Sinners Condemned and Sinners Consumed – Somme Sketcher

 

(5/5 Stars - Please. As if she ever wrote a mediocre book)

If you thought Angelo Visconti was THAT man, then you don’t even know how hot and bothered the remaining Visconti brothers can get you. Boy does Somme Sketcher really know how to write ‘gentlemen’.

This is a duo starring Raphael Visconti who owns pretty much every casino in Las Vegas and Penelope (Penny) Price who is essentially a swindler. Whilst Penny makes her appearance back in Devils Dip after some time away, she doesn’t quite understand the who or the what about the next man she goes to swindle. Did I mention she succeeds with that same dangerous gentleman becoming her boss later on in the book? Or the fact that this man has a YACH CASINO? Hmm. Maybe you’ll need to read the books to see how much integrity my book reviews carry. The age-gap trope gets me every, single, time. Got me good this time round to.

Penny is an outspoken, hard-headed, strong female character. She has insecurities alongside some fears like everyone else but doesn’t let it show through her hard exterior. Has anyone read the Twisted Series by Ana Huang? If you have then Penny gives me very Jules Ambrose vibes from Twisted Hate. Love seeing a woman who doesn’t fold for a man. Wish I could be her *slowly leaves the chat*. Whilst Penny doesn’t put on an act, she doesn’t let anything through the quote unquote façade she has going on. Luck. Everything she does it based on luck. She’s lucky for herself but so very unlucky for rich, handsome, Raphael Visconti. Years before when his mother died, he was told by a hand reader that a red-head would be the downfall on his life. Whilst he was prepared for the outcome of giving her a job solely being for the purpose to prove that ridiculous notion wrong…. nothing could have prepared him for proving it right. Or the complications of what came with it.

I think I forgot to mention the clove necklace for luck around her neck was actually given by Raphael's mother. Or not. Can’t remember. I also forgot how Raphael reacted when he found out. Or did he even react at all? I know. I have an idea. Let’s ALL go buy the duo, read it and re-live it together.

Everyone knows Raphael as a *gentleman*. Every girl that interacts with him, every worker that sees him day in and day out uses that same world to describe him. Even Penny’s found family does. Everyone but Penny Price. Out of the three brothers, he is the most level-headed one. The one that thinks before acting. Strategizes before putting anything into action. When it comes to a certain red-head, he forgets all logic.

Whilst at the beginning some bets were placed just for fun, suddenly Penny goes from living at an unhinged apartment, to being on his yacht permanently until the foreseeable future. No one said anything about becoming a girlfriend, Raphael becoming a boyfriend or if it was still a game. But one thing for sure. Penny doesn’t want to leave, Raphael doesn’t want her to go, but an invasion of Penny’s privacy leads to history repeating itself.

This book was a 5/5 – no ifs or buts about it. I absolutely loved the balance of banter with the realness between both characters. How they rediscovered themselves through each other but never want to admit it. The small gestures that made them realize they’d fallen in love. But most of all, I loved that a 20-year-old Penny could make the Mafia in Raphael come out once again.

Rory Carter took the stage when a confused but heartbroken brother-in-law showed up at her doorstep. The bond between them two not only then but also during their casino nights, Christmas dinners and casual catch ups made me year for a relationship like that to. Somme Sketcher really outdid herself with this duo.

It was a slow-burn read show casing my weakness tropes; mafia romance, age-gap, found family.

I cannot wait for Gabe and Wren’s book. It’s on my TBR list. Don’t forget to check out my post on that! The date is undecided but all fingers crossed for it to drop in 2024. Whilst I love new stories, I love seeing the old couples make re-appearances in books. It’s my guilty pleasure. Despite this not being a very dark romance, it was significantly darker than Sinner’s Anonymous so I’m not complaining about anything because I CANNOT fault this book from start to finish. It was just chef’s kiss. I understand why Somme Sketcher is so anxious about releasing the last duo. Expectations are high. Self-doubt kicks in. The feeling is mutual. Regardless, it’s an insta-buy for me.

This lovely author also hosted Sommemas this year via Instagram which consisted of Somme Sketcher and Nikki doing 24 days of give away. Three of which were three chapters of the ‘Sinners Olympics’. I don’t know if it’s a book, a skit or what but I want more so please if Somme reads this, clear this up for the confused giveaway winners we are.

If I had to choose a book, which would it be? Either as long as I get a Visconti. Haven’t even read Gabe’s story yet. Don’t need to – I already know it has my heart. I’d have him to.

What I’m trying to say is, I’m ready to spend Christmas with them. But I can’t so I’m going to read it all over again.

Until next time, continue to read some paper pages whilst I try to get an editorial job to make my PR Literary Agent dreams come true but before you go let me know if you’ve read this do with your thoughts! My favourite bit had to be Raphael's gift to Penny at the very end of the book. What I would do to have a Visconti in my life.

Vivian.

Don’t forget to keep reading, because as long as you do, it’s making a struggling authors day that much better. Reach for the starts of success.