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

A Fairy Tale Retelling

“One Dark Kiss” by Rebecca Zanetti had everything I’ve come to expect from this author — a quick pace, excellent descriptions and dialogue to keep the story moving and well-written puzzles full of unexpected twists.

This book is the second in Zanetti’s Grimm Bargains series, in which she uses well-known fairy tales (the Brothers Grimm) and sets them in gritty, urban scenarios.

Unfortunately for me, I discovered that I don’t care for the Mafia billionaire trope. I can read alpha heros, but not when there so much “claiming” and “taming” as our anti-hero Alexei says.

I enjoyed “One Dark Kiss” when the intimacy faded to the background and the mystery and twists took center stage. Zanetti included all the clues I needed, even if I missed them along the way!

Those who do enjoy reading about Mafia/mobster antiheros and the women who fall for them will absolutely love “One Dark Kiss” by Rebecca Zanetti, which is why I gave it a high rating.

Damn! I need a cold shower after that one! I thought Thorn was intense, but Alexei is pure chaos and passion. I loved this sexy retelling of Snow White and cannot wait for more in this series! The girl trio in the series are fierce and spirited and I love the dynamic between them.

First off a huge thank you to Rebecca Zanetti, Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for letting me review this book! I loved this so much. It has plot, spice, and of course mafia/bravata drama! A Morally Gray heir to the bravata who was put behind bars, possibly framed and mistried, who gets out after his conviction is overturned, strong-arms his lawyer to get his way! I loved this so much, the tie to crystals and gems, plus the dark themes and spicy scenes that add to the story, make this book a 10/10. I can't wait for the next book to be released. The evil will end and the morally gray will prevail!

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for giving me a copy of this book. This book was on my radar as I really enjoyed One Cursed Rose, and knew I wanted to read this as soon as possible. It did not disappoint and revisited everything I loved about OCR. I absolutely LOVED Rosalie, I did in the first book – so I was so happy to read her story! The Snow White theme was woven in, but not overly done and blended well with the Urban Fantasy. This is fast paced, spicy out of the gate and keeps you well entertained with all the twists and turns.

the character dynamic was to die for absolutely loved the spicy scenes throughout the book. the plot throughout the book was okay…? at first it started really strong and then by the last 20% it fell flat. it felt really rushed.

Rating: 3.75/5

I really liked the concept of this book. A modern, dark, spicy retelling of Snow White is basically everything I could hope for in a romance. I didn’t read the first book in the Grimm Bargains series, and while it wasn’t strictly necessary, there were a few moments that felt a little confusing or underdeveloped. For example, the backstory involving the crystals and how they’re charged was a little confusing so I think reading book one would have added some helpful context to the story.

I really enjoyed the dynamic between Rosalie and Alexei. His fascination with her from the start and his obvious devotion added a lot of weight to their connection. I do wish there had been a bit more from Rosalie’s perspective as she started falling for him. I also think Alexei’s confession about having followed and loved her for years could have been explored more deeply. That said, the story still worked, and the emotional beats between them were strong enough to carry it.

The pacing was solid, and I appreciated that the plot didn’t go exactly where I expected. The references to Snow White were woven in clearly, but never felt overdone or too literal. My only real critique is that the ending felt a little rushed. I would’ve liked just a few more pages to fully wrap things up. The spice was well written, and I honestly wouldn’t have minded more of it, just because what was there worked so well.

Overall, this was a fun, engaging read. If you’re into dark fairytale retellings with heat and heart, this is one to check out.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for allowing me the opportunity to review this ARC!

This book had me in its grip from the start. Rosalie is strong, determined and kind hearted. Her seven elderly boarders ended up being the biggest surprise. It's a spicy hot attention holding read. I loved it.

I loved this one! The beginning started out slower but stick with it and you will be rewarded MASSIVLEY! the writing is phenomenal and well thought out. The bonus content was to DIE for