The Dawsons by Lydia and Santina Casablanca

Book Description:
Intense. Alluring. Forbidden!
Witnessing the horrific demise of everyone he knew and loved has made Derrick Dawson strong, but it has also made him cold and broken. Tormented by his past and fears for the future, Derrick drowns himself in alcohol and drugs to dull the pain he can't seem to escape. When Rose, the granddaughter of his sworn enemy, suddenly appears in his life, his world turns upside down. The wall he has built to protect his heart is crumbling. Will Derrick ignore what he feels or will he let the wall fall?
Francesco has felt alone and miserable all his life. The loss of his family and the harshness he receives from his constantly intoxicated older brother has left a void inside him that he thought he would never fill. Until a young princess named Rosa stumbles into him and changes his life forever. There's only one thing that stands in his way--King Antonio has forbidden Rosa to have anything to do with a Dawson.
Is true love worth the risk?

My Thoughts:
I'm not certain what I was expecting from this book, but it literally pulls you in from the start with forbidden love, betrayal, family, and so much more.  The author(s) do a great job of bringing the characters and their world to life and making you want to continue reading.  It is almost a compulsion.  The story itself is well written and original.  I liked that it didn't feel like a canned book that I've read before, but fresh and new. 
There are different families, plots and characters that are woven together and it is intriguing.  I was never bored in this book, and constantly turning pages wondering what would happen next.  I'm not sure who my favorite character through the book was because I really liked almost all of them but I do know Zancho is creepy and evil!  He gave me the creeps big time!
It was a 5/5 for me and I want more!

*I would say this is for more adult readers*

Thank you to the author for the review copy of this book.  I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.