⭐ 4.25/5

🌶 4.5/5

This was such a good read! Although it’s technically the second in the series, you don’t need to have read Lights Out beforehand. Josh, Aly, and Tyler make appearances, but their story plays a minor role here, so jumping straight into this one works just fine.

This falls into the dark romance category, though I’d call it more of a “grey” romance than full dark. The darkness comes from the mafia plotline and a dose of stalking, but most of the intensity is rooted in kink rather than anything truly sinister.

Junior and Lauren’s dynamic was messy, complicated, and addictive. Their relationship starts off with unresolved history (cue overbearing mafia families and high school drama) and builds quickly into obsession-level territory for not just Junior but Lauren as well. They face major communication issues throughout the book and tend to leap to conclusions, which creates plenty of tension.

I was fully invested. And Junior’s declaration about Lauren in Chapter 31? Absolute swoon. I actually paused to rewind and listen to it again—it was that good!

⭐ 3.5/5

🌶 2/5

This book was absolutely adorable! From their unforgettable first meeting to the heartwarming way he finally wins her over, I was kicking my feet the entire time. It’s a classic grumpy-sunshine, slow-burn romance, and totally worth the wait. Lucy and Aiden’s banter is easily some of the best I’ve read, sharp and funny while still carrying real emotional weight.

Aiden’s backstory, particularly around his mom’s cancer, hit close to home. His emotional journey and how he navigates those feelings felt deeply personal and unexpectedly validating. I wasn’t ready to feel so seen, but it was comforting to read about a character dealing with something so familiar.

This book reminded me why contemporary romance is worth picking up, it has heart, humor, and a couple you can’t help but root for.

⭐ 2.75/5

🌶️ 3/5

As an NHL fan, I’m often frustrated by hockey romances that completely disregard the actual rules and rhythm of the game—but this one was a refreshing change. While there were still a few cringe-worthy moments when it came to how hockey was portrayed, overall it was clear the author had a solid understanding of the sport. That authenticity added a lot to the experience.

Aliyah and Liam’s dynamic had great tension and sharp banter, and I appreciated that the slow burn between them lasted longer than expected. I especially loved that Liam falls first—it’s always a win for me when the guy is all in.

The addition of a mafia romance subplot was not something I’ve seen paired with sports romance before. While it was an interesting angle, and ultimately played more like a background detail than a true sub-plot.

The spice level was decent and fairly frequent. I did enjoy that scenes were written from both Aliyah and Liam’s POVs, which helped balance the emotional connection with the physical tension.

⭐ 4.25/5
 🌶 3/5

This book is packed with trials, tribulations, and unexpected twists—showcasing just how far its characters have come. The character development was genuinely impressive, especially for those I never expected to redeem themselves. While some plot elements felt repetitive or unnecessary in the moment, they ultimately made sense within the broader arc of the story.

I found myself taking longer to finish this installment than others in the series—not because it wasn’t good, but because it didn’t grip me as tightly. Lor, in particular, continues to be a complex character I both love and struggle with. She’s finally reaching for the life she thought was out of reach, no longer falling into the trap of self-sacrifice. However, her emotional plea near the end didn’t land for me—it came across more as petulant than heartfelt. I understand why she felt that way, given all she’s endured, but the execution lacked the impact I was hoping for.

That said, the book delivers a strong HEA for its main characters. Everyone gets a moment to shine, and the final chapters beautifully wrap up Lor and Nadir’s journey. A satisfying close to a story full of grit, growth, and hard-won love.

⭐ 3/5
🌶 3/5

This book had plenty of spice, but unfortunately, it wasn’t all that compelling. While the chemistry is there, the scenes felt repetitive and didn’t offer much depth or variety. The plot—centered around Jessie, a hacker—quickly falls by the wayside. Despite her supposed skills, there's little actual hacking, and the story doesn't fully utilize that premise.

Most of the book focuses on Jessie navigating her feelings for the Ryan brothers, but it lacks tension or development until the final chapters. Oddly, it skips the usual third-act breakup drama typical of Sadie Kincaid’s books, offering only a hint of jealousy before rushing into a cliffhanger ending. Jessie’s final decision felt abrupt and unmotivated, especially after so much buildup.

It wasn’t a bad read, just a bit underwhelming in both plot and emotional payoff. Here's hoping the sequel delivers more on the story side.

⭐ 3.75/5
🌶 4/5 spice 

This is definitely the strongest book in the series! While the romance leans into the insta-love trope, it feels more believable here. Both characters, Lorenzo and Mia, seem to be using physical intimacy as a way to escape the emotional pain they're each grappling with from their last relationships. 

I found the BDSM elements to be a great spicy addition to the story. The conversation between Lorenzo and Mia about what that lifestyle means to them was a refreshing change, with meaningful communication between the characters. 

The grumpy-sunshine dynamic is also well-executed. Lorenzo's nickname for Mia, “sunshine,” is the perfect cute touch to their relationship. Although I’m not a huge fan of the miscommunication trope, it wasn’t enough to detract from my overall enjoyment of the book and comes with the territory of these types of books. 

This was the first book in the series to really evoke emotions from me while reading. My heart went out to Lorenzo—I can’t imagine how difficult it must have been for him to find love again after losing his wife.

⭐ 3.25/5
 🌶 3.5/5 spice 

This book is definitely spicier than the first in the series.I didn't see the betrayal coming at all until it unfolded on the page (maybe I'm dumb, maybe it was well written?). It's the classic mafia romance, where the characters fall deeply in love in about five days, and while that can feel a bit rushed, the writing is strong enough to make it work despite the usual cringe that comes with that insta-love. 

The age-gap trope is definitely present here, as Max is the same age as Joey's brothers, which adds an interesting dynamic. They've grown up around each other but still, it's a bit wild how quickly they fall in love, especially after sleeping together for the first time. 

On a positive note, Joey really comes into her own in this book. She gains confidence and stands up to her brothers in ways we didn't see in the first book. I loved how she not only gets her love interest but also steps into a more active role in the family business after years of being kept at arm’s length by Dante and Lorenzo.

⭐ 3/5
 🌶 3/5 spice 

This was probably one of the "less spicy" books by Sadie Kincaid that I've read. The plot felt predictable, but honestly, I don’t think many people pick up these books for groundbreaking storylines, right? That being said, I’m definitely invested enough to continue reading the rest of the series. 

The writing is solid, and Kincaid really knows how to draw you in with well-detailed characters and settings. However, don’t expect anything particularly new or unexpected here. Dante is your classic mafia guy — tough on the outside but a soft teddy bear at heart, especially when it comes to Kat. Their relationship did feel a bit rushed, though.

The accidental pregnancy was a nice twist

, but I do wish they’d acted more like the mature adults they are with the subject.

⭐ 2.25/5
🌶 1/5 spice 

I'm glad the series wrapped up the way it did — it offered a satisfying sense of closure. This book (and the series overall) had so much potential. The world-building, the plot, and the characters had all the right ingredients, but the execution fell short for me. I wanted to connect deeply with the characters and feel the tension of their conflicts, but that emotional resonance never fully landed. The relationships felt underdeveloped, and the stakes never quite hit home, even when the plot got intense. A great concept that just didn’t deliver the impact I was hoping for.

⭐ 2.75/5
🌶️ 1/5 Spice 

This might actually be the strongest installment in the series so far. While it still suffered from repetition—and I did find myself skimming through several pages—it offered the most character and plot development to date. The overarching story remains compelling, and I really enjoy the direction it’s heading in. That said, the writing could definitely benefit from a thorough edit. With tighter pacing and cleaner prose, this series could really shine.