ameyb's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
the_sassy_bookworm's review against another edition
5.0
This book was SO SO good, and I am not just saying that because my name is in the dedication (of course I had to mention that
chaoskay's review
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
We’ve met Rick throughout the Santiago books and his and Nina’s story was perfect. No one does Mafia quite like Catherine and it shows in this book .
pagesinkedinshadows's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This was a beautifully sad story. It was full of tragedy, fate, fierce love & vengeance.
kazza248's review against another edition
5.0
This is Rick and Nina's book, is a spin off from the fantastic Santiago Trilogy.
Rick owns most of the drug trade in New York, rising from a kid in care to the Empire King, he is friends and associated with Dante Santiago, he owns most of the Bars in the area, and quite the Casanova, always has a blonde on his arm, but never anyone serious until her!
Nina is the daughter of a Russian mafia boss, and to save her sisters life he makes her get a job at one of Ricks bars and get close to him to find out the co-ordinates of Dante's island, but then it all backfires.
They originally met when she was six but neither of them realised until he spoke the words "sad and fierce" then it all came flooding back to both of them.
This book isn't as violent as the others although the threat is always there, but a brilliant storyline, I loved Rick and Nina, and Manda too, once again Catherine didn't disappoint, the perfect amount of everything in this book.
Rick owns most of the drug trade in New York, rising from a kid in care to the Empire King, he is friends and associated with Dante Santiago, he owns most of the Bars in the area, and quite the Casanova, always has a blonde on his arm, but never anyone serious until her!
Nina is the daughter of a Russian mafia boss, and to save her sisters life he makes her get a job at one of Ricks bars and get close to him to find out the co-ordinates of Dante's island, but then it all backfires.
They originally met when she was six but neither of them realised until he spoke the words "sad and fierce" then it all came flooding back to both of them.
This book isn't as violent as the others although the threat is always there, but a brilliant storyline, I loved Rick and Nina, and Manda too, once again Catherine didn't disappoint, the perfect amount of everything in this book.
marissa_m's review against another edition
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
amz101's review against another edition
5.0
Holy crap...
Alright, I mean I have heard of this author and I have heard good things. I think she is kind of new, I'm not too sure, but either way... This book was amazing. It took me by surprise. She is the prime example of why I have started taking chances on new-to-me authors, and new authors in general. You never know what you'll find when you step out of your comfort zone and I found this to be intoxicating, consuming, enticing and just an incredible read. I was hooked from page one right through to the last page of the book.
Well, Nina and Rick's connection and their chemistry are off the charts... You knew they were meant to be from the beginning. The author wrote these two perfectly. Both Rick and Nina had horrible upbringings, painful and things no one should go through but they did, their past has made them the people they are today and I think that's one of the reasons these two were so perfect together, yet it was tragic... Tragically beautiful. The biggest thing that bought these two together was a pain, but it was more than that too. There was so much emotion, depth, and angst in this book and between these two. It was all-consuming. As the story progress, the deeper this plot gets, the more secrets, lies, betrayal surfaces, and the plot continues to thicken... The author had no problem throwing in twists and turns in there I didn't see coming. The writing style was perfection and I read this with ease. It wasn't a slow burn, but it wasn't a fast-paced insta love either. It was perfectly balanced out.
Overall, this book was just an intense, addictive and such amazing read. I'm so glad I took the leap and finally read something by this author.
5 Stars
Alright, I mean I have heard of this author and I have heard good things. I think she is kind of new, I'm not too sure, but either way... This book was amazing. It took me by surprise. She is the prime example of why I have started taking chances on new-to-me authors, and new authors in general. You never know what you'll find when you step out of your comfort zone and I found this to be intoxicating, consuming, enticing and just an incredible read. I was hooked from page one right through to the last page of the book.
Well, Nina and Rick's connection and their chemistry are off the charts... You knew they were meant to be from the beginning. The author wrote these two perfectly. Both Rick and Nina had horrible upbringings, painful and things no one should go through but they did, their past has made them the people they are today and I think that's one of the reasons these two were so perfect together, yet it was tragic... Tragically beautiful. The biggest thing that bought these two together was a pain, but it was more than that too. There was so much emotion, depth, and angst in this book and between these two. It was all-consuming. As the story progress, the deeper this plot gets, the more secrets, lies, betrayal surfaces, and the plot continues to thicken... The author had no problem throwing in twists and turns in there I didn't see coming. The writing style was perfection and I read this with ease. It wasn't a slow burn, but it wasn't a fast-paced insta love either. It was perfectly balanced out.
Overall, this book was just an intense, addictive and such amazing read. I'm so glad I took the leap and finally read something by this author.
5 Stars
bookgramsaga's review against another edition
5.0
Can I just admire Catherine's writing and plot?
I loved this book and the way things unfolded.
I figured out one of the twists because I read Black Skies Riviera before reading the original trilogy and this book and I knew Nina was Roman's half sister and she married Rick.
But everything else was great. Manda's death was sad and I wish it was avoided but yeah I can move on from it.
I loved this book and the way things unfolded.
I figured out one of the twists because I read Black Skies Riviera before reading the original trilogy and this book and I knew Nina was Roman's half sister and she married Rick.
But everything else was great. Manda's death was sad and I wish it was avoided but yeah I can move on from it.
mawgand's review against another edition
5.0
As always when I think of this author, I know I'm in for the ride of my life. As we delve deep into the underbelly of the dark and dangerous formal life in NYC. After reading the Santiago trilogy I fell hard and fast for the cocky American Rick Sanders. His flair and attitude were always a welcome in this dark and twisted world of drugs and trafficking. As for Nina, her story was shrouded in darkness that never seemed to leave her when the sun rose. I loved the way their past, present and futures were weaved together. I just couldn't out this book down. An amazing read.
sloyo70's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5