The Beautiful Years I: A Mafia Romance Saga

by Annie Rose Welch

• ISBN10: 1726365328
• ISBN13: 9781726365321
• Publish Date: 3 October 2018
• Publish Status: Active
• Imprint: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 398
• Language: English

Reviews

[Nadz@Totally Addicted to Reading]

Man of Honor by Bella Di Corte is the first book of eight books in the Fausti Family series. This book sets the pace for the rest of the series. It gives the reader insight into the beginnings of Brando Fausti’s relationship with Scarlett, the ballerina who captured his heart.

Scarlett lived a sheltered life with her focus on ballet, while Brando has known only pain and loss. They came from different worlds, but fate brought them together. This story chronicles their journey, one forged from tragedy. Readers witness the obstacles they faced, ones created by their own hands and outside forces. The tragic event which hit close to home for Scarlett led to her losing her passion for ballet, but her connection to Brando is the one thing that keeps her going.

Although described as an organized crime romance there were no mafia business occurring in this story. However, readers are given hints regarding Brando’s familial ties to the mafia. The story focuses on their earlier years with Scarlett a high school senior and Brando being of college age.

I had high hopes for this for this story, but it turned out to be an average read for me. I did enjoy the author’s writing style, which was poetic and compelling. My issue lay within my failing to connect with the characters. I knew by the words written a connection existed and they were slowly falling for each other. Unfortunately, it did not resonate with me. I do believe that being forced to wade through tons of detailed information led to my disconnect with the characters. I ended up skipping through pages of the book so has to avoid the mountain of details. Despite this the story did have some memorable moments, which has me eager to discover what next is in store for Brando and Scarlett.

Overall, I found Man of Honor to be solid start to the Fausti series that has me keen to explore more of this world Bella De Corte has created.

 

N.B Re-Released as Man of Honor by Bella Di Corte.

[Romance Schmomance]

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It has been quite some time since I've picked up an Annie Rose Welch book, she's one of my absolute favorite authors out there. And it all started with her Saving Angels series. Once I heard she had a new mafia series coming out, there was no hesitancy to get my hands on this new saga! With only getting through part 1 of a 7 part series, I will be highly-anticipating every single one of them until we get our beautiful ending. Gahhhh, Annie, you already know how much of a fan I am of your beautiful words and The Beautiful Years is such an alluring tale that will leave you begging for more.

When I pick up any of Annie's book, I want zero distractions so I can really focus on the story. The Beautiful Years was a bit of a lengthy start, but it never felt that way to me at all. It's so easy to get lost in her words because she creates every scene with so much detail, it's like seeing it unfold right in front of your eyes. She makes it so easy to get lost alongside these characters, almost like you're right beside them witnessing.

At the beginning is the most pivotal scene that will carry through the entire book, and that's the first time Brando and Scarlett meet. From their very short time together, something shifted between them, it was enough to completely alter their feelings for one other. It was something deep and unexplainable.

I have a bit of a soft spot for slow burn romances, actually, I don't think slow burn is the best way to explain Brando and Scarlett's relationship. Let's just say that their relationship is a patient one, neither one too quick, simply biding their time until the perfect moment. But as you get across every single page of their story, the connection grows deeper for one another.

Brando was such a mysterious character to me, he definitely has that rough and tough persona, but there's this simply beautiful and poetic side of him. It kind of just throws you for a loop for a bit. But it's so easy to just fall in love with him. He's so protective of Scarlett and already claimed her as his since the first day that they met. Scarlett is a bit of a puppet because she is this a flawless and famous ballerina. She has so much talent and can do it all effortlessly, but does she have the passion for it? It doesn't help when she has other people making decisions for her. She yearns for freedom and I don't think even Brando could hold her back from anything.

I don't know what it is about stories with the ballet element added, but it definitely makes for a poetic and haunting story. And that's probably the best way I could describe Brando and Scarlett's love story. They'll constantly leave you wondering what will come next. I already know that their story won't be an easy one and I'm sure my heart will break several times before we get to the end. But I am completely hooked on their story and will constantly beg for more.

The Beautiful Years is a story that you have to take your time and savor every little bit. I'll be honest and say that I'm a little bit nervous to go on this journey of Brando and Scarlett's almost haunting love story. I know that Annie would not make us go through all of this without that happy ever after. It's definitely a long road ahead, but I know it'll all be worth it in the end. I'm so curious to see what will come next for the both of them especially with the way things ended in this one.

Everyone needs to give this saga a chance, Annie never disappoints with her books! Her stories are always one to be cherished.