What a book 🔥🔥 Cade and Izzy are the ultimate dark romance couple and the way the author wrote this mafia x billionaire boss romance had a unique dynamic I haven't read anywhere else. And let's not forget about the insane chemistry and spicy scenes!

I love a dark and twisted MMC, and Cade fits the bill perfectly. The brother of the head of the mafia, he may have gone legitimate in his hacking ventures but it hasn't stopped his obsessive need for power and control. Normally this doesn't extend to women... but Izzy is different. The world may see her facade of perfection, but he sees her true self; powerful, chaotic and determined to be better than her past. As her boss he's done all he can to stay away, but when they're teamed up on a mission of national security, can he resist his greatest temptation?

I devoured this book, and if I had to pick the one thing that captivated me most it would be how beautifully flawed the characters are. They've done things they regret, things others would be horrified by, but in each other they've found a level of true acceptance and understanding that I think we all hope to find. I'm genuinely sad to have finished their story... although I'll be reading every book in the series.

Thank you to Author Shain Rose and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book. This is book 1 in the Tarnished Empire series and the books are all available now!!

Super spicy. I could NOT put it down. One doesn't always find an engaging book told from a former addict's point of view. It was eye-opening to see her daily struggle and the standards "we" expect. I loved the red paint. Watching these two clash and combust was a joy!

Third book in the Tarnished Empire series and follows Cade Armanelli and Izzy Hardy (Delilah from book 2's twin sister). They both work in the cybersecurity industry after Dante (from book 2) introduced Izzy and Cade when he needed someone to go undercover with the Albanian mob.

Cade has had a thing for Izzy for quite some time and has been keeping tabs on everything she does but he tells himself he's just looking out for his employees. Until the night Izzy dumps her cheating boyfriend and Cade sees everything and "comforts" her while they ride the elevator to the company party.

Izzy hates Cade and believes he hates her too but she can't keep her hands off him. She tries to have a casual no-strings attached fling with him while on a company retreat but soon learns that Cade does not like to share what is his. But after he rescues her from a kidnapping, he forces himself to walk away from her in order to keep her safe. This only leads to both of them being miserable until he finds his way back to her.

I enjoyed this one more than the first book in the series (I haven't read the second book yet) and I like Cade more as a character. Izzy was ok but I felt like she was too wrapped up in her own head for the most part, though she seemed to let go and be herself when she was with Cade. I also think Cade should have put way more effort into winning Izzy back after he left her, but she pretty much just let him straight back into her life.

Check your TW though for the smut in this one, as it includes breath play, but otherwise the rest is hot but relatively normal - I would rate this at 3/5 spice.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

2.5 stars rounded to 3. Received this ARC from Netgalley to read and review.

DNF but I feel like I read enough to rate it. The very beginning had potential but the writing went downhill fast and the plot became unnecessarily rushed. We glazed over a whole year in a few paragraphs.

I felt like I was reading the second in a series because a lot of info was thrown in casually like I should have already known it.

I also disliked that the MMC was supposedly so good at hacking that he had the entire country under his thumb while working for central intelligence, while also being part of the mafia, while ALSO being the hotshot owner of several successful corporations. It was all just too much and way too unrealistic.

Just wasn't a hit for me.

4.5 ☆
#onebed #morallygreyhero #chaoticheroine #bossemployer
I really enjoyed this one.
It was entertaining and well balanced between the spicy times and the psychology of the main charachters.
I'll surely read the other books of the series.

Thank you Netgalley and the author for the Arc.

I can't get enough of Shain Rose. From her frustrating heroes to her determined heroines, her stories set off sparks. Corrupted Chaos turns clever word play into dangerous attraction. Cade and Izzy aim for the senses and set fire to the heart. Sweet and spicy explode into flavorful romance.

I really wanted to like this one but unfortunately it just wasn't for me. I struggled with the writing style and felt no real connection to the characters.

“I can’t look away from you, haven’t been able to since the moment I met you.”
As someone who read the Hardy Brothers books previously it was nice to go back and read about Izzy and Cade. Their dynamic is everything you’re looking for in an enemies to lovers spicy read. Personally I loved their banter and quips back and forth. Izzy is a bad ass FMC that goes toe to toe with Cade, someone who is commanding and used to getting his way. Cade, is an MMC that is morally grey, protective, possessive, and soft only for her.

I really liked Izzy as a character and backstory. She is someone that is strong but struggles like everyone does. Her relationships, especially with her family, as a recovered addict, highlighted the different perspectives people bring to complex interpersonal relationships and how sentiments can stem from love but have harmful effects. She is an FMC that doesn’t need anyone to get by but allows Cade to take care of her.

I really liked both characters and their story which was refreshing.

4.25/5 ⭐️

If you’re looking for smut this is a book for you. The plot was there but it was overrun by confusing character building and smut. Cade is tied in with the mob but a data analyst and it was never explained how those two worlds could even relate let alone how he does both. Izzy was a mess of a character but somehow ended up perfectly working at Cade’s company. I think I will re-read this book maybe when I’m in a different mood, but I was not at all in the mood for the toxicity that was throughout the book. The writing is very “Wattpad” like as well if you’re into that

This was not my first Shain Rose rodeo and I admit that I was very excited because I really like stories with hackers on them. But I must say it was not what I expected, I didn’t hate it because the story had such a nice pace, and the writing was good. However, I have some trouble connecting with mafia books.

The story has a slow beginning, and I needed a little time to be able to connect with the romance between the main characters. The storyline was quite interesting though but a bit over the top for me, but again, mafia romances are not exactly easy for me to get into.

Overall, I liked the story and the fact that the author connects the characters from other books. I would recommend this book to everyone who enjoys mafia romances, with dark dominant and possessive MMC and a good dose of smut.

Thank you, NetGalley & the publisher, for approving me to read this arc and write this review.

I enjoyed reading this book it had a perfect blend of steamy romance and high-stakes action. The book is set in the world of cybersecurity and the story follows the tumultuous relationship between two coworkers, Cade Armanelli and his employee, who is also his rival, Delilah.
One of the most intriguing aspects of this book is the dynamic between Cade and Delilah. They have a love-hate relationship, constantly trying to one-up each other in the workplace. But when they are forced to work together on a project, their chemistry is undeniable. The author does an excellent job of building up the tension between them, making their interactions sizzle off the pages. The characters are well-developed and complex, with their own strengths and flaws. Cade is a loner, with a rough past that has made him closed off and guarded. Delilah, on the other hand, is determined and driven, always striving to prove herself in a male-dominated industry. Their differences make for an interesting dynamic, and watching them navigate their feelings for each other while trying to maintain a professional relationship is captivating.
The steamy romance and the chemistry between Cade and Delilah were off the charts, and their scenes together were hot and passion. But what I appreciated the most is that their relationship wasn’t just physical; there was an emotional connection that developed between them, making their romance even more satisfying. I really enjoyed reading this book and would highly recommend.

5/5 ⭐️
4/5 🌶

Tropes:
★ Enemies to Lovers
★ Work Place Romance
★ One Bed
★ Possessive/Jealous MMC

I instantly fell in love with Izzy and Cade. Usually a lot of relationships are like fire and water, but in this book it was definitely fire and more fire. Izzy was a very strong lead female but because of her past and being hurt before, she shielded herself from being able to go down that road, where Cade loved to push her buttons and try to get reactions out of her.
I loved how Izzy didn't always back down and she liked to fight Cade back, she was so entertaining to read about - not to mention their sexual tension and moments were WHEWWW🥵. (Also THAT scene at the retreat.... iykyk,,,)
Not to mention, the side characters were so fun in this book. LUCAS?! Be still, my heart. He was such a good character relief for Izzy when she needed it, and even though there was little mention of Bug, I loved the moments where she was brought up.
Cade was one of my favorite darker themed men to read about, and while I didn't agree with most of his actions - say it with me, FICTION IS FICTION. He was jealous, possessive, and willing to do anything for her. I had so much fun reading this book.

This book was provided by NetGalley as an ARC, while it was sent to me to read all thoughts and opinions are my own.

What an exhilarating journey! Izzy and Cade are compelling characters, emanating authenticity as they confront addictions, pain, and intense emotions. Their passionate connection manifests in edgy and intense intimacy, underscored by a profound sense of caring. The narrative skillfully integrates mafia elements, providing insight into Cade's unwavering commitment to his country and loved ones. This captivating page-turner artfully weaves together passion, intimate encounters, addiction, sobriety, and trepidation.

I just found Shain Rose books and I just love them. They are equal parts great story, crazy sexy and an all-around fun and easy read. I was very excited to read Izzy and Cain’s story and they do not disappoint. They have amazing chemistry, banter and lots of alpha male and angst.

This story was so fun to read and devour. It defiantly has plenty of spice, so if that is not your thing, probably not the perfect for you.

Things to Expect:
🌶️🔥Strong Sexual Content
💗Forced Proximity
💗Stand-alone- but a series
💗HEA

This book cover is gorgeous and really what drew me in. I have not read any of Shain Rose's other works before, so I am not sure if how I feel about this book is standard writing for her or if the book is aptly named?
It was just a lot. It was very chaotic and there was a lot of stuff. A lot of fluff that I feel like at the end of the story wasn't really necessary. But like I said, maybe that's why the book name has chaos in it. There were no really glaring issues, the pace moved along nicely. I didn't find the characters to be enjoyable but that's a personal issue and not due to the authors imagining. Initially I was set to DNF it at about 40% because I just couldn't connect. But after talking it over with a friend I still had so many unanswered questions that I decided to jump back in and finish it. If you like action and suspense and an alpha hole MMC and a messy chaotic FMC then you will love this book!

In "Corrupted Chaos," Shain Rose delivers a thrilling and passionate story that takes readers on a journey through the complex world of cybersecurity and intense personal dynamics. The novel revolves around the fiery relationship between the determined protagonist and her enigmatic boss, Cade Armanelli. As a skilled hacker with a notorious reputation, Cade prefers to work independently, but fate compels the protagonist to align herself with him, earning her place beside him on the cybersecurity team. However, tensions rise when they find themselves forced to share not only a cabin but also a bed during a company retreat. The author brilliantly portrays the deep-rooted animosity between the protagonist and Cade, highlighting their conflicting personalities and professional ambitions. The protagonist's resilience and unwavering commitment to prove herself in a male-dominated industry are commendable. Her internal struggle to balance her undeniable attraction to Cade with her determination to excel in her career adds depth and complexity to the narrative. Rose skillfully builds suspense throughout the story, intertwining the challenges of cybersecurity with the protagonists' burgeoning relationship. The author's vivid descriptions of Cade's antisocial nature and dark allure make him an intriguing and enigmatic character. The chemistry between the main characters is palpable, leading to intense and passionate encounters that leave readers yearning for more. While romance takes center stage, the novel also delves into the world of hacking and cybersecurity, providing an intriguing backdrop for the characters' personal struggles. Rose's meticulous research is evident, as she seamlessly weaves technical details into the narrative without overwhelming the reader. The author's ability to balance the elements of romance and suspense is commendable, creating a story that appeals to a wide range of readers. "Corrupted Chaos" is an enthralling tale that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from beginning to end. Shain Rose's ability to create complex characters and deliver a captivating storyline is truly impressive. Fans of romance, suspense, and technology will find themselves engrossed in this contemporary novel, eagerly turning each page to discover the fate of the protagonist and her tumultuous relationship with her boss. Prepare for a wild ride of passion, danger, and unexpected twists as you dive into the intriguing world of "Corrupted Chaos."

this is book 1 in the tarnished empire series. i devoured this book! it has boss x employee, forced proximity, one bed and its about an italian mobster. i will def be reading book 2!

I am lost for words and utterly speechless🤐
I absolutely devoured this book! What a start to 2024!
At times I thought this may be a little too dark for me, but I just couldn't put it down!
Who knew a IT hacker could be so hot🤤
Cade Armanelli is a hacker, part of the Italian mob and also Izzy's boss, who she happens to absolutely loathe😍 They are required to attend a work retreat where Cade moves the accommodation lists so that Izzy has to stay in his cabin... and there is ONLY ONE BED *internally screaming*🤭
The way they riled each other and bantered literally had me screaming and kicking my feet, and mostly blushing because god damn they were spicy🌶️

Even though I already read a book by this author (Between Love and Loathing), which I actually enjoyed and liked, I struggled to connect with this book soooooo much.

The characters and plot lines were honestly very confusing and felt like they were all over the place.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

This was such a steamy workplace romance! 🔥 I really enjoyed this book and loved that we get a super smart FMC who is in tech! I was eating up sooo many scenes throughout the book. 🤭🤭

Cade is Izzy’s boss and after one company Halloween party, nothing is the same between them. Cade and Izzy were “enemies” who loved to get freaky with each other. 😏😏 There was so much push and pull and banter between them and I love reading that in books. They matched each other’s craziness and thought they were perfect for each other. 😂

✨“Damn. I hate how beautiful you look when you’re at my mercy.”✨

✨“Cade Armanelli . . . I hate you. I hate you. I hate you.”✨

Tropes
•Boss/Employee
•Forced Proximity
•One Bed
•Billionaire Romance