I found the concept of this book intriguing. I don’t often read books that include dark romance but I decided to give this one a go because I liked the title.

It wasn’t particularly bad, but it wasn’t particularly good either. I followed the story well enough, but I didn’t connect with the characters at all (especially side characters) and I think that the writing had a lot of potential, but required a LOT more editing. I felt that Mitsch was way too creepy towards Austen for half of the book.

I can see why someone would enjoy this series if they were a big fan of dark romance, and I’m glad that I got to read it but it wasn’t for me.

Thank you so much for the ARC!

*thank you to Netgalley and the publish for an e-arc in exchange for a review*

This is a mafia romance about a rich boy Austen and another Rich but Russian (technically Yugoslavian?) boy named Mischa. They meet and Mischa is instantly attracted to him and decides HE MUST HAVE HIM. This causes him to make some questionable decisions and they end up in Australia together with Austen’s twin brother William and a cast of other not really important people.

This was… not good. The writing was choppy and the plot was all over the place. I think this needed some MAJOR editing as it felt like I was on drugs reading it. Austen and Mischa do not have any chemistry and their entire relationship feels icky. Consent is talked about within this however multiple times it felt like Mischa was doing things without Austen’s consent. I think an important reminder for everyone is that not saying no is not a yes. It felt uncomfortable reading the “spicy” scenes because there was no actual warmth or love there. For how much love Mischa says he has for Austen, it is definitely not shown in the text.

I also did not enjoy the so called “plot” of this book. If you can even call it a plot as it felt like scenes strung together on a poorly crafted chain. The dynamics between William and Austen were interesting but not developed enough to actually be a plot point and that can be said about anything in this book. There are so many characters with no development that if feels like I’m watching a train wreck.

ALSO Austen has a girlfriend of FIVE YEARS named sabrina??? And he still fucks around with Mischa??? I think the reader is supposed to make an assumption that they aren’t romantically together, considering William is SLEEPING WITH HER??? I feel like an explanation of their relationship was necessary for Mischa and Austen to evolve however Mischa was do desperate for Austen he let everything slide.

My final complaint is that I know things will be explained in the next few books however some of the main issues I have with the novel should have been addressed in the first book. This book could have been shortened up into the first half of a longer novel and combine books one and two. Nothing was explained which made Mischa and Austen feel incompatible. Mischa is supposed to be head over heels for Austen yet knows nothing about him. It is purely physical attraction and that is not the story I’m interested in. Considering Austen’s aversion to touch I expected a slower burn where they actually learned to trust each other instead I got this…

Overall, this was not good and needed to be sent to the chopping block known as editing 100 more times than it was. It needed better characterization, better plot, which essentially means it needs better everything. I think the author has potential however this book is absolutely pointless. The next books in the series may explain everything and make their relationship better however that doesn’t excuse bad writing and the lack of anything in this first book.
Thank you again to the publishers and Netgalley for this E-arc and I wish I liked it more than what I did. I will keep an eye out for the next books and may continue to see where the author goes with this.

This was a Novella which I do not give star ratings to, However it follows Mischa and Austen as they navigate their relationship through many problems. Mischa and Austen twin brother (William) don’t get along but Mischa risked it for Austen. The first chapter was a little confusing but after the book followed a steady pace.

Not bad. This book was not really my cup of tea, which I thought it would be. There is not anything wrong with it, just some of the prose is worded weird.

This review contains spoilers.

Intriguing! It’s so evident that this first book hardly even scratched the surface of Austen and William’s secrets. This is written in a way that really leaves the reader wondering. What have Austen and William done? What have they been through that has left them so thoroughly traumatized? What is really going on with Isobelle and Sabrina? Do the twins grandfather somehow know Mischa’s adoptive father?

I loved the yearning, the tension between Austen and Mischa, the push and pull of their dynamic. The pacing and plot of this book keeps you on your toes, always wondering what’s really going on behind the scenes.

Mischa’s family felt so endearing, his interactions with his brothers had me laughing. I’m so curious to know more about Mischa’s life.

If I’m not mistaken, I picked up on some tension between William and Kane as well.

I’m interested to see where this series goes!

I wanted to connect with this but it didn’t quite do it for me. Not enough for me to honestly recommend anyway. I’ve never read any mafia romance before, this was my first, and I think now it’s perhaps not the genre for me. I think for the people that enjoy this genre this book would be great, the book ticks by quite pacey and the characters are well formed. Good, just not for me.

I really did try with this book but for the life of me couldn't get over the way the characters spoke. It was so jarring and I had to keep rereading sentences to make sure I got it right, made for an unenjoyable experince.

Thank you for the opportunity to review.

This book starts off with a promising setup—Mischa Abramov, the youngest of eight brothers in the Russian mafia, collides dramatically with Austen, a wealthy recluse with a mysterious past. The early chapters are intense and brimming with tension, especially as Mischa’s obsession with Austen grows and Austen’s twin brother William starts to unravel.

However, the second half really lost momentum for me. The plot becomes increasingly chaotic, and I found it hard to stay engaged. The emotional stakes were buried under a growing pile of overused clichés and melodramatic dialogue that often pulled me out of the story rather than drawing me in.

Most concerning were the consent issues woven throughout the romantic arc. What’s framed as passionate intensity sometimes crosses uncomfortable lines, making it hard to root for the characters’ relationship. It felt like the book tried to be provocative, but ended up feeling tone-deaf instead.

While the premise had potential and fans of dark, MM romance may find something to enjoy, the execution didn’t work for me overall.

Thank you for reading my novel. It is a labour of love, a long time in the making, and publishing is a new experience that I'm navigating. I have written the series as a trilogy, this being the first book. It's in the dark romance genre, and it subverts a lot of the tropes. I am also starting a fourth book which is likely to be in the same universe. Due to my background, I have an interest in psychology and trauma, and that is a common theme in my upcoming books. I have sought input from editors and sensitivity readers and carefully developed the story, as issues such as consent and trauma are very important to me. I hope you enjoy the book and look forward to the feedback.

I hate to say it but it just wasn't good. The first half was absolutely painful to read. Full of clichés and awkward phrases, not to speak of the consent issues. Then we went from insta love to drinking blood within pages... No.

wo. this book is not for the faint hearted. but it is an exciting if dark read. it doesnt hold back in smashing into ll the usual rules of love and lust and revenge and human nature. what is good and bad and how do we tell? or how do we deal with that within families and or loyalties?
its dark but full of romantic(if you can call it that) tension. it was definitely a different one for me which is why i chose it. i dont want to give anything away by giving my opinion on a few of the things but im definitely still thinking over them.

What starts as an exciting love story, with Mischa pursuing the unavailable Austen in Dark Sky Full of Stars takes a horrendous turn in Part Two and I could barely sustain my interest. It felt to me like author Roman Schreiber sabotaged his own story as many bizarre things happen. The sex scenes in part one are well done, even exciting. I wish Schreiber had worked from there rather than taking the dark turn he did.
So 5 stars for part one, one star for part two.
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.