ARC Review: Inflict by Bethany Kris

 

As the son of an Irish mobster, Connor O’Neil spent his boyhood hiding from the horrors of his own home. His one reprieve was a girl he knew only as Evelyn, but even she was taken away. As a man, Connor is determined to stay away from his father’s business. With Sean, participation is not a request, but a demand. The truth is, Connor might be more like the evil he’s trying to hide away from than he would like to admit.

And he’s already spent years trying to cover the scars left over from the pain.

A chance encounter puts the lost girl from his past back on his path, and he no longer has a choice but to face the darkness he’s been ignoring for years.

Evelyn. Sasha. Slave. 

She doesn’t really know who she is anymore. 

Or maybe she does, and she doesn’t want to tell.

She isn’t the same as she once was—now a thing to be kept and maintained, shuffled from owner to owner until it was her time to go. She only became Connor’s because he took her when he knew she wasn’t his to take.

Except she isn’t Connor’s at all …

And he can’t keep her hidden forever.

INFLICT is the story about finding the love in the most unpredictable situations. This is the story of acceptance and redemption.

He loved her, so he gave her whatever the feck her black heart desired. After all, it made his black heart keep beating .

Mafia, badass heroes and childhood love? Yeah I am definitely in for that. 

Inflict is a standalone novel from Bethany Kris and guess what's the genre? It's Mafia, woo hoo!! I love mafia romances so I had to read this one no matter what. In spite of having a school test, I gave into the temptation and read Inflict in a single sitting, how could I not? C'mon guys, it's BETHANY KRIS!!

This was definitely darker than her other books with with graphic depictions of violence, sexual scenes, dark elements and a HEA. This book has the ultimate triggers which keeps the readers on the edge throughout the entire read.

Inflict revolves around Connor and Evelyn. The story begins with Connor being a six year old kid. Connor's entire childhood is marked by cruelty, beatings and torture being the son of the boss of Irish Mafia. His father is a merciless bastard with no signs of humanity. One day out of the blue Connor meets a girl called Evelyn and develops an instant friendship which transforms into an innocent love. She is his solace from his father's torture. She is his only light in the world full of darkness, his only angel in the world full of devils. But one day everything shatters when Evelyn's house gets erupted into flames leaving no sign of life. 

The story takes a time leap and we are introduced to 26 years old Connor who has followed in his father's footsteps taking over his business and making his own name in the crime world. He has become the heartless Bastard everyone expects him to be by suppressing his feelings  in order to survive in the mafia world. 

Only the bloodiest ones wear the crown.

He is one of the most fearful mobsters but no one knows the real him except the girl with the beautiful eyes who was taken from him leaving him alone in the world of monsters.

  

Connor has successfully buried away all his feelings and emotions until one day amidst a job to kill a Russian mobster he finds a girl ducked in the corner by a bed lost in her own thoughts and all the memories come​ rushing back when he recognizes the girl as Evelyn– his only friend, his light.

Evelyn now known as Sasha is a sex slave who was taken away as a child and thrown into the ruthless world of human trafficking. She is just a shell of a person she once was. Connor wants the sweet shy girl with emerald eyes who was full of life. He want his old Evelyn back and he will do anything to keep her because she was his o keep, love and protect. 

Connor swears to bring Evelyn back to life. He helps her to adapt to the strange world she was hidden from and somehow by helping her finding herself Connor finds himself. He makes it his mission to protect her and shield her from the outside world and mostly from his father. Having Evelyn by his side soothes his tortured soul thereby giving him a reason to live.

Connor would do anything to protect her and keep her to himself but what happens when Evelyn is kidnapped again and taken away from him? Will he be able to save her this time before the damage is done?

Create pain to destroy pain. Create scars to hide scars. Cut in, bleed out. Breathe in, breathe out.  

INFLICT began beautifully. It completely peaked my curiosity with the opening scene and I was able to connect to the characters very easily but somewhere near the end i lost my interest and connection to the characters. I wanted to know more about Evelyn and her fears. I wanted to know about her mindset but I am afraid we can't get everything we want but all in all it was a great read and I highly recommend this.

For the readers who love dark and gritty romance with unpredictable twists and turns and 'pulling your hair out' angst, INFLICT is definitely for you.

Connor- 4.5 Stars

Evelyn- 4.5 Stars

Supporting characters- 3 Stars

Villains- 5 Stars

Plot- 4 Stars

Storytelling- 4 Stars

Romance- 4 Stars

Sexual tension- 4.5 Stars

Sexual scenes- 5 Stars

Story ending- 4 Stars

Darkness-- High Focus

Humor-- Low Focus

Romance-- High Focus

Would I recommend this book? YES

Would I read other books from this author? YES

Did I enjoy this read? YES
Is it worth reading? YES