When Heroes Fall: An Enemies-to-Lovers Mafia Romance (Anti-Heroes in Love Duet) Paperback – June 2, 2021

Elena Lombardi was a criminal attorney for one of the top law firms in New York City, maybe in the whole United States, but she never thought she would be walking through the cell block to meet with her new client, Dante Salvatore.  Not just any client, but New York City's Camorra capo.Dante was being held on suspicion of racketeering, illegal gambling, and murder.  She's surprised he hasn't been caught before now, but with a face and body as beautiful as his it is no wonder he could charm his way out of most situations.But, she isn't here because she's the best lawyer available as she's only a four-year associate.  No, she's here because her sister, Cosima, begged her to represent her best friend.  She is here because she would do anything for her sister, including representing the worst of the worst.But as she is sitting here in front of him she is wondering why he is smiling? Being rich and gorgeous did not give him a "get out of jail free card".I loved this book!  It is action-packed mafia from page one until you turn the last page.  It is very well written (although it needed to go through the editing process again for errors in spelling) and the characters are full of depth and passion.Elena is a strong woman and some call her bitchy because of her focus to not only escape her memories of Bagoti and her horrible past but her determination to be the best attorney in the city.  She grew up poor and had to protect her siblings from the ravages of their dad's bad decisions with the Camorra, but she was determined to leave that all behind.Dante was born to aristocracy, but it didn't matter that his father was a Duke, he was a monster who had killed his mother.  As soon as he graduated with a psychology degree, he followed the only man who treated him like a true son and became the Caparro capo in New York City.Elena had a deep hatred for the mafia stemming much deeper than the normal right and wrong.  No, she had suffered greatly because of her father's involvement with the mafia and she hated having to defend a man she knew deserved to be imprisoned, he may not be guilty of the crime he is charged, but she had no doubt he had blood on his hands.This book is full of intrigue, action, and danger.  You get to know what makes all of the characters tick and are drawn into their lives.  The passion between Elina and Dante is more than she expected, especially with her history with men and she fights it to the end.This book kept me in suspense, made me laugh and cry.  I highly recommend it and look forward to reading more by Giana Darling!

I really enjoyed this book and I’m looking forward forward to the conclusion of Elena and Dante’s story. I only had a couple of issues.My first issue is that the story felt very repetitive at times. Felt like the author was saying the same thing, but with different words. My second issue, and this is a big one - it is so bizarre the way the story portrays Elena as wrong for being angry at her sister and ex. I’m not saying I don’t empathize with finding your person and fighting to be with that person; however, their behavior is unforgivable, or at least would take years to forgive. Her sister continued an affair when she was aware that it was Elena’s man. And I don’t care how kind of a man Sinclair is, you a coward for carrying on an affair. Elena had every right to cut them off, and I’m not feeling too fond towards her family for distancing themselves due to that. Also found it weird that every time she expressed her hurt and how their actions impacted her self esteem that each of her siblings felt the need to say something along the lines of “they made more sense.” Who cares?? Not the woman being cheated on! I don’t mind her and Giselle reconciling because it’s clear Elena has been b*tchy, but it’s weird to make it seem like cheating is okay if it’s with your soulmate and your sister was mean to you. And any reconciliation needs to make that clear. Giselle was disgustingly wrong. Period. Glad I got that out because I nearly gave up the story just for this reason alone LOL

10/5 This story was fantastic! I just love the way the words always flow when reading a Giana Darling book. Now I need to read book 2 now!!I always found both Elena and Dante intriguing in the Enslaved Duet. I am so happy that they have a story. Elena has been through so much in life that she has closed herself off to others. She is viewed as the Ice Queen. She travels the 'straight and narrow' and as a lawyer believes in the right, legal side and does not try to divert.Dante is seen as the Devil of NYC. People fear him just by hearing his name alone. Yet, there is another side to him that his close ones see and love.When Dante is charged with the RICO act, Elena becomes one of the lawyers representing him. The Ice Queen and the Devil come together like fire and ice, and this connection between the two is awesome to read. Dante sees what Elena has been so good at hiding from others. Elena starts to see Dante as more than a Capo- a man in the world she hates.I absolutely love these two characters, be prepared for the passion, intensity, action and drama this story brings!Reasons I enjoyed this book:Action-packed, Entertaining, Informative, Inspirational, Original, Page-turner, Romantic, Steamy, Unpredictable, Wonderful characters

This is the first book by Giana Darling that I've read and I'm just thinking where the hell I've been all this time. Her writing is so smooth and beautiful. Her words pulled me in like a magnet. I can honestly say that this book is my favorite mafia romance book ever! I enjoyed it so much that I devoured it in one day. The plot was fantastic. I loved how realistic it was. The characters were everything I needed. Dante and Elena have my heart. Their chemistry was out of this world❤️

When Heroes Fall is the first book in the Anti-Heroes in Love duet and it starts the story of Elena Lombardi and Dante Salvatore.Elena is a lawyer and part of the team that represents Dante in front of the law, after being accused of multiple charges. This first book focus more on Elena and Dante's life and experiences, where the relationship between them is presented more in a deep level, not necessary the physical attraction. Their feelings are slowly build and simmering in their hearts, making the story a slow burn.Their experiences, past and actual, shaped Elena and Dante, helped them to nurture their thoughts and beliefs, each of them finding solace in friends and new people, who became their family.I have read about Elena in the other books, she was portraited as a cold woman, heartless, thinking only about her. But now I got to really know her, and learned what made her to become like this. She has a good heart, I have seen that through her actions in the end. She still is a cold woman, but I think she protects herself this way, and I like it so much.Dante is such a great, loyal man, caring for his family and Elena. He is the perfect man for her, he is helping her to become her best version. He is giving me such good vibes. Dunno, he might sound a little bit perfect.The story itself is interesting, slow burn, has a good amount of characters, with great interaction between them and I like it, I slowly read it because didn't want to finish.I can't wait to read the second book in the duet, the continuation of Elena and Dante's story. I'm curious about their journey.

POV: Dual / First PersonGenre: Mafia / Forced Proximity / Enemies to Lovers“Heroism was about your willingness to right wrongs, to sacrifice your own comfort and safety to affect change when you crossed something that needed changing. It was assuming responsibility for people who didn’t have the power to stand up for themselves. It was about being brave enough to live life by your own rules and accepting who you were, flaws and all.”Giana Darling has a way with words that is quite unlike any other author, she has the power to create worlds that draw you in, that consume you and make you feel every emotion, so any new book from her is a treat and When Heroes Fall did not disappoint.Elena has had a tough upbringing, always living in the shadows of her siblings and this has led her to guard herself against anyone and everyone, giving her persona of ‘Ice Queen’, but whilst she is strong, she is also desperately lonely, misunderstood and broken. Then we have Dante, The Devil of NYC, he is the Capo of the New York Mafia, he’s strong, capable, ruthless, smart but also very perceptive and extremely protective of Elena from the start.Dante Is currently facing charges for murder, and is now under house arrest, but having Elena as part of his legal team is making his life a lot more interesting, she intrigues him, so he uses his power and makes her move in with him as a part of handling the case. Whilst Dante is everything Elena despises, living under the same roof with him makes it harder for her to keep her walls up, and Dante is determined to break them down and get closer to her everyday.Both characters had incredible depth but it was Elena’s character progression that captivated me and was simply beautiful to read, she enters the book with heavy emotional baggage and has to overcome not only health issues, but also psychological issues to help her understand who she truly is and what she wants.Whilst When Heroes Fall is the first part of the duet, it doesn’t end of a ‘gasp’ cliffhanger, it ends perfectly, in a way that not only makes the reader want to move onto the next book, but also ensures it makes the duet an effortless transition.I would like to applaud Giana on not only an incredible plot and beautifully written characters, but on the sheer dedication that she was clearly put into this book. The details of the US legal system, the hierarchy of law firms, details of the city of New York, the depth of background you’re given regarding the Mafia, the cultural depth of the characters, the 'Italian-ness', the language. The book was full on knowledge that gave When Heroes Fall a richness that made the book captivating on so many more levels.Congratulations Giana, 5 ⭐️

I went into this thinking it'd be a typical steamy, mafia romance. Damn, was I wrong.It was SO MUCH MORE. SO, SO MUCH MORE than I could've ever imagined.I loved the MCs, I loved the side characters. I loved the how wonderful Elena's character development was.Too often, I've come across the FL struggling with similar themes as Elena, but then they meet the ML and poof! their trauma magically disappears *eye roll* I loved how in this, there was actually a healing process for her to overcome her trauma and come to terms with who she was."Survivors came in all shapes and sizes, and not all of them came out on the other side of their trauma shiny and bright with hope and renewed optimism."I really, really liked how Dante played his part so damn well without being an alphahole.And the quotes - they're so fkin beautiful *sniffles* I don't remember the last time I annotated a book this much!“Between the hero and the villain, there is the anti-hero. A person who may do evil deeds and seem unscrupulous, but who, within their own set of morals, possesses a big heart and the willingness to protect that which they know to be good."HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

Like a full bodied red vintage wine where time makes it better, that’s exactly the feeling I get every time I read something new by this author. This story is told with such mastery I’m in awe of how much talent is employed, told in dual POV, every detail of the story is taken care of, turns and twists placed perfectly at the right time in the dynamics of the story. Sensitive issues are dealt with sensitivity and perfection, the words telling this tale fly over the pages bringing the reader right where it matters, a soulful story beautifully written, with the right amount of slow burn and scorching hot moments that will have your kindle on fire and panties melt. The evolution and development of the characters is outstanding and impeccably well timed.