Savage Lover by Sophie Lark

 When we first meet Nero it is pretty clear everyone wants to be him or be with him, and he can’t stand anyone.  Girls throw themselves at him and he uses them unapologetically.  Even so, he’s so alluring that they can’t help themselves.

Camille knows Nero from high school.  No one wants to be her.  She’s poor and filthy most of the time, working as a mechanic in her father’s garage.  She has some of the snarkiest put downs, though, and hides her vulnerability behind a rough exterior.

So Nero is a member of the Italian mafia and has robbed banks, armored cars, and has no compunction about a little crime to move things toward a goal.  Camille gets involved with some criminal activity. She does it to take care of her sick dad and younger half brother.  She gets involved with Nero, too, and they steam up some car windows together.

This book is intense and dark without being gruesome.  It is a dark atmosphere from the broken souls of Nero and Camille.  There is some heart pounding suspense, too, and I really enjoyed reading it.  It wasn’t much mafia related content like warehouses, wet work, rival mobs, etc. but you won’t be disappointed.