3.5 ☆ — “I was dead inside, going through the motions of every day, living for work, for building a future for my kids. While doing that I forgot about the present, about living. You showed me how important it is to live in the moment, to experience my children’s life and not just plan for their future.”

This wasn't the best book I've read by Cora Reilly, but it was definitely a solid romance.

One thing I've noticed with Cora Reilly, is that her longer books are always better. When Cora Reilly takes the time to really develop the characters, and build the relationship, it can be stunning. But quite often, she writes shorter, quick romance like Sweet Temptation, that always leaves something to be desired. I just wanted so much more from this. Rather than the random time skips, I wanted to see Cassio and Guilia slowly grow closer. Honestly, Cora Reilly needs to never include a time jump in her story, ever again. It does a HUGE disservice to the relationship that is being built.

However, there was a LOT about this that I loved. Seeing Guilia slowly heal the family was everything. And CASSIO. I love the "single dad" trope, it's absolutely one of my favourites. And Cassio did it so well. His concern and love for his kids was so unbelievably moving. There were some things that irritated me with the parenting, but then again, it's a mafia romance. Casual sexism is literally mafia culture, so I can't really complain, I knew what I was getting into