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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
"He wasn’t an easy person to understand. Or to love. But I’d fallen anyway."
Be With Me is a tough read at times. It broke me in the best possible way. For every on the page heartbreak there were so many beautiful moments of connection and building something better from the ashes of the past. Romolo and Mia both carry heavy burdens as a result of trauma/neglect. Both have been shaped by life and neither trusts easily. And from a situation that pitted them against each other, with his mafia family at odds with her politically aspiring father, comes a soul deep bond that overcomes any emotional wounds they each have.
I adored how devoted Romolo was. He oozed possessive protection. I loved his ways to manipulate situations to get closer to Mia. And I loved her (misplaced) loyalty. She was so in need of validation and approval that she was being run ragged by her family commitments. In Romolo she finds peace and acceptance of herself.
This is a gorgeous Romeo and Juliet retelling with two warring families and two people destined to fall in love in spite of the differences. Together they are stronger. The narrative is a teasing slowish burn romance. But the passion when they ignite is explosive and unrivalled.
An all round five star mafia romance.
Be With Me is a tough read at times. It broke me in the best possible way. For every on the page heartbreak there were so many beautiful moments of connection and building something better from the ashes of the past. Romolo and Mia both carry heavy burdens as a result of trauma/neglect. Both have been shaped by life and neither trusts easily. And from a situation that pitted them against each other, with his mafia family at odds with her politically aspiring father, comes a soul deep bond that overcomes any emotional wounds they each have.
I adored how devoted Romolo was. He oozed possessive protection. I loved his ways to manipulate situations to get closer to Mia. And I loved her (misplaced) loyalty. She was so in need of validation and approval that she was being run ragged by her family commitments. In Romolo she finds peace and acceptance of herself.
This is a gorgeous Romeo and Juliet retelling with two warring families and two people destined to fall in love in spite of the differences. Together they are stronger. The narrative is a teasing slowish burn romance. But the passion when they ignite is explosive and unrivalled.
An all round five star mafia romance.
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
‘Be With Me’ is the first book in the ‘House of Ferraro’ series; it centres around Mia who’s this picture-perfect daughter of the future mayor, and Romolo the morally grey mmc and the son of a Mafia Don to which Mia’s father has it out for.
Mai is portrayed as this well put together person who does everything that’s asked of her—she’s such a people pleaser and hates to disappoint others. As we gain more of an understanding on Mia’s character we begin to see that in fact she’s crumbling under the pressure to live up to everyone’s expectations; she slowly learns that she can’t please everyone and that it’s okay to be selfish and takes things for herself. And i think that was one of my favourite parts about her character growth.
Romolo’s character also suffered from a traumatic past. Yet he didn’t want to believe he deserved to be loved. From the beginning he’s captured by Mia; showing signs of possessiveness and jealousy from the get go. HEHE. I loved how he always wanted to take care of her.
The author does a good job balancing the mystery and suspense; throw in some political intrigue, secrets, betrayals and you have an interesting concoction.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read. Rom and Mia had such a pull when it came to each other. They equally and respectfully brought their own baggage to the table yet the way they were both there for one another and pushing each other to be better versions of themselves was so sweet. Also another note, I really enjoyed Mia’s friend group. I hope to see more of the girls and potential have each of them coupled up. We’re already getting Cosimo & Fabi. So that leaves Alessio & Zo and Nina & ???.
Tropes:
- Enemies to lovers
- Good girl X bad boy
- Forbidden romance
- Protective x obsessed MMC
- Slow burn
- Touch her & die
- Scandalous political twists
- Slow burn
- Touch her & die
- Scandalous political twists
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
relaxing
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
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
5⭐️
3.5🌶️
Gabrielle Sands proves time and time again that she is one of the mafia romance queens!
I loved Mia & Rom’s story - from their first encounter, to their secret forbidden “one night only” style relationship. The entire story was gripping, entertaining and so, soooo hot. These two might just be my new favourite character couples of hers! 🩷
3.5🌶️
Gabrielle Sands proves time and time again that she is one of the mafia romance queens!
I loved Mia & Rom’s story - from their first encounter, to their secret forbidden “one night only” style relationship. The entire story was gripping, entertaining and so, soooo hot. These two might just be my new favourite character couples of hers! 🩷
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
dark
emotional
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:
Yes
dark
hopeful
medium-paced