Sadie Kincaid’s Dante, the explosive opening to the Chicago Ruthless series, delivers a visceral exploration of what happens when the most dangerous man in Chicago collides with a woman who refuses to be broken. This isn’t your typical mafia romance where the heroine melts at the first sight of an alpha billionaire. Instead, Kincaid crafts a deliberately uncomfortable beginning that forces readers to confront the darker implications of forced proximity romances while somehow managing to transform that discomfort into something surprisingly compelling.
The premise is deceptively simple: Dante Moretti, head of the Chicago Cosa Nostra, takes Katerina “Kat” Evanson as collateral for her brother Leo’s substantial gambling debt. But Kincaid’s execution reveals layers of complexity that elevate this beyond standard dark romance fare. Kat isn’t simply a pawn in a game between men—she’s a former nurse with her own traumatic past, someone who has already survived hell and emerged with a steel spine beneath her vulnerable exterior.
The Weight of Morally Gray
What distinguishes Dante from its contemporaries is Sadie Kincaid’s refusal to soften her protagonist’s edges. Dante Moretti is genuinely terrifying in the opening chapters. He kidnaps Kat, imprisons her, and wields his power with calculated precision. The author doesn’t rush to justify his actions or excuse them with a tragic backstory dumped in chapter three. Instead, she allows readers to sit with the discomfort, to question whether redemption is even possible for a man who begins this way.
This commitment to moral ambiguity creates genuine tension. Dante’s reputation precedes him—whispered rumors of a man who murdered his fiancée on the eve of their wedding, someone whose cruelty is legendary even in Chicago’s brutal underworld. Yet Kincaid plants seeds of doubt early on, suggesting that reputation and reality don’t always align. The slow revelation of truth becomes one of the book’s most satisfying elements, though it requires patience from readers accustomed to faster pacing.
However, this darkness comes with a caveat. The power imbalance between Dante and Kat remains problematic throughout significant portions of the narrative. While Kincaid attempts to address this through Kat’s agency and sharp tongue, the fundamental issue of captivity cannot be fully resolved by witty banter or sexual chemistry. Readers seeking ethical romance will struggle with the foundation of this relationship, regardless of how it evolves.
A Heroine Who Refuses to Break
Kat Evanson emerges as the novel’s greatest strength. Kincaid avoids the common pitfall of creating a too-stupid-to-live heroine who makes inexplicable choices for plot convenience. Kat’s decisions, even the questionable ones, stem from logical survival instincts and her traumatic history. Her transformation from successful nurse to isolated cleaner living in Chicago’s poorest neighborhoods isn’t melodrama—it’s a realistic portrayal of how trauma reshapes lives.
The author handles Kat’s backstory with surprising sensitivity, never using sexual violence as mere plot device or gratuitous character development. Instead, Kat’s past informs her present reactions in authentic ways. Her panic attacks, her triggers, her initial terror of Dante—these responses feel earned rather than manipulative. When the narrative eventually reveals the full scope of what she endured, it lands with devastating impact precisely because Kincaid has laid careful groundwork.
Yet Kat is no passive victim. She fights back with baseball bats and guns, she verbally spars with Dante, and she maintains her moral compass even when surrounded by violence. Her journey from survivor to someone who reclaims joy, sexuality, and trust represents the book’s emotional core. The romance works because Kat chooses Dante once she has genuine agency, not simply because Stockholm syndrome kicks in.
Family Dynamics and Supporting Cast
The Chicago Ruthless series by Sadie Kincaid revolves around the Moretti siblings, and Dante successfully establishes this found family dynamic. Lorenzo, Dante’s older brother, hovers at the narrative’s edges with quiet menace and surprising depth. Joey, their sister, provides moments of levity while hinting at her own rebellious streak. Maximo, Dante’s right-hand man, offers the unhinged loyalty that makes readers simultaneously laugh and recoil.
Kincaid deserves credit for writing sibling relationships that feel authentic. The Moretti brothers share genuine affection beneath layers of trauma and toxic masculinity. Their banter reveals history and hurt, making it clear why Lorenzo’s absence weighs so heavily on Dante. When the family eventually reunites, the dynamics shift in believable ways.
The revelation about Nicole—Dante’s supposedly murdered fiancée—stands as one of the book’s most effective twists. Without spoiling specifics, Kincaid uses this subplot to demonstrate Dante’s capacity for protection rather than destruction, reframing reader perception of his character. It’s a clever narrative move that pays dividends for those willing to trust the author’s long game.
Pacing and Plot Structure
Here’s where Dante by Sadie Kincaid stumbles slightly. The first third moves at breakneck speed, establishing the central conflict and throwing Kat into Dante’s world with minimal setup. Then the middle section slows considerably as the forced proximity evolves into genuine connection. Some readers may find this shift jarring, particularly when romantic scenes begin interrupting the darker mafia business.
The overarching plot involving Kat’s brother Leo and Dante’s father Sal feels occasionally scattered. Kincaid plants numerous seeds early on but doesn’t always tend them with equal care. Certain revelations land with thunderous impact, while others feel rushed or underdeveloped. The final act accelerates dramatically, resolving multiple conflicts in quick succession that might leave readers breathless but also slightly overwhelmed.
Additionally, some secondary plots receive less attention than they deserve. The human trafficking storyline, while ultimately crucial to the main conflict, could have been explored more thoroughly given its thematic weight. Kincaid seems torn between delivering satisfying romance and tackling heavier social issues, not always balancing these elements seamlessly.
Steam and Sensuality
Make no mistake—this is a spicy romance. Kincaid writes intimate scenes with confidence, never shying from explicit detail. The sexual tension between Dante and Kat builds slowly, then explodes with satisfying intensity. Crucially, these scenes serve character development rather than existing solely for titillation.
The author handles the progression from fear to desire with care, allowing Kat to reclaim her sexuality on her own terms. Dante’s patience (once they’ve established genuine connection) and his attention to Kat’s comfort demonstrate growth that feels earned. The bedroom scenes reveal vulnerability from both characters, stripping away Dante’s calculating exterior and Kat’s defensive walls.
Writing Style and Execution
Kincaid’s prose leans toward straightforward and accessible rather than literary. She prioritizes plot momentum and emotional beats over elaborate descriptions, which suits the dark mafia genre perfectly. The dual perspective allows readers inside both Dante’s ruthless mind and Kat’s traumatized psyche, creating empathy for characters who might otherwise feel distant.
However, the writing occasionally veers into repetitive territory. Certain phrases and descriptions recur more frequently than necessary, and some internal monologues circle the same emotional beats multiple times. Tighter editing might have streamlined the narrative without sacrificing emotional resonance.
Series Setup: Joey, Lorenzo, and Keres
Dante by Sadie Kincaid concludes with satisfying resolution while clearly establishing groundwork for subsequent books. Joey (Book 2) promises to explore the rebellious sister’s journey, while Lorenzo (Book 3) will undoubtedly delve into the older Moretti brother’s complexities. The final book, Keres, remains mysterious but intriguing given the series trajectory. Kincaid successfully makes readers invested in these future stories without leaving Dante feeling incomplete.
Similar Reads
Readers who enjoy Dante by Sadie Kincaid should explore:
- The Ruthless Reign series by Lana Sky – Another morally gray mafia romance with forced proximity themes
- Tormentor Mine by Anna Zaires – Dark romance featuring obsessive anti-heroes and captivity elements
- Empire of Deception by Rina Kent – British mafia romance with complex family dynamics
- The Scarred Ones by Kia Carrington-Russell – Dark romance addressing trauma and healing
- Twisted Love by Ana Huang – Contemporary romance with protective, dangerous heroes
Final Verdict
Dante by Sadie Kincaid succeeds as dark mafia romance despite its flaws. Kincaid crafts a compelling relationship between two damaged people finding unexpected solace in each other. The book isn’t perfect—pacing issues, ethical concerns about the power dynamic, and occasionally repetitive prose prevent it from reaching five-star territory. Yet for readers who can navigate the darker elements and appreciate morally complex characters, Dante delivers an engaging opening to what promises to be an addictive series.
This is romance for those who prefer their heroes dangerously gray, their heroines fiercely resilient, and their love stories forged in fire rather than fairytales. Sadie Kincaid establishes herself as an author unafraid to push boundaries while maintaining enough heart to keep readers invested. The Chicago Ruthless series has launched with explosive force.
- Recommended for readers who enjoy: Dark mafia romance, forced proximity, enemies-to-lovers, morally gray heroes, trauma recovery arcs, found family dynamics, and spicy intimate scenes.
- Content warnings: Graphic violence, sexual assault (past, not between main couple), mature sexual content, kidnapping, murder.
