Reviewed by True

TITLE: Virtuous

SERIES: Giovanni #3

AUTHOR: Laura Lascarso

PUBLISHER: Self-Published

LENGTH: 202 pages

RELEASE DATE: November 7, 2022

BLURB:

The heart is not commanded.

Giovanni is not sleeping, and he refuses to eat, as if trying to follow his beloved Master to the grave. Silvio is similarly lost as to how to care for his broken-hearted boy, and always there is the haunting sense that his brother is watching, reminding him in subtle ways that he is not adequately providing for his precious schiavo.

But Silvio is determined to be strong. To be the Dominant Giovanni needs and the man he desires in this season of grieving. Together they will forge a new path with virtues unique to their budding dynamic. But even with the discipline, rules, and structure Silvio provides, there is something more Giovanni craves…

Pain.

When Giovanni goes to dangerous lengths to reach his Master, all of Silvio’s hard work threatens to unravel. Silvio must figure out a way to soothe his boy, or else Giovanni will succeed in his risky endeavor and be lost to him forever.

VIRTUOUS, the third installment of the GIOVANNI trilogy, is an introspective MM romance about grief and healing. Trigger warnings for addiction, self-harm, and mentions of past sexual trauma. This book is meant for entertainment purposes only, not as a guide to safe, sane, and consensual BDSM practices.

REVIEW:

“You are failing him” My heart cracked.

Giovanni is lost in grief, he doesn’t eat, lost too much weight, and Silvio desperately wants to take the reins, but can’t seem to find a way in.
Silvio is not Valentin, who was strict to the extreme and knew exactly what Giovanni craved, needed.
Silvio tries tentatively to find connection. He wants it in his way, he’s not Master as his brother was, he’s Sir.

Master is gone but oh so present.

Silvio could get simply jealous because Valentin is always on Giovanni’s mind, but he doesn’t. Giovanni’s welfare is what is important, only Giovanni!
Where Silvio easily could act like Valentin, he stays true to himself and tries hard to be what Giovanni needs but in his own way. That’s just simpler said than done, it’s immensely complicated.

The grief and loss are huge and palpable, when you’re home and lose the ruler of your life, it’s devastating, that’s how it felt.
When you own a precious vulnerable creature like Giovanni, it’s a huge responsibility.
You could say Giovanni is a hand full, two hands, a lifetime long.

“ I want to earn my right to dominate you, not simply inherit it.”

The question is will Giovanni give his heart as he gave his body.

Grief comes in any form, at the most unexpected moments, that was super emotional. I cried and cried, at those special moments you’re own grief is presenting.

What a journey! The story was close to my heart, it was precious, the whole series was. Silvio and Giovanni took my breath away, the dedication was out of this world, so much unconditional love. Valentin deserved to be present, it was everything!
The writing was melodic music to my ears, sometimes it felt even sacred, so intimate, I have no words to describe it, please understand it is special, bittersweet but so special.

Yes, I’m content. Not happy, I never wanted this series to end, them to leave, and that’s grief too.

ALL the stars and more!

RATING:

BUY LINKS:

Amazon