Damage

4.25 stars--DAMAGE is the second instalment in Natasha Knight’s contemporary, adult COLLATERAL DAMAGE erotic, dark, mafia romance duology focusing on the head of the Sicilian Sabbioni family, twenty-nine year old Stefan Sabbioni, and eighteen year old Gabriela Marchese. DAMAGE should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up immediately after the events of book one COLLATERAL.

WARNING: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be some triggers for more sensitive readers including questionable consent, discipline and violence.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Stefan and Gabriela) DAMAGE continues to follow the acrimonious relationship between on the head of the Sicilian Sabbioni family, twenty-nine year old Stefan Sabbioni, and eighteen year old Gabriela Marchese. Gabriela Marchese is a pawn in the world of the Sicilian mob. As payment for her father’s debt Gabriela Marchese is a bird in a gilded cage but a bird who is somewhat naïve and struggles with what was, what is and what will be. Constantly looking for a way to escape her captor, Gabriela finds herself jumping from the proverbial frying pan into the fire, a jump that places her in the hands of someone trying to take control. What ensues is the building but dysfunctional relationship between Gabriela and Stefan, and the potential fall-out as someone else is determined to take over the mantel as head of the Sicilian mob.

The relationship between Gabriela and Stefan is dark and flawed. Gabriela is nothing more than collateral damage; a forfeiture for sins of the past but a woman who continues to battle for her freedom regardless of the threats and potential for harm. Naïve and often TSTL (too stupid to live) our heroine places her trust in the wrong people, time and again, trust that will be destroyed at every turn. The $ex scenes are erotic, intense, dramatic and controlling.

The colorful secondary and supporting characters include Stefan’s right hand man and cousin Rafa Catalano, his father Francesco Catalan; Rafa’s cousin Clara; Gabriela’s father Gabriel, and her brother Gabe; and Stefan’s housekeeper Miss Millie. Here’s hoping the author has plans for Rafa’s story.

DAMAGE is a character driven story of family, betrayal, vengeance and retaliation; a story of blood, power, ascendance and control; of secrets and lies. The premise is dark, suspenseful, thought provoking and edgy; the characters are broken and tragic: the romance is disturbing, often heart breaking but passionate. DAMAGE is a startling and emotional dark romance with a twist that I suspected early on.

This is the second book in the Collateral Damage Duet. This suspenseful dark romance, and mafia romance, is well written and absolutely captivating. Stefan and Gabriela share a sizzling chemistry. Stefan is handsome, mysterious, protective and possessive. Gabriela is a beautiful and strong woman. The secondary characters are great. I hope to have a spin-off of this Series. The storyline is action packed, intense, and filled with twists and turns. Impossible to put it down. I love the Epilogues. This is a great conclusion to the Series. I enjoyed reading and listening to this story and I highly recommend this Series. Wen Ross and Mackenzie Cartwright did an amazing job with the narration.

5 MUST READ Stars for Damage (Book 2 in the Collateral Damage Duet)!!!

WOW!!! When I finished Collateral, with it's nail-biting cliffhanger, I simply couldn't WAIT for the conclusion! Let me just say that Ms. Knight did NOT disappoint in any way! Damage is EVERYTHING I was expecting....and soooooooo much more!

The second book in this duet continues right where the first left off, dropping you IMMEDIATELY into the terrifying situation that Gabriela finds herself in! This completely compelling, absolutely astonishing story kept me sitting on the edge of my seat and had my heart pounding like I'd just finished a marathon! It took me to places that I never imagined it would take me and left me breathless with ALL the FEELS!!!

Stefan is the epitome of the strong, ALPHA male with a heart of gold (at least when it comes to Gabi). Where he could be utterly ruthless when it came to his enemies, he could be sweet and tender with the woman who stole his heart, while at the same time, he was totally and completely in control *sigh* All his alphaness is so swoon-worthy, so panty-melting! And Gabriela turned out to be just as strong and feisty, stubborn, innocent in so many ways yet, the perfect foil for the dominant and masterful Stephan!

Once again, Natasha Knight has delivered an unforgettable, dark and steamy, intense romance full of intrigue, betrayal, love, loss and enduring love that needs to be on EVERYONE'S MUST READ list!!! Now, I need MORE! *hint hint*