At First Sight

by J.L. Beck, Monica Corwin

It was obsession at first sight.
The moment I saw her I knew I had to make her mine.
Turns out she needed me more than I needed her.

This is a short prequel to the book Vow To Protect and is not a standalone.

Genres: Romance, Dark, Amazon, Mafia Romance, Contemporary, M F Romance, Novella

45 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 17, 2021

About the author

J.L. Beck is the USA Today Best Selling author of unapologetic romance. She lives in WI with her husband, two kids, and four dogs. She enjoys writing and recently starting a literary agency to help represent authors in the industry.

To learn more about her books or interact with her go here: https://linktr.ee/jlbeckbooks

J.L. Beck xoxoxo

Reviews

[april ♡ probably reading smut - safety reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5

This was a great introduction to the series! In it, we learn that Valentina is being abused by her fiancee, Sal... and so is her best friend, Rose. She's determined to find a way out of the arranged marriage and help Rose get out.

They go to a party and that's when Valentina meets Adrian. It's obsessive love at first sight! Adrian knows she's engaged to be married, but he's determined to have her. He doesn't know she's being abused (yet).

What happened to Rose at the end was sad. I can't wait for Sal to get what's coming to him! Onto the next book in the series <3

SAFETY:
Ages: unknown for right now
Virgin/celibate: virgin heroine, unknown for hero
OM/OW drama: OM drama, she's engaged but she does not want to be.
Tropes & Keywords: mafia, arranged marriage, star crossed lovers
Triggers: abuse, rape (not involving h or H)
HEA?: cliffhanger!

[C. Hallman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect start into this dark and twisted love story. You do not want to miss this!

[vxhexn reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I. Need. More. (brushes hand over forehead…and releases a breath) thankfully the next book is already out. Talk about a cliffhanger of uncertainty.

Valentina Novak is the daughter of a despicable man who’s not only a mob boss but a trafficker. And he has given his daughter as a prize to an even slimier man named Sal. I’m thankful that he’s not going to be the hero in this story. All Sal deserves is a shallow grave.

Now Adrian Doubeck on the other hand is a man I crave to know more about. Val coins him “the kind of monster other monsters fear.” And I absolutely cannot wait to witness Sal quake in fear.

Dark and decadent start to the story and I can’t wait to read more.



𝓋𝓍𝒽𝑒𝓍𝓃 𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹𝓈
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[Aղցela W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the prequel to "Vow To Protect " . In this book we are introduced to Valentina Novak A mafia princess who is being abused by her father and the man he is forcing her to marry Sal. Valentina meets Adrian at a party she is at along with Sal and her cousin Rosa. Adrian wants her and he hates seeing her with Sal. On the way home Sal hits her. This was a pretty good start to a new series to me. This book was well written with no errors in grammar or spelling. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

[Jess Brady · Rating 4 out of 5]

That certainly piqued my curiosity....

Adrian became obsessed instantly the moment he saw Valentina but with a crime war brewing and him getting ready to take his place at the head of his family he can't let his emotions get ahead of him. One encounter with the stunning young woman leaves Adrian promising to make her his, and that fiancé of hers is just one more obstacle he has no problem killing to get what he wants...

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon & on Apple iBooks today (6/23/2021)!🎁

[Vallsykes · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 "cliffhanger-ish" stars
This came close but didn't quite get there (yet) to giving me mafia vibes like Twisted Emotions or Reaper. For right now, I haven't found a mafia series more engrossing (to me) than CR's Camorra Chronicles world or Zavarelli's Boston Underworld. Neva Altaj's Perfectly Imperfect series might get there Broken Whispers.

Entering this mafia world brings us Valentina and Adrian's story, both morally gray characters, IMO, but obviously Adrian is more gray of the two. Valentina is already promised when Adrian sets his sights on her, and she is taken through the ringer by her absentee father and her "cray-cray" fiancé.

I was shaking my head through this strife that Valentina is put through at first: 1 b/c Adrian knowingly exacerbates it but comes in to rescue too late; 2 b/c some of the violent scenes seem either disjointed, ill-matched with the characters, or underdeveloped.

Anywhoo, this is of the duet trend, and it is book 0.5, so I am hoping when diving into book 1, there is more development before triggering scenes and this specifically calls to mind the plot devices of flashback and amnesia! /ugh

Let's hope the mystery connection Valentina has with Adrian's past is executed satisfyingly. But I have a feelings it is being used to cause a 3rd act, or cause a separation plot. We'll see.

Adrian is obsessive and he handles his young wife a bit brutally sometimes, especially when his demons are riding him. I didn't mind this dangerous edge, but it is tied to Adrian having zero tolerance for lies or betrayal, even though Valentina was a pawn before he met her. So Valentina either needs to grow more spine or....idk.

Happy Reading.

[Clara Atkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

At First Sight is the prequel to Vow to Protect
Valentina is in a tough predicament she is living in a house where her father hates her and has her marrying Sal his business partner whom she can't stand to be near. Both men are ruthless and cruel and both have no problem with using her as a punching bag. Her only saving grace/ best friend and living relative left is her cousin Rose who lives with her. She will do anything to keep her safe. Even calling someone who was known to be scarier than her father and Sal. Adrian the man she thought was nice and charming who actually is a mafia boss she met at the gala that her cousin called a monster and warned her to stay far away from. Unfortunately she needed a monster that other monsters feared and that is Adrian.
What an intense and captivating glimpse at a new dark mafia romance. I can't wait to see what happens next in Vow to Protect.

Five ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Gladys · Rating 5 out of 5]

This prequel is just an irresistible and oh, so tempting taste of what you can look forward to in the upcoming dark mafia romance that starts with, A Vow to Protect . Valentina and Adrian's story looks to be intense, twisted, raw, gritty and hot. If you are a dark romance fan like me, I think you'll love it. I know I did and I'm really looking forward to this series.

[Vanessa (bookfairy95) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the prolongued prologue for the Vow to Protect series and it was short of course, but also so so good and such a tease, too. lol Definitely be prepared that you will want to continue with the actual story immediately after. <3 (and that one is addicting!)

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a great prequel! I can't wait to read more about Val and Adrian.

[Reading by Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Valentina was excited at attending The Society's opening season gala as it would be her first time attending any party and relieved that her cousin and best friend Rose was attending with her even if their escort was Valentina's fiance Sal. The man her father was selling her off to.

Sal was one of her father's business partners and they were both ruthless sinister monsters, but Sal was pure evil. Every Friday while her father was away in meetings Sal viciously enjoyed forcing her to watch video after video of him and his men touching and abusing the children that his family trafficked. She was sick to her stomach at the horrors inflicted on them and the only nice thing her father had ever done for her was letting Sal know that he could not touch Valentina until they were married. So Sal took his sexual frustrations out on her with his fists.

Adrian was hosting this year's open season gala. Open season...three months where everything shifts. Alliances will be made...blood will be shed...criminal activity including murder...another gala is held after the three months and mandatory nine months of peace with a severe penalty from the hands of all the ruling families for anyone crossing the line. No one has survived this punishment.

Adrian couldn't wait to serve justice to his enemies, but no-one besides his closest soldiers know that he is also looking for a wife and as he looks across the room his attention is caught by a beautiful woman who is obviously scared of her escort. When he runs into her later near the restrooms he hands her a black card with only a phone number in gold lettering telling her to call if she ever needed anything.

This is a short prequel to the Doubeck Crime Family duet. It is very well written and draws you in immediately with well developed characters. This book doesn't have a HEA and Valentina and Adrian only spend a few minutes with each other, but it gives you background into Valentina's desperation and why she gets involved with the man feared and hated by all.

Highly recommend!

[Christy Davisson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good start that definitely will having you wanting more if this story.

This is a short Prequel to A Vow to Protect coming in August. It let's you see the main two characters Valentina and Adrian. Both are in crime families and are considered the higher of the mafia. Adrian is taking over for his deceased father and to avenge his mother's death. He's know as the monster and most fear him. Valentina is the daughter who is mistreated by her father and her soon to be husband Sal and just wants away from her life but needs to protect her cousin Rose as much as she can. So with one meeting and only a few short sentences Valentina and Adrian have a connection and seem to understand one another.

You get to see Valentina make a choice to use the number of Adrian to help her and Rose from the monster Sal but will Adrian be her monster slayer or will he be just another monster waiting to take from her? Only time will truly tell.

So I feel like this has some serious potential to be a great story, so I can't wait for the next part to come out. If you like dark romance and the mafia grab this little short story and get ready for a small glimpse into this new world.

[lovelust andbloodygoodbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Josie and Monica for sending over this incredible book.

Wow, I just can’t think of a word to describe this instalment. It’s literally taken my breath away and I couldn’t put it down I was that obsessed with what was going to happen next. It's got everything you could want in a book, suspense, heat, passion, anger, sadness and raw edginess.
I can’t wait for the next instalment and couldn’t believe the way it ended in that cliffhanger, I nearly keeled over when the page ended I wanted more. Omg, when is Promise to Keep going to land in my lap ladies the suspense will kill me 😀.

Valentina is the daughter of an abusive man who sets her up to be married off to Sal an even worse man who’s also abusive to her. Valentina meets a man who she thinks is beautiful, Adrian he speaks to her with respect and when they meet for the first time they are both taken by each other. He offers her his card and tells her if she ever needs anything to call him.
One night Sal is particularly nasty to her cousin Rose and Valentina can’t take it anymore so decides enough is enough and calls Adrian to make a deal.

Overall Rating 💋💋💋💋💋
Passion Rating 💋💋💋💋

[Twinsie Talk Angie J · Rating 4 out of 5]

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At First Sight by Monica Corwin and JL Beck
I received this book from the author for an honest review.
After reading this short story, I am ready to dive right into this novel. Valentina is engaged to her awful dad’s douchey business partner who believe hands are for hitting. While she is scared of him and her dad, she leans on her bestie/cousin Rose for help. While at a business dealing, she sees Aiden. Both seem to be transfixed by the other when they learn who the other is. She is told he is the monster to fear, and he drawn to her innocents.
The story flies and gives us a brief introduction to each character. We soon see at the end how they come to be together.

[Lindsey Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved getting a taste of what's to come in Adrian and Valentina's world! This is a quick read of the mafia world these two live in but it is packed full and gives just the perfect amount of plot that keeps you needing to read the whole story!! Valentina is already promised to another very abusive man when she meets Adrian for a short time at a party she attends. You can feel the electricity between them when it happens. Some of the things that happen in this book could definitely be a trigger for someone so if you're someone who can't read those kind of books just know they're in it but for me I have none so I just loved the whole thing. It does leave on a cliffhanger making me just need more!!! I can't wait to see where these authors take the rest of this story!!!

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you believe in love at first sight???!! This is a prequel, a dark mafia romance filled with drama, emotions, violence, danger and suspense leading to an entertaining and all consuming short tale which has me hooked and intrigued. Adrian has his eyes set on Valentina who is promised to another but we have to wait patiently for A Vow to Protect before we get our answers!!!!! I was given this as an ARC by the authors in exchange for a voluntary honest review which I was totally happy to provide.

[Charlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

At First Sight, the prequel to Vow To Protect, is a short introduction to the world of mafia princess Valentina Novak and Adrian Doubeck. When Valentina’s father decides to marry her off to another mafia family, he allows his daughter one last night out at a gala where she meets Adrian. Although her cousin Rose, her constant companion and surrogate sister, warns her that Adrian is a monster, he just might be what Valentina needs to help rid herself of Sal. An interesting glimpse into this new world which leaves you waiting to see what happens in Vow To Protect.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dual perspective, both his and hers. Off with a bang, some inner monologue, some banter/conversations with those close to the main characters. Very well written to get you sucked in and invested in the characters. Starts dark and stays dark. I love their writing because it makes you want to keep going, next thing you know you are left with a HUGE cliffhanger. (Don't worry the next book is out and ready for the reading.) Also this is also found as a prologue of the first book in the series, I didn't realize that I was reading the same thing at first, oops.

[Jd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Prelude

This was a great prelude to what promises to be a great series.
Adrian is a handsome, strong and determined new boss. Valentina is a young woman in a virtual prison created by her father. She is promised to a mean and violent man.
Adrian is captured by Valentina's beauty, while hosting a party for all members of the "society". Although she is promised to another, he is determined to have her as his future " queen ".
Trigger warning: there is physical and sexual abuse.

[TINA WILLIAMS · Rating 4 out of 5]

At First Sight is an action-packed prequel to a full length novel coming soon. Valentina is a sheltered princess promised to a slimy, evil man. She is forced by her father to endure his daily abuse. She meets a mysterious man at a party and she is intrigued. He can’t stop looking at her even though she is promised to another. I can’t wait to see what happens next. This great little novella left me wanting so much more.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intriguing prequel to Vow to Protect, I think I need to read the next book now. Valentina's father insists that she marries Sal, but Valentina knows she doesn't want to marry him. I can see that Valentina and Adrian's story is going to be not for the weak hearted, with the cruel men around her, and the cutting world they have built. Bring on the next book.
I am voluntarily reviewing a copy I received, and giving my thoughts and opinions on it.

[Jeanette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a prequel novella with only 5 chapters. But WOW those chapters are packed with a lot. It is a well written story with wonderful characters. Seeing Adrian and Valentina meet and interact, you just know this is the way it is meant to be. Unfortunately Val is promised to another, Sal, who is a less than desirable person. It should be noted there are several trigger in this short story. But it’s definitely worth a read.

[Misty Warner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book. This is a prequel to Vow to Protect. It's a short 5 chapters that are packed full and leave you ready to find out what happens.
Valentina is promised in marriage to Sal. Her father doesn't care what happens to her and Sal has made it his mission to hurt her in every way possible. Valentina has to find a way out even if it's from the help of a monster.

[Chalan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like it, but not alone.

I haven't read the book that this is a prequel to, but I really want to now because of this. The one thing I didn't like is that this doesn't feel like it's own story because it's not. It's really a prologue or teaser, and though it says that, I just felt like it by its self feels a bit off. Though because it's free I'm not mad at it.

It's a fun and quick read, and definitely left me wanting to try her other book out.

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

I raced through reading this prequel so quickly because it completely drew me in. A slimy, abusive fiance, an awful father and a mysterious stranger - Adrian. With Valentina stuck right in the middle of it all. It was a cracking start but my only criticism is that i now have to wait for the full book now. I cant wait

[Christine Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

She is being forced to marry a man who is being abusive towards her. She n her cousin goes to a party. They were having fun and everything. they meet this man who is the stunning. Who offers his card for her to use if needed. It ends in a huge cliffhanger. Can't wait to read the next book

[Shawna Jimenez more.books.forever · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need more of Adrian and Valentina now!! What a great start to their story and I am really looking forward in where this is headed. I think Val is way stronger than everyone thinks and Adrian I think would burn the world to the ground for Val even though she’s not his……. Yet!!! I can’t wait!!!! There is some ish that is about to go down and I am here for it!!

[Sabrina Wannet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this prequel because I love Beck's books. All were sooo great and this one was no different. Valentina a maffia daughter afraid of Sal and her Father. Poor Rose makes you want to protect her dearly. And Adrian damn I can not wait to read more about him. This story was like a prequel should be, strong, tensed and it is making you damn curious about the rest still to come.

[Alex Ciz_naughty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This blurb made me so mad!!!

And sad and hoping for vindication!! That monster needs to be dealt with, ASAP! A bunch of poncey shite it was! If I hadn’t already reward what happens next I’d be even more furious! As it is, I’m going to re-read now in anticipation of the 2nd? 3rd?? book coming out NYE!