Steel is the third book in the Trinity series, each book is about one of the "Sisters in Arms" that make up the Trinity, you can not read them as standalones. The books may be about each sister, but the evil stalking them spans all three books, MUST READ Boss (Book 1) and Made (Book 2), FIRST! I absolutely love this series, and couldn't wait for this final book to come out. The final twists blindsided me! I wish this series weren't over yet, maybe we'll get another glimpse into the world of the Trinity. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

As an avid mafia romance reader, I’m always all in for a pistol packing female mafiosa heroine. Throw in a tall, dark, handsome mobster hero, and it’s twice the fun. Seeing them struggle to let down walls and finally let themselves become vulnerable enough to love is another good setup for me. Unfortunately, there were other issues at play that dampened my enjoyment of what I expected to be an epic read.

I’ll start with the constant back and forth alternating first person POV between the main couple. Folks, at times it wasn’t obvious which person was speaking, because it would switch at the drop of a hat. Another misstep was there were absolutely no attempts to incorporate introductions/summaries of past events/characters from previous books concerning pivotal plot points that obviously set the stage to what was unfolding now. I found it particularly annoying not to know who this Sebastian guy was. I am not psychic. I wanted to know why he held such a deadly grudge upfront. Everyone else certainly seemed to know about him. I’m just not of fan of having to guess who/what I’m reading about, especially when it could easily have been quickly explained.

Sure, I read books out of order all the time. Usually, however, an author will leave enough of a trail you don’t feel completely blind all the time. Stand-alone but part of a series means it is imperative to play catch up at least a little bit with each new release.

By 64%, I realized that Mel was making a habit of crying way too much and too often over every little thing, especially considering how tough she was supposed to be.

I did enjoy the push pull of the “I want you but not sure I can handle you” aspect of Leo’s and Mel’s relationship. They kept alternating pursuing one another then running away, which by halfway through was getting somewhat tiresome. Fortunately, that is also when it came to a stop, and it seemed they were finally on the same playing field.

With mention of another man named Jamie and Layla, a woman Leo obviously previously seriously dated, I think it is safe to assume this couple were not celibate during their on and off again attraction and previous smexy time together in past books. Make of that what you want. It’s for you to decide if that factors in at all for you.

At 70%, I decided to stop reading after learning Leo slept with someone else’s girl years ago just because he had a beef against the guy. I found myself no longer caring what happens next. The writing and slow molasses pace was no longer holding my attention.

Title: Steel, Series: Trinity (Book 3), Author: J.L. Lora, Pages: 384, stand-alone but part of a series, very graphic steamy scenes, some violence, both in the mob MC, not a romance safe past between these two, no good background explanations/summaries, stopped reading at 70%., felt it could have been better.

Book 1 - Boss
Book 2 - Made
Book 2.5 - Damned
Book 3 - Steel

(I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review, nor is there any affiliation or relationship between this reviewer and the author/publisher/NetGalley.)

This book was a roller coaster, some parts would make me want to quit and the next thing something else sucked me back in.

Okay

This story was just okay for me. There were a few areas I considered giving up but something would happen to get me hooked again. The ending was worth hanging in there.

I voluntarily read an advanced copy.

Oh, how I wanted to get in this book and shake Leandro and Mel so they grant my wishes and jump to the happy ever after.
The story revolves around powerful characters, Mel, gives as she gets and Leandro, for the first time in his life learns that he can beg and plead and do everything to get Mel to give their love a chance and that kind of hurt, yearning and desperation could be his undoing. I found the villain to be rather interesting making this not just a romance, but an action packed thriller where he plays the cards and Leandro is shocked by the women he kills.
Thank you for the eARC NetGalley, it's always great to read such a steamy book over the weekends.

Very good story, obviously there are other books in the series but this could be read as a stand-alone because the author made it easy to follow the story and clued you into the back story. I loved Leo and Amelia, particularly Amelia, you have to love a heroine who doesn’t take any s*** from anyone.