Luca by Sarah Castille was a boatload of deliciousness. I can’t believe I waited so long to read this book, having read and enjoyed the first book four years ago.
This book hooked me from the start, and putting it down was a difficult task. Every chance I got I made sure I was listening to this dark, edgy, and forbidden romance.
The story began with Gabrielle Fawkes, who had been shot while working on a case, which involved capturing the drug kingpin who murdered her husband. The outcome of her getting was her being pulled from the case. However, her determination and hunger for revenge wouldn’t let that stop her from going after the man responsible for her pain and grief. Falling in love was definitely not on her agenda. Then she meets the sexy and dangerous Luca Rizzoli who also was in the hospital after taking a bullet that was meant for his boss.
Luca had no idea she was a cop and she was not aware of his mob ties. The one thing they were aware of and could not deny was the sizzling attraction between them. On different sides of the law, they had nothing in common except for the drug lord they were both hunting.
Gabrielle was not like any woman Luca has been with. She is courageous, a fighter and takes crap from no one. I admired how she stood up to Luca and his fellow mob friends.
Luca is a man who knows what he wants and has no problem pursuing it, and he wants Gabrielle. A play boy at heart, but that was before Gabrielle entered his life. He believes women should be protected at all cost, so knowledge of Gabrielle placing herself in dangerous situations did not go down well with him. However, he would learn that she was not a woman to be coddled.
I loved them both, and I rooted for them throughout the story. I thought they balanced out each other and their chemistry, wow was scorching hot.
I found the secondary characters captivating. There was one in particular (Frankie) that piqued my curiosity.
I loved how the story flowed and it had me on the edge of my seat for most of it. My only issue is how the storyline regarding the drug lord played out. After such a great build up, the manner in which it was tied up was disappointing.
Narration
This was my second time listening to Aiden Snow, and like the first time it was a pleasure. He made the entire story come alive. I especially loved how he brought Luca’s character to life, Italian accent and all. (Be still my beating heart). I could listen to him for hours.
Conclusion/Recommendation
Overall, Luca proved to be a thrilling listen. A story about greed, power, jealousy and undying devotion.
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Other Books in the Series
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About Sarah Castille
A New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of over 20 novels, Sarah Castille is known for contemporary romance that is edgy, sexy and scorching hot. A recovering lawyer with a fondness for dirty-talking alpha males, she lives in British Columbia with her husband, three children and a family of owls. Sarah’s books have been published by Samhain Publishing, Macmillan and Sourcebooks Casablanca, and have received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly as well as being included in their Top Ten Picks and Best Summer Reads. Her books have been named Amazon’s Best Romance Books of the Year, RT Book Reviews Top Picks, and have won the Holt Medallion for Excellence in Literary Fiction as well as numerous reader’s choice and romance writers’ awards. Sarah is a member of the Romance Writers of America, the Vancouver Island Romance Association, International Thriller Writers Inc., and the Writer’s Union of Canada. Sarah is represented by Laura Bradford of the Bradford Literary Agency. For rights, media, or other inquiries, please contact Laura Bradford at laura@bradfordlit.com.
- Phantasma by Kaylie Smith - April 14, 2025
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- Hitting It: Kathy Lyons - April 4, 2025
These look amazing! I love a good steamy romance 🙂
Megan | Ginger Mom & Company
Then you will definitely love Luca. 🙂
Then you will definitely love Luca. 🙂
This series looks fantastic. Your review made me want to pick up the book, even though I’ve never read the first one
It can be read as a stand-alone, so it would not be an issue if you chose to read this one first.
I enjoyed Nico. I need to add this second book to my list 🙂
I enjoyed Nico too. I believe you will love this as well.
I don’t read a lot of romantic suspense type books, but I have enjoyed a few from Castille. Gabrielle sounds like a heroine I would love.
She was a great heroine.
Oh wow, this sounds fantastic. I haven’t had a chance to read this author before but this sounds like a series that I should check out.
I do believe you would enjoy this series, Carole.
It’s not a book for me but good to hear you enjoyed it and I’m sure lots will love it. Great review.
I understand. Not everyone is in to mafia romances.
I think I need some Luca in my life
Ah yes, me too.?