J.L. Beck

Mia only finds out who her father is and alive after her mother passing. He has money she thinks everything will be better since her mother and her struggles and she doesn’t really realize her father has not so great fatherly intentions for her. Zeke is her 24/7 bodyguard that her father puts on her to ‘protect’ her (virginity mostly).
Mia has an attraction for Zeke but after coming on to him at her HS graduation she isn’t very thrilled that he is following her to Uni. Zeke as attracted as he is does what he can to protect himself and Mia all while knowing her fathers plans for her.
Zeke and Mia’s love story is something I haven’t read before but it didn’t feel like it was a brand new concept. I loved the banter between the two even though the build up and spice was meh for me. For me this is a 3.5 star and 2.5 chili pepper. I didn’t love it but also not the worst book I read I’d definitely recommend to someone that isn’t looking for much spice and likes a slower story that is mafia with no real triggers though it does contain some unsavory acts.… (more)

Dark, gritty, entertaining, gripping. From the very start of this story grabbed my attention and I knew it was going to have me on the edge of my seat the whole time. It does end on a cliffhanger and that part was so twisted and left me breathless that I am dying for the next book now, but I’ll be patient. Celia comes from one of the main 5 mafia families and she is arranged to marry a guy she can’t stand but will follow through, nonetheless. You could tell her home life was not that great and she was treated horribly by her own parents so when she is kidnapped no one is really missing her. Nic is the one who takes Celia, and he is cruel, twisted, mean, and dark but at times a small sliver of decency shines through even if it’s brief. Celia knows her future is doomed, and she keeps trying to fight for survival, but is slowly allowing Nic in her heart. Nic is starting to develop some sort of feelings towards her but he is still determined on his revenge to really dive deep to react on them. With so many different twists, turns, and cruelty this book was a great dark mafia read and the ending was shocking. I can’t wait to see where the next book goes and if Nic will seek out his revenge or get his Celia back.… (more)

I was so excited that we got more from Quinton and Aspen because their story was so heart wrenching and twisted it was was right up my dark twisted heart’s alley. This short story has us falling all over again with Q and the way he adores Aspen by showing her over and over again he would do anything for her shows us how much he has fallen for her. I love that we get a glimpse of Q’s soft side and his fierce side when it comes protecting her as well. I wish we could spend alll the time in the world with them but this was such a nice glance at where they are now.… (more)