I did not read book one before this one but that did not impact my opinions for this review. This was a dark mafia romance with some fantasy elements to it.

I will say I was not a fan of the fantasy parts of this book. I love fantasy but this just felt like a weirdly added side plot.

Other than that I did enjoy the book. It had a strong plot and characters that I loved. The first half of the book had me more engaged than the ending but still a good book overall.

this was 4 stars for me!

i absolutely love the world building in this. the major families have powers to charge crystals and draw energy from them - like how cool is that? i listened to the audiobook and my only complaint is the Russian accent but that adds a little flare to the character and the plot.

One Dark Kiss is the second book in the Grimm Bargains series. The book is a Russian mafia dark romance loosely based on Snow White. The story follows Alexei, who has been in a high-security prison for the last seven years and is hell-bent on revenge for the men who framed him. Rosalie, the lawyer assigned to Alexei's case, is having a difficult time separating work from pleasure.

I wanted to LOVE this series becauase I love Grimm retellings, but I had a difficult time getting into this series. At the beginning of their relationship, the MMC does not receive consent from FMC, and the romance is forced and one-sided until later in the book. This turned me off. I always feel creepy/cringy when I'm listening to or reading books with this type of interaction, when one of the characters is clearly saying no.

Books one and two in the series are very similar. I wasn't particularly fond of either of them, but I'm sure these books are absolutely someone's cup of tea for the deep dark romance lover!

Thank you RBmedia, NetGalley and Rebecca Zanetti for the audiobook of One Dark Kiss. All opinions in this review are my own.

A love that wasn’t supposed to be, yet became—yes, please! Dark romance, mafia romance, and forbidden love. He’s in the mafia and an ex-con. She’s a lawyer defending him in court. She believes in his innocence and he keeps getting into unexpected circumstances, protecting her each time. A hint of mystery in this action-filled romance!

A love that wasn’t supposed to be, yet became—yes, please! I had previously read One Cursed Rose by Rebecca Zanetti and was so relieved it wasn’t a continuation of Thorn and Alana since their story had ended so perfectly! Instead, this book had a darker tone and gave me Snow White vibes with the seven boarders. The idea of them being ex-mafia was genius!
The main female character, a lawyer trying to support herself and her boarders, just pulled at my heartstrings. The main male character, being a criminal but such a softie for her, really plays on how wrong yet perfectly they mesh.
Although at first, the roughness of Alexei, and Rosalie being unsure whether she enjoyed it or not… had me tense. Of course, she grew to enjoy it more but until then the intimacy had me nervous for her.
The romantic gestures had me floating! Loved the touch her and die, and I will protect you till whatever end.
I enjoyed having much more information on the crystal’s power. And hope we get another story with even more access into that realm.
The voice actors were great, though in my opinion, I felt that the male's regular voice was much better to listen to than his version of Alexei’s accent. I imagined him older with the accent & took a bit before I got used to it and fully immersed in the story. Just my opinion on this one.
The ending was beautiful and perfect!

I did not realize this was the second in a series so I did get a bit confused about the paranormal aspect of this book. Besides not understanding about the crystals and such it was a good read. I was not a fan of the Russian accent of the male narrator at times, but I at least could understand him. Even though I have read the second book I would like to read the first one. The spice level was perfect for the storyline.

Again… When it comes to “dark” romance or romantasy, I just feel like they rush the spice SO MUCH. Some can build it up well, but I wasn’t vibing w/ the chemistry. He’s just… handsome?
The only trait she seems to like lol.

Alexei is a very obsessive (man’s been pining after her for YEARS), possessive, & lowkey controlling man. All very hot traits in dark romance, but the initial scene at her place was very yikes lol.
And even near the ceremony, like I’m still not convinced at all that they have a connection?
It’s def Light v.s Dark vibes, but I just didn’t feel like it worked as well…

I did enjoy Ella though!! And all Rosalie’s other friends, esp the 7 board mates lol!! This was a very fast paced, action packed retelling. And I feel like they added so much fun to this story.
All the twists and turns really kept me hooked. There was just so much going on, they fr didn’t give me a chance to breathe.
Super interested in the implication of crystals though? I didn’t read the first one, so maybe I’m missing something? But I just wish they expanded a bit more on a few areas.

Overall, I enjoyed this read!! I’m just not super fond of insta love tropes, unless done a specific way 💋
Lance Greenfield & Erin Mallon did an amazing job w/ the narration— I’m looking forward to another addition to this series, if there is one?

“One Dark Kiss” by Rebecca Zanetti, narrated by Lance Greenfield and Erin Mallon, is a dark romance. It’s the second book in the Grimm Bargains series, but I appreciated that it works well as a standalone, though I do think reading the first one might give some extra context, especially around the magical elements.
Zanetti has a knack for writing intense, high-stakes romance, and this book definitely delivered. Rosalie, a sharp and fiercely independent lawyer, finds herself representing Alexei, a Russian mob heir who’s just been released after serving seven years for a murder he might not have committed. Sparks fly from the start, and Alexei’s possessiveness and commanding presence add a compelling tension to their chemistry. I found myself drawn to their dynamic, even if some of the relationship’s darker aspects—like Alexei’s controlling tendencies—made me a bit uncomfortable at times.
What I really liked was the unique world-building. The social media empire with gemstone-powered wealth, the billionaire families, and the fairy-tale twist—this dark mafia Snow White retelling—was refreshingly different. Some lore was subtle, while other parts were more obvious, but overall it made for a fun, fantastical backdrop that kept the story interesting.
The narration was solid, with well-paced action scenes and a good balance of tension and romance. That said, I did feel some character choices were repetitive, and I didn’t always connect emotionally on a deeper level. The found family aspect—Rosalie’s close-knit circle of quirky elderly boarders and her friends—added warmth and charm that balanced out the darker themes nicely.
A couple of things to note: the romance includes some consent issues, with Alexei crossing boundaries more than once. That made parts of the relationship feel uncomfortable for me personally, so if you’re sensitive to controlling dynamics or boundary crossings, keep that in mind.
Overall, “One Dark Kiss” is a fast-paced, twisty journey into a dark romantic fantasy world with mafia drama, fairy-tale elements, and plenty of heat. It wasn’t fully my vibe, but I think fans of possessive, intense romance with a fantasy twist and strong found family themes will really enjoy it. Just go in expecting a story that’s intense and sometimes a bit uncomfortable—it’s definitely a wild ride.

I enjoyed that it was done in duet narration and the elderly gentleman boarding with the FMC and having awesome past lives. However, I wasn't super invested in the story, something was missing.

Book Review: One Dark Kiss by Rebecca Zanetti
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.5 stars)

One Dark Kiss is the second book in the Grimm Bargains series, but you can definitely read it as a standalone. It’s a dark romantasy with a modern Snow White twist—think mafia power plays, magic stones, social media empires, and steamy, high-stakes romance.

We follow Rosalie, a sharp and independent lawyer with a found family of quirky elderly boarders (yes, seven of them 👀), and Alexei, a possessive, morally gray heir to the Russian mob. Their chemistry is electric, and the tension between them drives the plot forward with plenty of spicy moments and unexpected twists.

One of my favorite aspects was the found family vibe—Rosalie’s relationships with her two best friends (including the heroine from book one) and her fiercely loyal boarders added warmth and charm to balance the darker themes. And while you don’t have to read the first book, I do think it would help clarify some of the magical elements, which felt a bit underdeveloped here.

That said, I have to be honest: some of the consent issues were hard to overlook. Alexei is extremely controlling, and there are multiple moments where Rosalie’s boundaries are crossed. It made parts of the romance uncomfortable for me personally, even though I understand those dynamics are part of dark romance for some readers.

Overall, One Dark Kiss is a twisty, fast-paced romantasy with mafia drama, fairytale flair, and lots of heat. While it wasn’t fully my vibe, I think fans of dark, possessive romance with a dash of fantasy and found family will enjoy this one. Just go in knowing it’s intense, and not always comfortable.

Read this if you love:
✨ morally gray characters
✨ mafia + billionaire romance
✨ found family dynamics
✨ intense spice
✨ dark fairytale retellings

Rosalie is the lawyer at a law firm that is chosen to represent Alexei for a retrial of a murder he’s been in prison for 7 years for. Sparks fly immediately, and Alexei starts up again right away with plans for taking his mafia leadership role back. Rosalie has her work cut out for her: there seems to be so much pointing to Alexei being guilty, but as she gets to know him further, the less she actually cares about his guilt.

I really enjoy anything Rebecca Zanetti writes. Her books tend to be on the insta-love side, but I like them anyway. The spicy scenes are steamy and her men are always in control. Great for books, not great IRL.

This series’ world incorporates social media empires that involve gemstones and billionaire families. I came around more to the concept in this book. It’s still foreign and odd, but also different, which is somewhat refreshing.

In this series each book is an interconnected standalone retelling of a different fairytale. One Dark Kiss is a dark mafia version of Snow White, andI enjoyed how Zanetti incorporated this into the story. Some of the lore was very subtle, and some was more obvious, but still done in a fun way that made sense for the story.

A big shout out to NetGalley and RBmedia for this ALC.

Review: One Dark Kiss by Rebecca Zanetti
⭐️⭐️⭐️✩✩ (2.5/5 stars)
Thanks to NetGalley and RBmedia for the audiobook ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Description:
One Dark Kiss is the second book in Rebecca Zanetti’s Grimm Bargains series but it works well as a standalone. It’s a dark romantasy with a modern Snow White twist featuring Rosalie, a clever lawyer, and Alexei, a dangerous heir to a powerful Russian mob and social media empire. The story mixes mafia drama, magic, revenge, and a steamy, intense romance.

What I Liked:
I really enjoyed the fairytale elements sprinkled throughout the story. Rosalie’s home life with seven quirky elderly boarders was such a fun touch that added charm and warmth to the darker, intense plot. It’s a clever nod to the Snow White inspiration and gives the story a unique, cozy feel amid all the chaos. Characters from the previous book also make appearances, and there’s some nice carry-over since the heroines are best friends. There’s even a third member of their group who I’m sure will be featured in the next book, which adds a great sense of continuity and friendship across the series. Nevertheless, while One Dark Kiss can stand on its own, reading the first book might deepen your understanding of the characters and backstory, making the experience even richer.

Rebecca Zanetti does a great job balancing intense romantic stakes with suspenseful, high-stakes plotting that keeps the story exciting throughout. The chemistry between Rosalie and Alexei is electric. There’s an undeniable pull between them that keeps you invested even when things get messy. The fast pacing and surprising twists kept me intrigued from start to finish.

Audiobook:
I’m a big fan of dual narration and Erin Mallon and Lance Greenfield absolutely delivered. Their performances added so much emotion and tension to Rosalie and Alexei’s story, making the listening experience much more immersive and engaging.

What I Didn’t Like:
I have to be honest about the consent issues in this book. It was quite dubious throughout. Alexei is very controlling and there are several moments where Rosalie clearly resists or says no, but her boundaries aren’t respected. That made parts of the romance uncomfortable for me and was hard to get past. The dark romance elements are definitely intense and push beyond what I usually enjoy. Also, the paranormal magic felt a little underdeveloped, like it was more of a background detail than a fully fleshed-out part of the story.

Overall:
I don’t usually gravitate toward dark romance, but since I love romantasy and fairytale retellings, I wanted to give this a try. That said, this still wasn’t really my type of fantasy, and the magic system was a little confusing at times. That might partly be because I didn’t read the first book, which could have helped with world-building and understanding the magical elements better. Even so, this was still an engaging, fast-paced dark romantasy with steamy moments and a compelling world, but it’s definitely not for everyone, especially if you’re sensitive to questionable consent. For fans of morally gray heroes and intense romance, it might be worth a listen, but proceed with caution.

DNF'd when a sexual relationship was initiated against the FMC's clearly stated wishes by means of threats of violence against vulnerable people she feels responsible for. Not at all my jam.

Alexei & Rosalie’s story is my favorite of the series so far! Alexei is the definition of “he’s only soft for her.” I love the scene where he bought her every kind of kitten heel after he had destroyed her favorite pair.

This story has a little of everything - dark (and very spicy) romance, action, mystery, and a dash of fantasy! Rosalie is a strong woman who isn’t afraid to stand up for herself, even to the head of the mafia.

The found family was my favorite part of the story. We have Rosalie and her two best friends, as well as her group of old men boarders who protect her.

There were so many twists and turns to the plot that kept me engaged. I’m hoping we might get Ella’s story next!

Read this if you love:
✨ morally grey characters
✨ billionaire & mafia romance
✨ possessive MMC
✨ found family
✨ dark fairytale retellings

While I enjoyed the story, so many parts were unrealistic (which I know isn’t the biggest factor in dark romance, but it just bothers my logical brain). The end didn’t clarify if Rosalie was able to stay a lawyer, or just gave it all up for Alexei. It was so much back and forth of her hating him for his actions and immediately forgiving him and sleeping with him. I appreciate how this second book explained a little more about the fantasy elements of the charging stones.

Audiobook thoughts: The narrators both did a great job, but I personally had to quit the audiobook and switch to the physical copy. The male narrator’s accent was accurate but it just didn’t sound attractive to me in a romance novel.

Thank you to Kensington Publishing for sending me a copy of this book. This review is voluntary, and all opinions expressed are my own.

This just wasn’t for me. I couldn’t get into it and gave up. I know a lot of people love it but not me .

I did like the narrators .

Oh, my goodness this was so good. You had better set aside a whole day to read this. There is so much to like, from her boarders to the villain. I think this is better than the first book, but you should read it for yourself. I cannot wait for the next one.

The narration was solid and the action scenes were well-paced, with a mix of tension and romance that worked in parts. Some of the character choices felt repetitive though, and I didn’t quite connect emotionally. A decent supernatural romance listen with a few memorable moments.

Alexi has been in prison for seven years, losing his spot as heir to the empire his father left him. Stolen from him by his family. Then Rosalie gets assigned as his new lawyer after its been found out the judge who sentenced Alexi has accepted bribes. Alexi is released from prison under Rosalie's care while awaiting a new trial. During this time Alexi and Rosalie get to know each other more. Rosalie finds out things about Alexi. He's controlling, doesn't bluff, and knows what he wants. Rosalie is his, and he'll protect her from everything at all costs.

This is a dark fantasy book. The second in a series but works as a standalone. I loved how Alexi took charge and claimed Roaslie.

Thank you Rebecca Zanetti, NetGalley, and RBmedia for allowing to review this book.

Wow! Another incredible dark fairy tale retelling by Rebecca Zanetti. I thought One Dark Kiss hit the mark on “dark romance” a little more on the head than the first book (although I loved that book too). One Dark Kiss is a Snow White-esque tale pairing Rosalie with Alexei. Rosalie is sweet and unsuspecting, despite being a lawyer and is assigned to represent Alexei Sokolov for his re-trial after his initial conviction is thrown out. Alexei is every bad boy thought personified. He has dirty talk down pat and with no intention of ever letting Rosalie go, he is alpha-male possessive to the extreme. While there were elements of Snow White scattered throughout the story, it did not follow the plot as we all know it, but that didn’t detract from the enjoyment at all. Alexei is easily my new favorite bad boy and I keep coming back for more. I was able to listen to the audiobook of One Dark Kiss narrated by Erin Mallon and Lance Greenfield. They did an incredible job of bringing Rosalie and Alexei to life. The accents were spot on and the energy was perfect. Absolutely loved their interpretation and appreciate being able to bring the book with me on the go.

Alrighty so lets start by saying I really realllyyyyy wanted book two to do more for me than book one did. And, ultimately, it did....but not by much. I felt that the FMC was just frustratingly dumb. Like you spent years trying to get to where you are in your career and you decide to throw it all away on him?! Alexie is so manipulating and obsessive to the point it was too much. I get that he is the way he is because of the life he was given but dang enough is enough. If there will be a book three I'm not so sure I'll go out of my way to read it.

Only reason I'm not rating it anhttps://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/bfc9cbf4-bf92-4983-8191-a9e109211065y lower is the narrators really saved this book. They were fantastic.

One Dark Kiss by Rebecca Zanetti was a dark twist on Snow White - moody and propulsive. This was the second book in the Grimm Bargains series and I really liked the paranormal elements.

Rosalie has never lost a civil trial, but she is now on a criminal case working with Alexei, trying to get him out of a maximum security prison after seven years. He becomes obsessed with Rosalie and will stop at nothing if she is in danger.

Very sexy and entertaining - definitely some CNC/dubcon/questionable SA mixed in, so check the trigger warnings. I LOVED that Rosalie inherited a big house and had seven elderly make boarders (I really loved each of those old men!)

Excellently narrated by Lance Greenfield and Erin Mallon - perfect pace, diction, and accent. Thank you so Penguin Random House and NetGalley for the chance to give an honest review of this book.