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Original Sin #2
Brutal Legacy
Loving her cost me my youth, my freedom and nearly my life… It’s only right, I take the same from her. A dark mafia second chance romance featuring an ex-special forces Mafia underboss, an arranged marriage made in hell, and the feisty, headstrong object of his obsession. Elio's story.
480 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 5, 2025
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April 4, 2025Hmm, I'm not quite sure how to express my thoughts on this. 😂 But the most important thing to say is that this book is made just for the safety gang out there! 🥰
Like, this is a SAFE second chance romance, free from those annoying double standards and misogyny. Also, I think this is exactly how the "It's always been you" microtrope is meant to play out. 🤭💗
Spoilers! Spoilers! Spoilers! And loooong review. 🫣
=================
Anyway, into the story. Elio (34) and Georgia (33) first crossed paths when they were just 20 and 19. He was working at her family's stable, and over time, they fell in love. They both had dreams of getting married, starting a family, and eventually leaving that town behind. So, when Elio found the courage, he told her dad that he was in love with her, and wanted to marry her. The prick rich man thought no one was good enough for his daughter, so he set up a scheme that led to Elio being imprisoned for theft. Then the awful father fed Georgia a bunch of outrageous lies, claiming that Elio had skipped town after stealing his money. She was skeptical of her father's words at first and spent months waiting for his return. But he never did, as he was in prison, enduring daily beatings, all thanks to her father.
I'm not exactly sure how long she waited for him, but I feel like it was around a year, or maybe I'm off on that (I can't remember anymore 🥲)??? Anyway, she has a gay best friend who's also looking to leave that town because he can't be himself there. The townsfolk were judgmental, and his family would cut him off. He suggested that they get married in order to receive his inheritance, which would allow them to travel to America and begin a new life there. So that's what they did.
Ren (H from Unholy Vows, boss of Elio in the present time) helped Elio get out of prison, and he also told him that Georgia got married. This broke something in Elio, and since then he has focused his attention on other things just to forget her and her "betrayal". He became a soldier for a few years, and after that, he became the second in command of Ren.
In the present time, Georgia's father is currently in prison, awaiting his trial. His corrupt ways finally caught up with him. So, he struck a deal: he won’t spill the mafia’s secrets as long as Ren and his men keep his daughter safe. Ren figured it was best to send his top guy, Elio, to go get Georgia. They're not just trying to keep their secrets safe; there's also another family that Georgia's dad double-crossed, and these people also want their revenge.
Long story short, they met again as Elio kidnapped Georgia. She didn't recognize him, but for some reason he felt familiar to her. His eye color was his most distinct feature, but since it was different (he has contact lens), she felt confused. It also didn't help that Elio kept his identity a secret, not even sharing his name with her.
=================
I had fun with it because of the faithfulness of the MCs to each other. It's rare to come across a second-chance story where there's celibacy involved in BOTH characters because, more often than not, it's always the FMC who has to live like a nun.
While I really enjoyed that part of the book, these two did a helluva push and pull that went on until about the 80% mark or so. They finally had their real conversation about what happened to them right at the 87% mark. 😶
In the first half, they showed how much they couldn't stand each other, and then in the second half, physical stuff got added, but they skipped over the serious conversations that probably should've happened first. I think I would've liked the story even more if I knew that everything had been sorted out before they got back together. I mean, 14 years is a long time to just ignore their history and what went down in between. 🤷♀️
And while I do understand that Elio's angry, some of his actions still come across as mean and asshole-y. He wasn't the only one who got hurt, but he sure acted like he was the only one with a broken heart. He often makes decisions without checking in with Georgia to see if she's on board with it. She's more like a hostage since a lot of what went down here was her following Elio's orders and meeting up with his demands. 😕 Not saying he didn't do anything for her, I mean, her studio and penthouse were obviously swoonworthy, but still.
Sure, something has changed in their dynamic during the last 20%, but I think that was a bit too late for my taste. Also, it's probably just me, but I feel like he went on punishing her way longer than what would be fair for something she didn't even do. And she just went along with it and didn't fight him. I mean, she did try, but then her attraction and hormones got the best of her, so it's still no use. It's ridiculous how Georgia claims to be mad at him, yet she didn't really put up much of a fight. She basically just let Elio do whatever he wanted with her and her life. 🙃
Ugh. Now this becomes somewhat rant-y, and that's not what I'm even aiming for. 🥲
I really did have fun with some parts, but there’s definitely something off about their dynamics, and I just can't pinpoint it exactly. This one, like the others, has its ups and downs. Every reader is different, and as always, to each their own. I still would recommend this if readers want to read a story that shows that true loves will stand the test of time and that despite the pain, people will always find their way back to each other against all odds.
As for the suspense part, the ending of the bad guy was actually anticlimactic, but maybe because that's not what the author wants to focus on. So, idk.
Overall, they still got back together and were finally on their way to making their younger selves' dreams come true. All in all, I still think it was worth the read. I just don't know what to rate it, so I'm leaving it blank for now. I might come back to update it if the mood strikes.
Book info:
- Second chance (14 yrs)
- Both celibate (I know, RARE!)
- Organized crime romance
- Forced marriage
- Violence
- Kidnapping
- PTSD
- Panic attacks
- Microchipping
- Suicidal ideation
- No cheating, OM/OW, separation
- HEA (married)
- Bonus epilogue (thru newsletter, planning to have a baby)
Notes:
- OW1. Not really. In the beginning of the book, when Elio was following his target, a woman approached him, flirted with him, and groped him. He's not interested at all and shoved her away, but this scene pissed me off. It doesn’t matter who it is; touching someone without their consent is just not okay. So I was angry FOR him.
- OW2. When they went to a boutique store to buy Georgia some clothes, a saleslady tried to flirt with him despite him telling her that Georgia is his wife. Apparently the woman didn't care, but Elio do, so he shut her down right away.
- OM1. Georgia got married to her gay best friend. I think they were married for a decade before he died. She was living with him and his partner. They're just good friends and nothing more.
- OM2. She was supposed to marry someone else to get her protection. Actually, she got married to the OM, but Elio had enough of the scene in front of him and unalived the man, then he asked the same priest to marry them. 😂
- Celibate. They were real celibate; there's no BS where either of them tried to sleep with other people, only that it didn't work. Both of them were just not interested; I mean, Georgia was legally married, and Elio can't stand the idea of touching other women.
Like, this is a SAFE second chance romance, free from those annoying double standards and misogyny. Also, I think this is exactly how the "It's always been you" microtrope is meant to play out. 🤭💗
Spoilers! Spoilers! Spoilers! And loooong review. 🫣
=================
Anyway, into the story. Elio (34) and Georgia (33) first crossed paths when they were just 20 and 19. He was working at her family's stable, and over time, they fell in love. They both had dreams of getting married, starting a family, and eventually leaving that town behind. So, when Elio found the courage, he told her dad that he was in love with her, and wanted to marry her. The prick rich man thought no one was good enough for his daughter, so he set up a scheme that led to Elio being imprisoned for theft. Then the awful father fed Georgia a bunch of outrageous lies, claiming that Elio had skipped town after stealing his money. She was skeptical of her father's words at first and spent months waiting for his return. But he never did, as he was in prison, enduring daily beatings, all thanks to her father.
I'm not exactly sure how long she waited for him, but I feel like it was around a year, or maybe I'm off on that (I can't remember anymore 🥲)??? Anyway, she has a gay best friend who's also looking to leave that town because he can't be himself there. The townsfolk were judgmental, and his family would cut him off. He suggested that they get married in order to receive his inheritance, which would allow them to travel to America and begin a new life there. So that's what they did.
Ren (H from Unholy Vows, boss of Elio in the present time) helped Elio get out of prison, and he also told him that Georgia got married. This broke something in Elio, and since then he has focused his attention on other things just to forget her and her "betrayal". He became a soldier for a few years, and after that, he became the second in command of Ren.
In the present time, Georgia's father is currently in prison, awaiting his trial. His corrupt ways finally caught up with him. So, he struck a deal: he won’t spill the mafia’s secrets as long as Ren and his men keep his daughter safe. Ren figured it was best to send his top guy, Elio, to go get Georgia. They're not just trying to keep their secrets safe; there's also another family that Georgia's dad double-crossed, and these people also want their revenge.
Long story short, they met again as Elio kidnapped Georgia. She didn't recognize him, but for some reason he felt familiar to her. His eye color was his most distinct feature, but since it was different (he has contact lens), she felt confused. It also didn't help that Elio kept his identity a secret, not even sharing his name with her.
=================
I had fun with it because of the faithfulness of the MCs to each other. It's rare to come across a second-chance story where there's celibacy involved in BOTH characters because, more often than not, it's always the FMC who has to live like a nun.
While I really enjoyed that part of the book, these two did a helluva push and pull that went on until about the 80% mark or so. They finally had their real conversation about what happened to them right at the 87% mark. 😶
In the first half, they showed how much they couldn't stand each other, and then in the second half, physical stuff got added, but they skipped over the serious conversations that probably should've happened first. I think I would've liked the story even more if I knew that everything had been sorted out before they got back together. I mean, 14 years is a long time to just ignore their history and what went down in between. 🤷♀️
And while I do understand that Elio's angry, some of his actions still come across as mean and asshole-y. He wasn't the only one who got hurt, but he sure acted like he was the only one with a broken heart. He often makes decisions without checking in with Georgia to see if she's on board with it. She's more like a hostage since a lot of what went down here was her following Elio's orders and meeting up with his demands. 😕 Not saying he didn't do anything for her, I mean, her studio and penthouse were obviously swoonworthy, but still.
Sure, something has changed in their dynamic during the last 20%, but I think that was a bit too late for my taste. Also, it's probably just me, but I feel like he went on punishing her way longer than what would be fair for something she didn't even do. And she just went along with it and didn't fight him. I mean, she did try, but then her attraction and hormones got the best of her, so it's still no use. It's ridiculous how Georgia claims to be mad at him, yet she didn't really put up much of a fight. She basically just let Elio do whatever he wanted with her and her life. 🙃
Ugh. Now this becomes somewhat rant-y, and that's not what I'm even aiming for. 🥲
I really did have fun with some parts, but there’s definitely something off about their dynamics, and I just can't pinpoint it exactly. This one, like the others, has its ups and downs. Every reader is different, and as always, to each their own. I still would recommend this if readers want to read a story that shows that true loves will stand the test of time and that despite the pain, people will always find their way back to each other against all odds.
As for the suspense part, the ending of the bad guy was actually anticlimactic, but maybe because that's not what the author wants to focus on. So, idk.
Overall, they still got back together and were finally on their way to making their younger selves' dreams come true. All in all, I still think it was worth the read. I just don't know what to rate it, so I'm leaving it blank for now. I might come back to update it if the mood strikes.
Book info:
- Second chance (14 yrs)
- Both celibate (I know, RARE!)
- Organized crime romance
- Forced marriage
- Violence
- Kidnapping
- PTSD
- Panic attacks
- Microchipping
- Suicidal ideation
- No cheating, OM/OW, separation
- HEA (married)
- Bonus epilogue (thru newsletter, planning to have a baby)
Notes:
- OW1. Not really. In the beginning of the book, when Elio was following his target, a woman approached him, flirted with him, and groped him. He's not interested at all and shoved her away, but this scene pissed me off. It doesn’t matter who it is; touching someone without their consent is just not okay. So I was angry FOR him.
- OW2. When they went to a boutique store to buy Georgia some clothes, a saleslady tried to flirt with him despite him telling her that Georgia is his wife. Apparently the woman didn't care, but Elio do, so he shut her down right away.
- OM1. Georgia got married to her gay best friend. I think they were married for a decade before he died. She was living with him and his partner. They're just good friends and nothing more.
- OM2. She was supposed to marry someone else to get her protection. Actually, she got married to the OM, but Elio had enough of the scene in front of him and unalived the man, then he asked the same priest to marry them. 😂
- Celibate. They were real celibate; there's no BS where either of them tried to sleep with other people, only that it didn't work. Both of them were just not interested; I mean, Georgia was legally married, and Elio can't stand the idea of touching other women.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Shelved as 'to-be-read'
April 3, 2025ETA: CELIBATE FOR 14 YEARS???? FUCK YES BABY THAT'S MY TYPA MANNNN WHEEEEWWWWW
IT’S SAFE AAAAAAYYYYYY🥳🥳🥳 In my review for KOTC, I mentioned that I was scared because I DESPISE second chance romances due to the double standards in them most of the time but THANKFULLY, this author writes safe stories so WHOOP WHOOP CAN’T WAIT TO READ THIS SOON!!!!
IT’S SAFE AAAAAAYYYYYY🥳🥳🥳 In my review for KOTC, I mentioned that I was scared because I DESPISE second chance romances due to the double standards in them most of the time but THANKFULLY, this author writes safe stories so WHOOP WHOOP CAN’T WAIT TO READ THIS SOON!!!!
Read
March 28, 2025I got an ARC yaaay. I signed up for it just because it calls to me (I just had the intuition that it would be great)
I will be as honest as possible with no filter. Now I haven't read it yet but I skimmed first to check the safety details.
FOR MY SAFETY GANG
Man, I think Mila Kane made this for us!!!!!
This is a second chance romance but so far as I have skimmed; it is safe.
It has both v leads and both are faithful; has only ever been with each other despite the separation. That is to the extent of what I can say for now.
I can see that I would really enjoy this and to my safety gang out there. I am claiming it, this is written just for us!!!!
RTC!!
I will be as honest as possible with no filter. Now I haven't read it yet but I skimmed first to check the safety details.
FOR MY SAFETY GANG
Man, I think Mila Kane made this for us!!!!!
This is a second chance romance but so far as I have skimmed; it is safe.
It has both v leads and both are faithful; has only ever been with each other despite the separation. That is to the extent of what I can say for now.
I can see that I would really enjoy this and to my safety gang out there. I am claiming it, this is written just for us!!!!
RTC!!
April 4, 2025
“Because loving you isn’t something a man can recover from — or forget. It’s a lifelong condition.”
I read Unholy Vows back in December of 2023, and it's been living in my head rent free ever since. It seems like Brutal Legacy will have the same effect, because I've been obsessing over the story since I picked it up.
I genuinely think Mila Kane is the best mafia romance author I've ever read, I can't find a single fault with any of her stories.
The writing here is perfect, the characters are well-developed, the plot is exciting, and the romance is painfully beautiful.
There's a dual timeline, I loved both the past and present chapters equally, but I gotta say that the past ones had me in such a strong grip, I couldn't wait to get back to them because I NEEDED to know what went wrong between Elio and Georgia.
The tension between the two of them was criminally good and leaping off the page. I felt their pain as if it was my own, and there was A LOT of it.
One of the things I liked most about this, is that neither of them had ever been with anyone else before each other, or since, that's what I call commitment!!!
Also, all the romantic lines *swoons*, Mila Kane can WRITE-write. I have sooo many highlights.
I really did not want this book to end, though I did want them to finally communicate which came near the end, buuut still. I'm a mess okay, I've been HURT by this book and all I can say is thank you.
I loved seeing Renato & Charlie again, and getting to know Giada and Bran whose book I have not yet read (I'll remedy that soon, fear not).
Then there's Massimo who may or may not have stolen the show in a scene or two, I can tell I'm going to love his story as well.
Now, while you can read this as a standalone, I'd recommend you go back and read Unholy Vows first, because it's so much better with the added context. But please, if you love reading mafia books, give this author a try, because you're seriously missing out by not reading her.
*Thank you to the author and Grey's Promotions for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
I read Unholy Vows back in December of 2023, and it's been living in my head rent free ever since. It seems like Brutal Legacy will have the same effect, because I've been obsessing over the story since I picked it up.
I genuinely think Mila Kane is the best mafia romance author I've ever read, I can't find a single fault with any of her stories.
The writing here is perfect, the characters are well-developed, the plot is exciting, and the romance is painfully beautiful.
There's a dual timeline, I loved both the past and present chapters equally, but I gotta say that the past ones had me in such a strong grip, I couldn't wait to get back to them because I NEEDED to know what went wrong between Elio and Georgia.
The tension between the two of them was criminally good and leaping off the page. I felt their pain as if it was my own, and there was A LOT of it.
One of the things I liked most about this, is that neither of them had ever been with anyone else before each other, or since, that's what I call commitment!!!
Also, all the romantic lines *swoons*, Mila Kane can WRITE-write. I have sooo many highlights.
I really did not want this book to end, though I did want them to finally communicate which came near the end, buuut still. I'm a mess okay, I've been HURT by this book and all I can say is thank you.
I loved seeing Renato & Charlie again, and getting to know Giada and Bran whose book I have not yet read (I'll remedy that soon, fear not).
Then there's Massimo who may or may not have stolen the show in a scene or two, I can tell I'm going to love his story as well.
Now, while you can read this as a standalone, I'd recommend you go back and read Unholy Vows first, because it's so much better with the added context. But please, if you love reading mafia books, give this author a try, because you're seriously missing out by not reading her.
*Thank you to the author and Grey's Promotions for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
April 1, 2025
Brutal Legacy was angsty as hell and I was here for it! Well, mostly! Let me explain.
This was our chance to learn what made Elio so broody. I got interested in him when reading King of the Cage, which was his sister, Giada's romance. He is ex-military and now is a mercenary type underboss for the Mafia. He is closed off and unemotional most of the time and now we find out why.
Turns out that he was in love 14 years ago. Her name is Georgia and she's recently been widowed, because of her father's connections, she needs to be protected. So meddling Renato, sends him to retrieve her... for an arranged marriage to someone else. I'm sure that will go just as planned!
The tension and angst between them is through the roof! Only a love that burned bright, could cause a fallout like this. As we uncover what tore them apart, they have to unravel the lies that they've been told and believed all these years. It's painful and "brutal" in all the best ways.
My biggest struggle with this, is the same as with many Second Chance romances. It was a misuse of flashbacks for me. I'm sorry, but nothing pulls me out of the tension happening in the present, like taking us back to watching it all fall apart. I really could not care less. That is a personal preference. I want you to tell me with the current context and pull in just what I need to know. Again, there are very few romances that include this many flashbacks that work completely for me. If that is not an issue for you, then this will be a winner!
I did love watching them reconnect and letting go of the lies they have believed. There was also top tier pining and devotion that they didn't even realize they were doing until confronted with it.
4 Stars
3.5 on the spice scale
CW: Violence, kidnapping, captivity, suicidal ideation (including a situation of Russian Roulette with themselves), PTSD, panic attacks, microchipping, and surveillance
*Thank you to the author for an ARC of this title.*
This was our chance to learn what made Elio so broody. I got interested in him when reading King of the Cage, which was his sister, Giada's romance. He is ex-military and now is a mercenary type underboss for the Mafia. He is closed off and unemotional most of the time and now we find out why.
Turns out that he was in love 14 years ago. Her name is Georgia and she's recently been widowed, because of her father's connections, she needs to be protected. So meddling Renato, sends him to retrieve her... for an arranged marriage to someone else. I'm sure that will go just as planned!
The tension and angst between them is through the roof! Only a love that burned bright, could cause a fallout like this. As we uncover what tore them apart, they have to unravel the lies that they've been told and believed all these years. It's painful and "brutal" in all the best ways.
My biggest struggle with this, is the same as with many Second Chance romances. It was a misuse of flashbacks for me. I'm sorry, but nothing pulls me out of the tension happening in the present, like taking us back to watching it all fall apart. I really could not care less. That is a personal preference. I want you to tell me with the current context and pull in just what I need to know. Again, there are very few romances that include this many flashbacks that work completely for me. If that is not an issue for you, then this will be a winner!
I did love watching them reconnect and letting go of the lies they have believed. There was also top tier pining and devotion that they didn't even realize they were doing until confronted with it.
4 Stars
3.5 on the spice scale
CW: Violence, kidnapping, captivity, suicidal ideation (including a situation of Russian Roulette with themselves), PTSD, panic attacks, microchipping, and surveillance
*Thank you to the author for an ARC of this title.*
April 4, 2025
Rtc when gather my thoughts enough to express how much i loved this book
April 1, 2025
ARC REVIEW
Tropes:
Arranged Marriage
Tracking/Stalking
Ex-Military Hero
Dark Mafia World
Second Chance
Protective and possessive Hero
Enemies to Lovers
Fiesty Heroine
Quotes:
"You're my wife. You're mine to protect until the day I die. Mine." The last left me in a possessive growl.
"I wanted to be that boy she'd loved. The one who could have deserved her one day. Not this broken man who I'd become. An assassin, a ghoul, a stain on the world."
"I'd always been her most devoted worshipper, even when I thought I hated her."
The way Mila Kane writes these mafia stories!! OOF! I'm like a kid at the candy store!! I cannot get enough!!! I will gobble up anything she writes!!
Brutal Legacy is a second chance romance --- Elio and Georgia are young lovers but are ripped apart - neither of them fully understanding the entire story. And then years go by and they're forced into each other's lives again and even though they hate each other, Elio can't help himself and still needs to be possessive and protective of Georgia. He cannot help it. And I love a possessive protector!!
I do want to mention... I have sort of read Mila's books out of order... I don't think you need to necessarily read them in order .... but I recommend it because they're all interconnected and you'll see cameos of other characters from other books. I will need to go back to the beginning after this and start there. I also didn't read the first book (Unholy Vows) of this duet because this was an ARC and needed to be read soon... But I will definitely be going back to read it because I love all the characters she writes.
Thank you Mila for the ARC! I so loved it!!
Tropes:
Arranged Marriage
Tracking/Stalking
Ex-Military Hero
Dark Mafia World
Second Chance
Protective and possessive Hero
Enemies to Lovers
Fiesty Heroine
Quotes:
"You're my wife. You're mine to protect until the day I die. Mine." The last left me in a possessive growl.
"I wanted to be that boy she'd loved. The one who could have deserved her one day. Not this broken man who I'd become. An assassin, a ghoul, a stain on the world."
"I'd always been her most devoted worshipper, even when I thought I hated her."
The way Mila Kane writes these mafia stories!! OOF! I'm like a kid at the candy store!! I cannot get enough!!! I will gobble up anything she writes!!
Brutal Legacy is a second chance romance --- Elio and Georgia are young lovers but are ripped apart - neither of them fully understanding the entire story. And then years go by and they're forced into each other's lives again and even though they hate each other, Elio can't help himself and still needs to be possessive and protective of Georgia. He cannot help it. And I love a possessive protector!!
I do want to mention... I have sort of read Mila's books out of order... I don't think you need to necessarily read them in order .... but I recommend it because they're all interconnected and you'll see cameos of other characters from other books. I will need to go back to the beginning after this and start there. I also didn't read the first book (Unholy Vows) of this duet because this was an ARC and needed to be read soon... But I will definitely be going back to read it because I love all the characters she writes.
Thank you Mila for the ARC! I so loved it!!
March 31, 2025
Not me, reading the entire book before realizing that supporting characters Bran and Giada were from King of the Cage, ALSO by Mila Kane. Doh. The funny part about that is one of my review comments on that one was that I wished we saw more of Giada's hacking skills and we definitely saw A LOT more of that in this book. I honestly wish we saw more of Bran in this book as well.
But back to THIS book. I'm coming to learn that I really enjoy Mila Kane's writing and characters. MMC Elio couldn't be any more different from Bran if he tried and yet he is equally appealing in his own broody, tortured way. And TWELVE YEARS of mutual pining?! TWELVE. YEARS. That was unexpected, but also made my cold, dead heart flutter a little bit.
I would have liked to know more about Tommaso's illness and his partner, it felt weird how little information we learned about them in spite of being such a massive part of FMC Georgia's life for so long. And I didn't realize going into this book that is was the second in a standalone series. I typically try to read earlier books in that situation, but didn't have time this go around. That said, they are truly standalones and I don't feel like it took away from this one.
This was a slow burn and I really wish there was more spice, but the spice that was in the book was good - 3 out of 5. Other tropes in this book are touch her and die, morally black MMC, second chance, mafia.
But back to THIS book. I'm coming to learn that I really enjoy Mila Kane's writing and characters. MMC Elio couldn't be any more different from Bran if he tried and yet he is equally appealing in his own broody, tortured way. And TWELVE YEARS of mutual pining?! TWELVE. YEARS. That was unexpected, but also made my cold, dead heart flutter a little bit.
I would have liked to know more about Tommaso's illness and his partner, it felt weird how little information we learned about them in spite of being such a massive part of FMC Georgia's life for so long. And I didn't realize going into this book that is was the second in a standalone series. I typically try to read earlier books in that situation, but didn't have time this go around. That said, they are truly standalones and I don't feel like it took away from this one.
This was a slow burn and I really wish there was more spice, but the spice that was in the book was good - 3 out of 5. Other tropes in this book are touch her and die, morally black MMC, second chance, mafia.
April 3, 2025
I usually avoid second-chance romances, especially ones with dual timelines, but this book completely took me by surprise. The past and present were woven together so well that, for once, the shifting timelines didn’t frustrate me—it actually made the story more emotional and immersive.
I really liked the FMC. She was strong, resilient, and easy to root for. The MMC, though? He got on my nerves. He was so determined to hate her without even trying to understand what really happened. Thankfully, he did regret his actions later, but I wish he had tried to see the truth sooner.
Another thing that bothered me was how long the misunderstanding dragged on—it wasn’t cleared up until nearly 80% into the book! I kept waiting for that moment of clarity, but it took forever to get there. It would have been so much better if they had talked things out earlier, leaving more room for them to rebuild their relationship.
I also wish there had been some confrontation with the FMC’s father. He played a huge role in their separation, and it felt like he got off too easily.
But what I absolutely loved—the thing that sealed the deal for me—was that both the MMC and FMC were each other’s firsts and stayed celibate after they separated. That little detail made their reunion feel so much more meaningful.
Despite my usual preferences, I really enjoyed this book. It had its frustrating moments, but I couldn’t put it down. Definitely a read worth picking up!
I really liked the FMC. She was strong, resilient, and easy to root for. The MMC, though? He got on my nerves. He was so determined to hate her without even trying to understand what really happened. Thankfully, he did regret his actions later, but I wish he had tried to see the truth sooner.
Another thing that bothered me was how long the misunderstanding dragged on—it wasn’t cleared up until nearly 80% into the book! I kept waiting for that moment of clarity, but it took forever to get there. It would have been so much better if they had talked things out earlier, leaving more room for them to rebuild their relationship.
I also wish there had been some confrontation with the FMC’s father. He played a huge role in their separation, and it felt like he got off too easily.
But what I absolutely loved—the thing that sealed the deal for me—was that both the MMC and FMC were each other’s firsts and stayed celibate after they separated. That little detail made their reunion feel so much more meaningful.
Despite my usual preferences, I really enjoyed this book. It had its frustrating moments, but I couldn’t put it down. Definitely a read worth picking up!
April 3, 2025
Brutal Legacy is the second book in the Original Sin series, but it can be read as a standalone.
Elio had been sweet and caring, and he was so in love with Georgia when they were younger. But after years apart, he changed and became cruel and bitter. He became someone else.
Georgia had been young and in love, and she was full of hope. But after losing Elio, she kind changed too. She didn’t have as much passion as she once had.
When they reconnected, there was so much anger and angst. They hated each other and loved each other.
This was told in dual timeline, so it switched between past and present to show what happened between Elio and Georgia, and it showed how much they’d changed.
Elio was angry, for sure. But he still had that side of him that was sweet and loving and protective, especially when it came to Georgia.
Second chance romance isn’t always my favorite, but this one was great. It had one of my favorite things in second chance romances . The suspense was done well, and I loved seeing Elio and Georgia actually talk and let go of what happened before.
Elio had been sweet and caring, and he was so in love with Georgia when they were younger. But after years apart, he changed and became cruel and bitter. He became someone else.
Georgia had been young and in love, and she was full of hope. But after losing Elio, she kind changed too. She didn’t have as much passion as she once had.
When they reconnected, there was so much anger and angst. They hated each other and loved each other.
This was told in dual timeline, so it switched between past and present to show what happened between Elio and Georgia, and it showed how much they’d changed.
Elio was angry, for sure. But he still had that side of him that was sweet and loving and protective, especially when it came to Georgia.
Second chance romance isn’t always my favorite, but this one was great. It had one of my favorite things in second chance romances . The suspense was done well, and I loved seeing Elio and Georgia actually talk and let go of what happened before.
March 28, 2025
I love Mila Kane's books. They drag you in and keep you hooked until the very end.
Elio and Georgia met when they were young. Her father took him in and gave him a chance, but with one condition, his daughter Georgia was off limits. This only worked for a while. The connection and pull between them was so strong they couldn't stay away from each other. When Elio made a decision to ask for permission to marry Georgia, it was a grave mistake that changed the course of their lives going forward.
When they met again, they were both different and hated each other.
This book was again fantastic. The suspense, spice, and angst were perfectly set, and I couldn't put it down. The storyline was fantastic as well, it was heartbreaking and maddening but beautiful.
I definitely recommend 👌
Elio and Georgia met when they were young. Her father took him in and gave him a chance, but with one condition, his daughter Georgia was off limits. This only worked for a while. The connection and pull between them was so strong they couldn't stay away from each other. When Elio made a decision to ask for permission to marry Georgia, it was a grave mistake that changed the course of their lives going forward.
When they met again, they were both different and hated each other.
This book was again fantastic. The suspense, spice, and angst were perfectly set, and I couldn't put it down. The storyline was fantastic as well, it was heartbreaking and maddening but beautiful.
I definitely recommend 👌
April 3, 2025
I was looking forward to Brutal Legacy, because I have read and enjoyed books by this author.
Sadly, and I really don’t know what it exactly was, but it fell flat for me. Maybe I’ve read too many Mafia books lately, but the arranged marriage trope is running its course for me. I also had a feeling that these families exist in other books and there were too many names dropped early on, that confused me.
I did like the younger Elio and Georgia flashbacks, these were well incorporated between chapters. I also liked that the FMC and MMC were in their 30’s.
I would like to thank the author and Grey’s Promotions for the opportunity to receive an advanced reading copy of this book and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Sadly, and I really don’t know what it exactly was, but it fell flat for me. Maybe I’ve read too many Mafia books lately, but the arranged marriage trope is running its course for me. I also had a feeling that these families exist in other books and there were too many names dropped early on, that confused me.
I did like the younger Elio and Georgia flashbacks, these were well incorporated between chapters. I also liked that the FMC and MMC were in their 30’s.
I would like to thank the author and Grey’s Promotions for the opportunity to receive an advanced reading copy of this book and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 4, 2025
Rating: 4/5 🌟
Spice: 3.5/5 🌶️
Characters: Elio and Georgia
RTC
Spice: 3.5/5 🌶️
Characters: Elio and Georgia
RTC
April 3, 2025
Once upon a time there was a girl and a guy. They fell in love and life tore them apart. But that was then and this is now.
Elio Santori, the sottocapo of Renato De Sanctis, has one mission. To kidnap the daughter of a crooked prosecutor and deliver her to her future husband. But this isn’t just any woman, Georgia once held a different place in his life…the woman who held his sealed up heart. As they spend time with each other, secrets of their past uncover and the tragic love story between a homeless young man and his forbidden lover comes to light.
Whew, this book made me feel emotions in a way that I wasn’t anticipating. It wasn’t just an enemies to lovers or second chance romance, it was so much deeper and beyond anything I have read recently.
“Before she’d come into my life, I hadn’t taken pleasure in anything at all. Now my pleasure lived in her smile.”
The contrast between now and then, the flashbacks of their relationship and what went down versus the hardened reality of their present situation was done so well and I found myself riveted by the youthful idealization with its sharp contrast to the pain of their aftermath. The only way I can describe it is like the rose coloured lenses that existed had washed away and now the reality of their miserable separation takes a toll on them both.
Georgia and Elio was truly made for each other. It’s like they haven’t been breathing for the past decade and only until they are reunited once more that they come to life. The chemistry was literally as hot as the sun, whether they were fighting or loving, every second was on fire.
And the biggest thing that stood out to me was how revenant and special their young love felt. I adored the respect and true love between them. This isn’t just your average mafia romance that has insta love or overt sexual attraction as the base of their relationship. No, Georgia and Elio were ride or die and knew they were it for each other. Until they weren’t, of course.
Elio was enigmatic and my heart bled for him on every page. Ladies and gentlemen, this is a MANNNNN 🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻 Watching Elio fall for the unattainable beauty that is Georgia felt mesmerizing. Mila Kane has a way with words that has me obsessed (I binged her entire catalog after discovering Wicked Heir a few years ago) and seeing his poetic nature come forward, it’s just so rare to get a mafia man who is so expressive and emotionally intelligent. Even after being so jaded by the perceived betrayal, Elio’s protective nature and inner need to nurture and provide for Georgia was ever present. He is a gem through and through and I fell for this man probably as hard as Georgia did. I know he’s fictional but wow, I can’t even express how amazing Elio was.
I have to give a shoutout to the wedding scene, it was so well written and probably one of the most exhilarating and heart pounding weddings I have ever read. I wasn’t able to anticipate what was going to happen and the adrenaline rush I got from it, bravo 👏🏼
“And I was hers, and she was mine…and no one could take her away from me…and no one ever would.”
This book really hit all the marks for me. It was the best mafia romance that was the perfect balance of plot and relationship. I had FUN reading it (that is, when I wasn’t bawling my eyes out). One thing is for certain, our star crossed lovers Elio and Georgia will stay with me for a long time.
Elio Santori, the sottocapo of Renato De Sanctis, has one mission. To kidnap the daughter of a crooked prosecutor and deliver her to her future husband. But this isn’t just any woman, Georgia once held a different place in his life…the woman who held his sealed up heart. As they spend time with each other, secrets of their past uncover and the tragic love story between a homeless young man and his forbidden lover comes to light.
Whew, this book made me feel emotions in a way that I wasn’t anticipating. It wasn’t just an enemies to lovers or second chance romance, it was so much deeper and beyond anything I have read recently.
“Before she’d come into my life, I hadn’t taken pleasure in anything at all. Now my pleasure lived in her smile.”
The contrast between now and then, the flashbacks of their relationship and what went down versus the hardened reality of their present situation was done so well and I found myself riveted by the youthful idealization with its sharp contrast to the pain of their aftermath. The only way I can describe it is like the rose coloured lenses that existed had washed away and now the reality of their miserable separation takes a toll on them both.
Georgia and Elio was truly made for each other. It’s like they haven’t been breathing for the past decade and only until they are reunited once more that they come to life. The chemistry was literally as hot as the sun, whether they were fighting or loving, every second was on fire.
And the biggest thing that stood out to me was how revenant and special their young love felt. I adored the respect and true love between them. This isn’t just your average mafia romance that has insta love or overt sexual attraction as the base of their relationship. No, Georgia and Elio were ride or die and knew they were it for each other. Until they weren’t, of course.
Elio was enigmatic and my heart bled for him on every page. Ladies and gentlemen, this is a MANNNNN 🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻 Watching Elio fall for the unattainable beauty that is Georgia felt mesmerizing. Mila Kane has a way with words that has me obsessed (I binged her entire catalog after discovering Wicked Heir a few years ago) and seeing his poetic nature come forward, it’s just so rare to get a mafia man who is so expressive and emotionally intelligent. Even after being so jaded by the perceived betrayal, Elio’s protective nature and inner need to nurture and provide for Georgia was ever present. He is a gem through and through and I fell for this man probably as hard as Georgia did. I know he’s fictional but wow, I can’t even express how amazing Elio was.
I have to give a shoutout to the wedding scene, it was so well written and probably one of the most exhilarating and heart pounding weddings I have ever read. I wasn’t able to anticipate what was going to happen and the adrenaline rush I got from it, bravo 👏🏼
“And I was hers, and she was mine…and no one could take her away from me…and no one ever would.”
This book really hit all the marks for me. It was the best mafia romance that was the perfect balance of plot and relationship. I had FUN reading it (that is, when I wasn’t bawling my eyes out). One thing is for certain, our star crossed lovers Elio and Georgia will stay with me for a long time.
April 2, 2025
Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
Spice 🌶🌶
“You’re mine, in this life, and the next… I will never let you go.”
Mila Kane has done it again! Brutal Legacy is a five-star masterpiece that had me hooked from the very first page. No one writes Mafia romance like Mila, her stories are gripping, emotional, and utterly impossible to put down. This book was no exception. I devoured it in one sitting and was left desperate for more.
This story is a storm of heartbreak, betrayal, and a beautifully painful journey toward healing. Told through a dual timeline of ‘then’ and ‘now,’ it slowly unravels the devastating events that shattered Elio and Georgia’s love fourteen years ago. Their past was filled with tenderness and love, but in one cruel moment, everything was destroyed, leaving behind only bitterness and wreckage.
Elio is no longer the boy who once loved Georgia with playful sweetness. That warmth is gone, replaced by a ruthless, hardened man, one hollowed out by betrayal. Georgia, too, has never truly moved on. She’s haunted by the loss of the only love she ever knew, surviving rather than living. Both of them believe the other was responsible for their destruction, but neither knows the brutal truth that tore them apart. When fate forces them back together, the tension is unbearable. Every interaction is laced with pain, longing, and unresolved emotions. The push and pull between them is agonizing, blurring the line between love and hate in a way that only Mila Kane can execute so perfectly. Watching them uncover buried secrets, untangle the lies, and fight their way back to each other was breathtaking. Their chemistry was EVERYTHING!
Second-chance romances are one of my favourite reads, and this one was everything I hoped for. Packed with secrets, misunderstandings, and high-stakes drama, it took me on a rollercoaster of emotions. The way Mila Kane explores the razor-thin line between love and hate made this story unforgettable. Seeing Elio and Georgia fall for each other all over again despite everything was pure magic. It was also great to see returning characters from 'Unholy Vows' & 'king of the Cage'.
Mila never disappoints. Her dark romances always deliver the perfect mix of angst, passion, and spice, and Brutal Legacy was no exception. I already know Massimo’s story is going to be just as intense, the blurb alone has me in a chokehold. I cannot wait for more! I would 100% recommend this book to anyone who loves Mila's other mafia books but also if you love books with a great plots and spice.
Thank you Mila & 'Grey Promotions' for the ARC ❤
Tropes
Mafia
Second Chance
Enemies to lovers
Touch Her & Die
'My Wife'
Ex-military Hero
push & pull
Spice 🌶🌶
“You’re mine, in this life, and the next… I will never let you go.”
Mila Kane has done it again! Brutal Legacy is a five-star masterpiece that had me hooked from the very first page. No one writes Mafia romance like Mila, her stories are gripping, emotional, and utterly impossible to put down. This book was no exception. I devoured it in one sitting and was left desperate for more.
This story is a storm of heartbreak, betrayal, and a beautifully painful journey toward healing. Told through a dual timeline of ‘then’ and ‘now,’ it slowly unravels the devastating events that shattered Elio and Georgia’s love fourteen years ago. Their past was filled with tenderness and love, but in one cruel moment, everything was destroyed, leaving behind only bitterness and wreckage.
Elio is no longer the boy who once loved Georgia with playful sweetness. That warmth is gone, replaced by a ruthless, hardened man, one hollowed out by betrayal. Georgia, too, has never truly moved on. She’s haunted by the loss of the only love she ever knew, surviving rather than living. Both of them believe the other was responsible for their destruction, but neither knows the brutal truth that tore them apart. When fate forces them back together, the tension is unbearable. Every interaction is laced with pain, longing, and unresolved emotions. The push and pull between them is agonizing, blurring the line between love and hate in a way that only Mila Kane can execute so perfectly. Watching them uncover buried secrets, untangle the lies, and fight their way back to each other was breathtaking. Their chemistry was EVERYTHING!
Second-chance romances are one of my favourite reads, and this one was everything I hoped for. Packed with secrets, misunderstandings, and high-stakes drama, it took me on a rollercoaster of emotions. The way Mila Kane explores the razor-thin line between love and hate made this story unforgettable. Seeing Elio and Georgia fall for each other all over again despite everything was pure magic. It was also great to see returning characters from 'Unholy Vows' & 'king of the Cage'.
Mila never disappoints. Her dark romances always deliver the perfect mix of angst, passion, and spice, and Brutal Legacy was no exception. I already know Massimo’s story is going to be just as intense, the blurb alone has me in a chokehold. I cannot wait for more! I would 100% recommend this book to anyone who loves Mila's other mafia books but also if you love books with a great plots and spice.
Thank you Mila & 'Grey Promotions' for the ARC ❤
Tropes
Mafia
Second Chance
Enemies to lovers
Touch Her & Die
'My Wife'
Ex-military Hero
push & pull
March 31, 2025
Brutal Legacy is a dark second-chance romance of a couple who fell in love when they were young, but were torn apart by lies from someone they trusted leaving their hearts not just broken, but shattered.
When Elio and Georgia's paths are forced to cross 14 years later, neither thought they would ever see each other again. Still, when both of their families have a target on their backs, Elio is ordered to face and fetch the woman who tore his heart out and turned him into the cold-hearted killer he is today. No matter how hard Elio tries to convince himself that he is over Georgia and will never feel love again and before the truth comes out of the past betrayals, they cannot deny the love and attraction they never lost. They just need to survive the current battle with an opposing mafia family that could end their lives before they have the chance to live the life they always dreamed of before they were forced apart over a decade ago.
You can expect the following
• Italian Mafia
• Born/Raised in Italy
• Hometown Sweethearts
• Family Betrayal
• Broken Hearts
• Marriage to Escape
• Lies and Truths
• Hidden Identity
• First and Only Love
• Second Chance
• Enemies to Lovers
• Arranged Marriage
• PTSD
• Ex-Miltary
• Protective Hero
• Spice
• Look at her and die
“Beneath the frozen river, currents still run”
This dark mafia romance has what you expect. A lot of blood, violence, graphic death, and descriptive hot open-door spice. The love interests have had their hearts broken and lived on both sides of the tracks. Rags to riches, riches to rags. There is tension, danger, and suspense. The MMC is threatening but under his scary tactics, he does it all for the only girl he ever loved. The FMC is fiery and doesn't back down until she has no choice. I couldn't put this book down.
I was given an ARC of this book by Valentine PR and Literary Management/Greys Promotions in exchange for an honest review. This book is available on KU as of 4/2/2025
When Elio and Georgia's paths are forced to cross 14 years later, neither thought they would ever see each other again. Still, when both of their families have a target on their backs, Elio is ordered to face and fetch the woman who tore his heart out and turned him into the cold-hearted killer he is today. No matter how hard Elio tries to convince himself that he is over Georgia and will never feel love again and before the truth comes out of the past betrayals, they cannot deny the love and attraction they never lost. They just need to survive the current battle with an opposing mafia family that could end their lives before they have the chance to live the life they always dreamed of before they were forced apart over a decade ago.
You can expect the following
• Italian Mafia
• Born/Raised in Italy
• Hometown Sweethearts
• Family Betrayal
• Broken Hearts
• Marriage to Escape
• Lies and Truths
• Hidden Identity
• First and Only Love
• Second Chance
• Enemies to Lovers
• Arranged Marriage
• PTSD
• Ex-Miltary
• Protective Hero
• Spice
• Look at her and die
“Beneath the frozen river, currents still run”
This dark mafia romance has what you expect. A lot of blood, violence, graphic death, and descriptive hot open-door spice. The love interests have had their hearts broken and lived on both sides of the tracks. Rags to riches, riches to rags. There is tension, danger, and suspense. The MMC is threatening but under his scary tactics, he does it all for the only girl he ever loved. The FMC is fiery and doesn't back down until she has no choice. I couldn't put this book down.
I was given an ARC of this book by Valentine PR and Literary Management/Greys Promotions in exchange for an honest review. This book is available on KU as of 4/2/2025
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 28, 2025
✨E-ARC Review✨
I will always devour a Mila Kane book period👏🏼 I was looking forward to Elio’s book every since I read Renato & Charlie’s book. Elio was such a broody character and I was always curious about his story and now we finally have it.
Our FMC, Georgia, and Elio have quite a bit of history. These two met back in Italy after Georgias father took Elio in. Her father had one strict instruction in which his daughter remained completely off limits, but Elio couldn’t deny the connection he had with Georgia and their relationship blossomed.
But of course not everything went to plan and the pair were separated for fourteen years until fate had other plans and put Elio and Georgia back into one another’s paths, when Elio is sent to protect Georgia so her father won’t condemn the DeSanctis family, and to say the distaste these two had for one another would be an understatement. Both of these characters hearts were broken beyond repair due to a misunderstanding between them and they were the only ones who could make one another whole again. While these two spent many years apart they were completely loyal to the memory of each other in which there was no other man or woman for either.
Of course while Elio may claim to hate Georgia he is fiercely protective in which when she is due to marry another man he does in fact claim her, now he does say that he unalived her intended due to him betraying the family but we all knew that was a lie. The tension between these two built so much because as we all know there is a thin line between love and hate and of course it will reach its breaking point👀
I loved this book, the constant back and forth between the characters, the evidence that no matter how much time has passed that they both still cared for one another even if they were reluctant to show it, the possession.
Thank you so much to the author and greys promotions who provided this e-arc for my honest thoughts 💭
I will always devour a Mila Kane book period👏🏼 I was looking forward to Elio’s book every since I read Renato & Charlie’s book. Elio was such a broody character and I was always curious about his story and now we finally have it.
Our FMC, Georgia, and Elio have quite a bit of history. These two met back in Italy after Georgias father took Elio in. Her father had one strict instruction in which his daughter remained completely off limits, but Elio couldn’t deny the connection he had with Georgia and their relationship blossomed.
But of course not everything went to plan and the pair were separated for fourteen years until fate had other plans and put Elio and Georgia back into one another’s paths, when Elio is sent to protect Georgia so her father won’t condemn the DeSanctis family, and to say the distaste these two had for one another would be an understatement. Both of these characters hearts were broken beyond repair due to a misunderstanding between them and they were the only ones who could make one another whole again. While these two spent many years apart they were completely loyal to the memory of each other in which there was no other man or woman for either.
Of course while Elio may claim to hate Georgia he is fiercely protective in which when she is due to marry another man he does in fact claim her, now he does say that he unalived her intended due to him betraying the family but we all knew that was a lie. The tension between these two built so much because as we all know there is a thin line between love and hate and of course it will reach its breaking point👀
I loved this book, the constant back and forth between the characters, the evidence that no matter how much time has passed that they both still cared for one another even if they were reluctant to show it, the possession.
Thank you so much to the author and greys promotions who provided this e-arc for my honest thoughts 💭
March 29, 2025
🌟Mafia Dark Romance
🌟Lovers/Enemies/Lovers
🌟Forced Marriage
🌟Second Chance
🌟Angst
🌟Suspense
🌟Betrayal
🌟Forced Proximity
🌟Dual POV
🌟🌶️🌶️🌶️
Told through a compelling dual timeline of ‘then’ and ‘now,’ Brutal Legacy delivers an emotional storm of heartbreak, betrayal, and an achingly beautiful journey toward healing. From the very first page, this story had me in its grip, refusing to let go.
The slow unraveling of what happened fourteen years ago—the event that shattered Elio and Georgia’s once-loving bond—was both mesmerizing and gut-wrenching. Their past was filled with tenderness, an undeniable connection that should have stood the test of time. But one devastating day turned it all to ash, leaving only wreckage in its wake.
Now, Elio is a man hollowed out by betrayal, his warmth stripped away and replaced by brutal ruthlessness. The boy who once loved Georgia with playful sweetness is gone, buried beneath years of anger and pain. Georgia, too, has never recovered. She isn’t living—she’s merely surviving, haunted by the loss of the only love she ever truly knew. Both of them believe the other destroyed them. If only they knew the cruel truth that tore them apart.
When fate forces them to face each other again, emotions run high. The push and pull between them is agonizing, their wounds still raw even after all these years. Watching them untangle the past, uncover long-buried truths, and fight through the pain was frustrating at times but ultimately breathtaking. Their love never died—it endured, waiting for them to find their way back.
With powerful angst, undeniable chemistry, and a deeply satisfying resolution, Brutal Legacy is an unforgettable journey of love, loss, and redemption. A fantastic read.
Special thanks to Grey’s Promo and the author for the gifted copy 🖤
🌟Lovers/Enemies/Lovers
🌟Forced Marriage
🌟Second Chance
🌟Angst
🌟Suspense
🌟Betrayal
🌟Forced Proximity
🌟Dual POV
🌟🌶️🌶️🌶️
Told through a compelling dual timeline of ‘then’ and ‘now,’ Brutal Legacy delivers an emotional storm of heartbreak, betrayal, and an achingly beautiful journey toward healing. From the very first page, this story had me in its grip, refusing to let go.
The slow unraveling of what happened fourteen years ago—the event that shattered Elio and Georgia’s once-loving bond—was both mesmerizing and gut-wrenching. Their past was filled with tenderness, an undeniable connection that should have stood the test of time. But one devastating day turned it all to ash, leaving only wreckage in its wake.
Now, Elio is a man hollowed out by betrayal, his warmth stripped away and replaced by brutal ruthlessness. The boy who once loved Georgia with playful sweetness is gone, buried beneath years of anger and pain. Georgia, too, has never recovered. She isn’t living—she’s merely surviving, haunted by the loss of the only love she ever truly knew. Both of them believe the other destroyed them. If only they knew the cruel truth that tore them apart.
When fate forces them to face each other again, emotions run high. The push and pull between them is agonizing, their wounds still raw even after all these years. Watching them untangle the past, uncover long-buried truths, and fight through the pain was frustrating at times but ultimately breathtaking. Their love never died—it endured, waiting for them to find their way back.
With powerful angst, undeniable chemistry, and a deeply satisfying resolution, Brutal Legacy is an unforgettable journey of love, loss, and redemption. A fantastic read.
Special thanks to Grey’s Promo and the author for the gifted copy 🖤
April 1, 2025
When Mila Kane writes a new story you know imma read it!!!! Mila never ever lets me down. I live for a second chance romance!! And this one didn't disappoint!!
I LOVED that we saw characters from supporting books, I mean I was floored when I realised I was reading about Bran and Giada from another book!!! Both MMCs were just urgh I loved both of them!! Elio and Georgia I just couldn't get enough of them!!! I loved that it was years of pining for both of them.....over 10 years is a long time to not have any other sexual partner!!!
Elio and Georgia meet when they are younger, her father takes Elio in and gives him a chance but one condition he doesn't go anywhere near his daughter!!! This worked for a while until their connection is just too much and they decide they both wanna marry and be forever!!! When Elio asks for permission to marry Georgia oh my that's the biggest mistake he makes......!!! it changes the course of both their lives.
14 years later and they meet again when Elio is sent to bring Georgia back and is forced to marry a man but he doesn't want to give her to another man!!! So he decides to take her and marry her himself. Urgh the tension between these two is 🔥 I couldn't put this down!!! The thin line between lust and love and we all know the push and pull between the two can blur lines....but my god!! I absolutely devoured this!! If you love....
Mafia Dark Romance ✅
Lovers to enemies to Lovers ✅
Forced Marriage ✅
Second Chance Romance ✅
Forced Proximity ✅
Then you'll love this.
I LOVED that we saw characters from supporting books, I mean I was floored when I realised I was reading about Bran and Giada from another book!!! Both MMCs were just urgh I loved both of them!! Elio and Georgia I just couldn't get enough of them!!! I loved that it was years of pining for both of them.....over 10 years is a long time to not have any other sexual partner!!!
Elio and Georgia meet when they are younger, her father takes Elio in and gives him a chance but one condition he doesn't go anywhere near his daughter!!! This worked for a while until their connection is just too much and they decide they both wanna marry and be forever!!! When Elio asks for permission to marry Georgia oh my that's the biggest mistake he makes......!!! it changes the course of both their lives.
14 years later and they meet again when Elio is sent to bring Georgia back and is forced to marry a man but he doesn't want to give her to another man!!! So he decides to take her and marry her himself. Urgh the tension between these two is 🔥 I couldn't put this down!!! The thin line between lust and love and we all know the push and pull between the two can blur lines....but my god!! I absolutely devoured this!! If you love....
Mafia Dark Romance ✅
Lovers to enemies to Lovers ✅
Forced Marriage ✅
Second Chance Romance ✅
Forced Proximity ✅
Then you'll love this.
April 3, 2025
Once again Mila Kane proves it is impossible not to be caught up in her stories in Brutal Legacy book two in her Original Sin series.
Elio Santori learned that life could be cruel from an early age but the nail on his coffin was the consequences of loving Georgia Bellisario. Elio's descent into darkness covered up the scars of his broken heart. This was a hero who teetered on the edge of irreparably broken yet glimmers of his humanity could not be contained.
Georgia Bellisario on the surface appeared to be the spoiled daughter of wealthy many but seeing past her facade was a strong woman willing to sacrifice everything for those she loved. Georgia was resilient and a woman that life could not batter down.
The merciless spicy angst between Elio and Georgia took on a life of its own in this story. Grudges and devotion were contrasted exceptionally by this author, as this couple just could not erase their attachment. The mutual profound hurt and tortured existences resulting from this couple's separation was heartbreaking. The road to their reunion was full of hurdles that kept this work full of twists and guaranteed that this author's audience was caught up in this story. Lots of action kept this story moving quickly.
Mila Kane knows how to pack a punch and keep them coming. This author wears black well and her stories reflect that. Brutal Legacy shows the power of love for an intense and satisfying read!
*I was given an advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own.*
*While this book is part of a series it can be read as a stand alone.*
Elio Santori learned that life could be cruel from an early age but the nail on his coffin was the consequences of loving Georgia Bellisario. Elio's descent into darkness covered up the scars of his broken heart. This was a hero who teetered on the edge of irreparably broken yet glimmers of his humanity could not be contained.
Georgia Bellisario on the surface appeared to be the spoiled daughter of wealthy many but seeing past her facade was a strong woman willing to sacrifice everything for those she loved. Georgia was resilient and a woman that life could not batter down.
The merciless spicy angst between Elio and Georgia took on a life of its own in this story. Grudges and devotion were contrasted exceptionally by this author, as this couple just could not erase their attachment. The mutual profound hurt and tortured existences resulting from this couple's separation was heartbreaking. The road to their reunion was full of hurdles that kept this work full of twists and guaranteed that this author's audience was caught up in this story. Lots of action kept this story moving quickly.
Mila Kane knows how to pack a punch and keep them coming. This author wears black well and her stories reflect that. Brutal Legacy shows the power of love for an intense and satisfying read!
*I was given an advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own.*
*While this book is part of a series it can be read as a stand alone.*
April 2, 2025
Brutal Legacy is just that Brutal !! Elio and Georgia's journey is a second chance romance, packed with secrets, lies, misunderstandings and just about everything else you can think of.
Elio and Georgia go back 14 years when Georgia's father took Elio in with one strict instruction, his Daughter was totally off limits. But they couldn't deny their feelings or connection with each other, which leads to Elio asking Georgia's father for her hand in marriage. That didn't go well and they are forced apart. Fast forward to the present and Elio, who never really got over Georgia, is now the a cold hearted, lean, mean, killing machine for the DeSanctis family. Georgia has been recently widowed and now needs protection, Elio is sent to fetch her.
Thiers isn't a sweet reunion, there's so much pain and hurt alongside the heartache. But when Elio finds out that DeSanctis family are planning an arranged marriage for Georgia to another, he decides that if she is to marry it will be to him.
Elio and Georgia's journey is told through a series of timehops, which I have to say I'm not a huge fan of as I feel it disrupts the flow of whats going on today. But, for them to move forward they need to work through all the lies, secrets and misunderstandings, in a steamy, action packed mafia romance.
Elio and Georgia go back 14 years when Georgia's father took Elio in with one strict instruction, his Daughter was totally off limits. But they couldn't deny their feelings or connection with each other, which leads to Elio asking Georgia's father for her hand in marriage. That didn't go well and they are forced apart. Fast forward to the present and Elio, who never really got over Georgia, is now the a cold hearted, lean, mean, killing machine for the DeSanctis family. Georgia has been recently widowed and now needs protection, Elio is sent to fetch her.
Thiers isn't a sweet reunion, there's so much pain and hurt alongside the heartache. But when Elio finds out that DeSanctis family are planning an arranged marriage for Georgia to another, he decides that if she is to marry it will be to him.
Elio and Georgia's journey is told through a series of timehops, which I have to say I'm not a huge fan of as I feel it disrupts the flow of whats going on today. But, for them to move forward they need to work through all the lies, secrets and misunderstandings, in a steamy, action packed mafia romance.
April 2, 2025
The premise of Brutal Legacy was an age-old story, the boy taken in by a family and warned to keep his hands off the daughter…. have they never heard of teenage hormones! The inevitable happens and young love blooms but the mafia princess isn’t meant for the likes of him so when he goes to her father to ask for her hand, his life would never be the same again. Now fourteen years on Elio is tasked with fetching his one-time love Georgia and dragging her back, kicking and screaming if necessary as she’s promised to another man, but will he let someone else have the woman he considers his?
This was a fantastic second chance dark romance. The hatred the hero and heroine had for each other was obvious from the start, but then again there’s a thin line between hate and love and as close proximity stoked the tension between them, desire also built. I loved that Georgia was a strong character, challenging Elio at every turn and their dialogue was wicked as their relationship developed. The overall story told from dual points of view was well written and set a fast pace with past events shown in flashback and had me gripped from the start. With all the drama and tension readers have come to expect from this author this book was an awesome addition to the Original Sin series and bonus points awarded for glimpses of some familiar characters.
This was a fantastic second chance dark romance. The hatred the hero and heroine had for each other was obvious from the start, but then again there’s a thin line between hate and love and as close proximity stoked the tension between them, desire also built. I loved that Georgia was a strong character, challenging Elio at every turn and their dialogue was wicked as their relationship developed. The overall story told from dual points of view was well written and set a fast pace with past events shown in flashback and had me gripped from the start. With all the drama and tension readers have come to expect from this author this book was an awesome addition to the Original Sin series and bonus points awarded for glimpses of some familiar characters.
March 30, 2025
What a story! Another wonderful addition to the Milaverse.
THOUGHTS 💭
☀️ I enjoyed the history between these characters we saw through flashbacks; Elio and Georgia’s story was tragic, but has the most wonderful, hard-fought HEA.
☀️ Georgia is an “irreverent and opinionated and f*cking fearless” FMC and I loved how scrappy she is. She’s a perfect partner for the dangerous mafia sottocapo.
☀️ Elio is “missing parts” - he’s been through some sh*t, but seeing his uncaring facade start to fall when he’s around Georgia again? Perfection.
☀️ Lovers to enemies to lovers is such a great trope. I enjoyed watching these two find their way back to each other after years and years apart.
☀️ I’ve never read two characters who were more meant for each other; Elio and Georgia felt fated; destined. Their love is so all-encompassing and truly everything to them, even when they hated each other. I’m in awe of their past and loved their HEA.
☀️ I loved being back in this world again and seeing characters from other books connect with this one.
Thanks so much to Mila Kane and Grey’s Promo for the ARC of this book!
THOUGHTS 💭
☀️ I enjoyed the history between these characters we saw through flashbacks; Elio and Georgia’s story was tragic, but has the most wonderful, hard-fought HEA.
☀️ Georgia is an “irreverent and opinionated and f*cking fearless” FMC and I loved how scrappy she is. She’s a perfect partner for the dangerous mafia sottocapo.
☀️ Elio is “missing parts” - he’s been through some sh*t, but seeing his uncaring facade start to fall when he’s around Georgia again? Perfection.
☀️ Lovers to enemies to lovers is such a great trope. I enjoyed watching these two find their way back to each other after years and years apart.
☀️ I’ve never read two characters who were more meant for each other; Elio and Georgia felt fated; destined. Their love is so all-encompassing and truly everything to them, even when they hated each other. I’m in awe of their past and loved their HEA.
☀️ I loved being back in this world again and seeing characters from other books connect with this one.
Thanks so much to Mila Kane and Grey’s Promo for the ARC of this book!
April 1, 2025
Mila Kane still remains to be one of my favorite mafia romance authors of all time. The characters and plot was so well developed and it kept me engaged from start to finish. I felt like she delivered the lovers to enemies to lovers trope perfectly.
Elio met Georgia 14 years ago when he was a poor starved boy who worked for her father and lived in their barn. Despite warnings to stay away from Georgia, Elio could not resist her charm. He and Georgia often found ways to spend time together sharing their hopes and dreams. She always wanted him to save her.
The yearning after separation and the overall suspense of the book captivated me, and I loved how their pathway toward forgiveness was not easily attained. I loved them both!
My favorite quotes:
“Finally, after so long… the universe had corrected its wrong. It brought her back to me.”
“You saved me. You’ve only ever saved me.”
“Well, you saved me, too… more than you know. If there was any shred of humanity left in me, burning through the darkness… it was my love for you.”
What To Expect:
* Mafia Romance
* Second Chance
* Lovers to Enemies to Lovers
* Forced Marriage
* Captive x Captor
Thank you Mila Kane and Grey’s Promotion for an ARC of this title. All opinions are my own.
Elio met Georgia 14 years ago when he was a poor starved boy who worked for her father and lived in their barn. Despite warnings to stay away from Georgia, Elio could not resist her charm. He and Georgia often found ways to spend time together sharing their hopes and dreams. She always wanted him to save her.
The yearning after separation and the overall suspense of the book captivated me, and I loved how their pathway toward forgiveness was not easily attained. I loved them both!
My favorite quotes:
“Finally, after so long… the universe had corrected its wrong. It brought her back to me.”
“You saved me. You’ve only ever saved me.”
“Well, you saved me, too… more than you know. If there was any shred of humanity left in me, burning through the darkness… it was my love for you.”
What To Expect:
* Mafia Romance
* Second Chance
* Lovers to Enemies to Lovers
* Forced Marriage
* Captive x Captor
Thank you Mila Kane and Grey’s Promotion for an ARC of this title. All opinions are my own.
April 1, 2025
Mila Kane is fast becoming a go to author for me and this book sealed the deal.
I have a bit of catching up with this world but that did not take away from my experience reading this book, it only enhanced my need to read all the others lol
Brutal Legacy was exactly as I thought and a whole lot more. Elio and Georgia are just fire! The forbidden is always fraught with turmoil and passion!
Elio and Georgia meet when they are young after her father takes him in. Her father gave him one rule – his daughter is off limits. Well Georgia did not get the message and develops a relationship with Elio. Promises were made and eventually broken.
Now years later, Elio and Georgia have a second chance. But this time they will have to navigate through mutual hatred and betrayal.
So much spice and longing with these two, I could not put it down. The push/pull was crazy, and the suspense just added to this spectacular story.
I highly recommend this series. I did not read the first book (Unholy Vows), and I still enjoyed this one, but I will go back and read it to get the entire picture.
I have a bit of catching up with this world but that did not take away from my experience reading this book, it only enhanced my need to read all the others lol
Brutal Legacy was exactly as I thought and a whole lot more. Elio and Georgia are just fire! The forbidden is always fraught with turmoil and passion!
Elio and Georgia meet when they are young after her father takes him in. Her father gave him one rule – his daughter is off limits. Well Georgia did not get the message and develops a relationship with Elio. Promises were made and eventually broken.
Now years later, Elio and Georgia have a second chance. But this time they will have to navigate through mutual hatred and betrayal.
So much spice and longing with these two, I could not put it down. The push/pull was crazy, and the suspense just added to this spectacular story.
I highly recommend this series. I did not read the first book (Unholy Vows), and I still enjoyed this one, but I will go back and read it to get the entire picture.
April 2, 2025
This story was so good!!! It had one of my favorite tropes, I won't say which one and give it away, but it was oh so delightful. I really enjoyed Elio and Georgia's story from start to finish. I loved that they had such a rich history and had known each other when they were younger.
I loved Elio! Sure he was tough but he knew what he wanted and wasn't afraid to go for it. I loved that he worked in the stables and took care of the horses. I also loved his devotion to Georgia. You could almost feel his passion burning off the pages.
Georgia was a fun character. She was relatable and easy to like. I liked that she kept her spunky side even when everything was going sideways. She has such explosive chemistry with Elio and it was easy to like both of them.
The writing was so smooth and flowed nicely. It was easy to picture all the beautiful places described, especially when they were in Italy. I loved all the exciting scenes and all the angst between them. The story held my attention from start to finish and I couldn't get enough. I hope we can get more from this world in the future!! I would definitely recommend Brutal Legacy!!!
I loved Elio! Sure he was tough but he knew what he wanted and wasn't afraid to go for it. I loved that he worked in the stables and took care of the horses. I also loved his devotion to Georgia. You could almost feel his passion burning off the pages.
Georgia was a fun character. She was relatable and easy to like. I liked that she kept her spunky side even when everything was going sideways. She has such explosive chemistry with Elio and it was easy to like both of them.
The writing was so smooth and flowed nicely. It was easy to picture all the beautiful places described, especially when they were in Italy. I loved all the exciting scenes and all the angst between them. The story held my attention from start to finish and I couldn't get enough. I hope we can get more from this world in the future!! I would definitely recommend Brutal Legacy!!!
April 4, 2025
Have you ever had a love that was so deep that you would wait 14 years for that person to find you again? That’s the premise of this second chance mafia romance.
Elio and Georgia meet when she’s an 18 year old girl and he’s a 20 year old stablehand working for her father. They fall madly in love. They declare their desire to marry each other. Elio even approaches her father to ask for her hand in marriage. It all goes sideways from there.
14 years later, Georgia has married another man and her husband has died. She’s living in America and her Father who was tied up with the Italian mafia uses her as a pawn in a scheme to stay alive.
Elio now works for the De Sanctis family as the right hand man to the Don. He’s charged with finding Georgia and bringing her to their NJ estate.
It was an engaging read full of characters I knew from previous books. The story of getting Georgia from LA to NJ is full of shootouts and disputes between Elio and Georgia. Especially as they try to find their way back to loving each other.
Of course there’s the final incident before Elio and Georgia get their HEA. Borrowed this from Kindle Unlimited.
Elio and Georgia meet when she’s an 18 year old girl and he’s a 20 year old stablehand working for her father. They fall madly in love. They declare their desire to marry each other. Elio even approaches her father to ask for her hand in marriage. It all goes sideways from there.
14 years later, Georgia has married another man and her husband has died. She’s living in America and her Father who was tied up with the Italian mafia uses her as a pawn in a scheme to stay alive.
Elio now works for the De Sanctis family as the right hand man to the Don. He’s charged with finding Georgia and bringing her to their NJ estate.
It was an engaging read full of characters I knew from previous books. The story of getting Georgia from LA to NJ is full of shootouts and disputes between Elio and Georgia. Especially as they try to find their way back to loving each other.
Of course there’s the final incident before Elio and Georgia get their HEA. Borrowed this from Kindle Unlimited.
March 28, 2025
I’m fairly new to Mila’s writing, but just from the couple books I’ve read so far I love it! This book instantly had me from the beginning and had me falling in love with both Georgia and Elio. The way Mila wrote these characters was perfect and you couldn’t help love them and root for their HEA. Their story was beautiful, tragic, angsty and emotional. I loved that in the fourteen years they weren’t together Georgia had her best friend Tomasso to pull her through. But it broke my heart for all the pain and suffering Elio went through and what Georgia’s dad caused to happen. I wished we’d had gotten to see that man get what he deserved. It was easy to feel the heart break Georgia was feeling when she was desperately waiting and hoping for Elio to return to her, but he never did.
This story was just the best and I can’t say enough about how much I enjoyed it. Elio and Georgia are the perfect example of true soulmates. They were each other’s first, last, and only’s. Neither had ever been with anyone else, or even kissed anyone else, and that had me loving this book even more!
This story was just the best and I can’t say enough about how much I enjoyed it. Elio and Georgia are the perfect example of true soulmates. They were each other’s first, last, and only’s. Neither had ever been with anyone else, or even kissed anyone else, and that had me loving this book even more!
March 30, 2025
Mila Kane has done it again—her books are an addiction, and ‘Brutal Legacy’ is no exception🤩 I devoured this book in under 24h⏰
Elio and Georgia’s history is filled with passion, heartbreak, and a love so intense it defied time. They met as teenagers when Georgia’s father took Elio in, but with one unbreakable rule—she was off-limits. That rule didn’t stand a chance against their undeniable connection. Their love blossomed in secret, but one choice, one moment, tore them apart, separating them for fourteen years.
Now fate has thrown them back together—their reunion is electric, fueled by years of misunderstandings, pain, and a love neither could forget.
This book had everything — angst, suspense, spice, and a love so consuming it hurt. This story took me on an emotional rollercoaster—I laughed, I cried, I swooned, and my heart raced with every turn of the page. Definitely a must add to TBR! 💖
Grab your own copy on April 2, 2025!!
Thank you Mila Kane and Grey Promotions for the ARC opportunity in exchange for my honest review, it was a wonderful read 📚💖
Elio and Georgia’s history is filled with passion, heartbreak, and a love so intense it defied time. They met as teenagers when Georgia’s father took Elio in, but with one unbreakable rule—she was off-limits. That rule didn’t stand a chance against their undeniable connection. Their love blossomed in secret, but one choice, one moment, tore them apart, separating them for fourteen years.
Now fate has thrown them back together—their reunion is electric, fueled by years of misunderstandings, pain, and a love neither could forget.
This book had everything — angst, suspense, spice, and a love so consuming it hurt. This story took me on an emotional rollercoaster—I laughed, I cried, I swooned, and my heart raced with every turn of the page. Definitely a must add to TBR! 💖
Grab your own copy on April 2, 2025!!
Thank you Mila Kane and Grey Promotions for the ARC opportunity in exchange for my honest review, it was a wonderful read 📚💖
March 31, 2025
🖤 𝙱𝚛𝚞𝚝𝚊𝚕 𝙻𝚎𝚐𝚊𝚌𝚢 🖤
🄰🅁🄲 🅁🄴🅅🄸🄴🅆
4.5/5 ⭐️
2/5 🌶️
↓↓
Mila just knows how to write her Mafia men. This gripped me from the beginning and left me wanting more.
This was a mix of heartbreak, revenge, finding each other again and realizing that the love never left. Elio and Georgia was each other's first and throughout everything they will be each other's last. They are twin flames, soulmates, meant to be together and it broke my heart to see the years past that they deserved to be together.
Georgia was a spitfire. I absolutely loved her, the back and forth with Elio was perfect and I feel like it was perfect for them. Elio is one determined man. They have a painful shared history and you can feel it with their interactions when they are reunited.
I really loved watching these two fall back in love again. Another great book from Mila!!
𝕋𝕣𝕠𝕡𝕖𝕤 / 𝕎𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕥𝕠 𝔼𝕩𝕡𝕖𝕔𝕥
🖤Mafia Dark Romance
🖤Lovers to Enemies to Lovers
🖤Forced Marriage
🖤Second Chance
🖤Forced Proximity
🖤Touch her and ☠️
🄰🅁🄲 🅁🄴🅅🄸🄴🅆
4.5/5 ⭐️
2/5 🌶️
↓↓
Mila just knows how to write her Mafia men. This gripped me from the beginning and left me wanting more.
This was a mix of heartbreak, revenge, finding each other again and realizing that the love never left. Elio and Georgia was each other's first and throughout everything they will be each other's last. They are twin flames, soulmates, meant to be together and it broke my heart to see the years past that they deserved to be together.
Georgia was a spitfire. I absolutely loved her, the back and forth with Elio was perfect and I feel like it was perfect for them. Elio is one determined man. They have a painful shared history and you can feel it with their interactions when they are reunited.
I really loved watching these two fall back in love again. Another great book from Mila!!
𝕋𝕣𝕠𝕡𝕖𝕤 / 𝕎𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕥𝕠 𝔼𝕩𝕡𝕖𝕔𝕥
🖤Mafia Dark Romance
🖤Lovers to Enemies to Lovers
🖤Forced Marriage
🖤Second Chance
🖤Forced Proximity
🖤Touch her and ☠️
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