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allyreadsromance's review
5.0
steamy suspenseful romance
I love this one!! I read book two first and was so excited for Aiden & Issa’s story that I had to go back! The narrators are amazing and bring the words to life!! Their accents were fire
I love this one!! I read book two first and was so excited for Aiden & Issa’s story that I had to go back! The narrators are amazing and bring the words to life!! Their accents were fire
caitybell's review
4.0
This is my first book by this author and I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed this standalone Mafia Romance! I say standalone, but I could tell some of the characters probably had their own books and were cameos, so if you're an avid Wiltcher fan, know that you will have some surprises!
Aiden Knight is a ruthless, troubled man that runs a casino on the French Riviera. It's a mafia business, and I won't go into too much detail, but it's a large criminal enterprise that he's tied up in, all for the sake of revenge. Aiden chooses his revenge in the form of the daughter of the man who wronged him.
Issa Dubova is a Bratva princess about to pay the price for crimes she never committed. Forced to marry the dangerous Aiden Knight in order to save those closest to her, she enters into the marriage with her head held high.
I've got to say, Issa and Aiden's first meeting was probably my favorite part of the book. Sparks fly, the banter is great, and the irony is thick. The romance in this book happens quickly, so while I do still consider it enemies-to-lovers, after finishing it, I can also say it is a bit insta-love--or at least, inst-lust. Issa and Aiden's chemistry is hot and heavy, angsty with a heaping side of tension. It moves fast, but it works for them and is enjoyable to read. I was rooting for them the moment they met.
Issa and Aiden head down a path of retribution and forgiveness, of second chances and not only romance but becoming a person who has the right to love another. I found this one to be on the lighter side of dark for the Mafia Romance genre, but it was an easy and fresh read. Wiltcher's writing was clear and fast-paced and I plan on reading her other works in the future as well!
Aiden Knight is a ruthless, troubled man that runs a casino on the French Riviera. It's a mafia business, and I won't go into too much detail, but it's a large criminal enterprise that he's tied up in, all for the sake of revenge. Aiden chooses his revenge in the form of the daughter of the man who wronged him.
Issa Dubova is a Bratva princess about to pay the price for crimes she never committed. Forced to marry the dangerous Aiden Knight in order to save those closest to her, she enters into the marriage with her head held high.
I've got to say, Issa and Aiden's first meeting was probably my favorite part of the book. Sparks fly, the banter is great, and the irony is thick. The romance in this book happens quickly, so while I do still consider it enemies-to-lovers, after finishing it, I can also say it is a bit insta-love--or at least, inst-lust. Issa and Aiden's chemistry is hot and heavy, angsty with a heaping side of tension. It moves fast, but it works for them and is enjoyable to read. I was rooting for them the moment they met.
Issa and Aiden head down a path of retribution and forgiveness, of second chances and not only romance but becoming a person who has the right to love another. I found this one to be on the lighter side of dark for the Mafia Romance genre, but it was an easy and fresh read. Wiltcher's writing was clear and fast-paced and I plan on reading her other works in the future as well!
sonialusiveira's review
3.0
I enjoyed how fast paced the book is but on the other side, the chemistry between the two main characters, Aiden and Issa, feels nonexistent. The fact that they go from enemies to lovers in one week is very unconvincing. I also enjoy the many twists and turns but that last one about Aiden's parents? Not sure how I feel about it. It kinda makes the ending very anticlimactic. It might have been better if there were more scenes on Aiden and the old man's interactions and end it with that twist as the punchline.
shryanayak's review
3.0
✰✰✰ stars!
Title : Black Skies Riviera
Genres : Romance, Mob, Drama.
Men like him don’t pay for their sins. They use them as currency.
Black Skies Riviera delves into the story of Aiden Knight, a made man who left Brixton at the age of sixteen to pursue a life driven by revenge. He's taken in by Tommaso Zaccaria, the Don of Zaccaria family. Tommaso promises Aiden a life where he'd have everything he'd ever need, thus, a 16 year old Aiden becomes a close associate of Cosa Nostra's most notorious criminal, going on to be Le Corbeau, the Raven.
Yet fourteen years later, Zaccaria wants Aiden to marry
Ielena Dubova, the younger sister of a woman who left Zaccaria's son abandoned at the altar. He, in turn is promised information fourteen years due to him.
Ignoring the name of the ML, I have to say that I didn't like this one as much as I had hoped to. Had been expecting a darker, more sensual storyline but this seemed more like an insta-lust situation. I was left wondering half the time why Aiden did the things he did. The mob part was just meh. It lacked excitement and I found myself just skimming over those parts. The only highlight of this read to me was the author's penmanship. She has a brilliant way with words, so of course I highlighted the shit out of this book.
Title : Black Skies Riviera
Genres : Romance, Mob, Drama.
Men like him don’t pay for their sins. They use them as currency.
Black Skies Riviera delves into the story of Aiden Knight, a made man who left Brixton at the age of sixteen to pursue a life driven by revenge. He's taken in by Tommaso Zaccaria, the Don of Zaccaria family. Tommaso promises Aiden a life where he'd have everything he'd ever need, thus, a 16 year old Aiden becomes a close associate of Cosa Nostra's most notorious criminal, going on to be Le Corbeau, the Raven.
Yet fourteen years later, Zaccaria wants Aiden to marry
Ielena Dubova, the younger sister of a woman who left Zaccaria's son abandoned at the altar. He, in turn is promised information fourteen years due to him.
He calls me a princess like it’s a dirty word. He splashes my life with ridicule and shades me with humiliation. I call him a beautiful bastard, but really, he’s a field of poppies in Normandy.
Ignoring the name of the ML, I have to say that I didn't like this one as much as I had hoped to. Had been expecting a darker, more sensual storyline but this seemed more like an insta-lust situation. I was left wondering half the time why Aiden did the things he did. The mob part was just meh. It lacked excitement and I found myself just skimming over those parts. The only highlight of this read to me was the author's penmanship. She has a brilliant way with words, so of course I highlighted the shit out of this book.
pattyfgd's review
5.0
Black Skies Riviera
by Catherine Wiltcher
Narrated by Gregory Salinas & Elizabeth Russell
Mafia romance. It punches all my buttons for a good listen. Suspense, romance, alpha male, strong female and a story to keep my interest. This is my first Catherine Wiltcher book and she punched all the buttons for me! Aiden knight is seeking revenge for the murder of his parents. He learned from the best, aligning himself with the unsavory mafioso, but he had a debt to pay first, and an arranged marriage to endure prior to getting his justice. Issa is Bratva, so now with the pairing of Mafia and Bratva, we have a powerhouse pairing. But what isn't counted on is the bond these two form. It's fast, it's passionate and unbreakable. Will these two be able to see what is coming? I know I didn't. Wiltcher has woven this story in the French Riviera. Her imagery is gorgeous creating scenes from a movie in our minds. Casinos, danger, passion, this slow burn to explosion romance had unexpected twists and turns keeping me on the edge of my seat. Issa is my favorite. Quite the feisty woman, she holds her own with her new husband. Smart, beautiful and courageous, she took chances to gain the life she wanted. Don't get me wrong, I loved Aiden too. Alpha male, he definitely knows what he wants and is willing to do whatever it takes. This is a great listen and highly recommended.
Bringing this to life is Elizabeth Russell and Gregory Salinas and I cannot say enough about how much I loved their narration. This one is not easy! It has back to back changes in accents, from French to Russian to English and they nailed it! Keeping the suspense high and passion burning, I enjoyed each scene and together these two made the book even better!
by Catherine Wiltcher
Narrated by Gregory Salinas & Elizabeth Russell
Mafia romance. It punches all my buttons for a good listen. Suspense, romance, alpha male, strong female and a story to keep my interest. This is my first Catherine Wiltcher book and she punched all the buttons for me! Aiden knight is seeking revenge for the murder of his parents. He learned from the best, aligning himself with the unsavory mafioso, but he had a debt to pay first, and an arranged marriage to endure prior to getting his justice. Issa is Bratva, so now with the pairing of Mafia and Bratva, we have a powerhouse pairing. But what isn't counted on is the bond these two form. It's fast, it's passionate and unbreakable. Will these two be able to see what is coming? I know I didn't. Wiltcher has woven this story in the French Riviera. Her imagery is gorgeous creating scenes from a movie in our minds. Casinos, danger, passion, this slow burn to explosion romance had unexpected twists and turns keeping me on the edge of my seat. Issa is my favorite. Quite the feisty woman, she holds her own with her new husband. Smart, beautiful and courageous, she took chances to gain the life she wanted. Don't get me wrong, I loved Aiden too. Alpha male, he definitely knows what he wants and is willing to do whatever it takes. This is a great listen and highly recommended.
Bringing this to life is Elizabeth Russell and Gregory Salinas and I cannot say enough about how much I loved their narration. This one is not easy! It has back to back changes in accents, from French to Russian to English and they nailed it! Keeping the suspense high and passion burning, I enjoyed each scene and together these two made the book even better!
olovesbooks's review
5.0
I donʻt know what crack she puts in her books but damn.
Each book is something new and different and I LOVE IT. Aiden & Issa were everything.
Omg just absolutely loved. Thatʻs it. Thatʻs all I can say because WOW SO GOOD
Each book is something new and different and I LOVE IT. Aiden & Issa were everything.
Omg just absolutely loved. Thatʻs it. Thatʻs all I can say because WOW SO GOOD
frenchpressbookworm's review
4.0
While I did enjoy this story I felt like I dragged so much. It didn’t keep me interested like I thought it would. But it was really well written so I’m glad I finished it
kelly_reads_books's review
Aiden Knight is one of this Alpha holes that you love to hate and hate to love. He is ruthless, relentless and very remorseless.
Poor Issa being married off to someone cruel is the mafia way but imagine her surprise when her husband to be is not who she thinks it will be but rather the man she just dumped an expensive bottle of wine on
Poor Issa being married off to someone cruel is the mafia way but imagine her surprise when her husband to be is not who she thinks it will be but rather the man she just dumped an expensive bottle of wine on