Bound by Honor (Born in Blood Mafia Chronicles Book 1)

This will contain some spoilers. Wow. I loved this book SO much. I'm actually pathetically sad that it's over and wish I could read it all over again like it was new. In fact, I stayed up all night to finish it and then went to work exhausted but it was totally worth it. So let's start from the beginning. Aria is a 15 year old girl who is basically being sold off to marriage for tactical mafia purposes to a 20 year old future boss, named Luca "the vice" Vitiello. She is terrified of him at first and of course the story is about how this will or won't pan out. The things I liked and loved: for starters... one word. LUCA. I am officially in love with a new book boyfriend. His oozing masculinity personality and edge that only seems to get the slightest kink in terms of Aria, was perfect. I loved that when they finally came together and admitted their feelings, neither one had to change who they were. They each fell in love with the other for exactly who that person is. There is something alluring about bad boys. The only stipulation for most women, is that he love them. It's a common theory that the bad boy fantasy is because a woman wants to be the one to change him. This is true, but it's not always about making him good. All it really takes it for him to be good to her. There is a part of some women that genuinely love and get a thrill from a badass. This story is exactly that. She accepts him and he loves her above everything. That is the bad boy fantasy in a nutshell. The hero is only sanitized so far as it pertains to the heroine. Not in any other way. Things I didn't care for as much: The writing was awesome. I just wish that we would've gotten his pov. Without it, we are guessing constantly and stuck inside aria's head which is a bit immature at times. I was already feeling swoony over Luca, but it could've been even more off the charts had I gotten a peek inside his mind. The author has mentioned a book from his pov and also a novella, which I hope we get because I'm in love with them and I really feel slightly cheated that the other books in the series gave the men a voice. Plus, I love the mob business parts of the book and with his pov, we would've gotten a lot more of that and seen how he interacts with others. Something else that bothered me a little was the issue of the ever evasive virginity. I was glad he was patient with her, but she was such a baby about it sometimes that it was cringeworthy to see. I get that it got better over time, but by that point the book was over and we don't get to see it. Also.. slight spoiler.. her sisters didn't have near the same issues as she did. There is also a certain thing that happened around 50% that everyone probably knows and I have an unpopular opinion about that. It happened like 3 days after their wedding. Which by the way, they only knew each other for days before that. Basically, they had known each other for about a week total when the cheating happened. There was no love in the marriage at that point, she hated him. And he was a mobster with a bad reputation. The only reason he got better at all, was for his love of Aria. So what shocks anyone about him not keeping his vows out of pure obligation, after knowing Aria for a week, not getting any from her and her hating him? I also think he really did believe that she wouldn't care. He didn't do it to hurt her. I didn't want it to happen, I was upset when I read it, I wanted her to be mad and rebel. She did. I wanted a genuine apology to show he cared and was affected. We got that. But I can't make myself hate him or ruin the love story over something that happened pretty predictably before a love story even really got started. In fact, ironically this was what kicked it off because it showed him that she really did care and he immediately ceased all ass-holery. This was the start of them coming together. I would've been more bothered had he done this after they either slept together or had begun falling in love. Neither was the case at this point. So, in conclusion on this topic, give the guy a break. When all was said and done, I think this deserved 5 stars. I am a sucker for mafia movies/books and love stories. This was the perfect combination. If you are like me in that way or even if you aren't, give it a try, it's not a waste of time. I will definitely be following this author from now on.

This is book one in the Born in Blood Mafia Chronicles. Each story in the series is a stand alone dealing with a different couple in this world. This one tells the story of Luca Vitiello and Aria Scudieri. Luca is heir to the Capo Dei Capi position in the N.Y. Mafia. Aria is the eldest child of Fausto Scudieri, he is second in command to the head of the Chicago outfit. A great arranged marriage story where the h is betrothed at the age of 15 to a man she hasn't met. It's a uniting of the N.Y mafia, the famiglia, and the Outfit, the Chicago mafia, to fight the ever present threat of the Russian Bratva and the Asian Triad trying to move in on their territories. She meets him 2 months later at the engagement party but other than the introduction and presenting of the engagement ring they don't spea as the men stick to themselves talking business and the ladies are left to fend for themselves. Since she's in Chicago and he's in N.Y., she doesn't see him again until the wedding 3 yrs later when she turns 18. The innocent (never even been kissed) h's fear of sex with a man 5 yrs her senior and one she doesn't know is understandable, (certainly the comments made by one of his former lovers at the wedding didn't help); but, the "pain", "burning" and "stinging" she experiences the first few times they actually consumate the marriage seemed a bit over done. However, her emotions as her sisters return to Chicago leaving her alone with a man she doesn't know, in a city she's not familiar with and where she knows no one as well as the progression of the relationship and her fears of him based on his reputation and her experience of mafia men (including her father) are all very real and the emotions felt. She eventually begins to believe that while he is just like her father when dealing with mafia business, he is a different man when it comes to her and family. Intermixed with their journey to love there are Bratva attacks on the famiglia, at date rape attempt instigated by the ex lover, and even a kidnapping attempt of the h. Enough excitement, danger, blood and death to keep you turning pages. While this story does have an ending (no cliffhanger with our couple, only one relating to their siblings) This coupl's story does continue in book 6 of the Born In Blood Mafia Chronicles. 4.5 stars for ths one. (Had to deduct half a point for the over-the-top first (and second)time sex scenes.).

I'm a fan of this series!!! I have read this treasure for 7 times! These books about mafia and arranged marriages, alfa men, and unfair treatment towards women in their world may be twisted, and I don't know if something is wrong with me, cause I want to re-read after reading the last word in this books. Like always!! And I'm sure I'm going to read this again, I'm obsessed with it! While in real life I don't and will never accept the arranged marriages, in this series I love it, I love this books in general, and especially in mafia books, but this series are the best!! It shows mafia men, but each of them different and similar in some way, same for the women. and their lives and marriages together and how they fight them! Aria and Luca are the heroes of this book. Two totally different and at the same time so similar characters. Like the book's name says, Luca is the honorable man of this series. And Aria is the innocent girl! Well yeah how can Made Men be honorable, right? I mean they are but we are talking about moral honor and not their oaths, and while yes all women in these books are virgins, so innocent, but Aria is the one, really. She is the one that hates this life, but she doesn't see herself anywhere else, she's so hopeful, and kind, young, but so strong! Fights for everyone and everything she loves. They are our original couple. While they have this twisted mentalities, it's interesting, I'm not saying right, but it's interesting to see the contrast between them, everyone is a murderer, but in their houses, some of them are fathers, some bosses and others monsters. It's interesting and disgusting, their lives, of course I'm not saying that's they rule a right life, but it's an interesting one none less. While ruling the world but not having a real chance in their lives. There are no innocents, even the just born kids in this circle are sinners! There is no out, if you are in, if you want to be part of that, it's till the end, when you are born in, then it's worse cause you didn't have a choice, and there is no out ESPECIALLY for you! I don't know why but I loved how Aria was scared of him, flinched from his touch cause it showed how much he didn't want her to see him as a monster, and that he didn't want a coward but his equal in this marriage. I just love their couple!!! It was nice to follow his protectiveness and possessiveness, also his human - as husband- side as well, not only as Vice. But it was right to show that he was insecure too. That not only girls can have that in them but boys too, and possessive alfas like him! It was fun to see him shocked that someone could really love him! They have everything and nothing in this life! and few are really lucky! One of the things that I loved in Aria is that she didn't want to die in her sadness that she is part of this life but embrace and enjoy the little treats that it gives her. And she found her happiness, her love, the life that she wanted! And what I love in this books, that it's an erotica, but the erotic part don't suffocate you, actually there are not many of it, it's more tells about there developments as characters, their lives, it's not this fairytalish thing, no, it shows difficulties and all, it shows reality in so many ways. And I think each of us can find ourselves in one of these characters. I see part of me in all of them actually, and maybe that's why I love these books that much!

Okay, first off, this is a GREAT book. I would definitely recommend it to a friend. Therefore, if you're sifting through the reviews trying to decide if this book is worth your time...it definitely is!!! With that being said, I HAVE to talk about Aria's character. There were many times where I could understand her point of view and was enthusiastically chanting "you tell them, Aria" in my head. However, for most of the book I just wanted to reach through the pages and slap her. I read another comment where someone mentioned (like me) how they loved the book, but hated how childish Aria was; I couldn't agree more! I understand her frustration, anger, and hatred toward her situation...I really do. But come on, either accept the situation or do something about it. I had the same problem with her sister; Gianna. They wine about their problems, but never do anything about it. They way I see it, the girl have 2 options; 1) Run away and spend the rest of their lives looking over their shoulders 2) Marry the man and try to be happy My goodness, I just wanted to scream "Make a choice and stop complaining!" Btw. The front of the book says "Aria has grown up among predators like Luca and knows that even most cold-hearted bastards have a heart and she has every intention of working her way into Luca’s." Really????????? I just finished the book and her actions reminded me of the scene from the Fifty Shades of Grey movie where Anastasia is in line for the bathroom and is explaining Christians hot and cold behavior "come here I want you...no go away" lol. It was so frustrating. Other than that it was an excellent read... :) lol To summarize, this is a great book filled with drama, jealousy, death, blood, Gore, steamy sex scenes, and a great storyline. However, be prepared to want to physically harm Aria and her childish ways from time to time.....

Absolutely could not put it down!!! I love how she goes into full detail. I can not wait to read book 2 ❤️

Aria is the daughter of an Italian mobster in Chicago. She was promised at fifteen to marry the son of the mobster in New York, something that she despises, mainly because of her fiance, Luca 'the Vice' has a reputation of crushing a man's neck with his hands. Luca immediately 'lays claim' to Aria when he sees her. There wasn't any hesitation on his part nor any dislike that he had to get married. There is a lot of hate for what Luca did about fifty percent through. (There is cheating) This didn't bother me and it was expected. I'm not condoning cheating, but in my eyes him and Aria weren't even together. Yes, the were married-very unconventionally- but they hadn't even had sex and Aria made it clear she thought him a monster. Okay, now Luca. He's a mobster. Straight up has no reservations on killing or chopping off fingers. Killed his first man at eleven. So you get that side of him. But you also get a caring, extremely patient, gentle, and protective hero who I loved. Yeah, sometimes he was OTT protective and overbearing, but he was a mobster. Sometimes, he seemed too good to actually be what he was. Aria. *Rolls eyes* Yeah, I had some issues with her. So as a mobster's daughter, this girl was sheltered. And I mean, hasn't been kissed before and knows nothing about sex. That was annoying, to be honest. She wasn't a strong heroine, in my opinion. She put up a front when she needed to, but she was terrified of Luca. She was supposed to be tough because of how she was raised, but she wasn't. She cried. She flinched. She was terrified of having sex. She was just weak. Thank god, Luca was the amazing hero to put up with that stuff. No to mention, this girl turns down the idea of going to college. She was completely dependent on her family and who they were and didn't even care to be an independent woman. To put it shortly, not a fan of Aria. My problems with the heroine aside, Luca was the perfect hero for her and this was a great read for those who love mafia romance stories.

This book was a pleasant surprise. I had not read anything by this author. I stumbled across it as I was looking for a good Mafia read. I tried a sample first to see if I would like it. I couldn't click buy fast enough ... I did not even finish the sample. The story starts with Aria Scuderi and Luca Vitiello being bound together to unite two Mafia families. This is what pulled me in the most. The two are married and do not even know each other. They get to know each other while figuring out married life. Aria Scuderi is a strong female character. My heart was drawn to her and her situation. The beginning of the story leads you to believe that she is weak. Although she has to follow rules dictated by her father, she is feisty and determined with her husband. Luca Vitiello is an alpha male to the fullest. In the beginning, his vibe is more jerk than anything else. He is protective of Aria while keeping his distance from her. As he beginnings to spend more time with Aria, his character becomes more interesting. His balance between marriage and his duties of the Mafia also add depth to the story. The story being the first in the series introduces us to many secondary characters. The members of the different Mafia families are interesting. I'm excited to see how their stories play out in the rest of the series. If you are looking for a great romance with a Mafia alpha male, this book is for you. Thank you, Cora Reilly. I love this book. I can't wait for the rest of the series.

Read the book after seeing the vertical drama. Book included so much more. Enjoyed it very much. Other books in the series to try.

Amoooo, el libro es una joya✨. Ame como Luca ama tan apasionadamente a Aria. Es tan frío pero lo demuestra con tan pequeños actos 🥰. También amo demasiado su posesividad, es tan Luca que me encanta. Hay tantas emociones incluidas en el libro que te llevan por un viaje. Me gustó la parte que él espera hasta que ella está lista para su primera vez y que la misma no sea como un cuento de hadas 😌.

Hot, possessive and calculating mafia boss meets his resilient yet endearing and emotional better half. Almost no story (but a good one though and to be continued in the next books - definitely on my tbr list ;)), a lot of sensual and graphic sex, a drizzle of humor, and some nice (and snarky ;D) side characters. It’s not something you have a book hangover over, but it’s really well written and Aria and Luca are sooo good for each other! I am glad I found a new author! :D

Era da tempo che non leggevo un mafia romance così bello e travolgente. La storia è intensa e i personaggi aderenti alla realtà. Luca è carnefice e vittima del Sistema in cui è nato e cresciuto. Il suo destino è già scritto: diventare il Capo dei Capi, un uomo temuto, crudele e rispettato da tutti. E Luca non può fare altro che accettarlo. La Famiglia viene prima di tutto e tutti, non c'è spazio per le emozioni nella sua vita, mostrarle è un segno di debolezza dal quale il nemico potrebbe trarre vantaggio. Il matrimonio con Aria è un matrimonio di convenienza che serve a siglare un'alleanza tra famiglie malavitose. Apparentemente a farne le spese è Aria, data in sposa a uno sconosciuto, un mostro a detta di tutti. Ma, nonostante la poca esperienza e la giovane età, Aria sa il fatto suo e saprà farsi rispettare e amare da Luca. Luca è e resta l'antieroe, non diventa un principe azzurro, le sue mani sono macchiate di sangue, ma l'autrice nel rapporto con Aria ce lo fa vedere sotto una luce diversa, ci mostra sprazzi del ragazzo che era prima di diventare un uomo d'onore. Ho già comprato il secondo volume perché devo assolutamente conoscere gli altri personaggi. Lo consiglio.

This is so nice i loved it Story explained so well I will re read it Its just too good

Loved the book I watched the story on the vertical drama platform, which I loved but the book is so much hotter thank you can wait for the next one