I sought sanctuary from the devil. Instead, I found my damnation.I'm twenty years old, and I have three weeks before I become Daniil Morozov's bride—and his next victim.
My mother is dead. My uncle is selling me to the Russians like I'm property he can trade. I have one option left, one desperate beg protection from the enemy who once saved my life.
Lorenzo Sartori doesn't save Torrino women. I know this. The last one who entered his life left four of his men dead. But when I appear at his door with evidence that could destroy Francesco's empire, Lorenzo makes a choice that changes everything.
He keeps me.
Now I'm trapped in his compound. Hunted by Russians who see me as their stolen prize. Caught between two families who've bathed Chicago in blood for generations.
I'm supposed to be his prisoner, leverage in his game of power. He's supposed to be cold, calculating, untouchable. Instead, we burn.
Every lesson in survival becomes a lesson in desire. Every night I spend under his protection pulls me deeper into his darkness. Every touch is a betrayal of everything I should stand for.
And when the city explodes in violence, when the past comes calling in blood and bullets, I discover a truth that terrifies I didn't run to Lorenzo Sartori for salvation.
I ran to him because some part of me always knew. I was born to be his queen.
"You're mine now, piccola," he tells me. "And I protect what's mine."Dark. Possessive. Utterly addictive.
Lorenzo (34) & Sophia (20). She is their enemy’s daughter that seeks protection from the Sartoris.
I liked how Lorenzo fought so hard to resist the temptation for as long as he could. And his pain was very well depicted, I could feel him 100%. I’m not sure why exactly he fell for her though and can’t say I saw the chemistry.
Sophia was too immature, not strange for a 20y old but still, her actions were too childish given Lorenzo’s behaviour and reassurances.
The secrets revealed were awesome and I wish I had read this book before Bruno. Still, it’s a well written book that just needs a little bit of editing polish.
I was having fun with this book until about 60%. I hate hate hate a miscommunication trope and an insecure FMC. However, I was still interested. I love the way Sherry Blake sprinkles in some family drama and adds to the story line outside of the current romance. It saved the ending for me.
Me ha encantado, ha sido casi perfecto. Como estaba escrito, todo a su tiempo, los diálogos de los personajes, todo. Me ha gustado muchísimo, además de la duración.
ARC Review, Thank you Sherry Blake. Let me tell you, I could not put this book DOWN. I finished it at 3am but that’s beside the point.
Lorenzo and Sophia are officially my new favorite couple in the series. These two went through so much, especially when it came to Lorenzo’s family. Because of his past he used it as an excuse to doubt what he truly felt for Sophia. This book has nonstop drama plot twists, people turning up alive, secret relatives, long-buried family secrets coming to light, betrayal, and lies. Just when I thought I had things figured out, another twist would hit.
As the story came to an end, it truly tugged at my heartstrings. Sophia dealing with his past coming up and having her second guess his feelings for her. But Lorenzo did not play when it came to protecting his woman, and I absolutely loved that about him. He made it known that she was his and under his protection. At the same time, the chemistry between Lorenzo and Sophia was undeniable. Their connection was intense, emotional, and definitely steamy.
Lorenzo is the second book in the Sartori Syndicate series.
A storyline that's quick to read yet promises so much reading pleasure.
Sherry Blake has once again succeeded in telling a thrilling story set in the Mafia underworld.
Lorenzo is the family's fixer, always careful to maintain peace between the siblings. But he also struggles with the events of his past; his trust in women is shattered due to the betrayal by his first love.
Sophia is the young, innocent niece of a rival Mafia family. Her uncle has "sold" her to a powerful Russian. She flees to Lorenzo for protection.
The romance between Sophia and Lorenzo develops slowly but intensely. Despite the 14-year age gap, they find common ground on many levels. Anyone familiar with Sherry Blake's books knows that the relationship between FMC and MMC isn't always smooth. They have to overcome several obstacles, and some new plot twists promise hours of enjoyable reading. The Sartori family has to overcome quite a few secrets. Readers will find out how in the next installments. Nico will get his storyline next.
The only thing that leaves me unsatisfied is the "ending" between Dante and Marina. And I really hope that Sherry Blake tells us their story/HEA in a separate book.
“This feeling in my chest—it's trying to claw its way out through my ribs. Like my lungs forgot how to work, like I need to crack open my chest and give her my heart, my breath, everything that keeps me alive.”
“I want to breathe for her. Want to open her mouth and push air from my lungs into hers, keep her alive with my own breath if that's what it takes.”
“Love her enough that I'd rip out my own heart and shove it in her chest if hers stopped beating.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Okay, for some context, I have had this series saved to read since December 2025. Another thing was that I actually found this series actually scrolling on Amazon. What caught my attention was the covers, and immediately I knew that they were mafia books, so I took a picture and finally got around to reading them, not knowing there are so many books, but I’m now determined to finished the Sartori Syndicate series!! So here it goes…
*Spoilers Ahead*
For this book, Lorenzo & Sophia are truly a couple that i initially didn’t think they would have a great love story but i was gravely mistaken. When it came to this book compared to Pierto book is that it is essentially the same book that Sophia comes wanting protection(her uncle sat her in arranged marriage to a Russian guy named Danil and he apparently killed woman) from Lorenzo but they have history because Lorenzo had saved her when she was younger ( due tot he age gap) and she was open about the legate she had against her uncle. Then we get lore that Lorenzo actually was in love with Luna which is Sophia’s cousin and that she only was in love because it was a mission by her dad to infiltrate the family and essentially you get information to take them down, but she ended up dying in a car crash. saw the entire time Lorenzo is keeping in mind what happened with luna but also thinking that Sophia might be doing the same thing but he’s conflicted because he’s attracted to her, but he thinks it’s taboo due to their age gap being in her young 20s and him being 34. but what he doesn’t know is that Sophia has had a long-term crush and love for him. I think another thing was his choice to not tell Pierto that she was hidden in one of their rooms, but Nico finding out which is set up clearly for the next book, but we getting foundations of how really broken this family truly is. I think once found out about Sophia and her situation and having her for dinner at the compound shows that he didn’t trust her, but when she was confronted with him, she was able to knock back down and really hold her ground saying that she wants protection and is willing to sacrifice herself and be used as a spy in order to gain our protection. I think for me, Lorenzo, introducing the option to set an arrange marriage between him and her in order to get protection, but also in order for them to gain all the benefits of taking out the competition which is strategic also placed to the plot line, so good because it’s him hitting two birds with one stone, getting his girl and getting rid of the enemy. I think it goes the same way as his brother that they’re all just think that they’re not worthy of love and they’re essentially put himself into a self inflicted pendant for their actions. And in this case, the plot line with the Russian guy wasn’t even the biggest thing it truly the biggest part in the shock was finding about all the family secrets that everybody was keeping from each other. Like Lorenzo knew that his dad at a secret family, but only to not say anything until their half sister came to them for help to see if they were matches for their younger half brother, and when Lorenzo was a match which he was very selfless and that take. And everybody freaking out on him being that they felt they were lied to, and then once we find out that Luna is alive complete shock but then we find out that she was actually pregnant that she had an affair with his brother that was dead, which was Riccardo and that Bruno helped her escape and fake her death. LIKE QUEEE?!!! LIKE TALK ABOUT PLOT BABY!! and all of this being confessed by luna to Lorenzo and then Sophia watching from outside the door, assuming shit essentially running away, thinking that he’s cheating on her and wants to die and in all of this fury that asked to go kill his brother to the Russian comes in and essentially kill Sophia for 45 seconds and shoots Marina essentially traumatizing her, but she’s also ignoring me, but also, I can see how she’s setting up for for her book with Dante. I don’t know that seeing Lorenzo be vulnerable and emotional to hearing that Sophia wanting to die and then literally actually dying and then they’re surviving and him finally like accepting like fuck like I have to stop rejecting this like I can’t have my life to the point where he’s literally tells Nico that if she dies Luna and Bruno both die, regardless of the fact that it’s his brother. I think for me this book was one of the best books in regards to plot line in this entire series like this one beats every single book I’ve read even in the other family just purely wow because this book set essentially in my head set up every single one of the following siblings books. LIKE CINEMA AND GENIUS BOOK WRITING!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Feeling she has no other choice Sophia runs to the only man to beg him for salvation. Lorenzo, once scorned, will not be fooled or trusting a second time of another Torrino woman. Fiercely protected family secrets, lies and deceit run deep in the Satori family, and there’s always someone waiting in the sidelines, someone much more sinister wanting to take back what’s been promised to them. The simmering romance between Lorenzo and Sophia is all but ready to combust if Lorenzo can get out of his own way, and realize what’s right in front of him and what Sophia is offering. An enjoyable read from start to finish, thanks to the author for the opportunity to read and review her work as a part of her ARC team.
- věkový rozdíl - mafiánské nepřátelské rodiny - rodinná tajemství = ničí důvěru, fungování rodiny
- ochránce, zároveň věří že vše čeho se dotkne zničí - přišla k němu pro pomoc, žena v rodině jen jako produkt smluv - domluvené manželství - vše pro její ochranu - útok, blízkost smrti
To jak hrdina bojoval se svými city, nenávistí k sobě bylo bolestně skvěle napsané.
Marina ...... chudinka zapojená do mafiánského života, ale její škádlení s Matteem a jeho oddanost pro její bezpečí a bdění nad jejím lůžkem v nemocnici a následně zlomené srdci po jejím odmítnutím mi hrnula slzy do očí. Doufám že se jejich vztah v dalších knihách rozvede nebo dostanou svoji knihu.
This book was so good! If I could rate it 6 stars, I would! The plot thickened so much at the end, it was crazy! Reading the previous books in the series I thought we would get to see Lorenzo's charming self, but it was nice to see the real dark side of him. Sophia annoyed me at times but I have to remind myself she is a 20 year old and still maturing. Although she learn really quick throughout the book. The storyline was amazing, so much happened and yet it didn't feel like the plot was getting confusing. 1000% recommend you read this and the other book!
This is the eighth book in this phenomenal series and this is Sophia and Lorenzo's story. This is a well written action packed, emotional roller coaster, with family dynamics, friendships, tension, heartbreak, loyalty, lies, secrets, betrayal, challenges, humour, forced proximity, an age gap, manipulation, revenge, revelations, undeniable chemistry, and unconditional love, which leads to an entertaining, twisted, and unpredictable addictive page turner. I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.
🌶️🌶️🌶️ My babiesss! Lorenzo was everything i thought it was going to be! I love a good age gap romance. It was also a great grumpy x sunshine romance as well. Sophia had this innocence about her who was optimistic and already knew her feelings for Lorenzo. Lorenzo was the perfect grumpy MMC. Their relationship was developed perfectly , not too slow and not too fast. Once you got to the spice, the spice was perfect! There were so many plot twists and secrets being unfolded. I was absolutely hooked during it all. The side characters were equally amazing. I’m looking forward to Nico’s book!
Lorenzo, WOW, what a story! I've been waiting for Loenzo's story for a long time. Lorenzo saved Sophia when she was a child. Sophia has loved Lorenzo her whole life from afar. Sophia goes to Lorenzo for help due to her uncle and the Russian's plan. Great story! Lots of secrets. There is lots of suspense, action and steamy scenes. Lorenzo's family is complex with many secrets, that all come out. I enjoyed the characters from this series. I look forward to reading more from Sherry Blake in the future.
I received an advanced copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Lorenzo and Sophia easily became one of my favorite couples in the series. They went through so much, especially with everything tied to Lorenzo’s past and his family. You could see how his history made him hesitate and question what he felt for Sophia, which added so much tension to their relationship.
This book really hit emotionally. Watching Sophia struggle with doubts while Lorenzo’s past resurfaced was tough, but I loved how fiercely protective he was of her. I love this series and each sibling just grabs and keeps a piece of my heart with every book!
Omg!! This girl did it again!!! This book 5 ⭐️ all the twist I was like “Holy Molly” so Luna was still alive, she was sleeping with Ricardo while she was still with Lorenzo and she ended pregnant, had a son and Bruno helped her to fake her death and disappeared. All this happened in the same chapter I was HOLY MOTHER!!!! . Sherry girl you’re the “Queen of the Mobb” when it comes to writing a story that kept us stock like glue. Again I have to say I’m sooooo obsessed with this Italian families. I can’t get enough. This books are spicy, funny, interesting and amazing all at once.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
While struggling with the pain of losing her mother a few weeks ago, Sophia is also looking for ways to escape the marriage her uncle has arranged for her. In this process, her only resort is to seek refuge with Lorenzo Sartori, as he once saved her life years ago. Why wouldn't he do it again?
The chemistry between Lorenzo and Sophia was lovely. I liked the younger siblings in the Sartori family, though I'm still skeptical about the older ones. I am looking forward to reading Marina and Dante's book; I hope it meets my expectations.
dnf’d @60% I’m honestly so disappointed this one didn’t work for me! I was excited for Lorenzo’s story, but the immaturity and lack of chemistry just killed it for me. And that family revelation that was revealed just felt unnecessary. I feel like the story could’ve held its own with Daniil storyline and spoiler with Bruno waking up. Anyways, I will be reading Nico’s story because I’m absolutely a sucker for single mom romances.
Lorenzo and Sophia are offically my favourite couple.. There was no games or cruelity towards her he was very mindful of her and only wanted the best for her thoughout despite the things he did hurting her.. It always came from a good place. I felt their growing feelings for each even though they both had their own battles to fight. I loved this book and can't wait for the next series.
Fleeing from an arranged marriage which will be certain death, I can’t marry a monster. I go to the Lorenzo who saved me when I was eight even though he is my families enemy. I have nothing, I am soaking wet and it’s 3am, my name is Sophia
Wow, wow, wow. Lorenzo just blew me away! Sophia came for help and just blew it all up! You'll want to shake all the Sartori siblings! I can't wait to read Nico's story!
Take a way the back and forth "I can't love you because we're wrong for each other do to age difference" and you have the perfect book! I never saw the twist coming and now on to the next book!!!