Book Review-Craving Danger

michelle heard

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.

First Impressions

Craving Danger is the second book in the Kings of Mafia series, and I am not sure why I skipped this one since I have read about 6 books in the series so far. I think the blurb had turned me off with the heroine being sassy, but I decided that it would be good to try it out as it’s rare for this author to not work for me. And I am fully regretting taking so long to read this book because it went far and above my expectations that I could have ever had for this one. I was so drawn into this story; both the hero and the heroine captivated me, and seeing them come together was true perfection!

“It feels like my soul becomes one with hers as the kiss becomes more passionate. She’s my twin flame, and together we create an inferno.”

Book Evaluation:

Plot: 5/5
World Building: 4/5
Cover: 4/5
Hero: 4/5
Heroine: 4/5
Intimacy Level: 4/5
Relationship Building: 4/5
Heart & Feels: 4/5
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 3/5
Page Turner Level: 4/5
Narration: 4/5
Ending: 5/5
Overall View: 4/5

The Main Protagonists

The Hero: Franco

The Heroine: Samantha

“It’s been a long ten days without her. I missed my wildcat at the office and my vulnerable kitten at night.”

What I Loved

I deeply adored the characters first and foremost. And plus this had that office environment that I really love to see in a romance. And I would say that this book had all the makings of a story that will work for me. I do see why there are mixed reviews though, not everyone enjoys a damaged heroine learning to grow and have healing but its my CATNIP in everything. Even though she has this aura of being this strong and sassy personality she also has vulnerabilities especially when it comes to be around men in a more intimate atmosphere. Seeing her courage in trying to overcome the abuse she suffered in her past and growing with Franco was deeply riveting. Franco isn’t your typical mafia hero but I actually liked that he was a bit unconventional and had a softer side to him for Samantha. Seeing how they resolve their conflicts really worked for me and seeing how the author digs deeper in the sweet ending was the perfect cherry on top.

“She’s not the brainless woman I took her for during the first two weeks we worked together. No. This woman is anything but stupid. She’s hardworking, intelligent, and so fucking brave it demands my admiration.”

What I Struggled With

I think the only thing was the war that Franco was having with another mafia didn’t really get resolved as I was hoping for in the end. It felt like it was building into something bigger but then fell flat in the story. So it was a bit lackluster in the second half of the story just plot wise.

Narration

This is the first time that I have listened to an audiobook for this author. I normally have just physically read her books as they are in KU but seeing that it was also in Hoopla I couldn’t resist picking it up this way. The narration was super well done, we have dual narrations as its duo POV and both narrators really portrays the personalities so well and they have the perfectly balanced masculine/feminine tones that match this author’s writing style.

Overall Thoughts

Craving Danger is a vibrant and emotionally gravitating romance that will instantly pull the reader straight into the story and leave you feeling satisfied and wanting to explore more of this world that Michelle Heard has implemented…

“I’ll burn New York City to the ground for you. Every ounce of power I possess will belong to you. There’s nowhere safer on this planet than by my side.”

Book Details

Title: Craving Danger

Author: Michelle Heard

Series: Kings of Mafia, #2

Publication Date: December 5 2023

Publisher: Self Published

Genre: Dark Romance

Narrator: James Anderson Foster, Macie Miller

Length: 8 Hours + 6 Minutes

Tropes/Character Types: Morally Grey, Business Owner, Boss/Employee, Forced Proximity, Secret Identity

Spice Level:

Steamin’ up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.

POV: Duo POV

At the office, Samantha is mouthy AF and hellbent on testing my patience. So you can imagine my surprise when my new personal assistant walks into my club with a very specific fantasy.

When the man Samantha’s paired with doesn’t stick to the rules, I step in to take his place. Wearing a mask protects my identity, and soon the little wildcat from the office is telling me all her darkest secrets and fantasies.

During the day, she gives me hell, but at night, she becomes my wounded kitten.

I know I’m playing a dangerous game.
She doesn’t know I’m one of the heads of the Cosa Nostra.
She doesn’t know her boss and her nightly visitor is the same person.

With my enemy on the attack and her past coming to haunt her, our secrets come out in the most explosive way possible, threatening to rip Samantha away from me.

But my wildcat has another thing coming if she thinks I’ll ever let go.