The Sweetest Oblivion: Volume 1 (Made)

Actual rating: 4.5 stars rounded up Holy flaming shirtballs. Can we talk about the sexual tension in this book? Because it was a living breathing thing that had me by the neck and wow, I don't think I've ever read sexual tension built up so good before (seriously)! I want more. I've never heard of this author before but I really enjoyed her writing! It reeled me in very quickly and kept me hooked until the very end. The ending was a little anticlimactic but not overly drawn out and angsty and I always appreciate it when those are kept to a minimum. It's a character-driven story and there's barely a plot but the story is well-paced and I never felt bored! A lot of that definitely has to do with the exquisite chemistry that exists between the H/H and I enjoyed learning about them, watching them learn about each other, and I was also intrigued by many of the side characters. I'm still new to mafia romances so I'm not sure how formulaic or even unique this was but I enjoyed it a lot more than I expected! There were definitely moments that had me cringing, particularly relating to how women are treated, but I guess this 'archaic' mentality is something I should expect if I continue to read this sub-genre (and I think I definitely will)! Nicolas is probably one of the sexiest alpha heroes that I've come across. The dude can get it and everyone knows it and ain't nobody mad about it. 🥵 He's so good at being the cold unfeeling don but if you get him around Elena, it's a delight to watch the stone-faced mob boss' closely-held control crumble. He's not a cinnamon roll but he can be tender and vulnerable while still being commanding and dominant and oof, it is a sight! Elena was an interesting heroine but I feel like she could've been given a bit more agency. There are plenty of times where she almost breaks free from the mould that she so desperately wants to shed but never 100% reaches that point, which was a bit disappointing. There were definitely parts of myself I saw in her, which made it easy to connect to her character, but I just wanted a bit more power from her by the end. Elena struggles to shed the image of the perfectly docile and fragile young woman around most people but she has no reservations about standing up to Nicolas and acting more like herself—and in all honesty, it's what makes their fiery chemistry so sweet, which leads me back to the sexual tension again because it really did the thing. The chemistry between Nicolas and Elena was more than enough to set my Kindle aflame and the deeper they got into thoughts of each other, the more they fought their feelings trying to convince themselves it was "platonic", the more they stumbled towards each other only to pull back again, the more explosive their connection became. It was palpable and I found my own heart kicking into overdrive every time they'd find themselves in the same space. It's definitely a bit of a slow burn but the build-up is 1000% worth the wait because once they get together things get really steamy, really quickly and *fans self*. Seriously, chefs freaking kiss forever!

4.5 stars "Nico didn’t treat me like glass. He shattered the reflection of an empty life staring back at me. He taught me how to soar.” This was my first book by Danielle Lori and I absolutely adored it. I ordered this book on a whim, intrigued by the beautiful cover and I am so glad I took a chance. In the Sweetest Oblivion, you'll get a sweet yet sassy heroine in Elena Abelli and a ruthless yet passionate mafia don in Nico Russo. My favorite part of the book was the slowburn romance- it was executed so well. The tension between Elena and Nico is immaculate. They both know they shouldn't be attracted to each other and yet even as they try to deny it, it's impossible- just as it's impossible not to root for them. I loved how they both had their own assumptions of each other and how this gradually changed as they got to know each other. Danielle Lori has put her own little twist on the arranged marriage trope, which I don't want to spoil but I loved that the book gave me some surprises. I personally found that this book stood out within the mafia genre. The writing was so beautiful and just a side note- I adored the little illustrations and quotes at the start of each chapter. The only reason I haven't given 5 stars is because I found the ending a little rushed BUT this still remains one of my most loved books. I would absolutely recommend this book (and the rest of the series!) for likable characters, immaculate tension and beautiful writing. If I were to describe the book in a sentence: the most wonderful slowburn romance I've ever read.

Sometimes I am suddenly in the mood for some perfectly dramatic escapism and my go-to for that is usually the darker side of romance but I have to say there is something about mafia romances that always hits the spot for me. On a bit of a whim, I picked a book at random without really reading too much into it and managed to get pretty lucky because this book had everything I was looking for. This book is forbidden romance and enemies-to-lovers mixed into one, when I read the blurb I wasn’t sure if or how that mix would work, but it does and it was exactly the dramatic tension that I was needing. I think what I really enjoyed was that I was constantly kept guessing, little things here and there that came up in the story definitely kept me on my toes so I was never sure exactly where the story would go next. The chemistry was intense, I felt like the sparks were flying anytime Nico and Elena were near each other and I liked that he was the only person that she didn’t have to live up to this preconceived notion with and that that is what he found attractive in her. I maybe would have liked to hear more from his perspective because it was hard not to find him fascinating but also it kind of adds to his mysteriousness which I won’t complain about. Surprisingly, because a lot of the time there isn’t much space for anyone interesting except the main characters in this type of book, I really enjoyed the glimpses we got of Elena’s family, her sister and Nonna especially. They were very individual characters and often added a bit of unexpected humour which helped to break up the intensity a little. I think it’s safe to say that I am already looking forward to reading the next books in this series.

It was an okay read. I think my disappointment comes from all the hype, it just didn't really live up sadly. There was very little romance. It was mostly just... lust, lust, lust, lust, lust. Until 80 - 90% of the book. I love lust! But it was just too much. The FMC was one of those ones who could be mad, but would forget because of lust. It was a bit annoying. I saw his obsession only as lust until near the end. There was a lack of much feeling and romance. But it wasn't an awful read. It was decent and I think it's worth reading if you're wanting to read the whole series. I've heard the next books are better.

Very enjoyable, great humour and lots of great characters … love the grandmother and her interaction with the prudish mother!

Do you want a someone who’s dominant, would burn a building down for you, kill the guy you’re engaged to, smoke too much because he can’t get you off his mind; destroy the house when you go missing and steal money from him?… then Nico Russo is the man for you. From start to finish he’s infatuated with Elena, and she with him, even when he was first engaged to her sister. The tension, desire and lust radiated from both of them but was also paired with a lot of miscommunication. It added to the overall tension, however, at times I was wishing they could have just talked to one another. Elena, in the beginning was portrayed as something that could be easily broken, but that wasn’t her. She was forced to be ‘The Sweet Abelli’ with fake smiles and faker politeness. People see her as dense and ‘easy’ but there is more depth to her as she has interests of her own. Elena watches the news every morning because she loves to know what’s going on in the world and she feels immense guild for her past mistakes, to the point where she will do what it takes to try to make it right (well, the best she can anyway)… even if it means stealing from her husband. In my opinion, Elena’s character had the biggest development as she went from thinking she couldn’t have a loving relationship to being so in love that it was painful to be apart from him. Nicolas on the other hand, is so psychotic it’s entrancing to watch. He couldn’t think straight or operate without her consuming him. The guy was shipped from the start but he just didn’t know it yet. When he learned that she had stolen from him. His first thought wasn’t about the money but rather the fact that her felt betrayed and hurt that she might’ve left him to be with someone else. Nico hasn’t realised how under his skin Elena was until she was gone. He was so twisted up that he destroyed his own home. At times, I felt like the book could have been better and some topics could have been tackled a bit differently. Seen as I did read The Maddest Obsession before I read The Sweetest Oblivion, I found that I loved the second book more than the first but overall I enjoyed this read and fell in love with the characters just as much.

When the most dangerous man in the room looks at you like you're already his... 👀🔥 The Sweetest Oblivion by Danielle Lori is a standalone dark mafia romance, the first in the Made series, that dives into power, loyalty, and forbidden attraction in New York’s criminal underworld. 📖 Plot Summary Elena Abelli nicknamed "Sweet Abelli" is the polished, docile daughter of a powerful New York mafia family. Once favored, she now feels stained by guilt and lives a life tightly controlled by family duty. Her sister is arranged to marry Nicolas Russo a feared made man from a rival mob family whose first impression is chilling, but irresistible. Despite every warning, Elena feels magnetically drawn to him. Nicolas, initially cold, begins to unravel and becomes obsessed, pulling Elena into a forbidden, dangerous romance that defies family loyalties. Torn between tradition, power, and a spark that ignites her darkest desires, Elena must decide: follow her heart or fall deeper into the underworld of blood and betrayal. 🧍 Character Breakdown Elena “Sweet Abelli” - Mafia princess, outwardly gentle but internally conflicted. Struggles with guilt and the roles forced upon her, yet discovers hidden strength and longing . Nicolas “Nico” Russo - A ruthless Made Man, rumored boss of the New York mob. Dark, controlling, yet deeply drawn to Elena. His hardened exterior hides vulnerability and obsession . Elena’s Sister - The intended bride in the arranged marriage. Her engagement to Nico sets the central conflict in motion. Supporting Cast - Includes mafia families, loyal associates, and power-driven figures. They amplify Elena and Nico’s internal and external conflicts. 🌑 Key Themes Forbidden Love & Sacrifice - Elena and Nico’s relationship blooms amid strict mafia codes. Their romance demands sacrifices breaking traditions, risking loyalties for the chance at real connection. Power, Control & Identity - Nico’s dominance typifies mob authority, but Elena discovers her own strength. As they collide, the power struggle becomes a path to self-discovery. Loyalty vs. Betrayal - Arranged marriages and family deals underscore loyalty yet Elena and Nico’s bond is viewed as a betrayal. The novel explores the razor-thin line between devotion and deceit. Tradition vs. Change - Elena is pinned by age-old expectations but feels a pull to redefine her destiny. Her emerging rebellion highlights the tension between heritage and selfhood. Emotional Transformation - Both Elena and Nico experience profound emotional shifts. Elena sheds her docile facade; Nico reveals humanity beneath the menace. Their evolving intimacy exposes the heart’s capacity to change even in darkness. In Summary: The Sweetest Oblivion is a dark, addictive mafia romance about a pampered “princess” and a dangerous made man, pushing past family expectations into a world where power, desire, and identity collide. It asks: can love survive the shadows? 💬 Quotes He was the darkest shade of wrong. But he made me feel right. I didn’t know if I wanted to punch him or kiss him. He looked at me like I was both his salvation and his ruin. You belong to me, Elena. Even if I never have you, you’re still mine. He was a monster. But he was my monster. I wasn’t his to touch. But God, I wanted to be. He tasted like danger. And I was starved. I was tired of being sweet. Sweet didn’t get you anywhere in this life. In a world of smoke and blood, love was the most dangerous game of all. Rating ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

I have read this book multiple times and still enjoy it. The story deals with a variety of issues and relationships, including family expectations. Elena, carries the weight of a choice she made and has fallen into doing what is expected. She is a complex character forced in some ways forced to be anything but while holding insecurities. When she meets Nico she starts to step out from expectations and try out the way she would like to be and find who that is. Nico is an interesting character, part of a family known for being cheats. He has an arrangement in place to marry Elena's sister, having been told Elena is unfit for marriage but some things are never simple. I enjoyed watching him grapple with his reaction to Elena. Their interactions make me smile, which I think is one of the reasons that I will happily reread it. Even as I'm writing this I'm thinking about going back to some of my favourite scenes because I enjoy the writing. I like the family dynamics that feature and wonder what will happen to some of the other characters. Gianna is a main character in the next book, which is well worth a read. She also makes a brief appearance in the 3rd book, which I read before I read the 2nd. This was my first book by the author and I have now read all of her work and recommend them. I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for others.

Got me out of my severe reading slump, such a good read. Definitely my fave mafia read of this year

Most existing, heart fluttering book i ever read. This is my first time reading this genre. Highly recommend for beginners on this genre.

I really really liked this book and it's very well-written! I loved their story. It has been an amazing discovery

I am in LOVE with this book ❤️ Like seriously I have read it more than 10 times and I love how the author has SUCH a good selection of words , I cant express my happiness that I chose to read this book . she NEVER disappoints. I LOVE NICO AND ELENA, their character development how they are different but also alike in their own private way ✨️🎀

Not my favourite book out of the series but still really good. I love the writing style of the author and the character were pretty good but nothing compared to the other ones in the series in my opinion. Overall a pretty good read but I recommend reading the whole series.