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charlee92's review against another edition
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I liked things and I didn't like things. I would like nico and then he'd say or do something that was a bit much for me. but I do love a morally gray guy so it was hard for me to dislike him all together. some very cute moments. good banter. mild spice.
the overall plot reminded me a lot of 50 shades (I won't spoil it). falls in love super quick and neither character believe the other could love them so it's a slow burn.
overall if you like mafia romances yes I'd recommend it. they're just not top of the list for me, but I wanted to give it a try. I also listened to the audiobook and I think reading would have been better. I'd give this 2.5.
the overall plot reminded me a lot of 50 shades (I won't spoil it). falls in love super quick and neither character believe the other could love them so it's a slow burn.
overall if you like mafia romances yes I'd recommend it. they're just not top of the list for me, but I wanted to give it a try. I also listened to the audiobook and I think reading would have been better. I'd give this 2.5.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Sexual harassment
maruu_t's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Blood, Death, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Murder, Physical abuse, and Violence
tianabooks's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Gun violence, Violence, and Blood
anger566's review against another edition
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I felt like it was longer than it needed to be, with an anti-climatic ending
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Murder, Gun violence, and Blood
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Pregnancy, Addiction, Drug use, Death, and Infidelity
Minor: Rape, Death of parent, and Sexism
It’s a mafia romance so there’s parts concerning organized crime (death, murder, gun violence, regular violence, blood). There’s some sexist elements (women in the family aren’t allowed to choose their husbands-arranged marriage; they’re seen as tainted if they have sex before marriage).literamy's review
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.25
i heeded everyone’s warnings to turn my feminism off (or at a least dial it down) before i read this one and it was well worth it. i love you, sweet, kind romantic Elena Abelli and i love you Nico “hit a woman in front of me and you won’t be alive to do it again” Russo <3 if you’re looking for a dark spicy romance with a questionable morality that has a happy ending, this is the one. it’s a bit predictable in all the best ways, it’s funny in the moments that you won’t expect, and it’s just an overall page-turning read! i devoured it in one sitting and just went along with the thrill of the ride. my first foray into mafia romance absolutely did not disappoint!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Gun violence, and Sexual content
becxreadz's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Liked
*Slow burn romance
*Sexual tension was hot
*Alpha man with good heart
*Sassy female character
*Take no shit hero
*Sex scenes were top notch
*Family relationships
*Slow burn romance
*Sexual tension was hot
*Alpha man with good heart
*Sassy female character
*Take no shit hero
*Sex scenes were top notch
*Family relationships
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Death, Drug use, Gun violence, and Murder
bribreez's review
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
After so much back and forth on whether or not I wanted to read this book. I finally decided to take the plunge and read this book. Initially, I was always hesitant since this book is considered a “Dark Romance” book and sometimes I’m not comfortable with the material that goes on in dark romances, but I will say I have read some mafia romance books in the past… most of them being on Wattpad. Nonetheless, after hearing so many good things about this book and series, I wanted to know myself.
This was another book out of my comfort zone, similar to when I first read the “Twisted” series books by Ana Huang. I’ve always been fascinated by mafia storylines, and while most of the men in these stories aren’t exactly… within the feminist ideals, I made sure to keep an open mind while reading, especially with the characters. The whole time I kept reading all I could think was, “GOODBYE FEMINIST VIEWS AND HELLO CONTROLLING POSSESSIVE ALPHA MAN!” Not to mention the amount of unaliving people left and right, it took me by surprise, but then again it is a mafia story so I wasn’t completely unaware it wasn’t going to happen at some point in the book.
Elena and Nico were a mixture a hot tension that was about to erupt at any moment, and when they finally gave into each other… WOW! They did not hold back. In a way, I felt like the beginning half of the book was a back and forth of Elena and Nico flirting, almost crossing the boundaries between them, in a sense it reminded me of “cat and mouse”. Obviously neither accurately depicts how Elena and Nico were, but that’s what kept crossing my mind while reading.
This was my first dark romance book, and thankfully I enjoyed it. I was initially worried that some of the themes or characters wouldn’t be my “cup of tea”, but I actually liked the story and while the characters didn’t become my absolute favorites, nonetheless I found Elena and Nico’s relationship fascinating. Obviously this book did mention some violent themes, but for the most part the subject material wasn’t too much that I found myself feeling uncomfortable. I would say if you’re curious about this book/series and looking to dip your toes into dark romance books, I would say this would be a good place to start.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Gun violence, Murder, and Violence
mybookishdelights's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Heat Level: High multiple graphic sex scenes, oral sex
This is a mafia/gang romance. It's the first one I've read of its type so I have no idea if it's good for that particular genre. As far as sexual/romantic tension and angst though... hot damn!
I'm not sure how I feel about romanticizing the mafia. This isn't fantasy and I say that because I forgive a lot more in fantasy than I do in my contemporary fiction. Having said that, I don't think this particular book romanticized it. This was about a romantic relationship that is within the setting of the mafia. It's not really romanticizing the mafia itself. It's violent and brutal, but both characters are a part of this world and understand the rules.
It does have a couple tropes that were predictable, but when you read a lot of romance books it's hard to not predict how things will go and it doesn't affect my enjoyment. But here they are in case they bother you or maybe you like them:strong lust at first sight, forced marriage, miscommunication, "anyone touches you, they die" .
I don't know if I would recommend this if graphic violence bothers you, but it is worth the read for the all that tension. Cause damn.
CAWPILE Score: 8.43 = 4.5 stars
Characters: 8
Atmosphere: 8
Writing: 8
Plot: 8
Intrigue: 9
Logic: 9
Enjoyment: 9
This is a mafia/gang romance. It's the first one I've read of its type so I have no idea if it's good for that particular genre. As far as sexual/romantic tension and angst though... hot damn!
I'm not sure how I feel about romanticizing the mafia. This isn't fantasy and I say that because I forgive a lot more in fantasy than I do in my contemporary fiction. Having said that, I don't think this particular book romanticized it. This was about a romantic relationship that is within the setting of the mafia. It's not really romanticizing the mafia itself. It's violent and brutal, but both characters are a part of this world and understand the rules.
It does have a couple tropes that were predictable, but when you read a lot of romance books it's hard to not predict how things will go and it doesn't affect my enjoyment. But here they are in case they bother you or maybe you like them:
I don't know if I would recommend this if graphic violence bothers you, but it is worth the read for the all that tension. Cause damn.
CAWPILE Score: 8.43 = 4.5 stars
Characters: 8
Atmosphere: 8
Writing: 8
Plot: 8
Intrigue: 9
Logic: 9
Enjoyment: 9
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Blood, Murder, and Sexual content
Moderate: Misogyny, Drug use, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Pregnancy and Sexual violence
sofiarmz13's review
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol, Blood, Cursing, Misogyny, and Murder
Minor: Death of parent, Drug abuse, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, and Vomit
amaliesalma's review
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Death, Death of parent, Gun violence, Murder, Violence, Toxic relationship, and Blood
Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, and Pregnancy