Susan F. (scoutmomskf) - , reviewed on 9/29/2018 + 2626 more book reviews

Overall a good book. The story opens with Rafael as a child. He has been kidnapped from his home and forced to use his mathematical abilities for organized crime. Fortunately, there are several other boys who make him part of their group, as they watch out for each other and plan their escape. Years later, this brotherhood has created their own business and are some of the wealthiest men in the world. The series opener is Rafael's story, as he plots his revenge on the man responsible for his kidnapping.

Rafael's focus on his mission is clear as he talks to one of his friends, but that focus is suddenly interrupted by the sight of a beautiful woman across the ballroom. Their eyes met, and she was just as instantly captivated. The sparks between them were undeniable, and passion flared as soon as they touched. Rafael is determined to make her his. The intensity is overwhelming and Eliana asks that they slow down, as she goes to find her boss and check in with him. Rafael is stunned to discover that her boss is also her father - and the man he's pledged to destroy. He rapidly backed off to process the information, while his friend Richard takes it upon himself to drive a wedge between them, in an effort to protect Rafael. Eliana is devasted by what he says and flees the party.

The strength of the attraction between Rafael and Eliana is intense. Rafael is obsessed and determined to have her for his own. I loved seeing this ruthless businessman brought to his knees by his need for her. There were some amazing scenes between them where an unexpectedly sweet and poetic side of Rafael emerged. I also loved the scene at the orphanage, as Rafael sees Eliana's love and protectiveness for the children. I loved her fierceness when she confronted him about raising the hopes of the children. An unexpected side of Rafael emerged, and I loved his scene with the nuns. Eliana is a bit naïve, but she is also good at seeing to the heart of people. She knows that Rafael is a good man at heart, but she also senses that there is a darkness that she hasn't been able to breach. The relationship between Rafael and Eliana seems to me to border on the obsessive, especially on Rafael's part. His unwillingness to go more than a few hours without talking to her was intense. This comes to a head when Eliana is in an accident. I ached for Rafael and his fear of losing her. Their reunion was deeply emotional and brought home to them both the depth of their feelings and their desire for a permanent commitment.

But Rafael has also not given up his need for revenge. He continues his plans to destroy Eliana's father, all the while believing that he can keep his involvement a secret from her. When Eliana overhears him talking to his friends about his plans, she is devastated. I loved seeing her stand up to him and defend her father. I also enjoyed the scene with Rafael's friends, both her ability to get them to tell her about Rafael's past and their reactions to her. I had to laugh at these three tough guys falling all over themselves. I loved seeing Eliana take what she found out and use it. Her persistence revealed some interesting twists to the story of Rafael's abduction. I loved the ending, as Eliana's love for Rafael destroyed that which had driven him for so long, enabling him to become the man she believed he could be. The scenes with Eliana's father were fantastic.

I enjoyed meeting some of Rafael's friends, the members of the brotherhood. All of them have been affected by what they went through. I am looking forward to all of their stories, but especially Richard's story. There were some very interesting scenes with him, and it is going to take a very special woman to get to him.

This book would have been a four-star read except for one scene. The part where they finally came together was deeply emotional and would have been outstanding for me except for one thing. The violence of their union was very off-putting for me. With the descriptions of Rafael's "attributes" and their actual coming together, I couldn't help but feel that what followed was unrealistic. It was more likely, in my opinion, that there would have been too much pain for Eliana to enjoy, much less demand, further intimacy right away. No matter the intensity of their desire, Rafael should have taken more care with their first time.

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