Buttons & Blame

Buttons #5

by Penelope Sky

She’s my Bellissima—but I have to return her.I’d offered to buy Adelina, but Tristan said she wasn’t for sale. She’s his favorite slave and there’s not enough money in the world to secure her release. His terms were very clear—she’s just a loan. Defying his wishes will start a war we’re unprepared to fight.I have no other choice but to return her—and she understands that. She accepts my decision with her head held high but her eyes empty. Our passionate fire is doused by pain, and the heat we had runs cold. This is the right decision, but I feel horrible about it.So horrible that I can’t stop thinking about it. If it were me, I’d rather be dead. She tells me she’d rather be dead too. I can either defy Tristan to save her—or I can help her end her own life.Now I have to choose.Pick up the next installment of this dark romance bestseller 2023 by clicking the BUY NOW button at the top of this page. This alpha male dark romance is also available in Kindle Unlimited!

Genres: Dark Romance, Romance, Dark, Erotica, Mafia Romance, BDSM, Contemporary Romance

370 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 14, 2017

About the author

A New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author, Penelope Sky is known for her dark romance that makes you fall for her characters….no matter how dark they seem. Her books are being translated into several languages around the world, and she’s sold more than a million books worldwide. She lives in a small town in California with her husband, where she spends most of her time writing on the back porch.

Reviews

[Ꮗ€♫◗☿ ❤️ ilikebooksbest.com ❤️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The cliffhanger at the end is a doozy!



Another good book in this series, this one has elements of both Cane and Adeline’s story as well as Crow and Pearl’s continuing storyline. Though being an Arm’s dealer must be pretty lucrative, I just don’t think it is worth it if you have to continually deal with the scum of the earth and your competitors are always trying to kill and/or torture you and your family.

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[Amy · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5 stars.

Empecemos...

Yo no quiero ser dura con un libro que me entretuvo muchísimo, pero hay que entender que entretener no es sinónimo de excelente historia.

Botones y culpa estuvo aceptable, y digo aceptable porque los dos primeros de esta serie fueron un romance surrealista con amorío sin venir a cuento y una relación super toxica de plus. Si bien este libro no es la gran obra de la literatura, debo aceptar que aquí la autora relata una situaciín mas creíble y el inicio de un romance mucho más aceptable.

¿Qué no me gustó? En todos estos libros está presente fuerte el tema del maltrato y el abuso en muchas variantes, pero lo que más me incomodó de todo es la sobreactuación de cierto personaje en muchas situaciones. Una cosa es que hayas sido vítctima y quieras ayudar a otros a evitar ese tortuoso camino y otra muy distinta reletar un personaje víctima de abusos fuertes como si tuviera nervios de acero. Eso, ni la autora se lo cree.

[Sharron E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

CLIFFHANGER YOU BEAUTIFUL PIECE OF TORTURE! A necessary evil. But nonetheless still a bitch. Enough said, give me the next book already.

[Christine B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this book it has Cane & Adeline and also Crow & Pearl it gives you both brothers which is a treat. You always hate when a character leaves but this give you more of Crow & Pearl. This is where Cane has to return Adeline to Tristian and now the more time he spends with her he is wondering if he can pull it off. Cane & Pearl has a routine of everyday life together wondering what life would be like if only she didn't have to go back. However being an arms dealer your word and code is everything. So will Cane protect his brother & his sister-in-law by returning Adeline or go to war with Tristian?

[Kay's Blushing Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buttons and Blame (Buttons #5) by Penelope Sky

Book#5 continues right where Buttons and Shame left us-
Crow is completely livid with Pearl after she risked her life to meet with Tristian. Their fight and make up sex is intense and entertaining to say the least, as we have learnt from the previous books in the series, Crow is as ruthless & stubborn as Pearl is determined in her principles.

The day for Adeline is to be returned to Tristian is getting closer and closer. Whilst Cane is obviously falling in love with Adeline he downplays his feelings. Adeline has broken through his hard exterior and exposed the vulnerable and tender man beneath but will it be enough to change her impending fate.

Adeline and Pearl grow closer having shared similar circumstances and it makes Adeline reassess her questioning feeling towards Cane and just try and enjoy what time she has left with him.
Neither want to let go, Cane wants to fight for her but Adeline is not willing to risk her friend nor her lover’s life for hers.

It’s intense, emotional and devastating. Ending on another cliff-hanger you’re sure to grab the last book in the series to get to that HEA.



MY THOUGHTS:
I found this book a little short but in saying that I still thoroughly enjoyed it. It touched deeper than the last book and we start to see real character growth.

The inclusion of Pearl and Crow enhanced my interest in the story as I had become devoted to their story. It adds another dimension to the story rather than take the focus off the main characters Cane and Adeline. Penelope has brilliantly integrated them throughout the story in a cleverly written and well thought out.

Book four in the Button series was my least favourite book so far and I was almost redundant on the series but I committed myself to reading the whole series and I was not disappointed with this next instalment, it has breathed new life into the story for me and I look forward to reading Buttons and Grace

BLUSH RATING: 3
ROMANCE RATING: 3
PLOT RATING: 4
DARKNESS RATING: 2
OVERALL: 4 Stars

GENRE: Dark Romance
NARRATION: Multiple POV
BOOK DETAILS: Book #5 of The Buttons Series.
Book one: Buttons and Lace
Book two: Buttons & Hate
Book three: Buttons and Pain
Book Four: Buttons and Shame

AUDIO AVAILABLE – Whisper- sync ready

DO I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK?
Of course how could you come this far in the series and not go on.



Narrated by: Michael Ferraiuolo, Samantha Cook
Length: 6 hrs and 49 mins

This is quiet short for an audio book but Michael Ferraiuolo is a great narrator. His performance never disappoints.

I preferred the written edition of this book rather than the audio due to the female narration. It’s not that I don’t like Samantha Cook, it’s the fact she did not match her character. Adeline is young and innocent but Samantha’s voice is too old and seasoned for her.

AUDIO RATING: 3/5
NARRATORS MATCHED TO CHARACTER: 3/5

[Bianca Coppens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ondanks dat het verhaal op zich altijd goed in elkaar steekt, overheerst de erotiek teveel voor mij persoonlijk...en dat maakt het net dat ietsjes minder goed.

[Cécé ˚❀*·ꕤ. · Rating 5 out of 5]

L’évolution de Cane est incroyable <3

[Expresso · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars!

Buttons and Blame continues Cain and his Bellissimo's story. I opted for the audiobook because the narrators are beyond amazing! The depth the narrators add to the story is incomparable.

Cain is in love! I am astounded the knothead can identify the emotion! His presence in the first three installments of this amazing series is childish, petty, and immature. But whoa what a change! A woman can work miracles!

Embrace Cain's journey as he fights to save the one thing that means more to him than his weapons business. Wait. What? Something more important than his business and money???!!!

4.5 stars!

[Azalée · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bien que j’avais déclaré n’avoir pas eu l’envie de lire la suite de l’histoire de Cane et d’Adelina, je n’ai pas pu résister. L’atmosphère de cet univers me rongeait et la curiosité me dévorait. J’avais quand même eu l’envie de savoir la finalité de cette histoire et de ses deux frères Barsetti.
Alors j’ai lu ce tome et je l’ai préféré au premier. Ce fut une lecture agréable malgré les mêmes points négatifs que j’ai pu retrouvé avec le tome 1.
Et cette fin mon dieu…

[Natalia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cane sending Adelina away... was so wrong...

[Poulett | Book Lovers Always · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG... Necesito el siguiente libro ya! Estos pocos días de espera serán eternos... Penelope sabe como dejar impaciente.

Como ya mencione anteriormente la historia transcurre antes del epílogo en Botones y Dolor.
Después de que pasa el tiempo acordado entre Tristán y Cane, Cane regresa a Adelina, pero sufre una tortura por su retirada, dando a saber que ha desarrollado profundos sentimientos por ella, decide rescatarla, poniéndose en peligro, con el apoyo de Crow. Pearl y Crow, ha sido algo estrujante leer sus momentos de sufrimiento, no pude evitar una que otra lágrima, y sobre todo en el momento más significativo para ambos. Esta historia es suave en ciertos aspectos (por la forma de ser de Cane), la tortura que vive Adelina por parte de otros es asfixiante. La intensidad erótica y estremecedora se mantiene pagina tras pagina. Ha sido comenzar el libro y no parar. Ahora necesito el siguiente, Crow está en peligro!!!

[luniverss · Rating 3 out of 5]

a chaque tome de cette série je suis saoulée du début mais vers le milieu/fin je suis à fond
enfin bon, plus qu’un
par contre un peu déçue je vois pas vraiment la relation cane/ adelina aussi puissante que celle de crow (qui est d’ailleurs détestable à un moment donné) et pearl (🤌🏻)
mais bon ça se lit vite donc ça va :)

[Vii ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Me haces sentir cuerdo, sentirme entero. A pesar de la carga de tu pasado, me completas. Y si perdiera eso... no me quedaría nada. Esta casa ni es nada sin ti cerca para compartirla.
.
.
.
La verdad esta maso jaja pero entretenido .
Le doy un 3.5 por la forma en la que termino, justo la acción que pedia.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Histoire très intéressante, on s'attache vraiment aux personnages.

[Di_Reading · Rating 3 out of 5]

Піднадоїла вже ця історія. Забагато крінжа. Замало логіки в діях. На цій книжці зупинюсь, не хочу витрачати час на наступні з цієї збірки.

[Kathi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy shit!! I can't even process what I just read, what a freaking ending!! I loved it, we got to see a better glimpse into Cane and Adelina's relationship. I knew underneath that callous exterior there was a guy capable of love. Though I admit it broke my heart when he expressed his feelings to Adelina. Crow and Pearl continue to be my absolute favs, I'm glad we get a look into the beginning of their marriage. I have been making speculations as to how it all ends, given how Crow and Pearls story ended. I am just going to have to suffer until January.

[Melanie Marnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ccane begins to question the fact that he must return Adelina to Tristan in two weeks. Crow's fury is boundless after he discovers tthat Pearl put herself in jeopardy by going to see Tristan. Adelina tries to enjoy her remaining time with Cane and not think of the future.

Emotions run high in this book. The tenseness and futility od Adelina's situation really comes across. Cane's transformation from cruel womanizer into a tender, caring man is wonderful. Crow and Pearl's volatile yet loving relationship is enthralling. Adelina's stoic acceptance of her fate is heart wrenching.
This book contains all the drama, danger, suspense and high emtions as the rest of the series. There are lots of edge of your seat moments that keep yoy wanting to turn the next page.

Beware though we are left hanging at the book's end. I can hardly wait for the next book to be released to see how all the drama and suspense play out. Peneloped Sky has done an outstanding job of weaving tales that keep her readers enthralled and coming back for more.

[Romanticamente Fantasy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I protagonisti continuano a essere quattro, e buona parte del racconto riguarda infatti i personaggi della prima trilogia, Crow e Pearl, che a tutti gli effetti risultano essere più carismatici e decisionali. Crow è fortemente caratterizzato come possessivo, protettivo, molto dominante e con tendenze all’eccesso di controllo tipico del maschio preistorico. A causa dei comportamenti stupidi di Pearl, quello che accade è che questi atteggiamenti ossessivi e maniacali sembrano giustificati e auspicabili, così come il calpestare e archiviare le libertà individuali femminili e l’autodeterminazione di Pearl.

“Tu non ascolti mai. Ti metti continuamente in pericolo. Come farai a imparare? Sei come una bambina che dev’essere sculacciata. Ma dato che farti sculacciare ti piace, Crow ha dovuto trovare qualcos’altro”.

Per quanto riguarda la vicenda tra Conway e Adelina, attenderemo fino alle ultime pagine per vedere degli sviluppi significativi, dato che per buonissima parte del romanzo i due non faranno altro che aspettare l’inevitabile fine del periodo di prestito. Nessuno si inventa niente di straordinario, nessuno si preoccupa di trovare soluzioni e tutti si accontentano di non poter fare niente.

“Intendi davvero riconsegnarla? domandò Pearl, incredula. “Hai appena detto che è una donna eccezionale”.
“Un sacco di donne eccezionali muoiono ogni giorno”.

La caratterizzazione di Conway (per non parlare di quella di Adelina) non mi ha convinta. Nonostante il suo essere un malavitoso di successo, Conway prende le decisioni tardi e male, mostra molta incertezza nel capire cosa vuole e perché, si fa manipolare da Adelina, da Crow e soprattutto da Pearl. In questo episodio mostra la freddezza con cui nasconde a se stesso e agli altri qualsiasi emozione, e successivamente la fatica con cui cerca di annullare la sofferenza per il distacco da Adelina. Tuttavia non vi sono scene drammatiche, né passionali, né di particolare intensità, perché lo stile è asciutto, freddo e spesse volte ridondante.

La maggior parte delle guerre a questo mondo era scoppiata in nome di una bella donna.
Non avevo intenzione di essere uno di quegli uomini stupidi.
Dovevo lasciarla andare.
Dovevo lasciarla soffrire.
E lasciarla morire.

Per quanto i due fratelli siano perfettamente in linea con un atteggiamento che considera la donna come un oggetto, è abbastanza scabrosa la dicotomia tra l’opinione sulle “donne in generale” e quella sulle donne “della famiglia”. Nel momento in cui Crow capisce che Adelina potrebbe diventare una cognata, cambia totalmente il suo modo di percepire la questione della sua liberazione.

Crow sospirò. “Possiamo trovarti un’altra donna, Conway. Possiamo trovartene una altrettanto bella e altrettanto grintosa. Praticamente ogni schiava ucciderebbe per essere salvata da noi. Potremmo andare al mercato nero e sceglierne una”.
“Vaffanculo, Crow”.
“Sono serio”.
“Non voglio nessun’altra donna. Perdere Adelina non è difficile perché sono solo e arrapato. È difficile perché… io la amo”.

Le scene di sesso non mostrano abusi, ma ce ne sono alcune che evidenziano una certa violenza psicologica piuttosto disturbante, in particolare perché le si vuole far passare per scene “rispettose” della donna, quando rappresentano l’esatto opposto. Crude e sbagliate, confondono la riconoscenza con l’amore, il male minore con l’affetto.

Avevo sacrificato così tanto per quella donna.
E ancora lei non ricambiava i miei sentimenti.

Adelina, anche se non costretta fisicamente, utilizza il corpo come metodo di pagamento per la gentilezza che Conway le riserva, e non viene nascosto che lei si senta in dovere di ricompensarlo perché sa che “lui si aspetta” il sesso. E far passare il messaggio che questo tipo di violenza psicologica non sia “violenza” è un’ambiguità che trovo di cattivo gusto; un dark romance dovrebbe avere, per me, dei paletti più marcati sui valori e sul rispetto delle donne.

“Non sto dicendo che Conway sia un santo. Ma non mi ha mai costretta a fare niente che io non volessi. Non mi fa del male. Parla con me. Dice che mi libererebbe se potesse… È il modo migliore di essere prigioniera”.

Esattamente lo stesso tipo di abuso viene mostrato, squallidamente, nei confronti di Pearl, che rappresenta il legame “positivo e sano” della trilogia.

“Sono passati tre giorni”.
“Un sacco di coppie non fanno sesso per tre giorni”.
“Non noi”. Sfregai il naso contro il suo. “So che sei turbata al momento, ma tagliarmi fuori non risolverà nulla. Dovremmo godere l’uno dell’altra il più possibile. Sono tuo marito e ho dei bisogni. E non fingiamo che le tue esigenze non siano le stesse che ho io”.
.
Nayeli - per RFS

[Karen Denise Foster · Rating 3 out of 5]

As we continue with Cane and Adelina's story we get a better glimpse of their budding relationship. I did like a lot of this book. I liked seeing the softer side of Cane when he was with Adelina. I also liked that we got more of Crow and Button and their tumultuous relationship. There were some good action scenes and some good smexy scenes as well. And the ending was heartbreaking.

However, once again I was frustrated with the timeline. They kept doing a lot of things.....working, taking trips, cuddling and having dinner....yet they kept saying there was 2 weeks left before the 31 days were up. Then abruptly there was only 2 days left. And once again the grammar errors starting popping up. Not mispelled words, but missing words, so the sentences didn't make sense. Both of these issues kept pulling me from the story.

I have only read one other series by this author and I noted the same issue. The first book or two in the series was really good, and then the others started going down hill. I don't know if that is because the author is trying to write too fast to finish the series, trying to stretch the story to get more books published, or bad editing. Whatever it is it's frustrating and leaves me hesitant to read another series by this author because I become invested in the story and characters and then I get let down.

I am going to read the final book. And I did give this 3 stars, which again was pushing it above what I would have given had I not liked the first couple of books.

[Fina Andres garcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

No puedes dejar de leer!
Esta parte ha sido adictiva, no he podido dejar de leer hasta el final, apenas me ha durado un día, empieza con más tensión y con una situación muy tensa entre Boton y Crow. También hay más acción, cuando Cane se da cuenta de lo que quiere, todo se acelera y pasan a la acción con todo los peligros que conlleva. Creo que han ido mejorando mucho todos los libros en cuestión de traducción y trama, sigue estando contado a cuatro voces en primera persona y de forma alternativa, es muy adictivo e interesante ver como ven cada uno la situación, Crow me ha parecido algo machista, no va a cambiar nunca, pero bueno...Pearl lo quiere tal y como es. Me ha gustado como Cane desvela sus sentimientos, en eso es más decidido que su hermano, aunque no resulte tal y como esperaba. Deseando terminar con el último ya que este tiene también un final de infarto. Os lo recomiendo!

[Eva Blr · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started that book in February of 2022 and I've finished it in February of 2025 , let's say that I was kinda over that one.
I love Penelope Sky's writing and I still read every books she come out with but I really struggle with that one.
The first Buttons trilogy was really good , I remember binging it in the spam of a month I think and I still cannot recover from it. And I think this plus the fact that it took me so long to read made me give that book a 3 it is not bad by any means but the conditions did not help.

[Carissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ahhhh, another exciting addition. I really am glad we're getting 4 different POVs. I miss reading from Crow and Pearl's perspective. I love the action towards the end, and I pretty much read this in one sitting! Penelope sure also knows how to leave cliffhangers. I can't wait for Buttons and Grace. I'll be counting down the days, less than 2 months to go!

[C Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know anything about the weaponry business or the currency being used, but for someone operating out of Italy, I would assume that they're charging euros and not dollars. Again, the Barsetti brothers sound more American than Italian. I do admire the scenery though, the winery and vineyards are somewhere I'd like to go to.

[Amanda Marie ❤'s Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 "really liked it" stars

I have been enjoying this series so far, and am looking forward to the final book. It was interesting to read about Cane falling for a woman... changing his ways a bit. Cane from book one was so different from Cane of book five. The same can be said of Crow as well, but this is more Cane's time in the sun in books four through six.

This book ended on a solid cliffhanger, so I'm off to the next book to find out what happens!

[Laurice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read!!!

This entire series is utterly amazing!!! I’m eager to read the final chapter of this series!!!! I have not read a book written by Penelope Sky that I have not given 5 stars to, and have been able to put down. Penelope Sky is not only my favorite author but the absolute best author of all time!!!

[Carol***BeautyandtheBeastlyBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, I like Cane and Adeline's story. It's not nearly as dark as Crow and Pearl's, but good nonetheless.

I do like that it has Pearl and Crow's POVs as well, because ven though I love Cane I don't love Adeline that much. So it all felt familiar with the other POVs.

[Karla Cabcam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me gustan los personajes y todo (menos la actitud de Pearl en los ultimos dos libros) pero realmente no veo el punto de escribir mas libros y no haberlo dejado en una trilogia.

[Natalia815 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3´5 estrellas.

Me ha gustado más que el anterior. En este Cane a conseguido que caiga rendida a sus pies. OMG! el final de el libro. ¡Necesito el siguiente ya!

[Tzelina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read ....I really loved it!!

[Deb Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG I need more

WTF Crow. OK I need more of this story. I've got to find out what happens to Crow. Come on Cane.