Review of Luca by Sarah Castille

5 +++ Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Received an ARC from Netgallery in exchange for an honest review

I've never read a Mafia setting based book - I'm hooked !! Loved Sarah Castille's writing style. This book had an amazing plot , storyline & characters - I really loved the emotional connection between the two main characters - Luca & Gabrielle❤️

Luca is from a Mafia family - Gabrielle is a detective working the case that killed her husband David. They meet of all places in a hospital after both have been shot - their connection & attraction is mutual & immediate ...

This story had a lot of twists & turns some things I never saw coming !! Luca wants nothing more than to help & protect Gabrielle at all costs - I loved the use of Italian Luca uses when he just can't get the right words to express his feelings to Gabrielle in English - they tug at ur heartstrings !! Gabrielle is so independent- but meeting Luca after so much loss in her life she begins to wonder if seeking revenge for something that has ruled her life for 2 yrs is more important than this second chance at love she has found !!

There is the best HEA & I definitely want to read others by this author starting with Nico's story ! I loved this book & cant wait to read more from this author!!

Luca Rizzoli was nearly destroyed by a brutal betrayal that cost him his family. Now a ruthless crime boss in the city of sin, he lets nothing touch his frozen heart--until a smoldering encounter with a beautiful stranger ignites his passion. One night isn't enough for a man who takes what he wants, but his mysterious temptress has slipped away.

For two years police detective Gabrielle Fawkes has lived for revenge. But a night of indulgence with a sexy stranger changes everything. Powerful, charming, and deliciously dangerous Luca, has his own private reasons for offering to help her pursue the drug lord who killed her husband. There's a lot Luca isn't telling her and the more she finds out the less she wants to know.

When Gabrielle becomes the target of the drug lord she has vowed to hunt down, she must do the unimaginable: place her life in a mobster's hands. To save her, Luca must break his Mafia ties--or risk losing Gabrielle forever

Review:

Almost like a modern day Romeo and Juliet, where Romeo is a mobster and Juliet is a cop.

I enjoyed the reverse positions of this story, where the mob is more like the good guys and some of the police are the bad guys. Hopefully that did not give away too much of the story. I felt so sorry for Gaby losing her husband, baby and being taken off the case to get the guy who lead to all of these things happening. Not that she is wimpy, that is definitely not her, she stands up to the drug dealers and the mob, that takes guts. Loved sexy, dominating Luca! He knows that he should not be involved with Gabrielle when he finds out she is a cop but he cannot help himself. The story is super sexy, but it also has violence in it. The only thing that bothered me and maybe because this is not the final formatted version, but I really had to pay attention because it switched quite often between multiple people with no real clear break. Again, hopefully that will be fixed with the end product.

Great story, full of action, suspense and sexy times.

3.5Stars
*I voluntarily read and advance reader copy of this book provided by the publisher.*

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Mary – ☆☆☆☆☆
Gabrielle Fawkes is a detective with the Las Vegas police department and she is trying to survive and get the revenge she deserves by arresting the drug lord that brutally killed her husband. After getting shot while trying to catch the drug lord, she meets Luca Rizzoli in the same hospital room. Both are recovering from gunshot wounds. He is very handsome and she is finding herself attracted to him, especially when he speaks to her in Italian. He owns an Italian restaurant, so she will have to check it out one evening soon and maybe see him again.

Luca Rizzoli is part of the Vegas mafia, after his father's betrayal, Luca is trying to bring honor back to his family's name. When he meets Gabrielle, he is drawn to her, and for a man that is only out for one-night stands, he wants more from her.

What happens when Luca finds out what Gabrielle does for a living and she finds out who he really is? Will they work together to bring down the drug lord that killed her husband? Will the Don of the mafia family let Luca and Gabrielle continue a relationship?

I am loving this series, who wouldn't love the bad boy mafia man and the take-care-of-herself detective that also needs protection at times. And the suspense of who done it is great too. I can't wait for book three, it will be Rocco's story.


Lee’Anne – ☆☆☆☆☆
Though this can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend reading Nico first as this story feeds off it and it’ll make it that much more awesome! This is an excellent “mobster” book – I enjoyed every page!

Luca is one of the head Dons and he’s worked very hard for his spot as his father once betrayed the family. Luca has earned respect, but there are a few in the mafia who still don’t believe in his honesty – especially when he winds up falling for a cop. Gabrielle’s husband was murdered years prior and she’s spent every moment since attempting to track down his killer. When she’s pulled off the case at work, she struggles with not being able to land her husband’s killer but at the same time, she’s also a lot freer. Then when she meets Luca, she thinks she’s found a distraction but quickly discovers that Luca isn’t exactly as “clean” as she’d like to think.

I think my absolute favorite part of this book is Gabrielle and her absolute fierceness. Even with Luca being a total alpha male, Gabrielle never just bows to him and I love that. I absolutely love Luca and Gabrielle together, they’re perfect for one another and the perfect balance of soft and hard. This story has a fast pace, great characters, and an intriguing storyline. I really enjoyed it!

A fateful bullet wound brings Luca, caporegime for the Toscani family into contact with Gabrielle, LVPD, and both lives are changed in a major way. When Gabrielle and her girlfriends visit Luca’s restaurant on a night out, he can’t resist turning on his charm and seducing Gabrielle. He’s a one-night-stand sort of guy, but after one super hot entanglement, he wants more from her, even though he knows it could be his downfall and ruin all he’s worked for.

It’s been two years since Gabrielle’s husband was killed by a local drug lord, and she’s committed to avenging her husband’s murder by bringing Garcia down. It isn’t long before Luca’s world and Gabrielle’s world are intertwined in a way that brings danger to everyone. There’s a rule that cops and wiseguys don’t mix and Luca and Gabrielle’s relationship might just crash and burn before they can both get to Garcia.

The romance between Luca and Gabrielle is worth the price of this book. They are so good together! Luca awakens Gabrielle in a way she’s never experienced before and it is hot, hot, hot! His domineering dirty talk is super steamy and I loved the way their relationship grows. Luca’s growing feelings for Gabrielle and his commitment to clearing his family name provide some nice conflict to the romance. Seriously, Gabrielle and Luca’s love story had it all for me.

Everything worked for me with Luca. The pacing was very good and kept me turning the pages wanting to know what was going to happen. Even though I had figured out the ending twist, it was still a suspenseful, action-filled ending that left me wanting more! I have a little book hangover that I’m feeding by re-reading my favorite scenes and there were quite a few, especially when it involves sexy times between the two main characters. I thought this a fabulous addition to the series and recommend to readers looking for a hot, steamy romance.

An ARC was provided for review.

Luca Rizzoli is high up in the Toscani crime family, and recovering in hospital after throwing himself in front of a bullet meant for his boss.
Narcotics Detective Gabrielle Fawkes is also in hospital with a similar gunshot wound. She was shot while trying to catch the drug lord who murdered her husband.
There is no way our hero can allow himself to get involved with a cop. The families will not permit it.
Our heroine doesn't want to believe that just because Luca is Italian, rich and dangerous means he is Mafia . Her career and any hope of vengeance would be over.
Lots of blood and bullets flying around and some scorching hot sex. This is part of a series but easily read as a stand alone. You will only meet a few friends from previous books. A very exciting all action book.

If you like your heroes to be hot, sensual, possessive, protective and Italian, well then look no further because Sarah Castille's Ruin and Revenge series delivers those heroes in spades! The first book of the series Nico was one of the best romance novels that I have read and I was anxiously waiting for its sequel. Luca was definitely worth the wait. I really didn't think that I could love Luca as much as I loved Nico, but i did.

If you read the first book then you know the state in which we find Luca. But like any mafia boss worth his salt, he is determined to not let a measly bullet weaken him, or cramp his style. This bullet also symbolizes his commitment and dedication to the family, a dedication that was brought in to question due to his father's deceit. The last thing that Luca expected to the find in his room in the hospital was an angel. An angel that- due to the mafia's commandments- he isn't allowed to touch.

Gabrielle "Gaby" Fawkes is a police detective whose husband was brutally murdered by a drug lord. She is determined to capture the infamous Garcia and will risk everything to get her revenge, even be shot at. The only thing that she has wanted for the last two years has been to seek her revenge, but when she meets Luca she begins to feel again and live. Too bad that they are on the opposite sides of the law.

Bad boy meets good girl in this scorching romance. Luca is as bad as it gets and you would be hard pressed to find a heroine who is as squeaky clean as Gaby - although, I have to admit that the love scenes were far from being clean ;) Can't wait to see what Sarah Castille has in store for us in her next installment of this fabulous series!

COPY RECEIVED THROUGH NETGALLEY
Book two of Ruin and Revenge with Luca continued on another great adventure of the Vegas Mob we first met in Nico. This story is sexy, dangerous and yet we get a few laughs.The story is predictable yet has many twists and turns. Luca and Gabrielle meet when both are in the hospital with gunshot wounds. Luca is charming and flirty. He refuses to wear a hospital gown and they have him recovering in a suit. Gabrielle is a police detective out to avenge the death of her husband. She is cautious about opening her heart again. Once Luca gets Gabrielee, he does not let go. He is possessive, protective and controlling. Gabrielle was not a push over. She did not let him take her over. However, her could charm her with a little Italian phrase or two. Great love story full of action and danger. I really enjoy this series,

Luca is a book I have been anxiously anticipating ever since book one “Nico” was released last year. And just like the first book, I was hooked from the first paragraph. I honestly couldn’t put this book down, and man I love finding an author that can just reel me into a story like Sarah Castille does for me. She never lets me down, and Luca was sexy and dangerous fun and definitely put me through the ringer with this book. So lets get to what I simply loved about this book
Our story begins with our heroine, Gabrielle Fawkes, is a police detective. Her late husband was murdered, and she has been hunting the man responsible for two years, a drug lord. But when she is shot, she is pulled off the case. But Gabrielle is the type of heroine that won’t ever give up, especially hunting a man that needs to go down. Then she meets our hero Luca who also has been shot having taken a bullet for his boss and closest friend Nico. Luca is a bit of a playboy, bad boy and doesn’t go for anything serious especially since she would have to pass inspection with his mother, who is the only person in the world that intimidates him. But Luca is drawn to Gabrielle in a way he has never been to any woman before. Gabrielle doesn’t know who Luca really is, that he is part of a mob crime family. Their love is forbidden for obvious reasons. But they are both hunting the same man, and Gabrielle isn’t a wilting violet. She is a fighter, especially when it comes to bringing down a killer like Garcias. Luca is torn, and he might have to choose his loyalty to his friend and the mob, or to his love for Gabrielle.
This is a “forbidden” style of a romance, and boy did I love these turn of events. Both of these characters are very dynamic and surprised me, delightfully so. Luca fights for Gabrielle, and pretty early on into the story, which I didn’t expect. And our lovely heroine, she is a fighter, and boy does she protect Luca in the best of ways. She was honestly entertaining and quite frankly a “hoot” to watch. I was rooting for her and Luca all the way through this book. And honestly one other aspect really of her character just made me admire her even more. The ways that she stands up to Luca, and even up to Nico and the rest of the members of the mob. Yeah she has balls of steel, and there is this one scene that I have re read multiple times because we see what a fighter she is, we see her strength and determination grow, aspects of her character and personality she doesn’t even realize that she has until events force her to take action and realize that she is stronger than she realizes. This pair are just perfect for each other, and they so deserved a happy ending.
My only complaint of this book, was the ending. It was more abrupt than I wanted or expected so that was a bit of a downer. However there is so much to love about this book. The plot is exciting and keeps you on the edge of your seat, the characters are captivating and easily relatable and ones you can cheer on, the romance is hot and mouthwatering…. A DELECTABLE TALE OF DEVOTION, LOYALTY AND THE POWER OF TRUE LOVE.

Luca Rizzoli and Gabrielle Fawkes’ first encounter should have perhaps tipped them off about the very different lives that they lead. The fact that they’re both in the hospital for a gun shot wound is where their similarities end; in fact, their lives contrast in almost every aspect, especially when it comes to their career choices.

A cop and a Mafia capo stand on opposite sides of the law - one side believing in justice through proper procedures and what the law dictates while the other side carries out their own style of justice and how they handle things has nothing to do with the right side of the law.

Luca and Gabrielle are fantastically flawed and dynamic characters who both have their reasons for journeying down their respective paths and the complications that they bring to each other’s lives aren’t easy to deal with; in fact, they should be deal breakers when it comes to pursuing one another, but both have never felt as alive as they do when they’re together, so despite the shitstorm that could reign down on them from both sides, their desire for each other overpowers their fears and even their better judgment, causing them to walk a fine line between truth/lies, right/wrong, and family/lovers.

The City of Sin is already a corrupt, drug infested environment, so constructing the mafia world in Castille’s Ruin & Revenge series in Las Vegas adds depth to the story line and allows readers to understand that in a place where anything goes, nothing is what it appears to be and everyone seems to have varying motives and agendas in order to conceal just how far they’re willing to go to secure the only outcome they’ll take.

Sarah Castille does a great job creating and maintaining the gritty and dangerous world for her Made Man and the female detective who realizes that justice isn’t always black and white because sometimes the grey area is the only place anything can get accomplished in order for those affected to move on and heal.

The only aspect of the story that I struggled with a bit was the use of a third perspective to tell different parts of the plot line. I’m not quite sure what this character’s view added to the events or what readers were supposed to understand through it. In some ways, I guess I get why Castille uses his point of view because he has eyes on different aspects in the story that readers can’t see strictly from Luca and Gabrielle, but the parts that were told through his perspective dragged a bit for me and didn’t smoothly blend with the main characters’ point of view.
Overall, I really enjoyed Luka; it’s an intriguing sequence of events that Castille perfectly plays out throughout the story line, and as Luca and Gabrielle work individually and then together to bring down their common enemy, the showdown between them and the reveal of the villain works well with the context clues Castille gives readers at certain points in the story.

The relationship that develops between Luca and Gabrielle is passionate and all-consuming and their connection is framed in a way that there’s no denying how much they care for one another and the risks they’re willing to take to be together even when their love affair is forbidden and could end up getting them both killed.

I can’t wait to return to Castille’s Mafia Men and see what she has planned for Rocco and the rest of his crew.

4 Poison Apples (The Fairest of All Book Reviews)

Woah, what a book! The story was so captivating and exciting. I could not put this book down. What can I say about Luca except wow? What a guy. He's fierce, sexy, funny, and somewhat broken by betrayal. But when Gabrielle and him meet in an unexpected way everything changes for them both. Gabrielle is also a great character. She's a police officer and knows how to get things done. She's just as fierce and broken as Luca. Together they can conquer anything. But a police officer and mafia do not mix at all and are not allowed to associate due to unbreakable mafia rules. How they overcome everything is great. I loved it! This is my first book by Sarah Castille but will not be my last. She's an exceptional author.

Luca was hot and I'm not just talking about the man. Good overall writing. Excellent story.

This was a good read for me, I liked the story as well as the characters. I admit Luca was my favorite. Luca and Gabrielle have great chemistry and the story has plenty of drama and suspense. I am looking forward to finding out what happens in the next read.

OMG, I love Luca, he is so totally Alpha, when you think of Mafioso, you picture him. And, Gabrielle, does not hold back, my girl stood by her man, and kicked some but. Those two were perfect for each other, and let me tell you, that I did break my rule, I normally do not begin a series, by the second book, however I could not help myself, I had to start reading Luca, and now I am going back and start reading Nico, how can I not, these men are too hot. Ms. Castille, you definitely have a new fan in me. I can't for the next one. So friends, do yourself a favor, and read, however I am going to recommend, as I always do, start from the beginning.

4 Angel CROWNS

I really enjoy this mafia series. There is suspense and passion mixed with the customs of the mafia, leading a compelling romance.

Luca has spent his life trying to earn back the honor of his family, but he is much more than this mafia boss. He is honorable and loyal, passionate and dedicated. He has that protective instinct of an alpha hero, yet he is drawn to a strong heroine and learns to balance his need to protect her with her need to protect him.

Gabrielle is everything Luca shouldn't want as a mafia boss, but her desire for justice and revenge along with her knowledge learned as her time as a cop makes her irresistible. Her love of her friends and her sense of justice will make readers love this heroine. Her evolution as a character is what I enjoyed most. Seeing gray is a fact of life she comes to terms with.

The passion between them ignites from the very beginning. Every moment between them is scorching. Couple this with the suspense of the warring families and the cartel, readers will be on the edge of seats. There are moments when the story was slow for me but it picks up quickly, and I didn't really expect the ending. It really made the whole entire book for me.

This is quickly becoming my favorite mafia series. The plot lines are complex, the characters are intriguing, the passion and suspense combined make for thrilling stories. I cannot wait for more.

I haven’t read a Mafia book you are missing out, Luca is a possessive alpha and Gabrielle her heroine. Hot scenes, great characters and chemistry off the charts surround the story. I love romantic suspense and this book delivered it. I can’t wait to read more, the plot line is intense; when a capo meets a detective sparks fly but everything says no. What an amazing ride, all in one day and I want more!

I must say I really was not expecting this book to be as good as it turned out to be. Luca Rizzoli is a playboy, but is also working at making his family name good again in the eyes of his family. That is his crime family. Operating his own crew his is working at overcoming the obstacles that his father put in his way by going into witness protection. Now in the hospital recovering from a gunshot wound he received by throwing himself in front of his boss. He is surprised when one morning a beautiful women is in his private room because the hospital has become full with trauma patients. He is wondering who would shot such a beautiful women. After spending some time with Luca, Gabrielle Fawkes police detective cannot believe she has actual feelings for a man. In the two years since her husband was murdered she has felt nothing, but now with Luca and just hearing him speak it is like something has opened up inside of her again. Going to his restaurant with her friends she is still taken with him not to see everything else that is going on around them. to her it does not matter and when he shows up later that evening at the same club that they are at she allows herself to do things with Luca that she would not ever had done in public before. Now neither of them can get enough of each other. The problem is for Luca is that she is a police detective and they should not be together, for Gabrielle she has been sent away from narcotics to theft, and she is getting further and further away from who killed her husband. She is becoming more aware of Luca especially when the two men who shot up her home have turned up dead out in the desert. Everything changes for Gabrielle when Luca is arrested or so she thinks. He is not in any of the jails in Vegas and she is determined not to lose another person she is in love with. Like I said I was very surprised that the author was able to make this story work but she did. That different twists and how the plot comes to an end all works. I really was not thinking about who the bad guy could have been until pass the half way point. The Italian phases were a nice touch, and the epilogue pulls the story all together. Overall a very good book, with very good characters.

This is a great book with a wonderful story and well developed characters. The story flowed very well and was very enjoyable. This book will keep you reading long into the night and you will not want to put this book down until you finish. This was such a great read and full of surprises. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader’s copy of this book. The free book held no determination on my personal review.

I absolutely love Sarah Castille's novels. Every single one of them have an amazing combination of a HOT alpha male, a sassy heroine and sexy chemistry. That is exactly what we got here with Luca and Gabriella. They were panty meltingly hot and this story was amazing. I could not get enough.

Luca is the second story in the Ruin & Revenge series. We saw him first in Nico, where he proved himself to be a loyal soldier to Nico Toscani, the new Don. As a result, Nico was promoted to Capo and has a position of strength in the Toscani Crime Family. This is a source of great pride for Luca as he is trying to come out of the shadow of his father's betrayal when he dishonored the Rizzoli name by informing on the Family. But what happens when a Police Detective he can't seem to stay away from is after the same drug cartel he is? Will he put aside his feelings for her for the sake of the Cosa Nostra and his rules as a Capo? Or will they continue to set the world on fire with their combustible passion?

I absolutely LOVED this novel. It was fantastic. I loved that Gabriella was so strong after what she went through and was the type of woman that was more of a match for Luca than he has ever met. Her strength and dedication to her friends and loved ones was one of the greatest things about her and a perfect match to Luca. All in all this was an amazing add to the series. I can't wait for Rocco!! Bravo 4 stars! ~Ratula

I would like to thank NetGalley and the SMP Romance Team for an advanced copy of this book for review!

This book, omg THIS BOOK!! I loved Luca it. The intensity of…everything! It started with the attraction between Luca and Gabrielle which was dark, deadly, passionate and consuming. It made me feel alive the same way it did Gabrielle. I could feel the crackle in the air the second I met them. The first glance, Luca right off the bat admitted his attraction/interest/infatuation with Gabriel, and I like that she straight up went to go see him shortly after.

I am dying to talk more about Luca and Gabrielle, but first I have to mention the writing and story. Ms. Castille’s writing is effortless and well crafted. Even though this was written in my least favorite (3rd person) it was still that good. Yes, she created a world where I found myself living, but the way it was told with the pacing spot on, yet kept teasing me to turn the page. I was up until after midnight finishing!

Then there was the story itself, there was a conflict, as there is always one in any story, but man oh man this one was so good! I have to say I love this conflict. So often in books there’s a terribly simple hurdle that seems so fabricated, so coincidental and fake generated by an author that I get bored and don’t buy into it. In Luca, it was simple, yet the conundrum was so black and white with no solution…I did not know what Luca was going to do. Well, I knew he would plow through it, but I was curious to see how he would get out of it, and that’s the part that I loved reading about. It was excellent and honestly just perfect.

Now let’s talk about Luca. Le sigh. He was one sexy mother f*cker. Luca was all things masculine. Not only was he good looking, but he was so confident that it oozed out of him. But as perfect as he was, he definitely still had to work through some issues. And that’s the part that I really couldn’t get enough of. He also couldn’t understand why he was so attracted and had to have Gabrielle, but he recognized it and I just loved watching him figure it all out.

Gabrielle was an interesting character and I fell in love with her too. I think her past explained a lot and about her marriage to David. I liked that she didn’t sit at home feeling sorry for herself. She was still hurting so very much, but she made a plan and that showed me how strong she was. It was Luca who made her feel alive, and I couldn’t get enough. I was so happy for her to fall in love.

The romance was just like Luca: sexy, intense and straight up. He was definitely a dirty talker and IT WAS SPECTACULAR.

The ending was insane, I was dying!! I guessed the “twist” about half way through, but it was still divine. It was also intense. I was nervous, and not sure who was going to get knocked off…this is a mafia story after all! We all got a glorious HEA. I wouldn’t have minded if it was just a teensy tiny bit longer as I would have wanted to roll around in their happiness just a little bit more. However, it was so good.

Rec it? YES YES YES If you love very sexy mafia stories, this series is an absolute must for your TBR!

Happy reading!

I absolutely loved this forbidden romance. Two people from opposite sides of the law have found each other and can't let go. Gabrielle is nothing like the women Luca is usually drawn to. She is smart, fiercely independent, and the sexiest woman he had ever seen. Gabrielle has never been with such a dominant man, he emanates power and confidence and his barely contained wildness and danger call to her. Luca is such a complex character. He is a ruthless crime boss, but also a loving family man, and softhearted protector. There is only one rule in the mob that can't be broken, and that is taking up with a cop. Gabrielle has her own reasons to be on the force but when black and white turn to grey, Luca & Gabrielle are willing to risk everything to be together. Will they be able to survive when both sides of the law are against them?
Luca & Gabrielle are so great together. They challenged and supported one another and their chemistry is explosive. This romance was fun and sexy and the thrilling story surrounding them was a nail biter! I loved this second installment to this series and can't wait for more in the Ruin & Revenge series. This is a definite must read!