*You Could Do Damage* is a sizzling, high-stakes romance that had me hooked from the start, but it was around the 75% mark when things really took off. The moment a shooting claimed three lives and forced Kincaid to step into his role as ruler of the Five Families, my heart dropped. I didn’t see it coming, and I absolutely loved it. Books that hit me with unexpected twists and make me react like that? Chef’s kiss.

The characters were interesting, and while the story primarily focused on Nari and Kincaid, I appreciated how we got glimpses of the side characters in a way that felt natural. Alisha’s story about her past with Darius was a moment I adored--the retelling of Darius walking in and delivering on the warning he gave Ty...chills. I do wish we had gotten a little more from Nari’s cousin, Shayla. She’s a character that intrigued me from the start, but after Chapter 1, she disappeared from the story—though, honestly, it made sense. Shayla used Nari, took her money, and cut ties when she no longer had a need for her, which felt fitting for who she was. The way Nari reflects on their relationship—“I knew from the day we met that she would take more than she would give”—hit hard. It perfectly captured the complicated nature of holding onto someone who treats you like an afterthought simply because they're all you have.

This book is all about love and power. Nari’s background in foster care wasn’t portrayed as overly traumatic, but it left her with a sense of loneliness that resonated deeply. Even in good situations, she felt unseen and unloved, which explains why she jumped at the chance to move in with Shayla, despite knowing she was being used. K.C. Mills weaves in one of my least favorite tropes—an age gap—but I have to admit, it worked here. Kincaid, being about seven years older, acknowledges Nari’s youth and the ways her past influences how she approaches relationships. His patience with her fears, combined with his steady insistence that she not hide from him, made their dynamic compelling. One thing I loved about Nari early on was how direct she was—she didn’t dance around things, always getting straight to the point, like when she asked Kincaid, “So we're back to the main point. Why am I here?” However, after they were married, I felt like she lost a bit of that edge, retreating into herself at times. But Kincaid, ever observant, never let her stay hidden for too long. He constantly pulled her out, asking her to be honest with him, which added a nice layer of emotional depth to their relationship.

One of my favorite aspects of the story was how Nari was embraced by Kincaid’s family, especially his mother. After suffering two miscarriages, both girls, his mom always knew her daughter would have to come from her son. I LOVE a mother who doesn’t coddle her son, and Kincaid’s mom was exactly that. When he slipped up—an honest mistake, but a mistake nonetheless—she held him accountable and pushed him to make things right.

K.C. Mills’ writing style made this story flow effortlessly, and the pacing was just right. The time jumps—whether it was a few days, weeks, or a month—kept things moving without dragging out unnecessary details. Overall, *You Could Do Damage* is a solid read that I’d definitely recommend, and while it leaves us with a "to be continued," it’s not a frustrating cliffhanger—just enough to leave me excited for the next installment!

Other things I loved? Nari’s resilience. She’s had it tough, but she’s not looking for handouts. One of her lines that stuck with me was: “I appreciate it, Joey, but we’re not really friends, are we? I work here, and so do you, which is the sum total of our affiliation. Anything you do for me will feel like charity. I also promised I would never owe anybody anything. I have to stick to that because it’s all I have.” And then there’s Kincaid—so intriguing. I loved how both he and Nari spent months just "observing" each other before ever speaking, quietly taking note of the other’s presence. The way Nari referred to him as "Recluse," "Mr. International," and "Boss" had me grinning. Their pull toward each other was undeniable, and I appreciated how direct Nari was—she didn’t dance around things but got straight to the point, which made their dynamic even more fun to watch unfold.

Some standout scenes? The banter between “Mr. International” and Nari—her quick wit had Kincaid thoroughly entertained. And the introduction of Aila and Nari at lunch? Iconic. Nari went toe-to-toe with her without batting an eye, "I guess we're both at a loss then. I didn't take my husband for the type to be attracted to weak women." And then when when Kincaid tried reassuring her that she would never have to fight over him...her response... “And I won't. That was child's play. You’ll know when my claws come out because I won’t stop until there’s blood,” was delivered with a smile but no warmth. Kincaid, of course, was eating it up, thrilled to see Nari could hold her own.

*You Could Do Damage* delivers a captivating blend of romance, intrigue, and power plays, and I can’t wait to see what happens next!!!

A Captivating Tale of Love and Trust

Nari’s life takes an unexpected turn when she agrees to a marriage of convenience with the mysterious Kincaid Akel. What begins as a business deal quickly becomes a story of love, trust, and resilience as Kincaid fights for her heart while building his empire. With enemies on all sides, their bond is tested, and Nari must learn to open her heart and trust someone else.

K.C. Mills delivers an emotional roller coaster filled with passion, suspense, and inspiring growth. Originally self-published, this novel’s move to traditional publishing highlights Mills’ talent. A must-read for romance fans, and I can’t wait for the next book!

KC Mills delivers a captivating blend of romance, danger, and spice in *You Could Do Damage*, a story that pulls you into a world of power, passion, and peril.

The story follows Kincaid "Caid," a cocky, mob-like boss who seemingly has it all—money, power, and access. In the middle of sealing a high-stakes marriage alliance to strengthen his empire, his world shifts when he sets eyes on Nari. A young, beautiful loner struggling to make ends meet, Nari is working at a club just to survive. Caid’s instincts immediately push him to protect her, and their connection only intensifies as he realizes that his current path could weaken his power instead of solidifying it.

What follows is an arranged marriage that sparks with tension, intrigue, and a love that becomes dangerously consuming. Caid’s love is dark, possessive, and deeply addicting, and while Nari tries to navigate this unfamiliar and treacherous new world, their chemistry grows undeniably stronger. The spicy scenes? *Giving* exactly what they need to give—sensual, intense, and brimming with energy.

The plot keeps you hooked, blending high-stakes drama with moments of vulnerability between the characters. The cliffhanger ending will leave you breathless, as Nari finds herself in the middle of a dangerous war, forced to make the ultimate choice: trust her husband or run.

KC Mills masterfully crafts a story that’s equal parts thrilling and seductive, with characters that you can’t help but root for, even when their world feels like it’s on the verge of collapse. If you love a dark, possessive hero, a fierce yet vulnerable heroine, and plenty of spice, *You Could Do Damage* is an absolute must-read.

Thank you, NetGalley and Black Odyssey Media, for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. I can’t wait to see how Nari and Caid’s story unfolds in the next book! 🌶️✨

Okkkkkkkk Kincaid, I see you! 👀

It was a slow burn but i definitely was entertained by the storyline.

Kincaid wasn’t going to stop until he got what he wanted and that was Nari to be his wife!
It was an arranged marriage but once the feelings got involved, all of that was out of the equation.

I had some issues with Nari a few times, I wanted her to speak up and have a backbone. Just because a man has the money and power doesn’t mean he has to control everything. You can speak up. Period!

The communication needed to be stronger between the two. They both are stubborn.

Now I’m just very upset at the end.
Hate waiting for a book 2. Ugh 😩

Thank you NetGalley and Black Odyssey for the arc in exchange of my honest opinion

I enjoyed You Could Do Damage. It was such an emotional read. The characters had me cheering them on throughout the whole book. Absolutely love the romance. I couldn't put the book down! This book is amazing!

This wasn’t my favorite KC Mills book now normally I’m going to eat up whatever this lady writes but this one just didn’t do it for me . I understood Nari was poor and came from humble beginnings I didn’t need her to remind me every other page and Kincaid just wasn’t as strong as some of the other mafia men that KC has written all in all the book was good just not my favorite

I finally found a slow burn that I enjoyed. Kincaid has been added to the book boyfriend roster. He is such an alpha male who is giving BDE. A wealthy man with a commanding energy that stands on business about his woman, yeah sign me up. I love how he gave Nari a better hand than she was delt. No one does flawed characters better than K.C. Mills. The spice was spot on, and I am so excited to read book 2.

OMG This was soooo GOODT! I'm not even sure where to start with this book review! Firstly, thank you to Netgalley and BlackOdsessy for providing this e-ARC. I literally inhaled this book over two days and every moment was enticing.

Kincaid is sort of like a Black, mafia, high ranking man who lives a billionaire lifestyle oscillating between legit and illegal jobs. He is a STRONG male lead and oh so dreamy. He definitely gives "Don't touch my wife," and "I will literally kill for her," vibes. While Nair is a struggling young lady, who happens upon the contract/job of a lifetime with Kincaid after their paths cross unintentionally. Nair is also a strong character and does not back down from Kincaid, even when he's so used to being the boss. I love their love story and them falling in love was so precious and intentional. Also, Kincaid's YEARNING for Nair - phew chef's kiss.

One thing that didn't necessarily work for me was the descriptions of the characters. I couldn't really picture them in my head, so I kinda improvised the character descriptions.

*****SPOILERS BELOW******

The only thing I did not like was the HOLY CLIFFHANGER! I have so much to say about that! Like Nair knows good and well that Caid would never lie to her and why would she believe this random woman who came out of nowhere?! Like I would say it would've been more believable if it came from Alia! Gosh! They better figure it out in part two - which i need to read IMMEDIATELY!!

I truly enjoyed this book! I usually am not a fan of the arranged, “do me a favor” marriage trope but this was done really well!! I don’t know why I was surprised because it’s K.C. Mills so like duh of course it was gonna slap. She just has a way of bringing you into the story and engrossing you in the lives of these characters and their journey. Couldn’t put it down.

You Could Do Damage follows Nari & Kincaid as they navigate the ups and downs of married life & life of the under world. Kincaid is a boss in his own right, and he comes across Nari and is immediately enthralled. They ended up getting into an arranged marriage to best suit the both of them. However, everything isn’t always sweet.

This was a good story and I’m ready for what comes next.

K.C. mills does not miss! I enjoyed every bit of this book. It was a definite page turner for me. I can’t wait to get the physical copy once it comes out.

YOU COULD DO DAMAGE? Yes they both did damage.

3,5⭐️ for me

It’s actually one of my first ARCs. Big thanks to NetGalley, Black Odyssey, and KC Mills for the book 🫶🏾!”

“This is my second time reading a KC Mills book. I really enjoyed Shadows and Whispers, so when I saw this one, I didn’t hesitate. Ask and you shall receive—and I did! This book was a rollercoaster ride. I sneaked a peek at the reviews on Goodreads, and they weren’t quite what I expected, especially knowing how talented KC is as a writer. But I decided to push through, and I’m glad I did.”

Now, back to the book! It’s a marriage of convenience trope (one of my absolute favorites). For me, this story shows two people who agreed to a deal but found themselves entangled in their personal issues. The chemistry between them? Unmatched. But this book teaches you that love isn’t enough if you don’t deal with the baggage you’re carrying.

Nari was young, with a heavy past, and being exposed to this kind of life? Honestly, I don’t think I could have done better in her shoes. She was still processing, and it’s terrifying to receive something unfamiliar like love. On the other hand, Kincaid loved her with every fiber of his being. That man was ready to give her the world, but I think he could’ve loosened up a bit. Too much control isn’t always a good thing.

What annoyed me, though, was the miscommunication between them. Like, be for real : y’all are grown. Address the issues properly and move forward! I also wish we had more details about Kincaid’s family. There were hints, but I wanted more depth. Maybe we’ll get that in the second book.

And that cliffhanger at the end? Jesus Christ! Miss KC better give us the second book soon because whewwww!

Let me start by saying that this is my first time reading a book by this author, and I must say, I am thoroughly impressed! I absolutely adored Nari and the undeniable charisma that Kincaid exudes. The author truly captures the essence of his character in a way that is both captivating and engaging. It’s like the pages were screaming big D energy !!!! I appreciated that Nari was not portrayed as a pushover, but rather as a strong and independent woman with her own set of boundaries and morals. It was truly refreshing to see a "damsel in distress" who still maintained her strength and agency.
I found myself completely invested in their story, rooting for them every step of the way. The only reason I am giving this book 4 out of 5 stars is because it ends on a cliffhanger, leaving me eagerly anticipating a potential sequel. If you are in search of a well-written urban fiction romance, then this book is definitely for you. I cannot wait to see what’s next with my girl Nari in the next book !

Thanks for the ARC. I am an avid reader and a big fan of K. C. Mills.

As such, I knew from page 1 that I had read this book before. I’ve read both books one and two and really enjoyed both.

The book progresses slowly which the author alludes to but I found it frustrating because there are all these conversations & feelings discussed in the characters heads which made it even slower. Like don’t tell me show me. I’m a fan of KC Mills I always read her releases. This one is not a win for me though & the errors were ridiculous like you’d think at this point in her career she’d do a better job with the editing like come on.

This is a spoiler-free review! This is an ARC review - You Could Do Damage will be available on February 25, 2025.

I would first like to thank NetGalley and Black Odyssey Media for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. The premise of this book reminds me so much of those vertical romance ads you see on TikTok, especially being an arranged marriage. This appeared to be a more dangerous version of Terms and Conditions by Lauren Asher, and since I ate that book up, I was intrigued to see how crime would come into play.

With dual perspective chapters, readers are able to go into Nari and Kincaid's minds, and of course with knowing how both parties feel, we as readers form our own opinions on how things were handled by the characters. I would have loved to see more of Nari's background - it felt as though we only had a glimpse of what she has been through, and I think it would have made some of the chapters more impactful if we had known more.

Kincaid is always truthful with Nari, and I found a great appreciation for that - often in mafia romances or crime romances, you see the male lead keep secrets from the female lead in an attempt to protect them, and yet Kincaid never lies to Nari. He is upfront about the arranged marriage from the beginning, and is always ready to answer any questions or negotiate terms with Nari when prompted. He is very protective of Nari, and there are some consequences to that in the sense that Nari learns more about what Kincaid truly deals with and how dangerous he can be when in particular situations.

Nari is too trusting to some and not trusting enough to others - this creates a more complex character study for her, but her overall sense as a character was that she is a little awkward and unsure of herself. Her past is muddled and there are a number of things that have impacted her sense of self, but she seems to trust Kincaid very quickly once they cross paths.

The ending felt very rushed and the betrayal seemed to come out of nowhere... I was not a fan of how the final two chapters were handled. I think the author was setting up some conflict between Nari and Kincaid, but it fell short in being well-developed. If this first installment was longer, then I could see the conflict carrying out in a more detailed fashion, but since it has been set up as a cliffhanger, readers are left with these two new revelations and no resolution until the sequel is available.

K.C. Mills delivers a gripping, slow-burn romance packed with emotional depth and magnetic tension in You Could Do Damage. The story introduces us to Nari Collette, a woman struggling to rebuild her life after familial betrayal leaves her evicted and financially drained. Working at a gentleman’s club, Nari crosses paths with Kincaid Akel, a mysterious yet powerful man entangled in his own web of family obligations and secrets. Their instant, undeniable connection promises passion, but also danger, as both characters navigate betrayal, loyalty, and love.

This novel masterfully explores themes of arranged marriage, found family, and the possessive, protective tendencies of Kincaid, who embodies the “touch her and die” trope to perfection. The rich depiction of a crime family backdrop adds layers of suspense and intrigue to the story. K.C. Mills crafts a slow-burn romance that builds up anticipation with every chapter, and the moments of vulnerability and tension between Nari and Kincaid are captivating.

Highlights of the story:
• A magnetic, slow-burn romance
• Strong found-family dynamics
• The intensity of a possessive male main character
• Crime family drama and high stakes
• A cliffhanger ending that leaves you eager for more

Be warned—this story ends abruptly, leaving readers on the edge of their seats. However, the emotional payoff and the intensity of the romance make it worth the journey. K.C. Mills delivers a book that will linger in your mind, and I highly recommend this to fans of romantic suspense and slow-burn crime family romances.

You Could Do Damage is a must-read for 2025, and I can’t wait to see what’s next for these characters.

It wasn’t my favorite k.c mills book but I did enjoy the story and the characters wish they developed more but it does leave off on the cliffhanger and I wasn’t expecting that

I actually ate this book up. It’s really rare I rate a romance higher than 3 stars, but here I am. Is it cringe? A little. Is it insta lovey? Perhaps. But I love a billionaire romance. In a lot of ways I relate to Nari so heavily and I think that played a big part in my rating. I wish everything had been resolved but the cliffhanger!! What???



This next part will contain spoilers



He told her the last night he was with a woman was the night they got engaged, so why is she acting like it was this huge betrayal?? Did I miss something when I was reading?

ARC REVIEW
RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🌹Marriage of Convenience
❤️Fake Relationship
🌹Mafia
❤️Billionaire MMC
🌹Touch her and ☠️
❤️Dual POV

MY THOUGHTS

Thank you NetGalley for providing me a chance to read this ARC! I had so much fun!

Even though this book was only 234 pages, it honestly felt so much longer, which I kind of loved. I thought since it wasn’t super long, the story would feel rushed, but it didn’t feel like that at all! The pacing was perfect🫶🏼

Kincaid had an instant connection with Nari, he wanted to know more about her, he wanted to always be around her. Even though originally they got married out of convenience and had to fake their relationship, he was never faking anything🤭🥺 he always told her how he felt about her, and you could see it through his actions💕

The spice in this was tame IMO, but it flowed well with the story! It focuses more on their connection rather than the actions 🤭

Fair warning…it ends on a cliffhanger. WHICH HAD ME ON THE EDGE OF MY SEAT! LIKE WHY DO THAT TO ME😭 the fact i have to wait for the second book is killing me because it was building up so nicely just to end like that😭