Lucia
It all started with a contract signed by him, then by me, while our families watched. While my father sat silent, a man defeated, giving his daughter to the Benedetti monsters.
I obeyed. I played my part. I signed my name and gave away my life. I became their living, breathing trophy, a constant symbol of their power over us.
That was five years ago.
Then came the time for him to claim … ago.
Then came the time for him to claim me. For Salvatore Benedetti to own me.
I had vowed vengeance. I had learned hate. And yet, nothing could have prepared me for the man who now ruled my life.
I expected a monster, one I would destroy. But nothing is ever black or white. No one is either good or evil. For all his darkness, I saw his light. For all his evil, I saw his good. As much as he made me hate him, a passion hotter than the fires of hell burned inside me.
I was his, and he was mine.
My very own monster.
Salvatore
I owned the DeMarco Mafia Princess. She belonged to me now. We had won, and they had lost. And what better way to teach a lesson than to take from them that which is most precious? Most beloved?
I was the boy who would be king. Next in line to rule the Benedetti Family. Lucia DeMarco was the spoils of war. Mine to do with as I pleased.
It was my duty to break her. To make her life a living hell. My soul was dark, I was hell bound. And there was no way out, not for either of us. Because the Benedetti family never lost, and in our wake, we left destruction. It’s how it had always been. How I believed it would always be.
Until Lucia.
Author’s Note: Salvatore and Lucia’s story is a steamy standalone romance with a happily-ever-after. No cliffhanger and no cheating. It is intended for mature readers.
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This was my first journey with Natasha Knight…I thought the story line was well thought out and flowed nicely.
Salvatore and Lucia found themselves in a situation neither of them wanted, but were bound by the “family” code. Not something most people can relate to, but the story was very well told…there were some twists and turns and I found myself rooting for the couple, and while I enjoyed this story I found it pretty predictable. Salvatore is the first part of a duet, I will read the second book which features his brother Dominic because I liked it enough to read the conclusion.
Salvatore is now what I expected: enjoyable yes, expected, wanted even, not quite.
I am glad to have read this story and I will be reading the other brother’s because there are things, I want to know about each of them and hopefully their stories will fill in some of the lesser explained things in this story. The writing is clean, easy and the story never lulls. I felt like this was an incredibly soft story or more like silk, I guess. Easy, clean and flows nicely. I liked the overall story but wanted a more. Just, more:
The first then that comes to mind is this is not a dark romance. There was nothing in the romance, the action or the violence that made this a dark read. I kept expecting something dark, but it never came.
Second, I do not like Lucia. She was immature at times, whiny, childish, and provoked with out thinking. I wanted her to be stronger, to be smart but she just wasn’t. Salvatore on the other hand bland and cold and abusive. I really do not like it when the ‘hero’ tries to negate the abuse/violence with “I didn’t want to spank you, or cause you pain but…” Also I never felt any attraction between the two and even in the steamy scenes never really cared.
Third, there was mostly steamy scenes with a few under exciting moments. I counted and there were no less than 15, that is about a quarter of the story being scenes that did nothing for the plot. I would have much rather has some of these scenes be action or more mafia.
Forth, from the very first page I felt like there was a story before this, like I had missed an entire book of past action, relationships and experiences because the explanations felt so short and subtle, like they has been explained before. And lastly this has a very non-traditional ending. It is not bad just not expected and I wanted one thing at the end to have been different.
3.5 stars.
I have never considered myself a fan of mafia romance, but this book and author has changed that for me. It was dark and fabulous! I loved that Salvatore was alpha, but kind and that Lucia was a badass and spoke her mind. It even made me laugh at times and I just was not expecting that. Great read!
This is the story of Salvatore & Lucia. This is a dark Mafia Romance. Salvatore’s family, The Benedetti family, was at war with Lucia’s family, The DeMarco family. Her father was made to sign her over to Salvatore of the Benedetti family by his father. This is an extremely dark story, more on Salvatore’s side of it. Lucia is very stubborn, and it is hard for her to be obedient. Salvatore has to keep her in line. There is a lot of chemistry between them even though she hates him and his family. It is really a great, great story and I couldn’t put it down until I finished it. A lot goes on in this story, but I really don’t give any spoilers. All I can is that I highly recommend Book 1.
A thrilling and captivating mafia romance.
The story begins with Lucia being signed over to the Salvatore Benedetti.
Enemies, two mafia families at war and In the crossfire Lucia and Salvatore.
At the hands of their father’s war Lucia had become Salvatores possession, an agreement between both fathers.
Lucia’s father gave her over willingly to the enemy and Salvatore’s responsibility was to keep her.
The same night Lucia no longer belonged to the DeMarco family she was sent away to finish school, always guarded and always watched until her 21st birthday when Lucia was brought back to take her place with Salvatore and become his possession.
At first, Salvatore came across as a monster and heartless, he was next in line to the Mafia boss but as the story progressed Salvatore showed the true man behind the mask he had to wear and he was nothing like his father.
I loved the progression in Salvatore and Lucias relationship, from enemies to lovers.
An exciting plot with danger, angst and let me tell you Salvatore is so hot! with his domineering alpha ways.
The chemistry between both characters was fiery and the sex scenes well written and intense.
A great read and a great journey. I loved both characters. Lucia has backbone and fire and when both characters clashed the sparks were huge.
Loved it!
Great Mafia romance by Natasha Knight. Lucia and Salvatore’s story is a result of their two families being at war against each other and ultimately, Salvatore wins Lucia. It was not as dark as I originally thought it would be, more of a captive type theme, but I enjoyed it nevertheless. I loved that Salvatore was just the opposite of what Lucia thought him to be. Their chemistry was hot and this was an enjoyable enemies to lovers romance to read.
Lucia Demarco was forced into an arrangement. To be the property of Salvatore Benedetti and become his when she is of age. Given to them by her father as a debt, but will her hate for the Benedetti Family change with Salvatore? Salvatore and Lucia will sizzle up you e-readers! Their hate/love relationship is fantastic. I really enjoyed this mafia romance of betrayal and redemption. Lots of action, suspense and lust to keep you going! I also love that it takes place in NJ/PA! 🙂 Told in dual POV
Wow!! I floved every freaking dark mafia romance minute of this one. This is such a mind blowing read. It is one of the best mafia books that I have read. A real Badass of a read and one that you must read if you are a mafia romance reader. I can’t wait to get the next book.
Happy Reading Everyone!!!
I thought I would read a few chapters and then come back to it when I had the time. I forgot about what time it was and really what was going on around me. It was an awesome read. There were so many twist and turns throughout the story, which had me saying “oh no she didn’t”.
Lucia and Salvatore were made for each other. They were from two warring families but they held so much chemistry. The attraction was undeniable. Even though Lucia was trying to fight it at every turn. There were two characters within the story, which pissed me off. They were Dominic and Isabella. Those two were creating one mess after the other.
I’ve read a good amount of mafia romances but none like this. If haven’t met the Benedetti brothers, start now. You will keep flipping those pages.
I really enjoyed this book. It is well written, fast paced, full of family drama and twist and turns. Lucia was strong and feisty and in a very difficult situation. Salvatore was a bit of an ass at times, but a good guy at heart. I can’t wait to read the next book.
4 “I hate you” Stars
Natasha Knight is one of those authors where I want to kick myself in the bu_tt because I didn’t pick up one of her books sooner. For so long, I’ve heard nothing but raving things about her – and while SALVATORE isn’t my first read by her, I can only nod and agree vehemently to that.
Her dark mafia romances are highly addicting and seductive, her male characters intense and all-consuming, her writing that kind that I crave and love.
If you’re new to dark romances, this book is a good one to ease you into the genre (not like me plunging right in and being shocked once realizing the wording was meant literally, gulp!), as it is not as dark as mafia romances can be.
Two warring families who hate each other – DeMarco and Benedetti – and a debt / a prize. The prize being no other than Lucia DeMarco, youngest daughter in the family, who was forced to sign an agreement at the young age of sixteen that makes her property of Salvatore Benedetti once she turns twenty-one. And after her father’s death, Salvatore, the next in line to run the family business, although not the first-born son, appears on her doorstep to collect…
Lucia, albeit a virgin – which was made sure of… -, is all but weak: She is feisty and gritty and does not give in to Salvatore easily, but rather gets herself in trouble time and again, always defending her family which is all but deserving.
And Salvatore… he is not all what he appears to be. He is all male, all alpha and demanding, alright, but he is not the evil incarnate that Lucia expects him to be. Not only is he caring when it comes to her, but also compassionate and protective. A bad boy with a kind heart.
And together – they are explosive! Meant to be.
But this story does not solely rely on Salvatore and Lucia – there are secondary character who played very integral parts as well, but two stood out in particular: Franco, Salvatore’s father – hell, I despised that man – that monster! – and Dominic, Salvatore’s younger brother. Although there are not many good things to be said about him, his dark and lost character spoke to me on a deep level. To say I’m excited for his book is an absolute understatement – because I can’t shake the feeling I’m going to love it!
The audio narration is done by Phillip Alces, who does a wonderful job bringing the characters to life and conveying their emotions. His narrative of Lucia was soft enough to be believable, and in general amazingly done, so that I was able to connect with her. Which isn’t easily done, because more often than not I dislike female characters narrated by a man simply for the reason of not liking the voice he equips her with – too snobby, bi#chy, arrogant – the like. So, definitely thumbs up!!
Mafia wars, feuding families, betrayal, hurt, lies, debts and secrets – a twisty and intense dark romance that has it all without being overly dark.
would recommend
I loved it, they disposed each other and then they each did a 180 and fell deeply in love. This is what I loved, learning about the characters and why they act and think as they do. Then to see their interactions and how each perceptions’ changes and why it does. Thus leading to their ultimate realization of their love for each other.
Wow!! I floved every freaking dark mafia romance minute of this one. This is such a mind blowing read. It is one of the best mafia books that I have read. A real Badass of a read and one that you must read if you are a mafia romance reader. I can’t wait to get the next book.
Happy Reading Everyone!!!