Collateral: an Arranged Marriage Mafia Romance (Collateral Damage Series)

If you love Mafia story's then you HAVE got to read this one!!! You get mystery, an "arranged" marriage, and tons and tons of twists and turns. Now remember this is book 1 and there is one hell of a cliffy... I am trying to decide just what to type in my review. I do not want to give any kind of spoiler, but I want you to know just how alluring this story truly is.

Stephan is dangerous, dark, and so so sexy. He is out for revenge and will do whatever is necessary to get it. He has lost so much and has decided it's time to bring his family name back up to what it once was. That brings our beautiful and a little naive Gabriela into our story. Her history is jaded by the 1 person who should love and care for her. The 1st night he meets her he leaves her with a very vague promise. When he returns to make good on his promise she is a little confused, mixed with scared, and splashed with defiance. With all that she has seen and been through she is tough and has learned to be resilient.

In this 1st book we start to get a background to both of our broken souls. They both carry dark secrets, and there are a lot of unanswered questions that will have you turning the pages to find the answers. I can not wait to get my greedy little hands on the next 1. I have to know just how short-lived are going to end up.

4.5 stars This arranged marriage mafia romance immediately drew me in from page one and I devoured it in less than 24 hours because it is that good! This is a fast paced book that is sure to keep your toes. First off, it is a dark mafia romance so what isn’t there to like? The plot is engaging. Told from a dual POV, the main characters are beautifully complex, likable, and well-developed.

Stephan is everything I hoped for in that he is a dark and dangerous man who thirsts for revenge, but also finds himself drawn to Gabriela. He is powerful, arrogant, and quite demanding at times. I love Gabriela’s feistiness as she attempts to defy him at every turn. She is a strong heroine that has seen and experienced more than any 18 year-old should have and she is definitely not shrinking violet. These two make an interesting couple and I cannot wait to see how their relationship continues to evolve. As this is book 1 in a duet, the cliffhanger grabs you and leaves you begging for more (Don’t worry, book 2 will be released in a few weeks so you won’t have to wait too long!). This book has intrigue, action, and suspense which kept me entertained until the very end. I received an early complimentary version of this book.

I could not put this book down! It’s that good. Not sure the bags under my eyes the next morning will agree though 😂

It’s not your typical arranged marriage romance. But it’s everything a captive romance should be.

It’s dark, intense, raw, edgy, suspenseful, and sexy yet innocent at times.

Gabriela may be young, but she is one badass heroine. Impulsive yes, maybe at times careless, but that’s what makes her great. She leads with her heart, and her heart, it’s something to behold. Her heart captured a stone cold alphas heart.

Stefan is everything and so much more. Cold, calculating, wise, honest, loyal, sexy but most importantly a protector. His protective instincts showing from the beginning with Gabriela. And that was hot.

I cannot wait for the conclusion of this story. I’m at the edge of my seat, anxiously waiting.

A well written, engaging mafia romance with just the right amount of tension and a slow burning romance.

I enjoyed these characters who were both strong willed and stubborn. Gabrielle is young and a bit naive but not stupid. She is no stranger to the ways of the mafia but having lived under her father's thumb all her life, she hasn't experienced life or been afforded any independence. When she is forced into marriage with a mysterious man from her past, she accepts her fate but that doesn't mean she rolls over in submission. She's strong, feisty and not about to cave to the whims of her fiance.

Control quickly becomes an issue and Stephan is more than up for the challenge. He is out for revenge and Gabrielle is just the tool he needs to get what he wants. She is a means to an end, but I suspect that using her will become much harder than he believes.

The story line isn't something new in this genre but the execution is quite compelling and very well done. Be warned this one ends in one delicious cliffie.

Wow great read and the ending killed me. I need the next one now. Stefan comes across as an animal but deep down he’s not that bad. Gabriela has been through so much in her life. What will happen with them. Will the build up in this book amount to something in the second book?
I cannot wait for the second one.

Natasha Knight has, once again, delivered an INCREDIBLE, EMOTIONAL and GUT-WRENCHING story of betrayal, loss, pain and HOPEFULLY a love story that will mend my shattered heart!!! Stefan and Gabriela have such incredible chemistry, like off-the-charts kind of chemistry...even IF this "arraigned" marriage (more like Stefan is trying to destroy Gabriela's father, Gabriel) is the LAST thing that Gabriela wants she still feels the magnetic pull to Stefan, who holds her future (and her heart?) in his hands.

I fell soooooo hard and soooooo fast for the ALpha and swoon-inducing Stefan and Gabriela is so perfectly feisty and somehow innocent, despite growing up with a cold-hearted and despicable father...she captured my heart and my imagination! I feel like there is so much MORE to this story that has yet to be told!

I devoured this first book in this duet and I can't WAIT to see what happens in the conclusion!!! Thankfully it won't be a long wait because Damage will be here in a few short weeks! Will Stefan and Gabriela overcome the legacy of murder, death and destruction that is their birthright and find their HEA? Stay tuned to find out!!!

Collateral by Natasha Knight was a superbly written dark mafia romance. I couldn’t get enough of this story and it’s characters. I was pulled in from the very first pages found myself fully immersed in Stefan and Gabriela’s intense story of hate, lust, and revenge.

“See, you’re in my world now. And in my world, I make the rules and you obey them. I. Own. You.”

Natasha Knight consistently delivers great dark romances and this one was no exception. Like her other heroes, Stefan was cold and ruthless yet in my opinion, he never went too far with Gabriela. I loved how possessive he was of her and hope that we will see even more of his jealousy come out in the next book. He got more than he bargained for (literally, in this case) with Gabriela, whose strength was subtle but impressive. She was a great heroine, intelligent and loyal and with a steel backbone that was formed by her difficult upbringing. The passion between these two burned so brightly, and I love how full of tension their interactions were. They battled so fiercely, neither of them wanting to give in.

“I see the man who owns me. The one who blackmailed my father into giving me up. The man who plays with me. This predator who plays at being my protector.”

I love the way the story was laid out and immensely enjoyed the push/pull relationship between Gabriela and Stefan. There are a couple of things in the story that I have my suspicions about, but I will have to patiently await the conclusion to find out. The Clara thing was a little off-putting but I’m hoping things will be clarified in the second book. The writing was fantastic and the length of the story was perfect. I especially appreciate that the main characters didn’t immediately fall into intimacy with each other. I think the author was wise to do this, as it lent to the authenticity of their relationship and circumstances. Things are bound to heat up further in book 2, Damaged, and I cannot wait to get my hands on it.

10 Heart racing, angst filled stars! Holy my word...I’m utterly speechless. First off, I was quickly OBSESSED with this book. It consumed me, and I devoured this book in less than eight hours. The chemistry between Gabi and Stefan crackles and is explosive. Who do you trust? Is anyone safe? Who really will protect you? This is a jaw dropping, heart racing story that you’ll crave more of!

Crap on a cracker! Holy Shiitake Mushrooms!
F A N T A S T I C read!
Mafia lovers..this is a must.
I devoured this book. I absolutely love the worlds Natasha Knight creates..layers upon layers of mystery and intrigue.
Gabriela and Stefan have scorching chemistry. I can’t say anything more without spoilers.
Major cliffhanger but sooooooo worth it..is it October yet?
~BREAKDOWN OF RATINGS~
Plot~ 5/5
Main Characters (hero/heroine)~ 5/5
Secondary Characters~ 5/5
The Feels~ 5/5
Pacing~ 5/5
Addictiveness~5/5
Angst~ 5/5
Steam/Hotness/Chemisty ~ 5/5
Theme or Tone~ 5/5
Flow (Writing Style)~ 5/5
Backdrop (World Building)~ 5/5
Originality~ 5/5
Ending~ 5/5
Book Cover~ Sizzling Sexy AF
Series~ Collateral Damage Duet
Source~ Kindle eBook
Would I read more from the author? Yes
Would I recommend this book? Yes

What a fantastic start to a new duet by this author. I loved it and I absolutely loved Stefan, he has just become my favourite Natasha Knight hero (hands off ladies.....claiming him now ;-) ). Gabriela was a little wild cat too, she's seen and been through so much in her 18 years but has moments of innocence, naivety and immaturity amongst the fire and feisty determination. Two fabulous characters.

Stefan surprised me as a character in a very good way. He's a man you wouldn't want to cross, sexy, dark, dangerous and determined but with a tender side in respect of Gabi that blew me away. I loved the way he handled her rebellious bratty moments, I absolutely fell for him.

Taking the thing that's meant to mean the most to his enemy puts Gabriela in a dangerous situation, she's a pawn in a dark game of revenge and will be forced to marry Stefan against her will. She's a fighter and pushes Stefan as hard as she dares but can she trust anyone? Is she alone, or is there more to Stefan than meets the eye?

Collateral has all the great things I know I can expect from a Natasha Knight book; hot sexual tension, action and suspense on the dark side and a twisty turny twisted addictively written storyline. I cannot wait for part two, especially after that cliffhanger ending 😱 5 big stars!!