Rating: 5/5

Character Development:
In "Unhinged Lies," Melanie Kingsley delivers a compelling cast of characters entrenched in the dark and dangerous world of organized crime. The protagonist, a Balestra navigating the treacherous underworld, grapples with her tumultuous past and uncertain future. Thorn, a mysterious stranger with a hidden agenda, challenges her resolve and forces her to confront her deepest fears. Kingsley skillfully explores the complexities of trust, loyalty, and self-preservation as her characters navigate a web of deceit and deception. With each twist and turn, the characters evolve and unravel, revealing layers of vulnerability and resilience that captivate readers until the final page.

Themes and Exploration:
At its core, "Unhinged Lies" delves into themes of redemption, power, and the seductive allure of forbidden desires. Kingsley deftly explores the murky depths of morality and consequence, blurring the lines between right and wrong in a world where survival often demands compromise. The novel delves into the intricacies of human nature, exposing the fragility of trust and the corrosive nature of betrayal. Through the lens of organized crime and illicit passion, Kingsley invites readers to question the nature of justice and the price of redemption. "Unhinged Lies" is a thought-provoking exploration of the human condition, offering readers a glimpse into the shadows where darkness and light collide.

Plot and Pacing:
Kingsley weaves a gripping tale of intrigue, suspense, and forbidden romance in "Unhinged Lies." The plot unfolds with a relentless intensity, drawing readers into a world of danger and deception from the very first page. From the seedy underbelly of the criminal underworld to the steamy encounters between the protagonists, the pacing of the novel is expertly calibrated to keep readers on the edge of their seats. Kingsley skillfully balances heart-pounding action with tender moments of vulnerability, building suspense and tension with each plot twist. As secrets unravel and alliances shift, the narrative momentum propels readers toward a climactic showdown that will leave them breathless.

Writing Style:
Kingsley's writing style is atmospheric and evocative, immersing readers in the gritty realism of the criminal underworld. Her vivid descriptions and raw emotion bring the story to life, from the dimly lit alleys of the city to the pulsating heat of forbidden passion. The dialogue crackles with tension and authenticity, capturing the raw intensity of the characters' emotions and motivations. Kingsley demonstrates a keen understanding of human psychology and interpersonal dynamics, crafting multi-dimensional characters that resonate long after the final page is turned. With its lyrical prose and compelling narrative voice, "Unhinged Lies" is a testament to Kingsley's skill as a storyteller.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, "Unhinged Lies" is a captivating journey into the heart of darkness, where love and betrayal collide amidst the shadows of the criminal underworld. Melanie Kingsley's masterful storytelling, rich character development, and immersive world-building combine to create an unforgettable reading experience. Whether exploring themes of redemption, power, or the complexity of human relationships, Kingsley's narrative resonates with depth and emotion, inviting readers on a thrilling odyssey of passion and peril. "Unhinged Lies" is a triumph of suspense and seduction, destined to leave a lasting impression on readers' hearts and minds.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.action Just a Little Reading & Reviewing355 100

This assassin and mafia princess quickie is an erotic insta-lust story.

Our hero, Thorn, is on a job but one look at Lucia and Thorn is suddenly doubting his career choice as an assassin for hire because he's never not completed a hit but his curiosity over who would want to take out Lucia is keeping him from pulling the trigger.

This was such an out side the romance box read that I don't know how to feel about it :)

Lucia is the younger daughter of the ruling mafia family but has tried to break away from all that and has been focusing on her club and living a normal life. When a power play for her family is made, she finds herself in the cross hairs of not one but several hitmen.

By a twist of fate, Thorn and Lucia meet and Thorn sets aside his job to protect her, not knowing that his hesitation is because the feelings she brings out in him is love. Something he's never experienced.

I d Thorn, he was definitely a twisted characters but I warmed up to him (he gives off Deadpool vibes). It was Lucia, who was more on the snarky and bitchy side that didn't work for me. I wanted to see her soften a little, at least when it came to Thorn. But she was always pushing away, mistrustful and generally antagonizing. It was hard to root for her when she wasn't rooting for herself.

Overall, had potential but the end result wasn't for me.

SPOILER-Y EXTRAS:

Ages : Lucia is 24 and Thorn is in his 30s.

Heat Level: 3/5 - explicit but death, violence and murder not my kink :(

OM/OW drama : None.

Tropes, Triggers & Kinks : Stalking, murder, violence, dub con, dom/sub themes, spanking/punishment, primal play, praise kink, age gap, crime family

HEA/HFN : Ends on a HFN and an epilogue hinting at HEA/marriage



ebook mafia-crime-family not-my-kink ...more Lesley Christopher7

I have not read the others in this series or anything by this author so I was not sure what to expect. Initially I thought it would be the standard character MO but I was pleasantly surprised that both of the main characters were a little quirky, humorous and interested in each other. Their banter and heat was very enjoyable and a nice change of pace. He is a hired hitman who decided not to kill her, he has a sense of humor and enjoys baiting her. She has left her mafia family to live away from the life, but gets drawn back in when the hit was on her. She is confident in her sexuality, she has no trouble taking the reins, and is an all in kind of lady. The areas that fell short for me were in the transitions and in the details outside of their relationship. The details of the hit, why it was happening and how the family was going to solve it was all very rushed and flat, not enough details to make it flow in the story. I would rate it 3.5 stars based solely on the chemistry of the main characters.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Michelle Frater622 4

Sadly, although the MMC was definitely a bit unhinged, he was nowhere near the devil the book description made him out to be. Yes, Thorn revels in bloodshed and sex, probably in that order, but for such a ruthless killer, he succumbs to Lucia’s charms too damn fast. While the chemistry between Lucia and Thorn was off the charts, Thorn also seemed an opportunistic a**hole, so I kept wondering what Lucia saw in him, especially when he uses her to get closer to her family while hiding an important secret. Thorn enjoys needling Lucia whenever he gets the chance and they bicker back and forth, but when the opportunity arises their conversations often end in bed. The culmination of the story exploded in a bloodbath but left me confused and raised more questions than answers, with too little explanation to understand the reasons for the whole shebang. But while it’s not the best mafia romance that I’ve ever read, it’s an enjoyable way to spend a couple of hours in a world you’ll never know.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Jean3,236 29

This is book three in A Balestra Family series and it is Lucia and Thorn’s story. Lucia had walked away from her family and the Mafia life so that she can live her life how she wants to but then she was drawn back in when someone put a hit out on her and that is when Thorn enters her life. Thorn is a hitman and had taken a job to take out Lucia but when he meets her something is right because she is definitely not what he was expecting and ends up questioning everything that he had been told. The chemistry between Lucia and Thorn is strong, hot and intense right from the start but things will not be plain sailing between them as they try to find out who put the hit out and why. The twists and turns keep coming along with great characters, danger, suspense, chaos, difficult situations in this action packed read that will have you turning the pages to see what would happen next and also what the outcome would be for them. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more in the future. Lynette Nanan132

This book was just way too short for me. I got through it fairly quickly. There was so much packed into this novella, including some steamy scenes, but overall it did not come together all that well for me. I d the premise, the storyline was not bad, the writing was interesting and easy to read. But when I read a book, I see the scene being played out in my head, and for me, some of the action scenes in this book were not believable/logical. Yes, it's fiction, but I wanted to be able to visualize what was happening and I just couldn't. This book had great potential early on, but I just didn't feel the chemistry between the main characters as it progressed and couldn't connect with the leads Lucia and Thorn. I would recommend this for a quick easy read to pass the time if you are awaiting your turn at the dentist or coffee shop.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and this was my voluntary review. Barbara Atkinson495 2

Lucia left her family’s life of organized crime behind her, or so she thought. She is lured back in when someone takes a hot out on her.
Thorn is the hired hitman who decides not to kill his mark.
Welcome to the dark dangerous world of organize crime.
There is danger, humor, banter, suspense, twist and turns and steamy action.
Great read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Theresa Simmons58

If you twisted, dark MMC; smart, strong and sassy FMC and a storyline that keeps you on the edge of your seat then this is the book for you! Plenty of spice, lots of twisted banter and a dangerous situation make a great combination!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Jenni6,198 37

Lucia wanted out of the mafia world and she had succeeded until Thorn turns up, a hitman with his sights set on his next target but shees not what he expects and Lucia will make sure he gets a run for his money if he wants her. well writen engaging funny moments steamy scenes and more.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Deb6,847 28

The author crafted an intriguing story that was entertaining to read. The characters were fascinating as they brought this book to life. Each scene was built upon the next scene to create anticipation for what would happen next. I enjoyed reading this book.

I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. Tabitha OrrAuthor 4 books12

There is something about a hitman in a tuxedo in a club that makes for a great scene. Mix is up with a FMC who is a ducking badass sexually strong curvy all woman we all wish we were and maybe we are …yea baby! This is a great story with a fantastically hot ending.

Drea22

I love how Lucia and Thorn were on FIRE for each other. LOVE LOVE LOVE the plus size FMC and I loved her attitude. I wish we got to see more of Thorns past and I felt the book was a little rushed. I d the book overall just wish it gave a little more. S I3,234 8

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