Gabrielle Sands

   He’s the most powerful man in Ibiza, and he’ll do anything to make me his.

   I’ve been raised to be the perfect mafia wife, but when my marriage turns into a horrific nightmare, I have no choice but to leave everything behind and start a new life.

   I find myself alone in Ibiza—a place that swallows innocent girls like me alive. I’m robbed the day I arrive, left with nothing but a few euros and the clothes on my back.

   My desperation leads me right to Damiano De Rossi. He rules over this island with an iron fist and beneath his strikingly handsome face lies a wicked darkness. I ask him for a job. He gives me far more than that—degradation, jealousy, and toe-curling lust.

   When my resistance to him is all but gone, a secret is revealed, and we fall apart like a house of cards.

   I know what I have to do. Run.

   But when I try, I discover…he’s already got me bound.

The Fallen #1

When She Unravels

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review. Also my tags may have spoilers in them so be forewarned before checking out full review.

Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻

Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️ 

 Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂😂 

When She Unravels is the first book in the "Fallen" series by Gabrielle Sands. This is a mafia romance that has a more traditional feel to the mafia world. So if you are like and prefer the more traditional style of mafia romance, then this book is definitely for you. This book had a mix of edgy suspense and psychological abuse elements but the banter was very light hearted at times, so the author was able to really balance all elements together that just made it work so well together. There are many great tropes that are brought together in this one and there is a quick intense connection between our two protagonists that just sucked me in so quickly. This was also a story that I was unable to put down, so if you are looking for a book to captivate your attention, then I highly recommend this one here. 

Mamma married one of the most important New York City dons when she was only eighteen. 

Valentina is married to one of her father's enforcers and a man who is not stable mentally and he brings her into his world and forces her to do things that is destroying all the good inside of her. When she is brought to a opportunity to save a life and a fresh start, she takes the chance to start fresh even if that means giving up all that she knows. She ends up on a greek island....Ibiza. A island known for its all night partying atmosphere, she is able to get a job working for the most powerful man on the island, Damiano. There is a powerful connection and chemistry that builds between them, but when the truth comes out, Damiano and Valentina will have to work through their issues and face up to the struggles and determine if their love is strong enough...

I just couldn't get enough of this book and I am so glad that I took a chance on this one. Jenn @ The Book Refuge has raved about this series, and even though we don't always see eye to eye on books, she was definitely spot on for this one. I was so drawn into this one here and I couldn't get enough of it. I wanted to just consume this book. I literally read this under 2 hours, that is how much I was swept away by this story. I felt so hard for this heroine and what she has to go through but I was cheering her on when she finally made the right decision even at the risk of her own life. I love that she stands strong on her choice. The romance that builds between Valentina and Damiano was so intense and captivating and I was so drawn in on it. Damiano is such a alpha male, loves to be in control of everything in his sphere and I found it sexy as all get out. Valentina knows when to stand on her own and when to give in, I liked that she wasn't a stupid heroine, but weighed out her options. I was so intrigued to see how it would be developed. And even though I wasn't a fan of some aspects of what happens after the reveal, once it gets resolved, I loved seeing what this pair becomes together. 

The third act conflict. When her identity is revealed and the connection she has to his sister, while my heart broke for her, I didn't understand why she wasn't honest with him once the truth was starting to come out ...this is where she does make some dumb decisions. I get that she is on the run for her life, but she had to know that he would protect her if he knew the truth. In fact she doesn't tell him anything and I would have liked her to stand on her own feet and be transparent with him, because he deserved that with the trouble she could bring to his doorstep. And I just wasn't a fan of the angst that develops in the third act between them. 

When She Unravels is a thrilling addictive romance that was an compelling page turner that melted my heart from the first page. Its a story of thrills, real human issues and learning to overcome adversity in a poignant way. A TRUE KEEPER! 

Character Types: Mafia/Boss, Billionaire/Mr. Moneybags

Tropes: Mistaken Identity, Forced Proximity, Boss/Employee 

A Mix, but more plot than relationship conflict 

If you like these authors, I recommend This Book

Lover of Romance 

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review. Also my tags may have spoilers in them so be forewarned before checking out full 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
When She Unravels is the first book in the "Fallen" series by Gabrielle Sands. This is a mafia romance that has a more traditional feel to the mafia world. So if you are like and prefer the more traditional style of mafia romance, then this book is definitely for you. This book had a mix of edgy suspense and psychological abuse elements but the banter was very light hearted at times, so the author was able to really balance all elements together that just made it work so well together. There are many great tropes that are brought together in this one and there is a quick intense connection between our two protagonists that just sucked me in so quickly. This was also a story that I was unable to put down, so if you are looking for a book to captivate your attention, then I highly recommend this one here. 

First Line 
Mamma married one of the most important New York City dons when she was only eighteen. 

The Main Protagonists 
 The Hero: Damiano 
 The Heroine: Valentina 

Summary 
Valentina is married to one of her father's enforcers and a man who is not stable mentally and he brings her into his world and forces her to do things that is destroying all the good inside of her. When she is brought to a opportunity to save a life and a fresh start, she takes the chance to start fresh even if that means giving up all that she knows. She ends up on a greek island....Ibiza. A island known for its all night partying atmosphere, she is able to get a job working for the most powerful man on the island, Damiano. There is a powerful connection and chemistry that builds between them, but when the truth comes out, Damiano and Valentina will have to work through their issues and face up to the struggles and determine if their love is strong enough...

What I Loved 
I just couldn't get enough of this book and I am so glad that I took a chance on this one. Jenn @ The Book Refuge has raved about this series, and even though we don't always see eye to eye on books, she was definitely spot on for this one. I was so drawn into this one here and I couldn't get enough of it. I wanted to just consume this book. I literally read this under 2 hours, that is how much I was swept away by this story. I felt so hard for this heroine and what she has to go through but I was cheering her on when she finally made the right decision even at the risk of her own life. I love that she stands strong on her choice. The romance that builds between Valentina and Damiano was so intense and captivating and I was so drawn in on it. Damiano is such a alpha male, loves to be in control of everything in his sphere and I found it sexy as all get out. Valentina knows when to stand on her own and when to give in, I liked that she wasn't a stupid heroine, but weighed out her options. I was so intrigued to see how it would be developed. And even though I wasn't a fan of some aspects of what happens after the reveal, once it gets resolved, I loved seeing what this pair becomes together. 

What I Struggled With
The third act conflict. When her identity is revealed and the connection she has to his sister, while my heart broke for her, I didn't understand why she wasn't honest with him once the truth was starting to come out ...this is where she does make some dumb decisions. I get that she is on the run for her life, but she had to know that he would protect her if he knew the truth. In fact she doesn't tell him anything and I would have liked her to stand on her own feet and be transparent with him, because he deserved that with the trouble she could bring to his doorstep. And I just wasn't a fan of the angst that develops in the third act between them. 

Overall View 
When She Unravels is a thrilling addictive romance that was an compelling page turner that melted my heart from the first page. Its a story of thrills, real human issues and learning to overcome adversity in a poignant way. A TRUE KEEPER! 


Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Dark Romance 
Character Types: Mafia/Boss, Billionaire/Mr. Moneybags
Themes: Coastal, MC on the Run, Secrets
Tropes: Mistaken Identity, Forced Proximity, Boss/Employee 

Book Perspective 
Duo POV 

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
A Mix, but more plot than relationship conflict 

If you like these authors, I recommend This Book
Michelle Heard 
Neva Altaj 
Mila Kane 

Song This Book Inspires
Conversations in the Dark 

Recommendation For Reading Order
Yes 

Steam/Spice Explanations 

Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.

SOOOOO GOOD, way better than I thought it was going to be. Vale and diamano were very cute. I am most definitely in my romance mafia phase and this did not disappoint.

Tiana holt

Lots of things happen and it was really good to see how it worked out. The ending shows there’s more to see in the next one. 

Jodie Reads

Vanessa

mine

I devoured this book pretty quickly.. I enjoyed it, but felt like there could have been parts with more. More details, more information. Other than that, great read!

When She Unravels The Fallen #1

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