Ruben is my husband’s uncle, and the Don of the Sacco Mafia—he’s dangerous yet fiercely protective. Even before I married Adrian, I knew he wasn’t a good man. From the moment he laid eyes on me, I became his property. The things he put me through are what nightmares are made of. So I did the only thing I could; I fled to live with my sister, Rose. But no one leaves Adrian Sacco without consequences.
As soon as I saw Eliza in her wedding dress she took my breath away. But she was marrying my nephew, who’s also my underboss. Out of respect, I couldn’t act upon my feelings. But everything changed when he laid his hands on her, and she escaped. She’s forced to stay with me while Rose and Dominic are on their honeymoon. I know she’s been through hell, but having Eliza close only makes me want her more. With trouble brewing since Adrian wronged the family, then disappeared, my first instinct is to protect her. Despite our age gap, I’m going to make my amorina mine.
NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLING AUTHOR OF UGLY AND MISTRUST
I’m a two-time New York Times bestselling author for my stand-alone books Ugly and Mistrust. To date I’ve published over 30 books! I’m first generation Australian born and live in Sydney with my husband, two daughters and my rescue-dog, Kingston! I love to write stories to connect my readers to my strong, courageous characters…with some spice sprinkled between the pages. The characters I write about can pop into my mind anytime and anywhere. From the shower, to washing dishes, playing with my puppy or even in my dreams. My characters can sometimes be intrusive, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Thank you for taking this journey with me and I truly hope you love reading my stories as much as I love writing them.
What can I say about this book? It started off great. It was really good. I thought the characters were great together but about half way throughout the book it felt like she knew she fucked up and the MCs needed to have sex. For the MFC to have an assault victim the author did nothing to build that trust between them before they had sex. I just finished a book that had this but spent time on building their relationship for the woman to fill open about sex again and this book didn’t do that.
It was a big deal and actually made it a 3 star for me. What pushed it down to two was when there was a time jump without telling you. One minute they are going to the boat to get the girl back and the next she is waking up with her sister. It wasn’t my favorite book and honestly after I post this review I will probably forget about it because it did nothing to keep my attention past returning it to KU
1.5* and that’s generous. No understanding of severe abuse and trauma, and it ruined it.
We met Eliza in the first book when she’s married to Adrian who treats her awfully. In this book we find out that her marriage was horrific, with sexual abuse and beaten regularly. In the first few chapters Eliza is struggling with life. She’s moved into Rubén’s house, (Ruben is Adrian and Dominic’s Uncle, and also the Don.) and she’s terrified of all men. She feels like she has to ask to even eat, and she’s a sad terrified woman.
Okay up to this point. Then all of a sudden Eliza is seducing Ruben, and having wild a*ak sex! IT DOESN’T MAKE SENSE! A WOMAN WHO HAS BEEN RAPED BY LOADS OC DIFFERENT MEN AND BEATEN WOULDN’T BE LIKE THIS! She has had no trauma counselling, and it’s like everyone just thinks that with time she’ll be fine.
There’s no actual plot to this book, and there’s so many questions that are unanswered. Terrible!
The characters are so great to read about as well as action packed pages. The dynamic of this group is amazing and the love and loyalty between the sisters is inspiring. I couldn't put it down. This series has been great for me to read.
You must read book one to understand the storyline. Ruben has wanted Eliza from the moment he saw her but she was marrying his nephew who was his underboss until his nephew decided to go rogue (starts in book 1). However we learnt that Adrian abused Eliza horrifically during their months of marriage. Eliza escaped but went to live with Ruben when her sister Rose went on her honeymoon after marrying Dominic (Rubén’s other nephew). Sparks fly even though Ruben tried to stay away from her as he claims he is too old for her, but their chemistry is bubbling and he also wants to protect her after what she has been through and as The Don of the family hurting women was always a hard No. I love how patient he is with her after her torture and abuse even when that’s not his nature but he knows he has to tread carefully with Eliza to bring back the confident woman she once was. This book would have received a 5 rating for me if the author hadn’t skipped the rescue and capture. We see in one chapter Ruben and Dominic know the location and arrange their men to set their plan in motion, however the next chapter is Eliza is unconscious in their bed and Ruben doesn’t want to leave her even though he knows he has to. I would have much rather read about their plan and how it was executed and also what torture they should have done to Tony and any other men that were with him and if they were her abusers. I don’t know why the author thought we wouldn’t want the action and deaths of those who hurt her but also went against the family, it was a build up from both books to how they would make them pay and then we didn’t see any of that action so that disappointed me. Also the torture in the shed was good but maybe I would have made it last days or weeks so they had a feeling of what they put others through. Otherwise this was a really good duet and I loved how the book ended and personally I would have loved to see a link to a novella for both couples for 10/15 years time just to see what was happening with them.
I really like Ruben and Eliza but I feel like we started in media res. I was like, oh, we are just going for it. Which, honestly, seems fine for the most part but I kind of wish I had gotten more of a background to her life before and during Adrian. Granted, I started with this book instead of book one but that book is mainly about her sister. I am sure it does help fill in some gaps though. I like that Ruben is considerate and patient with Eliza even when she spirals because he just wants to be there for her. I think he has just the right amount of commanding tones and moments that it doesn't feel like a set back to what Eliza has gone through. I like that Eliza finds her confidence slowly but I feel that the ending where she becomes cold and ruthless didn't make sense for who she is as a person. I get that the point was to show she was passed what Adrian had done to her but it felt forced. The miscarriage was something I wasn't expecting and there wasn't truly a moment of mourning between her and Ruben for their lost child.
There were times where I was a bit turned off by Ruben's wording and thoughts because it just felt like "ugh, he is such a guy". I was not impressed by those moments but otherwise he was great. Spice level was around a 2.5. There are some good scenes but it wasn't crazy. Perfect for the way that Eliza's past has crept up on her throughout.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I loved this book it was a perfect ending to the story. We were left with so many open endings from the first book and you just needed more of Rose, Eliza, Dominic and Ruben. Eliza has been through so much since she married Adrian and is trying to cope but struggling with how to act and what to do. Her emotions are all over the place. Ruben wants to protect her. When Dominic and Rose go away for their honeymoon Ruben wants Eliza to stay with him. He is determined to help her through her struggles. I love how protective he is of her. He tries so hard to keep things friendly but his feelings for her are more than that. These two are perfect for each other. He is calm for her and gives her the things she needs. I love seeing Eliza come out of her shell and become the queen she should be. This story was an adventure, full of emotions and some steamy hotness. I love how the author wrapped everything up for us but still gave us a lead into another book.
Ratings: Book 1- 4*s, Book 2 - 3.5*s, Series 4*s In total this was an entertaining Mafia story. I liked the first book better as it had more actual story along with the steam. The second book became repetitive especially the sex scenes. The story just dragged along until almost the end of the book. The MCs were not as fleshed out in this book especially Eliza. She was a mess, albeit with good reason. The Villain, Adrian was portrayed as so evil I thought he would twirl his moustache! The author did not give any insight as to why he destroyed his life while trying to destroy everyone around him. Greed and genetics just didn't seem to be his total motivation.
"The thing about turtles is they don't show their stress until they feel safe, then they allow their trauma to come through. Usually in the form of shell rot." pg. 187
I love a good traumatized FMC, and Eliza is t.r.a.u.m.a.t.i.z.e.d. I liked her character but there was sooo much that we were left wanting more from.
Like when the mmc had no regard for her sexual abuse and absolutely no trust or love was built before he started having really dominate sex with her?
Like the fact that all the good action happened off page and then jumped to Eliza being in bed? Literally the entire rescue was off page which made it boring.
Like the fact that Eliza's growth and healing was just like... not really.. there?
I loved this story! Eliza is such a strong FMC and I loved watching her heal with the Don. The only thing that kept this from being a five star for me is at the pinnacle of the excitement that builds up through the book, it seems we get a fade to black for the big action sequence where the bad guy is apprehended. It was salvaged with the revenge scenes and the epilogue and ended with the most beautiful happily ever after! A definite must read for mafia romance lovers
“I’d tear the world apart with my bare hands for you.”
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️ POV: Ruben/Eliza Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Tropes: Mafia, Age Gap Ending: 😍
✨I ❤️ the care and love that is shared between the characters. Rose is so protective of her sister and so loyal and would probably do anything for her. Ruben refuses to admit he has a heart of gold under her tough exterior…. But he does lol especially for Eliza. And donnnnttttt even get me started on the love between Storm and Eliza🐾✨
What a magnificent ending to this duet! This is Rubens story and oh my 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥! Ruben is The Don of the Sacco Mafia and Eliza is married to Rubens nephew Adrian.
“Do you have any idea how addicting it is to read a story that just wraps its fingers around your neck and keeps you wanting to devour it until the very last word?"
THIS is how this duet is! The journeys that these characters take their readers on is fantastic! Once I picked this duet up it was impossible to put the books down until I finished them. Absolute must read!
Much of the potential to honour the growth and rebirth of tragic FMC Eliza was missed. Unfortunately the second half felt rushed. The trauma, PTSD plot line that was set up to so beautifully for our FMC was undermined. I would have like to see the author honour the FMC trauma and developing relationship with MMC without the need to fast track the seggs scenes. A few time jumps that felt entire chapters were scrapped. Absolute props to the character roles of Storm and Maria. Read as book 2 after The Viper.
Eliza needs to stay with Ruben while Rose and Dominic go on their honeymoon, but how will she survive knowing he’s Adrian’s uncle and the Don of the family
Ruben can’t wait to END Adrian for what he’s put Eliza through
Both Ruben and Eliza have a sizzling 🥵 feeling towards each other, but can they really act on it
The Don was so good. I honestly liked it better than The Viper even though it had many of the same characters in it. I really felt for poor Eliza. She was put through so much unnecessary heartache. If she just would have spoken up maybe she wouldn’t have gone through what she did. Adrian was an evil heartless man and I was so happy to see he got what he deserved. This book wrapped up nicely…everyone got their HEA 👏.
The Don…..such an awesome continuation of The Viper. I loved this book just as much as the first one.
Reuben and Eliza together were so good. His protectiveness over her and how he bought her back to life. The heartbreak over why Eliza really married Adrian and the guest appearance of 15😍 I loved it all but Adrian getting his own back was definitely a highlight.
This story picked up from the last one as was just as fast paced. These characters are amazing and when Eliza stays with Ruben while Dominic and Rose are on their honeymoon, she is gifted a guard dog who makes her feel better. Ruben is not an asker and soon he has ensnared Eliza with his ways. As Adrian is still at large and Ruben swears he will destroy him and keep Eliza safe.
the don: a dark mafia romance ( Sacco family book 2)
Ruben and Elise are a complicated and complex couple. Ruben is the don to important mafia. Elisa is a sexual assaulted and abused by her husband,who is the nephew of the don. The book was very interesting and entertaining. I enjoyed reading about all the characters in this series.
I saw this on tiktok and was very interested. It did not disappoint. I will say I do like how she alludes to the abuse. But she never goes into graphic detail about it. Not gonna lie came here strictly based off the closet part. This book had a good balance of plot and sexy stuff.
This is a very very intense book. There are triggers that could be detrimental for some so be warned. I really felt for our FMC she was stronger than she knew and I loved how she eventually came into her own. I really liked our male lead and was interested in him from book one. I thoroughly liked the fact that Adrian got what he deserved.
1.5 stars. Short mindless reading again. This book had a lot of similar issues that the first book had. It was a nice slow-burn style romance until a switch flipped. I now have closure for this series! Still would not recommend to others, but I don't feel like I wasted my time reading as I was pretty invested throughout.
This was really good, sad, though trigger warning, it is graphic talks about abuse, trafficking and arranged marriage. It's about a woman sold from her parents to a mean abusive cruel man she escapes and ends up with the Don of the mafia which is his uncle she is trying to get through life every day scared and just a shell of a person
Reading book 2 straight after book1 was definitely a great idea no way would I have waited I loved the sacco family even more so with the domineering males and how they loved their women fiercely!
Well I can't say this enough I love every book that Margaret m writes they drag me in can't put them down and I always want more loved this book it had everything in it to keep you reading . Thank you so much
This book ends this series, and it's a page turner. I like the main characters and the fact that it only takes two books to end the series. It has a good plot ending. I recommend this series.
First time in a long time that there was a buildup in a book, turned the virtual page - then the buildup was over and they flashed forward past the drama. Very weird and ruined the book for me. Would not recommend as a result.
I enjoyed this book a lot! It would’ve been 5 stars for me but then the author just completely skipped over the scene where Ruben and the men rescue Eliza and get Adrian. This would’ve been a great scene and it was just not there. For a second I thought my kindle just skipped pages.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I was skeptical of Ruben as an MC but he was too perfect for Eliza. The dog, the care, the communication!!! Yes yes and yes. This book is definitely mafia so be aware of the content before reading but this romance was A+
Age gap romance. Eliza is married to the Don's nephew, Adrian and stays with the Don while her sister and brother in law are away on their honeymoon. The Don has cared for Eliza since he saw her at his nephew's wedding. Adrian is a abuser and has really caused Eliza to be a shadow of her former self. He is also working with a biker gang to try to take over the position of his uncle The Don. I loved the fact that a dog was also in this book, and the dog is a protector of Eliza. Doesn't take long for Eliza to realize that she loves the Don (Ruben) and they find solace in each other's arms.
It ended just like I thought it would. Ruben was made for Eliza just like she was made for him. Eliza went through literal he!! And Ruben brought her back.