The Finisher: A Dark Marriage of Convenience Romance (Dark Verse)

I loved the continuation if this universe… Book 4 is about Zee and Alpha… A second chance romance… There are soo many questions at the beginning about their history together that Aloha doesn’t remember!!! Zee had me laughing out loud her personality and how determined she was to have Alpha again… The love she had for both of them… How she kept on trying… I felt all her emotion in this book… That ending was unexpected but I cannot wait to dive into the next book… Loved seeing the other characters in this book aswell

— 4 stars⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“He was her love at first meeting. And she didn't know who he was now, but he was hers."📖 | 417 pages👤 | author RuNyx🏢 | published independently📅 | release date 14 December 2021What you can expect:— Adult Contemporary Dark Romance— Fourth Instalment In A Series— Third-Person POV— Dual POV— Alpha X Zephyr— Amnesia Trope— Second Chance Romance— Marriage Of Convenience— Grumpy/Sunshine— Close Proximity— Secret Underworld Organisations— Check TWsTrigger & Content Warnings include: graphic violence, death & murder, arson, torture, solicitation and sex work, depressive episodes & PTSD, human trafficking and mentions of human slavery, mentions of rape and sexual assault of adults and minors, mentions of illegal dog fights, death of a sibling, kidnapping.The Finisher is the fourth instalment in the Dark Verse series by author RuNyx. Growing up on the streets of Los Fortis, Alessandro 'Alpha' Villanova scrapped his way to the top, fighting for his very survival and losing everything in the process. A city that shunned him then is now the one he rules, albeit alone, as the king of a dark empire few know about. Far from Alpha's world, Zephyr de la Vega has a normal life, normal family and normal drama. Her biggest problem is people trying to make her lose a few pounds. When a chance encounter puts her on his path, she makes a proposition that changes the course of their lives. As a killer goes on a spree in Alpha's city, taking apart his scarred empire corpse by corpse, and The Syndicate comes into play, their partnership evolves into something deeper, more enduring, more powerful than either of them anticipated. Evil ascends. Darkness descends. A new order is born.I don't know what this author sprinkles into this series but its addictive and I cannot get enough. I've binge read all four books over the span of four-five days with no signs of slowing down. The Finisher is darker and grittier as we're thrust further into the illegal and disgusting antics of The Syndicate as our characters across all four books come as a team to try and take them down. I'm impressed to see the little easter egg questions or pieces of information that are laid out in earlier books to then come full circle in newer instalments to this series. I was an emotional mess by the end of this book which is a true testament to RuNyx as a writer. I very rarely get physically emotional over books... but my goodness my heart is aching. You truly connect with the characters, their backstories and their loved ones in this emotional and heart-wrenching tale... The Finisher has yet again ripped by heart into shreds before carefully beginning the process of stitching it all back together. I'm genuinely afraid and anxious for what book five will bring.Zephyr was an absolutely delightful ball of sunshine who fiercely and unapologetically goes after what she wants. Jumping into the arms of the biggest man in the room after discovering your boyfriend cheating on you... whilst your boyfriend watches? Iconic. True queen behaviour. I love how the mysterious history between Zephyr and Alpha was alluded and teased for much of the book, before the hidden past is finally revealed in a much expected emotional manner. It was hilarious to read as Zephyr obsessed over Alpha is an almost innocent manner, as we quickly learn that they do share a history that Alpha does not remember. Her relentlessness and Alpha's sheer bafflement offered a much-needed lightness to an otherwise emotionally-heavy book. I'm very much an Alpha-girl and not afraid to claim as much. But I'm also a Tristan and a Dante girl so... why choose, anyone? I had a lot of fun watching as Zephyr slowly forged cracks in Alpha's stoic and firm nature. After being horrifically scarred in an altercation that he doesn't remember, and a body strength that he can't always control... Alpha has understandably distanced himself from the opposite sex. Zephyr re-discovers him at the best time as she recognises the longing and loneliness that he harbours, and honestly their dynamic is everything. Alpha is so concerned about unintentionally physically harming his Rainbow, but Zephyr refuses to back down and is intent on proving just how unbreakable she is. I adore these two and I love how well-matched they are.The plot-line in The Finisher was filled with so many twists, turns and betrayals that I fear I had whiplash. My jaw was very rarely connected to the roof of my mouth as each page left me gasping and desperately flicking to the next. Seriously... that ending? I am in pain. But I'm also so happy to be getting drip-fed much needed answers at a steady and consistent page. Considering we're now on the fourth instalment of the Dark Verse series, I was genuinely concerned about the storyline dragging and taking too long to offer answers and solutions. That is absolutely not the case for me, and instead I find myself feral for more. More and more and more. Also the moments when Morana, Tristan, Amara and Dante are all back on the page? Glorious. I'll never be tired of seeing this group on page and within dialogue. I desperately miss being in the point-of-view of Morana, but I'm also enjoying the fresh set of eyes and the story progression that comes with it.The Dark Verse series is a story that spans across six interconnected books that have to be read in order to understand the continued plot despite the change of focus on different couples.

I absolutely loved this book. Zeph and alpha are everything. Her energy and how she loved made her the best character and alpha was just amazing. The plot twist was something I never saw coming and was pleasantly surprised. I can’t believe it but at the same time I can. This book is a lot lighter than the others in terms of there’s not really any on page assaults to the main character. I get this series is about that but when it’s every book it gets to repetitive. Can’t wait for the next book. Really enjoyed this one and I would deffo recommend!

This is probably my least favourite so far. And I feel mean for saying it. With this one I didn’t really get the plot behind it. Yes there was more droppings of the syndicate for the series plots, but there were so many bits that didn’t seem finalised or to have some sort of purpose to THIS story. The weirdness with Alec (ex boyfriend) and Alpha knowing of his ‘doings’ but then never getting the closure of that? Their relationship also wasn’t that…climatic? I didn’t feel their bond growing, their relationship developing. Zephyr was obsessed and still inlove from the time before, and honestly it was really annoying how repetitive she was and constantly ‘slumping’, it was very Yo-Yo and a little cringe. And then suddenly alpha decides he wants her after refusing her for so long? Even when he did finally gave in, I still didn’t feel their connection in all honesty, he had eyes and compliments on other women more than with Zee and it didn’t sit right, I wasn’t invested in this couple as I was with others. Hardly any moments or dialogue to showcase their affection and connection changing.It was marriage of convenience trope and felt like it ended in ‘marriage because it’s comfortable’. There were some good parts that I was intrigued by for the overall plot across the series with the syndicate etc, so I was there for that so I can read the next one. But unfortunately this one just didn’t have the same vibes as the previous books which was a shame. Overall I love Runyx’s stories and writing, I just hope the next two are great as we come to the end of this series. (PS what is with similar names. First Morana and Amara now Zephyr and Zenith?!)

So far this book has been my favourite!!I loved Tristan and moranas story, I loved Dante and Amaras story. But Alpha and Zee are end game for me!!Firstly I felt myself in Zee, and hiw she poors her love into everything. But I also feel Alphas pain and the changes it made to him. I would absolutely love more of their story.This series has me hooked and I love it. Each book giving you just enough But not the entire story. Just leading you to need more and more!!RUNYX YOU LEGEND!! YOU STRIKE AGAIN!!

That plot twist whoa, never saw it coming one bit, am obsessed with their story but it was wayyyy too short

I thought i had guessed the plot twist twice in this book but nope i was wrong and boy was it a tear jerker :'( brilliant book yet again

At the beginning, I was unsure because I prefer for the man to do the chasing, and then I kept reading and I realized why Zephyr was insisting on getting with Alpha and ughhhhh my heart couldn’t take it, I couldn’t stop reading it. This book is bittersweet, and I would keep reading the story of Alpha and Zephyr. One thing I couldn’t get over was her pet names for him, but hey, it seemed to work for them. Loved the surprise twist about Zen and how it is all connected throughout the series. The spice level on this one was moderate compared to the first 2 tho I still enjoyed it

O que dizer desses dois?! Eu amei demais The Finisher e como o suspiro do livro do Dante trazendo esse casal de tirar o fôlego. O Alpha é maravilhoso demais e eu amo jeito mais bruto e ao mesmo tempo fica derretido quando a Zephyr pede ou faz alguma coisa. E a Zephyr é um sentimento! Ela não sente medo de demonstrar amor e faz tudo pela felicidade dela e eu amei demais esse livro!! E o plot do final..., não estava esperando

"𝑯𝒊𝒔 𝒖𝒈𝒍𝒚 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒃𝒆𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒇𝒖𝒍."⭐⭐🎇⭐⭐RuNyx is unable writing anything but 5 stars! I’ve died and been reborn. Ripped apart and put back together. Lived multiple lifetimes in between these covers. Loved and laughed, cried and crumbled.This highly anticipated fourth installation to the beloved Dark Verse series has you crying tears of anger as well as of happiness, has you believing in rainbows behind the grey skies and in love that forces its way through stone."𝑹𝒂𝒘, 𝒃𝒓𝒖𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉, 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕'𝒔 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔."Power, allure, dominance. A giant with a golden eye. Alessandro “Alpha” Villanova has fought his way through the darkness of life with his fists, earned every bit of his reputation as the one-eyed beast with sweat, blood and sacrifices. Until one day, the ever-present gray clouds darkening the skies of his kingdom, are pushed to the side when a girl made of pure sunshine literally jumps into his life with a marriage proposal. She’s the colorful burst of light into his darkness, a rainbow after the storm."𝑺𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒂𝒊𝒅 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒏𝒂𝒎𝒆. 𝒁𝒆𝒚-𝒇𝒖𝒓𝒓. 𝑺𝒉𝒆'𝒅 𝒑𝒖𝒓𝒓 𝒊𝒇 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒂 𝒄𝒂𝒕 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒂𝒊𝒅 𝒊𝒕, 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒃𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒚 𝒈𝒐 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒐𝒐 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒓𝒖𝒃 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒊𝒎."One of the things I love most about Zephyr, is her way of loving (and lusting!) wholly and without shame, giving herself entirely to what she is feeling and not caring what others think. Zephyr De la Vega, the girl with the bubble gum colored hair, doesn’t know any other way to love than utterly, completely and with all her heart."𝑲𝒊𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒉𝒊𝒎 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔𝒏'𝒕 𝒂 𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒆𝒅 𝒎𝒂𝒏, 𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒕 𝒉𝒊𝒎 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒖𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒓𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒆𝒚𝒆𝒔."Alpha sees himself as something ugly and horrific. But "𝑯𝒊𝒔 𝒖𝒈𝒍𝒚 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒃𝒆𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒇𝒖𝒍." The strength he carries himself with, the honor in ways he offers his protection to those in need, is what she sees. The beauty of the beast.Zephyr is a child of light, and the darkness of his world threatens to dim that light. But she fights it with everything she’s got, like the stubborn creature she is. She is determined to find her way underneath the hard outer exterior and into the heart of her Alpha. This curvy little spitfire turns his world upside down in ways he never saw coming.I see so much of myself in Zephyr; how deeply she loves and what she is ready to do for those closest to her heart. And when she believes something is meant to be, there are no sacrifices too great to make to achieve the fairy tale."𝑺𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍 𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒒𝒖𝒂𝒕𝒆. 𝑺𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍 𝒃𝒆𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒇𝒖𝒍. 𝑺𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒓𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆."Sometimes, however, old insecurities came gnawing at her and during those times, she didn’t feel beautiful. She just wants what we all want; to feel loved, needed and appreciated. And most of all, wanted. To feel unwanted is one of the greatest pains in this world.Their story explores emotions in a wide scale; from stone cold fear to sky-high happiness to fire hot desire. What I’ve always loved about this writer, is her way of never shying away from areas of discomfort, when it comes to human emotions. Her characters are real and perfect in their imperfections. Things of darkness are always treated with utmost respect and honesty. Her stories show unapologetically what, for example, periods of depression and extreme hopelessness look like, sometimes balancing on that very edge of life and death. They teach us that all emotions are valid and everyone deserves to be loved just as they are. Even during the heaviest of storms, there is always hope. Always a rainbow on the other side of the clouds.The author writes from the heart, honestly and without restraint. Something I truly adore, is her way of always staying true to the stories. They course through her veins like rapids in the wilderness, live inside her heart, maturing into tales unlike anything I’ve ever read. The words explode like drops of finest wine on my tongue, their taste fine-tuned to perfection, lingering scents of the divine."𝑰𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒂 𝒗𝒐𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒊𝒎𝒂𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂 𝒓𝒐𝒐𝒎 𝒐𝒇 𝒑𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆, 𝒂 𝒗𝒐𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒊𝒎𝒂𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒅𝒊𝒓𝒕𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒂 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓, 𝒂 𝒗𝒐𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒅𝒂𝒓𝒌 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒅 𝒑𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓."The heat between them is explosive, their chemistry off the charts. Alpha is literal sex on legs, a giant with the stamina of a true beast. Zephyr is liquid fire, a woman comfortable with her own sensuality and not afraid to show it. In true RuNyx fashion, this book is best enjoyed in private (because the sexual tension will make you squirm) and with a cool beverage (because the steam will leave you parched) 😏🔥The story serves a plethora of tropey goodness, hitting the nail on the head on Marriage of convenience, mixed with a twist on beauty/beast and fighter/his girl.We meet the couples from the previous books and seeing familiar faces from another character’s perspective is always fascinating. They are investigating the connection between The Syndicate and the mystery of the missing girls, but where one question is answered, ten new ones arise.The ending includes a tiny revelation to the last book in the series, which will leave you gasping…!! Feelings of perplexity and confusion are best dealt with re-reading the previous books looking for clues you might’ve missed (stuff in previous books make so much more sense now!), followed by a full-blown investigation with notes and charts of the plot twists with friends 😁Be prepared for an all-nighter with this one! The book can’t be put down. It truly can’t. RuNyx is the evil master of barbequing my ovaries in the hellfire that is the steam she writes. Of making my soul weep for the beauty she creates with her words. Those words weave the most hauntingly beautiful of melodies that echo within the halls of your mind long after you’ve finished reading, the notes slowly fading into the ink black skies…The love I have towards her books is infinite 🖤 Thank you, girl with the magic words ✨

This book cannot be read as a standalone.The audiobook are narrated by the amazing Wen Ross and Ramona Master.I was expecting that this book was darker but no, it was mind blowing.Zephyr loves Alpha for all of her life.Alpha is the boss of the city and doesn’t remember her…

The Finisher, the fourth book in RuNyx’s Darkverse series, is by far the most emotionally charged and impactful in the series. While many dark romances focus heavily on smut and spice, this novel delves deeper, offering an emotional resonance that lingers long after the last page. The intensity of the emotions—ache, pain, love—is palpable, making it a standout entry in the genre.The female protagonist is one of the most relatable characters in the series. Her inner struggles with darkness and insecurities, while trying to keep others happy, make her character endearing and easy to connect with. RuNyx has created a heroine readers can either love or relate to, raising the emotional stakes throughout the story.What truly sets The Finisher apart is its ability to convey raw emotion. From romance to the painful trials of the characters, the emotional depth is profound, often tugging at the heartstrings. The plot is gripping, and the love story is masterfully intertwined with twists that keep readers invested. RuNyx skillfully ties up loose ends while leaving anticipation for the next book.As expected, the spice and smut are perfectly executed, enhancing the emotional journey without overshadowing it. The novel holds attention from the first page to the last, making for a captivating experience.In summary, The Finisher is a masterclass in dark romance. With its blend of emotional depth, engaging plot twists, and passionate romance, it stands as the best in the Darkverse series so far, delivering a truly unforgettable reading experience.