Violent Delights

Jessica Hawkins

Book 1 in the series:White Monarch

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morally ambiguous brothers

slow burn romance

immersive cartel setting

twists and turns

emotional storytelling

contemporary romance

organized crime sub genre

family loyalty

tragic loss

"Violent Delights" by Jessica Hawkins is the first installment in the "White Monarch" series, a drug cartel romance set in Mexico. The story follows the protagonist, Natalia, a cartel princess who faces tragedy and loss in her family. As she navigates the dangerous world of the cartel, she finds herself caught between two brothers, Diego and Cristiano, in a complex and angsty romantic triangle. The writing style is described as gripping, full of twists and turns, with a focus on character development and a realistic portrayal of the cartel life.

Characters:

The characters are multifaceted, featuring a naive heroine and two morally ambiguous brothers, creating a compelling romantic triangle.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is emotional and immersive, effectively drawing readers into the characters' experiences while maintaining uniqueness in its storytelling.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot features a love triangle set in a Mexican cartel, with themes of betrayal and family loyalty, and begins with a murder that escalates the conflict.

Setting:

The setting is immersive, located in Mexico's drug cartel world, which deeply influences the characters and storyline.

Pacing:

The pacing is characterized by a slow burn, focusing more on plot development and tension than rapid romantic action.

From my bedroom balcony, I danced to the upbeat mariachi music coming from the parade in town. Street fireworks popped and crackled to a soundtrack of trumpets and violins. I couldn’t see much beyond ...

Notes:

The book is set in the context of a Mexican drug cartel.

The main character, Natalia, is the daughter of a cartel boss.

Natalia finds herself caught in a love triangle with two brothers, Diego and Cristiano.

Cristiano is perceived to have killed Natalia's mother, making him a dark antihero.

The story incorporates themes of betrayal, family loyalty, and power struggles.

It's described as a slow burn romance amidst high-stakes drama.

The narrative is primarily from Natalia's perspective, with chapters from both brothers.

The book ends on a cliffhanger, leaving readers eager for the next installment.

It explores the morally grey nature of its characters, making them complex and relatable.

The author, Jessica Hawkins, is noted for her strong character development and emotional storytelling.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of violence, betrayal, and elements related to the cartel lifestyle.

Has Romance?

Romance is a central theme in Violent Delights, characterized by intense relationships and emotional conflicts.

explicit steam level

From The Publisher:

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.

I was born a princess among criminals. An untouchable among thieves. Heiress to a life others have killed for, and one I'm prepared to trade for my freedom. 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 he became my family's worst enemy.

A man like Cristiano will bend fate to his will to get what he wants. Even if it means dragging me to hell-and tearing me from his brother's arms.

"She is mine." Three words from two different men.

A life, future, and love I don't get to choose. more

Ratings (11)

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Loved It (3)
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Reader Stats (32):

Read It (11)
Want To Read (11)
Did Not Finish (1)
Not Interested (9)

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