

[Diana Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you read Big Bad Wolf, book 1 yet?? I'm so excited for the conclusion of Luce and Santino's forbidden love story to release on 11/16!!

Santino Buratti is ruthless, powerful, and only cares about one thing...his latest prey Lucinda O'Brien.

The Big Bad Wolf duet is a mafia-esque take on Little Red-Cap, a poem written by Carol Ann Duffy based on the original fairy tale of Little Red Riding Hood.

Wolf's Lair, a prequel to Big Bad Wolf AND it's totally free for my newsletter subscribers. I can't wait for you to meet Santino and Luce (and also check in with previous characters.)

You can read it here.... https://BookHip.com/KJBALCR

[Gladys · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was sinfully delicious and I just loved it. With a storyline that is lush and complex and characters that are intriguing and easy to become invested in, this read had me firmly in its grip from the very start. The chemistry sizzles and the sparks fly as Santino and Lucinda begin their hot dance filled with tension, twists, drama and desire. This intense tale had my nerves stretched to the breaking point and I just can't wait to get my hands on book two!! This is my frank and freely posted review.

[Larry McDaniels · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first time to read Diana A Hicks and I am now a fan for sure. I read the duet Big Bad Wolf book 1 and 2 and absolutely loved Santino and Luce. Their chemistry was smokin hot. It had a great storyline with some twists and turns that I did not see coming! I think it could have been done as a single book, but hey, I'm not a writer/Author. I highly recommend this duet. I am not real big on cliff hangers and having to read a couple of books or a whole series, but this was very good and glad I gave her a chance! Thanks Sherrie

[Lynn Stifle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Big Bad Wolf is the first installment in the Wolf Duet and Santino and Luce’s story. This story packed some serious heat and Santino and Luce are combustible together. This is an intense and dark read that gets your adrenaline pumping, it’s filled with drama, suspense, twists, and plenty of heat. I’m so looking forward to reading the next book. Highly recommend.

[DD11 · Rating 4 out of 5]

F@ck! This is a wild ride for sure. I could not put this down and thank goodness the other part of the book is out and I don’t have to wait or I would go insane. The chemistry is hot he has a thing for anal but she seems to too. I wonder how they are going to work this out?!? On to the next.

I am enjoying my last day of vacation before it’s back to the grind😞

[Sammye · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book in the Big Bad Wolf Duet is a heart-pounding enemies to lovers, dark mafia romance. The chemistry between Santino and Luce is so scorching hot. The mystery and action is well developed. The suspense kept me engaged and flipping pages! The plot is very entertaining. I can’t wait to get to the second part! *this was a complimentary copy and this is my honest review*

[Veronica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book one in The big Bad Wolf Duet and it was so good. It definitely keeps you intrigued and wanting to find out what happens next. I could not stop reading. The chemistry between Santino and Luce is off the charts. I loved everything about this book can't wait for the next one.

#thebookishgirlsteam #thebookishgirlreviews

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

She was the only daughter of a Mafia family and boss. She always knew that her virginity would be sold to the highest bidder, and she had prepared herself for that eventuality. However, she was not prepared for the man that she was promised to, nor the man that she ran into by accident. Lucinda O’Brien was a mafia princess that had to fulfill her duty to her family. When it looks like her family could be taken down and not able to rebuild, she is given to a man in New York to marry. His virgin bride.

Liam Walsh is a ruthless, deceptive, leader of the New York Irish Mafia. He gained his position by deception and brutality. He has offered to help the Chicago Red Wolves, but he wants his payment in the guise of a virgin bride. His tastes in relationships are not your normal, husband and wife scenario. When he gets what he wants and has Luce O’Brien in his clutches her life is turned upside down. He doesn’t want a partner; he wants a pet. Luce may have been amenable to her situation, but when she finds herself in the clutches of Liam Walsh her mind has changed.

Santino Buratti is the son and heir to the Buratti family and seat at the table for The Crime Society, once his father decides to step down. His father would like for Santino to take a wife and he will hand over the reins to his kingdom, but Santino has refused to marry. When he runs into the beautiful redhead by chance his sites are set and he will do what he can to get the woman in his bed, but when he finds out that she’s taken and she becomes a threat to him, he takes the matter into his own hands.

I loved this story of Santino and Luce. Santino is a ruthless, deadly mafia man that takes what he wants, and he wants Lucinda. Lucinda is an innocent woman that finds herself in ruthless arrangement that she believes will help her family overcome the war in South Chicago, but what she isn’t prepared for are the lies, deceit, and brutality that her life has fallen into. I love the characters and the storyline in this book. It’s fast paced, action packed, tragic and steamy. I look forward to the next book in the duet. I give this story a 4-star review.

[Book Nook Kitten · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too many people, factions, gangs, crews, identites, the red wolves, the rogue river boss, the society, the Irish,the Italian, this person who pretended to be that person, and that person's grandson, and that other person who was under that person, who was over that guy, who tried to get that other guy to run guns etc... And all in just the second scene! Argh! I literally got a headache reading this.

It's completely boring, and seemingly randomly goes from one female's point of view thoughts about being forced into an arranged marriage, which is fine, basic, but okay, then goes to a different scene with another woman's point of view thoughts about her husband a cop, who is undercover, and all the spewing thick word soup about factions and crews and who ran who and who forced who to run what and completely boring and irritating.

Didn't finish this. Honestly, I'd barely started it before it gave me a headache. Very basic writing, doesn't flow and just a confusing overload of information about nothing interesting. It's really not good when the first few pages completely put you off, and it's really not good when the first few pages give the reader a headache!

[Mara Mack · Rating 1 out of 5]

Another book club read- proceed with caution if you don’t want my thoughts early. Spoilers ahead.

1 star. I’m not sure how the rating is so high- or maybe I’m just picky and expect perfection. This book could have used an editor or three. There were lots of grammatical errors, time lapses, confounding adjectives… they ruined it for me.

The main female character was a meek woman with hardly any free thought, misguided ethics, and lack of any personality. The spicy scenes were lacking any chemistry or flow.

I’d suggest picking a trope and sticking to it, because we hit about four in the first chapter that were never expanded on. Age gap, forced marriage, mob, prized virginity.

The amount of times the characters were ‘scented’ or their ‘scent’ gave them away I was starting to wonder if it was also a werewolf novella.

Each chapter was a different POV. At one point Tyler/Chase and Mia were introduced and then left and were never really brought back?

The saving grace was that it was a book club book and I felt I had to finish it. If not, this would have been a DNF in the first three chapters.

[Becky Wise · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love Mafia reads then you will love Big Bad Wolf. I could not put this one down. I loved every moment of this one. This is a dark mafia read that will have you glued to the pages. You will see familiar characters from other series that you love when it comes to this one. This is all the Irish versus Italian mafia groups trying to gain control in both Chicago and New York. Luce is the daughter of the Irish boss and Santino is the son of a Don in the Italian fraction. You will love the strength the Luce shows throughout this one she struggles between her captives and who to trust. I love the forbidden pull between Luce and Santino. I so need the next book like now with this ending. I cannot wait to see where Luce and Santino end up and what happens to the waring fractions. This is such a fantastic read.

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 1st part of a duet and is Santino and Luce’s story. Santino is ruthless, powerful, and Italian mafia, while Luce’s family is Irish mafia, and when they are in a bit of trouble it is arranged that she will have to marry a man she has never met before, but who can benefit her family. Santino is used to getting what he wants, and he wants Luce, but how will they get around the man she is supposed to marry, as he is a fierce and powerful opponent. This is a well written story which is intense, dark, raw, gritty, twisted, and with revenge, loyalty, violence, conflict, passion, rivalry, secrets, mystery, and love, which leads to a riveting tale which had me on tenterhooks throughout. I look forward to reading the 2nd part of this fascinating duet, and I highly recommend this talented author work. Be aware there may be triggers for some readers due to the sensitive content.

[Fictionlove_alwaysforever · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why should you read this book?🤔
👇🏻
It has those “Big Bad” 4💫💫💫💫
•
👍🏻Author Diana has done an amazing job with the background of the story, the plot and storyline🤩 The book has yumm-licious characters! Swooooooonnnnn...😍😋
👍🏻 An amazing plot, seamlessly blended characters, it has a very unique and interesting storyline that keeps you panting for more!❤
👍🏻 The books starts with a suspense vibe, and the story takes off.
A war is brewing between the Irish and the Italians and Luce is the bargaining chip to everything.
The book ends with a cliffhanger to be continued in the second book of the series, which I am definitely holding my breath for🔥

👍🏻My recommendation: If you are looking for a hot sizzling mafia romance, this will get your motors roaring to life!🙈

#fromauthorstoreaders #customizeurcover #fictionlove_alwaysforever

[Steffi De Ceuster ♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A few moths back b came across this because it was a freebie, but when I looked the deal was over. So I was doubting because it still was expensive, now recently it was priced a bit lower.

The blurb sounded so up my alley, but then I started doubting because the author mentions triggers and all and there was BDSM, I have nothing against that, but I'm so sick and tired of reading it..
So when I was a few chapters in I needed to refresh my forgettable brain what the story was, because I wanted to bounce..

I liked it, but I expected more of it.
Luce was so annoying and naive, I get it she just had a life chance and very wrong things happend to her, but to still think that person is help.. Are you freaking kidding me?!

If that was a cliffy, then I need to get checked, because to me it really wasn't..

[Read.Review.Repeat Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another heart pounding dark mafia story with ties to the Enclave. This time the focus is on the Buratti family . Santino is the successor and it is coming time for him to take that seat. Luce is the pawn used to try to help the Red Wolves of Chicago to keep their territory, but on her first day in New York she finds herself face to face with Santino and her heart;s future. As everyone postures for dominance, Luce and Santiago bond but that bond can unravel in an instant. Luce and Santiago need to fulfill their destines, even is if isn't together. The characters are multi-faceted, Santino shows his softer side and I am all for it! I can't wait for part two of this duet to see what happens next.

[Jen Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big Bad Wolf Book 1 by Diana A. Hicks.

Thanks Diana Hicks for the audio credit.

Enemies to lovers
Forced proximity
Kidnapping
Mafia

When you become the bargain to end the war; the sacrifice for the family. How far will a daughter go to protect them?

Great main characters and a lot of supporting cast. Fast paced. A little bit of spice. Easy and fun read.

“He had the ability to make all the bad in my life go away.”

Description:

To save my family, I agreed to marry the butcher.

But then, I met Santino Buratti, the man who takes what he wants without asking—ruthless, powerful, and beautiful.

Nothing could have prepared me for the monster who bought me. 
Nor the dark prince who saved me.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great dark mafia story. The focus is on the Buratti family, and Santino is the successor and it’s not long until he until he has to step up and take his seat.
The Red Wolves of Chicago use Luce as a pawn to strengthen their territory and keep it, but when she arrives in New York she comes face to face with a handsome man who sets her mind and heart a flutter, it’s Santino. As they all squabble and fight, Luce and Santino come together again, but their destines aren’t always together.
I’m all in with the characters and the story action and suspense is dominating the story and has me on the edge of my seat. I’m ready for more, a great read.