Scan barcode
vivizinha's review
4.0
This was good! I liked the beginning but wasnt interested in the middle but the ending omg! Plot twist! I love this fuck because it's a mafia book with an actual very interesting storyline. I love kids in books but I hate it when they are being hurt so I cried a bit too. I was even thinking of not reading the conclusion but guess what? I'm very excited!
hollyowens58's review
dark
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
emptzuu's review
The plot started tight but then unraveled with unnecessary events. There was no real romance. Morgan and Lorenzo seemed more like friends with benefits. He used her like every other man in her life, and the sex scenes were rather dry. I know this is a dark romance, but I found it alarming that Lorenzo kept going during sex when Morgan was beginning to dissociate.
The social commentary felt out of place and out of character for everyone. Morgan's behavior was never well-explored or explained. She’s terrified of Aristov but doesn’t flinch when Lorenzo does similar things? Her character lacks nuance, suggesting the author didn’t research trauma and its effects. Lorenzo was a bit better but still one-dimensional. The author kept telling, not showing. If he's a ruthless murderer, why does he keep talking about The Lion King and Capri Sun? These moments make the book feel like a parody of a dark romance than an actual dark romance. Breaking the fourth wall reinforces this perception.
The social commentary felt out of place and out of character for everyone. Morgan's behavior was never well-explored or explained. She’s terrified of Aristov but doesn’t flinch when Lorenzo does similar things? Her character lacks nuance, suggesting the author didn’t research trauma and its effects. Lorenzo was a bit better but still one-dimensional. The author kept telling, not showing. If he's a ruthless murderer, why does he keep talking about The Lion King and Capri Sun? These moments make the book feel like a parody of a dark romance than an actual dark romance. Breaking the fourth wall reinforces this perception.
This could have been a fantastic single book, instead the author added unnecessary scenes and details to stretch it out. The chapters about the little girl were especially unnecessary; they added nothing to the story. Some of the descriptions were repeated a lot, which got tiring. The book is full of stereotypes—from mafia to sex workers to villains. The plot twists were boring and predictable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Child abuse, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Rape, Stalking, Sexual content, Drug use, Cursing, Mental illness, Death, Violence, Toxic relationship, and Suicidal thoughts
smalleststorm's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
ammee411's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Ugh ends on a cliffhanger
uehfiwo's review
3.0
I hate cliffhangers. I didn’t like the flashbacks (or what I thought were flashbacks) but once it became clear who the little girl was.. the story felt more interesting.
reeyabeegale's review
3.0
Sadly, I didn’t like this book as much as I thought I would. It was too dramatic and heavy, and the only reason I kept reading was to figure out the tattoo and who the little girl was.
I’m debating whether to read the second book or not, we’ll see.
I’m debating whether to read the second book or not, we’ll see.
mbfeeney's review
4.0
Considering how much I LOVED the Sempre books but wasn't a huge fan of the Monster books, I kind of knew what to expect with this book - after all, Darhower writes the Mob so very well and the darkness to her main characters is what makes them so likeable. I expected fabulous dialogue, chemistry between the characters, and just the right amount of angst - well, I got all that, and more.
Mixed into what amounts to a dark romance book, is a mystery. Morgan (or Scarlet as she's known as to Lorenzo) is on the run. She will literally do anything to stay away from whomever she's hiding from. Lorenzo (Scar to those who fear and hate him) is running the show around New York, and there's a little girl who has been taken away by her daddy. Told from alternating POVs, we get a story that not only steamy in all the right places, funny in others, but most of all, keeps you turning pages to find out what the hell is going on.
Lorenzo, in his 'boss' persona isn't the most likeable character - let's be real, the guy has a massive chip on his shoulder which has seriously earned it's way there. But, there's something about him. His men are loyal, and Morgan can't seem to stay away from him. However, reading about him and how he interacts with his brother Leo, you see a completely different side to him. Put this with the Morgan who is desperate to stay alive, to the Morgan who fucks a cop who is supposed to help her because she NEEDS answers and you can feel the hurt behind her actions, shows how well rounded these characters are. They're far from perfect, but their flaws and fears make them real.
As the story unravels, I couldn't help but need to keep reading, flipping those pages. However, while some answers are answered, many aren't because there is another book to follow. I NEED that, kinda like yesterday!
Mixed into what amounts to a dark romance book, is a mystery. Morgan (or Scarlet as she's known as to Lorenzo) is on the run. She will literally do anything to stay away from whomever she's hiding from. Lorenzo (Scar to those who fear and hate him) is running the show around New York, and there's a little girl who has been taken away by her daddy. Told from alternating POVs, we get a story that not only steamy in all the right places, funny in others, but most of all, keeps you turning pages to find out what the hell is going on.
Lorenzo, in his 'boss' persona isn't the most likeable character - let's be real, the guy has a massive chip on his shoulder which has seriously earned it's way there. But, there's something about him. His men are loyal, and Morgan can't seem to stay away from him. However, reading about him and how he interacts with his brother Leo, you see a completely different side to him. Put this with the Morgan who is desperate to stay alive, to the Morgan who fucks a cop who is supposed to help her because she NEEDS answers and you can feel the hurt behind her actions, shows how well rounded these characters are. They're far from perfect, but their flaws and fears make them real.
As the story unravels, I couldn't help but need to keep reading, flipping those pages. However, while some answers are answered, many aren't because there is another book to follow. I NEED that, kinda like yesterday!
sonialusiveira's review
4.0
GR says I read it in 2017 and rated it five stars but I can't remember a thing about the book. So reread it is when I came across the audiobook on Libby.
----------------
I changed the rating to four stars upon the rereading because whilst it's a great read, it doesn't give me the 'wow' factor or has something special that'll make the story stay with me. So Menace began with Scarlet/Morgan was on the run and surviving in the streets where one night she stole from Lorenzo, the new mafia boss in town. So him being the boss and all can't let a woman stole from him and got away. In his search for Morgan and demanded her to pay back his money, they uncover each other's layers and formed a bond. I like that it's a dual/first person pov. I love listening to Lorenzo's narration; his dark humor is the best.
Another thing I noted when listening to this book is that Lorenzo's story arc reminds me so much of Remo from Twisted Pride; how were both betrayed by one parent then fought other bosses to finally take over the city, had to take care of the baby brother, and of course has a cruel exterior but a big softie inside. Overall, a nice read.
----------------
I changed the rating to four stars upon the rereading because whilst it's a great read, it doesn't give me the 'wow' factor or has something special that'll make the story stay with me. So Menace began with Scarlet/Morgan was on the run and surviving in the streets where one night she stole from Lorenzo, the new mafia boss in town. So him being the boss and all can't let a woman stole from him and got away. In his search for Morgan and demanded her to pay back his money, they uncover each other's layers and formed a bond. I like that it's a dual/first person pov. I love listening to Lorenzo's narration; his dark humor is the best.
Another thing I noted when listening to this book is that Lorenzo's story arc reminds me so much of Remo from Twisted Pride; how were both betrayed by one parent then fought other bosses to finally take over the city, had to take care of the baby brother, and of course has a cruel exterior but a big softie inside. Overall, a nice read.