Deadly Nightshade

Poisonous #1

by Sem Thornwood

Isabella Vasile
My mother called me Belladonna. The poisonous plant with sweet cherries as fruit. She wanted me to become just that for every man who lay eyes on me. Sweet on their tongue but deadly. She said it is the only way a woman can be powerful in our world. But I never wanted that. I never wanted to be toxic. I wanted to love and be loved. I wanted to be sweet without being deadly. I didn’t want to hurt anyone.
Only I did… I did become a sweet-looking deadly thing to reach what I have always wanted. True love.

Alessio Mazzoni
She had the darkest eyes I have ever seen. So dark they were almost black, just like the poisonous cherries she once warned me about. When I was a little boy I promised her that one day I will marry her.
I never forgot that promise.
Even though how unworthy I am, I will have her at the end. One way or another.

Genres: Friends To Lovers, Dark Romance, Dark, Romance

289 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 10, 2021

About the author

Sem Thornwood (she/her) is an indie romance and fantasy author.
If she is not reading then she is writing.
She loves possessive love interests in a completely healthy manner. She writes dark romance and fantasy but her biggest dream is being able to write rom-coms and thrillers.
Everyday she wishes there were more adult sapphic romance books and plans to write more herself.

Reviews

[Nicolette · Rating 2 out of 5]

too many spelling mistakes & grammatical errors for my taste

[Farrah Muth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I NEED A MAN LIKE ALESSIO 🥺💖

I never thought childhood friends to lovers will happen in mafia world and served this well! And I didn't expect an obsessed Made Man could be this sweet ☺️ Their story amaze me since the beginning, enough for me to ignore some typos. Yeah, that good 😁

I love the way the author write in a short sentence but deliver a right message. It's easier to read for me since english isn't my first language. I'm enjoying this book so much.

And the way Sem connecting the dot between Bella, her mom, belladonna, Alessio and Giovanni was great. Although I want Al show his cruelty more when he punished Brando & Giovanni, I understand the situation wouldn't allowed him to do what he desired.

I hate everytime 'Bella is the Capo's daughter and Alessio is no one's vibe mentioned. Dude, he is Alessio The Cruel Mazzoni. Isn't it enough to match the crazy Capo?? 😌

Here's my favorite quotes:
"I didn’t know when I would see him again. Maybe it was best to forget about him, but I just knew it was impossible. I would remember that boy even when I become an old lady in her death bed." when Bella lost her hope 🥺😭

"I will chase you until you are mine. Your father might have other plans for you, but I don’t quit. I will have you, Sweetheart. One way or another.” ohh Al.. 🥺 I love a man who know what he wants and fight for it.

Bellassio serve a sweet soulmate trope in dark romance 🥰😍👍

[Atenea · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Actually, nothing ever felt more like mine. Mine. No matter how many men I had to kill. She was mine.”


• RESEÑA:
Quiero empezar diciendo que tenía miedo de empezar este libro, es el primer libro en inglés que leo, pero si les soy sincera no fue difícil para nada. No suelo leer libros sobre mafioso, pero me encantó este, la autora te mete en la trama bastante fácil, empieza mostrandote cómo van evoluciando los personajes y al mismo tiempo como va evolucionando su enamoramiento, la trama es muy buena y fácil de seguir, los personajes principales y secundarios me encantaron. Hablando de él personaje masculino principal ame a Alessio, juro que me enamoro; me encantó que se nota que desde joven Alessio estaba muy enamorado de Bella, el friends to lovers es algo que no leo mucho pero en este libro me encanto. Si pueden denle una oportunidad a este libro, les juro que no los va a decepcionar.

• REVIEW:
I want to start saying I was afraid of start to read this book, it is the first english book that i have ever read, and being honest it was pretty easy to read. I usually don't read book about mafia, but I loved this one, the author gets you into the plot quite easy, starts showing you how the characters evolve and at the same time how their love evolves, the plot is very good and easy to follow. I love the the main and secondary characters. Speaking of the main male character I love Alessio, I swear I fall in love. I loved that it was noticeable that since Alessio was young he was so in love with Bella, friends to lovers is something I don’t read much but in this book I love it. If you can please give this book a chance, I swear you won’t be disappointed.

[『Jackeline 』 · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 ⭐

Cuando empecé a leerlo pensaba que solo me iba a leer este libro de la saga, pero ahora estoy decidida a leerme el segundo 🤡 porque Sal y Mía me pudieron y quiero ver cómo se desarrolla esa pareja.👁️

Además de que tiene mucho potencial para ser un buen libro el de ellos.👀

[Sofía · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

Esta bien linda la historia. Ame que fueran amigos de la infancia y como introdujeron la historia <3

Me dieron risa las escenas de smuth? Si JAJJAA
(No todas, pero ajá 🤣) aunque igual esta demasiado sensual. 😮‍💨
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>> Si quieres empezar a leer en inglés creo que este libro es una buena idea, el nivel esta muy fácil. ✨

[Niharika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deadly Nightshade is the debut novel n the first book in the Poisonous series by Sem Thornwood. I was really excited to read this book n wasn't disappointed.

This book was so good. Mafia trope n Childhood best friend to Lovers trope are two of my favourite tropes. When I found out this book had those trope, it got me intrigued n I couldn't wait to read it. And I have to tell tit served those two trope so well.

Isabella is one of my favourite fc. She is innocent and soft yet so fierce. She stays strong despite of all the pain n suffering she goes thru.

Alessio was the typical cold made man. But she was so soft when it comes to Bella n his family. He made me swoon many times with the way he cared about Bella.

Alessio Isabella was so amazing. Their connection was so beautiful. The pain, suffering, longing n their obsession with each other was captured so well. The way Alessio was so protective of her.

I loved all the side characters too. Mia n Bella's friendship was so beautiful. The way they cared about each other n was there for the other no matter what. It is really rare to find such platonic relationships between characters in a Mafia trope.

Antonio. Damn that man has me by chokehold n his book isnt even out yet. The man is so cold n emotionless n mysterious n also cares about his family n Bella.

Overall this book was amazing. For a debut novel, this was really a biggest serve. I can't wait to read the other books in the series.

[Bri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alessio and Bella are such a wholesome couple.
I loved this book so much, and I'm looking forward to the rest!!!
I love how he respects her boundaries and fought to finally be with her.
Definitely one of my favourite books.
It was not at all predictable and some scenes took me completely off guard in the best way possible.

Anyways, I am in Love with Antonio, he is my future husband.

[Devon wtfdidijustread_reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love that’s stronger than the Mafia.

This follows Bella and Alessio, they are childhood friends that have always loved each other but since Bella is the daughter of the Capo, she must live by super strict rules and is expected to marry whom ever her father chooses.
Alessio is known as “The Cruel”, he’s and enforcer that’s very closed off, serious and cold,but for Bella he would do whatever it takes to make her happy and make her his.

This was a very slow burn since they were forbidden to be together and since she was forced to marry someone else.
But that never stopped Alessio, he promised her when they were children that he would marry her and he meant it.

I loved how the author tied the name of the book into the story, how her mother called her Belladonna and why.

This was such a fresh take of traditional mafia romance since it was forbidden and they were always so in love with each other to the point where nothing would keep them apart.

It set up the series so well too and I cannot wait to continue on.

[That Brazilian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deadly Nightshade by Sem Thornwood ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Deadly Nightshade fell on my lap when I was scrolling on Amazon looking for a new read. I love the "Forbidden Love" trope and I was really invested in Mafia Romance, so I couln't let this one go.

The book tells Bella and Alessio's love story since the very begining. From the childhood crush to the powerful love that bound both of them together even with everyone standing in their way. Bella is the daughter of the Capo, she's a powerful asset that cannot be wasted by being given to a mere soldier like Alessio. And even when Bella had given up on them, Alessio was there to prove that his determination was as strong as his love.

The begining of the book got me a little bit upset because of the way Sem portrayed them as kids... But as soon as they all grow up and the story really starts, everything smoothes sail. Bella's story is a sad tragedy. She's unhappy, she never gets what she really wants and she feels that she never will get what she really needs.

Deadly Nightshade is one of those stories that stick with you. Their growing affection is something beautiful to watch, you can feel Alessio's love and his resolve to make everything works regardless of what he has to do and who he has to kill. Although many characters describe Alessio's determination in marrying Bella as "Obsession", I strongly disagree. I only think Alessio loves Bella and he'll do whatever it takes to make her happy...

Also, the side characters and how they relate with each other is beautifully done and I can't wait to read the rest of the series.

[Jess (fromthebookshelfofdreams) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fans of Cora Reilly will love this!

Bell and Alessio's relationship was so sweet to read. Their love evolved throughout the story, and I felt truly invested in the two finding their happily ever after.

I have only just started to get into mafia romance, and I am loving the danger and action of the genre. Deadly Nightshade has just the right amount of drama, and a good helping of spicy scenes. There were some grammatical errors that I do think need addressing, but overall I enjoyed the story that was told in this book. I'm looking forward to reading more in this series.

[Kiyahnah · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was sem thornwood’s debut and she is definitely an author to watch out for. i will say there was grammatical errors throughout the book, but it didn’t take away from my enjoyment. i realize not all indie authors have the resources to go through a ton of rounds of editing and it’s not something i’m going to be nit picky on.

if you like childhood best friends to lovers or angsty forbidden mafia romance PICK THIS ONE UP. love alessio and isabellas story and i’m very excited to pick up the rest of the series.

[Erica Bernier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deadly Nightshade is a Mafia romance about two childhood lovers something we don't see often in the mafia genre.

First of all I got in this book pretty blind, I didn't read the synopsis before and I haven't read any mafia-romance (or much dark-romance) in the past. I ended up really enjoying that book! Sem did a great job with that book. The build up was slow at first since we had a lot of back ground from when Bella and Alessio were younger and it took me a bit of time to get in the story, but once they were adults it flew by like nothing and I read the all thing quickly.

I knew when I start reading it that it was Sem's first book and a self-published one so I didn't focus on the grammatical mistakes or the lack of editing in some part of the book. I simply ignore does and enjoy the story for what it was. And it was a pretty good story! The characters development was really well done and we had enough plot twist and actions to make it perfect.

Let me tell you about the smut in this book! Honestly I a big fan of erotica in books and this one delivered! The chemistry between Alessio and Bella was clear all along the way and I simply love them!

Deadly nightshade made me want to read more of the genre and dark-romance in general! I can't wait to read Angel's trumpet next and find out about Sal and Mia's story!

Please go read this book! It's really worth a try. Simply bare in mind that you'll find some mistake in it, but simply skip over that because that story deserve as many readers as possible.

[faye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely one of my favourite Friends to lovers book.
The MC's were so wholesome and I might've fallen in love with Alessio and his brother.

Antonio is just...phew.
Love him.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[chels ☆ ⋆·˚ ༘ * &#x1f3a7; · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a dream oh my god. So so so so good.

[Luciana · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[shane. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into this book blind and I am definitely not mad about it.

This is a childhood friends to lovers story set in a mafia world. It was refreshing because you don’t get many friends to lovers in a mafia romance. This book was honestly wholesome, in my opinion.

Alessio and Bella’s love story and chemistry was undeniable and passionate. Their love for each other has been there since the beginning, but being raised in their world, they weren’t allowed to be together. As they became adults, their feelings for each other couldn’t be denied any longer. Their boundaries, love, and trust was tested but Alessio was determined and would stop at nothing to be able to love Bella freely.

Deadly Nightshade is Sem Thornwood’s debut novel, and despite the grammatical errors throughout the book, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It didn’t take away from experiencing and enjoying this book. She’s definitely an author to look out for.

[Moni · Rating 5 out of 5]

AlessioBella had served us one of the best Childhood Friends to lovers trope. The longing, pain, love, obsession in this book is so amazing. The bond between Bella and her mother really so painful that I can't even express.

Alessiobella soft moments are so sweet. The way Alessio always see only Bella and how he knew her so much is heartwarming. I am excited for SalMia's book as well as Antonio. I felt so bad for Sal's helplessness in Bella's matter , I just want to hug him.

Mia and Bella friendship, Mia Sal lovehate moments are cute between all the pain. Valerio is still young but I am looking forward how his personality moulds because that boy is being to young for his age

[kissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read every kind of mafia books and this one it's amazing. The feelings are so pure, and the characters minds are so deep that you get to love them in the firsts chapters.

¡Sem Thornwood, I took off my hat with you, queen!

[aria · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars

I actually enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I was. Alessio and Bella were cute but not my favorites. I liked the dynamic of the friend group they have, but I’m mostly interested in Antonio.

I wish there was more of a mafia aspect esp in alessios POV as the author kept telling us he was dangerous and crazy instead of actually showing us. I expect more action from mafia reads.

Also, the romance was a little lackluster, as they were already in love with each other from the beginning so it’s a little stale.

The book def needs editing as there were some grammatical errors, but Ik the authors first language isn’t English and it didn’t affect the reading too bad.

Spoiler alert

I’m also a little confused about a plot point. Why is the capo mad about his son taking his place? It was gonna go to his son anw and that’s the whole point of having an heir??

[şevval · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25
childhood friends to lovers in mafia books are rare...family dinamics were good

[Pia · Rating 1 out of 5]

physically put my phone down multiple times per chapter to force myself to push through this book, so many grammar and spelling mistakes, bad plot, couldnt finish it

[Coco.V]

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