Who can resist a MC with a fetish for fuzzy socks?

I loved Cole as the male love interest and found him a much lighter change from Ryder with (seemingly) fewer demons. He is definitely more of a jokester and I enjoyed the lighter moments with both him and Harlow and his brothers. I also liked how Luna Kayne incorporated the controlling, domineering side that all of the Saint brothers seem to have. Despite him being sweeter/gentler than Ryder when his controlling side came out it didn't feel out of place but an extension of his need to care. He reminded me of a gentle giant or a teddy bear and those are my favourite kind of heroes. 

Harlow was easy to like and I enjoyed her POVs. Her history of the care system and being split from her siblings made her walls understandable and she felt very rounded as a character. I loved the loyality between her and her siblings and how it mirrored the Saint brothers'. Despite all Harlow has been through she still has a lightness and sweetness that could have easily been stamped out. The chemistry between her and Cole was palpable and they bounced off each other. 

I am loving the continuing storyline throughout the series and seeing the web unfold around the Saints and the Luccianos. The different alliances. The lies. The bloodlines. It's the kind of tangle that I love in other series about crime families and one of the reasons I love the trope. 

So I was so suss of Daddy Saint from the first book so wasn't entirely surprised when he turned out to be a total d***head and Grayson's murderer. I was completely blindsided however by him being the one to have hired a hit on Cole as a teenager. He had seemed to be one of those head's who was all about legacy so I really didn't see him taking out his own offspring. 

I did like that we got more of Lennox and got to understand why he was so withdrawn. Seeing Cole's analysis of the relationship between him and Ryder also helped with context for Cruel Saint. Sloane explaining her history with Lennox has made me really excited for their story in the future.

I am so looking forward to the 1st November when I can read Dagen's story in Wild Saint. 

This is the second book in the interconnected Vicious Empire series and it follows Cole and Harlow. I was really interested in Cole as a character while reading Cruel Saint because the banter between him, Ryder and Dagen. I couldn’t wait to read more about him. I recommend that the books be read in order.

After witnessing something she shouldn’t have, Harlow is on the run. While travelling, she books a cabin for the night. Upon arriving, however, it turns out that Cole also booked the cabin, who is travelling to meet with his brothers. The two feel an instant chemistry, and this meeting turns into an explosive night. in the morning, however, Harlow is gone. However, their paths are more intertwined than any of them could have imagined.

I thoroughly appreciated the progression of the series' main plot and Cole and Harlow's relationship. Since Cole serves as the Saint family's enforcer, people are aware of his reputation for brutality, yet when he's not at work, he's the total antithesis of that man. Cole has a sensitive side that is all about enjoyment and looking out for the people he loves most. His controlling and domineering behavior combines the two facets of his nature, but it all centers on Harlow’s pleasure and taking care of her .

Harlow’s life has never been simple. Cole, wanting to take care of her and fulfill all of her needs, made her discover it was something she had always desired but lacked for most of her life. Harlow is a wonderful character who has both a big heart and an independent personality. Her love for her siblings was beautiful, and it reminded me of Cole's love for his.

The main storyline also changed considerably, leaving me wanting more and on the edge of my seat due to plot twists. The book was written beautifully, with a great balance between the romance and the murder mystery plot. I thoroughly loved this book and am eagerly awaiting the next.

I received the ARC from CandiKanePR in exchange for an honest review.