Isabelle just lost her job and is desperate to make ends meet. Valentino is a wealthy man who trusts no one and one night with him will change both of their lives. Isabelle's friend invites her to a masquerade ball but fails to tell her about the dark secret surrounding the ball. Juggling two identities, contracts, secrets, lies, and passion will drive anyone crazy.
I read Tryst by this author and loved the book and the story. However, for me this one fell a little short. I'm not sure exactly the disconnect but I really struggled with this one. I just felt like a lot of different things were put into this one and then attempted to be wrapped up so quickly by the end of the novel. I love mafia romances and I have to say that I wasn't really a fan of either of the main characters in this story. I didn't care for the backstory behind why the FMC was a virgin. I enjoy a good twist but this one had way too many for me; they just felt forced in some aspects.
I've seen people who absolutely loved this book and I really wanted to love it as well. I hate that I didn't enjoy it as much as others because I think it had marvelous potential and an interesting underlying story. I just think it might have worked better if some of the "big" reveals had been separate books/stories. It also didn't feel very mafia romance to me which makes me sad. It did have some very steamy moments though. ( )

May 30, 2022 Amz

This is the third book I have read from author, V.B. Emanuele. Just like the other two books, she really infuses such life into her characters that I the reader become so invested in them, that they are a part of me. That is what happened with this book.

Isabelle and Valentino are great together. They may have started out as casual acquaintances but that changed fairly quickly the longer they spent in one another's company. You could say that the intensity went from a spark to fireworks. It was HOT.

Yet, this story is not all about the sex. No, this book has a really good storyline with some twists. I can't wait to read book two and continue to see Isabelle and Valentino grow strong together even more. ( )