3.75.....enjoyable read. ( )

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

Introduction
Deviant Hearts was the pick for our Dark Romance Book Club. (If you want an invite or love dark romance, DM me :) ) and this is an author that I have been wanting to read for multiple of reasons. One is that he is becoming very popular, and I adore male romance authors. They just are rare in the genre and I do think that they have so much to give to the community. In this one, we see a male author writing dark mafia romance and I actually think this is a solid mafia romance and will appeal to many readers. It has many elements to the story that ended up really working out for me in the end though. Its super angsty type of an arranged marriage, so if you love a enemies to lovers set up than I highly recommend this one to you here.

The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Ares
Known as the "God of War" recent leader in his family, savvy in his business dealings and loyal to his family and willing to do whatever it takes for them. He is an alpha in and out of the bedrooom and enjoys rough sex and elements of BDSM.

The Heroine: Neve
Desires freedom from the mafia life, sassy and strong, independent and willful. Suffered from a kidnapping as a child and has moments of PTSD.

Summary
Neve, has a new apartment in New York City and is so proud to be living independently from her family and getting an education in college. But when her uncle betroths her to their enemy, she is furious at him for that. She doesn't understand why she has to be the sacrifical lamb right when she was gaining independence from her family. She finds Ares to be arrogant yet she is drawn to him sexually. There is a powerful chemistry that is so magnetic between them. As they do their familial duties and do what is needed to bring stability to New York and their families, they find something deeper. But when an enemy from Neve's past comes out from the shadows, it will take Neve and Ares embracing their love and strong hearts to win in the end...

My Outlook
Deviant Hearts was such a stunning story and I will say that I thorughly enjoyed myself. Now is it a perfect mafia romance? No its not. It definitely has some aspects to the story that I feel could have been better transitioned. However, its not a bad book at all. In fact I had a most difficult time rating this book, its definitely between a 4 and 4.5 for me. But I do tend to be picky about angst elements in a romance, and I do wish that the enemies to lovers transition had flowed more smoothly throughout the story. I also struggled with the heroine's character in the beginning. There was something that just didn't add up. She was a bit too conflicting as a character and she wasn't easy to relate with. It took most of the book before I grew to really enjoy her character. I did enjoy the ways in which this couple comes together. And when they are finally together and stop fighting their connection and their marriage, that is when their story really blossoms. Seeing them get to this point can be a rough road for some readers though.

Now as for the side plot of suspense that comes into the story. I actually adored this element in the book, it was so delightful to read and I couldn't get enough of it here. This villain is a really well written villain. This author definitely knows how to build on suspense and it gets very intense in this story. But the way it culminates in the end, was so different than I expected. But what I enjoyed most was seeing how Ares and Neve stand together and are able to defeat the villain in the end but its definitely not easy for them. I truly admired the way in which this happened. I love a couple learning to stand together as a team and we really see how well they do together, through the good and the bad. I found such satisfying turnout on this book and I am so intrigued by these families and what the author is planning for this series.

Overall View
Deviant Hearts is a highly powered romance packed with thrills and chills, deeply sensual and a gratifying read to leave you satisfied.

Rating Evaluation:
Plot:5
World Building:4
Cover:4
Hero: 5
Heroine: 3.5
Steam: 4
Heart & Feels:4
Ending:5
Overall View: 4.25 ( )