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The Sovrano Crime Family #1
Tempting the King
An escaped Mafia Queen, hiding from her past.
A Mafia King who wants to claim her…
Giselle
They think I’m lost—but I know better.
I can never be found.
The path I’ve created isn’t easy, but it’s necessary to keep my baby safe—to keep her hidden from the monster who helped make her.
Now, money’s tight—and I’m out of options.
And suddenly, I’m thrust into a life I never knew existed.
Carlo
With my father on his deathbed, I need an heir.
And I need him now.
Because soon—I’ll be taking over the empire my father has built.
But first things first.
I need a Queen.
A Mafia King who wants to claim her…
Giselle
They think I’m lost—but I know better.
I can never be found.
The path I’ve created isn’t easy, but it’s necessary to keep my baby safe—to keep her hidden from the monster who helped make her.
Now, money’s tight—and I’m out of options.
And suddenly, I’m thrust into a life I never knew existed.
Carlo
With my father on his deathbed, I need an heir.
And I need him now.
Because soon—I’ll be taking over the empire my father has built.
But first things first.
I need a Queen.
186 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 5, 2022
924 people are currently reading
2124 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
August 1, 2023
cheater NOT A STAND ALONE,…TOTAL cliff hanger
Also, the savrano crime family is a character that already exist by another author story is a bit different but. Feels “plagerized”
while the story may be an exciting one., I’m not gonna read any more of the series .. WARNING : DO NOT GET INVESTED IN THIS STORY UNLESS YOU ARE READY TO SHELL OUT THREE DOLLARS EACH FOR THE REMAINING 7 MORE BOOKS BECAUSE THIS STORY HAS BEEN CHOPPED UP ! THIS IS NOT A FULL STORY! THIS IS MAYBE 5 OR 6 CHAPTERS OF A STORY. NOT EVEN THE MIDDLE OF A BOOK!.. it is STILL THE BEGINNING OF A BOOK.. THIS IS JUST A FEW CHAPTERS OF A STORY! I’M NOT PAYING FOR 8 SECTIONS OF A BOOK CHOPPED UP. While the author has the audacity to CALL IT A “SERIES” This is one of those cheat authors who give you an exciting beginning of a book for free leave it on a cliff hanger in the beginning of the story.. and force you to pay to find out what happens next! .. and since this was only a couple chapters. Not even the middle of a story… and there are 8 books I’m not gonna pay 8 times just to get the full story. No thank you. I don’t like cheat authors. A book is a story start to finish .. if you make a series it should have a beginning and ending .. and start the next book.. has a new begging and a new ending ., like Hunger games or Harry potter or godfather or Imagine if you readhunger games and the book ended just as Katniss and Peata where put in the ring and it just ended right there,.. poof that’s it it’s over and you got to pay 8 more times to read 8 more sections just to find out they both survived. And get to go home! Not cool dude not cool. It was slow to burn then just as it finally got good ?.,,,,,SLAM. The END .. nope! You need to PAY THREE DOLLARS AND READ A FEW MORE CHAPTERS . THEN PAY THREE MORE DOLLARS EACH FOR FIVE MORE BOOKS.. JUST TO GET to the BEGINNING AND END OF ONE COMPLETE STORY . PUT THIS ON KINDLE UNLIMITED OR YOUARE GONNA LOSE MONEY. AND READERS A LOT OF READERS WE HATE CHEATERS WE HATE CLIFFYS
Also, the savrano crime family is a character that already exist by another author story is a bit different but. Feels “plagerized”
while the story may be an exciting one., I’m not gonna read any more of the series .. WARNING : DO NOT GET INVESTED IN THIS STORY UNLESS YOU ARE READY TO SHELL OUT THREE DOLLARS EACH FOR THE REMAINING 7 MORE BOOKS BECAUSE THIS STORY HAS BEEN CHOPPED UP ! THIS IS NOT A FULL STORY! THIS IS MAYBE 5 OR 6 CHAPTERS OF A STORY. NOT EVEN THE MIDDLE OF A BOOK!.. it is STILL THE BEGINNING OF A BOOK.. THIS IS JUST A FEW CHAPTERS OF A STORY! I’M NOT PAYING FOR 8 SECTIONS OF A BOOK CHOPPED UP. While the author has the audacity to CALL IT A “SERIES” This is one of those cheat authors who give you an exciting beginning of a book for free leave it on a cliff hanger in the beginning of the story.. and force you to pay to find out what happens next! .. and since this was only a couple chapters. Not even the middle of a story… and there are 8 books I’m not gonna pay 8 times just to get the full story. No thank you. I don’t like cheat authors. A book is a story start to finish .. if you make a series it should have a beginning and ending .. and start the next book.. has a new begging and a new ending ., like Hunger games or Harry potter or godfather or Imagine if you readhunger games and the book ended just as Katniss and Peata where put in the ring and it just ended right there,.. poof that’s it it’s over and you got to pay 8 more times to read 8 more sections just to find out they both survived. And get to go home! Not cool dude not cool. It was slow to burn then just as it finally got good ?.,,,,,SLAM. The END .. nope! You need to PAY THREE DOLLARS AND READ A FEW MORE CHAPTERS . THEN PAY THREE MORE DOLLARS EACH FOR FIVE MORE BOOKS.. JUST TO GET to the BEGINNING AND END OF ONE COMPLETE STORY . PUT THIS ON KINDLE UNLIMITED OR YOUARE GONNA LOSE MONEY. AND READERS A LOT OF READERS WE HATE CHEATERS WE HATE CLIFFYS
April 29, 2024
The writing was not great. I almost dnf’ed after the first few pages since the only thing the MMC seems to know how to say or think is “Christ.” There were a few moments that started to be cute or feel like they were building to something but there was so much info. missing. The book’s description says he needs an heir, but that isn’t mentioned once. In fact, not a lot about Carlo is mentioned or set up at all. Meanwhile Giselle explains her same two worries over and over again, but doesn’t really act in a way that is congruent with those worries. I also find it really hard to believe that a man that made a comment about her car every time her picked her up wouldn’t notice a car seat or baby toys in the back (if those didn’t exist, they should… or their absence should be explained to the reader.) Also, if I took a random woman to my large home with horses outside of the city, I would have a LOT of follow up questions about her knowing how to saddle and ride a horse by herself. That’s not a skill most women just have handy, ready to whip out whenever there happen to be horses around. Especially not women who are living paycheck to paycheck. And the author even mentioned that Giselle had to work to keep food on the table for her family in high school, so she obviously didn’t grow up wealthy and I don’t think it said she grew up on a farm with horses so where the heck does her extensive horse history come from???
Some people are mad that this isn’t a stand-alone; I don’t have a problem with it being a more traditional take on a series with a cliffhanger ending, but I do have a problem with the book not actually setting up anything for the rest of the series and having so many holes in it. Like, what was this? As so many others have said, I’m glad it was free and a short read.
Some people are mad that this isn’t a stand-alone; I don’t have a problem with it being a more traditional take on a series with a cliffhanger ending, but I do have a problem with the book not actually setting up anything for the rest of the series and having so many holes in it. Like, what was this? As so many others have said, I’m glad it was free and a short read.
October 29, 2022
Giselle and Carlo😍
Tempting the King is the first book in this new series and a spin off from the Billion series which features Eve and Nick. Giselle is Eve’s next door neighbour from her “former” life and she babysat for Eve when it was required😳
After having surgery so that she could work for Ilona, Eve being her contact to get in…Giselle is heavy in debt but she’s trying to work this off and keep a roof over their heads and food in their bellies❣️
I really enjoyed this story and the interactions between Giselle and Carlo, especially when one day he “changes” things up😂😉 I received an advanced copy and voluntarily leave my honest review❤️
Tempting the King is the first book in this new series and a spin off from the Billion series which features Eve and Nick. Giselle is Eve’s next door neighbour from her “former” life and she babysat for Eve when it was required😳
After having surgery so that she could work for Ilona, Eve being her contact to get in…Giselle is heavy in debt but she’s trying to work this off and keep a roof over their heads and food in their bellies❣️
I really enjoyed this story and the interactions between Giselle and Carlo, especially when one day he “changes” things up😂😉 I received an advanced copy and voluntarily leave my honest review❤️
November 3, 2022
Oh wow. Giselle and Carlo are going to take us on a RIDE! We get to know a little bit of what drove Giselle to Ilona’s for employment, but I need more. I need to know all of it! And Carlo is just as intense as I’d remembered, but can he come back from this? His temper gets the best of him, Giselle absolutely has to break her word, and I’m pretty sure he’s going to have some harsh punishments for her once they meet up again. And they definitely will.
But until then….holy wow. The burn. It’s slow. And hot. And Giselle really isn’t sure how to deal with how she feels while Carlo seems to have restraint of iron. Or maybe he just doesn’t want her. Those doubts slither in more than once and Giselle is all too human to avoid their sting. She doesn’t realize that Carlo wants things he’s been totally fine without for so long. And I’m wondering if he can handle her secrets and truth just as much as I wonder if Giselle can handle his. I guess we’ll find out!
But until then….holy wow. The burn. It’s slow. And hot. And Giselle really isn’t sure how to deal with how she feels while Carlo seems to have restraint of iron. Or maybe he just doesn’t want her. Those doubts slither in more than once and Giselle is all too human to avoid their sting. She doesn’t realize that Carlo wants things he’s been totally fine without for so long. And I’m wondering if he can handle her secrets and truth just as much as I wonder if Giselle can handle his. I guess we’ll find out!
November 6, 2022
This book is so good. We first met Carlo and Giselle in the Rosetti series. Carlo is one of Nicks best friends and Giselle is Eve’s neighbor and friend. Giselle works for Ilona and meets Carlo when he places an order with Ilona. Carlo doesn’t know that Giselle has seen him before at her friends house and that she is friends with his brother. The two have crazy chemistry and end up showing one another a bit of their real selves rather than just client and call girl personalities. The start of their story is filled with sweet moments yet they still have a ton of secrets. This book definitely leaves you wanting to know what will happen next. How will Carlo react to Giselle leaving when she did and will he find out about her daughter? I cant wait for the next book!
November 7, 2022
More Ilona Goodness!!
We meet Giselle as she is struggling to make ends meet. Friend Eve gives her the name of Ilona, good money, sometimes tough work.
Carlo expects his “regular” from Ilona, but gets Giselle instead. Giselle is attracted to Carlos. She is confused, but delighted when he begins to woo her rather than make demands. We have orange soda, horseback riding, and picnics.
There is something Carlos doesn’t know about Giselle, and when an emergency call comes in Giselle must leave to handle it. We are left hanging until the next book comes out - which we knew, and which we are assured is coming very soon! Thoroughly enjoyed this - eagerly awaiting the next story.
***** I am voluntarily leaving my honest review of this book *****
We meet Giselle as she is struggling to make ends meet. Friend Eve gives her the name of Ilona, good money, sometimes tough work.
Carlo expects his “regular” from Ilona, but gets Giselle instead. Giselle is attracted to Carlos. She is confused, but delighted when he begins to woo her rather than make demands. We have orange soda, horseback riding, and picnics.
There is something Carlos doesn’t know about Giselle, and when an emergency call comes in Giselle must leave to handle it. We are left hanging until the next book comes out - which we knew, and which we are assured is coming very soon! Thoroughly enjoyed this - eagerly awaiting the next story.
***** I am voluntarily leaving my honest review of this book *****
October 30, 2022
This is such a good story about Giselle and Carlo, and Dani. Wow! I remember I liked her a lot in Nick and Eve’s books, and I’m excited to get to know more about her. This book was just the first part and it was too short, but was full of interesting situations. I wanted to hear about her work for Ilona after the surgical procedures she had before. I also enjoyed reading about the same places Eve enjoys, but through Giselle’s eyes, and to learn about her hobbies. I really like her with Carlo! However, this was a short story that left me on a high note, anxiously anticipating the next part.
November 12, 2022
Ahhh the author did it again. She writes these shorter books (still plenty long enough) with killer cliffhangers.
So this book follows Carlos and Giselle. We met Giselle in the last series and she is the sweet neighbor who has a darling little girl Dani.
She is on the run from something-what we don’t know yet but she is trying hard to make a good life for Dani.
So far this book has started with a bang-Carlos is smitten with Giselle and he has gotten very protective quickly.
Though with this cliffhanger ending I am not sure he is going to be so nice beginning of next book!
So this book follows Carlos and Giselle. We met Giselle in the last series and she is the sweet neighbor who has a darling little girl Dani.
She is on the run from something-what we don’t know yet but she is trying hard to make a good life for Dani.
So far this book has started with a bang-Carlos is smitten with Giselle and he has gotten very protective quickly.
Though with this cliffhanger ending I am not sure he is going to be so nice beginning of next book!
November 6, 2022
If you love, “A Billion Desires” by Jessa York, you will also love “Tempting the King.” The burn is slow, and the anticipation is *chef’s kiss.* I was hooked from chapter 1! Giselle is a really deep character, and I loved reading more about her story in this book. (You meet her briefly in the Rosetti Crime family series.) The ending is definitely a cliffhanger that will keep you wanting more! Be prepared for your next binge read! I can’t wait for book 2!
January 31, 2023
Not a fan. The writing style felt like reading someone’s creative writing project, and the main characters gave absolutely nothing. I wish I had a dollar for every time the MC said “Christ”….it seems like he said it every other word. Looking the word up via Kindle, he says it THIRTY-TWO times in a 186 page book. The amount of time her “impossibly large breasts” are mentioned is ridiculous, too.
April 25, 2025
The first scene is from the desperately horny MMC’s POV. He ordered a sex worker to his hotel room and she’s soooo hot etc etc but he doesn’t want to do the thing he paid her for because she’s… idk, too special? Not like other girls? Orders orange soda instead of wine? He’s creepily insistent on hand-feeding her and pouring her drink, which is honestly sus AF when you’re a John and I don’t think any IRL SW would put up with it, and the fact that he just wants to sit and talk… about sewing??? 🙄 He simultaneously comes off as super shallow and super simpy. Sex scene in chapter 1 would’ve been better than this awkward mess.
Next, cut to the FMC’s POV, and she’s got the whole single mom thing going on, with the most fake interaction with a child you’ve ever seen in a book: comes in to pick up her kid from the sitter in the middle of the night, kiddo comes to the door and hugs her and says (I kid you not) “I wuv you, Momma” 🙄🙄🙄🙄 Clearly you’ve never woken a cranky toddler from bed in your life. There’s the requisite slutshaming from the FMC: “So, before I slutted myself up, I always made sure to drop the baby off at daycare, first. […] I never wanted my daughter to see me dressed up like the whore that I was.” Uuuuugh. Next scene, it’s her with a john she finds unattractive and dislikes his kink, and we have to sit through the whole play-by-play of that, so it really makes you wonder where the author’s head is at.
Cut to MMC POV. He is now pathetically simping for the FMC and immediately orders another sex worker who “looks like her” and there’s a sex scene with him and his disgusting thoughts about how the person whose body he is buying for his pleasure isn’t as good as the FMC who he literally never even saw naked… Ugh, spare me! This dude has NOTHING going on upstairs. Thinks entirely with his second head. His chapters are drop dead boring.
Cut to FMC. Apparently the “I wuv you Momma” kid speaking full sentences is a crawling baby. Oh, also she told her kid that the MMC is her Dada last week when she randomly saw him outside her neighbor’s house having a trashy public argument, and the kid remembers and is now screaming for Dada when he comes by again (obviously sharing this neighbor guy down or whatever)… *awkward* but it gets weirder because apparently the trailer trash neighbor is the MMC’s brother… Am I reading a billionaire mafia romance novel right now? What kinda broke-ass billionaire brother is he…?? Brother comes over, hits on FMC, she goes on and on about how he knows her baby’s nap schedule and buys her groceries and formula but there’s no way it’s not platonic… HMM I sense some lame sibling drama coming.
Cut to, FMC is packing for an overnight stay with the MMC who is still paying for her services, and she baked her John muffins and made him a gift basket? This book is so fracking weird. Ok, MMC negs her about her beater car, then makes buckling her seat belt for her some kind of alpha power move, then gets pissy when the FMC is playing the part of a biddable SW because what he wants is the “real” her but he can’t just SAY that so instead he makes her feel really uncomfortable, traps her in his vehicle and threatens to put her over his knee. 🤮 Bro, she’s not bratting for you yet, she’s ConFUseD! you haven’t told her what you want! But apparently this psycho killer stuff is panty-melting for her, so tada.
Dead boring horseback riding date leads to a dead boring wine-tasting picnic, and does not end in sex. This crap goes on for an entire month, appallingly, with MMC paying this woman to date her. They go to a yarn shop together, then a fabric store, then a bookstore, then a jewelry shop THEN a Jane Austen movie marathon (sounds exhausting) where he does the extremely unmanly act of carrying all her stuff and paying for everything she wants. All her friends are impressed because he brought her to all those girly shops and held her girly things even though they probably had cooties all over them. 😱
You know what people expect when they get into a book about a sex worker and a mafia billionaire? Sex first, love later. It’s so weird that the author decided that the MMC’s version of romantic connection is all about never having sex. Honestly kind of giving your judgmental Madonna/whore complex away there. As if he couldn’t love her if he fucked her first? Make it make sense!
So then, finally we think we’re getting a sex scene and the babysitter calls and FMC has to back out. Is MMC cool and lowkey about it? HELL no. He’s an entitled man baby and demands that she get back here and give him what he paid her for. 🤮
The end. Seriously, what an awful mess this book was from start to finish.
July 5, 2024
I started this last night on a whim and while I managed to read it quickly I believe that an additional 100 pages would’ve made this book so much better. I can see what the author meant to portray with this book however the execution lacks a lot.
First : this book is “a dark mafia billionaire romance” while there is nothing dark about this book. Any sort of relation that the mmc could have with the mafia are never mentioned and honestly I felt like I was reading a version of “Dreamland Billionaires” for all the “darkness” in this book.
Second : the fmc isn’t given enough time to be properly introduced to us. She says she’s on the run like 2-3 times and then it’s never mentioned again and no elaboration is given. Why is she running away? And from who? Imo for someone who is being hunted the fmc seemed pretty lax to me. Out of nowhere she mentions hobbies/stuff she does with no prior mention, totally out of nowhere. (The mmc takes her to his mansion where he has horses and all of the sudden the loves horses and it’s been such a long time since she’s ever ridden one?) She says she has no friends however 4 different characters pop up and they’re all her friends. (Maybe this book would’ve needed another round of proofreading)
Third : in the blurb it’s mentioned that the fmc is a mafia princess, however nowhere in the book is mafia ever mentioned nor any relation the fmc might have with it. The fact that she’s running away implies that she may be part of the mafia and the fact that the fmc knows how to ride a horse implies how rich she might have been but then it’s mentioned that *she was the one providing for her father and brother back in high school.
Fourth : as I mentioned the mmc takes the fmc to his horses and lets her saddle and ride the horses, without a)giving her notice about the horses and b)asking her if she knows anything about horses since he doesn’t know anything about her background.
Anyways I’m glad that I got this for free on stuff your kindle day and I’m not sure if I’ll continue the rest of the series. I kinda want to since the 1st book ended on a cliff hanger however there’s 17 books in this series 💀
First : this book is “a dark mafia billionaire romance” while there is nothing dark about this book. Any sort of relation that the mmc could have with the mafia are never mentioned and honestly I felt like I was reading a version of “Dreamland Billionaires” for all the “darkness” in this book.
Second : the fmc isn’t given enough time to be properly introduced to us. She says she’s on the run like 2-3 times and then it’s never mentioned again and no elaboration is given. Why is she running away? And from who? Imo for someone who is being hunted the fmc seemed pretty lax to me. Out of nowhere she mentions hobbies/stuff she does with no prior mention, totally out of nowhere. (The mmc takes her to his mansion where he has horses and all of the sudden the loves horses and it’s been such a long time since she’s ever ridden one?) She says she has no friends however 4 different characters pop up and they’re all her friends. (Maybe this book would’ve needed another round of proofreading)
Third : in the blurb it’s mentioned that the fmc is a mafia princess, however nowhere in the book is mafia ever mentioned nor any relation the fmc might have with it. The fact that she’s running away implies that she may be part of the mafia and the fact that the fmc knows how to ride a horse implies how rich she might have been but then it’s mentioned that *she was the one providing for her father and brother back in high school.
Fourth : as I mentioned the mmc takes the fmc to his horses and lets her saddle and ride the horses, without a)giving her notice about the horses and b)asking her if she knows anything about horses since he doesn’t know anything about her background.
Anyways I’m glad that I got this for free on stuff your kindle day and I’m not sure if I’ll continue the rest of the series. I kinda want to since the 1st book ended on a cliff hanger however there’s 17 books in this series 💀
August 1, 2024
Quick List:
(+) Well written Romance
(+) Well written Sexual Tension
(-) The plot mentions nothing of Mafia despite being a "Mafia Romance"
(-) Slower burn
(-) I don't know who the characters are as people
(-) Description of the book is not similar to the actual book
I came into Tempting the King thinking that this book would be much more fast-paced than it was. Besides not being particularly fond of slower-burning romances, I found myself unclear on who the FMC, Giselle, was besides a prostitute and a mother. Only at the end did we get to see a bit more of her personality, however even with that, we knew nothing about her past except for one or two sentences about her father.
With Carlo, we knew nothing about who he was as a person or his intentions besides what was shown in the book description.
Speaking of the book description (which can be seen below for reference) - it was not AT ALL like the actual book.
An escaped Mafia Queen, hiding from her past.
A Mafia King who wants to claim her…
Giselle
They think I’m lost—but I know better.
I can never be found.
The path I’ve created isn’t easy, but it’s necessary to keep my baby safe—to keep her hidden from the monster who helped make her.
Now, money’s tight—and I’m out of options.
And suddenly, I’m thrust into a life I never knew existed.
Carlo
With my father on his deathbed, I need an heir.
And I need him now.
Because soon—I’ll be taking over the empire my father has built.
But first things first.
I need a Queen.
There was no mention of anything having to do with the Mafia throughout the book, making even the title a bit confusing. I also found the story rather contradicting as the description says she’s an “escaped mafia queen” but she grew up poor… On a more positive note, I think the romantic tension between the two was extremely well-written. I left this book feeling utterly underwhelmed, confused, and disinterested in the rest of the story.
(+) Well written Romance
(+) Well written Sexual Tension
(-) The plot mentions nothing of Mafia despite being a "Mafia Romance"
(-) Slower burn
(-) I don't know who the characters are as people
(-) Description of the book is not similar to the actual book
I came into Tempting the King thinking that this book would be much more fast-paced than it was. Besides not being particularly fond of slower-burning romances, I found myself unclear on who the FMC, Giselle, was besides a prostitute and a mother. Only at the end did we get to see a bit more of her personality, however even with that, we knew nothing about her past except for one or two sentences about her father.
With Carlo, we knew nothing about who he was as a person or his intentions besides what was shown in the book description.
Speaking of the book description (which can be seen below for reference) - it was not AT ALL like the actual book.
An escaped Mafia Queen, hiding from her past.
A Mafia King who wants to claim her…
Giselle
They think I’m lost—but I know better.
I can never be found.
The path I’ve created isn’t easy, but it’s necessary to keep my baby safe—to keep her hidden from the monster who helped make her.
Now, money’s tight—and I’m out of options.
And suddenly, I’m thrust into a life I never knew existed.
Carlo
With my father on his deathbed, I need an heir.
And I need him now.
Because soon—I’ll be taking over the empire my father has built.
But first things first.
I need a Queen.
There was no mention of anything having to do with the Mafia throughout the book, making even the title a bit confusing. I also found the story rather contradicting as the description says she’s an “escaped mafia queen” but she grew up poor… On a more positive note, I think the romantic tension between the two was extremely well-written. I left this book feeling utterly underwhelmed, confused, and disinterested in the rest of the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2024
I liked the idea of this book a lot; just not really the book itself (if that makes sense). For one, I'm not a fan of OW/OM scenes. While yes, the FMC's profession doesn't really leave room to avoid that - I still wasn't biggest fan of how it was written. & the MMC's scenes with OW just made me not want to get attached to him.
Also, really wish I would have realized all 12 (TWELVE) of the books in this "series" is the same FMC and same overall story - just broken up into like 12 100-200pg novellas. Besides getting people to buy 12 of your books instead of 1-3, there was zero reason to publish this way in my opinion. I grabbed this first one during a Stuff Your Kindle day and usually when I like the first book I'll go and then buy the next one or two in the series to finish the story if they are heavily connected. But 11 more books (one not even out yet)??!??!! Ya no thank you. Plus, reading each synopsis for the additional books makes it seem like this story goes 30 different directions and based on reviews - the miscommunication/secrets between main characters still isn't resolved by the most recetly released book (#11).
Unless you are good with buying 12 books that don't keep with a consistent couple and have FMC getting with every man to appear within the pages, and are okay with nothing really being resolved for 9+ books, then I do not recommend this at all tbh. Only reason I gave it 2 stars instead of 1 is because if not for there being 11+ books to follow this one and the OM/OWD, I did like the connection and chemistry between the two main characters. If there was one or two, standard length (250-375) page books for this couple with a completed ending, I'd actually probably really enjoy it.
Also, really wish I would have realized all 12 (TWELVE) of the books in this "series" is the same FMC and same overall story - just broken up into like 12 100-200pg novellas. Besides getting people to buy 12 of your books instead of 1-3, there was zero reason to publish this way in my opinion. I grabbed this first one during a Stuff Your Kindle day and usually when I like the first book I'll go and then buy the next one or two in the series to finish the story if they are heavily connected. But 11 more books (one not even out yet)??!??!! Ya no thank you. Plus, reading each synopsis for the additional books makes it seem like this story goes 30 different directions and based on reviews - the miscommunication/secrets between main characters still isn't resolved by the most recetly released book (#11).
Unless you are good with buying 12 books that don't keep with a consistent couple and have FMC getting with every man to appear within the pages, and are okay with nothing really being resolved for 9+ books, then I do not recommend this at all tbh. Only reason I gave it 2 stars instead of 1 is because if not for there being 11+ books to follow this one and the OM/OWD, I did like the connection and chemistry between the two main characters. If there was one or two, standard length (250-375) page books for this couple with a completed ending, I'd actually probably really enjoy it.
August 5, 2024
Rating: 1⭐️
Spice: none
Tropes: billionaire
Quote: “I'd never seen a more gorgeous woman before. Not in my life. But. When she smiled? It took my breath away.”
We meet Giselle as she is struggling to make ends meet.
Her friend Eve gives her the name of llona, good money, sometimes tough work.
Carlo expects his "regular" from llona, but gets Giselle instead. Giselle is attracted to Carlos. She is confused, but delighted when he begins to woo her rather than make demands.
There is something Carlos doesn't know about Giselle, and when an emergency call comes in Giselle must leave to handle it. We are left hanging until the next book comes out - total cliffhanger.
This book is "a dark mafia billionaire romance" while there is nothing dark about this book. Any sort of relation that the mmc could have with the mafia are never mentioned.
The fmc isn't given enough time to be introduced to us. She says she's on the run like 2-3 times and then it's never mentioned again and no elaboration is given.
Why is she running away? And from who? For someone who is being hunted the fmc seemed pretty relaxed to me.
Spice: none
Tropes: billionaire
Quote: “I'd never seen a more gorgeous woman before. Not in my life. But. When she smiled? It took my breath away.”
We meet Giselle as she is struggling to make ends meet.
Her friend Eve gives her the name of llona, good money, sometimes tough work.
Carlo expects his "regular" from llona, but gets Giselle instead. Giselle is attracted to Carlos. She is confused, but delighted when he begins to woo her rather than make demands.
There is something Carlos doesn't know about Giselle, and when an emergency call comes in Giselle must leave to handle it. We are left hanging until the next book comes out - total cliffhanger.
This book is "a dark mafia billionaire romance" while there is nothing dark about this book. Any sort of relation that the mmc could have with the mafia are never mentioned.
The fmc isn't given enough time to be introduced to us. She says she's on the run like 2-3 times and then it's never mentioned again and no elaboration is given.
Why is she running away? And from who? For someone who is being hunted the fmc seemed pretty relaxed to me.
December 31, 2023
This book is a Netflix novel. It starts out interesting and then nothing happens for eight chapters/episodes because they want you to buy/binge the next book/season. I finished Tempting the King and don’t even know what he’s king of. There’s nothing here. Two characters lacking character development are attracted to each other. They dance around it and don’t have sex and nothing else happens either. The saving grace is the book is short, so I wasn’t annoyed that long. There wasn’t enough literally on the page to want me to keep reading, and the way he disrespects her at the end makes me not even care how they make up (which they will cause there’s like five books—the plot of which I assume can be summed in a couple sentences). I’m getting off the roller coaster.
January 2, 2024
this is written like 12 chapters from an app. There anput 100 pafes each. No thanksGood short read
The book was good and I enjoyed the characters. The book ends on a cliff hanger and the spice is a 3 in my book. I was looking forward to the next book, but as I looked through the series, there are just too many of them. I'm not invested enough to go through them all and quite frankly when I started reading through the blurbs and realized that she's going to be involved with the brother too, which I don't mind but then Eves husband nick and a few others before we finally get to her story and the final 12th book, I decided it's not for me and I'm out.
The book was good and I enjoyed the characters. The book ends on a cliff hanger and the spice is a 3 in my book. I was looking forward to the next book, but as I looked through the series, there are just too many of them. I'm not invested enough to go through them all and quite frankly when I started reading through the blurbs and realized that she's going to be involved with the brother too, which I don't mind but then Eves husband nick and a few others before we finally get to her story and the final 12th book, I decided it's not for me and I'm out.
January 2, 2024
The book was not super well written in my opinion. There was an incredible amount of repetition to drive home points about the FMC that were well established from the start. The “slow burn” wasn’t even a burn. It’s just slow. I was quite bored and skimmed through the last few chapters to discover that the book isn’t even a complete book.. more of a short story with multiple cliffhangers before things even started. I’m not interested in knowing more about these characters so I won’t be moving forward with the series.
July 26, 2024
I tried so hard to like this book. The plot, excellent. The execution, not so good. It doesn't mention anything about its supposed mafia storyline at any time. The story constantly contradicts itself. At one stage Giselle is calling Carlo a lumberjack? Giselle herself is supposedly a mafia princess, yet she refers to her father and brothers as being so poor, which is why she knits and sews. A really good editor could probably help whip this story into shape, unfortunately it's too late for me. I won't be reading on.
March 3, 2023
"Tempting the King" (The Sovrano Crime Family Book 1) by Jessa York was a terrific read. I loved this first part of Giselle and Carlo's story. This story had romance, passion, entertaining characters, humor, billionaires, family, close friends, and more. This was a fantastic start to this new spin-off series. I can't wait to see what happens next. Highly recommend it to all fans of romance, passion, billionaires, and series.
May 6, 2023
The suspense
I liked the edge of the seat way this was written. And for sure loved all the build up. But, personally, the reading the same word over and over....makes the book dull for me. And Gisele...I wasn't overly fond of a lot of her thoughts.
The concept was nice and the storyline differnet but there were a lot of turn offs for me on this one.
Although, I must say, I am curious what happens in the other stories now.
I liked the edge of the seat way this was written. And for sure loved all the build up. But, personally, the reading the same word over and over....makes the book dull for me. And Gisele...I wasn't overly fond of a lot of her thoughts.
The concept was nice and the storyline differnet but there were a lot of turn offs for me on this one.
Although, I must say, I am curious what happens in the other stories now.
June 30, 2024
So, there is compelling romance, a modern setting, character development, emotional depth, a form of escapism, and a strong female protagonist. It’s an appealing read for anyone enjoying a contemporary romance with strong characters, intense chemistry, and a mix of passion and personal growth. Expected a cliffhanger, but not that one. It offers an engaging spicy escape, so I am looking forward to the next in the series.
July 2, 2024
Underwhelmed
While this was good, it was very short with not much build-up or character development. Is he in crime? Why keep hinting about her not being found? Why was her automatic choice to go shopping? Why 17 100-page books!?!
For being a free book, it wasn't bad. I'm not sure I'd pay for the other 16 to get the whole story, though. If they were also KU I'd probably be more interested to finish.
While this was good, it was very short with not much build-up or character development. Is he in crime? Why keep hinting about her not being found? Why was her automatic choice to go shopping? Why 17 100-page books!?!
For being a free book, it wasn't bad. I'm not sure I'd pay for the other 16 to get the whole story, though. If they were also KU I'd probably be more interested to finish.
August 27, 2025
ends in a bad spot
The story was really good & captivating and it just ended at an explosives part, and it just ended in mid sentence and leaves the reader with the following questions:
WHAT THE HECK??? Did Giselle just steal Carlo’s car??? Want to find out what happens when Carlo finds out??? Because I sure do!!
Right now I am upset even though I want to know what happens between them, but I can’t trust that the author won’t do this through the whole series
The story was really good & captivating and it just ended at an explosives part, and it just ended in mid sentence and leaves the reader with the following questions:
WHAT THE HECK??? Did Giselle just steal Carlo’s car??? Want to find out what happens when Carlo finds out??? Because I sure do!!
Right now I am upset even though I want to know what happens between them, but I can’t trust that the author won’t do this through the whole series
November 6, 2025
sigh*
I wish this story wasn’t split into so many smaller books. Kind of went blind on this one, snagged the book through the stuff your kindle event. I enjoyed the story, left me wanting more smaller details. That cliff hanger ending although not too severe was not enjoyable. The author gives you just enough to keep you interested while not revealing much. I guess to the next book I go. Lots of sexual tension, with a good touch of spice.
I wish this story wasn’t split into so many smaller books. Kind of went blind on this one, snagged the book through the stuff your kindle event. I enjoyed the story, left me wanting more smaller details. That cliff hanger ending although not too severe was not enjoyable. The author gives you just enough to keep you interested while not revealing much. I guess to the next book I go. Lots of sexual tension, with a good touch of spice.
January 4, 2023
Decent book, but cliffhanger
The storyline is pretty good so far, but this felt like I read the first quarter of a book & ended on a cliffhanger to get you to buy the next in the series. Usually I wouldn’t mind this, but honestly there wasn’t enough “steamy” action in this one to think books 2-6 are gonna be worth $2.99 each.
The storyline is pretty good so far, but this felt like I read the first quarter of a book & ended on a cliffhanger to get you to buy the next in the series. Usually I wouldn’t mind this, but honestly there wasn’t enough “steamy” action in this one to think books 2-6 are gonna be worth $2.99 each.
June 10, 2023
I liked this series of novelettes, even though each ends on a cliff hanger. Giselle is a very well done character, and I really like Carlo. Even though this is very obviously not the first time the author has written about this world, you can get into it very easily and not scratch your head at what's going on, I looked forward to see where this was going to go.
November 24, 2023
I vaguely remember reading this one. Or maybe I listened to it and that's why I can't remember it well enough.
He's a caring man with a dominant side and she's a prostitute who needs caring for. This much I know, I just can't seem to remember the details or the ending.
Will be listening to it again for sure.
He's a caring man with a dominant side and she's a prostitute who needs caring for. This much I know, I just can't seem to remember the details or the ending.
Will be listening to it again for sure.
February 27, 2024
the way this is a dark romance book and they didn’t even fuck once?! Whatt??
Some words that describe this book perfectly:
Goofy MC
Low self esteem FMC
Badly written
Did not feel it at all, this was a dual pov with only like 2 chapters of the pov from the MC.
I get that this is a 12 book series (which is pretty insane) but nothing happened in this book!! Nothing AT ALL!
Some words that describe this book perfectly:
Goofy MC
Low self esteem FMC
Badly written
Did not feel it at all, this was a dual pov with only like 2 chapters of the pov from the MC.
I get that this is a 12 book series (which is pretty insane) but nothing happened in this book!! Nothing AT ALL!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 1, 2025
I enjoyed the story as it progressed—it had a great balance of spice and sweet romance that kept me hooked. However, the abrupt ending was disappointing, with no real wrap-up to the plot. It felt more like part of a longer book that had been split into multiple installments. While I liked the journey, I was left wanting a more satisfying conclusion.
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