Sergio

Benedetti Brothers #3

by Natasha Knight

Dark Mafia Romance

I’m the first born son of the mafia king. The favorite. Destined to rule, I’m a dangerous man, a ruthless one. But in my world, you have to be.

Then Natalie stumbles into my life. Wrong place. Wrong time.

Twice, fate put her in my path.
Twice, fate placed the innocent lamb at the mercy of the monster.

I gave her a chance to walk away. Told her it would be better for her if she did.
But she didn’t listen.
And now it’s too late.
Because I’m not good. I never wanted to be. And I won’t let her go anymore. See, I’m not the hero. When I touch her, it’s with dirty hands.

I know my reckoning is coming though. I know I’ll burn for the things I’ve done, the sins I’ve committed. And I don’t deny hell is where I belong, but I want my time first. I want my time with her.

She’s mine.
Forever.
No matter what.

Author’s Note: Sergio: a Dark Mafia Romance is an intensely emotional, steamy and dark standalone romance set in the Benedetti Brothers Mafia world. Be prepared: this is not a traditional romance.

***Sergio is NOT book #3 in the Benedetti series. It is set prior to Salvatore and is a standalone.***

Genres: Dark Romance, Romance, Dark, Mafia Romance, Erotica, Emotional, Contemporary Romance

256 pages, ebook

First published April 9, 2018

About the author

Natasha Knight is the USA Today Bestselling author of Romantic Suspense and Dark Romance Novels. She has sold over a million books and is translated into six languages. She currently lives in The Netherlands with her husband and two daughters and when she’s not writing, she’s walking in the woods listening to a book, sitting in a corner reading or off exploring the world as often as she can get away.

Write Natasha here:
natasha@natasha-knight.com

Check out her books here:
https://natasha-knight.com

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Reviews

[Tyi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Damn... It is hard to put into words what I feel... I'm at a loss. I felt so much. The author doesn't hold anything back... TRUST me. You don't want her to. I felt so much for the main characters, Sergio and Natalie. My heart is being squeezed but it is the best type of pain. I believe that every reader needs a story that will make them stop and stare. They need a story that will make you laugh in small moments and be sad in others.

There is a poem, which suits this book so well. It suits Sergio and Natalie so well.
I didn't fall in love with you
I walked into love with you
with my eyes wide open,
choosing to take
every step along the way
I do believe in fate and destiny
but I also believe
we are only fated
to do the things
that we'd choose anyway
And I'd choose you
in a hundred lifetimes
in a hundred worlds
in any version of reality
I'd find you
and I'd choose you

[Bex (Beckie Bookworm) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am destroyed!!! Sergio by Natasha Knight has ripped my heart out and stomped all over it.
Leaving behind a bloody mangled mess.



I knew exactly what I was getting myself into from the get-go. So I have nobody else to blame but my own stubborn arse for thinking I could handle the fallout of such a profound and deeply emotional read. I am not saying a word about plotline or character development, what made this good, what got on my proverbial wick. Why I liked this one and why I wanted to kick that one's arse. All I'm going to say is read "Sergio" a Dark Mafia Romance, and prepare yourself.
You are going to be ripped limb from limb and left sobbing like a baby. I can't even talk about this book without tears dripping down my face.



My DP thinks I've lost the plot, you know what he said, people?

You do know their fictional Character "BOO" like not real people, made up?



How dare he!! they feel so real, alive and vital to me and that there lies the crux of this conundrum.
If an author can make you experience such depths of emotional despair then that is, in my humble opinion, one hell of a writer. This author is ultimately one brave lady, telling this story exactly how she envisioned it not how others wanted it, I'm impressed, still broken but entirely bowing down to your genius here.

So I am going to finish on this note "Sergio" is a story that will live in the depths of your soul long after the lights go out. It's a beautiful, poignant tale of love and life gone wrong, where the ultimate attraction is in the actual realism portrayed between its pages. This is a story that needed to be told and I feel richer overall for this humbling experience. I am ever so glad I got to read this ARC and though not a newcomer to Natasha Knight this was definitely different to what I usually expect from her scribblings. Different in a good way that is, it's certainly been a memorable journey, one that I am so not going to forget in a hurry.



I adored your unconventional love story, Sergio & Natalie and you both definitely deserve your moment in that spotlight.
Thank You to the Author for providing me with an ARC of "Sergio" A Dark Mafia Romance of which I have reviewed voluntary.
All opinions expressed are entirely my own.



Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com

[Jenn_COBB - Collector of Book Boyfriends · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sergio by Natasha Knight – 10 stars

Sergio Benedetti, the eldest son of Franco Benedetti, the one to rule when his time comes.
The strong, powerful and ruthless prince waiting to take over the kingdom of the dark world he was born into, what he wasn’t supposed to do is to fall in love with someone so different from the world he was used to, someone as sweet and innocent as Nathalie Gregorian.

Sergio’s and Nathalie’s story isn’t the usual boy meets girl kind of story.
Their story starts of darker than any of them could have imagined.
But they say love finds its way in the most unexpected places.
Sometimes wrong time, wrong place could be just so right.


"You know what I didn't intend?
I didn't intend to fall in love with you."


This book can be read as a complete stand-alone but if you haven’t read the previous books in the Benedetti Brothers series my recommendation would be to start with SERGIO followed by SALVATORE and finish with DOMINIC.
That way things will transition more smoothly and you will avoid the spoilers from Sergio’s book that we get glimpses of in the other two.

Serio’s book is from a dual POV his and Nathalie’s and we get insight with what both of them are thinking and feeling along the way.
The writing is simply phenomenal and perfectly executed and for that alone Natasha Knight is getting the standing ovation from me.
I have read Salvatore and Dominic before this and I knew how Sergio would play out but was so intrigued by his story and the roads that led to that ending.

Natasha Knight just killed it with this plot and every word felt so powerful and heartbreakingly beautiful and captivating.
The way author mixed glimpses of how the characters from the other two books were was spot on and a brilliant move on her part.

" Why don't you sleep at night?
Because time is running out."


So to my thoughts and feels about this book…*sighing heavily*
I feel so much that I might burst from all the emotions that are trying to overtake my mind and heart.
I will do my best but for the first time ever I am doubting my ability to express myself correctly and am afraid no words will do Sergio justice that he deserves.

Just from reading the blurb and authors letter at the beginning I had tears in my eyes and pain in my heart and soul and that was pretty much how I felt through the whole book.
But apart from the devastation over what I knew was coming I also saw the beauty.
The beauty over Sergio’s determination to protect his loved ones and how much love he had to give.
Nathalie was just how I pictured her to be and if I can’t have Sergio I am more than happy that she had him*smile*

********************************************

The last few chapters were just out of this world and I kept re-reading them five times in a row just to hold on to the authentic feeling of pure epicness even if it broke me over and over again.
And for those chapters alone I would like to praise the author again because she deserves it and you will see what I mean after reading them for yourselves.

NO words can match the LOVE I feel for this BOOK.


READ THIS BOOK!
READ THIS SERIES!
READ THIS AUTHOR!

You.Wont.Be.Dissapointed.

[The Sassy Bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't really do a traditional review of this book. This author is a fantastic writer of that there is no doubt, so please don't take this review as negative. There was a lot that was good for sure. That said, the author explains in a note at the beginning that Sergio was a secondary character in another book and she had no plans on writing a story about him. I *think* perhaps, in my opinion, he should have remained a secondary character.



I have so many thoughts and feelings right now about this one. Some are positive. Some are negative. I am angry. I am pissed off. I am sad. I am confused. None of which I can elaborate on because I don't want to spoil this book for other readers. Unfortunately, because of that, I can't give this book more than 3-Stars even though, as I said above, 95% of it was very good. It is what it is, and I can't help but feel this book served no point. *shrug* But like I said, this author is an excellent writer, and I am just one person. I am sure many people will love this book. So yea, that is pretty much all I am going to say about that.

[Snow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fuuuuuuck.... *sigh*

Yes, I knew it would end like this...

Yes, I was aware of the lingering heartbreak...

And yes, It was fucking beautiful, raw, heart-wrenching and sad...and yet, this story of the first born mafia son,
Sergio Benedetti had to be told...had to be lived...had to be experienced...even though, you wouldn't like it to end...you wouldn't want it to end...

In the mafia's world, Sergio Benedetti was meant to rule, but the premonitions and the dangers of the constant threats delivered from the enemies/rivals in the mafia milieu, only heighten the lingering sense of doom and uncertainty. Until Sergio meets Natalie...twice.

Wrong place, wrong time, sweetheart.

BUT that couldn't stop him from staying away...even though his lifestyle wasn't safe...even though he wanted better for her...

I've been struggling ever since I met you. I know what being with me will mean for you and part of me is screaming to let you go. Not to condemn you to this life.

and yet Natalie was drawn to Sergio like a moth to the flame, she was lured by his darkness and broody tortured soul...

He's dark. At his core, no matter how he tries to mask it on the surface, there's a darkness to him.

but the danger is rising high, the lifelines are tested yet amplified by the passion and undeniable bond they share and recognize within each other...even if it is coming fast...



Thank you, Natasha Knight, it fuckin hurt...but it was worth the memory❤

Amongst my favorite reads this year!


***ARC generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review***

[⚔Irunía⚔ · Rating 2 out of 5]

i wish i felt something when he died. i really could use this as a pretext for my pre-New Year crying session *sniffles* BUT MY EYES ARE as DRY as the Sahara. 😔

unfortunately the author's writing isn't gritty enough for me to be touched by sergio's death <3

anyway, sadness is overrated so let's party hard rip boi 💥🥂💥🥰🥳🌞✨💫🎉🎊

(not a bad book by any means. i'm just kind of blasé about these characters. if you're sentimental or in your emo girl era, go ahead. you'll love it to the moon and cry yourself a river)

[Expresso · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say about Sergio that won’t be considered a spoiler? Absolutely NOTHING but i will try. I can tell you Sergio is my favorite Benedetti brother. I can tell you his story is violent but beautiful. I can tell you Sergio loves hard and he loves forever. In spite of being the Underboss of one of the most notorious and violent mafia families in the world, he’s managed to maintain a portion of humanity. I can tell you Sergio managed to save his soul not once but twice. Her name is Natalie. I could tell you their story is a typical mob romance. But I can’t because it’s not. I could tell you they are both perfect. They’re not perfect. However, they’re perfect for each other. I could tell you after reading this amazing five-star story, you can move on to the next story. But I can’t. Because you won’t.

Five mind-blowing stars!

Disclaimer: This review is my personal opinion of this story. As usual my personal opinion should have ZERO influence on your experience with the story. With that being said, read, enjoy, and leave a review!

[Olga therebelreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again Natasha Knight has excelled with her new book… There are no words for how I feel about it. It has to be one of the darkest (if not the darkest) books I've ever read by this author. There were parts of this book that made me sick to my stomach, parts that tore my heart from my chest and parts that made me want to weep. This was so dark and so brutal. Sergio was a monster, where as Natalie was an angel.

Sergio and Natalie’s story is compelling in its own right. A story of romance and love that slowly falls in to darkness and tragedy. It feels so strange to say I loved it or enjoyed it because the subject matter it deals with is dark and sad. My heart was filled with love in the beginning and slowly but surely ripped apart. And I loved every second of it!

“You think I’m trying to be the hero?” A moment later, he drops his head. His forehead creases and he’s looking down for a long time before he shifts his gaze back up to mine, searching mine as if it holds the answers. “I’m not the hero, sweetheart. I’m the f*ing monster.” ~ Sergio


In short:
Hero 5/5 | Heroine 5/5 | Plot (Point, Originality) 5/5 | Writing Style 5/5 | Steam 4/5 | Romance 4/5 | Angst-Suspense 4/5 | Darkness 4/5 | Humor 0/5 | Secondary Characters 4/5 | Drama-Conflict 5/5 | Mystery 0/5 | Twists 5/5 | Pacing Fast | Action 4/5

[Heroesinbooks · Rating 1 out of 5]

1 Not For Me Star

There are a lot of people who clearly enjoyed this book and I am glad they did. This is absolutely my own opinion and despite the fact this is a very well written book, it is not for me. The ending was the final straw for me. Call it my Cinderella complex, but I need my HEA's and there is not one in this book.

[Vashti]

Well the author warned,but did I listen...a big fat no I did not!!!
Let me just say that I do not read the "dark romances",they tend to linger and linger in my mind,and boy howdy did this linger and linger and is still lingering.To say that this is a non trad romance is correct....that ending!!!!!! I bawled like a baby because dammit I want the big HEA for all my romance couples.This book left me sad and depressed.
I am going to gorge myself on some Harlequins today and the next time I want to venture out of my comfort zone and disobey warnings,I will obey!

[Mimiorphee · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Darlin’ Darlin’ Darlin’ Why don’t you sleep at night?” ~ Houndmouth, “Darlin’”


Sergio!!!! As I'm typing that review I'm trying to keep my emotions in check because you don't want to know what happens in that story. YOU. DON'T. WANT. 

But OMG, guys!!!!


If you're familiar with the Benedetti brothers, you obviously know who Sergio is. If not, Sergio is where you can start.... good luck, haha...


That book is brilliant is its execution and its storyline. Totally captivating, with characters who are going to take you into their world, share with you their deepest fears and hopes and desires.

Natalie is your "regular" girl, she could be me or you, simply a student at the "Wrong place. Wrong time." You can call it bad luck, or destiny. I think she and Sergio simply were meant to be. And because she is innocent, far from all that cruel mafia world, she is very easy to relate to. I loved that she fights him and speaks her mind in spite of Sergio's intimidating persona. First son of the Benedetti family Sergio is meant to succeed his father. He is ruthless, violent but fair. As the story unfolds, the more we learn about him and the complexity of his life, the more I succumbed to him. He is perfect. 


Reading Sergio was like witnessing the most intimate scenes between him and Nat. Raw, painful, almost violent but honest and conveying so much beauty, I found here some of the best scenes I have ever read. There was poetry in the tragedy. 


Fast paced, with some action scenes, that book gripped my heart and my belly from the start, only to leave me a true mess by the end. The weigh of the mafia life was tangible, with its implications and threats, the need for protection and the urgency to live and to love. It was pure magic; Thank you Natasha for writing the book that satisfies the need of closure we all had after the first two books. 


"Mine. No matter what. Remember?"

I VOLUNTARILY REVIEWED AN ARC COPY OF THIS BOOK. THANK YOU!!!

[mad4rombks · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disguised as a romance book but not one.

FYI: You may be in the wrong business if you're writing "romance" and calling it "romance" but no HEA happens. You just want the romance $$ without the cooties of being labeled a romance author, don't you?

Hero dies in this. His wife is pregnant at the time.

Author writes a Dear Reader letter at the end that means jacksh!t to me as a romance reader.

Trust has been broken and no, I won't ever read you.

[kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

reread, december 2021 ⤞ 5 stars.
first read, september 2021 ⤞ 5 stars.

— song: dancing with your ghost by sasha alex sloan.

❝Why don’t you sleep at night?❞ I ask.
He looks away from me. Rolls over on his back and stares up at the ceiling. ❝Sergio?❞
He turns his head. Studies me for a long moment before answering. ❝Because time is running out.❞

ending the year with my baby sergio. there will never be enough words to describe how much I love him. ♡

[ale202224 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sergio Benedetti è l’erede delle attività losche di famiglia, sa già quello che lo aspetta, ci ha fatto i conti e ci è venuto a patti, quello che ancora non sa è che la vita può riservargli la sorpresa più inattesa, ma assolutamente gradita...Natalie! Posto sbagliato e momento sbagliato, ma quando il destino ti mette di fronte due volte la stessa persona, puoi lottare per allontanarlo, ma l’amore alla fine ti troverà.

E se devo essere onesta questa storia per me è stata dolce amara, per buona metà non l’ho trovata particolarmente accattivante, il solito schema di corteggiamento già visto e già sentito, l’uomo che non deve chiedere mai e la donna del vorrei ma non posso, ma alla fine il colpo è arrivato tutto in una volta ed è stato bello forte. La personalità di Sergio emerge e si svela e chiarisce molti punti oscuri e con essa arriva anche la commozione, quindi per me vale assolutamente tutte le 4 stelle.

[Vicky Sp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sergio è un uomo oscuro, cresciuto nella violenza, è il primogenito della Famiglia Benedetti, destinato a dover prendere le redini del clan quando suo padre deciderà di passargli il comando.
In lui non vi è alcun rimorso, ma un senso di malinconia e la consapevolezza che il tempo è sfuggente e limitato, lo accompagnano da sempre.

Natalie è bella e innocente ed è consapevole dei rischi che corre tra le braccia di Sergio, che rappresenta il mostro, l'orco. Ma i sentimenti provati per lui sono incontrollabili.

Ma Sergio è egoista, la desidera, non riesce ad allontanarla, anche se questo la condannerà sicuramente a una vita piena di pericoli. E lui ne è consapevole:

"Meriterebbe una vita cento volte meglio, vivrò e morirò con questa certezza. Vivrò e morirò sapendo che l’amo troppo per lasciarla andare e che sono un egoista. Quello che sento per lei mi sconvolge, mi avvolge e mi sommerge e, a volte, non riesco a respirare. Lei è il respiro, la vita tutto.”

Non aggiungo altro perché la storia di Sergio mi ha commossa, merita di essere letta perché traspare il suo grande amore per Nat e il senso di appartenenza.
Della sua inquietudine e nostalgia è pieno il racconto. Questo da una parte infonde tristezza, dall'altra mi ha aiutata a comprendere il suo personaggio, profondo grave e cupo.
Una serie che sto amando molto.

[KceeReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Partial Review. Full Review Soon*




There are tons of book boyfriends we love. There are the sweet ones, funny, cocky... the list could go on. One of my favorites is the dark, broken ones. They're like puzzles you wanna figure out. They have walls you can't wait for their heroines to break. They could say the nastiest things but when they fall? They fall HARD.
This author has been writing dark erotica for a long time now, but I'd say this is her bravest book yet. The most emotional, and the most beautiful, too. She was able to put humor, emotion, and action in a short read.

Natasha Knight writes about the best bad guys in the world of erotica. And just when I thought I have found my favorite (eherm, I'm looking at you Raphael Amado, my love) from her line of "knights in dark armor", I was wrong. My new favorite "Knight" guy is just coming, and he's Sergio Benedetti. Just the sound of his name alone makes you want to hand him your panties and climb him like you're fxcken chimpanzee! Gaaahd, my heart's tryna jump out of my chest as I write this and as I recall what I just read.

Still a month before release but I'm going to ask you now, give this man a chance. Give him a chance and trust him. Trust the author and trust the ride. I swear you will love Natalie and Sergio and the life fate decided to put them in.

[Elfina Renee]

Ooooh please...please, gimme gimme gimme, with bullet casing cherries on top!

[DeeReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

CRY ME A RIVER - NO, A DANG-BLASTED OCEAN! Natasha Knight gave her all in writing "Sergio: A Dark Mafia Romance" and then some! Some summaries/author's notes are used to trap you into reading the book, well this one was too accurate:

Author’s Note: Sergio: a Dark Mafia Romance is an intensely emotional, steamy and dark standalone romance set in the Benedetti Brothers Mafia world. Be prepared: this is not a traditional love story.

To me, this was a romantic tragedy...

"There’s a darkness to Sergio Benedetti. It clings to him, like a shadow. It’s the one thing that scares me about him because I trust that he won’t hurt me. And I believe that he wants me safe. I may not understand it, but I believe it. But this shadow, it’s not one he casts. The opposite. It seems to cast itself over him. To have a claim on him. Some strange, powerful hold over him.
-Natalie
“Wrong place, wrong time, sweetheart.” -Sergio

If I can get my words together, I will write a decent review on Sergio but for now.... "Sergio" is a 2018 favorite!


10 edgy stars **********

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved everything about Sergio's book. I know that this would be sad. This would gut me but I still wanted to read it. I had to know.

Sergio is a dangerous and powerful man. He is next in line to be the boss and the favorite child of his father. His mission is to protect the family at all cost. When Natalie stumbles in the warehouse and witness something she shouldn't, he needs to ensure that she keeps her mouth shut.

Natalie knows how dangerous Sergio is because they met before. He saved her but now she knows he will be her demise.

Sergio refuses to let Natalie go. From there the passion explodes and the story begins.

The author warns us that this wouldn't be pretty and it wasn't. I should be mad but I knew. I should be sad but I'm not. The author knows how to bring out all of the emotions and the story is fully engaging.

I read Salvatore's story. I read the author's note in the beginning and despite the pain, I loved it. I knew that Sergio would bring out the beauty. He would love hard. He would bring it. He did bring it!

ARC provided to me in exchange for an honest review.

[⭐ Emerson ⭐]

[BookAddict ✒ La Crimson Femme · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure what to expect other than a dark kinky read, this book threw me for a loop. I'm not sure if I have completely reconciled what I read. This is part of a trilogy yet it can be read as a standalone. I have not read the first two books in this series and I think it is probably better that I did not. I wouldn't have been so painfully shocked.

This book is all about Sergio. As the eldest of three, he stands to inherit his father's thrown as Mafia king. He is ruthless and chased by personal demons. He is supposed to be some terrible monster yet I never found him to be that way. He comes across as a boy who tries so hard to meet the expectations of everyone else. He is the one who has all the burdens on his shoulders. What he wants to do is live a life free of attacks with a woman he loves. This incredibly ill-advised love story is heart breaking. My favourite character in this book is Sergio. He is straight forward and it is clear why he does what he does and where his loyalties lay.

Who I was less than impressed with? His love interest, Natalie. She is weak and a bit too whiny for me. This book probably would have been a 4 star if it had not been for her. She is his weakness and makes him vulnerable. She willfully causes Sergio to place himself in danger. She makes foolish decisions and she goes into a situation with her eyes tightly shut. How can she be so naive and selfish? Yes, yes, she is young and stupid. I get it. I'm a jaded old woman who sighs at men who give themselves over to ungrateful sheltered young girls. What these brutal men need is a strong woman who can match up and partner with them. Then again, these macho men don't want a strong woman. They prefer the weak willed easily swayed female who clutches at her pearls and faints. Someone who they can protect and treat like a fragile little princess. Regardless of Natalie's desire to witness an act of violence, she still could not cope with the realities of Sergio's life. And this is what saddens me about this whole loves story. She claims to love him and yet at every chance, she makes the decision which places his life in harm's way.

What I did enjoy about this story is the rough sex. Sergio enjoys it a bit kinky and a little rough. His dominant personality exudes even when he is a lover. Because make no mistakes, Sergio's kind of sex is definitely up my alley. The sex scenes are steamy with a dash of sweet. Erotic and arousing, Sergio and Natalie's sexual chemistry carries this tale. This erotica is recommended to dark fantasy readers who know there is no such thing as a happily ever after.

*I received an advanced copy

[Sangria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard as it was, this books a gift......

Sergio is a character, the oldest, the heir of this Mafia family and he plays a big role in the first two books. Salvatore and Dominic. He’s a character who is talked about and missed.

I get it.

The author did a fabulous job bringing him alive. I cared about this character in the last two books. I cared about his wife Natalie. I wanted their story.

It was beautiful and quick, but the theme you get throughout, the premonitions from the author is time is running out.

Pretty fitting for a Mafia book. Beautifully written and also incredibly heartbreaking.

This is the best of the best. Sergio would of been the one I didn’t want anything to happen to. Natalie is a strong character. There’s a scene in the study where music is playing and Sergio’s singing to her......oh my heart.

If you’ve read the other two books, you’re going to LOVE this book, and shed a bit of tears. It’s just going to happen. In the Mafia world, there are some good ones. Some who were born to lead and it sucks when bad things happen to them.

Now, I really want Jacob to get his Dads ring and come home. He needs a book.

Recommend.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

*sigh* I have read a couple of Natasha's books. Some have been a miss for me, some have been good/decent. She has a fantastic way of drawing a reader in in the beginning. I went into this one blind or so I thought! I have read Salvatore and it did not dawn on me until about 30-35 percent what i just got myself into... This is NOT an HEA . After the dawning I sat and debated with myself whether or not i should read it. I knew it would be emotional. I decided obviously to just do it.

This book has to be one of my favorites from Natasha. I loved Sergio. I loved Natalie. Sergio was an absolutely a hot alpha male. I loved how he was with Natalie, How they met, His devotion to her. I loved his character.

Natalie did not get on my nervous. Which is a plus in my book. She wasn't weak or crying all the time. She wasn't a slave or a kidnapped woman with Stockholm syndrome. She was a normal person that Sergio fell in love with.

I really wish that Natasha's books were more like this! Except not for THAT ending!

[1-Click Addict Support Group · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gutted…

If you have read the Benedetti Brothers series than this storyline will not be a surprise. While it is definitely not traditional, as the author warns, it is an unconventional yet heartfelt love story that has left me gutted…

Sergio is a family man. Family and loyalty are everything along with honor and truth. How is that possible in this violent world? I’m not sure, but he and his brothers pull it off… When he saves Lucia not once, but twice, their fate is sealed…

“I’m not the hero, sweetheart. I’m the fucking monster.”

And I couldn’t disagree, or agree, more. He is all of that, but the hero definitely won out for me… His protectiveness, his determination to protect her in all ways made him a hero many times over.
I’m heartbroken, yet I couldn’t not read Sergio’s story. The heart and depth he has, the love he found with Lucia, I would not have missed for anything… It is worth every sob… ~Diane, 5 stars

[Philomena Callan Cheekypee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve only read two previous book by this author. I’ve not read the two Benedetti Brothers books either and I’m so glad I haven’t as I can now go back and enjoy them after getting a sneak peek of them in this story.

Wow Sergio. When you want something you’ll just take it no matter what. As soon as you saw Natalie you knew you wanted more from her.
Sergio and Natalie are amazing together. Their chemistry is so hot. Their story is so good yet heartbreaking at the same time.

This was a brilliant read. I sat down in the sunshine and read this in one sitting. Luckily I grabbed a drink and some chocolate on way to garden as I couldn’t put it down and missed lunch. This was unputdownable. I can’t wait to read Salvatore and Dominic’s book now.

[Najat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ho appena finito di leggere questo meraviglioso libro ed ho ancora le lacrime agli occhi mentre scrivo questa recensione.
Prima di iniziare a leggere la storia di Sergio sapevo a cosa sarei andata incontro, ma nella realtà poi non si è mai preparati allo schianto. Difatti sono stata travolta e investita in pieno dalla bellezza e dal dolore di questo romanzo, tanto che penso che questa sia la prima volta in cui io abbia pianto così tanto per un libro. Mi sono innamorata delle immagini vivide e delle parole dell'autrice, e di come quest'ultime siano state capaci di trasportarmi in questa bellissima e straziante storia d'amore.
Ho amato Lui: Sergio, il suo essere così oscuro ma profondo, un uomo Alfa tanto intenso quanto fatalista. Ho amato la dolcezza e il coraggio di Natalie.
In questo romanzo ci sono tanti momenti così emozionanti e toccanti e tante frasi dette da Sergio che mi hanno fatto battere il cuore.
Vorrei dire tante cose, ma non credo di essere abbastanza capace di mettere su "carta" quanto questa storia mi abbia fatta emozionare e piangere per la sua bellezza straziante.
Non voglio fare alcun tipo di spoiler perché è un libro che bisogna leggere e vivere sulla propria pelle, ma soprattutto, nel proprio cuore.
Super consigliato! Non ve ne pentirete assolutamente.
Concludo dicendo: bravissima Natasha♥️

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Wrong place wrong time"

"Twice, fate put her in my path.
Twice, fate placed the innocent lamb at the mercy of the monster".



Sergio first meets Natalie when she is in her teens. A trip to the store turns into a bloodbath when the store is robbed and Sergio enters, basically shoots those robbing the place, rescues Natalie and goes on about his business leaving with the words "wrong place wrong time
The second time is years later, Natalie has sneaked into an old building to take pictures for her architecture studies when she witnesses mob business and is discovered hiding.

You could say this is a love at second site romance, fate maybe? Sergio definitely found love, support, and happiness at the right time.


This is a very moving story, a story I was caught up in right from the beginning. Deep and touching thoughts from a mob boss, how life always feels like it's on the countdown, enemies and family rivals at every turn with no room for fear. Sergio knows the life he was born into is dangerous.




Natalie is given the opportunity fall deeper in love or walk away. A tug of war between the two, right or wrong, can she, cant she be involved in this lifestyle, a simple girl whose only worries before meeting Sergio was her studies. Natalie follows her heart and a heart over the head decision is made.

I was moved by Sergio's thoughts, feelings, actions.

Sergio loved and lived fiercely.

"Mine no matter what"



I can't tell you I finished this book with dry eyes, I can't tell you It didn't tug on my heart, but I can tell you this, if you love mafia romance this is a must-read.

Brilliantly written, every book in this series leaves me in awe of this author.
Every character has a different story to tell, this is Sergio's, it was beautiful, it was heartwarming and it kind of broke me.

Sergio can be read as a standalone
Told in first person dual pov

Amazon US - https://amzn.to/2vwWGW9

Amazon Universal - http://mybook.to/Sergio

iBooks - https://apple.co/2puBmdH

Kobo - http://bit.ly/2GQru67

Nook - http://bit.ly/2GQCaSo


Arc received for review purposes
http://www.bbbf-sizzlereads-bestbookb...

[Tanaka K · Rating 5 out of 5]

MY POOR HEART!!!

Why!!!!!!!

I am literally crying as I am writing this review. I just had to write my feelings. I could not leave my emotions all over without writing them out till I get over this fantastic and devastating book. Natasha Knight, what have you done to me? I do not know Natalie Knight is a cruel woman or just a cruel genius. But either way, she slays all the time. Her books just make me so damn weak on my knees. Although I am so emotional after reading Sergio, Natasha Knight still makes me revere to the dark. Her dark prose just mesmerize me. Always in awe. Sergio is EFFING BRILLIANT. No doubt in my mind whatsoever. I go complete bonkers over a Natasha Knight book and Sergio made me lose my mind and my heart. The characters. The enigmatic storyline. It all radiated so much feeling and edginess. I was definitely captured.

I have read a few books by Natasha Knight and she always delivers. Her mafia romance to me is freaking one of the best I have ever read because she transports me to a world of mayhem and chaos that equally keeps my heart pumping. Sergio was epic. Sergio controlled my soul. Sergio owned me. Sergio just left an imprint. Intense. Heartbreaking. Memorable. Sergio was a dark romance with a dark and menacing storyline with an emotional edge to strike every part of me. Wow. Natasha Knight took a risk and I am so happy she went with her gut. The story needed to be told no matter the outcome or how much it would hurt. It did hurt me. I was crushed. But I was shown a different side to a mafia romance. I completely grateful to that. Natasha Knight's writing is always so crisp and magnetic. I am just addicted to it. Natasha Knight told a beautiful dark romance with a soul wrenching ending that will touch you.

In Sergio, you will meet Sergio Benedetti, a possessive and ruthless first born son soon to rule the Benedetti mafia empire. He is an antihero that will cripple your heart. Take your soul. Charm you. Entice you. Make you sweaty. And of course a little bit of sexiness. He is commanding. He is dominant. He is an ALPHA male with the right tool to give you chills and thrills. This was his story. He was crazy but I loved him. You will meet his lady love, Natalie. She was strong and I liked that. I admired her a lot.

Sergio is a fantastic read. No matter how it ends, Sergio is one dark mafia romance you got to have in your life.

ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review.

[Sue's Romance Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sergio Benedetti is the firstborn son of a mafia king. He is the favourite and destined to rule. He is cold, cruel and unfeeling. He is also unforgiving, manipulative, powerful and damn sexy.

Natalie was in the wrong place at the wrong time twice in her life and in both instances, it led her to Sergio. This time, Sergio will not let her go. FOREVER. NO MATTER WHAT.

I needed to exhale a huge breath before writing this review. I think I was holding my breath anticipating something that was not going to happen. That couldn’t happen because the story had to be told this way. I’m shook. I also have a love/hate relationship with this book.

I LOVE IT! It was beautifully written and perfectly paced. It is intriguing, captivating and emotional. It is brilliant. A one of a kind read.

I HATE IT! (not really). It is gut wrenching and hard. It is bittersweet and I’m an emotional mess.

I listened to Sergio’s song, Darlin’ by Houndmouth, before I read this book and it set a mood. An overcast, a shadow, an omen. Almost like devastation was near.

The synopsis of this book had me all kinds of excited to read it.

Natasha’s foreword was gripping, almost a warning. For what, I did not know but I had a feeling this would be a dark read unlike any other. I felt anxious and ready for anything. I was wrong.

After the prologue, I was completely invested.

This book had me feeling dread, anticipation, excitement, love and so many other things. I knew this book was leading me somewhere. As it did, the tension and anticipation I felt kept mounting.

As for the conclusion, I was left speechless and confounded and emotionally wrung out.

Although the story has ended, I know this story and its characters will linger. This is a TRUE book hangover. It’s not pretty but it is a real and honest portrayal.

I can’t forget to thank Natasha Knight for breaking my heart so beautifully. It will never be the same.

This is not a traditional romance. It does not pretend to be. This is also NOT a story that you want told. This is a story that MUST be told. This book is for those of you that know love is not easy. That you must take care and savor every moment. To those who know if they’re lucky, they will meet and fall in love with that special one. That special one who will be THEIRS, FOREVER, NO MATTER WHAT.

I received this exquisite book as an ARC. All thoughts, feelings and opinions are my own.

[Bookgasms Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew going into this book that I would be destroyed. I knew it. If you read books one and two, we knew what to expect. But I absolutely loved Salvatore and Dominic and always had questions about Sergio. We knew what his story was from hearing about him in his brothers' books but to see the dark hero and all his sexy goodness, love and heartbreak. Gahh!! Absolutely amazing!!

I am going to be honest with you, I didn't think I could finish this book. I can't even clearly see right now as my eyes are so tear-swollen as the love and heartbreak is very strong in this book. It was hard going in but seeing Sergio and Natalie's story was incredible. The passion, intensity, connection and the consequences was something not to be missed. Ultimately it was a beautiful story that needed to be told and what better way than Natasha Knight's perfect storytelling voice. No one does dark romance like her. She is the Queen of all the dark heroes who eventually fall for the women who bring them to their knees. I was addicted and consumed and never wanted it to end. Bravo! 5 stars! ~Ratula