Book Review: Sempre by J.M. Darhower

 

Sempre (Forever Series #1) by J.M. Darhower

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4.5 Forever Stars

First Love. Family Secrets. The Power of Hate verses Forgiveness.

Sound like your kinda story, yet?

Now add...

Italian Mafia. Slave Trade. Danger. Sacrifice.

Sempre has everything needed to be gritty, intense read.

Haven and Carmine are two teenagers from opposite ends of the dangerous mafia world.

Carmine, born into a wealthy Mafia family, lived a life of privilege and excess.

While...

Haven, a second-generation slave, was isolated in the middle of the desert, her days full of hard work and terrifying abuse.

Carmine's father, Vincent, buys Haven. And it's like lighting strikes for the two teens.

"Colpo di fulmine. The thunderbolt, as Italians call it. When love strikes someone like lightning, so powerful and intense it can’t be denied. It’s beautiful and messy,cracking a chest open and spilling their soul out for the world to see. It turns a person inside out, and there’s no going back from it. Once the thunderbolt hits, your life is irrevocably changed.”

Carmine hates the world. Always acting out, fighting, and drinking, it's all his rich father can do to keep him out of serious trouble. But when Haven enters his home and life (and Colpo di fulmine strikes), he begins to change.

Haven has only known the life of masters and torture. Carmine begins helping her adapt, heal, learn, and grow. As there worlds collide trouble begins to brew, and while both teens yearn for freedom:

nothing comes without a price—especially not freedom.

And each of them would risk everything to help the one person they feel connected too.




J. M. Darhower has pieced together a powerful, emotional story. Sempre is more than a so called "forbidden love," but gives a true definition to the meaning of sacrifice and loyalties.

Written in third person, Darhower lets the reader to become attached to more than Carmine and Haven's characters. And to get a full-scope of the mafia lifestyle from different prospectives. And allows for moments of redemption from different characters, because you begin to understand their motives and reasons.

The plot builds with a steady pace that introduces you to the characters, their lifestyle and issues. But then when you think you understand everything, the plot takes unpredictable turns. Be prepared for gritty, emotional, thrilling, nail bitting, swoon worthy moments. The last half of this book will keep you on the edge of your seats.

The characters, the plot, the emotion. Pick this book up and experience Carmine & Haven's world -- this story of family, hope, and redemption will stay with you long after you've finished.

(Publication Date: November 25, 2013 )

Copy provided by Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books via NetGalley for a honest review.

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