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Anti-Heroes in Love #2
When Villains Rise
From Wall Street Journal bestselling author Giana Darling comes the conclusion to the Anti-Heroes in Love duet, a gripping mafia romance about the capo who will risk everything to keep the woman he loves safe...
I am the hero no one wanted...
I was a murderer.
One of the cruelest and wealthiest men in New York City.
Dante Salvatore, capo of capos.
Yet I had one weakness.
Elena Lombardi.
Cold as ice, sharp as the edge of broken glass, and more beautiful than any woman should have the right to be, she stormed my defenses and razed my life as I knew it to the ground. For her, I would once again play the hero and prove myself worthy of her unconquerable heart.
For her, I would change everything.
I could have left her to the enemies hounding me, but instead, I made the unforgivable decision to take her with me to the old country. Now, there is no other option. In order to keep both of us safe, Elena Lombardi must become my wife.
I am the hero no one wanted...
I was a murderer.
One of the cruelest and wealthiest men in New York City.
Dante Salvatore, capo of capos.
Yet I had one weakness.
Elena Lombardi.
Cold as ice, sharp as the edge of broken glass, and more beautiful than any woman should have the right to be, she stormed my defenses and razed my life as I knew it to the ground. For her, I would once again play the hero and prove myself worthy of her unconquerable heart.
For her, I would change everything.
I could have left her to the enemies hounding me, but instead, I made the unforgivable decision to take her with me to the old country. Now, there is no other option. In order to keep both of us safe, Elena Lombardi must become my wife.
479 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 5, 2021
938 people are currently reading
12.2k people want to read
About the author
Giana Darling
50 books9,642 followersGiana Darling is a Wall Street Journal, USA Today and Top 40 Amazon Best Selling Canadian romance author.
I love to write about all things dark, forbidden, and angsty.
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You can also contact my PA at gianadarlingpa(at)gianadarling.com !
I love to write about all things dark, forbidden, and angsty.
★CONNECT WITH GIANA★
GOODREADS GROUP: http://bit.ly/GianasDarlings_Goodreads
WEBSITE: gianadarling.com
FACEBOOK: http://bit.ly/2tKhTKO
READER’S GROUP: http://bit.ly/2CFNVsK
GOODREADS: http://bit.ly/2J5Evtq
AMAZON: https://amzn.to/2E5LPRW
BOOKBUB: http://bit.ly/2lI2UNn
IG: http://bit.ly/2eNG8Bp | @GianaDarlingAuthor
PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/gianadarling/
NEWSLETTER: https://gianadarling.ck.page/0b909dc860
YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@gianadarling...
I love to hear from readers so please contact me at giana@gianadarling.com if you have any questions or comments.
You can also contact my PA at gianadarlingpa(at)gianadarling.com !
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,478 reviews
December 16, 2021
2 stars
Elena deserves better.
There’s no point in getting into a more detailed review first because I’m lazy, second because I have too many thoughts and complaints and third because I believe the sentence above make my whole point already.
Elena deserves better.
There’s no point in getting into a more detailed review first because I’m lazy, second because I have too many thoughts and complaints and third because I believe the sentence above make my whole point already.
August 2, 2021
★ 3.5 stars ★
It truly pained me to think of this book as only 3.5 stars because compared to most books I’ve read this book is really good. It really comes down to me not enjoying it as much as book 1.
⚠️ Spoilers below ⚠️
What I loved
Elena Lombardi
Elena has to be one of my favorite heroines of all time. I love her story and her personality. I love how selfless she is. I mean she really did everything for her family including putting her childhood aside to raise of her siblings and put herself between a child predator/abuser and Giselle. She did all this without complaint and never attempted to use these things to guilt trip her family, even when they deserved it.
Her character growth throughout the duet was absolutely beautiful and very well-written. She went from a very cold, insecure person to someone who finally realized that she deserved to be loved. I would fuck up anyone that tries to hurt my girl Elena, but we all know she can take care of herself 😌
Dante Salvatore
I don’t know what it is about him, but everything he does is hot as hell. This man breathes and I’m fanning myself.
THE WAY I GASPED WHEN I READ THAT LINE OH MY
But it’s not only his spiciness, it’s his way with words and his actions.
He really does love Elena with everything he’s has and he shows that throughout the entire Duet. I especially loved the scene where he tortured and killed Christopher in prison after he learned what he did to Elena. I've been waiting for that scene since I learned about Elena's past and it was SATISFYING. If only Giselle and Sinclair got the same treatment...
Delena
I know this is the ship name of Damon Salvatore and Elena Gilbert, but it freaking applies here and no one can tell me differently ✋🏻 I mean can we just talk about how top tier the romance is between these 2???
Elena and Dante grew as individuals, together because they’re 100% better with each other than apart. They helped fight each other’s battles whether it was Seamus, Elena’s demons, or those who threatened the people they loved.
Part II: New York
The final 36% of the book was absolutely amazing. I loved the way the story progressed with Dante and Elena returning to NY married and Dante choosing to turn himself in, in hopes that Elena will be able to get him free. It was really fun and I loved reading the plan fall into place perfectly with USA O'Malley taking the fall for everything that landed Dante in jail.
I also enjoyed the storyline with Bambi. I really didn't care much for her, but when Jaco took a bullet for Dante and Elena after his sister was killed broke my damn heart. I really didn't trust him throughout the whole duet and I even predicted that he was the mole, but reading him plead with Dante to call him 'brother' and to forgive him had me crying like a baby.
What I didn’t liked
*sigh* My low rating was due to a couple things:
1. Part I of the book was kind of boring.
I just really wasn’t into all the mafia stuff and really wanted to get back to the relationship between Dante and Elena which might be more of a me thing. There were a lot of cute moments between them in the first part, but part I took up 64% of the book so I couldn’t overlook it
2. I HATE THAT ELENA JUST FORGAVE AND NEVER CONFRONTED ANYONE.
She just decided to let go of what Giselle and Sinclair did to her and I just cannot understand this. They’re both fucking HORRIBLE people and I’ve never read 2 character that I despise more. She also forgave Cosima for all the lies when she did nothing to deserve it.
I really hated Cosima, since the first book. I thought she was a bit of a snake, especially since Dante almost went to prison for the rest of his life because she’s selfish. She lied about Giselle and Sebastian’s real dad, she lied about killing di Carlo, and she lied about being forced to be sex trafficked when she in fact made the choice to do it (I mean she was still forced in a different way, but it was another lie).
Let’s not forget the real reason Elena’s childhood was so traumatic. Her mom. It seemed like their mom was the real reason behind everything that happened to them, she’s the one who got involved with the mafia which led to Elena meeting Christopher and Elena losing precious years of her childhood yet this wasn't even mentioned.
Epilogue
I really want to end this review on a high note because I really did like this book for the most part. The epilogue for WVR might be the best I've ever read. Reading that Elena finally got pregnant and with twins made me so fucking happy. This is probably the only reason why I decided to round my rating up to 4 stars
I’m really going to miss these characters 🥺 hopefully we’ll get to see again soon
Anti-Heroes in Love
•#1: When Heroes Fall - 5 stars
•#2: When Villains Rise - 3.5 stars
“Before you, I was empty and cold, a locked room in the deepest dungeon. Now, I can breathe again, feel again, burn again.”
It truly pained me to think of this book as only 3.5 stars because compared to most books I’ve read this book is really good. It really comes down to me not enjoying it as much as book 1.
⚠️ Spoilers below ⚠️
What I loved
Elena Lombardi
Elena has to be one of my favorite heroines of all time. I love her story and her personality. I love how selfless she is. I mean she really did everything for her family including putting her childhood aside to raise of her siblings and put herself between a child predator/abuser and Giselle. She did all this without complaint and never attempted to use these things to guilt trip her family, even when they deserved it.
Her character growth throughout the duet was absolutely beautiful and very well-written. She went from a very cold, insecure person to someone who finally realized that she deserved to be loved. I would fuck up anyone that tries to hurt my girl Elena, but we all know she can take care of herself 😌
Dante Salvatore
I don’t know what it is about him, but everything he does is hot as hell. This man breathes and I’m fanning myself.
“My turn,” he whispered darkly before bending his head to lick his own cum from my breasts.
THE WAY I GASPED WHEN I READ THAT LINE OH MY
But it’s not only his spiciness, it’s his way with words and his actions.
“My Lena, lottatrice mia…You have to know, please know, I love you better than anyone else. I love better even than I love myself.”
He really does love Elena with everything he’s has and he shows that throughout the entire Duet. I especially loved the scene where he tortured and killed Christopher in prison after he learned what he did to Elena. I've been waiting for that scene since I learned about Elena's past and it was SATISFYING. If only Giselle and Sinclair got the same treatment...
Delena
I know this is the ship name of Damon Salvatore and Elena Gilbert, but it freaking applies here and no one can tell me differently ✋🏻 I mean can we just talk about how top tier the romance is between these 2???
“Resta con me per sempre. Be my donna and my wife. My forever love.”
Stay with me forever
Elena and Dante grew as individuals, together because they’re 100% better with each other than apart. They helped fight each other’s battles whether it was Seamus, Elena’s demons, or those who threatened the people they loved.
Part II: New York
The final 36% of the book was absolutely amazing. I loved the way the story progressed with Dante and Elena returning to NY married and Dante choosing to turn himself in, in hopes that Elena will be able to get him free. It was really fun and I loved reading the plan fall into place perfectly with USA O'Malley taking the fall for everything that landed Dante in jail.
I also enjoyed the storyline with Bambi. I really didn't care much for her, but when Jaco took a bullet for Dante and Elena after his sister was killed broke my damn heart. I really didn't trust him throughout the whole duet and I even predicted that he was the mole, but reading him plead with Dante to call him 'brother' and to forgive him had me crying like a baby.
What I didn’t liked
*sigh* My low rating was due to a couple things:
1. Part I of the book was kind of boring.
I just really wasn’t into all the mafia stuff and really wanted to get back to the relationship between Dante and Elena which might be more of a me thing. There were a lot of cute moments between them in the first part, but part I took up 64% of the book so I couldn’t overlook it
2. I HATE THAT ELENA JUST FORGAVE AND NEVER CONFRONTED ANYONE.
She just decided to let go of what Giselle and Sinclair did to her and I just cannot understand this. They’re both fucking HORRIBLE people and I’ve never read 2 character that I despise more. She also forgave Cosima for all the lies when she did nothing to deserve it.
I really hated Cosima, since the first book. I thought she was a bit of a snake, especially since Dante almost went to prison for the rest of his life because she’s selfish. She lied about Giselle and Sebastian’s real dad, she lied about killing di Carlo, and she lied about being forced to be sex trafficked when she in fact made the choice to do it (I mean she was still forced in a different way, but it was another lie).
Let’s not forget the real reason Elena’s childhood was so traumatic. Her mom. It seemed like their mom was the real reason behind everything that happened to them, she’s the one who got involved with the mafia which led to Elena meeting Christopher and Elena losing precious years of her childhood yet this wasn't even mentioned.
Epilogue
I really want to end this review on a high note because I really did like this book for the most part. The epilogue for WVR might be the best I've ever read. Reading that Elena finally got pregnant and with twins made me so fucking happy. This is probably the only reason why I decided to round my rating up to 4 stars
I’m really going to miss these characters 🥺 hopefully we’ll get to see again soon
Anti-Heroes in Love
•#1: When Heroes Fall - 5 stars
•#2: When Villains Rise - 3.5 stars
February 10, 2022
1.5 star
Elena deserved better... there I said it!
.
.
.
Dante, Cosima and Giselle (tbh Elena's entire family) can rot in hell.
Edit:
After a couple of hours from reading this... you know what pissed me off the most? That I really don't get the hype for Dante when that man would drop Elena in less of a heartbeat if Cosima says yes to him. Cosima is a (excuse my french) lying piece of you know what! She makes everyone think shes this angel when she's in fact a conniving b*tch! And don't get me start with Giselle and Sinclair *mutters angrily* trash.
Also, I hated that Elena was always a second choice for everyone and when her feelings got hurt, they basically made HER APOLOGIZE TO THEM. GIVE ME A F*CKING BREAK! I was like, why are you apologizing honey? They're trash. These people don't deserve you.
My point is that, Elena DESERVED a happy ending... away from all of these people.
I said what I said.
Elena deserved better... there I said it!
.
.
.
Dante, Cosima and Giselle (tbh Elena's entire family) can rot in hell.
Edit:
After a couple of hours from reading this... you know what pissed me off the most? That I really don't get the hype for Dante when that man would drop Elena in less of a heartbeat if Cosima says yes to him. Cosima is a (excuse my french) lying piece of you know what! She makes everyone think shes this angel when she's in fact a conniving b*tch! And don't get me start with Giselle and Sinclair *mutters angrily* trash.
Also, I hated that Elena was always a second choice for everyone and when her feelings got hurt, they basically made HER APOLOGIZE TO THEM. GIVE ME A F*CKING BREAK! I was like, why are you apologizing honey? They're trash. These people don't deserve you.
My point is that, Elena DESERVED a happy ending... away from all of these people.
I said what I said.
July 15, 2021
Back with my babies Elena and Dante! I will say, my personal preferences as a reader is to read books about a couple not in love and happy yet. That being said, this book follows a pretty much established relationship with Elena and Dante and the trials they go through as they leave the US and figure out their future. So I can’t give this book five stars because I wish it stretched out their romance journey a bit more than what we got. But we got tons of action in this one and I really enjoyed following Elena and Dante have to risk so much just to be happy and in love. I enjoyed the traveling we got too! I do think some plot points were a bit rushed, like Elena’s relationship with her sister and that whole situation with Dante. But overall I really love this duet and can’t read other books from this world!
July 5, 2021
I loveeed the first book (4 stars) but this one was disappointing as hell. Elena was weak, she was so obsessed with Dante and i felt like she thought that if she even goes against Dante or call him out he ll leave and no one else ll love her again. Dante on the other hand, his love felt fake as fuck. I love Elena, she was strong in the first book and i thought she deserved someone better than Dante but in this book she seemed like a Puppet while Dante was the puppet master. Their characters were so different from the first book and it was only sex in the name of romance. I wanted to read dante s Thought when Elena learned about his feelings for Cosima. However that scene also seemed forced as fuck cuz Elena had a meltdown and then FUCKING THEN APOLOGISED TO DANTE AND COSIMA. Like why does this girl keep apologising to ppl when she did nothing wrong and those ppl play the victim card? Her family hid a lot of things from her and also Dante but she forgave then wayyy too quickly. She was so strong in the first book but in this one she was weak af, she has so many insecurities even thought she didnt express them in her POV but her actions and thoughts were as if everyone ll leave if she calls them out. I kinda do feel bad for her and I did not like Dante. It was like he was using her for idk what, his love seemed fake and his sweet talks were annoying. Seriously tho whenever Elena questioned him, he sweet talk her out of it. I seriously wanted to read how he sweet talk himself out of when elena learned about him and cosima in his POV. The romance was non existence, it was either Dante and his sweet talk or sex. The connection that was in the first book was non existence in this one. I was so excited for this one, but this book was disappointing. It felt forced and fake, the characters were different. Ugh i hate it
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July 8, 2021
4 stars ☆
❝ You don't understand this yet, but you do not need your armor all the time now. Not when you have me. I will be your sword. ❞
i really enjoyed the continuation of Elena and Dante's story but i feel like, although it was very cute and made me smile, the first half was kinda bland (not necessarily boring, but it didn't make me binge the way the first book had). i loved seeing the couple actually be a couple, but i thought the second half was more exciting and action packed so it caught my attention more than the first half. this duet could have easily been just one book rather than split into two, but i still adored it overall. <3
⊱ ──────ஓ๑♡๑ஓ ────── ⊰
update: june 2021
I NEED THIS BOOK NOW PLS.
❝ You don't understand this yet, but you do not need your armor all the time now. Not when you have me. I will be your sword. ❞
i really enjoyed the continuation of Elena and Dante's story but i feel like, although it was very cute and made me smile, the first half was kinda bland (not necessarily boring, but it didn't make me binge the way the first book had). i loved seeing the couple actually be a couple, but i thought the second half was more exciting and action packed so it caught my attention more than the first half. this duet could have easily been just one book rather than split into two, but i still adored it overall. <3
⊱ ──────ஓ๑♡๑ஓ ────── ⊰
update: june 2021
I NEED THIS BOOK NOW PLS.
January 11, 2023
– 3.5 stars
Luckily the writing wasn't as flowery in this book compared to When Heroes Fall , but some of the metaphors that were used were still really weird...
???
???
???? Please not the lithium 🤚 Yess, find yourself a man who is as powerful as lithium. Not to be the bearer of bad news, but I heard sodium is the future, so lithium who?
???? What?
All the mafia business was pretty boring, but I loved that we got a lot more Dante & Elena as a couple in When Villains Rise and I just love them together. They were so cute 🥺
And when Dante said this:
That was hot. I love this man and he is everything Elena deserves 🛐🥵 Dante said so many swoony things and he and Elena carried this whole series on their back. I only liked this book so much because of all of their couple scenes otherwise it's meh.
I've pretty much read Giana Darling's whole backlist by accident and ElenaDante is still my favorite couple by this author.
┍━━━━━━━━━━━━━┑
ANTI-HEROES IN LOVE DUET
#1 When Heroes Fall – 3.25 stars
#2 When Villains Rise – 3.5 stars
┕━━━━━━━━━━━━━┙
Luckily the writing wasn't as flowery in this book compared to When Heroes Fall , but some of the metaphors that were used were still really weird...
She possessed me like a scientiest with some great unanswerable question.
???
"Capo," she gasped, her skin vibrating beneath my hands, her muscles quivering like a horse at the gate about to explode into motion.
???
Every day, even every hour, he proved to me that he was better than any man I ever could have dreamed up. He was real, rave and as powerful as lithium.
???? Please not the lithium 🤚 Yess, find yourself a man who is as powerful as lithium. Not to be the bearer of bad news, but I heard sodium is the future, so lithium who?
He smelled rich and masculine, like a man brined by a dip in the Tyrrhenian Sea.
???? What?
All the mafia business was pretty boring, but I loved that we got a lot more Dante & Elena as a couple in When Villains Rise and I just love them together. They were so cute 🥺
He grabbed my hand and pressed it hard over his madly beating heart. “This beats for you. It bleeds for you. I am yours. Your sword, your champion, your lover, and your home. You don’t understand this yet, but I will never hurt you, Elena. I only ever hurt for you because fuck me, you’ve been through too much already. I will only ever hurt those who hurt you because I love you, and I won’t let anyone else ever get away with putting pain in your heart without consequences. Mi senti?”
And when Dante said this:
"Jail isn’t enough for this brutto figlio di putanna,” he growled so harshly it must have hurt his throat. "He deserved to be killed slowly, death by a thousand fucking paper cuts. I’ll take his eyes and his balls, his fingernails, then each section of his fingers, knuckle by knuckle, finger by fucking finger. I’ll pour acid in his wounds until he can’t scream anymore, and then, because he won’t need it ever again, I’ll rip out his goddamn motherfucking throat."
That was hot. I love this man and he is everything Elena deserves 🛐🥵 Dante said so many swoony things and he and Elena carried this whole series on their back. I only liked this book so much because of all of their couple scenes otherwise it's meh.
I've pretty much read Giana Darling's whole backlist by accident and ElenaDante is still my favorite couple by this author.
┍━━━━━━━━━━━━━┑
ANTI-HEROES IN LOVE DUET
#1 When Heroes Fall – 3.25 stars
#2 When Villains Rise – 3.5 stars
┕━━━━━━━━━━━━━┙
April 15, 2023
Reread 15 April’23 : 2 stars
first read 5 July’21
4 stars ⭐️
“When Villains Rise” was one of my top anticipated releases cause I loved the first part of the duet and its safe to say that I wasn’t disappointed. Giana has a way with words and her writing flows so effortlessly that you can’t help but fall more in love with the characters.
Edward “Dante” Davenport Salvatore is a man after my heart. I didn’t know it was possible to love him even more than I did in the first one but here I am. Dante is the kind of person that can actually get away with anything and not because he has money but because of his charm. I’ve probably never read about such a charismatic mafia don before. I loved how caring, loving he was with Elena and how he never wanted to change her but be there for her through thick and thin.
I loved how whipped he was for Elena and the fact that he didn’t care about any threats abt his territory or stuff but one threat about Elena and he would go all “alpha-male”😂😩 His love for Elena shined so bright which made me love him even more.
I might love Dante but Elena Caprice Lombardi stole the show for me. I don’t think I can really describe how much I adore her and admire her for her courage. Leaving behind your job, your safety-net for a guy is a risky thing but I’m so glad Elena did what she wanted and she made a right decision.
We usually get “touch her and I will kill you” vibes from H characters but here Elena was no less. She literally killed a person for Dante in book 1 as we know but in book 2 she was everything. The way she did everything for Dante, the way she ruled the empire and was there by his side but not one step behind made me so fucking proud of the person she has now become as prior to her law-abiding, cold persona in earlier books.
Some more things I loved-
—> The Romance in this book was epic. I loved the cute domestic scenes between Elena and Dante but their dirty talk? Off the charts (you know it’s great when you’re the person blushing😌)
“Only you, Elena. Only with you do I feel like fucking you, marking you, owning you with my body and my cum. I’m going to paint you with it right now so you know you’re mine. Mine to fuck. Mine to cherish. Mine to love.”
—> There wasn’t only romance which I loved, I also loved the side characters so much and the way Dante and his brother bonded and how Dante’s men treated Elena as a sister and a Donna and would lay down their lives for her.
—> the Bloody honeymoon. What is the probably the best way to kick off your marriage or give presents to your wife/husband? Obviously killing your enemies together. The violence in the book made me love it even more.
”It ached in me to know she meant that. There was nothing this fierce, loyal warrior of a woman wouldn’t do for me. Having the love of a woman like that was the greatest gift I’d ever received. There was also a perverse pleasure in knowing I could show her my darkness and she would match it with her own. We weren’t perfect, far from it, but that was why I thought we were meant to be. Our jagged edges met beautifully.”
Gah, I’m so jealous of their love😭😭
The only reason this wasn’t a five star from me because after the book hit 80%, i felt it was rushed which didn’t really suit well, the starting 50% was all chaotic, I wish some things were done differently and I’m still left with many questions and also because I didn’t really enjoy this as much as I enjoyed the first one.
But overall, this was a fantastic read and I already miss Dante and Elena🥺🥺 I can easily see this duet becoming one of my most reread books which makes me so happy. I am hoping (and praying) that we get this iconic duo cameo in Sebastian’s upcoming trilogy.
first read 5 July’21
4 stars ⭐️
”Loving him wasn’t the end of everything. It’s funny they always make it seem that way in the books and movies. Loving him was just the beginning.”
“When Villains Rise” was one of my top anticipated releases cause I loved the first part of the duet and its safe to say that I wasn’t disappointed. Giana has a way with words and her writing flows so effortlessly that you can’t help but fall more in love with the characters.
“Our love was violent. There was nothing soft or subtle about the way it caught my soul up in a whirlwind fury of intense longing and furious passion. I was fevered. Obsessed. So in love it felt like I was hit in the face with it every time I looked at the woman in possession in my heart. Maybe it made me a masochist, but I fucking loved it.”
Edward “Dante” Davenport Salvatore is a man after my heart. I didn’t know it was possible to love him even more than I did in the first one but here I am. Dante is the kind of person that can actually get away with anything and not because he has money but because of his charm. I’ve probably never read about such a charismatic mafia don before. I loved how caring, loving he was with Elena and how he never wanted to change her but be there for her through thick and thin.
”It was about more than just the politics of the Camorra. He’d made it about Elena. There was an old Neapolitan saying that perfectly suited the situation. Chi vuole male a questo amore prima soffre e dopo muore.Whoever is against this love, suffers and then dies.”
I loved how whipped he was for Elena and the fact that he didn’t care about any threats abt his territory or stuff but one threat about Elena and he would go all “alpha-male”😂😩 His love for Elena shined so bright which made me love him even more.
”I’d never yearned for possession the way I did with Dante. I was a woman who valued my independence fiercely so I’d always thought that the idea of belonging to someone else was a direct contradiction to my independence. I’d been wrong. Owning the heart of a man like Dante Salvatore didn’t make me weak, it made me strong. I was proud to be seen as his because I was proud of the man he was and the woman he helped me to become.”
I might love Dante but Elena Caprice Lombardi stole the show for me. I don’t think I can really describe how much I adore her and admire her for her courage. Leaving behind your job, your safety-net for a guy is a risky thing but I’m so glad Elena did what she wanted and she made a right decision.
We usually get “touch her and I will kill you” vibes from H characters but here Elena was no less. She literally killed a person for Dante in book 1 as we know but in book 2 she was everything. The way she did everything for Dante, the way she ruled the empire and was there by his side but not one step behind made me so fucking proud of the person she has now become as prior to her law-abiding, cold persona in earlier books.
“Dante’s love had razed me to the very ground of my soul, demolishing all my preconceived notions of right and wrong, even of my own identity and desires. I was going to step off this plane a new woman and for the first time in my life, I was excited by my lack of foresight and structure.”
Some more things I loved-
—> The Romance in this book was epic. I loved the cute domestic scenes between Elena and Dante but their dirty talk? Off the charts (you know it’s great when you’re the person blushing😌)
“Only you, Elena. Only with you do I feel like fucking you, marking you, owning you with my body and my cum. I’m going to paint you with it right now so you know you’re mine. Mine to fuck. Mine to cherish. Mine to love.”
—> There wasn’t only romance which I loved, I also loved the side characters so much and the way Dante and his brother bonded and how Dante’s men treated Elena as a sister and a Donna and would lay down their lives for her.
—> the Bloody honeymoon. What is the probably the best way to kick off your marriage or give presents to your wife/husband? Obviously killing your enemies together. The violence in the book made me love it even more.
”It ached in me to know she meant that. There was nothing this fierce, loyal warrior of a woman wouldn’t do for me. Having the love of a woman like that was the greatest gift I’d ever received. There was also a perverse pleasure in knowing I could show her my darkness and she would match it with her own. We weren’t perfect, far from it, but that was why I thought we were meant to be. Our jagged edges met beautifully.”
Gah, I’m so jealous of their love😭😭
The only reason this wasn’t a five star from me because after the book hit 80%, i felt it was rushed which didn’t really suit well, the starting 50% was all chaotic, I wish some things were done differently and I’m still left with many questions and also because I didn’t really enjoy this as much as I enjoyed the first one.
”There was no ice left in me. No walls. Because I had a mafioso to protect my heart better than I ever could.”
But overall, this was a fantastic read and I already miss Dante and Elena🥺🥺 I can easily see this duet becoming one of my most reread books which makes me so happy. I am hoping (and praying) that we get this iconic duo cameo in Sebastian’s upcoming trilogy.
“He smelled like home, but gave it a new definition. And for the first time since I got on the plane with him, eschewing my old life for an entirely unknown new one, I felt at peace about our future. Dante was home so no matter what, I would never be homeless. I’d have his shelter, his protection, and his love to guide me through the worst of life and the worst of myself.”
December 12, 2021
3.5 stars
Here’s to the bossiest ice queen and the sweetest mafia man! What a pair!!
Even though I think I loved the first book more, I still really enjoyed the duet as a whole. It made me think about maybe trying more of the author’s books. Elena was just so freakin amazing. I loved her. I truly did. How she was just so apologetically herself. As I said before I just have a thing for ice queens. Dante was so freakin sweet for a mafia hero and I really liked him as well.
The first part was kinda slow with no much happening. But the second half was where things started really getting interesting. I really liked Elena and Dante and all those side characters. This was just so surprisingly good. And that epilogue??? Ahhh I just felt so happy for her!
Here’s to the bossiest ice queen and the sweetest mafia man! What a pair!!
Even though I think I loved the first book more, I still really enjoyed the duet as a whole. It made me think about maybe trying more of the author’s books. Elena was just so freakin amazing. I loved her. I truly did. How she was just so apologetically herself. As I said before I just have a thing for ice queens. Dante was so freakin sweet for a mafia hero and I really liked him as well.
The first part was kinda slow with no much happening. But the second half was where things started really getting interesting. I really liked Elena and Dante and all those side characters. This was just so surprisingly good. And that epilogue??? Ahhh I just felt so happy for her!
July 11, 2021
I have a little time to read and so much options!!!
This book was perfect! I cried in some parts of this story. It was the best mafia story ever!!!!
Dante! Oh goodness!!!! WOW!
It’s worth the reading!
This book was perfect! I cried in some parts of this story. It was the best mafia story ever!!!!
Dante! Oh goodness!!!! WOW!
It’s worth the reading!
April 23, 2022
4 stars
The second and final installment of Giana Darling’s ’Anti-Heroes in Love’ duet was just as action packed and even more romantic than the first! I loved getting more of Dante and Elena. Elena has changed so much from the first book. She’s harder in some ways, but softer in others.
This one was much less enemies to lovers (like the first) and more forbidden romance (which I also love) Dante is romantic, sweet, and a fun character which is surprising since he is in the mafia. I enjoyed this series a lot and I just love Giana Darling’s writing and characters. Highly recommend!
“There is no one else. Only me. Only you. Only us.”
The second and final installment of Giana Darling’s ’Anti-Heroes in Love’ duet was just as action packed and even more romantic than the first! I loved getting more of Dante and Elena. Elena has changed so much from the first book. She’s harder in some ways, but softer in others.
This one was much less enemies to lovers (like the first) and more forbidden romance (which I also love) Dante is romantic, sweet, and a fun character which is surprising since he is in the mafia. I enjoyed this series a lot and I just love Giana Darling’s writing and characters. Highly recommend!
Audio book source: Audible
Story Rating: 4 stars
Narrators: Rose Dioro & Jeremy York
Narration Rating: 4.5 stars
Genre: Contemporary Romance/Mafia
Length: 12h 42m
July 29, 2021
God Damn. I'm speechless.
.
.
Like... speechless and dumbfounded.
.
This was wonderful.
Belissima.
.
6/5 stars.
.
.
Like... speechless and dumbfounded.
.
This was wonderful.
Belissima.
.
6/5 stars.
October 4, 2022
the perfect book and ending that dante and elena deserved. i absolutely loved how this was set in italy and new york!! elena is such a bad ass and i loved seeing her come into her own! giana always does such an incredible job in making you fall in love with her characters and stories and this is no exception. you see two characters who have been through so much come together and finally be happy. this is definitely going to be an eternal reread.
things to convince you to read this book:
- strong bad ass female character
- mafia
- soulmates who are stronger together
- italy & new york
- enemies to lovers
- redemption arc for morally grey characters
things to convince you to read this book:
- strong bad ass female character
- mafia
- soulmates who are stronger together
- italy & new york
- enemies to lovers
- redemption arc for morally grey characters
![Profile Image for Corinne [semi-hiatus].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1603449181i%2F94376563._UY200_CR13%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
December 19, 2024
4.5 stars
"This love was dark. It was night as black as my eyes and as stormy as hers. It was seeing the shadows in each other’s souls and being drawn into their abyss. It was knowing we would never understand each other, not fully, and it was loving that challenge as much as the mystery."
What a great continuation to Dante and Elena's story. The story picks up exactly where the first book left it.
Elena choses love over carrier and, in this second part of the duet we witness her transformation from the ultimate Ice Queen into a passionate, badass Donna, willing to stand by her man's side no matter what. She fully embraces his life and comes to term with her tragic past.
"A lot of people would have said loving Dante condemned me to hell. The truth was, loving him saved my life. Because he reminded me what it was like to be alive."
And Dante, this guy... he is romantic beyond words. And not just with words, but with actions. He sacrifices for her well being, he builds her up and encourages her to feel emotions and enjoy life. He treats her like his partner and revels in her intelligence and strength.
“All your life, men have hurt you. I didn’t understand until now. Seamus, Christopher, Daniel. None of them showed you how goddamn tragically beautiful you are, Elena. But I will. I’ll prove it to you every single day until I die, mi senti?
(...) I am yours. Your sword, your champion, your lover, and your home. You don’t understand this yet, but I will never hurt you, Elena. I only ever hurt for you because fuck me, you’ve been through too much already. I will only ever hurt those who hurt you because I love you, and I won’t let anyone else ever get away with putting pain in your heart without consequences.”
***ARC generously provided by author in exchange for an honest review***
"This love was dark. It was night as black as my eyes and as stormy as hers. It was seeing the shadows in each other’s souls and being drawn into their abyss. It was knowing we would never understand each other, not fully, and it was loving that challenge as much as the mystery."
What a great continuation to Dante and Elena's story. The story picks up exactly where the first book left it.
Elena choses love over carrier and, in this second part of the duet we witness her transformation from the ultimate Ice Queen into a passionate, badass Donna, willing to stand by her man's side no matter what. She fully embraces his life and comes to term with her tragic past.
"A lot of people would have said loving Dante condemned me to hell. The truth was, loving him saved my life. Because he reminded me what it was like to be alive."
And Dante, this guy... he is romantic beyond words. And not just with words, but with actions. He sacrifices for her well being, he builds her up and encourages her to feel emotions and enjoy life. He treats her like his partner and revels in her intelligence and strength.
“All your life, men have hurt you. I didn’t understand until now. Seamus, Christopher, Daniel. None of them showed you how goddamn tragically beautiful you are, Elena. But I will. I’ll prove it to you every single day until I die, mi senti?
(...) I am yours. Your sword, your champion, your lover, and your home. You don’t understand this yet, but I will never hurt you, Elena. I only ever hurt for you because fuck me, you’ve been through too much already. I will only ever hurt those who hurt you because I love you, and I won’t let anyone else ever get away with putting pain in your heart without consequences.”
***ARC generously provided by author in exchange for an honest review***
November 28, 2021
2.25✨
on one hand i still liked the couple, but the over writing was not my cuppa (idk whether this has been GD’s writing style all along and i was loving her characters sm im just realizing it now, or it’s changed, but here, for example)
i was liking that scene alright (where some assassin or wtever tf snuck on em while they were sleeping & elena was bad assing), the dynamic between the 2 was showing, but then there has to be something like this;
it felt like the author tried so hard to, idunno. it felt dramatic & i just didnt like the writing much
🪢 cosima, didnt like that bitch one bit
🪢 i love the cover but isnt dante like 35? hot as he is, that dude looks 40-50
🪢 they fought by 50% and i got freakin excited only to be let down when not 5 pgs later :
NO. u rlly think its romantic? its not 🥲🥲
they said it got better after half in but it didnt for me (this tends to happen if u give 0 fucks bout anything in the book. i said i liked the couple. but not enough to tolerate the dramatics)
on one hand i still liked the couple, but the over writing was not my cuppa (idk whether this has been GD’s writing style all along and i was loving her characters sm im just realizing it now, or it’s changed, but here, for example)
”No one will take you from me without a fight,” she whispered vehemently, the nails of the hand she had curled around my neck sinking into my skin so I hissed.
i was liking that scene alright (where some assassin or wtever tf snuck on em while they were sleeping & elena was bad assing), the dynamic between the 2 was showing, but then there has to be something like this;
”Anyone who tries to come between our love will suffer then die,” I swore to her.
it felt like the author tried so hard to, idunno. it felt dramatic & i just didnt like the writing much
****other stuff****
🪢 cosima, didnt like that bitch one bit
🪢 i love the cover but isnt dante like 35? hot as he is, that dude looks 40-50
🪢 they fought by 50% and i got freakin excited only to be let down when not 5 pgs later :
”I promised I wouldn’t hurt you and I’m sorry. I knew if you found out, it would damage the truth between us so I didn’t tell you about Cosima. I didn’t tell you because those feelings were nothing. How can you compare the beauty of a single bulb to the brilliance of light from the sun?”
I breathed through the tightness in my chest, embracing the pain so I could accept his words into my body. “How do you always know what to say?” I said as I often did, trying to lighten the tension, trying to show him I was brittle, but I was trying.
“We are made of the same thing,” he reminded me. “I feel you in my heart.”
NO. u rlly think its romantic? its not 🥲🥲
they said it got better after half in but it didnt for me (this tends to happen if u give 0 fucks bout anything in the book. i said i liked the couple. but not enough to tolerate the dramatics)
July 8, 2021
-1 star because giselle and cosima didn't end up six feet under.
July 6, 2021
I waited so long for this book, but it was such a disappointment. As much as I love Giana’s books and as much as I loved the first book, I hated the way the author made Elena 2nd to EVERYONE ! It was so demeaning and ruined the romance . Every man made her 2nd and yet, she was paired with one with whom if Cosimo chose him, she wouldn’t have a chance . Why? Of so many characters, why couldn’t she, for all she’s been through been given a love that was her own ? I don’t care that Dante made up for it , but it was still 2nd. She was never first , regardless of how he made it ( it never turned into anything because she chose the brother). It ruined the romance for me . I DNF after this .
On top of that, how much they all lied to her and made her look stupid . Even Dante . As much as he kept saying it was not his story to tell, he knew it would hurt her, and he chose to allow her the pain, because once again, he chose Cosimo and she was back burner 2nd.
They all acted like all the things they did to hurt her was nothing, swept under the rug . I’m sorry, it was such a good story, but I’m looking for romance, and as much as this tried to be, it lacked the passion that poor Elena deserved .
Thank goodness all the fallen men books were good!!!
On top of that, how much they all lied to her and made her look stupid . Even Dante . As much as he kept saying it was not his story to tell, he knew it would hurt her, and he chose to allow her the pain, because once again, he chose Cosimo and she was back burner 2nd.
They all acted like all the things they did to hurt her was nothing, swept under the rug . I’m sorry, it was such a good story, but I’m looking for romance, and as much as this tried to be, it lacked the passion that poor Elena deserved .
Thank goodness all the fallen men books were good!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 19, 2023
It was boring.
There. I said it.
It was nothing but filler sex and Dante waxing poetic about Elena(which seemed fake AF) and IT GOT BORING.
MINI RANT: Dante hardly "fought" like everyone is crying about.
When Elena found out about Cosima and Tor and Cosima and Dante. She had every right to be mad but apparently not. Being "angry" with the MMC or anyone who finds the author's favour is a bad thing in Gianaland.
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-
I JUST RE- READ THIS BECAUSE I WAS BORED AND I WANTED TO CONFIRM MY FEELINGS ABOUT THIS BOOK
But nope, I still feel the same. There really didn't need to be a book 2. All the relevant information could've been squeezed into book 1.
Also, please please pretty please someone write an alternative ending where Elena gets the grovel she deserves from Dante. I don't think I will be able to move on in my life if this doesn't happen.
A scene where Elena confronts Cosima about always exploiting her trust would also be very much appreciated.
There. I said it.
It was nothing but filler sex and Dante waxing poetic about Elena(which seemed fake AF) and IT GOT BORING.
MINI RANT: Dante hardly "fought" like everyone is crying about.
When Elena found out about Cosima and Tor and Cosima and Dante. She had every right to be mad but apparently not. Being "angry" with the MMC or anyone who finds the author's favour is a bad thing in Gianaland.
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-
I JUST RE- READ THIS BECAUSE I WAS BORED AND I WANTED TO CONFIRM MY FEELINGS ABOUT THIS BOOK
But nope, I still feel the same. There really didn't need to be a book 2. All the relevant information could've been squeezed into book 1.
Also, please please pretty please someone write an alternative ending where Elena gets the grovel she deserves from Dante. I don't think I will be able to move on in my life if this doesn't happen.
A scene where Elena confronts Cosima about always exploiting her trust would also be very much appreciated.
November 23, 2021
*2.5 May contain slight spoilers
2.5 because Elena deserves a love that choses her and her alone and not this second-hand bullshit ( pardon my French)
2.5 because Giselle and Daniel can rot in hell
2.5 because Elena deserves the right to put them there
2.5 because Elena should be able to be angry and hurt by the annoying reoccurring theme of people picking her like she's a consolation prize
2.5 because the CosimaXDante storyline is idiotic and unnecessary
2.5 because it adds nothing to the storyline other than making Elena feel like she's a consolation prize
2.5 because Elena deserves better sisters
2.5 because I have no idea why the author keeps writing her sisters like they are literal goddesses when they keep doing unforgivable shit to Elena
2.5 because Elena and Dante deserved an untainted love story
The only reason this isn't a 1 or 2 star review is because I love Elena too much to do that.
2.5 because Elena deserves a love that choses her and her alone and not this second-hand bullshit ( pardon my French)
2.5 because Giselle and Daniel can rot in hell
2.5 because Elena deserves the right to put them there
2.5 because Elena should be able to be angry and hurt by the annoying reoccurring theme of people picking her like she's a consolation prize
2.5 because the CosimaXDante storyline is idiotic and unnecessary
2.5 because it adds nothing to the storyline other than making Elena feel like she's a consolation prize
2.5 because Elena deserves better sisters
2.5 because I have no idea why the author keeps writing her sisters like they are literal goddesses when they keep doing unforgivable shit to Elena
2.5 because Elena and Dante deserved an untainted love story
The only reason this isn't a 1 or 2 star review is because I love Elena too much to do that.
January 8, 2024
4.5 stars
the perfect conclusion to Elena and Dante’s story. Elena Lombardi is the blueprint. she is probably one of the best heroines i've read this year. watching her growth, how she moved past everything that she has gone through all the while still holding her head high was beautiful. also watching her stand by Dante’s side and become the queen that i knew she would be was absolutely perfect.
Elena and Dante were such a power couple in this book and i was truly living for it. the power they exuded was radiating off the pages and witnessing their superiority throughout the book had me feeling ways. and don’t even get me started about the sexy scenes (the steam level was 🔥🔥🔥🥵🥵). the book had a perfect balance of action plot, romantic and steamy scenes, and the writing was top notched.
this duet was my introduction to Giana Darling and i can proudly say that i am a huge fan of her writing. can’t wait to read more of her works in the future.
the perfect conclusion to Elena and Dante’s story. Elena Lombardi is the blueprint. she is probably one of the best heroines i've read this year. watching her growth, how she moved past everything that she has gone through all the while still holding her head high was beautiful. also watching her stand by Dante’s side and become the queen that i knew she would be was absolutely perfect.
Elena and Dante were such a power couple in this book and i was truly living for it. the power they exuded was radiating off the pages and witnessing their superiority throughout the book had me feeling ways. and don’t even get me started about the sexy scenes (the steam level was 🔥🔥🔥🥵🥵). the book had a perfect balance of action plot, romantic and steamy scenes, and the writing was top notched.
this duet was my introduction to Giana Darling and i can proudly say that i am a huge fan of her writing. can’t wait to read more of her works in the future.
July 5, 2021
⭐️ 5+ "Io Sono Con Te" Stars ⭐️
I just finished When Villains Rise a few minutes ago and I’m not okay! I can’t believe the Anti-Heroes in Love Duet is over. I savored every instant of Elena and Dante’s EPIC journey and couldn’t resist avidly absorbing every word of their unforgettable story! They’re without a doubt in my mind one of my absolute favorite fictional couple EVER! There’s just something so magnetic and overpowering about these two. They make each other better and stronger! They’re outstanding on their own, but as a team they’re just brilliant and a force to be reckoned with!
I can’t express how much Elena was incredible! This new life of hers isn’t what she had dreamed of for her future, but life is all about the unexpected and evolution. She embraces her new found dark world and persona wholly! She’s fierce and rises as a true fighter; a queen for her capo! I found myself repeatedly cheering at her badass moments that had me in awe of her transformation!
As much as Elena is incomparable, Dante is also in his own category of perfection! He’s this alpha, dominant mafioso with such a fondness for his loved ones! His love for Elena is palpable through his every single action. I adored all his facets so much. He can switch from being an attentive partner to a skillful dirty talker in a nanosecond. The intricacy of this man is so attractive and makes him even more alluring!
Together, Elena and Dante are PURE FIRE! They’re utterly explosive in their moments of burning passion, but also endearingly sweet in their shared instants of support! They’re well-balanced and keep fighting for their future despite all the obstacles in their way! They develop a partnership that is based on trust, respect, love and devotion and it’s quite magnificent to witness this level of dedication they have for each other.
The electrifying plot and surprising turn of events had me stupefied more than once! When Villains Rise was addictive and memorable on all levels! I can’t tell you how many lines I highlighted: declarations of love that gave me goosebumps, actions of bravery that had me overjoyed, unbridled passion that scorched the pages and left me breathless. There was so much beauty interlaced with the violence of their world, but also SO MUCH FEELS!
Giana Darling concluded the Anti-Heroes in Love Duet in the most satisfying way! I cherished every moment of this duet with her entrancing prose and captivating protagonists. Elena and Dante will for sure stay with me for a long time! This duo was EVERYTHING AND MORE! Easily a TOP FAVORITE READ of 2021 for me!
** ARC received in exchange for an honest review **
May 23, 2023
I'm just indifferent towards this book. It wasn't anything special to me. Didn't like it, but didn't hate it either.
I think I just wanted more from the characters. I feel like we got more depth to them in the first book and then in this book is was more just: "here are some badass characters, watch them shoot people" 💀
One thing I definitely wanted was more on Elena's trauma. It was mentioned a few times, but I feel like it wasn't fully developed and I didn't see the transformation. It was just when they got to Italy and after Dante ate her out she was fine with showing affection and taking what she wanted sexually or whatnot. I just thought that after seeing her thoughts and feelings towards herself and sex and about the guy who groomed her we would get more.
Did I like DanteElena? Yes, but they were two-dimensional to me. I didn't really connect with them in this book. I honestly didn't really connect with Dante at all. He was just there. But in the first book I felt for Elena and while I'm not saying that I didn't feel for her at all in this book, because I did at some points, it wasn't the same depth, nor did I really care...
3.5 stars
I think I just wanted more from the characters. I feel like we got more depth to them in the first book and then in this book is was more just: "here are some badass characters, watch them shoot people" 💀
One thing I definitely wanted was more on Elena's trauma. It was mentioned a few times, but I feel like it wasn't fully developed and I didn't see the transformation. It was just when they got to Italy and after Dante ate her out she was fine with showing affection and taking what she wanted sexually or whatnot. I just thought that after seeing her thoughts and feelings towards herself and sex and about the guy who groomed her we would get more.
Did I like DanteElena? Yes, but they were two-dimensional to me. I didn't really connect with them in this book. I honestly didn't really connect with Dante at all. He was just there. But in the first book I felt for Elena and while I'm not saying that I didn't feel for her at all in this book, because I did at some points, it wasn't the same depth, nor did I really care...
3.5 stars
March 9, 2025
5 Stars- Mafia Romance
DANTE AND ELENA has my heart. I was so excited to dive into the second book in this series. Its been a while since I was excited for a book release but I was counting down the days until release day!
Seeing Dante and Elena work together in this is everything I wanted. I love that they are the ultimate power couple. They have this respect for each other that you really don't see too often in romances and I'm obsessed with it.
Let me just say I'm obsessed with Giana Darling.
DANTE AND ELENA has my heart. I was so excited to dive into the second book in this series. Its been a while since I was excited for a book release but I was counting down the days until release day!
Seeing Dante and Elena work together in this is everything I wanted. I love that they are the ultimate power couple. They have this respect for each other that you really don't see too often in romances and I'm obsessed with it.
Let me just say I'm obsessed with Giana Darling.
August 25, 2022
actually like 3.5 but i loved the epilogue sooo much 😭
August 8, 2021
10/5 stars!! I Cried so much at the end ❤️😭💖 Dante and Elena are one of the best couples I’ve ever come across. The amount of chills, emotion, tears, laughter, etc. this duet is giving me is unbelievable. I just never want to leave this world or let go of Dante and Elena. And how is Giana Darling such a good writer?! How is this my first book of hers? Well… I’m shook at this in the best possible way.
If you’re going to read one romance or just novel in 2021, I highly recommend The Anti-Heroes in Love Duet ❤️. I’m even going to tell my friends who don’t read to read this book.
Dante is everything. He’s above and beyond in so many ways he keeps surprising me more with the amount of bravery and love he exudes.
Elena makes me cry and laugh and breaks my heart. You feel as though she’s your best friend and her inner criticisms mirror those of so many women. They speak of truth and pain.
Everything comes full circle as the cycle of abuse, lies and long lost loves meet in this book. I wish I could talk about the scenes that took my breath away but that would be spoiling it. As someone who LOVES romance, love, starting out as enemies, angst, truth, justice and feeling feelings. This book is exactly what I’ve always wanted and never knew I needed. Stories like these are why I read romance novels.
There’s so much more to reading romance than people who’ve never read romance novels assume. This book and books like it will shatter those judgements because there is so much more to reading a great romance novel than just two people falling in love. This is discovering who you are as a person. Finding yourself, facing adversity and being courageous.
This is about forgiving people who hurt you because life is short. This novel will show you that sometimes taking a risk and putting yourself out there is worth everything.
I highly doubt I’ll read something that touched me this deeply in a while. These gems comes ones every so often.
October 13, 2021
2.5
first thoughts after finishing the book (2 AM): finally finished this shit I can't believe it.
I'm gonna sleep now but YES I'LL COME BACK TO REVIEW THE BOOK I HAVE A LOT TO SAY.
review: I'm back.
I'm gonna be quick (I think?).
1) I hated that Elena's siblings were victimized all the time, especially Giselle and Cosima. Like what the actual fuck? There were a lot of unnecessary things, like Elena saying that Cosima was once mad about how Elena reacted (she was obviously hurt) to Giselle and Sinclair's affair. I'M SORRY BUT IF YOU WERE BETRAYED I THINK YOU WOULD BE MAD AND HURT TOO??????????
2) The fact that Dante used to like Cosima in a romantic way was, in my opinion, totally unnecessary. It already bothers me that Dante's brother is Cosima's love interest because it leaves the sensation that Elena got "what was left". But that went on a whole other level once Elena discovered Dante's old feelings. And then after she apologized to Cosima for the way she reacted like ????????? you're allowed to be hurt considering your whole past and traumas ??????
3) Honestly, there was barely any actual plot. They just fucked. Literally. I don't have anything against smut but in this book, it seemed more like a filler?
4) This book frustrated me so much that I actually forgot most things I wanted to say in this review (help??).
5) Dante, for an intelligent man, was pretty idiot in this book. Lying to Elena all the time knowing she didn't like being lied to???????
Overall, I hated pretty much everything. The only salvageable thing was the epilogue.
Elena deserved better.
first thoughts after finishing the book (2 AM): finally finished this shit I can't believe it.
I'm gonna sleep now but YES I'LL COME BACK TO REVIEW THE BOOK I HAVE A LOT TO SAY.
review: I'm back.
I'm gonna be quick (I think?).
1) I hated that Elena's siblings were victimized all the time, especially Giselle and Cosima. Like what the actual fuck? There were a lot of unnecessary things, like Elena saying that Cosima was once mad about how Elena reacted (she was obviously hurt) to Giselle and Sinclair's affair. I'M SORRY BUT IF YOU WERE BETRAYED I THINK YOU WOULD BE MAD AND HURT TOO??????????
2) The fact that Dante used to like Cosima in a romantic way was, in my opinion, totally unnecessary. It already bothers me that Dante's brother is Cosima's love interest because it leaves the sensation that Elena got "what was left". But that went on a whole other level once Elena discovered Dante's old feelings. And then after she apologized to Cosima for the way she reacted like ????????? you're allowed to be hurt considering your whole past and traumas ??????
3) Honestly, there was barely any actual plot. They just fucked. Literally. I don't have anything against smut but in this book, it seemed more like a filler?
4) This book frustrated me so much that I actually forgot most things I wanted to say in this review (help??).
5) Dante, for an intelligent man, was pretty idiot in this book. Lying to Elena all the time knowing she didn't like being lied to???????
Overall, I hated pretty much everything. The only salvageable thing was the epilogue.
Elena deserved better.
July 13, 2021
This book was an absolute masterpiece and the most perfect ending for Dante and Elena’s story, the two most perfect villains in love. Giana Darling continues to write the most beautiful stories that I can’t put down. The Lombardi sisters stories will always be favourites of mine.
“You aren’t my lawyer anymore, Elena. Tu sei la mia regina.” You are my queen.
“You aren’t my lawyer anymore, Elena. Tu sei la mia regina.” You are my queen.
July 4, 2021
* ARC received for an honest review *
When Villains Rise is the final book of Anti-Heroes in Love Duet. It started off from where the previous book ended. This was so good. It was the perfect & beautiful conclusion to the story of a grumpy ice queen & a sunshine Capo.
Everything about this book was perfect. The plot, the revelations, the twists, the emotions, the connections, the beautiful moments of ElenaDante as a couple, the family moments, the banters, the power, etc.
Elena Lombardi. My Queen. She is one of the strongest characters I have read. She is so fierce, independent n a badass in this book. She is so strong yet so vulnerable. The way she was so protective of her loved ones especially Dante. She literally reminds me so much of my other queen, Lana Myers. Her past is really so sad n heartbreaking. And the way she is so loyal to her family n still care about them even after everything they did to her. She was everything how a queen should be.
Dante Salvatore. Damn that man. He really makes me have more expectations for my future man. He was soft, caring, funny, charming, cocky and a gentleman. And also powerful. The way he cared about Elena n his people. His love for Elena is so pure. He was so possessive of her as much as she was. He was ready to give everything up just so she could have her life in the city she loved. He was perfect. And the best man in the whole universe.
Dante n Elena are everything. I was so happy to see Elena overcome from her past trauma n trust Dante completely n didn't hesitate to be vulnerable around him. And Dante too, he has been through a lot in his life too but with Elena, he was able to let go. Both Elena n Dante have never been anybody's first choice until each other. And it was so amazing to watch them fit into the relationship stage. Dante made me swoon everytime he was soft with her. And damn their intimate moments were so hot n sekc 🥵🥵🥵
And the soft moments was so beautiful. 😍😍😍
Aurora was such a breath of fresh air. She was so cute. And her relationship with Dante n Elena was so beautiful. Their scenes together made me smile so big. Also it made me cry so much. Poor baby went through so much in such a young age. But I'm happy she is in a better place now.
I loved the other characters too. They were all amazing. And fit so well to the story n DanteElena's life. I loved how Elena's mum was the biggest supporter of them.
Omg!! The twists were so damn mindblowing. Like I had expected it before itself but still seeing it come true give me chills.
The only thing I didn't like is how Elena was too forgiving to her family. She had every right to feel n react the way she did with what happened. She is nothing to apologise for when she was the one who was betrayed. I wanted her sisters n Sinclair apologise to her sincerely. And Cosima had no right to get angry at Elena when she did far worst. I just felt the whole family swept what happened under the rug n turned it on Elena instead of talking it n solving it. The only one who was genuine n there was Elena was her brother Sebastian.
The epilogue was so beautiful n perfect. It made me so emotional to see them be so happy n be a family they always craved for but didn't have.
Overall this book was TOP TIER. And it was the perfect way to end the duet. They just own my heart. And I'm going to miss them so much. I hope Giana give Aurora a book. Her story deserves to be heard.
Thank you Giana Darling and Candi Kane PR for the arc.
When Villains Rise is the final book of Anti-Heroes in Love Duet. It started off from where the previous book ended. This was so good. It was the perfect & beautiful conclusion to the story of a grumpy ice queen & a sunshine Capo.
Everything about this book was perfect. The plot, the revelations, the twists, the emotions, the connections, the beautiful moments of ElenaDante as a couple, the family moments, the banters, the power, etc.
Elena Lombardi. My Queen. She is one of the strongest characters I have read. She is so fierce, independent n a badass in this book. She is so strong yet so vulnerable. The way she was so protective of her loved ones especially Dante. She literally reminds me so much of my other queen, Lana Myers. Her past is really so sad n heartbreaking. And the way she is so loyal to her family n still care about them even after everything they did to her. She was everything how a queen should be.
Dante Salvatore. Damn that man. He really makes me have more expectations for my future man. He was soft, caring, funny, charming, cocky and a gentleman. And also powerful. The way he cared about Elena n his people. His love for Elena is so pure. He was so possessive of her as much as she was. He was ready to give everything up just so she could have her life in the city she loved. He was perfect. And the best man in the whole universe.
Dante n Elena are everything. I was so happy to see Elena overcome from her past trauma n trust Dante completely n didn't hesitate to be vulnerable around him. And Dante too, he has been through a lot in his life too but with Elena, he was able to let go. Both Elena n Dante have never been anybody's first choice until each other. And it was so amazing to watch them fit into the relationship stage. Dante made me swoon everytime he was soft with her. And damn their intimate moments were so hot n sekc 🥵🥵🥵
And the soft moments was so beautiful. 😍😍😍
Aurora was such a breath of fresh air. She was so cute. And her relationship with Dante n Elena was so beautiful. Their scenes together made me smile so big. Also it made me cry so much. Poor baby went through so much in such a young age. But I'm happy she is in a better place now.
I loved the other characters too. They were all amazing. And fit so well to the story n DanteElena's life. I loved how Elena's mum was the biggest supporter of them.
Omg!! The twists were so damn mindblowing. Like I had expected it before itself but still seeing it come true give me chills.
The only thing I didn't like is how Elena was too forgiving to her family. She had every right to feel n react the way she did with what happened. She is nothing to apologise for when she was the one who was betrayed. I wanted her sisters n Sinclair apologise to her sincerely. And Cosima had no right to get angry at Elena when she did far worst. I just felt the whole family swept what happened under the rug n turned it on Elena instead of talking it n solving it. The only one who was genuine n there was Elena was her brother Sebastian.
The epilogue was so beautiful n perfect. It made me so emotional to see them be so happy n be a family they always craved for but didn't have.
Overall this book was TOP TIER. And it was the perfect way to end the duet. They just own my heart. And I'm going to miss them so much. I hope Giana give Aurora a book. Her story deserves to be heard.
Thank you Giana Darling and Candi Kane PR for the arc.
July 27, 2021
‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾☆ 4 stars ☆☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙
“This beats for you. It bleeds for you. I am yours. Your sword, your champion, your lover, and your home. You don’t understand this yet, but I will never hurt you, Elena. I only ever hurt for you because fuck me, you’ve been through too much already. I will only ever hurt those who hurt you because I love you and I won’t let anyone else ever get away with putting pain in your heart without consequences. Mi senti?”
Do you hear me?
this. couple. y’all. i LOVE them.
i did like the first one a tiny bit more, but this one had GREAT scenes, like the bloody honeymoon??? that was bloody AWESOME.
Dante was such a dream man. Giana really said, “mafia but make it ROMANCE”. This guy was so perfect like seriously, what the fuck.
ELENA LOMBARDI STOLE THE SHOW. GIRL, HER ARC WAS DELICIOUS. absolutely a joy to read.
I don’t really know what else to say, but damn I really enjoyed this duet. I personally don’t think this could’ve been once book, cause we had a lot of conflicts to get through and I love when authors take their time and give the characters normal day-to-day conversations with their partners or family. I live for that shit.
•••••••••••••••••••••
Anti-Heroes in Love Duet
When Heroes Fall #1 — 4 stars
When Villains Rise #2 — 4 stars
•••••••••••••••••••••
“This beats for you. It bleeds for you. I am yours. Your sword, your champion, your lover, and your home. You don’t understand this yet, but I will never hurt you, Elena. I only ever hurt for you because fuck me, you’ve been through too much already. I will only ever hurt those who hurt you because I love you and I won’t let anyone else ever get away with putting pain in your heart without consequences. Mi senti?”
Do you hear me?
this. couple. y’all. i LOVE them.
i did like the first one a tiny bit more, but this one had GREAT scenes, like the bloody honeymoon??? that was bloody AWESOME.
Dante was such a dream man. Giana really said, “mafia but make it ROMANCE”. This guy was so perfect like seriously, what the fuck.
ELENA LOMBARDI STOLE THE SHOW. GIRL, HER ARC WAS DELICIOUS. absolutely a joy to read.
I don’t really know what else to say, but damn I really enjoyed this duet. I personally don’t think this could’ve been once book, cause we had a lot of conflicts to get through and I love when authors take their time and give the characters normal day-to-day conversations with their partners or family. I live for that shit.
•••••••••••••••••••••
Anti-Heroes in Love Duet
When Heroes Fall #1 — 4 stars
When Villains Rise #2 — 4 stars
•••••••••••••••••••••
![Profile Image for Tea [I think she’s baaaack].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1743279192i%2F163357438._UY200_CR10%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
March 22, 2024
First 50%:
A bit boring. They didn’t do much more than weave their guns around and fuck. I liked the moments with their family though and I’m glad I kept reading.
”I’m the most honest person you’ve ever met”
*procceeds to keep secrets from Elena*
I hated him for this.
And the fact that Elena apologised to him after reacting to a secret he kept???? Excuse me ma’am, you having a stroke? She had every right to be pissed but no, she comes back and apologises to Dante. I was honestly so disappointed in her.
Last 50%:
My brain will never let this duet go. Power couple. The Don and his Donna. They would go through anything and everything to make each other happy. I love them so much! (It’s been two months since I read this duet and I still think about them)
“I’ll learn if it will make you feel better. But you should know, I never settle for mediocrity. If I’m going to learn to shoot, I’ll probably become a better shot than you.”
“I’m going to shoot back at them.”
“No, absolutely not!” I ordered. “Stay down there where you’re safe.”
She ignored me, Boss babe. The fact he thought she would listen?
“Feeling possessive?”
“Always.” Ladies and gentlemen… Her.
The epilogue? HE CRIED HAPPY TEARS!! IT WAS SO SWEET.
4 stars
A bit boring. They didn’t do much more than weave their guns around and fuck. I liked the moments with their family though and I’m glad I kept reading.
”I’m the most honest person you’ve ever met”
*procceeds to keep secrets from Elena*
I hated him for this.
And the fact that Elena apologised to him after reacting to a secret he kept???? Excuse me ma’am, you having a stroke? She had every right to be pissed but no, she comes back and apologises to Dante. I was honestly so disappointed in her.
Last 50%:
My brain will never let this duet go. Power couple. The Don and his Donna. They would go through anything and everything to make each other happy. I love them so much! (It’s been two months since I read this duet and I still think about them)
“I’ll learn if it will make you feel better. But you should know, I never settle for mediocrity. If I’m going to learn to shoot, I’ll probably become a better shot than you.”
“I’m going to shoot back at them.”
“No, absolutely not!” I ordered. “Stay down there where you’re safe.”
She ignored me, Boss babe. The fact he thought she would listen?
“Feeling possessive?”
“Always.” Ladies and gentlemen… Her.
The epilogue? HE CRIED HAPPY TEARS!! IT WAS SO SWEET.
4 stars
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