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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COLLATERAL is the first instalment in Natasha Knight’s contemporary, adult COLLATERAL DAMAGE dark romantic, mafia suspense duet. This is head of the Sicilian Sabbioni family, twenty-nine year old Stefan Sabbioni, and eighteen year old Gabriela Marchese’s story line.
Told from dual first person perspectives (Stefan and Gabriela) COLLATERAL focuses on a payment for a debt. Two years earlier Stefan’s brother Antonio was brutally murdered, and Stefan is determined to make everyone pay starting with Gabriela Marchese, the daughter of his enemy, and the woman he is hoping to destroy. Young and naïve, Gabriela has always been the pawn in her father’s game with family, friends and business acquaintances, and now Gabriela has become collateral damage in the most dangerous game of all. When her father signs over her life to Stefan Sabbioni, our heroine battles between head and heart going from one ‘prison’ to another. Her life no longer her own, our heroine begins to reflect on what has happened and why, believing she can no longer put her trust in any man.
Gabriela Marchese is immature and naïve, and her actions and emotional outbursts breed contempt with our story line hero. Unable to accept her current consequences, Gabriela begins to search for clues, looking for a way to escape. Friends will die; lives will be threatened as Gabriela seeks help from a dangerous source. Stefan Sabbioni only knows that vengeance is his to inflict following the grisly murder of his older brother. ‘Taking’ Gabriela Marchese is only the first step on his road to retribution but falling for the young beauty was never in the plans.
The relationship between Stefan and Gabriela is acrimonious and tempestuous. There is no romance, no love, only Stefan’s thoughts and desires to make Gabriela his own; and Gabriela’s need to escape her ‘gilded cage’.
We are introduced to Stefan’s cousin and right hand man Rafa, as well as his housekeeper Miss Millie: Gabriela’s father Gabriel Marchese, and Gabriela’s best friend Alex Romano.
COLLATERAL is a character driven story of family and betrayal; revenge and retribution. There are plenty of hints as to past behavior and events including the death of Gabriela’s mother, and her brother’s debilitating situation, hints that barely scratch the surface of what happened and why. The premise is intriguing and captivating; the characters are desperate and broken; the romance is virtually non-existent. COLLATERAL ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.
Who doesn’t love a good Mafia story?! But lately they all seem to be the same. But not this one. Of course it had the dominate sexy Mafia Boss who swoops in and takes control of a heroines life. And the Rival who wants revenge because of the bad blood between them. And the heroin gets used as a pawn. But the thing that Stefan didn’t take into consideration is that he may have met his match when it comes to Gabriela. She may be young but she is strong willed and defiant at every turn. She’s not going to be used as anyone’s pawn. But is she really fighting against the right person?
This book was angsty with a slow burn. One of my favorite kinds of reads. This is part of a duet. So there is a cliffhanger so be prepared. But thankfully we don’t have to wait that long.
The first book in a new mafia duet from Natasha what’s not to love. From the start the reader gets drawn into the world of two warring families. Gabrielle is the sacrifice he father is willing to make and Stefan has come to collect.
Gabby is an intriguing mix of innocent but worldly wise. Growing up in the mafia she’s seen more than she should but has always been hopeful she wouldn’t be dragged into her fathers mess.
Gabby is at an awkward stage in her life, I mean she’s 18 so her hormones are going nuts. Her behaviour alternates between bratty and sultry. I understood it her need to appear confident whilst testing boundaries. I was unsure what to make of Stefan he was an enigma. He’s cold ruthless and has zero apologies for the life he leads. Their relationship is a battle of wills, push and pull but who will come out on top. I know some don’t like cliffhangers but I love them as they build the anticipation for book 2.
Reviewed by United Indie Book Blog
This is part one of Gabriela Marchese and Stefan Sabbioni’s story and oh boy what a story it is too! Both Gabriela and Stefan come from big Italian Mafia families however they’re not exactly friendly.
The descriptions in this book make you feel like you are actually there in the story. Running up the marble staircase with the ornate iron handrails, looking out at the gorgeous, turquoise blue Sicilian sea and feeling the heat from the scorching sun as well as experiencing all of the other emotions, and there is a huge range. They, the descriptors, also explicitly build up each character, including the really evil ones, at times you want to do physical damage to one particular rotter- no I lie… I wanted something or someone to end him all of the time! Well a girl can wish!
My heart goes out to Gabriela, her life has been one of being held prisoner basically. Even with this situation she still has a strong will, determined backbone and stands up for herself. I admire her immensely and to think she’s only eighteen, she’s lived a vastly different life than most eighteen-year-olds have lived.
Stefan is not the easiest man in the world for Gabriela to warm up to, trust is a huge stumbling block and who could blame her? Yet, I quite like him. Yes, he is arrogant and bossy but I feel he is a lot more and time will expose the real Stefan-well I hope!
An exciting story with an even more exciting cliffhanger ending! I’m already dying for the next book!
A well written, engaging mafia romance with just the right amount of tension and a slow burning romance.
I enjoyed these characters who were both strong willed and stubborn. Gabrielle is young and a bit naive but not stupid. She is no stranger to the ways of the mafia but having lived under her father’s thumb all her life, she hasn’t experienced life or been afforded any independence. When she is forced into marriage with a mysterious man from her past, she accepts her fate but that doesn’t mean she rolls over in submission. She’s strong, feisty and not about to cave to the whims of her fiance.
Control quickly becomes an issue and Stephan is more than up for the challenge. He is out for revenge and Gabrielle is just the tool he needs to get what he wants. She is a means to an end, but I suspect that using her will become much harder than he believes.
The story line isn’t something new in this genre but the execution is quite compelling and very well done. Be warned this one ends in one delicious cliffie.
The first book in a new Mafia duet by Natasha Knight.
It is a well written book that flows really well and there is a lot happening. The story is told from a duo pov which I enjoy because you get to see the story from both sides.
I liked Stefan a lot. He is not perfect, he has his flaws, but he is a good guy at heart and does care for Gabriela. Gabriela is only 18 and not quite grown up yet. Sh can be a brat at times, but I also felt a bit sorry for her.
It is a slow burn, but there is definitely a lot a sexual tension between then. The ending will have you yelling at your ereader. It end in a cliffhanger
What a fantastic, fast paced book! Grabbing your attention immediately, Collateral makes sure you know this is going to be a story that will bring emotional intensity as well as throw you into a world where trust is at a premium, and any vulnerability will be exploited. Growing up in, and living in, the world of criminal gangs and mafia, Stefan is experienced, driven and determined. He is committed to a path of vengeance. This path has picked up the isolated, vulnerable Gabriela and made her one of the main means of extracting it. Nothing is simple about this story, least of all the characters that inhabit its world.
I felt Gabriela grew in the course of the book. She has a backbone created by past griefs and her isolation. This, combined with her youthful reactions make her a mixture of innocent, stubborn and naive, but I am expecting great things from her as she emerges from the poison that has been her life.
Overall, this book is a terrific read which only serves to whet your appetite for the next one, especially after that coastal finale!!
This is a perfect example of a dark Mafia story; exciting, intriguing with lots of hold your breath moments. I can’t recommend this book enough it was brilliant.
I really found myself pulled in from the very start of Stephan and Gabriela’s story which was intense to say the least, full of hate, revenge and lust keeping me on my toes with every page I turned.
I know I should have detested Stephan right from the word go but underneath all of that bravado and coldness, I could feel that there was a heart beating deep inside this man. I sensed there was kindness inside him and he is such an addictive attractive character to read. One minute a harsh brute of a boss because of his line of business and the next he would be more mellow, more pliable. His interactions with Gabriela were amazing to read, the tension, the push and pull between the monster and the princess was glorious to experience.
Taking Gabriela from her father he may be getting more than he bargained for because Gabriela is feisty, determined and loyal beyond all measure, and with both of these characters having untold secrets lurking in the background. I cannot wait to find out more of in the next book Damage.
This was so good! I loved Stefan and Gabrielle!! I feel like there’s alot more to Stefan still that we haven’t seen, and he needs to somehow convince Gabrielle that he’s not her enemy! She’s had a rough time of it, and the way the book ended….OMG, I need Damage now!!
I couldn’t get enough of this story & it’s characters. I was pulled in from the very first pages I found myself fully immersed in Stefan & Gabriela’s intense story of hate, lust, & revenge.
Natasha consistently delivers great dark romances & this one was no exception. Like her other heroes, Stefan is cold & ruthless. I loved how he got more than he bargained for with Gabriela, whose strength was subtle but impressive. She was a great heroine. I love how full of tension their interactions were. They battled so fiercely, neither of them wanting to give in.
The push-pull relationship between Gabriela & Stefan. The Clara thing was unexpected but I’m hoping things will be clarified in the second book. I appreciate that the main characters didn’t immediately fall into intimacy with each other, it lent to the authenticity of their relationship and circumstances. Things are bound to heat up further in book two, Damaged. I cannot wait to get my hands on it.
A reread is already in progress!!
Ms. Knight is the Queen of Mafia books.
She writes these dark Mafia romances like no other.
Collateral had me on the edge of my seat and turning the pages as fast as I can read the words on them.
Stefan has been living on rage and revenge for past two years.
Now he’s come to collect.
He has put his plan into motion and he won’t let no one will stop him or get in his way.
Even if it means there will be collateral damage along the way.
His pain is fierce and time hasn’t diminished any of it.
Gabriela is one hell of a young lady.
I loved her inner strength and her determination.
She’s been through so much in her eighteen years.
But she still stands tall and tough in the face of danger and adversity.
I loved her fight and feistiness.
The tension and chemistry between Stefan and Gabriela is like a live electric wire.
Ready to sizzle and demolish.
It has a heartbeat all it’s own.
Ms. Knight delivered an impassioned story.
Two people in need of revenge and justice.
And if they are lucky when everything is said and done maybe love.
I’m so excited to read the conclusion of Stefan and Gabriela’s story in the next book.
If you love Mafia story’s then you HAVE got to read this one!!! You get mystery, an “arranged” marriage, and tons and tons of twists and turns. Now remember this is book 1 and there is one hell of a cliffy… I am trying to decide just what to type in my review. I do not want to give any kind of spoiler, but I want you to know just how alluring this story truly is.
Stephan is dangerous, dark, and so so sexy. He is out for revenge and will do whatever is necessary to get it. He has lost so much and has decided it’s time to bring his family name back up to what it once was. That brings our beautiful and a little naive Gabriela into our story. Her history is jaded by the 1 person who should love and care for her. The 1st night he meets her he leaves her with a very vague promise. When he returns to make good on his promise she is a little confused, mixed with scared, and splashed with defiance. With all that she has seen and been through she is tough and has learned to be resilient.
In this 1st book we start to get a background to both of our broken souls. They both carry dark secrets, and there are a lot of unanswered questions that will have you turning the pages to find the answers. I can not wait to get my greedy little hands on the next 1. I have to know just how short-lived are going to end up.
OMG Collateral was so flipping AWESOME!!! I have never been disappointed in a Natasha Knight book and this Mafia romance is a perfect example of why!
Gabriella and Stefan’s story is so easy to love. Gabriella is forced into arranged marriage by her father after Stefan forces him to give her away. Their story will pull you in and keep you on edge wanting to see what happens next. There is plenty of explosions as these two butt heads.
This captivating, well written book should definitely be on your TBR! It leaves you hanging and desperate to read book 2 in this duet, Damage!
4.5 Stars
Collateral is the first book in the Collateral Damage Duet.
From the moment I started reading, I was sucked in by these characters. I absolutely adored Stefan. That man was hot and possessive, while at the same time being mysterious and broody. I could tell he was hiding secrets, as well as a softer, more kind side of himself. When it came to Gabriela, he demonstrated a huge amount of patience that I think surprised even him.
Gabriela was obviously unhappy with her situation and was insolent and stubborn. Her mouth was constantly getting her in trouble, and there were a couple of times where even I wanted to smack her.
If you enjoy push and pull between the main characters, you’ll love reading this book. I could literally feel the heat and chemistry between Stefan and Gabriela every time they were together.
Collateral ends on a cliffhanger, and I’m very anxious to get Damage to see what happens next. I have some guesses as to what’s going on and I’m excited to see whether or not I’m right. Collateral was another great read by this author.
I was kindly provided an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
literally devored every word of this intense dangerous story that keeps you on the edge of your seat sometimes in fear. Stefan is danger in every sense and his pawn Gabriela is very feisty and such a strong woman and you care able to feel everything she is experiencing its that well written. There are layers upon layers of secrets, mystery, revenge and it’s intense and dark with so much heat between these two it has your heart racing and I can’t wait to find out who will win.
Really great book
“I received a free copy with no obligation to review”
This was soooooo good! I couldn’t read in one sitting as I was working so it pained me to put this down!!!!
Soo much happening… I have a feeling the follow up to this book is going to reveal even more secrets and than this because the little crumbs Natasha’s dropped for us there’s defo a lot more to come.
I actually felt for both main characters in this book, through love and loss they both were born into lives that gave them no choice,
But both has completely different roles and this is were the divide is!!
Is one a victim of circumstances or both?
The side characters were fab Rafa has my interest for sure!!!
Ugh I can’t wait for book 2 NATASHA I NEED IT NOW!!
What a fantastic page turner of a read this was.
Gabriela daughter of a monster traded to a Sicilian Mafia boss Stefan.
This book is full of twists and turns, secrets and lies.
Gabriela seems to trade one nightmare for another, but all isn’t what it seems….. or is it? She’s seen and endured things no one should ever have to. Will this continue in her new life?
Stefan, boss of the Sicilian mafia, after his brother and father are murdered he wants revenge and he’ll do whatever he can to get what he wants, no matter who gets in the way, Gabriela is the pawn he’s ready to use.
An excellent read and the first of Collateral Damage Duet, bring on the conclusion
OMG !! Absolutely stunning !! I was completely blown away by Gabriela and Stefan’s story. Such an intriguing storyline filled with death, danger, secrets, lies and so many emotions. I was totally pulled into their journey and held hostage by all the suspense. I couldn’t stop reading it once I started and it left reeling in anticipation at the end of this book. I can’t wait for the conclusion of this duet. I definitely recommend it to anyone looking for an amazing dark read.
10 Heart racing, angst filled stars! Holy my word…I’m utterly speechless. First off, I was quickly OBSESSED with this book. It consumed me, and I devoured this book in less than eight hours. The chemistry between Gabi and Stefan crackles and is explosive. Who do you trust? Is anyone safe? Who really will protect you? This is a jaw dropping, heart racing story that you’ll crave more of!