Review: Beautiful Scar by B.B. Hamel

Plot Summary

I thought I was getting a surprise birthday party.

Instead, it’s a wedding, and I’m the unwilling bride.

Tigran Sarkissian is gorgeous brutality in a designer suit, and I’m shocked at how badly I want him from the moment we share our first kiss at the wedding altar.

I’m expected to move into his house, sleep in his bed, and carry his baby. No complaints.

Except I’m a recluse. I’ve been hiding away for the last twelve years.

Forget about marriage, I can barely go outside.

I don’t care if he’s got beautiful, rough hands and a filthy mouth. I refuse to fall head over heels when he strokes the ugly scar down my cheek.

My new husband might own my womb—but he won’t control me.

Right until a rival gang tries to destroy the alliance we’re creating, and an evil sicko from my past wants to finally kill me after all these years.

As I fight for my safety, I just might have to trust my possessive and psychotic husband to survive.

My Review

Rating: ★★★☆ ☆(3/5)

Beautiful Scar by B.B. Hamel delivers a steamy, emotionally intense romance set against the violent, high-stakes world of the mafia. With its blend of forced proximity, reluctant attraction, and underworld intrigue, this story offers a gripping and passionate read.

Dasha has lived in near isolation for over a decade, hiding from a traumatic past that left both physical and emotional scars. So when she’s lured to what she thinks is a surprise birthday party—only to find herself in an arranged marriage to mafia boss Tigran Sarkissian—her world turns upside down. The marriage is meant to solidify a powerful alliance between rival families, but Dasha is far from a willing bride.

Tigran is known for his cold ruthlessness and commanding presence, but behind the sharp suits and icy demeanor lies a man who’s more complex than he first appears. From their first kiss at the altar, the chemistry between them crackles. As Dasha fights against the expectations forced upon her, Tigran begins to break down her walls—not with softness, but with a dark, possessive devotion that’s as confusing as it is compelling.

The romance is a slow-burn that thrives on tension. Dasha resists falling for a man she’s supposed to fear, while Tigran becomes increasingly drawn to her strength, scars and all. Their relationship is filled with power struggles, heated glances, and moments of surprising tenderness that slowly shift their connection from reluctant alliance to something deeper. The emotional intimacy develops in step with the physical, making their bond feel earned despite the unconventional beginning.

Woven through this emotional journey is the gritty reality of mafia life. The book paints a vivid picture of this dangerous world—where loyalty is currency, enemies lurk in every shadow, and violence simmers just beneath the surface. Tigran isn’t just a name in the criminal world—he’s a man in constant control, making calculated moves to protect his empire and, unexpectedly, his new wife. When a rival gang threatens the fragile alliance and a figure from Dasha’s past resurfaces with deadly intent, their relationship is tested not only by emotion but survival.

Beautiful Scar is a dark and addictive romance with strong mafia elements and a heroine fighting to reclaim her agency. It’s a story of control, desire, and unlikely trust, perfect for readers who enjoy dominant anti-heroes, arranged marriage tropes, and the thrill of love blooming in dangerous places.