Twisted game of revenge and remorse!

Dahlia, Vlad, and Salvie’s story is a twisted game of revenge and remorse. It’s hard to know who to root for because each person has their own reasons for the paths that they took! However, Vlad is who I empathize the most with. Dahlia and Vlad had a strange, sordid, relationship that had moments of compassion, selflessness, and understanding that bound them together. There was also a lot of conflicting circumstances that confused and left me feeling discombobulated because it seemed unbelievable that anyone would react that way. Lexi Evans is a new narrator to me and I didn’t care for her performance. Her tone of voice was dry and monotonous. Therefore I couldn’t get as invested in the storyline than I may have otherwise been. I truly think the storyline would benefit from both a male and female narrator to add more depth to the characters and their points of view!

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Will they get their HEA?

The conclusion of Dalhia and Vlad's story, picking right up where that doozie of a cliffy left us.

Dahlia ends up in a similar situation but this time it is sort of more by choice than by shock. Will the outcome be the same?

Vlad is living his days as a captive. He hates Dahlia for what she did to him and would love nothing more than to kill her.

Can Vlad and Dahlia forgive each other? Can they move passed all the hurt and betrayal and find their HEA? Well, I know, now it's your turn to find out.

I was a little thrown off when book 1 switched between Dahlia's 1st person POV and Vlad's 3rd person POV but was actually used to it this time around because I expected it. Not sure if this is just the authors style as this is the first series I have read by Beena. One of the things that kept taking me out of the story was how aware of Dahlia's triggers Vlad had to keep telling us he was. The writing should show not tell. Even Dahlia told us she was triggered, her feelings and actions should have been enough for the reader to know that something triggered her.

I was given an Audio ARC and this time the narrator was a female (book 1 was a male) and overall my listening experience was better this time around. Had the books been a male and female I would have enjoyed them even more, but that's more my personal preference with dual POV books.

Overall, Beena has created a world full of characters that are very intriguing and dark. Although Vlad and Dahlia's story is over, there will be more coming from this Mafioso Familia and I will definitely continue reading.

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Revenge, Retaliation, Rage, and Redemption

“Once upon a time... A beast craved me, the beauty... I was his Doll, and he was my darkest fairytale.”

This is the follow up to A Beauty So Cruel, which ended in an intense cliffhanger/plot twist. I am a huge fan of fairytale retellings, especially for Beauty & The Beast. This book did not disappoint! I loved book 1, but this one was even better! Beena Khan has created a great mafia world. Her mafia twist to this retelling was unique and exciting. The plot wasn’t forced, her characters had depth, and the story flowed perfectly, leaving you on the edge of your seat. She makes it easy to be invested in this story. Dahlia and Vlad’s relationship is unique, passionate and thrilling. Vlad is a total contradiction. A mafia bad boy with a heart. Swoon! The angst and sexual tension are off the charts! And I love love love Salvi Moretti! I cannot wait for his story! Thank you Beena Khan for gifting me this audiobook in exchange for an honest review!

“Once upon a time… There was a beauty, and she ravaged the beast.”

Narrator Lexi Evans was perfectly cast for this role. I especially loved her as Dahlia and how she brought out her strength and turmoil. The men in this book are dark, broody, and very alpha. Lexi’s portrayal of them was spot on. Her timing, pacing, flow, pronunciations, and emotional expression were all great. She did the story justice and brought the characters to life.

5 devastation-turned-beautiful Stars!

**Trigger Warning for sexual assault, rape, violence, and abuse
NOLA504NERDS BLOG

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A Moving and Sexy Story

This book concludes the story of Vllad and Dahlia. I would have enjoyed it much more if a thoughtless reviewer had not revealed the entire plot. In addition, the book needed two narrators. I will be looking for more books by Ms.
Khan, but will be avoiding the reviews.

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A Beast so Cold - Dahlia and Vlad and Salvi

I was really looking forward to this book, especially after that cliffhanger ending in book 1. This book is darker than book 1. I really liked how he felt about Dahlia and hated what she did to him, even though it was her job. We learn more about Dahlia and what she went through when she was younger. Her mother, who she finally met, is nothing but a coward. Dahlia questioned herself why she did the job she has and she said she didn’t want her past to be another girl’s future. Wow! Vlad asked for the names of her foster fathers. Oh boy!!! It was great when got them. He did not care that they had families.

I was afraid for Dahlia when she went to stay with Salvi Moretti (on another job to bring down another mafia Don) because he is one sadistic b@stard. Sometimes Dahlia talked too much, she didn’t know when to shut up and it could have gotten her hurt. Surprisingly, Salvi turned out to be OK, even after she called the feds on him and he was taken to prison. I could not believe that Dahlia slept with Salvi and not just once although I understood why she did it. It felt like such a betrayal of Vlad. Baby Moretti, Salvi’s brother, was a real b@stard. I think Salvi really liked Dahlia, maybe even loved her, because he took a killing shot (with a knife) to protect her when she was in the prison trying to visit Vlad. Also, I could not believe what happened to her while she was there. Vlad did not help her, he just walked away. Sadly, I understand why Vlad didn’t initially help her, although I was surprised that he didn’t. It was awesome when he came back and saw what was happening. She did not deserve that. Boy, he did not play one bit. No one could win against him and all lost their lives. He was really a beast. Then Dahlia and Vlad were able to leave the prison right under their noses. It took them a while to forgive each other for what they did to each other. He was very cold towards her for quite some time and told her, not so nicely, he was going to keep her forever.

I did not care for Marin, DEA chief. He loved Dahlia and saved her when she was 17. He was very cruel to Vlad in the prison. He thought by torturing him, he would talk. Vlad endured boilings and beatings at the hands of Marin.

What a GREAT ending to Dahlia and Vlad’s story! Love, love, love Vlad. I really like how it ended for Dahlia and Vlad. Would be nice to catch up with them. Also, would be nice to find out what happens to Enzo. This book has dark parts, edge of your seat suspense and action, as well as romance. There was also an interesting tidbit about Vlad’s mother. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and Ms. Khan’s writing style.

Lexi Evans did a great job with the narration but I do feel it would have been even better with both male and female narrators. I received this free copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

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SORRY.. IT'S A BIG THUMBS DOWN FROM ME

I really enjoyed the first book in this Duet and I was so looking forward to continuing their story.. but sorry I just didn’t like this second part AT ALL.. in fact, most of the time I was ready to call it quits. However, I carried on in the faint hope that I could get both the anticipation and enjoyment back plus the love and connection for these two characters.. but it never happened.

* SPOILER ALERT *

I didn’t like the total betrayal of Vlad after all they went through in Book 1.. or Dahlia’s actions in this book with Salvi who she again used and snared herself yet another Don.. plus ALL the other Dons in the Five Families with one swoop.. as if.. eye-roll please!! Yes, I know it’s only fiction, but parts of this was so unbelievably bad and unrealistic. I initially didn’t blame Vlad for his coldness and hatred for Dahlia coz I felt that way too, but he turned his back and walked away when she was cornered in a very tense prison riot - leaving her in the most dangerous of situations (which eventually resulted in her brutal bloody rape). I kept thinking he’ll come back and save her.. any minute now Vlad.. Vlad.. VLAD.. VLAD I need you to be a redeemable hero right f’king now!! but nope nothing. They were both so horrible I didn’t feel either of them deserved a happy ending - and it took them a long.. long.. long time to forgive each other for their sins. It’s a dark, unhappy, depressing story because I couldn’t believe, couldn’t connect, couldn’t forgive and couldn’t wait for it to be over. It was dual POV but once again the adequate narration cried out for a + 1 narrator.

Worth a credit? I’m sorry but sadly it’s a no way from me and I’m actually going back to put a warning message at the end of my review of Book 1. However, you may love it.

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I absolutely despise the female character!!

I can't!!! I just can't!!! So mucb is jacked about this stupid story.
What Don would go to prison for this awful bitch trader rat!?! Knowing what and who she is?
She is a total and complete ratty bitch. I cannot stand people like that. There is nothing good or redeeming about her.
She is a hypocrite a back stabber and she brings everything on herself.
It's hard to feel bad for a woman like her. She has brought on so much of her torment little as it was for the most part. Hell she is so much worse than the men she is screwing over so damn badly and so is her crappie partner who tortures people. The cops are supposed to be better but they are not. And letting her put herself in those terrible situations shows how much he only cares about his job not her.
I was going to give this book 3 stars but when the prison part came up and she got away with Salvy and that ridiculous BS was said, it ruined everything even worse. So stupid!!!!
And she had the audacity to get hurt because the main man that she ruined and chewed his heart up and spat it out and betrayed would not help her!?! I mean are you kidding me. I wouldn't help that bitch either. I wouldn't ever allow anyone to rape anyone but I would not have helped with anything else.
And she keeps saying she stopped human trafficking which is Bullshit because he was against it to begin with it was Vlads father that was in the human trafficking business not him so much.

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