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Sins of Montardor #2
Corrupted by You
The king of Montardor's underworld has met his match in the one woman he should stay away from...
Darla
Ever since I was a young girl, I've lived under the scrutiny of Montardor's elite society and played by every one of my mother's rules until I became the quintessential daughter.
Then she sold me to the highest bidder.
Montardor's Punisher. My very own Hades...and my soon-to-be husband.
Zeno Gianni De la Croix is the devil in disguise.
He's older, cunning, and completely irresistible. He deceived me one fateful night and now I'm utterly captivated.
And I hate him.
Or at least, I want to.
The city of Montardor is Zeno's personal chess board and he will stop at nothing to make me his queen.
Zeno
My role has been clear from the start. Heir to an empire of sin and bloodshed, my destiny is tied with becoming the next Seigneur De la Croix.
But in order to assume the throne, I need a wife.
The woman who consumes my every thought is the one woman I should stay away from.
Darla Ivy Hill. Principal of St. Victoria. Daughter of my enemy. My very own Persephone...and my soon-to-be wife.
I hate that I want her.
My little angel likes to play wicked games but she has no idea what kind of monster lies within me.
I will possess her.
I will corrupt her.
And I will burn down the whole world for her.
WARNING: Corrupted By You is a dark mafia arranged marriage romance. It is the second book in the Sins of Montardor series but can be read as a standalone. This book contains a dirty-talking, morally grey hero, strong language, sexual content, and dark themes. Reader discretion is advised.
Darla
Ever since I was a young girl, I've lived under the scrutiny of Montardor's elite society and played by every one of my mother's rules until I became the quintessential daughter.
Then she sold me to the highest bidder.
Montardor's Punisher. My very own Hades...and my soon-to-be husband.
Zeno Gianni De la Croix is the devil in disguise.
He's older, cunning, and completely irresistible. He deceived me one fateful night and now I'm utterly captivated.
And I hate him.
Or at least, I want to.
The city of Montardor is Zeno's personal chess board and he will stop at nothing to make me his queen.
Zeno
My role has been clear from the start. Heir to an empire of sin and bloodshed, my destiny is tied with becoming the next Seigneur De la Croix.
But in order to assume the throne, I need a wife.
The woman who consumes my every thought is the one woman I should stay away from.
Darla Ivy Hill. Principal of St. Victoria. Daughter of my enemy. My very own Persephone...and my soon-to-be wife.
I hate that I want her.
My little angel likes to play wicked games but she has no idea what kind of monster lies within me.
I will possess her.
I will corrupt her.
And I will burn down the whole world for her.
WARNING: Corrupted By You is a dark mafia arranged marriage romance. It is the second book in the Sins of Montardor series but can be read as a standalone. This book contains a dirty-talking, morally grey hero, strong language, sexual content, and dark themes. Reader discretion is advised.
588 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 22, 2022
875 people are currently reading
14484 people want to read
About the author
Marzy Opal
5 books598 followersMarzy Opal is a romance author who writes about empowered heroines, dirty-talking heroes, and everlasting love!
You can connect with her on social media. She's most active on Instagram and TikTok <3
You can connect with her on social media. She's most active on Instagram and TikTok <3
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 682 reviews
June 28, 2024
DNF’d @ 31%
Bored. The author was name dropping left right centre. Also there was no reason for the book to include every small detail about another couple?? Like idgaf abt them wth? Maybe they’re from another book or wtv but it annoyed me.
And there was sm filler OMFDS I just could not be bothered skimming literal chapters just to get to the part where the MCs interact. I tried but it wasn’t worth it.
This book genuinely would’ve been good if not for all the extra information i had to sift through.
Bored. The author was name dropping left right centre. Also there was no reason for the book to include every small detail about another couple?? Like idgaf abt them wth? Maybe they’re from another book or wtv but it annoyed me.
And there was sm filler OMFDS I just could not be bothered skimming literal chapters just to get to the part where the MCs interact. I tried but it wasn’t worth it.
This book genuinely would’ve been good if not for all the extra information i had to sift through.
November 20, 2022
[ 3.5 stars ]
”Zeno Gianni De la Croix seemed like the kind of man who would burn down the world for you”.
no one move. I enjoyed this book...?
well, not entirely but yes I did.
plotwise: love it. I didn't like certain parts but the plot was actually there and thriving. This book reminded me why I love marriage of convenience so much. the character development, the RELATIONSHIP development was *chefs kiss* and for once the hero doesn't have daddy issues and a healthy relationship with his family surprise surprise but the heroine has mommy issuesSHE JUST LIKE ME FR but is strong and independent love her for that. also many plot twists I did not see coming but I saw the last one coming oop-
Zeno Gianni De la Croix I have a love hate relationship with this man. BUT GET A MAN THAT:
➣ READS THE CLASSICS
➣ he😭read😭and😭owns😭all😭her😭books😭
➣ COOKS FOR YOU GOOD LORD 🧎♀️
➣ multilingual (french and Italian)
➣ buys your dream car
➣ BUILDS A DAMN LIBRARY AND A WRITING OFFICE FOR YOU
➣ HE BOUGHT HER A FUCKING ISLAND AND NAMED IT AFTER HER
➣ threaten your mother (?)
➣ literally kill for you
➣ keeps a comfortable pair of shoes in his car at all times when you want to change out of your heels.
➣ wears your hairpin with your initials engraved on his tie
➣ will comfort you
➣ teach you how to cook
➣ "you came." "you called" trope OHYMGDKJJGDHJDFHJ
THEIR BANTER WAS SO FUCKING GOOD LIKE COME ON
they went from that to this 😭
TO THIS-
I'm a girl who prefers fluff over anything else. "porn with a plot" is one way I would describe this book. I'm not here to kink shame or anything but the entire "call me master" or "pet" gave me the biggest ick ever. every time he said that I just wanted to die lol. LIKE PLEASEEEE SHUT THE FUCK UP there were times were the smut literally made me laugh like I could not take that shit seriously but I'm also the dumbass who started this book blindly so-
zeno also had psychopathic tendencies but It was fine ig. he just loves really hard yk
he "drew" a clown face on a guy that was stalking her 😀😀
If you want to read this I'd recommend reading the first book first because the heroine was a side character in that book and there are a lot of details that would be confusing.
-------------------------------
So I’m currently reading this and this man is giving alex volkov and zade meadows😀
“Just how far do these criminal tendencies of yours extend?”
I once *something very graphic I’d rather not post* when he got a little frisky with Céline and Éva. And I would do just the same for Darla.
IM TRAUMATIZED
and he makes her call him master during s*x. I-🧍♀️
”Zeno Gianni De la Croix seemed like the kind of man who would burn down the world for you”.
no one move. I enjoyed this book...?
well, not entirely but yes I did.
plotwise: love it. I didn't like certain parts but the plot was actually there and thriving. This book reminded me why I love marriage of convenience so much. the character development, the RELATIONSHIP development was *chefs kiss* and for once the hero doesn't have daddy issues and a healthy relationship with his family surprise surprise but the heroine has mommy issues
Zeno Gianni De la Croix I have a love hate relationship with this man. BUT GET A MAN THAT:
➣ READS THE CLASSICS
➣ he😭read😭and😭owns😭all😭her😭books😭
➣ COOKS FOR YOU GOOD LORD 🧎♀️
➣ multilingual (french and Italian)
➣ buys your dream car
➣ BUILDS A DAMN LIBRARY AND A WRITING OFFICE FOR YOU
➣ HE BOUGHT HER A FUCKING ISLAND AND NAMED IT AFTER HER
➣ threaten your mother (?)
➣ literally kill for you
➣ keeps a comfortable pair of shoes in his car at all times when you want to change out of your heels.
➣ wears your hairpin with your initials engraved on his tie
➣ will comfort you
➣ teach you how to cook
➣ "you came." "you called" trope OHYMGDKJJGDHJDFHJ
THEIR BANTER WAS SO FUCKING GOOD LIKE COME ON
Literally, go fuck yourself. —Darla I did this morning. To the thought of you and how I’m going to fuck you on our wedding night. —Zed
You’re disgusting and delusional. —Darla
I think the word you’re looking for is romantic. —Zed
they went from that to this 😭
Hi. How are you? —Darla As good as a man can be without his wife. —Zed
So basically horrible. —Darla Bingo. Now come back home and put me out of my misery. —Zed
You bought me a private island. —Darla I would have bought you a planet if I could. —Zed
TO THIS-
I'm a girl who prefers fluff over anything else. "porn with a plot" is one way I would describe this book. I'm not here to kink shame or anything but the entire "call me master" or "pet" gave me the biggest ick ever. every time he said that I just wanted to die lol. LIKE PLEASEEEE SHUT THE FUCK UP there were times were the smut literally made me laugh like I could not take that shit seriously but I'm also the dumbass who started this book blindly so-
zeno also had psychopathic tendencies but It was fine ig. he just loves really hard yk
If you want to read this I'd recommend reading the first book first because the heroine was a side character in that book and there are a lot of details that would be confusing.
-------------------------------
So I’m currently reading this and this man is giving alex volkov and zade meadows😀
“Just how far do these criminal tendencies of yours extend?”
I once *something very graphic I’d rather not post* when he got a little frisky with Céline and Éva. And I would do just the same for Darla.
IM TRAUMATIZED
May 9, 2024
need my man pathetically obsessed and in love with me the way zeno is with darla
December 24, 2023
If you skip the random paragraphs about side characters which cover 75% of the book and just focus on the mains, you'll enjoy it <3
Read
February 8, 2023Self Note: Avoid
the hero is a manwhore and as we all know well by now the heroine is obviously a naive little virgin
but what bothered me the most is the OW drama
so apparently this woman who used to regularly have sex with the mmc started getting clingy and asked him to make things official but ofc the hero was just using her for sex and didn’t actually want her
and guess what she was PREGNANT with his freaking child!!!!
and then was mysteriously killed off
the hero learns of this when he’s in the marriage of convenience with the fmc and his response to this was that he was “disturbed” that she was killed off in such a condition and that was it!!!
what a fucking asshole
and also this was an insta love, he literally falls for her the moment he met the fmc another reason to not read this…
the hero is a manwhore and as we all know well by now the heroine is obviously a naive little virgin
but what bothered me the most is the OW drama
so apparently this woman who used to regularly have sex with the mmc started getting clingy and asked him to make things official but ofc the hero was just using her for sex and didn’t actually want her
and guess what she was PREGNANT with his freaking child!!!!
and then was mysteriously killed off
the hero learns of this when he’s in the marriage of convenience with the fmc and his response to this was that he was “disturbed” that she was killed off in such a condition and that was it!!!
what a fucking asshole
and also this was an insta love, he literally falls for her the moment he met the fmc another reason to not read this…
December 5, 2022
Wow. Color me surprised because I honestly hadn't expected this book to be so good! Zeno was just *chef's kiss* for me and Darla was a badass bitch who definitely grew A LOT as a character throughout the story. The thing I loved the most in this book was that there was no immaturity from the MCs' sides. No bullshit. No unnecessary drama and misunderstandings. And that felt like a breath of fresh air. It felt quite nice to read about a couple so passionate about each other while also acknowledging and being mature about their mistakes. Overall, I loved Zeno and Darla - especially Zeno's filthy ass mouth - and I would absolutely recommend this book if you're into moderately dark romance novels with an alpha male who falls hard and fast for you and would burn the entire world down for the love of his life. So, so, so worth the 5 stars🥰❤️
July 28, 2025
This book it’s a refreshing read where the characters are able to express their connection and the plot is very interesting. I think the story is very long and some chapters should be shorter.
It’s worth reading.
It’s worth reading.
hard-pass-dnf-returned
December 24, 2022Due to the fact the hero meets the heroine in a BDSM SEX CLUB (don’t care that she was a virgin, I don’t want my heroines wallowing in a sewer) AND there’s waaaayyyyy too much info on hero’s past with OW who he used to fuck at the sex club, apparently without a condom because he got her pregnant, it’s gonna be a no for me, dawg. Not interested in reading about some manwhore with a syphilitic dick who is still thinking about the cum dumps he used to fuck. That doesn’t bring the swoon
Read
January 3, 2023beta read this book
Read
November 5, 2022Ok, so... No. It will be a no from me.
This book was recommended to me in an instagram reel, with a quote from the Hero basically declaring his undying love for the heroine. I came straight here looking for reviews and all of them said this was an awesome book. I don't doubt that; for what I could see, the hero was absolutely devoted to the heroine to a point that was "unhealthy" according to him.
I could not find any safety details so I took one for the team and skimmed it really quick.
This is not safe according to my standards and I won't read nor rate it. It's a pity.
Safety spoilers:
This book was recommended to me in an instagram reel, with a quote from the Hero basically declaring his undying love for the heroine. I came straight here looking for reviews and all of them said this was an awesome book. I don't doubt that; for what I could see, the hero was absolutely devoted to the heroine to a point that was "unhealthy" according to him.
I could not find any safety details so I took one for the team and skimmed it really quick.
This is not safe according to my standards and I won't read nor rate it. It's a pity.
Safety spoilers:
Read
May 17, 2024i would call him master too, if he built me the personal library of my dreams.
Want to read
November 25, 2022the name of the fmc is darla and all I can think about is that famous audio:
"let me raise a toast to the girl i love most in the whole world. please dont say my name. DARLA."
"let me raise a toast to the girl i love most in the whole world. please dont say my name. DARLA."
December 17, 2022
I am really disappointed...
Up to 85% of the book I was liking it and giving it a 3.75 ⭐. It had a few inconsistencies and minor over dramatic scenes but fine.
After chapter 37/38 it started to go down the hill.
Since the beginning, Darla was a little inconsisitent. Always changing, one moment is like this, the next is the opposite. "I like you, I want you, now I don't, you hurt me, I am not talking to you, you are my love, I will love forever no matter what, you treat me so well, you are so romantic but I don't want to hear your explanations, you hurt me, don't talk to me." Okay...
Then the barn scene... Over dramatic.
1st: it was a little predictable from the beginning but then I thought maybe not, but the way to reveal it... Over the top, and not in a good way.
2nd: Darla, come on! You are going to do what going in there. You always carry the gun (which is a little hypocrite of you since you don't like the violence and the killing) but you never shoot anyone.
And calling your 16yo sister-in-law, which is also your student, to go to a gun fight???
3rd: Darla you have been shot, you have seen your husband, the love of your life, at gun point, saw a man die, scared for your baby, pretty traumatic things, but you don't want to be with the man you love??? You tell him you love him but you need to heal from the cirurgy and be with your family because of the scandal. And you don't want your husband's care and presence?? Accepting his gifts is okay, talking to him, telling him you love him and miss him but you don't want him with you??? You both need space??? Have you considered asking him to come with you to your family's home?
4th: Violette being pregnant. Huge plot mistake. So the doctors analised her body when she died, discovered she was high (which, if she wanted the baby and marry Zeno as told, she wouldn't have been, right? At least that's what a good mom would have done. And I know not all pregnant women do it) but they never discovered she was pregnant??? Come on! Not possible!
And these are just some examples.
I am sad...
And just FYI I am not hating the author nor wanting anyone to say hurtfull things. I am just frustrated. Sorry for the load.
Up to 85% of the book I was liking it and giving it a 3.75 ⭐. It had a few inconsistencies and minor over dramatic scenes but fine.
After chapter 37/38 it started to go down the hill.
Since the beginning, Darla was a little inconsisitent. Always changing, one moment is like this, the next is the opposite. "I like you, I want you, now I don't, you hurt me, I am not talking to you, you are my love, I will love forever no matter what, you treat me so well, you are so romantic but I don't want to hear your explanations, you hurt me, don't talk to me." Okay...
Then the barn scene... Over dramatic.
1st: it was a little predictable from the beginning but then I thought maybe not, but the way to reveal it... Over the top, and not in a good way.
2nd: Darla, come on! You are going to do what going in there. You always carry the gun (which is a little hypocrite of you since you don't like the violence and the killing) but you never shoot anyone.
And calling your 16yo sister-in-law, which is also your student, to go to a gun fight???
3rd: Darla you have been shot, you have seen your husband, the love of your life, at gun point, saw a man die, scared for your baby, pretty traumatic things, but you don't want to be with the man you love??? You tell him you love him but you need to heal from the cirurgy and be with your family because of the scandal. And you don't want your husband's care and presence?? Accepting his gifts is okay, talking to him, telling him you love him and miss him but you don't want him with you??? You both need space??? Have you considered asking him to come with you to your family's home?
4th: Violette being pregnant. Huge plot mistake. So the doctors analised her body when she died, discovered she was high (which, if she wanted the baby and marry Zeno as told, she wouldn't have been, right? At least that's what a good mom would have done. And I know not all pregnant women do it) but they never discovered she was pregnant??? Come on! Not possible!
And these are just some examples.
I am sad...
And just FYI I am not hating the author nor wanting anyone to say hurtfull things. I am just frustrated. Sorry for the load.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 21, 2022
4.5 stars!!
MARZY NEVER MISSES!
this was so good, i devoured it!! i loved the story, the vibes, the characters, the writing, CHEFS KISS SENSATIONAL
i loved meeting zeno (what a sexy thing) and ADORED getting to know darla and exploring her character (she is GREAT)
i adore marzy and everything she does, this was one of my most anticipated reads of the year and it did not miss!
MARZY NEVER MISSES!
this was so good, i devoured it!! i loved the story, the vibes, the characters, the writing, CHEFS KISS SENSATIONAL
i loved meeting zeno (what a sexy thing) and ADORED getting to know darla and exploring her character (she is GREAT)
i adore marzy and everything she does, this was one of my most anticipated reads of the year and it did not miss!
October 30, 2022
This book deserves so much love so you better pick it up and READ IT!!!
February 17, 2025
we all deserve a man like him
September 25, 2022
Rating: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
If I could give this book infinity stars, I'll do it without a second thought
I loved every single thing about this book! Every damn thing. Safe to say, I'm obsessed and I won't stop talking about this at all. And I also can't stop thinking about Zeno and Darla. The best couple ever!! A little brief review and how they both met. Few spoilers ahead so be aware.
Tropes 🥀
•Enemies to Lovers
•Marriage of Convenience
•Age Gap
•Dark Romance
•Morally Grey Hero
•Greek couple - Hades and Persephone vibes
Darla Ivy Hill🥀
Three words, I love her! Her character was portrayed in an extremely good way. She's 27, living with her mother Diane Hill and her sister Dacia Hill. She's the principal of one of the most respected high school that's been running since the time of her great-great grandmother, now making her the principal. She's secretly an author too, she writes such good romance stories and some best erotica. She's such a sweetheart and I loved her personality so much. She's literally on top in the list of my favorite female main characters. She's powerful, hardworking. She spent all her life trying to please her mother and being the best daughter she can but her mother was rarely ever behaving good with her which ended up making her insecure but through it all, she never let herself down infront of others and was just best. I love her and adore her with my whole heart.
Zeno Gianni De la Croix🥀
Three words for him as well, Please marry me! He's 34 and the heir to the De la Croix empire. He's Italian but grew up in France (that's the reason why he's good at dirty talking in Italian and French) and moved to Canada with his family that adopted him when he was young. He had a rough childhood cause of his parents passing away. Yves De La Croix adopted him, the former heir of the De La Croix Empire. Zeno is extremely powerful, dominant and just perfect in every way. He's ruthless to all but a softie for his wife, Darla. My heart ached for him so much when he was telling Darla about his childhood, I just wanted to give him a tight hug, not to forget about the fact that he's 6-3'4ft so me being 5-3'4ft and hugging him would be so damn good. All I wanna say is, I would do anything to have Zeno all for myself. He's exactly my type, I love him so freakin much. It hurts me knowing he's a fictional character.
Zeno and Darla. (A bit spoilers) 🥀
"Darla Ivy Hill was slowly infusing in my veins like a drug. I wanted nothing more than to sit her over my lap and hand feed her pomegranate seeds so she'd never leave my world.
My very own Persephone" - Zeno De La Croix.
"I hope it brings you some comfort.
Yours today, tomorrow, forever, mon ange.
Zeno" -Zeno De La Croix.
"The first time I saw my husband, he resembled a deity. My very own Hades, who stole and dragged me to the underworld. A lonely kingdom for two kindred souls. A place for us to rule and flourish and create life for many seasons to come.If I had known all those months ago this was what awaited me on the other side, I would have grasped his hand on the first night and pleaded with him to whisk me away." - Darla Ivy Hill.
There are so many things I wanna say about them. First of all, they referred to each other has Hades and Persephone, a beautiful couple from the Greek Mythology. Because I'm in love with Greek Mythology and Hades and Persephone being my most favorite couple, I loved it so freaking much whenever Zeno went like "My very own Persephone, My Wife, My Darla" I loved it so much!! They're so damn similar to Hades and Persephone. I just can't help it but say it again that I love them so much. Their chemistry was on cloud 9,so freaking perfect. They met at a sex club, had a one night stand and thought they won't meet each other again. Until Zeno realised Darla is the daughter of one of his enemies, Diane Hill. And he needed a wife so that he can be a heir, so who else would be fit to be his wife other than the woman who got him under a spell. So he went to her mother and asked for her daughter's hand in marriage. Eventually they get married so that the reputation of the Hill family would be stable and Darla is ofc hating him for this but the tension between them.. I have no words!!
Smut🥀
I would definitely be reading all the smut again sometime..The smut in this book was on high level. Dirty talking, check! Kinkiness, check! Passionate, check! Rough and full of love, check check check! The dirty talking was everything. Zeno speaking in French and Italian everytime while they were doing it was just everything for me. He had a nickname for her "mon ange" That means my angel in French. They both often talked in French. Slowly as they fell for each other and realised it, it was so sweet. Especially when Zeno confessed his feelings. I love Zeno and Darla so freakin much. Zeno is the perfect example of "he would burn down the world for her if needed" When Zeno discovered his wife writes romance stories, he bought every single book of hers and read it. Every night he used to read her books before going to sleep. They recreated all those erotic scenes which was just extremely hot. He bought a whole private island for her. He bought her her favourite car. He always wore her hairpins on his tie that had her initials engraved. I want a Zeno in my life as well, please god!!
The Plot (Spoilers) 🥀
The overall plot was perfectly set. It all happened at the end of the book only, like around 80-90% but the book ofc had a happy ending. Everything fell into place eventually. The two main things that happened were first that Zeno's younger brother, basically his foster dad's son who's Benjamin De La Croix. He was never the type of man who would take over and will be willing to be the Heir of their empire, when his dad, Yves noticed that, he stopped trying to push his son into all this and focused on Zeno and made him the heir. Benjamin didn't liked this at all and so he went on to take revenge from Zeno by planning stuff behind his back, as he was close to him, he knew his secrets and everything which made his work easier. Second plot was when Darla discovered that Diana Hill isn't her mother, instead she's her aunt. Her actual parents passed away when she was born. Her father was murdered by his brother the night before Darla was born and her mother died the night she was born. It was really heartbreaking reading this. Both Darla and Zeno had a rough childhood but in the end they found themselves and became the other halves of each other. Their love is just something you'll read only in books.
Thanks for taking the time to read my review, I appreciate it. Once again, I'm obsessed with Zeno and Darla! 🥀
If I could give this book infinity stars, I'll do it without a second thought
I loved every single thing about this book! Every damn thing. Safe to say, I'm obsessed and I won't stop talking about this at all. And I also can't stop thinking about Zeno and Darla. The best couple ever!! A little brief review and how they both met. Few spoilers ahead so be aware.
Tropes 🥀
•Enemies to Lovers
•Marriage of Convenience
•Age Gap
•Dark Romance
•Morally Grey Hero
•Greek couple - Hades and Persephone vibes
Darla Ivy Hill🥀
Three words, I love her! Her character was portrayed in an extremely good way. She's 27, living with her mother Diane Hill and her sister Dacia Hill. She's the principal of one of the most respected high school that's been running since the time of her great-great grandmother, now making her the principal. She's secretly an author too, she writes such good romance stories and some best erotica. She's such a sweetheart and I loved her personality so much. She's literally on top in the list of my favorite female main characters. She's powerful, hardworking. She spent all her life trying to please her mother and being the best daughter she can but her mother was rarely ever behaving good with her which ended up making her insecure but through it all, she never let herself down infront of others and was just best. I love her and adore her with my whole heart.
Zeno Gianni De la Croix🥀
Three words for him as well, Please marry me! He's 34 and the heir to the De la Croix empire. He's Italian but grew up in France (that's the reason why he's good at dirty talking in Italian and French) and moved to Canada with his family that adopted him when he was young. He had a rough childhood cause of his parents passing away. Yves De La Croix adopted him, the former heir of the De La Croix Empire. Zeno is extremely powerful, dominant and just perfect in every way. He's ruthless to all but a softie for his wife, Darla. My heart ached for him so much when he was telling Darla about his childhood, I just wanted to give him a tight hug, not to forget about the fact that he's 6-3'4ft so me being 5-3'4ft and hugging him would be so damn good. All I wanna say is, I would do anything to have Zeno all for myself. He's exactly my type, I love him so freakin much. It hurts me knowing he's a fictional character.
Zeno and Darla. (A bit spoilers) 🥀
"Darla Ivy Hill was slowly infusing in my veins like a drug. I wanted nothing more than to sit her over my lap and hand feed her pomegranate seeds so she'd never leave my world.
My very own Persephone" - Zeno De La Croix.
"I hope it brings you some comfort.
Yours today, tomorrow, forever, mon ange.
Zeno" -Zeno De La Croix.
"The first time I saw my husband, he resembled a deity. My very own Hades, who stole and dragged me to the underworld. A lonely kingdom for two kindred souls. A place for us to rule and flourish and create life for many seasons to come.If I had known all those months ago this was what awaited me on the other side, I would have grasped his hand on the first night and pleaded with him to whisk me away." - Darla Ivy Hill.
There are so many things I wanna say about them. First of all, they referred to each other has Hades and Persephone, a beautiful couple from the Greek Mythology. Because I'm in love with Greek Mythology and Hades and Persephone being my most favorite couple, I loved it so freaking much whenever Zeno went like "My very own Persephone, My Wife, My Darla" I loved it so much!! They're so damn similar to Hades and Persephone. I just can't help it but say it again that I love them so much. Their chemistry was on cloud 9,so freaking perfect. They met at a sex club, had a one night stand and thought they won't meet each other again. Until Zeno realised Darla is the daughter of one of his enemies, Diane Hill. And he needed a wife so that he can be a heir, so who else would be fit to be his wife other than the woman who got him under a spell. So he went to her mother and asked for her daughter's hand in marriage. Eventually they get married so that the reputation of the Hill family would be stable and Darla is ofc hating him for this but the tension between them.. I have no words!!
Smut🥀
I would definitely be reading all the smut again sometime..The smut in this book was on high level. Dirty talking, check! Kinkiness, check! Passionate, check! Rough and full of love, check check check! The dirty talking was everything. Zeno speaking in French and Italian everytime while they were doing it was just everything for me. He had a nickname for her "mon ange" That means my angel in French. They both often talked in French. Slowly as they fell for each other and realised it, it was so sweet. Especially when Zeno confessed his feelings. I love Zeno and Darla so freakin much. Zeno is the perfect example of "he would burn down the world for her if needed" When Zeno discovered his wife writes romance stories, he bought every single book of hers and read it. Every night he used to read her books before going to sleep. They recreated all those erotic scenes which was just extremely hot. He bought a whole private island for her. He bought her her favourite car. He always wore her hairpins on his tie that had her initials engraved. I want a Zeno in my life as well, please god!!
The Plot (Spoilers) 🥀
The overall plot was perfectly set. It all happened at the end of the book only, like around 80-90% but the book ofc had a happy ending. Everything fell into place eventually. The two main things that happened were first that Zeno's younger brother, basically his foster dad's son who's Benjamin De La Croix. He was never the type of man who would take over and will be willing to be the Heir of their empire, when his dad, Yves noticed that, he stopped trying to push his son into all this and focused on Zeno and made him the heir. Benjamin didn't liked this at all and so he went on to take revenge from Zeno by planning stuff behind his back, as he was close to him, he knew his secrets and everything which made his work easier. Second plot was when Darla discovered that Diana Hill isn't her mother, instead she's her aunt. Her actual parents passed away when she was born. Her father was murdered by his brother the night before Darla was born and her mother died the night she was born. It was really heartbreaking reading this. Both Darla and Zeno had a rough childhood but in the end they found themselves and became the other halves of each other. Their love is just something you'll read only in books.
Thanks for taking the time to read my review, I appreciate it. Once again, I'm obsessed with Zeno and Darla! 🥀
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 5, 2023
Nope, this book is not for me.
DNF at 35%
DNF at 35%
July 30, 2023
SO OBSESSED UGH
July 31, 2023
THIS BOOK ATE. SERVED. LIKE WTF?!?! so frickin good!!! Zeno and darla I NEED LOVE LIKE THAT
April 7, 2024
3 ⭐️
Enjoyed zenodarla. zeno this man! his love language is so gift giving!? the Lamborghini, the island, the diamond ring!? got her everything she desired and more. he built her dream library for her he also sent her letters for the time she was away. was more impressed with him rather than darla.
I went into the book knowing their kinks and knowing it’s not my preference therefore I did skip the smut, but it was always mutually consented between.
However the plot and romance of the book was good
“I once said I was an expert at creating happy endings for my characters. Now I had finally created my own with the man who would burn down the world for me and love me until the end of time.”
Enjoyed zenodarla. zeno this man! his love language is so gift giving!? the Lamborghini, the island, the diamond ring!? got her everything she desired and more. he built her dream library for her he also sent her letters for the time she was away. was more impressed with him rather than darla.
I went into the book knowing their kinks and knowing it’s not my preference therefore I did skip the smut, but it was always mutually consented between.
However the plot and romance of the book was good
“I once said I was an expert at creating happy endings for my characters. Now I had finally created my own with the man who would burn down the world for me and love me until the end of time.”
August 8, 2023
need a man obsessed with me fr!!! i actually lv zeno. he wasn’t perfect but i lv him. i need dacia & romero’s book now. thank you. where did my baby go?? like come back sir. ALSO THE PLOT TWIST???? i threw my phone. jaw dropped and my heart was shattered.
April 18, 2023
3.9 stars
Spoiler free review:
Where do I begin? As for the story and the characters themselves, I absolutely adored this book! Both some of the scenes and the dynamic between the MCs reminded me of my own book and I loved seeing similar elements here! I loved that Zeno could be a cold blooded killer, but also the definition of "man obsessed" where Darla was concerned. This man would've literally gotten her whatever she asked for in a blink of an eye if it meant that she paid him a millisecond of attention. It was beautiful. It was a masterpiece. The reason why my rating slowly declined overtime though was that the writing style really didn't click with me. Sometimes the characters talked way too formally with each other, which made an emotional conversation seem like a business deal instead, and other times I got lost in the abundance of metaphors that had me reaching for a dictionary with passages like:
"My heart swelled until the iron gates caging my organ flooded open with an outpouring of the evocative emotion known as love. It lighted the omphalos of my being like a rich, opalescent sky and filled my palate with the redolence of cherry martini."
At times I liked these overly poetic and descriptive passages, but overall there were a bit too many of them. Many could've been cut shorter and condensed into one sentence in my opinion. To be fair though, there were also many, many quotes I absolutely adored and I highlighted more than in any book so far this year, but still it didn't balance these lengthy paragraphs.
Overall the book was great, a solid good dark romance, but the writing style can be a huge hit or miss for sure.
Spoiler free review:
Where do I begin? As for the story and the characters themselves, I absolutely adored this book! Both some of the scenes and the dynamic between the MCs reminded me of my own book and I loved seeing similar elements here! I loved that Zeno could be a cold blooded killer, but also the definition of "man obsessed" where Darla was concerned. This man would've literally gotten her whatever she asked for in a blink of an eye if it meant that she paid him a millisecond of attention. It was beautiful. It was a masterpiece. The reason why my rating slowly declined overtime though was that the writing style really didn't click with me. Sometimes the characters talked way too formally with each other, which made an emotional conversation seem like a business deal instead, and other times I got lost in the abundance of metaphors that had me reaching for a dictionary with passages like:
"My heart swelled until the iron gates caging my organ flooded open with an outpouring of the evocative emotion known as love. It lighted the omphalos of my being like a rich, opalescent sky and filled my palate with the redolence of cherry martini."
At times I liked these overly poetic and descriptive passages, but overall there were a bit too many of them. Many could've been cut shorter and condensed into one sentence in my opinion. To be fair though, there were also many, many quotes I absolutely adored and I highlighted more than in any book so far this year, but still it didn't balance these lengthy paragraphs.
Overall the book was great, a solid good dark romance, but the writing style can be a huge hit or miss for sure.
October 4, 2023
★★★★. Zeno and Darla were possessive, obsessed and in love with one another and I loved it. This didn’t have any unnecessary drama and followed the main characters. I liked the side characters a lot but the two who stood out to me was Darcia and Romero.
"You're my home and I'm lost without you, Darla.
"You're my home and I'm lost without you, Darla.
April 4, 2023
4.5 stars
I absolutely loved this book the way Zeno was completely entranced by Darla the second she called him beautiful their dynamic was everythinggggg the way Zeno never stopped fighting for her whether it was protecting her from enemies or pinning after her because of an argument and when he found out he was pregnant 🥹 I died his endless love for her and her endless love for him proves that I will be lonely forever ☹️
I almost sobbed when we found out every Friday she sends him flowers and chocolates to take him on a date and stealing his virginity but ofc no butt stuff 😭
I kinda want Dacia and Romeos ( I don’t think that’s his name 🤷🏽♀️) story
I definitely did not see that plot twist coming and I was stunned and mildly confused
Yves and Celine are absolute icons the power psycho couple I loved it 🖤
The spice in this was definitely to my liking that’s all I got to say about that 🥵
Zeno and Darla are the literal embodiment of hades and persephone idc what anyone says
Some of my fav quotes for y’all ( I couldn’t put all of the there was too much)
“Then tell him he’s forgiven. Tell him how you feel. My son is obsessed with you, Darla. His eyes light up when you enter a room and he listens to every word you say with the fascination of a man who is utterly owned. He buys you gifts, reads your romance novels, cooks with you in the evenings, and takes you on dates all over the city so he can make you the happiest woman in the world. When he thinks you aren’t watching, he stares at you like you created the universe. Zeno has completely fallen for you and he’s terrified. The thought of you not returning the depth of his feelings is a devastating reality for him.”🥹🥹
“Tell me you can’t imagine a world where I don’t exist, because I can’t imagine mine without you. You’re my sunrise. You’re my moonlight.” I need me a man like Zeno 🥵
I used to believe love was a weakness until I met Darla Ivy Hill. Now I knew to love and to be loved in return was the greatest gift of all.after everything he went though this made me sob my baby deserves it 🥹🥰
Xoxo your favorite whore 😉
I absolutely loved this book the way Zeno was completely entranced by Darla the second she called him beautiful their dynamic was everythinggggg the way Zeno never stopped fighting for her whether it was protecting her from enemies or pinning after her because of an argument and when he found out he was pregnant 🥹 I died his endless love for her and her endless love for him proves that I will be lonely forever ☹️
I almost sobbed when we found out every Friday she sends him flowers and chocolates to take him on a date and stealing his virginity but ofc no butt stuff 😭
I kinda want Dacia and Romeos ( I don’t think that’s his name 🤷🏽♀️) story
I definitely did not see that plot twist coming and I was stunned and mildly confused
Yves and Celine are absolute icons the power psycho couple I loved it 🖤
The spice in this was definitely to my liking that’s all I got to say about that 🥵
Zeno and Darla are the literal embodiment of hades and persephone idc what anyone says
Some of my fav quotes for y’all ( I couldn’t put all of the there was too much)
“Then tell him he’s forgiven. Tell him how you feel. My son is obsessed with you, Darla. His eyes light up when you enter a room and he listens to every word you say with the fascination of a man who is utterly owned. He buys you gifts, reads your romance novels, cooks with you in the evenings, and takes you on dates all over the city so he can make you the happiest woman in the world. When he thinks you aren’t watching, he stares at you like you created the universe. Zeno has completely fallen for you and he’s terrified. The thought of you not returning the depth of his feelings is a devastating reality for him.”🥹🥹
“Tell me you can’t imagine a world where I don’t exist, because I can’t imagine mine without you. You’re my sunrise. You’re my moonlight.” I need me a man like Zeno 🥵
I used to believe love was a weakness until I met Darla Ivy Hill. Now I knew to love and to be loved in return was the greatest gift of all.after everything he went though this made me sob my baby deserves it 🥹🥰
Xoxo your favorite whore 😉
September 23, 2022
4.75 ⭐
Corrupted By You is one of the most surprising (in a very very good way) romance book I've ever read.
let me start of with just this
THIS MF BOUGHT HER A PVT ISLAND??? AND A RARE 50 MILLION DOLLAR RING AFTER MEETING HER FOR THE 2ND TIME??
i just hope my future (rich)partner's love language is gifting and acts of service 😂
Jokes aside, if i even get 1/4th of the love darla and zeno had, I'll be happy. they were so in love with each other??? it was so fucking beautiful.
i could just FEEL their chemistry from the moment they laid eyes on each other.
and dont even get me started on Zeno. that man
can dirty talk to another level! both of them were so hot, my bi ass was panicking
now i hate to say this, but i saw the main plot twist coming from a mile BUT some of those little secrets revealed were SHOCKING. i truly didn't expect them. So it's suffice to say, both the plot and smut, and chemistry and characters were perfectly written!
Darla's character was so well written and developed (so was Zeno's character for that matter) and i loved seeing them interact together.
my only complaint is that i felt they had very less fluffy and wholesome scenes without the sexual aspect ( and i understand that some couples express their love through intimacy or sex) but im a girl who prefers both the sweet moments and the dark debauchery sex.
saying this, i cant wait to read the author's future works! I'm so excited for some of the side characters story!
ARC received from author/publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are my own and have not been influenced in any way.
Corrupted By You is one of the most surprising (in a very very good way) romance book I've ever read.
let me start of with just this
THIS MF BOUGHT HER A PVT ISLAND??? AND A RARE 50 MILLION DOLLAR RING AFTER MEETING HER FOR THE 2ND TIME??
i just hope my future (rich)partner's love language is gifting and acts of service 😂
Jokes aside, if i even get 1/4th of the love darla and zeno had, I'll be happy. they were so in love with each other??? it was so fucking beautiful.
i could just FEEL their chemistry from the moment they laid eyes on each other.
and dont even get me started on Zeno. that man
can dirty talk to another level! both of them were so hot, my bi ass was panicking
now i hate to say this, but i saw the main plot twist coming from a mile BUT some of those little secrets revealed were SHOCKING. i truly didn't expect them. So it's suffice to say, both the plot and smut, and chemistry and characters were perfectly written!
Darla's character was so well written and developed (so was Zeno's character for that matter) and i loved seeing them interact together.
my only complaint is that i felt they had very less fluffy and wholesome scenes without the sexual aspect ( and i understand that some couples express their love through intimacy or sex) but im a girl who prefers both the sweet moments and the dark debauchery sex.
saying this, i cant wait to read the author's future works! I'm so excited for some of the side characters story!
ARC received from author/publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are my own and have not been influenced in any way.
October 5, 2023
ZENO THE MAN THAT YOU ARE 😩
The way Zeno was so in love and obsessed with her! The stuff he did for her was something else 🤭 She hag a dream ring; a 5 carat red diamond ring? ZENO GOT IT FOR HER. She told him about her green car that she loved but her mother took it away, ZENO GOT A GREEN LAMBORGHINI FOR HER THE NEXT DAY. They’re watching a movie together and she told him about her dream library... ZENO MADE IT FOR HER. Him saying he will do anything for her and would get her an island AND HE DID GET HER AN ISLAND 😭 There is actually more stuff + when her car got ruined, he got her a new one! I actually loved how they were both obsessed with each other, because Darla was so in love Zeno too~ The book was on the longer side but I didn't mind it and I enjoyed reading it. THE PLOT TWIST OR SHOULD I SAY THE PLOT TWISTS 😳 I was actually shocked and I loved that I wasn't expecting it (because most of the time plot twists are obvious).
NOW I REALLY NEED DARCIA AND ROMERO’S BOOK!! LIKE I NEED IT NOW!! HOPE THE AUTHOR WILL WRITE THEIR STORY NEXT ❤️
Book Tropes 📝
— dark romance
— mafia romance
— arrange marriage
— morally gray hero
— enemies to lovers
— BDSM
The way Zeno was so in love and obsessed with her! The stuff he did for her was something else 🤭 She hag a dream ring; a 5 carat red diamond ring? ZENO GOT IT FOR HER. She told him about her green car that she loved but her mother took it away, ZENO GOT A GREEN LAMBORGHINI FOR HER THE NEXT DAY. They’re watching a movie together and she told him about her dream library... ZENO MADE IT FOR HER. Him saying he will do anything for her and would get her an island AND HE DID GET HER AN ISLAND 😭 There is actually more stuff + when her car got ruined, he got her a new one! I actually loved how they were both obsessed with each other, because Darla was so in love Zeno too~ The book was on the longer side but I didn't mind it and I enjoyed reading it. THE PLOT TWIST OR SHOULD I SAY THE PLOT TWISTS 😳 I was actually shocked and I loved that I wasn't expecting it (because most of the time plot twists are obvious).
NOW I REALLY NEED DARCIA AND ROMERO’S BOOK!! LIKE I NEED IT NOW!! HOPE THE AUTHOR WILL WRITE THEIR STORY NEXT ❤️
Book Tropes 📝
— dark romance
— mafia romance
— arrange marriage
— morally gray hero
— enemies to lovers
— BDSM
January 10, 2023
I have read so so many mafia romance books (I'm addicted dont blame me!) and let me tell you, many of them are arranged marriage scenarios with the same plot and different names😅.
THIS story is GOLD, though. Dont know how I never read it before!!! So unique and captivating with amazing character development especially on female side.💫
I did not expect the plot twist at the end but I liked it anyway. Definitely, moving this to my fav romance books.❤️
And, please tell me that we WILL get a story for Romero & Darcia!
I really want to thank the author for this amazing experience!
THIS story is GOLD, though. Dont know how I never read it before!!! So unique and captivating with amazing character development especially on female side.💫
I did not expect the plot twist at the end but I liked it anyway. Definitely, moving this to my fav romance books.❤️
And, please tell me that we WILL get a story for Romero & Darcia!
I really want to thank the author for this amazing experience!
December 8, 2022
God this book is so good. I really hope my future husband buys me private island and rare diamond after seeing him for the first time. In some books I always feel/say characters doesn't behave upto their age but DarlaZeno did behaved as per their age. The maturity, understanding Marzy showed in the characters is really admirable.
I really hope we get a book for RomeroDacia, ShaunHera *fingers cross*
I really hope we get a book for RomeroDacia, ShaunHera *fingers cross*
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July 4, 2023Ummm dnf. First of all the FMC name is Darla and I just can’t let that slide… second the writing style is shit. I was willing to give it a chance but I just couldn’t omg. And let’s not forget where the characters first met?? I couldn’t do it after that. Anyways not my cup of tea 🤷🏾♀️
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