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adypeacock's review
3.5
I like Enrico and Olivia together quite a bit but the story was way too long in my opinion. It also just wasn't the most interesting of plots and the beginning felt a lot like another TL Swan book that I’ve read.
bellal2107's review
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
reeyabeegale's review against another edition
4.0
This is my first ever Mafia romance book, which I read for one of the challenges during #ClanRomanceReadathon.
I had a different expectation with Mafia romance, I thought it would be action-packed with a lot of rescuing and threats, wars between families. I still had that here but The Italian had a more dramatic flare that I was expecting — it dealt with love and family affairs.
It was a good reading experience, I liked that though Enrico was rough with Olivia when they sleep together, it’s not violating. Of course I wouldn’t want it for myself, but it’s fiction and there are people who enjoy this in real life too.
I’m only giving this 4 stars because of a few reasons:
1. I wish Jennifer’s true identity wasn’t revealed prior, it took the element of surprise.
2. That Sergio thing was predictable, I wasn’t surprised at all.
3. I wish Enrico cut-off from Sophia completely — knowing that Ferraras marry for life, it takes away from the idea of Enrico’s faithfulness altogether.
4. That ending was good but it was too convenient, and it felt rushed.
I’m hoping to read the next book, seems like Guilano will be getting his own story — however, I have a hunch that I’d figured out one of the twists there yet again. Hoping I’m wrong so I get to enjoy his story too.
I had a different expectation with Mafia romance, I thought it would be action-packed with a lot of rescuing and threats, wars between families. I still had that here but The Italian had a more dramatic flare that I was expecting — it dealt with love and family affairs.
It was a good reading experience, I liked that though Enrico was rough with Olivia when they sleep together, it’s not violating. Of course I wouldn’t want it for myself, but it’s fiction and there are people who enjoy this in real life too.
I’m only giving this 4 stars because of a few reasons:
1. I wish Jennifer’s true identity wasn’t revealed prior, it took the element of surprise.
2. That Sergio thing was predictable, I wasn’t surprised at all.
3. I wish Enrico cut-off from Sophia completely — knowing that Ferraras marry for life, it takes away from the idea of Enrico’s faithfulness altogether.
4. That ending was good but it was too convenient, and it felt rushed.
I’m hoping to read the next book, seems like Guilano will be getting his own story — however, I have a hunch that I’d figured out one of the twists there yet again. Hoping I’m wrong so I get to enjoy his story too.
suzyq436's review against another edition
4.0
I love this author more and more with every book I read!
The only reason why I knocked off a star is because mafia romance just ain't my thing.
I love alpha heroes especially when they're as bossy and domineering as Enrico but the business side of the mafia is something I am not the least bit interested in.
I also felt the ending was quite rushed and all the troubles and issues were very quickly dealt with.
The only reason why I knocked off a star is because mafia romance just ain't my thing.
I love alpha heroes especially when they're as bossy and domineering as Enrico but the business side of the mafia is something I am not the least bit interested in.
I also felt the ending was quite rushed and all the troubles and issues were very quickly dealt with.
kzimm2024's review against another edition
3.0
GAH- so frustrating.
I gave it an extra star just for the cover model, that was brilliant marketing there I tell you. That man was the only reason I read this book after reading the reviews.
I hated that the author used the phrase "their face fell" about 1x every 5 pages. It did not fit and was over used.
It was a bit of an angsty read for me, so much happened and it felt like too much. Too much emotional drama- I was so disappointed in Enrico, I had hoped he would have cared for her more to not be sleeping with prostitutes while they were apart. Spoiler? oops.
Not feeling very charitable at the moment... the author managed to keep me from dnf'ing it but I was not very happy about it. So it is well written, just the characters and their actions were upsetting. Maybe that is what the author wanted- mission accomplished. I just won't be reading more from her.
I gave it an extra star just for the cover model, that was brilliant marketing there I tell you. That man was the only reason I read this book after reading the reviews.
I hated that the author used the phrase "their face fell" about 1x every 5 pages. It did not fit and was over used.
It was a bit of an angsty read for me, so much happened and it felt like too much. Too much emotional drama- I was so disappointed in Enrico, I had hoped he would have cared for her more to not be sleeping with prostitutes while they were apart. Spoiler? oops.
Not feeling very charitable at the moment... the author managed to keep me from dnf'ing it but I was not very happy about it. So it is well written, just the characters and their actions were upsetting. Maybe that is what the author wanted- mission accomplished. I just won't be reading more from her.
danieller718's review
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
ENRICO FERRARA!!! love him and Olivia Reynolds. i love how they met and that they later reconnected by him making her come to italy for a job. enrico is a mafia boss after his father and grandfather die. Lombari is kookoo but at least he died in the end. Enrico’s sister and his half brother also have a little thing going on which is crazy, i think that’s what the next book is about. also, enrico’s mom was kind of a biatch, didn’t really like her. also, i love how they had a child in the end and got married and stayed on the island. alsooo, loved olivia’s friend from australia and omg jennifer biatch, but at least she helped in the end. overall, a good book and good spicy scenes.
deevarr's review against another edition
4.0
interesting
This was an interesting book. I like how the story continues with a brother’s story for the next book. The book was a bit long so sometimes it dragged. Also sometimes the heroine got on my nerves with her insecurities, docile behavior and naïveté. The hero was way too volatile for my liking.
But overall it was an interesting story
This was an interesting book. I like how the story continues with a brother’s story for the next book. The book was a bit long so sometimes it dragged. Also sometimes the heroine got on my nerves with her insecurities, docile behavior and naïveté. The hero was way too volatile for my liking.
But overall it was an interesting story
smsmith422's review against another edition
5.0
She never lets me down!
TL Swan never lets me down. Her books get better and better, my heart gets taken deeper and deeper and my reading gets faster and faster when it comes to Ms. Swan’s books. Sweet Rico and precious Olivia have stolen my heart. I reread portions of this book to get ready for the next book that is coming out later this month (February 2022). I can truly say that this book had unexpected twists and turns, but in the end I got my happily ever after that I’m obsessed with. Now the spicy scenes deserve all the credit in this book. Let’s just say Rico is a God. I would highly recommend reading this book to prepare for the next one and we can only imagine where that book will be taking us.
TL Swan never lets me down. Her books get better and better, my heart gets taken deeper and deeper and my reading gets faster and faster when it comes to Ms. Swan’s books. Sweet Rico and precious Olivia have stolen my heart. I reread portions of this book to get ready for the next book that is coming out later this month (February 2022). I can truly say that this book had unexpected twists and turns, but in the end I got my happily ever after that I’m obsessed with. Now the spicy scenes deserve all the credit in this book. Let’s just say Rico is a God. I would highly recommend reading this book to prepare for the next one and we can only imagine where that book will be taking us.