The Sweetest Oblivion (2024)

"As much as I loved the freedoms such a liberal world provided for others, my heart bled for the Cosa Nostra, for everything romantic, and for the structured walls of tradition." ― Elena Abelli, Chapter Forty-Four

The Sweetest Oblivion is a mafia romance book written by Danielle Lori. The book was first published on June 20, 2018. It is a standalone book in the Made Series, followed by The Maddest Obsession. It is a dual point-of-view book, following both Elena and Nicolas in the New York underworld when Elena's younger sister, Adriana, is arranged to marry Nico to seal an arms deal between the Abelli and Russo families.

Book Description[]

"She’s a romantic at heart, living in the most unromantic of worlds . . .

Nicknamed Sweet Abelli for her docile nature, Elena smiles on cue and has a charming response for everything. She’s the favored daughter, the perfect mafia principessa . . . or was.

Now, all she can see in the mirror’s reflection is blood staining her hands like crimson paint.

They say first impressions are everything . . .

In the murky waters of New York’s underworld, Elena’s sister is arranged to marry Nicolas Russo. A Made Man, a boss, a cheat—even measured against mafia standards. His reputation stretches far and wide and is darker than his black suits and ties. After his and Elena’s first encounter ends with an accidental glare on her part, she realizes he’s just as rude as he is handsome.

She doesn’t like the man or anything he stands for, though that doesn’t stop her heart from pattering like rain against glass when he’s near, nor the shiver that ghosts down her spine at the sound of his voice.

And he’s always near. Telling her what to do. Making her feel hotter than any future brother-in-law should. Elena may be the Sweet Abelli on the outside, but she’s beginning to learn she has a taste for the darkness, for rough hands, cigarettes, and whiskey-colored eyes. Having already escaped one scandal, however, she can hardly afford to be swept up in another.

Besides, even if he were hers, everyone knows you don’t fall in love with a Made Man . . . right?"

Dedication[]

"For AJ

My only inspiration for falling in love."[1]

Summary[]

TBD

Book Playlist[]

• World Gone Mad by Bastille
• Rocket Man by Elton John
• Human by Aquilo
• Waterfalls by Eurielle
• Her Life by Two Feet
• Like I’m Gonna Lose You by Jasmine Thompson
• Madness by Ruelle
• Fireworks by First Aid Kit
• Seven Nation Army by The White Stripes
• Dirty Diana by Shaman’s Harvest
• Holocene by Bon Iver
• Hurt For Me by SYML
• Soldier by Fleurie

Memorable quotes[]

"Because you'll fall in love with her. And she won't love you back."

"Why are you afraid of me? I'm not going to hurt you. That much I can promise you, Elena."

"He was comfort, security, and need, all in one. It had a name. Home."

"I was sure it was unrequited. But as my fingers ran down his tie and rested on his chest - Bu-bum. Bu-bum. Bu-bum. His heartbeat raced for me."

"And then he promised to love, honor, cherish and protect me, forsaking all others and holding onto only me. Nico slipped his mamma's on my finger, echoing the judge's words. He loved his mamma. My heartbeats latched onto the thought flipping, turning, and burning it into my skin. I kissed him on the lips. Soft and sweet and heartbreaking. And then I was Mrs. Nicolas Russo."

"'You make me f*cking crazy.' Don’t blame me for your psychosis.' 'You are my psychosis.'"

"You are so f*cking beautiful.. you know how much you mean to me, don't you?"

"I felt f*cking crazy wondering where you were. You don't know. I can't stay away from you for more than a f*cking day and you can run off without a second thought. You. Don't. Know."

"I called him Ace whenever I was drunk, Nicolas when I was mad, and Nico all the times in between,"

Characters[]

• Elena Russo ― The protagonist, a romantic, sweet, and empathetic 21 year old woman from New York. She is the eldest daughter of crime boss, Salvatore Abelli. Elena lives in Long Island, New York with both her immediate and extended family. She attended and graduated from an all-girls Catholic school and went to a local^[1] dance studio. She is nicknamed "Sweet Abelli" by many due to her pleasing and amiable personality but also due to how "sweet^[2]" her body is.
• Nicolas Russo ― TBD
• Gianna Russo ― TBD
• Adriana Abelli ― TBD
• Tony Abelli ― TBD
• Salvatore Abelli ― TBD
• Celia Abelli ― TBD
• Luca Russo ― TBD
• Matteo Russo (Lucky) ― TBD

Trivia[]

• Elena's favorite color is pink, and as a result her and Nico's wedding was pink-themed.
  • Elena wore a pink heels, and Nico wore a pink tie. The bridesmaids wore pink dresses.