breathejagged11's review against another edition
3.0
things I liked: The romance, the found family, I read this on audio, I liked the lawyer aspect.
Spoilers ahead.
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Things I disliked: The lies and then blaming Elena for being cold and scared to love or trust after her betrayals. That one lawyer's BS rant about how the mafia did right by her only to blackmail Elena into staying with dante even though it could ruin her. Even though her childhood proved how awful mafia life was for HER AKA not projecting you MINORITY experience in the mafia when fiction or reality most people have it bad the lower in the business they are. The cheaters (aka a true isekei white lotus sister bitch moves with the damn ass cheating male lead then turning the male leads ex-finance into the villain).
How her family is TOXIC AF, but a lie, cheat, steal, manipulate, and gas lit the F out of her and made her feel like her reactions were out of pocket. NO, I will not be reading book 2, cause from the looks of it, She will forgive them and they might even make up.
Spoilers ahead.
Spoilers ahead.
Spoilers ahead.
Spoilers ahead.
Spoilers ahead.
Spoilers ahead.
Spoilers ahead.
Spoilers ahead.
Spoilers ahead.
Things I disliked: The lies and then blaming Elena for being cold and scared to love or trust after her betrayals. That one lawyer's BS rant about how the mafia did right by her only to blackmail Elena into staying with dante even though it could ruin her. Even though her childhood proved how awful mafia life was for HER AKA not projecting you MINORITY experience in the mafia when fiction or reality most people have it bad the lower in the business they are. The cheaters (aka a true isekei white lotus sister bitch moves with the damn ass cheating male lead then turning the male leads ex-finance into the villain).
How her family is TOXIC AF, but a lie, cheat, steal, manipulate, and gas lit the F out of her and made her feel like her reactions were out of pocket. NO, I will not be reading book 2, cause from the looks of it, She will forgive them and they might even make up.
inesfilipa's review against another edition
5.0
4.5-lottatrice-stars ✨
this was so nice.
dante is a charmer, so it is basically impossible not to fall for him.
this was so nice.
dante is a charmer, so it is basically impossible not to fall for him.
lucy_qhuay's review against another edition
4.0
Elena was a very refreshing heroine or, better yet, antiheroine. I love ice queens hardened by their pasts, women who are strong and independent and don't need a man to save the day. Dante saw all that in her and loved her all the more for it. I just didn't give the book 5 stars because I feel like the romance took a backseat to the mafia life in here. I would have loved more Elena and Dante moments.
hannahlferguson1's review against another edition
Quick and entertaining read. Probably won't read the sequel since I don't feel it necessary to finish their story?
melimartinez's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
anotherreadingblonde's review against another edition
4.0
I was about to complain about the confusing family history that I did not understand a thing of.
And then I noticed that there’s apparently a series taking place before this one, explaining everything.
So I won’t mention that, it’s not the books fault I messed the order up and got confused.
Is this book super well written? no.
Is it a bit over the top and cringy? yes.
Did I eat this shit up? Hell yes, I did.
It was fun and entertaining.
there was one thing that really bugged me and caused the rating. SPOILER:
the main characters are madly in love and say I love you’s and shit. But: they don’t even know each other. Have they ever really talked about their past or inner feelings? Never.
Does she know things about his mafia side? Not a thing besides that he’s the mafia dom.
Does he know about her past tragic relationship which significant shaped who she is today? noooope.
I would have just wished them to really know each other beyond the shallow day to day life and sexual side before they go all in. She fucking flew the country for him. That’s a tad too much for how far they are in their relationship, in my opinion.
SPOILER END.
I had fun and enjoyed this read, despite its several flaws. I’m a bit scared what another 460 pages will be about, but maybe I’ll finally get some answers about the history that’s all a big question mark in my brain so far.
3.5
And then I noticed that there’s apparently a series taking place before this one, explaining everything.
So I won’t mention that, it’s not the books fault I messed the order up and got confused.
Is this book super well written? no.
Is it a bit over the top and cringy? yes.
Did I eat this shit up? Hell yes, I did.
It was fun and entertaining.
there was one thing that really bugged me and caused the rating. SPOILER:
the main characters are madly in love and say I love you’s and shit. But: they don’t even know each other. Have they ever really talked about their past or inner feelings? Never.
Does she know things about his mafia side? Not a thing besides that he’s the mafia dom.
Does he know about her past tragic relationship which significant shaped who she is today? noooope.
I would have just wished them to really know each other beyond the shallow day to day life and sexual side before they go all in. She fucking flew the country for him. That’s a tad too much for how far they are in their relationship, in my opinion.
SPOILER END.
I had fun and enjoyed this read, despite its several flaws. I’m a bit scared what another 460 pages will be about, but maybe I’ll finally get some answers about the history that’s all a big question mark in my brain so far.
3.5
kandisteiner's review against another edition
5.0
GIANA DARLING HAS MY WHOLE DAMN HEART.
I remember the first time I read her. It was "Inked in Lies" and I texted her and literally said, "WHY did you not tell me you are a literary genius?!"
I felt the same while reading When Heroes Fall. Elena is such a gorgeously complex character, and Dante is everything I love in a possessive alpha male. Their chemistry was off the charts!
I'm usually not a fan of mafia romance. I just don't get off on the blood and murder of it all LOL but this was an exception. I was enthralled and loved how the web kept weaving itself. By the end, I was dying! I just love them.
On to book two for me. If you haven't read a Giana Darling before, I recommend you do! However, I wouldn't start with this one. I realized when I was about 20% in that I was a bit confused on characters because there were several that I could have read before this one. So, if you want to get into this particular story-line, check out Giana's website for reading order. <3
I remember the first time I read her. It was "Inked in Lies" and I texted her and literally said, "WHY did you not tell me you are a literary genius?!"
I felt the same while reading When Heroes Fall. Elena is such a gorgeously complex character, and Dante is everything I love in a possessive alpha male. Their chemistry was off the charts!
I'm usually not a fan of mafia romance. I just don't get off on the blood and murder of it all LOL but this was an exception. I was enthralled and loved how the web kept weaving itself. By the end, I was dying! I just love them.
On to book two for me. If you haven't read a Giana Darling before, I recommend you do! However, I wouldn't start with this one. I realized when I was about 20% in that I was a bit confused on characters because there were several that I could have read before this one. So, if you want to get into this particular story-line, check out Giana's website for reading order. <3
megzkaake's review against another edition
5.0
Best mafia book I’ve read!
This mafia book puts all the cheesy tropes to shame. These are complex characters with real culture and 3D lives.
Also Dante is now a top book boyfriend! Loved it, pretty much perfection.
This mafia book puts all the cheesy tropes to shame. These are complex characters with real culture and 3D lives.
Also Dante is now a top book boyfriend! Loved it, pretty much perfection.
shreyaatulmudgal's review against another edition
4.75
Elena Lombardi, you absolute badass woman. I love her genius, her standards, her poise and elegance, and her love and protectiveness to her loved ones. Safe to say I found another strong female who inspires me to be strong, ambitious, and not be scared of my flaws.
I have rarely seen badass women being paired with equally badass men. There is a general theory of pairing them with sunshine boys (not that I have anything against it), but it just feels unfair that their grumpy nature is to be neutralized with an opposite partner. So, Dante Salvatore made me absolutely ecstatic. He was perfect. The exact composition of charming and dangerous made him perfect for our protagonist.
In conclusion, one of the best mafia romances, I have read, thoroughly engaging, and keeps you hooked. Must recommend for fans of dangerous power couples.
I have rarely seen badass women being paired with equally badass men. There is a general theory of pairing them with sunshine boys (not that I have anything against it), but it just feels unfair that their grumpy nature is to be neutralized with an opposite partner. So, Dante Salvatore made me absolutely ecstatic. He was perfect. The exact composition of charming and dangerous made him perfect for our protagonist.
In conclusion, one of the best mafia romances, I have read, thoroughly engaging, and keeps you hooked. Must recommend for fans of dangerous power couples.