GrowlHe’d never had something to himself, never even dared to dream about owning something so precious. He was the unwanted bastard son who’d always had to content himself with the leftovers of others. And now they’d given him what only a few weeks ago had been out of his reach, someone he wasn’t even allowed to admire from afar, one of their most prized possessions. Thrown at his feet because he … because he was who he was, because they were certain he would break her. He was her punishment, a fate worse than death, a way to deliver the ultimate punishment to her father who had displeased them so greatly.
Cara
She had always been the good girl. It didn’t protect her.
She didn’t know his real name. People called him Growl to his face, and the Bastard behind his back. Both were names he couldn’t possibly have chosen for himself. His eyes were empty, a mirror to throw back her own fear at her. He was a brutal hand of the Las Vegas Camorra.
And now she was at his mercy.
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Cara has been sheltered and privileged all her life. When she meets Growl for the first time, she doesn’t know that soon she’ll get to know him better than anyone else! Growl has always been the outcast, the unwanted bastard son. When Cara is given to Growl as punishment for her father’s betrayal, she has little hope of surviving. Growl has never had something to himself, not even in his wildest dreams could he possess a woman so beautiful and fragile. But what they don’t expect is the connection they feel and the lengths they’ll go to protect each other! A fascinating story of two people who are complete opposites but truly belong together! They defy society and draw their own path! I couldn’t put this book down!
Not my favourite in this series but it was enjoyable enough. This can definitely be read out of order the only thing connecting this to previous books in the series was the heroine Cara is Luca’s cousin.
This is also set in Las Vegas with the Camorra mafia. When Cara’s dad betrays the Camorra it’s Cara who will pay the ultimate price. Given to the attack dog enforcer as a gift Cara’s whole world collapses around her.
Growl is the bosses illegitimate son honed in blood and pain into the monster he is today his horrendous upbringing shaping him in every way and he now serves the man that is responsible for all his suffering.
Believing himself not worthy of anything better and struggling with his emotions he accepts his lot even somewhat thankful to his abuser for snuffing out his weaknesses and transforming him into the killing machine he is today.
Until that is Cara she is the key to an epiphany Growl may not want to save himself or expect anything good but Cara has crawled under his skin and for her, he will eventually walk into the bowels of hell to set her free.
This was not an overly emotional one Growl struggles to express himself and Cara well she had her moments but occasionally her thought process especially in regards to Growl irritated me and even when she was falling for him she was still ashamed of her feelings and thought more about how her mother and sister would react and that didn’t sit well with me.
It was all about appearances with Cara and I actually found her a bit self-absorbed and far too naive considering her background.
I also didn’t quite feel the connection with this one and that was mostly down to Cara herself Growl I loved.
Cara did come around in the end but I still wasn’t totally convinced of her undying devotion whilst it was obvious that Growl Would walk through fire for her in fact he did.
But I mostly enjoyed this and it was well written and I loved the dogs.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
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Vengeance was sweet. 3.5 stars rounding up to 4
I read the first 3 books in this series and enjoyed them which was why I wanted to read this book, and I enjoyed this one too. I was curious where this story was going, and the forward motion of this book hinges with Growl, Cara and their relationship. Cara could be interesting and strong, but she frustrated me with her thoughts of guilt, shame and being a “sinner.” I didn’t like her friends either. I hated a certain plot point with Growl (it’s the same one the author used in the first book of this series), and I wasn’t sure I could forgive him. He did redeem himself in my opinion, and I felt for him several times. I did enjoy the progression of their relationship, their spark and their connection. Once the connection between the first books in this series that were in New York and this one in Vegas came to light, I was happy. I realized I did care about these characters when the vengeance started to happen and things looked dire. The vengeance both Cara and Growl sought was sweet when it happened.
*Read through Kindle Unlimited.
Cara is an amazing and strong character, I really love her. And Growl uff I love him and his story and EVERYTHING. They are a great couple.
I really love this book and them so I feel really sad that it is so underrated.
3.5 Stars If I have to say it this is probably my favourite book in this series. Cara and Growl are my favourite couple for sure, despite the fact that I didn’t much like Cara, especially her inner monologue toward Growl and the fact she never stood up for him at all. I am glad (honestly) that this book for the most part was a departure from New York. That for me was the main reason I stuck with this the whole time.
I read this story years ago when it first came out, but listening to it now, I think Cara and Growl are one of my favourite couples in all of the mafia stories! Both never quite fit into the world they were living in, but accepted they had no other choice. Both were really alone in the world they were living in, with no-one they could talk to. An attraction from the first moment they locked eyes, with no understanding how much it would bond them together. They didn’t bemoan their fates, they fought to make things the way they needed. They were willing to sacrifice everything, not because fate made them, but because they wanted to make a change, and that meant giving up and taking a chance. Cara and Growl were strong, independent, and determined, and the love they had for each other only made them all the more of a power when they acted together. Loved them both so much <3
Cara and Growl, a totally different couple in my view. Cara was raised from an early age to be a princess in the media world while Growl was set to be a monster.
Cora Reilly can be seen as a master when it comes to taking totally different, broken people and giving them a fresh start, an opportunity to create new memories. In this book, Cora makes these two seemingly opposite humans discover at one point in time, which may be the perfect fit in another.
Cara is a woman who was early taught to be a perfect lady because of her father’s position in the media, always demanding the same thing. Her mother was or her greatest example of a perfect society of society, mirrored her daily. What may seem like perfection to others may be seen as opposite and that’s just what happened to me, it doesn’t sympathize with a lady so much at times, a charge that she performs as daughters, just made me create a huge barrier with a character .
Cara’s fate was traced by her parents, as if she were destined for an arranged marriage, being promised to one of the chief aides of the media chief. On a mafia night, she just met Growl, a man who was known for the atrocities that were committed. But since people don’t consult Growl just because he is evil, or the main reason for his origin, he was known as a bastard.
When their fates intersect, I could see how dangerous it can be to get involved in mafia paths. All the worse when you must pay for the mistakes of others and that’s how Cara came into Growl’s life. She was paying for a person’s betrayal, and her punishment was getting stuck with Growl, the man who at the beginning of the plot seemed to be a real monster.
What bothered me at times was how the author treated the way Cara would deal with the changes that had happened in her life, the consequences of betrayal. She only cared about appearances, what society would think with this new chapter of her life, when in fact there were many people involved and who depended on her help, while her concern was entirely different. Although throughout history she matures, building new values, the young lady did not totally win me.
However, when the two get stuck together, they begin to see that not everything is as it looks, Cara begins to see that Growl has a lot behind what he looks like, wounds that are lodged in his soul, and that he considers himself unable to feel anything for anyone until he sees Cara come into his life. A few moments the pain of rejection and the price of being unloved in his childhood reflects mainly when he tries to open up and takes a step toward trying to build a relationship.
But what Growl didn’t know was that even before he tried to protect himself, his barriers would already be falling apart. Because when good comes, hope and goodness come subtly… And that’s how Cara got this fortress he had built to be crumbling and showing how black his world was, putting some color into it. It is a novel of overcoming the past. Of revenge on the present and a beautiful future ahead.
This story takes place in the Camorra in Las Vegas. Growl is a monster of a man. He is the best enforcer they have. He was bred to be bathed in blood. He is feared and whispered about. Cara is an honorable sweet young women. The first time they meet she is scared. Things unravel for her quickly and she becomes a pawn in a man’s game. Will she willingly give herself over or will she fight to keep her vengeance alive? Can a monster change? Will these two learn from each other?
I loved this story! Growl and Cara are my favorite couple from this series.
Oh my God, another great story by Cora. I can’t praise her writing skills enough.
This is Growl and Cara’s mind-blowing story. Wow, I wasn’t expecting this story at all, it is so unique and very intriguing. I read it in one sitting, I could not stop reading it.
I definitely admire Cara, she’s a tough girl and an optimist who tries to make the best of her hard situation. She is adaptable, and tries to get to know and understand Growl. Growl is mysterious and surprisingly patient, he’s able to sacrifice for Cara and he is willing to understand her and even please her. I found him captivating. It made me very sad every time he shared no one had ever appreciated him and how he considers himself a monster, talk about low self-esteem!
I felt this book was different from the others and I marvel at how Cora can keep writing different but equally thrilling stories. She keeps surprising me and making me crazily involved and invested in each and every story.
This book is the love of my life
Growl and Cara own my heart
Amazing story
I’m not good with words but I really recommend this book
3.9
Honestly I didn’t know what this book would be about going into it considering we haven’t really known this couple but I was pleasantly surprised. CaraGrowl were a really great match. Their chemistry was really on point and I liked how we got to see Growl in his element. This did slightly feel out of place but nevertheless I did enjoy it. I really want growl and remo to meet
Bound by Vengeance is the fifth book in the Born in Blood Mafia Chronicles by Cora Reilly.
“I shall bathe in the blood of my enemies and feast on their fear.”
I took a long break from reading for fun because I was getting ready to graduate college so when I saw that Cora had released this book, I was ready because I love the series so much. There were a lot of grammatical errors, but it is not something I typically care about in the book because I know it can happen. It doesn’t affect my rate on the book.
“She wasn’t meant to be. Nothing he was meant to touch with his scarred, brutal hands.”
Cara is the perfect image; already has an arranged marriage in place to fit her perfectly princess image. Unfortunate events happen and Cara is gifted to the Camorra’s most brutal and ruthless enforcer, Growl.
“He was her punishment, a fate worse than death.”
Growl gained his named because of his scar on his neck that messed with his vocal cords and is deemed a monster. Accepting Cara as his gift, he did not realized how much he would actually start to care for her.
“She was dangerous to him, to the life he’d built, to the person he’d become.”
The dynamic and chemistry between these two was adorable. It was a lot of confusion between the two at first seeing as they were owner-and-owned type of relationship before they started to develop feelings. I love the introduction to the Camorra. I can’t wait for the next series.
“I was falling for him, and I wasn’t sure how to stop myself from feeling that way. But I had to. There was no future for Growl and me.”
Doing a reread of the series after so long, and seeing I have no review for this book pains me so here we go:
It’s sad, but I really don’t think this book gets enough credit. This is only my second time reading it, and even I didn’t remember anything past the basic plot concept, but I really enjoy this one, right up there with Bound by Temptation and Honor. It’s a step away from the books we’ve seen so far, to introduce Cora’s spin-off series by featuring the Cammora leader’s main soldier, Growl, and the rich girl, Cara, who was gifted to him. Being the monster he is, it was supposed to be punishment to her family.
There needs to be more characters like Growl. The misunderstood ones. Growl was raised to be a mindless killer, so that’s what people see him as and nothing more. With Cara, she sees humanity in him and brings this to light. Even with the situation, he sees himself lowly in comparison leading this book to filled with so much angst, my chest ached.
I’m happy they have a feature in the Anthology, because I really do need more of these two, or more that people need more of them. Maybe it’ll feature the wedding.
Definitely reading this book we can see that there is much more than “Growl the cruel monster”. Cara makes us see another facet of him. Love the chemistry and connection these two characters had.
For crying out loud! I have read these books in order – Luca book 0 ‘was’ the worst for edits but this one is giving it a run for it’s money. These books aren’t cheap, especially in Canada and yet the author has served them up in,a sloppy manner and I’m fed up. It’s become obvious that these books are translated to English as there are missing words and extra wrong words but far too often the tense is blatantly WRONG. It doesn’t take more than a grade school education to find and fix these mistakes yet they are in all of these books so I asking the author to PLEASE EDIT AND UPDATE. I have noted all the corrections in the note addition on Goodreads for free for you where I usually charge so go and take all the corrections and please update your work. It is so disappointing and disrespectful to sell books in a sloppy manny riddled with errors and absolutely unnecessary – then I’ll be happy to change my review
I loved Cara and Growl. Growl gained his named because of his scar on his neck. The injury destroyed his vocal cords and is one of the reasons why he is deemed a monster. He accept Cara as a gift. But he never expected to care for or even love her.
Their chemistry was interesting. I loved watching them developing feelings for each other. I loved seeing these two opposite people, that are so different, connect like that. They belong together. They were both so protective of each other. So adorable.
I’m hugely obsessed with Cora’s mafia series, and I’ve loved every book.
First, if you read the books in sequence, Cara and Growl’s story was a bit surprising as part of the Famiglia story- he’s not a member of the famiglia and we don’t know much about him from the other stories. To be honest, however, I didn’t read them in order. I skipped this one given some reviews and also being neutral about Growl at that point, and started in on Camorra. THAT sparked my interest in Growl-after reading more about the Falcones, I wanted to read the story of the mysterious half brother that betrayed their faction (but ultimately allowed for their rise to power) and understand just how the heck that guy ended up with Luca and as an enforcer no less.
This is definitely not my favorite story in the bunch, but that is hard sell since some of the couples books I’ve reread hundreds of times. I did like it, however, and I am glad that I read it.
I did learn to appreciate Growl- he’s definitely complicated and has some baggage. Straight off he treats our heroine with care and kindness, he himself understanding what it’s like to be under the boot of the boss. Him looking out for her comforts and the genuine love and tenderness he shows with his scary dogs is endearing- and we start to see his heart. And, man do I feel for Cara. Her situation is horrible, she has to witness the destruction of her family, and she’s trapped with Growl and can’t care for them. At times, I struggled to connect with her, mostly because she’s experiencing so many emotions and devastating losses, its is hard for any writer to give that time and space to breathe into the character. Overall, I enjoyed learning about the mysterious Growl, loved watching him be tamed by sweet Cara, and found them to have some steamy chemistry.
But, here’s what I didn’t love.
-the pacing was erratic, at times it was really slow moving, felt like less action than some other books; and then the ending was really far-fetched and fast
-Growl sleeping around with whores even when he was already into Cara and already had her as his possession (this happens in Cora books often- I didn’t love it in BBH but Luca and Aria handled it differently than here, and Nino slept around with Kiara’s permission which still bothered me, but he didn’t love her yet….here Growl does care about Cara, and honestly I didn’t find him to redeem himself as satisfactorily as Luca did)- perhaps this is because it comes from a place of self-hate for Growl, so it feels more devastating
-Growl doesn’t’ seem to open up like some of Cora’s men- the sex is hot, and he’s affectionate and says the words, but I don’t FEEL his love in the same way I do others, in part, because I still feel like we’re just scratching the surface with him….so the story feels a bit incomplete to me in terms of their connection
You could skip this one if you wanted, to be honest I’m not sure it advanced the overall world of the characters we know and love, and we know enough about Growl from the other stories to understand how he fits. I won’t be re-reading this one all the time like some others, but I definitely am glad I read it. Overall I’d say 3.5 stars, but rounding up to 4 because I love Cora and this series.
Bound by Vengeance is a great surprise to have no expectations when starting to read it, do not imagine that I would love and fall in love with these characters. This story is beautiful starting with a very strong and bloody start. It is very interesting how the beginning of the relationship between these Growl and Cara is like a kind of war and how this does not prevent their romance from evolving by changing their lives, especially Growl’s by introducing Cara into their life. I especially loved this book incorporating pets into the series.
Growl is a man with many physical and emotional scars but who is still brave and a fighter like a gangster who, when meeting Cara, tries to be better for her. Cara is a woman who would not stop fighting in a world of mafia men until freeing herself from her circumstances and having a future.
Recommended 100%
Bound by vengeance is the first book which is set in Las Vegas and gives us an insight in to how things are run in the Camorra, a family so unlike the Familia and the Outfit.
We are introduced to Growl’s character who surprised me as he was so unlike the cruel monster he was painted to be. An assassin who is hated and talked down to by almost everyone in the Camorra, he was treated like an animal rather than a human. He was a loveable softie inside, especially with his two dogs who fast grew attached to Cara.
Throughout the book he was nothing but caring and loving towards Cara, a cousin of Luca Vitiello unbeknownst to her. Both characters had good chemistry and connection between them which helped me to enjoy the story. Personally for me, Growl won this book for me, he was just someone who needed a little love and care.
This is the most underrated book in the BIBMC/Camorra world and I honestly don’t understand why. Cara and Growl are unique characters that captivated me from the beginning, so I couldn’t help but fall in love with them.
Cara is that rich and sheltered girl from the mafia who never had to face hardships, while Growl is that boy who didn’t receive love or affection during his whole life and just wants to do his job and be invisible. They are very different from each other, but I think that’s what made them stronger as a couple. They knew they weren’t what other people consider a “perfect” couple, but their feelings for each other were bigger than any judgement they might encounter along the way.
As an individual, I really liked Growl. I have a soft spot for broody and dark characters who grew up without love, but still manage to change and do the right thing for those he loves. It was amazing to see how much he cared for Cara, Coco and Bandit, even though people only saw and treated him as a monster. He put Cara and his dogs above everything else and that was just the cutest thing in the world. His growth was really believable and I’m glad he got the revenge he deserved.
The only reason why I didn’t give this book more stars is because I felt it was shorter and more rushed than it should be. Also, I wish Cara had a better development throughout the book, because I still feel like I don’t know much about her and that’s sad.