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callmeluh's review against another edition
dark
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
3.0
I read this book for two reasons: I wanted to read smut, and BookTok has finally won.
Maybe I had too many expectations, but I didn't enjoy this book as much as I'd hoped. I hated the first part: Elena annoyed me to no ends, and I was bored out of my mind. I did decide to push through, mostly because I hate dropping a book. And thank f*ck the second half was better, and it made up for the first part, BUT I can't say that I loved this book as a whole.
So yes, it wasn't love at first page, however I will continue reading this series, because I'm too curious for my own good
Maybe I had too many expectations, but I didn't enjoy this book as much as I'd hoped. I hated the first part: Elena annoyed me to no ends, and I was bored out of my mind. I did decide to push through, mostly because I hate dropping a book. And thank f*ck the second half was better, and it made up for the first part, BUT I can't say that I loved this book as a whole.
So yes, it wasn't love at first page, however I will continue reading this series, because I'm too curious for my own good
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Sexual harassment, Drug use, and Drug abuse
the_paperbackprincess's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Drug use
Arranged marriage, main character experiences a minor form of PTSD.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
messyread's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Misogyny, Murder, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Torture
amaliesalma's review against another edition
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
michellemaas's review against another edition
dark
inspiring
mysterious
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
First read: 3.5 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Second read: 4 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
*First Read*
I want to premise this review by saying that I really did like this book but there were quite a few things I didn't like so just because I highlight those doesn't mean it's a bad book. In my opinion, you should definitely read the entire series since it is a top-tier mafia romance. Now that that's out of the way I'll jump right into things!
At times Nico and Elena were not good love interests. I get we're working with an edgy mafia romance with non-traditional main characters, but there was an instance where Nico described Elena as someone who "has the body of a porn star" and a scene where Elena she said she "didn't want men's respect (including Nico's)". Other than the fact that I'm pretty sure that scene set women empowerment movements back a couple of decades, both instances just rubbed me the wrong way and I couldn't get through this review without mentioning it.
Also, Elena was just a really annoying protagonist sometimes. I can't put into words why I felt that way but I did. Maybe it was the whole "pick-me" thing she had going on? Maybe it was the fact that she was attracted to and actively pursuing her sister's fiancee (even if it was an arranged marriage that's still not okay). You'll get what I'm saying once you read it.
Other than that, the sexual tension was A-plus (pool scene I'm talking about you). I liked the way the arranged marriage was resolved and the gas station scene was ICONIC (no other word for it). This book was mostly docked for missing some action. This is a mafia romance and neither of our main characters was seriously injured. I don't even think either of them got shot? I want at least one situation where I think one of my main characters is going to die (even if I know they won't).
I am going to end off by repeating that this is still a good book even if I had my gripes with it. Will definitely be rereading it soon!
*Second Read*
I had to bump up the rating after my reread because their sexual tension is EVERYTHING!! This series is by far the best mafia romances I've read (and since first reading it last year, I have read MANY others). I still agree with what I said in my original review, though I'm not nearly as bothered by those issues this time around as I was last. My biggest problem this time was the pacing. The first 60% went by in the blink of an eye, but as soon as Nico and Elena got together it lost a lot of its steam. Would still highly highly recommend if you're looking for a good Dark Romance though!
Second read: 4 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
*First Read*
I want to premise this review by saying that I really did like this book but there were quite a few things I didn't like so just because I highlight those doesn't mean it's a bad book. In my opinion, you should definitely read the entire series since it is a top-tier mafia romance. Now that that's out of the way I'll jump right into things!
At times Nico and Elena were not good love interests. I get we're working with an edgy mafia romance with non-traditional main characters, but there was an instance where Nico described Elena as someone who "has the body of a porn star" and a scene where Elena she said she "didn't want men's respect (including Nico's)". Other than the fact that I'm pretty sure that scene set women empowerment movements back a couple of decades, both instances just rubbed me the wrong way and I couldn't get through this review without mentioning it.
Also, Elena was just a really annoying protagonist sometimes. I can't put into words why I felt that way but I did. Maybe it was the whole "pick-me" thing she had going on? Maybe it was the fact that she was attracted to and actively pursuing her sister's fiancee (even if it was an arranged marriage that's still not okay). You'll get what I'm saying once you read it.
Other than that, the sexual tension was A-plus (pool scene I'm talking about you). I liked the way the arranged marriage was resolved and the gas station scene was ICONIC (no other word for it). This book was mostly docked for missing some action. This is a mafia romance and neither of our main characters was seriously injured. I don't even think either of them got shot? I want at least one situation where I think one of my main characters is going to die (even if I know they won't).
I am going to end off by repeating that this is still a good book even if I had my gripes with it. Will definitely be rereading it soon!
*Second Read*
I had to bump up the rating after my reread because their sexual tension is EVERYTHING!! This series is by far the best mafia romances I've read (and since first reading it last year, I have read MANY others). I still agree with what I said in my original review, though I'm not nearly as bothered by those issues this time around as I was last. My biggest problem this time was the pacing. The first 60% went by in the blink of an eye, but as soon as Nico and Elena got together it lost a lot of its steam. Would still highly highly recommend if you're looking for a good Dark Romance though!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Gun violence, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Torture, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Violence, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Blood, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Murder, Pregnancy, Sexism, and Infidelity
Minor: Domestic abuse, Drug use, and Grief
ashleycmms's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Blood, Alcohol, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Sexism, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Pregnancy and Vomit
carolzinh4's review against another edition
dark
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Drug use and Gun violence
naaytaashreads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
“We lay side by side and watched a girl fall in love. One of us already had, and the other knew she never would.”
This is it.
I feel like my expectations of love and the love of my life has gone way beyond expectations, I blame this book. The book set my standards too high not that is impossible to fulfil.
This book was wow.
Definitely a new genre of erotica romance I'm stepping into.
Just a warning, it's definitely not a book and genre for everyone. You either hate it or love it.
I've been obsessed with mafia plotlines since wattpad days and now I have it in this, I LOVE IT.
It was a dark, gory, toxic, tense, sexual, bloody, strong alpha male and just a great time honestly.
I feel like the story was told in a slow burn sexy narrative. My heart was beating in slow motion, holding my breath in what's going to happen next, who is going to die and what chaos Nico is going to do.
It is a pure heavily dark romance focus. A little on action development but more really focus on Elena's "past" romance and her future romance.
She had a secret she is keeping and trying to make up for what happened to her.
Her character development was seen in a very secretive corner of the book if you didn't realise it. You see bits and pieces of it there before she truly shines.
Nico was wow. I love him, I want him and I need him,
He is a King alright. Pure mafia breed.
He scares me most of the time but it's like fuck it, I love you, give me those fears.
Whenever it's Elena's POV and something happens between them and I just want to know Nico's POV but we don't get it... I'm there screaming "I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HE THINKS"
The romance wise was pure sexiness. Like scary sexy.
It was sweet, scary, dominant, strong and lots of sexual tension. When it's sweet, trust me I melt.
Trust me, that ending got me bawling my eyes out. Like, warn a girl first before doing that. hehe.
P.s I love Benito, can we please have his storyline.
And as annoying he is, I want a Tony redemption story.
“I loved how big he was and how I always felt small and safe with him. The truth was, I loved everything about him and there was no going back. It was full speed ahead, like a train that couldn’t”
This is it.
I feel like my expectations of love and the love of my life has gone way beyond expectations, I blame this book. The book set my standards too high not that is impossible to fulfil.
This book was wow.
Definitely a new genre of erotica romance I'm stepping into.
Just a warning, it's definitely not a book and genre for everyone. You either hate it or love it.
I've been obsessed with mafia plotlines since wattpad days and now I have it in this, I LOVE IT.
It was a dark, gory, toxic, tense, sexual, bloody, strong alpha male and just a great time honestly.
I feel like the story was told in a slow burn sexy narrative. My heart was beating in slow motion, holding my breath in what's going to happen next, who is going to die and what chaos Nico is going to do.
It is a pure heavily dark romance focus. A little on action development but more really focus on Elena's "past" romance and her future romance.
She had a secret she is keeping and trying to make up for what happened to her.
Her character development was seen in a very secretive corner of the book if you didn't realise it. You see bits and pieces of it there before she truly shines.
Nico was wow. I love him, I want him and I need him,
He is a King alright. Pure mafia breed.
He scares me most of the time but it's like fuck it, I love you, give me those fears.
Whenever it's Elena's POV and something happens between them and I just want to know Nico's POV but we don't get it... I'm there screaming "I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HE THINKS"
The romance wise was pure sexiness. Like scary sexy.
It was sweet, scary, dominant, strong and lots of sexual tension. When it's sweet, trust me I melt.
Trust me, that ending got me bawling my eyes out. Like, warn a girl first before doing that. hehe.
P.s I love Benito, can we please have his storyline.
And as annoying he is, I want a Tony redemption story.
“I loved how big he was and how I always felt small and safe with him. The truth was, I loved everything about him and there was no going back. It was full speed ahead, like a train that couldn’t”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Gun violence, Blood, and Drug use
rashellyreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Danielle Lori, you've done good my friend.
I think I could read about Nico and Elena's relationship all day for the rest of my entire life. I'm actually angry with myself for not finding this book any sooner. The dynamic between "good girl who is sick of the rules" and "literal king of the most dangerous mafia" is (AGHHHHH) so good! I felt like I was reading one of those good-girl-bad-boy Wattpad books but 100% better.
Like, where is the movie for this book??? It's so hard to cast perfection but damn you might as well TRY!
If it were me instead of Elena, I would kill to be with Nico. I mean, I'm sure she would have too.
I think I could read about Nico and Elena's relationship all day for the rest of my entire life. I'm actually angry with myself for not finding this book any sooner. The dynamic between "good girl who is sick of the rules" and "literal king of the most dangerous mafia" is (AGHHHHH) so good! I felt like I was reading one of those good-girl-bad-boy Wattpad books but 100% better.
Like, where is the movie for this book??? It's so hard to cast perfection but damn you might as well TRY!
If it were me instead of Elena, I would kill to be with Nico. I mean, I'm sure she would have too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Gun violence, and Violence
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Sexual harassment, Grief, and Drug use