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Tempted #2
Forbidden Temptations
Respect. Power. Control.
From the time I was a boy that was all I wanted.
Being an enforcer for the mob gave me all of that and more.
But she gave me things I didn’t even know I could have.
Passion. Love. Hope.
I was never supposed to fall for her.
I was only good to take the fall for a crime I didn’t commit.
What use is power when you’re locked inside a cage?
I pushed her away and spared her the pain of this poisonous life.
Now, I’m free and she’s still the forbidden temptation.
The one I crave more than air.
More than respect.
More than power.
More than anything.
Publisher's Note: Forbidden Temptations is volume two in The Tempted Series but it may be read and enjoyed as a standalone mafia romance. This book has been revised and edited as of January 2021.
From the time I was a boy that was all I wanted.
Being an enforcer for the mob gave me all of that and more.
But she gave me things I didn’t even know I could have.
Passion. Love. Hope.
I was never supposed to fall for her.
I was only good to take the fall for a crime I didn’t commit.
What use is power when you’re locked inside a cage?
I pushed her away and spared her the pain of this poisonous life.
Now, I’m free and she’s still the forbidden temptation.
The one I crave more than air.
More than respect.
More than power.
More than anything.
Publisher's Note: Forbidden Temptations is volume two in The Tempted Series but it may be read and enjoyed as a standalone mafia romance. This book has been revised and edited as of January 2021.
305 pages, ebook
First published November 10, 2015
About the author
Janine Infante Bosco
76 books1,778 followersJanine Infante Bosco lives in New York City, she has always loved reading and writing. When she was thirteen, she began to write her own stories and her passion for writing took off as the years went on. At eighteen, she even wrote a full screenplay with dreams of one day becoming a member of the Screen Actors Guild.
Janine writes emotionally charged novels with an emphasis on family bonds, strong willed female characters, and alpha male men who will do anything for the women they love. She loves to interact with fans and fellow avid romance readers like herself.
She is proud of her success as an author and the friendships she's made in the book community but her greatest accomplishment to date would be her two sons Joseph and Paul.
Janine writes emotionally charged novels with an emphasis on family bonds, strong willed female characters, and alpha male men who will do anything for the women they love. She loves to interact with fans and fellow avid romance readers like herself.
She is proud of her success as an author and the friendships she's made in the book community but her greatest accomplishment to date would be her two sons Joseph and Paul.
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November 20, 2015
Epic
ˈɛpɪk/
noun: epic;
a long poem, typically one derived from ancient oral tradition, narrating the deeds and adventures of heroic or legendary figures or the past history of a nation.
synonyms: heroic poem, long poem, long story;
the genre of epics.
a long film, book, or other work portraying heroic deeds and adventures or covering an extended period of time.
synonyms: epic film, long film;
informal: blockbuster
“a big Hollywood epic”
informal
an exceptionally long and arduous task or activity.
“the business of getting hospital treatment soon became an epic”
This is a love story spanning over ten years and told creatively in a seamless series of flashbacks and letters. It has all the elements of an epic story: danger, intrigue, mystery, and above all two lovers hopelessly in love with each other and unable to be together. It centres around the mob, but where most similar stories tend to glamourize the lifestyle and traditions, this book shows the pain and destruction it can cause in people’s lives.
Anthony and Adrianna have loved each other since they were teenagers. Adrianna is a mob princess while Anthony, who had always wanted to be gangster, works for her father. Their relationship has always been off limits, but when Anthony is sent to prison to do the bidding of Adrianna’s father, he realises that he can never be what he needs to be for her. He breaks her heart and pushes her away so she can build a life for herself outside of what a criminal mobster can offer her. When he is set free, he has to watch her live this life while still hopelessly in love with her. He knows what he’s become, a broken and soulless man.
There are many twists in this story and as soon as Anthony sees a way for him to be free of all the reasons he can’t be with Adrianna, he takes it.
Epic
ˈɛpɪk/
adjective: epic
relating to or characteristic of an epic or epics.
synonyms: heroic, long, grand, monumental, vast, Homeric
antonyms: understated
heroic or grand in scale or character.
“his epic journey around the world”
synonyms: ambitious, heroic, grand, arduous, extraordinary, Herculean
informal
particularly impressive or remarkable.
Anthony was an awesome hero. Strong and capable, yet bitter and angry for all he had to go through but his love for Adrianna was amazing! How he could only be reached by her, and how was obsessed with her even while pushing her away was beautiful. He was sexy as all fuck. Dark, dangerous, covered in tattoos and with a filthy mouth he was perfect and the image of this brooding brickhouse of a man clutching a small blue teddy bear has taken up the number one spot in my spank bank.
I definitely recommend this book. It’s a heart wrencher, but it’s all SO worth it.
(ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review)
ˈɛpɪk/
noun: epic;
a long poem, typically one derived from ancient oral tradition, narrating the deeds and adventures of heroic or legendary figures or the past history of a nation.
synonyms: heroic poem, long poem, long story;
the genre of epics.
a long film, book, or other work portraying heroic deeds and adventures or covering an extended period of time.
synonyms: epic film, long film;
informal: blockbuster
“a big Hollywood epic”
informal
an exceptionally long and arduous task or activity.
“the business of getting hospital treatment soon became an epic”
This is a love story spanning over ten years and told creatively in a seamless series of flashbacks and letters. It has all the elements of an epic story: danger, intrigue, mystery, and above all two lovers hopelessly in love with each other and unable to be together. It centres around the mob, but where most similar stories tend to glamourize the lifestyle and traditions, this book shows the pain and destruction it can cause in people’s lives.
Anthony and Adrianna have loved each other since they were teenagers. Adrianna is a mob princess while Anthony, who had always wanted to be gangster, works for her father. Their relationship has always been off limits, but when Anthony is sent to prison to do the bidding of Adrianna’s father, he realises that he can never be what he needs to be for her. He breaks her heart and pushes her away so she can build a life for herself outside of what a criminal mobster can offer her. When he is set free, he has to watch her live this life while still hopelessly in love with her. He knows what he’s become, a broken and soulless man.
There are many twists in this story and as soon as Anthony sees a way for him to be free of all the reasons he can’t be with Adrianna, he takes it.
Epic
ˈɛpɪk/
adjective: epic
relating to or characteristic of an epic or epics.
synonyms: heroic, long, grand, monumental, vast, Homeric
antonyms: understated
heroic or grand in scale or character.
“his epic journey around the world”
synonyms: ambitious, heroic, grand, arduous, extraordinary, Herculean
informal
particularly impressive or remarkable.
Anthony was an awesome hero. Strong and capable, yet bitter and angry for all he had to go through but his love for Adrianna was amazing! How he could only be reached by her, and how was obsessed with her even while pushing her away was beautiful. He was sexy as all fuck. Dark, dangerous, covered in tattoos and with a filthy mouth he was perfect and the image of this brooding brickhouse of a man clutching a small blue teddy bear has taken up the number one spot in my spank bank.
I definitely recommend this book. It’s a heart wrencher, but it’s all SO worth it.
(ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review)
July 23, 2019
Spoilers ahead
The writing style of this one was much improved from the previous but honestly the constant switch from past to present is absolutely not my thing. At certain times I had to stop reading and go back to see when that part of the story took place
This is a second chance romance with a couple who'd endured heartbreak before. Adrianna was with Anthony and lost a child in an accident. Anthony was working for her father in the mob. Against the wishes of his mother and Adrianna he was determined to be a made man.Her father was opposed to their Union and wanted Anthony to do time in prison to get close to an enemy and kill him.
While in prison he pushed Adrianna away and was harsh to her to get her to stop coming to see him and move on with her life
***** Side note why was this even necessary he was only going away for 3 years, yeesh dramatic much?
So she did move on though of course she still loved him, and ended up pregnant by her now ex.
When he comes out of prison she goes to see him and goes into labor. He takes her to the hospital and is there when the baby is born. I thought finally! They'd get back together but nope he's in the mob and he's a bad guy and she deserved better for herself and her son so he stayed away for her own good. They agree, mutually that it's best to stay away from each other
A few months later we get the end scene of him and a woman he'd met in a bar and had been with off and on for months. She's getting clingy and since his heart only belonged to one woman he had to cut her off
I think it's the NEXT DAY when the h shows up and they have sex.
Adrianna has a son and I prepared myself for cute moments with baby Luca and while there were a few mostly other people babysat the child. That was a bummer for me as I love children in romances to actually have a role.
After that he starts to make moves to get away from the mob so they could be together
They stay apart sometimes for a month while he tries to sort his business, there's no OW or OM during that time
The h's ex is a junkie and he comes around for money. He seemed like a good guy but unfortunately his addiction got the best of him. He signed his rights to the child away
Eventually things get sorted when her father admits to his mistakes and goes to jail to free his daughters to move on with their lives away from the mob
I expected mob guys to be more badass
It was interesting but the back and forth as well as flashbacks to the past annoyed me. 2.5* reluctantly rounded up
The writing style of this one was much improved from the previous but honestly the constant switch from past to present is absolutely not my thing. At certain times I had to stop reading and go back to see when that part of the story took place
This is a second chance romance with a couple who'd endured heartbreak before. Adrianna was with Anthony and lost a child in an accident. Anthony was working for her father in the mob. Against the wishes of his mother and Adrianna he was determined to be a made man.Her father was opposed to their Union and wanted Anthony to do time in prison to get close to an enemy and kill him.
While in prison he pushed Adrianna away and was harsh to her to get her to stop coming to see him and move on with her life
***** Side note why was this even necessary he was only going away for 3 years, yeesh dramatic much?
So she did move on though of course she still loved him, and ended up pregnant by her now ex.
When he comes out of prison she goes to see him and goes into labor. He takes her to the hospital and is there when the baby is born. I thought finally! They'd get back together but nope he's in the mob and he's a bad guy and she deserved better for herself and her son so he stayed away for her own good. They agree, mutually that it's best to stay away from each other
A few months later we get the end scene of him and a woman he'd met in a bar and had been with off and on for months. She's getting clingy and since his heart only belonged to one woman he had to cut her off
I think it's the NEXT DAY when the h shows up and they have sex.
Adrianna has a son and I prepared myself for cute moments with baby Luca and while there were a few mostly other people babysat the child. That was a bummer for me as I love children in romances to actually have a role.
After that he starts to make moves to get away from the mob so they could be together
They stay apart sometimes for a month while he tries to sort his business, there's no OW or OM during that time
The h's ex is a junkie and he comes around for money. He seemed like a good guy but unfortunately his addiction got the best of him. He signed his rights to the child away
Eventually things get sorted when her father admits to his mistakes and goes to jail to free his daughters to move on with their lives away from the mob
I expected mob guys to be more badass
It was interesting but the back and forth as well as flashbacks to the past annoyed me. 2.5* reluctantly rounded up
June 27, 2023
Anthony was such an intriguing character. He put on this disguise of being lethal and cold, but dude was swimming in so much heart. Everything he was or ever could be centered around Adrianna, and this lady knew her man. When he pushed, she pushed back. And when he pulled her in, she went willingly. There was so much back and forth in their relationship, that if you're not careful, you'll get whiplash. Outside forces were the primary reasons for why this couple had such a hard time, but Anthony didn't try to make things any easier. While all she wanted was him, he was constantly worried about the danger being with him would cause.
However, when he finally decided to fight for what was rightfully his, when he finally claimed his woman... everybody needed to get out of this man's way. I loved everything he did to finally give Adrianna the happily ever after she deserved.
The only drawback to this story was the way that Victor Pastore was portrayed. He went from beloved father to a monster and it threw me. At least some peace was made in the end. I'm here for the ride and it only seems to be getting bumpier. Don't even get me started on the whole Jimmy Gold situation. I can't wait for all of the fallout!!
However, when he finally decided to fight for what was rightfully his, when he finally claimed his woman... everybody needed to get out of this man's way. I loved everything he did to finally give Adrianna the happily ever after she deserved.
The only drawback to this story was the way that Victor Pastore was portrayed. He went from beloved father to a monster and it threw me. At least some peace was made in the end. I'm here for the ride and it only seems to be getting bumpier. Don't even get me started on the whole Jimmy Gold situation. I can't wait for all of the fallout!!
November 19, 2015
Originally posted on http://readingadd.blogspot.ro/
So, this was quite of a ride and I feel so tired right now. And it's not because the book made me fell asleep or something, but because it was as a rollercoaster and now I have no idea how to feel.
Before reading this one I also read the first book, even if you can read them separated. The idea is that you have a main story and in each novel you see the main story from the perspectives of the two main characters and also their little story. So, if you read the first novel and now you read or you have read the second one, you saw or you'll see how the main story is there, in both of them, unchanged, but the other stories are different. In the first one you see the story of Mike and Nikki and in this one you have Anthony and Adrianna.
I can't say that I have a favorite book or a favorite couple, because they are different in many ways, but now I'll focus more on Anthony and Adrianna, being the review for the second book. But both books are awesome and you should check them out!
This second book was darker than the first one and more complicated. Also the characters have a darker and twisted past together, and that can just make their story even more dense. But I liked it and I had a very good time reading this one, reading both from Anthony and from Adrianna and trying to put together their story, and wait to see how is going to end. But I won't tell you, because you have to read the novel if you want to know and really you won't regret reading it!
I think that this book, and also the first one, are worth reading, because they are beautifully written, they have realistic characters and realistic situations, which are realistically treated. And also there are a ton of emotions, so many and of so many kinds, that you won't know how to feel and how to react. You will feel so overwhelmed and invested in the story, that when you reach the end you'll feel like you've been underwater for a long time, you are dizzy and your mind if foggy, but you also feel very good and you're happy.
I have no idea if this review is coherent or not *I'm still laying on fluffy clouds due to the story :))* but all I'm going to say is that, if you like New Adult and Romance with a bit of suspense and action, with mafia and fights and guns and stuff, then you'll enjoy this one. It's so action packed due to the mob thing but also you have the tensions between the main characters and the people around them. It's crazy and you should try! Also, there are a lot of steamy scenes if you are curious. So, what else do you want me to add so you just pick this up and stop oggling my review?! Go and read it!
So, this was quite of a ride and I feel so tired right now. And it's not because the book made me fell asleep or something, but because it was as a rollercoaster and now I have no idea how to feel.
Before reading this one I also read the first book, even if you can read them separated. The idea is that you have a main story and in each novel you see the main story from the perspectives of the two main characters and also their little story. So, if you read the first novel and now you read or you have read the second one, you saw or you'll see how the main story is there, in both of them, unchanged, but the other stories are different. In the first one you see the story of Mike and Nikki and in this one you have Anthony and Adrianna.
I can't say that I have a favorite book or a favorite couple, because they are different in many ways, but now I'll focus more on Anthony and Adrianna, being the review for the second book. But both books are awesome and you should check them out!
This second book was darker than the first one and more complicated. Also the characters have a darker and twisted past together, and that can just make their story even more dense. But I liked it and I had a very good time reading this one, reading both from Anthony and from Adrianna and trying to put together their story, and wait to see how is going to end. But I won't tell you, because you have to read the novel if you want to know and really you won't regret reading it!
I think that this book, and also the first one, are worth reading, because they are beautifully written, they have realistic characters and realistic situations, which are realistically treated. And also there are a ton of emotions, so many and of so many kinds, that you won't know how to feel and how to react. You will feel so overwhelmed and invested in the story, that when you reach the end you'll feel like you've been underwater for a long time, you are dizzy and your mind if foggy, but you also feel very good and you're happy.
I have no idea if this review is coherent or not *I'm still laying on fluffy clouds due to the story :))* but all I'm going to say is that, if you like New Adult and Romance with a bit of suspense and action, with mafia and fights and guns and stuff, then you'll enjoy this one. It's so action packed due to the mob thing but also you have the tensions between the main characters and the people around them. It's crazy and you should try! Also, there are a lot of steamy scenes if you are curious. So, what else do you want me to add so you just pick this up and stop oggling my review?! Go and read it!
November 24, 2015
**Review originally posted on 18/11/15 on Bookish Wanderlove.**
Wow. Wow. WOW!!
If I could give this more than 5 stars I would!
I honestly did not know what to expect from Forbidden Temptations. This was fantastic and beautifully written! And let’s not forget emotional!
When I first came across Forbjdden Temptations I knew it was a story I just had to read. I wasn’t aware at first that this was the 2nd book in a series, however it can be read as a standalone. However, I do plan and hope to get my hands on the 1st book.
Janine did an excellent job creating characters with depth! Now a days so many characters are one dimensional and hard, if not impossible, to connect and relate to. That was NOT the case in Forbidden Temptations! I’m so in love with Adrianna’s character. She wasn’t your typical mousy female character but actually very strong, vocal and not afraid to fight for what she wants! And Anthony, oh sweet Anthony. The mouth on that one! Anthony’s character was so interesting and intense. There was a lot of self reflection he needed to do to really come to terms with what he really wanted and what was expected of him.
The FEELS! I did say that this was an emotional read for me. Janine’s writing style blew me away! She was so descriptive but captivating with her words. There wasn’t a single point that I found myself eye rolling at the typical sentence structures authors use now a days that sound cheesy. She gives reader a slap in the face reality of the mob life.
I can’t wait to pick up Uncontrollable Temptations which is the next book in this series!
Wow. Wow. WOW!!
If I could give this more than 5 stars I would!
I honestly did not know what to expect from Forbidden Temptations. This was fantastic and beautifully written! And let’s not forget emotional!
When I first came across Forbjdden Temptations I knew it was a story I just had to read. I wasn’t aware at first that this was the 2nd book in a series, however it can be read as a standalone. However, I do plan and hope to get my hands on the 1st book.
Janine did an excellent job creating characters with depth! Now a days so many characters are one dimensional and hard, if not impossible, to connect and relate to. That was NOT the case in Forbidden Temptations! I’m so in love with Adrianna’s character. She wasn’t your typical mousy female character but actually very strong, vocal and not afraid to fight for what she wants! And Anthony, oh sweet Anthony. The mouth on that one! Anthony’s character was so interesting and intense. There was a lot of self reflection he needed to do to really come to terms with what he really wanted and what was expected of him.
The FEELS! I did say that this was an emotional read for me. Janine’s writing style blew me away! She was so descriptive but captivating with her words. There wasn’t a single point that I found myself eye rolling at the typical sentence structures authors use now a days that sound cheesy. She gives reader a slap in the face reality of the mob life.
I can’t wait to pick up Uncontrollable Temptations which is the next book in this series!
April 22, 2016
3.5 Stars... I really enjoyed Adrianna & Anthony's story. Some of it broke my heart & had me tearing up & some of it had me frustrated as hell.
Anthony made poor choices & seemed very selfish to only think about his loyalty to Victor. He didn't put too much thought into how the whole thing would affect Adrianna. And Victor is a complete dick treating his daughter the way he did. He seemed very power hungry & greedy instead of being a real father. The other frustrating thing was how Adrianna claims to love Anthony so much that he's her whole world but she had no problem getting in the sack with someone after he went to jail. She didn't really try to move on but accidentally got pregnant? I never understood females that do that kind of crap. The whole back & forth thing with them was frustrating & heartbreaking. And how about the fact that Anthony boned some whore one night & the next he was boning Adrianna? Ew. Stuff like that turns me off. I wasn't really a fan of some of the things they did to each other but it was a decent story.
Anthony made poor choices & seemed very selfish to only think about his loyalty to Victor. He didn't put too much thought into how the whole thing would affect Adrianna. And Victor is a complete dick treating his daughter the way he did. He seemed very power hungry & greedy instead of being a real father. The other frustrating thing was how Adrianna claims to love Anthony so much that he's her whole world but she had no problem getting in the sack with someone after he went to jail. She didn't really try to move on but accidentally got pregnant? I never understood females that do that kind of crap. The whole back & forth thing with them was frustrating & heartbreaking. And how about the fact that Anthony boned some whore one night & the next he was boning Adrianna? Ew. Stuff like that turns me off. I wasn't really a fan of some of the things they did to each other but it was a decent story.
November 16, 2015
Title: Forbidden Temptations
Author: Janine Infante Bosco
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Suspense
Series or Standalone: Standalone Series (Tempted Series #2)
Rating: ★★★★★
Review
This book took me by surprise.
I have to admit, I went into this book expecting much the same in terms of the mafia/mob aspect. I also expected that it would be a quick read, but it was anything but.
I’ve never had the pleasure of reading this author before, so I didn’t read the first book in this series first. I also had no idea how I would gel with her writing style. As it turns out, I didn’t need the first book here. I do think that there was enough information shared throughout that gave me a good background on anything that may have come before this, so I wasn’t missing anything and I enjoyed the writing style.
Now, in these types of books as I’ve said before, often times the pacing is very quick. The two main characters are thrown together quickly and everything they experience moves very fast. That didn’t happen here at all and I enjoyed it. It set itself apart from other books with the same type of story because it took it’s time. It showed you the distant past and it walked you straight up into the present in a way that gave the reader a chance to connect with all of the players that were a part of this book.
I was able to connect to Adrianna’s father and Anthony’s boss, Vic, just as easily as I could the both of them. Same goes for Jimmy (*rolls eyes*) and then Nikki, Mike and especially Jack when he did make his appearance. It’s a gift to be able to make the reader invest in more than just the love story aspect of a book, but also all other sub plots going on around it, and Janine did that here with me. She did it so well that at points in the story, I could feel my heart freezing up in my chest with concern over how it was all going to play out.
The slow burn for Anthony and Adrianna. The back and forth, while at times making me wanna pull my hair out the same way it seemed that Adrianna wanted to, was well done. I don’t think I would have enjoyed the book nearly as much if they had just walked back into each other’s lives and gone on like the past didn’t happen. Like there wasn’t these very real obstacles in their way on the road to happiness.
I enjoyed seeing the evolution of their relationship. How they started and then how they came to be who they are in the present time. When Anthony comes home having done a bid for a crime he didn’t commit, now older and more jaded, but still just as in love as he’d been when he left, and Adrianna going through the same kind of growth, but also never losing those feelings that even though she’d tried to move on from, she never actually could. There was growth there, but also more to be had and the author gave us all of it.
These two have been through so much together and a lot of it, as it unfolded and I learned, hurt my heart. I didn’t want this for any of them. But life, and more importantly love and relationships are never pretty, but it’s through all that darkness and hardship that some of the most beautiful things can happen and even though it was messy in the past and present, what they did have was ultimately beautiful.
I’m trying not to give much away because I do believe that this is a book you need to experience for yourself in order to get all of the feels from it that I did, but I will say that this book was so much more than a romance and while I didn’t see it playing out quite the way it did in terms of the more action/suspense elements of the book, the way it all came together in the end was beautiful to witness.
The redemption of a man that for so long didn’t believe that he was worthy of it and what that man does for his family, when for the majority of the book I was looking for reasons to crucify him the way some of the characters wanted to, was brilliant and my favorite part hands down…the part that really brought the tears to my eyes, was the very last line of the book and who delivers it.
In terms of perfectly executed endings, that one wins hands down. Luca owns my heart!
Janine Infante Bosco, you have written one hell of a captivating, emotional, and at times very real story and I am so glad that I got the chance to read it. I will carry the story of Adrianna and Anthony with me always.
If you’re a fan of the ones that don’t come easy, with characters that aren’t perfect, but are pretty much perfect together. Stories that take their time and let things progress at their own pace, or ones with a little bit of suspense, I think you’ll enjoy this. I know I did.
My thanks to the author and all others involved in letting me experience Anthony and Adrianna’s story before release. I enjoyed it immensely.
November 10, 2015
*** On behalf of I Love Story Time, review by Juls ***
"If there was one thing I knew for sure, it was that we loved one another passionately, wildly, and that fucking love … well … it was combustible. We loved each other so fiercely that we fucking destroyed each other."
When I read books by AMAZING authors like Janine Infante - Bosco , I sometimes feel that there is no way that my little review can give their stories any justice. Those of you that have followed my reviews of Janine's books, know that I seriously love everything she writes. I have read EVERY. SINGLE. BOOK of hers, and I will continue to read anything and everything that she writes! She is one of those authors that if it has her name on it, I would buy it no matter what the story is about. I wouldn't even have to read the blurb to know I needed it. I can think of just a handful of author's I feel this way about, and I will say, she is at the top of that list!
As I have said before, there isn't much I can say to explain how good Forbidden Temptations is. I really liked Anthony from book 1, and I fell in love with him again in book 2! I was told by a little birdie that the sex in this story is a little riskier than usual. I would have to say that it is true, but I couldn't have imagined it any other way! With all the animosity that Anthony carries with him, his sex scenes would have to be intense! He is definitely the dirty talking, take charge kind of guy that I always knew he would be! Don't get me wrong, he had his sensitive moments too. I loved everything about him!
There was so much that went on in this story. It was intense, mysterious, and full of love and forgiveness. There were laugh out loud moments along with moments that made me cry. It truly had a little of everything. If you haven't started this series, I highly recommend that you do! Anthony and Adrianna's story is something that will always stay with you. I loved that no matter what was thrown at them, they never stopped fighting to be together, I believe that is what makes their relationship so real. Things always get in the way, and life is never easy, some people fight, and some people don't. But in the end, Anthony and Adrianna's love always came out on top.
“I’ll always fight for you because nobody will ever love me like you do.”
~Juls
November 18, 2015
ARC provide by the Author in exchange for my honest review. Thank you!
I don’t know how she does it. Janine Infante Bosco continues to pull me in and fall in love with her characters.
Forbidden Temptations is the second book of the Tempted Series and OMG…if I thought I was in love with Mike and Nikki, Anthony and Adrianna literally stole my heart right out of my chest.
There is nothing like a second-chance romance or childhood crushes that bloomed into failed love. For all intent and purposes, Anthony and Adrianna’s story blew me away. What I loved was how the mix of past/present references was tastefully done (not overly done) and left me wanting more at the end.
Considering the push and pull dynamic of their relationship, and moments where I was Team Anthony, then Team Adrianna, then Team Get-it-Together, I couldn’t be happier when Anthony said “eff it all” in order to get his girl.
I cannot go too much into the happenings of the story (other than what the summary provides), but will closer to date of release.
Read it. Fall in love with this crazy, mobster-raised/living gang, and just hold on to your seat for more. Now the question is…who is next?
I don’t know how she does it. Janine Infante Bosco continues to pull me in and fall in love with her characters.
Forbidden Temptations is the second book of the Tempted Series and OMG…if I thought I was in love with Mike and Nikki, Anthony and Adrianna literally stole my heart right out of my chest.
There is nothing like a second-chance romance or childhood crushes that bloomed into failed love. For all intent and purposes, Anthony and Adrianna’s story blew me away. What I loved was how the mix of past/present references was tastefully done (not overly done) and left me wanting more at the end.
Considering the push and pull dynamic of their relationship, and moments where I was Team Anthony, then Team Adrianna, then Team Get-it-Together, I couldn’t be happier when Anthony said “eff it all” in order to get his girl.
I cannot go too much into the happenings of the story (other than what the summary provides), but will closer to date of release.
Read it. Fall in love with this crazy, mobster-raised/living gang, and just hold on to your seat for more. Now the question is…who is next?
November 16, 2015
Adrianna & Anthony share a unique history of growth, love, passion & heartbreak. A forbidden love so desperate they cling to one another over the spans of years. True love torn between family, obligations & loyalty. Life as Mafia. It comes at a price. Forbidden Temptations is just that!
Anthony’s worked hard; his sweat, his blood & loss of his humanity. All to get into the family fold, he’s always wanted in for as long as he could remember. It was hard work; mentally, physically and emotionally. And Anthony learned the hard way; spending years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. Now that’s loyalty!! But that also came with a price; losing his family & one true love. Making the most of it he does what he has to keep himself alive; that means keeping everyone he loves away from him. However, Adrianna is one strong woman, she’s persistent & strong willed. And only has ever had eyes for Anthony. Although she comes with baggage, she’s keeping hopes that Anthony & she can continue on with their lives together; making up for what was stolen from them. They have an extremely bumpy, painful road ahead of them.
Reviewed for HeadTripping Books by
Anthony’s worked hard; his sweat, his blood & loss of his humanity. All to get into the family fold, he’s always wanted in for as long as he could remember. It was hard work; mentally, physically and emotionally. And Anthony learned the hard way; spending years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. Now that’s loyalty!! But that also came with a price; losing his family & one true love. Making the most of it he does what he has to keep himself alive; that means keeping everyone he loves away from him. However, Adrianna is one strong woman, she’s persistent & strong willed. And only has ever had eyes for Anthony. Although she comes with baggage, she’s keeping hopes that Anthony & she can continue on with their lives together; making up for what was stolen from them. They have an extremely bumpy, painful road ahead of them.
Reviewed for HeadTripping Books by
November 19, 2015
I received an ARC of this book from IndieSage PR in exchange for an honest review and as part of the book's blog tour promotions.
First, let me just say that this is my first book from this author. That means that I wasn't able to read the first book in this series. I also went into this book without any expectation and only wanted to see how this author was. Now, let me also say that I truly enjoyed this book. I enjoyed it so much that I resolve to read the first book and get to know more people in this series. I also have to say that I will also check out her other books too.
I've read many mob romances before. Of course, the darker and grittier they are, the more I love them. With this book, I was pleasantly surprised at the way that the author wrote her characters. I also loved the way the love story was played out amidst all the mob conflicts and all other challenges. I am a sucker for second chance romance, so the fact that this is one also became a huge factor in my being able to enjoy the book. All in all, I am glad I tried this author out. Sometimes, it does pay well to take a chance on a story.
First, let me just say that this is my first book from this author. That means that I wasn't able to read the first book in this series. I also went into this book without any expectation and only wanted to see how this author was. Now, let me also say that I truly enjoyed this book. I enjoyed it so much that I resolve to read the first book and get to know more people in this series. I also have to say that I will also check out her other books too.
I've read many mob romances before. Of course, the darker and grittier they are, the more I love them. With this book, I was pleasantly surprised at the way that the author wrote her characters. I also loved the way the love story was played out amidst all the mob conflicts and all other challenges. I am a sucker for second chance romance, so the fact that this is one also became a huge factor in my being able to enjoy the book. All in all, I am glad I tried this author out. Sometimes, it does pay well to take a chance on a story.
November 17, 2015
5 STAR READ!!!
I loved this story. It is the second book in the series, and I think I will be going back to read the first book just to get a little more back story on Anthony. I'm not much of a mob/romance type of reader, but this book may be one of my favorites. I was instantly drawn into the story and felt the connection between the characters. It wasn't forced at all, and it wasn't overly "mobby". It broke my heart knowing that Anthony let people beat him up during the fights just to feel pain. The love that he has for Adrianna is something that he cannot get over, and neither can she. He tries to push her away as much as he can when he is locked up because he cannot stand to see her pity/sadness looks, but when she comes back to tell him a secret he wants to push her away for good. So will a one night stand come between these two? Will Anthony finally get his reason for pushing her away for good?
I loved this story. It is the second book in the series, and I think I will be going back to read the first book just to get a little more back story on Anthony. I'm not much of a mob/romance type of reader, but this book may be one of my favorites. I was instantly drawn into the story and felt the connection between the characters. It wasn't forced at all, and it wasn't overly "mobby". It broke my heart knowing that Anthony let people beat him up during the fights just to feel pain. The love that he has for Adrianna is something that he cannot get over, and neither can she. He tries to push her away as much as he can when he is locked up because he cannot stand to see her pity/sadness looks, but when she comes back to tell him a secret he wants to push her away for good. So will a one night stand come between these two? Will Anthony finally get his reason for pushing her away for good?
March 18, 2016
3.75 stars. I wanted to slap him sooooo many times!! Okay, there is another woman scene but it's not descriptive, we come in after they finish, and that's the last of her. Nothing drama worthy. This is after his romance with the h and after the breakup, but they get together in the end, obviously. HEA, no cheating. Adrianna also has a baby with another guy while Anthony is in prison but he was there for 3 years and he pushed her away. The father is out of the picture and an addict. He was a good guy but his addiction just got the better of him. So Adrianna is raising her baby on her own. Anthony eventually gets his head out of his butt and there is a great reunion, after a lot of stumbles. And on to the next one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 15, 2015
I was given a copy in exchange for an honest review.
This book will pull you in from the very beginning. This was an amazing book. This book was an emotional one and shows what loyalty is all about and how far you are willing to go for those that you love. Janine really knows how to write a story that pulls you in and will not let you go until the end. I can't wait to read more from her.
Review done by Cat from Cat's Guilty Pleasure
This book will pull you in from the very beginning. This was an amazing book. This book was an emotional one and shows what loyalty is all about and how far you are willing to go for those that you love. Janine really knows how to write a story that pulls you in and will not let you go until the end. I can't wait to read more from her.
Review done by Cat from Cat's Guilty Pleasure
November 10, 2015
I wish I could give this book 10 stars!! I was given an arc and I just can't say enough about Anthony and Adrienne's story. It was an emotional read for me. I loved how the other series were tied in this story. This is an absolute must read!!
November 9, 2015
This was one of the most emotional and engaging books I have read in a while, and I loved every minute of it. Anthony and Adrianna's story was an epic, unforgettable journey of the unbreakable bond of love between two people who had the odds stacked against them. We got bits and pieces of their story in Illicit Temptations, Book 1 of the series, but never really knew the details of what was happening between them. Adrianna is the daughter of a crime boss and Anthony is one of his top employees. The two begin a relationship when they are young, and things are going well between them until Anthony is forced to make a sacrifice that will separate him from the woman he loves. It sets off a rift between the couple that lasts for years and causes heartache for the both of them.
I loved the relationship that Anthony and Adrianna shared. The two of them were connected not just on a physical level, but emotionally as well. Their love knew no bounds and there was no one else who could ever compare for both Anthony and Adrianna. The scenes we were given when their relationship first began were my favorite. I love that the author went back in the past and showed us how their bond began forming, and how things developed physically between them. They were head over heels for each other from the beginning, and although Anthony tried to fight it at first because of who she was, he found he couldn't resist her.
"She was heaven. She was hell. She was everything forbidden and everything that was always so tempting."
Their steadfast love for each other made their separation all the more heartbreaking. At one point Adrianna had tried to move on from Anthony but was unsuccessful. The two of them occupied each other’s thoughts constantly, and I loved the loyalty that they both had for each other. There were times where I wanted to smack Anthony and shout at him, "Just be with her!!", but at the same time I understood his need to keep her safe and separated from his dangerous lifestyle.
"I didn't just love her; I fu*king cherished her. That woman owned me; my body, my soul, and my black heart."
My heart ached for Adrianna and all the suffering that she went through. Her father was a huge barrier that stood between them, and she not only lost Anthony when he went to jail, she lost her relationship with her father as well. She was forced to endure a lot on her own, and even when Anthony tried to push her away, she found that she could never stop loving him.
"Even knowing the pain falling in love with Anthony would cause me I wouldn't take it back. Not then and not now."
The author did an exceptional job conveying the emotional turmoil that both of these characters were experiencing. Through it all, they were two people who just wanted to love each other. Even with all the time that passed, neither of them could ever fully accept that they couldn't be together. These two fought for each other and for their happiness, even when it looked as though everything was working against them.
"I know there are so many reasons you and I should've given up already but as long as I am breathing, I won't ever give up on you."
This couple's journey was not an easy one, and their struggles were heartbreaking at times. Through it all their love for each other never wavered, and that’s what makes this story so beautiful. I thoroughly enjoyed this story from start to finish. I know that the author has more books planned for the Temptations series and I can’t wait to read what she has in store for us next!
--Reviewed for Just Let Me Read
I loved the relationship that Anthony and Adrianna shared. The two of them were connected not just on a physical level, but emotionally as well. Their love knew no bounds and there was no one else who could ever compare for both Anthony and Adrianna. The scenes we were given when their relationship first began were my favorite. I love that the author went back in the past and showed us how their bond began forming, and how things developed physically between them. They were head over heels for each other from the beginning, and although Anthony tried to fight it at first because of who she was, he found he couldn't resist her.
"She was heaven. She was hell. She was everything forbidden and everything that was always so tempting."
Their steadfast love for each other made their separation all the more heartbreaking. At one point Adrianna had tried to move on from Anthony but was unsuccessful. The two of them occupied each other’s thoughts constantly, and I loved the loyalty that they both had for each other. There were times where I wanted to smack Anthony and shout at him, "Just be with her!!", but at the same time I understood his need to keep her safe and separated from his dangerous lifestyle.
"I didn't just love her; I fu*king cherished her. That woman owned me; my body, my soul, and my black heart."
My heart ached for Adrianna and all the suffering that she went through. Her father was a huge barrier that stood between them, and she not only lost Anthony when he went to jail, she lost her relationship with her father as well. She was forced to endure a lot on her own, and even when Anthony tried to push her away, she found that she could never stop loving him.
"Even knowing the pain falling in love with Anthony would cause me I wouldn't take it back. Not then and not now."
The author did an exceptional job conveying the emotional turmoil that both of these characters were experiencing. Through it all, they were two people who just wanted to love each other. Even with all the time that passed, neither of them could ever fully accept that they couldn't be together. These two fought for each other and for their happiness, even when it looked as though everything was working against them.
"I know there are so many reasons you and I should've given up already but as long as I am breathing, I won't ever give up on you."
This couple's journey was not an easy one, and their struggles were heartbreaking at times. Through it all their love for each other never wavered, and that’s what makes this story so beautiful. I thoroughly enjoyed this story from start to finish. I know that the author has more books planned for the Temptations series and I can’t wait to read what she has in store for us next!
--Reviewed for Just Let Me Read
November 11, 2015
If you have not read the first book in this series then my suggestion would be to do so as not only will it let you see the characters from the very beginning but it will give you a chance to get to know Anthony and ladies you really need to get to know Anthony.
He is one intense dude, dang he has a filthy mouth. But that is not all he has going for him, he has it all and in bucket-loads. But he wasn’t without his faults, I wanted him to step back and take a good hard look in the mirror and see the man that Adrianna loved, the man that he was underneath the expectation, beyond the bravado.
And then you have the powerhouse that is Adrianna, a strong woman, who had a love for a man that lived in a very dark world and that she loved regardless. A man that she had no choice but to forgive time and time again because no matter what he did, he belonged to her.
His relationship with Adrianna was so strong, so powerful, he was so attentive and considered with her, he showed her a side of him that he kept well-guarded but he allowed her to see that by being so open with her she could afford to treat him the same way, it was engaging and beautifully effective.
I hated Victor, everything he stood for and everything he did, I hated the mere fact that he was breathing most of the time, in fact he really was a waste of good air, it was hard to see him as anything more but I wasn’t sure if I was being fair to him all the time, most of the time yes, I wanted to kick him where I knew I would leave an impression.
They gave everything they had to each other, they left nothing behind and no matter what they had to face, and they faced it together just as you would in real life. The story wasn’t just a romantic ruse, it had so much more going on that just their relationship. There was drama, suspense and mystery and as the title would suggest temptation, but it was more it was sexy, funny and emotionally engaging.
But the star of this book is the author, she presented a novel that was 100% believable that didn’t stylise the world that Anthony and Adrianna were surrounded by, it showed it at its very worst and she held my hand as she lead me down a path that was littered with characters that I would never wish to meet in a month of Sundays. The actions they undertook and the activities they were involved in were not pretty but in some circles they are very real and that realisation is one that cannot be taken lightly, for some this is life.
He is one intense dude, dang he has a filthy mouth. But that is not all he has going for him, he has it all and in bucket-loads. But he wasn’t without his faults, I wanted him to step back and take a good hard look in the mirror and see the man that Adrianna loved, the man that he was underneath the expectation, beyond the bravado.
And then you have the powerhouse that is Adrianna, a strong woman, who had a love for a man that lived in a very dark world and that she loved regardless. A man that she had no choice but to forgive time and time again because no matter what he did, he belonged to her.
His relationship with Adrianna was so strong, so powerful, he was so attentive and considered with her, he showed her a side of him that he kept well-guarded but he allowed her to see that by being so open with her she could afford to treat him the same way, it was engaging and beautifully effective.
I hated Victor, everything he stood for and everything he did, I hated the mere fact that he was breathing most of the time, in fact he really was a waste of good air, it was hard to see him as anything more but I wasn’t sure if I was being fair to him all the time, most of the time yes, I wanted to kick him where I knew I would leave an impression.
They gave everything they had to each other, they left nothing behind and no matter what they had to face, and they faced it together just as you would in real life. The story wasn’t just a romantic ruse, it had so much more going on that just their relationship. There was drama, suspense and mystery and as the title would suggest temptation, but it was more it was sexy, funny and emotionally engaging.
But the star of this book is the author, she presented a novel that was 100% believable that didn’t stylise the world that Anthony and Adrianna were surrounded by, it showed it at its very worst and she held my hand as she lead me down a path that was littered with characters that I would never wish to meet in a month of Sundays. The actions they undertook and the activities they were involved in were not pretty but in some circles they are very real and that realisation is one that cannot be taken lightly, for some this is life.
October 21, 2016
"It's only me, baby."
Yeah, well, "only" isn't a word I can associate with Anthony Bianci. Sexy, powerful, protective, bull-headed... yeah, those are better words to describe him. But, the vulnerability he shows Adrianna (and allows her to show in return) with those simple words is exactly why this book rocks.
To understand how deeply Janine pulls you in to their story, you need to know that I am the world's worst highlighter. As a blogger, we are supposed to be thoughtful as we read. And I am, I swear. But I NEVER remember to highlight unless something is so freaking amazing. I highlighted twice within the prologue. THE PROLOGUE PEOPLE!
"Those sad eyes held me captive, wishing like hell that I had never left my f*cking cell: because the brokenhearted girl sitting before me tore my heart to shreds."
"For the life of my, I can't understand why I don't hate you. I want to hate you, I want to hate you so bad, but something inside me won't let me."
See what I mean?????
I was sucked into this mob world, hating the men that seemed to control the lives of these two lovers as much as they did. I wanted to kill, maim, brutalize, etc. Victor for everything he did, every move he made. But, can I blame him? I dunno, but I want to. You'll have to decide that one for yourself.
I think one of the most powerful aspects of this book was the lack of glamorization of the mafia. So many mob books make it out to be a livable lifestyle, and while this is fiction, I need my fiction to be a tad more believable. Janine nailed it. The depravity of that life, the harsh reality of those who are stuck in it (whether it's by birth or by choice), the near-impossibility of being able to leave. All of that. It's there.
Anthony was so focused on being someone, he lost sight of how amazing he already was. Adrianna, sheesh, she is captivating. Strong, determined, forgiving, loving - she is an amazing woman. Their circumstances were unfair (to say the least), but how they (and by they I mostly mean Anthony) handled them were not exactly well thought out. In other words, they were human.
I have not read book one, but you can bet your sweet bippy I will now. There are few authors that can claim the fame of making me cry. Janine has done it with two books now.
I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Yeah, well, "only" isn't a word I can associate with Anthony Bianci. Sexy, powerful, protective, bull-headed... yeah, those are better words to describe him. But, the vulnerability he shows Adrianna (and allows her to show in return) with those simple words is exactly why this book rocks.
To understand how deeply Janine pulls you in to their story, you need to know that I am the world's worst highlighter. As a blogger, we are supposed to be thoughtful as we read. And I am, I swear. But I NEVER remember to highlight unless something is so freaking amazing. I highlighted twice within the prologue. THE PROLOGUE PEOPLE!
"Those sad eyes held me captive, wishing like hell that I had never left my f*cking cell: because the brokenhearted girl sitting before me tore my heart to shreds."
"For the life of my, I can't understand why I don't hate you. I want to hate you, I want to hate you so bad, but something inside me won't let me."
See what I mean?????
I was sucked into this mob world, hating the men that seemed to control the lives of these two lovers as much as they did. I wanted to kill, maim, brutalize, etc. Victor for everything he did, every move he made. But, can I blame him? I dunno, but I want to. You'll have to decide that one for yourself.
I think one of the most powerful aspects of this book was the lack of glamorization of the mafia. So many mob books make it out to be a livable lifestyle, and while this is fiction, I need my fiction to be a tad more believable. Janine nailed it. The depravity of that life, the harsh reality of those who are stuck in it (whether it's by birth or by choice), the near-impossibility of being able to leave. All of that. It's there.
Anthony was so focused on being someone, he lost sight of how amazing he already was. Adrianna, sheesh, she is captivating. Strong, determined, forgiving, loving - she is an amazing woman. Their circumstances were unfair (to say the least), but how they (and by they I mostly mean Anthony) handled them were not exactly well thought out. In other words, they were human.
I have not read book one, but you can bet your sweet bippy I will now. There are few authors that can claim the fame of making me cry. Janine has done it with two books now.
I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 23, 2015
Forbidden Tamptations
Janine Infante Bosco
5 stars
Anthony Bianci wanted nothing more since he was a kid to work for Victor Pastore. His father was nothing. Anthony wanted to be respected and wanted a place with the big boss. Val actually took him under his wing, Vic’s best friend and right hand man. Vic never noticed him though until an issue arose with his daughter Adrianna. But even then Vic never made him what he wanted to be. Anthony never planned on falling in love with the oldest Pastore. She was forbidden but Adrianna was just as eager to be his as he was hers. Everything was coming to a head until what Anthony thought he wanted came to pass. He was taking a fall for a crime he didn’t commit leaving Adrianna for three years. Anthony got exactly what he wanted … right? He finally got noticed by the big boss … Vic reminded him of his allegiance to the family. There was nothing more to do than keep Adrianna away. He had to make Adrianna understand she needed to build a life without Anthony in it; especially since he was out and back in the thorns of the family.
Adrianna Pastore has never loved or will she ever love anyone like she does Anthony Bianci. She has wanted him the minute she laid eyes on the man all those years ago. She tried to move on. She couldn’t. Anthony has been cruel, but his push and pull has broken her heart one too many times. Loving Anthony is forbidden according to her father. The man she adored has done nothing but ruin and destroy everything that has ever made her happy. However she wont stop .. she wont quit fighting. Someone has to.
This was book 2 in the Tempted Series and its soooooo good. Book one was Mikey and Nikki’s story. You get some overlapping time in this book so you are not lost at all. However I would recommend reading the first book Illicit Temptations prior to reading this one just because they are fantastic. We are introduced to additional characters in book 2 as well and I cant wait to hear their tales. Jack is definitely in this mix. There are two more books coming our way in this series next year. I also now MUST click up The Riverdale Series from Janine. Headed that way and you should as well. Click them all up. Love this author and her great reads! Keep them coming … Im ready!
Review to post to Ramblings From Beneath The Sheets.
Janine Infante Bosco
5 stars
Anthony Bianci wanted nothing more since he was a kid to work for Victor Pastore. His father was nothing. Anthony wanted to be respected and wanted a place with the big boss. Val actually took him under his wing, Vic’s best friend and right hand man. Vic never noticed him though until an issue arose with his daughter Adrianna. But even then Vic never made him what he wanted to be. Anthony never planned on falling in love with the oldest Pastore. She was forbidden but Adrianna was just as eager to be his as he was hers. Everything was coming to a head until what Anthony thought he wanted came to pass. He was taking a fall for a crime he didn’t commit leaving Adrianna for three years. Anthony got exactly what he wanted … right? He finally got noticed by the big boss … Vic reminded him of his allegiance to the family. There was nothing more to do than keep Adrianna away. He had to make Adrianna understand she needed to build a life without Anthony in it; especially since he was out and back in the thorns of the family.
Adrianna Pastore has never loved or will she ever love anyone like she does Anthony Bianci. She has wanted him the minute she laid eyes on the man all those years ago. She tried to move on. She couldn’t. Anthony has been cruel, but his push and pull has broken her heart one too many times. Loving Anthony is forbidden according to her father. The man she adored has done nothing but ruin and destroy everything that has ever made her happy. However she wont stop .. she wont quit fighting. Someone has to.
This was book 2 in the Tempted Series and its soooooo good. Book one was Mikey and Nikki’s story. You get some overlapping time in this book so you are not lost at all. However I would recommend reading the first book Illicit Temptations prior to reading this one just because they are fantastic. We are introduced to additional characters in book 2 as well and I cant wait to hear their tales. Jack is definitely in this mix. There are two more books coming our way in this series next year. I also now MUST click up The Riverdale Series from Janine. Headed that way and you should as well. Click them all up. Love this author and her great reads! Keep them coming … Im ready!
Review to post to Ramblings From Beneath The Sheets.
November 19, 2015
4.5 / 5 stars
Received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Adrianna and Anthony have loved one another for as long as they could remember, but she was the boss's daughter, and he wanted a life in the family -- and with that, he had to give up any thoughts of Adrianna. But still, he couldn't say no. Just when things seem to be going right for them, though, Anthony's way in involves going to jail for a crime he didn't commit -- and the protective, loving man that he was, tried pushing Adrianna away.
These two...
Their story was very push-pull, and from Adrianna's view point, she does all of the work. But thankfully, we get Anthony's views, too, and we see how much he does for her, for them, and for a potential future. Anthony's love for Adrianna was palpable; it fell from the pages. I absolutely loved the way he loved her -- and everything that was a part of her. Their story isn't an easy one; it takes place over many years and there are a number of trials these two need to overcome -- but in the end, it just goes to further prove just how strong their bond is.
...immediately upon finishing, I went and looked up what book one was, and was a bit surprised to find it was Nikki and Mike's book -- as Nikki was semi-with Rico in this book, and only with Mikey at the end! So, of course, I one-clicked that bad boy and did my epilogue thing, to discover that these two books essentially take place at the same time, with the couple of weeks in question at the end of this one holding a bigger chunk of Nikki and Mike's story, which further explains the author's use of months/years with FORBIDDEN TEMPTATIONS. So. Anyway. I'm in the process of reading Nikki and Mikey's book, and am waiting impatiently for the rest of this series -- because I. Am. Hooked.
My biggest pet-peeve with this story, though? Tense changes (can be noted in the excerpt, but that is not the reason why I chose that excerpt), and editing problems. I hope that these are things that were fixed in the final publishing process, but I suppose I'll learn for sure when I read ILLICIT TEMPTATIONS.
November 21, 2015
Forbidden Temptations gave me the feels almost as soon as I started reading and it didn't stop all the way until the very end. Anthony and Adrianna's story drew me in so deep and made me desperate to see them overcome all the obstacles they needed so that they could finally get their happy ending. It was difficult and heartbreaking to read at times, but it was all worth it in the end.
The first time I met Adrianna, she rubbed me the wrong way, she made me angry, and I felt like she ripped my heart out just like Anthony's. I didn't think that I would like her at all, but as soon as I calmed down and started thinking rationally, I wasn't angry with her anymore and I gave her a chance. I'm really glad that I did because I loved her! She's so strong and full of fight, spirit, and determination. Adrianna just never gives up on Anthony and I couldn't have stopped myself from liking her if I tried.
If there's one thing that will make me fall for a guy immediately, it's how loyal he is to his heroine and man, let me tell you Anthony Bianci made me fall in love pretty much as soon as I met him because of his intense loyalty and deep love for Adrianna. I dare you not to love this man, it just cannot be done! Yes, it was a little annoying when he continued to resist being with his girl, but it helped knowing where his head was at and also knowing that he would never truly let her go. Anthony was just so sweet and amazing and he completely stole my heart!
Forbidden Temptations is full of ups and downs, heartache, beauty, and love. It made me cry and laugh and melt and sigh. It has moments that will stab you in the heart, ones that will make you angry and frustrated, and sweet, precious moments that will bring tears to your eyes and warm your heart. It is an amazing book and I can't wait to see what comes next in the Tempted series!!
Forbidden Temptations is a standalone, it's told from Anthony and Adrianna's POV, and they get their well-deserved happily-ever-after at last!
~ Sonja, 5 Stars
The first time I met Adrianna, she rubbed me the wrong way, she made me angry, and I felt like she ripped my heart out just like Anthony's. I didn't think that I would like her at all, but as soon as I calmed down and started thinking rationally, I wasn't angry with her anymore and I gave her a chance. I'm really glad that I did because I loved her! She's so strong and full of fight, spirit, and determination. Adrianna just never gives up on Anthony and I couldn't have stopped myself from liking her if I tried.
If there's one thing that will make me fall for a guy immediately, it's how loyal he is to his heroine and man, let me tell you Anthony Bianci made me fall in love pretty much as soon as I met him because of his intense loyalty and deep love for Adrianna. I dare you not to love this man, it just cannot be done! Yes, it was a little annoying when he continued to resist being with his girl, but it helped knowing where his head was at and also knowing that he would never truly let her go. Anthony was just so sweet and amazing and he completely stole my heart!
Forbidden Temptations is full of ups and downs, heartache, beauty, and love. It made me cry and laugh and melt and sigh. It has moments that will stab you in the heart, ones that will make you angry and frustrated, and sweet, precious moments that will bring tears to your eyes and warm your heart. It is an amazing book and I can't wait to see what comes next in the Tempted series!!
Forbidden Temptations is a standalone, it's told from Anthony and Adrianna's POV, and they get their well-deserved happily-ever-after at last!
~ Sonja, 5 Stars
November 17, 2015
Review Posted at Barely Bae blog
*ARC Provided for an Honest Review*
Yes Yes Yes YES!!! I could not even begin to tell you how impressed I was when I started reading this book. I really really thought this was going to be one of those mafia/alpha male books and that's the extent of it, however, I was right on the alpha male side but I did not expect everything in the story to be so painful and chaotic. I was crying in the first few chapters of the book. Hard. From the moment I started reading I have become so moody. And that's not even a joke.
Anthony and Adrianna, this couple is flawlessly perfect. Their combo would really result to an amazing relationship. Adrianna is not your typical mafia girlfriend, she's one strong af girl and she could stand up for herself. When she set herself for Anthony and she started coming to him, she never stopped. And I have a feeling she would never stop until Anthony could prove that they aren't meant for each other. She's determined and such a strong character. Anthony on the other hand ruled this book. He was dominant, confusing and frustrating sometimes. Most times I'm like, yeah I agree with him but at times when he starts to deny things I get really annoyed with him and still, I can't help but understand him.
I don't know where I was and how I've never heard of Janine Bosco before. Honestly, I've never heard of her which means I have not read the first book in this series. I don't know if I really didn't know that this is the second book or I just ignored that fact completely because now, I really really want to read Mike's story. 5 stars is not even enough to rate this book. This is worth so much more!
*ARC Provided for an Honest Review*
Yes Yes Yes YES!!! I could not even begin to tell you how impressed I was when I started reading this book. I really really thought this was going to be one of those mafia/alpha male books and that's the extent of it, however, I was right on the alpha male side but I did not expect everything in the story to be so painful and chaotic. I was crying in the first few chapters of the book. Hard. From the moment I started reading I have become so moody. And that's not even a joke.
Anthony and Adrianna, this couple is flawlessly perfect. Their combo would really result to an amazing relationship. Adrianna is not your typical mafia girlfriend, she's one strong af girl and she could stand up for herself. When she set herself for Anthony and she started coming to him, she never stopped. And I have a feeling she would never stop until Anthony could prove that they aren't meant for each other. She's determined and such a strong character. Anthony on the other hand ruled this book. He was dominant, confusing and frustrating sometimes. Most times I'm like, yeah I agree with him but at times when he starts to deny things I get really annoyed with him and still, I can't help but understand him.
I don't know where I was and how I've never heard of Janine Bosco before. Honestly, I've never heard of her which means I have not read the first book in this series. I don't know if I really didn't know that this is the second book or I just ignored that fact completely because now, I really really want to read Mike's story. 5 stars is not even enough to rate this book. This is worth so much more!
May 17, 2016
5 Angsty Gangsty Star’s
See how I did that … I am good right?… Just kidding..
I am flying through these books now. I can’t wait to get to the latest one!
Ok so we got Anthony and Adrianna.
Adrianna's dad is Victor Mob Boss.
Anthony wanted to belong somewhere and he wanted to work for Victor for as long as he could remember. So when he got the chance he started from the bottom up.
Only he caught the eye of Victor’s oldest daughter only she was still too young for him.
This book has a lot of back and forth from years before. It’s not hard to follow but the angst gosh I felt for these two. The longing and the want but not being able to have what the truly want.
And when things do work for them, they get torn apart. Time is not on their side.
You can see the want from both sides, but knowing daddy isn’t going to like it Adrianna goes after what she wants. But sometimes that causes more pain in the long run.
Only these two are like magnets and they always find their way back to each other for good or bad.
It’s frustratingly beautiful.
Hot to, Cold to, Hot to, Cold back to Hot, this book has it all.
It’s also the first time we meet Anthony’s sister Lauren! Wee I <3 Lauren
And it has to be said….
Men + Babies = Panty Melting
Also loved how this book and book 1 interlocked! That was super awesome.
I don’t want to give anything away so I am having a harder time with this review so I am going to leave you with a few quotes.
“My makeup is sweating off my face.” – Adrianna
“I told you not to wear make up to the gym.” – Nikki lmao
More thinking then speaking
‘The other part wanting desperately to see the little life takes its first breath. In the end, the baby won my attention as he doctor lifted this tiny bundle in the air as if it was a rubber chicken.’ – Anthony’s head, I loved this!
“I may already have your heart but I’ll fight with everything in me to keep it.” -Anthony
See how I did that … I am good right?… Just kidding..
I am flying through these books now. I can’t wait to get to the latest one!
Ok so we got Anthony and Adrianna.
Adrianna's dad is Victor Mob Boss.
Anthony wanted to belong somewhere and he wanted to work for Victor for as long as he could remember. So when he got the chance he started from the bottom up.
Only he caught the eye of Victor’s oldest daughter only she was still too young for him.
This book has a lot of back and forth from years before. It’s not hard to follow but the angst gosh I felt for these two. The longing and the want but not being able to have what the truly want.
And when things do work for them, they get torn apart. Time is not on their side.
You can see the want from both sides, but knowing daddy isn’t going to like it Adrianna goes after what she wants. But sometimes that causes more pain in the long run.
Only these two are like magnets and they always find their way back to each other for good or bad.
It’s frustratingly beautiful.
Hot to, Cold to, Hot to, Cold back to Hot, this book has it all.
It’s also the first time we meet Anthony’s sister Lauren! Wee I <3 Lauren
And it has to be said….
Men + Babies = Panty Melting
Also loved how this book and book 1 interlocked! That was super awesome.
I don’t want to give anything away so I am having a harder time with this review so I am going to leave you with a few quotes.
“My makeup is sweating off my face.” – Adrianna
“I told you not to wear make up to the gym.” – Nikki lmao
More thinking then speaking
‘The other part wanting desperately to see the little life takes its first breath. In the end, the baby won my attention as he doctor lifted this tiny bundle in the air as if it was a rubber chicken.’ – Anthony’s head, I loved this!
“I may already have your heart but I’ll fight with everything in me to keep it.” -Anthony
November 16, 2015
I was given this book as an ARC and was asked to give my honest opinion on it, and here it is.
This is truly another amazing story from an amazing writer. This book grabs you from the first word and doesn't let go to the very end. A great author writes amazing supporting characters to not only suck us in to the story, but to really bring out the personalities in the main characters making you feel like you can relate and want to be living in their world and that is exemplified in this book. This story is about a man, Anthony and his loyalties to Vic and the extended family. I love how emotionally complex this book turns out at times a gritty and despairing story, some serious "sh#t goes down". Anthony love and devotion for Adrianna was strong and amazing. The heat and sexual tension was enough to scorch the devil...I loved that no matter what kind of sh** shoved at them, they never stopped fighting to be together and that's what love is about!!! I was literally on edge wondering what would happen next and anxious to turn the page and see how it is going to all work out. The story was full of drama, suspense and mystery, but it was sexy, funny and emotionally at times especially the comment regarding how Riggs obtained his black-eye...I laughed my a**off!!! I just want to say Vic was a crazy-a** dipstick with no conscious or remorse and someone should have knock his a** off!! " I'm just saying". If you have not read Illicit Temptation in this series then my suggestion would be to do so you can get an understanding of the deception Vic Pastore has caused... Anthony and Adrianna's story will always remains with you. Thanks to Janine for writing an awesome story and her amazing writing style and is looking forward to read more. I love it,I love it, I love it!!!!
This is truly another amazing story from an amazing writer. This book grabs you from the first word and doesn't let go to the very end. A great author writes amazing supporting characters to not only suck us in to the story, but to really bring out the personalities in the main characters making you feel like you can relate and want to be living in their world and that is exemplified in this book. This story is about a man, Anthony and his loyalties to Vic and the extended family. I love how emotionally complex this book turns out at times a gritty and despairing story, some serious "sh#t goes down". Anthony love and devotion for Adrianna was strong and amazing. The heat and sexual tension was enough to scorch the devil...I loved that no matter what kind of sh** shoved at them, they never stopped fighting to be together and that's what love is about!!! I was literally on edge wondering what would happen next and anxious to turn the page and see how it is going to all work out. The story was full of drama, suspense and mystery, but it was sexy, funny and emotionally at times especially the comment regarding how Riggs obtained his black-eye...I laughed my a**off!!! I just want to say Vic was a crazy-a** dipstick with no conscious or remorse and someone should have knock his a** off!! " I'm just saying". If you have not read Illicit Temptation in this series then my suggestion would be to do so you can get an understanding of the deception Vic Pastore has caused... Anthony and Adrianna's story will always remains with you. Thanks to Janine for writing an awesome story and her amazing writing style and is looking forward to read more. I love it,I love it, I love it!!!!
November 14, 2015
Guest Review by Tammy Cole
I just loved this book! Even though this is the second book in the series, you can read Forbidden Temptations as a standalone. I would highly recommend this book if you like a story with a sexy alpha male who would do anything for the love of his life. Oh, and he's also in the mob.
Anthony has just spent three years in prison for a crime he admitted to but didn't commit. Now, he is finally free. Adrianna has been in love with Anthony since she was sixteen, but she did have a relationship with someone else after Anthony continually pushed her away. Adrianna is now on her own again and she wants nothing else but to be with Anthony.
The chemistry between these two is something else. They try their hardest to stay away from each other as Anthony doesn't want her to be involved in the life that he is caught up in any more than she already is.
The love these two feel for each other is beautiful and honest, but heartbreaking. You can see the struggle Anthony lives with in wanting to give Adrianna the chance to have a life outside the mob. I just can't say enough about this book. I was hooked from the beginning and had to literally talk myself into putting down my kindle so that I could go to work. One click this book as you will not regret it.
I just loved this book! Even though this is the second book in the series, you can read Forbidden Temptations as a standalone. I would highly recommend this book if you like a story with a sexy alpha male who would do anything for the love of his life. Oh, and he's also in the mob.
Anthony has just spent three years in prison for a crime he admitted to but didn't commit. Now, he is finally free. Adrianna has been in love with Anthony since she was sixteen, but she did have a relationship with someone else after Anthony continually pushed her away. Adrianna is now on her own again and she wants nothing else but to be with Anthony.
The chemistry between these two is something else. They try their hardest to stay away from each other as Anthony doesn't want her to be involved in the life that he is caught up in any more than she already is.
The love these two feel for each other is beautiful and honest, but heartbreaking. You can see the struggle Anthony lives with in wanting to give Adrianna the chance to have a life outside the mob. I just can't say enough about this book. I was hooked from the beginning and had to literally talk myself into putting down my kindle so that I could go to work. One click this book as you will not regret it.
November 10, 2015
“He walked me over to the heavy bag, got down on one knee, his hands skimming down my legs until he closed his hands around my ankles and shoved my legs apart. His touch had me throbbing with need, his words were lost to me.”
5 powerful stars!!! I loved the first book in the series and now I think I love the second book even more!! Janine is a fantastic author!!
I love a good mafia book and I hit the jackpot with this series!!! Anthony is in love with the mob boss’ daughter, Adrianna. She consumes him the minute he sees her and he knows there will be no one else, even if they shouldn’t be together. The problem?? Anthony ends up in prison for 3 years for a crime he never even committed. Adrianna loves Anthony more than anything she’s ever known but with Anthony in prison it leaves her out in the real world fighting to save their relationship, not to mention coming to terms with her issues with her dad.
This book will have you on the edge of your seat the whole time you read it!! This series is sexy and suspenseful, which I totally loved!! And if you are looking for a sexy mafia romance then this is the series for you!!
**Received a copy in exchange for an honest review. Read and reviewed by Melissa for Alpha Book Club**
5 powerful stars!!! I loved the first book in the series and now I think I love the second book even more!! Janine is a fantastic author!!
I love a good mafia book and I hit the jackpot with this series!!! Anthony is in love with the mob boss’ daughter, Adrianna. She consumes him the minute he sees her and he knows there will be no one else, even if they shouldn’t be together. The problem?? Anthony ends up in prison for 3 years for a crime he never even committed. Adrianna loves Anthony more than anything she’s ever known but with Anthony in prison it leaves her out in the real world fighting to save their relationship, not to mention coming to terms with her issues with her dad.
This book will have you on the edge of your seat the whole time you read it!! This series is sexy and suspenseful, which I totally loved!! And if you are looking for a sexy mafia romance then this is the series for you!!
**Received a copy in exchange for an honest review. Read and reviewed by Melissa for Alpha Book Club**
November 11, 2015
5 Amazing ‘It’s Only Me, Baby Stars
Congratulations Janine Infante Bosco for pulling out Anthony and Adrianna’s story. What a beautiful, sexy and emotional mafia romance it was.
I loved how these characters loved each other. So fierce. Never giving up on one another, even though they may have thought that was the best way forward.
This story was full of emotion for both Anthony and Adrianna (not to mention the other characters as well). I was pulled into this world of ‘The Mob’ and didn’t want it to end. The push and pull of power was a destroying factor in everyone’s lives. So courageous were Anthony and Adrianna to fight for what they believed in.
Anthony and Adrianna’s journey throughout this romance was not an easy one. It was full of secrets, heartbreak and struggles which you would not want to encounter yourself.
But what do Anthony and Adrianna endure to reach a HEA? Will they get a HEA?
It was intense and mysterious always holding me captivated as to what would happen next.
I love Janine’s writing style. It is addictive and it brings out the characters emotions and all their best and worst qualities allowing you to feel what they feel.
A deliciously sexy and suspenseful mafia romance not to be missed.
Recommended read.
Congratulations Janine Infante Bosco for pulling out Anthony and Adrianna’s story. What a beautiful, sexy and emotional mafia romance it was.
I loved how these characters loved each other. So fierce. Never giving up on one another, even though they may have thought that was the best way forward.
This story was full of emotion for both Anthony and Adrianna (not to mention the other characters as well). I was pulled into this world of ‘The Mob’ and didn’t want it to end. The push and pull of power was a destroying factor in everyone’s lives. So courageous were Anthony and Adrianna to fight for what they believed in.
Anthony and Adrianna’s journey throughout this romance was not an easy one. It was full of secrets, heartbreak and struggles which you would not want to encounter yourself.
But what do Anthony and Adrianna endure to reach a HEA? Will they get a HEA?
It was intense and mysterious always holding me captivated as to what would happen next.
I love Janine’s writing style. It is addictive and it brings out the characters emotions and all their best and worst qualities allowing you to feel what they feel.
A deliciously sexy and suspenseful mafia romance not to be missed.
Recommended read.
March 4, 2016
4-4.5 Stars.... feeling a bit conflicted on certain parts
OK, so I loved the first book with all of my heart. I was dying for this story and yes, I loved it BUT I was also disappointed with a few parts of the story:(
The writing was great, the storyline was great albeit not executed as to what I would have personally liked to have seen between Adrianna and Anthony, the secondary characters were fascinating!
Yes, I really did love it, unfortunately, not with the intensity that I thought or expected I would have. Again, a few parts of the storyline were just not to my own personal liking hence hindering my complete and full-out enjoyment.
Will I continue to read this series, oh yes, will I continue to be a fan of this author, hell yes! This isn't the first time a favorite author of mine has hit a speed bump with me and I know it won't be the last either! Just because I personally didn't "like" parts of the storyline, well that's just my own personal reasons and someone else may not have any issue with those parts!
Congrats Janine Infante Bosco, you are one talented author, and I cannot wait to continue with this series and read more of your future work!
OK, so I loved the first book with all of my heart. I was dying for this story and yes, I loved it BUT I was also disappointed with a few parts of the story:(
The writing was great, the storyline was great albeit not executed as to what I would have personally liked to have seen between Adrianna and Anthony, the secondary characters were fascinating!
Yes, I really did love it, unfortunately, not with the intensity that I thought or expected I would have. Again, a few parts of the storyline were just not to my own personal liking hence hindering my complete and full-out enjoyment.
Will I continue to read this series, oh yes, will I continue to be a fan of this author, hell yes! This isn't the first time a favorite author of mine has hit a speed bump with me and I know it won't be the last either! Just because I personally didn't "like" parts of the storyline, well that's just my own personal reasons and someone else may not have any issue with those parts!
Congrats Janine Infante Bosco, you are one talented author, and I cannot wait to continue with this series and read more of your future work!
November 18, 2015
Janine Infante Bosco has hit a bulls-eye with Forbidden Temptations! Wow, what a page turning read - I could not put this down. The story is told from duel POV of the leads Anthony Bianci & Adrianna Pastore over a 10 year span of their relationship/lives.
Anthony lost his father at a young age and always looked up to the local gangsters wanting to be one until he met her but is it too late? Adrianna is the oldest daughter of the most feared mob boss in New York fell for Anthony young and no matter what can't seem to let him go and fights for his love and attention.
This book was so well written I don't even want to give you anymore details. It ripped my heart out one chapter and the next you would fall for Anthony a little more. By the end of the book I was a mess. This is book 2 of a series but it can be read as a standalone - I haven't read book 1 and I thoroughly enjoyed it and will now go back and read book 1. 5 Stars awarded to Janine Infante Bosco's Forbidden Temptations - I highly recommend this book!
*** Reviewed for Sweet & Spicy Reads - ARC provided for a honest review ***
Anthony lost his father at a young age and always looked up to the local gangsters wanting to be one until he met her but is it too late? Adrianna is the oldest daughter of the most feared mob boss in New York fell for Anthony young and no matter what can't seem to let him go and fights for his love and attention.
This book was so well written I don't even want to give you anymore details. It ripped my heart out one chapter and the next you would fall for Anthony a little more. By the end of the book I was a mess. This is book 2 of a series but it can be read as a standalone - I haven't read book 1 and I thoroughly enjoyed it and will now go back and read book 1. 5 Stars awarded to Janine Infante Bosco's Forbidden Temptations - I highly recommend this book!
*** Reviewed for Sweet & Spicy Reads - ARC provided for a honest review ***
November 17, 2015
Let me start out by saying even though this can be read as a standalone, I felt that I truly enjoyed this book so much better since I read the first book. It covers a POV that wasn't spoken in the first book. You don't have to read first book since its about the other sister, but it fills in the whole story and you see different sides from each character that made this book so much better.
This was an emotional rollercoaster of a story for Anthony and Adrianna. The things they had to go through for over ten years all because of her Mob father is unbelievable. There are twists that I did not see coming since I had known where some of the story was going, but then it twist again and leaves you wanting more. You will be devastated at what you find out and will wish you could join an MC or Mob and set them straight. The final outcome was well worth it in the end and love will find its way. No spoilers so go read this to get full effect of the forbidden temptations by these two characters that have so much love.
This was an emotional rollercoaster of a story for Anthony and Adrianna. The things they had to go through for over ten years all because of her Mob father is unbelievable. There are twists that I did not see coming since I had known where some of the story was going, but then it twist again and leaves you wanting more. You will be devastated at what you find out and will wish you could join an MC or Mob and set them straight. The final outcome was well worth it in the end and love will find its way. No spoilers so go read this to get full effect of the forbidden temptations by these two characters that have so much love.
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