Everything’s coming to a head—and not everybody’s walking away.
Kyla thought being with Romare would finally give her peace. But when she finds out Bronco Bell—cold, calculated, and feared—is possibly her father, her world flips. Now she’s questioning her bloodline, her worth, and whether she still belongs to the Croix family at all. How do you move forward when the truth feels like a trap?
Noa’s secrets are closing in fast. She’s been living two lives, and now it’s catching up—with the law knocking, and a newborn daughter to protect. Rook is doing what he does handling business, pulling strings. But even with all his moves, they might be backed too far into a corner. Noa has to figure out if the man she loves can really hold her down—or if this time, love just isn’t enough to save them.
Poet and Mocha are stuck in a loop of love and hurt. The feelings never left. Neither did the pain. Mocha’s trying to forget. Poet’s trying to forgive. But their silence speaks louder than words. The connection is still there—real, raw, and aching. They just have to is it worth bleeding for one more time, or are they both too broken to fix?
And while all that unfolds, the Croix family is under attack from every side. Enemies they can see, and some they never saw coming. People who’ve waited in the cut are finally making their move. The family’s been through war before, but this time, it’s different. It’s personal.
Lines will be crossed. Love will be tested. Blood might get spilled.
If you’re into African American romance, hood love that hits deep, and stories where loyalty can kill or save you, this one’s for you. It’s the final chapter in a legacy built on pain, power, and survival.
The Croix name ain’t just a title—it’s a target. And not everybody’s making it out.
S.L. Partee, you did a great job with this series. I enjoyed every single character and their relationships. The third book in the series was perfectly wrapped up. I actually didn't want it to end. I'm definitely going to dive into your other books.
I really enjoyed this series but wish we could've gotten more from Ruger and Kyla. It would have been nice to see more about their journey to becoming new parents, including childbirth and the initial newborn stage. Kinda seems like we skipped through most her pregnancy and all of a sudden RJ was born and a few weeks old. Also, it was mentioned that Kyla had a big plan to announce to Proust and Prentice that she was carrying their first grandson, but we never got to see it :(
I hated how Pistol and Fear's storyline ended especially upon finding out about his traumatic childhood and how Pistol was the first time he experienced true love. They both truly deserved each other so I thought it was unfair they didn't get their HEA, but Tem and Worthy did.
All in all, I liked this series and most of the characters. I'm also happy the author didn't drag this series out for more than 3 books because with all of the various storylines, this could've easily been a 5-book series. 3.5 stars.
I really wanted Fear and Pistol to get their happily ever after especially since Worthy and Tems got theirs, it just didn't seem fair it was giving double standards. Because he actually didn't do anything and Tems did but I guess. I want to know who Montana is I've read majority of your books and I don't remember reading about him 🤔. I have to agree with a few others there was too many point of views and I do love when you focus on the most two couples in a book but what I don't agree with is it taking anything away from it being five stars. It was well written, had more than enough drama, sexy, and wrapped everything up. WOULD DEFINITELY LIKE A SERIES ON THE BELLS I WOULD JUST GIVE EACH BROTHER A BOOK THOUGH. And please tell me who Montana is!
So whiskey can be with Tem with no repercussions even though she actively helped with getting Envi kidnapped, but Pistol couldn’t be with Fear who plotted yet did nothing wrong but love her. The way y’all authors love men who mistreat and treat women as less than is astounding me. I think it’s time to switch genres.
The double standard is real!! I don’t like how Pistol and Fear didn’t get their happy ending but they were the only ones that had chemistry from the beginning to the end of their relationship. Meanwhile we got Worthy (who was worthless to this book) and Tem 🙄 getting their happy ending! Boooo!
I've read all this Author books and she's always deliver. This is the first book I didn't like the ending to because there were still multiple unanswered questions but what I can't or won't do. Is give her a bad review because of something I personally feel because the storyline and character development was on point. Bronco showing up at Mira house. Unleashed a lot of skeletons her trifling ass was hiding. It also gave Kayla clarity and understanding on why Mira treated her like s**t her whole life and showed favoritism between her and Khaleesi. Finding out her whole life was a lie, Bronco was her father but he didn't know about her. Had me feeling sorry for Kyla because she already been through so much being raised by Mira. I was glad she gained a father and three brother's. Khaleesi was still the same jealous, cum guzzling, scandalous piss poor of an excuse of a mother. I laughed everytime Ruger checked her. Ruger didn't play when it came to Kyla. If he saw a unshed tear in her eye. He'd be ready to lay anybody down but he should've listened to her when she spoke her feelings about his ex Bronte popping back up. Bronte didn't just come back to town to open a boutique. She had a hidden agenda. She thought she was going to get Ruger back. Her desperation and thirstiness was disgusting. I giggled hard as hell when Kayla knocked tf out of her. Rook was ready to crash all the way out once he found out Noa parents and estranged husband had set her up to go to jail and their daughter was taken. He knew the situation was delicate and he could handle it like him and his family normally handle their problems. Then here comes Rook ex Eden toxic and dizzy ass popping up pregnant. Eden thought that the although Rook was done with her. The baby was going to connect her and Rook for life but God ain't gonna bless no mess. Especially when Eden drugged him and got pregnant on purpose. Leigh was clingy and weird asf. I knew something was off with her when she was having a conversation with Mocha and Poet daughter. Poet happened to find out Leigh was off her rocker and that Mocha and their child was in danger with Leigh escaping a mental institution. Ines was sneaky and I'm surprised Whiskey didn't peep that. It was something about her I didn't like. I was so damn glad that Whiskey finally told her he didn't want to rekindle anything they had because she did him dirty when she divorced him and took their daughter's. You can see the discord between Ines and both daughters. Since being back with their father. Them girls seem like they can barely stand their mother. I believe the conversation with Whiskey and Kore as well as Tem being on his mind also played a huge part in his decision to not get back involved with Ines. Finding Tem at his door pregnant and passed out. Whiskey knew then he had to tell his family the truth about Tem still being alive. Ines was in her feelings about Tem. It was funny but what was funny when Ines was passed out high and drunk with a creepy ass dude around her daughter's. When that baby call and told Tem what was happening. My heart dropped but the way Tem went and saved those babies. Had the Croix family giving her grace. Stellan really thought he was going to pit Princeton, Ruger, Rook, Poet against Bronco, Bridge, Briggs, and Blaise. What Stellan didn't know was Princeton and his son's as well as Bronco and his son's find out he was trying to make them start a war with each other until his plans backfired. Fear might've had ill intentions when he first pursued Pistol but I had a feeling his feelings for Pistol wasn't going to allow him to harm her or her family. However Pistol had to know that sooner or later. The truth about Fear was going to come out. She was wrong for bringing him around her family after finding out he was Stellan nephew and he was helping Stellan to plot. When Blaise kept staring at Fear. I already knew he knew who Fear was. The s**t hit the fan when the truth was revealed but the disappointment from Pistol father, brother's, grandfather, and auntie's had her breaking down and ready to go against her family to keep Fear safe. Fear wasn't going to go through with his plan anyway I realized that awhile again. His love for Pistol wouldn't allow him to let her turn her back on her family. I just wondered where he disappeared to.
Author S.L Partee is an amazing storyteller. I would put her up there with Elle Kayson and Jahquel J. Their writing really paints a picture or movie in your head as you read. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this series. This third book though, crazy! I couldn't help but take notes throughout the reading, because Eden, Bronte, Leigh and Selina were true nutcases! Like Eden, was just a little stupid, really and childish. Almost like she never grew outta the childish toxic ways. Bronte was legit delusional!!!!! I truly hated her and her smart-ass mouth that backfired every single time. Truly happy Ruger stood on business with her. She was trying to take it there no matter the situation and her daddy was no better. He was just annoying. LEIGH NEEDED TO REMAIN HEAVILY SEDATED AT ALL TIMES. lmao she was a psycho. Selina was just plain stupid and was, im sure, violating her contract working under Ruger, because why are you telling folks business like that?? Ho, is you coo??? I am happy things worked out with Tem, Whiskey and the family. Everyone was forgiving everyone. But Ines???? The audacity she had. Lmao good riddance. Good read though. I'll be looking more into her catalog.
I feel so bad for fear and pistol because they really did create a bind with each other and I knew once he started being around her constantly that he wasn't even thinking about stellan and his plans. I'm glad tem was able to get away from them and gain the family's forgiveness because she was kind of forced into a situation that she knew was wrong but she always tried to be the helper. I'm glad poet and mocha let their feelings about the past go and stayed together it was good to see but can we get a story about Kayla's brothers we didn't get to see much about them I would love to
I absolutely loved this series , I enjoyed watching eveybodies lives play out the drama with old women , the stalking , hidden pregnancies. There was so much going on in this series it kept me wanting to see what happened next , a arranged marriage turned into this , just enough spice scenes not to much but I love the angst that we get .. I do feel like pistol and fear deserve a book & I definitely wanted to see more of whiskey and tem. I did feel like it was kinda rushed at the end , could’ve been alittle longer .
Side note Kayla was blowing mine smoking . Everytime I was irritated reading it .😂
Eden part could’ve been done better but overall loved it.
Wow! I enjoyed all three books from beginning to end. These people went through it, with every couple having a different story but all ending with love. I’m glad everyone ended up with who they were suppose to end up with. Of course I wish Pistol could have found love like everyone else….with Fear or whomever else. Romare and Kyla love is the kind of love I dream of…..Real! They were my favorite couple and the love the Croix family had for each other, was REAL. Loved it!!
The finale was definitely unexpected but I'm glad there isn't a part 4. I felt the author rushed the ending. We didn't even get to experience Kyla and Romare birth RJ and she was pregnant to whole time. I didn't like how Tem got her happy ending but Pistol didn't. I'm happy Mo, Poet, Noa, and Rook got their ish together. I wasn't expecting Eden and Bronte to end that way. Some things could've been left out so the focus could be on the main characters.
Forgiveness is forbyou, not the other person! A person's mistake shouldn't define who they are! I'm happy that the Croix men were able to be with the ones they truly loved! Those who deserved to be a distant memory were just that!
The family dynamics were so different,but despite all of the differences, the Croix love, respect, and loyalty surpassed all.
This series seemed to have drama for the sake of having it. The plots were underdeveloped (some unnecessary) and inconsistent. Tem can help kidnap a kid, but get her happily ever after? That’s inconsistent with the family’s mafia creed of “family first and always.” The conclusions (well, the parts that WERE conclude), were rushed and underdeveloped. Definitely won’t be reading this author’s work again.
This series was well written from the beginning…To Kyla being rescued…To the marriage arrangement…To Mo playing in Poet’s face knowing that he was Envi’s father all along…To Quest (Noa) not being truthful with Rook…To Tem and Whiskey…This book was awesome with all the twist and turns…Hopefully I didn’t give to much away 😂
This was a great finale. There were so many moving pieces to this story, I definitely read all 3 back to back again to fully grasp its content. I love how everyone’s love story came together. I really wished Pistol could’ve kept her fairytale tho. Loved the book!
Why you couldn’t just keep writing lol i looooved this series it was so good I laughed I cried, I was cussing folks out in the book alla that lol. I really want a book on Pistol Joy and Posh though seeing their love journey. I really want it to have Pistol and Fear meet back up…..
I absolutely love this series. Even though at one point, I was mad with each character, they still managed to endear themselves to me. However, it did seem like there are a couple of loose ends which leads me to believe that there’s more to come. Kudos on a well written book!
This was a first read from this author & I must say this is a very Good series. Stayed up 2 nights in a row to finish lol. I just really wished Pistol and Feat had a happy ending as well as Fear and Ariel reconnecting….i was rooting for them! Maybe in another upcoming series?
Ten stars across the board just one thing I have to say why everyone got their happy ending but pistol she deserved it and fear let her go even though he loved her great series but I knew it would be thanks again for giving us another banger
This was a good way to end this series. I just feel bad that the one female character didn’t get her happy ending like everybody else’s. All the Croix men was funny and fine, yes lawd! Was a good series for me, from laughing to all the jaw dropping plot twists..
I really enjoyed this series. Want to know if Pistol gone find love. I think her n Kyla brother would be a perfect couple. Really wish this series didn’t have to end. I’m sooo sad 😔
I would love to see a sequel for Pistol and Whiskey’s girlfriend. I am happy the family finally accepted her. She was a good person but she let guilt lead her the wrong way.
This was a good series. I'm glad things turned out the wat they did for everyone, well except Pistol, I really wanted her to find someone or everyone come to terms about Fear and how they felt about each other.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This was a great 3 book series! I was able to really got into the characters. Each couple's story was well developed , interesting and unique. I will definitely read other books and series of books this exciting author! 💂👍
This book should’ve been about lying and manipulation from the women. It was a good series. The women was just all over the place. Kyla was a sweetheart. I would’ve liked to read more on Whiskey. Also I’m hoping the Bell brothers have a book coming.
After loving the initial book, I feel so disappointed in the finale of this series. And I was really hoping it would be something I loved. Unfortunately, no. The story was a bunch of useless information with holes. I did not feel like the story was wrapped well.
Great ending for "Saved By A Mafia Boss" series! I was worried more than a few of the snakes would slither off into the sunset without retribution, but most got their just desserts. Keep up the good work, S.L. Partee!
If you want drama long winded chapters then this one here is for you i loveddd everything about this family. The love between them, the character development in Rook and Quest, Poet not playing around with Moca, it all came together beautifully