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The Fallen #2
When She Tempts
She’s eighteen. Innocent. Forbidden.
Martina De Rossi is off-limits, and not just because her brother is about to become the Don.
When I agree to protect her while he’s out waging a brutal war, it isn’t only out of loyalty.
It’s because Martina is the perfect pawn in my game of revenge.
Unfortunately, she’s also temptation personified.
Innocent eyes. A body to die for. Silky blond hair that begs to be wrapped around my fist.
I’m a master of staying in control, but with each day she spends with me inside the walls of my remote Italian castle, I can feel my resolve cracking.
My gaze starts to drift.
My touch starts to linger.
And when she tempts, I realize this game we’re playing might be one I won’t win.
Martina De Rossi is off-limits, and not just because her brother is about to become the Don.
When I agree to protect her while he’s out waging a brutal war, it isn’t only out of loyalty.
It’s because Martina is the perfect pawn in my game of revenge.
Unfortunately, she’s also temptation personified.
Innocent eyes. A body to die for. Silky blond hair that begs to be wrapped around my fist.
I’m a master of staying in control, but with each day she spends with me inside the walls of my remote Italian castle, I can feel my resolve cracking.
My gaze starts to drift.
My touch starts to linger.
And when she tempts, I realize this game we’re playing might be one I won’t win.
472 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 2, 2023
4229 people are currently reading
18055 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,475 reviews
June 8, 2024
4.25 stars
nothing compares to the good ol’ " coldhearted, control-freak man who succumbs to the charms of the shy and delicate girl who’s gonna ruine his vendetta"
——————
jumping into book 2 😋😋
”your mind seduces me. your body tempts me. a single glimpse of you, and I lose my train of thought.”
nothing compares to the good ol’ " coldhearted, control-freak man who succumbs to the charms of the shy and delicate girl who’s gonna ruine his vendetta"
——————
jumping into book 2 😋😋
January 14, 2023
I want Giorgio to spank me.
That's all I have to say for now. Full review coming soon. Pun intended.
That's all I have to say for now. Full review coming soon. Pun intended.
February 9, 2023
3.5 stars.
Tropes:
❣️Forced Proximity
❣️Age Gap
❣️Mafia Romance
❣️Forbidden Love
❣️Not good enough for her (his pov)
❣️Hero is meant to protect her
❣️Touch her and die
Tropes:
❣️Forced Proximity
❣️Age Gap
❣️Mafia Romance
❣️Forbidden Love
❣️Not good enough for her (his pov)
❣️Hero is meant to protect her
❣️Touch her and die
November 26, 2025
He would have dimmed your light, and I couldn’t allow that to happen. Not when I’ve seen how bright you can shine.
I love you, Martina. To call you my wife would be my life’s greatest honor.
★ᯓ 4.5 Stars ᯓ★
⤷Grumpy x Sunshine will always have my heart guys, I'm sorry it has to be said.🤌
This book was better than the other one by MANY levels, the plot, the romance, the mini plot twists. IT'S JUST SO DAMN GOOD.
I'm so sure if I wasn't sick, I would have cried at some parts.
✧ Giorgio: Oh. My. GODDD. The yearning he did for like a week straight had me speechless🧎♀️ like he did a major fuck up and I was like Uh-oh here comes the part where the book disappoints me BUT NOPEEE. again if I wasn't sick and dying I would have giggled 🤭
Like the letters???? and he's so hot and smart too I love me a smart genius man 🤌
𐙚 Martina: Okay Listen 🧍♀️ She wasn't very sunshine for like half the book but then she slowly started to become more sunshine-y so like she ate. God I was so proud of her in that one scene with Polo (ifykyk) I love her she's the best.
I am NOT excited for the next book the fmc in that one sounds like she'll give me a headache with her idiocy 😮💨
Anyways I highly recommend this one.
˚₊‧꒰ა Pre-read ໒꒱ ‧₊˚
⤷ Grumpy x Sunshine my fave 😮💨
I have a feeling this one is gonna be too good
I love you, Martina. To call you my wife would be my life’s greatest honor.
★ᯓ 4.5 Stars ᯓ★
⤷Grumpy x Sunshine will always have my heart guys, I'm sorry it has to be said.🤌
This book was better than the other one by MANY levels, the plot, the romance, the mini plot twists. IT'S JUST SO DAMN GOOD.
I'm so sure if I wasn't sick, I would have cried at some parts.
✧ Giorgio: Oh. My. GODDD. The yearning he did for like a week straight had me speechless🧎♀️ like he did a major fuck up and I was like Uh-oh here comes the part where the book disappoints me BUT NOPEEE. again if I wasn't sick and dying I would have giggled 🤭
Like the letters???? and he's so hot and smart too I love me a smart genius man 🤌
𐙚 Martina: Okay Listen 🧍♀️ She wasn't very sunshine for like half the book but then she slowly started to become more sunshine-y so like she ate. God I was so proud of her in that one scene with Polo (ifykyk) I love her she's the best.
I am NOT excited for the next book the fmc in that one sounds like she'll give me a headache with her idiocy 😮💨
Anyways I highly recommend this one.
˚₊‧꒰ა Pre-read ໒꒱ ‧₊˚
⤷ Grumpy x Sunshine my fave 😮💨
I have a feeling this one is gonna be too good
December 27, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25
''But the deeper I cut, the deeper you burrow''
Safety warnings:
- H 33 / h 18-19
- No cheating
- No OW/OM drama
- Violence/d*ath
- Trauma/PTSD
- Loss of loved ones
- Mention of su*cide
- Mention of r*pe
- HEA
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
I must admit I put this series on hold after I finished the first book last year, part of me wanted to get into it but then I decided to wait until all the books were out to dive back in and thankfully I had the patience because the waiting for each book would have been hard.
Martina is the younger sister of the MMC from the first book and she has gone through hell prior to this book, we get to see what she went through in the first one so as much as this a standalone (concerning the couple) the storyline follows the events from book 1.
Giorgio is tasked to keep her safe until the war her brother is waging is over and she will not be used against him in the fight. He takes the opportunity to get her under his care as a way to seek his long-standing revenge on something/someone. At first I thought he was possibly seeking vengeance against her family, but it was quickly shown not to be the case and it is on the Don they are all trying to get rid of that is his main focus. The Don Sal is actually his biological father after he rapes Giorgio’s mother, she spends the time after he is born to be distant and cut off from bring his mother, sadly this makes Giorgio view himself as less and unloved. His mother then commits suicide when he is a child and this sets the course of his life, he plots to get rid of Sal to avenge his mother and her pain.
This book is slow burn as these two spend a lot of time denying each other but Giorgio does most of the pulling away. Martina is sadly deep inside her mind for a while as she struggles with the events that led to her best friend dying right in front of her.
Despite this being a slow burn, it felt like it was needed especially with the ghosts they each faced. It needed to happen gradually and on its own rather than something they seek out just for comfort.
I figured out that Polo would be an issue right away after he was introduced, and we find out his connection to Giorgio and the soon to be dead Don. I was sad that he chose the path he did and did not see how wrong he was. If he had just been patient and more understanding his life could have been so much more different but he fucked up and he found out.
It kind of bothered me how Giorgio was blinded by Polo and what he was capable of, it was hard to witness the aftermath of Polo’s insanity take over and cause havoc on everything since it could have been avoided if Giorgio was not blind.
Giorgio pulling away from Martina causes a lot of angst and pain but thankfully he gets his head out of his ass and claims her finally though the road to getting there was difficulty as his main issue was her brother finding out and losing his chance as vengeance. Which he stupidly chooses over her and that costs him (for some time anyways).
There are some sad moments in this book concerning some deaths and reveals but overall, I really enjoyed it but I did find it a bit slow at times however, I cannot wait to finish off the rest of the series!
''But the deeper I cut, the deeper you burrow''
Safety warnings:
- H 33 / h 18-19
- No cheating
- No OW/OM drama
- Violence/d*ath
- Trauma/PTSD
- Loss of loved ones
- Mention of su*cide
- Mention of r*pe
- HEA
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
I must admit I put this series on hold after I finished the first book last year, part of me wanted to get into it but then I decided to wait until all the books were out to dive back in and thankfully I had the patience because the waiting for each book would have been hard.
Martina is the younger sister of the MMC from the first book and she has gone through hell prior to this book, we get to see what she went through in the first one so as much as this a standalone (concerning the couple) the storyline follows the events from book 1.
Giorgio is tasked to keep her safe until the war her brother is waging is over and she will not be used against him in the fight. He takes the opportunity to get her under his care as a way to seek his long-standing revenge on something/someone. At first I thought he was possibly seeking vengeance against her family, but it was quickly shown not to be the case and it is on the Don they are all trying to get rid of that is his main focus. The Don Sal is actually his biological father after he rapes Giorgio’s mother, she spends the time after he is born to be distant and cut off from bring his mother, sadly this makes Giorgio view himself as less and unloved. His mother then commits suicide when he is a child and this sets the course of his life, he plots to get rid of Sal to avenge his mother and her pain.
This book is slow burn as these two spend a lot of time denying each other but Giorgio does most of the pulling away. Martina is sadly deep inside her mind for a while as she struggles with the events that led to her best friend dying right in front of her.
Despite this being a slow burn, it felt like it was needed especially with the ghosts they each faced. It needed to happen gradually and on its own rather than something they seek out just for comfort.
I figured out that Polo would be an issue right away after he was introduced, and we find out his connection to Giorgio and the soon to be dead Don. I was sad that he chose the path he did and did not see how wrong he was. If he had just been patient and more understanding his life could have been so much more different but he fucked up and he found out.
It kind of bothered me how Giorgio was blinded by Polo and what he was capable of, it was hard to witness the aftermath of Polo’s insanity take over and cause havoc on everything since it could have been avoided if Giorgio was not blind.
Giorgio pulling away from Martina causes a lot of angst and pain but thankfully he gets his head out of his ass and claims her finally though the road to getting there was difficulty as his main issue was her brother finding out and losing his chance as vengeance. Which he stupidly chooses over her and that costs him (for some time anyways).
There are some sad moments in this book concerning some deaths and reveals but overall, I really enjoyed it but I did find it a bit slow at times however, I cannot wait to finish off the rest of the series!
January 31, 2023
It's been a hot minute since I stayed up all night to finish a book and OMFG THIS BOOK SMACKED THE SHIT OUT OF ME .
First of all , if you think the first book was good , this one is WAAAAAAAAAAAAY BETTER.I knew it from the start . Seriously grumpy x sunshine ALWAYS SLAPS .
Georgio motherfucking Girard. I- I'm speechless. He was the most incredible , jaw dropping , sheet gripping , mind blowing , toes curling , mouth drooling grumpy possessive made man i read this year . Man had me literally on my knees the moment he spoke like I knew you were hot but OMG. Don't even get me started on the steamy scenes , he made my throat dry , knees tremble and my pulse flutter (both of them). The way he was disgustingly soft for her and obsessed with her made tears run down my face ( WHEN IS IT MY TURN ?) I love this man and I have to have him . His backstory was heart aching and how he became the man who he is ugh couldn't be more proud of him. Although he fucked up but he groveled in the sweetest way possible. If I was Martina , i would have FOLDED instantly. ( I have a soft spot for rich , grumpy possessive man sorry not sorry )
And Martina , my girl was BOLD ASF and I couldn't love it more . She was such a badass, her character development ...OMG I felt that shit in my bones . She deserves the world and that was her husband Georgio . They were so perfect together. ( now move , my turn ). The way Martina dealt with her grief and how Giorgio helped her was just so beautifully written . It was AMAZING . I loved them as a couple and I loved them even more as individuals .
Their story was so good to read , i ADORED it
The plot was so INTERESTING like I was heavily invested . And THE PLOT TWISTS left me with a gaping mouth like HOLY FUCK . I never saw it coming . Seriously Gabrielle put her whole Gabussy in this book .
The side characters were amazing as always . If it wasn't for Vale , we wouldn't have gotten this happy ending though Damiano pissed me off sometimes . I'm so excited for Ras and Gemma's book . I just know it's gonna hit me HARD . i can even imagine their banter . Omggg can't waiiiiit !!
This book is by far my favourite book !!! 100000000000000 stars <3
This book got me out of my reading slump and I'm beyond happy !!
Keep up the good work author ! Can't wait for the next book and thank you for the arc xoxo
First of all , if you think the first book was good , this one is WAAAAAAAAAAAAY BETTER.I knew it from the start . Seriously grumpy x sunshine ALWAYS SLAPS .
Georgio motherfucking Girard. I- I'm speechless. He was the most incredible , jaw dropping , sheet gripping , mind blowing , toes curling , mouth drooling grumpy possessive made man i read this year . Man had me literally on my knees the moment he spoke like I knew you were hot but OMG. Don't even get me started on the steamy scenes , he made my throat dry , knees tremble and my pulse flutter (both of them). The way he was disgustingly soft for her and obsessed with her made tears run down my face ( WHEN IS IT MY TURN ?) I love this man and I have to have him . His backstory was heart aching and how he became the man who he is ugh couldn't be more proud of him. Although he fucked up but he groveled in the sweetest way possible. If I was Martina , i would have FOLDED instantly. ( I have a soft spot for rich , grumpy possessive man sorry not sorry )
And Martina , my girl was BOLD ASF and I couldn't love it more . She was such a badass, her character development ...OMG I felt that shit in my bones . She deserves the world and that was her husband Georgio . They were so perfect together. ( now move , my turn ). The way Martina dealt with her grief and how Giorgio helped her was just so beautifully written . It was AMAZING . I loved them as a couple and I loved them even more as individuals .
Their story was so good to read , i ADORED it
The plot was so INTERESTING like I was heavily invested . And THE PLOT TWISTS left me with a gaping mouth like HOLY FUCK . I never saw it coming . Seriously Gabrielle put her whole Gabussy in this book .
The side characters were amazing as always . If it wasn't for Vale , we wouldn't have gotten this happy ending though Damiano pissed me off sometimes . I'm so excited for Ras and Gemma's book . I just know it's gonna hit me HARD . i can even imagine their banter . Omggg can't waiiiiit !!
This book is by far my favourite book !!! 100000000000000 stars <3
This book got me out of my reading slump and I'm beyond happy !!
Keep up the good work author ! Can't wait for the next book and thank you for the arc xoxo
May 12, 2024
Still on my mafia kick—I listened to this one and despite not rating the audio highly this book is my favourite so far in this series. I’m obsessed with Mafia Romances being set outside of the US. And this forced proximity set in a remote Italian Castello? Bro—I was EATING this up. The sex was impeccable. Chemistry off the chart. Ticked ALL the right boxes.
April 11, 2025
Giorgio, take me daddy.
February 13, 2023
4.5⭐
Much better than the first part of the series.
Much better than the first part of the series.
September 22, 2024
3.5 stars
A castle in the woods, a sunshine girl and her broody and dark bodyguard with a broken past? What else do I need in life?
Martina is a sunshine reincarnation in human form. Mari is one of my favourite female protagonists in this series. Her character has both fierce and soft quality with a little bit of craziness and mischief. She has trauma after the things that happened to her in previous book. She was broken and sad when she first came to live in a castle with Georgio but he helped her heal some broken parts of her and it was beautiful to see them explore each other's traumatic past to heal their present self.
“She’s come alive. Flourished. Come into her power. And now she’s ruthlessly exercising it over me.”
Georgio was hot. That's all I want to say about him. He is grumpy, broody, possessive and doesn't believe in love because he thinks there's no one on this planet who can fall in love with him and his broken and tainted past but Mari proved him wrong. Everytime he couldn't control himself around her just made me giggle and kick my feet in the air because he tried so damn hard to keep her away from him but he failed so miserably in the end.
“Every object under my protection is of immense value, Martina. And you might just be the most valuable of them all.”
Georgio and Mari's chemisty was undeniably hot. They had this emotional and vulnerable connection between them where they understood each other so effortlessly. Their banter was witty and the sexual tension was palpable throughout this book. I couldn't get enough of them. I liked how their relationship progressed and how Georgio helped Mari gain mental and physical strength and how Mari loved him even after knowing all about his tragic past. They are so perfect for each other.
This was so much better than When She Unravels. The plot was intriguing and the romance was charming and a perfect blend of sweet, spicy and emotional moments. I enjoyed every second of it and I can't wait to read all the other books in this series.
“Your mind seduces me. Your body tempts me. A single glimpse of you, and I lose my train of thought.”
A castle in the woods, a sunshine girl and her broody and dark bodyguard with a broken past? What else do I need in life?
Martina is a sunshine reincarnation in human form. Mari is one of my favourite female protagonists in this series. Her character has both fierce and soft quality with a little bit of craziness and mischief. She has trauma after the things that happened to her in previous book. She was broken and sad when she first came to live in a castle with Georgio but he helped her heal some broken parts of her and it was beautiful to see them explore each other's traumatic past to heal their present self.
“She’s come alive. Flourished. Come into her power. And now she’s ruthlessly exercising it over me.”
Georgio was hot. That's all I want to say about him. He is grumpy, broody, possessive and doesn't believe in love because he thinks there's no one on this planet who can fall in love with him and his broken and tainted past but Mari proved him wrong. Everytime he couldn't control himself around her just made me giggle and kick my feet in the air because he tried so damn hard to keep her away from him but he failed so miserably in the end.
“Every object under my protection is of immense value, Martina. And you might just be the most valuable of them all.”
Georgio and Mari's chemisty was undeniably hot. They had this emotional and vulnerable connection between them where they understood each other so effortlessly. Their banter was witty and the sexual tension was palpable throughout this book. I couldn't get enough of them. I liked how their relationship progressed and how Georgio helped Mari gain mental and physical strength and how Mari loved him even after knowing all about his tragic past. They are so perfect for each other.
“I crave you, Martina.” He slides his fingers into my hair and pulls me closer to him. “I’ve craved you from the moment I saw you, and I promised myself I’d carve that craving out of me. But the deeper I cut, the deeper you burrow. I’m afraid that if I don’t stop trying to rid myself of you, I’ll end up cutting out my own heart.”
This was so much better than When She Unravels. The plot was intriguing and the romance was charming and a perfect blend of sweet, spicy and emotional moments. I enjoyed every second of it and I can't wait to read all the other books in this series.
dnf-at-all
July 15, 2025DNF at 20%. This one failed to grab me in the way Book 1 did.
🤳🏻Martina - 18 yrs old, younger sister of Damiano, the soon-to-be next don of the Casalesi clan. She was suffering from survivors guilt and trauma from an earlier kidnapping that happened in Book 1. She’s 18 yrs old, addicted to her cell phone as scrolling calms her down. She’s soon to be 19 yrs old, starts the story off with constantly biting her lips and looking up shyly at Gio thru her eyelashes. We are reminded often of their age gap, and how young and naive she is. She’s 18 yrs old.
In Book 1, the fmc Valentina was only a few years older than this Martina girl. Valentina went thru her own share of trauma, but she was a strong warrior and pushed thru what needed to be done. Martina was dealing with her trauma though by shutting down mentally. Which is a realistic reaction, I’m not complaining about that at all, it should have been interesting to see her heal. But I think the author ruined it, by all of her childish, ultra naive biting of lips and coquettish eyes. Her manner of accidental flirting felt very contrived too. It wasn’t cute.
📵 Giorgio - 33 yrs old, he needs to guard Martina as a favor to her brother, Casalesi’s security expert, took Martina’s phone away to force her to redirect her energy into her surroundings. So we see Martina doing a bit of daily gardening.
I was so excited to start this book after just finishing Book 1 yesterday. It has:
👩🏼🌾 Forbidden love - her older brother will not be happy!
👩🏼🌾 Forced proximity at his remote castle
👩🏼🌾 Mafia
👩🏼🌾 Set in Italy
👩🏼🌾 Age gap - about 13-14 years difference
But it was …boring. The only thing going on was his blood flowing to different regions from occasional glances at Martina, her picking strawberries in the garden, and I assume waiting for the bad guys to find them.
🤳🏻Martina - 18 yrs old, younger sister of Damiano, the soon-to-be next don of the Casalesi clan. She was suffering from survivors guilt and trauma from an earlier kidnapping that happened in Book 1. She’s 18 yrs old, addicted to her cell phone as scrolling calms her down. She’s soon to be 19 yrs old, starts the story off with constantly biting her lips and looking up shyly at Gio thru her eyelashes. We are reminded often of their age gap, and how young and naive she is. She’s 18 yrs old.
In Book 1, the fmc Valentina was only a few years older than this Martina girl. Valentina went thru her own share of trauma, but she was a strong warrior and pushed thru what needed to be done. Martina was dealing with her trauma though by shutting down mentally. Which is a realistic reaction, I’m not complaining about that at all, it should have been interesting to see her heal. But I think the author ruined it, by all of her childish, ultra naive biting of lips and coquettish eyes. Her manner of accidental flirting felt very contrived too. It wasn’t cute.
📵 Giorgio - 33 yrs old, he needs to guard Martina as a favor to her brother, Casalesi’s security expert, took Martina’s phone away to force her to redirect her energy into her surroundings. So we see Martina doing a bit of daily gardening.
I was so excited to start this book after just finishing Book 1 yesterday. It has:
👩🏼🌾 Forbidden love - her older brother will not be happy!
👩🏼🌾 Forced proximity at his remote castle
👩🏼🌾 Mafia
👩🏼🌾 Set in Italy
👩🏼🌾 Age gap - about 13-14 years difference
But it was …boring. The only thing going on was his blood flowing to different regions from occasional glances at Martina, her picking strawberries in the garden, and I assume waiting for the bad guys to find them.
December 19, 2023
» Every object under my protection is of immense value, Martina. And you might just be the most valuable of them all. «
★ ★ ★ ★
❥ 𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒂
This girl had to go threw so fucking much - poor Martina. She managed to go past her trauma and I loved her attitude and character.
❥ 𝑮𝒊𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒊𝒐
He‘s a big softie and I really liked him. He had his own secrets and goals but truly cared for Martina.
✥ 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌
It was a good book.
I enjoyed the tension and interactions between Mari and Giorgio. The plot was well thought out and entertaining.
But in my opinion the mental health from Martina wasn‘t mentioned enough, her „healing“ wasn‘t portrayed well.
plot: 4/5
spice: 2/5
humor: 3/5
couple/tension: 5/5
world building: 5/5
happy end?: yes
keywords: forced proximity, camorra, mafia war, he keeps her safe, protective hero, age gap, forbidden love
𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬
#1 When She Unravels ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
#2 When She Tempts ★ ★ ★ ★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
#3 When She Falls ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
#4 When She Loves ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
★ ★ ★ ★
❥ 𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒂
This girl had to go threw so fucking much - poor Martina. She managed to go past her trauma and I loved her attitude and character.
❥ 𝑮𝒊𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒊𝒐
He‘s a big softie and I really liked him. He had his own secrets and goals but truly cared for Martina.
✥ 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌
It was a good book.
I enjoyed the tension and interactions between Mari and Giorgio. The plot was well thought out and entertaining.
But in my opinion the mental health from Martina wasn‘t mentioned enough, her „healing“ wasn‘t portrayed well.
plot: 4/5
spice: 2/5
humor: 3/5
couple/tension: 5/5
world building: 5/5
happy end?: yes
keywords: forced proximity, camorra, mafia war, he keeps her safe, protective hero, age gap, forbidden love
𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬
#1 When She Unravels ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
#2 When She Tempts ★ ★ ★ ★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
#3 When She Falls ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
#4 When She Loves ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
November 1, 2023
Really liked this one too. The heroine was a bit frustrating at times, but she made up for it by the end.
4.5 stars
3.5 on the spice scale
4.5 stars
3.5 on the spice scale
January 31, 2023
3.75 ⭐️, rounded up
Tropes:
- Mafia
- Forbidden
- Age gap
- Virgin fmc
- Forced proximity
Haunted by one of the worst nights of her life, Martina is listless, withdrawn, and barely leaves her room. Unfortunately for her, her life gets uprooted when her older brother entrusts her to the handsome Giorgio Girardi to watch over her and keep her safe while he wages a war against the current mafia Don.
Gio smuggles Martina away to the Italian countryside, and plans to do everything in his power to keep her safe and make her strong. What he doesn’t expect is how stubborn and sharp tongued she is, or how much he likes it—likes her. As Martina pushes his buttons, his willpower snaps… 🥵
Gio and Martina’s love story is a bit of a slow burn, but the wait was well worth it! The chemistry and tension between these two had me dying for the steamy bits to hurry up and happen, but lord they didn’t disappoint when they finally did. Gio has quite the filthy mouth!
Outside of that, I really loved their character growth as well. Martina finally decided to stop feeling powerless and use what happened to her to make herself stronger and more formidable was awesome! & seeing Gio go from being so angry and full of hate, to realizing that revenge was not what was the most important thing to him was *chefs kiss*
Tropes:
- Mafia
- Forbidden
- Age gap
- Virgin fmc
- Forced proximity
Haunted by one of the worst nights of her life, Martina is listless, withdrawn, and barely leaves her room. Unfortunately for her, her life gets uprooted when her older brother entrusts her to the handsome Giorgio Girardi to watch over her and keep her safe while he wages a war against the current mafia Don.
Gio smuggles Martina away to the Italian countryside, and plans to do everything in his power to keep her safe and make her strong. What he doesn’t expect is how stubborn and sharp tongued she is, or how much he likes it—likes her. As Martina pushes his buttons, his willpower snaps… 🥵
Gio and Martina’s love story is a bit of a slow burn, but the wait was well worth it! The chemistry and tension between these two had me dying for the steamy bits to hurry up and happen, but lord they didn’t disappoint when they finally did. Gio has quite the filthy mouth!
Outside of that, I really loved their character growth as well. Martina finally decided to stop feeling powerless and use what happened to her to make herself stronger and more formidable was awesome! & seeing Gio go from being so angry and full of hate, to realizing that revenge was not what was the most important thing to him was *chefs kiss*
February 17, 2023
Damn, Gio was hot hot HOT.
But most important thing is De Rossi, I fucking love him so much, that man is a comedian. He is like the funny uncle that smokes 35 cigs a day and only appears when it's christmas.
As a side note, this series is enjoyable to read and all but there isn't a sprinkle of dark romance.
Still looking forward to Gem's book tho, that's my girl.
But most important thing is De Rossi, I fucking love him so much, that man is a comedian. He is like the funny uncle that smokes 35 cigs a day and only appears when it's christmas.
As a side note, this series is enjoyable to read and all but there isn't a sprinkle of dark romance.
Still looking forward to Gem's book tho, that's my girl.
February 11, 2024
Im really enjoying this series. I was planning on giving this four stars but towards the middle i was hooked with the sexual tension and angst towards the end so i bumped it to 5
I love forbidden love & age gap. I think i liked this more than book 1.
I love forbidden love & age gap. I think i liked this more than book 1.
August 12, 2025
What a delicious story with characters well built that show us a great time.
It’s worth reading.
It’s worth reading.
April 12, 2025
ilk kitap ortalamaydı bu daha iyi çıkıcak dedim ama malesef. Okunur mu evet ama çok bir şey beklememek lazım
April 14, 2023
4/5 ⭐️
🤍 Virgin heroine
🤍 No manwhore
🤍 Forced proximity
🤍 Age gap ( 19 l 33 )
🤍 Forbidden
🤍 Touch her & you'll die
🤍 Mafia
🚩Safety - no OW/OM/cheating/ sharing
🤍 Virgin heroine
🤍 No manwhore
🤍 Forced proximity
🤍 Age gap ( 19 l 33 )
🤍 Forbidden
🤍 Touch her & you'll die
🤍 Mafia
🚩Safety - no OW/OM/cheating/ sharing
July 20, 2025
3.5 stars
June 26, 2025
5 ⭐
fAV Quote :"Even the most broken of things can be mended by the right pair of hands "
Well I LOVE this book ,I LOVE these characters,I LOVE this setting ,I LOVE the chemistry, annnnnd I LOVE Soph
This was definitely more enjoyable than the first book , I loved both Martina and Giorgio's character developments and I was so invested in their romance and the plot and I just had an all-around great time reading this. This was hot and funny but I also loved the fact that they were able to help each other heal. Their chemistry is just on another level and I felt like this book had a lot I mean I know it's almost 500 pages but I feel like I lived with them through many things and that just made their story even more real and touching .🩷
I know I said this when I finished the first book but I'm sooo exciiiiiited for Gemma and Ras' book cuz I just know I'm gonna love it 😭
fAV Quote :"Even the most broken of things can be mended by the right pair of hands "
Well I LOVE this book ,I LOVE these characters,I LOVE this setting ,I LOVE the chemistry, annnnnd I LOVE Soph
This was definitely more enjoyable than the first book , I loved both Martina and Giorgio's character developments and I was so invested in their romance and the plot and I just had an all-around great time reading this. This was hot and funny but I also loved the fact that they were able to help each other heal. Their chemistry is just on another level and I felt like this book had a lot I mean I know it's almost 500 pages but I feel like I lived with them through many things and that just made their story even more real and touching .🩷
I know I said this when I finished the first book but I'm sooo exciiiiiited for Gemma and Ras' book cuz I just know I'm gonna love it 😭
May 5, 2023
damn... sex scenes 🔥💥🔥💥🥵❤️🔥
взагалі не дуже люблю age gap, але тут з'їла та й ще й пальці облизала
взагалі не дуже люблю age gap, але тут з'їла та й ще й пальці облизала
May 7, 2025
Why are older men so hot
March 28, 2024
4⭐ / 3🌶️
— vibezz
🌤️ age gap [33H 19h]
💻 guardian/ward
🌤️ forced proximity
💻 past trauma
🌤️ grovelling
mini blurb — ✍🏻
After what happened to her, Martina is not the same she was before. She's lost interest in cooking, she barely talk and goes through life passively. Her brother would do anything to protect her, and with the things now in motion to gain finally the power in the organization he decided to entrust her to the best keeper he know, Giorgio.
Maybe the change of her surrounding would be good for her, because Giorgio still see the joy of summer sparkling trough the grey that surround her, and he would do anything to make her shine again as before.
//
I'm gonna be honest, I was not digging it at the beginning, it was a little slow for my likes, nothing much happened and it was pretty boring (Martina I feel you).
The story began interesting around 40/50% into it when finally we get to know more about the general plot of the story (👀 and those big revelations! omg) and finally the two of them bang (lmao).
Yes, Giorgio did a pretty shitty thing towards the end but I loved how it resolved in the book, Martina took no shit from him or her brother and let the man grovel and was so satisfying to read 10/10
— vibezz
🌤️ age gap [33H 19h]
💻 guardian/ward
🌤️ forced proximity
💻 past trauma
🌤️ grovelling
mini blurb — ✍🏻
After what happened to her, Martina is not the same she was before. She's lost interest in cooking, she barely talk and goes through life passively. Her brother would do anything to protect her, and with the things now in motion to gain finally the power in the organization he decided to entrust her to the best keeper he know, Giorgio.
Maybe the change of her surrounding would be good for her, because Giorgio still see the joy of summer sparkling trough the grey that surround her, and he would do anything to make her shine again as before.
//
I'm gonna be honest, I was not digging it at the beginning, it was a little slow for my likes, nothing much happened and it was pretty boring (Martina I feel you).
The story began interesting around 40/50% into it when finally we get to know more about the general plot of the story (👀 and those big revelations! omg) and finally the two of them bang (lmao).
Yes, Giorgio did a pretty shitty thing towards the end but I loved how it resolved in the book, Martina took no shit from him or her brother and let the man grovel and was so satisfying to read 10/10
“I hated myself, Giorgio.”
He clenches his jaw, clearly displeased at hearing that. “And now?”
“Now, I think even the most broken of things can be mended by the right pair of hands.”
I’m afraid that if I don’t stop trying to rid myself of you, I’ll end up cutting out my own heart.”
“Then let go of the knife,” I say, my lips close enough to brush against his, “and let me mend you.”
April 15, 2023
Giorgio and Martina's story... and I really enjoyed reading this book! I can't wait to read the next book in the series!
July 15, 2025
This one failed miserably, after Book 1 Which was a really good read.
September 15, 2024
My Review:
I am going to keep this a bit shorter than I would have wanted. Now if I had actually enjoyed this book I would do a full length review but alas, I just didn't enjoy this one like I wanted to to be honest. There was just something that was so off about this book. Now keep in mind I absolutely LOVED the first book. So this one was just a bit of a disappointment. It had a great premise, and it started out really good. But then the pacing went way off, super super from the 30-65% of the story, the heroine became such a brat, very immature, and just rubbed me the wrong way. And there is a scene where she really shows an abusive side. And quite frankly, needed to do a better grovel than she did The hero I was totally fine with all the way through actually. And once you get to 65% that is where the story really picks up plot wise and I was really happy with how it was all resolved.
I am sure that this book will work for some readers though, it just didn't quite work for me. And while I still plan on reading more from this author, I might take some time before picking up book three.
I am going to keep this a bit shorter than I would have wanted. Now if I had actually enjoyed this book I would do a full length review but alas, I just didn't enjoy this one like I wanted to to be honest. There was just something that was so off about this book. Now keep in mind I absolutely LOVED the first book. So this one was just a bit of a disappointment. It had a great premise, and it started out really good. But then the pacing went way off, super super from the 30-65% of the story, the heroine became such a brat, very immature, and just rubbed me the wrong way. And there is a scene where she really shows an abusive side. And quite frankly, needed to do a better grovel than she did The hero I was totally fine with all the way through actually. And once you get to 65% that is where the story really picks up plot wise and I was really happy with how it was all resolved.
I am sure that this book will work for some readers though, it just didn't quite work for me. And while I still plan on reading more from this author, I might take some time before picking up book three.
May 14, 2025
"But the deeper I cut, the deeper you burrow. I'm afraid that if I don't stop trying to rid myself of you, I'll end up cutting out my own heart."
En este segundo libro tenemos nuevos tropes que no decepcionan... age-gap (14 años), romance prohibido, guardián y proximidad forzada. Aunque continuamos la trama anterior, que parcialmente queda resuelta en esta entrega, se incorporan nuevas intrigas y se desarrolla la historia de Giorgio y Martina.
Giorgio debe proteger a Martina y ocultarla de todos los que quieren capturarla. Ella no está en un buen momento después de las dos situaciones traumáticas que ha vivido y cuando se va al castello, apenas es un cascarón de si misma.
Giorgio aspira a obtener algo a cambio de proteger a Martina, algo que pondrá fin a años en los que ha esperado poder vengarse de un hecho del pasado. Pero quizás la venganza no consiga salvarle, todo lo que ha pasado le ha dejado muchas huellas.
El romance entre los dos está muy bien llevado y realmente encaja en la historia.
Pero si hay algo que destacar es lo bien escrito que está el libro.
Y como desde el primer libro llevamos viendo detalles de la próxima pareja, pues no puedo esperar...
En este segundo libro tenemos nuevos tropes que no decepcionan... age-gap (14 años), romance prohibido, guardián y proximidad forzada. Aunque continuamos la trama anterior, que parcialmente queda resuelta en esta entrega, se incorporan nuevas intrigas y se desarrolla la historia de Giorgio y Martina.
Giorgio debe proteger a Martina y ocultarla de todos los que quieren capturarla. Ella no está en un buen momento después de las dos situaciones traumáticas que ha vivido y cuando se va al castello, apenas es un cascarón de si misma.
Giorgio aspira a obtener algo a cambio de proteger a Martina, algo que pondrá fin a años en los que ha esperado poder vengarse de un hecho del pasado. Pero quizás la venganza no consiga salvarle, todo lo que ha pasado le ha dejado muchas huellas.
El romance entre los dos está muy bien llevado y realmente encaja en la historia.
Pero si hay algo que destacar es lo bien escrito que está el libro.
Y como desde el primer libro llevamos viendo detalles de la próxima pareja, pues no puedo esperar...
January 11, 2024
Me incomodó la diferencia de edad y las circunstancias en las que se unieron estos dos personajes. Sus interacciones fueron completamente dignas de vergüenza, por decir lo menos. No me gustó.
October 3, 2023
IT DID WHAT IT WAS SUPPOSED TO DO WHICH IS GET ME OUT OF A SLUMP😙
Anyways Gio and Mari were cutee can’t wait to read about Ras and Gemma🤭
Anyways Gio and Mari were cutee can’t wait to read about Ras and Gemma🤭
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