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_katnissreads_ 's review for:
Be With Me
by Gabrielle Sands
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Rating - ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨/5
Tropes - Forbidden romance, Enemies to Lovers, Obsessed Mafia hero, good girl/bad boy, yearning, mystery and suspense
Thank you, Gabrielle Sands, for the ARC 🫶.
A book with Romeo and Juliet retelling with the touch of mafia romance, with mystery and suspense? I was so in !! From the beginning to the end, I was hooked. I love the whole story. It has all the check boxes I would ever want in a mafia romance and has the exact amount of spice and romance that might curl your toes.
Mia and Romolo are complex characters shaped by their past traumas, unresolved angst, simmering tension, and undeniable chemistry. As enemies, their dynamic is intense and layered, but as the story unfolds, you come to understand the roots of their personalities and develop a deep fondness for them. Mia is one of the most selfless FMCs—strong, caring and constantly pushing herself to meet others’ expectations, especially her father's. Romolo, on the other hand, embodies the morally grey MMC—intelligent, strategic, and always in control. Surprisingly, they mirror each other more than they realise; both have grown up craving the love they never received. Yet, in each other’s presence, they begin to learn what true, unconditional love really means.
Their character development is beautifully portrayed. Mia gradually learns the importance of self-care and embracing her desires without guilt, thanks to Romolo's influence. He, in turn, opens up emotionally, allowing her to see his most vulnerable sides and slowly letting go of the walls he's built around himself.
What had me completely hooked on this book was the chemistry between the characters, paired with an obsessive mafia hero who’s fiercely protective, jealous 🤭, and absolutely brimming with heart-wrenching longing. I can't recommend this story enough. If you're craving a tale featuring a broken, morally grey male lead, a forbidden romance, and a touch of political intrigue, this book is an absolute must-read.
Some of my favourite quotes are:
Tropes - Forbidden romance, Enemies to Lovers, Obsessed Mafia hero, good girl/bad boy, yearning, mystery and suspense
Thank you, Gabrielle Sands, for the ARC 🫶.
A book with Romeo and Juliet retelling with the touch of mafia romance, with mystery and suspense? I was so in !! From the beginning to the end, I was hooked. I love the whole story. It has all the check boxes I would ever want in a mafia romance and has the exact amount of spice and romance that might curl your toes.
Mia and Romolo are complex characters shaped by their past traumas, unresolved angst, simmering tension, and undeniable chemistry. As enemies, their dynamic is intense and layered, but as the story unfolds, you come to understand the roots of their personalities and develop a deep fondness for them. Mia is one of the most selfless FMCs—strong, caring and constantly pushing herself to meet others’ expectations, especially her father's. Romolo, on the other hand, embodies the morally grey MMC—intelligent, strategic, and always in control. Surprisingly, they mirror each other more than they realise; both have grown up craving the love they never received. Yet, in each other’s presence, they begin to learn what true, unconditional love really means.
Their character development is beautifully portrayed. Mia gradually learns the importance of self-care and embracing her desires without guilt, thanks to Romolo's influence. He, in turn, opens up emotionally, allowing her to see his most vulnerable sides and slowly letting go of the walls he's built around himself.
What had me completely hooked on this book was the chemistry between the characters, paired with an obsessive mafia hero who’s fiercely protective, jealous 🤭, and absolutely brimming with heart-wrenching longing. I can't recommend this story enough. If you're craving a tale featuring a broken, morally grey male lead, a forbidden romance, and a touch of political intrigue, this book is an absolute must-read.
Some of my favourite quotes are:
Good girls didn’t sleep with gangsters. But maybe I was tired of being good.
He was one of the most dangerous men in the city, but somehow, he had become my safest place
I wasn’t living before I met you, Mia. I was just existing. Trying to drown the parts of me I couldn’t face. But you—you came in with all your light, and suddenly there was nowhere left to hide. You cracked me open. Made me feel again
She smelled the way she always did- like my undoing .
She was too fucking good for me.
We were both lying to each other .
And neither of us had any fucking clue how to stop.
I 'm bad for you ,baby .So fucking bad.
You'll be the death of me , Berry .
You don't have to try anymore.Just be with me , Rom.
With him , I was safe to be exactly who I was .
And for the first time in my life , love didn't feel like a sacrifice .
It felt like freedom.