I’ve inherited my sister’s fiancé.She had him first. Alessio Salvatore. Charming, gorgeous, and completely off-limits. I watched him propose and counted myself lucky when my sister said “yes” to the notorious gangster. I have plans for my life. None of them involve sleeping with the enemy, even if it’s to broker peace between our families.But when my sister mysteriously dies, my life turns … mysteriously dies, my life turns upside-down. I’m now the heir of my father’s assets, and without an arranged marriage, our families are on the brink of war.
Until my father gives Alessio an offer he can’t refuse.
Me.
——–
ALESSIO
I need Mia to understand three things:
1. We are getting married in a month.
2. I demand loyalty.
3. I want kids. Now.
I was meant to walk her sister down the aisle. A relationship with Mia would’ve been unforgivable. She was persona-non-grata forever until her old man gave me her hand in marriage.
How could I say no?
But wrangling the boss’ daughter is more trouble than I thought. When she’s not fighting her feelings, she’s fighting me. Never mind that we have more fireworks than dynamite. Or that we’re perfect together. Or that we’re marrying in a few weeks.
She hates me.
Too bad.
She’ll have to get used to me.
Author’s note: This is a dark, mafia arranged marriage, standalone romance. A young woman desperate to leave a life of crime and violence fights her arranged marriage to her late sister’s fiancé, a ruthless mob boss who demands three things from her: marriage, loyalty, and a baby.
As their wedding date approaches, Mia struggles with a decision that once seemed easy–escape his control or surrender to her heart?more
This book was so much more than just a mafia romance. It felt more like being dropped into an entire mafia atmosphere with how believable and realistic it was. The characters were fantastic and I lost count at how many curve balls took place that I never saw coming. Mia was in such a bad place in her life that left her angered and depressed. Her emotions became conflicted when Alessio began causing her to see him differently. I loved the power struggles, the building of trust, and all the ups and downs the characters faced. Overall, fantastic book from a new to me author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
They fell for each other but the cards weren’t in their favor at first, marriage to Carmela will unite the it Italian families together for $$ but when the older Ricci sister was ‘killed’ now the marriage to the younger sister, Mia is who Alessio really wanted. But the man who’s never experienced love ever don’t know what to do with a woman with a strong backbone and a mind of her own so he becomes the person he is when dealing with associates. Mia won’t bow down to him and will make his life hell u til they come to an understanding and him helping her ‘grief’. Until the past shows up and the lies are revealed on their wedding day will take all the steps they gain for each other will be a big step back to all the hate and anger. Will Mia give what Alessio truly wants or will she keep their marriage like a job with no heart for her boss??.
I love this book and I am beyond excited that I stumbled across it. I will be 100% honest and admit the cover is what drew me in but the story is what held my attention, I could not put it down! It was my first book by this author but I am confident it wont be my last.
The story follows two main characters, Mia and Alessio, who are caught up in an arranged marriage after Mia’s sister (Alessio’s 1st finance) goes missing and is presumed dead. Mia wants nothing to do with the Mafia lifestyle and longs for the freedom to move far away, Alessio’s main goal is to climb the ranks of his Mafia family and start a family of his own. Mia i fears the life she will lead with Alessio since he is a cold blooded under boss and she has nothing by hate in her heart. Alessio is harboring multiple secrets from his future bride but he knows that this marriage must succeed to ensure the peace between 3 warring groups. As both battle each other and their own feelings they realize they may have to battle so much more.
Mia is everything you want in a female lead when it comes to a Mafia story. She is a fighter, always trying to plan her next moves and figure out how to survive a life she didn’t want. She definitely goes on a roller coaster of emotions through out this story, between grief for her sister, her emotions for Alessio, emotions toward her father for putting her in this situation and then just the emotions from all the events that happen through out the story. There were times I was laughing out loud at her antics and others where I wanted to just through my tablet across the room cause I didn’t think I could take any more. She is definitely a character that will stay with me for a while.
Alessio is all alpha male and very drool worthy. He makes his intentions known right from the beginning that they are getting married in a month, he demands loyalty and he wants kids right away, but he also wants to protect Mia and keep her safe. He is very much a broken man on the inside that doesn’t have a real family to call his own so he looks to the main boss of the Costa family as a father figure. Like any flawed hero he doesn’t always make the smart choice at the moment but he will always win you over.
I am excited that the author hinted more books would be coming and I honestly can’t wait. I recommend this book!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I read the first chapter and couldn’t wait to read this and when I received the ARC I ended up not loving it as much as I thought I would. It was good, but it just didn’t grab me like her other books. It was still a great read and gives you a happily ever after it just didn’t wow me.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Holy! I love Vanessa Waltz and this book doesn’t disappoint! I honestly didn’t know which way this book was gonna go, and couldn’t put it down!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I’m not always a fan of mafia romances, just to much violence. But there was something about this book I enjoyed. I liked both Alessio and Mia. I loved them as a couple. I loved when Alessio admitted that Mia was who he wanted all along. I loved how Mia never gave up on Alessio. Now what didn’t I like. I didn’t like how Mia closed herself off. I didn’t like how she didn’t fight right away. I didn’t like how cold Alessio could be toward her or how his uncontrolled jealousy caused the coldness. I didn’t like that he kept that secret from Mia or how that secret affected all of them. I’m also a little unsure about the epilogue. It ended great but it just made me want more. In the end I’m glad I took a chance on a book I wasn’t sure I would like. I really enjoyed these two. *I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book for my honest and unbiased review.*
Four and a Half Stars
I absolutely had to read this book after reading the blurb. An intriguing story that had me captivated from page 1. Alessio is a complicated man. Heavily involved in the local Boston mafia, the preferred “son” of the boss. Mia is the daughter of another boss and finds herself in an arranged marriage to her dead sister’s fiancé. The problem is they both are attracted to one another but neither trusts the other. Their attraction is high, the chemistry undeniable but the baggage they both carry does not make things easy for their budding relationship. TBR this book and enjoy their journey towards their much deserved happily ever, trust me it’s one helluva an enjoyable ride.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I liked this book but I did have some issues with it. Let’s start with the good things. I found the story line interesting. There were many plot points that I found intriguing, such as the mafia elements, the forbidden romance angle and the overall feelings of suspense, tension and steaminess. Now for the not so good things: I struggled with how the book was laid out. I am never a fan of time skips and I found this particularly aggravating with really no rhythm to it and often a delayed explanation of even how much time has past. I also would have really liked to know definitively to know how intimate the relationship had gotten between Alessio and Mia’s sister. Even with these issues, I enjoyed this book and I thought Mia and Alessio made a interesting couple.
A fastpaced and wellwritten pageturner that captivates me from the start. I love the intriguing storyline and the chemistry and bond between Jack and Alix. I would love to read more about this couple.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Wow!! This is such a great book! I loved the darkness that Alessio brings to the story while trying to fight the light Mia tries to bring to him at times while trying to fight his darkness. Alessio loved Mia from the moment he saw her and fought his feelings because he was arranged to marry her sister. Mia was the same way…she felt a connection to Alessio, but fought her desires. Their untrusting nature in the beginning of their relationship made it difficult for them to experience and express their feelings. They finally find their way to each other and find their family.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I love a good mafia book, and this is by far my favorite read by this author. Besides it being mafia, there was also the arranged marriage and kidnappings which are also tropes I love.
The only down side for me was transitions. New chapters or section breaks often found us hours, days or weeks in the future and it would take a page or two to find out how we got there. I felt like things would have read smoother had it been mentioned at the start of the new sections. Other wise, a good fun read. And I can’t wait to see if Michael will get his own book!