Nora has spent her life under the lock and key of her godfather, Ricky, a ruthless crime boss who took control after her parents’ violent end. Though trapped, she finds a way to slip out at night, sneaking into rival territories for a taste of freedom. But when Ricky assigns August—a dangerously attractive new guard—to keep watch over her, she can’t help but imagine him in her bed. The feeling is mutual, but both know acting on their desires could be deadly, as Ricky wouldn’t hesitate to end August if he ever found out.

When the unimaginable happens and Ricky’s empire is brought down in a police raid, he faces a long prison sentence, leaving August to protect Nora—but from whom? Yet, August harbors secrets that could change Nora’s life forever. Will she finally taste the freedom she’s yearned for, or remain ensnared in this endless cycle of crime and punishment?

As someone new to the mafia romance genre, this book truly exceeded my expectations. The characters were incredibly swoon-worthy, and the chemistry between them was brilliantly written. Nora’s storyline was captivating, giving her character the space to grow and laying a thoughtful foundation for what I hope will evolve further in the next book. I especially loved the morally gray male lead who warns the heroine not to trust him, only to ultimately let down his own walls. I absolutely fell for this book, the writing style, and I’m eager for more of Nora and anything Arlo writes!

*Thank you to Oona Arlo for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.