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Cristo Sinners World #2
A London Villain
A dark mafia romance: special edition cover
391 pages, Paperback
First published March 11, 2022
362 people are currently reading
2533 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Wiltcher
35 books2,756 followersSign up to her newsletter for giveaways and Santiago exclusives —> www.catherinewiltcher.com/newsletter
Catherine Wiltcher is a USA Today and Amazon Top 15 bestselling romance author. Her books include The Santiago Series and the Cristo Sinners World.
In 2017, Catherine wrote her first book while undergoing cancer treatment. These days, she writes flawed and dangerous characters who always fall hard for their women, whatever the cost.
She lives in the U.K. with her husband, their two young daughters, and their crazy spaniel, Bella.
Insta: @catherinewiltcher
TT: @catherinewiltcher
F/B Group: Dante's Devils
SANTIAGO READING ORDER
Santiago World:
The Santiago Trilogy Collection:
-Hearts of Darkness
-Hearts Divine
-Hearts on Fire
The Grayson Duet Collection:
-Shadow Man
-Reckless Woman
Devils & Dust
Lovers & Liars (coming soon)
Rush & Ruin, Parts 1 & 2
Cristo Sinners World:
Black Skies Riviera
A London Villain
The Viper (coming soon)
TBAT (coming soon)
The Castillo Empire:
(coming soon)
Corrupt Gods World/Next Generation:
Born Sinner
Bad Blood
Tainted Blood
City of Thieves
Rush & Ruin, Parts 1 & 2
Catherine Wiltcher is a USA Today and Amazon Top 15 bestselling romance author. Her books include The Santiago Series and the Cristo Sinners World.
In 2017, Catherine wrote her first book while undergoing cancer treatment. These days, she writes flawed and dangerous characters who always fall hard for their women, whatever the cost.
She lives in the U.K. with her husband, their two young daughters, and their crazy spaniel, Bella.
Insta: @catherinewiltcher
TT: @catherinewiltcher
F/B Group: Dante's Devils
SANTIAGO READING ORDER
Santiago World:
The Santiago Trilogy Collection:
-Hearts of Darkness
-Hearts Divine
-Hearts on Fire
The Grayson Duet Collection:
-Shadow Man
-Reckless Woman
Devils & Dust
Lovers & Liars (coming soon)
Rush & Ruin, Parts 1 & 2
Cristo Sinners World:
Black Skies Riviera
A London Villain
The Viper (coming soon)
TBAT (coming soon)
The Castillo Empire:
(coming soon)
Corrupt Gods World/Next Generation:
Born Sinner
Bad Blood
Tainted Blood
City of Thieves
Rush & Ruin, Parts 1 & 2
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 389 reviews
March 30, 2022
– 2.5 stars
SHORT AND SIMPLE
the best part of this mafia romance was the mafia plot
the worst part of this mafia romance was the romance
Mafia stuff: a lot of action, many ppl die, torture, pretty face-paced. I usually find the mafia plot the most boring, but Catherine Wiltcher managed to make it intersting (at the expense of the romance but whatever) and me wanting to see the demise of the villains. It kinda reminded me of the Mindf*ck series where the villains are so despicable that you're just rooting for the main characters to get their revenge that it didn't even bothered me that much that the romance takes a back seat. But when Frankie and Ada do get their revenge it was imo lowkey anticlimactic.
Romance: Ada and Frankie speak for the first time at around 10%, they have sex for the first time at 20%, were in love long before that I don't know how, but my guess is sorcery, they get separated bc of evil people for 14 years, all they do after being reunited is having more sex where he fucks her with his gun, because "smearing my bullets in your essence, so when they die, it will be by the both of us." the poetry 🥺 Shakespeare is quaking.
Dreams don't happen in the middle of nightmares. They occur on the edge of darkness, right before your worst fears trap you in a dirty hole full of muddy screams and bad regret.
SHORT AND SIMPLE
the best part of this mafia romance was the mafia plot
the worst part of this mafia romance was the romance
Mafia stuff: a lot of action, many ppl die, torture, pretty face-paced. I usually find the mafia plot the most boring, but Catherine Wiltcher managed to make it intersting (at the expense of the romance but whatever) and me wanting to see the demise of the villains. It kinda reminded me of the Mindf*ck series where the villains are so despicable that you're just rooting for the main characters to get their revenge that it didn't even bothered me that much that the romance takes a back seat. But when Frankie and Ada do get their revenge it was imo lowkey anticlimactic.
Romance: Ada and Frankie speak for the first time at around 10%, they have sex for the first time at 20%, were in love long before that I don't know how, but my guess is sorcery, they get separated bc of evil people for 14 years, all they do after being reunited is having more sex where he fucks her with his gun, because "smearing my bullets in your essence, so when they die, it will be by the both of us." the poetry 🥺 Shakespeare is quaking.
March 14, 2022
Ada and Frankie’s love story spans more than two decades and is nothing short of incredible. A London Villain is a beautifully heartbreaking tale of love, hope, and redemption
It began on a fateful night when, at just 12-years old, Frankie Lastra loses his entire family. “You know what to do. For your mother… Matteo, Vittoria. Avenging our deaths is your life’s path now.”
After just a couple of brief, albeit, powerful interactions, Ada and Frankie forged an unshakable bond that provided the light to get them through their darkest days.
“…I see you. I see all of you. All the damage and ruin. And I love them, Frankie. I love them, the same way you love mine. I hurt when you hurt. I heal when you heal. Don’t you see? We’re a circle that never ends now – a flawed and flawless catch-22. We don’t exist without the other.“
Ada might be the strongest heroine I’ve ever had the pleasure to read about. She is fearless, strong of mind and body, a true queen. Likewise, Frankie is a devoted hero with endless courage.
A London Villain is a bloody, intense, and gritty story with twists and turns you never see coming. Catherine Wiltcher has a penchant for creating characters that draw you in and break you apart. But she’ll heal the cracks, leaving them stronger for your persistence.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
Emotions: 😩
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥
Darkness: 🖤🖤
Heat: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
🗂 Genre: Dark Contemporary Romance
✨ Tropes: Mafia/Bratva/Crime Family, Virgin h, Revenge
⛔️ Warning: This book may cause blushing, squirming, combusting panties, and/or self-care.
⚠️ Safety Squad: Domestic & Sėxual Assåult (Not by H), Violence, as well as other triggers. If you have any hesitation, check the warnings before diving in. Otherwise, blind is best!!
📣 Type: A London Villain is a standalone.
🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.
It began on a fateful night when, at just 12-years old, Frankie Lastra loses his entire family. “You know what to do. For your mother… Matteo, Vittoria. Avenging our deaths is your life’s path now.”
After just a couple of brief, albeit, powerful interactions, Ada and Frankie forged an unshakable bond that provided the light to get them through their darkest days.
“…I see you. I see all of you. All the damage and ruin. And I love them, Frankie. I love them, the same way you love mine. I hurt when you hurt. I heal when you heal. Don’t you see? We’re a circle that never ends now – a flawed and flawless catch-22. We don’t exist without the other.“
Ada might be the strongest heroine I’ve ever had the pleasure to read about. She is fearless, strong of mind and body, a true queen. Likewise, Frankie is a devoted hero with endless courage.
A London Villain is a bloody, intense, and gritty story with twists and turns you never see coming. Catherine Wiltcher has a penchant for creating characters that draw you in and break you apart. But she’ll heal the cracks, leaving them stronger for your persistence.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
Emotions: 😩
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥
Darkness: 🖤🖤
Heat: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
🗂 Genre: Dark Contemporary Romance
✨ Tropes: Mafia/Bratva/Crime Family, Virgin h, Revenge
⛔️ Warning: This book may cause blushing, squirming, combusting panties, and/or self-care.
⚠️ Safety Squad: Domestic & Sėxual Assåult (Not by H), Violence, as well as other triggers. If you have any hesitation, check the warnings before diving in. Otherwise, blind is best!!
📣 Type: A London Villain is a standalone.
🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.
March 15, 2022
Dreams don’t happen in the middle of nightmares.
this is the tragic, star-crossed love story of Francesco “Frankie” Lastra and Ada Rivers, spanning 21 years... although i would argue it’s more like 13/14 years. still a long fucking time either way. but luckily, there’s only two time jumps in the 21 years so there’s no jarring pacing.
Ada has always been a beacon of hope for Frankie. even when she had no idea he existed. she’s his hope in his story of blood-soaked vengeance and betrayal that runs so deep it’s hard to keep up sometimes. but mostly this is his story of his unwavering devotion to Ada (just want to drop in, he was celibate for 14 years bcos he only ever wanted her — so this is the new standard gentlemen, be like Frankie Lastra). this combination made for a very intriguing story that held my attention from the get-go.
i will start off by saying, the four stars is not for the romance. it’s for how enthralled i was with the story. the romance... i’ll get to it.
also, here’s the trigger warning for the book, since the author doesn’t include it in the book and only on her website (weird choice?):
includes graphic violence, torture & murder, drink and drug abuse, and non-consensual situations, knife and gun play, loss of a child (perceived and referred to).
so, Frankie and Ada were... something. i liked them a lot in the beginning and was instantly intrigued by their dynamic. their first official meeting felt so reminiscent of this scene:
“Just know that when they cut me open, it’s you that I’ll bleed.”
it was beautifully written and it felt almost magical? idk if i believe in love at first sight, but the way it was written when they locked eyes and first found one another, it made me all soft and squishy on the inside lol.
now im about to say the dreaded words... insta-love.
HEAR ME OUT! before you go running and screaming in the opposite direction (not that i would blame you if you did) the insta-love worked so well here. bcos this was very Romeo and Juliet-esque. again, it just played into this elevated, magical love they clearly had the moment they met.
but... then the first time they kiss/have sex i was side eyeing the book for real. it was so sudden and random. i accepted the insta-love initially but it escalated so quickly within a matter of pages that i started to lose all the warm and fuzzy feelings the pair initially stirred within me.
it was kinda like when you watch Love is Blind, or any type of reality tv, where two people don’t even know each other but swear up and down they’re soulmates. and you just roll your eyes and sit there like
so while the romance was sweet, it wasn’t the driving force of this book for me. it was Frankie’s bitter revenge that had me hooked and grinning like a maniac. it was literally so fucking satisfying to read Frankie take everyone down, one by one, my god. the scene at the racecourse?? i was losing my mind bcos it was just perfect.
i was low-key mad when the author skimmed over the details of the torture and shit bcos i hated all his enemies with the same vengeance as him. it was definitely the best part of the book. i mean, the last 20% made me feel sick bcos i was so anxious😭 the book was such high stakes. nothing was predictable. i didn’t know who to trust and whatever situation Frankie walked into, i wasn’t always convinced he would walk back out alive. so loved that— the anticipation and the unpredictability was so fun.
Ada and I are more than a passing boy-girl glance or a teenage crush. It goes right back to the beginning. To a past he knows nothing about. To a war that started long before our time. To more of those consequences that are wrapped around our necks like snakes.
idk how to explain it, but Catherine Wiltcher’s mafia world is so clean-cut and refined. it’s well researched without being overly complicated but doesn’t feel basic or messy. Danielle Lori is the same for me. it was one of the things about Black Skies Riviera that i enjoyed so much.
the “world-building” is intricate but you can keep up with everything bcos she doesn’t info-dump a bunch of shit on you – dynamics and histories between the characters and the different mafias is laid out gradually so you can grasp new information as it’s dropped in, rather than being overwhelmed by a tidal wave of unnecessary info.
Frankie was coming back for me, and the whole of London was going to burn because of it.
the ending was too abrupt. it needed to be fleshed out a lot more and it felt a bit unsatisfying to finish the book bcos a few storylines felt unfinished. i wanted more about Bambi. i wanted more Frankie and Ada actually together rather than so many stolen moments. they spend more time apart in the book than they do together.
and most (if not all) of their reunions were centred around sex. so there was very little depth for me. their connection was already so sudden and it felt like they barely knew anything about one another. i think their whole personalities centred around each other— they were each other’s worlds. and it was wonderful to read at times, while other times it was exhausting. if they’d been more fleshed out as characters then as a romantic couple, it would have elevated this book so much.
loved the side characters. Viper was an unexpected delight. him chopping up nonces was something i didn’t know i needed. can’t wait for this book!! i had my sights set on a particular person as his love interest, but my dreams were shattered😭 so i will be intrigued to see who he ends up with.
and little Bambi🥺 i adored her. i think the fact she stans Taylor Swift so hard that Bambi wears t-shirts with her face on it sums her up perfectly.
“And we’re listening to Taylor Swift on the way.”
“You do know I murder people,” I say, side-eying her.
“You murder bad people,” she corrects with a grin, reaching for the stereo. “That means you’re still getting into heaven, Frankie, but only via the back door.”
she made me tear up a little and also grin like a loon. she was so funny, sweet and determined. i loved her so much, stop. eurgh. hope she gets a book when she grows up.
so while i loved reading this, the romance lacked for me. but if you’re in the mood for an easy read filled with a lot of blood-thirsty tension, then this book is for you!
March 14, 2022
Rating Update: I can’t find peace of mind, this story deserves all 5 stars (and not 4,5)!!!!!
5💥🖤🧭💔💥🌟🧨🌟🧨🌟🧨🌟🧨🌟s❣️❣️❗️❗️❗️
Revenge (noun): something that you do in order to make somebody suffer because they have made you suffer. OED
“Time to show you how we mafia men like to do things, snake eyes.” Frankie
And that was what Frankie did and all hell broke loose!!!
I might have had great expectations for this frenetic read, but it absolutely exceeded them.
Frankie was an outstanding villain, with two great goals on his mind. Get Ada back and avenge everyone who was responsible for his and Ada’s suffering.
“They’d turned him into the villain, and me into a footnote: framed for a crime we didn’t commit, and then punished and kept apart for years because of it.” Ada
This story was extremely ferocious, dark, had me on pins and needles and left me breathless. Profoundly action packed and reaching high blood pressure levels! 😓😱
“Frankie was coming back for me, and the whole of London was going to burn because of it.” Ada
“I was planning to make them suffer the kind of deaths dark legends were made of.” Frankie
And on top of all this, there were impressive appearances of Aiden Knight, Joseph Grayson and Dante Santiago. 🤩
I wanted more soul connection scenes with Ada and Frankie instead of physical ones and a more extended epilogue. 🙏
Regardless, how can I not appreciate or show respect to an author who isn’t stale and keeps evolving?
When every new release by her transcends her own previous one!!! 🙇🏻♀️
Impossible!!!
Catherine Wiltcher my deepest congratulations!!! 💖
5💥🖤🧭💔💥🌟🧨🌟🧨🌟🧨🌟🧨🌟s❣️❣️❗️❗️❗️
Revenge (noun): something that you do in order to make somebody suffer because they have made you suffer. OED
“Time to show you how we mafia men like to do things, snake eyes.” Frankie
And that was what Frankie did and all hell broke loose!!!
I might have had great expectations for this frenetic read, but it absolutely exceeded them.
Frankie was an outstanding villain, with two great goals on his mind. Get Ada back and avenge everyone who was responsible for his and Ada’s suffering.
“They’d turned him into the villain, and me into a footnote: framed for a crime we didn’t commit, and then punished and kept apart for years because of it.” Ada
This story was extremely ferocious, dark, had me on pins and needles and left me breathless. Profoundly action packed and reaching high blood pressure levels! 😓😱
“Frankie was coming back for me, and the whole of London was going to burn because of it.” Ada
“I was planning to make them suffer the kind of deaths dark legends were made of.” Frankie
And on top of all this, there were impressive appearances of Aiden Knight, Joseph Grayson and Dante Santiago. 🤩
I wanted more soul connection scenes with Ada and Frankie instead of physical ones and a more extended epilogue. 🙏
Regardless, how can I not appreciate or show respect to an author who isn’t stale and keeps evolving?
When every new release by her transcends her own previous one!!! 🙇🏻♀️
Impossible!!!
Catherine Wiltcher my deepest congratulations!!! 💖
October 29, 2022
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Still 5 stars after rereading)
''We were never strangers, Ada. Just lovers undiscovered''
Safety warnings:
- No cheating
- No OW/OM drama
- Physical/s*xual assault/abuse
- Mention of r*pe
- Mention of human trafficking
- Descriptive violence/torture/d*ath
- HEA
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
(I am adding to my original review since I have a few more things to say after rereading it)
''Brotherhood is brotherhood, but Ada is my whole world''
I have waited for Frankie’s story for so long and my oh my did it live up to my expectations! There were moments where my heart hurt too much, and I needed to take a breather from continuing. So many things were instantly revealed that you wondered what else could possibly happen or go on as the book progressed.
The true evil were the scums who hurt and destroyed lives for their own gain. Taking so much innocence to feed their sick and twisted greed and needs.
''You broke for us, Ada, and that makes you the fucking moon and the stars''
Ada and Frankie have the most beautiful and saddest love story. It spans 2 decades. I love how strong they were and how much they loved each other. The fact that they went on 14 years without seeing one another, speaking or being in the same country is torture. I loved the moment they are finally able to be together again.
''For fourteen years, I lived for you
The books he would send her in secret throughout the years to remind her of their love. The fact Frankie was CELIBATE the entire time. That’s 14 years of patience and absolute love. Their commitment for each other was wonderful to see in such a fucked up world they lived in.
I did figure out the potential twist early on regarding Bambi, but I didn’t care because I loved this book. I think the way it played out was just phenomenal. You could tell there was a secret between about existence when Viper and her both Frankie different answers as to how she was related to Viper. I do wish we had gotten her real name; I am assuming it's not Alex and hopefully we find out in either A London Viper or her own book A London Thief! and I also wonder if she will be paired off with another next gen character??
''O’Sullivan’s reaction when he sees the tall Colombian standing next to Ada is a fucking religious experience''
I loved seeing Grayson and Santiago. I love that the books all somehow tie in together in the most important way. The power Santiago holds though, his presence is always the darkest shadow, but you know having him by your side will give you a victory worth having. We also got the shortest scene with Edier in it.
''Saying goodbye to an old friend''
Roisin though, listen her death hit me hard. She had nothing to hold onto for 18 years, but she survived the entire time and did so much good without anyone knowing except for Viper. The fact he was there for her in her last moments and let her die in peace and comfort was such a beautiful thing to give her after almost two decades of pain and unimaginable torture.
Catherine is an instant buy for me. She never disappoints with her incredible stories and characters. I honestly can’t wait for Vipers story and anything that she writes. She can’t do no wrong in my eyes and each book I have read has stayed with me.
❤️🎉
''We were never strangers, Ada. Just lovers undiscovered''
Safety warnings:
- No cheating
- No OW/OM drama
- Physical/s*xual assault/abuse
- Mention of r*pe
- Mention of human trafficking
- Descriptive violence/torture/d*ath
- HEA
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
(I am adding to my original review since I have a few more things to say after rereading it)
''Brotherhood is brotherhood, but Ada is my whole world''
I have waited for Frankie’s story for so long and my oh my did it live up to my expectations! There were moments where my heart hurt too much, and I needed to take a breather from continuing. So many things were instantly revealed that you wondered what else could possibly happen or go on as the book progressed.
The true evil were the scums who hurt and destroyed lives for their own gain. Taking so much innocence to feed their sick and twisted greed and needs.
''You broke for us, Ada, and that makes you the fucking moon and the stars''
Ada and Frankie have the most beautiful and saddest love story. It spans 2 decades. I love how strong they were and how much they loved each other. The fact that they went on 14 years without seeing one another, speaking or being in the same country is torture. I loved the moment they are finally able to be together again.
''For fourteen years, I lived for you
The books he would send her in secret throughout the years to remind her of their love. The fact Frankie was CELIBATE the entire time. That’s 14 years of patience and absolute love. Their commitment for each other was wonderful to see in such a fucked up world they lived in.
I did figure out the potential twist early on regarding Bambi, but I didn’t care because I loved this book. I think the way it played out was just phenomenal. You could tell there was a secret between about existence when Viper and her both Frankie different answers as to how she was related to Viper. I do wish we had gotten her real name; I am assuming it's not Alex and hopefully we find out in either A London Viper or her own book A London Thief! and I also wonder if she will be paired off with another next gen character??
''O’Sullivan’s reaction when he sees the tall Colombian standing next to Ada is a fucking religious experience''
I loved seeing Grayson and Santiago. I love that the books all somehow tie in together in the most important way. The power Santiago holds though, his presence is always the darkest shadow, but you know having him by your side will give you a victory worth having. We also got the shortest scene with Edier in it.
''Saying goodbye to an old friend''
Roisin though, listen her death hit me hard. She had nothing to hold onto for 18 years, but she survived the entire time and did so much good without anyone knowing except for Viper. The fact he was there for her in her last moments and let her die in peace and comfort was such a beautiful thing to give her after almost two decades of pain and unimaginable torture.
Catherine is an instant buy for me. She never disappoints with her incredible stories and characters. I honestly can’t wait for Vipers story and anything that she writes. She can’t do no wrong in my eyes and each book I have read has stayed with me.
❤️🎉
December 31, 2022
★3.5★
A London Vilain is a blend of Mafia Romance and Second Chance Romance by Catherine Wiltcher. With action, passion, and mystery, this journey spans decades.
Ada O'Sullivan has struggled to forget the boy who first stole her heart. Frankie Lastra is deeply entrenched in a life of crime and although he has done his best to maintain a ruthless reputation, he has never been able to forget his first love. Ripped apart by forces out of their control, Ada and Frankie will take years to find their way back to each other.
The path to reconciliation is riddled with obstacles, from rival families to dangerous secrets. As Ada and Frankie attempt to build a future together, they must grapple with the dark forces of their past. Everything will be on the line as they fight for each other's love - and for their very lives.
Overall, A London Vilain is a quick read with action, suspense, and steamy passion. Although I enjoyed the read, I would have liked to have seen more development of the back story in order to really appreciate the dynamics of these characters and the journey that they took! Still, London is my favorite backdrop and I will never tire of reading Mafia Romance! Enjoy!
April Shhlutty ReadApril 2022 Shhlutty Read:
• April 1-30: https://bit.ly/Apr22SR
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
March 14, 2022
“You’re mine forever, Ada. I’ll destroy anyone who tries to take you away, even ghosts.”
Catherine Wiltcher mafia books are my newest addiction.🥰
Since i've read Aiden's book i was so excited to read Frankie's story and it did not disappoint.
this was very romeo/juliet, star-crossed lovers and while the romance part was pretty luckluster - very insta love😐 i didn't mind it that much bc it was accurate to the forbidden aspect. Honestly the romance part was my least fav, i didn't have anything against ada and frankie as a separate characters, they were both great but they spent more time apart than together and every time they got together they'd have sex. Like where is the connection, the build up?
However i loved the action/suspense part.
When i'm reading mafia books i'm not reading mostly for the romance. I want action,tension, revenge, backstabbing,killings, the darker the better and that part was executed brilliantly here.
Frankie,Viper and Bambi the trio i didn't know i needed, they were so wholesome and funny.
“You’re alright, Lastra,” he says, before adding with a sly smile, “For a hot-headed, son-of-a-bitch Italian mafia bastard.”
“I don’t date snakes, Viper, so stop trying to pick me up.”
“You shouldn’t smoke,” I hear her mutter. “It’s bad for your health.”
“So is being a gangster.”
“You’re not a gangster, you’re a villain.”
“There’s a difference?”
“Villains have way more inner conflict than gangsters. You see it all the time in the movies. Gangsters are just dumb fucks with guns.”
the twist and turns were predictable enough but i didn't mind tbh. frankie's love for ada and his devotion to her were admirable. the man was celibate for 14 years waiting for her🥺 this is really rare in mafia books where every guy usually is a manwhore, so frankie had my utter respect.
i only wished it didn't end so abruptly. I wanted to read about their little family moments, i felt robbed of bambi's sassines😭
Can't wait for viper's book now.
March 19, 2022
Francesco (Frankie) Lastra's entire family was massacred after that avenging them was his only goal.
Ada Rivers was abducted at the age of ten years from her cradle of protection and has been a puppet to two cruel monsters.
A London Villain is a thorough mafia. This story is properly executed and most of all mafia suited dark and gritty plot which itself is delivered horrific. Another thing I like of this book is the affection between Frankie and Ada which is fathomly grand.
This story progresses upto 21 years later starting from 10-year-old Ada and 12-year-old Frankie. Frankie is a son of a great mafia leader. His family was betrayed then killed. While what was rightfully his, the mob who killed his family has taken over and Frankie has to wait until it's his time to take over. Ada was stuck between two cruel men. She lives a hellish life where emotions bleed raw. She is mentally and physically abused. Her life was never her own.
A past depth of deceit has set Frankie's goal in life but what if it's compromised by love. Ada is bound to a prison of fear and pain. Only for her love for Frankie she thrives. She promises to live for Frankie for one day he will come and set her free. Both Ada and Frankie has held onto hope for many years.
This story has violence and brutality. Many thoughts of revenge and wrecking retribution to those who have wronged Ada and Frankie has kept me alive and inching the book to end soon. Ada's strength is highlighting. Frankie and Ada's story is comparably a star-crossed, forbidden romance. The only part was off-putting when Frankie recognized Ada instantly seven years later when he only saw a glimpse of her through the window. I don't mind them having sex on their first meet because fear, desperation and craving for love makes any feelings inevitable considering the brutal life they ran away from for a few hours.
This story is high on triggers and highly recommend to dark themed book lovers.
Ada Rivers was abducted at the age of ten years from her cradle of protection and has been a puppet to two cruel monsters.
A London Villain is a thorough mafia. This story is properly executed and most of all mafia suited dark and gritty plot which itself is delivered horrific. Another thing I like of this book is the affection between Frankie and Ada which is fathomly grand.
This story progresses upto 21 years later starting from 10-year-old Ada and 12-year-old Frankie. Frankie is a son of a great mafia leader. His family was betrayed then killed. While what was rightfully his, the mob who killed his family has taken over and Frankie has to wait until it's his time to take over. Ada was stuck between two cruel men. She lives a hellish life where emotions bleed raw. She is mentally and physically abused. Her life was never her own.
A past depth of deceit has set Frankie's goal in life but what if it's compromised by love. Ada is bound to a prison of fear and pain. Only for her love for Frankie she thrives. She promises to live for Frankie for one day he will come and set her free. Both Ada and Frankie has held onto hope for many years.
This story has violence and brutality. Many thoughts of revenge and wrecking retribution to those who have wronged Ada and Frankie has kept me alive and inching the book to end soon. Ada's strength is highlighting. Frankie and Ada's story is comparably a star-crossed, forbidden romance. The only part was off-putting when Frankie recognized Ada instantly seven years later when he only saw a glimpse of her through the window. I don't mind them having sex on their first meet because fear, desperation and craving for love makes any feelings inevitable considering the brutal life they ran away from for a few hours.
This story is high on triggers and highly recommend to dark themed book lovers.
March 9, 2022
A London Villian is dark mafia romance at its absolute finest. With seductive writing, heartbreaking angst, and a mind blowing plot, Catherine Wiltcher creates an all-encompassing reading experience that takes readers on a thrilling and emotional journey.
“This is what they do to us, Ada. They hold us hostage between life and death.”
The emotional depth that this author writes with is so impressive. She makes you feel Frankie and Ada’s pain and heartbreak so intensely. These two were put through the ringer and I loved the loyalty and devotion they had for each other during their long separation. Frankie’s quest for vengeance made him a force to be reckoned with and Ada’s quiet strength was so admirable. They endured so much and their love for each other never wavered. They were like a five alarm fire from the moment they met, and things only got hotter between them as time went on.
“I need him so much. It’s insanity. It’s life and death. It’s paradise.”
The action in this story was written impeccably and with such vivid imagery. The twists were fantastic and kept me hooked on every word. The romance was so well done, as were the bits of humor sprinkled throughout. We got to see some amazing cameos from characters from the Santiago world and I loved every bit of it. This author has created such a captivating world with these stories and characters. I am absolutely ecstatic to know that we will be seeing more of Viper and can’t wait to see where the author will take his character. Five huge stars for this incredible story.
“This is what they do to us, Ada. They hold us hostage between life and death.”
The emotional depth that this author writes with is so impressive. She makes you feel Frankie and Ada’s pain and heartbreak so intensely. These two were put through the ringer and I loved the loyalty and devotion they had for each other during their long separation. Frankie’s quest for vengeance made him a force to be reckoned with and Ada’s quiet strength was so admirable. They endured so much and their love for each other never wavered. They were like a five alarm fire from the moment they met, and things only got hotter between them as time went on.
“I need him so much. It’s insanity. It’s life and death. It’s paradise.”
The action in this story was written impeccably and with such vivid imagery. The twists were fantastic and kept me hooked on every word. The romance was so well done, as were the bits of humor sprinkled throughout. We got to see some amazing cameos from characters from the Santiago world and I loved every bit of it. This author has created such a captivating world with these stories and characters. I am absolutely ecstatic to know that we will be seeing more of Viper and can’t wait to see where the author will take his character. Five huge stars for this incredible story.
April 24, 2022
Frankie Lastra, aka the Devil, met Ada O'Sullivan when he was 19 and Ada 17.
But betrayal tore them apart but fourteen years later love brought them back together.
Frankie was betrayed when he was only twelve, his story kept me captivated and enthralled from the beginning. I was ready to pick up that boy and keep him safe, but he did get to meet Aiden, they grew up together and became tight friends.
Ada was ripped away from her mother and raised by Irish mobster O'Sullivan. She is not allowed to go out but for a weekly visit to the library with her vicious guard. It's on one of those trips she meets young Frankie, who vows to keep her safe. But it will take years for Frankie to keep his vow and revenge his family and Ada's years of suffering.
I loved reading this, because I so like seeing how arseholes get their dues, majorly!
The heart-breaking story of fated young love, not only thorn apart for fourteen years
While Frankie was exiled and became an angry villain, Ada was forced to marry vile monster who not only maimed her, she also raped and abused numerously.
Books in the series, but can be read as standalone
April Shhlutty BR Read
April 11, 2022
Dnf @ 65% and skimmed to the end.
When I first started this book I fell in love with the writing, to the extent I went ahead and rated this five stars because I just KNEW this would be a five star book. I also recced this to a few people and I'm feeling fortunate they ultimately enjoyed this book more than I.
The writing is excellent, the mafia plot is excellent, but this mafia romance is partly a Count of Monte Cristo and Romeo and Juliet retelling. I mentioned this in a status update, but with R&J retellings you often have the couple fall instantly into star-crossed love. I understand how they'd fall in love so quickly. Both are the only source of light for each other in the world they've been born into. However, they were separated so quickly they really didn't have time to develop a strong connection. When I got to the halfway mark of the book I just got bored with their romance and even the mafia plot failed to hold my attention. Within their romance there is no internally motivated conflict. I'm learning I need that in a romance to stay engaged. In every relationship I've had, not just with significant others, but friends and family there has been some kind of internally motivated conflict at some point. People have different goals, motivations, desires, wants, etc that sometimes conflict with someone else. This book doesn't have any of this with the couple, all conflict comes from outside their relationship. Outside circumstances.
On another note, this book was actually too safe for me. I can't believe this guy was celibate for 11 years or however long the separation was, including most of his twenties. That's just sad and doesn't really make sense to me. Those who want celibate heroes during a long separation will have a safe read here though.
For some people, this is going to be a five star read. I can't deny the writing was good. I'll try other books by this author, but I can't justify a 4/5 rating if I feel the urge to skim this much.
3 stars.
When I first started this book I fell in love with the writing, to the extent I went ahead and rated this five stars because I just KNEW this would be a five star book. I also recced this to a few people and I'm feeling fortunate they ultimately enjoyed this book more than I.
The writing is excellent, the mafia plot is excellent, but this mafia romance is partly a Count of Monte Cristo and Romeo and Juliet retelling. I mentioned this in a status update, but with R&J retellings you often have the couple fall instantly into star-crossed love. I understand how they'd fall in love so quickly. Both are the only source of light for each other in the world they've been born into. However, they were separated so quickly they really didn't have time to develop a strong connection. When I got to the halfway mark of the book I just got bored with their romance and even the mafia plot failed to hold my attention. Within their romance there is no internally motivated conflict. I'm learning I need that in a romance to stay engaged. In every relationship I've had, not just with significant others, but friends and family there has been some kind of internally motivated conflict at some point. People have different goals, motivations, desires, wants, etc that sometimes conflict with someone else. This book doesn't have any of this with the couple, all conflict comes from outside their relationship. Outside circumstances.
On another note, this book was actually too safe for me. I can't believe this guy was celibate for 11 years or however long the separation was, including most of his twenties. That's just sad and doesn't really make sense to me. Those who want celibate heroes during a long separation will have a safe read here though.
For some people, this is going to be a five star read. I can't deny the writing was good. I'll try other books by this author, but I can't justify a 4/5 rating if I feel the urge to skim this much.
3 stars.
March 17, 2022
MY RATING: 5*
RELEASE DATE: 11 March 2022
CLIFFHANGER: No
ARC was kindly provided for an honest review
She done fucked around and did it again. If you know anything at all about me is that I love me some Catherine and I’ve binged read every single book she’s written. When I mean she came out to play when she wrote this book, I mean she was not fucking around.
Her writing style seems different from her previous books though. More poetic, her use of words, her sentences were just…shit I don’t know. I want to say better but that implies it was bad before. Which it wasn’t but this time around, let’s say improvement and different but really good
I loved it. Every minute of it. Frankie is BAE. I LOVED his brand of darkness. Having fought his way from the deepest pits of betrayal, he finally finds his sunshine in a sweet, but tortured girl. But life isn’t easy like that. No way would happily ever after be achieved that easily. With men old enough to be his father, plotting against him, he has a mountain to climb to get back what is his. Will he hang on long enough to reap the rewards of his fight, endurance and perseverance?
Meanwhile, Ada. Goodness. I loved her strength. I loved her vulnerability that was shrouded with strength and a silent defiance. Though she’s suffered more than any one person should, she still has it in her to fight to protect herself and those she loves, to hold on until she had her victory.
I really enjoyed this book. Although there was quiet a bit that happened off pages (which generally annoys me) it didn’t take away from the story enough to piss me off this time, but I have to admit it left me with some questions. I often read books and see the author setting the scene about New York or Chicago or wherever it is the book is set and wonder how those who recognise the place feel. Now I know. Ill never look at London the same, I’ll have second thoughts next time I walk into Starbucks to piss up half my wages (cheers for that mate) and try not to hear Frankie’s judgmental voice in my head, and I sure as fuck will walk into Tesco Express and wonder if Bambi is watching me. And I really enjoyed reading a book written with British English without the author forgetting halfway through and going American on me. Yes, I’m petty AS!
One thing I love about Catherine is how she weaves all, or most of her heroes in every book. When “Mr Black Skies” himself walked in, I went
Fast forward the book, as soon as the Texan drawl was mentioned I already knew who it was, and I squealed. I legit released a squeal that would rival that of a 6 year old girl. This was me
But lawd have mercy, when the Devil himself descended those stairs
Yep! Dante is still the one. But Frankie might just give him a run for his money. He’s the only one so far of Catherine’s heroes since Santiago Trilogy that I feel his level of darkness might just stand up to Dante.
So anyway, I digress. The book was full of suspense, the angst, betrayal, twists and turns, secrets galore. SO READ THE DAMN BOOK! And Catherine
March 10, 2022
4.5/5⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
"Hearts of glass and souls of madness. We were like light reflecting on water: distorted and broken. Hard to fathom and even harder to turn away from..."
From the prologue itself, I knew the book was going to be angsty and it did not disappoint. I read it in one sitting and all the shocking twists and turns had me so engrossed that I couldn't wait to find out what would happen next! This was another perfectly mind-blowing mafia romance delivered by Catherine Wiltcher that had me crying and trembling at some intense moments which were described. It was a grapple of emotions with unexpected secrets and I loved every second of the grand ending!
"He's a man staring into the eye of a storm, Ada... The storm's blinking first."
Frankie & Ada's story was tragic, gritty, bloody and filled with agony but their love triumphed through it all. My heart ached for Ada and the suffering both she and Frankie had to endure through all the fourteen years that they were separated. The scene when they reunite made me melt into a puddle of emotions! The raw passion and soul deep connection between them was a treat to read. I love this world that the author has brilliantly plotted and it was great revisiting some of the main characters like Santiago, Joseph and Aiden from her previous books along with some new side characters like "The Viper" whose story I am looking forward to read because I'm so intrigued by him! This one is a must read for all the mafia romance lovers ;-)
ARC received in exchange of an honest review
"Hearts of glass and souls of madness. We were like light reflecting on water: distorted and broken. Hard to fathom and even harder to turn away from..."
From the prologue itself, I knew the book was going to be angsty and it did not disappoint. I read it in one sitting and all the shocking twists and turns had me so engrossed that I couldn't wait to find out what would happen next! This was another perfectly mind-blowing mafia romance delivered by Catherine Wiltcher that had me crying and trembling at some intense moments which were described. It was a grapple of emotions with unexpected secrets and I loved every second of the grand ending!
"He's a man staring into the eye of a storm, Ada... The storm's blinking first."
Frankie & Ada's story was tragic, gritty, bloody and filled with agony but their love triumphed through it all. My heart ached for Ada and the suffering both she and Frankie had to endure through all the fourteen years that they were separated. The scene when they reunite made me melt into a puddle of emotions! The raw passion and soul deep connection between them was a treat to read. I love this world that the author has brilliantly plotted and it was great revisiting some of the main characters like Santiago, Joseph and Aiden from her previous books along with some new side characters like "The Viper" whose story I am looking forward to read because I'm so intrigued by him! This one is a must read for all the mafia romance lovers ;-)
ARC received in exchange of an honest review
March 11, 2022
5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Jealous possessive
Dark mafia
Page turner
Revenge
Triggers
Let me start by saying I absolutely love the cover for a London villian 🥵.
ALV is a dark mafia book those who are sensitive should note there are triggers in this book Violence,death kidnapping.
Frankie is the son of a mafia don. At a young age his family are killed and he is left to take over what is rightfully his but the man that killed his family has taken over. He has help to keep him safe until he’s ready to take back what is his.
A few years later Frankie meets Ada but she’s got a bodyguard and lives with the evil man that killed Frankie’s family. After walking into the dragon’s den they both get brutally hurt and are torn apart.
14years later Frankie is back and he wants revenge. He’s got men on his list that he wants dead. He wants what’s rightfully his and the red compass will be his!!
Ada has been through hell and still she’s strong and waiting for Frankie to save her from the marriage she was forced into.
Frankie’s got allies on his side the devil is back and the viper is ready with both men and an army of soldiers the red compass will fall.
Let me say I loved this book so much I devoured it within hours and then had to start all the books again. It’s dark and twisted and everything I love about Catherine’s dark books. This is a very close second favourite book of Catherine’s with Santiago trilogy at number #1 I loved the viper and Bambi and can’t wait for his book. I didn’t want it to end I wanted to savour everything about it. Catherine is literally my favourite author in the book world. She puts her absolutely all in to her books and it shows, her writing is flawless. The love Frankie has for Ada is everything and more!!
Off to reread all her books 📚
Jealous possessive
Dark mafia
Page turner
Revenge
Triggers
Let me start by saying I absolutely love the cover for a London villian 🥵.
ALV is a dark mafia book those who are sensitive should note there are triggers in this book Violence,death kidnapping.
Frankie is the son of a mafia don. At a young age his family are killed and he is left to take over what is rightfully his but the man that killed his family has taken over. He has help to keep him safe until he’s ready to take back what is his.
A few years later Frankie meets Ada but she’s got a bodyguard and lives with the evil man that killed Frankie’s family. After walking into the dragon’s den they both get brutally hurt and are torn apart.
14years later Frankie is back and he wants revenge. He’s got men on his list that he wants dead. He wants what’s rightfully his and the red compass will be his!!
Ada has been through hell and still she’s strong and waiting for Frankie to save her from the marriage she was forced into.
Frankie’s got allies on his side the devil is back and the viper is ready with both men and an army of soldiers the red compass will fall.
Let me say I loved this book so much I devoured it within hours and then had to start all the books again. It’s dark and twisted and everything I love about Catherine’s dark books. This is a very close second favourite book of Catherine’s with Santiago trilogy at number #1 I loved the viper and Bambi and can’t wait for his book. I didn’t want it to end I wanted to savour everything about it. Catherine is literally my favourite author in the book world. She puts her absolutely all in to her books and it shows, her writing is flawless. The love Frankie has for Ada is everything and more!!
Off to reread all her books 📚
March 14, 2022
3.5
plot
At the age of 12, Francesco lost his entire family during a massacre. At 19 he met his dove but was brutally separated from her. Now at 33, it’s finally his time to take his revenge and get back the woman he loves
Ada, at the age of 10 was stolen from her mother and forced to live with Cian O’Sullivan. Her future already decided against her will, to marry Kirill Semenov the pakhan of the Bratva after her 18th birthday. Few weeks before her birthday she met someone who wanted to save her from the cruel world she was forced into but shortly after lost him. Now at 31 after years of abuse, it’s finally her time to be set free, patiently waiting for her lover to return and keeping the promise she made him.
“Then I’ll dance for the both of us. I’ll take my fucking gun, and I’ll spin the chambers until everyone who tried to keep us apart is dead. Just don’t die too, Ada. Promise me. Promise me like I promised you in the library last week when I said I’d come back. No matter how bad it gets.”
Okay honestly, I absolutely loved the plot of this book AND THE PLOT TWIST TOWARDS THE END OMG
I even teared up a little when Ada and Frankie reunited again in her bedroom, after all the torment she went through, to finally feel safe 🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺
When he flicks the switch, I let out a soft cry. Not because I’m scared, but because he’s real and it’s happening, and when you crave something for so long and the universe delivers, for a split-second your mistrust outweighs your joy. I cry out because, after fourteen long years, my layers of self-preservation won’t allow me to believe that he’s standing in the same room as me until he says my name.
“Ada.”
However, I need to discuss the elephant in the room and that’s the insta love. How their romantic love story started didn’t make sense to me at all, everything happened tooooo quickly between them, it was really hard to digest it
“Last week, you were a stranger, and now…”
Now, I can’t imagine breathing without you.
Didn’t know you could live without someone you just spoke to once for just a minute or two….
“Do you trust me?” I nod, so certain suddenly of something so reckless.
“Do you believe in fate?”
“I-I think so.”
YOU MET HIM A WEEK BACK
As if reading my mind, she grabs my hand and thrusts it between us, my fingers encountering her slick warmth. “Don’t let them steal it, Frankie,” she moans into my mouth again. “Don’t let them steal it when they’ve taken so much from me already. It’s mine to give. Mine to lose.”
She is talking about giving her virginity to Francesco, who she just met once before……
So in my head, both Ada and Frankie had a lot of cute meetings in the library, just talking about anything and everything and when time started to run out because Ada had to marry Kirill, Frankie tried to get her away but failed…… and then everything in the present happened, this would have been my all time favourite Mafia/mob romance book.
Despite the fact that I didn’t like how their relationship initially started, I didn’t really mind how things were in the present because they both just made sense. Do I wish they had more conversations instead of sex? Yes. It would have given a little more insight to their relationship.
Side Characters
Both Bambi and Viper deserve their own spotlights because they were amaaaaaazing
and I can’t wait to read Vipers book 🥺🥺
“You like computers?”
“Yep.”
“Why?”
She aims those mean greenies at me again.
“When they start talking at you it’s really easy to press ‘mute’.”
She suddenly grins at me—a pure, unfiltered reaction that’s dangerously infectious.
“You know the word ‘guardian’ makes him sound like an angel, right?”
Glancing over her shoulder, I see Viper instructing his men to dump the bodies on the way back to my townhouse in Bethnal Green.
Angel of Death maybe.
plot
At the age of 12, Francesco lost his entire family during a massacre. At 19 he met his dove but was brutally separated from her. Now at 33, it’s finally his time to take his revenge and get back the woman he loves
Ada, at the age of 10 was stolen from her mother and forced to live with Cian O’Sullivan. Her future already decided against her will, to marry Kirill Semenov the pakhan of the Bratva after her 18th birthday. Few weeks before her birthday she met someone who wanted to save her from the cruel world she was forced into but shortly after lost him. Now at 31 after years of abuse, it’s finally her time to be set free, patiently waiting for her lover to return and keeping the promise she made him.
“Then I’ll dance for the both of us. I’ll take my fucking gun, and I’ll spin the chambers until everyone who tried to keep us apart is dead. Just don’t die too, Ada. Promise me. Promise me like I promised you in the library last week when I said I’d come back. No matter how bad it gets.”
Okay honestly, I absolutely loved the plot of this book AND THE PLOT TWIST TOWARDS THE END OMG
I even teared up a little when Ada and Frankie reunited again in her bedroom, after all the torment she went through, to finally feel safe 🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺
When he flicks the switch, I let out a soft cry. Not because I’m scared, but because he’s real and it’s happening, and when you crave something for so long and the universe delivers, for a split-second your mistrust outweighs your joy. I cry out because, after fourteen long years, my layers of self-preservation won’t allow me to believe that he’s standing in the same room as me until he says my name.
“Ada.”
However, I need to discuss the elephant in the room and that’s the insta love. How their romantic love story started didn’t make sense to me at all, everything happened tooooo quickly between them, it was really hard to digest it
“Last week, you were a stranger, and now…”
Now, I can’t imagine breathing without you.
Didn’t know you could live without someone you just spoke to once for just a minute or two….
“Do you trust me?” I nod, so certain suddenly of something so reckless.
“Do you believe in fate?”
“I-I think so.”
YOU MET HIM A WEEK BACK
As if reading my mind, she grabs my hand and thrusts it between us, my fingers encountering her slick warmth. “Don’t let them steal it, Frankie,” she moans into my mouth again. “Don’t let them steal it when they’ve taken so much from me already. It’s mine to give. Mine to lose.”
She is talking about giving her virginity to Francesco, who she just met once before……
So in my head, both Ada and Frankie had a lot of cute meetings in the library, just talking about anything and everything and when time started to run out because Ada had to marry Kirill, Frankie tried to get her away but failed…… and then everything in the present happened, this would have been my all time favourite Mafia/mob romance book.
Despite the fact that I didn’t like how their relationship initially started, I didn’t really mind how things were in the present because they both just made sense. Do I wish they had more conversations instead of sex? Yes. It would have given a little more insight to their relationship.
Side Characters
Both Bambi and Viper deserve their own spotlights because they were amaaaaaazing
and I can’t wait to read Vipers book 🥺🥺
“You like computers?”
“Yep.”
“Why?”
She aims those mean greenies at me again.
“When they start talking at you it’s really easy to press ‘mute’.”
She suddenly grins at me—a pure, unfiltered reaction that’s dangerously infectious.
“You know the word ‘guardian’ makes him sound like an angel, right?”
Glancing over her shoulder, I see Viper instructing his men to dump the bodies on the way back to my townhouse in Bethnal Green.
Angel of Death maybe.
March 16, 2022
I started to write one of my usual reviews, but I think I’ll take the words a friend used when we were discussing how impossible it is to write a worthy review for a book that gives you EVERYTHING and leaves you unable to say ANYTHING because you 1) fail to do it justice 2) cant say anything without giving something away.
Some books are made to be read, not reviewed. So, in Irunia’s words: “I just loved it and that’s it.”
Recommended to mafia suspense romance fans who don’t mind getting down and dirty before the sunset comes.
Some books are made to be read, not reviewed. So, in Irunia’s words: “I just loved it and that’s it.”
Recommended to mafia suspense romance fans who don’t mind getting down and dirty before the sunset comes.
March 11, 2022
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March 11, 2022
I was so excited about this book to come out for months! I finally read this baby and of course, it’s even 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 than I expected. Catherine Wiltcher created the most amazing, interconnected Mafia world you could think of. Her words are the kind of poetry that make sense. Catherine’s writing is always above and beyond what I could ever expect.
If you’ve read Catherine’s other works like I have, you will scream at all of the surprise appearances. Mainly, Aiden Knight! I don’t want to spoil it but I was so happy that Aiden had such a large role in this book! Frankie and Aiden were so sweet and hilarious together. Aiden is from Catherine’s standalone, 𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗥𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗲𝗿𝗮 and the best part about her books are, you don’t have to read the other series to know what’s happening in this one. However, if you have read any of the previous books, you’ll be excited when characters you know pop up. Santiago, Grayson, and Aiden are some of the reoccurring cast of characters we get to see.
There is also a huge twist I didn’t see coming AT ALL, that lead to another plot line in her other books. Um, love when that happens!
Ada O'Sullivan and Frankie Lastra have an unforgettable, heartbreaking, inspiring roller coaster romance that spans decades. Through no fault of their own, these two young kids were viciously torn apart in the cruelest of ways. Frankie is the ultimate book boyfriend. Get yourself a man to love you the way Frankie loves Ada. My God… one important part (to me) is such a spoiler I’m sorry I can’t say but when I find out I just want to jump hug Frankie and never let go.No man would ever do what he has done for Ada. I mean, I hope my husband would but I doubt it lol
The Red Compass needs to be destroyed. Families ban together. Secrets are revealed. It’s all here in this explosive 5 star read. If you enjoy Mafia romance in which the hero and heroine, go through hell and back to be together and the world building is outstanding, this book is for you.
There were so many moments when my jaw dropped. I could not predict at all how this would end. Obviously, we would get a HEA, but 𝙝𝙤𝙬 and 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 that HEA would happen is all Catherine’s magic. Her words flow so beautifully sometimes you can’t even believe what you’re reading. She writes in poetic metaphors that translate into real words that make the most sense.
Tropes:
Second Chance
Wounded Heroine/Hero
Decades Span
Modern retelling of The Count of Montecristo
Interconnected storyline
Forbidden Romance
Childhood Lovers
Forced Marriage
Dark AF
𝘼𝙡𝙡 𝙜𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙖𝙙 𝙢𝙚𝙣 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙬𝙖𝙞𝙩.
If you’ve read Catherine’s other works like I have, you will scream at all of the surprise appearances. Mainly, Aiden Knight! I don’t want to spoil it but I was so happy that Aiden had such a large role in this book! Frankie and Aiden were so sweet and hilarious together. Aiden is from Catherine’s standalone, 𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗥𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗲𝗿𝗮 and the best part about her books are, you don’t have to read the other series to know what’s happening in this one. However, if you have read any of the previous books, you’ll be excited when characters you know pop up. Santiago, Grayson, and Aiden are some of the reoccurring cast of characters we get to see.
There is also a huge twist I didn’t see coming AT ALL, that lead to another plot line in her other books. Um, love when that happens!
Ada O'Sullivan and Frankie Lastra have an unforgettable, heartbreaking, inspiring roller coaster romance that spans decades. Through no fault of their own, these two young kids were viciously torn apart in the cruelest of ways. Frankie is the ultimate book boyfriend. Get yourself a man to love you the way Frankie loves Ada. My God… one important part (to me) is such a spoiler I’m sorry I can’t say but when I find out I just want to jump hug Frankie and never let go.No man would ever do what he has done for Ada. I mean, I hope my husband would but I doubt it lol
The Red Compass needs to be destroyed. Families ban together. Secrets are revealed. It’s all here in this explosive 5 star read. If you enjoy Mafia romance in which the hero and heroine, go through hell and back to be together and the world building is outstanding, this book is for you.
There were so many moments when my jaw dropped. I could not predict at all how this would end. Obviously, we would get a HEA, but 𝙝𝙤𝙬 and 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 that HEA would happen is all Catherine’s magic. Her words flow so beautifully sometimes you can’t even believe what you’re reading. She writes in poetic metaphors that translate into real words that make the most sense.
Tropes:
Second Chance
Wounded Heroine/Hero
Decades Span
Modern retelling of The Count of Montecristo
Interconnected storyline
Forbidden Romance
Childhood Lovers
Forced Marriage
Dark AF
𝘼𝙡𝙡 𝙜𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙖𝙙 𝙢𝙚𝙣 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙬𝙖𝙞𝙩.
March 9, 2022
Catherine Wiltcher has done it again. She delivered a fast paced, adrenaline filled and action packed dark mafia romance in A London Villain. And she also destroyed my heart and soul with endless angsty emotions and nuclear hot chemistry. Frankie and Ada are the kind of epic star-crossed lovers who broke my heart over and over again. They are undeniable, unforgettable and absolutely incredible.
Frankie and Ada's story is spread across twenty years. And it's a messy and intense and gritty one. Their tragic love story started in a small library of London. Frankie's father, the capo of Costa Nostra and his full family has been slaughtered by the Irish mafia Cian O'Sullivan. And Ada is O'Sullivan's prisoner. Frankie will get vengeance but before he could save Ada, they are torn apart by merciless evil mafia like O'Sullivan. He will be back. Even if they have to walk through hell for fourteen years.
This story..omg this story! I don't know where to start. This is extremely dark and violent as the author didn't hesitate to pain the pages red. This is mafia world in its full brutality. If you have triggers, please go to the author's website and check them out. Because it is not an easy romance. It definitely has the usual mafia romance components. An edgy and dominating and dangerous alpha hero like Frankie. A b1da$$ heroine like Ada. The endless twists and suspense and power plays and mind games. But the beauty of this story is the way the author breaks down the characters to their vulnerable core. You will experience their pain and humiliation and shame and guilt. The ultimate torture. But you will also experience their anger, their strength, their fight, their vengeance and their redemption. This world is messy and toxic. But Frankie and Ada's love shines bright through the darkness. Their love is about hope in deepest despair, beauty in the coarse ugliness and power in face of utter helplessness. The author managed to show Frankie's complete devotion for the woman he loves. And also Ada's silent fierceness. It was so humbling and inspiring and heartaching to read such a love story.
Catherine Wiltcher proves once again that she is the queen of mafia romance. You will go in expecting a mafia romance but end up getting so much more in A London Villain. The emotions just gutted me.
I reviewed an early copy voluntarily
Frankie and Ada's story is spread across twenty years. And it's a messy and intense and gritty one. Their tragic love story started in a small library of London. Frankie's father, the capo of Costa Nostra and his full family has been slaughtered by the Irish mafia Cian O'Sullivan. And Ada is O'Sullivan's prisoner. Frankie will get vengeance but before he could save Ada, they are torn apart by merciless evil mafia like O'Sullivan. He will be back. Even if they have to walk through hell for fourteen years.
This story..omg this story! I don't know where to start. This is extremely dark and violent as the author didn't hesitate to pain the pages red. This is mafia world in its full brutality. If you have triggers, please go to the author's website and check them out. Because it is not an easy romance. It definitely has the usual mafia romance components. An edgy and dominating and dangerous alpha hero like Frankie. A b1da$$ heroine like Ada. The endless twists and suspense and power plays and mind games. But the beauty of this story is the way the author breaks down the characters to their vulnerable core. You will experience their pain and humiliation and shame and guilt. The ultimate torture. But you will also experience their anger, their strength, their fight, their vengeance and their redemption. This world is messy and toxic. But Frankie and Ada's love shines bright through the darkness. Their love is about hope in deepest despair, beauty in the coarse ugliness and power in face of utter helplessness. The author managed to show Frankie's complete devotion for the woman he loves. And also Ada's silent fierceness. It was so humbling and inspiring and heartaching to read such a love story.
Catherine Wiltcher proves once again that she is the queen of mafia romance. You will go in expecting a mafia romance but end up getting so much more in A London Villain. The emotions just gutted me.
I reviewed an early copy voluntarily
March 11, 2022
Sometimes, when reading a great story, you become immersed and feel every part of the story as it unfolds. A London Villain was one of those stories. From the first page, until the end, I was devoted and committed to Frankie and Ada's story. The words making me feel and reel from every fight, every kiss, every wrong that is unleashed on these fated lovers.
This was a love story written from the heart, and it bled through the pages. This young couple living on the adage of "no regrets", waiting and hoping for the day they will be reunited and become one, against all odds. Ada living through an abundance of pain and devastation, striving for the end and hoping for her happily ever after. While Frankie struggles with revenge and karma, looking to inflict on others what was done to him and those he loves.
Catherine Wiltcher has written a beautiful story of love and passion and I would give it 10 stars if I could.
This was a love story written from the heart, and it bled through the pages. This young couple living on the adage of "no regrets", waiting and hoping for the day they will be reunited and become one, against all odds. Ada living through an abundance of pain and devastation, striving for the end and hoping for her happily ever after. While Frankie struggles with revenge and karma, looking to inflict on others what was done to him and those he loves.
Catherine Wiltcher has written a beautiful story of love and passion and I would give it 10 stars if I could.
March 12, 2022
Fantastic read!
Story: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Trope: second chance
Angst: 😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥
Super passionate story about betrayal, revenge, and true love. The kind of true love that can carry a person through an almost never ending depth of despair. The storyline was fantastic - kind of a Count of Monte Cristo meets Romeo and Juliet. The writing, superb and the characters, wonderful, and enough action, suspense, and twists to keep you hooked to the end. Highly recommend!
A London Villain is a complete standalone with visits from characters from previous novels. It is told in first person, from multiple perspectives.
Story: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Trope: second chance
Angst: 😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥
Super passionate story about betrayal, revenge, and true love. The kind of true love that can carry a person through an almost never ending depth of despair. The storyline was fantastic - kind of a Count of Monte Cristo meets Romeo and Juliet. The writing, superb and the characters, wonderful, and enough action, suspense, and twists to keep you hooked to the end. Highly recommend!
A London Villain is a complete standalone with visits from characters from previous novels. It is told in first person, from multiple perspectives.
January 16, 2023
dnf’ing this at 87%
the premise was good and i’ve read other books by this author and i had enjoyed myself
but the cringey dialogue, paired with the overuse of figures of speech just made this difficult to go through
and the insta love was a big turn off for me personally. this man waited FOURTEEN YEARS after meeting her for TWO DAYSSS
yeah, no🙃
i might circle back and finish the last 15% later on but for now, imma have to put this down
the premise was good and i’ve read other books by this author and i had enjoyed myself
but the cringey dialogue, paired with the overuse of figures of speech just made this difficult to go through
and the insta love was a big turn off for me personally. this man waited FOURTEEN YEARS after meeting her for TWO DAYSSS
yeah, no🙃
i might circle back and finish the last 15% later on but for now, imma have to put this down
March 12, 2022
Catherine Wiltcher ignites the pages in this emotionally raw, heart-aching, tale of forbidden love, betrayal, and slowly meted revenge. Count of Monte Cristo meets Romeo and Juliet meets the mafia universe of the mafia queen Catherine Wiltcher- the intensity, the twists, the epic romance, it all creates a delicious story of love conquering all.
The mafia suspense in this reigns supreme, and CW certainly evokes all of those Count of MC slow burn, calculated and meticulously woven revenge vibes. The plot, the twists, the multi-faceted and duplicitous characters are all so smartly interwoven- it’s a thrilling, complicated, and edge of your seat tale of mafia intrigue and long awaited revenge. We get thrilling cameos by characters much beloved from her mafia universe, and we also get to meet some really amazingly constructed secondary characters who are easy scene stealers. Catherine really writes such well rounded characters-there’s a real intimacy to the characterization, a specificity that makes them come alive, even her secondary cast.
I really loved this story, but even though the romance is the entire catalyst to the whole story, the heavy focus on the mafia intricacies and the plot construct means that our romance has to rely heavily on instalove for chemistry between our characters. Given the Monte Cristo architecture and the star crossed lovers vibes, our main characters spend the predominant part of this story apart, longing for and fighting for each other. Their moments together barely exceed what I can count on one hand- and most of those are steamy. So we never REALLY get to see these two emotionally connect or fall deeply in love outside of their baseline soulmate instaconnection. Did I root for them any less? No- I felt their spiritual connection and their heartache, but their quest for one another weighs more heavily than their actual connection, and the chemistry feels more lusty than anything. But it’s fiction- and it certainly gives the Romeo and Juliet insta-spark vibes. Their devotion is believable, even if I wish we had more emotional intimacy on page.
This book is jam backed with intensity though, and it makes for a truly dynamic, page turning read. And CW really beautifully harkens to the Count of MC classic thematically - the morality, the weight of revenge, love’s capacity to surpass all betrayal- and gives is the perfect mafia treatment. A truly captivating mafia romantic suspense with a classic twist!
The mafia suspense in this reigns supreme, and CW certainly evokes all of those Count of MC slow burn, calculated and meticulously woven revenge vibes. The plot, the twists, the multi-faceted and duplicitous characters are all so smartly interwoven- it’s a thrilling, complicated, and edge of your seat tale of mafia intrigue and long awaited revenge. We get thrilling cameos by characters much beloved from her mafia universe, and we also get to meet some really amazingly constructed secondary characters who are easy scene stealers. Catherine really writes such well rounded characters-there’s a real intimacy to the characterization, a specificity that makes them come alive, even her secondary cast.
I really loved this story, but even though the romance is the entire catalyst to the whole story, the heavy focus on the mafia intricacies and the plot construct means that our romance has to rely heavily on instalove for chemistry between our characters. Given the Monte Cristo architecture and the star crossed lovers vibes, our main characters spend the predominant part of this story apart, longing for and fighting for each other. Their moments together barely exceed what I can count on one hand- and most of those are steamy. So we never REALLY get to see these two emotionally connect or fall deeply in love outside of their baseline soulmate instaconnection. Did I root for them any less? No- I felt their spiritual connection and their heartache, but their quest for one another weighs more heavily than their actual connection, and the chemistry feels more lusty than anything. But it’s fiction- and it certainly gives the Romeo and Juliet insta-spark vibes. Their devotion is believable, even if I wish we had more emotional intimacy on page.
This book is jam backed with intensity though, and it makes for a truly dynamic, page turning read. And CW really beautifully harkens to the Count of MC classic thematically - the morality, the weight of revenge, love’s capacity to surpass all betrayal- and gives is the perfect mafia treatment. A truly captivating mafia romantic suspense with a classic twist!
March 12, 2022
Unsurprisingly, I bloody loved it! (Also thank you so much Catherine for the Arc!!)
A London Villain starts with a young Frankie, who has just witnessed the murder of his mafia family. It's on that same night that he gets a first glimpse at Ada, the daughter of his enemy.
Fast forward seven years and a chance encounter has connected Ada and Frankie again. Ada is in a world of pain living with the O'Sullivan's and has been engaged to the Russian Bratva leader in London. Frankie attempts to rescue her from their grasp.
The rest of the book is set fourteen years later with a much more hardened Frankie and he's out for revenge - and he's desperate to get Ada back too.
This book has everything you could want - it's a second chance, mafia romance with a possessive hero and has a fair bit of spice too! (It is dark though so please check TW's!!)
I loved the banter between Viper, Frankie and Bambi too. Every time I read a book by Catherine I'm always reminded of how well she weaves the romance, adventure and suspense all together. So many twists and turns too but always rounded up perfectly with a HEA.
It's set in the same world as the Santiago trilogy/ Black Skies Riviera but it is a complete standalone so no need to read anything else to understand this and if you have read the other books it just means you get to see some familiar faces again!
I don't think I could give this book higher praise to be honest! I can't recommend enough!
A London Villain starts with a young Frankie, who has just witnessed the murder of his mafia family. It's on that same night that he gets a first glimpse at Ada, the daughter of his enemy.
Fast forward seven years and a chance encounter has connected Ada and Frankie again. Ada is in a world of pain living with the O'Sullivan's and has been engaged to the Russian Bratva leader in London. Frankie attempts to rescue her from their grasp.
The rest of the book is set fourteen years later with a much more hardened Frankie and he's out for revenge - and he's desperate to get Ada back too.
This book has everything you could want - it's a second chance, mafia romance with a possessive hero and has a fair bit of spice too! (It is dark though so please check TW's!!)
I loved the banter between Viper, Frankie and Bambi too. Every time I read a book by Catherine I'm always reminded of how well she weaves the romance, adventure and suspense all together. So many twists and turns too but always rounded up perfectly with a HEA.
It's set in the same world as the Santiago trilogy/ Black Skies Riviera but it is a complete standalone so no need to read anything else to understand this and if you have read the other books it just means you get to see some familiar faces again!
I don't think I could give this book higher praise to be honest! I can't recommend enough!
March 11, 2022
I was completely blown away by A London Villain by Catherine Wiltcher. I’m always in awe of the creativity, originality, and unpredictability in every book Catherine writes and Frankie’s and Ada’s story was no exception. With the four distinct criminal groups of The Red Circle, (Irish, British, mafia, & bratva) interwoven into the story, the plot twists, edge of your seat action, violence, and raw emotions bleed onto every page. These star crossed lovers are brutally ripped apart by these organizations, but Frankie keeps his promise to come back for Ada and she keeps hers to him to simply live through her hellish life while they’re apart. Those years take their toll on them both, and that moment when they’re reunited, was one of many that had me sobbing. Although Frankie and Ada hold the spotlight, the cast of side characters were also well developed and so memorable. Bambi, the spitfire hacker, stands out as a favorite and I’m already anxiously awaiting Viper’s story coming in the Darkly Ever Anthology on May 10, 2022! Appearances by Aiden Knight, Joseph Grayson, and the man himself, Dante Santiago are always a treat for diehard Catherine Wiltcher fans too.
March 11, 2022
A LONDON VILLAIN
Kindle Unlimited: [X]YES [ ]NO
Stand-alone: [X]YES [ ]NO
Author: Catherine Wiltcher
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spiciness rating: 🌶🌶🌶.5/5
POV: Dual, first person
Main Couple: Ada & Frankie
Favorite Character: Ada
Tropes: Dark mafia second chance romance; vengeance; forbidden love
Review:
What a ride! Since it’s the first time I was reading a Catherine’s book, I didn’t know what to expect, but I believe she found the right amount of dark for a mafia romance. One thing hard for me to accept is the MMC mistreating the MFC in mafia books, but it doesn’t happen here. Frankie only loved Ada since their first encounter despite of all the bad things their enemies threw their way.
I certainly wasn’t expecting all the twists and turns either. They were very well developed and got me by surprise. Besides the main couple I also loved the secondary characters (who also have their own series/standalones): Aiden, Grayson, Santiago. I’ll definitely check out their stories.
So, if you like antiheroes, heroines who fight to survive and mafia themed-books, I recommend you check out A London Villain.
Don’t forget, this is a dark book, so you may want to check the TW list.
I am really grateful for having received this ARC. Thank you Catherine, Social Butterfly and Give Me Books PR for this copy.
Kindle Unlimited: [X]YES [ ]NO
Stand-alone: [X]YES [ ]NO
Author: Catherine Wiltcher
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spiciness rating: 🌶🌶🌶.5/5
POV: Dual, first person
Main Couple: Ada & Frankie
Favorite Character: Ada
Tropes: Dark mafia second chance romance; vengeance; forbidden love
Review:
What a ride! Since it’s the first time I was reading a Catherine’s book, I didn’t know what to expect, but I believe she found the right amount of dark for a mafia romance. One thing hard for me to accept is the MMC mistreating the MFC in mafia books, but it doesn’t happen here. Frankie only loved Ada since their first encounter despite of all the bad things their enemies threw their way.
I certainly wasn’t expecting all the twists and turns either. They were very well developed and got me by surprise. Besides the main couple I also loved the secondary characters (who also have their own series/standalones): Aiden, Grayson, Santiago. I’ll definitely check out their stories.
So, if you like antiheroes, heroines who fight to survive and mafia themed-books, I recommend you check out A London Villain.
Don’t forget, this is a dark book, so you may want to check the TW list.
I am really grateful for having received this ARC. Thank you Catherine, Social Butterfly and Give Me Books PR for this copy.
March 10, 2022
5 STARS
THIS BOOK FUCKING MADE ME BELIEVE THAT TRUE LOVE EXISTS PERIOD YES I SAID WHAT I SAID NOW GET THIS FUCKING BOOK AND READ IT
THIS BOOK FUCKING MADE ME BELIEVE THAT TRUE LOVE EXISTS PERIOD YES I SAID WHAT I SAID NOW GET THIS FUCKING BOOK AND READ IT
April 26, 2022
I was lucky enough to be given an arc for this story by the amazing Catherine Wiltcher & honestly I just have no words. My first read by Catherine was Black Skies and I’ve never looked back. I feel so lucky to have found Catherine because she is an authors whose work I never get tired of, I have loved every single book she has put out and I think that’s so incredibly rare for a reader to say, but Catherine is just such a special, talented soul, she deserves all of the hype thrown her way.
Ada & Frankie’s story will make you laugh, cry and swoon. It might also have you wishing for your own personal London boy 🥵 Their love for another was so pure and true. They would go to the ends of this earth to do whatever was necessary to keep the other safe and it was so beautiful to see that love through Catherine’s words. This story was “love conquers all” come to life.
Catherine you have truly outdone yourself this might just be your best work yet. ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ada & Frankie’s story will make you laugh, cry and swoon. It might also have you wishing for your own personal London boy 🥵 Their love for another was so pure and true. They would go to the ends of this earth to do whatever was necessary to keep the other safe and it was so beautiful to see that love through Catherine’s words. This story was “love conquers all” come to life.
Catherine you have truly outdone yourself this might just be your best work yet. ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
January 3, 2023
This book...
I could not get enough...
I absolutely adore anything this author writes, but this was exceptional.
Already by the end of the very first chapter it had firmly cemented itself on my top reads, wish I could give it more stars list.
I've seen a couple of reviews and new or old readers please note this is a STANDALONE. So if some characters you may of been hoping for did or didn't make an appearance, please stop dwelling on it and appreciate the magic that this book was.
I was utterly transfixed from cover to cover alternating between my heart strings being wrung out and my head exploding.
This is a journey spanning decades and the way the author writes makes you feel every ounce of pain or joy, will these star crossed lovers be able to crawl out of the pool of blood to get the happily ever after they desperately earnt?
I 1000% recommend you one click immediately to find out.
I definitely won't be forgetting this book in a long time.
I could not get enough...
I absolutely adore anything this author writes, but this was exceptional.
Already by the end of the very first chapter it had firmly cemented itself on my top reads, wish I could give it more stars list.
I've seen a couple of reviews and new or old readers please note this is a STANDALONE. So if some characters you may of been hoping for did or didn't make an appearance, please stop dwelling on it and appreciate the magic that this book was.
I was utterly transfixed from cover to cover alternating between my heart strings being wrung out and my head exploding.
This is a journey spanning decades and the way the author writes makes you feel every ounce of pain or joy, will these star crossed lovers be able to crawl out of the pool of blood to get the happily ever after they desperately earnt?
I 1000% recommend you one click immediately to find out.
I definitely won't be forgetting this book in a long time.
March 11, 2022
As I was reading this book I kept asking myself why I hadn't found her books before. A London Villain is a dark fast paced mafia romance. The story spans years it is thrilling evocative passionate and violent. I loved that at the heart of this story is Frankie and Ada's all encompassing love for each other. Two people who's lives were torn apart at a young age who never should have met but are connected in ways they never could have imagined. The author kept me on the edge of my seat trying to keep up with all the twists and turns and new revelations. I liked that although they were apart for many years the story didn't well on that but as we read we get little snippets of what happened. The secondary characters are a varied bunch, some I loved and some I loathed with a passion. Frankie and most importantly Ada are both victims of circumstances however their strength of spirit and determination to stay alive for each other was written perfectly.
As you can tell this is not a review that will tell you the storyline you don't want to spoil the reading experience. The story unfolds over the pages like a flower coming into bloom sometimes it is prickly and hurts and other times it is beautiful and tender.
As you can tell this is not a review that will tell you the storyline you don't want to spoil the reading experience. The story unfolds over the pages like a flower coming into bloom sometimes it is prickly and hurts and other times it is beautiful and tender.
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