She’s back in town—just in time to jump back into the fire.Kristina was once mine.We were meant to be forever.Until we weren’t.For years, I whispered her name, recalled her smile, and remembered her scent.Even as new women entered my life, Kristina never left my mind.As the calendar turned to my birthday and a new year with the Salvatore family, I was about ready to give up hope.But then she … Salvatore family, I was about ready to give up hope.
But then she returned.
She still had the same smile, the same scent, and the same presence.
But not all is as it seems.
She’s different now—more mysterious, more confident, and more… confusing.
So confusing, in fact, I’m not even sure whose side she’s on anymore.
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The Salvatore family comes together to celebrate and secrets are slowly revealed
Never Forgotten is the first book in the The Salvatores series and nicely kicks it off with an intense story that sets the scene for the rest of the series. This story is about Trent and Kristina. Trent Salvatore has never felt like he fit into the big Salvatore family. It may be because he was adopted, it may be because his Mafia family is very secretive, it may be because he cannot find a lasting relationship or it may be because of all of these things plus more. But when events happen he will have to make a commitment to the family and step into his place and his duty, becoming a major part.
Kristina and Trent were first loves and she was the one woman by which all others were judged…and failed. When they are brought back together he realizes that he still loves her and she has always be “the one” for him. It is a good thing she feels the same. But there are other people who need to be found and dealt with along with a rival family that has decided to make moves. So these two will have to wait or will they? We will find out in the next book of this continuing story-line.
Trent Salvatore Struggles To Find His Place In The Family, But A Crisis Spurs Him Into Action.
This is book one of The Salvatores series. The Salvatores are a mafia family, seemingly based in Boston, and have taken over the East Side. Alessandro Salvatore first came from Italy several generations ago, investing in legitimate businesses and speakeasies. He had become friends with Roberto Mikkekson on the ship, but as they established themselves in America, a small grudge blossomed into a fierce rivalry that continues today.
Book one opens as the family, headed by the revered Pop Salvatore, gathers in their usual custom for a birthday celebration. Trenton Salvatore, now twenty-eight, listens to Pop tell stories about the family history and watches the interactions of the large family, but has a hard time being emotionally present. The Salvatores operate on a strictly need-to-know basis, for obvious reasons relating to safety. But that has resulted in Trent going for years with unanswered questions. His mother had explained that he was adopted, and he never doubted his family’s love, but between the family’s hushed ways and Trent’s feelings of insecurity, he feels like he doesn’t quite belong. The fact that he hasn’t committed one hundred percent to working with the family only serves to maintain the distance and isolation he feels.
Trent’s meek and sulky behavior has also impacted his ability to have a good relationship. Pop wants to see him settle down, but after two failed relationships, Trent accepts that he simply isn’t worthy enough of love or capable of keeping a good woman. Kristina had been the love of his life. They spent years together, but were unable to make things work. They were young, and in the end she gave into her flighty urges and left him behind. Rachelle had been a wonderful distraction. She was wild and fun. And though she didn’t fill the void in his heart, he considered having a life with her, but she also left him. Trent gave up on relationships after that.
Before the celebration of Trent’s birthday ends, the Salvatores receive news that puts everyone on edge. It seems the Mikkelsons don’t want to keep the peace, and the Salvatores are drawn into yet another of a long list battles.
Trent’s story is about an insecure young man finally finding himself and taking his place in his family. The crisis the Salvatores face give him the motivation he needs to step outside of his comfort zone. In the process, he finally becomes confident enough to pursue his heart.
There are a few issues that merit mention. First, after Trent learns about his birth parents, Kristina seems to already know but no explanation is given, and later Trent makes reference of it to her as if it were common knowledge. Second, after Antonio’s bedroom is ransacked, it seems careless that they all went to bed without a concern that their safety might be in jeopardy. Third, despite the family being in a crisis, only Trent and Tommy work to solve it, with only a little consultation with their father. There are no strong men or other associates involved. Similarly, Trent is the only person interested in inspecting the warehouse damage. Fourth, Trent’s feelings for Rachelle are described in contradictory ways. He knew he was using her to get over losing Kristina, and Rachelle was a wild and fun distraction, versus he once fell madly in love with her. Fifth, the writing is in episodically limited third person, in Trent and Kristina’s POV’s, but occasionally it briefly bleeds into omniscient and is a little confusing. Sixth, Kristina contradicts herself when she pushes Trent away and insists he gets over her and moves on, then later is surprised to hear that Trent had hoped she would come back to him. Finally, the person behind the crisis doesn’t seem to have the intelligence or experience to pull off all that is supposedly done, and the timing and motivation seem weak.
This story is serious in tone. It does not feel formulaic or rehashed. It is written in episodically limited third person, in Trent and Kristina’s POV’s. I rate this book 3.5 stars.
Trenton Salvatores and his family are going through some issues with a rival family. There has always been an issue with this particular family and now one of their friends wife has been attacked and then his father tells him a story that is actual fact which in Trent’s eyes doesn’t change one thing about his life except he feels closer to his father. Still he doesn’t seem to get a break trying to find out who stabbed Saul’s wife, someone takes pot shots at Trenton when he and his ex Kristina who is practically part of the family are in a penthouse suite she told him to meet her where he realizes something interesting, she is definitely the love of his life but something isn’t right when a bullet almost gets him. There was another woman that he felt close to but she left him also. Right now he was determined to get them out alive he also believes that Kristina has something to do with it. Suspense, romance, violence. Good story line and the characters are very interesting in how they come to the situation their in. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Riveting ! Intense ! Action Packed ! Chaos ! Ethan did a great job with this. Trent and Kristina use to date when they were younger but because they belong to rival mafias they had to end it knowing it couldn’t go anywhere. NOW though, they are fighting for their lives and don’t understand why !! Edge of your seat tension, excitement and so much more !! I loved it !!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This action packed story was well written and the characters were so strongly written that I was totally hooked until the turn of the very last page! I always enjoy reading what this author writes!
Trent and Kristin will have you tied to your seats with this intense story. Trent has always had a thing for Kristina and no other woman ever measured up to her so relationships always fell by the way side for him and it appears it was the same for Kristina. His family ties got in the way of what he could have had with Kristina and now that the drama was heating up between the Salvatore’s and the Mikkelson’s, it was beginning to be difficult who to trust. Kristina has been kidnapped and he will go to the ends of hell to get her back and whoever is responsible better have their lives in order!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I voluntarily reviewed an arc of this book.
I really enjoyed this story, I found it to be well-written with a fast-paced storyline that had plenty of intrigue and drama, the twists and turns kept coming. The characters were incredibly likable with plenty of chemistry between them.