The cover was HOT!!! The book was "Luca" Warm.

In a market flooded with all types of Russian Mob Boss Romances, you have one chance to impress. The man on the cover—totally believable. Beginning of the story was plausible and believable. The little tidbits Arianna offers to the reader by indicating how the CIA nudges “common man” made me laugh and was smartly written. Getting into the story was not a problem. I was intrigued by the main characters—Arianna & Luca.

Yet, as time wove on, I began to wonder. The story became implausible as the story continued. There were no more little notes to the reader about how the CIA operates. There was only angst (really whining) about how she is a bad person for lying to the admitted Russian Mobster. She was supposed to have a telegraphic memory, yet admitted that she couldn’t remember things--like how to fight with handguns. She decides that it is better to have control over illegal gun movement into the US than some other guy for ethical reasons.

If I am invested, that means I want the story. Don’t dress this story up to be a mobster with a heart of gold. Illegal Activity is immoral and either she is okay with it or she isn’t. Arianna lied to Luca, a who is supposed to be the meanest of people, yet, he takes her back because she was “doing her job”.

In the beginning of the story, I didn’t mind that she was into a mobster. I could go with it and wondered how it turned out. I just have an issue with the author trying to make this story into some kind of feel good HEA story where Arianna is eventually right and still holistic. The constant whining about being a liar got old pretty quickly. Their role-play was trite and ill-conceived. I was not turned on by the CIA Agent/ Mobster boss sex play. If you are going to do this, bring in your “A” Game—the one is this book is trite and cheap--"C" worthy. I actually started laughing when he mentioned he found a “code book” in her clothing as one his arguments for punishing her in the scene.

Helen Newberry can write and I would give her another try. I don’t think this ending is the one she really wanted to tell. The narrator was really good too. I like it hot and good. This was lukewarm and ok. I may try the next in the series, but I am not wasting a credit on a book that I found poorly carried out.

12 people found this helpful

EXCITING LISTEN... DRAMA, PASSION & SUSPENSE

Poor frustrated Arianna has been fantasizing about a sexy Russian's voice for quite a while now as it's part of her job within the CIA to listen in to all of his conversations - including the hot n heavy ones to his constant string of girlfriends which makes Arianna swoon, drool and dream. Luka is second in command of Moscow's Mafia, a criminal, a cold-hearted mastermind and a womanizer so when Arianna is offered the job of a lifetime, one that'll get her out of her boring office and lifestyle, she cautiously accepts it. However, when she comes face to face with the powerful, handsome and tattooed man behind the sexy voice, Arianna is very quick to realise that, not only is she out of her depth, but also the heated sexual energy she feels when their eyes lock might just land her in trouble. And when she's asked to go on a mission to Moscow to get information by getting closer to Luka all of Arianna's fantasies suddenly become realities.

But there was a lot she wasn't prepared for..... the violence, the heart pounding fear, the guilt over her lies and what she has to do, meeting the head of the Mafia (Luka's Father), to see behind Luka's bad-ass façade and to fall in love with Luka who proved to be a sensitive, caring, protective and trusting Crime Lord as well as a very Alpha lover. There was a lot of other things that Arianna wasn't prepared for but that would give away spoilers.

I really enjoyed this listen, there was suspense, danger, twists, edge of your seat tension, heartache, betrayal, hot and sexy role playing, sizzling chemistry you could almost feel, tender words and touches, a loveable hero and heroine, various other interesting characters and a HEA ending (so no dreaded cliffhanger). Told entirely from Arianna's POV (would have liked dual but hey ho) with A LOT of internal debating over her actions, reactions, choices and some debilitating memories of a tragic accident that left her feeling isolated and alone.

Worth a credit? He wanted salvation and she was his Angel but in turn, he saved her.... from her memories, from a stagnant life and from a wolf in sheep's clothing who had his own agenda which included trashing her career, her life and her entire existence. A drama filled, enjoyable, sweet, hot, entertaining and YES creditworthy listen.

15 people found this helpful

Luka is perfect

I was worried going into this story that there would be a lot of cringing due to the Mafia edge. But it was so wonderful. I made a lot of bookmarks!!!

1 person found this helpful

NARRATION

Gah I wanted this book to be good! I couldn't deal with the narration! Good story but I couldn't finish it because of Lucy Malone.

1 person found this helpful

Such beauty in the midst of danger

Loved it. Also loved the voice of the narrator. Was able to stay without being bored.😁

1 person found this helpful

hot hot hot

I'll come right out, the sex is hot! The story starts very strong, but there was a little tapering off. the last quarter of the story could have been expanded to a whole second half. I would not have minded spending more time with these characters at all.

Interesting story line.

Easy listening with two sexy characters just needing someone to trust with their bodies, their lives, and their hearts. So sexy he made a good girl go bad!

Telling not showing

I read this book in 2016, but didn’t rate or review it.
It’s an okay book in my opinion but not a great one. Story is fine and characters aren’t bad, but I get never engaged. I think it’s mainly because a lot of the book is told and not shown. Like how they feel, what they think.

degrading

I couldn't finish this book. so disrespectful tip women. she was completely degraded in thr bar scene. nope

hot

Ariana and Lucia was very hot together. Ariana was CIA but fslls for the bad guy. what a hot ride.