Brutal Capo (Syndicate Rules #5)

Lucy Monroe

Blurb:

BIANCA

I'm hiding in plain sight from the mafia. But when the don finds out who I am, he demands I marry the capo who broke my heart.

SALVATORE

She betrayed me. Or so I think until that fateful day when my don gives me a choice. Make it right and marry her. Or death.

Themes: Contemporary, Mafia

Rating: 4.25 stars

Heat Rating:

Review:

We are returning to New York, where it all began, in this latest installment of the Syndicate Rules series by Lucy Monroe as we get to see the story of a lost Mafia princess and the intense and sometimes terrifying Capo that steals her heart and never lets her go. I have been a huge fan of Lucy’s for years now, but I have to tell you that I was more than a little bit leery of her new foray into this world of Mafia romances, but I gave it a try when she released the first story and I was instantly hooked. Each new story has been interesting, darkly romantic, and filler with so many fascinating charters in a world I have no experience with. Bikers, military, cowboys, all of these tropes I can relate to because I have lived those lives and dated those men, but learning about Mafia men and the women that find their place beside them without losing themselves has been an intriguing experience to say the least. I am very much looking forward to the next story, Miceli’s book, and getting to return to the New York mafia and see some of my favorite characters again. If you haven’t tried your hand at this dark sub-genre of romance, I highly recommend scooping up the Syndicate rules and enjoy the ride.

Bianca Gemelli has been in hiding for almost a decade, right under the nose of those she ran from for the past few years, and now she is ready to move on to a new job, but she lands herself even closer to the mafia she ran from. Salvatore De Luca is beyond taken with sexy new waitress in his club and is determined to have her, but she resists him at every turn, fighting him despite seeming to understand just how powerful in his. But when she is almost killed in an attack, there is no way that he is going to let her get away from him and he installs her in his home, determined to nurse her back to health and then make her his in every way that she can be. Bianca knows that being with the dangerous Capo could put her right into the crosshairs of her enemies, but despite knowing intellectually she has to get away from him, she can’t bring herself to leave him. As their bond grows overtime, Bianca and Salvatore each find their emotions and passions running away from them and there is no denying them. When the truth of Bianca’s past comes to light they have to fight for the chance neither of them realized they wanted for a future together and the happiness they can have together.

Bianca has had a seriously crappy life and I feel terrible for the parents she was stuck with, and that means a lot with the mother I have. She is doing everything she can to survive, but also to improve herself and find a way to grow into a woman that will have a better life. While she hasn’t lived the most glamourous life the last decade, she has worked hard and is proud of what she has accomplished despite the obstacles she has faced and the traumas she has dealt with. With only a single real friend to give her a step up, Bianca doesn’t trust easily, but she comes to understand that even in la famiglia there are good people that will support and protect her, not the least of which is Salvatore that will kill or die to protect even the smallest hair on her head, even when he doesn’t understand his own feelings for her. Salvatore on the other hand comes across in the beginning as an arrogant twat with a dominant streak who refuses to accept the word now. More than once there were times I was sure I would never warm up to liking Salvatore and almost wished he wasn’t the hero of the story, but he slowly grew on me as he did Bianca and I came to understand that he was just so closed off that he could understand his own need to push and punish. Once Bianca gained his trust –even though there was a blip that almost cost them everything—Salvatore opened his home and heart to her and the emotions that he began to show beneath his gruff exterior made him more likable. I have to say while he wasn’t my favorite of the Syndicate men, I came to understand him and am glad that he found a way to open up to Bianca.

Sometimes you come across one of those stories that you never understood would be so impactful to a series, but I have to tell you that this one seems to have been a real game changer for the whole series. Bianca and Salvatore’s story was wrapped up in so many changes for the syndicates that the whole crime world might soon be changes for these boys and their love might have prevented disaster in a few ways. Bianca is one of those women that is a pure survivor, living her life and finding a way to thrive despite everything that is thrown at her, and finding love in the most unexpected of places and men. Salvatore was raised in the harshest of ways, knowing he would grow to be a fierce Capo, ruling beside his cousin, and he has to learn many lessons in life, but when he finally finds Bianca he learns that sometimes maintaining humanity and giving love can keep you can crossing the line over into becoming truly dark. The passion between these two is palpable from the very first moment and there is no way they were not going to end up together, but the love that develops was surprisingly sweet and reminds us that even the hardest of hearts can meet their match. I am dying for the next book and hope there are more to come after that as well. Lucy has struck a nerve for me with this series and she manages to keep is exciting, enlightening, and passionate, but be warned mafia romances are always going to have a dark edged, so don’t dive in if you can’t handle a Brutal Capo or two.

*eARC provided by author for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review. No compensation was provided.