I really didn’t enjoy this audiobook unfortunately. The narrators were not great. Idk why they put so much emphasis on so many of the words throughout the book, it made them sound childish for half of it, having to emphasize “biiiiggg diiiccckkkk” 7 times every sex scene. The way they were saying it was so weird. The male narrator sounded so pompous, I would never let that narrator hold my drink at a bar, I for sure would be massively uncomfortable with it, just by the way he talks honestly.
I think the story could be great, I love the dad not being a horrible person, manipulative yes, but not a monster. Thats rare in Mafia books.
The sex scenes need help though.
I shouldn’t have to hear “big diickk” and “big hands” every 3 seconds during the scenes.
This is definitely not one that makes you want to go jump your persons bones after.
It has a decent story line though, so that’s why I am able to give it at least 2 stars.
I think it’s a good starting point, but it needs help in a lot of places.
And I very much recommend either new narrators, or having them re-record to not sound so gross the entire time.
OH! And it was going to be 3 stars, until everyone’s waistline became a topic of so many conversations.
We get it, he is trim and doesn’t eat carbs, it doesn’t need to be talked about every conversation, and every time she talks about eating spaghetti and pizza, she doesn’t need to talk about her waistline.
There is nothing body positive about this book. It gets incredibly frustrating hearing about it every single time food is brought up.
Maybe just don’t talk about food if it’s going to make someone’s body the main focus.
I don’t even mind that it ended on a cliff hanger.
But there’s a lot that needs to be reworked to get more stars imo.

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the audio ARC.

True 2.5⭐️ I honestly am rounding up to 3⭐️ due to liking the relationship up until the book hit the 98% mark.

Don’t get me wrong, I love a good “mafia daughter dates someone she shouldn’t”, but this one by the end was a bit of a let down due to the way it ended.

I LOVED their relationship 90% of the book. The MMC definetly acts like a cocky ass in the beginning to get the FMC’s interest. Some people don’t love that, but I’m a dark romance girlie, so I’m used to that. Axel absolutely loves Scarlett, but he has a hard exterior working in the ‘industry’. Scarlet understands him, because she too is in the industry and is slated to inherit the drug pushing business from her dad. Throughout the book their ‘dates’ get repetitive because they’re sneaking around. Sex. Pizza. Sex. Pizza. Bath. Repeat.
I did love how endearing and soft he was towards her and their relationship was sweet.

HOWEVER, the big kicker and why I rated it so low was the way it ended. I can understand leaving a book on a cliffhanger, without a finite happily ever after, but this book just strait up ended in the middle of a thought.

I legitimately thought there was an error in the ARC audio because of the abruptness of the final sentence. It was like the story was trucking along and progressing towards her saying how she felt and poof… no more book. I understand it’s book one in a series, but it doesn’t feel like a ‘complete’ novel without a true ending.

If it would’ve had more of a finite ending I probably would’ve went to a 4⭐️

This was a fantastic audiobook!! This was my first time reading a book from Penelope and I absolutely love her writing!! This is a steamy mafia romance with great banter and chemistry. The ending had me screaming!! But I am excited to continue reading this series.

I keep going back and forth on my review for this book. It took me some time to get into it. Did I enjoy the book, I did. Will it stay with me forever? Probably not. Mafia book typically have blackmail in them and this one did not disappoint. I loathe the FMCs Dad so much so that could be what is swaying me. All in all this book kept me entertained and I will read the next one. I need it to end differently.

Axel is the bad boy that is off limits to her, so of course that just makes it all the more exciting to explore. There’s a lot of back and forth between these two as they try to work out how they fit in each other’s lives, especially with Scarlett’s volatile father in the mix.

This is a series that leaves you not so much hanging off a cliff, but certainly eager to find out what happens next in their story. (No HEA in this book)

Thanks to #NetGallery and publisher for a copy of this book.

Genre: Romance
Format: Audio
POV: Dual
Tropes: Dads a drug dealer, secret relationship, family business, bad boys
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ /5
Age suggestion: 18+

Tropes:

Mafia Boss
Good Banter
Dual POV
Ex-Con
You’re Mine
Dark Romance
Friends with Benefits
Prohibited Relationship



This is a dark romance the first book of the series “Betrayal”.
Scarlet the daughter of a cruel Mafia Boss, is set up to inherit the drug empire. Axel is the connection making the distribution of the drugs possible.
And a rule Scarlet grew up with never mix business with pleasure. Don’t have nothing but business interactions with the ones you work with.
As soon as Axil puts hus his eyes on Scarlet he's not able to control his mouth and his pants. Scarlet denies him, but she's itching to get him too.

I enjoyed this reading a lot, if you love Sophie Lark's writing style this book is definitely for you.

The writing is amazing, flows well with a fast pace, and is a Dual POV between Scarlet and Alex, their prohibited relationship is damned to fail from the beginning or isn’t. The banter between the main characters was so good, the connection was so believable. I loved the characters Axel has a dark past and a mysterious presence. Scarlet is in some ways naive, blindly trusting her father until she starts questioning.

Although we are left off with a cliffhanger the way it left me wanting to know more, I need the other books omg!!! Dear Penelope Sky (blinks her puppy eyes) please.😅🫣

Thank you to Netgalley the publishers and Penelope Sky for allowing me to review this audiobook. Which, I will be giving my honest and sincere review.

The book's cover caught my attention and the synopsis left me excited to listen to it.

Although the spice was great, I needed more of the story. Still, Scarlet and Axel's journey was engaging and I rooted for their happy ending.

Their witty banter kept me grinning, and I was curious to see the plot's next turn. Regrettably, just as it got more interesting, the book ended abruptly on a cliffhanger.

Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC of this book.

My favorite types of smut books also have a good story line and Penelope delivers yet again. I am thrilled that this is going to be a series because I NEED more. Axel and Scarlett would be perfect together. My only complaint is that I wish Axel was a little more "I'll burn the world for you" but maybe we'll see that at a later time.

It kills me had the perfect banter for me. The narrators truly brought this book to life and I instantly felt the chemistry between the two main characters. Scarlett was a strong female wanting to make a name for herself in a man’s world. Axel came into her world and threw her world on its axis. I did feel for her because she doesn’t know who her father truly is and the lengths that he will go to keep her all to himself. I cannot wait to read book 2! I already downloaded it on KU

Scarlett is the heir to her father's drug business and he's told her one thing- don't mix business with pleasure. She hasn't wanted to until Axel walks into their lives.

I need to jump right into book 2 after that ending! I need to see more of Scarlett and Axel's relationship! So steamy, such a good plot! I listened in one sitting!!

Thank you for the ALC for my honest review!

4 ⭐
3 🌶️

When Penelope announced she was writing another Mafia series, you have no freaking idea how excited I was. I love her Mafia books sooooo so much. ⁣
⁣
I. AM. OBSESSED. with Axel and Scarlett.

Scarlett is the successor of her dad's business. He's the most ruthless criminal kingpin. Axel is the distributor for her dad's business. Pleasure is totally off the table, but both of them couldn't do anything about it. One night was all they said, but one time leads to more. What'll happen when Scarlett's dad find out their relationship?
⁣
I love they are so obsessed with each other. That ending though!!!

I'm scared of her dad. Lol At the same time I hope he gets a book, but the cliffhanger is making me hate the dad right now. Lol

I'm Superrrrrr P*ssed! I HATE her father! HATEEEE!

Publisher's summary
My father has chosen me to succeed him in the family business.
But if I want the job, it comes with stipulations. And one of those stipulations is to never mix business with pleasure. AKA, don't sleep with anyone on the job. My father leads by example, and not once have I ever seen him get involved with anyone, not even his beautiful assistant. That was an easy rule to follow...until Axel.
Axel is an expert distributor, someone who knows how to get our product past the ruthless regulations mandated by the government. My father has never had a partner, but he makes an exception for Axel because he's good at what he does.
But the second our eyes meet...there's fire. He's by far the most handsome man I've ever seen, and his I-couldn't-care-less attitude makes me weak. But I put up boundaries and reject his advances.
But this man doesn't stop until he gets what he wants.
One night together becomes the precursor to the most passionate affair of my life. If my father discovers our secret, it'll cost me my career...and it'll cost Axel his life. To make matters worse, I'm falling for this man...and I think he's falling for me too.

Thanks to NetGalley & Dreamscape Media for this ALC!

It Kills Me
By: Penelope Sky
Narrated by: Ramona Master, Michael Ferraiuolo
Series: Betrayal Series, Book 1
Publisher: Dreamscape Media
Release date: 05-07-24

This one surprised me and I really enjoyed it. This was my first Penelope Sky book and I will definitely be continuing the series!

This book follows Scarlett who is the pride and joy of her mafia boss father. She has been chosen to follow in her fathers footsteps but there's one problem and he goes by the name of Axel. Axel is another member of a mafia that her father is working with and he has his eyes set on Scarlett despite being off limits. There's forbidden love, witty banter and a MMC that is a total smoke show. I really enjoyed the balance between romance and mafia action. Sometimes I feel like mafia romances don't have any elements of mafia in them and just have someone who is in the mafia but it doesn't impact the relationship. This one obviously does and it makes the story really flow smoothly. I cannot wait to read/listen to the next books and see how the story unfolds.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a touch her and die sort of mafia romance! Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this story.

I enjoyed this book and looking forward to reading book 2!! I loved the personality of "Pretty", she was strong but also a little naive. The bedroom scenes were very steamy so be prepared! ;)
I wanted to rate this book a 5 but it is just missing something that I cant quite put my finger on.

"It Kills Me" by Penelope Sky is a riveting four-star read that explores the complexities of forbidden desire and professional duty. Scarlett and Axel's magnetic attraction drives the narrative, weaving a tale of temptation and intrigue. While the storyline is captivating and the chemistry between the characters palpable, I wished for a bit more depth in certain aspects of the plot and character development. Overall, it's a steamy and engaging read that will keep you turning the pages until the very end.

This is a story of forbidden love, dark romance, spice, banter... all of which I like. The FMC is supposed to be strong and independent, but this is not consistently presented during the story, she is strong as long as she is not in front of her father or of the MMC, but she doesn't have many interactions other than those.

In general the book is entertaining because of the intrigue and complicated relationship between the two main characters, however, nothing much happens other than that. It's part of a trilogy and must be read with the other books to have a conclusion to the story (I hope), but since I only read the first one, I am hanging on a cliffhanger...

It's book one of the series and also it smy first read from the author's work, so I was really very excited to read this one. I am glad I did as it was a good one.
I love the writing style of the author and how the author is framing the plot and it's background for the whole series. It was very interesting, I am looking forward to the next part in this series.

This book is everything! I couldn’t stop listening to the audiobook! It left on such a huge cliffhanger that I am not ok! I want more!!
Scarlett is an only child who is supposed to take over her dad’s business. Scarlett is sassy, sweet, and determined. I instantly liked her character!

Axel is the new partner for Dante, Scarlett’s dad. He had an eye for Scarlett as soon as he put eyes on her. He made a move right off the bat and was determined to make her his. The only problem was Dante.

Dante is Scarlett’s dad. He has made it known to Scarlett she should never mix work and pleasure. When he finds out she is secretly seeing Axel behind his back, he goes to all measures to make sure it stops. Not caring if she gets hurt in the meantime.

I can’t wait for the next book to come out! I was engaged the whole time. The character development and the plot were everything. Penelope Sky has a way with her words and just drives you into the book! I don’t want to wait for the next book but I have to!

Thank you, NetGalley, for letting me listen to the book and give my honest feedback. Thank you, Penelope Sky, for writing such a well-written and engaging book. I can’t wait to read the next book and more from you! Thank you, Dreamscape Audio and Narrators Ramona Master and Michael Ferraiuolo, you guys did well with your presentation on the book!

Scarlett is the daughter of a crime lord and she's fallen for one of his business partners, Axel. But if her father discovers them, it could cost Scarlett her career and Axel his life.

Pros:
- Scarlett is a really likable character - which I don't often see for FMCs in this genre.
- Axel is a sympathetic character - which I was NOT expecting but loved.
- The plot moves fast and keeps you interested.
- The spicy scenes are extremely well written, believable, and exactly what the audience of this genre wants.
- The cliffhanger is painful - just like it should be. I've already picked up the second book.
- Scarlett's narrator was spot on.
- The narration was very well done - speed during tense sense and slow during intimate scenes.

Cons:
- Scarlett's complete trust in her father is believable but her expectation to take over the business seems misplaced if he won't even let her email anyone herself.

Overall - the audiobook was really well done and the story kept me in its clutches.

It Kills Me - REVIEW

If you’re looking for a slow burn…. Do NOT read this.

Axel is….. omfg lord help me. I was simply dying throughout the entire book because of how straightforward and to the point he was. And of course that big tough guy persona has to be leveled out by the sweetness that comes out when he meets the obvious love of his life.

Sometimes when books get right to the spicy stuff, it can be A LOT but the way that it was executed in this book and through the narration was *MUAH* chefs kiss. Most of the time it doesn’t make sense and I’m sitting there like wow there’s no way that I could imagine someone actually saying/doing these things with someone they met at a gas station an hour ago. Axel’s approach made sense and the added yearning to get Scarlett to see how much potential she has as an individual was so beautiful and made me feel even more attached to his character.

I’m obsessed with this series xoxo thank you so much I shall be diving right in to the next book ASAP