My life is perfect just the way it is now, Without Arturo DeVille in it. And now, I'm ordered to marry that arrogant, self-centred snob.
He expects me to be a sophisticated, docile wife, Who will smile and nod at his every demand. But it's the last thing I plan to do.
Our marriage vows may say I will cherish and obey my husband, But the only vow I'm promising is to make his life a living hell. Until he regrets the day he said, "I do."
ARTURO
There are three qualities I expect in a wife: Obedient. Meek. Respectful. A woman who will fit into the Cosa Nostra world.
I didn't get a single trait that I wanted in a spouse. Instead I got everything I never knew I craved. She surged into my life like an earthquake, Shaking me to my very core.
My beautiful harbinger of chaos. My precious hazard. My wife.
*Precious Hazard is a full-length novel with no cheating and a guaranteed HEA. This is book 11 in Perfectly Imperfect mafia series. Each book in this series features a different couple and can be read as a standalone, but for maximum enjoyment, follow the recommended reading order.
Neva has blessed us with another book that I'll be thinking about till the day that I die (no I'm not exaggerating) No amount of words will give this book justice. DEFUCKINGVOURED.
To say I was excited for this story is an understatement. I’ve been waiting for Arturo’s book since Stolen Touches. This man raised his twin sisters since they were kids and watched them grow up and get married, of course I have a soft spot for him. Who wouldn’t? His relationship with Salvatore was interesting, to say the least. He definitely took a page out of his book to deal with his soon to be wife. Arturo was an absolute goner. One minute he wants to kill Tara, the next he wants to ruin her. She lives rent free in his head, and whenever he feels himself getting sucked into this obsession, he resets back to hate, back to anger. He turns cold again. Such a gentle dickhead, (I wasn't ready for his dirty mouth, this man has a mouth on him that needs a full warning.) The way he dealt with Tara was so different. Sure, he absolutely loathed her from the start, she loathed him too but come on we all know he was down bad, no matter what lies he told himself, she was His gattina His darling His precious hazard and he was Her devil
She is mine. Mine to hold. Mine to keep. Mine. Even if she doesn’t know it. Doesn’t want it. She’s still mine
And Tara, a spitfire I've never seen a character this stubborn before. From the moment I read about her in Silent Lies, I knew she was going to be trouble a big one too. Her opinions about herself were harsh, but she never showed it. She was always putting up a facade, sharp, and impossible to ignore, She was chaotic in the best way possible . Always giving Arturo hell, getting under his skin the composed Arturo is gone in her presence because she makes him crazy. She has The perfect black cat energy just LOOK AT HER WEDDING DRESS
Gosh my heart can't take this they're perfect
The tension between the two was top notch it was sizzling, slow burn to its finest THE YEARNING goodness I was fed years worth of it and I ate it all up. this book checked all the boxes I love, enemies to lovers, yearning, obsession and the micro tropes ? Immaculate. this is an addiction at this point. and I’m here for it. ____________________ pre read everyone will hear me scream when this comes out 🧎🏻♀️🧎🏻♀️🧎🏻♀️🧎🏻♀️🧎🏻♀️
This is one of the few books that earned the enemies to lovers tag, unlike many other books that are categorised as one, but they never live up to said label. But over here, the protagonists genuinely disliked each other, making it all the more exciting to see how they would eventually reunite in the end.
The tension, the banter and the chemistry between them was everything. It was so beautiful to watch them go from being on each other's throats to having each other's back. Their relationship development and growth was truly satisfying.
My only issue was, I feel this book was fairly long given the limited content in it. Either the author could've added more plot points or reduced the length. Nonetheless, I still adored this book.
Here's what to expect : Mafia romance, Enemies to lovers, Arranged marriage, Forced proximity, Touch her and die, Age gap, He falls first.
Back to Chicago chaos.La Cosa Nostra Bloodlines and bulletproof bridal couture!🚬
➷WHAT TO EXPECT:
"Serbian Royalty. Italian Ruin." 🔥 One mafia girlboss dragging her enemies with eyeliner precision 🖤 A morally gray hero who talks with his fists and apologizes with his eyes 🚬 Family secrets, power plays, and actual enemies at the altar 💌 Stolen glances, fake kisses, and one penthouse night that changes everything 😤 “Stay away from me” but he’s literally her husband 🛑 Touch him and she might kill you first 🔫 Italian mafia? Less amore, more AYO-WHY-IS-THERE-A-GUN-AT-BREAKFAST?! 👀 Enemies-to-lovers? No babe—enemy’s sister to his obsession 😏 🖤 One mafia princess. One mafia prince. Zero peace. 🔥 Mafia politics? Check. 💅 Wife slayage? Double check. 💍 DRAGO APPROVES. 😌 Ready to watch Arturo crumble!✋🏻😏
This better be good, 'cause book 10 nearly made me file for emotional damages. But now? Wifezilla marries Mafia Ken and promises war.I live for Italian mafia family drama with petty in-law commentary. He kept everyone in line—until he got married. Can’t wait to see his bride serve vengeance with espresso. ☕💅I’m seated. Don’t disappoint me, Arturo. 🔥💅Let the Chicago carnage begin🤸🏻♀️
Started out for fun, stayed for the drama. Not gonna lie — I enjoyed this one. But also… sigh. Where do I even start.
✨ The Setup: Tara gets blackmailed into marrying Arturo, who basically unalived her creepy ex (not sad about that tbh) and uses it to force her into a marriage. Love that for her? Not really. He even chucks a knife at her — misses by half an inch — like okay Mr. Mafia, calm down. Also, girl accepted 12 million for a year of marriage. Like ma’am, he’s a billionaire — ask for 100M minimum!! Negotiation skills: zero.
🔥 The Vibe: If you want spice and bickering — congratulations, this is chef’s kiss territory. The banter? Bantering. The spice? Spicing. The forced proximity and mutual sabotage? Iconic. But listen, if you’re looking for believable love… respectfully, you won’t find it here. These two are throwing petty insults at each other at 80% and then BAM — surprise, we’re in love after one good murder attempt and a hospital stay. Sure, babes. Sure.
🖤 Arturo: I’ve read Neva’s men before — usually possessive, a lil unhinged, but controlling? Not this level. Arturo dictates her clothes, her words, her entire public existence. Sorry, but telling your wife she can’t speak over you? Hard pass. He’s got moments that make you almost swoon — the safe space, the obsession — but then he opens his mouth and you remember he wrote a whole clause about her skirts in a prenup. No thanks.
🗡️ Tara: She’s childish, yes. But her chaos is harmless compared to the walking red flag she married. She pokes him on purpose, tests every limit, rocks a black wedding dress down the aisle — 10/10 vibe. But the petty games got old after a while. Girl, run him dry for 50 mil and move to Ibiza. Be free.
💣 Overall: The angst is addictive. The smut? Great. The knife scene? Wild. The random switch from “I hate you” to “I’d die for you” at 90%? Hmm. Not mature, but it’s fun. If you want your mafia romance to feel like a messy reality show — sign here. If you want a love story with actual emotional depth — maybe not.
3.5 stars — It was giving trashy mafia soap opera and I kinda lived for it.
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Sorry for going MIA besties, but if you told me a month ago I wouldn’t read a book in 3 weeks, I’d have laughed in your face. Yet here I am, stuck in a slump thanks to all this exam stress 😩. Exams start next week, so I might be MIA again—prioritizing studying but lowkey exhausted 24/7.
But y’all, Tara & Arturo are finally here and I’ve been waiting MONTHS. Like, who doesn’t love enemies-to-lovers + arranged marriage + mafia drama with a female MC who actually has a spine??? 🔥
I’ve had mixed feelings about this series, but I’m SO hyped for this one to pull me out of my slump.
Bring on the chaos, the fights, the heat — I’m READY.
💍 Forced/Arranged Marriage ❤️🔥 Enemies to Lovers 💀 Mafia Madness with a badass FMC
Mafia arranged marriage but they truly HATE each other! Ultimate enemies to lovers as she actually walks up the aisle in a black wedding dress 🖤✨
“He has robbed me of an imagined future but delivered a better-than-fantasy reality.”
Arturo’s boss thinks he works too much and decides to arrange him a marriage. HOW KIND of him! While Arturo was hoping for a stepford wife but he got a romance girlie giving goblin and/or skimpy disco…and she’s basically his sworn enemy aka his sister-in-law 🖤👀 Let’s just say this marital road is paved with blackmailed intentions, explosive fights & suppressed desire.
Tara & Arturo were the definition of enemies to lovers as their mutual hatred burned with a never ending flame 🔥 Their fiery dynamic was further fuelled by their complete opposite grumpy/sunshine personalities & stubbornness. Things I enjoyed:
🔥 her sole purpose is to rile him up…and it works
🖤 massive sick bed trope
🔥 he’s obsessed with her belly button piercing
🖤 fantastic grovel
🔥 he is her safe space
I was missing a little more romance in this one! These two were enemies almost until the bitter end and I felt like their hate sometimes overshadowed their chemistry. Tara’s character was relentlessly hardheaded and made me at times side with Arturo. HOW DARE SHE make me agree with a man!!
We only have 1 more couple left in this series & I’m NOT READY for it to END!!
enemies to lovers possessive mmc age gap chaotic fmc grumpy/sunshine opposites attract blackmail sick bed HEA
Tara Popov. This girly really thought she did something when she asked for 12 million dollars when they divorce for the 12 months they stay married. Please, she could have asked for like 50 more million and he might have given it to her. Whatever, dealing in losses seems to be her thing. If I was her, I wouldn't do it for less than a 100 million, because if I have to tolerate Arturo's *just slightly* misogynistic self, that seems like reasonable compensation.
Arturo Deville. He was so heart-warming as a brother especially based on how much he was willing to do for his sisters, but he didn't give off the same vibes as a love interest. If misogyny had a name, it would be him. And then, forcing her for marriage like that? Come on Arturo, I thought we were above that. You were supposed to be my favorite of this series and you had an advantage too.
THE NEXT BOOK HAS ME SO EXCITED, but what do you mean 2026?!?! Still going to be waiting for it though. 🙂↕️
Asya and Pavel have to be my favorite of the series so far. I guess I have to see if the couple in the next book tops them.
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pre-read: first read of AUGUST 😔 how is it august already?!?! summer quite literally flew by.
From the moment Tara showed up in Silent Lies, I knew she was going to cause beautiful chaos when her time came. She's a hurricane in heels, a walking contradiction of sharp wit and raw vulnerability. What struck me most about her wasn't just how hard she pushed Arturo's buttons, but how deeply loyal and protective she was beneath all the snark. She's the kind of woman who’ll burn down a city if it means protecting someone she loves, and probably accidentally set her own hair on fire in the process. 😂 I adored every second of her unpredictable, messy brilliance.
Arturo completely wrecked me. I thought I was prepared for him after everything in the earlier books, his role as protector, his cold control, his quiet sacrifice, but I wasn't. Beneath the calculated mask and relentless discipline lives a man desperate for connection, even if he won’t admit it. Watching him unravel because of Tara was so delightful. One minute, he’s lecturing her about order and rules, and the next, he’s losing sleep, sanity, and all semblance of control because she exists.
What you can expect: ♡ Arranged marriage ♡ Mafia romance ♡ Enemies to lovers ♡ Blackmail ♡ Age gap ♡ Opposites attract ♡ Possessive OTT MMC ♡ Touch her and 💀 ♡ Forced proximity
There was something so magnetic about watching two people resist each other with everything they had, only to fall harder when resistance finally gave out. They hate each other, want each other, protect each other in the quietest, fiercest ways. Arturo and Tara will live rent-free in my head for a long time. 🥹
I don't remember being this frustrated with BOTH MCs in this series. Usually, I either like them or find one of them getting on my nerves. But these two? Gawd, they pissed me off to no end. I lost count of the number of times I pulled my hair out of annoyance.
You'd think only one would be immature with this relationship, but nope, these two could go toe-to-toe with one another. Up to the 80% mark, I think, they are still going at each other's throats, and let me tell you, there's nothing fun about reading about their constant argument. Sure, it was fun at the beginning, but it got so freaking exhausting past the halfway mark. Like, come on, is there anything the two of you can do together that isn't irritating?
I initially wrote a long review, but when I read it, it was a full-on rant about these two's stupidity. It was making me mad all over again, so I decided not to post that anymore. I felt so tired after I finished this, but it drained me even more after writing my review draft. Writing and trying to remember all the things that frustrated the crap out of me is definitely something I wouldn't recommend.
If you're looking for a believable romance, I don't think you're going to find it here. All these two did was bicker to no end and hurt each other because they're catching feelings. Oh, let's not forget the hate fucking, because of course, even though they "dislike" one another, they are still salivating over the idea of fucking each other's brains out.
Anyway, when I tell you not much has been going on for these two, I literally mean all they do is insult one another, attend some boring events, and sleep together. With only these going on for them, all of a sudden they realize that they've both fallen for one another. How did that come to be? Don't ask me; I don't even know the freaking answer! Even I was so confused when they had that come-to-Jesus moment. I probably kept on repeating "huh" and "what?" because I knew I should've seen it coming but still had no clue as to why that happened.
That being said, reading over 400 pages of this book was not worth the stress it caused me. I should've stopped when it was clearly not working for me, but I wanted to see it through, and look where it got me. 😤
Now I'm done with it, I can finally say this book should've ended up on my DNF shelf.
Book info: - Forced marriage - Age gap (24/36) - Violence - Physical assault - No cheating, OM/OW, separation - No V (no info) - HEA (they're married after all)
Notes: 〰️ OM. Tara's POS ex hit her in the beginning, and Arturo unalived him for that. He used this as blackmail so that she would marry him. 〰️ No info was given about their sexual history. There was a mention that Tara's relationships had come to double digits after a background investigation. As for Arturo, he only said it's been months since he got his last action. And according to Sienna, his sister, he doesn't sleep around and only dates prim and proper women. 〰️ At one point early on, Arturo considered calling his ex-lover to relieve some sexual frustration he was experiencing with Tara, but he didn't go through with it. Still, that thought makes me want to punch him.
ೀ 3⭐ One word : meh So let's be honest, this didn't meet my exceptions because I just was way too excited for them .
Tara , the so called baddie who hates Arturo the so called grumpy disappointed me so much , neva just didn't give them the right vibe and the monologues and dialogue which she tried to make fun and expressive were just so repetitive and annoying especially Arturo's .
Like okay we got it you hate her but is attracted to her , she is a mess you don't want a mess BUT ( yes so many buts) he still wants her , Tara ? same thing . She hates him but can't help being attracted to him .. Okay I would have accepted this if only and only there was a legit chemistry and tension because hello there was just none , nada , zero , RIEN
There were some good parts really , but the annoying parts were just outnumbered the funny and good ones .. The weeding scene was good ( both ifykyk) , the scene with the plumber too was really funny so yess! Low-key wanted more hate and tension but yh, and those last epilogues with Kurt the cat?Ate them up 🤭😋 The 3 stars are for the cat and because I just know that they deserved better 🙏
-- ASGGWGAHZHAHAHA SCREAMING AND KICKING RN ! I finally found this in my library 😩 Tara and Arturo am coming
Cant 31 July come any time sooner 🥺 I WANT TARA AND ARTURO NOW..
I’ve just never understood the emotional immaturity is cute trope. I was really looking forward to this book. I really wanted Arturo to get some happiness after all his pain and sacrifices. But instead I got over 300 pages of a tantrum-ing toddler. Supposedly they’re in love but I couldn’t bring myself to believe it. I still love Neva Altaj and I’ll buy her next book. There’s books in this series I love love loved and others i just really liked. This was the only one I found really miserable to read. It still gets a 2 star, not a 1, in recognition of the quality of the writing. I hated Tara on every single page and just kept going because I so hoped that eventually she’d become a partner I liked for Arturo. Save yourself the time. Tara is as worthless a human being on the last page as the first. But she’s hot so I guess Arturo at least gets that. Oh. And Tara is relentlessly cruel to Arturo. And then when he snaps back, we’re supposed to think they’re just both hot tempered and stubborn? I don’t think so. I’m not over it, I’m going to be hoping something terrible happens to Tara so that Arturo can find someone who will be kind to him.
I must have gotten a different book from everyone else did because why was this so bad. 400+ pages and I got nothing out of it. Tara was boring. Arturo was bland. Both of them together was a disappointment.
How fortunate it is for a couple to both have their blood type as O negative:)
I seriously waited for Arturo's book to come out for more than a year! I wanted his story to be my favourite, after reading Fractured Souls and especially Silent Lies but it was so disappointing! It is so disappointing when you expect something and don't get it. This was the same case:( I AM REALLY UPSET! Okay. But I do love Ajello and his wife! They are my favourite in the whole series!!!
Safety warnings: - H 36 / h 24 - No cheating - Forced marriage - No OW/OM drama - Enemies to lovers - Trauma - Loss of loved ones - Physical assault (not MMC) - Blackmail - Violence/d*ath - HEA
Arturo is being forced by his boss (Salvatore Ajello from book 5) to marry his arch-nemesis Tara who happens to be Drago's younger sister who he has never gotten along with and who also happens to be his sister-in-law since Drago married Arturo's sister Sienna (Book 8 of this series).
These two did nothing but bicker. They barely got along, and it sometimes was funny to watch their banter and her trying to piss him off to no end and other times it would be childish.
This book is more focused on the MC's and very little background activity. I think it was a little too long for what the story was about, it could have been a bit quicker in some places. This was not my favorite in the series, and I would get frustrated with how much these two just could not get along and make things easier until their one year is up.
They were seriously the opposite of each other and it worked out at the end since they fell in love despite their initial animosities.
Ahh, here we are again! The next book from one of my favorite Mafia Romance series of all time!
This time we return to two of the classics: Enemies to Lovers and an Arranged Marriage. To my knowledge, Neva Altaj hasn't really done one where they both hate each other. Usually we have an obsessed hero, and *maybe* the heroine hates him. Haha! Her men are usually simps from the start who manipulate the situation into an arranged marriage for their convenience.
Not in Arturo and Tara's case. No, it takes Salvatore stepping in and demanding a marriage. He's a sneaky don for sure. Always sticking his nose in. Haha! But he must see something we don't see. He must be a secret shipper too. ;)
So let the fireworks ensue, when these two are forced together. Arturo wants to lock this down, so he's willing to make a bargain for a year-long marriage with Tara. She grudgingly agrees... for a price. And then proceeds to look for every loophole possible. Poor Arturo, underestimating her fire. SMH. It was a beauty to watch.
I did truly have a good time with this one, but I do have one gripe. This was too long. I truly believe this one could have been a quicker tale. Like earlier books in the series, this could have gotten done faster, tighter, and quicker. That's just my humble opinion. I have loved a few of the previous books that took a slower pace and really dug into the characters. However, I think Arturo and Tara could have gotten to love a bit quicker. We had a LOT of their pre-married selves and a lot of them fighting before obsession kicked in. I've just seen Neva Altaj do it faster and more refined before. This book was long and it felt repetitive at times.
Overall, this was still a great story. I rarely dislike anything she writes, and this was not that, at all! She is still top tier, and my go-to recommendation for Mafia romance these days.
4 Stars 3 on the spice scale
CW: panic attacks, violence, illness
*Thank you to the author for an ARC of this title.*
I had a hard time time finishing this book.. Which is a bummer because I love this series. But, I did not care for the FMC antics. She did however, have some sweet/tender moments that did make some of it up..
Ever come across side characters, hoping they get their book. Then when they finally do... * Close book* mmmm yeahh....they should've stayed as side characters 😬...that's how I feel about Tara and Arturo 🙊 But it was fun seeing people from previous books 💞
If I could give half a star I would. It was a constant fight to not DNF because I kept hoping for the development of the story to move forward which unfortunately only really did by the 90% mark. With enemies to lovers there’s the banter and the progression, but in their story not so much. While they have the banter going back and forth that’s about it really.
Half the book could’ve been left out. She was a brat and her character never really developed from being an immature and selfish.
The wait for this book after seeing Arturo in most of the previous books piqued my interest and then them at the end of Drago and Siennas book really made me look forward to it but unfortunately it fell beyond flat. While Tara had her faults already laid out in her brothers book I was hoping to get more from her in this book, to see how badass she really is on helping him run their diamond operation. Instead we got none of that and just her being a whiney self centered brat. She cared only for her trauma but then would recognize that he had it just as bad and instead of character development of any kind she’d continue her childish ways.
All that mystery surrounding Arturo from the previous books just evaporated and was nowhere to be found. All it was for him is work, work, work and it’s not talked how he burys himself in work bc of how indebted he feels to the Don for helping him with his sisters and just how the inner workings of the Costa Nostra vary from the Serbians. All that mystery of the guilt he feels and how he is a tortured hero gone and replaced with him acting goofy once he’s sick having a high fever.
His trauma gets completely brushed away and even his sisters who he brought up take Tara’s side and don’t even bother to hear him out and just take her side really was annoying too. Sienna tries to explain how Costa Nostra is different than what Tara’s been used to but then doesn’t really try again and instead gives Tara all the dislikes her brother has instead of trying to hear his side out on why he’s said certain things.
Just overall disappointing bc once they do finally get together it’s so rushed and literally by the end of the book only.
I blame myself for thinking their story would be something badass bc of their dynamic and looking forward to how’d their relationship ship was going to develop. Instead I got a tortured hero who carries immense guilt and loyalty to his Don just brushed aside with the majority of the story being all about Tara and her immature, self centered ass.
“Put your hands on my wife again, and I’ll fucking end you,” I growl.”
I've been eagerly anticipating Arturo's story ever since his appearances in previous books, and let me tell you - this man absolutely delivered! Neva has crafted another masterpiece that will stay with me for a very long time.
Tara's life was perfectly content until Arturo DeVille crashed into it like a hurricane. When Arturo's boss arranges their marriage, both characters find themselves trapped in an impossible situation. Tara refuses to be the docile, sophisticated wife Arturo expects, while he's determined to mold her into his ideal of what a mafia wife should be. What neither anticipated was the explosive chemistry that would develop from their mutual animosity.
Arturo enters this story as a man with clear expectations about marriage and control, but Tara completely destroys every assumption he's ever held. His character arc is compelling as he shifts between moments of vulnerability and his typical domineering nature. The way he becomes utterly obsessed with her while simultaneously fighting against his own feelings creates incredible emotional depth.
Tara is relentlessly defiant and absolutely magnetic. Rather than playing the role of a compliant wife, she chooses warfare at every opportunity. Her razor-sharp tongue and unwavering determination to maintain her independence make her a formidable opponent. What makes her truly captivating is how she never loses herself despite the overwhelming pressure to conform.
The enemies-to-lovers progression feels authentic and well-paced. Their hatred burns with genuine intensity before slowly transforming into something deeper. The author doesn't rush their connection - instead, she lets their relationship develop through explosive confrontations and moments of unexpected vulnerability.
The supporting characters, particularly the family dynamics and the tension with those who oppose their union, add layers of complexity to the central romance. The external pressure actually strengthens their eventual bond.
This is enemies-to-lovers at its absolute finest. If you enjoy passionate, complex characters who challenge each other at every turn, this book will be perfect for you. The emotional payoff is incredibly satisfying, and the chemistry between Tara and Arturo is undeniable.
One of the most annoying FMC of anything I have read this year . Tara is so so so bad and one of the most grating FMC characters . Poor Arturo , you deserved better 😭
⋆˙⟡ “ I’ve been hers from the moment my eyes fell on my wildcat, and I’ll be hers until my dying breath.” ⋆˙⟡
⋆˙⟡ “ My witch. My precious little hazard.”⋆˙⟡
Arturo and Tara were chaos and softness, tension and vulnerability, enemies and soulmates all wrapped in one fiery, unputdownable romance 🖤
From hate and fierce obsession to explosive tension, denial, desire, and that intoxicating push and pull dynamic, this is enemies to lovers at its finest. I devoured every page.
Arturo is the definition of controlled and calculated. But deep inside he’s actually a softie. He’s the type of man to show his love through his actions. He’s so protective of Asya and Sienna it made my heart melt. I knew already he was protective of them but in this book we understand him on a deeper level. He’s truly the best brother.
Tara is the opposite of Arturo in every way. She’s chaotic, messy but has the biggest heart. I really love her and love how she won’t hesitate to help others. When it comes to Arturo she invaded his perfectly meticulous world and drove him insane. It was so much fun watching him unravel. He tried to resist her but failed miserably. He resisted his attraction and failed everytime convincing himself he hates her, it was so satisfying to see.
The tension between them was a mix of hate and desire, it was just addictive I couldn’t get enough. They hate each other but also crave each other. I literally was waiting for the tension to snap! And when it did, those toe curling moments left me blushing and kicking my feet 🫠
It became harder for them to stay indifferent as their connection grew. They tried so hard to pretend they didn’t care about each other, but those moments of vulnerability they shared only proved the need and the love they have for one another. It was so beautiful and precious I was swooning.
This was such a fun read and I can’t wait for the last couple! I am already intrigued by their story 👀
Thank you so much to Neva for giving me the opportunity to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion
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CR: It's tiiiiiiiime!! 🥳🥳
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Now I need Arturo & Tara's book now more than ever after reading Sweet Prison 😭
Neva Altaj artık marka değeri olan, tutunduğu tarzda kendinden önce bu işlere girmiş bir çok yazarla aynı kulvarda rahatça anılan bir yazar. İlk kitapları yaklaşık 200 sayfa civarındayken bu kitap nerdeyse 500 sayfa, bu kitap onun en uzun eseri. Toplamda yazdığı 12 kitaptan yalnızca 3 tanesi çöptü ve maalesef bu da onlardan biri. TARA (24) & ARTURO (36), bir önceki kitaplarda yeri gayet güzel yapılmış, ileriyi vaadeden güzel bir eşleşme olacaktı, ta ki olmayana kadar. Ya harcanmış potansiyel gören bir tek ben olamam heralde. 😒😒😒
Her kesin bildiği üzere birbirinden ölümüne nefret eden bu çiftimizden Arturo koruyup kollayan, ikiz kız kardeşlerini 5 yaşından 20 yaşına kadar büyüten, OKB’ li işkolik bir kardeşimiz. Tara da hiç bir işte tutunamayan, dağınık, muhtemelen DEHB’ li bir bacımız. Kusursuzca Kusurlu serisinde her karakterin bir engeli, kusuru vs oluyordu bu çiftimizinki de beyinsizlikti heralde, başka mantıklı bir açıklaması olamaz. 🤷🏻♀️
Neyse gel zaman git zaman New York donluğundan sıkılıp kendine meşgale arayan Don Ajello, ikinci iş olarak çöpçatanlıkta karar kılar ve bu ikisinden çok harika super mükemmel bir çift çıkacağına inanır (ay yazarken şiştim). Milene ve yeni doğan kızı herhalde onu yeterince meşgul etmiyor(!).
Sonrasında işte olaylar gelişir, kılıçlar çekilir, bazı ödünler verilir, silahlar ateşlenir ve mutlu son. 🤲 Tara son sayfaya kadar inkarda bir dünya markası olduğunu kanıtladın.. Ayrıca en sondaki bonus bölümlerin komik olduğunu hangi beta okuyucu söylediyse bana gelsin bişi dicem.
Kolaylıkla 100-150 sayfa kısa olabilirdi, artık kabak tadı vermeye başlayan serinin son 2 kitabı maalesef yeterince güzel değildi, bir sonraki kitap Adriano & Iris de hiç meraklandırmadı, 30 Nisan 2026 nedir.. Michelle Heard’ den örnek alına!
I was so excited for this release, and I’m happy to say it didn’t let me down! I’ve been eagerly anticipating Arturo and Tara's story ever since I read Silent Lies. Their chemistry was already evident in that book, and the tension between them is off the charts! I loved how they can’t stand each other yet can’t stop thinking about one another—it’s incredibly entertaining. The banter, the simmering sexual tension, and how they drive each other crazy are just perfect!
After losing his parents, Arturo has been raising his twin sisters on his own. He works hard to provide for and protect them. Even though they're grown up and happily married, he still worries about them and struggles to let go of control, working nonstop. Arturo is all about order and control; he’s a workaholic, but he’s also so loyal, protective, and caring. He wants a wife who is obedient and meek, which is the complete opposite of Tara. She’s messy, chaotic, sassy, fierce, and stubborn! I had a blast watching her try to push Arturo’s buttons without entirely breaking his rules.
What I loved just as much as their dynamic as a couple was seeing Arturo and Tara as individuals. Despite being opposites, they also share some similarities. They both have big hearts and are fiercely loyal and protective of their loved ones. They each have their vulnerabilities and insecurities, and when they finally start to open up to each other, it is so special and satisfying. I also enjoyed the cameos from other characters—they added so much to the story! It was great to see the dynamic between Salvatore and Arturo; you can feel how much they want each other to be happy. Salvatore, as the matchmaker, is just the icing on the cake!
Overall, this was such an amazing read! The book is packed with tension, playful bickering, sizzling chemistry, and steamy scenes, along with heartwarming and swoony moments. There’s even some action that keeps you on the edge of your seat! It’s been a while since I’ve read a great enemies-to-lovers story, and this one ranks among the best. I highly recommend it!
As much as I was waiting for Arturo and Tara—because I adore Drago and Sienna—I just couldn’t be convinced their love would actually last. There’s zero build-up. They spend 90% of the book insulting each other like it’s foreplay.
All they’re good at is lusting. Period.
They finally f*ck at 70%, and then it’s just feral bunny mode 🐰 on repeat. No emotional depth, no real connection— *Just crickets*
Arturo throwing a knife at her? GIRLIE SHOULD’VE RUN THEN.
But no, he proposes like 20 times over a few months and suddenly we’re supposed to believe he’s redeemed? (That too, in the epilogue)
Were they in love? Naah. Just needed a steady f*ck? YEAHHHHH.
If the banter wasn’t there, I wouldn’t have made it through. That’s the only thing keeping this from a full-on DNF.
★ "As soon as DeVille enters my field of vision, everything within me instantly vibrates." (Tara are you a vibrator? Cause WTF)
★ She can continue to despise me. God knows I deserve that and more. But she won’t be able to live without my touch. She’ll never stop craving our carnal mating. The only man for her is me. Any others who even think of stealing her, I’ll destroy before they ever get the chance. (Carnal mating? Okay, National geographic special. CALM TF DOWN💀)
𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘴. – arranged marriage – age-gap – red flag × red flag – possessive hero – mafia
Wow… here we are again: finishing yet another perfect Neva book. I waited months—yes, months—for this one, and I read it in, what? Twelve hours? Maybe less. It’s fine. We all have our issues. Mine just happens to be: Neva’s books.
This woman does not miss. Period. But let me highlight three things that had me in full “I’m not okay but I’m loving it” mode:
1. The writing We started with short, sweet books, and now she’s giving us long, loaded, soul-consuming novels. We’re talking quality content, we’re talking slow burns that make you want to rip your hair out and question whether you’re ready to go down in flames with the main characters or not. And the best part? Neva builds. She gives us enough story, enough detail, enough feeling to truly fall for these characters. You wanna scream at them, fall in love with them, cry for them—and that’s the magic.
2. Mafia + romance That combo? Impeccable. Balanced. So well done it has me wondering, Neva girl, are you in the mafia? Because the way you write this... it’s too good. You, fellow clitoras, you know—we’re staying up all night if it means believing in forever.
3. Tara & Arturo That push and pull. That enemies to lovers, mafia edition... Exquisite. Irresistible. Deliciously painful.
And LASTLY… That ending. That tiny little teaser. That “here, suffer with this.” April 30th, 2026? That’s EIGHT. WHOLE. MONTHS. It’s okay, Neva. I’ll be here. Waiting. Heart in hand. Kindle charged.
Thank you for this masterpiece. It was everything. It was Neva-core perfection.