The Maddest Obsession (Made) Paperback – April 16, 2019

I’d like to first say this is my first book by Danielle Lori. With that being said, I’d also like to say that I’m really picky about the kind of books I read when it comes to romance and mafia romance especially. I like to be immersed in the world and believe what is happening is realistic enough for me to get lost in the tale.Danielle Lori managed to do this for me and more than that she managed to make me laugh out loud and feel heart shattering emotions!Side note: This book would be so good as a show! The dialogue between the main characters and the side characters had me so engaged I could not put this book down for DAYS! (Nonnas little commentary was my favorite!)This brings me to the characters!The main Hero, Nico, was one of my favorite Capos I’ve read so far and I honestly have been in such a dry spell when it comes to finding Heros that I absolutely love! He was such a charming and overall mouth watering Capo that I didn’t care what he did! Every moment he was with Elena held my attention and their overall dynamic was well plotted and didn’t seem rushed. Their conversations and moments together were to die for. I could not find one moment where I didn’t enjoy their back and forth and even when he was convinced Elena was cheating on him, I didn’t hate him because he was so vulnerable and deliciously possessive, it made me swoon.Elena, the sweet abelli, was a very different kind of heroine because of the circumstances that led to her not being chosen to be Nicos wife. I think her actions set her apart from most heroines in that she wasn’t so submissive that she was a doormat to the hero but not too aggressive to the point of being annoying. She was a perfect fit for Nicolas’ and brought such sass that I have officially added her to my list of favorite heroines.The storyline of Elena trying to make up for her past actions was so good because we got to know just enough to keep us interested and still intrigued in exactly what happened that led to her wearing that ring. Omg I absolutely adored how well Danielle wrote the scenes between Nico and Elena, they were filled with chemistry.The book never had a moment where I was bored or felt like the story was lacking substance. Often times on romance stories there can be too much intimate scenes and not enough substance but that wasn’t the case in this book. Danielle Lori will write characters you will remember and want to read more about. I honestly want more of these characters! Anything really, even a novella 🥰I personally liked the grandma in the book the most bc she brought a lot of comic relief that may be missing from romance mafia books.Overall, read this if you want to swoon for a deliciously alpha possessive hero who isn’t abusive and a sassy heroine who actually has some substance to her!

This book was well written, and the growth and development of the characters was perfect. We start in the past and it truly gives us the insight we need to the characters. Gianna was a young bride with high hopes of her older husband loving her. She was a spoiled brat for most her young life just doing whatever she wanted with no care in the world. Christian was the dirty fed who bailed her out and kept bringing her home. His obsession with her started quickly. She very quickly found him intriguing and that led to the games beginning. These two have angst the bleeds off the pages. They want what they can't have. Christian has to watch the woman he wants get married twice while he waits. This mafia book was a fantastic read and will keep you wanting more while these two dance around each other until the very end. The end was perfect for them.

THIS IS SPOILER FREE. READ IF YOURE ON THE FENCE ABOUT READING THIS OR ABOUT READING THE FIRST ONE. 😅Okay seriously. Let’s talk about this, guys.Part 1 of Review—Why Book is Great:This book was so brilliantly written. The whole development of these characters was clearly well thought out and plotted with great attention to detail.I’m assuming this is because the writer had to go back in time to tell these Characters’ stories and then weave it into the parts of book 1. And because of this, everything was carefully thought through and mapped out. This is a testament to how every writer should be mapping out these stories just like this before writing them— because LOOK AT THE QUALITY ACHIEVED!!Part 1.2– The Couple Dynamic:I haven’t been this blown away by a romance novel in a very long time. Christian and Gianna are almost like the GrumpyXSunshine trope, but Gianna doesn’t let people push her around. She is kind and optimistic but it’s mostly stemming from the trauma she’s experienced throughout her life.I’ve seen people disliking Gianna and There will be no Gianna slander on my watch. Make no mistake, she may come across as entitled and immature, but she is as 3 dimensional as a character can get. Her motivations follow her through the novel.Now, Christian. Man. He is the closeted cinnamon roll we all need in our lives. (What? Don’t we all love a semi sociopathic king? Only me? Okay.. lol) Just like Gianna he has experienced trauma, but his coping mechanisms aren’t like Gianna’s(hers being drugs and alcohol and optimistically risky behaviors) — his consist of mild OCD, hyper fixations, and shielding his emotions from others.Part 1.3– Mood Of Novel. Dark romance. Comedy:Now, I know the subject matter seems dark. There is killing and trauma and drug use and mental health issues — HOWEVER— this novel is not weighed down for longer than necessary. The BANTER. Jesus. The banter. It’s always enlightening when you read what actual great banter is and realize the other books you thought had great banter really were just meh. Bc that’s what happened here. The banter is so great. I actually was laughing out loud. And I’m from the generation of “lol” *keeps straight face*. Gianna is so funny. Her internal dialogue is great- but doesn’t feel like the jokes are forced or trying to make her quirky. And Christian- his dry-witty responses to her are sooo funny. Made me love him.This book has so many levels to it. I promise this is one of the lightest “dark romances” I’ve read. In terms of emotional weight I felt reading it. Because even when you find out the horrid details of their past traumas — their relationships brings you back to the surface of this witty adorable atmosphere. They react in ways that I’ve seen actual trauma victims react in terms of letting things roll off your back when possible - but having no choice but to succumb to triggers.Part 2– Critiques:The prose can still use work. Repeated phrases are always a Pete peeve for me. Like “vise grip on my wrist”- girl. There are so many other way to say this. Lol and “look of vehemence”. When writers use these same phrases to describe the same things over and over again it starts to feel like they’re using a template to write. But— with that being said, the character development and their relationship development is so good that I was able to over look that. Where it would’ve normally taken me out of the story- I was already so sucked into it that it didn’t affect me as much.I RECOMMEND SO MUCH! LolPart 3– Relationship to First Book:The crappy thing is that the first book was good. But just good. I would rate that at 3? The lead’s relationship was cute. I really like Ace and Elena. But the conflicts felt forced. Could’ve been solved with simple communication. the story was entertaining though.I wouldn’t recommend the first book to anyone though. I *WOULD* recommend the second(if you haven’t been able to tell by now)But in order to read this book you really need to read the first one. Which sucks because the first one doesn’t give the greatest impression of what the second book has to offer.***So, if you’re wondering if you should read this book YESS.Should you read the first one in order to fully grasp this book? YESSAfter you finish the first book and you’re like “eh. It’s okay” should you ignore that opinion and read this book anyways?Y U P lolOkay. That’s my rant. Whew. Lovely to see you again, Book Hangover. 😅