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adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Romeo & Juliet...what a roller coaster ride for them both but they DESERVE IT!!!! I knew Emilia wouldn't end that without an HEA but the first half of the book my heart couldn't take the slow burn!!! But it was so worth it. Everyone deserves a partner that is obsessed with them but also saves the other from themselves and supports them unconditionally. Definitely my favorite couple in the Empire of Royals series
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Cursing, Gore, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Stalking, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault
Minor: Rape, Death of parent, Abandonment
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Tropes: Mafia romance, vaguely a Romeo & Juliet retelling, disabled FMC, protective MMC, touch her & d!e, forced proximity, hurt/comfort, praise k!nk, he spoils her
FMC - Juliet: bookstore manager, agoraphobic, previously abused, inner strength, wants to grow & love & explore
MMC - Romeo: Italian Don's second in command, wants someone to love, extremely loyal, secretly sweet
TW: make sure to check (detailed self h@rm)
Wow wow wow. I absolutely ADORED Romeo & Juliet. Somehow, Emilia Rossi was able to use those names for her MCs and not once did it feel cheesy, forced, or contrived. Both characters were illustrated so completely. I wish I could be Juliet's friend and chat about books with her! The way she blooms under Romeo's tutelage?? I adored their dynamic and her healing journey throughout. It would have been so easy for her to continue locking herself away from the world, but she pushes against all of her fears and anxieties, and opens herself up to love and friendship.
I felt every emotion while reading this book. It was a journey from start to finish! Emilia Rossi was able to encapsulate the human experience of trauma, hope, healing, and love so realistically. I felt parts of my own inner hurts healing as I read. Despite the trauma and the inherent dark romance elements of writing a mafia romance, this book was full of sweet and romantic moments. Romeo doesn't posture to Juliet, he immediately gives his kindness, his friendship, and his love. And a lot of gifts!
I also loved how Matteo and Sofiya show up from book 1. They're in it enough to be satisfying without overtaking the plot from Romeo and Juliet. I can't wait to see who gets a book next because I can see multiple ways for the story to continue.
FMC - Juliet: bookstore manager, agoraphobic, previously abused, inner strength, wants to grow & love & explore
MMC - Romeo: Italian Don's second in command, wants someone to love, extremely loyal, secretly sweet
TW: make sure to check (detailed self h@rm)
Wow wow wow. I absolutely ADORED Romeo & Juliet. Somehow, Emilia Rossi was able to use those names for her MCs and not once did it feel cheesy, forced, or contrived. Both characters were illustrated so completely. I wish I could be Juliet's friend and chat about books with her! The way she blooms under Romeo's tutelage?? I adored their dynamic and her healing journey throughout. It would have been so easy for her to continue locking herself away from the world, but she pushes against all of her fears and anxieties, and opens herself up to love and friendship.
I felt every emotion while reading this book. It was a journey from start to finish! Emilia Rossi was able to encapsulate the human experience of trauma, hope, healing, and love so realistically. I felt parts of my own inner hurts healing as I read. Despite the trauma and the inherent dark romance elements of writing a mafia romance, this book was full of sweet and romantic moments. Romeo doesn't posture to Juliet, he immediately gives his kindness, his friendship, and his love. And a lot of gifts!
I also loved how Matteo and Sofiya show up from book 1. They're in it enough to be satisfying without overtaking the plot from Romeo and Juliet. I can't wait to see who gets a book next because I can see multiple ways for the story to continue.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Murder, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault
dark
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Oh Romeo, you art thou most romantic Mafia man.
And Juliet, she's so sweet and lovely despite all life has thrown at her.
Possibly my favorite Romeo line:
“I need you to listen to me, Juliet. The day I get bored eating your sweet p-$$y… well, you can shoot me in the head.”
Emilia took two people and made them sweet and loving in spite of their traumas. Romeo is not your typical emotionally unavailable Mafia man, and that had me hooked in this story from the beginning.
And Juliet, she's so sweet and lovely despite all life has thrown at her.
Possibly my favorite Romeo line:
“I need you to listen to me, Juliet. The day I get bored eating your sweet p-$$y… well, you can shoot me in the head.”
Emilia took two people and made them sweet and loving in spite of their traumas. Romeo is not your typical emotionally unavailable Mafia man, and that had me hooked in this story from the beginning.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Confinement, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexual content, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting
Moderate: Torture, Violence, Vomit, Suicide attempt
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Am I obsessed with this series or what?! I received a copy of the book and I was so excited when I found out. Romeo was so much fun in book 1 and his book did not disappoint. The chemistry between Juliet and Romeo was amazing, it was so natural for them to be together. Juliets issues and trauma were not just pushed aside or solved, but dealt with in an understanding manner from all characters, but especially Romeo. The way he understood and took care of her through different moments was heartwarming. I could just keep raving about this book and it wouldn't be enough.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Sexual content, Violence, Blood
Moderate: Body shaming, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Trafficking
Minor: Rape, Suicide, Death of parent
dark
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Have you ever devoured a book in like a day and then get sad it's over and wish it were longer or that you could read it for the first time again?
Okay, well this is exactly how I feel right now. This book was AMAZING.
From the story plot to the character development. This was so beautifully written and I couldn't help falling in love with Romeo and Juliet. Romeo is my new favorite book bf. SWOON. If you've read His Tesoro (which, in case you haven't - you totally should also) you'll love this one. We also get to see a lot more of Matteo, Sofiya, Noodles, Sienna, Angelo, and bonus: Matteo and Sofiya's baby!
I am so happy I got an ARC of this book and can't wait for you all to experience it.
Okay, well this is exactly how I feel right now. This book was AMAZING.
From the story plot to the character development. This was so beautifully written and I couldn't help falling in love with Romeo and Juliet. Romeo is my new favorite book bf. SWOON. If you've read His Tesoro (which, in case you haven't - you totally should also) you'll love this one. We also get to see a lot more of Matteo, Sofiya, Noodles, Sienna, Angelo, and bonus: Matteo and Sofiya's baby!
I am so happy I got an ARC of this book and can't wait for you all to experience it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood
Moderate: Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Trafficking, Kidnapping
Minor: Body shaming, Rape, Sexual assault, Death of parent
dark
emotional
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is my first ever ARC! I was so excited to read it and I'm glad to say that I enjoyed it. I looooved Romeo and Juliet, it was insta love (or insta attraction?), but I love that kind of thing hahaha.
I was surprised at how dark it had gotten at times. I appreciated how we were able to see the why's though, and that it wasn't just for shock value. And just like with the first book (where I learned about hEDS from Sofiya, along with the struggles related to that), I learned a lot of things re: mental illness and fears likeagoraphobia , and how it affects how one lives.
One thing though, while it looks like both our characters are healing,I don't think Romeo has fully confronted showing his "monster" to Juliet... One thing was resolved; his miscommunication with his mother, but I don't think he fully admitted his anxieties to Juliet yet... But anyway!
I loved seeing bits of Matteo, Sofiya, their baby, Sierra, Noodle AND ANGELOOOO!! I love him, as always, and I'm super excited to read Angelo's book.... hopefully his is next haha
Thanks again to the author for providing me with the ARC! I felt so lucky. I wanted to wait til my vacation to start reading, but I couldn't resist,… and now i have a book hangover 2 days before my break and i don’t know what to read next… maybe i should reread His Tesoro.
I was surprised at how dark it had gotten at times. I appreciated how we were able to see the why's though, and that it wasn't just for shock value. And just like with the first book (where I learned about hEDS from Sofiya, along with the struggles related to that), I learned a lot of things re: mental illness and fears like
One thing though, while it looks like both our characters are healing,
I loved seeing bits of Matteo, Sofiya, their baby, Sierra, Noodle AND ANGELOOOO!! I love him, as always, and I'm super excited to read Angelo's book.... hopefully his is next haha
Thanks again to the author for providing me with the ARC! I felt so lucky. I wanted to wait til my vacation to start reading, but I couldn't resist,… and now i have a book hangover 2 days before my break and i don’t know what to read next… maybe i should reread His Tesoro.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Murder
Moderate: Death, Self harm, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Trafficking, Kidnapping
Minor: Body shaming, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail