Queen of the Night

Black Crown #1

by A.N. Stauber, Molly Briar

When I waged war to become the Pakhan of the Bratva in order to protect my daughter, I didn’t expect to be ambushed by an arranged marriage. The Irish wanted to cement our alliance, as if the sacrifices I’ve made for them weren’t enough. Now they expected me to engage in their barbaric customs; blood oaths, hand fasts and other ridiculous rituals. They presented me with this fiery-haired, waifish, scared little thing with a unpronounceable name. I was halfway ready to back out when she stabbed me right in the middle of dinner.

Her unexpected show of back bone told me that there was more to my little fiancée than meets the eye. I’d relish unraveling her, secret by secret.

In the end, there was only one question I had for our wedding Did she want the heads of her enemies on a platter? Or would she rather plunge the knife into them herself?

My little witch came to me broken and scared, but with me as her weapon she became the fire to burn them.

Queen of the Night is the start of a duology and will conclude with King of the Dawn.

Genres: Mafia Romance, Romance, Dark, Marriage Of Convenience, Audiobook, Dark Romance, Crime

184 pages, Paperback

Published September 12, 2023

About the author

A.N. is a wife and mother to three children. She enjoys writing dark romance novels with strong female leads, always with a HEA. When she isn't reading and writing, she spends her days with her family. Other passions include: crafting, horseback riding, and procrastinating

Reviews

[Lilylou426 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please check your triggers....that being said...this book was FANTASTIC! I have read many mafia romances where they have arranged marriages. The mmc and his organization brought a bit of a modern twist into that. There is spice but there is also a traumatizing plot, love, fear, angst....a little of everything!

[Whitney Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely love the mafia trope, but mix in a marriage of convenience, a possessive MMC, and a book full of sarcastic characters, and I'm one happy lady. I thoroughly enjoyed Queen of the Night and can't wait to read book two in this duet.

Jericho was one of my favorite MMCs of all my recent reads. His banter was spot on, he had a great heart for his family and those he protected, and I could read what came out of his smart mouth all day long. I loved watching the development of Evie's character throughout the story. She may have started out appearing as a meek victim, but as her layers unfolded and we learned more and more about her, I was so intrigued by her. Now I can't wait to see what other secrets lie beneath her timid facade.

This book contained compelling characters that developed well throughout the book. Queen of the Night may have started out as a slow burn, but the spice was delightful once the characters came together. This was a great story and I'm ready to see the rest unfold in book two.

🌶️🌶️/5

🔥Marriage of Convenience
🔥Arranged Marriage
🔥Irish Mafia/Bratva
🔥Touch Her and ☠️
🔥Slow Burn
🔥Edging during Interrogation
🔥Found Family
🔥Revenge

[Messy · Rating 1 out of 5]

So this was just the craziest shit ever. Like what the actual fuck did I just read…

So the MMC is the leader of the Bratva and FMC is the abused and tortured widow of a man in the Irish mob.

The FMC is forced to marry the MMC, because her family basically wants to get rid of her and tie a stronger alliance with the Bratva. On her first meeting with her future husband, she stabs him upon seeing him. This woman is so broken that she stabs her future husband.

That part was the piece I saw circulating on IG that made me drawn to the story’s but boy, was I mistaken when I thought that this would be any good…

Her family keeps initiating that she is a nuance to the family. Not only cause she is a widow, but also because she knows some kind of a witchcraft… like WTF! So she is basically scaring the entire Irish mob, because the knows some shit about herbs and can feel energies, and read books about magic and have an unhealthy obsession with flowers… are you kidding me.

I was honestly imagining somebody’s grandma when I was reading this story. And when she and her future husband started doing the dirty, I was like “EWWWWW”!

And the entire Irish mob was basically convinced that the FMC had killed her husband (which she had) and also didn’t believe that her husband was anything but good to her. That must disgusted me so much. Her family didn’t give a fuck about her. And let me not start with her stepson. I was waiting for him to be tortured to death or something, because he was a royal piece of shit, for turning a blind eye to abuse (also sexual) that the FMC was suffering from his father and also the male workers of their estate. Like WTF!

So, I did not like the story! I truly thought it was weird. And I just felt like the FMC got no justice for the pain she went through. I hate how her entire family is so busy with forming an alliance with the MMC that they didn’t think of her well being. And I was most upset over the fact that the MMCs daughter was married to the FMCs former husband’s nephew, who even had the same name as him.

I would give this story a zero if I could… but 1/5 stars ⭐️

And no, I will not be reading the sequel… 🤮

[Novellaworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the privilege of receiving my first ALC from Adler Studio, and what an experience to start with.

Queen of the Night by A.N. Stauber and Molly Briar, narrated by Walker Williams and Molly Briar, completely pulled me in from the very first chapter. This is a mafia dark romance, but it felt fresh and unpredictable compared to others I’ve read in the genre. I genuinely couldn’t stop listening — I finished it in one sitting.

Jericho becomes Pakhan of the Bratva to protect his daughter, only to be forced into an arranged marriage to solidify an alliance with the Irish. He’s ruthless, controlled, and dangerous — a man who does whatever is necessary for the people he loves. The arranged marriage is political, strategic… until his new fiancée surprises him in a way no one expects.

Evie has already survived sixteen years in an abusive forced marriage. When her husband dies, she believes she’ll finally be free. Instead, she’s thrust into another arranged union. Watching her navigate that fear, trauma, and uncertainty — and slowly reclaim her strength — was incredibly compelling. Her growth throughout the story is powerful and emotional.

This book is dark and intense, filled with violence, betrayal, secrets, and difficult themes, so definitely check the content warnings. But beneath the brutality is a story about survival, transformation, and finding power in unexpected places.

The audio production truly elevated the experience. Walker Williams and Molly Briar delivered performances that felt immersive and cinematic, and the production quality from Adler Studio brought everything to life beautifully.

Queen of the Night is the first book in a duology, and I’m very much looking forward to King of the Dawn. If you enjoy dark mafia romance with emotional depth and strong character development, this is absolutely worth picking up.

[Korinna Romere · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really, truly resonated deep in my soul. The trauma that she endured in her life is heartbreaking. Her broken, childlike personality at first rings so true with how trauma like that can affect someone.
Finding love and safety as she did is what all of us who go through trauma crave. Gaining vengeance against those who hurt us is something we all need but often don't get to act on, so being able to live through the characters in this book to get that vengeance is almost healing, in a way.
If you are someone who has been through physical trauma... This is absolutely an amazing read for you. Live through the characters in this story, get that vengeance, and that justice against your abusers that you deserve.
The ending is so hauntingly beautiful and so healing. It may be due to what I'm personally going through right now, but the ending brought me to tears.

[Amoyisreadingxoxo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️.5

This book had some BAD *SS women in it and I loved every second of it🤭
Mafia romances are literally one of my favorite genres and I LOVED the take on this one from Molly. I loved how the characters developed together and the plot unfolded about what happened to Evie and Jericho was ready to burn the world for her, what a mannnnn😫

This book tells the story of a loving father, attentive brother, mafia boss who is willing to stand by his queen and take on the horrible people who’ve wronged her🖤

[Ruchika Mahajan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book of a two book series.
Evie is a survivor and a fighter. I want to see how things work out for her.
Jericho is a solid lead who is fiercely loyal and protective of his own.
They had promising chemistry.
It was a slow burn . Could have been medium burn.

[Soft Covers, Hard Feelings · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't know. The snippet I seen on TikTok had me INSTANTLY hooked. However that ended up being the only really good part about the book. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed moments here and there. Natural reactions you know. Jericho was too unhinged for a Pakhan. His reactions to things were too dramatic. He came off childish since even though he was much older. He has potential. Just his every day reactions need to be toned down. Most mafia bosses are either calm and collected, or bat shit crazy. He was just some weird place in between? Also, don't get me started on the damn name for the girl and a couple of other people. I get wanting to be on theme or whatever, but when it's to the point where you can't pronounce the name? That's a problem. I either had to keep trying to sound it out, which was still wrong, go back to the beginning where it's broken down, or just say it however. & That just interrupts the reading experience. Like you have about 3 names that aren't easy to pronounce but everywhere else is something simple like Rose, Declan, Haley? Come on. My biggest thing about this was Evie. I felt like we were pushing the whole witchy vibes too much. She's sheltered, abused, doesn't get out. Yet she's so wistful? I was getting more oracle vibes than witchy? It just doesn't mesh well. At no point did she just talk regularly like everyone else. & I don't see how that fits her background. Which we got nothing of. Her and Jericho just didn't pair well, and they're the couple of the series. & If the plot is just hunting down everyone that hurt her, it should've been in book 1. Honestly for $4.99, this book was too short without really much to look forward to. & Without anything to really make me want to continue the series.

[Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can I give this book 6 stars? Molly Briar and A.N. Stauber are clearly masters of their art and ripped out emotions that are normally left in the dark. I don't know if I have the words to explain what a force the main female character, Aiobheann, is. Through her character development arc I went from feeling her fear, joy, and wanting to scream into the abyss alongside her. And she was perfectly foiled against the main male character, Jericho. The Pakhan of the Bratva was an interesting combination of ruthlessness and gentleness. I honestly am not sure how I am going to survive the wait for the second book.

I knew that the audio version of this book was going to rip every emotion from soul - it did and I cannot wait to listen to this book again. The duet narration between Molly Briar and Walker Williams was perfection. They nailed every nuance and brought the chemistry between Aiobheann and Jericho to life. Listening to this book was an auditory treat.

[Laramie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Queen of the Night is the first book in the Black Crown series by A.N. Stauber and Molly Briar. I listened to the audiobook, narrated in Duet by Walker Williams and Molly Briar. This story is labeled as an arranged marriage mafia romance, but it truly is so much more. It focuses on Jericho, the Pakhan of the New York Russian mafia, who was a spy among other things, before he took over the Bratva, and Eve (Aoibhean), a widow whose husband was a leader in the Irish mafia, and who may or may not be a witch. Jericho has been convinced to accept Eve as his wife in order to protect her from her former husbands family who blames her for his death as well as other incidents that happened while she was trapped in the marriage. The relationship evolves the more we see these two interact and learn about each other, and becomes something more than either of them thought would happen.

The narration in this story was fantastic, with both narrators voicing multiple characters, however the listener is able to distinguish between them throughout the book. I was especially impressed with the range of accents that both Walker Williams and Molly Briar did. These narrators seemed to have good chemistry, which got even better as the story went on, and I found myself hooked the deeper into it I got.

While this is described as an arranged marriage mafia romance, to me the story is more of a personal journey from a broken victim, to Eve finding the strength to face the horrors and grow into the woman that she was truly meant to be... with a bit of romance, love, drama, and some spice mixed in. Eve was forced to survive tortures that would break most people, but she found not only a way to survive, she was able to help others and retain her humanity. The further into the story you get, the more you learn of both characters histories, and the better you understand what led to both Jericho and Eve becoming the people that they are now.

There are definitely a good amount of triggers in this book, especially involving things done to Eve. Readers should be sure to check the trigger warnings before beginning this story. The book does contain several spicy scenes, but they make sense in regards to the plot and are not just there to say that the book is spicy. There is also a cliffhanger at the end, however this is book 1 of a trilogy (as far as I can tell), so that is not unexpected. I have faith that the authors will ensure that everyone gets what they deserve, be that a HEA or a less pleasant ending. No matter what, I definitely cannot wait to listen to the rest of the series!

I listened to an Advanced Listener Copy of this book in exchange for my honest review thanks to the Duet Narration Audiobook Club Street Team on Facebook.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an interconnected series and I haven’t read all the books yet, which I think would be helpful to do so to understand who all the characters sun this story are. However, this could also be a good starting point as it opens some new storylines and then you can go back to read the others while you wait for the sequel to come!

Evie is such a strong character. She has been through the so much abuse in her first marriage and become a shell of a person. Yet through meeting Jericho and interacting with Rose, Yuliya and then the Murphy Clan, we see her opening up and being able to embrace her true self. She has a lot of hurt locked inside, but we see how her passions come out, with her enjoying tending to her herbs and exploring lore. Eve can be resourceful as well and cares a lot about her family.

Jericho is full of dry humor and can be ruthless to his enemies. He was a former undercover spy before becoming the Pakhan, and he will go through hell and high water for his family. He won’t back down from a challenge and will show just how much he cares. He can be serious but playful, forceful but tender, and certainly someone can depend on and be able to read the room.

These two might get off on the wrong foot, but Jericho does his best to understand Eve and wants to ensure she is safe and comfortable. He will go out of his way for her and accepts what others may consider quirks, bribing more light to his otherwise monotonous role. Eve herself has a curiosity toward Jericho and her walls slowly come down as he shows her what could be possible. She isn’t afraid to show him her interests, endearing her even more to him. They try to look out for each other at different times during the sorry and show how their feelings grow and the strength that soars between them.

We get some moments in the story that really pull at the heart strings and have you hugging yourself. The timing is the twists and secrets that are revealed really come at you even if you are familiar with dark romances. The pacing of the story was good, and the story kept you wanting to know what happens.

Overall, this was an engaging read, one that I read in one sitting. I look forward to seeing what happens next.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

An entertaining mafia romance that kept me riveted to the story and I read book in one sitting
This story was deep and at time somewhat dark but once you begin reading and learn about the characters and the reason for them coming together you are soon hooked and hungry to discover what the outcome is going to be?
When he had waged war to become the Pakhan of the Bratva he had been determined to ensure the safety of his daughter, she is the only woman that he cares about and will do whatever it takes to ensure she is not harmed and is as happy as possible in a world that is far from affable and often bloody.
Even though he has tried to keep her away from this world it seems that the Irish want to ensure an alliance between out two families is acted on and they are from the old country that believes in its customs and rituals and woe betide anyone that ignores them.
When they decide to introduce me to my prospective wife, he is far from impressed as she is not his usual typed of date material never mind wife. She is tiny and barely looks at me and seems as though she would feint if anyone shouted boo! And what is with her name he can barely pronounce it if he could even be bothered.
Then suddenly everything changes and his opinion and his interest goes through the roof, right in the middle of dinner she obviously had enough of my rudeness and had stabbed me. It seemed my little firecracker had a backbone after all and had just decided to show me that she was no mans door mat and hell he’s seeing his fiancé in a whole new light.
I guarantee you will love this book it is a captivating read and the interaction between the intended bride and bridegroom is hot, hot, hot…
I assure you that you will love every moment of this book it is simply a fantastic read.
I voluntarily received and review an Advanced Reader Copy
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and look forward to reading any future publications; keep up all the great writing.

I received a free copy of this book via Cherrylily ARCs and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Aries.Pisces · Rating 4 out of 5]

Molly Briar and her deliciously dark characters are quickly becoming my favorite reads. Queen of the Night, featuring Brett Bradley (CIA operative)/Jericho Vasiliev (Pakhan of the Bratva), is no exception.

Following where Iron Rose left off, Brett/Jericho is giving away his daughter's hand in marriage and cementing an alliance between the Russian Bratva and the Irish mafia. Despite the fact that his daughter is very much in love with her husband, Jericho isn't the least bit happy about the marriage. He become even less happy when he is "encouraged" to marry the aloof, cautious, and mousy Aoibheann (Evie). Jericho isn't interested in marriage at all, much less to a milky, gutless woman yet when Evie stabs him at dinner, Jericho finds his betrothed to be not so tame after all. Evie has been abused, neglected and forced once into an arranged and abusive marriage. She isn't looking for a repeat. The story follows Jericho as he works to earn Evie's trust, respect and love.

Although the book is billed as a standalone read, it really isn't. Without having read Iron Rose or The Ungoverned Spaces books, you don't really get a feel for who Brett/Jericho is. Having said that, if a new reader were to pick this book up and start reading it without having read the previous book, they would eventually be able to figure out all of the players, despite feeling dropped into the middle of a larger story.

As for triggers warnings, the book is dark mafia, not Mary Poppins. Expect all that comes with that: killings, crime, broken characters acting in broken ways.

I received a free copy of this book via Cherrylily ARCs and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Darkdirtysmut · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a refreshing read from the typical Mafia Romance genre. It still had the families, wars, arranged marriages, and alliances forged between men but it wasn't the primary focus.

Aoibheann, Eve, is from an Irish Family and was married off to a monster of a man who tried to break her mind and spirit by every means necessary. His men and son the red headed Irish woman had cast a spell on their boss/father, that she was a witch who eventually cast a curse on the men and their boss leading to his demise.

Jericho is the Russian Pakhan and is approached with a proposition to marry Eve to enhance alliances but to also keep her safe from her Stepson who is determined to get revenge for his father and missing wife. Jericho's story us fascinating as are the other characters in the book.

Once Jericho and Eve start to break down each other's walls they both find something they were missing. Jericho gives Eve her life and freedom and she fills a void he didn't know he had.

These authors have written a story that had me enthralled from the very beginning. The way their words brought the emotions and passion across was amazing. Not heavy on spice for obvious reasons of Eve's past. Be sure to check trigger and content warnings. The abuse is off page but could still be triggering at times. This is a story of perseverance, strong women in a dominant male world, and the men who help empower them.

The book ends on a cliffhanger of sorts the next book is out and I'll be starting it next. I can't wait to see how the families come together so that Eve regains her power and sense of self back.

[✨✨ Claire✨✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another new to me author but a trope I love! Having said that, I don't normally head into the bratva, I'm normally drawn to the Italian side, by having said that.....

This book had pretty much everything you could want from a Mafia style book...

Arranged Marriage between two opposite sides to prevent war
A unknowing bride who becomes more powerful thru this marriage
Revelations of a previous tumultuous marriage for the bride
Emotions ranging from angst, shock, love, passion... Its all in here!

The FMC, Evie, is the Irish widow due to marry Jericho the new Bratva Pakhan. This is because the Irish don't know what to do with her as they're sure she's a witch and convinced she'd killed her late husband Alistair Green, the boss of the Irish Mob . But there's zero proof. Just as there's no proof she helped Eoghan Greens wife run away. He's furious determined to make her pay one way or another.

The fact that Evie has been thru more than the rest of the Irish ever imagined, and it takes just days for Jericho to discover this as well as to uncover the true female hidden under the "witch" veil she cultivates.

Jericho becomes her Knight in shining armour, ready to fight by her side. Both are shocked at the feelings that have erupted between them for each other.

This wedding no longer feels like a forced marriage for either. It feels like a second chance.

But they have to face the Irish. For Evie to have a chance at truly moving on in her heart and soul....

And Jericho is happy to give her anything....

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The start to the Black Crown series you put it down once you start it so make sure your to double check that you are buckled up, dangerous men, alpha’s personified, possessive, oh, gorgeous, brooding all the makings of a story consisting with three D’s (dark, delicious, and dirty) 😊. There will be suspense, betrayal, death, darkness, secrets reveled, violence, hope, forgiveness, and maybe even love along the way. Jericho sexy as all get out Pakhan he is ruthless, deadly every day, extremely deadly when it comes to his family (family is anyone he loves), he has the ability to show care, to be playful when needed, but to also be cold hearted and it depends on the person he is dealing with but know that you do not want to ever be on his bad side. Evie is a sweetheart you want to give her a huge hug assuring that everything is going to be okay after having gone through an abusive marriage she is now married to a man who shows her daily that she is loved, she is cherished something she never had before but with Jericho she has that, allowed to be herself, to do things that make her happy, to have friends and to feel safe. She is learning they are stronger together and he shows her she has worth, she has value after so many years of abuse, where are they headed and has, she finally found happiness?

[Michelle Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Queen of the Night is a beautiful, dark arranged marriage romance. Please read all content warnings before listening. This is the first book in the Black Crown series. It is both heartbreaking and heartwarming. Jericho is the new Pakhan and he is encouraged to marry Aoibheann to cement an alliance with the Irish. He is hesitant, until she stabs him. He realises that she has some fire left after becoming a widow. She was in an extremely abusive marriage for sixteen years. She doesn’t want to marry again-until she gets to know more about Jericho. What will happen between these two? Can they find true happiness? Listen to this captivating romance and meet this fascinating couple.
The duet narration by Molly Briar and Walker Williams was absolutely extraordinary. Molly Briar was spectacular as beautiful, quiet, sweet, “witchy” Aoibheann/Evie. All of her fear, hurt, pain, sweet/caring nature and love was clearly evident in her beautiful lyrical voice. Walker Williams was delightful as alpha, charismatic, obsessed, possessive Jericho. His sexy, sultry commanding tone was divine. The way they loved each other and showed their love was wonderful. They brought this story to life magnificently. I highly recommend listening.
Thanks to the authors and Adler Audios for this ALC.
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Story 5 stars Narration 5 stars

[Felecia Rodney · Rating 4 out of 5]

ALC Review:
Duet Narration by Molly Briar and Walker Williams
4.25⭐️

Tropes:
Arranged Marriage
Irish mafia/Bratva alliance
Forced proximity
Protective hero
Trauma to healing

After fighting his way to become Pakhan of the Bratva to protect his daughter, Jericho is blindsided by an arranged marriage meant to secure an Irish alliance. What he expects to be a meek, political pawn turns out to be Evie, a woman with hidden fire and steel. As secrets surface and danger looms, their union becomes something far more powerful than either anticipated. This was such a great modern twist on one of my favorite genres, blending dark mafia politics with a heroine’s journey toward strength and autonomy.

Molly Briar delivered an incredible performance as Evie. I loved experiencing her growth from frightened and wounded to resilient and empowered. Every emotion felt raw and authentic. Walker Williams’ Jericho was layered—equal parts ruthless leader and unexpectedly gentle protector. He made Jericho intimidating yet magnetic. Their narration created seamless tension and chemistry that kept me completely immersed.

I truly couldn’t stop listening (adulting were the only thing that slowed me down). I’m already counting down the days until book two.

[Jazzyreadsalot · Rating 5 out of 5]

🎧 ALC REVIEW: Queen of the Night by AN Stauber & Molly Briar
RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
SPICE: 🌶️ 🌶️

I cannot say enough great things about this audiobook! I love love love mafia romance, a witchy FMC and an MC who is soft to the women around him and this book had all of this and more.
I was just as mesmerized as he was with the witchy Irish woman. His endearment of calling her his little witch truly made my heart melt. I love when an MC has to work backwards due to his own misinterpretation of his FMC and that just what happened in this story!
Jericho had an incorrect idea of who Evie was, and once he recognized that she was not at all what everyone thought of her, he was obsessed. He healed in her things he didn’t break, and I thought that was beautiful. He not only wanted to show her the love she deserved, he also wanted her to be a confident woman who would learn to defend herself so that she never felt alone and helpless again.

The performances by the audiobook narrators were amazing. There were so many accents happening, and they absolutely nailed them. I am crossing my fingers that I am lucky enough to be chosen for book two’s ALC.

If you love mafia romances, this book should be added to your TBR ASAP!

[Elodie · Rating 4 out of 5]

ALC Review

Queen of The Night by @molly.briar and @authoranstauber

Narrated by @walkerwilliamsvo and @molly.briar

Produced by @adleraudios

So, she st@bs him, and instof getting mad, he teaches her how to do it better. I kicked my feet so hard!

Aoibheann is a widow, out of a terrible marriage to an aweful man. She is so whimsical and good, but expects the worst of everybody, with good reason.

Jericho is arranged to marry her. And let me tell you, this man, when he starts to realize what she's gone through.. Jericho does everything in his power to make her regain self-confidence and her self-worth. It was so refreshing to have an mmc who wants to empower not only his woman but all the women close to him!

This was my first time hearing Molly Briar as a narrator, and I am smittan. She made Aoibheann sound so lyrical and mysterious, and that was perfect for her character. Walker Williams has been a constant in the audiobooks I've listened to recently. Every character he voices has their own voice and sound, and Jericho was no exception.
The two of them together were exceptional!

Mafia vibes, forced proximity, marriage of convenience... this book had all the good things!

#audiobook #alc #review #bookstagram #booksbooksbooks

[Kimmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Spicy Librarian’s Review: Queen of the Night
Series: Black Crown #1

A dark, atmospheric blend of Touch Her and Die and He Falls First (for her trauma).
Jericho is the new Pakhan of the Bratva, a man who does everything for his daughter. To seal an alliance with the Irish, he’s forced into an arranged marriage with Aoibhean (Evie), a "waifish" redhead who has spent her life being the Irish mob's punching bag. They think she's a witch; he thinks she’s a mystery. On their first date, she stabs him. Naturally, he decides he’s keeping her.
This one features Possessive/Protective Behavior, Serious Edging, and is heavy on the "Revenge" theme.
It’s a 3/5 on the spice scale, a slow burn that pays off once the trust is established. The intimacy is rooted in reclaiming her body after years of abuse. This is a heavy trigger book. It deals with past SA and extreme physical abuse. It is not a "fun" mafia romp; it’s a survival story.
If you want a hero who is a ruthless killer but a total "girl dad" and a supportive husband, Jericho is your man. Evie’s journey is satisfying, though the cliffhanger will leave you screaming. It’s gritty, it’s emotional, and it asks: Do you want the heads of your enemies on a platter, or do you want to do the carving yourself?

[kn_cozy_bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the story of Jericho and Aoibhean heartbreaking and heartwarming. Aoibhean’s growth through the two books is a joy to read. Her character development is on point. She goes from a meek, sheltered abuse victim to a strong woman who knows what she wants and exacts her revenge.

Jericho is a man of principles with a high moral ground who agrees to marry Aoibhean for her own protection from her own family. He learns through a very interesting dinner that she has a dark past filled with brutal mental and physical abuse. As he gets to know her and care for her he becomes determined to build her up and give her the confidence to stand proud. Her world is forever changed when she begins to live with Jericho and she becomes loved and accepted by his sister, daughter and even her own family who end up on her side after truths long hidden and ignored come to light. She realizes what true happiness she can achieve through others and that she doesn’t have to live a lonely life. I love how this book ended, making Aoibhean truly a Queen of the Night, exacting revenge for the sins done against her with her champion in Jericho at her side.

[Mikaela T (mikaelabooks_) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who knew being called a witch could be so HOT!

Have you ever wanted to jump ahead to the good part, where she finally meets HER man. Someone who knows how incredible she is, spoils her beyond reason and avenges all her suffering? That is what reading Queen of the Night felt like. An absolute reward from the beginning.

Aoibheann (read: Eyveen) was forced into an arranged marriage with the head of the Irish mob. Neglected, isolated, and abused for 16 years. When her husband dies suddenly, she thinks she might finally be free. But a year later, she’s being married off AGAIN. To another dangerous man. But sometimes it takes a Beast to keep the wolves away.

If you’ve read the past books, you’ll know that Jericho is a true women-ally. Despite his criminal heritage, he is a hero to his core. He started a war to save his adopted-daughter from the mafia and he’ll do the same again for his strange fiance.

Reading this felt like coming home. He works so hard to make her feel safe, it makes you feel safe too. You can settle in for an adoring romance. She can’t believe that she’s attracted to him, but she trusts him to take control of their dynamic. The ensemble cast from both series create a charming family dynamic that is a delight to read. Most are in their late 30s with the two patriarchs in their 40s and the youngest mothers in their mid 20s.

Concerning the triggering parts of Aoibheann's past: none of the events happen on page. Her abuse is recounted later, and I felt that it was done responsibly. The retelling was factual, not graphic nor glorifying. I think most adult readers will find it safe to read.

The combination of these two authors has created such an exciting adventure. It feels like an Avengers-level event. The Vasilievs don’t mess around. I cannot wait for them to team up with the Murphys in book two. Between Callum and Jericho (and 5 very vengeful women), no one will be able to stand in their way.

[Dawnmarie Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a deliciously dark and twisted dirty emotional story full of abuse,betrayal, deadly men,death,secrets and violence. After Evie survived the first marriage that she was forced into and being abused for 16yrs she thought that when her abusive husband died that she would be free finally. Instead she's being forced into another arranged marriage but this time the man is completely different. Jericho's the Pakhan he's quite deadly and ruthless and God help anyone who hurts those he cares about you don't ever want to be on his bad side. Jericho doesn't want this marriage anymore than Evie does but he plans on making the best of the situation. I don't want to say anymore and ruin it for anyone else with spoilers. You really need to read this deliciously, dark and twisted, emotional, dirty story to see what happens. I would recommend reading this book and I'm looking forward to the next book in this series.

I received a free copy of this book via Cherrylily ARCs and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Between The Covers · Rating 5 out of 5]

📖Queen of the Night by Molly Briar & A. N. Stauber📖

Book 5 ⭐️
Spice 4.5 ⭐️

If you've not read Queen of the Night yet, you really need to! It is such an amazing book, and I absolutely fell in love with “Eve” and Jericho! There is spice, punishment (the fun kind 😉), and growth between the two MCs. Jericho helps bring life back into Eve after she experiences years of abuse at the hands of her late husband. He helped her grow and feel just as she helped him. He is very protective of her and will stop at nothing to protect her. Their relationship and bond grew stronger even if, at first, the feelings were pushed aside. I loved their love of family even though Eve felt unseen, unheard, and betrayed by some of her own. All the banter they all had was hilarious. I also loved the fierceness Eve began to show. She is a fighter and survivor, and Jericho helped her bring it out

#queenofthenight #mollybriatauthor #darkromance #mafiaromance #suspense #darkbooks #spicybooks #spicybookrecs #possessivemmc #bookstagram #booklover #bookaddict

[Amanda M · Rating 5 out of 5]

🎧 ALC Review:
This audiobook is so damn good. Molly Briar and Walker Williams delivered an outstanding performance. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this incredible story. With these two narrating the narrative it kept me fully engaged. They really brought out the personalities of these characters. You could feel the emotions in the words that the narrators spoke. You can also get that sense of intensity that is happening in the story. It's a marriage of convenience, dark mafia romance and it was so much more than I could have expected from a book. It's dark, twisted and at times emotional. This is the kind of story that is layered with tension, betrayal and secrets. It's also one of those kind of listens of that stays with you long after you're done listening to it. I loved, loved every bit of this audio. I'm so excited for the next piece of this story and I'm looking forward to it.
Thanks so much to the author and Adler audios for a copy of this. All opinions are my own and freely expressed.

[Chelsea Armstrong · Rating 5 out of 5]

🎧AUDIOBOOK REVIEW🎧

🖤Queen of the Night🖤
✍️Molly Briar and AN Stauber✍️

🗣️Molly Briar and Walker Williams🗣️

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Adler Audios knows how to make a FANTASTIC audiobook with AMAZING authors! Every one of these audiobooks has been five stars from me. The narrators do such a great job transferring you into the story and keep you hooked on their every word.

Listen, I’m not going to lie when I say if I read this I would have an easy time with our FMC’s name. It’s Irish, and for the sake of me not misspelling it we are going with Ev for this review 🙈

Ev’s story is tragic, and she has to learn to let a man in when all she has known is pain from the opposite sex. Jericho is not one who wants to be married, but takes Ev as his wife to alliance his Bratva with the Irish Mafia. These two fight their demons and realize they belong together in such a beautiful story.

Also, the side character quips are hilarious.

[Kaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐ONE TUMULTUOUS STORM⭐⭐
Blazing britches boo! This talented and impressive dynamic duo didn't miss a beat, throwing caution to the wind. Their take no prisoners, no holds barred and no turning back approach rocks this turbulent gem to it's core. Laying this hard hitting, heart pounding, pulse racing, adrenaline pumping, block buster into the wind, flinging into a tempest with mind-blowing results. Attentive to the astonishing twists and gut-wretching turns unfolding, revelations are unearthed and futures are forged, wrapping this bad boy up sleek, shiny and tight. The characters interactions and charged atmosphere along with relatable qualities and individual traits, blend fluidly adding depth and diversity, transforming into realistic personalities. Amazing job guys, thanks for sharing this amazing thrill with us.

[Chris06 · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of this books I had a hard time putting down. The FMC…we shall shorten her name as the MC did … Evie is a widow of a Mafia guy and she is handed over in an arranged marriage. She is a shattered soul who masks everything.

Jericho … the new husband to be.. is the first person to really see her. At first he thinks she is weak … and she is in terms of the ability to defend herself. But the she shows her inner strength.

He falls first and falls hard…
He is helping to heal her…
He is ready to slay all who harmed her…
She is realizing her worth…
She is joining in and not hiding…
She is fearless and strong..

Her vengeance had started by the end and so many questions to be answered ….

I received a free copy of this book via Cherrylily ARCs and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Summer · Rating 4 out of 5]

~Alc Review~
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶.5

~Queen Of The Night~A.N. Stauber & Molly Briar~

~Duet Narration~Molly Briar & Walker Williams~

~Production~ & Adler Audios~

"The darkness was where I thrived, but I didn’t know if this was the kind of darkness I wanted to be near."

♡A Mafia romance with a marriage of convenience trope yes please! The witty banter, strong characters, & twisty storyline kept me hooked until the very end!

The duet narration for this audiobook was fantastic! Molly always blows me away with the way she brings the characters she creates to life & she once again did a phenomenal job. Walker was the perfect match to bring the male characters in this story to life. He did a fantastic job differentiating between each character! I can't wait to hear book two come to life!♡

~As Always Happy Reading~