Emilia-All I’ve ever wanted was to marry for love.But girls like me don’t have that luxury.We are used as pawns in a game we can’t control.The game? It’s called Mafia. I was foolish enough to try to change the rules? and I lost.Luca-She was promised to me years ago.And he dared to take her from me.Dared to touch what was mine.I put an end to that.I hope he’s enjoying the view from his dirt … room.Emilia-My beloved’s killer placed a ruby ring on my finger and called me his queen. But that red gem symbolizes something different for me. It represents the blood shed by those I love most.Hell was empty the day we wed.Because the devil was standing before me and said “I do.”Luca-I saw her as a possession.A shiny toy I didn’t want other boys to play with.But she’s so much more.Beautiful and brave and strong and broken all at once.She tastes like everything I’ve ever wanted.Emilia-Hidden and patient.I wait for the perfect time to seek my revenge.But slowly, I feel him possessing me.His heart is full of darkness? and I still want every inch of him.Hard as I try, I can’t escape loving this beautiful monster.Luca-I’m waiting patiently because I already know that she’s mine.Mine in a way that no one will ever understand.Even if she hasn’t yet realized it.For love, I’d do anything. For her, I’d do everything.
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This is one decadent and dark tale with bite. It brings together two powerful mafia families and the trials and tribulations they face for going against tradition. Emilia was betrothed to Luca but she had her own plans and decided that she was not going to agree to the arranged marriage as she fell in love with her best friend. Luca has wanted Emilia and was not going to let anything stand in the way of claiming what he believed to be his. Forced to choose between family and the man who is her husband proved to be a battle for Emilia that could have devastating consequences. From the beginning, this is one engaging storyline watching as Emilia and Luca learned to work together to find an enduring love. I volunteered to read an advance copy of this book.
4.5 Stars!
Emilia Bellini grew up a Mafia princess as the eldest daughter of an Italian Mafia boss. She was promised years ago to Luca Rossini. Their marriage would join the two most powerful crime families in New York, but she longed for a life where she could choose her own path. She never cared about money or power, and wanted to marry for love, but sadly when she tries to change her fate, everything blows up in her face.
Luca Rossini is used to getting what he wants as the new and upcoming king of New York. He is set to inherit a powerful empire, and a bride to be his queen, but when someone tries to take what’s his he won’t stand for it. Never in his wildest dreams did Luca imagine his betrothed would grow up to be this beautiful. She’s brave, strong, broken, and a temptation he can’t resist. Soon he’s under her spell, and there’s no place he’d rather be as he realizes he wants more than a loveless marriage. He decides he’s determined to make her fall in love with him.
Emilia didn’t want this life, but it chose her anyway. Now she’s condemned to being with an arrogant, vile man who see’s her as a possession that belongs to him. She hates him and his unforgivable actions. She’s at his mercy, but he shouldn’t underestimate her thirst for revenge. Spending time with him she learns he has a cruel side and a tender side. It’s like he’s two different people. He’s not anything like the idea of him she had in her mind. He’s done terrible things, but he’s also protective of her. As fear and anxiety quickly turn to lust and want, will Emilia fall in love with a monster?
Waiting For My Queen, A Dark Mafia novel by Georgia Cates is an arranged marriage, enemies to lovers standalone romance full of jealousy, betrayal, and explosive chemistry. It’s sexy, complicated, and packed with banter, angst, and drama. It has an alpha that does everything to the extreme, is the definition of a bad boy, and is highly controversial, but still somehow made me care about him. I really enjoyed this story and this couples love/hate relationship that was never boring, and always heated and electric!
In the mafia world, everything’s a game and everyone’s a pawn and only the ruthless and the deplorable survive. From the start, Luca Rossini is more anti-hero than hero…in his words and in his deeds, he says and does what he wants, regardless of how anyone else views his actions and/or reactions. He is not a man to be trifled with nor is he one to lose to any other man, especially when it comes to the woman who was promised to him…who he’ll do anything to acquire, even if said possession wants nothing to do with him.
Readers were forewarned by the author just how atrocious and reprehensible Luca is throughout the course of the story, but like any well-developed alpha hole, he does have redeemable attributes and moments, mostly toward the end of the story. Luca will more than outrage some readers to the point that they might even condemn him due to his initial actions, but as the story progresses and because readers are privy to Luca’s internal thoughts and his perspective on the entire situation, it actually becomes easier to understand why he is the way he is and why he sees things the way he does, and as a product of his environment and the future head of the family, I’m not sure what other way he could be and still uphold his family’s name both in and out of the mafia world.
But if his Mafia queen has anything to say about it, she won’t be coming quietly or simply fall in line and take her ‘rightful’ place alongside Luca.
Emilia Bellini wants nothing to do with the life that was planned for her before she was born and because of her desire to pave her own way…to dictate her own course, she chooses a different path – one based on her own feelings and connections, but she forgot one very important rule when it comes to decisions that have been made in the mafia world and the lesson she’s forced to endure costs her absolutely everything, not only because what is taken from her but also because of who she must align herself with and marry when she would much rather kill him than even pretend to love him. Emilia is so much more than she lets on to Luca and those around them. She has a role to play and she will play it, but not for the reasons others think. What pushed her…what drives her every move is revenge, and she will have it…even if it means saying and doing things that seem counterproductive or that could likely end her life and if she feels like she has nothing left to lose who knows what drastic steps she’ll take to stand her ground.
As a whole, I wouldn’t say that Waiting for my Queen is on the darker side of romance; there are definite dark undertones due to heinous words and deeds, but it gets a bit lighter the further into the story you read, which is not a bad thing at all since there is a large amount of chaos to weather and get through in order for the promise of tomorrow comes.
Luca and Emilia’s story is definitely an enemies-to-lovers’ plot line; there were times I truly didn’t think Luca would be able to claim Emilia as any more than an arranged bride, but beneath his dark and deviant persona is a man capable of more than deplorable acts…Emilia and readers just need to hold on and see through the maelstrom that is their wedding and marriage and focus on what will hopefully and eventually be a union of love and not just duty.
4 Poison Apples
Emilia was promised in marriage to Luca years ago by her father. It’s just one of the many things Mafia families do. But Emilia does not want Luca. She loves another. A soldier in her father’s Mafia empire. But Luca wants what he wants. And he takes what he wants. And what he wants is what he was promised – Emilia. So he takes her…
Mafia romances can be tricky to write well. This one is fairly rote, but I mostly enjoyed it. It’s not dark by any means, but I did dislike Luca as was suggested in the note before the story started. But by the end he had totally won me over. He and Emilia make a pretty great enemies to lovers couple.
What a great story by Georgia Cates. It had everything you could ask for in a book. I love Emilia and Luca’s story, but it will keep you on your toes. A true mafia story with arranged marriage, love and hate and twist and turns that keep you wanting more. A must read.
This was one of a handful of books I’ve read where even I thought the anti hero title was spot on and I was worried he couldn’t be redeemed at all, thankfully I was wrong and I ended up loving Luca just as much as I loved Emilia. Luca and Emilia were promised each other by there grandfathers to join the two families only problem is Emilia doesn’t want any part of it and wants to marry someone she loves and tries to rebel until something happens and she realizes she has no choice. This story was full of darkness and I enjoyed all of it
I was instantly drawn to this story.
The seventies timeline and vibe, the enemies to lovers Mafia arranged marriage vibe had me intrigued.
The story flowed well, and the combustible chemistry between Emilia and Luca was a real page turner.
However, I didn’t feel the grit and raw edginess I guess I was expecting from a Mafia read
The enemies to lovers banter and the arranged marriage situation was more heartfelt than dark-ish.
3.5 stars!
Think Romeo and Juliet but in the 70s and Juliet HATES Romeo. Emilia is the eldest daughter of one of the 5 families. She was betrothed as a child to Luca the son of one of the other 5 families. Well things don’t go as smoothly as planned when Luca comes for his bride.
Shocking, dark and intense. Sexy as heck as well!! Wow!! Never looking at a tutu the same again! Honestly I was up and down on Luca. One moment I was so disgusted with him and then the next he had me panting. Emilia is the smart, strong and brave. Reading their love story unfold was beautiful.
This is my first book by the author, I mafia suspense romance so I got into this one and it delivered, I would love to see this one turned into an audiobook. I love anti-heroes, I love angst, I love arranged marriage, so yes this was one of the books I would recommend if you are a fan like me of this trope. Emelia and Luca ara amazing characters, the bad mafia boy meets the mafia princess, the chemistry is off the charts and the story unfolds in a great way. A 5 star read.
3.5 Stars
It’s been a while since I’ve read a Georgia Cate‘s book. I was excited when I heard this book was mafia related. While this book was suppose to be a dark mafia romance, I found that it was only slightly dark.
This is an arranged marriage/enemies to lovers story. Emilia Belinni wants to marry for love and not because of an arrangement made by her grandfather. Luca Rossini wants what was promised to him no matter what, even at the despair of Emilia. I will say that the beginning was ruthless but when Emilia and Luca come together, the story takes a somewhat sweetness to it. She wants revenge but starts to fall for Luca and he starts out as an ass and then quickly changes and only wants to get Emilia to love him. They do have good banter between them and the story reads fast and easy.
I must admit that I like a little more grit to my mafia stories. There were a few parts that were not very developed that I felt would have added a bit more depth and darkness to their story. But overall, this was a sweet romance of enemies to lovers that found their soulmate through an arranged marriage.
Title: Waiting for my Queen by Georgia Cates
Genre: Dark Mafia
About the book: Emilia has been promised to Luca since before she could remember. They both grew up in “the lifestyle”; the mafia. But Emilia wants to choose for herself. Will love or duty win?
Review: What wasn’t to love? The story was excellent and the writing was impeccable. I very rarely give 5 stars but this is one of them! The dual POV gave each character their own distinction but it also flowed smoothly. I would love to see a sequel or read more of her work.
Overall Rating (Out of 5 stars): 5 Stars
I seriously love everything Georgia Cates writes. I wasn’t quite sure exactly how I would connect with this book considering it was set around the same time I was born, but it was wonderful.
Luca and Emilia were betrothed from the time they were children. Both the eldest children from powerful Mafia families it was a union which would happen whether they wanted it to or not.
Emilia is beautiful and sassy and just enough of a rebel to fight for what she really wants in her life. She doesn’t want to be controlled or told who to marry when it’s not for love. She is going to fight Luca every step of the way.
But is there really a way out? Not when her life is already mapped out for her. When something devastatingly catastrophic happens what will her plan of action be? Will she step in and fulfill the role she was always meant to fulfill? By taking her rightful place as the Mafia Queen. Then she can serve in the revenge she desires!
Luca doesn’t take kindly to someone trying to take what’s his, and he sure isn’t going to share. He can’t let people get away with those things and must put them in their places. He’s mean and borderline cruel, but you can also make out the hint of the good guy beneath that exterior.
He loves his family. He is gorgeous and cruel and rules with an iron fist. But he looks at her and she can almost make him melt at times. Only she can spark emotions of guilt in this ruthless man. He will make Emilia his wife, just like was promised and she will give him a son. Or else! I absolutely love books where an author can turn the unredeemable into the lovable!
I loved the progression of their relationship. This wasn’t overnight, but a gradual. The change from where she started to her loyalty to him at the end was GAH! Everything! I love the interaction between his family and her.
This was definitely a hate to love transformation and it was fabulous to read. For a far dark mafia read I want to reassure people this doesn’t get descriptively scary like some can. So it really sticks more with Luca and Emilia and their road to love.
*I voluntarily reviewed an advanced complimentary copy of this book!
My Cr8zysockbookblock blog wrap up for this book!
– So you will start this book absolutely hating Luca but by the ending feel completely different about him and his family. I loved Emilia from the first page. She’s so strong and beautiful!
– Warning- The first encounter although consensual is quite brutal. But as their relationship changes their encounters grow hotter and sweeter and just amazingly sensual to read!
Cliffhanger Warning-!!You begin to wonder if it will ever happen, but you do in fact get a HEA.
Trigger Warning-This is a Mafia romance therefore there are things that happen that are indicative of the mafia lifestyle and the violence, cruelty and drug usage that surrounds that lifestyle. The only things that are really described in detail are the drug use. If you are bothered by things of this nature this may not be the book for you. If you have concerns you can PM for more information.
Georgia Cates has been an author that I love reading books from. Her stories always captivate me and I have loved each and every one I’ve read.
This wasn’t a big genre that I have been read a lot of before but recently I’ve found myself drawn to these types of stories especially because the heroine and hero are always butting heads for one reason or another.
Luca and Emilia definitely started off butting heads because even though she was promised to him she refused and was willing to do whatever it took to dissolve that silly tradition that the mafia families had going for generations. She was in love with her best friend and wanted to marry him so her family made a deal with Luca and his dad to get his daughter out of the marriage. Even though we all think it worked out, it really didn’t, Luca had plans on how to come about that.
I can say I might have been slightly put off by Luca and his demeanor at times but overall he was a likable character and he definitely did redeem himself in the end.
I did like the characters, the sexual chemistry was definitely a plus and the story line was definitely a good one.
If you love mafia romance with arranged marriage and enemies to lovers edge, Waiting for my Queen by Georgia Cates is perfect for you. It has every single element you can want. Sexy. Sinful. Scorching hot. Action packed.
Emilia Bellini has been betrothed to another Mafia family head’s son, Luca Rossini. But she is in love with Nico. And when she thinks her father has made a deal with The Rossinis to get her out of this marriage, her entire family is killed by Luca and his men on her wedding day. And now Luca wants his fiance back. And Bellinis want revenge. And Emilia will be their weapon.
The haters to lovers part was excellently executed here. Luca first appears to be a monster. But slowly I could feel that he is not completely dark. Like Emilia does too. She is an amazing woman. It takes a lot of guts to marry the killer of her lover and try to get upper hand in the doomed marriage. And it takes more bravery to accept her feelings for this twisted, arrogant and sometimes cruel man. But the same man goes tender and caring and protective for his wife and his son. His admiration and adoration for Emilia is palpable. Their chemistry is nuclear hot with passion and intense feelings. They test each other and push buttons but ultimately they form a united stand. My only issue is I could not feel all the emotions. It resolved way too easily and too comfortably. And I didn’t like the addiction part of Luca.
Waiting for my Queen was a sexy, steamy, suspenseful and a bit angsty mafia romance. You would definitely fall in love with Luca and Emilia’s story.
Received ARC for honest review
4 exciting stars
Waiting For My Queen starts off with a bang. Literally. Exciting from beginning to end. Our characters Luca and EmIlia are betrothed to each other, it’s the mafia way. Only one doesn’t want it and the other will do whatever to make it happen.
This is an exciting, emotional sexy read. I loved the characters and the way the author told their story. At times I was mad, sitting on the edge of my seat or my heart was fluttering. Great read. It’s a definite must read.
4 exciting stars
Waiting For My Queen starts off with a bang. Literally. Exciting from beginning to end. Our characters Luca and EmIlia are betrothed to each other, it’s the mafia way. Only one doesn’t want it and the other will do whatever to make it happen.
This is an exciting, emotional sexy read. I loved the characters and the way the author told their story. At times I was mad, sitting on the edge of my seat or my heart was fluttering. Great read. It’s a definite must read.
*Review by Michelle
This one started out quite dark and the main male character seemed pretty much irredeemable but the further you got into the story the gentler he became.
Now, you know I love my alpha-holes but I’ll be honest after the stunt Luca pulled I wasn’t sure how this could ever work out.
LUCA
Luca is a mafia boss in the making. He’s been promised Emilia since they were babies and when he finds out that she’s in love with someone else and plans on marrying this other dude, shit hits the fan.
Big time.
As I said, he started out dark and dangerous but things changed. Granted that they only really changed when it came to Emilia, but I think I would have been more into him if he had stayed the arse he was at the beginning.
Okay, not quite that bad but still stayed a bit darker.
That’s the only complaint I have with this story.
The extreme darkness you see from him in the beginning (which I prefered, lol) didn’t match up with how easily he became a gentler man.
I don’t think that someone who would do the things he did would be so quick to let his guard down and be as open and trusting as he was.
EMILIA
Emilia hates Luca. And you can’t blame her. He’s the last person in the world she wants to be with but has no choice but to go with him when everything settles and he comes for her.
I loved this girl. She is so feckin’ brave.
She’s scared, alone and intimidated and what does she do?
She sass’s him and pokes the fuckin’ bear.
She mouths off and doesn’t back down.
I loved that about her.
I also love that she keeps it real.
There are certain expectations people have of a mafia wife( especially in the 70s) but she’s not going to sit back and become a piece of the furniture.
Nope, she comes in, tells it like it is, and demands respect.
Only problem? Yeah, she starts to catch some feels for him.
She can’t do that.
Her family are depending on her.
Insert heartache here, lol.
SEX SCENES
Right. You know how in these kinds of books that alpha dude is always fucking marvellous in bed and knows how to have his woman begging for more?
Well, this one is slightly different. He has never really tried to be ‘all that; in the sac before. So he’s kinda learning as he goes. Which was…different.
Normally he’s an in and out kind of man, getting what he wants and moving on.
Personally, I like a man to know what he’s doing. Like, learn on someone else, dude, then come see me. Ye ken?
Anyway, the sex was still pretty hot.
“I hate you.” He smiles and chuckles. “You wish you hated me.” His mouth crashes against mine, and his tongue pushes its way into my mouth. I turn my face away, fighting and pushing at his shoulders. My dress bunched at my waist, I press my thighs together when he grasps my panties and drags them down my legs. “You also wish you didn’t want me to fuck you against this wall right now.” My flat palms come down hard against his chest. “I don’t.” “Liar. Let’s see if I’m right.” He shoves his hand between my legs, one of his fingers gliding through my slick centre. “That’s exactly what I thought I’d find waiting for me.” His heart is full of darkness, and I hate myself for still wanting every inch of him. Luca unfastens his pants and dips his hand inside his boxers, pulling out his cock. He lifts my feet off the floor, and my legs instantly wrap around his torso as though they have a mind of their own. As though they don’t need to hear the command from my brain. Wrapping my arms around his shoulders tightly, I suck air in through my clenched teeth when he slides inside me. “Fuuuck,” he groans against my ear. He grips the underside of my thighs, his fingertips digging into my flesh as he anchors me against the wall and roughly slams into me over and over. My elbows resting on his shoulders, I grip the top of his hair as he bounces me up and down his dick. I’m certain my body will be covered in fresh purple bruises tomorrow.
Final thoughts on WAITING FOR MY QUEEN by Georgia Cates.
I enjoyed this book but it would have been even better if Luca had been as dark and dangerous as he was at the beginning, all the way through.
It is dark and fairly sexy just not quite as dark as I usually like my books, but that’s because I have a wee black heart, lol.
It’s definitely worth a read as it kept my interest all the way through.
4 Stars
At first, you will hate him, just like Emilia did. He is entitled, arrogant, fierce, and spoiled. Luca is the designated successor to his Mafia family. His marriage to Emilia was an agreement forged in power and riches made when they were just little children.
All Emilia ever wanted was to be married for love. She gave her heart to a soldier in the employment of her father, and now Luca has taken everything away from her. She will get her revenge, but all in due time. He will never see what is coming his way because she will dupe him into security and then she will strike!
Loved this book! Talk about the wrath of a woman! These two Mafia families will never be the same again.
I am voluntarily reviewing this book. Thanks to the author for sharing a copy with me.
4.5 for this one!
I loved this one! It’s different than other mafia romance, it’s a sweeter mafia romance I would say. It kept me thoroughly entertained. Since it’s a standalone book, everything finished within this book. So you can see it goes from very dark, typical mafia romance, then it shifts to something more sweeter. I didn’t realised it would be in 1980s, but I didn’t mind that.
Luca was very frustrating at first, then when he really wanted Emilia to love him, he started to change. He wanted to change for her. And I find myself liking him, or even swoon for him
All in all, truly unexpected and I would recommend this to people who love some good mafia romance
THIS STORY WAS BONE DEEP INSANELY GOOD! Elizabeth @ Carolina Chic’s Read
This was my first time reading Georgia Cates ! “Hand Smacking Head”… I know. That seems like a sin. I enjoyed every minute of this story and want to read so many more from Georgia Cates.
Luca & Emilia’s story is one filled with so much intrigue, loss, hope, love and heart wrenching heartache. What else would you get with a Mafia love story with the Heir to one powerful family to the princess of another.
THIS STORY WAS BONE DEEP GOOD!