hartmama's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
chubbyromancereader's review
5.0
Heat is the first story I’ve read by Nicolina Martin and just WOW! Told in dual POV, Nate and Sydney story was so well written and detailed that it will make you tune everything around you out until you have finished reading. With what people call “fate” pushing Nate and Sydney together at multiple times, you can’t help but think they belong together and root for them no matter the situations they are going through. It does have certain situations/triggers that some readers may find hard to read about, but I recommend trying to push through because once you’ve finished I believe you’ll find that it was worth it in the end. Heat is a great story to read if you’re new to Nicolina, as I was, because it gives you a taste of her writing style and leaves you wanting more of the Russo series as they come out!
bodebeabay's review
3.0
3.5 Stars
To many draggy parts and some jumpy areas.
I liked it to a point but had some problems with both main characters.
I have a feeling I will enjoy the next in the series more.
To many draggy parts and some jumpy areas.
I liked it to a point but had some problems with both main characters.
I have a feeling I will enjoy the next in the series more.
mawgand's review
5.0
I love mafia books and this one wasnt a disagreement. When two strangers meet in a club they never thought it would change their lives forever. Nate is beyond sexy, with dominant rough persona. The way leads Sydney to bend at his will was a thrill to read. Sydney held her own bring the light he so much needed to escape the hardness of the life of his family. Great book and amazing plot, cant wait to read more in this series.
lifeinthebooklane's review
4.0
Review of rewritten and much improved new version of Heat. I'm going to waffle a bit first, so let me just say that not only is SO much better than it was, it's now a solid 5 star story.
I read this book when it first came out. I found it to be a pretty decent debut book, it had a few rough edges and weak points, but overall it was an enjoyable enough read. It was easy to see the author had potential, but she still needed to hone her skills a little. Six months or so down the line and I tried Absolution, book #4 of the series. I was blown away by that little gem and bought the second book as soon as it was released, shouting about how good it was everywhere I could. When the author messaged me to say she had improved Heat, I couldn't get my grubby little hands on it quickly enough.
Originally I'd struggled with believing in the connection between Syd and Nathan, I'd found Nathan too arrogant and Syd a little too change with the wind. This time around I fully understood their motives, totally felt their emotions and utterly believed in both their chemistry and their love for one another. The prose not only flowed better but I soon found myself totally absorbed within the story. What was a book with great potential is now simply a great book.
The passion between Nathan and Syd is fiery, there is enough angst to add an edge without it being annoying, and the story is jam-packed full of feels where every single one hit the mark. If you haven't read this before then I really do recommend you give it a try. If you did read the original version, make sure you update it via Amazon and read this much improved version - you won't regret it.
Well I have to say that 'Heat' is a very apt name for this red hot tale of love and redemption. The story has quite a unique feel to it, seeming to blend contemporary, mafia and dark erotic romance into one very captivating read.
I loved at the start of the book how Nathan was blown totally out of the water for his arrogance towards Sydney. I love a strong alpha male but on the times he overstepped the mark, or pushed too hard, I equally loved how Sydney wasn't afraid to put him back in his place. Too often these egotistical traits are written as if they are desirable, I'm with Syd and would very much tell a guy like that where to get off. Treat me with respect and acknowledge I have a brain, or take a hike.
Sydney on the surface blew a little hot and cold, but I ultimately found myself agreeing with her actions and motives. She wasn't some silly heroine who was happy to overlook the truth about the hero. She was sometimes naive, but in the way that many of us would have been in that situation. Nor was she so in lust that she lost all cognitive ability - don't you just hate it when a heroine thinks/says one thing but one glimpse of the hero has her knickers falling down faster than the speed of light? I know it bugs the heck out of me.
I loved how each gave the other the strength to find and be who they truly wanted to be, and not let family keep them in a box that just didn't fit anymore. I also appreciated how the plot didn't follow the standard tropes and cliches. It felt fresh and would be hard to pigeon-hole as any specific sub-genre of romance.
This was a story that not only kept me entertained but also left me guessing as to not only how the plot would unfold, as well as how it would end. I wasn't disappointed by any of it.
I read this book when it first came out. I found it to be a pretty decent debut book, it had a few rough edges and weak points, but overall it was an enjoyable enough read. It was easy to see the author had potential, but she still needed to hone her skills a little. Six months or so down the line and I tried Absolution, book #4 of the series. I was blown away by that little gem and bought the second book as soon as it was released, shouting about how good it was everywhere I could. When the author messaged me to say she had improved Heat, I couldn't get my grubby little hands on it quickly enough.
Originally I'd struggled with believing in the connection between Syd and Nathan, I'd found Nathan too arrogant and Syd a little too change with the wind. This time around I fully understood their motives, totally felt their emotions and utterly believed in both their chemistry and their love for one another. The prose not only flowed better but I soon found myself totally absorbed within the story. What was a book with great potential is now simply a great book.
The passion between Nathan and Syd is fiery, there is enough angst to add an edge without it being annoying, and the story is jam-packed full of feels where every single one hit the mark. If you haven't read this before then I really do recommend you give it a try. If you did read the original version, make sure you update it via Amazon and read this much improved version - you won't regret it.
Spoiler
Nicolina Martin is an up-and-coming new author to the dark erotic romance scene. I've not previously read her work, but I'd heard such great things about it that I jumped at the chance to review this offering.Well I have to say that 'Heat' is a very apt name for this red hot tale of love and redemption. The story has quite a unique feel to it, seeming to blend contemporary, mafia and dark erotic romance into one very captivating read.
I loved at the start of the book how Nathan was blown totally out of the water for his arrogance towards Sydney. I love a strong alpha male but on the times he overstepped the mark, or pushed too hard, I equally loved how Sydney wasn't afraid to put him back in his place. Too often these egotistical traits are written as if they are desirable, I'm with Syd and would very much tell a guy like that where to get off. Treat me with respect and acknowledge I have a brain, or take a hike.
Sydney on the surface blew a little hot and cold, but I ultimately found myself agreeing with her actions and motives. She wasn't some silly heroine who was happy to overlook the truth about the hero. She was sometimes naive, but in the way that many of us would have been in that situation. Nor was she so in lust that she lost all cognitive ability - don't you just hate it when a heroine thinks/says one thing but one glimpse of the hero has her knickers falling down faster than the speed of light? I know it bugs the heck out of me.
I loved how each gave the other the strength to find and be who they truly wanted to be, and not let family keep them in a box that just didn't fit anymore. I also appreciated how the plot didn't follow the standard tropes and cliches. It felt fresh and would be hard to pigeon-hole as any specific sub-genre of romance.
This was a story that not only kept me entertained but also left me guessing as to not only how the plot would unfold, as well as how it would end. I wasn't disappointed by any of it.
izziede's review
3.0
It's okay.
Other intimate scene for the Hero when heroine rejects him on first meeting.
HEA.
Breadcrumbs dropped for future books in series.
Dark triggers.
Other intimate scene for the Hero when heroine rejects him on first meeting.
HEA.
Breadcrumbs dropped for future books in series.
Dark triggers.
ohclaiire's review
5.0
Holy hell!
I was sucked in from page one, this book completely engrossed me into its web of a story in till the very last word!! Nicolina is one of my new fave authors this year!! I'm excited to read the other books in the Russo saga!
I was sucked in from page one, this book completely engrossed me into its web of a story in till the very last word!! Nicolina is one of my new fave authors this year!! I'm excited to read the other books in the Russo saga!
beereading's review
4.0
Solid read
Off the charts HEAT and the chemistry between these two was crazy.
Delicious hea.
Off the charts HEAT and the chemistry between these two was crazy.
Delicious hea.
shanbreads's review
4.0
Absolutely loved this book, so well written it grabs you from the very beginning, almost read this book without putting it down! My kindle glued to my hand at every opportunity! One of my favourite books so far this year, the characters are so well
described you feel you know them and just want to know what happens next! Highly recommend this book, I loved it!
described you feel you know them and just want to know what happens next! Highly recommend this book, I loved it!
nellgrey's review
3.0
Wanted to like it, like him but couldn’t- guess that was the point but it felt too non consensual for comfort. Well written, just not the book for me.