Series: Blood for Blood

Synopsis:

A blood war rages on the streets of Chicago.

Protected by an infamous mafia family, Sophie is living a dangerous lie, pretending to lead a normal life. But the deceit can’t last for ever. Her heart belongs to a killer and Sophie’s the prime target of a rival clan. She’s determined to seek revenge on her mother’s murderers, but can she pay the price – can she be a mafiosa?

The third and final instalment in the explosive YA Blood for Blood series which started with Vendetta and Inferno.

Don’t get me wrong, I would fight tooth and nail for Luca, who was, again, amazing. I don’t think he’s ever disappointed me, and given my usual contempt for this kind of mafia ish male-lead, that’s saying something : he’s respectful, smart, protective in all the ways that count and absolutely adorable. Yet even him couldn’t make me stomach the absolute bullshit that was Mafiosa.

✘ The plot was erratic at best, throwing the most unbelievable twists in our face over and over, and if the whole series has been a rocky challenge to go through, at least it used to kept a semblance of consistence. Not so much in that last installment ; not at all, if I’m being honest. After we hit the 70% mark, nothing made sense anymore, and more and more I found myself side-eyeing the endless drama pilling up. Until then, I had been clutching my kindle and swallowing the distaste I felt for most of the characters, and I did enjoy several scenes (<3). But the nonsensical drama got to me in the end, and spoiled my read.

✘ Sophie’s behavior was so out of character that I’m still debating she’s been cloned, or something, and nine times out of ten I just couldn’t stand being in her head anymore. So much that I had to skim some parts, otherwise I’d have thrown my kindle on the wall. Sure, she did get better in the end, but it hardly lessened my annoyance. Too little, too late. And don’t get me started about the Falcones and the Marinos. I just – no. Their characterization was all over the place and as it was, I couldn’t comprehend their choices and reactions. Honestly, I got the impression that they would do anything, as long as it was convenient for the plot, and to hell with the coherence.

► Ultimately, the scenes that brought the biggest smile on my face – yes, they involved Luca, and yes, I’ll most definitely reread them – were too far in between for me to enjoy my reading experience. I’m not quite regretting reading the series, but god, I’m glad I’m done^^

Synopsis:

Romeo and Juliet meets The Godfather in the second installment of Catherine Doyle's Blood for Blood series.

Sophie's life has been turned upside-down, and she's determined to set things right. But Nic, the Falcone brother who represents everything she's trying to forget, won't give up on their love - and it's Luca's knife she clutches for comfort. Soon another mafia clan spoils the fragile peace - and with her heart drawn in one direction and her blood in another, Sophie's in deeper than ever.

Don’t be fooled by my positive rating, it only means that I can’t come to terms with giving a low rating to Luca. Luca, who is life and absolutely fabulous, ‘kay? But please keep in mind that this 3 stars rating is nothing more than the average between the 2 stars this mess of a book deserves as a whole and the 5 stars every scene involving Luca earned. Yes he’s that good.

I want to save him from that book. That boy deserves better, okay?

Would I go as far as saying that the series is worth it thanks to him? I WOULD, but my brain might be malfunctioning right now, so, you know, don’t trust me for one second. Also, I skimmed a lot? XD

Now if you would excuse me, I’m gonna read allllll the short stories in Luca’s POV <3

PS. For PROS & CONS, you can refer to my review of the first book, Vendetta. Most of them are the same here, with the very important exception that Nic does get what he deserves (did I say that I despised him very much? Yeah?) and that Luca is way more present (and interesting).

Synopsis:

When it comes to revenge, love is a dangerous complication.With a fierce rivalry raging between two warring families, falling in love is the deadliest thing Sophie could do. An epic debut set outside modern-day Chicago.

When five brothers move into the abandoned mansion in her neighbourhood, Sophie Gracewell's life changes forever. Irresistibly drawn to bad boy Nicoli, Sophie finds herself falling into a criminal underworld governed by powerful families. As the boys' dark secrets begin to come to light, Sophie is confronted with stinging truths about her own family, too. She must choose between two warring dynasties - the one she was born into, and the one she is falling in love with. When she does, blood will spill and hearts will break.

… That’s YA Mafia Romance for you, apparently?!?

I feel like my brain should be washed in bleach after Vendetta but as I’m a silly bitch who love rolling her eyes and giggling stupidly (apparently?!) I will most definitely read the rest, enjoy Luca and stab the puppy smile out of Nic the Creep’s face. This book is trash, though, and does something I hate : it uses an attempted rape to serve the plot.

CONS : TSTL heroine – Instalove – Bad dialogues – Unbelievable – Predictable – NIC – The cheese, the cheese everywhere – these boys are just so beautiful, beautiful, beautiful BAHAHAHAHA (yes I’m losing it) – Remind me why they care about Sophie oh yes she’s so spechul I’m drowning in snowflakes

PROS : girl friendship + LUCA (I like that he’s not trying to be fed as a good guy like *cough*, and I’m very curious to see what he hides in him hehe – also he does try to tell Sophie to get lost which makes him way more decent than Nic The Creep) + Italian words that make sense + Sometimes Sophie actually thinks and it makes my day + it’s quite addictive, look at me, I should have DNFed on page 10 and I’m probably going to read the sequel XD

TW – Attempted rape, violence because it’s the M A F I A (yeah I’m laughing don’t shoot me)

Oh, and VAFFANCULO, NICOLI! (oops)