I received this book for free from St. Martin's Paperbacks in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Luca by Sarah CastilleAlso in this series: Nico, Rocco
Series: Ruin and Revenge #2
Published by St. Martin's Paperbacks on June 27th 2017
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Mafia
Pages: 350
Format: eARC
ISBN: 125010405X
Luca Rizzoli was nearly destroyed by a brutal betrayal that cost him his family. Now a ruthless crime boss in the city of sin, he lets nothing touch his frozen heart--until a smoldering encounter with a beautiful stranger ignites his passion. One night isn't enough for a man who takes what he wants, but his mysterious temptress has slipped away.
For two years police detective Gabrielle Fawkes has lived for revenge. But a night of indulgence with a sexy stranger changes everything. Powerful, charming, and deliciously dangerous Luca, has his own private reasons for offering to help her pursue the drug lord who killed her husband. There's a lot Luca isn't telling her and the more she finds out the less she wants to know.
When Gabrielle becomes the target of the drug lord she has vowed to hunt down, she must do the unimaginable: place her life in a mobster's hands. To save her, Luca must break his Mafia ties--or risk losing Gabrielle forever.
Luca is a book I have been anxiously anticipating ever since book one “Nico” was released last year. And just like the first book, I was hooked from the first paragraph. I honestly couldn’t put this book down, and man I love finding an author that can just reel me into a story like Sarah Castille does for me. She never lets me down, and Luca was sexy and dangerous fun and definitely put me through the ringer with this book. So lets get to what I simply loved about this book.
What does that mean?” He leaned down and kissed her, his lips warm and soft. “Roughly translated, it means you are my angel. Heaven is in your eyes. I am dazzled by you.
Our story begins with our heroine, Gabrielle Fawkes, is a police detective. Her late husband was murdered, and she has been hunting the man responsible for two years, a drug lord. But when she is shot, she is pulled off the case. But Gabrielle is the type of heroine that won’t ever give up, especially hunting a man that needs to go down. Then she meets our hero Luca who also has been shot having taken a bullet for his boss and closest friend Nico. Luca is a bit of a playboy, bad boy and doesn’t go for anything serious especially since she would have to pass inspection with his mother, who is the only person in the world that intimidates him. But Luca is drawn to Gabrielle in a way he has never been to any woman before. Gabrielle doesn’t know who Luca really is, that he is part of a mob crime family. Their love is forbidden for obvious reasons. But they are both hunting the same man, and Gabrielle isn’t a wilting violet. She is a fighter, especially when it comes to bringing down a killer like Garcias. Luca is torn, and he might have to choose his loyalty to his friend and the mob, or to his love for Gabrielle.
You. You are worth the risk. You make me want to be a better man, a better father. I want to be worthy of you. I want to give you what I couldn’t give Gina. A better life than the one I live. A future. I want to give you everything, bella.
This is a “forbidden” style of a romance, and boy did I love these turn of events. Both of these characters are very dynamic and surprised me, delightfully so. Luca fights for Gabrielle, and pretty early on into the story, which I didn’t expect. And our lovely heroine, she is a fighter, and boy does she protect Luca in the best of ways. She was honestly entertaining and quite frankly a “hoot” to watch. I was rooting for her and Luca all the way through this book. And honestly one other aspect really of her character just made me admire her even more. The ways that she stands up to Luca, and even up to Nico and the rest of the members of the mob. Yeah she has balls of steel, and there is this one scene that I have re read multiple times because we see what a fighter she is, we see her strength and determination grow, aspects of her character and personality she doesn’t even realize that she has until events force her to take action and realize that she is stronger than she realizes. This pair are just perfect for each other, and they so deserved a happy ending.
Feel me, feel my power. Know you are safe with me. Even when you are at your most vulnerable, you are safe with me.
My only complaint of this book, was the ending. It was more abrupt than I wanted or expected so that was a bit of a downer. However there is so much to love about this book. The plot is exciting and keeps you on the edge of your seat, the characters are captivating and easily relatable and ones you can cheer on, the romance is hot and mouthwatering…. A DELECTABLE TALE OF DEVOTION, LOYALTY AND THE POWER OF TRUE LOVE.
Awesome review, hon. Glad that you loved this book. I didn’t love this book as much as I hoped but I want to try another book by this author. I heard that Nico is great. Have you read it? I’m curious about it. ?
Thanks. I do think Nico is a better book, so you might like that more than this one. And I have really loved reading this author.
Oh, this one sounds amazing! Lovely review here. 🙂 I adore Sarah’s characters and the hell she puts them through–but they’re always up to the challenge. Can’t wait to check this out!
Oh yes, she writes some of the best characters and the circumstances she puts them in is fantastic. She does great with the dynamics here.
I am reading this one now and on the fence about Nico. He is kind of demeaning in some of his views of women and it is a bit bothersome. But, I do enjoy the taboo relationship and the danger of the plot!
oh sorry to hear about that. I do feel that this book isn’t for everyone though. I did like seeing the hero change especially in how he treats his son. I think one of my favorite parts of this book is the danger and the forbidden theme going on.
Awesome when you’re really rooting for a couple. Neat she was law enforcement. Love the covers on these, too!