Member Reviews
What a crazy ride of a book... WOW!! I don't think I have ever blushed so much reading a book.
4 stars
I saw the movie before reading this, which is what I like to do because then I can separate the book from the movie and enjoy both. This book was everything I was expecting it to be. It's just a fun read and I enjoyed it for exactly what it was! Can't wait to read the next one!
This was a surprise book. I didnt know I was going to like it as much as I did with it being a new author from another country that I had never heard of. But thank goodness for book club friends that keep you informed.
I could not finish this book. If a book immediately starts out with a violent blow job, it's not the book for me.
Loved this book and I saw the movie!
HOT HOT HOT!!
Laura Biel and her boyfriend are on a dream vacation in beautiful Sicily. On the second day of their trip, her twenty-ninth birthday, she is kidnapped. Her kidnapper is none other than the head of a powerful Sicilian crime family, the incredibly handsome, young Don Massimo Torricelli, who is determined to possess her at all costs. Massimo has his reasons. During an earlier attempt on his life, a vision appeared before his eyes: a beautiful woman, identical to Laura. After surviving the attack, he vows that he will find the woman in his vision and make her his own. No matter what.
For 365 days, Massimo will keep Laura captive in his palatial estate and attempt to win her heart. If she doesn’t fall in love with him during this time, he will let her go. But if she tries to escape at any point, he will track her down and kill her entire family.
Soon Laura develops a fascination with her handsome and powerful captor. But as a precarious, risky relationship forms between them, forces outside their control threaten to tear them apart...
I watched the movie when it first came out so I decided to also read the book. I definitely liked the movie better. Not sure if I will continue on in the series. Maybe because of the next movie I will.
Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Very intriguing,the build up is PHENOMENAL. I Loved the characters of Laura and Mossimo. Their chemistry was scorching hot. She soon goes from being a trapped prey to the manipulating vixen. Fantastic book and even better movie
This book was nothing like the Netflix show. I did not like the film but the book was just ok for me. Not sure what the hype was all about.
Loved this movie and was really looking forward to reading the book. It was a good read but not my favorite. The writing was good there was just some parts where I didn’t connect with the book. Overall a good read.
Massimo is your typical Alpha mafia guy. He meets Laura and becomes obsessed with her. Their relationship is your typical push and pull that read about in mafia books. He wants her, she doesn’t want him, then she wants him, he resists, etc…
The ending will leave you upset and wanting to read the follow up, which I definitely will just to see what happens.
Thank you to the publisher for my review copy.
Woo! This is a hot one. Absolutely loved it. Would say it is not a good fit for all.
This was just an okay read for me. I didn't love it but it was okay. The story was a bit over the top for me and not like my usual romance/mafia reads. Massimo and Laura do have some steam but it just wasn't my cup of tea.
This story was so great to be able to read in English, following watching the movie. I love seeing all the details movies miss and this one was great to read because of that. I cannot wait for the next book in the series.
I'll admit this book is not part of a genre I normally read, I requested and read it simply out of curiosity after hearing so many talk about the show. I found it okay and amusing, some of the dialogue was a bit humorous but I don't think it was meant to be.
I really wanted to like this book. I enjoyed the movie and hoped that the book would give more insight into the story. I knew going in that this book was going to be a lot of smut, which I was completely okay with. What I had a hard time with was actually reading this book. Again, there are a lot of steamy scenes. But the book had other issues apart from being very sexy. I think some of it could have been lost in translation.
The pacing was off, and again it could be due to the translation, but it made it hard to read. After a while of forcing myself to continue reading I did get used to the pacing, but it was still rough. I found myself putting the book down and it took me longer than I would have liked to read it. Some of my issues getting into it could have been because I saw the movie before I read the book and there were parts where the two didn’t align.
Would I recommend this book? I don’t know maybe to someone who hasn’t seen the movie. But if they have seen the movie I would not suggest they read the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Wild story! Tons of spicy moments. A few not so great choices, but it will leave you hooked to find out the ending.
Which wow, I can't wait to read what happens next!
I try not to rate or review books that I don't DNF or can't at least give three stars, but given that this was made into a pretty popular movie and I assume has sold a lot of copies, I don't think the author is gonna be hurt by my low rating.
Eh, it was fine? The thing that kills me is that I've read so many better books in this same genre with this same type of story line and why did this one get picked for fame? I guess that's publishing for you. The writing is basic, the characters not that interesting and I could not handle how she kept referring to him as the Man in Black even after she learned his name. Also the Man in Black is Wesley from The Princess Bride and you'll never convince me otherwise.
Parts of it just didn't even make sense, especially her 'punishments'. While I realize you don't necessarily read a book like this for the plot, it's still gotta make some sense. I felt very little for Massimo... he was a little too perfect and also not. One minute he's a mafia boss, the next he can break out into a flawless passo doble? I know it's fantasy and it's not real, but consistency, people.
The first half of the book kept me engaged and I was down for the kidnapping. Yes, the entire theme is problematic, but eh, that's why they're books and this isn't real. It's called dark romance for a reason. It doesn't mean people actually would accept this behaviour in real life. But that is a discussion for another day.
My thoughts... if you want this kind of questionable-should-I-be-worried-about-why-I-like-this kind of romance, there are much better options out there.
I wanted to read this for a while and I am happy I did.
The story follows Laura as she gets kidnapped by the head of an Italian mob - Massimo. When she's told that she will stay with him for 365 days or else he will kill her family she has no other option but to stay with the high temper Massimo. If she does not fall in love with him before the end of the year he will let her go.
The passion in this book is unmatched as we jump back and forth from love and hate. The story unfolds in a way that keeps you reading till the end.
I am very excited to start the second one!
Absolutely captivating!
A solid 4 star read for the spice alone.
I actually watched the movie on Netflix before I came across the book.. So glad I read the book. Because like always, book is always better!
The character development is great, which I prefer a character driven story.
And the spice!! I couldn't get enough.
Fantastic work!
So I had been so interested in reading this book since seeing previews for the movie... but alas I could not finish reading this book. I made it about 30% and it just was not right. The storyline was not realistic at.all. a person kidnapped is not going to be trying to have sexual encounters less than a day later. I don't know the whole thing annoyed me an I had no want to keep reading
I probably should have known that judging from the NETFLIX movie that this book wouldn't be for me, but I wanted to read it and it was an instant approval, so i did. That happened. This book did not quite do much for *me* (even if i do traditionally love Mafia romances) but I can see it attracting a cult following clamoring to know what happens in the next book. I thank netgalley for giving me an opportunity to read this book.