Bound by Love
by Cora Reilly
Self- Published
Book 6 in the Born in Blood Mafia Chronicles
Nobody expected them to fall in love.
When Aria was given to Luca in marriage, people were sure he’d break her.
Aria feared the worst from a man like him.
A man without mercy.
But somehow she gained his love.
Love - a weakness a Capo like Luca shouldn’t risk.
When Aria betrays Luca by going behind his back for her family, she realizes too late that she might have lost what she’s fought so hard to get in the first place: Luca’s trust.
The trust of a man who never allowed himself to trust someone unconditionally before.
Can their love survive in a world of betrayal and death?
Age Recommendation:
18+
Genre:
Dark Romance
Mafia
Bound by Love by Cora Reilly is the 6th book in her Born in Blood Mafia Chronicles, and once again centers around the couple who started it all, Aria and Luca. In Bound by Love, we get both Luca and Aria's POV's throughout the novels to date, and get to find out if these two can survive the consequences from the war between the Outfit and the famiglia.
So I think if you like Aria and Luca, and based on reviews from this series, there are a lot, you will enjoy this book. Myself, I am not the biggest fan of the two. I've never been able to get over Luca cheating on Aria, and I hate that Aria doesn't fight for more for herself. They aren't the worst couple in this series though. While it is a forced marriage, they do fall in love with one another, and treat one another with respect. There isn't anything cringy about their relationship. But not being the biggest fan of this couple wasn't the problem. The problem was, once again, major translation and editing issues, and repetitive material. Going over all the other books events with them, was boring. These are not complicated characters. How I assumed they would react to the events of each book, is exactly what happened, and I didn't need to read a book to figure it out. Honestly, the best part of this book was the last part, where it was brand new story. But it's not overly important to the series. Just pages of rage and heartbreak and a big misunderstanding. I'm not saying it's not interesting. It is. I did read it, and managed to finish it. It's just not groundbreaking. If anything, it made me want to read the Camorra Chronicles to find out Fabiano's story.
If you are an Aria and Luca fan, you will enjoy this. But if you are lukewarm to this series in general, much like I am, just read a few reviews on it to find out what happens, and skip it.
Aria's terrible cooking
Matteo showing Aria pictures of Luca as a kid
Gianna's support for Aria
Aria and Luca making up, and Aria telling Luca about the pregnancy
The birth
Luca holding his daughter for the first time
Luca: “You are a horrible housewife.”
I huffed.
Aria: “I wasn’t raised to be a housewife. I was raised to be a trophy wife.”
The words left a bitter taste in my mouth, but it was the truth and I needed to own up to it. Luca shook his head, his eyes reverent as they trailed over me.
Luca: “You were born to be a queen.” Scuderi: “I must admit Aria seems surprisingly relaxed around you. Given your reputation I’d have thought she’d cower in front of you,. But I suppose some reputations are misleading.”
Dante: “A marriage is no place for fear,” Luca: “Matteo, I think you pissed me off enough for one evening. You don’t have to shoot all your ammunition today.”
Matteo: “I never shoot all my ammunition, Luca,” Luca: “I am your Capo. I rule over the East Coast. I rule over you. If someone’s got a problem with me, then step up and tell me to my fucking face, and I’ll grant you a fucking quick death. But I swear by Heaven and Hell that crushing my uncle’s throat will look like a merciful end to the next fucker who dares to insult my wife. I won’t stand any kind of disrespect.” Gianna: “Come on, Aria. You have us. Nothing will ever change that. They have their Famiglia and their blood oath, but we are sisters, we are blood, and we will be at your side till the end of all days.” Liliana: “At least Luca isn’t getting a pouch out of solidarity,”
Lily said with a grin.
Liliana: “I read that many men gain more weight during pregnancy than their wives. It’s called solidarity pregnancy or something like that.”
Luca: “That’s taking solidarity a bit too far,”
Luca said from behind me, and I let out a startled cry, looking over my shoulder. He stood with his arms crossed over his chest, and was only in his swim trunks. Solidarity pregnancy? No, that definitely hadn’t happened to Luca. He was as ripped as always, all muscle, no fat. Matteo came up behind his brother, grinning, and patted Luca’s six-pack.
Matteo: “I think I can feel a tiny bulge.”
Luca: “The only bulge I’ll ever have is in my pants, and you will keep your hands off it.” Matteo: “Do something. You must know what to do,”
Matteo told her, taking another step closer.
Gianna: “Why would I know what to do? Because I’m a woman? I’ve never pushed a baby out of my vagina, as you very well know.” Matteo: “Will you be able to keep the baby in until we’re in the hospital?”
Matteo asked worriedly. I rolled my eyes. He made it sound as if I could shut the door down there. Luca: “Sleep, principessa. I will protect you.”
Aria: “And Marcella,”
Luca: “You and Marcella both, till my death.” Luca: “For fuck’s sake, Matteo, you make it sound like I’m a saint. You know me.”
Matteo: “Saint, sinner, as if I give a fuck. I know you. I know you like to kill, you like to spill blood as much as I do. I know you enjoy slicing up our enemies and traitors. I know you like to be feared. You like their screams and their begging. You are a sick fucker like me, but you are a sick fucker who loves his wife and his daughter, and who would rather spill his own blood and slice his own limbs off than harm them.”
Aria: “I’ll go wherever you go no matter how dark the path.”
I grasped her wrist with the bracelet I’d given her many years ago and brought it to my lips, kissing it.
Luca: “Even in the darkest hour, you are my light.”