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London Mafia Kings #2

Cold Cruel Hearts

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*Discover the heart-racing world of the London Mafia Kings. If jealous-possessive, British anti-heroes, enemies to lovers tropes, and all the tantalising dark and dubious theme of the mafia world is your thing, then keep reading! If not, look away now. Each book in the series can be read as a complete stand alone, with no cliff hangers and a HEA guaranteed.*



English gangster Leo Cornell is a fair-haired devil with an ice-blue gaze that cuts right through me.
Thinking he’ll get his revenge on my father, he’s stolen me from one prison and landed me straight in another.
Except he’s not the only manipulator around. I’ll twist his cruelty to work for my own devices.
He thinks he’ll ruin me, but he’s protecting me from someone worse.
He just doesn’t know it yet.


I snatched Kaja from her bed in the middle of night like a monster in a fairy-tale.
My plan to degrade her will make her murderous father feel my pain.
But as I get to know her, she awakens something inside me I thought was long dead.
I know it’s wrong, but her slender body and silky dark hair fascinate me.
I call her my Raven…
Will I set her free before I destroy her?

286 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 9, 2022

168 people are currently reading
465 people want to read

About the author

Marissa Farrar

153 books1,090 followers
Marissa Farrar is a multi-published romance and fantasy author. She was born in Devon, England, loves to travel and has lived in both Australia and Spain. She now resides in the countryside with her husband, three children, a crazy Spanish dog, two rescue cats and six hens. She has a degree in Zoology, but her true love has always been writing.

Marissa is the author of sixteen novels, including the dark vampire ‘Serenity’ series. Her short stories have been accepted for a number of anthologies including, Their Dark Masters, Red Skies Press, Masters of Horror: Damned If You Don’t, Triskaideka Books; and 2013: The Aftermath, Pill Hill Press.

If you want to know more about Marissa, then please visit her website at www.marissa-farrar.blogspot.com. You can also find her at her facebook page, www.facebook.com/marissa.farrar.author or follow her on twitter @marissafarrar.
She loves to hear from readers and can be emailed at marissafarrar@hotmail.co.uk.

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5 stars
127 (32%)
4 stars
114 (29%)
3 stars
101 (26%)
2 stars
30 (7%)
1 star
16 (4%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
Profile Image for rach⭑.
706 reviews285 followers
February 5, 2023
DNF @ 40%

Tropes;
Mafia Romance
Captive/Kidnapper

I really wanted to like this book because I loved book 1 but I just had to DNF

I’m still somewhat newish to reading mafia romance and so far, my least fave mafia trope is the captive/kidnapper trope. I don’t hate it, I just struggle to get past the Stockholm syndrome aspect lmao.

Anyway, the author put an authors note at the beginning of this book that the book has somnophilia (being sexually aroused by someone who is unconscious/sleeping). I don’t mind these sorts of sex scenes but only when it’s in the POV of the unconscious/sleeping person and they wake up and either verbally consent or it’s clear in their inner monologue that they consent.

But in this book,the heroine has been a captive for only one day so far and the guy straight up went down on her in her sleep without her knowledge or consent, which SCREAMS sexual assault to me. He didn’t even mention anything about it the next day.

I know it was warned at the beginning of the book but I did not realise that the heroine would stay asleep during the act and would remain unknown to what was done to her during her sleep.

I have no idea if he ends up telling her about it later on in the book and I no longer care to know if he does. That scene put me off from wanting to finish the book.
Profile Image for lia.
497 reviews137 followers
February 11, 2022
Ended up just skimming through after around 40%. H spent waayyy too much time (if not most of it) pining over and reminiscing about his dead fiancé. He even starts comparing the h to her. Their love wasn’t that believable to me after all his talk and inner thoughts about his dead fiancé. I’m even more convinced about his love and devotion for his dead fiancé rather than the h. This is why I do my best to stay far away from the dead ex trope. If I had known this would have it, I would’ve never even thought about getting this book. Sigh.

I won’t be giving a detailed review for this one since I pretty much just skimmed it after I found out about the H being super in love with his dead fiancé. But do beware of these trigger warnings:
violence, kidnapping, virgin h, dub con, dead fiancé (H), public sexual acts, verbal abuse, threat of mutilation (h’s father threatens to give her a genital mutilation but doesn’t push through but instead cuts up her thighs and beats her up)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Dee.
5,048 reviews56 followers
February 20, 2022
Buckle up this is a wild ride, suspense, violence, murder, hope, love of a dangerous man, alpha personified, possessive, oh, so gorgeous, brooding all the makings of a deliciously dark Mafia story . Within the first chapters you get the panoramic view of whom you’re dealing with!
Bad boy….check
Bod boy’s crazy brother/friend…check
Bad boy’s Kryptonie…check ….check and check
By the time you’ve figured out who is who and what is what, you’re already hooked, and you may as well give up the fight and prepare yourself for an all-nighter!
Can’t say I didn’t warn you.
This is book two of the London Mafia King’s series and this is the story of Leo sexy as all get out youngest of the Cornell crime family and revenge on Rasmus for killing his fiancé during a fight in the club of course being who he is deciding death is too quick and kidnaps his only daughter instead. Kaja isn’t really apart of her father’s world in fact he is controlling and manipulative feeling like she has no freedom or choice, she doesn’t want to be apart of whatever her father does but when she is kidnapped immediately, she is thrust into that world by way of kidnapping. Kaja has always wanted to be seen as an individual, making her own choices but she went from one beautiful prison to another just the warden of this prison was sexy as all get out. Never expecting to feel anything other than hate for the man who kidnapped her and he just expected to hold her until it got to her father however, fate has stepped in and taken control and the more time he spends with her, the more his heart begins to beat again because she is the light to his darkness but will she forgive him for how he took her, treated her, used her, will her father pay for the crimes he committed and is there any form of happiness for these two broken people?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Nicole.
1,334 reviews24 followers
March 10, 2022
Cold Cruel Hearts: A Dark Mafia Captive Romance is second book in the London Mafia Kings. The story is revenge driven, gritty, twisted and gripping. It's an enemies to lovers trope, with an OTT British anti-hero. It's a standalone story with a guaranteed HEA. A smart crafted combination of intensity, hatred,drama, danger, lies, rivalry, suspense, darkness, violence and steam. Leo Cornell is ruthless blue eyed fair devil hell bent on vengeance for the loss of his fiancee. He decided kidnap his enemy daughter Kaja from in the middle of the night thinking he will get his revenge by causing him pain. He didn't know that Kaja was in her own personal hell living with her dad. It wasn't his intention to keep her but somewhere down the line as they spend time together they started to catch feelings for each. But what will Kaja do since she knows that she was only meant as a pawn. Leo and Kaja are two broken souls who found each other in the mist of war. Kaja was so sweet she didn't have no connections with her father's dirty business so she didn't have no business in the middle. However, she and Leo did find their HEA.

I received an advanced copy from Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Madina.
450 reviews5 followers
November 21, 2022
Well then…

I know it may seem like 3 stars is not A LOT but believe me, it is, and this book is really good. I, personally only deducted stars because there are components to a story that are super important to me that this book, like the last, lacked. That being the following:

- The initial and only proclamation of emotion between Leo and Kaja is super uneventful
- The smut between these characters comes out of almost nowhere (the last book had this too, there’s practically no build up)
- The communication between characters is just strange…
- For a crime family, they don’t really have much power in the city

In saying all that too, there were aspects I loved.

- Leo’s tenderness. He goes from being Grade A jerk to an absolute sweetheart and it’s super sweet
- I loved that Leo found someone after what happened in the last book
- Kaja being sheltered but fierce enough to defend herself when the need arose
- Leo’s love for his ex
- I also loved that although Leo loved his ex very much, he didn’t love Kaja for any similarities to her but rather for her differences

Will I read book 3? Probably…maybe…do I regret reading the last 2? Absolutely not. They’ve both been quick, easy reads.
Profile Image for Colleen.
328 reviews
February 18, 2022
Cold Cruel Hearts is book 2 of the ‘London Mafia Kings’ series and tells the story of Leo Cornell, youngest son of the Cornell crime family, and Kaja, only daughter of Rasmus, the man who was responsible for the death of Leo’s fiancée in a shootout in one of their London clubs. Leo is hellbent on revenge and plans to kill Rasmus when he discovers that Rasmus has a daughter and plans change. He seeks his revenge through kidnapping and holding Kaja captive. Little did he realise that feelings would start to develop for his ‘Raven’.

I really enjoyed this book, it was well worth the wait from the first book in the series. The storyline is intriguing and kept me captivated from the very first page.

A great addition to the series so if you live enemies-to-lovers, dark Mafia romance, then this series is for you. Can’t wait for book 3.

I received an ARC of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
2,185 reviews15 followers
February 21, 2022
This is the 2nd book in the London Mafia Kings series featuring Leo and Kaya's dark gritty suspenseful story. Leo is hell-bent on avenging his fiance's murder that's all he cares about. He's already lost everything his brother then his fiance so when he finds out Rasmussen has a daughter he kidnaps her to exact his revenge. He didn't count on the fact that Kaya would be willing to go with him and since all she wants is to be a normal person not a soldier for her dad's gang. She just wants to live a normal life so she goes with Leo who doesn't exactly roll out the welcome mat for her in the beginning he's downright hostile. I don't want to say anymore and ruin it for anyone else with spoilers. You really need to read this intense gritty story to see what happens. I would definitely recommend reading this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for T.M. Payne.
Author 37 books92 followers
February 11, 2022
Cold Cruel Hearts: A Dark Mafia Captive Romance
(London Mafia Kings Book 2)
by Marissa Farrar


The things that happened to Leo would make any man break and break he does...

Kaja never thought of escaping her home, her very strict and manipulative father but when the chance comes she takes it. Is she going from the frying pan into the fire?

Leo can not do what was once done to him... He has found himself now wanting to protect the thing he meant to destroy and remove from the world. Kaja...His Raven...

Fantastic story in this very dark and messed-up world. But the men are strong, loyal, and fierce when it comes to those they love.

**I am voluntarily leaving my honest review of this book**

Marissa Farrar
Profile Image for Arin Baur.
587 reviews11 followers
March 3, 2022
Once again I love this book so much the characters are awesome too! I for one totally understand to somewhat what and why these people feel /out like they do. The main guy character in his main lost everything and he was to fix it somehow. The main girl character feels out of place and wants away from her screw up of a father. So what happens when things make it so the perfect situation in their opinion happens when their paths met? Find out more in this awesome read also you can find out how the past book characters are doing some in this book too. This book as it all enemies to lovers, mystery and a lot of other off the charts great stuff! If you loved the last book your for sure wouldn’t want to miss out on this it’s just as amazing ❤️

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Catlou.
1,417 reviews15 followers
February 8, 2022
COLD CRUEL HEARTS may have made me uncomfortable at times, which is only what you would expect when dealing with a grief-stricken mafia anti-hero intent on revenge, but it definitely kept me reading until the very end. Leo Cornell’s sole purpose has become avenging his fiancé’s murder. When faced with his enemy’s daughter, he thinks he’s found the perfect scapegoat in his plot for vengeance. But Kaja may be just what Leo needs to save his soul in this intensely dark, gripping romance. It’s a complex tale filled with angst-filled emotions, dark passion, and even darker drama that is sure to have you on the edge of your seat at times but keep you thoroughly involved from beginning to end.
Profile Image for Mindy Lopez.
2,302 reviews13 followers
March 5, 2022
This is Book 2 in the London Mafia Kings Series by this author, and can be read as a standalone. It is a dark, enemies to lovers romance between English gangster Leo and his enemy's daughter, Kaja. These flawed but likeable souls and the unique plot make for an intriguing read. The main characters share an undeniable chemistry and strong connection. It is a gripping love story with combustible attraction, drama, action, steam, twists and turns, plus appealing secondary characters to keep the reader interested. A page turner with a happy ending.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for AshReads.
871 reviews6 followers
December 19, 2022
Cold Cruel Hearts

Kaja and Leo’s story is filled with heartache from both ends. Kaja grew up in the middle of no where and was forced to work for her father printing money. Her brother had died a long time ago and her father had resented her since. Leo just recently lost his fiancé when Kajas father attacked. Jodie was the love his life and he has never felt the same since. Leo kidnaps Kaja from her home. They have a connection that expands beyond captor and prisoner. The lines become blurred as they try to escape her father. The spice in this book was good and I really enjoyed this series so far.
Profile Image for Judy Chestnutt.
373 reviews3 followers
February 5, 2022
This book was so emotional and thrilling at the same time. Leo was a broken man after losing his brother and then his fiancée and decided he was going after Rasmussen but found out he had a daughter so he kidnapped her and was mean to her but Leo can’t be mean to her and this is why the book was so great as you want Leo to get revenge but you want Kaja and him to work out and then the death of Jayden’s father opens up for the next book, loved this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
797 reviews7 followers
February 19, 2022
This is Leo Cornell and Kaja's story, a enemy to lover/captive mafia book.
I really enjoyed the first book in this series and was looking forward to Leo's book.
The storyline was dark, and difficult to read at times with some dubious/difficult scenes, although from the perspective of a mafia character actions while experiencing intense emotional distress you could expect it to be a intense book.
It can be read as a standalone, however to understand the world it's set in better, it would probably be better to read after the first book.
1,155 reviews
March 9, 2022
Leo Cornell lost his fiancée when Rasmus Valk, the Estonian leader shot her. She was an innocent girl and he plans to get his vengeance by killing the man responsible. Flying off to Estonia half cocked wasn’t the smartest plan, He ends up kidnapping Ramus’s daughter Kaja and will cause Rasmus as much pain and suffering that he has endured. An enemies to lovers storyline. Trigger warnings: this book contains some uncomfortable scenes of attempted rape and other harsh punishments.. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
16.7k reviews155 followers
February 16, 2022
He has stolen her from her bed hoping to use her to get his revenge on her father. He is taking her from one prison to another but she is not going to let him break her as she wants to escape it all. He finds himself feeling things he had thought was long buried. What will he do now? Will he break her? Will she escape? How will it all end? Follow them to find out

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Michelle.
10.7k reviews28 followers
March 6, 2022
Cold Cruel Hearts is book two in the series and it is Leo and Kaja's story. Leo has been through a lot and he's out for revenge so he kidnaps the daughter of the man responsible for his pain but things take a very steamy turn. I loved Leo and Kaja together. I am loving the London Mafia Kings series and I can't wait to read the next book in the series. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
807 reviews1 follower
August 31, 2023
Revenge

Revenge...It is almost thought about by everyone, in action and fleeting moments. An emotion that when after on causes more problems the reason why. Leo, has started a war or finished one depending on how you look at it. Leo is about to make the move. Kaja and Hallie bear the consequences. But I can't seem to understand how Jayden doesn't blame Rasmas for the destruction. Nevis the most logical. I think Marlon was in the wrong place at the wrong time!
Profile Image for Nikki.
1,848 reviews20 followers
February 24, 2024
Book 2 for this series gives us Leos story.
And we knew from book 1 that Leo would be lost, broken and needing help, over the killing of fiancee Jodie, so when a plan forms in his head to seek revenge will it all go to plan or blow up in his face?
Meeting Kaja changes his world and he starts to see colour again.
Kaja is strong but struggling with how her life is going.. being kidnapped couldn't be a good thing for her could it?
Ready to jump into book 3 asap!
*Read as part of KU*
Profile Image for Kanani .
1,398 reviews
February 20, 2022
Marissa Farrar has another hit. The picture she painted of Leo and Kaja was thrilling! I was instantly immersed in the suspenseful storyline. I was fascinated by the unexpected twists and turns. These characters were perfect for each other. Their explosive chemistry sizzled and sparked right off the pages! This was a great story with a perfect ending! Absolute must read!
Profile Image for TXBRITGAL.
1,434 reviews33 followers
June 30, 2022
Great read!

In the middle of grief, anger and revenge....sometimes one can find a gift of something new. Even when they least expect it. Get ready for the most unexpected of meets 😉. Lots of darkness, heartbreak, grief and more....and even family grace the pages within. Overall a really great book, and I look forward to reading the next in this series.
1,031 reviews6 followers
November 27, 2022
This is book 2 in the London Mafia Kings series and tells the heartbreaking story of Leo. This Leo is so different from the man we met in book 1 - having been utterly changed by heartache and loss. 'Cold Cruel Hearts' is dark, full of anguish, guilt, cruelty and degradation, but also lust and longing from which grows hope and a new love. A difficult yet engaging read.
Profile Image for Misty Schott.
4,225 reviews35 followers
April 27, 2023
Leo wants revenge.

Leo is out for revenge against the man who killed his fiance. When Leo finds out the man has a daughter, Kaja, he decides to kidnap her and use her against her father. Will Leo end up taking an innocent woman's life to avenge his fiance's death? Will Kaja be able to escape her father and her captor?
Profile Image for Jojo Reeves.
1,136 reviews21 followers
March 23, 2024
Leo out for revenge

My heart broke for Leo when he lost his fiancé in the club shooting. I’m not sure the logic of What he does in the name of revenge was the best plan but it freed Kaja, Rasmus daughter.
I have enjoyed the book and more than intrigued by book 3 premise…. I bet they have the culprit wrong
8,816 reviews63 followers
February 12, 2022
Leo is out for revenge after the death of his fiancée, and Kaja the daughter of his enemy is just that. This story has dark themes, dub-con, captive revenge romance.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,737 reviews12 followers
February 14, 2022
A great read

A cracking read and next instalment in the series. I liked Leo, the ultimate bad boy, and Kaja and enjoyed their story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for LS Kralicek.
1,155 reviews7 followers
February 20, 2022
triggers

Leo was vengeance for the loss of his fiancé . Kara is innocent but her father is the cause of pain and now she can be used. This book may cause triggers of rape in certain areas of the book. It is not for the faint of heart.
Profile Image for Kathleen Bradbury (Bulfon).
16.4k reviews217 followers
February 23, 2022
I absolutely loved this book and was honored to have been able to read and review. It was such a phenomenal read and had amazing characters as well as an amazing story line. I just could not get enough of it and once I started reading it I could not put it down. I recommend that you read it.
Profile Image for Sarah Leather.
460 reviews
January 13, 2023
I loved the second book in this series. This is a great London mafia series. I can’t wait to read the next book.

I noticed a couple of discrepancies, wrong name used and some confusion over weather Kaja was tied up or not but I still enjoyed the story.
Profile Image for Liz Rogers.
56 reviews
July 11, 2025
good

It was a good story but I get the feeling pieces are are missing and will be found in the third book. Watching the journey between the characters was all over the place because he couldn’t figure out who he was anymore. She saw it while he fought it tooth and nail.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews

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