Rating: ★★★☆☆

This is the first mafia romance novel I've ever read, and I really enjoyed it. It was so entertaining and fun, I ended up finishing the novel in one sitting.

With this being a mafia romance, I knew there was going to be a lot of distasteful themes... and trust me when I say, there was a LOT that was wrong with book. The

Spoiler

cheating, for example

and the whole concept of having traditional, obedient wives *INSERT EYEROLL*... Honestly, if that traditional view of women went unchallenged, my rating would've been much lower. But I liked that it definitely was challenged, especially by the sister (I adore her).

I really loved the main character, Aria, but I wish we had seen more into her life. I feel like if she was more fleshed out, she would've been a much more relatable character. We don't learn anything about her personality, her interests or hobbies, her goals/aspirations... which is also the case with Luca. I almost wish this novel was written with a dual POV, just so we could learn more about Luca. And because we don't actually know anything about them, it was difficult to understand their emotional connection and why they end up falling in love. Their feelings for each other seemed to stem entirely from sexual desire, there was no emotional connection or intimacy. They go on one date, and then it's pure sex from there.

I loved the mafia concept (it might even be a new favourite trope). I'd recommend this if you're looking for a mafia romance novel that's short and quick, with an arranged marriage trope and lots of drama and smut. Also, the family dynamics were amazing... I loved Aria's relationship with her siblings.

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