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Salvatore: An In Too Far Novel

(In Too Far #1)

Cecy Robson (Goodreads Author)

4.05 · Rating details · 114 ratings · 62 reviews

Desperate men do desperate things . . .

Salvatore Romero is a dangerous man. If you’ve lived the life Sal has, rage is to be expected and maybe so is heart. After his father killed his mother in a jealous rage, Sal was left to raise his two younger brothers, becoming a parent long before he was ready.

Desperate for money to support his family, Sal sought help from his old fr ...more

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Kindle Edition, 356 pages

Published March 13th 2019 by Cecy Robson, LLC

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Feb 08, 2019 Mlpmom (Book Reviewer) rated it really liked it

Shelves: kindle-books, arc-book-read

So torn about how I feel about this book. Review to come once I process.

*EDITED TO ADD REVIEW*
3.5 to 4 stars

I wanted to both love and hate this book and I think, at times, I really did both love and hate it.

I hated all the lies and even how Sal acted for a good chunk on the story and I will admit, I was even not rooting for him for part of it. And yet, my weird self couldn't help but like that this gruff dangerous, over aggressive, over alpha male did have a soft spot for Aedry and most of the t ...more

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Mar 12, 2019 Dali rated it really liked it

Shelves: romantic-suspense, series, standalone, published-2019, arc-read, tortured-hero

With “Salvatore” Ceci Robson gives us a tale of sizzling chemistry between a dangerous mobster and his brothers’ sweet, old-fashioned guidance counselor.

“I want to be your everything,” she whispers.

Salvatore Romero wanted a better life for his family and was poised to make it big in the UFC until his father brutally murdered his mother. While desperately trying to get custody of his two younger brothers he turned to his friend Vin, one of the most dangerous criminals in New Jersey. He didn’t wa ...more

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Feb 22, 2019 Jennifer rated it really liked it

ARC received for review

Salvatore is all kinds of yummy and grumpy. He's a great big brother who gave up a lot to keep them together as a family. Then he meets Aedry who is his brothers' school counselor, and a virgin which is an extreme bad word for him. Of course, she wins him over and they fall in love. Then drama ensues and she leaves. True love wins in the end.

I don't consider that a real epilogue. It should be Chapter 28 and then an epilogue.

Man, I wanna know more about Lucca, and I want h ...more

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Mar 14, 2019 ♥ WishfulMiss ♥ rated it really liked it

Shelves: arc, awesome-hero, dark-and-twisty, celibate-during-separation, safe, virgin-fmc, awesome-lady-lead, tear-jerker, opposites-attract, otps-perfect-match-love-both-mcs

I wish I could do that, go through life like I’m actually living it, instead of just trying to survive it.

When Sal lost his mother to a murder suicide at 21, he made a pact with the devil to get the legal help he needed to claim his two younger brothers and become their guardian. Fast forward 6 years and Sal is walking the edge. Tittering on the ledge and everyday coming closer and closer to the no turning back point.

His brothers and his own determination are the only things holding him ba ...more

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Feb 27, 2019 Wendy'sThoughts rated it really liked it

Recommends it for: Cecy Robson Fans, Romance

3.5 A Conflicted Man Stars
* * * 1/2 Spoiler Free
I have been following Cecy Robson for years now. I discovered her in 2014 with her Shattered Past series. She captured my interest from the start, each book fully formed with characters I loved. I then followed up with her next series, The O'Brien Family was even more addictive. I couldn't wait to get my hands on each entry. When I saw this new book, I cleared the way to read it right away.

We meet Salvatore and his brothers. We have an understandin ...more

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Feb 12, 2019 Maranda rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2019-netgalley, netgalley, cecy-reviews, caffinated

Telling of how a mafia boss Vincent Maggiano comes to the aid of a friend just to manipulate him thereafter. Salvatore is a troubled man who is trapped by his boss because years back he needed help holding on to his brothers after their parents died. The shining light and warmth comes into these brothers' life through a school counselor Aedry. This was a well plotted story with amazing characters. Lots of action and heart that does not let you put this book down. "A copy of this book was provide ...more

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Feb 10, 2019 Lucy Dosch rated it it was amazing

Salvatore is a heartbreaking story of a man forced to sell his soul to the Family in order to save his family. Sal's fight to be worthy of Adrianna's love left me in tears.

When I was offered an ARC of Salvatore, my first reaction is that I don't read mob stories. While I watched every episode of The Soprano, I never saw Tony Soprano as a romantic hero. Truly I don't need my heroes to be saintly, I just can't look forward to a HEA for someone involved in prostitution and murder, even if the m Salvatore is a heartbreaking story of a man forced to sell his soul to the Family in order to save his family. Sal's fight to be worthy of Adrianna's love left me in tears.

When I was offered an ARC of Salvatore, my first reaction is that I don't read mob stories. While I watched every episode of The Soprano, I never saw Tony Soprano as a romantic hero. Truly I don't need my heroes to be saintly, I just can't look forward to a HEA for someone involved in prostitution and murder, even if the murder is other mob guys. Yet Cecy Robson has written some of my favorite characters, so I had to give Salvatore a try.

In this story we find a man who suffered an abusive childhood and after his father murdered his mother, he fought desperately to save his two young brothers from being lost in the system. But Salvatore was barely more than a child himself and the system was too busy judging him to be concerned that the boys would be better off raised by a brother who loved them. If not for his childhood friend, the young son of the local mobster, coming to his rescue, Salvatore would have lost custody of his brothers. Salvatore knows that he owes a great debt to Vincent and accepts that he will live his life among the dregs of the city as his payment to keep his brothers safe, but he still fights each day not to lose his soul completely.

Salvatore has spent the last few years guarding Vinny's gumad, a position which offers him some protection from the seedier world of the Mob. Sal isn't looking to rise through the ranks. He is doing everything he can not to take that final step and kill for the Family. The problem is that with Vincent's father dying and Vincent about to step up as boss, the only one he truly trusts is Salvatore and now he wants Sal stepping up to guard his back. It is a position that Sal knows will leave him with no option but to kill since Vin hasn't earned the respect that his father has, and all the other bosses are literally gunning for Vincent's territory. Sal is still doing his best to avoid the promotion until Vinny finds the one pressure point that will force Sal's obedience -- Aedry.

Adrianna Daniels is the guidance counselor for Salvator's brothers and everything would have been fine if she has just stayed in that role. But Adrianna has become more than professionally attached to the Romero boys--all of them. Aedry has shown them a depth of love and kindness that they haven't experience since their mother's death and more than just Apollo and Gianno have lost their hearts to her. Salvatore knows that he has no business going near a woman as kind and sweet and good as Aedry and although he tries very hard to keep a distance between them, he can't seem to stop himself from being drawn to her. And when a chance meeting puts Aedry in the path of Vincent, Vin realizes that he finally has what he needs to push Sal over the line because he knows that Salvatore would kill to keep her safe.

Salvatore wants very badly to be a man worthy of Adrianna but he sold his soul long ago to keep his family together. So now what he needs to do is be a better man and let her go, but does he have the strength to walk away from the woman who showed him he still has a heart?

I expected to have a hard time rooting for the mobster to have a happily ever after, but I found myself crying over the tortured soul of a man who sacrificed everything yet still thinks himself too unworthy to love a good and kind woman.

Received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.

See more at EBookObsessed.com ...more

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Mar 13, 2019 Sissy's Romance Book Review rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2019-read, trt, arc-netgalley, some-what-alpha, arc-author-publisher, contemporary, mafia-mob-gangster, 5-star, caffeinated-services, ink-slinger-pr

Salvatore by Cecy Robson is the story of Salvatore Romero and Adrianna Daniels.
Sal had to take over raising his brothers after his father and mother died at his father's hands. So he ended up going to the family mob Vincent Maggiano to be able to keep his family together. Which he pretty much sold his sole to keep his brothers. Now Sal is knees deep in and he meets Adrianna who is his brother school counselor. Adrianna is the button up, awkward bookish type so different from what women Sal goes ...more

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Mar 22, 2019 Snow rated it really liked it

Liked this one...

very uncharacteristic and freshly done in aspects of portraying NA characters in very emotionally difficult and existential situations...

the price of sacrifice...the decisions transpiring on the future of depending lives...and the unlikely love worth risking the very life for...

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Mar 16, 2019 Sarah rated it really liked it

Shelves: for-review-read, read-in-2019, books-i-own-kindle, netgalley

I've been a fan of Cecy Robson's books since she first started writing her Weird Girls urban fantasy series and I've followed as she moved into writing contemporary romances too. I already knew she writes excellent conflicted heroes but this time she's taken things a step darker as Salvatore is an enforcer for the mob. Don't go into this expecting it to be too dark though, Salvatore has done a lot of things he isn't proud of but he's never killed anyone and we don't see a huge amount of his gang I've been a fan of Cecy Robson's books since she first started writing her Weird Girls urban fantasy series and I've followed as she moved into writing contemporary romances too. I already knew she writes excellent conflicted heroes but this time she's taken things a step darker as Salvatore is an enforcer for the mob. Don't go into this expecting it to be too dark though, Salvatore has done a lot of things he isn't proud of but he's never killed anyone and we don't see a huge amount of his gang life on page. There are a few scenes with his boss Vincent where lines are crossed and murder is involved but Salvatore is never the one pulling the trigger.

Salvatore never wanted to join the mob, he was actually training as an MMA fighter and close to hitting the big time but when his father brutally murdered his mother before killing himself Salvatore's life was turned upside-down overnight. Salvatore would to anything to protect his younger brothers Apollo and Gianno but he desperately needed money to fight for custody of them and stop them being swallowed up in a system he didn't trust to keep them safe. He turned to his childhood friend Vincent for help but that left him indebted to the son and heir of one of New Jersey's top crime bosses. Salvator's life is a dangerous one and he knows it's only a matter of time before he's forced to cross a line he can never come back from.

Aedry is the total opposite of Salvatore, she's shy, sweet and innocent with a heart of gold and a desperate need to help people. She is a guidance counsellor at the school Apollo and Gianno attend and she reaches out to Salvatore when his brothers get in trouble for fighting and skipping classes. The attraction between Aedry and Salvatore is instant but Salvatore is unwilling to pull her into his dangerous world and Aedry knows she'd never be able to hold the attention of someone so magnetic. Instead she focuses on helping his brothers and by doing that she starts to turn the whole family's lives around.

I have to admit I got a little frustrated that Salvatore kept pushing Aedry away but not giving her the full information on why he didn't feel good enough for her. He was trying to be noble but he was keeping so many secrets that she wasn't able to make an informed decision about whether she wanted to be in his life or not. I did think their romance was incredibly sweet though, I loved the interactions between the whole family and the way she became a motherly figure for Salvatore's brothers. She brought a lot of stability to all of their lives and I liked how protective they became of her when they thought Salvatore wasn't treating her right. Aedry put up with a lot from Salvatore, there were times when I wanted her to push back at him harder but in the end she did stand her ground and make the best choice for her own peace of mind.

The ending seemed a little too easy considering the situation Salvatore was in at the beginning but I really liked how things turned out for them as a family so I'm willing to overlook that. I did really enjoy the story and I'm looking forward to the next book in this series which I hope will be about Lucca and Autumn. ...more

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Feb 12, 2019 Heather andrews rated it it was amazing

Salvatore often times puts his foot in his mouth, “you didn’t mean any disrespect?” she repeats. If I didn’t think she could stiffen anymore, I was wrong. “And there’s nothing wrong with how I am? ” she asks, spinning her chair slowly to face me. Salvatore tends to have a different definition on some things, “you called it a negligee,” I remind her. “I call it something small enough to snap off with my teeth.” I liked this book, I liked Salvatore.

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Mar 05, 2019 A Klue rated it really liked it

Shelves: very-steamy-scenes, mob-background, graphic-mob-violence, mob-hero, romantic-sexy-bookcover, sweet-insecure-of-herself, didn-t-want-his-mob-life, raising-teen-siblings

As an avid fan of alpha protective mafioso heroes, who deep down are good at heart (have an air of respect/honor about them and do not compromise their principles regardless of the questionable circumstances they might find themselves), I'm struggling with how to rate Salvatore’s (Sal) character. Yes, he definitely had the vast majority of those qualities. Some may feel he even possessed all of them. I’ll be honest here and admit something happened at the very beginning that got him off on the w As an avid fan of alpha protective mafioso heroes, who deep down are good at heart (have an air of respect/honor about them and do not compromise their principles regardless of the questionable circumstances they might find themselves), I'm struggling with how to rate Salvatore’s (Sal) character. Yes, he definitely had the vast majority of those qualities. Some may feel he even possessed all of them. I’ll be honest here and admit something happened at the very beginning that got him off on the wrong foot with me. It was the last trait that came into play in that particular situation where I wanted him to speak up and say, "Thanks..but no thanks."

Sal definitely had good guy tendencies (guardian of two teen siblings, befriended/felt sorry for his mob boss’s beautiful but skanky, druggy ho mistress, who was clearly her own worst enemy, became protective of Aedry). I just took exception when he just went with the flow of things most of the time. Of course, maybe I'm being too hard on the guy. Because he had such a hot tempered employer, Sal likely would have found himself wearing concrete shoes and swimming with the fishes otherwise. Stepping up and in when that boss, Vin, was failing miserably to be the Don he needed to be at least saved face for Salvatore in my eyes. Salvatore came across as a paid but “not made” mob man, who had a natural head and leadership for this type of business, though he wanted nothing more than to wash his hands of it entirely.

Aedry, by her own admission, first described herself as awkward, embarrassed easily, dresses like a church lady, has no social life, virgin heroine, until miraculously somehow she isn’t, thanks to an unlikely ally. Her best friend, Autumn, was portrayed pretty much the same, if not worse. Despite being a medical professional, she came across as a geeky, middle schooler. I’m sure in the next book she’ll blossom into model gorgeous, as well. In fact, I'm counting on it and think I know who she will eventually wind up. I found it sad how little these two thought of themselves being worthy of a hot guy. They were living up to the label they pinned on themselves. Thankfully, Aedry comes to her senses and shakes the inaccurate ugly duckling mindset.

At 66% into it, I realized I was finding the promise of this main couple’s relationship sweet but rather exhausting and contradictory at the same time. A repetitive “I want you but I’m not good enough for you” and ”I won’t live with you/have sex with you because I want marriage first (aka want a ring on my finger)...but I’ll let you do any and every dirty, smexy thing you can think of to me” theme put this relationship on rocky ground. Speaking of which, the lengthy, graphic smexy scenes started taking over at the drop of a hat. I realized nothing significant was happening for quite some time. By the conclusion, all things considered, everything worked out for them, but it was rather inevitable, despite the explosive twist it took. It just sort of happened and “bang...bang” was over. However, the short epilogue was especially romantic and endearing. I love to see a groveling hero who is willing to do anything to get his girl back.

So, yeah, I liked that Sal didn’t want to be a bad guy, but was forced into this life for a greater good. Plus, once he fell for Aedry, he couldn’t stop thinking about her and wanted to be with her constantly. He was also quick to want to protect her and became alpha cave man jealous of other guys. There were simply some parts that were what they were, folks, and I'm going to leave it at that.

Romance Safety Gang: (view spoiler)

Title: Salvatore, Series: An In Too Far novel, Author: Cecy Robson, Pages: 356, stand-alone, works for the mob hero, sweet but insecure of herself virgin heroine, graphic mob violence, guardian of two teen siblings, several graphic smexy scenes, drug use by subcharacter. Rating: 3 - 3.5 stars

(I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review, nor is there any affiliation or relationship between this reviewer and the author/publisher/NetGalley.)
------- ...more

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Mar 12, 2019 Nadene (Totally Addicted to Reading) rated it really liked it

There are stories, which will break your heart piece by piece and then slowly mend each broken piece until its whole again. Salvatore by Cecy Robson was one such book for me.

Salvatore works for the mob, but his heart is not in it. He does it to repay a favour. He had a challenging childhood. Left home at 16 to become an MMA fighter so he could help his mom and brothers. However, tragic circumstances forced him to give up his dream, and he had to raise his brothers. However, his need to take car ...more

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Feb 25, 2019 Sophia rated it really liked it

Shelves: con-rom-bad-boys, net-galley-reads

He did what he had to do to save his family and now he's paying with his own soul until a woman comes along to shine light into his darkness. The author excels at alpha bad boys with generous hearts of gold and it is never so visible as in Salvatore, the first in a hot and darker new series.

Salvatore is a love conquers all wrong side of the tracks urban romance between a mafia don's bodyguard and a high school guidance counselor. Salvatore gave up his own life to the mob to save his brothers fro He did what he had to do to save his family and now he's paying with his own soul until a woman comes along to shine light into his darkness. The author excels at alpha bad boys with generous hearts of gold and it is never so visible as in Salvatore, the first in a hot and darker new series.

Salvatore is a love conquers all wrong side of the tracks urban romance between a mafia don's bodyguard and a high school guidance counselor. Salvatore gave up his own life to the mob to save his brothers from being lost in the system. Now, his boss wants to drag him in deeper so that there is no way out. Aedry is a sweet southern gal come north to give her heart to helping inter-city Jersey kids get a chance at success. The Romero brothers are smart and have great potential so she charges in to make their older brother who is their guardian aware that they are on the brink of bad mistakes. Aedry has never encountered a man like Sal who shocks all her sensibilities with a challenge in his dark eyes and a sizzling suggestion on his tongue. Sal has the same stunner when his brother's counselor turns out to be too good and pure to believe. Does this impossible pair stand a chance?

Well, that was something else. The author's usual powerful and emotion-producing writing was definitely out in full force. She is in a setting she writes well. Lower class, inter-city neighborhoods and people with the exception of the southern transplanted heroine. Dialogue fully of gritty wit and sizzling romance with characters up against a tough situation. I was totally down for that.

However, this success in dipping her toe into mafia is a qualified one for me. I've read my fair share of dark romance and specifically dark mafia or gang romances so I was prepared for all that can entail. In truth, I found this one on the milder to moderate end of the spectrum. Though, that said, if others are coming to this after experiencing the author's earlier releases, the warning that its darker is spot on. The mafia world, the violence, and the dirty talking in your face vice and lusty romance was good and on par with what I wanted and expected in such a story.

What had me on the fence somewhat was Aedry. Is there a thing of too opposite in an opposites attract romance? For me, that is where I was at when all was said and done. I loved Sal in all his flawed, cocky glory as he learned how to treat a worthy woman and heal from his own painful past. I adored Aedry as this beautiful soul trying to save the world one underprivileged kid at a time. She grew up sheltered in a religious farming family and brought some of that fresh faced value into the city. She's basically an untouched virgin who has little inkling of what the life of the kids in her case load are dealing with, but she cares and that can go far with a teen. To her getting wild is dressing up in pants and a blouse to go clubbing with a girl posse not watching a mob conduct business like Sal does on a daily basis. They were both wonderful people and I could see where there might be some attraction in stepping out of their norm and trying the different and the new. I could also see how the pair of them would bond over loving and wanting the best for his younger brothers which was what initially brought them into each other's orbit.
But, it was after that, when the relationship started to form, that I have to admit that I wasn't buying the promise of long-term. This is just me. Others might and will see them as perfect for each other. And, I don't mean that this ruined this story at all. Not by a long shot. There is a reason why I am a fan and the author is auto-buy. Even when I was on the fence about the heroine as the romance interest, I was still all in with loving on this story.

All in all, this was a fabulous gritty and intense beginning to love and life in a mafia world. I look forward to what is coming next in this series and can heartily recommend this one to those who enjoy mild to moderate spicy mafia romance.

My thanks to the author via Caffeinated PR services for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. ...more

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Mar 11, 2019 Kahea rated it really liked it

Shelves: arc, contemporary, dirty-talking-alpha-males, oh-the-angst, 2019-books-read, reviewed, triggers, 4-stars, crazy-family-goodness, quirky-females

***4 Stars***

I’ve read a few of the authors contemporary romances and really enjoyed them, so when I saw that she was dipping a toe into the mafia side of things, I decided I needed to give this one a go and I really enjoyed it. It’s got a dark edge to it, but there is also a good dose of sweet and smexy and a couple of things that I didn’t see coming.

I loved Sal and Aedry. Sal is all kinds of alpha AF male. He does what needs to be done, even if some of those things aren’t always the best c
***4 Stars***

I’ve read a few of the authors contemporary romances and really enjoyed them, so when I saw that she was dipping a toe into the mafia side of things, I decided I needed to give this one a go and I really enjoyed it. It’s got a dark edge to it, but there is also a good dose of sweet and smexy and a couple of things that I didn’t see coming.

I loved Sal and Aedry. Sal is all kinds of alpha AF male. He does what needs to be done, even if some of those things aren’t always the best choices and puts him in a position he isn’t entirely happy with. Aedry is interesting. She is has this...wallflower feel to her where she doesn’t need, or want, to be in the spotlight, but she’ll step up to the plate when she feels strongly about something and won’t mince words.

Sal and Aedry’s journey was sweet, smexy and frustrating all at the same time. Between Sal’s constant push/pull thing going on (and OMG there were a few times I want to take a 2x4 to his head) and Aedry’s blindness (which, yes, I understood why, but still) to the world Sal had gotten himself stuck in (for noble reasons that went sideways on him) they seriously drove me batshitcray, but...yeah, there is a BUT, they were really good together. That spark, that connection between them was strong and they both brought out the best in each other. Of course, their already rocky road had to deal with a huge sinkhole, which wasn’t a surprise, but in the end, while I would have liked a tinsy bit more groveling, I can’t deny it for them both perfectly and I love how things ended up for them.

This was a fun read, a little darker than what I’ve read of the authors so far, but still a good read. It was easy to get drawn in to the story and want to see it through til the end. There are some things that may be triggers for some, so beware. As for the supporting cast of characters, I loved Apollo and Gianni and what they brought to the story and Vin and Donnie definitely added the drama, but I’m hoping to get more of Lucca and Autumn in because they both intrigued me and simply need to know more!

~ Copy provided by Caffinated PR via NetGalley & voluntarily reviewed ~ ...more

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Mar 06, 2019 Mary Kirkland rated it it was amazing

I don't read a lot of genre's other than PNR most of the time but there are some authors that I just love their writing style and this happens to be one of those authors, so I knew I was going to request this book as soon as I saw it on NetGalley.

Sal's story broke my heart. When he and his younger brothers were kids, their father killed their mother. And I thought, Oh hell, this story is gonna make me cry. I felt so bad for the kids, especially Sal since he was the oldest and he wanted to take I don't read a lot of genre's other than PNR most of the time but there are some authors that I just love their writing style and this happens to be one of those authors, so I knew I was going to request this book as soon as I saw it on NetGalley.

Sal's story broke my heart. When he and his younger brothers were kids, their father killed their mother. And I thought, Oh hell, this story is gonna make me cry. I felt so bad for the kids, especially Sal since he was the oldest and he wanted to take care of his brothers. The entire child welfare system is messed up and would rather break up a family than help them stay together. So when Sal's friend, Vincent helps him keep his family together, he's now indebted to him. It wouldn't be so bad if Vincent wasn't the son of a major mob boss and was slotted to take over the family business at some point.

Sal ends up working for the mob and it's a bad world, a bad time and a bad life but he's keeping his brother's safe so that's all that matters to him. Sal has done a lot of things but he's never killed anyone...yet. But if Vincent gets his way and Sal takes the new position as his bodyguard, he will probably have to kill someone since the other mob bosses are coming after Vincent when he takes over the family business. Things seem to be going on as normal as ever but Sal and his brothers have gotten really close to the boys guidance counselor, Adrianna Daniels. Watching Sal and Aedry get to know one another was almost sad at first. He's really not used to someone normal like her and he messes up a bit before they finally start getting along.

Sal has been so careful not to get involved with anyone who could be hurt by what he does but Vincent finds out about her and uses her to try and get Sal to do what he wants. As soon as Adrianna meets Vincent, she knows that there's more to the man than just a regular boss and Sal knows that she might be in danger if he steps out of line with Vincent.

I was a little mad at Sal for ever getting involved with her in the first place knowing who he associates himself with and what he does. He put her in danger. I was wondering how this was going to end. How they were going to get their HEA or if they were. Then in the span of a few pages everything changes. That twist happened so fast, it left my jaw on the floor for a few seconds. I actually had to go back and re-read what just happened. I never saw that ending coming but it was great!

Disclosure: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. ...more

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Mar 10, 2019 Maria11 rated it really liked it

Read it in about two sittings. Kept me interested for sure. Sal is lucky that Aedry is a very forgiving person, because he really screwed up a ton of times. Sal is on the fringes of the mob so it is not an emergence of it per say. There is some violent scenes where people are shot. There is the harsh reality of being trapped in a situation you see no exit from. Sal is definitely a brooding hero and Aedry calls him on it. The boys are interesting and I wish the author had put some more background ...more

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Mar 10, 2019 Susan (susayq ~) rated it really liked it

Shelves: angstfest, 1st-in-series, ebooks, contemporary-romance, mafia-mobster-guy, 2019books

Oh Cecy Robson, you write books that suck me in and make me want to live in their world, no matter how dangerous it may be. And make no mistakes, Salvatore Romero's world is dangerous. But he has such a loving and protective heart. I just wanted to squeeze him. I really liked Aedry as well. She was innocent to the world Sal lived in but she had a strong backbone and didn't mind doing what needed to be done for herself, or the children she worked with at the school.

I'm curious to see if Lucca wil ...more

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Feb 26, 2019 Becky Rendon rated it really liked it

3.5 stars

Salvatore is doing everything he can to keep his family afloat. He is doing everything he can not to be a Made man. He has lived a hard life and doesn't expect anything else but what he knows.

Enter one beautiful guidance counselor on a crusade and he's done for. He just doesn't know it yet. She is everything he never let himself want. And now she is everything he can never let himself have.

I cried. There is no shame in admitting it. If Apollo can cry, so can I. The feels are there. The ...more

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Feb 09, 2019 Melliane rated it liked it

3.5/5

Mon avis en Français

My English review

I haven’t read many novels about mafia, but I must admit that when I saw that Cecy Robson, an author I love, was getting into it, I didn’t resist for very long! I must say that I had recently read novels in this context by another author and I loved them, so I was curious to discover the author’s ideas.

I admit that it was nice, but it wasn’t what I expected. Salvatore is a man who after his parents’ death had to take care of his two brothers and for th ...more

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Mar 11, 2019 Jody rated it really liked it

Shelves: opposites-attract, suspense, mafia, m-f, contemporary, bad-boys

When it comes to romances set in the world of the mafia there seems to be a bit of familiarity when it comes to these books and Ms. Robson’s latest remains familiar but no less satisfying because of its larger-than-life hero. In a romance of opposites attracting readers will find themselves captivated by the conflict of its hero and quickly caught up in a web of suspense and lies.

Salvatore Romero once had dreams of his own, but the murder of his mother by his father irrevocably changed the path When it comes to romances set in the world of the mafia there seems to be a bit of familiarity when it comes to these books and Ms. Robson’s latest remains familiar but no less satisfying because of its larger-than-life hero. In a romance of opposites attracting readers will find themselves captivated by the conflict of its hero and quickly caught up in a web of suspense and lies.

Salvatore Romero once had dreams of his own, but the murder of his mother by his father irrevocably changed the path his life was to have taken and led him down a dark path that leaves him feeling dirty. It was a deal with the devil, agreeing to work for mobster Vincent Maggiano, that led him astray but it was a necessity in order to help him gain custody of his brothers after their mother’s murder and it’s his love for them that made the choice simple. The pain of that murder though hangs over these three brothers, always weighing them down like an anchor and it’s what brings Sal into contact with a woman his complete opposite but who brings a bit of light to his darkness. It’s a rocky road to HEA though for him and Aedry as he desperately tries to keep the truth about who he is and what he does from tainting her. He longs to be the man she sees when she looks at him, but the secrets and lies make for a relationship that’s bound to bring heartache unless the power of love can prevail. As a reader I LOVE bad boys and their sexy and dangerous vibe of power. Sal has all that and more. He’s protective and will do anything to keep those he loves safe and it’s that aspect of him that endeared him to me. There’s a lot of darkness surrounding him though, his need to tell lies to keep Aedry in his life, that frustrated me but is par for the course in these kinds of books. Sal may be predictable in his actions but his sweet moments with Aedry, and the sexiness that radiates off him, drew me to him despite all that he did in the name of the devil.

Adrianna Daniels is the proverbial good girl, someone with a big heart who just wants to help others, and it’s this need to help a young man with a tough home life that brings her to Sal’s doorstep. It’s a crackling first meeting, one that changes both of their lives irrevocably, and brings her into a world that could put her in danger. Aedry’s a likable heroine, one who puts on a brave face to do what she needs to do when helping others. She dives in without hesitation and while I applaud her caring side I can’t help but wish she had a stronger sense of self-preservation in her career. When it comes to her heart too she blindly believes the stories Sal tells her which marred their connection a bit for me. That’s not to say that she always caves to the whim of Sal and those moments that she stood up to him and his desires had me cheering and made for an even more scorching relationship.

On a whole this was a satisfying story with an appealing couple made stronger, and better, by being together. Though they’re opposites in many ways they just felt right together and I especially liked seeing a softer side to Sal that arouse when he was with Aedry. There’s much weighing on them from the outside world though, much that battered at their HEA, in a story that ultimately ends in a satisfying conclusion. Surrounding this likable main couple was an equally appealing cast of secondary characters whose stories I long to have told. From Sal’s younger brothers to Luca there’s still plenty of stories left to tell and I look forward to where Ms. Robson takes us next. ...more

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Mar 21, 2019 Gin rated it it was amazing

Yum! Sooo good! Not your typical mafia story...so much more. It's life, love, family, friends, and tough decisions. I was sucked in from the beginning with the juxtaposed characters in the fabulously alpha Salvatore and the wonderfully sweet Adrianna. There's so much to say about these excellent characters that this terrific author created for us to enjoy. I loved them and all the conflict with their different backgrounds and lifestyles. Salvatore is a crude-talking, rough guy but so so strong a ...more

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Mar 04, 2019 April rated it really liked it

What an interesting read, these characters are so complex and it just makes for an excellent story. Sal is so complicated and he is the alpha in the book and he really shows off all his strong alpha behaviors when it comes to Aedry. I am not a fan of her nickname I have no idea how it’s pronounced and it looks odd on the pages of this story. I love her morals and how much of a positive influence she is on the brothers and the others she works with at the school. I also love that she stands her g ...more

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Mar 13, 2019 Pennie Morgan rated it really liked it

This is a dark, dark read and I had a hard time coming to grips with it at times. Sal is a ultra alpha male who has stepped up to raise his younger brothers to keep them out of the foster system after their father murdered their mother. In order to do this, he is forced to join the Family, yes, the mob. Then the boys school counselor comes to the house when one is not in school and some light is brought into his darkness. Adrianna is all kinds of light and goodness and she is tough, too, and sta ...more

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Mar 13, 2019 Reckless Readers rated it really liked it

Since the beginning of time when confronted with protecting ones family, a person will do almost anything to keep them safe. But at what cost? I felt for Adrianna who being young and naïve, understood Salatore’s need to take care of his brothers, but not to the extent he did his job. Torn between right and wrong, both must make a choice. I found myself asking myself what I would do in Aedry’s case.
Cecy Robson has written a dramatic story with a dramatic ending that I absolutely loved and can’t w ...more

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Mar 09, 2019 Linda Rea rated it it was amazing

Cecy Robson is a new author to me but this story captured my interest right away. Sal is the head muscle for Vin whose is trying to be the head of a crime family and failing at it. When Sal meets Aedry she is there to help with his younger brothers who are having issues in school but one look at her and Sal is hooked. None of this story is easy, Aedry is a believer in everything good and Sal has to represent everything bad even if he doesn’t want too. Aedry, Sal and even Donnie break your heart ...more

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Mar 15, 2019 Bette Hansen rated it really liked it

Excellent

A dark mafia romance that kept me intrigued throughout. Salvatore is a man trapped by his circumstances. He longs for a "normal" life but can't see a way out. When he meets Aedry he knows he has to do something. You'll want to come along on the ride these two take. Recommended read.

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Apr 14, 2019 Regan rated it really liked it

Angst, passion, worlds colliding. Adrianna is a school counselor. Salvatore is muscle for a mobster doing it in part to help support his two high school-aged brothers. Graphic sex, graphic violence, and a steamy, yearning build up between Aedry and Salvatore. Side characters, especially the brothers, are well formed, and there's strong set up for the next "beauty and the beast" installment.

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Mar 13, 2019 Tammy rated it really liked it

Sal just wanted to protect his family and ends up working for the mob. He believes Adrianna is his opposite, but sparks fly. He knows he should stay away but just can’t. Great read with plenty of drama and suspense. Steamy chemistry and an entertaining story. I liked it.

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Mar 02, 2019 Suzan rated it it was amazing

I really enjoyed this book, Cecy Robson has outdone herself again. Sal & Aedry were just what each other needed, Sal especially needed Aedry. Gianno and Apollo, Sal's younger brothers, really needed Aedry's influence in their lives as well. They made a great family although they had their up's & downs. It was an emotional read at times but I love that in the end Aedry did give Sal the courage to escape the bad life his was in before it became too late for him. I get the feeling that maybe Aedry' ...more

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About Cecy Robson

Cecy Robson

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CECY ROBSON is an international and multi-award-winning author of over twenty-five character driven novels. A registered nurse of nineteen years, Cecy spends her free time creating magical worlds, heart-stopping romance, and young adult adventure. After receiving two RITA® nominations, the Maggie Award, the Award of Excellence, and a National Reader’s Choice Award nomination, you can still find Ce ...more