Grayson is part of the mafia and ex military. Seven years ago a tragic event happened that changed his life and brought light to events that he didn’t know. He swore off women and vowed he would never kiss a woman again. That was until one kiss from Maddie.
Maddie was the one that hated him and wouldn’t give him the time of day. But after one kiss he was now on a mission to show her that he was ready to make her his. But in the mafia there is always danger. Can Grayson save her from danger and make her his?

Loved the audio and story! I would recommend reading this series in order so that you don’t get any spoilers.

I love Greyson!!
I love Maddie!!

This story was a pleasant surprise. I wasn’t expecting to like it as much as I did! Even when they “hated” each other their story worked!

The spice… 🫠🫠

Loved this and can’t wait to keep reading the series!

I really enjoyed this book! I love an age gap, “enemies to lovers” dynamic, and this story delivered perfectly. Luna Mason creates such compelling characters, making it easy to fall for both Maddie and Grayson.

I appreciated that there was action in the story as well. Grayson supporting Maddie in standing up to her parents was fantastic, and there were plenty of tender moments too, like their trip to London and him being there for her when she discovers she’s pregnant.

The romantic and spicy scenes were very well done, especially the moment at the London Eye 👀😮‍💨.

The only downside for me was a few inconsistencies in the plot. For example, Grayson initially insists he can’t kiss Maddie because it would make things serious, but just a couple of chapters later he’s already given in. The pacing could have been a little smoother, and I would have enjoyed a touch more angst.

Detonate is an addictive, fast-paced dark mafia romance that pulls you in from the very first chapter. Luna Mason delivers sizzling chemistry, heart-pounding tension, and plenty of unexpected twists that keep you turning the pages. Grayson and Maddie’s connection is electric, and their story is equal parts dangerous and deeply romantic. Perfect for fans of steamy, high-stakes romance. This is a must-read!

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

Detonate by Luna Mason delivers a dark, addictive mafia romance that explodes from the first kiss. Grayson, a former special forces operative turned New York boxing trainer and mafia enforcer, and Maddie, a fiery makeup artist labeled a disappointment by her family, ignite in a sizzling enemies-to-lovers saga defined by raw heat and emotional depth.

Their banter crackles with tension, the chemistry is off-the-charts, and their push-and-pull dynamic keeps you hooked. Plot twists and Mafia intrigue amp up the suspense, and the London Eye scene scorches with passion.

If you crave romantic danger, high-stakes tension, and love that detonates expectations—Detonate will blow you away.

✨ Publication date: May 27, 2025✨

Detonate is a steamy mafia romance and the second book in the “Beneath the Mask” series by Luna Mason.

Maddy cannot forget the kiss she shared with Grayson a few months ago. The circumstances were less than ideal but not was the hottest kiss she’s ever had. Grayson has avoided her ever since and she quite over it.

Grayson doesn’t do love. After losing his best friend on a tour with the forces, his friend’s dying words were an apology for sleeping with his wife. Grayson buried his friend and divorced his wife. That was seven years ago and since then he has committed himself to a life of crime, second hand man to a mafia boss.

There is something about Maddy though. He can’t get that kiss or her out of his head. Finally they decide to get each other out their system but one time is not enough.

As their chemistry and feelings get stronger, Grayson’s mafia life comes crashing in and the life they are beginning to build may come tumbling down with it.

This was a good follow up to the first book in the series. I think I like the relationship in this book better than the first! This was a solid steamy mafia romance, a 3 star read for me.

Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

#NetGalley #lunamason #detonate

Thank you so much to Luna Mason and Hambright PR for this e-book! All thoughts and opinions are my own!
I absolutely loved this book the first time I read it, at the beginning of my reading journey! I was so excited to be able to reread it 💕
I absolutely love Maddie’s character and how her love with Grayson helped her flourish. I honestly think it helped Grayson a lot too.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Find more on my IG @kayreads_romance

⚠️ !! Please be sure to check any TWs before diving in !! ⚠️

What to expect:
☀️ Grumpy x Sunshine
👩🏼‍❤️‍💋‍👨🏼 Good Girl x Bad Boy
🩶 Morally gray characters
🖤 Dark romance
🥊 Sports romance
🔪 Mafia romance
🛡️ Military romance

Spicy chapters:
8
9
10
11
13
14
19
24
28
31
32
35
36
54

This was not my most favorite Luna Mason book ever. I think this mafia slash boxing trainer slash former special forces slash bad boy book was just maybe not for me!

I liked the first book in the series but I LOVED THIS One. Grayson could easily be in my top 5 book boyfriends from all the romance books I’ve read so far. The banter between the MCs I loved so much, and I also loved the Grumpy/Sunshine trope of the characters personalities too. This book I could not put it down and the audiobook with the male narrator (don’t remember his name) was so good!

After experiencing a significant loss in the military and realizing that his marriage was a sham, Grayson turns to a life of organized crime. Avoiding commitment at all costs, he unexpectedly meets Maddie through a mutual acquaintance, and suddenly, all his self-protective plans become irrelevant.

As a possessive, grumpy mafia hitman, Grayson embodies the morally gray villain I love! He has denied himself true happiness for so long due to his past trauma, but Maddie manages to break down all his walls. He would burn the world for his obsession with her. Luna consistently delivers exceptional stories, balancing spice and chemistry with relationship development. I would read anything she writes!

Luna Mason came for my sanity with this one.
Detonate isn't just a title---- it's a warning. This story is dynamite packed with grief, obsession, and the reckless kind of love that makes you wonder if survival is even the goal.

Every chapter felt like standing too close to a lit fuse, equal parts terror and thrill. The characters are raw, jagged, and maddening in the way that only broken people trying to love each other can be. I wanted to scream at them, hug them, and then hand them a gasoline can just to see what would happen.

This book isn't tidy. It's not gentle. But it's alive-- it bleeds, bites, and begs you to come closers, even as it promises to destroy you. And honestly? I wouldn't have it any other way.

This is the second book in the Beneath hte Mask series by Luna Mason. I really enjoyed book 1 and was so excited to be approved to receive an ARC for book 2. It wasn't as good as book 1 but I'll definitely continue with the series. I didn't love the giant age gap or pregnancy trope, but overall, I thought their dynamic was enjoyable! She's a sunshine FMC, and the MMC is a grumpy mafia hitman.

Also....can we take a moment to appreciate the dedication? “This book is dedicated to all my readers who deserve to be treated like a princess, but don't want the prince to sweep them off their feet. Who want the villain to tell them to grab the headboard and take it all like a good girl. Villains f*ck better. Grayson is ready for you now…” SHEESH

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing | Kensington for the ARC of this title

Grayson and Maddie’s story was such an emotional rollercoaster! There was some serious highs and then rock bottom lows. It was angsty, had some drama, and loads upon loads of spice. This was definitely a dark and spicy romance. Don’t go into this one expecting a huge amount of plot and storyline. There is one, but the spice and drama between Grayson and Maddie definitely is at the forefront of this one. Grayson is definitely an alpha male with a huge grumpy complex. While Maddie is bubbly and sunshine personified. Overall, this was a good grumpy/sunshine dark romance.

I didn’t realize when I requested this was book two. That one was my fault, however I don’t like OWD so it wasn’t for me.

I really enjoyed this book and Grayson and Maddie’s relationship dynamic! The chemistry between them was just 🥵🔥 I love enemies to lovers and age gap, so this book really checked all the boxes for me! And I’m all about interconnected standalones. Can’t wait to read more Luna Mason!

Detonate is the 2nd book in the Beneath the Mask series and my first book by this author.
This is a dark mafia romance that was suspenseful and action-packed and follows two characters who have chemistry but one keep pushing the other away.

Both Grayson and Maddie were complex characters and there was a lot of back and forth tension between them. When they finally gave in to their feeling for each other the steam was scorching hott.

Unfortunately I don't think this book was for me. I couldn't connect with the characters and felt the story dragged at certain points.

I seen Beneath the Mask on Tiktok from other readers, so when I saw it here I had to catch up on my series.

I'm a sucker for a cute nickname for FMC, so "Sunshine" had me swooning over Grayson. Add in this is a mafia series with protective alphas and sunshine FMC it is an instant 5 stars for me. Add in the fact that I went between my kindle and audiobook so I could finish this in one day!

Grayson has been added to my book boyfriend....

Tropes:
Mafia Romance
Fighter MC
Morally Grey MC
Age Gap
Touch her and.....
Enemies to Lovers
Grumpy Sunshine
Suspense
Fiesty FMC

Books 3 was added to my shelf on here so its time to dig into Devoted!

Detonate brings the heat. It's a dark mafia romance packed with snark, sparks, and emotional depth, centered on the volatile dynamic between Grayson—a brooding ex-Marine turned hitman—and Maddie, the fiery “sunshine” he never saw coming.

Strengths:

Electric chemistry: Their enemies-to-lovers arc is raw and addictive—marked by sharp banter, powerful tension, and emotional payoff.

> “Maddie and Grayson get along like oil & water… fire and ice.”

Grayson is unforgettable: A protector with turmoil, his possessive charm and underlying trauma deliver a compelling and swoon-worthy hero.

> “Grayson… his backstory, his trauma, his loyalty, and his heart—I will love this man forever…”

Fast-paced and steamy: The narrative moves with urgency, its seductive momentum making it hard to put down.

> “…starts in the middle of a mafia turf war and it is a wild, tumultuous ride from start to finish!”

Some Rough Edges:

Pacing and structure hiccups: Some readers noted rushed developments and awkward pacing—especially in the middle section.

> “The story wasn’t as explosive… somewhat predictable.”



Technical missteps: There are reports of editorial oversights, like duplicated chapters, that occasionally pull you out of the story.

Strong personalities, mixed enjoyment: While Maddie’s sass is refreshing to many, a few found her portrayal overbearing in parts.
---

Final Thoughts

If you’re drawn to dark, protective antiheroes and fiery, witty heroines, Detonate delivers. It’s steamy, emotionally charged, and full of tension. Though it stumbles with pacing and polish at times, the payoff is powerful enough to make it a standout in the mafia-romance arena.

A must for fans of enemies-to-lovers, morally grey heroes, and high-stakes romance with feeling.

Unfortunately, this was also not a hit with me, so I will DNF it at about 10% in.

It's really hard to read, still, the grammar needs fixing. I also am not a huge fan of so much internal dialogue that just had me not liking the characters.