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Venice Mafia #5
The Hunter
Kill Bill meets Mr. & Mrs. Smith in this twisty mafia romance!
Eight years ago, my wife died in a house fire.
Or so I thought.
Stefania Freitas isn’t just alive—she’s become an assassin.
And her hit list includes my boss.
Now, I’m torn between loyalty to the Venice Mafia and the woman who still owns my heart.
Stefi was my light in the darkness, my reason to fight.
But she faked her death, leaving me shattered.
Seeing her again? It’s like looking at a ghost.
A ghost with green eyes and hair the color of fire.
She’s colder now. Ruthless. But the moment our eyes lock, the heat is undeniable.
She runs. I chase.
My little fox can try to hide, but I’m The Hunter.
And this time, I’m not letting her go.
The Hunter is a twisty, standalone mafia romance with a black cat assassin heroine and an obsessed golden retreiver hero who will do whatever it takes to get her back. No cliffhanger. HEA guaranteed.
You can expect:
🩷 Kill Bill meets Mr. & Mrs. Smith
🩷Golden Retriever is Feral for his Black Cat Wife
🩷”Surprise, honey, I’m still alive”
🩷It’s Always Been You
🩷 Questionable Use of Knife Handle
🩷 Whose Body Count is Higher?
🩷 Cat dad
Eight years ago, my wife died in a house fire.
Or so I thought.
Stefania Freitas isn’t just alive—she’s become an assassin.
And her hit list includes my boss.
Now, I’m torn between loyalty to the Venice Mafia and the woman who still owns my heart.
Stefi was my light in the darkness, my reason to fight.
But she faked her death, leaving me shattered.
Seeing her again? It’s like looking at a ghost.
A ghost with green eyes and hair the color of fire.
She’s colder now. Ruthless. But the moment our eyes lock, the heat is undeniable.
She runs. I chase.
My little fox can try to hide, but I’m The Hunter.
And this time, I’m not letting her go.
The Hunter is a twisty, standalone mafia romance with a black cat assassin heroine and an obsessed golden retreiver hero who will do whatever it takes to get her back. No cliffhanger. HEA guaranteed.
You can expect:
🩷 Kill Bill meets Mr. & Mrs. Smith
🩷Golden Retriever is Feral for his Black Cat Wife
🩷”Surprise, honey, I’m still alive”
🩷It’s Always Been You
🩷 Questionable Use of Knife Handle
🩷 Whose Body Count is Higher?
🩷 Cat dad
422 pages, Paperback
Published January 30, 2025
259 people are currently reading
5913 people want to read
About the author
Tara Crescent
113 books1,061 followersTara Crescent writes steamy contemporary romances for readers who like hot, dominant heroes and strong, sassy heroines.
When she's not writing, she can be found curled up on a couch with a good book, often with a cat on her lap.
She lives in Toronto.
When she's not writing, she can be found curled up on a couch with a good book, often with a cat on her lap.
She lives in Toronto.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 159 reviews
February 25, 2025
★★★★.5
"My wife," he growls, his voice rough and possessive. "Mine."
When Joao discovers that his dead wife is not so dead after eight years of thinking so, he goes to hunt her down. And what does he do when he finds her?
A) Kiss her to oblivion
B) Kill her because what the fuck?
C) Tell her he loves her and begs her to come home
Ding, ding, ding, none of the above. He kills the people who were sent to kill her, points a gun at her, calls her little fox and tells her to strip. Hehe, so romantic.
In all seriousness, this book was really good. I loved the writing style. I’ve read every book in this series, and all of them have this addictive pace. The short chapters make it easy to get halfway through the book without even realizing it. The characters are unique in their own twisted way. The plot was so unexpected—like, what the hell? How did the author even think of this? I loved it. The story was memorable, he kind that makes you stare at the wall and think about it from time to time. The ending was so sweet, the perfect epilogue. I can’t wait to read more from this series, and I’m so excited to see what’s next!
"My wife," he growls, his voice rough and possessive. "Mine."
When Joao discovers that his dead wife is not so dead after eight years of thinking so, he goes to hunt her down. And what does he do when he finds her?
A) Kiss her to oblivion
B) Kill her because what the fuck?
C) Tell her he loves her and begs her to come home
Ding, ding, ding, none of the above. He kills the people who were sent to kill her, points a gun at her, calls her little fox and tells her to strip. Hehe, so romantic.
In all seriousness, this book was really good. I loved the writing style. I’ve read every book in this series, and all of them have this addictive pace. The short chapters make it easy to get halfway through the book without even realizing it. The characters are unique in their own twisted way. The plot was so unexpected—like, what the hell? How did the author even think of this? I loved it. The story was memorable, he kind that makes you stare at the wall and think about it from time to time. The ending was so sweet, the perfect epilogue. I can’t wait to read more from this series, and I’m so excited to see what’s next!
February 6, 2025
thank you to good girls PR and the author for the beautiful box!
4.5!
This is my first book from this author, and it definitely won’t be the last! This was so good! I feel like I’m pretty good at guessing the twists in books but this one really got me. I LOVE Joao and he’s definitely a new favourite!
4.5!
This is my first book from this author, and it definitely won’t be the last! This was so good! I feel like I’m pretty good at guessing the twists in books but this one really got me. I LOVE Joao and he’s definitely a new favourite!
February 2, 2025
I received this book as an ARC and here are what I think:
This is the first book I have read by Tara and definitely want to read more. The plot twist blew my mind. The MCs have a connection beyond death and they give Mr. & Mrs. Smith vibes
Stefi is rude and very stubborn. Joao is calmer but tough and determined. Also a romantic. PLEASE READ THE TRIGGER WARNINGS.
I enjoyed it a lot. Easy to read with pretty hot spicy scenes.
Thanks for the opportunity. It’s now available on Kindle Unlimited.
❤️🔥GOLDEN RETRIEVER IS FERAL FOR HIS BLACK CAT WIFE.
❤️🔥”SURPRISE” Honey, I’m still alive.
❤️🔥Mafia romance.
❤️🔥 Kill bill meets Mr. & Mrs. Smith.
❤️🔥It’s always been you.
This is the first book I have read by Tara and definitely want to read more. The plot twist blew my mind. The MCs have a connection beyond death and they give Mr. & Mrs. Smith vibes
Stefi is rude and very stubborn. Joao is calmer but tough and determined. Also a romantic. PLEASE READ THE TRIGGER WARNINGS.
I enjoyed it a lot. Easy to read with pretty hot spicy scenes.
Thanks for the opportunity. It’s now available on Kindle Unlimited.
❤️🔥GOLDEN RETRIEVER IS FERAL FOR HIS BLACK CAT WIFE.
❤️🔥”SURPRISE” Honey, I’m still alive.
❤️🔥Mafia romance.
❤️🔥 Kill bill meets Mr. & Mrs. Smith.
❤️🔥It’s always been you.
February 25, 2025
Joao has spent the last eight years thinking that his wife died in a house fire but when his boss Antonio Moretti (the Venice crime lord) asks him to meet up he’s forced to face the truth: Stefi is very much alive and she’s been busy. Busy killing people that is. Stefi is an assassin who started out with a lengthy list of people who deserve to die at her hands but now she’s only got 4 left and one of them is Antonio. So begins a game of hunting & chasing. And Joao is an expert at hunting his wife.
This was my first read by Tara and oh my gosh I loved it so much. It gave the darkness and danger of a mafia world that I love mixed with the sweetness of a golden retriever husband obsessed with his wife that makes me melt inside. It was the perfect combination and I just really enjoyed her writing style. Reading The Hunter has made me wanna go back and start this series from the beginning. I think Tara definitely has the potential to be one of my new favorite mafia romance authors.
4.5⭐️
3.5🔥
What to expect:
Revenge
“Surprise, I’m alive”
Mafia
He self pleasures himself using her panties
Assassins
He’s a cat dad
Knife play
“My wife”
He’s feral for her
Handcuff contest
TW/CW: mentions and discussions of being trafficked/kidnapped as children (past), violence, on page murder, violence towards children, brief mention of a side character being sexually assaulted by her stepfather when she was 13 and then pimped by stepfather (no graphic details given),
This was my first read by Tara and oh my gosh I loved it so much. It gave the darkness and danger of a mafia world that I love mixed with the sweetness of a golden retriever husband obsessed with his wife that makes me melt inside. It was the perfect combination and I just really enjoyed her writing style. Reading The Hunter has made me wanna go back and start this series from the beginning. I think Tara definitely has the potential to be one of my new favorite mafia romance authors.
4.5⭐️
3.5🔥
What to expect:
Revenge
“Surprise, I’m alive”
Mafia
He self pleasures himself using her panties
Assassins
He’s a cat dad
Knife play
“My wife”
He’s feral for her
Handcuff contest
TW/CW: mentions and discussions of being trafficked/kidnapped as children (past), violence, on page murder, violence towards children, brief mention of a side character being sexually assaulted by her stepfather when she was 13 and then pimped by stepfather (no graphic details given),
Read
December 6, 2024dev editing🫶🏽
January 30, 2025
(4.5/5 rounded up to 5/5)
I received an advanced copy and these are my thoughts:
What was this book?! Another hit by Tara Crescent. This is the third book in this series that I read and it was a well rounded story. I couldn't put it down!
At least for me, this was the "darkest" of the last three books. Stefi and Joao's backstory was dark and heavy. They were both assassins and there was a "Mr. & Mrs. Smith vibe" going on, except, they didn't want to kill each other. They were all about keeping the other safe. Their connection ran so deep and their chemistry was incredible. The plot twists might have been predictable in hindsight but I didn't see them coming.
This was action packed and spicy but also filled with sweet and tender moments between the MCs.
Stefi was strong and determined, while Joao was calm and collected and precise. If you like reading about couples that work as team, you'll love Stefi and Joao - they were the ultimate team!
Their HEA was satisfying after so much pain and suffering.
I can't wait Charlie and Ignazio's story!
[Spice: 2.5-3/5]
**Please check for TWs - this is a dark romance after all]
I received an advanced copy and these are my thoughts:
What was this book?! Another hit by Tara Crescent. This is the third book in this series that I read and it was a well rounded story. I couldn't put it down!
At least for me, this was the "darkest" of the last three books. Stefi and Joao's backstory was dark and heavy. They were both assassins and there was a "Mr. & Mrs. Smith vibe" going on, except, they didn't want to kill each other. They were all about keeping the other safe. Their connection ran so deep and their chemistry was incredible. The plot twists might have been predictable in hindsight but I didn't see them coming.
This was action packed and spicy but also filled with sweet and tender moments between the MCs.
Stefi was strong and determined, while Joao was calm and collected and precise. If you like reading about couples that work as team, you'll love Stefi and Joao - they were the ultimate team!
Their HEA was satisfying after so much pain and suffering.
I can't wait Charlie and Ignazio's story!
[Spice: 2.5-3/5]
**Please check for TWs - this is a dark romance after all]
January 30, 2025
Thank you to Tara Cresent for sending me your book! This was an absolute banger of a read!! It absolutely gave Mr & Mrs Smith vibes! Reading this book was honestly so much fun! It was super interesting and WOW the emotion this book pulled from me was crazy. I felt so in the early chapters. The way both Stefi & Joao mourned for one another was so heartbreaking. Coming into this as a stand-alone some of the plot lines were a little hard to follow. I felt like there was a lot of people and it was hard to distinguish what everyone’s roles were. It kinda confused me but as I read it became a little easy to understand. Stefi and Joao are so similar and so different. Dispite all their hardships Joao and Stefi loved each other HARD! And it showed the more I read. Their love was unmatched, it was raw and filled with passion and it never wavered even after years of being apart. Their love story was both beautiful and painfully heartbreaking. Their emotions were expressed so well. I felt it all in such heavy waves. A lot of good shared moments between the couple and the kickass tension in this book was INSANE!! I was so hooked while reading everything about this storyline it literally had a piece of my heart. All of it was genuinely so so good! THE PLOT TWISTS AT THE END WHOAAAAA! I was gagged! Overall this book had everything I wanted, action, passion, heartbreak, a twist at the end!! And it was executed so well and I was very entertained well reading!
January 30, 2025
I love second chance love stories and these two assassins hit the bullseye. But coming back from the dead doesn’t make everything easy for our intrepid couple. Secrets and misconceptions riddle their lives. Can their explosive chemistry and shared past lead them to an everlasting love? As someone seeks to end them, can they discern the good guys from the bad? The evil madman who tortures children doesn’t get his nastiness on the page, but it is remembered and remarked upon giving this tale a serious and somewhat sad feel. But the hopefulness Joao and Stefi always envision brightens the story more, and the smoking sexy times are filled with love. Is this read dark, yes, yet the darkness is overcome and the HEA will have you smiling widely. Oh, and the audiobook narrators knock it out of the park!
February 7, 2025
*ALC review* I already loved the Venice Mafia series, and this latest installment was no different! I absolutely loved Joao and Steffi's story, especially since they were apart since each thought the other was not alive. The angst of the story was intensified by the drama going on, but it didn't fail to have me swooning for Joao right along with Steffi. Wen Ross and Kai Kennicot did a good job narrating this audiobook, and the emotions while bringing these characters to life had me in a chokehold! Bravo to Tara Cresent for another great story, and once again, I'm left at the edge of my seat for more!
January 18, 2025
Can’t help but love a mafia romance. Tara Crescent does it again with a well written and fun romance, and this one was a little different than the usual blueprint for this subgenre. Thank you to Tara for the ARC copy!
Joao and Stefi are perfect for each other, and I enjoyed the backstory and history we got from each of their points of views that helped to contribute to the story. Our side characters are amazing, and even better if you’ve read more of the series prior to this book. This was the perfect sweet and spicy palette cleanser romance 🧘🏽♀️
Joao and Stefi are perfect for each other, and I enjoyed the backstory and history we got from each of their points of views that helped to contribute to the story. Our side characters are amazing, and even better if you’ve read more of the series prior to this book. This was the perfect sweet and spicy palette cleanser romance 🧘🏽♀️
January 20, 2025
Huge thank you to the author for sending me this ARC! It should come as no surprise that I absolutely loved this book. It was action, packed and full of adventure. The plot was so fun and the characters chemistry was perfect!! It’s one of those books that could be easily adapted to a movie because it was genuinely so enjoyable!
January 26, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
You find out that the love of your life is alive after years of mourning. But she's a killer and she has a list.
A mafia romance full of intrigue, pain and revenge. It breaks your heart but it glues it back together. A satisfying ending.
First book I've read by the author and it won't be the last.
Pre-release review
Thanks to Good Girls PR and the author for the copy.
You find out that the love of your life is alive after years of mourning. But she's a killer and she has a list.
A mafia romance full of intrigue, pain and revenge. It breaks your heart but it glues it back together. A satisfying ending.
First book I've read by the author and it won't be the last.
Pre-release review
Thanks to Good Girls PR and the author for the copy.
February 10, 2025
This was a cute mafia book, lots of steamy sex but it definitely took its time getting there. I enjoyed the twists and curves of the plot of this book, but I will 100% say that this has a protective husband vibe, and I always love those. It was a decently short book, so I am not a complete hater. I did feel like it dragged a bit but it was a three star read for sure.
June 3, 2025
When I say I want a good mafia series this is what I mean!!! What an absolute banger from Tara!!! This is exactly what a mafia series needs, an obsessed, possessive and hot man who knows how to respect his wife, wow wow wow. The female character in this book was a baddie too, she was an assassin who was seeking revenge and I loved her. This book is another perfectly executed story!!
February 27, 2025
I live seeing the bad guys get what they deserve and Stefi made sure they each got exactly what they deserved. 😜
February 28, 2025
This was such a fun one. Very action packed, Mr. And Mrs. Smith vibes. I was speeding through pages every time I picked this up. I definitely will be reading more from this author in the future!
July 24, 2025
I was down for it when I read ‘The Hunter is going for the hunt’. 😮💨😮💨😮💨
One of my favorite books from the whole series as I had some complaints with the previous but this one did not disappoint at all. I love how easy the writing is and it does not feel like a burden to move forwards.
Bonus points for actually having a gripping plot with mature scenes, that is what we read the books for - THE PLOT. I didn’t want it to end I wish there was more. Can’t wait for Charlie’s book. Tara if you’re reading this, please make me your ARC reader. 🤌🏼
One of my favorite books from the whole series as I had some complaints with the previous but this one did not disappoint at all. I love how easy the writing is and it does not feel like a burden to move forwards.
Bonus points for actually having a gripping plot with mature scenes, that is what we read the books for - THE PLOT. I didn’t want it to end I wish there was more. Can’t wait for Charlie’s book. Tara if you’re reading this, please make me your ARC reader. 🤌🏼
February 2, 2025
3.5⭐️ New to me author.
Stefi and Joan’s story was exciting, fun with action and some surprising twists. It’s lighter on the spice side, but great when it hits! I don’t feel like you have to read the first 4 books before reading this one. This was my first and while I could tell there were other couples with stories, it didn’t detract from this story! I would have liked a little more action, spice or something. I felt a times some areas dragged while other parts it was more consistent. The flow for me personally was a tad off. But I still truly enjoyed it and will go back for the other couples!
Read:ALC given in exchange for an honest review
MMC: Joao Carvalho
FMC: Stefania Freitas
Spice: 2🌶️
Tropes: Mafia, Who did this to you, Married Assassins, Faked Death, Obsessed Golden Retriever+Black Cat, My Wife, It’s always been you, Mr.+Mrs. Smith/Killbill vibes!
Stefi and Joan’s story was exciting, fun with action and some surprising twists. It’s lighter on the spice side, but great when it hits! I don’t feel like you have to read the first 4 books before reading this one. This was my first and while I could tell there were other couples with stories, it didn’t detract from this story! I would have liked a little more action, spice or something. I felt a times some areas dragged while other parts it was more consistent. The flow for me personally was a tad off. But I still truly enjoyed it and will go back for the other couples!
Read:ALC given in exchange for an honest review
MMC: Joao Carvalho
FMC: Stefania Freitas
Spice: 2🌶️
Tropes: Mafia, Who did this to you, Married Assassins, Faked Death, Obsessed Golden Retriever+Black Cat, My Wife, It’s always been you, Mr.+Mrs. Smith/Killbill vibes!
January 30, 2025
This was the first book I've read from Tara and let me tell you it won't be the last!
I just love me a badass FMC who fakes her death and becomes a serial unaliver! Now her next target..... is.....
Insert Joao assassin for the Mafia. And happens to be the us and of the FMC and he's a golden retriever who melts for her!
The twists and turns in this story were excellent! Thank you Tara and goodgirls pr for this audio and earc for review!
I just love me a badass FMC who fakes her death and becomes a serial unaliver! Now her next target..... is.....
Insert Joao assassin for the Mafia. And happens to be the us and of the FMC and he's a golden retriever who melts for her!
The twists and turns in this story were excellent! Thank you Tara and goodgirls pr for this audio and earc for review!
March 30, 2025
enjoyed it
(Audio)
The plot was very interesting. However, the book could have been shorter. I think it would have had a bigger impact that way. I also wanted the book to be more spicy.
3.75⭐️
2🌶️
3.5🎧
(Audio)
The plot was very interesting. However, the book could have been shorter. I think it would have had a bigger impact that way. I also wanted the book to be more spicy.
3.75⭐️
2🌶️
3.5🎧
January 24, 2025
THE HUNTER is the fifth instalment in Tara Crescent’s contemporary,adult VENICE MAFIA dark, erotic, Mafia romance series. This is assassins Stefania ‘Stefi’ Freitas, and Joao Carvalho’s story line. THE HUNTER can be read as a stand alone but for back story and cohesion, I recommend reading the series in order.
NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.
Told from dual first person perspectives (Joao and Stefi) THE HUNTER follows the rekindling romance and relationship between assassins Stefania ‘Stefi’ Freitas, and Joao Carvalho. As children Stefi and Joao were kidnapped by Austrian businessman Henrik Bach, and trained in the art of assassination. Married to one another at nineteen, weeks into their marriage, Stefi supposedly died in a fire, and eighteen months later, Joao drowned off the coast of Marseilles. Fast forward to present day, Stefi will come face to face with the man she once loved, a man she betrayed when ‘died’ eight years earlier, a man who is determined to rekindle what was lost but all is not as it appears to be, Stefania Freitas is on the hunt, taking down the people who destroyed their lives, and there are only two people left to die.
The world building focuses on the darkness that has surrounded our couple all of their lives. Trained to be assassins, both Joao and Stefi are mercenaries for hire but there is a mole in one of their organizations, and Stefi is struggling to trust the man whom she still loves.
The relationship between Stefi and Joao is one of second chances; a rekindling romance in which our couple must come to terms with the losses in their lives, and the potential for a new future going forward but Stefi is determined to finish her quest, one more name and she can move on with her life. The $ex scenes are intimate and impassioned without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and powerful secondary and supporting characters including Venice Mafia leader Antonio and Lucia (The Thief 1), second in command Dante Colonna( The Broker 2),and Tomas and Alina (The Fighter 4), as well as Stefi’s ward Charlotte aka Charlie. The requisite evil has many faces.
THE HUNTER is a story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, murder and mayhem, love and loss, obsession, forgiveness and relationships. The premise is dark,dramatic and intense; the romance is seductive; the characters are broken but determined and desperate.
copy supplied for review
NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.
Told from dual first person perspectives (Joao and Stefi) THE HUNTER follows the rekindling romance and relationship between assassins Stefania ‘Stefi’ Freitas, and Joao Carvalho. As children Stefi and Joao were kidnapped by Austrian businessman Henrik Bach, and trained in the art of assassination. Married to one another at nineteen, weeks into their marriage, Stefi supposedly died in a fire, and eighteen months later, Joao drowned off the coast of Marseilles. Fast forward to present day, Stefi will come face to face with the man she once loved, a man she betrayed when ‘died’ eight years earlier, a man who is determined to rekindle what was lost but all is not as it appears to be, Stefania Freitas is on the hunt, taking down the people who destroyed their lives, and there are only two people left to die.
The world building focuses on the darkness that has surrounded our couple all of their lives. Trained to be assassins, both Joao and Stefi are mercenaries for hire but there is a mole in one of their organizations, and Stefi is struggling to trust the man whom she still loves.
The relationship between Stefi and Joao is one of second chances; a rekindling romance in which our couple must come to terms with the losses in their lives, and the potential for a new future going forward but Stefi is determined to finish her quest, one more name and she can move on with her life. The $ex scenes are intimate and impassioned without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and powerful secondary and supporting characters including Venice Mafia leader Antonio and Lucia (The Thief 1), second in command Dante Colonna( The Broker 2),and Tomas and Alina (The Fighter 4), as well as Stefi’s ward Charlotte aka Charlie. The requisite evil has many faces.
THE HUNTER is a story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, murder and mayhem, love and loss, obsession, forgiveness and relationships. The premise is dark,dramatic and intense; the romance is seductive; the characters are broken but determined and desperate.
copy supplied for review
January 25, 2025
"Tara Crescent's The Hunter is a gripping mafia romance that had me hooked from the first page. I was completely blown away by Joao and Stefi's story, a rollercoaster of emotions that kept me on the edge of my seat, my heart in my throat, biting my nails until the very end. Despite their shared traumas and unlikely beginnings as child assassins, they find love in the most unexpected place.
The dual POV narrative is a masterstroke, weaving together Joao and Stefi's complex pasts and present struggles with seamless precision. Their story is one of stolen childhoods, forced choices, and a love that defies all odds. Stefi's decision to fake her death, followed by Joao's own desperate act, sets the stage for a heart-wrenching separation and an explosive reunion eight years later.
Joao, with his fierce loyalty and unwavering devotion, is the epitome of an alpha hero with a heart of gold. Stefi, a woman of strength and resilience, matches him beat for beat, her fiery spirit and unwavering determination making her a force to be reckoned with. Their chemistry is electric, a slow burn that ignites into an inferno of passion. The tension is palpable as they navigate their complicated past and the dangerous world they inhabit, especially when Stefi's personal vendetta clashes with Joao's loyalties.
While the pacing occasionally falters, the intricate plot, filled with twists and turns I never saw coming, kept me on the edge of my seat. I particularly enjoyed the glimpses of characters from previous books in the series, though The Hunter can easily be read as a standalone. The suspense is palpable, the action thrilling, and the romance heart-stopping. Crescent masterfully balances these elements, creating a story that is both emotionally resonant and pulse-pounding.
The ending is a satisfying culmination of everything that came before, a perfect blend of suspense, romance, and hard-earned happily ever after. The Hunter is a must-read for fans of mafia romance and anyone who loves a story that will leave them breathless and wanting more. I'm already eager to go back and devour the rest of the series!"
Thank you for providing me this as an ARC! I'm so grateful to have found her! This is my third book that I have read and I promise you that I will be reading more of her books!
The dual POV narrative is a masterstroke, weaving together Joao and Stefi's complex pasts and present struggles with seamless precision. Their story is one of stolen childhoods, forced choices, and a love that defies all odds. Stefi's decision to fake her death, followed by Joao's own desperate act, sets the stage for a heart-wrenching separation and an explosive reunion eight years later.
Joao, with his fierce loyalty and unwavering devotion, is the epitome of an alpha hero with a heart of gold. Stefi, a woman of strength and resilience, matches him beat for beat, her fiery spirit and unwavering determination making her a force to be reckoned with. Their chemistry is electric, a slow burn that ignites into an inferno of passion. The tension is palpable as they navigate their complicated past and the dangerous world they inhabit, especially when Stefi's personal vendetta clashes with Joao's loyalties.
While the pacing occasionally falters, the intricate plot, filled with twists and turns I never saw coming, kept me on the edge of my seat. I particularly enjoyed the glimpses of characters from previous books in the series, though The Hunter can easily be read as a standalone. The suspense is palpable, the action thrilling, and the romance heart-stopping. Crescent masterfully balances these elements, creating a story that is both emotionally resonant and pulse-pounding.
The ending is a satisfying culmination of everything that came before, a perfect blend of suspense, romance, and hard-earned happily ever after. The Hunter is a must-read for fans of mafia romance and anyone who loves a story that will leave them breathless and wanting more. I'm already eager to go back and devour the rest of the series!"
Thank you for providing me this as an ARC! I'm so grateful to have found her! This is my third book that I have read and I promise you that I will be reading more of her books!
February 8, 2025
📚
The Hunter
: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️,5
5ème livre de la série Venice Mafia que j'adore !!!! 🫶
Joao & Stefi 🤎
Je recommande de lire le livre précédent (The Fighter) puisque l'on a déjà une petite introduction des personnages, ça permet de vraiment avoir tous les éléments de l'histoire et de pouvoir être à fond dedans :)
J'ai super bien aimé l'histoire mais il manquait un petit quelque chose pour mettre la 5ème étoile.
j'ai bien aimé le fait que les deux protagonistes sont déjà mariés (ils se retrouvent), du coup ils se connaissent déjà par cœur 🥰. Les deux MCs sont des assassins !!! J'adore parce qu'ils font tout ensemble PARTNERS IN CRIME 🥰 ils se complètent parfaitement 🫠 (my vibeeee).
Peu d'interactions avec les personnages des précédents livres.
Petit bémol pour moi avec leur dernière mission et les révélations qui vont avec. Un peu trop de retournement de situation à la toute fin à mon goût. Peu être deux trois trucs qui n'étaient pas forcément nécessaires.
-✨ Tropes : voir dans la description du livre
- Spicy : 🌶️🌶️,5
- Quotes 💭 :
∽"One look into those beautiful forest-green eyes, and I was once again the guy who was so crazily in love with his wife that he would do anything for her."
∽"She’s my wife. I know exactly what buttons to push, and I’m enough of an asshole to push them."
∽"I’ve missed this. Stefi and I weren’t just lovers, and we weren’t just married. We were two pieces of a whole. When we did practice missions together, we were always seamlessly in step."
∽“Regret it? I’m congratulating the eighteen-year-old version of me for having excellent taste.”
(Ps : Mes review sont destinés plutôt pour moi-même que pour les autres, c’est pour ça que c’est écrit de façon random mais si ça peut vous donner envie de lire le livre lets gooo 🫣 et ptit mix français-anglais parce que WHY NOT )
5ème livre de la série Venice Mafia que j'adore !!!! 🫶
Joao & Stefi 🤎
Je recommande de lire le livre précédent (The Fighter) puisque l'on a déjà une petite introduction des personnages, ça permet de vraiment avoir tous les éléments de l'histoire et de pouvoir être à fond dedans :)
J'ai super bien aimé l'histoire mais il manquait un petit quelque chose pour mettre la 5ème étoile.
j'ai bien aimé le fait que les deux protagonistes sont déjà mariés (ils se retrouvent), du coup ils se connaissent déjà par cœur 🥰. Les deux MCs sont des assassins !!! J'adore parce qu'ils font tout ensemble PARTNERS IN CRIME 🥰 ils se complètent parfaitement 🫠 (my vibeeee).
Peu d'interactions avec les personnages des précédents livres.
Petit bémol pour moi avec leur dernière mission et les révélations qui vont avec. Un peu trop de retournement de situation à la toute fin à mon goût. Peu être deux trois trucs qui n'étaient pas forcément nécessaires.
-✨ Tropes : voir dans la description du livre
- Spicy : 🌶️🌶️,5
- Quotes 💭 :
∽"One look into those beautiful forest-green eyes, and I was once again the guy who was so crazily in love with his wife that he would do anything for her."
∽"She’s my wife. I know exactly what buttons to push, and I’m enough of an asshole to push them."
∽"I’ve missed this. Stefi and I weren’t just lovers, and we weren’t just married. We were two pieces of a whole. When we did practice missions together, we were always seamlessly in step."
∽“Regret it? I’m congratulating the eighteen-year-old version of me for having excellent taste.”
(Ps : Mes review sont destinés plutôt pour moi-même que pour les autres, c’est pour ça que c’est écrit de façon random mais si ça peut vous donner envie de lire le livre lets gooo 🫣 et ptit mix français-anglais parce que WHY NOT )
January 31, 2025
Category Ratings (Out of 5):
Storyline: 5
Characters: 5
Suspense: 5
Action: 5
Romance: 5
Steamy Hot Scenes (Based on the Scoville Scale): Cayenne Pepper Hot
Overall Rating: 5
I actually had no idea what to expect from this book before receiving it as an ARC, which I thank Miss Tara Crescent for.
I ended up being enthralled by this book so much more than I anticipated that I ended up finishing the ARC in one day.
I knew that I would like it, but I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would since we didn't know much about Joao and Stefi until the previous book, The Fighter, and even then it was very limited as to who they both were as people. Sometimes you can get inklings of the personalities of other characters in previous books, but I really didn't get a sense of that quite yet prior to this book.
With The Hunter, it was very cat/mouse, Tom/Jerry. However, in this instance, it was the hunter/the fox and it was really funny reading some of the scenes honestly. You would think it would be serious because mafia and all, but I found myself laughing at some parts in the story.
I have to say, I absolutely love Joao, because he was a mostly rational person, who fought when necessary to defend the people he loves. Stefi is a spitfire all on her own and the banter between the two of them was great.
I don't want to give away too much, but it was a fabulous read. About midway through the book, I assumed what was going to happen based on my future author brain, and I was right. It didn't lessen the shock for me, but it definitely added to the main plot of the whole book and tied everything in together very well.
Onto the sexy scenes... and oh boy, Tara Crescent has me in a hold! There were certain parts I did NOT expect to be written and I actually felt myself blush for once reading the smut. I don't typically get flustered that easily with smut, but wow, I really needed to hide my face for this one. They were great scenes though.
Love, love, absolutely love this book and cannot wait for the next one!
Storyline: 5
Characters: 5
Suspense: 5
Action: 5
Romance: 5
Steamy Hot Scenes (Based on the Scoville Scale): Cayenne Pepper Hot
Overall Rating: 5
I actually had no idea what to expect from this book before receiving it as an ARC, which I thank Miss Tara Crescent for.
I ended up being enthralled by this book so much more than I anticipated that I ended up finishing the ARC in one day.
I knew that I would like it, but I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would since we didn't know much about Joao and Stefi until the previous book, The Fighter, and even then it was very limited as to who they both were as people. Sometimes you can get inklings of the personalities of other characters in previous books, but I really didn't get a sense of that quite yet prior to this book.
With The Hunter, it was very cat/mouse, Tom/Jerry. However, in this instance, it was the hunter/the fox and it was really funny reading some of the scenes honestly. You would think it would be serious because mafia and all, but I found myself laughing at some parts in the story.
I have to say, I absolutely love Joao, because he was a mostly rational person, who fought when necessary to defend the people he loves. Stefi is a spitfire all on her own and the banter between the two of them was great.
I don't want to give away too much, but it was a fabulous read. About midway through the book, I assumed what was going to happen based on my future author brain, and I was right. It didn't lessen the shock for me, but it definitely added to the main plot of the whole book and tied everything in together very well.
Onto the sexy scenes... and oh boy, Tara Crescent has me in a hold! There were certain parts I did NOT expect to be written and I actually felt myself blush for once reading the smut. I don't typically get flustered that easily with smut, but wow, I really needed to hide my face for this one. They were great scenes though.
Love, love, absolutely love this book and cannot wait for the next one!
January 26, 2025
✦Series: Venice Mafia #5
✦POV: Dual, first-person
✦Narration: Dual, Kai Kennicott + Wen Ross
✦Spice: Explicit, there is no door 😂
» The Hunter had me hooked immediately. I loved the concept of Joao finding out years later that Stefi faked her death and watching them navigate why it happened and then coming back together. The story was dramatic with several twists; it was compelling, mysterious, and thrilling.
» Joao was totally swoon-worthy; he had that possessive, golden retriever, burn down the world for Stefi vibe because it’s always been her. He loves her like she’s the only woman who has ever existed for him and I ate it up!
» Stefi had good reasons to do what she did, and I loved her as a strong, self-assured FMC. I thought she had great growth and loved seeing her take control and kick some major ass.
» Stefi and Joao complemented each other beautifully. There’s something so satisfying about second chances for childhood friends to lovers, especially when it’s forbidden!
» I started reading Tara Crescent when she released The Fixer and I’ve been obsessed ever since. She writes great mafia romances which are dark, but not super triggering (imo).
♡ The Hunter is a solid read, and I recommend it for folks who love mafia romances featuring dynamic characters in interconnected standalones.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½
🎧 + 📱 I read and listened to The Hunter thanks to Tara Crescent's ARC team in exchange for an honest review.
Connect with me on Instagram for more bookish content!
✦POV: Dual, first-person
✦Narration: Dual, Kai Kennicott + Wen Ross
✦Spice: Explicit, there is no door 😂
» The Hunter had me hooked immediately. I loved the concept of Joao finding out years later that Stefi faked her death and watching them navigate why it happened and then coming back together. The story was dramatic with several twists; it was compelling, mysterious, and thrilling.
» Joao was totally swoon-worthy; he had that possessive, golden retriever, burn down the world for Stefi vibe because it’s always been her. He loves her like she’s the only woman who has ever existed for him and I ate it up!
» Stefi had good reasons to do what she did, and I loved her as a strong, self-assured FMC. I thought she had great growth and loved seeing her take control and kick some major ass.
» Stefi and Joao complemented each other beautifully. There’s something so satisfying about second chances for childhood friends to lovers, especially when it’s forbidden!
❝It’s intoxicating, this pull between us, heavy and undeniable. It feels like the ground at my feet has shifted to draw me closer to him. My heart pounds, my breath catches, and for a moment, the world narrows to the space between us.❞
» I started reading Tara Crescent when she released The Fixer and I’ve been obsessed ever since. She writes great mafia romances which are dark, but not super triggering (imo).
♡ The Hunter is a solid read, and I recommend it for folks who love mafia romances featuring dynamic characters in interconnected standalones.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½
🎧 + 📱 I read and listened to The Hunter thanks to Tara Crescent's ARC team in exchange for an honest review.
Connect with me on Instagram for more bookish content!
January 30, 2025
4.25 stars. Stefi and Joao, the lead characters, were abducted as children and forced to become assassins. Their love was forbidden and would have been considered a weakness, so they hid it. Then Stefi died and Joao nearly fell apart. When he could stand it no longer, he faked his own death and escaped from slavery.
Now the enforcer for the Moretti mafia, he’s shocked to find Stefi’s photo presented as the person responsible for the abduction of another member’s fiancée (previous story in series). Joao never recovered from Stefi’s “death” and he’s determined to manufacture a second chance. But, once he catches up to Stefi, he realises she’s determined to continue the course she set for herself, even though the deep attraction between them is still present and even if it results in her death.
Stefi knows she had a very good reason for faking her death, even though she knew it would destroy Joao, and she’s trying to protect him, even if he doesn’t want to be protected!
This story is dual POV, well written and edited, and a dark, second chance, contemporary mafia assassin romance. I empathised with both these characters and the life trauma they’d both undergone. I appreciate the way the author wrote them, retaining their compassion even in extremely difficult circumstances. I enjoyed Stefi’s calm determination and perseverance contrasted with the depth of her emotions towards Joao. I enjoyed Joao’s extreme, obsessive love for Stefi and his willingness to burn the world for her. I enjoyed the family of choice they’d each formed separately from each other. I enjoyed the relationship re-development, and the steamy intimate scenes balanced by deeply emotional moments. I enjoyed the secondary character interactions and the set up for the next story.
I received a complimentary copy from the author and this is my voluntary honest review.
Now the enforcer for the Moretti mafia, he’s shocked to find Stefi’s photo presented as the person responsible for the abduction of another member’s fiancée (previous story in series). Joao never recovered from Stefi’s “death” and he’s determined to manufacture a second chance. But, once he catches up to Stefi, he realises she’s determined to continue the course she set for herself, even though the deep attraction between them is still present and even if it results in her death.
Stefi knows she had a very good reason for faking her death, even though she knew it would destroy Joao, and she’s trying to protect him, even if he doesn’t want to be protected!
This story is dual POV, well written and edited, and a dark, second chance, contemporary mafia assassin romance. I empathised with both these characters and the life trauma they’d both undergone. I appreciate the way the author wrote them, retaining their compassion even in extremely difficult circumstances. I enjoyed Stefi’s calm determination and perseverance contrasted with the depth of her emotions towards Joao. I enjoyed Joao’s extreme, obsessive love for Stefi and his willingness to burn the world for her. I enjoyed the family of choice they’d each formed separately from each other. I enjoyed the relationship re-development, and the steamy intimate scenes balanced by deeply emotional moments. I enjoyed the secondary character interactions and the set up for the next story.
I received a complimentary copy from the author and this is my voluntary honest review.
January 24, 2025
I am blown away for these two characters! Another Venice Mafia story that kept me on the edge of my seat, heart in my throat, biting my nails, and staying up way past my bedtime to find out how Stefi and Joao manage to find their HEA.
Despite their past traumas, in an unlikely place, they find love. Stolen from their families, and raised to be child assassins. But the real life throws a big wrench into the mix and Stefi is forced to make a decision, but the choices are between Terrible and Worse. So she fakes her own death. And Joao, the love of her life, also happens to fake his own death. 8 years later, they find out that the other is still alive. But she's been working through her own personal hit list. She only has 2 people left, and one of them is Joao's boss and good friend.
I love that we get little snippets and updates from the previous character from this series. But this is a standalone, and I don't think it is necessary to have read those to understand this story. That said, I urge you to go back and start from the beginning, because I really think it's worth it.
I give this story a solid 4.5⭐ (rounding up to 5⭐ because of all the difficult situations that were discussed and I thought that the characters were well cared for.) I felt Stefi and Joao's longing and love for each other. Clinging to each others memory is what kept them moving forward everyday without the other. Now that they're back together, look out world!
I also listened to the ALC of this book and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Kai Kennicott and Wen Ross who are always so amazing at bringing the characters to life. Perfect timing. Perfect inflections. I just love them both!
Thank you Tara Crescent for this ARC. The above is my own and personal opinion.
Despite their past traumas, in an unlikely place, they find love. Stolen from their families, and raised to be child assassins. But the real life throws a big wrench into the mix and Stefi is forced to make a decision, but the choices are between Terrible and Worse. So she fakes her own death. And Joao, the love of her life, also happens to fake his own death. 8 years later, they find out that the other is still alive. But she's been working through her own personal hit list. She only has 2 people left, and one of them is Joao's boss and good friend.
I love that we get little snippets and updates from the previous character from this series. But this is a standalone, and I don't think it is necessary to have read those to understand this story. That said, I urge you to go back and start from the beginning, because I really think it's worth it.
I give this story a solid 4.5⭐ (rounding up to 5⭐ because of all the difficult situations that were discussed and I thought that the characters were well cared for.) I felt Stefi and Joao's longing and love for each other. Clinging to each others memory is what kept them moving forward everyday without the other. Now that they're back together, look out world!
I also listened to the ALC of this book and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Kai Kennicott and Wen Ross who are always so amazing at bringing the characters to life. Perfect timing. Perfect inflections. I just love them both!
Thank you Tara Crescent for this ARC. The above is my own and personal opinion.
February 3, 2025
This book gave me "Mr and Mrs Smith" vibes and I was completely here for it! Stefi and Joao were two traumatized kids raised together as assassins and fell in love against all odds. Secretly married at 18, they kept completing their missions but found ways to be together until one day Stefi didn't survive her mission and Joao was left reeling. A year later, to escape the clutches of their leader, Joao faked his own death and went on with his life. Eight years after Stefi's disappearance, Joao finds out that she is in fact alive and it sends him reeling! When he finds out that she is not only alive but in danger, he goes to find her and bring her back to Venice.
Stefi has been on a mission of revenge and dismantling the assassin organization that kidnapped her as a child and ruined her life. When she was forced to fake her death and then found out that Joao was dead, she spiraled and turned her life's purpose into one of revenge. On a mission, Stefi unknowingly walks into a suicide mission and Joao is the one that saves her.
As they both reel from the discovery that the other is still alive, feels come to the surface against and their pull toward each other is undeniable. Stefi is steadfast on her mission for complete revenge and Joao makes it his mission to support her through it all while trying to discover her secrets and why she chose to fake her death and leave him all those years ago. As the story unfolds, more secrets are revealed and Joao and Stefi fall in love all over again. And after everything these two have been through, their HEA is extra sweet! There is so much action, suspense, drama and of course love. It was hard to put this book down and it flowed so well I want to go back and read the rest of the series! Tara Crescent knows what she is doing and I am excited to read more of her work!
Stefi has been on a mission of revenge and dismantling the assassin organization that kidnapped her as a child and ruined her life. When she was forced to fake her death and then found out that Joao was dead, she spiraled and turned her life's purpose into one of revenge. On a mission, Stefi unknowingly walks into a suicide mission and Joao is the one that saves her.
As they both reel from the discovery that the other is still alive, feels come to the surface against and their pull toward each other is undeniable. Stefi is steadfast on her mission for complete revenge and Joao makes it his mission to support her through it all while trying to discover her secrets and why she chose to fake her death and leave him all those years ago. As the story unfolds, more secrets are revealed and Joao and Stefi fall in love all over again. And after everything these two have been through, their HEA is extra sweet! There is so much action, suspense, drama and of course love. It was hard to put this book down and it flowed so well I want to go back and read the rest of the series! Tara Crescent knows what she is doing and I am excited to read more of her work!
February 2, 2025
Thanks to Good Girls PR for the ALC!
Story Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Narration: 🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧
Overall: 4/5
Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥 (0-5) I bump up for public places/outdoor spaces. 🍻 😲
What I’m Starry-Eyed Over:
🤩 This is my first Kai Kennicott & Wen Ross, but it looks like they’ve narrated a lot. Both narrators are great storytellers and exceptional at the steamy scenes. 🥵 😮💨 Wen Ross is fabulous at conversations with multiple accents.
🤩 I must’ve been in the mood for a mafia, double assassin, romance with a pretty white and pink cover.
🤩 Oh, wow, this is way more than a mafia romance—it’s a beautiful story of resilience through so much trauma.
🤩 Second chance—they’ve both been thinking the other is dead.
🤩 Interesting & short first chapter—the trafficking past, the agenda in the form of the hit list.
🤩 He’s on the hunt for his wife this time.
🤩 Charlie. Love this addition to the plot.
🤩 The conflict between some of their current “friends” & partners.
🤩 So captivating.
🤩 The flashback definitely helped me feel their connection, helped me care.
🤩 Relearning each others’ bodies.
🤩 These two are hot! I love their emotional connection and physical chemistry! ❤️🔥🫠
🤩 Let’s go dancing! 🍻😲🌶️
🤩 The twisty oh, my gosh, moment. 😮🥲
What I’m Wishing/Dizzy About:
💫 This one is 100% on the front lines of the mafia. I think I prefer to be hidden in a happy, safe bubble of the mafia in my romance books.
💫 I found myself speeding through many of the not intimate/steamy scenes. I guess I like my mafia at high speed, like in the movies.
💫 I needed more from that week in the farmhouse.
💫 😬 Lots and lots of death, blood, and bad, bad people. You’re really close to all of it in this book.
💫 Just not quite enough steamy moments for my liking. I prefer to really balance out the feels. I like the epilogue, but we deserve some real steam after the sharks. 🦈 🔥
Story Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Narration: 🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧
Overall: 4/5
Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥 (0-5) I bump up for public places/outdoor spaces. 🍻 😲
What I’m Starry-Eyed Over:
🤩 This is my first Kai Kennicott & Wen Ross, but it looks like they’ve narrated a lot. Both narrators are great storytellers and exceptional at the steamy scenes. 🥵 😮💨 Wen Ross is fabulous at conversations with multiple accents.
🤩 I must’ve been in the mood for a mafia, double assassin, romance with a pretty white and pink cover.
🤩 Oh, wow, this is way more than a mafia romance—it’s a beautiful story of resilience through so much trauma.
🤩 Second chance—they’ve both been thinking the other is dead.
🤩 Interesting & short first chapter—the trafficking past, the agenda in the form of the hit list.
🤩 He’s on the hunt for his wife this time.
🤩 Charlie. Love this addition to the plot.
🤩 The conflict between some of their current “friends” & partners.
🤩 So captivating.
🤩 The flashback definitely helped me feel their connection, helped me care.
🤩 Relearning each others’ bodies.
🤩 These two are hot! I love their emotional connection and physical chemistry! ❤️🔥🫠
🤩 Let’s go dancing! 🍻😲🌶️
🤩 The twisty oh, my gosh, moment. 😮🥲
What I’m Wishing/Dizzy About:
💫 This one is 100% on the front lines of the mafia. I think I prefer to be hidden in a happy, safe bubble of the mafia in my romance books.
💫 I found myself speeding through many of the not intimate/steamy scenes. I guess I like my mafia at high speed, like in the movies.
💫 I needed more from that week in the farmhouse.
💫 😬 Lots and lots of death, blood, and bad, bad people. You’re really close to all of it in this book.
💫 Just not quite enough steamy moments for my liking. I prefer to really balance out the feels. I like the epilogue, but we deserve some real steam after the sharks. 🦈 🔥
January 25, 2025
Another winner in the Venice Mafia series, Joao, who has been in the background of many of the first books, is our hero this time.
A story of a love born in the most horrendous of times, Joao and Stefi survive so much horror only to be torn apart by the lives they lead. Many years on and Stefi and Joao, both assassins, are following very different paths, she has a hit list of men she wants dead and he is working as the hitman for the Padrino of the Venice Mafia.The two are reunited when Joao's attention is caught by a killing that puts Stefi in danger. He tracks her down only to discover that she has killed all but two of the men on her list and one of the men left is his boss and friend.
This is an amazing story of love, loyalty, secrets, lies, tragedy, revenge and the evil men do. The story goes back and forth through eight or so years retelling the paths our couple have taken through the years, while the spice and heat relights between them. The one problem that stands between them and their HEA is Steffi's determination hunt down and kill The Padrino, can Joao prove to her he is innocent or will their live's be torn apart, again.
So many of the characters from the first four books are mentioned through tis book, it brings the series together really well. This is a not to be missed read and can be read as a standalone. That said I urge you to go back and read the first four, starting with The Thief, they will introduce you to Steffi's target, the Men who work for him and the women who bring them to their knees.
Since posting this review I have had the privilege of listening to the audio. I can't express the difference in the two experiences, reading the book was amazing, the audio version brought the book to life so much better than my imagination. I can't believe the number of things I picked up on that I missed when reading the book, give it a try you might be surprised yourself.
A story of a love born in the most horrendous of times, Joao and Stefi survive so much horror only to be torn apart by the lives they lead. Many years on and Stefi and Joao, both assassins, are following very different paths, she has a hit list of men she wants dead and he is working as the hitman for the Padrino of the Venice Mafia.The two are reunited when Joao's attention is caught by a killing that puts Stefi in danger. He tracks her down only to discover that she has killed all but two of the men on her list and one of the men left is his boss and friend.
This is an amazing story of love, loyalty, secrets, lies, tragedy, revenge and the evil men do. The story goes back and forth through eight or so years retelling the paths our couple have taken through the years, while the spice and heat relights between them. The one problem that stands between them and their HEA is Steffi's determination hunt down and kill The Padrino, can Joao prove to her he is innocent or will their live's be torn apart, again.
So many of the characters from the first four books are mentioned through tis book, it brings the series together really well. This is a not to be missed read and can be read as a standalone. That said I urge you to go back and read the first four, starting with The Thief, they will introduce you to Steffi's target, the Men who work for him and the women who bring them to their knees.
Since posting this review I have had the privilege of listening to the audio. I can't express the difference in the two experiences, reading the book was amazing, the audio version brought the book to life so much better than my imagination. I can't believe the number of things I picked up on that I missed when reading the book, give it a try you might be surprised yourself.
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