ABOUT THE BOOK
She loved him first. He’ll fall for her last–and hardest.
In the shadows of the city he rules, Dahlia Ferrara has spent years in love with one man: Mikail Morozov. Her brother’s best friend. The underworld’s coldest king. The forbidden obsession she was never meant to touch.
He rejected her once.
Now she’s done waiting.
Dahlia offers Mikail ten days–no strings, no future, no promises. On day eleven, she walks away to build a life far beyond the brutality of their world and the secrets that have scarred them both.
But being this close to her, is a crack in his armor he can’t afford.
Forced proximity ignites jealousy, desire, and a control he’s been breaking for years.
Because Mikail has a secret of his own–
he’s been celibate because no one has ever been her.
She’s sunshine in a violent world.
He’s a king built from regret.
And their connection is one line that was never meant to be crossed.
Loving her is betrayal.
Keeping her is war.
But letting her go would destroy him.
MY REVIEW
It’s always a challenge to immerse myself in a series while it’s still unfolding, especially when each new book comes out about six months apart. I found myself skimming through Book 1 before jumping into the latest installment, just to refresh my memory on what Mika and Dahlia were enduring. And let me tell you, their love is as beautiful as it is tumultuous. The levels of angst are off the charts as they grapple with their feelings for one another, making the story all the more riveting.
For Dahlia Ferrara, music is her calling, but Mika is her everything. The Mafia Princess experienced a devastating event four years ago that caused her to grow up very quickly. She lost the one man she adored since childhood, all to keep family secrets hidden. I love how Dahlia matures and comes into her own in this book. She gains strength from her new sister-in-law, Calla (aka Luciana), an assassin, who teaches her to protect herself and go after what she wants. Dahlia’s love is so palpable that she resigns herself to seducing Mika before moving on with her life as a famous concert pianist. Fortunately for both of them, her scheme doesn’t go as planned.
Pakhan Mika Morozov is a ruthless killer who has sworn to protect Dahlia with his life, but keep her at a distance to protect his heart. He feels he has betrayed his best friend because of what happened four years ago and has vowed to stay friends with the woman he loves. I have to give him kudos for trying to keep it platonic for so long because that man absolutely worships Dahlia, but he underestimates her determination to get him to break, and boy, is it worth waiting for.
The chemistry between these two is beautifully frustrating, and I enjoyed the fact that Mika’s brutality is confined to his job, not directed at Dahlia. In fact, he is surprisingly vulnerable and accessible despite his efforts to push her away. It is a rewarding happily ever after.
It was nice to see a little bit of Calla and Enzo in this book. Their family ties are an important bond to Mika and Dahlia as they work out their relationship.
I recommend this dark romance that wraps you in beautiful chaos as you navigate the blurry boundaries of love, acceptance, and sacrifice in a dangerous world.
Thank you to Ms. Borell for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
Kings of the Underworld Series
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Bianca Borell is a contemporary romance author, voracious reader, nature lover, and unapologetic daydreamer. She spends her nights deciding between getting up to write or trying to silence the voices of her characters. The battle is never-ending.
She has a weakness for tormented characters, second chances, and happy endings.
She currently lives in Germany with her amazing husband and indulges in way too many pastries than she should.
Follow Bianca on her website, Facebook, Facebook Group, Instagram, Amazon, Goodreads, Bookbub, TikTok, and Twitter.
