by 
Vincenza Lombardi’s life has been carefully planned out and orchestrated by her wealthy and powerful family. Nothing but the best for their “Baby V”. The best prep schools, the finest finishing schools, and the top girls-only university in the nation.
As the only daughter, she has been protected and shielded by her three older brothers from anything unsavory that could possibly compromise their pride and joy.
Every decision, every move, has been to prepare Baby V for the role she was born for.
But Vincenza, or “V”, has other plans. Home for one last summer before she embarks on her secret life plans, she’s determined to forge her own way, on her own, separate from her impressive but constricting family legacy. As if three older brothers aren’t enough to stand in her way, V also has to deal with Dom DiBenedetto.
The Dibenedetto and Lombardi families had grown their fortunes together, raised their families closely and run one of the most successful importing business in the world. As CEO, Dom is used to running things his way and getting what he wants. As the head of his family, Dom takes his role seriously… ensuring the future and security of his employees and his loved ones. Unbeknownst to her, V plays a critical role in those plans, but will they fit in with the life she see’s for herself?
Book Review
This is the first book by Tara Oakes that I read. I got interested in the book for the first time when I read the blurb which promised me a story with a strong female character who is ready to make her own way amidst all the over protectiveness and dominance of her influential family. The cover intrigued me further, making me pick up this book.
The story starts out in a promising but slow manner. I was eager to see how V would prove that she was no longer a baby but a grown woman ready to make her own identity but I soon got somewhat irritated with her. She is almost too naive to be believable and for someone who has seen her family’s ways since childhood, I expected more maturity from her. She is childish and after sometime I started agreeing with her family that she was not ready to be on her own.
Then Dom who is supposed to be an alpha like character, could not make himself dear to me. I got irritated with his sudden transitions from a dominating character to an over patronizing one. Only in the later part did I feel positively towards him. The other characters are sketched well but I just could not connect with any one of them.
The author’s writing style is all in the present tense and well written. I could see that the author is very talented but still, I didn’t feel engaged in this story. The dialogues in the first part felt somewhat superficial. V and Dom’s banter in the first part fell in this category. Then their sudden change from just friends or brother-sister like relationship to lovers also threw me and made me feel awkward to read their sexting since I hadn’t connected with them yet. There was no build up to their love story since it felt like they were already “there” and even the difficulties/hurdles in their path were glossed over.
The family secret part,despite being obvious, is well played out. The second part of the book is much better than the first part and I am happy to have persevered until the second part. 🙂
All in all, Baby V had great scope but doesn’t pan out to its full potential. Despite this, I would not have missed this book because it sets the base for the next part which promises to show a more serious, conflict filled side to Dom. The book ends such that it intrigues the reader and makes a promise of some big trouble with V and Dom in the next book. I will be checking out the next part. 3 out of 5 to it.
I received an ARC from the author and the tour organizers and I am very thankful to them. The above review is my honest and unbiased opinion and in no way influenced.
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Tara is a thirty something newbie author from Long Island, New York. She’s a voracious reader, a passionate writer and obsessive junk T.V. aficionado. When she’s not doing one of those three things she is attempting to garden, hanging with her hubby or partaking in some retail therapy. She enjoys connecting with her readers and is having a blast entering into this new world of publishing.
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Thanks Maureen..I too felt bad that I could connect to the characters but have my fingers crossed for the next book 🙂
It definitely sounds like a nice read. Sorry you didn't feel the connection with the main characters. I hate when that happens.
You wrote a beautiful review. I love the way you are honest and not too harsh. Good job 😉