In this enthralling and intensely romantic sequel to These Violent Delights, Shanghai finds itself besieged, a narrative hailed as “deliciously dark” by New York Times bestselling author Natasha Ngan. The year is 1927, and the city teeters on the brink of revolution.
Having sacrificed her relationship with Roma to shield him from the blood feud, Juliette becomes a relentless force. One misstep, and her cousin stands ready to seize her position as the Scarlet Gang’s heir. To save the boy she loves from the Scarlets’ wrath, Juliette must make him desire her demise, falsely accused of murdering his best friend in cold blood. If she were truly guilty, Roma’s rejection might be easier to bear.
Roma grapples with Marshall’s death, and Benedikt, his cousin, remains distant. Roma blames himself for allowing the ruthless Juliette back into his life and is determined to make amends, even if it means confronting the girl he simultaneously hates and loves.
Amidst the turmoil, a new monstrous threat emerges in the city. Despite the secrets keeping them apart, Juliette must secure Roma’s cooperation to eliminate this danger. Shanghai is on the verge of boiling over: Nationalists march in, civil war murmurs grow louder, and gangster rule faces imminent destruction. Roma and Juliette must unite against both monsters and politics, yet they are unprepared for the ultimate challenge—guarding their hearts from each other.
