Cover Image: Sweet Temptation

Sweet Temptation

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

Sweetest Temptation is the story of the lovely Giulia and Cassio. Cassio is grieving over the loss of his late wife but he must marry another for duty and be a mother for his two children. Enter Giulia a young seventeen year old is told by her father that she must marry a man she never met after her eigtheenth birthday. To a man ten years her senior for the sake of her family.

I didn't expect Sweet Temptation to be full of angst and twists. Giulia and Cassio go from strangers to something more within a heartbeat. But what really pulled my heartstrings was Giulia's relationship with her stepchildren. To be quite frank she falls for them before Cassio and to see them all as a family made my heart flutter.

It is a mafia romance so expect Sweet Temptation to be dark, we all know Cora Reilly this is what she is known for!

Was this review helpful?

Addictively emotional, age gap mafia romance will tug your heartstrings and make you swoon over Giulia and Cassio unique relationship.
It was my first book's experience with Cora Reilly's stories and definitely won't be the last because she sucked me right in from the very first page into Sweet Temptation plot. I love her style of writing and unique ability to drown reader into her imaginary world.

I was afraid that heroine in this story will be too young and naive but there was not such thing. Beyond Giulia's beauty and innocence she was stubborn and knew when become defiant wife. Despite her young age she was the one who's trying to heal Cassio on so many levels and tear down the walls around his heart.
Has she succeed?? You need to find it out!

But let me tell you about this dangerous, intrigued and tempting alfa male Cassio Moretti. #meltingalloverhim
Cassio was devoted to the Mafia world and his Famiglia. He rules his city perfectly with the iron fist and cold heart, but his personal life was a disaster. He has a life baggage and broken heart. His past was eating him alive. Behind his mask of ruthlessness and cruelty, he was lost and helpless. Does such young wife was his blessing or his curse??

OMG you guys....their relationship truly blew me away. I felt their highs and lows with every fiber of my heart. Every intense and raw feeling dragged me deeper and deeper and I was so captivated by the book.

Was this review helpful?

This story Sweet Temptation is hands down a masterpiece and one of the best books Cora Reilly has ever written and I don't say this lightly, trust me, since Twisted Pride has been my top favorite until now. Cassio, Giulia, and the kids have stolen a piece of my heart and left a permanent mark on my soul. It definitely has Cora's signature writing style but at the same time, it feels different too. If you're a huge sucker for the single parent, arranged marriage and age-gap tropes like me then this Mafia romance will be right up your alley. Sweet Temptation is pure perfection from the first till the last page. I strongly encourage you to pick up this fantastic story and let the intriguing characters put you under their spell. Cora, my queen, I once again bow deeply to you and your unsurpassed talent. Although this book may be read as stand-alone, I fully recommend you read her previous books to understand the small easter eggs she wrote in this book

Was this review helpful?

Simply amazing!! I stayed up all night finishing this because I need just one more chapter then I’ll stop. Ha! Biggest lie I’ve ever told myself.

I don’t know where Cora gets her inspiration from or how she got started, but damn she sure can drag me into the mafia world within the first chapter. Absolutely THE best author at writing mafia romance.

This is a standalone mafia romance. With a lot of twists and by a lot, I mean a crap ton! And one particular twist will make you shutter! That’s what makes this book even more juicy. You know how Cora does! Always keeping you coming back for more!

Was this review helpful?

Sweet Temptation now ranks as one of my favorite Cora Reilly books of all time, and I’m pretty sure that Cassio and Giulia now rank as my top couple right beside Kiara and Nino (gasp!). I devoured this book in one sitting, and I’ve already re-read it several times. I was profoundly moved by the tender care that Cora brought to the story of these characters- the intimate spotlight she placed on the emotional journey between them, one that was incredibly endearing and satisfying. Cassio and Giulia have a special place in my heart. I laughed, I cried, and I swooned, but most importantly, I was moved by the intimate, rich, and perfectly shaped love story that Cora gave us in this much anticipated story.

Our story starts with Cassio, a recently widowed Philadelphia underboss. After the untimely, and mysterious, death of his wife, he’s left with two small children. Pressured by his colleagues and also weighed down by his responsibilities, he chooses to remarry in order to provide a mother for his little ones, an action he views as more of a task of duty than anything else. He agrees to marry the much younger (by 13 years) Giulia, the beautiful daughter of another underboss, a woman he’s never met but has to wait 6 months to marry until she’s of age, the first of many reminders to Cassio that he’s marrying someone he considers a child. Giulia embraces her duty, but finds her new fiancé to be both imposing and domineering, and she immediately finds herself overwhelmed by the task of raising two small children, both of whom have lingering trauma and distress from losing their mother. Cassio is both put-off by the constant reminders of his young bride’s teenage ways and how little she fits his archetype of an ideal mafia wife, yet he can’t deny her beauty nor his pull to her. Sweet Temptation uses two of my favorite tropes at its core: arranged marriage and age gap, and while I pretty much devour anything Cora writes, and anything featuring these tropes, I must say that Cora has brought a fresh take to both her mafia tales and to these well-loved tropes, elevating them to new heights.

We have everything that we’ve come to love about Cora Rielly’s books- smooth and polished prose, a mafia romance with just the right dash of danger, a brooding, dangerous, damaged and emotionally distance alpha male, a likable, innocent, and bright heroine, scorching sexy times, and a satisfying tale of unexpected love against all expectations. But, this feels markedly different than some of Cora’s other tales- she somehow reduces the scale and the scope, while still maintaining incredible emotional stakes, to keep the story really focused on the evolving relationships of our two main characters. Sure, we have some other interesting fodder as it relates the mystery of Cassio’s first wife (and we get some fun twists with that), but really, our story stays small and focused, and to beautiful results. You can tell that Cora really cares for these characters- because the story feels intimate, quiet, and gentle, and she really allows the emotional relationship to evolve and breathe without trying to sprinkle in too much else for us (or our characters) to focus on. I’ve loved all of Cora’s characters, but I feel like we know and understand Cassio and Giulia better because of the scale of this story, to see the individual threads of their characters being delicately and subtlety woven together. We get to see them both evolve and come into their own as individuals- fully embracing and accepting themselves, and we also get to see them grow and evolve as a couple- figuring out how they work together, how to compromise, and understanding what real love and connection looks and feels like, to see the trust evolve. More than any other of Cora’s tales, this is an intimate character study in the development of a true partnership, and perhaps this is why their connection feels so palpable and satisfying. Sure, our characters are crazy hot for each other (and we get all the great steamy scenes we love), but the emotional connection and journey is front and center here, and the story delivers on this intimate, touching, and moving tale of two people joining together emotionally as partners.

I think Cassio has become my favorite mafia man of Cora’s, which is saying a lot. We have that same daunting brutality and danger that mark most of Cora’s men, but he also seems more tender, self-aware, and open, perhaps because unlike many of Cora’s men our tale starts with him being much older. He communicates openly with Giulia (at least on most things) straight from the start, and while he has some alpha tendencies that ruffle both us and Giulia, we understand the source of his need to control- we have such a clear window into his heart and mind. And, his mindset as a parent wins you over immediately- you see that he’s capable of deep and profound love, loyalty, and commitment, even if he’s unable to trust Giulia. I mean come on, he’s a man who agrees to a marriage he doesn’t even want because he loves his kids. SWOON. He’s so richly painted and realized as a character- his pain and experiences have understandably scarred him and left a darkness and indifference in him, but we are immediately drawn to the tenderness and compassion we see in small glimmers, first towards his kids and then towards Giulia. He’s magnetic.

And Giulia, she’s the light, the radiant sunflower to the darkness that surrounds Cassio. And she is a breath of fresh air amongst the brilliant menagerie of Cora Reilly heroines. She has the innocence, softness, and compassion that mark so many of our leading ladies- she’s kind, gentle, and patient. But, she’s also relatably quirky, brutally honest (but in a loving way), and repeatedly embraces her own vulnerability in ways that not only endear her to us but also to Cassio. She’s by far the most rational and self-aware of Cora’s heroines- she’s logical and pragmatic in accepting her fate, comfortable with herself, and is able to demonstrate strength of character without some of the arrogance, defiance, or plain hardheadedness we’ve seen in some of the stronger leading ladies (ahem, Giana…). She’s a beautiful juxtaposition of softness and strength. I really appreciated seeing a leading lady who openly communicates her feelings, embraces challenges with grace and kindness and determination, and who is so deliciously pragmatic. She wants to do right by Cassio and his kiddos, she wants to bring them back to life, without anyone having to compromise who they are. Again, another character so fully realized through Cora’s beautiful story telling.

In addition, we get to see them grow and evolve as members of the family unit, and the thoughtful, heartbreaking, and sweet ways in which we see them both parent scarred children only serves to help us better understand them as people and as evolving partners. The kids here are adorable- they aren’t afterthoughts or secondary to our tale, but front and center, and the evolution of the kids’ relationships with both Giulia and Cassio is all the more enriching to this story.

Cassio and Giulia as a couple is quite honestly a masterpiece- the story doesn’t have to be big or loud or hugely climatic- rather we get a beautiful mosaic tale of the small, intimate moments, decisions, thoughtful choices and feelings that make up the fabric of a deep and nuanced relationship that is both physically and emotionally grounded. We get to swim around in an ocean where the only focus is two characters growing together, two pieces of a unexpected but beautiful puzzle that quietly begin to lock together with each passing page.

I love all things Cora Reilly (Born in Blood series and Camorra Chronicles are basically permanently open on my kindle), and you should check them all out, but this story is really special (and also can be a standalone). My heart felt so full of tenderness and hope at its conclusion, so fulfilled by the emotional arc of our characters and their evolution as a family. Cora, this is a moving, satisfying, intimate, and richly painted relational story, and I feel so fortunate to have been able to experience Cassio and Giulia’s journey.

Was this review helpful?

I voluntarily read an ARC of this book in exchange for honest review.

I have read several Cora Reilly books till date. I wasn’t sure where I had met Giulia and Cassio before. I realized halfway through the book, that she is the sweet protective cousin of Kiara (Twisted Emotions). Initially when I started the book, after first 2 -3 chapters I was thinking, this book might be a disappointment, but NO, it’s absolutely touching, refreshing and beautiful. It started out the same way like her all other books. Same tradition, same arrange marriage, teen immature heroine+ big bad wolf of a hero + Same old bloody sheet traditions. However, this book is total contrast to Cora’s other mafia romances, mainly because of how extensively the development of the Moretti family was shown. It was truly a pleasure reading about how Cassio & Giulia.

After losing his wife Gaia, Cassio Moretti is left with two small children to take care for alone. As Underboss of Philadelphia he already has his hands full with ruling over his territory. Duty demands that he marries again in order to give his children a mother. The barely eighteen-year-old Giulia Rizzo, daughter of Baltimore’s Underboss Felix, is his chosen bride. After meeting her for first time he is not sure, if she is the right choice. He thinks Giulia herself is a child. One doesn’t become women in one day, just because she turned 18. But Giulia was definitely not a girl. She was more mature women and more mature than Cassio in several instances.

Cassio is strong, ruthless Underboss of Philadelphia. Giulia is determined to fight for more! Having no experience with small children, she’s willing to learn and take good care of them and their father. Giulia was more than I expected. She’s adorable and caring, outspoken and sassy and insolent. Se knows when to fight back and she will fight tooth and nail for her family. Very tough to accept such traits out of 18-year-old, yet she is GOLD. She handled every adversity with such grace and patience that it was impossible to not fall in love with her.

Plot moves in a consistent pace. Totally loved little Daniele and Simona along with adorable dog Loulou. Daniele and Simona weren’t just there to fill the space. They weren’t forgotten at all and actually had more scenes than I thought they would have.

Sweet Temptation is one delightful treat you don’t want to miss. There are not enough words to describe how perfect Cassio and Giulia were together, even though they both couldn’t have been more different! It was angsty and compelling and filled to the brim with mafia goodness. Cora has found the perfect balance between developing Giulia and Cassio’s characters and their relationship as a couple and as parents. Pick this and enjoy the world of Giulia and Cassio.

Was this review helpful?

I'll Take You To The Candy Shop, Honey...
*arc generously provided by the promo team in exchange for an honest review*

What’s this book about? (I'm trying to give as little spoilers as possible)
When Cassio’s wife dies and leaves him with two very young children, there’s little room for grief. Everyone urges him to get a new wife and mother for his children and to do it quickly. He ends up having to choose Giulia, a girl that’s barely of age. They both expect different things out of their union.

“My old man is a bad man
But I can't deny the way he holds my hand
And he grabs me, he has me by my heart.”
Off To The Races – Lana Del Rey

This is my second Cora Reilly read. My first one was Bound By Honor (Born In Blood Mafia Chronicles #1). MY BOUND BY HONOR REVIEW . Luckily so, since Luca and Aria from that book make appearances in this novel. Do I understand it right that the timelines are intertwined with the last book Bound By Love? If anybody has read all the Reilly books within this universe, enlighten me.
This was an entertaining read and quite the page-turner. It was easy to get lost in the story, sweet and irresistible as candy. I read it in a matter of hours on the spot (okay, I’m weird like that LOL). There was lots of drama from page one and a plot dipped in mystery or obvious plot twists, depending on how much you bought into the lovely lead male. It was quite tragic what happened to the characters and I also must add that despite the obvious plot twist, I certainly didn’t expect the DELIVERY of the twist which was a WOW moment. I had my theories, but I was only half right lol – maybe even 40% right.
I liked reading both POVs. Cassio seemed like a reasonable dude, if I’m being honest. When Cora Reilly said age gap, I expected something à la K. Webster treatment of age gaps with barely of age girls LOL. For that, even if I’m a sucker for K Web age gaps, I applaud Cassio. He seemed admirable in all of his dark shades. He can be added to the list of book made men that are adorable (YES, ADORABLE, FIGHT ME ON THIS). For those who read Bound By Honor, y’all will get the Luca and first wedding night Easter eggs that the author drops. I was like ‘Damn Luca truly has the biggest audacity out of all these pussies.’
Giulia was a lovely leading girl. I enjoyed reading her POV a lot and I rooted for her so much. She, as all the girls in Cora Reilly’s mafia universe so far (at least in the books I’ve read), are put in place and expected to behave as they’ve been taught. She took her role and she made it her own, adapting to her situation without seeming like a total submissive pawn. She was brave and strong. I loved her for that. Her behavior after the wedding… I was HOLLERING at my phone; she was simply priceless, such a champ. A lioness *smirk* *smirk*.
The steam in this story was HOT. The hungry male lead and the inexperienced leading girl were quite the combination.
I recommend this read to any lover of age gap, arranged marriage, the Cora Reilly mafia universe, a strong young girl not yet a woman that’s fighting for her place in a man’s world and a tortured leading man that will do anything for his family.

Was this review helpful?

I am all up in my feelings. For this being my first time reading a Cora Reilly book it was something else. I fell, and I fell hard for this story and for Giulia and Cassio. The writing was *chefs kiss* I’m still reeling, and the obsession is quite real. I’m addicted and there’s no going back.

Giulia was young, naive, and innocent. Being the daughter of an Underboss, she knows what’s to be expected with the Mafia lifestyle. She has no choice in who she marries and once she graduates high school, she’ll be walking down the aisle towards a man her father chose for her and who is so much older than her. Don’t let Giulia’s age fool you though. Despite her being young, she’s determined and was willing to learn and take on responsibility in her new role. She’s no pushover either, she stands up for herself and has a backbone, and she definitely made her presence known to Cassio. I loved her tenacity and strength. She was exactly what Cassio and his kids needed.

Cassio was a man with many layers. He’s intimidating, dangerous, and imposing. His job takes a lot out of him and that life has left him focused on his work and ensuing that his children were taken care of. He’s broody and closed off, but dear lord he’s a sweetheart. He’d do anything for his children, and the things he was willing to endure for them put him above and beyond. I loved him in such an intense way—he took my breath away.

Giulia and Cassio are as opposites as can be. How can this arranged marriage work? It was a challenge given the circumstances, but these two complimented each other beautifully. Giulia’s stubbornness is what propelled Cassio to open up and allow her to breathe new life into him. She taught him how to be happy and more importantly, she taught him how to have trust in someone again. And let me just say, Giulia and Cassio’s chemistry was out of this world. Straight up fire, their passion was definitely felt in the pages of this book. They might not have started on the right foot, but with time love grew and oh how beautiful it was.

Sweet Temptation is a bevy of things. It has an arrange marriage, an age gap, mafia, a single parent—with danger and suspense and unexpected twists and turns. I loved everything about this story. I loved the growth of both Giulia and Cassio. And I especially loved the children and the relationship Giulia formed with them, that ultimately led to an unbreakable bond. Simply put, I was captivated and swept away with Cora’s writing. And without question Sweet Temptation will definitely be in my best 2020 reads.

Was this review helpful?

Yass, I was very excited that Cora Reilly was releasing another book. I am always a sucker for her books. She knows how to write incredible mafia genre romance books. And she wrote Giuila story.
If you do not remember Giuila, she was briefly mention in Twisted Emotions. She is one of Luca cousins and she is ready to be marry. It’s a very old tradition for the mafia but it is what it is. And unlucky, Giuila time has run out and she is to be marry. It be may inconvenience for her but she is willing to make best do. That’s very remarkable for her because most women are willing to follow tradition. She got herself a challenge but Cassio is totally different than other underbosses.
Cassio has been burned before but not for everyone. He is cool and collected but strict under his reign. But there is a lot of rage going on that Giuila is in for a journey. I think that they may struggle but they are definitely a match for each other. Their chemistry is insane that you can just image how much their love scenes going to be.

Was this review helpful?

Loved it!! I mean i have always been a fan of Cora but DAMN this book sealed the deal!
I literally loved everything about this book and i think it is a must read for all the Mafia Romance fans.
This Standalone set loosely in her previous Mafia series has it all. Age gap, mind blowing hotness, very attaching character, great story line. I mean there was not a dull moment and it also avoided unnecessary drama that can sometimes be so cliché.
Guila is so adorable but strong in a very unusual way, at least for Cassio our main guy. A warning girls you are goign to fall in love with him. He is hard, broken, dark but he has a softness especially with his children that will make you melt like a gelato in the middle of the Arizona desert.

Seriously just read it you won't be disappointed

Was this review helpful?

"I’d never been a man for the sweet things in life, I suddenly craved it."


Sweet Temptation was an amazing and quickly read. It surprised me and I understand now was this is one of Cora favorite couple. I lasted days to finally read this bc it was too much. It was better than I expected in every single away. It’s kinda different from others Cora’s books and still amazing in it own way. Even though some topic was like too much. LIKE TOO much.

Giulia, Giulia, she was the first best thing in this book. She always made her step up in everything, she knows her bonds, the lines but when it comes about herself and those kids even with Cassio she steps up. She was so sweet, kind, fierce in her own ways and careful. Most of the funniest parts were bc of her or with her and the kids involved.

I loved how the kids were constantly there. Like they were part of the plot, they weren’t like a long side bag. Daniele and Simona were so cute. I enjoyed reading them.

AND CASSIO, they weren’t lying when they said he seemed like Luca bc in some ways he does. He surprised me the most, totally loved how he get over his past and let a future with Giulia happen. How he described his love for Giulia not only with words but with his ACTIONS. He TOTALLY understood everything and I LOVED IT. But what I loved the most above all of things was the love had for those kids. It was extraordinary beautiful, he fought for them in every way, he showed them his love, for him and Giulia.

This book was a totally rollercoaster and I’m excited to read the kids in sins of the fathers.

Was this review helpful?

Sweet Temptation was a bit terrifying. Imagine being super young, mafia family, inexperienced and engaged to an older guy. He's a widow with small children. Say what? That was the aspect of the story that just stuck with me. This poor girl goes from carefree fun to mother and obedient wife in a millisecond. I always have a suspension of disbelief with mafia stories, but this one still seemed less plausible. Otherwise, the story was everything I expected it to be-steamy, tragic, joyful, heartbreaking and tense. Cora Reilly never disappoints me, and I look forward to every new release.

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of the author and The Next Step. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Was this review helpful?

*****5 Sweet Stars*****
This book is so good; I loved Cassio and Giulia’s story. Giulia who’s a few months’ shy of 18 and obsessed with all things sunflowers. Cassio (31) is the Under-boss of Philadelphia and recently widowed. Cassio agrees to an arranged marriage to the young Giulia because he’s desperate for a new wife to mother his two small children. What Cassio didn’t expect his for his young bride to come in like a hurricane and managed to win everyone's heart even possibly his too. They aren’t prepared for one another but they find their way. I absolutely loved this book!!
*****ARC from The Next Step PR for review*****

Was this review helpful?

Whether it's the dangerous attraction, vengeance, or just seeing a bad boy hold that much power and rule his own world, there’s no denying that Mafia romance calls to us. Add in a age gap romance with a single parent, and you’re practically salivating at the thought of getting this book in your hands!!

For the past four months Underboss Cassio Moretti has been through a change in his family dynamic that has sent his world upside down. Now a single parent, the first order of business for this well known ruthless boss is to get back some normalcy into his kids lives and that includes having a mother figure around. But little does Cassio knows that his future wife is not only going to reshape his kid’s lives, she’s about to change his own as well.

Eighteen year old Guiliana never expected that she was going to be the wife of Cassio Moretti. There’s a reason why he’s an underboss and it’s not because of his ability to be a leader. He gets stuff done whether it’s cruelty or power and he’s a very feared man. Not only will she be stepping into the role of a dutiful wife, Guiliana will also be taking on her biggest challenge yet: becoming a mother.

I think that the premise of the book was a really good attention grabber in a sense and I loved that it had this booming forbidden sexual appeal to it. I did struggle a bit with Cassio decisions because I felt like he was being a tool when it came to certain things and that did take away some of the likeness I had for him.

What made this book really stand out was the heroine for me. This was an eighteen year old teenager who knew nothing about being an adult and she was literally thrown into this grown up world and let me just say, she conquered the heck out of it. She didn’t whine, she stood up for herself, and she held her own in a male dominating world. I loved her strength, determination, her fierceness and I loved how the kids meant more to her than anything else.

If you’re looking for a mafia romance style forbidden romance, you can give this one a try.

Was this review helpful?

First read by this author. The writing is not for me. If feels very choppy and sophomoric. Weird since this author has written several books.

Was this review helpful?

3.5 stars 🌟

Sweet Temptation was really hard to get into and finish. It was suspenseful throughout but did not quite hold my interest.

Cassio is an Underboss in the Mafia and he's lost his wife which he has two children with. All he's looking for is a wife to take care of his children and he doesn't care as long as she's of age. Giulia is an Underboss's daughter that isn't quite 18 yet, in which Cassio picks for his wife as soon as she's 18.

I do love Giulia's character because she has the spunk to withstand anything at this stage in her life. Sweet Temptation did hold some suspense throughout which kept me wondering as to what took place before he married Giulia.

*This ARC was received in exchange for my honest opinion.

Was this review helpful?

For months, I couldn’t contain my excitement levels—I was thrilled to bounce back into some delicious mafia romance with a marriage of convenience threaded into it. I also hadn’t read Cora Reilly’s Born in Blood Chronicles series in such a long time either. In my all honest opinion though, Sweet Temptation didn’t exhilarate me. It was a decent read, kind of tame and the lead moments to the wedding infuriated me. Overall, this narrative lacked grit, angst and suspense to make it memorable.

“It was as easy as that. Whenever I looked at the photo of Giulia and our little family that I carried in my wallet, one overwhelming feeling filled me: happiness.”

Cassio Moretti deserves a roundhouse kick for his views on women and the unreasonable demand that his new wife—who’s just turned eighteen, something he always reminds us of—will be an immediate mother to Daniele and Simona. I realise and understand, in this make-believe environment, that housewives aren’t uncommon but instead the standard. However, I don't need to be told. all. the. time. especially when there’s no chemistry between the characters. Don’t even start me on honey.

What shocked me most is Giulia Rizzo. She doesn’t resemble a withered heroine, scared of her future outcome. Instead she realised and understood her future within a male-dominated society, and followed each encounter with determination to survive the uncertain circumstances. Giulia’s this bundle of kindness, tenacity and fierceness, all equally admirable qualities that more heroines need in romance literature!

“I won’t become someone else only because you don’t like who I am. You chose to marry me. You can’t form me into the wife you want. You can’t control everything, even if you think you have to.”

I felt awkward and uncomfortable reading Cassio and Giulia’s first night together. Written clinically, the entire situation was awfully stunted in emotion and forced in deliverance. Even when emotions started to blossom and flourish between Cassio and Giulia, it felt like a transaction—demand and receive, rather than equally divided. It also came across as unbelievable as hell. Cassio obtained himself a perfect “wife” slash live-in nanny with benefits and Giulia somehow became a mother to a traumatised toddler, baby with no memories, and trained the abused dog with innumerous issues.

Sweet Temptation was solid and decent, but a few sections missed its intentions. I ached to have more sacrifice and ruthlessness that we're accustomed to in mafia romance—Cassio is described as merciless and this wasn't showcased—and rather this came across as domesticated; as Daniele and Simona's transformation instead of true romance. Even as Cassio and Giuilia's romance bloomed in slow burn fashion, the chemistry simmered before it scattered and the shock factors that were unveiled were, quite frankly, not shocking but anticipated.

Was this review helpful?

5 SUNFLOWER STARS!! I am in love with this beautiful love story. Now with that being said....there is so much more to this book, like mafia, suspense, betrayal and killings. Cassio and Giulia story will keep you turning pages and falling in love with these characters. Cora Reilly is amazing at mafia storytelling, you need to 1-Click this book.

Was this review helpful?

"𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗺𝗲 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘂𝗽 𝗚𝗶𝘂𝗹𝗶𝗮 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜 𝗵𝗮𝗱 𝗵𝗲𝗿. 𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗯𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗺𝘆 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗱, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗳𝘂𝗰𝗸, 𝘀𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜 𝗰𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗱."

It took me some time to write this review because this book got me thinking for a long time after I finished. I started reading and the story was so good, i just couldn't stop. The first time I read about Giulia and Cassio, I got curious to know more about them and their relationship. And I'm not surprised to say to you how much I loved them.

Cassio is known as the most cruel Underboss and Giulia is a sweet girl, who just turn 18. They wasn't prepared to have each other in their lives, but circunstances changes and now they have to marry and with this, Giulia is about to become the mother of Cassio's kids.

Giulia is the most sweet and heartfull character. She is pacient, strong and fights for what she believes is right. I loved to see how she managed to go beyond with the problems and become the mother Daniele and Simona needed. Their relashionship is so beautiful and how much they trust in her was one of the highlights of the book. Everything she did and how she fighted for her family was the most corageous and beautiful thing.

Cassio has his own strugles and flaws. He just lost his wife and have to take care of two children, it's a hard time for him. He is cruel, possesive and has the respect of all his soldiers, they whispers about his reputation everywhere. Althought, he is great father and love his kids with all his heart and would do anything to make sure they're safe. He has secrets, and all I wanted was to discover the story behind everything that happened. I can say, that Cassio is a deep character, his has many layers and is interesting go through each one. The way he managed to accept Giulia in his life and allow himself to trust in her, was such important for their relation. And let's talk about the chemestry between them, just WOW!

And we have some cute scenes too, it's so lovely to read the scenes with Daniele, Simona and Loulou. Giulia and Cassio are the greatest parents for their kids, and every scene with them all together, was capable of warm a little more my heart.

Giulia and Cassio are my new favorite couple in this mafia world, and this couldn't be different. They are everything and much more of what I was expecting. We have everything we need in this book and the plot twists... Yeah, this book got me in every regard.

I can say with total certainty that Cora nailed it with this characters, the story, the development, with everything! With Sweet Temptation, Cora Reilly gives us a masterpiece. This is one of her best books ever, and I'm totally sure when I tell you this.


| 𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗹𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄. |

Was this review helpful?

This book captured me from the very first page. I absolutely loved this book, it had all the tropes I love in one book! It has the opposites attract trope, age-gap, the single parent trope as well as an arranged marriage/marriage of convenience. And it was done beautifully.

This is a story of family and love above anything else. If you have read Cora Reilly's previous mafia books, then you know there is more action in that book. However in this book, it is mostly focused on the family aspect and the couples relationship and less action than Cora's other books. However, I loved the focus it had on family, on Guilia and Cassio's relationship as well as their kids, Daniele and Simone. The way Cora Reilly did it, made me completely adore it and love all these characters so much.

Was this review helpful?