You’re telling me Dr. Killer, aka Kallum
Anderson, and Elena Ricci have been written to perfection since 2021, and I’m
just now finding out? BookTok, seriously, where was the hype? Then again, it’s
not a surprise, considering it was the tropes that pulled me in.
We’ve got Dr. Death, age gap, and a
secret affair from decades ago with her mother. Okay, it sounds gross, but,
having never read a book with this trope, I was definitely intrigued.
The story kicks off with Kallum
negotiating terms with Rafe Ricci (Elena’s father) to... acquire Elena, if you
will. Sound familiar? Reminds me of how Nico Russo took Elena, or how Christian
snatched Gianna. The flashbacks to the past were so vivid. Fast forward to
Elena getting ready for her wedding day, surrounded by her mother, two sisters,
and grandmother. It’s all set up to look like a traditional wedding, but in
reality, it’s more like a business arrangement with Mateo. Or at least, she
thought that was the case, until Kal – Dr. Death himself – kills Mateo and
marries Elena in cold blood. Why was I kicking my feet like that? I don’t know,
but I was loving every second.
The Ricci’s claim the marriage is
happening because someone secretly recorded Elena’s one-night stand with Kal.
We all know men like those written in this book always have an excuse, rather
than just admitting the obvious. It’s typical. But what really got me hooked
was the mystery surrounding the blackmail. The tension lasted throughout the
book, and even when we found out who was behind it, the reveal wasn’t as
sinister as expected. It had its own complexities, but I won’t spoil too much
about the other characters and the world of Riely’s.
And then there’s the secret between Kal
and Carmen. Something only the Ricci family knows about. An affair? Carmen
herself calls it that over dinner, and it adds so much drama to the story.
Elena is this perfect balance of soft,
strong, and vicious. I couldn’t help but cheer her on when she punched her
mother (as she should), exposed the Ricci’s for their scheming, and ultimately
brought Dr. Death to his knees. Kal, on the other hand, was a different kind of
mafia man. Troubled, yes, but with a softer side that’s refreshing to see in
the mafia romance world. His vulnerability, especially when we finally learn
why he hides his body, brought me to tears. It’s a side of him we don’t often
see in these types of stories, and it hit me in all the right ways.
When Carmen tried to stop the marriage
between Kal and her daughter, I was torn. Was it worse that the mother couldn’t
let go of her affair with Kal, or that the father used his daughter to get rid
of something that bothered him, all while pretending it didn’t? Elena’s
feelings were rarely the priority in any of this. She was expected to be
perfect while her sisters were allowed to be imperfect. But Elena was a rebel
at heart, and the Ricci family never saw it coming.
Kal’s journey with Elena was about
redemption. He broke her trust, but then he told her the truth, gave her space,
and slowly, truly fell in love with her. He might not have been fully honest
with her from the start, but he became whole with her. And that epilogue? I’m
still recovering.
From a reader’s point of view, this was
an addictive, heart-pounding mafia romance that had me hooked from start to
finish. The tension between Kallum Anderson, aka Dr. Death, and Elena Ricci is
electric, with their complicated past and forbidden relationship setting the
stage for a rollercoaster of emotions. Elena’s journey from a pawn in her
family’s business dealings to a strong, fierce woman who stands up for herself
and takes control of her life was empowering. Kallum's softer side, hidden
behind his cold mafia persona, added depth to his character, making their
slow-burn romance even more satisfying. The plot twists kept me on edge,
especially the secret behind the blackmail, and the epilogue completely stole
my heart. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!
From an editor’s point of view, this
offers a compelling blend of mystery, romance, and psychological tension within
a mafia setting. The author does an excellent job of weaving together complex
character motivations, particularly with Elena Ricci and Kallum Anderson, whose
deeply flawed personalities drive the narrative forward. From an editorial
standpoint, the pacing of the plot is well-balanced, with each twist and turn
adding another layer to the overall tension. While some elements may feel
familiar to readers of the genre, Miller successfully distinguishes the story
with its nuanced emotional depth, particularly in Kallum’s character
development. The resolution of the blackmail subplot adds an unexpected,
satisfying layer to the narrative, and the epilogue serves as a touching
conclusion to the couple’s journey. The writing is engaging, with vivid
descriptions that bring the story’s darker themes to life, though some minor
areas could benefit from smoother transitions to maintain the reader's
immersion.
This book checked all the boxes for me.
It’s been a long time since I’ve read something where I was purposely delaying
finishing the chapters because I didn’t want the story to end. And above all, I
appreciate that this diverse voice was represented by Sourcebooks. They’ll
always have my respect for giving indie authors a platform. I read this on my
Kindle, and when I placed my order for the paperback, I was thrilled to see
illustrations added in. It was the cherry on top. Sourcebooks even has an
internship program I’ve applied for, and moving from the UK to the US to be
part of that process would be a dream come true.
This is already up there with my top
reads of 2025. It was perfect in the story, character development and spice.
Ariana’s recital? Cough, cough. I didn’t see anything. No doubt about it. Next,
I’ll be diving into book 2 in the series, Vipers and Virtuosos. It’s
still too early to tell if I’ll love it as much as this one, but when you fall
so hard for one couple, it’s tough to get attached to another. We’ll see what
the person hacking into Kal and Elena’s privacy has to say for herself.
Let me know how your 2025 reading is
going and what I should add to my TBR.
Until next time.
Mwah.
Vivian.
Comments
Post a Comment