Twisted Pride (The Camorra Chronicles #3) eBook PDF

User Reviews

ellie

Rating: really liked it
now, a disclaimer: im not in anyway shitting on people who enjoyed this book... but i really fucking loathed this book.

im glad you enjoyed it. but this book is one of my thirteen reasons why.

this book just wasn’t it. Remo Falcone just wasn’t it. all the Falcone men are trash— but not you Nino baby, ily.

the whole book made me sooooo uncomfortable. i read Bound by the Past first so i knew the general gist of this book so it piqued my interest before id even started this series. and i wanted to see how things ACTUALLY went down between Serafina and Remo after reading everything from Dante’s POV first.

id assumed things weren’t what they seemed from Dante’s POV. but honestly it did just feel like Remo raped her and used small acts of kindness to manipulate her. he continuously threatens, objectifies and degrades her, and i honestly would have expected more trauma from a victim of kidnap, but i think that was the issue— Reilly didn’t even portray Serafina as a victim and glossed over the realities of someone being held captive. she just romanticises the entire traumatic ordeal to fit her storyline, so the whole thing was unrealistic in that sense.

(and i know these series’ are fabricated in the realm of the unrealistic, but some aspects, such as Kiara’s rape in the second book was handled really well, and i loved her and Nino. but the handling of Serafina’s abduction was just tactless and romanticised, when in reality the whole ordeal would be harrowing, heartbreaking and downright disturbing).

i didn’t believe she was in love with him, she just latched onto the small moments of normalcy between them and twisted them into something warped and mildly appealing to ease her discomfort with the situation and convince herself the situation wasn’t as awful as it was.

everything was just very Stockholm Syndrome-esque. Serafina clung to every nice thing he did (which was part of his plan to manipulate her), convincing herself he wasn’t as bad as people and he let on. which was just the author’s excuse to try to get the readers to like Remo if Serafina liked him. no amount of small kindnesses could convince me that Remo didn’t rape Serafina. saving her brother, letting her go for jogs with him etc, was all just part of his plan to get Serafina to trust him and thus manipulate her to sleep with him to ruin her image in the Outfit and tear apart her family.

after that, knowing what her kidnapping was doing to her family, i don’t understand how she could even consider being with him— her mother was distraught, constantly having breakdowns, her father and twin brother going against the Outfit and Dante to save her, her younger sister terrified she could be next. and im supposed to be rooting for them? this guy who’s ripped her family apart for mere sport and just because he can? no thank you. if from what we went by in the beginning of the book, Serafina’s family means everything to her and she seems to just ignore how much Remo ruined them all.

up until they actually *sleep together* (which i consider him raping her), the book made me mildly uncomfortable but i was hoping there would soon be a shift in the plot to make me have that ‘ohhhh I get it now’ moment and start truly rooting for the pair.

but it didn’t come.

instead, he just rapes her.

i don’t know how i was supposed to view that scene as consensual? she attempts to fight him off the second time around after realising what had happened, filled with shame and guilt, and Remo just revelled in it and it was disgusting.

and afterwards, when he finds her having a breakdown in the shower, i was expecting him to console her or something, but he just put the final nail in the coffin for me— ‘try to convince yourself i raped you if it makes you feel better.’

it truly tipped me over the edge, my god. it just added to the creep-factor, and sounded a lot like what someone who just raped someone else would say to try to make themselves feel better, like he was trying to convince himself he didn’t rape Serafina when in actuality he did and that admittance just proved it all the more.

*it’s also an author’s prerogative to write about whatever the fuck they want, right, but frame the content for what it is! don’t frame a non-con or dub-con scene as healthy, consensual sex. i wouldn’t have had an issue if it was portrayed as a non-con or a dub-con scene. at least take accountability for the content you include in your writing.*

i also got the impression she just slept with him because she knew eventually he would rape her. she even admits several times that he’d ‘have forced [her] eventually’ which is a massive red fucking flag.🚩🚩

i feel like her ‘sleeping with him’ was her way of trying to take control of a situation she had no control in— Remo took away her agency and free will, and sleeping with him ‘willingly’ appeared to be her way of taking back some of her agency, which further convinced me that he just raped her. and the author kept talking about how during sex all Serafina could feel was pain. that’s not safe, consensual sex. It shouldn’t be ‘tight’ and painful like Remo loved to keep reminding us. after losing her virginity, she shouldn’t be ‘tight’ like he described, women comfortable in sex (no matter how many times they’ve had sex) shouldn’t be tight, because it shows how the woman isn’t relaxed. so, the constant reminder just screamed to me that Serafina wasn’t comfortable and wasn’t willingly giving herself to him.

and i was also pretty pissed at Kiara. considering her past with her uncle, i thought she’d try and fight for Serafina a bit more, but the moment Remo bares his teeth a bit, Kiara turns into a submissive dog. she also tries to soften Remo’s nature when talking to Serafina and it pissed me off— i at least expected Kiara to be on Fina’s side but she was fucking useless and too blinded by her love for Nino, as though Nino and Remo were remotely the same, when we all know Nino wouldn’t have even gone along with Remo’s awful plan if he wasn’t Capo, and his brothers and Fabiano would do anything for him despite how cruel and callous he can be.

Samuel, her twin had the right idea when she got back after she claimed Remo didn’t rape her:

“You’ve never been alone with a man and then you were at the mercy of a monster like Remo Falcone. You had nothing to protect yourself. You did what you had to, to survive. The brain is a powerful tool. It can survive the cruelest horrors by creating alternative realities.”

i think he had it spot on here— she was just trying to convince herself she wasn’t raped. i think to save face with her family, putting the blame on herself, a way to cope with what happened by convincing herself she wanted it. it is common in rape cases that the victim doesn’t even realise they were assaulted until years later. and i felt that this was the case here, that Serafina just didn’t realise it, her brain blocking out the trauma to help her cope with it.

and i honestly think the part that pissed me off the most was Serafina’s complete lack of sympathy and awareness regarding what her family went through while she was gone. seeing how broken and distraught they all were, and her STILL wanting to be with Remo? he ruined her family and she just acted like it was nothing.

and the fact that Sofia, her 11 year old sister has to marry Serafina’s ex-fiancé instead really boiled my blood. she was a child and got the blunt end of the stick, and Serafina just doesn’t care at all. runs off to be with Remo and leaves her family behind in tatters. part of me sympathised with her because i just believed she’d been so thoroughly manipulated by Remo that she couldn’t see straight. but then on the other hand, i had no sympathy for her after just ruining her family, allowing Remo to revel in the ruins of Serafina’s family who she gladly left behind for her rapist and kidnapper.

the more i write this review the more riled up i get. in my opinion , this book glorifies and romanticises kidnapping, rape and abuse🤷🏻‍♀️

mel ☽

Rating: really liked it
4.25 stars

Remo is literally dad(dy) material - in BOTH sense if you know what i mean.

im sorry i can't believe i just said that but it's the truth!! i really thought i was going to hate Remo considering how he forbade Fabiano to be with Leona and beat him up, was a jerk to Kiara, loved torturing people for fun, y'all know the drill. but he's actually a softie?? can y'all believe that??

when he said "Greta, mia cara" to his daughter?? OH MY GOD.

so a little backstory,

↳ this book starts off right after the second book and because the Outfit (Dante's mafia group) attacked their territory in twisted loyalties, Remo (H and capo of Camorra) planned to kidnap Serafina (h and Dante's niece) before her wedding as revenge against the Outfit. after 3 months of captivity Remo let's her go but Serafina is pregnant with twins and there was 1.5 years separation. so this book has the kidnap/captor, with a little bit of beauty and the beast and a splash of hades/persephone and maybe even add in a little bit of rhys/feyre vibes.

~ SPOILERS AHEAD ~

— Remo Falcone

"You are an angel, and I'm your ruin."

going back to the man himself, well, i just- i high key love him. i think he's my favorite Falcone right now even though he was a crazy mo'fucka in the first 2 books. but... there's just something about a sociopath going all soft when he met Serafina and then him getting all domesticated with his kids, knowing how to change diapers AND basically sacrificing himself to save Adamo so that his little brother won't be tortured. anyone who saves Adamo is obviously on my good side.

— Serafina Mione

"They'd never let me be anything but the dove with broken wings. They couldn't. But I wanted to fly."

finally, a coraverse heroine who's not an innocent, naive blushing virgin. well technically she was a virgin because she's a girl in the mafia but you know what i mean. anyways, i really liked Serafina mainly because she stood up for herself and gave Remo shit.

not gonna lie, i did hate her at one point just because she let Adamo get tortured for a little bit because she didn't tell the truth to her family that Remo didn't actually do all the horrible things he made them think he did. i understand why she hesitated but still. no one, and i mean no one hurts my boy Adamo.

also, i liked Serafina's family in the beginning especially Samuel (her twin) but then i hated all of them by the end - well, except for Sofia who apparently is going to have her own book with Serafina's ex-fiance, Danilo - because they treated Serafina's kids like trash and THEY TORTURED ADAMO, a 15-year old...

i loved Samuel in the beginning but i felt betrayed when he hurt my boy. like no thanks. bye Samuel and the Outfit, y'all are cancelled.

↣ OW/OM drama
surprisingly, knowing Remo was a bit of a ho in the previous books, there wasn't much drama in this one. well, except for that OW scene in the beginning where he got a bj and had sex with Dinara's mom and Dinara is Adamo's future love interest so yikes and the fact that Serafina was engaged the whole time she was kidnapped but yeah that was it. and during that 1.5 year separation, im 80% sure Remo wasn't with anyone cuz he said "You ruined me for all other women" so... one can only dream.

so anyways, i can never unsee Remo as Massimo from 365 dni and if Remo ever said "are you lost babygorl" i would've died. game over. done.

･ﾟﾟ･｡｡･ﾟﾟ･ Camorra Chronicles ･ﾟﾟ･｡｡･ﾟﾟ･
#1: twisted loyalties — fabiano x leona ↠ 3.25 stars
#2: twisted emotions — nino x kiara ↠ 3.75 stars
#3: twisted pride — remo x serafina ↠ 4.25 stars
#4: twisted bonds — nino x kiara ↠ 4 stars
#5: twisted hearts — savio x gemma ↠ 1.5 stars
#6: twisted cravings — adamo x dinara ↠ 2 stars

MischaS_

Rating: really liked it
I still feel a bit confused, because, for the first time in any of these novels, I actually really liked the main female character!

I was excited about Remo's book, because, let's be honest here, he is the kind of character I like. I love how cruel and twisted he is. And I feared he would just turn into a nice, lovestruck slob.

When the pairing with Serafina was revealed, I was not convinced. I wanted some really strong character. Why not some mercenary? That would be fun.

However, I loved Serafina, who I expected to be a second Arya, actually stood her ground.

My favourite about this series is the dynamics between the Falcone brothers, that did not change.

However, while reading, I did not wish for Serafina to disappear so we could get to the Falcone brothers. It was fun.

Speaking of brothers, I loved the relationship Serafina had with her brother at the beginning of the book.

Remo is officially my favourite psycho.

(view spoiler)

Yeasmin Alo

Rating: really liked it
Unpopular Opinion Alert

Song ? Any guesses?

🥶Stockholm Syndrome🥶

Very painful realization
Manipulating into f**king isn’t my thing(Did they use protection tho! Umm of Course not DUH-
He could have been a living breathing STD)

I was so in love with Serafina and Remo
I was going to add her to my favorite heroine list you know
And
Then
After 45% I was about to DNF the book instead!!
At that moment I envied everyone who can DNF books I was feeling trapped.

I mean sis literally said I will take my pride to the grave.
Then she hears Kiara moaning
And she just went on Remo like-

She was painfully and embarrassingly easy!!!!
I still can't believe it after showing so much character, power and baddie vibes that's how she gave in!!

I never think I would say this in my life but I got tired of their SMUT
Bcz I legit Didn't FEEL any connection!
Their first time? It was
un-F**king-comfortable to read

SUMMARY

Serafina got kidnapped on her wedding day by Remo
Afterwards very carefully she got manipulated and ended up sleeping with Remo
2 more hate f**ks without protection 😭 (he was manwhore dudeeeee how could you do it without wrapping it up!!!) , after playing and brainwashing Serafina for good two months when Remo finally "steal" her so-called pride within 3days Remo returned her to her family. I reckon he potentially planned the pregnancy too. Then Didn't even bother to check on her??
I mean if I am in love with someone
Okay, Love is a huge deal. If you remotely care about someone you wouldn’t check on her in 1.5 years?
Also, was Mr.Remo celibate during this 1.5 years 🙃?!!
Then Outfit Kidnapped Adamo, Remo saved his brother, Serafina saved Remo.
They f**k some more and bam that great speech, if I have anything in there (very diplomatically will point on his heart) It's yours 🤧
Yeah no thank u
Hard pass!!

Sis didn’t even manage to get a "I Am Sorry" from Remo Groveling is 20 light years foreign concept 😴 Lust made her blind before the kids after the kids too

Can you imagine calling a female protagonist strong when she can't even tell his man she doesn't like it in the A**?
Not to mention Remo bragged about it even if in his head that for her beloved angel he "sacrificed" his favourite position
My god how considerate of him right? 🤣

She literally ended up as a doormat by the end 🙃
At least Kiara Aria said NO and meant it!

I will do Nino instead 😇
I can't believe I considered reading Only Remo's book first 🥺 I shudder to think that I wouldn’t have met the love of my life who is Nino Falcone 😭😭 , my tattooed King 🦋🦋🦋
Also, I was feeling like a proud mother to see Kiara in this book 🥺🥺🥺

Anyway Cora Reilly dear for the 100th time
Why do you create characters with so amazing characteristics and personalities then you always destroy them with foolishness?
Right now I am even feeling conflicted about my Rating on Sweet Temptation 🤔 but we will deal with that later.
Now to nourish my broken heart I feel like re-reading Nino's book but fortunately, the next book is about Nino Kiara (Twisted Bonds)
So happy NinoxKiara got TWO books 💕🥺 as they should but also I am sooo scared if Mrs.Reilly has butchered Twisted Bonds too
Guess we will find out

Anyways 2 points for NinoxKiara 🥺💕
And The lovely twins I love them so much 💘💘💘💘💘💘
And I am willing to add additional 0.5 points cz finally I got to read about the great slaughter of Aria and Fabi's Sperm Donor
What can I say I am generous like that 🤭😇

Cora Reilly

Rating: really liked it
Pre-order links:
Amazon Universal: mybook.to/twistedprideCR
Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/twis...
Barnes&Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/book...
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/twis...

Playlist
Wings – Birdy
No angel – Birdy
Monster – Lady Gaga
Crucify – Tori Amos
Toxic – Britney Spears
Can’t hold us down – Christina Aguilera
Unless it’s with you – Christina Aguilera
Deserve – Christina Aguilera
Closer – Nine Inch Nails
Fire meets Gasoline – Sia
Bird set free – Sia
Elastic Heart (piano version) – Sia
Lay my body down – Rag’n’bone Man
Wolves - Rag’n’bone Man
Love you any less – Rag’n’bone Man
Never be the same – Camila Cabela
In the Dark – Camila Cabela
Love the way you lie (piano version) – Rihanna
Love me harder – Ariana Grande & The Weeknd
Million Reasons – Lady Gaga
Bleeding love – Leona Lewis
Lost without you – Freya Ridings
White Wedding - Billy Idol

Ceki

Rating: really liked it
One of the biggest issues I had with this series can be found in this book as well - the way main characters treat prostitutes as "whores" and that left a bitter taste in my mouth every time. There is also a scene at the beginning of Remo having sex (but I'd rather use the word "raping") a "whore." It was terrible to read but also very unrealistic of him to spare Serafina of the same fate later on. I see that the author glorifies virginity but seriously, that shit needs to stop.

The sex scenes were uncomfortable to say the least, unrealistic as well. I didn't feel any love or special bonding between the main characters, except lust.

The only thing I liked about this book was the last part with (view spoiler) But I still feel that the author had filled like 70% of the book with nonsense instead of developing a better story between Remo and Serafina.

I guess I forget that this is the erotic series so I should stop expecting better developed characters.

Val ⚓️ Shameless Handmaiden ⚓️

Rating: really liked it
Upgraded to 5 Stars

After re-reading this so many times, I am upgrading it. I just love these two. And the fact that I have re-read this book probably 5 times now demands said upgrade.

3.5 Stars

Dammit. After finally reaching that elusive 4-star level with this author in the book I read right before this one (Bound by Love), I once again fell just a bit short with this one. Which is kinda frustrating.

The elements in every book will all be there, but for some reason, they just don't click all the way for me. I can't explain it. Maybe it's because mafia romance is one of my favorite sub-genres and thus I'm pickier, who knows. And one might ask, why do I keep reading this author if I feel this way?

Well, cause I consider 3 stars to be a decent rating. It means I liked it and had fun reading it. Also, I think Reilly is a great writer. Definitely a professional with an actual editor. So yay. Also, her books are just plain readable and - let's be honest - I am also just running out of good mafia fodder and these are available to me via Kindle Unlimited.

Long story, short: I enjoyed this one, but thought Remo could have been a little darker and the ending a little more polished.

Mareeva

Rating: really liked it
First read - 3.5 stars (rounded up)
Second read - 3.5 stars (rounded down)

I've been wanting to ask this question for a while now.....what in the world are these mafia men doing all day🤣?

CORA REILLY'S AVERAGE MAFIA BOSS RESUME:
🕵 Breaching mysterious enemy territories
🕵 Transporting unknown cargos to wondrous places
🕵 Fucking whores
🕵 Killing randos
🕵 Getting tattoos
🕵 Repeating the word "honour" like broken records

Notes for employer:

There are whores to fuck, Outfit bastards to kill, and the fucking Bratva to piss off.”

He summed it up real well huh....

Remo once said that Serafina could be Capo if they were all less sexist. And you know what, I agree. That girl did not know how to use a mop, literally. She would be an excellent capo.

Oh oh wait! Can't forget the most important attribute in the basic mobster boy kit: preach inspirational tumblr quotes. They can include the word "blood".......maybe even something fancier like "destiny". Or in this case, repeatedly (and very poetically) compare each other to chess pieces. I'm convinced the chess analogies were used JUST so one of the characters can say "checkmate😎"

Anywho, I don't actually mind their theatrical "I'm the king on this chess board👹 then what am I?🥺🌺 YOU'RE THE QUEEN👑"

What actually annoyed me is the amount of absolutely useless conversations these two had. Find me two other people who could speak more words to each other without actually saying anything.

99% of conversations in this book:

Serafina: YOU WILL NEVER BREAK ME
Remo: I will break you😈
NO I WILL NEVER BREAK
you will break
NO I WON'T!!!!!
yes
no
yes
no
yes
no
yes
no
yes
no
yes
no
yes
no
description

Remo then proceeds to break her by putting her in a luxurious bedroom with room service, buying her clothes, giving her pretty nighties, soaking her pretty nighties in blood (okay fine that was cute), going on morning runs, ordering her pizzas, and over all being a real accommodating guy.

Here's a mind-bending riddle for you....what the hell is even break? They always say that "I will break you👺" like what do you mean😩 Break how? Break what???

But what do ya know.......bitch actually breaks. I cannot believe I added this book to my strong-heroine shelf back in the day😭

“Do as I say.”
“Or what?” I said harshly. “What could you possibly do to me? You have taken everything from me that mattered. There’s nothing left for you to take, to break.”

Remo aching and torn over which torture technique to use on her next:
description

No but imagine he actually went ahead and beat her ass🤣🤣🤣 instant 5 stars.

You know who I actually felt really bad for? Her family. They thought their daughter/sister/niece/fiance was raped and tortured but nope😌 Just having a lil pizza in her lil nightie and sucking dick<3

I know in my updates I gave the impression that I'm about to 1 star this book💀 and honestly I thought so too. But then the second half sort of happened and I was weirdly enjoying the hell out of myself. Then I realised I've been enjoying myself the entire time. All this toxicity and dumbassery was too delicious, even considering the fact that Remo is cringy as fuck sometimes.

Now I know mafia romance isn't exactly known for promoting feminist rights and gentlemanly behaviour. But mans was being a lil ridiculous with his chauvinism. Idk... if you're gonna be this much of a sexist asshole, at least be classy abt it, you know?

the whore regarded me with that fucking submissiveness, that disgusting reverence. No pride, no honor. They all got a choice and chose the easy way, never the hard painful one. They would never understand that nothing could be gained without pain. Weak. Disgusting.

Yea yea yea. Prostitutes are all disgusting, your dick is made of gold, women are actually descendants of chickens, yada yada. Sorry not everyone can be pure, virginal, and proud like Serafina, Remo😔.

Also, I have no idea who gave this man the authority to dole out brotherly advice because man😭😭😭 Just do not speak. Literally never open your mouth in front of my baby Adamo again.

“Don’t waste your energy on another thought of that girl. She’s worthless. There are many more girls out there. She used you. Maybe now you’ll start using them as well.”

But it's all fine because Remo redeemed himself in my eyes.....by being the most dramatic king♟️ on the planet.

“I’m so glad you could make it,” Remo said in a British accent, all posh and sophisticated.

Did he just randomly pop an english accent outta nowhere, that absolute legend🤣🤣🤣🤣
description

This reminds of when I randomly sneak a word with an english accent to feel more sophisticated about myself. You know you're just speaking, speaking and then suddenly comes this word, this word that would sound superior if you just.......

Remo - a hardened gangster speaking to enemies in a dungeon about his kidnapped captive:
description

This is supposed to bring the Outfit down. Don’t forget that, Remo.”
My mouth pulled wide. “It will crush them. They will bleed out slowly, painfully, without ever feeling my blade. This will destroy them.”

“My family and fiancé will tear down Las Vegas if you hurt me.”
“Oh, I hope they do, so I can bathe in their blood,”

I CANNOT STAND THIS MAN😭😭 I swear if he ever fails in the mafia he should try the theatre.

But Serafina did have her moments too, gotta give her credit...

“Oh, Remo, I will be your first angel. Patience is a virtue, and you will be rewarded for it.”

Imagine someone whispered this in your ear while having sex. I'd be like what the fuck is this bitch on about? Patience......virtue....wha?
description

He ate it up though, good for him.

Other than that, I understand why my 2020 pea brain was impressed enough to give this close to 4 stars. My excuse now is that I am still pea brained.

Overall: Solid book. Adequate soup.

Random fav quote bcz I can:

“When will you set me free?” I asked.
“Soon,” Remo murmured but didn’t elaborate. For some reason I heard the echo of the word “never.”
Never. Never. Never.

Ugh the echo, the drama😍

Artemis

Rating: really liked it
Summary: This is the grossest book I've ever read. What's wrong with ppl, that they like Remo? He's just disgusting imo. And on a psychological level not even a convincing/realistic character.

I don't understand why people glorify Remo. He is just a murderer and a rapist. And there are no compelling or even interesting components to his character. And guys like him wouldn't have behaved towards Serafina the way he did irl. Not that I wanted him to rape her!! of course, but it was just so utterly unrealistic. Still they way he treated her was gross and I couldn't feel any love between them. And i didn't understand Serafina one bit. So he was hot?! That was the only reason she would sleep with someone, who has raped hundreds of women and is an all around sadistic asshole without any remorse or morals at all? And the way he behaved towards her and used her after they had sex for the first time was just disgusting. But I can even understand that, because ppl do irrational things sometimes, when they are kidnapped, or at least things we don't understand and shouldn't judge, but why in the world would she go back to him? Yes, she grew up in the mafia, but her family and even her fiancé are way better than this asshole! And then he didn't even show remorse for destroying her life, separating her from her family and twin brother forever!! I could be outraged about the book forever. I didn't understand Serafina. Even if I was so "in love" and attracted to a rapist (which I don't understand, how you could be, because duh.. he's a rapist), I would let my mind rule in this case and not go back to him, especially if I have children. As a consequence I also didn't care for Serafina anymore and this whole read has been useless for me. Also one of the grossest things imo, we got to witness was Remo labeling the women, who choose rape over of death as weak, because it takes a special kind of bravery to chose to continue to live and fight after having to endure such a trauma (ppl don't call themselves survivors for no reason). I also started to hate Fabiano and Nino, because they don't have a backbone at all and were so god- damn submissive towards Remo, even though they didn't agree with his actions.

σψεδζααδι Μαριάμ

Rating: really liked it
Pretending to have pride, losing to lust and becoming a doormat and then forgiving a jerk hero without any self respect-heroine.
That's all I can say about this book. Thank you

moonlight ☾ [semi-hiatus]

Rating: really liked it
reread (7++): april 2021

pls the fact that i've read this more than seven times and i'm still in love as if it was my first time reading it, gahh. remofina will always be the superior couple for me, thx. ♡

⊱ ──────ஓ๑♡๑ஓ ────── ⊰

reread (4): september 2020

it's my fourth time rereading this masterpiece and these two still gives me all the fucking feels. 🥺🤍

⊱ ──────ஓ๑♡๑ஓ ────── ⊰

6++ remofina owns my heart stars ☆

hi yes, Remo Falcone is my new book bf. idc that he's a psychotic killer who has a thrill in killing people, but his heart?? it's loyal and protective to those he deeply cares about and that's every-fucking-thing for me. he was the character who kept my attention ever since i started TCC and i'm so happy his story was everything i loved! Serafina (h) was the perfect match for Remo, honestly. he needed someone who wouldn't take his shit and actually fight back and that's literally who she was. i loved her as an individual and as Remo's partner. 🥺 i already know these two will remain my favorite couple in this mafia universe (even tho i haven't read Savio's book yet or Adamo's or whoever else has a story). sometimes you just have that gut feeling about certain couples and it's how i feel for them. ♡ also, (view spoiler)

what i disliked:
➴ (view spoiler)

♛ Jarusauskas

Rating: really liked it
2 Stars.

Twisted Pride was probably my most anticipated read of April. Since I read Twisted Loyalties I knew Remo was going to be one of my favourite characters through this series and he was until this particular book. I feel like he wasn't himself at all. He was supposed to be cruel and ruthless and a total maniac but he acted like a softie until the very end. The only cruel thing about him were the author's descriptions. 'His cruel smile', 'his cruel, blach heart' and so on. It got so tedious, like this was an amateur's book instead of something written by Cora Reilly.

And don't get me started on Serafina. I didn't like her one bit. I never like the cold, pridefull ones anymore. They have the chance to be awesome but it's like the authors don't know how to portrait a fine, strong female character without making her annoying in the process. Cora made the same mistake with Gianna in Bound by Hatred. She was supposed to be strong and independant but she was just a disappointment as a heroine. One of the worst's I've read so far. Fortunately, Serafina wasn't as bad as Gianna but I didn't like her either way.

I felt no chemistry between her and Remo. None whatsoever. There was no love, and the lust was a cheap thing since Remo's one of the sexiests guys I've read about, and he 'fell' in love with this cold fish called Serafina. She wouldn't even give him a blowjob without being difficult about it... you can give head and keep your pride, girl. I hope you know that.

Only interesing aspect of this book was the possibility of a story about Serafina's sister, Sofia, who was promised to Danilo. That's something I want to read... now I'm not so excited about Savio's and Adamo's books, because... well... I'm just not. But nothing can be as bad as this one.

Giorgia Reads

Rating: really liked it
5 ⭐️ - the kind that are solid and 100 rereads can’t change my mind.

I’m going back and revisiting all of Cora’s books at the moment and because this is probably my 5th re-read for this particular book, I need to get it all out for posterity.

First and foremost, Remo is mine and that’s that, he’s just my type of psychopath, so you know what that means... I’m having imaginary babies with the man, what else?

Now that I’ve got that out of the way, I have to say this book is my favourite in the series. Remo and Serafina make so much sense together (personal preference and all that, but those names rock!).

- So we’ve got this slightly psychotic mob boss, who has no qualms about doing whatever he wants, whenever he wants, however he wants. He’s got sarcasm down to a T, a wicked sense of humour and a cruel demeanour. The perfect trifecta, if you ask me. One of his brilliant decisions leads him to kidnap the lovely Serafina (I say lovely but I mean badass in her own reserved way) when she was on the way to her own wedding! (btw- that’s kind of a brilliant idea to open a book with.) Sounds kinda ominous, I know, but it’s anything but, because you guessed it, that’s how their tumultuous romance starts.

- The whole kidnapping thing might sound like this is one of those dark romances with heroines that develop Stockholm syndrome for their obviously hot as sin captor.. it’s NOT - no sexual deviant to lock her in a cage until she’s dripping with love from her battered heart (I know ...my lyricism is on par with the greatest love poems ever written).

- Part of the reason why I love Cora’s books so much is because the heroines are treated with respect, there isn’t any gratuitous/senseless violence or abuse. Yes, they might be a little submissive, (and I don’t mean towards their love interest but within their families) but it’s more a case of them growing up with those values rather than them being scared into it.

- I loved the twists and turns the story took, I didn’t expect some things to go a certain way and that’s always a big sell for me in a book. I also loved the extended cast of characters, they add to the story in the best way possible.

- There’s emotion, action, drama, humour.. and that’s pretty much everything needed to be honest.
And lest we forget, I’ve got a soft spot for a bad boy who is a little crazy, a little murderous, and a lot passionate ...for HER (that mythical creature that gets all the book boyfriends *sighs*). And reading about the way he falls for her, when he was pretty much portrayed as incapable of empathy and romantic love, well, that did something to my...poor young heart of course.

“She rested her palm against my chest, over my heart.
“Is there something in there capable of love?” My fucking chest constricted.
“Whatever’s in there, it’s yours. Whatever love I’m capable of, it’s yours, too.”
She cupped my face, her eyes fierce, almost brutal in their intensity. “You are beyond redemption, Remo,” she whispered, and I smiled bitterly because I knew it.
She shook her head. “But so am I because even free to do as I please, I choose you. I’m no angel. An angel wouldn’t love a man like you, but I do. I love you.”

Damn..

And lastly, I gotta sing some praise for Serafina. Considering she was all about following the path chosen for her by her family, and all about following the mafia rules, we get to see her spread her wings and think beyond the realm of possibility available to her in that context. And I have to say it’s pretty amazing and ironic how Remo was the one to offer her the freedom to choose, out of all people.

Anyway, I’m gonna leave it at that, but not before saying once again, that this book kinda blew me away. Obviously, I’m being extremely subjective, I’ve got a soft spot for the characters that Cora writes and the world she built for those mafiosi. Total disclosure: at this point I'm more invested in their lives than mine.. sad but true. So, now I’m gonna go (im)patiently wait for whatever book comes out next.

Selma

Rating: really liked it
Full review:

Cora Reilly's highly anticipated third installment in the Camorra Chronicles is a jaw-dropping, mind-blowing and awe-inspiring emotional rollercoaster you soon won't forget. It will ruin you for all other Mafia books. Mark my words! Cora's ability to write cruel bad boys with a heart is hands down unsurpassed. This story is fast paced and has a well-developed, character-driven plot full of angsty twists and turns you didn't see coming. Enemies to lovers is one of my absolute favorite romace tropes, especially if there is a forbidden aspect - as in this particular case the bitter feud between two opposing Mafia clans.

Remo Falcone is ruling over Las Vegas with an iron fist. When the Outfit breaches his territory and attacts him and his brothers he promises retaliation. The opportunity for payback arises when he kidnaps Dante Cavallaro's niece Serafina on her wedding day. She is supposed to marry a high-ranked Outfit member and become an obedient wife and caring mother. Females like her are supposed to enter marriage pure and chaste. What better way to hurt Dante and the Outfit than breaking the one innocent person they were supposed to protect? But Remo will soon realise that Serafina is not an easy prey. She is smart and very perceptive and not easily intimidated by his threats and mind games. Both didn't expect to feel this unexplicable strong pull towards each other fueled by irresistable need and voracious longing. Will Remo still stick to his plan or is this beautiful blonde angel going to be the one to bring him to his knees? Who is going to be the winner in this twisted game of chess? Is a victory without any sacrifices even possible?

Remo and Serafina are two very complex, multi-facetted and intriguing characters who will make you fall madly and irrevocably in love with their gripping and captivating story. They are without a doubt the most compelling characters Cora has ever written. There is so much more to these two than meets the eye. With every new layer of their personalities being revealed I felt a deeper emotional connection to them.

Remo is a cold, ruthless man who doesn't show any mercy to his enemies and enjoys making them suffer. He is a brutally handsome monster. But there is this soft side to him when it comes to his brothers and the people he considers family. For them Remo would walk through fire and sacrifice himself without a second thought. If you want to gain his respect you have to show strength and loyalty. He is not a man everybody can easily understand because you can't put him into one category.

Serafina is the Outfit's Iceprincess. Proud, poised and controlled on the outside but playful and kind-hearted on the inside. Fina is strong-willed and courageous. She could easily be Capo if women were allowed this role in the Mafia. I can say with absolutely certainty that she is one of the strongest female leads I've ever come across in a book. I admire Serafina for refusing to be a victim of the Made Men's power plays. I adored her relationship with her caring, loving parents and siblings, especially her twin brother Samuel. These two share a special bond only few people can understand. They would die to protect each other.

There was an instant, undeniable physical attraction between the hero and heroine that both tried to fight with great effort. But when they slowly started to get to know one another better and discover each other's strengths and weaknesses they couldn't prevent feelings to develop. As unwanted as they were, resisting each other was a fruitless venture from the first moment they met.

The message of this story is that something good can be born from an act of brutality and that love can bloom even in the darkest place. As an avid reader I'm always on the quest to find such books that stand out from the rest. The ones that will stay with you forever. Now how am I supposed to move on after this epic read?! I see a major book hangover coming. Thank you dear Cora from the bottom of my heart for giving us the most perfect unconventional love story. I've thoroughly enjoyed being ruined by Remo Falcone and give this amazing book 5+++ stars!

Jessica

Rating: really liked it
Ummm this is definitely my favorite of the series. SO FREAKING GOOOOOOOD!!!! Remo is definitely an anti-hero. He's not a good guy and the Copa of the Camorra. He doesn't care about anyone beyond his family and will do anything to get revenge. So he decides to kidnap the bride at the wedding of someone from a rival mafia. And it's a captive/captor romance! Serafina and Remo end up falling for each other as she's kept in his home and it's so good. This also had all of the mafia content my dark heart loves. There were multiple moments in this book I was freaking out during and I had no idea what direction it as going to go. I loved the connection to their family each character had and how they grew into different people throughout the book. I can't wait to continue on with this series!

Detail

Twisted Pride (The Camorra Chronicles #3)

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