Savage Beginnings: A Dark Mafia Arranged Marriage Romance

Ugh. I honestly am amazed by how many readers gave rave reviews about this book. There are so many contradictions in the story.The story really isn't about an arranged mafia marriage or a dark romance. It is about a woman (Elena) who is sold by her father to a man (Julian), who is described as a mafia Capo but his reason for buying her is not relative to him being in the mafia.Likewise, there really is nothing in the book that shows Julian is a mobster. There's no mention of him being involved in any territorial war with mafia adversarial rivals. Elena's father seems to be his only enemy. The number of men who are supposed to guard Julian is only a handful and never are around when trouble strikes.Julian has a $10 million dollar bounty on his head yet he and Elena go to dinner at a local restaurant then are surprised when there's an attempt on their lives.Julian hires a deadly assassin, Zeke, to find Elena's father, and searches for weeks upon weeks and can't find him. How did this dude get a reputation as a killer when he can't find one man in the city? He does, however, remember to call Julian to let him know he's still looking.I can't begin to describe how much I disliked Elena. OMG. She was so incredibly naive and immature. She went back and forth with love in her heart for Julian only to be filled with hatred the next. She had the mentality of a 4-year-old. Her father not only sold her to Julian but later offered her up to the highest bidder if Julian could be killed along with $10 million dollars. Her father murdered Julian's mother, who was pregnant with his child after having an affair with her. Never once did Elena seem to grasp the magnitude of her father's betrayal to her or his monstrous behavior.She was just stupid, with everything she did. She was a virgin but after her first sexual encounter, she not only willingly dropped to her knees for Julian, but she knew exactly how to service his...unit. Seriously?? Ugh, I just don't see how anyone could believe the storyline. It was like a train wreck. I made myself finish the book but now I'm chastising myself for wasting my time.

Literally one of the worst books I have read in years. Even the blatant sex scenes were written in such a crude way that they were a turn off. Seemed like it was written by two men with adolescent visions of what sex should be. I got in about 50 pages and couldn't read more. Absolute trash.

I read a lot of Beck & Hallman books, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every one of them thus far. This newest addition, Savage Beginnings, is a mafia arranged marriage story, connected through certain characters to the Rossi Crime Family series. I loved every page. I greatly appreciate how these authors portray their crime families — realistically. The men are hard core, true criminals in every sense of the word, but they vigorously protect those they care for. They don’t “see the light” and stop being involved in the mafia life. They are what they are and make no excuses regarding their behavior. To me, this is believable. This is the story of Elena Romero and Julian Moretti, both born into the mafia world through family. Julian has had his sights set on Elena for quite some time, but not out of admiration or love, no. He wants revenge on her father and wants to use Elena to accomplish this goal. The two of them are placed together through a marriage contract and the story unfolds from there. And it’s quite a story. I think I went through almost the entire gambit of emotions reading it. It’s so well told and completely engaging. If you enjoy mafia stories, then pick up this book. It fits the genre beautifully. I can’t recommend it highly enough.

I absolutely loved this book. Julian and Elena were on fire throughout. When Julian buys his little spitfire from her father, it started out as revenge. She hates being at Julian’s and that she will have to marry him. She is angered by what her father has done to her. She is lucky that Julian has her. Elena is safer with Julian than her own father. There is plenty of action, both in and out of the bedroom, lies, deceit, secrets and some twists. This writing duo does such a great job of weaving a tale that will keep you hooked from beginning to end. I loved Julian and Elena’s love story. You will also get to see a couple familiar faces, which I always love. Elena and Julian have some smoking hot chemistry, whether or not they are frustrated or not with each other. Snatch this book up. You won’t be sorry.

Elena and Julian are one of the sexiest couples I have read in a long time! The amount of times I put the book down and simply said “holy f that was sexy” were to many to count. I knew I was going to be blown away but I didn’t expect it to be this good! From the purchase to the “I love you” every moment was a twist and turn.Five stars for sure because this was one wild ride!

I don't typically read a lot of mafia books but I must say I really enjoyed this story. It is dark and gritty but it is also very sexy and somewhat sweet.

I do not even know where to start with this review because I don't want to give anything away. This is one of those stories you have to read to understand my joy about this book. It is dark and sometimes disturbing. Plus it has all the goodies of the mafia being involved.Julian is owed a debt and he wants the payment in the form of the mans daughter. The man agrees and signs his daughter over to Julian. Julian takes Elena to his home and is determined to make her his wife and to have a family together. Can they be a family together or will someone or something tear them apart?

Mafia boss daughter sold to the devil and swaps one gilded cage for another.Characters were ok and storyline ok too. So why the two stars, it was missing depth and grit. It focused too much on the sex and demeaning a young woman who had everything taken away from her.She totally had Stockholm syndrome but she was professing undying love for her prison guard.It needed a little more development of character, especially the girl.For a mafia boss, he didn't really have that many men.It was disappointing because it held so much promise and the foundations are all there.It was ok but it has the potential to be great.Still it will appeal to those who like an alpha male and a trapped female.

I bought this book after reading all the other reviews. The characters are not particular likeable, Elena immature and Julian nothing but a rich, thick thug, dont know what they saw in each other.The plot boring, daft and not convincing at all and with too many sex scenes and not much else.

I loved this amazing read from the get go, it was intriguing, unpredictable with lots of action, erotic love, hate, revenge yet wonderful main characters!I highly recommend this magnificent, well deserved 5 star ⭐️ read.

After reading the blurb I definitely wanted to read this book. I love a good mafia story and this was very good. Interesting characters with plenty of passion and steamy scenes. Would definitely recommend.

I love a good mafia romantic novella, found it really gripping and really difficult to put down! Highly recommended!