This book surprised me in best way possible. I had no clue what I was about to read but I kinda loved every minute of it!! This book had all the possessive mafia vibes and I really liked these characters. Gráinne was both sweet and incredibly willing to prove everyone that she was fully capable to protecting herself and those around her. She was the embodiment of girlboss and didn’t stand on any BS! I really like reading about Luca because his personality is so completely different from how he is described by others. At first glance he was described as this scary monster who wasn’t to be messed with but everytime I read his POV he was so internally shy and smitten with Gráinne! He was so cute everytime he interacted with her! Luca was immediately obsessed with Gráinne and he was so possessive and protective of her even before they got together! I did like the story line. Personally I feel like some of the story lines could have been stronger but overall I did really enjoy reading this (and the smut ate SO HARD!!)

I’m such a s*ut for mafia men and this book DELIVERED. Weaponized had me hooked. Gráinne is the utterly fascinating—dangerous, smart, and trained to seduce for her family’s gain. And Luca? Brooding, terrifying, and exactly the type of dark mafia heir I love to fall for— period!

The chemistry between them is off the charts, and while there’s insta-lust, their emotional slow burn makes the payoff so worth it. This book feels like a mix of dark academia romance which totally kept me turning pages. I devoured it in one sitting and need Book 2 (Scandalized) like, yesterday. If you’re into dark romance and mafia, Weaponized is your next obsession.

Weaponized by Kelly Kilburn is an enemies-to-lovers mafia romance that was surprising and griping. Grainne has been groomed to be a weapon by her father, utilizing her beauty, knowledge, and strength to seduce men for the good of the family. Luca is viewed as his brothers enforcer, son of a powerful mobster Don, and overall monster. Grainne is assigned to choose a husband, one of four potential sons from powerful families, while attending college at St. Agnes. What she does not expect, is to actually fall in love. I was blown away by this book and could barely put it down! There is certainly some dark content, so check the warnings at the beginning of the book. I was really impressed by the development of the characters, how their back stories were introduced, the progression of the relationships, and overall flow of the book. I cannot wait to see what comes next in this series!

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin - Romance, and the author for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin - Romance for sending me an ARC of this book.

I love a good mafia romance, so this was definitely up my alley. It does have the Insta love trope, which isn’t my favorite but I also don’t hate it. This also has the miscommunication trope, which I don’t like and could have been prevented if weif we just had a grown-upconversation. This is a pretty quick read that I read in one setting and it was very enjoyable. There is also a mystery/suspense aspect of the book that you are going to be guessing things and trying to put the puzzle pieces together. I enjoyed the mysteries/suspense because it added some drama to the book and I love that. Our main characters are Gráinne and Luca. It takes a while for them to warm up to each other, but once they do there is no stopping. They weren’t supposed to be together, but that makes the best romance!! I enjoyed the world that was built and am looking forward to reading about the other characters.

I enjoyed this book for what it was, fast and dirty. At the same time, I’m not a huge fan of insta love which happens near immediately upon the main pair making eye contact from across the way.

It feels a lot like a fanfiction with the high stakes all or nothing mafia vibe, and that makes me mega nostalgic.

Overall, a good easy read if you want some plot with your porn.

Received as an ARC on NetGalley.

"Weaponized" is a thrilling and suspenseful novel that dives into the dark world of espionage and covert operations. Killburn crafts a narrative that keeps you on the edge of your seat, blending action-packed sequences with complex characters and moral dilemmas.

The protagonist is a compelling and resourceful operative, haunted by their past and driven by a desire for justice. Killburn's writing is both gritty and realistic, immersing readers in a world where trust is a liability and danger lurks around every corner.

The plot unfolds with unexpected twists and turns, challenging your assumptions at every turn. Killburn explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the consequences of unchecked power. "Weaponized" is a must-read for fans of thrillers and espionage novels, offering a pulse-pounding ride from beginning to end.