What do you think?
Rate this book
Off-Limits Italians #1
The Italian Heartthrob
Forbidden is what we are...
I was 10. You were 19.
You wanted to be a chef. My mom made you a star.
I'm 24. You're 33.
You hold the record for the Sexiest Man Alive.
I'm still the lost, rejected, damaged girl who can't find herself anywhere but in your protective arms.
I loved you when I was 10. I love you now.
You call me your best friend, and you still see me as a kid.
I'm 25 with a man on one knee in front of me.
You're watching through the glass. One word from you is all I need.
But you hold a secret that can destroy us both.
I've known you my whole life. Loved you my whole life.
Never thought when I die, it will be because of you.
The Italian Heartthrob is a forbidden friends to lovers standalone. The dark themes may set you in tears.
Get it now because you have to.
I was 10. You were 19.
You wanted to be a chef. My mom made you a star.
I'm 24. You're 33.
You hold the record for the Sexiest Man Alive.
I'm still the lost, rejected, damaged girl who can't find herself anywhere but in your protective arms.
I loved you when I was 10. I love you now.
You call me your best friend, and you still see me as a kid.
I'm 25 with a man on one knee in front of me.
You're watching through the glass. One word from you is all I need.
But you hold a secret that can destroy us both.
I've known you my whole life. Loved you my whole life.
Never thought when I die, it will be because of you.
The Italian Heartthrob is a forbidden friends to lovers standalone. The dark themes may set you in tears.
Get it now because you have to.
626 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 10, 2020
961 people are currently reading
6994 people want to read
About the author
N.J. Adel
56 books1,130 followersAnother psycho hiding in plain sight, pretending to be normal. Half Egyptian. Loather of cats. Allergic to fake sh*t. Lover of everything dark and spicy.
Get my books on Amazon --> http://www.amazon.com/author/njadel
Get my newsletter-->
https://njadelbooks.com
Follow me on Bookbub --> https://www.bookbub.com/profile/n-j-adel
Ask me anything--> https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
Follow my weird TikTok-->
https://www.tiktok.com/@n.j.adel
Join my FB reader group-->
https://www.facebook.com/groups/NJAde...
Follow my Insta--> https://www.instagram.com/n.jadel/
Get my books on Amazon --> http://www.amazon.com/author/njadel
Get my newsletter-->
https://njadelbooks.com
Follow me on Bookbub --> https://www.bookbub.com/profile/n-j-adel
Ask me anything--> https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
Follow my weird TikTok-->
https://www.tiktok.com/@n.j.adel
Join my FB reader group-->
https://www.facebook.com/groups/NJAde...
Follow my Insta--> https://www.instagram.com/n.jadel/
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 286 reviews
April 13, 2020
"I'll know what a monster my mother is? I already know that. I'll know you, too, were abused and feel sorry for you? I already do. It doesn't change anything, though."
The Italian Heartthrob is one of the most infuriating books I've read so far.
DNF-ed at Scene 82 out of 95.
One of the main reason I absolutely can't stand finishing this story is the main heroine, but more about that later.
The Italian Heartthrob is written weird, the author calls the Chapters "Scenes", not sure why; the heroine's Scenes are written in first person while for some unknown reason the hero's are in the third, which is super off-putting.
At times you can see mistakes that were missed when the book was edited when it came to the third person writing: the hero would slip into first person and then go back to third. Which makes me wonder if his chapters were originally in first person & then changed or what. If I could ask the author one question it would be: Why use third person for his chapters? I'm legit curious why authors keep combining first and third person.
The book has many clichés: hero fucks women that look like the main heroine to substitute sleeping with her, heroine scared to say I Love You back to her boyfriend, heroine refuses to hear about the past then gets mad once the past comes back to haunt the hero...
The blurb claims the following: "The dark themes may set you in tears." - No crying, only anger, considering how the heroince acts throught the whole book.
The main characters:
- Maggie Dawson - Super unlikable, an absolute hypocrite, has an alchohol & weed problem, but refuses to admit it or do any kind of therapy she desperately needs. Any growth you might see to her character, feels fake or forced. Constantly acts like the hero would cheat on her because he's so hot and she's not beautiful enough for him BS; at one point went as far as to tell the hero to imagine her while they were filming a sex scene with another woman; found out the hero has slept with her evil mother & conveniently refused to listen to him explain what had happened, when he claimed that night was the worst of his life: SPOILER he was assaulted & groomed by her mom when he was 18. And guess how Maggie reacted once she found out he was another victim of her mom: she told him she feels bad for him but it changes nothing and she won't be able to be sexual with him without remembering her mom saying she was kissing his neck & he was smelling her jayjay (this two things Maggie categorizes as "very intimate" & she just can't move past that).
Just WOW, we're talking about a hero that slept around before, she had no problem with it previously, but now it's needed for this useless drama we shall use it. Maggie even went as far as to get turned on by the hero & then rush to her boyfriend and have sex with him while imagining she's sleeping with Mike instead. She dumped said boyfriend in front of a crowd when he was proposing to her at a birthday party HE ORGANIZED & then ran off with the hero & slept with him immediately. Want a heroine that complains the hero is too perfect & romantic? This is Maggie.
- Mike (Mickey) Gennaro - First of all, his name sounds super unconvincing: he is supposed to be Italian, dammit.
I didn't at all like him for a good part of the book, considering the first thing we see of him is a scene where he invites Maggie to his party by saying he has lots of weed, the guy has a personal party planner that's also his weed supplier, lol. He's one of these heroes that pin after the heroine but instead of telling how he feels he keeps sleeping around with women that look like her.
It was quite sad to see how hard he tried to make Maggie happy & how invested he actually was in their relationship and then see her treat him like garbage and refuse to be with him once she knows he was a victim of her mom.
I grew so tired of reading time & time again how he had THIS BIG SECRET & how he would tell Maggie soon. Once they got together he sat on this secret for almost an year while Maggie's mom was blackmailing him by promising she would tell her daughter. It was so obvious he would never tell her himself & this SECRET would be the big fallout in the story.
What pissed me off the most was how many times Maggie would tell Mike HE NEEDS THERAPY despite her not knowing he was a victim of grooming and such; 3 TIMES she insisted he needs therapy, when she was the one that was suicidal & was addicted to substances. Projection much?!
When I originally read the blurb I was super curious about the "Never thought when I die, it will be because of you." part, I wondered what could the hero possibly do to cause her death, etc: Well, what actually happened is that Maggie tried to kill herself, Mike is the one that stopped her. The heroine would try to sell you the story that she just had enough when she found out the hero had slept with her mom, but she already had ordered a gun to kill herself before this discovery, so Mike was just a poor excuse!!
I feel like this book handled issues like substance abuse, assault, grooming & suicide VERY POORLY: "She was officially depressed, which meant she'd work, eat, sleep and have sex too much or not at all." - Okay, she's officially depressed, she got prescribed antidepressants, but is she talking to a therapist, working on her problems, triggers? I'd say no, because we hear nothing about her going to therapy, etc. And after it, all goes downhill from here.
Scene 82 was my breaking point, and I hardly DNF books:
You expect me to root for a heroine that refuses to accept the fact the hero was groomed but he should be super okay with her playing him & acting like she's fine & happy with him, when in reality she tried to end herself in front of him??
Maggie refused to listed to Mike about his past with her mom time & time again, she drove off, making him worry about where she is. She is the person that didn't want to hear about his secret before, didn't tell him about her past, how she tried to kill herself before and that she's actually super unstable & then acted like Mike hid from her that he had past. You see the hero desperately searching for the heroine all over town, finding her with a gun to her head, she shoot herself & once she survives she blames him for saving her & refuses to take him back despite knowing he didn't sleep with the mom by choice.
What is even worse is that Mike kept blaming himself for the heroine's attempted suicide, thinking how evil he is, a murderer. It was so frustrating to read!
I really don't think Maggie and Mike should be a couple, considering how many problems they both have & how Maggie treated Mike the whole time. She needs therapy, plain and simple.
Final thoughts:
The Italian Heartthrob isn't a novel I would ever recommend you, the blurb is quite misleading, the book deals badly with heavy subjects, the heroine would drive you mad with how she behaves with anyone, she's an arse to the hero, her boyfriend, her friends.
If you're looking for a book that would make you want to throw your reading device out of a window after setting it on fire, this one is for you.
Looking at all the good short reviews on this book now that I've read it myself, they all sound staged, considering how they all say the same thing & give you no good insight into the actual story.
Tread with caution.
The Italian Heartthrob is one of the most infuriating books I've read so far.
DNF-ed at Scene 82 out of 95.
One of the main reason I absolutely can't stand finishing this story is the main heroine, but more about that later.
The Italian Heartthrob is written weird, the author calls the Chapters "Scenes", not sure why; the heroine's Scenes are written in first person while for some unknown reason the hero's are in the third, which is super off-putting.
At times you can see mistakes that were missed when the book was edited when it came to the third person writing: the hero would slip into first person and then go back to third. Which makes me wonder if his chapters were originally in first person & then changed or what. If I could ask the author one question it would be: Why use third person for his chapters? I'm legit curious why authors keep combining first and third person.
The book has many clichés: hero fucks women that look like the main heroine to substitute sleeping with her, heroine scared to say I Love You back to her boyfriend, heroine refuses to hear about the past then gets mad once the past comes back to haunt the hero...
The blurb claims the following: "The dark themes may set you in tears." - No crying, only anger, considering how the heroince acts throught the whole book.
The main characters:
- Maggie Dawson - Super unlikable, an absolute hypocrite, has an alchohol & weed problem, but refuses to admit it or do any kind of therapy she desperately needs. Any growth you might see to her character, feels fake or forced. Constantly acts like the hero would cheat on her because he's so hot and she's not beautiful enough for him BS; at one point went as far as to tell the hero to imagine her while they were filming a sex scene with another woman; found out the hero has slept with her evil mother & conveniently refused to listen to him explain what had happened, when he claimed that night was the worst of his life: SPOILER he was assaulted & groomed by her mom when he was 18. And guess how Maggie reacted once she found out he was another victim of her mom: she told him she feels bad for him but it changes nothing and she won't be able to be sexual with him without remembering her mom saying she was kissing his neck & he was smelling her jayjay (this two things Maggie categorizes as "very intimate" & she just can't move past that).
Just WOW, we're talking about a hero that slept around before, she had no problem with it previously, but now it's needed for this useless drama we shall use it. Maggie even went as far as to get turned on by the hero & then rush to her boyfriend and have sex with him while imagining she's sleeping with Mike instead. She dumped said boyfriend in front of a crowd when he was proposing to her at a birthday party HE ORGANIZED & then ran off with the hero & slept with him immediately. Want a heroine that complains the hero is too perfect & romantic? This is Maggie.
- Mike (Mickey) Gennaro - First of all, his name sounds super unconvincing: he is supposed to be Italian, dammit.
I didn't at all like him for a good part of the book, considering the first thing we see of him is a scene where he invites Maggie to his party by saying he has lots of weed, the guy has a personal party planner that's also his weed supplier, lol. He's one of these heroes that pin after the heroine but instead of telling how he feels he keeps sleeping around with women that look like her.
It was quite sad to see how hard he tried to make Maggie happy & how invested he actually was in their relationship and then see her treat him like garbage and refuse to be with him once she knows he was a victim of her mom.
I grew so tired of reading time & time again how he had THIS BIG SECRET & how he would tell Maggie soon. Once they got together he sat on this secret for almost an year while Maggie's mom was blackmailing him by promising she would tell her daughter. It was so obvious he would never tell her himself & this SECRET would be the big fallout in the story.
What pissed me off the most was how many times Maggie would tell Mike HE NEEDS THERAPY despite her not knowing he was a victim of grooming and such; 3 TIMES she insisted he needs therapy, when she was the one that was suicidal & was addicted to substances. Projection much?!
When I originally read the blurb I was super curious about the "Never thought when I die, it will be because of you." part, I wondered what could the hero possibly do to cause her death, etc: Well, what actually happened is that Maggie tried to kill herself, Mike is the one that stopped her. The heroine would try to sell you the story that she just had enough when she found out the hero had slept with her mom, but she already had ordered a gun to kill herself before this discovery, so Mike was just a poor excuse!!
I feel like this book handled issues like substance abuse, assault, grooming & suicide VERY POORLY: "She was officially depressed, which meant she'd work, eat, sleep and have sex too much or not at all." - Okay, she's officially depressed, she got prescribed antidepressants, but is she talking to a therapist, working on her problems, triggers? I'd say no, because we hear nothing about her going to therapy, etc. And after it, all goes downhill from here.
Scene 82 was my breaking point, and I hardly DNF books:
You expect me to root for a heroine that refuses to accept the fact the hero was groomed but he should be super okay with her playing him & acting like she's fine & happy with him, when in reality she tried to end herself in front of him??
Maggie refused to listed to Mike about his past with her mom time & time again, she drove off, making him worry about where she is. She is the person that didn't want to hear about his secret before, didn't tell him about her past, how she tried to kill herself before and that she's actually super unstable & then acted like Mike hid from her that he had past. You see the hero desperately searching for the heroine all over town, finding her with a gun to her head, she shoot herself & once she survives she blames him for saving her & refuses to take him back despite knowing he didn't sleep with the mom by choice.
What is even worse is that Mike kept blaming himself for the heroine's attempted suicide, thinking how evil he is, a murderer. It was so frustrating to read!
I really don't think Maggie and Mike should be a couple, considering how many problems they both have & how Maggie treated Mike the whole time. She needs therapy, plain and simple.
Final thoughts:
The Italian Heartthrob isn't a novel I would ever recommend you, the blurb is quite misleading, the book deals badly with heavy subjects, the heroine would drive you mad with how she behaves with anyone, she's an arse to the hero, her boyfriend, her friends.
If you're looking for a book that would make you want to throw your reading device out of a window after setting it on fire, this one is for you.
Looking at all the good short reviews on this book now that I've read it myself, they all sound staged, considering how they all say the same thing & give you no good insight into the actual story.
Tread with caution.
April 13, 2020
5 💔❤️🖤💔❤️⚡️💥🔥⚡️ ✨✨✨✨✨s ❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️
Wow!!! This journey was solid, tough, intense, angsty and very emotional.
The astounding characters stole my heart, had me wholeheartedly enamoured of them and kept me standing on the edge of sanity.
Maggie and Mike had been in love for so many years yet none of them had ever made a confession to each other. They were best friends and had an age difference of 9 years. Mike was a famous actor and his agent was Maggie’s mother.
The author managed to deliver with depth so many issues throughout Mike and Maggie’s romance. Depression, self harm, dysfunctional relationships, emotional abuse.
The writing was mesmerising and captivating, I could feel their dilemmas, their love, their heartbreaking, their struggles.
If you think this is a love story full of rainbows, sunshine and unicorns or lighthearted, it makes me sad to say that The Italian Heartthrob is not for you... 💔
Wow!!! This journey was solid, tough, intense, angsty and very emotional.
The astounding characters stole my heart, had me wholeheartedly enamoured of them and kept me standing on the edge of sanity.
Maggie and Mike had been in love for so many years yet none of them had ever made a confession to each other. They were best friends and had an age difference of 9 years. Mike was a famous actor and his agent was Maggie’s mother.
The author managed to deliver with depth so many issues throughout Mike and Maggie’s romance. Depression, self harm, dysfunctional relationships, emotional abuse.
The writing was mesmerising and captivating, I could feel their dilemmas, their love, their heartbreaking, their struggles.
If you think this is a love story full of rainbows, sunshine and unicorns or lighthearted, it makes me sad to say that The Italian Heartthrob is not for you... 💔
May 23, 2022
DNF
Sadly another book shelved into DNF. I just do not have the patient for The Italian Heartthrob. I feel like reading a story consisting every single day of how they met, they grew up and into adulthood. I just can't.
The audiobook is 10 hours long. I give up around second hour. I even lost my concentration on this book while listening to the audiobook.
Moving on..
2 stars
Sadly another book shelved into DNF. I just do not have the patient for The Italian Heartthrob. I feel like reading a story consisting every single day of how they met, they grew up and into adulthood. I just can't.
The audiobook is 10 hours long. I give up around second hour. I even lost my concentration on this book while listening to the audiobook.
Moving on..
2 stars
April 15, 2020
It just wasn't for me. 😯
April 1, 2020
I have sat here for 5 min now just trying to get my thoughts into coherent sentences so that I can get you to understand just how much you need to read this book.. Well, I can’t seem to get them all to cooperate, so I’ll give you what I can. BUY THIS BOOK NOW!! The Italian Heartthrob is so different from anything I’ve ever read from NJ Adel.. and it’s ducking AMAZING. So many emotions! I haven’t had such a good cry over a book in a LONG time and it was very much needed. If you’re looking for a romance filled with love and heartbreak, something where the characters take a true journey to get to their glorious HEAs, this book is for you.
Ms. Adel, congratulations on a job well done. I’m going to go nurse this major book hangover now.
This book is a stand-alone. And it’s not a wham-bam-thank-you-ma’am type of stand-alone.. it’s an oh, we are only at 50%? But how can that be? The story is golden and just perfect. Shouldn’t we be about ready to come to an end? Oh no, oh NO, OH GOD PLEASE NO!!! How can this be?? Wait... Oh please, please don’t break my heart again, I can’t handle it.. I NEED this to end in an HEA.. type of book. Long story short? You’re going to LOVE it.
Ms. Adel, congratulations on a job well done. I’m going to go nurse this major book hangover now.
This book is a stand-alone. And it’s not a wham-bam-thank-you-ma’am type of stand-alone.. it’s an oh, we are only at 50%? But how can that be? The story is golden and just perfect. Shouldn’t we be about ready to come to an end? Oh no, oh NO, OH GOD PLEASE NO!!! How can this be?? Wait... Oh please, please don’t break my heart again, I can’t handle it.. I NEED this to end in an HEA.. type of book. Long story short? You’re going to LOVE it.
September 8, 2020
2.5
i can't believe i'm saying this...but the hero deserved better.
i can't believe i'm saying this...but the hero deserved better.
April 11, 2020
When I received an review request of ‘The Italian Heartthrob’ I found myself really curious about this read. I hadn’t heard about this author before, and since I love romance novels I definitely wanted to give this one a shot.
In ‘The Italian Heartthrob’ we read the story of Maggie and Mike. Maggie and Mike have been best friends for years. Mike is a family friend and nine years older than Maggie. What started as a little kids crush, has grown into so much more. But Mike is a big actor, and he definitely likes the ladies. And there are many things about Maggie and Mike that wouldn’t work. There is a lot of history, and even more secrets.
Okay, where to start?! This book was not for me. Even now, thinking about it a day later I just don’t really know what to say. I read it, every single page, but there where many moments when I found myself, eyebrows raised and thinking ‘really?’. Maggie and Mike have secretly loved each other for a long time, but they both never had the courage to say it. And they both did things to make each other jealous.
The romance overall was nice. Maggie and Mike definitely had chemistry, and I enjoyed reading the friends to lovers bit. But I had some issues with this read. The weed, the ‘almost’ public sex people had at these parties, the depression part. It didn’t work for me. And I guessed Mike’s ‘big’ secret early on.
The impressive part about this book is, I read every single page of this book. Although I figured out this book wasn’t for me early on, the author had a way of making me want to know how things would end. So I kept reading.
This review was very hard to write. I’m not a harsh person, and hate letting people down or making people feel bad.. but this book just made me feel bad. So I had to edit this review many times to make sure this review wasn’t hurtful. Let’s just conclude.. this book definitely wasn’t for me.
In ‘The Italian Heartthrob’ we read the story of Maggie and Mike. Maggie and Mike have been best friends for years. Mike is a family friend and nine years older than Maggie. What started as a little kids crush, has grown into so much more. But Mike is a big actor, and he definitely likes the ladies. And there are many things about Maggie and Mike that wouldn’t work. There is a lot of history, and even more secrets.
Okay, where to start?! This book was not for me. Even now, thinking about it a day later I just don’t really know what to say. I read it, every single page, but there where many moments when I found myself, eyebrows raised and thinking ‘really?’. Maggie and Mike have secretly loved each other for a long time, but they both never had the courage to say it. And they both did things to make each other jealous.
The romance overall was nice. Maggie and Mike definitely had chemistry, and I enjoyed reading the friends to lovers bit. But I had some issues with this read. The weed, the ‘almost’ public sex people had at these parties, the depression part. It didn’t work for me. And I guessed Mike’s ‘big’ secret early on.
The impressive part about this book is, I read every single page of this book. Although I figured out this book wasn’t for me early on, the author had a way of making me want to know how things would end. So I kept reading.
This review was very hard to write. I’m not a harsh person, and hate letting people down or making people feel bad.. but this book just made me feel bad. So I had to edit this review many times to make sure this review wasn’t hurtful. Let’s just conclude.. this book definitely wasn’t for me.
April 15, 2020
4.5 🌟
Definitely it was such an emotional rollercoaster but I really loved it!!
Definitely it was such an emotional rollercoaster but I really loved it!!
October 10, 2021
Loved it!
I was at a loss for words when I first finished this book that I had to let it and the characters resonate with me for awhile. This was my first read by this author and it won't be the last. Her ability to take you into the minds of her characters was flawless. She has woven a tale of love, pain, heartbreak, longing, friendship and so much more. Her characters were REAL and you couldn't help but root for them. My heart ached for Mike and Maddie and what they had to endure. An emotional rollercoaster but so worth it just have your tissues handy. 💜
I was at a loss for words when I first finished this book that I had to let it and the characters resonate with me for awhile. This was my first read by this author and it won't be the last. Her ability to take you into the minds of her characters was flawless. She has woven a tale of love, pain, heartbreak, longing, friendship and so much more. Her characters were REAL and you couldn't help but root for them. My heart ached for Mike and Maddie and what they had to endure. An emotional rollercoaster but so worth it just have your tissues handy. 💜
April 7, 2020
**Trigger Warning- there is talk of suicide, rape and emotional and mental abuse**
So I just want to start off by saying this book is hands down amazingly well written and a favorite of mine. NJ did an exceptional job writing this book. I love reading books with triggers and here is why: it helps me push back on my own demons and strive to succeed more. So this book, I took to heart more, felt more on a soul level with a character. I mean have you read a book that just hit a lot of things close to home for you. Well this is one does that for me. So you meet Maggie who is young and trying to live her life, however there are complications. One being her mom! Anytime there was a scene with her in it, I was just rubbed the wrong way. Then you have Mike, the sexiest man alive. Not to just Maggie but the whole world. This book talks about a whole other world that Maggie also exist in and she plays it close to home. She does not open up to anyone but in some ways can be herself around Mike. Then you have Mike who has been through his share of turmoil that he hides as well. These two are dark and some what twisted and complete each other. What will it take for them to see that? There are things that are said that will break you, like literally to the point that you forget to breath. You are also trying to do breathing exercises to calm your racing heart. I even broke down and cried because there were several points that were made that utterly destroyed me because I have been there. So yes, this book has triggers but it has heart and soul that can let you know that you can still have happiness. SO THANK YOU NJ FOR BRINGING THIS BOOK TO LIFE.
So I just want to start off by saying this book is hands down amazingly well written and a favorite of mine. NJ did an exceptional job writing this book. I love reading books with triggers and here is why: it helps me push back on my own demons and strive to succeed more. So this book, I took to heart more, felt more on a soul level with a character. I mean have you read a book that just hit a lot of things close to home for you. Well this is one does that for me. So you meet Maggie who is young and trying to live her life, however there are complications. One being her mom! Anytime there was a scene with her in it, I was just rubbed the wrong way. Then you have Mike, the sexiest man alive. Not to just Maggie but the whole world. This book talks about a whole other world that Maggie also exist in and she plays it close to home. She does not open up to anyone but in some ways can be herself around Mike. Then you have Mike who has been through his share of turmoil that he hides as well. These two are dark and some what twisted and complete each other. What will it take for them to see that? There are things that are said that will break you, like literally to the point that you forget to breath. You are also trying to do breathing exercises to calm your racing heart. I even broke down and cried because there were several points that were made that utterly destroyed me because I have been there. So yes, this book has triggers but it has heart and soul that can let you know that you can still have happiness. SO THANK YOU NJ FOR BRINGING THIS BOOK TO LIFE.
February 1, 2023
I just finished this book and i find myself sitting in front of the computer at a loss for words to adequately express my feelings about this book.
The book started off strong. I enjoyed the beginning, the friendship and unrequited longing both characters felt for each other. Up until they decided to be together, it was a 5 star read. It happened so early in the book, that I knew there was going to be unnecessary drama. When Mike revealed to the reader that he was keeping a secret, I knew what it was going to be. All the drama surrounding Maggie and Mike being together, the blackmailing by Andrea, I started to get frustrated. I slowed down on how quickly I was reading it and started to feel bored. I knew there'd be some kind of twist with Mike's secret and I wasn't wrong.
This book wasn't bad, but I definitely lost interest in it as it went on. It was just drawn out a little too much, and that's saying something since there were 3 significant time jumps in the book.
The book started off strong. I enjoyed the beginning, the friendship and unrequited longing both characters felt for each other. Up until they decided to be together, it was a 5 star read. It happened so early in the book, that I knew there was going to be unnecessary drama. When Mike revealed to the reader that he was keeping a secret, I knew what it was going to be. All the drama surrounding Maggie and Mike being together, the blackmailing by Andrea, I started to get frustrated. I slowed down on how quickly I was reading it and started to feel bored. I knew there'd be some kind of twist with Mike's secret and I wasn't wrong.
This book wasn't bad, but I definitely lost interest in it as it went on. It was just drawn out a little too much, and that's saying something since there were 3 significant time jumps in the book.
April 12, 2020
I just stumbled on this book....new author for me...forbidden...sensitive...good
August 16, 2020
5 ++++++ STARS for The Italian Heartthrob
I am a reviewer for Netgalley and had received a newsletter by email from one of the publishers they represent and The Italian Heartthrob was one of the books highlighted for an upcoming release. Not only did I absolutely love this book but I am now following the author N.J. Adel !
It’s been awhile that I read a book that for me packed such an emotional punch ! I read it in just one sitting - in fact I could not put it down until I had finished ( earning it one of my personal LMATR - “Leave Me Alone To Read “ awards )
Here are just a few things I really loved about the book :
The cover is gorgeous and is seriously a great visual of Mike Gennaro
Friends to lovers ( one of my most favorite romance genres)
Age difference
Great main characters in Mike & Maggie- but equally great secondary characters as well
Excellent writing with several plot twists I didn’t see coming
Angst - most angst - still more angst - to a hard / fought for HEA
Sizzling chemistry and some really clever / funny dialog
Mike and Maggie’s story is everything you could want ...
They are best friends with mutual attraction for each other that they have never acted on - but they know it’s actually love. Mike masks it with the endless stream of gorgeous models and actresses he is constantly seen with - while Maggie has a steady boyfriend Kyle.
Maggie is emotionally scarred after years of verbal abuse from her mother - a person who has never earned the right to even be called that and is referred to as Andrea thru out the book. She is just evil - I can’t even fathom a mother doing the things she does to her child.
Mike is very protective of Maggie he has loved her for years but is willing to wait the time for her to find out what she wants - ultimately he just wants her happiness. The emotional connection between the characters as well as their sizzling chemistry is why you most likely will not want to but the book down until you finish.
There are also so many plot twists that some things I just did not see coming. This author certainly knows how to pull in and hook her readers - it’s an amazing writer that knows how to evoke such emotion. The test for me of an excellent book is one where you do not want to see The END - or the end to the characters. Maggie and Mike have continued to be in my thoughts - just wanting more of their HEA - oh and possibly babies or more academy awards 😂
As stated this book is incredible ! I’m so happy to have found this author’s work. In closing I am reminded of a gift that Mike gave Maggie it being a silver bangle he brought back as an early Christmas present for her from his promotional movie tour to Japan.
The inscription in Japanese was something at the time he couldn’t share with her - pretending he didn’t know what it meant - he was just afraid if she knew it would scare away his best friend. I had hoped Maggie would somehow find out the meaning .... the bracelet she never took off was inscribed with the Japanese characters that read “ Forever Yours” ❤️ I think my heart just about melted or cracked wide open with love for these two well written characters who deserved all the love and happiness their life together would bring them !
Highly recommend The Italian Heartthrob and author N.J. Adel !
I am a reviewer for Netgalley and had received a newsletter by email from one of the publishers they represent and The Italian Heartthrob was one of the books highlighted for an upcoming release. Not only did I absolutely love this book but I am now following the author N.J. Adel !
It’s been awhile that I read a book that for me packed such an emotional punch ! I read it in just one sitting - in fact I could not put it down until I had finished ( earning it one of my personal LMATR - “Leave Me Alone To Read “ awards )
Here are just a few things I really loved about the book :
The cover is gorgeous and is seriously a great visual of Mike Gennaro
Friends to lovers ( one of my most favorite romance genres)
Age difference
Great main characters in Mike & Maggie- but equally great secondary characters as well
Excellent writing with several plot twists I didn’t see coming
Angst - most angst - still more angst - to a hard / fought for HEA
Sizzling chemistry and some really clever / funny dialog
Mike and Maggie’s story is everything you could want ...
They are best friends with mutual attraction for each other that they have never acted on - but they know it’s actually love. Mike masks it with the endless stream of gorgeous models and actresses he is constantly seen with - while Maggie has a steady boyfriend Kyle.
Maggie is emotionally scarred after years of verbal abuse from her mother - a person who has never earned the right to even be called that and is referred to as Andrea thru out the book. She is just evil - I can’t even fathom a mother doing the things she does to her child.
Mike is very protective of Maggie he has loved her for years but is willing to wait the time for her to find out what she wants - ultimately he just wants her happiness. The emotional connection between the characters as well as their sizzling chemistry is why you most likely will not want to but the book down until you finish.
There are also so many plot twists that some things I just did not see coming. This author certainly knows how to pull in and hook her readers - it’s an amazing writer that knows how to evoke such emotion. The test for me of an excellent book is one where you do not want to see The END - or the end to the characters. Maggie and Mike have continued to be in my thoughts - just wanting more of their HEA - oh and possibly babies or more academy awards 😂
As stated this book is incredible ! I’m so happy to have found this author’s work. In closing I am reminded of a gift that Mike gave Maggie it being a silver bangle he brought back as an early Christmas present for her from his promotional movie tour to Japan.
The inscription in Japanese was something at the time he couldn’t share with her - pretending he didn’t know what it meant - he was just afraid if she knew it would scare away his best friend. I had hoped Maggie would somehow find out the meaning .... the bracelet she never took off was inscribed with the Japanese characters that read “ Forever Yours” ❤️ I think my heart just about melted or cracked wide open with love for these two well written characters who deserved all the love and happiness their life together would bring them !
Highly recommend The Italian Heartthrob and author N.J. Adel !
April 20, 2020
5 μεγαλειώδη αστέρια, ένα βιβλίο που τα είχε όλα, ένα βιβλίο "γεμάτο" ❤️!
Θα ήθελα τον Μάικ να κλαίει λιγότερο 😂
Θα ήθελα τον Μάικ να κλαίει λιγότερο 😂
October 8, 2025
God damn this was dramatic, and I didn’t give one single fuck about anything. It was so fast paced it was hard to make an emotional connection. 🤷🏼♀️
April 26, 2022
Please look up the triggers for this book. I did not and it ruined my night. Why do we need such a graphic suicide attempt in a romance?
October 8, 2022
After 2.5 years of publishing The Italian Heartthrob, it's still a bestseller thanks to all of you! I feel I haven't talked about that book enough, though, so here we go.
If I want to be remembered for just one book, it'll be Mike and Maggie's story. The Italian Heartthrob is the book of my heart, and it's based on very traumatizing TRUE events; some are mine, others belong to very close people to my heart.
This was my first contemporary romance novel I've ever written, and I wrote it for the sole purpose of therapy and getting our story told. The scars of emotional abuse--or any form of abuse--don't go away and they never heal. I wanted to be the sound of survivors suffering in silence, giving hope even through fiction that may never be a reality.
The response to The Italian Heartthrob varies from strict DNFs to loving it to bits with blubbering ugly cries. The negativity doesn't dishearten me at all because as an emotional abuse survivor, empathy to my scars has always been so rare to find. In fact, I've always been more harassed by others whenever I mentioned it or been in the situation right in front of them. It's not new to me. I've come to realize many people won't understand abuse--especially the emotional kind with no visible scars--unless they've been exposed to it personally. I was hoping with writing The Italian Heartthrob to make more people understand the pain, how victims feel, how their mentality and behaviors change due to the trauma, and hopefully be kinder.
If I managed to change one person's perspective about emotional abuse victims, I'd call that a win.
It warms my heart when a reader tells me The Italian Heartthrob is their favorite book ever or when they say they cried because the story was relatable and it reached people with similar traumas and abuse episodes.
I'm so proud of writing and making The Italian Heartthrob available for you to read. The courage it took to portray that story wasn't trivial, and the pain I went through to revisit those life-changing moments was real.
Thank you for all your support
Luv u always
NJ
If I want to be remembered for just one book, it'll be Mike and Maggie's story. The Italian Heartthrob is the book of my heart, and it's based on very traumatizing TRUE events; some are mine, others belong to very close people to my heart.
This was my first contemporary romance novel I've ever written, and I wrote it for the sole purpose of therapy and getting our story told. The scars of emotional abuse--or any form of abuse--don't go away and they never heal. I wanted to be the sound of survivors suffering in silence, giving hope even through fiction that may never be a reality.
The response to The Italian Heartthrob varies from strict DNFs to loving it to bits with blubbering ugly cries. The negativity doesn't dishearten me at all because as an emotional abuse survivor, empathy to my scars has always been so rare to find. In fact, I've always been more harassed by others whenever I mentioned it or been in the situation right in front of them. It's not new to me. I've come to realize many people won't understand abuse--especially the emotional kind with no visible scars--unless they've been exposed to it personally. I was hoping with writing The Italian Heartthrob to make more people understand the pain, how victims feel, how their mentality and behaviors change due to the trauma, and hopefully be kinder.
If I managed to change one person's perspective about emotional abuse victims, I'd call that a win.
It warms my heart when a reader tells me The Italian Heartthrob is their favorite book ever or when they say they cried because the story was relatable and it reached people with similar traumas and abuse episodes.
I'm so proud of writing and making The Italian Heartthrob available for you to read. The courage it took to portray that story wasn't trivial, and the pain I went through to revisit those life-changing moments was real.
Thank you for all your support
Luv u always
NJ
Read
November 23, 2020DNF
April 30, 2022
DNF.
Pensaba que esta historia iba a tomar un rumbo diferente, pero los daddy y mommy issues son importantes.
Pensaba que esta historia iba a tomar un rumbo diferente, pero los daddy y mommy issues son importantes.
August 28, 2020
This is the 1st in a new series and is Mike and Maggie’s story. These two basically grew up together, but never confessed their feeling for each other. Mike is a playboy famous actor who is represented by Maggie’s awful mother. This is a well written intense emotional roller coaster tale which is raw, gritty, and filled with angst, passion, heartbreak, and love. Can these two moves on from friends / lovers? I was intrigued and hooked throughout and look forward to reading more from this author. Be aware that there may be triggers for some readers due to the content.
September 26, 2020
Speechless
The first thought that came to my mind was it is perfectly imperfect! I really appreciate the twist and turns of the characters. Sometimes life can be a roller coaster.I thought the ending was perfect.A definite you should read!
The first thought that came to my mind was it is perfectly imperfect! I really appreciate the twist and turns of the characters. Sometimes life can be a roller coaster.I thought the ending was perfect.A definite you should read!
January 27, 2024
this was epic
You ever read a book and everything is going so well you know something is about to happen that will break your heart and you can feel it coming ? That was this book but it put all my broken pieces back together .
You ever read a book and everything is going so well you know something is about to happen that will break your heart and you can feel it coming ? That was this book but it put all my broken pieces back together .
April 11, 2020
Loved this Story!!!
September 9, 2020
So.Freaking.Good! This book was impossible to put down. The main characters were well and truly flawed, but completely relatable. A really fantastic read!
August 2, 2020
An amazing read that will have you experiencing every emotion under the sun. Very well written. You are missing out if you do not read this story.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 1, 2020
This book was such an emotional roller-coaster with a few teary scenes. At times I loved the characters and at times I hated them and felt like yelling at their stupidity. Overall a really great book and I highly recommend it.
August 2, 2020
This book was something else. There was that forbidden younger woman older man thing, there were dreams that were full-filled. There was also triggers, bad things that happened in the past. But there was love and friendship and forgiveness. The two main characters had a deep love for each other that they fought at the beginning but the chemistry was always there. This is a page turner for sure.
January 18, 2023
absolutely loved this book *chefs kiss*
April 11, 2020
I've been in tears for days. This book...Oh my God. The flood of emotions The Italian Heartthrob has evoked in me is beyond. The past, the secrets, the darkness, the love, the hope. Their love for each other is ship goals. Thank you NJ for bringing Mike and Maggie's story to life.
August 4, 2020
NJ Adel - The Italian Heartthrob
𝑨𝒓𝒄 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘.
The Italian Heartthrob was an interesting read. Their relationship felt like it was too good to be true. I constantly felt angst throughout the story, at the edge of my seat waiting for the shoe to drop. It was tragic and forbidden, their lives fast paced and glamourised. Filled with secrets and mystery. Deals with the darker side of hollywood.
Mike was a mystery, he seemed well put together but felt wass hiding something. Its obvious from the beginning. Theres a tortured past or has experienced some sort of trauma.
Hes constantly forced to take on roles hes tired of and wants to be taken more seriously in the industry. Secretly in love with his friend but is scared to do anything about it. There seems to be a bigger reason for his hesitancy.
Its apparent Maggie has some deep issues from the get go of this book. She doesnt have the best home life and has low self esteem. Shes constantly doubting herself. With the lack of support from her loved ones and emotion abuse she deals with on a daily she struggles with her mental health. Shes perceived as flaky and indecisive. Shes passionate and determined but doesnt know what she wants in life. Also in love with her long time much older friend who happens to be a famous actor, but believes its unrequited.
Their relationship felt inevitable, like their personalities were suited for each other. Like in many relationships, both parties felt apprehensive to share their secrets at the risk of losing one another. Theres problems with their communication, both deflecting by changing the subject and things getting in the way. At times it felt like their relationship was doomed. Both working in the industry means they lead busy lifestyles with barely anytime for each other. They were well matched and share a friendship that evolved to more, however they still reserve much of their selves to hold each other up on a pedestal.
A beautifully written story about hope, strength and second chances. If you enjoy age gap romances with a forbidden element you'll love this one. Get an inside look into hollywood and the artistry behind film making, and follow two star crossed celebrities find love. Would their relationship hold the test of hollywood. And can they overcome their own pasts to move on to a better future.
Warning: strong discussions of mental health, emotional abuse, depression, suicide, and rape.
Find me on:
Instagram | Goodreads | Bookbub | Pinterest
Twitter | Facebook | Amazon
𝑨𝒓𝒄 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘.
The Italian Heartthrob was an interesting read. Their relationship felt like it was too good to be true. I constantly felt angst throughout the story, at the edge of my seat waiting for the shoe to drop. It was tragic and forbidden, their lives fast paced and glamourised. Filled with secrets and mystery. Deals with the darker side of hollywood.
Mike was a mystery, he seemed well put together but felt wass hiding something. Its obvious from the beginning. Theres a tortured past or has experienced some sort of trauma.
Hes constantly forced to take on roles hes tired of and wants to be taken more seriously in the industry. Secretly in love with his friend but is scared to do anything about it. There seems to be a bigger reason for his hesitancy.
Its apparent Maggie has some deep issues from the get go of this book. She doesnt have the best home life and has low self esteem. Shes constantly doubting herself. With the lack of support from her loved ones and emotion abuse she deals with on a daily she struggles with her mental health. Shes perceived as flaky and indecisive. Shes passionate and determined but doesnt know what she wants in life. Also in love with her long time much older friend who happens to be a famous actor, but believes its unrequited.
Their relationship felt inevitable, like their personalities were suited for each other. Like in many relationships, both parties felt apprehensive to share their secrets at the risk of losing one another. Theres problems with their communication, both deflecting by changing the subject and things getting in the way. At times it felt like their relationship was doomed. Both working in the industry means they lead busy lifestyles with barely anytime for each other. They were well matched and share a friendship that evolved to more, however they still reserve much of their selves to hold each other up on a pedestal.
A beautifully written story about hope, strength and second chances. If you enjoy age gap romances with a forbidden element you'll love this one. Get an inside look into hollywood and the artistry behind film making, and follow two star crossed celebrities find love. Would their relationship hold the test of hollywood. And can they overcome their own pasts to move on to a better future.
Warning: strong discussions of mental health, emotional abuse, depression, suicide, and rape.
Find me on:
Instagram | Goodreads | Bookbub | Pinterest
Twitter | Facebook | Amazon
Displaying 1 - 30 of 286 reviews