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Waiting for my Queen
Emilia—
All I’ve ever wanted was to marry for love.
But girls like me don’t have that luxury.
We are used as pawns in a game we can’t control.
The game? It’s called Mafia.
I was foolish enough to try to change the rules… and I lost.
Luca—
She was promised to me years ago.
And he dared to take her from me.
Dared to touch what was mine.
I put an end to that.
I hope he’s enjoying the view from his dirt room.
Emilia—
My beloved’s killer placed a ruby ring on my finger and called me his queen.
But that red gem symbolizes something different for me.
It represents the blood shed by those I love most.
Hell was empty the day we wed.
Because the devil was standing before me and said “I do.”
Luca—
I saw her as a possession.
A shiny toy I didn’t want other boys to play with.
But she’s so much more.
Beautiful and brave and strong and broken all at once.
She tastes like everything I’ve ever wanted.
Emilia—
Hidden and patient.
I wait for the perfect time to seek my revenge.
But slowly, I feel him possessing me.
His heart is full of darkness… and I still want every inch of him.
Hard as I try, I can’t escape loving this beautiful monster.
Luca—
I’m waiting patiently because I already know that she’s mine.
Mine in a way that no one will ever understand.
Even if she hasn’t yet realized it.
For love, I’d do anything.
For her, I’d do everything.
All I’ve ever wanted was to marry for love.
But girls like me don’t have that luxury.
We are used as pawns in a game we can’t control.
The game? It’s called Mafia.
I was foolish enough to try to change the rules… and I lost.
Luca—
She was promised to me years ago.
And he dared to take her from me.
Dared to touch what was mine.
I put an end to that.
I hope he’s enjoying the view from his dirt room.
Emilia—
My beloved’s killer placed a ruby ring on my finger and called me his queen.
But that red gem symbolizes something different for me.
It represents the blood shed by those I love most.
Hell was empty the day we wed.
Because the devil was standing before me and said “I do.”
Luca—
I saw her as a possession.
A shiny toy I didn’t want other boys to play with.
But she’s so much more.
Beautiful and brave and strong and broken all at once.
She tastes like everything I’ve ever wanted.
Emilia—
Hidden and patient.
I wait for the perfect time to seek my revenge.
But slowly, I feel him possessing me.
His heart is full of darkness… and I still want every inch of him.
Hard as I try, I can’t escape loving this beautiful monster.
Luca—
I’m waiting patiently because I already know that she’s mine.
Mine in a way that no one will ever understand.
Even if she hasn’t yet realized it.
For love, I’d do anything.
For her, I’d do everything.
330 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 3, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 356 reviews
February 28, 2020
WAITING FOR MY QUEEN: Is a full length mafia romance novel by Georgia Cates. In this we meet Emilia Bellini & Luca Rossini.
Note from the author concerning our hero: “Luca Rossini is very hatable, but I ask you to give him time before you decide that he’s unredeemable. He just might surprise you.”
Going into this one I expected to hate Luca, but that never really occurred, I kind of liked him from the get go. He is what you expect to encounter within a mafia novel, the shoot first ask questions later or in his case just don't give a sh#t dead is dead.
I also expected this to reign as much darkness and grit on me as it possibly could which is what one expects when it comes to this genre but but the author only gave us a small morsel, a whole family of men was wiped out but it didn't go into any detail so my dark heart felt a wee bit let down, hence 4 stars and not 5.
Our heroine and hero were promised to each other when they were small children, it's how it's been done generation to generation. Once she became of age they were mean't to tie the knot. But Emilia had already given her heart to another, her best friend, a boy she'd grown up with. This didn't sit well with Luca so a plan was set in place to take back what was his and this is the point here where the author could've come at us guns blazing.
Making Emilia his was no easy feat, she hated him, despised him.
March 5, 2020
I can deal with almost anything when it comes to dark romance but I have to say this one definitely had one of my limits. How do you forgive a man who kills your boyfriend, father and little brother?? They all loved her and she loved them but she just in my opinion got over it way to quickly. I was on her mums side because she lost a husband and son she loved and yet the h thought she should just get over it because their killer was now her husband and father of her son!! Normally I root for my main characters but there was no redeeming this guy and I agree with h’s mum when she called her daughter a traitor!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 20, 2020
3 Stars
Love is a volatile thing.
It begins. It grows. It changes. Sometimes it ends.
t can be easy. It can be hard.
Love can be damaged. It can be mended.
Love can sneak up on you when you least expect it, and it can also disappear without any warning.
Love.
It’s what you make it.
It’s been a while since I had read one of Georgia Cates’ works and to be honest I didn’t enjoy it as much as I’d like. First of all, I couldn’t connect with Emilia. It was like she forgot so soon about what happened on her wedding day, she wasn’t as angry as she should be! The second is that she wasn’t really broken or at least I didn’t feel like that about her! And third, she forgave Luca for every mistake he made so easily!
Once upon a time, a devil fell in love with an angel.
Told in dual POV, 1st person and it’s a standalone novel. It’s a mafia story and semi-dark. I didn’t like both characters so much. It’s well-paced and an enemies-to-lovers story. All in all, it was an OK read and hope you enjoy it more than me
Love is a volatile thing.
It begins. It grows. It changes. Sometimes it ends.
t can be easy. It can be hard.
Love can be damaged. It can be mended.
Love can sneak up on you when you least expect it, and it can also disappear without any warning.
Love.
It’s what you make it.
It’s been a while since I had read one of Georgia Cates’ works and to be honest I didn’t enjoy it as much as I’d like. First of all, I couldn’t connect with Emilia. It was like she forgot so soon about what happened on her wedding day, she wasn’t as angry as she should be! The second is that she wasn’t really broken or at least I didn’t feel like that about her! And third, she forgave Luca for every mistake he made so easily!
Once upon a time, a devil fell in love with an angel.
Told in dual POV, 1st person and it’s a standalone novel. It’s a mafia story and semi-dark. I didn’t like both characters so much. It’s well-paced and an enemies-to-lovers story. All in all, it was an OK read and hope you enjoy it more than me
September 9, 2020
I skimmed and scanned this. I have no desire to read this after he massacred her fiancé, his father, her brothers and her father on her wedding day and just she forgives him, What the fuck is this.? How could this piece of shit be redeemable? What kind of woman would forgive the man that murdered her father and brothers not to mention the man she “said” she loved? The father who did everything to get her out of that arranged marriage, the poor old man paid with his life! She deserves to be dead like hero does too!
“Okay. She’s got me there. “What do you want to know about her?”
“Her name? How you met? When you met? I want to know everything.”
“Her name is Angelica. Her father is a soldier for my family, and I’ve known her my entire life.”
“How long have you dated her?”
“Dated?” I chuckle. “I’ve never dated Angelica.”
“Then what kind of relationship did you have?”
“We fucked when I felt like it. That’s the kind of relationship we had.”
One of Emilia’s brows lifts. “That may be all it is to you, but that’s not all it is to her.”
“How would you know?”
Emilia crosses her arms. “She watched us last night.”
“What do you mean she watched us?”
“She isn’t the whore I believed her to be. She didn’t give herself to Moretti. He didn’t take her virginity. I did. Her innocence belongs to me. And that changes everything.
Owning her virginity gives me a thrill down my spine.”
Him ending things with the other woman after he basically forced himself on the heroine. This makes him a cheater.
“I can’t believe you.” She looks at me, shaking her head. “I’m leaving.”
I tighten my grip on her elbow and pull her away from the table. “I’ve been betrothed to her since I was a boy. You knew that I would marry her one day.”
“I thought you’d find a way to get out of it.”
“Why would you presume that I’d ever do that?”
“Because I believed you loved me.”
“I’ve never given you any reason to believe that what we had was more than sex. But it doesn’t matter. I’m marrying Emilia and this is over.”
And of course the stupid couldn’t have sex with her fiancé. She needed to be a virgin so the zero could feel empowered for deflowering her. Can this shit be more sexist, double standard shit ever? 🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮
“Okay. She’s got me there. “What do you want to know about her?”
“Her name? How you met? When you met? I want to know everything.”
“Her name is Angelica. Her father is a soldier for my family, and I’ve known her my entire life.”
“How long have you dated her?”
“Dated?” I chuckle. “I’ve never dated Angelica.”
“Then what kind of relationship did you have?”
“We fucked when I felt like it. That’s the kind of relationship we had.”
One of Emilia’s brows lifts. “That may be all it is to you, but that’s not all it is to her.”
“How would you know?”
Emilia crosses her arms. “She watched us last night.”
“What do you mean she watched us?”
“She isn’t the whore I believed her to be. She didn’t give herself to Moretti. He didn’t take her virginity. I did. Her innocence belongs to me. And that changes everything.
Owning her virginity gives me a thrill down my spine.”
Him ending things with the other woman after he basically forced himself on the heroine. This makes him a cheater.
“I can’t believe you.” She looks at me, shaking her head. “I’m leaving.”
I tighten my grip on her elbow and pull her away from the table. “I’ve been betrothed to her since I was a boy. You knew that I would marry her one day.”
“I thought you’d find a way to get out of it.”
“Why would you presume that I’d ever do that?”
“Because I believed you loved me.”
“I’ve never given you any reason to believe that what we had was more than sex. But it doesn’t matter. I’m marrying Emilia and this is over.”
And of course the stupid couldn’t have sex with her fiancé. She needed to be a virgin so the zero could feel empowered for deflowering her. Can this shit be more sexist, double standard shit ever? 🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 22, 2020
The author warns that Luca is an a-hole. That is correct. He starts off as a
huge
one. He wants what he wants and he does everything necessary to get it. He wants Emilia. He doesn't care about what she wants. He wants her and he makes the moves necessary to get her. Even if that means she hates him for it.
The author also warns that you will hate Luca. I can't speak for anyone but myself, but I never hated him. Did he annoy, aggravate, frustrate and irritate me? Most definitely. He does some seriously questionable ish that had me screaming at my kindle for his utter stupidity at times, but underneath it all, at his core, it was pretty obvious how amazing he could be. Especially when it came to Emilia and what he wanted their relationship to be.
Although this is classified as a mafia romance, and there is plenty of its heaviness in its theme, there isn't a lot of violence. I thought I'd get to see the killer side of Luca, but aside of the mention of things he did, I didn't get to witness his deeds. Ah well, at least he has that dangerous side to feed his dominance. Honestly, what he did to get Emilia, as if she were a possession to obtain, was horrific and I wasn't sure how they were going to work through it, but I like how the author did it. It's a romance, so even though forgiveness and happiness is a tad unrealistic in the circumstances, it worked for this couple and added a bit of edge to their story.
Sexy, irrepressible, arrogant, troubled hero? ✓
Outwardly timid and inwardly fierce heroine with an agenda of her own? ✓
Intense passion and redemption? ✓
An amazing story for anyone who is a fan of love and redeemable heroes!
Find the full (unedited) review HERE
The author also warns that you will hate Luca. I can't speak for anyone but myself, but I never hated him. Did he annoy, aggravate, frustrate and irritate me? Most definitely. He does some seriously questionable ish that had me screaming at my kindle for his utter stupidity at times, but underneath it all, at his core, it was pretty obvious how amazing he could be. Especially when it came to Emilia and what he wanted their relationship to be.
Emilia Bellini. She tastes like everything I've ever wanted.
Although this is classified as a mafia romance, and there is plenty of its heaviness in its theme, there isn't a lot of violence. I thought I'd get to see the killer side of Luca, but aside of the mention of things he did, I didn't get to witness his deeds. Ah well, at least he has that dangerous side to feed his dominance. Honestly, what he did to get Emilia, as if she were a possession to obtain, was horrific and I wasn't sure how they were going to work through it, but I like how the author did it. It's a romance, so even though forgiveness and happiness is a tad unrealistic in the circumstances, it worked for this couple and added a bit of edge to their story.
For love, I'd do anything. For her, I'd do everything.
Sexy, irrepressible, arrogant, troubled hero? ✓
Outwardly timid and inwardly fierce heroine with an agenda of her own? ✓
Intense passion and redemption? ✓
An amazing story for anyone who is a fan of love and redeemable heroes!
Find the full (unedited) review HERE
March 7, 2020
It’s been a while since I’ve read a book from Georgia Cates and I can honestly say that I need to start doing better when it comes to her because I enjoy her writing. It was effortless in a sense and she gave us a hero that as much as we hated him, you couldn’t help but fall.
Emilia Bellini has always imagined that when she walks down the aisle, she’s going to be marrying the man that she loves. Being the oldest daughter of one of the most prominent Mafia crime family, rules were in place and a deal was made about her future before she learned how to spell her full name.
“What’s a Queen without a King?
More powerful”
Luca Rossini is the future King of the Rossini Crime Family and everyone knows it. He’s ruthless when he has to be and if you’re not on his page, your going to get burned in another book. He takes what he wants and he makes no apologies for it. When the time came for him to claim Emilia as his wife, he made it known that he was not to be messed with and from that day forth, she was his.
I really fell in love with the beginning of this story and the author gave us a shock value from one of the characters choices. It changed the entire dynamic of the story and I loved that I didn’t see it coming. Luca portrayed the anti hero in a way that as much as you wanted to strangle him, you still felt the need to love him.
Seeing that this was a Mafia crime book, I was expecting this story to have more grit and be dark and we never got it so I was a bit disappointed in that. I would have love to see the inner dealings of Luca’s business with more threats, dangerous missions, and Emilia stepping up as a Queen. Aside from that, I enjoyed this one and I can’t wait to see what this author is going to come up with next.
March 11, 2020
Mafia, arranged- marriage book !!! Two of my favorite tropes
I love that this was set in the 70's and the writing was sooo good but the story line was very very wrong for me.
I hated MC , heroin is a terrible person for wanting her father and siblings murderer.
H killed heroin's boyfriend and her family and he's a cocaine addict
I love that this was set in the 70's and the writing was sooo good but the story line was very very wrong for me.
I hated MC , heroin is a terrible person for wanting her father and siblings murderer.
H killed heroin's boyfriend and her family and he's a cocaine addict
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2020
4.5 Stars!
(ARC provided by Wordsmith Publicity)
-I want to love a man with the deepest depths of my soul and have that same kind of love returned to me.
Emilia Bellini grew up a Mafia princess as the eldest daughter of an Italian Mafia boss. She was promised years ago to Luca Rossini. Their marriage would join the two most powerful crime families in New York, but she longed for a life where she could choose her own path. She never cared about money or power, and wanted to marry for love, but sadly when she tries to change her fate, everything blows up in her face.
Luca Rossini is used to getting what he wants as the new and upcoming king of New York. He is set to inherit a powerful empire, and a bride to be his queen, but when someone tries to take what’s his he won’t stand for it. Never in his wildest dreams did Luca imagine his betrothed would grow up to be this beautiful. She’s brave, strong, broken, and a temptation he can’t resist. Soon he’s under her spell, and there’s no place he’d rather be as he realizes he wants more than a loveless marriage. He decides he’s determined to make her fall in love with him.
Emilia didn’t want this life, but it chose her anyway. Now she’s condemned to being with an arrogant, vile man who see’s her as a possession that belongs to him. She hates him and his unforgivable actions. She’s at his mercy, but he shouldn’t underestimate her thirst for revenge. Spending time with him she learns he has a cruel side and a tender side. It’s like he’s two different people. He’s not anything like the idea of him she had in her mind. He’s done terrible things, but he’s also protective of her. As fear and anxiety quickly turn to lust and want, will Emilia fall in love with a monster?
-I'll wait patiently... because I already know that she's mine. Even if she hasn't yet realized it.
-Kissing her is like coming home after being away for a very long time. Emilia Bellini. She tastes like everything I've ever wanted.
-In this moment, my entire world is limited only to this woman and the touch of her lips on mine.
-"You are mine in a way that no one will ever understand."
Waiting For My Queen, A Dark Mafia novel by Georgia Cates is an arranged marriage, enemies to lovers standalone romance full of jealousy, betrayal, and explosive chemistry. It’s sexy, complicated, and packed with banter, angst, and drama. It has an alpha that does everything to the extreme, is the definition of a bad boy, and is highly controversial, but still somehow made me care about him. I really enjoyed this story and this couples love/hate relationship that was never boring, and always heated and electric!
***NOW AVAILABLE***
https://amzn.to/3csWSao
(ARC provided by Wordsmith Publicity)
-I want to love a man with the deepest depths of my soul and have that same kind of love returned to me.
Emilia Bellini grew up a Mafia princess as the eldest daughter of an Italian Mafia boss. She was promised years ago to Luca Rossini. Their marriage would join the two most powerful crime families in New York, but she longed for a life where she could choose her own path. She never cared about money or power, and wanted to marry for love, but sadly when she tries to change her fate, everything blows up in her face.
Luca Rossini is used to getting what he wants as the new and upcoming king of New York. He is set to inherit a powerful empire, and a bride to be his queen, but when someone tries to take what’s his he won’t stand for it. Never in his wildest dreams did Luca imagine his betrothed would grow up to be this beautiful. She’s brave, strong, broken, and a temptation he can’t resist. Soon he’s under her spell, and there’s no place he’d rather be as he realizes he wants more than a loveless marriage. He decides he’s determined to make her fall in love with him.
Emilia didn’t want this life, but it chose her anyway. Now she’s condemned to being with an arrogant, vile man who see’s her as a possession that belongs to him. She hates him and his unforgivable actions. She’s at his mercy, but he shouldn’t underestimate her thirst for revenge. Spending time with him she learns he has a cruel side and a tender side. It’s like he’s two different people. He’s not anything like the idea of him she had in her mind. He’s done terrible things, but he’s also protective of her. As fear and anxiety quickly turn to lust and want, will Emilia fall in love with a monster?
-I'll wait patiently... because I already know that she's mine. Even if she hasn't yet realized it.
-Kissing her is like coming home after being away for a very long time. Emilia Bellini. She tastes like everything I've ever wanted.
-In this moment, my entire world is limited only to this woman and the touch of her lips on mine.
-"You are mine in a way that no one will ever understand."
Waiting For My Queen, A Dark Mafia novel by Georgia Cates is an arranged marriage, enemies to lovers standalone romance full of jealousy, betrayal, and explosive chemistry. It’s sexy, complicated, and packed with banter, angst, and drama. It has an alpha that does everything to the extreme, is the definition of a bad boy, and is highly controversial, but still somehow made me care about him. I really enjoyed this story and this couples love/hate relationship that was never boring, and always heated and electric!
***NOW AVAILABLE***
https://amzn.to/3csWSao
February 23, 2020
3.5 Stars
It’s been a while since I’ve read a Georgia Cate‘s book. I was excited when I heard this book was mafia related. While this book was suppose to be a dark mafia romance, I found that it was only slightly dark.
This is an arranged marriage/enemies to lovers story. Emilia Belinni wants to marry for love and not because of an arrangement made by her grandfather. Luca Rossini wants what was promised to him no matter what, even at the despair of Emilia. I will say that the beginning was ruthless but when Emilia and Luca come together, the story takes a somewhat sweetness to it. She wants revenge but starts to fall for Luca and he starts out as an ass and then quickly changes and only wants to get Emilia to love him. They do have good banter between them and the story reads fast and easy.
I must admit that I like a little more grit to my mafia stories. There were a few parts that were not very developed that I felt would have added a bit more depth and darkness to their story. But overall, this was a sweet romance of enemies to lovers that found their soulmate through an arranged marriage.
*advanced copy provided by Wordsmith Publicity in exchange for an honest review*
It’s been a while since I’ve read a Georgia Cate‘s book. I was excited when I heard this book was mafia related. While this book was suppose to be a dark mafia romance, I found that it was only slightly dark.
This is an arranged marriage/enemies to lovers story. Emilia Belinni wants to marry for love and not because of an arrangement made by her grandfather. Luca Rossini wants what was promised to him no matter what, even at the despair of Emilia. I will say that the beginning was ruthless but when Emilia and Luca come together, the story takes a somewhat sweetness to it. She wants revenge but starts to fall for Luca and he starts out as an ass and then quickly changes and only wants to get Emilia to love him. They do have good banter between them and the story reads fast and easy.
I must admit that I like a little more grit to my mafia stories. There were a few parts that were not very developed that I felt would have added a bit more depth and darkness to their story. But overall, this was a sweet romance of enemies to lovers that found their soulmate through an arranged marriage.
*advanced copy provided by Wordsmith Publicity in exchange for an honest review*
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March 5, 2020What's up with these authors that even their title's books are hypocritical ?! WAITING FOR MY QUEEN ?! How? When? As far as I could see he "waited" for his queen with his dick stuck in OW! Puhleeeeease! Stop that shit!🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮
October 4, 2020
I haven't written a review for a while but OH MY GOD this book pissed me off soooo much that I have to say something. Also I have never ever rated a book that I DNFed but I can honestly say with full confidence that nothing will make this book more than one star.
Like what the fuck did I just read???
Like what the fucking hell was that??
.....
I am speechless. I actually have no words to describe the sheer stupidity and repulsive mess that was this book.
The "hero" actually KILLS the heroine's father, boyfriend and LITTLE bother and she gets over it so quickly!! She loved all those people and they loved her and she just gets over it and forgives this absolute piece of shit and falls in love with him!? He kills 3 of her loved ones. 3!
Like are you for fucking real?? Surely that's a life sentence (if not the death penalty depending on what country). He should be rotting in jail and she should be running the fuck away from him and plotting his downfall not having a HEA with him! Please wait while I go puke.
And the heroine expects the mother (who just lost her husband and son) to just get over it!? Wtff
This is not a dark romance. This a joke. This is completely ridiculous. Name me one sane woman on earth who would behave the way the heroine did. Who on earth would so quickly get over and fall madly in love with the man who kills not 1, not 2 but 3 people she loved in cold blood!?
Where is the romance? I didn't find anything remotely romantic. This reads more like one of these twisted thrillers where a total psychopath/mass murderer is chasing the main character he is totally obsessed with and killing everyone in her life one by one to get close to her.
Also i couldn't write the review without once mentioning the irony of the title. "Waiting For My Queen". There is absolutely no waiting involved on his part imo. He is with countless women whilst she, of course, is a virgin.
Like what the fuck did I just read???
Like what the fucking hell was that??
.....
I am speechless. I actually have no words to describe the sheer stupidity and repulsive mess that was this book.
The "hero" actually KILLS the heroine's father, boyfriend and LITTLE bother and she gets over it so quickly!! She loved all those people and they loved her and she just gets over it and forgives this absolute piece of shit and falls in love with him!? He kills 3 of her loved ones. 3!
Like are you for fucking real?? Surely that's a life sentence (if not the death penalty depending on what country). He should be rotting in jail and she should be running the fuck away from him and plotting his downfall not having a HEA with him! Please wait while I go puke.
And the heroine expects the mother (who just lost her husband and son) to just get over it!? Wtff
This is not a dark romance. This a joke. This is completely ridiculous. Name me one sane woman on earth who would behave the way the heroine did. Who on earth would so quickly get over and fall madly in love with the man who kills not 1, not 2 but 3 people she loved in cold blood!?
Where is the romance? I didn't find anything remotely romantic. This reads more like one of these twisted thrillers where a total psychopath/mass murderer is chasing the main character he is totally obsessed with and killing everyone in her life one by one to get close to her.
Also i couldn't write the review without once mentioning the irony of the title. "Waiting For My Queen". There is absolutely no waiting involved on his part imo. He is with countless women whilst she, of course, is a virgin.
Shelved as 'dnf'
January 20, 2022DNF @ 34% - I basically hate every single thing except that she was a surprise virgin. 😬😅 This dude killed all the men in her family - men who the h loved (her father, little brother, and fiancé). Not evil men. And then he forces her to have sex with him. It’s not a forced “seduction”. He straight up brutally rapes her and she doesn’t have a good time. Oh yeah, he does this while he’s high on coke. Cuz it’s the 70s and he’s a raging coke head. 😐 And he produces porn and stables prostitutes. 👌🏻 But dude finds out h is a virgin (after the rape) and decides she is worthy of his love, so he turns into a sweet beta dude. Giving out foot rubs and “making love”. 👀🙄🙄🙄 And the h? The women left in her family want her to murder the H, because of course they do, he brutally murdered all their husbands and sons and fathers… and the h is super blood thirsty too… except she’s now SUPER into the sex and “submitting”…. Just no. They both are unlikeable. I despise him, and not in the sexy way, and she’s a raging moron. She has made this transformation in the matter of a couple days. 😐😐😐😐 Who would want to have smexxy times with the man who murdered your family and the love of your life??? Not anyone I’d feel sorry for. 😐
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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March 6, 2020Give me a break.
February 28, 2020
‘The story will begin like this: Once upon a time, a devil fell in love with an angel.’
It’s been a while since we last read a Georgia Cates book, so we were so excited to see this Author was releasing a mafia romance set in the 70s, and a dark one at that. Waiting for my Queen did not start gently, rather it had quite the exciting and powerful beginning. We were immediately drawn into the mafia romance of Emilia and Luca and were compelled to find out how this anti-hero could possibly redeem himself in Emilia’s eyes. After all, his atrocious acts of dominance and control were not forgivable in our eyes.
‘All I ever wanted was to marry for love. But girls like me don’t have that luxury. We are used as pawns in a game we can’t control.’
‘I’m going to be king of everything. Including Emilia Bellini.’
Luca Rossini is quite the formidable anti-hero. From a young age he’s known that one day he will marry Emilia Bellini, joining two mafia families, however what he did not know is that this is the last thing Emilia wants. Rather, she has already found the love of her life. However, tradition dictates that agreements made in the life of the Mafioso are forged in blood and anyone who attempts to break tradition will be dealt with. And dealt with they are!
‘My destiny. It’s a destiny that has cost me the people I love most. Cost me my freedom. Cost me control of my own body.’
‘I won’t forget. I won’t forgive. I’ll get even.’
Emilia is a fabulous heroine and we loved her from the beginning. Strong, sassy and determined, she wows to avenge the horrific consequence of falling in love with the ‘wrong’ person. Her life has been mapped out from birth, yet she’s desperate to take a different path. Circumstances outside of her control sees her entering a life which she was doing her very best to avoid. Channelling her inner strength and Mafioso upbringing she decides that the ultimate revenge is hers for the taking. Death begets death.
‘I’m going to have the upper hand. Luca Rossini is going to love me. He’s going to love me. He’s going to want my heart and soul. And when I’m finished with him, he won’t be able to bear living without my love. But he’ll never have it.’
We really enjoyed Waiting For My Queen. Whilst the general theme is one which we’ve read before, Georgia Cates definitely put her own spin on it and it was both compelling and deliciously shocking. In respect to it being classed as a dark romance, we’d say that compared to other mafia romance books we’ve read, it’s not all that dark. We would have loved more grit and rawness in the writing to suit the nature of the storyline and what came to be, however it takes great writing chops to create a complete redemption, which Georgia Cates certainly achieved. So if you’re on the fence, we say jump right in. We have to applaud this Author in regards to the anti-hero aspect. Luca is an arsehole but you know how we feel about those, right?! We love to hate them and we hate to love them!
‘Love is a volatile thing. It begins. It grows. It changes. Sometimes, it ends. It can be easy. It can be hard. Love can be damaged. It can be mended. Love can sneak up on you when you least expect it, and it can also disappear without warning. Love. It’s what you make it.’
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March 3, 2020
This beautifully chaotic book has taken me on a ride. A ride that has me feeling exhilarated and emotionally exhausted at the same time. Time stood still and when I emerged from my reading cocoon, I realized hours have passed. It's past my bed time–in my part of the world–and I can't sleep after reading this.
Emilia Bellini was promised to Luca Rossini when they were children. Once she came of age, they were to be married but Emilia fell in love with another. Her betrothal to Luca was broken which left him outraged. No one dares take anything away from Luca Rossini. He concocted a plan and enacted. Emilia Bellini was no his. Even though she hated him. Even though she rather kill him. Emilia belonging to him is the perfect punishment for her. She may hate him with every fibre of her being but her body sure does not. If making her body crave him will have her constantly thinking of him, then so be it. It's one step closer to making her fall in love with him.
I HATED LUCA! He was suck a f**KER. (Mind my language). So much in fact that I stop reading 3 chapters in and had to come back to it after a few days. I even contemplated giving up on the book. The hate I had for his character was that strong. But I am glad I did not give up. I decided to just bite the bullet and finish this book and My God! I freaking loved it. I couldn't stop reading. I was so consumed by this book. I still hated Luca though. His actions and words made it difficult not to. He was so mean and rude. There were only glimpses of a kind man. That was more chapters in then something changed. My feelings towards Luca started slowly changing. He was sweeter and a little bit more tender. His feelings for Emilia started showing. He did have his a**hole moments though but he did try to make it right. It was hard for him to change but he wanted to be a better man for Emilia. He always wanted to have a family with her but now he wanted to be the type of man that they look up to. He redeemed himself greatly. I love how his character grew. He became so playful and loving yet his domineering and possessive ways did not change which made him smoking hot!
Luca's family–especially his mother and brother–were unexpected. Their personalities were so different than his. They were always so sweet to Emilia and they were there for her. They looked out for her. Emilia's mother was a different story. I can understand her feelings towards Luca. What he did is inexcusable and unforgivable and I had a hard time coming to terms with it too. I didn't think I could get past it, but I did. It was because of his character development.
Emilia was always so strong and resilient. Even when she gave into him. She couldn't help it though–his orgasms were that good. But what I loved about her was that she didn't let him walk all over her. When his actions hurt her, she punished him her own way. She tried hard to hold onto the hate she felt towards him but he worked his way into her heart and became her everything. He proved to her that would do anything and everything to protect her and be with her.
I was surprised to see this book was based in the past. It didn't feel as though I was reading a book based in the 70's. I think I just forgot about that because of the copious amount of sex scenes in this book and gosh, there were many. This couple f**cked like rabbits. It made it a very hot book!
There is a warning before starting this book about Luca. People should heed it. This book might not be for everyone but I ended up loving it–and him–so much. Definitely won't be getting over this book and forgetting about it.
Emilia Bellini was promised to Luca Rossini when they were children. Once she came of age, they were to be married but Emilia fell in love with another. Her betrothal to Luca was broken which left him outraged. No one dares take anything away from Luca Rossini. He concocted a plan and enacted. Emilia Bellini was no his. Even though she hated him. Even though she rather kill him. Emilia belonging to him is the perfect punishment for her. She may hate him with every fibre of her being but her body sure does not. If making her body crave him will have her constantly thinking of him, then so be it. It's one step closer to making her fall in love with him.
I HATED LUCA! He was suck a f**KER. (Mind my language). So much in fact that I stop reading 3 chapters in and had to come back to it after a few days. I even contemplated giving up on the book. The hate I had for his character was that strong. But I am glad I did not give up. I decided to just bite the bullet and finish this book and My God! I freaking loved it. I couldn't stop reading. I was so consumed by this book. I still hated Luca though. His actions and words made it difficult not to. He was so mean and rude. There were only glimpses of a kind man. That was more chapters in then something changed. My feelings towards Luca started slowly changing. He was sweeter and a little bit more tender. His feelings for Emilia started showing. He did have his a**hole moments though but he did try to make it right. It was hard for him to change but he wanted to be a better man for Emilia. He always wanted to have a family with her but now he wanted to be the type of man that they look up to. He redeemed himself greatly. I love how his character grew. He became so playful and loving yet his domineering and possessive ways did not change which made him smoking hot!
Luca's family–especially his mother and brother–were unexpected. Their personalities were so different than his. They were always so sweet to Emilia and they were there for her. They looked out for her. Emilia's mother was a different story. I can understand her feelings towards Luca. What he did is inexcusable and unforgivable and I had a hard time coming to terms with it too. I didn't think I could get past it, but I did. It was because of his character development.
Emilia was always so strong and resilient. Even when she gave into him. She couldn't help it though–his orgasms were that good. But what I loved about her was that she didn't let him walk all over her. When his actions hurt her, she punished him her own way. She tried hard to hold onto the hate she felt towards him but he worked his way into her heart and became her everything. He proved to her that would do anything and everything to protect her and be with her.
I was surprised to see this book was based in the past. It didn't feel as though I was reading a book based in the 70's. I think I just forgot about that because of the copious amount of sex scenes in this book and gosh, there were many. This couple f**cked like rabbits. It made it a very hot book!
There is a warning before starting this book about Luca. People should heed it. This book might not be for everyone but I ended up loving it–and him–so much. Definitely won't be getting over this book and forgetting about it.
March 6, 2020
We were warned right from the beginning that Luca would be a hard pill to swallow and would not be one that we would love immediately. And yes you will love/hate Luca but go in with an open mind and heart and hear him out.
Luca knows that he will take over the "family business" and he will need a wife that knows the family business. Lucky or not for him Emilia was promised to him since they were young and the time has come to claim his wife. I will say that I hated him for a bit because even though I love me some alpha- I felt he was a jacka$$ and didn't know how to be sweet, gently, kind and loving. Emilia was the total opposite of him-and as they say that opposites attract, well she made sure to give him a run for his money. Emilia only had revenge on her mind but the more she interacted with Luca the more that wall she had around her heart slowly started crumbling.
I loved seeing how Luca and Emilia danced around each other and seeing hoe Luca subdued his "I'm going to be your man" to "We are a team". Their chemistry was intense but most of all seeing them fall in love was something worth swooning. There is drama that had me questioning if they were going to make it. This is a must read!! Thank you Ms. Cates for such an amazing book! Waiting patiently on what she will grace us with next ❤ Kara~ Stars
Luca knows that he will take over the "family business" and he will need a wife that knows the family business. Lucky or not for him Emilia was promised to him since they were young and the time has come to claim his wife. I will say that I hated him for a bit because even though I love me some alpha- I felt he was a jacka$$ and didn't know how to be sweet, gently, kind and loving. Emilia was the total opposite of him-and as they say that opposites attract, well she made sure to give him a run for his money. Emilia only had revenge on her mind but the more she interacted with Luca the more that wall she had around her heart slowly started crumbling.
I loved seeing how Luca and Emilia danced around each other and seeing hoe Luca subdued his "I'm going to be your man" to "We are a team". Their chemistry was intense but most of all seeing them fall in love was something worth swooning. There is drama that had me questioning if they were going to make it. This is a must read!! Thank you Ms. Cates for such an amazing book! Waiting patiently on what she will grace us with next ❤ Kara~ Stars
April 24, 2021
HAIKU BOOK REVIEW: Waiting for my Queen, by Georgia Cates
Dead of second-hand
embarassment for the one
who wrote this hot mess.
Dead of second-hand
embarassment for the one
who wrote this hot mess.
March 3, 2020
Reviewed by PussnBooks.net
Review by Puss’n’Books. Reviewing the darkest, most erotic and taboo books we can find. Click HERE for your next disturbingly sexy read.
This one started out quite dark and the main male character seemed pretty much irredeemable but the further you got into the story the gentler he became.
Now, you know I love my alpha-holes but I’ll be honest after the stunt Luca pulled I wasn’t sure how this could ever work out.
LUCA
Luca is a mafia boss in the making. He’s been promised Emilia since they were babies and when he finds out that she’s in love with someone else and plans on marrying this other dude, shit hits the fan.
Big time.
As I said, he started out dark and dangerous but things changed. Granted that they only really changed when it came to Emilia, but I think I would have been more into him if he had stayed the arse he was at the beginning.
Okay, not quite that bad but still stayed a bit darker.
That’s the only complaint I have with this story.
The extreme darkness you see from him in the beginning (which I prefered, lol) didn’t match up with how easily he became a gentler man.
I don’t think that someone who would do the things he did would be so quick to let his guard down and be as open and trusting as he was.
EMILIA
Emilia hates Luca. And you can’t blame her. He’s the last person in the world she wants to be with but has no choice but to go with him when everything settles and he comes for her.
I loved this girl. She is so feckin’ brave.
She’s scared, alone and intimidated and what does she do?
She sass’s him and pokes the fuckin’ bear.
She mouths off and doesn’t back down.
I loved that about her.
I also love that she keeps it real.
There are certain expectations people have of a mafia wife (especially in the 70s) but she’s not going to sit back and become a piece of the furniture.
Nope, she comes in, tells it like it is, and demands respect.
Only problem? Yeah, she starts to catch some feels for him.
She can’t do that.
Her family are depending on her.
Insert heartache here, lol.
SEX SCENES
Right. You know how in these kinds of books that alpha dude is always fucking marvellous in bed and knows how to have his woman begging for more?
Well, this one is slightly different. He has never really tried to be ‘all that; in the sac before. So he’s kinda learning as he goes. Which was...different.
Normally he’s an in and out kind of man, getting what he wants and moving on.
Personally, I like a man to know what he’s doing. Like, learn on someone else, dude, then come see me. Ye ken?
Anyway, the sex was still pretty hot.
“I hate you.” He smiles and chuckles. “You wish you hated me.” His mouth crashes against mine, and his tongue pushes its way into my mouth. I turn my face away, fighting and pushing at his shoulders. My dress bunched at my waist, I press my thighs together when he grasps my panties and drags them down my legs. “You also wish you didn’t want me to fuck you against this wall right now.” My flat palms come down hard against his chest. “I don’t.” “Liar. Let’s see if I’m right.” He shoves his hand between my legs, one of his fingers gliding through my slick centre. “That’s exactly what I thought I’d find waiting for me.” His heart is full of darkness, and I hate myself for still wanting every inch of him. Luca unfastens his pants and dips his hand inside his boxers, pulling out his cock. He lifts my feet off the floor, and my legs instantly wrap around his torso as though they have a mind of their own. As though they don’t need to hear the command from my brain. Wrapping my arms around his shoulders tightly, I suck air in through my clenched teeth when he slides inside me. “Fuuuck,” he groans against my ear. He grips the underside of my thighs, his fingertips digging into my flesh as he anchors me against the wall and roughly slams into me over and over. My elbows resting on his shoulders, I grip the top of his hair as he bounces me up and down his dick. I’m certain my body will be covered in fresh purple bruises tomorrow.
Final thoughts on WAITING FOR MY QUEEN by Georgia Cates.
I enjoyed this book but it would have been even better if Luca had been as dark and dangerous as he was at the beginning, all the way through.
It is dark and fairly sexy just not quite as dark as I usually like my books, but that’s because I have a wee black heart, lol.
It’s definitely worth a read as it kept my interest all the way through.
4 Stars
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March 9, 2020
When I knew that I would have the opportunity to receive this arc in exchange to an honest review, I didn't think twice about sign up. Although it is my first book about the author, the fact that the subject was about the Italian mafia set in the 70's, was a “yes, I want it!”.
"Once upon a time there was a devil who fell in love with an angel."
At the beginning of the story there is a warning from the author about Luca Rossini's attitude. A good detail for me to try not to hate him. The guy is conceited, impeccable and has only one goal. Get at all costs, the girl who was promised for marriage by her parents, since they were children.
Emilia Bellini is naiive. She was not interested in continuing with the pact that her family made. His heart belonged to another person and in her plans was not joining Luca. But he always gets what he wants and won't let his queen be taken away.
“Luca Rossini is greedy, but also highly intelligent, a dangerous combination.”
When Emilia had no choice but to accept her new destiny, she decides to play hard, in the only way she can. Entering a certain mental game. And I really enjoyed it! How I would have liked this fight to continue! That Emilia was more aggressive.
"Hating him is my new disease. I’ll never be free of him. Until I send him to hell where he belongs."
Emilia had to play her cards well. However, in the process of hating him, he ended up learning to love him.
And that's the dark part of the story. After everything Luca did at the beginning to get her by his side, she yielded to her charm. With the passage of time, Luca became the man who would give everything to protect her.
“We’re both a little fucked up, but together, we are unstoppable.”
Although this story is fiction, the Italian mafia is not, nor what happens within the organization, Emilia's reaction seemed implausible, after the event that marked her. I enjoyed this reading, the steamy and romantic moments between Emilia and Luca. And even more, what Emilia achieved at the end of the road. Because a true queen knows how to tame her king.
"A queen will always turn her pain into strength and strength into power."
February 21, 2020
* A review copy was provided by the author *
~ 5 My Queen Stars ~
Oooh....Georgia Cates, how I love her mafia worlds. If you loved her Sin Trilogy then you need to meet Luca Rossini. He is one Hero that you will hate but also learn to love!!
I was so nervous going into this book because I was nervous about meeting Luca Rossini. Georgia has described him as the anti-hero and I was scared I wouldn’t be able to warm up to him. I will admit….it took me some time, but I totally fell in love with Luca!!!
If you love a great mafia romance, then you HAVE to read Georgia Cates, especially Waiting For My Queen. This book was raw, gritty and gave a true to life portrayal of what the mafia world is like. This story was both intriguing and entertaining and I thoroughly enjoyed the story and the characters!!! Georgia Cates has knocked this one out of the park!!!
Waiting For My Queen is a complete standalone novel and is told in Dual POV. There is no cliffhanger ending, but I will say I wouldn’t be upset if she wrote a book for some of the other characters we meet ;) As with every Georgia Cates book, I was sucked into this mafia world right from the beginning and it didn’t let go until the very last word. I would’ve love more to this story, I didn’t want it to end!!!
In this story we follow the journey of Luca Rossini and Emilia Bellini. Luca is the oldest son in the Rossini man family and his grandfather and Emilia’s grandfather worked out a deal a long time ago that Emilia was to be betrothed to Luca and when she became of age they would marry, joining the two families together. That is all I plan to say about the story. If you want to know more and know how this story ends, you will have to read it yourself.
I loved both Luca and Emilia’s characters. Luca was tough to love in the beginning but when he started showing his softer side, my heart just melted. I also loved Emilia, she was strong but also vulnerable. She loved to push Luca’s buttons. I loved watching these two fall in love with each other, without even knowing it.
I would definitely say that this book is a MUST READ!!! especially if you are a fan of Georgia's. I haven't been let down by any of her books and she is definitely a go to author for me. This book is for anyone looking for a mob type story, with intrigue, passion, and a very strong heroine!!! Add this book to your TBR list NOW!!!!
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~ 5 My Queen Stars ~
Oooh....Georgia Cates, how I love her mafia worlds. If you loved her Sin Trilogy then you need to meet Luca Rossini. He is one Hero that you will hate but also learn to love!!
I was so nervous going into this book because I was nervous about meeting Luca Rossini. Georgia has described him as the anti-hero and I was scared I wouldn’t be able to warm up to him. I will admit….it took me some time, but I totally fell in love with Luca!!!
If you love a great mafia romance, then you HAVE to read Georgia Cates, especially Waiting For My Queen. This book was raw, gritty and gave a true to life portrayal of what the mafia world is like. This story was both intriguing and entertaining and I thoroughly enjoyed the story and the characters!!! Georgia Cates has knocked this one out of the park!!!
Waiting For My Queen is a complete standalone novel and is told in Dual POV. There is no cliffhanger ending, but I will say I wouldn’t be upset if she wrote a book for some of the other characters we meet ;) As with every Georgia Cates book, I was sucked into this mafia world right from the beginning and it didn’t let go until the very last word. I would’ve love more to this story, I didn’t want it to end!!!
In this story we follow the journey of Luca Rossini and Emilia Bellini. Luca is the oldest son in the Rossini man family and his grandfather and Emilia’s grandfather worked out a deal a long time ago that Emilia was to be betrothed to Luca and when she became of age they would marry, joining the two families together. That is all I plan to say about the story. If you want to know more and know how this story ends, you will have to read it yourself.
I loved both Luca and Emilia’s characters. Luca was tough to love in the beginning but when he started showing his softer side, my heart just melted. I also loved Emilia, she was strong but also vulnerable. She loved to push Luca’s buttons. I loved watching these two fall in love with each other, without even knowing it.
I would definitely say that this book is a MUST READ!!! especially if you are a fan of Georgia's. I haven't been let down by any of her books and she is definitely a go to author for me. This book is for anyone looking for a mob type story, with intrigue, passion, and a very strong heroine!!! Add this book to your TBR list NOW!!!!
Follow Us at :: Book Bitches Blog | Facebook | Twitter
February 17, 2020
Feels 3
Steam 5
Storyline 5
Overall Rating 5
Kindle eArc provided by Author
Reviewed by Lindsey
Mafia...check
Alpha male...check
Sassy heroine...check
Steamy...double check!
This book clicked all of my five star boxes and then some. I loved it! Georgia did an incredible job with Luca and Emilia. Lots of tension and grit. Just when I thought there was absolutely NO WAY Luca could be redeemable, man oh man. He did and then some. And I didn't even fathom the possibility of that happening. Great read and can't wait to see if there will be any more books with these characters in them. Across the board it was amazing. Don't miss out!
Steam 5
Storyline 5
Overall Rating 5
Kindle eArc provided by Author
Reviewed by Lindsey
Mafia...check
Alpha male...check
Sassy heroine...check
Steamy...double check!
This book clicked all of my five star boxes and then some. I loved it! Georgia did an incredible job with Luca and Emilia. Lots of tension and grit. Just when I thought there was absolutely NO WAY Luca could be redeemable, man oh man. He did and then some. And I didn't even fathom the possibility of that happening. Great read and can't wait to see if there will be any more books with these characters in them. Across the board it was amazing. Don't miss out!
March 7, 2020
Oh it really pains me to give a Georgia Cates book a low rating but I just couldn't enjoy this one. She's written a mafia romance before but, as the title says, it is a dark mafia romance. It went beyond what I think is acceptable and I just can't figure out how our heroine got past what he did. I didn't feel like there was enough to show how she fell in love with Luca. One can only assume it was his magic penis because it seemed like she couldn't get enough of it, even though he pretty much raped her their first night together.
The story just didn't feel like something Georgia writes. The writing felt totally different. It did not read like a Georgia Cates book to me.
My Issues: Let Me Count the Ways...Oh and Some Random Thoughts Too:
❃ The hero (and I say that loosely) kills her father, her uncles, her little brother (caveat, he didn't intend to but, sorry, no) and her fiance.
❃ The hero basically rapes the heroine their first night together, even if he did make her say "I consent to having sex with you." But, dude, you totally raped her.
❃ Oh and did I mention that he was high on coke at the time? No, I didn't? Well, he was.
❃ That's right. Our "hero" used coke and not just that one time but through the majority of the book.
❃ The heroine hated it and he still did it, even when he was trying to be better for her.
❃ He did blow with his ex oh and later, did blow off her boobs while his wife had to watch.
❃ Did he later have her one surviving uncle give him a beat down because he dishonored his wife? Yes, he did, but all of it just felt to icky for me.
❃ After that he did finally stop doing coke, went through withdrawal with wifey by his side and wow, he easily kicked it.
❃ Should our heroine be blamed for causing the death of all of those males? Maybe.
❃ The heroine called the hero "a putz." I thought that so odd.
❃ Luca, the hero, does feel terrible about killing her family. He confesses his sorrow to her but I just can't get past that piece. He wanted Emilia because she was promised to him as a child. It was like she was a toy and everyone deserved to be punished for taking it away.
❃ Weirdly this took place in 1978 and I have no idea why. Was that peak mafia time in New York?
❃ All is forgiven with the birth of their son, Alessandro, whom they named after Emilia's murdered father. Yeah, that felt weird to me too.
❃ I just felt icky reading the rest of the book.
I really think she was trying to be more edgy in her writing but it didn't work for me. I did not like that Luca murdered them just to get Emilia. It's only later, after he "fell in love" with her, he realized he could've just, you know, kidnapped her but then I guess it wouldn't be such a "dark" mafia story. And why was it necessary to have him do cocaine? I dislike a hero who smokes so imagine my disgust at a hero who is a coke head. I just couldn't find him sexy. In fact, at times he was a down right douche.
Unfortunately, this just didn't feel like the Georgia Cates I love. It was like someone else wrote this book. There were some sweet moments, but because of all of the above, I just couldn't love this book.
I gave it two stars because Georgia is one of my favorite authors. Right now she has no plans to write any more about other characters (and honestly, there is no one I would want to read about anyway). Her other mafia series that starts with A Necessary Sin is a much better mafia series book. It is a 3 part serial but is totally worth it. (And it looks to be free on Kindle right now. Grab it.)
If you haven't read Georgia before, skip this one and actually start with Beauty from Pain which is my first read by her and my favorite. That is peak Georgia Cates storytelling and I don't think you'll be disappointed.
The story just didn't feel like something Georgia writes. The writing felt totally different. It did not read like a Georgia Cates book to me.
My Issues: Let Me Count the Ways...Oh and Some Random Thoughts Too:
❃ The hero (and I say that loosely) kills her father, her uncles, her little brother (caveat, he didn't intend to but, sorry, no) and her fiance.
❃ The hero basically rapes the heroine their first night together, even if he did make her say "I consent to having sex with you." But, dude, you totally raped her.
❃ Oh and did I mention that he was high on coke at the time? No, I didn't? Well, he was.
❃ That's right. Our "hero" used coke and not just that one time but through the majority of the book.
❃ The heroine hated it and he still did it, even when he was trying to be better for her.
❃ He did blow with his ex oh and later, did blow off her boobs while his wife had to watch.
❃ Did he later have her one surviving uncle give him a beat down because he dishonored his wife? Yes, he did, but all of it just felt to icky for me.
❃ After that he did finally stop doing coke, went through withdrawal with wifey by his side and wow, he easily kicked it.
❃ Should our heroine be blamed for causing the death of all of those males? Maybe.
❃ The heroine called the hero "a putz." I thought that so odd.
❃ Luca, the hero, does feel terrible about killing her family. He confesses his sorrow to her but I just can't get past that piece. He wanted Emilia because she was promised to him as a child. It was like she was a toy and everyone deserved to be punished for taking it away.
❃ Weirdly this took place in 1978 and I have no idea why. Was that peak mafia time in New York?
❃ All is forgiven with the birth of their son, Alessandro, whom they named after Emilia's murdered father. Yeah, that felt weird to me too.
❃ I just felt icky reading the rest of the book.
I really think she was trying to be more edgy in her writing but it didn't work for me. I did not like that Luca murdered them just to get Emilia. It's only later, after he "fell in love" with her, he realized he could've just, you know, kidnapped her but then I guess it wouldn't be such a "dark" mafia story. And why was it necessary to have him do cocaine? I dislike a hero who smokes so imagine my disgust at a hero who is a coke head. I just couldn't find him sexy. In fact, at times he was a down right douche.
Unfortunately, this just didn't feel like the Georgia Cates I love. It was like someone else wrote this book. There were some sweet moments, but because of all of the above, I just couldn't love this book.
I gave it two stars because Georgia is one of my favorite authors. Right now she has no plans to write any more about other characters (and honestly, there is no one I would want to read about anyway). Her other mafia series that starts with A Necessary Sin is a much better mafia series book. It is a 3 part serial but is totally worth it. (And it looks to be free on Kindle right now. Grab it.)
If you haven't read Georgia before, skip this one and actually start with Beauty from Pain which is my first read by her and my favorite. That is peak Georgia Cates storytelling and I don't think you'll be disappointed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 3, 2020
I really liked this book.
The author has a note just before the start of the book, it reads 'Luca Rossini is very hatable, but I ask you to give him time before you decide that he’s unredeemable. He just might surprise you.'
Did I hate Luca? No. I was annoyed with him at times, his attitude and choices, I wanted to smack him but I thought it was really good.
I think due to the reader knowing the premise going in, she's torn away from the man she loves, when you have the first scene where she is with the other man and you know it's not going to last, I wasn't very invested in it.
So although it's horrible what Luca does, it's off page, no description, you know the previous man isn't for her so I just accepted it, I suppose.
You have to accept that this is a man's world and the heroine has very limited power and I was impressed at the way she stood up to Luca and used what she had to make her point.
It's set in the 1970s so I wasn't sure if it is dealing with a couple that is already together in other books written by the author.
It does have some drug abuse, snorting cocaine.
There is violence, Luca is known as a ruthless man but there is very little detail and there are no real on page scenes.
There is other man drama in the sense of the memory of her now dead ex and a small scene at the start of the book of their promises to each other before Luca arrives to make his claim.
There is some other woman drama in the form of a sort of ex, who loves him, he doesn't encourage it but she makes a few offers and kisses him, the heroine sees that. And he snorts coke off her breasts at a party.
The heroine is no push over and stands her ground several times although she has very little power.
I did wish she would stand her ground a bit more, esp when it came to sex but due to the situation she is in she needs to get pregnant so that was a difficult one.
There are plenty of secondary characters introduced that could have their own stories.
HEA.
Epilogue.
The author has a note just before the start of the book, it reads 'Luca Rossini is very hatable, but I ask you to give him time before you decide that he’s unredeemable. He just might surprise you.'
Did I hate Luca? No. I was annoyed with him at times, his attitude and choices, I wanted to smack him but I thought it was really good.
I think due to the reader knowing the premise going in, she's torn away from the man she loves, when you have the first scene where she is with the other man and you know it's not going to last, I wasn't very invested in it.
So although it's horrible what Luca does, it's off page, no description, you know the previous man isn't for her so I just accepted it, I suppose.
You have to accept that this is a man's world and the heroine has very limited power and I was impressed at the way she stood up to Luca and used what she had to make her point.
It's set in the 1970s so I wasn't sure if it is dealing with a couple that is already together in other books written by the author.
It does have some drug abuse, snorting cocaine.
There is violence, Luca is known as a ruthless man but there is very little detail and there are no real on page scenes.
There is other man drama in the sense of the memory of her now dead ex and a small scene at the start of the book of their promises to each other before Luca arrives to make his claim.
There is some other woman drama in the form of a sort of ex, who loves him, he doesn't encourage it but she makes a few offers and kisses him, the heroine sees that. And he snorts coke off her breasts at a party.
The heroine is no push over and stands her ground several times although she has very little power.
I did wish she would stand her ground a bit more, esp when it came to sex but due to the situation she is in she needs to get pregnant so that was a difficult one.
There are plenty of secondary characters introduced that could have their own stories.
HEA.
Epilogue.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 12, 2020
At least Luca has a conscience about some things, “she’s going to be my wife. I’m not discussing what we do in the bedroom with any of you effs.” The man is a possessive one, "...it won’t be. I’ll never allow you to be with someone else . I’ll kill any man who touches you.” I liked this book, I actually fell in love with Luca but getting to fall in love with was a journey of lots of ups and downs.
February 26, 2020
Waiting For My Queen was different from what I was anticipating but still did not disappoint. I definitely wouldn't classify this as a dark mafia romance but more along the lines of just a mafia romance.
Luca and Emilia's story is one of a typical Italian mafia set back in the late 70's and early 80's. It was definitely unique as most mafia stories that I have read are set in today's society with all the high-tech gadgets and amazing firearms. I enjoyed the change in scenery and being taken back to when mafia families truly ran without the aide of technology.
I enjoyed reading how things between Luca and Emilia went from very brash and hateful to open and loving. Emilia has been betrothed to Luca since they were kids but were never raised around one another so it was very difficult to get to know each other. Luca has always held onto that agreement between their families while Emilia fell in love with another. This story definitely surrounds more of the romance between Luca and Emilia than it does the mafia itself. There is very little action when it comes to ins and outs of the mafia world and not dark in any way. I think most romance readers will enjoy this one.
Luca and Emilia were more alike than they realize as they allow themselves to see past the walls they have built. Some things may not happen in the order that their old ways would approve of but it's how these two see who each other really are under all the guise. Luca will be a man that readers will come to love. Emilia's strength and stubbornness is what I loved most about her. She may be small in stature, but she is one hell of a bull when it comes to getting what she wants and stopping at nothing to achieve that.
George Cates delivers a great plot with some very enjoyable characters. I love that she left the possibilities of other books open for other characters without having a continuous plot line throughout each book. I enjoyed Luca and Emilia's story a lot and I am looking forward to more from these mafia families - hint hint.
Luca and Emilia's story is one of a typical Italian mafia set back in the late 70's and early 80's. It was definitely unique as most mafia stories that I have read are set in today's society with all the high-tech gadgets and amazing firearms. I enjoyed the change in scenery and being taken back to when mafia families truly ran without the aide of technology.
I enjoyed reading how things between Luca and Emilia went from very brash and hateful to open and loving. Emilia has been betrothed to Luca since they were kids but were never raised around one another so it was very difficult to get to know each other. Luca has always held onto that agreement between their families while Emilia fell in love with another. This story definitely surrounds more of the romance between Luca and Emilia than it does the mafia itself. There is very little action when it comes to ins and outs of the mafia world and not dark in any way. I think most romance readers will enjoy this one.
Luca and Emilia were more alike than they realize as they allow themselves to see past the walls they have built. Some things may not happen in the order that their old ways would approve of but it's how these two see who each other really are under all the guise. Luca will be a man that readers will come to love. Emilia's strength and stubbornness is what I loved most about her. She may be small in stature, but she is one hell of a bull when it comes to getting what she wants and stopping at nothing to achieve that.
George Cates delivers a great plot with some very enjoyable characters. I love that she left the possibilities of other books open for other characters without having a continuous plot line throughout each book. I enjoyed Luca and Emilia's story a lot and I am looking forward to more from these mafia families - hint hint.
March 3, 2020
Emilia was promised in marriage to Luca years ago by her father. It's just one of the many things Mafia families do. But Emilia does not want Luca. She loves another. A soldier in her father's Mafia empire. But Luca wants what he wants. And he takes what he wants. And what he wants is what he was promised - Emilia. So he takes her...
Mafia romances can be tricky to write well. This one is fairly rote, but I mostly enjoyed it. It's not dark by any means, but I did dislike Luca as was suggested in the note before the story started. But by the end he had won me over. He and Emilia make a pretty great enemies to lovers couple.
ARC via Give Me Book Promotions for an honest review.
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March 3, 2020
Waiting for my Queen by Georgia Cates is Luca Rossini and Emilia Bellini's story. Theirs is a dark and twisted romance that will take you on quite the ride. It's set in the late 70s and early 80s timeframe. Emilia who is betrothed to Luca, but she is in love with another man and doesn't want to be chattel used by her father. This is what starts off the beginning of the twisted, raw, dark , brilliant, seductive world of the mafia and of the uber alpha male who wants what he wants when he wants it. You don't tell Luca NO. Oh the chemistry, the hate, the feels and steam, the chaos and betrayal and the revenge. The survival...one alpha jerk and his virgin wife. This book is a mafia romance about an anti hero jerk, his unwilling bride and their forced marriage. Can a true relationship develop from ashes or burnout all the way ? This is a deliciously dark romance that tempts the reader to read from start to finish to find out.
My Rating: 4.5 stars *******
My Rating: 4.5 stars *******
February 29, 2020
3.5 stars
Waiting for My Queen is a Mafia Romance but on the sweeter side. After reading the synopsis, I expected it to be much darker and have more grit. Then somewhere long the line it became sweet and endearing. Which I honestly did not mind. I actually enjoyed it. This story was fast-paced, and easy to read because of its strong storyline and interesting characters.
Waiting for my Queen did not start gently, rather it had quite the exciting and powerful beginning. I was immediately drawn into the romance of Emilia and Luca and were compelled to find out how this anti-hero could possibly redeem himself in Emilia’s eyes. The writing is strong and the story has a steady build up. I enjoyed watching the evolution of Emilia and Luca and the intimacy and passion that sparked between them. It was definitely a difficult path to redemption for Luca. The 70’s music and the family traditions completed the mafia vibe and rounded out their story.
Admittedly, I like a little more grit to my mafia stories. There were a few parts that to me, felt unrealistic and far-fetched. I would have loved a bit more depth and darkness to the story. But overall, this was a sweet romance of enemies to lovers that found their soulmate in the other through an arranged marriage.
Waiting for My Queen is a Mafia Romance but on the sweeter side. After reading the synopsis, I expected it to be much darker and have more grit. Then somewhere long the line it became sweet and endearing. Which I honestly did not mind. I actually enjoyed it. This story was fast-paced, and easy to read because of its strong storyline and interesting characters.
Waiting for my Queen did not start gently, rather it had quite the exciting and powerful beginning. I was immediately drawn into the romance of Emilia and Luca and were compelled to find out how this anti-hero could possibly redeem himself in Emilia’s eyes. The writing is strong and the story has a steady build up. I enjoyed watching the evolution of Emilia and Luca and the intimacy and passion that sparked between them. It was definitely a difficult path to redemption for Luca. The 70’s music and the family traditions completed the mafia vibe and rounded out their story.
Admittedly, I like a little more grit to my mafia stories. There were a few parts that to me, felt unrealistic and far-fetched. I would have loved a bit more depth and darkness to the story. But overall, this was a sweet romance of enemies to lovers that found their soulmate in the other through an arranged marriage.
March 3, 2020
I seriously can’t believe this is my first read by this author...what was I thinking, or not thinking lol
Emilia is betrothed to Luca. He wants the marriage and she doesn’t. What happens shocks them both.
An excellent mafia story that I couldn’t get enough of.
These two characters are brilliant. I’m definitely gonna read more from this author.
Emilia is betrothed to Luca. He wants the marriage and she doesn’t. What happens shocks them both.
An excellent mafia story that I couldn’t get enough of.
These two characters are brilliant. I’m definitely gonna read more from this author.
February 27, 2020
‘The story will begin like this: Once upon a time, a devil fell in love with an angel.’
It’s been a while since we last read a Georgia Cates book, so we were so excited to see this Author was releasing a mafia romance set in the 70s, and a dark one at that. Waiting for my Queen did not start gently, rather it had quite the exciting and powerful beginning. We were immediately drawn into the mafia romance of Emilia and Luca and were compelled to find out how this anti-hero could possibly redeem himself in Emilia’s eyes. After all, his atrocious acts of dominance and control were not forgivable in our eyes.
‘All I ever wanted was to marry for love. But girls like me don’t have that luxury. We are used as pawns in a game we can’t control.’
‘I’m going to be king of everything. Including Emilia Bellini.’
Luca Rossini is quite the formidable anti-hero. From a young age he’s known that one day he will marry Emilia Bellini, joining two mafia families, however what he did not know is that this is the last thing Emilia wants. Rather, she has already found the love of her life. However, tradition dictates that agreements made in the life of the Mafioso are forged in blood and anyone who attempts to break tradition will be dealt with. And dealt with they are!
‘My destiny. It’s a destiny that has cost me the people I love most. Cost me my freedom. Cost me control of my own body.’
‘I won’t forget. I won’t forgive. I’ll get even.’
Emilia is a fabulous heroine and we loved her from the beginning. Strong, sassy and determined, she wows to avenge the horrific consequence of falling in love with the ‘wrong’ person. Her life has been mapped out from birth, yet she’s desperate to take a different path. Circumstances outside of her control sees her entering a life which she was doing her very best to avoid. Channelling her inner strength and Mafioso upbringing she decides that the ultimate revenge is hers for the taking. Death begets death.
‘I’m going to have the upper hand. Luca Rossini is going to love me. He’s going to love me. He’s going to want my heart and soul. And when I’m finished with him, he won’t be able to bear living without my love. But he’ll never have it.’
We really enjoyed Waiting For My Queen. Whilst the general theme is one which we’ve read before, Georgia Cates definitely put her own spin on it and it was both compelling and deliciously shocking. In respect to it being classed as a dark romance, we’d say that compared to other mafia romance books we’ve read, it’s not all that dark. We would have loved more grit and rawness in the writing to suit the nature of the storyline and what came to be, however it takes great writing chops to create a complete redemption, which Georgia Cates certainly achieved. So if you’re on the fence, we say jump right in. We have to applaud this Author in regards to the anti-hero aspect. Luca is an arsehole but you know how we feel about those, right?! We love to hate them and we hate to love them!
‘Love is a volatile thing. It begins. It grows. It changes. Sometimes, it ends. It can be easy. It can be hard. Love can be damaged. It can be mended. Love can sneak up on you when you least expect it, and it can also disappear without warning. Love. It’s what you make it.’
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