Dodge by B. Sobjakken

B. Sobjakken returns with a short and spicy story featuring Dodge and Autumn—two incredibly likable characters with plenty of chemistry and steamy moments. The love scenes were plenty, super spicy, and tantalizing. This was one of my most anticipated reads by B. Sobjakken. Despite their strong attraction to each other, I loved how their relationship progressed naturally because Autumn did her best to resist Dodge until he made the first move. This book does take place in the world of Claiming the Club Princess. Although it isn't necessary to read that book, it does enhance the story and experience since Gage, Mikayla, and Shaw make an appearance in Dodge and Autumn’s story.

“I know once we cross this line, there’s no going back. She’s going to be mine, and if she tries to fight it, I’ll just have to convince her we’re meant to be. Autumn isn’t what I was expecting, but she’s everything I need in my life and I don’t want to lose her.”

In the end, I had such a fantastic time reading this book and absolutely devoured all of the spicy scenes between Dodge and Autumn. Although I typically don’t read MC romance, I thought the author did an exceptional job explaining the club’s dynamic and how it played a role in their lives. The side characters were also hilarious. I especially loved the interactions between Dodge and his club brothers. I hope B. Sobjakken will expand this world and write stories for these characters in the future. Despite their happy and relatively complete ending, I would have liked to see an extended epilogue of Dodge and Autumn's happily ever after. I specifically wanted to see what life was like with their new extended family member. Nevertheless, this was an enjoyable read and I recommend it to those who are looking for a short, sweet, and spicy story featuring several tropes and kinks including the single dad/nanny trope, breeding kink, and dd/lg.

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

Rating: ★★★★☆

Cover Reveal: Empire of Obsession by Mila Finelli

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Title: Empire of Obsession

Series: New York State of Mafia, Book Three

** Although Empire of Obsession is part of a series it can be read as a standalone. **

Author: Mila Finelli

Genre: Mafia Romance

Release Day: March 10, 2026

Photographer: Michelle Lancaster | @lanefotograf

Model: Anthony Patamisi | @anthonypatamisi

Designer: Letitia Hasser, RBA Designs

Tropes: Forced/Arranged Marriage, Obsessed Hero, Serious Spice, Touch Her and Die Vibes, He Cooks For Her, Shy FMC/Outgoing MMC, Good Girl/Bad Boy, He Falls First

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Massimo D’Agostino left the mafia to bury his sins, trading violence for the discipline of a chef’s kitchen. He knows what he is—a monster forged in misery and pain—and he intends to keep that monster caged forever.

Until the night he opens the trunk of a car and finds Lucia Sorrentino bloody, bruised… and breathtaking. The daughter of a powerful don, Lucia is being bartered into a marriage she doesn’t want, a future she can’t escape. Massimo should walk away. Instead, her shy smiles and tempting innocence unlock something around his heart, and he becomes her shield. Her reluctant savior.

When he helps her go on the run, their careful plans shatter. Caught between three powerful families, they’re forced into a marriage neither of them chose—yet neither can deny. And when Lucia’s unhinged former fiancé comes looking for revenge, Massimo must descend back into the violent world he abandoned.

Obsessed to protect what is his, the monster inside him will rise again. And this time . . . he won’t run.

Amazon

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Mila Finelli is the dark romance pen name of USA Today bestselling author Joanna Shupe.

During the pandemic, Mafia Mistress came to Mila in a fever dream and a series was born. She hopes to never stop writing.

Mila loves all things Italian, coffee, morally gray men, and romance.

        

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Ruthless Game by Piper Stone

Piper Stone returns with a standalone for fans of the fake relationship or marriage and enemies to lovers tropes. Ruthless Game features Christian and Vanessa, two headstrong and independent characters who constantly butted heads with each other. They had previously met, but he does not remember. I actually liked Christian and Vanessa. Although they were unlikeable at first due to their personalities, they eventually grew on me. Christian initially came across as this arrogant and cocky player, but he does go through some character development through the book. The same can be said for Vanessa who disliked Christian for rejecting her attempt at working for his company in the past. I thought it was childish of her for holding such a grudge, but it became clear that she had always been attracted to Christian since the beginning. She just didn’t like that he never gave her a chance.

“You are everything to me. There’s no sunrise as beautiful as your smile, no twinkle of stars able to ignite the fire within like your touch. You’re the air I breathe and in my every thought.”

In the end, this was an enjoyable read for those who like the marriage contract trope. Christian and Vanessa’s type of relationship can be considered cliché at times, but I was mostly reading it for the spice and the author certainly delivered on that. These two characters definitely had chemistry because some of their scenes were super steamy. That window glass scenes? Wow. I also loved the fact that Christian called Vanessa his wildcat because she always wanted to argue with him. Fans of Piper Stone or those who would like to read a spicy palate cleanser will be satisfied with this book. Christian and Vanessa had a lot of pent up emotions and frustrations, which resulted in them "taking it out on each other." Overall, this book had everything I was looking for—it was fun, dramatic at times, romantic, and spicy.

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

Rating: ★★★★☆

Corrupted Memories by B. Sobjakken

B. Sobjakken returns with Corrupted Memories, the second book in the Made Men of Manhattan series, featuring Sebastian and Gianna. Sebastian was one of the side characters in Rian and Isabelle's story, and he was somewhat of a morally gray character who I thought was interesting. In this latest installment, readers are able to explore his intense obsession for the woman he was never able to forget. I enjoyed Sebastian and Gianna's relationship because it was full of animosity, uncertainty, longing, and tension. We're given a few glimpses of their past together, which were all really sweet and romantic, until she ran away from him that one night and never came back. Since then, he did everything he could to find and chase her. It's clear that Sebastian and Gianna had some deep communication issues. I was frustrated with their dramatics because she should have communicated with him instead of making assumptions, while he was deluding himself into thinking that he was never in love with her.

“Gianna is my obsession. I can’t get her out of my mind. They aren’t healthy or loving thoughts. My body physically burns for her. It craves her to survive, but I know it isn’t love. I don’t know what it is, but it’s not that.”

In the end, I enjoyed this one and was satisfied with Sebastian and Gianna's relationship. The story did get a bit repetitive in the later half since Gianna kept asking Sebastian to confirm his feelings for her. He never told Gianna that he loved her, which played a central role in her insecurities and was one of the reasons why she ran away from him. The whole Jeremy situation was awkward and weird, so I wasn't a fan of it. At least their love scenes were incredibly spicy. I did wish there was more to their relationship since it felt more physical than emotional at times. They entered in a “relationship contract,” but Sebastian was unwilling to let Gianna go so the threats were unnecessary. The situation between the Irish and Italians are ramping up. It also looks like we might be getting books for Luca as well as Gio and Matt who are Gianna’s brothers. Fans of mafia romance and dark romance will certainly enjoy this book—especially if you like heroes who are possessive and obsessive with their heroines.

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

Rating: ★★★★☆

Blackthorn by J.T. Geissinger

J.T. Geissinger returns with a brand new story and take on the gothic horror romance genre. I was completely enthralled by Blackthorn's story and characters—even if they frustrated me at times with their distrust of each other. I understood it, but I also wanted them to move on from their past and reconcile as well. Nevertheless, Maven Blackthorn and Ronan Croft's romance was toxic but also incredibly sexy. Fans of the author will be happy to know that the banter between the main characters was simply hilarious and they constantly bickered with each other. There was tension, chemistry, and deep longing between these two. This had everything I wanted in a second chance romance and enemies to lovers type of story. In addition to the romance, there were many twists and turns throughout the book that kept me on the edge of my seat. I also really loved the mysterious and creepy atmosphere of the book because it made it seem like Maven and readers were descending into madness together. This book was a wild ride that centered around the question, “real or not real?”

“I know I’ll never be able to extricate myself from him. No matter how far I might run or how eloquently I might lie, my heart belongs to this man. I love him.”

In the end, we’re given a “happy for now” ending for Maven and Ronan, but some mysteries and questions remain unresolved. For the sake of spoilers, I won't say it in this review, but I'm hoping the author will write another book for this incredibly interesting and unique world that she has created. I also would have liked more scenes of Maven and Raven’s past. I wanted to know their entire history and what they were thinking. Instead, we only got brief glimpses of their past relationship and what transpired. In addition, more of Ronan’s POV would have been appreciated. He was such a mysterious and contradictory character. I couldn’t make sense of him and why he loved Maven so much but ended up disappointing her. Perhaps to him, she was different from everybody else and was the only one who made him feel something. Overall, I enjoyed this creepy and mysterious take on the dark romance genre. Fans of J.T. Geissinger will absolutely love this book because it has all the banter, spicy love scenes, and tropes that the author is known for.

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

Rating: ★★★★☆