One Dark Kiss (Grimm Bargains 2) by Rebecca Zanetti-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 24, 2025

Mirror, Mirror . . . Innocence or Sin. The reflection holds a darker truth.

ALEXEI
I’ve spent the last seven years in the hell of a maximum-security prison, every moment consumed by the need for revenge—revenge against the bastards who framed me, and revenge against the family who stole everything I owned. Now that I’m finally free, nothing will stand in my way. Not even her—my hot as sin new lawyer. Maybe she’s another weapon sent by my enemies to break me, or maybe she’s the key to my freedom. Either way, once she’s mine, I’m never letting her go.

ROSALIE
When I took this case, I thought I had it under control. But Alexei is no typical convicted killer—he’s a dangerously seductive force of nature. Perhaps it’s the lingering power from his days as heir to a global social media empire. Innocent or not, he’s dangerous in the worst and best ways.

I secure Alexei’s release as we prepare for a new trial, but he wastes no time turning against his traitorous relatives and plotting his return to power. Amidst the chaos, our explosive chemistry ignites, putting us—and everyone I care about—in the crosshairs of ruthless enemies. If we can’t stop them, Alexei plans to burn the whole world down. And if anything, he’s a man of his word .

••••

REVIEW: ONE DARK KISS is the second instalment in Rebecca Zanetti’s contemporary, adult GRIMM BARGAINS erotic, fantasy romance series focusing on four powerful families with affinities to gemstones. This is Bratva leader and heir to the Hologrid Hub Alexei Sokolov and attorney Rosalie Mooncrest’s story line. ONE DARK KISS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

SOME BACKGROUND: There are four (plus one more?) powerful families with affinities to gemstones, vying for control of social media. The more followers and likes, the more power and life force is gained by those in charge. Along with the social media and influencers, the lives of the four families are ‘powered’ by the gemstones, gemstones that are the life-force of the families and their heirs.

Told from three first person perspectives (Alexei, Rosalie, Ella) ONE DARK KISS focuses on Rosalie’s struggle to prove Alexei Sokolov’s innocence. Seven years earlier, Alexei Sokolov was charged with, and convicted of murder, and in the interim, the family owned Hologrid Hub struggled without the aid of our story line hero. The family business is dependent upon, and pulls their energy from the power of the amethyst, and Alexei Sokolov has the strongest affinity to the gemstone, in the family but desperate to prove his innocence, Alexei hires attorney Rosalie Mooncrest with the hope of gaining a new trial. When Rosalie begins a deeper dive searching for the truth, our couple are targeted, leaving a trail of bodies in their wake.

The world building focuses on the fight for control of Hologrid Hub, a 3D holographic social media platform but Alexei must first regain control of the Sokolov Crime Family, ferreting out those determined to take them down but as Rosalie continues to uncover Alexei’s secrets, our heroine finds herself at the mercy of the man with whom she is falling in love.

The relationship between Alexei and Rosalie begins as attorney and client, and Rosalie has no idea as to the true extent of Alexei’s power. As Alexei regains control of the crime family, someone else is taking aim at our story line heroine. The $ex scenes are intimate and provocative without the use of over the top,sexually graphic language and text .

There is a large ensemble cast of charismatic and interesting secondary and supporting characters including the return of Malice Media owner Thorn Beathach, and Aquarius Social media head Alana Rose Beaumont (One Cursed Rose #1), and hacker Ella Rendale. We are introduced to Alexei’s second Garik Petrov, several attorneys, law enforcement, as well as Rosalie’s seven elderly boarders who are much more than they appear to be.

ONE DARK KISS is a story of secrets and lies, power and control, magic and obsession, dysfunctional family dynamics, acceptance and love. The premise is dramatic and edgy; the romance is seductive and fated; the characters are determined, dynamic and intriguing.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one ONE CURSED ROSE

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Rebecca Zanetti has worked as an art curator, Senate aide, lawyer, college professor, and a hearing examiner – only to culminate it all in stories about Alpha males and the women who claim them. She writes contemporary romances, dark paranormal romances, and romantic suspense novels.
Growing up amid the glorious backdrops and winter wonderlands of the Pacific Northwest has given Rebecca fantastic scenery and adventures to weave into her stories. She resides in the wild north with her husband, children, and extended family who inspire her every day—or at the very least give her plenty of characters to write about.

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