Twisted Loyalties by Cora Reilly

Okay, Cora Reilly, if you haven't heard of her...you need to. Especially if you are into the mafia-romance trope or you want to start it, this woman's work is a good start. Anyways, I do have to warn that this book is a spin-off of one of her previous series, Born in Blood Mafia Chronicles Series, so you do meet some of the character first on that series, plus it gives you more world-building in this series. It's a recommend series BTW. (reviews of that series will COME!)

Anyways, let's get to the synopsis and review!

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Fabiano was raised to follow in his father’s footsteps as Consigliere of the Chicago Outfit – until the man abandons him. Left to fend for himself, Fabiano is forced to fight for a place in the mafia world. As a ruthless street fighter, he quickly earns his place as the new Enforcer of the Las Vegas Camorra – a man to fear.

Leona wants to build a decent life for herself, away from her drug-addicted mother. But soon she catches the attention of a dangerous man – Fabiano Scuderi. Staying out of trouble and living a normal life are near impossible with a man like him. 

Leona knows she needs to avoid Fabiano, but men like him aren’t easy to shake off. They always get what they want.

Fabiano cares about only one thing: the Camorra.

But his attraction to Leona soon puts his unwavering loyalty to the test. Is Leona worth risking everything he’s fought for, and ultimately his life?

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Now, before I start with this review I do have to warn for SPOILERS for the Blood Mafia Chronicles series. Okay! BUT the first chapter/prologue includes the back story of Fabiano and how he came into his predicament today. Once you get past this and get a little rewind, the book is an amazing trip!

Twisted Loyalties is the first full length novel within the Camorra Chronicles. Spoken in ‘Dual Perspectives’ this is Fabiano & Leona’s story, both craving a different life to what they were born into. Fabiano was beaten and abandoned, assumed dead and disowned by his own father. Left on the streets to defend for himself by his father's right hand man. 

Leona was raised by two dysfunctional parents one addicted to drugs the other addicted to gambling a bad combination, a loveless upbringing. They met by chance..On a rainy day she's new to the city and he's the man that picks her up, she knows nothing about the man she sat beside as he drove her to a rough part of Las Vegas where she's currently living with her estranged father because her mother is back in rehab.

He was all hard lines and muscle, power and danger, but his skin betrayed that when I touched him, he was only human.

This in a way is kind of like an unknown Heroine meets a very dangerous Love Interest who introduces her to a whole new world of danger and a scene she never expected to be in.

Now, I love Fabiano, he’s in the worst situation, out casted and always trying to prove himself. If he’s anything he’s loyal. He then runs into Leona. I love a good damsel in distress storyline so you have the poor girl who has parents that are addicts and this dangerous man comes into her life. There's something about her that has Fabiano wanting to protect her, he can't stay away from her, but will she run in the other direction when she finds out what he is? Who he is? A cage fighter that hones his skill, death matches that keeps the fear in people's eyes, they owned the town, they controlled the nightclubs, bars, restaurants and casinos, from cage fighting to street racing they had their hands in everything. 

"Something about her trustful innocence drew me in like a moth to the flame. It was the thrill of the hunt, no doubt. I'd never hunted someone like that."

The relationship between the two I was swooned. I love the back and forth between these two, especially how Fabiano tries to hide the Mafia world from Leona, but in the end he was unsuccessful.

“Who will be the one to make me bleed and beg, Fabiano? Who?” She shook her head, looking crushed. “You are his enforcer. His bloody hand. You are the one I have to fear, right?” She straightened her spine and reached for the knife in my chest holster. I let her do it. She held my gaze as she pulled it out. “Who’s going to pierce my skin with this knife? Who’s going to draw my blood with this blade?” She pressed the tip of the knife against my chest. “Who?” The word was a mere whisper. I leaned closer, even as the blade cut through my shirt and skin. Leona drew it back, but I moved even closer. “I hope you’ll never find out,” I murmured. “Because it sure as hell won’t be me, Leona.”

What I loved most about this book was Reilly's ability to keep me intrigued until the end. It was unpredictable, and when I thought I had figured everything out, she took another route with the story. I love an author who can keep me on my toe, and have me on the edge of my seat. The romance was slow, but the small pieces we got throughout the story were hot and enough to keep me satisfied. The character development was great, and even though they grew I was happy to see that they stayed true to themselves. Plus, the angst in this story is what I am here for. Anyone who has been following me for a while already know I love a slow-burn and an angsty filled story. I love to see the main characters struggle to be together because it makes their love worth it.

"Being with him made me feel good. Very few things in my life did. Why not allow myself that small sin? Because that's what he was: sin." 

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Overall, I have to say that Twisted Loyalties was a great mafia romance. There are a lot of them out there, and it gets harder and harder to find a really good and unique one nowadays. However, I shouldn't have doubted Cora Reilly, because she is known to write great plots and characters. She has been out of the writing game for some time, however I think she came back stronger than ever. Twisted Loyalties was a great introduction to The Camorra Chronicles. I can't wait to see what comes next.

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