Society of Villains series by L.J. Shen reading order (and where i’d actually start)
i came for the mafia.
i stayed for the men who desperately needed therapy.
the society of villains series wasn’t on my radar until bad bishop. then twisted pawn happened and somehow l.j. shen made me like it even more.
if you’re looking for dark mafia romance with obsessive men, arranged marriages, second chances, and enough tension to keep you reading until 2 a.m., this is one of the better series i’ve picked up recently.
is the society of villains series worth reading?
yes.
especially if you’re tired of mafia romance that’s all vibes and no plot.
these books actually balance both.
you get the family politics, the betrayals, the spice, and fictional men that make objectively terrible decisions because they’re hopelessly in love.
and while i enjoyed bad bishop…
twisted pawn completely stole the show.
the books
read this if:
you like arranged marriage, age gaps, morally black men, and mafia politics.
this one builds the world.
Bad Bishop
✓ on kindle unlimited
sold to a psychopath prince who thinks she’s a pawn… but she might be the one who brings him to his knees.
read this if:
second chance romance is your weakness.
Twisted Pawn
✓ on kindle unlimited
she betrayed him twice… now the man she once loved is hunting her, and this time he plans to finish it
this is my favorite in the series so far.
achilles is all yearning, unresolved feelings, and “i definitely never stopped loving you.”
can you read them as standalones?
technically, yes.
each book follows a different couple, so you won’t be completely lost if you jump in.
that said…
i’d still read them in order.
bad bishop introduces the family, the world, and the dynamics that make twisted pawn hit so much harder.
trust me on this one.
my take
i’ve read both books.
and i’m impatiently waiting for the third.
bad bishop is a solid introduction to the world.
twisted pawn is where i completely bought in.
if l.j. shen keeps this momentum going with fallen rook, this is going to end up being one of my favorite mafia romance series.
meet the fictional men
tiernan callaghan • bad bishop
the mafia king who mistakes control for love.
arranged marriage, morally black, terrifyingly protective, and absolutely not the man your parents would approve of.
meet the fictional man
achilles ferrante • twisted pawn
the assassin who never stopped loving her.
all the resentment, all the yearning, and somehow still one of the biggest romantics in the series.
meet the fictional man
coming soon…
fallen rook
i’m already nervous.
judging by the first two books, i have a feeling this man is about to become everyone’s next problem.
what to read after the society of villains series
still in the mood for mafia romance?
if you want another obsessive mmc that i rated 6 stars, pick up phantom mine.
if you’re looking for something darker, lawless god should be next on your list.
book previews
or browse by trope:
final thoughts
the society of villains series understands something a lot of mafia romances forget.
the romance has to matter just as much as the crime.
if you like obsessive men, morally questionable decisions, and enough emotional tension to keep you reading “just one more chapter,” i’d absolutely recommend starting this series.
want more like this? say less.
the full romance library is waiting.
peek inside the society library
take me to the library →frequently asked questions
what order should i read the society of villains series?
can i read the society of villains books as standalones?
which society of villains book is the best?
are the society of villains books spicy?
what tropes are in the society of villains series?
who are the fictional boyfriends in the society of villains series?
is the society of villains series on kindle unlimited?
what should i read after the society of villains series?
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