Dante Vitale has spent sixteen years haunted by a blood-stained hallway. At eighteen, he pulled the trigger without hesitation. He didn’t expect a child to see it. He didn’t expect her to follow him into every dark corner of his mind.
Ariella Moronov was smuggled out of Italy that night—hidden in Boston, wrapped in Bratva protection, kept far from the war between their families.
Sheltered. Guarded. Untouchable. Until Dante decides she isn’t.
When the Bratva push into Italian territory, Dante retaliates. And the enemy’s daughter disappears. Ariella thinks she’s leverage. A bargaining chip in a brutal power play. She’s wrong.
Dante doesn’t want territory—he wants her. The only witness to the monster he became. The only innocence he never forgot.
She saw him pull the trigger once. Now she’ll learn exactly what that monster is capable of. And this time, he won’t let her look away.
As a first write for a mafia series, I will say I liked it a lot. I do feel like there is something missing though. I feel the connection and acknowledgment of seeing “hot asshole” (😂) around a little more than just at graduation should have been more. Almost like stalking perhaps. I’m trying to find words for it.
I had some confusion with names of Ari’s brothers. Going from full name to nicknames in some of the lines, felt like they were almost different characters. I had to really focus on who was who.
Dante comes off strong as any mafia boss/capo would. His intensity if felt on the pages. His love for his brothers and revenge is felt. There were times I felt it was too intense. I did read the TW and was ok with continuing the read. It almost felt like the connection was missing from Ari realizing she had enjoyed what was happening with Dante behind closed doors. Yes, she said she enjoyed it, but I felt like her feelings towards the acts or him didn’t come through till the end. Then it felt like she hated him and then was in love within a chapter. Maybe I don’t know how to express it, but it just felt like it was missing a connection.
I can’t wait to see what happens and the cliffhanger did get me. I can’t wait to see how Dante and Ari’s connection continues and hopefully watch it grow. Really get down to the truth of what happened between the Italians and Bratvas. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🌶️🌶️🌶️
I am still vibrating after finishing Twisted Obsession, it’s the Dark, the Depraved, and the Devoted. Stella Black didn’t just write a mafia romance, she wrote a descent into a beautiful, violent madness. If you like your heroes morally grey and your heroines with enough fire to burn down an empire, buckle up.
First off, let’s talk about the mood. This isn’t a "light" mafia romp. The world-building in Milan and Sicily is lush but heavy with the smell of expensive cologne and, frankly, a lot of blood. From the jump, the stakes are sky-high. We’re talking about a multi-generational war between the Vitale family and the Russian Moronovs that’s been brewing for sixteen years.
Dante Vitale is… a lot. He’s the eldest Vitale brother, a Capo who was essentially molded by a single childhood encounter with an "angel". He’s not a good man, he’s obsession carved into flesh. What I loved about Dante is that he isn't just a generic brute. He’s struggling under the weight of a legacy he feels he hasn't earned, all while hunting for the one person who represents the only "good" thing left in his world: Ariella.
When he finally gets his hands on her after sixteen years, it’s not a gentle reunion. It’s a collision. His need to possess her… Her mind, her body, and her soul, is bordering on terrifying, but Stella Black writes it with such raw urgency that you find yourself rooting for the predator.
Ariella Moronov could have easily been a "damsel," but she has this incredible, defiant light that refuses to be extinguished, proving that she is more than a pawn.
* The Fire: Even when she’s literally shackled, she’s biting, snarling, and using whatever "weapon" (even a butter knife!) she can find to hold her ground.
* The Conflict: Her internal struggle is the heartbeat of the book. Watching her fall for the man who stole her, realizing he’s "slithered his way into her body like an adder" is as heartbreaking as it is hot.
Let’s get into the "spicy" side of things, because Stella Black does not hold back. The chemistry here is high-octane, 5-alarm fire, and definitely leans into the "kink" side of dark romance.
* The Power Dynamics: There is a heavy focus on control and punishment. Scenes involving blindfolds, leather restraints, and "punishments" for disobedience are frequent and intense.
* The "Marking": One of the most visceral parts of their dynamic is the literal marking, Dante carving his initials into her skin. It sounds extreme (because it is), but in the context of their "twisted obsession," it’s portrayed as the ultimate, permanent claim.
* The Climax: The scene in the Roman bathtub? Absolute fire. The mix of high-end toys and desperate, unhinged need made for one of the most memorable sequences I’ve read in a while.
Twisted Obsession is a masterclass in the "stalker-to-captor" trope. It’s dark, it’s gritty, and it’s unapologetically explicit. Stella Black explores that "grey area" between want, need, and disgust with a surgical precision.
If you want a book that makes you question your own morals while keeping your heart racing, this is it. Just check the trigger warnings first, because when Stella Black says "dark," she means it.
A huge thank you to Stella for allowing me to read this book as an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC).
I went into this fully aware of the content and trigger warnings (kidnapping, manipulation, dubious consent, sexual and physical violence, BDSM practices, and degradation), so I knew what I was signing up for. That said, the darker elements, particularly the consent dynamics, felt more intense than I personally expected. At times, the content read as going beyond “dubious consent”, which ultimately didn’t work for me.
That being said, Stella has a strong writing style. Her prose is engaging and easy to read, and the pacing kept me turning the pages, especially during the external plot developments.
While this is marketed as a very dark romance, I found it difficult to connect with the central relationship. There are instances where the FMC withdraws consent, which made the dynamic challenging for me to engage with, particularly as I didn’t feel a strong emotional foundation or chemistry between the characters.
The MMC is written as a toxic character. There are moments where he shows hints of self-awareness and potential growth, but he often reverts back to previous behaviours. This may be intentional as part of a longer, multi-book character arc, but in this instalment it made him difficult to connect with.
Similarly, the FMC’s emotional responses didn’t always fully resonate. At times, her attachment felt more like a coping or dissociative response to her situation rather than a grounded emotional connection. She does begin to show signs of standing up for herself, particularly toward the end, which again may be setting up a longer-term arc.
That said, I was genuinely interested in the Russian/Italian mafia conflict storyline and did appreciate the cliffhanger ending tied to that plot. By the end, I found myself more engaged with that aspect of the story.
Overall, while the premise and overarching plot have potential, especially as part of a multi-book series, the central relationship wasn’t the right fit for me in this instalment. Readers who enjoy darker romance dynamics, particularly questionable consent themes, may have a different experience.
Twisted Obsession has me in a chokehold. No, ma'am. You did NOT just end this book this way. When am I to expect the next installment in this series?!? I feel like I'm going to unravel waiting to find out what is going to happen - or what is happenING. I'm spiraling because Ms. Stella Black up and left me on read. Edged me and disappeared. Stopped mid-sentence, mid-thought. Y'all came here for a book review, and instead you have word vomit because I was reading through an explosion and then got whisked back into reality without warning. I don't want to be here. I am without sense or direction. Take me back. I. Am. Not. Okay.
I love Ari-bella (my favorite version of her name because Joe should be everyone's favorite) most when she's a feisty little firecracker. The way she fights Dante - and the way he feeds off of it - creates amazing chemistry. But like the depraved little book swallower I am, Dante and his obsession with her is what sucked me in. It was Ariella or nothing, and he certainly wasn't taking nothing. His punishments are lovely; the rationale of using sharp objects because of her sharp words sang to me. I enjoyed the blend of action/tension/drama and their relationship. Teresa made me chuckle, and I cannot wait to see what happens between Ariella and her as the series continues. Especially because of the way the book screeched to a stop. All I'm saying is she better not hate Ariella more, and debts had better get paid. And that includes the debt Ms. Stella Black owes to me for the emotional damage caused by this book's non-ending!
I loved the book. It had lots of action so it kept be engrossed from start to finish! Author did a good job with giving trigger warnings. Just go into it knowing it's pitch black. it's mafia, there's danger, there's harm. Ariella doesn't know it til later that Dante had his eye on her for a long time. She forgot that brief moment when she offered comfort and kindness when Dante's world became dark due to being involved with mafia and dealing with her family's violence towards his. He kidnaps her after finding out her family has been poaching his territory. Even though there's an age gap, I didn't feel that made any difference. Ari is feisty and doesn't back down for awhile, however she caved in sooner than later, I kind of wish she would have kept fighting a little more. I love how intense Dante feels for Ari, yet he kepts it to himself other than the physical aspects of wanting her sexually. Love their chemistry and the sex scenes were hot! The ending though, why give us a cliffhanger??? I would have been fine with hit going to another book but based on onne of Dante's brother. Anyhow besides that minor flaw with her caving in fast and the cliffhanger, I'd recommend it and it's definitely worth the read. This is my honest and fair review. Thank you, Stella for letting me be an ARC reader for you. I can't wait to hear more of their story in Part 2!
My oh my! I loved this book...who wouldn't when it involves hot Italian men, fast cars, obsessive behaviours, and a lot of spicy scenes. And don't forget the Mafia!
In a chance meeting when Ariella was only 8, Dante Vitale never forgot her and eventually became obsessed with her once she turned 18; and inevitably has her kidnapped, transported to his domain in Milan, & forced into his proximity 24/7. Despite trying to fight him every chance she gets and continuously begging to be released, she finds herself drawn to him.....but doesn't understand why.
Truth is that neither Dante or Ariella don't know how to communicate without a fight.....it's only when her life is threatened over and over again that she is forced to rely on him to keep her safe, that is until she learns the truth about her own family's involvement in the Russian mafia. In her misguided and stubborn mind, she heads to Moscow to confront her family, much to Dante's dismay.
This is well worth the read!
Disclaimer
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Dante is at the Moronov family house, and after stumbling out of her father's office, comes across Ariella, who is 8 y/o at the time, in the hallway. She sees that he is upset and comforts him until her mother admonishes her for being in the wrong place. Fast forward sixteen years, and Dante takes Ariella as his wife; now she is finally old enough to be his. Much as she hates Dante for doing what he did, she begins to have feelings for Dante. But her family must be looking for her. Why haven't they come for her? I received an arc for my voluntary honest review for NN Book Blog. If you love a dark, twisted Italian/Bratva romance with lots of angst, then you will love this book. Stella keeps you turning the pages. I found this book hard to put down, wanting to know what happens next. Be warned: it ends on a rather large cliffhanger. I cant wait for the next book to see what happens next. However, this book may not be for everyone; please read the author's trigger warnings before reading or purchasing this book.
I received an ARC of this book and all opinions are my own.
Basically loved this book - my only big issue was I was completely unaware that it ends with a cliff hanger. I was so ready to see how the end of this story would unfold. And I was DEVASTATED when I turned the page and it was the last page and no resolution was found.
This book is not for the faint of heart. There are many Spicy scenes, with Breath and Blood play among other things. Be aware or look up any trigger warnings before diving into this book if these few warnings are a shock to you.
Otherwise, this is right on par with the author’s other works. It’s fast past, with some great action, yet there are moments of lowkey, internal character pauses and processing. You as a reader have a chance to keep up with what’s going on, not get lost, and stay invested in the characters.
I will be in agony until the next book is released. Cannot wait to see how things turn out.
He literally snatches her from the only life and family she's ever known and locks her away until she marries him.
This is one of those books where trigger warnings truly matter. I typically skip triggers so it doesn't spoil the story and even this book had me a little unnerved.
Pitch black MMC with high spice content.
I did find that there were several holes amongst the story and quite a few moments that could have went into more detail but it never did. This book seemed to move extremely fast and I felt like it could have been slowed down a bit to add more context to certain situations.
Nevertheless this was a great read and it does end on a cliffhanger. I will be very impatiently waiting for the next in this series!
I am unwell… Stella Black how could you do this to me ?!?!?! I’m gutted! Flabbergasted! Shook!!! I have no words… pain, emotionally wrecked, betrayed, devastated… they don’t even hold a candle to a flame for how I’m feeling. And how it ended… that’s not a cliffhanger that’s just mean! I need book two like yesterday! The title of this book fits the story too well. Like the words were made just for this book. It feels like it’s been carved into me just like Dante name is carved into Ariella’s. The last two chapters I don’t even think I was breathing… like I said I have no words…
O Dante Vitale, we love him, we want to smoother him with a pillow while secretly wishing he would smoother us with his fine self.
He is everything needed to be the Don, strong, ruthless, dark and cold. He meets his FMC when she was just a kid. He was being initiated into what would one day be his responsibility. After finding his obsession many moons later, he takes her for his revenge plot.
He soon realizes how he will never let her go and will do everything to keep her, even if she is the enemy’s daughter.
This ends on a cliffhanger, and I'm impatiently awaiting the next release. Hurry and go read this.
If you like dark captive mafia romance stories, this is one you need to read. Twisted Obsession is book 1 in the Vitale Brothers Mafia series. Ariella witnesses Dante's first kill, then she is smuggled out of Italy and sent to live away from the mafia life hidden in Bratva protection. But Dante never forgot that moment. The moment she saw him become a monster. Now, she is a grown adult, and Dante is ready to claim her. She thought he was after territory, but all he wants is her. I love the connection between Dante and Ari. There is so much tension and push and pull between them. It feels chaotic, and I am here for it. The cliffhanger though... has me reeling. I need book 2 asap.
Wow 👌 Stella has smashed it out of the park. I have never loved, loathed and damn right wanted to punch a male lead character, and then see them turn it all around. My goodness Dante knows how to press buttons but then has a powerful, magnetic pull to keep you wanting more. I love Ariella, her tinasity, soft heart, loyalty and determation is incredible. The things she goes through and still holds her head high is beautiful. I cant wait for more and cannot wait to read more about Leo and the other brothers. But seriously the cliffhanger nearly killed me!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Stella captured everything that you would want and expect from a Mafia Romance! The book was well written, the plot was certainly plotting!!!! The spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️. Check your triggers!!! Dante’ truly loves Ariella. It does leave on a cliffhanger, which is fine because there will be a book 2! I am rooting for Dante and Ariella. If you are looking for a Mafia romance that will keep you engaged from start to finish and leave you WANTING and NEEDING more, get this book!!!
Fable Rating: 5/5 ⭐ Goodreads Rating: 5/5 ⭐ Genre: Dark Romance Tropes: 🖤Mafia Romance 🖤Forced Proximity 🖤Age Gap 🖤Enemies to Lovers 🖤Touch Her and Die 🖤Only One Bed Format: ebook Pages: 332 Spice: 3.5 🌶️ MCs: Dante and Ariella S/S: Vitale Brothers Mafia Check trigger warnings for any book
This is the first book in the Vitale Brothers Mafia series. Thank you to the author Stella Black for an advanced copy. Lillian - @lillianbookreviews on instagram
The Bratva princess Ariella gets kidnapped by her family's long-time rivals. She has been sheltered for sixteen years, that is until the Mafia Capo finds her. The Mafia Capo has wanted Ariella for so many years and when he sees the opportunity he grabs her and runs. He is no prince charming for sure.
Twisted Obsession was such an addictive read. The chemistry between the characters was intense from the start, and the obsession mixed with all the drama kept me completely hooked. The spicy scenes were definitely some of my favorite parts, and I loved how emotional and chaotic the story felt at times. Dark, steamy, and impossible to put down.
This is the first book of the Vitale Brothers Mafia Series and it does not disappoint!
This book is devastatingly dark, very dark. A war-dance between a Russian Bratva family and an Italian Mafia family.
MMC Dante Vitale first meets FMC Ariella when she is just a child. He's a young man taking his first 'kill' as a mafia son. She innocently comforts him and as she grows up into a young woman so begins his obsession with her.
This book is raw, its brutal, and grabs you by the throat from the very first chapter. It's fast paced, compelling and the enemies to lovers chemistry between Dante and Ariella is off the charts hot 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️
This is one of my all time favorite reads. The ending was such a cliffhanger, I need part 2! I’m so excited for the next book, I can’t wait to see where she takes the characters!
This book created a nice back story filled with emotion that let's you connect with the feelings of the characters which I appreciated. I was already feeling anticipation from the first chapter. It was fun and dark😍