What do you think?
Rate this book
Vegas Morellis #1
Staying in Vegas
You don't want to miss what happens in Vegas...
When I met Rafe Morelli, he didn’t look like the biggest mistake I’d ever make; he seemed closer to the crime family version of Prince Charming. Charismatic, beautiful, and attentive—with an intoxicating air of power—Rafe was the stuff of my darkest fantasies.
What we had should have been a simple fling, no-strings-attached. My hot weekend with the sexy, dominant Vegas boss—a harmless memory to replay once I returned to my quiet, predictable life.
One tiny hitch in that plan: a panty-melting memory isn’t all he left behind. Now the stakes have changed, and I’m faced with a potentially life-altering decision. Do I stay away and enjoy my status as the only woman in known history who has played in the Morelli flames without getting burned, or do I risk everything and step back into the fire?
BOOK 1 OF 3 IN THE VEGAS MORELLI TRILOGY.
This trilogy can be read even if you haven't read the original Morelli family series, but as it takes place AFTER that series, there will be Morelli family series spoilers. Two of the main characters from this trilogy were introduced in the original Morelli series. If you want to read the original series and experience it without spoilers, you may want to start there (with Accidental Witness).
Like the original Morelli family series, this trilogy is a continuing story following the same characters, NOT three separate-couple standalones.
When I met Rafe Morelli, he didn’t look like the biggest mistake I’d ever make; he seemed closer to the crime family version of Prince Charming. Charismatic, beautiful, and attentive—with an intoxicating air of power—Rafe was the stuff of my darkest fantasies.
What we had should have been a simple fling, no-strings-attached. My hot weekend with the sexy, dominant Vegas boss—a harmless memory to replay once I returned to my quiet, predictable life.
One tiny hitch in that plan: a panty-melting memory isn’t all he left behind. Now the stakes have changed, and I’m faced with a potentially life-altering decision. Do I stay away and enjoy my status as the only woman in known history who has played in the Morelli flames without getting burned, or do I risk everything and step back into the fire?
BOOK 1 OF 3 IN THE VEGAS MORELLI TRILOGY.
This trilogy can be read even if you haven't read the original Morelli family series, but as it takes place AFTER that series, there will be Morelli family series spoilers. Two of the main characters from this trilogy were introduced in the original Morelli series. If you want to read the original series and experience it without spoilers, you may want to start there (with Accidental Witness).
Like the original Morelli family series, this trilogy is a continuing story following the same characters, NOT three separate-couple standalones.
326 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 31, 2018
437 people are currently reading
1869 people want to read
About the author
Sam Mariano
49 books4,845 followersFollow Sam Mariano on Facebook, Instagram (@sammarianobooks), or check out her Blog! If you need to email her, she can be reached at sammarianoauthor@gmail.com (but she is sometimes tardy about checking email. Mateo is very demanding).
Sign up for Sam's mailing list (to stay up to date on current projects--she won't spam you! Only for notification of new releases or book sales.)
All of Sam's books are available on Amazon! (And don't forget to follow Sam's Amazon Author page to get notified about the newest releases.)
Sam Mariano has been writing stories for as long as she can remember. She lives in Ohio and has a sweet and wonderful daughter.
Because of You was her first finished story (she started writing it when she was 18) and due to a full-time work and college schedule, it took her years to finish. She has also been telling people for years that there would never be a sequel (sorry, guys!)…which turned out to be a lie.
Sam Mariano is currently working on Dante’s book (if you’re a Morelli reader) and some other WIP.
Feel free to find her on Facebook, Goodreads, or her blog—she loves hearing from readers!
Sign up for Sam's mailing list (to stay up to date on current projects--she won't spam you! Only for notification of new releases or book sales.)
All of Sam's books are available on Amazon! (And don't forget to follow Sam's Amazon Author page to get notified about the newest releases.)
Sam Mariano has been writing stories for as long as she can remember. She lives in Ohio and has a sweet and wonderful daughter.
Because of You was her first finished story (she started writing it when she was 18) and due to a full-time work and college schedule, it took her years to finish. She has also been telling people for years that there would never be a sequel (sorry, guys!)…which turned out to be a lie.
Sam Mariano is currently working on Dante’s book (if you’re a Morelli reader) and some other WIP.
Feel free to find her on Facebook, Goodreads, or her blog—she loves hearing from readers!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 232 reviews
June 21, 2018
I'm so sad that there's only one more Morelli book left for me to read right now. This is the first installment in the Vegas Morelli's series, and I really enjoyed it! 😍
October 16, 2023
4.5 stars oh that Cliffy!!
And the angst! Ay dios mio!!!
Laurel (19) is pregnant 😅. She’s living in Connecticut with her sister Carly and Vince when she sees two Little lives on a pregnancy stick😬, and there’s only one possible baby daddy, Rafe, Vince’s cousin, head mob boss in Vegas, and notorious manhoooar. Being a college student, she’s unsure what she wants to do. So decides to let her baby daddy know what’s going on and maybe take it from there.
Rafe (30s) is ecstatic when he sees Laurel in Sin City again. It’s been two months since they had their Easter rendezvous, and he can’t wait to do it all over again 👀. Except that Laurel comes bearing some news he doesn’t believe… and he basically buys her a one-way ticket to take her lies back home 😐. He asks Sin, his second-in-command, to take her away 😅 and that he does 😅.
Sin (26) takes one look at Laurel and knows she’s not some hussy trying to con Rafe. He warns Rafe he’ll regret kicking her out of his life, especially if she’s not lying, but he doesn’t listen. So Sin does the only sensible thing he can do, he keeps her locked up in his house 🤷🏻♀️.
What. A. Mess… 👀
What I liked/loved:
—the angst 😱. Oh. My. Gosh. Sam Mariano knows how to write it. I felt a myriad of emotions
—the DARK HUMOR 🤣. I freaking swear. I kept highlighting 🤣. The damn audacity 💅
—the tension 👀. Not me feeling conflicted over what my feelings should be 😅. And then once I got some clarity, I was ALLLLLL in 😉
—the 🔥. Sooo… no actual FULL 🔥 happens, but LAWD. The tension is so good 😅 and what we get left me satisfied 🥵. Lots of appetizers going around 😉
—the OMD 😈. As soon as Rafe turns Laurel away, ITS ON 😈😮💨. OMD until the last page 👏🏻 and I LUUUUURVED it 👀
—the peeks into other MCs lives 🥰. I devoured the Morelli series, so I was over-the-moon to see so many of them make appearances 👀. It’s like an extended epilogue ❤️ lol
—the Cliffy 💅. That’s right Laurel 💁🏻♀️. You gotta do what you gotta do 🤷🏻♀️ and I can’t wait to continue 👀
—the subtle D/s vibes 👀. I love how organic their dynamics are. You don’t need whips and chains, which means it’s all in the body language and the way things are said 🥵
—books galore 🥰
—the duck info and the rights of female ducks 😅. Not me googling what the helllllll I just discovered about ducks 😳. I. Had. No. Idea!!!
—the way my gasp was gasping before the Cliffy 😱
What I wanted more of:
—Rafe blatantly flirting with other women 🤬. Laurel is RIGHT there 😑
—I needed some 🔥 follow through 😅
—I noticed a few grammar/spelling mistakes, but not glaring mistakes that interrupted the flow of the book
—I need book 2 now 🤣
Overall, I loved it
⚠️ safety squad ⚠️
-no cheating/sharing
-OMD: the entire book 😅. The h gets involved with two men 😅
-mild owd: exes make appearances 😐
-edging/praise k/D-s
-no full sex (penetration) happens in this book
-CLIFFY
And the angst! Ay dios mio!!!
Laurel (19) is pregnant 😅. She’s living in Connecticut with her sister Carly and Vince when she sees two Little lives on a pregnancy stick😬, and there’s only one possible baby daddy, Rafe, Vince’s cousin, head mob boss in Vegas, and notorious manhoooar. Being a college student, she’s unsure what she wants to do. So decides to let her baby daddy know what’s going on and maybe take it from there.
Rafe (30s) is ecstatic when he sees Laurel in Sin City again. It’s been two months since they had their Easter rendezvous, and he can’t wait to do it all over again 👀. Except that Laurel comes bearing some news he doesn’t believe… and he basically buys her a one-way ticket to take her lies back home 😐. He asks Sin, his second-in-command, to take her away 😅 and that he does 😅.
Sin (26) takes one look at Laurel and knows she’s not some hussy trying to con Rafe. He warns Rafe he’ll regret kicking her out of his life, especially if she’s not lying, but he doesn’t listen. So Sin does the only sensible thing he can do, he keeps her locked up in his house 🤷🏻♀️.
What. A. Mess… 👀
What I liked/loved:
—the angst 😱. Oh. My. Gosh. Sam Mariano knows how to write it. I felt a myriad of emotions
—the DARK HUMOR 🤣. I freaking swear. I kept highlighting 🤣. The damn audacity 💅
—the tension 👀. Not me feeling conflicted over what my feelings should be 😅. And then once I got some clarity, I was ALLLLLL in 😉
—the 🔥. Sooo… no actual FULL 🔥 happens, but LAWD. The tension is so good 😅 and what we get left me satisfied 🥵. Lots of appetizers going around 😉
—the OMD 😈. As soon as Rafe turns Laurel away, ITS ON 😈😮💨. OMD until the last page 👏🏻 and I LUUUUURVED it 👀
—the peeks into other MCs lives 🥰. I devoured the Morelli series, so I was over-the-moon to see so many of them make appearances 👀. It’s like an extended epilogue ❤️ lol
—the Cliffy 💅. That’s right Laurel 💁🏻♀️. You gotta do what you gotta do 🤷🏻♀️ and I can’t wait to continue 👀
—the subtle D/s vibes 👀. I love how organic their dynamics are. You don’t need whips and chains, which means it’s all in the body language and the way things are said 🥵
—books galore 🥰
—the duck info and the rights of female ducks 😅. Not me googling what the helllllll I just discovered about ducks 😳. I. Had. No. Idea!!!
—the way my gasp was gasping before the Cliffy 😱
What I wanted more of:
—Rafe blatantly flirting with other women 🤬. Laurel is RIGHT there 😑
—I needed some 🔥 follow through 😅
—I noticed a few grammar/spelling mistakes, but not glaring mistakes that interrupted the flow of the book
—I need book 2 now 🤣
Overall, I loved it
⚠️ safety squad ⚠️
-no cheating/sharing
-OMD: the entire book 😅. The h gets involved with two men 😅
-mild owd: exes make appearances 😐
-edging/praise k/D-s
-no full sex (penetration) happens in this book
-CLIFFY
April 4, 2018
“Only the ruthless make it here. You want sweet tempers and brotherly love? Join a church, not the Morelli family.”
This is a Morelli book, meaning you’ve got to go into it with an open-mind—I can’t stress that enough. Their stories are not only unconventional but fucked up. I say that in the best way possible considering I loved Mateo and Mia’s story like it was crack...and I was the junkie that needed my next fix. Which reminds me, read Mia and Mateo’s story first. One thing I went batshit crazy for in the series was none other than Rafe, the hero of Staying in Vegas. Where Mateo was ruthless in a calculating way—Rafe is more charismatic, with an easy smile that could charm the pants off a nun.
“I came here because I met a handsome prince at an enchanted castle, but it turns out he was just a frog in a nice suit.”
Laurel and Rafe met in the Morelli Family series—it’s the whole reason it’s better to have read those books first that way you aren’t spoiled. They had an amazing weekend together but Laurel is back (in Vegas, no less) with a life-changing decision she must make that Rafe wants no part of. That’s where we are introduced to Sin—Rafe’s enforcer. He’s broody, sexy as hell, and he ends up becoming a character that I’ve grown to love; he’s one that I want to know more about. Obviously, he’s a key player in the game.
“You like men who play by their own rules; nothing wrong with that. You’ve certainly come to the right place, kitten.”
The way the story ended has me itching for the next book! Laurel is feisty yet submissive. It’s no wonder she’s the object of affection for not one, but two men. How in the world did she get herself into this mess? Her life could be so simple. But Laurel just had to mess with a Morelli. I look forward to seeing how everything turns out. Bring on the angst and fucked up plot lines!
*Thank you to the author for providing a copy for an honest and unbiased review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This is a Morelli book, meaning you’ve got to go into it with an open-mind—I can’t stress that enough. Their stories are not only unconventional but fucked up. I say that in the best way possible considering I loved Mateo and Mia’s story like it was crack...and I was the junkie that needed my next fix. Which reminds me, read Mia and Mateo’s story first. One thing I went batshit crazy for in the series was none other than Rafe, the hero of Staying in Vegas. Where Mateo was ruthless in a calculating way—Rafe is more charismatic, with an easy smile that could charm the pants off a nun.
“I came here because I met a handsome prince at an enchanted castle, but it turns out he was just a frog in a nice suit.”
Laurel and Rafe met in the Morelli Family series—it’s the whole reason it’s better to have read those books first that way you aren’t spoiled. They had an amazing weekend together but Laurel is back (in Vegas, no less) with a life-changing decision she must make that Rafe wants no part of. That’s where we are introduced to Sin—Rafe’s enforcer. He’s broody, sexy as hell, and he ends up becoming a character that I’ve grown to love; he’s one that I want to know more about. Obviously, he’s a key player in the game.
“You like men who play by their own rules; nothing wrong with that. You’ve certainly come to the right place, kitten.”
The way the story ended has me itching for the next book! Laurel is feisty yet submissive. It’s no wonder she’s the object of affection for not one, but two men. How in the world did she get herself into this mess? Her life could be so simple. But Laurel just had to mess with a Morelli. I look forward to seeing how everything turns out. Bring on the angst and fucked up plot lines!
*Thank you to the author for providing a copy for an honest and unbiased review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 3, 2018
Rafe Morelli may have wrecked my day, but I’m not going to let him wreck my life.
This wasn’t exactly what I was expecting. SIV was a little more tame than the series it spun off from. Laurel is a young girl who had a holiday hook-up with Rafe Morelli and ended up with way more than a good time. When she runs to his home in Vegas to tell him what’s going on, he basically tells her he’s not interested in her lies. Well here comes his best friend and enforced Sin, who also treats poor Laurel like she’s a disease. He comes in and basically takes over her life in just a few short days.... now it’s just a big cluster between Laurel, Rafe, and Sin. It’s a bit of a triangle, but I’m not sure I’m rooting for ANYONE at this point. I mean I am... but.
SIV is good. It’s A LOT of inner monologue. So if you can’t get down with that it may not be for you, but if you like dark adjacent with a messed up angsty love triangle... then this is a good one to check out. This story continues into another book which is already out.
This wasn’t exactly what I was expecting. SIV was a little more tame than the series it spun off from. Laurel is a young girl who had a holiday hook-up with Rafe Morelli and ended up with way more than a good time. When she runs to his home in Vegas to tell him what’s going on, he basically tells her he’s not interested in her lies. Well here comes his best friend and enforced Sin, who also treats poor Laurel like she’s a disease. He comes in and basically takes over her life in just a few short days.... now it’s just a big cluster between Laurel, Rafe, and Sin. It’s a bit of a triangle, but I’m not sure I’m rooting for ANYONE at this point. I mean I am... but.
SIV is good. It’s A LOT of inner monologue. So if you can’t get down with that it may not be for you, but if you like dark adjacent with a messed up angsty love triangle... then this is a good one to check out. This story continues into another book which is already out.
March 25, 2018
Staying in Vegas (Vegas Morellis, #1)
By: Sam Mariano
4.5 Twix Stars
When Sam Mariano said she had a new series coming out that you could read without reading the Morelli Family Series, (I mean why haven’t you read this series anyway?) I said oh heck yeah!!!
This is a new series that takes place after the conclusion of The Morelli Family Series.
Easter break from college was the perfect time to experience Rafe. A no commitment weekend of the biggest distraction known to man-kind! Laurel is an innocent young college student who knows nothing about the Morelli men. But after celebrating her sister marrying Vince (Morelli), she quickly learned these men are to die for!!!
Fast forward and we are in Vegas. Rafe is feeling a tad bit overwhelmed with how his day is going. It’s one thing after another and not in a good way. One final ring of the doorbell and imagine the shock on his face when he sees who is there to visit.
Sin is the new player in this series and I need to know more about him and his background. Something is there, I just know it! Hot, Handsome and talented with his tongue and fingers 😉 He is Rafe’s enforcer…which can only mean one thing…dangerous!
This first book sets us up for one heck of a ride! Can Not Wait to see where we go in Sinning in Vegas (Vegas Morellis #2).
#BookBistroBlogApproved
Follow us on:
FB – https://www.facebook.com/groups/BookB...
Blog -https://bookbistroblogcom.wordpress.com
Blog -https://bookbistroblogger.blogspot.com
Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/BookBistro
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/BookBistroBlog
By: Sam Mariano
4.5 Twix Stars
When Sam Mariano said she had a new series coming out that you could read without reading the Morelli Family Series, (I mean why haven’t you read this series anyway?) I said oh heck yeah!!!
This is a new series that takes place after the conclusion of The Morelli Family Series.
Easter break from college was the perfect time to experience Rafe. A no commitment weekend of the biggest distraction known to man-kind! Laurel is an innocent young college student who knows nothing about the Morelli men. But after celebrating her sister marrying Vince (Morelli), she quickly learned these men are to die for!!!
Fast forward and we are in Vegas. Rafe is feeling a tad bit overwhelmed with how his day is going. It’s one thing after another and not in a good way. One final ring of the doorbell and imagine the shock on his face when he sees who is there to visit.
Sin is the new player in this series and I need to know more about him and his background. Something is there, I just know it! Hot, Handsome and talented with his tongue and fingers 😉 He is Rafe’s enforcer…which can only mean one thing…dangerous!
This first book sets us up for one heck of a ride! Can Not Wait to see where we go in Sinning in Vegas (Vegas Morellis #2).
#BookBistroBlogApproved
Follow us on:
FB – https://www.facebook.com/groups/BookB...
Blog -https://bookbistroblogcom.wordpress.com
Blog -https://bookbistroblogger.blogspot.com
Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/BookBistro
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/BookBistroBlog
February 3, 2019
4 Stars
WOW. Like Sam Mariano fashion, you never know what you are going to get.
I highly recommend you read the spin-off series before you start the Vegas Morellis series because I can see how it can be somewhat confusing if you don’t get the back story.
A lot of Laurel’s and Rafe’s story is in the last book of the spin-off series and so I was really excited to start Staying in Vegas.
I liked Rafe, I found him really humorous and I was always curious how he could be a leading crime boss if he isn’t as serious like Mateo.
Laurel is in a pickle and within the first five pages in the book you find out shes .. **GASP** is pregnant. I love a single mama storyline! She flies to Vegas to surprise Rafe.
To add tension to the storyline, Rafe isn’t taking it well.
To add another surprise to the storyline, there’s a love triangle. I’m not giving anything away, but I think you should know when you go into the story about the other guy. This is Sin’s story too, even though the book is in Laurel’s and Rafe’s POV.
I don’t remember much of Sin, but I do like his name and I am curious about his story. Why does he have a room full of women’s clothes and what happened to his past? What the author does well is build up the characters and storyline.
Not a lot of questions were answered in this book, you get a better feel of the Laurel, Rafe and Sin dynamics. I wish I could tell you who I was rooting for. I like everyone in this book and I am hoping a little more drama is presented in the next book, which I am diving into right away.
WOW. Like Sam Mariano fashion, you never know what you are going to get.
I highly recommend you read the spin-off series before you start the Vegas Morellis series because I can see how it can be somewhat confusing if you don’t get the back story.
A lot of Laurel’s and Rafe’s story is in the last book of the spin-off series and so I was really excited to start Staying in Vegas.
I liked Rafe, I found him really humorous and I was always curious how he could be a leading crime boss if he isn’t as serious like Mateo.
Laurel is in a pickle and within the first five pages in the book you find out shes .. **GASP** is pregnant. I love a single mama storyline! She flies to Vegas to surprise Rafe.
To add tension to the storyline, Rafe isn’t taking it well.
To add another surprise to the storyline, there’s a love triangle. I’m not giving anything away, but I think you should know when you go into the story about the other guy. This is Sin’s story too, even though the book is in Laurel’s and Rafe’s POV.
I don’t remember much of Sin, but I do like his name and I am curious about his story. Why does he have a room full of women’s clothes and what happened to his past? What the author does well is build up the characters and storyline.
Not a lot of questions were answered in this book, you get a better feel of the Laurel, Rafe and Sin dynamics. I wish I could tell you who I was rooting for. I like everyone in this book and I am hoping a little more drama is presented in the next book, which I am diving into right away.
March 19, 2021
I HATE Laurel. What a wishy-washy, flip-flopping, unrealistic, skanky ho-bag! She goes from being a naive 19 year old science nerd to a desperate-for-any-dick-available sexual sub in literally 48 hours. It's ludicrous. And this book wasn't sold as a triangle and if I'd had any inkling it was I would never have read it. In the beginning it had such promise. It was funny, the heroine seemed cute and endearing, there was a hot, charming hero and a hot, mysterious, MEAN friend. Then the hero fucks up and within 1 hour the "friend" has kidnapped the heroine and is sleeping in bed with her. It seemed at first he had good, LOYAL intentions to get his BOSS to come to his senses but instead he starts messing around with his captive (aka his friend/boss's baby mama). Meanwhile Little Miss Moron McWhoreface has fallen in love with her mean abductor in less than 48 hours and is literally begging him to suck his cock (remember 48 hours earlier she had shown up there to tell his boss/best friend she's pregnant with his child!) Then she blows Sin (the non-friend of her baby daddy) and he turns around and re-cuffs her to his bed so he can go work for her baby daddy and she is OK with it. In fact, while chained up, she gives him a list of groceries to buy so she can MAKE HIM DINNER when he gets home and unties her. I. CAN'T. This TSTL girl needs to get bitch slapped. I could vomit. None of it is realistic, makes any sense, or is palatable to me. It's gross. I hate friend swapping. And I would never want to be with any man if I had fucked with his friend/coworker and still had to see them all the time. In the same vein you better believe I wouldn't touch a man who had ever touched any of my friends, relatives or coworkers. YOU JUST DON'T DO THAT. Blech. Shudder.
So anyway, this is awful and I'm DNF at 79%.
So anyway, this is awful and I'm DNF at 79%.
January 28, 2024
Quickie Review (May contain spoilers, fair warning upon reading this review)
Staying In Vegas, is the continuation of the Morelli Saga. I was wanting to see what this author would do with this story. I did NOT expect a love triangle at all. This is my least liked trope and was a bit disappointed this author went this way. It just went a weird way and I am not sure how I feel about this story. I will continue with the trilogy so I can find out what happens but will space them out here. But one of my more least favorite Mariano books. I do have high hopes that it will get better with the next books.
If you have read this series let me know if it improves!
Staying In Vegas, is the continuation of the Morelli Saga. I was wanting to see what this author would do with this story. I did NOT expect a love triangle at all. This is my least liked trope and was a bit disappointed this author went this way. It just went a weird way and I am not sure how I feel about this story. I will continue with the trilogy so I can find out what happens but will space them out here. But one of my more least favorite Mariano books. I do have high hopes that it will get better with the next books.
If you have read this series let me know if it improves!
March 24, 2018
What just happened? My heart was just ripped out, that’s what! I never saw it coming.... this isn’t the way I thought any of it would go. And I freaking loved it! Gosh, there’s so much I want to say but won’t. I’m not going to ruin it for you or give anything away. But I will say this.... if you thought you had the Morelli’s figured out, well you’re sadly mistaken and if you thought this series would never be as good as the Morelli Family series you are gonna freak out.
These characters are everything... absolutely everything. Our new obsession is here guys and I can’t wait for everyone to experience him. Sam you have out done yourself, this is going to be phenomenal!
These characters are everything... absolutely everything. Our new obsession is here guys and I can’t wait for everyone to experience him. Sam you have out done yourself, this is going to be phenomenal!
April 9, 2018
I got really excited about this book like oh cool my Vegas guy gets a book so I was looking for something different? WRONG WRONG Same story line almost.... meaning girl like boy.... boys a jerk she instantly sleep with friend!!!! Now it's Matoe and Mia all over only in Vegas ( spoiler alert ) add another pregnancy into the mix. On top of that it's another 3 installment!!!!! NO THANK YOU
August 21, 2020
Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2020
I was not aware this was a "love" triangle story (I am deliberate with the ""). I'm not necessarily opposed to a love triangle but all of these characters are awful. And not in a "but they're mob so, duh they're not nice" way.
Laurel is young and immature and constantly making poor decisions. I found myself slut-shaming her. She is in way over her head with Rafe and Sin but has a false sense of confidence that is not at all endearing.
Rafe is a manipulative a-hole without any redeeming qualities. We get his POV and more than once he refers to her as a prize to be won or a toy to be taken away. He's almost as immature as she is but I'm supposed to believe he's a mob boss.
Sin, from Laurel and Rafe's POV, is as big of a manipulative a-hole as Rafe. But we don't get his voice at all. There's some mystery in his past that's left him with a house bare of furniture and a closet full of women's clothing; references of "Paula" (presumably the owner of the clothing) and "Ellie" (presumably the reason he insists Laurel not end the pregnancy) are not explained.
And, after 3 or 4 days of being caught between these two jackasses, it ends on a cliffhanger with Laurel making the ONLY smart decision of leaving Las Vegas and both men.
Now, as an aside, I did start to read the 2nd book in the series simply because I was curious which one of the men would go after her first. **Spoiler** it's Rafe and now he's not just a manipulative a-hole, he's a rapey manipulative a-hole; still nothing to like about him, just more to hate. And instead of either of them saying "look, we can get along for the sake of the baby but there's no reason we need to have a romantic relationship" he insists that they should force a relationship and takes her back to Vegas. I. Can. Not.
I was not aware this was a "love" triangle story (I am deliberate with the ""). I'm not necessarily opposed to a love triangle but all of these characters are awful. And not in a "but they're mob so, duh they're not nice" way.
Laurel is young and immature and constantly making poor decisions. I found myself slut-shaming her. She is in way over her head with Rafe and Sin but has a false sense of confidence that is not at all endearing.
Rafe is a manipulative a-hole without any redeeming qualities. We get his POV and more than once he refers to her as a prize to be won or a toy to be taken away. He's almost as immature as she is but I'm supposed to believe he's a mob boss.
Sin, from Laurel and Rafe's POV, is as big of a manipulative a-hole as Rafe. But we don't get his voice at all. There's some mystery in his past that's left him with a house bare of furniture and a closet full of women's clothing; references of "Paula" (presumably the owner of the clothing) and "Ellie" (presumably the reason he insists Laurel not end the pregnancy) are not explained.
And, after 3 or 4 days of being caught between these two jackasses, it ends on a cliffhanger with Laurel making the ONLY smart decision of leaving Las Vegas and both men.
Now, as an aside, I did start to read the 2nd book in the series simply because I was curious which one of the men would go after her first. **Spoiler** it's Rafe and now he's not just a manipulative a-hole, he's a rapey manipulative a-hole; still nothing to like about him, just more to hate. And instead of either of them saying "look, we can get along for the sake of the baby but there's no reason we need to have a romantic relationship" he insists that they should force a relationship and takes her back to Vegas. I. Can. Not.
Read
December 14, 2024GUESS WHO IS FINALLY OUT OF HER READING SLUMP??🙂↕️🥳🥳🥳
So this was messy I couldn’t stop reading😋 I started the second book but it was TOO messy for me I couldn’t finish it .
Won’t be rating this book while it got me out of my 2 months long reading slump I still don’t know how to feel about it.
So this was messy I couldn’t stop reading😋 I started the second book but it was TOO messy for me I couldn’t finish it .
Won’t be rating this book while it got me out of my 2 months long reading slump I still don’t know how to feel about it.
May 1, 2023
4/5 ★★★★☆
"𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪. 𝙔𝙤𝙪'𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙘𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙤𝙧 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧."
"𝙄𝙣 𝙛𝙖𝙞𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨, 𝙮𝙤𝙪'𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙘𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧," 𝙝𝙚 𝙖𝙘𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬𝙡𝙚𝙙𝙜𝙚𝙨.
By now, I know that if it's a Morelli family story, there's bound to be some kidnapping, some violence, lots of handsome mobsters with shady shit and sketchy morals.
Be it the Chicago Morellis or the Vegas Morellis, things aren't all that different.
The only major change was that Mateo Morelli ruled with an iron fist in Chicago and no one with a lick of sense ever did anything to truly piss him off.
Adrian was Mateo's best friend and enforcer and his main security guy but even he picked his battles with care.
The Vegas scene was very different.
I suppose because they were still in the phase of transfer of power and Rafe Morelli (Vegas' Mateo) had usurped Vince's (and Gio's) throne and pissed off a lot of "traditional" folks by his actions, it was bound to be rocky.
Sin (Christian Sinclair), or Vegas Adrian, as I think of him, was the biggest surprise.
I was stunned by where this story went, the turn it took.
Total 180.
After having read EIGHT Chicago Morelli family books, I knew enough to know RAFE Morelli was the Vegas Boss and Laurel Price (Vince's sister-in-law) was totally enamored by him.
Of course it made sense to think that this story was about Rafe and Laurel and how they'd be the next Mateo and Mia.
Boy! Was I wrong!
So. Wrong.
Sin, you dangerous scottish thug! You sure stole the Morelli thunder in this one.
And I can't even be mad about it.
THIS BOOK IS THE BEST ROMANCE TRIANGLE I HAVE READ IN QUITE SOME TIME!!!
I mean Mateo-Mia-Vince was one too. But I was so not into Vince that it hardly mattered.
In this one, while the author did her best to make me like Rafe less, I was already invested in the guy since the Chicago scene. And so it was impossible to choose between him and Sin despite Laurel's clear preference.
The kind of talks (and banter! SO. MUCH. BANTER. Nerdy banter! My favorite kind of banter!) Sin and Laurel had went beyond the usual captor-captive convos.
// "𝙄𝙩 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙣 𝙢𝙮 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙩𝙚𝙢𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙧𝙮. 𝙄 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙠𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙖𝙣𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙢𝙮𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛."
"𝙎𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙," 𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙖𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙨. "𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙞𝙘𝙚. 𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙩'𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙞𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙩𝙬𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙫𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨. 𝙊𝙣𝙚 𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙨𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙮, 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙨𝙚𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙩𝙤." //
You make it sound so simple, Sin.
*sigh*
Anyway, I loved this book.
And I hated the ending.
And I'm already halfway through the second one before I ever got around to writing this review.
"𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪. 𝙔𝙤𝙪'𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙘𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙤𝙧 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧."
"𝙄𝙣 𝙛𝙖𝙞𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨, 𝙮𝙤𝙪'𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙘𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧," 𝙝𝙚 𝙖𝙘𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬𝙡𝙚𝙙𝙜𝙚𝙨.
By now, I know that if it's a Morelli family story, there's bound to be some kidnapping, some violence, lots of handsome mobsters with shady shit and sketchy morals.
Be it the Chicago Morellis or the Vegas Morellis, things aren't all that different.
The only major change was that Mateo Morelli ruled with an iron fist in Chicago and no one with a lick of sense ever did anything to truly piss him off.
Adrian was Mateo's best friend and enforcer and his main security guy but even he picked his battles with care.
The Vegas scene was very different.
I suppose because they were still in the phase of transfer of power and Rafe Morelli (Vegas' Mateo) had usurped Vince's (and Gio's) throne and pissed off a lot of "traditional" folks by his actions, it was bound to be rocky.
Sin (Christian Sinclair), or Vegas Adrian, as I think of him, was the biggest surprise.
I was stunned by where this story went, the turn it took.
Total 180.
After having read EIGHT Chicago Morelli family books, I knew enough to know RAFE Morelli was the Vegas Boss and Laurel Price (Vince's sister-in-law) was totally enamored by him.
Of course it made sense to think that this story was about Rafe and Laurel and how they'd be the next Mateo and Mia.
Boy! Was I wrong!
So. Wrong.
Sin, you dangerous scottish thug! You sure stole the Morelli thunder in this one.
And I can't even be mad about it.
THIS BOOK IS THE BEST ROMANCE TRIANGLE I HAVE READ IN QUITE SOME TIME!!!
I mean Mateo-Mia-Vince was one too. But I was so not into Vince that it hardly mattered.
In this one, while the author did her best to make me like Rafe less, I was already invested in the guy since the Chicago scene. And so it was impossible to choose between him and Sin despite Laurel's clear preference.
The kind of talks (and banter! SO. MUCH. BANTER. Nerdy banter! My favorite kind of banter!) Sin and Laurel had went beyond the usual captor-captive convos.
// "𝙄𝙩 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙣 𝙢𝙮 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙩𝙚𝙢𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙧𝙮. 𝙄 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙠𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙖𝙣𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙢𝙮𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛."
"𝙎𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙," 𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙖𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙨. "𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙞𝙘𝙚. 𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙩'𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙞𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙩𝙬𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙫𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨. 𝙊𝙣𝙚 𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙨𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙮, 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙨𝙚𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙩𝙤." //
You make it sound so simple, Sin.
*sigh*
Anyway, I loved this book.
And I hated the ending.
And I'm already halfway through the second one before I ever got around to writing this review.
March 29, 2018
When a Sam Mariano book drops on your kindle you know your in for angst, hot sexy times, mafia goodness and a storyline that will consume you and just won't quit. I am obsessed with this book and so addicted to Rafe, Laurel and Sin. I never wanted it to end.
Staying in Vegas is a Morelli family spin off and while it is a standalone I recommend that you read that series first. We met Rafe and Laurel there and see their reconnection here in Vegas. But there is a new player in the game and his name is Sin (Rafe's enforcer.) I thought this story was so compelling and addicting. You never really know what's going on but see these two men who Laurel is drawn to.
All in all this was fantastic and I can't wait for more in this series!! I am addicted and obsessed! Bravo! 4 stars! ~Ratula
Staying in Vegas is a Morelli family spin off and while it is a standalone I recommend that you read that series first. We met Rafe and Laurel there and see their reconnection here in Vegas. But there is a new player in the game and his name is Sin (Rafe's enforcer.) I thought this story was so compelling and addicting. You never really know what's going on but see these two men who Laurel is drawn to.
All in all this was fantastic and I can't wait for more in this series!! I am addicted and obsessed! Bravo! 4 stars! ~Ratula
July 12, 2018
So much for the 'what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas' slogan when Laurel Price discovers her one night stand with mafia king pin Rafe Morelli leaves her with an unexpected memmento. A struggling 19 year old college student, Laurel is about to become a statistic though there are other options available. One being to let Rafe know that despite covering all the bases, he's about to be a father.
Rafe Morelli rules the Vegas underworld now that all competition has been taken care of. Who says he doesn't have a heart when he allowed his biggest threat, Vince, heir apparent, to leave and live out his life in Connecticut where he enjoys the proverbial fantasy life with his new wife. Happy memories though when Rafe recalls the no strings attached fling he had with Vince's sister-in-law before Vince took his leave.
When Laurel shows up unexpectedly out of the blue, Rafe is ok to elevate their relationship to a friends with benefits status until she drops a bombshell on him. A bombshell that has no chance of being factual. Shame she turned out to be just another female gold digger looking to make bank on him.
* * *
Spin off series which is able to be read even if you haven't read the original "Morelli Family" series.
Picked this up after seeing it come up as an alert as a BOTM read for a group. Mafia reads are a guilty secret pleasure topic for me so was compelled to grab it myself.
Overall, an enjoyable read that scenarios the proverbial "oopsie" that results after a no strings attached weekend between a naive single college female and experienced mafia man whore guy. Has moments of dark comedy (snarky) and angsty suspense in a love triangle sort of format.
While I appreciated the back and forth dance between the main characters and kinky adult content erotic scenes, this book/story just didn't work for me, A combination of lack of adequate world building and lack of attention to details were problematic. I am one who depends on knowing that core reality factoids hold true to reality. A hypothetical example might be the fact that being an experienced plane traveler, I know the steps needed to book a flight so a variation of that, while cute, throws me off. Yes, totally superficial example but I like to avoid spoiler info and the details I struggled with would include that. Bottom line, while I liked and appreciated the love triangle (yes, kept screaming for my girl to consider menage but so far she's ignoring my screaming counsel at my e-reader) there was just something off on the overall story.
My other thought was that there was inconsistency in the whole mafia slant to this story. When a mafia character(s) come across as politically correct socially moral individuals vs violent blood thirsty cut throat individuals or when these same character(s) are a mix of the two, it's hard for me to really get on board with things.
While I appreciated the story and Laurel's struggle to find her HEA with the right guy, potential readers should realize that this is the first of three installments in the series. It should therefore be obvious that, while this doesn't end in a cliffhanger, there is a significant open ended story line that isn't resolved at the conclusion of this book.
I'm neutral on recommending this book as there are fans of stories of this sort. That look for naive (not quite to the TSTL category) single females who take a walk on the wild side and mafia lifestyle for whatever reason and don't want to leave.
Rafe Morelli rules the Vegas underworld now that all competition has been taken care of. Who says he doesn't have a heart when he allowed his biggest threat, Vince, heir apparent, to leave and live out his life in Connecticut where he enjoys the proverbial fantasy life with his new wife. Happy memories though when Rafe recalls the no strings attached fling he had with Vince's sister-in-law before Vince took his leave.
When Laurel shows up unexpectedly out of the blue, Rafe is ok to elevate their relationship to a friends with benefits status until she drops a bombshell on him. A bombshell that has no chance of being factual. Shame she turned out to be just another female gold digger looking to make bank on him.
* * *
Spin off series which is able to be read even if you haven't read the original "Morelli Family" series.
Picked this up after seeing it come up as an alert as a BOTM read for a group. Mafia reads are a guilty secret pleasure topic for me so was compelled to grab it myself.
Overall, an enjoyable read that scenarios the proverbial "oopsie" that results after a no strings attached weekend between a naive single college female and experienced mafia man whore guy. Has moments of dark comedy (snarky) and angsty suspense in a love triangle sort of format.
While I appreciated the back and forth dance between the main characters and kinky adult content erotic scenes, this book/story just didn't work for me, A combination of lack of adequate world building and lack of attention to details were problematic. I am one who depends on knowing that core reality factoids hold true to reality. A hypothetical example might be the fact that being an experienced plane traveler, I know the steps needed to book a flight so a variation of that, while cute, throws me off. Yes, totally superficial example but I like to avoid spoiler info and the details I struggled with would include that. Bottom line, while I liked and appreciated the love triangle (yes, kept screaming for my girl to consider menage but so far she's ignoring my screaming counsel at my e-reader) there was just something off on the overall story.
My other thought was that there was inconsistency in the whole mafia slant to this story. When a mafia character(s) come across as politically correct socially moral individuals vs violent blood thirsty cut throat individuals or when these same character(s) are a mix of the two, it's hard for me to really get on board with things.
While I appreciated the story and Laurel's struggle to find her HEA with the right guy, potential readers should realize that this is the first of three installments in the series. It should therefore be obvious that, while this doesn't end in a cliffhanger, there is a significant open ended story line that isn't resolved at the conclusion of this book.
I'm neutral on recommending this book as there are fans of stories of this sort. That look for naive (not quite to the TSTL category) single females who take a walk on the wild side and mafia lifestyle for whatever reason and don't want to leave.
October 9, 2022
This was an addicting read and that's exactly what I wanted it to be. And I think it might just end up being one of my favorite mafia romances that I've ever read - and that could be in large part to it being mafia-adjacent, thought there are still definitely dark elements here - and I'm sure we see more in the original series, but I don't really care to much about that one. I'm not going to lie, the triangle pulled me in from the beginning Laurel had chemistry with both Rafe and Sin, and I could see the attraction for both pairings. It pulled me in and I had a good time.
April 3, 2018
This was the first time that I've read anything by Sam Mariano, and boy, I had no clue what I signed up for with Staying in Vegas! I found her writing style to be absolutely captivating, even though it had a darker undertone, and I'm hooked by her talent! It's a crazy triangle between Laurel, Rafe, and Sin, which I'm still not sure who I want her to end up with. See Laurel hooks up with Rafe for a weekend, and a couple months later she goes to visit him with some news. He doesn't take the news well, and kicks her out of his house, which is where Sin steps in. And that's all that I'm going to give away. Laurel is a very big hearted young woman who deserved none of the situation she has become involved in, and I have her back 100%! I wanted to junk punch both Rafe & Sin at different points in the book, so again, not sure which one she should choose. She has hot chemistry with both, so yeah, there are some sexy time shenanigans that lit it up, but it's the angst factor that has me all kinds of jacked up, so the f-bombs were dropping like crazy. And that ending that has me hanging off the side of a cliff? Yeah, Sam Mariano is the newest person on the the list of authors trying to KILL ME DEAD, so she's hash tagged forevermore, #EVILWHORE! The next book cannot come out quickly enough, and I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND TO ALL!
June 29, 2021
I'm going to tell you something! It is brilliant the way that this book plays around with reader expectations, because the way we are trained from the jump with the set-up of who the main characters will be!
I really enjoyed this. There is a cliffhanger but it's in KU and I was forewarned, and I felt like it worked for the plot. I might say more about it in my review for book 2.
I really enjoyed this. There is a cliffhanger but it's in KU and I was forewarned, and I felt like it worked for the plot. I might say more about it in my review for book 2.
April 7, 2018
Review to come
June 3, 2018
Unpredictable love triangle with that dangerous Morelli spark
Whew! That was not how I expected Laurel and Rafe's story to go. This is definitely a strong way to kick off the new Morelli spin-off.
Admittedly, I have a bit of a girl crush on Laurel... This girl, at only 19, should be gullible and eating up every handout Rafe and Sin toss her way. She's a book nerd with limited life/romantic experience who finds herself in a very precarious situation. Instead of looking for a man to take care of her problems, she faces them head first and on her own. She doesn't run back to a man who treats her like dirt after he shows her some affection and whispers sweet words, but instead knows her self worth and loves herself enough to know she doesn't need that treatment from anyone.
Love this book (like everythinging Sam writes). Cannot wait for number two! Honestly have no clue where this story is going to travel from here!
Whew! That was not how I expected Laurel and Rafe's story to go. This is definitely a strong way to kick off the new Morelli spin-off.
Admittedly, I have a bit of a girl crush on Laurel... This girl, at only 19, should be gullible and eating up every handout Rafe and Sin toss her way. She's a book nerd with limited life/romantic experience who finds herself in a very precarious situation. Instead of looking for a man to take care of her problems, she faces them head first and on her own. She doesn't run back to a man who treats her like dirt after he shows her some affection and whispers sweet words, but instead knows her self worth and loves herself enough to know she doesn't need that treatment from anyone.
Love this book (like everythinging Sam writes). Cannot wait for number two! Honestly have no clue where this story is going to travel from here!
July 9, 2018
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Stars! I went into this thinking 🤔 another mafia romance, but it was so much more! There is a love triangle here folks with the mob boss and his bad ass enforcer. It was tantalizing and very intriguing. I’m wondering how this is going to play out. It should be an interesting end game.
December 19, 2023
Omg
Omg, I went into this book ready to love Rafe (and I did) but I also loved Sin. I will be impatiently waiting for the next one
Omg, I went into this book ready to love Rafe (and I did) but I also loved Sin. I will be impatiently waiting for the next one
April 15, 2021
girl you gotta give up this love triangle plot
November 27, 2022
HAD THE TIME OF MY LIFE SRRY
April 4, 2018
I’m not sure why every time I start a book by this author I’m utterly surprised at how she can pull every single emotion I have out of me. DEAR god, erase everything you thought you could guess what happen in a book, because just like the rest of her Morelli books, it’s one absolutely wild ride.
It’s definitely best to start with the previous Morelli books first, as were introduced to Rafe and Laurel.
Rafe and Laurel have a maddening get together, and their chemistry tops the charts. After parting ways, both never seem to believe they will see each other again. When we’re introduced to Rafe’s brooding enforcer, Sin, there most perfectly twisted story takes place.
I’m so excited to read the next book, I fell in love with Sin, but Rafe is a Morelli and has his own type of charm. Laurel is quirky and loveable, which also makes this story that much more amazing. You definitely can’t go wrong with any Morelli book, once you’re caught in their web of family business and flawless writing by Ms. Mariano, it’s tough to recover! - By Victoria
It’s definitely best to start with the previous Morelli books first, as were introduced to Rafe and Laurel.
Rafe and Laurel have a maddening get together, and their chemistry tops the charts. After parting ways, both never seem to believe they will see each other again. When we’re introduced to Rafe’s brooding enforcer, Sin, there most perfectly twisted story takes place.
I’m so excited to read the next book, I fell in love with Sin, but Rafe is a Morelli and has his own type of charm. Laurel is quirky and loveable, which also makes this story that much more amazing. You definitely can’t go wrong with any Morelli book, once you’re caught in their web of family business and flawless writing by Ms. Mariano, it’s tough to recover! - By Victoria
April 4, 2018
This is my first Sam Mariano book. And I am upset I have not read her sooner. I need to read the Morelli Family Series like yesterday!! I did not expect to have loved this book as much as I did. I was hooked from the beginning and was taken on such a crazy ride. Now I just want more!! I absolutely can not wait for the next book in this series and will definitely be reading her other series before the next book comes out. DEFINITELY a must read!!
April 8, 2019
Ok damn, this is just craziness!! I mean complete utter crazy!!! I freaking love SIN!!!!! Laurel is driving me slightly crazy, but she is young. Such a good book!!!
April 5, 2018
Wow! What a fantastic read.
This book was not at all what I was expecting in the best way possible. Every time I read one of this author's books, she manages to give me exactly what I didn't even know I should want. I go in expecting one thing, and get something far better!
This is the first book in a new trilogy. It is a spin-off of the original Morelli family series, and having read both, I definitely recommend starting there. There are spoilers for that series in this one, and these characters are introduced in that series, which begins with Accidental Witness.
This series starts with Laurel Price, a sometimes sweet, always smart, funny, and feisty heroine who is having a very bad day. A couple months ago she had a spring break fling with a super hot mob boss, and now she's worried that fling may have ruined her life. At only 19 years old and still in college, Laurel is unprepared for the world of the Morelli men. She wants to do the right thing though, so in an understandable but misguided attempt, she lets Rafe back into her life ever so briefly.
And that's where the real fun begins. Sexy, dominant dangerous men, plot twists you won't see coming, angst and heartache, dialogue that will make you laugh out loud. This book has everything.
Another stellar read from Sam Mariano. I cannot wait for the next one!!!
This book was not at all what I was expecting in the best way possible. Every time I read one of this author's books, she manages to give me exactly what I didn't even know I should want. I go in expecting one thing, and get something far better!
This is the first book in a new trilogy. It is a spin-off of the original Morelli family series, and having read both, I definitely recommend starting there. There are spoilers for that series in this one, and these characters are introduced in that series, which begins with Accidental Witness.
This series starts with Laurel Price, a sometimes sweet, always smart, funny, and feisty heroine who is having a very bad day. A couple months ago she had a spring break fling with a super hot mob boss, and now she's worried that fling may have ruined her life. At only 19 years old and still in college, Laurel is unprepared for the world of the Morelli men. She wants to do the right thing though, so in an understandable but misguided attempt, she lets Rafe back into her life ever so briefly.
And that's where the real fun begins. Sexy, dominant dangerous men, plot twists you won't see coming, angst and heartache, dialogue that will make you laugh out loud. This book has everything.
Another stellar read from Sam Mariano. I cannot wait for the next one!!!
April 2, 2018
I received this book in exchange for an honest review. This is a new series but has characters from other books. This is the first of three part series.
OMG. I thought I knew how this story was going to play out but nope and nope. I loved this book it was crazy, messed up and hot. I really don't know what to think of the triangle going on and to be honest, I'm not even sure who to root for at this point. I loved this book and I love Laurel, she's spunky and I am sure a normal girl would of lost her mind by now. She takes it like a Morelli pro, maybe deep down in her family line she has some of Mia's genes?
Loved this book!
Book Blurb:
You don't want to miss what happens in Vegas...
When I met Rafe Morelli, he didn’t look like the biggest mistake I’d ever make; he seemed closer to the crime family version of Prince Charming. Charismatic, beautiful, and attentive—with an intoxicating air of power—Rafe was the stuff of my darkest fantasies.
What we had should have been a simple fling, no-strings-attached. My hot weekend with the sexy, dominant Vegas boss—a harmless memory to replay once I returned to my quiet, predictable life.
One tiny hitch in that plan: a panty-melting memory isn’t all he left behind. Now the stakes have changed, and I’m faced with a potentially life-altering decision. Do I stay away and enjoy my status as the only woman in known history who has played in the Morelli flames without getting burned, or do I risk everything and step back into the fire?
OMG. I thought I knew how this story was going to play out but nope and nope. I loved this book it was crazy, messed up and hot. I really don't know what to think of the triangle going on and to be honest, I'm not even sure who to root for at this point. I loved this book and I love Laurel, she's spunky and I am sure a normal girl would of lost her mind by now. She takes it like a Morelli pro, maybe deep down in her family line she has some of Mia's genes?
Loved this book!
Book Blurb:
You don't want to miss what happens in Vegas...
When I met Rafe Morelli, he didn’t look like the biggest mistake I’d ever make; he seemed closer to the crime family version of Prince Charming. Charismatic, beautiful, and attentive—with an intoxicating air of power—Rafe was the stuff of my darkest fantasies.
What we had should have been a simple fling, no-strings-attached. My hot weekend with the sexy, dominant Vegas boss—a harmless memory to replay once I returned to my quiet, predictable life.
One tiny hitch in that plan: a panty-melting memory isn’t all he left behind. Now the stakes have changed, and I’m faced with a potentially life-altering decision. Do I stay away and enjoy my status as the only woman in known history who has played in the Morelli flames without getting burned, or do I risk everything and step back into the fire?
July 25, 2020
This book confused me. It has dual POV which is weird considering it's apparently a LOVE TRIANGLE. I didn't know that going into this book. I don't really get into love triangles cause it never fails.. I always root for the person that doesn't get the guy/girl. BUT I gotta say the author played it well. I'm really enjoying the story despite the fact that Laurel is a whiny 19 yo.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 232 reviews