Chiara was raised into the mafia world the hard way. Enduring the assault at the hands of her father until she was kidnapped and forced to marry a mob boss. One she’s sure is even worse than her father. Ricca never backs away from a challenge. When the woman he kidnapped sneers he would never own her, he’s more than happy to prove her wrong. It doesn’t matter he is being forced into this marriage by The Syndicate, to cover-up the kidnapping. An enemy is forging a plan to take Ricca down. Can a marriage, even one forced by the decision of others, turn into a solid band of trust, loyalty, and eventually love? Or will either one—or their enemy—rip out their heart to stop it from beating? Dive into this Mafia Romance where the value of human life is worth less than loyalty.
Esther E. Schmidt is an USA Today bestselling author who loves to write MC (biker) series, Mafia Romance series, PNR series, contemporary romance series, and more. She's a graphic designer that also loves to write. She released her first series "Areion Fury MC" in October 2015. Esther lives in The Netherlands with her family, three daughters, and a crazy iguana. She loves to write about bad boy Alphas with a heart for only one woman. To make it a bit interesting, that woman needs to be a badass herself.
I'm a little out of review practice and I don't want to give away too many spoilers. Here goes.
Esther E. Schmidt does it again with Ricca. What a rollercoaster ride, and I tell you, this book had everything. Hot alpha male, an amazing storyline, and a heroine that could kick some really serious ass. I adored Chiara so much. After everything she went through, to be forced into an arranged marriage. I felt for her. She's had to be strong to be able to deal with what life has thrown at her.
Ricca, well, there were moments you want to slap him silly, BUT!!! Big but lol, he is the kind of guy that you are rooting for. Even when you don't completely agree with everything he's doing, his heart is in the right place, if that makes any kind of sense. Chiara needs Ricca, but not to take care of her. She can handle a lot, especially with everything she's been through. With Ricca, she needs him to show her there's good mixed in with all the bad.
I don't want to give anything away because it will spoil the moments that I found really touching and sweet, and of course the bad ass moment. This is so frustrating.
I thoroughly enjoyed this arranged marriage, mafia story. It had everything I love about a good book. Thank you, Esther for letting me have an ARC. You're amazing.
I wanted Ricca, when he first appeared on radar. Especially so after reading the blurb. And after finished, I'm so happy to add this guy to my bookboyfriend harem. I absolutely adore Ricca. Actually, I adore this couple. Theirs relationship fascinated me from the first page. Chiara and Ricca are just perfect and it was amazing journey with them.
I don't know why it took me so long to actually read this book, I was missing for sure! I LOVED Ricca and Chiara. Their story was somewhat sweet with all the necessary ingredients for an enjoyable fast-passed book. There was blood, torture, steam, a nice twist and a happily-ever-after epilogue, what else can someone ask for?
I was curious about Ricco and his story gave me more than I could have imagined. So Good!! But Chiara this girl was a total bada$$ Put through hell by her father and came out kicking and ready to kill. They were a fantastic match!! This book felt a little darker from Esther Schmidt and I loved it. A love story non the less. A beautifully broken girl falling for a dark ruthless man. Together they made my heart smile even if at times I cringed over there bonding. Killers and Lovers!
As you know, Ricca is Andy's older brother and the head of their mafia gang. Andy is Afon's woman, just in case some of you don't know. As we learn, Ricca had to sign a contract of an arranged marriage after kidnapping the evil and disgusting pig who wanted to make Andy be his wife to form an alliance of two empires and due to all of that, Ricca took matters into his own hands but hey, not everything is all bad because it actually led him to the love of his life and his match in every single way :)
Of course, this story, Ricca and Chiara do not fall instantly for one another because their meeting was through Ricca kidnapping her and let's just say, the tension is thick but also there's sexual tension they won't be able to ignore for long ;)
Chiara, that poor girl, I felt for her, I truly did. But, she's so strong, she had to be, especially with the type of despicable father she had. The things she had to endure made her the strong and determined woman she was when she finally meets her match, Ricca.
These two are dynamite together. Their chemistry, their intensity for one another is palpable throughout the story and as you keep on reading it, you read them fight their feelings, feelings they've never experienced before and you get to read the progression of their blooming love for each other and by the end, your happy as hell, well, as least I was :)
The secondary characters are awesome! Ricca's three best friends since childhood are ride and die friends and they gave me so many moments of laughter. They really completed this story and I really hope they get their own story as well and see the women who will tame these three alpha males ;)
Now guys, this is a dark read and even though there's no description of what happened to Chiara, this does contain certain triggers so some of you who do mind these triggers, proceed with caution, and those who don't mind, by all means, read this because even with the dark elements, this story was fantastic and hot ;)
I've been struck by another case of #CoverLust that led me to a badass book I might have missed out on otherwise. I'm guilty of having an endless TBR list and though I've purchased several books by this author, I've not read her work until now. Yup, you guessed it. I'm kicking my own ass for not doing it sooner.
Ricci says it all with, I'm a notorious bastard who will always get what he wants." He wanted her, so he kidnapped her. Why mess around, right? Well, he got much more than he bargained for with his unwilling bride.
Being raised in the mafia lifestyle Chiara is no shrinking violet. She's got plans to turn the tables on her arrogant groom. But you know what they say about the best-laid plans, right? "Shit. I have a feeling my 'power in the bedroom' plan is failing drastically when all my body wants is to hand over said power and follow his every demand."
I'm a big fan of dark and dirty drama. Give me an alpha asshole with muscles, tattoos, and a filthy mouth and I'm in heaven. Throw in a badass female who can go toe-to-toe with trained mafia men and I've got a girl crush. Add some colorful support characters and some witty banter and you couldn't pry my Kindle out of my hands with a crowbar. I enjoyed the hell out of this story. It was funny and sexy and suspenseful. I don't know if this is the beginning of a series or not, but I sure hope so. I'd love to spend some more time with Ricca's men and the lucky women they end up with. The line forms here...
In Short - It only took a few pages to be gripped by Ricca. - The story line is really fast paced, can't catch your breath sort of book. - The writing is flawless.
In Long Within a few pages these characters had me hooked line and sinker. There was not one point where I could put this book down easily and it killed me every time I had to.
Ricca is addictive, swoon worthy, HOT alpha who I could not get enough of. Like seriously I need MORE Ricca. Add fiery, strong Chiara to the story and you get a chemistry out of this world which will have you laughing one second and hot under the collar the next.
The story line is really fast paced. It was one of those books which sucks you so far into the book that when you come round you forget who and where you are. Numerous times I was physically holding my breath with my mouth open or laughing out loud.
Final Thoughts Ricca blew me away, the writing is flawless, the romance is HOT, the chemistry is out of this world.
Esther E. Schmidt is a new, to me author but not anymore. OMG, this book was ridiculously good. Ricca and Chiara are two ends of different mafia families. They do NOT see eye to eye, but when we start this book it is their wedding day. So you can imagine that it is not a totally happy occasion.
Don't think Chiara is just going to lay down and take it though. This is one hard ass chick. She comes from a family of a tough mafia and her father made sure that she could handle it. But she also has had a horrible childhood, so you will see a soft side of her too. Will Ricca be able to handle his new wife and his mafia brothers?
This is a must read book! I am hoping there is more to come!!
Ricca is the very first book by Esther Schmidt that I have read and it will not be my last. I enjoyed reading this book, I truly believe you will as well.
It started off a little slow, but not for long. The storyline picked up and I was pleasantly surprised and had to keep going to see what happened next.
This book is about Ricca and Chiara and a journey into their life. He is the Mafia boss and she is the daughter of an associate. An arranged marriage is set up by him for Chiara.
They may start off as an arraignment but it changes into something more. This book has everything from romance, crime and everything in between, to keep you turning the pages.
I recommend reading Ricca. You will enjoy it as much as I did. Happy reading.
I loved this book!! I don't know how Schmidt does it but I love every book more than the last!
Chiara has been through hell and back and determined no man is going to own her even the man who kidnapped her and later forced to marry. What she wasn't counting on was falling for her husband. Ricca isn't the devil she thought he was. He's nothing what her father made her believe growing up. Not all made men are the same! Chiara is one bada$$ woman who at times I was scared for Ricca and his three ducklings!
I loved this book so hard and can't wait for more!!
This author has a really easy writing style that I just enjoy so much. I am never bored or felt the need to skip pages. There are some really interesting side characters that I look forward to getting to know better. Full Review: https://shahlas-world.blogspot.com/20...
Ms. Schmidt has given us a fantastic Mafia storyline, with characters that are funny and charming while tough as nails. Ricca and Chiara are a match made in Mafia heaven and the “three ducklings” are a hoot as well as being lethal. That is one thing you can always count on with Ms. Schmidt’s book, you have humor, suspense and romance all wrapped up into great storylines. Kudo’s for another job very well done.
Ricca kidnapped Chiara as a revenge tactic which caused the Syndicate to become very irate. So, they forced them into an arranged marriage to save face. These two do not love one another but they will admit to an attraction with a strong sense of duty, which helps smooth the way in the beginning. You know the old saying that opposites attract, well these two are a prime example. They complete each other. Ricca is cold, impetuous and hot headed. He often acts before he thinks things through. As for Chiara, she is tough, beautiful, a thinker and a planner. She considers all the options before carrying out a plan. But together they are off the charts hot and totally lethal, a force you don’t want to mess with. However a few of their enemies didn’t get the memo and boy oh boy is that exciting.
Ricca and Chiara’s story is as magical as it is deadly. This is a quick read that will have you on edge of your seat as well as smiling through out, even when these two hand out their own kind of justice. 2 Thumbs Up for a fantastic 5 star read and I sincerely hope to see more books involving this marvelous cast of characters.
This story is short, fast paced and action packed. I devoured this book in one sitting and was satisfied throughout. I have wanted Ricca to have a story since he was featured in his sister’s story (Afon). I liked both Chiara and Ricca. I liked that they both didn’t get together because they fell in love. They got married because they were forced to but soon fell for one another anyway. I liked when Chiara let her darkness show. I liked that she was kickass and people were a little scared of her. Yet she had a side that made her look sweetness and light at first. Chiara had so many layers to her! I liked seeing them all show at different times. I loved how patient Ricca was with Chiara. His experience with what happened to Andy, helped him with Chiara’s moments of panic. I really liked Ernesto, Fausto and Armino. I liked that they were scared of Chiara and that they soon bonded with her. Especially Chiara and Fausto. I found Chiara’s nickname for Ricca’s friends amusing. The storyline for this book is easy to follow and an action packed read. I know it’s greedy of me but I hope Ernesto, Fausto and Armino get their own stories as I want more of them.
Ricca & Chiara are dominant, explosive, powerful, sexy and oh so good together! Kidnapped , arranged marriage, the mob, lies and too much attraction to handle. Ricca kidnapped Chiara to get standing in the mob and teach her father a lesson but now the plans have changed . Ricca never thought that the woman he took would be so much like him and more. The moment that he realizes that he may not break her but have a worthy adversary and partner is the magic ! Chiara has lived the life of a mob daughter and believe me when I say she has not come out unscathed . She has been demined , abused and used as a pawn and that is just by her own father. She is now able to take everything that she has watched and learned and put it to good use. First impression of Ricca is that he is just like every other man of power and standing but she soon realizes he may be that and oh so much more...something that she needs! Great Story!! ~~Michele McMullen
Chiara and Ricca didn't start out in the best way but let's just say certain particular tastes help them see each other in a new light..just like necessary evils that need to be rid of.. I really enjoyed this story..both the relationship between these two, Ricca's friends and the action that comes from the business side. I couldn't put it down and I loved both Chiara and Ricca..two very strong characters that have had to deal with some ugly in their pasts.
Can you find live with a woman you kidnapped and is now forced to marry? What if you find out this same woman wants to cut you up and feed you to the dogs? Ricca will find out if this was the worst decision he’s ever made or the best.
Loved Ricca’s story, but loved Chiara more. Being a woman in a mafia family is the worst kind of luck.,and for her to have the upbringing she had, she thought she’d never find love or happiness. Sure Ricca is a mafia boss, but he has a keen respect for women and he instantly takes a liking to Chiara. Watching them build their lives was both exciting and funny. Seeing his connections to his friends (brothers really).,made all the killing pleasurable☺️
Great read. I enjoy Esther’s mafia world and the strong, fearless women she brings to her books.
I grabbed this one and I told myself we're in for a treat, this is it, this gonna be my baby..
The trope's good, the blurb's fantastic,the plot is super, but when it comes to the characters and the connection with them, it all goes down the drain, why why why..
Well this one was a tad disturbing but still a good story. All the books in EES mob world are a little dark but this one seems to take it to a different level with the whole dad thing. That being said I love how well these two are for each other. Ricca seems to know just what Chiara needs to feel safe. And she knows his world so well that he can do what he needs to too keep her safe. Their story flows well and doesn't get stale. Hope the three ducklings get a story also.
Why does this have such high ratings? I was bored through most of it and rolling my eyes at the rest. Felt zero connection to or between the main characters and everything felt bland. We get told that the h gets kidnapped and forced to marry H, but that’s already happened before the start of the book with nothing leading into it. Just save your time and money.
This story is a stand alone but has characters from some of Esther’s other stories!!
In this story Esther takes us on an emotional roller coaster. You are never really sure what will happen next. This is a story that stands on traditions but somehow they get twisted.
I really loved this book! It had a great storyline and Ricca and Chiarra were such great characters. Plus I loved Ricca’s three friends, aka: associates. They brought a lightness and humor to the book which had some serious tones to it as well. Definitely a must read!
Well written a lot going on with th h Rica and chiara so glad they had th heir HEA new author for me but I hope to read a few more of her books would like to read on about the three ducklings Ernesto amino and fausta would highly recommendo
I'm so happy to finally read Ricca and Chiara's story! I read a little snippet of these two not knowing how their story wi end up. Both went through some bad things that'll scar them for life but having each other make it more amazing, and no one can never come between