She's too young. Her innocence and purity don't belong in my world. I killed her father. None of it matters. Angelina Baldi is the bane of my existence and my absolute obsession. She belongs to me. She's safe only with me. The only problem is that her wedding bells are ringing, and I'm not the man waiting at the altar. I've killed for her before. I'd do it again. Except that her groom is the only man on earth I can't kill. My own blood.
The Italian Obsession is a stalker forbidden jealous possessive obsessive dark mafia romance Standalone. All the books in The Italians series can be read in any order. One-Click now. Because you have to.
Another 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.
DNF 65% I literally don’t understand how this book has so many 5 star reviews. First of all, Tino is a groomer. He breaks into her house and smells her clothes, leaves her presents, all to remind her of his “presence” (WHILE SHE’S A CHILD). I’m not sure what makes him think he’s better than her father because he is hella creepy.
Second, the manipulation and lying to get her where you want her? Not romance. It’s sick. She’s sooo young and naive that manipulating her into your arms isn’t cute, it’s predatory.
Third, HE DRUGS HER AND ASSAULTS HER. And the romance community is STILL giving this 5 stars?! But because she wakes up the next day and thinks it was a hot dream that makes it okay?
The fact that Lina validates so many of these assaults because her body “responds” is a) why it’s so important to teach impressionable young women what choices they actually have b) literally the definition of brainwashing, grooming, and Stockholm syndrome and c) not the message we should be giving to women about what kind of romance they deserve.
Now I skimmed the end because I really just can’t keep reading this and read the scene on the island after he kidnaps her.
He. Rapes. Her. Point blank. I don’t care how much HE thinks they were “making love”. She says no. He basically says “it’ll only hurt a little bit” and calls her a liar because “her body” is telling a different story. I do not care WHAT you think her body is telling you. She literally says “please don’t rape me” and he does anyway after tying her spread eagle to a bed. But 4 chapters later it’s fine, because she has “feelings” for him and misses him when he’s gone and then they live happily ever after the tension with Leo is gone. No. No. No. No.
This poor girl is a victim of a psycho who has been stalking her since she was twelve, violates her in her school, makes her feel unsafe by breaking into her home and watching her, manipulates her into thinking she needs him, then kidnaps and rapes her. THIS IS NOT LOVE. THIS IS NOT ROMANCE.
And for people who want to bring BDSM into this: This is NOT a kinky book: daddy kink, using force kink, etc. The foundation of BDSM is based in trust and consent. NONE of which is present here. The tying, the age gap, the spanking, the blindfolds, the force—not accurate representations of the BDSM community. All of those things can be BDSM, but only with open communication from both parties and (god I shouldn’t have to say this) but willingness from both parties. Tino is a P.R.E.D.A.T.O.R. and should not, in any way, be associated with a community that values communication and consent between partners.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
At first all was good, i thought i finally found a new fave author...but then...Leo shit happened and i couldn't believe what i was reading, like, for real??? come on!! his role was so freaking unrealistic man!!!!! the author had a good idea adding those twists with him but she did it in the wrong way!! it takes away almost all the book for nothing! it seemed so random and strange :(. And i actually didn't like the h, she didn't even know what she wanted, i can't stand a girl choosing to commit to a guy she don't know just like that, randomly, i don't wanna give more spoilers but that twists made the story so unrealistic and i disliked it. Overall, the first part and the last chapters were easily a 4 star, the middle was freaking 1. If the author played better Leo's part with his involvement in the story it would've be 5 star read no doubts. Also, i wanted more chapters with them together and an epilogue. I'm so mad actually for the time i lost reading it. It's a shame because the H is just like i wanted him , OTT, crazy jealous , possessive, psycho,fire intimate moments too (if you ignore her stupid thoughts) but he let me down when i needed more of his badass side, unfortunately. If you ignore Leo twists and her stupid behaviors and thoughts then you will for sure like it. 😆
This is the 3rd book in this awesome series. Angelina has had a tough life with an abusive father, but when he is mysteriously murdered her and her sister Nicole are moved from a life of poverty to an exclusive all-expenses paid boarding school, but she always felt that she was being watched. Tino is a mafia man who is obsessed with the little innocent Angelina and is waiting patiently for her to come off age, but the best laid plans can go to pot. No spoilers: this is a must read you will not be disappointed. This is a well written story which is dark and twisted, and is not a sweet little love story, which is an all-consuming and addictive page turner, which had me totally enthralled throughout this riveting tale. I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I recommend.
This book is between a thirty-seven year old man and a SIXTEEN year old girl. That's not even the worse part, he started stalking her when she was TWELVE. I've read a few stalker books, but this one creeped me out because he fantasized about her when she was a LITERAL CHILD. The cherry on top? He had a wife who passed away for idk what reason, and he married his wife the same age the girl he's currently stalking. Wtf. I knew the heroine was going to be young, but I didn't expect her to be barely even an adult. The moment I read that he stalked her when she was twelve, I dropped this.
What an amazing story! I love dark romance so had some high expectations for this book....and it was so much more than I had hoped!! The story itself was really well written, it sucked you in from the first page, It was also a very twisted story in a creepy and possessive way. Just fantastic if you like darker romance!! My emotions were all over the place as i was reading, one minute I hated Tino the next I couldn't get enough of him....he was definitely the villain in the story but also the hero!! As for Angel, I have a mixed opinion on her....i liked her at first, then didn't, then liked her again....I don't think I've made my mind up yet despite finishing the book!! If you like dark romance, with a manipulating, controlling and possessive anti hero and a plot that will keep you hooked from the first page then you need to read this book! It's no surprise but I highly recommend this book and author!! 5 huge stars
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I finished this book 2 days ago, and I've been trying to find the right words to say here since. The Italian Obsession is a very dark and twisted book. Don't take the trigger warning lightly. To say the book is disturbingly brilliant is an understatement. It's one of those books that stays and haunts and claws at you and never lets go until it owns you and then hurts and breaks you to pieces, exactly like what Tino does to Lina. That alone shows a level of storytelling mastery I've rarely come across before.
When an author make you LOVE a genre you always didn't like or a trope you thought you'd never read, one you even frown upon, it's amazing. Very few authors can make you feel exactly how the characters feel and alters your head to make you empathize with psycho, evil and vicious heroes and even desire and fall in love with them. Disturbing, frightening, heart wrenching? Yes, but just like Lina (Angel), at the end of the book, you'll KNOW you and the darkness belong together.
I may or may not need therapy, but thank you for this brilliant book.
such an odd dude most unlike any don I've ever read I think he's meant to be an alpha but he does the weirdest of things: like at night when he lays under the 17 yr old heroine's bed while she sleeps
I kept thinking how it would work if one of his bodyguards found him there or, God forbid, his underboss (not that we see hide nor hair of any underboss in this mafia book), or one of his made men; in fact, anyone, really
would he scramble out from under the narrow space? all graceful-like... then feel around in the dark for his shoes (because he takes them off before he "flattened myself against the carpet" and slid under the bed; after "some maneuvering"
or would he speak to them from under the bed... would he be like: oddio! what are you doing here? wouldn't they be like: dude, what are YOU doing THERE? (in Italian, of course)
or maybe they'd turn a blind eye because his predilection for the 12 year old heroine is well known by his underlings, what with the 5 years of stalking 'n all....
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Lucky enough to get a ARC of this book!!! Be mindful of trigger warning this is a dark read... No spoilers in this review... NJ Adel checks all the boxes in this book you get a jealous and very VERY possessive hero who will do anything for the heroine... Then u have a heroine who is shelter and a lil naive but she this way because of her sister and the hero influence.... We do get a little love triangle throw in just to spice it up and make Tino step up his game with lina ... This author should knows how to write Hero you love to hate
THE REVIEW FOR THE BOOK: THE ITALIAN OBSESSION. [image error]
GENRE: DARK ROMANCE. AUTHOR: N.J. ADEL. TYPE: STANDALONE. POV: DUAL PROSPECTIVE. MY RATING: 4.5 STARS.
OH.MY GOSH...THIS WAS A .D.A.R.K. READ... Like the kind which gives you shivers...The good kind.
An Italian Stalker...an innocent girl... can never be a bad match... I was obsessed with this story from the start.. warning before this book as legit. Heed the warning guys because this was seriously a crazy ride which will mess with your head... you will be confused interpreting what is right or wrong. This was not a convenient love story but a love story nevertheless...It was kind of a love triangle between...OK, that info is something I don't wanna disclose now because that was so shocking and taboo... The age gap made this more taboo and forbidden... This wasn't my first read by the author but I was shocked to see this story unfold...a level of darkness awaits us between these pages. A love so strong which will blur the lines between right and wrong... a story so dark which will compete with a black of a night... I recommend this book to all my fellow dark lovers... This is Mafia romance never seen, read, before...EVER.
Leave the gun take the cannoli. The Italian Obsession is the latest standalone book in the Italians series by N. J. Adel. So, let me start by saying this book is one serious mindf*&k! I loved the villainous main male character Tino. He was dark, twisted, and possessive and scary (what’s that say about me???) This book is one that does not fall into the normal mafia storyline, which is what made it so interesting. I read this in one day and could not put it down, I was mesmerized. Now I’m gonna have to go back and read the first two books in the series and I can’t wait to do it! 5-stars for The Italian Obsession by N. J. Adel.
Lina Baldi and her sister Nicky had been saved. An unknown stranger helped removed the biggest predator in their young lives. Now years later Lina can’t deny that her savior is also her stalker. She is terrified of him but also intrigued. He scares her but showers her with gifts. Tino Bellomo will do anything to protect Lina. He has killed for her before and when she is about to marry and leave him behind. Now he must ask himself if he is willing to kill the one man that stands between him and his obsession. The one man he shouldn’t kill, his own family.
The Italian Obsession can be red as a stand-alone but as I enjoyed this so much I’ll be reading the previous books.
This is the story between a mafia stalker and an innocent young girl, Angelina. When her father is murdered her life changes in more ways than one. Tino and Linas story is brilliant.
This is my first but definitely not my last read by this author. I highly recommend this story if you like stalker mafia romance.
The day Angelina (Lina/Angel) father was murdered was the happiest of her life, her father had abused her sister Nicole (that kept her safe) but now she had no one apart from her sister until Tino. Tino had looked after Lina and Nicole since he killed their father, he got them the best education, but he kept in the shadows to protect Lina from his own obsession. That was until his obsession became to much he had to meet her, only in doing so would confirm Linas suspicions and ruin her mind, she thought she was saved that night her father died but her savior turned out to be her own pleasurable nightmare.When Tino learns of his son Leo's infatuation with Lina, he will go to any lengths to stop it, but he cant let his son know the real reason is his own obsession with his little Angel. Just how far is Tino willing to go to make Angel his? what will he do about his only son loving the woman hes longed for? Will his secret be discovered and at what cost? This is a dark stalker/mafia romance with suspense, burning desires, destruction, manipulation, taboo, age gap romance and more. A devilishly tempting read not to be missed! Contains triggering scenes.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I love this so much!!! It had all the things my perverted heart needs 😂. A filthy rich gorgeous yummylicious mafia boss turned obsessive stalker, a beautiful naive & bratty virgin heroine, age gap, sexual tension, slow burn (I usually like fast burn but this suits the story), kinky fuckery, dub-con, non-con and an HEA!! You can read this as a stand-alone. I really like the second book too but I love this more.
If you like / love books like The Notice by K Webster, Endless Obsession by Alex Grayson, Everything for Her by Alexa Riley and He Saw Me First by M Johnson, you will love this book!!!
P/S at first I pouted when I read the last line and then The End, whaaat no epilogue? I was ready to throw a tantrum and then I turned the page and I read the words - click here to download the epilogue. Yeah it’s Book Funnel but you just have to do it, or you’ll be missing out on a great epilogue!
ARC received from Booksprout and author in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are my own and have not been influenced in any way.
The author is VERY upfront about trigger warnings as there are some disturbing scenes - the hero is an absolute villain. Normally, I might have chosen not to read it but instead decided to without any preconceived opinions and just let the storyline take me where it wanted to ..
The cover model is amazing and someone I imagined Sebastiano Bellomo ( Tino ) to be ... The dark black background perfectly captures his characters darkness “oh” and his tattoos too !!!!! 😂
Some things you should know about the book :
Mafia setting Age gap between hero / heroine - aprx 20 yrs Obsession - originally I felt it was only one way but both Tino and Angel are obsessed with each other !! Stalker tendencies Controlling behavior Protectiveness and encouragement Great secondary characters in Nicky and Leo Storyline has plot twists you won’t see coming Sizzling chemistry Ultimately this is a love story ❤️
Tino is responsible for the violent death of the Baldi girls father - Frank Baldi. Angelina / Lina looses her father at the age of 12 but there is no love lost only a sense of relief that her abusive father is dead. This begins the obsession Tino has for “His Angel “
Love for Tino is defined as the following and it’s my favorite quote in the book. If this is how he views love then I think anyone could agree that they could choose to be loved by someone in this way ....
“ Call it whatever you want , all you need to know is that its true and real and stronger than anything you will ever know “ “ What I feel for you is beyond any definition - Love isn’t a word ...
This book is going to leave you “ thinking” about relationships in general that’s for sure !! I’m hoping the author may have an extended epilogue coming as I just want to know more about how Tino and Angel are doing in their HEA ❤️
The Italian Obsession is a standalone ! I highly recommend reading it as well as the other books in this series. ( The Italian Heartthrob and The Italian Marriage ). I loved that characters from both these books are mentioned !!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Angelina & Nicole have had the worse childhood by the person who should have been looking out for them. But at last, their nightmare is over or so they thought. See Lina has always had this feeling that someone has been watching them, her but she’s never had proof. When she & Nicole get an opportunity that probably would never have come their way, she can’t get over that feeling of being watched.
Tino was obsessed with Lina (Angelina) from the moment he laid eyes on her and even though he was old enough to be her father he bided his time to make her his. Making sure she was safe and sound and always had what she needed, he always made sure she lacked nothing.
The story takes an interesting twist that had me thinking that there is a reason for this twisted twist. I won’t say more about it because you need to read it for yourself and see what I mean.
I will say that Lina & Tino are two peas in a pod. They both are twisted, overprotective and jealous of each other and will make sure that everyone knows who belongs to who. What a ride. Kara~4 Stars
Wow. This was my first book by NJ Adel and it was quite a wild ride! Tino is a mafia boss who becomes obsessed with young Lina. He saves Lina from a terrible childhood and basically provides for her waiting until she turns 18. He acts as her stalker and protector hidden in the shadows. However, he's not the only one obsessed with Lina when his son Leo, discovers and pursues her. Tino is definitely a dark, possessive alpha while Lina is innocent and feisty at times. They had great chemistry that exploded off the pages and while the chemistry was instant this book was a bit of a slow burn which I loved. Tino may not be everyone's cup of tea as the single focused stalker that does make a lot of decisions for Lina without her consent but I thought he was a unique main character compared to many other books I had read recently. I know a few book groups that will eat him up. I also loved the angst that NJ built up in this book. I found it to be well written and gripping. I'll definitely be reading more of her books!
Wow... dark, twisted, taboo...and sooo perfect... there are plenty of triggers in this book, please be sure you know what youre getting into... if you have no triggers then proceed and love every minute you binge page after page of this masterpiece. Well.done!
This H is a crazy, obsessed, stalkerific psychopath, so clearly I loved him. This story is definitely not PC but damn was it entertaining. I loved how loyal the H was, staying celibate for two years for the h. That in itself bumped my rating from four stars to five. Looking forward to reading more from this author.
The story is actually good and has tropes that most of us really like yet there's 🚩🚩🚩that shouldn't be written.
*This review is my OWN opinion!
1.She was f*cking 12 &he was 36!!! Don't get me wrong I LOVE age gap but it started when she's 12 this is not love or obsession this is PEDOPHILE. Tino was thinking about proposing to her when she was 16! ( his name is completely different story. Like whose powerful, fearful, strong Mafia boss' name is Tino???)
2.The whole obsession and stalking was weird! At first he never looked while she ✨️finished herself✨️ and thought it would be her private moment! Then he ✨️finished himself✨️ on her after he stripped her naked in her sleep. WTF!
3. Even though Tino knew how Angelina was traumatized from her bastard father who r@ped his own daughters and is scared of sexual harassment. HE F*CKING R@PED HER!!!☠️ didn't listen when she told him no or when she was crying during it 🥴 And then she stupid ass just referred to their relationship as ✨️toxic✨️
If you decide to read The Italian Obsession after reading my review check the TW again and it's really not for underage readers.
If you read my review after reading The Italian Obsession then let me know what you think!
I have mixed feelings about the book. The beginning was quite exciting and the storyline, Tino kills Lina’s abusive father and helps her and her sister get a normal life. But then everything went downhill, him pleasuring himself while she’s asleep, umm that’s not for me. The good thing though was he didn’t take her virginity when she wasn’t an adult. I didn’t like the Lina’s character too, she was so indecisive about her feelings, says she’s afraid about her stalker,Tino, but at the same wants him. I had a few moments where I wanted to dnf the book, but I forced myself to read it all, to give an full review. I’m really impressed with the amount of twists and action in this storyline. I think they are the only ones that keep me reading.
I know this is a dark, taboo story, but I no idea it would be this dark.
Wow this is a really twisty dark stalker read. Love a good obsessed alpha! Okay I may be a bit twisted in my tastes but how can you resist an alpha who lays claim to a woman so absolutely! Is he a bit crazy. Sure but really sanity is for the real world crazy stalkerish alphas that are obsessed with their lady loves are for dark romance fiction and this author does it really well here. There are a couple of triggers for some but if you are like me and love a hot stalker who will do anything to possess and protect is woman then you need to read this book! Sexy dark goodness!
What a ride, this book was. It was twisted, crazy, questionable and sinfully delicious. Let me just tell you, the Italian Obsession this book was unlike any book I’ve read. This is a stalker book at its finest, but it’s not even all about the stalking that I am talking about, there is so much more hidden inside these pages that at any moment it would pop up and surprise you.
It was a journey that I loved sitting front row in front of and watching it all unfold. Let’s just say with every book you’re going to read you’re either gonna love it, like it or simply hate it. This book I absolutely liked/loved it , but there was just some things about this book that made this book come from a 5 star read to a 4 star read.
That warning on the front of the book was definitely true, don’t fall in love with you’re stalker. Well it’s a bit late for that because I am loving this one we meet.
This book was so unconventional but it was their unconventional story. As you read that blurb, you sort of get an insight of what to expect but nothing could prepare you for the crazy epic ness that is about to take place. This storyline was simply incredible and I loved it, the twist and turns, the back and fourth, the controlling, the sizzling chemistry had me coming back for more.
The Hero is you’re anti hero who we love to hate, who has stalker tendencies, is possessive, crazy as fuck and overall oozes sex appeal left right and centre. He takes the stalker part to the next level and creates some mastermind shit.
Then you got you’re heroine who is shy, but is not! She’s very quiet but holds her own, she’s not afraid to speak her mind. She’s so strong and fierce to have been through all she’s been through. But her fire is what I loved watching throughout this book. She was like an Angel learning to fly and soar.
But these two together are like hot and cold! They can’t live without either one, you think you know obsession, well you haven’t seen these two. You think it’s just one of these characters with the obsession, well think again it’s both. They are fiercely protective, and so in awe of one another. Their sizzling chemistry and connection is so strong that it hits your soul. It leaves a permanent mark in your heart.
There is so much yet to be said about this book, but I feel it would give it all away. You definitely need to go check out this book as it’s absolutely amazing. As it has everything yet if not more that you would expect and want in a book.
I loved this book more than I thought I would. The Italians series' books are always more than I expect them to be. This was such an intense read, and if you're a lover of taboo, I recommend diving into this book. However, be aware that there are several types of triggers throughout, so if you're sensitive to topics depicting abuse or rape, you might want to pass on this book. It's a tall order for an author to create a villainous type of character yet have the book set up in a way where you start to find them likable or even relatable. Tino, the crazy stalker and obsessive man that he is is one character that you’ll constantly find yourself flip flopping over in regards to whether or not you like him. The point of views of each character were on point in this book and with both Tino and Lina’s point of views being shown, you really get to see the thought process of each character, why they make certain decisions, or how their feelings got to a certain point. I feel that this is one reason why this book resonated with me so well. It wasn’t just a girl with conflicting emotions about her stalker. It was so much more than that and allowing both sides to be seen, it broke down each character even more and gave the reader a more complete vision of the whole picture, making it easier to find and make those little connections as we read. The level of manipulation and deceit from the men in this book to get what they want was astronomical. Although, personally, I rather enjoyed when their plans backfired and they had to think on their toes a bit about what to do next. In situations like these I always picture the villain to have every possible situation thought out, a back up plan to the backup plan. Tino was good with these but even he couldn’t see every outcome that could happen. If I had to say one more thing about this book, it is that it is an emotional roller coaster. I felt feelings I didn’t think I would while reading. The fear and the tension was palpable, everything wasn’t always as it seemed, and I think that was my favorite thing while reading. You never know what to expect in Adel’s books.
Yeap, that was my exact emotions throughout my read of TIO. Because like TIM, IT IS SO WRONG ON SO MANY LEVELS AND I LOVE EVERY SINGLE PAGE!? Something is clearly wrong with me eventhough NJ convinced me that there is nothing wrong with me or her, for that matter. Sorry NJ for spamming you! & Thank you for entertaining my every dms 😂
Angelina aka Lina aka Angel and her sister Nicky have been sexually abused by their shit of a father who was killed by an unknown savior. Who turns out to be... 🤯
Don Sebastiano Bellomo alias Tino Bellomo (screams DADDY!!!!!) is a very yummy DADDY Mafia Boss who has a very compelling obsession towards Lina whom he only calls Angel. He has been caring for her in a very creepy, obsessive, possesive way & is very determined that he'd get her 1 day. On his terms & when he deems appropriate.
Alas, shit hits the fan & things did not go according to his plans. His obstacle involves someone he loves so much; which makes him choose between that person or Angel.
TIO contains a lot of triggers and NJ mentioned it in her disclaimer which is hilarious & I love it! 🤣🤣 It cracks me up!
Okay I'll stop. I cannot spoil it. If you're intrigued, it's available on KU! So, what are you waiting for?
PS: There is a cameo of Mike Gennaro & Maggie Dawson from The Italian Heartthrob! I recognized both of their names instantly.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ x to all the girls (& guys) who have been stalked, run run run far away unless he's Tino Bellomo 😵🤤😳😱😦
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.