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Review

“Didn’t your father ever teach you … that love is what gets you killed?”

4 dark, dirty, twisted stars

Black Hearts is the first in the Sins Duet, a standalone story that is a spin off from The Artists Trilogy and the Dirty Angels Trilogy (see details below). This story can be read without having read either of the earlier series, however I think it would definitely be more enjoyable if you know a bit about the background first and understand the complicated history that ties these characters together. It gives an added depth to this book and creates a fantastic sense of anticipation and excitement as we pick up the story of their children some 20+ years later.

I love the idea for this story! The pairing of Camden and Ellie’s daughter, Violet, and Javier and Luisa’s son, Vicente is genius. Seriously. The twisted backstory between the two families provides a fantastic set-up, and from the moment the two of them set eyes on each other you just know you’re in for a dark, intense and twisty ride.

She’s beautiful in a dramatic, romantic way. Her face could inspire gothic novels from long ago. If Helen of Troy’s face could launch a thousand ships, Violet McQueen’s face could launch a thousand stories, all filled with lust, heartache, and death.

Vicente Bernal has grown up in the shadow of his father, the ruthless leader of a Mexican drug cartel, and has been groomed to take his place – as such, he is quite the badass anti-hero. Confident, smooth and sexy-as-all-hell, he is a man on a mission to explore the mysteries of his father’s past, and has travelled to San Francisco with the intention of unveiling hidden secrets.

Violet McQueen is a smart, sassy 20 year old who is strong and confident, but who is still figuring herself out. She is happy with her life, though she knows that there is more to her parents’ story than she has been told, and she is counting down the days until she is able to stretch out and explore the world.

When Violet meets Vicente, she is instantly entranced. It’s not insta-love, but there is a visceral attraction between them and she quickly finds herself under his spell. Despite his best efforts, Vicente is equally as enamoured, and the two of them dive into a relationship which is insanely hot and deliciously dirty. It’s like nothing either of them have experienced before, and they soon find themselves falling into the unknown together, and doing it willingly.

I want things to get out of hand.
I’m scared to death of everything that’s happening.
And I’ve never wanted it more.

I love these two together! Their chemistry is sizzling, their connection is palpable, and they have this edge to them that creates a dark, intense, sweet, emotional, romantic, all-consuming, wonderfully passionate love story. It feels necessary, and I was completely swept up in everything that they were feeling.

I want to make her scream and squirm and moan into oblivion.
I want to be all there is for her.

Both Violet and Vicente are clueless as to the full extent of their parents’ shared history but they know that secrets exist. And as the lies they have been told begin to unravel, will what they have found together be strong enough to survive the fallout?

“Violet… your heart is safe with me. You know this now, your heart is safe, as is your mind and your soul and your body. I won’t hurt you. I won’t let anyone else, either.”

I really enjoyed this read. It’s dark and sexy with a wonderfully developing romance, and a mystery/suspense storyline that builds throughout the book. There are twists and turns, and some big shocks and surprises, and all of the different elements are blended together beautifully to give us an intriguing, exciting story that I couldn’t put down and read in one sitting.

I loved getting to catch up with characters from Karina’s previous books and there are some chapters from Ellie and Javier’s POVs, which provides some great depth. But this is Violet and Vicente’s story, and I thought they were absolutely captivating together! And after being left with a twisty cliffhanger, I can’t wait to see how their story is going to end.

4 stars.

An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.