She’s a romantic at heart, living in the most unromantic of worlds . . .Nicknamed Sweet Abelli for her docile nature, Elena smiles on cue and has a charming response for everything. She’s the favored daughter, the perfect mafia principessa . . . or was.Now, all she can see in the mirror’s reflection is blood staining her hands like crimson paint.They say first impressions are everything . . .In … impressions are everything . . .
In the murky waters of New York’s underworld, Elena’s sister is arranged to marry Nicolas Russo. A Made Man, a boss, a cheat—even measured against mafia standards. His reputation stretches far and wide and is darker than his black suits and ties. After his and Elena’s first encounter ends with an accidental glare on her part, she realizes he’s just as rude as he is handsome.
She doesn’t like the man or anything he stands for, though that doesn’t stop her heart from pattering like rain against glass when he’s near, nor the shiver that ghosts down her spine at the sound of his voice.
And he’s always near. Telling her what to do. Making her feel hotter than any future brother-in-law should. Elena may be the Sweet Abelli on the outside, but she’s beginning to learn she has a taste for the darkness, for rough hands, cigarettes, and whiskey-colored eyes. Having already escaped one scandal, however, she can hardly afford to be swept up in another.
Besides, even if he were hers, everyone knows you don’t fall in love with a Made Man . . . right?
This is a standalone forbidden romance.
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Loved this book. This is my first read of this author and I adore the words she wrote! Loved the tension between Elena and Nico, full of sizzling moments between the two and sweet angst. Danielle Lori has clearly done her research as well with the mafia life. Four carousel stars to this book.
Mafia books are something that I approach with high caution….a lot of them have scenes and topics that are a big no line for me, I don’t stand when the love interest is a male chauvinist and the heroine just a pathetic sheep that lets him do everything to her. Also there is a line in the dark topics that I don’t like when its crossed and mafia books tend to cross that line so yeah I am always afraid to start books of this gender. I don’t mind dark, but there is a limit to my dark appreciation. That being said this book, thank god didn’t crossed that line.
This is a fast reading book that you can easily binge read, the writing style is smooth, the characters are not unforgettable but are interesting enough. The sexual tension for what the book is known is there, not the best I have read but its quite good, the main characters have a lot of chemistry and its funny to see them get from I hate you to I need you….now.
The ending I was expecting the cliché and something overly dramatic and dangerous happening, didn’t worked like that but I kind of liked that about the book it was refreshing, sometimes the story doesn’t need a big dangerous scene to have a climatic drama moment that always exist at the end.
The only critic I have to give to the story is that even if Nico is not a chauvinist, (he is possessive but not to a bad point) but this is a world where woman are possessions and I basically hated almost all of Elena’s family because of the way they viewed woman. And you can tell me that is a mafia book and that I should have known and well true, but the author and Elena walk on that line, to give woman more respect to, change things, Elena talks about finding herself and starting to speak for herself and then we get nothing! Things remain the same and we never get a satisfying conclusion to that topic. This critic is more about the way Elena’s family treated her and not Nico, I guess I wanted a scene of Elena telling her parents to fuck off and we never get that. On the other hand the love story develops quite good actually and he respects her and loves her and ins’t a maniac possessive SoB.
On a overall I liked the book, don’t know if enough to continue the series, since the books can be read as standalones, but we do get to know the main characters of book two and they did leave me curious…. So to people like me that are always careful with mafia books I recommend this one, is an easy read, it doesn’t cross that dark line (even if most of Elena’s family are giant assholes and bitches) you will get great steamy scenes and a simple love story that will keep you entertained for a few hours.
Spanish & English Opinion :: 4.5
ESP ::
Me encantó el libro. Soy fan del género mafia romance y este libro cumple con una excelente historia situada en un mundo de mafia muy bien construido.
Elementos que lo hacen imperdible:
Mafia
Romance taboo
Enemies to lovers
Intriga y misterio
Dinámica súper tensa
Excelentes personajes principales
Historia original y diferente
Elena y Nico son una pareja llena de química, momentos de tensión sexual absoluta y dinámica súper hot.
¡Imperdible!
ENG ::
I loved the book. It was unexpected and I think that’s what made it so great. The story is original and the mafia world is perfectly created.
The elements that make this book so great:
Mafia world
Taboo romance
Enemies to lovers (really well made)
Mystery and angsty moments
Off the charts chemistry
Great MCs
Original story
Elena and Nico are the couple of the book. Incredible chemistry, great personality, hot couple.
A MUST read!
The Sweetest Oblivion is an arranged-marriage mafia romance with scenes showing edge of darkness. It’s excitiing read for me when the H is supposed to marry one sister but ends up marrying the other under tragic circumstance. This is a very slow romance with intense feelings everywhere. I found it simply long and extra dragging but if you take a moment to appreciate the push and pull of the main characters, the slow beginning is worth at the end.
‘I wasn’t hard to look at, I was quiet when I should be and polite when I wasn’t. Like a childhood dress that didn’t fit anymore, I was stuck in the world’s expectations for me. It took years of feeling like a pretty bird in a cage until it all became too much . . . and I escaped.’
Elena Abelli is a sweet girl, always trying to do the right thing compared to her little-bit rebellious little sister. Daughter of a crime boss her life revolves on rules set up by her father. After sweeping up a scandal Elena is considered damaged. Despite her naivety and gentleness and following the rules she starts fraternizing with her sisters fiancé.
‘I wanted to fuck her.
I didn’t want to marry her.’
Nicolas Russo is a don, ruthless, rough and rude. Marrying was a duty but when his fiancé’s sister takes all his attention he needs to put an end to that attraction.
“I told you before, and I’ll say it again: I’m an Abelli, not a Russo. You don’t get to tell me what to do.”
“I’m growing tired of you not showing me the respect a don is due,” he bit out.
“And I’m fucking tired of men!”
His gaze grew lethal. “Watch your fucking mouth.”
Both are stubborn as fuck. One was teasing the other taunting while testing each others limits. How much controlling can a sister’s fiance be who is possessive, obsessed and psychotic?
The writing of the story is the highlight. The banter of the main characters and the enemity between mafia leaders are my favourite. It’s a forbidden romance with a dysfuctional hero and a damaged (in reputation) heroine.
Elena and Nicolas’s story was good. I did struggle a little with their story.
I like Elena’s character and I thought she good at handling most of Nicolas’s advances.
So Nicolas is a Don and is engaged to married Elena sister. But the chemistry and attraction between the two are off the charts.
My Rating: ****
Type: Standalone
Genre: contemporary Romance, Mafia Romance, Forbidden Romance
Narration: Dual POV
Primary Characters: Nico & Elena
I was in a shitty mood and was looking for something to occupy my mind. After reading the blurb, this book seemed intriguing enough. I had never heard of this author before, once I picked it up, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
This book revolves around a girl named Elena Abelli. She has got a nickname as “sweet” by others. She needs it to survive her mafia family. Her father is head of one of the Mafia family and has arranged her sister’s marriage with other family mafia head Nicolas Russo. Nico and Elena are attracted to each other but he is her future brother-in-law.
Nico & Adriana doesn’t feel anything for each other yet, it’s not easy to come out of that arrangement. The first half of the book is of building the sexual tension between Elena and Nico while he is engaged to her sister. Second half of the book takes a twist. It’s a sudden twist and character and relationship development sort of fell from that point on.
This book has its own kind of charm. Nico and Elena are polar opposites in nature. I loved Nico, Elena seemed dumb in several instances still she maintains to draw attention towards her. Nico may look and act indifferent to Elena, but he’s anything but. Nico’s attitude and smugness was attractive in the first half. Elena seemed docile in several instances but she is not completely passive either. Their combo is good.
Narration style is good. Plot is ok. Loved some of the secondary characters. Intrigued with Sebastian, Luca and Christian. Let’s see how they turn out.
Overall, it’s a good one-time entertainer. I recommend this to readers who enjoy mafia romance or forbidden romance with obsessive heroes and sweet heroines.
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This book *sigh* this book is like a happy place you go to y’know? Whenever you’re feeling down or just, feeling sthg that you shouldn’t be feeling is when I read this book. This book makes me believe in sweet love, in possessive love, in a love that exists, with all its faults and fairness. I read this book and secretly wish for my own Nico. This book makes me think “I wish these characters were actual living, breathing human beings residing in this big world somewhere”. Nico and Elena are everything, literally everything. They made me smile, they made me blush (a lot) and Nico is just such a sweet asshole (ik ik an oxymoron but that’s the best way to describe him lol)
Danielle did such an amazing job with these characters. If someone hasn’t read her books yet, they’re seriously missing out. BIG TIME. Whenever I feel like going to live in a different, dreamy world I read some of my favorite author’s work, and Danielle is at the top of that list.
I only want to slap myself for putting this book off for so long. I have to admit The Sweetest Oblivion was a lot more than what I’d initially expected from it, I absolutely love the way it’s written, the characters, Nico is so so amazing!!
The chemistry between Elena and Nico is crazy, it’s so intense and I loved how their emotions literally pouring out of the pages. The family drama in this book was something else all together and I enjoyed reading it a lot. Elena wasn’t really spineless but she acctually could hold her own (as much as possible in a mafia world) and I truly loved that.
Elena and Nico hooked me from the start, and I loved seeing their relationship evolve! I couldn’t put this book down, I really got sucked into their world, and it was a bad case of book hangover when I finished it. but expected more action, which wasn’t the case, that’s the only thing I didn’t like but the rest of it is a masterpiece!! I’m going to reread this book as soon as possible!! It is just so good!
I LOVED this book! The Sweetest Oblivion was addicting and so beautifully written. I don’t think Danielle Lori could’ve done a better job writing this book than she already did. I honestly can’t believe it took me this long to get my hands on this book!
Friendly warning: Nico Russo and Elena Abelli will make your hearts melt. There’s just no avoiding it. Nico is powerful, and as dangerous as it gets. Let’s just say you don’t want to mess with this man. When he sets his eyes on something, or someone, he will have it no matter the cost. Elena, the Sweet Abelli, is -as her nickname suggests- sweet, but also strong, smart and absolutely stunning. She’s also the one woman Nico can’t get out of his head.
He’d love nothing more than to possess her, but it looks like he won’t get the chance. Because Nico is engaged to her sister, Adriana. She’s not who he craves, but the arrangement is set and nothing can change it. Or so he thought. Not long after their engagement, Adriana finds out she’s pregnant, and the baby is most definitely not Nico’s. And just like that, the arrangement is off.
Now there’s nothing separating Nico from his goal, Elena. Well, to be exact there were several things – for starters, Elena had a fiancee of her own, plus her father didn’t want to wed her to Nico. But Nico couldn’t care less — the only thing he seems to care about is Elena and their mutual attraction. Long story short, they end up engaged. And oh my goodness, that’s when the best part starts. These two together were fire! I can’t find the right words to describe their chemistry. Elena was determined to keep her heart safe from Nico, thinking he would break it given the chance, but little did she know he was the one and only man interested in keeping it safe.
.
.
“For the first time in my life, I felt free to be me. To curse if I wanted, to keep my smiles for who deserved them, to be bad at something, to fall in love. Nico didn’t treat me like glass. He shattered the reflection of an empty life staring back at me. He taught me how to soar.”
This book. THIS fucking book. Mafia romance books can be addicting and fun as hell, but most that I have read always fall flat or are a snoozefest. Up until I read The Sweetest Oblivion, I had not liked a single mafia book that I wasted time reading. But this? This book changed my standards for the entire romance genre. I don’t think there is one bad thing I have to say about The Sweetest Oblivion; I loved the characters, everything that went on in the book, the humor. And the absolutely insane sexual tension. Very few authors can establish an instant connection/attraction between two characters, and I can confidently say that Danielle Lori did just that while also making it slow burn. Nico and Elena are now among my favorite book couples of all time.
With a small tug on my ponytail, my head tilted to the side and his lips brushed the hollow behind my ear. “Tell me what to fucking do again.”
Nicolas Russo
→ Nico is one of my favorite fictional men ever. He is everything I would stay away from real life. He’s possessive, jealous, dark, and impulsive. And I adore him. While he is immoral, he is also very protective towards Elena, and seeing how he was around her is one of my favorite parts of the book.
“Nico, what if the Three Fates were real and I’d been destined for another?”
He slipped his hands into his pockets, his gaze igniting with a spark. “I guess I’d have to find those Fates and burn them to the ground.”
Elena Abelli
→ Elena is the type of protagonist I gravitate towards. She is sweet, docile, and unashamedly girly. However, she is not weak at all; she matches Nico in all the ways that matter. She always tries to do what is right and stands up for herself. Elena is also possessive and jealous, which made her a complicated and multidimensional character.
He was comfort, security, and need, all in one.
It had a name.
Home.
Other thoughts:
→ There really is no solid plot, but that’s what made it more enjoyable. The characters were the highlight of the story.
→ I liked how well the “forbidden” aspect was done. Yes, Nico was engaged to Elena’s sister, but there was no unreasonable jealousy from Elena because of it nor was there any technical cheating.
→ Nico always looking for pink on Elena was one of the cutest details. It really showed that he always paid attention when it came to her
→ Nonna was unexpectedly one of my favorite characters. Her comments always made me laugh, and I loved how she challenged everyone around her.
→ Nico pushing Elena into the pool because he was jealous of her talking to another guy is one of my favorite scenes ever.
→ I can’t wait for Sebastian’s book- his character seems excellent.
5/5 stars and an all-time favorite.
The Sweetest Oblivion is the first book of the Made series and I’m already anticipating more of the series.
I’ve read quite some mafia books but what I loved about this one is how it also mainly focused on the main characters and their development in the story. Nico and Elena have such great chemistry that every moment they had together were my favorites. The good and the bad. The ones with love and the ones with pain. I truly love them together.
Elena Abelli has to be one of my favorite female characters. I adore so much about her. For staying true to herself, she always did things and made choices based on her view and her feelings. She has this fierce to her that not many people will see but it’s there. She also has one of the purest hearts. Her ability to care so deeply for others always amazed me when I was reading her chapters. What interested me was the way she always stood up for herself. It was those moments and the conversations she would have with Nico that I really enjoyed. Also her sarcasm was definitely one of my favorite aspects of her character!
Nicolas Russo made me swoon. Yes, there were times where I questioned the way he felt towards certain things and his actions sometimes wouldn’t match up but that’s what made his character development even more enjoyable to read. I always liked the way his connection with Elena was every time they were together. And even in the moments where they weren’t, you could still see just how much she affected him and his emotions.
Nico and Elena will always be one of my favorite couples and I can’t wait for the future and see if we get more of them.
This was my first Daniele Lori book I’ve read and when I say I will be reading every single book she produces in the future I’m not kidding.
This book had me HOOKED from the first chapter till the last. I never actually put the book down and read all the way until 6am just so I could finish.
The sexual tension and chemistry between Nico and Elena was unlike anything I have ever read before ESPECIALLY in mafia romance.
Nico was a delicious character to dive into his mannerisms the way he spoke the way he wanted Elena and was always so respectful of her was just everything you could ever want and NOT expect in a mafia romance. But that is what made it work.
Elena was a sweet princess. As was her name. She was so fun to read. Her banter with Nicolas was everything. I just loved her spirit.
All in all this book was genuinely one of the best reads I’ve had in YEARS and I urge you to pick it up and read it.
The Sweetest Oblivion is the first book of the Made series and, it follows Nicolas Russo and Elena Abelli, also called ‘Sweet Abelli’ relationship.
I have read my many mafia books but, The Sweetest Oblivion really got me even tho I’m not a big fan of slow-burn romance, so you can imagine how good this book is!. The book was interesting from start to end, and I really loved the main characters. Elena being the sweetest princess mafia but also sassy, strong and naive. Of course, I ended up adoring both main characters. The book was addictive.
Oh god, the tension and attraction, the chemistry between them…you can feel the sexual tension since the beginning of the book. They’re going to drive you crazy. I just love Elena Abelli and Nicolas Russo. Or Elena and Nico Russo.
The worst had happened. I loved the fucking woman. And now my biggest weakness walked outside my body, with soft brown eyes and long black hair.
“Men like you break a woman’s heart . . . I didn’t want to love you.” His deep voice filled my ears. “Did it work?” My heartbeat drummed. “No,” I breathed. A quiet noise crawled up his throat, a mixture of satisfaction and anger.
Listen, i can’t get over them. If no one got me then nicoelena got me. Need a novella. Waiting for that novella.
“Elena Abelli was my vice, and fuck if I’d let it kill me.”
I absolutely loved this book.Elena and Nico have very quickly taken over the title of being if not my all time favorite then my favorite mafia romance couple.Nicolas Russo is one of the hottest male characters that I have ever read about.The sexual tension between him and Elena was absolutely amazing.I think the reason why I ending up falling in love with Nico so much is because throughout the book you could see how hard he had started falling for her.Seeing Nico basically get rid of anybody that could be considered an obstacle for him to have her in his life made me giddy.The side characters and their jokes made this book even more enjoyable.I loved the slow burn and this book is definitely an obsession for me that I have to re read it almost every month.
I have read many mafia and dark romances book but this series is unmatched.
The Sweetest Oblivion is a refreshing mafia romance compared to the majority of books in this genre. It features the actual mafia life but also has a lot of steam and chemistry.
I Instantly liked Elena because she wasn’t the typical meek, virgin girl. No hate towards soft and virginal girls but we really have so many of them in books. I am tired of doormat heroines which have to be pure whereas the guys are playboys. Elena has a soft side but in a really good way. She also stood up for herself and didn’t just fall into Nico‘s arms. I liked Elena from the start and at the end of the book I was a huge fan of her. She just got better as the book went on.
Nicolas…where should I start. He is the type of hero I love in books. He is possessive, arrogant, and borderline psychotic while being completely soft for his love interest. The way he treated Elena was perfect. She was his queen and there wasn’t a moment where I doubted his adoration for her. I really loved everything about him! Also Christian of course, he seemed so intriguing and I loved the little jealous scene he caused.
The Sweetest Oblivion takes you on an surprising comfortable ride. The tension between Elena and Nico is to die for. I really fell in love with the characters and I am super excited for the next book! Danielle Lori really knows how to capture the heart of her readers.
By far one of my top 10 favorite mafia reads! This book was everything I love to read all wrapped up in one book!! Seriously loved it
You next best ‘mafia’ read is here!
So lucky to have stumbled upon this masterpiece! can’t believe i waited so long to read it.
the book was interesting that i was up till 6 in morning to finish it!
Our heroine Elena Abelli is known around the mafia world as ‘sweet Abelli’. She has to put up this image to survive in the ruthless Cosa Nostra. Our hero, Nicholas Russo or ‘Nico’, as he likes being called, is set to get married. To whom? Surprisingly enough, to Elena’s sister!
Then one glare changes everything.
You would not want to keep the book down at costs. It’s a bit of a slow burn but that’s what gives the characters their development.
danielle has a way with words for sure! her writing is impeccable.
I loved this book. I flew through this so quickly and was kind of upset I read it so fast. I don’t really have anything bad to say other then I wished Elena would have told some of what she was feeling towards Nico throughout the story.
Wow! Just, wow! This book was all kinds of amazing!
Six months ago Elena’s actions had catastrophic consequences. As a result, she now must bear witness to her sister’s arranged wedding to the Russo, the head of the mafia. Nicolas Russo is a cold, cruel man and she shouldn’t be glad that it’s not her that is promised to him.
Nico didn’t care which daughter he married. This was a business deal and there were no emotions involved. Unfortunately, he can’t hold to that because he definitely feels something when he sees his bride’s sister for the first time.
This was such an intense read. Each page is laced with deep emotion and angst as Nico and Elena struggle against the feelings that arise when they are together.
Nico is the perfect jealous possessive anti-hero that finds himself going crazy when confronted by the mere thought of Elena. Man, I love a hero that can’t help but give in to the drive to claim and protect the heroine.
Elena has always been the sweet one. She lives behind fake smiles when all she wants is to be free, to be herself, to live her life. I enjoyed watching her come out from behind her façade as she spewed her opinions to Nico. Despite the threat that he could end her at any point and time, she just couldn’t help but show him the real her.
Together, this couple were like a ticking time bomb. As things between them escalate to cataclysmic proportions, I waited anxiously and with great anticipation for it all to explode. The tension in the story, within each character, as well as between Nico and Elena just continued to grow. With small reprieves of some wit and humor, Ms. Lori eases the pressure before building it back up again more so than before.
This is a very well written story with some amazing chemistry between the hero and heroine. There were some parts that felt a bit slow and repetitive during the heroine’s internal musings but nothing I wanted to skim. The secondary characters were perfect to either push the story forward, support the main characters, or add a bit of levity. I would absolutely love to see some of them get their own book.
Overall, if you love mafia romances or intense alpha anti-heroes who flounder a bit due to what their experiencing, you’re definitely going to want to check this one out!
I enjoy writing reviews of books I love but I almost never do it (oops). This is because I think they can’t contain all my love, enthusiasm and gratitude towards the book, its author and its characters. So, even though I’ve read TSO (and TMO) twice already, I’m only now writing the review.
I honestly can’t complain there’s anything about this book or other Danielle Lori book that I don’t like. The arranged marriage and the falling for the wrong sister could have been so cliché, shallow and poorly written but instead, Danielle built an authentic story in her open-minded style of writing. So, I appreciated not being a whole drama about Nico cheating on Adriana for example. I loved Nico’s possessive side towards Elena, their inside “platonic” “joke”, how forgiving and caring he was towards her as opposed to how he was to any other person. Before this book I don’t remember reading books in two points of view. The upside of having both pov of the H and h is that you could follow their patterns of thinking, insecurities and misinterpretations of the other one’s feelings and then read the true intentions, thoughts or emotions of the character. To be more specific, Elena always thought that Nico was just physically attracted to her and that he would cheat on her after getting married and Nico always thought that Elena loved someone else but when reading in each point of view, you see that in fact they both cared about the other and that it was a problem of misconception and lack of communication, which felt very realistic to me. I was even a bit frustrated that they wouldn’t clarify their feeling already…but not in a bad way, but in an appreciative way for the authors believable writing. Soo, I think Danielle excels at writing in two points of view, which to me seems more difficult to accomplish.
To come back to what I said in the beginning of this review, I don’t think I did a good job praising this book but I only have praise words and feelings for it and I definitely think it is worth reading.