Book picks similar to
His Brutal Game by Audrey Rush
dark
mafia
bdsm
arranged-marriage
Keeping Her
Angela Snyder - 2017
What I need.And what I need is the perfect woman. Perfect and pure in every way possible. And I'm willing to obtain that perfection...no matter the cost.So when I make my newest purchase, I expect Adeline's fate to be like all the others before her --- taking what I want and then never seeing her again.But she's different.Her beauty is disarming.And even though I promised to let her go after I took what I wanted...I slowly come to the realization that I can't.I have to break my promise to her, because she's mine now.And I'm keeping her.**Keeping Her is book one of the two-book dark romance Keep Me Series and ends with a cliffhanger. It contains adult content for mature readers.**
Chains
Shandi Boyes
Her life was perfect. She was set for greatness. . . until she approved an article on the No1 singer in the country doing a stint in rehab when he was fighting for his life in an Intensive Care Unit. That was the very first kink in a downward spiral that saw Cleo slip from grace. Her desk was moved to the basement, her six-figure income stripped away, and a tragic accident no one saw coming impacted her in ways you could never envision. So imagine her surprise when four years after the mishap that downgraded her from Chief Executive of Entertainment to Flamboyant Obituary Writer she was personally selected by billionaire Jack Carson to investigate what was being touted as the story of the century. With a stream of luxury perks thrown into the deal, and the guarantee of a stable income for years to come, the dreams that slipped from Cleo’s grasp four years ago were returning stronger than ever. It was the ideal situation, a perfect way to show her top-ranked journalism studies were being wasted in the basement. She was determined. Nothing was going to stand in her way. . . until she discovered who she was set to investigate. Can Cleo push aside the demons of her past to bring the story of the century to fruition? Or is she being lured into a world determined to swallow her whole?From the author who brought you the Perception and Enigma series comes the next tantalising instalment. This is the story you’ve been waiting for. The one I deemed too risqué to write. Sit back and enjoy the story about two people in vastly contradicting roles come together in a fire-sparking showdown. Just be warned: it is the shy ones you need to watch the closest.
Savages
Natalie Bennett - 2018
I’m the whore they’re ashamed of." When life tried to break me I grabbed that b*tch by the throat and squeezed. I thought I could overcome anything. I swore I could handle him, but after being forced to play at the Devil's playground I ended up craving his touch. One taste of his poison made my loyalties begin to waiver. Romero "I’m a living nightmare, I’m everything they fear." I’ve been called the Devil, deranged, and a savage. I lived by a code created by rebel souls. We were sinners and thieves that made no apologies for taking whatever the f*ck we wanted. Saving a girl in the woods was never part of my plans, but when I saw the crazy in her eyes I knew it was a match made in hell. Now secrets are piling up, the bodies are rotting, and time is running out to finish what I started. Forewarning, our story is more than a little f*cked up. Authors Note : 18+ I am not going to put a long 'warning' on this book. I will say that Savages is a VERY cautionary tale that has no regard for hard limits. Reader discretion IS highly advised.
Bitter Heat
Mia Knight - 2019
He was the flame. After this, they would be ash. A cruel twist of fate leaves Jasmine Hennessy stranded in a remote cabin with her worst nightmare—her ex-husband, James Roth, who she hasn’t seen in five years. He isn’t acting like the man she married, but did she ever really know him? One night together kicks off a series of events that threatens her freedom as Roth seeks vengeance on those who ruined him seven years ago. He’s determined to bring her back into the world she left behind where money is king, reputation is everything, and people will kill to keep their secrets. Author's Note: This is a dark romance novel with triggers and mature themes that may make some readers uncomfortable.
Requiem of the Soul
Natasha Knight - 2021
Zavarelli and Natasha Knight!I was born with noble blood in my veins. Heir to a powerful dynasty. Wealth. Power. Aristocracy. Temptations too dangerous to resist. Until someone tried to steal it all.Scarred and broken, I emerged from the flames. Now I’ve returned to take what’s mine. Revenge.The first item on my agenda? Make Ivy Moreno my wife. Second?Bend her until she breaks.
Grand Lies
J.C. Hawke - 2021
While the city of London slept, he made good on our promise. Only to cut me with his words as the sun broke.I ran from him—I always ran. But Mason Lowell was different, and he wouldn’t let me go without a fight, finding my flaws and embedding himself into them. My push was strong. I spent my whole life perfecting it. But his pull was unashamedly stronger, and the rope he bound around my heart was his to pull at will.Love was shared—so much love. Promises were made—he broke every one. And then just when I think we are playing in the same key...The music stops.Grand Lies is book one of The Promise Duet. It is a Billionaire Contemporary Romance and contains themes suited to mature readers.This book is part of a Duet and is not a standalone.
Hooked
Emily McIntire - 2021
Once Upon A Time, there was a little boy. His belly full of laughter, his life full of joy. Until one day, something changed; stripped his innocence away.The hole inside making space for the devil to come and play. His dreams gone forever, he grew up way too fast. An endless night of crocodiles, and watches made of glass. He grew into a villain, the taste of vengeance on his tongue. Craving to make his enemies pay for the misdeeds they had done. Instead he found a darling girl, and refused to let her go. For what better way to make the man pay, than to steal his little shadow. *Hooked is a full-length, complete standalone and the first in The Never After Series: A collection of fractured fairy tales where the villains get the happy ever after. This is a DARK Contemporary romance (not a literal retelling and not fantasy) featuring mature themes and content that may not be suitable for all audiences. Reader discretion is advised.*
Counts of Eight
Brynn Ford - 2020
One cruel master. A single performance to determine whether they live or die.★★★★★ "Dangerous, haunting, twisted, powerful; this is what true dark romance is meant to be." -The Flamingo Bookshelf Review-Anya has served as a talent slave for one of the four families since she was kidnapped three years ago. She has accepted her fate, knowing that the four families are everywhere and escape is impossible. She belongs to Nikolai who abuses her in unspeakable ways. He's a villainous master and head of the Mikhailov family. She has learned to live the life of a slave, complacent in her misery, until a new captive arrives and changes everything.Ezra has just been violently kidnapped and brought to the Mikhailov family home. He is given to Anya as her new dance partner. Sarcastic, stubborn, and impulsive, he refuses to recognize a master, but Anya knows her fate rests in his hands. His cooperation is crucial to their survival. If their performance at the next quarterly meeting of the four families doesn't meet Nikolai's strict expectations, it could mean death for them both.As Anya tries to break Ezra into compliance and train him in her style of dance, her walls are broken down, and a bond unlike any other is formed.It's dangerous to fall in love when you're a slave.This dark romance thriller tells a story of love against all odds.Content Warning: This book contains explicit sexual content, violence, and mature themes including scenes where consent is not sought or given. The author in no way condones such heinous acts, but rather seeks to immerse the reader in the true horror of the characters' experiences. This is your trigger warning—reader discretion is advised.Series Note: Counts of Eight is book one of three in the Four Families trilogy. It is not a standalone and the books must be read in order. Books one and two end on major cliffhangers, but the series is complete and ready for you to binge read!
Monster
Vanessa Waltz - 2021
Tall, dark, and handsome don’t begin to describe his level of gorgeous. Tony Costa is a dangerous man with a beautiful face.We’re arranged to marry.Start a family.Or else. My father forced me to the altar, giving me to the silver-spooned gangster with a blackened soul. He hates my family. Hates me. And he’ll make me his perfect wife.I’m supposed to serve him, bear his children, and obey.I refuse to surrender to the monster in my bed...but submitting to his power fulfills my darkest desires. Before long, I’m enthralled by his steamy threats, his rough hands, his beautiful, deep eyes...and the terrible secrets they hold.Am I in love with the man? Or am I submitting to a monster?Author's Note: Builds on the Sinners of Boston series, but is a standalone romance. This enemies-to-lovers, age gap, arranged marriage romance is between a feisty biker princess and a ruthless mafia prince.
Scorned Princess
Eva Chance - 2021
Marry a man I might eventually love, forge an alliance between his gang and my father's, and get out from under Dad's sadistic thumb.Turns out my fiancé has other plans. Like slaughtering me and my entire family the night before the wedding.I make it out alive, left with nothing but a thirst for vengeance. But if I want to crush the prick who betrayed me, I have to turn to the biggest pricks of them all.Hot, cocky, and dangerous, Wylder Noble and his men rule Paradise Bend. Their help doesn't come cheap. I've got to prove I'm strong enough to deserve it.Whatever they throw at me, I can take it. No taunting words or scorching looks will break the wall around my heart.They think I'm made of glass? I'm a girl of shards that can cut you to the bone.Before this is over, someone's going to bleed. And this time, it won't be me.*Scorned Princess is the first in a new gritty contemporary romance series from bestselling author Eva Chase (writing as Eva Chance) and Harlow King. No major triggers, but be prepared for domineering men who make their own rules, a rebellious heroine who's not afraid to get her hands dirty, and an enemies-to-lovers romance where the girl gets all the guys. It's going to be a wild, bloody ride!*
Asher Black
Parker S. Huntington - 2017
Huntington comes a steamy, slow-burn love story full of unexpected love and banter.It started with my bladder.I didn't mean to witness a shady deal in the restroom hallway.I didn't think twice when I called the cops.And I certainly didn't know who the club belonged to.Asher Black.Former mafia hitman.Billionaire CEO.New York's most eligible bachelor.When he shows up at my college, looking for the girl who called the cops on his business, I know I'm as good as dead.What I don't expect is his offer--he'll pay my tuition and set me up with a cushy job after I graduate.All I have to do is... be his fake fiancée.Asher Black is a 90,000-word standalone novel in The Five Syndicates mafia romance series.
Wolf
Penelope Black - 2020
So when she invites me to stay with her for the summer, I don't hesitate.And I make a new summer plan: skip the vacation, take online courses, and dig up dirt on Mom's new fiancé.What I didn't plan for was Wolf Fitzgerald--and his brothers. Dangerously good-looking with tattoos and bad attitudes.And my new stepbrothers.
Tramp
Mary Elizabeth - 2020
After fleeing a tragic past, Lydia’s determined never to go back to the life she left behind at any price. She lands in Grand Haven, California—a city booming with billion dollar corporations and tech money—and everything changes. Armed with the only lesson she learned from her mother, Lydia builds a life of routine, solitude, and success. Nothing is out of reach when you’re beautiful. Nearly a decade after her arrival, Lydia's the highest paid escort in the city, and only the most influential people in Grand Haven can get near her. She's a goddess among her clients, and out of reach to everyone else. Lydia's created the perfect illusion, and no one will take it from her again.Until a misunderstanding lands her in the office of the city’s most eligible bachelor. Talent Ridge is Grand Haven royalty. Despite running in the same circles as Lydia’s clients, he’s scandal-free and on his way to being the most powerful man in the area. Their chemistry is undeniable, but a relationship has the potential to destroy everything they’ve worked for. Especially when Lydia is running from her past, and Talent is running toward a future she can never be a part of. Beauty and money can’t save them this time. Are Lydia and Talent willing to give it all up for each other, or will their differences cost too much?
Little Dove
Layla Frost - 2020
Yeah.Once upon a time.Isn’t that how all good fairy tales start? And Maximo and I, we were definitely a fairy tale.Not the cleaned-up, sanitized ones where life’s problems were solved with a smile and a song. We were the old-school kind. The twisted tales packed with murder, violence, and tragic beginnings.Okay, so maybe we weren’t a traditional fairy tale. After all, Maximo was more villain than prince. He was scarily sexy. Devilishly charming. Controlling, possessive, and dangerous.Especially when it came to me. His little dove.And heaven help anyone who tried to free me from my gilded cage.Warning: Recommended for readers 18+. This book features graphic language, sex, violence, and a Daddy obsessed with his little dove. If this doesn't sound like your kind of fairy tale, this may not be the book for you.
Diver's Heart
K.A. Knight - 2021
All it took was one summer to fall in love with him...but I fell hard, too hard, and not just for him...A series of bad choices and actions causes me to leave him and our family behind. I have to find myself once again, and to do that I must dive deep.At twenty-four, I'm a world-class diver and explorer, one of the best. But when my newest job collides with my past, will we be able to work together, especially with the stakes so high?Down below, things can easily go wrong, and when they do, we only have two options—work together to survive, or fall apart and die.Down we go, right into the abyss.