“Just remember- No monster thinks of himself that way. He's just living by a different code than yours".”
― Jessica Hawkins, Violent Delights

My review:

I'm sorry author.

I almost did a DNF of your book. Yes, I was a silly girl. But the first chapter was a bit much for me.

OK..Gonna scream this from the roof tops....Turn away now if you don't like curse words:

THIS BOOK IS SO GOOD!

So this is the story of a Mexican Drug Cartel. Just your average sweet whole some book! Not!

It is also the story Natalia, the pampered and very innocent daughter of the head of said cartel.

Natalia's life has been tragic. Her mom was murdered when she was a child and she has never got over it. Now she is in college and dreams of marrying Diego, who has been her best friend all her life and is also a cartel member.

Her dad does not approve of the match. He thinks this life is not for his daughter. (He is sure right about THAT one!)

Then there is Diego's brother Christiano. He is the one who was accused of murdering Natalia's mother. He escaped all these years ago but there are questions about whether he really did do it. He claims not to have. But this family's home was a fortress and both boys were raised in the household. Also Christiano was caught by Natalia in the room with her mom right after it happened. She believes he did it even if others like her dad may now have doubt.

And she is afraid of Christiano, even now. Especially now as he has returned to the family after clearing his name although Natalia does not believe he is innocent.

Even though she feels a deep almost primal pull toward him. Nothing like the sweet love she has for Diego.

And Diego has made a deal with the wrong cartel. He needs help.

So much going on....

So..I loved this. TRIGGERS: Lots of violence. Lots of sex. Rinse and repeat. But an actual plot with depth and so well written.

I am not the type who generally reads gory thrillers. . Nor do I usually read romance. To be honest neither gory thrillers nor romance are among my favorite genres and I do not read either one that much.

But I do like stories that pack a wallop. And Savages is among my top 50 books ever and that too is about a drug cartel.

This one doesn't make it into my favorites of all time but is indeed a favorite of the year so far. It's got so much to offer. Great characters, depth, sizzling dialogue, riveting plot, never a dull moment.

I also LOVED the stunning and lush descriptions of Mexico. I was there as a kid on vacation and I remember how vivid and alive it wad.

Unlike Donald Trump, I have nothing but respect for Mexico and the atmosphere here is so powerful. Mexico is just brought alive and you can see it before you, drenched in color and the homes, the nightclub (where a GREAT scene takes place!), the music but most of all the unforgettable Masquerade party at the home of Natalia. I'm telling you both that scene and the nightclub scene stand out. I love a sumptious atmosphere and you get that here. I wanted to go to the masquerade...before all the dark stuff happens though!!!!!!!

So no spoilers...I will say this is a three part series but this book does still have ending. Both brothers want Natalia. Who gets her? Can the family be saved? Who killed Natalia's mother? Why was one brother always kept at arm's length? You wont find all the answers in book one but it does have an interesting ending. However you do have to go on for all the answers.

That is my dilemma. I am not a series person. However I do think...no I KNOW..I am at least going on to part two, most likely by this weekend...which just shows how good the book is.

So to sum up...5. stars. Love it and can't wait to read more!
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Another day, another review deleted. I might stop reviewing on GR if this continues.

Find this review and others at Carlene Inspired.

I struggle to write this review after the fifth night of dreaming I am Natalia and I am in the difficult position of being stuck in the middle of a war. The conflicting emotions, the betrayal, the love, the lust, the fear, weigh heavily on me when I open my eyes each morning. I was not only caught up in the story, I am now living it in my sleep. Violent Delights is, and this is a number one fan's perspective, Jessica Hawkins' most ambitious and well written novel yet. She takes us into the mind of the beautiful and naive Natalia, daughter of a Mexican cartel boss, and takes us on a twisted journey. She gives Natalia a life of sadness and hope, a life once filled with promise now bound by obligation. She gives us two men, brothers by birth, divided by choice, and gives us countless reasons to both desire and hate them. Cristiano is a brutally handsome, ruthless man, the dark de la Rosa son, while Diego is the light. The feud between brothers is old, their feelings run deep, and as truths are revealed Natalia and the readers are left wondering who is really the right brother to trust one's life with.

"I had run away from all this, but the devil still tempted that stupid little girl."

I cannot get over how quickly I became wrapped up in this story. While the premise and the trope is common in the romance genre and organized crime sub-genre, it is the storytelling that is unique. Jessica Hawkins kicks off this action-packed romance with a scene that is emotional and memorable. We are immediately protective over the heroine and yet we are also aware that all may not be as it seems. With time comes answers, but those answers reveal secrets and truths that can and do change the course of Natalia's life. The bonds between family, friends, and lovers are tested as the business side of things, the side Natalia has tried to ignore and avoid, overflow into her life. I was so impressed with Jessica Hawkins' transition into organized crime with this novel, especially with her previous releases being contemporary romance. Violent Delights felt realistic, the family business and the competitive nature of crime was very accurate in my opinion.

"Then I'd like to change my order. Please tell the heavens it is my dying wish to hear you scream."

Violent Delights is the first novel in Jessica Hawkins' new White Monarch series. While it does end on a cliffhanger, it was the perfect sort of cliff to jump off of. The novel introduces the characters and their complexities and immediately readers are in the center of a fast paced battle for power and for the girl. Like all Jessica Hawkins novels, this book is incredibly well written and is an amazing start to a new series from the Queen of Slow Burn Romance.

ARC provided. ( )