Select delivery location
See All Buying Options
Amazon book clubs early access
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Amazon book clubs early access

Join or create book clubs

Choose books together

Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Explore Amazon Book Clubs
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Charmaine Pauls
+ Follow
More books from this author
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Love Like Poison (Corsican Crime Lord) Paperback – September 5, 2023

by Charmaine Pauls (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 697 ratings
See all formats and editions

Every year on my birthday, my tormentor returns to claim one of my firsts.

A DARK MAFIA / ARRANGED MARRIAGE ROMANCE

On my sixteenth birthday, a stranger from Corsica shows up at my party. Angelo Russo looks like an angel, but more the kind who decapitates dragons than the kind with soft white wings. He's dark like the ocean and breathless like water. He says he wants all my firsts as if he already owns them, but my father orders me to stay away from this man.

No matter how hard I try, I can't escape him. No one can keep me safe. Every year on my birthday, he brings me a gift, each one having a detrimental effect on my life with unimaginable consequences. With every gift he offers, he claims another one of my firsts. Before I know it, he's taken control of my existence, turning me into a nervous wreck, because when I turn eighteen, I know what first he'll come for next.

Note: Love Like Poison is the first book in the Corsican Crime Lord series and ends on a cliffhanger. Sabella and Angelo's story continues in Hate Like Honey, Book Two.

Read more Read less
  Report an issue with this product or seller
Previous page
  1. Book 1 of 4
    Corsican Crime Lord
  2. Print length
    312 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Charmaine Pauls
  5. Publication date
    September 5, 2023
  6. Dimensions
    5 x 0.78 x 8 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    2491833247
  8. ISBN-13
    978-2491833244
  9. See all details
Next page
The Amazon Book Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Gorgeously written and brimming with scorching-hot chemistry, this dark, angst-filled romance kept me riveted from the first page to the last!" - Anna Zaires, New York Times bestselling author

"Charmaine Pauls has another amazing dark romance coming soon that I promise will twist you up in knots once again. Stock up on those tissues!" - Buffyanna, Goodreads

"Hold on tight for the ride of your life!" - Jo, Goodreads

"It's been a minute since I have read a book from Charmaine, but this is beyond what I was expecting." - Keza Campbell, Goodreads

"Wow! What a great beginning to this new series! And holy heck, what a cliffhanger!!!" - Carvanz, Goodreads

"I'm obsessed." - The BookPlatypus, Goodreads

"Even though this is only the first book in the series, their story is already shaping to be heartbreaking, intense, sexy, and emotional. It had all the characteristics that I loved most about this author's writing—angst, betrayal, revenge, and obsession." - Kiss Me Books, Goodreads

"Sensational, gripping and heart stopping." - Kelly Reads Books, Goodreads

"This book gave me all the feels!!!!!" - Esther Theodat, Goodreads

About the Author

Charmaine loves to write dark and edgy romance that will melt both your e-reader and your heart. She's a mom of two teenagers, an adorable dog, and a dominant cat. Her country of birth is South Africa where many of her stories play off. Her French husband kidnapped her to the south of France where she currently lives with her family. When she's not writing, you'll find her in the kitchen baking cakes or in the gym lifting weights (because ... all those cakes!).Join Charmaine's mailing list: https: //charmainepauls.com/subscribe/Read more about Charmaine's novels on: https: //charmainepauls.com

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Charmaine Pauls (September 5, 2023)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 312 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 2491833247
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-2491833244
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 9.9 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5 x 0.78 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 697 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Charmaine Pauls

Charmaine Pauls

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Join Charmaine's newsletter at https://charmainepauls.com/subscribe to be informed of new book releases.

Charmaine Pauls was born in Bloemfontein, South Africa. She obtained a degree in Communication at the University of Potchefstroom and followed a diverse career path in journalism, public relations, advertising, communication, and brand marketing. Her writing has always been an integral part of her professions.

When she moved to Chile with her French husband, she started writing full-time. She has been publishing novels and short stories since 2011.

Charmaine currently lives in Montpellier, France with her family. Their household is a lively mix of Afrikaans, English, French, and Spanish.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
697 global ratings
Jaw-dropping Bewildering Story
4 Stars
Jaw-dropping Bewildering Story
I hadn't read anything by Charmaine Pauls before. I am so jaw-dropping bewildered by the character development and world building that I felt like I was really their during the whole story, and I was invested in it. I found that Charmain has a mystical imagination that creates characters that can be deep and dark in ways that are staggering. The journey that Sabella is going on with Angelo is astounding and has had me on the edge of my set throughout this whole book. With more than a lot of times, that I'm not sure that I like Angelo. I feel conflicted.I could not get enough of their story. I about died with the cliffhanger ending. All I could thing was Angelo don't blame blame or take out your anger on Sabella for something that wasn't her fault. I need to go and read any books/series that Charmaine has written because of how amazing this was.
Hide
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry, there was an error
Sorry we couldn't load the review

Top reviews from the United States

Kelly
5.0 out of 5 stars Sensational, gripping and heart stopping ❤️
Reviewed in the United States on September 5, 2023
Verified Purchase
Sensational, gripping and heart stopping ❤️
Poor Sabella is caught in the vicious crosshairs of a madman. She has been promised to him in marriage, although they have never met, until he arrives at her 16th birthday and both of their lives are forever changed.
Angelo will not allow Sabella’s father to renege on his promise and he sets up a very elaborate plan to make what he is owed come true.
Charmaine Pauls consistently gives us characters to either love or despise, the reader either cheers them on or envisions their downfall, but the reader always feel’s something and everything.
That cliffhanger was completely unexpected and shocking and left me feeling bereft and sad 😞
I can’t wait for Hate like Honey ❤️
4 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
voracious RReader
4.0 out of 5 stars absolutely spellbinding and a must read
Reviewed in the United States on March 9, 2024
Verified Purchase
I was having trouble staying interested at the beginning of the story because it was slowly getting interesting because it focused on Sabella and Angelo daily and it didn’t jump weeks and months until about two thirds through the story. When it did start to move faster in the dialogue it got so good I couldn’t put it down. The sex was outstanding and good but there was dubious consent for sure. This story is not for a feminist but for people who like angst in a romance novel. The Mafia part was not overly present in this book only alluded to and no Mafia violence but I think that is about to change in Book Two. I’m headed there now.
Helpful
 Report
alex
5.0 out of 5 stars Plot
Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2024
Verified Purchase
I wouldn't consider this spicy in regards to smut, but it has a good plot, and I appreciate that.

I would recommend.
Helpful
 Report
Tatiana Fernando
5.0 out of 5 stars Wow amazing❤️‍🔥
Reviewed in the United States on September 14, 2023
Verified Purchase
What can result from an unfulfilled promise...? That they are forced to fulfill it, even if it means manipulating and using who they promised you. Angelo is a born manipulator, who sees Bella's innocence, as a sweet t0ol to use in his game of revenge against her father, for not recognizing and not wanting to fulfill his promise of marriage between the two young people. Angelo belongs to a family born into power and money from poverty and rejection, his thirst for power and recognition is almost as strong as his thirst to protect, care for, and control those he considers his own. Sabella is a teenager protected from the world, living in her innocence and her dreams, but who sees in Angelo a sinful angel with notes of romanticism and possessiveness, which attract her so much. She made him promise her all her first times, and he kept them. Some with tears of joy, others with tears of knowing she was deceived and hurt, but the most important one delivered in lies, how to love someone you hate, how to desire someone who h$rts you, how to long for someone you don't know? And for Angelo what will happen now that the pain is so great, that all that moves you is reveng3 and to spill the blood of the one who harmed you? Will it be enough for him to do what he promised?

It is a story full of emotions. You can't miss it. I can't wait for book 2.
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Brittany Schmidt
5.0 out of 5 stars Love like poison
Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2024
Verified Purchase
The book is great i can't get past wanting more and needing to find out what happens next and who ever is after them i feel sorry for you!
Helpful
 Report
Crystal S.
4.0 out of 5 stars Favorite new Charmaine Pauls couple!
Reviewed in the United States on September 8, 2023
Verified Purchase
Angelo and Sabella are gearing up to be my favorite Charmaine Pauls couple. This was book 1 in a 4 book series, and seemed a bit of a slow burn, but when you consider that this was only a quarter of their story, it went at a good pace. I loved his possessiveness, and for once, I really loved her naivety.

There were a few small things that I wished would have happened, like someone telling Sabella about the arrangement (there just didn't seem to be a good reason for keeping it from her), but I really enjoyed the book even with my wished changes. The cliffhanger isn't a relationship cliffie, more of one for the bigger storyline, but even that is more about what will come next, as I'm pretty sure that everyone is aware of the who and why behind it. That being said, I cannot wait to jump into the next installment when it comes out next month.
3 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Kindle Customer
3.0 out of 5 stars Good read
Reviewed in the United States on November 14, 2023
Verified Purchase
Not sure how I feel about Angelo. He seemed mature beyond his years, at first Then it seemed that he regressed.
His total obsession for a very young girl was a bit of a turn off.
The "rape" was not sexy at all. It was definitely non consensual.
His virginal admission was also odd for a twenty two year old.
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Birdie
5.0 out of 5 stars Angelo want me. All of me. Help!!!!
Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2024
Verified Purchase
Sabella is not 18 yet, so she is not considered an adult. At birthdays 16, Angelo brings me a present. My father tells me is a bad man, stay away from him. There is something going on but my parents will not tell me. The author has a unique style of writing, she is awesome!!!! I loved the book!!! So I have to start the next one. Cliffhanger are something else.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

v
5.0 out of 5 stars Only because this author changed my mind
Reviewed in Canada on February 6, 2024
Verified Purchase
Book #1. Hooked me good. Started off Angelo was ok, Bella nieve but both young. Four books seemed a bit much but author held my interest. Her father killed MMC's mom and sister which was supposed to be Angelo and his father.
Report
Farah Karim
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 6, 2023
Verified Purchase
This is the start to Charmaine Paul’s new series about Sabella and Angelo. A great start of which promises to be an amazing story. Ended on one hell of a cliffhanger.
Report
JANICE GUTHRIE
5.0 out of 5 stars Love This Book! ❤️❤️❤️
Reviewed in Canada on September 9, 2023
Verified Purchase
This was an amazing story, but it does end with a cliffhanger (& what a cliffhanger it is!). Angelo & Sabella’s story is is an evolving one, one that she is not fully aware of! I cannot wait to read ‘Hate Like Honey’ & find out her reaction to Angelo’s (& her family’s) deception. Without giving away spoilers, I will only say that my anticipation regarding the mystery within Angelo’s family & how it will relate to Sabella, is palpable! I enjoyed reading ‘Love Like Poison’ & observing the ever evolving & dynamic ‘love’ story between Angelo & Sabella. ‘Hate & Honey’ cannot arrive quick enough for me!
Report
KATHY ROUSSEAU
5.0 out of 5 stars More than a 5 star read
Reviewed in Canada on January 6, 2024
Verified Purchase
If you like mafia books you will love this series. This is one of the best that I have ever read and I read every day.
Report
phyl
5.0 out of 5 stars love like poison
Reviewed in Canada on November 12, 2023
Verified Purchase
Omg. What a story. Angelo is determined to honour the contract between families. There are a lot of characters in this game of revenge and intrigue. Who will survive?
Report