Heart-On by Bella Jewel

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Original post from my IG @booksofthemuggleborn

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• BLURB •

Ramona knows pain and she wears it behind a perfectly made-up mask of laughter, sass and a personality that makes most men weak at the knees.

Emphasis on most men.

Because there happens to be one man her charm doesn’t work on…Adan.

Member of the gorgeous biker club who took over the garage next to her best friend Eve’s café. Oh, and there’s one more tiny little thing…he’s now her patient.

After suffering burns in a fire, Adan lost the ability to use not one, but both of his hands. Enter Ramona. Registered nurse on her first job since completing her degree. And of course she’s put with the gorgeous, grumpy, rough biker who wants nothing more than for her to leave him the hell alone.

But, alas, she simply cannot.

Stuck together, there is nothing Ramona can do…except her job.

The problem is Adan is making her job very difficult. Not only does he live like he’s running a brothel, but the man refuses to do anything she asks him. He’s irritated and barely speaks, and when he does speak, it’s usually to insult her.

Not going down without a fight, Ramona does everything she can to keep her spirits high, including tormenting the poor man at every chance she gets. She’ll get him to laugh before her time with him is over.

Adan will like her.

And she will complete this job with a glowing review.

Not matter the cost.
No matter the game.

He’ll get a Heart-On for her…and she’ll make damned sure of it.

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• MY REVIEW •

Ooo Wee! This was a such an improvement from the first book! So, so much more gripping and hits you in the feels! 😍 I can’t help but think Bella has gone through the reviews for Biker Schmiker and made some tweaks to ensure Heart-On would be better perceived. And boy, just like that, she has made this series loads more exciting now!

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The lightheartedness is still very much present. The contemporary romance aspect is still more prominent than the MC element but it’s still a swoon-worthy MC romance story! Just like in the previous book, this one had plenty of entertaining banter between the protagonists. You get a snippet of their chemistry in Biker Schmiker but by the start of this book, that chemistry has turned electric due to Ramona’s and Adan’s forced proximity.

First off — the premise was intriguing as hell. After Adan gets caught up in a freak accident involving arson resulting in his hands being badly burnt and now in need of constant medical care, in comes Ramona, a newly licensed nurse, and her first job? Yep, being Adan’s personal home care nurse! *mic drop*

The heated exchange from these two were on a level a smidge more entertaining to see than Eve and Riggs (not going lie). They butt heads, are constantly challenging one another and throughout it all they battle the sexual tension between them.

Similarly to Riggs in Biker Schmiker, Adan is a bit of womanizer. He’s not a complete manwhore but he’s definitely indecisive when it comes to who he wants. There’s a bit of love triangle going on here. Some angst. Some drama. And, most certainly some racy scenes!

Please note: It contains violence and sexual content suitable for readers 18+ only!

This book also contains cheating. If you have issues with this matter in your romance stories, then you might want to give this one a miss.

Whilst I enjoyed Ramona’s and Adan’s story a lot, there were some questionable decisions made and situations that had my eyebrows raising and my jaw dropping with disbelief. But don’t get me wrong, it’s all to do with the fact that I got so invested in their story. It was a rollercoaster ride that had me on the edge of my seat eager to see what would happen next because I can tell ya… bomb after bomb just kept on dropping! 😱

Another relatively quick read. I wished it was longer, but on the other hand I like the fact the Bella is consistent in keeping each book in this series a certain length. They’re short but action-packed, full of suspense, and the romantic elements will have you hooked. There’s also a secondary story or two happening simultaneously that adds dimension to Ramona’s and Adan’s story and enhances the world-building.

The rest of the MC members are back to add more fun to this already light, romcom-ish story, and you get to see appearances from Eve and Riggs from the first book too! This may only be the second book in the series but I already adore the friendships and the extra oomph they bring into each story.

I love that with each new couple we get to know a bit about more about their backstory and see their character growth further. Ramona is an in-your-face, independent, and fiery heroine. She’s loud, proud, and confident. Adan is man who’s not only a badass biker, but who knows his strengths. He’s cocky and arrogant at times but in a easy-going funny way that makes you giggle. His inability to read women—or should I say Ramona was a hilarious bonus to see!

They have a quirky hate/love relationship going on there, but somewhat of a caring friendship has formed too where they got to know each other on a deeper level. I thought their emotions were relatable and realistic, and the frustration and second-guessing from Ramona was totally spot-on for the situation she found herself in with Adan.

Ugh. Such a fun read that I will undoubtedly reread over an over whenever I’m in need of a mood-booster! I highly recommend this book, and whilst it can be read as a standalone I would still recommend you start with the first one as the characters are linked and some of the context included do lead up to the next story in the series. You’ll also have a better understanding of how the characters interconnect and the level of their relationships.

If you enjoy hate-to-love romances that have an element of game-playing between the protagonists, then give this one try. The MC element is there but it’s more contemporary romance. It’s well paced, and like the first book, told solely from the heroine’s point of view. Whilst I would’ve liked to have Adan’s as well, in comparison to the first book, the hero’s POV wasn’t as strongly needed in this one. It’s character driven as the majority of the story revolves around Ramona’s feelings and perspective.

It had so many elements I so truly hoped to find in my romance books:

  • Hate-to-love/ Enemies-to-lovers
  • Romantic Comedy
  • MC Romance
  • Suspense
  • Interesting world-building
  • Gripping storyline
  • Lovable characters

The world-building has expanded a smidge more by introducing Ramona into these bikers world. And with Ramona and Eve already being friends, a nice little girl club has formed as a strong counterpart to the club. Overall, it left me wanting more and excited to read the next book with the next swoon-worthy couple to be! Another amazing read from Bella Jewel!

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

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🧁 Read my review for the Turf Wars!

booksofthemuggleborn_bikerschmiker
📷 @booksofthemuggleborn

Book One: Biker Schmiker by Bella Jewel


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Happy reading, guys! Catch you in my next one! Xo

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Kiss Of Death Duet by L.P. Lovell

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Original post from my IG @booksofthemuggleborn

•••

• BLURB •

Una

I’m an assassin of the Bratva, raised and trained to be strong, to be a cold killer. But even I have a weakness, and Nero Verdi will regret using it against me. He’s my enemy, so why do I get such a thrill when his fingers wrap around my throat? Why am I addicted to the brutality of his touch?

Nero

They call her The Kiss of Death, and I have the one thing she wants above all else. She’s nothing more than a weapon, a ploy for power, and yet I find myself wanting to dance with death, to possess her. I crave the kiss of her blade just as much as her lips. And that might just get me killed.

A game of power. An obsession that would see the world burn at their feet. A bloodied king. A broken queen.

Kill me or kiss me?

•••

• MY REVIEW •


“Bacio della morte”

Kiss of death. It’s what the Italians call me.


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Fuck yes! 🙌🙌

L.P. Lovell as blown me away with the Kiss of Death duet! By far one of my favourite mafia romance stories to date! This is also my first book of Lovell’s and honestly, with how high a quality storytelling this one was… I will be sure to checkout out her backlist of books!

Kiss of Death was originally released as two separate books, but Lovell’s releasing this duet as one and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to read it (especially after reading the blurb). Did you guys read the blurb?! The heroine is a fucking Bratva Assassin!! Like c’mon, hot sauce!! 🔥

I’m always reading at least one mafia book a month and this one had all the makings of an addictive read that you would without a doubt come back to time and time again.

  • A strong plotline you can easily get invested in
  • Well-developed characters
  • Vital backstory
  • Detailed world-building
  • Build-up and suspense
  • Plot twists and constant unpredictability
  • Chemistry between the hero/ heroine
  • Secondary characters that elevate an already exceptional story

So! If any of what I listed above appeals to your dark, romantic heart, then I think you’ll be happy with Una and Nero’s story. But I should mention whilst I was provided an ARC, as I mentioned earlier that the Kiss of Death duet has already been released as two separate books. Book one is Kill Me, and book two is Kiss Me. For the first time ever, Lovell has combined the two books into one (pictured above is the brand, spanking cover for it)! Buuuuuut… If you can’t wait for this release, go grab those books now! 😉


I’m the Capo of New York.

A beautiful woman with a homicidal streak has always been my weakness.


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Ok. Let’s get down and dirty and start off with Nero Verdi…

I tell ya, I’ve read countless stories of Made Men and they’ve all been described as powerful, intimidating, not-to-be-fucked-with mobsters… but I have to say Nero is one of a few that I actually think fitted the bill. He exudes confidence and strength and not once did I not believe that when he sets his mind to something that he wouldn’t succeed. Because he bloody well does! 🩸🩸

Nero may not necessarily have a moral compass, but what’s better than a twisted, bastard of a mobster who plays by his own rules to ensure he gets what and wants and rules all?

The only thing that confused me about Nero was his position in the Italian Mafia. On a couple of occasions he goes back and forth from being Capo and Underboss with him being Underboss for most of the story. Hmm. I’ve read quite a few mafia romances over the years, so correct me if I’m wrong but isn’t Capo higher ranking than an Underboss? Because if that’s the case, why is Nero demoting himself to Underboss??? I just had to mention because it was niggling at me the entire time I was reading this book. 🤔

But I suppose either way, Nero rules and he has his soldiers to order around. Hehe.

Now. Did I mention how much I think the secondary characters in here not only made quite an impression on me, but they did a superb job in really elevating this world? 👏👏👏 There’s quite a span of secondary characters included and not once did it feel overwhelming or unnecessary seeing them. I’m not going to lie, some characters stood out more than others, and it wasn’t hard to get invested in them just as much as I did Nero and Una. Whether they are heroes, villains, or gray characters — you’ll get your fill here!


What will it be, Morte? Kill me or kiss me?


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I can’t rave about this duet more! One of the best mafia romances I’ve read. It’s absolutely filled with this dark, gripping world that’s so vivid and detailed, which effortlessly teleports you into each scene; each moment. The storytelling is slower-paced but in a good way where there’s a gradual build-up to each scene giving you a picture of the situation. Told from both Nero and Una’s points of view, it couldn’t have been more intense seeing things from both their perspectives (especially when concerns the other). Their lives are supposed to be worlds apart yet they have the same type of darkness surrounding that that ultimately keeps them connected to one another.

Their story gives an entirely new dimension to the enemies-to-lovers/ forbidden romance tropes. There’s this satisfying balance between Una and Nero where they’re both each others’ strength and weakness. Dark, mafia romances is kind of my bread and butter in the romance book department and what makes me love this one so much is the fact the Una stands out from the rest of the heroines you usually would encounter in these gritty stories. She literally kicks ass! She knows how to defend herself, she’s street smart, and she oozes (rightly so) confidence in her capabilities. What I adore the most is she’s not a damsel in distress. In a male dominated world, she’s favored and feared. It’s honestly refreshing to see a heroine who is empowering, and who is powered by her emotions despite being conditioned to lose all emotions and all things considered weaknesses such as love and family from her life.

Ugh. I strongly recommend, if you haven’t already, to grab this book and start reading! In my opinion, it has one of the best dark fictional worlds I’ve read, and one I will absolutely go back and visit!

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

Thank you L.P Lovell and Candi Kane PR for the opportunity to read an advanced copy!

🔔 Interested in reading Kiss of Death? Grab your copy here: Amazon US |  Amazon UK |  Amazon CA |  Amazon AU


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Happy reading, guys! Catch you in my next one! Xo

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