About This Book

Pretending to date my handsome new housemate was already a bad idea, but then I discover he’s no ordinary guy — he’s a mobster in hiding. And in this story, he’s not the hero, but the wicked villain.

Rowan Miller isn’t used to hearing the word “no.” I guess when you’re 6’5, gorgeously tattooed, and sculpted like a Michelangelo masterpiece, women tend to throw themselves at you. But in a small town like Darkwater Hollow, a reputation as a womanizer will catch up with you — and your business — eventually. Which is why Rowan needs a fake girlfriend to prove he’s reformed.

When my house goes up in flames, I agree to Rowan’s offer in exchange for a place to stay. After my last brutal break up, I’ve sworn off charming, smooth-talking men. But the way Rowan looks at me — hungry and possessive — makes my pulse race and my skin sizzle with heat.

The longer we pretend to be in love, the more real it feels. Just when I think I’ve broken my unlucky streak, I discover Rowan’s hiding secrets. Big ones, like his real name.

Will his dark past bring us closer together? Or will it destroy everything we’ve built?

When He Desires is book 1 of the Fallen God duet. This book ends on a cliffhanger. Nero and Blake’s story concludes in When He Takes.

Tropes

Mafia romance
Fake dating
Obsessed/possessive hero
Reverse grumpy/sunshine
Slow burn
Hidden identity

Content Warnings

Sexual assault (not between main characters), kidnapping/abduction, mentions of past trauma (emotional abuse, death of a parent), violence, gaslighting.

Spice Level

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 4/5

Series Context

When He Desires is Book 1 of the Fallen God Duet. The story concludes in When He Takes.

Full reading order:

When She Unravels (The Fallen #1)
When She Tempts (The Fallen #2)
When She Falls (The Fallen #3)
When She Loves (The Fallen #4)
When He Desires (Fallen God #1) — you are here
When He Takes (Fallen God #2)
Be With Me (House of Ferraro #1)

See the full Gabrielle Sands reading order.

Reader Reviews

Amazon Reviews · Goodreads Reviews

When He Desires — Fallen God Duet #1