WOW! 5+++++ STARS!!!!

I was hooked from the very start! Dante charmed me like no other. I think I’m in LOVE! ❤️ And Elena…ice to his fire…a queen! 👑
This is a story you don’t want to miss. It’s got a little bit of everything…and it’s oh so HOT! 🔥
ABSOLUTELY worth the credit! I can’t wait to use another to see what happens next in *When Villains Rise*.

Narrators were excellent! Jeremy and Rose bring this story to LIFE. Even if you’ve read the words, get this audio. It’s an awesome experience. A++++

Enjoy!!!!!

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When Heroes Fall by Giana Darling

Tropes/Themes:
-MF dark mafia romance
-Age gap
-Grump (h) x Sunshine (H)
-Forced proximity
-Slow burn(ish)
-Dual POV
-HFN (first book in a duet)

CWs for torture, murder, organized crime, fertility issues, cheating (not on page/not involving the main couple), sex slavery (not on page/brought up in conversation)

I had originally DNFed this at 20% because I was super confused and couldn’t understand how all of the characters connected. I didn’t want to drop it entirely though because of the raving reviews, so I doubled back to read the Enslaved duet (Alexander x Cosima’s romance) before giving it another go. That ended up being a game change because I felt like it had cleared up any questions/confusion I had previously. I ended up absolutely LOVING this book. Dante and Elena are officially one of my new favorite Giana Darling couples. I’m always a sucker for the grump x sunshine trope, especially when the heroine’s the grump. I loved how smitten Dante was right from the start. Dante was one of the few people in Elena’s life that actually wanted to understand her and took the time to listen and just be there for her. I loved how patient he was with her and I loved seeing Elena learn how to love/trust herself and the people close to her. This first half of the book was definitely on the slower side, but once things started heating up it didn’t take me long to get invested.

I’ve included the chronological reading order for the 3 Lombardi sisters below:
1. The Evolution of Sin Trilogy
Sinclair x Giselle
2. The Enslaved Duet
Alexander x Cosima
3. Anti-Heroes in Love Duet
Dante x Elena

These can all technically be read as standalones. Like I mentioned above, I’d suggest reading the Enslaved duet before picking up the Anti-Heroes in Love duet for optimism enjoyment and to fully understand the plot/consequences. I don’t plan on reading the Evolution of Sin trilogy since cheating is a huge no go for me. For what it’s worth, I didn’t feel like I was missing out on anything by not reading that series.

This ended on a HFN but I’m itching to pick up the next book because I just want to be back with this couple and see what else is in store for them.

Story: 4/5
Audiobook: 4/5 (the female narrator is not my fav)
Length 12h31min

One small issue:

Overall I was completely engrossed in the story and characters and I recommend it... however I feel the otherwise wonderful talent of Rose Dioro (the female narrator) was harmed by how she mispronounced several words. I would happily listen to her again but preferably with a little more coaching or guidance. I am always frustrated when narrators say certain words incorrectly because I wonder why no one corrected them or they didn't look up how to pronounce the word online.
Additionally, the editing wasn't quite on point and several words had clearly autofilled as the wrong thing. But the story is still a winner despite these minor issues.

Somehow I Love It Even More!

Wow! This book on audio made me love it even more, I had no clue that was possible. Hearing Rose Dioro and Jeremy York bring Dante and Elena to life was amazing and they did such a phenomenal job doing it. Everything in my original review still rings true. I truly forgot how much I loved these two.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

My Original Review:

Talk about savoring a book. I swear to you, every time Giana Darling comes out with a new book I always have to savor it. Let me start off by saying I was very, very hesitant with this book. I did not partially care for either Dante Salvatore and Elena Lombardi. I knew it may have been a challenge for me to like both of them. I didn't find them likable at all from the previous books I’ve seen them in. However, the deeper I got into the book, the more and more I was absolutely intrigued and enamored with them. Seeing things from their point of view really helped me understand and actually like them. I so appreciated the slow burn of their relationship, it made it even better once Elena finally let go and dove head first into the likes of Dante and believe me when I tell you the chemistry these two have is just off the charts hot. There is just something about Mafia men that really draws me to them. The intrigue, mystery, dangerousness. It’s all so tempting. I can’t wait to see where things go in book two because I’m ready to read it now!!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2

Love love love

I really enjoyed this audio of this book. Giana Darling writes her stories so beautifully and the narrator nailed the delivery. I can’t wait to listen to more of her books. Easy 5 stars

Amazing

I am speechless. I am breathless. I am wrung dry and yet I am still desperate for more.

Giana Darling delivers one of the most complex and eye opening dives into not just the mafia world, but the female psyche in When Heroes Fall (Book 1 Anti Heroes in love duet).

If you have read the Enslaved Duet and or the Evolution of Sin Trilogy, Elena Lombardi is set up to be the most dislikable female character. So I went in with very low expectations on Elena. I already knew I was going to be madly in love with Dante, but we will get to him. Instead, from chapter one, Elena’s depth, complexity, heartbreak, and loneliness grips you. She is so much more than her cold exterior. Her drive for success and perfection, is rooted so deeply in her past that you will find yourself desperate to be forgiven for your prior prejudice against her.

Dante Salvatore cannot possibly define more male dominance and pure romantic if he tried. This man is everything you could possible want in a male hero (anti hero). He is strong, quick witted, highly intelligent, ruthless, and patient, kind, and understanding there is no other option than to fall. Even-though he harness all the power of the New York City Camorra, he never uses it as a fear tactic against Elena. There is more power in kindness than in fear and Dante defines that.

When Heroes Fall will make you question everything moral and the very foundation of your makeup.

Must must must have

One of the best narrations done in a long time. Damn I’m hot all over and I need to listen to book 2 asap .

These two narrators brought all the passion to life. Gahhhhh I am so jealous. I want to be Elena…

The ice Queen meets the hot Capo Dante and this story just shines all the way through till the end. Must have I say

OMG

Ok Giana, you definitely out did yourself with Elena and Dante’s story. You actually made Elena human. Please look at all her books and follow the stories. Amazing writing.

One of my Top Favorite audiobooks!! A must listen!

Hands down one of my TOP FAVORITE audiobooks!!! These narrators brought this story to life in every way….emotion, suspense and passion!!!

What do you get when you cross an ice queen with a hot mafioso capo written by this author? Pure fire and

I know when I read a G Darling book that first off the writing is going to be brilliant - it is timeless and reads like prose. And secondly - there is going to be crazy sexual tension and hot sensual characters that burn up the pages, and this book is no different. Not only will the chemistry between Dante & Elena and the mafia suspense keep you glued to the pages; but for me it was Elena's character development - her revelations and inner battle between right and wrong, good and bad, and realizing the true meaning of family, loyalty and love made this ice queen thaw, and I admired her more and more on each page.

Elena Lombardi was a villain going into this book...the previous betrayal by her ex and her sister led her to retaliate with cruel words and actions. Her life has not been easy - and she has put up concrete walls around her heart that she was not willing to let down. But when capo Dante Salvatore steps into her life he is just what she needs to reevaluate what she thought was the perfect and straight and narrow path of life. She was afraid to veer far from it, motivated by only her career, success and money. But when she is brought on Dante's criminal case, her eyes are quickly opened to the dark secrets and betrayals of who she thought were heroes, and the villains suddenly didn't not seem as bad as she believed them to be.

This is a story of finding yourself again, of accepting your flaws for what they are, and being brave enough to take a chance on what you thought you may never have. The underlying theme of heroism versus villainy is written brilliantly into both Dante & Elena's dialogues, and the character development and how they are each perceived had me completely captivated to their story. Their contradicting outer selves pieced together so perfectly that I could not imagine one without the other. Dante charmed his dark and dangerous self into Elena's life so seamlessly, and I fell head over heels for him and his possessive and alpha persona. Dante truly is a dark knight in this story and I can't wait to see what is in store for this couple in When Villains Rise.

"Whatever you and I are made of, it's the same. You don't have to be good with me, right or true in any sense, but especially the conventional. You can be your worst self with me."

Well done once again G Darling!!!

Must read

Absolutely no words cone to mind. I don't even know where to start. I am completely blown away by Giana's words and this book was everything and more. I don't think I ever came up for air. Can not wait for the next book.Mafia, dark, steamy, take your breath away good. Outstanding narration!