Bella Di Corte

Man of Honor

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️

Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻

Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️

Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒💒

Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂

Man of Honor was a story that completely blew me out of the water and I honestly doubt I will be able to articulate myself properly on how much I loved this book here or how much it deeply touched me. This is a book I have been trying to pick up all year and quite frankly I am glad I waited for the right time so that I could be in the proper headspace for this one. This author writes with a certain writing style that is vastly different from most authors and can take some getting used to. I really admired the way that she was able to layer this story. Man of Honor is just the beginning of this epic romance between Brando and Scarlett. Its a story that is slowly build over the years and I love seeing a couple grow over years that span the series. And Man of Honor was brilliantly mastered and one of the best written beginnings of a mafia romance I have ever read.

The ballerina twirled on one foot like a girl inside of a beautiful msuic box.

When Brando sees Scarlett dancing when she is just fifteen, he is entranced. They meet on a snow filled night when Scarlett tried to protect her brother when a secret psycic ability rushed out to protect him. But she runs into one of her brother's best friends, Brando who is just a little older than she is. In that moment, they both fell hard for each other. But Brando knew it was not the time for them. Now its been 3 years, and Scarlett is still recovering from the death of her brother, and is now 18 years old. Brando is determined to have his chance with Scarlett even knowing she has the world at her feet with her dancing talent. As Scarlett and Brando explore what a relationship could mean for them both, there are also sacrifices that they will need to make if they want to have a future together...

Man of Honor was a story that touched me so deeply. Its a story that blew me away and kept me up all night thinking about. Its been 24 hours since I read it and I am still humbled by this story and that talent of this author. I can't even express what this author has done for me or what this story delivered for me. From the very beginning, you see their intense bond that is created immediately. The talent of this author to absolutely pull you into this story with her lyrical talent of showcasing this beautiful love story was brilliant and magnetic. Bella Di Corte has a writing style that is unlike any other author you have read. And if you like audiobooks, the narration sounds very good as well. But this is not a series or a book to rush into, this is a book that you want to take your time with. This won't be a quick read, but its a story that will be worth the journey, every single step of the way.

This story of Brando and Scarlett was so touching and poignant. One of my favorite aspects of this story was the atmosphere of the setting that is written. Its obvious that this author does her research, because with each setting, its so vividly portrayed, that you can literally feel that setting shine upon your face. Its so well written in that regard. Now the romance is very slow. Its a slow burn but a slow burn that you need to take your tiime with at a steady pace so that you can gain the full impact of. The relationship that they build together is so intimate. And the bedroom scenes were my favorite. I know some readers have struggled with the spice in this book. This book doesn't have spice per say. But its fade to black and honestly the BEST fade to black that I ever have had the opportunity to read. Its so sensual and the dialogue between these two keeps you captivated within these intimate moments between them.

The story between these two is rough in the third act at times, and might put some readers off but I think its important to keep in mind that there is a reason that they are going through what they are going through. That this is them building their foundation but that they will be tested and their connected will be pushed in ways that will challenge their inner strength and wills.

I will be honest, I didn't really struggle with anything. But the ending was a bit sad and does end with a cliffhanger. And some of the actions here in the third act did put me off a bit to keep it from a full five star.

Man of Honor is a story of poetic like love, writing that will deliver deep heart, sensual intimacy and a couple that will make you believe in the power of love....

“My heart has been yours, consciously, since that night out in the snow. Given or not.” I spread my hands. “Yours. Tonight, I give you all of me.”

Brando was older than me in so many ways. But in the eyes of the world, we were both still young. Still, our love seemed older than the two of us together and it demanded that we learn. There was no true escape for either of us.

Sub Genre: Contemporary Romance, New Adult

Character Types: Dancer/Ballerina, Protective Alpha Male

Lover of Romance 

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨.5


First Impressions
Man of Honor was a story that completely blew me out of the water and I honestly doubt I will be able to articulate myself properly on how much I loved this book here or how much it deeply touched me. This is a book I have been trying to pick up all year and quite frankly I am glad I waited for the right time so that I could be in the proper headspace for this one. This author writes with a certain writing style that is vastly different from most authors and can take some getting used to. I really admired the way that she was able to layer this story. Man of Honor is just the beginning of this epic romance between Brando and Scarlett. Its a story that is slowly build over the years and I love seeing a couple grow over years that span the series. And Man of Honor was brilliantly mastered and one of the best written beginnings of a mafia romance I have ever read.

First Line
The ballerina twirled on one foot like a girl inside of a beautiful msuic box.

The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Brando Fausti
-Stoic and Intense
-Alpha Male
-Protective yet Possessive

The Heroine: Scarlett
-Ballerina Dancer
-Kind
-Psychic Talents

Summary
When Brando sees Scarlett dancing when she is just fifteen, he is entranced. They meet on a snow filled night when Scarlett tried to protect her brother when a secret psycic ability rushed out to protect him. But she runs into one of her brother's best friends, Brando who is just a little older than she is. In that moment, they both fell hard for each other. But Brando knew it was not the time for them. Now its been 3 years, and Scarlett is still recovering from the death of her brother, and is now 18 years old. Brando is determined to have his chance with Scarlett even knowing she has the world at her feet with her dancing talent. As Scarlett and Brando explore what a relationship could mean for them both, there are also sacrifices that they will need to make if they want to have a future together...

What I Loved
Man of Honor was a story that touched me so deeply. Its a story that blew me away and kept me up all night thinking about. Its been 24 hours since I read it and I am still humbled by this story and that talent of this author. I can't even express what this author has done for me or what this story delivered for me. From the very beginning, you see their intense bond that is created immediately. The talent of this author to absolutely pull you into this story with her lyrical talent of showcasing this beautiful love story was brilliant and magnetic. Bella Di Corte has a writing style that is unlike any other author you have read. And if you like audiobooks, the narration sounds very good as well. But this is not a series or a book to rush into, this is a book that you want to take your time with. This won't be a quick read, but its a story that will be worth the journey, every single step of the way.

This story of Brando and Scarlett was so touching and poignant. One of my favorite aspects of this story was the atmosphere of the setting that is written. Its obvious that this author does her research, because with each setting, its so vividly portrayed, that you can literally feel that setting shine upon your face. Its so well written in that regard. Now the romance is very slow. Its a slow burn but a slow burn that you need to take your tiime with at a steady pace so that you can gain the full impact of. The relationship that they build together is so intimate. And the bedroom scenes were my favorite. I know some readers have struggled with the spice in this book. This book doesn't have spice per say. But its fade to black and honestly the BEST fade to black that I ever have had the opportunity to read. Its so sensual and the dialogue between these two keeps you captivated within these intimate moments between them.

The story between these two is rough in the third act at times, and might put some readers off but I think its important to keep in mind that there is a reason that they are going through what they are going through. That this is them building their foundation but that they will be tested and their connected will be pushed in ways that will challenge their inner strength and wills.

What I Struggled With
I will be honest, I didn't really struggle with anything. But the ending was a bit sad and does end with a cliffhanger. And some of the actions here in the third act did put me off a bit to keep it from a full five star.

Overall View
Man of Honor is a story of poetic like love, writing that will deliver deep heart, sensual intimacy and a couple that will make you believe in the power of love....

Favorite Quote(s)
“My heart has been yours, consciously, since that night out in the snow. Given or not.” I spread my hands. “Yours. Tonight, I give you all of me.”

Brando was older than me in so many ways. But in the eyes of the world, we were both still young. Still, our love seemed older than the two of us together and it demanded that we learn. There was no true escape for either of us.

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Contemporary Romance, New Adult
Character Types: Dancer/Ballerina, Protective Alpha Male
Themes: Slow Burn, Fade To Black, Heart/Feels/Touching, Tear Jerker, Lyrical Writing
Tropes: Instant Love Connection, Epic Love

Book Perspective
Duo Pov

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Relationship Conflict

Song This Book Inspires
Endless Love

Recommendation For Reading Order
Yes, please read these in order.

Steam/Spice Explanations

Warmin' by the fire- a medium level of sexual tension, a balance of sexual and emotional intimacy, lighter on the details in the sexual moments.

Totally Addicted to Reading

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Man of Honor by Bella Di Corte is the first book of eight books in the Fausti Family series. This book sets the pace for the rest of the series. It gives the reader insight into the beginnings of Brando Fausti’s relationship with Scarlett, the ballerina who captured his heart.

Scarlett lived a sheltered life with her focus on ballet, while Brando has known only pain and loss. They came from different worlds, but fate brought them together. This story chronicles their journey, one forged from tragedy. Readers witness the obstacles they faced, ones created by their own hands and outside forces. The tragic event which hit close to home for Scarlett led to her losing her passion for ballet, but her connection to Brando is the one thing that keeps her going.

Although described as an organised crime romance there were no mafia business occurring in this story. However, readers are given hints regarding Brando’s familial ties to the mafia. The story focuses on their earlier years with Scarlett a high school senior and Brando being of college age.

I had high hopes for this for this story, but it turned out to be an average read for me. I did enjoy the author’s writing style, which was poetic and compelling. My issue lay within my failing to connect with the characters. I knew by the words written a connection existed and they were slowly falling for each other. Unfortunately, it did not resonate with me. I do believe that being forced to wade through tons of detailed information led to my disconnect with the characters. I ended up skipping through pages of the book so has to avoid the mountain of details. Despite this the story did have some memorable moments, which has me eager to discover what next is in store for Brando and Scarlett.

Overall, I found Man of Honor to be solid start to the Fausti series that has me keen to explore more of this world Bella De Corte has created.

This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading

Man of Honor

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