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A review by septembersuns
The Sweetest Oblivion by Danielle Lori
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
As part of my recent foray into Mafia romance this book has been a perfect intro into the sub-genre.
Nico was my favourite kind of brooding male lead. A man of few words, but when he did speak it was with intention and he always backed it up with action.
Elena started off as our shy and sheltered female lead but watching her become herself and learning to fight for what was important to her had me cheering for her from the sidelines.
Dual POVs sometimes feel like a chore to read, but it did not feel that way with Nico and Elena's chapters. While there aren't many 'spicy' scenes the tension between Nico and Elena is electric and had me finishing this book in one day. A clear, strong story that tided up nicely.
This would have been a higher rated read if not for the following:
I could not stop thinking about this line throughout the book once I read it:
'the Cosa Nostra was a worse advocate for the LGBT community than they were for the women's movement. It was a work in progress.'
- It's a mafia romance, I don't need further reminders that my fictional reading goes against my real world core values. This line adds nothing to the story and I can't help but wonder why the author would willingly alienate a portion of her readership?
- There is a HUGE emphasis on Elena only marrying someone Italian. I brushed this off as 'mafia rules' when reading, but in light of the above are there are now implied racial undertones??
As a black reader and ally, I am very aware of the demographic of this book and it's typical reader; and I am more than happy to just come along from the ride. I am not looking for representation but also do not expect there to be active exclusion.
3/5 spice
Nico was my favourite kind of brooding male lead. A man of few words, but when he did speak it was with intention and he always backed it up with action.
Elena started off as our shy and sheltered female lead but watching her become herself and learning to fight for what was important to her had me cheering for her from the sidelines.
Dual POVs sometimes feel like a chore to read, but it did not feel that way with Nico and Elena's chapters. While there aren't many 'spicy' scenes the tension between Nico and Elena is electric and had me finishing this book in one day. A clear, strong story that tided up nicely.
This would have been a higher rated read if not for the following:
I could not stop thinking about this line throughout the book once I read it:
'the Cosa Nostra was a worse advocate for the LGBT community than they were for the women's movement. It was a work in progress.'
- It's a mafia romance, I don't need further reminders that my fictional reading goes against my real world core values. This line adds nothing to the story and I can't help but wonder why the author would willingly alienate a portion of her readership?
- There is a HUGE emphasis on Elena only marrying someone Italian. I brushed this off as 'mafia rules' when reading, but in light of the above are there are now implied racial undertones??
As a black reader and ally, I am very aware of the demographic of this book and it's typical reader; and I am more than happy to just come along from the ride. I am not looking for representation but also do not expect there to be active exclusion.
3/5 spice
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Violence