3.5 stars

I absolutely loved Nico's story and I was really looking forward to finding out more about Luca, one of Nico's top men who almost gave his life to protect the boss.

Luca has spent his whole life trying to redeem his family's name after his father betrayed his don in the worst possible way, but sometimes it feels like he is fighting an uphill battle. He lost his wife to drugs and was left with a young son that he doesn't know how to connect to most of the time. Now he is in a hospital bed recovering from being shot when he looks across the room to see an angel in the bed next to him.

Gabrielle has been existing solely for revenge for the last 2 years after her husband was brutally murdered and she lost the last remaining connection to him in the aftermath. His death drove her to become a cop in order to bring the drug dealer who killed him to justice, and that quest led to her landing in the bed across from one seriously sexy Italian "restaurant owner" after being shot in a failed raid to catch the bad guy.

These two could not be more wrong for each other on paper but her friends convince her to go to the restaurant for a meal and to see if a night of fun to cut loose may be in her future. Something about Gabrielle calls to Luca despite his determination to never get too deeply into a relationship with a woman again, and they find themselves enjoying one of the hottest nights of their lives that leaves them both wanting more.

Mayhem ensues as Gabrielle's house is shot up, she is kicked off the case and can't be a part of catching her husband's killer, and her husband's former best friend doesn't take it well at all that Gabrielle chose to move on with someone else besides him. Luca doesn't immediately realize she is a cop but by the time he does it is too late for him to walk away. He allows her to free parts of her personality she has long suppressed and it scares the hell out of her on one level but she doesn't want to walk away from him either. Being with a cop can get Luca killed, and being with a made man will get Gabrielle fired at the very least.

Luca definitely had some dirty talking hot alpha traits, and Gabrielle owns a fierce spirit that suits him well. Despite all that, this book just didn't have the same magic for me that Nico's book did. I actually put it down at one point because it felt like it was just dragging on and getting nowhere, and I struggled to pick it up and go back to finish it again. There were definitely parts that felt like they could have been cut so I skimmed over them, and I really wish there had been more Nico in the story. The identity of the drug dealer Gabrielle was trying to catch wasn't that much of a surprise either unfortunately. All in all, Luca's story was an OK read for me and I am hoping Frankie's story (aka Rocco, his real name) recaptures some of the magic from the first book.

Luca Rizzoli is high up in the Toscani crime family. Initially, he is arrogant, charming, and a total womanizer with a killer smile. He has been burned by a woman in the past and now only does one night stands. He also has a 6 year old son being raised by Luca’s mother.

Gabrielle Fawkes is a Las Vegas PD narcotics officer. Her husband of one year, also a police officer, was killed by a drug lord. Her sole purpose in life is to bring his killer to justice.

These two meet when they are put in the same room because they are both recovering from chest wounds. Never happen IRL. And Luca, in his line of work, would have done a complete background check on her before he ever hooked up with her.

I laughed out loud when Frankie De Lucchi, the enforcer for the Toscani family, called Gaby a PITA (a very fitting title for her where he is concerned), and it gave him a little personality. I am very intrigued by him from the few whiffs of his background we are given.

While there were a few words not translated in the story, I loved that almost everything he said to her in Italian he then repeated in English.

Luca is a dominant, very protective, alpha. When he fell for Gaby, it became all about her and how he wanted to be a better man for her. I’m still not sure how I feel about Gaby. At times, she was just too rigid and unyielding and a bit annoying.

My favorite Luca speech: “Promise me you will tell me next time when you are feeling down, or lonely, or ill, or you have a bad day at work, and I will try to make you smile again. If you are hungry, I will feed you. If you are sad, I will comfort you. You may not always want me to protect your body, bella, but I will always protect your heart.” Sigh.

I guessed the twist very early on, but still enjoyed watching the events unfold. Parts of the book moved a little slow. Lots of steamy, intense sex scenes. There is a great deal of very descriptive violence and domestic abuse. There are parts of the book that are unrealistic, but if you can get past that, it’s not a bad read.

I have not read the first book in the series, but easily read this as a standalone. Can’t wait for Frankie’s story!!

I voluntarily read an ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher.

Luca is book two in this series but I did not feel left out or that I was missing details as I have not read book 1. Full of suspense and action, this is one story that I look forward to rereading. Will also be catching up on book 1. Characters are bold and brash and full of life. A most enjoyable way to spend my off-time hours.

Loved this book! Sarah never disappoints! Luca was such an alpha male and I just couldn't get enough of him. Gabrielle was a little bit all over the place, and I must admit that I like that about her because I didn't know what to expect. So she capt me on my toes so to speak. Their chemistry was really really hot. I simply devoured this story. If you are after a read that has action, mystery, hot chemistry, feelings and love then you can't go wrong with this new installment by Sarah Castille!

Readers once again find themselves caught up in the sensual and suspenseful mafia world crafted by Ms. Castille that we first became captivated by in Nico. With its engaging and likable characters, scorching encounters, and a drug war full of pulse-pounding action and unexpected twists and turns this story had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. By the turn of the final page readers will be exhausted by all that came before but immensely satisfied by the hard-fought HEA and all the compelling stories still to come.

Luca's life in the Toscani crime family has been one of danger, betrayals, and desperately trying to prove himself to be the loyal man his father wasn't when he turned against their family. For Luca it's all about family though as he's immensely loyal, putting his life on the line to protect those he's sworn himself to, while doing all the dirty deeds necessary that keep money flowing into the family coffers. When it comes to his love life he keeps himself separate from sex and emotion after the betrayal of his wife and her death from drugs. Since that moment he swore never to commit to another, to keep his heart closed off, until he meets the one woman he shouldn't want to claim. Claim her he does though as his alpha tendencies and need to protect bubble to the surface and have him willing to sacrifice everything to keep her. Luca's a traditionalist when it comes to the role of women, and even as his beliefs are somewhat arrogant, I couldn't help being drawn to him. He oozes sexiness and confidence and his use of Italian makes your heart flutter. He's a master at dirty talk which made his encounters with Gabrielle even hotter. He's an intriguing dichotomy as one moment he's brutalizing someone to a bloody pulp and the next he's the picture of the perfect gentleman. He can be cruel when acting as the enforcer then charms me with his gentle handling of his son Matteo, who is utterly cute. Luca's the epitome of a mafia man in words and deeds and with his softer and protective side I found myself completely intrigued and captivated by him, rooting for him to get the HEA he so richly deserves.

Gabrielle's life has been hard hit by drugs as her mother's death led to her brother's drug addiction which consumed her father's life, leaving little time for her. Desperate to make her father proud she followed in her dead brother's footsteps and became a cop. She met a man and they made a happy life that soon crashed to the ground as a drug dealer murdered her husband and set her on a path towards revenge. It's a journey that consumed her for far too long and had her acting recklessly. It's also a journey that disillusioned her to the realities of law enforcement as she saw more and more people get hurt. Meeting Luca was freeing as he let her embrace her wild side and reminded her of her femininity. From their memorable first meeting in a hospital room to their increasingly erotic encounters they're definitely an example of opposites attracting as their being on opposite sides of the law is frowned upon in the mob. It's a combustible connection though that neither wants to end, a connection that heals both of them from their painful pasts and has them looking towards a future together. It's a murky future though as the drug war ends up at her doorstep with surprising reveals and a pulse pounding rescue. Gabrielle's a delightful heroine, strong-willed and more than capable of taking care of herself. Though she mocks Luca for his overprotectiveness she can't help being drawn to the comfort he offers and the support he gives her as she tries to right wrongs. She's a tough cookie and a formidable match for Luca when it comes to brandishing a gun and rushing into the fray and her first rescue of him left me impressed as well as chuckling. She's ultimately the perfect modern-day heroine with her combination of feminine and badass and I found her immensely likable and the perfect companion to make it in the gritty world of the mob.

This was a fast-paced read that kept me on the edge of my seat cheering Gabrielle on in her journey for vengeance while trying to guess the identity of the man leading the drug war. With bodies dropping, blood being spilled, and bullets flying readers will find their heart's pounding as they frantically turn the pages to see what unexpected twist happens next. There are also moments dealing with domestic abuse and being a woman in a man's world when it comes to the police force which are powerful and thought-provoking. Add in a scorching romance full of erotic, and creative, encounters and readers will be left parched and blushing from these intense couplings. Along with the compelling main couple comes a cast of equally engaging secondary ones. With the return of the powerful Nico readers also get more insight into the emotionless Frankie who's untrusting and quick to shed blood and the young Paolo who's desperate to make a better life for his mother and himself. Paolo's story actually took up a lot of the narrative, which was a bit frustrating and distracting at times, but emotionally satisfying in its vivid depiction of the high cost of addiction. From start to finish Ms. Castille once again had me captivated by this unforgettable world full of danger and death with its sweet and sexy romance and men who are tough but who wear their hearts on their sleeves when it comes to love. With its immensely appealing characters that walk on the wrong side of the law I can't help wanting to go there too and am counting down the days until the next installment.

Book Review
Title: Luca
Series: Ruin & Revenge #2
Author: Sarah Castille
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publication Date: June 27, 2017
Cliff Hanger: No

4 Stars

*This story is for mature audiences only. Contains explicit scenes and language intended for adults 18+

Synopsis:
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.

My Thoughts:
This is the second book in the Ruin & Revenge series and I was worried I wouldn’t be as captivated as I was with the first book. I don’t know why I was worried, I wasn’t disappointed in this book at all! I really was so engrossed in this book that I lost all track of time! I loved it! Holy Moly was Luca HOT! When he spoke to Gabby in Italian, I literally swooned!

This is a forbidden love story between a mafia capo and a police detective. There are twists and turns, some very steamy scenes as Gabrielle and Luca have crazy chemistry. The scenes with Matteo, Luca’s son, are touching and sometimes sad. There is humor, I even laughed out loud a few times. There is a lot going on in this story with Luca and his “business” and Gabrielle and her job as a narcotics detective and how their paths intersect. There is some mystery and intrigue that keeps you on the edge of your seat. I loved the main characters and the secondary characters are fantastic and I can’t wait for the next book as I didn’t want this one to end. The only negative I had was the character Paolo, I felt his POV was not really as engaging as the rest, I felt it bogged the book down and didn’t really connect with the story as well. But overall, this was a great book!

I highly recommend this forbidden love mafia romance!

ARC kindly provided by St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley for an honest review.

Luca is the second book in the Ruin & Revenge series. The Italian Mob family is back and with Nico Toscani as the boss, Luca has taken his rightful place in the kingdom by his side.

Luca is a senior mafia capo under Nico. After pledging his loyalty to his best friend and boss, Luca has suffered a bullet injury and is currently laid up in the hospital healing from his wounds. While in the hospital, Luca meets another patient named Gabrielle. Although Luca is quite taken with the blonde angel, they go their separate ways and both return to their lives.

Gabrielle, a cop, cannot get Luca the Italian god she met in the hospital out of her head. When she finally gathers the courage to meet him at his restaurant, she is instantly overtaken by a tsunami of lust! Luca and Gabrielle don't waste any time rekindling the connection they had shared in the hospital and a relationship begins. Luca is unaware that Gabrielle is a cop and Gabrielle, although she suspects, is surprised to find that she in "bed with the mob". With an obvious conflict of interest in place, Gabrielle and Luca have much to overcome. With the addition of a rogue drug lord on the loose, the pressures from the police and the mob, Luca and Gabrielle must walk through fire (literally) to stay together.

Told in dual POV, Luca offers an action-packed mafia romance with smoking hot passion and an intriguing plot. In comparison to the first book in this series, I would say that Luca is quite different from Nico. Although both books in the series center around a "forbidden romance theme", the characters are vastly different and in regarding the tactics in which they use to attack their adversaries. The relationship between Gabrielle and Luca develops like a slow burn and although the passionate connection between the two was instantaneous and over the top, it takes a while for these two to acknowledge what is building between them. I found the plot to be incredibly creative with all of the twists and turns and although individual elements seemed over the top, I was swept away by Luca, the Italian Mobster god, and his smoking hot COP girlfriend. I was additionally drawn to the relationship between Luca and his son. The additional element of the mafia family culture truly enhanced this installment of the series. The complex relationship between Gabrielle and Luca was beautifully crafted and together they are perfectly matched!

Overall, LUCA will appeal to Castille fans and Mafia Romance fans alike. Although this forbidden romance can be read as a stand alone, I highly recommend reading NICO first. This is one crime family you do not want to mess with! I look forward to the next installment in this series as I am certain more action and intrigue is on the horizon for this Italian mafia family.

The second book in the Ruin & Revenge series sees Luca, having taken a bullet for his best friend and Gabrielle, also shot in the same hospital room, problem is one's a mafia boss and the other a cop. Now we know one shouldn't be attracted to the other, but.........

I enjoyed it and couldn't wait to see what happened

I received an advanced readers copy from Netgalley and I voluntarily leave my honest opinion

I didn't read the first book in the series and thought that I would be lost on the plot, but as I read it I understood the motivations of each character.
The story has tense parts, and so many other hot.
The couple have chemistry, and although their reasons are not the right ones - each had its thirst for private revenge - in the end, there was no denying the attraction.
And, because Gabrielle had become important to him and his enemy's target, Luca had to make a serious and dangerous decision.
For readers who love books about Mafia, this is a full plate.

4 stars

Oh I just loved this!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This book was so much more than what I expected. I loved the story and all of the twists the author put in to it. I adored Luca! He is just perfect! So swoon worthy! And the ending is fabulous too!

Sarah Castile has a winner on her hands with this story! Plenty of off the charts steam and deliciousness to go around. If you love mafia style hot reads, this one is the one to grab!

OMG! Still on a book high after reading LUCA!!
Sarah Castille did it again! Another sexy mobster romance with humor, heat and heart!!

Gabrielle has thought of nothing but revenge for the last two years. The only goal she has in life is to bring down Jose Gomez Garcia, one of the biggest drug lords on the West Coast. When a drug bust goes wrong and she’s ambushed, Gabrielle ends up in the hospital with a shot to the chest and sharing a room with Luca Rizzoli.

A man who aroused her for the same reason he scared her. A man she couldn’t control.

Luca takes one look at Gabrielle and is sucker punched. A made man and one of Nico’s most trusted capos, Luca lives and breathes the life of the Cosa Nostra. But Gabrielle lays claim to his hardened heart irrevocably and not even punishment from the family can keep him away.

"I would endure any hardship for you. I will welcome the pain because it gives us time to be together. Every extra day I get to spend with you is worth a dozen bruises."

This was action packed, gritty, and fueled with equal parts danger, romance and burning hot passion. I loved the fast paced plot, the surprising twists and turns of the story and the glimpses into the secondary characters that hopefully *fingers crossed* we’ll see more of in future books. I really, really enjoyed reading this and am obsessed this series!

What I loved about it:
I was hooked from start to finish. I love starting a book and letting it grab ahold of you and not let go until the last page. LUCA did that for me and I loved that it surprised me. I went in a bit cautiously because of both Luca and Gabrielle’s past. I thought it might be too angsty and/or sad with two characters so stuck in the past like both MCs were in the beginning but SC managed to write a story about two people who experiences a lot of loss in life but didn’t let that consume them. Both MCs were strong, capable characters and their love for each other was just as strong and irresistible.

Their connection was both physical and emotional and the author really makes you feel it all through the writing. It was gripping and real and I know hands down I’m going to be re-reading this again soon. Just like Gabrielle, I was 100% seduced by Luca.
Favorite Line:
"You sure this is what you want, mio angelo? ‘Cause I like it dirty. So dirty you’ll never get back to heaven."

Memorable Moments:
The kitchen scene was one of the best and most laugh out loud funny scenes between Luca and Gabby. It was sweet and humorous and showed a softer side to their relationship.

"I know how your mind works. And just in case you get any ideas, nothing is going into my vagina that is meant to be consumed."

“Sorry. This right here is a no-vegetable zone.”

This had me lmao!

The second scene that sticks in my memory is when Luca punches Jeff and then realizes he fought a cop, in front of other cops, over a cop. His possessiveness towards Gabrielle was endearing and I turned to mush over it.

Final Thoughts:
I’m still madly in love with Nico but Luca is worthy competition for book boyfriend :) LUCA picks up right after NICO (Book 1) but can be read as a standalone and I highly recommend it.

* * * ARC provided for an honest review * * *

When I first started Luca, I seriously thought that I was reading Goodfellas, which I absolutely love. But, the further that I got into the story, the more that I knew that Ray Liotta was not Luca. Nope, Luca was hotter, stronger, meaner than Henry Hill in Goodfellas … now Al Pacino in The Godfather … yep, except Luca had no problem getting his hands dirty.

Luca was one of the most passionate, sexist men that I have read in a long time. He knew what he wanted, he didn’t stop until he got what he wanted then, he kept it … at all costs, by any means no matter the consequences. He was aggressive, yet loving. He had a heart but had no idea, until Gabrielle came into his life and he found out just how precious love with the right person could be.

Gabrielle was out for revenge. She lived, breathed and would die for revenge against the bane of her existence, Garcia – the Drug Lord that took everything away from her. But, after 2 years and 1 night in a hospital, her life has changed, her goals have changed and she found out that she could love again. But, the man that finally brought her back to life has been nothing but mysterious, has his own way of meting out justice. She’s not sure if she can be with a man that has an agenda that is so opposite hers. But, she finally sees the light, sees who he truly is and agrees, in some parts, that his way may be the better way. She can’t help but fall in love with a man that whispers in Italian in her ears, brings her to heights that she only dreamed about, loved his mama and is as loyal as any one person could be.

Then there is Jeff … the wild-card in this whole story. Right from the beginning he rubbed me the wrong way. He honestly showed his true colors right from the start. Then, as the story progressed, you had to wonder just what he was up to. When the truth was revealed, your heart couldn’t help but break for Gaby but you kind of figured that he had his hand in everything that happened to her.

The Ruin and Revenge series has really drawn me in. I adore Sarah Castille’s writing. She writes characters that you could relate to (in a Mafia sense). Mama Rizzoli was fantastic. She reminded me of my Nonna – I fell in love with her the first time she yelled into the phone about getting the right mozzarella. Sunday dinners – so many beautiful memories for me. But, what I loved most was how Ms. Castille brings her characters full circle … lets us see all sides of them and makes us fall in love with them. Gabrielle was a strong and determined woman and Luca was a protective, loving man. Together they were able to conquer the world, find a way around Costa Nostra rules and build a life together. Sarah Castille out-did herself with Luca and Gaby and I was honored to be able to review such a wonderful story.

http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=63125 was published and put on social media

Oh how I love Sarah Castille's writing!  They suck me in and make me not want to leave those worlds.

Luca and Gaby were awesome together!  They brought out things in each other that they didn't show to other people.  His protectiveness was perfect :)

*thanks to the publisher and InkSlinger PR for sharing a copy of this with me*

This is the second book in this mafia series by Sarah Castille. I read the first book and found it very enjoyable. When this book started, it did not grip me and suck me into the plot as some books do, but I am so glad I stayed with it because it didn't take long for me to be rooting for Luca and Gabrielle. Both were very strong personalities and yet they worked as a couple. Storyline was great as it took me awhile to figure out how this couple was going to get its HEA. I am really enjoying this series, and hope we get more! Thanks to Netgalley and the. Publisher for allowing me to read this book for an honest review!

This was such an intense and passionate world with these gritty characters that completely pull me in. I didn't want it to end and I couldn’t read it fast enough all at the same time. I held my breath and loved every second. Fantastic story!

Luca and Gabrielle were wonderful characters. They were extremely well developed with real depth and I loved that they came from completely opposite worlds. I loved their connection and chemistry. Luca was so completely alpha and I loved his protectiveness and commanding presence. He exuded strength and confidence and he was filled with so much passion. Gabrielle was fantastic as well. She was tough as nails and working through some things and healing from a past trauma. Their worlds colliding was the best kind of roller coaster ride. I loved the drama and action, but I loved their sweet moments as well. It was the perfect combination. The heat factor was high up there too and oh my did Luca have a mouth on him with the dirty talk.

There are a couple of different things in play that all intersect and I loved when all those different elements combined, it made for a very elaborate and detailed story that pretty much had me on the edge of my seat. There are a lot of players and elements, and different POVs and I couldn’t turn the page fast enough. Just like in Nico (book 1), there is an extra person besides the hero and heroine and I find this so appealing, adding so much more to the story and I thing that extra perspective is extremely clever.

I am so excited for Frankie's story and liked getting more insight on him. He seems so intense! There were bits of foreshadowing that has me wanting more of him (book three, NAME, won’t get here fast enough!).

I love stories like this, that slowly unfold in this perfect way with all these little details building and building. It was all fantastic. There was just so much drama that had me hooked. Everything around me faded away. And that ending! Action packed! Totally blew me away. It was all so exciting! From beginning to end I was mesmerized by this crazy intense world.

3.5*

Having loved the previous book Nico I was looking forward to starting this.

Luca I loved (along with Matteo and Max) yes he was a man-whore at the beginning but that changed when he met his Angel (Gabrielle) and he was prepared to give up everything for her. I always love that in a H.
Gabrielle however I could take or leave, at times I liked her at others she annoyed me.

My main issue (and this was my only issue with the previous book as well) was how obvious it was early on who the villain was. This spoilt the book for me, personally I would have preferred to at least have a couple of options or to be left guessing for a little while.

It also felt slow in places which might explain why Paolo featured so much it appeared he was used as filler.

I couldn't believe it when Gabrielle told Luca she was a police detective and he didn't know. Apart from the fact that he would have checked (I mean seriously he's instantly attracted to her) or at the very least asked nurse Rachel why she got shot she gave it away (or at least I felt she did) in hospital when she said:

“How about you?” she asked, to deflect any further questions. “Are you in law enforcement?”

Maybe not? But I felt she gave it away or at least gave him enough to arose his suspicions.

This book was just missing something, I know it's not helpful to say I'm not exactly sure what but it didn't grab and hold me like Nico did.

I'm really hoping the next book belongs to Frankie and not Paolo, I really really hope it's not Paolo's I had too much of him in this book, I don't want anymore.

#### SPOILER ####

How on earth had Luca not done his own DNA test I mean seriously?

I voluntarily read a review copy kindly provided by NetGalley and St. Martin's Press

3.5 stars

Overall Luca by Sarah Castille was a good read.
The storyline was entertaining, the writing was well done and the plot kept me turning the pages.
Luca and Gabrielle were both strong, stubborn and passionate characters.

While I liked watching the relationship develop between Luca and Gabrielle I wish I had connected with them more. At times I struggled with some of the decisions they made and I feel this affected my overall enjoyment.

Luca is the second book from the Ruin & Revenge series, and while I didn't love it as much as Nico's book it still was a page turning read and I highly recommend it.

Looking forward to Rocco's book next. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

*Purchase Links*
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*A big thank you to the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.*

I’m loving Sarah Castille’s mafia series, Ruin & Revenge, and the second book, Luca, did not disappoint. It’s another gritty, sexy, and exciting story with the perfect amount of edge-of-your-seat suspense. Luca and Gabrielle meet while both are in the hospital after gun shot wounds to the chest in separate incidences. She’s a detective, and he’s a restauranteur and a caporegime - an upper level mafia enforcer for the Toscani crime family. They’re next to each other in the hospital for only one night, but both make signifiant impressions on the other.

Gabrielle is a widow and seeking revenge for her husband’s death. She been in deep mourning and hasn’t been living but decides to take Luca up on an offer he made for her to visit him at his restaurant. She doesn’t realize he’s in the mafia, and he doesn’t know she’s a cop. These two have crazy intense chemistry, and their love scenes are epically hot.

Luca isn’t into relationships, but he cannot help himself from seeking Garbielle out and wanting something more with her, as a strong Italian mafia man does with his lady. But their relationship is forbidden, and nothing is going to be easy for these two.

My only quibble with Luca is that his character is a bit over-the-top stereotypical in the beginning, but he does get some dimension as the story progresses. I ended up really liking him, and he is a great match for Gabrielle.

This is a mafia romance, so there is a lot of violence for anyone squeamish - think The Godfather - but it is not graphic. There’s suspense and intrigue making it an exciting read as Gabrielle seeks revenge and Luca does what a mafia man does. There’s tons of passion and heartfelt moments, and Luca is an all-around great read. I can’t wait for the next book in the series.