This is book 2 in the Grimm Bargains series, and by gosh, Rebecca Zanetti, you did it again!!

- Dark Romance with Romantasy elements
- Billionaire Romance
- Morally Grey Male
- Enemies to Lovers
- Marriage of Convenience
- Legal Thriller
- Family Betrayals
- Fairytale Retelling- Elements of Snow White
- Spicy

This is a dark romance with romantasy elements and suspenseful twists on Snow White, set in a world of billionaires, cutthroat family drama, deadly obsessions, and dark secrets. The worldbuilding is on point! It's a mix of neon-lit glamor and shadowy power in a fairy-tale-meets-corporate empire.

Our MMC, Alexei Sokolov, is a brooding heir to a global social-media empire who spent the last seven years in a maximum-security prison and alleges he was framed.

And FMC, Rosalie is his high-powered, newly appointed lawyer tasked with reopening his case and securing a new trial.

As they work together, sparks fly. Alexei is hellbent on revenge and won't let anyone in his way. Alexei becomes fiercely protective of Rosalie. Their escalating chemistry soon puts them both in lethal danger. Rosalie is morally ground, but as she is drawn into Alexei's chaotic world, she finds herself toeing the line of lawyer and partner.

Thank you, Netgally, for the opportunity to listen to the Audio Arc! It was so good. I loved the dual narration by Erin Mallon and Lance Greenfield.

Well, dang. This is as side of the author I have not seen before. One Dark Kiss is on the lower end of the darker side and has a hero that does not take no for an answer. Alexei goes full throttle on claiming Rosalie whether she's ready or not. And it was hot. I love that even when Alexei punishes Rosalie, she enjoys every minute of it. He's not so easy on his enemies though. I loved the plot. The friends from book one. And I loved that Rosalie had elderly borders she was taking care of and how they played a part in this book. It was a fun listen! If you are looking for a morally grey character who takes 100% care of his heroine, this is the audiobook or book to get. I did the audiobook version and loved the narrators.

Good book! I liked all the characters, especially the boarders and of course Alexei!! Hot! Audio book narrators are pretty good. Overall liked the plot, Alexei is a killer, but I love a vigilante killer/hero. Love very morally grey as well. Bad boy lover boy, forced proximity. It’s sexy. Will def read more by this author!!

One Dark Kiss is a dark-ish, mafia style retelling. It is my first Rebecca Zanetti novel, but it is the second book in the series. While I was able to understand and enjoy this book, I probably would have gotten more out of it had I read/listened to the first book. I listened to the audiobook version and enjoyed both narrators. The story is told in alternating POV, between Alexei and Rosalie (plus a bonus Elle chapter), and both narrators did a great job with accents, cadence, and pacing. There were a few issues with editing, clipping off words, but only for the female narrator. Otherwise, it was very enjoyable to listen to.

~~What I Liked~~
-Rosalie is a great character, easy to like and relatable.
-I liked how Rosalie and Alexei interacted with each other and with their friends. The supporting characters were fun and added to the story.
-This is a retelling of Snow White, and while it was a stretch, there were some elements of the original story that made it fun. The actual storyline was interesting and well-written.

~~What I Didn't Like~~
-This has a few open door/explicit scenes, but they could easily be skipped over and weren't overly lengthy or detailed. That said, I did feel like the connection between MC was more lust driven and not romance driven. There were some romantic elements, but a lot of Alexei's feelings towards Rosalie were possessive/alpha-based.
-As this was book 2 in the series, there were some things I missed because I didn't read book 1. I also wasn't really sure how to feel about the whole crystal-charging social media network situation. It was confusing.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and was glad to receive a my advanced listeners copy.

Thank you NetGalley and RBmedia for the ALC

Story 3 1/2 ⭐️
Narration 4 ⭐️

This was very different than anything else I’ve read, and I think the narration is what kept me so invested. Lance Greenfield, and Erin Mallon were excellent as Alexei and Rosalie. It was dark, spicy, and the end, while not completely unexpected, had enough of a twist to be satisfying. I adored Rosalie’s boarders, they and Ella provided a nice bit of levity. Now I need to read the first book.

Thanks to RBMedia and NetGalley for the advance listener copy of One Dark Kiss by Rebecca Zanetti.

I enjoyed the story overall—it had a good mix of action and suspense—but a few things didn’t quite work for me. The fantasy elements felt out of place and weren’t explained very well. It seemed more like a romantic suspense with some fantasy tossed in, rather than a fully developed paranormal world.

The romance was very spicy, but the connection between the main characters didn’t feel believable. They only met a couple of times before the male lead pushed his way into her life and her bed, which felt too fast and lacked emotional buildup.

The audiobook narrators were both strong, though I think duet narration would’ve made the listening experience better. The Russian accent started off fine but became a little annoying over time.

It was entertaining enough for me to finish, but I’m not sure I’ll continue with the series. An okay read with good potential, but it needed more character development and a stronger fantasy setup.

Unfortunately, the MMC really didn't do it for me. I think the best thing he did was buy her all the kitten heels after he got his funds back. The first book was easier to relate to personally. Thorn was superior Alexei.

Alexei's narration (accent) had me giggling sometimes, it wasn't very believable. I think it made me like the character less.

I loved this twist in mafia tale. There was just a hint of sci fi/fantasy mixed into a “real world” story. There was plenty of spice but an equally important element of story development and world building. This book had it all.
The narrators did a fantastic job bringing the characters and the world to life. The pacing was good and the voice acting was on point.

The story begins with a frugal FMC who just wants to make partner at her high-profile law firm. Tasked to represent a social media heir bad boy (MMC) who was framed for a murder he didn’t commit, she has her work cut out for her. Thinking the whole deal will be strictly legal and professional turns lustful and dark as she learns he isn’t just a spoiled rich bad boy, but in league with the Russian mafia. You mafia ladies with LOVE this one. Amazing plot. A bit of mystery. Plenty of sexual tension which turns into spicy moments.

The duet narration of this one is fire. It really is the only way they could have done this. Lance Greenfield is SO HOT as the MMC. He really has the dark, broody lead man down pat. Erin Mallon brings the smart, kind, yet naïve air to our Snow White that makes you feel like you are her in the story.

Alexei was in prison for murder, but due to bad judge he was getting a second chance to claim his "innocence". Rosalie was tasked by her firm for a criminal case (not her usual workload), and she was out to prove that Alexei was innocent. But what she didn't know was that Alexei was not all he claimed to be. Either was her housemates. But ready or not she was about to enter the Mafia world when people start to die and they are both implicated of the murder.

Mafia
He fell first
Touch her and Die
Strong FMC
Snow White Retelling
Powerful Crystals

Spice Level: 3/5

I received an advance review copy audio version. Thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia, for the opportunity to listen to this book. Lance Greenfield and Erin Mallon did an amazing job narrating this audiobook.

This is a second book in the series but I did not read the first. I did not feel like I missed any information.

Loved the characters names! This was a good romance with a few good twists that I didn’t see coming. I never would’ve thought it was the step mom behind all of this. The narrator was good I just didn’t like her male impersonations. I loved how Rosalie lived with 7 boarders who were actually total badasses that 100% had her back even if they were in their 80s+. I get the whole story is loosely based on Snow White but really the only reference I get from that is her 7 boarders. All in all I loved the story, loved the characters, had the perfect amount of drama, maybe add a bit more spice.

I received this audiobook as an arc and I was very pleased with the narration. The story had me intrigued and it ended differently than I was thinking. I really enjoyed listening to this book and recommend it !

One Dark Kiss is sooo good!!

I don’t usually think this way but I think this book was even better than the first. WILD, I know. I loved that this book was full of twists and turns. The fast pace was so fun and I couldn’t get enough! It sucked me in and I was hooked to the end. The only thing I wish there was more of was the magic. The first book has so much of it with the world building and was so needed to understand this one. This book touched on it and I would have loved more because the magic system in this series is soooo cool!

I would like to thank the publisher for sending me an audio-arc in exchange for an honest review through NetGalley.

Alexei has been in prison for the last seven years after being framed for a murder. But when the judge who resided over the trial is bound to have been compromised, his case is reopened and his guilty charge taken back. Enter Rosalie. Rosalie is Alexei's lawyer and she's there to help him win his case. Determined to get back everything his traitorous family has taken from him Alexei will need Rosalie's help, but as the two of them work towards solving this, Alexei's obsession with Rosalie turns into something else and Rosalie will not only have to deal with these new feelings, but will also have to figure out what really happened that day. Because now 0someone is trying to frame her and Alexei, and he won't let her get put into the middle of this.

So, in a way, I liked this more than book one and, in another way, I liked book one more than this? One of the things that I liked that were taken out of this was all the gemstone talk. Like there was some, but after a while it had gotten confusing and here it was kept to a minimum because Rosalie isn't part of any of the top families. Of course, Alexei should be the head of his family as he's the eldest son and has the strongest connection with the amethysts, but even then the gemstone talk was kept to a minimum. What I feel like this was lacking compared to the first book was the sense of friendship that Alana had with Rosalie and Ella, and while the two of them are in this book I do feel like I would have liked to have seen a little bit more interaction between the three of them. I do like the way the fairy tale was retold here, and what was great was it wasn't overpowering when it came to the plot, and it didn't feel forced. When it comes to the side characters here, as much as the best friends -- specifically Alana -- was barely shown, Rosalie has her seven boarders who are living in her house and they are absolutely amazing and also hilarious at times. There were a few moments in this book that I did laugh, but for the most part it was dark and things got crazy. In book one we had Thorn with the Irish mafia, here we have Alexei with the Russian mafia, and what I find interesting is that the two of them never fight with each other in this book. I don't know about future books, but the two mobs are just separate entities and I appreciate that considering the two best friends who are in relationships with the two heads of their respective mafias. I also liked the whole lawyerXcriminal aspect to this book. And speaking of their relationship, there was a lot of heated moments between them and a lot of amazing scenes, both romantic and not, that I adored the two of them in. I did love the whole romance between them and the spice was well written. Overall, I think this series is so unique and interesting and I loved both books in it so far, and I'm curious to see what the next one is going to bring because if it is Ella, I can't wait to see our hacker in all of her glory.

Also highly recommend the audiobook as the production is fantastic and the narrators did an excellent job bringing these characters to life.

I really liked One Dark Kiss, I think even more than the first in the series! The world that Rebecca has created is so fun and is a really unique take on popular fairy tales.

It was lust at first sight for Alexei with the touch her and 💀 vibes on point. I loved that Rosalie was such a strong FMC and it took her longer to fall for Alexei’s unique brand of charm.

The audio was on point - I definitely think that’s the best way to enjoy this series! Lance Greenfield and Erin Mallon did such a good job and the accents used for Russian characters didn’t feel too forced or out of place. I’m on the hunt now for more listens featuring them!

Thank you to NetGalley, RB Media and Rebecca Zanetti for an early review copy. These are my honest thoughts.

I was so excited to listen to this book but I have to dnf because I can't handle the accent of the male narrator. I'd love to pick up an ebook copy when it comes out and read it though.

Finished 6/17/2025

TW: dubious consent, graphic violence, human trafficking

What an interesting concept for magic system, but it felt like it didnt really get shown too much. I didn't read book 1, so I didn't have that world introduction. But, this book slowly gives more and more pieces to that crystal magic system in the parts where it mattered. Love a possessive dark romance man. It's cute he thinks she cute and a big ass softie about his feelings for her. Loved her dwarves equivalent entourage !

Interconnected to book 1 Alana/Thorn.
First time author for me and I would definitely go back and listen to book 1.

I'm assuming book 3 is about Ella and excited for that one cause she smart and sassy!

Audiobook narrators: Erin Mallon, Lance Greenfield
Dual POV, First Person
Genre: Dark Romance, Urban Fantasy?
Tropes: Mafia MMC, Lawyer FMC, Snow White
Notable Microtropes: "mine"
Spice: 4/5

Listened at 1.5x speed.
Been familiar with Erin Mallon and she was great as always, expressive and good range of voices. First Lance Greenfield narration and I AM A FAN. He was amazing with his accent and range of voices, So expressive and fun!

Thanks to RBmedia and NetGalley for providing an ALC.

✨ Dark romance meets fantasy, mystery, and just a little mayhem…
One Dark Kiss by Rebecca Zanetti is book 2 in the Grimm Bargains series—but it reads perfectly as a standalone!

Rosalie Mooncrest is a sharp, no-nonsense lawyer hired to prove Alexei Sokolov was framed for a murder that cost him 7 years behind bars. But Alexei? Oh, he’s immediately obsessed—and he’s not playing fair. He’ll do anything to keep Rosalie close:

😈 Implicate her in his chaos
😈 Kidnap her friends (casual!)
😈 Befriend her 7 elderly housemates like it’s a sport
😈 And drop her into high-stakes, what-would-you-do style mind games

A loose Snow White & the Huntsman retelling, with a unique magical crystal mythology that brings a fresh twist to dark fairytale romance.

🎧 Audio lovers: Erin Mallon & Lance Greenfield nailed it!

One Dark Kiss is a dark fantasy romance. It is very fast-paced and captures the reader's attention from the very beginning. Alexi is getting released from prison for a retrial for a murder that he is adamant he was framed for. He forces his way into his new lawyer's life, and she quickly falls for him, regardless of how much she tries to fight it. Many people start to die around them, but somehow, all the evidence points to both of them. Who is trying to frame them?

Power. Revenge. Obsession. In this game, love is the deadliest weapon of all.

One Dark Kiss is a dark romance dripping in tension, danger, and desire. Rebecca Zanetti delivers a seductive twist on classic power dynamics, where every glance is a threat and every touch could be a trap.

Alexei is everything you want in a morally gray antihero—brutal, brilliant, and barely contained. Framed and imprisoned, he emerges from darkness with one goal: vengeance. But Rosalie, the sharp-witted lawyer sent to set him free, is far from an innocent bystander. Their chemistry is instant, electric, and completely unwise.

What begins as a battle of wills quickly spirals into something far deeper—and more dangerous. Between courtroom strategies, family betrayals, and raw magnetic tension, One Dark Kiss keeps the reader breathless and begging for more.

“A man could find solace from everlasting torment just staring into the velvety depths of your eyes.”
That line? It’s not just a swoon—it’s a whole damn dagger to the heart.

This book isn’t just a romance. It’s war in a three-piece suit. A dark fairytale for those who love their love stories laced with grit, greed, and a hint of blood.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A devour-it-in-one-night kind of read.