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Morally Black #3
Breaking Rosalind
I wove a deadly web, but it became my trap.
Rosalind
I’m a cold-blooded killer, a femme fatale with a long list of victims.
My latest target being Cesare Montesano.
I must kill him and his brothers to protect my innocent young daughter.
He catches me in the middle of the mission, but I’m not scared.
I might be his prisoner yet I’m not without weapons.
And I will use every trick in the book to disarm him and escape.
Cesare
She tried to inject me with a poisonous syringe.
Now, she’s my captive with a head full of secrets.
Secrets that threaten my brother’s lives and rob our family’s power.
She’s a betrayer, just like all the others, but I won’t fall for her manipulation.
I will break this pretty little assassin through pleasure of pain.
But the more of her layers I uncover, the more I’m drawn into her web.
Breaking Rosalind is a dark romance containing themes some may find disturbing. Please check the warnings inside the book.
Rosalind
I’m a cold-blooded killer, a femme fatale with a long list of victims.
My latest target being Cesare Montesano.
I must kill him and his brothers to protect my innocent young daughter.
He catches me in the middle of the mission, but I’m not scared.
I might be his prisoner yet I’m not without weapons.
And I will use every trick in the book to disarm him and escape.
Cesare
She tried to inject me with a poisonous syringe.
Now, she’s my captive with a head full of secrets.
Secrets that threaten my brother’s lives and rob our family’s power.
She’s a betrayer, just like all the others, but I won’t fall for her manipulation.
I will break this pretty little assassin through pleasure of pain.
But the more of her layers I uncover, the more I’m drawn into her web.
Breaking Rosalind is a dark romance containing themes some may find disturbing. Please check the warnings inside the book.
760 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 30, 2024
1612 people are currently reading
18878 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 504 reviews
September 17, 2024
➳ 2 stars
I got the biggest ick ever. Cesare, you insecure petty little shit. 😭 And I thought that I’d love his book. I finished 700 pages even though I knew from the start I’d hate it!
⊹₊ PLOT ₊ ⊹
➳ she's the assassin who was hired to gather intel or possibly eliminate the brothers, he founds out about this.
Trigger Warnings: way too much. (mentioned in book)
➳ I’ve read a book like this before too, assassin girl and mafia prince with kidnapping & revenge, but they’re a little soft on the relationship aspect. This author, however, gave justice to tropes. If it has degradation, it’s in ton. Enemies to lovers? Hate to its fullest extent. Torture? … 🙃
IT HAS TORTURE. An apology was obviously a must and it did happen. Scores were settled, slow burn. BUT SO? 😭
➳ Rosalind isn’t innocent. She had to gather the intel, insulted & drugged Cesare, and hurt him physically too just to escape. Because it’s obvious that he’d kill her… brutally. But we got torture, and to think that he’d be soft with her because… WOMAN, was a mistake. 😭
➳ First time reading that the MMC is actually hitting and torturing the FMC because he hates her so much and she deserves it (well at first for interrogation but he took it too far). When the things were till bondage and Russian roulette, I was fine. But then he backhanded her… 😭 and it happened thrice. DESERVING but I don’t give a fuck because I’m a firm believer of ‘no physical harm to the girl from the boy’ 😭
➳ I ignored it. I reasoned with myself that we’d get the apology later whatsoever and that he actually hates her so much right now and she hurt him, he hurt her, and they’re ENEMIES. It’s a dark romance. But then he took her captive and used her daughter as bait, and like tied her for days and fed her barely, no washroom breaks, nothing, nada, and then sewed her labia (labia minora ig so that no one can have sex with her without her permission lol) 😭 threatened her with amputations and tube feeding lmao 😭 I LOST IT.
➳ It has a lot of push and pull, and the cute scenes are present but they’re not much and they were creeping me out, because i genuinely felt no chemistry between the characters. They’re polar opposites and Rosalind hated him for 70% of the book! Hate sex was not hitting as it should’ve, besides it was bad.
⤷ ROSALIND & CESARE .𖥔 ݁ ˖
I’m so in love with Rosalind 😭💕 Her potential is wasted on Cesare because she’s a QUEEN. She gave MAJOR KATHERINE PIERCE vibes – survivor, manipulator & gorgeous. She’s literally a perfect assassin and her comebacks were so damn sarcastic and sassy, I’m truly in love. Cesare holds no candle in front of her and she deserves way better! ✋🏻
Cesare apologized and all, but at one point he started creeping me out. He took everything too far just because Rosalind was a little into BDSM and he thought she’d make the perfect toy or pet! Extreme mommy issues and sibling issues he had, and was extremely insecure. At least he was a little self-aware towards the end and behaved himself, but still I got the ICK.
➳ From the previous books, I gathered that the brothers’ relationship was good but from Cesare’s POV, I got to know it was much more complex. Sibling rivalry is one thing, but being too young for them to bond with you or include you with them hurts more! It’s just saddening sometimes that your cousins and siblings don’t include you because you’re a bit younger 😢
➳ Excited for Benito’s book, even though he does have a stick up his ass, hearing that he has his own private organization and he’s ACTUALLY stalking Ginevra… this shit is interesting. Besides, he was constantly on his phone (probably watching her). I hope this one serves like the other ones. And Xero’s duet too 🤞🏻
• Arc review and I’m truly sorry I hated it 😭
⤷ ratings .𖥔 ݁ ˖
• Taming Seraphine – 3 stars
• Snaring Emberly – 4 stars
• Stalking Ginevra – tbr
I got the biggest ick ever. Cesare, you insecure petty little shit. 😭 And I thought that I’d love his book. I finished 700 pages even though I knew from the start I’d hate it!
⊹₊ PLOT ₊ ⊹
➳ she's the assassin who was hired to gather intel or possibly eliminate the brothers, he founds out about this.
Trigger Warnings: way too much. (mentioned in book)
➳ I’ve read a book like this before too, assassin girl and mafia prince with kidnapping & revenge, but they’re a little soft on the relationship aspect. This author, however, gave justice to tropes. If it has degradation, it’s in ton. Enemies to lovers? Hate to its fullest extent. Torture? … 🙃
IT HAS TORTURE. An apology was obviously a must and it did happen. Scores were settled, slow burn. BUT SO? 😭
➳ Rosalind isn’t innocent. She had to gather the intel, insulted & drugged Cesare, and hurt him physically too just to escape. Because it’s obvious that he’d kill her… brutally. But we got torture, and to think that he’d be soft with her because… WOMAN, was a mistake. 😭
➳ First time reading that the MMC is actually hitting and torturing the FMC because he hates her so much and she deserves it (well at first for interrogation but he took it too far). When the things were till bondage and Russian roulette, I was fine. But then he backhanded her… 😭 and it happened thrice. DESERVING but I don’t give a fuck because I’m a firm believer of ‘no physical harm to the girl from the boy’ 😭
➳ I ignored it. I reasoned with myself that we’d get the apology later whatsoever and that he actually hates her so much right now and she hurt him, he hurt her, and they’re ENEMIES. It’s a dark romance. But then he took her captive and used her daughter as bait, and like tied her for days and fed her barely, no washroom breaks, nothing, nada, and then sewed her labia (labia minora ig so that no one can have sex with her without her permission lol) 😭 threatened her with amputations and tube feeding lmao 😭 I LOST IT.
➳ It has a lot of push and pull, and the cute scenes are present but they’re not much and they were creeping me out, because i genuinely felt no chemistry between the characters. They’re polar opposites and Rosalind hated him for 70% of the book! Hate sex was not hitting as it should’ve, besides it was bad.
⤷ ROSALIND & CESARE .𖥔 ݁ ˖
I’m so in love with Rosalind 😭💕 Her potential is wasted on Cesare because she’s a QUEEN. She gave MAJOR KATHERINE PIERCE vibes – survivor, manipulator & gorgeous. She’s literally a perfect assassin and her comebacks were so damn sarcastic and sassy, I’m truly in love. Cesare holds no candle in front of her and she deserves way better! ✋🏻
Cesare apologized and all, but at one point he started creeping me out. He took everything too far just because Rosalind was a little into BDSM and he thought she’d make the perfect toy or pet! Extreme mommy issues and sibling issues he had, and was extremely insecure. At least he was a little self-aware towards the end and behaved himself, but still I got the ICK.
➳ From the previous books, I gathered that the brothers’ relationship was good but from Cesare’s POV, I got to know it was much more complex. Sibling rivalry is one thing, but being too young for them to bond with you or include you with them hurts more! It’s just saddening sometimes that your cousins and siblings don’t include you because you’re a bit younger 😢
➳ Excited for Benito’s book, even though he does have a stick up his ass, hearing that he has his own private organization and he’s ACTUALLY stalking Ginevra… this shit is interesting. Besides, he was constantly on his phone (probably watching her). I hope this one serves like the other ones. And Xero’s duet too 🤞🏻
• Arc review and I’m truly sorry I hated it 😭
⤷ ratings .𖥔 ݁ ˖
• Taming Seraphine – 3 stars
• Snaring Emberly – 4 stars
• Stalking Ginevra – tbr
July 15, 2024
After Taming Seraphine and Snaring Emberly, we have Breaking Rosalind and the author kept her promise writing a scary romance.
I did not want to read the book. Cezare was unhinged. In previous books he always had a scalpal ready to cut people.
Rosa was a ruthless killer with a sassy mouth getting her in more trouble than ever.
The duo in the book was explosive. The list of bad content in the begining was a mile long and a filthy disturbing mile long at that.
But I love Gigi Styx and her brand of questionable action packed romance.
Not seeing a lot of people accepting Rosa or Cesare though.
I did not want to read the book. Cezare was unhinged. In previous books he always had a scalpal ready to cut people.
Rosa was a ruthless killer with a sassy mouth getting her in more trouble than ever.
The duo in the book was explosive. The list of bad content in the begining was a mile long and a filthy disturbing mile long at that.
But I love Gigi Styx and her brand of questionable action packed romance.
Not seeing a lot of people accepting Rosa or Cesare though.
August 14, 2024
Breaking Rosalind is my absolute favorite! I really enjoyed the writing style, I loved how Rosalind would do anything to save her daughter and keep her safe. I love how protective Cesare was over Miranda. I'm glad Rosalind had such a supportive friend like Britt. Gigi Styx is one of my favorite authors, If you love mafia romance, I highly recommend reading this!
September 14, 2024
Idk what I just read but- 1."Leroid Slander" as a trigger warning is hillarious. 2. Ending was a little rushed, im assuming because the book was already becoming long. 3. take that tw seriously
November 29, 2024
If you like Mafia, look no further.
This book it’s explosive. This mafia series is amazing, full of mafia bosses, Lolita Assassin, Hitman, trained Assassin and Assassin Organization, extremely unhinged, manipulative and crazily enough also a hitman with a heart, they are dark and the women are SUCH BADDIES ! They are incredible. So this series has all the action, the spice, the crazy amazing plots and everything in between. The only thing I would change about those books but this one specifically is the length, I do love a good long book, but this one was way too long, I would take 200 pages out of all the torture part, that was too long, but the rest was amazing.
Cesare is as crazy as they come but he also has a side that made me feel bad for him the whole time, he feels unfit for the family, he feels less than his Montesano brothers. All he wanted was the love and recognition of his brothers, thinking that if they knew the truth they wouldn’t accept him. Cesare might be too dark for some people but to me he is just right. I loved him and understood him. He did take things to far with Rosalind but she was also taking things to far with him and trying to kill him from the minute she met him. THEY WORE EXPLOSIVE ! Neither wanted to give an inch and it made the hate/love relationship the best.
Rosalind is a BOSS BAD BITCH ! She is a highly intelligent, qualified, strong trained assassin. She can take anyone even Cesare in the right circumstances, I love her and her tenacity, sass and strength. She manage to put Cesare through the wringer as he did the same to her.
This book is so complex and has so much packed into that I am not even going to try to explain. This needs to be read (or listened) I HIGHLY recommend the audiobook for this entire series, they are all duet narration with some audio effects. Specially because the books are so long the audiobook makes it perfect. Now I can’t wait to have Benito’s book. So far I wasn’t disappointed by any. 🖤
This book it’s explosive. This mafia series is amazing, full of mafia bosses, Lolita Assassin, Hitman, trained Assassin and Assassin Organization, extremely unhinged, manipulative and crazily enough also a hitman with a heart, they are dark and the women are SUCH BADDIES ! They are incredible. So this series has all the action, the spice, the crazy amazing plots and everything in between. The only thing I would change about those books but this one specifically is the length, I do love a good long book, but this one was way too long, I would take 200 pages out of all the torture part, that was too long, but the rest was amazing.
Cesare is as crazy as they come but he also has a side that made me feel bad for him the whole time, he feels unfit for the family, he feels less than his Montesano brothers. All he wanted was the love and recognition of his brothers, thinking that if they knew the truth they wouldn’t accept him. Cesare might be too dark for some people but to me he is just right. I loved him and understood him. He did take things to far with Rosalind but she was also taking things to far with him and trying to kill him from the minute she met him. THEY WORE EXPLOSIVE ! Neither wanted to give an inch and it made the hate/love relationship the best.
Rosalind is a BOSS BAD BITCH ! She is a highly intelligent, qualified, strong trained assassin. She can take anyone even Cesare in the right circumstances, I love her and her tenacity, sass and strength. She manage to put Cesare through the wringer as he did the same to her.
This book is so complex and has so much packed into that I am not even going to try to explain. This needs to be read (or listened) I HIGHLY recommend the audiobook for this entire series, they are all duet narration with some audio effects. Specially because the books are so long the audiobook makes it perfect. Now I can’t wait to have Benito’s book. So far I wasn’t disappointed by any. 🖤
September 9, 2024
did i just read 700 pages of mafia smut? yes and when's the next book coming out
February 21, 2025
5 stars!!
Cesare is officially my favorite brother. I had to dnf Roman and Benito’s books because I just couldn’t. They both also pissed me off in this book with how they act. They can do no wrong apparently. Something was wrong with them, especially since Cesare was too afraid to even tell them this secret. If that doesn’t tell you that you failed as a family, I don’t know what does.
Cesare was the perfect amount of unhinged and I do like how he adjusted his behavior slightly towards Rosalind once he started falling for her, but didn’t have an entire personality change. Also a huge fan of how Rosalind didn’t turn into a complete doormat and still kept being a badass throughout the entire book <3
Cesare is officially my favorite brother. I had to dnf Roman and Benito’s books because I just couldn’t. They both also pissed me off in this book with how they act. They can do no wrong apparently. Something was wrong with them, especially since Cesare was too afraid to even tell them this secret. If that doesn’t tell you that you failed as a family, I don’t know what does.
Cesare was the perfect amount of unhinged and I do like how he adjusted his behavior slightly towards Rosalind once he started falling for her, but didn’t have an entire personality change. Also a huge fan of how Rosalind didn’t turn into a complete doormat and still kept being a badass throughout the entire book <3
July 3, 2024
Finished...wow okay where do I start? I was okay with this book. I enjoyed the others a little more. I think what made me eh was Cesare. A few things he did made me not enjoy him from what we saw in the first 2 books. He was an insecure boy who wanted to prove himself to Rose and his brothers. And wtf was the relationship with the brothers? I thought they were all good, and what we saw from Cesare pov it felt like they hated Cesare, which I never felt that in the other books? Did we read the same 2 books before?!? Beside that mess his relationship with Rose was very toxic from the first time they met since Rose is a assaisn she knew how to fake being a sub lol props to her for hiding that from Leroi (H in book 1)😂😂😂 for a hitman he didn't know he was being used (remember they fucked Rose didnt care for him).
Rose, at first, i hated her in book 1. I thought she was a clingy ass ex but when we got her story, my heart broke at what she went through and who she became to make sure her daughter was safe. Her daughter aka her sister who doesn't know the truth and treats Rose like shit, because Rose works alot and is making sure she's taken care of so Miranda hates her and I did get mad how Miranda was all happy with Cesare.. girl needed a good wack to the head with all the warnings Rose gave her.
Lots of fighting, killing, lies, and escapes. Lots lol I'm interested in seeing Ben book he was a huge asshole to his brothers, but his obsession with his ex.. seems very interesting.
Safety - we have some om drama who tried to rape h or abuse her from the past to the present. Also, he heads up a few things H did that were red flags and not in a good way. Slapping h and starving her swed her labia, but h also gave good to she choked H out Drugged him and fought him. So yeah, there is a relationship at first, and 60% of the book was toxic. At least he knew he was being a douche and tried to apologize and grovel for forgiveness.
No ow drama/tiny om drama, no cheating, secondary character, drama, sexy times, no virgins
Recommend-maybe
Cover-⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heat level-🌶🌶🌶.5
Slowburn
Prologue
24hH/28h
Abduction
Adoption
Anal sex
Assassination
Blackmail
Body modification
Bondage
Branding
Breath play
Candle play
Castration Cavity searches
Chastity Child abuse (backstory)
Cock slapping
Cutting
Degradation
Dismemberment
Drugging
Dubious consent
Evisceration
Extreme edging
Face sitting
Female genial stitching
Forced arousal
Forced pregnancy
Gags
Gore
Grooming (backstory)
Gun play
Hate sex
Hebephilia
Humiliation
Inappropriate use of a 12-inch barrel antique pistol
Inappropriate use of surgical equipment knife play
Leroi slander
Mass murder
Matricide Medical play
Memory of animal cruelty (not by the main characters)
Mind games
Mummification (not auto erotic)
Murder
Mutilatio
Patricide
Pet play
Primal kink
PTSD
Revenge
Safe sex/no condom
Scars
Sensory deprivation
Slapping
Stockholm syndrome
Russian roulette
Teenage pregnancy (backstory) Temperature play
Torture
Tracker insertion
Unnecessary surgery Veganism slander Verbal denigration
Workplace sexual harassment
Hea
Epilogue
Rose, at first, i hated her in book 1. I thought she was a clingy ass ex but when we got her story, my heart broke at what she went through and who she became to make sure her daughter was safe. Her daughter aka her sister who doesn't know the truth and treats Rose like shit, because Rose works alot and is making sure she's taken care of so Miranda hates her and I did get mad how Miranda was all happy with Cesare.. girl needed a good wack to the head with all the warnings Rose gave her.
Lots of fighting, killing, lies, and escapes. Lots lol I'm interested in seeing Ben book he was a huge asshole to his brothers, but his obsession with his ex.. seems very interesting.
Safety - we have some om drama who tried to rape h or abuse her from the past to the present. Also, he heads up a few things H did that were red flags and not in a good way. Slapping h and starving her swed her labia, but h also gave good to she choked H out Drugged him and fought him. So yeah, there is a relationship at first, and 60% of the book was toxic. At least he knew he was being a douche and tried to apologize and grovel for forgiveness.
No ow drama/tiny om drama, no cheating, secondary character, drama, sexy times, no virgins
Recommend-maybe
Cover-⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heat level-🌶🌶🌶.5
Slowburn
Prologue
24hH/28h
Abduction
Adoption
Anal sex
Assassination
Blackmail
Body modification
Bondage
Branding
Breath play
Candle play
Castration Cavity searches
Chastity Child abuse (backstory)
Cock slapping
Cutting
Degradation
Dismemberment
Drugging
Dubious consent
Evisceration
Extreme edging
Face sitting
Female genial stitching
Forced arousal
Forced pregnancy
Gags
Gore
Grooming (backstory)
Gun play
Hate sex
Hebephilia
Humiliation
Inappropriate use of a 12-inch barrel antique pistol
Inappropriate use of surgical equipment knife play
Leroi slander
Mass murder
Matricide Medical play
Memory of animal cruelty (not by the main characters)
Mind games
Mummification (not auto erotic)
Murder
Mutilatio
Patricide
Pet play
Primal kink
PTSD
Revenge
Safe sex/no condom
Scars
Sensory deprivation
Slapping
Stockholm syndrome
Russian roulette
Teenage pregnancy (backstory) Temperature play
Torture
Tracker insertion
Unnecessary surgery Veganism slander Verbal denigration
Workplace sexual harassment
Hea
Epilogue
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 5, 2024
This is my first time reading mafia and dark romance. I am all up for smut but this one!
I like Rosalind. She is a boss lady and a sweet mother as well. But why would u fall in love with your captor? It was purely manifestation of Stockholm Syndrome. Who would fall in love with someone who puts a gun in your pussy and plays pussy roulette?! How could someone be turned on seeing the guy who sew her labia?! This may be some sort of bdsm, I Don't get it.
You love a book when you could relate to it or you want to live in that book or you cherish something from that book. Yeah the spice was top notch and the scenes fcuking hooked me up and made me smirk. Apart from that I like nothing. I don't like the mafia theme or assassin people like they are cockroaches.
This is no love. This is pure Stockholm syndrome. Your captor provides you something and you become his permanent captive.
What to expect from a book with 3 pages trigger warning!
I like Rosalind. She is a boss lady and a sweet mother as well. But why would u fall in love with your captor? It was purely manifestation of Stockholm Syndrome. Who would fall in love with someone who puts a gun in your pussy and plays pussy roulette?! How could someone be turned on seeing the guy who sew her labia?! This may be some sort of bdsm, I Don't get it.
You love a book when you could relate to it or you want to live in that book or you cherish something from that book. Yeah the spice was top notch and the scenes fcuking hooked me up and made me smirk. Apart from that I like nothing. I don't like the mafia theme or assassin people like they are cockroaches.
This is no love. This is pure Stockholm syndrome. Your captor provides you something and you become his permanent captive.
What to expect from a book with 3 pages trigger warning!
November 5, 2024
Wtf was this mess of an abomination.
There was no chemistry between the main characters whatsoever.
and it just was sooooo longgg
Can’t believe I actually read this.
There was no chemistry between the main characters whatsoever.
and it just was sooooo longgg
Can’t believe I actually read this.
December 4, 2024
ouch
It dragged on FOREVERRRR!
Just too much of the nonsense. By the time it reaches the end I was ready to break my kindle
It dragged on FOREVERRRR!
Just too much of the nonsense. By the time it reaches the end I was ready to break my kindle
December 26, 2024
DNF: I don’t remember at what page I left the book. But this book is fucking disgusting this book is just pure rape and abuse I hate the mmc and fmc.
DONT READ THIS FUCKING BOOK GUYS
DONT READ THIS FUCKING BOOK GUYS
February 16, 2025
felt like i was reading a wattpad story
July 12, 2024
Do read the triggers before entering 🤭
I am in three minds with this one, I loved Taming Seraphine, Snaring Emberley less so, this one I enjoyed more than the last but still irritated the bejesus out of me, only because I really wanted Rosalind to do to Cesare what he’d done to her. I mean she’s an assassin, surely once she’d got her strength back after his torture she could have gone to town 🤣🤣 Though she’s definitely the bigger person forgiving him due to his connection with her sister and he does apologise profusely.
The book was well written as with Gigi’s others, the storyline interconnects with the previous books which works well. The mafia element is still strong as is the group of assassins, you have to feel for poor Rosalind a lesser woman (not Seraphine) would have just given up with what she went through, good job she has the incentive to fight 💀🖤🌶️🩸💉🔪🪡 and so much more.
I am in three minds with this one, I loved Taming Seraphine, Snaring Emberley less so, this one I enjoyed more than the last but still irritated the bejesus out of me, only because I really wanted Rosalind to do to Cesare what he’d done to her. I mean she’s an assassin, surely once she’d got her strength back after his torture she could have gone to town 🤣🤣 Though she’s definitely the bigger person forgiving him due to his connection with her sister and he does apologise profusely.
The book was well written as with Gigi’s others, the storyline interconnects with the previous books which works well. The mafia element is still strong as is the group of assassins, you have to feel for poor Rosalind a lesser woman (not Seraphine) would have just given up with what she went through, good job she has the incentive to fight 💀🖤🌶️🩸💉🔪🪡 and so much more.
November 22, 2024
Wasn’t a big fan of Cesare to be honest, I did really love our main girlie though. Her story, her strength, just everything was perfect but unfortunately the man by her side just didn’t match her wow energy.
He wasn’t scary… it was honestly kinda cheesy, and so forced that he was this monster of a person. But he was just super insecure which is ok to be but just how he went about it was off. Idk if he was a monster I wish he had more lack of emotions. He was just kinda icky to be honest haha.
Not my cup of tea especially with the last book before this one. I just kinda expected more actual crazy, like he just does stupid stuff like blow up building just because, ya know?
But I still enjoyed the story.
He wasn’t scary… it was honestly kinda cheesy, and so forced that he was this monster of a person. But he was just super insecure which is ok to be but just how he went about it was off. Idk if he was a monster I wish he had more lack of emotions. He was just kinda icky to be honest haha.
Not my cup of tea especially with the last book before this one. I just kinda expected more actual crazy, like he just does stupid stuff like blow up building just because, ya know?
But I still enjoyed the story.
June 24, 2024
PREREAD: this is publishing on my birthday 🤭. GUESS WHO GOT AN ARC AHHHH (officially have arc read this whole series i am so happy, thanku ms author u slay)
POSTREAD: this author never misses with her characters (especially her antiheroes)
Tropes~
🖤Mafia
🖤Morally grey MMC (no lie he is psycho)
🖤/badass grumpy FMC
🖤Kidnapping
🖤BDSM
🖤spicyyyyy
🖤No-one can hurt her but me
Wowzas. Okay first thing I gotta say is THAT TW LIST HAD ME GAGGED. Like, Leroi slander?? Veganism slander. AUTHOR I SERIOUSLY LOVE YOU, CAN WE GET MARRIED?
*composes self again*
Moving on... this book was chunky and far, FAR, too long. May scenes could have been cut out and my impatient ass did end up skim reading the last 200 pages and skipping the smut (I think I honestly got bored of him torturing her needlessly). There was lots of writing but not much happening. This is what brought the book down tremendously and it makes me sad because the characters were sO good and hilarious.
╰┈➤ Rosalind
she is an ICON and LEGEND. Honestly, she's so real and badass and I'm so glad with how hard she gave Cesare a run for his money. Her trauma is so sad and honestly my heart goes out for her and how strong she is. And the secrets she had to keep! She doesn't deserve any of that. But honestly she' was a fucking enjoyable character to read and so wonderfully crafted.
╰┈➤ Cesare
SOMEONE GET HIM THERAPY FOR HIS PET RABBIT TRAUMA. Honestly, it made me cackle with how much he brought it up lmaooooo, I loved him. Like my guy was so insecure and it shOWEDDD. Like why was his character perfect???? I legit adored him-and omg how he called Miri 'love' ahhhhhhh- kill me now. And like any regular man written by Gigi Styx he did some pretty outrageous shit to Rosalind at the start. But then the poor baby began feeling guilty. Like his emotional range was shocking. like no joke, I've never read about such a perfect youngest sibling. He gave youngest child core to the MAXXXX. I think I love his character the most (not in the love interest aspect part but just as a person) he's just too loveable istg. And the way he fell for an older woman just made SENSEEEE. (His relationship with Seraphine was THE best thing ever).
Do I think he deserved her though? I don't know, tbh. But I think I can see him maturing after his epilogue so maybe the redemption will be in that sort fo sense.
PLOT ETC
The bookwas far to slow and long for me to be able to keep up with the plot. I forgot most of the shit and I can't lie, this family drama is so complex for my simple mind. Ms author I wanna applaud you for creating something that feels so complex.
What I loved to see though is the diverse array of like action scenes- like we got explosions, helicopters AND jetski's??? Let's goooooo, that's what I love to see!!!
One thing that felt wholly random and just irrelevant in the end was the Xero plot (BTW I'm so excited for his book tehe) like it turned up randomly out of nowhere then he was gone after he did his bit.
There was one particular death that related to Rosalind that I particularly despised and thought was unnecessary tbh but I won't spill.
I think one of the things I adored most was the brothers and Leroi together bickering etc- like they have the most awesome dynamic and omgomg, they make me all warm and fuzzy inside.
The Leroi and Seraphine glimpses we got just was not enough, I NEED MORE OF THEM!!!
overaallllll...
I know I complained alot about the length of the book and how it could have been atleast 200 pages shorter I did love these characters so I still wanna give it a good rating cuz honestly nobody writes people like this author. She's so unique to me I love her.
RATING: 3.75 stars
And thank you so much for the ARC! I'm also so excited for Benito's book, like wym it's about him and his wife who left him???? le GASP
POSTREAD: this author never misses with her characters (especially her antiheroes)
Tropes~
🖤Mafia
🖤Morally grey MMC (no lie he is psycho)
🖤/badass grumpy FMC
🖤Kidnapping
🖤BDSM
🖤spicyyyyy
🖤No-one can hurt her but me
Wowzas. Okay first thing I gotta say is THAT TW LIST HAD ME GAGGED. Like, Leroi slander?? Veganism slander. AUTHOR I SERIOUSLY LOVE YOU, CAN WE GET MARRIED?
*composes self again*
Moving on... this book was chunky and far, FAR, too long. May scenes could have been cut out and my impatient ass did end up skim reading the last 200 pages and skipping the smut (I think I honestly got bored of him torturing her needlessly). There was lots of writing but not much happening. This is what brought the book down tremendously and it makes me sad because the characters were sO good and hilarious.
╰┈➤ Rosalind
she is an ICON and LEGEND. Honestly, she's so real and badass and I'm so glad with how hard she gave Cesare a run for his money. Her trauma is so sad and honestly my heart goes out for her and how strong she is. And the secrets she had to keep! She doesn't deserve any of that. But honestly she' was a fucking enjoyable character to read and so wonderfully crafted.
╰┈➤ Cesare
SOMEONE GET HIM THERAPY FOR HIS PET RABBIT TRAUMA. Honestly, it made me cackle with how much he brought it up lmaooooo, I loved him. Like my guy was so insecure and it shOWEDDD. Like why was his character perfect???? I legit adored him-and omg how he called Miri 'love' ahhhhhhh- kill me now. And like any regular man written by Gigi Styx he did some pretty outrageous shit to Rosalind at the start. But then the poor baby began feeling guilty. Like his emotional range was shocking. like no joke, I've never read about such a perfect youngest sibling. He gave youngest child core to the MAXXXX. I think I love his character the most (not in the love interest aspect part but just as a person) he's just too loveable istg. And the way he fell for an older woman just made SENSEEEE. (His relationship with Seraphine was THE best thing ever).
Do I think he deserved her though? I don't know, tbh. But I think I can see him maturing after his epilogue so maybe the redemption will be in that sort fo sense.
PLOT ETC
The bookwas far to slow and long for me to be able to keep up with the plot. I forgot most of the shit and I can't lie, this family drama is so complex for my simple mind. Ms author I wanna applaud you for creating something that feels so complex.
What I loved to see though is the diverse array of like action scenes- like we got explosions, helicopters AND jetski's??? Let's goooooo, that's what I love to see!!!
One thing that felt wholly random and just irrelevant in the end was the Xero plot (BTW I'm so excited for his book tehe) like it turned up randomly out of nowhere then he was gone after he did his bit.
There was one particular death that related to Rosalind that I particularly despised and thought was unnecessary tbh but I won't spill.
I think one of the things I adored most was the brothers and Leroi together bickering etc- like they have the most awesome dynamic and omgomg, they make me all warm and fuzzy inside.
The Leroi and Seraphine glimpses we got just was not enough, I NEED MORE OF THEM!!!
overaallllll...
I know I complained alot about the length of the book and how it could have been atleast 200 pages shorter I did love these characters so I still wanna give it a good rating cuz honestly nobody writes people like this author. She's so unique to me I love her.
RATING: 3.75 stars
And thank you so much for the ARC! I'm also so excited for Benito's book, like wym it's about him and his wife who left him???? le GASP
June 30, 2024
✨✨ARC Review✨✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
“𝓨𝓸𝓾’𝓻𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓶𝓸𝓼𝓽 𝓫𝓮𝓪𝓾𝓽𝓲𝓯𝓾𝓵, 𝓭𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓵𝔂, 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓬𝓾𝓷𝓷𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝔀𝓸𝓶𝓪𝓷 𝓘’𝓿𝓮 𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻 𝓶𝓮𝓽. 𝓘’𝓶 𝓸𝓫𝓼𝓮𝓼𝓼𝓮𝓭.“
This is a DARK romance. It will not be for everyone and you MUST check the 3 pages of TW/CW before starting. The content will NOT be suitable for everyone. This covers topics that may be triggering for some.
Hoooooooooly fcuk… I devoured this 700+ page book in less than 24 hours. I. Was. Hooked.
I could not put this down, and even when I had to, I could not stop thinking about it. It was something else entirely and had me page turning like a crazed addict.
The is the third story of the Montesano Family and follows Cesare Montesano and Rosalind.
Rosalind is a cold blooded killer with a secret.
Cesare is the ‘baby’ of the family living under constant scrutiny. Rosalind has her eyes set on Cesare and his brothers with a powerful incentive to see her mission through. Plans go awry and Rosalind becomes trapped in a web of her own making.
This is the darkest of the series so far and I lapped it up like a cat to milk. It was morally pitch black and I was ensnared by its dark clutches. I loved every second.
Gigi Styx has a writing style that grips and edges you into submission. Those trigger warnings lists lure you in with the promise of a good time and boy, do they follow through. Your heart, mind and soul are thoroughly fcuked by the time you come out the other side.
I especially enjoyed the psychological warfare during this read; if you’re looking for an enemies to lovers filled with witty hate, epic edging and superior mind games… this is definitely the book for you.
This book had that many twists and turns, i never knew which way I was facing. It was full to the brim with angst, emotional turmoil, action, murder, witty comebacks, past trauma and recovery, a shit ton of hatred and plenty of spicy spice!
My heart broke for Rosalind, truly broke for her. I’m not surprised she became the person she did. It was her way of dealing with her past trauma and securing a future. I admired how she was an absolute boss queen though and gave zero fxcks about putting anyone in their place. Her witty banter was legendary and had me giggling like a child.
Cesare is absolutely pitch black, like seriously unhinged. He’s fast become one of my favourite MMC’s. He’s comical, doesn’t beat around the bush and is very hot tempered. He has a love for torture and all that goes with it. However, once you take away his outer shell, he’s just a young man dealing with secrets that could have catastrophic consequences if they came out.
I enjoyed watching their relationship evolve from the mega enemies it began with to the lovers it finished with. They were perfect for each other from the very beginning; two damaged souls seeking each other out to make a whole one. They may not have seen the romance developing, but it was evident.
As with all of Gigi’s books, this was brilliantly structured. Yes, it was lengthy but it didn’t feel like it was as you were so engrossed in the read. The world building was outstanding, it took you on one hell of a journey. It was challenging in many aspects, especially emotionally. Every character was beautifully written with a great level of depth and background.
💉Mafia Romance
🩸Bøndage
💉Brätting
🩸Collar!ng
💉Dǔb Cón
🩸Breǎth/Gũn Play
💉Enemies To Lovers
Would highly recommend this book!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
“𝓨𝓸𝓾’𝓻𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓶𝓸𝓼𝓽 𝓫𝓮𝓪𝓾𝓽𝓲𝓯𝓾𝓵, 𝓭𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓵𝔂, 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓬𝓾𝓷𝓷𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝔀𝓸𝓶𝓪𝓷 𝓘’𝓿𝓮 𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻 𝓶𝓮𝓽. 𝓘’𝓶 𝓸𝓫𝓼𝓮𝓼𝓼𝓮𝓭.“
This is a DARK romance. It will not be for everyone and you MUST check the 3 pages of TW/CW before starting. The content will NOT be suitable for everyone. This covers topics that may be triggering for some.
Hoooooooooly fcuk… I devoured this 700+ page book in less than 24 hours. I. Was. Hooked.
I could not put this down, and even when I had to, I could not stop thinking about it. It was something else entirely and had me page turning like a crazed addict.
The is the third story of the Montesano Family and follows Cesare Montesano and Rosalind.
Rosalind is a cold blooded killer with a secret.
Cesare is the ‘baby’ of the family living under constant scrutiny. Rosalind has her eyes set on Cesare and his brothers with a powerful incentive to see her mission through. Plans go awry and Rosalind becomes trapped in a web of her own making.
This is the darkest of the series so far and I lapped it up like a cat to milk. It was morally pitch black and I was ensnared by its dark clutches. I loved every second.
Gigi Styx has a writing style that grips and edges you into submission. Those trigger warnings lists lure you in with the promise of a good time and boy, do they follow through. Your heart, mind and soul are thoroughly fcuked by the time you come out the other side.
I especially enjoyed the psychological warfare during this read; if you’re looking for an enemies to lovers filled with witty hate, epic edging and superior mind games… this is definitely the book for you.
This book had that many twists and turns, i never knew which way I was facing. It was full to the brim with angst, emotional turmoil, action, murder, witty comebacks, past trauma and recovery, a shit ton of hatred and plenty of spicy spice!
My heart broke for Rosalind, truly broke for her. I’m not surprised she became the person she did. It was her way of dealing with her past trauma and securing a future. I admired how she was an absolute boss queen though and gave zero fxcks about putting anyone in their place. Her witty banter was legendary and had me giggling like a child.
Cesare is absolutely pitch black, like seriously unhinged. He’s fast become one of my favourite MMC’s. He’s comical, doesn’t beat around the bush and is very hot tempered. He has a love for torture and all that goes with it. However, once you take away his outer shell, he’s just a young man dealing with secrets that could have catastrophic consequences if they came out.
I enjoyed watching their relationship evolve from the mega enemies it began with to the lovers it finished with. They were perfect for each other from the very beginning; two damaged souls seeking each other out to make a whole one. They may not have seen the romance developing, but it was evident.
As with all of Gigi’s books, this was brilliantly structured. Yes, it was lengthy but it didn’t feel like it was as you were so engrossed in the read. The world building was outstanding, it took you on one hell of a journey. It was challenging in many aspects, especially emotionally. Every character was beautifully written with a great level of depth and background.
💉Mafia Romance
🩸Bøndage
💉Brätting
🩸Collar!ng
💉Dǔb Cón
🩸Breǎth/Gũn Play
💉Enemies To Lovers
Would highly recommend this book!!
December 23, 2024
This is my 3rd ARC book by Gigi Styx and I wanted to love it like the 2 prior to this but I couldn’t.
It was too long with a lot of moving pieces that lost my interest really fast.
I’m all for mafia and dark themes but I don’t know, I just couldn’t get on board with it. The character development went from turtle speed for a majority of the book and then sped at an unrealistic speed, in my opinion.
I do love how the stories are connected and how we get to see them play out from other perspectives.
It was too long with a lot of moving pieces that lost my interest really fast.
I’m all for mafia and dark themes but I don’t know, I just couldn’t get on board with it. The character development went from turtle speed for a majority of the book and then sped at an unrealistic speed, in my opinion.
I do love how the stories are connected and how we get to see them play out from other perspectives.
September 29, 2024
with i will break you out today it only made sense to make sure i finished this and move on to the next morally black man ��
breaking rosalind had me STUCK, i didn’t want to read anything else while reading this and just knew i had to savor and devour cesare’s obsession and love for rosalind 🥹 despite rosalind’s hard time with trusting men, at the end it was all tears of joy from me. i legit SOBBED to the last few chapters, watching rosalind be able to open herself up despite being terrified was just great 🖤
breaking rosalind had me STUCK, i didn’t want to read anything else while reading this and just knew i had to savor and devour cesare’s obsession and love for rosalind 🥹 despite rosalind’s hard time with trusting men, at the end it was all tears of joy from me. i legit SOBBED to the last few chapters, watching rosalind be able to open herself up despite being terrified was just great 🖤
June 22, 2024
*MF
*Contemporary
*Dual-PoV
*Dark - TWs
*Female Assassin
*Traumatic Pasts
*Family Secrets
*Revenge
*High Heat
*Fast Burn
*Lots of kinks
*Standalone
*Shared world
Action, angst and attitude! 🙈
Styx is a great writer in that with books one and two in this series I really didn’t like Rosalind she’s definitely painted as the bad guy, but as you learn of her story and all that she’s gone through you cannot help but admire her! 🤩 her strength and resilience are incredible, there’s a lot of TWs with her past so do be mindful of that. What’s more is you get to see her open up to Cesare I mean there’s absolutely an argument for Stockholm Syndrome but actually it’s the meeting of two damaged souls who can give each other what they’ve both been missing 🥰 Cesare got his own darkness to contend with and despite what the world thinks of him and his murd3ry actions he’s good at the core 😍
There’s a lot of enemies from Rosalind’s past and from Caesares that keep coming back and causing issues left right and centre - there’s plenty of actions going on - it did feel a little long in places with everything that was going on.
It’s definitely a kinky read this one so prepare yourself 🔥🌶️
Great character additions to this world!
*Contemporary
*Dual-PoV
*Dark - TWs
*Female Assassin
*Traumatic Pasts
*Family Secrets
*Revenge
*High Heat
*Fast Burn
*Lots of kinks
*Standalone
*Shared world
Action, angst and attitude! 🙈
Styx is a great writer in that with books one and two in this series I really didn’t like Rosalind she’s definitely painted as the bad guy, but as you learn of her story and all that she’s gone through you cannot help but admire her! 🤩 her strength and resilience are incredible, there’s a lot of TWs with her past so do be mindful of that. What’s more is you get to see her open up to Cesare I mean there’s absolutely an argument for Stockholm Syndrome but actually it’s the meeting of two damaged souls who can give each other what they’ve both been missing 🥰 Cesare got his own darkness to contend with and despite what the world thinks of him and his murd3ry actions he’s good at the core 😍
There’s a lot of enemies from Rosalind’s past and from Caesares that keep coming back and causing issues left right and centre - there’s plenty of actions going on - it did feel a little long in places with everything that was going on.
It’s definitely a kinky read this one so prepare yourself 🔥🌶️
Great character additions to this world!
July 7, 2024
CHECK YOUR WARNINGS! This series is DARK and violent. Not for the weak of heart or even those with a weak stomach.
I’ve never been so obsessed with a book and cringing so much in one book. It’s violent and you’ll be confused as to why you allow yourself to fall into such dark books. It’s because we all need therapy but reading books is much cheaper.
This assassin/mafia romance was at no point healthy. If you convince yourself it is, you definitely need therapy. But you’ll love it anyway. Cesare is obsessed and absolutely insane. Rosalind has had a life that has definitely shaped her and secrets she’s desperate to protect. Can they go from hate to love? Can they forgive each other and protect everyone around them?
I’ve never been so obsessed with a book and cringing so much in one book. It’s violent and you’ll be confused as to why you allow yourself to fall into such dark books. It’s because we all need therapy but reading books is much cheaper.
This assassin/mafia romance was at no point healthy. If you convince yourself it is, you definitely need therapy. But you’ll love it anyway. Cesare is obsessed and absolutely insane. Rosalind has had a life that has definitely shaped her and secrets she’s desperate to protect. Can they go from hate to love? Can they forgive each other and protect everyone around them?
July 7, 2024
i can’t believe this was my favorite of the whole series when i was the most scared of this book.
also it was 109 chapters 😭😭
rosalind is such a bad bitch. cesare is a psycho but i get it you know but also like how fucked do you have to be to think of some of the things he did?????? again rosalind is a baddie and she slayed (literally and figuratively) and i loved and she’s the reason why this book was good tysm. BENITO YOU FUCKER WHEN I GET MY HANDS ON YOU OMGGGGG the way the brother belittled cesare really pissed me off ngl.
also it was 109 chapters 😭😭
rosalind is such a bad bitch. cesare is a psycho but i get it you know but also like how fucked do you have to be to think of some of the things he did?????? again rosalind is a baddie and she slayed (literally and figuratively) and i loved and she’s the reason why this book was good tysm. BENITO YOU FUCKER WHEN I GET MY HANDS ON YOU OMGGGGG the way the brother belittled cesare really pissed me off ngl.
July 10, 2024
4.5 stars ⭐️ rounded up. 4 🌶️
Although I felt like this was too long, I inhaled it so quickly that at the same time it felt like it wasn’t lol. I enjoyed both mc’s in this. It was fast paced, entertaining, and spicy! I flipped through those pages so fast. Rosalind is so strong. She deserved better. I liked Cesare from the start. Something about him intrigued me. I was so hurt by what happened to Britt. She ain’t deserve that at all 😭
I do have gripes with this book and them getting together at the end felt rushed even tho this book is over 700 pages. There was no reason for it to be so rushed like that. It does have grammatical errors and needs a good edit. The middle dragged a bit to me and could’ve been easily condensed.
I had a great time throughout. I was as invested in the mystery elements as the romance. The rating is for the vibes and laugh out loud, top tier banter between them during the hating stage. I was living for their interactions.
Although I felt like this was too long, I inhaled it so quickly that at the same time it felt like it wasn’t lol. I enjoyed both mc’s in this. It was fast paced, entertaining, and spicy! I flipped through those pages so fast. Rosalind is so strong. She deserved better. I liked Cesare from the start. Something about him intrigued me. I was so hurt by what happened to Britt. She ain’t deserve that at all 😭
I do have gripes with this book and them getting together at the end felt rushed even tho this book is over 700 pages. There was no reason for it to be so rushed like that. It does have grammatical errors and needs a good edit. The middle dragged a bit to me and could’ve been easily condensed.
I had a great time throughout. I was as invested in the mystery elements as the romance. The rating is for the vibes and laugh out loud, top tier banter between them during the hating stage. I was living for their interactions.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 4, 2024
Very very dark and spicy (check the CWs there are a lot of them)but way too long. At 108 chapters I felt like the story sometimes dragged.
I liked how Cesare started out wanting to make Rosalind fall for him through Stolkhom Syndrome and she UNO reverse carded him and he fell first.
Rosalind is the older woman of Cesare’s dreams. She’s dating his cousin but he’s obsessed with her and when his cousin tosses her aside she finally gives Cesare a chance but only because she’s an assassin who is gathering Intel on him and his brother’s for her organization who is planning to kill them.
Cesare captures Rosa and tortures her ruthlessly but then discovers her dark secrets and that she has a daughter and they have a common enemy.
This book reverses the gender rolls with 28 year old Rosa being a single mother and assassin who is cold, calculating and calm and doesn’t believe in love who can take down anyone and handle herself and Cesare is a chaotic romantic and oftentimes self-conscious 24 year old trying to earn his family’s respect and trust.
There were many times I wanted Rosa to just shoot Cesare and put him out of his own misery. Her 14 year old daughter Miranda is sweet but very annoying and a little stupid getting into Cesare’s car and going with him despite not knowing anything about him.
I liked how Cesare started out wanting to make Rosalind fall for him through Stolkhom Syndrome and she UNO reverse carded him and he fell first.
Rosalind is the older woman of Cesare’s dreams. She’s dating his cousin but he’s obsessed with her and when his cousin tosses her aside she finally gives Cesare a chance but only because she’s an assassin who is gathering Intel on him and his brother’s for her organization who is planning to kill them.
Cesare captures Rosa and tortures her ruthlessly but then discovers her dark secrets and that she has a daughter and they have a common enemy.
This book reverses the gender rolls with 28 year old Rosa being a single mother and assassin who is cold, calculating and calm and doesn’t believe in love who can take down anyone and handle herself and Cesare is a chaotic romantic and oftentimes self-conscious 24 year old trying to earn his family’s respect and trust.
There were many times I wanted Rosa to just shoot Cesare and put him out of his own misery. Her 14 year old daughter Miranda is sweet but very annoying and a little stupid getting into Cesare’s car and going with him despite not knowing anything about him.
February 8, 2025
what the fuck
January 7, 2025
I have to start by saying I have severe OCD and unfortunately that comes with having to finish books even if I don’t want to. 🙃 I was really hoping this book would be good. I absolutely loved the first 2. This book had such potential, too. Honestly it lost me at the genital mutilation. 🙃 I truly hated Cesar, even at the end when he was “redeeming” himself. I definitely understood the Stockholm syndrome part of it all but Cesar was just awful. If I forgot about all the things he did to Rosalind it’s a wonderful book but I just can’t look past everything he did to her. 🥲 if I could give half stars, I’d give it a 2.5 instead of 2 because I did love Rosalind and her strength and love for Miranda.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 15, 2024
DNF. 2 stars is generous. By 25% I was bored AF.
November 21, 2024
3.5/5 Stars
Breaking Rosalind is the latest installment in Gigi Styx's dark and intense series, and it continues the trend of emotionally charged characters and high-stakes mafia drama that fans of her work have come to expect. This particular book focuses on Rosalind, an assassin whose traumatic past and complicated relationship with Cesare, the younger brother of a previous love interest, provide the bulk of the emotional weight.
First, let’s talk about the good. Styx's writing is, as always, strong. The pacing is tight, the mafia elements are engaging, and there’s a real sense of atmosphere that adds to the suspense. The characters, especially Rosalind, are well-developed and complex. Rosalind’s struggles with her past and her desire for revenge are compelling, and her resilience in the face of Cesare’s betrayal adds a lot of emotional depth. The tension between them is palpable, and while I did find myself wanting her to unleash more fury upon him (seriously, she’s an assassin—let her loose!), her decision to forgive him because of his connection with her sister is believable, if a bit frustrating.
Now, onto Cesare... Oh boy. Someone get him therapy for his pet rabbit trauma, as one review succinctly put it. Cesare’s character is a bundle of insecurities wrapped in a smoldering package of guilt. He’s definitely a character who grows on you. At first, I found him a little ridiculous—his overwhelming guilt over the things he did to Rosalind had me rolling my eyes a few times. But I have to admit, Styx really digs deep into his emotional range, and by the end, I found myself somewhat endeared to him. He’s the classic youngest sibling with a boatload of unresolved issues, and his moments of vulnerability are both shocking and, dare I say, even a little charming. His relationship with Rosalind has its ups and downs, but seeing him mature in the later chapters was satisfying.
That said, I’m still torn on whether Cesare truly deserved Rosalind’s forgiveness. While he does express genuine remorse, his actions earlier in the story are so over-the-top that I found myself wondering if he’d truly earned her trust—or if this was just another redemption arc playing out. I can see how his epilogue offers a hint of maturity, but I’d like to believe that Rosalind’s arc was more about her growth and independence rather than just forgiving a flawed man.
The plot itself is solid, though it doesn’t quite hit the emotional highs of previous books in the series. While the mafia elements and assassin group dynamic continue to intrigue, there are moments where I wished the story would delve deeper into Rosalind's inner turmoil, especially after everything Cesare put her through. Instead, we get a lot of surface-level action and emotional conflict that doesn’t quite live up to the intense setup of the earlier chapters.
The romance between Cesare and Rosalind is another aspect that left me with mixed feelings. There’s no denying the chemistry between them, but I just couldn’t fully buy into their relationship after the damage he caused her. I wanted more from their reconciliation—more anger, more catharsis, more revenge (okay, maybe I’m a bit bloodthirsty).
In conclusion, Breaking Rosalind is a solid addition to Styx's series, but it’s not without its flaws. The characters are compelling, the writing is strong, and there are plenty of moments that kept me hooked. However, the emotional resolution between Rosalind and Cesare felt a bit rushed, and I couldn't quite shake the feeling that some of the tension and potential for a more satisfying arc was left on the table. Still, I’m invested enough in the world Styx has created to keep reading, and I’m curious to see where the series goes from here.
If you’re a fan of dark romance with complicated characters and mafia intrigue, this one’s worth checking out—but do read the triggers first, as the themes of trauma and emotional abuse are intense.
Breaking Rosalind is the latest installment in Gigi Styx's dark and intense series, and it continues the trend of emotionally charged characters and high-stakes mafia drama that fans of her work have come to expect. This particular book focuses on Rosalind, an assassin whose traumatic past and complicated relationship with Cesare, the younger brother of a previous love interest, provide the bulk of the emotional weight.
First, let’s talk about the good. Styx's writing is, as always, strong. The pacing is tight, the mafia elements are engaging, and there’s a real sense of atmosphere that adds to the suspense. The characters, especially Rosalind, are well-developed and complex. Rosalind’s struggles with her past and her desire for revenge are compelling, and her resilience in the face of Cesare’s betrayal adds a lot of emotional depth. The tension between them is palpable, and while I did find myself wanting her to unleash more fury upon him (seriously, she’s an assassin—let her loose!), her decision to forgive him because of his connection with her sister is believable, if a bit frustrating.
Now, onto Cesare... Oh boy. Someone get him therapy for his pet rabbit trauma, as one review succinctly put it. Cesare’s character is a bundle of insecurities wrapped in a smoldering package of guilt. He’s definitely a character who grows on you. At first, I found him a little ridiculous—his overwhelming guilt over the things he did to Rosalind had me rolling my eyes a few times. But I have to admit, Styx really digs deep into his emotional range, and by the end, I found myself somewhat endeared to him. He’s the classic youngest sibling with a boatload of unresolved issues, and his moments of vulnerability are both shocking and, dare I say, even a little charming. His relationship with Rosalind has its ups and downs, but seeing him mature in the later chapters was satisfying.
That said, I’m still torn on whether Cesare truly deserved Rosalind’s forgiveness. While he does express genuine remorse, his actions earlier in the story are so over-the-top that I found myself wondering if he’d truly earned her trust—or if this was just another redemption arc playing out. I can see how his epilogue offers a hint of maturity, but I’d like to believe that Rosalind’s arc was more about her growth and independence rather than just forgiving a flawed man.
The plot itself is solid, though it doesn’t quite hit the emotional highs of previous books in the series. While the mafia elements and assassin group dynamic continue to intrigue, there are moments where I wished the story would delve deeper into Rosalind's inner turmoil, especially after everything Cesare put her through. Instead, we get a lot of surface-level action and emotional conflict that doesn’t quite live up to the intense setup of the earlier chapters.
The romance between Cesare and Rosalind is another aspect that left me with mixed feelings. There’s no denying the chemistry between them, but I just couldn’t fully buy into their relationship after the damage he caused her. I wanted more from their reconciliation—more anger, more catharsis, more revenge (okay, maybe I’m a bit bloodthirsty).
In conclusion, Breaking Rosalind is a solid addition to Styx's series, but it’s not without its flaws. The characters are compelling, the writing is strong, and there are plenty of moments that kept me hooked. However, the emotional resolution between Rosalind and Cesare felt a bit rushed, and I couldn't quite shake the feeling that some of the tension and potential for a more satisfying arc was left on the table. Still, I’m invested enough in the world Styx has created to keep reading, and I’m curious to see where the series goes from here.
If you’re a fan of dark romance with complicated characters and mafia intrigue, this one’s worth checking out—but do read the triggers first, as the themes of trauma and emotional abuse are intense.
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