Viviana Rossi is dead and buried. Running away and changing my name is just the newest punchline of the joke that is my life. I'm safe now finally at the same place as the man I've digitally stalked since I was nine years old. He's got friends here at the school he's teaching at. I think I might be dating one of them. Or maybe two? Or three? I'm not really sure none of them have asked me yet. Cain, Nox, Zane, and Sloane are as thick as thieves and I find myself being welcomed in by them. Cain has no idea that I came here for him. He had no idea that I even existed or that he saved my life when I was a child. Even then being here close to him makes me feel safe even though this will be the first place my dad searches for me. I've got to prove to these overbearing men that I can take care of myself. I may have grown up sheltered but knowing how to bring a full-grown man to his knees in agony was part of my homeschool curriculum. That's what happens when you're the daughter of a Mafia Don. I may not understand what they meant when they asked about my body count but I sure do know how to hide a body and clean up a crime scene without leaving any evidence behind. This mafia princess has run away and I have no intention of turning back anytime soon. MFMMM. This is a dark reverse harem series with morally grey men and a badass FMC.
This was an absolutely fantastic first book in a new series. I have never fallen in love with a character as quickly as I fell in love with Zane. By the end of Chapter One I was gone for him and completely invested in the story! I adore every single character in this book. Viv is just so amazingly niave and bad@ss. All of the guys are complete, rounded out different but equally amazing. I love them all. The story was fun, quirky, laugh out loud funny (my daughter informed me i sounded like a pterodactyl when I was squealing at one scene I laughed so much!!), romantic, spicy, just everything I love in a book. Insta love. Academy. Mafia. Morally grey characters. Loveable, adorable psychos (I love the amazing psychologically divergent Zane and Viv!), professor, age gap, found family, it had it all and I ate it all up!! I read this in one sitting in a handful of hours on a boring Sunday afternoon, I didn't even cook dinner for the kids, just ordered us a maccies on JustEat 🤣🤣🤣 I would live this a million stars if I could. I already loved Mel's previous series, but this has just cemented her as a once click author for me!!
You know when you read a book, a recommended one from a Facebook group no less, and you think, I just want to read 20% to give it a chance…
And then 4 hours later you surface again and you’ve just read the best book of the year.
Yup. Honestly the characters are all unhinged but beautifully written. I can’t even say anything bad about this book. It was beautifully crazy and I want to know when the next one is released!
This started off nicely; I’m all for a hidden identity and some unhinged characters (loved Zane). But once Viviana “dropped her mask” I wasn’t vibing with her anymore and her childish attitude. And the way she started hooking up with Sloane under the pretence that Zane had never officially asked her to be his girlfriend was a bit shady. Then because this happens during a whole school year there was a lot of time skip… so I might skim through the next book just to see what happens out of curiosity.
You have to really suspend a lot of disbelief to make this one work. If you can do that it can be entertaining but I still feel things happen to easy and it makes things fall a bit flat. I found by the end of the book I just do not care what happens in the next one. This book says it had an editor but they weren't that great at it... Lots of random timeline jumps which makes for a choppy weirdly-paced story. So overall I would probably skip this one if I were you.
Really wasn't sure what to expect when I started the book but I really enjoyed it. Viv is just the right amount of insane and strong. The guys are realistic and fun. I'll definitely read the next book if it ever comes out but don't let that stop you. It's a satisfying read as a standalone.
Love this!!!! I love that it had a good mix of everyone’s POV. It absolutely sucks the reader in more(when I don’t have multiple pov I feel like I’m missing parts of the story) I think Zane is one of my new favorite book boyfriends…I like nox and Sloane too. I’m not so much a fan of Cain,I don’t like male dom female sub stuff in books I read(that’s just me personally tho) and he’s not hopping on the Viv train so still not my favorite. But seriously author pleaseeeeee get book 2 out soon I can’t wait to see what happens next!
Umm, yes please!!! When can we get book two?? Live these characters. They were all fleshed out and reactions consistent with their personalities. Really loving the psychologically divergent manners and actions!
This is a palette-cleanser of an RH. It would have been 5 stars with a little more emotional depth ... but I really enjoyed the cozy crazy (that's the best way I can describe it) and it might have lost something in its tone if it had angst or serious trauma or anything like that, so I'm not 100% sure how that could have been conveyed. Hmm.
Maybe if the FMC gets the chance to immerse herself more in the guys' secret lives.... This book is all about them getting to know her and her secrets and figuring out how to work themselves into her life, and she has been having a good time and focusing on school. I liked that, but going forward it would be nice to see a little more effort from the FMC to know the MMCs' histories and explore their individual quirks.
The MMCs do feel pretty different, although Sloane is a bit of a blank slate at this stage other than his sexual exploits. I'd like to see some more about what he adds to group dynamics. He is sort of left out in the beginning by the circumstances of how everybody met, and it feels like he is not as close with the other guys as they are with each other. It would be nice to see the reason that distance might exist in casual details, like maybe he's always gone playing hockey or meeting with recruiters or partying with his teammates or something. Wait, is he even on the hockey team? He plays solo in the morning on campus, but that's all the details I can recall at all about his hockey involvement. I need more. What makes him fit in with the unhinged group? I don't think we get to see what his flavor of crazy is yet.
The FMC is perky and adorable, but also deadly, capable, and smart. I liked that there wasn't any stupid narcissistic drama about everyone in the world being out to get her for no reason. Strangers aren't total jerks to her, she makes a friend, and the only people giving her a hard time are the bad guys she ran away from and one jealous woman.
I love that the group works together and tries to help each other. The arguments are mild, nobody in the group is a bully (even if Zane is definitely cray-cray), and the reluctant MMC is into D/s and his reluctance comes across more like edgy foreplay *wink wink*. There's lots of talk about consent. There are two attempted rapes (one random girl + FMC) that aren't very graphic or successful or drawn out, and there's lots of murder and knives.
It would be great if Sandy kept being a major character. I wonder what a scene would look like if she met Enzo and/or got drawn into the mafia stuff. Those scenarios both sound like they could be fun and hilarious.
WHY JUST WHY would you ruin the FMC. Honestly Viv Russo was THE ONE I hated Viviana Rossi. We got this great FMC that is badass but in a good amount, but also emotional, down to earth and then she became the complete OPPOSITE!!! she was now sassy, and immature, and too cool for school. Completely ruined it for me. Also how the harem came to be made me feel bad for Zane. So you are telling me this super posessive guy that DID NOT want to share, suddenly read a reverse harem book and is all IN into sharing her, GIVE ME A BREAK!!!! She 100% cheated on Zane, and who says otherwise is delusional. Yes, he didnt ask her "wanna be my gf" but it was as good as if he did... that was just a technicality, everyone knew! So why is she allowed to do all of that? bc it is RH?? nah if one of the guys would have done it, everyone would be raging. Honestly #justiceforzane 2 stars bc the first 40% was actually good.
Dead and Buried is the first instalment in the Runaway Mafia Princess series by Mel Lane.
Sadly, I really struggled with this book. I liked the opening and the way Viv was introduced and thought it was setting up a great plot. However, as the book progressed I couldn't really enjoy the characters and their interactions.
The plot seemed like it didn't really have much substance and I found it to be full of the typical tropes you would usually find in reverse harem novels. I initially liked the relationship between Viv and Zane but found that as more people entered the equation any hope for them to have a relationship that would be enjoyable to read was lost.
The majority of this book felt very smut-heavy, which is fine if that's your thing, but I feel as though the lack of character development and lack of plot just made this jarring to the point I would skip over any smut scenes.
I don't think I'll be continuing with this series.
I love a dark Mafia book with a mafia princess and I love a reverse harem but this was a little disappointing. Like all good reverse harems there's four men that are infatuated with Viv. Unfortunately this book only really focuses on her being with Zane and Sloane. While Nox and Cain definitely have her interest and she has theirs nothing really happens with them. The plot is very good I loved that it actually had a storyline that I wanted to read. I wanted to see her interact with all of them I wanted to see her make friends and I wanted to see how she uses her skills to keep her and her men safe. The problems that I had with it are again it didn't feel like a reverse harem, and Zane is a very strong character and I found him very annoying and possessive of her in the first half of the book. Definitely has some spice and ends in a cliffhanger so be prepared for that
I have been in a book slump for over a month, and there was something about this book that kept me engaged and reading. There were a lot of moments where I was like, hmm, but I kept reading. For instance, Viv is trying to hide from her Mafia Family, yet within a month, she's telling the guys who she is. Viv and Zane's relationship was very much an insta- Obsession situation. There were quite a few editing mistakes. However, that never bothers me. At the end of the day I loved this book because it helped me out of a book slump when I started and stopped so many great books. Will I be reading book two when it comes out absolutely.
College reverse harem novel with some mafia action 🔥
Wow, this book drew me in so much, I couldn’t put it down! So glad I found it by chance, I read it through in one go. Mel found a really good balance between the fast-paced action of the story and the developing relationships between the FMC and her guys. Personally, Zane is my favourite. I love how he accepts Viv from the first moment and sees her flaws as strengths. I was only confused about the part where she turned from an innocent angel to mafia princess in the guys’ eyes and no one really batted an eye. So only 4 ⭐️, but still a must-read for everyone who likes their characters living life to the fullest and maybe a little ‘psychologically divergent’. I can’t wait for the next one and see how she will merge the two sides of her life into one 😍
I picked it up after seeing promos from the author in a reader group and I couldn’t put it down! The story pulled me in from the very first pages and I devoured the entire book in one sitting. Viv is a bada** with an innocent vibe that isn’t overplayed and doesn’t turn her into a damsel at any point. The guys characters are interesting (obsessive), a little quirky, and dangerous. Though I do hope we get to see more of the boys backstories in the next chapter of Viv’s journey.
I won’t say I didn’t like this book, because I did. But there were a few plot holes and random names mentioned but not immediately explained. All of the MCs are murderers, and at one point in the book it was discussed very vaguely but at no point were any of them like “omg what you kill people too?” Like they were just okay with it. It was very unrealistic. I did enjoy the main plot, which I won’t spoil. The writing was kind of cheesy but relatable. I will consider reading the second book, just to know how it ends.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I really loved this book , zaane and vin are life goals lol . I love the world and how crazy vin is I think she is a fantastic fmc I can't not wait for book 2 I truly pray it does not take long , I want to see more of Enzo too he seem fun. I love how her and the boys are getting on I really do , holy batman is it hot 🔥 you will not be disappointed get this book today i could not out it down till I finished it , I laughed out loud with my children looking at me like I've lost my mind
This was an entertaining and enjoyable short read! I do like the small family that they’re rounding up and I hope that things don’t get bad for them.
I do believe that she could have tried a little harder to hide from him I mean for example if my name is Jessica and I am on run trying to stay hidden…
The last thing I am going to do call myself Jessie just because I’m on the other side of the world.
But regardless I’m happy she’s beginning to feel happy but that ending though??!! I do sincerely hope there is a second book what an insane cliffhanger!
Really liked the story and am looking forward to book 2.
The FMC is a mix between Brooklyn with a B from The Death Club and Lips from Hannaford Prep so if you liked those series you will like this!
It could definitely use some editing. There's a few typos scattered around and the author needs to work on giving the character reactions a bit more variety (they "shrug" over 100 times and there is a boat load of eye rolling going on) but otherwise the characters are all nicely distinct.
I rounded up because I really like the characters and the bones of the story are so good but this is honestly needed another good round of editing and alpha/beta-reading. There were a lot of misused words/typos and grammatical errors and so many time-jumps that at times the story felt rushed and more telling than showing. But damn did I love the characters and the romance was cute, so I’m definitely willing to give the next book a go.
I would like to start by stating this book was a stuff your kindle day book and probably my last book by Mel Lane. “Dead and Buried” wasn’t all that bad, but the characters were childish in the writing, and it was overly smutty for the plot, and this is coming from someone who loves a good smutty read. Also left off on a cliff-hanger, which I didn’t enjoy all that much. Lastly, Vivianna is a CHEATER, point blank period.
Much better concept of how college actually works which made it for a better read. I can understand how an author will stretch a story so that she can sell several books and call it a series. But when the first book literally has nothing going on and nothing happens, it makes me not care to read the rest. There were some scenes that stretched on forever, and a lot of things mentioned, but never fully explained soo??
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I really really wanted to love this book. I mostly read it for the spice but the plot just… wasn’t right for me. Knowing where Viv came from, I feel like she wouldn’t have, realistically, trusted Zane as quick. Let alone all of the other guys. I also feel like some parts were rushed and the ending, though a good leeway into another book, just was too abrupt. However, if the author decided to continue the story, I’d definitely read the next book.
OMG! Snarky, witty, violent, and lol psychologically divergent, this has to be one of the best dark why choose reverse harem books I’ve read.
I stayed up all night reading, until I couldn’t keep my eyes open, Mel Lane’s characters are just that enticing and fun. I adore Viv, and her men? What a ride!
This was the first book by the author that I read and I enjoyed it a lot! It made me giggle a few times and kept me wanting to read on.
I liked the characters and the plot and am excited to read more. I'd say it was a 4.75 read for me, but I'll still give a five, because I will definitely read more!
This was a good read! Needs another run through with the editor, but it was good. I'd say my only complaint is about a scene where Viv said she didn't need a coat because she was from New York and it gets really cold there. She would 10000000% need a coat. Duluth is farther north than NYC. The average temp (high/low) in December is 25/11 vs New York's 44/33. Someone from New York would definitely need a coat in Duluth, MN, LOL.
I enjoyed the characters especially the FMC. The distinct personalities of the characters made seeing things from their perspectives even more enjoyable. The world building is not really strong but understandable, as the focus is on the characters. No mm is in this book or seems likely. Is a fun book with dark themes.
Usually I notice mistakes straight away but to be honest I was to hooked on this book, I found it amusing and really really good. Viv is brilliant and quirky and I think I love her and her attitude. The guys each brought something fun to the table from Cain being the adult to Zane being the protector, I really can't wait for the next book
Mam mieszane uczucia. Z jednej strony podobała mi się Viv i jej podejście do wszystkiego. Zane i Sloane też byli fajni, choć wyraźnie widać faworyzowanie pierwszego (czego nie lubię). Nox był trochę nijaki, a Cain był mega dziwny i nie wiem do końca co o nim myśleć. Tak samo z fabułą, początek ciekawy i wciągający, by później zrobiło się nudno i bez wyrazu. Wszystko jest pół na pół.
Siento que está escrito como un fanfic. Usa demasiado el info dumping como manera de explicar que lo tiene todo hilado al segundo, dejando que desear con el misterio en una historia de mafia y oscura.
Got it in the Stuff your kindle day (April 23th 2024)