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heather_whit's review
3.0
Holy wow!! Yes this is a dark story..Yes this is filled with 1 mafia boss that is self absorbed and so tenacious it could cost him his life. Yes we have a strong heroine that has a past all on her own. Now those 3 together usually pull me in, but there was just something about these characters that didn't work for me. I gave it 3 stars because it does have a good storyline and plot. With this being said I am going to end my review and let you form your own opinion about this book.
beckiebookworm1974's review against another edition
3.0
Not quite sure just how to rate this one, it was certainly different and unique with that whole farm concept but it was just really difficult to get my head around the whole shocking and dehumanising scenario.
I went into this fairly blind and if I'm honest if I'd know just quite what I was getting myself into with this I think it would have been a hard pass from me.
This was filled with things that stretched my boundaries way past what I was comfortable with.
So this is dark romance, not that I thought it was really a romance, in my opinion, this is more dark suspense there was very little romance here at all dark or otherwise.
Its told in a very unique way it's almost like a continuation of an ongoing story after the fact.
I think the author has done it this way to remove you from the overall horror of 327's captivity telling you through a series of flashbacks to try and remove you and lessen the overall impact, trying to forge a sense of connection but also a sense of detachment with the anti-hero Breaker.
Newsflash this didn't work for me I just couldn't remove myself from the atrocity's being committed here.
327 is completely dehumanised in this and while I found her strength and overall resilience admirable her love for Breaker was just so hard to comprehend not because she loves a monster but because I don't think that monster did anything that would actually make her feel that way towards him.
I mean throughout this all he did was lie to himself and attempt to get rid of the thing he perceives as his weakness.
This was all to stop his own personal feelings and emotions it was all about him he was just so selfish and weak-willed.
He definitely didn’t come across as a leader or someone to follow, he ruled by fear alone.
I actively disliked Breaker throughout this, I like a good psycho as much as the next girl but I struggled to find anything even slightly redeemable in Breaker at all, even at the end when he admits his feelings towards 327 theirs still no apology nothing from him at all.
So this did leave us with some slight questions which I imagine will be revealed further in this series. nothing major just some slight loose ends.
I did enjoy this to a point but I struggled with the content and as such my rating reflects this.
I won't be proceeding any further in this series as though excellently written this one was not quite for me.
So, unfortunately, this is the end of the road for me folks.
If you like your reads dark this may be a fit, I like dark but struggled a lot here.
I voluntary reviewed a copy of Brutal & Raw (Beneventi Family, #1).
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com
beereading's review against another edition
5.0
Dark, dirty, and oh so delicious.
I love a good gritty dark romance, and this one DID NOT disappoint. Well written book with an amazing plot. If S.J is new to you ... take that chance and dive head first.
I love a good gritty dark romance, and this one DID NOT disappoint. Well written book with an amazing plot. If S.J is new to you ... take that chance and dive head first.
juls_d's review against another edition
3.0
This book centres around the Beneventi crime family and their leader’s obsession with a girl that escaped him. This is a very dark book and not for the faint hearted, the subject matter is at times really gruesome and graphic and the concept of “the farm” is a bit disturbing. However, it is really well written and hopefully in following books the romance will come out a bit more.
The central story focuses on Breaker Beneventi and his, somewhat distorted, view of love for a girl he refers to as 327, a prisoner who he had developed feelings for (after kidnapping her) and then subsequently released. 327 (or Lyla) has found a safe-haven and is trying to move on with her life however this does not go to plan. I would like to learn more about Lyla’s past and see how this story develops as well as learning more about the other Beneventi siblings.
The central story focuses on Breaker Beneventi and his, somewhat distorted, view of love for a girl he refers to as 327, a prisoner who he had developed feelings for (after kidnapping her) and then subsequently released. 327 (or Lyla) has found a safe-haven and is trying to move on with her life however this does not go to plan. I would like to learn more about Lyla’s past and see how this story develops as well as learning more about the other Beneventi siblings.
lisa01's review against another edition
5.0
Do you want a dark story that will keep you reading into the night? How about on the edge of your seat? Well I couldn’t put this one down! The story left me Brutal and Raw! This isn’t your normal hearts and flowers read. It is dark, suspenseful and thrilling. The characters are evil, difficult and manipulative. I couldn’t get enough of them! Being inside Breaker’s head...I am twisted up! I can’t even say whether I like or hate Breaker for his choices and decisions. 327 is strong! She struggles with herself over thoughts and feelings, living or not living. Does she want to be free of him or free with him?
This is not my first book by this author. Each one is better than the last. This story blows me away! The characters are so hard and difficult but yet a small glimmer of softness. But Day-Um she knows how to manipulate my heartstrings with them. I will tell you she doesn’t give all the answers. I can’t wait for the next one!
This is not my first book by this author. Each one is better than the last. This story blows me away! The characters are so hard and difficult but yet a small glimmer of softness. But Day-Um she knows how to manipulate my heartstrings with them. I will tell you she doesn’t give all the answers. I can’t wait for the next one!
fish3718's review against another edition
5.0
If you like Psychological Thriller, this is a must read. Brutal & Raw by Sonya Jesus.is just that a Psychological Thriller with a little bit of Romance thrown in the mix. Sonya Jesus does a great job of keeping me the reader on the seat of my chair. Not only this book a Psychological Thriller and Romance, but also a Mafia story as well. The characters are complex on many different levels. It was written with so many details that the images flew off the page. This is about a Mafia boss who told too many details of his life to a woman. The woman ran away and could expose the family with what she knows. What will the Mafia boss do to contain the woman and her knowledge? This a must read for all Psychological thriller fans
bwagner's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book. This is the first book in this author’s new series, I can’t wait for the second book. I have read all of this author’s books and this is my favorite yet so far. This is a well written story that has a little bit of everything in it including suspense that left me sitting on the edge of my seat just waiting to see what was lurking in the shadows. Her characters are connectable and both good and bad which makes the story engaging and a page turner. Lyla is on the run from the mafia boss but she is also the one that has the control to bring his organization down. She is a great, strong character that has a great control but what will she do with it? I highly recommend reading this book and find out what happens next.
angelahayes's review against another edition
5.0
5 Stars
Wow!! This book certainly lives up to the title- Brutal & Raw!!! This latest offering from Sonya Jesus is a dark, gripping, and intense ride. The action starts right from the beginning, and drags you into the story kicking and screaming. So many times I wanted to shut the book and turn away from the bloody and violent details, but the story is so compelling I really needed to know how everything turns out.
The characters are fully realised individuals, with their own personalities, depth, and flaws. There is definitely a love/hate relationship with them, for me- the MC’s really messed with my emotions as I really felt for 327 and everything she endured. I wanted to hate Breaker and did at times, but my heart broke for how he became the brutal man he is. He is such a complicated mix and that is what both drew me to him and repulsed me at the same time. Then there are the supporting characters, who got as much development as the MC’s. Sonya Jesus unleashes the monsters as there are some totally despicable psycho’s to be found between these pages!
This book is not for the feint of heart- there are gruesome and shocking developments that will twist your heart, turn your stomach, and leave you reeling! So, consider yourself warned!!!
This is definitely a series I have to follow- so bring on Book #2!!
Thank you, Sonya Jesus!
Wow!! This book certainly lives up to the title- Brutal & Raw!!! This latest offering from Sonya Jesus is a dark, gripping, and intense ride. The action starts right from the beginning, and drags you into the story kicking and screaming. So many times I wanted to shut the book and turn away from the bloody and violent details, but the story is so compelling I really needed to know how everything turns out.
The characters are fully realised individuals, with their own personalities, depth, and flaws. There is definitely a love/hate relationship with them, for me- the MC’s really messed with my emotions as I really felt for 327 and everything she endured. I wanted to hate Breaker and did at times, but my heart broke for how he became the brutal man he is. He is such a complicated mix and that is what both drew me to him and repulsed me at the same time. Then there are the supporting characters, who got as much development as the MC’s. Sonya Jesus unleashes the monsters as there are some totally despicable psycho’s to be found between these pages!
This book is not for the feint of heart- there are gruesome and shocking developments that will twist your heart, turn your stomach, and leave you reeling! So, consider yourself warned!!!
This is definitely a series I have to follow- so bring on Book #2!!
Thank you, Sonya Jesus!
kazbo5771's review against another edition
5.0
Brutal & Raw is Book 1 in the Beneventi Series by Sonya Jesus. Jesus is a new author to me and if this book is anything to go by then I’m sure this series is going to be outstanding. I absolutely loved this book. I was instantly gripped from the very beginning and was not let go until the story ended. Even then, I think I was still enmeshed in this fantastically woven tale.
Lyla Vaughn has escaped from the clutches of mafia boos Breaker Beneventi and has no intention of ever being captured by him. So why does he still control all her thoughts? And why can’t she forget how good he made her feel at times?
Breaker Beneventi has recently killed his mafia boss father and has taken over the family. His head is all over the place though and not totally in the game. The one woman who has ever interested him (Lyla, or number 327, as she’s known) has been allowed to escape and he needs her back, to kill her, as she knows far too many of his secrets.
This is a fascinating tale, told from both POV’s as Lyla tries to evade capture by staying at a woman’s refuge and Breaker does everything possible to find her.
The author does a fantastic job of keeping you on the edge of your seat, wondering what the hell is going to happen next. I can add that there are a few curveballs thrown that I never saw coming and totally surprised the hell out of me.
I guarantee any reader will love this book if you like a good psychological thriller. I really could not put this book down and eagerly anticipate more of this series.
Lyla Vaughn has escaped from the clutches of mafia boos Breaker Beneventi and has no intention of ever being captured by him. So why does he still control all her thoughts? And why can’t she forget how good he made her feel at times?
Breaker Beneventi has recently killed his mafia boss father and has taken over the family. His head is all over the place though and not totally in the game. The one woman who has ever interested him (Lyla, or number 327, as she’s known) has been allowed to escape and he needs her back, to kill her, as she knows far too many of his secrets.
This is a fascinating tale, told from both POV’s as Lyla tries to evade capture by staying at a woman’s refuge and Breaker does everything possible to find her.
The author does a fantastic job of keeping you on the edge of your seat, wondering what the hell is going to happen next. I can add that there are a few curveballs thrown that I never saw coming and totally surprised the hell out of me.
I guarantee any reader will love this book if you like a good psychological thriller. I really could not put this book down and eagerly anticipate more of this series.
kirchersmiles's review against another edition
5.0
Brutal & Raw: Mafia Romance & Psychological Thriller (Beneventi Family Book 1) by Sonya Jesus
5 ++++++++ Stars
Oh my word!! WOW!! Not sure where to start with this review….
This is my second book by this author and I’m completely blown away, like sitting here trying to figure out what I just read. I have to confess that when I was at the very beginning I was a bit worried because I was more than a little confused as to what was happening, but that lasted about 5 minutes and then I was so fully immersed in this story that putting it down physically hurt...then at 5% left I closed the book and immediately went to see if the second was out yet because I was scared to death to finish it, I didn’t want to finish it! In looking for the second (which to my sadness is not out yet) I found the novella that came out last year..I quickly purchased that and will be starting that the second I’m done with this review.
No book I’ve ever read has matched a title more than this book! My mind is still all jacked up, there are so many moving parts of this story that take your emotions, squeezes the life out of them then twists them up and has you questioning so many things about how you feel about certain characters in this book. Then add in the twists and turns that have you spinning like a top and I’m telling you right now I feel completely raw.
I’m not even going to attempt to sum up this storyline...the author’s blurb is enough. I am going to attempt to convince anyone that loves to read to buy this book. I’d say buy the novella and this one even if I haven’t read the novella yet, I knew without a doubt I had to have it. Some of the content of this story was completely cringe worthy but that didn’t stop me from becoming completely invested in these characters.
I will be the first in line to buy the next book and will be stalking or I mean following this author everywhere waiting for news on the next!
As I mentioned above..Completely blown away with this authors writing style and the way she made me feel the emotions described.
PHENOMENAL!!
5 ++++++++ Stars
Oh my word!! WOW!! Not sure where to start with this review….
This is my second book by this author and I’m completely blown away, like sitting here trying to figure out what I just read. I have to confess that when I was at the very beginning I was a bit worried because I was more than a little confused as to what was happening, but that lasted about 5 minutes and then I was so fully immersed in this story that putting it down physically hurt...then at 5% left I closed the book and immediately went to see if the second was out yet because I was scared to death to finish it, I didn’t want to finish it! In looking for the second (which to my sadness is not out yet) I found the novella that came out last year..I quickly purchased that and will be starting that the second I’m done with this review.
No book I’ve ever read has matched a title more than this book! My mind is still all jacked up, there are so many moving parts of this story that take your emotions, squeezes the life out of them then twists them up and has you questioning so many things about how you feel about certain characters in this book. Then add in the twists and turns that have you spinning like a top and I’m telling you right now I feel completely raw.
I’m not even going to attempt to sum up this storyline...the author’s blurb is enough. I am going to attempt to convince anyone that loves to read to buy this book. I’d say buy the novella and this one even if I haven’t read the novella yet, I knew without a doubt I had to have it. Some of the content of this story was completely cringe worthy but that didn’t stop me from becoming completely invested in these characters.
I will be the first in line to buy the next book and will be stalking or I mean following this author everywhere waiting for news on the next!
As I mentioned above..Completely blown away with this authors writing style and the way she made me feel the emotions described.
PHENOMENAL!!