Consigliere Jack Barsanti has worked his way up from nothing, survived a vicious mafia war and, proving his loyalty, done time for his crime family, the Lo Cascio. He’s devoted his life to defusing tensions, reining in volatile men, and keeping the peace between the three crime families in Port Francis to prevent another bloody war. All the time harboring one devastating secret that would cost him everything.
Enter Salvatore Rausa. A boss himself, Sal doesn’t care about peace or the feelings of other made men. The war has cost him the wife he dearly loved, and he’s bided his time to prepare for payback. But he needs intel to wipe the Lo Cascio off the map first.
Nobody in their right mind would lay a hand on a rival family‘s consigliere. Nobody except Sal. When he grabs and bags Jack Barsanti, he knows the clock is ticking. He needs to work quickly to make Jack spill his secrets. Except when he interrogates Jack and uncovers the weaknesses of his enemies, he gets a whole lot more than he bargained for.
Content words: suicidal ideation, organized crime, threats of sexual violence, dubcon, mental health (depression), minor character death (past, off-camera), murder (mostly off-camera), grief, bereaved spouse, drug use (voluntary and involuntary), corruption, domestic violence (off-page), bisexual rep, demisexual/graysexuality rep
Is it possible to be obsessed by how a person writes? Because Aleksandr sir, I am with your writing. 💅🏻💅🏻
I can't even explain why, this was not perfect but it was addictive, it had some aspects that felt real and others that felt ott, wich I guess is a perfect combo. And the characters were 🤌🏻🤌🏻, I'm still recovering from all this hotness. *faints*
At the beginning we have a kidnapping and then Stockholm syndrome happened and I actually understood why, I mean they were both bad people, they respected each other, their fucked up morals and their own standings, and more importantly Sal understood Jack, he gave him life back again and I was so happy with that.
My only complaint is that they didn't have much time together on page, the story didn't allow it much and then it ended and I'm so sad. So Aleksander sir, another book would be really appreciated. 🥲🥲
And a book of Enzo and Spadaro it's also really needed, LIKE RIGHT NOW!!!! 😫😫😫
Also, thank you author for not making the dead lover a bad person to fit the narrative. Sal loved his wife, adored her, but she's dead so he decides to try again. And that was lovely to see, is not use to create a romance by destroying another romance, so...
✦ i enjoyed this, but not as much as i wanted to enjoy it. ✦ the plot wasn’t anything that new, original, or surprising, and everything happened incredibly smoothly. i just kept waiting for some shit to go down wrong, so i could get some action lol. ✦ the romance… i wasn’t really feeling it tbh. it just seemed like the switch between enemies to lovers happened way too quickly. something just felt off with the way the dynamic just suddenly changed between Sal and Jack. ✦ i feel like this book could have been absolutely amazing with an extra 100 pages or so. it would have allowed for more relationship development and a deeper exploration of the mcs. ✦ i liked the way the dead spouse thing was approached in this book a lot. sure, Sal fell for Jack and fell hard, but he didn’t suddenly start undermining his feelings for his dead wife either. i see that happen a lot in other books. the way characters fall for someone else, after losing their significant other. the way they’re like “i never felt like this with my dead ex omg what” lmao. anyways... it was nice to see that not happen here. ✦ seeing the iconic assassin Spadaro again from the Dark Soul Vol. 1 series was very nice. still love him. i also liked Enzo a lot as a side character. ✦ i still devoured this book and enjoyed it overall, because something about AV’s writing just simply always works for me. but my standards when it comes to his books are way higher than this book delivered.
This book had a lot of things to love, interesting characters, and an intriguing story with dark and kinky elements. Sadly, the pace was all wrong for me. It felt rushed to me. 😞
I'm a fan of Voinov's earlier works, especially Special Forces: Soldiers. The spark of genius in that book is not present here. I see similar vibes - gritty atmosphere, strong men in love, a war going on (mafia war here) and some BDSM and kinks. But overall, this book is such a letdown. The writing just felt uninspiring, and the plot not well thought out. I mean, the mafia war looked like a joke, too convenient and easy, with zero resistance, and victory made possible by a stupid mafia boss.
But it's not my biggest complaint. The internal reflections in this book are such a torture to read. They're everywhere, like a constant voice in your head that you want to shut down. The internal thoughts slowed the book down to a drag, especially in the first 30% of the book, so slow I almost DNF'ed then.
There are, however, a few bright moments in the book towards the second half. Plus the sex is hot. These things keep me from giving the book lower ratings.
I heard from the author this novel is his swan song in the mm romance genre, as he's moving to another genre (possibly mainstream SFF). That may be the reason for the lack of inspiration in this book. Here's hoping he'll find his brilliance again in the new chapters of his writing career.
SILVIO! My baby!!! 😍 This book deserves an extra 0.5 star just for the unexpected, delicious cameo by Voinov’s best creation ever. And in drag, too. *faints* I wanna see him play with Enzo so much… 🔥😈 Not gonna happen (or is it 👀), but a girl can dream!
I liked this. It wasn’t as dark as I’d expected, unfortunately, but I really enjoyed the first part — before ‘enemies’ became ‘lovers’. It was gritty, exciting, and kept me on the edge of my seat for hours. Jack’s inner monologue was bleak and depressing sometimes, but it felt real, in a way that pulled on my heartstrings. Voinov’s writing is always good, but there were some turns of phrase here, whole paragraphs even, that were simply lovely. Guess I like ‘suicidal ideation’ very much if it’s done right, and I loved it in this book.
Then the romance happened, and it was okay. The chemistry was off-the-charts at first, but then it kinda… mellowed, I guess? Plus — one of my biggest pet peeves — the guys caught feelings WAY too fast! As for the sex… It was tender and considerate and gentle, even hot to some degree, but it was just too vanilla for these guys, imo. 🙈
[Here let me mention Sal’s deceased wife, Catia, who was such a no-nonsense, sensual and FUN person. I loved reading about their marriage (wouldn’t mind reading a full-length book featuring them as the main couple, in fact), despite MF romance/erotica not being my go-to genre for years now. Such an honest, loving relationship, such open communication, is truly a thing of beauty in my eyes.]
The ending bored me a little, tbh. Those domestic vibes… 💀 But all in all, I had fun.
Aghh I really liked the part Jack pulls that stunt while getting waterboarded but I was disappointed when he seemed to give up after that. I mean, not that I like the Lo Cascio family exactly but loyalty means a lot to me and reading a book where the protagonist seems to have given up, while for a good reason, I couldn't read further.
Gosh it’s been a while since I loved a MM mafia romance THIS much!! Interesting plot and nicely spread out over the whole book! (Also YAY for the length. I was so happy when I saw the page count! It’s long and allows for heated scenes but also proper character development (altho there can always be more imo haha especially the side characters aaaa! I read that there are books about them so gonna check those out!) I really liked the distinctive personalities of the characters: the dangerous, tempting bad guy vs strong willed good guy vibe was also 👌🏼👌🏼
Throw in some awesome side characters ( - funny and sexy and interesting -more mature, idk if they are bad or good vibe - strong yet sub who deserves something for their own ) with the potential of a new book(s) about them cause they are so interesting -> me = happy 😌
ALSO the kinks, yesss this created so many good opportunities for both “this is hilarious moments & deep “I gotta trust you, yet I shouldn’t trust you but I do and I’m struggling with myself now moments” - and it was just 🥵 definitely not over the top, just the perfect dose! 👌🏼
Some one plot development was a bittttt anticlimactic LOLOL but overall I really loved this book! It kinda felt like a heated slow burn - teasing you and stringing you on with finally a happy ending 😏😌😂
My kryptonite is reading dark romances. I’d say this is probably not close to romantic. But it had all the tension and anxiety inducing emotions that a good dark ‘romance’ should have.
Jack wants to keep the peace and has hidden who he is sexually all his life. He presents as a Demi sexual but wouldn’t identify as such. He’s just hidden that part of him self. Knowing it would mean his death if The Family and the boss knew he was gay.
He’s been pushed into making a life altering decision and this places him in a vulnerable position where Salvo a bereaved widower has revenge on his mind and he’s starting with Jack.
The trigger warnings are important to read. Jack and Sal’s start is far from the best and this will test you as a reader. No spoilers- but the turning point came and thank goodness for that.. as it had me on the edge and a little bit anxious.
A good story… one that I think I’d like to have had more, because I liked how these two were, once the tension was gone.
I had no idea what I was getting into and it certainly didn't include a 45-year-old virgin consigliere who also is gay and a 30 something bisexual and versatile Mafia boss who sometimes fucks his straight capo (who later turns bi in the end).
I will say that I really enjoyed the first half of this book, the latter half was a little bit lackluster, but still good. This book was surprisingly easy to get through - if I could, I would've probably finished this in one sitting. And I'm always weak for a dark mafia romance.
This was my first book from this author and I'm intrigued to look through their other works.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Absolutely brilliant, with characters showing growth throughout, and being immensely likeable despite their jobs/places in society. This is going straight onto my reread pile.
What a huge let down this one was. It's just drags on and on. Jack is an interesting character I suppose but I really don't like Sal. Can't see this story going anywhere that will satisfy me in any way.
Review by Gloria Lakritz Review Chair for the Paranormal Romance Guild 5*****Stars Book: Burn This City Author:Aleksandr Voinov Publisher:Self Published Release date: Sept 13, 2021 Pages: Genre: Gay Romance Rated: Mature Theme
A year ago, Voinov’s Mean Machine was released and was a breath of fresh air….This year Voinov has also gone to what he knows best! Bad Boys, murder and two men who are both so broken.
We meet Jack Barsanti Consigliere for the Lo Cascio family. Living in Port Francis he has worked hard to keep tensions to a minimum as three families share the town. He survived the last war and was promoted to this position….But, in the family you are never safe.
Voinov gives us a tremendous background story, as to let us see what cost it is to be Jack Barsanti and we are also learn who Salvatore Rausa was and is now. Sal being one of the other Crime family bosses who has all become a ghost due to the death of his beloved wife.
As we learn about these two opposite men, Jack so in the closet he fears he must produce a fake bride to his boss to keep his secret hidden. Jack has no way of knowing Sal Rausa has other plans. Before he starts another war Sal needs Intel to wipe the Lo Cascio family off the map first.
Voinov does what he does best, setting the story up slowly for the reader. I found he was whispering in my ear, ”you need all this information, soon, soon” generating a slow unpeeling and then when you Need the story to move on….WHAM! Nobody would harm a family’s Consigliere….But Sal Rausa is desperate….. It was an easy plan, he breaks into Jack’s home….No one would expect it and when he grabs Jack he knows time is of the essence.
To this point in the story we have the background and the setup! These maybe 20 chapters have been very enlightening; but from this moment, the reader is now taken to the very guts of the story!
The rest of the book moves in a much faster pace as Sal and Jack learn about each other. Being a captive with a bag over his head, Jack is helpless. When Sal’s second his Capo Enzo unrolls a bag of torture tools and starts laying them out before Jack, things get really ‘real’ ! These few days were strange for both Jack and Sal as they grow to ‘see’ each other And maybe they have more in common than the differences they first thought…These chapters were difficult and yet insightful into both damaged men and you actually are forced to love the Bad Guys.
Soooo, Sal called his retired friend in Italy, Mafiosi Gianbattista Falchi, retired consigliere. He requested him to send a hit man to America, and that was arranged for the next day. Fans will love who showed up to help!!!
Again, this book is not for the feint of heart, but the heart palpitations and surprises were soooo worth it!! I really enjoyed this story and always will look for an Aleks Voinov Coming Soon!!!
Holy Hot!!!! I don’t think there are many authors who can match the depth and the realism of Voinov’s stories and what a talent when it comes to story telling. What an amazing, emotionally charged tale of two made men. It made my stomach twist and I loved every second of it. Many claim to write dark stories but Voinov actually delivers and then some. I savor this authors work because he is so good and also because I know I want the aftercare post finishing his books by just thinking about them for a little longer. I thought special forces was one of a kind but god how this story grabbed me by the throat and kept me gasping for more till the very end. I had to blink few times because I wasnt ready to let go of Jack and Sal. How do you weave such tales and please! more!
I should have gone back and read the Dark Soul series first, although it isn’t necessary before reading this one. Silvio is worth it. They are simply the first Mafia books I read by the author. No one writes a dark mafia story much better than Voinov. Excellent, mildly kinky steam levels. Terrible editing/proofing or maybe the wrong draft was uploaded.
Couldn't get invested enough in the characters to get through to the end. Also everything that was going on was kind of preposterous, honestly.
Sure, lets start with threats of gruesome torture, then instead just drug the victim and steal all his secrets. This will obviously lead to sex and love. Hope you're writing this down, kids.
I really enjoyed this book, having read the previous two in the series. Somehow, the author makes me care about what happens within and around a frankly murderous Mafia "family" and those drawn in by their machinations. These are not admirable people, but they are human and have feelings, which lead to complications. The plot galloped along, and I wanted to hear more about the main characters by the end. Recommended.
This book was so good! I love the enemies to lovers trope, plus I love a mafia romance. Both of these characters fit so well together and they fix each other's broken pieces. Definitely loved the ending, and the spice in this one.
This is getting five stars for two excellent characters but I will admit that the external plot takes a dive for the last 100 pages and is not nearly as satisfying as the beginning promises. But I can easily overlook that when I have Sal and Jack who are both excellent. Especially in the detail and care Voinov explores and explains polyamorous dynamics, homophobic environments, and demi/graysexuality.