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A review by annica_reads_books
Target on Our Backs by J.M. Darhower
5.0
When you’re chatting with your friend about wanting a romance series centered around a single couple within an organized crime setting, and she tells you that JM Darhower is one of the OG mafia romance authors, you listen to her by dropping all of your current books and downloading this trilogy.
The Monster in His Eyes Trilogy is an exceptional journey through the underbelly of organized crime and has so many elements that I expect to see in an excellent mafia romance. The first book follows a resilient female protagonist named Karissa, and the second shifts to the male protagonist's (Naz’s) perspective, offering a multifaceted view of their world. Throughout the initial two books, I occasionally felt frustrated with the character whose perspective remained elusive. This led me to question if I was dealing with an unreliable narrator, and I think at times, the person whose point of view I was reading definitely soured my mood toward the person whose point of view I wasn't reading.
The real magic happens in the third and final book, where a dual point of view ties together the mysteries from the previous volumes. The deliberate pacing and subtle flow of the plot allow you to savor every detail. The characters remain deeply flawed yet relatable, and the evolution of their character growth feels entirely believable.
Karissa, the story's heroine, frequently came across as naive to me. However, her innocence seemed fitting for her age and her background, and she underwent significant character development as the narrative unfolded. Ignazio, on the other hand, embodies the classic emotionally guarded anti-hero, often withholding the full truth from Karissa. While he never outright deceives her, he eventually realizes that omission is not synonymous with honesty. Karissa might even tell you now that he’s TOO honest – LOL! I really enjoyed reading about their journey as they grew together.
The introduction of compelling side characters starting in the second book enriches the reading experience, and unexpected plot twists keep you on the edge of your seat. My favorite side character (besides Lorenzo) was Giuseppe. I won’t spoil anything, but if you’ve read this series, I just want to point out that I LOVED his addition to the plot and so many elements that came full circle with him.
If you crave an immersive mafia series with a masterfully woven narrative, complex characters, and surprising plot developments, The Monster in His Eyes trilogy is a must-read for fans of this genre. It's a crime fiction romance gem that doesn't disappoint. In fact, I was fully prepared to tell all of my friends that the Monster in His Eyes trilogy was my new all-time favorite mafia romance story, but then, I read the Scarlet Scars duet – a spinoff duet featuring a side character from this trilogy. I will review that duet soon, but it is now in first place and this trilogy is in second place. For those who prefer a correct reading order that avoids any spoilers, starting with Monster in His Eyes is the recommended approach.
JM Darhower has solidified a spot in my author hall of fame, and I’m going to go wallow in my feelings that the last book she published was in 2017 because damn, this woman knows how to write a gritty, steamy, believable mafia romance story! The first book in this trilogy was written in 2014, and it has stood the test of time as dark romance has evolved through recent years.
The Monster in His Eyes Trilogy is an exceptional journey through the underbelly of organized crime and has so many elements that I expect to see in an excellent mafia romance. The first book follows a resilient female protagonist named Karissa, and the second shifts to the male protagonist's (Naz’s) perspective, offering a multifaceted view of their world. Throughout the initial two books, I occasionally felt frustrated with the character whose perspective remained elusive. This led me to question if I was dealing with an unreliable narrator, and I think at times, the person whose point of view I was reading definitely soured my mood toward the person whose point of view I wasn't reading.
The real magic happens in the third and final book, where a dual point of view ties together the mysteries from the previous volumes. The deliberate pacing and subtle flow of the plot allow you to savor every detail. The characters remain deeply flawed yet relatable, and the evolution of their character growth feels entirely believable.
Karissa, the story's heroine, frequently came across as naive to me. However, her innocence seemed fitting for her age and her background, and she underwent significant character development as the narrative unfolded. Ignazio, on the other hand, embodies the classic emotionally guarded anti-hero, often withholding the full truth from Karissa. While he never outright deceives her, he eventually realizes that omission is not synonymous with honesty. Karissa might even tell you now that he’s TOO honest – LOL! I really enjoyed reading about their journey as they grew together.
The introduction of compelling side characters starting in the second book enriches the reading experience, and unexpected plot twists keep you on the edge of your seat. My favorite side character (besides Lorenzo) was Giuseppe. I won’t spoil anything, but if you’ve read this series, I just want to point out that I LOVED his addition to the plot and so many elements that came full circle with him.
If you crave an immersive mafia series with a masterfully woven narrative, complex characters, and surprising plot developments, The Monster in His Eyes trilogy is a must-read for fans of this genre. It's a crime fiction romance gem that doesn't disappoint. In fact, I was fully prepared to tell all of my friends that the Monster in His Eyes trilogy was my new all-time favorite mafia romance story, but then, I read the Scarlet Scars duet – a spinoff duet featuring a side character from this trilogy. I will review that duet soon, but it is now in first place and this trilogy is in second place. For those who prefer a correct reading order that avoids any spoilers, starting with Monster in His Eyes is the recommended approach.
JM Darhower has solidified a spot in my author hall of fame, and I’m going to go wallow in my feelings that the last book she published was in 2017 because damn, this woman knows how to write a gritty, steamy, believable mafia romance story! The first book in this trilogy was written in 2014, and it has stood the test of time as dark romance has evolved through recent years.