Luciano Castelli

Aside from the numerous spelling and grammatical errors, this story pulls you in. MJ and Luc aren’t the usual pair you’d find in any run-of-the-mill Mafia story. The deep of the plot and the slow burn style of romance sets this apart from all the rest. The length was also very unexpected from this author and while the story became slow in some places, it was worth it. I look forward for more of this series!

Before I tell you what this book is about I am just gonna reveal to you that it is about 900 pages long so if you like detailed long story this will be a good fit for you. :)

It's an early morning when two of Coop's caffe regulars, desperate for a cup of liquid hug, wait in line seeing each other for the first time.A quick conversation between them and you can see sparks fly- it's definitely from the banter between them.
When soon after that attend the same event and are forced to work together, artist MJ and mafia prince Luc find themselves growing closer. But with their wealthy families and corrupt politician(s), their relationship isn't the only thing  keeping them occupied.

This book is different to the one's Anna Ray wrote and I read of her before this one. It is a much more detailed story, the characters are more complex and you really get to see what they are thinking. And even though the book is told by Mj's and Luc's perspective and it's about their story, you get to see some side characters and the more you read the more you get invested in them and their lives as well. I found it really cleverly written, and if the author continues writing more books about the Castelli's this book will work as a really well introduction story. Plus I think that the ones who already read this one are looking forward to more of these family stories .

The story is interesting, the characters are relatable and enjoyable and you get the feeling of being there with them. Even though that this was a good story I wish it was shorter.

*Thank you NetGalley, Anna Ray and BooksGoSocial for a free ARC.

This book was a roller coaster! And like a roller coaster I loved every minute of it! This book starts of slow at first but gradually gets more intense and sucks you in. This is a different version of Mafia Romance than readers are used to but it was so beautifully written.
The loyalty between Luciano and MJ is something we all hope to have in our lives with the people closest to us. The story between these to characters and the growth between them and as individuals was what made this book such a good read and so hard to put down.
This book is 18+ because of its little bits of intimate scenes

Buckle up for an in-depth journey with Luc and MJ (Marie-Joelle) meeting for the first time at the Coop (a coffee shop in Wicker Park). They both are having bad days despite being first thing in the morning, neither making a great impression on each other. Luc attempting to flirt and get under her skin whilst MJ channels her rebellious side, rebuffering his charm. Each having their own issues with their fathers, something that comes out as they end up at the same charity gala that evening and both volunteered to work on a charity event together.

Following them battling their own demons as well as overcoming obstacles and chalks thrown in their paths. Attempting to get over their first impressions of each other and form a friendship. Slowly acknowledging their feelings for each other, a slow-burn romance that has you rooting for them but also wishing that they would just get together already. With a bigger picture scam happening Luc is willing to do anything to protect his family and most importantly MJ.

LUCIANO CASTELLI is the first book in Anna Ray’s contemporary, adult DANGEROUS MAFIA ROYALS Mafia romance series. This is twenty-six year old, heir to the Castelli family Luciano Castelli, and twenty-four year old artist Marie-Joelle ‘MJ’ Rouleau’s story line.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Luc and MJ) following several intersecting paths, LUCIANO CASTELLI focuses on the enemies to lovers relationship between twenty-six year old, heir to the Castelli family Luciano Castelli, and twenty-four year old artist Marie-Joelle ‘MJ’ Rouleau. Luciano Castelli knew the moment he met MJ Rouleau, the stubborn woman at the neighbourhood café all bets were off until a chance encounter at a political fund-raiser resulted in a six-week, parental enforced ‘volunteer’ working arrangement wherein our couple will work side by side both in and out of their volunteer duties. Luciano Castelli had rattled the ire of a deviant politician, and was thusly serving penance at Whippenhouse Hall, and our heroine was about to pay the price for Luc’s desperate attempts to take down the man he verbally attacked at a media affair. As Luc and MJ’s relationship turns personal, our couple find themselves targeted by the man in charge, and in an effort to protect the woman with whom he is falling in love, Luc is willing to sacrifice himself, taking the blame for everything and more. What ensues is the slow building romance and relationship between Luc and MJ, and the potential fall-out as a politician on the take, takes aim at our story line couple.

Meanwhile, MJ’s best friend, and Luc’s cousin Silvia Solarino is battling between head and heart knowing her best friend is falling for the son of a Mafia Don. Silvia has reason to ‘hate’ the Castelli family, but her current employer is forcing Silvia into a corner, and Silvia is desperate to keep secret sins of the past. At the same time, businessman and MJ’s friend Knox Hargreave is fighting demons of his own as he begins an investigation into political corruption, an investigation that reveals a dangerous game of cat and mouse. Knox’s connection and relationship with MJ is disquieting and concerning.

The relationship between Luc and MJ begins acrimoniously as our couple spit fire and fury within minutes of their first encounter. MJ is an artist who refuses to tow the proverbial line where her father is concerned, and Luc has pushed the buttons of head of the family, one too many times. Forced to work together, Luc and MJ find themselves in the unenviable position to ferret out the who, how and why, but by doing so place a target on their backs, and quite possibly, a target on the charity where they have ‘volunteered’ to work. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.


There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters including MJ’s father Rupert Rouleau; Luciano’s father Vico Castelli; cousins Tulio, and Ciro; MJ’s best friend attorney Silvia Solarino, and businessman Knox Hargreave; Illinois state Rep Eamon Dempsey, and his nephew Gilroy, as well as a large assortment of people coming in and out of our couple’s lives. Knox and Silvia’s storyline is next.

LUCIANO CASTELLI is a lengthy and protracted story line of family and friendships; betrayal and vengeance; secrets and lies. The premise is entertaining and captivating; the slow building romance is impassioned; the characters are dynamic, lively and spirited. The world building (including family history) and character building are detailed and extensive (secrets are revealed) as a considerable amount of time focuses on the couple. This is not the typical Mafia romance storyline-the majority of the action and conflict takes place in the final third of the book. In my opinion, LUCIANO CASTELLI would have been better suited as a trilogy, and not as one single, lengthy and expanded story line.



THE READING CAFÉ: http://www.thereadingcafe.com/luciano-castelli-dangerous-mafia-royals-1-by-anna-ray-a-review/

GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4023691461


AMAZON. COM: https://www.amazon.com/review/R36GR21XFWWKUN/ref=cm_cr_srp_d_rdp_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B093QSDMMZ

BOOKBUB: https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/1561703786

Complementary copy given for my honest review and opinion. Copy provided by NetGalley.
Talk about steamy mafia forbidden love and hate romance! This book is a page turner. Start to finish!

To be honest, I wasn’t expecting to like this as much as I did seeing as how I’ve never read this author before! I was happily surprised.

I immediately connected with both characters and found them very easy to read. The chemistry between Luciano and MJ was palpable.

So good!!

Lots of twists and turns in the plot, but great chemistry between the main characters. Also, what is not to love about a bad boy biker who also has a super close and protective family. Now I want to know what happens to Silvia as we are left hanging at the end.