VicenteSometimes dreams were deceiving and the difference between doing the right thing or spriraling down the wrong path boiled down to one thing—survival.I grew up in extreme poverty.A walking statistic.An undocumented immigrant.Life’s circumstances hardened me.Reality crushed my notions that angels existed.Until I saw her… wanted to hurt her.
I wanted to find my salvation in her.
I just…wanted her.
But she wasn’t mine.
She was my brother’s girl.
Standalone. Book one in the series.
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If you know me, you know I am all about the angst.
This story was an angsty slow burn that had me flipping my pages.
Dani and Vince were perfect for each other since the beginning, but time and family kept getting in the way between them. In the end, they get it right, and boy was it beautiful.
Can’t wait for the next installment.
I have a crush on Vicente Mendoza. The once sweet boy forced to grow up too soon turned broody possessive alpha-hole is basically kryptonite. Rose has wholly grabbed my attention with this first story from the Mendoza family!
Vicente and Dani have both fought hard to make something out of their lives away from their tragic childhoods. Their draw to each other is immediate and lasting. Vicente struggles with wanting to hate Dani for all that he thinks she is AND because she is now his brother Emilio’s girl. But when he realizes she is the same girl he’s had in his heart since he was a boy, all bets are off and he’s driven to make her his…no matter who might be in the way. Dani is sweet and caring always, even when her life would jade most people. She doesn’t understand her connection to Vicente and she tries to fight it, but she becomes quite close with the family as Emilio’s girlfriend. Circumstances after high school separate Dani from the Mendozas. Fast forward years later and Vicente and Dani are thrown together once again, not by accident. This time around, neither character can resist and their relationship explodes into a sexy push and pull!
Past mistakes invade again and Dani struggles giving Vicente her trust. These scenes add just the right amount of tension and drama to round out this tantalizing story. I truly enjoyed Cabezon for the characters and engrossing storyline, and I’m excited to read more from this family. Brava Rose! 5 stars for Cabezon!
I really loved this book! Dani and Vince first met when they were just little ones. Looks and blushes that were sweet and so innocent until Dani’s mom made her leave over night. Years later she comes back and gets involved with Vince’s brother Emilio. They date for quite some time but there’s always something about Vince although Vince is a complete douchebag to her. It’s this connection between them that just won’t go away even though they try to fight it. When Emilio and Vince betray Dani, she runs. 10 years later she meets the brothers again but this time Vince finally makes his move.
I absolutely fell in love with the connection Vince and Dani had. I thought it was really well written and I loved that ending! I loved the family drama, the struggle and the people they have become now that they’re older. We see all the changes in this book and I loved it.
Love Vincenté and Dani’s story. Love all the twist and turns in their relationship.
Favorite quote: Dani ~ “Vince was like the black hole that suck me in and destroy me leaving nothing behind.”
Dani and Vince had my heart from the start! Their story definitely wasn’t a hearts and flowers kind of romance…it’s lustful, obsessive, tragic, heartbreaking, infuriating, and beautiful.
Two children, both growing up in less than great circumstances exchanged glances and smiles in passing, a few words spoken and a treasured token exchanged…nothing but a sweet memory.
Two teenagers who hated each other but were inexplicably drawn to one another, forbidden thoughts, and betrayal…nothing but a hurtful memory.
Two adults who reconnected, fighting a bond and attraction that was meant to be, learning to trust, giving into love…nothing but the promise of a future with wonderful memories.
This was my first Rose Croft book, won’t be my last, and I’m eager to dive into Book 2 of this series!
This was my first book by Rose Croft and for sure will not be the last. The span of emotions I felt while reading this has been a long time coming and wow! The characters were incredible and I found them to be just a little different and not the standard character I have come to traditionally read. I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book
Rose Croft is one of those authors that for some reason catch my attention instantly. And I love to continue reading her books. I’m glad to had the opportunity to receive this arc in exchange for my honest review.
“Even buried in life’s ugliness, you could always find something beautiful.”
This is the first book in this series and can be read as a standalone. Vince and Dani lived very sad moments in their childhood. Vince and his family decide to cross the US border in search of a better future. There are many vicissitudes they faced. The death of his mother, a drugdealer stepfather who pursues them to collect certain favors and all the dangers involved in participating in the underworld.
Dani was the forbidden girl. Vince’s attraction to Dani was undeniable. And his struggle between doing the right thing and being dominated by his feelings brings some drama to the story. However, the decision that Dani makes will take her away from the Mendoza family, but then the universe conspires to meet again and get a new and clean opportunity. The reservations that Dani has about the person Vince has become will put some resistance, which adds more enthusiasm to the encounter between them.
The story is emotional, inspiring. Vince and Dani pursued their dreams and persevered in many areas. Getting a beautiful happy ever after.
Phenomenal!
This is an absolutely phenomenal story from beginning to end! It had me completely and utterly captivated and highly entertained. It is one intense and very emotional rollercoaster ride that may have you throwing your kindle at the wall!!!
The writing and the storyline is fantastic. This amazing author just knows what words to use that will invoke hatred and love from her readers. There were many times where I wanted to kill Vince and other times when I was swooning over him! I loved Dani and Vince together. Their chemistry is off the charts and their interactions were highly combustible and explosive!! Their souls were made for each other and the pull they have to be together is otherworldly!
I can’t express how much I loved this book – it was AMAZING!! I can’t wait to read the next story.
Highly recommend.
I absolutely loved this book!
It’s about Vince and Dani. Vince is a troubled young man and you can see that throughout the book.
I loved vince and Dani’s characters. They were written with so much depth.
Just wow!
Highly highly recommended.
Cabezon is a Spanish word that can mean pigheaded, stubborn, heady, potent and lethal. Now with that for a meaning I was intrigued immediately.
Dani And Vicente or Vince had an intensely close connection from a very early age. This story of them starts when they were in grade four and five then continues for a number of years until both are adults. Their chemistry is off the charts and hard for them to deny each other. Dani was a sweet person but had an inner strength that she definitely needed, she didn’t hav3 an easy life and was an extremely hard worker. Vince struggled alongside his family but sheer determination and the willpower to succeed was the motivation necessary for him. He is strong but also arrogant and ruthless at times too.
This story has such a lot to it; trying childhoods with a lot of hardships and heartbreak, doing things tough but struggling through, having goals and aiming high, friendships and family ties as well as betrayal. Underlying that is the love story between the lead characters and it is an epic one too. I thoroughly recommend this to everyone and look forward to reading the next book in the series.
I absolutely devoured this book, even if it’s not my typical read.
So many emotions – Sadness, hope, lust, hate, betrayal, and love are just some of the feelings this book will give you.
Quick and easy read.
This was an intriguing read for me as I had never read anything by this author before but I will certainly continue to do so after having read Cabezon. The writing is storytelling at its best and you are enmeshed into the lives of both Dani and Vicente and how their pasts have shaped their futures.
The book takes you through childhood to adulthood for both Dani and Vicente. Dani lives a transient life with her mother who doesn’t make the best choices in life. Whereas Vicente comes from a life of poverty, having to learn English as a child and trying to make ends meet as a teenager. Due to unforeseen circumstance Dani sees Vince and her boyfriend Emilio (Vince’s brother) do something which she finds unforgivable which ends up with Dani running away and starting a new life, only to pop up again in the future but this time Vince isn’t standing on the side-lines and he will do anything to have Dani.
This book takes you through what it is like to live in abject poverty, fight to save your family and become the person you should have been without all of the outside influences. There are some extremely sad moments in the book from both characters and the development of Vince and Dani’s relationship is interesting because they have always had a spark but Vince didn’t want to intervene since Dani was seeing his brother. It is also entertaining to watch Vince switch from vulnerable to strong when dealing with Dani and his feeling, yet sometimes he can be cruel and leave Dani a little bit in limbo.
If you enjoy emotional roller-coaster ride books then this one is for you. The strength of both of these characters is amazing as are the stories that both of them tell independently. It will also be interesting to see what happens with Emilio.
ARC received for a fair and honest review.
More of my reviews can be found on my blog: https://thehotmesslibrary.blogspot.com
Cabezon is my first read by author Rose Croft. It was a fast-paced, exciting story that I devoured in one sitting.
It’s a rollercoaster of a story filled with tough decisions and gut-wrenching moments. There’s a lot Dani and Vince have to go through to get their HEA.
A well developed, relevant and enlightening read!
This is my first story by Rose Croft and it won’t be my last! Vicente and Dani have an unmistakable draw toward one another from a very early age. They also have childhood experiences that affect them yet despite hardships don’t completely deter them from becoming successful adults. The chemistry between Vicente and Dani was undeniable from the get go. I loved these characters and could relate to them and empathize with their story.
Vicente and Dani I loved how they met in elementary school and things happened in life. And it picks up again in high school. The second chance romance and the suspense love it.
Cabezón is my first read by this author and I’m glad I gave it a chance. I had a bit of trouble getting into it originally but once I did, I couldn’t put it down. It’s all about family, rough childhoods, hardships, bad decisions, betrayal, loyalty and love. Vicente and Dandelion’s story is dark and steamy, and it isn’t an easy journey for either of them or Vicente’s brother.
4 stars for Cabezon by Rose Croft. This is my first book by this author and this is an author I will definitely read again. This writer writes different from many others. I would say this is a mafia romance, friends to lovers and second chance romance if I had to label it. The book is sorta in three parts. Really far past, past and present. Dani has lived a transient life with her mother. She had a rough childhood and her first encounter with Vincent was when she was just a little girl and he was in the office at the school. Vincent is part of the Mendoza family and has made something of himself. He overcame the rough and humble beginnings he had. He wanted to change their lives and he did. He always had a thing for Dani but when he was going to speak up, she was with his brother. This book is a journey of how these two became who they are today. I loved both characters and how the author writes about their journeys. Dani is what I love in a heroine. She is strong and knows when you fight for herself. Vincent is dark and mysterious and really who does not love that is the hero of the story.
I felt like the book left my mind reeling. The author writes as if we are on the journey with these characters. My heart was claimed by these characters, and I felt every bit of it in my soul. It was just something about reading about Dani and Vincent’s life from when they were young, to high school to where they are now that makes you feel like you are apart of the story.
The cover of this book is amazing. The model on the front who is Vincent I presume is amazing. He is gorgeous and draws the eye. The blurb is what sealed the deal for me though. It made me want to read the story. It is what made me open the first page of the book and the writing is what kept me hooked. I was hooked from the start. I was kept on the edge of my seat. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a great romance. This is one for the ages.
Cabezon Book 1 of The Mendoza Family by Rose Croft
5 Stars
Rose is a new author to me. I can’t wait to read more books from this author. I really enjoyed this book from start to finish. It kept my interest throughout! Very emotional but oh soo good! Very well written!
Most definitely can’t wait for the next book in the series!
It was refreshing to see some of the topics that
where throughout the book.
It’s real and sad, mostly looked over, but refreshing.
It made you aware of the neglect, poverty, and
perseverance of the characters in the book…but the
author did it in a way where it was showing what kind
of world Dani and Vince came from. They overcame
their beginnings, changed their own destinies. In the
middle of all that chaos they both found themselves
and each other. It was a fantastic book, I’m definitely
looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Such a great book absolutely loved it highly recommend it everyone should read it