I unfortunately DNF’d this book. The writing was great and the storyline was fun but I found it to be cringey and I didn’t understand the gems. I will definitely read other books by this author.

If you need a dark romance with fairy tale roots this is a good one!

Alexei is intense and obsessive. Rosalie is reluctant at first but comes around to his persistent attentions.

The plot gets so good and once I was invested I was excited to see what was next! You could never tell what was coming so finding out what was happening was satisfying!!

It is definitely dark so I would check your triggers before diving in, our MMC doesn’t like taking no for an answer!

Thank you Rebecca, Hambright, and Kensington Publisher for the #gifted ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts, it was a wonderful read 📚💖

One Dark Kiss — book 2 in the Grimm Bargains series by Rebecca Zanetti — is dark, twisty, and the perfect romantic suspense.

Rosalie, a sharp and determined lawyer, takes on the case of Alexei—a recently freed man bent on reclaiming what was stolen from him and hunting down those who framed him. Between family betrayals, deadly enemies, and a case that could make or break them both, survival is far from guaranteed.

Alexei is intense, calculating, and fiercely loyal, with an all-consuming need for control, while Rosalie’s caution keeps her from falling too easily into his dangerous world. Together, they share an electric mix of mistrust, obsession, and undeniable heat.

I was hooked from the start and loved how the plot kept me guessing with its twists, red herrings, and mix of legal intrigue, family politics, and vengeance. As a dark romance reader, I highly recommend reading the trigger warnings first, as some scenes definitely pack a punch and might take you by surprise.

If you enjoy dark romance with suspense, moral complexity, and a hero who doesn’t take no for an answer, this one is definitely a must add to TBR! !

I really enjoyed this book. I love a good revenge book.

Alexei was the perfect touch her and 💀 mmc! No one disrespects what is his or they will pay. I love the bar scene where he made sure his girl wasn't uncomfortable and other murderers and evil men would know not to mess with Rosalie. He's smart, possessive, and sexy.

The twists and turns kept me wanting to know what was going to happen next. The ending was 🤌🏼🤌🏼 and speaks volumes on how Alexei thinks.

3.5 ⭐️, 3.5-4🌶

I loved the concept behind this book - the blurb hooked me and I had never read a Snow white retelling before! It took me a minute to get into the story and understand the urban fantasy components (*which is a me problem since I haven't read book 1!). Once I felt caught up, the story picked up, as well!

One Dark Kiss is a dark romance reimagining of Snow White, with small fantasy elements, a forbidden relationship, a mystery, and all the tension.

I really loved this book! All the Snow White similarities and small changes made this such a fun time! Rosalie was such a mood through this entire story and I couldn’t help but love her! Like girl I don’t blame you I would have folded for him to I mean LOOK AT HIM *points to words on kindle* Alexei is a MAN! he would literally make the world quiet just so Rosalie wouldn’t have to hear the sound of sniffing and chewing ever again.I really enjoyed the small mystery aspect through this it really had me guessing and in the end I felt betrayed 😂
The side characters were all very love-able and I couldn’t get enough of them! Fingers crossed Ella gets her own book👀 I’d love to see a man be able to keep up with her!
Overall I really enjoyed this book and I highly recommend!

This seemed so up my alley, however I struggled to get into it and chose to DNF. The internal monologue was younger than I anticipated, the dialogue seemed oddly stilted and wasn't accurate to how either characters age or experience level would act, and the term "hoo haw" being used in internal monologue pulled me quickly out of the story. I tried to get through at least one intimate scene to see if the chemistry developed more there, however, despite being a lover of dark romance, the force used while the FMC was begging for him to stop and saying no, shoved the scene into feeling less like CNC the FMC enjoyed, and more like blatant SA.

At that point, for my own mental health, I chose to stop reading the book.

As I wasn't able to complete the novel, but this submission requires a star rating to submit, I'm giving it a 3 as I cannot give an accurate portrayal at only 20% of the read. I will not be submitting reviews elsewhere.

Unfortunately, I had to DNF One Dark Kiss at 40%.
I really couldn’t find any way to connect with this book, and, though I loved the idea of having a more fantastical approach to a book set in a ‘human’ reality, the other parts to the novel just couldn’t keep me reading.
Usually, I’m all for a dark romance novel, and i’ll happily read it, however, for some reason i cannot quite name, I’ve been unable to continue with this book.
Though the book has a great idea and, from what I’ve read, quite a good plot, I feel it wasn’t executed well enough for me to carry on reading. Though, I do believe the novel would be a perfect match for many others, and I do recommend it to other dark romance readers.
Thank you to netgalley and the author for the chance to read this book, all opinions are my own.

This book held a definite giant wow factor for me. I’ve read Rebecca Zanetti many times before but she blew my mind with this series. I’ll preface it to say that I enjoy darker romance themes with complicated grey heroes. If this is generally not your cup of tea, I would read the blurb and trigger warnings carefully.

For me though this was an exceptionally well-written story. I realized this is book 2 in the series, however the basic premise of the crystals was explained in the beginning and I found the book to be very strong as a standalone story. Alexei is a quintessential morally grey antihero, who is redeemed (if you can actually call it that) throughout the story. His care, tenderness and protectiveness for Rosalie against the backdrop of his violent day-to-day activities presents a fascinating dichotomy. Rosalie, in turn, is forced to reckon with stepping into a new to her world and realizing that the black and white boundaries have been irrevocably blurred, while falling in love with the dangerous and sexy mob boss.

Secondary characters are very well expressed. The seven elderly boarders added fantastic color to the story, as did Garik and Ella. I already cannot wait to read Ella’s story.

Finally, be warned that the steam here is amazingly and deliciously hot, as is the norm for Rebecca Zanetti. I really hope everyone reads and loved this emotionally charged fantastic story.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for an advance copy or this wonderful read. Opinions are ly own.

Shut up, this book had my jaw on the floor. How come none of you told me how good this book was?!? I feel betrayed. Alexie 🥵🥵 had me sweating! Omg I loved the premise of the crystals each formidable (mafia) family owned. It was so unique, and honestly left me wanting for more. Whenever Rosalia stood up for herself and showed her claws, I was cheering her on! Then Alexie would have me gagged all over again lmao. I love mafia reads so much, this one I read in a day, I couldn’t put the book down! Here’s some of my fav quotes:

“Watching you flinch like you’re being stabbed in the ear isn’t something I’ll accept. And if you lunch with Saul again, they’ll never find his body.”
.
“But I’m not a stupid man, and it’s too late to worry about it. She’s in my heart, and that’s where she’ll stay.“
.
“You can have all of me. I fully intend to have all of you.”

I was unable to finish this book. I did enjoy the first 20% Though I’m not unfamiliar with dark romance-I was not prepared for the way that the intimacy unfolded and could not find the trigger/content warnings within the book or on authors website. Had I been aware of somno themes and other parts that are personal challenges for me I would have politely skipped this one. I understand that my personal reactions don’t reflect the quality of the book, the writing, or the story. I’m unable to leave this review without assigning stars, but this was a DNF.

One Dark Kiss by @rebeccazanetti was WILD from start to finish. This dark mafia romance blends obsession, power, and just enough magic to keep you absolutely hooked. Think:
Snow White reimagined with blood, crystals that fuel social media, and a pink Victorian house full of maybe retired assassins.
From the second Alexei sees Rosalie, he's laser focused. He's out of prison (wrongfully convicted), out for revenge, and absolutely unhinged in the best, most deliciously dangerous way. Possessive? Yep. Protective? Definitely. Morally gray? All shades, baby. And Rosalie? She's smart, fierce, and relatable in all her messy glory.
Enemies to reluctant allies
Lawyer heroine x billionaire anti-hero
Murder, magic, mafia madness
Found family (but make it old assassins)
Dark fairytale twist (Snow White!)
STEAMY, intense, and fast-paced
If you like your dark romance dark, your heroes obsessed, and your world building bonkers but brilliant, this one needs to be on your TBR. Just don't forget the trigger warnings because this one doesn't hold back!
Thank you @hambright_pr, @rebeccazanetti, @netgalley and @kensingtonbooks for the chance to read this early!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
I don’t think I’ve read a book quite this fast for a while! I now need to go back to the first book, because I can’t believe I’m missing out.

As a Kasseläner I’ve always loved the Grimm stories. It’s in my dna… so to have that mixed with some dark romance 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

Mirror, Mirror . . . Innocence or Sin. The reflection holds a darker truth.

As always I went in this book rather blind. We have our morally black handsome mafia boss and a deliciously kind lawyer that just won’t let go of you. Lots of twists and turns that keep you on your toes. And the spice 🔥❤️‍🔥

This book is for anyone who loves a mafia romance.

didn’t know this was part of a series but it is technically stand alone. A few concepts I probably would have understood more if I had read the previous book. But moving on.
This is a mafia, spicy, dark romance with a little fantasy tossed in there. Mostly with the magical crystals. Which was where the first book might have explained that more? But I got by. It’s a Snow White retelling but loosely. Very loosely.
The story was dual POV and the main romance being between a lawyer and a client so it was technically forbidden.. but you know that goes… But wow that spice was spicing 🔥 👏
Loved the writing and the story! I will be going back to read the previous one now. Fantastic !!

Rosalie and Alexei, what an amazing story! I love the Grimm Bargain books, and this did not disappoint. Rosalie is a lawyer, and Alexei is her newest client. The sizzle begins here. Right from the start, there is spice, intrigue, and suspense. You have to love the seven boarders in Rosalie's house, and Alexei is truly a prince. An aggravating prince, but one nonetheless. I couldn't put it down, and I can't wait for the next book in the series.

3.5 ☆.

It was okayish. The storyline is fast-paced and entertaing. The writing is good. The characters were well-done written. Rosalie and Alexei has good chemistry. Their love story was full of steamy and hot moments.

This was a very spicy dark romance! I liked the overall plot and storyline. The magic system was interesting. However for me the writing fell a little flat. Parts didn't make sense, and many parts if the FMC being a lawyer weren't great, she broke so many obvious rules. But it did keep me reading and wondering what was going on.

If you like:
🖤 Dark romance
🖤 Tortured hero
🖤 Forced proximity
🖤 Kidnapping
🖤 Alpha male
🖤 Enemies to lovers
🖤 Snow White retelling

This book was a modern mafia snow-white and the seven dwarfs and Alexei is Prince Charming… if you’re into BDSM. Some inner monologue was repetitive and too easy kidnapping but it’s a HEA book not a suspense. Cute and can’t wait until book 3 comes out.

4⭐️ 3🌶️

It’s been a while since I enjoyed a dark romance this much and this book had me hooked from the start! I wouldn’t necessarily say that this was a Snow White retelling. But there was a definite nod to fairy tale.

I loved Rosalie. She was smart and driven with a kind heart but that didn’t make her a pushover, she had a spine of steel. Except for when it came to Alexei, but I think we can forgive her for that. I loved how unflappable she was. Her being kidnapped while holding a tray of tacos only for her to be deposited back home still holding them was hilarious.

Alexei was what book boyfriend dreams are made of. Tall, dark, handsome and dangerous. I don’t even think he was morally grey, he was pretty morally black. But he was obsessed and protective and I loved it.

One of my absolute favorite tropes in a book is the crazy elderly grandparent and in this book I was blessed with 7! I loved all of Rosalie’s geriatric bodyguards so much!

I didn’t realize that this was book 2 in the series when I requested the ALC so the fantastical element of the crystals took me by surprise. But I think Rebecca did a pretty good job explaining it again and I will definitely be going back to read book 1.

Thank you Kensington and NetGalley for the copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I am so conflicted about this book! I requested it thinking it’d be a bit sci-fi with billionaire tropes and totally did not pick up that it’s a dark mafia book. This is sooooooo not my genre. I intentionally don’t pick up “dark” romances because they often come across pretty toxic and it’s just not my thing. That being said, I know there’s lots of people who love them! So, how do I rate this book? I suspect it’s a win for dark mafia readers who like their heroes with a coal black soul (he’s really not morally gray). If you like kinky spicy hijinks with no consent (the heroine says no and tries to set limits and just gets steamrolled EVERY SINGLE TIME), this will be up your alley.

What else… it seems to be billed as a sci-fi-esque story too but honestly the world building around the crystals was weak and added almost nothing to the plot. I feel like that could have been cut completely to better focus on the thriller/romantic suspense elements. The story could also easily be set in current times without needing to muddy the waters with a claim to dystopian vibes that I kind of didn’t get anyway.

The thriller/romantic suspense elements are where I enjoyed the story most - seeing Rosalie, Alexei and other characters do their best to stay on top of hitman contracts and murder mysteries. If Alexei wasn’t such a toxic alphahole, I feel like the book could more easily be in the 3-4 stars range. As it is, I have to give it 2 stars. Not my jam but YMMV.