Deadliest Desire cover art

Deadliest Desire

An Age Gap, Brother's Best Friend, Dark Romance (Tempting Love, Book 2)

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Deadliest Desire

By: Nikki Ash
Narrated by: Gideon Frost, Mia Tucker
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About this listen

Matteo

Daniella is my best friend’s younger sister—sweet, innocent Little Russo—and the one woman I should stay away from.
But when she unknowingly marries a man who’s out to destroy her family, she lands herself in danger she can’t escape, and I’m the only one who can protect her.
My first mistake? Insisting she move in with me.
Because the more time I spend with Daniella, the more the light threatens to break through my darkness, making me want things I’ve rejected for most of my life.
I should reject her too. Keep her away from me as much as from him.
That’s the problem with our arrangement though …
Her husband is bad.
Me? I’m worse.
I’m rough, ruthless, and nothing close to what she deserves. I can’t give her the white picket fence she desires.
But she doesn’t see the blood on my hands, or that I’m not husband or father material.
All she sees is the man who’ll burn down the world to save her.

Please note: Deadliest Desire is not a mafia romance. The book is a dark romance because of its content. Since dark romance can mean different things to different listeners, please check the detailed content warnings on my website. Your mental health matters.

©2025 Nikki Ash (P)2025 Pink Flamingo Productions Contemporary Romantic Suspense
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Listener received this title free

Deadliest Desire is an age gap dark romance that kept me hooked throughout the whole book. Daniella finds herself in a bad place when she marries a man who is not at all what she thought. In addition, her brother and his best friend both find themselves in jail. Once released, Matteo does everything he can to protect Daniella and figure out how to put a stop to her husband, while also figuring out his motives for ruining their lives and businesses. With the amount of time they are spending together and how protective of Daniella Matteo is, it doesn't take long for their relationship to turn into something more. Add in that Daniella's brother is Matteo's best friend and things are even trickier.

I found the writing in this book to be engaging, thoughtful and enjoyable. The characters and the story line kept me invested the whole time. The audiobook was truly fantastic and I did not want to stop listening. Gideon Frost and Mia Tucker did a wonderful job bringing this dark romance to life. They were both easy to listen to and I would highly recommend this audibook.

Hooked from the Beginning! Highly Recommend!

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Listener received this title free

Sometimes it feels like Nikki Ash knows just when I need a book of hers. This fabulous listen packs all the feels with that underlying darkness that I love. Someone has it out for the Russos. Matteo and his best friend, Lorenzo have been arrested and now Dani, Lorenzo's little sister is in need of help. The man she married is not who he said he was and now she is in danger. It's up to Matteo to get out and save her. Getting her out of the situation and bringing her home seemed to be the logical thing to do. His protective instinct has kicked in and the feelings are growing. But she is his best friend's sister and he is so much older. This cannot be a good fit. He is just going to keep her safe. Ash weaves a web of deceit and unanswered questions that flow through the story. Twists and turns, explosive chemistry and passion and a happy ending with questions that just make me want the next book now! Loved this listen!

Gideon Frost and Mia Tucker are the narrators for this gem, and it could not have been better. Frost uses his talent to give Matteo that voice. You know, the one that has that alpha sound when it comes to Dani, but the dangerous sound when it comes to protecting her. Tucker is so good as Dani, playing her insecurities up and letting her confidence grow along with her feelings. This is a perfect casting and an enjoyable listen.

Fantastic and left me wanting more!

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Listener received this title free

Excellent narration from Gideon Frost and Mia Tucker

Matteo past has shaped him and one thing is never meant to fall for Daniella his best friends younger sister. Daniella is the only person who sees past his darkness. He is intense, controlled but when Daniella needs him his heart leads him.
Oh this book has it all a dark romance, suspense and danger. Oh the chemistry.

desire

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Listener received this title free

After listening to and loving “Sweetest Sin,” the first book in Nikki Ash’s “Tempting Love” series, I was looking forward to “Deadliest Desire”, Mateo and Daniella’s story. An age gap, brother’s best friend dark romance that grabs your attention right from the start and holds it hostage the entire time. Daniella’s parents and brother kept her out of the public eye and family business for her own safety, but now that her parents are gone, she is going to join her brother and work by his side. Following college graduation, she met someone, got caught up in the relationship and married quickly, which turned out to be a huge mistake. The man she married was not who he said he was and turned out to be her and her family’s nightmare. Mateo, a fighter in the ring, and someone not to be messed with, is friends with Daniella’s older brother, Lorenzo, and he helps his friend to get out of the trouble he is in and to rescue Daniella from the evil and cunning man she married. Once he gets her to safety, he keeps her under his protection, and the chemistry between these two is smoking hot, but she was off limits and too young for him. It was great to watch Mateo crumble for her, and stop fighting what there was between them. I thought they were perfect for each other and together, they got each other. I loved how he opened up to her about his downfalls, how protective he was of her, also loved how understanding, accepting and helpful she was to him. This cleverly crafted, multilayered story has the perfect balance of drama, angst, action, twists and turns, thrilling and suspenseful moments, heartfelt emotions and steamy romance. As always, the writing, plot and world building are fantastic, as are the character growth and development. Nikki Ash, thank you for another amazing story and emotional rollercoaster ride.

🎧📚🎧 Gideon Frost and Mia Tucker were fantastic with voicing these characters and delivering a perfect portrayal of each. Tucker was a natural in Daniella’s role, grasping every aspect of her personality, from her insecurities to her fierceness and all in between. Frost was just as amazing in Mateo’s role, showcasing his personality perfectly, nailing it from his caring and protective side to his take no names alpha side and all in between. They set the ideal tone for the story, and their expressive performance conveyed all the characters’ emotions and had you feeling each one. These two make a great team, with voices that complement each other and a captivating performance that rivets you to the story.

More Tempting Love Greatness! Excellent Story & Listen🎧

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Deadliest desire is a ride I didn’t want to get off. It’s dark and ugly in places but the ending is so satisfying.

Dani marries a man who turn out to be an enemy. Matteo is the hero/protector she doesn’t see coming. I love a brother’s best friend romance and this is the second book in the Tempting love series so we’ve already been introduced to the mafia world. Deadliest Desire can be read as a standalone but you don’t want to miss Sweetest sin.

Matteo insists Dani stays with him when she’s brought home, ticking another box on my favourite troupes list, force proximity. These two have great chemistry and although Dani’s been through a lot, they can’t seem to fight their connection.

Matteo is conflicted. He knows Dani’s a great girl but there is an age gap and she’s his best friend’s little sister. Can these two overcome everything that’s keeping them apart?

Another great addition to the Temping love series.

Love it

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