Review: The Lady by Serena Akeroyd

I’ve spent a lifetime avoiding the various factions of the mafia in NYC, yet somehow I’m in it up to my eyeballs.

I should be scared.

I should want to run.

Yet the city quivers in fear with every designer-clad footstep I take, because the Valentinis have ascended, and I’m the Don’s Lady.

It’s intoxicating.

However Luciu comes with vendettas and a craving for vengeance that could get him killed.
With my allegiance tied to the Irish, can I say yes when he wants me to take an oath to the Sicilians?

Is a happily-ever-after on the cards when the ‘after’ isn’t even promised?

This is the second part of ‘The Oath’ duet in The Valentini Family series.
THE DON must be read first.

I fell hard and fast for both Jen and Luciu in The Don so I was desperate for the conclusion. It ended on a cliffhanger, which I loathe, but luckily the wait wasn’t long and this book did not disappoint. This is masterfully written with so much attention to detail, it’s a work of art. The Sicilian traditions are woven through every aspect of the story and there’s just the right amount of the mafia subplot to be engaging without taking away from the romance of their story.

Despite all of the exquisite detail developing this world and it’s machinations, the characters are what makes this such a gem. Jen really comes into her own in the second part, secure in his love and finally believing that she deserves happiness. Her life was hard, cold and unforgiving before Luciu came into her world. She doesn’t believe that happy endings are possible for people like her, who’ve come from nothing and known such pain, but he makes her see.

Luciu is equal parts badass mafia don and doting boyfriend, as tender and loving with Jen as he is vicious with his enemies. He’s the perfect mix of brains and brawn to make her feel safe for the first time in her life but also leave no doubt that she is indeed the queen, without question. They’re one of my absolute favorite couples, devoted and loving, silly and fun, even in the face of unimaginable evil. I just finished this story and can’t wait to re-read the duet because there’s so much detail, there’s no doubt I’ve missed small things and I just want more.