Review: Salvatore: a Dark Mafia Romance by Natasha Knight

The Blurb:

 
Lucia

It all started with a contract signed by him, then by me, while our families watched. While my father sat silent, a man defeated, giving his daughter to the Benedetti monsters.

I obeyed. I played my part. I signed my name and gave away my life. I became their living, breathing trophy, a constant symbol of their power over us.

That was five years ago.

Then came the time for him to claim me. For Salvatore Benedetti to own me.

I had vowed vengeance. I had learned hate. And yet, nothing could have prepared me for the man who now ruled my life.

I expected a monster, one I would destroy. But nothing is ever black or white. No one is either good or evil. For all his darkness, I saw his light. For all his evil, I saw his good. As much as he made me hate him, a passion hotter than the fires of hell burned inside me.

I was his, and he was mine.

My very own monster.

Salvatore

I owned the DeMarco Mafia Princess. She belonged to me now. We had won, and they had lost. And what better way to teach a lesson than to take from them that which is most precious? Most beloved?

I was the boy who would be king. Next in line to rule the Benedetti Family. Lucia DeMarco was the spoils of war. Mine to do with as I pleased.

It was my duty to break her. To make her life a living hell. My soul was dark, I was hell bound. And there was no way out, not for either of us. Because the Benedetti family never lost, and in our wake, we left destruction. It’s how it had always been. How I believed it would always be.

Until Lucia.

Author’s Note: Salvatore and Lucia’s story is a steamy standalone romance with a happily-ever-after. No cliffhanger and no cheating. It is intended for mature readers. 

Actual rating: 4.5 stars

Whew! Where to begin with this one…

This was one of those books that, whilst reading, I had to periodically stop and ask myself if I was right in the head because it was just….so…hot.



Salvatore Benedetti is the son of a mob boss, expected to carry out one of his father’s elaborate punishments on a rival crime family. The punishment? “Gifting” their rival’s daughter to his son. The beginning takes place when Lucia is only 16 years old, being inspected in front of both families to ensure her virginity is still intact before forcing her to sign a contract acknowledging that Salvatore will own her one day. P.S. this is not a love at first sight story, guys.



Lucia is repeatedly humiliated at the behest of Salvatore’s father. We get a glimpse of what goes on in his mind, though, and we see that it isn’t what he wants and he feels guilt and shame over it. I think at this juncture, if he didn’t, I might not have stuck it out with this story.

But he did. And the more time the two spent together, the more the tension builds.



I really liked this one. Read it in a single 3 hour sitting. Lucia is so headstrong and stubborn with Salvatore and I really admired that. Salvatore attempts to straight up bully her at first, and she continues to resist. In fact, I give an entire half star just for this scene:



That being said, let’s talk for a minute about the cons:

In a lot of ways, this book could be potentially triggering for those that have experienced trauma (sexual, emotional, or physical). Salvatore is not a nice guy at first. He’s reluctant to be the full-on douche that his father is, but that doesn’t mean he’s a prince. There were some parts towards the beginning that I felt were straight up abusive.



BUT what I liked about this story was the inner dialogue we get from Salvatore. He didn’t want to be a monster. He had the balls to admit to himself when he was behaving like one, and he worked to alter his behavior as the story progressed. These two don’t share a traditional romance, by any means. But they grow to care for one another and we eventually get the HEA.

I can’t wait to read Dominic’s story!