Set in the 1920s this historical romance is a step in both era and storyline from most of the other M&B historical romances.

Evelyn is still grieving from losing her parents in a violent massacre but she is determined to achieve her dream of being a singer whilst supporting her grandmother. Lorenzo is the heir to the De Luca family which is involved and linked to the Mafia. Lorenzo wants to do things differently, but his father doesn’t. Lorenzo has made some powerful enemies and now has fallen for someone he wants to protect and care for so can he?

This is a fascinating story which doesn't sugar coat the prejudice and violence of the 1920s. It explores the violence and the mafia in the 1920s, not the usually period favoured in historical romances! The main story is the development of a relationship between Lorenzo and Evelyn and the side storylines certainly add a certain dynamic into the mix.


I received this book via Netgalley and Mills and Boon in exchange for a honest review. I am a #MillsAndBoonInsider #netgalley #gifted

Sent from my iPod

Evelyn Laroque’s performances at Lorenzo De Luca’s Kansas City blues club draw even bigger crowds than his bootleg whiskey. And every time he hears her voice, Lorenzo falls a little harder for the achingly beautiful blues singer. When Evelyn becomes a target for the KKK, Lorenzo faces an impossible choice. Will this son of a gangster turn to the mob if it’s the only way to protect the woman he loves?

I can't seem to download this book to review it.

So therefore cannot give any feedback or recommendations regarding it's story or content as I haven't read it.

I read this ARC for an honest review
All thoughts and opinions are mine

I thoroughly enjoyed this
A romance with a bit of edge

An interesting book, tying together some horrific historical events with exploration of mafia and club life dynamics, with a solid romance at the core. Not my usual historical period, but well written and I enjoyed the heroine and hero's dialogue and chemistry. A great debut.

The author captures this violent period of North American history succinctly. The story has a dramatic and devastating beginning, but it draws the reader into this time of lawlessness.

Evelyn is still grieving from losing her parents in a violent massacre but determined to realise her dream of being a singer whilst helping her grandmother. Lorenzo is the heir to the De Luca family, entrenched in the mob. He wants to do things differently, but his father's influence is great. Lorenzo has powerful enemies and someone he wants to protect, but can he do it his way?

This is an atmospheric story with detailed world-building that doesn't shy away from the prejudice and violence of the 1920s. The romance between Evelyn and Lorenzo is riven with conflicts. They both realise that any relationship would put the other in danger of reprisal, but the attraction is great and the gradual emotional connection even more compelling. The romance is forbidden but inevitable with courageous characters who the reader wants to find happiness.

I received a copy of this book from Mills and Boon via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Based in the inter war period, the book educates on what it was like to be a black singer working in a world where the power was held by whites. Evelyn loses her parents to a mob and then we discover the limitations that were imposed by racism and segregation in the states in the 1920s. The details about club life, where black people lived and felt safe and not safe was fascinating. The romance between Evelyn and Lorenzo and the ties to the mob were less interesting and the romance felt a little stale with the real beauty in the telling of the every day life being led.

What a fantastic book to debut on! Elle did a fantastic job on her first mills and boon historical romance book. The setting felt so real and alive. The characters of Lorenzo and Evelyn felt real and fleshed out. The book was also easy to read and understand. It’s a phenomenal debut. Congratulations Elle!