Review: The Sweetest Oblivion – Danielle Lori (Made #1)

Synopsis

She’s a romantic at heart, living in the most unromantic of worlds . . .

Nicknamed Sweet Abelli for her docile nature, Elena smiles on cue and has a charming response for everything. She’s the favored daughter, the perfect mafia principessa . . . or was.

Now, all she can see in the mirror’s reflection is blood staining her hands like crimson paint.

They say first impressions are everything . . .

In the murky waters of New York’s underworld, Elena’s sister is arranged to marry Nicolas Russo. A Made Man, a boss, a cheat—even measured against mafia standards. His reputation stretches far and wide and is darker than his black suits and ties. After his and Elena’s first encounter ends with an accidental glare on her part, she realizes he’s just as rude as he is handsome.

She doesn’t like the man or anything he stands for, though that doesn’t stop her heart from pattering like rain against glass when he’s near, nor the shiver that ghosts down her spine at the sound of his voice.

And he’s always near. Telling her what to do. Making her feel hotter than any future brother-in-law should. Elena may be the Sweet Abelli on the outside, but she’s beginning to learn she has a taste for the darkness, for rough hands, cigarettes, and whiskey-colored eyes. Having already escaped one scandal, however, she can hardly afford to be swept up in another.

Besides, even if he were hers, everyone knows you don’t fall in love with a Made Man . . . right?

Review

The Sweetest Oblivion is the first book I’ve read by Danielle Lori and quite simply, amazing! Anyone who knows me or has followed along with my reviews for a while now will know that I absolutely ADORE mafia romance. I love the dark depths, intrigue, seduction and steamy relationships that occur between the two leading characters; and that is exactly what I got in The Sweetest Oblivion by Danielle Lori.

This is book one in the Made series, and focuses on heroine, Elena (aka The Sweet Abelli) and hero, Nico. Elena is a sweetheart, young and naive. She thinks she can temporarily take off from her mafia upbringing to enjoy a taste of freedom; not realising there are serious consequences to her actions. As a result, she’s brought a reputation upon herself and has reduced her chances of being allowed an opinion to whom her father decides to marry her off.

Nico has a very tempestuous relationship with the Abellis and has agreed to wed one of the daughters. Elena’s father, unwilling to give Elena up, decides Nico will marry the other sister. And while this arrangement is clearly the wrong choice to everyone around them, it does begin the ‘battle of wills’ dance between Nico and Elena.

Without going into too much detail, Nico and Elena’s sister’s engagement is broken. Nico couldn’t be happier because now he can have the woman he really wants – in his arms, in his bed, and by his side. For Elena, however, flirting with this dark and dangerous man is one thing. But to be in a position of falling in love with him? That’s a risk she doesn’t want.

From start to finish, this story was steamy! It had the perfect balance of relationship growth, intrigue and drama between the mafia families, and well-developed side characters. I wanted to spend equally as much time with Nico and Elena, as I did with finding out more about the mafia dealings, and all the different siblings and cousins!

Lori’s writing kept me hooked the entire time and I never wanted to put this story down. I’m very intrigued to continue with this series and cannot wait to see who else gets a story – although at the time of writing this review, I know there is already a second and third book published which I’m hoping to get to as soon as possible. Definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys mafia romance or dark romances!

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Amazon | The Ripped Bodice

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