TITLE: Love and Loathing in El Olvido 
SERIES: El Olvido
AUTHOR: Sylvia San Sebastian
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 284 pages
RELEASE DATE: September 14, 2024
BLURB:
Harvey and his mother have spent the past twelve years fleeing from the Lucchesi crime family that massacred their clan. But the same day his mother dies of a heart attack, he receives an anonymous letter. Someone knows who killed his family, and they want him to take revenge. They list three killers, plus Nicolas Lung Lucchesi, the heir to the Lucchesi family. He’s young and short on allies, and he’s Harvey’s ticket in.
With nothing left to lose, Harvey returns to his hometown under a fake identity. When Harvey del Rosario meets Nico Lucchesi, it seems like fate—two lonely men attracted to each other’s orbit. Harvey, the sweet and charming outsider; Nico, cool and mysterious. When Nico offers Harvey a job, Harvey digs his claws in deep. He’ll do anything to remain by Nico’s side. He’ll become his friend, his confidante, his lover—all to destroy the Lucchesi family from the inside.
Wow, I have been striking it rich lately with the fantastic mafia stories. This one is no exception and is also a bit different and unique from the others. Nico is the heir to the Lucchesi mafia throne, but, of course, things aren’t quite that easy. His father is ill, his uncle and his men are circling like a pack of hungry hyenas, he’s gay and has no intention of marrying for his own heir, and his mother’s side of the family (the “Lungs”) seems to have their own agenda and claim on things. Nico was born to unite these two different families, but finds himself in the middle with neither side finding him worthy. So, to say Nico is in a bit of a mess would be putting it lightly. Seemingly having few on his side, he has very few he can rely on.
Then we have Harvey, who has made it his mission to take down the Lucchesi family for killing his own. He is given an anonymous clue about who to go after and that he should befriend Nico in order to accomplish same. He seems to be on track with his Nico relationship scheme but in playing one too many cards, finds himself not nearly as in control of the situation as he thought. Nico’s uncle is ruthless, and while Harvey fully intends on accomplishing his goal and leaving Nico in the end, it’s easy to forget at times, as their chemistry and relationship seem to be mutually genuine.
This story had me on the edge of my seat throughout and I flew right through to the end where things start happening more rapidly to a point where I was left screaming “no! you can’t be over yet! Not now! How could you do that to us?” On the one hand, I was upset the book was over, but on the other, we find out this is a trilogy and the story will continue in the next installment. So, needless to say, I will be looking to jump in it as soon as it’s available. If you love some dark mafia with twists and turns, definitely give this a go. I’ll definitely be keeping this author on my radar in the future.
