Sweet Mercy

This was a re-read and quickly remembered how intriguing the plot was because you have quite a few elements working together. And this absolutely drives the story even more. Throw in forced proximity, there's bound to be so much since there is a bit of the enemies to lovers trope. With this just being the first book, you already know that there's so much more to come. It's been a while since I've re-read this series, but excited to get back into with the audio. This was my first time listen by this narrator, it took me a little bit to get into. Overall, enjoyed but not who I imagined.

This is the first book of four in the Empire Nightclub series, a dark mafia romance. Gabriel and Mercy's story is dark, intense, lustful, and captivating. Mercy is a beautiful character, sweet, strong, and supportive. I liked her determination to help her dad. Gabriel, a mob boss's son, is a womanizer, and an opportunist, enigmatic, and powerful. They are opposites attract. The story is told with both POV's, which is great! The storyline is intriguing, steamy, and twisted. The supporting characters are intriguing. This is a great introduction to Gabriel and Mercy's story, and I am looking forward to listening to Gabriel Fallen, the next book in the series, to know what happens next. Alex Kydd and Ada Sinclair did an outstanding job with the narration. They are perfect as Gabriel and Mercy.

4/5 ⭐️ 3/5

OVERALL REVIEW: Somewhere in the marketing of this book it should probably say not a standalone and I’m a little upset by the fact that it isn’t. I was about five hours into my listening when I started to realize there was no way this couple was going come together in the next couple of hours. That was disappointing and made me #twitchy This isn’t a me thing where I didn’t pay attention, it is nowhere in the marketing #twitchy Honestly, had I known that, I wouldn’t have invested my time until I knew I had the time to go thru all FOUR books of Mercy & Gabriel. As for the content of the story thus far, I am pleased. There are a whole bunch of plot points that aren’t yet fleshed out but obviously that’s because this is only the beginning. I like the dynamic of Mercy & Gabriel so far and I think their journey will probably be fire once we get into it a bit deeper. Nothing really happens in this book that I would consider dark or even particularly steamy as a whole, but the potential for it is there. They already have explosive chemistry with delicious tension so I’m looking forward to unfolding their story as soon as I can. PERFORMANCE REVIEW: This was my first experience with both Ada Sinclair & Alex Kydd and I have no complaints. They played well off each other, and their voices were realistic to the characters they were narrating.

Tried and tested formula of a mob boss helping a hapless girl in dire need and them falling in love marching towards their HEA. the quid pro quo is obvious. Stay a week with me in order for me to pull strings to help her father stay away from beatdowns in prison. He's in for killing her attempted rapist. Obviously hero is dangerous yet a gentleman. Promises her he won't touch her if she doesn't want to. Obviously she falls for his obvious supermodel looks. It's an obvious story with predictable journey and predetermined destination. It's generous 4 stars. The sexy scenes and sexy body description is explained in minute details innumerable times. Kinda leaves very less pages for actual story. Please go and read it 4 stars cause fine narration

Mercy is struggling. Financially, emotionally, she is drained and dealing with the guilt of her father's prison sentence. While visiting him, she notices a man and finds out he is the inmate in charge. Unlikely as it is, Mercy has captured the son, Gabriel's attention. More research leads to Gabriel's identity as the underboss and he is using her father's safety as his bargaining chip. He will make sure her dad is not harmed, but the steep price is she has to live with him. And our story truly begins. Gabriel is a little on the dark side, knows what he wants and will do what he needs to achieve it. Mercy is loves hard, is fiercely loyal and shows an inner strength that helps her through the day. But will it be enough? The chemistry is strong, the attraction undeniable and the story is just heating up now! It's not a cliffhanger, but their story is definitely not over. I can't wait to hear more. Alex Kydd and Ada Sinclair are our storyteller and I can't even begin to tell you how good they are. Kydd has an edgy sound to his voice, creating the devilish and dangerous Gabriel. Sinclair holds an innocence laced with maturity and draws out all the love, fear and passion that is Mercy. Fantastic team for a fantastic listen.

Sweet Mercy is the first book in the Empire Nightclub series. This is my first book by K.A. Tucker and I reviewed this as an audio book Gabriel locks his sights on Mercy while visiting his father in prison, his father is a bad man, the whole prison seems to be very lax when it comes to him, they simply turn their head. Mercy is also visiting her father who was just put in. Mercy is held up from seeing her father the next week so Gabriel can be there and he has that "power" but when Mercy sees her dad she is upset that he's been in a fight,Gabriel propositions Mercy under the premise that he has the power to protect her father. She eventually accepts the deal that involves Mercy staying at Gabriel's house, sleeping in his bed, for a week. It sounds like a dark read. At home Gabriel is a lot more kind than I expected- she's free to do whatever at the house and still work etc. Things heat up and Gabriel decides he needs her for more then a week so he offers up a lawyer to appeal her fathers case if she stays longer and she agrees but wants to make sure he's not deep into the bad things his father does so she asks and he lies to her. He's been wanting out and trying to plan it safely but now he's trying to be done right here right now. That's where book one ends. Not a super bad cliffy but I'm invested enough to download book 2 and see how bad lying will bite him later! K.A. Tucker writes beautifully and I'm excited to continue! A lot of the prison scenes were spot on (I used to work at a prison) then the inner dialogue for Mercy was really good- I liked seeing her struggle on the inside but still hold her chin high and keep going!!!