It All Started with a Bad Hand: A Dark Mafia Romance

Bad Start Series #1

by Eden Mitchells

SHE WAS GIVEN A WAY OUT. HE WON'T LET HER GO.

MARISOL

I didn’t think twice when I engaged in the card game to save a friend. What I didn’t anticipate was capturing his attention in the process.

One thing leads to another, and I find myself claimed by him.

To regain my freedom, all I have to do is win a single game of cards.

I can try as many times as it takes, but the more I lose, the more helpless I become in his dark web.

LEO

It was just another Friday night at Chancellors. That is, until I spotted an unfamiliar face demanding entry into my VIP room.

One game was all it took for her to become the subject of my obsession. And once that happens, there's nothing she can do to stop me.

I gave her a way out of our little game, but I have no intention of ever letting her go.

Tropes
Dark mafia romance
Enemies to lovers romance
Touch her and die
He falls first
Card Games

This book marks the beginning of the Bad Start Series, a dark romance series of interconnected standalone books taking place in a shared universe. This book should be read first before any other. Please check the author's note before reading.

Genres: Dark Romance

407 pages, Paperback

Published April 22, 2026

About the author

Eden Mitchells is a Canadian author.

Having fallen in love with reading and writing from a young age, she aspired to bring different worlds full of action, adventure, and romance to life.

She has a BS in Biology degree from Dalhousie University out in Halifax, NS and a MS from University of Florida in Forensic Science. In her free time, Eden will indulge in kickboxing, watching cat videos, and trying new foods.

Reviews

[Chy]

Thank you Eden for letting me ARC read this too!!!


Marisol and Leo were very comedic and i enjoyed their banter and even when she tried not too fall for him she did. I liked getting to know about her friends and seeing the small details we saw of who the couples will be in the other books was also exciting

I definitely enjoyed their banter character development more than the storyline at times but it was still an easy read and i am very intrigued for the next book and for the next couple

4 ⭐️

[Emmy Wong]

I was so excited to get this book because I love Eden, and I love a mafia romance. A game of cards decided her fate and damn I was hooked from the first second. Leo has that dominating presence you can feel radiating off the page, which makes it even better when he becomes a softie for Marisol at the end. The plot was amazing, she enters a marriage with his brother to try to get away from him… but should know by now that her “creepy stalker” wasn’t going to let a mere engagement get in his way. The card games? Genius. I have absolutely no idea how to play poker but they had me on my toes! I love how it was sort of a “rivalry” for them, or more like Marisol desperately trying to win him haha. But it was their chemistry and the angst that had my heart on a chokehold. There’s this forbidden love aspect because of her engagement but gosh the way they yearn for each other!!! This book is guaranteed emotional harm because I cried multiple times when reading this. But watch out for those absolutely diabolical plot twists, she lures you into this false sense of security and happiness then takes it all away in a split second. Absolute masterpiece. The transition from Mia Rosa (my rose) to my Sol (my soul) was the most romantic thing ever because after that he keeps thinking about how she brought light and hope back into him, and how she keeps him alive. If you never believed in love, read this book because Leo Giovanni will change your mind. The way this man YEARNS and basically WORSHIPS the ground she walks on should be studied for the way it makes me feral. I loved Marisol too, she’s a badass CEO, and so protective and loyal. The other characters were also so fun! I can’t wait to read what’s next in this series. This book is perfect for any enemies to lovers and mafia romance enthusiast, and I give it a 5/5

[Cassandra Yuzak]

Fun, banter, kidnapping and family what more could you want!

So good, hilarious overlap with the groups. Marisol and her friends are straight up trouble, there are so many questions I have about the friends but I am excited for the rest of the series for those answers. Leo is such an obsessive character that I wasn't sure if I would like him, but he is such a sweetheart to her that I couldn't help but love him too. I am really looking forward to this series.

[Melanie Marchionda]

I really wish Goodreads allowed half stars because it was 3.5 stars for me!

I loved the relationship between Marisol, her friends and her family! She had such a good support system. The author was so creative in using card games throughout the book. It just felt like some scenes were rushed through so I wish there were more details/explanations.

[Courtney B]

Thank you so much to Eden for this eARC!!

This was my first mafia romance and now I need more of it. Leo and Marisol are incredibly easy to fall in love with and their witty banter with one another is top tier and clearly my love language. It was such a fun, fast paced, and easy read, that I was flying through the pages and finished before I realized I even began.

Marisol is definitely one of those FMC that will keep you on your toes and she is not afraid to go toe to toe with Leo, which made this book so interesting and had me giggling. The level of petty on this girl when she decides to get a fiance to essentially screw with Leo's mind....delicious. I LOVE a MMC who is obsessed with the FMC and will hurt anyone that tries and gets close to her. It is definitely one of my favorite tropes, and this book was filled with it.

I especially loved how different this book was for me since it was all based around the scenario of Marisol needing to win a card game against Leo, "for her freedom." Although I have NO CLUE about most of the card games, it was fun and interesting to read and the "Go Fish" scene was the one that definitely made me smile.

As much fun as it was to see Marisol and Leo dance around each other and constantly push each other's boundaries, I loved the little glimpses into each of the side characters as well. You can quickly pick up on who will develop relationships for future books and I'm already excited about some of those stories! I can't forget to mention the plot outside of all of this and the constant danger that keeps plaguing the main characters...had me on the edge of my seat! There were definitely a few moments there I wasn't sure what was going to happen and what the outcome would be.

If you love:
- Mafia Romance
- Card Games
- Enemies to Lovers
- He Falls First
- Touch her and be unalived
- Obsessed MMC

...this is FOR YOU!

[Chasity Myers]

Loved it!
If you’re looking for a mafia Romance with mUrd€r,
speed racing and kidnapping, this book is for you.

Plot ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 🌶️

Tropes
Mafia romance
Enemies to lovers
He Falls first
Touch her and ☠️
Found family

I was instantly drawn into the story— casinos, card games, hot guys with guns. Leo and Marisol go through a myriad of obstacles with multiple side characters to support and antagonize them on the way. Well rounded story with a plot that keeps you on your toes.

I can’t wait to read more from Eden!

[Hallie Raine]

✨ARC REVIEW✨

leo leo leo. the obsession, the lust, and the protectiveness.

this was a great book. i love how strong and sure of herself the fmc was. i loved that she could play dirty too to get what she wanted.

future ceo fmc, caught in a game of poker to save her friend she loses the last game and becomes his. until she decides to an arranged marriage to his brother 🤭

be sure to check it out 4/22 you won’t want to miss this one!!

[Chelsea Isabella]

I'm usually a slow reader, but the fact that it only took me 3 days to finish this book says a lot about how engaging and fun the story was. Actually, I was drawn by the card games trope and I was not disappointed. There were LOTS of card games in this book :D BUT my most fav scene? The car chase and the 'events' after it 🖤🤭

Thanks author for accepting me as your ARC reader! All the best 🖤

[Kariane Hamelin]

DNF after 4 chapters. Just no.