The Italian Son

Forbidden Cruel Italians #4

by N.J. Adel

The finale is here. Are you ready?
I'm not him
I’ve tried everything in my power not to be another Sebastiano Bellomo
It didn’t matter
He shaped me into another version of him and left me to pay for all his mistakes with blood, pain, loneliness and heartache
I’ve become the bad guy, the villain, the killer, the devil, the source of all evil to be burned at the stake while he lives like a king and gets the girl
MY GIRL
But sins of the father never die, and I vow I won't be the only one bleeding for them.

The Italian Son is a DARK Mafia Romance and the finale of the Mafia world in The Italians series. This is Leo's book and CANNOT be read as a standalone. You have to, at least, read The Italian Dom and preferably The Italian Obsession and Savage Crown first.

Genres: Dark Romance, Mafia Romance, Romance, Dark, Italian Literature

389 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 29, 2021

About the author

Another psycho hiding in plain sight, pretending to be normal. Half Egyptian. Loather of cats. Allergic to fake sh*t. Lover of everything dark and spicy.

Get my books on Amazon --> http://www.amazon.com/author/njadel

Get my newsletter-->
https://njadelbooks.com

Follow me on Bookbub --> https://www.bookbub.com/profile/n-j-adel

Ask me anything--> https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

Follow my weird TikTok-->
https://www.tiktok.com/@n.j.adel

Join my FB reader group-->
https://www.facebook.com/groups/NJAde...

Follow my Insta--> https://www.instagram.com/n.jadel/

Reviews

[shereads.pang · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an arc for a honest review.

4.5 Stars.!!! OMG!!!! So many twists and turns that I didn't know who was telling the truth!!! It was insane. But MY HEART HURTS!!!! I was literally at the edge of my seat and couldn't put it down!! I was totally sucked in. I'm quite sad that this is the last book in the series, but I can't wait to see what NJ Adel have up her sleeves next.

You'll have to read the previous books to understand this one. It's not a standalone. I just wish there was a few things that could have been different, but besides that, I loved it.

There's not much I can say without spoiling the book. You just need to know the main thing that drives the hero is vengeance. It is definitely an unrequited love story. It is a dark romance so make sure you check the triggers before reading. But if you love dark romance, you'll love this series. It's dark, twisted, full of secrets, forbidden, intense, and definitely crazy.

[Katerina · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book ruined the whole series for me. What an awful end. If I could give minus 10 stars on this app I would. Because this book doesn’t deserve even 1 star...
I really want to just erase this book from my memory and pretend that it never even existed.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ah no I can't believe this is the last book in this series and I went out with a bang. I don't think there was one book I haven't liked and The Italian Son was the perfect ending to it all.

I can't praise this book up enough. It was just as dark as the others but to me it was more touching in a brutal way. What I mean is that with everything Leo endured in the course of this book. He's so focused on revenge and paybacks that he doesn't take into account what's more important than that. Love and Family. He and Ravenna certainly steam together. They have this tempestuous love/hate relationship. Mainly built on a lack of trust on Leos side. As with all the books in this series though I was completely gripped reading it. It was one hell of a read and a fantastic finale

[Dark Whisper · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best mafia books I've read, and this series is my favorite mafia series ever. It's dark, raw and HOT (sponge bath scene was over the top HOOOT) and very emotional, too. I cried a lot. The scenes with Leo and Tino, Leo and Angel and the final scene between Nicky and Dom gutted me.
I loved the chemistry between Leo and Ravenna. The characters, their pain and their growth were elaborate and deep. The writing perfectly showed us, without rush, at the perfect pacing the change each character went through and the growth they've accomplished. I felt everything.
The perfect ending, the epilogue was amazing, but I can't help wanting more Bellomos!
This series must be read in order and you must read the TW. Dub con, violence, taboo, bdsm, the whole thing a dark romance should be.

[Monica Buck · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just not what I wanted

This is the first series of books I read from this author. I liked the first 3. Dark with obsessive men. It's not that I did not like this book. I did not like the ending for the series. The author wanted to kill off the main character from the 3rd book but instead did permit damage. Something I felt was worse than death. This is what she let us know but her beta readers did not like. Why write a book about him then????? I don't think I will read from this author again.

[One Loves Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ravenna opening chapter is the best ones i read in awhile. She works for the mob and let's just say its not a colourful history how she got under their thumb...no spoilers I will say this she is a strong heroine especially that she doesn't care what happens to her, it's the ones she loves, they are her weakness.

Leo is a son to the mob boss and he wanted nothing to do with it HOWEVER that world followed him into marriage. The marriage however is a torture prison and how he escaped was funny with his one liners...no spoilers

Leo & Ravenna are reunited again. They knew each other from mafia school and she has something to do with disappearance for a year...no spoilers

Ahhhh this book has suspense, action and some VEYR VERY steamy scenes. You can't trust anyone in this book and the one liners & the witty banter is FANTASTIC 😆🖤🔥🥵

☆MUST READ & FAV☆

[Joy Whiteside · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a read. This book was beyond amazing and I am very glad that I had the chance to read it. It moves along at a great pace, has fantastic characters and a story that wont disappoint. This book needs to be on your TBR list, no doubt about it.

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

Are you freaking kidding me!!! This was out of control!! What a freaking roller coaster ride to say the least. I have been waiting for this book to drop and let me tell you N.J. Adel did not disappoint. HOLY CRAP!!! I was captured from page one and could not put this book down I was on the edge of my seat and didn’t know who to believe and was dying to find out what happens next. This is one of those stories that I cannot give a full on balls to the walls review on because it would completely spoil everything just know that this book was MFKN amazing. This story is what a Dark Romance should embody. It literally has everything lies, secrets, spice, heat and all the cray cray you could ever need. Now that is how you end a series. Please take note this is not a standalone and you should really read The Italian Dom first.

[Tamara Dailey · Rating 1 out of 5]

Don't waste ur time


THIS BOOK WAS VERY DISAPPOINTING & STUPID
The author should have stopped at book 3!!!
Don't waste ur time reading this book

[Lucia · Rating 5 out of 5]

"But the devil's son sometimes was worse than his father."

Damn.
I'm still processing this book. The finale.
So many things happen through 3 books.
So, please, read the TW before you enter this dark, dark book, series where even main characters are seriously messed-up.

As we know Leo was introduced in The Italian Obsession and we, well I, did not like him there.
We got glimpses in The Italian Dom. Still not a huge fan. Sympathy maybe.

And now?

I thought Enzio Lanza was my favorite N.J. mobster, but Leo definetly gave him a run for the money.
That boy/man has been through so much.
His trauma resulted in him being obsessed, with not one, but two women in his brief existence.
Thirsty for revenge, after being betrayed by his own father, a woman he thought he loved and basically everonye, he begins his journey to end everyone.

What he didn't excpect was someone from his past suddnely reappearing in his life and making him question everything.


Ravenna mf Berlusconi (not her real name, but you'll find out)
I thought honestly I wasn't going to like her, but I was won over. Everyone saw Leo as this sick monster, only Rav saw him for who he really was. Their scenes were really powerful. She got him.🥺🥺

The thing tho, wasn't just their love story and him realizing the others just fade when he's with her, it's his journey.

What I loved about this book was the writing, like you literarily couldn’t figure out what was about to happen till the near end. It was great, but it also kept me on my toes.🤔 Also it shows how nothing is really white or black, there will always exist the grey areas and that's life.

And Leo's speech. I COULD NOT STOP CRYING LIKE A FREAKING BABY.
I guess we all have daddy issues.

Anyways, epic finale for epic mind-blowing series.🤯


"You stop the screams, Ravenna, even hers."

[Lori Wilen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another smoldering book filled with twists and unforeseen turns to end The Italians series. I am so sorry to see this series end. I have loved each and every book. Thank you to N. J. Adel for providing me with an ARC in return for an honest review. I appreciate being part of your review team. This was an amazing finale. I honestly had no idea where it would end and who would live and who would die. Is it terrible to say that I am so glad Nicole really loves her Dom and it broke my heart in shreds when Leo did what he did at the end. I am still crying a little. Funny that I never really cared for Angel of all the women that we met during the course of the series. I always had a bad feeling about her and I couldn't pinpoint it. Thank you N. J. Adel for giving all these men hearts and feelings underneath their macho and dominant, violent personas. I have to say that even though he might have been one of the cruelest of them all Il Coyote, Dom, is very much in my heart and will always remain my favorite. Leo had me doing a total gemini thing....liking him some of the time and hating him some of the time. In the end good Leo won me over. He was very much loved by his father but too much like him to be around him. I loved the introduction of Ravenna and how she fit into the story so well and glad that Leo realized the others had been obsessions and she was his soulmate and real true love. N.J. you are an amazing writer and so far I have loved everything of yours that I have read. This is a definite must read for those who have been following these yummy Italians and for others who enjoy steamy, dark and suspenseful Mafia romances. Again a huge thank you to N J for having me as part of her team and for providing me with this ARC which will stay on my Kindle to be reread in the future along with the others of the series.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 STARS for The Italian Son by N.J. Adel

Advanced reader copy received from Booksprout and author in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are my own and have not been influenced in any way. Please review author’s suggestion to read the entire series as Italian Son is the final book in the series.

If you were patiently waiting for Leo’s story then you have it but I am pretty sure you will be left wanting more of all these Italians.

This is a spoiler free review but I can tell you all interconnected storylines are resolved in this book.

Can I say that Leo might just be my favorite character? Here I was thinking there could be no way back from Leo’s depravity and dangerous obsession with Lina only to be proved so very wrong and you just have to read his story. His tortured soul can only be saved by true love and he finds that with Ravenna.

There are so many plot twists you will not see coming but I guarantee not only do you want to be along for this wild ride but will embrace every twisted turn and bump in the road.

I recommend this book , the entire series and this author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Daisy Sauceda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know where to start with this review. So when I first started this book I was confused and was like Uh I thought this was to pick up from where the last one left off. Yeah no that did not happen. We get Ravenna's story and then we pick up from the last book. To say I was thrown off, yes I was, cause I did not expect that. So there is a lot going on and we are trying to find out who is behind everything. Well I did not expect that person to be behind it either. However as you read on and you get Ravenna and Leo together, you see something there. It is crazy as all get out because these two are on the same wave lengths. I am not sure if it was because she is a Doctor and studied it so she can read him like a book. He isn't hot/cold with her but blunt and rough at first. All he can think about is getting back to kill his father and take the woman who should have been his wife. He finally realizes a few things though and it paints someone in a bad light. Her sister could not believe it but the truth finally comes out. Now will Leo get a happily ever after and Nicky too? I will say that I did not see that ending coming. What is the price to pay to be happy and will it be worth it? Not all endings are happy or what we wanted. Check out how it all ends.

[britts.bookish.bliss · Rating 5 out of 5]

So Dark, So Heart Wrenching, And So Freaking Amazing!

5/5 🌟 OVERALL
5/5 🖤 DARK
4/5 🌶 STEAM

I am so sad that the Forbidden Cruel Italians series has come to an end. I have enjoyed this series immensely, and NJ Adel did a fabulous job with the concuclusion in 'The Italian Son'.

If you like:
- DARK romance
- mafia
- obsessive
- tons of twists and turns
- steamy reads

"Love wasn’t meant to exist with my sins. Emotions were a curse so bright it squeezed shadows out of my darkness, forcing me to see it all without a chance to hide. And hope, the worst of them all, compelled me to relive desires I’d smothered to survive."

LEO!!! This dude broke me. His character was beyond amazing. 🤧 I'm still not over him. This man gets tortured to near death and still keeps going, seeks revenge, and gets his HEA (the one he always wanted). So much emotion was poured into his character and it shows.

Ravenna's character was unique in a good way. She's the nerd with a backbone that a lot of people are going to enjoy. She's also a fierce protector with a long standing crush on Leo. She makes things very interesting to say the least and I loved it.

Leo and Ravenna have undeniable chemistry, and although this book is steamy, it's not the main focus. You will get a great plot with lots of twists and turns. In other words, you won't be able to put it down. Remember that this is a DARK Romance, situations that occur in this book could be triggering to some.

All the books in this series are about different characters, but to get the full effect reading them in order is highly recommended.

Happy Reading!! 🖤

[Lucid Quill · Rating 5 out of 5]

A most excellent conclusion!

This series has been INSANE. I've loved and hated, felt and feared, and I'm kind of sad to see it conclude. At the same time though, after that ending, a break is needed. 😭🤣This book went for it in terms of BANG factor, SO much was going on and I'll admit I was confused for a minute at the beginning.

Leo has been a character that kept me conflicted, I could never decide whether to love or hate him. His father was easiest for me to dislike, I never really came around on that but it didn't effect my opinion of the series at all. I can honestly say it may have even made me like the series that much more because the characters are written in a way that makes them all so ALIVE.

The end of this book is going to rock most readers. Not at all what I was expecting, I was on my toes the whole way through. Give this series a proper chance, you won't regret it!

[Booksaddict2020 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story is dark, romantic, emotional, twisted, angsty, thrilling, intense and addictive. It is a dark mafia romance novel with gritty characters and a plot line that will completely engross its readers. The continuous twists and turns will keep the readers on the edge of their seats. The story continues at the point it ended in the previous book but is written in the POV of Leo and Revenna (the other protagonists). It is fast paced and comes with a lot of trigger warnings but if the readers are fine with them, they will enjoy reading this one. It is a highly recommended book for readers who like this genre.

Personal Take:
Omg, what an incredible conclusion for extravagant story. I couldn't put this book down, it was everything I want to read in a book. I absolutely loved all the characters and even though the end was bitter sweet for me, I really am contented with this conclusion.

[lf · Rating 4 out of 5]

It all comes down to vengeance and whether he can get it

The Italian Son is the fourth book and final in the Forbidden Cruel Italians series. This is a darker, twisted, intense and roller-coaster ride of a story. You really have to read this series in order to get the full understanding of the characters, the overarching story-line and the passions. So if you have been read this series then you know what you are in for so strap in, grab a stiff drink and get ready to be blown away. This story is about Leo and Ravenna and it takes you to places you never imagined visiting. He is all about revenge, against his father. But there are still secrets to be uncovered that will rock his world along the way.

I received a copy of this book and am leaving my honest review. My opinions are all my own.

[Michelle The Outgoing Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

The series ends on a bang. So many twists and surprises in this story and I was along for the ride. If you’ve read the other books, you’ve met Leo. He is a complicated character that definitely needed his side told.

The end of the last book left readers in suspense as to how his story would go. It made you question all you’ve read in this series. But you’ll fall in love with him like I did. Ravenna is the perfect person to quell his dark side since she understands what makes him tick.

Buckle up readers because there is a HEA for them but there is some things concerning the other characters that may make you a bit angry on how things turn out.

* I received this book as an ARC for an honest review.

[Teresa Juckett (Love Dark Reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew that when Leo's book came out that it was going to be cray cray, because this guy has issues. All he can focus on is vengence toward his father and get the woman he thinks is his back. I never would've guessed the way this story went. I thought this was to pick up from where the last one left off. Yeh no that did not happen. So many twists and turns that I didn't know who was telling the truth. You'll have to read the previous book's to understand this one. It's definitely not a standalone.

[Hayley Briana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m so sad that this is the end of this series!

It keeps you on your toes and you won’t be able to put it down! I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this book with Leo, but I loved it! So many twists and turns you won’t have a clue what the truth is until it’s all over.

NJ outdid herself! She’s quickly become my favorite dark mafia romance author and I can’t wait to see what else is in store!

**This is dark! Make sure to check triggers and this is also NOT a standalone

[Hazel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A breathtaking conclusion.

OMG I couldn't read this final book fast enough!! For the first time I felt some sympathy for Leo but I honestly believe what he did to Domenico at the end was too much... maybe half as much at the most. Then again I've really liked him since he first graced the pages and this book didn't change it. I mean he is hot AF, dark and twisted so how could I fail to love the guy?

[Katie Peach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again N J Adel has done it again! Every book I’ve read of hers has kept me captivated and wanting more!
It kept me on the edge of my seat trying to figure what was the truth and what was coming next, lots of twists throughout! I’m absolutely gutted this is the final book! But I’m sure what N J Adel has planned next will be just as amazing as this series.
I won’t give any spoilers but trust me when I say you NEED to read this book and the entire series! Get your tissues and your chocolate ready because it’s gonna be a bumpy ride!

[Sissy's Romance Book Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Italian Son by N.J. Adel is book 6 in The Italians Series. This is the story of Leo Bellomo who had been betrayed and kidnapped for almost a year. Now he is seeking revenge. Leo didn't want any part of his father's world and though he had feel in love but that when everything happened and he was taken. Now he ends up taking Ravenna who is a therapist and also someone that had a crush on him when she was younger. This book isn't a standalone book I thought. But it did keep me turning the pages.

[Christi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Speechless

This book like all the others is excellently written. But I only gave this a 4 because of my personal preference, I read to escape my reality and in my fantasy there's always a happy ending for everyone and this book made me bawl..... my heart is shattered 😭😭, but at the same time I've been in a book funk for almost 2 years and I must say this series took me our of it even though I may need a little time to recover. Again another beautifully written piece that will have you so engrossed in it you forget everything but the pages between this book ❤️ ✨️ ♥️

[Carole D Hutchison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tragic reality

The history of the mob or Mafia Has changed over the years from the time of this story takes place . The evil that surrounds the Mafia is still evident today but not as Vicious as what was portrayed in this story.
Territory honor loyalty he have always been the Creed of Mafia And that was clearly betrayed in this story It's a kind of story that when you read it you realize that there is more evil in the world then we can ever imagine Was a well written story by the author portray the mafia in various ways

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was amazing, it was a landslide of emotions, tragedy, and hot steamy chemistry. There was so much involved in this story that it made the ending that much more satisfying, everything wrapped up nicely. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.

[Felicia's Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg N.J Adel is coming one of my favorite for mafia romance. This book was amazing this book had so many twist that you are want to keep reading just to find out what will happen. This book is part of series and you should read the others to understand this book. I can't wait for more.

[Jaynie Hatton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please read. You won't be sorry.

I never ever would have guessed the way this story went. I am so very glad I could binge read the last 2 books. Get the Epilogue, too, if you can. Thank you for having this on Kindle Unlimited.

[Manisha Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is sooooooooooooooo good I'm loving the storyline and I love the chemistry the characters have . This is a great book series .

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the finale to The Italians series. This follows Leo and Ravenna. It is an emotional, raw and dark read. Character are dynamic, have depth and are well written. This was a fantastic way to end this series.