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Mafia Empire #5
The Devil
From USA Today & Wall Street Journal bestselling author Michelle Heard comes a new STANDALONE, full-length MAFIA ROMANCE novel.
Enzo
Does she know who I am?
'No.'
Have I killed for her?
'Yes.'
Stalker?
'Absolutely.'
Jenna
I've worked the night shift at the local gas station for years, and nothing exciting ever happens. That is, until a tall dark stranger comes in to buy a coffee. I thought he was just passing through town, but then he starts coming in every night.
Whenever our eyes meet, I try to muster the courage to say something to him, but I never can and only end up blushing my butt off.
I begin to daydream about the man who has an air of mystery and danger, and it lessens the loneliness I feel.
The night I finally manage to say 'hi' to him, the gas station is robbed, and my tall dark stranger saves my life before disappearing.
A few days later, I'm offered a job as a housekeeper for a wealthy recluse. It pays more money than I've ever hoped to make in my lifetime, so I accept.
I miss my handsome stranger, though.
That is, until I hear a commotion one night and find him bleeding in the kitchen.
It turns out everything is not as it seems, and like a helpless fly, I'm stuck in the web he's spun around me.
A Mafia Romance full-length novel.
Each book in the Mafia Empire series is interconnected, but about a different couple who will all find their HEA.
Enzo
Does she know who I am?
'No.'
Have I killed for her?
'Yes.'
Stalker?
'Absolutely.'
Jenna
I've worked the night shift at the local gas station for years, and nothing exciting ever happens. That is, until a tall dark stranger comes in to buy a coffee. I thought he was just passing through town, but then he starts coming in every night.
Whenever our eyes meet, I try to muster the courage to say something to him, but I never can and only end up blushing my butt off.
I begin to daydream about the man who has an air of mystery and danger, and it lessens the loneliness I feel.
The night I finally manage to say 'hi' to him, the gas station is robbed, and my tall dark stranger saves my life before disappearing.
A few days later, I'm offered a job as a housekeeper for a wealthy recluse. It pays more money than I've ever hoped to make in my lifetime, so I accept.
I miss my handsome stranger, though.
That is, until I hear a commotion one night and find him bleeding in the kitchen.
It turns out everything is not as it seems, and like a helpless fly, I'm stuck in the web he's spun around me.
A Mafia Romance full-length novel.
Each book in the Mafia Empire series is interconnected, but about a different couple who will all find their HEA.
285 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 27, 2025
1745 people are currently reading
2915 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Heard
78 books12k followersMichelle Heard is a USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and Amazon #3 Bestselling romance author.
She writes emotional heart-shattering stories with a whole lot of Mafia & Romance that will leave you smiling with satisfaction. Every book has an unexpected twist that will show the strength of the characters.
Before becoming an author, Michelle had a career in banking. She lives in South Africa with her son, Sheldon, who's also her right-hand man when it comes to all things publishing, and her daughter-in-law, Tayla, who's her best friend.
Reading Order on AMAZON
STANDALONE NOVELS:
***Mafia & Bratva Romance (in order)***
THE SAINTS SERIES:
Merciless Saints - Damien Vetrov
Cruel Saints - Lucian Cotroni
Ruthless Saints - Carson Koslov
Tears of Betrayal - Demitri Vetrov
Tears of Salvation - Alexei Koslov
THE SINNERS SERIES:
Taken By A Sinner - Nikolas Stathoulis
Owned By A Sinner - Liam Byrne
Stolen By A Sinner - Gabriel Demir
Chosen By A Sinner - Luca Cotroni
Captured By A Sinner - Viktor Vetrov
THE CORRUPTED ROYALS SERIES:
Destroy Me - Misha Petrov
Control Me - Nikolai Vetrov
Brutalize Me - Armani De Santis
Restrain Me - Maxim Levin
Possess Me - Alek Aslanhov
SERIES (In Order):
ENEMIES TO LOVERS SERIES:
***College & New Adult Romance***
Heartless - Carter & Della
Reckless - Logan & Mia
Careless - Jaxson & Leigh
Ruthless - Marcus & Willow
Shameless - Rhett & Evie
TRINITY ACADEMY SERIES:
***College Romance***
Falcon - Falcon & Layla
Mason - Mason & Kingsley
Lake - Lake & Lee
Julian - Julian & Jamie
The Epilogue
THE HEIRS:
***College & New Adult Romance***
Coldhearted Heir - Hunter & Jade
Arrogant Heir - Jase & Mila
Defiant Heir - Kao & Fallon
Loyal Heir - Forest & Aria
Callous Heir - Noah & Carla
Sinful Heir - Tristan & Hana
Tempted Heir - Christopher & Dash
Forbidden Heir - Ryker & Danny
SOUTHERN HEROES SERIES:
***Suspense Romance***
The Ocean Between Us – Aiden & Emma
The Girl In The Closet – Cole & Birdie
The Lies We Tell Ourselves – Alec & Reece
All The Wasted Time – Wyatt & Scarlett
We Were Lost – Zac & Chloe
OTHER STANDALONE NOVELS:
Not My Hero - Dark YA Romance
She writes emotional heart-shattering stories with a whole lot of Mafia & Romance that will leave you smiling with satisfaction. Every book has an unexpected twist that will show the strength of the characters.
Before becoming an author, Michelle had a career in banking. She lives in South Africa with her son, Sheldon, who's also her right-hand man when it comes to all things publishing, and her daughter-in-law, Tayla, who's her best friend.
Reading Order on AMAZON
STANDALONE NOVELS:
***Mafia & Bratva Romance (in order)***
THE SAINTS SERIES:
Merciless Saints - Damien Vetrov
Cruel Saints - Lucian Cotroni
Ruthless Saints - Carson Koslov
Tears of Betrayal - Demitri Vetrov
Tears of Salvation - Alexei Koslov
THE SINNERS SERIES:
Taken By A Sinner - Nikolas Stathoulis
Owned By A Sinner - Liam Byrne
Stolen By A Sinner - Gabriel Demir
Chosen By A Sinner - Luca Cotroni
Captured By A Sinner - Viktor Vetrov
THE CORRUPTED ROYALS SERIES:
Destroy Me - Misha Petrov
Control Me - Nikolai Vetrov
Brutalize Me - Armani De Santis
Restrain Me - Maxim Levin
Possess Me - Alek Aslanhov
SERIES (In Order):
ENEMIES TO LOVERS SERIES:
***College & New Adult Romance***
Heartless - Carter & Della
Reckless - Logan & Mia
Careless - Jaxson & Leigh
Ruthless - Marcus & Willow
Shameless - Rhett & Evie
TRINITY ACADEMY SERIES:
***College Romance***
Falcon - Falcon & Layla
Mason - Mason & Kingsley
Lake - Lake & Lee
Julian - Julian & Jamie
The Epilogue
THE HEIRS:
***College & New Adult Romance***
Coldhearted Heir - Hunter & Jade
Arrogant Heir - Jase & Mila
Defiant Heir - Kao & Fallon
Loyal Heir - Forest & Aria
Callous Heir - Noah & Carla
Sinful Heir - Tristan & Hana
Tempted Heir - Christopher & Dash
Forbidden Heir - Ryker & Danny
SOUTHERN HEROES SERIES:
***Suspense Romance***
The Ocean Between Us – Aiden & Emma
The Girl In The Closet – Cole & Birdie
The Lies We Tell Ourselves – Alec & Reece
All The Wasted Time – Wyatt & Scarlett
We Were Lost – Zac & Chloe
OTHER STANDALONE NOVELS:
Not My Hero - Dark YA Romance
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 571 reviews
October 27, 2025
4 stars
🖤 stalker romance
🖤 fmc in danger / touch her and die mmc
🖤 dark / mafia romance
🖤 forced proximity
🖤 he falls first and HARD
🖤 protective mmc
Michelle Heard deliciously delivered once again an addicting, page-turner dark romance that i devoured in one sitting. i honestly can’t get enough of these fast-passed stories even though this one was drawn as a slow burn (which definitely made me love it a iota more than the previous books in the series), i wont spoil any more details (trust me it’s better to dive into it with only the synopsis as a general idea).
many thanks to Candi PR and the author for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review
🖤 stalker romance
🖤 fmc in danger / touch her and die mmc
🖤 dark / mafia romance
🖤 forced proximity
🖤 he falls first and HARD
🖤 protective mmc
Michelle Heard deliciously delivered once again an addicting, page-turner dark romance that i devoured in one sitting. i honestly can’t get enough of these fast-passed stories even though this one was drawn as a slow burn (which definitely made me love it a iota more than the previous books in the series), i wont spoil any more details (trust me it’s better to dive into it with only the synopsis as a general idea).
many thanks to Candi PR and the author for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review
skimmed-through
October 31, 2025Skimmed.
Ehhh, idk, it just wasn't working for me. I kept losing focus until it got to the point I skimmed most parts of it. I didn't enjoy the insta-something from Enzo, and I just can't relate to Jenna.
Also, I know there's SA on page but it was still difficult to process that. This is why I avoid books with such content. Add in the fact that one of her attackers shares a name with someone I know who's actually a good person, and that just made it weird for me, but that's a personal case. 😅
Then lastly, I remember the first two MMCs (Books 1 & 2) as men who didn't get around much. Which is freaking rare in an organized crime romance, but definitely a win for me. I can't remember much about Santiago (book 3), but I think he was experienced too. 🤧 Idk about the book 4's MMC because I didn't read that.
But in this one, Enzo came across as someone who has had more than his fair share of women, and that just made things sour a bit for me. He then casually said that the women from his past didn’t really count because he was only interested in them for a night, while they were attracted to him for his status or wealth. He told Jenna she shouldn't be bothered by his encounters because she's the only one for him now. He even gloated about how happy he was that she had never had a boyfriend and that she had never belonged to anyone else. What does that even mean?
After his throwaway line, she was just like, "Okay." 😑 While I know there's a reason for the way she is, it was still heartbreaking to know that her first and only experience was her attack. Come to think of it, I think most FMCs in this series went through so much hell.
I can overlook many aspects of a book, but I cannot accept the imbalance in the sexual lives of the MCs. It's just that ever since I got back into reading, I've come across a lot of stuff about double standards, and they're thrown in the reader's face most times. And mind you, the situations were usually unfavorable to women. At first, it didn’t really bother me, and I never gave much thought of it, hence my low standards in books before. 🫣 But after a while, it started to get under my skin, and now I’m fed up with it.
Anyway, I skimmed through this two days ago, and I can hardly remember anything from it now. I even forgot to post my review. That's how uninterested I was in the story, and that's probably saying something because this is only a short one.
Ehhh, idk, it just wasn't working for me. I kept losing focus until it got to the point I skimmed most parts of it. I didn't enjoy the insta-something from Enzo, and I just can't relate to Jenna.
Also, I know there's SA on page but it was still difficult to process that. This is why I avoid books with such content. Add in the fact that one of her attackers shares a name with someone I know who's actually a good person, and that just made it weird for me, but that's a personal case. 😅
Then lastly, I remember the first two MMCs (Books 1 & 2) as men who didn't get around much. Which is freaking rare in an organized crime romance, but definitely a win for me. I can't remember much about Santiago (book 3), but I think he was experienced too. 🤧 Idk about the book 4's MMC because I didn't read that.
But in this one, Enzo came across as someone who has had more than his fair share of women, and that just made things sour a bit for me. He then casually said that the women from his past didn’t really count because he was only interested in them for a night, while they were attracted to him for his status or wealth. He told Jenna she shouldn't be bothered by his encounters because she's the only one for him now. He even gloated about how happy he was that she had never had a boyfriend and that she had never belonged to anyone else. What does that even mean?
After his throwaway line, she was just like, "Okay." 😑 While I know there's a reason for the way she is, it was still heartbreaking to know that her first and only experience was her attack. Come to think of it, I think most FMCs in this series went through so much hell.
I can overlook many aspects of a book, but I cannot accept the imbalance in the sexual lives of the MCs. It's just that ever since I got back into reading, I've come across a lot of stuff about double standards, and they're thrown in the reader's face most times. And mind you, the situations were usually unfavorable to women. At first, it didn’t really bother me, and I never gave much thought of it, hence my low standards in books before. 🫣 But after a while, it started to get under my skin, and now I’m fed up with it.
Anyway, I skimmed through this two days ago, and I can hardly remember anything from it now. I even forgot to post my review. That's how uninterested I was in the story, and that's probably saying something because this is only a short one.
October 27, 2025
I just devoured this story. Michelle Heard has a great writing style, and I love her MCs. They almost always click with me at some level, which makes reading her stories always a pleasure.
My heart broke for Jenna. I loved how possessive and patient Enzo is with her.
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My heart broke for Jenna. I loved how possessive and patient Enzo is with her.
____________________
Follow me ♡
December 31, 2025
Ця книга, як завжди в стилі Мішель Херд - але з меншою кількістю сексуальних сцен, а більш тригерна емоційно👀
І мені це сподобалось, те наскільки глибоко авторка прописала травму головної героїні та головного героя.
Енцо Олівейра — 37 років (португалець), займається вбивствами на замовлення та масовим виробництвом контрафактної продукції.
Дженна Дотсон — 26 років (американка), звичайна дівчина, працює продавцем на заправці.
Що до сюжету - все розпочинається з того, що Енцо вирішує відкрити нову фабрику по виробництву контрафактної продукції в Америці. І звісно стикнувся з проблемою, а саме з місцевим байкерським угрупованням - які вважають що це тільки їхня територія і він мусить заплатити їм. Тому він вирушає в США, щоб розібратися з ними самостійно та показати хто головний.
Подорозі до місця призначення він зупиняється на заправці і його увагу привертає дівчина продавчиня.
Дженна працює на заправці вже кілька років, і її життя - це звичайна рутина: працювати вночі на заправці та переглядати різні дорами. Після того, що вона була змушена пережити — всі барви життя зникли для неї, залишися тільки страх і біль..
Але коли на заправці зʼявляється таємничий незнайомець в костюмі, котрий починає приходити що ночі і турбуватися про неї - в Дженні прокидаються почуття та емоції, які вона вважала вже ніколи не зможе відчути.
Любовна лінія розвивається тут доволі повільно, адже обидва головні персонажі пережили доволі травматичний період у житті. Але в свою чергу з часом це і стало для них точкою дотику, завдяки якій вони змогли зрозуміти один одного та довіритись. І так, головний герой одержимий своєю коханою - закохався у неї з першого погляду (зустрічі), поводився як сталкер — але у висновку став її островом безпеки🙌🏻 я таке дуже люблю🌚🔥
Сюжет книги цікавий і доволі насичений, тут згадувалися та взаємодіяли усі герої з попередніх книг, що теж є великим плюсом.
Гарно прописані та розкриті головні герої, любовна лінія яка тримала напругу всю книгу❤️🩹
Для мене ця книга на 4/5⭐️, є кілька моментів не розкритих, але в загальному на книгу це не дуже повпливало.
І мені це сподобалось, те наскільки глибоко авторка прописала травму головної героїні та головного героя.
Енцо Олівейра — 37 років (португалець), займається вбивствами на замовлення та масовим виробництвом контрафактної продукції.
Дженна Дотсон — 26 років (американка), звичайна дівчина, працює продавцем на заправці.
Що до сюжету - все розпочинається з того, що Енцо вирішує відкрити нову фабрику по виробництву контрафактної продукції в Америці. І звісно стикнувся з проблемою, а саме з місцевим байкерським угрупованням - які вважають що це тільки їхня територія і він мусить заплатити їм. Тому він вирушає в США, щоб розібратися з ними самостійно та показати хто головний.
Подорозі до місця призначення він зупиняється на заправці і його увагу привертає дівчина продавчиня.
Дженна працює на заправці вже кілька років, і її життя - це звичайна рутина: працювати вночі на заправці та переглядати різні дорами. Після того, що вона була змушена пережити — всі барви життя зникли для неї, залишися тільки страх і біль..
Але коли на заправці зʼявляється таємничий незнайомець в костюмі, котрий починає приходити що ночі і турбуватися про неї - в Дженні прокидаються почуття та емоції, які вона вважала вже ніколи не зможе відчути.
Любовна лінія розвивається тут доволі повільно, адже обидва головні персонажі пережили доволі травматичний період у житті. Але в свою чергу з часом це і стало для них точкою дотику, завдяки якій вони змогли зрозуміти один одного та довіритись. І так, головний герой одержимий своєю коханою - закохався у неї з першого погляду (зустрічі), поводився як сталкер — але у висновку став її островом безпеки🙌🏻 я таке дуже люблю🌚🔥
Сюжет книги цікавий і доволі насичений, тут згадувалися та взаємодіяли усі герої з попередніх книг, що теж є великим плюсом.
Гарно прописані та розкриті головні герої, любовна лінія яка тримала напругу всю книгу❤️🩹
Для мене ця книга на 4/5⭐️, є кілька моментів не розкритих, але в загальному на книгу це не дуже повпливало.
October 30, 2025
3.5⭐️ "You are everything I never knew I wanted, and the bigger surprise of my life".
Me parece un acierto que el cierre de esta serie tenga participación de todos los componentes de la alianza, nos da una despedida de todos ellos.
Enzo ha sido una incógnita y en su libro tiene mucho que contar. Va a caer primero y rápido por Jenna pero, a pesar de ser un insta-love, su historia va a ser de cocción lenta, debido al pasado de ella que tanto le ha traumatizado.
Encontramos un poco de todo narrado a un ritmo rápido y siempre a mejor hasta rematar en el epílogo, sin ruptura del tercer acto, tan típica en los libros del género y que, en este libro, no me habría gustado nada.
"I will worship at your feet until the day I die, and even then, I will raise hell to find you in the afterlife".
Me parece un acierto que el cierre de esta serie tenga participación de todos los componentes de la alianza, nos da una despedida de todos ellos.
Enzo ha sido una incógnita y en su libro tiene mucho que contar. Va a caer primero y rápido por Jenna pero, a pesar de ser un insta-love, su historia va a ser de cocción lenta, debido al pasado de ella que tanto le ha traumatizado.
Encontramos un poco de todo narrado a un ritmo rápido y siempre a mejor hasta rematar en el epílogo, sin ruptura del tercer acto, tan típica en los libros del género y que, en este libro, no me habría gustado nada.
"I will worship at your feet until the day I die, and even then, I will raise hell to find you in the afterlife".
October 27, 2025
Give me a traumatized FMC and i am game ♥️
Enzo was so caring and sweet , I wished it was more than 273 pages
I loved how they all became a big family ♥️♥️
Enzo was so caring and sweet , I wished it was more than 273 pages
I loved how they all became a big family ♥️♥️
November 11, 2025
I don’t understand how people are giving this five stars???? This book was so overly descriptive that it honestly became exhausting to read. Every single thing the characters did was described from A to Z… and then from Z back to A again. It killed the pacing completely and made it really hard to stay engaged.
What really ruined the story for me, though, was how the author handled the FMC’s trauma. She’s a gang rape survivor, and the way her healing was portrayed was completely unrealistic and even harmful. She tells the MMC she’ll never be ready to be intimate with him—but just three chapters later, she suddenly is? Because he took her shopping and made her feel “safe”? That’s not how trauma recovery works, and it felt rushed and dismissive.
Not once is there any mention of therapy or professional help, nor does the MMC even suggest it. Instead, her entire recovery is magically fixed by the power of love. Girl, please. That’s not healing, that’s romanticized trauma.
Also, when exactly do they fall in love? Because yes, I understand this was insta-love but why is the MMC dropping “I am in love with you” when he hasn’t even TALKED to the FMC. They first time they have a “talk” he’s love bombing her. Boy, please.
And don’t even get me started on the plot. It made absolutely no sense. You’re telling me this man is supposed to be one of the most dangerous and fearless people on the planet and he personally goes to deal with some stupid useless biker gang? Really? Oh, and let’s just casually throw in the other four most dangerous people on the planet while we’re at it. It’s like the author tried to make everyone sound terrifying, but it ended up reading like a parody.
What really ruined the story for me, though, was how the author handled the FMC’s trauma. She’s a gang rape survivor, and the way her healing was portrayed was completely unrealistic and even harmful. She tells the MMC she’ll never be ready to be intimate with him—but just three chapters later, she suddenly is? Because he took her shopping and made her feel “safe”? That’s not how trauma recovery works, and it felt rushed and dismissive.
Not once is there any mention of therapy or professional help, nor does the MMC even suggest it. Instead, her entire recovery is magically fixed by the power of love. Girl, please. That’s not healing, that’s romanticized trauma.
Also, when exactly do they fall in love? Because yes, I understand this was insta-love but why is the MMC dropping “I am in love with you” when he hasn’t even TALKED to the FMC. They first time they have a “talk” he’s love bombing her. Boy, please.
And don’t even get me started on the plot. It made absolutely no sense. You’re telling me this man is supposed to be one of the most dangerous and fearless people on the planet and he personally goes to deal with some stupid useless biker gang? Really? Oh, and let’s just casually throw in the other four most dangerous people on the planet while we’re at it. It’s like the author tried to make everyone sound terrifying, but it ended up reading like a parody.
October 28, 2025
The amount of times the term K-Drama was said 🙃🙃🙃
There was no actual build up of their relationship like I wish there would of been. He loved her from the moment he saw her and then from one day to another she did too.
There was no actual build up of their relationship like I wish there would of been. He loved her from the moment he saw her and then from one day to another she did too.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 29, 2025
I jumped into this one expecting gritty mafia romance-style danger, and Michelle Heard delivered in many of the right ways. The story of Jenna and Enzo is heavy: she’s suffered brutal traumas, living in the shadows, silent in more ways than one; he’s intensely dangerous, feared, wrapped in the “devil” reputation, yet there’s a flicker of something softer when it’s just her in his sight. The contrast between their worlds pulled me in — I loved how the book didn’t shy away from the darkness, yet found moments of tenderness.
What I especially liked: the emotional weight is real. The hero’s protectiveness, the heroine’s pain and gradual healing, and the supporting cast/found‐family stuff all raise the stakes beyond “just the two of them falling for each other.” The scenes where Enzo shows up for her, the small moments of trust, of safety … those hooked me.
What held it back from a full 5 stars for me: a few things felt a little too fast or convenient. The shift from “her survival mode” to “allowing love/trust” sometimes felt like we skipped over some of the internal heavy lifting. Also, the “instant-connection” between hero and heroine is strong, maybe stronger than my taste prefers—though I don’t mind it if it’s done well, and mostly here it is.
What I especially liked: the emotional weight is real. The hero’s protectiveness, the heroine’s pain and gradual healing, and the supporting cast/found‐family stuff all raise the stakes beyond “just the two of them falling for each other.” The scenes where Enzo shows up for her, the small moments of trust, of safety … those hooked me.
What held it back from a full 5 stars for me: a few things felt a little too fast or convenient. The shift from “her survival mode” to “allowing love/trust” sometimes felt like we skipped over some of the internal heavy lifting. Also, the “instant-connection” between hero and heroine is strong, maybe stronger than my taste prefers—though I don’t mind it if it’s done well, and mostly here it is.
October 29, 2025
me gustó mucha esta serie , pero mi favorito siempre va a ser el de cassia y knight.
October 27, 2025
Trigger warning to self : the h was raped in past
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 1, 2025
***4 "Meu Anjinho!!!" stars***
"I had to become the devil so I could kill my monster."
And the final story in the Mafia Empire series is here!!!!
Enzo wasn't a man that we had seen much in the previous books as Santiago for example who was always lurking somewhere!!! LOL!!!
Enzo was almost a hermit too, but he was more of a distrustful creature that was preffering to keep it to himself!!!
And then, he was forced to leave his base and to travel into the States to deal with an issue and he came across his obsession... Jenna!!!
"I've never belonged to anyone. I've never had a home. Until her."
Jenna was a shell of a woman the past eight years...
She only sleep, eat, work and repeat.... and her only pleasure in life is watching K-dramas!!!
She is working the night shift in a gas station and her dull life is changing when a dark, handsome man in entering her world...
But Jenna has many demons... demons that had silenced her and are refusing to let her go!!!
Will Enzo manage to pull her out of her mentally prison and to make her start living again???
"Everything about him is an enigma..."
I liked Enzo and Jenna very much!!!
She was a girl that had suffered too much and the trauma still has a strong hold on her...
My heart was breaking over and over again for her...
I liked that Cassia became a great friend to her and that together with Enzo, they managed to pull her slowly and steadily out of her shell....
As for Enzo??? This man was crazily obsessed with this girl, but also overprotective and he was determined to give her the world... Yep, he was a ruthless mafia boss, but for her, he could be caring, soft and gentle!!!
"He's a killer. A dangerous criminal.
But when he touches me, there's no right and wrong.
There's only the way he makes me feel."
Their story wasn't an easy journey...
They had too many demons to face, but together they were stronger...
I loved the bonds that the five of the alliance had created and in here, it showed!!!!
I liked the cameos of the previous characters of the series, and I loved that Jenna had found a new family after the loneliness she was experiencing because of her trauma!!!
I would love to see more of these characters in future books!!!
"You're not alone, Enzo... No man is an island. Let us be the family you never had."
**I received an ARC for the exchange of an honest review**
"I had to become the devil so I could kill my monster."
And the final story in the Mafia Empire series is here!!!!
Enzo wasn't a man that we had seen much in the previous books as Santiago for example who was always lurking somewhere!!! LOL!!!
Enzo was almost a hermit too, but he was more of a distrustful creature that was preffering to keep it to himself!!!
And then, he was forced to leave his base and to travel into the States to deal with an issue and he came across his obsession... Jenna!!!
"I've never belonged to anyone. I've never had a home. Until her."
Jenna was a shell of a woman the past eight years...
She only sleep, eat, work and repeat.... and her only pleasure in life is watching K-dramas!!!
She is working the night shift in a gas station and her dull life is changing when a dark, handsome man in entering her world...
But Jenna has many demons... demons that had silenced her and are refusing to let her go!!!
Will Enzo manage to pull her out of her mentally prison and to make her start living again???
"Everything about him is an enigma..."
I liked Enzo and Jenna very much!!!
She was a girl that had suffered too much and the trauma still has a strong hold on her...
My heart was breaking over and over again for her...
I liked that Cassia became a great friend to her and that together with Enzo, they managed to pull her slowly and steadily out of her shell....
As for Enzo??? This man was crazily obsessed with this girl, but also overprotective and he was determined to give her the world... Yep, he was a ruthless mafia boss, but for her, he could be caring, soft and gentle!!!
"He's a killer. A dangerous criminal.
But when he touches me, there's no right and wrong.
There's only the way he makes me feel."
Their story wasn't an easy journey...
They had too many demons to face, but together they were stronger...
I loved the bonds that the five of the alliance had created and in here, it showed!!!!
I liked the cameos of the previous characters of the series, and I loved that Jenna had found a new family after the loneliness she was experiencing because of her trauma!!!
I would love to see more of these characters in future books!!!
"You're not alone, Enzo... No man is an island. Let us be the family you never had."
**I received an ARC for the exchange of an honest review**
October 27, 2025
Şeytan aka Kdrama seven kızın gündüz düşleri 💭
Michelle Heard bu seri ile kendini aşmadı aksine geriye çevirdi. Mehter takımı gibi 2 ileri 1 geri takılıp duruyor. 😒 Craving Revenge’ i de hemen okuyacağız tabii ki ☺️
Jenna’ nın çalıştığı benzinliğe bir gece Enzo gelir ve olaylar gelişir. 🤨
Portekizli mafya da okumamıştım, kataloga eklemiş olduk yani. Enzo Oliveira 37. Jenna Doston, 26. Bu şekilde başlayan kitabımız hemen nostalji yaşattı. Ne olursa olsun başlama şeklini aşırı ferahlatıcı buluyorum.
Bu serideki en travmatik karakter bence Jenna, yaşadıklarına şok oldum ve genelde Michelle bu tarz konularda bi tık daha soft durur ama Jenna’ nın seçtiği sessizlik, hayatını beklemeye alması, donması ve ilerlememesi, K-dramalarda teselliyi araması falan beni çok üzdü. Ama Enzo sen tam bir hayvansın. Yani kıza dandandun o kadar saçma sapan davrandı ki yani düşüncelerin ve davranışların asla birbiri ile uyuşmuyor.. Bir de Enzo Jenna’ yı seçti diye şükretmeli tadında bi Cassia tiradı var ki dedim heralde şuanda sarayda mıyız haremde mi? Azıcık daha itinalı yazsa Craving Danger’ a denk bir kitap olabilecekken kadın karakterin ezikliği olsun, Enzo nun davarlığı olsun, MC (Motosikletçiler) ‘ in saçma sapan plotline olsun tamamen çöp..
Serinin final kitabı olduğu için diğer karakterler de bolca vardı, görüyoruz ki mafyalar da mülteci gibi üreyip soy devamı yapayım kafasında genetik kodla çalışıyorlar 😒 Cassia 5 cocuk istiyor Dominik 4 çocuktan sora vasektomi olmuş (sağolsun)
Ay bilemedim günlük dizi gibi değerlendirmek lazım.. Mantık yok 🤦♀️ beklenti yok 😑
Michelle Heard bu seri ile kendini aşmadı aksine geriye çevirdi. Mehter takımı gibi 2 ileri 1 geri takılıp duruyor. 😒 Craving Revenge’ i de hemen okuyacağız tabii ki ☺️
Jenna’ nın çalıştığı benzinliğe bir gece Enzo gelir ve olaylar gelişir. 🤨
Portekizli mafya da okumamıştım, kataloga eklemiş olduk yani. Enzo Oliveira 37. Jenna Doston, 26. Bu şekilde başlayan kitabımız hemen nostalji yaşattı. Ne olursa olsun başlama şeklini aşırı ferahlatıcı buluyorum.
Bu serideki en travmatik karakter bence Jenna, yaşadıklarına şok oldum ve genelde Michelle bu tarz konularda bi tık daha soft durur ama Jenna’ nın seçtiği sessizlik, hayatını beklemeye alması, donması ve ilerlememesi, K-dramalarda teselliyi araması falan beni çok üzdü. Ama Enzo sen tam bir hayvansın. Yani kıza dandandun o kadar saçma sapan davrandı ki yani düşüncelerin ve davranışların asla birbiri ile uyuşmuyor.. Bir de Enzo Jenna’ yı seçti diye şükretmeli tadında bi Cassia tiradı var ki dedim heralde şuanda sarayda mıyız haremde mi? Azıcık daha itinalı yazsa Craving Danger’ a denk bir kitap olabilecekken kadın karakterin ezikliği olsun, Enzo nun davarlığı olsun, MC (Motosikletçiler) ‘ in saçma sapan plotline olsun tamamen çöp..
Serinin final kitabı olduğu için diğer karakterler de bolca vardı, görüyoruz ki mafyalar da mülteci gibi üreyip soy devamı yapayım kafasında genetik kodla çalışıyorlar 😒 Cassia 5 cocuk istiyor Dominik 4 çocuktan sora vasektomi olmuş (sağolsun)
Ay bilemedim günlük dizi gibi değerlendirmek lazım.. Mantık yok 🤦♀️ beklenti yok 😑
November 6, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (ARC review)
''I would've gone to hell for you''
Safety warnings:
- H 37 / h 26
- No OW/OM drama
- No cheating
- Child abandonment
- Light stalking
- R*pe
- Child s*xual abuse
- Violence/Torture
- D*ath
- Trauma
- HEA
This book was sweet and healing. I loved how patient he was with her through her trauma while being vulnerable about his own.
Enzo has always been the loner in the group but in this book, he allows them all to help him out in his situation, especially since now the stakes are higher with Jenna.
He becomes instantly obsessed with her and protective of her despite now knowing what she has gone through.
Jenna has been through hell, and I was rooting for her throughout the book. She deserved a better life, and it saddened me that she became a shell of a person after what happened to her. Her journey of self-worth and healing was amazing, and I loved watching her through it. I do wonder why she never truly left the town so she no longer had to be a part of the place that haunts her, but trauma does things to some that cannot be explained.
The twist at the end was not something I expected to be honest, and I think it was because I was not thinking about that part of the story but more invested in their relationship.
I loved seeing them at the end having a great future filled with love and devotion.
''I would've gone to hell for you''
Safety warnings:
- H 37 / h 26
- No OW/OM drama
- No cheating
- Child abandonment
- Light stalking
- R*pe
- Child s*xual abuse
- Violence/Torture
- D*ath
- Trauma
- HEA
This book was sweet and healing. I loved how patient he was with her through her trauma while being vulnerable about his own.
Enzo has always been the loner in the group but in this book, he allows them all to help him out in his situation, especially since now the stakes are higher with Jenna.
He becomes instantly obsessed with her and protective of her despite now knowing what she has gone through.
Jenna has been through hell, and I was rooting for her throughout the book. She deserved a better life, and it saddened me that she became a shell of a person after what happened to her. Her journey of self-worth and healing was amazing, and I loved watching her through it. I do wonder why she never truly left the town so she no longer had to be a part of the place that haunts her, but trauma does things to some that cannot be explained.
The twist at the end was not something I expected to be honest, and I think it was because I was not thinking about that part of the story but more invested in their relationship.
I loved seeing them at the end having a great future filled with love and devotion.
December 11, 2025
»I have no idea how I got it right to steal an angel like you from heaven, but I'm so thankful I did.«
★ ★ ★
❥ 𝑱𝒆𝒏𝒏𝒂 𝜗𝜚˚⋆
I‘m so sorry to say this but I didn‘t like her. She is miserable, weak and wouldn‘t survive without Enzo. I‘m not a fan of creating weak little female characters for badass mafia bosses.
❥ 𝑬𝒏𝒛𝒐 ⋆✮
I liked him although his quick love for Jenna wasn‘t realistic. His character was lacking depth.
✥ 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌
Hmmm this was okay but was lacking the magic Michelle Heards books normally have. I had a good time reading and it was a short and entertaining read. For me this couldn‘t hold up with other books in this series/by the author. Jenna is too weak for my liking (I know she suffered a lot and it‘s understandable but these weak and helpless little doves aren’t my fav book characters). The fact that Enzo fell in love with her this quickly is unrealistic because Jenna has nothing special on her, she just works at the gas station and he saw her one time?! For me the love story wasn‘t believable and I everything was wayyyy too insta love.
All in all this was an okay book.
𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐈 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤?
To be honest no. Read other books from the author instead, this isn‘t her best work.
𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝟓 ׂㅤ𐙚 ࣪ ⭒
plot: 3/5
spice: 1/5
humor: 3/5
couple/tension: 2/5
world building: 4/5
happy end?: yes
𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 ₊ ⊹
possessive and protective hero, touch her and die, mafia boss x shy girl, traumatic past, healing, forced proximity, stalker, instant attraction/insta love, he falls first and harder, age gap
𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲
ages: Jenna (26) and Enzo (37)
cheating: no
sharing: no
kinks: no
𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬
#1 The Hermit ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
#2 The High Priestess ★ ★ ★ ★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
#3 Death ★ ★ ★ ★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
#4 The Empress ★ ★ ★ ★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
#5 The Devil ★ ★ ★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
★ ★ ★
❥ 𝑱𝒆𝒏𝒏𝒂 𝜗𝜚˚⋆
I‘m so sorry to say this but I didn‘t like her. She is miserable, weak and wouldn‘t survive without Enzo. I‘m not a fan of creating weak little female characters for badass mafia bosses.
❥ 𝑬𝒏𝒛𝒐 ⋆✮
I liked him although his quick love for Jenna wasn‘t realistic. His character was lacking depth.
✥ 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌
Hmmm this was okay but was lacking the magic Michelle Heards books normally have. I had a good time reading and it was a short and entertaining read. For me this couldn‘t hold up with other books in this series/by the author. Jenna is too weak for my liking (I know she suffered a lot and it‘s understandable but these weak and helpless little doves aren’t my fav book characters). The fact that Enzo fell in love with her this quickly is unrealistic because Jenna has nothing special on her, she just works at the gas station and he saw her one time?! For me the love story wasn‘t believable and I everything was wayyyy too insta love.
All in all this was an okay book.
𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐈 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤?
To be honest no. Read other books from the author instead, this isn‘t her best work.
𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝟓 ׂㅤ𐙚 ࣪ ⭒
plot: 3/5
spice: 1/5
humor: 3/5
couple/tension: 2/5
world building: 4/5
happy end?: yes
𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 ₊ ⊹
possessive and protective hero, touch her and die, mafia boss x shy girl, traumatic past, healing, forced proximity, stalker, instant attraction/insta love, he falls first and harder, age gap
𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲
ages: Jenna (26) and Enzo (37)
cheating: no
sharing: no
kinks: no
𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬
#1 The Hermit ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
#2 The High Priestess ★ ★ ★ ★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
#3 Death ★ ★ ★ ★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
#4 The Empress ★ ★ ★ ★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
#5 The Devil ★ ★ ★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
October 25, 2025
“If you want this woman, you have to share your past with her. “I was thirteen and starving…” “It’s okay,” she says, her voice clear and strong even though it’s trembling. “I understand.” “I’ve never told anyone and had planned to take it to my grave, but I need you to know that I…” My voice cracks, and I have to take a moment. “I’ll take your secret to the grave with me. Along with my own.”
4.5 stars… because it was over before I wanted it to be.
What a way to wrap up this series. This was an emotionally charged story that had you empathising with the characters, but honestly you have no idea what it was like to walk in their shoes unless you’ve gone through it yourself. The author treated their story with dignity and respect allowing the reader to immerse themselves in the emotional turmoil. Remembering this is a darker genre with triggers and the warnings are there for a reason, so heed them. The Devil and the Angel were destined to find each other because birds of a feather flock and heal together. Enzo is a career criminal who has kept his life extremely private. Although he’s a member of the alliance, he’s remained an enigma who walks alone and doesn’t trust easily. Jenna has suffered from trauma and lives in the shadows hoping no one sees her. Silent, alone and almost at the point of giving up until the night Enzo walked into the store and gave her something to hope for.
Written from both POV’s, awesome characters, great banter and I was invested from the opening pages until I read the end. I’m sad to say goodbye to this series, but look forward to what this author brings us next.
4.5 stars… because it was over before I wanted it to be.
What a way to wrap up this series. This was an emotionally charged story that had you empathising with the characters, but honestly you have no idea what it was like to walk in their shoes unless you’ve gone through it yourself. The author treated their story with dignity and respect allowing the reader to immerse themselves in the emotional turmoil. Remembering this is a darker genre with triggers and the warnings are there for a reason, so heed them. The Devil and the Angel were destined to find each other because birds of a feather flock and heal together. Enzo is a career criminal who has kept his life extremely private. Although he’s a member of the alliance, he’s remained an enigma who walks alone and doesn’t trust easily. Jenna has suffered from trauma and lives in the shadows hoping no one sees her. Silent, alone and almost at the point of giving up until the night Enzo walked into the store and gave her something to hope for.
Written from both POV’s, awesome characters, great banter and I was invested from the opening pages until I read the end. I’m sad to say goodbye to this series, but look forward to what this author brings us next.
October 28, 2025
"you were the first person to love me, and the day i take my final breath, you will be the last person i love.”
after the portuguese twins from corrupted royals, i was so excited to get a main character from my home country. did i wish this was set in portugal? yes. did the portuguese nickname he had for the fmc made me cringe every single time? also yes. as much as i love all michelle heard's books, it pains me to say this one wasn't a favorite of mine. don't get me wrong, it's up to the standards this author always delivers. it's entirely a me problem because the very thing i was excited about was my demise, there's a reason i stopped reading in my native tongue and this reinforced it. still loved the mention of "rissóis" though.
* i was sent an arc by the author in exchange for a honest review
after the portuguese twins from corrupted royals, i was so excited to get a main character from my home country. did i wish this was set in portugal? yes. did the portuguese nickname he had for the fmc made me cringe every single time? also yes. as much as i love all michelle heard's books, it pains me to say this one wasn't a favorite of mine. don't get me wrong, it's up to the standards this author always delivers. it's entirely a me problem because the very thing i was excited about was my demise, there's a reason i stopped reading in my native tongue and this reinforced it. still loved the mention of "rissóis" though.
* i was sent an arc by the author in exchange for a honest review
November 19, 2025
Y con este libro doy por finalizada esta serie de mafia, que me encanto!
Son libros súper ligeros, cortos, para leer en una tarde. Y tienen todo, drama, historias duras, mujeres súper fuertes, hombres increíbles y finales felices.
Recomendadisimos
Son libros súper ligeros, cortos, para leer en una tarde. Y tienen todo, drama, historias duras, mujeres súper fuertes, hombres increíbles y finales felices.
Recomendadisimos
October 27, 2025
safe no ow/om drama
October 29, 2025
Michelle Heard is a good writer but this story just didn’t do it for me. The plot is unfortunately and distractingly weak. The whole time the MMC s repeatedly ambushed by increasing numbers of armed bikers but never learns how to avoid being ambushed, which is ok because he defeats them effortlessly with plot armor. The relationships in the book, both romantic and friendship, d not seem to be based on anything discernible like similar personalities, aligned values, or shared experiences. They just happen for “plot reasons”. Also, the twist becomes obvious prematurely (about three quarters of the way through) and makes the MMC look like an idiot, but that’s ok because of the aforementioned plot armor. I just really ran out of gas trying to suspend my disbelief to like this book.
November 3, 2025
#părerea_Violetei
#recomandare_de_lectura
🇵🇹The Devil, Michelle Heard
284 pagini (Mafia Empire, #5)
🇵🇹Posibile spoilere!
🇵🇹Enzo Oliviera a fost un mister in primele patru volume ale seriei, parca s-a ascuns iar acum a venit vremea sa strălucească. El este un bărbat dur, nemilos, nu are încredere în nimeni, dar are încredere în Alianța formată cu Dominik Varga, Santiago Castro, Leo Toscano si Cassia Dimitrou. De cele mai multe ori prefera sa rezolve singur probleme, așa ca pentru a pune capăt problemelor făcute de on banda de motocicliști, din Aurora, SUA, merge personal să elimine amenințarea pentru afacerile lui, iar aici o întâlnește pe timida și frânta Jenna.
🇵🇹Jenna Donson trăiește de 8 ani la limita existenței: se mulțumește cu un loc de muncă oribil, pe un salariu la fel de oribil și cu un șef care o exploatează; face tot posibilul să nu să nu fie văzută și refuză să comunice verbal cu cei din jurul ei, iar singura ei bucurie este să urmărească seriale K-drama. Totul se schimbă când în benzinăria în care lucrează intră un bărbat misterios, frumos și care o vede, pe ea Jenna și asta schimbă ceva în inima ei și o face să vrea să îi vorbească.
🇵🇹Enzo este fascinat de Jenna și vrea să îi pună lumea la picioare, vrea să facă parte din viața lui și să o iubească așa cum merită, dar mai întâi trebuie să lupte cu demonii și traumele ei, totodată trebuie să își domolească și demonii lui, dar va primi ajutor din partea unor persoane care mereu au vrut să facă parte din viața lui și nu au fost lăsate.
🇵🇹De ce preferă Enzo să fie mereu singur, atât în afaceri dar și în viața personală? De cine se ascunde Jenna? Prin ce trauma a trecut? Cum va reacționa ea la aflarea adevărului despre Enzo și activitățile lui? Unde se ascundea trădătorul? De la cine primește Enzo ajutor? Vor reuși cei protagoniști să își depășescă temerile și să dea o șansă fericirii, sau totul va fi în zadar? Răspunsurile le veți afla voi.
🇵🇹Mi-a plăcut făcute mult toată seria și nu aș putea să aleg care este preferata mea, deși Dominik Varga încă nu a fost detronat. Enzo a fost un mister, așa cum am spus, pe parcursul volumelor anterioare, dar citindu-i povestea am înțeles de ce a fost așa. El este un bărbat asumat care nu ascunde cine și ce este, care știe ca a făcut pact cu însuși diavolul pentru a supraviețui și pentru a deveni bărbatul puternic care este astăzi și de asemenea când vrea ceva, obține, iar acum o vrea pe Jenna în viața lui, deoarece ea a mișcat totul în inima lui, inima pe care credea ca nu o are. Jenna este o supraviețuitoare și o femeie puternică, deși inițial nu pare așa, dar Enzo o scoate la suprafață pe cea care a fost cândva, o ajută să își regăsească vocea și să depășească întâmplările de acum 8 ani. Santiago este fenomenal și în sfârșit intră cu bocancii în viața lui Enzo și îl face să înțeleagă ca ei - Santiago, Cassia, Leo și Dominik, vor face parte din viața lui de acum încolo și nu vor mai sta la distanță. Mă opresc aici, pentru ca iar m-a luat valul și am scris un roman întreg, și va mai spun doar atât să citiți acesta serie, deoarece merită fiecare pagină.
#recomandare_de_lectura
🇵🇹The Devil, Michelle Heard
284 pagini (Mafia Empire, #5)
🇵🇹Posibile spoilere!
🇵🇹Enzo Oliviera a fost un mister in primele patru volume ale seriei, parca s-a ascuns iar acum a venit vremea sa strălucească. El este un bărbat dur, nemilos, nu are încredere în nimeni, dar are încredere în Alianța formată cu Dominik Varga, Santiago Castro, Leo Toscano si Cassia Dimitrou. De cele mai multe ori prefera sa rezolve singur probleme, așa ca pentru a pune capăt problemelor făcute de on banda de motocicliști, din Aurora, SUA, merge personal să elimine amenințarea pentru afacerile lui, iar aici o întâlnește pe timida și frânta Jenna.
🇵🇹Jenna Donson trăiește de 8 ani la limita existenței: se mulțumește cu un loc de muncă oribil, pe un salariu la fel de oribil și cu un șef care o exploatează; face tot posibilul să nu să nu fie văzută și refuză să comunice verbal cu cei din jurul ei, iar singura ei bucurie este să urmărească seriale K-drama. Totul se schimbă când în benzinăria în care lucrează intră un bărbat misterios, frumos și care o vede, pe ea Jenna și asta schimbă ceva în inima ei și o face să vrea să îi vorbească.
🇵🇹Enzo este fascinat de Jenna și vrea să îi pună lumea la picioare, vrea să facă parte din viața lui și să o iubească așa cum merită, dar mai întâi trebuie să lupte cu demonii și traumele ei, totodată trebuie să își domolească și demonii lui, dar va primi ajutor din partea unor persoane care mereu au vrut să facă parte din viața lui și nu au fost lăsate.
🇵🇹De ce preferă Enzo să fie mereu singur, atât în afaceri dar și în viața personală? De cine se ascunde Jenna? Prin ce trauma a trecut? Cum va reacționa ea la aflarea adevărului despre Enzo și activitățile lui? Unde se ascundea trădătorul? De la cine primește Enzo ajutor? Vor reuși cei protagoniști să își depășescă temerile și să dea o șansă fericirii, sau totul va fi în zadar? Răspunsurile le veți afla voi.
🇵🇹Mi-a plăcut făcute mult toată seria și nu aș putea să aleg care este preferata mea, deși Dominik Varga încă nu a fost detronat. Enzo a fost un mister, așa cum am spus, pe parcursul volumelor anterioare, dar citindu-i povestea am înțeles de ce a fost așa. El este un bărbat asumat care nu ascunde cine și ce este, care știe ca a făcut pact cu însuși diavolul pentru a supraviețui și pentru a deveni bărbatul puternic care este astăzi și de asemenea când vrea ceva, obține, iar acum o vrea pe Jenna în viața lui, deoarece ea a mișcat totul în inima lui, inima pe care credea ca nu o are. Jenna este o supraviețuitoare și o femeie puternică, deși inițial nu pare așa, dar Enzo o scoate la suprafață pe cea care a fost cândva, o ajută să își regăsească vocea și să depășească întâmplările de acum 8 ani. Santiago este fenomenal și în sfârșit intră cu bocancii în viața lui Enzo și îl face să înțeleagă ca ei - Santiago, Cassia, Leo și Dominik, vor face parte din viața lui de acum încolo și nu vor mai sta la distanță. Mă opresc aici, pentru ca iar m-a luat valul și am scris un roman întreg, și va mai spun doar atât să citiți acesta serie, deoarece merită fiecare pagină.
October 30, 2025
Michelle Heard is here with book 5, the final chapter in her
Mafia Empire
series.
The Devil follows the story of the final member of the Alliance Enzo Oliveira and the FMC Jenna Dotson in this Age-Gap, Mafia Romance, through their dual POVs.
The Devil turned out to be quite a thrilling yet captivating story, bringing together Enzo and Jenna, two strangers who were broken within from deep rooted trauma.
Who are led upon a path together through the bonding of their trauma that called them to one another, while slowly but surely healing themselves and one another with the help of each other in the process.
Simultaneously the storyline paved way for mystery, given the surprise twists, which though I saw coming. It was still somewhat unexpected too, further adding to a filling narrative that kept me reading on.
This story turned out to be quite heavy from how highly emotionally charged it was.
Then again it was to be expected considering what we learn of both Enzo and Jenna through the exploration of their characters. Though more so Jenna due to still dealing with her trauma and how it still ruled her and the way she lived in her day to day life. It was something author Michelle thoroughly showcased throughout Jenna’s POV in her chapters.
Ultimately allowing us to not only learn about Jenna, but also see the journey she travelled with growing and healing as her story progressed.
I liked that from all that we learn of Enzo and Jenna, when it came to their relationship, author Michelle ensured it was the slowest Slow Burn ever. Then again it made sense as it made the story all the more realistic and genuine.
Honestly it was sweet, heartfelt and warm the way Enzo took his time with Jenna, having her take control and be in charge of how fast or slow she wanted to move within their budding relationship.
It made Enzo all the more swoony to me, and even more so from everything he did for Jenna. He truly was Jenna’s guardian Angel in disguise like she had.
“To others, you might be the devil, but to me you’re a guardian angel.”
My only critique was the climax, it happened all too quickly for my liking, particularly when compared to the build up that was paced out.
I just wish there had been a few more chapters so that it could be played out a little more.
The Devil by Michelle Heard delivered a heartfelt storyline full of growth and healing within an quite highly emotionally charged journey that was intense, hitting hard and deep from the impact of watching Enzo and Jenna come together to find each other and their HEA together.
A job well done to Michelle Heard especially with the epilogue that wrapped up not only this book, but the Mafia Empire series as well.
It truly was the cherry on top of the ice cream sundae with what she showcased within it.
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Devil follows the story of the final member of the Alliance Enzo Oliveira and the FMC Jenna Dotson in this Age-Gap, Mafia Romance, through their dual POVs.
The Devil turned out to be quite a thrilling yet captivating story, bringing together Enzo and Jenna, two strangers who were broken within from deep rooted trauma.
Who are led upon a path together through the bonding of their trauma that called them to one another, while slowly but surely healing themselves and one another with the help of each other in the process.
Simultaneously the storyline paved way for mystery, given the surprise twists, which though I saw coming. It was still somewhat unexpected too, further adding to a filling narrative that kept me reading on.
This story turned out to be quite heavy from how highly emotionally charged it was.
Then again it was to be expected considering what we learn of both Enzo and Jenna through the exploration of their characters. Though more so Jenna due to still dealing with her trauma and how it still ruled her and the way she lived in her day to day life. It was something author Michelle thoroughly showcased throughout Jenna’s POV in her chapters.
Ultimately allowing us to not only learn about Jenna, but also see the journey she travelled with growing and healing as her story progressed.
I liked that from all that we learn of Enzo and Jenna, when it came to their relationship, author Michelle ensured it was the slowest Slow Burn ever. Then again it made sense as it made the story all the more realistic and genuine.
Honestly it was sweet, heartfelt and warm the way Enzo took his time with Jenna, having her take control and be in charge of how fast or slow she wanted to move within their budding relationship.
It made Enzo all the more swoony to me, and even more so from everything he did for Jenna. He truly was Jenna’s guardian Angel in disguise like she had.
“To others, you might be the devil, but to me you’re a guardian angel.”
My only critique was the climax, it happened all too quickly for my liking, particularly when compared to the build up that was paced out.
I just wish there had been a few more chapters so that it could be played out a little more.
The Devil by Michelle Heard delivered a heartfelt storyline full of growth and healing within an quite highly emotionally charged journey that was intense, hitting hard and deep from the impact of watching Enzo and Jenna come together to find each other and their HEA together.
A job well done to Michelle Heard especially with the epilogue that wrapped up not only this book, but the Mafia Empire series as well.
It truly was the cherry on top of the ice cream sundae with what she showcased within it.
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 27, 2025
Rating: 5 ⭐️/2 🌶️
Michelle does it again! What a beautiful way to wrap up this series. This book had me feeling everything, heartbreak, hope, and pure joy all in one.❤️
Jenna’s POV completely wrecked me. She’s one of those FMCs you just want to reach through the pages and hug tight. Everything she’s been through made me root for her even harder. And Enzo! That man would burn the world down for her, and honestly, I’d hand him the matches. Their connection, shaped by the pain of their pasts, was so raw and real that watching them find peace and love together made my heart melt.💕
I don’t want to spoil anything, but if you’ve loved Michelle’s previous books, you’re in for an emotional, beautifully written ride. This story is layered with emotion, patience and revenge, all tied together in a way that’ll leave you smiling through the tears.🥹
One note: Please make sure to read the trigger warnings before diving in, this story gets heavy, but it’s so worth it.
Trope: Mafia, Trauma
Michelle does it again! What a beautiful way to wrap up this series. This book had me feeling everything, heartbreak, hope, and pure joy all in one.❤️
Jenna’s POV completely wrecked me. She’s one of those FMCs you just want to reach through the pages and hug tight. Everything she’s been through made me root for her even harder. And Enzo! That man would burn the world down for her, and honestly, I’d hand him the matches. Their connection, shaped by the pain of their pasts, was so raw and real that watching them find peace and love together made my heart melt.💕
I don’t want to spoil anything, but if you’ve loved Michelle’s previous books, you’re in for an emotional, beautifully written ride. This story is layered with emotion, patience and revenge, all tied together in a way that’ll leave you smiling through the tears.🥹
One note: Please make sure to read the trigger warnings before diving in, this story gets heavy, but it’s so worth it.
Trope: Mafia, Trauma
October 31, 2025
4.75
I'm sad....
It seems like just yesterday i read The Hermit and now the series is over 🥺
I'm not ready to leave this strange family... I FREAKING LOVE THEM SO MUCH 🥺
But let's talk about Enzo...
He was everything i wished for and more 😍
Yeah, maybe a little insane and a lot lethal but who care when he is sucha big teddy bear?!
Learning about his past broke my heart 😭
And poor little Jenna?!
Omg that girl made me so emotional 😭
They are perfect for each other 'cause they were able to heal their wounds together.
But the thing i loved more, as i said above, is this strange bond family that melt my heart 😍
I'm sad....
It seems like just yesterday i read The Hermit and now the series is over 🥺
I'm not ready to leave this strange family... I FREAKING LOVE THEM SO MUCH 🥺
But let's talk about Enzo...
He was everything i wished for and more 😍
Yeah, maybe a little insane and a lot lethal but who care when he is sucha big teddy bear?!
Learning about his past broke my heart 😭
And poor little Jenna?!
Omg that girl made me so emotional 😭
They are perfect for each other 'cause they were able to heal their wounds together.
But the thing i loved more, as i said above, is this strange bond family that melt my heart 😍
November 10, 2025
اخخخ ياربي الكتاب هذا ودي أعطيه خمسه بس حنكتي ما تسمح لي لأنه مره بسيط والحبكه خفيفه لطيفه ممتعه مافيه ذاك التويست بس فراشااااااتتتتت
يعني مو ذاك الكتاب الي تحتاجون عقلكم عشان تقرونه مره بسيط وخفيف تقراه وعقلك سرحان و الابتسامه شاقه وجهك زي الاهبل ياخي خلاص😭😭😭
مدري مدري اكتشفت إني احب النوع هذا من الكتب الي البطله تكون في صدمه و البطل يساعدها وينتقم! احب الانتقام، ويعيشون في سعاده وامان
بعني حرفيا اكتشفت ان اكثر ثلاث كتب مفضله عندي كلها نفس التروب بس بقصص مختلفه! ههههه الزبده التقييم الكلي 4.3/5☕️
يعني مو ذاك الكتاب الي تحتاجون عقلكم عشان تقرونه مره بسيط وخفيف تقراه وعقلك سرحان و الابتسامه شاقه وجهك زي الاهبل ياخي خلاص😭😭😭
مدري مدري اكتشفت إني احب النوع هذا من الكتب الي البطله تكون في صدمه و البطل يساعدها وينتقم! احب الانتقام، ويعيشون في سعاده وامان
بعني حرفيا اكتشفت ان اكثر ثلاث كتب مفضله عندي كلها نفس التروب بس بقصص مختلفه! ههههه الزبده التقييم الكلي 4.3/5☕️
pass-nfm
October 27, 2025the h was gang raped in the past ( i don't know if in the future as well)
i'm skipping it big time :)
i'm skipping it big time :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 28, 2025
This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review. Also my tags may have spoilers in them so be forewarned before checking out full review.
Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻♀️🦸🏻♀️🦸🏻♀️🦸🏻♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖📖
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨
First Impressions
This is the finale of the Mafia Empire series and my heart felt so bitter sweet in reading this book because I have had such a blast reading this series but also so sad to see it end because I am not ready to let go of it. This is where we get Enzo's book. Enzo is the most secretive of the crew, he is basically a lone wolf, doesn't care for people and is hardened from living on the streets as a child. Then we have his lady ....who is a traumatized rape survivor and barely surviving on her own. We have two people that understand the darkness and discover the light of love together...
First Line
Pulling the trigger, I watch as the bullet slams into Nino's head.
The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Enzo
The Heroine: Jenna
Summary
Enzo is a mafia don over a Portugal territory. He is the last of the five to have his story. When one of his commanders sets up a factory in the states that is in a dangerous MC territory, he goes on his own to take care of business. What he didn't expect was to run into Jenna, a woman clearly damaged and hurting mentally but he is drawn to her in a way he didn't expect. And now he is having to deal with a dangerous MC and convince Jenna that he is worth taking a risk on. Jenna is terrified every day of her life and her K Pop shows are the only light in her life. She suffered a gang rape from the MC in the area and has kept quiet and is mostly mute afraid she will slip up and put her mother and aunt in danger. But when Enzo walks into her life, she is thrown into a world of crime and uncertainty....but there is something inside that tells her she can trust Enzo....
What I Loved
Whew....this book was beyond consuming. I just didn't want to put down this book, not for one moment. I don't get a chance to be consumed by books in this way and I was all for it. I just didn't want to let go of this couple. Their connection and their yearning for each other was so irresistible and I felt so deep for their pain of their pasts. You are drawn into a story that has some dark elements to it and we see the torment and the trauma that happens with a gang rape and I was really curious to see how this would be developed. I guarantee that you will be reading this one as fast as you can get through it, it will suck you into the story until the very end. While its not a favorite of the series, it was an emotional journey that I was more than willing to take a chance on.
What I Struggled With
Now there were a couple of things I wasn't really a fan of. I did roll my eyes at Cassia and trying to be a badass when she is pregnant. Like of course the men are going to keep you from danger .....its not just you lol Then we have the third act of the story. I did feel with the level of trauma with the heroine there was too much rush to have sex in this book. It just wasn't as evolved in the story to make it believable that she was good to suddenly have daily sex with Enzo when she was so traumatized she could barely speak to anyone but she is suddenly ready and there isn't any flashbacks that are happening at all???? lol While I really enjoyed the story, I do think some elements needed to be better explored and handled to make it more believable in the trauma aspects of it.
Overall View
The Devil was a story that pulled me in quickly, it will consume you with the levels of intensity and mafia world that is created. Its a story that will addict you and gravitate you to some deeper elements of a darker world.
Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Dark Romance
Character Types: Mafia, Softer FMC, Abused FMC
Themes: Crime, Heart/Emotionally Touching, Page Turner
Tropes: Forced Proximity, Boss/Employee, Instant Love Connection
Book Perspective
Duo POV
Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Both
If you like these authors, I recommend This Book
Maggie Cole
Nicole Fox
Cora Reilly
Recommendation For Reading Order
Yes
Steam/Spice Explanations
Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.
November 4, 2025
This was a good mafia-lite type story. Standard formula but surprisingly endearing - Obsessed OTT dangerous H, traumatized h whom he rescues from poverty.
Jenna was gang raped 8 years ago by 4 members of a motorcycle gang. She is still dealing wit her trauma, living alone and working at a gas station. While working one night she meets Enzo, a ruthless underworld
crime boss who finds a sweet spot in his heart for her. Enzo is in town from overseas to protect one of his investment warehouses (?) and take down the local motorcycle gang. He has no family, has suffered his own trauma, and trusts almost no one.
Enzo is immediately taken with Jenna and starts visiting and watching over her at work each night. Eventually, after an attack on the gas station, his associate convinces her to take a job working in his house. She doesn’t initially know that he’s the boss or what his job entails.
The tension comes from her realizing and accepting Enzo while also dealing with her trauma and fear of men. She is virtually mute and needs to communicate thru writing. We see her trust in Enzo grow and it’s quite lovely how she opens up and fully trusts him.
He’s fully possessive, can’t stand to be away from her and would burn down the world for her.
❤️No third act breakup
-🗣️Communication - once past the initial confusion over who Enzo is and who she’s working for, they are directly honest with each other about their pasts and trauma.
🫣No OM/OW - he’s been w other women but I don’t think he’s a manwhore; he’s never been in a relationship or had anyone sleep next to him, until her. She was raped at 17 and has no other experience.
⚠️Sexual Assault - she is the victim of a violent and prolonged sexual assault by 4 men; in the past/off page. She is still traumatized and I liked the inclusion of a female friend for her (Enzo’s associate) and that Enzo was so patient. Enzo was also a victim of sexual assault as a youth and they each help each other heal. Both happen off page but are described.
💀Touch her and 💀 vibes. Insta Possessive. Doesn’t like her out of his sight. He stalks her a bit in the beginning, watching her while she works each night and then having cameras in his house.
🔫Violence - Enzo unalives multiple members of the motorcycle club. He admits to being a ruthless assassin.
😉Age gap: Jenna 25(?); Enzo (38)
🛌Forced proximity- she goes to live in and work in his house. He stays away for a few days to let her get adjusted and then shows up w a bullet wound and explains what’s going on - his life, his obsession w her and how’s she’s “his” lol
🏠 Family - she has a mom and sister that don’t know about her rape; they live in Florida. Enzo has his alliance. They each make an appearance in the story, but don’t take away from the plot.
🌶️Spice - this was handled well and respectfully given her past. We could see their relationship and trust grow and Enzo is so in love that he was willing to be patient and wait indefinitely. I liked how much she grew to trust him. It wasn’t drawn out or overly dramatic.
👥Dual POV; HEA marriage 1 yr later and then 10 yr later epilogue w 2 kids.
If you can get past the damaged heroine virgin thing, this is a fun quick read with an OTT H and shy but spunky heroine.
Small moments I liked:
- the way he would stop in the gas station, say hi and then just sit in his car and make sure she was safe.
- when he came home shot and she couldn’t help but take care of him, even when she was scared. Taking care of his wound, checking for a fever, and sitting in the chair.
- she was traumatized but she wasn’t a doormat and would openly talk w him
- how he repeatedly asked for consent and to help him understand her trauma so he didn’t trigger her
- later, how she would lean on him when other people came in and he loved to protect her
- when he shared his trauma w her; something he had never told anyone
- when she heard JJ’s voice on the phone, freaked out, and then Enzo realized who it was (traitor) and went back for full vengeance
- how she made herself be brave and speak to him and how much he understood and loved it
- when they went to Minneapolis for a week and stayed in the hotel, cuddled, and went shopping.
Jenna was gang raped 8 years ago by 4 members of a motorcycle gang. She is still dealing wit her trauma, living alone and working at a gas station. While working one night she meets Enzo, a ruthless underworld
crime boss who finds a sweet spot in his heart for her. Enzo is in town from overseas to protect one of his investment warehouses (?) and take down the local motorcycle gang. He has no family, has suffered his own trauma, and trusts almost no one.
Enzo is immediately taken with Jenna and starts visiting and watching over her at work each night. Eventually, after an attack on the gas station, his associate convinces her to take a job working in his house. She doesn’t initially know that he’s the boss or what his job entails.
The tension comes from her realizing and accepting Enzo while also dealing with her trauma and fear of men. She is virtually mute and needs to communicate thru writing. We see her trust in Enzo grow and it’s quite lovely how she opens up and fully trusts him.
He’s fully possessive, can’t stand to be away from her and would burn down the world for her.
❤️No third act breakup
-🗣️Communication - once past the initial confusion over who Enzo is and who she’s working for, they are directly honest with each other about their pasts and trauma.
🫣No OM/OW - he’s been w other women but I don’t think he’s a manwhore; he’s never been in a relationship or had anyone sleep next to him, until her. She was raped at 17 and has no other experience.
⚠️Sexual Assault - she is the victim of a violent and prolonged sexual assault by 4 men; in the past/off page. She is still traumatized and I liked the inclusion of a female friend for her (Enzo’s associate) and that Enzo was so patient. Enzo was also a victim of sexual assault as a youth and they each help each other heal. Both happen off page but are described.
💀Touch her and 💀 vibes. Insta Possessive. Doesn’t like her out of his sight. He stalks her a bit in the beginning, watching her while she works each night and then having cameras in his house.
🔫Violence - Enzo unalives multiple members of the motorcycle club. He admits to being a ruthless assassin.
😉Age gap: Jenna 25(?); Enzo (38)
🛌Forced proximity- she goes to live in and work in his house. He stays away for a few days to let her get adjusted and then shows up w a bullet wound and explains what’s going on - his life, his obsession w her and how’s she’s “his” lol
🏠 Family - she has a mom and sister that don’t know about her rape; they live in Florida. Enzo has his alliance. They each make an appearance in the story, but don’t take away from the plot.
🌶️Spice - this was handled well and respectfully given her past. We could see their relationship and trust grow and Enzo is so in love that he was willing to be patient and wait indefinitely. I liked how much she grew to trust him. It wasn’t drawn out or overly dramatic.
👥Dual POV; HEA marriage 1 yr later and then 10 yr later epilogue w 2 kids.
If you can get past the damaged heroine virgin thing, this is a fun quick read with an OTT H and shy but spunky heroine.
Small moments I liked:
- the way he would stop in the gas station, say hi and then just sit in his car and make sure she was safe.
- when he came home shot and she couldn’t help but take care of him, even when she was scared. Taking care of his wound, checking for a fever, and sitting in the chair.
- she was traumatized but she wasn’t a doormat and would openly talk w him
- how he repeatedly asked for consent and to help him understand her trauma so he didn’t trigger her
- later, how she would lean on him when other people came in and he loved to protect her
- when he shared his trauma w her; something he had never told anyone
- when she heard JJ’s voice on the phone, freaked out, and then Enzo realized who it was (traitor) and went back for full vengeance
- how she made herself be brave and speak to him and how much he understood and loved it
- when they went to Minneapolis for a week and stayed in the hotel, cuddled, and went shopping.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 27, 2025
My Rating: 4-4.5 stars!
**ARC was generously provided in exchange for my honest review.**
Ooh, yeah. Heard has definitely wrapped-up the Mafia Empire series with a fierce, impactful storyline! Although it’s faster-paced storytelling, it packs in vivid backstories, punchy emotions, and plenty of notable developments. However, there are certain developments that do feel abrupt and not as realistic in terms of time taken, but for the most part, it doesn’t take away from the overall story.
Take precaution as this has more graphic darker elements and adult themes in comparison to the previous books in the series, but if you’ve already read the other books then it’s not completely out of this dark mafia’s realm. Enzo and Jenna’s story is not for the fainthearted. It contains sensitive subject matters that some readers may find difficult or triggering to read about. It broaches on child abandonment, homelessness, child abuse/trafficking, sexual assault, violence and torture. It also discusses severe PTSD— resulting in self-isolation and agoraphobic tendencies involving, but not limit to anxiety, panic attacks, fear of public places and interaction. I strongly suggest reading the full list of trigger warnings the author has disclosed at the beginning of the book before proceeding. It’s intended for readers 18+ only.
On a lighter note, those who enjoy K-dramas will undoubtedly find Jenna to be a kindred spirit. I know I do. Hehe. You’ll relate with her thoughts on the simplicity and pureness of these types of romance stories, understand its swoony aspects, and just the joy and desire it brings about. This hobby is incorporated well, not just into Jenna’s day-to-day life, but eventually into the main plot. It’s a cute little detail.
Heard has created some of the most top-tier mafia romances I’ve ever read, but there’s just something extra special about her Cinderella-themed narratives that always gets me every damn time. First with Stolen by a Sinner (from the Sinners series), followed by Drawn to Darkness (from the Kings of Mafia series), and now, The Devil.
This instant attraction, opposite-sides-of-the-tracks story between two solitary characters not only exhibits their unique developing relationship, but also the deep, complex inner-workings of those who’ve experienced unquestionable life-altering trauma and are now living with the aftermath.
There’s a nice balance of light and shade in this book that keeps it going overly dark, or too lighthearted for a mafia romance. Whilst the gritty and/or gloomy scenes can be tough to read through, I also found it to be the parts that was emotionally impactful and gave the book most of its weightiness.
I appreciate the diverse MCs Heard has decided to put in the forefront, and happy their story lives up to its premise. Enzo and Jenna are both genuine characters. They’re not your typical personalities, but that’s what makes them so intriguing, especially when interacting with others.
Both MCs have horrific backstories, but the main storyline focuses on Jenna’s, and when you discover what she has been through, you’ll understand the deep satisfaction of seeing vengeance take place.
There is plenty of sweet, and eventual spice. But if you love the movie Taken, then you’re in for a treat. This book satisfies the thrills and spills you’ll be craving, and delivers on all the revenge goodness.
This book highlights the power of family and friendships too. The previous cast of characters from this series all make an appearance and really solidifies their strong support system. And with what Enzo and Jenna have both gone through, there isn’t a more deserving pair of characters to get a HEA.
If you want a little heat, you got it. If you want sweet and swoony, it has it in spades. If you want some build-up that keeps you on the edge of your seat, be prepared. If you like overly protective, hella possessive MMCs who fall first and fall fast, then Enzo is your man. If you like shy FMCs who live a simple life and has a quiet inner strength to them, then you’ll find Jenna relatable.
All in all, Heard has written a heartrending story that touches on real-life matters that you can’t help but connect with. But it’s also uplifting, healing, and provides a sense of contentment. It’s both brutal and beautiful, that I think fellow dark mafia romance readers won’t be able to put down.
🚨 Full review on my blog: https://booksofthemuggleborn.wordpres...
**ARC was generously provided in exchange for my honest review.**
Ooh, yeah. Heard has definitely wrapped-up the Mafia Empire series with a fierce, impactful storyline! Although it’s faster-paced storytelling, it packs in vivid backstories, punchy emotions, and plenty of notable developments. However, there are certain developments that do feel abrupt and not as realistic in terms of time taken, but for the most part, it doesn’t take away from the overall story.
Take precaution as this has more graphic darker elements and adult themes in comparison to the previous books in the series, but if you’ve already read the other books then it’s not completely out of this dark mafia’s realm. Enzo and Jenna’s story is not for the fainthearted. It contains sensitive subject matters that some readers may find difficult or triggering to read about. It broaches on child abandonment, homelessness, child abuse/trafficking, sexual assault, violence and torture. It also discusses severe PTSD— resulting in self-isolation and agoraphobic tendencies involving, but not limit to anxiety, panic attacks, fear of public places and interaction. I strongly suggest reading the full list of trigger warnings the author has disclosed at the beginning of the book before proceeding. It’s intended for readers 18+ only.
On a lighter note, those who enjoy K-dramas will undoubtedly find Jenna to be a kindred spirit. I know I do. Hehe. You’ll relate with her thoughts on the simplicity and pureness of these types of romance stories, understand its swoony aspects, and just the joy and desire it brings about. This hobby is incorporated well, not just into Jenna’s day-to-day life, but eventually into the main plot. It’s a cute little detail.
Heard has created some of the most top-tier mafia romances I’ve ever read, but there’s just something extra special about her Cinderella-themed narratives that always gets me every damn time. First with Stolen by a Sinner (from the Sinners series), followed by Drawn to Darkness (from the Kings of Mafia series), and now, The Devil.
This instant attraction, opposite-sides-of-the-tracks story between two solitary characters not only exhibits their unique developing relationship, but also the deep, complex inner-workings of those who’ve experienced unquestionable life-altering trauma and are now living with the aftermath.
There’s a nice balance of light and shade in this book that keeps it going overly dark, or too lighthearted for a mafia romance. Whilst the gritty and/or gloomy scenes can be tough to read through, I also found it to be the parts that was emotionally impactful and gave the book most of its weightiness.
I appreciate the diverse MCs Heard has decided to put in the forefront, and happy their story lives up to its premise. Enzo and Jenna are both genuine characters. They’re not your typical personalities, but that’s what makes them so intriguing, especially when interacting with others.
Both MCs have horrific backstories, but the main storyline focuses on Jenna’s, and when you discover what she has been through, you’ll understand the deep satisfaction of seeing vengeance take place.
There is plenty of sweet, and eventual spice. But if you love the movie Taken, then you’re in for a treat. This book satisfies the thrills and spills you’ll be craving, and delivers on all the revenge goodness.
This book highlights the power of family and friendships too. The previous cast of characters from this series all make an appearance and really solidifies their strong support system. And with what Enzo and Jenna have both gone through, there isn’t a more deserving pair of characters to get a HEA.
If you want a little heat, you got it. If you want sweet and swoony, it has it in spades. If you want some build-up that keeps you on the edge of your seat, be prepared. If you like overly protective, hella possessive MMCs who fall first and fall fast, then Enzo is your man. If you like shy FMCs who live a simple life and has a quiet inner strength to them, then you’ll find Jenna relatable.
All in all, Heard has written a heartrending story that touches on real-life matters that you can’t help but connect with. But it’s also uplifting, healing, and provides a sense of contentment. It’s both brutal and beautiful, that I think fellow dark mafia romance readers won’t be able to put down.
🚨 Full review on my blog: https://booksofthemuggleborn.wordpres...
November 19, 2025
If Michelle Heard ever writes a grocery list, I swear I'd read it. But The Devil? THIS ONE? This one had me kicking my feet, clutching my chest, sobbing, and pacing my living room like a deranged Victorian widow. 😭🖤✨
This book is the perfect cocktail of:
emotionally broken cinnamon-roll-but-also-sociopathic antihero 🍬🔪
traumatized sunshine who hides her glow ☀️🥺
mafia dramaaaa 💣😈
revenge so satisfying I nearly clapped IRL 👏
and romance so tender it gave me heart palpitations ❤️🔥
🖤 ENZO “THE DEVIL” OLIVEIRA: MY NEW FAVORITE UNHINGED MAN 😮💨
Let me be clear:
Enzo is CRAZY.
Like “I would commit seventeen felonies for you without blinking” crazy.
Like “I tracked your schedule but it’s hot, not creepy” crazy.
Like “If anyone touches you, they’re dead before they realize it” crazy.
And somehow…
I love him.
Like deeply. Intensely. Possibly concerningly. 😭🔥
He walks around in this beautifully controlled, quiet, deadly aura, and the second he sees Jenna?
DONE.
Game over.
Man folded like a lawn chair at a family BBQ. 😂💀
But what got me???
The gentleness.
THE PATIENCE.
This man treats Jenna like she’s something holy, and for someone who sees himself as the devil, that contrast HIT HARD. 😭🕊️
🤍 JENNA: MY SWEET BRAVE BABY ANGEL 😭
Jenna DESTROYED ME.
She’s shy, soft-spoken, anxious, and carrying trauma so heavy it practically drips from the page. She’s the kind of heroine you want to hug, wrap in a blanket, feed soup to, and protect from the entire world. 🥹🫶
Yet she’s STRONG in quiet ways.
She keeps going.
She keeps surviving.
She keeps hoping, even when she thinks she isn’t.
And watching her gradually trust Enzo…
Slowly open up…
Start to LIVE again…
It was one of the most beautiful emotional arcs I’ve read in a dark romance. 🥺💖
🔥 THEIR CHEMISTRY = DELICIOUS SLOW BURN TORTURE 😭🔥
Let me set the scene:
She can barely look him in the eyes.
He won’t stop looking at her.
She flinches at men.
He moves like he’s afraid to break her.
She whispers.
He listens like it’s a prayer. 😭💔
And when the walls start coming down…?
OH.
OH IT'S OVER FOR ME.
Their connection is tender. Patient. Protective. Healing.
And THEN…
Michelle Heard drops the SPICE and I had to take a lap around my house. 😳🔥💦
💣 ACTION, REVENGE & THE ALLIANCE CREW 🤌
This book does NOT forget its mafia vibes.
We have:
a motorcycle club causing chaos 🏍️💥
Enzo handling business (and by business I mean bodies) ☠️
the other alliance members showing up like chaotic uncles with too many guns 😂
Cassia being a queen as always ✨
and SANTIAGO… still unhinged, still hilarious, still iconic 🃏💀
When Enzo goes feral for Jenna?
I SWORE I SAW FLAMES COMING OFF MY KINDLE. 🔥📚🔥
😭 THE ENDING??? MY HEART MELTED INTO A PUDDLE
The ending isn’t just a HEA…
It’s a HEALING arc.
A whole-broken-souls-finding-light kind of ending.
A “they deserve this peace after EVERYTHING” ending.
I closed the book smiling like a fool, clutching my chest, borderline sobbing. 😭❤️
Michelle Heard truly saved one of the best love stories for last in this series.
✨ FINAL THOUGHTS ✨
If you love:
💀 obsessive soft-for-one-man
🖤 trauma healing arcs
🔥 slow-burn tension
❤️ found family
⚔️ violent devotion
🥺 emotionally broken characters who choose each other
🥵 spice that makes you forget your own name
Then The Devil will own you completely and joyfully.
Michelle Heard delivers DARK, DELICATE, AND DEVASTATING in the best way possible.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A breathtaking romance about two shattered souls choosing each other in a world that tried to break them both.
Would I read it again?
YES.
Would I sell my soul for more alliance books?
ALSO YES. 😈🔥
This book is the perfect cocktail of:
emotionally broken cinnamon-roll-but-also-sociopathic antihero 🍬🔪
traumatized sunshine who hides her glow ☀️🥺
mafia dramaaaa 💣😈
revenge so satisfying I nearly clapped IRL 👏
and romance so tender it gave me heart palpitations ❤️🔥
🖤 ENZO “THE DEVIL” OLIVEIRA: MY NEW FAVORITE UNHINGED MAN 😮💨
Let me be clear:
Enzo is CRAZY.
Like “I would commit seventeen felonies for you without blinking” crazy.
Like “I tracked your schedule but it’s hot, not creepy” crazy.
Like “If anyone touches you, they’re dead before they realize it” crazy.
And somehow…
I love him.
Like deeply. Intensely. Possibly concerningly. 😭🔥
He walks around in this beautifully controlled, quiet, deadly aura, and the second he sees Jenna?
DONE.
Game over.
Man folded like a lawn chair at a family BBQ. 😂💀
But what got me???
The gentleness.
THE PATIENCE.
This man treats Jenna like she’s something holy, and for someone who sees himself as the devil, that contrast HIT HARD. 😭🕊️
🤍 JENNA: MY SWEET BRAVE BABY ANGEL 😭
Jenna DESTROYED ME.
She’s shy, soft-spoken, anxious, and carrying trauma so heavy it practically drips from the page. She’s the kind of heroine you want to hug, wrap in a blanket, feed soup to, and protect from the entire world. 🥹🫶
Yet she’s STRONG in quiet ways.
She keeps going.
She keeps surviving.
She keeps hoping, even when she thinks she isn’t.
And watching her gradually trust Enzo…
Slowly open up…
Start to LIVE again…
It was one of the most beautiful emotional arcs I’ve read in a dark romance. 🥺💖
🔥 THEIR CHEMISTRY = DELICIOUS SLOW BURN TORTURE 😭🔥
Let me set the scene:
She can barely look him in the eyes.
He won’t stop looking at her.
She flinches at men.
He moves like he’s afraid to break her.
She whispers.
He listens like it’s a prayer. 😭💔
And when the walls start coming down…?
OH.
OH IT'S OVER FOR ME.
Their connection is tender. Patient. Protective. Healing.
And THEN…
Michelle Heard drops the SPICE and I had to take a lap around my house. 😳🔥💦
💣 ACTION, REVENGE & THE ALLIANCE CREW 🤌
This book does NOT forget its mafia vibes.
We have:
a motorcycle club causing chaos 🏍️💥
Enzo handling business (and by business I mean bodies) ☠️
the other alliance members showing up like chaotic uncles with too many guns 😂
Cassia being a queen as always ✨
and SANTIAGO… still unhinged, still hilarious, still iconic 🃏💀
When Enzo goes feral for Jenna?
I SWORE I SAW FLAMES COMING OFF MY KINDLE. 🔥📚🔥
😭 THE ENDING??? MY HEART MELTED INTO A PUDDLE
The ending isn’t just a HEA…
It’s a HEALING arc.
A whole-broken-souls-finding-light kind of ending.
A “they deserve this peace after EVERYTHING” ending.
I closed the book smiling like a fool, clutching my chest, borderline sobbing. 😭❤️
Michelle Heard truly saved one of the best love stories for last in this series.
✨ FINAL THOUGHTS ✨
If you love:
💀 obsessive soft-for-one-man
🖤 trauma healing arcs
🔥 slow-burn tension
❤️ found family
⚔️ violent devotion
🥺 emotionally broken characters who choose each other
🥵 spice that makes you forget your own name
Then The Devil will own you completely and joyfully.
Michelle Heard delivers DARK, DELICATE, AND DEVASTATING in the best way possible.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A breathtaking romance about two shattered souls choosing each other in a world that tried to break them both.
Would I read it again?
YES.
Would I sell my soul for more alliance books?
ALSO YES. 😈🔥
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