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Owned By The Don #1
Blood and Beauty
A Mafia Prisoner Romance
“You’re mine, Esmeralda.”
His amber eyes track me as I move away from him slowly. He’s a predator in the wild and I am his next meal. His scent and presence are so overpowering that it makes my knees tremble in anticipation.
Never have I been this attracted to a man, especially a man that I should hate. Especially from a man who’s taken everything from me.
Esmeralda is just one semester away from graduating college and on her way to opening the restaurant of her dreams. Dante is a ruthless mafia monster that walks in the daylight. Neither of them would've ever crossed paths until Esmeralda's mother makes a dire mistake that leaves them both merciless to the cartel and the whims of it's captivating leader.
Blood and Beauty is a dark, modern-day, mafia spin on Beauty and the Beast. This is the first book in the new 'Owned by The Don' Trilogy from author Callie Vincent.
“You’re mine, Esmeralda.”
His amber eyes track me as I move away from him slowly. He’s a predator in the wild and I am his next meal. His scent and presence are so overpowering that it makes my knees tremble in anticipation.
Never have I been this attracted to a man, especially a man that I should hate. Especially from a man who’s taken everything from me.
Esmeralda is just one semester away from graduating college and on her way to opening the restaurant of her dreams. Dante is a ruthless mafia monster that walks in the daylight. Neither of them would've ever crossed paths until Esmeralda's mother makes a dire mistake that leaves them both merciless to the cartel and the whims of it's captivating leader.
Blood and Beauty is a dark, modern-day, mafia spin on Beauty and the Beast. This is the first book in the new 'Owned by The Don' Trilogy from author Callie Vincent.
218 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 26, 2021
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January 6, 2022
1.5 Stars
I had a longer review of why the Heroine is terrible, but it deleted😅 so, overall the heroine is an immature brat and completely ruins the book. The premise was good but it just went downhill from the beginning. She's just as abusive as her addict mom, constantly hitting people or thinking of hurting them. When she's not wanting to hurt someone, her personality shifts between fearful/shy to mean brat. She is constantly making stupid decisions too. Who goes up to a drug warlord and tries slapping them? And because she supposedly wants to hurt him so bad, it's embarrassing how she's constantly turned on over him and initiates the first kiss and masturbates thinking of him right after being kidnapped. She even gets jealous of seeing him in a picture with another woman. You literally have only known him a week and he's your kidnapper 😐It would also be great if we didn't have to constantly read about her nipples perking up 👍
Also, one blaring inconsistency that annoyed the F outta me was their ages. Heroine is about to be 21, and in the beginning she stated that her mom was 36, so she must have been 15-16 when she got pregnant. Yet when her mom was talking about how she got pregnant, she said she got pregnant at 19, so the ages don't match up. Also, the heroine described the hero as being in his 30s or older than that, and yet he said he was only 30??
Overall, could have been a good book if the heroine didn't act like she was 12 and there wasn't such a blaring inconsistency
Safety: dnf @45%
Dnfed so I'm not sure about some details, but no virgins, no ow/om drama up to the halfway point.
I had a longer review of why the Heroine is terrible, but it deleted😅 so, overall the heroine is an immature brat and completely ruins the book. The premise was good but it just went downhill from the beginning. She's just as abusive as her addict mom, constantly hitting people or thinking of hurting them. When she's not wanting to hurt someone, her personality shifts between fearful/shy to mean brat. She is constantly making stupid decisions too. Who goes up to a drug warlord and tries slapping them? And because she supposedly wants to hurt him so bad, it's embarrassing how she's constantly turned on over him and initiates the first kiss and masturbates thinking of him right after being kidnapped. She even gets jealous of seeing him in a picture with another woman. You literally have only known him a week and he's your kidnapper 😐It would also be great if we didn't have to constantly read about her nipples perking up 👍
Also, one blaring inconsistency that annoyed the F outta me was their ages. Heroine is about to be 21, and in the beginning she stated that her mom was 36, so she must have been 15-16 when she got pregnant. Yet when her mom was talking about how she got pregnant, she said she got pregnant at 19, so the ages don't match up. Also, the heroine described the hero as being in his 30s or older than that, and yet he said he was only 30??
Overall, could have been a good book if the heroine didn't act like she was 12 and there wasn't such a blaring inconsistency
Safety: dnf @45%
Dnfed so I'm not sure about some details, but no virgins, no ow/om drama up to the halfway point.
March 7, 2022
I was looking for something dark and dirty to read through my KU lists and found this beauty. I have never read Callie Vincent before, but the blurb sounded way too good to pass up.
Emmie wants to be independent and start her own business after she is out of college. But when her life is rearranged for her, these dreams seem very far away. Dante is the reason she has to leave her dreams behind. All of this will question their future, can these two find love in the middle of war and mafia lives.
I can't wait to jump into the next book.
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Emmie wants to be independent and start her own business after she is out of college. But when her life is rearranged for her, these dreams seem very far away. Dante is the reason she has to leave her dreams behind. All of this will question their future, can these two find love in the middle of war and mafia lives.
I can't wait to jump into the next book.
Blog: http://myfantasylandblog.com/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/fantasylandblog
Twitter: https://twitter.com/fantasylandblog
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fantasyland...
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/27664...
December 16, 2021
Tf was that
Read
July 23, 2024dnf at abt 45%
July 31, 2023
Can't waite to have book 2 to read this serie. I really enjoyed it
June 6, 2022
2.5⭐️
🌶🌶🌶 - it’s pretty frequent and descriptive but relatively short and vanilla compared to other novels I’ve read
I kept going for the spice and to see if Dantè becomes the book boyfriend I want him to be but it doesn’t seem like it’s gonna happen.
I actually didn’t particularly like this book or this series. I think it’s because the characters are unlikeable and they don’t make sense.
Esmeralda is supposed to be sassy and strong but mostly she reads like a hormonal spastic teenager. She’s yelling at Dante at the oddest times and being a bit of an a**hole at times that just don’t make sense. She’s also doing all of this before she really knows him as a person. All she knows is that he’s a notorious crime boss that could kill her and she chooses to throw what are essentially temper tantrums. I didn’t like it and it made her annoying.
The romance seems to come out of nowhere. Yes there’s some lusty moments and the spice happened quickly but that’s fine. But the deeper feelings the characters are expressing feel really out of place.
Dante is either indifferent toward Esmeralda, lustful for her, or sappy sweet. Lustful Dante us the only one I liked…. Which left alot of time that I wasn’t a huge fan.
There are soooooo many typos.
🌶🌶🌶 - it’s pretty frequent and descriptive but relatively short and vanilla compared to other novels I’ve read
I kept going for the spice and to see if Dantè becomes the book boyfriend I want him to be but it doesn’t seem like it’s gonna happen.
I actually didn’t particularly like this book or this series. I think it’s because the characters are unlikeable and they don’t make sense.
Esmeralda is supposed to be sassy and strong but mostly she reads like a hormonal spastic teenager. She’s yelling at Dante at the oddest times and being a bit of an a**hole at times that just don’t make sense. She’s also doing all of this before she really knows him as a person. All she knows is that he’s a notorious crime boss that could kill her and she chooses to throw what are essentially temper tantrums. I didn’t like it and it made her annoying.
The romance seems to come out of nowhere. Yes there’s some lusty moments and the spice happened quickly but that’s fine. But the deeper feelings the characters are expressing feel really out of place.
Dante is either indifferent toward Esmeralda, lustful for her, or sappy sweet. Lustful Dante us the only one I liked…. Which left alot of time that I wasn’t a huge fan.
There are soooooo many typos.
October 3, 2021
Another great cartel romance :) looking forward to book 2. 5 stars.
November 16, 2024
Mid (still gonna finish the series)
March 19, 2022
the only reason this book gets 2 stars is I refuse to give a review just to say i did not like it .......another reason is NOWHERE does this book refer to being a series so the BOOK endss as a CLIFFHANGER and I despise cliffies.................. LET THE READER KNOW !!!! I mean it's not thta hard to say ends in cliffhanger due to being a series...........
The premise of the story is as all mafia type .. Kidnapping, falling in love so to speak .....for this reader it went downhill from the beginning. She's been neglected all her life yet she still loves her abusive addicted mom,... ??why?? she goes to get her mom to sign some papers so she can attend college on her own and be done with her mother but ......... yep you guessed it mom and daughter get kidnapped cause wrong place wrong time .. and all that ..................she hates her mom , she loves her mom ... she hater her kidnapper ..... she loves her kidnapper ........ Ugggggg the female character is constantly thinking of how she can hurt Dante or her mom...... her personality shifts between fearful/shy to a hateful mean brat. She is makes stupid decisions too. Who goes up to a drug warlord and tries slapping them ? she supposedly wants to hurt him so bad, because of what he is doing to her and her mom .............. yet she so hates / loves her mom...............she's constantly turned on once they kiss and masturbates thinking of him right after ........... She even gets jealous of seeing him in a picture with another woman. .............You literally have only known him a week ..........also it gets repetitive about her nipples perking up........ uugggggg ........ then the whole thing is >>Dante is completely infuriating but there is still something about him that her heart beats for him at times . Emmie by no means has had a good life but she is a true survivor and has fought to make a life for herself and true love........... ??? another negative maybe just needed better editing .. who knows...... the story has inconsistancies........At one point he is 30 and then he is 40. Her mother’s age was mentioned at 36 and yet she was 19 when she got prego......so how old really is the mom ?? daughter is barely 21 or wait was she 20 ? if she is 19 mom is 36 she would have got prego at 17 ............he was supposedly i think barely 20 when dad was killed 10 yrs ago ...or was he 12 ? .........took 2 hours to get to campus the first time and then an hour other times. The book has A lot of inconsistencies in this readers opinion ... and even now can't remember all of them ... I really did not care for the story itself ... disappointed I wasted 2 hrs
The premise of the story is as all mafia type .. Kidnapping, falling in love so to speak .....for this reader it went downhill from the beginning. She's been neglected all her life yet she still loves her abusive addicted mom,... ??why?? she goes to get her mom to sign some papers so she can attend college on her own and be done with her mother but ......... yep you guessed it mom and daughter get kidnapped cause wrong place wrong time .. and all that ..................she hates her mom , she loves her mom ... she hater her kidnapper ..... she loves her kidnapper ........ Ugggggg the female character is constantly thinking of how she can hurt Dante or her mom...... her personality shifts between fearful/shy to a hateful mean brat. She is makes stupid decisions too. Who goes up to a drug warlord and tries slapping them ? she supposedly wants to hurt him so bad, because of what he is doing to her and her mom .............. yet she so hates / loves her mom...............she's constantly turned on once they kiss and masturbates thinking of him right after ........... She even gets jealous of seeing him in a picture with another woman. .............You literally have only known him a week ..........also it gets repetitive about her nipples perking up........ uugggggg ........ then the whole thing is >>Dante is completely infuriating but there is still something about him that her heart beats for him at times . Emmie by no means has had a good life but she is a true survivor and has fought to make a life for herself and true love........... ??? another negative maybe just needed better editing .. who knows...... the story has inconsistancies........At one point he is 30 and then he is 40. Her mother’s age was mentioned at 36 and yet she was 19 when she got prego......so how old really is the mom ?? daughter is barely 21 or wait was she 20 ? if she is 19 mom is 36 she would have got prego at 17 ............he was supposedly i think barely 20 when dad was killed 10 yrs ago ...or was he 12 ? .........took 2 hours to get to campus the first time and then an hour other times. The book has A lot of inconsistencies in this readers opinion ... and even now can't remember all of them ... I really did not care for the story itself ... disappointed I wasted 2 hrs
July 4, 2022
I like the story well enough but two things annoy me; firstly, wrong spellings especially the word fazed which the author spells phased repeatedly. Secondly, she said Esmerelda is 21 and her mother is 36 yet the mother was raped by Juan Carlos at 19🤷🏾♀️If she was raped at 19 she gave birth at 19-20 and this means either the mother should be 40-41 not 36 or Esmeralda should be 16-17 not 21 in order for the timelines to match.
The author has very good storylines but needs to be more serious about attention to detail and accuracy.
The author has very good storylines but needs to be more serious about attention to detail and accuracy.
September 9, 2023
Dark and a telling short 23 chapter book about Emmie and Dante the Mafia lord from Columbia. She is kidnapped on charges of her mother stealing from Dante's contraband (drugs and money) and he knocks her out for "her" / "his" safety. Upon waking up there becomes a clear cut desire of this devil in Prada. After some hours later and answers to some questions go unanswered ... or well... answered halfly, she learns about her background and why this man is so engrossed in her life and her mothers.
A week mind you is what it takes for the sexual tension to start.
the FMC battles between her want for Dante and the understanding that she should NOT want this dangerous, dark, controlling Mafia lord. But something draws her closer. If you can get by the fact that he was 20 when she was conceived by and that he had kept her as a lavished prisoner for a week under different situations that may have been romantic. But remember ladies and gents - this is a dark mafia romance its not meant to be rainbows and sunshine.
She has known this man three solid weeks, he buys her a new wardrobe, takes her to a personal event gala on his property and she finally breaks. Finally decides this man should be kept 'far' from her reaches and mind. But the book ends on a cliffhanger I love the way that Callie writes this book, the detail, the angst, the emotions. Though the FMC does battle between her mental and emotional want and desires for the MC I was still wiggling in my seat each chapter I read.
A week mind you is what it takes for the sexual tension to start.
the FMC battles between her want for Dante and the understanding that she should NOT want this dangerous, dark, controlling Mafia lord. But something draws her closer. If you can get by the fact that he was 20 when she was conceived by and that he had kept her as a lavished prisoner for a week under different situations that may have been romantic. But remember ladies and gents - this is a dark mafia romance its not meant to be rainbows and sunshine.
She has known this man three solid weeks, he buys her a new wardrobe, takes her to a personal event gala on his property and she finally breaks. Finally decides this man should be kept 'far' from her reaches and mind. But the book ends on a cliffhanger I love the way that Callie writes this book, the detail, the angst, the emotions. Though the FMC does battle between her mental and emotional want and desires for the MC I was still wiggling in my seat each chapter I read.
June 20, 2023
[1/5]
Lees "retelling La Bella y la Bestia" con temática mafiosa, romance adulto y escenas spicy y piensas: De cabeza me tiro... y bueno acabas tirándote a una piscina vacía.
No os miento cuando os digo que ha sido una decepción total no, lo siguiente. Es cierto que he encontrado todo lo que prometía, no puedo negarlo, pero ha sido todo un sin sentido, lleno de conversaciones tontas que no llevaban a ningún lado y con un enamoramiento que no tenía ningún tipo de base.
Es por esto por lo que he leído los tres libros corriendo porque me da mucha rabia no terminar una historia solo porque el primer libro no me haya convencido y bueno... pues, al final, no me ha convencido ninguno.
Sí puedo decir, sin entrar en ningún spoiler, que el libro más flojo y sin sentido es el primero porque no llegas a comprender el comportamiento de los protagonistas y de dónde procede ese deseo. En el segundo te llegas a medio creer un poco la relación que tienen porque los dos no pueden parecerse más en el fondo y, por esto mismo, se hace un poquitín menos pesado.
En el tercer libro sí tengo que reconocer que me ha sorprendido el compartimiento de los protagonistas porque es como si le hubiesen dado la vuelta como a un calcetín. Su relación me ha parecido un poco más sana, aunque no mucho y, también, más aceptable. Eso sí, la trama en general es la más aburrida y lineal de toda la trilogía.
En general, es una trilogía que te da lo que te promete pero que, por desgracia, no está a la altura de las expectativas que tiene.
Lees "retelling La Bella y la Bestia" con temática mafiosa, romance adulto y escenas spicy y piensas: De cabeza me tiro... y bueno acabas tirándote a una piscina vacía.
No os miento cuando os digo que ha sido una decepción total no, lo siguiente. Es cierto que he encontrado todo lo que prometía, no puedo negarlo, pero ha sido todo un sin sentido, lleno de conversaciones tontas que no llevaban a ningún lado y con un enamoramiento que no tenía ningún tipo de base.
Es por esto por lo que he leído los tres libros corriendo porque me da mucha rabia no terminar una historia solo porque el primer libro no me haya convencido y bueno... pues, al final, no me ha convencido ninguno.
Sí puedo decir, sin entrar en ningún spoiler, que el libro más flojo y sin sentido es el primero porque no llegas a comprender el comportamiento de los protagonistas y de dónde procede ese deseo. En el segundo te llegas a medio creer un poco la relación que tienen porque los dos no pueden parecerse más en el fondo y, por esto mismo, se hace un poquitín menos pesado.
En el tercer libro sí tengo que reconocer que me ha sorprendido el compartimiento de los protagonistas porque es como si le hubiesen dado la vuelta como a un calcetín. Su relación me ha parecido un poco más sana, aunque no mucho y, también, más aceptable. Eso sí, la trama en general es la más aburrida y lineal de toda la trilogía.
En general, es una trilogía que te da lo que te promete pero que, por desgracia, no está a la altura de las expectativas que tiene.
May 21, 2024
What in the fifty shades of hell did I just listen to? Argh!!!
I do not like using the word hate, however, there is not a stronger word I can use to describe my feelings for Emmy. I mean WTF girl! I have been reading for a long time and have never had a DNF, but this year, with these dumb ass books, I have a steadily growing pile. This one would have been added to it if I did not enjoy the narrator's voice.
Why is it a thing now for all the FMC to be dumb? And what is it with all the age gaps??? I'm sick sick sick to death of it. And the sex! OMG, the sex!!! You can't turn a page without some kind of sexual activity going on. You come home from school, orgasm! She looks at him for too long, orgasms! A man pays her some unwanted attention, orgasms! Can we get a storyline going on, some action, other than orgasming all over the place? Is that too much to ask for? Oh and let's not forget about the line, which when the narrator started the sentence, I just rolled my eyes because I knew what was coming. You know the line, " I don't make love. I fuck. I fuck hard." Like really! I do not think I have enough fingers or toes to count the number of times he touched her cervix.
Let's not forget about the childishness. I mean I would expect that of her, but even at the age she was at it was still a bit much. But him, there was no excuse for his behavior. I get it. It's fiction. But damn it, the book is still suppose to make sense. Besides reading is my escape, it makes me happy. But this book did not!!!
I do not like using the word hate, however, there is not a stronger word I can use to describe my feelings for Emmy. I mean WTF girl! I have been reading for a long time and have never had a DNF, but this year, with these dumb ass books, I have a steadily growing pile. This one would have been added to it if I did not enjoy the narrator's voice.
Why is it a thing now for all the FMC to be dumb? And what is it with all the age gaps??? I'm sick sick sick to death of it. And the sex! OMG, the sex!!! You can't turn a page without some kind of sexual activity going on. You come home from school, orgasm! She looks at him for too long, orgasms! A man pays her some unwanted attention, orgasms! Can we get a storyline going on, some action, other than orgasming all over the place? Is that too much to ask for? Oh and let's not forget about the line, which when the narrator started the sentence, I just rolled my eyes because I knew what was coming. You know the line, " I don't make love. I fuck. I fuck hard." Like really! I do not think I have enough fingers or toes to count the number of times he touched her cervix.
Let's not forget about the childishness. I mean I would expect that of her, but even at the age she was at it was still a bit much. But him, there was no excuse for his behavior. I get it. It's fiction. But damn it, the book is still suppose to make sense. Besides reading is my escape, it makes me happy. But this book did not!!!
December 29, 2021
3 1/2 stars - just shy on the 4
The storyline read for me as POV of one person - Esmeralda. As per usual, a storyline foundation needs to be set and it is done here. It will be near the end of the book half when Dante makes his POV.
- Questions as to why Emmie never understood her mums addiction to drugs and liquor. Her parenting and neglect, incapable of loving her, all because of a trauma that happened to her.
There are sections within the book that are stimulating, yet also has a basic level read. It’s like being teased with something more but not quite receiving.
Esmeralda (Emmie) is playing a double edge sword with Dante, a criminal of the underworld. Realising finally who her male spouse is and what he has done to Dante. Dante though, is still after revenge, or is he seeking to pursue what he shouldn’t have - Emmie.
Cliffhanger - yeah. Throughout the storyline it appeared to have been Emmie’s POV, nearing near the end is a POV by Dante. His is short therefore leading into next instalment. Presented throughout was the hatred and Retribution Dante wanted and still wants.
Answers will be divulged in next book. A neglected Emmie who made a positive choice in life to better herself. Being in the clutches of Dante changed everything. Was it steamy - Yes, but who benefited the most?
In order to totally appreciate this series, One needs to read the next instalment
The storyline read for me as POV of one person - Esmeralda. As per usual, a storyline foundation needs to be set and it is done here. It will be near the end of the book half when Dante makes his POV.
- Questions as to why Emmie never understood her mums addiction to drugs and liquor. Her parenting and neglect, incapable of loving her, all because of a trauma that happened to her.
There are sections within the book that are stimulating, yet also has a basic level read. It’s like being teased with something more but not quite receiving.
Esmeralda (Emmie) is playing a double edge sword with Dante, a criminal of the underworld. Realising finally who her male spouse is and what he has done to Dante. Dante though, is still after revenge, or is he seeking to pursue what he shouldn’t have - Emmie.
Cliffhanger - yeah. Throughout the storyline it appeared to have been Emmie’s POV, nearing near the end is a POV by Dante. His is short therefore leading into next instalment. Presented throughout was the hatred and Retribution Dante wanted and still wants.
Answers will be divulged in next book. A neglected Emmie who made a positive choice in life to better herself. Being in the clutches of Dante changed everything. Was it steamy - Yes, but who benefited the most?
In order to totally appreciate this series, One needs to read the next instalment
November 1, 2023
I would give this book 3⭐️ or a LEMONS rating, which is a solid start to the trilogy.
My top ten quick thoughts are:
🍋Beauty and the Beast Retelling
🍋Dark Romance
🍋Traumatic Past
🍋Mafia
🍋Age Gap
🍋Forced Proximity
🍋Emotional Scars
🍋Betrayal
🍋Dangerous Attraction
🍋Cliffhanger
Before it get into my review I want to clarify a quick fact, I love Beauty and the Beast. For that reason, I really need to be captivated by the story for any retelling. I am more critical of retelling because I enjoyed the original story since I was three.
In this book, Emmie is not the girl who wants to stand out. Life has been just dealing with her mother’s addiction and having to try and keep their life in some sort of order. Her way out of falling into the addiction was always supposed to be college.
So when she had to go home to get her mother’s signature on some papers, frustration sets in when she finds her mother has falling back off the wagon. In doing so she betrays Emmie when she emptied her college fund. For the longest time, addiction was the biggest struggle of their lives until men kidnap them and Emmie’s life was turned upside down when her mother’s darkest secret comes to life.
The storytelling in this retelling is interesting. There are parts I wish were more flushed out. Since this book was left on a cliffhanger I will continue with the next book in the trilogy, which is Pain and Pleasure.
My top ten quick thoughts are:
🍋Beauty and the Beast Retelling
🍋Dark Romance
🍋Traumatic Past
🍋Mafia
🍋Age Gap
🍋Forced Proximity
🍋Emotional Scars
🍋Betrayal
🍋Dangerous Attraction
🍋Cliffhanger
Before it get into my review I want to clarify a quick fact, I love Beauty and the Beast. For that reason, I really need to be captivated by the story for any retelling. I am more critical of retelling because I enjoyed the original story since I was three.
In this book, Emmie is not the girl who wants to stand out. Life has been just dealing with her mother’s addiction and having to try and keep their life in some sort of order. Her way out of falling into the addiction was always supposed to be college.
So when she had to go home to get her mother’s signature on some papers, frustration sets in when she finds her mother has falling back off the wagon. In doing so she betrays Emmie when she emptied her college fund. For the longest time, addiction was the biggest struggle of their lives until men kidnap them and Emmie’s life was turned upside down when her mother’s darkest secret comes to life.
The storytelling in this retelling is interesting. There are parts I wish were more flushed out. Since this book was left on a cliffhanger I will continue with the next book in the trilogy, which is Pain and Pleasure.
January 15, 2022
Esmeralda a twenty year old girl who wants nothing but finish last semester of her school . But fate has decided something different for her . Soon she's in clutches of a mafia man due to her druggy mother .
"I'll prefer you call me master " he said .
She defies him not following the rules but cannot deny the attraction between them and how badly she wants him between her legs .
But the story goes deeper than just a punishment due to her mother .
" You are mine ...you are mine to protect...you are mine to fuck "
She's nothing but a leverage for him against his enemy...her father .
He's doing his best to protect her and use her as a leverage and not get wound up in the undeniable in the process because he knows he's a monster who can Destroy her .
I love dark characters because they have their own story that make you connect to them and I loved Dante's character even if he's not much expressive .
The female character is sneaky and irritating but I just tolerate her for the sake of the mafia man here . If something happens she wants to run away from it and not talk and sort it out even when Dante is trying which irritates me the most about her .
The female character could have been more stronger and not naive giving her past in the story .
The steamy scenes are on point 🥵🥵🥵.
I'm eagerly waiting for how the story goes a must one time read .
"I'll prefer you call me master " he said .
She defies him not following the rules but cannot deny the attraction between them and how badly she wants him between her legs .
But the story goes deeper than just a punishment due to her mother .
" You are mine ...you are mine to protect...you are mine to fuck "
She's nothing but a leverage for him against his enemy...her father .
He's doing his best to protect her and use her as a leverage and not get wound up in the undeniable in the process because he knows he's a monster who can Destroy her .
I love dark characters because they have their own story that make you connect to them and I loved Dante's character even if he's not much expressive .
The female character is sneaky and irritating but I just tolerate her for the sake of the mafia man here . If something happens she wants to run away from it and not talk and sort it out even when Dante is trying which irritates me the most about her .
The female character could have been more stronger and not naive giving her past in the story .
The steamy scenes are on point 🥵🥵🥵.
I'm eagerly waiting for how the story goes a must one time read .
April 12, 2022
Me ha gustado mucho pero siento que son de las trilogías que te van a enganchar más a partir del segundo libro, solo por la manera en la que termina este primero y como son los personajes.
Dante es un capo que tiene varios clubs y que se mueve en un mundo de oscuridad, donde un error o debilidad puede hacerte caer de los más alto. En cambio Esmeralda es una chica que a tenido que salir adelante desde que era una niña ya que su madre es una drogadicta y su padre nunca ha formado parte de su vida. Son dos personas de mundos parecidos pero con futuros y sentimientos diferentes, pero todo eso hará que caigan una espiral de deseo, odio y puede que amor.
La pareja me ha gustado desde el principio, creo que en el segundo libro me gustará mucho más y quiero leer muchas más escenas de Dante y Esmeralda y ver cómo va surgiendo el amor 🖤
Dante es un capo que tiene varios clubs y que se mueve en un mundo de oscuridad, donde un error o debilidad puede hacerte caer de los más alto. En cambio Esmeralda es una chica que a tenido que salir adelante desde que era una niña ya que su madre es una drogadicta y su padre nunca ha formado parte de su vida. Son dos personas de mundos parecidos pero con futuros y sentimientos diferentes, pero todo eso hará que caigan una espiral de deseo, odio y puede que amor.
La pareja me ha gustado desde el principio, creo que en el segundo libro me gustará mucho más y quiero leer muchas más escenas de Dante y Esmeralda y ver cómo va surgiendo el amor 🖤
August 14, 2022
Love this story!
Can you say cliffhanger!! Good thing I'm able to start the 2nd book right now !
I love the whole story, the setting and the build up of the characters.
The chemistry between Dante and Emmie? 🔥 I wish I was her 😉
This book is well written, where I can vividly play out what's happening in my mind and also feel the array of emotions from each character as they go from enemies, to lovers, to enemies again. A vicious cycle that one of them will obviously have to break eventually.
Dante is a controlling man, but one with good intentions and ready to protect Emmie at all costs in the deep world of drug trafficking and cartel exposure. The desire and passion is so raw between the two of them, I can't wait to see what happens in the next two books!
Can you say cliffhanger!! Good thing I'm able to start the 2nd book right now !
I love the whole story, the setting and the build up of the characters.
The chemistry between Dante and Emmie? 🔥 I wish I was her 😉
This book is well written, where I can vividly play out what's happening in my mind and also feel the array of emotions from each character as they go from enemies, to lovers, to enemies again. A vicious cycle that one of them will obviously have to break eventually.
Dante is a controlling man, but one with good intentions and ready to protect Emmie at all costs in the deep world of drug trafficking and cartel exposure. The desire and passion is so raw between the two of them, I can't wait to see what happens in the next two books!
March 8, 2024
The FMC was not likable for the majority of the book (like 90%) which made this a tough read and being under 300 pages that’s not good. It was clear that the author wanted to write a FMC who doesn’t take shit. But she ended up writing a bratty teenager 🤷🏻♀️
The only reason I didn’t DNF was because it was short enough that by the time I definitely wanted to DNF I had under 100 pages left.
It ends on a cliffhanger; the cliffhanger was predictable. However, the FMC finally stops acting like a whiny teenager so I am willing to see what happens.
Would I tell someone to read this book? NO🛑
Am I going to give the author a chance to redeem her writing in the second book? YES 😐
Do I have any respect for my time? Nope 😎
The only reason I didn’t DNF was because it was short enough that by the time I definitely wanted to DNF I had under 100 pages left.
It ends on a cliffhanger; the cliffhanger was predictable. However, the FMC finally stops acting like a whiny teenager so I am willing to see what happens.
Would I tell someone to read this book? NO🛑
Am I going to give the author a chance to redeem her writing in the second book? YES 😐
Do I have any respect for my time? Nope 😎
September 25, 2024
DNF at 50%
I should get an award for making it this far.
This is one of the worst books I've suffered through this year, starring one of the most repugnant female leads I've had the displeasure of coming across. (And, in case you're wondering, the male lead is only microscopically better, if he's better at all.)
If I had to force someone I hate to read a book, I think this would have to be one of my top choices.
An intriguing premise with decent writing ruined by an uninteresting story, underwhelming and horrendously captured characters, and enough melodrama to drown entire cities.
I would list everything wrong with this book, but I've already wasted enough time on it.
I do not recommend this book whatsoever.
I should get an award for making it this far.
This is one of the worst books I've suffered through this year, starring one of the most repugnant female leads I've had the displeasure of coming across. (And, in case you're wondering, the male lead is only microscopically better, if he's better at all.)
If I had to force someone I hate to read a book, I think this would have to be one of my top choices.
An intriguing premise with decent writing ruined by an uninteresting story, underwhelming and horrendously captured characters, and enough melodrama to drown entire cities.
I would list everything wrong with this book, but I've already wasted enough time on it.
I do not recommend this book whatsoever.
December 22, 2023
Dropped at 47% - 2.5 hrs of reading. I felt like the set up wasn’t horrible but once Dante called Emmie “pequeña” it gave me the ick. I’m fine with age gaps in relationships but something about it was off. Then you find out he’s been keeping tabs on her since before she was born and he’s 20 years older ? That feels so gross. Not to mention the writing is so repetitive, like how many showers is Emmie gonna take by the end of this book. Almost halfway through and you don’t even know anything about him besides “big scary danger sexy Latin man”. As a Latinx person it’s stereotypical and uninteresting. Hints of a revenge plot for his motives are coming up for him and it’s lazy to me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 26, 2022
SOLO QUIERO DECIR ES ENSERIO ..... QUE LA HISTORIA SEA TRASCURSO MONÓTONA Y QUE AL FINAL NI QUIERA ACABE
HABLEMOS DE LA HISTORIA
1.Odieeeee que solo sea ella y ella y ella y ella y sigue y sigue narrando la pero resulta que el último capitulo PUF AL FINNNNN NARRE EL .y lo dejan abierto para el próximo libro que no se si lo lea.
2.Pero como soy masoquista como la protagonista pero que si lo lea hablando de ella Diossss que estrés mi loca PARE YAAAA
(INSERTAR MEME )
Y LA PERRA SEGUÍA Y SIGUIA
En fin no hay mucho que evaluar
3.5⭐
4/5🔥
HABLEMOS DE LA HISTORIA
1.Odieeeee que solo sea ella y ella y ella y ella y sigue y sigue narrando la pero resulta que el último capitulo PUF AL FINNNNN NARRE EL .y lo dejan abierto para el próximo libro que no se si lo lea.
2.Pero como soy masoquista como la protagonista pero que si lo lea hablando de ella Diossss que estrés mi loca PARE YAAAA
(INSERTAR MEME )
Y LA PERRA SEGUÍA Y SIGUIA
En fin no hay mucho que evaluar
3.5⭐
4/5🔥
October 9, 2021
This was a great story and I am In serious need of the next book… Dante is completely infuriating but there is still something about him that my heart beat for. Emmie by no means has had a good life but she is a true survivor and has fought to make a life for herself and truly love. These two together are explosive there chemistry is Fire and the push pull they have has you on the edge of your seat. I can’t wait for the next book..
June 22, 2022
Intense!!!!
I love Esmeralda and Dante. Their angst and passion are surreal. The story line is awesome and I never had a moment where I wanted to skip ahead because I was bored. Callie Vincent built her characters so well, their personalities swept me through the pages in search of their passionate happily ever after, I am destitute now that I have to wait for the next book!!!!
I love Esmeralda and Dante. Their angst and passion are surreal. The story line is awesome and I never had a moment where I wanted to skip ahead because I was bored. Callie Vincent built her characters so well, their personalities swept me through the pages in search of their passionate happily ever after, I am destitute now that I have to wait for the next book!!!!
August 27, 2022
🤦🏻♀️ ugh
"I guess it's a blessing I don't look like her-my mother. Though we share the same eye colour I am an exact replica of a man I've never known."
"I run my fingers along the photos in my hand and stare at the man who helped create me...I look more like my mother, but I have a few of his features and all of his colouring, I really don't look like him at all, something that I am grateful for."
These two quotes taken from different sections of this book sum it up perfectly. 🤦🏻♀️
"I guess it's a blessing I don't look like her-my mother. Though we share the same eye colour I am an exact replica of a man I've never known."
"I run my fingers along the photos in my hand and stare at the man who helped create me...I look more like my mother, but I have a few of his features and all of his colouring, I really don't look like him at all, something that I am grateful for."
These two quotes taken from different sections of this book sum it up perfectly. 🤦🏻♀️
April 2, 2023
This book had aot of potential but kinda fell short. This book was just email pov only and ends on a cliffhanger. She is a brat and immature most of the book. Her mom is a drug addict that stole from a drug cartel and he comes to take them to his house to work it off only emmie was there at her house to get signature to finish school. She hates Dante but also lusts after him. It was just ok book I will read the trilogy in hopes it gets better
July 15, 2023
I don't remember ever reading a retelling of Beauty and the Beast. this one was done pretty well through the book we see how it stays true to the main things that made that story while adding the mafia world to it. And a lot of layers made this book so intriguing.
The plot and characters are well thought through.
Still, somehow I felt there is something that didn't click for me but definitely made me intrigued.
Can't wait to find out all the hidden secrets and what happens in the next book.
The plot and characters are well thought through.
Still, somehow I felt there is something that didn't click for me but definitely made me intrigued.
Can't wait to find out all the hidden secrets and what happens in the next book.
October 7, 2021
Good
Really liked the book. The story was a little confusing at the beginning but later on made sense. The interaction between the characters was interesting but it also picked up later on in the book. I enjoyed reading it but it is a cliff hanger so will have to wait to read the next one which I will definitely do.
Really liked the book. The story was a little confusing at the beginning but later on made sense. The interaction between the characters was interesting but it also picked up later on in the book. I enjoyed reading it but it is a cliff hanger so will have to wait to read the next one which I will definitely do.
December 22, 2021
2.5 Stars.
"Sometimes, it’s not awful having the bad guys on your side.
Especially if they’re the best of the bad.”
Narrated in Dual POV (but 95% is female's) and book 1 of Owned by the Don Trilogy which ends on a Cliffhanger.
It was an okay read, not too good but not too bad either.
"Sometimes, it’s not awful having the bad guys on your side.
Especially if they’re the best of the bad.”
Narrated in Dual POV (but 95% is female's) and book 1 of Owned by the Don Trilogy which ends on a Cliffhanger.
It was an okay read, not too good but not too bad either.
September 28, 2021
Enjoyed the content ,different
Lots of darkness. Hoping Emmie could escape from her and mother's situation. Dante needs to show more compassion, but his line of work,can't afford to be soft. I enjoyed this, different from what I usually read. Good for a variety.
Lots of darkness. Hoping Emmie could escape from her and mother's situation. Dante needs to show more compassion, but his line of work,can't afford to be soft. I enjoyed this, different from what I usually read. Good for a variety.
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