Savage (Ruthless Daddies)

I'm in a dark-romance-era (yes, again), and I'm working through the Mayhem Universe (including authors as such as Skylar Snow and Brea Alepoú). This universe includes the Mafia Daddies series, the Vitale Brothers series (which I've read), The Hitters MC series, and a few standalones (which were actually part of different multi-author series). Here's Brea Alepoú's "Savage." It's part of the (multi-author) Ruthless Daddies series. 

["Blood, Sweat, and Tears.

There is nothing in life more satisfying than seeing someone desperately clinging to life as their final moment ticks away. At least that’s how I’ve lived my life until now.

As the crow of the Laureati family, it’s my job to clean up their messes. I’ve always stayed focused and have never had a weakness that my enemies could exploit. It’s what makes me effective.

But now I have three.

My angel, my rabbit, and my troublemaker.

The right thing to do is to send them packing. But I’ve never been a good man or a selfless one.

They are my boys and I will end anyone who dares to take them away."]

Holy. Shit. What a meet-cute. Well, is it a meet-cute if it’s in a seedy strip club with a four-way-insta-lust and heavy, heavy heat less than an hour after meeting? Either way, their first meeting (well, the first time Dar, Calvin, and Sayge met Elio) was also instant chemistry and that feeling of meeting your soul mate(s), knowing This was right, This was your future, no matter how crazy or fast it sounded. 

These four were...fabulous. Utterly wholesome in the depravity. 

Though, I’m not entirely sure how it fits into the rest of this story/timeline. Then again, I read the Vitale Brothers so long ago, not sure how they tied into the Bianchi Family either. Maybe there’s a subtle mentioning of each other or maybe they just coexist in the same theoretical universe. Which ever way, I’m here for it. 

Trigger Warnings: past child neglect, past child abuse, mention of PTSD, slight mind break, homophobia, offensive slurs, violence, torture, on-page self-harm, death, mention of drugs, death of an animal in the form of a memory, and more.

#savage #ruthlessdaddies #ruthelessdaddiesseries #skylarsnow #breaalepou #mafiadaddies #mafiadaddiesseries #vitalebrothers #vitalebrothersseries #hittersmc #hittersmcseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Watch Me Daddy (Mafia Daddies #3)

I'm in a dark-romance-era (yes, again). Here's Skylar Snow's "Watch Me Daddy." It's the third novel in her Mafia Daddies series.

["I can’t stop obsessing over my Daddy.

Tall, deadly, cold. While other people call him a robot, I know the truth. Underneath that big bad mafia exterior is a man that I want to call my own. The only problem? He doesn’t see me as more than a toy. Oh and he’s straight. But…

He’s mine.

Whenever I look at Riccardo Bianchi I see DADDY in big, bold letters. Too bad he keeps me at arm’s length. Maybe it’s for the best because there are things about me that Riccardo doesn’t know. Dark things.

Life starts going to hell and he needs me more than ever. Even if Riccardo doesn’t know it, I’ll protect him with my life.

And I’ll slaughter anyone who gets in my way."]

These two…could have communicated better. It should have saved a lot of angst and a lot of loneliness. And inadequate feelings. They would have quickly found how alike they are so many different levels. Oh well, here’s to mutual pining and the general feeling of impending doom. 

Though after they talked it out, they…brought the psychotic out in each other…in a fight-then-fuck situation similar to Ama and Six…which would piss Ric the fuck off if he ever heard that comparison. Though he would be happy to note that him and Arie are as sickeningly in love and devoted to each other as his brother(s). And here’s to Arie getting along with Six a little too well (and Ro).  

Trigger Warnings: violence, torture, depression, anxiety, blood, mentions of SA, attempted SA, abuse, and more.

#breakmedaddy #fightmedaddy #watchmedaddy #obeymedaddy #corruptmedaddy #skylarsnow #mafiadaddies #mafiadaddiesseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Cold (Ruthless Daddies)

I'm in a dark-romance-era (yes, again), and I'm working through the Mayhem Universe (including authors as such as Skylar Snow and Brea Alepoú). This universe includes the Mafia Daddies series, the Vitale Brothers series (which I've read), The Hitters MC series, and a few standalones (which were actually part of different multi-author series). Here's Skylar Snow's "Cold." It's part of the (multi-author) Ruthless Daddies series.

["I never asked to be anyone's savior.

The only thing I intend to do with the rest of my life is to fulfill my promise to the family. Take care of them, support them, and keep the Bianchi's where they belong. On top. I would do anything for my famiglia. But now Amadeo is asking for too much.

Protect Romare Ashford with your life.

Those are his exact words before he leaves me with a twenty-two year old boy. One that's too clingy, too needy, too upbeat. Romare has seen the ugliest underbelly of Atlanta, so why does he still smile as if he doesn't have a care in the world? When my life becomes stuffed animals, binkies, and forced cuddles I'm already in over my head.

But Romare has secrets of his own. Secrets that just might burn my world to the ground..."]

Another mass/mess (you pick which) of contradictions for a Bianchi man to tangle/tame (again, you pick which). Soft and sweet but easy to react. He just wanted to be safe and loved, but he had so many triggers and so much baggage. He wanted to just...be, but he was given a task that had the potential to ruin all of his newfound happiness/safety (both of them this time).

Safe basic thing for Vito. He wanted forgiveness and family. He wanted something to life for again. He couldn't make the same mistakes of his past, but that's what Romare was starting to look like to him. 

They talked it out (and...other things ;) ) anf come to a very loving and very sweet mutual understanding: they were in love with each other, made for each other, and no one was going to ruin that for them. 

Trigger Warnings: violence, past mental and physical abuse, past child abduction, torture, brain-washing, and more.

#cold #ruthlessdaddies #ruthelessdaddiesseries #skylarsnow #breaalepou #mafiadaddies #mafiadaddiesseries #vitalebrothers #vitalebrothersseries #hittersmc #hittersmcseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Fight Me Daddy (Mafia Daddies #2)

I'm in a dark-romance-era (yes, again). Here's Skylar Snow's "Fight Me Daddy." It's the second novel in her Mafia Daddies series.

["I hate the mafia.

Mountains of debt that never go away, strange men in suits with guns, whispered threats in the backroom. That's what my life has become. I told my father to never get tangled up with the Bianchi's, but he would do anything to save the gym his grandfather started. I thought I could handle it.

Until my father takes off.

Now I'm stuck with his debt and Gabriele. The a-hole says I belong to him now until I've worked off every cent. If I want to keep my beloved family gym I have no choice but to obey. But as Gabriele Bianchi's demands keep growing I realize I'm becoming the one thing I hate. I refuse to back down to this man and become his obedient little pet.

But this is one fight I'm not sure I can win."]

This two were so different than Ama/Six. They were just as insane, just as toxic, just as utterly and completely in love with each other. It was a beautiful mix of dark, dangerous, and dangerous. It was soft and protective. It was fluffy and obsessive. It was dynamic all around. 

They wanted the other to be vulnerable, but they were unwilling to be vulnerable themselves. They wanted to be told secrets, but they didn't want to share secrets. They wanted everything, but they were hesitate to give everything. They wanted to be wanted, to be loved, to be taken care of, but they desperately didn't want to be left broken and lonely again. 

Trigger Warnings: violence, torture, implied trafficking, dub-con, and more.

#breakmedaddy #fightmedaddy #watchmedaddy #obeymedaddy #corruptmedaddy #skylarsnow #mafiadaddies #mafiadaddiesseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Break Me Daddy (Mafia Daddies #1)

I'm in a dark-romance-era (yes, again). Here's Skylar Snow's "Break Me Daddy." It's the first novel in her Mafia Daddies series.

["I did something stupid.

Something needlessly, hopelessly, stupid and now my past is catching up with me. I knew when I saw that cash I should have left it alone, but I needed it. And doesn’t the world owe me a little bit of luck? A little reprieve from the constant BS?

Sorry. I can’t help but to rant about my situation because the truth is that I am royally screwed. You see, I stole money from the mob. One stupid decision made in the heat of the moment and now I’m running for my life. A friend gave me enough money to hide…

But he’s coming for me.

Amadeo wants to possess everything that I am and punish me for what I’ve done. Maybe I could take that if he wasn’t so intent on making me call him ‘Daddy’. And maybe I wouldn’t care about that title, if it didn’t make me tingly all over. But I despise him and I always will. No matter what my stupid body…and heart…has to say."]

These two were...a lot. They went from being amused and half-in-love to hatred and misunderstandings. There was a lot of misplaced feelings, overall. A lot of confusion. But there was a lot of shy smiles and cute moments and meant-to-be-feels.  Their dynamic from the start (okay, not the very start, but near the beginning) only changed by adding fondness and realness. It stayed feisty and fiery. They were...a lot, but they were perfect. 

Quote of the day (Six/Amadeo): “If you die, I’ll be pissed off.” // “I’ll keep that in mind, baby.”  

Trigger Warnings: violence, death, dub-con, and more.

#breakmedaddy #fightmedaddy #watchmedaddy #skylarsnow #mafiadaddies #mafiadaddiesseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Pucked Up (Punk as Puck #2)

Here's EM Lindsey's "Pucked Up." It's the second novel in her Punk as Puck series.

["Sometimes an anonymous tryst shows up at the rink two months later as your new hockey coach.

I have rules. Very important rules. No real names, no strings, no seeing each other again. It’s always worked out well for me, and it’s the only thing that keeps me focused as I try to climb my way into professional hockey after nearly torching my career.

I should have been king of the ice in the paraprofessional league, but instead, I let my anger and bitterness get to me. Now I’m forced to claw my way back into relevance, starting with a community team.

That would be fine if the one amazing, anonymous night I had with a total stranger didn’t end up being the Wolves’ new coach. And even that might have been tolerable if Hugo wasn’t on my father’s payroll.

But he is.

And to make matters worse, I still want him. My bad attitude and attempt to drive him away doesn’t faze him at all, and the more I push, the more he pulls me back into the last place I want to his orbit.

All I want is to join the PPHL and prove to myself that I’m a worthy player on my own merit.

Lust wasn’t on the table. And neither was love.

But the closer I get to Hugo, the more I realize that I’m not sure I want to do this without him…and the more I realize I’m not sure if I can."]

TO BE UPDATED SOON

Trigger Warnings: ableism, toxic relationship with parents, and more.

#grr #arc #arcteammember
#zeropucks #puckedup #emlindsey #punkaspuck #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

The Silver Dragon Prince (Omega Fairy Tales #5)

Here's MM Farmer's latest: "The Silver Dragon Prince." It's the fifth novel in her Omega Fairy Tales series.

["Once upon a time, in an enchanted kingdom of captive omega princes and jeweled dragon alpha princes….

Obi
I might be the youngest and least experienced of my brothers, but I still want to be in the center of the action when the time comes to overthrow my cruel father to establish a new kingdom of peace and justice.
There’s just one problem. I’m the fated mate of a dragon, which means I’m falling hopelessly in love with a man I barely know, whether I want to or not. And for some reason, that man reminds me a lot of one of my father’s closest advisors, Councilor Dormas.

Argus
For years, it has been my sworn duty to protect the captive omega princes from their evil father from within King Freslik’s inner circle. Now the time has come to throw off my disguise as Councilor Dormas, to help bring about Freslik’s defeat, and to finally claim my sweet, passionate mate.
But can I overcome Obi’s high spirits and unjustified sense of betrayal? Coming to grips with having a fated mate isn’t as smooth and easy as the fairy tales say it is. My and Obi’s bond might be doomed before we can adjust to it, and our passionate conflict could spell disaster for everyone fighting for a better future."]

Ohh, I was delightfully surprised by Obi's sass. His attitude. He stood up for himself and what he believed in. He didn't shy away or back down just because society told him too. Argus was confused at first, but he also thought it was adorable as hell. 

Argus was willing to do anything and be anything to protect Obi and his brothers. He had done it for years. And he was willing to put Obi's feelings before his own after they officially met for the first time and bonded. 

Their relationship was bumpy and beautiful, and like their brothers, it wasn't easy. Love just isn't. But they, like their brothers, they had to fight against King Freslik. Though, his final defeat is coming very, very soon. 

#arcs #arcteammember
#therubydragonprince #thegolddragonprince #thediamonddragonprince #thesapphiredragonprince #thesilverdragonprince #theemeralddragonprince # #mmfarmer #omegafairytales #omegafairytalesseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

July's Book Shape Challenge 2025

Here's July's Book Shape Challenge! A patriotic little turkey in honor of one of the originally-pitched national animals of the United States...which still says a lot about our country, the state of it, and the people running it as it did then.

Happy 4th of July to the rebells, to the fighters. #nokings

Last year, I went with holiday-themed (mostly) book shape challenges; this year, I'm thinking animals (which is less--and yet more--of a challenge (we'll see how it goes)).

(I picked all of these books at random, based off the color of their cover; not based on: whether I read them or not--most of which I haven't, sense why they were closest).

#reading #readingchallenge #readingdare #bookdare #bookchallenge #alphabetchallenge #beatthebacklog #monthlythemes #monthlychallenge #bookshape #bookshapechallenges #books #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

The Club (Dangerous Games #2)

I'm in a dark-romance-era (yes, again). Here's Rina Saint's "The Club." It's the second novel in her Dangerous Games series.

["Rafael
What the hell is Dominic Capelli doing in my club? Best guess, he wants revenge. I mean, I did shoot his father. And, yeah, he’s looking at me like he wants to hurt me. The thing is … I’m very much into that.
I know it’s a bad idea to play with him, but bad ideas are my favorite kind. And he's so very, very sexy.

Dominic
I didn’t come in here to screw Rafael. I came in here to screw with him. I just wanted to see how he’d react. Now that I don’t have my father to hate, I need something new.
So when Rafael starts screwing with me, when he starts trying to expose my long-hidden desires, I decide to punish him. I know I’ll enjoy it. The problem is, I think he might enjoy it too.
I’ll have to kill him in the end, of course, but maybe, before I do, we can play a little game."]

I wasn't sure what to think about this book, this couple. Not when I predicted something in the previous book. Not when I read the blurb. Not while I started this books...or even a good portion into it. They had a dynamic that was seemingly perfect for them including an intense attractive, mutual kinks, off-the-chart chemistry, similar traumas. But those similar traumas, those lurking-in-the-background triggers, could also be their doom. 

Trigger Warnings: dub-con, abduction, drugging, knife play, homophobic slurs, drug use, past sexual abuse, torture, violence, and more.

#thecontract #theclub #dangerousgames #dangerousgamesseries #rinasaint #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

The Contract (Dangerous Games #1)

I'm in a dark-romance-era (yes, again). Here's Rina Saint's "The Contract." It's the first novel in her Dangerous Games series.

["Dante
My moral compass is broken. That’s why I need rules. They keep me from killing people I shouldn’t. They keep me from crossing certain lines. I’m possessive. Obsessive. Deviant. And I like to fight.
That’s what I see in Tristan when I spot him working in the swanky nightclub. His cool detachment is a mask. He’s angry, he’s lost, and he’s totally new to what he’s feeling.
I want to feel that anger. I want it to burn me. I want him to fight me—then I want to feel him submit. He won’t have any choice, not in my play room. He would look perfect there on the black sheets … with red blooming across his creamy skin.

Tristan
Okay, so I’m not as straight as I thought. I can deal with that, but I don’t know if I can deal with him. I could tell Dante was dangerous even before I saw him talking to a mobster connected to my brother’s death. I mean, Dante cornered me and bit me. I don’t even know him! He’s a thousand red flags. And yet … my body has never responded to anyone like it responds to him. That’s why I sit down with him one night after work.
Is this real? Are we actually about to discuss a sex contract? It looks so normal at first. He can’t hit me in the face. He can’t maim me. Why do we need rules for this?
“I don’t think you’re understanding this,” Dante tells me in his dark, sexy voice. “These are hard limits. Everything else—everything else—is fair game.”
He won’t tell me what that means. Half the fun, he says, is finding out."]

This book/plot reminded me of...something. I'm not sure what/who, but I was so here for this micro-tropes! As much as I was here for the larger oh-I-see-it-now trope when Kenzie met Tristan. And the way Dante changed and altered his reality and pushed as his own past traumas to be better for Tristan. Though I wasn't a fan of the I'm-losing-myself-my-demons-are-coming-I'm-self-destructive third-act shit.

God, this book was delightful. It was dark and dangerous and constantly changing. But the growing love and trust was beautiful, even if everyone (literally everyone) thought it was trouble.

Also, the "past traumas that are really fucking horrible but really fucking spoil some major plot lines" trigger warning below reminds me of a case I listened to on Crime Junkie, a really old one. That plot line might have been based on that, which is intriguing as fuuuuck, even if it's horrible as fuck. Granted, that Crime Junkie episode was also half-conspiracy.

Trigger Warnings: dub-con/cnc, abduction, drugging, knife play, homophobic slurs, depression, past traumas that are really fucking horrible but really fucking spoil some major plot lines, and more.

#thecontract #theclub #dangerousgames #dangerousgamesseries #rinasaint #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Of Pranks and Passion

Here's Amy Padilla's "Of Pranks and Passion."

["The stories of success and happiness usually revolve around the golden child of the family. They can do no wrong. This story is about the forgotten child. The one who fights tooth and nail to find their happily ever after, and the found family who supports them the whole way.

Gary had been under his sister’s thumb since he was born, would get punished for his sister’s transgressions, and anything good he shared with his family was ignored or dismissed in favor of praising her. He thought it would always be that way–until he met Easton. Easton was crass, grungy, and would show up to classes with bruises on his knuckles. And when he saw how Gary’s family treated him, he offered to help. Who was Gary to say no?"]

I was obsessed with these two from the very beginning. I love their dynamic, I love their personalities. I couldn't wait until they got their heads out of their asses (*cough* Easton *cough*) and figure out their feelings.

I loved protective/possessive/obsessive Easton was over Gary. It was a little feral, but it was glorious in all of it's caveman glory. Gary thought so, too.

Gary needs protected at all costs. Good thing he has Easton, all of Easton's friends and family, to do that from now until forever (as well as spoil him rotten).

Trigger Warnings: violence, blackmail, bullying, attempted assault, attempted rape, and more.

#ofpranksandpassion #amypadilla #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

My Hunger, Your Soul (Kozlov Bodyguards #2)

Annnd this has turned into an author-binge thing. Here's Syn Blackrose's "My Hunger, Your Soul." It's the second novel in the Kozlov Bodyguards series (a Kozlov Brothers spin-off). This takes place after the standalone (same universe as this, but different city) "Craving The Chase;" hence why I put this book down and picked up that one.

["Tyler
The biggest opportunity of my life presents itself when I’m offered a senior position at the most prestigious architectural firm in New York. Everything is pretty damn perfect…until the Kozlovs.
Noah, my brothers husband, warned me about them. I didn’t believe him. Now, they are my first big client, and I wish I could turn back time and refuse the job. It’s bad enough that this family is beyond crazy. But nothing prepared me for him.
Ivan.
Why won’t he leave me alone? He constantly flirts with me, annoys me with every word out of his mouth, and is determined to claim my soul. Good luck with that. I just want to do my job and escape him.
I don’t want him. I don’t.

Ivan
I love working for my cousins. It’s where I belong after drifting for so long from job to job. But I’m back with my family. The Kozlovs.
Dima and Lev have plans to extend the family home. That’s when the hot as hell architect turns up. Aren’t they supposed to be geeky bores? This guy looks like he has been created from my very own fantasizes.
Tyler.
He is my new goal in life. My hunger. I will claim his soul. Of course he plays hard to get, but isn’t that part of the fun?"]

These two were something else. They were somehow softer than some of the other books. It wasn't a head-first into it like Aaron, but it wasn't a full-on kidnapping like Seb. It was adorable in all of the psychoticness of it, soft in the pain of it.

Also, all of the family moments. The sweet ones and the depraved ones?! I was giggle-clapping quite a lot.

I canNOT wait for Carlos and Si's book! 

Trigger Warnings: dub-con, controlling behavior, torture, kidnapping, murder, stalking, homophobia, blood play, knife play, and more.

#ourbloodourpain #myhungeryoursoul #yourhatemyclaim #synblackrose #kozlovbodyguards #kozlovbodyguardsseries #kozlovbrothers #kozlovbrothersseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Craving The Chase

Annnd this has turned into an author-binge thing. Here's Syn Blackrose's "Craving The Chase." This takes place in the same universe as the Kozlov Brothers and Kozlov Bodyguards. After "Our Blood, Our Pain" but before "My Hunger, Your Soul;" hence why I put that book down and picked up this one.

["Noah
When my eyes land on Chase, it’s game over. I want to keep him. I need to have my eyes on him at all times. I can’t keep away. Anyone who gets in my way…they die. When I finally get my prize, I will never let him go.
My man.
My craving.
My Chase.
It's time to step out of the shadows.

Chase
Could life be more complicated right now? I have an ex from hell, and it’s made me question whether I even want a relationship again. Then…Noah walks into my office and my life changes forever. I need to resist the pull I feel in his presence.
The red flags surrounding him should make me run for the hills. But I can’t stop thinking about him. And the cherry on top is that I think I’m losing my mind. A feeling that someone is watching me…it’s making me crazy.
Yep, my life is a mess, so come and watch it implode into chaos."]

What I loved about this book, what I love about the Mulvaney boys, is how protective Noah is. He's willing to do, and does do, many, many, many things to keep Chase safe. Rational and irrational. And how much he wants Chase to feel wanted and needed. Noah just wants to make Chase happy.

As with many psychopaths, the (para)phrase "I'd die if you left me. I literally wouldn't survive" shouldn't be as romantic as it sounds in dark romances. But it make me smile, and it made Chase soon. Many times, it was the thing that brought him back over to Noah (toxic as it is).

Their love was...crazy, for the lack of better words. It was fast and filled with red flags and triggers. But they were both it in willingly, happily. They wanted to make it work, against the odds, against the advice of loved ones.

Trigger Warnings: stalking, violence, murder, controlling behavior, kidnapping (not MC), intruder, manipulative behavior, homophobic language, fire, sexual act that would be considered SA, and more.

#cravingthechase #synblackrose #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks