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New Generation Gangsters #1
Their Starlight
She was the light in the dark. Our starlight.
Lance. Brent. Hayden.
We are Daos, part of one of the four crime syndicates that run the city and when we met Elle Maxwell at university six years ago, we all promised to keep away for the sake of our friendships and to keep her safe. But, to keep her safe, her heart had to break.
Now, she’s back in our lives once more and again, we are responsible for keeping her out of harm’s way but danger lurks closer than we like. Beyond her safety, we now have to come to terms with the fact that all three of us love Elle and she loves all three of us back.
Can we keep her light burning?
Can we learn to share its beauty?
Lance. Brent. Hayden.
We are Daos, part of one of the four crime syndicates that run the city and when we met Elle Maxwell at university six years ago, we all promised to keep away for the sake of our friendships and to keep her safe. But, to keep her safe, her heart had to break.
Now, she’s back in our lives once more and again, we are responsible for keeping her out of harm’s way but danger lurks closer than we like. Beyond her safety, we now have to come to terms with the fact that all three of us love Elle and she loves all three of us back.
Can we keep her light burning?
Can we learn to share its beauty?
390 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 5, 2023
154 people are currently reading
865 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
June 21, 2023
First I would like to say thank you so much to the author for sending me a copy of your book! I am so honored you chose to send it to me!!!! Now, onto my review. I would rate the book a 3.5. The writing was great and the plot was interesting and layered, but I’m not sure this genre is for me. I am so fortunate I was given the opportunity to read the book and I definitely recommend it to anyone with interest in the genre! I know the author will go far and while the genre isn’t for me, I would always be more than happy to read any of their books!
May 24, 2023
So this is my first book of this genre of dark mafia romance and why choose and I absolutely loved it. I thought it might just be a lot of gang related stuff or just spice but there was such a good story to it with just the right balance of everything thrown in.
I loved how the characters were described and how it felt like they’re personalities were described so that you felt like you knew them.
I just couldn’t stop reading to find out what was going to happen next with the 4 main characters.
I got to one part and thought oooft 🥵 that’s spicy but there’s actually more and gave me visions in my head trying to work it out. If you know you know 😉
I’d definitely recommend this for anyone who likes dark mafia romance, why choose, mm romance and some smut. Can’t wait for more in the series
I loved how the characters were described and how it felt like they’re personalities were described so that you felt like you knew them.
I just couldn’t stop reading to find out what was going to happen next with the 4 main characters.
I got to one part and thought oooft 🥵 that’s spicy but there’s actually more and gave me visions in my head trying to work it out. If you know you know 😉
I’d definitely recommend this for anyone who likes dark mafia romance, why choose, mm romance and some smut. Can’t wait for more in the series
April 11, 2025
4.5⭐️SPICYYYYYYYY 🌶️
I loved this!! I think these characters will stay with me for a long time. There was a lot of ‘alpha - do not fuck with me - energy’ and Elle was a complete diamond!
Why choose. House share. 3 years later. Mafia
I’m definitely a Brent girl with a hint of Hayden thrown in 🥪
I loved this!! I think these characters will stay with me for a long time. There was a lot of ‘alpha - do not fuck with me - energy’ and Elle was a complete diamond!
Why choose. House share. 3 years later. Mafia
I’m definitely a Brent girl with a hint of Hayden thrown in 🥪
August 8, 2025
This was a yummy page turner. I really liked Elle as an FMC. She was ultra feminine and sexy without being a femme fatale dangerous maneater type. She owned her sexuality. We also had the classic combo of men that I love; broody big boy with a mushy heart of gold, the bi saucy safe place, and the somewhere between the two mafia leader man. All melt for her. A college build up that had me totally invested in them before they’re a them and a dose of danger. Slow burn to a fiyaa 🔥
🌶️🌶️.5-🌶️🌶️🌶️
🌶️🌶️.5-🌶️🌶️🌶️
June 13, 2023
If your are looking for an amazing RH poly romance then this is for you.. I loved the relationship between between Elle and her guys.. the banter, the humour, the friendship was truly so well written. You can literally read the relationship build up this is not some superficial, insta love. No their relationship had a solid foundation. Truly loved it! And the spice? Chefs 💋 cannot wait for the next books
Loved loved loved
Loved loved loved
April 28, 2023
Wow I loved this book . The characters were all so different and I fell in love with them all . Lance is the boy who has 2 sides to his character (loved the bad boy side) Hayden I want to say is a beautiful caring man (boy you take home to mum)Brent (my favourite) strong loveable and you wouldn’t kick him out of bed in a hurry lol and then there is Elle ( the goddess) who captures all these men’s attention straight away. I cried. I laughed and then cried some more when I finished it 🥺
I found this book heartwarming. Unputdownable and I devoured it eagerly.
H.R.Lloyd a beautifully written book. You started my smut journey with your recs on Tik tok I will be forever grateful for giving me the chance to read this wonderful book. Keep up your fabulous writing I look forward to reading your next one ❤️❤️
I found this book heartwarming. Unputdownable and I devoured it eagerly.
H.R.Lloyd a beautifully written book. You started my smut journey with your recs on Tik tok I will be forever grateful for giving me the chance to read this wonderful book. Keep up your fabulous writing I look forward to reading your next one ❤️❤️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 16, 2024
So I went out and bought this book because I got sent the Arc for the next one and it came thru while I was in town so.... Buy the first.. And omg Elle an amazing FMC but Lance, Hayden and Brent didn't let me down either.. The anticipation in this book had me nearly screaming.. I fell for Hayden first I mean oh sweet baby jesus... Then Lance... Omg .. Brent was all man (he has a what now) n he was my last fall but man did I fall... The story line Chefs Kiss... The characters Chefs Kiss.. Basically I will be reading this again... Loved it.. Deffo a great read would recommend if you like dark, mafia, rh romance with a great story line .. These are your men 🥰
April 14, 2025
If you like a gangster mafia romance with reverse harem (MMFM) then I highly recommend this book.
The writing just flowed and the characters were well fleshed out, endearing and just jumped off the page.
When I got the end I couldn’t believe it I was over, I was that wrapped up in the world I could have happily stayed 😁❤️
Book Two here I come !
The writing just flowed and the characters were well fleshed out, endearing and just jumped off the page.
When I got the end I couldn’t believe it I was over, I was that wrapped up in the world I could have happily stayed 😁❤️
Book Two here I come !
April 22, 2024
“Look at you, baby. Taking all of us like the good little sl*t you are.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 (Is six stars possible?! Because I honestly am speechless… this was so hot!!!!!) I’m not usually into mafia romance but spoiler alert I most definitely am now…
•MMFM
•Dual pov
•polyamorous relationship
•Pierced 🍆
•4way💦(the hottest shit I’ve ever read)
•Friends to lovers
I just want to say thank you H R Lloyd because this book constantly had me giggling, kicking my feet like a schoolgirl with a crush… which I now have on ✨three✨ more fictional men 😭 I DO NOT NEED TO BE FALLING IN LOVE WITH ANYMORE FICTIONAL MEN… but I’m not mad about it all the same, there’s defo worse things 🤣 this story is so sweet yet so hot, I honestly can’t even put into words how much I loved this story. It’s the way they all feel towards Elle like I can’t even explain, but you can sense the passion, feel the love. Love literally screams off every page. Every single thing they do is for her, it’s done so carefully, they’re so engrossed in her. She’s their starlight 🥹 I’m sad I’ll never be able to read it for the first time again 🥲
I definitely recommend this to everyone 🫶🏻
Ps: ‘Baby cakes’ would usually makes me cringe, but honestly Hayden can call me babycakes any day he likes and I would crumble🤣
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 (Is six stars possible?! Because I honestly am speechless… this was so hot!!!!!) I’m not usually into mafia romance but spoiler alert I most definitely am now…
•MMFM
•Dual pov
•polyamorous relationship
•Pierced 🍆
•4way💦(the hottest shit I’ve ever read)
•Friends to lovers
I just want to say thank you H R Lloyd because this book constantly had me giggling, kicking my feet like a schoolgirl with a crush… which I now have on ✨three✨ more fictional men 😭 I DO NOT NEED TO BE FALLING IN LOVE WITH ANYMORE FICTIONAL MEN… but I’m not mad about it all the same, there’s defo worse things 🤣 this story is so sweet yet so hot, I honestly can’t even put into words how much I loved this story. It’s the way they all feel towards Elle like I can’t even explain, but you can sense the passion, feel the love. Love literally screams off every page. Every single thing they do is for her, it’s done so carefully, they’re so engrossed in her. She’s their starlight 🥹 I’m sad I’ll never be able to read it for the first time again 🥲
I definitely recommend this to everyone 🫶🏻
Ps: ‘Baby cakes’ would usually makes me cringe, but honestly Hayden can call me babycakes any day he likes and I would crumble🤣
December 7, 2023
1 girls, 3 guys and 6 years
This book!!!! I loved it!! So much was packed into this story with all the feels and angst! Well done to HR Lloyd for this amazing read.
This book take you from Uni to the stage of Starlight with a fiesty FMC and her 3 MMC’s. It’s multi POV with emotions, heartache and gangster vibes. “Princess”, touch her and d!e, found family, dressing room escapades and bad guys with normal names!
The story follows Elle and her 3 best friends. The Gangster leader in waiting, the broody moody bodyguard and the charming the pants off you pirate. When friendship leads to more there’s complications ahead but time is a funny thing and when paths cross once again, she finds that things may take a different turn.
I’m a big fan of HR Lloyd’s writing and this book didn’t disappoint, wish I’d read it before now. I just loved how they all interacted with each other and how each one came to the realisation of what they wanted. Please give this a read! I completely recommend it!
This book!!!! I loved it!! So much was packed into this story with all the feels and angst! Well done to HR Lloyd for this amazing read.
This book take you from Uni to the stage of Starlight with a fiesty FMC and her 3 MMC’s. It’s multi POV with emotions, heartache and gangster vibes. “Princess”, touch her and d!e, found family, dressing room escapades and bad guys with normal names!
The story follows Elle and her 3 best friends. The Gangster leader in waiting, the broody moody bodyguard and the charming the pants off you pirate. When friendship leads to more there’s complications ahead but time is a funny thing and when paths cross once again, she finds that things may take a different turn.
I’m a big fan of HR Lloyd’s writing and this book didn’t disappoint, wish I’d read it before now. I just loved how they all interacted with each other and how each one came to the realisation of what they wanted. Please give this a read! I completely recommend it!
October 22, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
This book felt so unique to me, especially for a Why Choose romance. Eleanor has always felt stifled by her overly proper family, so heading off to university is her chance to finally find herself and build her own friend group. But her plans take an unexpected turn when she moves into her new apartment and realizes her three roommates aren’t the girls she imagined, they’re guys.
Each of them brings something totally different to the table:
Lance, raised to become the future leader of the Daos;
Brent, trained to protect Lance no matter what;
and Hayden, the free spirit from humble beginnings.
If I had to sum them up: Brent is the grump, Hayden is the golden retriever, and Lance is the cinnamon roll. Normally I fall hard for the grump, but this time, I was absolutely obsessed with Hayden.
✨ What to Expect ✨
❤️ Friends to Lovers
🔥 Why Choose (MMFM, swords cross)
🕵️♀️ Secret Identities
💔 Second Chance
💀 Organized Crime
🛏️ One Bed
🏠 Forced Proximity
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
This book felt so unique to me, especially for a Why Choose romance. Eleanor has always felt stifled by her overly proper family, so heading off to university is her chance to finally find herself and build her own friend group. But her plans take an unexpected turn when she moves into her new apartment and realizes her three roommates aren’t the girls she imagined, they’re guys.
Each of them brings something totally different to the table:
Lance, raised to become the future leader of the Daos;
Brent, trained to protect Lance no matter what;
and Hayden, the free spirit from humble beginnings.
If I had to sum them up: Brent is the grump, Hayden is the golden retriever, and Lance is the cinnamon roll. Normally I fall hard for the grump, but this time, I was absolutely obsessed with Hayden.
✨ What to Expect ✨
❤️ Friends to Lovers
🔥 Why Choose (MMFM, swords cross)
🕵️♀️ Secret Identities
💔 Second Chance
💀 Organized Crime
🛏️ One Bed
🏠 Forced Proximity
March 20, 2023
I absolutely loved this book!
This book has a perfect mix of fun and feeling. Elle is such a great FMC - she's strong, sassy, sexually confident and her open, compassionate heart is a perfect counterpart to the well of secrets that the men have to keep up.
I loved all three of the guys. Brent is tough and brooding and devotes everything to his cousin, but has the biggest soft spot for Elle. Lance is charming and clever and is the one who will be the fastest to go head to toe with vivacious Elle. Hayden is my weak spot though. A funny, sweet, sexy as hell bisexual man who is Elle's biggest supporter. I don't want to spoil anything but the M/M romance in this harem is both hot and so emotionally layered.
I can't wait to read more in this series!!
This book has a perfect mix of fun and feeling. Elle is such a great FMC - she's strong, sassy, sexually confident and her open, compassionate heart is a perfect counterpart to the well of secrets that the men have to keep up.
I loved all three of the guys. Brent is tough and brooding and devotes everything to his cousin, but has the biggest soft spot for Elle. Lance is charming and clever and is the one who will be the fastest to go head to toe with vivacious Elle. Hayden is my weak spot though. A funny, sweet, sexy as hell bisexual man who is Elle's biggest supporter. I don't want to spoil anything but the M/M romance in this harem is both hot and so emotionally layered.
I can't wait to read more in this series!!
January 16, 2024
Oh boy this book packed a punch! A dark mafia why choose romance that I devoured in a few days.
Brent, Hayden and Lance are all delicious in their own way and I couldn’t decide who I loved more..I’d probably do as Elle did and have them all!
The twists and turns in the book were great and the steamy scenes were beyond hot! I loved watching the MM relationship unfold just as much as I did the MF one.
This book was beautiful and both broke and mended my heart. I can’t wait for book 2!
Brent, Hayden and Lance are all delicious in their own way and I couldn’t decide who I loved more..I’d probably do as Elle did and have them all!
The twists and turns in the book were great and the steamy scenes were beyond hot! I loved watching the MM relationship unfold just as much as I did the MF one.
This book was beautiful and both broke and mended my heart. I can’t wait for book 2!
February 4, 2024
writing perfection
Wow just wow. I absolutely fell in love with this one. The characters are awesome, the story is incredible and the spice is do hit it’s almost volcanic.
Elle is such a relatable character and she just wants to be loved isn’t that truly what every woman wants in life.
Hopefully their future is filled with love romance and happiness.
Truly can’t wait for the next book in the series to hit the shelves.
Wow just wow. I absolutely fell in love with this one. The characters are awesome, the story is incredible and the spice is do hit it’s almost volcanic.
Elle is such a relatable character and she just wants to be loved isn’t that truly what every woman wants in life.
Hopefully their future is filled with love romance and happiness.
Truly can’t wait for the next book in the series to hit the shelves.
April 12, 2023
ARC:
I was so excited to read this and I definitely wasn’t disappointed.
I gave it four because I didn’t like how they became friends before things got spicy.
Friends to lovers is my least favourite troop but aside that, this book was spicy and hot 🥵 .
I love the characters and how the author took her time to establish each character.
A must read 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
I was so excited to read this and I definitely wasn’t disappointed.
I gave it four because I didn’t like how they became friends before things got spicy.
Friends to lovers is my least favourite troop but aside that, this book was spicy and hot 🥵 .
I love the characters and how the author took her time to establish each character.
A must read 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
December 4, 2023
Just finished reading this brilliant book. Couldn't put it down, and finished it in 2 days (I'm a quick reader). Loved it! Nicely paced story with ups and downs, angst, and a nice amount of spice culminating in a happy ending. I'm very much looking forward to reading the second book in the Series when it's out next year!
May 6, 2024
Really good!
A slow burn to start with, but could not put this down!
The all 4 of the characters. My heart went out to Elle, the heart break!!
Lance, Hayden, and Brent, oh yes please. These can worship me any day of the week!
How very, it was shocking when Lance did what he did. The twisted in this book just kept the pages turning.
The writing flows effortlessly, and keeps you on tender hooks.
Cannot wait to start the next one!
A slow burn to start with, but could not put this down!
The all 4 of the characters. My heart went out to Elle, the heart break!!
Lance, Hayden, and Brent, oh yes please. These can worship me any day of the week!
How very, it was shocking when Lance did what he did. The twisted in this book just kept the pages turning.
The writing flows effortlessly, and keeps you on tender hooks.
Cannot wait to start the next one!
May 4, 2024
Great read. Finished in one day
I read this book in a day. Very easy to read, this is a compliment. Sometimes I find I skim some parts of a book, but not this one. I love how it starts with the university days and not straight into the raunchy parts. I took to the characters straight away. Really good theme of mafia.
I read this book in a day. Very easy to read, this is a compliment. Sometimes I find I skim some parts of a book, but not this one. I love how it starts with the university days and not straight into the raunchy parts. I took to the characters straight away. Really good theme of mafia.
May 18, 2024
great start to the series!
Heard about this book a lot of tiktok and started following the author, really enjoyed the pace and the tone of the book, good balance of action, spice and romance. If you love reverse harems with a bit of all of the above this is a perfect read for you. Can’t wait to read the rest in the series
Heard about this book a lot of tiktok and started following the author, really enjoyed the pace and the tone of the book, good balance of action, spice and romance. If you love reverse harems with a bit of all of the above this is a perfect read for you. Can’t wait to read the rest in the series
February 5, 2024
Their Starlight
4.5 stars
What isn't there to love? Mafia. Powerful men. A FMC with personality. Lots of twists and turns throughout. And Brent *fans self*
Definitely not enough hype around this book. Cannot wait for the second book in the series!
4.5 stars
What isn't there to love? Mafia. Powerful men. A FMC with personality. Lots of twists and turns throughout. And Brent *fans self*
Definitely not enough hype around this book. Cannot wait for the second book in the series!
August 22, 2025
My Thoughts....
This book is not what I thought it would be.
Loved the relationship l, enjoyed that it was a stand alone. However, I really felt it was more focused on the MM relationship.
Their dynamic is great
I wanted more groveling from Lance - didn't feel it as much as I did Brents and Haydens.
Wanted some more closure with the Her family - but overall give a 3.5 🌟
This book is not what I thought it would be.
Loved the relationship l, enjoyed that it was a stand alone. However, I really felt it was more focused on the MM relationship.
Their dynamic is great
I wanted more groveling from Lance - didn't feel it as much as I did Brents and Haydens.
Wanted some more closure with the Her family - but overall give a 3.5 🌟
June 13, 2023
I love me a good mafia why choose romance. 🥵🥵🥵🥵
Hayden, Lance and Brent are so protective it warmed my heart.
Hayden, Lance and Brent are so protective it warmed my heart.
February 11, 2024
oh. my. god!!!
May 13, 2024
This book has everything a girl wants in a book, love laughter, so much spice, and a lot of gripping action. It keeps you reading while loving every second.
June 21, 2024
Amazing and so gripping
A fantastic book, with everything you want in a book. Excitement, sexy, lust, connection and shocks too. Fantastic. Loved it
A fantastic book, with everything you want in a book. Excitement, sexy, lust, connection and shocks too. Fantastic. Loved it
July 27, 2025
✨Very✨ spicy dark romance.
This might be labeled as a dark why choose- but it’s also a sweet found family and bi-awakening. I loved this group.
This might be labeled as a dark why choose- but it’s also a sweet found family and bi-awakening. I loved this group.
February 15, 2024
Hey book besties ✌🏽
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
Tropes:
Found Family
Mafia Romance
MMFM
This book! This one was the very first I’ve read by H.R. and I LOVED it. We know I love a good romance with multiple MMC love interests!!!! The plot was amazing the spice was amazing, and the characters were ✨AMAZING✨ I liked how the beginning of this one explained their past but did it in a way that it didn’t drag on forever. I want MORE of these characters, Brent has my whole heart!! Please read this book!!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
Tropes:
Found Family
Mafia Romance
MMFM
This book! This one was the very first I’ve read by H.R. and I LOVED it. We know I love a good romance with multiple MMC love interests!!!! The plot was amazing the spice was amazing, and the characters were ✨AMAZING✨ I liked how the beginning of this one explained their past but did it in a way that it didn’t drag on forever. I want MORE of these characters, Brent has my whole heart!! Please read this book!!!
May 25, 2025
I loved the romance. The way Elle and the boys cared about each other was beautiful
June 5, 2023
Stars for Starlight
It’s taken me a bit of time since finishing this to write a review because I just wasn’t sure how to put my feelings in to words!
This book, it’s a rollercoaster and I loved it! Work and normal life were a chore making me put this book down.
There were points where I wanted to just go shake the characters like, talk it out! Give others and option, explain how you’re feeling!!
Some of the twists that came along were amazing and just made this so much more of an amazing dark mafia romance.
The why choose was just *chefs kiss*, and Lance and Hayden together are just so adorable. And they the way you get to know all the characters it’s makes it so much better as you start to just feel connected to them, like you know them 😍
It’s taken me a bit of time since finishing this to write a review because I just wasn’t sure how to put my feelings in to words!
This book, it’s a rollercoaster and I loved it! Work and normal life were a chore making me put this book down.
There were points where I wanted to just go shake the characters like, talk it out! Give others and option, explain how you’re feeling!!
Some of the twists that came along were amazing and just made this so much more of an amazing dark mafia romance.
The why choose was just *chefs kiss*, and Lance and Hayden together are just so adorable. And they the way you get to know all the characters it’s makes it so much better as you start to just feel connected to them, like you know them 😍
June 2, 2023
I’ve tried to read dark mafia romance before and they were never really for me……until this bad boy!!!!
The story was gripping, the characters amazing and the spice was spot on!!!
The story was gripping, the characters amazing and the spice was spot on!!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews