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A review by loverofromance
Sweet Prison by Neva Altaj
5.0
This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review. Also my tags may have spoilers in them so be forewarned before checking out full review.
Book Evaluation:
Plot: ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ
World Building:πππππ
Cover:πππππ
Hero: π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»
Heroine:π¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈ
Intimacy Level: π₯π₯π₯π₯
Relationship Building: πππππ
Heart & Feels:πππππ
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: ππππ
Page Turner Level:πππππ
Ending:π§§π§§π§§π§§π§§
Overall View: β¨β¨β¨β¨β¨
First Impressions
Sweet Prison is the most recent release in the "Perfectly Imperfect" series by Neva Altaj. I absolutely adored this story in every single way. In fact, I believe that this is my favorite of the whole series. It was literally perfection for me and I just couldn't get enough of these two and their powerfully evoking story. It had such a blend of pining, romantic yearning and some deception with a blend of epistolary themes and friends turning to lovers in such a remarkable way. If you love mafia, morally grey heroes, mutual pining and a forbidden love, then this story is most definitely for you and Neva Altaj captured all of these elements so perfectly!
First Line
Just you, Nera
The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Massimo
The Heroine: Zahara
Summary
Massimo, was the prince of the mafia world until his step brother was murdered and in the process he found himself facing a long sentence in prison for avenging the death of his brother. Zahara was only a child when he was sent away, but in her late teens started to write him letters and for years they have exchanged letters of humor and Zara has been working with Massimo to spy on the Family and do deeds for him and along the way has lost her heart to him and would sacrifice anything he asked of her no matter the price. Massimo started to use Zara because that is who he is and he could use all the allies he needed, but as time goes on, she is his one shining light in the darkness. Massimo without fully realizing it falls just as deep, but their love is forbidden and there is a danger to both of them. But Zahara is no meek flower like many see her, she has a will of iron and will do anything to stand by those that she loves...
What I Loved
This BOOK!! *Sigh* can I just sigh and say you all need to read it???? No?? Well then lets dig deep into this story then
Sweep Prison is really about beautiful romantic yearnings that dig deep into the soul and boy does this book really dig deep here. I loved the levels of emotion that we see within this book. The hero is pure alpha male and so much morally grey in him. He grew up in the mafia and never had the childhood other books in the mafia world had. He was always driven and determined. He has survived prison and become the king there and has managed to run the family business behind bars. Then we have Zahara who is meek and shy at first until she starts writing letters to Massimo. She starts to become bold and brave and developing a quiet strength to rival that of Massimo. Without realizing it, Massimo creates a deadly weapon of beauty and strength and grace.
Zahara is my favorite part of this story and I will tell you why. Her strength, her determination to overcome all the slander and gossip and the way she has been bullied and emotionally abused all of her life because of her skin condition. She has such a kind heart and I love how gracious she is. But at the heart of her is a fierce tiger waiting to burst free and become the queen she was always meant to become. Zahara has such a spirit of being a fighter when its necessary. I love how protective she is of Massimo but also at the same time she will do anything to stand by his side. She is so determined to fight for their relationship even if that means Massimo. But honestly Massimo only has himself to blame haha he created this beautiful monster and boy does he treat her like she is the true jewel that she is.
Massimo is your typical bad boy with morally grey mafia leader, but also such a badass but also has some mental control problems but you can see how Zara is his center and really helps regain back that control. Massimo was such a dreamboat and I loved so much about this hero. Even though he has mental control issues, we see how devoted he is to Zara. I love how he sees the true beauty within and doesn't judge her for her condition like so many do around her.
Now lets talk the good stuff....the romance is so heart melting. This is what I look for in romance and Neva Altaj completely satisfied every yearning I went into this book looking for. I couldn't get enough of these two and see how much devotion there is between them. I love the slowly built yearning that grows between them. We see the built of chemistry and emotion that gradually grows between them. It starts with the letters and then once they meet for the first time, you really see that connection only form even more solidly. There are so many layers that grow into their relationship and see it become such a fierce and deeply riveting. I just took my time with this book because I NEVER wanted their story to end and I am not ready to let go of it.
What I Struggled With
Nothing
Overall View
Sweet Prison is a mafia romance that has so much sensual heart packed within its page. Its a story that will tug deeply into the heartstrings of the soul, it will curl your toes, and it will make your heart sing a beautiful melody that spans time.
Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Dark Romance
Character Types: Morally Grey, Disability, Alpha Male, Shy Heroine
Themes: Heart/Emotional, Epistolary, Taboo-Step Sibling, Tatts/Body Art
Tropes: Forbidden Love, Friends to Lovers, Unrequited Love
Book Perspective
Duo POV
Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
A blend of both
If you like these authors, I recommend This Book
Michelle Heard
Cora Reilly
Bella Di Corte
Song This Book Inspires
Shameless by Camila Cabello
Recommendation For Reading Order
Yes
Steam/Spice Explanations
Simmering cup of tea---soft warm touches and light intimacy
Warmin' by the fire- a medium level of sexual tension, a balance of sexual and emotional intimacy, lighter on the details in the sexual moments.
Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.
Blazing fire to the building-The prime focus is the sex scenes, scorching hot, and could burn one. Less focus on the emotional intimacy to the relationship.
Book Evaluation:
Plot: ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ
World Building:πππππ
Cover:πππππ
Hero: π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»
Heroine:π¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈ
Intimacy Level: π₯π₯π₯π₯
Relationship Building: πππππ
Heart & Feels:πππππ
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: ππππ
Page Turner Level:πππππ
Ending:π§§π§§π§§π§§π§§
Overall View: β¨β¨β¨β¨β¨
First Impressions
Sweet Prison is the most recent release in the "Perfectly Imperfect" series by Neva Altaj. I absolutely adored this story in every single way. In fact, I believe that this is my favorite of the whole series. It was literally perfection for me and I just couldn't get enough of these two and their powerfully evoking story. It had such a blend of pining, romantic yearning and some deception with a blend of epistolary themes and friends turning to lovers in such a remarkable way. If you love mafia, morally grey heroes, mutual pining and a forbidden love, then this story is most definitely for you and Neva Altaj captured all of these elements so perfectly!
First Line
Just you, Nera
The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Massimo
The Heroine: Zahara
Summary
Massimo, was the prince of the mafia world until his step brother was murdered and in the process he found himself facing a long sentence in prison for avenging the death of his brother. Zahara was only a child when he was sent away, but in her late teens started to write him letters and for years they have exchanged letters of humor and Zara has been working with Massimo to spy on the Family and do deeds for him and along the way has lost her heart to him and would sacrifice anything he asked of her no matter the price. Massimo started to use Zara because that is who he is and he could use all the allies he needed, but as time goes on, she is his one shining light in the darkness. Massimo without fully realizing it falls just as deep, but their love is forbidden and there is a danger to both of them. But Zahara is no meek flower like many see her, she has a will of iron and will do anything to stand by those that she loves...
What I Loved
This BOOK!! *Sigh* can I just sigh and say you all need to read it???? No?? Well then lets dig deep into this story then
Sweep Prison is really about beautiful romantic yearnings that dig deep into the soul and boy does this book really dig deep here. I loved the levels of emotion that we see within this book. The hero is pure alpha male and so much morally grey in him. He grew up in the mafia and never had the childhood other books in the mafia world had. He was always driven and determined. He has survived prison and become the king there and has managed to run the family business behind bars. Then we have Zahara who is meek and shy at first until she starts writing letters to Massimo. She starts to become bold and brave and developing a quiet strength to rival that of Massimo. Without realizing it, Massimo creates a deadly weapon of beauty and strength and grace.
Zahara is my favorite part of this story and I will tell you why. Her strength, her determination to overcome all the slander and gossip and the way she has been bullied and emotionally abused all of her life because of her skin condition. She has such a kind heart and I love how gracious she is. But at the heart of her is a fierce tiger waiting to burst free and become the queen she was always meant to become. Zahara has such a spirit of being a fighter when its necessary. I love how protective she is of Massimo but also at the same time she will do anything to stand by his side. She is so determined to fight for their relationship even if that means Massimo. But honestly Massimo only has himself to blame haha he created this beautiful monster and boy does he treat her like she is the true jewel that she is.
Massimo is your typical bad boy with morally grey mafia leader, but also such a badass but also has some mental control problems but you can see how Zara is his center and really helps regain back that control. Massimo was such a dreamboat and I loved so much about this hero. Even though he has mental control issues, we see how devoted he is to Zara. I love how he sees the true beauty within and doesn't judge her for her condition like so many do around her.
Now lets talk the good stuff....the romance is so heart melting. This is what I look for in romance and Neva Altaj completely satisfied every yearning I went into this book looking for. I couldn't get enough of these two and see how much devotion there is between them. I love the slowly built yearning that grows between them. We see the built of chemistry and emotion that gradually grows between them. It starts with the letters and then once they meet for the first time, you really see that connection only form even more solidly. There are so many layers that grow into their relationship and see it become such a fierce and deeply riveting. I just took my time with this book because I NEVER wanted their story to end and I am not ready to let go of it.
What I Struggled With
Nothing
Overall View
Sweet Prison is a mafia romance that has so much sensual heart packed within its page. Its a story that will tug deeply into the heartstrings of the soul, it will curl your toes, and it will make your heart sing a beautiful melody that spans time.
Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Dark Romance
Character Types: Morally Grey, Disability, Alpha Male, Shy Heroine
Themes: Heart/Emotional, Epistolary, Taboo-Step Sibling, Tatts/Body Art
Tropes: Forbidden Love, Friends to Lovers, Unrequited Love
Book Perspective
Duo POV
Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
A blend of both
If you like these authors, I recommend This Book
Michelle Heard
Cora Reilly
Bella Di Corte
Song This Book Inspires
Shameless by Camila Cabello
Recommendation For Reading Order
Yes
Steam/Spice Explanations
Simmering cup of tea---soft warm touches and light intimacy
Warmin' by the fire- a medium level of sexual tension, a balance of sexual and emotional intimacy, lighter on the details in the sexual moments.
Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.
Blazing fire to the building-The prime focus is the sex scenes, scorching hot, and could burn one. Less focus on the emotional intimacy to the relationship.