I was born a princess among criminals. An untouchable among thieves. Heiress to a life others have killed for, and one I’d do anything to escape. I vowed not to leave without Diego, my first love and best friend, but if his ruthless brother has his way, I won’t leave at all.Cristiano de la Rosa is a man as big and bold as his legend. Once upon a time, he was our cartel’s best soldier . . . until … . . until he became my family’s worst enemy. And a man like Cristiano will bend fate to his will to get what he wants—even if it means tearing me from another’s arms.
Because in the de la Rosa family, old grudges run deeper than loyalty, and betrayal is a three-letter word: war. But this feud isn’t between enemies—it’s between brothers. And I’m the prize.
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This is one of those trilogies/series that I find myself re-reading again and again. It has just the right pacing, not too many (to me) cringey moments, and is all in all the kind of story that pulls you in and doesn’t let go until you’re done with the entire set.
The first book sets things up beautifully; I was hooked at page 1. The entire book doesn’t let down and is altogether a gripping, raw story of love, trust, betrayal, the dark sides of life, and (when it comes to the heroine) naivety. The characters are all well developed, with enough chemistry between them to get your heart rate going, so I would definitely recommend it!
I can’t believe it took me so long to get started with this trilogy!
Violent Delights is just that; a delight. For so long I’ve been wanting a TRUE cartel read, and this book both satisfied that craving and left me wanting more. Natalia was such a strong heroine, being dealt such a tragic hand of cards at a young age. She saw things a young child should never see and even though she carried those with her into adulthood, she didn’t let it break her. She found love in her best friend Diego, she grew, and she flew.
But when she comes back to Mexico, her wings are clipped when she has to come face to face with her mother’s killer: Cristiano de la Rosa.
Not to give anything away, but Violent Delights is suspenseful, filled with scorching sexual tension, and jaw dropping moments that will have your heart in your throat! Violent Delights did an amazing job at creating such an interesting world and setting up the storyline for the next two books, which I can’t wait to pick up!
I loved this series so much. This book is the first and this author was new to me. I have to say that this book was so dang good I could not put it down. I completed it quickly so I could move to the next one. It does end in a cliffhanger but the entire series is out. If you love dark to get in your face gritty – thank read this book! I promise you will not be disappointed.
Loved this book!
I had been intrigued by this story the first time I saw the cover and read the blurb. But to listen to it on audio utterly blew my mind! You feel that rich depth of the narration to go along with this mind blowing story that kept me on my toes the whole time! I listened to it well into the night as I just could not stop! With this story, there was an amazing level of twists and turns and intrigue with this story that will completely grip you! There are a lot of layers to this story between the characters. All three, Cristano, Diego and Natalia all were complex and unique. I absolutely adored this story and am looking forward to getting my hands on the rest of the series!
3.75 Stars!!
This book is only about Diego and Natalia’s love story but it was supposed to be about Cristiano and Natalia story right? The story is told on Natalia’s point of view 98% of the audiobook narrated by Ema Wilder who’s pitch bothers my hearing, but to be fair, this is cause due to a medical condition that appeared after waking up from a comma.
Brian Paulino and Christian Fox’s performances were fantastic. The story is interesting and intriguing, so I kept listening all the way through and can’t wait to start the next installment.
Did I know almost from the beginning what was going to happen and what the “twist” was? Yes. Did it take away from this sexy slow burn ride? Absolutely not! Mafia is my favorite subgenre in romance and I fairly consumed this one as soon as Cristiano’s low growl began in my ear. I loved it So I’m not going to do the whole “this is what the book is about review” Read the blurb that’s all you need to know. What I will tell you is how this book made me feel! I loved this audiobook so much I listened to the second and third book right afterward. So yes I am reviewing from the perspective of someone who has listened and loved the entire trilogy. So trust me when I say this first audiobook is more than worth it. The entire trilogy is fabulous. There’s lots of stuff going on throughout the three books but the love story moves slowly and builds sexy bit by bit and you appreciate it all the more for it. There is however no slowing down the attraction and chemistry that is fairly palpable and Natalia our young heroine can do nothing to stop its intensity. There are scenes that are so sensual you swear you are experiencing them yourself. Cristiano and Diego are both extremely attractive men that would make any woman’s core heat in the best of ways and Natalia is not immune. Besides the attraction and love story there is Cartel business to conduct and lives are at risk as power changes hands in the most exciting way. I loved the overt displays of masculinity and alpha dominance. You realize fairly quickly who is a true boss and Crime Lord and who is a poser to the throne. The testosterone fairly flies in this book and I was so mesmerized by every second of it. Take my word for it you will fall in love and lust listening to this sexy audiobook. You have a sexy alpha dirty talker that will make you blush and swoon. Because I know you will love this book, I can tell you that book 3 has the best bonus scene I have ever heard – trust me it is sexy AF!
Natalia is the daughter of one of the Kingpins in the Cruz Cartel. A tragedy as a child has shown her that even though she has been groomed for it her entire life, and may have no choice, this is a life she doesn’t want. She loves her childhood friend Diego and wants a future with him but his brother Cristiano has other plans for her.
The brothers couldn’t be more different, but they both have many layers yet to be revealed and she is drawn to each of them for very different reasons. As the story unfolds, we learn nothing is a simple as it seems and as the secrets are revealed she must decide who to trust. When all is said and done will Natalia become collateral damage in the war between them?
Wow, what a twisty, suspenseful adventure this story takes you on which leaves you needing the next installment of the series. The narrators did a great job at bringing out the darkness of Cristiano, the innocence of Natalia and the emotion of the relationship that Natalia and Diego share.
Violent Delights
White Monarch, Book 1
By: Jessica Hawkins
Narrated by: Emma Wilder, Brian Pallino, Christian Fox
I am not sure where Jessica Hawkins has been hiding in my library, but I am so glad I found this one! Dark, gritty, full of all the feels, this book brings everything I love to life. It features Natalia, the daughter of a mafia boss. Diego and Cristiano are brothers, both taken in by her family. The death of her mother is a catalyst in all of their lives, resulting in betrayal, mistrust and violence. Each scene builds on the one before, creating thrilling suspense and high emotions. I was completely caught up in the story and I can’t wait to see what happens next! It’s a wild ride!
The casting of this story is spot on! Told mostly from the point of view of Natalia, Emma Wilder comes through with a narrative that is second to none. She nails each voice, each accent and keeps the story full of thrills. The spotlight appearances of Brian Pallino and Christian Fox bring voices to Cristiano and Diego, each having the sound I expect. Pallino gives Cristiano that gritty edge making him sound dangerous and delicious! Fox nails the personality of Diego. It is an incredible listen!
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I’ve had this series on my TBR for a long time. But when I finally started it I was swept away so fast. I’ve never read a book set in Mexico like this before. It had everything I wanted. Secrets, lies, family, loyalty, tension and so much angst my teeth ached. I don’t want to say much plot wise because reasons but the tension between Diego, Cristiano and Natalia as a group and separately couldn’t have been written better. I’m desperate for book 2. And I am desperate for more Cristiano. The narrators are exceptional in this and I couldn’t be more thrilled to finally get the hype. I volunteered to listen and review a complimentary copy of this. All opinions are my own.
If I could give this book 6 stars, I would. Jessica Hawkins, you are an incredible storyteller and writer. I’ve read a lot of romance, mafia, cartel books and this tops it all. I love how each character has so many layers and the reader can really understand what’s going on in their head through the inner monologues.
I am really annoyed by Natalia but I can only hope that she grows up to not act like such a petulant child. I absolutely adore Christiano already and can’t wait to read more about him in the next book.
This is by far one of the best starts to any trilogy I’ve read.
3.5
Ms. Hawkins is an enjoyable read. She writes dark and taboo subjects well. She creates characters you love and those you love to hate.
Natalie was a little naive for me at times but an enjoyable read.
I enjoyed most of Violent Delights very much, however I felt it dragged in some places. I was stunned by Natalia’s brattiness, but I understand some men and women enjoy having to settle her down. The nature of the slow burn is AMAZING in this story, but I thought it paired well with the angsty nature of behavior between Christiano, Natalia, and Diego.
I really do wonder who was realy manipulating Natalia to bend her to their will. By the end I could recognize Dante’s manipulation tactics fairly easily, but I do wonder if I’d feel that way if Christiano had not put that bug in Natalia’s ear.
I definitely think Violent Delights earned a solid 4, and I’ve already purchased the second on audio because I NEEEEED to know what Ms. Hawkins is going to throw at us next!
This book dragged out a bit, but I was in it for the story. It was like holding your breath and wanting a glimpse of the future. I wanted to skip ahead to know but I also did not want to miss a word spoken in the story. The buildup was worth it. Now I crave the next book like my next breath.
I am all for Cristiano. I will cheer him on all throughout the series, though I was slightly upset with how he handled the last situation in the book. He should have thought of Natalia’s wants for that moment. But regardless, I know he’s the right man for Natalia. Diego, on the other hand, is not my favorite. His way of treating Natalia from the start sent little warning bells to the back of my mind. And I am not a huge fan of Natalia either. She lies to herself so much she does not even realize she has made a liar out of her own self. I hate that she believes she is this strong person that thinks for herself because she is not and does not. She is weak and it is all because she has let someone pull her strings and manipulate her! I cannot stand that! I have a hard time picturing her as this strong woman that can stand by someone like Cristiano. Ok, so I sort of hate her. But I am wanting that to change in the next book. But regardless of some of the character flaws I am not a huge fan of, I am excited for the next book. That cliffhanger left me wanting more!
HOLY SHIT!
AHHHH YOU GUYS THIS BOOK IS EVERYTHING!
I just love the way this book is written! It’s a slow-paced book, but completely worth it! The ending omg I SO BADLY want to start of the second book but i want to finish up this review first.
The plot is so addicting, it will devour you. Like the plot twists!!! WHERE DID THEY COME FROM!!!
Natalie and Diego, they were so cute in the beginning!! I was shipping them hardcore until Christiano came into the picture and ruined all men for me and Natalie.
“ I would not, for neither money nor power, ever send you into the fire just to see my enemy burn as he has done.”
The WHOLE club scene AND THEN
”Strip”
Okay, Diego, I liked him, in the beginning, a lot, I felt bad for him because I know Christiano is going to be end game here so I was hoping he gets his own book where he finds someone better than Natalie (I doubt though) But then AHHHHHHHHHHH, once he started showing his true colors. I was disgusted by him. He is just plain selfish.
“Life or death. I belong to you in either.”
He swooped down to wrap his arms around my waist and lift me off my feet. “What have I done to deserve your love and loyalty?”
NOTHING YOU HAVE DONE NOTHING TO DESERVE NATALIE GET YOUR HANDS OFF HER!
“I’m trying not to rush, my love—but I can’t wait much longer to be inside you,”
I SAID GET YOUR HAND OFF HER!!
And at the end omg after basically tricking Natalie, NOT ACTUALLY GIVING HER ANY CHOICE, MANIPULATING HER that motherfucker had the fucking nerve to say
“but I will respect whatever you decide, Tali. I’ve always been willing to die for you. That hasn’t changed.”
I was Team Christiano till the end until he had to open his mouth and ruin it. BUT HE GOT SLAPPED FOR IT BY NATALIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE SO YAY!
Honestly, I can’t think of anything negative to say here, yes Natalie being all Diego this and that was annoying but in the end, she kind of did redeem herself, I just hope she slaps Diego the snake in the coming books too, repeatedly.
This book was so good! The writing was phenomenal and the story line was so great! This is completely different than anything I’ve read from Jessica Hawkins and she killed it! And I don’t think we’ve seen anything yet! I can tell it’s going to be a wild ride in these next 2 books and I can’t wait!
Violent Delights by Jessica Hawkins is addicitve, like dark chocolate addictive. This book is absolutely incredible and I am in love!
This book is dark, dangerous and Cristiano… le sigh. Would NOT say no to that man. Drool.
I just loved Natalia’s and Cristiano’s chemistry. It sizzled. Fan-worthy. A sassy mafia princess and a possessive, dangerous crime lord, there were bound to be fireworks, and there were. And in THAT department, it did not disappoint, like at all!
My first read of this author’s, and I am an instant fan! It had everything I could ask for! I seriously cannot wait to read the rest of this series. Loved it!
“The truth is in you like a heart. Like blood in your veins. Like bones…”
I am blown away by this book. This was my first Jessica Hawkins book and I was immediately drawn to the cover – absolutely stunning! The writing surpassed anything I could have hoped for.
Violent Delights is one of those angsty reads that’s so full of twists and turns. This was my first mafia/organized crime story and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I’m very excited to continue with this series and see what happens next!
WOW!!! This book is freaking fantastic….it really gets no better than this. Way more than a 5 star read!!!! A cartel love triangle that will have you so drawn into the book that you absolutely can’t put it down. I am in awe over the story between Natalia, Deigo, and Cristiano. Their story is unlike any that I’ve ever read. Jessica Hawkins’ writing is off the charts with this book. I floved this book so much and HIGHLY recommend that read this one ASAP!!! Phenomenal Good!!!
Happy Reading Everyone!!!
Reviewed by Jeanette Oglesby
WOW!!! This book is freaking fantastic….it really gets no better than this. Way more than a 5 star read!!!! A cartel love triangle that will have you so drawn into the book that you absolutely can’t put it down. I am in awe over the story between Natalia, Deigo, and Cristiano. Their story is unlike any that I’ve ever read. Jessica Hawkins’ writing is off the charts with this book. I floved this book so much and HIGHLY recommend that read this one ASAP!!! Phenomenal Good!!!
Happy Reading Everyone!!!