From New York Times best-seller Claire Contreras comes a new, sexy stand-alone novel . . . When you grow up in a family like mine, it’s easy to identify the kind of men that are bad news. They’re the ones with experience. The ones with secrets. The ones that exude sex just by saying your name.From the moment I laid eyes on Lorenzo, I knew he wasn’t just bad news. He was the headline.But my head … bad news.
He was the headline.
But my head and my heart are at war.
He’s too mysterious, too gorgeous, too wild, and now, he wants me.
I should run far away. So why am I racing toward him?
I’m totally going to get burned. I know it. A man like Lorenzo won’t leave me unscathed.
He’ll make ashes of me.
*Because You’re Mine is NOT a dark romance! It is a 100% stand-alone novel. NO CLIFFHANGER!*
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I’ll start this off by saying that I loved this book—mad hard. It was complete and utterly sweet, gripping and captivating to boot, yet it also has just the right amount of suspense from the mob aspect of the story to send chills down your spine and make your heart thump like you’ve just finished running a marathon.
Because You’re Mine hit the ground running—the moment you dive in, you’ll immediately get sucked into the world of Loren and Catalina. There weren’t any dilly-dallies or boring introductions—no, this one went straight to the point, making you feel like you’ve known what was already happening right from the very first page.
And the twist—god, that huge twist literally made me pause midway. It jerked me wide awake and had my jaw stuck on the floor. It’s one of those twists where you think you’ll see it coming, but you don’t. I’ve already encountered something similar to this in previous books that I’ve read, but this one was just so well-written and woven into the plot so smoothly that it’ll easily blindside you.
“I’m addicted to watching you dance. Or maybe it’s just you I’m addicted to.”
Lorenzo Costello sent shivers and tingles from the tips of my hair down to my toes. He’s the epitome of what you’d call tall, dark and handsome, who also happened to scream sin, thrill and danger. He wasn’t only swoon and drool-worthy—he was downright panty-melting. Loren was an enigma you’ll want to pry open and get to know more of, the deeper you get into the story. The more you know about him, the more you’ll be entranced and obsessed over the man—the more you’ll want to be the lucky woman owning his everything.
Catalina Álvarez is one of those compelling heroines you’ll adore right off the bat. She left me in awe so many times with the strength she’s displayed all throughout the book, even after everything she’s been through and living a life she didn’t want when it came to the things her family was involved in. Yes, there were a handful of times Cat showed weakness, but she was real to the point where I could see myself making almost every decision she made if I was in her shoes. And I definitely loved that I was able to picture myself in her place—she was just that relatable.
“I wasn’t trying to keep her in a glass jar. I was just trying to keep her—period.”
I don’t think I could love Loren, Cat, and their story more. There’s just something about them that will draw you in and have you stay glued to the pages. Their chemistry was beyond electrifying and incinerating. Whenever they collided, you can almost feel that molten heat and steam touching your skin. You won’t be able to get enough of them. Hell, you won’t be able to help but cheer them on until the very end.
Unputdownable, magnetic and addictive as all get-out, Claire Contreras has certainly brought her A-game in her newest page-turner filled to the brim with feels and danger that will damn well keep you at the edge of your seat. Because You’re Mine is without a doubt, absolute perfection and a definite must-read!
Rate: 4,5 / 5 stars
What are the odds of you loving this book? Pretty fucking high.
I don’t typically like mafia/gang/mc books much and it’s been forever since I’ve read one. But since this is Claire Contreras we’re talking here and I love her words, I decided to give it a try and let me tell you, I don’t regret it at all. I had a feeling she’d make me like it and I wasn’t wrong. I mean, it helps that it wasn’t a book filled with killings and shitty confrontations like many of the books I used to read of this trope were.
Because You’re Mine was the perfect blend of the mafia world with a sexy powerful romance. The characters were all so likable even the ones who were supposed to be the bad guys.
Our heroine, Catalina was such a good soul, she was a great friend and sister. I felt so bad for her when things started to combust and secrets started coming out of the closet, she had already been through so much and now facing the truth about her past and the ghost that was threatening to ruin the little good she had in her life, it was cruel.
Our hero, Lorenzo, oh boy even just his name is sexy. He was the powerful, take no shit alpha male and he was glorious. I loved him, even when he turned red with rage. Just like Catalina I was crazy for him.
These two shared such undeniable chemistry right from the very first time their gazes met, and it only sizzled from there. Together they were pure fire. Loren was such an alpha in the bedroom too and it was hot af. Every sex scene got hotter and hotter and I was honestly living for it. These two made my blood sizzle.
Because You’re Mine was so much more than a book about mafia and a sexy alpha, it was about learning to live with your past decisions, forgiving others for their bad ones, learning that it’s okay to want different things and things that you swore you’d never want again. It’s a story about family, forgiveness, grief and love. It’s a book that is not necessarily heavy but still heartfelt and touches on important topics. I honestly wasn’t expecting to like it this much but I found myself loving it and I honestly cannot wait to read more of this series and see where Contreras takes it next. Definitely recommend!
5 Stars!
Catalina Alvarez is a beautiful 28 yr. old woman who grew up as mafia royalty in Chicago. She was born into a life of power, worry, sorrow and fear. She’s tried to distance herself, be free of her family name, and stay under the radar. She recently moved to New York to be closer to her sister, and is a professional dancer for the NYC Ballet. Her life revolves around the stage and performing. It’s everything to her.
Cat agrees to do a big favor for her sister, and in the process meets a gorgeous, mysterious man named Lorenzo. His body is sinful, and their sexual chemistry is insane. She’s been around dangerous men her entire life, and something tells her she should run in the opposite direction, yet she’s like a moth to a flame. She’s drawn to him, and every time he’s near her good judgment flies right out the window. One touch, and he shatters her resolve and her will power evaporates.
Loren knows he should stay away from Cat, but he can’t resist. He wants her, and consequences be damned. Even though the situation is complicated he can’t help but pursue her. He’s completely smitten by this stunning redhead.
When hearts begin to get involved Cat doesn’t know how she’ll survive unscathed. Suddenly nothing is what it seems and as secrets and lies are exposed everything is uncertain between Loren and Cat. Will love prevail in the end for these lovers?
This was a super sexy mafia romance packed full of action, suspense, deception, love, loss, secrets, and delicious criminals. ;)) It’s addictive, exciting, extremely hot, and I couldn’t put it down. It has a fabulous pace that kept me intrigued throughout. I really hope we get books for a couple of the other guys. I need some more Gio!
3.9 Stars
Catalina grew up in a Mafia family. She ‘escaped’ to boarding school in Europe and then ended up in London to be a professional ballet dancer.
But then her father’s business was all over CNN and her mom disappeared and her sister Emma asked her to come back home. And now they both live in New York. Cat is still dancing and her sister is going to college to become a journalist!
Emma will be out of town for a bit to uncover some crime in Chicago and she asks if Cat could go to one of her classes. They look enough alike that the prof won’t notice. But he does. Because he’s been looking for Cat for years.
Why? What does Lorenzo have to do with her family or her past?
What will happen to Cat & Lorenzo?
Will there be a HEA?
READ THE BOOK TO FIND OUT!
Well, that was pretty mafia-ish and ballet-dancer-ish.
I really love the cover!!!!!!
But the story … (Before you read what I’ll write next ↓ I have to mention that I’m back now after finishing the first half of the book and the book is getting better – or at least it’s making more sense now! So please don’t be too worried about my upcoming rant! ↓)
I’m not really a mafia-romance fan. But I’m a Claire Contreras fan – so I had to read this book.
And Lorenzo is a very swoonworthy hero!!!! I really liked him – even though he’s very mysterious and a criminal … BUT – we have no idea what he wants???!!!! Why he’s here!!?? What’s the story of this book? Is there a storyline? Revenge? For what? Why? I don’t understand the meaning of this book – at least for the first half of it!
But Lorenzo is really nice to look at and to listen to!
And Cat … what’s her thing? Nobody in this book has a goal – a dream for the future. Cat is already living her dream by dancing and Lorenzo wants to … make more money? No idea.
I don’t think the first half of the book makes any sense whatsoever! Does it want to be a mafia romance or a ballet romance? How can she not know that her teacher’s family is mafia too? And why are the sisters so old already? Cat is 28. In the beginning of the book, with all the college talk, I thought she was 23!! If the book would’ve concentrated a bit more on the funny college moments – that would’ve been really good. But the whole college thing didn’t make sense either. They’re too old for school – both sisters. And the prof was not really the prof and the real prof is living in Florida? Who is supposed to understand all that? It’s like we already had 3 books about all those characters and should understand what’s what!
There are way too many people in this book – all those Gios and Doms and Frankies and Deans and Joes and Justins and ugh. Too many people confuse this reader. But I’m also pretty sure that we’ll get to see some of them in future books – there will probably be a book about Emma, maybe Gio too.
Cat and Emma’s lives have been pretty exciting up until a few years ago. But now that everything is going ok, Lorenzo shows up and her brother is doing business in the city too – and they’re not really friends – obviously – two mafia families. But still … why? What? Ugh, I don’t get it. Maybe I was just not in the mood to read a mafia book. Sorry. Other readers will probably love the story. Not that there is any kind of story. Sorry – shutting up now!
The second half of the book was so much better – so much suddenly made sense. I just wish the story would’ve hurried a bit and started sooner. All that excitement in the second half. Well, all in all it wasn’t a bad book, just a bit weirdly written and created. Should’ve been storylined a bit better. But I’m also pretty sure that I’ll read the next book in this series. I know – I’m weird.
Also – the cover – so very pretty – but not really Lorenzo and not really a scene that happens in the book. But pfff. Pretty to look at.
BECAUSE YOU’R MINE was a mysterious and sexy mafia/ballet dramance! Don’t listen to my weird review – READ IT!!!
Run to your nearest amazon for your own LORENZO – this one is MINE!!!
Tiny little idea … maybe the book was just not edited at all before we got our early copy? There were all those already mentioned weird moments but there were also so very many mistakes. Not typo mistakes but timeline and storyline mistakes. (like: my mom was an orphan, that’s why we do that charity event every year. But we also spent many childhood summers with my mom’s mom in South America!!!!!) I really hope that an amazing editor will go through this book again before it’s released!!!! That hot cover needs an amazing story inside!