***ARC Provided by the Author and Give Me Books***

Rocco and Grace were toghether in the past, there was a relationship there even though Grace was really young and there were no inappropriate lines crossed.

Years pass, he is an enforcer (it's a little more complicated than that, but this is a review not a plot summary, so I am going to leave it there) and she has devoted her life to being anything but the daughter of a mobster.

So, what happens to a reunited enforcer for the mob and a woman who has devoted her life to getting away from all things mafia? Yup, you guessed right, an attraction they are not able to ignore.

For me, this title worked overall. I enjoyed it and I liked Rocco and Grace together. There were a few times and a few things that happened, that made me question if there was really a relationship that was going to work long term. But, that said, it is a mafia romance, so this is supposed to be a part of it. He is supposed to be dangerous and maybe even a little bit of an anti hero, so in this case, it fit.

I recommend this title.

Rocco is a cold-blooded ruthless mafia enforcer. Grace is the daughter of a mob boss who wants nothing to do with the mafia. Rocco first met Grace when he was tasked with protecting Grace and her brother Tom when Grace was just ten years old. When some unfortunate incidents happened, Grace ran away from her mob family and wanted nothing to do with Rocco because she saw what kind of man he truly was.

Many years later Rocco and Grace cross paths again. Although Grace wanted nothing to do with Rocco in the past, she couldn't hide her true feelings anymore. This book was hot and intense.

This book is part of a series, however it could be read as a standalone. The author does a great job connecting the characters. I look forward to reading even more by this author.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of the book.

I have mixed feelings about this book... I think perhaps Mafia Romance may not be my cup of tea (I think it's because my husband binge watches The Sopranos constantly so over the past ten years I've had my fair share of wiseguys). It took me a while to get into the book, but about 35% in I was fully committed and enjoyed the ride, but it wasn't an easy one. While it's the third book in the series, it read ok as a standalone, though I think I may have enjoyed it more had I read books 1 and 2 first (especially since the hierarchy of the organization, the current drama, and quite a few of the secondary characters are set up in those books). Rocco/Frankie and Grace were great characters with layers and heavy backstories and a beautiful (if not a bit taboo) history with each other and it was good to see them work their way back in each other's lives. There was a lot of action and tons of suspense and honestly that's what kept me turning the pages. I'm interested to see how I feel about the series if I start again from the beginning, but at this point I don't know if I want to commit to continuing with the series. It's not that I didn't enjoy the book - the writing was really good and the author seemed to do research to familiarize herself with the world, but I just don't think the mob is for me. 3.5 out of wine glasses.

Wow! What an emotional roller coaster this book is! I was hooked from the very first pages and completely mesmerized to the end. It was an outstanding read.

Rocco is strong, tough, and dangerous. Grace is sweet and caring but tough in her own way. They are dark and light, perfect for each other, but doomed from the start. I liked Grace almost immediately; my feelings for Rocco are as mixed as Grace’s. He really melted my heart and yet shocked me with his brutality.

The plot was fast moving and suspenseful. I was on the edge of my seat almost the entire time. The secondary characters really added to the storyline, and I hope that Mike will be getting a book of his own.

This is my second book by Sarah Castille, but it definitely won’t be my last. I am quickly becoming a fan.

This was book 3 in the series, but read as a standalone. I did not feel as if I missed anything by not having read the previous 2. But I will go back and read them now!

This book was edgy, dark and full of action. Rocco is the ultimate hard-ass hero, which makes it all the sweeter when Grace brings him to his knees. She is the daughter of a high up mobster, basically mobster royalty. He is an enforcer, someone called upon when needed, but never acknowledged. He broke her heart years before and when they are forced together again, the sparks flew.

I loved the journey this book took me on from moment one. Grace was incredibly strong and exactly who Rocco needs to keep from being a mindless killing machine.

Bring me the biggest, baddest, scariest Hero and I’ve gotta read it! I just love to read about the emotionally challenged men and watch them fall for that one person who reaches past the barriers no one else can touch. This is what you get with Rocco aka Frankie and Grace.

Rocco was orphaned at age 6 and then adopted by Cesare De Lucchi. Cesare didn’t want a son, he wanted a killing machine for the mafia. He provided Rocco with everything a little boy could love and then cruelly stripped it all away, teaching him that love is a weakness.

Grace is a mafia princess who thought her father was an insurance salesman growing up. When she’s forced to watch the love of her life perform his duty for the mafia, the brutal truth about her life can no longer be denied. She leaves New York to live a life away from the violence. Years later Rocco and Graces lives collide again. This time Rocco can’t let her walk away because nobody can protect her like he can.

Sarah Castille did a fantastic job with Rocco and Grace’s story. You see the killer in Rocco but also that little boy he was before he was broken and rebuilt, only the adoptive father didn’t completely succeed in breaking him. The struggle he feels for being what he’s made to be and for wanting the light that Grace brings him is felt.

You also understand the struggle Grace felt learning the truth about her family and wanting nothing to do with it while she battles her love for Rocco. She feels betrayed by him but also knows he’s more than a killer.

The couples in the previous book make appearances in each book, but you could easily read each one as standalones. I’m curious if Mike’s story is next and if so, how he’ll handle the aftermath of what happened to him in this book. ARC provided by NetGalley.

This was a brilliant and at times emotional story. That had me completely hooked from the very first chapter until the last. And with plenty of twists and turns and such fantastic characters. It really was extremely hard to put down. As well as being a fabulous read. Which is why I would happily recommend Rocco to others.

Love these books and this author! Each one gets better and better

Grace Mantini left her family behind years ago to build a new life in Las Vegas. Everything was working out fine until she reconnected with the family. A funeral soon followed.
Rocco De Lucchi has come to Vegas on family business. He didn't expect to find a reason to change his life.
Our lead characters have a tragic shared past, but they are both very different people now.
This is a Mafia story, so expect lots of violence and a strong macho hero. He is not a nice or good man. There is some serious soul searching going on. A sexy and action packed story that is part of a series that is best read in order, although you can read each book on it's own.

So just to start off, this is the first book in the series that I’ve read, so I was going in blind - and now I can’t wait to go back and read the others!

I loved Rocco - he was Uber protective of Grace and despite everything she’d been through, Grace was strong and stood her ground.

I haven’t read too many Mafia style books but I have to say this is up there as one of my favourites, I can’t wait to go back and read Nico and Luca so I can get an even better feel for the whole series!

Readers can read this as part of the series or you can read it as a stand alone Novel.

The story starts off with a death and a woman trying to find a life away from murder and the mob. Sex is what comes to mind with this book and creepier. Rocco is a creepy who has been lusting after a person ten years young them him. Wouldn't be a big deal if the lusting and sex happened after she was even 18 but NOPE!

While the writing was decent the characters were lacking anything more than a sexual relationship and everything. Grace went from wanting to distance her self from the mob but has no problem working for them and accepting it as a part of her life. Grace could have been strong but the author took that away from the second chapter.

The book is nothing more than an erotic read for women.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin Publishing for the advance copy.

Rocco by Sarah Castille
Ruin & Revenge #3

Grace is a mafia princess and ten years old when she meets Rocco.
Rocco is an enforcer who was adopted and ruthlessly trained to be the “best” at doing the worst.
The two have a past that was ripped asunder in New York but are given a second chance at love in Las Vegas

This is a dark story that is difficult to boil down into one succinct pithy review. So…

What I liked:
* Rocco: he was strong and ruthless and got the job done but he had not given up his humanity…not completely…though someone wanted him to. And…what an alpha male both at work and in the bedroom!
* Grace: that she worked to wrap her mind around her mafia roots, loved her family, tried avoid violence and yet learned to defend herself should she need to.
* Their love story – that it stood the test of time and brought them a HEA in the end
* That the book ended with hope – 1. That Rocco may find a place that will be more in keeping with his talents and heart, 2. That Rocco might find out who his family really is and 3. That Rocco and Grace will have a happy life together in the future…at least as happy as Mafia families can have.
* The supporting characters. I can see a spin-off for Ethan and his band. I can see Mike and Tom both finding a HEA with someone in the future.

What I did not like:
* Cesare: I know I was not supposed to like him but I really REALLY was happy when he got his due.
* Tony and some of the other creepy mafia types that so deserve to get planted six feet under.
* Teresa – though I could see why she was as she was…wonder if she will find happiness or rot in jail?

The book was action packed and a page turner that left me wanting more in whatever book may follow. I enjoyed the story and yet wondered just how Grace managed to evolve from a bit of a wimp to a kick-*ss much stronger person that could condone what she did.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4.5 Stars

Grace was the piece of his soul that was missing. She was the crack in everything that made him the hardened Mafia enforcer. Her simple touch made him dream of everything when he felt lost in a sea of emotions he wasn’t familiar with. It was simply too much. They drifted apart, only to find one another six years later. One thing that has changed is Grace. She shoes away from attention due to a scar on her face. Making tentative steps to secure her dream while trying to remain strong is a constant struggle. Rocco reappears and the feelings they have for one another are twisted in words that would cut your soul. Will they beat the odds and find their way back to each other?

Rocco is a mafia enforcer who has given up his soul a long time ago. Grace, the daughter of a made man, escaped the mafia life once she learned about it. Rocco and Grace were in love, but Grace was young and Rocco was a vicious enforcer. After a terrible attack that left Grace scarred, she runs, leaving New York and Rocco behind.

While her father and brother were in Vegas for a visit/mafia business, Grace is thrust back into the danger of the mafia world. She is older and a bit stronger now and she is willing to fight for her family and for Rocco, even though he does everything possible to push her away. Rocco was abused as a child and has developed some seriously messed up coping skills. He harbors so much guilt over his life but is essentially powerless to change his station. I didn't expect to understand Grace and Rocco so much. I have nothing in common with these characters, yet Castille does a great job making them relatable and real. I also loved getting to see Mia and Gabrielle (and of course Luca and Nico).

The complex relationship between Grace and Rocco is the driving emotional conflict, but they do still have to figure out who put a hit out on Grace's father and brother and wanted to kidnap Grace. As you can expect in a mafia romance, there is danger and violence at every turn which keeps you engaged, but there is also the push/pull between Grace and Rocco that provides this odd sense of a slow burn (which is deceptive because they certainly are lots very sexy scenes!). Even when they are ready to rip each others' clothes off, you aren't sure if this time will be what finally reconnects these two. The chemistry is scorching but with the way Rocco shuts down and runs hot and cold with Grace at times, it felt like a slow burn that was going to end with a major explosion instead of a fire!
(link live on blog on 1/1/18)

LOVED this book! Exceptionally well written and these characters are just perfectly imperfect. but their flaws make them the amazing characters they are.

Rocco has always known exactly how his life would turn out. After all he'd been groomed to be a mob enforcer most of his life. No other option had ever been available to him. So when the young girl he had fallen for when he was younger had said she wanted no part of the life her father lived, he made it easy and walked away. Now she's back in his life again and walking away from Grace Mantini a second time might be impossible.

Put this one on the must read list. I highly recommend it.

Yeah the whole 16 year old with a 26 year old is a BIG NO! Grace was brave for leaving her family and staying away from the mob but at the same time she was a coward because she kept coming back and doing what her father asked her to do, going to dinners and funerals.
I honestly liked the first 2 books, I liked Luca’s book better than Nico’s.

This is the third book in the Ruin & Revenge series. You can read it as a standalone. I loved the first book, Nico. The second books was okay. This one fell short for me.

I usually don’t have an issue with age gaps. But, this one rubbed me wrong. Rocco says he fell in love with Grace when she was ten. That’s not the issue though. I get puppy love. This isn’t puppy love. He was twenty. She was just a child and he was an adult.

The physical aspect started when she was sixteen. I *think* it was just kissing then, but still, a twenty-six year old with a sixteen year old. Yuck.

I just couldn’t get past that. If the physical relationship would have started when she was older, I would have been fine with it.

I think I’m done with this series now. I do like Mike, but he was stupid. So was Tom.

I have to admit that Rocco is not among my favorites from Sarah Castille...

I really didn't like Rocco or Grace which makes it harder to get invested in the story. The writing is well done as usual, but the flshbacks and lack of empathy for the characters made it a harder one to enjoy.

I just love this series. The strong women that are portrayed are amazing. After leaving New York, Grace made a life for herself in Vegas. Six years later we runs into the man that broke her heart, her life is thrown into turmoil. Now Rocco is the only man that can protect her. This was an awesome book and kept me on my toes. It was a very emotional read as well. I can't wait for more.

3 stars

Slow and doesn’t flow well but finally makes it to a good HEA.

I voluntarily read an advanced copy.