When Villains Rise

Anti-Heroes in Love Duet, Book 2

By: Giana Darling

Narrated by: Rose Dioro, Jeremy York

From Wall Street Journal best-selling author Giana Darling comes the conclusion to the Anti-Heroes in Love duet, a gripping mafia romance about the capo who will risk everything to keep the woman he loves safe...

I am the hero no one wanted...

I was a murderer.

One of the cruelest and wealthiest men in New York City.

Dante Salvatore, capo of capos.

Yet I had one weakness.

Elena Lombardi.

Cold as ice, sharp as the edge of broken glass, and more beautiful than any woman should have the right to be, she stormed my defenses and razed my life as I knew it to the ground. For her, I would once again play the hero and prove myself worthy of her unconquerable heart.

For her, I would change everything.

I could have left her to the enemies hounding me, but instead, I made the unforgivable decision to take her with me to the old country. Now, there is no other option. In order to keep both of us safe, Elena Lombardi must become my wife.

©2022 Giana Darling (P)2022 Giana Darling

Loved Elena & Dante!

This is one of the best mafia romance stories I've heard. I absolutely loved Elena and Dante. Elena is my favorite heroine because she's loyal and fearless with a backbone! It's something I don't see often in books. Most of the heroines are weak and whiny so this was a pleasant surprise.

How is it possible to like the second book better than the first???

I absolutely loved the first book in this duet. After writing my review for it, I remember saying to myself there’s no way the second book will come close to the first. Well, I have been proven wrong.

I fell in love with both the MMC and FMC in the first book. However, after finishing this final book, I can honestly say that these two characters will remain in my heart, and in my mind for a very long time to come I think Dante is in my top five best best book boyfriends, EVER!!!
The way in which we get to see the depth of these two characters in the second book is so great. Dante’s many layers only reveal that he is a most amazing man and despite being a partly vicious, unlawful and scary person, his ability to love others is endless.

As for Elena, I was not her biggest fan in the first book. However, in the second book, her usually caustic and severe treatment of others turns into a complete 180. Don’t get me wrong. She is still a tough person, but her toughness is more about getting things done rather than protecting herself from loving others we really do get to see her ability to love and be loved in a way that I never thought would happen.

I can’t go into much more detail without giving spoilers away. All I can say is definitely read both of these books and I promise you won’t be disappointed. I am actually suffering a book hangover today. I did not want to go to bed last night unless I finished this book. I completed the book around 3 AM, but unfortunately I could not sleep because the characters and the story kept my mind active and my heart overflowing.

If you’re hesitant, don’t be! Spend the credit and buy the series. You can thank me later for it.😉

Better On Audio??

Somehow, I think that this book was way better on audio than I when I read it as an eBook 🤷🏻‍♀️ I guess things just work out that way sometimes! Rose Dioro & Jeremy York, again did a fantastic job with this book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

My Original Review:

Such an epic end to Elena and Dante’s story!! From Book One into Book Two, my love for Elena and Dante has somehow grown even more immensely than it was before. I was very put off by both of them in previous books, but now that we’ve dug deeper into getting to know them as individuals as well as a couple. It’s crazy how easily things can be turned around. I don’t think there’s two people who deserve each other more than these two. I get giddy thinking about them. They just fit so well together and I couldn’t imagine them with anyone else. They are burning with passion, explosive and so tender with each other but, they can also be very hard and cold to anybody else who gets in their way. I do wish from the bottom of my heart that I could give this five stars, but if it wasn't for part one of the book I would have. This book is broken down into two parts. Part One which is in Italy and Part Two which is back in New York. My main issue with this book was Part One. I found it very unnecessary and thought that it could have been scaled down into just a few chapters rather than have a whole part of the book. Part Two, I thought, was absolutely phenomenal. I was really nervous for a while because of the way things were going in the first part but the second part turned everything around. The second half of this book was really addictive and I could not stop myself from devouring it. They have such an epic love story with devotion and passion like no other. And that epilogue!???!! Boy, was it absolutely beautiful.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Phenomenal

Simply no words except outstanding! Love, love, loved Dante and Elena. Amazing chemistry, great story telling and so well written. You need this book in your life. Loved the narration.

Anti Heroes Do Fall In Love!

Absolutely delicious and delightful! For some inexplicable reason I enjoyed this one more than part 1 of the duet, it was a decadent and utterly enthralling audible narration. Dante and Elena are my all time favorite Giana Darling couple. They are so perfectly imperfect that their love cannot be denied.

I didn't know how much I've missed them until I had the opportunity to review the audiobook!

amazing

I love this duet so much. The narration was perfectly done to bring the story to life and bring it justice. Amazing from start to finish I didn't want to stop listening.

Best Sequel Ever

This story is way better than the first book. The narrators help weave a story that takes on highs, lows, love, lust, and hate. Just when you think you have it all figured out about who is good and who is bad, something else happens and you’re back to square one. I loved seeing all the pieces put together and the HEA.

One of the BEST Mafia Romances EVER! ❤️

Oh my goodness! 🥵 I am officially in love. Yep. Dante is my new book boyfriend. Ahhh!!! To be loved like that! 🥰 Elena is a lucky woman….and Dante, in turn, is a lucky man. Their passion and chemistry is off the charts! I don’t think I’ve read/listened to any book where the couple’s heat was soooo explosive. These two are THE King and Queen! 👑
This author can write! Wow!
I wouldn’t hesitate spending a credit for this second part. It’s AMAZING!!!! Tears still pool in my eyes from that beautiful epilogue. I am so sad it’s over. 😢
Ti amo, Capo! 😍

Raw Passion & deep Emotion

This is the second book in the Anti-Heroes In Love Duet and it absolutely delicious! You do need to listen to book one, When Heroes Fall first. Dante and Elena's romance delivers major feels, challenges you to look at things in a different way and steals your heart and leaves you swooning. The story is skillfully built, and the writing well done. This tale grabs your attention and never even entertains the idea of letting you go. I found myself consumed by the combination of raw passion, deep emotion, tense drama, thrilling suspense, rich darkness, pulse racing action, stunning twists, sizzling steam and jaw-dropping revelations that fuel this enticing romance. If you enjoy a potent and addictive book/series that will have you totally consumed and fiercely invested, you are going to want to dive into this ASAP! I thought it was incredible and a definite must read that easily earns a coveted space on your keeper shelf. I was thrilled that dual narration was offered on this book/duet. It is my preferred format because it helps me connect with and become immersed fully in the book. I found the voices pleasing to listen to and thought the performances were excellent.

A fabulous conclusion to this mafia duet!!

Once again - these narrators have perfected the story of Dante & Elena! I didn't want it to end...I could live in this world forever!!

This book is pure dark mafia perfection!!! From the sexy alpha capo Dante to the thrilling suspense to the Donna queen Elena... these two stole my heart, mind and soul through their hard won HEA and G Darling's beautiful and bold writing.

I loved EVERY.SINGLE.THING. about this book!!! It started right where Book 1 left off with Dante & Elena headed to Italy, and I felt like I was right there with them every second of the way. G Darling has a way of describing every scene, every scent, detail, and emotion that pulls you in and makes you feel like you are right there with the characters. THIS is what I love about reading books! I was enamored with the setting of Italy, sat on the edge of my seat through the car and boat chases, sighed and swooned over Dante's protective and possessive nature, and felt the chemistry combust in every intimate scene between Dante & Elena. Their love was everything - their passion was unrivaled, and their loyalty to each other and those they love made me fall for each of them even more.

As much as I love Dante as the dark and dangerous mafia boss, Elena stole the show in this book! She rises to be the queen she is destined to be and every move she made had me cheering for her more and more. She is fearless and I love a heroine who chooses to stand beside her man versus behind him when challenges and threats are thrown their way. Not only did Elena face down their enemies, but she also faced her past demons head on, and her character development and self-acceptance was beautiful and inspiring. G Darling did a fabulous job of not only writing the perfect heroine for Dante, but also writing her imperfections perfectly.

I didn't want this book to end. I was ready for more of the dark and gritty mafia, and more passion and family life from Dante & Elena. They are a couple who will remain one of my favorites for a long time to come. Bravo G Darling!!! I hope we see more of this world from you again soon!!