Well, I did not say much good about 365 Days but the cliffhanger at the end sure made me want to read more. So when I saw this ARC up for grabs I decided why the hell not.

https://lacrimsonfemme.blogspot.com/2023/02/reviFollowing the fad for once, I watched the movie 365 Days on Netflix. Specifically I was told to watch the boat scene. Meh. The story ended in a cliff hanger so I researched the books that the movie was based on. To my surprise this is a trilogy. To my even greater surprise, I was contacted to read the next two books - translated into English. Why not?

Well, what I can say is that Laura and Massimo are pretty accurately depicted in the movie. I am quite frankly puzzled at how an accomplished business woman as the movie portrays Laura would be such a ditz in her personal life. It does not make sense to me at all. Massimo seems to be true to his character.

The plot of this book is messy and the relationship between Laura and Massimo, even more so. It was difficult for me to read this book and I had to stop/start it several times. I finally made it through it by reading it in increments when I was on my treadmill every morning. Suffice to say, it was a brutal and long couple of weeks as I am only on my treadmill for about 25 minutes a day.

The sex in this book is okay. Is it a bit rough and kinky? Yes. Is it a healthy BDSM relationship, let alone a non-BDSM relationship, hell no. I think that's the point? This is all passion - the stereotype of mafia men all machismo and irrational about the pussy. If this was supposed to be a caricature of what American females want to read, then it succeeded. If this was supposed to be a well written erotica, it missed the mark for me. The lack of character development, plot, and world building make this story difficult for me. Usually I can be bribed with good sex. This... left me dry. It will be interesting to see if a NetFlix movie will be able to inject better sex into the 2nd book in this trilogy. I have to admit, good sex music helped the 1st movie. ew-this-day.html

Books are so much better than movies. The relationship and mafia drama ran rampant throughout this one . This steamy story is chefs kiss, if you're into that sort of thing. Which I am. Hot!

I tried really hard to love this book, but it was a bit all over the place for me. I’m still thankful for this book series because it brought us the movies!!

I felt like the author lost their way during this story and the plot was lackluster and did not keep my attention. Hopefully, the next one will improve.

'This Day' is missing the spark that pulled us in with '365 Days.' The language is stilted and lacks complexity or depth, which may be an issue with the translation. Nonetheless, this was not an engaging read, I wasn't able to get invested, and I wouldn't recommend it.

I loved reading more about Laura and her adventures. I originally got hooked on these books by watching the movies. The books of course are so much better! The tension and heat is awesome. Looking forward to reading the next one.

I know this is book 2 I believe but it was still a good book to read. I did request the others on netgalley but unsure if ill get those but we will see. Love the show and thats why I wanted to read this. 5 star book. Highly recommend it

This book started on a cliffhanger (from the 1st book) and finished on a cliffhanger (leading to the 3rd book). Same steamy interactions between now husband and wife, Massimo and Laura, with the impending addition to their family.

As a side note, I tried watching the movies (currently on Netflix), in conjunction to the books, and they really just don’t hold a candle to the written word! If you’re looking for bad acting, no character development, and lack of plot, then opt for the movies (the sex scenes don’t disappoint!); however, for a more rounded experience with this trilogy, the books are the clear winners!

This ARC was provided by the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

3.75stars- THIS DAY is the second instalment in the contemporary, adult 365 DAYS erotic, dark romance series by Blanka Lipinska focusing on twenty-nine year old, Polish born Laura Biel, and thirty-two year old, Sicilian Don Massimo Torricelli. THIS DAY should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up immediately after the events of book one 365 DAYS.


WARNING: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

SOME BACKGROUND: Several months earlier Laura Biel was kidnapped and held as a virtual prisoner in a gilded cage, learning he was to become Sicilian Don Massimo Torricelli’s captive for the next 365 days, 365 days wherein she will either fall in love or walk away at the end of the year. With several threats looming over her head, her family, and those of her friends, Laura reluctantly agrees to Massimo’s terms, terms that find our heroine falling for a man who will control every aspect of her life.

Told from first person perspective (Laura) with a final few paragraphs from Massimo, THIS DAY continues to follow the building relationship between Laura Biel, and Sicilian Don Massimo Torricelli. Massimo Torricelli is a powerful man in the criminal underworld, a Mafia Don who is often at odds with the woman with whom he is falling in love but the threats against Laura no longer come from Massimo himself, but from enemies and other power hungry men at the top. As Massimo’s brother Domenico falls for Laura’s best friend Olga, several other players enter the game, a game in which someone is going to lose. Ever the protector, with a need to control, Massimo will eventually meet his match when he is unable to protect the woman he loves.


The relationship between Laura and Massimo is erotically charged; highly sexual in nature wherein Massimo demands total submission from the woman he loves. Over protective to the point of obsession, Massimo never expected to fall hard, a fall that will place Laura in danger from Massimo’s competition and underworld powers. The $ex scenes are provocative, dominating and intense.


We are reintroduced to Massimo’s brothers Domenico and Adriano; Laura’s best friend Olga, as well as several Spanish Mafia executioner Marcelo ‘Nacho’ Matos, and his sister Amelia Matos; security specialists, MMA fighters including Laura’s ex Damian, and several members of Massimo’s staff and Mafia men. The requisite evil has many faces.


THIS DAY is a story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, obsession and envy, friends and family, love and acceptance. The premise is captivating and riveting; the romance is aggressive and impassioned; the characters are determined, charismatic and desperate-there is a true Stockholm Syndrome relationship between captor and captive. THIS DAY ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.


My only complaint is the choppy-nature of the presentation, often jumping from one scene/location/situation between paragraphs.





THE READING CAFE: http://www.thereadingcafe.com/365-days-trilogy-by-blanka-lipinska-reviews-and-giveaway/



GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5001401791



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I did not love 365 Days and sadly, I did not love this one as well. THIS DAY is the continuation of Laura and Massimo's mafia romance. The story was just awful and I found Laura and Massimo to be unlikeable and unbearable. Quite honestly they deserve each other. This series is just not for me. Entertaining but an absolute trainwreck. I tried!

Thank you, NetGalley and Atria Books, for the eARC in exchanged for my honest review.

Blanka Lipinska has brought the end of our trilogy and story of Laura and Massimo. Laura is living the life of luxury with her passionate husband and enjoying her pregnancy. But Laura is also exposed to the ugly side that comes with having this husband and living a life of luxury surrounded by bodyguards and threats all around her. With the help of her friends and family, Laura must make a choice to either continue living this life, or change her course and change her life forever.

Blanka Lipinska has brought the tumultuous relationship between Laura and Massimo to its explosive conclusion. We get to see the evolution of what brought them together and what has kept them together. Ms. Lipinska weaves a tale of sex, love, obsession, and abuse set against the backdrops of Europe.

I have read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I would like to thank NetGalley and Atria Books, Atria/Emily Bestler Books for this privilege.

This Day was an all over the place continuation of a crazy mafia romance. Laura and Massimo had many ups and downs along with having so much sex through the book that I lost count. While reading this book, I kept waiting to see if there was a specific direction the book was going in only to find that it was just meant to be a wild ride through their relationship. For me the book wasn’t as great in the beginning but it picked up along the way and the ending had me wanting more. I would like to thank the publisher and Netgalley for allowing me the chance to read and review this book.

Excellent continuation of Laura and Massimo’s love story. Such an awesome dramatic romance that you get sucked right back in. I can’t wait till the next story comes out. I’m on the edge of my seat waiting to find out what happens next.

It was not what I was expecting, kind of the same thoughts as the first book. Its all there but the execution might not be fully there.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria for this review copy. I voluntarily chose to read and review it and the opinions contained within are my own.

This book was a continuation of the first book. It was good but I struggled to finish. This book still had all the spice but I just did not like the plot as much.

Hard to finish. I see the draw of this book series, however, this is just not a good book. The character that I enjoyed was the brother Domenico.

I really wanted to enjoy this series more, but it just did not pull me in. Even with all the drama, I didn't feel the connection to the story I was hoping. I can't find myself liking the characters, although I am intrigued to see where the story is going.

The steamy and thrilling story of Laura and Massimo continues after the first book. Her life looks like a story book wedding, wealthy with a devoted husband. (Don Massimo kidnapped her in the first book). The book is a rollercoaster ride as Laura and Massimo have people after them, set out to kill them definitely make a grand life, mafia action and adventure. I have voluntarily read and reviewed this book.

While I appreciate the completion of this duology, it was a bit of a let down after the intense first book. I really feel like this could have been easily edited into one book and the duology was stretched out just for marketing.