Ruined By Blood

Feretti Syndicate #2

by Sherry Blake

Just one more night.
That's how I survive.
One night at a time.Other girls get to choose new dresses and fantasize about boys, my world is a gilded cage kept tightly locked by my captor.
This isn't a life, it's a life sentence of being sweet and pretty and submissive to his clients.
When one of those clients gets more violent than usual, an armed savior appears just in time.
Then I discover he's none other than Enzo Ferretti, sottocapo of the notorious mafia mob family.
Violent.
Dangerous.
A killer in a Brioni suit.
A demon who takes what he wants without mercy.
And oh so hot that steam rises when he's near.
Having saved me from my fate, now he's holding me hostage.
For my own protection, so he says.
I've gone from a deadly situation to one even more lethal.
From one ruthless man's merchandise to owned by a possessive villain.
I ought to run from this new cage. Fight to escape.
But Enzo leaves me breathless and trembling.
Every nerve end stands to attention when he strides into the room.
What am I thinking?
There are no happy endings in my world.
I'm just a broken, scarred girl that no man would ever deem valuable.
And no one could ever break down the walls surrounding the monster.
But when they come to take me back, Enzo will have to pay the price of vengeance in blood.

At first I feared my protector devil would never let me go
Now I'm terrified he will.*Ruined By Blood is a full-length dark mafia, forced proximity, age gap romance loaded with passion, angst, protection, lies and most of all, a ton of steam heat. No cheating and a guaranteed HEA.

This is the second book in Feretti Syndicate 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.

Feretti Syndicate Reading Order & Tropes 1. Ruined By Revenge (Damiano & Zoe)
Arranged Marriage, Age Gap, Enemies to Lovers, Forced Proximity, Possessive/Jealous Alpha Male

2. Ruined By Blood (Enzo & Sienna)
Age Gap, Kidnapping, Forced Proximity, Enemies to Lovers, Possessive/Jealous Alpha Male, Scarred hero, Who did this to you?, Good Girl/Bad Boy

3. Ruined By Rhapsody (Noah & Evelyn)
Age Gap, Kidnapping, Forced Proximity, Enemies to Lovers, Possessive/Jealous Alpha Male, Scarred hero, Who did this to you?

4. Ruined By Capture ( Alessio & Melania)
Age Gap, Kidnapping, Forced Proximity, Enemies to Lovers, OTT Possessive/Jealous Alpha Male, Tortured hero

5. Ruined By Protection (Matteo & Hazel)
Age Gap, Forced Proximity, Second Chance, OTT Possessive/Jealous Alpha Male, He Falls First, Who did this to you?

Genres: Mafia Romance, Dark Romance, Dark, Romance

500 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 6, 2025

Reviews

[Sasha · Rating 1 out of 5]

I low key liked the storyline (tortured girl finds happiness again etc.) but the writing?

I lost braincells reading this. The characters kept saying the same things all over again. Idk if the writer has Alzheimer's or she thought that the reader does, because why did she write the same information in every single chapter??

The male lead was just repeating "You are mine, I protect what's mine, you are not coming back to that evil bastard" and "the rage consumed me".

I also hated that the super scared and traumatised female lead started to trust the male lead after what? Two days? And immediately slept with him? HELL NO, this made zero sense?

So with that I would like to advise the author to take writing lessons or just stop writing books period.

[Dallas Haley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ive read better mafia books- DNF @ 80%. Lots of spelling errors, grammatical mistakes, and at one point I think the author literally copy and pasted a paragraph from one chapter into another. Read this as a palate cleanse and it was disappointing

[Amanda B · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was decently well written, but I can’t get over the nonsensical nature of the villain. It just takes all of the air out of the plot. Why on earth would a crime lord traffic his own daughter this way? I’m not saying that this villain should have decency or a conscious, but it just doesn’t pragmatically make sense that he would treat his kid this way. He’s positioned as being completely motivated by profit, but surely his daughter it worth more to him as a virgin than as someone that he’s sex trafficked since she was 14. If his associates wanted a young girl to have sex with (as nauseating as that idea is) - he’s a human trafficker, he must have lots of other options for them. And then he promises her in marriage to another crime lord, having told this other guy that his daughter is a virgin. Surely the would-be husband is going to notice that his supposedly untouched bride is covered with scars and signs of long-term abuse. Surely he would eventually figure out that she is far from the untouched bride that he has been promised. I think this is a case of the author trying to create heightened drama by adding trauma that is completely nonsensical. It’s just a lazy plot and it was hard to get invested.

[Linda Stokes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enzo encounters Sienna at the new casino that the Feretti family owns. When Sienna leaves with a man who claims her Enzo then hears a scream and finds Sienna has been stabbed and bleeding badly. Enzo becomes protective over her. Will Sienna tell Enzo of the abuse she has suffered?
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book via Bad Boy Update.

Superb Feretti Mafia romance!

[shazza · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

Overall it was a good story and I was fully invested till the end. But there were a few inconsistencies that stopped me rating it higher and the storyline would jump making me re-read the previous paragraph in case I had misread something.

Didn’t happen a lot but enough for it to be noticeable

[Aurora · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐

[Vicki Mckeegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second Book 📖 in the series of six, I’ve enjoyed both so far can’t wait to read the rest

[Meg Felsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Couldn't put it down

This was a good ride. Devoured it in under 12 hours.

Not gonna lie though, little sister Lu, stole the show.

Good story. Fun characters.

Definitely has dark themes so be wary.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 2 in the series and just as good as book 1. I loved Sienna in this book and what a warrior she became. The storyline was written well with enjoyable characters. Enzo likes to be behind the scenes but when the new casino opens, he needs to be there. That’s when he runs into Sienna at the bar and tries speaking to her until a man comes up to her and “claims” her. A while later, Enzo hears a scream and finds her in the park stabbed and bleeding bad. When the story of why she was there and what has been happening comes to light, you see the Feretti brothers at their best. When they protect and love, they do both hard. See what happens for yourself, I’m not one to give spoilers. Enjoy. #badboyupdate

[Angela Jennings · Rating 1 out of 5]

Once again, the story itself is good. But the inconsistencies are too much. I said this for the first book, but they were smaller inconsistencies so I didn’t let it deter me from reading the second book. However, in this book, the story of the main character's parents is completely different than the first book. Book 1, they are both killed in a home invasion by a rival family. Their younger sister is 5 and is still in the arms of their dead father, who protected her to the very end. The oldest brother is the one that came home to discover them. In book 2, the mom runs off and abandons the family, dad remarries and has the younger sister with step mom. Step mom dies of something (cancer? I can't remember), then dad dies 5 years later of a heart attack. The younger sister (half sister in this version), is 16. WTF?! How can an author just not remember a foundational story for her main characters?! This book also had more of the small inconsistencies as well. So frustrating. I don't know if I can keep reading the series.

[Sarah S · Rating 2 out of 5]

This felt like it was written by AI

1. I turned the faucet off with more force than necessary
2. with precision
3. cracked in my chest

And alot of the story was reptetitive and redundant like at the cabin where he just keeps saying 10 different ways how he doesn't understand why he feels this way

Also - huge plot hole: Why did they hide out in the cabin, only to be found and attacked but then instead of killing them, they left Enzo alive, he gets out of his ropes and then kills them. They keep threatening him but never shoot him. There was no reason to keep him alive so he could attack later.

And where were all of their guards? Is he a mafia dude or just some rich guy with a cabin in the woods. And then after they're rescued, they return back to the main house which they've now decided is safer? So why did they even go out to the woods in the first place?

The Truth or Dare bonding game was like never ending. And then kept repeating.

And at some points, it was like he was in a rom-com and saying the lines of the girl with his chick-lit like flirty voice.

[Chelsea · Rating 3 out of 5]

i liked the "who did this to you" vibes and the way the MMC tries to protect the FMC from her abusive father, the protectiveness and found family aspects are very sweet and i enjoyed her finding love again. Having said that, there were a lot of repeated sentences, points and ideas which made it feel samey. There's also a little bit of unrealism (aside from the instalove and romanticization of mafia themes) - the FMC gets stabbed and the next moment she's shagging the MMC (after years of being abused by her trafficking father). The whole book, aside from the epilogue, is set over around a week. The dad notes that the Italians took her for a "few days" so it stuck in the back of my head that shouldn't she be healing from the stab wound, not to mention the mental healing. All it needed was a time frame mentioned like "shes been here a few weeks and was healing up" and that would have made it more realistic in regards to continuity. Im all for instalove, but some details are important to keep track of, and the stab wound made it difficult for me to concentrate on anything else.

[BP34 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slenna and Enzo’s story begins in this second book of the Feretti Syndicate mafia series. Each book in the series features a different couple, but can be read as a standalone. I recommend that you read Ruined By Revenge because it will let you get to know Enzo and his back story. They meet at his families casino and he is instantly drawn to her. A man comes in and says she’s his for the night and makes her leave. Enzo hears a scream and finds her outside with a stab wound. The book is emotional, heart breaking and heartwarming. She really brings out his protective side. Her story of abuse unfolds and will have you on the edge of your seat. They’re opposites, but just what each of them needs. A great book and a wonderful addition to the series. I read a free arc via Bad Boy Updates and voluntarily chose to write a review.

[Brenda A · Rating 3 out of 5]

Trainwreck syndrome...

The book was interesting and well written. I had to put it down for a while and then come back because there was so much violence towards the MF, not from the MC. I came back because I wanted to see how it ended so I tried to scroll through the worst pages. I appreciate that the author did warn with triggers. It was just too much. Some spoilers.. the MF was raped cut burnt with cigarettes repeatedly. I expected a little violence but there was way too much. I know it's fiction but it creeps me out because this sort of thing happens in real life. I feel that the violence and sex on every other page was overdone and it took away from the book. I don't think that I will be reading anymore in this series. However someone else might find that much violence acceptable.

[Redcurlsangel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the second book in the series less than the first. Apparently, the author focuses on abused female protagonists. However, it does seem a bit odd to me that the own father promises his daughter as a wife to several men and has been selling her for sex since she was 14, yet she's supposedly still a virgin.
Again, there are inconsistencies with the plot and especially with the family history. It's completely different from the first book.
What really confused me is that Enzo and Sienna are visiting the Santoro family in Chicago, and Sienna suddenly goes to university there, they have an apartment there, and yet a short car ride is enough to be back in NYC in the family manson. Both cities were swapped
⭐️ 2/5
🌶 3/5

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book two picks up right where Book 1 left off. Enzo Feretti's life is the family and protecting them. The one time he couldn't still haunts him. Sienna longs to escape her life, but knows she is trapped as long as she is controlled by her father. A change meeting at the Feretti's casino with alter their lives forever. Enzo can sense something is off with Sienna when they meet, and when he hears a woman screaming for help and sees it's her he will stop at nothing to protect her. This delves into some dark issues, but the love they find brings them all back to the light. Loved this! I received this ARC from Bad Boy Updates.

[Reva Parks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enzo had failed to prevent his sister's abuse, so when he saw a young woman being picked up at the opening of their new Feretti Casino, he offered her an escape, which she declined. When he heard a scream in the park outside, he ran to find the same girl with a knife wound in her side. He grabs her up to his home and his own private doctor. So begins Sienna's escape from her father's brutal mistreatment and trafficking of her. Enzo is a commanding Mafia boss whose first efforts at 'sweet' talk bring snickers and laughs from his family we met in Book 1 of the Feretti Syndicate. This book was as chilling as the first, and I look forward to the next book in this series!

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story!!

This is the second book in this phenomenal series and this is Sienna and Emma's story.
This is a well written action packed story, with family dynamics, friendships, emotions, tension, challenges, danger, suspense, intrigue, secrets, trust, heartbreak, undeniable chemistry, and unconditional love, which leads to an entertaining, tragic, twisted,and unpredictable addictive page turner.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 2 of a series. I did not read Book 1 and didn't feel lost at all. But I will be reading the other books.

Enzo falls hard for Sienna. Loved their relationship. She had been severely abused and has a hard climb out of her situation. An incredible story. There are a few inconsistencies that didn't really affect the story, but that's why the 4 stars rather than 5. I am looking forward to the other 2 books in this series.

[Danielle Marlowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruined By Blood was a great story, the plot was strong, it's filled with many emotions, the story was written well. Sherry Blake did a great job on Enzo and Sienna's story, their path was a rollercoaster, they had many twists and turns and ups and downs, they were fighters. These two were made for each other, the connection and chemistry was strong, intense, steamy, they were good together.
This was a great story, I'd suggest reading it. Thanks, Sherry Blake. Great work :)

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book two didn't disappoint! She has delivered another angsty, twisty, thrill ride, laced with mafia greed, betrayal and trickery. It's all chock-full of smoking-hot, swoony romance, relatable, likable characters you feel for, and scummy villains who get no sympathy. The writing is smooth, the story is totally engaging, the plot hits that crescendo, then business gets handled. I'm there for the next book in this series!

[☆MichelleNicole☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

So these books are my first books by this author and I really like them and the stories, but it was a little confusing because I read book 1 and 2 back to back and in book 1 the parents died by home intruders then in book 2 the mom left then the half sisters mom died from cancer then dad died from heart attack, so things were not adding up, I don't know I was like what is going on????
I will keep reading this series because I have to read the sisters happy ending.. She needs one.

[Kailey Arias · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the story and it was a quick read BUT the first book in the series was better. There were inconsistencies from the first book to this one. I’m glad Sienna was able to trust Enzo but sleeping with him almost immediately after all the trauma she endured seemed a little forced. Towards the end of the book it seemed like it was being drug out and things that weren’t important to the story were added. Not sure if i’ll continue this series

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enzo failed to keep his sister safe, so when he encounters Sienna, and she needs help in a similar way, he feels compelled to do whatever it takes to keep her safe. Sienna's past and recent past is horrific and at the hands of her father makes it even worse. Enzo not only wants to keep her safe, but wants to help her heal as well. Great book. Absolutely fantastic characters and story.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enzo and Sienna meet at a casino opening. He can’t forget her. When he finds her bleeding on the grounds, he immediately takes care of her. He won’t let her go. She is afraid and doesn’t want him to take her back. What a great story! There is so much chemistry and trust between Enzo and Sienna. Didn’t want the story to end.

[Kristen Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sherry Blake did it again! Just finished Ruined by Blood and I absolutely love Enzo and Sienna’s story! The whole book was absolutely AMAZING! The spice was 🔥, the banter was funny (I actually laughed out loud numerous times), the plot and storyline was incredible! Highly recommend the Feretti Series by Sherry Blake!

[Anne-Marie McLean · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Gritty, Action-Packed Mafia Romance!

Loved this! Sherry Blake's Ruined by Blood is a high-stakes, action-packed mafia romance that delivers.

A fantastic, fast-paced mafia romance! Ruined by Blood had me hooked with its constant action and the delicious dynamic of a hero who falls first and hardest. The story was well-paced, and the ending was deeply satisfying. Highly enjoyed it!

[Angela Hammond · Rating 5 out of 5]

It gets dark but worth the read!

I wasn't sure how I would take this one. There are lots of topics that deserve a trigger warning. But it's actually a beautiful story about healing, survival, and love. Rising from the depths of abuse and trauma to find trust and love. It had a great HEA!

[Belle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my, she went through so much trauma. I found the story exciting. In some parts, though, it felt like too little, like her trauma suddenly disappears just because he’s there? I don’t think every detail needs to be explored, but it does affect someone, and that didn’t come through enough at times. I really liked how she was accepted by everyone and how she opened up from her shell with Enzo.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her life is going to change when he arrives in her life. Her life has all been planned out but he gives her something she truly wants, freedom to be what she wanted to be with him. He will do anything to have and keep her. See if they will be together forever