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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
This is the 2nd book I've read from this author. In both books I have found her writing style to be chaotic and jumpy. Everything moves so fast and the plot and dialogue are all super dramatic and over-emotive. Also there are SO many side characters, with unexplained back stories and what seems like pages and pages of side plots and unnecessary dialogue. I find myself zoning out. Her synopsis always sound really interesting, but I just don't enjoy the reading experience.
My biggest issue with this book was more specific though (spoilers and triggers ahead): okay, 1st thing we discover is that our heroine was viciously gang raped while her husband was forced to watch and then blacked out while he was being killed. The bad guys threaten her life and the life of her children if she doesn't keep her mouth shut and leave Chicago forever. (Husbands family and her family are mafia\mafia adjacent). So she keeps the secret for years, alienates herself from her husbands family and her own. Never tells anyone or talks to anyone about what was done to her. Then suddenly falls into an intense sexual relationship with a former possessive childhood sweetheart, who's been pursuing her on and off for years... Even when she was "happily married." Proceeds to have extremely rough sex (with bizarre breath play, bondage, and the super unsexy appearance of a sex play room and drawers full of random kinky toys?).... All while still never having addressed her super fucked up trauma. She hasn't been emotionally intimate or physically intimate with anyone since BEING GANG RAPED IN FRONT OF HER HUSBAND AND THEN WATCHING HIM DIE.... but seems totally unfazed by her new dominate sexual partner. She's constantly crying through the whole book, understandable given her unresolved trauma and ongoing fear for her life, but turns into unrepressed happy sexual submissive as soon as her clothes come off. When her clothes are on, she's an emotional mess, is CLEARLY unstable, and in need of therapy. But I guess our hero's magic dick will help her forget it all. He's apparently loved her since they where teens, despite his many unexplained gas-lighting and flaky behavior. Yet she immediately is instalove instalust instatrust doormat girl for him. She's supposed to be 40 years old? Don't worry, a therapist is mentioned in the last 5% of the book... So I'm sure she'll be fine.
Also, nothing turns me off more than a weepy emotionally weak mother who flutters her hands and cries when her children act out in frustration and understandable confusion (they never got any grief counseling either apparently) and just ghosts around feeling sorry for herself. Yes our heroine has been through some terrible shit, but she's still the parent, she's the adult. She just sits back and lets her boyfriend and other male family members deal with her "uncontrollable" children. Gross, patronizing, and immature. This is a personal trigger for me though, so it probably won't bother many others.
Also, a 40 year old woman with no job, no hobbies, no apparent day to day interests. With two almost grown children? Not something I enjoy.
Given the number of gushy 5 star reviews, I appear to be in the minority. So read away, if this book peaks your interest. I believe this author's style is just not to my taste.
My biggest issue with this book was more specific though (spoilers and triggers ahead): okay, 1st thing we discover is that our heroine was viciously gang raped while her husband was forced to watch and then blacked out while he was being killed. The bad guys threaten her life and the life of her children if she doesn't keep her mouth shut and leave Chicago forever. (Husbands family and her family are mafia\mafia adjacent). So she keeps the secret for years, alienates herself from her husbands family and her own. Never tells anyone or talks to anyone about what was done to her. Then suddenly falls into an intense sexual relationship with a former possessive childhood sweetheart, who's been pursuing her on and off for years... Even when she was "happily married." Proceeds to have extremely rough sex (with bizarre breath play, bondage, and the super unsexy appearance of a sex play room and drawers full of random kinky toys?).... All while still never having addressed her super fucked up trauma. She hasn't been emotionally intimate or physically intimate with anyone since BEING GANG RAPED IN FRONT OF HER HUSBAND AND THEN WATCHING HIM DIE.... but seems totally unfazed by her new dominate sexual partner. She's constantly crying through the whole book, understandable given her unresolved trauma and ongoing fear for her life, but turns into unrepressed happy sexual submissive as soon as her clothes come off. When her clothes are on, she's an emotional mess, is CLEARLY unstable, and in need of therapy. But I guess our hero's magic dick will help her forget it all. He's apparently loved her since they where teens, despite his many unexplained gas-lighting and flaky behavior. Yet she immediately is instalove instalust instatrust doormat girl for him. She's supposed to be 40 years old? Don't worry, a therapist is mentioned in the last 5% of the book... So I'm sure she'll be fine.
Also, nothing turns me off more than a weepy emotionally weak mother who flutters her hands and cries when her children act out in frustration and understandable confusion (they never got any grief counseling either apparently) and just ghosts around feeling sorry for herself. Yes our heroine has been through some terrible shit, but she's still the parent, she's the adult. She just sits back and lets her boyfriend and other male family members deal with her "uncontrollable" children. Gross, patronizing, and immature. This is a personal trigger for me though, so it probably won't bother many others.
Also, a 40 year old woman with no job, no hobbies, no apparent day to day interests. With two almost grown children? Not something I enjoy.
Given the number of gushy 5 star reviews, I appear to be in the minority. So read away, if this book peaks your interest. I believe this author's style is just not to my taste.
I loved it. Dante had such a character growth and his love for Bridget was amazing. I really love Maggie Cole's books.
I’m sorry. I love toxic males in books (only in books) actually you know what? I’m not sorry. I fell for Dante throughout the book even though he was a total asshat at times. Now you might be asking “Bai, if he’s toxic, why do you love him?”
HE PUT APPLE PIE ON THE MENU AT HIS ITALIAN RESTAURANT BECAUSE HE KNEW SHE LIKES IT. He also called her “dolcezza” and I love pet names in a different language.
Both Dante and Bridget made their mistakes, but I loved how flawed they were. I enjoyed seeing them grow from when they were teens to adulthood. And even in their adulthood they were still screwing up and learning from their mistakes. She was a woman holding onto her fears, and he was a man holding onto his love.
It was definitely an enjoyable read with nice spice! I can’t wait to read the next book!
HE PUT APPLE PIE ON THE MENU AT HIS ITALIAN RESTAURANT BECAUSE HE KNEW SHE LIKES IT. He also called her “dolcezza” and I love pet names in a different language.
Both Dante and Bridget made their mistakes, but I loved how flawed they were. I enjoyed seeing them grow from when they were teens to adulthood. And even in their adulthood they were still screwing up and learning from their mistakes. She was a woman holding onto her fears, and he was a man holding onto his love.
It was definitely an enjoyable read with nice spice! I can’t wait to read the next book!
Toxic by Maggie Cole is a dark mafia romance that I listened to on audio narrated by Aaron Shedlock and Ava Lucas. This is the first book in the Mafia Wars New York series.
I absolutely love Maggie's books! She does an amazing job pulling me into the story. I loved the relationship that bloomed between Dante and Bridget. I really enjoyed getting both of their points of view throughout the book. It really brought the story to life.
I can't wait for the next book in the series Immoral to be released on May 15, 2022 so I can get Gianni and Cara's story.
Aaron and Ava did an amazing job on the narration. They both really know how to bring a story to life. I look forward to listening to more of their work in the future.
I would recommend this book if you like dark romances, mafia romances, first love romances, second chance romances, or romantic suspense.
I absolutely love Maggie's books! She does an amazing job pulling me into the story. I loved the relationship that bloomed between Dante and Bridget. I really enjoyed getting both of their points of view throughout the book. It really brought the story to life.
I can't wait for the next book in the series Immoral to be released on May 15, 2022 so I can get Gianni and Cara's story.
Aaron and Ava did an amazing job on the narration. They both really know how to bring a story to life. I look forward to listening to more of their work in the future.
I would recommend this book if you like dark romances, mafia romances, first love romances, second chance romances, or romantic suspense.
━━ ⋆¸* ★ 2.5 stars
⋆¸* the couple was cute but i wish the mmc would’ve groveled a little more when he messed up.
⋆¸* i read this before i started the first series but i guess that’s okay because during this book we see a couple from the last book
⋆¸* also … does this man ever take a break from wanting to bang?? like a war is happening .. ya girl is breaking … her kids are trying to flee , and you wanna hyuck?
⋆¸* the pacing of the events in this book feels weird , like the plot of memento
⋆¸* excited for the next book tho
⋆¸* the couple was cute but i wish the mmc would’ve groveled a little more when he messed up.
⋆¸* i read this before i started the first series but i guess that’s okay because during this book we see a couple from the last book
⋆¸* also … does this man ever take a break from wanting to bang?? like a war is happening .. ya girl is breaking … her kids are trying to flee , and you wanna hyuck?
⋆¸* the pacing of the events in this book feels weird , like the plot of memento
⋆¸* excited for the next book tho
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Rape
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
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:
Complicated