She fears the dark.He rules it.Her dresses are too tight, her heels too tall. She laughs too loudly, eats without decorum, and mixes up most sayings in the book. Little do most know it’s just a sparkly disguise, there to hide one panic attack at a time.Nobody can crack Gianna’s facade . . . no one anyway, until he comes along.Most see a paragon of morality; a special agent upholding the law. In … special agent upholding the law. In the New York underworld, others know him as a hustler, a killer, his nature as cold as the heart of ice in his chest. Christian Allister has always followed the life plan he’d envisioned in his youth, beneath the harsh lights of a frigid, damp cell. With a proclivity for order and the number three, he’s never been tempted to veer off course. But perhaps one should never say never . . .
One winter night and their lives intertwine. She hates him—his stone-cold demeanor, his arrogance and too-perceptive eye—but over the years, even as their games consist of insulting each other’s looks and intelligence, she begins to live to play with him.
Nowhere in Christian’s plans had he ever prepared for Gianna. She’s chaos embodied, not his type, and married, but none of that can stop his eyes from following her wherever she goes.
All along, she doesn’t even know that she’s his—his frustration, his fascination.
His maddest obsession.
*Can be read as a standalone, though it is recommended you read The Sweetest Oblivion first to avoid spoilers from Book #1
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The first book in this series was great, but nothing could have prepared me for Gianna and Christian. To say i loved them would be an understatement. is one of my best reads this year.
Gianna is the total opposite of Christian, she is a walking talking disaster. Literally. All she wanted was to be loved and to be put first. She married a man twice her age to escape the hate of her father. But while she fell in love with her husband, she found out that she was nothing but a trophy wife for him. Her husband’s infidelity and inability to love her back left her broken, so now she seeks oblivion at the end of a line of powder. She learned that in her world you don’t marry for love, and she’ll never make that mistake again.
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Christian Allister is organized and meticulous in everything. He is an enigma no one really knows anything about him, who is he or where he came from. He takes orders from no one, not the FBI, not the mob, not from no one. He has a rule when it comes to women, never sleep with the same woman more than three times. No one has ever tempted him to break his rule, until Gianna. That equally intrigued and infuriated him. But as much as he wanted her he knew he couldn’t have her, he knew the second she’d learn of his past she’ll run for the hills.
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Their story started years ago, from her first marriage to her last. Christian was a constant in her life, he was totally and utterly obsessed with her from the very begging. They both were broken and imperfect characters and i really couldn’t get enough of them. This book was GREAT, it was a page turner, edge of your seat kind of read.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book for all mafia romance lovers out there. You will absolutely love it.
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FIVE PSYCHOTIC STARS
“When you’re obsessed with something for so long and finally obtain it? It feels like coming home to God. And nobody gives up their fucking spot in Heaven.”
Let me first get this out of the way.
I LOVE CHRISTIAN. I LOVE CHRISTIAN. I LOVE CHRISTIAN. I LOVE CHRISTIAN. I LOVE CHRISTIAN. I LOVE CHRISTIAN. I LOVE CHRISTIAN. I LOVE CHRISTIAN.
I LOVE GIANNA. I LOVE GIANNA. I LOVE GIANNA. I LOVE GIANNA. I LOVE GIANNA. I LOVE GIANNA. I LOVE GIANNA. I LOVE GIANNA.
kay since that’s out of the way. Let’s begin.
Plot
Gianna, got married two times to men twice her age and swears she will never marry again.
Christian, FBI agent, has serious OCD issues, does everything thrice (including fucking woman three times only), has planned his entire future up till the kind of wife he wants. But everything goes downhill when he see’s Gianna during her first wedding with Antonio (Nico’s father) and thus the obsession began. It took him EIGHT YEARS TO GET HIS Moya zvezdochka “His Star”.
Google translate and I had gotten quiet close while reading this book.
I love how I was not deprived for sex until the very end of the book! I loved how Christian was the one doing the manipulation and chasing, not the other way around. Gianna had her own battles to fight and she just didn’t give in to the “love” aspect with Christian too soon. She took her time to start liking the idea of Love with him and didn’t fully commit until he revealed ALL of his secrets.
”Say something in Russian.”
“Ty samaya krasivaya zhenshchina kotoruyu ya kogda-libo videl.”
“What did you say?”
“You’re annoying.”
Actual meaning “You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.”
”Would you visit my grave if I died?”
His eyes grew dark. “I’d die before you were ever in a grave, malyshka.”
I loved his possessive side.
And I loved his dark side, too.”
ME TOO MALYSHKA. ME TOO!
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND EVERYONE TO READ THIS BOOK. As it has so far been the best book I have read in 2020.
”Haven’t you heard? Love is an obsession. Some would even say . . . the maddest obsession.”
I started this book ‘The maddest obsession’ with a little hesitation because I loved the first story ‘The sweetest oblivion’ of this series so much that I was afraid that my expectations for the second book would be too high. But after reading somewhere that the second story was even better than the first one, I decided to read it immediately after finishing the first one. And I’m very happy that I did because I loved this story just as much (and maybe even more) then the first one!
If you have read the first book then you have already met Gianna and the cold-hearted fed cop Christian Allister. Is it necessarily to read ‘The sweetest oblivion’ first? No, I think this book can be read as a standalone but why not start with the first book? You won’t regret it, I promise.
The writer wrote this story in two parts and I’m very happy that she did that. The first part was about their past, starting with how they met and what happened in the years after that first meeting. The second part was about the present time. By doing it this way, it gave the reader the needed knowledge to the history between them and their motive to do or say certain things. It made their ‘relationship’ now more understandable. But even so, there was still a lot to discover about Christian, his OCD’s and his past in the second part. I loved the fact that Christian’s character was such a mystery. A mystery that was very slowly revealed bit by bit during the story. I loved every second of it!! Even though that the story was told in both POV’s, Christian remained a mystery until the end! But don’t worry, at the end all your questions will be answered.
I loved both characters very much, if you thought that Nicolas (from the first book) was a bit psycho then be prepared because Christian is so much worse! Just like Gianna I was fascinated with his OCD’s, his obsession of her and his coldness. But also with his sweetness and he could be sweet in his own way where Gianna was concerned. Because in his own selfish, cold way, the only thing that Christian wanted for Gianna, was for her to be happy. And I adored him for that.
Gianna may be broken deep inside but in her own, chaotic way she’s strong. She grew up in the mafia world and she’s not naïve or blind to the very dark side of that world. Or to the dark that live in those men. Throughout the story you could feel her grown more into herself. To find her deep self and to love herself.
Just like in the first book, there were some dark (taboo) themes in the story but it never got too dark. Emotional, yes but there is also humour in it.
I’m so happy that I discovered this mafia series and I have my fingers crossed that I will have a new book to read soon from this writer.
“To live with wolves, you have to howl like a wolf.”
“I didn’t come here for relationship advice.”
“No.” She smiled sadly. “You came here for me to tell you it gets easier, that it blows over, and you’ll find a sense of control again. It doesn’t, and you won’t. Love only gets worse.”
A sardonic breath left me. “I thought you believed it was just an obsession.” “Haven’t you heard? Love is an obsession. Some would even say . . . the maddest obsession.”
I almost just want to have this review only be applaud emojis. It would be sufficiently saying how well done and happy I am with The Maddest Obsession. It was addictive to say the least. Almost at the same level as Christian’s addiction for Gianna.
Starting off with the past and working up to where The Sweetest Oblivion wrapped up, I was worried that it would be a bit repetitive and dull. I needn’t had worried because that assumption was as far off as it could get. Sure, the word “vehemence” was used in the story about as much as “dark amusement” was used in the first book, which was a tad too much. But that was the only thing repetitive. The Maddest Obsession has somewhat the same timeline as when Elena and Nico met, but this takes place so far off the sidelines and later on further into the future than the events in My Sweetest Oblivion that the books really didn’t cross paths that much. For better or worse of course, since I wished to see some more sweet moments with Elena and Nico finally happily married. But at the same time the separation made the story as unpredictable as all of Danielle Lori’s books. And that was all thanks to the passionate and imaginative writing and a hot and cold dislike turned into a sizzling romance.
The plot is built mainly on the rocky and the very much compelling development of Gianna’s and Christian’s relationship. While I loved the enemies turned to lovers theme with all the drama, quippy mean remarks and conversations and a steamy attraction, I can’t help but feel like the story also missed a stronger plot. It didn’t have a steady backbone to fall back on. More than the mob and the events from the previous book there wasn’t much else to it other than the romance. Don’t get me wrong, I love romance and the book didn’t disappoint on any account in that department, but a story also needs a stable and clear cut motif to land upon when the romance isn’t taking center stage. It felt like something was missing or lacking. Thankfully though, not in any big way that it ruined the book for me.
Otherwise I couldn’t be any happier with the execution. The characters were easy to fall in love with and feel for. They were complex in their very own special ways and brought out the heavier subject matters in the book very well. With Gianna we had continued theme with the horrible treatment of women in a man’s world from book one, but in Gianna’s case it was so much darker and so much more traumatic. Then we had the cold mystery man Christian. Though I won’t spoil anything when it comes to him. You will just have to read the book to find out.
I am voluntarily reviewing an advance complimentary copy of this book.
***5 “Kak moya… Like mine” stars***
“Fuck, I shouldn’t have done it.
It was like trying to cure an addict by giving him the best goddamn hit of his life.”
Wow!!! Christian and Gianna’s story was soooo good!!! Even better than Nico and Elena’s and i had loved that story very much!!!
Wow!!! And now, I’m mentally kicking myself for taking me that long to read it!!!
Oh Cristian!!! You were… too much!!! Too much of everything and i will love you forever!!!!
Oh, Gianna!!! You lucky girl!!!!
“Darkness loved him—I knew without a doubt they were on good terms.”
“Play with fire, sweetheart,” he rasped, “you’re gonna get burned.”
Well… These two had a long history… A history that is going back 8 years from the present….
It was a strange hate to love relationship since the first encounter and through out the years that hate was going stronger and stronger, but it was hate all along or was it something more???
Something that neither of them can imagine???
“He wanted me, and he hated it. I was his own little game. If he touched me, he’d lose. I suddenly knew, this was a game I wanted to play with everything in me.”
“You want to know why I don’t touch you?” I shook my head. “Because if I did, I wouldn’t stop. Not until I’d snuffed out that pretty fire in your eyes.”
Gianna was everything Christian wasn’t…
She was a mess in every aspect… She was all over the place emotionally… Her aura was full of colors, even though they were fading away cause of her destiny…
She was bound to cruel men… mafia men and it was hard to survive such fate!!!!
Christian from the other hand was sooo controlled in everything… and he was happy with that, until Gianna was snapping his control in every turn…
He just wants her to be his… even though she was always someone else’s….
“Somewhere between the ages of twenty and twenty-eight, I’d forgotten what longing felt like.”
“I’m not one of your admirers. I’m not going to hold my dick and pine over you, just waiting for the day you might choose me. If I fuck you, Gianna, nobody else ever will.”
These two were pure fire together… All this supposed hatred was such a turn on…
All their encounters were unique and they were making me hot and bothered all the time…
Both of them had hard pasts and too many demons to face, but maybe they don’t have to war their battles alone… Maybe they can do it together!!!!
But she is determined to not let another man to rule her life and he is not very good to not have the control…
Will they stand a chance together or this intense thing between them is bound to ruin them????
“I didn’t want another man controlling my life, especially one who hated that he was even attracted to me.”
“I’ve thought about you so much you’re mine now.” It was a growl that lowered into a threat. “You’re lucky you didn’t let him touch you, Gianna, because I really don’t like it when people touch my things.”
God, i loved this story very much…
I loved Christian and his controlling manipulations…
I loved Gianna and her careless side…
I love every single one encounter between them…
I loved the good and the bad and the fucked up messes that they were creating…
And honestly, i can not wait for more of these beautiful stories of made men that Danielle Lori is creating!!!!
“There are plenty of women who could make you happier, Christian.” “You’re the only one I want.”
“When you’re obsessed with something for so long and finally obtain it?
It feels like coming home to God.
And nobody gives up their fucking spot in Heaven.”
The Sweetest Oblivion was fantastic….but this book just exceeded my expectations. It was gritty, addictive and fuxking mind blowing. I LOVED IT!!
Christian Allister a man as deep as the ocean with so many secrets you just want to unravel. Christian is exactly the kinda character I LOVE and immediately become fascinated by.
He’s charismatic yet very aloof. His obsessive and multi layered personality commands attention. You know he’s deadly just from the way he carries himself. He’s utterly lethal and completely alluring in every way.
It’s impossible not to love Gianna in this book. Deep down she craves what every woman wants, but hides it behind a facade. Her beauty is her weapon, the perfect eye candy. Gorgeous and fashion obsessed she’s a sparkly wet dream. The ideal Mafia Wife she plays the part well, it’s her Armour of choice.
No one notices she’s a lost soul or sees the real her because no one cares to….until Christian Allister.
OMFG!!! The first thing I loved about these two was the verbal sparring between them. Every time they met they just had to goad each other. It was exhilarating, I could feel the sexual tension bubbling beneath the surface ready to explode whenever they were in the same place. Like magnets that are drawn to each other their connection can’t be denied.
Christian and Gianna are each others Maddest Obsession and they just became my newest obsession.
I am a Danielle Lori fan for life! This series is one of the best mafia series out there. If you love j/p heroes, enemies to lovers, sarcastic banter, sexual tension, butterflies in the stomach and all ending with a HEA then grab this book.
It appears this author never disappoints and you will always get a 5 Star Read.
This book can be read as a stand-alone but I would suggest reading book 1. You will love it and it will give you a little insight and taste of Christian and Gianna and get Nico and Elena’s hit story.
Danielle Lori – I cant wait to read book 3!
The Maddest Obsession is the second book in the Made Series by Danielle Lori.
“To live with wolves, you have to howl like a wolf.”
I was patiently waiting for this since The Sweetest Oblivion. I was unsure about Gianna in the first book and I was already swooning by Christian by the time I picked this book up. Boy, was I in for a huge treat. Gianna and Christian was devastating. They were without a fault just amazing. They were unapologetically magnificent even with the break-your-heart past that they had.
“In reality, she’d touch my sh*t. Reorganize my things. Fill my apartment with sugary cereal. And most importantly, slowly dig her way into my past. And when she did that, she’d hate me more than she already did. Maybe even disgusted. I couldn’t stomach letting her see me in that light.”
Christian Allister is all kinds of wrong. He is like pure ice with a lot of messed up tendencies. He is obsessed and has a tick. He is without care and aloof. He can end a life with as much as a blink. He is every bit of a ruthless, brutal, and a**hole guy that you can possibly get. But all that ice? Still doesn’t compete to how hot he is. Gianna Whatever-her-last-name-is currently has been in marriages that were less than ideal and she is determined not to get married no more.
“When she was close, all I could focus on was that she smelled like temptation. Like something I wanted to worship and degrade at the same time.”
The push and pull relationship between Gianna and Christian was a perfect blend and was never too much. They were a hot mess together but did it ever make me feel all kinds of things. The sexual tension between these two was so on fire that it was hard to keep up. Goodness, I had to literally fan myself sometimes.
“He was so formal and uptight, anything remotely sexual felt so much dirtier with him.”
Danielle Lori has destroyed me with this. This easily a favorite that I will forever have to read over and over. I can’t wait for the next thing because I am obsessed with this so much.
“Haven’t you heard? Love is an obsession. Some would even say…the maddest obsession.”
This dark romance is a lot more than what it seems – yes, it’s rough, it’s explicit, it’s steamy. But at its heart there are two people struggling with inner torment, and that’s where the author really shows her stuff. At first I was really annoyed with both Gianna and Christian, which is a very realistic response to their behaviors, but getting to know and understand them over the course of the story made me come to see them as the complex people they are. The relationship development went along with the character revelations in perfect tandem, and I found myself truly wishing a happy ending for them both, together