Mafia Virgin by Mila Finelli

Mila Finelli concludes her Kings of Italy series with the final and youngest Mancini sister, Emma, getting her happy ending. This book revolves around the arranged forced marriage trope where both Emma and Giacomo were initially strangers to one another. They were forced to marry in order to protect their loved ones. Out of all the books in the series, this one was my favorite because it was incredibly sexy and sweet at times. Although I was still frustrated and annoyed by Emma during some of her more stubborn and stupid moments, I still liked her romance with Giacomo a lot more than Frankie or Gia's. While I do think this book can be read as a standalone, I would recommend reading other books in the series for a more well-rounded experience as some previous characters did make an appearance in this story. Giacomo was an unlikeable character at first but he eventually grew on me because of his love and dedication to Emma, in addition to his dirty mouth.

“Please, bambina. Come back with me. I’ll spend every day at your feet, worshiping the very ground you walk on. I will fight for you, for our children, and I promise to love you harder with each breath I take until the day I die.”

In the end, I enjoyed this book and am ecstatic to move on to Empire of Temptation. I noticed that Vito D’Agostino, Enzo's brother, will be getting his own book in Empire of Seduction so I am looking forward to that. Emma and Giacomo's love story was an unexpected surprise for me because I didn't think I was going to enjoy it. Some of their love scenes were super steamy, which I appreciated. There was a lot of tension and chemistry between them. They had a rough introduction since Emma was kidnapped and forced to marry Giacomo because Virga, the head of the Sicilian Cosa Nostra, threatened to kill her father and Giacomo's sister. I hated this man and am glad that he got what he deserved. If you are looking for an opposites attract mafia romance, I highly recommend this because it features a tough mafioso who is actually really sweet and gentle with his innocent and curious wife.

Rating: ★★★★★

Cover Reveal: Texting Dr Stalker by Pepper Winters

COVER REVEAL for TEXTING DR STALKER!

Releasing: January 16, 2025

“She’s my next-door neighbour…but she’s also the girl I’m stalking. For good reasons. I promise.”

I have a stalker.

A masked man who watches me from the shadows. A guardian who says he’s there to protect me—to help me heal from almost dying at the hands of another man.

He says he’s willing to do anything to help me move on. That I needn’t be afraid of him.

I agree to keep him my secret and share how much I’m truly struggling.

In return, he guards me. Even if it means guarding me from himself.

💀🩺 💀🩺 💀🩺

I’ve known her my entire life.

She’s the girl next door who I share a childhood betrothal with thanks to our two grandmothers wishing to turn their lifelong friendship into family.

I’m also the doctor who tended to her in the ER after her ex tried to kill her. I want to help her in any way I can, but I also know she’ll never accept my help because I’m the reason he tried to kill her in the first place.

But I can’t stand by and see her suffer, so…I come up with a plan. A highly illegal plan that ends with me breaking laws, rules, and my own heart...

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Meet Pepper

Pepper Winters is a multiple New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestseller.

After chasing her dreams to become a full-time writer, Pepper has earned recognition with awards for best Dark Romance, best BDSM Series, and best Hero. She's an multiple #1 Apple Books bestseller, along with #1 in Erotic Romance, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary, and Romance Thriller.

Pepper currently has close to 40 books released in nine languages. She's hit best-seller lists almost 40 times, is a self-confessed hermit, yoga convert, has a house rabbit, six horses, and a long suffering husband.

To learn more about Pepper please visit: www.pepperwinters.com where she regularly posts videos of behind the scenes writing, horses, books, and more.

Connect with Pepper

Website: www.pepperwinters.com

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Dear Rosie, by S.J. Tilly

Dear Rosie, by S.J. Tilly, the final book in the Love Letters series, features Nathan—Maddox's best friend from Love, Utley, and his love story with his childhood friend Rosie. Although their story was so incredibly heartbreaking to read, it was also very beautiful as well. Nathan loved Rosie so much that his feelings and emotions for her were simply breathtaking to witness. During his courtship of Rosie, I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop but he continued to prove me wrong time and time again. This man was so dedicated to his Rosie. In addition to their incredible chemistry, their romance was very sweet and spicy. I loved how Nathan and Rosie's relationship was a combination of heartbreaking moments but also some really steamy ones as well. S.J. Tilly simply excels at writing these types of emotional and sexy books and I simply can't wait to see what she comes up with next!

"This isn't just some spark, Rosie. This is a fire that's been waiting for years to burn."

In the end, I loved this book because Nathan and Rosie were incredible characters who were always meant to be. They were finally able to find happiness in each other and got the ending they both deserved. I also loved how the author focused primarily on their relationship and that there weren't outside factors trying to destroy their love for each other. Even though Rosie had her own secrets to keep, Nathan eventually uncovered them all and still loved her for it. The revelation about Rosie was simply heart-wrenching and stunning to read because she had to suffer alone for all that time back then. However, she now has Nathan with her to weather the future together and I couldn't be happier. Fans of S.J. Tilly will absolutely adore this unforgettable love story that features a sexy and protective hero and his sweet and strong heroine.

Rating: ★★★★★

Cry, or Better Yet, Beg by Solche

Cry, or Better Yet, Beg is the twisted and heartbreaking love story of Matthias von Herhardt and Layla Llewellyn. I was first introduced to this novel through the manhwa and its beautiful art. Initially, I was skeptical about starting this because of all the negative comments about the story and hero. However, I wanted to know for myself how bad it was and I found that a lot of people must have read a different translation or exaggerated his acts. This is a historical dark romance. Matthias was a very complex and ruthless hero whose all-consuming love and obsession for Layla ultimately played a role in his misery, suffering, and redemption in the end. All he ever wanted was her beautiful smile, laughter, and love. His desire and love for her made him do some morally gray things—all for the sake of keeping her by his side. As for Layla, she was a complex heroine who did everything in her power to hate and deny her feelings and love for Matthias.

"If I can't be your heaven, Layla... then I will let you go… So, go. Fly away from me and find your heaven." — Chapter 137

"I'm going to be your heaven, your sky. So please, fly freely. As long as you don't leave me, you can do anything you want. I love you." — Epilogue 4

I absolutely loved Solche's writing, characterization, and her ability to bring everything full circle in the end. Every scene, moment, and conversation between Layla and Matthias was incredibly important and fundamental to understanding their entire relationship. Although his actions were inherently wrong and he "ruined" her life in the process, it also ruined his life in turn because it made him miserable, empty, and broken. Matthias' downfall from the perfect gentleman was incredible to witness because it resulted in his character development and decision to choose love over obsession in the end. I loved every single moment of this book and this will remain one of my favorite Korean historical novels to date.

Note: I read the official translation through Yonder.

Rating: ★★★★★

Use Me, Daddy by Sara Fields

Sara Fields returns to her Boston Kings series with Use, Me Daddy—which features Aleksei Morozov and Amy Whitaker. Those of you who have read Maxim Morozov's book would have recognized that Aleksei is one of his brothers. Aleksei finds his love in this book and he is immediately captivated and challenged by Amy who he employs at his art gallery. The book starts off with an interview and their relationship becomes more intense and highly charged as the story progresses. I was quite surprised by this book because it was very sweet but also dirty at the same time because of their kink. Amy tried her best to ignore Aleksei's advances but he becomes equally captivated and obsessed with him. Their love story was both a "cat and mouse" and "push-pull" relationship. Both characters were stubborn and competitive with each other, which made for an electrifying read. I thoroughly enjoyed their banter.

“Babygirl, you don’t need to prove anything to me. You’re already mine and I love every single thing about you.”

In the end, this was an excellent continuation to the Boston Kings series and I can't wait to read which Morozov brother will get their HEA next. I was initially intrigued by a new character but he ended up betraying Aleksei and put Amy in danger so I doubt that he'll get a book. The love scenes between Aleksei and Amy were very steamy and highly erotic. I wanted more but was happy with how some of the scenes played out. These two were truly a match made for each other. Although this book is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone but you might be slightly confused by some of the character cameos. Nevertheless, this was such an enjoyable read and I highly recommend it to those who are looking for a sweet and dirty romance between a possessive and charismatic hero with his strong-willed and determined heroine.

*This ARC was generously provided by the author for an honest review*

Rating: ★★★★☆