Grievous by J.M. Darhower is out today! Don’t miss this intense conclusion to the Scarlet Scars series. If you love mafia romance, grab this now!
Grievous (Scarlet Scars #2) by J.M. Darhower
RATING: 5 out of 5 STARS
[Mature Content; Spoilers Ahead]
She wants a fairy tale with the happy ending. All I have are bullet holes in a house with no soul.
I need to confess my love for Lorenzo Gambini, and the fact that J.M. Darhower can write mafia romance like no one else. She has ruined me for other authors in this genre because no one can write these types of characters and storylines like she can. This series has been intense from the very start, and matching its intensity is its romance.
The romance in these novels isn’t typical. It’s not fairy tales and white picket fences, but then again it is those things, too.
I found myself starting to give a fuck about you.
I don’t like it, not at all, because as she says those words, I come to realize, in the moment, that feeling might be mutual.
I won’t lie to you, this one was hard to read. When J.M. warned that the series would be dark, I took that as a sign to prepare myself. Nothing could prepare me for the soul-wrenching things that take place in this novel.
It’s hard and it’s sad. There’s no main character death, and there are no scenes were rape is depicted fully, but it happens. I’m not one to spoil major plot points because I think that’s what reading the book is all about, but I would want those warnings if I was going into the series.
Besides the romantic relationship, I love the way Lorenzo is with the people around him. With his crew, who he only calls by numbers. With his little brother who is trying to spread his wings, and Lorenzo starts to feel like a parent whose nest is emptying. This novel is all about character growth, accepting change, and when things aren’t right, you fight for a just cause.
“We’re not exactly like The Avengers here, but sometimes shit has to be done. Sometimes you’ve gotta go after a guy, to make a point, to say ‘this shit isn’t happening on my watch’ because it shouldn’t be happening.”
All that being said, this novel has it all. The romance between Lorenzo and Morgan, the fast-paced action of a mafia thriller, and a resolution that is as sweet as some of the oranges off the Gambini grove.
Go find your picket fence. ranks up there with You were worth it. to me in the J.M. catalogue.
Thank you to the author for the advanced copy of this novel!