GabrielaStefan Sabbioni showed up uninvited in my bedroom on my sixteenth birthday. He stood in the shadows smelling of whiskey and death and wrapped a broken, blood-crusted necklace around my neck. I thought he’d strangle me with it.That night, he left a message for my father. He said he’d be back to take something precious.I never delivered that message, though. I wonder if things would be … though. I wonder if things would be different if I had because now, two years later, he’s back. And he’s not hiding in any shadows.
He’s come to make good on his promise.
He’s back to take that something precious.
Me.
Stefan
Marchese is the manipulator of my family’s tragedy. I won’t just bring him to his knees. I’ll bury him for what he did.
Taking his daughter is only the beginning. I’ll do it knowing I’m starting a war. I’ll do it knowing my enemies will become his allies. They’ll stop at nothing to destroy me and he’ll stop at nothing to get her back.
I’ve never shied away from war, though. I’m not one to play nice and I don’t share my toys. I’ll demolish you if you touch what’s mine.
And she is most definitely mine.
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Loved this dark mafia romance! Stefan’s rage and pain practically radiates off the pages, and Gabriela is smart and strong, a survivor even at her tender age. Together, they’re explosive, their chemistry sizzling off the pages. I blizted through this book in a day, and I can’t wait to read the conclusion. Highly recommend!
How could I not gobble it up?! A beautiful, angsty mafia dark romance that will melt your heart.
Ahhhh….Ladies, if you like a mafia romance this is for you. Even if you have never read a mafia romance this one is for you. Collateral is absolutely fantastic. It is everything that I’ve come to expect from this author. She is such an amazing writer. The story is so good and will keep you up late at night reading this one. I was so drawn into the story that I couldn’t turn those pages fast enough….and omg, that cliffhanger had me saying…nooooo…not now. Gotta love those cliffhangers ladies because it keeps us wanting more. This is a must read and I absolutely anxiously waiting for the next book.
Happy Reading Everyone!!!
Oh my holy smokes y’all!!!!! Ok so I’ve read just a couple books by Natasha but this one oh lord this one takes the top prize!!! Yes I need to read more by her but idk if any would still take this one top spot!! I’m mean I can’t say HOLY SMOKES enough!!! Like I did not put this book down until I finished it and then I still kept trying to get more pages to show up….lol. Yes it leaves you hanging a bit. And I need book 2 like yesterday (when I finished book 1) I had to wrap my head around what I read and see if I could get my words right. I gave up because I’m not going to do it justice. I just know that I would recommend this book to everyone!!! It will keep you on the edge of your seat and you will want to know everything that has happened and will happen now. And you will be pulling for certain things to happen. And you will want to smack both Stefan and Gabriela!!! And I can’t wait for book 2 and am so glad I don’t have long to wait!!!! I highly highly recommend this book!!!! – By Tina
Collateral is the epitome of mafia and arranged marriage books. Put the two together and you have my own personal crack!
Stefan is the younger son of a Sicilian mafia Lord. Gabriela is the daughter of an American criminal and businessman. The two together are explosive, dangerous and outright damned.
Stefan pays a surprise visit to Gabriela on her 16th birthday which leads to a chain of events that ends up changing both their lives forever.
Are Stefans’ intentions as sinister as he seems? If so, can Gabriela handle being married to a beast? She is, after all, a spoiled American heiress, right? Not everything is it as seems in book 1 of this gripping duet. Not to be missed and leaving you deprived of answers you’ll be absolutely aching for, COLLATERAL is a must read! A mystery that will leave you at the edge of your seat! Sexy but full of surprises.
Natasha has a vivid but concise writing style that I fell in love with and I can’t wait for more Stef and Gabi in book 2 of this heart racing duet!
*Reviewed by Ali at Fallen For Books.
My emotions were collateral! 4 stars
This book was intriguing and intense from the beginning, and I was an engaged reader the whole time wondering what was going to happen next. Gabriela is a fighter, and I loved that about her. She is younger at 18-19, so at times she could she could act out without thinking. My heart broke for her several times though, and I can’t say anything more than that without spoiling the book. Stefan is definitely commanding and older than Gabriela, and I was very intrigued by him. He has reasons for doing what he is doing, and I also felt for him at certain times. Gabriela and Stefan are a slow burn, and they have smoldering chemistry! There are still a lot of questions to be answered, and after that cliffhanger I cannot wait to get my hands on the second book of this duet!
I received a copy of this ebook from the author for my honest review.
5 stars!! I am in love with this book!!
This is book one of “Collateral Damage” Duet! Who do I have to pay to get book two right freaking now!! Omg this ending has me on pins and needles!!
Who knew an arranged marriage combined with the Sicilian mafia could turn out to be drama central!! Lol.
The secrets.
The lies.
The tension.
The betrayal.
This book is amazing. Yes I have a sweet spot for mafia books but I just l love a good alpha! Stephan is that and so much more. And damn if he doesn’t have a heart hidden under all those murderous tendencies!!
Gabriela is a fighter. I do love her as well. I just wish she could put the wall down for a minute. But we all know putting the wall down leaves her vulnerable. Vulnerable and mafia life do not mix.
The tension between these two are extremely HOT!! I can not wait for book two, hopefully there is some action!!
Rafa is on my radar right now. I don’t know how I feel about him. Same as Clara some weird shit going on there. You know who I give no shits about is papa Gabriel. Oooh that bastard.
So this book is a definite must read from me. And it went live today so grab it!!
**I voluntarily reviewed an advance complimentary copy of this book.**
Mafia romance at its finest. This book takes mafia to a whole different level! I love this author so much for writing a book that takes relationships and the mafia to a whole different level. It is a twisted tale of romance that will make you hold on to the edge of your seat!!! The characters, setting, plot – it all adds up to this book that will blow your mind!!!
The way this author weaves all these characters together, their situations, it all is collectively amazing!! I think all mafia lovers will absolutely fall in love with Gabriela and Stefan (and a few others along the way!).
Gabriela and Stefan are two people who will have to endure much to get what they want in the end. They don’t anticipate how far her father will go, but it will leave you shellshocked. Their tale is not sweet and romantic. It is one of survival and betrayal and getting what you want no matter what.
Collateral is the first book in Collateral Damage Series. This is Gabriela Marchese and Stefan Sabbioni’s story. Stefani first showed up at Gabriela’s 16th birthday party. He came to warn her and for her to warn her father that he was going to come back for something precious. She never showed her father whom she doesn’t like the neck chain that Stefan left with her.
Two years later after she turned 18 Stefan is back and he is blackmailing her father for her hand in marriage. She is his Collateral Damage.
Gabriela really doesn’t know who is the good guy. She knows her father isn’t but something happens and she doesn’t think Stefan is a good guy either. She thinks that he is to blame for the death of a friend of hers and she is ready to run.
I have some questions that I hope will be answered in the second and final book! The first book ends on a cliffhanger but fortunately the wait is short. The conclusion will be out on October 15th. This is a really good story and I can’t wait to read the last book! 4.5 Stars
I’ve never been so riveted or captivated. This is a fast-paced, intense, turn-the-pages-like-they-are-on fire kind of book that will get your heart pumping and have you begging for more.
Natasha Knight is a master of suspense. She makes the read well worth it.
Right from the start Collateral gripped and enthralled me with suspense and dread. It was exciting, thrilling and dark. It satisfied my need for an intense, passionate, page-turning read. You can’t help but be engaged by this couple and the plot.
I loved every tiny piece of this book. It is an age gap, dark mafia romance. It touched on all my emotions. Sadness, happiness, lust, anger and fear. This author has a way of writing that entranced me. Every moment had me on the edge of my seat with my heart pounding.
Gabriela was an amazing character. She was strong and defiant and I absolutely loved this about her. Although Stefan is an alpha male that demands her submission, she fights him all the way.
Stefan is your regular, sexy, demanding and vengeful mafia man. He coerces an arranged marriage to Gabriela from her father in the hopes of eventually destroying him. But where does that leave Gabriela?
If your looking for your next heart-pounding, riveting read look no further.
Please note that this is a duet and ends on a cliffhanger.
Collateral was freaking amazing! This might be my next dark romance favourite! I loved every minute of this story! It’s filled with tension, chemistry, an amazing storyline and from the cliffhanger you know the conclusion in book two will just as explosive or maybe even better!
I loved Gabriela strength to fight back against all odds. She had a feisty attitude and kept her guard still. With every chapter I found out more how courageous and emotionally strong she was. She was not the usual helpless girl trapped in a mafia world. She wanted freedom from her father, but ended up in another mafia’s hand who is no different than her father. Or maybe he is even worse…
Stefan was dangerously handsome Italian mob boss. Vengeance, rage and deep-rooted pain kept him in hatred through his life. He made vow two years ago to himself which led him to Gabriela. Young, innocent girl who was a pawn in his revenge game.
I can’t wait for next conclusion book Damage, I need it now! I was so engrossed that when it ended, I was so dumbfounded and desperately wanted the continuation.
Collateral is the first book in this mafia romance, arranged marriage with a part romantic suspense from a new to me author. If you love anything mafia romance, then I would heartily suggest you to pick this one, because man, this is just PERFECTION!
Gabriela strikes me with her strong sense of character, even at her young age, against her father’s high handedness. But there is only so much she can do with an evil father like hers. She is just one of the pawns in a chessboard’s game of her father’s making. Stefan is the head of the Sabbioni mafia family and is out for revenge. He will stop at nothing and no one to get it and restore his family’s reputation.
Stefan and Gabriela’s initial reaction of hatred to one another was, in their mind, warranted given the circumstances they were in. I think I was going to die from the slow build of romance between them. I was legit gripping my e-reader from the sexual frustration but because of their unusual situation, it was like one step forward two steps back. There were some intense moments and I was downright swooning, but I need more, LOL. These two still have a lot to go through, especially on building up the trust. As of this moment, I have some feeling of foreboding that book two will be explosive. I have some theories and suspicions, and I would really love to get my hands on the next installment.
Overall, Collateral is hands down one of my favorite romantic suspense, mafia romance to this date. It is aptly titled as so and you would know the reason why as you dive in to this amazing story. It hooks me right up and I’m addicted to each written word on this book. I find myself savoring and pondering each moments. The story grips me from the get-go; it was that good! From one suspenseful, charged moments to sweet, thoughtful scenes, it was a wild roller coaster ride of emotions. I FLOVED it and October could not come soon enough!
“Out of the frying pan and into the fire. I’m already burning in the flames.”
Another formidable mafia story by Natasha Knight *squee!!!*
Dive into Gabriella and Stefan’s universe, enjoy the brearhataking trip to Sicily.
Fast paced, action packed, this is a book I devoured in a few hours. From one hell to another, will the young Gabriella eventually find the light? In this world of domination, power and bood, the threats lurk at every corner. A monster eclipses another one and safety is just an illusion.
The author once more played with anticipation, delivering an explosive and steamy read.
I VOLUNTARILY REVIEWED AN ARC COPY OF THIS BOOK. THANK YOU!!!
Natasha Knight is one of the best mafia writing authors I have ever read. When I know a Natasha book is coming out I jump at the chance to buy and read her work because there is no way anyone could be disappointed. With Collateral we get two families that have no business in each other business but now are on each other radar and Gabriela is the collateral on both sides.
Gabriela and Stefan have such electric chemistry that it jumps right off the pages. From the very first moment, they meet to the very last sentence that is written you won’t be able to put this story down. I love that this first story is about the story. It isn’t filled with unnecessary sex and brutality. Gabriela and Stefan are at each other’s throats and there is a mystery on what is going on in the background but while all this is going on you have that underline chemistry with these two so you know when they finally get together it is going to be nuclear.
Natasha has written a phenomenal book that I will reread over and over again. I can’t wait for the next one.
This is the 1st book in a duet from this talented author, and what a fantastic introduction this story is! Stefan is a Sicilian Mobster, who is on a mission of vengeance, so he blackmails his enemy into handing over his daughter Gabriela in an arranged marriage. Gabriela is an innocent pawn in this game, and is naive and innocent due to her sheltered upbringing. This is a well written tale which is intense and riveting, and with twists, mystery, danger, betrayal and secrets, which all had me captivated throughout this addictive page turner, and I cannot wait to read #2.
Holy Shit!!!!! I want the rest of Stefan and Gabriela’s story now. PLEASE!!!!!. An intense 5 star roller coaster ride of suspense.
This is a duet so it is not meant to be read a s a standalone. This is a dark romantic suspense that involves the mafia. This is a very suspenseful and intriguing story that had me reading non stop. I was hooked from the very first page read to the last one. It’s a dark romance but not too dark that would make me cringe.
Great characters that were perfectly created and developed. Told in a dual POV. I can’t wait for Damaged.
***ARC generously provided by for an honest review.***
Storyline: 4 stars
Characters: 4 stars
Heat Factor: 2 stars
Overall Rating: 4.5 stars
“That’s another point you’re wrong on. See, you’re in my world now. And in my world, I make the rules and you obey them. I. Own. You.” -Stefan Sabbioni
Collateral is book one in the Collateral Damage Duet by Natasha Knight. This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I must say I really enjoyed this book.
Gabriela Marchese is the eighteen-year-old daughter of Gabriel Marchese, a calculating and ruthless mobster. Stuck in the crosshairs of her father’s dirty deeds and manipulation, Gabriela finds herself bound by a contract her father signed, to marry another ruthless mobster, Stefan Sabbioni.
Removed from her home and placed in the care of a stranger, Gabriela struggles to come to terms with her impending future. Stubborn to the core, Gabriela will not give Stefan the upper hand… but that doesn’t mean he won’t take it.
Gabriela is immature throughout this story, but keep in mind she is young and has been sheltered her whole entire life. Her stubbornness and defiance do make interaction with Stefan interesting though since he is a control freak.
Stefan… holy hotness!! He is a complete dominant at the core. He wants control so bad and is used to having it in all things. Let’s not forget his perfect body and a hot chest tattoo…swoon!
The story is well crafted. The flow in which the story unfolds is pleasantly surprising as the author took time to build the world in which this story takes place and the where the characters reside. This story is the definition of a slow burn romance. I liked that she took two characters, who were complete strangers and took her time to show the development of their relationship as the story unfolds. There are definitely still a lot of trust issues to work out between these two, but I feel when the time is right, the pages are going to explode with all the pent-up chemistry these two are giving off!
I’m looking forward to seeing what’s in store for the second part of this story.
4.5 stars
Gabriela and Stefan are quite a pair. There are a number of things I dislike about each character, but those flaws make sense as part of the whole story. Gabriela is a pawn in the game of mafia dealings, first for her father and now for her fiancé, Stefan. She’s feisty and had been through plenty, but also still quite young and it shows. Stefan is significantly older, has lots of his own issues and motives to taking ownership of this woman (I am not a fan of that theme, it pisses me off quite frankly) but he does try to extend some genuine kindness to Gabriela.
There’s a lot hidden still, but the reveals I have no doubt are going to be worth the wait!
Every book that I have read by Natasha Knight has hooked me from the blurb and once I delve into her worlds I am forever hooked. When I first learnt that Natasha was writing a new Mafia Romance Duet I was so excited, she has a way of trapping me into this dark and dangerous world and I just can’t help myself from falling in love with characters.
Collateral was freaking amazing!! For me, I think this might even be a little bit darker than we have seen from Natasha and I think it’s brilliantly addictive! I was consumed with this world and characters, so consumed that I read into the early hours without releasing.
I was instantly connected to Gabriela and Stefan’s characters. These characters are both damaged people, one seeking revenge for the death of a loved one and the other seeking freedom from the restraints of this world. Together, they are both on a journey, one that has just begun!
Let’s take about chemistry, these two characters have plenty that it just oozes from the pages as you read. They have this energy that you can feel feeding their attraction until it comes to a violent end. The difference with this book for me, there was no sex scenes, which I think helped to build this atmosphere around the characters. While there was plenty of petting, there was just no happy ending.
I loved every minute of this story! It’s filled with tension, chemistry, an amazing storyline and from the cliffhanger you know the conclusion in book two will just as brilliant!! I cannot recommend this story and author enough, you seriously have to add this duet to your TBR List!!
Natasha Knight, you are the Mafia Queen!! Your storytelling knows no bounds and is a testament to your skill. I will forever be an avid follower and reader!!
Secrets
Lies
Revenge
This is dark mafia romance at it’s finest.
Stefan Sabbioni is a hard man, that’s his life, he accepts who he is and he never shows weakness to his enemy. He will have his revenge and he knows just how to get it…her.
“Daddy can’t help you now, Princess.” ~Stefan
Gabriela Marchese, young and naive, living a life she never wanted. Her father is ruthless, uncaring and now has an enemy who knows his secrets. Stefan Sabbioni has come to exact his revenge, destroy, and Gabriela will be his pawn…the Collateral Damage.
“My father was wrong about you, you know that? He said you were as much a monster as him, but I think you might be worse.” ~Gabriela
I love how this author can paint such a vivid picture with her words, I confess I’m a huge fan and as with each of her stories I always feel like I’m right in the middle of it…the people, the emotions….like a voyeur watching from the sidelines. These characters are complex, the story fraught with twists and turns, you won’t see coming, and hang on for dear life to survive this cliffie!
You’ve been warned…but trust me, if dark mafia romance is your jam you don’t want to miss this one!