Let me tell you how Capone had me in a chokehold. Like, seriously, every time he stepped on the scene I heard the Destiny’s Child Soldier beat drop in my head. I ain’t never been one for the thugged out, mafia type, gutta dude — but Capone? Sign a sista up!
All three books center around Capone Delgato, Erin Cooper, and their cosmic connection.
Erin is your typical chill round the way girl who was dealt a brutal hand and has always been about holding her own. Since age 17 she’s been raising her younger brother Jayden after the death of their parents, and she stays on him hard because she’s watched the hood destroy Black boys & men and just wants better for him. She can’t stand the crew he runs with, especially his boy Timmy, who she clocked as nothing but trouble from jump.
When Erin and Timmy get into a heated argument outside a corner store, her first love Naheem appears out of nowhere and steps in. She hadn’t seen or heard from him in years and had feelings about that, since he promised to always look out for her. Finding out he’s now married? Even more complicated. Capone watches the whole interaction unfold and becomes infatuated with Erin on the spot — specifically because she went toe to toe with Timmy and did not give a single damn.
When she and Capone finally cross paths, she is mesmerized. Not just by him, but by the fear his mere presence puts in other men. Capone is mean, controlling, possessive, dangerous, and intense — but when it comes to Erin, he will stop at nothing to have her, do anything for her and protect her at all costs. The fact that Naheem turns out to be married to Capone’s baby sister Capri? Yeah. The Delgato family is bout that life and run the streets. Apparently, Capone’s twin Cappadonna, who’s currently serving time, is worse than he is.
What unfolds across these three books is gritty, brutal, raw, and wildly entertaining. Each book is better than the last and I have zero regrets. And the way the women in the Delgato family can hold their own? Top tier! Listening to the audiobooks literally felt like I was watching a movie.
Now hear me out. I understand that none of those descriptors about Capone should be attractive. I know this. And yet here we are. I promise I’m not crazy — maybe just a little bit. Me and Erin probably both need therapy. I don’t know. But like Capri says, maybe I like dudes that crash out over me.
Singin: “A rude boy that’s good to me with street credibility. If his status ain’t hood, I ain’t checkin’ for him. Better be street if he lookin’ at me.”
My only complaint is that I am not an Audible girlie and haven’t been for YEARS. Like why pay for audiobooks when library cards exist and you can get them for free? The Delgato series doesn’t stop with Capone. Cappadona and Capri’s books are Audible only *punches the air*. So, if you want all the tea, you know what you need to do. At this point, I might have to cave.
TW: trauma, PTSD, violence, abuse
Rating: “I need a soldier that ain’t scared to stand up for me. Known to carry big things, if you know what I mean.” — Destiny’s Child
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Dear Black Grl 