Bound by Duty

Born in Blood Mafia Chronicles #2

by Cora Reilly

La saga best-seller cultissime dans plus de dix pays, vendue à plus d'un million d'exemplaires à travers le monde !
« Cora Reilly continue de s'imposer comme la meilleure auteure de romance mafieuse de notre génération. » - L.J. Shen, USA Today.

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En attendant de gagner son amour, elle est prête à tout pour attiser son désir…

À 23 ans, Valentina est une jeune femme déterminée qui sait ce qu’elle veut. Mais elle doit se plier aux règles de la mafia, monde dans lequel elle est née. Suite au décès de son premier mari Antonio, elle est obligée d’épouser Dante Cavallaro, le nouveau Capo de Chicago. De douze ans son ainé, il est terriblement séduisant, mais également réputé pour sa froideur et son intransigeance. Et on raconte qu’il ne s’est jamais remis de la perte de sa première femme...
Malgré tout, Valentina espère être heureuse en amour, après un premier mariage qui n'était qu'une façade et dont l'union n’a jamais été consommée. Même si elle craint que Dante découvre son secret pendant leur nuit de noces, elle meurt d'envie d'être enfin initiée aux plaisirs du sexe. Alors, quand Dante l’ignore et se cache derrière un masque d’indifférence, la frustration l’emporte. Son mari a forcément des failles. Et Valentina compte bien s’en servir pour faire naître en lui un désir brûlant…

Genres: Romance, Mafia Romance, Dark Romance, Dark, Contemporary, Marriage Of Convenience, Contemporary Romance

416 pages, Pocket Book

First published February 10, 2015

About the author

I'm an Mafia Romance writer. I'm a lover of good food, wine, travel and books, and I'm hopelessly addicted to bad boys (in books).

If you are a fan of audiobooks, many of my books are already available as audios & on Audible:
https://books.apple.com/us/author/cor...

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Reviews

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really think this series need a dual pov. I think it hurts the story not knowing what's happening with the male lead and while I know the mafia business is not exactly the main focus of the book but it will give so much world building and interesting debates but I see so little of it.

I liked Valentina a LOT and I could see myself liking Dante if I got to know know him a bit more. I don't know if this couple will only have this book but I think more chapters would have helped the story a great deal.

[Val ⚓️ Shameless Handmaiden ⚓️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-read: 12/8/25
Re-read: 4/28/23

Upgraded to 5 Stars

After re-reading this numerous times now, I am upgrading this... even though I don’t always love the books in this series when I read them the first time. For some reason I just love this world and the characters and I always end up loving the books more after reading them a second...third...fourth time.

So anyway. Take the original review with a grain of salt, I guess.

Original review:

3 Stars

I've decided that this series has transformed me into Gretchen from Mean Girls. With her love affair with the word "fetch."

And, you know what?

Sometimes we all need a little Regina reality check in our lives.



So I give up.

Something is just missing here for me and I just don't think this series is ever going to rise above a fetchingly lackluster 3 stars.

So I'm out.

Plus, I love reading me some dirty sexy time words.
But, reading “God, you’re so tight Val..." when my name is Val...

[Phuong ✯ · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book in a nutshell:

This book follows Dumbass Cavallaro (some people call him Dante) (H) and Valentina Aresco Cavallaro (h). They were side characters in the first book. Both of them are widowed and marry each other for strategic reasons. Mister Dumbass is the Capo of the Chicago Outfit and the only emotional range he's capable of is from this "😐" to that "😑". when he says "I did it for you, Val." that's THE love declaration of the century.

As much as I'm dragging Dante, he wasn't half as bad. I liked him better than Luca, but it's just hard to connect to someone who is constantly described as an "cold fish" and has one face expression (on a good day maybe two).

The star of the book was definitely Valentina. I love the way she handled the situation dead wife situation. She knows what she wants and she goes for it. Her persistence pays off at the end. I loved that Val was allowed to work at the Casino and wasn't just a trophy wife. For her and only for her 2.75 stars.

#1 bound by aria's virginity ↠ 1.75 stars
#2 bound by dante's dead wife ↠ 2.75 stars

[⚔Irunía⚔ · Rating 3 out of 5]

First read (May 31, 2020): 1 star

Dante Mr. "Cold Fish". ☹️ No one is able to clown him more than Cora Reilly already did.

Second read (Jan 2, 2022): 2.5 stars

Dante has a stick stuck up his ass and that's about his only character trait.

Horny Val and bland Dante with his poker face on 24/7 did nothing for me, but the second part of the book got some action that drew me in.

Honestly, I think I read somewhere that Cora thinks that Dante is one of her most complex characters. It made me burst out laughing. Dante wouldn't recognize complexity even if it managed to pull that stick out of his arse.

Complex characters are supposed to have LAYERS. Being broody woody and clipped and tight-lipped and emo grieving your ex-wife doesn't make the cut lmfao, it's a bit more COMPLEX than that.

No hate this time, just a very mediocre couple that made me snooze ungracefully.

[Christine Wallflower & Dark Romance Junkie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book definitely put me through the ringer, angst-wise. I don't read too many books where it's the heroine panting after the hero and the hero acts like he doesn't care. That sums it up a bit too simplistically so let me elaborate. This is the second book in the "Born in Blood Mafia Chronicles", it's about a group of young women (all friends) who are thrust into arranged marriages. These girls are strategically matched to their spouses to gain more power and status in the Outfit. I enjoyed the first book "Bound by Honor" a lot, maybe it was because the hero was crazy jealous and possessive even though he did cheat... I don't know, what do you think?

Dante and Valentina's story was a lot more complex and dare I say morbid? The MC's were both previously married but their spouses have since passed away. Dante's wife passed away 4 years ago and Valentina's husband just recently. Now here's where it got angst ridden and frustrating for me. Valentina never loved her husband not as a wife should at least, I won't tell you why but their marriage was certainly one of convenience. Dante married for love, he adored his wife for 12 years until she succumbed to cancer. She was his entire life and he would have probably never married if his father hadn't insisted and the fact that he was beginning to look weak in front of his men, and that was dangerous since he's the reigning boss for the Outfit.

They marry and from their first night together Valentina realises that her husband has no interest in claiming his rights as her husband and quite frankly he's not interested in knowing her as a person either. Valentina's character was endearing and maybe a tad naive because she was determined to win him over. But Dante is a very difficult men, he never shows emotion. That's how he was raised and that's how he became the Boss, they don't call him "The Ice Prince" or "Cold Fish" for nothing (behind his back).

Sometimes I think you hurt me on purpose to keep me at arms-length. When will you finally move on? Your wife has been dead for four years, it's time you stop pitying yourself and realize that life goes on. When will you stop clinging to the memory of a dead woman and realize there's someone in your life who wants to be with you?"

I can't begin to stress how cold and aloof Dante could be at times. I think what made him even more closed off to me was the fact that he didn't get a POV, I only saw him from Valentina's eyes.

"You don't know what I want. Maybe we want the same thing." My voice was a bare whisper.

He scoffed. "I can see in you eyes that it's not true. You want to make love, but I can't give you that. I do want to possess you, want to own every part of you, but not for the reasons you want me to. I'm a heartless bastard, Valentina. Don't try to see anything else in me. The business suit and emotionless face is the thin layer covering up the fucking abyss that's my soul and heart. Don't try and glimpse beneath it, you won't like what you find."



I complain about insta-love in books sometimes, but this is one of those times where I won't not because it didn't bother me but the MC's relationship progressed at a dare I say completely realistic pace for people in their position and with their histories. Valentina's drive to break down Dante's walls is what probably made him finally open up in the end.

"Every moment of the day I think of the things I want to do to you, catch myself remembering your taste, your smell. Sometimes I think I'll go insane if I don't bury myself in you."



Now apart from the romance in this story there were quite a few twists that I never saw coming which made me enjoy the story a lot more in the end. This author has a knack for pacing, writing sensual sex scenes and 3 dimensional character and I really appreciate that.

Each of the books in this series are stand-alones, so they can be read separately, but I honestly feel you should read the first book because the characters in the first book do make appearances in this one too.

Note to author: Please make a novella for Dante and Valentina, perhaps in Dante's POV? He never told her he loved her, only that he cared deeply for her. *sniffs*

[Isabella. R · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Reborn from Love Stars ⭐

What happens when a widowed Capo is forced to take a new wife because that's what duty dictates? And to further complicate matters, it's to a bride also widowed yet untouched. You say what? Well not surprising in a world where women are voiceless, and men dictate. But since I'm a sucker for sensational plots and guaranteed sex scenes that are going to me deliciously satisfying, I am happy for the author to bring on the crazy!

“Aren’t you loyal to me?” he murmured. “Don’t you think you owe me the truth? Don’t you think it’s your duty? Not only because I’m the Boss of the Outfit, but because I’m your husband.”

“And you owe me a decent wedding night. As my husband, it should be your duty to take care of my needs. I suppose we both will have to live with the disappointment.”

Dante Cavallaro is a dick. Closed off, prickly and downright cold. And that's just him personally. Professionally he's lethal. Where he prefers to suffer quietly through his misery, he’s been tasked with taking another wife. And he signed on for more than he anticipated. Because his new wife may know the rules and traditions, but Valentina is sick of being cast aside. And frankly she’s ready to take matters into her own hand.

“There isn’t enough room in our bedroom for me and the memories of your past. If you ever decide you want to give this marriage a chance, then you can come to me and apologize for what you said. Until then, I’m done with us.”

How does a woman married twice remain a virgin? (Well I’m not telling you that!) Tired of being vulnerable, rejected and forever settling for scraps. She’s adamant about melting her new husband’s cold heart. Yet what she discovers is that sex is easy, but love is a completely different matter.

“No,” he growled. “Keep fucking yourself with your finger.” How could he sound so dangerous and sexy at the same time? How could that cold man say such naughty things with the utmost authority?

With many mixed reviews surrounding this entire series, I've decided to brave it alone. So, this means I'm not reading reviews until I've finished each book to remain open minded. There seems to be a lot of frustration about Bound by Duty and I get it. You spend most of the time wanting to throat punch our hero Dante, however his actions aren't without reason. Frankly I enjoyed it!

[Chantal ❤️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

OKAY, THIS BOOK DID NOT SUCK!
I know, right?
I am in complete shock myself right now!


Review, review, review how do I start thee?
Well, in the spirit of full disclosure, I will admit that I was extremely afraid to read this book.
Because the first one wasn't for me.
Ahhhh who am I kidding here.... I F*CKING HATED THE FIRST BOOK.
I mean, I would have literally gone into the book and killed that hero.
So yeah, I think it's safe to say, I was very very reluctant to read this book!



So how did I go from hate to 4 stars!?
Well, that's pretty easy!
This hero wasn't a cheating asshat!

Yeah, it's true that he loved his first wife, but that sad admission at the end explained so much for me!
He was still protective, respectful, and even though, he was a cold bastard most of the time, he was a complete alpha when it came to the heroine!
He never disrespected her in public, he gave her space without forcing the issue, but most of all HE DID NOT CHEAT ON HER!
Honestly here, is that too much to ask? That the hero keep it in his pants!?
Cause if you want to impress me, that's all you have to do!
BE FAITHFUL!



Now, the whole story was very well written and the characters were so believable to me.
While it's true that they had no choice but to get married, they could choose to show affection and eventually, love each other.

Val was so sweet, kind, and loving. She was been a pawn in the mob world for so long, it was tragic. She had no idea how do be anything else. So her acceptance of a loveless union made complete sense to me.
My heart went out to her and I cried so hard when she asked the hero to,
“Please,” I said quietly.
"Make love to me. Just today. I know you don’t love me. Pretend, just for tonight. Hold me in your arms for once.”
OMG MY EMOTIONS!



He was completely believable as a mob boss. He was hard and well maybe his own words can explain it here
“I’m a man of sin, Valentina. My experience taught me that good seldom wins. If there is a devil, he’s certainly the patron of the Outfit.”
"Nothing’s holding you back from being a better man.” She said.
That cold smile was back. “Yes, my nature.”
So Yeah he was THE BOSS!



For me, this book was completely engaging and enjoyable. The characters believable and the drama intense!
Just the whole thing was AWESOME!



Now, with all this, I know you're going to ask: Why not 5 stars?
Well, the hero was cold and distant throughout the whole book, and I get why, but it was honestly the missing "I LOVE YOU", that stopped me from giving it 5 stars.
I need the words at the end.
No matter how he shows her his love, I need those cheesy words!

Other than that, this book was a pleasure to read and yes I would read it again!

Safety: no cheating, some pushing away from the hero, hero was in love before and married with experience, she was married before but a virgin. No condoms.

[Jennifer Kyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 Stars

”Why had Dante Cavallaro chosen a widow instead of a young innocent bride?”

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This second installment in the series was so damn good! Valentina is fantastically strong, sexy and smart heroine. I just loved her and struggled with her as she marries the head of the family who’s still hung up on his dead wife.

”What you’re looking for, I can’t give you. The part that was capable of it died with my wife, and it won’t come back.”

I just want Dante to loss control and fall into Valentina more and more. He is so cold and distant from her ugh I just wanted to shake him because he has one amazing wife.



The plot is really interesting as Valentina’s secrets from her former marriage are revealed and she is allowed to work in one of the family owned casinos. She also takes her best friend position to Bibi to the max… go girls!



My only issue with this story was Dante’s extremely late fall for his wife. I seriously needed more proclamations from him. This couple are crazy HOT together and I adored Valentina she is wonderful character and by far my favorite in the series to date.



I’m hoping the author delivers and amps up Dante in this couple’s upcoming novella!!! https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

[Lacey (laceybooklovers) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I DNF’d around halfway? I felt absolutely NOTHING from the hero. The heroine could’ve been some pet he owned and didn’t care about and it wouldn’t be any different than how he treats her in this book 💀

[Warda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m emotionally rating this. I wanted more and was initially banking on 3 stars, but this just got better and better? According to my emotions, anyway. Plus, I’m so glad there’s a part two to their story. I didn’t want to let go.

I’m obsessed with these characters and their world and I just started this series. This is a world I want to stay in. I’m gonna be losing my mind by the time I get to the Camorra Chronicles - well, I better be - and I can’t wait.

This doesn’t review the book much, but my feelings - all mainly positive - are sending enough of a message, me thinks.

I can’t wait for Bibiana’s story.

[⊱✿⊰ Alicia ⊱✿⊰ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Second chance stars

First I have to say these mafia men are just................


After Valentinas first husband dies after 4 years of marriage her parents are keen to wed her off again ASAP, not wanting a spinster for a daughter (god forbid). We also learn Valentina is hiding the truth about her first marriage being a lie. She married her friend who was gay to cover for him as the outfit would kill him if they found out.
Dante needed a wife as he was becoming the boss of the Chicago outfit, he wanted to save face and not show weakness. By weakness he means not show he is still grieving for his dead wife. Dantes wife of 12 years died of cancer 3 years prior to the arranged marriage to Valentina.
So the marriage is arranged and they are wed ASAP.

At first Dante is super cold and unemotional toward Valentina, keeping his distance at all times even in the bedroom. I liked how Valentinas kept her head held high during this and did not try and hide her attraction to Dante. I mean it would be pretty hard to live with a man like Dante and not be attracted to him, even if he was being a total dick.


Valentina lets her secret slip about her first marriage and that she is still holding her V card. It is fun to read about her trying to seduce Dante.

This is a book about 2nd chances and for Valentina it means getting to try the real thing.

One of the things that got to me was this..............

Usually a joyous occasion right??
One of my pet peeves in a book or real life for that matter is when the h tells the H that she is pregnant and he asks her if its his!!!
Yes dickhead, you are the only one unloading your spunk into my trunk!!



That was nearly enough for me to hate Dante. He seriously redeemed himself there in the end though :)

[Brandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is such a guilty pleasure - it's fast, entertaining reading. I love it. Bound by Duty is the story of Dante, the boss of the Chicago Outfit who lost his wife to cancer 4 years ago, and Valentina a young widow with a secret. I found their story a bit more emotional than the first in the series. Dante is considered cold and distant, and this marriage of convenience to him, he needs to provide an heir and doesn't want to appear weak. While for Valentina, she wonders if it will be an opportunity to find happiness, considering her previous marriage was a sham. While these two share the experience of losing a spouse, Dante's marriage was real, he loved his wife and is still mourning - and Valentina's marriage was for show.

Most of them married for convenience, but with Dante and his wife Carla you had seen that they were meant to be together. Fate was cruel for ripping them apart, and even crueler for throwing me into the arms of a man who’d already found the love of his life once.

Once they are married, Valentina hopes that Dante will grow to care for her, but it is not easy. Dante is constantly pushing her away. I found Valentina's character very likable, yes she is a bit native at times, but she has a charming personality, I couldn't help but empathize with her. I loved watching the walls Dante build around his heart crumple. These two were wonderful together, and with a few twist, this was a very solid read for me.

[Abibliophobia-the fear of running out of things to read 🥺 · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 stars

I struggled with what to rate this book. It is around a three for this series and Cora Reilly, but a strong four for books in general. If you are looking for intense romance, this may not be for you. I only really read this book the first time because I wanted to read the whole series.

Valentina/Val (23) is a very strong heroine who knows what she wants. She isn’t some do-nothing socialite, the classic wife of a mob boss. She is sweet and kind and loyal to a fault.

Dante (35) is known widely as the “Cold Fish” for his lack of visible emotions and cold demeanor. He is still grieving the loss of his first wife and only marries Valentina because he needs an heir and a wife to become capo.

The whole book is cold, but that was kind of the point. Dante never says that he loves Val, though it seems that he does by the end.

In conclusion, this is definitely not my favorite Reilly book, but you should read it if you like mafia books and, especially, the rest of the series!

[Syndi · Rating 2 out of 5]

What a disppointment! I should not pick Bound by Duty after Bound by Honour. Like Bound by Honour, my problem is characters and plot.
Valentine is drama queen. She is frankly, stupid. Dante like Luca is too busy controlling their women than being a true mafia king.

I heard so many good reviews for Miss Reilly. She is well known for her mafia romance stories. But so far nothing work for me.

I am going to put off Miss Reilly books for now.

2 stars

[NiCoLeTa E. {Addicted To Books} · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can i say about this book??????

In the beggining i was so curious for the development of Valentina's and Dante's arranged marriage...

Then i became furious with Dante's cold and emotionless attitude toward Valentina...

And that's made me feel sad about her...

After i was shaking my head in approval of her stubborness...

And finally, thank God, i felt joy and pleasure....


In this book we were having another one arranged marriage inside the circle of the mob but with different terms than the first book...
Valentina and Dante were both widowers...

Valentina has lost her husband less than a year and their parents pushed her in another one marriage with the Boss of Chicago's mafia... From the beginning of their marriage, she was pleasant about Dante's present in her life and she was trying to get closer to him...


Dante had lost his wife from cancer three years before and his heart was still devoting to her. Ηe choose Valentina for his future wife because his father pushing him for an heir... He was the Boss and he was always showing calculation, control, determination and power. His face has stuck in an icy expression with none emotion readable...


In that marriage from the first moment both of them were fighting...
Valentina was fighting for make him get closer to her and Dante was fighting to push her away from him...

I liked Val's spirit, i admire her determination to make this marriage work...

And i have to admit that i want to slap Dante more than once...


I really enjoyed that book as much i enjoyed Aria's and Luca's story...
I have loved fiercely this series and i can not wait for the rest of the books!!!

[Saswati · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 ' I-did-it-for-you is the new I-love-you ' stars 🌟

Bound by Duty is the story of Valentina and Dante who enter into a marriage of convenience, and this is the second marriage for both of them.

Here's the thing: I did not mind that their relationship progressed at a realistic rate. But, I don't think there is anything more disappointing than reading a romance book, and finding out that it has no romance.

“I did it for you,” he said simply. That was probably as close to a declaration of what – love? Affection? I’d ever get from him.

That's just not enough for me!

I really loved Val's character though. She was strong, mature and stubborn when she needed to be. Only for her, this book is a 3.25 star read for me.

Anyway, I'm still excited for the next book (Gianna and Matteo's) because I know it's going to be explosive as hell! 💥

[Cristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

UPDATE: Bound by Duty is free for a limited period of time...so if you where curious about this novel this is the time to get it HERE


Despite the fact that I loved the first book in this series, Bound by Honor, this one wasn't as great. I liked it and Cora Reilly's writing is really good but this book didn't do a lot for me...



What I did like was the fact that Valentina is a very strong woman, that can stand up for herself and isn't pleased with just being a trophy wife. She pushes Dante until she gets what she wants and for that I admired her and had a little girl crush on her ;)



But despite the fact that I only gave this book 3 stars I still love the series and can't wait for Matteo and Gianna's story which I know will be explosive :D

[★¸. • * ° * ༺*Blanka*༺*°°*•.¸. ♥★ · Rating 3 out of 5]

What made me so dang on mad is that the book ended on the note it did, and not once did the asshole said I love you or show any indication that he did. Italians are possessive bunch, speaking from experience here, so him being possessive does not mean he gave a fudge just that he is wired that way! And how the hell could Valentine drop the I love you bomb, I didn't feel any love in this whole novel not ONE ounce!

[MischaS_ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't really know about this one. At the beginning I did not really like it and thought that it was worse than the first book then it seemed maybe a bit better. What I liked more was that we got to see more of the mafia business. But in regards to their relationship, I did not like it all. It did not seem real at all, it was forced and really laughable to read about.
Both of them acted very stupidly in unnecessary situations.

And to be honest Aria is supposed to be the timid one and Valentine even describes herself (several times) as a strong woman, but then you can see her as the one really bowing down to her husband and doing what's asked of her. It's one of the tropes I dislike. A heroine saying how strong and independent she is but then she acts nothing like that.

[EmBibliophile · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 stars

When everyone had described the hero as a “cold fish” they weren’t exaggerating. And It wasn’t in a charismatic grumpy closed off way, more like a hero with no emotional range, one facial expression, and you won’t be able to differentiate him from a wooden door.

Characters either talk or show emotions. Dante did neither. He has no personality and it was frustrating how he was insisting on not saying a thing!!! He wasn’t as complex as the author hoped he’d be, just really bland it started getting annoying.

Valentina was the one who carried the book on her shoulders. I loved how persistent she was and how she decided to take matters into her own hands. She knew what she wanted and she went for it. I loved her stubbornness and persistence.

[Candace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like Fire And Ice

Focusing on the arranged marriage of Valentina and Dante, this second book in the series has the bride turning the tables on the groom. It ends up that there were some pretty big secrets in Valentina's first marriage. Faced with her second marriage of convenience...his convenience that is...Valentina is determined to see to it that her needs are met for a change.

Still grieving the loss of his first wife and the only woman he's ever loved, Dante views his marriage as a necessary formality. He has no intention of ever loving again or making himself vulnerable again. Love is a weakness that he cannot afford. He's shut himself off emotionally and quickly realizes that he can't give his new wife the type of relationship she desires.

For quite a while, Dante and Valentina live parallel lives. He hardly acknowledges her. Meanwhile, she tries everything in her power to draw his interest. Eventually, as these things go, he takes notice. From that point forward, things get interesting.

Valentina, as a heroine, was strong-minded and gave as good as she got. I loved that about her. Her tenacity was admirable. The woman had guts!

Dante was less appealing to me as a character. He was frigid, at best, for 99% of the book. He did some nice things and eventually confessed his feelings, but I couldn't help feeling underwhelmed with him and his actions.

Overall, I liked this book. I didn't have the same connection with this couple as I did with Aria and Luca, but that's just me. I still struggled with some of the words that were misused and out of place also. Liked it, didn't love it. I will be reading book 3 though, which I've been looking forward to since completing book 1!

[myo ⋆｡˚ ❀ * · Rating 3 out of 5]

idk what to rate this? i enjoyed this but not as much as the first book, i honestly wanted to read about Gianna but i feel like the author was being a tease and gave us this book that no one asked for. the characters were meh, Dante was bland and never changed (boo). Valentina was exactly like Aria but more annoying also for some reason i liked reading about Aria and Luca more in this story than their own? there’s also this plotline i didn’t fuck with in this book. i’m enjoying the series because they read like mafia soap operas

[Herica Lopez · Rating 3 out of 5]

i think i have a lovehate relationship with this series (i hated the first book but this was was lil better)😭😭😭

[aleksandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5/5

I don’t know why author put Valentina and Dante as a second couple, when Matteo and Gianna were mentioned a lot of times in the first book, and Val and Dante no.

The plot consists mainly of h0rny Valentina and some kind of action at the end, which ended too quickly like every book in the series. Valentine was basically a brown hair Aria, and Dante was just more boring Luca. There was a moment where I thought I will even maybe like him, but when he didn’t apologize for what he said and Valentine was like "you know what, you didn’t apologized but I’m h0rny so whatever".

Still, this book was better than the first one. I’m a proud Luca hater.

[Cora Reilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

!!!!! Bound By Duty is LIVE !!!! Oh, and please leave a review on Amazon/Kobo/B&N. Reviews are super important for authors! Thank you!
It's available on Amazon , B&N , Smashwords , Kobo !!!
The cover reveal happens on January 14th!
http://www.amazon.com/Bound-Duty-Bloo...
The pub date is a placeholder. I hope to publish the book before February 12th!

[SueBee★bring me an alpha!★]

Books in series are Stand-alones, but most enjoyed if read in order:
Book 1: Bound by Honor
Book 2: Bound by Duty
Book 3: Bound by Hatred
Book 4: Bound by Temptation
Book 5: Untitled

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

For my own sanity, I will not sit and write a regular review, but I will instead include the thoughts I had throughout the reading/listening experience:

---

Well, definitely don't read this garbage if you have an eating disorder...

I'm 7% into the audiobook, and there's already been at least 5 triggers.

Must be a fucking record... this heroine and Cora Reilly are obsessed with detox/thiness/weight mentioning. Even a pregnant woman wasn't safe from their wrath.

It's kinda gross tbh.

---

Oh and a funny moment happened between the previous characters/couple from the previous book.

Aria asks Luca something along the lines of "doesn't Valentina look great?"

And instead of giving a normal response like "sure, honey," he responds with, "I only have eyes for you..."

Well, we know that's a big fat lie...

You cheated on her, Luca... we didn't forget lmao... You, in fact, DON'T only have eyes for her...

---

"Being gay is a crime..."

Valentina says, UNIRONICALLY.

Ma'am, you and your whole world are part of the MAFIA...

I don't think you should be talking abt anything being a "crime..."

And did this other girl say she wishes she was married to a gay man...?

Um, ok...

Also, taking contraceptives in secret?

What centuries do these books take place in?

I'm supposed to care about a bunch of women who allow themselves to be oppressed like this without ever trying to get out of it...?

---

Cannot believe I am saying this again...

But Cora, this is NOT how virginity works... you cannot "lose" your virginity with devices and things.

ONLY through sex. And not only heterosexual sex either...

So no, tampons and dildos don't count as "losing virginity..."

And since you want to play around, Cora, let me go even further to let you know that...

virginity is a construct.

Just wanted to let you know, cause i honestly cannot suspend my disbelief any longer.

---

"If he wanted a naive wife, maybe he should have married someone younger..."

Says the 23 year old heroine, about the 35 year hero...

I'm sorry, how old should he have married?!

Anything younger than 23 would have been preposterous... and this heroine seems naive enough...

Is 23 too old for this 35 year old?

I think Cora Reilly has been hinting at that since the beginning of this book... lol

Insane.

---

"he was talking about his wife. He wanted her back..."

Yeah, Valentina... that's usually how it works when you lose someone you love... you probably want them back.

This heroine is acting like this man should have forgotten his dead wife the second he married her...?

The fuck?

---

This man wanted nothing to do with her and she suddenly blurted out she was a virgin to "entice" him...

weird.

And now that he suddenly seems curious, she's acting like she didn't mention it to try to seduce him into bed...

Miss Valentina must suspect that all Cora Reilly heroes have a virginity kink for some fucking reason...

Now that the hero learns she's a virgin, NOW she's worth bedding?!

What in the fcking world?

---

"You wouldn’t take me against my will. You disapprove of rape. "

Wow, how low is the bar, Cora Reilly...?

How low.

Your romantic hero disapproves of rape?!

Wow, my ears are ringing from the applause!

Let's pop the champagne!

---

Heroine of course is comparing herself to the dead wife, looking through her wardrobe, mentioning how her dresses are too small for her, indicating that she is inferior somehow because cannot fit into the two-small wardrobe of the dead wife...

Another eating disorder trigger. Cora Reilly is on a roll, everybody!

---

ew, they're having sex now... she's sucking him, and it's the most unsexy thing I have ever read.

Absolutely negative 100 chemistry.

He was like, "I like that I'm the only man you've ever sucked."

And I almost threw up.

I am dry as the Sahara desert right now.

---

Why do these heroines have the worst mothers? (Worse fathers/parents in general, but that's irrelevant to my point.)

What kind of mother would I be if I allowed my daughter to be in those sad situations without doing my best to get them out or at least provide the right mental guidance to navigate this dumb ass third world archaic misogynistic mafia world?

Like... this is a quote from this heroine's mother,

"Men don't like plump women!"

Okay...?

Quick question, lady, what the fuck are you talking about? And why do you care more about what men "like" rather than your own daughter's wellbeing and health?

---

Cora Reilly, you have achieved the inconceivable.

I, the smut queen, have never in my life skipped over a sex scene.

Never ever.

Until now.

Cora Reilly, you are a legend.

It's settled then.

---

I sped through the last 3 chapters, listening to them in 3x speed. But at some point, the heroine gives birth to a daughter, and everyone is disappointed that the baby doesn't have a penis.

Alrighty then!

---

At the end of the day, this was very sad.

Yes, badly written, but sad story nonetheless.

A sad story about a heroine with zero self-worth, and so desperate for a semblance of love and approval from men, that she settles for a man who is still allegedly in love with his dead wife.

And yeah, there was nothing romantic here, by the way.

Literally the hero started having sex with her once he learns she was a virgin, and I skipped most of them when I realized they were just autocomplete sex scenes, and had nothing to do with the story... cause the couple never actually had chemistry or fell in love in any capacity.

I should have DNF'ed. But I guess I hate myself...

---

Quick question to Cora Reilly.

Why are these books categorized under Romance? How is it that allowed when there is zero romance in them?

FBI, investigate!!

[chaity · Rating 2 out of 5]

wow.


five 2 star reads in a row. another one and i'm cancelling this year's reading challenge guys.

[Yeasmin Alo]

Dante:



Me:



Dante turns me off 😂 Soo Sorry but he does!!
He is so uptight and boring
More Than a Made Man he is like those failed politicians 🤣

At this point I have read 10 books of Cora Reilly, and Everytime I got glimpse of Dante he put me to sleep (not the type of sleep you would like your hero to put you INTO, shallow I know, but Sorry-Not-Sorry)

I Don't DO Cold Fish
His wife also seems like the submissive type?
I feel like I am submissive enough and I don't need anymore submissive energy in my life

And 🔥Daddy🔥 of my three and two (Don't do the math here shut up 🤧) imaginary children Luca and Nino is planning on killing him anyway!! As they should 😘

Cz #hateoutfit all-day-everyday

So Dante Cavallaro

[Natasha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dante cold fish Cavallaro was the most basic, blandest mafia boss i've ever read about.
his character?



I'm convinced he is still in love with his dead wife.
Val was an okay h, she deserved so much better than dealing with a robot.