The Sweetest Oblivion Book Review: A Forbidden Tale Brimming with Danger, Redemption, and the Enduring Power of Love

The Sweetest Oblivion is a dark contemporary romance published in 2018. It is the first book in Danielle Lori's The Made Series, comprising 386 pages.

It tells the story of Elena, the favored daughter of the mafia family, Abelli. She is known to be a gentle and romantic woman in a world that lacks romance. However, something has changed, and she now sees herself as a person stained with blood. She then finds herself attracted to notorious mafia boss Nicolas Russo, who is arranged to marry Elena's sister. Elena has to navigate her internal conflict between her attraction to Nicolas and her awareness of the consequences that could arise from pursuing a relationship with him.

Author

Danielle Lori is a romance novelist based in Iowa who has also written books in the fantasy and contemporary subgenres. Her novels typically feature morally ambiguous heroes, intense hate-to-love relationships, and heroines who are often sassy and spirited. Aside from writing, her daily routine includes enjoying coffee, reading historical romance novels, and watching 1990s chick flicks.

Lori has become a renowned author thanks to her captivating work, The Made Series. Her exceptional talent for crafting stories brimming with intense and palpable sexual tensions has captivated readers from start to finish. Fans of her work will be thrilled to know that she has an exciting upcoming release titled "My Dear Husband." To stay updated on her latest releases and dive into her seductive stories, be sure to visit her website at https://daniellelori.com/.

Theme

The theme of this novel revolves around the conflict between love and duty and the transformative power of love and desire in the face of societal expectations and personal demons.

Throughout the novel, Elena's journey is one of self-discovery and navigating the complexities of her emotions. The theme explores the inner turmoil Elena experiences as she confronts her desires and the expectations placed on her. It delves into the tension between following one's heart and adhering to societal norms, as well as the sacrifices one may make in the name of love. It also encompasses the transformative power of love. Elena's encounter with Nico awakens a newfound taste for darkness within her and challenges her perception of herself.

Characters

Elena Abelli-Russo

Elena is the female protagonist in the novel. She comes from a prominent Italian-American mafia family led by her father, Salvatore, who is a high-profile boss. Elena's upbringing is privileged; she lives in a classy Long Island in New York. However, her life takes a drastic turn when she rebels against her sister's arranged marriage and embarks on a journey that leads to a fateful encounter with an unnamed man.

Elena's reputation suffers a blow when she loses her virginity to the unnamed man, leading to her father's disapproval and her sister Adriana being chosen as the bride of Nicolas Russo, an important figure in the mafia.

Nicolas Russo

Nico is this novel's male protagonist, known as the head of the Russo Family crime syndicate in New York. Nico comes from a complicated background, having lost his mother to a drug overdose at a young age and his father later in his twenties. These losses have shaped him and influenced his perspective on women.

Nico is initially engaged to Elena's younger sister, Adriana, as part of an arrangement between the Russo and Abelli families. However, his true desire is to be with Elena, despite her father's prohibition. When Adriana becomes pregnant with another man's child, the engagement shifts to Elena, and they begin a relationship. Their bond deepens as they sleep together and eventually fall in love.

Plot

Elena is a romantic woman in a world that lacks romance. She is known as Sweet Abelli due to her gentle nature and is the favored daughter within her mafia family. However, something has changed, and she now sees herself as a person stained with blood. In this murky underworld of New York, Elena's sister, Adriana, is arranged to marry Nicolas Russo, a prominent figure in the mafia. Despite his reputation as a Made Man, a boss, and a cheater, Elena finds herself drawn to him, even though she dislikes everything he represents. There is an undeniable attraction between them, with Elena's heart fluttering in his presence and her body responding to his voice. Nicolas is often nearby, giving her orders and making her feel things she shouldn't.

Elena discovers a newfound taste for darkness, drawn to rough hands, cigarettes, and Nico's whiskey-colored eyes. However, she is cautious because she has already escaped one scandal and cannot afford to be involved in another. Moreover, society dictates that falling in love with a Made Man is not permissible. So Elena navigates her internal conflict between her attraction to Nicolas and her awareness of the consequences that could arise from pursuing a relationship with him.

As Elena and Nico's paths intersect through a series of tumultuous incidents, the complexities of their relationship come to light. The fragile peace between the Russo and Abelli families teeters on the brink of destruction when a rival mob attack exposes Adriana's scandalous pregnancy, threatening the fragile alliance.

In a desperate bid to prevent an all-out war, Elena finds herself engaged to Nico, straining her relationship with her father. Tormented by guilt over the death of the unnamed man from her past, Elena undertakes a daring act of redemption, stealing money from Nico to offer restitution to the man's grieving mother. This bold move leads to a temporary separation between Elena and Nico, but their love perseveres as Elena confesses her profound feelings for him. Later on, the wedding celebration between Elena and Nico symbolizes a pivotal moment in their journey, marking the triumph of their love against all odds.

Writing Style

The novel employs a descriptive writing style, gradually building up the story with a focus on intense sexual tension and romance. It is written from a dual point of view, primarily following Elena and Nico. While the story may shift away from the initial mafia vibe, the lighter tone and pacing of the novel are considerably commendable.

It features the intense sexual tension between Nico and Elena, which adds a luscious, fierce, sexy, and angsty quality to their romance, keeping the reader invested. However, there are also several repetitions made by the author, specifically when it comes to Elena repeatedly expressing her attraction to Nico, which can be a minor issue in enhancing the reading experience.

Hot Scene

The Sweetest Oblivion captures its readers with the subtle sexual tensions that play with your sensations as you immerse yourself through the pages of the novel. Here are some examples:

"I wanted to fuck her and ruin her for anyone else. I wanted to crush her wings and then put them back together again so she'd become dependent on me. I wanted her to need me. That dark, possessive, and dangerous feeling crawled through me every time she crossed my path. Elena Abelli was my vice, and fuck if I'd let it kill me."

He nipped my bottom lip. "You make me fucking crazy."

"Don't blame me for your psychosis."

"You are my psychosis."

"Rude," I breathed against his lips.

Final Thoughts

The Sweetest Oblivion is an irresistibly addictive dark romance novel that delves into the depths of forbidden love and tantalizing sexual tension. Prepare to be fully immersed in a dark, complex world where relatable and compelling characters drive a captivating storyline. With every page, you'll find yourself drawn deeper into the forbidden love affair, experiencing every scorching moment alongside the sizzling mafia boss and his irresistible allure.

Get ready to be spellbound by the intricate tale of Elena and Nico as their passionate connection unfolds against all odds. Their unyielding pursuit of happiness will leave you breathless and yearning for more. Join them on this breathtaking journey through Danielle Lori's The Sweetest Oblivion, where desire and devotion collide.

FAQs

Q: What is The Sweetest Oblivion novel all about?

A: The Sweetest Oblivion follows the story of both Elena and Nicolas in the New York underworld when Elena's younger sister, Adriana, is arranged to marry Nico to seal an arms deal between the Abelli and Russo families.

Q: What is the genre of The Sweetest Oblivion novel?

A: The Sweetest Oblivion is a dark contemporary romance by Danielle Lori.

Q: Who is the author of The Sweetest Oblivion novel?

A: Danielle Lori is the Iowa-based author who penned the novel The Sweetest Oblivion.