The Don: Part One of the Oath Duet (The Valentini Family, Book 1)

I do NOT consider these as stand-alone reads. It may be the start of a new spin-off, but it is set within the same universe as two other series; Dark and Dirty Sinners’ MC and the Five Points’ Mob. There are multiple reoccurring characters, overlapping timelines and several overarching themes. Therefore, I HIGHLY recommend these be read in the order recommended by Serena Akeroyd for maximum reader satisfaction and to prevent spoilers.** There are multiple warning about the contents and potential sensitivity and offensive subject matter. Please use caution when reading if these apply to you. **⛔️ Contains references to or detailed scenes with adult language, derogatory terms for females (and some males), steamy adult intimate scenes with dominance, submission, restraints, “back door” play, consensual / non-consensual acts, rape, attempted rape, prostitution, as well as violence such as kidnapping, abduction, murder, assassinations, torture, assault, betrayal, subterfuge, domestic violence, theft, drug distribution, human trafficking, and mental, physical and sexual abuse, some including children.There are a few grammatical issues, but not many. They are primarily missing and extra inserted words. The harder issue with this universe has been the terms and phrases not typically utilized within the US, which the stories are set. I am trying to make sure I include these for readers such as myself that visualize the story as it is read, because errors or unfamiliar phrases interrupt the flow and visualization.The overall storyline / plot is intricate and is executed masterfully by Serena Akeroyd. Just when you think you have a grasp of how the story might be laid out or proceed, Serena surprises you … but in the best ways. Normally this many stories into multiple series within the same universe and I would have to switch because they would have to much in common and would become repetitive. I can honestly say that has never happened with one of Serena’s yet, which I consider a true compliment.This story features Jennifer, aka Jen, who was introduced in multiple Five Points’ Mob stories as she is the BFF of Savannah and Aoife. She comes across as a bit of a flake and party girl, but a loyal and decent friend. Jen is very unapologetic about “what” she is, or what she has sought from men in the past. Part of it is because that is all they have showed her how to be, but mainly it is due to her mother and how she was raised. With her background, her character could have easily been like her mother and standing on a street corner somewhere in NYC.Lucio is the new Sicilian Don of the Italian mafia. He has worked toward this goal for 10 years, when his father was slaughtered so another could take over the helm. Lucio has taken the time to grow his network and demonstrate that he is not like the others, he is unafraid to get his hands “dirty” and is known for his work with a knife and the half Cheshire grin he leaves behind.There two worlds collide when Jen is out with Savannah and her new man (Aiden Jr.). The chemistry is electric, but unwanted by Jen. She has a strict “no mafia” policy, but he makes her feel things she never has before … danger has never been so tempting …

OMG how do I even start. So many good reviews about this book already written, I don't even know how to add to them.Okay, let's start with this. The Don is towards the middle of a whole slew of books, a whole universe of book. The whole story arc hasn't even ended yet. Basically you've got all sorts of villains who are heroes and heroes who are villains. Though The Don and The Lady are special and have a piece of my heart and soul, much more deeply than Storm whom broke my heart and made it whole again. I cannot rave enough about Luciu and Jen's story, but I cannot add to the reviews which are already written, so instead I will gush about the rest of the collection and all adjacent series and Serena's storytelling prowess.I cannot say enough about how Serena is a complete genius in storytelling and universe writing. Most of the books she writes, many of her series' overlap each other and many of her characters are people you'd want to know in real life, if you lived that life. I've found many stories who are formulaic or have just a couple of main characters who flout from one book to another with the main story between the couple and maybe couples might have a name show up in another series so readers can just say hello. Not so with Serena, her characters are your best friends who fall in love in front of your eyes. You learn about their lives, get drawn in and fall in love with them. You understand who they are and want to know more about them. They work together and show up many a time to take down the baddies.You'll find easter eggs and crossovers everywhere; from her Naughty Nookie series to Quintessence you'll either see familiar names or you'll read about Old Ladies in the Dark and Dirty MC Sinners series reading the Quintessence series which flows into the Kingdom of Veronia Series. You won't want to put down Serena's books because you want to find out how the "bad" guys get taken down by the "good" guys, and you know which is which by this bookStart at All Sinners, No Saints, then the next on your list should be Nyx. Go to her website or the end of the books for the next book in the chronological order of the universe.Read it and get hooked just like I did.

Jen is a self-proclaimed gold digger who doesn't really see her own self worth. Luciu is the new Don in New York whose life has been ruled by vengeance.I liked this duet. I liked both Jen and Luc, and I love it when the man falls first. Luc was pretty much head over heals from the very beginning, and he wasn't going to let anyone or anything stand in the way of them being together, not even Jen herself. I just found this to be a little slow, plot wise, in comparison to the other books in this world.

I absolutely loved this duet. Lucic is such a sweet guy! I know it’s the new Don but I totally enjoyed the spoiling of Jen. Jen wasn’t ready for a relationship plus she was a gold digger. She said it herself folks haha!This can be interconnected as it mentions characters from Serena’s Filthy which I’m adding higher on my TBR. But I wasn’t lost at all if anything I was intrigued to read more.Also, the Canadian Remarks in the book. I absolutely loved it. It’s true you don’t love in between a woman and their hockey.Tropes: Mafia Romance, Boy Obsessed, Touch Her & Die, Interconnected

Los mafiosos italianos son mi perdición ¿Pero un mafioso siciliano? Uff 🔥🤤No tenía ninguna oportunidad ante ellos, caí en los encantos de Jen MacNeill y Luciu Valentini.

Really. Why are psychos so sexy? Luciu is a psycho, a stalker, but that's so hot! And then I remember that it's a mafia book and I love mafia books and Italians. Pardon. Sicilians. I feel really bad for Jen. How she's condemned for owning her sexuality, her dreams, her ambitions. And how women are women worse enemies. But, anyway, I loved this book. And the cliffhanger? That was just mean. Come to mommy, The Lady!

This first book, to the new off shoot to the Five Points and Satan's Sinners, telling us the new budding relationship between our Jen from the block and Luciu, is definitely eccellenti!!It's an amazing story bringing the caustic, abrasive character of Jen, finally meeting a man who is able to turn her snarles into purrs.We learn of the many facets of Jen's character, when finally she is brought to the forefront. Her low self esteem, hidden under a false layer of confidence. We find that due to her mother and what she did, how Jen became the way she is. As always it's amazing what we can do to protect ourselves.She is brutally honest about who she is, telling this Sicilian she has just met, how she is a good digger. Yet, when given the chance to clear her, almost fifty thousand dollars debt, she doesn't touch any of it.She's confused by her feelings, trying to pull back from Luciu on more than one occasion.Luciu is a Sicilian Mafioso, striving and forging his path of revenge against the Fieri and their allies, all who were guilty of attempting to wipe the Valentini family out of existence. Guilty of killing his grandfather and, eventually his father, bringing a ten year revenge plot finally to fruition!!After a chance meeting with Jen, while in The 68 with Savannah and Aiden Jr, he becomes bewitched by her, bringing on the need to have her investigated, so as to learn everything he can about her. His need to make her his, something that she is none too pleased about, as she tries to fight the growing, mutual, burning desire between them!!Ok that's as much as I'm going to say, before I really start to give away spoilers on this book.Any one who has read any of my reviews in the past, might remember that I love to both read and listen at the same time. I feel it helps bring a story to life, to give the characters a voice and this book has two of the best narrating the parts of Jen and Luciu.C. J Bloom and Joe Arden are two of the biggest narrator's out there. Who better to bring Jen and Luciu's brand of crazy to life, then these two??They help take this book from brilliant to astounding. Their talent for the differences between each character, knowing just how each character should sound or rather how you imagine what their voices would sound like.If you want to hear life being breathed into the characters then trust me when I say, it's truly worth the extra cost to buy the audio to do so. You'd be missing out on an amazing experience of you don't!!So is it ridiculous to ask me if I'd recommend the two?? Definitely!!So do yourself a favour and buy them now, then make a cup of your favourite coffee or tea, or even pour out a glass of wine, switch off all outside interference and listen to the delights of C. J and Joe while reading what will soon become, I'm sure, your new favourite couple within this world Serena has brought into our lives ❤❤

Okay, so I don't usually read romance (rarely, but on occasion they pop up) and this is the first mafia romance I have read. It was seriously hot! I thoroughly enjoyed the opening scene, which set the tone for the whole story. Definitely recommended for those who like super-steamy stories with well-developed characters and fun cultural notes tossed in.