#Reviews~~ ????? ?? ??????? by Jessica Ruben

Break on Through is a stand-alone in the Sex.Rock.Mafia series. Set in the Mafia world. The men are manly, dominating, strong and in very much “in charge.” The story is a roller coaster of emotions and intensity. Jessica Ruben’s writing will have you picturing the rich cultures and traditions laced throughout the book. Honor, loyalty and family will all be tested.

Leo has been betrayed in the worse kind of way. He finds himself thousands of miles away from Albania with no home, no fiancée and no business. He does however have luck. And luck leads him to connect with other Albanians who introduce him to Nico and Darius – heads of the Shqiptare (Albanian) Mafia. He seeks revenge and they want to help their “brother” in getting it.

I work and live and demand respect because if I don’t demand it, I will never get it.

Talia is focused and goal oriented. She has worked too hard to give up her dream of playing cello for the New York Philharmonic. Classes at NYU and lessons have not only left her short on cash but short on time as she must focus all of her mind, body and soul on her music. She may seem stuck-up but she is strong minded and determined to get what she has worked her whole life for. Accepting money for marriage was not an easy choice. Finding out her husband was Leo did not go over well.

It starts out with many misconceptions and misunderstandings. There is a push and pull between Leo and Talia. They both have tempers. But, slowly Leo and Talia develop a friendship and then more. Each one having to give and take in ways they are not accustomed to. 

Talia is sincere and she has some tough choices to make. Leo is fighting against his natural propensity to keep women emotionally at bay. He is focused on his revenge. They fall into a beautiful and natural rhythm that leads them to love. Their chemistry is off-the-charts. Leo is so intense, confident and smoking hot! Talia too is confident and strong willed. 

Somehow, even with our forced marriage and her big mouth, her tough nature and sharp wit, and despite the fact that she is literally nothing like what I thought I liked in a woman, she makes me happy.

Jessica Ruben writes such beautiful stories! They will have your heart thumping all over the place and Break On Through is no exception! It is packed with emotion, anxiety and sexual tension. 

Jessica Ruben wow’d me with her debut Rising (Vincent & Eve). She followed it up with Reckoning and Redemption. The Vincent & Eve trilogy set the bar high. I have been excited watching the Mafia series come to life.

There are cameos from Light My Fire, and Love Her Madly. Although the series is interconnected I never felt like I was missing anything. I really loved it. And Vincent & Eve fans lookout for a few “mentions” and a run-in with a shady character. Ironically there is a “V&E” sneak peek at the end and he is in the scene – yikes!