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Masiello Brothers #1

The Taming of Violet

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BBW Romance

Giovanni Masiello loved his job as a firefighter. It was the family tradition for three generations, and he and his seven brothers did their job with pride. While his personal and professional life were where he wanted them to be, his love life sucked. And it was all his weird neighbor’s fault.

Violet Canne thought the best when she blasted death metal and screamed along at the top of her lungs. While she looked unassuming in her flowery dresses and Mary Jane’s, she lived in a constant state of irritation. She smiled all day at her job while envisioning plucking out her client’s eyes. Not the attitude for an event planner. One bad day at work and she went feral taking out her infuriating neighbor and ended up in handcuffs. And not in the fun, sexy way either.

96 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 12, 2018

71 people are currently reading
202 people want to read

About the author

J.M. Dabney

59 books637 followers
USA Today Bestselling author J.M. Dabney is a multi-genre published writer of Body and Fat Positive Romance & Fiction. They live with a constant diverse cast of diverse characters in their head. They live for one purpose alone, and that’s to make sure everyone gets the happily ever after they deserve. There is nothing more they want from telling their stories than to show that no matter the package the characters come in or the damage their pasts have done, that love is love. That normal is never normal and sometimes the so-called broken can still be beautiful.

The author is Non-Binary and uses the pronouns They/Them.

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5 stars
221 (49%)
4 stars
124 (27%)
3 stars
78 (17%)
2 stars
18 (4%)
1 star
7 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
Profile Image for Ivy Deluca.
2,371 reviews329 followers
October 14, 2020
Quick(ish) Review

Pleasantly surprised at the decent fat rep and diverse set of characters. I’ve been burned by books featuring BBW heroines, with stories focused on how really not fat she is but she thinks she is, and/or how she hates her body and that is not the case here. The romance was enjoyable, there was no desire to change her and she could stand up for herself. I am definitely open to checking out the next book when it comes out.
1,458 reviews8 followers
March 14, 2018
Completely snark filled awesome story

First, I have to admit I read very few M/F books
anymore due to feeling as if they are the same. This is not the same old storyline that is overplayed but filled with a woman who is herself and loves herself even with her slightly psychotic way of thinking and I LOVE it. Violet had an upbringing that was basically survival of the fittest and has very little to any understanding of a “normal” family while Gio grew up in a loving home. Then you put these two together and their pieces fit together perfectly.

Read this book now!!!!
Profile Image for ReadToBreathe.
870 reviews33 followers
October 8, 2020
2 Stars

I didn't like it.The fact that Gio kept on touching Violet even when his brothers were sitting next to him grossed me out so I couldn't enjoy the book after this point then I hated it even more after the incident with Gio's father.
Profile Image for Grace Fitzpatrick.
98 reviews
March 14, 2018
Love love love

I found Violet to be a woman I could relate to funny, tough, adorable, but not sweet. I am very glad that she was not a size 0 or 2, but a realistic size woman. She is my shero
Profile Image for Raine.
2,463 reviews52 followers
December 12, 2020
No thank you!

After 15% of reading this book I just cannot continue anymore. Unfortunately, it is going into my DNF (did not finish) shelf.
Profile Image for Silke.
135 reviews16 followers
April 15, 2018
Not your usual romance. Entertaining but the age difference bothered me a bit.
Profile Image for Darlene I read WAY to many books.
3,660 reviews2,389 followers
May 3, 2019
This book was totally random and the cover kinda brought me to it.. i do love when curvy gals are on curvy books.. makes me proud!!

Now i had a love tiny dislike for Violet.. she was a all around bad ass chick who grew up in a crappy life older asshole brothers and father who made them beat the crap out of eachother but they beat her more since she was the youngest. She thought it was normal until she finally relazied it was abuse. Moving away and getting a better life she is very angry lot the only person she isn't mean to is her best friend. Heck she tackled Gio (H) when he kinda yelled at her for her scream-o blasting music since he had work in the morning, and Gio lordd... i love Gio i want a Gio he was everything.. he was protective, sweet and a all around great guy even when he got tackled he never held it against Violet.. plus he he is a smoaking firefighter!! I do love men in uniforms lol it took him awhile to Vi to be his since he knew what type of up bring she was in.. i just love him.

Low Agnst, no cheating, no ow/om, drama, secondary charas, sexy times,Virgin gal and didnt say his last time

Recomend- yes/maybe
Cover- ⭐⭐⭐

Slowish-insta
Slight push/pull from h
No condom/condom
Anal play/sex
Mentions past abuse
Hea
Epilogue
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Candice.
2,946 reviews135 followers
December 30, 2023
4.5 Stars

3rd read 8-2020
Man, I forgot how much I love Violet.

2nd read 5-1-19
LOVE!!! I need more Violet in my life!

1st Read 3-12-18
I don't even read MF anymore and I LOVED this! I loved Violet. I loved Gio. I loved Gio's family. I loved Violet. Did I say that already? I want more of this series!!!!
Profile Image for Emily.
5,830 reviews543 followers
December 12, 2018
Violet Canne was raised to fight her way through every situation, it was the only way to survive her family. She worked hard to leave her family behind and has a fresh start but the raw emotions she has are still pushing through. Metal music at full blast is a must and when her neighbor. Giovanni Masiello tells her to turn it down she lashes out. Violet doesn't realize though she has caught her neighbors attention and he plans to make her his.

This was fun. I think it could have been a bit longer so you could connect a bit more with Violet. She has quite the background and I found her fascinating. Entertaining read and great beginning to the series.
40 reviews3 followers
March 14, 2018
Love Violet and Gio!

5stars. Jami dd it again with Violet and Gio💞 love the sass of Violet and Gio's love for her. I laughed and rooted for them. Can't wait for the next book.
Profile Image for ErMoS.
90 reviews8 followers
April 5, 2018
Loved it !! 🤩⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️++
I was lmao 😂
I love ❤️ that it was a BBW Book
HEA !!
Hot Alpha Male !😍
Tough Loving Ass kicking chick !!
Just wish it was longer !!
Can’t wait for Book 2 !!
300 reviews35 followers
March 19, 2018
Loved it!

This is a new author to me , I like discovering new authors. In that being said I loved this story , Violet was cute but she probably hurt me for saying that, I loved her bad girl with a heart attitude, her family was evil and to go grow up having to be tough. Now Gio was the hero and so patience with her even if their first meeting had Violet tackling him to the ground, but once he knew her he was crazy about her! Great book, will be recommend this book!💗
Profile Image for Rogetwhi.
1,232 reviews11 followers
October 18, 2019
I liked the storyline but too much setting up the side characters for additional books. When I read a book, I want the focus to be on the main couple and their romance, not all the brothers and their prospective partners. There were also a lot of grammatical errors and I can usually overlook that but not when I have to keep reading a sentence over to understand what it was supposed to say. The author also left the whole thing with her family dangling. Did they get sent back to jail?
Profile Image for Amy .
412 reviews6 followers
June 26, 2018
The Taming of Violet

Absolute perfection! This is my first book by this author and I loved it. Everyone deserves a Gio in their life to love them like he does Violet. The chemistry is off the charts with these two. Cannot wait to read about the other brothers.
Profile Image for Melissa.
631 reviews4 followers
March 27, 2018
I usually stick to m/m books nowadays but I decided to give this one a try. It was pretty good.
Profile Image for fiore ♡♡.
269 reviews14 followers
May 28, 2023
WOAH I actually really enjoyed this one despite how weird some of these adult characters were acting

RTC. For real this time !!!
Profile Image for Jennifer.
126 reviews
March 21, 2018
OMG...funny...cute...H is sooo perfect...loved it
Profile Image for Heather.
1,550 reviews9 followers
March 14, 2018
The Taming of Violet

What a great start to a new series! Violet and Gio was perfect together! I can’t wait to read all the stories to come!
Profile Image for Helena.
234 reviews2 followers
October 4, 2018
This right here though.....

This has been on my wish list forever. It wasn't until I recently downloaded the sample read that I knew I was going to buy it.
Thank you J.M. Dabney for bringing Violet into the world of words. I'm the only girl and the middle child as well. Although I didn't have to fight with my brothers like Violet, I did have boy cousins who liked to pick on me. They got a surprise when I punched back. LoL
Loved everything about Violet and Gio's beginning. He helped her not feel angry. Now that is epic. Gio didn't hesitate where his feelings for Violet were concerned. He was patient, always put her first. He knew what she needed and let V set the pace.
The Masiello family is exactly the family Violet needed. So happy V and Gio are adding to the family with their own.
Hop you continue this series please??? Happy writing.
Profile Image for Curvy Girls Read Romance.
553 reviews62 followers
July 12, 2024
I loved every second of this quick read! Violet quickly made the list of my favorite, fiercest heroines.

After growing up fighting for her survival, Violet escapes her toxic family, but struggles to contain her anger in the wide world. Gio, her next door neighbor, falls for her the moment she tackles him after he calls her 'Woman'. The relationship between these two was sweet and hot and they dealt with everyday realities and demands on their time, which I appreciated.

J. M. Dabney wrote fantastic body positivity into this story and I loved the queer rep as well. I'm desperately hoping that the Masiello Brothers series will continue, I need to know more about Lyn and Renz.
Profile Image for Brandy Jo.
425 reviews14 followers
April 28, 2018
This book literally made me so happy reading it! I laughed so much. I especially liked how Violet wasn't like the usual heroines of books. She wasn't needing rescuing or was that expected perfect, cookie cutter character. She was unique and realistic. The hero and his family became quick favorites of mine and the ending was just perfect. This was the first book I've read by J.M. Dabney and I will definitely be looking forward to reading more.
Profile Image for Rachwithheadinabook.
1,886 reviews
June 16, 2018
Sassy lady

This is the first mf book of J.M. Dabney's I have read and I thought it was brilliant, I loved the fact that Violet was a strong beautiful woman that doesn't need a man to look after her as she is sassy enough to do it herself.
Gio is a sexy fireman who falls for the slightly deranged woman next door , who doesn't love abit crazy. This is a fantastic start to a new series can't wait to see what comes next.
Profile Image for ChattyChik21.
2,734 reviews
May 3, 2020
Loved it to bits

Taming of the shrew is my fave Shakespeare play and one of my fave classic movies and this retelling does mot disappoint. It is so good. I love how the girl is the alpha-hole and the guy is the one questioning if he looks alright i love him wondering if he his hot enough for her. The bro love is great the family banter is great the evolution of their romance is amazing i just live this book
Profile Image for Samantha Foster.
513 reviews3 followers
March 17, 2018
Love, love, love!!!

Dabney has a knack for creating real characters who are easy to fall in love with. Gio and Violet are no different. I loved all the weird quirks that made up Violet and it was amazing to see Gio fall for her too and love her for her. Super sexy, funny and sweet. I can't wait for the next.
Profile Image for Tarra Davis.
331 reviews6 followers
March 19, 2018
Amazing!!

I absolutely loved Violet!!! Gio wasn't too bad either!! Violet was bada**, her childhood was messed up and she was learning to move on from it when she literally tackled Gio and after a little work on his part decided to give him a chance!! Can't wait to get to know the rest of Gio's brothers
9 reviews
April 6, 2018
Loved it...

Fell in love with Gio and Violet. Was happy to see not the only book in the series. Can not. Wait for the others.
Violet has a tendency of losing control and wanting to hurt evryone. When she meet Gio he is able to keep her calm. He shows her love. And family that she never had. Must read
Profile Image for Karen.
2,681 reviews
May 14, 2018
I loved this book. This book is a lose spin off from Ms. Dabney's Trenton Security series. Gibson Masiello is the Fire Chief in Powers where those guys live. I love that series and I love this start of this new series. I am looking forward to the other brothers books. Well written with well developed characters.
Profile Image for GirlGoRead.
4 reviews
July 4, 2020
Unique and excellent story!

Violet and Gio are the perfect pair. I fell in love with their story. Violet is a bada** and Gio is loving, supportive, and loves his girl. Gio’s brothers are also very interesting and can’t wait to read their stories. Great job! Ready for the next book...
Profile Image for Charisse.
44 reviews10 followers
March 17, 2018
Awesome story! Best BBW romance I've picked up in years. The heroine was the perfect combination of viciousness and vulnerability. And who in the heck doesn't fantasize 'bout a hot firefighter who loves ya just the way you are? Can't wait for the next one👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews

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