If you missed my last KU book review on Eclipsed Heart, you can find it here.
Hello, my friends. I am back with another KU book review, Relentless Devil. This one is a detour from my spicy fantasy books and is a spicy mafia novel. The whole series is available on Kindle Unlimited if you’re interested in reading it. Even though it is a series, each book is a stand-alone novel.
We meet Emma, a young woman caring for her sick sister, Lilah, after the death of their parents. She is working two jobs to try and pay all the regular bills one would have, as well as expensive medical bills to boot. One of Emma’s jobs is as a barista at a coffee shop, and mafia family heir, Theo Valentino, walks in. Instantly, he felt a deep desire for her. And no, this isn’t a fated mate book. Emma knows who Theo is and has no desire to get tangled up with him and wants to keep Lilah far, far away from him. Unfortunately, when accepting a ride from Theo’s brother, she sticks her foot in her mouth and gets an “invitation” to the family dinner extended to her and Lilah. Everyone knows it generally isn’t good for one’s health to refuse such an invitation from a mob boss.
The story has a lot of potential but feels unfinished. I would love to know what makes Lilah so sick. All I know is she will keep getting sicker without a new kidney. Is it diabetes? Polycystic kidney disease? Berger disease? Who is Lilah? She is cheeky but a flat character. Let’s look at Emma’s best friend, Gia. How long have they known each other? Is Gia in the same financial class as Emma? I have the impression she is much better off financially. Maybe because she isn’t supporting someone else who is sick. However, I don’t know for sure. Like I said, it’s an impression.
Gia is still a pretty flat character. I think the character with the most depth is Theo. We see his fall, whereas Emma seems to go where she is led with little resistance. I can respect what Ms. Kent was going for in Emma. Emma has that stubborn streak but follows the breadcrumb trail that Theo leaves for her with little problem, even when shown horrors. Her love for her sister is evident, though. That isn’t a question, but they don’t have any meaningful conversation either, so we don’t get to know either of them better, which is such a lost opportunity. Even Gia and Emma only have surface-level conversations. Again, it is a wasted opportunity.
There isn’t a whole lot of action either; there are two notable instances, but I think that is it. I liked one of them a lot, and it was written decently. There also isn’t much conflict between Emma and Theo. There is no major fight that I would expect. I would say that because it is a series, the book is laying the groundwork for the rest of the sequels, but each book is supposed to be stand-alone and deals with a different brother, which sucks because this book left off on such a cliff hanger so I won’t get an answer to what the hell happens. One last detail complaint is I have no eyes in some of the scenes. Not only is there only a little detail about each character’s personality, but there is not as much visual detail as I would like, either. This book’s POV moves back and forth between Emma and Theo, so details that one would miss, the other should pick up, and that is not the case.
There isn’t a whole lot more to say about this book. I think this would be a better story with a bit more detail and maybe a little more conflict. As I said, it isn’t a bad story, just a little flat. Have you read Relentless Devil or anything else by Ms. Kylie Kent? Let me know in the comments below. Until next time, have fun storming the castle!
