Violent Devotion: Special Edition

This special edition is absolutely beautiful! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ When I say this is one of favorite Mafia books I have ever read, I truly mean it. It felt different than many other books I’ve read before… but in the best possible way. This story is raw, unhinged, and filled with a type of love that will make your soul ache. Violent Devotion pulled me in from the first chapter and I just couldn’t put this book down. The chemistry between Alexei and Kelly was intense, unfiltered, and emotionally charged. Alexei, a big scary Russian mafia enforcer who knows no boundaries and has never been with a man due to the expectations of the mafia and his father. Kelly is a veterinarian who see’s the best in everyone and ignores red flags when it comes to Alexei. He loves animals and has a natural care giver personality but has gone through trauma. They are complete opposites but the love they share is profound. “Zaychik.” His thumb brushes my jaw. “This isn’t up for debate. I want to take care of you. I’ve never begged for a single thing in my entire life, but I will beg you for this. Please. Just let do this for you.” I will forever be recommending this book. Violent Devotion is a must read if you like MM mafia romance. You know that feeling you get when you start a book by an author your not familiar with and you just absolutely fall in love with there writing style and characters? Yep, I will read anything you write L. Norell. This was absolutely fantastic and will live rent free in my…

Kelly has been working nights at a vet clinic over the past year. Nothing out of the ordinary has happened. So, go figure that something happens the one time he falls asleep. He suddenly finds himself stitching up a strange man that has broken in while at gunpoint. He suddenly finds himself being stalked by said man. Alexei is a butcher, an executioner for a better term of the word. But with Kelly, he’s become a protector. And he will not stop at anything to make sure that the people who have wronged Kelly pay. Alexei has never known obsession like he has when it comes to Kelly. There is something about the veterinarian that draws him in. His kindness and understanding when it comes to others while under duress piqued Alexei’s curiosity. Who is the person who saved his life in one of his most vulnerable moments? And why are strange things happening to him? Kelly is keeping secrets, and Alexei is on a mission to uncover every last one. But the more he is around Kelly, he finds himself under his spell. Which, in his world, being with a man is looked down upon. It could cost him his life. But Kelly is well worth that risk. This book has been one of my highly anticipated reads this year, and it did not disappoint. I absolutely adored their story. The care that Alexei showed Kelly warmed my heart, especially when you find out that Kelly hasn’t had anyone to lean on since his mother’s passing. And the way Kelly cared for Alexei in return and showing him a love he never…

“Ya pokazyvayu tebe chasti sebya, kotorye nikto ne vidit.” I’m showing you parts of myself no one else ever sees. 4.5 ⭐️ 3🌶 WOW. This was a fun little murder-meet-cute of a dark romance story. Kelly and Alexei were super sweet and adorable together, and of course I absolutely loved Alexei's well, uh violent devotion to Kelly. Kelly was such a hurt, scared baby. With a troubled past and a bleak present, meeting someone who could love him as he is and give him the world, really doesn't seem like it's in the cards for him. Enter Alexei. He's hot, he's just been shot, and he could really use a doctor when he breaks into the vet clinic Kelly is working at. An impromptu meeting sparks curiosity and the desire to do bit of light (let's be real, heavy) stalking on his savior who didn't call the cops on him when he passed out getting stitches up. What follows is the development of the cutest and funniest relationship between Alexei and Kelly. Their dynamic is such a sweet hurt/comfort story, with Alexei ready to hurt anyone that so much as breathes wrong at Kelly. Definitely a little OTT when it came to some of the more graphic, violent scenes, but that was what made it fun, Alexei's penchant for violence and only sweet for Kelly. L. Norell has created a fun new mafia world to explore and I am already excited for the next story in the series!

I love that this is the author first debut novel, she has a lot of potential as a writer and I honestly enjoyed reading this book and I wish I could have an audio because there were a lot of parts I enjoyed and wished I knew how they would be say if a narrator voiced certain parts. Little Bunny is one of the most adorable nicknames Alexie gave to Kelly and I cant help but want to see more of them in the next book even if there only side characters.

I didn’t just love this book, I devoured it like it owed me money. Alexei and Kelly completely took over my brain, and I’m not even mad about it. For a debut, L. Norell came in swinging like she’s been doing this for years. The writing felt effortless, sharp, and addictive in that “just one more chapter” lie we all tell ourselves. Alexei’s world is pure, chaotic brilliance. The man is an enforcer for the oldest Russian mafia, surrounded by danger and dysfunction… and then he meets Kelly and it’s game over. The obsession was immediate, intense, and a little unhinged in the best way. And Kelly was total golden retriever energy. Soft, sweet, and the kind of character that makes you want to wrap him in a blanket and guard him with your life. His past had me ready to throw hands, but thankfully Alexei handled things exactly how they needed to be handled, efficiently and without hesitation. What really stuck with me was the way Alexei’s devotion reshaped Kelly’s understanding of love. It wasn’t just romance, it was healing, protection, and unwavering loyalty wrapped into one beautifully written dynamic. Also… I now desperately want a lionhead rabbit, so there’s that. Bring on Mikhail and Daniil’s story because I am ready. And seriously…. who broke the vase?!