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The Five Families #1

I Love You, Salvatore

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Every love story is important, whether it ends in a happy-ever-after or tragedy, because two people shared something so special that it made them value each other’s life more than their own. I know this is true because my life with Salvatore Santini was a beautiful love story…

One that ended far too soon.

But I would rather live for only one day with him, than suffer a lifetime without him. Being with Salvatore was worth a thousand deaths. Through him, I experienced heaven on earth, something very few people find. So don’t cry for me, I was truly happy. But if you can’t stop your tears, save them for Salvatore…

The one I left behind.

The Five Families series is a collection of standalone novels and novellas centered around different members of ruling mafia families on a famous island off the southern coast of Italy.

Books from this series can be read as a companion to The Santini Brothers and My Masters' Nightmare series.

I Love You, Salvatore covers 26 years, chronicling Rosa's and Salvatore's love story. It's broken up into 3 parts: The Early Years (age 10-19), The Middle Years (20-29), The Final Years (30-36), with a current 2014 scene spliced through. It's from Rosa's point of view.

238 pages, Paperback

First published December 18, 2014

8 people are currently reading
368 people want to read

About the author

Marita A. Hansen

100 books855 followers
SOME FACTS ABOUT ME:

I'm a New Zealander from Auckland, with dual citizenship (NZ and Croatia). I've also lived in Kerikeri, Singapore and Papua New Guinea.

CAREER PATH: I started off as a Graphic Designer, then went to Auckland University, where I got a BA degree in Art History and Italian Studies and a post-graduate Honors degree in Art History. I worked in the Art History field, then became a full-time artist, doing commissions. I eventually lost all of my senses and gave it up to be a self-published writer, publishing my first book in 2011. Though, earlier in 2023 I returned to art, shelving being a writer since book pirates made it impossible to earn a living from my work, excessively pirating my books. They basically broke my spirit. However, a very nice reader spurred me on to try again, so I'm attempting to revive my writing career.

BAD HABITS: I'm a major procrastinator, I stay up way too late, and I get distracted far too easily unless it's doing something I love. My mind never stops racing, can't turn ADHD off.

SPORTS: As a teenager my favourite sports were karate, badminton, and running. I also did unarmed combat and played in a touch rugby team (my gym teacher made me do the last one!) As an adult, I've couched soccer and have completed two marathons, numerous half-marathons and one 30K run, though I stick to the gym now, hanging up my running shoes.

STATUS: Married to my high school sweetheart (which he hates me calling him). We have two kids.

Author Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Marita-A-Han...

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 29 reviews
Profile Image for Barbara.
433 reviews82 followers
January 13, 2015

ARC provided to me by author Marita Hansen in exchange for an honest review.



What happens when a naive girl felt in love with a son of a Dom…two children with totally different backgrounds meet and can´t be apart no matter what, an amazing unconditional love! Rosa and Salvatore’s love is not an easy one, a beautiful look at love that few ever really feel!

Marita A. Hansen has created a beautiful, but very painful love story, I love Salvatore Santini – love him from the beginning but when he becomes a hard mafia man – SWOON – He is incredibly sexy and the sex scenes with Rosa were off the chart hot – He is perfect!

So if you’re looking for passion, LOVE, heart breaking, Mafia world in a Italian way, read this book!

Thanks so much Marita A. Hansen for the privilege of reading this wonderful book!


My Salvatore!

Profile Image for ✿kawehi.reviews.
1,453 reviews429 followers
December 22, 2014
☆ I received an ARC via the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ☆

I Love You, Salvatore held a multi-dimensional feel that impressed and fueled my imagination!!

It made me think of a double edged sword—- both beautiful and deadly, in which love and obligation to one's family legacy run dire consequences which can lead to fulfillment or utter destruction.

Rosa and Salvatore’s story was actually my favorite of Marita A. Hansen’s stories. While I’d only ever read Ricardo from this author, ILYS held a more basic and natural feel to its infrastructure and felt a lot less gritty and depressing than its predecessor.

Don’t get me wrong, I do like dark and high stake reads with complications and complexity. But! What I liked here was that I got to see everything occur from one single dimensional perspective--- all the way from humble beginnings, through tumultuous challenges and awakenings, to where things are now.

Rosa and Salvatore’s love is not an easy one, as one can imagine for someone associated with the Mafia lifestyle, and in any relationship—they go through their ups and downs, agreements and disagreements, as well as ever adapting adjustments toward making their love work in this turbulent and chaotic world set against them.

#A realistic and engaging Mafia romance that grab readers from the very go and keep you guessing till the very end!

Kawehi
Profile Image for Menna.
229 reviews8 followers
December 31, 2014
**5 Amazing beautifully heart melting and saddening stars**


"He was the man of my dreams,

My perfect prince

Someone who could do no wrong."



This story was the sweetest beautiful story I have read in a long time. It has all the factors that would make a romantic read perfect for me.

I LOVED the reality of the story, it felt so real not some corny soap opera. I loved Salvador and Rosa so freaking much, they were perfect together, loved them through their ups and downs, their banter and the amazing unconditional love they had for each other.

"Is the big bad mafia man scared o one diaper?
Sì, give me a knife and I‘ll go kill Selena instead, because it‘s better than wiping Piero‘s merda."


Salvatore had the whole package any wife could wish for; caring, gentle, selfless, hot, sexy, loving, kind and so much more. He was the perfect husband, father and family man.

As for Rosa , I really loved her she was perfect for him. She was also, kind, loving, got balls, fierce, funny, hot, loyal....

They just completed each other, they were the perfect example for the term soulmates.

"And I hope to see wrinkles here one day, because it‘ll mean I still have you in my life."

In a time like Nowadays where lots of people have gone through bad relationships that had made them give up on love or don't believe that love truly exists anymore, this story has made me believe that love could be enough, that no matter what life throws at you, as long as you have a person who truly loves you and have your back, nothing will ever matter, you would stand side by side against the whole world.

"I would rather live for only one day with him, than suffer a lifetime without him."

I also liked that I got to see some glances into the other Santini brothers's life, especially Alessandro and what happened to him. It made me want to read more about them now more than ever.

The hardest part in that book was reading and feeling through every word the love they had for each other and how much she was crazy about him, knowing what will happen to her at the end, really broke my heart.

I actually cried at the part they talked about exchanging wills, even though they joked about it and tried to lighten it up but that made me tear up more.

I know now that Salvador's book is going to be really hard to read but even though I loved Rosa I hope he could move on like she had asked him to...

I really loved this book, glad that I have read it and I won't forget it any time soon.
Profile Image for Dianne.
6,815 reviews633 followers
December 27, 2014
Grab some tissues, reign in your heart and your temper, dust off your passport, we’re going to travel across both an ocean and time in a truly contemporary tragic love story staged in the violent world of the heartland of the Mafia. Two young children from totally different backgrounds meet, Rosa is the young daughter of a seamstress, Salvatore is the son of a Mafia Don. Their worlds are polar opposites, but attraction knows no boundaries, it just is, and when it’s real, and friendship and love grows, there is nothing that can stop it. Rosa is revisiting her life with Salvatore since age ten. He is handsome, has a quiet power that surrounds him that she doesn’t understand. He comes from wealth, and the type of power that even those in authority fear, a position where politics play an even bigger role than love.

Salvatore’s family has plans for him; they have arranged a marriage that is beneficial to the family. Rosa has never been good enough in their eyes, she has no power to give them, and she would not make a good wife to a powerful Mafia son. Salvatore, although his heart is not in it, is destined to follow in the family business. But these two hold an ace that changes everything and Rosa’s own strong will will become the catalyst to their marriage. Their devotion to each other brings them through the most heartbreaking times, strengthening their love, proving their love. Will Rosa ever be accepted into the family? Is she a weakness that others can use against Salvatore?

People change, but behind closed doors their love is a raging inferno. Rosa’s stroll down memory lane is truthful, sometimes emotionally crushing, but a beautiful look at love that few ever really feel. Will it last through eternity? Will it strengthen with time? Will it be enough to carry her Salvatore through life? Will the family taint the love they have? Will they have to separate after all these years?

I love, absolutely love when one of those hidden gems pop up and total blind me with its brilliance! Sure, I read the synopsis and I thought I knew where this was going to go and how it was going to get there, I was not even close. Marita A. Hansen has absolutely created a beautiful, yet painful love story that spanned decades, ups and downs, happiness and sadness, and never once did I doubt the depth of the love between Rosa and Salvatore! That is skilled writing, to build so many obstacles, so much danger and never once let the love die out through the changes that life brings is so refreshing to see. Ms. Hansen’s ability to transcend decades with such smooth transitions and is phenomenal, to do it through the eyes, mind and heart of one character, is what makes this tale so strong, so riveting and so memorable.

I received this copy from Marita A. Hansen in exchange for my honest review.

Series: The Five Families - Book 1
Publication Date: December 18, 2014
Publisher: Marita A. Hansen
Genre: Romance
Print Length: 171 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Reviewed for: http://tometender.blogspot.com

6 reviews
December 20, 2014
This book was not what I expected, it's MUCH better than what I expected. I liked this author's other books, but this one was the first one I could call beautiful. Her other books about the mafia were dark, this one was a mixture of sweet and tragic. It gave me the chills. The writing was beautiful, especially the tiny poems at the top of some of the chapters. It really set the mood.

The book is taken from Rosa's perspective, which is also different from the author's other books, which have multiple perspectives. I prefer multiple perspectives, but for this book the single one was perfect. Rosa took us through her love story with Salvatore, right from when they first met. Little Rosa and Salvatore were adorable. I loved how they grew through the book, from when they were in school to adulthood.

And Salvatore - swoon! He is the best Santini brother. He is so chivalrous, a true gentleman, but not a push over. When he was setting Rosa straight about what he is really like - a hard mafia man, it was the best moment in the book for me. I can see him holding a door open for a woman, then turning around and shooting a man in the head. He has two sides to his personality and I loved that about him. He is incredibly sexy and the sex scenes were off the chart hot.

He is also intensely loyal to his family, which is another wonderful quality. The way he reacted when Alessandro was hurt was heartbreaking.

Additionally. I want to read more about Silvio. His story combined with Bella's and Luciano's is heartbreaking and I NEED to know more about him.

I'm eagerly awaiting the next book.
Profile Image for Bookish.
41 reviews19 followers
March 7, 2015
BY FAR,THE BEST BOOK I READ THIS YEAR!!!



Review to come............
Profile Image for Mummy's Naughty Corner.
1,513 reviews89 followers
February 15, 2015
Book gifted from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Cover :- 4 stars
Sex/steaminess :- 4 stars
Story line :- 5 stars
Characters :- 5 stars
Overall rating :- 4.5 stars

Personal rating :- 5 stars

Book Pairing:- M/F
Did it give me a book hangover :- Almost
Is this a review book or personal read :- Review Read

Why I chose this book?

I got the pleasure of being a Beta on this read.

What I liked about this book.

* The character development was fantastic.
* The story sweeps you away.
* The mix of the gritty gangster live with the sweetness of the romance was perfect.

What I didn't like about this book.

Nothing really

Would I read more from this author?

Yes

Would I recommend this book?

Yes
Profile Image for Johnnie-Marie Howard.
1,138 reviews43 followers
January 2, 2015
I rather enjoyed the time I took to read this fantastic story. It really helped sum up the others that I have read and really blends into them as well just a little hop into a back seat all it really is. It's meant to be a stand alone but to really understand what has happened I recommend reading My Masters Nightmare along with Ricardo which those are amazing stories as well. It has only taken me a few hours to read this bad boy from cover to cover and love every minute of it. The passion, love, and truths it holds is really a wonderful site for the heart to hold. This is one story I feel I didn't get enough of I in a way want more I feel I need more it's that great. MUST READ!!!


***I received this story for free in exchange for an honest review, see more of my review @ http://jmhoward2007.blogspot.com on 1-4-15***
Profile Image for M.A. McRae.
Author 11 books19 followers
December 26, 2014
There were obstacles, and yet this love could not be denied. I very much enjoyed this story of Rosa, daughter of a seamstress, and Salvatore Santini, Mafia.
336 reviews2 followers
February 1, 2015
Wow must-read!!

I really like the story i cried a little. Why did it have to end like that fuck it was a good read.
781 reviews7 followers
October 28, 2017
Beautiful Love Story

If you read "Ricardo", you already know how "I Love You, Salvatore" ends (wipe eyes with kleenex! ). This was a beautiful love story told through the eyes of Rosa and Salvatore who loved each other since age eleven and the events leading up to the tragic end.
44 reviews9 followers
March 27, 2020
Me gustó muchísimo. Es una preciosa historia de amor
Profile Image for Honestly Honest Bookworm.
398 reviews45 followers
June 27, 2015
So I rarely ever write reviews but every once in a awhile I feel the need to vent about a book that bothers me. This book would definitely be on that list. I can't believe that I seen so many 4 or 5 star reviews.

I had many issues with this book. I didn't like the way the timeline was constantly jumping to so many different places, it was so hard for me to keep up with. The random use of another language that not every time was translated. The characters felt so fake for me, which I get it they are fake characters but the books that I enjoy are the characters that I can feel. I love a good mafia read and I love a good romance read, this failed on both aspects for me. I read a LOT of books and I usually leave okay ratings for books that I don't even like that much but this book was a waste of time to be honest. But hey, if it works for you then great.
Profile Image for Nile Princess.
1,580 reviews174 followers
February 28, 2016
I originally put off reading this book because I wasn't too sure I was interested in a post mortem look back at Salvatore and Rosa's life. I'm glad I decided to read it. This is an extremely beautiful, well written love story. Love stories like this feel so rare today - best friends from 10 years old, different social circles, fighting for their love against their families and naysayers. I love how Rosa was kind and sweet but a bit of a spitfire and how Salvatore was mafia, but so gentle and loving with Rosa. You truly felt that Salvatore and Rosa were everything to each other, and that this book was a celebration of their love. It will be interesting to see how Salvatore moves on from this. 4.5*
Profile Image for Feronica.
58 reviews
October 14, 2015
awesome story. Salvatore and Rosa's love is one of true love that could happen. They both love each other so much and both of them are one another's first love. the way Rosa told us that Salvatore will be her one and only love is true. the story is awesome but I hate the ending since it's not a happily ever after for both of them. If only they have a happily ever after I would give 5 stars. Luciano lost his wife, Paola on the story and then Salvatore lost Rosa at the end of the story, it makes the story ended badly.
Profile Image for Anis.
301 reviews
May 9, 2015
Smiling.. Crying.. Smiling.. Crying.
And BUMMM
I opened my mouth one last time
And breathed out
“I love you, Salvatore.”


THE END.
Then I saw this :D

Salvatore’s Viewpoint
Coming in 2015...

My wife died in a bomb blast six weeks ago, leaving me shattered and broken, struggling every day to cope without her.
750 reviews7 followers
December 8, 2015
This was a very good book, I really liked how the author divided up the book into three different parts, which followed their age progression. I was shocked at the way it ended I couldn't tell who was going to die whether it was going to be her or salvatore. Very good mafia read.
Profile Image for Gunlady.
4 reviews
November 28, 2016
If I could give this more than 5 stars I would have. It's such a sad story, but I can't even get mad at the author because it's life and the story wouldn't have been as beautiful if she had told it any other way.
Profile Image for Victoria.
166 reviews
April 29, 2015
I was really sad that she died. I mean she didn't get to say good bye to her love ones. Also she really couldn't get her son? I mean really?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Beatriz.
740 reviews27 followers
January 24, 2015
I was actually surprised on how good this short read was.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 29 reviews

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