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Julia Sykes
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Tainted Obsession (King of Ruin Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Julia Sykes (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.0 out of 5 stars 1,047 ratings
She's engaged to a corrupt DEA agent, but the mafia boss is obsessed with her...
 
Evelyn

The last thing I can remember is the rough hands that grabbed me from behind and the rank scent of the cloth that was forced over my face.

I hear my captors saying that they're keeping me as a hostage. Until they no longer have a use for me.

Then there's pain, a feral roar of rage, and the world disappears.

Massimo

I found them brutalizing her, and I made them pay with their lives.

My criminal world is steeped in blood and violence, but she's innocent, and I won't allow them to hurt her ever again.

I stalk her from the shadows, memorizing every shy smile and small gesture of kindness.

When I find out that her fiancé is abusive, I don't have a choice: I take her for myself, for her own protection.

Once I have her under my control, my fascination deepens to obsession.

I'll do anything to keep her, devising the most deviant seduction to make her mine.

She'll be so addicted to my touch that she'll never want to leave.

Evelyn belongs to me, body and soul.
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  1. Book 1 of 3
    King of Ruin
  2. Print length
    240 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    April 25, 2024
  6. File size
    4.4 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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From the Publisher

I'll do anything to keep her.
She'll never want to leave.
Evelyn belongs to me.
eBook
Paperback
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Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars 1,047
4.0 out of 5 stars 1,047
4.0 out of 5 stars 1,047
Price $3.99 $12.99 $12.99
Other Editions Start your binge read! 5x8 paperback with glossy finish 5x8 discreet paperback with matte finish

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Oh my god this is so good. The story is so intense. It pierces through to the bone. Dark, twisted and a fast-paced read." - FireSerene Reads

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CKB2F29W
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 25, 2024
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 4.4 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 240 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 3 ‏ : ‎ King of Ruin
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 out of 5 stars 1,047 ratings

About the author

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Julia Sykes

Julia Sykes

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Julia Sykes is a USA Today bestselling author of edgy, emotional romance. When she's not writing, she's usually reading.

Other than reading, her obsessions include iced coffee, unicorns, charcuterie, aged Manchego cheese (or any cheese, really), fancy dresses, and Roman empresses.

An American expat, Julia now lives in her adopted, beloved home of York, England. Most days, you can find her wandering the cobbled streets and daydreaming about her next novel.

Find out more about Julia's current and future projects at julia-sykes.com.

Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
1,047 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book's story engaging, with one describing it as an amazing start to a new mafia-based series. The book receives mixed reactions regarding character likability.

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11 customers mention "Story quality"11 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story of the book, with one customer describing it as an amazing start to a new mafia-based series.

"...This is an awesome read has everything I love!! mafia organized crime hot passion that ignites the pages of this book and keeps you wanting more...." Read more

"This is a really good story. I didn't think I'd be rooting for the bad guys in this one but the bad guys in this one are also the good guys...." Read more

"I always love a good organized crime romance and this one did not disappoint!..." Read more

"Enjoyed reading this thrilling story. Poor Evelyn can’t get a break. Can’t wait to find out what happens next. Excellent work!" Read more

6 customers mention "Likability"4 positive2 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the characters in the book, with some finding them engaging while others find them unappealing.

"...Sykes created likable (even in Massimo’s darkness) characters that you want to know more about. This will be an interesting world" Read more

"...The heroine was kind of annoying. Give her a bit of a backbone and maybe more backstory to get me invested...." Read more

"...the bad guys in this one but the bad guys in this one are also the good guys. And tall dark and handsome with blue eyes my gosh...." Read more

"...She portrayed the attraction between the main characters and it was easy to see the obsession and root for them to get together...." Read more

Hot Dayyyyyng
5 out of 5 stars
Hot Dayyyyyng
🔥 Protective Stalker 🖤 Kinky Mafia Prince 💋 He Falls First 💀 Touch Her & D!e 🥹 Praise 🥵 ‘She’s Mine’ 👀 Kidnapping Ate 👏🏼It 👏🏼 Up 👏🏼! This is book one in the King of Ruin Series and I am a loyal Julia Sykes fan girl and will always and forever read her work. This book delivered all the things from the mafia romance we all love to the MMC falling first and his possessiveness. PERFECTION. I loved Evelyn and Massimo’s relationship from start to finish. This man COULD NOT get enough of our FMC and I was living for it. The question of the day here is….who truly is Evelyn’s fiancé….This book was fast paced, very easy read and will have you hooked and wanting more after it is over. I cannot wait for book 2…Illicit Obsession so I can gobble up more Massimo and Evelyn.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Bethann
    5.0 out of 5 stars Tainted obsession is the perfect title
    Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Thank you Julia for an amazing start to a new mafia based series!! This a dark , hot filled with passion and twist and turns an abduction and so much more!! This is an awesome read has everything I love!! mafia organized crime hot passion that ignites the pages of this book and keeps you wanting more. Only complaint might be that it’s a cliff hanger. Usually not my kind of book with that but Julia Sykes shocked me and now cannot wait for next book!!
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  • Barbara R
    4.0 out of 5 stars Book 1 cliffhanger
    Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    I'm not a big fan of cliffhangers but I knew this was one going into it. Evelyn is in danger from the cartel because her fiance is a dirty DEA agent. Massimo saves her more than once while her fiance does nothing. She realizes her fiance doesn't love her but that doesn't mean she wants to be Massimo's captive to be safe. They have massive chemistry and she's smart enough not to attempt an impossible escape. This book ends abruptly with a cliffhanger, right in the middle of more danger.
    One person found this helpful
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  • R
    3.0 out of 5 stars It's Okay.
    Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Okay, so it wasn't the worst thing in the world if you can suspend belief. The heroine was kind of annoying. Give her a bit of a backbone and maybe more backstory to get me invested. Anyone in their right mind would have hightailed it right back home after the first chapter. Give her a reason to stay beside her boyfriend, who is obviously a bore. (Won't spoil it) The male protagonist isn't very likable. I get it; he is a mobster, but dang, he is more murderous than Hannibal Lecter, and she doesn't seem to have much of a problem with it. I don't care how good-looking he is or what he can do with his mouth. The psychopathic tendency should be a turn off. Will I read the rest after the cliffhanger? Maybe.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Itss
    5.0 out of 5 stars just a woman reading a book, but loved it
    Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    It took me some time to get in to the book. It felt wery standar in the begining, but oh my how the book draged me inn at the end! I could imagen I was her, feeling all the emotions, every touch and boy do Iinger for MY oh so dangerus Man. Can’t wait to read the next book!
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  • Marlene D.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Evelyn and Massimo's story, part 1
    Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Evelyn Day was kidnapped of the streets of Mexico City when leaving the University where she teaches English. The kidnappers wanted to lure her fiancée George Crawford, a crooked DEA agent, so they could kill him after he supported a rival cartel...but the kidnappers were abusing her, and when a new Cartel partner entered and saw her abuse, killed the two kidnappers and took her to hospital...Massimo would not condone an innocent being harmed and started watching Evelyn because he had promised Duarte Cartel boss that he would kill Crawford...but ended up protecting her from random man in bar who tried to roofie her and from the rival cartel that she overheard George arguing with...so he took her...but can he save Evelyn or would she hate him for being a criminal himself??? You will have to read this steamy story, but it's not over yet...I voluntarily read this book through an Advanced Reader Copy.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • A. McGowan
    4.0 out of 5 stars I’m hooked
    Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Definitely some dark happenings in this book and series. I cruised through the intro to Massimo and Evelyn’s story and have to find out what happens next. Sykes created likable (even in Massimo’s darkness) characters that you want to know more about. This will be an interesting world
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  • Lira
    2.0 out of 5 stars 𝑬𝒚𝒆-𝒓𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑶𝒃𝒔𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏!
    Reviewed in the United States on April 18, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Tainted Obsession by Julia Sykes has that addictive writing style that pulls you in fast… only to make you roll your eyes every other page.

    Evelyn has been engaged for SIX years, and suddenly TWO DAYS after meeting the MMC, she’s completely gone for him? Girl, Be serious!! 🙄

    And Massimo? Calling her “farfalla” every time she breathes? Please. That, and the endless “you’re safe with me” lines… except she’s absolutely not! This whole relationship has major Stockholm Syndrome energy, and not even in a fun, spicy way.

    Yes, the chemistry exists, but the repetition kills it. The plot goes in circles, and so did my patience! Still, here I am about to read book two… because it’s short and apparently I enjoy suffering with a side of chaos 🙄

    𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: 2.75/5 addictive prose, but painfully repetitive and way too insta-love

    𝑺𝒑𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝒍𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍: 🔥🔥 there’s heat, but it gets lost in all the “farfalla” nonsense
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Tainted Obsession rocked my mind!
    Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This is a really good story. I didn't think I'd be rooting for the bad guys in this one but the bad guys in this one are also the good guys. And tall dark and handsome with blue eyes my gosh. Can't wait to find out what happens now. I hope you enjoy it like I did.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Mozzy
    5.0 out of 5 stars a great story
    Reviewed in Australia on May 3, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Wow a first book in a series that i just cant wait for the next book to come out..I find myself wishing the author would write faster lol but she can't so I will just wait.
    I don't wo t to give out to much but I will say it's thrilling,exciting and it has loads of drama ready to unfold.And it ends on a cliffhanger,I'm not usually liking cliff hangers but this is an exception to my rule.

    I'm sure you will enjoy it like I did.
    Report
  • siobhan
    5.0 out of 5 stars loved this book
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 23, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    It’s taken me a minute to write my review ( life sucks) but this books was bloody amazing honestly, I couldn’t of asked for anything better, Julia always delivers us with strong characters that we both hate and love and she delivered again
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  • Nay
    4.0 out of 5 stars Massimo and evie
    Reviewed in Australia on October 12, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I'm not sure if I like the fmc, i find her a little annoying, but the mmc is hot and dominant, him i like alot.

    The story ends on a cliffhanger, so be warned.
    Report
  • Miss Informed
    4.0 out of 5 stars Mexican Drug Cartel meets Mafia
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 19, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Evelyn is engaged to George, a dirty DEA agent. Massimo saves her life and becomes obsessed with her.
    An interesting story full of intrigue. Massimo is what you would expect from a modern Mafia hero, while Evelyn is innocent and sweet.
    The story is well-written, but ends on a major cliffhanger.
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  • Eve
    3.0 out of 5 stars book was okay but didn’t blow my mind
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 26, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Firstly I felt like it was over way to quickly! Secondly you really mean to tell me in 24 hours after finding out her fiancé is up to nothing but skullduggery and has left her for dead twice now she just auto jumps into bed with the next man. Evelyn is painted as this timid woman to George and defiant with massimo. I’m struggling to see how they are meant to be end goal. Evelyn has no real feelings for massimo apart from lust. This book didn’t have the wow factor but I’m not sure if that because it’s a taster. I am looking forward to the next book though and I hope I enjoy it better
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