Contarini: Book 2 of the Crown Trilogy
by Avery Lepp
Ali, a frightened woman in hiding, feels like she’s losing herself. Her entire world was turned upside down after her father revealed his shady underworld connected past, and died. Lorenzo (Enzo) Sovrano, her boyfriend from a rival mafia connected family, told her she was only safe with him; both of her mother’s and father’s family’s would kill her if they found out about her.
Ali was unable to deal with her boyfriend’s connections, and her family’s past; so she ran. While in hiding she comes to the realization that she has no true name, no real past, nothing that was ever really hers. Moving weekly to stay ahead of Enzo, her path takes her all over Europe.
Eventually Lorenzo finds her, and puts her away somewhere safe. Being locked up and watched like a hawk, with nothing to do; and only her thoughts for company, sends Ali into a deep depressive state. With the help of a therapist Ali begins to function again, barely. After a particularly difficult session, miscommunications arose, and Enzo sent Ali away… for her health.
After breaking both her legs, Ali is totally dependent on Enzo for the most basic of tasks, and Ali's life changes anew. Will she have the strength to withstand her new situation? Or will the depression overcome her again?
Just as things begin to go well, Ali's life takes another turn when she is kidnapped, and she is once more struggling against the darkness that still threatens to consume her. Will Enzo find her before something else happens? Or will he be too late?
The depictions of depression, and the reality of romantic miscommunication are extremely well written. The reader definitely feels Ali’s internal struggles. I loved this book and can’t wait to read the next one.
Disclaimer: this is an editorial review
Trigger warning:
Depictions of violence, rape, depression very realisticly written.
Avery Lepp bio:
I grew up in the South of England but moved to Yorkshire for University and lived there ever since with my partner and cats. I love to explore the Moors with a notebook in my pocket when I'm not teaching at an SEN school. I love animals, travelling and of course, creating books for others enjoyment.
Links –
​
Twitter - https://twitter.com/fae_avery
Author page – amazon -
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Avery-Lepp/e/B08R2Q6S3V?ref_=dbs_p_ebk_r00_abau_000000
​