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lovehollyxx's review against another edition
5.0
He was nothing. He was everything. He was the only thing I had. ‘You hate me?’ he asked, his voice strained, his pace unrelenting. ‘Yes!’ I cried. ‘I fucking hate you!’ He grinned. ‘One day, you’ll love me. I promise.’ I was afraid that he was right.
Whether you've read the Gypsy Brothers serial or not, Cartel by Lili Saint Germain is a book that you need to read if you like your romance dark and twisted. Having enjoyed the mini-series myself - rating each book between 3 and 4.5 stars - I couldn't wait to get my hands on a younger Dornan Ross, and I could not be happier with what I read.
If you already know of Dornan and his sons, then you know he is most definitely not a good man. He's the worst. But what's important to remember with this novel, is that it's set before all the events we have previously read about. The Dornan in Cartel, isn't the Dornan you knew in Gypsy Brothers. Well, not completely anyway.
I've been describing him as "the man before the monster," and I have to say, though he is twisted, I do have a real thing to him! I know it's crazy, but when you read it yourself, you just might understand. He was sexy, and caring (yes that's right, he once had a heart!!), but still dangerous, and I just loved getting to see how he was back then.
The writing was just fantastic!! I don't know whether it was the help from the publisher, or the fact that the author got to write a full length novel instead instead of instalments, but this book was far better written than her previous works, which as I've already stated, I really enjoyed! I could honestly find no fault at all.
I was drawn in from the beginning, and hooked the entire way through. This is Lili Saint Germain at her absolute strongest. The release of the second book in this series cannot come fast enough; I'm definitely ready for more!!
He was a bad man, the worst there was. But my heart, that treacherous thing inside my chest that sped up whenever he was around? It wanted to betray me. I was falling in love with a monster.
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*
Whether you've read the Gypsy Brothers serial or not, Cartel by Lili Saint Germain is a book that you need to read if you like your romance dark and twisted. Having enjoyed the mini-series myself - rating each book between 3 and 4.5 stars - I couldn't wait to get my hands on a younger Dornan Ross, and I could not be happier with what I read.
If you already know of Dornan and his sons, then you know he is most definitely not a good man. He's the worst. But what's important to remember with this novel, is that it's set before all the events we have previously read about. The Dornan in Cartel, isn't the Dornan you knew in Gypsy Brothers. Well, not completely anyway.
I've been describing him as "the man before the monster," and I have to say, though he is twisted, I do have a real thing to him! I know it's crazy, but when you read it yourself, you just might understand. He was sexy, and caring (yes that's right, he once had a heart!!), but still dangerous, and I just loved getting to see how he was back then.
The writing was just fantastic!! I don't know whether it was the help from the publisher, or the fact that the author got to write a full length novel instead instead of instalments, but this book was far better written than her previous works, which as I've already stated, I really enjoyed! I could honestly find no fault at all.
I was drawn in from the beginning, and hooked the entire way through. This is Lili Saint Germain at her absolute strongest. The release of the second book in this series cannot come fast enough; I'm definitely ready for more!!
He was a bad man, the worst there was. But my heart, that treacherous thing inside my chest that sped up whenever he was around? It wanted to betray me. I was falling in love with a monster.
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*
dragonflyreads's review against another edition
4.0
Mariana Rodriguez's story is introduced to us in Lili St. Germain's Gypsy Brother's Series beginning with Seven Sons. If you've read the series, you know how this tale ends.
"This isn't a fairytale."
"You mean we're not Beauty and the f&*^%ing Beast?"
Mariana lived a good life in Colombia. Her father was always unlucky with gambling but his addiction came at a price and that was her life or the rest of his familys. Mariana agrees to leave home and become slave to Il Sangue Cartel, namely Emilio Ross, kingpin.
"Would you buy me, Dornan?"
"Baby, I already did."
Dornan Ross meets Mariana and can't deny his feelings for her. He wants her in his life and will go to great lengths to keep her with him, including lying to his father about how their relationship will play out.
No matter what her past cards dealt her, Mariana cannot deny the pull she has for Dornan. Pain, suffering, love, all of those emotions are present and they come at a price.
"We were the dirtiest, most forbidden secret of them all. And I loved it."
This is book one of the Cartel series. We will know more of Mariana and Dornan's story in the coming months.
I have to admit, reading about Dornan's softer side was hard. Just knowing the kinds of acts he's capable of and follows through with in the future made me mad at myself for actually rooting for Mariana and Dornan as a couple. With that said, I'm sure Lili thought about her readers feeling that way while she was writing this book. I am truly invested in this series and cannot wait to read what happens next. And thank the stars for no true "curse you Lili St. Germain" cliffhanger. The book ends on a high note.
"This isn't a fairytale."
"You mean we're not Beauty and the f&*^%ing Beast?"
Mariana lived a good life in Colombia. Her father was always unlucky with gambling but his addiction came at a price and that was her life or the rest of his familys. Mariana agrees to leave home and become slave to Il Sangue Cartel, namely Emilio Ross, kingpin.
"Would you buy me, Dornan?"
"Baby, I already did."
Dornan Ross meets Mariana and can't deny his feelings for her. He wants her in his life and will go to great lengths to keep her with him, including lying to his father about how their relationship will play out.
No matter what her past cards dealt her, Mariana cannot deny the pull she has for Dornan. Pain, suffering, love, all of those emotions are present and they come at a price.
"We were the dirtiest, most forbidden secret of them all. And I loved it."
This is book one of the Cartel series. We will know more of Mariana and Dornan's story in the coming months.
I have to admit, reading about Dornan's softer side was hard. Just knowing the kinds of acts he's capable of and follows through with in the future made me mad at myself for actually rooting for Mariana and Dornan as a couple. With that said, I'm sure Lili thought about her readers feeling that way while she was writing this book. I am truly invested in this series and cannot wait to read what happens next. And thank the stars for no true "curse you Lili St. Germain" cliffhanger. The book ends on a high note.
gems_31's review against another edition
4.0
This is a really good book, which built up the suspence quite a bit. the characters were complex and more than once, I was thrown off guard with the way in which doran acted towards Mariana.
I don't think I would class this as a "Romance" as such. Although the lead characters do declare their love for each other towards the end, it isn't the main focus of the book. for me, it's all about survival and what someone is willing to do out of loyalty to the people they love and care for.
It's a really interesting start to this series and I'm now dying to read Kingpin. Thankfully I do have the Gypsy Brother Series, which is set after this series, to keep me going until Kinpin comes out
I don't think I would class this as a "Romance" as such. Although the lead characters do declare their love for each other towards the end, it isn't the main focus of the book. for me, it's all about survival and what someone is willing to do out of loyalty to the people they love and care for.
It's a really interesting start to this series and I'm now dying to read Kingpin. Thankfully I do have the Gypsy Brother Series, which is set after this series, to keep me going until Kinpin comes out
ivets's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't mind the violence or the sick stuff and I really don't mind the dominant male or even the abuse, but this book just didn't quite hit the mark for me. I think it was the relationship building that was lacking. I mean I know that he saved her in a significant way but I felt like they had one real conversation and a couple nights in bed and all of the sudden they're confessing their love to one another. These hardened people in this hard environment? It just didn't follow. I would have liked to see them have more experiences together to make their declarations inevitable rather than unbelievable.
annalei7899's review against another edition
1.0
Unfortunately I was really looking forward to this book, I'm getting into the whole 'mafia' dark romance but I could not finish this book
Could I try again? Possibly but it won't be for a while
Could I try again? Possibly but it won't be for a while
ajreads10's review against another edition
5.0
Just did a reread of this since the series finale was released today. Dornan is the epitome of a villain you love and hate at the same damn time. This series is absolutely amazing and this book pulls at every single emotion you have. 5 stars the first time I read it and 5 stars for the second time around.
ohclaiire's review against another edition
5.0
Sucked in from the start!
As soon as I saw this book I knew I had to read it and start the trilogy. I had previously read the first in the gypsy brothers series before this and I'm kinda glad that I stopped and decided to read this instead as it's before what happens in that series. Loving this!
As soon as I saw this book I knew I had to read it and start the trilogy. I had previously read the first in the gypsy brothers series before this and I'm kinda glad that I stopped and decided to read this instead as it's before what happens in that series. Loving this!
sgrizanti's review against another edition
3.0
Well written, but I couldn't handle the subject matter.
bookdarling1987's review against another edition
4.0
its books like this that make me fall so in love with books and Lili does not disappoint. if you fallow my insane reading patterns then you know I read the entire gypsy brothers series in about a week. I think I would be lying if I didn't say I actually Loved this first book more then that series. seeing what turned Him into the animal that would rape a young girl is shocking and an awesome read.