not sure how i want to review this on one hand i loved it on the other hand the way he treats her bugs me at times. All and all it was a good read. ( )

Definitely better written than the 1st book.
Still has some problems.
4.25 stars
Review later ( )

4.5/5
This book is explosive, ladies and gents, and I could not for the life of me have expected such a shocking ending! Wow.

Ruin is a fast-paced thriller, and both Theresa and Antonio grow in this book massively. He is a criminal by birth and a set of circumstances. She is a rich, privileged girl who could never quite fit in in her quiet, respectable, impeccable lifestyle. And yet, this is a couple which fits together seamlessly even if the reader keeps asking himself how this whole shebang is going to work?

The secret is I think in Theresa's inner wildness matching Antonio's hidden sweetness and balancing their outward appearances.

In Ruin things are definitely heating up. Antonio's ex-business partner is after his blood, and Paulie also hates Theresa's guts. Throw in a Sicilian - Neapolitan merger among the mafia families with Antonio as a possible groom, spice it up with Theresa's ex, Daniel, going after her capo with a vengeance, and well... It's tense, very tense, and the last few chapters I was on pins and needles, rooting for capo and his contessa to find their happy ending.

Despite CD Reiss magnificent writing at times I was getting tired of this couple violent sexual antics. It seemed like all they were doing was going at it like rabbits, and why oh why she was always dripping wet? Wouldn't that be a tad uncomfortable? *grinning* I suppose is the flaw of the genre itself.

Overall, this is a great series, raw, entertaining, fast-paced, and I remain a steady fan of Miss Reiss and everything she writes. Hugely recommended. ( )

Wow, the symbolism and depth of the writing is so profound, my mind was doing mental gymnastics throughout this whole read! If you haven't yet had a chance to experience CD Reiss' incredible world, then you are truly missing out. Her writing is in a class of its own. From the suspense filled scenes to the scorching hot, Capo dominant sex scenes, Ms. Reiss' writing is sure to not only keep you mesmerized but will also keep you guessing until the last moment as to where this fantastic read is going. And then, just when you thing you've figured it all out, guess again, as another huge twist is revealed ending in a huge cliffhanger. I can't wait for the next one!

For those of you who are wondering how this book fits in with CD Reiss' popular Songs of Submission series, which has a combined over 40K+ ratings with an impressive 4.23 rating on Goodreads, do not fret, as you don't need to read this prior series before Songs of Corruption. It is, however, essential that you read the first book in this series, Spin, which is fantastic by the way. All that said, there is also some carryover from Songs of Submission as the hero in Songs of Submission is the brother of the heroine of this series, and the characters which are involved in the prior series continue to evolve in Songs of Corruption.

Antonio Spinelli is an Italian-born, Californian transplant, who was born into the Italian mob, but who managed to evade it, until his quest for revenge, and related move to the US, inextricably involved him in its world. Made men can not walk away, but neither can he walk away from Theresa Drazen. Theresa, is an heiress, socialite and the ex-fiance of the District Attorney; exactly the kind of woman that the mob will never accept, but perhaps it is also this detachment that makes her believe that she can save "Spin" from the mob's "corruption."

Their love affair sparks a war of monumental proportions. Moreover, the more she tries to save him from it, the more he shows his old world tendencies to control her, believing it's the only way to protect her, which only causes her to take even more riskier actions to save him. It's a vicious cycle that only ups the level of danger in their world. How will Spin solve this conundrum? Is the only way to keep Theresa safe to leave her, or bring her into the fold as a true partner? But even if he wants to, can a true alpha dom, ever relinquish control enough to be a true 50/50 partner? In the end, who will "ruin" who?

What a powerful story exemplifying the interplay between good versus evil and the old versus new world. Ms. Reiss' writing is filled with parallels that continue to bring these dichotomies to the forefront. Nearly every word, particularly the adjectives, are filled with foreboding and clues. What an incredibly talented writer. I will now forever associate the smell of pine with death! Moreover, the raw passion and overwhelmingly dominant, almost animalistic way, that "Capo" takes what he wants when it comes to his physical interactions with Theresa, is such an incredible turn on, making this series one of the hottest erotic romances I have read in a long-time! I am forever thankful to my Goodreads friends, particularly the Canaries, for turning me on to CD Reiss! ( )

Antonio knew he shouldn't, be he can't walk away from Theresa. Regardless of the price she will pay by staying with him. As Antonio tries to protect Theresa from his life, Teresa is bound to protect him. No matter the cost.

Ruin is book 2 in the Songs of Corruption series. I do not think this book is a good standalone. Even having read Spin (book 1), I still had to go back and refresh myself on how things ended when I started on this one.

This story is very much so about the push and pull of their relationship as Antonio tries to keep her safe. It's packed full of it all. It's intense, suspenseful, tortured love, etc. And, like previous novel, some very intense/dark love scenes. If that's your thing, this is definitely your book!

I received this book in exchange for an honest book review. ( )