Aaliyah's Book Corner

 I may not like coffee, but I would definitely visit this coffee shop! Rosaline Jay’s steamy 162-page novella The Coffee Shop is a book for the babes who love a good bodyguard romance with mafia elements. The erotica in this story is SPICY, as our FMC finds herself in a throuple and in for the ride of her life.

The Coffee Shop is the 1st book of the Deck of Hearts series, with Book 2 The Heart dropping on February 6, 2025.

Plot

Leena Hart is resigned to a boring life with no real direction. She works at a local coffee shop and deals with the monotony of retail and grinding beans. The two perks of her day are the two sexy men making weekly visits to the shop, Sebastian Chase and Luke Campbell. On one fateful day, Leena’s past catches up with her when a patron turns into a would-be assassin.

Sebastian and Luke are former cops turned bodyguards/private investigators. They’ve been visiting the shop for nearly 18 months, ensuring the safety of the gorgeous barista whose father leads a notorious criminal gang. After the action at the coffee shop, the men take Leena to a secluded place, determined to keep her safe. Tension builds, sparks fly, and the three characters face choices in love, safety, and facing the unknown.

Tropes

– Mafia Romance: Leena is the eldest daughter of the King of Hearts, a crime lord in a mafia collective called The Deck. Leena faces danger at every turn and as a teenager/young adult, she moves away and cuts all ties to that lifestyle. Through her connection, Seb and Luke become embroiled in a love affair with the daughter of a mafia guy.

– Forced Proximity: To keep Leena safe, the two men whisk her to a safehouse and tend to her injuries. Being cooped in a house with three very attractive people can lead to some things, mmkay? 

– Polyamory: This is a true throuple. Seb and Luke had had situationships with other women but never, um, “sword-crossed” if you will. With Leena, the men completely let down their inhibitions and their friendship goes up a level.

– Touch Her & Die: Seb and Luke do not play about Leena or her safety. Of the couple action scenes, both men put themselves on the line to protect her. They were already protective during their trips to the coffee shop but it becomes 10 times more potent when they take Leena to the safehouse.

Favorite Moments

1. The banter in the first chapter
2. The Rescue scene
3. The declaration

Overall Rating

5 / 5

Leena is a relatable character, particularly in the beginning. Not knowing where her life was heading, no clear cut goals other than surviving and staying out of drama. Sebastian and Luke are complementary of each other; Seb is the dominant, mysterious one who takes the lead while Luke is the caring and more open. It starts off as a crush on Leena’s part before it evolves into a true throuple. The story continues in the next book The Heart, releasing on February 6th.

The Coffee Shop is available on Kindle Unlimited, and you can find Rosaline Jay on social media (IG, Threads). For more reviews and book content from me, follow the blog, join the conversation in the comments, and follow me on my various platforms.