Damiano De Luca: A Second Chance Mafia Romance

So engrossing, this tension-filled book will make you lose sleep because it’s impossible to put down. The writing here is fantastic, drawing you into this second chance love story and leaving you wanting more. Though it can definitely be read as a standalone, reading the prequel (Renata Vitali) will give you a much richer reading experience - there are little breadcrumbs along the way that someone who has read the prequel will pick up on but others may not. Besides, to fully appreciate the depth of Renata and Damian’s feelings for each other, you need to know their history.The story follows Renata, a mafia princess who met and fell for Damian when she was a teen. They’ve always had a push/pull relationship where they understand each other in a way that no one else does, but they also challenge each other. Ten years ago, Renata left Damian in an attempt to keep him safe, but neither one has truly gotten over the other. When they are brought together by a funeral, they are forced to confront their feelings and discover where the last 10 years have taken their lives. There are plenty of unresolved feelings here - he wants and loves her despite the fact that she left him, and she never wanted to leave him in the first place. Needless to say, they have a lot to work out if they have any chance of a future together. Add in the complications of the mafia and meddling families (plus the ring on her finger), and it’s a very complex situation.I absolutely loved Renata Vitali (the prequel, not the person - though I loved her too). To say that I had high hopes for this book would be an understatement, and it did not disappoint. The depth of emotion between these two makes it a gripping read from the start. It’s a slow burn that combusts into a downright filthy read, done in a way that enhances the story rather than detracting from it. For a syndicate leader, Damian is truly a loveable and caring man, always making sure he has Renata’s best interests at heart, just as she does him. I never would’ve expected to like a mafia romance this much, but the book doesn’t dwell on some of the darker aspects of that lifestyle, which makes it easier to enjoy the romance. Can’t wait to read more from this author. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

So the book begins with incorporating Renata‘s book with this book. But it seems to repeat itself a lot. The first few chapters, actually 2/3 of the book are just back-and-forth back-and-forth between the syndicate and her and Damien. It starts to get better the last third of the book basically after chapter 35. I would’ve given him this 3 1/2 stars if I could. The book tells a great story but there’s a lot of repetition, a lot of internal dialogue, which kind of makes you lose interest in the book. The Book redeems itself in the ending. I’m confused why Renata’s mom waited 10 years to oust her husband. I do love the last chapter when all the syndicate are together and the wives and the kids it just wraps it up for me and brings it to an end. I love this book, I would’ve loved it more if it wasn’t so repetitious.

I wish it was longer 😭 but as parker s Huntington never disappoint. I felt like the book moved a little too fast but nonetheless the way the story unfolded was 10000/10

Not real happy with this story I am disappointed to say. Serious editing needed! This feels so rushed......and sloppy.1). Way too much time with flashbacks to a teenage romance vs. spent in the present day!!2). Inconsistent story line! On day 3 of Vincent's funeral there stands Asher, Lucy, Niccolaio, Minka, Bastian & ARIANA (WTF!)! In the Bastian Romano book Bastian found out Ariana was with the FBI on Day ONE (1!) of Vincent's funeral and kicked her out of his car and DID NOT reconnect with her until two months later! So how can she be there on Day 3 of his funeral in this book??? How can you possibly forget your own storylines?3). Inconsistency again- Damian spends the night with Ren reading to her. In his retrospective he states how he wanted nothing more than to make love to her but he didn't even kiss her? Yet just several paragraphs before that great detail was given about their kiss!!....so annoyed at the complete lack of editing in this book!!!4). Ren is at school in the lunch room with her "best friend" Sally whom she states is not really her best friend but just a colleague she shares lunch period with on occasion (pg 173). Yet then she talks about Sally's "mama bear" instincts? Doesn't correlate.5). Incorrect use of quotation marks repeatedly.6). Ren hooks her legs around Damian to "push" him toward her?....huh? Shouldn't it be to "pull" him toward her??7). The name of Arianna's mother completely changed from Bastiano Romano to this book as wellLastly...I am disappointed in the last chapter of the story at the picnic.....everyone there is named but Ariana....his SISTER! Where is she?With whom did the Benefactor want Damian to replace Cristiano?....did he replace him?.......who replaced him??This is just so SLOPPY....fire your editor!!! Or have you forsaken quality over churning out books for profit???I will read your next book and I hope you kick it out of the ballpark with something comparable to Devious Lies..Darling Venom...and even Bastiano Romano

Alright, chapter 22 & 23. Nothing more, nothing less. Damiano and Renata’s chemistry and attraction for each other is out of this world. I literally speed read every page and every time there was a scene with them in it, I get so excited to see how they deal with their attraction for each other. I’m not gonna lie though, this story and their story is really different from other books I’ve read and so I was actually caught off guard on how the author wrote this novel. I won’t lie that I did in fact enjoy the story but there was just so much going on and my heart was being played with the whole time throughout this novel lol. Overall, this was a great read as I was so invested that I had to silence anyone talking to me lol.

Great ending to a really great series. This book was fantastic and I’m so glad everything worked out for them and they got all the babies and the love, all the family syndicates together and happy and free. Really was a nice ending

Ahhh more of Damiano and Renata, it was everything I wanted and more! I loved this book and I could not put it down. Damian is everything and I loved how he pursed Renata! Their story was just so touching and their love was beautiful. Everything that happened in the ten years they were apart changed nothing, Damian was going to make sure of that! The way they still challenged each other but were still there to hold each other up was inspiring. There were also twists and turns that you did not see coming and kept you on your toes. Parker has weaved the Five Syndicates into this amazing world that will keep you coming back for more. She has created characters that keep you glued to the page and everything interconnects in some way and it's just crazy how good of job she's done! I cannot wait for more from Parker and more from this world!

Damiano and Ren! 🖤From the moment I started this book, I could not put it down. I have to give a shoutout to Serena for recommending this book.This is a second chance romance at its finest, Damiano and Ren were fated to meet. The chemistry and the connection they have is so intense and so god damn powerful.To get the full effect of their epic love story, I do recommend you read Renata Vitali. In that book you get an introduction of how they meet and how their love slowly blossoms from there.Although in Damiano, you get flashbacks of when they were younger to the present day. This book is not only about the second chance love story about Damiano and Ren but it’s also based on the mafia world and the secrets and lies that revolve around them.This book picks up by the way Renata Vitali ended with Ren Leaving Devil's Ridge, Texas and Damiano De Luca, this engrossing story picks up with school teacher, Renata attending the funeral of Vincent Romano in the place of her mother, Margot Vitali! With Damiano De Luca, now boss of the De Luca family as his dethroned father is in a senior home set up by The Benefactor and of course his once hidden son, Damiano!Throughout this suspenseful story, miscommunications discovered, alliances concealed, while secrets revealed causing past pains to bring Renata and Damiano back together proving that their love was never lost.The twists and turns, the sexy moments, the emotional moments and the banter! I. COULD. NOT. GET. ENOUGH. I loved Ren and Damiano SO MUCH! These two are FIRE! I never wanted this story to end.

I loved this story and I loved this couple. Damiano and Renata were fantastic characters, both complex and both with a yearning, enduring sadness about them. This was a classy second-chance romance. It crackled with tension, frustration and lost love.It was about two people who were meant to be, but circumstances conspired against them. This book had a bit more to it than your classic second-chance story, with a mafia world as its backdrop, and this world shaping their story throughout.A definite must read for second-chance lovers.

I always say to myself never read the good reviews when I start a book. That way if I love it, I can call it a win and if I hate it then I didnt shatter my expectations.This book had some dismal reviews. So I went in thinking I would hate it.Nope not even a little bit. I think being a literacy major, I always find myself getting lost in Parker s. Hunting books with all the references and quotes from old and new books or people. Being transported to another book while reading a book is a great thing.I also love the way Parker s. Hunting writes. You get built up into this world where things start to look peachy, then she shatters it leaving you broken and raw, then builds it all back up into a happy ending.Now I love dark romance, I love feeling like the man will kill me or love me. This however is just mainly romance but its the type you don’t mind. There is no soft and Cheesy moments, More like the love one has but never allows to feel. Damiano is so madly in love with Renata, and she is just as obsessed with him, but there lives and family will continue to get in the way. I loved the way Damiano fought for her, and there way he showed it. He is the right amount of dark and light.Highly Recommend!