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A review by loverofromance
Drawn To Darkness by Michelle Heard
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review. Also my tags may have spoilers in them so be forewarned before checking out full review.
Book Evaluation:
Plot: ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ
World Building:πππππ
Cover:ππππ
Hero: π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»
Heroine:π¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈ
Intimacy Level: π₯π₯π₯π₯
Relationship Building: πππππ
Heart & Feels:πππππ
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: πππππ
Page Turner Level:πππππ
Ending:π§§π§§π§§π§§π§§
Overall View: β¨β¨β¨β¨β¨
First Impressions
Drawn To Darkness is the fourth installment in the "Kings of Mafia" series. I have enjoyed this series, but this book is by far my favorite of the series. I absolutely couldn't get enough of it. It delivered in all the ways that I love to see from Michelle Heard and what a interesting take on a mafia romance. It was a bit softer in some respects, and the author really brought to light her talent of humor here. Something that isn't common in her writing since she started writing mafia romance. But I loved the balance that we got with this story.
First Line
Opening my eyes, I listen to the sirens blaring around the neighborhood.
The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Dario
The Heroine: Eden
Summary
Drawn to Darkness is a story about a young women, Eden, who is barely surviving. She lives in the most criminal area of town, with neighbors that look out for each other, and working multiple jobs and spending her time dancing at night to express her joy and talent that is raw and real. Then she stumbles into Dario, who is the owner of the dance club she works at, but as they keep running into each other, her secrets from her can't be hidden for long. Dario is determined to find her and get beneath all of her secrets. But once he learns everything will he be able to keep her safe from those that would use her for her mother's crimes?
What I Loved
There were so many elements to this story that I actually adored. What I was most drawn to was the sweet romance. I love how these two got on together. The moments when she was dancing for him was so sensual and well written as it definitely captivates your attention. The connection that builds between Dario and Eden is powerful and charming. They have some great banter and we have somewhat pretty normal characters for a mafia romance which I truly loved so dearly.
Our hero is actually the tamest of the group actually, but is the HEART of the mafia crew. He is the one that works in the background, he works as a hacker and can find anyone or get any piece of information for those that he is loyal to. He is really just slightly morally grey, who barely skirts the law. So definitely a bit lighter feel to this mafia romance in some elements. Which I actually found refreshing that this story felt so "Normal" and nothing crazy or out of bonds, felt more romantic suspense with a good alpha male or a more edgy contemporary over a dark romance, but it still worked for me. And if you love good humor and want more of that in a dark mafia romance, then you will definitely enjoy how that is implemented in this one here.
The third act conflict was tremendously written. I was on the edge of my seat all the way through that. I never expected that to happen to be honest, but I see why it was written and how well it worked. There was a great level of suspense and I appreciated that there was a focus on human trafficking, that isn't as covered in romance as I would like it to be considering how common it actually is. And seeing how this group comes together to solve it and really comes as support for our pair was superb in every way.
What I Struggled With
Nothing really. I would have enjoyed this more if I hadn't been experiencing my blood pressure issues. But it was still a book that I literally couldn't put down which hasn't put down in months.
Overall View
Drawn To Darkness is a superb story that captivates the reader from the beginning, a story to keep you all addicted from the beginning to end and delivering a softer mafia romance with plenty of heart and edgy thrilling suspense to keep you entrenched into the story.
Favorite Quote(s)
βIβm starting to fall in love with you because youβre a fighter who dances like an angel. You might not have much, but youβve worked hard to carve out a little space for yourself in this world. You couldβve given in to your circumstances, but youβre working your ass off to rise above them. That shit takes so much fucking courage and determination, and it demands my respect.β
Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Dark Romance, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary Romance
Character Types: Hacker, Dancer, Mafia
Themes: Danger/Suspense, Pining Hero
Tropes:Unrequited Love, Rags to Riches, Opposites Attract
Book Perspective
DUO Pov
Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Both
If you like these authors, I recommend This Book
Sophie Lark
Cora Reilly
Maggie Cole
Song This Book Inspires
I'll Make You Love Me by Kat Leon
Recommendation For Reading Order
You can read as a standalone, the series is only loosely connected
Steam/Spice Explanations
Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.
Book Evaluation:
Plot: ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ
World Building:πππππ
Cover:ππππ
Hero: π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»
Heroine:π¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈ
Intimacy Level: π₯π₯π₯π₯
Relationship Building: πππππ
Heart & Feels:πππππ
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: πππππ
Page Turner Level:πππππ
Ending:π§§π§§π§§π§§π§§
Overall View: β¨β¨β¨β¨β¨
First Impressions
Drawn To Darkness is the fourth installment in the "Kings of Mafia" series. I have enjoyed this series, but this book is by far my favorite of the series. I absolutely couldn't get enough of it. It delivered in all the ways that I love to see from Michelle Heard and what a interesting take on a mafia romance. It was a bit softer in some respects, and the author really brought to light her talent of humor here. Something that isn't common in her writing since she started writing mafia romance. But I loved the balance that we got with this story.
First Line
Opening my eyes, I listen to the sirens blaring around the neighborhood.
The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Dario
The Heroine: Eden
Summary
Drawn to Darkness is a story about a young women, Eden, who is barely surviving. She lives in the most criminal area of town, with neighbors that look out for each other, and working multiple jobs and spending her time dancing at night to express her joy and talent that is raw and real. Then she stumbles into Dario, who is the owner of the dance club she works at, but as they keep running into each other, her secrets from her can't be hidden for long. Dario is determined to find her and get beneath all of her secrets. But once he learns everything will he be able to keep her safe from those that would use her for her mother's crimes?
What I Loved
There were so many elements to this story that I actually adored. What I was most drawn to was the sweet romance. I love how these two got on together. The moments when she was dancing for him was so sensual and well written as it definitely captivates your attention. The connection that builds between Dario and Eden is powerful and charming. They have some great banter and we have somewhat pretty normal characters for a mafia romance which I truly loved so dearly.
Our hero is actually the tamest of the group actually, but is the HEART of the mafia crew. He is the one that works in the background, he works as a hacker and can find anyone or get any piece of information for those that he is loyal to. He is really just slightly morally grey, who barely skirts the law. So definitely a bit lighter feel to this mafia romance in some elements. Which I actually found refreshing that this story felt so "Normal" and nothing crazy or out of bonds, felt more romantic suspense with a good alpha male or a more edgy contemporary over a dark romance, but it still worked for me. And if you love good humor and want more of that in a dark mafia romance, then you will definitely enjoy how that is implemented in this one here.
The third act conflict was tremendously written. I was on the edge of my seat all the way through that. I never expected that to happen to be honest, but I see why it was written and how well it worked. There was a great level of suspense and I appreciated that there was a focus on human trafficking, that isn't as covered in romance as I would like it to be considering how common it actually is. And seeing how this group comes together to solve it and really comes as support for our pair was superb in every way.
What I Struggled With
Nothing really. I would have enjoyed this more if I hadn't been experiencing my blood pressure issues. But it was still a book that I literally couldn't put down which hasn't put down in months.
Overall View
Drawn To Darkness is a superb story that captivates the reader from the beginning, a story to keep you all addicted from the beginning to end and delivering a softer mafia romance with plenty of heart and edgy thrilling suspense to keep you entrenched into the story.
Favorite Quote(s)
βIβm starting to fall in love with you because youβre a fighter who dances like an angel. You might not have much, but youβve worked hard to carve out a little space for yourself in this world. You couldβve given in to your circumstances, but youβre working your ass off to rise above them. That shit takes so much fucking courage and determination, and it demands my respect.β
Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Dark Romance, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary Romance
Character Types: Hacker, Dancer, Mafia
Themes: Danger/Suspense, Pining Hero
Tropes:Unrequited Love, Rags to Riches, Opposites Attract
Book Perspective
DUO Pov
Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Both
If you like these authors, I recommend This Book
Sophie Lark
Cora Reilly
Maggie Cole
Song This Book Inspires
I'll Make You Love Me by Kat Leon
Recommendation For Reading Order
You can read as a standalone, the series is only loosely connected
Steam/Spice Explanations
Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.