Coveted

Ant ❤&❤ Julia!!! 4.25 stars!

Coveted is the 2nd installment in the Men of Mayem Series and can be read as a standalone, but I would recomment for the reader to start Mayem #0 and Wanted #1 first due to plot development.
I was so eager for this story and what was expected for Ant that I couldn't imagine this surprise at all!
I liked so many things about this book: the way Ant and Julia met, the enthrallment, the fact that they kept thinking about the other even being apart and recognized one another as soulmates. The family keeps strong and supportive of all their members: they all have the same goal of annihilating Nic Fortunato's empire that once more turns all his efforts against the Marcones with the side step of the Graziani family and Julia herself. Ant and his brother Tommy are two of the most funny characters I read about and I'm happy to notice that their banter is strong and commited even when they are in dangerous and unexpected situations!
I think Elia was a fabulous damaged character and, in my opinion, deserved his own story if it wasn't for the things he put Julia and her family through. I liked this book even better that the first one: it's extremelly well written, the plot is very interesting, a page turner that flows at a good pace and keeps the reader trying to figure out what the next move will be!
Now, I just can't wait for Tommy's story and who the new opponents will be but I'm sure we're in for a ride....to a future where the past left deep marks!

Kaye

7,169 reviews76 followers

ONE SWEET DECADENT WHIRLWIND!!!
Let the games begin! Kristen imparts this incredible non-stop, action packed, hard hitting, pulse racing heart pounding adrenaline pumping, block busting bombshell, hooks you from the start and reels you in for the duration. A tumultuous wild ride chocked-full of startling mishaps and unexpected circumstances, propel those churning emotions into play, keeping you riveted on a razors edge, and frozen to your seat. Maneuvering through terrifying trials and torrid tribulations, noting the shocking twists and wicked turns, testing our characters in ways they could have never envisioned. Twined, combined and interwoven, exposing the explosive ups and agonizing downs, grounding in it's strength and awe inspiring in it's depth. Intense attraction and chemistry sizzles through the pages, alluring and mesmerizing, drawing you closer until you feel the electricity thrumming through your veins. The characters are complex and authentic with depth and traits that blend and flow, transforming into genuinely relatable personalities. The scenes are strikingly sharp with abundant details and depictions creating a colorful backdrop that makes the storyline pop. Amazing job Kristen, thanks for sharing this little treasure with us.

GKP2460

4,944 reviews77 followers

They just keep getting better and better. If you want a book that gets you all up in your feels this is for you. I love how these books keep the whole family involved.
Julia and Anthony has a love that can stand the test of time if they're able to dispense their enemies.
Julia Loren, daughter of Giacomo Graziani, renowned violinist.
Anthony Marcone, nightclub owner and gun trader. He and Julia meet at the airport when she's flying home to Rome. They part ways and later Antonio and his brother Tommy are called in by Julia's father to look for Julia after she was kidnapped by Elia.
Elia Fortunato, son of Nic Fortunato an evil, evil man who's involved in trafficking. He's stalked her for months and is obsessed with her thinking she can help him redeem himself after all the abuse he suffered at the hands of his father. He's got it in his mind that Julia will come to love him. That she'll want him like he wants her. They will rule together. Thankfully Anthony and Tommy have other ideas. This is a great continuation of this family and a great read.

Jenifer Briggs

1,573 reviews199 followers

Kristen has quickly become one of my go to authors, especially when I'm in the mood for a tragic, angsty, emotional, suspenseful mafia romance, and HOLY CRAP, this book takes you on such a wild ride!!

I don't want to give anything away, but there were so many twists and turns, so many feels (seriously, I was unprepared for all the emotions I felt while reading this).. I was just so captivated! I love how this author handles suspense, and I truly adore how all of her mafia books are related in some way!

This is such an amazing read, and I can't wait for more from this talented lady!! Definitely a five star read!

**received an ARC of this book and these are my honest opinions!**

Shelly Celli

2,249 reviews6 followers

This book has it all. Romance, suspense and intensity. I love how they hit it off right away, but she holds back and lets him walk away. If it’s meant to be it will be...and it’s definitely meant to be just not the way they would have liked. The characters kept me involved and the plot line kept the pages turning. I can’t wait for more!

arcs

Cheryl Graham-Petit

4,118 reviews28 followers

Coveted is the second book in the Men of Mayham series. This romance story has everything you need from a dark Italian Mafia book... suspense, twists and turns, danger, angst, tragedy, and so many feels.

I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

Teresa Trahan

299 reviews2 followers

Excellent, excellent, excellent. I love Kristen Luciani’s writing. This is a book you won’t want to put down. Love it.

Madeleine

4,591 reviews10 followers

I have no words because I can't think right now. I stayed up all night reading this delicious morsel of a book. It was intense, beautiful and heart stopping good. Can't wait for the next book.

Teresa Lara

3,587 reviews53 followers

Loving this series
So broken beautiful intense emotional heartstopping twisted love story of Ant and Julia cant wait for more

Stacy Jo

798 reviews1 follower

Oh my holy puppies for the love of all that is holy! This book was so good. I read it in almost one sitting. It kept me on the edge of my seat and panting for more. Not only is it a hawt read cause of the Italian mafia men but it was a page turner because of Elia and his screwed up brain! So good!

Christina Rybka

1,129 reviews18 followers

April 8, 2022

Love Antonio and Julia

Antonio meets Julia at the airport and there is an instant deep attraction between them, but she is a famous violinist and tells him they can’t happen. Julio how’s home and gets kidnapped. Her father asks for help and Antonio and Tommy his brother go and try to save her. Great characters and storyline Highly recommended Amazing Book. I love Antonio and Julia. This series is so amazing.

1,088 reviews33 followers

April 6, 2020

Antonio And Julia's Endearing Love At First Sight Story Has Sizzle And Suspense When Julia Is Held Hostage In This Plot-Driven Action-Packed Mafia Novel About The Sicilian Marcone Family.

Although part of a series, this book reads perfectly as a stand-alone. It is book two of the Men of Mayhem series which follows the powerful Marcone family of the Sicilian mafia. The series is a spin-off of the Severinov Bratva series about the Russian mobster Severinov family. The families intersect in books three and four of that series, with Tali Severinov marrying Cristian, the loose canon of the Marcone family, in book three, while the emotionless Russian mob boss Alek finally gives in to his feelings for young Gianna Marcone in book four. The fathers in each family were murdered, leaving their children scrambling to take control of the resulting chaos. This book is Antonio Marcone and Julia Graziani's story. Fans will enjoy cameos by favorite characters, including Diego and Alek.

There is a short prequel to this series, Mayhem, which is not necessary to have read first, but it is a very quick read and sets up book one of this series.

The Marcone family, a Sicilian powerhouse, has worked for three years to rebuild their family empire following their father's murder. Vince, thirty-nine, took over as boss. He doesn't trust anyone. He sees the big picture and runs a tight ship. Cristian, twent-six, went to Monaco to run the highly prized shipping business alongside Alek Severinov following Alek's father's murder, who was their partner in the business. Ant and Tommy, the barbaric brothers - probably mid-twenties, run the specialty foods company as well as the imports and exports to sustain it in addition to nightclubs and bars. Finally, there is Diego.

In the first book of the series, Wanted, Diego Marcone, twenty-seven, was groomed to be the floater in his family's crime empire. He is the enforcer that ensures business runs smoothly. In the wake of their father's death, he fell into a pit of anger and guilt for failing to prevent his father's death. He and Cristian thought they got the person responsible for their dad's murder, but he soon discovered there were many more involved. One by one he quietly took the men responsible out. He decided to put his anger behind after falling into Via Fortunato's trap. He began Eventi-X, an event production company that became an instant success and money-maker for his family. Serena Vitale, about twenty-four, is a mafia princess and fashion icon. Diego and Serena's story took off when their families pulled together in a crisis instigated by Nic Fortunato and his daughter Via. Via is taken out by Antonio, but Nic gets away.

In this book, Antonio Marcone's life is irreversibly altered one day when he picks up his brother Tommaso at the airport. Entering the VIP lounge, he has a run-in with a woman that has him questioning everything about himself and his lifestyle. But she sees right through him - or rather the old him - and he reluctantly returns to his life and his club. Vivere is the hottest club in Catania, Sicily. Women throw themselves at him two and three at a time. It was a good life until he met Julia Loren. He'd had everything under control, the way he liked it. Nothing deep or messy.

Julia Loren Graziani, twenty-four, is taking a hiatus from her world tour and returning home to Rome. As much as she loves playing and dancing on stage every night, the world-famous violinist is ready for some time off to visit with her parents and do some charity work. But the man she met at the airport has her second guessing her priorities for the first time ever. Perhaps she does need a social life sooner rather than later. But her homecoming is cut short when her mafia father discovers that her Uncle Enzo has gotten the family embroiled with Nic Fortunato, and Nic plans to hold Julia hostage until all accounts are settled.

Antonio and Julia's love at first sight story of opposites attracting is super sweet amidst a world of violence and crime. Julia - conservative and intelligent, innocent yet sophisticated - is an unassuming natural beauty that is nothing like Antonio's usual style, yet he is immediately smitten. Julia doesn't trust that the super sexy stranger, over whom all the women have been drooling, could seriously have eyes for her. But she can't shake the feeling that she has made a huge mistake when she turns him away. Soon fate brings the strangers together again when Alek Severinov pulls Ant and Tommy in to help his friend Giacomo Graziani find his daughter.

Antonio and Julia's chemistry is fantastic. Aside from the mafia storyline and Julia's captivity (which is gritty), their story is super sweet. They both have been impacted by loss. And although they initially seem so different, they are perfect together. The couple eventually finds their happy ending.

There are some issues that merit mention. First, it states that Antonio's father grew up with his business partner - but his partner was from Russia so it seems unlikely. Second, Julia was unbelievably reckless in her reactions to Elia, whom she knew to be unhinged. Third, Nic intended to lure the Marcones in by taking Julia, but that could hardly have been a certainty at the time Nic planned it. That Giacomo Graziani would turn to Alek, who would then involve the Marcones, was only a chance. Despite these points, it is still a great story about family and love.

Antonio and Julia's endearing love at first sight story has sizzle and suspense when Julia is held hostage in this plot-driven action-packed mafia novel about the Sicilian Marcone family. As usual, the Marcone family sticks together in a crisis. This book is complex and plot-driven. The characters are nicely developed. It is written in first person. The POV alternates between Antonio and Julia, but it has a few scenes in Elia Fortunato's POV as well as a glimpse of the next story in the series from a new character's POV - Gemma. I rate this book four stars.

I received a free advance copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Books2lovenow

429 reviews24 followers

Review of Coveted by Kristen Luciani

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is a five star book in my opinion. A lot of books have been doing multiple points of view lately. A few, like Coveted, have the villain's POV, but few do it really well. Kristen Luciani does it extremely well. She balances Elia's strange mentality against Julia and Antonio's story. She pulls off the instant connection between Antonio and Julia without a hitch. One thing I really enjoyed was how even Julia and Antonio are baffled by their instant pull towards each other. Both know immediately that they've met someone special. I really appreciated that their love was based on the characteristics that the other person had. Yes, there was a ton of sexual desire between them but that wasn't the only reason they wanted to be together. As this is a story about the mafia world there is a lot of violence. Some of it is extremely explicit and twisted. There is the potential of rape throughout the story, although, it never ends up happening. There are strong elements of sexual perversion and mental illness. Some of the things Elia does especially to Julia are very replusive. If you are triggered by violence, threats of rape, drugging of a person this story probably isn't for you. This isn't the darkest book I've ever read. I feel it balances the darker elements against the hopeful lighter elements very well. If you like a strong love story with a lot of pain to get to the HEA you'll love this book. Coveted is the second book in the Men of Mayhem series but it stands as a story on its own and Kristen does a good job of summing up the prior book without going crazy into the backstory. At no point should you feel lost. Everything you need to know and understand is in the narrative. Overall, this a great book and well worth the read.

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

#kristenluciani #menofmayhem #bookreview #mafiaromance #darkread #mustread #sexyread #compellingstory #coveted #bookblogger #bookstagrammers #bookrecommendation

Karen

1,559 reviews18 followers

Julia is a talented woman who never takes for granted the opportunity given to her growing up by her parents and the sacrifices they made to let her achieve her dream. She’s talented and giving. She gives that talent back as well as makes it possible for other children to achieve their dreams even if their parents can’t afford to help them.

Antonio has a chance meeting with a beautiful woman who steals his heart and his mind. When she tells him that they can’t be together, he takes it hard, but he abides her wishes. That is until he finds out who she really is and that she is in danger. Now he’ll everything in his power to save her and make sure that no harm comes to her ever again. He’s ruthless, dangerous, and determined to take out those that want to hurt her further.

I am loving this series just as much as I did the Severinov Bratva Series. The Marcone’s are just as dark, deadly, and dedicated to their family as the Severinov’s are and they will get the woman that has their heart and they will protect them for life. This story is action packed, a bit disturbing, and so well written. I give this story a 5-star review and highly recommend Ms. Luciani’s Severinov Bratva series as well the Men of Mayhem series, I can promise if you like action, Alpha males, tough heroine’s, mafia, and dark stories, you won’t be disappointed in this series.

Judy

1,817 reviews

MJ's Book Blog and Reviews

Hold on to your hats when you start reading this one! It's takes off quickly!!

Julia is a violinist and going home on a break after her concert touring is over. After her last show she has a very unsettling encounter backstage with a man that has a tattoo up his neck. He seems to be a fan, but she's creeped out by him. And oddly enough, her security team is nowhere to be found. She heads to the airport, violin in tow. She remembers that she left her violin, in the case, and runs to retrieve, but a man has it! Of course, she assumes the worse about him and he's amused. She can't shake the attraction she has to this man.

Ant is at the airport to pick up his brother and finds a violin case. Then a crazed female blast him about stealing her violin. She's got his attention, but not because of her chewing him out.

Ant and Julia think about each other and as karma would have it, they meet up again. Not exactly the way Ant had hoped. Julia is in danger and Ant must save her.

I loved this story so much! The story alone was amazingly hot and twisted, but the characters!! The bantering between Ant and his brother, Tommy had me laughing alot! The chemistry and what Ant and Julia went through was nail biting, yet exciting! This story kept me on the edge of my seat from the beginning!

Billie

5,802 reviews72 followers

April 1, 2020

“Follow her, watch her, track her every movement. But do not, under any circumstances, touch her.”
Those were my father’s orders.
I agreed to play his game, to be his pawn,
Biding my time until I saw her.
In that second, my plan to cripple his empire crumbled.
How ironic that he led me to her,
Tempting me with that sweet, forbidden fruit,
Not knowing she would cause his demise.
He’s about to learn a deadly lesson…
That you can’t fight fate.
Now she is mine.
His life is mine.
I finally have everything.
Forever.
COVETED is the second book in the Italian mafia series, MEN OF MAYHEM, by USA Today Bestselling author Kristen Luciani. Be prepared to lose yourself in the dark, dangerous, and deliciously deviant underworld starring the Marcone family. Pulse-pounding suspense with a guaranteed HEA and no cheating.

This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believeable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building that adds so much to the story.
Can't wait to read more of these.
Recommend reading.

I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.

Heidi

1,542 reviews16 followers

April 9, 2020

This series is getting better and better. I just love Ant and Julia. The way they met was sweet and funny. When they first meet their connection is instantaneous and strong. When they go their separate ways, they still can’t forget each other. They have left a deep imprint on each other. Kristen has done such a great job with this story. I was completely hooked from the very beginning and couldn’t put it down. It kept me on the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen next. The Marcones not only have Nic Fortunato to deal with, but also his lunatic of a son, Elia. Ant and Julia are fated to be together, and when they are together, you can tell how strong their connection is. They were made for each other. While this can be read as a stand-alone, I recommend reading Mayhem (#0) and then Wanted (#1). You get to see characters from the previous books and see how Ant and Tommy are. They never lose their banter. These two brothers will have you laughing. There is action, suspense, a crazy psychopath and twists and turns. This is such a great book that you need to read. They protect their family no matter what. I can’t wait for Tommy’s story.

3,176 reviews68 followers

September 9, 2020

Review by: Jennifer
(4 stars)

This is the second in the Men of Mayhem series and the non-stop action just keeps going. This time it's Antonio/Ant who ends up meeting Julia in the airport lounge. Not his usual type but something about Julia pulled to him... could be how she threatened him that very first meeting. They only spent an hour together, but they both walked away feeling as if they were making a mistake in not pursuing something more. When Julia is abducted, Ant and Tommy are called in to rescue her, for Ant this is a chance to get her back and maybe not let this opportunity pass him by, but that's only if he can get her out alive.

Ok, so this was a bit better than the first book, the story kind of sucks you in from the first icky encounter with Elia. Once again, not really sure about these guys, they aren't like a typical Hero, but maybe that's what the author is going for, the imperfect Hero? I can see that angle working; in any case once again we have an imperfect Hero but it wasn't horrible. These are turning out to be ok stories and I give this 4 stars.

Brandi-Lynn Weiser

2,491 reviews80 followers

July 24, 2022

❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥ANTONIO & JULIA❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

Antonio & Julia

Oohhh, another sexy as hell Marcone brother🥵

Julia is a violinist. They first meet in the airport when she thinks he’s about to steal her violin. There’s an immediate attraction between them. Something Antonio has never felt before, she’s not his type yet he feels something about her that’s he’s never felt before. But she doesn’t believe she’s enough for him. Even with both of them having definite connection, Julia tells him it can’t happen, she’s afraid of him hurting her down the line. Both end up going their separate ways at the airport.
But when Julia gets home & goes to her parents house, her worst nightmare happens, the most unfortunate thing you can imagine. She’s kidnapped by a sadistic nutcase. Her one and only hope… Antonio.
This was a slow burn, they had definite chemistry and a connection right from the beginning, but with all the dangers surrounding them it took awhile for the sexy time!
A definite great read by Ms. Luciani!

dark-romance mafia-romance

Maura

2,214 reviews6 followers

April 3, 2020

COVETED is book 2 in the "Men of Mayhem" series and was just as dark and twisty as the first. This author is absolutely a one click author for me and because I love all of her covers I usually buy the paperback and wait to read it. I COULD NOT WAIT to read about Antonio so I bought the Kindle version because even though it is on KU, I want it to be in my collection forever.

The things I liked about Ant & Julia's story...

1. Instant attraction and not afraid to admit it
2. Story line that ebbs and flow as the story unfolds. It never felt stagnant
3. Character development was spot on. Even at its darkest, you could KIND OF understand the why
4. We get another peek at Tommy, I am getting curiouser and curiouser about him.
and 5
5. I wasn't sure I was going to like Ant but I really did.

I absolutely recommend this story. This is a solid read, perfect for quarantined reading

Evie V.

320 reviews

April 3, 2020

I was glued to this book from the start. Ant and Julia are incredible characters that I loved from the start. They both didn't believe that their lives would change in an airport lounge, and I couldn't believe how they managed to find each other again. I was shocked to read how Julia's life was forever changed from one second to the next. Ant couldn't believe that Julia was the girl he had to rescue. He prayed that she was still alive because he wouldn't be able to take it if she wasn't. Julia couldn't believe her eyes when she saw that Ant was her rescuer. Ant was beyond grateful that she was still alive, but he didn't know if they stood a chance together. Luckily for Ant, Julia wanted nothing more then to spend her live with him. I received a free copy from the author and reviewed voluntarily.

Debbie Caswell

6,861 reviews29 followers

April 6, 2020

While this book can be read as a stand alone do yourself a favour and read Mayhem (the prequel) and Wanted the first book in the series you won't be disappointed Like all Kristen book this one keep you enthralled until you turn that last page she is fast becoming a go to author for me.

This is another dark book and could be a trigger for a lot of people but that is the norm with Kristens books so you should expect it. The thing that sets this book apart from many in the mafia world is not only do we get Antonio(Ant) and Julia's story and their instant and undeniable attraction to one another but we actually get the villain Elia's POV as well and it is handled oh so well. Do yourself a favour and grab this entire series in fact grab anything with Kristen's name on it you won't be disappointed

Vicki Stephens

3,768 reviews21 followers

May 5, 2020

Coveted is the second book in Kristen Luciani's Men of Mayhem series and I could not put this addictive book down. This action packed book features Julia Graziani, a concert violinist and abducted daughter of Giacomo Graziani who is a mobster, and Antonio (Ant) Marcone, who is sent with his brother to rescue Julia but who is secretly in love with her after an initial meeting which occurred before the abduction. Elia, a sympathetic and mentally unbalanced nemesis due to years of abuse by his mafia boss, is also a main character in this book and is responsible for Julia's kidnapping. I highly recommend this emotionally charged novel with its memorable and well developed characters placed into a rollercoaster ride plot which is a phenomenal read with its excellent writing.
I received an arc in return for an honest and voluntary review.

Diane Yoz

1,477 reviews55 followers

Coveted is SO GOOD!

Oh man, I am getting in deep with this series. Coveted is SO GOOD! I am loving the Marcone Brothers!!! Antonio is just as fierce as all the brothers however he is a "take no S#!T" kind of guy. He does what he has to do to help those he loves. I love how Antonio and Julia had an instant attraction but yet I felt that the romance was slow burn building until the passion poured out of the pages.
Coveted is filled with lots of Mafia drama and suspense. I will not lie, I wanted to hate Elia. He is sick and twisted but part of me felt for him and what made him be a madman.
Love Julia and Antonio's HAE but there are parts in the story that left me speculating... hmmm..I wonder if my theories will be correct. Can't wait for the next book to see another Marcone brother lose his heart.

Karin Gesell

2,007 reviews41 followers

It’s Marcone time again, this time Antonio. He meets a beautiful violinist named Julia at the airport, who in a short time has a profound effect on him. When Julia gets home from a break in her tour, her happy homecoming turns into hell, and she’s kidnapped, drugged & terrified (and those nasty Fortunato’s are around again). And who do you think comes to the rescue in a blaze of bullets & fists & a violin bow? That’s right, that intensely handsome, control freak extraordinaire Antonio. With the help of family, they took on the bad(der) guys, all while getting to explore their feelings and think/hope for a true future. Totally loved this!! Can’t wait for the next brothers book!!

Marcie

1,123 reviews61 followers