Book picks similar to
What You Deserve by Mary Martel


contemporary
contemporary-romance
mafia
drama

Ricochet


Candice M. Wright - 2020
    It deals with subjects that some readers might find upsetting such as sexual abuse and violence.Due to the graphic nature of the sexy fun times and my leading lady’s trigger finger, this book is only suitable for people over the age of 18.Still with me? Well, buckle up, buttercup, leave your morals and your panties at the door and hold on tight. This ride is about to get bumpy.

A Vow Of Hate


Lylah James - 2021
    We were poison together and there was no antidote.Our story began like any other fairy tale ended.With a beautiful wedding.One kiss.Two rings.Three vows.Killian Spencer became my lawfully wedded husband and I, his dutiful wife.But he was no Prince Charming. He didn’t come to save me… and he vowed there would be no happily ever after.And me?Just like the legends I'd read as a little girl, I always thought I’d be the princess in my fairy tale.Well, I was the villain of our love story.“Till death do us part…”

Resurrection


Siobhan Davis - 2020
    The night I met Saint, Galen, Caz, and Theo. Those manipulative a-holes set out to ruin me after our hot night together, but they didn’t realize you can’t destroy something that’s already broken. And it only works if the victim cares. Which I don’t. Because I’ve been in hell for years, and nothing penetrates the steel walls I’ve erected.Until The Sainthood decides I belong to them and cracks appear in my veneer. Their cruel games, harsh words, and rough touch awakens something inside me, and now, I’m in trouble.They draw me deeper into their dangerous world, until I’m in the middle of all the violence and gang warfare, tangled up in all the secrets and lies, and there’s no turning back.Because they own me. And nothing has ever felt so right.I’m exactly where I should be.But with enemies on all sides, survival becomes a deadly game with no guarantees.And, sometimes, saints become sinners.Due to mature content, this book is recommended to readers aged eighteen and over. This is a full-length reverse harem dark romance novel with enemies-to-lovers/bullying themes. Cannot be read as a standalone and ends with a cliffhanger. Book 1 of 3.

Pretty Lies


R.E. Bond - 2020
    Plain and simple.He’s made it obvious that I can only ever rely on myself.Until I meet them.Caden, Tyler, Jensen, and Lukas. My new stepbrother and his best friends have suddenly become my everything.Until they aren’t.They think they can break me, but they’re dead wrong.They wouldn’t have bet on me having someone else on my side, or in my bed. These rich boys haven’t seen anything yet.Their pretty lies are nothing compared to what’s coming though, and I’m going to need them to anchor me when I finally break.Death is coming to those who deserve it, and I don’t care if I lose myself in the process. Did I mention the local street crew being on my side? No one will ever see me coming.My name’s Rory Donovan, and I’m about to paint the walls red.*Pretty Lies is a 75k word dark romance reverse harem novel. This is the first book in the series and it must be read in order. The first four books are Rory's, and the harem grows over those books, so other guys will be added as the story goes. It contain abuse and rape content, and the series will have m/m. If you are triggered by sensitive content, this series is not for you.

All the Lies


Rina Kent - 2020
    I'll break. I'll pay for what I’ve done.Problem is, I don’t remember what I’ve done, but I have a clue.There was a fire.A dead girl.And I was there.All The Lies is a dark new adult book that contains dubious situations some readers might find offensive and/or triggering. If you're looking for a hero, you won't find him in Asher Carson. Please don't read if any of that bothers you.All The Lies is part of a duet and is not standalone.

Accidental Witness


Sam Mariano - 2017
    We’d never spoken, but of course I heard the stories about his family. I know they’re dangerous. I know he’s dangerous. Vince never had a reason to notice me, anyway—until I inadvertently witnessed his first mob hit. His family doesn’t believe in leaving witnesses alive, but Vince seems different. He knows the best thing he can do for me is stay away, but something keeps drawing us together. Despite knowing the risks of getting mixed up with him, I can’t resist. Only problem is, Vince is a package deal—you don’t get him without getting swept up in his family’s dark games. Now entangled with a notorious Chicago crime family, will my life ever be mine again?**Obligatory trigger warning: While not wholly dark, this is a mafia romance with elements of DARK ROMANCE. There are no knights in shining armor to be found here.Sensitive content not recommended for those under 18, or those who loathe the dark romance genre. **This is a continuing story series. The story continues and evolves in each book until you get to the end.

Crew


Tijan - 2018
    You pretend everything is normal.Or you can be crew.You insult us? We hurt you.You hurt us? We really hurt you.And if you screw with us, we will end you.My name is Bren.I'm the only female in the Wolf Crew--the best, fiercest, and most dangerous crew there is--and we have a rule: There's no falling in love.Well... too late.*This book contains mature young adult situations.*Full-length novel. First book in a series.*Book ends at 95%. Two bonus chapters are at the end.

Russian Boss's Secret Baby: A Secret Baby Mafia Romance


Bella King - 2021
    A gorgeous Russian mafia boss stole me from my home,Sculpting new desires within me with his rough hands and piercing eyes.Wicked desires,Shameful things that no woman should ever want done to her,Things that would leave me broken and weak.And yet, I crave the punishment only he can give.With thick, rippling waves of lust distorting my perception of reality,I drop deeper into his cold and unforgiving world,Blind to the bitter consequences that will ensue.It was all just a game of desire, fated to end the moment it began,But with the appearance of two little red lines, that game has become a shocking reality.I’m pregnant,And that monster in my bed is the father.Russian Boss’s Secret Baby is a standalone mafia romance that contains adult themes and dark content.

Unsuitable


Samantha Towle - 2016
     Daisy Smith has spent eighteen months of her life paying for a crime she didn’t commit. Now out of prison, she has only one focus—to get back custody of her younger brother, Jesse, who is deep in the foster care system. Desperate to rebuild her life and show the system that she is responsible enough to care for Jesse, she takes on the only job available to her—working as a maid at the Matis Estate. On day one of her new job, Daisy meets Kastor Matis, the only son of the owners and her new boss. An enigmatic, handsome Greek god of a man, Kas is closed off, cold, and…well, kind of a bastard. The more time Daisy spends around Kas, she starts to see there might be more to him than just his cold, bastard ways. He may actually have a heart beating in that frozen chest of his. But Kas has secrets, too. Secrets that he’s determined to keep. Secrets make Daisy curious. And you know what curiosity can do…

Sins & Needles


Karina Halle - 2013
    The daughter of a grifting team, Ellie spent her childhood being used as a pawn in her parents' latest scam. Now she’s much older, wiser and ready to give her con artist life a rest. But returning to the dry desert town of Palm Valley, California means one more temptation than she bargained for – Camden McQueen. Once known as the high school weirdo, Camden is bigger and badder than the boy he used to be and a talented tattoo artist with his own thriving business. Ellie’s counting on Camden still being in love with her but what she’s not counting on is how easily unrequited love can turn into obsession over time. When Camden discovers Ellie’s plan to con him, he makes her a deal she doesn’t dare refuse, but her freedom comes with a price and it’s one that takes both Ellie and Camden down a dangerous road.

The Death Club


Caroline Peckham - 2021
    Carnage. Killing.The three Cs that make my life complete.I know killing technically doesn’t start with a C – but wouldn’t life be better if it did? Just like it would be better if the Devil was my boyfriend, Santa wasn’t a d*ck and I didn’t live under a bridge.I wished for my life to improve, but it didn’t. I was kidnapped, sold, sold again, stuck in a death game, sold AGAIN and now I’m living in a serial killer’s basement.Oh and there’s another dude down here who lives in a cage and doesn’t talk. I call him Dead Man on account of his soulless eyes. He either wants to kiss me or choke me out. I can’t decide which I want most.Anyways, my hot, tattooed, muscular insane Irish captor thinks I might make a good hit woman once he trains me up. Which is a freaking insult by the way as I’m already the best killer in town. Ask anyone. Except the cops. Don’t ask them or they’ll send me back to that creepy asylum where they gave me the crazy pills. But shh, that’s a secret. Want to know another one? I quite like it here. Every day is anarchy and that’s my favourite flavour.So I think I’m gonna join The Death Club and let my freak flag fly.This is a brand new dark menage series set in the same world as the Brutal Boys of Everlake Prep series with character crossover. Each series can be read independent of each other and the lead female character will end up with more than one love interest.

Dishonorable


Natasha Knight - 2017
    My grandfather knew him well, though, and he quickly conceded. That restitution? Me.Six months later, on my eighteenth birthday, Raphael came to claim me. He stole me from my home, taking me to his Tuscan estate, where from the crumbling chapel to the destroyed vineyard to that dark cellar, the past stalked him like a shadow. Even the walls held secrets here and I’d need to uncover them all to survive.Because taking me was only the beginning of his plan. RaphaelSofia was the sacrifice to pay for her grandfather’s sins. She accused me of being the devil. And she’s right. But the truth was, he betrayed her. And when the time came to promise to love, cherish, and obey she spoke the words that would seal her fate.I do.We have a common enemy, though, my unwilling bride and I. But even the devil protects what’s his. And she’s mine.She just doesn’t yet know how much protecting she needs.

Scars


Jaimie Roberts - 2016
    At least, that’s what I thought. But you changed all that. You are always there ... Always watching ... Always waiting in the shadows. You send me flowers and messages. You stalk me, trace my every movement... Until that one day, in a silly game of Seven Minutes in Heaven, when I finally get to feel you—have a taste of you ... It left me wanting more. One catastrophic day, my wish is granted. Just past my eighteenth birthday, tragedy strikes and I watch my family die before my eyes. You are there. You rescue me. You choose my life over my older sister’s, and I hate you for that. I hate you for taking me and imprisoning me. You say it’s for my sake, but I know it’s for your own. You make me see that my life could be much worse without you in it... You make me see true darkness. It is in that darkness you make me desperate for your presence, your touch, your caress. You make me need you... You make it impossible for me to live without you… And then, eventually… You make me fall in love with you. Secrets will always wound the ones twisted within their web of lies... But the ones I’m tangled in ... are deadly. WARNING: Although this book (overall) is not a dark read, one chapter is an exception, and contains the following triggers: childhood sexual/emotional abuse with some intensity in one particular scene.

Barely Breathing


K.G. Reuss - 2021
    She’s been my tormentor for as long as I can remember. If it’s not her long legs and wicked smile getting me hot and bothered, it’s her bullying and cruel intentions.When we’re paired on a class project, I swear it’s going to be my worst nightmare.I’m not wrong.The Asha Blake I thought I knew is nothing compared to the girl sitting on my bed, divulging secrets so painful and sick, that I find myself fighting for her instead of against her.But when it comes to the Queen of Mean, once you’re in her inner circle there’s no way out. I’m in too deep. Graveyard deep. And she’s about to bury me.Barely Breathing is a dark high school bully romance. Due to mature content, reader discretion is advised.

A Lovely Obsession


Coralee June - 2020
    He hates me. He protects me. He watches me. My stalker is obsessed with keeping me safe. He calls me his prettiest debt. An assassin in the notorious Bullet gang, he uses his empire to control my life. Everything I know is a lie. What started as a debt turned into something more. What started as regret turned into obsession. Ambition is his muse and I am his conscience. Our past may bind us together, but his enemies will tear us apart. My guardian angel is a devil in disguise. He hates me. He protects me. And I think I love him.