What do you think?
Rate this book
Hateful Starts #2
Claudio
He’s a cruel, sadistic enforcer. Ruthlessly loyal to his boss. And my new husband.
Claudio Abruzzi.
His name is spoken in whispers, as if saying it aloud might summon the devil himself to appear. The last time I came to him for help, he laughed at me, then threw me out on the street.
This time, he was the one who came to me, to make an offer I couldn’t marry him or bury my only brother.
What Claudio asks of me every night is sick, and wrong. So why do I find myself starting to crave it?
Why, when I have the chance to escape, do I find myself hesitating?
Claudio
I swore a blood oath to Diego, but what he’s asking of me might test that loyalty past its breaking point.
He wants me to dial back on the crazy and show the Family that I’m stable enough to be his right-hand man.
How do I prove it? Get married.
There’s one girl who’s been haunting my dreams from the day she came crawling to me, and that’s exactly why I need to stay away from her.
My desires are dark and twisted.
They’ll break her.
Ruin her.
And out of all the people I’ve met in my life, she’s the one I least want to destroy. Welcome to the twisted world of hateful starts, where the heroes are dark, violent, blood thirsty men who take what they want. You'll get your happily-ever-after, but not before your heart is trampled, chewed and spit out. This book is full of triggers not for the faint of heart. If you have an aversion to dark topics, skip this one. Good luck my dear readers! You've been sufficiently warned.
Claudio Abruzzi.
His name is spoken in whispers, as if saying it aloud might summon the devil himself to appear. The last time I came to him for help, he laughed at me, then threw me out on the street.
This time, he was the one who came to me, to make an offer I couldn’t marry him or bury my only brother.
What Claudio asks of me every night is sick, and wrong. So why do I find myself starting to crave it?
Why, when I have the chance to escape, do I find myself hesitating?
Claudio
I swore a blood oath to Diego, but what he’s asking of me might test that loyalty past its breaking point.
He wants me to dial back on the crazy and show the Family that I’m stable enough to be his right-hand man.
How do I prove it? Get married.
There’s one girl who’s been haunting my dreams from the day she came crawling to me, and that’s exactly why I need to stay away from her.
My desires are dark and twisted.
They’ll break her.
Ruin her.
And out of all the people I’ve met in my life, she’s the one I least want to destroy. Welcome to the twisted world of hateful starts, where the heroes are dark, violent, blood thirsty men who take what they want. You'll get your happily-ever-after, but not before your heart is trampled, chewed and spit out. This book is full of triggers not for the faint of heart. If you have an aversion to dark topics, skip this one. Good luck my dear readers! You've been sufficiently warned.
187 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 16, 2023
587 people are currently reading
297 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
June 4, 2019
I liked the story line. The book moved fast because it skipped over a lot of stuff.
There are a lot of misuse of words and incomplete sentences. One of the chapters, the author even calls him by a completely different name (Nico). I thought it was a new character she was adding until halfway down the page.
Overall, I was not impressed with this book. Too many errors and it got my OCD fired up.
There are a lot of misuse of words and incomplete sentences. One of the chapters, the author even calls him by a completely different name (Nico). I thought it was a new character she was adding until halfway down the page.
Overall, I was not impressed with this book. Too many errors and it got my OCD fired up.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 13, 2019
The writing was good and the chemistry was good but not amazing......... This book failed to convince the hero's behavior towards heroine and just like that there is a HEA while they were fighting till the chapter before
May 29, 2019
OMG, I love Claudio!!
This is an intense dark mafia hate story that will have you wanting to beat the crud out of Claudio. Heather is working double shifts just to get to make ends meet. She has an alcoholic father who is in the hospital in desperate need of a liver transplant. She has a younger brother who is in debt to the mafia and she knows any day could be her last if they decide to take her life as payment for her brother's debt. Claudio is a hothead and Diego's most loyal man, but with his proclivities in the bedroom he knows no good girl mafia wife will satisfy him. But Diego insists that Claudio needs a wife to settle him down, so he decides that Heather will be that for him whether she wants to or not. This is a great read and I highly recommend it.
This is an intense dark mafia hate story that will have you wanting to beat the crud out of Claudio. Heather is working double shifts just to get to make ends meet. She has an alcoholic father who is in the hospital in desperate need of a liver transplant. She has a younger brother who is in debt to the mafia and she knows any day could be her last if they decide to take her life as payment for her brother's debt. Claudio is a hothead and Diego's most loyal man, but with his proclivities in the bedroom he knows no good girl mafia wife will satisfy him. But Diego insists that Claudio needs a wife to settle him down, so he decides that Heather will be that for him whether she wants to or not. This is a great read and I highly recommend it.
June 27, 2019
Great story
Another good read in this series, Claudio second in command to Diego under boss of the Chicago Mafia, he is one bad man who enjoys killing and skinning his victims he has a bad abused past which has made him dark and dangerous. Heather a sweet innocent girl who looks after her alcoholic father and younger brother never has anything for herself works hard to keep a roof over their heads never has enough to eat. Her brother makes the mistake of stealing from the mob leaving her to pay. She gains the attention of Claudio and is forced to marry him. So much happens to these two particularly at the hands of the Russians but love still blossoms between them. A dark gritty story and a good read.
Another good read in this series, Claudio second in command to Diego under boss of the Chicago Mafia, he is one bad man who enjoys killing and skinning his victims he has a bad abused past which has made him dark and dangerous. Heather a sweet innocent girl who looks after her alcoholic father and younger brother never has anything for herself works hard to keep a roof over their heads never has enough to eat. Her brother makes the mistake of stealing from the mob leaving her to pay. She gains the attention of Claudio and is forced to marry him. So much happens to these two particularly at the hands of the Russians but love still blossoms between them. A dark gritty story and a good read.
May 30, 2019
Love Ginger
I could not put this book down. I read it in one day as I also did with Diego. Love this series. Love the writing. ( I hope Ginger has an assistant that reads the while book then corrects, edits and check grammar because there were several places that needed corrected. A good read of the book before submitting will show you what little corrections are needed.) Especially love her characters. I hope the next book is about Kostya . I would like to see him with a strong professional woman. I think she would be the only one that could get to him. Maybe an art appraiser or something like that.
I love the pumpkin in the end.
I could not put this book down. I read it in one day as I also did with Diego. Love this series. Love the writing. ( I hope Ginger has an assistant that reads the while book then corrects, edits and check grammar because there were several places that needed corrected. A good read of the book before submitting will show you what little corrections are needed.) Especially love her characters. I hope the next book is about Kostya . I would like to see him with a strong professional woman. I think she would be the only one that could get to him. Maybe an art appraiser or something like that.
I love the pumpkin in the end.
June 6, 2019
OMG I thought the first book in the Chicago Crime Family was good and don’t get me wrong it was but this one was even better, Ginger has this knack of pulling you deeper into the storyline with so many twists and turns keeping you guessing to what will happen next. The story is dark, gritty and very exciting with so much sexual tension to set your kindle alight.
Claudio is a loyal employee of Diego( whose story was book one), he is also a cruel sadistic enforcer with some slightly obscure but interesting sexual tendencies who takes Heather as collateral as her younger brother owes the Mafia a huge debt and has done a runner, with her alcoholic father in hospital requiring a liver transplant she feels she has no way out but what Claudio offers is not what she expected. Can they work there differences out and learn to trust one another or are there worlds too far apart?? As always the answers are right here in this book. I was given this as an ARC in exchange for a voluntary honest review and also purchased one for my own collection.
Claudio is a loyal employee of Diego( whose story was book one), he is also a cruel sadistic enforcer with some slightly obscure but interesting sexual tendencies who takes Heather as collateral as her younger brother owes the Mafia a huge debt and has done a runner, with her alcoholic father in hospital requiring a liver transplant she feels she has no way out but what Claudio offers is not what she expected. Can they work there differences out and learn to trust one another or are there worlds too far apart?? As always the answers are right here in this book. I was given this as an ARC in exchange for a voluntary honest review and also purchased one for my own collection.
September 3, 2019
El padre de Heather es un alcohólico necesitado de un trasplante de hígado.Ella y su hermano han hecho todo lo posible para pagar sus gastos pero con trabajos normales no llegan así que James decide robarle a la mafia y huir dejando a Heather lidiando con la situación.
A Claudio le han dicho que Heather pagará la deuda siendo entregada como esclava sexual del nuevo pakhan,Kostya.
Diego,El jefe de Claudio lleva tiempo insistiendo en que siente cabeza a ver si así consigue controlarse y centrarse un poco más.
Claudio escoge a Heather aunque a ella no le deja elección,o se casa con él o su hermano sufrirá las consecuencias.
A Claudio le han dicho que Heather pagará la deuda siendo entregada como esclava sexual del nuevo pakhan,Kostya.
Diego,El jefe de Claudio lleva tiempo insistiendo en que siente cabeza a ver si así consigue controlarse y centrarse un poco más.
Claudio escoge a Heather aunque a ella no le deja elección,o se casa con él o su hermano sufrirá las consecuencias.
June 8, 2022
Claudio dangerous but can love help?
Claudio is Diego right hand man but he is out of control and needs to settle down. Heather is paying the price her brother commit against Diego by stealing money that he needed for his father treatment. Claudio has a pass that he can release until he finds the man who abused him at a young age. Heather is interested in Claudio and is forced to marry him unknown to her that Diego plan to give her away in trafficking even thou he is against that business but will resolve the outstanding debt her brother sold. So much to write but then you won't read the book. Go ahead not to bad a story.
Claudio is Diego right hand man but he is out of control and needs to settle down. Heather is paying the price her brother commit against Diego by stealing money that he needed for his father treatment. Claudio has a pass that he can release until he finds the man who abused him at a young age. Heather is interested in Claudio and is forced to marry him unknown to her that Diego plan to give her away in trafficking even thou he is against that business but will resolve the outstanding debt her brother sold. So much to write but then you won't read the book. Go ahead not to bad a story.
June 10, 2019
Claudio and Heather
This was so good. I read it in the wrong order. But oh well I enjoyed reading this book. Claudio had layers honey. He was almost unlovable. His choice of a wife opened him up to affection and love. It took her leaving him so that he could see his life has to change. Heather was the soft to his hard. She smoothed him out. He had to get through his pain and be vulnerable to her. He had to love her enough to let Heather in. Sometimes that is the hardest thing to do. Claudio was complicated and passionate. He was sexy and dominant. Good book. 😄☺😆😊
This was so good. I read it in the wrong order. But oh well I enjoyed reading this book. Claudio had layers honey. He was almost unlovable. His choice of a wife opened him up to affection and love. It took her leaving him so that he could see his life has to change. Heather was the soft to his hard. She smoothed him out. He had to get through his pain and be vulnerable to her. He had to love her enough to let Heather in. Sometimes that is the hardest thing to do. Claudio was complicated and passionate. He was sexy and dominant. Good book. 😄☺😆😊
April 18, 2021
I loved Diego, the first book in this series, so I was excited to read this one and it didn't disappoint.
Whilst this is technically a stand-alone novel, they cover the background of the first in this, I would highly recommend reading Diego first as it gives you even more insight in to the character of Claudio. I felt more of a connection with Claudio in this due to reading the first book, but again you don't have to read it to read this.
I would recommend this if you want an easy read and/or a steamy romance with a great story to back it up.
Whilst this is technically a stand-alone novel, they cover the background of the first in this, I would highly recommend reading Diego first as it gives you even more insight in to the character of Claudio. I felt more of a connection with Claudio in this due to reading the first book, but again you don't have to read it to read this.
I would recommend this if you want an easy read and/or a steamy romance with a great story to back it up.
May 29, 2019
I love this Mafia Hate Story
I love Ginger Talbots writing! She writes her characters so well you love them! Claudio is so well written Ginger shows how broken he is and tries to be tough but you see how vulnerable he really is and you love him! I love the chemistry between Clauido and Heather. Great story, hot H and h, once you start you can't put it down!!!!
I love Ginger Talbots writing! She writes her characters so well you love them! Claudio is so well written Ginger shows how broken he is and tries to be tough but you see how vulnerable he really is and you love him! I love the chemistry between Clauido and Heather. Great story, hot H and h, once you start you can't put it down!!!!
June 14, 2019
The was a very dark book. We are talking truly evil. Claudio had major demons due to his past. I have to give Heather a lot of credit because she tried to help him with everything she had, but sometimes you can't reach deep enough to help a person. I had to take a break from reading this story because it was dark.
June 17, 2019
Way better than I though
I'm not usually one for Mafia romances but for some reason I just had to read this one. Gods to me Claudio is sexy and fierce and dangerous. Granted I always loved a bad boy. And Heather is just as fierce and knows what she wants and fights for it. She has a strong spirit. I could not put the book down once I started reading.
I'm not usually one for Mafia romances but for some reason I just had to read this one. Gods to me Claudio is sexy and fierce and dangerous. Granted I always loved a bad boy. And Heather is just as fierce and knows what she wants and fights for it. She has a strong spirit. I could not put the book down once I started reading.
June 19, 2019
Really Good
This was a cute fast read. Great story line my only complaint was that it felt a little rushed and the dialogue was a bit abrupt as a result. Plus I don’t know who all does the editing for ebooks but can I get paid that well to be that illiterate and just plain lazy? Sing me up! Plus your books would actually make a little more sense...
This was a cute fast read. Great story line my only complaint was that it felt a little rushed and the dialogue was a bit abrupt as a result. Plus I don’t know who all does the editing for ebooks but can I get paid that well to be that illiterate and just plain lazy? Sing me up! Plus your books would actually make a little more sense...
September 27, 2022
Great
Claudio and Heather. This is the 2nd book in the Chicago Crime Family. This was a great read. It has everything you want in a mafia read.
It has action, drama, suspense, love❤, lust, lies, murder and so much more.
The chemistry between them is Hot🔥, he likes his kinks.
Read it
Claudio and Heather. This is the 2nd book in the Chicago Crime Family. This was a great read. It has everything you want in a mafia read.
It has action, drama, suspense, love❤, lust, lies, murder and so much more.
The chemistry between them is Hot🔥, he likes his kinks.
Read it
May 28, 2019
Book 2 in series
Started off with me not a huge fan of Claudio, by the end I understood him and accepted his crazy. I do like their insta chemistry but wished Claudio hadn’t been such a jerk most of the time. Love the epilogues!
Started off with me not a huge fan of Claudio, by the end I understood him and accepted his crazy. I do like their insta chemistry but wished Claudio hadn’t been such a jerk most of the time. Love the epilogues!
June 3, 2019
Love Gingers work,but...
I think this is my favorite of hers and one of my favorite dark mafioso tales over all! I remember Claudio from Diego and I was hesitant. But Claudio turned out to be one of the most amazing anti hero's ever! Love this! Highly recommend!
I think this is my favorite of hers and one of my favorite dark mafioso tales over all! I remember Claudio from Diego and I was hesitant. But Claudio turned out to be one of the most amazing anti hero's ever! Love this! Highly recommend!
June 4, 2019
I always really enjoy Ginger Talbot's books. This one wasn't any different. Fast paced, good read. Little dark, little dangerous good book all around. would recommend if anyone wants to read a book with a dangerous man and a sweet girl.
June 11, 2019
Quite enjoyable
Finished this book in literally six hours. Damaged hero damaged to heroine but together amazing couple. I loved all the characters I liked all the storyline I would definitely recommend.
Finished this book in literally six hours. Damaged hero damaged to heroine but together amazing couple. I loved all the characters I liked all the storyline I would definitely recommend.
June 14, 2019
Caryn A
If you enjoy organized crime reads, you'll love Claudio: A Dark Mafia Hate Story by Ginger Talbot!
By the way, Claudio has a macabre work ritual that's rather unique for a mob enforcer.
I'm ready for the next new release!
If you enjoy organized crime reads, you'll love Claudio: A Dark Mafia Hate Story by Ginger Talbot!
By the way, Claudio has a macabre work ritual that's rather unique for a mob enforcer.
I'm ready for the next new release!
July 17, 2019
Dark,sexy, quick read
I read the book out of order but was still able to keep up with the plot. Claudio is a man who doesn’t know how to love because of his past. The heroine just wants to be loved. Very quick, to the point book. No fillers
I read the book out of order but was still able to keep up with the plot. Claudio is a man who doesn’t know how to love because of his past. The heroine just wants to be loved. Very quick, to the point book. No fillers
August 2, 2019
Screwed up love
This was a very troubling story. How could Heather ever have feelings for a cold blooded killer like Claudio? I understood why Claudio was so screwed up, the question is could he ever be even semi normal?
This was a very troubling story. How could Heather ever have feelings for a cold blooded killer like Claudio? I understood why Claudio was so screwed up, the question is could he ever be even semi normal?
August 24, 2019
Love it !!
I love this Series so many dark and sexy men !! Claudio is so dark and troubled but he’s so sexy the way he takes Heather and makes her his !! Great storyline it kept me in suspense and I absolutely loved it !!
I love this Series so many dark and sexy men !! Claudio is so dark and troubled but he’s so sexy the way he takes Heather and makes her his !! Great storyline it kept me in suspense and I absolutely loved it !!
April 25, 2020
Heather and Claudio are haunted by childhood traumas. Each has insecurities. They have great chemistry. There are steamy scenes, death and violence. There are dangerous threats to their marriage. Some of the scenes left me feeling mad and sad, but I loved he last 15% and the 180 Claudio did.
January 8, 2021
The love we have
This is a story of a man mistreated in childhood and a woman who had to be the backbone of her father a drunken stupor who didn't take care of his responsibility for her or her younger brother. This is story about two characters and it good.
This is a story of a man mistreated in childhood and a woman who had to be the backbone of her father a drunken stupor who didn't take care of his responsibility for her or her younger brother. This is story about two characters and it good.
September 21, 2022
Dark Mafia Romance
I Really love good Mafia Romance especially if it is smutty and this one certainly fits the bill. This is the second book in a series, but it is fairly standalone even so. I liked this a lot and I recommend it if you like Mafia Romance.
I Really love good Mafia Romance especially if it is smutty and this one certainly fits the bill. This is the second book in a series, but it is fairly standalone even so. I liked this a lot and I recommend it if you like Mafia Romance.
November 15, 2025
I never felt a connection with the characters, or between them. I didn't like spineless fmc or emotionless mmc. I get why each character was the way they were, but it didn't make for a good romance to me. There were also too many errors throughout the book, it kept taking me out of the story.
May 28, 2019
Hold on tight
WOW....I love the bannering between Claudio & Heather. It was intense, powerful and intimate. She showed him love and he showed her his heart
WOW....I love the bannering between Claudio & Heather. It was intense, powerful and intimate. She showed him love and he showed her his heart
May 28, 2019
Claudio
Ginger Talbot has a way with making you drool! I so want a Claudio for myself! I love all her books,
Ginger Talbot has a way with making you drool! I so want a Claudio for myself! I love all her books,
May 29, 2019
Amazing
Just couldn't put this book down...I'm now exhausted but it was so worth it...cant wait for the next installment but please make it very soon I'm dying here 😳
Just couldn't put this book down...I'm now exhausted but it was so worth it...cant wait for the next installment but please make it very soon I'm dying here 😳
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews