I’m the owner of Il Palazzo, the hottest hotel and casino in Las Vegas, but in the underground world of Sin City, I’m known as the leader of the Romano crime syndicate. With my need to dominate, I’m ruthless in business and the bedroom. Affairs with employees have always been off-limits. I never imagined a showgirl would bring me to my knees.
With the Bratva threatening to start a war, I should leave Cassandra Bain alone and keep her far from the twisted Las Vegas underworld. Too bad I'm an expert at doing things I shouldn’t.
Cassandra
After my forced retirement from classical ballet, my life derailed. It was never my dream to be a showgirl, but I can’t pass up the opportunity to dance at the legendary Il Palazzo. There’s only one the charming owner, Dominic Tariello. After I make the worst first impression imaginable, he’s relentless in his pursuit. The last thing I need is this dark, mysterious man. But maybe I can give in for one night...
I originally read this story back when it was posted online, and even then, it stood out. Reading the published version now, I can confidently say it still hits just as hard—maybe even harder. This is the kind of story that pulls you in with the chemistry but keeps you invested because of the emotional depth and rising stakes.
Dominic is a powerful mafia boss—cold, calculated, and used to being in control—until he sees Cassandra performing at his casino. She’s a former ballerina whose career was cut short after a devastating injury, now working as a showgirl and waitress to get by. Their first encounter is electric and accidental, but from that moment, he’s hooked. What starts as obsession quickly becomes something deeper.
The heart of this book is their relationship—messy, magnetic, and full of push and pull. Dominic struggles with being a provider, wanting to take care of Cassandra in every way, but not knowing how to be emotionally vulnerable. Cassandra, meanwhile, wants to stand on her own, to make it on her own merit, and doesn’t know how to let someone in without losing herself. They’re both flawed, both craving connection but terrified of it—and that dynamic is written so well.
But this isn’t just a love story. There’s real danger. The Bratva, involved in human trafficking, starts making moves against Dominic’s territory—and Cassandra becomes a target. Suddenly, what felt like a dark romance becomes something much tenser and more action-packed. There are close-call attacks, genuine threats, and a full-on war scene that adds a sharp edge of violence and urgency to the story.
This isn’t a mafia romance with layers of political intrigue or deep ensemble casts—the focus stays on Dominic and Cassandra, their connection, their growth, and the danger surrounding them. It’s high-heat, emotionally rich, and keeps you on edge until the last page.
If you like your romance intense, protective, a little unhinged but still grounded in emotion—All or Nothing absolutely delivers.
booktok led me astray, again. LOL. this is a no go. when I couldn't get into it past 30% I went back to read reviews and see why it has such high ratings and where I still don't get the majority of reviews being into this, a few made its unreadability make sense.
one review talked about it originally being a twilight fan fic, which explains the lack of character description and development in this now mafia romance. another commented on the unrealistic bdsm elements in their relationship. I also found it incredibly unrealistic and cringe to the max. it's lowkey a pet peeve when authors write a bdsm relationship but clearly miss the mark / memo on what makes a bdsm relationship safe, secure and in the best interest of both parties. it sets harmful expectations/ standards for people who don't know that your first sexual experience with someone shouldn't be full bdsm with no warning or discussion about it. it made it all feel very childish but that's understandable given it was a twilight fan fic to begin with.
ROMANO CRIME FAMILY BOOK 1-- ENDS IN A CLIFFHANGER !!
Dominic is the owner of a hot Las Vegas hotel and casino ... But on a good day he is the head of the Romano crime syndicate... dominant, ruthless and possessive.. my one golden rule has ever been never mix business w pleasure... until SHE came along .. Cassandra is the retired ballerina... Who now works as a showgirl at the same casino resort that Dom owns... After embarrasing herself during their intial meeting , he become relentless in attempting to get her attention ... maybe she can give him one night ... he is demanding ALL OR NOTHING !
However I'm tired. Tired tired of the BDSM trope esp on the first smexy time between the H/h.
She's just going to allow him to demand a BJ on their first time? Not hint, not ask but demand that she deep throat as he is t going to stop again for her.
Then she's doing to just let him demand he tie her up, blindfold her & control her orgasms For their FIRST time together?
Come on now. He came across as almost predatory during dinner like it was all set up to get her into bed & I just wasnt feeling that he had anything for her but lust anyway.
Once I actually sat down and read the book (distracted with littles), I flew through it!! It kept me on my toes the whole time! Cassie and Dominic are freaking adorable. The torturing part was crazy but glad it was only a brief part on the book. The romance though is top tier! Love myself a little baddy girl! There are so many parts that left me being curious. Like the fed that was meeting with the guy from LA. Was it Cassie’s dad? Is he part of the mafia?! The action was intense and mixed with romance here and there. Definitely a book to recommend!
I love a good Mafia romance. I enjoyed this book so much I read it in a day. Every chapter flowed and I couldn't put it down. Each charter brought something to the table and each played their role to a tee. You never had to guess what happened. You knew what each person was meant to do as soon as you read the name.
A slow burn, in my opinion, but once it got heated, whew! Cassandra and Dom are hot! Our Cassandra is a talented dancer just trying to survive in Sin City and then she meets Dominic...Leaving us on a cliffhanger!
I saw this book on TikTok and decided to give it a try. I ended up loving it! It's a fun read setting up for a series. The way the two main characters met had me laughing out loud. Looking forward to the second book!
New Beginning, Cassandra And Dominic, find each other, both stubborn, but he decided she's worth fighting for. She finds something she wasn't looking for. Together they survived
The storyline kept me on my toes, but the light Dom and Sub thing they have going on is so Hot! It does leave on a cliffhanger making you want more, and boy do I want more of Dominic and Cassandra!
I went blindly into this book, knowing nothing about the plot line. I was SO pleasantly surprised. K. Lauren has a knack for building great back stories, and character development. I was reeled in almost instantly and couldn’t put it down! I fell in love with the characters. Happy tears, sad tears, a shriek and curse here and there-this book had me on the edge of my seat!! It ends on a cliffhanger, so be prepared for it.
I read the original Twilight fan fiction that evolved into All or Nothing. While the characters have obviously been changed for publication, I believe the core story remains the same. The writing was excellent as a fan fiction but lacked some key parts when revamped to publish as an original story. For example it started without much character descriptions because in the FF it was assumed the reader knew what Bella and Edwards looked like. When changed to Cassandra and Dominic the descriptions were missing. Additionally, it feels like the author forgot or didn't care to change some names. Names like Ben are generic enought but there's one point where a character answers a phone call as "Whitlock" when the original FF has that character being played by Jasper.
I'm still excited to see how the story progresses now that it's going to become a multi-book series.