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Under the Influence
She's a Mafia princess but he definitely isn't Prince Charming...
The once prized daughter of New York’s infamous La Costa Nostra, Sophia Falcone was the untouchable Mafia princess.
Croccifixio ‘Rocco’ De Luca is danger with a red warning sign.
The youngest Don in the five families of New York with the face of a saint but the reputation of a sinner, the darkest kind.
Murder and vice run through Rocco’s veins like the blood that runs through hers.
Sophia’s resistance to fall for his icy gray eyes and destructive smile commences the start of a sizzling power struggle between them, with neither willing to relinquish control.
As a tempestuous passion between them begins to brew, Sophia soon realizes every step towards the temptation of Rocco is a step towards a terrible secret escaping.
Lust, lies and betrayal collide as Sophia tries to conquer her past, can she keep her promise of not falling for a made man?
The once prized daughter of New York’s infamous La Costa Nostra, Sophia Falcone was the untouchable Mafia princess.
Croccifixio ‘Rocco’ De Luca is danger with a red warning sign.
The youngest Don in the five families of New York with the face of a saint but the reputation of a sinner, the darkest kind.
Murder and vice run through Rocco’s veins like the blood that runs through hers.
Sophia’s resistance to fall for his icy gray eyes and destructive smile commences the start of a sizzling power struggle between them, with neither willing to relinquish control.
As a tempestuous passion between them begins to brew, Sophia soon realizes every step towards the temptation of Rocco is a step towards a terrible secret escaping.
Lust, lies and betrayal collide as Sophia tries to conquer her past, can she keep her promise of not falling for a made man?
Paperback
Published September 2, 2022
25 people are currently reading
70 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Amelle
4 books22 followersSarah Amelle specializes in writing stories that captivate your heart and seduce your soul. Her books mainly comprise of men—the complicated kind with dangerous minds, darker hearts, with just a dash of redemption, coupled with an even feistier female protagonist.
When she isn’t dreaming up her next morally grey mc with a thousand red flags, you’ll catch her traveling the world and sipping her favourite cocktail by the beach.
You can follow her on:
Instagram: @sarahamelleauthor
TikTok: Sarahamelle
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 10, 2022
3 😮⚡️🤔⭐️s
An intriguing mafia romance read but the mafia aspect was minimal
The execution was good, it had plenty of twists and turns, suspense, secrets.
There was definitely a great chemistry between Sophia and Rocco but I didn’t feel their love or deep emotions.
An intriguing mafia romance read but the mafia aspect was minimal
The execution was good, it had plenty of twists and turns, suspense, secrets.
There was definitely a great chemistry between Sophia and Rocco but I didn’t feel their love or deep emotions.
September 8, 2022
(Thank you Peachy Keen and the author Sarah Amelle for the eARC in exchange for a honest review)
This book was an introduction to the new series, La Famiglia.
The book had a promising start; marriage of convenience trope is always a breeze to read. Sophia and Croccifixio aka Rocco started off on the wrong foot which made it even more interesting to read. It all became better when they start learning about one another after being forced to be within proximity, however a lot is at stake when there are secrets in the way. I would say the mafia aspect was very watered down: not intense, readable but not too much action-packed. Smut wise, it was not intense or explicitly described.
I felt that the writing style was monotonous for me, I would have liked a little more emotion in the dialogues but it felt bland. The book was also starting to get draggy after the halfway mark so I had to skim read to get through certain chapters. Sophia and Rocco also felt like they were forcing a connection throughout the book, I couldn’t connect with them unfortunately.
Overall this was a light read which could be the introductory book to the mafia genre if anyone is interested in trying it out.
This book was an introduction to the new series, La Famiglia.
The book had a promising start; marriage of convenience trope is always a breeze to read. Sophia and Croccifixio aka Rocco started off on the wrong foot which made it even more interesting to read. It all became better when they start learning about one another after being forced to be within proximity, however a lot is at stake when there are secrets in the way. I would say the mafia aspect was very watered down: not intense, readable but not too much action-packed. Smut wise, it was not intense or explicitly described.
I felt that the writing style was monotonous for me, I would have liked a little more emotion in the dialogues but it felt bland. The book was also starting to get draggy after the halfway mark so I had to skim read to get through certain chapters. Sophia and Rocco also felt like they were forcing a connection throughout the book, I couldn’t connect with them unfortunately.
Overall this was a light read which could be the introductory book to the mafia genre if anyone is interested in trying it out.
September 13, 2022
Omg this book 🥵🥵🥵
I need rocco in my life. He is the ultimate mafia Don 👌
This book had me feeling all kind of emotions and I love that Soph didn't take shit from anyone! She had a secret to keep and only kept it for fear of losing the one person she actually cared about ❤️
I loved watching her and Lucias friendship grow too! And Rocco learning to love and trust too!
The way Sarah writes it makes you feel like you're actually living the story with the characters not just reading it ❤️ I hope we get Lucia's story at some point!
I need rocco in my life. He is the ultimate mafia Don 👌
This book had me feeling all kind of emotions and I love that Soph didn't take shit from anyone! She had a secret to keep and only kept it for fear of losing the one person she actually cared about ❤️
I loved watching her and Lucias friendship grow too! And Rocco learning to love and trust too!
The way Sarah writes it makes you feel like you're actually living the story with the characters not just reading it ❤️ I hope we get Lucia's story at some point!
September 24, 2022
Pathetic is the right and only word for that heroine.
November 22, 2022
Lighter Mafia Romance
Book Info:
Standalone
HEA 🥰
First person narrative and dual POV 👩❤️👨
Troupe:
Sub-genre: Contemporary Romance ❤️, Romantic Suspense 🫣
Category: Action/Adventure, M@fia 🕴, Italian 🇮🇹, Thriller 😨
Burn Rate: 34% Medium Burn 🔥
Spice: 🌶🌶
Editing: ✏️✏️
A lighter m@fia read with a few twists I didn’t see coming. I really liked this. I have read super popular things in this genre and most of the time they have been a let down. This one wasn’t. Which is awesome!
In the start, if feels like it’s going to follow countless other book paths in its category but it surprised me. It ended up going in another direction. Now, that’s not to say there were plot points that I’ve seen before, but the writing was solid and made it less cliché.
I read this in a day because it definitely kept me interested. As always, I try not to give away too much plot. There are some twists you just don’t see coming. The main characters are likable without being boring. The spice isn’t over done (I usually like a little more). There are even some side characters I liked enough or found intriguing enough that I hope they have their own book.
I will say, the book could stand for another pass at editing. It was nothing major, most grammar errors that spell check wouldn’t catch. Also some continuity issues that made me feel like I missed something or something didn’t make sense.
Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who likes m@fia romance. It’s definitely worth the look and I’m now following the author.
Kinks and triggers: Controlling Hero💪🏻, T*rture🗡, K!dn@pping, OW Drama, Murd£r, V!olence
Book Info:
Standalone
HEA 🥰
First person narrative and dual POV 👩❤️👨
Troupe:
Sub-genre: Contemporary Romance ❤️, Romantic Suspense 🫣
Category: Action/Adventure, M@fia 🕴, Italian 🇮🇹, Thriller 😨
Burn Rate: 34% Medium Burn 🔥
Spice: 🌶🌶
Editing: ✏️✏️
A lighter m@fia read with a few twists I didn’t see coming. I really liked this. I have read super popular things in this genre and most of the time they have been a let down. This one wasn’t. Which is awesome!
In the start, if feels like it’s going to follow countless other book paths in its category but it surprised me. It ended up going in another direction. Now, that’s not to say there were plot points that I’ve seen before, but the writing was solid and made it less cliché.
I read this in a day because it definitely kept me interested. As always, I try not to give away too much plot. There are some twists you just don’t see coming. The main characters are likable without being boring. The spice isn’t over done (I usually like a little more). There are even some side characters I liked enough or found intriguing enough that I hope they have their own book.
I will say, the book could stand for another pass at editing. It was nothing major, most grammar errors that spell check wouldn’t catch. Also some continuity issues that made me feel like I missed something or something didn’t make sense.
Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who likes m@fia romance. It’s definitely worth the look and I’m now following the author.
Kinks and triggers: Controlling Hero💪🏻, T*rture🗡, K!dn@pping, OW Drama, Murd£r, V!olence
September 3, 2022
This book had me from the very beginning. I couldn't stop reading it until I found out what happened which led to me up all night until I was done with it. The book broke my heart at one point and had me in tears but thank goodness the author came back with a happy ending. The only thing I wanted was more, I would have loved an epilogue for a couple of years later just to find out more. Rocco is a made man that gets what he wants no matter what he has to do, and he wants Sophia more than anything. This couple really grew during this book from how they were. Rocco and Sophia have a passionate love for one another. There were a few surprises I totally didn't expect to come out. Sophia was so worried about her past and didn't think she would ever find love or deserve it, and she finally learned how to move on. Rocco has a past too with different circumstances that he has to work through too. The couple were truly meant for each other, and only made each other better. I can't wait to see where this series goes and who the next book is about. There are quite a few options and I'm looking forward to any of them.
September 6, 2022
It’s a captivating story and it got me hooked from the very first quote from the author and then it got better and better and better. The best thing in the book apart from other things is the start of chapters, which has quotes that are admirable. The quotes so subtly describe each chapter in a beautiful way, they play as a hint that what the incoming chapter is going to offer. Quotes resonate the meaning deeply.
I didn’t imagine that there will be so many twists and turns. Rocco and Sophia can’t be more perfect in complementing each other but the way their journey commences is wow and that point is so thrilling. The chemistry is intense between them from the very start but it takes slow for them to realize it is more. Mafia romances are hard to decipher in which and what way it’ll take place and here in this story it came as surprise to me.
The story is written so well that it made me laugh, and sad and I went in cussing people at many points but the fun was never lost. The other characters supported the story well enough and Lusia became such a sweetheart by the end of it. I guess circumstances teach a good lesson.
I didn’t imagine that there will be so many twists and turns. Rocco and Sophia can’t be more perfect in complementing each other but the way their journey commences is wow and that point is so thrilling. The chemistry is intense between them from the very start but it takes slow for them to realize it is more. Mafia romances are hard to decipher in which and what way it’ll take place and here in this story it came as surprise to me.
The story is written so well that it made me laugh, and sad and I went in cussing people at many points but the fun was never lost. The other characters supported the story well enough and Lusia became such a sweetheart by the end of it. I guess circumstances teach a good lesson.
September 1, 2022
The first arranged mafia romance romance book in the La Famiglia series from Author Sarah Amelle.
Croccifixio "Rocco" De Luca, youngest Son ruling one of the five families, La Costa Nostra, of New York. Betrothed to a Rossi. Dangerous, sinful and exacting his wants and wishes.
Sophia Falcone, principessa of the Falcone family of La Costa Nostra. Betrothed to another Rossi as well. Feisty female protagonist with secrets buried, hidden away, covered in blood and shame.
Unable to avoid temptations, like moths to flames, they merge their families. But the inability to trust and pasts resurfacing leaves a wedge they work towards overcoming. Moving past their scars and creating their own future.
Sophia's Zia, while not having a lot of lines within, is hilarious and that would be me if I was living their lives 😂🤣 Also, guessing Rocco's friend, Tysen, will be given a book in this series. Good start overall and I thought it was light on detailing the steamy moments, but definitely brutally honest with the dark edges.
Croccifixio "Rocco" De Luca, youngest Son ruling one of the five families, La Costa Nostra, of New York. Betrothed to a Rossi. Dangerous, sinful and exacting his wants and wishes.
Sophia Falcone, principessa of the Falcone family of La Costa Nostra. Betrothed to another Rossi as well. Feisty female protagonist with secrets buried, hidden away, covered in blood and shame.
Unable to avoid temptations, like moths to flames, they merge their families. But the inability to trust and pasts resurfacing leaves a wedge they work towards overcoming. Moving past their scars and creating their own future.
Sophia's Zia, while not having a lot of lines within, is hilarious and that would be me if I was living their lives 😂🤣 Also, guessing Rocco's friend, Tysen, will be given a book in this series. Good start overall and I thought it was light on detailing the steamy moments, but definitely brutally honest with the dark edges.
September 29, 2022
Really good book.
Interesting and easy read. Sara Amelle is amazing author, she has a way of writing that keeps you captivated till the last page.
But I liked her previous books a lot more - dark temptation and dark desire books. They had more mafia involved story and I liked the idea of switch points of many of the characters.
This book was good too but had only the two main characters point of views and the story was mostly about their love story.
And I really couldn't understand how a mafia princess who actually grew up in this life and her father is mafia don could be so naive. And Rocco too acted so stupid - he was a don, had many enemies and also someone trying to kill him and his wife yet he lets her driving and going places without a bodyguard.
Like I said Sara is amazing author but if you are new to her books definitely try the previous ones - they are a lot better. I recommend this one too but start with the others.
Interesting and easy read. Sara Amelle is amazing author, she has a way of writing that keeps you captivated till the last page.
But I liked her previous books a lot more - dark temptation and dark desire books. They had more mafia involved story and I liked the idea of switch points of many of the characters.
This book was good too but had only the two main characters point of views and the story was mostly about their love story.
And I really couldn't understand how a mafia princess who actually grew up in this life and her father is mafia don could be so naive. And Rocco too acted so stupid - he was a don, had many enemies and also someone trying to kill him and his wife yet he lets her driving and going places without a bodyguard.
Like I said Sara is amazing author but if you are new to her books definitely try the previous ones - they are a lot better. I recommend this one too but start with the others.
September 2, 2022
Great start to the “La Famiglia” series! It checked a lot of the boxes I love a good mafia book to have: drama, secrets, betrayal, ow drama (a favorite of mine), love and a hero who can admit when he’s an ass!
Sophia is originally arranged to marry Pietro Rossi and Rocco is arranged to Pietro’s sister. But after Pietro’s sister refuses to marry Rocco, Rocco demands Sophia. Which is who he’s wanted for awhile. Both Sophia and Rocco met prior and had an instant attraction to each other.
Sophia is holding secrets from Rocco, she’s afraid to tell him in fear of losing him. But when those secrets come back for her, Rocco’s trust in her is broken.
This was the first book I’ve read by Sarah and I can’t wait for more in the series!! I’d love to read Tysen’s story.
Sophia is originally arranged to marry Pietro Rossi and Rocco is arranged to Pietro’s sister. But after Pietro’s sister refuses to marry Rocco, Rocco demands Sophia. Which is who he’s wanted for awhile. Both Sophia and Rocco met prior and had an instant attraction to each other.
Sophia is holding secrets from Rocco, she’s afraid to tell him in fear of losing him. But when those secrets come back for her, Rocco’s trust in her is broken.
This was the first book I’ve read by Sarah and I can’t wait for more in the series!! I’d love to read Tysen’s story.
September 7, 2022
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Solid start to a new arranged marriage mafia Romance.
FMC Sophia was sassy but still the regal mafia principessa and MMC Rocco was the every of what a young Don should be. They had hot chemistry from the start and were drawn to each other exponentially. Both characters had a lot of personal issues to work on in order for them to build a solid relationship together.
Secrets, lies, have truths, and betrayal are all involved and pace the story well. There were definitely some twits and turns and things I didn’t quite expect and couple parts that just hurt my heart.
I was expecting more in most aspects through out this book. I wanted more with the spicy scenes and the “mafia” plot given the reputation of our Don and the syndicate.
Solid start to a new arranged marriage mafia Romance.
FMC Sophia was sassy but still the regal mafia principessa and MMC Rocco was the every of what a young Don should be. They had hot chemistry from the start and were drawn to each other exponentially. Both characters had a lot of personal issues to work on in order for them to build a solid relationship together.
Secrets, lies, have truths, and betrayal are all involved and pace the story well. There were definitely some twits and turns and things I didn’t quite expect and couple parts that just hurt my heart.
I was expecting more in most aspects through out this book. I wanted more with the spicy scenes and the “mafia” plot given the reputation of our Don and the syndicate.
September 4, 2022
Good mafia read! I really enjoyed the push and pull between Rocco and Sophia. The side characters were fantastic- I love Lucia and Zia! The spicy scenes were lacking for me, especially with the build up of Rocco’s reputation, but overall it was an enjoyable read.
September 9, 2022
It didn't seem to stir any emotions. I enjoyed the characters interacting with each other but there wasn't enough action. For me, it fell flat. Rocco and Sophia's banter was sexy and funny, but some scenes needed to be worked on.
February 15, 2023
For God's sake, it's COSA NOSTRA, not Costa Nostra!! As an Italian, I'm insulted 😤 and it's not about the mafia itself, but the language! We are obligated to learn English to comunicate with the world, but they don't even deign to learn how to write and pronounce Italian words.
September 5, 2022
This was really good!!! these characters 😍
September 10, 2022
Really enjoyed this book! Great and easy read! If you have never read a Mafia Romance this is a great book to start with!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶🌶
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶🌶
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews