Cusp of Redemption by Olivia Preya @oliviapreyaauthor

Rating - 4/5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Date Read - November 16, 2023

*I received an E-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review* - Thank you @oliviapreyaauthor, @xpressotours and @netgalley!

This review took so long to upload, because the version of the book I got from NetGalley was in a different language and I had to get a copy from the author, on a print in English (Which- Thank you for the English version) Haha
But this book had all the tropes I love, and it was a little bit on the darker side, but not as dark that could be labeled dark romance I feel. Hear me out, sometimes I love a good miscommunication trope in a book, and this one does it so well written that even those not a fan of it could love this, and the second chance tropes always get me.

Naya and Salvatore had such a unique relationship, it was so. much fun to read, and I love me a good protector, bad boy soft for her. because even if he is a jerk, he does whatever she wants.
The spice level was deeeefffinitely up there,
overall, I loved this book and will read again!

please note that the trigger warnings and topes/themes may contain spoilers
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
HEA: yes
spice: several open-door spicy scenes
TWs: violence, murder, sexual assault (insinuated), attempted sexual assault, attempted murder, kidnaping, torture, drugging, manipulation, sex trafficking, death of an animal,
standalone: book 2 in the Cusp series- technically don’t need to read book 1 but will help with some of the side characters and a small amount of backstory for MMC/FMC
final thoughts: I was so excited to read this book and it mostly met expectations. The storyline was great, the FMC was a badass, the MMC was an absolute cinnamon roll for the FMC, and the side characters made you care about the whole story. Miscommunication was absolutely the main trope of this book and there were quite a few plot holes that made me feel wanting when I finished. However, I do very much recommend this book (and especially book 1 of the series along with it).

read this book if you love

🖤 dark romance
🤐 miscommunication
😬 angst
🧑‍🤝‍🧑 great side characters
🏝️ forced proximity (forced roommates)
🌍 world building
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 found family
🤜 friends-to-strangers-to-lovers
🔫 mafia
💞 childhood crush
🏫 high school sweethearts
🥰 nicknames
2️⃣ 2nd chance romance
🍪cinnamon roll MMC
🧠 “it’s always been you”
☠️ “touch her and die”

I enjoyed Salvatore and Nya's story. I appreciated the way that Preya showed the vulnerabilities and fear that can still follow a strong woman after having been traumatized at a young age. I did not like the miscommunication or lack of communication trope.

I quite enjoyed the spice level and the sexual tension that only wound tighter and flamed hotter between these two and it was great to watch it snap.

I can see Preya's writing skill improving and will continue to watch out for and read her work.

This is my second dive into mafia romance, and I am liking it! I have just recently realized how much I like second chance romances, and this one does not disappoint. This was a reasonably paced, realistic reunion between first time loves. There is suspense, alphahole ness, hot spice and of course LOVE.

Naya’s heart was broken 10 years ago when the love of her life left her boss to tell her that he didn’t want her anymore AFTER she found out he was cheating on her AFTER she had given him her body for the first time. She is disoriented and doesn’t know what to do but knows she has to leave.

Salvatore’s heart was ripped out 10 years ago when the love of his life left him with a note that said she needed more than he could give. It is always crazy to me with these second chance romances how a miscommunication or misconception blows up in the absolute worst way.

Anywho, they both work for Valerius now who is the Don of the Cafarelli family. Salvatore is the enforcer, and Naya is a PI. They slowly start running into each other and are still harboring these hurt feelings. They are both still attracted to each other that much is clear but do they want to go down the path if they are still hurting? They eventually come clean and realize that they were both wrong and that they have wasted all of this time away from each other. They decide to take a chance, but Naya is hiding something. Something terrible happened to her the night she left Salvatore. She has convinced herself he won’t believe her. She thinks it may be better to just push him away OR IS IT?

This is a standalone novel but is the second book in a series. I started reading book 1 halfway through reading this one as the main couple in book 1 is prevalent in book 2. I am looking forward to book 3 whenever it comes out. She teed that one up nicely! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I loved this book. I didn't read the first book, so it was able to be a stand alone (though now I can't wait to go back and read the first one!). It had just the right amount of spice v plot layout (they have to work together, too much of one kills the other) and I could not put the book down to find out what happens next. I am thrilled this is a series and can't wait to read the rest!

This book is the 2nd book in the series and Naya Okpara and Salvatore deMarco's story. Naya and Salvatore knew each other from their days as foster kids. Once Salvatore turned 18, he took Naya, his Tesorina (his treasure) and set up an apartment with her. He wanted to keep her safe and provide for her. While starting out Salvatore got caught up with a slimy guy on the streets, but it brought in good money. One day out on a job, Salvatore came home to find Naya gone.....his heart broken. Fast forward ten years later and Naya and Salvatore run into other. It seems they are both working for the Cafarelli crime family....Salvatore as their enforcer and Naya as their private investigator. It's obvious the old feelings are still there, but Naya doesn't want to admit to Salvatore the reason she ran! Of course the more time these two spend together, the hotter the sparks get until they find themselves right back to where they were ten years ago. Everything is going wonderful until the past comes back to haunt them. It will take a lot of trust for these two to get their happy ending, but in the end they finally do.

I really enjoyed this very steamy mobster second chance story. Both Salvatore and Naya had hard upbringings but together they found a calming way of life. Salvatore was the typical type A guy that everyone was afraid of. Naya was a tough woman but still always longed for a family. She finally found it with Salvatore. I loved watching these two find their way back together. It was also fun having Valerius, Adaliya and Nero back. I can't wait for Nero and Valentina Ricci's story!

4.5 ⭐️/5
3.0 🌶️/5

Whew, this one!! I was so touched and pulled in by Naya and Salvatore’s story and loved this so much. Be warned: this is a hot and spicy mafia romance with yearning, angst, and violence so recommend you check full list of TW at www.oliviapreya.ca.

Read this if you like an independent baddie FMC and a tough MMC who melts like butter for his woman. If you like a second chance romance, with dual POV, mafia life with found family, and touch her & die vibes this is most definitely for you.

At the start I was worried, since two of my least favorite tropes popped up immediately: potential cheating, and miscommunication. To me it is a testament of Olivia’ Preya’s writing that I was still engaged and wanted to find out what was going to happen next, despite the miscommunication. A few times I wanted to lock Naya and Salvatore in a room and be like “just talk about it!” though the chemistry and heat between Naya and Salvatore was delicious, so they’d probably do more thank just talk. 😉

Despite his job as an enforcer, Salvatore was a big teddy bear for Olivia, and when he was all “touch her and die” vibes I was 1,000 percent on board. I absolutely loved when he tossed Olivia over his shoulder and was all bossy, because we know it’s him doing this only to try to protect his one true love. File this under: only fictional men can do this.

I enjoyed this so much that I am going to go back and read the first book of the series. This is a standalone though I’m sure I’d have a better appreciation of book 1 leads, Andaliya & Valerius if I read their story first. And I am already looking forward to book 3, Nero’s story.

Thank you to Xpresso Book Tours and NetGalley for the advanced copy. My review was voluntarily provided and represents my own thoughts & opinions.

Cusp of Redemption by Olivia Preya @oliviapreyaauthor

Rating - 4/5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Date Read - August 15, 2023

*I received an E-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review* - Thank you @oliviapreyaauthor, @xpressotours and @netgalley!

Cusp of Redemption is a wild ride between the mafia politics and Naya pushing all of Salvatore's buttons. I must say, I really digged his protector vibes. Can we take a second to talk about the spice? This book is spicy so if that's not your thing, Cusp of Redemption might not be for you. However, I am a spice lover so I was living for it! There is that dreaded miscommunication trope in this book... it makes you want to scream at the main characters! Overall, this was one of the best mafia romances I've read so far and I would recommend if you enjoy dark (but not too dark) romances!

*Please check trigger warnings*

If you love very spicy mafia romance, you have come to the right place. Readers of Cusp of Darkness will LOVE getting to hear Naya and Salvatore’s story. If you were like me you were obsessed with Salvatore before and we finally get his backstory and where he is coming from.

People ask me all the time to rate the spiciness of a book. I’d say this is one is 10 out of 10. Can’t wait for the next!

I received an advanced reader copy of this story, and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is book two in The Cusp Series about the love story of Salvatore de Marco and Naya Okpara. Salvatore and Naya are foster kids who find love and comfort in each other. Their love is not enough when there are outside forces working to keep them apart. They have a second chance to rekindle their love, but lack of trust and miscommunication keep them apart. Will they be able to overcome trust issues and miscommunication to be a couple? I recommend this story. I am looking forward to the next book in the series. #CafarelliPI #EnforcerWhoCooks

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC! I waited months and months for this book and i was excited the day i saw it up for grabs! This is a newer author but let me tell u - she hits it out of the park!! These books are everything you’re looking for in a mafia romance! Sex, action, sex, more action! You have to read it to believe it!!

Extremely addictive and completely unputdownable. Once I was sucked in, there was no chance of getting out until I read the last page.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and or the author for giving me the chance to read this book.

This book was decent.

I had a hard time reading and understanding this book especially when it was in a different language.