Tuesday Reviews: Ruining Dahlia by C.R. Jane

 

I was sold to my enemies. And not just my enemies. I was sold to monsters.

I should know all about how to survive monsters though, I come from a family of them.

We aren't Butchers in name only, and surely the Rossi family can’t be as bad as the devil that’s been destroying me since I was eight years old.

New York City, the powerful head of the Cosa Nostra, is my new home. Where Lucian, Raphael, and Gabriel Rossi now think they own me.

The thing they don't realize is that I'm more than what I seem.

A dahlia has always bloomed best in the light, and even though everything about this place and these men is shrouded in darkness, I’m determined to thrive…to win.

They play a game for keeps, a game where the only rule is that there are no rules.

They want to ruin me. But what disturbs me most is that I just might like it.

It’s me against them, and only time will tell If I'll be the winner or be destroyed in these cruel and merciless Mafia Wars.

Ruining Dahlia by C.R. Jane is exactly the kind of over the top mafia romance that is easy to get hooked on. The writing is engaging, the characters are distinct, and the overall vibe is dramatic in a way that keeps you turning pages. Each of the men has a strong personality, and their dynamics with Dahlia are different enough to stay interesting. Gabriel was a standout for me, bringing just the right mix of chaos and softness.

That said, trying to fit a reverse harem story with multiple relationships into a single book is a challenge, and you can feel that here. The connections develop quickly, leaning heavily into instant attraction, and I found myself wanting more depth and buildup between the characters. There is a lot of focus on physical chemistry, sometimes at the expense of emotional development.

The plot itself has strong moments, and the backstories add some weight to the story, but everything moves fast. I kept wondering how it would all come together in a standalone, and while it does wrap up, it feels like there could have been more room to explore the relationships and stakes in a deeper way.

Overall, this was a fun, dramatic read with memorable characters and plenty of intensity. It is not perfect, but if you enjoy mafia romance with multiple love interests and a lot of tension, it is definitely worth picking up.