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Manhattan Mafia #1
Take Me
A dark and twisted mafia romance from New York Times bestselling author CD Reiss.
Mafia King, Dario Lucari spent years planning his revenge. Today, he executes it.
Kidnapped on my wedding day.
Held by a monster who wants vengeance on my father.
Married to him against my will.
Suddenly thrust into a world of betrayal, lies and deviance, all I have to do to escape is destroy everything I’ve ever loved, and love the man I must destroy.
***
This dark mafia romance contains intense scenes and backstories that may make some readers feel stuff they don't want to feel.
Take Me is the first in a trilogy.
Mafia King, Dario Lucari spent years planning his revenge. Today, he executes it.
Kidnapped on my wedding day.
Held by a monster who wants vengeance on my father.
Married to him against my will.
Suddenly thrust into a world of betrayal, lies and deviance, all I have to do to escape is destroy everything I’ve ever loved, and love the man I must destroy.
***
This dark mafia romance contains intense scenes and backstories that may make some readers feel stuff they don't want to feel.
Take Me is the first in a trilogy.
296 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 20, 2021
821 people are currently reading
2187 people want to read
About the author
C.D. Reiss
112 books9,640 followersCD Reiss is a New York Times bestselling author. She still has to chop wood and carry water, which was buried in the fine print. Her lawyer is working it out with God but in the meantime, if you call and she doesn't pick up she's at the well hauling buckets.
Born in New York City, she moved to Hollywood, California to get her master's degree in screenwriting from USC. In case you want to know, that went nowhere but it did give her a big enough ego to write novels.
She's frequently referred to as the Shakespeare of Smut which is flattering but hasn't ever gotten her out of chopping a single cord of wood.
If you meet her in person, you should call her Christine.
***NONE OF MY BOOKS ARE SAFE***
Born in New York City, she moved to Hollywood, California to get her master's degree in screenwriting from USC. In case you want to know, that went nowhere but it did give her a big enough ego to write novels.
She's frequently referred to as the Shakespeare of Smut which is flattering but hasn't ever gotten her out of chopping a single cord of wood.
If you meet her in person, you should call her Christine.
***NONE OF MY BOOKS ARE SAFE***
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 308 reviews
June 22, 2025
I was really excited for this book because kidnapping is one of my favourite tropes and honestly, the author executed it with perfection 𝗕𝗨𝗧 what stopped me from rating this book highly is my hatred towards the characters because they were downright cretinous and pathetic.
𝗦𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗵 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗮, she has no backbone, hell, she is worse than a doormat. I'm honestly at a loss for words because, she's even more docile than a slave. She literally got wet after hearing the sexual screams from another room and thinking it was her husband (mmc) with another woman on their wedding night. Like wtf did I just read. How did she get wet imagining her husband with another woman on their own wedding night, that too in a room opposite to hers?? SHE NEEDS THERAPY.
𝗗𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗼 𝗟𝘂𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗶, throughout the book, he addresses the fmc as his whore/slave. I won't mind if he does this during sex— degradation kink and all that. But even outside sex, he addresses her that way and treats her like she's nothing more than an object. And she takes it all without a fight because, the Miss princess can't speak up for her life. He went so far as to put dirt in her glass of water, and she was forced to drink the filthy water since she had been starving for days after being kidnapped. That too she was entitled to the filthy water only if she obeyed him. His words, not mine. I really can't describe how much I wanted to punch the main leads and bring them back to their senses.
One star for flawless execution of my favorite kidnapping trope, and another for the plot twist. Considering the strong storyline, this could've easily been a four star read if the characters weren't so despicable.
𝗦𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗵 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗮, she has no backbone, hell, she is worse than a doormat. I'm honestly at a loss for words because, she's even more docile than a slave. She literally got wet after hearing the sexual screams from another room and thinking it was her husband (mmc) with another woman on their wedding night. Like wtf did I just read. How did she get wet imagining her husband with another woman on their own wedding night, that too in a room opposite to hers?? SHE NEEDS THERAPY.
𝗗𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗼 𝗟𝘂𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗶, throughout the book, he addresses the fmc as his whore/slave. I won't mind if he does this during sex— degradation kink and all that. But even outside sex, he addresses her that way and treats her like she's nothing more than an object. And she takes it all without a fight because, the Miss princess can't speak up for her life. He went so far as to put dirt in her glass of water, and she was forced to drink the filthy water since she had been starving for days after being kidnapped. That too she was entitled to the filthy water only if she obeyed him. His words, not mine. I really can't describe how much I wanted to punch the main leads and bring them back to their senses.
One star for flawless execution of my favorite kidnapping trope, and another for the plot twist. Considering the strong storyline, this could've easily been a four star read if the characters weren't so despicable.
December 27, 2021
It's LIVE in all the places!
Here are some links and an excerpt!
AMAZON: https://cdreiss.com/azTMu
APPLE: https://cdreiss.com/appTMu
NOOK: https://cdreiss.com/TMbn
KOBO: https://cdreiss.com/TMko
GOOGLE: https://cdreiss.com/TMgo
Sarah was kidnapped on the way to her wedding.
She's been trapped in a rooftop greenhouse high above Manhattan with nothing to eat or drink for days, because that's the kind of asshole Dario Lucari is.
----
Hovering in half-consciousness, my eyes are closed when the door bangs open again. Dario enters, carrying a tall glass of water. He sets it on a dirty counter in front of me and then leans against the table, crossing one long leg over the other.
I get to my feet and approach the glass, wary but unable to stay away from its promise. I’ve never been this thirsty in my life; my eyeballs burn and my tongue’s cracked into of layers of cardboard.
Dario watches me silently, but then, as I reach out to take the glass, he slaps my hand away. I am already weak and dizzy, and the force of the blow makes me stumble and spin.
“Please!” I cry. I realize I am on my knees. I had intended to be strong, to refuse to let him see me suffer any more, but I am so, so thirsty.
“Take that stupid dress off.”
I shake my head. I’m past caring about modesty. I care about the dress. It’s ruined, but it’s mine. I worked on it for months, my fingers numb from stitching, my eyes and back aching as I worked into the night. It may be the only piece of the home left to me besides my own body and the will to keep it on.
He shrugs and picks up the glass of water.
I remain defiant.
He turns to go.
And when I feel the triangle of glass inside the wrist of my glove, I think, with blinding clarity: I cannot die here.
“Okay,” I say.
He stops, turns around, but does not take another step.
I slip the dress off slowly, regretfully, because as awful as it looks, the fabric is still fine, soft and sweet, a reminder of who I was and what I expected just yesterday. The gloves stay—so does my mother’s garter and the undergarments I’d worn to please Kyle, because Dario just said to take off the dress, and I’m weak but not dead. I’m not offering him anything he doesn't force me to give.
He places the glass back on the table. Then he sweeps a hand through the dust and dirt on its surface and sprinkles them into the water. I watch helplessly as it clouds with gray.
“It’s going to be mud soon,” he says. “If you aren’t naked.”
----
This book took me so long to write. I wanted to get everything about this world absolutely perfect so you'd feel like you were her, seeing everything for the first time.
And Dario...I had to make him just so very bad...and yet...I love a redemption story.
Here are some links and an excerpt!
AMAZON: https://cdreiss.com/azTMu
APPLE: https://cdreiss.com/appTMu
NOOK: https://cdreiss.com/TMbn
KOBO: https://cdreiss.com/TMko
GOOGLE: https://cdreiss.com/TMgo
Sarah was kidnapped on the way to her wedding.
She's been trapped in a rooftop greenhouse high above Manhattan with nothing to eat or drink for days, because that's the kind of asshole Dario Lucari is.
----
Hovering in half-consciousness, my eyes are closed when the door bangs open again. Dario enters, carrying a tall glass of water. He sets it on a dirty counter in front of me and then leans against the table, crossing one long leg over the other.
I get to my feet and approach the glass, wary but unable to stay away from its promise. I’ve never been this thirsty in my life; my eyeballs burn and my tongue’s cracked into of layers of cardboard.
Dario watches me silently, but then, as I reach out to take the glass, he slaps my hand away. I am already weak and dizzy, and the force of the blow makes me stumble and spin.
“Please!” I cry. I realize I am on my knees. I had intended to be strong, to refuse to let him see me suffer any more, but I am so, so thirsty.
“Take that stupid dress off.”
I shake my head. I’m past caring about modesty. I care about the dress. It’s ruined, but it’s mine. I worked on it for months, my fingers numb from stitching, my eyes and back aching as I worked into the night. It may be the only piece of the home left to me besides my own body and the will to keep it on.
He shrugs and picks up the glass of water.
I remain defiant.
He turns to go.
And when I feel the triangle of glass inside the wrist of my glove, I think, with blinding clarity: I cannot die here.
“Okay,” I say.
He stops, turns around, but does not take another step.
I slip the dress off slowly, regretfully, because as awful as it looks, the fabric is still fine, soft and sweet, a reminder of who I was and what I expected just yesterday. The gloves stay—so does my mother’s garter and the undergarments I’d worn to please Kyle, because Dario just said to take off the dress, and I’m weak but not dead. I’m not offering him anything he doesn't force me to give.
He places the glass back on the table. Then he sweeps a hand through the dust and dirt on its surface and sprinkles them into the water. I watch helplessly as it clouds with gray.
“It’s going to be mud soon,” he says. “If you aren’t naked.”
----
This book took me so long to write. I wanted to get everything about this world absolutely perfect so you'd feel like you were her, seeing everything for the first time.
And Dario...I had to make him just so very bad...and yet...I love a redemption story.
April 29, 2022
3.75 Stars
It’s been a while since I’ve read one of Reiss’s books and I’d almost forgotten how it felt reading them. Take Me is a dark mafia romance. When I started reading it for the first half I was wondering if the author really expects us to love the male character! Well, he was a real monster without any remorse, he was harsh, cold, cruel, and ruthless but then I saw the reasons behind his actions and I also saw his other half then I started to like him. He shows us his compassion, his love, his possessiveness, his protectiveness, and then the ending happened!!! And my jaw was on the floor! What the hell just happened!?
The female character was sheltered her whole life, she was isolated but still, she has her own mind, and she is smart despite what she thinks. You can see the strength within her. And she uses it to break Dario’s cruelness but how far she can go before her own life/hope crumple before her eyes…
Told in dual POV, 1st person, it’s the first installment in the "Manhattan Mafia" series and ends on a huge cliffhanger. It’s dark with a revenge plot and fast-paced. Overall, I enjoyed it and hope you like it as well!
It’s been a while since I’ve read one of Reiss’s books and I’d almost forgotten how it felt reading them. Take Me is a dark mafia romance. When I started reading it for the first half I was wondering if the author really expects us to love the male character! Well, he was a real monster without any remorse, he was harsh, cold, cruel, and ruthless but then I saw the reasons behind his actions and I also saw his other half then I started to like him. He shows us his compassion, his love, his possessiveness, his protectiveness, and then the ending happened!!! And my jaw was on the floor! What the hell just happened!?
The female character was sheltered her whole life, she was isolated but still, she has her own mind, and she is smart despite what she thinks. You can see the strength within her. And she uses it to break Dario’s cruelness but how far she can go before her own life/hope crumple before her eyes…
Told in dual POV, 1st person, it’s the first installment in the "Manhattan Mafia" series and ends on a huge cliffhanger. It’s dark with a revenge plot and fast-paced. Overall, I enjoyed it and hope you like it as well!
December 30, 2021
4 For The Crafting Stars
* * * * Spoiler Free-A Quick Review
As a longtime fan and supporter of C.D. Reiss, the crafting of this author is something I love. Over the years, she has never let me down. This particular story is a trilogy, mafia-based with many a twist and turn. All of the usual intricacies we know from her past books and characters are part of this first book. All the characters will be fleshed out and make you interested from the start.
We are given the dominant, mafia premise, intrigue, innocence to be taken, and the challenge of characters starting to feel emotions not expected. All things are done with the "Reiss expertise". There are some specific elements that will need more explaining and it seems those situations will be part of the coming books.
The most important part to share is to remind the readers this is a trilogy, so a cliffy is coming at you and you will need to wait until the next entry. Reading Reiss is always worth it, yet, I would be remiss not to let you know the wait will be until very late next year.
Take Me
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Make Me
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Break Me
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
October 14, 2020
Pssst... Come Closer...
Let Me Whisper In Your Ear...
For Those Who Love C.D. Reiss...
I Have A Few Hints About This Next Venture...
Will It Be Dark...
Oh, Yes, Very Very Super Duper Dark...
Will It Be A Romance...
Well, Of Course...
A Dark Romance With A Mafia Guy...
Yes, I Know...
It Will Have All Kinds Of Goodies Happening...
Maybe A Kidnapping, An Underground Society...
Let's See What Else...
Oh, A Forced Marriage, Betrayal, Passion...
And Oh The Kind Of Chemistry, "Hurts-So-Good-Heat"...
The Type C.D. Reiss Is Known For...
So When This Becomes Available...
Or When There Is More To Learn...
When Asked The Question...
I Will Say, Yes...
Take Me-December 25, 2021
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
* * * * Spoiler Free-A Quick Review
As a longtime fan and supporter of C.D. Reiss, the crafting of this author is something I love. Over the years, she has never let me down. This particular story is a trilogy, mafia-based with many a twist and turn. All of the usual intricacies we know from her past books and characters are part of this first book. All the characters will be fleshed out and make you interested from the start.
We are given the dominant, mafia premise, intrigue, innocence to be taken, and the challenge of characters starting to feel emotions not expected. All things are done with the "Reiss expertise". There are some specific elements that will need more explaining and it seems those situations will be part of the coming books.
The most important part to share is to remind the readers this is a trilogy, so a cliffy is coming at you and you will need to wait until the next entry. Reading Reiss is always worth it, yet, I would be remiss not to let you know the wait will be until very late next year.
Take Mehttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Make Me https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Break Mehttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
October 14, 2020
Pssst... Come Closer...
Let Me Whisper In Your Ear...
For Those Who Love C.D. Reiss...
I Have A Few Hints About This Next Venture...
Will It Be Dark...
Oh, Yes, Very Very Super Duper Dark...
Will It Be A Romance...
Well, Of Course...
A Dark Romance With A Mafia Guy...
Yes, I Know...
It Will Have All Kinds Of Goodies Happening...
Maybe A Kidnapping, An Underground Society...
Let's See What Else...
Oh, A Forced Marriage, Betrayal, Passion...
And Oh The Kind Of Chemistry, "Hurts-So-Good-Heat"...
The Type C.D. Reiss Is Known For...
So When This Becomes Available...
Or When There Is More To Learn...
When Asked The Question...
I Will Say, Yes...
Take Me-December 25, 2021
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
July 23, 2022
Take Me is another OTT drama. Miss Reiss is certainly knows how to use words to create plot and story that gives me anxiety.
Take Me has more steady plot. I can easily follow the it. However since the POV is mainly told from Sarah, the heroine, you can guess it. Drama, drama and drama. Some part of the drama is not necessary.
3 stars
Take Me has more steady plot. I can easily follow the it. However since the POV is mainly told from Sarah, the heroine, you can guess it. Drama, drama and drama. Some part of the drama is not necessary.
3 stars
December 24, 2021
Full of secrets, revenge, and deceits, Take Me, the first part of this trilogy, did not disappoint. It is fast paced, dark and sinister. Dario Lucari is not a nice man and displays his viciousness to his naive and sheltered kidnapped victim, soon to be bride, Sarah. She is a pawn in his revenge plot, without a voice or someone to fight for her. She must be strong in order to survive the brutality of her kidnapper. I will say that Sarah really surprised me and began to find her voice within.
The dynamics of the relationship between Dario and Sarah does much evolving in this book. It starts out gritty, raw and quite cruel. But they begin to open up to one another and the hatred between the two becomes something different. But feelings can get in the way of agendas and plans and muddy up the waters. It creates dire complications for Dario especially.
This book is full of twists and turns. It has a huge cliffhanger that makes you salivate for the next book. But it wasn’t a huge surprise because the author gave us a hint earlier in the book that I remember reading and thought……hmmmm!! Regardless, I’m hooked on Dario and Sarah and can not wait for the next book. So many questions still left unanswered and I’m sure that Nico is in trouble!!
*advanced copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
The dynamics of the relationship between Dario and Sarah does much evolving in this book. It starts out gritty, raw and quite cruel. But they begin to open up to one another and the hatred between the two becomes something different. But feelings can get in the way of agendas and plans and muddy up the waters. It creates dire complications for Dario especially.
This book is full of twists and turns. It has a huge cliffhanger that makes you salivate for the next book. But it wasn’t a huge surprise because the author gave us a hint earlier in the book that I remember reading and thought……hmmmm!! Regardless, I’m hooked on Dario and Sarah and can not wait for the next book. So many questions still left unanswered and I’m sure that Nico is in trouble!!
*advanced copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
June 2, 2022
Spectacular start to this series! It begins with Sarah on her wedding day, she is about to marry a man who was chosen for her to form an alliance but on the way to the church there is chaotic kidnapping and Sarah’s life turns upside down.
Dario is seeking revenge for the wrongs in his life by the Colonia and he begins it by taking the princess of Colonia.
This story is filled with twists and turns, ups and downs, and chaos at every corner. But where is Nico and who is Willa? I can’t wait to find out.
Dario is seeking revenge for the wrongs in his life by the Colonia and he begins it by taking the princess of Colonia.
This story is filled with twists and turns, ups and downs, and chaos at every corner. But where is Nico and who is Willa? I can’t wait to find out.
December 21, 2021
CD's tale of mafia spun with intriguing dexterity and double crossed knots like no other. It keeps you occupied, invested and perpetually perplexed. Utterly addictive and entirely delicious it's One Gulp Devour kinda story.
The story flips over& over multiple times. Foes cross over to friends and friends to foe's territory throughout. The pace is fast & complex, so the readers focus never has a time to slip.
"My whole life has been a lie.
Where do I belong?
Who have I been?
Who am I now?
Do I even exist?
Did I ever?"
The story starts with a literal bang and sets the ball rolling or I should say the cars rolling.
The Colonia Principessa is kidnapped right before her nuptials right from under her father's car.
Dario Lucari is the maverick who has the audacity to commit this brazen act of war.
"We're all descended form the first Colonia.
We are stealthy and smart. Law-abiding citizens, invisible in the system for generations. We’re nothing more than a web of imperceptible connections. "
Battle lines are drawn and the casualty is innocent bystander, Sarah Colonia. She's clueless pawn played by both sides and abandoned by all
"I’m just a nail holding up a bigger plan. "
I had utmost sympathies for this poor girl who exchanges one windowless box with another greenhouse.
Heartfelt story running on adrenaline of volatile emotions, juggernaut it's way across your heart.
4 stars for Goody Two Shoes
Follow me on:
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The story flips over& over multiple times. Foes cross over to friends and friends to foe's territory throughout. The pace is fast & complex, so the readers focus never has a time to slip.
"My whole life has been a lie.
Where do I belong?
Who have I been?
Who am I now?
Do I even exist?
Did I ever?"
The story starts with a literal bang and sets the ball rolling or I should say the cars rolling.
The Colonia Principessa is kidnapped right before her nuptials right from under her father's car.
Dario Lucari is the maverick who has the audacity to commit this brazen act of war.
"We're all descended form the first Colonia.
We are stealthy and smart. Law-abiding citizens, invisible in the system for generations. We’re nothing more than a web of imperceptible connections. "
Battle lines are drawn and the casualty is innocent bystander, Sarah Colonia. She's clueless pawn played by both sides and abandoned by all
"I’m just a nail holding up a bigger plan. "
I had utmost sympathies for this poor girl who exchanges one windowless box with another greenhouse.
Heartfelt story running on adrenaline of volatile emotions, juggernaut it's way across your heart.
4 stars for Goody Two Shoes
Follow me on:
Email🌻 Bookbub 🌻 Twitter🌻 Instagram🌻 Blog🌻 Facebook🌻 Amazon 🌻
January 7, 2023
I've put off writing a review for this, but after hashing out with my thoughts with my hubs, I'm ready.
First off, fuck that cliffhanger. I WANT to know what happens next, but, do I reallllly want to buy the next book knowing I'm likely going to be annoyed? Decisions, decisions.
This was my first time reading this author and I will say that this started off interesting enough and there were moments of brilliance.. so much potential..., BUT, I'm going with 2 stars because:
- The bipolar personality of Dario was wild.... it was drastic without it being believable and so it just didn't make sense
- ZERO chemistry between Sarah and Dario; but then he'll say some highlight-worthy lines to Sarah that made me wish their chemistry was better (this is the potential I was talking about)
- We get the gist of what/why Dario is doing, and it's actually admirable, but there's just not enough details/background. In this case, I think it's important because Sarah's family/situation is unique
I bet that cliffhanger is going to be resolved by clearing up a misunderstanding. It'll be wild if it truly wasn't a misunderstanding and such was the case. I would give major kudos to Reiss if she plays it out that way haha.
First off, fuck that cliffhanger. I WANT to know what happens next, but, do I reallllly want to buy the next book knowing I'm likely going to be annoyed? Decisions, decisions.
This was my first time reading this author and I will say that this started off interesting enough and there were moments of brilliance.. so much potential..., BUT, I'm going with 2 stars because:
- The bipolar personality of Dario was wild.... it was drastic without it being believable and so it just didn't make sense
- ZERO chemistry between Sarah and Dario; but then he'll say some highlight-worthy lines to Sarah that made me wish their chemistry was better (this is the potential I was talking about)
- We get the gist of what/why Dario is doing, and it's actually admirable, but there's just not enough details/background. In this case, I think it's important because Sarah's family/situation is unique
I bet that cliffhanger is going to be resolved by clearing up a misunderstanding. It'll be wild if it truly wasn't a misunderstanding and such was the case. I would give major kudos to Reiss if she plays it out that way haha.
December 28, 2021
That was absolutely magnificent.
I’m not a fan of mafia books. I’m really not. But oh, my god, when CD Reiss writes a mafia book, she smashes it into the stratosphere.
When I started the book and I read that sweet virgin Sarah Colonia is kidnapped on her wedding day by Dario Lucari and kept until the point of starvation in a greenhouse on a roof, I almost, almost decided the story was not for me. Then CD Reiss sucks me in with her words. Her writing is flawless.
Dario really is scary but he’s also noble and kind. He isn’t the man you expect him to be. Take the page, screw it up, throw it away.
“He’s made of fire, a cruel god of destruction, and I am his willing sacrifice, bent backward over a granite altar.”
Sarah is used to living in a gilded cage. Did Dario kidnap her or did he set her free? A cage for a greenhouse?
“I am small and unfinished.”
Mafia books by CD Reiss really are different gravy. So good, I had to read it twice and have spent the day seeking the perfect images on Pinterest. I found my Sarah. Can’t get Thin Lizzy out of my head.
“We fold into each other like a riddle and its answer.”
Magnificent.
I’m not a fan of mafia books. I’m really not. But oh, my god, when CD Reiss writes a mafia book, she smashes it into the stratosphere.
When I started the book and I read that sweet virgin Sarah Colonia is kidnapped on her wedding day by Dario Lucari and kept until the point of starvation in a greenhouse on a roof, I almost, almost decided the story was not for me. Then CD Reiss sucks me in with her words. Her writing is flawless.
Dario really is scary but he’s also noble and kind. He isn’t the man you expect him to be. Take the page, screw it up, throw it away.
“He’s made of fire, a cruel god of destruction, and I am his willing sacrifice, bent backward over a granite altar.”
Sarah is used to living in a gilded cage. Did Dario kidnap her or did he set her free? A cage for a greenhouse?
“I am small and unfinished.”
Mafia books by CD Reiss really are different gravy. So good, I had to read it twice and have spent the day seeking the perfect images on Pinterest. I found my Sarah. Can’t get Thin Lizzy out of my head.
“We fold into each other like a riddle and its answer.”
Magnificent.
July 31, 2025
I read this back in 2022 and gave it 5 stars. I didn’t write a review back then and I also never read the 3rd book, so I started over. I really enjoyed B1 & B2, but B3 was lacking for me. It’s a perfect example of someone not knowing how to quit while they’re ahead. Anyway – the story is a really intense ride.
Sarah Colonia (21, virgin) is on her way to marry the man her father arranged for her to. Her plans for becoming an obedient wife go astray when her limo is hijacked and the chauffeur is replaced by Dario Lucari (27-ish, Leader). Dario has an ax to grind with the religious cult he blames for the death of his mother….. and some other horrible things. Taking the precious daughter of the Colonia King is just one of the many things he has planned to dismantle their organization.
Dario plans to destroy Sarah by first ripping away the veil of denial she wears, but the thing about being in a cult is that you don’t know you’re in a cult. For someone as emersed in the life as Sarah is, the truth can be crippling. All of Dario’s plans start to change the closer he grows to her.
Revelations, arranged marriages, naïve girls, kidnapping, cutting, whore red, rescues, trust issues, undercover brother, and a cliffy that will stab you in the gut!!!!
SEX: I thought it was ok. V is taken at 53% and it’s a little rough. He’s not happy about being attracted to her in the beginning, so he’s cruel about things. After that, it gets better as far as them both wanting to be with the other and it gets pretty passionate. My biggest issue is that at least 99% of the sex scenes fade out before the climax. Or we get “we reached our release and he held me.” Man – screw that. I want details!!! I wish the sex had been better.
SARAH: She’s pretty frustrating at the beginning because she refuses to see the facts. BUT, when you think about it – she’s never had any reason to doubt how she was raised. I wanted to slap her several times, but I also gave her some leniency because of the cult mentality. She’s really slow to catch on to things, but I also liked watching her grow and experience things for the first time.
DARIO: I fucking fell in love with him. Our sweet, sweet man. He was cruel in the beginning, and he had a reason, but then he started falling for her and he loved her so damn much.
TRIGGERS: The biggest trigger happens in Book 2, and it’s so horrifying that it made me cry. You know I read all sorts of deranged fics, and there isn’t much that bothers me. This bothered me. Besides that, there’s the kidnapping, lots of people getting murdered, some torture, rape, and sex trafficking. The main thing is
AUDIO: I only bought the audio for Book 2. It’s narrated by Teddy Hamilton, who can do no wrong in my book, and Erin Mallon, who has a really good voice. If you decide to continue, I’d say go for the audio.
Peter Colonia: Sarah’s father.
Marta: Sarah’s grandmother.
Massimo: Sarah’s brother.
Mary Ballardo-Colonia: Sarah’s mother.
Giovanni Agosti: Leader in Precious Blood.
Sergio Agosti: Sarah’s fiancé.
Nico: Dario’s brother.
Oria: Nico’s girlfriend. Former PB member.
Oliver: Security.
Tamara: Security.
Gennaro: Sarah’s guard.
Vito: Sarah’s guard.
Connor: Security.
Willa: Former PB member.
Dafne: Former PB member.
Santino DiLustro
Violet DiLustro
“You belong with me. No matter where you go, I will come for you. I’ll find you, and I’ll take you back. Once you know how to live in this world without me, you’ll know you belong with me.”
Sarah Colonia (21, virgin) is on her way to marry the man her father arranged for her to. Her plans for becoming an obedient wife go astray when her limo is hijacked and the chauffeur is replaced by Dario Lucari (27-ish, Leader). Dario has an ax to grind with the religious cult he blames for the death of his mother….. and some other horrible things. Taking the precious daughter of the Colonia King is just one of the many things he has planned to dismantle their organization.
He’s made of fire, a cruel god of destruction, and I am his willing sacrifice, bent backward over a granite altar.
Dario plans to destroy Sarah by first ripping away the veil of denial she wears, but the thing about being in a cult is that you don’t know you’re in a cult. For someone as emersed in the life as Sarah is, the truth can be crippling. All of Dario’s plans start to change the closer he grows to her.
Revelations, arranged marriages, naïve girls, kidnapping, cutting, whore red, rescues, trust issues, undercover brother, and a cliffy that will stab you in the gut!!!!
SEX: I thought it was ok. V is taken at 53% and it’s a little rough. He’s not happy about being attracted to her in the beginning, so he’s cruel about things. After that, it gets better as far as them both wanting to be with the other and it gets pretty passionate. My biggest issue is that at least 99% of the sex scenes fade out before the climax. Or we get “we reached our release and he held me.” Man – screw that. I want details!!! I wish the sex had been better.
SARAH: She’s pretty frustrating at the beginning because she refuses to see the facts. BUT, when you think about it – she’s never had any reason to doubt how she was raised. I wanted to slap her several times, but I also gave her some leniency because of the cult mentality. She’s really slow to catch on to things, but I also liked watching her grow and experience things for the first time.
DARIO: I fucking fell in love with him. Our sweet, sweet man. He was cruel in the beginning, and he had a reason, but then he started falling for her and he loved her so damn much.
TRIGGERS: The biggest trigger happens in Book 2, and it’s so horrifying that it made me cry. You know I read all sorts of deranged fics, and there isn’t much that bothers me. This bothered me. Besides that, there’s the kidnapping, lots of people getting murdered, some torture, rape, and sex trafficking. The main thing is
AUDIO: I only bought the audio for Book 2. It’s narrated by Teddy Hamilton, who can do no wrong in my book, and Erin Mallon, who has a really good voice. If you decide to continue, I’d say go for the audio.
Peter Colonia: Sarah’s father.
Marta: Sarah’s grandmother.
Massimo: Sarah’s brother.
Mary Ballardo-Colonia: Sarah’s mother.
Giovanni Agosti: Leader in Precious Blood.
Sergio Agosti: Sarah’s fiancé.
Nico: Dario’s brother.
Oria: Nico’s girlfriend. Former PB member.
Oliver: Security.
Tamara: Security.
Gennaro: Sarah’s guard.
Vito: Sarah’s guard.
Connor: Security.
Willa: Former PB member.
Dafne: Former PB member.
Santino DiLustro
Violet DiLustro
December 27, 2021
Dario Lucari is not a good man . . . which is precisely what makes this a great read.
Dario is a mad, bad, dangerous Capo seeking vengeance on a deadly, ancient branch of the mafia shrouded in mystery - The Colonia.
The instrument of his vengeance is the sheltered, obedient, virginal daughter of the Dom - Sara Colonia.
His plan - the ancient rite of marriage by capture. Think forced marriage on amphetamines and steroids.
What raises this dark mafia tale head and shoulders above the crowd is Reiss' meticulous, subtle world building. She creates a New York City that is totally new, yet utterly familiar, crafting settings and moods that will leave you breathless. The abandoned roof top green house is *chef's kiss*. It feels as if the terror is hiding in plain sight, and villains and monsters we haven't even conceived of are around every corner. The brilliance of making the reader experience this new world - and Dario - through Sara's eyes lends a brutal tension to the plot. The interplay between Dario and Sara that is nothing short of emotional alchemy. Dario is callous and savage, flirting with gratuitous violence, but never stepping over the line to monstrous. Gritty and raw, it grabs you by the lady balls, but there's an undercurrent of tenderness amidst all the steam that sneaks up like a sucker punch!!!
I can't wait to ride out the rest of this redemption arc.
#OneHandedOneClick
#TopReadof2021.
Dario is a mad, bad, dangerous Capo seeking vengeance on a deadly, ancient branch of the mafia shrouded in mystery - The Colonia.
The instrument of his vengeance is the sheltered, obedient, virginal daughter of the Dom - Sara Colonia.
His plan - the ancient rite of marriage by capture. Think forced marriage on amphetamines and steroids.
What raises this dark mafia tale head and shoulders above the crowd is Reiss' meticulous, subtle world building. She creates a New York City that is totally new, yet utterly familiar, crafting settings and moods that will leave you breathless. The abandoned roof top green house is *chef's kiss*. It feels as if the terror is hiding in plain sight, and villains and monsters we haven't even conceived of are around every corner. The brilliance of making the reader experience this new world - and Dario - through Sara's eyes lends a brutal tension to the plot. The interplay between Dario and Sara that is nothing short of emotional alchemy. Dario is callous and savage, flirting with gratuitous violence, but never stepping over the line to monstrous. Gritty and raw, it grabs you by the lady balls, but there's an undercurrent of tenderness amidst all the steam that sneaks up like a sucker punch!!!
I can't wait to ride out the rest of this redemption arc.
#OneHandedOneClick
#TopReadof2021.
December 28, 2021
Dark and depraved. Love it!
A sheltered Mafia princess who knows her place but nothing else is stolen into a world she is not prepared for.
Outsiders are only that but now she'll learn how the world really works.
Hatred lust and revenge are all Dario knows until he cracks her open and sees the world in her eyes.
Dark enough to make cringe. Powerful enough to make you keep reading!
A sheltered Mafia princess who knows her place but nothing else is stolen into a world she is not prepared for.
Outsiders are only that but now she'll learn how the world really works.
Hatred lust and revenge are all Dario knows until he cracks her open and sees the world in her eyes.
Dark enough to make cringe. Powerful enough to make you keep reading!
May 7, 2022
I really tired to love this one but Sarah, our main character just… bugs… annoys me.
I found her rather weak which ruined it for me, I’m sorry but if a man kidnaps and degrades you like that and you get off… especially right away…. Just not my thing. I wanted her to fight him, not be this lust filled teen ready to prance naked at his command.
And I think the problem for me is I generally like slow burns, and stay away from fast insta loves because I don’t believe it. I don’t believe in their love, I don’t even know these characters enough to have any sort of emotion for them yet and here they are banging it out.
So I guess that’s the issue for me, it’s too wham bam at the beginning.
But the writing is amazing, the author has truly done a wonderful job but this book just isn’t for me. And that’s ok we all have different tastes.
I would recommend this to people who like more fast paced lust/love.
Xoxo 💋
I found her rather weak which ruined it for me, I’m sorry but if a man kidnaps and degrades you like that and you get off… especially right away…. Just not my thing. I wanted her to fight him, not be this lust filled teen ready to prance naked at his command.
And I think the problem for me is I generally like slow burns, and stay away from fast insta loves because I don’t believe it. I don’t believe in their love, I don’t even know these characters enough to have any sort of emotion for them yet and here they are banging it out.
So I guess that’s the issue for me, it’s too wham bam at the beginning.
But the writing is amazing, the author has truly done a wonderful job but this book just isn’t for me. And that’s ok we all have different tastes.
I would recommend this to people who like more fast paced lust/love.
Xoxo 💋
January 27, 2022
i love me a good ol mafia book any time but the shift between the ml being cruel and abusive to being crazy stupid throwing up crying sobbing banging head against the wall for the mc was like. a blink. like there was little to absolutely no build up to it and it felt so fake and forced. there was no emotional depth to it at all. like completely different characters. the backstories are also v weak and the mcs flip switching was… weird and felt ooc. i’ve enjoyed reiss’ books before but this was nawt it unfortunately
September 6, 2022
2.5 stars
“The Colonia exists astride the world and outside it. We are born, baptized, and married without public record. We die without word to the world and are buried on private land upstate.
We do not have social security numbers. We cannot make money or pay taxes, as that would expose our existence. Every transaction is locked inside charitable corporations run by our church—Precious Blood.
To the outside, this arrangement is called organized crime. To us, it’s called survival.”
sounds like a cult to me but okay 🤷🏽♀️
“The Colonia exists astride the world and outside it. We are born, baptized, and married without public record. We die without word to the world and are buried on private land upstate.
We do not have social security numbers. We cannot make money or pay taxes, as that would expose our existence. Every transaction is locked inside charitable corporations run by our church—Precious Blood.
To the outside, this arrangement is called organized crime. To us, it’s called survival.”
sounds like a cult to me but okay 🤷🏽♀️
Read
August 13, 2022dnf. Really bad.
February 18, 2023
We just regressed 100 years in women’s rights
Not for me.
Not for me.
December 22, 2021
I absolutely devoured Take Me by C.D. Reiss. I started it in the morning and could not put it down. Sarah and Dario’s story is dark, heartbreaking, and full of twists and turns. Sarah has grown up sheltered and cared for but prepared for nothing. She was the princess in the world of monsters and did not know it. When it mattered, those she loved let her down. Dario is hard, driven, cold and determined. He was a ruthless man with one goal. Nothing and no one has ever touched his heart or wavered in his desire for revenge. Until Sarah. She was supposed to be a means to an end. When did it all change?
These two characters are flawed, broken and a bit lost, but you can see the strength they carry. I loved them both so much, even as I wanted to hate Dario. But Sarah was a gamechanger he did not see coming and now, everything is different. I can tell these two are going to put me through the wringer. It has been a minute since I read this author and now I wonder why. I read this book in one day and loved it. Just loved. And that ending? Talk about wanting to throw my eReader across the room. I cannot wait to get my hand on the next book in the series!
Loved it! Happy reading!
These two characters are flawed, broken and a bit lost, but you can see the strength they carry. I loved them both so much, even as I wanted to hate Dario. But Sarah was a gamechanger he did not see coming and now, everything is different. I can tell these two are going to put me through the wringer. It has been a minute since I read this author and now I wonder why. I read this book in one day and loved it. Just loved. And that ending? Talk about wanting to throw my eReader across the room. I cannot wait to get my hand on the next book in the series!
Loved it! Happy reading!
December 27, 2021
Oh my gosh I freak’n loved this book!! It was sooo good.. so informative… so we’ll written.. so steamy.. had me on the edge wanting to know what happens next.. So many twists & turns I couldn’t get enough.. & oh my gosh that freak’n ending!!! I can’t wait until book 2 comes out!! I need more.. 😭😭
Sarah is kidnapped by Dario on her wedding day & forced to marry her him… he’s out for revenge against her father & everything she grew up to know is wrong..
I really enjoyed this book & loved every bit of it!!💜
“This book was given to me in exchange for my honest review."
Sarah is kidnapped by Dario on her wedding day & forced to marry her him… he’s out for revenge against her father & everything she grew up to know is wrong..
I really enjoyed this book & loved every bit of it!!💜
“This book was given to me in exchange for my honest review."
May 21, 2023
3.5
This was way different than I thought it would be I will definitely be continuing with the series I kind of wish I waited until they were all out so I could read them but this was a nice set up for an interesting concept Albeit kind of weird one
Reread may /23
2 stars
who ever has read this click this spoiler and help me out understanding please...lets discuss
This was way different than I thought it would be I will definitely be continuing with the series I kind of wish I waited until they were all out so I could read them but this was a nice set up for an interesting concept Albeit kind of weird one
Reread may /23
2 stars
who ever has read this click this spoiler and help me out understanding please...lets discuss
December 30, 2021
From the very first page the atmosphere is set so skillfully- Sarah is the princess of the Colonia family and she’s about to fulfill her destiny … getting married as per her father wish. However, Dario comes to get what is his and nothing will get on his way…. Not even her daddy.
This is the book you’ll stay up reading until 3am!
Incredibly well written, devastating in a good way, and intriguing to the last page! The twist and turn and the cliffhanger!!!
This is a tour de force of suspense and storytelling.
This is the book you’ll stay up reading until 3am!
Incredibly well written, devastating in a good way, and intriguing to the last page! The twist and turn and the cliffhanger!!!
This is a tour de force of suspense and storytelling.
December 16, 2021
The queen of cliffy done it again!
I just wanna scream, throw my kindle to the wall, slap Dario some senses and stand beside Sarah for her battle after that ending.
A great start of a trilogy, Take Me bring anti hero you would love to hate. A villain who's not hesitate to hurt, punish and degradate.
A woman who's been living in a tower of abusive and crime so well cloaked, she live her whole live in lies.
I love how the author doesnt hold back with Dario's darkness. Love how Sarah charachter make her journey recognizing the truth in the worst way, its drowning her yet she's fighting for her life in baby steps.
And the end.... Aaargh that ending! Worst cliffy!
I just wanna scream, throw my kindle to the wall, slap Dario some senses and stand beside Sarah for her battle after that ending.
A great start of a trilogy, Take Me bring anti hero you would love to hate. A villain who's not hesitate to hurt, punish and degradate.
A woman who's been living in a tower of abusive and crime so well cloaked, she live her whole live in lies.
I love how the author doesnt hold back with Dario's darkness. Love how Sarah charachter make her journey recognizing the truth in the worst way, its drowning her yet she's fighting for her life in baby steps.
And the end.... Aaargh that ending! Worst cliffy!
March 14, 2022
60% in-Definitely a dark erotic book. I can't call it a romance. Unfortunately, the sex scenes aren't hot and steamy for me because there doesn't appear to be any real chemistry between the two. He is mean and cruel...which is OK. But it seems to create a big barrier to the believability of Sarah's sexual attraction to him. I will keep reading,
After the 60% mark it was somewhat better. Dario had an abrupt turn around in his attitude towards Sarah. So drastic it's a bit overdramatized and unbelievable. Ok. So I hate this book. Period.
Summary:
Sarah is the daughter of a mob boss who runs a cult organization. Women are to be seen, not heard. They are to obey their husbands. You get the point. Never exposed to the real world, Sarah is kidnapped on her wedding day by Dario who has a vendetta against her father and the order. Dario is viciously cruel to Sarah. It made me uncomfortable but I plowed thru. I could never grasp why she was turned on by him...like from the get go this sheltered virgin was wet and throbbing for the guy the day he kidnapped her and threw her in a sparse room with literally a pot to piss in. Dario is presented as the underdog in this mob world but he's coming up and solely driven by his vengeance. Why you ask? Because Sarah's father kicked his family out of their apartment leading to his mother's death of hypothermia...when he was 10. Soooooo.... asshole Dario is using Sarah to piss daddy off but then has a complete change of heart and decides to share his story with her. And now he miraculously respects and values her as a person. It ends with dramatics- a woman walks in claiming to be Darios wife. One of his staff is pushing Sarah out the door to live on the secluded island for cult escapees, and Darios brother is presumably missing.
After the 60% mark it was somewhat better. Dario had an abrupt turn around in his attitude towards Sarah. So drastic it's a bit overdramatized and unbelievable. Ok. So I hate this book. Period.
Summary:
Sarah is the daughter of a mob boss who runs a cult organization. Women are to be seen, not heard. They are to obey their husbands. You get the point. Never exposed to the real world, Sarah is kidnapped on her wedding day by Dario who has a vendetta against her father and the order. Dario is viciously cruel to Sarah. It made me uncomfortable but I plowed thru. I could never grasp why she was turned on by him...like from the get go this sheltered virgin was wet and throbbing for the guy the day he kidnapped her and threw her in a sparse room with literally a pot to piss in. Dario is presented as the underdog in this mob world but he's coming up and solely driven by his vengeance. Why you ask? Because Sarah's father kicked his family out of their apartment leading to his mother's death of hypothermia...when he was 10. Soooooo.... asshole Dario is using Sarah to piss daddy off but then has a complete change of heart and decides to share his story with her. And now he miraculously respects and values her as a person. It ends with dramatics- a woman walks in claiming to be Darios wife. One of his staff is pushing Sarah out the door to live on the secluded island for cult escapees, and Darios brother is presumably missing.
October 4, 2023
I’m convinced most reviewers were high on hard drugs because there’s no way they read this and said “hm, good book”. Like deadass. If time travel was a thing, I would go back to a time where I didn’t know this book existed. Am I entitled to financial compensation for my distress? Because i should be. Electric chair to EVERYONE in this book. I said I wasn’t going to dignify this book with a review, but damn, i really couldn’t help it.
June 8, 2022
not putting myself through this
December 24, 2021
This dark and twisted mafia romance is absolutely spellbinding, keeping me in it's grasp from start to finish. Dario has designed his plan for years, and he will stop at nothing to get his revenge, including using and destroying his target, Peter Colonia's innocent daughter along the way. Sarah has been trained to be a mafia wife, her whole life, never questioning what her role is or how she is treated. She was raised to be proud but is so naive, and knows little about life outside her small circle, designed to control her. She is excited to be on her way to her wedding, when she is suddenly kidnaped by the ruthless, and terrifying, Dario. He manipulates and dominates her, then forces her to marry him just to prove to her father that he is capable of destroying Peter's mafia kingdom piece by piece. The more time that Dario spends with Sarah as his plan is moving forward, the more he learns she is clever, brave, and stronger than he first believed. Sarah sees there is a softness behind the brutal Dario and starts to assert her own needs and desires. Dario tries to fight the feelings that are surfacing, but he and Sarah both find they can't fight their attraction to each other. Soon their connection that they felt from the beginning becomes explosive. But Dario is a man of many secrets, some that could destroy all his carefully constructed plans. When his past resurfaces, and his secrets come to light, it could shatter both their worlds. This fast paced, thrilling story is so seductive and riveting, and had my heart racing! It was so beautifully written with brilliant banter and sexual tension that leaps right off the page. This first book in this mafia romance trilogy is a spectacular start to Dario and Sarah's story, and I absolutely loved it! It has teased and completely seduced me with promises of more heart-pounding revelations, unanswered questions, and steamy passion! With so much on the line, including their hearts, I can't wait to find out what happens next!
December 30, 2021
Sarah Colonia has been sheltered her whole life. She lives in a mafia family, but has not attended “regular” school or has any interactions with everyday people. She is on her way to get married - it is an arranged marriage that will be of great benefit to her father, but she gets taken on her way by Dario Lucari.
Dario is seeking revenge against the Colonia family. Taking Sarah is just part of his plan. He wants her to willing give herself to him, as well as learn about the lies she has been told her whole life. There is also an attraction that grows between the two of them.
I really don’t know how she does it - but this is an intriguing and different type of mafia storyline. Hot alpha man does not begin to describe Dario. The chemistry between Dario and Sarah is electric - she tries to fight it. And that twist at the end!!! I really can’t wait for the next book.
Dario is seeking revenge against the Colonia family. Taking Sarah is just part of his plan. He wants her to willing give herself to him, as well as learn about the lies she has been told her whole life. There is also an attraction that grows between the two of them.
I really don’t know how she does it - but this is an intriguing and different type of mafia storyline. Hot alpha man does not begin to describe Dario. The chemistry between Dario and Sarah is electric - she tries to fight it. And that twist at the end!!! I really can’t wait for the next book.
December 26, 2021
What an incredible story! I am so glad I found a book with an intricate plot that is so different than what I have been coming across lately. Take Me by C.D. Reiss is evolved around a cult and one of it’s naive members who is so devoted to her community that she never questions all the wrongdoings until she is kidnapped by an alluring and equally dangerous stranger on her wedding day. Need I say more? This fantastic storyline is revealed layer by layer and secret by secret through the main characters’ evolving feelings towards each other and the revelations of their pasts, and surprises the reader, me, at every turn. Reiss’s storytelling is immaculate and the intimate moments she has created are soulful and sensual. The cliffhanger is unfortunately brutal but it is definitely worth it.
May 22, 2022
** ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review. ***
It was a whirlwind journey with so many things going on at the same time but also raising so many questions furthermore.
When Sarah and Dario’s story started I was already overwhelmed. Forced marriage, revenge and darkness.
I struggled a lot with this story. Not because of the darkness and twist but regarding the storyline and probably lack of chemistry between the main characters in the beginning.
Some parts of the story would push the readers out of their comfort zone. More than once for sure with some questionable moments for me.
I had mixed feelings about this one.
However I am curious about how Sarah will overcome all of this. I probably will read the next book and I hope we’ll get more insight.
It was a whirlwind journey with so many things going on at the same time but also raising so many questions furthermore.
When Sarah and Dario’s story started I was already overwhelmed. Forced marriage, revenge and darkness.
I struggled a lot with this story. Not because of the darkness and twist but regarding the storyline and probably lack of chemistry between the main characters in the beginning.
Some parts of the story would push the readers out of their comfort zone. More than once for sure with some questionable moments for me.
I had mixed feelings about this one.
However I am curious about how Sarah will overcome all of this. I probably will read the next book and I hope we’ll get more insight.
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