Title: Condemned to Love
Author: Siobhan Davis
My Rating: ****1/2
Type: Standalone
Genre: contemporary Romance, Mafia Romance
Narration: Dual POV
Primary Characters: Ben & Sierra
I have loved some of Siobhan’s dark bully YA series earlier. When she announced this book, I was eager to get my hands on this. This book definitely didn’t disappoint, but in the mean while I’m not in Aweee as well. That may be because I had too high expectations for Siobhan.
“Condemned to Love” is a mafia romance with the sub plots of age-gap and second chance romance. Sierra met Ben when she was in her early teens. He was her older sister’s boyfriend. She had a huge crush on him. He suddenly disappears from there life.
Now years later she has found herself in a difficult situation and comes face to face with him. But he isn’t the same person whom she had a crush on. He is ruthless, but only he can rescue her. Things will take a different turn post that. Sierra is strong, independent and sensible. She understood the situation and reacted quite maturely. Ben has showcased both tendencies of brutal, violent along with his softer side.
I saw some twists in the book coming miles ahead due to the subtle hints which author has left throughout. Some twists were amazing and some were predictable. Totally loved character and relationship development. Sierra and Ben don’t just get along because they are forced to stay together. They gradually develop that relationship. The book spanned over a large timeline which is a total plus.
Narration style is good. Pace of the story is moderate. At some places it did feel dragged. Totally loved some secondary characters. Leo, Alesso, Esme, Natalia and Serena are definitely intriguing. I would definitely love to see more of this world.
Overall, and amazing book for mafia romance lovers. It’s a good balance between the harsh life of the mafia with a sensual romance.
Source: Free in KU
Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/Condemned-Love-Stand-alone-Mafia-Romance-ebook/dp/B08TTBW5SL
Blurb as per Amazon
Her teen crush is now a ruthless killer and powerful mafia heir.
Will one life-altering night unite or destroy them?
Bennett Mazzone grew up ignorant of the truth: he is the illegitimate son of the most powerful mafia boss in New York. Until it suited his father to drag him into a world where power, wealth, violence, and cruelty are the only currency.
Celebrating her twenty-first birthday in Sin City should be fun for Sierra Lawson, but events take a deadly turn when she ends up in a private club, surrounded by dangerous men who always get what they want.
And they want her.
Ben can’t believe his ex’s little sister is all grown up, stunningly beautiful, and close to being devoured by some of the most ruthless men he has ever known. The Vegas trip is about strengthening ties, but he won’t allow his associates to ruin her perfection. Although it comes at a high price, saving Sierra is his only choice.
The memory of Ben’s hands on her body is seared into Sierra’s flesh for eternity. She doesn’t regret that night. Not even when she discovers the guy she was crushing on as a teenager is a cold, calculating killer with dark impulses and lethal enemies who want him dead.
Understanding the risks, she walks away from the only man she will ever love, stowing her secrets securely in her heart. Until the truth becomes leverage and Sierra is drawn into a bloody war—a pawn in a vicious game she doesn’t want to play.
As the web of deceit is finally revealed, Ben will stop at nothing to protect Sierra. Even if loving her makes him weak. In a world where women serve a sole purpose, and alliances mean the difference between life and death, can he fight for love and win?
This is a full-length STAND-ALONE 145k-word novel with NO cliff-hanger and a HEA. For romance readers who enjoy age-gap, sister’s ex, second chance, dark mafia romance.
Meander - Read & Roam 