What do you think?
Rate this book
Collateral Damage #1-2
Collateral Damage
Gabriela
Stefan Sabbioni showed up uninvited in my bedroom on my birthday. He stood in the shadows smelling of whiskey and death and wrapped a broken, blood-crusted necklace around my neck. I thought he’d strangle me with it.
That night, he left a message for my father. He said he’d be back to take something precious.
I never delivered that message, though. I wonder if things would be different if I had because now, two years later, he’s back. And he’s not hiding in any shadows.
He’s come to make good on his promise.
He’s back to take that something precious.
Me.
Stefan
Marchese is the manipulator of my family’s tragedy. I won’t just bring him to his knees. I’ll bury him for what he did.
Taking his daughter is only the beginning. I’ll do it knowing I’m starting a war. I’ll do it knowing my enemies will become his allies. They’ll stop at nothing to destroy me and he’ll stop at nothing to get her back.
I’ve never shied away from war, though. I’m not one to play nice and I don’t share my toys. I’ll demolish you if you touch what’s mine.
And she is most definitely mine.
This duet contains both books of the Collateral Damage Duet!
Stefan Sabbioni showed up uninvited in my bedroom on my birthday. He stood in the shadows smelling of whiskey and death and wrapped a broken, blood-crusted necklace around my neck. I thought he’d strangle me with it.
That night, he left a message for my father. He said he’d be back to take something precious.
I never delivered that message, though. I wonder if things would be different if I had because now, two years later, he’s back. And he’s not hiding in any shadows.
He’s come to make good on his promise.
He’s back to take that something precious.
Me.
Stefan
Marchese is the manipulator of my family’s tragedy. I won’t just bring him to his knees. I’ll bury him for what he did.
Taking his daughter is only the beginning. I’ll do it knowing I’m starting a war. I’ll do it knowing my enemies will become his allies. They’ll stop at nothing to destroy me and he’ll stop at nothing to get her back.
I’ve never shied away from war, though. I’m not one to play nice and I don’t share my toys. I’ll demolish you if you touch what’s mine.
And she is most definitely mine.
This duet contains both books of the Collateral Damage Duet!
426 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 23, 2020
154 people are currently reading
715 people want to read
About the author
Natasha Knight
103 books5,261 followersNatasha Knight is the USA Today Bestselling author of Romantic Suspense and Dark Romance Novels. She has sold over a million books and is translated into six languages. She currently lives in The Netherlands with her husband and two daughters and when she’s not writing, she’s walking in the woods listening to a book, sitting in a corner reading or off exploring the world as often as she can get away.
Write Natasha here:
natasha@natasha-knight.com
Check out her books here:
https://natasha-knight.com
Sign up for her newsletter here:
https://bit.ly/3heleGN
Connect with her here:
Facebook Page→ http://bit.ly/29q3s4b
Facebook Fan Group → http://bit.ly/2xvnZO5
Instagram → https://bit.ly/2MeoPKk
Write Natasha here:
natasha@natasha-knight.com
Check out her books here:
https://natasha-knight.com
Sign up for her newsletter here:
https://bit.ly/3heleGN
Connect with her here:
Facebook Page→ http://bit.ly/29q3s4b
Facebook Fan Group → http://bit.ly/2xvnZO5
Instagram → https://bit.ly/2MeoPKk
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
January 3, 2022
Natasha Knight has a talent for writing deliciously dark mafia stories,and Collateral Damage is no exception.
So,getting the ARC of this beautiful duet was a treat i was véry happy to receive!
And an honest review? Easy!
Gabi is not a happy teen,her father is abusive,her mother murdered,and her older brother mentally a child after being shot at.
Her “sweet” sixteen isn’t sweet at all,and all she wants is to run.
Away from what her father is going to force her into,a marriage to a man she loathes.
Back in her room,an intruder is waiting.
One that has a sinister promise….
Stefan knows who’s responsible for his brother’s death,and he’ll make him pay.
By taking something precious,someone precious to be precise.
And when she turns 18,he’s there to take her.
As his wife,by force if necessary.
To be used as he sees fit.
Only she turns out to be more than he expected….
Once married,they fight the attraction that grows between them.
And they hurt eachother in the proces,losing precious time they can’t afford to waste.
In the meantime,the enemy isn’t wasting time,though…
And it’s an enemy that’s determined to get what they think is theirs.
This was another rollercoaster ride in true Natasha Knight style,and i loved every second of it!
So,getting the ARC of this beautiful duet was a treat i was véry happy to receive!
And an honest review? Easy!
Gabi is not a happy teen,her father is abusive,her mother murdered,and her older brother mentally a child after being shot at.
Her “sweet” sixteen isn’t sweet at all,and all she wants is to run.
Away from what her father is going to force her into,a marriage to a man she loathes.
Back in her room,an intruder is waiting.
One that has a sinister promise….
Stefan knows who’s responsible for his brother’s death,and he’ll make him pay.
By taking something precious,someone precious to be precise.
And when she turns 18,he’s there to take her.
As his wife,by force if necessary.
To be used as he sees fit.
Only she turns out to be more than he expected….
Once married,they fight the attraction that grows between them.
And they hurt eachother in the proces,losing precious time they can’t afford to waste.
In the meantime,the enemy isn’t wasting time,though…
And it’s an enemy that’s determined to get what they think is theirs.
This was another rollercoaster ride in true Natasha Knight style,and i loved every second of it!
September 25, 2020
Collateral (5 Stars)
Oh, you’re all gonna want this one if you’re a mafia romance lover! Stefan Sabbioni wants something so precious from his enemy. First an arrangement to wed the mafia boss Gabriel’s daughter, Gabriela Marchese. Then he wants to seek his vengeance and he will do anything to get it! Two very powerful families at war with each other and she is the pawn. This is a wonderfully dark, mafia romance with twists. Stefan and Gabriela’s chemistry together is amazing and I can’t wait to see what happens. I could not put this book down and I loved Gabriela’s feistiness! Told in Dual POV and ends in a major cliffhanger
Damage (5 Stars)
This is the Epic conclusion to Collateral and starts right where that intense cliffhanger left off! Stefan Sabbioni wants Gabriela Marchese back no matter what and he will claim her when he does. Gabriela has been used as a pawn her whole life but she is ready for that to change. What secrets will be revealed? “...the way she makes me feel, this possessiveness that burns inside me when I look at her, think about her, it’s not supposed to be this way.” This is one wild ride that I can’t wait for you to read. A forced marriage never felt so right until these two! So many twists, betrayals, action, love and suspense you will be on the edge of you seats until the very end! I have a love/hate relationship with Stefan but mostly love lol; Told in dual POV
Oh, you’re all gonna want this one if you’re a mafia romance lover! Stefan Sabbioni wants something so precious from his enemy. First an arrangement to wed the mafia boss Gabriel’s daughter, Gabriela Marchese. Then he wants to seek his vengeance and he will do anything to get it! Two very powerful families at war with each other and she is the pawn. This is a wonderfully dark, mafia romance with twists. Stefan and Gabriela’s chemistry together is amazing and I can’t wait to see what happens. I could not put this book down and I loved Gabriela’s feistiness! Told in Dual POV and ends in a major cliffhanger
Damage (5 Stars)
This is the Epic conclusion to Collateral and starts right where that intense cliffhanger left off! Stefan Sabbioni wants Gabriela Marchese back no matter what and he will claim her when he does. Gabriela has been used as a pawn her whole life but she is ready for that to change. What secrets will be revealed? “...the way she makes me feel, this possessiveness that burns inside me when I look at her, think about her, it’s not supposed to be this way.” This is one wild ride that I can’t wait for you to read. A forced marriage never felt so right until these two! So many twists, betrayals, action, love and suspense you will be on the edge of you seats until the very end! I have a love/hate relationship with Stefan but mostly love lol; Told in dual POV
July 21, 2024
Review for Collateral
2⭐
Dislikes:
➔ Slut shaming.
ig women aren’t allowed to laugh in Gabriela’s world <3
➔ Gabriela being so naive about the mafia world despite being raised in it. I can’t believe she asked, “Why do you have a gun?” Babe, he’s literally a mafia leader. Be so fr.
➔ The power dynamic made me uncomfortable. He has all the power in this relationship—he’s older than her (she’s only 18!!!!), more powerful (a mafia leader vs. a teenage girl) and strong enough to manhandle her without much resistance on her part (multiple examples of this happening in the book). There is nothing she can do to retaliate against him. In enemy-to-lover books, I like for them to have a somewhat even playing field. That is not the case here. He spends the entire book doing whatever he wants with her and she can’t do anything to combat it besides whine, which doesn’t get her very far. He wins every argument and every fight. At the end of the book, she finally makes a decision that grants her some agency, but will it last? Probably not.
Likes:
➔ Gabriela. She’s a rebellious, stubborn and sneaky bookworm.
➔ Nurse Stefan 🥰🥰 I just love when big, bad mafia men take care of their girls with such care and consideration
➔ Cliffhanger ending. Very controversial, but I love cliffhangers because it gets me more excited to read the next book.
Review for Damage
1⭐
Dislikes:
➔ Gabriela’s life is so depressing that you’re stuck feeling bad for her the entire time, which does not make for an enjoyable reading experience. Isolation? Check. Hobbies? Nonexistent, unless you count crying in dark corners. Her loved ones? Murdered. Kidnapped and forced into a marriage with an abusive man who forces you to do things you don’t want to do? Yup. This poor girl has absolutely nothing going for her. I know it’s a dark romance, so trauma is expected, but a little bit of joy would’ve done it some good. All this book managed to make me feel was pity and that’s not what I look for in my romances.
➔ Stefan and Gabi are not equals. I touched on this in my review for Collateral, but it’s even more pronounced here. Women don’t have much power in the mafia world, but I at least want a woman who can hold her own and Gabi is not that girl. She spends all day crying and is in no position to fight for herself (I’m not hating on her, I would be doing the same). Their relationship is unbalanced in every way. Stefan is mature and emotionally tough, while Gabi is a confused eighteen-year-old girl having constant breakdowns. He’s experienced in the bedroom and she isn’t; he makes sure to use this against her multiple times. He’s always the one in control. If she doesn’t do what he says, she gets forcibly punished because on top of being mentally stronger than her, he’s also physically stronger than her. The amount of times he overpowered her physically to force her to strip proves this point. He keeps SO MANY secrets from her, but demands to know all of hers and if she doesn’t comply in telling him, he’ll punish her. He allows her no freedom, but he’s free to go out and do whatever he wants whenever he wants. This book was literally just Stockholm syndrome. As a mafia leader, he has all the power. She was no match for him.
➔ Stefan’s neverending lies. I have never encountered a hero who lies as much as this mofo and I hope I never do. How did he manage to lie about something important in every chapter? It’s actually a talent at that point.
➔ The “erotic” punishments are just abuse. He whips her with belts when he’s angry with her and that’s supposed to be hot? BDSM is meant to be safe, sane and consensual. No BDSM activity should be going on when the dom is genuinely pissed off because that eliminates the safe side of the whole thing. He was actually hurting her. Also, there was no consent on her end. She was sobbing and begging him to stop to no avail.
➔ The fact that the main characters justify rape with ‘she secretly wanted it’ because of her body’s involuntary responses is beyond disgusting. This kind of narrative not only trivializes rape but also perpetuates harmful myths.
➔ He yanks her by her hair when she doesn’t go where he wants her to go.
➔ “I don’t hurt what’s mine.” 🤣 So we’re just going to ignore the fact that you’re physically and emotionally abusing your wife? bahahaha he’s actually so delusional. He genuinely believes he’s some noble guy in this relationship I can’t— 🤣 At least own up to the fact that you’re awful.
➔ He gaslights tf out of her.
You mean besides bully her, belittle her, isolate her, force her to strip and commit sexual acts against her will, lie to her about things that concern her and physically harm her? Nothing much 🥰🥰
➔ I couldn’t buy into their supposed “love” for each other. How can you have love with no trust? All they do is fight, lie and abuse. Where is the love?
➔ They run in circles. It’s repetitive and exhausting. I can summarize the whole book with a few arrows and short sentences: Stefan does something bad → Gabriela gets mad and tells Stefan he’s just like the others → he changes her mind by doing something nice → Gabriela gets mad and tells Stefan he’s just like the others x10. You’re welcome. Now you don’t have to read it.
➔ Stefan treating her badly then feeling bad about it, but proceeding to do the exact same thing the next day. Make it make sense.
➔ He’s a panty sniffer 🤢 can we please stop acting like this is hot? I beg.
Ain’t no way he got hard from sniffing dirty underwear 😭
Likes:
➔ Stefan was so gentle with her in the beginning He was giving her hugs, hydrating her, petting her hair, carrying her because her body was weak, kissing her tears away, etc. It was cute. I wish he kept this energy but nope! Everything went to poo afterward. A few soft and tender scenes in the beginning does not excuse his later actions. As Gabriela likes to say, “One heroic act does not a hero make.”
➔ Gabi & Millie. Girls rule, boys drool 😝 seriously though, all the guys in this suck. The girls, on the other hand, are lovely and sweet and kind and need to be protected at all costs.
Recommendation: If you’re looking for another forced marriage mafia romance with an age gap, check out Taking Meghan by Izzy Sweet. Happy reading! :)
2⭐
Dislikes:
➔ Slut shaming.
I think about my mother, how elegant she was, and wonder how he can do it. How he can be with women like this. Sluts and gold-diggers who will drop to their knees to worship at his feet at the snap of his fingers.
I hear a woman’s laughter. A musical sort of laugh that immediately grates on my nerves. It reminds me of my father’s whores.
ig women aren’t allowed to laugh in Gabriela’s world <3
➔ Gabriela being so naive about the mafia world despite being raised in it. I can’t believe she asked, “Why do you have a gun?” Babe, he’s literally a mafia leader. Be so fr.
➔ The power dynamic made me uncomfortable. He has all the power in this relationship—he’s older than her (she’s only 18!!!!), more powerful (a mafia leader vs. a teenage girl) and strong enough to manhandle her without much resistance on her part (multiple examples of this happening in the book). There is nothing she can do to retaliate against him. In enemy-to-lover books, I like for them to have a somewhat even playing field. That is not the case here. He spends the entire book doing whatever he wants with her and she can’t do anything to combat it besides whine, which doesn’t get her very far. He wins every argument and every fight. At the end of the book, she finally makes a decision that grants her some agency, but will it last? Probably not.
Likes:
➔ Gabriela. She’s a rebellious, stubborn and sneaky bookworm.
➔ Nurse Stefan 🥰🥰 I just love when big, bad mafia men take care of their girls with such care and consideration
“This is going to sting,” I say as I put the antiseptic on her cuts. She sucks in a breath and tries to pull away. I stop her. “Almost done.” I do the same to her other knee then bandage them both before taking first one hand, then the other.
➔ Cliffhanger ending. Very controversial, but I love cliffhangers because it gets me more excited to read the next book.
Review for Damage
1⭐
Dislikes:
➔ Gabriela’s life is so depressing that you’re stuck feeling bad for her the entire time, which does not make for an enjoyable reading experience. Isolation? Check. Hobbies? Nonexistent, unless you count crying in dark corners. Her loved ones? Murdered. Kidnapped and forced into a marriage with an abusive man who forces you to do things you don’t want to do? Yup. This poor girl has absolutely nothing going for her. I know it’s a dark romance, so trauma is expected, but a little bit of joy would’ve done it some good. All this book managed to make me feel was pity and that’s not what I look for in my romances.
➔ Stefan and Gabi are not equals. I touched on this in my review for Collateral, but it’s even more pronounced here. Women don’t have much power in the mafia world, but I at least want a woman who can hold her own and Gabi is not that girl. She spends all day crying and is in no position to fight for herself (I’m not hating on her, I would be doing the same). Their relationship is unbalanced in every way. Stefan is mature and emotionally tough, while Gabi is a confused eighteen-year-old girl having constant breakdowns. He’s experienced in the bedroom and she isn’t; he makes sure to use this against her multiple times. He’s always the one in control. If she doesn’t do what he says, she gets forcibly punished because on top of being mentally stronger than her, he’s also physically stronger than her. The amount of times he overpowered her physically to force her to strip proves this point. He keeps SO MANY secrets from her, but demands to know all of hers and if she doesn’t comply in telling him, he’ll punish her. He allows her no freedom, but he’s free to go out and do whatever he wants whenever he wants. This book was literally just Stockholm syndrome. As a mafia leader, he has all the power. She was no match for him.
➔ Stefan’s neverending lies. I have never encountered a hero who lies as much as this mofo and I hope I never do. How did he manage to lie about something important in every chapter? It’s actually a talent at that point.
➔ The “erotic” punishments are just abuse. He whips her with belts when he’s angry with her and that’s supposed to be hot? BDSM is meant to be safe, sane and consensual. No BDSM activity should be going on when the dom is genuinely pissed off because that eliminates the safe side of the whole thing. He was actually hurting her. Also, there was no consent on her end. She was sobbing and begging him to stop to no avail.
➔ The fact that the main characters justify rape with ‘she secretly wanted it’ because of her body’s involuntary responses is beyond disgusting. This kind of narrative not only trivializes rape but also perpetuates harmful myths.
➔ He yanks her by her hair when she doesn’t go where he wants her to go.
➔ “I don’t hurt what’s mine.” 🤣 So we’re just going to ignore the fact that you’re physically and emotionally abusing your wife? bahahaha he’s actually so delusional. He genuinely believes he’s some noble guy in this relationship I can’t— 🤣 At least own up to the fact that you’re awful.
➔ He gaslights tf out of her.
“Have I mistreated you, Gabriela? What have I done but try to make you happy?”
You mean besides bully her, belittle her, isolate her, force her to strip and commit sexual acts against her will, lie to her about things that concern her and physically harm her? Nothing much 🥰🥰
➔ I couldn’t buy into their supposed “love” for each other. How can you have love with no trust? All they do is fight, lie and abuse. Where is the love?
➔ They run in circles. It’s repetitive and exhausting. I can summarize the whole book with a few arrows and short sentences: Stefan does something bad → Gabriela gets mad and tells Stefan he’s just like the others → he changes her mind by doing something nice → Gabriela gets mad and tells Stefan he’s just like the others x10. You’re welcome. Now you don’t have to read it.
➔ Stefan treating her badly then feeling bad about it, but proceeding to do the exact same thing the next day. Make it make sense.
➔ He’s a panty sniffer 🤢 can we please stop acting like this is hot? I beg.
I spy her panties on the floor and bend to pick them up. I bring them to my nose and inhale. I’m hard again and tuck the panties into my pocket.
Ain’t no way he got hard from sniffing dirty underwear 😭
Likes:
➔ Stefan was so gentle with her in the beginning He was giving her hugs, hydrating her, petting her hair, carrying her because her body was weak, kissing her tears away, etc. It was cute. I wish he kept this energy but nope! Everything went to poo afterward. A few soft and tender scenes in the beginning does not excuse his later actions. As Gabriela likes to say, “One heroic act does not a hero make.”
“Shh,” I say, again cupping her face. I kiss the first tear that falls, taste the salt of it. Then kiss her forehead.
She breaks down into a sob and clings to me and I think how scared she must have been. How terrified. I cup the back of her head, keeping her close. Without a word, I lift Gabriela in my arms and carry her.
➔ Gabi & Millie. Girls rule, boys drool 😝 seriously though, all the guys in this suck. The girls, on the other hand, are lovely and sweet and kind and need to be protected at all costs.
Recommendation: If you’re looking for another forced marriage mafia romance with an age gap, check out Taking Meghan by Izzy Sweet. Happy reading! :)
May 17, 2023
had potential but too long and drawn out… just when you get a little momentum it got sluggish and boring.
June 1, 2022
Collateral Damage (duet) by Natasha Knight
Collateral by Natasha Knight
Gabriela Marchese is the princess in the Mafia tower. She is used as a bargaining chip. A pawn played in a game, for wealth and dominance by her father. He has secluded her from the outside world by home-schooling her, forbidding her to have friends, and controlling her access to the outside world. Her life is her father's to control and he will decide whose wife she will become. That is until Stefan Sabbioni comes to collect his debt, and what better debt to collect, than to take the princess away from her Mafia father. Stefan is bitter after discovering the rival family is to blame for the demise of his own family. He wants revenge and he wants control. And marrying his rival’s daughter is the ultimate revenge. Whatever he has over her father, has allowed for him to sign her over in an arranged marriage. Gabriela is feisty and capable of standing up to the beast. The attraction and chemistry is cleverly woven but never voiced. Stefan is not the easiest man but there is something about him. When he starts to see the real Gabriela and what her life has entailed, he starts to have feelings that could jeopardize his carefully laid out plans. But what happens when one more card is played, will he lose her before he actually has her, or is this the perfect act that will allow him to tear the Marchese’s Empire down for good? Ms. Knight has done it again. She has woven her story around my heart and left me wanting more. The story is well-paced, the characters are strong and likeable (not to mention swoon-worthy). Overall a really good read, engaging and leaving me wanting more.
Damage by Natasha Knight
Stefan is angry and peeved that someone has taken Gabi from him. But who could have done this and had all the information? He is convinced it can only be her father. Days of searching for her and a tip finally comes in from someone who is considered family. Does he have a rat closer than he knows? Gabi is scared but when rescued, she has mixed emotions about Stefan and her father. Just when it looks like things are going well between Stefan and Gabi, her father brings to light some important information that once again makes Gabi believe that Stefan is as much a monster as her father. Can Stefan get Gabi to trust him? And are his suspicions right about his rat? Can Stefan save Gabi and rule his kingdom or is it all about to be taken from him? This book had loads of suspense. Where the family was concerned it was a case of keeping your friends close but your enemies even closer. Twists and turns, with emotions running high. Love and hate that balanced on a knife edge. Overall a jam-packed action-packed book with plenty of angst, drama, and love
Collateral by Natasha Knight
Gabriela Marchese is the princess in the Mafia tower. She is used as a bargaining chip. A pawn played in a game, for wealth and dominance by her father. He has secluded her from the outside world by home-schooling her, forbidding her to have friends, and controlling her access to the outside world. Her life is her father's to control and he will decide whose wife she will become. That is until Stefan Sabbioni comes to collect his debt, and what better debt to collect, than to take the princess away from her Mafia father. Stefan is bitter after discovering the rival family is to blame for the demise of his own family. He wants revenge and he wants control. And marrying his rival’s daughter is the ultimate revenge. Whatever he has over her father, has allowed for him to sign her over in an arranged marriage. Gabriela is feisty and capable of standing up to the beast. The attraction and chemistry is cleverly woven but never voiced. Stefan is not the easiest man but there is something about him. When he starts to see the real Gabriela and what her life has entailed, he starts to have feelings that could jeopardize his carefully laid out plans. But what happens when one more card is played, will he lose her before he actually has her, or is this the perfect act that will allow him to tear the Marchese’s Empire down for good? Ms. Knight has done it again. She has woven her story around my heart and left me wanting more. The story is well-paced, the characters are strong and likeable (not to mention swoon-worthy). Overall a really good read, engaging and leaving me wanting more.
Damage by Natasha Knight
Stefan is angry and peeved that someone has taken Gabi from him. But who could have done this and had all the information? He is convinced it can only be her father. Days of searching for her and a tip finally comes in from someone who is considered family. Does he have a rat closer than he knows? Gabi is scared but when rescued, she has mixed emotions about Stefan and her father. Just when it looks like things are going well between Stefan and Gabi, her father brings to light some important information that once again makes Gabi believe that Stefan is as much a monster as her father. Can Stefan get Gabi to trust him? And are his suspicions right about his rat? Can Stefan save Gabi and rule his kingdom or is it all about to be taken from him? This book had loads of suspense. Where the family was concerned it was a case of keeping your friends close but your enemies even closer. Twists and turns, with emotions running high. Love and hate that balanced on a knife edge. Overall a jam-packed action-packed book with plenty of angst, drama, and love
September 25, 2020
These two books are now one complete set. I enjoyed each book so much. Here are my reviews for each book in this set...........
Collateral.... Book 1
Natasha Knight has done it again. I've come to love mafia stories and when you add an "arranged marriage" to it, then it instantly hits all the high notes for me. A two book series, Collateral is the first book. We are introduced to Stefan and Gabriella. When they first meet, she is only 16. She's confused when he says he will come to collect in 2 years. Now at 18, he's back and she is sent off with him. Told in dual POV's, the story is compelling and it had me hooked from the first page. Twists, turns, betrayal, mystery, and danger, it's all here. Both of them are damaged and have secrets and that will play into this story even more. I can't wait to read the second part to this and see what happens.
Damage.........Book 2
The conclusion to this duet was out of this world! I loved Stefan and Gabriela almost as much as I wanted to reach in and smack them from time to time. I couldn't put the book down. Natasha Knight is one of those authors that reaches inside your head and gets you so involved in the story that you feel you are living each moment with the characters. This book has it all, betrayal, deceit, loss, and some really hot sex!!! An arranged marriage was never so good as it was between these two. I loved the ending............no, I'm not going to spoil it. You just have to read it for yourself but I can help but wonder about Rafa!!! LOL
Collateral.... Book 1
Natasha Knight has done it again. I've come to love mafia stories and when you add an "arranged marriage" to it, then it instantly hits all the high notes for me. A two book series, Collateral is the first book. We are introduced to Stefan and Gabriella. When they first meet, she is only 16. She's confused when he says he will come to collect in 2 years. Now at 18, he's back and she is sent off with him. Told in dual POV's, the story is compelling and it had me hooked from the first page. Twists, turns, betrayal, mystery, and danger, it's all here. Both of them are damaged and have secrets and that will play into this story even more. I can't wait to read the second part to this and see what happens.
Damage.........Book 2
The conclusion to this duet was out of this world! I loved Stefan and Gabriela almost as much as I wanted to reach in and smack them from time to time. I couldn't put the book down. Natasha Knight is one of those authors that reaches inside your head and gets you so involved in the story that you feel you are living each moment with the characters. This book has it all, betrayal, deceit, loss, and some really hot sex!!! An arranged marriage was never so good as it was between these two. I loved the ending............no, I'm not going to spoil it. You just have to read it for yourself but I can help but wonder about Rafa!!! LOL
September 24, 2020
Collateral: 10 Heart racing, angst filled stars! Holy my word...I’m utterly speechless. First off, I was quickly OBSESSED with this book. It consumed me, and I devoured this book in less than eight hours. The chemistry between Gabi and Stefan crackles and is explosive. Who do you trust? Is anyone safe? Who really will protect you? This is a jaw dropping, heart racing story that you’ll crave more of!
Damage: Buckle up! I’m still trying to catch my breath. Natasha does it again with the explosive conclusion in this duet. I read this one in less than a day also and it consumed me. The detail, emotion, the betrayal, the love is all painted so vividly in this story. Absolutely one of my favorites!
Damage: Buckle up! I’m still trying to catch my breath. Natasha does it again with the explosive conclusion in this duet. I read this one in less than a day also and it consumed me. The detail, emotion, the betrayal, the love is all painted so vividly in this story. Absolutely one of my favorites!
September 25, 2020
5+ Magnificent Stars
Wow just wow!!! I absolutely loved this duet by Natasha Knight! This awesome duet has it all...an arranged mafia marriage with plenty of angst with tremendous chemistry that is attempted to be denied. Natasha Knight has certainly written these characters story amazingly!!
Stefan and Gabriela’s story is undeniably a page turner from the very beginning and I couldn’t put this story down until the end. This duet is a must read if you are a dark romance lover!!! 🖤❤️🖤❤️
Wow just wow!!! I absolutely loved this duet by Natasha Knight! This awesome duet has it all...an arranged mafia marriage with plenty of angst with tremendous chemistry that is attempted to be denied. Natasha Knight has certainly written these characters story amazingly!!
Stefan and Gabriela’s story is undeniably a page turner from the very beginning and I couldn’t put this story down until the end. This duet is a must read if you are a dark romance lover!!! 🖤❤️🖤❤️
April 17, 2022
Love
🌶🌶🌶🌶4.5/5
Loved this. Such a good story kept me on the edge of my seat and rooting for Stefan and Gabi the whole time.
🌶🌶🌶🌶4.5/5
Loved this. Such a good story kept me on the edge of my seat and rooting for Stefan and Gabi the whole time.
March 18, 2024
Primer libro que leo de la autora, y a pesar de que me lo vendieron como dark romance, y no lo fue, me mantuvo enganchada de principio a fin.
Me encanta el tema de mafia, y si tiene romance donde él quiere vengarse casándose con la hija de su enemigo, pues ahí me tiene. Y si después cae total y rotundamente enamorado de ella, pues con más razón. Puede que la historia sea igual a muchas que ya he leído, pero mientras me mantenga engancha y fluya la lectura, seguiré leyendo.
Me encanta el tema de mafia, y si tiene romance donde él quiere vengarse casándose con la hija de su enemigo, pues ahí me tiene. Y si después cae total y rotundamente enamorado de ella, pues con más razón. Puede que la historia sea igual a muchas que ya he leído, pero mientras me mantenga engancha y fluya la lectura, seguiré leyendo.
March 22, 2025
This has everything you need a classic love/hate mafia romance, arranged marriage, drama,spice, betrayal, allot of twist and turns and in the end a beautiful HEA
February 28, 2021
The most beautiful piece from Natasha Knight
I like Natasha’s stories more after I read her other mafia books. This one, however, to me... is the best of all mafia romance stories I’ve ever read.
Why?
It got the drama. Up and down. It got me sad. Upset and frustrated with the female lead yet throughout the story I develop empathy and understanding of why she is who she is and why she acts the the way she is.
I love the development between the characters and the relationship. I love the hot scenes. But I love more about the anti climax of the whole story and the love revelation.
I also love that this story has more details about the family problems than the other stories from this author.
Oh! I definitely love Stefan more than other male leads I ever read. He’s strong, smart, and just so great. He’s not perfect yet he finally chose who he wanted to be for Gabriel. That’s the definition of a real man.
And definitely I love Gabriela when she is being brave to go to Stefan!!! I just love her courage and the way she thinks she could not just stay at home as Stefan ordered.
What I think can be improved:
- Perhaps trying to be more creative. I love weak and innocent yet strong hearted female like all the female leads this author has on her books. But I feel that Gabriela is more of a brat (you will see it throughout the story) and that almost makes me drop the book. Though I end up feeling empathy for her. I think the author should show more of her strength and kindness than just being a brat. Perhaps, show how she learns more after she moves out of his father house. Learn to trust and be more mature. I don’t know... I think author should learn more about psychology and personalities and else if she wants to have more interesting stories in the future. I cannot really explain it here.
- Be more creative in the plot. I love Enemies to Lovers stories. What I don’t love is how every story has the same plot. “family betrayal”. Though I love how Stefan handles it, I think there should be some varieties or improvements in the “family betrayal themed story”. Many times it’s always the father in law, the uncle. Etc etc. I feel like it’s always the men. The women can also do that. It will make the plot more interesting.
- Be more intimate. I know the author is very good with making drama, tense scenes, conflict, etc. I feel like her energy is more of a masculine in writing this story. I don’t really feel a lot of feminine touch on the story. It’s so short of moments when Gabriela and Stefan have emotionally touching scenes. It’s just so rare that I’m thirsty of such scenes throughout the story. It’s like the author puts it back to the end of the story. Which then left me unsatisfied.
All in all, still one of my best read!!!
I like Natasha’s stories more after I read her other mafia books. This one, however, to me... is the best of all mafia romance stories I’ve ever read.
Why?
It got the drama. Up and down. It got me sad. Upset and frustrated with the female lead yet throughout the story I develop empathy and understanding of why she is who she is and why she acts the the way she is.
I love the development between the characters and the relationship. I love the hot scenes. But I love more about the anti climax of the whole story and the love revelation.
I also love that this story has more details about the family problems than the other stories from this author.
Oh! I definitely love Stefan more than other male leads I ever read. He’s strong, smart, and just so great. He’s not perfect yet he finally chose who he wanted to be for Gabriel. That’s the definition of a real man.
And definitely I love Gabriela when she is being brave to go to Stefan!!! I just love her courage and the way she thinks she could not just stay at home as Stefan ordered.
What I think can be improved:
- Perhaps trying to be more creative. I love weak and innocent yet strong hearted female like all the female leads this author has on her books. But I feel that Gabriela is more of a brat (you will see it throughout the story) and that almost makes me drop the book. Though I end up feeling empathy for her. I think the author should show more of her strength and kindness than just being a brat. Perhaps, show how she learns more after she moves out of his father house. Learn to trust and be more mature. I don’t know... I think author should learn more about psychology and personalities and else if she wants to have more interesting stories in the future. I cannot really explain it here.
- Be more creative in the plot. I love Enemies to Lovers stories. What I don’t love is how every story has the same plot. “family betrayal”. Though I love how Stefan handles it, I think there should be some varieties or improvements in the “family betrayal themed story”. Many times it’s always the father in law, the uncle. Etc etc. I feel like it’s always the men. The women can also do that. It will make the plot more interesting.
- Be more intimate. I know the author is very good with making drama, tense scenes, conflict, etc. I feel like her energy is more of a masculine in writing this story. I don’t really feel a lot of feminine touch on the story. It’s so short of moments when Gabriela and Stefan have emotionally touching scenes. It’s just so rare that I’m thirsty of such scenes throughout the story. It’s like the author puts it back to the end of the story. Which then left me unsatisfied.
All in all, still one of my best read!!!
September 24, 2020
I enjoy duets in Boxsets, so I was excited to hear about this one!
Collateral
The story of Stefan and Gabriela will hold you entranced from beginning to end. So much so, that I just couldn't put it down and read it in one sitting! Stefan is not a man to fool with. He is a total alpha who when he wants something, nothing can stop him. When something happens in his past, he comes to take his revenge by taking Gabriela from the clutches of her Father. Gabriela is young, and has no choice. Make no mistake, Gabriela is a force to be reckoned with. She is a strong, intelligent, takes no nonsense type of young woman and she won't make it easy on him. As I read, I felt that these two truly belong together, but sometimes people and circumstances won't allow that to happen. So many secrets, so many lies, but also so much chemistry and lust between them. I'm a lover of Mafia Romance, and this book absolutely delivers it in spades. I can't wait for the the conclusion to their story in Damage. Will they end up together? I certainly hope so!
Damage
What a perfect ending to this incredible duet! This author just blows my mind with her stories and her words. She makes you feel as if you truly know these characters and can feel their emotions. The continuing story of Stefan and Gabriela will pull you in all kinds of directions and keep you riveted to your seat. While their relationship doesn't start out in the traditional way, can Gabriela learn to love Stefan knowing how he is? And Stefan, while reluctant, can't help but be enamored by Gabriela. He will do anything to keep her safe. These two characters have such amazing chemistry, even though they try to deny it time and time again. But can they both learn to love each other knowing there are so many obstacles in their way? This story will hold you captive from beginning to end and I truly loved it. And so will you! Don't hesitate, read this duet, you will enjoy it as much as I did!
Collateral
The story of Stefan and Gabriela will hold you entranced from beginning to end. So much so, that I just couldn't put it down and read it in one sitting! Stefan is not a man to fool with. He is a total alpha who when he wants something, nothing can stop him. When something happens in his past, he comes to take his revenge by taking Gabriela from the clutches of her Father. Gabriela is young, and has no choice. Make no mistake, Gabriela is a force to be reckoned with. She is a strong, intelligent, takes no nonsense type of young woman and she won't make it easy on him. As I read, I felt that these two truly belong together, but sometimes people and circumstances won't allow that to happen. So many secrets, so many lies, but also so much chemistry and lust between them. I'm a lover of Mafia Romance, and this book absolutely delivers it in spades. I can't wait for the the conclusion to their story in Damage. Will they end up together? I certainly hope so!
Damage
What a perfect ending to this incredible duet! This author just blows my mind with her stories and her words. She makes you feel as if you truly know these characters and can feel their emotions. The continuing story of Stefan and Gabriela will pull you in all kinds of directions and keep you riveted to your seat. While their relationship doesn't start out in the traditional way, can Gabriela learn to love Stefan knowing how he is? And Stefan, while reluctant, can't help but be enamored by Gabriela. He will do anything to keep her safe. These two characters have such amazing chemistry, even though they try to deny it time and time again. But can they both learn to love each other knowing there are so many obstacles in their way? This story will hold you captive from beginning to end and I truly loved it. And so will you! Don't hesitate, read this duet, you will enjoy it as much as I did!
September 24, 2020
The Collateral Damage Duet has now been released together in this single purchase.
Collateral is the first book in the Collateral Damage Duet. From the moment I started reading, I was sucked in by these characters. I absolutely adored Stefan. That man was hot and possessive, while at the same time being mysterious and broody. I could tell he was hiding secrets, as well as a softer, more kind side of himself. When it came to Gabriela, he demonstrated a huge amount of patience that I think surprised even him.
Gabriela was obviously unhappy with her situation and was insolent and stubborn. Her mouth was constantly getting her in trouble, and there were a couple of times where even I wanted to smack her.
If you enjoy push and pull between the main characters, you’ll love reading this book. I could literally feel the heat and chemistry between Stefan and Gabriela every time they were together.
Damage is the second book and the conclusion to the Duet.
Get ready! Damage starts off right where Collateral ended and takes you on a wild and rocky ride. Stefan is just as hot as ever and our man is not happy. He’s determined to figure out what’s going on and who is behind what has happened.
Gabriela is as stubborn as ever, but no way can she continue to fight against the pull she has towards Stefan. I adored both of these characters, and loved watching the chemistry between them grow stronger.
Damage is full of lies, betrayal and family secrets that will keep you guessing until the very end. It was the perfect conclusion to Stefan and Gabriela’s story and one I know you will enjoy. There’s also a certain character that I’m hoping we’ll maybe get to see again.
Collateral is the first book in the Collateral Damage Duet. From the moment I started reading, I was sucked in by these characters. I absolutely adored Stefan. That man was hot and possessive, while at the same time being mysterious and broody. I could tell he was hiding secrets, as well as a softer, more kind side of himself. When it came to Gabriela, he demonstrated a huge amount of patience that I think surprised even him.
Gabriela was obviously unhappy with her situation and was insolent and stubborn. Her mouth was constantly getting her in trouble, and there were a couple of times where even I wanted to smack her.
If you enjoy push and pull between the main characters, you’ll love reading this book. I could literally feel the heat and chemistry between Stefan and Gabriela every time they were together.
Damage is the second book and the conclusion to the Duet.
Get ready! Damage starts off right where Collateral ended and takes you on a wild and rocky ride. Stefan is just as hot as ever and our man is not happy. He’s determined to figure out what’s going on and who is behind what has happened.
Gabriela is as stubborn as ever, but no way can she continue to fight against the pull she has towards Stefan. I adored both of these characters, and loved watching the chemistry between them grow stronger.
Damage is full of lies, betrayal and family secrets that will keep you guessing until the very end. It was the perfect conclusion to Stefan and Gabriela’s story and one I know you will enjoy. There’s also a certain character that I’m hoping we’ll maybe get to see again.
September 24, 2020
What a fantastic page turner of a read this was.
Gabriela daughter of a monster traded to a Sicilian Mafia boss Stefan.
This book is full of twists and turns, secrets and lies.
Gabriela seems to trade one nightmare for another, but all isn’t what it seems..... or is it? She’s seen and endured things no one should ever have to. Will this continue in her new life?
Stefan, boss of the Sicilian mafia, after his brother and father are murdered he wants revenge and he’ll do whatever he can to get what he wants, no matter who gets in the way, Gabriela is the pawn he’s ready to use.
An excellent read and the first of Collateral Damage Duet, bring on the conclusion
SO......We were left on a cliff-hanger and not just any old tiny one, an Everest of a cliff!! I could not wait to read this, the first book was fantastic.
This book blew me away, it’s got everything: love, hate, heartbreak, tragedy, angst, anticipation, twists. I’m mentally drained, it messed with my head. Everything I love about a book.
Gabriela endures so much throughout this book. But at times I could shake her.
As for Stefan, I hate him, no I love him, errr no I hate him, OK I LOVE HIM. See head messed with!
They are both broken from the tragedy surrounding their lives.
How much more do they have to go through, Will there be a HEA! Do they even want one?
This duet was awesome and both well deserved their 5 Stars.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Gabriela daughter of a monster traded to a Sicilian Mafia boss Stefan.
This book is full of twists and turns, secrets and lies.
Gabriela seems to trade one nightmare for another, but all isn’t what it seems..... or is it? She’s seen and endured things no one should ever have to. Will this continue in her new life?
Stefan, boss of the Sicilian mafia, after his brother and father are murdered he wants revenge and he’ll do whatever he can to get what he wants, no matter who gets in the way, Gabriela is the pawn he’s ready to use.
An excellent read and the first of Collateral Damage Duet, bring on the conclusion
SO......We were left on a cliff-hanger and not just any old tiny one, an Everest of a cliff!! I could not wait to read this, the first book was fantastic.
This book blew me away, it’s got everything: love, hate, heartbreak, tragedy, angst, anticipation, twists. I’m mentally drained, it messed with my head. Everything I love about a book.
Gabriela endures so much throughout this book. But at times I could shake her.
As for Stefan, I hate him, no I love him, errr no I hate him, OK I LOVE HIM. See head messed with!
They are both broken from the tragedy surrounding their lives.
How much more do they have to go through, Will there be a HEA! Do they even want one?
This duet was awesome and both well deserved their 5 Stars.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
March 17, 2021
Talk about an all nighter
If you start this before bed, like I did, you’re going to need several doses of caffeine to make it through the next day.
This is a slow burn filled with drama, suspense and a lovely ending. I’m a huge fan of books like these where sex scenes take place much later on rather than right away. I think it gives the reader a chance to get to like seeing the couple together and perhaps root for their happy ending.
I loved and loathe Stefan. He was the perfect mix of mean, scary, and protective with a dose of honor. As per usual in books like this, the heroine (Gabriella) was at times annoying and being that she was young, a bit childish. There were times when I liked her and then times when I wanted to knock some sense into her.
What I didn’t like was how Gabriella never gives Stefan the chance to explains things. She just yells and fights exhausting them both, until Stefan walks away or something worse happens. It’s almost as if she enjoys his threats. The Clara situation was just a big no no, and I felt there wasn’t a thorough explanation of who she was to them.
This book is far from perfect. There were a handful of things I would have liked to change, her age being one, and another being how cruel Stefan could be. But it is a mafia style romance, cruelty was a given.
If you start this before bed, like I did, you’re going to need several doses of caffeine to make it through the next day.
This is a slow burn filled with drama, suspense and a lovely ending. I’m a huge fan of books like these where sex scenes take place much later on rather than right away. I think it gives the reader a chance to get to like seeing the couple together and perhaps root for their happy ending.
I loved and loathe Stefan. He was the perfect mix of mean, scary, and protective with a dose of honor. As per usual in books like this, the heroine (Gabriella) was at times annoying and being that she was young, a bit childish. There were times when I liked her and then times when I wanted to knock some sense into her.
What I didn’t like was how Gabriella never gives Stefan the chance to explains things. She just yells and fights exhausting them both, until Stefan walks away or something worse happens. It’s almost as if she enjoys his threats. The Clara situation was just a big no no, and I felt there wasn’t a thorough explanation of who she was to them.
This book is far from perfect. There were a handful of things I would have liked to change, her age being one, and another being how cruel Stefan could be. But it is a mafia style romance, cruelty was a given.
September 25, 2020
What can I say this book grabbed me from the start and I can't still let it go, what an amazing arranged marriage mafia story. The characters are amazing, Gabriela and Stefan are a match. Gabriela is a strong woman on the outside, but she has been burned in so many ways her bravado is making Stefan question what has she really gone through. You will be dragged throughout all the emotions you can imagine and then get yourself ready to start begging for the next one. I strongly recommend you read this one. Natasha Knight I can only say bravo, you got yourself a 5 star review and on my Top 2019 book list.
Fantastic!!! what an amazing duet, but this book is the perfect ending to it. I couldn't stop reading book one, that cliffy had me impatiently waiting for this book and it was perfect. Stefan and Gabriela story is one you need to read, I love every single chapter. Natasha KNight captured me and is now on my one-click read no blurb needed list. Simply perfect suspense, dark, twisted story with chemistry off the charts that simply blows your mind away. The book you can't stop reading and yet you don't want it to end. A 5 star now on my top read list for 2019!
Fantastic!!! what an amazing duet, but this book is the perfect ending to it. I couldn't stop reading book one, that cliffy had me impatiently waiting for this book and it was perfect. Stefan and Gabriela story is one you need to read, I love every single chapter. Natasha KNight captured me and is now on my one-click read no blurb needed list. Simply perfect suspense, dark, twisted story with chemistry off the charts that simply blows your mind away. The book you can't stop reading and yet you don't want it to end. A 5 star now on my top read list for 2019!
August 4, 2023
"A decent read"
There are short references in other NK books about the Sabbioni family and so I decided to give this a try. I think it was a good story although perhaps not as good as it could have been. I think if I read this earlier I would have enjoyed it much more since compared to other pieces of NK work I've already been through it all felt a bit meh.
The story itself is good, it's well thought through, very well written, and it flows very well too - it's the characters I struggled to get behind.
(A few spoilers ahead, though I did my best to keep it to a minimum and as vague as possible.)
Gabi is difficult for me and at times extremely annoying. The way she hastily draws conclusions without facts, the way she just doesn't listen, it gets on my nerve. She so often behaves as if she truly is that pampered princess Stefan accuses her of being, and when he took the belt out that time I was very much with him. Because she just doesn't listen, and often it seems she doesn't even think. While I understand she didn't have it easy and has been mistreated, I believe she's nowhere near as smart as she thinks she is, and especially not when she's being oh so confident about 'reading' the monsters that are the men around her. Otherwise half of this book wouldn't happen, especially as she was completely misreading Stefan for most of it - all the while he was never hiding his intentions nor feelings in the first place.
Stefan is good, perhaps even too good for who he is. I don't dislike him, in fact I very much rooted for him in this story, but he's all a bit too mild. He's a grey character by all means but not really when it comes to Gabi, only by his profession. Compared to the likes of Sebastian or Gregory or the Amado brothers even he's a bit meek. How did Rafa put it? His bark is worse than his bite. He is incredibly patient with Gabi though, I gotta give him that.
For me, this actually wasn't a dark romance. I must be spoilt by now I suppose, or maybe there's something wrong with me, but this just wasn't dark enough. Sure, if this was real life it would have been tough to swallow but this is a story - and I prefer my stories to push the boundaries rather than just sliding alongside them. For that, Stefan was too kind and he pretty much fell for Gabi straight off the bat. And Gabi was just chaos - not smart or strong enough to put any real obstacles in the way, or to even figure out when to stop fighting, she was all over the place.
The banter between them I liked, though often she pushed it just that little bit too far where it absolutely didn't need to go. The smut was ok although there wasn't really much of it, and again - it wasn't quite hot enough for me. All very vanilla and nice and not really very dark at all. I'm going to sound like a broken record when I say I'd take Sebastian over Stefan any time. Or Valtu. Or Tuoni. Or Gregory. Or Eli. Or.. I could just keep going.
I really hate to only give 3 start here and it is the first time I'm giving anything other than 5 to NK and I'm so sorry about it but I have to be honest. Like I said, the story itself was pretty good, it was just lacking a little. I do believe though this is one of NK earlier works and understand as such it wouldn't have been as polished as what we get now, and as brave and controversial. And these are exactly the things I love about her work the most of all.
So, a decent read overall, just not amazing.
There are short references in other NK books about the Sabbioni family and so I decided to give this a try. I think it was a good story although perhaps not as good as it could have been. I think if I read this earlier I would have enjoyed it much more since compared to other pieces of NK work I've already been through it all felt a bit meh.
The story itself is good, it's well thought through, very well written, and it flows very well too - it's the characters I struggled to get behind.
(A few spoilers ahead, though I did my best to keep it to a minimum and as vague as possible.)
Gabi is difficult for me and at times extremely annoying. The way she hastily draws conclusions without facts, the way she just doesn't listen, it gets on my nerve. She so often behaves as if she truly is that pampered princess Stefan accuses her of being, and when he took the belt out that time I was very much with him. Because she just doesn't listen, and often it seems she doesn't even think. While I understand she didn't have it easy and has been mistreated, I believe she's nowhere near as smart as she thinks she is, and especially not when she's being oh so confident about 'reading' the monsters that are the men around her. Otherwise half of this book wouldn't happen, especially as she was completely misreading Stefan for most of it - all the while he was never hiding his intentions nor feelings in the first place.
Stefan is good, perhaps even too good for who he is. I don't dislike him, in fact I very much rooted for him in this story, but he's all a bit too mild. He's a grey character by all means but not really when it comes to Gabi, only by his profession. Compared to the likes of Sebastian or Gregory or the Amado brothers even he's a bit meek. How did Rafa put it? His bark is worse than his bite. He is incredibly patient with Gabi though, I gotta give him that.
For me, this actually wasn't a dark romance. I must be spoilt by now I suppose, or maybe there's something wrong with me, but this just wasn't dark enough. Sure, if this was real life it would have been tough to swallow but this is a story - and I prefer my stories to push the boundaries rather than just sliding alongside them. For that, Stefan was too kind and he pretty much fell for Gabi straight off the bat. And Gabi was just chaos - not smart or strong enough to put any real obstacles in the way, or to even figure out when to stop fighting, she was all over the place.
The banter between them I liked, though often she pushed it just that little bit too far where it absolutely didn't need to go. The smut was ok although there wasn't really much of it, and again - it wasn't quite hot enough for me. All very vanilla and nice and not really very dark at all. I'm going to sound like a broken record when I say I'd take Sebastian over Stefan any time. Or Valtu. Or Tuoni. Or Gregory. Or Eli. Or.. I could just keep going.
I really hate to only give 3 start here and it is the first time I'm giving anything other than 5 to NK and I'm so sorry about it but I have to be honest. Like I said, the story itself was pretty good, it was just lacking a little. I do believe though this is one of NK earlier works and understand as such it wouldn't have been as polished as what we get now, and as brave and controversial. And these are exactly the things I love about her work the most of all.
So, a decent read overall, just not amazing.
August 5, 2021
Two years ago Stefan's brother was brutally killed and mutilated. He found a clue to the murderer when he visited his brother's corpse in the morgue. Vowed to have his brother's vengeance, he promised the baffled 16yo Gabriela as a revenge to her father. Two years later, he took Gabriela as he promised her to start the vengeance for his brother. The story start like all other mafia captive/forced marriage trope. They lived together then gradually fall in love. I've read a lot in this trope that all story seem very predictable but guess I can't just get enough of it. I like Gabriela in the beginning but towards the end I just don't care about her. And Stefan, I have a love-hatred relationship with this character. Just as Gabriela said, I think he has bipolar and maybe we are supposed to emphatise with him and like him, but I don't think it works well here. I kinda liked how their chemistry was slowly built and Stefan was very likeable, a little bit swoony even, until he pulled that stupid belt and whipped her in anger. I don't see remorse about the action either. And him suddenly turned all soft because of some tragedy is way out of character. The writing is great and the dual first pov narrative is great, especially in the audiobook. The artists really bring the story to life. The story is also pretty fast paced, however the ending is a very anti climactic one. Not sure how I feel about Rafa though. He's probably the true anti hero of the story.
March 8, 2021
I enjoyed this duet because it had an actual mafia story-line to go with the obvious arranged marriage crap. It was very predictable though. The ending was no surprise. Narration was good.
I would have given it 5 stars but....
I would have given it 5 stars but....
November 23, 2024
This was truly such a waste of time. The first book was OK nothing special. I did enjoy the cliffhanger at the end although I feel like it didn’t make a lot of sense. The second book however it was one of the worst things I’ve ever read. The main characters had no connection. I was getting such a bad vibe from pretty much every sex scene. Gabriella would be fuming mad and then once Stephan started touching her without her consent and she got violated a little bit, she decides it is fine because she has feelings for him even though every time they’re outside of a sex scene she talks about how much she hates him and he treats her like garbage. Stephen was all over the place and it made no sense. The only reason I didn’t put this book down because I actually paid for it, I had to see it through.
November 7, 2025
I have a pretty strong stomach when it comes to dark romance but Stefan was just hateful for 95% of the book and then abruptly changed his mind right at the end.
Stefan She said no repeatedly and he ignored it, never apologized. We get these little hints that he maybe didn't think he should have done that, or maybe regrets it but never any conversation between them.
Gabriela is young so I understand her lashing out instead of trying to get answers but it's not like Stefan doesn't know she's 18. He uses his power over her constantly.
It's only above a 1 star for the somewhat redeemable ending when he
Would not recommend, even for people who like dark romance.
Stefan She said no repeatedly and he ignored it, never apologized. We get these little hints that he maybe didn't think he should have done that, or maybe regrets it but never any conversation between them.
Gabriela is young so I understand her lashing out instead of trying to get answers but it's not like Stefan doesn't know she's 18. He uses his power over her constantly.
It's only above a 1 star for the somewhat redeemable ending when he
Would not recommend, even for people who like dark romance.
June 6, 2021
This ones a 3.5 stars...still not sure how I feel about it. I wanted to like it but the back and forth within the relationship, and also Raffa’s betrayal that kept happening but was never addressed/discovered by Stephen throughout, the cousin fucking with Clara Raffa and Stephen?!? and just the blatant mis truths frustrated me so much. Stephen kept being like “I’ll never hurt you” and proceeds to hurt her physically. Stupid shit, could not stand it. But I wanted to like them...just did not deliver.
October 21, 2025
Spoiler free
Not NN best work ever but I love reading her and her writing.
Mafia, arranged Mariage between enemies. Young unexperienced and at times too naive h
And a strong, leader possessive and hurting H, who is really a cinnamon roll
The suspense part was quite obvious and yet well written so I did not mind it
Tha made me want to ki*ck her sometimes, I mean, she is young but grew up in mafia world...
But I did like her strong spirit.
I am curious more about a secondary character, the H's cousin. I really want his story told
Not NN best work ever but I love reading her and her writing.
Mafia, arranged Mariage between enemies. Young unexperienced and at times too naive h
And a strong, leader possessive and hurting H, who is really a cinnamon roll
The suspense part was quite obvious and yet well written so I did not mind it
Tha made me want to ki*ck her sometimes, I mean, she is young but grew up in mafia world...
But I did like her strong spirit.
I am curious more about a secondary character, the H's cousin. I really want his story told
July 19, 2022
This is a very exciting book. Plenty of action and drama. It is emotion filled and so realistic. I feel Gabriela is easy to be disliked. She just turned 18 and is so immature it really spoils the story. I feel I would have enjoyed it more if she was not a brat 100% of the time. Other than that I really liked the book.
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Action-packed
Haunting
Page-turner
Scary
Steamy
Tear-jerker
Tragic
Twisted
Unpredictable
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Action-packed
Haunting
Page-turner
Scary
Steamy
Tear-jerker
Tragic
Twisted
Unpredictable
September 3, 2022
I ❤️ Natasha Knight!!! Something about the writing just strikes my core in every way possible.
I fell in love with Rapha and wanted more of him... But then... What the flying heck?!!!!!!
Stefan is the beast you want to hate and love, fear and praise.
I can't get enough of NK's worlds. They bring out every emotion possible, and really keeps you captivated from start to finish. I highly recommend this duet.
I fell in love with Rapha and wanted more of him... But then... What the flying heck?!!!!!!
Stefan is the beast you want to hate and love, fear and praise.
I can't get enough of NK's worlds. They bring out every emotion possible, and really keeps you captivated from start to finish. I highly recommend this duet.
July 10, 2023
Honestly not great.... I mean not awful by any means. But really if you've read one mafia book you've read them all...
Main character was so hot and cold, one minute strong, one minute so childish. I originally hated her being called a child when her questions were valid. But in other situations she was very childish and I wanted to tell her to wake up.
Main character was so hot and cold, one minute strong, one minute so childish. I originally hated her being called a child when her questions were valid. But in other situations she was very childish and I wanted to tell her to wake up.
July 7, 2022
nah wth was this… I feel like this just put me deeper into my already existing reading slump.
One minute she was putting up a fight and then hating him the next (as she should’ve). I swear they were both bipolar because there’s no explanation for the behaviour or sort of relationship they had. None of them were likeable characters at all.
Literally felt like I wasted my time reading this
One minute she was putting up a fight and then hating him the next (as she should’ve). I swear they were both bipolar because there’s no explanation for the behaviour or sort of relationship they had. None of them were likeable characters at all.
Literally felt like I wasted my time reading this
May 20, 2023
Ağır bir mafya kitabıydi. Karakterlere bazen çok gıcık oldum. Asıl kızımızın hiç dinlemeden sürekli saldırıya geçiyor olması çok iticiydi. Esas oğlan mafya babamız da ister istemez sert davranışlar sergiliyordu ama ne yalan söyleyeyim kız da adamı delirtiyordu yani. Genel olarak sevdim, sonuna kadar heyecanla okuttu
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews