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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A new Author for me to kick start the New Year and one of my favourite Genres too….Mafia!
I enjoyed the pace of this book I was completely absorbed in the story from the beginning, The Sweetest Oblivion was exactly the kinda Mafia story that sets my heart racing as I read.
I couldn’t get enough of Nico he’s dangerous, unpredictable, powerful and utterly ruthless not to mention he’s sexy as fuxk.
I loved Elena too she was a little firecracker and I liked how she really got under Nicos skin without even trying.
Elena and Nico had a connection that was to strong to ignore it was intense, passionate and all consuming.
I bloody loved their story. Can’t wait to read the next book.
The Sweetest Oblivion. Ahhh! I swear I nearly highlighted the entire book, it was that damn good! My first Danielle Lori book and it will not be my last!! I devoured TSO as fast as I could! Nico is EVERYTHING! Do you hear me? EVERYTHING!! Mafia? Don? Alpha? Possessive? Protective? Yes to all! What more could you ask for in a hero?
And our heroine? Elena? Submissive? Courteous? Proper? Docile? Yes… to everyone except Nico. With this powerful man our girl is stubborn, bold, and not afraid to be herself. She was brought up to be the perfect mafia princess, but with our hero she is able to shed the facade and be the true Elena instead of the Sweet Abelli.
The chemistry between these two is immediate and intense. You DO NOT want to miss book. My first 2020 read and what a way to start it!
The Sweetest Oblivion is the 1st book in the Made Series by Danielle Lori.
“Anything that stops your breath can’t be good for you.”
First of all, the cover is absolutely stunning. It is what drew me in initially. This was my first book by Danielle Lori and after this, I am a huge fan. This is a mafia book and it is not a disappointment because you get the bloodbath while getting the romance in a perfectly balance way.
“A flash of anger had pulsed in my chest from my cousins disrespect, and, oddly enough, burned even hotter at the fact he was threatening the Sweet Abelli. The annoying feeling rushed over me that only I could threaten her— so I fucking shot him and watched the blood splatter against Elena’s white dress.”
This is about Elena Abelli is known to be sweet on the outside; a mask of perfection to survive of being a member of the New York’s Cora Nostra. She was known to be the Sweet Abelli because of her sweetness and innocence. Elena’s little sister, Adriana, was set up in a contract to marry Nicholas Russo, also known as Nico, a young Don. Nico is a controlling, possessive, dominant, and relentless person. However, the first meeting between Elena and Nico was full of chemistry that there were a lot of tension and back and forth.
“Have you always been unhinged? Or is your controlling, delusional nature a product of inadequacy?” I said it sweetly, Sweet as poison.
This book was unapologetic and absolutely wonderful. There were a lot of chemistry between them. And the banter was one of the best I have read so far. This was so beautifully put together than not one did I feel the need to put this book down. Matter of fact, I read it all in one sitting.
“There was always some vice that eventually killed a Russo. Irrationality. Idiocy. A penchant for unprotected sex with cheap hookers, My father’s was monetary greed. I was beginning to think mine was Elena Abelli.”
The character development was definitely on point because we got to see their growth as individuals as well as growth of their relationship. Elena and Nico was absolutely crazy. The dual point of view lets us see both of their thoughts and it was safe to say that both of them made each other crazier.
“I don’t want you to make it a big deal.”
“Won’t.” Depends.
“Promised you won’t do anything.”
“Promise.” Lie.
I absolutely appreciated that there were actual mafia action in this. We got to see some blood spilled. We got to see the brutal, relentless A**hole Nico made himself to be, but there were enough romance and banter that it created a perfect balance. It was definitely a pleasure reading this book. I can’t wait to see more of Danielle Lori’s work.
Holy Mother Of All Dons and Doms!!!
First book by Danielle Lori and definitely won’t be the last. If I could give this book more than 5 stars I would.
Everyone thinks sweet Elena is ‘easy’ when she truly is very inexperienced. She is carrying around regret and guilt. On top of everything, she is falling for her sisters bad boy fiancé. She is trying her best to steer clear of him but each day around him she falls more for him. Nico is all Don and all Dom!! What he wants, he gets. Even though he is engaged to Elena’s sister, Elena is the one that gets under his skin constantly. Let me tell you, these two have a relationship that will light a match on the first strike… HOT! I thought my kindle was going up in flames at some points.
If you like a sexy dominant man with an equally challenging lady then snatch this book up quick and read it! Don’t plan on adulting that day because you will not want to put this book down.
This was the first time I’ve read a mafia-style written genre (or whatever it actually is called) and the criminal affairs, infidelity, secrecy, drama, gun threats and injustice to women pulled me in like a cold glass of lemonade in the desert and I couldn’t let go for a second. The story was compelling and addictive from start to finish. One of the reasons being how detailed and complex the world of the Cosa Nostra was. I could actually believe that the author might have lived in that world herself. Although, for her sake I hope not.
I also really liked the lighter moments balanced in the story, like her mamma and Nonna’s bickering or her sister’s weirdness. Without it the book might have been a bit too heavy and the lighter scenes, as well as the darker, helped build up the characters, make them more relatable and realistic with different emotions, relationships and sides.
It was such an unjust and degrading world for women. Seeing Elena trying to survive in a world where she was little else but a bargaining tool or property was what really made me empathize and feel for her. Reading to the end became an obsession, just wanting to see her get the respect and life she deserved and wanted. It made the conflicts and drama the relationship with Nico all the more heartfelt and exciting! At the same time, as Nico was a controlling and dangerous don, it was also really nice to see him with a softer side. Still having respect towards Elena where she had the equal space to argue and object. Simply put, to make her own decisions as well and be herself instead of keeping her docile mask. It of course wasn’t perfect and they weren’t equals. Nico was still the boss and she was still the woman with less say. But, I also don’t think it could have gone any other way than it did for a happy ending. Make it too perfect and it would have lost all realism and it wouldn’t have been as relatable. So in a way, it actually was perfect for what it was.
As in every book there were things that could have been worked on or things that I didn’t agree with, like how the thing with the carousel (no spoilers) was sort of too corny for me. Or how “dark amusement” or just the adjective “dark” was somewhat overused. However, this was so minor that as soon as I read it I pretty much moved past it and forgot about it. The only reason I remember it now to write it is because I made a note so I would remember it.
Danielle Lori has only published three books counting this one. It shouldn’t be this good and excellently written. No, scratch that. It absolutely should be as amazing as it was. I’m just very impressed that someone so new in the field can create such a complex and beautifully written world and storyline. She has the author talents her blood!
I am voluntarily reviewing an advance complimentary copy of this book.
Danielle Lori automatically became one of my auto-buy authors when I first read her debut novel, A Girl Named Calamity. Ever since then, I’ve been hooked.
If you love angst, drama, humor, alpha heroes and steam, definitely check this book out because it should not be missed. It’s everything!
The life of the mafia is not a for the lighthearted and when you read “The Sweetest Oblivion” you will find out how dirty these families can get. Nico and Elena are born into a life people outside of it no nothing about but the people inside the circle. Their first meeting is not what one would call friendly being that Elena glares at him. Nico is arranged to marry Elena’s sister but neither of them wants that to happen. Nico wanted Elena, the sweet Abeili, but her father didn’t want to arrange the marriage saying she was unfit. Elena thinks she is unfit because she ran away from home months ago and she met a man. Her family caught her and made her come home all the while she is fighting her guilt. When Elena starts seeing Nico again and again, she can’t figure out why she is so attracted to the man that is dangerous and set to marry her sister. When her sister ends up being unfit to marry and Elena’s betrothed ends up dead Nico gets his wish and getting to marry Elena. When Elena must move in with Nico until the wedding their attraction heats up even more and they fight so hard to keep it contained. Elena and Nico have a lot of obstacles they must get through to make their lives in the mafia work for them.
I love the aspect of the mafia being in the story line and that the two main characters and total opposites. Elena is a sweetheart and a spitfire when she wants to be. Nico is all alpha and possessive and when he gets Elena into his home it ramps up big time. The danger and corruption will keep you in the story right from the first page. Elena and Nico will keep you wondering about them too because they both pull you in from their first scenes. I want to read more about them and find out what their future will be. The supporting characters will be something to read about too. You will want to read more about the families in this book and I hope Danielle is writing more right this second.
First read from this author, finished it last night. The star of the book hands down was ‘Nico’ the author he single handed saved this book, Elena I am
sad to say I did not like, For the mafia story around it, yes it was good but not great, half the time you didn’t know who was the enemy friend or just a side line character, the side lines were to many and in my opinion more time was spent on them than the characters who needed more. We had an arranged marriage that kicked the book of, between Adriana and ‘Nico’, but there is sweet Abelli sitting like a ticking time bomb,he wants her he doesn’t want her. She wants him but doesn’t want him, was the gist of the story, she as off limits because she had been a naughty girl and now is tarnished, but we all know that wasn’t the reason she was off limits unbeknownst to her she was already promised and to a very very bad man. One bullet to the head stopped that. Adriana was weird, her father and brother were oddballs her mother well less said. I know its Mafia so was expecting good things sadly didn’t happen. For me it was ruined by Elena, I tried but did not like her in anyway. If this had been about Nico all by himself.I would have devoured it. Its still a good read and yes I recommend it. It just wasn’t my cup of tea
“Because I suddenly knew I would lie, cheat and steal for this man.”
” I would burn the world for him.”
Powerful and Passionate – the way a truly captivating love story should be
Nico and Elena’s story is a slow build littered with twists and turns -blanketed in a potent, almost visceral, sexual tension that bleeds off the pages- I could feel their emotions – the primitive lust and primal fear that fed their desires and decisions
From the opening pages to the final scene From the main characters to the secondary and supporting (which I hope have their own books) With each twist and turn of the plot line the reader is guaranteed to be engaged and entertained -A Beautifully written novel that will leave you breathless at its conclusion
I look for the stories that elicit my emotions – merging me with the characters on an elemental level allowing me to experience their emotions – be it the jubilation of their triumphs or the pain of their tribulations – The Sweetest Oblivion does just that
If you take a chance on one author – one book – make it this one
*I was originally introduced to Lori’s work when I read A Girl Named Calamity -When the opportunity was presented to me to read an advanced edition of The Sweetest Oblivion – I did not hesitate and I was not disappointed
4.5 Stars
Talk about a wonderful surprise. It’s been awhile since I’ve read a mafia romance so I didn’t really know what to expect only that I was really intrigued by the blurb for The Sweetest Oblivon.
Well, let me tell you that the author sets the tone immediately in the first couple of chapters. The tension and chemistry between Elena and Nico is on point. Sizzling and beyond captivating. Whenever they caught each other’s gaze the heat was there. Smoldering. The author kept that connection throughout the story and I was completely mesmerized.
The story was entertaining as hell. I had no idea how Elena and Nico was going to get together let alone fall in love but Danielle Lori knows how to weave a story together. When I thought I had it figured out Danielle Lori threw another surprise my way. She captures the mafia environment fabulously. A great mixture of dark and gritty. I liked that there’s some edginess to some scenes cause it can be brutal at times and she nailed it.
I liked and enjoyed Elena and Nico’s evolution. Elena has always been known for being the sweet girl but she’s a bright woman who knows how the mafia culture works and uses it to her advantage. Nico makes her feel strong and challenges her. Both mentally and sexually. He doesn’t treat her like glass like the rest of her family. Her growth was exciting to follow as was Nico’s. He’s a Don and comes off as hard and cold but in front on Elena it’s a different matter. To follow him spiral out of control because if his growing feelings for Elena was thrilling and fun. Together they made me fan myself numerous times. Their scenes were so hot and there were plenty of them.
Danielle Lori captured my attention instantly with her flawless prose. I was on an entertaining ride and fell in love with a Don too. I hope there’s more stories from The Made Men series cause The Sweetest Oblivion is a winner.
4.5 BadAssDirtyAceStars