The Enslaved Duet

by Giana Darling

From USA Today & Wall Street Journal bestselling author Giana Darling comes a dark, twisted tale of an Italian woman sold into slavery to a cold, calculating British modern day Earl with his own dark agenda…

It was the biggest day of my life.
Not just because it was my eighteenth birthday, but because it was also the day I was sold to the British Earl of Thornton.
He was beautiful as a Greco-Roman statue, but just as cold and utterly cruel.
He bought me to own me, control me, and use me as a means to an end in a dangerous game between rich men and ancient secret societies.
I never could have known I'd fall in love with him against all odds.
And that in doing so, I'd have to choose between my own freedom and hunting down the demons that haunted us both.
In the end, the decision was never really mine to make.
Because Alexander Davenport would come to claim me even in death.

*The boxset of Enthralled and Enamoured in The Enslaved Duet.*

Genres: Dark Romance, BDSM

754 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 21, 2022

About the author

Giana Darling is a Wall Street Journal, USA Today and Top 40 Amazon Best Selling Canadian romance author.

I love to write about all things dark, forbidden, and angsty.

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You can also contact my PA at gianadarlingpa(at)gianadarling.com !

Reviews

[The Romantic Rush Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enamoured/Series Review:
After the massive cliff hanger with Enthralled, I was desperate to dive back into the dark and delicious Enslaved world. Giana Darling is such a powerful and captivating story, so I knew that this story would not disappoint and would bring all the dark romanticism and sensual poetry that I’m used to with her prose. And, I was right-Cosima and Alexander’s conclusion is beautiful, passionate, and spellbindingly raw.


The dominant and submissive/slave master type relationship isn’t really my favorite in romance, but Giana is a favorite, so I dove into this world. And, aspects of the first book definitely pushed me- it is dark, cruel in places, but I fell so in love with the complicated, pleasure and pain chemistry between these two. Book 2, dare I saw, is a bit softer, and for me, that really worked. We also get a lot more of the secondary characters, which has me even more excited for future books in this world. IN terms of it being less dark than the first, it felt more transparently emotional- and that’s because these characters are recovering from the devastating finale of book 1.

Book one really was establishing their intense chemistry and connection, and in Enamoured we really explore how both of these characters grow and evolve so they can actually be together, since that is where they so clearly belong. Alexander is addressing his feelings for Cosima, and Cosima is trying to find out how to move forward after her heartbreak. Giana really makes their path back to each other complicated- it’s incredibly engaging, even if at times a bit overwhelming and occasionally frustrating, with just how many elements come together. For the most part Giana weaves them together well, and the sinister and complicated challenges they face add so much angst, added emotional challenges, and all the drama.

I particularly loved how Giana developed Cosima’s character. She still has her big and beautiful heart, but we also see her find more strength and comes into herself, but only after she well and truly breaks. She suffers through so much, but she somehow is able to hang on to her essence - her love, her compassion, her tenderness, her light. And watching the evolution of her relationship with Alexander was so complex and interesting. Again, Giana finds a way to evolve their chemistry that maintains the essence of their dynamics but bends and expands to evolve for who these two are now- the master who loves his slave. It’s an enthralling journey to see Alexander accept he’s enamoured (yeh, I’m punny).

[Aurora · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF immediately after reading that in Italy we have the OCEAN (wtf, we have te sea and no ocean and the sea are not the same!!!) and that Rome and Napoli are 1 hour away from each other by car (they are hours, not one for god’s sake). Before writing about a place you do not know nothing about, at least inform yourself. And another thing in Italy we have also a normal life, Italy is not just Napoli, Italy is not just Mafia!! And we women do not obey to men like that (maybe in the mafia environment but our life is not like it is portrayed in the book, I know it was a written like this because of the mafia, but I wanted to clarify anyway). Do not write about Italy if you just write wrong things and just sterotypes. Inform yourself, you can use social network to contact locals…

[Petra Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alexander is the epitome of a dark lover. Capable of awful cruelty, he is also poetic and passionate.

Cosima, is, quite simply a queen. Her unreal beauty is the smallest part of it. She loves and hates with all of her being, and tho she can be destroyed she is never extinguished.

Please heed the content warnings, especially if you are new to BDSM romances. Alexander is sometimes impossible to love and he lives surrounded by all that is toxic.

[MissPetiteBrunetteBookBlog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enthralled (5 Stars)
What a exhilarating book & I need book two Now! Sold.. On her 18th birthday, Cosima Lombardi finds out she is to be sold as payment for a debt to a devilish man named Alexander Davenport or as Cosima will learn to know him as Master! Hold on to your seats because from the very first page you will be drawn into this brilliant tale. “...you give....and I take of your exquisite body.” This is not for the faint of heart but if you are a fan of hot& dirty master/slave dark romance mysteries then this is definitely one book you will want to grab! You will be kept on your toes trying to figure out what is truly happening in this forbidden and secret world. Who are the Order of the Dionysus what is their true meaning? If you’re a fan of pepper winters Indebted series this is for you. Told in Cosima’s POV; ends in a major cliffhanger. Bravo Giana Darling

Enamored (5 Stars)
Book two in this exciting and steamy dark romance is finally here and well worse the wait! In book one, Cosima Lombardi finds out she is to be sold on her 18th birthday as payment for a debt to a devilish man named Alexander Davenport or as Cosima will learn to know him as Master! We start this book where Enthralled left off with Cosmia disappearing after her wedding to Alexander. He wants her back no matter what! “To see her was to want her, to know her at all was to be Enamoured by her.” Was it the Secret Society, The Order, he was pledged to or was it someone else that took her if she was even taken at all? Can Alexander fight against them and really win to rein free? We finally find out how strong The Order of the Dionysus truly are and how much power they contain. Can Cosmia find herself again and put the past behind her or will a part of her be missing? Cosima Lombardi & Alexander Davenport’s tumultuous, intense relationship continues in this epic conclusion. Beware of Master’s wrath! An undeniable connection, betrayal, lies, passion and many many twists await you in this conclusion to the Enslaved Duet. Some BDSM, Told in dual POV

[Viktorija Gudynaite · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at 14% such a boring book!!!! Author was trying to tell us that the MFC is a strong woman but her thoughts showed that she was just following her horny senses. Cosima is boring like shit!!!! She has no story for me to be interested with. Aww poor beautiful model girl😂😂😂laughable…
I hate when books talk about enslavement and BDSM with virgin girls who have zero sexual experience but a hot guy has to only be dominant for one sec and they are wet and enjoying themselves. No way!!! If you are placed in rape situation without prior sexual experience you will be scared not aroused.
As well, don’t like reading about two beautiful ppl who fall for each other based on looks. Boring!!!!

[enchanting · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would like to start with, I read the Anti-Heroes In Love Duet first and Cosima was described as this successful, strong and brave person and that just vanished into thin air.. as the book went on and when it finally ended, there was no air left... but I wouldn't know what to say.

2 stars is for the author's effort.

[Amal Guevin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Like reading Playboy editorials

OMG... was this story really necessary? Horribly graphic and demeaning, meant to shock. If this actually exists in our world, mankind is doomed.

[Sophiya · Rating 1 out of 5]

I gave it my best shot, but ultimately dnf'ed.

As I get older, I realise that all the flowery language from this writer doesn't change that her characters are for the largest part unbearable.

I put this off for years. I read Elena's suet first and I loved her. I do think she deserved a better story though, especially given the horror that was The Evolution of Sin.

Elena is the only character I've genuinely appreciated. I didn't like Cosima for all the writer's waxing lyrical about her. I thought she was a hypocrite, especially when it came to Elena. As I was reading this duet, I stopped after this interaction between Cosima and Beau:

"“I’ve sacrificed for everyone in my family, and I would do it again. Even if that were true, though, Beau, don’t you think she could see it as a compliment? Giselle was never as strong as my steel-souled Elena. If we let her feel the impact of our cruel lives a little more, it was only because we knew she could handle it.”

Beau nodded reluctantly. I wanted to spit at him, to rage against his guilt trip because who was he to judge? Had he ever asked himself why Sebastian and I were put on the front lines of our family when we were the youngest? Had he ever wondered what we had to do to get Elena out of Italy and into NYU law?

No. Of course not.

Because people see strength in a person, and it blinds them to their need to be compassionate with them.

Just because I was strong enough to handle the worst of things didn’t mean I didn’t want or need help."

It was just the last straw for me. Hypocrites who constantly criticise and victim-blame will never be the type of character I can like. In the same breath that she thinks Elena should be flattered for not having support and being strong (even when her family is stabbing her in the back), Cosima complains that she needed support and didn't get it when she needed it.

I tried, I genuinely tried because Cosima ultimately made hard choices to get her family out of poverty. But I often get the feeling that Elena was never given enough credit for getting them to that point.

DNF at something percent. Wouldn't recommend if you have strong ideas of how families need to support and love one another.

[Tanya Rae ~ TaSTy WordGasms · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Enslaved Duet consists of Enthralled and Enamoured. Giana Darling is a new to me author. I read my first book by her just recently and knew that I needed to read more of her books.

This is Cosima Lombardi and Alexander Davenport’s story. I read one of the reviews that said that Cosima was boring. I don’t think she is. After what she has been through. She is a pawn to be played with. As MMC I don’t really feel that Alexander is book boyfriend worthy yet.
Yes, he is a master, and Cosima has found that out. She is only trying to survive and that comes with a learning curve.

Enthralled is a pretty dark story. So, checkout the TW’s. There aren’t many light moments in this book.

I am so happy that I don’t have to wait and can read Enamoured now or at least after I get this review posted.

Enamoured is the second part of this duet. Alexander and Cosima’s story continues. They just got married and now she is missing. It took a bit of time for Alexander and Cosima to get back together. He said he never wanted to see her again. She is so hurt. Her therapy sessions were to help her get over Stockholm syndrome. She has never gotten over him and Alexander does find his way back to her.

Alexander is a sadist. He ruined her for an ordinary life. She craves what he has to give.

This book seems to have brought out a lot of emotions regarding the content. I rather enjoyed reading this book. But there are quite a few lower star reviews. I have to say in Enthralled I was not a fan of Alexander and as far as a book boyfriend I wouldn’t want him either. This man is a sadist as I mentioned earlier, and he isn’t for everyone but there are women out there that he would be their end all. Therefore, I enjoyed this book.

I read The Enslaved Duet with Kindle Unlimited. I will be looking for more books by this author. She writes dark romances, and I love them.

[Books2lovenow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark Thrilling Ride

First Book

I admit I purposely didn't read this story until the second book in the duet came out. Having read the Sin series and the Fallen man series I knew Giana Darling would have me going crazy for the conclusion of the story. I wasn't wrong. I read both books in less than a week. Cosima's story is dark, twisted, thought provoking. Absolutely nothing is what you think. No one is what you think. The story is haunting it will stay with you forever. Like all Ms. Darling's books the characters are so incredibly vivid. This is not a read for the faint of heart. It's twisted, sexy, graphic, violent, romantic, and heartbreaking all in one go. If you love Giana's writing or a romance novel with some real thought in it you will love this book and this duet!

Second Book

All I can say is wow. This duet was so intense that at times I almost couldn't read I was so frightened of what was going to happen next. Other times I literally forgot to do anything I meant to get done because I had to keep reading. This is definitely a dark read. It's not for the faint of heart. You laugh, cry, and feel so intensely for Cosima and Alexander. Not to mention the secondary characters like Dante. Although, Dante tends to steal the show when he's in a scene. I cannot wait to read what happens to the rest of the family Sebastian, Ellena, Dante, ECT. Best dark read I've read in a long time.

[Alba and Her Secrets..♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5-4 'Closed loop' Stars!

Ever since I met the Lombardis and especially after finishing The Evolution of Sin Trilogy, I've been curious to read more. Now, focusing on The Enslaved Duet and putting the main plot aside (yes, Cosima is literally sold as a slave to Alexander), I actually quite enjoyed reading this duet. The chemistry between Cosima and Alexander was spicing and Giana Darling’s writing still has me 100% hooked. She sure knows how to create tension, emotion, and those steamy scenes that are impossible to put down. The scenes between Cosima and Alexander are incredibly sexy and intense—though at times hard to digest, given the dark premise.

Yes, in my opinion, some parts were definitely hard to read because of the whole slave theme, but overall, I enjoyed it—especially the second installment in the series. Getting more of Alexander’s backstory made a big difference. You finally start to understand why he’s so cold and why he needs to dominate Cosima the way he does. Overall, it was a dark but gripping duet and I loved how Giana keeps bringing in more of the Lombardi family—I’m already excited to read the rest of their stories around these characters. Can't wait to read Elena and Dante's duet next!

[Sandie Chraponski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This duet is definitely not for the weak.

Giana continues to write visual stories that I can’t stop reading!

Enthralled

Cosima will do anything for her family, even if it means she agrees to the unthinkable.

This dark tale has so many twists and turns you are going to wonder what could possibly happen next! There is intrigue, drama and a lot of heat. There is also a cliffhanger but thankfully the next book is available to read right away!

Enamored

This book isn’t just a book, this is an epic story that only spans 5 years, but they make EVERY minute count!

Cosima and Alexander’s love is that sort of love that can only happen in a story. The things these two have to go through would end mere mortals. But since they are the epitome of Hades and Persephone, they can with stand all that is thrown at them.

This is a lengthy book, and right when you think it’s about to be over Giana just keeps giving us more. And I love that she does. I am working my way through her back list and I cannot wait to read more!

Do not miss out on this duet!

[Candy Gregory · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book I’ve ever read

The author has an amazing grasp of imagery and use of the English language. She can really tell a story and keep you interested. I loved every minute of it! I also loved that unlike most romance novels that only end with the two getting together that she actually continued the story into years afterwards when they have children and what happened to their lives and it was just perfect. I would have loved a little bit more hot, pregnant sex, and maybe some lactation fantasies when the children were born. All in all seriously best book I’ve read and I don’t know how long.

[Nan]

I really like this book and have to say I liked Elena and Dante the best.
Her family really let her down and if it hadn’t been for Dante to really take his time with her it paid off.
Very emotional read and well written loved the banter.

[io greymoon · Rating 5 out of 5]

You had me at sold to a British Earl at 18. Five stars as usual.