Book review: THE DEVIL, by Michelle Heard

 

Mafia Empire #5

Enzo Oliveira & Jenna Dotson

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What I love about Michelle Heard’s books is how she crafts these intense, dangerous men—Mafia bosses, lethal killers—who seem untouchable… until they meet the right woman. Suddenly, the cold-hearted enforcer becomes utterly devoted, protective to the extreme, and hopelessly in love. Sure, they’re possessive, jealous, and have a “touch her and die” attitude—but once they fall, they fall hard. And they live for her.

That’s exactly what happens with Enzo Oliveira. Orphaned as a child and raised on the unforgiving streets of Lisbon, he grows into the ruthless boss of the Portuguese mafia—a killer for hire, a loner who trusts no one. The Alliance—Sebastian, Dominik, Cassia, and Leo—have tried to bring him into their fold, to make him feel like family, but Enzo’s walls are high and impenetrable. Until now.

When he travels to Aurora to resolve a conflict between his factory and a hostile MC club, he meets Jenna. And everything changes. He falls for her, faces off against the MC, and realizes—for the first time—he needs help. That’s when he calls in his army of friends. What follows is gritty, high-stakes action with a pulse-pounding edge.

Jenna, like Enzo, is a loner with deep scars. A traumatic secret has left her selectively mute, and she’s built her own fortress of solitude. Watching these two broken souls find each other, slowly open up, and learn to trust is just beautiful.

Throughout the book, we witness Enzo’s transformation—falling in love, learning to trust, embracing the Alliance as his chosen family, and ultimately avenging Jenna’s past. The ending is tender and emotional, a soft landing after all the grit and violence. I adored the contrast—it made the romance and the found-family theme even more powerful.

Purchase links

US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FMR8TKPW

UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FMR8TKPW

CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0FMR8TKPW

AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0FMR8TKPW

About the author

Michelle Heard is a Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling Author who loves creating stories her readers can get lost in. She resides in South Africa with her son where she's always planning her next book to write, and trip to take.

 

Connect w/Michelle:

Website: https://michelleheardauthor.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MHeardAuthor

FB Readers Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/118971435201074

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authormichelleheard

Amazon: https://amazon.com/author/michellehorst

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18108320.Michelle_Heard

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/michelle-heard

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michelleheard_author

Newsletter Signup: https://preview.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/p6m4o4

Book review: BEFORE WE BREAK AGAIN, by Claudia Burgoa

Dustin + Santos + Halsey

This was my first throuple trope written by this author, and I was completely swept away. The story centers on a three wonderful characters—Santos, Halsey, and Dustin—and their journey toward healing, reconnection, and second chances. I found myself rooting for them from start to finish, aching for their reunion and the love they so clearly deserved.

The stakes were high: Santos faced a potentially career-ending injury while battling the suffocating control of his bigoted father, who tried to force him into conversion therapy and separate him from the people he loved most. The emotional tension was palpable, and I was on edge hoping Santos would find the strength to resist.

Each member of the throuple carried deep wounds:

• Halsey, torn from her loves by disapproving parents, tried to lock away her heart and earn their approval—only to be met with constant criticism.

• Dustin, the rockstar, spiraled into addiction and self-doubt, believing he wasn’t worthy of love or life.

• Santos, under his father’s thumb, poured himself into hockey, suppressing his true self to survive.

Their reunion was raw and powerful, set against a backdrop of crisis and emotional reckoning. Santos’ injury, Dustin’s despair, and Halsey’s breaking point with her mother’s relentless judgment all converged in a moment that demanded truth, vulnerability, and courage.

I’ll admit—I was impatient! I wanted them back together immediately. But the author wisely gave space for each character to confront their past and grow before reuniting. That slow burn made their eventual reconnection all the more satisfying.

This story was a deeply emotional, beautifully crafted read. I’m so glad to read it!

Purchase links

https://amzn.to/4hC7yp3

About the author

Claudia is an award-winning, USA Today bestselling author. 

She writes alluring, thrilling stories about complicated women and the men who take their breaths away. Her books are the perfect blend of steamy and heartfelt, filled with emotional characters and explosive chemistry. Her writing takes readers to new heights, providing a variety of tears, laughs, and shocking moments that leave fans on the edge of their seats.

She lives in Denver, Colorado with her husband, her youngest two children, and three fluffy dogs.

When Claudia is not writing, you can find her reading, knitting, or just hanging out with her family. At nights, she likes to binge watches shows or movies with her equally geeky husband.

Connect with Claudia Burgoa:

https://claudiayburgoa.com/wp/links/ 

Book review: LOVE DEEP, by Louise Bay

Colorado Club Billionaires #2

Fisher & Juniper

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I loved Fisher and Juniper! They made more sense to me than the characters in the first book, Love Fast.  Both Fisher and Juniper had situations that kept them where they lived. Fisher has a company that represents artists, the studios are in New York, his base is there and many of his clients are there.  He’s the type who wants to meet with his clients face to face, not through online meeting apps, as others do.

Juniper is a single mom, her daughter Riley is her whole world, and she believes she will give Riley the best childhood right here in Star Falls, where they know everyone and they’re safe.  In a word, she was stuck on her town and not budging.

Juniper is an artist, but she gave up her chance at going to New York University to study art when she got pregnant.  Now, she works as a teacher assistant to pay the bills, and paints when she has time.  So, she doesn’t consider herself an artist and doesn’t feel comfortable when her paintings are praised.  

Fisher was struck on Juniper the first time they met at Grizzly’s bar.  He was also struck on their wings!  As they spend time together, Fisher falls more and more for the charms of the little town, and for Juniper.  Her bright smile, her genuine behavior, not entitled, not out to get something from him, captivate him and he wants more.

What I loved about this book is that a temporary fling was what Juniper and Fisher could have, given their circumstances, and they were clear and accepting of this.  However, as time goes on, as Fisher realizes the charm of the town, how much he’s falling for Juniper, and how much he likes Riley, he starts wanting more, and chaffing against the restrictions they imposed on themselves.

I loved the transition of their initial stance, to wavering on the brink of commitment and how they helped each other with their purpose in life.  Both learned to compromise in favor of a strong love, and both gained a lot because of it.  I also loved seeing characters from a previous book, Beau Cove and Vivian Cross from Dr. Fake Fiancé.  I couldn’t resist and did a nice re-read!

I found this story incredibly romantic and wonderful to read!

Purchase links

𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱!

https://geni.us/LoveDeep

Audiobook Narrated by Shane East and Samantha Brentmoor

Audible US: https://geni.us/LDaudio

Audible UK: https://geni.us/LDaudioUK

Add to 𝑮𝒐𝒐𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒔: https://geni.us/lovedeepgr

About the author

International, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author, Louise Bay writes contemporary romance novels that make you laugh - the kind she likes to read.

Ruined by the bonk-busters of the eighties, Louise was inspired by Judith Krantz and Jackie Collins, but wants to be Emily Henry when she grows up.

Louise loves the rain, RHOBH, London, days when she doesn't have to wear make-up, hanging out with her kid, elephants and champagne (not necessarily in that order).

She loves to hear from readers so get in touch!

 

Keep up with Louise Bay and subscribe to her newsletter: https://louisebay.com/newsletter/

 

To learn more about Louise Bay& her books, visit here!

 

Connect with Louise Bay:

https://louisebay.com/contact/

Book review: HELL OF A MESS, by Abbi Glines

Mississippi Smoke #8

Luther & Lace

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Abbi Glines books are so addictive and I am having a great time with this Southern Mafia series.  The stories are enthralling, there’s passion, love, humor, sex, and some gritty Mafia stuff just to make it more spicy and dark.  However, this book was more of a love story, how a man who was completely against marriage and being tied to only one woman, falls hard for a woman who sees him as a hero.

This story stars Luther, one of the old guys in the group, Linc’s and Garret’s contemporary, and a grandfather.  But that doesn’t take away his sex appeal, and it’s amply shown by how fast Lace gets stuck on him, despite the age gap.

After being badly beaten and dumped behind a dumpster, Luther and Locke rescue her, take her to Luther’s and Linc’s mansion, and have the doctor they have on call attend to her.  She spends days in the hospital room they have in the basement, Luther accompanies her every morning, reading to her while drinking his morning coffee.  And getting roasted by the guys for it!

I loved how they connected, Lace sees Luther as her savior, and Luther feels a strange compulsion to protect her.  In spite of the strange circumstances, there’s trust on both parts, and Luther starts to like her, to like being with her and have conversations.  She feels safe with Luther, and in spite of having amnesia from her trauma, she knows this is the first time she gets affection from someone, after her mother died.  Once she recovers her memory, she remembers that she only had abuse from her father and he used her for his purposes.

There’s some action, but there’s more love and sex and feelings, and I enjoyed it hugely.  I was indifferent to Luther before in the series, but now I think he’s a wonderful person and just right to bring Lace to life.  The story has a huge plot twist midway through and it completely blows everything we thought was going to happen.  Kudos to the author for making it so fantastic!  There’s some angst and some scenes that made me want to cry.  So you could say that this book has everything and is a whole experience.

Purchase links

https://geni.us/HoMAG

About the author

Abbi Glines is a #1 New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of the Rosemary Beach, Sea Breeze, Vincent Boys, Field Party, and Existence series. She never cooks unless baking during the Christmas holiday counts. She believes in ghosts and has a habit of asking people if their house is haunted before she goes in it. She finally moved to New England into a home that is 200 + years old with it's own ghosts. She drinks afternoon tea because she wants to be British but alas she being born in Alabama, her life in New England is as close as she will get. When asked how many books she has written she has to stop and count on her fingers. When she’s not locked away writing, she is reading, and/or watching Netflix like the introvert that she is. 

You can connect with Abbi online in several different ways:

www.abbiglinesbooks.com

TikTok @abbiglines

Twitter: @abbiglines

Instagram: @abbiglines

Snapchat: abbiglines

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abbiglinesauthor

Book review: LITTLE PIECES OF LIGHT, by Emma Scott

I’m always a little afraid of starting a book by Emma Scott because I know she’ll take my heart through a wringer. And she did! She makes me cry but also gives me immense happiness. What a beautiful story, so much emotion and heart! I felt profound feelings of loss and love, two lovers who are soulmates, have the perfect chemistry, and as the story evolves, they also evolve into a perfect entanglement.

Xander has felt loss in his childhood when his mother left him and his father.  His father is a wonderful man, a genius, who through the development of the story goes in a mental decline due to neurological illness.  Xander, who is also a genius, feels the weight of honoring his father by continuing his work. He also feels an enduring love for a little girl who gave him grace when he was lonely and sad, just after his mother left.  Through the years, he wrote her many letters without a response, but he never forgot her.

Likewise, Emilia never forgot that remarkable boy she met at a park who captivated her with his brilliant and beautiful mind, his kindness and for seeing her, not just the rich girl.  

When they meet again, both have their destinies written for them, but once they get past their miscommunication, their closeness is too much to sustain any level of separation, because they are entangled, endlessly and completely.

While Xander’s father was a fountain of love and joy (and worry), Emilia’s father was evil through and through.  Xander felt pressed on continuing his father’s work, and Emilia felt oppressed by her father’s expectations.  I felt suspense and worry as the book progressed because their love was so beautiful but it felt like everything was against them. There are sub-plots that add levels to the story and show us that family is not just the one you grow with, but the one you make with friends.  

I hurt for Emilia’s hope of saving her family and keeping them together, but also marveled at her fortitude when her house of cards fell down. Xander was so strong, feeling like life was giving him punches one after another, and yet standing strong, loving and being there.  His brilliant mind was such that he absorbed and admired the brilliance of Emilia’s creativity and how it shone similar to his. There’s a scene I loved where he shows her how he sees the world in equations while she sees the same things with her images.  Very Impressive!

There’s a meaningful phrase in the book, referring to the origin of the atoms that comprise our bodies:

“I love to think we’re pieces of the huge stars that light up the universe. They came together to make us, then dissolve away when we die. But we never wink out for good. We just keep going, our little pieces of light, coming together again and again, forever.”

But for me, the little pieces of light were bright moments during the story that stayed in my mind and gave me joy, like when Xander’s Math club had a party in Xander’s house and honored his father; when Ms. Alvarez helped Emilia obtain entrance and financial aid to UCLA; the few times that Emilia’s mother stood up for her; when Xander’s team won the first regatta and he won the respect and admiration of the coach and the team; when the doctor treating Dr. Ford and said he was kind and full of joy and his favorite patient.

As in all her books, the author shares some of her life experiences.  I felt her immense sadness and loss in the final scenes when Xander and Emilia’s worlds crack down, and also felt her resilience when both our lovers get up and forge on, honoring the people they lost.

Purchase links

About the author

Emma Scott is a USA Today and Wall St. Journal bestselling author whose books have been translated in seven languages and featured in BuzzFeed, Huffington Post, New York Daily News and USA Today’s Happy Ever After. She writes emotional, character-driven romances in which art and love intertwine to heal, and in which love always wins. If you enjoy emotionally-charged stories that rip your heart out and put it back together again, with diverse characters and kind-hearted heroes, you will enjoy her novels. Visit www.emmascottwrites.com

Follow Emma Scott

Super-cute NON SPAMMY newsletter: http://bit.ly/2nTGLf6

Author page: https://www.facebook.com/EmmaScottwrites/

Reader group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/906742879369651/

Email: emmascottpromo@gmail.com