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megreads99's review
3.0
Of Violent Lineage: ★ ★ . 7 5
Bree Porter (The Vigliano Underworld, #1)
“You are a Vigliano. Your heart is mine, your blood is mine.”
I know it's rare that I don't rate books well, because honestly I am an incredibly generous person when it comes to reviews but as you will find with me always, I am going to be 100% honest with everything I share on this platform.
This author's books are always primarily plot with a side of romance, which I knew coming in and was prepared for. The plot of this book was good, though compared to some of her other books, I felt it lacking slightly. I found it to be predictable and the cliffhanger was calculable, honestly, which I think took away from the appeal of the story.
Giovanni Vigliano is your typical cold, violent, unfeeling mafia don with a soft spot only for his seven year old daughter (understandable as she is cute). There's a difference to me between cold and absolutely devoid of personality, which is what I felt he was. Couldn't connect to him. Couldn't really relate to anything in his mind. He wasn't a man whose head I was particularly impressed with and probably because his POVs didn't add much to the story for me.
Isabella Lombardi is a strong woman, as the author often writes them, and I did like that about her. She knew what she had to do for her family, took it in stride, and was not afraid to demand what she wanted and needed out of a relationship. I appreciated her strength and honestly, her relationship with the Marzia was what kept me going through this book.
I didn't feel a connection between the two main characters, and certainly not enough to be able to call it love because to me, I would put it at acquaintances with minute lust, at the very best. I think it could have been developed further, because after that first date with the roses and the blue paint I was really excited to see their relationship form and then it fell flat after that. They barely talked, there was no time to let the relationship bloom, and especially knowing this is a duet, I think the love confession at the end was just rushed.
I understand that there were some issues with the ebook upload and such with this book, which may have resulted in the oversight, but the writing was flawed–with typos and tense switching from past to present which left me rather muddled at times and focusing on that when I should have been focusing on the story (and no, this was not an ARC). Also had a hard time understanding how much time passed between the beginning and end of book as sometimes weeks flew by, then it was Easter, then it was summer and I was in whiplash.
In terms of the second book–as I mentioned above, the plot and cliffhanger were very predictable to me so I was not left with the feeling of I need to know what happens next in this now or I will die, unfortunately.
Anyhow, cute kids for the win!
Merged review:
Of Violent Lineage: ★ ★ . 7 5
Bree Porter (The Vigliano Underworld, #1)
“You are a Vigliano. Your heart is mine, your blood is mine.”
I know it's rare that I don't rate books well, because honestly I am an incredibly generous person when it comes to reviews but as you will find with me always, I am going to be 100% honest with everything I share on this platform.
This author's books are always primarily plot with a side of romance, which I knew coming in and was prepared for. The plot of this book was good, though compared to some of her other books, I felt it lacking slightly. I found it to be predictable and the cliffhanger was calculable, honestly, which I think took away from the appeal of the story.
Giovanni Vigliano is your typical cold, violent, unfeeling mafia don with a soft spot only for his seven year old daughter (understandable as she is cute). There's a difference to me between cold and absolutely devoid of personality, which is what I felt he was. Couldn't connect to him. Couldn't really relate to anything in his mind. He wasn't a man whose head I was particularly impressed with and probably because his POVs didn't add much to the story for me.
Isabella Lombardi is a strong woman, as the author often writes them, and I did like that about her. She knew what she had to do for her family, took it in stride, and was not afraid to demand what she wanted and needed out of a relationship. I appreciated her strength and honestly, her relationship with the Marzia was what kept me going through this book.
I didn't feel a connection between the two main characters, and certainly not enough to be able to call it love because to me, I would put it at acquaintances with minute lust, at the very best. I think it could have been developed further, because after that first date with the roses and the blue paint I was really excited to see their relationship form and then it fell flat after that. They barely talked, there was no time to let the relationship bloom, and especially knowing this is a duet, I think the love confession at the end was just rushed.
I understand that there were some issues with the ebook upload and such with this book, which may have resulted in the oversight, but the writing was flawed–with typos and tense switching from past to present which left me rather muddled at times and focusing on that when I should have been focusing on the story (and no, this was not an ARC). Also had a hard time understanding how much time passed between the beginning and end of book as sometimes weeks flew by, then it was Easter, then it was summer and I was in whiplash.
In terms of the second book–as I mentioned above, the plot and cliffhanger were very predictable to me so I was not left with the feeling of I need to know what happens next in this now or I will die, unfortunately.
Anyhow, cute kids for the win!
Bree Porter (The Vigliano Underworld, #1)
“You are a Vigliano. Your heart is mine, your blood is mine.”
I know it's rare that I don't rate books well, because honestly I am an incredibly generous person when it comes to reviews but as you will find with me always, I am going to be 100% honest with everything I share on this platform.
This author's books are always primarily plot with a side of romance, which I knew coming in and was prepared for. The plot of this book was good, though compared to some of her other books, I felt it lacking slightly. I found it to be predictable and the cliffhanger was calculable, honestly, which I think took away from the appeal of the story.
Giovanni Vigliano is your typical cold, violent, unfeeling mafia don with a soft spot only for his seven year old daughter (understandable as she is cute). There's a difference to me between cold and absolutely devoid of personality, which is what I felt he was. Couldn't connect to him. Couldn't really relate to anything in his mind. He wasn't a man whose head I was particularly impressed with and probably because his POVs didn't add much to the story for me.
Isabella Lombardi is a strong woman, as the author often writes them, and I did like that about her. She knew what she had to do for her family, took it in stride, and was not afraid to demand what she wanted and needed out of a relationship. I appreciated her strength and honestly, her relationship with the Marzia was what kept me going through this book.
I didn't feel a connection between the two main characters, and certainly not enough to be able to call it love because to me, I would put it at acquaintances with minute lust, at the very best. I think it could have been developed further, because after that first date with the roses and the blue paint I was really excited to see their relationship form and then it fell flat after that. They barely talked, there was no time to let the relationship bloom, and especially knowing this is a duet, I think the love confession at the end was just rushed.
I understand that there were some issues with the ebook upload and such with this book, which may have resulted in the oversight, but the writing was flawed–with typos and tense switching from past to present which left me rather muddled at times and focusing on that when I should have been focusing on the story (and no, this was not an ARC). Also had a hard time understanding how much time passed between the beginning and end of book as sometimes weeks flew by, then it was Easter, then it was summer and I was in whiplash.
In terms of the second book–as I mentioned above, the plot and cliffhanger were very predictable to me so I was not left with the feeling of I need to know what happens next in this now or I will die, unfortunately.
Anyhow, cute kids for the win!
Merged review:
Of Violent Lineage: ★ ★ . 7 5
Bree Porter (The Vigliano Underworld, #1)
“You are a Vigliano. Your heart is mine, your blood is mine.”
I know it's rare that I don't rate books well, because honestly I am an incredibly generous person when it comes to reviews but as you will find with me always, I am going to be 100% honest with everything I share on this platform.
This author's books are always primarily plot with a side of romance, which I knew coming in and was prepared for. The plot of this book was good, though compared to some of her other books, I felt it lacking slightly. I found it to be predictable and the cliffhanger was calculable, honestly, which I think took away from the appeal of the story.
Giovanni Vigliano is your typical cold, violent, unfeeling mafia don with a soft spot only for his seven year old daughter (understandable as she is cute). There's a difference to me between cold and absolutely devoid of personality, which is what I felt he was. Couldn't connect to him. Couldn't really relate to anything in his mind. He wasn't a man whose head I was particularly impressed with and probably because his POVs didn't add much to the story for me.
Isabella Lombardi is a strong woman, as the author often writes them, and I did like that about her. She knew what she had to do for her family, took it in stride, and was not afraid to demand what she wanted and needed out of a relationship. I appreciated her strength and honestly, her relationship with the Marzia was what kept me going through this book.
I didn't feel a connection between the two main characters, and certainly not enough to be able to call it love because to me, I would put it at acquaintances with minute lust, at the very best. I think it could have been developed further, because after that first date with the roses and the blue paint I was really excited to see their relationship form and then it fell flat after that. They barely talked, there was no time to let the relationship bloom, and especially knowing this is a duet, I think the love confession at the end was just rushed.
I understand that there were some issues with the ebook upload and such with this book, which may have resulted in the oversight, but the writing was flawed–with typos and tense switching from past to present which left me rather muddled at times and focusing on that when I should have been focusing on the story (and no, this was not an ARC). Also had a hard time understanding how much time passed between the beginning and end of book as sometimes weeks flew by, then it was Easter, then it was summer and I was in whiplash.
In terms of the second book–as I mentioned above, the plot and cliffhanger were very predictable to me so I was not left with the feeling of I need to know what happens next in this now or I will die, unfortunately.
Anyhow, cute kids for the win!
ledamerouge's review against another edition
5.0
this is fucked up
I LOVE IT
Merged review:
this is fucked up
I LOVE IT
I LOVE IT
Merged review:
this is fucked up
I LOVE IT
xadenviolet's review
2.0
aber, aber, aber, que pasó aquí Bree?
Merged review:
aber, aber, aber, que pasó aquí Bree?
Merged review:
aber, aber, aber, que pasó aquí Bree?
suvani_222's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
elegantfantasy_blogs's review
5.0
"Instead, there was a severity, a darkness, to her that had me unable to look away. She looked like she had been formed from knives instead of a womb."
I love this world [a:Bree Porter|17026954|Bree Porter|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] has created and it's like I can't get enough each passing book. This is the first book in The Vigliano Underworld and it's Giovanni Vigliano & Isabella Lombardi's story. I can easily say that it exceeded all my expectations and I'm quite satisfied with everything right from the plot, the execution, the setting, the characters and the slow but natural chemistry between Isabella & Giovanni. (PS. Their steamy scenes never failed to leave me breathless)
“He is the enemy, the bastard usurper. He is wearing a crown that does not belong to him. Steal it back, Isabella.”
If you read the Tarkhanov Empire duet, you would know that Giovanni had captured the Lombardi territory and Isabella's parents are forced to surrender. But in order to take control of the men and their territory, Giovanni has to take a wife considering that he was known as the "bastard son" aand who better to chose other than the young Lombardi princess, Isabella who had a squeaky clean lineage with both her parents married.
“I might need you, Isabella, but do not assume you are my equal. You’re nothing but salve to the Lombardis wounds. You have your use today but tomorrow? We’ll see.”
Apparently, Isabella's parents are not ready to give up so easily. So they flee and ask her to keep providing information about Giovanni and his dealings so that they can take him down. From years, Isabella just had been seeking for her parents' love and approval. To prove her worth to her parents, she was determined to help them bring her husband down but each passing day spent with him and his daughter Marzia, Isabella's heart starts to betray her mind. Bree Porter writes such strong female protagonists that I can't help but support them and their actions (regardless they are right or wrong) and it was the same when I read Isabella's pov, I couldn't help but root for her since the beginning.
“You’re a monster,” I breathed. A strange look passed over his face. “Indeed, I am. But for you, I could be a man.” He leaned closer. “For you, I could be a husband.”
Giovanni was a poised and controlled man but when it came to Isabella, his control slipped little by little and it was a delight to read about him being jealous lol. His past seems to have left a deep impact on him and I am eager to learn more about it in the next book. He was such a good father and always put Marzia first. He wasn't afraid of showing his emotions to his daughter and he always smiled only to her, it warmed my heart to see Isabella joining their cute little family and her bonding with Marzia was so adorable. Their scenes together never failed to make me happy. Marzia made it so easy for me to like her. She was smart, cute, proud and sweet, she just needed a mother's love to keep her safe and I'm so glad she found that in Isabella.
Overall, the plot was so entertaining and the last few chapters were freaking shocking. I need the second book like yesterday because I don't know how am I going to survive until the next book comes out after that damn cliffhanger. Each character seemed to have their own backstory and I am so intruged about Giovanni's twin Leo and Vincent & Lucrezia's stories.
Merged review:
"Instead, there was a severity, a darkness, to her that had me unable to look away. She looked like she had been formed from knives instead of a womb."
I love this world [a:Bree Porter|17026954|Bree Porter|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] has created and it's like I can't get enough each passing book. This is the first book in The Vigliano Underworld and it's Giovanni Vigliano & Isabella Lombardi's story. I can easily say that it exceeded all my expectations and I'm quite satisfied with everything right from the plot, the execution, the setting, the characters and the slow but natural chemistry between Isabella & Giovanni. (PS. Their steamy scenes never failed to leave me breathless)
“He is the enemy, the bastard usurper. He is wearing a crown that does not belong to him. Steal it back, Isabella.”
If you read the Tarkhanov Empire duet, you would know that Giovanni had captured the Lombardi territory and Isabella's parents are forced to surrender. But in order to take control of the men and their territory, Giovanni has to take a wife considering that he was known as the "bastard son" aand who better to chose other than the young Lombardi princess, Isabella who had a squeaky clean lineage with both her parents married.
“I might need you, Isabella, but do not assume you are my equal. You’re nothing but salve to the Lombardis wounds. You have your use today but tomorrow? We’ll see.”
Apparently, Isabella's parents are not ready to give up so easily. So they flee and ask her to keep providing information about Giovanni and his dealings so that they can take him down. From years, Isabella just had been seeking for her parents' love and approval. To prove her worth to her parents, she was determined to help them bring her husband down but each passing day spent with him and his daughter Marzia, Isabella's heart starts to betray her mind. Bree Porter writes such strong female protagonists that I can't help but support them and their actions (regardless they are right or wrong) and it was the same when I read Isabella's pov, I couldn't help but root for her since the beginning.
“You’re a monster,” I breathed. A strange look passed over his face. “Indeed, I am. But for you, I could be a man.” He leaned closer. “For you, I could be a husband.”
Giovanni was a poised and controlled man but when it came to Isabella, his control slipped little by little and it was a delight to read about him being jealous lol. His past seems to have left a deep impact on him and I am eager to learn more about it in the next book. He was such a good father and always put Marzia first. He wasn't afraid of showing his emotions to his daughter and he always smiled only to her, it warmed my heart to see Isabella joining their cute little family and her bonding with Marzia was so adorable. Their scenes together never failed to make me happy. Marzia made it so easy for me to like her. She was smart, cute, proud and sweet, she just needed a mother's love to keep her safe and I'm so glad she found that in Isabella.
Overall, the plot was so entertaining and the last few chapters were freaking shocking. I need the second book like yesterday because I don't know how am I going to survive until the next book comes out after that damn cliffhanger. Each character seemed to have their own backstory and I am so intruged about Giovanni's twin Leo and Vincent & Lucrezia's stories.
I love this world [a:Bree Porter|17026954|Bree Porter|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] has created and it's like I can't get enough each passing book. This is the first book in The Vigliano Underworld and it's Giovanni Vigliano & Isabella Lombardi's story. I can easily say that it exceeded all my expectations and I'm quite satisfied with everything right from the plot, the execution, the setting, the characters and the slow but natural chemistry between Isabella & Giovanni. (PS. Their steamy scenes never failed to leave me breathless)
“He is the enemy, the bastard usurper. He is wearing a crown that does not belong to him. Steal it back, Isabella.”
If you read the Tarkhanov Empire duet, you would know that Giovanni had captured the Lombardi territory and Isabella's parents are forced to surrender. But in order to take control of the men and their territory, Giovanni has to take a wife considering that he was known as the "bastard son" aand who better to chose other than the young Lombardi princess, Isabella who had a squeaky clean lineage with both her parents married.
“I might need you, Isabella, but do not assume you are my equal. You’re nothing but salve to the Lombardis wounds. You have your use today but tomorrow? We’ll see.”
Apparently, Isabella's parents are not ready to give up so easily. So they flee and ask her to keep providing information about Giovanni and his dealings so that they can take him down. From years, Isabella just had been seeking for her parents' love and approval. To prove her worth to her parents, she was determined to help them bring her husband down but each passing day spent with him and his daughter Marzia, Isabella's heart starts to betray her mind. Bree Porter writes such strong female protagonists that I can't help but support them and their actions (regardless they are right or wrong) and it was the same when I read Isabella's pov, I couldn't help but root for her since the beginning.
“You’re a monster,” I breathed. A strange look passed over his face. “Indeed, I am. But for you, I could be a man.” He leaned closer. “For you, I could be a husband.”
Giovanni was a poised and controlled man but when it came to Isabella, his control slipped little by little and it was a delight to read about him being jealous lol. His past seems to have left a deep impact on him and I am eager to learn more about it in the next book. He was such a good father and always put Marzia first. He wasn't afraid of showing his emotions to his daughter and he always smiled only to her, it warmed my heart to see Isabella joining their cute little family and her bonding with Marzia was so adorable. Their scenes together never failed to make me happy. Marzia made it so easy for me to like her. She was smart, cute, proud and sweet, she just needed a mother's love to keep her safe and I'm so glad she found that in Isabella.
Overall, the plot was so entertaining and the last few chapters were freaking shocking. I need the second book like yesterday because I don't know how am I going to survive until the next book comes out after that damn cliffhanger. Each character seemed to have their own backstory and I am so intruged about Giovanni's twin Leo and Vincent & Lucrezia's stories.
Merged review:
"Instead, there was a severity, a darkness, to her that had me unable to look away. She looked like she had been formed from knives instead of a womb."
I love this world [a:Bree Porter|17026954|Bree Porter|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] has created and it's like I can't get enough each passing book. This is the first book in The Vigliano Underworld and it's Giovanni Vigliano & Isabella Lombardi's story. I can easily say that it exceeded all my expectations and I'm quite satisfied with everything right from the plot, the execution, the setting, the characters and the slow but natural chemistry between Isabella & Giovanni. (PS. Their steamy scenes never failed to leave me breathless)
“He is the enemy, the bastard usurper. He is wearing a crown that does not belong to him. Steal it back, Isabella.”
If you read the Tarkhanov Empire duet, you would know that Giovanni had captured the Lombardi territory and Isabella's parents are forced to surrender. But in order to take control of the men and their territory, Giovanni has to take a wife considering that he was known as the "bastard son" aand who better to chose other than the young Lombardi princess, Isabella who had a squeaky clean lineage with both her parents married.
“I might need you, Isabella, but do not assume you are my equal. You’re nothing but salve to the Lombardis wounds. You have your use today but tomorrow? We’ll see.”
Apparently, Isabella's parents are not ready to give up so easily. So they flee and ask her to keep providing information about Giovanni and his dealings so that they can take him down. From years, Isabella just had been seeking for her parents' love and approval. To prove her worth to her parents, she was determined to help them bring her husband down but each passing day spent with him and his daughter Marzia, Isabella's heart starts to betray her mind. Bree Porter writes such strong female protagonists that I can't help but support them and their actions (regardless they are right or wrong) and it was the same when I read Isabella's pov, I couldn't help but root for her since the beginning.
“You’re a monster,” I breathed. A strange look passed over his face. “Indeed, I am. But for you, I could be a man.” He leaned closer. “For you, I could be a husband.”
Giovanni was a poised and controlled man but when it came to Isabella, his control slipped little by little and it was a delight to read about him being jealous lol. His past seems to have left a deep impact on him and I am eager to learn more about it in the next book. He was such a good father and always put Marzia first. He wasn't afraid of showing his emotions to his daughter and he always smiled only to her, it warmed my heart to see Isabella joining their cute little family and her bonding with Marzia was so adorable. Their scenes together never failed to make me happy. Marzia made it so easy for me to like her. She was smart, cute, proud and sweet, she just needed a mother's love to keep her safe and I'm so glad she found that in Isabella.
Overall, the plot was so entertaining and the last few chapters were freaking shocking. I need the second book like yesterday because I don't know how am I going to survive until the next book comes out after that damn cliffhanger. Each character seemed to have their own backstory and I am so intruged about Giovanni's twin Leo and Vincent & Lucrezia's stories.
holsarmstrong's review
4.0
3.5 stars
This is one of those books that has been downloaded on my kindle for a while and 1am Hollie has decided to pick up and read. I enjoyed this - like pretty much every BP book I have read and I’m gutted to see that book two isn’t out yet or has nothing about when we can expect it.
I won’t lie, this isn’t any different from any other mafia book and has all the same cliches we have claimed to love, but this book is well written and leaves on enough of a cliffhanger that early morning me went searching for the second book.
I liked the pacing, the characters and the stepmother/stepdaughter element. I liked how the romance was building and they never rushed into anything which was nice to see in a mafia romance.
I am curious to see how the final book plays out (although I can imagine) and I’ll be glad to pick it up when it’s out!
This is one of those books that has been downloaded on my kindle for a while and 1am Hollie has decided to pick up and read. I enjoyed this - like pretty much every BP book I have read and I’m gutted to see that book two isn’t out yet or has nothing about when we can expect it.
I won’t lie, this isn’t any different from any other mafia book and has all the same cliches we have claimed to love, but this book is well written and leaves on enough of a cliffhanger that early morning me went searching for the second book.
I liked the pacing, the characters and the stepmother/stepdaughter element. I liked how the romance was building and they never rushed into anything which was nice to see in a mafia romance.
I am curious to see how the final book plays out (although I can imagine) and I’ll be glad to pick it up when it’s out!
atwade's review
3.0
The beginning of this book was pretty slow but I’m really excited for book two, I have a feeling it’s really going to pick up. I enjoyed how slow burn Isabella and Giovannis relationship was, sometimes with the arranged marriage trope couples fall in love way too easily. It really should take a good amount of time to fall in love with someone you don’t even like.
Also love the single parent trope and kids in romance in general. It’s so wholesome watching them become a little family.
Three stars because it was slow and I was annoyed with Isabella the entire time. Like you’re really going to spy for your shitty parents? I get the childhood trauma, but please…
Also love the single parent trope and kids in romance in general. It’s so wholesome watching them become a little family.
Three stars because it was slow and I was annoyed with Isabella the entire time. Like you’re really going to spy for your shitty parents? I get the childhood trauma, but please…
ertisa's review
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
adrianslia's review
4.0
OMG i hate this cliffhanger so much. i have never hated cliffhangers this much in my life!!
bree has become one of my favorite authors ever since konelena. she is so talented and this book was so good.
i liked how the story was “fast paced” and didnt string things along. isabella had such a fierce personality and i adore her. i loved giovanni and marzias relationship (sucker for singles dads). i DID NOT expect that ending and i cant wait for the rest of their story and i will off myself if they dont get their hea.
bree has become one of my favorite authors ever since konelena. she is so talented and this book was so good.
i liked how the story was “fast paced” and didnt string things along. isabella had such a fierce personality and i adore her. i loved giovanni and marzias relationship (sucker for singles dads). i DID NOT expect that ending and i cant wait for the rest of their story and i will off myself if they dont get their hea.