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poupimali's review
emotional
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
4.0
This is clearly a romcom. Yes it takes place in the mafia and yes there is a good plot.
But, overall, it is Frank and Ellie's love story that matters the most.
Ellie is a trained killer, Frank is the Irish Ghost.
They are children sweethearts, above all else.
I liked how strong and resilient Ellie is.
I also liked that Frank is described as a lonely strong broody guy. As the story progresses, all layers around him are peeling off, and we witness the emergence of a sensitive and honest man.
Tropes
- Mafia
- Ex military / trained killer
- Fast pace / slow burn
- Childhood crush
- Boy obsessed
- fan of Telenovela
TW:
Cheating but honestly her husband is an abusing mafia don.
Mention of child abuse
But, overall, it is Frank and Ellie's love story that matters the most.
Ellie is a trained killer, Frank is the Irish Ghost.
They are children sweethearts, above all else.
I liked how strong and resilient Ellie is.
I also liked that Frank is described as a lonely strong broody guy. As the story progresses, all layers around him are peeling off, and we witness the emergence of a sensitive and honest man.
Tropes
- Mafia
- Ex military / trained killer
- Fast pace / slow burn
- Childhood crush
- Boy obsessed
- fan of Telenovela
TW:
Cheating but honestly her husband is an abusing mafia don.
Mention of child abuse
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Moderate: Child abuse
maraarsonjade's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, and Murder
bcope84's review
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
renfyre's review
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Listened to this on audible. It was a sweet story. If you're looking for mafia romance I wouldn't say this is that, despite the characters all being in or connected to the mafia or Irish mob. It was basically just a setting. Didn't really connect with the whole kids and family element but that's me - it was still cute. And the spice was very well done. Didn't feel rushed. I'll say I didn't see the twist coming but overall it was a pretty predictable story. A good pallet cleanser romance in between more intense series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Violence
Minor: Alcoholism
amanda_reads13's review
emotional
mysterious
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Ellie is on the run with her sons and sister, trying to escape her mafioso, abusive husband. She ends up at a house in Maine, whose caretaker is none other than Frank, her childhood best friend.
10 years after the death of his brother, Frank finds himself acting as the ghost behind the Irish mob. Hiding in Maine and working for the FBI, everyone believing he is dead. For 10 years he has believed he has been under cover and helping to track down a serial killer.Turns out that his Bennett has been lying to him the whole time. Bennett was working for the Irish mob the whole time and lying to Frank. So Frank unpended his entire life for a gigantic lie. They just wanted Frank in charge of the Mob.
Ellie's whole childhood was filled with abuse. The one bright spot was Frank, that is until he disappeared. She was then sold off to the Mafia. Her husband was supposed to be her protector, he was also a childhood friend of hers. But his jealousy over her feelings for Frank lead him to treat her with distain and violence.He also turned her into a serial killer, ya, the one Frank is hunting. She was killing all her husbands enemies. When she got the call that she inherited a house, she took the opportunity to escape with her family.
Wow, Ellie is one strong woman. Her childen and sister come before all else, she will literally kill to protect them. She is the definition of a badass, resilient woman. She has spent her entire life building walls to protect herself and I loved seeing her slowly let her guard down and learn to trust.
Their relationship is so sweet. Frank is a giant teddy bear with Ellie and her boys. He showed them how much he loved them every single day, in all his little and big actions. The bikes, the dogs, boxing, cooking together! All he wants to do is keep them safe and ensure they have a good life. He will take out anyone who ever tries to harm them. Also, I love seeing a man willing to openly show his feelings!
I would highly suggest reading this after the Whiskey/Billionaire series as they really are interconnected.
Tropes: second chance, small town, mafia, childhood best friends, forbidden, single mom, forced proximity
10 years after the death of his brother, Frank finds himself acting as the ghost behind the Irish mob. Hiding in Maine and working for the FBI, everyone believing he is dead. For 10 years he has believed he has been under cover and helping to track down a serial killer.
Ellie's whole childhood was filled with abuse. The one bright spot was Frank, that is until he disappeared. She was then sold off to the Mafia. Her husband was supposed to be her protector, he was also a childhood friend of hers. But his jealousy over her feelings for Frank lead him to treat her with distain and violence.
Wow, Ellie is one strong woman. Her childen and sister come before all else, she will literally kill to protect them. She is the definition of a badass, resilient woman. She has spent her entire life building walls to protect herself and I loved seeing her slowly let her guard down and learn to trust.
Their relationship is so sweet. Frank is a giant teddy bear with Ellie and her boys. He showed them how much he loved them every single day, in all his little and big actions. The bikes, the dogs, boxing, cooking together! All he wants to do is keep them safe and ensure they have a good life. He will take out anyone who ever tries to harm them. Also, I love seeing a man willing to openly show his feelings!
I would highly suggest reading this after the Whiskey/Billionaire series as they really are interconnected.
Tropes: second chance, small town, mafia, childhood best friends, forbidden, single mom, forced proximity
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual content, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
bookameme's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Heartbreaking Jaded Characters That Make You Melt
Quote:π
βI love you, Ellie. So fucking much. Donβt be anyone else. Donβt wish you were another woman, because the only woman Iβve ever loved like this is you. Now please, let me show you,β
Thoughts: π‘
I really enjoyed this book. The MCs were world weary, mid-life individuals that had lost everything, including their hope for one another. There was a slow simmer of hate and mistrust for such a large part of the story that I seriously questioned whether the two would work it out and come together, but they did and it was sizzling.
Writing Mechanics: βοΈ
This story is very character driven with their flaws and development a main focus of the book. But, there is definitely a plot and I didnβt fully guess all the twists and moving parts. Itβs written in first person, present tense, dual POV.
Narration & Sound: π
We also get a dual narration with So we also got a dual narration with Joe Arden voices reading the male parts and Maxine Mitchell reading the female ones. For me, this feels like the best way to do it. The audio is clear and the sound volume remains level with a steady pace.
Fun Bits:
βοΈ Joe Arden Talking Dirty
βοΈ Fierce FMC
βοΈ MCs in their late thirties, early forties
βοΈ Cold Hard Revenge
βοΈ Thereβs A Picture In The Book!
Important Note:β¨
Stand alone that features the character Frank McCabe from Whiskey Lies and the Boston Billionaire Series.
Full Content Warning:β οΈ
This book contains content that may be disturbing including domestic abuse, sexual and physical assault, child abuse, and violence.
Stats:π
Spice: 3.5 πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ/ 5
Character Dev: 5 πππππ/5
Audio Quality: π§π§π§π§π§/5
Narrators: ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ/5
Genre: Mafia Romanceπ
Tropes: Second Chance Romance, Mid Life MCs, Small Town, Serial πͺ, Single Parent, Touch Her & β οΈπ
POV: Dual π©ββ€οΈβπ¨
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Gun violence, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Blood
bookish_dustjacket's review against another edition
4.5
This was my first book from Brittanee Nicole, and it definitely won't be my last. I was hooked from the first chapter of this book. I loved her writing style and the way she revealed Frank and Ellie's story over the course of the book worked perfectly. I am really excited to check out more from this author.
I don't read much dark romance, and I know their is definitely darker, but this was a great place for me to start exploring that subgenre more. Frank and Ellie were such interesting characters. I loved the connection they had with each other and I loved how their history was revealed over the course of the book. I loved how Frank loved Ellie and her sons, from the first moment they showed up at his door. I loved how patient he was with her and how he never pushed her to give more than she could. I loved Ellie's strength and how much she loved her sister and kids. I really enjoyed how the kids played a part in the story, and I loved their interactions with Frank. I was rooting for them from the first moment we saw them together.
I listened to the audiobook of this one, and let me tell you, if you like audiobooks, you are missing out by not listening to this one. This was done duet narration style with Joe Arden and Maxine Mitchell as the narrators, and they did such an amazing job. They both brought all the characters to life, I couldn't stop listening. I can see this as easily being one of my favorite audiobooks for the year.
βοΈ Single Mom
βοΈ Childhood Friends to Strangers to Lovers
βοΈ Forced Proximity
βοΈ Irish Mob/Italian Mafia
βοΈ Forbidden Romance Vibes
βοΈ Small Town
βοΈ First Person Dual POV
βοΈ Check TW/CW
*I received an ALC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I don't read much dark romance, and I know their is definitely darker, but this was a great place for me to start exploring that subgenre more. Frank and Ellie were such interesting characters. I loved the connection they had with each other and I loved how their history was revealed over the course of the book. I loved how Frank loved Ellie and her sons, from the first moment they showed up at his door. I loved how patient he was with her and how he never pushed her to give more than she could. I loved Ellie's strength and how much she loved her sister and kids. I really enjoyed how the kids played a part in the story, and I loved their interactions with Frank. I was rooting for them from the first moment we saw them together.
I listened to the audiobook of this one, and let me tell you, if you like audiobooks, you are missing out by not listening to this one. This was done duet narration style with Joe Arden and Maxine Mitchell as the narrators, and they did such an amazing job. They both brought all the characters to life, I couldn't stop listening. I can see this as easily being one of my favorite audiobooks for the year.
βοΈ Single Mom
βοΈ Childhood Friends to Strangers to Lovers
βοΈ Forced Proximity
βοΈ Irish Mob/Italian Mafia
βοΈ Forbidden Romance Vibes
βοΈ Small Town
βοΈ First Person Dual POV
βοΈ Check TW/CW
*I received an ALC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Child abuse
louwho88's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, and Sexual violence
darknesslighttt's review
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
5.0
π πππ ππππππ π
π§πΏπΌπ½π²π: mafia, double agent, childhood friends to lovers, second chance, who hurt you, single mom, forced proximity, he falls first
π§πΏπΆπ΄π΄π²πΏπ: domestic abuse, s*xual assault, physical assault, child abuse, violence
OH MY GOD, THIS BOOK IS SO SO GOOD!!
What really attracted me at first time were the tropes, but when I started reading it... it was the best choice I ever made.
The author combined these tropes very well and write a true masterpiece.
Frank, but the world knows him now, as Irish is hiding away from the world with his nephew, but not for long, because he will have new guests that might chance his way of living.
Elena or Ellie is on the run after taking her children and sister from the house where she was kind of a prisoner. Her life was not easy, but now she has a new home, she can finally relax a little.
I really liked how he immediately tried to have a relationship with Ellie's boys but also with her. He literally would have set the world on fire just so she and the boys would be safe. And Ellie, she is such a strong mother. She fought to put her sons and sister first.
Their relationship is still not really good, because she does not trust Frank, although they have known each other for years, but little by little their relationships change, and feelings start to reappear. They begin to connect so beautifully.
What I liked more was how much Frank fought to win Ellie's sons. He won over little Leo instantly, but Lorenzo was tougher, but over time he also followed Frank everywhere.Our sweet Frank gave them the happiness, peace and childhood they needed and when they finally called him "daddy" it was the most emotional moment in the whole book.
I could talk for hours about this book, but I'll let you discover their whole story.
Thank you BrittanΓ©e Nicole for the opportunity to read this amazing book in exchange for an honest review.
π§πΏπΌπ½π²π: mafia, double agent, childhood friends to lovers, second chance, who hurt you, single mom, forced proximity, he falls first
π§πΏπΆπ΄π΄π²πΏπ: domestic abuse, s*xual assault, physical assault, child abuse, violence
OH MY GOD, THIS BOOK IS SO SO GOOD!!
What really attracted me at first time were the tropes, but when I started reading it... it was the best choice I ever made.
The author combined these tropes very well and write a true masterpiece.
Frank, but the world knows him now, as Irish is hiding away from the world with his nephew, but not for long, because he will have new guests that might chance his way of living.
Elena or Ellie is on the run after taking her children and sister from the house where she was kind of a prisoner. Her life was not easy, but now she has a new home, she can finally relax a little.
I really liked how he immediately tried to have a relationship with Ellie's boys but also with her. He literally would have set the world on fire just so she and the boys would be safe. And Ellie, she is such a strong mother. She fought to put her sons and sister first.
Their relationship is still not really good, because she does not trust Frank, although they have known each other for years, but little by little their relationships change, and feelings start to reappear. They begin to connect so beautifully.
What I liked more was how much Frank fought to win Ellie's sons. He won over little Leo instantly, but Lorenzo was tougher, but over time he also followed Frank everywhere.Our sweet Frank gave them the happiness, peace and childhood they needed and when they finally called him "daddy" it was the most emotional moment in the whole book.
I could talk for hours about this book, but I'll let you discover their whole story.
Thank you BrittanΓ©e Nicole for the opportunity to read this amazing book in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual assault
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