What do you think?
Rate this book
Lombardi Family #2
Need Him Like Oxygen
Within the ruthless hierarchy of the mafia, Dav and Cinna reign as powerful capos within the same crime family.
Dav, with his gregarious charm and flirtatious disposition, hides a secret darkness that few ever glimpse. Despite his relentless advances, Cinna, strong-willed and fiercely independent, keeps him at arm's length, determined to prove herself an equal in a male-dominated world.
One night, Cinna's resolve is fractured when she is brutally attacked, leaving her shattered. Desperate to maintain her hard-earned respect amongst her family, she seeks out Dav, the only person she feels she can trust, begging for his help and swearing him to secrecy.
As she recovers under his protective care, a slow-building chemistry finally ignites between them, leading to a passionate encounter that leaves them both reeling.
But Cinna's fears push her to erect walls around her heart, leaving Dav behind as she hunts for her assailant.
Yet, destiny keeps drawing them together, and with each dangerous step towards uncovering the truth, their growing feelings become impossible to ignore…
Dav, with his gregarious charm and flirtatious disposition, hides a secret darkness that few ever glimpse. Despite his relentless advances, Cinna, strong-willed and fiercely independent, keeps him at arm's length, determined to prove herself an equal in a male-dominated world.
One night, Cinna's resolve is fractured when she is brutally attacked, leaving her shattered. Desperate to maintain her hard-earned respect amongst her family, she seeks out Dav, the only person she feels she can trust, begging for his help and swearing him to secrecy.
As she recovers under his protective care, a slow-building chemistry finally ignites between them, leading to a passionate encounter that leaves them both reeling.
But Cinna's fears push her to erect walls around her heart, leaving Dav behind as she hunts for her assailant.
Yet, destiny keeps drawing them together, and with each dangerous step towards uncovering the truth, their growing feelings become impossible to ignore…
Unknown Binding
Published July 12, 2024
200 people are currently reading
430 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Gadziala
162 books5,394 followersJessica Gadziala is a USA Today bestselling author who lives in rural New Jersey with her parrots, dogs, and an ever-growing collection of houseplants. A lifelong dreamer, she’s been writing stories since childhood and published her first book in 2015. When not at her desk, she’s usually feeding backyard birds, rewatching crime dramas, period pieces, and 90s supernatural TV shows, or adding to her towering stacks of unread books.
You can find her on
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/Jessica-Gadz...
Newsletter: subscribepage.io/K4GPfj
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicagadz...
Her Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/31454...
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jessicagadz...
xx
You can find her on
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/Jessica-Gadz...
Newsletter: subscribepage.io/K4GPfj
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicagadz...
Her Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/31454...
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jessicagadz...
xx
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
August 23, 2024
Ever since meeting these two main characters ( Dav and Cinna.} I knew that their story would be something spectacular.
Come on let’s be realistic even though the fact that we are in the 21st century in the mafia world it is very unusual for a woman to be Campo……. But Renzo Lombardi had made a exception to this rule
To say that Cinna was self sufficient, was putting it mildly……. I have read so many of JG’s books and this was one of her most strongest main character to my opinion….. The woman put in so much of her time and effort into her work, And it showed in her everyday life
When she was attacked and fled half dead , not to mention the fact that she was nearly raped…… the first person that she thought to go to was Dav, even thought that he was somewhat of a joker, a flirt , a heartbreaker , even after knowing this about Dav, she still felt safe knowing that he would keep her secrets for her….. for her this was huge
Anyone looking in from the outside might think that this was an insta love story , anyone who knew these two knew they pretty much grew up on the streets together and have known each other and flirted with each other ….for pretty much a decade knew that this was not a insta love story
This was amazing addition to JG’s new series
August 25, 2024
I didn’t read the previous books about the mafia world and I liked a lot. But I read about Renzo 😬.
There are details in this story very interesting and the characters are completely unique.
It’s worth reading.
There are details in this story very interesting and the characters are completely unique.
It’s worth reading.
July 13, 2024
4 stars
I loved the chemistry Cinna and Dav had. It was palpable.
Their personalities really complemented each other and just made sense.
I love an easygoing hero with an edge but I love a heroine with true grit and confidence even more. Cinna was self sufficient to the point of exasperation but I could relate to her. She wasn’t just a product of her upbringing, she was a product of hard work, determination and courage. I loved that.
The only thing I was about to be disappointed about was the fact that they had the “we can’t have them and we don’t want them” conversation about kids.
I don’t need marriage, rainbows and a gaggle of children to make a HEA complete, I actually love that Jessica is a romance writer who gives each character a believable HEA with some of them deciding to be child-free and others finding different ways into parenthood.
That being said, sometimes I read about a character that I want to see raising and moulding a young mind. ( you don’t need to be a parent to be that kind of influence for a child but it makes it easier sometimes)
And it’s never the sweet and gentle ones, it’s the ones like Cinna. Protective with a tough exterior and a steel core.
Now, like I said I was about to be a bit .. disappointed. I felt like just because she was tough and a capo didn’t mean she couldn’t assume the role of mother, however that may look like for her.
Anyway, I definitely wasn’t disappointed, and it wasn’t for nothing that I got those vibes from Cinna because she started collecting children and giving them a home, a steady parental figure, a dependable adult to always lean on when in need and someone in their corner who will fight for them and tell them their lives and their dreams matter.
It was beyond beautiful to read about and it was the best possible way and direction for Cinna’s story. She was the definition of MOTHER. Her love language is definitely acts of service but she definitely knew just the right words of affirmation too.
While I like the couple and I think they had amazing chemistry, for me this book was a monument to Cinna. Loved her.
Small Complaint: I wish we didn’t get told over and over and over how much of a womaniser the hero was. He was still very likeable, he was respectful of women and all the right things, but I wish that one of his defining characteristics didn’t have to be the fact that he basically was running out of women to sleep with because he’d been there done that and got the funny stories to prove it. It can be part of his history but I don’t wanna just see him as that guy.
I mean, that’s not something that tells me much about someone as a person it just reminds me over and over and fills my head with many visuals of him and other women when I just wanna concentrate on the couple instead.
I’m not saying that it shouldn’t be mentioned - I’m ok with that because it can paint a picture of his romantic life previous to being with the heroine BUT it’s enough to get told once - maybe twice if necessary but anything more it’s just stopping me from focusing on his other qualities.
I loved the chemistry Cinna and Dav had. It was palpable.
Their personalities really complemented each other and just made sense.
I love an easygoing hero with an edge but I love a heroine with true grit and confidence even more. Cinna was self sufficient to the point of exasperation but I could relate to her. She wasn’t just a product of her upbringing, she was a product of hard work, determination and courage. I loved that.
The only thing I was about to be disappointed about was the fact that they had the “we can’t have them and we don’t want them” conversation about kids.
I don’t need marriage, rainbows and a gaggle of children to make a HEA complete, I actually love that Jessica is a romance writer who gives each character a believable HEA with some of them deciding to be child-free and others finding different ways into parenthood.
That being said, sometimes I read about a character that I want to see raising and moulding a young mind. ( you don’t need to be a parent to be that kind of influence for a child but it makes it easier sometimes)
And it’s never the sweet and gentle ones, it’s the ones like Cinna. Protective with a tough exterior and a steel core.
Now, like I said I was about to be a bit .. disappointed. I felt like just because she was tough and a capo didn’t mean she couldn’t assume the role of mother, however that may look like for her.
Anyway, I definitely wasn’t disappointed, and it wasn’t for nothing that I got those vibes from Cinna because she started collecting children and giving them a home, a steady parental figure, a dependable adult to always lean on when in need and someone in their corner who will fight for them and tell them their lives and their dreams matter.
It was beyond beautiful to read about and it was the best possible way and direction for Cinna’s story. She was the definition of MOTHER. Her love language is definitely acts of service but she definitely knew just the right words of affirmation too.
While I like the couple and I think they had amazing chemistry, for me this book was a monument to Cinna. Loved her.
Small Complaint: I wish we didn’t get told over and over and over how much of a womaniser the hero was. He was still very likeable, he was respectful of women and all the right things, but I wish that one of his defining characteristics didn’t have to be the fact that he basically was running out of women to sleep with because he’d been there done that and got the funny stories to prove it. It can be part of his history but I don’t wanna just see him as that guy.
I mean, that’s not something that tells me much about someone as a person it just reminds me over and over and fills my head with many visuals of him and other women when I just wanna concentrate on the couple instead.
I’m not saying that it shouldn’t be mentioned - I’m ok with that because it can paint a picture of his romantic life previous to being with the heroine BUT it’s enough to get told once - maybe twice if necessary but anything more it’s just stopping me from focusing on his other qualities.
Read
July 13, 2024now available!!!
July 13, 2024
I love mafia romances, and I love Jessica Gadziala's books.
This book is not only a mafia romance but also an amazing story that describes a very specific aspect of the lives of children from poor and violent families.
I love this unique, raw, and brutal story.
Yes, this book is very brutal.
This is not a sweet and swoony story but a brutal story about the mafia world.
It's like in the real mafia world and not in the fantasy world.
Brutal, bloody, and violent.
The world, in the only the strongest survive.
In the Lombardi family, a woman can be as good a capo as a man.
The head of the family does not differentiate between men and women.
Either you are good and you belong to the family and you are a capo or you are not. It does not matter whether you are a man or a woman?
Not many of the mafia families tolerate women in power.
I love this about this story.
You earn the respect of your family by your actions and not by your gender.
This book was amazing.
I read the exciting and action-packed story with bated breath.
I loved every second of this wonderful page-turner.
I love Dav and Cinna.
They're so perfect for each other.
And the chemistry between them is not from this world.
Scorching hot 🔥 🥵
If you like mafia romances, this is a must-read for you.
This book is not only a mafia romance but also an amazing story that describes a very specific aspect of the lives of children from poor and violent families.
I love this unique, raw, and brutal story.
Yes, this book is very brutal.
This is not a sweet and swoony story but a brutal story about the mafia world.
It's like in the real mafia world and not in the fantasy world.
Brutal, bloody, and violent.
The world, in the only the strongest survive.
In the Lombardi family, a woman can be as good a capo as a man.
The head of the family does not differentiate between men and women.
Either you are good and you belong to the family and you are a capo or you are not. It does not matter whether you are a man or a woman?
Not many of the mafia families tolerate women in power.
I love this about this story.
You earn the respect of your family by your actions and not by your gender.
This book was amazing.
I read the exciting and action-packed story with bated breath.
I loved every second of this wonderful page-turner.
I love Dav and Cinna.
They're so perfect for each other.
And the chemistry between them is not from this world.
Scorching hot 🔥 🥵
If you like mafia romances, this is a must-read for you.
July 3, 2025
*4.25
December 9, 2024
This book was so good. The chemistry, the banter, the flirting, the yearning—chef’s kiss good. But the middle fizzled a bit. Still, that epilogue totally made up for it; this author knows how to write one. Loved it.
September 14, 2024
3.5 stars. This is a pretty enjoyable and fairly unique mafia read that’s “friends to lovers.” It's a solid read for if you want a mafia story, but you don't want the usual, "timid virgin heroine" and "arranged marriage" type of plot and characters.
Dav and Cinna are both in their late 20s or early 30s. They’re both mafia capos working for the same mob boss in Brooklyn. They’ve been friends for years. But, as one of the only lady capos, Cinna doesn’t want to get involved with any of her male colleagues. Plus, Dav gets around a lot. But, when she gets hurt, she goes to him for help, and they cross the line from friends to more.
I enjoyed this book – and, it’s a lot better than the first one. It has "hurt / comfort" vibes. You can read it as a standalone (the first book, Love Him Like Water isn't bad, it's just nothing special). They were both likable. Dav is kind of soft and nurturing, for a mafia hero (but not too soft, he does let his violent side out when Cinna is threatened). Cinna did annoy me slightly, in the sense that she never asked for help when she so clearly needed it, just because she's stubborn. But, she was a fine heroine. I did like how they both didn’t want kids. We don’t see enough of that in romance. (And, how the man is the one who took responsibility for making sure that situation didn't change, since Dav casually mentioned getting the snip. We don't see enough of that, either!) I also liked how they ended up accidentally adopting teen street kids, that was heartwarming.
Why in the 3 star range? First of all, although I liked them, I won't think about them again after finishing this book. And, they mention that they’ve been friends for a decade, so it would be nice to see some of that - either in flashbacks, or just with this story making their relationship feel more lived-in. It wasn't shallow, but I also didn't really feel the weight of their long history together, the way that some other books are able to convey that well.
Second of all, I was pumped to read a mafia book about a lady capo. But, this hardly felt like it. We didn’t see Cinna do much mafia stuff, or boss around her crew, or give out orders. She was mostly working alone, and needed Dav or other men to rescue her a lot. This felt like it could have been any book about any heroine who is the criminal underworld. Cinna didn’t SPECIFICALLY feel like a lady capo. So, I didn’t feel like this book followed through on what it promised, which is a mafia book about a lady capo.
But, if you want a “friends to lovers” mafia read where the heroine ISN'T a naïve 18 year old virgin and does get to do a little bit of action, this is fairly enjoyable.
Dav and Cinna are both in their late 20s or early 30s. They’re both mafia capos working for the same mob boss in Brooklyn. They’ve been friends for years. But, as one of the only lady capos, Cinna doesn’t want to get involved with any of her male colleagues. Plus, Dav gets around a lot. But, when she gets hurt, she goes to him for help, and they cross the line from friends to more.
I enjoyed this book – and, it’s a lot better than the first one. It has "hurt / comfort" vibes. You can read it as a standalone (the first book, Love Him Like Water isn't bad, it's just nothing special). They were both likable. Dav is kind of soft and nurturing, for a mafia hero (but not too soft, he does let his violent side out when Cinna is threatened). Cinna did annoy me slightly, in the sense that she never asked for help when she so clearly needed it, just because she's stubborn. But, she was a fine heroine. I did like how they both didn’t want kids. We don’t see enough of that in romance. (And, how the man is the one who took responsibility for making sure that situation didn't change, since Dav casually mentioned getting the snip. We don't see enough of that, either!) I also liked how they ended up accidentally adopting teen street kids, that was heartwarming.
Why in the 3 star range? First of all, although I liked them, I won't think about them again after finishing this book. And, they mention that they’ve been friends for a decade, so it would be nice to see some of that - either in flashbacks, or just with this story making their relationship feel more lived-in. It wasn't shallow, but I also didn't really feel the weight of their long history together, the way that some other books are able to convey that well.
Second of all, I was pumped to read a mafia book about a lady capo. But, this hardly felt like it. We didn’t see Cinna do much mafia stuff, or boss around her crew, or give out orders. She was mostly working alone, and needed Dav or other men to rescue her a lot. This felt like it could have been any book about any heroine who is the criminal underworld. Cinna didn’t SPECIFICALLY feel like a lady capo. So, I didn’t feel like this book followed through on what it promised, which is a mafia book about a lady capo.
But, if you want a “friends to lovers” mafia read where the heroine ISN'T a naïve 18 year old virgin and does get to do a little bit of action, this is fairly enjoyable.
July 28, 2024
Wow
This is shaping up to be one of my favorite series. This couple was so fun and hot. I loved each mc individually but together they were fantastic. I also love the found family part of thier story. The strays. I really hope they all get books too.
This is shaping up to be one of my favorite series. This couple was so fun and hot. I loved each mc individually but together they were fantastic. I also love the found family part of thier story. The strays. I really hope they all get books too.
July 15, 2024
Needed this story like oxygen
Love LOVED this.. I really hope we see the kids get their stories told. read in one sitting could not put down
Love LOVED this.. I really hope we see the kids get their stories told. read in one sitting could not put down
November 26, 2024
Whilst I enjoyed the story and loved Dav, Cinna irritated me to no end. WHY would you refuse help when you so clearly need it? Because you're an idiot, not a bada$$. 🤷♀️
This also needed a lot more of their back story, if you're going to use the friends to lovers trope then at least show me their friendship.
This also needed a lot more of their back story, if you're going to use the friends to lovers trope then at least show me their friendship.
October 4, 2024
I really liked Cinna in the last book, she's a woman Capo in the Italian mafia. We saw glimpses of her being badass and befriending the boss's wife and sticking up for her. It's tough being a woman in a misogynistic field, but she was holding her own.
Now this book, it starts off with a bang. She gets attacked by three men and barely manages to fight them off and ends up at Dav's house. She doesn't want to seem weak, so she swears him to secrecy to not tell anyone. The book went downhill from there. She had her own crew(which we didn't see). She had a whole mafia who would've had her back, she had the mmc. But she was stubborn, incompetent and tstl. She not once was able to save herself. She was saved by a teenager, the mmc and the mafia. She kept making stupid decisions and going off on her own knowing people are after her. She went to her apartment knowing someone was there and gets bashed over the head. She's supposed to be a Capo and a badass!!
I'm not sure why the author went in this direction, but I wish she was written as a stronger person. We can have a kick ass fmc who's still vulnerable. Reminded me of The Negotiator, which also went in a similar direction.
Now this book, it starts off with a bang. She gets attacked by three men and barely manages to fight them off and ends up at Dav's house. She doesn't want to seem weak, so she swears him to secrecy to not tell anyone. The book went downhill from there. She had her own crew(which we didn't see). She had a whole mafia who would've had her back, she had the mmc. But she was stubborn, incompetent and tstl. She not once was able to save herself. She was saved by a teenager, the mmc and the mafia. She kept making stupid decisions and going off on her own knowing people are after her. She went to her apartment knowing someone was there and gets bashed over the head. She's supposed to be a Capo and a badass!!
I'm not sure why the author went in this direction, but I wish she was written as a stronger person. We can have a kick ass fmc who's still vulnerable. Reminded me of The Negotiator, which also went in a similar direction.
July 7, 2024
I love this story because I just love the Lombardi family. I was so happy when Davide and Cinna got together but more so when Cinna took an interest in Joel and other kids. I love the dynamic between Davide and Cinna. They mesh well together even though it took Cinna a while to get with the program.
November 29, 2024
I liked this more than the first book. Cinna being a female Capo was fascinating and I was excited to know what story the author would create for her. Was not disappointed.
July 14, 2024
Let me preface this review by saying that the Mafia romance is normally not my thing, I'm much more of a blue collar / biker, than a billionaire type of gal. That being said, I find Jessica's writing so immersive, that I will read anything she produces.
The fact that the Lombardi family is the 'rough around the edges' of the 5 Families in Jessica's New York mafia world (no super tailored suits here) and they allow female Capo's means that this is 100% more my lane.
Cinna and Dav were introduced in the previous book (Love Him Like Water) and we get to see Dav's playboy ways and Cinna's prickly sarcasm.
The book starts with Cinna being attacked and in the aftermath she turns to Dav to help her.
I won't say too much about the story, but I love a to read of a playboy falling 1st. Both these characters have tragic childhoods that they have previously hidden under masks (Dav's laidback good time guy and Cinna's queen bitch persona) but to truly move past this, they have to learn to trust themselves and each other. With found family and a more from characters introduced in the previous book, it's a brilliant read!
There are a few of Jessica's book that will stand above the rest for me. NHLO will now join the ranks or 'Eli', 'Wolf', 'Rise of Ferryn' and 'Counterfeit Love' in my catalogue of re reads, ready for when I feel the need be truly pulled into a story.
The fact that the Lombardi family is the 'rough around the edges' of the 5 Families in Jessica's New York mafia world (no super tailored suits here) and they allow female Capo's means that this is 100% more my lane.
Cinna and Dav were introduced in the previous book (Love Him Like Water) and we get to see Dav's playboy ways and Cinna's prickly sarcasm.
The book starts with Cinna being attacked and in the aftermath she turns to Dav to help her.
I won't say too much about the story, but I love a to read of a playboy falling 1st. Both these characters have tragic childhoods that they have previously hidden under masks (Dav's laidback good time guy and Cinna's queen bitch persona) but to truly move past this, they have to learn to trust themselves and each other. With found family and a more from characters introduced in the previous book, it's a brilliant read!
There are a few of Jessica's book that will stand above the rest for me. NHLO will now join the ranks or 'Eli', 'Wolf', 'Rise of Ferryn' and 'Counterfeit Love' in my catalogue of re reads, ready for when I feel the need be truly pulled into a story.
July 14, 2024
4.5 stars
Mafia capos - tough as nails Cinna and sexy, charming Dav- get closer after she survives a violent attack by unknown rivals. He provides aid and comfort as she recovers, something she's never had before. As they work together to find the culprits, they discover that they have more in common than they realized... but their opposites work well together too. Love in the mob.
Tropes:
* MF Contemporary
* New York City
* both mafia capos
* both tough childhoods
* tough, independent FMC
* fights off three guys at one time, badly injured
* hurt/ comfort
* f0rced proximity
* sexy, charming MMC with a protective, violent side when she's hurt
* opposites attract
* he falls first
* she keeps pushing him away... until she can't anymore
* unknown enemies still target her
* she's kidnapped
* he goes crazy to find her
* they both fight their way out of a basement full of enemies
* m0b boss and associates swarm streets to back them
* love, true (mafia) love
* they provide shelter for street kids
* HEA
Mafia capos - tough as nails Cinna and sexy, charming Dav- get closer after she survives a violent attack by unknown rivals. He provides aid and comfort as she recovers, something she's never had before. As they work together to find the culprits, they discover that they have more in common than they realized... but their opposites work well together too. Love in the mob.
Tropes:
* MF Contemporary
* New York City
* both mafia capos
* both tough childhoods
* tough, independent FMC
* fights off three guys at one time, badly injured
* hurt/ comfort
* f0rced proximity
* sexy, charming MMC with a protective, violent side when she's hurt
* opposites attract
* he falls first
* she keeps pushing him away... until she can't anymore
* unknown enemies still target her
* she's kidnapped
* he goes crazy to find her
* they both fight their way out of a basement full of enemies
* m0b boss and associates swarm streets to back them
* love, true (mafia) love
* they provide shelter for street kids
* HEA
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 14, 2024
I love these two
Reading renzo and lore, we got a good glimpse of who cinna and dav are. I loved how bada$$ cinna was in that book. This story, made her human. I loved reading about her and dav. Her struggle to accept the feelings, love and sweetness. They were perfect for eachother. He understood her in a way no one else could. He saw what she was doing but didn't give up. I wish it was longer!! Sad to let them go. I hope we get Saf next or Elian. Put them together !! That would be great ! Thanks for another awesome read jessica!!
Reading renzo and lore, we got a good glimpse of who cinna and dav are. I loved how bada$$ cinna was in that book. This story, made her human. I loved reading about her and dav. Her struggle to accept the feelings, love and sweetness. They were perfect for eachother. He understood her in a way no one else could. He saw what she was doing but didn't give up. I wish it was longer!! Sad to let them go. I hope we get Saf next or Elian. Put them together !! That would be great ! Thanks for another awesome read jessica!!
July 14, 2024
LOVED this one!
This is Cinna and Dav’s story and it definitely didn’t disappoint. I loved it. One of my favorite tropes is when the heroine is hurt and the hero has to take care of her, especially early on and that’s exactly how this story starts. I really enjoyed seeing how they came together and especially that cinna can be as tough as she is and yet still be vulnerable. I loved this- read it in one sitting straight through!
This is Cinna and Dav’s story and it definitely didn’t disappoint. I loved it. One of my favorite tropes is when the heroine is hurt and the hero has to take care of her, especially early on and that’s exactly how this story starts. I really enjoyed seeing how they came together and especially that cinna can be as tough as she is and yet still be vulnerable. I loved this- read it in one sitting straight through!
July 15, 2024
I love this story!!!
I love the development of Cin and Dav’s relationship. I also hope to see all the developing stores with the kids. It was truly one of the best weekend reads I have in a min!!!! Definitely a must read!
I love the development of Cin and Dav’s relationship. I also hope to see all the developing stores with the kids. It was truly one of the best weekend reads I have in a min!!!! Definitely a must read!
July 15, 2024
Loved
Haven't read the first book from this series as they can be read as stand alones. Now I'm gonna have to. Loved the characters, loved their flaws, trauma, and the relationships. Couldn't put it down *chefs kiss*
Haven't read the first book from this series as they can be read as stand alones. Now I'm gonna have to. Loved the characters, loved their flaws, trauma, and the relationships. Couldn't put it down *chefs kiss*
July 13, 2024
stop right now.
The ending omg the ending. Pulled at my heart strings so hard I thought it might combust. I love all of her books but this one just because so special to me.
The ending omg the ending. Pulled at my heart strings so hard I thought it might combust. I love all of her books but this one just because so special to me.
July 12, 2024
So good! Grab this and get lost in the world JG has created!
July 13, 2024
Wow! Was not expecting to love this book so much. Definitely one of my top favorites of her books 10/10.
July 5, 2024
I needed this book.. From the moment we were introduced to Cinna and Dav I wanted their story.
Cinna being a female Capo was fascinating and I was dying to know what story the author would create for her. Was not disappointed. Need some more of these Mafia books!!!
Cinna being a female Capo was fascinating and I was dying to know what story the author would create for her. Was not disappointed. Need some more of these Mafia books!!!
August 16, 2024
I heard someone say once: "It's okay to ask for help. By not asking for help, you deny that person's joy of being there for you."
Cinna and Dav are both capos and have known each other for 10 years. As a female, as a lot of females can resignate with, Cinna had to work harder and prove herself a lot more than any male in her field. When she finds herself in danger, Dav wants to be there for her. In more ways than one.
Cinna is hard and strong, but I appreciate that she isn't just that. To only Dav anyway. I kind of get it. And Dav is crazy for her. I would have liked more declaration of love rather than actions so it is made clear his feelings for her.
*I'm not going to put a spoiler tab on this because I feel this is necessary for fellow SA victims. In the first chapter, she is jumped by 3 men. If you are anxious about the prospect of r@pe, please know it does not happen, and it will be okay.* 🖤
Cinna and Dav are both capos and have known each other for 10 years. As a female, as a lot of females can resignate with, Cinna had to work harder and prove herself a lot more than any male in her field. When she finds herself in danger, Dav wants to be there for her. In more ways than one.
Cinna is hard and strong, but I appreciate that she isn't just that. To only Dav anyway. I kind of get it. And Dav is crazy for her. I would have liked more declaration of love rather than actions so it is made clear his feelings for her.
*I'm not going to put a spoiler tab on this because I feel this is necessary for fellow SA victims. In the first chapter, she is jumped by 3 men. If you are anxious about the prospect of r@pe, please know it does not happen, and it will be okay.* 🖤
August 23, 2024
Loved Cinna and Dav. I understood her overkill independence and armor. I think Dav was the perfect guy to be her match...support her yet bring her to a new awareness while not smothering nor pushing her. He was sweet and able to shed the "hound" persona. I loved their hea story too. It was perfect.
January 3, 2026
✨5/5
I love them sm
I love them sm
July 22, 2024
“I’m pretty sure normal, well-adjusted people don’t end up being mafia capos for a living.” -Cinna
So….that’s fair. I don’t know about you, but reading about well adjusted, everyday, buttoned up people just wouldn’t fit my needs as a reader anyway. Give me the raw and unrestrained characters with issues to outweigh my own and carry me away for a bit.
Cinna and Dav are both capos in the newest Family added to Jessica’s mafia catalog and this was a RIDE.
Page one started you off running (for Cinna that’s literal) in an extremely tense, and dangerous scene and didn’t entirely let up.
I love a good forced proximity and especially when a badass in her own right needs help kind of forced proximity. This was a great mix of hard and soft with all the guns, violence, growling, and mystery a mafia novel can provide with the added bonus of Jessie’s writing style and AMAZING epilogues.
Davide has a dark side we get to see a glimpse of and Cinna has a soft side we knew she was hiding that peeked through.
Saff is a side character I look forward to hearing more from, and Elian as well as he’s of course present as well. This family is a shade different than others in the NY Mafia world Jessica has spun, but exactly the flavor it needed.
So….that’s fair. I don’t know about you, but reading about well adjusted, everyday, buttoned up people just wouldn’t fit my needs as a reader anyway. Give me the raw and unrestrained characters with issues to outweigh my own and carry me away for a bit.
Cinna and Dav are both capos in the newest Family added to Jessica’s mafia catalog and this was a RIDE.
Page one started you off running (for Cinna that’s literal) in an extremely tense, and dangerous scene and didn’t entirely let up.
I love a good forced proximity and especially when a badass in her own right needs help kind of forced proximity. This was a great mix of hard and soft with all the guns, violence, growling, and mystery a mafia novel can provide with the added bonus of Jessie’s writing style and AMAZING epilogues.
Davide has a dark side we get to see a glimpse of and Cinna has a soft side we knew she was hiding that peeked through.
Saff is a side character I look forward to hearing more from, and Elian as well as he’s of course present as well. This family is a shade different than others in the NY Mafia world Jessica has spun, but exactly the flavor it needed.
July 30, 2024
I can't even tell you how much I loved this book. Cinna is incredible and the respect that Dav has for her is beautiful. The two of them together are perfect, the way they open up, how he patiently waits for her to trust him is perfect! My heart overflowed when the boys appeared and how they became parents of teenagers in such a natural way that you find yourself thinking "really, this suits them so much, a baby there wouldn't be ideal". Anyway, I loved and enjoyed every minute of this book, I'm sure I'll reread it many times! too perfect
August 1, 2024
Enjoyable read
I liked Cinna in the first book and how protective she is of others. She's very tough and she has to be in her world. Her world is rocked when she's viciously attacked. Dav is the person she goes to for help. Their slow build romance is fun to read. There are some sweet, steamy and action packed scenes.
I liked Cinna in the first book and how protective she is of others. She's very tough and she has to be in her world. Her world is rocked when she's viciously attacked. Dav is the person she goes to for help. Their slow build romance is fun to read. There are some sweet, steamy and action packed scenes.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews