Amazing! Loved this book!! Loved Rocco and Grace! Their chemistry was off the charts!! The book was very well written and I enjoyed the storyline. A definite must read!!

The De Lucchi’s are enforcers in the mob. They are the lowest of the low and can hold no rank in “the family.” They are called upon to do the worst jobs that no one else wants to do. It is horrific what these people do to their kids to make them the psychopaths they need to be to do the jobs they do without emotion or scruples.

Rocco (Frankie) is the adopted son of the head of the De Lucchi’s. Even with the unspeakable things done to him, he still manages to have a conscience. He has been slowly aligning himself to the Nico Toscani family because he likes the way they do business.

Grace Mantini is the daughter of a high-ranking New York mafia boss, has a psychology degree, sings radio jingles and loves to listen to and sing jazz. She left the inner circle at 18 when she discovered who and what her family and Rocco really were. She has been struggling to find where she belongs and what she’s meant to do with her life since then.

Grace and Rocco met when she was 10 and he was 20. He drove her and her brother wherever they wanted to go and was their protection. These two are immediately drawn to the other through their love of jazz. When she turned 16, and he was 26, they became lovers. Bit of an ick factor there. Although, because of the emotional and physical trauma Rocco endured from his adoptive father, and his lack of socialization, I would imagine he was emotionally immature despite the horrible things he was required to do. Not to mention she was the light to his darkness that he was desperately seeking. Maybe I’m over thinking, looking for justification, because I liked the two of them together.

It’s 6 years later, and they meet again after a mobster’s funeral her father requested she attend. She discovers Rocco now lives and works in Vegas where she has been residing since fleeing New York. They realize they still have feelings for each other. When he learns her life is in jeopardy, Rocco knows no one can protect her as well as he can. These two have issues to work out and it’s an interesting ride.

The mystery is well woven into the romance. I figured out who was behind it all but didn’t see the twist coming. I had a little trouble with Grace’s character in the beginning but liked who she became as the story progresses. I loved how it all ended and how Rocco dealt with everything. The author does a great job with character development and intertwining the romance with the suspense. I look forward to the next book in the series.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher.

OMG! I loved Rocco. He was so broken yet beautiful on the inside. And Grace was perfect. She was strong yet vulnerable. Together they were a force. This book was so intriguing. You knew something was going to happen. But I never seen “that” coming. What a twist! Great writing, great mystery, and a great love story! A perfect suspenseful romance.

This is a great book; this is the third book in the Ruin & Revenge Series written by Sarah Castille. Cold, hard and utterly ruthless, Rocco is the most dangerous of men. Feelings are a luxury he cannot afford—until a chance encounter brings him face to face with the only woman who found her way into his heart and touched his soul. Grace Mantini has spent her whole life running from the mob. Daughter of the boss's right hand man, she is both a prize and a target. When Rocco walks back into her life, she wants nothing to do with the man who betrayed her and broke her heart. But only Rocco can protect her from the dangerous forces that seek to destroy her family. This is a great book with a wonderful story and well developed characters. This book will keep you reading long into the night. If you are looking for a great book, then you need to read this book. I am looking forward to reading the next book by this great author. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader’s copy of this book. The free book held no determination on my personal review.

The third installment in Sarah Castille's Ruin & Revenge series, Rocco, is an action packed story filled with so many delicious elements. But the one that drives this story is the very existence of the once upon a time lovers, Rocco and Grace. The world these two inhabit is not friendly at all and once again Ms. Castille represents the brutality of the mafia in Las Vegas to perfection. There's lots of drama, lots of blood and a ton of anxiety. Having read both Luca and Nico I had a sense for the environment, but Rocco and Grace have unique ties to the La Cosa Nostra. They have a history with each other that is about to complicate their lives.

This is a fast paced story that while set in the present, needs flashbacks to show the connection between these forbidden lovers. Yes, the ten year age difference and Rocco's role as enforcer & hit man once divided them. Reunited by circumstance, Rocco and Gracie find their connection remains strong, but Rocco is tasked with an action that is certain to break Grace.

Grace is a really dynamic character, softened by her long history with Rocco and her love for this one man. She's been merely existing, hating her family's connection to crime, but when Rocco comes back into her life she's forced to roll with the change. The threats are never ending but she's got some chutzpah and finds an amazing amount of strength in which to battle both of their demons.

Rocco is a broken man, nearly devoid of emotion, but there's one person he simply can't help but feel for. He's torn between knowing his role and his work in the organization and just what completing his current assignment would do to him and to Grace. It's quiet a quandary. He knows the score, he's smart enough to see through the lies, so when he finds his loyalty in question, he knows to mask what he feels. There are so may challenges for these two and they really do involve life and death. The age difference is the least of their worries.

I love all the inter-workings and how Castille depicts the mafia world. Every character is colorful; some deranged, some naive, and all of them transformed by the dangerous world they inhabit. Rocco is a great addition to the series and one I recommend.

This is the third book in the series. I haven’t read the other two books and didn’t feel like I was missing anything or confused. This is also the first book I have read by Sarah. This book had a lot going on. Grace is a mafia princess who doesn’t like the mafia. Six years ago, she ran and now she is faced with her past. Rocco is an enforcer for the mafia. He didn’t choose to be who he is. Rather this life was forced on him. Rocco and Grace share a past. But forces beyond their control tore them apart. Now they may have a second chance. They are older and have learned things. Rocco maybe the only person who can save Grace and her family. This book has romance, danger, and so much more. I felt for Rocco. He was forced to do the things he has done. Broken by people who were supposed to love him. Grace was young when she and Rocco were first together. Now she is older and more mature, sure of what she wants and that maybe she can have who she wants despite the mafia connections. Things aren’t as they seem and many people are working behind the scenes to make things happen. I am eager to read the first two books in this series. I have already added them to my TBR list. I look forward to reading more books by Sarah in the future.
I was given this book in return for an honest review.

The enforcer is always an interesting character in a mafia romance, and Rocco De Lucchi is serious about his job. Having been sadistically trained for the role as a child, he knows he can't ever compromise his job with feelings and emotions that might prevent him from finishing his contracts. But he's known love in the past with a mafia daughter named Grace.

Grace and Rocco loved each other well, in spite of a ten year age difference and Rocco's job with the mob. But when Rocco's trainer sees that Rocco is getting too involved, he puts an end to their relationship in the worst way. Grace is left with a stark reminder of who Rocco is and what he does for the mafia family. She swears off everything about the mafia and runs away from New York for Vegas to get away from it all.

Fast forward and as fate would have it, Rocco and Grace find each other in Vegas after many years. There's an instant rekindling of their passion, and even though Grace wants nothing to do with the mafia she can't let Rocco go again. Unfortunately Grace is pulled back in when a contract hit is placed on her family, and when others start pointing the finger at Rocco as the killer, Grace has a lot of competing emotions to content with. Can she trust Rocco? And how much danger is she in?

Grace does a complete turnaround as the mafia's activities get too close to her and her family. She starts out as not wanting anything to do with the mafia but she sees that can never happen with the cards she's been dealt. Her view of the family business is different when those she loves are in jeopardy.

Rocco is in a pickle too -- staying with Grace isn't an option for an enforcer and trying to leave the family will put him six feet under. Lucky for him, Nico, Mia, Luca and Gabrielle are there to help! It was great to see these characters from the previous books in the series and their feelings toward Rocco were so touching. Rocco couldn't have done it without them!

There was a nice set of secondary characters too, from Grace's roommates to Rocco's buddies Mike and Paolo. I'm hoping there will be more to this series, especially since there is a little teasing nugget of information regarding Rocco's heritage that was left unspecified. (had to read that part twice! Can't wait to see who he's related to!)

I enjoyed Rocco's story. Sarah Castille does a great job of crafting a character who is savage but also has the capacity to love and that was very satisfying. Rocco brutality is not watered down, and I really did love these scenes. They were nicely contrasted with the Rocco he became when Grace was with him.

There is something about second chance lovers that always gets me interested and Rocco and Grace definitely deserved to be together. I had some issues with a few of the scenes that slowed things down a little too much for me, and that is why I'm not giving this a 5 star rating. Overall, I did like Rocco and Grace's HEA and I still want to know more about Rocco's heritage!

Looking forward to more in this series!

An ARC was provided for review.

This author always pulls me in right from the get-go. Anyone who knows me, knows that I love my damaged Heroes and I definitely got that with Rocco.

They were so in love but it had to be kept a secret until the secret was found out and it didn't end well. Fast forward 6 years and you can practically feel the hairs on your arms raise when they meet again.

Will they be able to finally get what they should have had 6 years ago? Will they be strong enough to stand tall and tell the world back off?

There was a few times I wanted to shake Grace a few times but by the end I just wanted to hug her! Loving this series!!!!

Amount of sex 4.5 / 5
How explicit 4.5 / 5
Story 5 / 5
Overall: 5 / 5

Luca is the second book in the Ruin & Revenge series by Sarah Castille. Before you begin Luca, I recommend you read Nico, the first in the series. I just love Nico and I think it will give you a good foundation to truly appreciate Luca.

Ms. Castille did a fabulous job of setting up the characters in the first book. I began Luca already respecting the characters and couldn’t wait to read their story! The book begins in a hospital room after Luca was shot. (btw – I just love how he got all dressed up, refusing to wear the hospital gown.) Anyways, since the hospital was busy, they brought in another gunshot victim to stay in the same room. Gabrielle is a police detective although, Luca is not aware of this. While healing from their wounds, Gaby and Luca begin to talk and they form a bond. What will happen when Luca finds out what Gaby does for a living? What will Gaby do when Luca is threatened?

Another fabulous story by Sarah Castille! The characters are so well developed and I was drawn into the storyline. I absolutely recommend this series!

*Voluntarily Review an Advanced Copy*

Rocco, a man who works for the mob as an enforcer. He’s not a man who can have a relationship, feel, or have a normal life. That became apparent when he turned ten years old. His adoptive father showed him the world he was a part of and he broke Rocco.

Grace, a young girl who watched her mother die in her arms at eight years old. Lived in a world that she was sheltered from. Her father is part of the Mob, but she has no idea until she is a teenager and sees for herself the world that she has been raised it. She can’t handle it and decides she needs to get away from her family.

Wow! What a read. I loved this story and I love Rocco! I would love to have Rocco in my life. This is a story of second chance, it has angst, crime, drama, love, and lust. It keeps the pages turning and keeps the reader very interested. The characters are well formed and they are very enjoyable to read about. I love that Grace has grown into a woman who knows who she is and has taken charge of her life and is ready to take on whatever is thrown at her. She is a bad ass and I love that.

This was my first read of this series, but now that I have met Luca and Nico in this one, I think I need to go back to read their stories too. I really like this story and I look forward to reading more in the near future. Sarah Castille has done a great job with this series.

When authors write standalone books, but with a continuing storyline over a series of three books, taking awhile in between each book, I have a hard time remembering the previous stories and characters. That was how I felt when I started this book, and I think it hampered my enjoyment for the first third of this book. I kept trying to remember the other storylines and characters. However, this shows me that each book is truly a standalone, and after getting sucked into this story, it didn’t matter to me how much I remembered from previous stories. I got so caught up in the romance of Rocco and Grace and all the different factions of the mob world, that I really had fun with this book. The mob culture in Las Vegas was certainly an interesting one, and either Sarah Castille has a connection with the mob of Las Vegas or she has a fantastic imagination, because I totally believed that everything that happened in this book could have happened in real life. This was a great movie (playing in my mind) as I read this story. Grace and Rocco were a fun couple to read about but the storyline of the mob made this book!

I am just loving this series! Rocco is a ruthless mob enforcer. But behind his protective, possessive, alpha walls is a gentle heart. A heart he thought was gone forever when the love of his life fled after witnessing the chaos of what his life had become. Grace was so compassionate and caring, that she found it unbearable growing up in the mob life. She loved Rocco and her family but hated what they did. She ran away and was determined to support herself thru college and life, so she wouldn't feel guilty using dirty money to live. Now the mob has decided it's time for Grace to come back. When Rocco and Grace meet again, their feelings come rushing back. Neither had recovered from their broken hearts, even after six long years apart. When Graces life is in peril, Rocco is determined to keep her safe even if it costs him his life. But Grace has more strength, courage and attitude, and is able to handle the ugliness in Rocco and the mob. Rocco and Grace have explosive chemistry but when Grace's attitude comes out they are hilarious together. There are twists and turns in this story that are so thrilling and suspenseful. It had me totally engaged right from the start. I loved catching up with Nico & Mia, and Luca & Gabrielle, who were all fun and played a huge roll in this story as well. This romance is fun and sexy and the thrilling story surrounding them is raw and gritty and a real nail biter! This series just gets better and better and I can't wait for more in this series. This is a definite must read!

I absolutely love this series! Sarah Castille does a great job in making us feel as if we are part of the famiglia in each of the books in this series. While they each can be read as a standalone I highly recommend reading the series in order, not only will you get to know each of these men that are tough wiseguys when it comes to work but pure pussycats when it comes to their women, but you'll also enjoy it more because each book will add another layer to the next story.

This story is about Rocco, aka Frankie, and Grace. Grace's father is the Boss's right hand man in New York and at one time Rocco worked for him as a bodyguard for both of his children and that is how Rocco, at the time 20, meets Grace, at that time 10. Their story begins as a friendship a bonding of two over some great jazz music that Grace always listened to with her mother. I will admit that I was a bit apprehensive about how their relationship would evolve but it was a natural progression of feelings as Grace got older, fast forward to Grace's teen years and a romance starts between the two. It wont be a surprise that it didn't work out the first time Rocco and Grace were together because this is a second chance at love story but what did surprise me was the circumstances in which the two separated.

Rocco is an enforcer, part of the De Lucchi family, the lowest a person can be because he isn't technically part of the family. My heart broke when we are told about his past and his father. Can he ever truly be good enough for Grace, the Mob Princess?

There were so many undercurrents and subplots and secret plans to keep track of. If I just focused on the romance and danger in the main plot, it was very enjoyable. Grace and Rocco really were perfect for each other, it just took them a while to figure it out.

4.5 stars

Rocco by Sarah Castille is such a good read.
From the first few pages I was drawn in, the writing is strong, the action is well done, it was easy to follow and the chemistry between Rocco and Grace was off the charts.
I just didn't want to put it down!

Rocco and Grace had been lovers until one night changed everything. Grace never wanted to be part of the Mafia life she'd grown up in and to see the man she loved so involved made her run away to live a much quieter life.
Now years later Grace finds herself back into the life she never wanted, a life full of death and hurt.
Seeing each other again, being close to each other stirs up all the feelings Grace and Rocco once shared.
This time Grace doesn't want to walk away from the man she loves.
But can Grace accept the life Rocco is so deeply involved in?
This life isn't one you can just walk away, once you're in it's for life.

The Ruin & Revenge series has been a great read, I've enjoyed all previous books and Rocco is an excellent addition.
I highly recommend this series.

*Get Rocco at these outlets*
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2rbtHR8
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/2rbrjd9
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2zHpaJW
iBooks: http://apple.co/2yPkJ0y
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2gMdVMt
IndieBound: http://bit.ly/2s3iIKN

*A big thank you to the publisher via Netgalley for the advance copy.*

Did not finish book. Sarah insulted the Red Sox. Sorry Sarah, but I won’t read if you insult my boys!

This book was fantastic, I absolutely devoured it! Rocco and Grace’s story was exhilarating, stunning, heartbreaking and incredibly suspenseful, definitely one of the most captivating mafia romance I have ever read. Grace Mantini is a reluctant Mafia princess. She is the daughter of the underboss of a powerful New York crime family, but has never accepted her family’s “line of business”, she can’t deal with the violence and the mafia politics. She has made a life for herself in Vegas, away from the Mafia world and from the man she loves.
Rocco De Lucchi is an enforcer, a member of a brotherhood of mob assassins. Rocco is an incredibly complex, tortured and genuine character. He is totally flawed, and yet I found him an endearing, impossible not to love anti-hero. He survived a terrible childhood, deprived of affection and love. He was trained by his brutal adoptive father to become a perfect, cold-blooded murderer, a violent hitman fulfilling mob contracts with coldhearted intensity and efficiency. He is emotionally numb and unfeeling. And yet, when he was tasked with protecting teenage Grace, he found his soulmate, despite their ten years age difference. To save her life, he was forced by his adoptive father to sever his connection with her.

Fate has reunited them and Rocco can’t stay away from her, he can’t contain his feelings when it comes to Grace. I liked that we get to know the man he really is, his gentle, human and emotional side. Grace awakens deeply buried feelings and the hope that she’ll be able to accept him as he is. She sees behind the mask he has been forced to wear. I loved Grace, she is a pacifist fighter living in a very dangerous world. Her life has been dominated by loss and sadness, but she is finally ready to fight back.

This book is a wonderful mix of romance, mystery and suspense, with a few spectacular twists. I’m completely wowed by Sarah Castille’s phenomenal writing. I have loved each and every book in this series, but Rocco is hands down my favorite, definitely a must read if you enjoy mafia romance!

Rocco by Sarah Castille is book Three in the "Ruin & Revenge" series. This is the story of Rocco and Grace. I have read the other books in this series but feel this can easily be a standalone book.
Rocco works for Grace's father and when she was a kid he would be the one her father assigned to drive them and look after them. Grace didn't know exactly who her father was other than a successful business man. When Grace is around 16 years old her feelings for Rocco take on a more adult theme for her and him. But it also opened her eyes to who her father was and what Rocco did for him. Grace would later run away and take on a new life. But then their worlds collided again, when he goes into protective mode after her father was taken down.
Rocco could be a killing machine but he was taught that way and not to love from an early age. But with Grace he can only be loving and protective.
This was an exciting second chance at love type story!

Another Ruin & Revenge book and another Mafia Enforcer to tame!

It’s Rocco’s turn to entertain us and boy does he do that. Rocco is dark, brooding, extremely dangerous, and at the same time, sweet, caring and protective. As a De Lucchi, he is an enforcer who is famed for showing no remorse and no weakness but as the man in love with Grace Mantini, he finds himself at odds with his role in life and especially his cold and callous upbringing.

Having been thrust together whilst Grace was still a child and falling in love as she became of age, Rocco and Grace share an unlikely love and bond. With Rocco’s, for all intents and purposes “father” onto them, Grace finds herself running from the man she loves. Disfigured as a result of her feelings towards Rocco, Grace now hides herself away in Vegas and is determined to live a life as far away from her family ties as possible. Little does she know, however, is that when she attends a funeral with her family, more than one ghost will be resurrected as a result.

Rocco has never forgotten Grace, nor has he forgiven her for running from him, although he understands the reasons why. Despite their time apart though, their feelings have never waned and soon Rocco and Grace once again feel the sparks that fused them together all those years earlier. Whilst the road ahead still looks impossibly daunting for the duo, they find themselves back in each other’s arms but with danger, as ever, closing in, especially for Grace. With hits and threats abound, Rocco is determined to keep Grace safe but her father has something to say about that and soon Grace’s future looks to be heading away from Rocco once again.

I really enjoyed most of this story but the middle part was excruciatingly slow. So much so that I skim read large parts of the story. I was even tempted not to finish the story a time or two but I am so glad that I persevered as the conclusion of this book was enthralling. Back was the captivating writing and storytelling that I’d come to expect from the author. I have no idea why the story fell so flat for me in the middle (although I was full of flu when reading the book, so it may be more about me than the storyline) but overall the story ended up being memorable for all the right reasons.

As expected, the ending left me wanting more from the Ruin & Revenge series so, if like me, you find yourself wondering where the plot and storyline has gone, keep with it, your prayers will be answered as you read on!

Ms. Castille has a new fan.

After finding out what her father does for a living, Grace's world is shattered. It's further broken apart when she realises what Rocco, the love of her young life, does and is capable of. Running away to Vegas, she is almost convinced she's fine, until Rocco reappears in her life again. What follows is a truly suspense-filled, action-packed plot that grabs you and doesn't let go until the end, much like the love Rocco & Gracie share.

This is a true mafia romance that blends light with dark, mayhem with lust & humor, and depicts love prevailing in the end.

I voluntarily read & reviewed an ARC of this book, which was provided by NetGalley, and recommend it.