The Devil´s Deal

Cavaleri Brothers #1

by Lilian Harris, Obsidianhearts Publishing (Translator)

She’s the devil's daughter, but once, she was my only friend.

Everything changed fifteen years ago when her father killed mine. When she betrayed me. And every day since, all I’ve thought about was vengeance—brutal, twisted revenge.

I’ve been patient, rising from ruins, growing an empire with my brothers, waiting for my chance to take out her father--the boss of the Palermo crime family.

The time has come.
The devil will pay.
I'm about to take the only one he has left—his daughter.

She doesn't know I'm Dominic Cavaleri, the same boy she hurt, the one who loved her.

But she'll know soon enough--right before I destroy everything she’s ever known. She's nothing more than a game to me.

And this time, I’m playing to win.
Even if it means risking my heart.

Genres: Dark Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Romance, Mafia Romance, Friends To Lovers, Second Chance, Dark

406 pages, Paperback

First published November 2, 2021

About the author

Hi! I'm only on Goodreads on occassion. You may find me on my website www.LilianHarris.com

Or, connect with me through social media.

Thanks!

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WEBSITE: lilianharris.com
EMAIL: LilianHarrisAuthor@gmail.com

Reviews

[readabookonce · Rating 1 out of 5]

When he’s so conflicted about his love for her that he gets a blowjob from another woman while she watches, but it’s okay because he didn’t finish 💕

Chiara is established as a woman able to defend herself (I mean, she punched a creepy dude in her strip club and has taken boxing classes!), and yet, she does not defend herself even once. She constantly has to be saved, which wouldn’t be an issue if the book didn’t place so much emphasis on how much of a badass she is. Emotionally, she folds faster than a lawn chair. The way she had sex with this dude almost immediately after watching him with another woman—no apology needed. Oh, okay.

Dominic was creepy, and worse, annoying. He was on the run, but he and his brothers got adopted by a rich dude who left them everything, making Dominic a CEO when we meet him…sure. This man wasn’t stupid; he was a fool, which is far less endearing and infinitely more embarrassing. I’ve never met a male main character who was so incompetent.

The whole thing about Dominic lying about who he was got old quickly. Both just behaved so childishly about it. Their ten-year-old selves were more mature than their twenty-eight-year-old selves.

The beginning was cute, and I’m interested in reading the rest of the series. Rather than indifference, I feel fury. It created an emotional response, so…kudos.

★

[Malak♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

“I’ve never cared about coming back alive. But for once, I do.”
“I’m not done loving you.”

3 Stars
⤷ This started off crazy good then it just became boring as hell 😔 The ending was soo anticlimactic and extremely annoying there was an unnecessary miscommunication trope. And also I would have rathered there would have been a bit of suspense with their background stories rather than giving us everything in the first few chapters and have more than half of the book being filler chapters 🧍‍♀️

The FMC was so good in the beginning then she just became annoying and stupid as hell, like fuck off 🫩🫩
The MMC was a bit better but he was still annoying.
So like the first half of the book was good the rest was ass 🧍‍♀️

I have a feeling I'm gonna hate Dante's book but we'll see 😮‍💨

❦⋆˚𝜗𝜚˚⋆❦ Pre-read ❦⋆˚𝜗𝜚˚⋆❦
⤷ I'm already a few chapters in, and the plot is eating tbh. I missed me a good mafia romance 😻

[Julia (bookish.jka) · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Whatever. I don't care. I have Dom. He's a real friend. My best friend in the whole world. We haven't been apart since we first met in class."

The Devil's Deal by Lilian Harris is the first book in the Cavaleri Brothers series and this one focuses on Dominic and Chiara, who are childhood best friends, oblivious to the family dynamics that will threaten their friendship and tear them apart.

Separated by tragedy at 13 years old, Dom and Chiara won't meet again for 15 years - on opposite sides of a mafia turf war with hidden identities, kidnapping, broken promises and murder.

If you love....

🌶friends to enemies
🌶enemies to lovers
🌶forbidden relationships
🌶mafia dynamics
🌶second chances
🌶strong FMCs
🌶hot AF male MCs
🌶steamy scenes
🌶HEAs

....you will totally ship The Devil's Deal 💚🖤.

Recommended.

4 steamy stars ✨✨✨✨

[Shelby · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Devil’s Deal; the first book of the Cavaleri Brother’s series.

4.5 rating.

Chiara & Dominic have been bestfriend from an early age. They had a bond that was unbreakable, or so they thought.

Chiara’s dad isn’t a fan of Dom & his family. He’s not a kind man at all, no sense of remorse & just a monster.

A life changing incident happens, which makes Dominic feel Betrayed & broken.
He isn’t a child anymore. He’s out for revenge & he will do everything in his power to make sure that those he’s after get what they have coming.


Now it’s years later. They aren’t children anymore. They are adults & living seperate lives. They’re both completely different people now.

They both have different versions of what happened in their mind, that has been eating away at boh of them all these years.

This book is filled with so much tension, drama & some HOT spicy scenes. The plot & characters are so well written. Once you start reading, you won’t be able to stop.


*ARC kindly provided in exchange for a honest review*

[ya.vl · Rating 3 out of 5]

2,5⭐️
Сиділа і думала що мені сподобалось в цій книзі🤔 напевно єдине це моменти з минулого, коли вони були дітьми
На цьому все..
Чесно сказати це така дурня, але так затягує
Я навіть пробудилась вночі і читала далі😅
Бачила в відгуках інших що всі дуже нахвалюють Кьяру типу вона така сильна і т.д
А в чому її сила проявляється я не зрозуміла 🤷🏿‍♀️
Ну хіба в кінці- все, на цьому закінчим
Дом він такий смішний, чоловіку 28 років а він досі тримає обіду, хоча пройшло років 15🤦🏿‍♀️
Дурдом якийсь
Нафіга то було стільки часу приховувати своє справжнє ім’я 🤦🏿‍♀️🤦🏿‍♀️🤦🏿‍♀️
В принципі якби він їй скорше признався то половини книжки не було б🤷🏿‍♀️
Мені ще трохи дивно що вона його не впізнала 🤔
На один раз книга підійде но не більше, мене заінтригував Данте, можливо ще прочитаю про нього
Думаю він набагато кращий🥰

[winnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm so glad an edit of this book appeared on my Instagram feed today because this is my new obsession.

Chiara and Dominic were best friends when they were kids, even though her dad never approved it, but one day he disappears with his brothers when his life is threatened and leaves her wondering why he never spoke to her again. Fifteen years later she's kidnapped by the guy who wants revenge for her father's crimes, and sees herself falling for the guy she used to know so well.

CHIARA IS SOOO INCREDIBLE I'm in love, she's so strong and I didn't expect to love her as much as I did. She was THE BOSS. I also felt so sad for how much she lost, how many years she spent suffering and not knowing why her best friend abandoned her.

As for Dom, well he did what he had to do to keep him and his brothers safe. I'm glad that at least he always seemed to care about Chiara's safety and he does love her.

The romance in this is sweet but also twisted (just like every other mafia romance I think). I'm usually not a fan of the captive falling for who kidnapped her but Chiara and Dom had history so I liked the fact that they were friends before and their scenes didn't bother me at all. I loved all the sex scenes and dirty talk, THOSE WERE REALLY GOOD and definitely worth reading.

tropes:

friends to enemies to lovers
captive romance
dark/steamy
forced proximity
mafia romance


As much as I enjoyed reading Dom and Chiara's book I think my favorites are Dante and Raquel, I'm so excited for The Devil's Pawn because it will serve marriage for convenience and (probably) obsessed boy. So yeah, I'm danteraquel's number 1 stan.

tw/cw: this book contains dark and mature themes such as domestic violence, grief, murderer, alcohol consumption, rape attempt, abduction, torture.

[Travelogged Blogs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! So, I freaking loved this book!!! It's dark, steamy, intense, funny with a dash of the childhood friends to enemies to lovers trope and Lilian Harris did not disappoint.
Chiara Bianchi is the daughter of a mob boss. All her life she has been hurt and suppressed by her cruel excuse of a father and her mother was her only ray of light until she finally makes one bestfriend in school- Dominic Cavaleri. They quickly become close at the age of ten and fast forward three years of knowing each other, they're still inseparable until one big traumatic event leads them away from each other. Dom thinks Chiara betrayed him by choosing her father's side but in reality she's been living a miserable life since he left her taking along his two little brothers.
Fifteen years later, Dom returns with agenda to get revenge of her father and his entire syndicate and this time, he's prepared to win.
Chiara was the character you'll definitely love if you like to see strong heroines who can hold their own ground. She fiesty, smart, witty and just the right person to calm Dom down and at the same time set him on fire!
I loved this amazing world that the author has built and I loved all the side characters including Enzo, aunt Kristen, Dante & Raquel! They were introduced in an exceptionally suave way and now I can't wait for Dante & Raquel's book to come out!

[Shabby -BookBistroBlog · Rating 4 out of 5]

The travails of forbidden love and the ache of eteranl love lost!!
Lilian sums them up oh so well in this angsty friends-to-enemies love story, a second chance thrown in for good measure.
Chiara Bianchi and Dom are childhood friends. First, fresh love that one never forgets till their dying breath.
Only her father is a monster who pries them apart with his blood soiled hands.
The fate twists and turns to bring them back together.
Dom is all grown up and the love in his heart is now a toxic couldron of churning hate.
It's fast paced, swollen with every emotion known to man. Set in the dark world of mafia, it has PLENTY of triggers.
Good cherry popper for me.
4 stars for half a heart
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[Tetyana · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5
Домінік прагне помститися за смерть свого батька і брата. Він декілька років виношував свій план помсти і нарешті може втілити його в реальність. Домінік - викрадає Кьяру - доньку людини, яка зруйнували його сім'ю. В дитинстві вони були друзями і любили один одного, але потім Кьяра відштовхнула Домініка і заподіяла біль в найгірший день його життя

Мені сподобалося. По перше, книга дуже легко читається, з кожною сторінкою хочеться дізнатися, що буде далі

По друге, мені сподобалися головні герої та їхня адекватність (наскільки це взагалі можливо для такого жанру)
Кьяра - сильна, вольова і зухвала. Мені подобалося, що незважаючи на те, що Домінік її приваблював, вона не розтікалася калюжкою, а готувала план втечі, і намагалася бути розсудливою.

Домінік - понад усе прагне помсти, але намагається не зашкодити невинним людям (вбиває мафіозників а простих людей не чіпає, ну лапочка ж😂)
Мені сподобалося, що, він незважаючи на свою образу на Кьяру та ненависть до її батька, завжди намагався її захистити, правда наробивши купу помилок в процесі, але то таке. Сподобалося його ставлення до Кьяри, його турбота, його хвилювання за неї.

Було цікаво спостерігати за їхніми стосунками, за тим, як вони намагалися супротивитися потягу між ними, як ненависть межувала з пристрастю. Сподобалося, що вони не обманювалися стосовно своїх почуттів і не заперечували їх. Що не було цих піздостраданій: він не може любити мене, бо він такий поганий і бла бла бла. Та що тут казати, мене навіть драма не роздратувала.

А ще тут шикарні другорядні герої - брати Домініка. Ще ті два балбеса😂 Наступна книга якраз про Данте (одного з братів) і Ракелію, їхня пара мене ще в цій книзі зацікавила, ну а через троп "договірний шлюб", хочеться вже сісти і читати

Коротше, я лишилася задоволеною, тому що чекала крінж крінжовий (судячи з обкладинки), а в результаті, не можу дочекатися, коли візьмуся за продовження

[Alina Kravets · Rating 4 out of 5]

Знайшла цю серію книг за допомогою тік току😁
І одразу вирішила знайомитись. ✨
Скажу так це влучне попадання, бо книга мені дуже сподобалась, тому буду читати далі всю серію.😍
О, ну і вогник такий добрячий існує між головними героями. Їх діалоги це щось.🔥

Кіара - дуже добра, співчутлива дівчина, яка нажаль належить до мафіозної родини, і вимушена жити по правилам і терпіти з боку батька знущання. З дитинства її всі обходили стороною, але був Доменік, її найкращий друг, який ніколи її не покидав. І все таки і він залишив її. Зараз Кіара є головною в стрип-клубі свого батька, це лише той раз там де він їй дав вибір. Або вийти заміж, або бути в бізнесі, і приносити йому гроші.🙄

Доменік - його потріпала доля, він виріс в звичайній великій родині. Де було кохання і повага. Він найстарший з братів Кавалері. Також є і інші брати. Нажаль він втратив дорогих йому людей, і був змушений швидко подорослішати і намагатись вижити в жорстокому світі.

Дуже класно описані стосунки між братами, як вони готові пройти і вогонь, і воду заради один одного.
Напевне я вперше читаю книгу де адекватні мафіозі, звісно є не дуже хороші їх вчинки(але то в них таке життя), але саме те як він поводиться з головною героїнею, те які слова він їй говорить, просто розтопило моє серце❤️‍🩹
Навіть моментами сльозу пустила, коли він написав їй листа, і просив вибачення🥹
Скажу так кожен брат має свою книгу, і події відбуваються майже в один час. Тому можна зрозуміти які будуть наступні пари і яка їх об'єднує історія.
Однозначно рекомендую до прочитання💗
А я йду до книги про Данте😌

[jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

*ARC provided for an honest review* (4.5 stars)

The Devil’s Deal is the first book of the Cavaleri Brother’s series. This book was such a wild ride and I enjoyed the connection both main characters had!

Chiara and Dominic have been close friends since they were younger. An unfortunate moment happens in which they become separated and end up becoming different people due to what they’ve been through. Chiara’s character is absolutely strong and I admire the way she never backs down. With Dominic he’s also been through hard stuff in the past that has set his mind to one thing and one thing only, revenge. He has lost so much alongside his brothers and the need for revenge is intense. The way the plot carries out with that need is an intriguing thing that I enjoyed reading about. Chiara and Dominic’s connection is something I really liked in this story. They’re both different now yet the feelings still remain fierce.

This book is a great introduction to the series and characters. I could already tell the other books are going to be just as interesting and I can’t wait to read them!

[Zara · Rating 1 out of 5]

0.5 star 🧍🏻‍♀️

This review is dedicated to Dija.

I write this review with no hatred in my heart (I’m lying)

Seriously though, what was that? I want to say perhaps I’ve outgrown certain tropes, or I no longer like certain books, but I doubt that’s true. Everything in the book was a mess.

The characterization was inconsistent, the dialogue was cringe. The events were messy.

The characters just kept contradicting themselves, I don’t even know where to start. I just considered myself done with 10% left of the book. I really couldn’t push through. Thing is, I hated this from the very start but I kept saying it’ll get better. Sadly it did not. Anyhow new ways of sounding deep kept being thrown my way in this book, darkness this, darkness that blah blah blah. A lovely example in my opinion;

“I once loved a boy who made me feel the beauty of the Sun, but now you’re nothing but his shadow, swallowing me into the dark” like come on be serious who says that??? 😭. The author is just making them not make up for the sake of not making up and dragging this book to make my life miserable. That piece of dialogue was not it 💀 it’s not that deep like girl 1) he’s dumb for believing that text was her and allowing it to fuel his hatred for 15 years 2) she’s dumb for being this dramatic over finding out who he is 3) “a sob wrecks my body” ENOUGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! how many times r we gonna cry.

Also can we talk about how convenient it was for everything to just fall into Dom’s lap?! The randomness of being a ceo because he inherited a random guy who randomly took him in 💀 the greatest example of “your plot is moving the character but the character isn’t moving the plot” again, the convenience of changing their names and then switching back was sooooo ??

There’s sooooo much more I wanna complain about but I’m done.


Ps: this sounds like something I would’ve written at 13.

[Lilian Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coming Nov 2nd!
Pre-order: https://www.amazon.com/Devils-Deal-En...

[meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not expect to love this book so much! Dom and Chiara serve childhood best friends to enemies to lovers SO WELL. Chiara is never weak or frail when it comes to business, and Dom continues to serve boy obsessed after years of separation. I cannot wait for the next book!

[Bella · Rating 4 out of 5]

“𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐚𝐫𝐚 𝐁𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐢 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐥´𝐬 𝐝𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐫, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐬𝐨𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐡𝐞´𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬."

The Devil’s Deal is centered around Dominic and Chiara. Having met as kids and being as close as friends can be, they are torn apart. Chiara’s father takes her away from Dom and his family as they are reeling from their loss. As the years pass, Dom and Chiara are apart but their paths will soon cross again. Dominic Cavaleri and his brothers are out for revenge against the boss of the Palermo family. Chiara is the missing chess piece they need to put their plan in motion to get rid of the man who ruined their lives forever, her father!

This is the perfect friends to enemies to lovers book with a mafia twist! I loved the dynamic between Dom and Chiara. While Chiara is being held captive by Dom and his family, she makes it known that she isn’t one to just take a hit. Their chemistry is ever present and their connection is strong. Her captor, “Brian,” is the man who was once her best friend but he is far away from the sweet boy she once knew.

This is my first read by this author and I loved it! This is the first book in the Cavaleri Brothers series and it was a great introduction to their world. I can’t wait to read the next books in the series and find out more!!

𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: ★★★★/5

*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

[Lια ☽ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since I read Lilian's first book I fell in love with her writing and after a really angsty series I loved to see her take on Mafia, a completely different genre from what she has written before. This author is always able to hit me in the feels, I don't know if it's her intention or not but the first couple of chapters in this book already got me crying lol.

The Devil's Deal is a Mafia, friends-to enemies-to lovers, second chance romance and I was so here for it. This is the story of Dominic and Chiara, they were childhood friends but a series of tragedies and misunderstandings kept them apart for many years. Now they meet once again but nothing is the same. They both went through so much and that changed them. From the first chapter you could feel their connection, longing and chemistry. They were each other's everything but now he is out for revenge and she has no idea she will play such an important part in his plans.

This book was fast paced and an amazing introduction to a brand new series. Some plot elements weren't my personal favorites but overall it was a really amazing book. I loved the characters, the tension, the angst, the steam...this book was really entertaining and I cannot wait to read the next one. The Cavaleri Brothers are everything!!!

[Kattrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

3% into the book and my heart is broke and I’m on the verge of tears. I feel this book might just ruin me already.
On another note I’m also already completely invested and need to know what happens next!
Talk about a emotional roller coaster. I’m happy, clenching my thighs, sad, angry then it starts all over again.
5 stars 100%! I loved this book, it gave all the feels with some much loved spice!
Dom…🖤 you can act like you hate me 😏

[simra🌸 · Rating 3 out of 5]

he makes her watch some barbie looking
chic suck him off after fingering the h the other night god damn and the h got off on it bruh. h is piss stupid with the whole body betraying syndrome. he claims he loves her yet lets someone suck him off. all this hate over the dumbest thing the h didnt even do. smut was good tho.

[abby :) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.75/5

once a mafia romance lover, always a mafia romance lover…

i was just scrolling through my instagram today when i saw someone post this book and once i read the blurb i knew i’d love it! childhood friends to enemies(ish) to lovers is by far my favorite trope ever. dom and chiara were everything and more, i’m so into this series already! since stolen heir was my favorite book in the brutal birthright it makes perfect sense that i loved the captor/captive element of this story. it wasn’t terribly dark which i appreciated but after reading the synopses for the next books i have a feeling it’s gonna get wayyyy worse. i already love dante and enzo from what we’ve seen and since i spoiled myself and know that matteo is alive so i can’t wait for the reunion.

raquel and dante are already a winning couple to me just from what we’ve seen of them in this book. the minor cliffhanger at the end of the book had me downloading theirs immediately. the only reason this wasn’t a five star was because sometimes the dialogue cringed me out and the fact that none of the brothers got to hurt faro made me mad for them. as a whole this book is severely underrated and everyone who likes mafia books needs to pick this one up immediately!!

[Jackie Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to say that Mafia is not normally a troupe I’m drawn to but The Devils Deal is so much more than just a Mafia read, it’s a friends to enemies to lovers story that captivated my heart, it’s about families and protecting those you love and this is a great start to the Cavaleri Brothers Series.
Dom and Chiara were childhood friends, they hoped they had a future together until the day Chiara’s father destroyed everything. Fast forward to today and Dom is out for revenge but can he hurt the woman who has held a piece of his heart since childhood……..
I’m not going to write a review that’s fill of spoilers because I believe you need to read The Devil’s Deal with no preconceived ideas so all I’m going to tell you is how this hook made me feel. I was captivated by this story and I fell hard and fast for Dom, I admired the strong and determined Chiara and I was certainly kept on the edge of my seat as I negotiated the twists and turns in this fast paced read. It’s a story that’s full of heat and drama but be warned this book will leave you wondering what’s going to happen next. Great start to the series

[Evelyn Jane Thorne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Devil’s Deal is the first book in the Cavaleri Brothers series and I absolutely loved it. The story is narrated from the dual POV of Dominic and Chiara. It also features flashbacks to the past. There were so many moments in this book that ripped my heart to shreds.


All Dominic wants is revenge for what happened to his family at the hands of Chiara’s father. Chiara wants to escape the clutches of her vile father and finally be free. The chemistry between Dominic and Chiara is intense AF. I was rooting for them because after everything they have been through they deserved to be happy.

I can’t wait to read Dante and Raquel’s story because that is going to be very interesting.

[abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

[Lori Rivera · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG!!!! What a sorted web we weave…

This story is dark and oh so amazing! This world that was built by Lilian for Kiara and Dom… I am literally salivating to read the next book! So much happened in this story that I still can’t believe I read only one book.

The ups, downs, twists, turns and the secrets that were withheld! Holy H3ll was this an amazing tale! It’s been a long time since I’ve read a new author that just captivated me so much! This was an audio book but when I had to press pause… it made me anxious because I felt like I was leaving Dom and Kiara hanging!!

I just know the next book is about Dante and I can’t wait. The little taste I had of him in this book made me want more! Lilian… you are a true wordsmith and storyteller. How that beautiful head of yours comes up with these stories, I will never fathom! I need more!!!

[nanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dominic and Chiara became my entire life, I loved them a lot!

The Devil's Deal was my first contact with Lilian Harris' writing and I enjoyed the experience. She has a wonderful, fluid writing. The narrative was well developed, but something was left in the air. Although it was the first book in the series, so I think she'll going to explain in the others books.
Chiara is an amazing character and she had an amazing development. She is strong, fierce, intelligent and everything I like in a character. Dominic was amazing as well, I loved him a lot, like a lot.

[loves.romance.books · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up!

Straight out the gate I loved this freaking book!! I had read so many reviews of the authors previous work and while it all sounded like it was totally a bit of me I was apprehensive. So many fantastic reviews make me nervous that an author won't live up to the hype, you know?
Well, I can catagorically say the reviews don't lie!! She is *that* good.

This is the first book in the Cavaleri brothers series, a mafia/revenge trope. These brothers are hot, like spicier than spicy hot! The eldest, Dominic, is the ideal male main character. I have the ultimate book boyfriend crush here. He's yum!!

The story is told in dual POV, both in the past and in the present. The past focuses on when Dom and his best friend Chiara were each others sun, moon and stars. The present is based on Dom's all consuming need for revenge and his gut wrenching hatred of Chiara and her POS father. The hate is palpable - as is the sexual tension!!! I went in blind and there are rather a few twists and turns that I enjoyed immensely as a result of that choice so I don't want to say much in this review that may give away any details. Instead I'll review the book as a whole, rather than summarize.

Lilian Harris has built a very believable world here. Its gritty and real and the characters are too. Every aspect of this book drew me in; from the beautiful cover, to the first page right up to the last. But what kept me enthralled was the relationship between our main characters, Chiara and Dom. Oh my! It gave me ALL the feels. I was rooting for them SO SO SOOOO bad!!! This was a book where I was so invested in the characters that I felt bereft when I finished that last page. And in the days since it was stayed with me which is always a sign of a keeper in my humble opinion.
I am waiting with bated breath for the next installment which, after that ending, looks to be another knockout.

My most sincere thanks to the author for the early edition copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Hilda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Take it one day at a time, honey. Give yourself grace to figure out what you want without all the background noise.

Was this a ridiculous mafia romance full of blood and beheadings? Yes. Was it a crazy revenge story? Of course. Did we have a secret identity? Also, yes. Was it a little predictable and completely outrages? Obviously. Did I enjoy it even though I knew all of this? YES.

This was Chiara (Still don’t know how to pronounce her name) and Dom’s story. It was cute, a little sad, with a tiny bit of BDSM spice. Kind of. Anyways, it was all right. It wasn’t life changing. Nothing new but still good. I need to know what happens to the brothers and OMG (not a spoiler, it’s book 4) Mateo is alive!!! I need to find out what happened to him. He clearly didn’t grow up with his brothers. I’m definitely curious, and totally continuing the series. Even though I was angry reading at parts. Those parts should have been removed they were not necessary for the plot and just made me mad. I guess they were exciting if you’re i to that sort of thing. I’m not. I almost stopped reading when Dom brings a girl home and has her give him a blowjob in front of Chiara’s window so she can see them. Then she masturbates to the show!!!!!!!! Wth. I seriously considered stoping. It’s ridiculous. And I thought, she’ll be angry and something will come of it. Nothing. Literally nothing happened. Omg!!!! It was beyond infuriating. But again, I’ll continue so it wasn’t that bad.

[Persephone-L17 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chiara and Dominic have had a very special friendship. However, an event changes their lifes forever, separating them. Years later, as adults and with personalities completely different, they meet again. Chiara is now an independent, authentic, unabashed woman who doesn't care what anyone thinks of her. She has worked very hard to establish her business and lives for it. She is kind and cares for the people around her. Dominic hardened his character. Now as a mafia man he is looking for revenge. Although he is now methodical and cold, his priority is the welfare of his brothers, and his weakness: Chiara. The magnetism between the two is even stronger and puts the enmity that exists at risk. Steam is very present! The Devil's Deal is captivating, the characters are very well structured, not only the main ones, Dante and Enzo also intrigue me a lot and I can’t wait for their books. If you like the tropes: mafia romance, childhood friends, friends-to-enemies-to-lovers, second chances and forbidden love, this is definitely your read.

[AdriEdith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Uhhh this was the most repetitive long suffering book I’ve read in a while. There were some aspects I like which is why I gave it 2 stars. Like the smut aaaaand the idea of the characters.
The characters themselves were ridiculous- like we get it he was the boy you once loved and she was the girl who hurt you. The amount of times this was mentioned was overboard 😭. And why was Chiara constantly “sobbing” yet bold enough to kill?????? She was a mess and not in the endearing way we hope the best for. Dom was eh- he was so petty over a misunderstanding lol. And overcompensated so much.
The storyline also felt all over the place and I was not the biggest fan of the writing style. If a book starts off with a flashback or origin story, it has to be amazing and super captivating. I had to really push my self to continue/finish this book that the smut in the end wasn’t even enough to save it for me. Ultimately, that is just my opinion and to each their own so good luck if you decide to read.

[Love Story Chronicles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great slow burn for a mafia romance! I loved everything about this book. I cannot wait to continue the series! I love a childhood friends to lovers romance!

[Dora Harvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE DEVIL’S DEAL is a deliciously dark enemies to lovers Mafia story that is steamy and unexpectedly twisted and cruel—it is edgy, a page turner, suspenseful intrigue, guttural with gritty issues, and a compelling story that was impossible to put down. To say I was left utterly speechless is an understatement! I’m still hungover from finishing this book! This is my first Lilian Harris book, and I must say, I am lost for words of wondering why it has taken me so long—but OMG, I never thought I would have such a gamut of emotions—I will be reading more of her books.

Dominic (Dom) Cavalieri was best friends with Chiara Bianchi (daughter of a Mafia boss) when they were younger and in high school… until they weren’t. When Dom witnessed what happened to his father and 8 year old brother, Matteo, at the hands of Faro, Chiara’s father, he and Chiara became estranged. Fast forward 15 years later, Dom and his brothers (Dante and Enzo) have planned and built an army of solders to avenge their father and brother. Then another incident occurs! What happens next? Well, read this intriguing story.

“He thought he could stop the war, but I have no intention of ever taking the devil’s deal, no matter what I led him to believe.”

The Devil’s Deal is a story of revenge, power and control, secrets and lies, abuse, murder, seduction and love—it has ripped my heart out and stomped all over it—leaving behind a bloody mess. This dark enemies to lovers romance oozes with lust, desire, and danger and drags you into its darkness, intrigue, and suspense that is all rolled up into one deliciously dark and twisted package. The road to Dom and Chiara’s happiness seems wrought with heartache, secrets, lies, crime, and family bonds with drama. The angst was intense. The chemistry between Dom and Chiara is undeniable. Lilian Harris manages to weave dark and twisted plots centered on romantic ideas with artfully developed main characters that you will not be able to put this book down. I highly RECOMMEND this book! I can’t wait to read the next book.