Not Bad for My First Mafia Romance

"Giulia encompassed that word “love,” that feeling, in every action, every smile, every fiber of her being."

She is the reason I think I stuck with the book because she was super sweet that I needed to see the end.
When it comes to mafia romances, I heard nobody does quite like this author. So when I saw that I could listen to this on Scribd and made it one of the last few listens of 2020 I was thrilled. It took me lots longer than it should have and I will admit that I am hoping 2021 is better for my reading then this year has been. Here is to hoping.

One of the things that made this story enjoyable was Cassio and Giulia. The chemistry and sexual tension between them throughout this book were so captivating and steamy. I also loved the banter and dynamic between these characters. Giulia was such a feisty, strong, and lovable heroine that I wish existed in more mafia romances. It was so refreshing to come across a heroine like her and it just made me love this book even more. In addition, I loved the moments between Giulia and Cassio’s children. Those scenes were always so entertaining and heartwarming. Just seeing the development of her relationship with the children just tugged at my heartstrings.

I will for sure be picking up more Cora Reilly books and more mafia romances. Take it from me, Sweet Temptation is one romance you don’t want miss. It has the perfect blend of heart, intrigue, and steaminess. I cannot recommend it enough!
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Finding Love and Life Again

I loved this book while as an Underboss Cassio has felt betrayal of the most unbearable kind and with the death of his first wife he needs to cement his place in this world by remarrying and having a mother for his kids. He agrees to marry another Underboss’ daughter, Giulia. Giuliani is barely 18 so they decide to wait until her 18th birthday to marry and she is way out of her depth and Cassio is having a hard time dealing with the age difference. As these two try to navigate a new life around each other and Giulia help raise his kids they find that there is more to each other than meets the eye and as trust becomes paramount for them to be able to make the marriage work. I loved Cassio because even as an Underboss I loved that Giulia could bring out his softer side and she loved his kids as her own. Great read with intense situations but it works out the way it should. ( )

Really good! ( )

4.4 stars

When I read this book, I was expecting it to turn into something darker. I figured Cassio would be an anti-hero and Giulia would be a typical mafia female that just accepted her role as the wife of an Underboss. I was wrong. This book, while mafia, was something so much more.

Even though Giulia did step in and accept her role as a wife and also a surrogate mother, she became so much more. I wasn't expecting her, at her age, to handle it the way that she did. It was her that turned this story around. It didn't really feel like Mafia. In fact, if you took the element out of the story and just looked at the characters, it was about a man who had been betrayed, was struggling to stay afloat with two small babies, and found a woman, who together, fell in love. That was the beauty of the story. I loved seeing the kids and their interactions. I loved how the author depicted how much Cassio loved them especially in light of the huge secret that foreshadowed the whole book.

However, as much as I loved the story, I DID want to feel more of a connection with the mafia aspect of it. I am not sure how the author could have done that considering there were definite elements of that lifestyle in this story. Yet, for some reason, it just missed that extra that was in the Camorra series. I also didn't understand how Giulia could have a relationship with her parents by the end of the book., but that is me just nitpicking. I know some reviews and people feel like this was just a meh book but I didn't feel that way. in fact, I really enjoyed it. ( )

this was cute!

i wasn't crazy about the first like 50 pages (the meetup and the wedding), it felt incredibly rushed. but i figured it was because C.R. wanted to get right into Giulia and Cassio living together, but still - i wasn't a fan of how rushed the writing felt, not so much that their relationship was moving quickly.

this is short and sweet though! i can't be too picky about something as cliche as this!!! ( )