Daphne Morelli has spent her entire life roped into a mafia-style family feud that she wants nothing to do with. Sheltered from living her life by her older brothers, Daphne escapes the only way she can: through painting. Now in a place where she finally has a little freedom for herself, she works and exhibits in a small gallery. Her life might not have been perfect, but at least it was hers. And then he walked in. Emerson. The Collector. Known throughout New York City for his high taste in the art world, Emerson is immediately struck by the passion and emotion that Daphne works into her paintings. He wants her art. And then he wants her. Emerson's game is one of acquisition, and he's set his sights on Daphne. But even as Emerson puts Daphne on a pedestal, she sees the darkness and obsession lurking in his eyes. But will this dark obsession finally free Daphne from the watchful eye of her family, or is she freeing herself from one cage only to voluntarily walk into another?
Almost from the first page, the primal tension just drips off the page. I was instantly hooked on Emerson; he's dark, he's brooding, and he is an apex predator - the very definition of alpha male. You can practically feel his dominance pouring off the book. Emerson is truly the character I envision in my head when reading dark romance.
I loved Daphne's role in the book; she's innocent in every way possible, and she loses all of that within the course of Dark Reign. I really liked that this plot had a lot more to it than simply Daphne and Emerson's dynamic. Daphne had her eyes opened to all the drama with her family, and all of a sudden her safety net was destroyed. With Emerson's money and power, he could have easily been the catalyst that shattered Daphne's rose-colored glasses, but it was refreshing that Daphne was able to make her own decisions on her own time.
Amelia Wilde's writing itself was beautifully done. The language was often poetic which I was not expecting in this type of story, and matched Daphne and Emerson's true natures so well. Wilde made wonderful use of shorter sentences to really set the pacing of both the characters and the plot. There are no flowery compliments and loving promises here, and neither Emerson nor Daphne should want it any other way.
As a potential warning, given the mafia vibes and Emerson's need to own and control, this very much is a dark romance. Emerson could make Christian Grey seem like a beta hero. So please be wary if true bondage and stalking are triggers. And, since Daphne and Emerson's story is just getting started, Dark Reign does end on a bit of a cliffhanger and definitely leaves you wanting the next book.
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Release date: 11/9/21
Format: eARC
eARC provided via: Valentine PR