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adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I got this book as a Christmas gift and I DEVOURED it in a day. This is the debut novel from Victoria Arrow and I'm absolutely blown away by this story. I love a good dark romance and this was one of my first sapphic mafia romances and the bar has been set very high going forward.
Francesca has been obsessed with Giovanna since she was a child and Giovanna was a teenager. There's a 14-year age gap between the two. When Franchesca is brought home by her father to marry Elio, Giovanna's brother, sparks fly- but not between the betrothed couple. As soon as Giovanna sees Francesca all grown up - she's drawn to her- but in no way like a sister-in-law.
This book was intense from beginning to end. The chemistry between Giovanna and Francesca was explosive. Franchesca is at the mercy of her family's decisions and is still a firecracker. Arrow wrote a wonderfully complex character with so many layers that emerge throughout the book. She's precious but fierce. Giovanna is oh my god hold me tight and never let go hot. JEEEEEZZZZ. Her discipline and dedication to her family (even as they oppose her desires) are incredible. She puts up a pretty good fight on her attraction and pull to Francesca, the weight of her family on her shoulders.
The pull between these two is tangible and so incredibly hot.
This is a book with some really heavy topics. The author outlines them at the beginning of the book so if there's a trigger warning that concerns you, pay attention. There's violence and death with mention of sexual assault (not featured on the page).
Arrow takes you on a wild ride through Sydney's dark side, a very complex mafia political power dynamics, and the concept of family honor and following your heart.
This is the first of the series. It looks as though it'll go through each of the Marino siblings. I'll definitely be reading them (even though I think this will be the only sapphic one) when they're released. The story just grabs you by the throat and doesn't let go.
Francesca has been obsessed with Giovanna since she was a child and Giovanna was a teenager. There's a 14-year age gap between the two. When Franchesca is brought home by her father to marry Elio, Giovanna's brother, sparks fly- but not between the betrothed couple. As soon as Giovanna sees Francesca all grown up - she's drawn to her- but in no way like a sister-in-law.
This book was intense from beginning to end. The chemistry between Giovanna and Francesca was explosive. Franchesca is at the mercy of her family's decisions and is still a firecracker. Arrow wrote a wonderfully complex character with so many layers that emerge throughout the book. She's precious but fierce. Giovanna is oh my god hold me tight and never let go hot. JEEEEEZZZZ. Her discipline and dedication to her family (even as they oppose her desires) are incredible. She puts up a pretty good fight on her attraction and pull to Francesca, the weight of her family on her shoulders.
The pull between these two is tangible and so incredibly hot.
This is a book with some really heavy topics. The author outlines them at the beginning of the book so if there's a trigger warning that concerns you, pay attention. There's violence and death with mention of sexual assault (not featured on the page).
Arrow takes you on a wild ride through Sydney's dark side, a very complex mafia political power dynamics, and the concept of family honor and following your heart.
This is the first of the series. It looks as though it'll go through each of the Marino siblings. I'll definitely be reading them (even though I think this will be the only sapphic one) when they're released. The story just grabs you by the throat and doesn't let go.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Sexism, Violence
Moderate: Sexual assault