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taylormichele's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
This slow burn, burned so good. The relationship between the FMC and MMC. The AGE GAP!!! It was almost to big but it worked. And I felt so bad for Nicolette and how her family treated her but the flashbacks of how Raph was with her and how he treated her made the present day slow burn so much better. Understanding why raph found her forbidden was very well written. I also appreciate the no 3A break up and the plot twist was also soooooooooo good. OH and the overlap between the first book and this one was perfect. Raph might actually be one of my favorite MMC the way he treated Nicolette and protected her and even tried to protect her from himself was amazing.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming
dawnsdiary's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
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
4.0
This is the second book in the Messina Crime Family series and I really enjoyed it. This follows Ralph, who we met in the first book, and Nicolette, who was also mentioned in the book.
I appreciated that this book is told in two different timelines. It helps to grasp Nicolette and Ralph’s relationship from when they first met. Ralph was in a relationship and got married to Nicolette’s older sister. The flashbacks show how their friendship developed and how Nicolette developed feelings for Ralph. The flashbacks also gave and insight into Ralph’s relationship and marriage as well as what let to Nicolette going on the run.
Ralph and Nicolette’s relationship was emotional and beautiful. Nicolette was very open about her feelings for Ralph, but he was very hesitant and always pushing her away. It wasn’t because of his feelings, but something deeper which is uncovered once we read more in Ralph’s POV. This was definitely a slow burn, which I am not used to reading, but once they finally let themselves go, their relationship explodes. I also loved seeing elements of their friendship from the past and present.
I really felt for Nicolette and Ralph. They experienced so much pain and hurt by the people that were supposed to protect and love them. They found refuge within each other. It was heartbreaking every time more things were uncovered about the pain and heartbreak they endured by these people. They both deserve the world.
The plot itself is also really intriguing. We discovered a lot more secrets in this book which had me shock and on the edge of my seat. I was flying through the last 20% once everything was popping off.
Overall, really enjoyed this read. I can’t wait to ready Gio’s book. We saw sneak peaks of the last couple within the last few chapters of this book and it has me really excited!
Thank you to Lilian Harris for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I appreciated that this book is told in two different timelines. It helps to grasp Nicolette and Ralph’s relationship from when they first met. Ralph was in a relationship and got married to Nicolette’s older sister. The flashbacks show how their friendship developed and how Nicolette developed feelings for Ralph. The flashbacks also gave and insight into Ralph’s relationship and marriage as well as what let to Nicolette going on the run.
Ralph and Nicolette’s relationship was emotional and beautiful. Nicolette was very open about her feelings for Ralph, but he was very hesitant and always pushing her away. It wasn’t because of his feelings, but something deeper which is uncovered once we read more in Ralph’s POV. This was definitely a slow burn, which I am not used to reading, but once they finally let themselves go, their relationship explodes. I also loved seeing elements of their friendship from the past and present.
I really felt for Nicolette and Ralph. They experienced so much pain and hurt by the people that were supposed to protect and love them. They found refuge within each other. It was heartbreaking every time more things were uncovered about the pain and heartbreak they endured by these people. They both deserve the world.
The plot itself is also really intriguing. We discovered a lot more secrets in this book which had me shock and on the edge of my seat. I was flying through the last 20% once everything was popping off.
Overall, really enjoyed this read. I can’t wait to ready Gio’s book. We saw sneak peaks of the last couple within the last few chapters of this book and it has me really excited!
Thank you to Lilian Harris for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, and Violence
Moderate: Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Infertility, and Toxic relationship
what_karla_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
5/5 stars
4/5 spice
Good Lord, the tension and angst in this book could set you on fire, it was so hot.
Tropes:
Forbidden romance
Secret pining
Age gap (17 years)
Forced proximity
Mafia romance
Virgin FMC
Widower MMC
Dual POV
"I loved him in silence then, and I continue to love him in silence now. Love doesn’t simply cease to exist just because we want it to."
Raph and Nicolette are my new favorite book couple. The angst and pining these two had for each other was so heart breaking to watch. I was right there with Nicolette wondering if it was all real when they finally gave in to their attraction.
The plot was slow in this one compared to everything that happened in the first book. But once it hit the plot twist it was an avalanche of "OMG moments" and things unraveled quickly. I actually loved how the majority of the book centered around the growing relationship with Raph and Nicolette. You got to see how much they meant to each other from the very beginning, and neither one of them knew... uuuugh the pining.
Overall, this was a sexy, romantic, love story that was full of emotions and twists. I highly recommend for fans of forbidden romance and age gap.
I received an ARC by the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own and offered freely.
Trigger/Content warnings:
Violence, murder, blood, fighting, emotional abuse, manipulation, gaslighting, bullying, mentions infertility, cheating, adultery, death, graphic sexual content, explicit language
4/5 spice
Good Lord, the tension and angst in this book could set you on fire, it was so hot.
Tropes:
Forbidden romance
Secret pining
Age gap (17 years)
Forced proximity
Mafia romance
Virgin FMC
Widower MMC
Dual POV
"I loved him in silence then, and I continue to love him in silence now. Love doesn’t simply cease to exist just because we want it to."
Raph and Nicolette are my new favorite book couple. The angst and pining these two had for each other was so heart breaking to watch. I was right there with Nicolette wondering if it was all real when they finally gave in to their attraction.
The plot was slow in this one compared to everything that happened in the first book. But once it hit the plot twist it was an avalanche of "OMG moments" and things unraveled quickly. I actually loved how the majority of the book centered around the growing relationship with Raph and Nicolette. You got to see how much they meant to each other from the very beginning, and neither one of them knew... uuuugh the pining.
Overall, this was a sexy, romantic, love story that was full of emotions and twists. I highly recommend for fans of forbidden romance and age gap.
I received an ARC by the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own and offered freely.
Trigger/Content warnings:
Violence, murder, blood, fighting, emotional abuse, manipulation, gaslighting, bullying, mentions infertility, cheating, adultery, death, graphic sexual content, explicit language
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Infidelity, Sexual content, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Body shaming, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Infertility
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