The Ortega Gambit

A fast-paced intriguing thriller which takes readers on the wild ride from Italian mafia clan wars to cutthroat power struggles of the super-rich. I loved Lucina (the heroine) determination to topple the powerful forces against her

Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the eARC copy

This is a well written and entertaining book, filled with action. The characters are great, and the plot is simple, but good. There's some unnecessary repetition, but all in all a good book.

Lots of action in a fast-paced novel keeps the reader engaged. Characters a bit stereotypical, but that just helps keep the plot moving.

This book is full of surprises. Plot starts in Italy and moves to America. Everything is unexpected and you cannot put the book down. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

First time read by this author. It wasn’t what I expected. I thought it was going to be another romance novel with a stupid protagonist who needs saving. This is completely different. Fast paced book, Italian Mafia with a lot of action, betrayal and a lot of determination by the protagonist. Highly recommend this book.

This is a well written and gritty noir tale of betrayal and vengeance. This action filled, suspenseful edge-of-your-seat thriller that will leave you breathless at times in anticipation of the next twist in the plot. It has an interesting premise and well-developed, and sometimes stereotypical characters. The protagonist, Lucina D’Alessio, who grew up in a Mafia controlled town in Italy, is an unknowing and unwilling pawn in a brutal plot by a flawed and super rich family in America. She is an attractive and not over-done heroine who despises the Mafia and who tries to escape her family, country and fate. Fueled by anger and a sense of right, she achieves some degree of success by the end of the story.

Thank you to NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I would like to thank Puch Press LLC and the Netgalley website for allowing me to read this book.

I was immediately drawn to the pretty cover of the book which shows Lucina holding a child's hand with both hands behind her back.

The story takes place in Italy where Lucina is unemployed until an opportunity arises. She is offered a job as a nanny, she jumps at the opportunity even though it is in America except that she has never been a nanny and she doesn't like children too much.

In her home Lucina feels well surrounded by luxury and wealth. Except that she will discover that there is a conspiracy against the child in her care, Charles. Learning the details of the conspiracy she finds out that her job was part of the plot. She will have to protect Charles, to whom she is attached.

A book read in one go, so much so that I hung on to the story, so moving at certain passages, captivating, addictive, full of suspense and twists and turns with endearing characters.