Rosalie Mooncrest is determined to overturn Alexei Sokolov’s murder conviction and win his retrial. She has the best track record at her law firm and another high profile success could propel her to the top, translating into security for herself and her found family of seven elderly boarders living in her heritage mansion.

𝘚𝘩𝘦’𝘴 𝘮𝘺 𝘮𝘪𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘳 𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘪𝘵.

Alexei is dangerous, dominant, and devastating. Maybe he’s guilty, maybe he’s not, but he is certainly a killer. There are lots of people to tell Rosalie she is in over her head, but she’s drawn to him. And amazingly, being close to Alexei feels as right as she knows it’s wrong.

𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘭 𝘪𝘯 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘰𝘯 …

This may be one of the darkest Rebecca Zanetti romances yet, but I went in prepared and loved every minute of it. There’s a perfect balance of lust, aggression, sweetness, magic, and suspense. The sexiness between Rosalie and Alexei sizzled from the very first pages. I loved how she couldn’t resist him. Her besties Alana and Ella urged caution while I was cheering her on!

… 𝘴𝘩𝘦’𝘴 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘥 𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦. 𝘐’𝘮 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘵.

The Grimm Bargains series establishes a unique mythology around magical crystals. I love this. I’ve always enjoyed sparkly things and I find this indulgence adds to my enjoyment of this dark romance. This has become one of my favourite Rebecca Zanetti series!

OMG!! The second installment is just as good as the first, maybe even better! This is a dark, twisted retelling of Snow White, and I absolutely loved it. Rosalie’s renters completely stole my heart. They’re adorable and gave off total Snow White vibes in the best way.
It’s intense, obsessive, dangerous, and absolutely addictive. Told in dual POV, the switches between perspectives kept me hooked from start to finish. There’s fantasy, mystery, murder, obsession, billionaires, a crime boss…seriously, it has everything!!
I honestly think this one could be read as a standalone. The author does a great job catching readers up without info dumping. I devoured this story and I’m so hoping there’s more to come!

Fast paced and addictive! Dual POV and the narration was superb! I loved the mafia aspect, it made the book that much more enticing and addictive for me. This was a loose retelling of Snow White and the Huntsman and I was honestly there for every minute of it. Erin Mallon is one of my favorite narrators and she did a fantastic job of keeping me engrossed the entire time.

This was an awesome story. I absolutely loved Alexei, totally alpha, and sarcastic and confident. I love it when he says something, and then he makes it happen. "Cute, definitely cute." I chuckled when I found out what an accountant really does. Rosalie has many, many protectors, up to the ages of 90, no less. I was thinking the story was going to one way, and it went the total opposite, quite a few times. This story kept me on my toes. I was hoping there was going to be some joining of forces, but not in this book, perhaps the next one? Business discussions will take on a new meaning to me in the future. Sizzle

4 stars (for the vibes) for this wild and dark story of Snow White meets the Russian mob meets some light scifi?? Sounds like a crazy combination of things - and yes, it's true - but what a weirdly darkly fun time I had with this one!!

Lawyer Rosalie Mooncrest (Snow White) is brought on to prove that Alexei Sokolov (the Prince) was framed for a murder he was just cleared from (after 7 years in prison). Of course, he's instantly possessive of this clever, talented lawyer and will stop at nothing to make her his. Even if that means implicating her in his nonsense, kidnapping her friends, bonding with her seven dwarves (elderly boarders), and putting her into some insane what would you do scenarios.

I had such a fun time with this one, which was exactly as expected after reading One Cursed Rose last year! While the romance (lust? obsession? stalking?) was heavy in this one, the plot was really jumping all over the place (complimentary). My only complaint was the pacing for the climax of the story - it happened so fast, and bam we were at the end of the story! I wanted more!! I will be excited to see more of what's to come from the world of the Grimm Bargains, and lean back into the scifi elements of the stones and the social media companies run through them, since we sadly didn't get as much of that here (and also tell me more about the mirrors!!!!). Sounds like Ella's story is up next and I would be surprised if we didn't get a dark Cinderella....


Thanks so much to Rebecca Zanetti, Kensington, and NetGalley for a chance to read this in exchange for an honest review.

DNF @ 23%. I’m so bummed out. I was absolutely LOVING this book until non-consensual stuff started happening. It’s so unfortunate because I was loving the story till that happened. I wish I would have known there was something like this in the book before I requested an eARC of it.

Thank you, NetGalley and Kensington Publishing, for the eARC, but I refuse to try to enjoy a book that romanticizes sexual assault. 1.5 stars rounded up since I enjoyed everything until I got to that point.

This is a unique retelling of "Snow White" with the "hero" a part of the Russian Bratva. Alexei was released from prison after it was shown there was corruption involved in his trial. Rosalie was his new defense attorney, although she was not so sure about him. With multiple murder attempts and other mysterious happenings, they grew closer and ended up working together to bring down his enemies. The characters were multi-faceted and well-developed with the plot very creative, especially with the energy from the crystals as the basis for this series. I can't wait for the next book in this amazing series. Highly recommended.
#netgalley

his is the second in the Grimm Bargains series but can be read as a standalone. You are given enough of the backstory for you to totally enjoy this slight fantasy and mostly romance book. I really enjoyed this action-packed story which had plenty of twists and turns that kept you reading until you finished. Our two main characters are Rosalie, a lawyer, and Alexei, a convicted murderer who has spent 7 years in prison for a crime he might not have committed because of a corrupt Judge. Rosalie has been assigned to investigate Alexei’s case and try to show that he is innocent of the murder he was convicted of. Along the way Rosalie starts to have feelings for Alexei and really hopes that he is innocent. While Alexei is planning to return to power and take over his family's global social media empire. This books alternates between Rosalie and Alexei to give you each of their perspectives on what is happening. I highly recommend this book and anything else by Rebecca Zanetti. Thank you Netgalley and Kensington for the ARC in Exchange for an honest review.

Genre & Tropes : Dark Romance x Scifi Vibes x Snow White Retelling x Russian Mafia x Lawyer / Client romance x Some murder plot x Stalker vibes x Spicy

A second book that I devoured !

After a first book that disappointed me a little (I had trouble with the heroine, the universe seemed vague, and the romance was too dark for me ><), I still wanted to try the second book because I love Rebecca Zanetti's books, and while her other series, Dark Protectors, is one of my favorites today, I didn't like the first book at all ><

And I don't regret sticking with it at all because I LOVED it !

This second book is much better than the first, in my opinion : we meet Rosalie again, a lawyer (and also one who runs a sort of boarding house with seven men ... With interesting pasts =D), one of the best friends of the heroine of the first book, and Alexei (Cal's brother, who died in the previous book), who was arrested for a murder he didn't commit and is ready to do anything to get his revenge !

I absolutely loved their first meeting and how their relationship evolved afterward (yes, it's dark romance, so Alexei has creepy, very controlling stalker tendencies, BUT he also has some super cute and romantic moments (the shoes and the wedding <3)).

The universe is more developed here, and we learn more about the use of crystals and what it means for social media and extended families ! It's super original, and I can't wait to learn more (especially about this potentially mysterious new group ...).

The plot was interesting, and I must admit that even though I saw the culprit's identity coming and the ending moved a bit quickly, I loved all the tension surrounding Alexei's imprisonment (I HAVE TO ADMIT I wasn't expecting the outcome for this part ><) and the attacks !

In short, a dark romance with a touch of scifi that I devoured without moderation !

DNF’d at 25% a mafia romance is fine, but I don’t understand the inclusion of magic crystals. Felt like an attempt to do something new and different and it missed. Also the word “hoo hah” in an adult book is just nope.

Snow White reimagining but make it mafia!

Our FMC Rosalie is a lawyer who has been assigned to our MMC Alexei case. Alexei has been in jail for 7 years for a crime he didn’t commit and wants out of prison so he can get revenge against the people who set him up and get his fortune back.

Rosalie was the highlight for me, smart, independent and knows what she wants. I also loved the little nods to snow white like the 7 elderly men who board at her house, I really enjoyed their appearances.

I had no idea what I was in for but I was not disappointed. The book was tagged as sci-fi & fantasy, but in my opinion it is a low fantasy book. I would say it more of a dark mafia romance with an element of magic.
Thank you Kensington Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is not your typical romantic suspense book. It is dark, gritty and oh so hot! An amazing twist on something we read as children. You have a morally grey hero and a super sweet heroine (who can be a bad a$$).

I love Alexei and Rosalie together. Two totally opposite people but they were certainly hot enough together to scorch the pages of your book. This story is all about betrayal, and no one is who they seem to be.

Both books in this series have been amazing so far and I’m definitely looking forward to Ella’s story.

Life is so unfair. When am I going to meet a really tall, really buff, really sexy, head of the mafia so he can fall instantly in love/lust with me and get rid of anyone who gives me stink eye?

Rebecca Zanetti has thrown down the hammer in the dark romance genre.
Thorn, a savage god. I was like, “that’s my husband.”
But Alexei? I’ve never wanted to lick a tattoo more in my life.

Rosalie is a play by the rules lawyer, and she’s damn good at her job. She came from nothing, so she has a tunnel vision focus on making it as one of the best lawyers in her firm. She has a heart of gold and takes care of 7 elderly boarders even if they can’t pay the rent every month.
Her firm assigns her to take on a retrial of a case they lost 7 years ago when the news broke that the judge and prosecutor were taking bribes.

Enter Alexei Sokolov former head of Hologrid Hub. He was framed for the murder of his ex girlfriend’s husband. Messy, right?
What can you do when you’re a billionaire playboy.
He’s spent the last 7 years turning into a weapon, no longer is he content to be the socialite playboy. He’s coming for Hologrid and he’s coming to claim the head of the Bratva. But after he meets Rosalie, he wants to lay claim to something else too… her.

This was a good dark romance with this magical aspect surrounding the world. We have the mmc that is just getting out of prison for a crime he didn’t commit. The fmc is his attorney and immediately when they meet there is so much chemistry and the mmc is obsessed with her. As soon as the mmc gets out of jail the fmc us thrown into this world of crime, billionaires, lust, power, murder as the mmc goes back into the world.i liked how fast paced the book is and how immediately we have the crime families and trying to figure out who framed the mmc. The romance is steamy and lust based at first with a possessive mmc that won’t let the fmc go. I liked the mystery aspect and how the story get me interested and wrapped with both the romance and crime plot. Over a good dark romance, thanks to Kensington for this arc for an honest review.

Rosaline, an ambitious young attorney, takes on her newest client Alexei, who was imprisoned for seven years for a crime he might not have committed. As they chase justice, an undeniable tension sparks between them, pulling Rosaline into a dangerous attraction she never expected. One Dark Kiss draws inspiration from Snow White. But I was pleasantly surprised. The dynamic between her and her seven older housemates added warmth and charm. Though the mystical tone of the romance was outside my usual preferences, and the crystal plotline didn’t fully capture me, but I was engaged throughout.

Absolutely loving this dark romance series by RZ. I love Alexei and Rosalie’s story so much!!
I’m having a hard time choosing my fave from the two so far. Alexei is a such a complex character, and even though he is alpha and controlling to the max, there is just something so sexy about him. Rosalie feels that from the moment she meets him. She may not want to want him, but she does. As his lawyer this can definitely be a complication. The chemistry and attraction proves undeniable. I snort laughed at Rosalie’s inner dialogue with her lady parts when she tried to not want Alexei! So funny!
I really enjoyed this book from beginning to end! This new world that RZ has created where crystals are power, is so imaginative and cool.
This book takes you on a wild, dark, and sexy ride so strap your helmet on and hang on!

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Wellllllll, Alexei is not quite what I’d expected. I mean, he was and he wasn’t. The twists and turns this winds through are dizzying at times, but the final destination makes all of the wondering and angst and misery and mystery worth it. I promise.

Beyond liking Alexei and Rosalie, I really want Ella’s story. Or the rest of it. And I adored the boarders. They’ve seriously made a family out of a Home for Wayward Retirees of Misspent Youth, and they prove to be some of the best men around. Almost nobody is what they seem, but it works. The one true danger is so crafty and wicked that it’s almost surprising just HOW awful they truly are, and knowing just what heartless depravity was at play makes this entire story end up being more like righting a bunch of wrongs and tipping the scales back in favor of the worthy.

Now? I wait. Because Ella has an adventure ahead. And I want to ride along for it.

Welcome to a dark romance with a fantasy element, a mystery, and some suspense and violence. One Dark Kiss by Rebecca Zanetti is the second book in the Grimm Bargains series. This story features Alexei Sokolov and Rosalie Mooncrest and is largely set in and around San Jose, California.

Alexei has spent the last seven years in a maximum-security prison. He is consumed with the need for revenge against those who framed him for murder as well as his family who stole everything he owned. Rosalie is Alexei’s new lawyer and works to get him a new trial. When he is released, he starts plotting his return to power and the take over of the family global social media empire.
Alexei is controlling, never bluffs, is not used to kindness, and has a casual approach to violence. He uses people, pursues power, and takes actions that are often more black than gray. However, there are lines that he will not cross or tolerate. Drawing relaxes him and he has a keen sense of duty. Rosalie has never lost a civil trial, but has also never tried a criminal case. She inherited a Victorian home from an aunt and has seven elderly boarders to help pay the mortgage and upkeep. She’s ambitious, kind, spirited, a planner, intelligent, and has a good sense of humor. She can also be stubborn and has a temper. The book alternates between Alexei’s and Rosalie’s points of view.

While this is the second book in the series, it worked well as a standalone since the fantasy element was a minor component of the story and there was enough backstory to understand the worldbuilding. The focus was on the mystery, preparation for a new trial, investigation into what happened, the effort to retake control of Alexei’s family business, meeting his commitments to his prison cellmate, and the romance.

The well-written story is clever, with enough twists and red herrings to keep a reader guessing. The pacing is great and the plot worked well for me. This novel is somewhat darker than other books I have read by this author. There are several steamy and spicy scenes detailed as well as a significant number of violent scenes. The world-building fantasy element is unique and I hope to learn more about it in future books. My biggest quibble was that I wanted a few more details wrapped up cleanly at the end. Themes include trust, control, found family, friendship, respect, safety, and romance.

Overall, this is an engaging and action-filled romance with a fantasy element and well-developed characters. I am looking forward to finding out what happens in the next book and who will be the focus of it. This novel works as a standalone novel, but readers will get more background and backstories if they start with book one.

Kensington Publishing and Rebecca Zanetti provided a complimentary physical copy as well as a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for June 24, 2025.

firstly, thank you to the publisher for an arc and an alc!

i didn’t realize this was technically the second in a series, and while a lot of these romance series are enjoyable as standalones, there were some aspects to the worldbuilding introduced in book one that i wish were reintroduced/explained in book two.

one dark kiss was hot but so very very toxic… and very unrealistic but that’s dark romance for you!

as for the audio, there was dual narration! although i hated the mmc’s russian accent lol

3.8 ⭐️

Oh Rebecca you did it again!! In a lose retelling of Snow White, we enter the second book in the Grimm Bargains Series.

Rosalie, one of Silicone Valley’s best attorneys, finds herself representing Alexei Sokolov, who is up for release after 10 years in prison. After finding out his judge, jury, and half brother were all in on the plan to frame him for murder, Alexei has a lot of lost time to catch up on.

I think this book was a great second installment and really built of the first one. We got to see more in the “magic” system and the world of the Four Families, but the focus was more on the mafia aspect of their society. I still think the ending was a little bit rushed, but overall it was wrapped up nicely. I can’t wait for Ella’s story!!


**ARC review