This is book 2 in the Grimm Bargains series and I think I liked it even better than the first! The second book focuses on Rosalie (one of the FMC's friends from One Cursed Rose) who takes on Alexei's case, securing his release from prison while waiting for a new trial. Alexei is heir to Hologrid Hub, one of the 4 social media companies powered by energy harnessed from gems (amethyst in this case). I won't include too much more detail to avoid any spoilers, but this book had several twists I wasn't expecting which I always appreciate about Rebecca's books. This series is one of Rebecca's darker series. While not as dark as most dark romance readers are used to, there are still aspects that may be darker than the average romance reader would be expecting (ex. spanking with a belt). If you are wanting to try a dark romance series, I think this series would be a good place to start. While this is a different couple than the first book, I'd recommend starting with book 1 so you know more detail on many of characters that are mentioned in this series.

The narrators for the audiobook did a good job narrating this book. I appreciated having both a female and male narrator for the characters, it makes it feel more realistic.

I received this audiobook in exchange for an honest review from Netgalley and RBMedia in exchange for an honest review.

One Dark Kiss by Rebecca Zanetti is the second book in the Grimm Bargains Series. Alexei Sokolov has an alpha personality; controlling, possessive and powerful. After spending seven years in a maximum security jail, he is released with the help of his lawyer, Rosalie Mooncrest. He is seeking revenge against the person who framed him and his family who stole everything. He was the powerful leader in his organization.

Rosalie is a young lawyer who becomes enamored with Alexei. She is constantly fighting her reaction to him. She believes that if she can prove his innocence it will give her a fast track to the top of her law firm.

She also has money problems and has seven boarders, elderly gentlemen, who help her with the bills. These boarders are interesting with many hidden skills. They were a nice surprise to the story. Loved them!

Rebecca Zanetti knows how to craft a story and keep the reader riveted. There were twists, turns and surprises in this story with steamy, dark romance, murder and power struggles. There is even an element of crystals that provides energy and a healthy, long life to the families that controls it.

This is my first audio book. It did take a little bit to get use to the voices but, I totally enjoyed it. It also allowed me to do things around the house instead of sitting for hours in a chair.

Thank you to the author and the publisher for an advanced reader copy. I can’t wait for the next book in this series and I hope to learn more about the crystals.

I've had this book on my TBR forever! I loved being able to access it in audiobook form since that's my number one way to read.

I love a good fairytale retelling, and it doesn't seem like Snow White gets as much attention as some of the others. I enjoyed seeing this take on her story and picking up on all the little Easter eggs. The modern, somewhat sci-fi setting was a nice addition, in my opinion. It did give Black Mirror vibes, if Black Mirror wasn't so bleak.

The plot moved quickly, which I was okay with, though made the relationship between Alexei and Rosalie (even more) unbelievable. I had a hard time rooting for him simply because I didn't like his character that much. Rosalie I thought was sweet and probably could do a lot better. Though he did have his moments, he came on strong which made me feel pretty eh about him. It is dark romance, so I've come to ignore my boundaries when reading this genre in order to enjoy the story.

Overall, a very fun, quick read. I wish I'd been able to read the first book prior to beginning this one, but I'm looking forward to getting my hands on that one. (And hopefully Ella's in the future? Maybe?)

~Alc Review~
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶.5

~One Dark Kiss~Grimm Bargains Book 2~Rebecca Zanetti~

~Narrated By~Lance Greenfield & Erin Mallon~

"The fact that she thinks a locked door will keep her safe from me is adorable."

♡This was my first read by Rebecca Zanetti & I enjoyed it! One Dark Kiss is a modern-day Snow White retelling with dark elements & twists I didn't see coming!

The narration for this audiobook was fantastic! Erin is one of my favorite narrators & she brought Rosalie our FMC to life with her sarcastic banter & brat-filled attitude! Lance did an impeccable job at bringing Alexei our broody, what I say goes Russian MMC to life as well!

If you like dark, spicy, & powerful m@fia romance books but also love a good fairytale retelling look no further.♡

~As Always Happy Reading~

The world and magic are still as poorly developed as in the first one. We're just presented with a set of arbitrary rules that seem to change in the name of plot convenience. It really seems like the whole crystal system was thrown in there to pad the word count as it serves no real purpose and does nothing to add to the plot.

I found myself getting really annoyed with the way this was written too. The language seemed overly simplistic and there was an excess of telling rather than showing. It all just felt really lazy to me.

Both Rosalie and Alexie had very juvenile sounding voices. I found myself literally rolling my eyes on several occasions. The smut scenes were the only partially tolerable part of their relationship, and even then I was feeling some kind of discomfort about them. Alexie assaults Rosalie on multiple occasions, and even though I know this is a dark romance, it really seemed like the author was just brushing it off with a "well she eneded up in love with him so that makes it okay" type of attitude.

And once again, the central conflict was all resolved in one chapter at the very end of the book. Very rushed and unsatisfying. Also, the villain and their motives were cartoonish at best.

Idk why I'm being this generous and giving it a 1.5⭐️. Clearly I didn't like anything about it. I didn't even like the female narrator... she finished 90% of her lines with an upwards pitch, making everything sound like a question.

I'm just glad it's over. I won't be picking up anything else by this author.

Edit not even 2 minutes after posting: I'm dropping it to 1⭐️. Zero redeeming factors. I'm just so annoyed that I may just rage quit reading.

Thank you to RBmedia for providing me with an Advanced Listener Copy (ALC) of One Dark Kiss in exchange for an honest review.

I was initially drawn in by the intriguing synopsis of One Dark Kiss: a blend of suspense, paranormal elements, and romance that promised a dark, fast-paced ride. Rebecca Zanetti clearly knows how to build a twisty, action-packed plot, and there’s no shortage of drama and supernatural intrigue in this installment.

However, as the story progressed, I found that it just didn’t fully click for me. While I appreciated the premise and the layered world-building, the execution didn’t hold my attention as much as I’d hoped. I might have a different experience if I had read a physical or digital copy, as the audiobook experience unfortunately impacted my enjoyment.

Dual narrators are much appreciated in romance novels so I was happy to see that for this audiobook. While talented, they didn’t quite fit the tone I had envisioned for the characters. The delivery didn’t match the intensity and chemistry I expected, which made it difficult for me to connect with the story or immerse myself in the characters’ emotions.

Still, if you’re a fan or enjoy dark paranormal romance with a healthy dose of suspense, this might still be worth picking up, just maybe in a different format.

One Dark Kiss is a dark, seductive twist on Snow White with legal thriller vibes, found family, and a brooding billionaire who’s been biding his time.

Rosalie is a driven lawyer trying to make partner while renting rooms to seven elderly men to help pay the bills. When she’s assigned to defend Alexei, a powerful ex-heir fresh out of prison, she gets far more than she bargained for.

Alexei is magnetic, dangerous, and very much out for revenge. But beneath his icy control is a man who’s been secretly obsessed with Rosalie for years. Their chemistry is explosive, and the tension only builds as secrets unravel and trust is put to the test.

✔ Enemies to lovers
✔ Snow White
✔ Possessive, morally grey MMC
✔ Smart, capable heroine
✔ Mafia-adjacent themes
✔ Forced proximity and found family
✔ Sizzling slow burn with real emotional depth

I didn’t realise this was book 2 in the Grimm Bargains series until I finished. However, it works perfectly as a standalone. I didn’t feel lost for a moment. I can now go and listen to book 1

And the audiobook? Absolutely worth it. The dual narration suits the story so well. Both voice actors capture Rosalie and Alexei perfectly. I especially loved the accent work, which added even more tension and allure to an already magnetic story.

One Dark Kiss is sexy, smart, and full of fairy-tale grit. If you’re into dark romance with teeth, this one’s for you.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 ⭐️ ARC review of the audiobook.

I really enjoyed this book! So much so that I finished it in a day. It’s a mafia romance with lots of spice, mystery/ suspense, drama, good banter, and funny side characters. There’s even a little fantasy/ sci-fi element in there. It was a fun read.

This is actually the second book in a series and I didn’t realize that until after I started it. It can technically be read as a standalone, but I’m kind of confused on some world building and I think that’s due to not reading the first book (which I do want to go back and do). You don’t really need it to understand the main plot of the book, but it would help some things make more sense.

The audiobook itself was good. Duet narration for the dual POV and I liked the narrators. It kept me interested and I didn’t want to stop listening (so I finished it in one day). I’d recommend it!

Thank you NetGalley and RBmedia for the ARC. 🖤

One Dark Kiss draws you in from the first chapter. Rosalie and Alexei gives you some tension from their first meeting in the prison. I was on the edge of my seat trying to keep up with who might have set up Alexei for murder. I really love the magic crystals aspect of the story as it was unique. Alexei come across as a rough Russian mobster until he is around Rosalie, then you see somewhat of a caring side. I feel as though he fell hard and she fought her attraction, but it was explosive when she finally gives in. I adored Rosalie's seven boarders, who were more like seven protective fathers. I can't wait for the next book!

This book started well and was promising. It was easy to get into the story, and it was interesting. I would say that the audiobook production was great. It went downhill fast. That book made me laugh, which is usually a good thing; however, it was never meant to be a comedy or even funny. I laughed at how ridiculous the crystal magical system was. It felt out of place and was trying too hard to be unique. How would crystal be able to power up servers?? No tattoo artist with ethics would add amethyst powder to the tattoo ink. I could get passed the whole crystal thing. What I could not get behind was the male main character being so proud that his family motto is to never hurt women, when he has no idea what consent is. He kept pushing himself, in all the possible ways, onto the MC. What was the cherry on top of me not liking this book was the MC. There is no way this woman was able to get through law school and become a lawyer with how gullible and unsmart she is. She keeps making the worst choices over and over again. The whole story was unrealistic, and the ending was no different. Somehow, they will live happily ever after. What happened to the investigation? Just disappeared?

I liked this but didn't love it. I didn't realise it was the second book in a series until I started the book, not sure if it would have made an impact to my reading experience. I was expecting more fantasy elements however I found it was more of a mafia romance, I did like both main characters as well as the side characters but I did not believe they had a deep emotional connection. I appreciated the audio being narrated by both a male and female narrator

One Dark Kiss is a seductive, high-stakes whirlwind of vengeance, power, and heat 🔥. Alexei is the ultimate morally gray antihero—brooding, dangerous, and completely unhinged in the best way. Rosalie? A strong-willed lawyer caught in a web of lies, lust, and legacy.

This Snow White & the Huntsman-inspired world blends billionaire drama 💰, gritty betrayal, and forbidden romance into a story that’s darkly intoxicating. Think corporate warfare meets deadly fairy tale 💉🪞. The tension is chef’s kiss and the chemistry? Off. The. Charts. 💋

A fast-paced romantasy that keeps you turning pages and questioning who’s really pulling the strings. The deluxe edition is GORGEOUS, but it’s the story inside that truly bites 😈.

Rating: 4.5/5 🖤

This was my favorite book in the series. I really enjoyed the female narrator. I was not a fan of the male narrator.

The story I give 5 stars
The audiobook I give 3.5

I left reviews on Goodreads, Amazon,, BookBub, B&N

I went into this blind. I didn't even realize it was part of a duo logy. What a wild ride! The chemistry was amazing. The plot was excellent. The spice was on point. The narrators were great!
Thank you for the opportunity to read this arc!

One Dark Kiss by Rebecca Zanetti is a sizzling, neon-soaked ride through vengeance, power plays, and dangerously addictive chemistry. Huge thanks to NetGalley for the ALC—narrated by the powerhouse duo Lance Greenfield and Erin Mallon, who bring this dark romantasy to life with heat and intensity.

This Snow White and the Huntsman-inspired twist is less fairytale and more billionaire-glare, soaked in blood, secrets, and betrayal. Alexei is all brooding danger and barely leashed rage, with just enough vulnerability to make you question everything. Rosalie is smart, fierce, and spiraling fast into the chaos that is Alexei’s world—and honestly, who could blame her?

The worldbuilding is glossy and cutthroat—think Black Mirror meets Succession, but with way more steam. While the pacing dipped a bit in the middle and some plot points stretched believability, the tension (both sexual and political) kept me hooked until the very end.

If you love morally gray leads, courtroom power moves, and a “touch her and die” energy dialed up to eleven, One Dark Kiss will absolutely scratch that itch. I’m definitely intrigued to see where this dangerous game goes next.

This is the second book in this series that involves a world where famous, successful and powerful families run 4 of the most powerful social media platforms. In the first book we dealt with the antics focusing on the kind of - well sort of merger of 2 of these platforms. Two of the leaders of these two families started dating....

I listened to this on audio, and it was narrated by Lance Greenfield and Erin Mallon. I enjoyed the narration and, in my opinion, one of the narrators is one that I would recognize anywhere. For whatever reason, Erin Mallon has a very distinct voice and way of speaking. She is always recognizable to me and I do enjoy listening to her.

In this book, we move forward with Rosalie Mooncrest - Alana's best friend -who is a successful attorney, and she is given the legal case of Alexei Sokolov (his family runs another of the social media firms). He has been in prison for 7 years, but Rosalie is there to tell him that she was able to get him a new trial. And....he will be out of prison during this timeframe.

Alexei is enamored by Rosalie the moment he first lays eyes on her. Rosalie, while not really wanting to admit it, also feels something for him. Things take off from there and the level of action increases exponentially.

There is conflict between Alexei and his family - which ends up affecting Rosalie. She owns a building where she has garnered 7 borders/tenants - elderly gentleman whom she adores and would do anything for. It's hilarious when we discover that her tenants all had super secret identities/backgrounds and were not the calm docile old men that she thought they were.

Then there is Alexei. We discover that there is all sorts of information discovered regarding what has been done to him. He has been railroaded, and framed and should never have been convicted and placed in prison.

This is definitely a dark romance, but once it gets started, I was completely on board and eager to continue going because uncovering the truth made everything lots of fun.

Thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia | Recorded Books for the opportunity to listen to and review this Audio ARC. This book will be out for publication on June 24, 2025.

Spice lvl-3
It has a good plot, although some things you could make assumptions there was a twist i didn't see coming. I love the 7 elderly gentlemen that would lay down their lives for her. The cross between Crystals and mafia is a refreshing mix, gives it a little something different. It has traditional mafia aspects that are typical like infrastructure, murders, jail/prison. The Crystals powering the different internet servers was definitely an idea I would have never thought of, and imbuing power into them with special abilities was also pretty cool.

Have you ever started a book expecting one thing and finding it was something else entirely? That’s how I feel about this book. The hype is that it’s a dark romance and a Grimm Fairytale Retelling (it’s more like a reimagining because it bares very little resemblance to the original material). It really is something else though, but we’ll get to that in a few minutes.

I listened to the audiobook, and the performance is SO good! At first, I had to slow it down to the get used to the voices and the accents, but after 2 or 3 chapters I was able to go back to my usual listening speed (1.5 to 1.9 for those who are curious). Lance Greenfield and Erin Mallon are fantastic narrators. They really picked up on and expressed the little quirks and mannerisms of the characters - and there are a lot of characters and each one had a different voice. The only way to improve this would be if Lance read all the male characters and Erin read all the female characters, regardless of POV chapter. I highly recommend the audiobook.

This book is a lot of fun, well written and a hidden Mafia Romance. In this alternate universe that mirrors our own in some ways, but not all, the wealthiest people in the world run the top four social media companies in the world. Each one is owned a run by a family with some magical gifts involving crystals that power their platforms. How the crystals work is a very well guarded secret and just knowing about it can put your life in danger. Book one dealt with the Irish Mafia. One Dark Kiss is the second book and it follows the Russian Mafia through the Sokolov family. We are following Alexi Sokolov who is currently in prison for murder and Rosalie Mooncrest who is his new lawyer appointed by the firm. She has no criminal trial experience, but she has never lost a civil trial (I work in law, this is definitely a fantasy character) so they decide she is the most qualified to get him out of prison and get him a new trial. Alexi’s prior attorney died 3 months ago under suspicious circumstances. The district attorney and the judge from Alexi’s trial are going away on bribery charges, so, this is the perfect opportunity to attempt to spring him. And it works. Mostly. Because one Alexi is out, the shenanigans ensue, and it’s a whole lot of fun! If you like action packed books with an insane amount of spice, this book is for you. I could not stand Alexi for a long time but in the end he wins you over. Rosalie’s 7 little old men boarders are fantastic characters that have their own mysterious pasts and prove to be quite helpful - and funny.

Overall, I think this is a great book and a fantastic summer read. One Dark Kiss by Rebecca Zanetti releases on June 24, 2025.

I would like to the Recorded Books for generously granting me an advanced listener copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions are my own and if I didn’t like it I would say so, as I often do.

⭐️ 2.75/5 (rounded to 3)

One Dark Kiss by Rebecca Zanetti is the second installment in a series that fuses classic fairytales with modern technology, magical systems, and a gritty, mafia-like twist. It’s a bold and intriguing concept that’s likely to appeal to fans of dark fantasy romance and fast-paced action.

However, readers who haven’t read the first book may find themselves slightly lost or missing key moments—especially when it comes to the worldbuilding and character dynamics. The book drops right into the action without much recap, which could be disorienting for newcomers.

The pacing and plot are solid, and the action scenes add momentum, but one potentially off-putting element is the use of forced physical contact. What may be intended as intense chemistry could read more like harassment to some, which can be a dealbreaker depending on reader sensitivity.

Overall, One Dark Kiss will likely satisfy existing fans of the series, but may not resonate with everyone—especially those looking for more nuanced character development or healthier relationship dynamics.

ALC and book review

First and foremost thank you NetGalley, tantor audio and Rebecca zanetti for the early copy of One Dark Kiss audiobook and ebook!.

I absolutely devoured this audio and book! The narration was great, the storyline and plot flowed nicely and the characters growth and banter were excellent! I love a good fairytale retelling but it has to be done right and Rebecca nailed it! Thank you for this immersive reading experience.