Big Bad Wolf, Book 2

Wolf Duet #2

by Diana A. Hicks

The punishment for killing a Don is death…

I have to find Luce before our enemies do, and I lose her forever.

She thinks she can hide from me. But I don’t care if I have to go to the ends of the world to get her back. One way or another, Luce O'Brien has to understand that I’m not letting her go.

She’s mine to keep, mine to protect.

A Note from Diana: Big Bad Wolf is book two in the Wolf Duet and is part of the Crime Society World. I highly recommend you read book one first. This duet contains explicit scenes, kidnapping, and dubious situations some readers might find offensive and/or

Genres: Dark Romance, Romance

300 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 16, 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


Follow her on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dianahicksauthor
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Reviews

[Anastasia ｼ · Rating 4 out of 5]

╭ ✦ •
│ ⊹ 𝟺 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚛𝚜 ⊹
╰ ✦ •
slight mixed feelings but overall it was good

I after meeting Santino in the previous Duet, I’m glad we got to know him more!!

I feel like something was missing in Luce + Santino’s story


rtc

[Cristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Como los libros anteriores, creo que no llega a las expectativas.
Aunque al ser la segunda parte nos resuelve la trama del anterior, menos mal, han sobrado páginas entre los dos libros, demasiadas vueltas a la misma historia... no he contado cuántas veces escapa/secuestran a Luce, pero seguro que me han sobrado más de dos.
No seguiré la serie.

[Veronica Ticker · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an ending! In book 1, I surmised that Santino was an affectionate lover and would be quite the romantic once he admitted his feelings to himself. I was right!

The path to Santino and Luce’s happily ever after was a bumpy one–maybe too bumpy. Their relationship is compromised right from the beginning, and I felt like the story stalled a bit, with the characters going from one place to another before coming back to the first place without many changes to their situation. Some of their stops during their journey didn’t bring anything to the plot. Some twists were introduced badly–secrets can be dangerous in the underworld, so why keep them until it’s too late? And treason is an Olympic sport. So yeah, the suspense part wasn’t the tightest.

But the romance part? Delicious. Absolutely hot for once. They can’t keep their hands off of each other. And I enjoyed the way they slowly get in touch with their feelings, then express them, beyond the physical aspects. There was a gentle adoration on Santino’s part, and a furious need from Lucinda–sort of the opposite of what you’d expect. Lovely.

Most of their interactions with the other characters were meaningful and interesting. Especially Santino’s with Rex. A couple of them were kind of neglected or underdeveloped though, and it was disappointing.

The writing wasn’t half bad. There were some patterns, especially family–the real one, and the mafia families. With it came manipulation, treason, but also support and love, and sometimes hard truths. And when power and money were at stake, you couldn’t trust anyone, even your own blood or your closest friends.

Maybe Luce and Santino deserved a more rounded conclusion to their story, but they get there with a lot of love, a lot of steam, and some growing up that made the journey worthwhile.

Quickie

- Series: Big bad wolf duet #2 (end of the duet)
- Hashtags: #mafia romance #erotica #BDSM #virgin
- Triggers: violence and death, dubious consent
- Main couple: Lucinda O’Brien & Santino Buratti
- Hotness: 5/5
- Romance: 4/5
- + Santino’s desire for Luce
- – the plot needed some tightening, how many times should Santino save Luce from Liam?

[Vee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Soooo never thought I would get tired of kidnapping plot. I loved some spicy, nerve-racking drama like kidnapping of the FMC but apparently that could only happen once and 99 times was just too much, even more by the same person. The h, from book 1 had either been kidnapped, ran away, missing or all of them. If she was kidnapped, likely would be found with Liam.

The story would be like: h was kidnapped, dressed into a leotards, a couple hours later found by the H, dragged back home with the H, then she ran away, days or weeks or months later was found by the H, dragged back home with him again, then she got kidnapped again, found, back at home, ran away/kidnapped, and then so on until the end where the H killed the villain. The end.

side note: the H might be a part time vampire since he loved to 'nibble the cord of her neck'.

[book_fairy13 · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a read!

I love Santiago and Luce together!
The story takes place 3 months after the first book, the cliffhanger was intense!!

Luce is on the run, she needs to save her people and find her brother.
Santiago is searching for Luce, in order to save her.

Both of them love each other and have to face serious challenges so that they can be together.

Overall, it was a good read and I loved the side characters. I can't wait to read more about them!

[Diana Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

The enthralling conclusion to Santino and Luce's forbidden love story is finally here!

You can pre-order now so you don't miss the release on 11/16.

Happy Reading!

Diana

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second and concluding part of the incredible duet, and Santino and Luce’s forbidden love story continues. This is not a standalone and #1 must be read first. I don’t want to put too much detail into this review as it will just spoil the story for other, I am just saying that this is a fantastic duet, and in my opinion, this is this talented authors’ best work to date! This is a beautifully written story which is dark, raw, gritty, intense, and with drama, angst, twists, conflict, vengeance, secrets, mystery, tension, and love, which all leads to a riveting and addictive page turner which had me on tenterhooks throughout. I am excited to find out what this author will be bringing to us next, and I highly recommend this authors’ work for all.

[Gladys · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the intense and twisty conclusion to Santino and Lucinda's story. You must read book one first. I really enjoyed this book. The story easily kept me on the edge with anticipation and anxiety. There is plenty of drama, raw emotion, tension and steam woven throughout this enticing tale to capture and hold your interest. An all together enjoyable and sinfully enticing read. This is my frank, freely posted review.

[Mari (Mystics & Metaphysics Book Blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Santino and Luce are just as electric as the first book in this conclusion. The story kept me reading until the end and I may have ended up staying late to finish it. There are twists and turns that kept me glued and unable to blink.

[Josmely · Rating 5 out of 5]

honestly there's nothing bad I can say about this book. I loved everything about it. this is the second book so u definitely gotta read the first one for this one to make sense. the only complaint I have is that there was no Epilogue, I always love reading about the characters live after marriage/babies.

I would sell my lung to read this book for the first time again

[Kim Whitehead · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a chaotic story! A game of cat and mouse! Awesome heart pounding book!

[Lisbeth · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sin emoción.

[Lidia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pedazo de final me ha encantado vivirla de primera mano y sentir tantas cosas que se te hace muchas veces un nudo en la garganta. Pero por fin pueden respirar tranquilos ya que todo en esta vida tiene solución. Un amor tan apasionado o podía quedarse así. Muchas felicidades 😘 😘

[Tamarra Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Santino and Lucinda

The truths, the lies, that lead to the past colliding with the present, the emotional turmoil that Santino and Lucinda experienced was raw as it was powerful, it was fast paced, exhilarating, the twists and turns, how they tested each other’s resolves before finally giving into their desires.

These characters will impact you in unusual ways, there will be moments that will make you laugh and cry but have you thinking what, but its these pivotal moments that expose the perplexing tangle of hurt, anger and denial, powerful in themselves, the secrets, lies, deception, manipulation, pain, motives, and truths which becomes all the clearer with those deep revelations.

I was hooked from the very first chapter right up until the last. The different point of views told a telling story of heartbreak, love, and loss, of their past connecting with their present. The author knows how to write, to ensnare her readers to ensure they will come back for more, me I will come back for more. 

It holds so much drama, action, mystery, adrenaline seeking suspense, slow burning passion, betrayal, murder, blackmail, romance, intrigue, revenge, vengeance, friendship, lust, loyalty, trust.

It will hook you, have you turning the pages to find out more, the themes and triggered we are defining pivotal moments that made these characters all the stronger testing any reader, reading this story, it enables the readers to really connect with the characters.     

And those scenes/ BDSM elements in and out of the bedroom were erotic, daring, hardcore, the explicit language and dirty talk was filthy, downright wicked, sensually dirty, twisted, emotional, wrong, intense, obsessive, daring, explosive, wrong, physical, provocative, possessive, controlling, oh so steamy, deliciously wicked, dirty, hot, beautiful, dark, naughty, raw, rough, powerful, passionate, wet, dominating, and wild and there happily ever after is what readers wanted and more.

[Jen Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big Bad Wolf Book 2 by Diana A. Hicks.

Mafia
Enemies to lovers
Forced proximity
Forced marriage

Luce and Santino fight for their future and finally get their happy ending. The spice definitely picked up in this book. I also enjoyed how all the loose ends were tied up. Smooth flow. Great listening experience.

“Whether she approved or not, the end result would be the same. She was going to be my wife. She was mine. Mine to possess and punish as I like.”

“I wasn’t really alive until I met you.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Description:

The punishment for killing a Don is death…
I have to find Luce before our enemies do, and I lose her forever.
She thinks she can hide from me. But I don’t care if I have to go to the ends of the world to get her back. One way or another, Luce O'Brien has to understand that I’m not letting her go.
She’s mine to keep, mine to protect.


[Patricia Charlton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Book

OMG I am loving The Society books, first Rex & Catarina and now Santino & Luce.
Great stories and backgrounds to who they are and what they have to do for The Society and their families.
I have to admit I loved seeing Santino fall in love after all the flack he gave Rex in the first 2 books, then Rex getting his own back using the words Santino said to him.
I’m hoping their friendship gets back to where it was when they were kids in future books.
I am asking myself if I’m a little twisted because I seriously wanted Walsh & Mrs Jones to suffer, like make them hurt like they have all those girls… justice wasn’t really served for me as I wanted them tortured 🤷🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️
Let’s see where the next book takes me.

[Becky Wise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big Bad Wolf is a fabulous conclusion to Santino and Luce's story. This one takes place shortly everything went down in the first book in the Wolf Duet and do the mafia drama does not ease up all the way through this one. I love the connection Luce and Santino form. They have this pull that will have you fanning yourself and seeing how strong both Luce and Santino are while dealing with the fact she is from the Irish and he is from the Italian world of mafia life. I loved this one and could not put it down. Luce and Santino are perfect together. You are going to be in for one heck of a ride when it comes to this book duet. You need to pick up this mafia romance today.

[Rose Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Idk.

Ok well I liked the storyline. I liked how the publisher put family names and such in the beginning of the books. N so far I have liked all the series, but this one was just getting old after a while. Like how many times can a person be kidnapped. I mean every other chapter she was being taken by one or another and between all the kidnappings wad sex. Now don't get me wrong, I enjoy it thoroughly throughout my books. But it was page after page after page of sex. In between the sex and the kidnapping it just kind of got boring. After a while I just wanted to get to the end. Otherwise it was a good series.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second part and conclusion to Luce. and Santino’s extremely twisted. But book one needs to be read first.
With this book, I was quickly drawn back into the story and the plot was easily followed. There’s plenty of drama, that kept me on edge, gritty emotion’s that were raw and tension filled, plus hot steamy scene’s and dark action that will capture your interest. I was fully invested with the characters in this duet and thoroughly enjoyed this book. I highly recommend this book and author. It’s a definite must read.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

My fingers were sore from gripping my reader so tightly! Intense, omg, yes!

Santino and Luce's story was so delicious! Dark, steamy, plenty of angst!

This fast-paced story will have you turning page after page, unable to put it down!

Be sure to read the first book, as this is a duet. And, do heed the author's warnings!

This is one of my favorite tropes, and this author has the right formula! She has me coming back, time after time and loving all of the words she puts on the page! She writes amazing characters!

Emotions abound! I Love It!

[Ash J · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful ending to Santino and Luce's story. They had to go through so much to get to their happy ending. This book was exciting, steamy, and had me anticipating what would happen throughout the whole read. I did not want to stop reading until I was completely finished. I loved both the characters, Santiago and Luce, and even the side characters. I really hope Diana Hicks writes some more books about this world so we can learn about the stories of these other characters as well. I recieved a review copy of this book and am leaving a voluntary honest review.

[M Will · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part two of the Wolf Duet starts off right where book one finishes. Santiago regrets pushing Luce away and is actively looking for her. Luce is secreted away safe from physical harm, but is haunted by Santiago in her dreams. This fast-paced story has lots of action, secrets, betrayal, and quite a bit of spice. I really enjoyed how the author wrapped up the duet. Definitely set aside time to do nothing else as you will not want to put the book down.

I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Jennifer A · Rating 2 out of 5]

I almost didn’t finish this book

There aren’t many books I can’t finish. I am compelled to see if the end has made the book worth it. This book was confounding. How many times can one be kidnapped? If the male lead holds the position he claims - how does his security (and others) perform so poorly to allow it to keep happening. I think by the 4th time it happened I laughed out loud. I’m unfortunately not going to recommend this book. The storyline was weak , unbelievable and repetitive.

[KRISTY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting Conclusion to Wolf duet

I waited for the conclusion and I was not disappointed. I thought things might have worked out for these star crossed lovers, but the road is rocky and it seemed like they wouldn’t get their HEA after all. I didn’t imagine there would be that much betrayal along the way. But it is a mafia story. It doesn’t end in a cliffhanger. There is a satisfying HEA. But, if you want more, another character in this book will have their story told.

[Cindy Fong · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many twists and turns in the conclusi9on of Santino and Luce's story. Santino faces some hard truths and Luce learns to trust her heart. As betrayals leap left and right, Luce and Santino find their trust with each other. Distance makes the heart grow fonder. You never know what to expect for the "Don" to treat his wife above all others. Another HEA in the Society. Loved it and can't wait for Enzo's story.

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

So many twists and turns in the conclusi9on of Santino and Luce's story. Santino faces some hard truths and Luce learns to trust her heart. As betrayals leap left and right, Luce and Santino find their trust with each other. Distance makes the heart grow fonder. You never know what to expect for the "Don" to treat his wife above all others. Another HEA in the Society. Loved it and can't wait for Enzo's story.

[Lynn Stifle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big Bad Wolf is the second installment in the Wolf Duet and the intense conclusion of Santino and Luce’s story. Santino and Luce have such a wonderful connection and they face many challenges in order for them to finally get to their happily ever after….they are absolutely perfect together. I was hooked from the first page and couldn’t put it down. It’s an amazing story and one I highly recommend.

[Diane Padda · Rating 5 out of 5]

good book

I enjoyed this second book of the Wolf duet and glad everything worked out for santino and Luce (Red) There was so many twist it kept me engrossed in the book till I finished it in one sitting at 3am. Kept telling myself one more chapter I need to get up early in the morning, but I just couldn’t put it down. Loved it 😍

[KDRBCK · Rating 4 out of 5]

BBW by D. Hicks is the second book in the Wolf Duet.
This is not a stand-alone. The book picks up where the previous book was left off.
Santino and Luce, the mob boss and the missing woman who won his cold, bitter heart.
BBW is a fast paced, action packed drama filled dark read, a mafia romance, well written, gives all the feels.

[Hanan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The conclusion to Luce and Santiago’s story continues with more suspense and drama.
It’s fast paced and a definite pager turn.
With steam and sexiness to go along with the dark grimness of the story.
Filled with twists, turns and betrayals on every corner.
Santiago and Luce’s hea will not be easy or smooth sailing.
So buckle up and enjoy the wild mafia ride Ms. Hicks will take you on.