Neva Altaj

ZAHARA

Is it possible to fall for a man you don't know?

Before I saw his face,
Or heard his voice,
Or felt the warmth of his touch,
I fell in love with his mind.
Devious. Cunning. Deceptive .

The master of deadly and dangerous plans.
The silent threat no one saw coming.
Manipulating people's lives like pawns on a chessboard.

When he steps out of the shadows,
The king reclaiming his throne,
He sets the world aflame,
And burns my heart to ash.

MASSIMO

After eighteen years,
I finally got my freedom back.
My dark empire was waiting.
Primed for me to take the reins.

I'll punish the traitors who stole my life.
And make them feel true pain.
The era of peace is over.
I’m ready to unleash mayhem.

But I left one prison,
Only to be trapped again,
In a battle between my conscience and my desire.

The one thing I desire above all else,
I can never have.

My sweet angel.
My magnificent queen.
My Zahara.


The Perfectly Imperfect is a series of interconnected standalones, where books can be read in any order. However, Sweet Prison (Book 10, Massimo & Zahara’s story) was written as a companion to Darkest Sins (Book 9, Kai & Nera’s story), and I strongly recommend reading the duet in tandem and proper order.

(Perfectly Imperfect #10)

Sweet Prison

IT WAS GOING SOOOO GOODD but the end fûcking ruined it. I mean having $ex in front of EVEYONE. uh uh no. That's not how we grow a backbone.

Stranded 

I think this book is my least favorite so far in this series. I liked the beginning (mostly the part where Zara and massimo first start to getting to know each other), but then it becomes slow and boring. I didn’t like the characters as much as I did the others. Still a nice writing style and okay plot (but the tratoir twist was obvious) 

Emma Kamer

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.

Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️

Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻

Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️ 

Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒💒

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

Sweet Prison is the most recent release in the "Perfectly Imperfect" series by Neva Altaj. I absolutely adored this story in every single way. In fact, I believe that this is my favorite of the whole series. It was literally perfection for me and I just couldn't get enough of these two and their powerfully evoking story. It had such a blend of pining, romantic yearning and some deception with a blend of epistolary themes and friends turning to lovers in such a remarkable way. If you love mafia, morally grey heroes, mutual pining and a forbidden love, then this story is most definitely for you and Neva Altaj captured all of these elements so perfectly! 

Massimo, was the prince of the mafia world until his step brother was murdered and in the process he found himself facing a long sentence in prison for avenging the death of his brother. Zahara was only a child when he was sent away, but in her late teens started to write him letters and for years they have exchanged letters of humor and Zara has been working with Massimo to spy on the Family and do deeds for him and along the way has lost her heart to him and would sacrifice anything he asked of her no matter the price. Massimo started to use Zara because that is who he is and he could use all the allies he needed, but as time goes on, she is his one shining light in the darkness. Massimo without fully realizing it falls just as deep, but their love is forbidden and there is a danger to both of them. But Zahara is no meek flower like many see her, she has a will of iron and will do anything to stand by those that she loves...

 can I just sigh and say you all need to read it???? No?? Well then lets dig deep into this story then 

Sweep Prison is really about beautiful romantic yearnings that dig deep into the soul and boy does this book really dig deep here. I loved the levels of emotion that we see within this book. The hero is pure alpha male and so much morally grey in him. He grew up in the mafia and never had the childhood other books in the mafia world had. He was always driven and determined. He has survived prison and become the king there and has managed to run the family business behind bars. Then we have Zahara who is meek and shy at first until she starts writing letters to Massimo. She starts to become bold and brave and developing a quiet strength to rival that of Massimo. Without realizing it, Massimo creates a deadly weapon of beauty and strength and grace. 

Zahara is my favorite part of this story and I will tell you why. Her strength, her determination to overcome all the slander and gossip and the way she has been bullied and emotionally abused all of her life because of her skin condition. She has such a kind heart and I love how gracious she is. But at the heart of her is a fierce tiger waiting to burst free and become the queen she was always meant to become. Zahara has such a spirit of being a fighter when its necessary. I love how protective she is of Massimo but also at the same time she will do anything to stand by his side. She is so determined to fight for their relationship even if that means Massimo. But honestly Massimo only has himself to blame haha he created this beautiful monster and boy does he treat her like she is the true jewel that she is. 

Massimo is your typical bad boy with morally grey mafia leader, but also such a badass but also has some mental control problems but you can see how Zara is his center and really helps regain back that control. Massimo was such a dreamboat and I loved so much about this hero. Even though he has mental control issues, we see how devoted he is to Zara. I love how he sees the true beauty within and doesn't judge her for her condition like so many do around her. 

Now lets talk the good stuff....the romance is so heart melting. This is what I look for in romance and Neva Altaj completely satisfied every yearning I went into this book looking for. I couldn't get enough of these two and see how much devotion there is between them. I love the slowly built yearning that grows between them. We see the built of chemistry and emotion that gradually grows between them. It starts with the letters and then once they meet for the first time, you really see that connection only form even more solidly. There are so many layers that grow into their relationship and see it become such a fierce and deeply riveting. I just took my time with this book because I NEVER wanted their story to end and I am not ready to let go of it. 

Sweet Prison is a mafia romance that has so much sensual heart packed within its page. Its a story that will tug deeply into the heartstrings of the soul, it will curl your toes, and it will make your heart sing a beautiful melody that spans time. 

Character Types: Morally Grey, Disability, Alpha Male, Shy Heroine 

Themes: Heart/Emotional, Epistolary, Taboo-Step Sibling, Tatts/Body Art 

Tropes: Forbidden Love, Friends to Lovers, Unrequited Love 

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: ✨✨✨✨✨


First Impressions
Sweet Prison is the most recent release in the "Perfectly Imperfect" series by Neva Altaj. I absolutely adored this story in every single way. In fact, I believe that this is my favorite of the whole series. It was literally perfection for me and I just couldn't get enough of these two and their powerfully evoking story. It had such a blend of pining, romantic yearning and some deception with a blend of epistolary themes and friends turning to lovers in such a remarkable way. If you love mafia, morally grey heroes, mutual pining and a forbidden love, then this story is most definitely for you and Neva Altaj captured all of these elements so perfectly! 

First Line 
Just you, Nera 

The Main Protagonists 
 The Hero: Massimo 
 The Heroine: Zahara 

Summary 
Massimo, was the prince of the mafia world until his step brother was murdered and in the process he found himself facing a long sentence in prison for avenging the death of his brother. Zahara was only a child when he was sent away, but in her late teens started to write him letters and for years they have exchanged letters of humor and Zara has been working with Massimo to spy on the Family and do deeds for him and along the way has lost her heart to him and would sacrifice anything he asked of her no matter the price. Massimo started to use Zara because that is who he is and he could use all the allies he needed, but as time goes on, she is his one shining light in the darkness. Massimo without fully realizing it falls just as deep, but their love is forbidden and there is a danger to both of them. But Zahara is no meek flower like many see her, she has a will of iron and will do anything to stand by those that she loves...

What I Loved 
This BOOK!! Sigh can I just sigh and say you all need to read it???? No?? Well then lets dig deep into this story then 

Sweep Prison is really about beautiful romantic yearnings that dig deep into the soul and boy does this book really dig deep here. I loved the levels of emotion that we see within this book. The hero is pure alpha male and so much morally grey in him. He grew up in the mafia and never had the childhood other books in the mafia world had. He was always driven and determined. He has survived prison and become the king there and has managed to run the family business behind bars. Then we have Zahara who is meek and shy at first until she starts writing letters to Massimo. She starts to become bold and brave and developing a quiet strength to rival that of Massimo. Without realizing it, Massimo creates a deadly weapon of beauty and strength and grace. 

Zahara is my favorite part of this story and I will tell you why. Her strength, her determination to overcome all the slander and gossip and the way she has been bullied and emotionally abused all of her life because of her skin condition. She has such a kind heart and I love how gracious she is. But at the heart of her is a fierce tiger waiting to burst free and become the queen she was always meant to become. Zahara has such a spirit of being a fighter when its necessary. I love how protective she is of Massimo but also at the same time she will do anything to stand by his side. She is so determined to fight for their relationship even if that means Massimo. But honestly Massimo only has himself to blame haha he created this beautiful monster and boy does he treat her like she is the true jewel that she is. 

Massimo is your typical bad boy with morally grey mafia leader, but also such a badass but also has some mental control problems but you can see how Zara is his center and really helps regain back that control. Massimo was such a dreamboat and I loved so much about this hero. Even though he has mental control issues, we see how devoted he is to Zara. I love how he sees the true beauty within and doesn't judge her for her condition like so many do around her. 

Now lets talk the good stuff....the romance is so heart melting. This is what I look for in romance and Neva Altaj completely satisfied every yearning I went into this book looking for. I couldn't get enough of these two and see how much devotion there is between them. I love the slowly built yearning that grows between them. We see the built of chemistry and emotion that gradually grows between them. It starts with the letters and then once they meet for the first time, you really see that connection only form even more solidly. There are so many layers that grow into their relationship and see it become such a fierce and deeply riveting. I just took my time with this book because I NEVER wanted their story to end and I am not ready to let go of it. 

What I Struggled With
Nothing 

Overall View 
Sweet Prison is a mafia romance that has so much sensual heart packed within its page. Its a story that will tug deeply into the heartstrings of the soul, it will curl your toes, and it will make your heart sing a beautiful melody that spans time. 

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Dark Romance 
Character Types: Morally Grey, Disability, Alpha Male, Shy Heroine 
Themes: Heart/Emotional, Epistolary, Taboo-Step Sibling, Tatts/Body Art 
Tropes: Forbidden Love, Friends to Lovers, Unrequited Love 

Book Perspective 
Duo POV 

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
A blend of both 

If you like these authors, I recommend This Book
Michelle Heard 
Cora Reilly 
Bella Di Corte 

Song This Book Inspires
Shameless by Camila Cabello 

Recommendation For Reading Order
Yes 

Steam/Spice Explanations 

Simmering cup of tea---soft warm touches and light intimacy 
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. 
 Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes. 
Blazing fire to the building-The prime focus is the sex scenes, scorching hot, and could burn one. Less focus on the emotional intimacy to the relationship.

Sweet Prison (Perfectly Imperfect #10)

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