Dark Mafia Romance, Contains scenes that could be triggering to some, read with caution. This is book 1 of a trilogy, an epic cliff-hanger can be expected!!
Theo
My whole life was mapped out, designed for me, before I was even a twinkle in my old man's eye. I am the heir to the Valentino throne. A kingdom built with blood and dirty money. But one I'll rule all the same.
My father was the youngest Don to ever be crowned king. However, with any luck, the controlling bastard will drop soon, allowing me to beat his record by a few years.
I love my father-respect the hell out of him. But some of his choices lately, the plans he's laid out for me, they're... archaic. I was happy to go along with his proposition, to embody the role I was assigned at birth. Until I met her.
She wasn't part of his carefully orchestrated game board. She's not part of the lifestyle. She'd get eaten alive if I were to bring her into the fold.
Those innocent emerald eyes of hers hold me captive from the moment our paths collide. To hell with the plans for my future. This girl, who has no place being in my world, has become its entirety.
Holly
A new job. A new city. A new country. This is the new me. Or at least that's what I'm telling myself as I step off the plane at JFK. New York, I couldn't think of a better city to force myself out of my comfort zone, to step out from under my sister's shadow.
My dream once included finding the husband, having the kids, building that white picket fence. It's funny how things change over time.
My new dream? Experience life to the fullest. Explore and discover who I am, without my other half. Surviving the New York culture shock, without getting mugged or killed, is also high on that list.
That is, until I run into him. And just like that, my life takes a one-eighty. Again. There's something dark inside him-it calls to a part of me I never knew existed. Can I really go against my moral compass, every belief I've held onto so tightly, just to answer it? To be with him?
Kylie made the leap from kindergarten teacher to romance author, living out her dream to deliver sexy, always and forever romances. She loves a happily ever after story with tons of built in steam.
She currently resides in Perth, Australia and when she is not dreaming up the latest romance she can be found spending time with her three children and her husband of twenty years, her very own real life instant-love.
Come join me in my reading group on Facebook Kylie's Steam Room.
I needed a mafia series to break my slump and Kylie Kent has done it for me. THANK GOD. Although this book is insta love and they moved super fast the next two books will get interesting after this ending since the plot is finally plotting.
Theo is our male lead who is absolutely obsessed with Holly since the moment he saw her. He knew that he was going to get her and he wasn’t going to let his arranged marriage stop him. There are so many amazing quotes I got from him.
Holly just moved to New York after a lot of family drama I wasn’t expecting her character to be the way she was. She is very head strong in what she wants and I’m so excited to see her grow. I want her to become a badass leader she has the potential and I’m PRAYING she steps up in the next book.
I loved when Holly showed her violent and protective side for Theo. I just know in the next book she is gonna have the best moments.
I NEED a book for Neo I absolutely love his vibe. He definitely has an honourable mention. I just know his book could be my favourite out of all the books in this series.
The ending has me hooked I can’t wait for the next book I just know it’s gonna get better now.
A well deserved 5 stars for this one by Kylie Kent, I received this as an ARC copy. It does end on a cliff hanger but I know this isn't the end for Theo and Holly as there are two more books to follow if which I will be eagerly awaiting for those to come out also. Kylie Kent really does have you guessing the what, where and how in each book she writes and this series is no different. Starts of with insta love at first sight by Theo affectionately known as T but some couples do find the love at first sight so who am I to knock that. He is a made man in the Mafia the son of the Don. Holly is a school teacher from Australia who has always been the little quiet wall flower compared to her twin sister, who has recently got married so Holly decides that it's time to spread her wings so to speak and moves all the way to America to take up a post at a prestigious school. Watch Holly come into her own person and become a more confident kickass woman with T by her side until the end when it ends on a cliff hanger. This book comes out on 28th February and I can't recommend this book or this author enough it truly is a great read. Roll on book two.
2.5 ⭐️ Okay read but nothing that gripped me. It’s very fast paced. Insta love without any romance at the start really. Just very basic. I feel with fast paced books it’s harder to connect with characters.
I'm not going to lie, this book was very silly 😂. Did I eat it up? Yes, I did. It's definitely the kind of dark romance I'm looking for. If you're looking for a quick dark romance book that doesn't romanticise SA/rape/abuse, and has a RESPECTFUL MMC, then this will be for you! In my opinion, it doesn't read like a dark romance at all. I would say it's great for beginners to the genre.
DNF 85% where do I start with this one oh my God! First of all Holly who travels from Australia doesn't know a lick about the States moves to New York to start a new job. Within the second day she's there she runs into Theo I up and coming mob boss or son of my boss it should be. She's a girl that's trying to get out of her sister's Shadow she's a wallflower weak she cries on a drop of a dime. But after a week with Theo she does a complete 180 and can put a gun to a guy's head give me a break. Oh and she knows how to shoot a gun too after just one day of training. Come on Arthur we're not that stupid. But then she doesn't want another 180 and she's back to being a simpering cry baby, doormat. Also, the way that she spoke about his mother to him after his dad was murdered. I would have punched her in the face for that. His mother slapped Theo and she told him her hand needs to be cut off for that. She's grieving idiot! Do I also need to mention she a bit too stupid to live but I don't blame her too much for that Theo needs to quit hiding s*** from her and just tell her the rules of his world. Like, you don't put a gun to another Don's head. She tries to be badass but it's really just not working.the author is trying to make her into something she's really not. Also author, please don't have your male characters blow a woman's head off. I don't mind if it's a man that dies but I really don't like it when a male character says I love you to a woman and says I care about women but then turns around and blows a woman's head off. I know he's mad I know he has to make it look like the kitchen staff murdered him to try to protect another woman Lana, not cool. I don't get into books where men kill women. If it's off the page that's one thing but to actually describe him killing this poor girl is something different. Won't be reading anymore of this author's works sorry not sorry.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This author can write an alpha male like nobody can, you immediately become obsessed and Theo is no exception. Holly is amazing female lead who is determined to be independent and she grows leaps and bounds in this book.
This is an insta-love story, I know it’s not for everyone but this author does it so well. It feels natural and unforced. When you find your soulmate there is no stopping it. Theo and Holly are a force, their attraction is immediate and so strong it feels as though it’s spilling off the pages. Their feelings are inter and they are oh so hot together. This book has an amazing plot and the story flows flawlessly. Be warned it does end on a crazy cliffy that has me chomping at the bit for book 2.
If you like mafia romance, insta-love, amazing characters and crazy hot scenes grab this book today!
This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I love her writing style. Insta love, dark, protective alpha and a strong independent FMC. Give me more!
Theo is that dark, bad boy alpha and heir tot he Valentino throne. All bets are off when he sees her. Holly is determined to step out of her comfort zone and let nothing stop her. She is an Australian teacher who landed a job in NYC. When these two meet their attraction, chemistry and pull towards each other is undeniable. Though she’s not looking for love, Theo never gives up. I love how their relationship progresses.
Filled with dark themes, emotions leaving you wanting more, suspenserr, heartache, twists and love you will fall in love with these two as much as I have. Oh, and that cliffhanger?! I can’t wait for book 2.
What did I just read...I mean Damn!! I'm hooked and I need more yesterday.
I've waited for Holly's story and this book did not disappoint...in fact it just makes me want more. Holly is such a loveable, beautiful, strong (even though she doesn't recognise that), independent and determined character....I for one am so so pleased that there's going to be more than one book for her....
Theo, wow what can I say about Theo, he may just be my favourite of all of Kent's Heros yet... he's hot strong, capable and protective...did I mention that the possessive alpha male never gets old...but once again there's a twist...he's a key player in the Mafia.
Kent has a way of making sure you are invested from page 1 no matter if this is the first book you've read by her or the latest. I don't think I even blinked as I read this book, I needed an escape from adulthood and Kent delivered with this delicious, gripping, amazing installment. I laughed, I was emotional, I swore and I may have wanted to cause bodily harm to some of the characters at times...
An exciting, invigorating, compelling, all consuming escape
Now if we could just maybe get a book 2 pretty please... I cannot take the awesome cliff hanger ... Okay, I will If I have to but I don't wanna!
Entertaining and with great lovey-dovey scenes, but a bit... juvenile? 🤷🏼♀️😅
This book was a fun time, don't get me wrong. But I got a feeling that the author wanted this book to be one thing and it was something completely different.
The heroine just moved from Australia to New York, she's shy and stuck in her comfort zone, so she decided it was time for a change. This made her relatable in my eyes. What was less relatable was her settling in process. Apparently she has tons of money (this is NOT SPECIFIED) being a teacher, because she can afford to move continents, to rent a decent apartment in NYC, can take two weeks without work for buying endless supply of furniture and waste 50$ on coffee🤷🏼♀️🤣😱 like...I have no idea how she can afford it?
The hero is the son of a Don, presented as this scary motherfucker, but in reality he was putty in the heroine's hands. He was obsessed, but not in a dark and broody kind of way. More like sweet and tender, which is not bad in any way, just unexpected for this type of book and the descriptions of his character the author repeated constantly 😂
They get together WAY TOO FAST!!! 🆘🤣 but at the same time I liked that the heroine didn't get your typical boring ass morality filled reservations the heroines usually do when they encounter hot, handsome, rich mobsters who would burn the world for them. She didn't care what the hero was up to in his working hours, as long as he made her come. AND I'M OKAY WITH THAT! ☠️🫶😅
Breathe…… Freakin breathe…… Did that ending just actually happen?!
This story is amazing and as the beginning book for a trilogy it definitely grabbed my attention and kept it all the way to the end. Kylie has absolutely done perfectly when it came to these two’s story.
I absolutely adore Holly. Even after she went through a massive life changing event back home in Australia, she knows what she ultimately has to do. Deciding to move to New York was supposed to be a fresh start to finding Holly 2.0. But what she ended up finding was a beginning to a life she NEVER expected to find herself in. The connection that her and Theo instantly hold is so hot and steamy. The level of protectiveness that Theo holds for Holly knowing what his life may hold is enough to make any female weak in the knees.
I know that this series is a trilogy but bloody hell I need book 2. And I need book 2 right now. Bravo Kylie, Bravo!
Fabulous as always. Devilish King is the most recent instalment in Kylie's Merge universe; this time we follow Holly (Reilly's sister) as she moves to New York to start a new life. Starting in a new country with no family or friends nearby, a daunting choice soon turns out to be an exhilarating adventure. Holly is only in New York for a few hours before she stumbles across the path of Theo, the heir to the Valentino Mafia throne. The first in a series of three, this is bound to get your blood heating up.
As always with Kylie Kent, the writing style is extremely easy to read. The chapters switch POV between Holly and Theo, and while the story is easy to pick up and put down, you won't want to. the suspense builds steadily amid scenes of everyday life, peppered with a murder here and there. The steam that we have come to love Kylie for is very much front and centre and, this time, there's a little (or huge) cliff-hanger to look forward to.
"And instantly, I know this woman could very well be my downfall. All it took was: three heartbeats, two seconds, and one taste. And I was hers."
If you love mafia romances, Kylie Kent is your girl!! This book was amazingly hot and steamy! Theo is giving the alpha overprotective vibes that I know we all crave. I absolutely LOVED Holly's character, I already met her in An Entangled Christmas so I was so excited to see more of her story.
"Don't. I want to look at every inch of you. I want to burn this image in my memory. You are f-cking gorgeous, Holly. So f-cking gorgeous I don't know where to start.
Ugh, this book left on a cliffhanger which had me SWEATTINGGG but Kylie is coming out with the next book in a month so we luckily don't have to wait too long! If you are a mafia lover, I cannot recommend this book enough!
I rlly wanted to like this book. 4 stars originally but now it can’t be more than a 2.5/3. I just finished the series so maybe it’s hitched a type of narrative but just overall the book lacked the aspects I was looking for. The love was cute and the sex was hit but it lacked the mafia background I was looking for. Like I remember they killed a man for not having money but gave us NOTHING about what the money was for. The descriptions lacked madly and I couldn’t vision anything. If you take anything from this review, this book is for reader that want to read hot ass mf sex.
This book is so worth every bit of the read. I was hooked the entire time! I highlighted quite a few times of things that made me laughed or loved in the book. The cliff hanger at the end is killing me that I don't have the next book to read. Theo and Holly's love story is EVERYTHING!!! But the ending will make you cry.
"The phrase Italian stallion comes to mind as I stare at the creatures just outside my apartment."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Devilish King by Kylie Kent. This is book 1 of Valentino Empire.
Theo
My whole life was mapped out, designed for me, before I was even a twinkle in my old man’s eye. I am the heir to the Valentino throne. A kingdom built with blood and dirty money. But one I’ll rule all the same.
My father was the youngest Don to ever be crowned king. However, with any luck, the controlling bastard will drop soon, allowing me to beat his record by a few years.
I love my father—respect the hell out of him. But some of his choices lately, the plans he’s laid out for me, they’re… archaic. I was happy to go along with his proposition, to embody the role I was assigned at birth. Until I met her.
She wasn’t part of his carefully orchestrated game board. She’s not part of the lifestyle. She’d get eaten alive if I were to bring her into the fold.
Those innocent emerald eyes of hers hold me captive from the moment our paths collide. To hell with the plans for my future. This girl, who has no place being in my world, has become its entirety.
Holly
A new job. A new city. A new country. This is the new me. Or at least that’s what I’m telling myself as I step off the plane at JFK. New York, I couldn’t think of a better city to force myself out of my comfort zone, to step out from under my sister’s shadow.
My dream once included finding the husband, having the kids, building that white picket fence. It’s funny how things change over time.
My new dream? Experience life to the fullest. Explore and discover who I am, without my other half. Surviving the New York culture shock, without getting mugged or killed, is also high on that list.
That is, until I run into him. And just like that, my life takes a one-eighty. Again. There’s something dark inside him—it calls to a part of me I never knew existed. Can I really go against my moral compass, every belief I’ve held onto so tightly, just to answer it? To be with him? Omg what a read. Absolutely brilliant. Could not put it down. I loved Holly and Theo. Even Bray and Reilly and Neo. Omg waiting patiently for book 2. 5*****.
This book was a quick, easy insta love read. The thing about Insta love books for me is that they’re really good filler books. I knew this was the beginning of a trilogy, but I still wanted to give it a chance. I’m not entirely sure if I’m gonna read the other two books just because when it was getting towards the end, I was ready for it to be over. I was ready to read something that with a little bit more tension and depth.
That being said, I did enjoy T and Holly. I read their oldest son’s book first so it was fun to see their story. I might read the other books when I’m in the mood for it.
જ⁀➴ ♡ 2.5 Stars The overused word “Bloody” was the thing that annoyed me the most, like why did she have to say it in every sentence?
I don’t like insta-love but this was on a whole other level, i mean they got married after a week and i dont care if ur in the mafia or not. I also just found out its a trilogy when i got to this shit ending. 💩 There is not a chance i will be reading the other ones ✌️
Kylie has delivered once again a brilliantly addictive alpha and an effortless adorable fmc. You can't help but fall of Theo and Holly, their intense attraction continues to build as they navigate this world together.
Holly is a beautiful soul who has lived her life in the shadow of her twin, she's always felt less then. Following heartbreaking events back home in Australia, she heads to the USA for a fresh start, an opportunity to reinvent herself. When a handsome stranger turns up at her door it's the beginning of an intense connection that will set her soul alight and change her life.
Theo as the son of the Don he is set to one day following in his father's foot steps, and currently has the world at his finger tips. When he sees a flame haired beauty in his seat he is immediately captived and must know her. His slightly stalkerish tendencies get him exactly where he wants, at her door and the chance at the best thing that will ever happen to him.
Their connection is instant but Holly tries to fight something which is inevitable and the tension between them will bring a city to the ground. I love how Theo's world pushing Holly out of her comfort zone and watching them both grow is just divine.
There a plot twists a plenty, that will keep you desperate for the next word and keep you glued till you have finished but be prepared to break... that ending will stay with you.... bring on book 2.
Bad writing, basic storyline, she keeps calling him T which annoys me. There is plot which helps, but no romantic progression, just proclamation after proclamation of their undying love for each other literally a few days after they meet. They’re just willing to do whatever for each other and there’s zero buildup
I was so excited to receive an ARC for this book, because I absolutely loved the merge series and have been waiting for Holly’s story! I love a good mafia romance and of course I loved Theo right away. The way he says something to her in Italian and then translates it just so he can say it twice had me swooning. It definitely wasn’t as dark as a lot of mafia books I’ve read, but I didn’t mind. I seriously wish this book was longer and I can’t wait to see what happens next because of the dang cliff hanger!
Theo and Holly!!! I loved them both from the get go. I love me an alpha male that instantly falls for the girl. I love how possessive and protective Theo is of Holly and I love how she fights him the entire time no matter what she is feeling. Holly is very independent and she will be damned to let some man waltz in and take control but she cannot help her feelings for Theo. The chemistry between these two is explosive. While this may be an insta-love kind of story it felt very natural and the progression was quick there was nothing forced it felt organic and how it was supposed to be. That freaking ending though be warned it will leave you stunned and shocked into silence. I cannot wait for the next book.