The novel features a "darkly possessive" hero who is determined to make Hero his own, which may be a polarizing trope for some readers.
Unbeknownst to Arturo, Hero is the very same woman with whom he shared a passionate, life-altering one-night stand shortly before the auction. Hero is living under a false name, desperately trying to escape a tragic past that has left her terrified of intimacy. As their relationship deepens, they must navigate:
The story follows (also referred to as Arturo Donati), an arrogant and drop-dead gorgeous Italian billionaire. Arturo’s plans to convert a building into a luxury hotel are thwarted when a mysterious woman, Hero Donati , outbids him for the final apartment.
Arturo is still haunted by the unsolved murder of his teenage sweetheart, Flavia, from twenty years prior.
Flavia’s killer is still at large and has now set their sights on Hero. Reader Reception & Themes
Reviewers frequently highlight the "red hot" chemistry and steamy scenes as major draws for the book. However, it is also noted for its more serious undertones: