Alliance: Sinners of New Orleans, Book 1

"So light and fire. Seems like we could burn this place down."Alliance follows Lana and Naz who are a bit like a modern day Romeo and Juliet. Lana is considered mafia royalty given her last name and is promised to someone who she doesn't want to marry. Naz, on the other hand, is someone who didn't come from the same 'lavish' lifestyle and is currently trying to work his way into the mafia officially for personal reasons, and is definitely considered below Lana's status."Power doesn't always come from being the loudest, the strongest, the one with most control. Sometimes, it comes from letting go."Lana is how I imagine a lot of people in a similar sort of lifestyle to her are. "Maybe she does pay, her payment is simply different." On the outside it may seem like she has everything given her family's background and status. But on the inside, it's a lot of manipulation and controlling behaviour that leads to the gradual breakdown of a person's character, until eventually, they become two completely different people. One which they show the world and appears to have no deeper feelings, and another which is their true self who feels everything. "The wedding bears no resemblance to me. If my name wasn't on the invitation, I don't think anyone would even know it was mine."Meanwhile Naz is someone who appears to be on the outside looking in. "Whoever said money can't buy happiness clearly had money." Naz and his family have had a tough time of it growing up, and he sees this as his way to make their lives easier. His relationship with his family is so sweet though, and I loved the little scenes of him an Anthony! "Sometimes, when she's mad, I'll give her a hug and tell her I'm sorry. Did you try that?" Although he's involved in some shady stuff, Naz actually seems like a really good guy and someone who will look after Lana like she deserves. "I think she might be worth saving. Or dying for."I liked Lana and Naz together, they were steamy, yet sweet with each other from the get go. But I must admit, it was definitely Sam who stole the show for me! "Sam is the kind of made man who always looks like he's about to make a business deal." I can't wait to see more of him and what his character arc is going to be. Likewise, I'm definitely looking forward to seeing where the little teaser, at the end, for John's book is going to go.Overall, I enjoyed the book and I liked all the main characters that we saw, who were Team Lana. However, I rated this 4* as I do wish we'd have gotten a longer book which could have allowed for a bit more development with certain plot points. For example, the aftermath within the LaFontaine family and NO famiglia after Lana makes her decision at the end, and what happened with Sam and Junior.TW: This book touches on a lot of sensitive topics, including suicide. Please heed any trigger warnings the author might have stated.

I knew I had to read this book from the moment Natalia announced this new series! Once again, Natalia did not disappoint; I love her mafia romances.This mafia romance was full of angst, drama, and forbidden romance. This book also touched a sensitive topic which was depression, but Natalia did it with so much care and sensitivity; I literally loved everything about this book.Lana is a mafia princess, controlled by her parents; they have always ordered her what to do. A tragic event left her emotionally and mentally scarred; she's hurt, but no one around seems to care. Once again, her parents have decided her fate by arranging her marriage; Lana has lost all hope, but that changes the moment she meets Naz.Naz is someone with a huge heart; he's willing to make any sacrifice for his family to keep them from going back to the poverty he suffered when younger; to provide for his family, he founds himself involved with the mafia of New Orleans. After meeting Lana, he will find himself in the middle of a family war between the Costello's, but he's willing to do whatever it takes to protect Lana.I loved Lana & Naz together; they have a forbidden romance, but they couldn't resist being together; after all, playing with fire is always tempting. Lana was living a nightmare; she was depressed, in a constant battle with her own mind, Naz was able to show her the bright side, and without realising it, he was able to get her out of that black space. The only thing that kept Naz going was the greediness he felt for money; he was scared of struggling again, and he thought having money could equal happiness, but Lana was a great example of how wrong that is; Lana was able to show Naz that you can achieve happiness with little things in life, as long as you have the ones you love around.I love this duo, and their love story made me ache. I highly recommended Alliance to those who love mafia romances. It has some trigger warnings, which are suicide, drug use, depression, and physical and emotional abuse; please have this in mind before reading.

I just found this so good the author has done yet another amazing job with this one. After finishing the Delgado Trilogy I wasn't sure how interested I would be in the new series but I found myself just as invested with this one and honestly can't wait for more.This story does have some strong triggers including suicide so please do check out the warnings. Lana and Naz both hooked me and after having troubled if very different lives I was rooting for them to have a happy ending.The book will definitely be on my to recommend list and even though I couldn't read as soon as came out but honestly I'm glad didn't have to put off long and don't think anyone else should either. Can't wait for the next in the series I know will be putting it to the top of my tbr list.

When does an arranged marriage not take place? When the girl kills herself rather then suffer hell. Lana knew she was taking her dead sisters place and marriage to Davis would be the end of her until a miracle happened and she met Naz. So many thoughts, what I want to do to Lana's parents and Davis, and loving Naz and Lana. This has a great pace marking everyone of importance and I desperately want more. I voluntarily reviewed this book.

This is the 1st in a new series as well as the 1st time I have read any of this authors work, but I will look out for her work in the future. Lana is the obedient daughter who is a mafia princess and is grieving the loss of her sister. Lana has been groomed her whole life to become the perfect wife in an arranged marriage. Ignozio is a soldier who considered the mafia as a great way to support his family. These two are drawn to each other despite any romance being forbidden. This is a good story which pulls at the heartstrings, and there may be triggers for some readers due to the sensitive content. I look forward to reading more from this author.