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The Italian Series #2
Ferrara
There were three things that I wanted in life.
To dance like nobody was watching.
Travel the world.
And fall hopelessly in love.
I did all three.
We met at my older brother’s house and instantly I knew that he was trouble.
He kissed me, right there in the bathroom without a care in the world.
And from that moment on, I was his.
We were young, brave and naïve when we met.
Sneaking around and falling in love.
Giuliano Ferrara was perfection.
A beautiful, crazy mistake.
With his big brown eyes and his boyish charm.
But then the world fell apart and things didn’t go as planned.
I never quite forgot him, no matter how hard I tried.
Years later, we saw each other again.
And by the look in his eye, I instantly knew.
The sweet romantic boy I once loved is long gone.
In his place, a dominant, powerful man.
Who gets what he wants, when he wants it.
We can never be together.
It breaks my heart that he refuses to accept it.
I’m the object of his affection.
And what Giuliano Ferrara wants.
Giuliano Ferrara takes.
To dance like nobody was watching.
Travel the world.
And fall hopelessly in love.
I did all three.
We met at my older brother’s house and instantly I knew that he was trouble.
He kissed me, right there in the bathroom without a care in the world.
And from that moment on, I was his.
We were young, brave and naïve when we met.
Sneaking around and falling in love.
Giuliano Ferrara was perfection.
A beautiful, crazy mistake.
With his big brown eyes and his boyish charm.
But then the world fell apart and things didn’t go as planned.
I never quite forgot him, no matter how hard I tried.
Years later, we saw each other again.
And by the look in his eye, I instantly knew.
The sweet romantic boy I once loved is long gone.
In his place, a dominant, powerful man.
Who gets what he wants, when he wants it.
We can never be together.
It breaks my heart that he refuses to accept it.
I’m the object of his affection.
And what Giuliano Ferrara wants.
Giuliano Ferrara takes.
552 pages, Paperback
First published February 26, 2022
3868 people are currently reading
7127 people want to read
About the author
T.L. Swan
33 books23.1k followersT L Swan is a #1 Amazon best-selling author and a professional daydream believer. Based on the scenic South Coast of NSW with her husband and three kids, she's seen her books take the romance world by storm with multiple #1 best sellers and translated editions of her books in over 20 languages.
Best known for "The Miles High Club" series, all of her books exist in an inter-connected universe that exudes luxury and desire. Her mission is crafting steamy, tender, and unforgettable romantic stories that stay with you long after you’ve closed the book.
Best known for "The Miles High Club" series, all of her books exist in an inter-connected universe that exudes luxury and desire. Her mission is crafting steamy, tender, and unforgettable romantic stories that stay with you long after you’ve closed the book.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,188 reviews
March 28, 2022
"I'd climb any mountain, fight any battle, do it all over again in an instant. To get to this precise moment in time."
Ferrara is a journey. Or it felt that way to me. After reading The Italian, I knew I had to know how this one would play out, and I'm so happy to have read it. I was swallowed up in it.
It's hard to find words when no words seem to be enough to describe what you're feeling. This review comes from the heart.
I'm keeping this as spoiler-free as possible because I think you should experience this one blindly (or as blindly as possible if you've read The Italian). The twists and turns are coming, and they're better enjoyed this way.
"Every time he touches me... it's like the first time."
Francesca and Giuliano meet in their teens. There's an instant connection, a shared kiss, some shared moments, and a promise of eternal love.
She's a mafia princess. He's seemingly no one of importance. But when the world around them falls apart, and secrets, lies, and omissions come to light, they realize they can never be together.
"Love chooses you, not the other way around."
However, the heart wants what it wants. He's a mafia king now, leading from Milan, ruthless, brutal, and violent, who takes what he wants, when he wants it. She's an interior designer, following her dreams, all the way in Paris. They haven't seen each other in ten years, but their feelings never went away. Regardless of how much they tried to bury them.
"We're disgustingly perfect for each other."
I can honestly say I loved Giuliano with everything I am. I know already he's not going to be everyone's favorite, but I love his extremes. I love his possessive, dominant, alpha side, and the one he doesn't show most people. I love how merciless he is to others, but how broken he is inside, not showing himself any mercy either. I love all of him, the hot, the cold, and yes, the scorching.
Francesca was the perfect counterpart. She wouldn't take anything lying down, she's her own woman. There's no denying the love she feels for him, but she's badass as well, and I enjoyed her attitude.
"Three days."
"That's a long time."
"I'd wait forever to kiss you."
Their love permeated the book. It is a mafia story, the mafia is everywhere, with action- and suspense-filled moments, and it affects the course of the book. However, for me, it was all about them. How much they have to go through, the pain, the loneliness, the angst, the feeling, the rawness of it all. The love. The crazy love you feel when there's no one else in the world you want to be with, no one else will do, because any one else will always fall short.
They made me feel all of it, deep inside.
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"For loving me the way you do."
Many of us have exchanged promises of undying love in our teens. Some of us may even have meant them. Most of us never got that in the end.
Forever is a hard thing to aim for.
Not for Jules and Cheska. Forever for them feels like just the beginning.
Ferrara is a journey. Or it felt that way to me. After reading The Italian, I knew I had to know how this one would play out, and I'm so happy to have read it. I was swallowed up in it.
It's hard to find words when no words seem to be enough to describe what you're feeling. This review comes from the heart.
I'm keeping this as spoiler-free as possible because I think you should experience this one blindly (or as blindly as possible if you've read The Italian). The twists and turns are coming, and they're better enjoyed this way.
"Every time he touches me... it's like the first time."
Francesca and Giuliano meet in their teens. There's an instant connection, a shared kiss, some shared moments, and a promise of eternal love.
She's a mafia princess. He's seemingly no one of importance. But when the world around them falls apart, and secrets, lies, and omissions come to light, they realize they can never be together.
"Love chooses you, not the other way around."
However, the heart wants what it wants. He's a mafia king now, leading from Milan, ruthless, brutal, and violent, who takes what he wants, when he wants it. She's an interior designer, following her dreams, all the way in Paris. They haven't seen each other in ten years, but their feelings never went away. Regardless of how much they tried to bury them.
"We're disgustingly perfect for each other."
I can honestly say I loved Giuliano with everything I am. I know already he's not going to be everyone's favorite, but I love his extremes. I love his possessive, dominant, alpha side, and the one he doesn't show most people. I love how merciless he is to others, but how broken he is inside, not showing himself any mercy either. I love all of him, the hot, the cold, and yes, the scorching.
Francesca was the perfect counterpart. She wouldn't take anything lying down, she's her own woman. There's no denying the love she feels for him, but she's badass as well, and I enjoyed her attitude.
"Three days."
"That's a long time."
"I'd wait forever to kiss you."
Their love permeated the book. It is a mafia story, the mafia is everywhere, with action- and suspense-filled moments, and it affects the course of the book. However, for me, it was all about them. How much they have to go through, the pain, the loneliness, the angst, the feeling, the rawness of it all. The love. The crazy love you feel when there's no one else in the world you want to be with, no one else will do, because any one else will always fall short.
They made me feel all of it, deep inside.
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"For loving me the way you do."
Many of us have exchanged promises of undying love in our teens. Some of us may even have meant them. Most of us never got that in the end.
Forever is a hard thing to aim for.
Not for Jules and Cheska. Forever for them feels like just the beginning.
March 7, 2022
What a story this one was, it got it's hooks into me straight away and didn't let go, even after I closed that last page this book is still on my mind and I'm anticipating the next book to accompany this like no other because that is going to be an even crazier ride.
Francesca and Giuliano's story was a tumultuous ride, I was rooting for them from the start, craving their HEA like no other, so many obstacles in their way. Their chemistry and stolen moments were off the charts 🔥 🔥
Usually with my mafia reads it's where the grit and the dark come at me so this one was a little bit slow in that aspect it focused more on the forbidden romance of these two with a tiny bit of chaos thrown in at the end. But throw in a few unsuspected twists and turns and this had me engaged throughout.
What had me thinking this was a stand-alone had me unexpectedly hurtling down a semi cliffy.
February 28, 2022
Eeks, this one was rough...
Im convinced there are two TL Swans. One who wrote the Miles High series, and shows a flash of brilliance here and there. The other who writes these insane books that make me want to yell at the top of my lungs. You all rely on me for honesty, so let's get at it.
📚 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲: Mafia romance, Forbidden Romance
📖 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: Francesca is the princess of the Ferrara family, who rules Italy with an iron fist. When she meets Giuliano, they fall in love immediately. But when the truth rips them apart, they're forced to give up their love and go their separate ways.
🌟 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: Alright. In order to explain my feelings on this book I have to give away a minor spoiler. It's legitimately a main plot point you find out rather quickly so it's not going to kill your reading experience - but it's important for me to accurately explain why I'm rating this the way I am.
When I say there are two TL Swans, the "evil" twin version writes these Uber dramatic, almost tabloid-esque stories that are full of over emotional characters and unnecessary drama and these moments of shock value. Ferrara fell into that category.
The main obstacle for Francesca and Guiliano is that they believe they're related - specifically half brother and sister. When they first meet, they don't know. They fall in love, then it comes to light. And then for 60 percent of the book, they struggle with it. But before it comes to light that they aren't, they literally decide to be with one another DESPITE BEING BROTHER AND SISTER. They vacation together, have sex, you name it. And after every moment they're like "oh we are related but hey! That's love."
Wut.
I don't mind taboo. But it was absolutely ridiculous. The writing wasn't great. There's some minor typos. The characters yell and scream a lot about trivial crap. And once they find out they are not - thankfully - related, the story spends the rest of the 40% being this chaotic mafia war that barely makes sense.
All in all I think TL Swan is one my most untrustworthy writers. I'm probably going to stick to only her Miles High Series from now on.
𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 2.5/5 ⭐⭐
𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 3.5/5 🌶🌶🌶
🆓️ on KU
Im convinced there are two TL Swans. One who wrote the Miles High series, and shows a flash of brilliance here and there. The other who writes these insane books that make me want to yell at the top of my lungs. You all rely on me for honesty, so let's get at it.
📚 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲: Mafia romance, Forbidden Romance
📖 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: Francesca is the princess of the Ferrara family, who rules Italy with an iron fist. When she meets Giuliano, they fall in love immediately. But when the truth rips them apart, they're forced to give up their love and go their separate ways.
🌟 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: Alright. In order to explain my feelings on this book I have to give away a minor spoiler. It's legitimately a main plot point you find out rather quickly so it's not going to kill your reading experience - but it's important for me to accurately explain why I'm rating this the way I am.
When I say there are two TL Swans, the "evil" twin version writes these Uber dramatic, almost tabloid-esque stories that are full of over emotional characters and unnecessary drama and these moments of shock value. Ferrara fell into that category.
The main obstacle for Francesca and Guiliano is that they believe they're related - specifically half brother and sister. When they first meet, they don't know. They fall in love, then it comes to light. And then for 60 percent of the book, they struggle with it. But before it comes to light that they aren't, they literally decide to be with one another DESPITE BEING BROTHER AND SISTER. They vacation together, have sex, you name it. And after every moment they're like "oh we are related but hey! That's love."
Wut.
I don't mind taboo. But it was absolutely ridiculous. The writing wasn't great. There's some minor typos. The characters yell and scream a lot about trivial crap. And once they find out they are not - thankfully - related, the story spends the rest of the 40% being this chaotic mafia war that barely makes sense.
All in all I think TL Swan is one my most untrustworthy writers. I'm probably going to stick to only her Miles High Series from now on.
𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 2.5/5 ⭐⭐
𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 3.5/5 🌶🌶🌶
🆓️ on KU
February 28, 2022
SPOILERS
i think this could be cassandra clare's favourite mafia book because it has:
~ strangers to lovers to siblings to lovers ~
i literally recoiled in utter disgust after reading "she's my sister" in a book released in 2022. we're not doing this again, i thought we left this trope behind us after mortal instruments.
so giuliano and francesca were secretly dating but were forced to break up because francesca's family found out. then they were told they're half siblings. i think after ten years they meet again and start secretly fucking even though they both thought they had the same father all this time. fucking gross.
i think this could be cassandra clare's favourite mafia book because it has:
~ strangers to lovers to siblings to lovers ~
i literally recoiled in utter disgust after reading "she's my sister" in a book released in 2022. we're not doing this again, i thought we left this trope behind us after mortal instruments.
so giuliano and francesca were secretly dating but were forced to break up because francesca's family found out. then they were told they're half siblings. i think after ten years they meet again and start secretly fucking even though they both thought they had the same father all this time. fucking gross.
March 1, 2022
I loved this story! Every word!
It’s fuc…ing amazing!
It’s worth the reading!
It’s fuc…ing amazing!
It’s worth the reading!
February 26, 2022
I have just one word for Ferrara by T.L. Swan. UNPUTDOWNABLE. This mafia romance is the definition of unputdownable. Brilliant plot with endless and jaw dropping twists. Complicated and intense characters. The stunning combination of adrenaline filled suspense, filthy passion and heartbreaking emotions. It's impossible to let this story go. Addictive. Explosive. Angsty. The whole sweet package.
I am not going to do the usual synopsis as I feel it's best if you go in blind. Roughly, it's the story of Giuliano and Francesca. They have fallen in love young and tried to keep it secret as Francesca is the daughter of Italy's mafia king. But soon cruel fate intervenes and they realise they really cannot be together. They are forbidden. But years pass and their feelings never fade. Now Giuliano is the mafia boss himself. And their chemistry isn't going anywhere. Why are they considered forbidden? Is there way to change it? What about the enemies and the wars?
This story has given me a major case of book hangover. Just so so intense and raw and heartaching. Giuliano is the perfect alpha. The man who is feared and respected and revered by everyone. He rules with an iron fist. He is ruthless and cunning and merciless in his role. He can destroy your heart and body so easily. I am just in total love and lust with him. He is irresistible. Sexy. Arrogant. Dangerous. Over possessive. Alpha through and through. And he has a side that's broken and hurt. Francesca is his healer. She is beautiful inside out. Her kindness and compassion and sweetness is enticing. I love the contrast of her loving heart and her fierce sassy attitude.
T.L. Swan did everything in extremes here. The passion was nuclear bomb level hot. The emotions swallowed me whole. I am just consumed by this emotional rollercoaster. The author just killed me over and over again with the angst. Giuliano and Francesca have a very complicated life. And they had to fight for every single bit of precious happiness and love. The pain. The heartbreak. The angst. The longing. My heart really cannot take this emotional overload. They are soulmates and there is no doubt. And then comes the action and the supense. You cannot blink else you will miss something vital. I feel my head is still buzzing with all the secrets and conspiracies and mind games.
Ferrara by T.L. Swan brings the best of mafia romance and best of an angsty emotional romance. A treat for your heart and soul even when the author demolished mine.
I reviewed an early copy voluntarily
I am not going to do the usual synopsis as I feel it's best if you go in blind. Roughly, it's the story of Giuliano and Francesca. They have fallen in love young and tried to keep it secret as Francesca is the daughter of Italy's mafia king. But soon cruel fate intervenes and they realise they really cannot be together. They are forbidden. But years pass and their feelings never fade. Now Giuliano is the mafia boss himself. And their chemistry isn't going anywhere. Why are they considered forbidden? Is there way to change it? What about the enemies and the wars?
This story has given me a major case of book hangover. Just so so intense and raw and heartaching. Giuliano is the perfect alpha. The man who is feared and respected and revered by everyone. He rules with an iron fist. He is ruthless and cunning and merciless in his role. He can destroy your heart and body so easily. I am just in total love and lust with him. He is irresistible. Sexy. Arrogant. Dangerous. Over possessive. Alpha through and through. And he has a side that's broken and hurt. Francesca is his healer. She is beautiful inside out. Her kindness and compassion and sweetness is enticing. I love the contrast of her loving heart and her fierce sassy attitude.
T.L. Swan did everything in extremes here. The passion was nuclear bomb level hot. The emotions swallowed me whole. I am just consumed by this emotional rollercoaster. The author just killed me over and over again with the angst. Giuliano and Francesca have a very complicated life. And they had to fight for every single bit of precious happiness and love. The pain. The heartbreak. The angst. The longing. My heart really cannot take this emotional overload. They are soulmates and there is no doubt. And then comes the action and the supense. You cannot blink else you will miss something vital. I feel my head is still buzzing with all the secrets and conspiracies and mind games.
Ferrara by T.L. Swan brings the best of mafia romance and best of an angsty emotional romance. A treat for your heart and soul even when the author demolished mine.
I reviewed an early copy voluntarily
March 2, 2022
This book wasn't for me...
I was super excited and this cover guy is delish, but the book was a mess!
There's just too many random shit happening, a ton of unbelievable twists and a really lazy mafia family.
By the time that things start to get into place, I was already skimming to just get over with.
I liked a few characters including the main couple... Just not their mess.
There was so many partners at their parents past, that even the incest aspect of the plot became lame... At one point i was expecting that none of them would be really a Ferrara's child!
I also get that this book is really interconnect with The Italian. Even if they are not in a nominated series, almost everyone shows up in both books, including their villains.
Now now... I haven't read The Italian, but i got what was related to this book from a friend, and I wasn't impressed either... (Fake death ain't a favorite trope at all).
I guess I'll just skip this series of not-in-a-series books, and keep reading her contemporary stories.
April 6, 2022
3⭐️
Normally I love EVERYTHING TL Swan writes, but this one fell flat for me.
For starters, both Giuliano and Francesca were two of the least relatable characters she's ever written.
It’s a rare thing to be introduced to a heroine and relate to her zero. I actually got excited when Francesca’s family fell from grace, thinking it would dip her a bit into reality. But homegirl just had to rough it in Paris while attending fashion shows and flying on private jets. *le sigh*
Giuliano was definitely possessive and I’m always a fan of that touch-her-and-die trope, but his character was lacking something…I’m just not sure what.
One of the reasons I love TL Swan is because she is so good at adding humor into the narrative and building such strong side characters. I typically find myself laughing throughout my read and ending the book as if I had been truly immersed into the FMC & MMC's tight circles of friends and family.
Did that happen here?
Nope. Not even a little.
I know that Val and Anna are likely to be main characters in another book, but at this point Carlo is more interesting to me than any other person mentioned in this book. And considering Alex was portrayed as such a strong character there at the beginning, he was easily forgettable and irrelevant.
Also, I could not deal with Francesca's repetitive inner monologue about how sexy Giuliano was. I felt like every third paragraph was her describing how perfect he was. Like. I got it. He's an Italian Henry Cavill. The point was made multiple times in each preceding chapter so halfway through the book I was scanning paragraphs simply to find substance worth something.
All in all, I‘ll always be a TL Swan fan. She'll eternally have my support simply for creating Tristan Miles and Julian Masters, but this one just isn't a fave.
Normally I love EVERYTHING TL Swan writes, but this one fell flat for me.
For starters, both Giuliano and Francesca were two of the least relatable characters she's ever written.
It’s a rare thing to be introduced to a heroine and relate to her zero. I actually got excited when Francesca’s family fell from grace, thinking it would dip her a bit into reality. But homegirl just had to rough it in Paris while attending fashion shows and flying on private jets. *le sigh*
Giuliano was definitely possessive and I’m always a fan of that touch-her-and-die trope, but his character was lacking something…I’m just not sure what.
One of the reasons I love TL Swan is because she is so good at adding humor into the narrative and building such strong side characters. I typically find myself laughing throughout my read and ending the book as if I had been truly immersed into the FMC & MMC's tight circles of friends and family.
Did that happen here?
Nope. Not even a little.
I know that Val and Anna are likely to be main characters in another book, but at this point Carlo is more interesting to me than any other person mentioned in this book. And considering Alex was portrayed as such a strong character there at the beginning, he was easily forgettable and irrelevant.
Also, I could not deal with Francesca's repetitive inner monologue about how sexy Giuliano was. I felt like every third paragraph was her describing how perfect he was. Like. I got it. He's an Italian Henry Cavill. The point was made multiple times in each preceding chapter so halfway through the book I was scanning paragraphs simply to find substance worth something.
All in all, I‘ll always be a TL Swan fan. She'll eternally have my support simply for creating Tristan Miles and Julian Masters, but this one just isn't a fave.
March 11, 2022
My most disappointing book so far for this year. You have no idea how excited I was to read this one especially after reading The Italian. It came down to the crazy plot that had so many holes in it. I swear the author confused herself with trying to create twists because the dots were not connecting. Also my amazing Ferrara was supposed to be this great King of the Italian underworld. Where was my amazing alpha male? Not only did he make ridiculous decisions for his woman and for his business but he also comes off as an immature child. The icing on the cake for me was the special appearance of a character I absolutely loved from the Italian at the end of this book. He's introduced into this ridiculous plot and made to look like a fool. Just no. That was unforgivable.
The two stars are for the forbidden romance vibes. I always enjoy that.
The two stars are for the forbidden romance vibes. I always enjoy that.
March 7, 2022
“Love isn’t a choice, Francesca. Love chooses you, not the other way around.”
Clap.clap.clap. Bravo! This book was raw, real and do darkly taboo. I loved. every. fucking. page. My God this book twisted my emotions constantly. Swan had me betraying my own moral compass. This book gah!! I mean it's been forever since I have completely lost myself to a great work of fiction.
You want them to win, you want love to prevail over evil. But it's so wrong for so long, the redemption comes and lands when you don't need it. You have already fallen the darkness that is the love of Giuliano and Francesca. This is an epic mafia love story that will leave you wanting more. I am so excited there will be more books coming.
The other really great point is this is a BIG book, 300+. But the whole story flows nicely. The character development is superb. Additionally she develops second and third level characters as well. it's a modern Godfather but with a younger, more relevant story line. The chemistry and angst was perfect, it never wains and you have a constant longing in this book. I don't want to be the one to spoil the storyline. I suggest you go into the book as blind as possible.
I really enjoyed it. Well done and I can't wait for the next installment.
February 28, 2022
can authors please move on from using incest to make the forbidden romance trope more angsty? idc if they turned out not to be siblings but fucking the person you thought was your sibling at the time is a different level of fucked up. i can literally write a 10 page essay with all things wrong in this book. it literally would have been over within 10 pages if the main characters immediately took paternity tests when they were told they were siblings. istg this book screams nothing but daddy issues, infidelity, and a doormat of a heroine because the hero is an over the top alpha asshole. look, idk feminism when i read mafia/dark romance lmao, but TL Swan's fic men aren't just for me. they're literally manwhores whose love language is only to fuck their significant others
March 7, 2022
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3.5)
Trope: taboo
Angst: 😱😱😱😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
When Francesca meets Giuliano at her brother’s house it is love at first sight. For both of them. Stolen moments. Climbing in windows. Hiding in libraries. They knew they were destined to be together and they weren’t going to let anyone keep them apart. Until an uncovered family secret rips them apart and they go their separate ways. Living in different countries to fight temptation. But when fate brings them together again, it may be too much for them to fight.
Ugh… I’m so conflicted about this. I knew going in after reading The Italian what 1) the issue was going to be and 2) the likely result of it. I really liked the darker storyline despite the fact that the specific taboo portion was a little 😬 at times, lol, but I would have still enjoyed to see a bit of the TL Swan typical witty banter thrown in there at least a little bit. Giuliano was super hot and alpha, but I think it boils down to the fact that I didn’t really “like” him after he “grew up”. And I liked him so much in the Italian, it made me sad, lol. He was like two different people at times. Super hard and then super soft with Francesca after he accepts his feelings. Which is what we want, right? I don’t know - the swings were just too much for me 🤷🏻♀️. I also had a hard time with Francesca, she just came across as too princess in the tower. Still love her books. Super excited for Val and Anna’s book.
Even though Ferrara is touted as a standalone, I do not believe it should be read without reading the Italian first. Ferrara is written in first person, from dual perspective.
Trope: taboo
Angst: 😱😱😱😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
When Francesca meets Giuliano at her brother’s house it is love at first sight. For both of them. Stolen moments. Climbing in windows. Hiding in libraries. They knew they were destined to be together and they weren’t going to let anyone keep them apart. Until an uncovered family secret rips them apart and they go their separate ways. Living in different countries to fight temptation. But when fate brings them together again, it may be too much for them to fight.
Ugh… I’m so conflicted about this. I knew going in after reading The Italian what 1) the issue was going to be and 2) the likely result of it. I really liked the darker storyline despite the fact that the specific taboo portion was a little 😬 at times, lol, but I would have still enjoyed to see a bit of the TL Swan typical witty banter thrown in there at least a little bit. Giuliano was super hot and alpha, but I think it boils down to the fact that I didn’t really “like” him after he “grew up”. And I liked him so much in the Italian, it made me sad, lol. He was like two different people at times. Super hard and then super soft with Francesca after he accepts his feelings. Which is what we want, right? I don’t know - the swings were just too much for me 🤷🏻♀️. I also had a hard time with Francesca, she just came across as too princess in the tower. Still love her books. Super excited for Val and Anna’s book.
Even though Ferrara is touted as a standalone, I do not believe it should be read without reading the Italian first. Ferrara is written in first person, from dual perspective.
March 4, 2025
One of the worst cases of the The secondhand embarrassment is real.
March 26, 2025
4.5 stars!!! Forbidden love, billionaire romance, AND second chance romance? Say less.
Honestly this is by far my fav TL Swan book! Slooowww burn, forbidden tension, drama, angst! Sooo fun
This couple was such a tease in The Italian so obv I HAD to read this right away. Am so glad I read this right after The Italian. I liked Ferrara more, but the context from The Italian was so needed.
Honestly this is by far my fav TL Swan book! Slooowww burn, forbidden tension, drama, angst! Sooo fun
This couple was such a tease in The Italian so obv I HAD to read this right away. Am so glad I read this right after The Italian. I liked Ferrara more, but the context from The Italian was so needed.
March 13, 2022
A disappointment
This is a tough one. I liked The Italian, and love TL Swan books, however this is a pot of mushy remix, disjointed, drawn out, not very interesting, drama. The first 30% or so, where an unexpected death, elevated the hero from ordinary rich guy, to leader of the mob is straight out of The Italian, I guess the author liked it so much, she kept the premise for the next book?
The dialogue is boring, not the usual TL Swan witty humour. There were too many filler chapters, where the story wasn't going anywhere. Then abruptly there was a rush to the finish, important threads to the story, that should have been explained, got glossed over, as she rushed to the end.
The mob boss rolling his eyes at wearing a bullet proof vest as he meets an informant, was where I rolled my eyes and took another long break from this choppy writing. Definitely disappointed by this one.
This is a tough one. I liked The Italian, and love TL Swan books, however this is a pot of mushy remix, disjointed, drawn out, not very interesting, drama. The first 30% or so, where an unexpected death, elevated the hero from ordinary rich guy, to leader of the mob is straight out of The Italian, I guess the author liked it so much, she kept the premise for the next book?
The dialogue is boring, not the usual TL Swan witty humour. There were too many filler chapters, where the story wasn't going anywhere. Then abruptly there was a rush to the finish, important threads to the story, that should have been explained, got glossed over, as she rushed to the end.
The mob boss rolling his eyes at wearing a bullet proof vest as he meets an informant, was where I rolled my eyes and took another long break from this choppy writing. Definitely disappointed by this one.
March 2, 2022
LOVED The Italian, one of my top ten reads.
HATED Ferrara.
The h was a spineless doormat and the H was a d*ck.
Had no interest whatsoever in what happened with this pair of idiots, gutted it’s connected to The Italian, kinda ruined it for me now.
It’s got some hot s£x scenes but even those are a bit difficult to read because, as far as they’re aware, they’re half bro/sis 🤮
Can’t believe how weak the h was. Arrgghhh, she started off with such potential- she was 27, had a great job which she loved and had a long term boyfriend. Within pages, she just dissolved into this whimpering twit who kept going back for more humiliation.
If this is romance, you can keep it.
HATED Ferrara.
The h was a spineless doormat and the H was a d*ck.
Had no interest whatsoever in what happened with this pair of idiots, gutted it’s connected to The Italian, kinda ruined it for me now.
It’s got some hot s£x scenes but even those are a bit difficult to read because, as far as they’re aware, they’re half bro/sis 🤮
Can’t believe how weak the h was. Arrgghhh, she started off with such potential- she was 27, had a great job which she loved and had a long term boyfriend. Within pages, she just dissolved into this whimpering twit who kept going back for more humiliation.
If this is romance, you can keep it.
March 1, 2022
Personally this book was like a recycled plot of Italian mixed in with one of her OG series Stanton (in terms of dramatics and relationships). So many things went wrong here. I ended up skimming last 20%. I really hate it when the author I love puts out a book I end up not liking, bums me out because I loved a bunch of her stories.
Bunch of things bothered me in the writting style, things just developed weird, characters I could not connect with, awkward smut scenes. I had no issue with the taboo part at all tbh, it was a nice surprise 😈. But the whole book was just off for me
Bunch of things bothered me in the writting style, things just developed weird, characters I could not connect with, awkward smut scenes. I had no issue with the taboo part at all tbh, it was a nice surprise 😈. But the whole book was just off for me
March 6, 2022
I am unsure how to describe Ferrara, as words are hard for me to put together for how I feel, so here is my fb post.
I am lucky enough to be an ARC reader for TL Swan
Beyond lucky
I am enamoured, besotted , whole heartedly wrapped up in the world of written word that TL Swan creates from those 26 letters of the English Alphabet
January 2015 my life changed
The next two years were so hard a struggle. To find purpose even though I had my husband and children was so hard
I slowly started to wake up and become part of the world again through books I was introduced to through a kindle
Then late 2017 I found TL Swan
Tee your books are more than just words on paper, it’s where your readers go to become part of this amazing world you entertain us with.
Every new book is somehow better than the last, every new character we get to know becomes part of our world.
I am so so grateful to have discovered your writing, your wonderful characters and the stories they are in, give so many people joy. Friendships are formed with people who are bought to life by your work
Never before have I felt that I am part of a book. You do this, you allow me and all the other wonderful people who read your work to experience what we read
I can’t explain it
But I am thankful.
You have so much talent and Ferrara is a result of your creativity.
This story …….few words are needed.
It is Perfection ❤️”
I am lucky enough to be an ARC reader for TL Swan
Beyond lucky
I am enamoured, besotted , whole heartedly wrapped up in the world of written word that TL Swan creates from those 26 letters of the English Alphabet
January 2015 my life changed
The next two years were so hard a struggle. To find purpose even though I had my husband and children was so hard
I slowly started to wake up and become part of the world again through books I was introduced to through a kindle
Then late 2017 I found TL Swan
Tee your books are more than just words on paper, it’s where your readers go to become part of this amazing world you entertain us with.
Every new book is somehow better than the last, every new character we get to know becomes part of our world.
I am so so grateful to have discovered your writing, your wonderful characters and the stories they are in, give so many people joy. Friendships are formed with people who are bought to life by your work
Never before have I felt that I am part of a book. You do this, you allow me and all the other wonderful people who read your work to experience what we read
I can’t explain it
But I am thankful.
You have so much talent and Ferrara is a result of your creativity.
This story …….few words are needed.
It is Perfection ❤️”
August 30, 2022
I have finally come to accept that T.L. Swan's writing style just isn't for me.
Recently, I've realized that an author's writing style is a big deal breaker for me when it comes to enjoying a book. And I found the writing style really terrible, at least in my opinion. The writing felt so stiff, it lacks emotion and it's so unnatural. It felt like I was reading a script or maybe robots conversing with one another.
Recently, I've realized that an author's writing style is a big deal breaker for me when it comes to enjoying a book. And I found the writing style really terrible, at least in my opinion. The writing felt so stiff, it lacks emotion and it's so unnatural. It felt like I was reading a script or maybe robots conversing with one another.
September 9, 2025
I think I love TL's Mafia books more than her others....
When this one started I was looking for the first book's vibe and it took its sweet time till it got there but when it did I loved it.
No, it doesn't always make sense and yes, these two smexing while thinking they are brother/ sister is questionable but it's like WE KNOW they're not (not that kind of book/author) so we forgive them.
The h is not always very smart but the H, I mean, he's 💥💥💥💥
And it was a fun pass-of-time book with the exact amount of light Mafia vibe and smut and dilemmas.
When this one started I was looking for the first book's vibe and it took its sweet time till it got there but when it did I loved it.
No, it doesn't always make sense and yes, these two smexing while thinking they are brother/ sister is questionable but it's like WE KNOW they're not (not that kind of book/author) so we forgive them.
The h is not always very smart but the H, I mean, he's 💥💥💥💥
And it was a fun pass-of-time book with the exact amount of light Mafia vibe and smut and dilemmas.
March 2, 2022
I am so dissapointed.
While I was waiting for the book to be published i was praying that they wouldn't sleep together while they were thinking they were brother and sister, but they did and i find it really gros.
They reunited after 10 years and they have sex multiple times, knowing they have the same father.
Only after 50% of the book they find out that they are not blood related.
I am a huge fan of all her books, except Stanton ( same issue as bere).
And my head hurts for all the twists.
And i find it scary how many readers don't have a problem with the incest.
Would you really sleep with your half brother?!?!?
Yucks!!!!!
Anyway, i hope "The Do Over " will compensate.
While I was waiting for the book to be published i was praying that they wouldn't sleep together while they were thinking they were brother and sister, but they did and i find it really gros.
They reunited after 10 years and they have sex multiple times, knowing they have the same father.
Only after 50% of the book they find out that they are not blood related.
I am a huge fan of all her books, except Stanton ( same issue as bere).
And my head hurts for all the twists.
And i find it scary how many readers don't have a problem with the incest.
Would you really sleep with your half brother?!?!?
Yucks!!!!!
Anyway, i hope "The Do Over " will compensate.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to read
February 8, 2022
Foreword PR is elated to be working with T L Swan with her release for Ferrara ! Ferrara is a red hot, forbidden love, contemporary romance standalone. Visit here to find out how you can read early: Ferrara
June 2, 2022
3.5 I liked Giuliano as a character, he showed his soft side to Francesca but is also a mafia boss. Kept me interested, but also kind of boring at the same time? The angst was there, which I appreciated I’m always a sucker for some good ol pining and angst in romance lol. I wasn’t expecting the plot line of Giulianos and Francesca’s parentage though, it really went on for a while haha. The spice was there, but it also wasn’t a large amount but the plot did keep my interested. It was fine! Will probably forget it quickly.
March 6, 2022
Almost DNF
This first half of this book was cringeworthy with a taboo sibling romance and even though this is not how it ended, the storyline in the second half was so confusing, it felt disjointed, questions were never fully answered, and secondary character pov was introduced that felt completely unnecessary. I felt absolutely no connection to the characters or story line.
This first half of this book was cringeworthy with a taboo sibling romance and even though this is not how it ended, the storyline in the second half was so confusing, it felt disjointed, questions were never fully answered, and secondary character pov was introduced that felt completely unnecessary. I felt absolutely no connection to the characters or story line.
March 4, 2022
The characters are fucked in the head. Even knowing that they are siblings, they had sex. So technically this would be incest right?
On top of all the unnecessary drama, this book is so fucking long!
I just don’t have the patience to finish this book.
On top of all the unnecessary drama, this book is so fucking long!
I just don’t have the patience to finish this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 6, 2022
In love de leur relation et de l’amour qu’ils se portent mais NOM DE ZEUS je suis pas faite pour la mafia. J’étais à deux doigts de la crise cardiaque laissez moi respirer??????
July 12, 2022
Giuliano was such a great Mc. I loved how he was in love with Francesa since he was 18. Man was totally whipped from the start. Not a fan of insta love but I loved how forbidden it was along with the mafia plot. I just admired the relationship they shared because there was a lot of emotions. Giuliano’s Italian mouth 🥵🥵🥵. Like ok Sir🫣🫣.
I preferred this so much over Erinco and Olivia’s story. There was much more connection with the main characters and there wasn’t a time you would question “what was happening.” Can’t wait to devour valentino and Anna’s story 😩
Would truly recommend.
I preferred this so much over Erinco and Olivia’s story. There was much more connection with the main characters and there wasn’t a time you would question “what was happening.” Can’t wait to devour valentino and Anna’s story 😩
Would truly recommend.
March 4, 2022
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2 Stars! Mafia romance. Loved ever bit of this intriguing story. The chemistry was off the charts, the sext times were hot as AF. Such an addictive read. Not sure if I want to read Anna’s story, which is next, just want to see what happens with the cliffy going into her book. Highly recommend this book.
April 6, 2022
4.5 💫
What a RIDE OF EMOTIONS🥹 This book has been one of my most anticipated releases for soooo long and I’m so happy with it! There are endless twists and turns and the love between these two is EPIC😩🙌🏻 Can’t wait for Valentino’s book!😍😍
What a RIDE OF EMOTIONS🥹 This book has been one of my most anticipated releases for soooo long and I’m so happy with it! There are endless twists and turns and the love between these two is EPIC😩🙌🏻 Can’t wait for Valentino’s book!😍😍
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