My Dark Fairy Tale

My Dark Mafia Romance #1

by Giana Darling

When a mysterious man rescues her from near death, a young woman finds herself in the throes of a dark and dangerous storybook romance, where pleasure reigns but happy endings are no guarantee.

Guinevere

For all my life, Italy has called to me just as strongly as my father forbade me to go. But now I’m making my own way, spending a summer in his homeland before I accept the life my parents have planned for me.

All those plans come to a screeching halt the moment I meet him. Raffaele Romano.

Raffaele

Everyone knows me as the capo dei capi of the Camorra, a notorious mafioso in Northern Italy, but she makes me remember who I used to be before I became this monster. For her, I could be so much more, but she can never know the truth about who I am.

She’s falling in love with me, but if she discovered the truth about what that monster is capable of, about the things I’ve done…she’d never believe in happily-ever-after again.

Genres: Dark Romance, Romance, Mafia Romance, Audiobook, Dark, Slow Burn, Contemporary Romance

313 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2025

About the author

Giana Darling is a Wall Street Journal, USA Today and Top 40 Amazon Best Selling Canadian romance author.

I love to write about all things dark, forbidden, and angsty.

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I love to hear from readers so please contact me at giana@gianadarling.com if you have any questions or comments.

You can also contact my PA at gianadarlingpa(at)gianadarling.com !

Reviews

[aira {vacay ia} · Rating 2 out of 5]

This has been on hold for a while, so I finally decided to sit down and finish it. I feel like I'm in a slump or something...or maybe I just haven't been in the mood to read lately. Why does that always happen when I have free time?!?! 🫠

[Giana Darling]

Available now!

Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited
Amazon: https://bit.ly/40VfdXu
Amazon Worldwide: https://mybook.to/MyDarkFairyTale

Amazon Paperback: https://bit.ly/4cgCOr2
Barnes & Noble Paperback: https://bit.ly/3DOAnPT

Audible: https://bit.ly/4264KsV
Narrated by: CJ Bloom & Dane Anderson

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/4b2OPQk

What to expect:
💫 A billionaire Italian mafioso
🖤 Age Gap
💫 Tuscany setting
🖤 Hidden identity
💫 A heroine in finance

[Soft Nectarine ~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Italian romance FEVER DREAM but with a mafia gentlemen that is obsessed with her 🇮🇹🖤🇮🇹 a true love letter to Italy!

Guinevere has always been called to the Old Country. She finally escapes her controlling parents & embarks on her Italian summer adventure ☀️ too bad that on her first day she gets hit by a Ferrari & a hot Italian helps her recover at his villa. What a hardship!! Vera ends up living her MAFIA ROMANCE FANTASY without even knowing it…

This book could not be more Italiano 🤌🏽🤌🏽

🇮🇹 mmc is in AGROmafia & deals with counterfeit olive oil

🍷 sex in a beach alcove

🇮🇹 he reads her Dante’s Divine Comedy while sailing

🍷 endless vineyards & spicy wine tastings

🇮🇹 olive oil = lube

🍷 spicy Italian lessons in a Ferrari

It’s incredibly obvious the author ADORES Italy! She created this incredibly romantic image of Italy through fmc’s eyes. Vera’s passion and enthusiasm for the country is truly infectious and it made me want to book a flight to Italy ASAP 🇮🇹 there are so many small cute moments that make their courtship incredibly…Italian but in the best way

I really enjoyed both characters but Rafael’s Italian charm was truly irresistible. THIS MAN LOVED BRAIDING HER HAIR! Like the charm was dripping…among other things….. Through the story Rafa doesn’t really reveal his mafioso side but come on girl there was signs 👀 the story is spicy but heavy on the romance!!

ENDING - CLIFFHANGER! I wish I knew this was ending on a cliffhanger 💔 but also Vera’s reaction at the end did not make sense and felt a bit forced! I have high hopes for the second book.


age gap
protective mmc
fmc with a chronic illness
he is only nice to her
touch her and die
virgin fmc
🍑🍑
mafia adventures
found family

[Brittany (Brit.tea.reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝑰 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒖𝒏𝒍𝒖𝒄𝒌𝒚. 𝑩𝒐𝒓𝒏 𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒓. 𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒆, 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔 𝒖𝒑 𝒎𝒚 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆.

Mafia is my all-time favorite, and Giana gave us the perfect blend of plot spice and so many swoon-worthy moments.

Raffa and Guinevere are everything you want in a couple and more. I love a protective man and just the way he shows her how much she means to him 🥰

𝑰 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝑹𝒂𝒇𝒇𝒂. 𝑰𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒚 𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒖𝒂𝒈𝒆, 𝒂𝒄𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒚 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆. 𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝑰 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍.

Talk about a cliffhanger!! I have so many thoughts, and I can't wait to read the next book!!

[Gloria · Rating 1 out of 5]

The blurb said nothing about this being a “To Be Continued” story.

So I just spent over seven hours immersed in a predictable tale with a predictably gorgeous, I-used-to-be-human mafioso capo, and a predictably sheltered, innocent American living her Italian summer dream who melted his cold, cold heart and then turned hysterical and downright mean when she finds out he’s not a wealthy businessman but a wealthy made man.

Unless someone tells me the second book starts with the MMC putting a bullet between the eyes of this FMC and finding himself another woman, I won’t be reading it.

[Kursed Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having saved for years to take a trip to Italy, the country she’s been obsessed with her entire life, Guinevere Stone’s first day in Tuscany ends in disaster.

Guinevere has always considered herself unlucky. Her family’s nickname for her is Jinx! Fortunately, luck was on her side when she ran through a field and straight into Raffaele Romano’s Ferrari.

Injured and without her passport or money, the reluctant mafioso feels responsible for Guinevere. Yet with each passing day, it becomes less about responsibility. With her in his home, Raffa finds himself smiling, laughing, and enjoying life for the first time in nearly a decade. However, he fears if she learns the truth of who he is outside his palazzo will send her running back to Michigan.

Mio dio… I’m still a little awestruck after reading the last page. It’s been a really, really long time since I’ve been gripped by a book like I was while reading My Dark Fairy Tale. Not only was it beautifully written, both characters had so much depth to them. While Guinevere’s naïveté was somewhat unbelievable, it was also just as plausible given their relationship had an expiration date and she was content to live in the moment. Raffa was so much more than capo dei capi of the Camorra. He’s equal parts brusque and tender with no qualms about protecting those he loves, including his fawn.

While I'm kicking myself for sitting on this one, I'm also really happy that I only have a week to wait for the conclusion because I am all up in my feels at that cliffy.
 
Note: I alternated reading and listening to the audiobook since it was included (a nice surprise, BTW). Let me just say, the dual narration with CJ Bloom and Dane Anderson was incredible. Dane’s gravelly voice and Italian accent for Raffa brought an entirely unexpected and sexy dimension to the story. CJ’s performance was also fantastic, given that Guinevere was learning Italian and frequently moving between speaking American and Italian.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥
Darkness: 🖤
Heat: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Range of Emotions: 😳😊🫠🥵😭
Ending: 🧗🏻‍♀️ {Cliffy}

POV: 👫🏻 {Dual | Present • Past}

🗄️ Genre: Contemporary Romance
🗂️ Subgenre(s): Dark, New Adult

✨ Tropes: Age Gap (11), Billionaire, Forced Proximity, Found Family, Grumpy/Sunshine, Hidden Identity, Mafia/Bratva/Organized Crime, Vacation Fling
 
💫 Microtropes: Antihero, Chronic Illness, Cinnamon Roll, Coming of Age, Forehead Kisses, Hand Necklace, Jealous/Possessive/Obsessive, Pet Name, Touch-Her-and-💀, Virgin FMC

💋 Kinks: 🍑, Biting/Marking, Domination, Finger Licking Good, Praise, Spanking, Spit

🤰🏻 Pregnancy: n/a

📍 Setting: Tuscany, Italy 🇮🇹

⚠️ Warning: The angst in this slow-burn will edge you to the point of combustion!

🚩 Safety Squad: Attempted Assault (Not by MMC), Infertility, OW Drama (One Sided), Unalìvíng, Violence, and other potentially triggering elements. If you have any hesitation, check the warnings before diving in. Otherwise, blind is best!!

📣 Type: My Dark Fairy Tale is the first book in the My Dark Mafia Romance duet and ends on a cliffhanger. This series must be read in order.

🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.

[Dora Koutsoukou]

Part 1/2

This was a slow burn mafia romance read.
As much as I wanted to read it, I struggled a lot.
It was drawn out and was taking forever for the story to take off. Moreover, the heroine was uninspiring, dull and dumb.

I was lucky to dnf it instead of coming across a cliffhanger in the end - which was not mentioned in the blurb.

Dnf @ 40%

[Clarice · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 ish stars

This wasn’t the worst mafia romance that I’ve ever read, it just was extremely meh and underwhelming. How the FMC didn’t figure out that the MMC was a mafioso while he’s very vague about his family’s business and he drives all these fancy cars, idk 😂 Then when she finds out she acts all surprised 😅😅😅 She’s either got to be the dumbest or most naive person on the planet.

Also her calling him Hades and then balking that he’s a crime lord had me laughing my @ss off. Like girl Hades wasn’t the hero 😅 He did kidnapped his wife 😅

The MMC was really trying to be a “likeable” crime lord too. The whole thing where he’s basically the leader for Green Peace in Italy and stopped selling drugs, but then starts selling them again bc he has to kind of killed me 😂 Like pick a lane 😂 I’m more into unapologetic villains tbh.

I’m also not a big fan of insta lust and when they did get together sexually it felt really underwhelming.

One good thing is that the audiobook is decent and it’s free with Kindle Unlimited.

[Kayla_Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook and it was a fairytale indeed!

[ReneeReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do yourself a favor and listen to the audio version of this book because this man's voice, especially when speaking Italian will have you weak in the knees. I fear I melted while listening to this. It is seductive and sensual and oh so delicious. Can't wait for the second book because I'm going to need more of this man in my life.

It does bear noting that this ends on a cliffhanger which I typically hate but this one isn't so bad since you can surmise what may happen in the next book.

[Christi (christireadsalot) · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Dark Fairy Tale is a mafia romance, with hidden identity, set in Italy, billionaire, and an age gap (he’s 11 years older). It’s the first in a duet and available on KU with read and listen (since it’s pub’d with Montlake).

All the early reviews were screaming about this book ending on a cliffhanger so I already knew to expect that going in lol, but the next part comes out in six months (Oct 2025)! This was an entertaining one, I loved the Florence setting and how he spoils and takes care of her (the brushing and braiding of her hair)!

Guinevere is an American who travels to Italy to live out one of her dreams. She has a chronic illness as well (that affects her kidney and liver). Her father is Italian and never really talks about Italy so she’s always wanted to go experience it herself and get in touch with her family roots more. She’s naive but really gets to experience a lot while in Italy. While there her car breaks down and she ends up meeting Raffa, who she doesn’t realize is very much a mafioso. This book has that balance of his mafia world (while keeping it a secret from her) and their relationship. It’s a slow burn but felt right! The audiobook is fantastic, the Italian accent, it really brought the characters and setting to life.

[Wobilba · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Calling someone Hades and then acting all shocked when you find out he’s literally the Lord of the Underworld is wild girl. The signs were all there but sis wants to act all brand new 🙄

Anyway I’m looking forward to reading the next book 💃🏾

[Jenn (The Book Refuge) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars
4 on the spice scale

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Capo

Guinevere had been ill most of her life, but when she had a chance to go off on a European adventure she most wanted to go to Florence Italy. Her father was from there, but he changed his name and refused to go back or even talk about it. That city called to Guinevere in a way she could feel in her heart and soul.

Driving through the countryside her rental car broke down and a man stopped to help her. He tried to assault her, but she escaped into the forest and the high brush. Guinevere ran out into the road in front of a Ferrari, and it didn’t quite stop before hitting her. The man lifted her into his car and took her to his home.

Raffa inherited the top position in the local mafia, and he took it only to save his family from the vultures when his father died. The lovely young girl healing under his roof seemed to be everything he wasn’t; innocent and full of light.

This is a dark and sometimes very spicy romance that should have really appealed to me, but for some reason it seemed just… okay to me. Maybe it was so perfectly romantic and mingled with enough darkness that it was almost too perfect. Her innocence up against his darkness. Also, this is obviously a two part story. I kind of hate that. I will still give it four stars.

[Alba and Her Secrets..♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 'Rex Infernus' Stars!
ARC provided via Valentine PR in exchange for an honest review.


Giana Darling is one of those authors from whom I will probably read anything she writes, even if it takes me out of my comfort zone. While it was not the case with this one in particular, I have to say I was so excited to start her upcoming series with Montlake: a mafia romance set in Northern Italy, of which the first installment is called My Dark Fairy Tale, and I confess it had me addicted from start to finish and left me curious to know more (especially after ending in such a cliffhanger).

If she saw my big teeth, would she run away scared or stare into my eyes and ask me to take a bite?

Now, without giving too much information, this first book is the introduction of Guinevere Stone to the place she has always felt called her name: Italy. While on a summer trip there alone though, her plans completely change when she meets Raffaele Romano, who happens to be the capo dei capi of the Camorra. But Guinevere has no freaking idea she is falling in love with a mafia boss. She only knows the unexpectedly sweet but possessive Raffa, the man who makes her feel like an adult woman for the first time and turns her life upside down. While they have a beautiful, fast and burning hot relationship, what is going to happen when our heroine finds out the truth?

“I know you believe you are unlucky. Sei nata sotto una stella sfortunata. Born under the wrong star. But to me, sei la stella cadente che illumina la mia vita.”
But to me, you are the shooting star that lights up my life.

So, because I thoroughly enjoyed reading My Dark Fairy Tale, getting to know Guinevere and Raffa, their unexpected connection, the burning hawt chemistry, the secrets and dark mysteries around our hero (and all the amazing secondary characters helping him) and seeing how Guinevere finds her true self, I have to rate this one with 4.5 STARS. I devoured this book so fast, I loved this couple, I loved the setting, I love Giana’s writing, and I cannot wait to read the second installment because it sure left me wanting to know what happens next with this incredible duo, especially after that ending!

[The Love Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect mafia romance. Guinevere, an American woman who feels called to follow her family roots to Italy for the summer, has no clue just how entrenched in the mafioso her new lover is, but honestly the best part was watching her get to know the real and vulnerable Raffa. He also gave Guinevere the space to grow into herself as a woman, something she’d been seeking during her Italian summer.

The author did a great job at balancing the mafia side of the story (Raffa’s dark side) with showing how his romance unfolds as Guinevere works her way into his heart and family. The setting for this story fit perfectly with the author’s love for literature and the classics. I felt like I was a part of Guinevere’s journey as she fell in love with the beauty, culture and history of Italy!

That cliffhanger hurt BAD. I can’t wait until we get the conclusion to this duet! I have so many theories, and I can't wait to see if any of them are right!

Thank you to the author for the eARC.

What to Expect: duet (first book), mafia romance, anti-hero, billionaire hero, hidden identity, age gap, set in Italy, chronic illness rep

[D💜 · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was just not interesting to me. It felt like a lot was going on and it wasn’t being properly explained (I understand there is a second book) but I didn’t feel like even basic details were flushed out. Their romance was okay, it didn’t make me amazed and I think it was because it just wasn’t fully flushed out. I don’t think we got to see them actually fall in love, more falling in lust than anything.

[Sally Jask-eh · Rating 4 out of 5]

audible+ listen was sooo good. Gothic feels, Tuscan sun, morally grey mafioso and a girl he literally runs into with his Ferrari. city scapes of Florence and the narrators’s accented character voice made the fantasy almost real.
minus one star cause cliff hangers are sucky. Especially when thennext part is not immediately available.

[Simone · Rating 2 out of 5]

Genevieve is described as shy and smart. She does not act like it. She instantly talks to mafioso and everyone else she meets and lives with/loves said mafioso within 6 weeks.
He’s not totally honest with her but not really hiding anything either, with the context she definitely could’ve figured it out.
But in the end shes flipping out on him because she doesn’t know anything about him? Shocker

There were cute moments but overall a lot of things were just glossed over and boom they’re in love.

Why is there no where mentioned that this is a Duet? Cliffhanger beware

[Medollga · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars ✨✨✨✨

this was a great story, filled with summer vibes, beautiful Florence and Italian culture, and mafia.

the heroine reminded me a bit of Giselle, from this author's Evolution of Sin trilogy, which is my favourite story of hers, so I also really liked the heroine here 😅

the hero was also great and managed to stand out from the usual made man blueprint, at least to me🙌🏼

the only thing that pissed me off was the ending, specifically the heroine's reaction to the big reveal. It negated everything we knew about her previously and felt over the top dramatic 🤬

[TheBookPlatypus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Guinevere (Age 23) is on a quest to finding more about her Italian family. Her parents have made her promise to never step foot on Italy soil and ask no questions about it.

But Guinevere can’t stop dreaming of Italy and finding more about her family from here and decides to lie and take a Summer trip to Italy…

“Guinevere was just a foreigner trying to have an adventure on her own in a new place, and unwittingly, she'd run into the arms of the worst monster in Tuscany."

Raffa (Age 34). He hit her with his car. In his defense, she ran right in front of him.
He never been someone’s hero, with being the head of the mafia but he could pretend. For her. A little doe who looks at him like a savior.

"I never expected to run into my dream American girl.
Now that I have, I am not sure I will be able to let you go."

This is a spicy whirlwind Summer romance. He takes her around to sightsee and also, gives her spicy lessons.
She falls for his family.
He falls harder for her.

But Raffa is keeping it a secret on who he is. Guinevere is a bit naive but has no idea just how dangerous the man she’s sleeping with is…

He’s a complicated man.
He’s a dangerous man.
What is Guinevere willing to accept when she finds out the truth?
Leaves off on a cliffie and I cannot wait for book two!

[carliereadssss · Rating 5 out of 5]

I mean.. GIANA?!

Raffa and Vera are absolute perfection. Their meet cute is pretty out there and unlike most I have read but it leads to the most beautiful love story.. and heartbreaking one at that as well.

-Mafia
-Age Gap (11 years)
-Virgin FMC
-Freaky Wine Tasting (iykwim)
-Touch Her and Die

Vera is a 23 year old American girl traveling to Italy for the first time (her father is an Italian immigrant who never wanted his daughters to go to Italy) and she has an incredibly ROUGH start to her trip, but Raffa swoops her off her feet and cares for her and makes it one of the best trips of her life.. while omitting a big ole secret.. he’s a mafioso and he isn’t as sweet as she thinks he is.

The ending has me all in my feels and I am BEYOND ready for book 2. I mean.. GIANA?!? Give my heart a break!

*I received an eARC from Valentine PR*

[Vee · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5 stars

Tropes : mafia romance, huge H x small h, age gap (11 years) J/P H, touch her and 💀, forced proximity, sheltered h
Ending : cliffhanger
Triggers : attempted SA, violence, gore, 💀 of loved ones, murder
Spice : 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ /5
Angst : 🔥 🔥 🔥/5
OM/OW drama : OW (H’s childhood friend/acquaintance)
Intimacy details : virgin h, oral, rough sex, spanking, no condom, anal, slight bondage, hair pulling, biting
Standalone / Series : book 1/2

Hero : Raffaele ‘Raffa’ Romano (34)
Heroine : Guinevere Stone (23)

Once again I didn’t know this was a duet/series. Realized it too late when I almost got to the end when I felt like there were still so many things unresolved. All purely because of my stupidity and lack of research. The next book was scheduled to be released on October so let’s hope I still remember the plot by then. Dang ittt I hate reading unfinished series!

Whatever, the rice has turned into porridge *insertIndonesiansaying*. Well, I enjoyed the book. The love realization was pretty believable. I didn’t feel they were only in lust because yes they were messing around but Guinevere only lost her virginity at 70%/75% mark and they actually spent time together on dates so I felt the bond they were making.

The ending was expected, as a romance book reader there was disappointment at Guinevere’s reaction but logically speaking if I was in her shoe I might do the same minus the last word from her, imo wasn’t really necessary but well, I guess she just wanted to hurt him after lying to her.

Can’t wait for the next book.

[M. Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars⭐️: I had fun with this one.😄 This was my 1st book by this author and my 1st mafia romance.👍🏻 I really liked the Florence setting. Raffaele (MMC) was swoony🥰. I really enjoyed his character and all the layers that he had. I liked how smart Guinevere was but thought she was too naive at times. I had some cringe moments with the spicier scenes...had to switch to skimming😆. This one ends on a big cliffhanger, and I will definitely pick up the 2nd book in October when it comes out...have to see how this one plays out.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

HOW DID I NOT KNOW THIS ENDED ON A CLIFFHANGER!!

I don't know how I've been so out of it but damn I was not ready for it to end like that. I'm going to need the next one ASAP.

I absolutely loved this mafia romance. Guinevere is an American who has always felt drawn to Italy despite her father's dislike of his homeland. While on a vacation there, she meets Raffa. The romance in this one was a slow burn, and I really did like the pacing and the waiting was agonizing in the best way. I loved the balance between the darker mafia side and the sweet woman on vacation learning about herself and exploring a place she loves. I love Italy and could feel Giana's love for it through her writing. This book really did feel like a fairytale with a dark side.

The audiobook was amazing! Raffa's Italian accent 🥵 Highly recommend.

4.5/5 stars

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve always been a fan of Giana’s writing and I always thought her best work was Antiheroes in love because of the mafia elements and this book just became a second favorite of mine. I adore how much of Italian culture was shown on the book as someone who lives in Italy not far way from Florence. The attention to details and character development was amazing and I found myself losing track of time while reading this book. I desperately need the second book now and I’d really appreciate it if we got a cameo from Dante and Elena in it.

[Zita · Rating 4 out of 5]

นิยายมาเฟียอิตาลี นางเอกเป็นสาวอเมริกันอายุ 23 เพิ่งเรียนจบ MBA หมาดๆ เลยฉลองเรียนจบด้วยการไปเที่ยวอิตาลีคนเดียว 6 สัปดาห์ ไปถึงวันแรกก็เจอเรื่องซวยซ้ำซวยซ้อน แต่พระเอก (อายุ 34) ผ่านมาช่วยไว้ แทนที่จะได้ไปเที่ยวตามแผน นางเอกเลยไปพักอยู่บ้านพระเอกชั่วคราว ซึ่งพระเอกก็ดูแลอย่างดีจนนางเอกค่อยๆ ตกหลุมรักโดยไม่รู้ว่าจริงๆ แล้วพระเอกเป็นมาเฟีย

เป็นนิยายมาเฟียที่สงบสุขมาก เพลิดเพลินไปกับความสวยงามของประเทศอิตาลีแบบแทบไม่รู้สึกถึงความมาเฟีย จริงๆ มันก็มีเรื่องมีราวว่ามีคนในแวดวงมาเฟียพยายามกำจัดพระเอกไรงี้อยู่แหละ แต่ส่วนใหญ่มันออกแนวพระนางจีบกันหวานๆ ไม่ค่อยมีเหตุการณ์ตื่นเต้นเร้าใจเกิดขึ้น ซึ่งอันนี้คิดว่าคงเพราะเล่มนี้เป็นเล่มแรกในสองเล่ม มันเลยเป็นช่วงที่เน้น develop ความสัมพันธ์ของพระนาง ส่วนความตื่นเต้นเร้าใจน่าจะไปอยู่ในเล่มสอง เพราะอ่านเล่มสองไปแล้วนิดนึง เปิดเรื่องมานิดเดียวก็ตื่นเต้นกว่าเล่มแรกทั้งเล่มละ

ส่วนตัวค่อนข้างเฉยๆ กับ romance และเนื้อเรื่อง รู้สึกว่ามันเรื่อยๆ และเนือยเป็นบางช่วง แต่ชอบความอิตาลีในเล่มนี้มากกกกกก ดำเนินเรื่องที่อิตาลีทั้งเล่ม พระเอกพูดภาษาอิตาเลียนรัวๆ แถมมีคำแปลมาให้ในเรื่องเลย ไม่ต้องไปกูเกิ้ลทรานสเลทเองเหมือนบางเล่ม อ่านแล้วสัมผัสได้ว่านักเขียนรักอิตาลีมากจริงๆ รู้สึกว่าเขาใส่ความอิตาลีเข้ามาแบบพอดีๆ กลมกลืนไปกับเรื่องราวด้วย ไม่ได้ใส่มาเยอะจนกลายเป็นสารคดีท่องเที่ยว เป็นเล่มที่คิดว่าถ้าอ่านโดยไม่ได้อินกับความอิตาลีอาจจะให้คะแนนน้อยกว่านี้

อ่านรีวิวแล้วเห็นคนไม่ชอบนางเอกกันเยอะ แต่เรารู้สึกว่า characterization นางเอกชัดเจนดี คือเป็นสาวอเมริกันที่ childish & naive ถึงจะโตจนเรียนจบปริญญาโทแล้ว แต่ชีก็โดนพ่อแม่เลี้ยงมาแบบไข่ในหินตลอดชีวิต ไม่เคยก้าวเท้าออกจากอเมริกาเลย พอออกมาเจอโลกกว้างก็เลยจะดูมีความชาวอเมริกันโลกหมุนรอบตัวเองนิดนึง นี่ก็อ่านแล้วกลอกตาใส่ความอเมริกันโลกแคบของนางเอกไปหลายกรุบอยู่เหมือนกัน (เช่น ซีนที่นางเอกถามพระเอกว่ารู้จัก Star Wars มั้ย หรือเซอร์ไพรส์ที่พระเอกต่อบท Gone with the Wind ได้ as if that's not one of the most famous lines in film history🙄) แต่ชอบความสาวอเมริกันตรงนี้เพราะตลกดี และคิดว่าน่าจะเป็นความตั้งใจของคนเขียนนะ เพราะพระเอกเองก็แขวะชาวอเมริกันอยู่หลายรอบ ส่วนความ naive ของนางเอกนี่ก็เฉยๆ อ่านแล้วไม่ได้รำคาญอะไร (แต่ก็เข้าใจคนที่รำคาญอยู่นะ)

ส่วนพระเอกเป็นหนุ่มสายเปย์ ดูแลนางเอกดีม้ากก เป็นมาเฟียแบบไอ้เลวนี่เป็นคนดีนี่หว่า บางทีก็จะมีความเบียวๆ หน่อยตามสไตล์มาเฟีย 55555 แต่ก็เป็นความเบียวแบบมีคลาสเพราะความอิตาลี คือภาษาอิตาเลียน/ละตินมันไพเราะอ้ะ พอพระเอกบอกว่าตัวเองเป็น rex infernus ก็เลยดูเท่จัดๆ เลย (แต่ชื่อ pluto นี่ขอได้มั้ย hades เท่กว่าเยอะมาก)

อนึ่ง เล่มนี้จบเล่มแบบ cliffhanger นิดหน่อย (ซึ่งพออ่าน duet มาหลายๆ เรื่องก็พอจะเดาได้อยู่ว่าเล่มแรกมันจะจบยังไง) และแทบไม่เฉลยปมอะไรเลย โปรดติดตามเล่มต่อปายยย

[wpwpwpwppw · Rating 5 out of 5]

★4.75
-Mafia romance
-Age gap
-Fmc with a chronic illness
-Hidden identity
-Bad boy x Good girl
-Italian setting (Tuscany)

สนุกมากกกก ชอบมากกก แต่บอกก่อนว่ายังไม่จบในเล่มนะ มีต่อเล่ม2 จะได้ไม่ต้องรู้สึกcliffhanger เหมือนเรา เพราะเล่ม2ยังไม่ปล่อยมา ฮือออออ (จะมา28ตุลา)

นางเอกเป็นสาวเมกา มีโรคประจำตัวมาตั้งแต่เกิดเข้าๆออกๆรพ. ผ่านการผ่าตัดใหญ่ พ่อแม่เลยหวงเป็นพิเศษบวกกับหลังจากพี่สาวนางเอกเสียไปด้วยยิ่งแล้วใหญ่ ปัจจุบันนางเอกเรียนจบ ขอพ่อแม่มาเที่ยวฝรั่งเศษ6วีค แต่จริงๆแล้วมาอิตาลี ที่ต้องโกหกพ่อกับแม่ก็เพราะพ่อไม่ยอมให้มาประเทศนี้(พ่อนอ.เป็นคนอิตาลีที่ย้ายไปเมกาเปลี่ยนชื่อ-นามสกุล ทิ้งสัญชาติ) มันต้องมีเงื่อนงำแน่นอน🤫 เวลานางเอกถามพ่อเกี่ยวกับอิตาลี พ่อก็จะบ่ายเบี่ยงไม่อยากพูดถึง

ตัดมาที่อิตาลี นางเอกกำลังขับรถเที่ยวอยู่ รถที่เช่ามาเกิดเสียกลางทาง พอดีมีคนขับรถผ่านมาพอดีจะช่วยซ่อมให้ แต่พอนางเอกเผลอก็ผลักเข้ารถพยายามจะขืนใจ นางเอกสู้หนีออกมาจากรถมาได้ก็วิ่งเข้าทุ่งหญ้าข้างทางจนวิ่งโผล่ทะลุไปอีกฝากถนนก็โดนรถชนเข้าอี๊กกกก ซึ่งคนขับคือพระเอกนี่ละ

ชอบหลายๆอย่างในเรื่อง ทั้งเซตติ้งที่ Tuscany ความสัมพันธ์ของพระนาง คาแรกเตอร์ developของตัวนางเอง tensionระหว่างพระนาง🥵 พระเอกก็ดีมาก พูดอิตาเลี่ยนทีนี่เขินนำก่อนนางเอกอีก55555 นอกจากครอบครัวแล้วคนเดียวที่ได้รับความแสนดีจากพระเอกก็นางเอกนี่ละ รู้ว่านางเอกมีโรคประจำตัวก็คอยดูแลใส่ใจเรื่องเล็กๆน้อยๆ ถักผมให้นางเอกด้วย🫠

สรุปชอบมาก เอนจอยสุดๆ แต่หลายๆเรื่องราวมันยังไม่ถูกคลี่คลายในเล่ม ต้องรอเล่ม2 ในเล่มนี้ระหว่างอ่านจะมีความเอ๊ะ ความสงสัยเต็มไปหมด นขเค้าก็คงตั้งใจจะปูเรื่องราวไว้เพื่อเล่ม2นี่แหละ แต่คนไม่รู้ว่าจะไม่มีเล่ม2นั้น ค้างคาเว่อออออ 😭เกือบ5ดาวละ แต่ที่หักคะแนนเพราะมีขัดใจตอนจบนี่ละ ไม่คิดว่านางเอกจะรีแอ๊กแบบนี้ เพราะ แหมมม!สาว ในใจก็น่าจะรู้อยู่แล้วปะว่าพระเอกเป็นใคร ใดๆคือ Can’t wait for book2 !!!!!

[Liz | Bookslizreads90 · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC RTC
Releases 4/8

BEWARE THIS ENDS ON A CLIFFHANGER 😬

I need the next book ASAP!

[Sigal · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️