They call him Romeo—though no one would accuse him of being a romantic.
Troy ‘Romeo’ Rosa has been a mystery for years. A mercenary used to working away and taking orders from his tutu wearing, ruthlessly savage boss. Her domineering ways mean his most recent assignment should be a walk in the park. The last thing he expects is a family so corrupt, it may destroy Checkmate from the inside out.
Troy’s target is a mafia princess. She’s the heiress to an empire that profits from the horrors forced upon the vulnerable.
After a carefully orchestrated attack on their home, her criminal father insists on hiring someone from outside the organization to protect his most valuable acquisition—her. They think they’re getting a soldier, but the man who arrives for the job comes with his own agenda—bring down this empire and put an end to the damage they do to women all over the world.
If Troy’s target should prove to be too difficult: bed her. If she gets too close to discovering Troy's true identity: put a bullet between her eyes and get out of Dodge.
But what happens when secrets are revealed that have the power to break the Checkmate family? And worse; what the hell is Troy to do when he falls for the mafioso’s daughter?
Emilia Finn is an Amazon Top 20 bestselling, Australia-based author with more than 55 books written and published to date.
She's a mom, a coffee addict, a collector of quirky coffee mugs, and before she had kids, she was a real-life full-contact fighter.
Her experience on the fight circuits helped her pen her first ever book—Finding Home—featuring a world champion MMA fighter Bobby Kincaid, and his leading lady and equal in every way, Kit Reilly. What was only supposed to be a once off experience instead turned into a career for Emilia, a thriving empire, and a daily grind she never wants to be rescued from.
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I was not expecting this to be a merging of the Checkmate series and this one, so that was a pleasant surprise. I was sucked in from the beginning until the very end. There were a lot of twists that I didn't see coming.
The characters were great as was the storyline. Until the end, where I felt like there were some plot holes. The biggest was how someone survived. However, even with those holes, I still loved this book and loved seeing my old favorites from CheckMate.
4.5 stars. Slow burn steamy romance, suspense and twists. My best recommendation, read Emilia's books in publication order, or there will be spoilers. Read the Checkmate series before the Gilded Knights series.
This book was just perfect. If anyone has has read Emilia’s prior works, this book had a lot of those feels. I’m talking the Checkmate Series. Infact, I would even say it may be beneficial to read that series prior to this book in the Gilded Knight Series. With that being said, Troy was everything I hoped for and more! The big bad softie, falling for the mafia princess.
Troy has become her bodyguard and it’s now his mission to take down her father. Until he begins to have feelings for Slim (nickname) then his whole mindset of skewed. They are on different sides, or are they? They two have a great connection with great bickering banter between them. This book is on the mild side with actual action, but the dirty mouth on Troy was quite entertaining.
Life comes full circle for Slim, and she must choose between her father or her lover, who betrayed her, but in the end whose betrayal was worse?? The fact that they were able to move past everything, including Sophia (read the books then you’ll understand 😉) mean their connection is strong and worth it. I loved how Slim was so strong despite all the shit that was thrown at her in life. I mean she really had the shit stick. Troy was Romeo, and well he lived up to the work name, that’s for sure. A little walk in the rain 🌧 anyone??? 🥰
⚠️ darker themes including @buse, a$$ault and hum@n traff!king ⚠️
Emilia Finn is… amazing. Read this one; read them all…
If you are reading this one as a stand alone, it will work. But… for full effect, read the Checkmate series, then the Gilded Knights series. Yes, that’s a lot of books, and YES it is worth your time. After that, come back, read this one. This is the ending of the Checkmate series that I wanted. The original “last book” was great, but I know I needed more resolution. I knew I needed something else, but wasn’t sure what. So, I just kept reading all of her books and was happy I did. However, in the back of my head, I knew the unfinished business from that series lingered. And now (NO SPOILERS), I feel like a hole I forgot existed is plugged. Loved Troy from his first appearance and LOVED how Emilia Finn rounded him out in this one. Michelle is spot on in her narration the entire time - even when you, as the ignorant reader, doesn’t understand her riddles. Damn. Good job, Emilia Finn. Bring on Safe Haven. I am, and always was, here for any drama you cook up and serve to my Kindle.
Never once did I ever consider this possibility! But the outcome was so amazing I couldn’t put it down. As always I’m blown away by the mastery and shock which Emilia Finn sews into every book. There is a true genius in how all her series and world all play together, EVERY SINGLE TIME! You can’t spot it, you can’t claim to understand how it will work out, but you know it’s going to be incredible. Troy has been a character of suspense for a while, and to see his world through his work and his eyes made you think of all those people who serve to protect others. Their selflessness and grit to be the strong front in protecting our world. There were times you swore Michelle was naive, but others where she was savage. Their clash was something of beauty, and their conversations and interactions were nothing short of laugh out loud, sometimes subtle, yet erotic foreplay. Grab this book quick and fall in love with another fabulous couple while catching up with some of the old ones you can’t get enough of!
This one packs a punch. I won’t recap the plot in my review like I normally do because I went into this story blind (meaning I avoided reading all pre-publication blurbs and teasers) and I am so glad I did. There are so many layers of intrigue and suspense, it’s a masterpiece. Having read all of Emilia’s other works, I had my suspicions early on in the book, and I was correct, but I spent the rest of the story untangling the reasons. This story is a slow burn romance and felt more like romantic suspense than most of the other Gilded Knights books. I love that we got to see characters from the Checkmate series in action again, but don’t worry if you haven’t read any of Emilia’s books before, this can be read as a standalone. It ends with a happy for now ending, but I am sure we will read more about the couple in the next book in the series.
I don’t know how Emilia comes up with these phenomenal storylines! I’ve been curious about Troy “Romeo” Rosa since the very first time he was ever mentioned back in the Checkmate series, and his story definitely did NOT disappoint!! I feel like my brain has exploded! These books just keep getting better and better! I don’t even want to describe anything, because I don’t want to chance giving anything away!😂 Just know the book has everything you think you want and then some more stuff you couldn’t even begin to dream up! You get the awesome characters with witty banter, sizzling chemistry, laughter, raw emotion, tears, tons of suspense, and twists on twists!🤣 You just have to read it, and well, all of her books! Lol
Wow. I can't say too much cuz I'll want to spoil surprises. But I had suspicions early on and still never saw the way this would go. I'm in awe of the talent Emilia has to create such intricate weaves into her stories. So many answers I didn't know I needed. So many twists and turns. Absolutely outstanding storytelling. I was engrossed from the beginning, but after the halfway point, I could not stop until the end, for anything. My family got shushed, food was fend for yourself, and I devoured page after page. So freaking good! I love that we see Troy but he holds back and I want more! I am so excited to see who gets the next story and where we go from here. Loved this book!
When the Rosa brothers books started I could hardly wait to read Troy’s book. To be able to dive deeper into his world and experience a new love with him was great. The fact that who he falls for is even more of a crazy twist. So many people are made whole with the love and discovery of this one person. Troy never thought he would find his forever girl but now he has. I almost wish the next book was more about their relationship and how she mixes into life in “Roller town.”
Good development of characters, you almost wish both of them would have trusted each other more. She was a savage, and made it all fit together into her plan. So much counseling will be needed for that girl. Troy took it all with a faith that he knew she would make the right decision.
Well what can I say I've been waiting for Troy's book since we met him way back when... I absolutely loved every part of this amazing crazy ride. Troy has always been hard and tough and I think his girl is exactly the same. This book got me with all the feels I was jumping for joy and screaming at characters all within a matter of a few pages. You will not regret this read!
I love Emilia's writing style and how in-depth her plots and story lines are. It all connects together so perfectly and I really admire that about her work. As always another amazing story by an amazing writer! I will say Corey and Troy have been my favourites of the GK series. I enjoyed them all but Corey and Troy will forever have a special place in my heart!
Emilia Finn is genius when it comes to writing books ! If you haven’t picked up her series you are missing out on page turning, read through the night kind of books !! I rate her right up there with Nora Roberts and many more, SHE IS THAT GOOD !! This book did not disappoint in anyway , it actually had a “HOLY SH^T moment that I’ll be talking about for a while. I grabbed this book the minute I could ( 3am) and read it non stop !! Romeo and his * insert name here* ( no spoilers) I fell in love with ! This book is ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ across the board ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
I absolutely LOVED this book. So well written and the characters were fabulous. I have been waiting for Troy's story and this I one did NOT disappoint! Their back and forth and the push and pull was excellent. I am left with some questions from the story and am wondering if there will hopefully be a continuation on this series? Like who is Echo? And what about Estefan? Maybe some of these questions will be answered in the next book and I HOPE we get to continue with this story and get a conclusion of the Rosa clan!
I have been waiting for Troy 'Romeo' Rosa for what feels like forever, and he did not disappoint! Troy and the mafioso's daughter had me on the edge of my seat throughout the entire book, and getting the glimpses of Troy's Checkmate crew that I just adore was the frosting on the cake. As per usual, Emilia had me laughing and crying, and I want so much more from Troy and his lady.
I have been patiently (not really) waiting for Troy's book since his very first mention. Emilia Finn did not disappoint. This book had everything I look for in a good book. Romance, humor, Excitement. Everything that makes a book great to me. My only warning is, while you can absolutely read and love this book as a standalone to get the full enjoyment it is best to read the checkmate series and the rest of Gilded knights first.
This particular book had me on an emotional roller coaster that was constantly going upside down towards the end. Emilia Finn has created such an amazing universe that part of which, has come full circle for some of my favorite characters. I laughed, I cried, I threw pillows in anger but I loved. I loved it so much. Thank you for writing another masterpiece! Add this author to you TBR list! You won't be disappointed!
Mind blown!!!! Holy cow!!! What in the world! As soon as I read that chapter I was like OMG NO WAY!!!!! Emilia Finn. You really know how to shock your devoted fans!!! I can just imagine your evil smile as you were writing this book!! Knowing your fans were gonna scream so loud!!! Thank you for another amazing read!!! I can't wait for the last book to come out!!! And I'm sure you'll shock us some more, because that is what you like to do us!!!!
Oh I love this one!! Troy is one of my favorite characters. His relationship with ‘Slim’ is perfect!!! I love stories that connect to Jay and Sophia!! They’re my favorite couple in these books. I knew way before it as obvious who Michelle was. I won’t say here. I won’t give that spoiler up. I hated seeing this one end. Just like with Jay and Soph I wanted more to this story!! Hopefully there’ll be more in the next book.
I really loved this book. I loved Romeo and Michelle’s relationship and the way it blossomed. It would have been a bit better if the book was a little longer and the reader got to actually witness them being together as their true identities surrounded by all the family. We get such little interaction of Michelle when she reconnects with her family. It was a great surprise in the story line. I had initially hoped for it and was so happy with the result of her identity.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
After a planned attack the leader of the mob was worried about his daughter's safety. So he hires a bodyguard for her. Little does either of them know their lives are going to change forever with this move. This book fits in well with the rest of the series. And so much slides into place with it. It is a must read.
The full range of emotions went through me with this book! My heart broke for Sophia then cried for Michelle. Miracles, love, and new beginnings..wow! NOW time for the second read!! This will now be one of my most loved books! Emilia Finn you created another masterpiece!
OMG! Emilia!!!! I thought my heart literally stopped at one point! The suspense had me unable to put the book down without reading until I figured everything out!! I loved Troy! Another winner for Emilia Finn! I hope we continue to hear more from these two in the next book.
I don’t even know what to say other than this book was incredible. The Rosa brothers have just gotten better and better with every book. I 💜 Troy!! I was riveted from the beginning and found myself thinking about this book even when I wasn’t able to read. Emilia Finn’s literary mind is genius. I’m so glad that I am able to be a part of her world.
OMG!! This book is not only send you on a rollercoaster of emotions but Emilia certainly has a way of dropping bombshells and twists and they never seem to end… I can’t believe there’s only one book left I could easily see more characters there. Such an addictive read that you’ll wish never ends!! I wish the roller world really existed 🖤
Emilia Finn has such an amazing way of weaving her stories together and drawing the reader in. BATTLE SCARS is no different. Loved Troy's story and have been waiting for it to come out. Slim was the perfect match for him and their interactions were pure gold. I wish the story hadn't ended when it did. I wanted way more Troy and Slim.
I have wanted Troy’s story for a while and once again, Emilia Finn does not disappoint. SO good!! Her writing just pulls you in. She is always a must read! Troy was kinda mysterious when he came into the picture and getting to know him and his sassy heroine was all kinds of awesome!
OMG this book!! I can't write a worthy review without giving away spoliers so all I'll say is this is a masterpiece, full of layers of suspense ..... that plot twist!!
I highly recommend going in blind for this book! I didn't even read the Blurb!!
If you haven't read this book or this series you must.
Emilia Finn your writing talent is beyond the best.. Your books create a world that is so fun, interesting, cry worthy, and shows love and loyalty at its finest. I have NEVER EVER been disappointed when i have read any of your many books. Romeo was worth the wait. XOXO
I always love reading Emilia Finns writing especially to see the full picture unfold. Everything in her books always comes full circle in some way. I didn’t read the blurb before the book was released and I’m happy about it because I was quite surprised out the storyline.
I was harsh in my review of the last book, but this one makes up for it! Of FMC was tough as nails without being bitchy. She was smart, a bit devious, but ultimately very likable. Troy *fans self* was everything I ever wanted! Haha I will now eagerly go start the next book!
What an emotional rollercoaster! I loved the show unveal of the big secret. It was obvious from the get go of course, but the characters not knowing the secret and slowly, so slowly uncovering it was incredibly satisfying, and frustrating, and infuriating! All the emotions. Loved this one.