Sweet Temptation

Wow. I am so happy that Cora Reilly wrote Cassio’s story. It had all my favorite elements….arranged marriage, single parent, mafia, a much older guy and a great love story. The chemistry between Cassio and Giulia is hot and you could not help but root for them. Bonus part was we that we got more of Luca. Cora Reilly is a one click author and I can’t wait for her next book.

Sweet Temptation is hands down a masterpiece and one of the best books Cora Reilly has ever written and I don’t say this lightly, trust me, since Twisted Pride has been my top favorite until now. Cassio, Giulia and the kids have stolen a piece of my heart and left a permanent mark on my soul. I had very high expectations for this story and I’m more than happy to report that they’ve all been surpassed! If you’re a huge sucker for the single parent, arranged marriage and age-gap tropes like me then this Mafia romance will be right up your alley. This book can be read as a complete standalone without having any knowledge about Cora’s previous work. So if you aren’t acquainted with her Born in Blood and Camorra Chronicles series than you will be totally fine picking this one up. But be warned, once you aquire a taste for her great writing style and addictive Mafia bad boys you won’t be able to stop. Mark my words!

This must-read is tragic and devastating at times but also heartbreakingly beautiful and deeply touching. Cassio is in his early 30ies when he loses his wife and is now a single parent to his son Daniele and daughter Simona. He knows that he has to remarry since his small children need a step-mother. Choosing a wife as a man in his position is a duty and not pleasure. So Cassio ends up with pretty, lovely but barely off age Giulia who is completely overwhelmed with the situation and the expectations thrown her way. Maybe she isn’t the mother-figure his children need, but she is definitely the woman he craves.

This story had a slightly different feeling to Cora’s other Mafia books because she put the focus on the main protagonists and their development and growth as individuals and as a couple. There’s a mind-blowing huge twist she came up with that left me speachless and with my jaw on the floor.

Cassio Moretti is a Made Man who is refreshingly different. Yes, he rules over Philadelphia with an iron fist and is well known for his brutality and coldness. But that’s only his professional face he needs to keep up as an Underboss in order to be respected by his men. At home he is the loving and doting father and caring and loyal husband. He is without a doubt the most compelling hero Cora has ever written in my eyes. His arranged marriage to Giulia was supposed to be a union between Philadelphia and Baltimore and give his children a new mother. But this broken man got so much more out of it than he has bargained for. His new wife’s brand of honesty, her patience and understanding have breathed life into him again.

Giulia Rizzo is the proverbial heroine of this story. She showed strength, backbone and willpower. I was deeply impressed by her. Giulia took on a difficult and challenging task for an 18 year old by marrying Cassio knowing that she now had to take care of two small children, warm her much older husband’s bed and be the mistress of the house. She didn’t have any experience but she was determined to make her marriage work and gain the kids’ love and trust. Giulia was very clever and outspoken. She didn’t bow down to everything her husband demanded. She chose her battles wisely. In the Mafia world which is dominated by men she had to learn the subtle art of getting her will with a smile and kindness.

I’ve absolutely adored Cassio and Giulia. These two were made for each other. Two halves of a beating heart. Their interactions with Daniele and Simona, who were both adorably cute, were so endearing and precious. They both loved them unconditionally and never left out an opportunity to show them how much they cared. Their strong family bond made me teary-eyed and emotional!

Sweet Temptation is pure perfection from the first till the last page. I strongly encourage you to pick up this fantastic story and let the intriguing characters put you under their spell. Cora, my queen, I once again bow deeply to you and your unsurpassed talent. I’m giving this gem 6 stars!!!

“I’d never been a man for the sweet things in life, I suddenly craved it.”

Some fall in love – some crash into it! And you, you’ll crash into Sweet Temptation!

Mafia Romance. Arranged Marriage. Single Dad. Age Gap. And an absolute perfection!
My first book by Cora and she blew me away! If her books are even remotely as stronghearted and addictive as this one, I’m going to have a reading Cora party.

After losing his wife, Cassio is left to take care of two small children. And he needs a mother for them. He’s one of the bosses in the mafia world, but even he has to follow the traditional rules and has to get married. Cassio is … OH.MY.GOD.SO.SEXY! In any way. The first time he meets Gulia, he’s a total jerk. But you’ll love him anyway. He thinks of her as a child, and pretty soon she proves him wrong.
Gulia, she stole my heart. Her character is so strong willed, and stubborn. She’s amazing, self-sacrificing, even to a fault. She’s so caring and humble! She slowly melts the ice around Cassio’s heart and she captures the hearts of the kids by simply loving them unconditionaly.

I’ve finished reading Sweet Temptation yesterday, but I’m already craving a reread. The story is emotional, heartbreaking, erotic, and beautifully told – I loved the way it made me feel. There was no way to go wrong here! I was addicted from the very first page and I never wanted to stop reading.

A book that will stay with me for a long time, for sure. FLAWLESS!

Sweet Temptation now ranks as one of my favorite Cora Reilly books of all time, and I’m pretty sure that Cassio and Giulia now rank as my top couple right beside Kiara and Nino (gasp!). I devoured this book in one sitting, and I’ve already re-read it several times. I was profoundly moved by the tender care that Cora brought to the story of these characters- the intimate spotlight she placed on the emotional journey between them, one that was incredibly endearing and satisfying. Cassio and Giulia have a special place in my heart. I laughed, I cried, and I swooned, but most importantly, I was moved by the intimate, rich, and perfectly shaped love story that Cora gave us in this much anticipated story.

Our story starts with Cassio, a recently widowed Philadelphia underboss. After the untimely, and mysterious, death of his wife, he’s left with two small children. Pressured by his colleagues and also weighed down by his responsibilities, he chooses to remarry in order to provide a mother for his little ones, an action he views as more of a task of duty than anything else. He agrees to marry the much younger (by 13 years) Giulia, the beautiful daughter of another underboss, a woman he’s never met but has to wait 6 months to marry until she’s of age, the first of many reminders to Cassio that he’s marrying someone he considers a child. Giulia embraces her duty, but finds her new fiancé to be both imposing and domineering, and she immediately finds herself overwhelmed by the task of raising two small children, both of whom have lingering trauma and distress from losing their mother. Cassio is both put-off by the constant reminders of his young bride’s teenage ways and how little she fits his archetype of an ideal mafia wife, yet he can’t deny her beauty nor his pull to her. Sweet Temptation uses two of my favorite tropes at its core: arranged marriage and age gap, and while I pretty much devour anything Cora writes, and anything featuring these tropes, I must say that Cora has brought a fresh take to both her mafia tales and to these well-loved tropes, elevating them to new heights.

We have everything that we’ve come to love about Cora Rielly’s books- smooth and polished prose, a mafia romance with just the right dash of danger, a brooding, dangerous, damaged and emotionally distance alpha male, a likable, innocent, and bright heroine, scorching sexy times, and a satisfying tale of unexpected love against all expectations. But, this feels markedly different than some of Cora’s other tales- she somehow reduces the scale and the scope, while still maintaining incredible emotional stakes, to keep the story really focused on the evolving relationships of our two main characters. Sure, we have some other interesting fodder as it relates the mystery of Cassio’s first wife (and we get some fun twists with that), but really, our story stays small and focused, and to beautiful results. You can tell that Cora really cares for these characters- because the story feels intimate, quiet, and gentle, and she really allows the emotional relationship to evolve and breathe without trying to sprinkle in too much else for us (or our characters) to focus on. I’ve loved all of Cora’s characters, but I feel like we know and understand Cassio and Giulia better because of the scale of this story, to see the individual threads of their characters being delicately and subtlety woven together. We get to see them both evolve and come into their own as individuals- fully embracing and accepting themselves, and we also get to see them grow and evolve as a couple- figuring out how they work together, how to compromise, and understanding what real love and connection looks and feels like, to see the trust evolve. More than any other of Cora’s tales, this is an intimate character study in the development of a true partnership, and perhaps this is why their connection feels so palpable and satisfying. Sure, our characters are crazy hot for each other (and we get all the great steamy scenes we love), but the emotional connection and journey is front and center here, and the story delivers on this intimate, touching, and moving tale of two people joining together emotionally as partners.

I think Cassio has become my favorite mafia man of Cora’s, which is saying a lot. We have that same daunting brutality and danger that mark most of Cora’s men, but he also seems more tender, self-aware, and open, perhaps because unlike many of Cora’s men our tale starts with him being much older. He communicates openly with Giulia (at least on most things) straight from the start, and while he has some alpha tendencies that ruffle both us and Giulia, we understand the source of his need to control- we have such a clear window into his heart and mind. And, his mindset as a parent wins you over immediately- you see that he’s capable of deep and profound love, loyalty, and commitment, even if he’s unable to trust Giulia. I mean come on, he’s a man who agrees to a marriage he doesn’t even want because he loves his kids. SWOON. He’s so richly painted and realized as a character- his pain and experiences have understandably scarred him and left a darkness and indifference in him, but we are immediately drawn to the tenderness and compassion we see in small glimmers, first towards his kids and then towards Giulia. He’s magnetic.

And Giulia, she’s the light, the radiant sunflower to the darkness that surrounds Cassio. And she is a breath of fresh air amongst the brilliant menagerie of Cora Reilly heroines. She has the innocence, softness, and compassion that mark so many of our leading ladies- she’s kind, gentle, and patient. But, she’s also relatably quirky, brutally honest (but in a loving way), and repeatedly embraces her own vulnerability in ways that not only endear her to us but also to Cassio. She’s by far the most rational and self-aware of Cora’s heroines- she’s logical and pragmatic in accepting her fate, comfortable with herself, and is able to demonstrate strength of character without some of the arrogance, defiance, or plain hardheadedness we’ve seen in some of the stronger leading ladies (ahem, Giana…). She’s a beautiful juxtaposition of softness and strength. I really appreciated seeing a leading lady who openly communicates her feelings, embraces challenges with grace and kindness and determination, and who is so deliciously pragmatic. She wants to do right by Cassio and his kiddos, she wants to bring them back to life, without anyone having to compromise who they are. Again, another character so fully realized through Cora’s beautiful story telling.

In addition, we get to see them grow and evolve as members of the family unit, and the thoughtful, heartbreaking, and sweet ways in which we see them both parent scarred children only serves to help us better understand them as people and as evolving partners. The kids here are adorable- they aren’t afterthoughts or secondary to our tale, but front and center, and the evolution of the kids’ relationships with both Giulia and Cassio is all the more enriching to this story.

Cassio and Giulia as a couple is quite honestly a masterpiece- the story doesn’t have to be big or loud or hugely climatic- rather we get a beautiful mosaic tale of the small, intimate moments, decisions, thoughtful choices and feelings that make up the fabric of a deep and nuanced relationship that is both physically and emotionally grounded. We get to swim around in an ocean where the only focus is two characters growing together, two pieces of a unexpected but beautiful puzzle that quietly begin to lock together with each passing page.

I love all things Cora Reilly (Born in Blood series and Camorra Chronicles are basically permanently open on my kindle), and you should check them all out, but this story is really special (and also can be a standalone). My heart felt so full of tenderness and hope at its conclusion, so fulfilled by the emotional arc of our characters and their evolution as a family. Cora, this is a moving, satisfying, intimate, and richly painted relational story, and I feel so fortunate to have been able to experience Cassio and Giulia’s journey.

Will you give up everything just for a piece of happiness?
Giulia and Cassion were not a match made in heaven, but they made sure to make it that way!

” We were complete opposites, from our outlook on life to our experiences to our level of goodness and respective badness, but we completed each other”

When I saw the words THE END I almost cried! I didn’t want it to end… the story captured me from the very beginning

What will you do to keep a secret that you know will hurt the people around you? That might change the way they perceive you? Or even change their life completely?

Cassio lost his wife of 8 years, and was left with two little children to take care of. As the underboss of Philadelphia under the rule of Luca Vitiello, he had a lot on his plate. What is the reasonable thing to do? Marry another woman to take care of his kids. He didn’t know that by choosing Giulia, his once constructed life was going to change.

Giulia was given to Cassio a day after her eighteen birthday, a quirky young woman who loves to paint and enjoy life, had to become a dutiful wife and a mother to children of another woman.
Giulia, oh Giulia, the epitome of a strong minded, lioness like, positive thinker and optimistic woman. She inserted so much light into this sad story of Cassio and his kids and helped her rayes enter their hearts.

” She was still youthfully optimistic, naively reckless and daringly unconventional.”

Cassio the ruthless underboss, the brooding and amazingly strong Alpha who’s drive is work, revenge, blood and power has no choice but to marry another woman after his wife’s death. He was sure that by choosing Giulia he was getting what he wanted. A woman to warm his bed and care for his kids. He never thought that he might get what he needed… and he got so much more out of that bargain.

The build up of their story was perfect, it felt real and unforced, even with the consequence that brought them together.

“Cassio stilled under my touch, but his eyes burned me”
Their story was hot, beautifully emotional and insightful, amazing and crazy.

I loved that we get a glimpse of past events that happened in the previous books from Cassio and Giulia’s perspectives, and meeting the ruthless Capo was a bonus too.

This book helped me understand that, whenever life presents you with a challenge, like Giulia, you need to take it with both hands and make the best of it.

The only thing that was missing from other books, was the mafia itself. Yes, we had parts of darkness and horrific descriptions, but I was missing being a part of what happens in the Mafia, besides the gruesome politics.

But, all in all, Cora has presented us with another fine, well written work , like she always does. And like all her work I was sucked in immediately.

Thank you Cora for another great, hot as f*ck, emotional story.

Disclaimer- I recieved an ARC for an honest review**

Sweet Temptation is another mafia romance masterpiece from Cora Reilly. It has the perfectly dark, edgy and intense vibe. The chemistry is powerful and sexy to the infinity. The storyline and writing made it impossible for me to put it down once I started!

Giulia has to marry Cassio Moretti, the Underboss of Philadelphia on the day after her eighteenth birthday. Cassio is almost double her age and he lost his wife just four months back under mysterious circumstances. He is not looking for a relationship. He just needs a wife to take care of his children, Daniele and Simona. But Giulia is determined to make this marriage work. Will she like what she finds in Cassio’s past? Can they find love?

Cassio is a fascinating and intriguing man. He is no different from other Mafia men. His business needs him to be untrusting, cold hearted, ruthless and cruel. And he is exceptionally good at ruling his city. But he has a different side too. He treated Giulia with respect and honour. His ex wife has betrayed him and left him raw and vulnerable. But he is still being fair and loving to his kids. Giulia may be young and inexperienced. But she is optimistic, full of life, determined, compassionate and the biggest heart possible. She slowly and cautiously tried to heal the children. She acted defiant and stubborn when needed. And soft and supportive when Cassio was hurting. She was initially terrified of Cassio but she felt the broken and hurting man behind the mask of cruelty and rage. My heart breaks for this unique couple. Specially the children.They started as uncertain and odd couple but the trials of life gradually made them partners. They are very much part of Mafia life but Cassio adored Giulia like she is her lifeline and Giulia needed his love and protection to be whole. The right amount of Mafia drama and action made this story unputdownable.

Cora Reilly manages to create a better Mafia Romance with each new book. Sweet Temptations was a mesmerizing treat of sin, drama and heartaching love.

Received ARC for honest review

Sweet Temptation was one of my most anticipated readings and after reading it I’m so glad that it didn’t disappoint, I wish I could give 1000 stars to this book, this is one of Cora’s best work for me.

Giulia was so funny, stubborn and so determined to make the situation better, always trying to be optimistic and patient with the kids and with LouLou, I loved everything about her.Cassio was so much more than I expected, I already knew that we would get a possessive and protective kinda guy but when we get to know him better, seeing him with the children, all his insecurities and how hard he had fallen for Giulia…

“Giulia encompassed that word ‘love’, that feeling, in every action, every smile, every fiber of her.”

I just— I could spend days talking about how they made me feel, this family, my heart hurt for them, and I’m so glad that I could see them bloom, I love them so much. This book wouldn’t be the same if it hadn’t Simona and Daniele, I loved the dynamic with the kids and seeing Giulia connect with them, putting the broken pieces in its place and loving them unconditionally was an incredible thing to read.

Giulia and Cassio are definitely in a tie with Kiara and Nino as number one in my heart, ST was funny, cute and had all the right things to make me fall in love with this family, and I loved the fact that it was focus more in the romance than in the mafia business, give me more 200 pages of the Moretti family that I would eating all up, I can see me rereading this books a lot of times.

Mafia Romance. Arranged Marriage. Single Parent. Age Gap.
I love all four of the above mentioned tropes on their own, but put them all together in a book and you will make me one happy woman. Sweet Temptation was definitely a book I was really looking forward to reading. First I had my doubts about Giulia’s age, because I was afraid she would act immature. But thankfully that was not the case. She was sweet, caring, strong, and fierce. She was a great match for Cassio. He is broody, dark and a workaholic, but Giulia found a way to break down his walls. This arranged marriage was so that his son and daughter would have a mother, but she turned out to be so much more than he expected. I loved seeing them grow closer together, and I also loved seeing Giulia connect with Cassio’s children. I especially loved seeing Giulia getting closer to Cassio’s son Daniele, who had been affected by a very traumatic incident. There were some emotional scenes, and it really broke my heart to see the characters go through these moments.

This book was about a mafia underboss who isn’t used to showing an emotional side. However, he would do anything for his children and that really showed in this book. Giulia wormed her way into his heart and made him realize that there is more to his world than just work. Seeing him reconnect with his son was beautiful. Cassio and Giulia were perfect for each other, and I enjoyed seeing them grow both as a couple and as individuals. There were a couple of twists in this book that really added to the overall plot, and made me enjoy the book even more. There was no dull moment, and I was intrigued and interested until the end. I was even a bit sad when I got closer to the finish of Cassio and Giulia’s story. We are introduced to a couple of new characters and I really hope that they someday will get their own book. Sweet Temptation is a great contemporary mafia romance, and readers who enjoy all the tropes mentioned in the first line of this review, will most likely also enjoy this book. Definitely give it a chance if you like what you read in either the blurb or this review.

What can I say, I’m in love’love how the author gave us this couple how the found a middle point and found a path that will leave swooning, the chemistry between the characters, how the story intertwines with old characters is perfect, an also how their story develops with all the secrets and turns is just perfect. I highly recommend this one by Cora, go grab a copy and is not going to disappoint you.

Sweet Temptation was everything I wanted from this arranged marriage story set in the mafia. Cassio Moretti recently widowed needs a wife and mother for his two young children. Giulia Rizzo has always known she would become a mafia wife but she never envisionged it would be to a man as powerful as Cassio.

At first glance it was easy to dismiss Giulia, she’s a young woman who has been protected her whole life with a quirky personality that draws you to her. They say to watch out for the quiet ones and it is true in her case, she may not have much to say but she has watched and observed and is a great judge of character. I loved how she slowly worked her way into not only the childrens hearts but made Cassio realise just how special she was. Cassio is a ruthless underboss, he’s protective of his family and loyal to his mafia boss but he is also a man of contradictions. He thrives on controlling everything around him but Giulia brings out his vunerable side which I enjoyed seeing. There is not alot mafia action in this story, the focus is mostly on the healing of a family torn apart by tragedy and of a man learning to love after a devastating betrayal.