One Dark Kiss by Rebecca Zanetti

A Mafia Romance with a Fairy Tale Twist

One Dark Kiss is marketed as a dark romance retelling of Snow White, but I have to admit—aside from a few nods here and there, I might never have guessed it was inspired by that classic fairy tale. Maybe “inspired by” is more accurate than “retelling,” though that’s probably less catchy for marketing purposes.

If I had to describe this novel, I’d call it a loose retelling blended with a modern mafia dark romance—yes, a bit of a mouthful, but it fits perfectly. The story centers on Rosalie, our Snow White figure, who is a sharp, no-nonsense lawyer, and Alexei, the Huntsman archetype and an alleged murderer wrapped in mystery and danger.

Fair warning: this book is violent and very spicy, so check your triggers before diving in. While relationships like the one portrayed here could easily feel problematic in real life, Zanetti’s writing made it undeniably hot and compelling. I was also hooked by the true crime mystery woven throughout the plot, which added a fascinating layer beyond the romance.

One Dark Kiss is actually part of the Grimm Bargains series. I haven’t read the first book yet, but after devouring this one, I’m definitely planning to catch up ASAP because I need more of this world and these characters.

If you’re into dark, intense romances with a criminal edge and a fairy tale twist, mark your calendars—One Dark Kiss releases June 24th, 2025.

RATING: 5/5
SPICE: 4.5/5