Jennie's Reads

“There was risk in all business, even that of the heart.”

⭐️ 5
🌶 3
🚂 Peaky Blinders Vibes
🚂 Enemies to Lovers
🚂 Sexy + Sassy Banter
🚂 Marriage for Business
🚂 Unique Magic System
🚂 Dual POV

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Give me a little bit’a that Nicolai Roman Attano ANY FREAKIN’ DAY. I freakin’ LOVED this book. The mafia/peaky blinders vibes — the lil’ steam punk feel mixed with magic and mayhem… add in the sexy banter from Milla and Nico? ALEXIS, YOU DONE JUST ROCKED MY WORLD, FRIEND!

Blurb/Synopsis

In a city split into two opposing sides, power comes in many forms: bloodlines, money, love, and—most importantly—secrets.

An heiress in the most notorious family in Lynchaven, Camilla Marchese is doing all she can to keep her family’s syndicate, the Iron Saint Railway, from slipping into bankruptcy. When the gorgeous and depraved Nicolai Attano, the leader of a rival family, offers to pay off the Inspector in exchange for her hand, she has no choice but to give up not only her throne—but her name.

Nico has his own motivations for their union beyond maintaining peace with her family. A serial kidnapper known as The Collector has been ravaging the streets of Remnant Row, stirring up mistrust between natives and descendants. If Milla can help restore safety to his streets, he’ll have no need for her or her family’s company. Find the Collector, prevent a war between their sides of the city, and pay off the family debt before she turns twenty-one. If Milla can fulfill her end of the bargain, she’ll walk away with more freedom than she’s ever had before.

But this deal plunges Milla into the city’s dark underbelly where remnant magic and arcane science compete in a deadly game of depravity. When forbidden feelings rise for her new husband and dark family secrets come to light, Milla must discover the truth about her past before it gets them both killed or worse—collected.

What I Enjoyed

Nicolai. Roman. Attano.: Literally. This is all I’ve got to say to you, just read the book. Ps. enjoy this little mood board of Nico I put together because, drool.

The Mo’Freakin’ Banter: When I tell you the banter between Milla and Nico is iconic — I mean it. Scroll down for some of my favorites, but my my my, my core was HEATING and I was wriggling in my seat on the airplane, my friends. OOOOOMPH.

Steampunk/ Peaky Blinders Vibes: I read this whole book with a feeling of mist on the ground, the flickering street lights, sound of a train horn, flapping of coat tails, and smell of cigarillo smoke. It was dark, broody, beautiful, and chilling. Add in a little wetness from morning dew and the scene has been set.

Plot Twists & Turns: The amount of times my eyes bugged out of my head with “OMG NO WAY”, “WHAAAT”, and “BOOIIIIIII–” should almost be illegal. I didn’t see the twist at the end coming, I loved it! Brilliant! I feel like House of Bane and Blood didn’t even allow me the opportunity to guess what would happen next, because I just had no idea where Alexis would take it.

Attano Family: I’m a sucker for a big family with many cousins, personalities, and a spicy Nonna. Throw in a kitchen scene or two and you’ve got me hooked. I loved the dynamic between the Attano family and how fast they came to bat for Milla. I throughly enjoyed getting to know the people behind Nicolai, and how they all support him and each other.

What I Didn’t Like

The Minimal Insight on the Marchese Family: We aren’t really given much insight into the Marchese Family and Milla’s brothers. I understand this gives an ominous feel to the brothers — but I really wish we could have explored Giles and Milla’s relationship just a little bit more. I wish I understood more about the Twins than what was given. Although, I do understand the distance and the coldness, I personally just wanted a little more.

Notable Quotes

“Not all cages are built with bars.” Some, like mine, were made from the shackles of duty and the chains of domestic obligations.

“Spoiled little heiress.” I scoffed. “More like broke little heiress.” His grip tightened, stealing a gasp from my chest. “Not anymore, princess. I’m your daddy now.”

“You fight like my Nonna when we forget to water down her whiskey.”

“You are my prize for a life of cruelty, Milla. The Isle knows you as the Princess of Steam, but one day, they will call you queen. When you find your power, no one will be able to stop you.”

“Curious thing, isn’t he?” he pressed a thumb on its inky head, stroking the length of my forearm. The serpent flicked its tail, looking pleased at the attention. “Only when it comes to you.”

“I like how your hair curls more when it’s damp outside. I like how your hips look in a silk dress. I particularly like the way you say my name when you’re frustrated, as it gives me a hint of how you’d say it in my bed.” “Nicolai!” “That’s right. Keep practicing.”

“If you would have died like Sabina wanted, I would’ve filled this pit with the blood of those who bet on your body. I wouldn’t have started a war, Milla. There wouldn’t have been any bleeders left to fight.”

“I see you, Milla. I see all of you. The good, the better, and the best because there is no bad in you. You are enough.”

Theme Song

Over All Thoughts

The way I straight flew through this book — UGH. Adding Nico to my list of book boyfriends, and Alexis to my list of instant buy Authors. The way House of Bane and Blood is written is beautiful, it does not feel immature or overwhelming, there’s enough to keep you riveted and more and more unfolds with every chapter. Milla and Nico are a force to be reckoned with separately, but together? Un-freakin’-destructible. I cannot WAIT to see what happens in City of Mirth and Malice.

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