Forbidden is what we are…I was 10. You were 19.You wanted to be a chef. My mom made you a star.I’m 24. You’re 33.You hold the record for the Sexiest Man Alive.I’m still the lost, rejected, damaged girl who can’t find herself anywhere but in your protective arms.I loved you when I was 10. I love you now.You call me your best friend, and you still see me as a kid.I’m 25 with a man on one knee in … as a kid.
I’m 25 with a man on one knee in front of me.
You’re watching through the glass. One word from you is all I need.
But you hold a secret that can destroy us both.
I’ve known you my whole life. Loved you my whole life.
Never thought when I die, it will be because of you.
The Italian Heartthrob is a forbidden friends to lovers standalone. The dark themes may set you in tears.
Get it now because you have to.
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It touched so many places in me and I had so much emotion reading this that I honestly couldn’t pass by this without posting a review and encouraging others to do the same. I have followed you for a while now and love your writing but this book? ….. Perfection.
Wonderfully powerful and well worth the journey
The Italian Heartthrob is such a wonderful story of two people, Maggie and Mike, who have known each other for years and both experienced so much hurt and pain. But they love each other and somehow fit together in ways that neither is able to see, as they complete each other. This story is one emotional roller-coaster ride the will take you from laughter to heartbreak to tears and tissues.
This is a very well written book and a delicately woven story-line full of love, heartbreak, pain, friendship, longing and a number of triggers. The author has been able to pull every emotion out of the story, in a good way, and you feel them all as you are reading. I ended up having to put this book down a couple of times and take a break. But I would pick it back up and get immersed right back into Maggie and Mike’s world.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. My opinions are all my own.
Wow!! What a fantastic read this is! Gave me so many emotions as I read this book laughter, anxiety, anger, love and so so much more. I haven’t read a book that has moved me like this one has for a while! A brilliantly written storyline and fantastic characters, I would most definitely recommend this book.
Most definitely a 5*+ read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Wow ok this was definitely different for NJ, I enjoyed this story immensely!! I devoured it it’s so well Witten it may have some triggers for some but handle with taste and care! I hope this isn’t the only venture into this genra as it’s so well done!
AMAZING! A fantastic, well written read. An intense storyline that holds your attention as you get caught up in the fierce twists and hot chemistry. Plenty of excitement and emotionally heartfelt. A thrilling must read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
3.5 Stars
I thought the character work was terrific. The story line was great. I thought the flow of the book could have been a little better, but it was a very enjoyable book to read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Wow! Wow! Wow! What an amazing book! If you are looking for a book that has plenty of ups and downs and takes you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions, you have definitely found it! The storyline and characters are fantastic! You do not want to pass this one by!
This was not only viscously beautiful it will chink your soul it will take your heart and ply all the emotion you have and destroy what you think and bring you back soaring! This was so beautifully written it will stick with you even after the story is done. This is so different from other stories by N.J. Adel. I really think this author has truly outdone herself with this book. She writes so eloquently that you feel you are these characters. I LOVED this story! I recommend that you NOT MISS this story! Thank you N.J. !!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Maggie has been in love with him since she was 10 years old. He calls her Kiddo but she wants him to see her as more. good read and romance
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I absolutely loved this standalone romance. It’s different than other books that I’ve read by Adel, but I loved it nonetheless. It was such a sweet forbidden romance that touched on so many emotional triggers that were both exhilarating and heartbreaking. You truly felt for Maggie and Mike as they dealt with multiple issues throughout this book, both because of their pasts, mental and physical abuse, and opinions of others in their lives. These characters were just so REAL. It was truly breathtaking to see everything that Maggie and Mike had to experience in this book to get to the final point in their relationship. An emotional rollercoaster for sure, but one that can even be used in helping the reader discover and understand their self worth if they are having a difficult time with similar issues. A book that you can easily connect with your own life is one that will forever be remembered and read again and again. Amazing job, N.J.!
I was at a loss for words when I first finished this book that I had to let it and the characters resonate with me for awhile. This was my first read by this author and it won’t be the last. Her ability to take you into the minds of her characters was flawless. She has woven a tale of love, pain, heartbreak, longing, friendship and so much more. Her characters were REAL and you couldn’t help but root for them. My heart ached for Mike and Maddie and what they had to endure. An emotional rollercoaster but so worth it just have your tissues handy.
This is a friends to lovers romance. There are several triggers. It will take you on an emotional roller coaster ride. Great story with strong characters.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was an amazing story! Nothing like I thought it would be but so so good! It’s an emotional roller coaster and the ride was so worth it. You will smile, laugh, hell depending on the person cry, go through heartbreak and get put back together again.
What a beautiful and emotional roller-coaster this book was. The scenes were inspirational, tragic and heart warming. I absolutely loved this book, it was a perfectly constructed stand alone but will stay with you long after you finish it. Absolutely amazing! A definite must read!
Unrequited love, crossed wires, unsaid truths and missed opportunities sums up Maggie’s (FMC) & Mike’s relationship. Not wanting to put their friendship at risk by pursuing something that could be so much more. They dance around each other & their feelings. Yes the main story is about Maggie & Mike but theres another story running along side this one. One of Maggie & the years of mental/emotional abuse she suffers at the hand of a self-absorbed mother who came across to me as being jealous of her. Oh boy she was a truly nasty piece of work & a master manipulator but sadly i cant put all the blame at her door. Her father being a workaholic and not listening or refusing to acknowledge that his wife can do wrong (like most of the men in this book). Some parts were hard to read and brought on a few tears especially for Maggie and Mike but i couldnt help but to want them to get together. Sad but its the romantic in me. Loved reading Maggie & Mikes story. Such a great read
**Trigger Warning- there is talk of suicide, rape and emotional and mental abuse**
So I just want to start off by saying this book is hands down amazingly well written and a favorite of mine. NJ did an exceptional job writing this book. I love reading books with triggers and here is why: it helps me push back on my own demons and strive to succeed more. So this book, I took to heart more, felt more on a soul level with a character. I mean have you read a book that just hit a lot of things close to home for you. Well this is one does that for me. So you meet Maggie who is young and trying to live her life, however there are complications. One being her mom! Anytime there was a scene with her in it, I was just rubbed the wrong way. Then you have Mike, the sexiest man alive. Not to just Maggie but the whole world. This book talks about a whole other world that Maggie also exist in and she plays it close to home. She does not open up to anyone but in some ways can be herself around Mike. Then you have Mike who has been through his share of turmoil that he hides as well. These two are dark and some what twisted and complete each other. What will it take for them to see that? There are things that are said that will break you, like literally to the point that you forget to breath. You are also trying to do breathing exercises to calm your racing heart. I even broke down and cried because there were several points that were made that utterly destroyed me because I have been there. So yes, this book has triggers but it has heart and soul that can let you know that you can still have happiness. SO THANK YOU NJ FOR BRINGING THIS BOOK TO LIFE.
This book had me gripped from the start, I just couldn’t put it down. It was such an emotional rollercoaster.
This is not a happy ever after love story, it’s gripping, emotional, dark and soul searching.
Maggie has been through so much in her life and it’s caused her to be so unsure about everything. Her best friend Mike is confident, has always been around and knows her better than anyone else.
There’s a whole will they, won’t they running through the entire book and, wow, it really does take you through every emotion.
This book is really well written and will have you pulled into Maggie and Mike’s lives from the beginning.
what a roller coaster ride of emotions this read was! Completely transported by the authors words into this deep intense story that had me gripped from page one! I didnt want it to end. the indepth story cant be read in one go though you will want to pull many an all nighter. with so many twists and turns filled with suspense and romance. there are some tough times in his book that some may feel hit hard or close to home but it was well worth the read. well written with great characters.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
omg, this book was fabulous!!! drawn in from page one and couldn’t put it down. you will absolutely not regret reading this!
Blind love has new meaning
Trigger warning for suicide self harm, sexual abuse, and mental abuse.
Beautifully written angst filled story. Told from Maggie’s POV as well as 3rd person Mike’s POV. A true rollercoaster of emotions throughout the story. Such a deep dark romance, with multiple barriers along the way.