Loved it! I loved "Nico" I loved "Luca" but Rocco is my favorite. This book was everything I was looking for, fast paced, great characters and their chemistry was so real that I could feel it. There are so many things that happen in this book and there was never any dull moments, simply perfection. Thank you Sarah for another fabulous story!
An ARC received from NetGalley for an honest review!

I LOVED book one in this series (NICO) but was disappointed in book two (LUCA) so this book was a make it or break it book for me. Well, let me just say this author not only made it, she blew it out of the water and ROCCO has now moved up to the top as my favorite book of this series. From beginning to end this was a total pleasure to read.

I found this one to be fantastically well written. It was a fairly long book, but It held my attention all the way through. The plot was engaging. Surprisingly, this wasn't very angsty. I thought for sure with Rocco's and Grace's history there would have been a lot more pushing away on both their parts, but nope, they pretty much get past their issues quite quickly. I wasn't in the mood for a book filled with the heroine being bitchy and pushing the hero away, so Eve was a happy camper. There wasn't any OW/OM drama. Both had been with other people in their six years apart. The sex scenes were both smokin' hot and plentiful. There was an excellent array of secondary characters. Nico and Mia and Luca and Gabrielle featured in this one quite a lot. Along with a bunch of other VERY intriguing people. I hope very much we will see Mike get a HEA along with Olivia and Tom. Maybe even Ethan. The cast of secondary characters in this one really added so much to the story.

Both main characters were awesome. I can't think of a single thing I didn't like about either of them. Rocco was sexy as f-ck. He was alpha. He was badass. He was protective. He was tormented. His history will make you cry and I am dying to find out who his real family is. Grace had the potential to be a very annoying heroine. I figured she would be this judgy, bitter and angry woman who couldn't get over having her heartbroken. She wasn't that AT ALL. Oh sure at the beginning she was a little prickly, but even then it was protrade in such a manner you couldn't help loving her feistiness. She was sassy. She was smart. She was strong. She was funny. She was sweet, and she embraced Rocco for everything that he was. She was actually one the best written heroines I have read this year. Last, it was all wrapped up in a sweet epilogue that ended things perfectly. I am not sure whose book is up next (I am hoping Mike's) but whoever it is I will stand in line anxiously awaiting its release. The one gets two HUGE thumbs up from yours truly.

As I was reading Rocco’s story, I wondered how would it end. Would he change his life, would Grace talk him into leaving, would he stay doing what he does best? I did not know. As with the other stories in this series, the mafia is not portrayed as glamorous. These men are not always good but they have heart and they care and feel and love. Grace is a non-violent person but she changes as the story goes on – she becomes more assertive and more passionate about the people she comes to know and love. Rocco and Grace’s second chance at love is wonderfully written and takes us through the ups and downs of possible betrayal and misunderstandings and love. Another fabulous story.

At first, I found Rocco to be the most cold and unlikable of the Ruin & Revenge guys. Then as I fell deeper into his world, I realized Rocco wasn't the most cold so much as he is the most intense of these Mafia alphas. After all, this is a guy who needs regular flogging by a sex club master just to cope with the remorse and loathing choking him.

Or maybe I should actually characterize Rocco's book as the most intense of the series, not just our broken mafia enforcer. There is so much happening in Rocco and Grace's story and all of it is heartbreaking: pain, betrayal, death, scarring, remorse, longing, family loyalty, lies, secrets, murder. That Rocco and Grace's love could endure or survive such insurmountable odds was truly incredible.

The problem for me was that although Rocco and Grace get their HEA, they can never leave their Mafia world and its constant threat of double-crossings and death. All Grace ever wanted was to flee her family's horrible secrets and wounds, but she has to accept them if she wants to be with Rocco. In many ways, Rocco and Grace belong together because no one else can possibly understand the pain that haunts them both.

3.5 stars

These books are like candy. You know you shouldn't love them but you can't stop the craving. This was probably my favorite in the series in the far even if it seem a bit overly long. The mystery kept me on my toes and I mostly liked the characters. These are fun escapism reads for when you want to turn your brain off and enjoy the ride without questioning everything.

I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.

I have followed the Ruin & Revenge series from the beginning and can't get enough of these men. I absolutely loved Nico and Luca and could not get enough of Rocco and Grace's chemistry in the third book.

I enjoyed this story and coming back to the Toscani family. Rocco and Grace have such a painful past that it was great seeing them ultimately reconnect with the underlying suspense/Casa Nostra drama. It was addicting and consuming and I did not want to put it down!

While I enjoyed Rocco, it wasn't my favorite book of the series as I had some issues with a couple of things. The timeline wasn't super clear which was a little frustrating at times. Furthermore it seemed like their separation was pretty acrimonious and then all of a sudden their reconnection was happening out of nowhere and very rapidly. What happened to Grace's strict abhorrence of the "Made Men" lifestyle? It just seemed like she flip flipflopped pretty rapidly.

This was a great addition to the series and I hope we get more from this author in the future! I would like to thank Netgalley and the SMP Romance Team for an advanced copy of this book for an honest review. Bravo! 4 stars! ~Ratula

Rough gritty Mafia romance between Grace, daughter of a Don, and Rocco, an enforcer who gets called in to torture people when they don't pay back their debts. They met when she was young and he was her first lover at age 16. Ten years older than her and trained to be a killer his one weakness is Grace. Brutal details, tortured pasts, love conquering all -- a great read!

I received an ARC from Netgalley. Rocco and Grace have a love lost and found again story. All thrown in with some dramatic mafia business. Action packed and heart wrenching at times but overall a transcending love story.

Rocco the third and most recent addition to the Ruin and Revenge series, comes up with a story that delves into depth of darkness and emotion, a couple torn apart by circumstances and now they have a way to be together if they don’t get killed first

Rocco was a story I was very eagerly looking forward to especially since I have enjoyed the way that this author has explored this series. I never know what to expect with her stories and Rocco is not different. I will say that Rocco is a bit darker than the previous two books. So if dark romance or intense romances appeal to you, then pick up Rocco because I guarantee that it will take you on a thrilling adventure but a scary one. I am not sure if I could compare this one to Nico and Luca because of the major fact that this one did contain a bit of a darker theme. Now I wouldn’t exactly call it a “dark romance” because it doesn’t get super dark, but it does have some edges that not everyone will like or will want to read in a romance.

Our key players for this full of thrills romance are:

Rocco, our sexy and dangerous hero, he has had to sacrifice many good parts of himself just to survive, and he doesn’t believe there is any good in him except for his inner love with Grace.
Grace, our emotionally troubled heroine, she is completely devoted to her family, and even though she is strong she still struggles with some inner turmoil.

Rocco and Grace grew up together as kids, and Rocco although a few years older than Grace, was her protector, her best friend and then her lover. They thought they had the world at their feet until one fateful night that tore them apart forever. A night that made Rocco the man he is, without thought or feeling, only obeying orders. And Grace, who spent her entire life always on the run, trying to keep the “mob” out of her life. She is driven and wants to help those with emotional problems, especially children. But while attending a funeral, at the request of her father, she runs into the man she thought she would never see again….Rocco. He is still the same man that loved her and then broke her and now she keeps running into him. Rocco is ordered to kill Grace’s father and brother. Now that he has Grace back in his life again…will he fight to protect her and a chance to be together?

What a really wonderfully penned romance and I had such a blast with this one. What really intrigued me was seeing these two come together again. It was pretty heartbreaking, I will admit. The way that they get torn apart is not easy to see, but the author does include some flashbacks, where you can understand what they have suffered through in the past but also some fun moments of what made them work so well together. What I really thought was a strong focus in this story, was the character development. Especially in the way that we see these two overcome some crazy obstacles, and explore their relationship. There is so much depth into the “intimacy” between them that I found riveting and I honestly couldn’t get enough of seeing them together and fighting for each other. Now, of course, there are some great conflicts, and drama that comes with this type of relationship, but seeing them work hard to overcome everything that is against them, makes the ending all that much sweeter!! A romance you can count on to give you the satisfying feels that leaves you sated!

4.25 STARS!

This book is gritty, intense and violent. I loved every second of it! Next! More!! It makes me feel a whole gamut of feelings; dread, loss, sympathy, compassion and love.. The story is well written and paced.

Rocco is tortured with guilt and remorse but he is unable to feel it or express it due to his brutal upbringing. He believes there is no redemption for him because of past and current transgressions. Rocco, is a man hanging on to his humanity by a thread. That thread is Grace. She is the light at the end of his very dark tunnel. He is protective and sweet, as an Enforcer for the mob can be,with her. I love the way Grace blossoms into everything name implies to heal Rocco. I also liked the fact that Grace learns that life and people cannot be judged in black and white terms but rather in shades of grey.

Would I recommend this book? With a tormented, over-protective alpha in need of absolution, a woman that stands strong beside him and for him, and the mob run amok, it should go without saying. 😀

I was conflicted over this read as there were elements I liked and others I did not. What I liked was the mystery of who was behind the mob hits. Once Grace and Ricco reunited, I liked their steamy romance. I like the protective, alpha type of hero. What I didn't like, and what really bothered me, was the age Grace was when their romance started. To read about a sixteen year old Grace being intimate with a twenty-six year old Rocco was disturbing for me. I really wish the author would have made Grace older when their romance started. Had this been a story of two adults, I'd gave given it 5 stars.

Rocco was a well-written and interesting romance. Thanks!

Sarah Castille's third addition to her Ruin & Revenge series and I must say my favourite out of the three to date.

Generally mafia romance stories are not my favourite. There hard for me to like and it takes a special kind of author to have my interest peeked in one let alone genuinely love it. What I freaking love about this series is that it isn't your typical mafia romance. Not only does this author put unique spins, twists and hella huge surprises in here that would never normally happen in these stories.. she also lets the heroine have a mind of her own. While the mafia is typically a male dominated world.. the heroines in here are strong with a backbone and opinions they aren't afraid to share. They are respected, and pretty much rule from the bottom. They may submit in the bedroom but they are an equal in the relationship and this author does a fantastic job of making sure we as readers get that.

Rocco and Grace are my favourite couple yet. Rocco with all his damage ... man am I a sucker for broken hero. He had everything I want in a hero and more. Grace ... also pretty broken was sweet and warm but under that innocence was the Witt and feistiness that I love and had me rooting for her to kick ass!. I love me a secret badass.

I don't want to give much away about them but what I will say is that they didn't have it easy by any means. They had to fight for them.. fight everything they believed including themselves to find their happiness. They grew as characters and the more I read the harder I fell in love with them. Their chemistry was palpable, the connection instantaneously clicked into place the second they were together so seamlessly it was like they had never spend time apart. Their journey was a harsh up hill battle of constant fighting but it was worth it for that ending.

The story was seamlessly written. The plot perfectly executed with a great balance of romance, suspense, angst and action with a little inappropriate humour to keep things interesting. The side characters all playing key parts in the story adding so much life to an already lit story. I was on a rollercoaster of emotions leaving me feel emotionally exhausted and happily stated by the end. I laughed, cried ..got fuming angry and sighed endlessly in utter satisfaction at all the alpha manly yumness that had my kindle burning hot in pleasure.

Sarah out did herself with this one and its personally my favourite so far!. Everything just felt right in this story. I adore both Rocco and Grace... they're two broken halfs to one crazy hole. She soothed his damage soul and he gave her the courage to believe in herself.
Quite frankly I could gush all day about this book however I don't want to slip up and spoil it for others. Seriously though... just get the book. It fucking rocks,

I want to read more about Mike!! I loved him. He had me in stitches multiple times and his antics and his shitty luck.

I kindly received this ARC from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.


xo

Once I was able to realize that Rocco was being manipulated into doing the Mafia's bidding. I was able to enjoy the book. Because truthfully at first I was thinking, how can he be this cold hearted. Then Grace shows Rocco and his men her "take no bull shit" side. I was a goner then.

ARC received from NetGalley and the Publisher in exchange for a review.

I'll go for a 3.8 star rating, is it the first time I'm almost leaning onto the 4 star mark? Yes. Will it be the last? I hope not because well, here's the breakdown. Grace Mantini does not want anything to do with the Mafia but she can't outrun it, not when it's family. She comes home to attend a funeral of the man who was supposed to be her husband. An alliance that never fell through because someone's always got a hit out on someone among the Mafia. She meets Rocco, a DeLucci, his name alone cause chaos among their world. They are Enforcers who never miss, never back down from a fight and never leave questions unanswered. However, Rocco's always had it for Grace and when someone puts out a hit on her family, her father and brother, he finds himself going against his contract, protecting and not enforcing. It's a first for him and for her too.
I loved the back story. I found it refreshing to delve into their past, understanding the history between them and just how far apart they were driven.
The pace is fast and action packed with twists and turns.
Now, the reason why I'm not so keen on the 4 star mark is because I found the unraveling of the suspense a bit off my expectations. I know, I am not the Writer (love your plot Sarah) but in between Grace and Tony's capture and their rescue, something just didn't add up for me. I'd love to read Tony's story because well, the guy took a knife.

Wow! Another winner in the Ruin and Revenge series! I love the characters in this story and how they struggle to find a way to survive in the crazy world of mafia life. Rocco was adopted by his father for the sole purpose of being trained as an enforcer, while Grace in the mafia princess that fell in love with him when she was a teenager. Then Rocco's father forced him to commit an unspeakable act in front of her, so she ran away from Rocco and the mob.

Years later, when they cross paths again, their forced to face their feelings and to sort through an elaborate series of sins and lies, never being sure what the truth is.

Fans of the genre will love this book. This one had me turning pages just as quickly as possible. If you like your romance with a side of dirty, and sin, you will love this novel.. The author is on my must read authors' list.

Sarah Castille is a master a mafia love stories. This series sucked me in from the start, and I couldn't put Rocco down. He was terrifying and yet had a soft side that made my heart melt just like Grace's did. Not only did I fall in love with him, but I adored Grace. She was so real, not perfect, but genuine. And she was a strong woman. Taking this journey with the two of them wasn't always easy, but I loved every single minute. This is one of my favorite series of all time. I can't wait for the next one.

Rated 3.5 Stars

I struggled with Rocco, it took me a while to get into it because I found the beginning very repetitious and couldn't connect with the main characters. I loved the premise and taboo element but as a whole it didn't work for me like the previous book did. However I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

Who you are and who I am...light and dark...it would never have worked."

The Ruin & Revenge series is personally one of my favorites by Sarah Castille. And Rocco's story had bewitched me. A broken bad boy that feels unworthy of love..... the amount of suffering he had to endure as a child... He deserves so much.

The first time Grace's eyes fell on Rocco, she knew he was the one for her. Sharing the love of Sinatra, they became fast friends and so much more. But after one night everything changed, packing her bags she runs away no one knowing where she went.

Years later, she returns to the same city she promised herself never to return..... but while attending a funeral, she feels his presence without looking. The intense pull, his scent... it is all too much for Grace. And is far too tempted to run again.... but soon danger is at her door and Rocco is hell bent on protecting her.

Such a beautiful, heartbreaking love story.
Grace and Rocco deserved one another from the start.
And seeing them fall in love all over again, made my heart hurt.

6 Beautiful Stars

Brief overview and then some of my thoughts/issues with the book.

Rocco worked for Grace's father. He drove Grace and her brother where they needed to go. There was a ten year difference in age, Grace was ten when she first laid eyes on Rocco and became infatuated immediately. At age sixteen Grace and Rocco's friendship evolved into love and a relationship. Unbeknowest to Grace her father was part of the mafia (she thought he was a successful businessman). A horrific event reveals to Grace the her beloved Rocco is really a mob enforcer and her father a mob boss. She is revolted and traumatized, she runs aways to Las Vegas and becomes a therapist.

Six years later her father is in town for a funeral and is shocked to see Rocco at the funeral as well. Grace's Father is also trying to arrange a marriage for Grace. They go out to dinner and to discuss his plan/wishes. During dinner her father is killed and Rocco comes to the rescue.

From there we are pulled into who and why her father is killed and is Grace safe? Rocco is there to protect her. The two still have unresolved feeling for each other, hate and love. A lot is revealed about their relationship as well as what transpired with her Father. The mystery of their past and the death of her father all come together in the end.

As I stated a brief synopsis of the story. The writing is excellent as well as the story/plot-line, somewhat. Why a three star rating?? I really had an issue with Grace. You are given a strong impression of her trauma and how it devastated her, as well as her total disgust for the mafia. But as the story progressed its like a different Grace emerged/evolved that was more accepting and okay with the workings of mafia. In the end I didn't really recognize Grace from the one in the first and second chapter of the book. I accept that characters change and evolve, but what was so stark and clear was her disgust and distain for what her father and Rocco did.

Again writing was excellent (except my issue with Grace's character) as well as pacing. But just couldn't let go of the Grace problem.