Twisted Cravings
by Cora Reilly
Self- Published
Book 6 in the Camorra Chronicles
As the youngest brother of the notorious Falcone clan, Adamo grew up surrounded by blood and violence.
Drugs soon became his way of coping.
Becoming a Made Man like his brothers was his destiny but never his passion. When he becomes the organizer of his family’s successful illegal street races and one of their thrill-seeking drivers, he finally asserts his own path in the harsh mafia world.
His purpose isn’t the only thing Adamo discovers on the fuel-soaked roads he calls home…
Dinara Mikhailov is the only female race driver and hard to ignore. Not only because of her flaming red hair and ruthless driving style, but also because the Bratva princess is allowed to drive in enemy territory.
Soon Adamo and she find themselves entangled in a passionate game that goes beyond the race track. Yet, both haunted by events in the past, their dark cravings put everything on the line.
As what they crave the most, comes with a brutal price.
Age Recommendation:
18+
Genre:
Dark Romance
Mafia
TRIGGER WARNING:
Main character deals with severe PTSD from being sexually molested as a child, and a victim of child trafficking. Do not read if you are sensitive to this material, as it is upsetting.
Twisted Cravings by Cora Reilly is the sixth and final book in her Camorra Chronicles. It centers on Adamo, the youngest brother in the Falcone clan, and Dinara Mikhailov, daughter of the Chicago Bratva's leader. Adamo finally has his life on track. He has been clean from drugs for years, and his brother has made him an organizer for their street racing. He loves his nomad life, and racing. Enter Dinara, the only qualifying female driver this season, and considered a Bratva princess. Adamo knows she is there for a reason, and she knows Adamo might be her ticket to closure for a brutal past. Neither were expecting the intense chemistry between them. But with their warring families, and the dark cravings they both harbor, do Adamo and Dinara have a shot at anything at all?
Despite being, quite frankly, one of the darkest books I have ever read, I liked it. I didn't love it. Adamo has always been a complicated character in this series. Always at war with his brothers and himself over right and wrong, and the obvious longing he had for a family, I think he was probably the most relatable characters out of the Falcones. He has a conscience, but he also can be ruthless when he needs to be. And even when he is the killer us readers know the Falcones are, I wasn't put off by it. Frankly, I was cheering him on. His character in this book didn't really connect with the Adamo of the past, but at this point he is older, clean, and has a head on his shoulders, so he must have come to terms with some of his shit. I also really liked Dinara. I loved that she had no problem being herself. I loved the chemistry between Adamo and her. And I loved how important family was in this story. The Falcones were able to put aside their hate for the Bratva enough to invite Dinara to be a part of their family. Her father put his love for his daughter, and her need for freedom after her past, above the Bratva. I loved it. After a series full of sadistic and terrible parents, I loved reading about two families who love and respect each other.
What I don't like ... well, it's difficult. Child molestation and child trafficking occur everyday. We live in a brutal world with terrible people, who take advantage of the world's most innocent: children. I don't mind reading a book with a main character who has suffered this tragedy. What I don't like is the level of detail we get. Cora Reilly doesn't need to put too much detail into these terrible memories Dinara have. Readers can put two and two together. But there were times reading this book where I left repulsed. This story is ultimately a story of healing for Dinara, and Adamo and her falling in love, but as a reader, I didn't need to details. I will say though - the information we do get, makes Dinara's justice so much sweeter. Which is another potential trigger for readers - violence. Justice in this book is bloody. Don't worry. It's well deserved.
It's hard to recommend a book like this. If its not triggering for you, and you can get past the uncomfortable content, you will enjoy Adamo and Dinara's story. They have a good one, and it's a neat little Romeo and Juliet meet the mafia type story. The romance is dark and gritty, but sweet at the same time, and the sex is great. But it's definitely not everyone, which is a shame when its the concluding book in a series.
Adamo slowing down to check on Dinara before driving ahead again
The twins birthday party
Adamo slowing down so he could camp out with Dinara at the beginning of the 7 day race.
The first time Dinara loses control with Adamo
The memory where Remo and Nino put a stop to what Dinara's mother and boyfriend are doing, and save Dinara
"We're not over."
When they admit that they love each other, without saying the words
Adamo going to her father's house to get her back
Dima: “Just be careful. You know what your father will do if he finds out about this. One day he’s going to dump me in an oil-barrel.”
Dinara: “He likes you too much for that. He’ll give you a quick end,” Adamo: “Cake before lunch? What kind of anarchy is this?”
I asked, sinking down on one of the empty chairs between Fabiano and Savio.
Serafina: “Nevio’s wish. Anarchy is his middle name,”
Fina said, rolling her eyes.
Greta: “My wish too,”
Greta said softly. Fina gave her daughter a patient smile.
Serafina: “Yours too, but we both know you always say yes to Nevio’s wishes.”
Greta: “Not always,”
Greta said even quieter.
Remo: “Too often, mia cara,”
Remo said, kissing her temple. Dinara: “Adamo’s not the hero in this story. Nor are you or my father. I’ll be the hero in my story.” Adamo: “Vodka is starting to grow on me. Maybe I have a thing for Russian delicacies.”
I tilted my head toward him.
Dinara: “They are the best.”
Past: Dinara: “I’m a bad girl.”
Remo: “You’re trying to be a good girl so people hurt you less?”
I frowned then nodded.
Remo: “Don’t,”
I looked up.
Remo: “Don’t ever try to be good to people who hurt you. They don’t deserve it.” Remo: “Become the nightmare even your worst nightmare fears, Ekaterina,” Adamo: “I need your advice,”
I interrupted him.
Remo: “I thought Nino was your advisor of choice.”
I didn’t say anything. Of course, Remo would put his finger into the wound.
Remo: “That you choose me to give you advice tells me you already made up your mind and need encouragement for an irrational and emotionally charged endeavor Nino would disapprove of.”
Adamo: “I hate that you read people so well,” Camorrista, he would have killed them on the spot, but for me, he was willing to accept even that.
Dad: “Everything for you, Katinka,”
he said in a low voice before he kissed my temple. Savio: “I should have known my emo kid brother finds himself an emo rocker chick.”
I blinked.
Dinara: “The role of Ken and Barbie in the family are already taken so we had to settle for the emo couple,” Adamo: “A girl who hates Valentine’s Day, who hates rings and who doesn’t want a nerve-racking wedding feast. I’m pretty sure you were heaven sent.”
Dinara: "I seriously doubt it. If anything, heaven dropped me on earth because I didn’t behave.”
Adamo: “I like it when you don’t behave,”
Dinara: “I know.”
Comments