I am unable to rate this book because I had the audiobook on my phone and then I had to get a new phone and it was archived. I give them 3 stars to not mess up their ratings.

This book was not my jam and I can tell you it was a me problem and not a book/author problem. This was my 1st book by J.L. Beck but I will certainly give them another read!

#EmpireofLies
#NetGalley

Found this to be heavy in all the wrong places. Overpowering and unnecessarily brutal at times leading to an uncomfortable journey through ones mentality

I didn’t realize this was book two of a trilogy so
I found the storyline was a little confusing until
I worked out the plot.
I found once I worked out what it was about I was well
and truly lost in the pages of this book .
Be warn it finishes up on a cliffhanger.
The narrator have done a great job of being the book alive.
I received an audio ops of this book via netgalley for my honest opinion.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This was a great sequel and was wonderful.

I loved the story, and I love this series! I felt that the audiobook was well done and brought the characters to life. As someone who is around the same age as the MMC, I did feel that his voice sounded much older than the characters age, but still enjoyed it!

Book two in the Dark Mafia series picks up right where the book one cliffhanger ended. Be warned, this book also ends in a cliffhanger - I cannot wait to see the third book! Bianca fell in love with billionaire arms dealer, and now, Callen will stop at nothing to get her back. Twisty, dramatic, and very spicy! Thanks for the chance to review this book, @netgalley!

This is the sequel to Empire of Lust, so please read that one first, this book was a rollercoaster ride! Bianca is on a mission to uncover the truth, while Callum is straight-up obsessed with getting her back. This book had it all—twists, drama, and so much spice! I was hooked from start to finish, and that ending left me dying to know what happens in the final book of the trilogy! The chemistry between Bianca and Callum it's off the charts! Their characters really evolved in this book, and I found myself falling even more in love with Callum. Bianca, too, proved she's a force to be reckoned with. She resisted Callum's charms and did what she believed was right, even though it seemed impossible. There were some tropes at play that I love, like possessive alpha, but they added to the delicious drama. I need to know if they work things out! This book kept me glued to the pages with its suspense, secrets, and that unforgettable belt scene. I'm eagerly awaiting the final installment!

I like that the “villain” of the story has some personal growth, and wants to help undo his wrongs from the past. I didn’t particularly like the male voice for audiobook, and kept waiting for him to say he was Batman, but it also fitted the character as well. The spicy wasn’t too much that your wondering if you’re listen to a story with a plot or not.

THAT CLIFFY THOUGHHHHHH!!! I have literally never tan so fast to download the next installment in a series in my life. The progression of Callum and Bianca’s story is dizzying, in the best way possible. My heart is breaking still for Tatum and I hope we hear more of her story in book 3 but yes yes yes! This series has me in such a chokehold I can’t even begin to describe it! 4.25/5 stars!

JL Beck sure knows how to keep you on the edge of your seat. It’s been a crazy road of twists and turns.

The main characters Bianca and Callum had a lot of growth in this book, much less insecurity (but not none). This was a solid 4.5 star read for me. There’s so much going on that you feel like you should’ve seen a reveal coming.

The audiobook was done so well. The narrators were good! I enjoyed it thoroughly.

I love that we get to continue Empire of Lies by starting off from the cliffhanger in the first book. Okay, so I thought Callum was crazy in book 1, but he is so freaking unhinged in book 2, but I really enjoyed his character in Empire of Lies since we get to see how much Bianca has affected him both emotionally and physically. I also enjoyed seeing Bianca’s character how she was able to resist Callum and his temptation. Both Bianca and Callum, have such great character development in this book. Callum shows his true feelings for Bianca and would go through great lengths for both Bianca and for his daughter, Tatum. Bianca has grown a great deal, from being the naive girl to a women who is resilient and fierce.

Also, 4 words since I don’t want to spoil anything, but THE FREAKING BELT SCENE. My jaw dropped, omg.

I seriously could not put this book down. I was truly invested in all the drama, suspense, and secrets. Can’t wait for the final book in this trilogy.

I’m really hoping that Tatum and Romero have their own book because I’m also invested in whether or not they are able to work out their issues.

I definitely enjoyed this decently dark romance story. It’s got its moments of dark but I’ve definitely read darker. The spice is on point and meshed into the storyline really well. I found it intriguing to watch the relationship unfold the way it did and it ended on a cliffhanger so there’s plenty more to come! I’m excited to find out what comes next in this story!

This just pulls you in deeper, more secrets, emotional breakdowns, lies, hidden truths, despair, surprises, and one hell of a cliffhanger.
This will have you gripping the edge of your seat from start to finish.

4.25/5

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscapes Media for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. 

I am not a big fan of large age gap romances, especially since it's her best friends father. Also, there are definitely lot of red flags in Callum and Bianca's relationship. Regardless, this book is still enjoyable if you're a fan of dark romances. Lots of twists and passion and excitement.

Thanks NetGalley for an advanced audio copy of this book. I did not finish this. I gave it two hours, and it didn’t work for me. The premise of a 21 year old falling for a man her father’s age just didn’t do it for me. Also, I didn’t know this was the second in a sequel. Often you can read a second book and it makes total sense, that wasn’t the case with this book. Also, I felt like the narrator was yelling at me. This might work for you, it just didn’t for me

Many thanks to Net Galley and Dreamscape Media for an audio copy of Empire Of Lies by J.L. Beck.

It's been a while since I read dark romance, but this book makes me want to read more of it. More of this series, for starters! This is book 2 in the series and it has a cliffhanger. This story is about Callum. Separated in marriage, has a hot young girlfriend, is known well by the police. Yeah. This is a ride! Loved it!

⤷‧₊˚1 ⭑
“i hate him. i love him. i want to murder him, but i never want him to stop touching me, either.”

i was super excited at first because it's a romance book with the best friend's dad trope, but i hated the mmc so much. i'm sorry, but he really pissed me off.
i always hoped that she would let him go. i knew this wasn't gonna happen, but let a girl dream, ok?

the worst thing was how quickly she forgave him, i mean when you mean to take him back let him gravel longer..

Bianca and Callum story continue with a shocking revelation about the death of Bianca mother.
The narration was fantastic it just felt off l felt like the voice of Bianca was a little off. I felt like the story line was taking too long to get to the point I really wish I did like it but no.Bianca,I felt didn’t have no backbone or self control with her urges and Callum is easily manipulated by his ex wife I just couldn’t. Don’t get me wrong the sex scene were pretty hot. It was for me I read the first book it was good hopefully the final book can be redeemed it. Ofcourse it’s end in a cliffhanger.