Niall

Vigilance #2

by Silvia Violet

There’s a fine line between hate and desire.

I used to be FBI. Now I’m on the opposite side of the law, part of an underground organization with lots more freedom to give the bad guys what they deserve.

When I meet Marcus, it’s hate at first sight. Only my intense sense of duty keeps me from revolting when my assignment to stop a depraved crime ring leads to me pretending to be Marcus’s lover.

It’s not easy to stay angry with him day after day when he’s the only person I can trust. Too much time spent in close proximity has me giving into desire for him, then wondering if Marcus might be the man who can thaw my icy heart.

Genres: M M Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Crime, Romance, Contemporary, BDSM, Action

228 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 23, 2020

About the author

Silvia Violet writes fun, sexy stories that will leave you smiling and satisfied. She has a thing for characters who are in need of comfort and enjoys helping them surrender to love even when they doubt it exists. Silvia's stories include sizzling contemporaries, paranormals, and historicals. When she needs a break from listening to the voices in her head, she spends time baking, taking long walks, and curling up with her favorite books. Keep up with her latest ventures by signing up for her newsletter.

For insider information, early looks at works-in-progress, and other rewards, join Silvia on Patreon.

Reviews

[the kevin (vaguely alive) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Upon later reflection: the kink shaming in this is too egregious to be swept under the rug for me.

It’s mentioned in my original review below, but I feel it needs particular emphasis. I felt that Marco was frequently shaming Niall for liking to be submissive, which is extraordinarily gross. Not only is it cruel, but in the words of someone else: “That's gross and I would file that under homophobia and misogyny judging a culturally thought of "feminine" position”, which I fully agree with.

I am lowering my rating because of how…unpleasant I find this treatment.



Original review:

I should preface with the fact that I didn't read the original series, since this is a spin-off, and I also skipped the first book in the series. This did okay as a standalone, but there were a lot of characters from the earlier series, and references to plots (even beyond the first in this series) so I got a bit lost at times. Or it felt like there was a lot of page space taken up with explaining the previous books (not just the one before this). Anyway, that part's a bit on me.

This had a bit of the instalust "electric shock at touching" deal, but then they also immediately fucked so I guess there's that at least. They ended up having something akin to instalove too, in the sense that they fall in love without much basis for said emotions.

Character-wise, they are described as distinct, and should have independent behavior...but with the dual POV, I often forgot who was talking and whose chapter I was in. They were both a bit flat and colorless ultimately. A fair amount of the book is taken up with their verbal sparring, which while it sets the scenes and their animosity, also felt like it took too much pagespace from developing them further as characters or the plot itself. I do appreciate the actual development of the enemies/animosity though, that's often lost in the enemies to lovers attempts.

The one part that really ticked me off, is that it felt like Niall was getting shamed or mocked by Marco/other people for his sexual desires of being dominated. Marco was almost cruel at times. It felt pretty gross, since it clearly takes a lot for someone (in general, let alone a strong person like Niall) to submit like that...and to someone he doesn't want to want at that. It would have been better if other characters (especially marco) weren't so shitty to him about that.

Overall, not too bad, but also nothing special. The mocking of sexual kinks was rude and lowered my enjoyment. The plot was a little thin on the ground, the bad guys being fairly transparent and easy to deal with.

[♡ sorcerer supreme ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cocky, hot, and hilarious!

[Skirmish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book Reaction: https://neverhollowed.com/2021/04/16/...
Rating: 3.5 Stars – that place between like and love

[Kaity · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This was way more enjoyable that book 1. I don’t this would work very well as a standalone since the villains were carried over from the previous book.

Niall and Marco were good compliments of each other when they didn’t want to rip each others heads off haha .

Yes this was a very fast enemies to lovers but I enjoyed this that I didn’t care. I can’t wait for Leo’s book!

[Simona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marco is 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[Devoted❤️Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let go

I volunteer to be on an island with any of Vigilance but especially, Niall and Marco. I am absolutely enthralled with this series. It’s high-intensity action paired with high-stakes love and I can’t get enough. “I’m not going to lie you. You pi$$ me off. You drive me crazy, but I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anyone.” Marco and Niall are so smoking hot I kept expecting my Kindle to catch fire. I loved their passionate back and forth, their possessiveness and when they let go, oh I swear I heard the sky sing. Niall and Marco are the pair for me and I’m so happy there’s more amazing books to come in this fantastic series.

[E.Muddle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marco and Niall are pure chemistry! They're smoking hot together, and as always with this series, I could not get enough of these guys. It's a fantastic enemies-to-lovers story, with a fake relationship and forced proximity, and some highly entertaining back and forth as Marco and Niall fight each other for what they truly want. It made the tension between them almost unbearably intense to the point where I was just salivating over them. A great action-packed, well-paced story with another perfect for each other couple. I cannot wait for more from this series!

[Jennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book starts by getting straight into the action.
Niall and Marco begin with a mutual dislike of each other.
I really enjoyed the way they were together.  The bickering and teasing was fun and entertaining.
I was invested in the mission as well as watching them both try to get along.
Mutual attraction coupled with a strong dislike and grudging respect makes for a fun and interesting story full of smoking hot sexy times, excitement and danger.
I look forward to Leo's story.

[Badh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Niall and Marcus have that hate f&*(*&g down but good. I love how much passion there is between the two of them, even when they swear that they hate each other.

I really enjoy this series, and I am looking forward to seeing where the author is going to go with them.

[Mildred · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic!!!!

[Read-A-Book Everyday Reviews!!!]

Another DNF at 17%
I am having KU loss of interest
So many mediocre books 📚 on there that it is hard to find the 5 stars

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars ... enjoyable read

[♥ Rebecca ♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this! And I cant wait for Leo's book! Please tell me the love interest is the waitor from the cafe!
🙏 And I would love for there to be a companion book about how Dalton and Walsh met! 😍

[Lelyana's Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this one just fine. But I think the chemistry between Niall and Marco is a little bit off.
I liked Gio and Lane better.

[Cat LeFey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, so this plot has no basis in reality but it's a mobster fantasy. I just go with it, and assume it exists in an alternate universe. This one was pretty sexy and kinky, but Marco's personality grated, and the voices weren't unique enough. I forgot I can't read Silvia Violet series all in a row because they're awfully formulaic and prone to grammar errors, it gives me reader fatigue.

[Clara · Rating 2 out of 5]

It Marginally Improved

Look, no one should read this series hoping for amazing dialogue and well developed characters. Is it entertaining? Of course. Is it spicy? Sure. But it’s really hard to ignore the stilted dialogue and the major telling without showing. Entire scenes take place in just a few sentences because we’re told over and over what’s happening.

The overall plot was slightly improved in this book but not by much. The romance was basically an enemies to lovers to love but in the span of like three days.

Despite all that am I still going to read the next book because I don’t have anything better and I’m curious enough about the other characters and the continuation of the plot?

Ugh, I guess.


Tropes: Forced Proximity, Enemies to Lovers, Action/Suspense, Dual POV
Rating: ⭐️⭐️ 2/5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️ 2/5
Relationship: MM

[Melissa Polk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm such a sucker for this series. Love these badass men turning into mushy piles of feelings. Seriously. How often can you say "oh, yeah, that book with the plot centering on human trafficking? Wasn't that the sweetest love story ever?" It's messed up, but it's true. Looking forward to the next book!

re-read: still love it. still think it was adorable despite the serious plotline.

this and all future re-reads: look, I unapologetically love this series.

[ML · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hate turns to love in this high action story told in dual POV.
We get to know more about Niall and Marco as they take down a human trafficking ring. This was very hot from the start. And it got hotter, as the story progressed, the two started to develop feelings.

This was very fast paced story and I loved it. I can hardly wait until book 3!!!

[Larissa_S · Rating 4 out of 5]

**4.5 stars**
Niall is the second entry in the Vigilance series, a spinoff of popular The Marchesi Family series (Lucien, Angelo and Devil). You do not need to have read Giorgio to follow and enjoy Niall. A caution, though: Having now read Giorgio Vigilance Book #1 and now Niall Book #2, I do recommend reading the entire Marchesi Family series before reading the Vigilance series. I say this not because you need to read that series to understand or enjoy Giorgio or Niall, but because some of the MCs, specifically Devil Marchesi, prominently appear in the Vigilance series and you may encounter spoilers if you haven’t read the Marchesi trilogy first.

So now back to Niall: This is a fabulous book. Our couple in this one is Niall, former FBI agent turned vigilante member of Vigilance, and Marco, who is not a Vigilance member, but works closely with the Marchesi Family and has been working independently to take down the same human trafficking organization as Vigilance. They are paired up by the mysterious X, who owns Vigilance, to infiltrate a meeting with the key players in the trafficking ring to try to gather enough information to take them down. Oh, did I mention that when I say “paired up”, I literally mean they have to act like they are a pair/pretend couple? Niall has to pretend to be the submissive boy-toy of Marco for the week-long meeting on a remote island retreat of one of the prime players. And did I mention that Niall and Marco hate each other? Hate at first sight in fact. Well, hate and love are two sides of the same coin as Marco and Niall discover.

The pervasive thread thus far in the Vigilance series is control. In Giorgio, there are all kinds of control issues, but they are different from the battle of wills between Marco and Niall. In Niall, these two strong, powerful, angry, stubborn men wrestle for control over each other and sparks fly. Marco and Niall have crackling chemistry and they know how to push each other’s buttons. Niall is traumatized from a near-death experience on his final FBI mission where he was betrayed by someone he trusted. He hasn’t been able to go undercover since and panics at the thought of trusting anyone and leaving himself vulnerable again. He is uptight, hyper-organized, needs to be in charge, and keeps his feelings, emotions and needs locked down tight. He’s not happy, but figures this is the way he has to live to survive. Enter Marco, who wants nothing more than to make Niall submit. He finds Niall’s need for control to be infuriating and his stubbornness beyond annoying, but at the same time, it stokes some inner fire, attraction and need to have him. And so the power struggle plays out, with Marco working to break Niall and Niall secretly wanting to be broken, but not willing to trust anyone enough to let his guard down and submit.

All of the hate between Marco and Niall translates to crazy sexual tension which quickly becomes hot, scorching sex. Lots and lots of 5-alarm-fire level hate sex. But as the book goes on, the sex is no longer driven by hate … it becomes something more that neither Marco or Niall want to acknowledge.

The backbone of this story is the mission and there’s lots of action and suspense. Unfortunately, the plot had potential that wasn’t exploited, which is a shame because there was a lot there to work with. The cast of characters on the island was diverse and complex, and with perhaps one exception, you couldn’t readily tell what anyone's true motive or role was. There was so much more suspense and action that could have been milked from that setup and the character dynamics, but it was rushed to the conclusion and we missed out on experiencing it. The sex became the primary focus and the plot felt like simply a backdrop for more sex scenes. If the sex and suspense/action had been a little more balanced, this story would have been perfect.

Overall, this is a great book and I recommend it. It’s well written, the characters are engaging and the push-pull dynamics between Marco and Niall are captivating. You can’t help but like them individually, and love them together as a couple. They are a pair that definitely clicks. Additionally, despite the action, suspense and sex, the author manages to thread some subtle humor throughout, which was unexpected. I’m eager to read the next book in this series, Leo, to see what happens next in this continuing storyline. But never fear, Niall definitely has an HEA of its own.

[jenny · Rating 1 out of 5]

Man, there’s so may things that are wrong in this book :| I know I’m going to be hated for this, but I have to say it.

The lines between consent and coercion were very blurred between the main two characters. I don’t know who told this author it was ok but they should have done more research into Dominant/Submissive relationships before writing this book because I am sure as hell it’s not how this two characters started out. *THERE MAY BE SOME SPOILERS AHEAD*

At the beginning it mostly looks like Marco forcing his will on Niall, even when Niall seems to enjoy it, and there are ways to make someone’s body enjoy something the person doesn’t want, so either way it was distasteful. Also, the two main characters kept on questioning themselves and asking themselves rhetoric questions all the time about their “relationship” and what they really want and Niall questioning himself about his submissive tendencies (even after admitting that he was in a Dominant/submissive relationship before). Like, seriously? It’s ok to have doubts about something like this, but after trying so many times and you’re still questioning yourself? there must be something really wrong there, which made the consent even more dubious, and what threw me off the most. Like, we have way too many pricks out there, in the world, that think they know what other people want, and that “no” means “convince me”. They don’t need any more fuel to feed their messed up beliefs. And yes, there are people out there who believe everything they read and watch, even when it’s obviously fictitious (a misogynistic creep told me this year, in 2021 “Women like guys that treat them badly, so we have to treat them badly, I see it all the time on TV and on the Internet” and yes, that was said in a serious conversation, by a grown adult Caucasian male in his early twenties).

I did liked that during the mission Marco and Niall got to know more about each other and that they actually have some things in common, and develop some kind of tentative friendship. However, it got ruined by them confessing love for each other. I mean, in a high stress situation where your life is in danger, gratitude and comradely can be easily mistaken for love, and even more so, when the people in question have some type of physical relationship.

The only saving grace for Marco and Niall was that at the end, the author show them deciding to get to know each other, and taking it one day at a time, and then later in a vacation after they’ve been living together for a while. Other wise I would have written and emphasized “Zero stars” in the description.
So, because of all of the above, although I think this is my first time reading a book by this author, it may be my last.

[Natosha Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Man, this series just got better with this book. I loved every minute of this read! It has so many aspects to it. There is the danger, the enemies-to-lovers plot, mystery, and even some humor. I have to say, I am really and truly enjoying each new book as it comes out and cannot wait for the next one.

Niall is a former FBI agent who went to work for Vigilance. With all the new information of human trafficking steadily coming to light, Niall knows it is a matter of time before the company he works for tries to get to more of the players involved and he cannot wait. Or at least he can’t until he finds out he is going undercover with the one guy he is trying to avoid at all costs.

Marco has not forgotten about the one and only time that Niall gave in to his desires with him. Even though it was one of his hottest encounters with someone, Marco still cannot stand Niall. He is stuck up and thinks he knows everything. So when Mr. X decides these two need to work together to bring down the trafficking ring, Marco is not happy at first. When the plan is laid out as to how they will infiltrate the ring, well let’s just say, Marco has a change of heart and cannot wait. Having Niall act as his submissive for this mission is exactly what Marco wants and Niall needs.

Once these two finally get on the same page for the mission, everything moves along rather quickly, including their overwhelming attraction/hate for one another. But can hate turn into something more?

As the danger increases for these two, so do their feelings for each other. When an unexpected ally gives them a heads-up that their cover has been blown, it puts a new fire under these two men to not only get out alive but on their feelings for the other and their determination to take these men down.

Can these two men work well enough together to finally cut the head off of the snake or will the snake once again slither away?

This was another incredible read! I can honestly say that I truly love this series and cannot wait for Leo’s book to come out! More importantly, I truly hope that Mr. X gets a book because that is one story I definitely want!

NOTE: This book was provided by the author for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Niall by author Silvia Violet is the second book in the Vigilance series. This story is told in dual POV. I loved that can really sink into what each character is thinking and feeling. This book is a scorcher. Wow. I loved the chemistry and connection that Marco and Niall have.

I also liked that each has a little of what the other needs. I am not just talking in the sheets either. They each emotionally have something the other needs to be complete.

Marco runs a pawnshop. He has distanced himself from his crime family upbringing as much as he can. He will break the law just not the big stuff. He works for Vigilance. He is a dominate and loyal as they come.

Niall: he is broken when we meet him. He is going through a ton. He is strong-willed and smart. He is a planner. He also is in need of letting go and Marco is perfect for him even if he doesn’t think so at first. He is a member of Vigilance and an ex FBI agent. He likes his suits as well.

Overall, I loved this story. It is a little rough, a lot of heat, and great story writing that makes this a book I will have on my keeper shelf. I cannot wait for more from this series in the future. It is one of my favorites. If you like to fall in love and have a great action-packed storyline, I highly suggest picking up this story. Though part of a series can be read as a standalone novel.

Five Shooting Stars

[Amy Stauffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ooooooh I love a good enemies to lovers story, and this one definitely delivered. Silvia Violet is good with dark, dangerous men, and packs a lot of heat in the storyline, that’s for sure.

Both of these men have their reasons to take down this human trafficking ring. They also despise each other. When an opportunity arrises, they are forced to work together. In order to further their chances to bring the bad guys down, they must pose as a couple. It’s not long before the lines begin to blur and no one knows what’s real or not real.

I love how the underlying story, that began in the Marchesi Family Series, continues in this series. I enjoy the crossover in characters as well. That being the case, the books are really best read in order. The only thing that stands alone, is the relationship of the main characters. While the plot thread will continue on in the next book, Niall and Marco found their HEA.

This was a well written story, and very thought out background story. The characters are well developed and engaging. Despite their criminal involvement, they’re very easy to love and root for.

I can not wait to see what happens next. Will Leo eat his words? Will Senator Swain be stopped? Only Silvia Violet knows for now...

***I voluntarily accepted an advanced readers copy from Gay Romance Reviews. My review reflects my own thoughts and opinions***

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy hotness continues within the Vigilance series! I neglected all the things when this hit my Kindle and it was totally worth it. Niall and Marco had the most amazing chemistry, I loved it! Two words: hate sex. Two more: so hot! I loved the enemies to lovers, forced proximity and the struggle for dominance between the two of them. In the continuation of Vigilance’s major objective of bringing down a suspected trafficking ring, Niall was forced to work the latest mission undercover with Marco. Putting these two together was explosive from the start. I loved Niall. He put in a strong, tough exterior but on the inside he wanted someone to take the weight off his shoulders and to be cared for. Marco was just as complex. A gruff exterior, he was afraid to get close to anyone because those he cared and trusted always turned on him. Niall brought out the protector in him, and he wanted to take away those burdens for Niall. As you’ve come to expect with the Vigilance series there is fantastic action, super steamy sexy times, and some gruff guys you love watching fall in love. I highly recommend Niall and Marco’s story, as well as the whole Vigilance (and Marchesi Family) series! I’m so eager for the next installment with Leo’s story!

[Mandy (MP Book Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Niall had worked for the FBI and now worked for Vigilance which gave him more freedom to take down the bad guys. When he meets Marcus it is hate at first sight but his sense of duty makes him handle it when they have to work together to stop a depraved crime ring leads to him pretending to be Marcus’s lover. He can't stay angry when Marcus is the only person he can trust and proximity has Niall giving into his desire for Marcus and wondering if Marcus might be the man who can thaw his icy heart.

This story shows that there is a close line between love and hate. I loved the way that they seemed to rub each other up the wrong way but it also stoked the fire of passion between them. It was great to have Niall put outside of his comfort zone and his boring suits which pegged him as FBI to anyone. The danger they were in for this mission meant they had to trust each other quickly to defend each other and that worked to deepen the relationship between them. Easy to read, feel and understand. This was an MM story with mature content.

[read•me•romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Niall // Vigilance 2 //Silvia Violet

This series is such a blast! Sexy group of gay assassins? All the possessive, protective vibes? Yes, Please! Book two brought us rough around the edges, mafia connected Marco and former buttoned up FBI agent, Niall. Niall is terrified of the way he wants to submit to Marco. Through in some sexy undercover and these two are forced to confront their nature and pull to each other. A fantastic 2nd book to a spicy and suspenseful series!

🎧 Fantastic Audio
🗡️ Team of Assassins
✨ “Business” Associates
🗂️ Buttoned Up Former FBI Agent
🥀Mafia Wild- Child
🖤 Hate to Love
❤️‍🔥 Shmink Discovery
🏝️ Sexy Undercover Situation
💥 Action / Suspense

🔥
Strict Top/ Bottom: No, Vers.
Struggle/ Primal
Dominance / Submission
Switching
Cocky Dom
Assassin in the Streets, Submissive in the sheets
Rough 6
Role Play that’s maybe not Playing
Sp@nking

[Shana_Bobana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is Steam AF and impossible to put down. I know I will be rereading it in the not to distant future.

Niall and Marco hate each other (at least that’s what they tell themselves.) After one night together they manage to go a year without seeing each other. Their desire to take down a human trafficking ring forces them to pretend to be together.

With the forced proximity and the incredible stress they decide to turn to each other to “relax”. They have insane chemistry together even if they both keep pretending it means nothing.

The pacing is perfect. It never feels like it’s dragging on, or speeding past important details. I’m already excited to read Leo’s story.

I did receive a free ARC of this book but that did not influence my review.

[Lisa Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast paced vigilante justice

This is the second book in the Vigilance series and this time it is Niall's - works for Vigilance and Marco's - a gangster and friend of the Marchesi, story. It takes place while Vigilance is trying to take down a large human trafficking ring. They need to pretend to be boyfriend on an island where the ring leaders of the trafficking ring are meeting. In order to pull this off Niall needs to submit to Marco. This starts a battle of wills which leads to a HEA. The clothes shopping scene and the one upmanship is hilarious. The underlying arc is still on going so we still have to wait to find out of all the bad guys get their comeuppance. Can't wait for the next book.

[Ida Umphers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Niall and Marco are one hot couple and this book has some of my favorite tropes - forced proximity and enemies to lovers. It also has a great spin on another favorite trope which is the grumpy/sunshine one. In this book, we have grumpy and grumpy and it is wonderful to watch them get past each others' barriers and find the caring, protective men inside. I am enjoying the vigilante group trying to bring down the traffickers and in addition to being able to write some of the hottest couple scenes around, Silvia Violet and write some great hard core action/thriller scenes as well. Am always ready for a new entry in this series.

[RACHEL REED · Rating 5 out of 5]

Story: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Narration : ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

This is book 2 in the Vigilance and can be listened to as a standalone.

After listening to Giorgio I immediately headed into this one and wasn't dissapointed in the very least.

This was a steamy, opposites attract, enemies to lovers romance!

The tropes in this one ticked all my boxes.
✅Enemies to lovers
✅Fake Dating
✅Opposites attract

I loved the banter and snark between the characters.
Michael's audio delivery and narration was brilliant as always.
And the steamy scenes are hot! :D

I definitely recommend this series if you like action, adventure and mayhem with a dash of romance!!