Raphael by Eva Winners

Dark and steamy but with unexpected moments of sweetness, Raphael is my new favorite in the Belles and Mobsters series. It’s the story between the head of the Columbian cartel and a reporter that’s gone through far too much in her life. The book starts with Raphael and Sailor meeting again after eight years and him making her an offer she can’t afford to refuse. He wants to keep her safe from a very bad situation and set of people, and she and her son need his protection. In order to protect them, Raphael needs to keep them close, and he’s more than happy to have Sailor back in his life. There is a lot that transpires throughout the book, and we see them go from veritable strangers to so much more in the span of these pages. Much of what happens surrounding and to Raphael and Sailor is very dark, and there are potential triggers.

Raphael and Sailor’s relationship is everything I had hoped for before starting this book. Their characters complement each other perfectly, and the moments we see them together are largely the sweeter moments. He’s as fierce as they come, but with her he’s different. And Sailor is so unbelievably strong and brave, and I absolutely adore her character. Add in the spice between these two, and we’ve got this relationship that’s crazy hot and works well in the storyline. The drama and emotions are high but in just the right way, and it all makes this story incredibly addictive.

Also, the storyline and characters are so strong and appealing, and I think it’s because there’s good and bad with them. Raphael’s become my favorite after reading his story, but all the heroes in this series possess a measure of both good and evil which makes them compelling. There’s something that rings true when a character isn’t just a “good guy,” and instead we get this mix of personality and actions. The duality in these characters is something I love in this author’s characters, and Raphael doesn’t disappoint.

This is another must read in this series that’s filled with all the spice and angst you could ask for, and I highly recommend it. Sasha’s book is up next, and I cannot wait to read it.