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S.J. Tilly – Nero

Nero is the first book in the ever-popular Alliance series by S.J. Tilly, featuring a plus-size female main character (FMC) and a morally gray male main character (MMC).

At the time of publishing this guide, this story was available on Kindle Unlimited.

Here’s more about the book, along with our free Dirty Dozen downloadable discussion guide for your spicy book club.

Book description

Payton

Running away from home at 17 wasn’t easy. Let’s face it though, nothing before, or in the ten years since, has ever been easy for me.

And I’m doing okay. Sorta. I just need to keep scraping by, living under the radar. Staying out of people’s way, off people’s minds.

So when a man walks through my open patio door, stepping boldly into my home, and my life, I should be scared. Frightened. Terrified.

But I must be more broken than I realized, because I’m none of those things.

I’m intrigued.

And I’m wondering if the way to take control of my life is by giving in to him.

Nero

The first time I took a man’s life, I knew there’d be no going back. No normal existence in the cards for me.

So instead of walking away, I climbed a mountain of bodies, and created my own destiny. By forming The Alliance.

And I was fine with that. Content enough to carry on.

Until I stepped through those open doors, and into her life.

I should’ve walked away. Should’ve gone right back out the door I came through. But I didn’t.

And now her life is in danger.

But that’s the thing about being a bad man. I’ll happily paint the streets red to protect what’s mine.

And Payton is mine. Whether she knows it or not.

Click here to buy Nero

Nero book club discussion guide

**PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THIS DISCUSSION GUIDE MIGHT INCLUDE SPOILERS**

We’ve provided the Dirty Dozen below; twelve spicy and intriguing questions to spark discussion and help you uncover the spine-tingling depths of the story.

The Dirty Dozen

Foreplay – Warm Up Questions

1. What’s the overall spice level? 1 (Not Spicy) – 10 (Spiciest Thing I’ve Ever Read)?

2. How does the spice level compare to the other books we’ve read together?

3. How do you feel about a mafia trope? Is it hot or not?

The Spicy Bits – Gettin’ Down and Dirty with the Plot

4. If a stranger broke in and he looked like Nero—dangerous, broody, ridiculously hot—would you run, scream, or let the scene play out?

5. What do you do when the man who broke into your house casually throws his arm around your shoulders on the couch? Does the audacity make it hotter? Would you shove him off, lean in, or pretend you’re not wildly turned on?

6. Do you have an “in public” fantasy or fun story to share?

7. Are you into the way Nero speaks to Payton? Do you like a little dominance in your dirty talk—or does bossy banter kill the vibe for you?

8. How would you feel if someone did for you what Nero did for Payton with her stepdad? Would you be grateful… or terrified? Is vigilante justice romantic, or a red flag wrapped in a suit?

9. What do you think about instalove?

10. What is one thing you like about your body—or something your partner does that instantly gets you going?

11. If Nero were a mocktail, cocktail or specialty coffee, what would be in it? What would your personal spicy drink say about you?

Aftercare – Final Thoughts

12. Payton says she knows that the shape of our bodies doesn’t indicate what kind of person we are, but still feels insecure. What’s something you know is true, but still struggle to believe about yourself? And if Nero whispered it to you while shirtless… would you believe it then?

Bonus: What questions do you have for the author? If you could dog-ear a page with a question for the author, what would it be?

Please feel free to use this post as a starting point for your spicy book club discussions and use the comments below to share your thoughts and insights about the book. You can also get a free downloadable copy of the discussion guide using the button below.

download the Dirty Dozen Questions

Click here to buy Nero

Click here to get Kindle Unlimited

Written by:
Our Spicy Book Club
Published on:
August 2, 2025
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Categories: Book SeriesTags: Alliance Series, Curvy FMC, Dark Romance, Grumpy/Sunshine, Mafia, Morally Gray MMC, Plus-Size FMC, POV - Dual First Person, SJ Tilly Books

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Looking for a trope or theme?

Academia
Accidental Pregnancy
Adoption
Age Gap
Animal Companion
Antihero
Arranged Marriage
Artist
Audiobook Narration – Dual
Audiobook Narration – Duet
Audiobook Narration – Male
BDSM
Beach Read
Best Friend’s Brother
Best Friend’s Daughter
Best Friend’s Sister
Best Friend’s Son
Bi-Awakening
Billionaire
Bisexual
Bodyguard
Boss/Employee
Boy/Girl Next Door
Brother’s Best Friend
Cancer
Captor/Captive
Cheating
Chef
Christmas
Colleagues
Consensual Non-Consent (CNC)
Cozy Romance
Crime
Curvy FMC
Daddy/Baby
Dangerous Attraction
Dark Romance
Death Of A Loved One
Diverse Romance
Divorce/Post Divorce
Doctor/Patient Romance
Doctor/Patient’s Family Member
Dom/Sub
Dominant
Domme/Sub
Dragons
Enemies To Lovers
Erotica
Ex’s Dad
Ex’s Daughter
Ex’s Sister
Exhibitionism
Fairytale Retelling
Fake Relationship
Fall Romance
Famous/Not Famous
Fast Burn
Fated Mates
FFM
Firefighter
Forbidden Romance
Forced Marriage
Forced Proximity
Found Family
Friends To Lovers
Gay Romance
Golden Retriever
Grief
Grumpy MMC
Grumpy/Sunshine
Happy For Now
He Falls First
Historical Romance
Hockey
Holiday Romance
Hotwifing
Inanimate Objects
Independent FMC
Indian
Irish Mafia
Journalist
Kidnapper/Captive
Kink Friendly
Knifeplay
Landlord/Tenant
Law Enforcement
Law Enforcement/Criminal
LGBTQ Romance
Mafia
Masked Stalker
Meet-Cute
Modern Matchmaking
Monarchy
Monk
Morally Gray FMC
Morally Gray MMC
Mystery
Nanny/Parent
Nerds
Nocturne Falls Universe
Nun
One Bed
Paranormal Romance
Pierced MMC
Pleasure Dom
Plus-Size FMC
Polyamory
Possessive Hero
POV – Dual First Person
POV – Dual Third Person
POV – First Person
POV – Multiple First Person
POV – Multiple Third Person
POV – Third Person
Priest/Parishioner
Psychological Thriller
Ranch
Regency Romance
Religious Romance
Religious Trauma
Reverse Harem
Rom-Com
Romantasy
Second Chance
Secret Child
Serial Killer
Sex Club
Sex Worker
Shibari
Shifters
Silver Fox
Single Dad
Single Mom
Sister’s Best Friend
Sister’s Ex
Slow Burn
Small Island Life
Small Town
Sports
Stalker
Step-siblings
Strong FMC
Submissive
Sugar Daddy
Summer Romance
Suspense
Taboo Kinks
Teacher/Parent
Thirst Trap
Thriller
Twins
Twisted Romance
Urban Fantasy
Video Games
Vigilante Justice
Virgin FMC
Voyeurism
Werewolf
Why Choose
Winter
Witch
Wolves
Workplace Romance

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