Bianca Cole

Quickie Review---May Contain Spoilers, so fair warning upon reading this review.

So I picked this up after loving the first book "Pride" and in "Hook" this book was completely different from Pride. It also had much more emphasis on the spice than the story. There is still a good plot, but I definitely would term this more erotic dark romance than just dark romance. The scenes in this book were just too focused and it seemed to neglect the emotional intimacy and relationship-building aspects of the story as what I saw in the first book. I would have appreciated seeing more vulnerable moments between this couple and unfortunately, we didn't get much of it until the very end which made me very disappointed as I had such high hopes. The beginning started out really great, but then it just went downhill. I can do a good anti-hero or a villain that turns into the hero, but Cillian was really difficult to swallow. Then we have our heroine Gwendolyn, who was a challenge. I never really enjoyed her characters, she was so flighty and never consistent. These two go back and forth and it honestly reminded me of a bodice ripper romance. All the angst and sex but no relationship and intimate moments between the couple except for the very end. The plot of the story was actually pretty decent considering how much emphasis there is on the spice. But I would have liked to get a more satisfying ending, it just really failed in that department. I was disappointed in this one and I probably will continue with the series but not yet sure if I want to read other books by this author. But I do recommend Pride, that one was pretty brilliant.… (mehr)

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖📖
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨

First Impressions
Pride is the first book in the "Once Upon a Villain" series and I honestly can't remember if I saw this author on bookstagram or booktube, but I was intrigued enough to add this to my weekly TBR. I had heard that this one was a Pride and Prejudice retelling but with a mafia twist and I absolutely DIED with this book. It gave me so many Austenesque vibes, it was unreal. The author really went strong on the retelling for this one. So if want a solid retelling of the full tale of Pride and Prejudice here, then this is one that you definitely need to read. I absolutely had a blast with this book, and while it wasn't perfect, if you love lots of angst in a romance, then this book will really work for you! I guarantee it.

First Line
The wind howls around ma and my gloves feel like shards of glass as I clench the shovel, thrusting it into the forzen ground with every ounce of strength.

The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Isiah Darcy
Out for revenge for the loss of his twin's murder, one of the strongest leaders of the mafia in the western world.

The Heroine: Bella Benedetto
Bella is the second oldest daughter, out to be bartered for marriage and very strong willed in her own way

Summary
Pride is a story about Isiah who as a teen lost his twin brother when he was murdered. And Isiah is determined to get revenge against the family that were behind the murder. He has changed his name, cultivated power within the mafia world and is one of the most feared in their world. He has a plan to gain the trust of Gio Benedetta, by marrying his daughter, and killing him and his family. But what he doesn't plan on is the attraction or bond that he would form with the lovely Bella. Bella is being marketed like a cow to be married off. She has always known that living in the mafia world, this would be her life, but she still has a strong sassy spirit and will fight for herself. There is a sizzling attraction between Bella and Isiah but she knows that there is more to him than meets the eye and is determined to find his secrets...

What I Loved
This book was everything I could have hoped for as far as a retelling is factored in. It had all the major aspects that we see within the original of Pride and Prejudice but with a darker mafia twist to it. And I really couldn't put this book down either. And if you need strong spice in your romance, then this author needs to be on your list because she ups the game as far as spicy romance is concerned. But Pride was just delightful in the connections that we see to the original while still being its own story of mafia revenge and arranged marriage. Both the characters are so strong-willed willed so they definitely clash with each other and that is just delightful. The plot of the story is really packed and I loved the revenge aspects of this one. The pedophile ring was interesting, it probably would have been fine without it, but we also see that our hero has some values and won't stand by when children are being harmed so I actually really found that relatable to all the child trafficking we have had in the modern world and trying to fight. And there is a twist at the end that you won't really see coming so I enjoyed having a new to me author deliver such a plot as to have some unique twists in the end there.

What I Struggled With
I think the only issue I had with this story was the amount of angst and how the enemies-to-lovers aspects were handled. There could have been a bit more evolvement from enemies to lovers aspects. I would have enjoyed seeing the angst less stretched out and some more vulnerable moments between these two.

Overall View
Pride was a fantastic P&P retelling that delivered spicy mafia vibes. The romance had some feels that melted my heart and the writing delivered in such a strong compelling way that leaves me wanting for more...

Favorite Quote(s)
As I spin her around and kiss her deeply, I know that Bella is my salvation. The only good thing in my life and the only thing in this world worth living for.

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Dark Romance
Character Types: Mafia, Alpha Male
Themes: Angst, Retelling
Tropes: Forced Marriage, Arranged Marriage, Forced Proximity, Enemies to Lovers

Book Perspective
Duo POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
A mix of both

Song This Book Inspires
Body Electric by Lana Del Rey

Recommendation For Reading Order
You can read as a standalone

Steam/Spice Explanations

Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.… (mehr)