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How much is too much?

Five years—that was the deal. Renzo Zulla gave up five years of his life to repay a debt to an organization that only wanted to break him before they could make him. Their way, their rules. He doesn’t move without their okay, even if his latest job puts him right in front of her. But the five years are almost up, and he knows exactly where he’s going first.

Love doesn’t follow rules …

Heartbroken and alone—that’s how she survives. Lucia Marcello is alive, but a part of her still feels dead without him. She’s spent far too much time running away from her past and the pain she constantly holds tight because it’s easier than hating the people who caused it. But life has a way of bringing you back when your heart never will.

Love doesn’t fade …

But time means nothing, and forever might be only an illusion for them. Because where fate doesn’t step in, reality does. If hate is a game you play with your heart, and contempt is the game you play with your mind … where does that leave love?

Vendettas don’t care about love.
It’s in God’s hands now.

*

Note: Contempt is the final book in a three-book Trilogy following the same couple.

225 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 28, 2019

74 people are currently reading
442 people want to read

About the author

Bethany-Kris

107 books4,259 followers
The author of too many novels to count, Bethany-Kris is a Canadian, lover of much, and mother to four sons, a glaring of cats, and a pack of dogs. A small town in Eastern Canada where she was born and raised is where she has always called home. With her boys under her feet, a snuggling cat, barking dogs, and a spouse calling over his shoulder, she is nearly always writing something ... when she can find the time.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews
Profile Image for ✰ Liz ✰ .
1,410 reviews1,339 followers
August 8, 2020
★4.5★
"Time apart always seemed to bring them back together in the most brilliant of ways."
description

Contempt is the third and final book in the Renzo and Lucia Series. Five years have passed and Lucia Marcello is struggling to forgive her family for taking Renzo Zulla away from her. The pain and torment she feels linger through each and every moment. Meanwhile, Renzo has been forced into a secret society of assassins. After his contract is up, he will be free to reunite with his love once again. However, if he tries to make contact one moment before the five years is up, he risks losing it all. When Lucia returns home to try to make amends with her family, Renzo's new contract and his sweet Lucia collide. Despite the threat of death, Renzo is unwilling to let her go. After five years of separation, it will take everything they have to find their way together!

description

Told in multiple POV, Contempt is an action-packed contemporary romance set in a twisted mafia world. The characters are complex and the passion between Renzo and Lucia is smoking hot! As always, Bethany-Kris has crafted a world full of intrigue and suspense. Renzo and Lucia's story captivated me from the beginning and this final installment truly ends with a bang.
"He loved this woman. Loved her messy. Loved her crazy. Loved her best."
Overall, Mafia Romance Fans will not want to miss the Renzo and Lucia Series. Each book in the series is full of non-stop action, tender romance, and fiery passion. Contempt is an absolute must-read! I have become a true Bethany-Kris convert and highly recommend her work to anyone who enjoys a ruthless alpha paired with a spunky heroine! I look forward to more Bethany-Kris greatness to come!

✰ ARC graciously provided in exchange for an honest review!

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Profile Image for Bev .
2,222 reviews481 followers
March 9, 2019
Ren and Lucia's road to happy was a long one ... 5 years long to be exact. It was hard fought, and had me tearing up a few times.

Before I go any further I must say how much I loved Lucian's "redemption". That man would have given Lucia the world to try and repair what had gone so badly wrong. He never gave up on her, and she made it so damn hard for him not to. It was absolutely perfect, even though the author sucker-punched me with that twist! Thank you, Bethany Kris, for giving me back my Lucian, the character I fell so hard for a while back.

Now then - Renzo and Lucia. Loved Ren, loved him! But then, I usually love ALL this author's heroes, anti heroes they may be. He really drew the short straw all through his young life, kept on being knocked down, kept picking himself up and kept on keeping on. His tenacity, capacity for love and forgiveness was phenomenal. His honour and strength of character - phenomenal. He went through hell to get to the other side.

Lucia ... she had me rather conflicted. She was so young and at times foolish in the first two books, and age and maturity didn't do much to ease the foolishness. Damn - that girl can hold a mean grudge! Her resentment and bitterness towards her dad got a bit old. I totally get how utterly destroyed she was and how she felt so betrayed by her dad and brother, I really do. But dear god, five freaking years of never bending or softening towards her dad? No. Not nice.

Renzo and Lucia were meant to be, no matter that it took so long for them to get there.
Profile Image for Bethany-Kris.
Author 107 books4,259 followers
Read
March 1, 2019
LIVE EARLY!

Amazon - KU | https://geni.us/Contempt

Cover Revealed!

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Blurb revealed:

How much is too much?

Five years—that was the deal. Renzo Zulla gave up five years of his life to repay a debt to an organization that only wanted to break him before they could make him. Their way, their rules. He doesn’t move without their okay, even if his latest job puts him right in front of her. But the five years are almost up, and he knows exactly where he’s going first.

Love doesn’t follow rules …

Heartbroken and alone—that’s how she survives. Lucia Marcello is alive, but a part of her still feels dead without him. She’s spent far too much time running away from her past and the pain she constantly holds tight because it’s easier than hating the people who caused it. But life has a way of bringing you back when your heart never will.

Love doesn’t fade …

But time means nothing, and forever might be only an illusion for them. Because where fate doesn’t step in, reality does. If hate is a game you play with your heart, and contempt is the game you play with your mind … where does that leave love?

Vendettas don’t care about love.
It’s in God’s hands now.

*

Note: Contempt is the final book in a three-book Trilogy following the same couple.
Profile Image for Deanna❤Pink Lady❤️.
820 reviews844 followers
March 5, 2019
5 Epically Perfect Stars


This book was everything. The last book in the Renzo -Lucia trilogy and it was epically perfect. You definitely need to read the previous two books but I promise that this trilogy is one not to miss.

Lucia’s family is a big part of her and although she is so angry with her father, she loves him and it’s that love that brings her back to NY after living in California for the last 5 years. She can table her anger while dealing with a family emergency. Renzo and his association with The League is fascinating. He’s every bit of a rebel still but he is so much more now. But five long years have passed with no contact for Renzo and Lucia. Each lonely, each hurting, each living their lives but most of all, each NEVER FORGETTING. Their past mistakes lead to this 5 year separation but it was only temporary. The 5 years are almost up and Renzo’s latest job has lead him back to Lucia. But he must wait for the full 5 years to contact her but when she’s so close, can he really wait?

It’s hard to say more because spoiling the way this story unfolded would be criminal. It was full of feels for both Renzo and Lucia. My heart continually expanded and contracted throughout the entire read. My emotions bleed for each and every character and the storyline touched my heart in every way possible. It combined Ren and Lucia, his family and her family and created the most perfect ending to this trilogy.

I know I didn’t say much about the plot but I promise this love story that spans 5 years is amazing. This author brings her A game to each and every book she writes. The passion, the love, the heartache and the mafia connection make for 5 stars each and every time.

*advanced copy provided by author in exchange for an honest review*
Profile Image for Deborah.
3,836 reviews496 followers
July 30, 2019

Another great read.
This has turned out to be a fabulous series.

I absolutely adored Ren and I really wanted him to get his HEA. I have to admit he had me worried at times.

Lucia. Wow talk about holding a grudge. Five years and still going strong. If grudge holding was an Olympic event you’re looking at the gold medal winner.

And Lucian he won me over early on in this book. Everything after that was just icing on the cake.

A couple of reviews mentioned a twist. I completely missed it. It’s not the first time this has happened but I’m left scratching my head as to what I missed.

Great series and that’s all you’re getting since I’m moving straight onto Forever now.
Profile Image for Fanny.
2,395 reviews50 followers
March 13, 2021



Supe antes incluso de leer Contempt que iba a ser una lectura de las que impactan, y tanto que lo fue.

Han pasado un par de horas desde que lo termine y aun sigo intentando digerir todo lo que paso en menos de 300 paginas, lo que si tengo claro, es que Contempt es el libro mas memorable de la trilogia " Renzo & Lucia ".

Este tercer tomo esta tan lleno de accion, descubrimientos y manipulacion, que me pase toda la novela con miedo de perderme algo vital de la trama, ademas, las tramas de accion / romance estan muy bien equilibradas, eso si, las escenas finales te dejan con ganas de mas, mucho mas.

Como cierre de trilogia me parece muy buen libro, cierra todas las tramas abiertas y contesta a las preguntas que se quedaron en el aire en Harbor, los unicos fallos de los que me puedo quejar son que el epilogo aunque muy bonito, me supo a poco, lo bueno es que tenemos mas de Renzo y Lucia en Forever, el cual termine anoche, y tambien que me quede con ganas de saber mas sobre La Liga, aunque ese " submundo " seguro que se desarrollara mas en detalle en la saga de los hijos de Cara y Gian, serie que aun no se si leere, no me terminan de convencer las sinopsis que lei.

En definitiva, Contempt fue todo lo que deseaba como ultimo tomo de la saga. Se lee que da gusto y la pareja protagonista sigue siendo igual de fantastica que en los libros anteriores.

3.5 Estrellas!
Profile Image for Naadira  Moodley (BookedMercy) .
369 reviews82 followers
March 1, 2019
This trilogy was so heart-wrenching. I’m emotionally hungover. I cried for every book but atleast Contempt didn’t destroy me as much as the other two books did.

Renzo and Lucia have been through so much. At the end of Harbor this couple were separated yet again but this time it was going to be for 5 years. Those years have been full of heartache, pain, contempt and torment. Lucia was barely surviving. She was going through the motions and trying to get past her family’s betrayal but it was a challenge. Renzo on the other hand was paying his debt. A debt that cut him off from everything he holds dear. They eventually do find they way back to each other but the road was long and very difficult. They both had to comes to terms with their new reality and move past the hurt and pain they endured.

I started liking Lucian again in this book but I’m not sure if I forgive him completely even though he went through so much and also stopped standing in the way of his daughter’s happiness. I am so happy that our protagonists finally got their HEA. Renzo became even more badass than he was. He changed completely yet with Lucia and his siblings he was still the attentive, protective and loving guy he has always been.

My heart has finally healed after all that torment.
Profile Image for Ari Reavis.
Author 20 books163 followers
February 28, 2019
The perfect ending for this couple who had to go through hell to have each other.
I was glued to the pages from the first to the last, needing to see Lucia and Ren come back together, needing to get those moments back when they were just loving on each other. But before that, I had to go through the pain. The pain of their separation and the toll that had taken on them both, the toll it had taken on their relationships with their families. I had to go through the anger and well, contempt they both had for certain people. But it was more than worth it to get to the moment they locked eyes, the moment their hearts found each other again.
And their love, their always crazy, out of control love, was even better, even more passionate. I mean, they had 5 years to make up for damn it. I loved seeing them kind of rediscover each other, but also see that some parts were still the same. They were both different, better, but still the perfect ones for each other.
But they couldn't get their happy ending that easily. There was someone lurking in the shadows, ready to rip it away from them. There was lots of action and trying to put the pieces together as to what this person's plans and motived were. I loved every second of it.
The ending had my heart in my freaking throat. I was literally reading in my car, eyes wide, hand to my chest, anxious over what was going to happen.
Loved their ending. Loved this book.
Profile Image for Melliane.
2,073 reviews350 followers
March 6, 2019
Mon avis en Français

My English review

I was curious to read the third volume of the series to finally discover the end of the story of Lucia and Renzo.

Five years have passed. Five years during which Renzo hasn’t contacted Lucia once. Not because he didn’t want to, but because he couldn’t. Supervised, trained, reshaped to become another person, someone useful to the League, he finally found himself close to her after all this time. But here it is, he’s here to do a job, to watch a man, and he still has a few more weeks to be done. However, the person he is following may not be what he seems and Renzo will do everything to understand what is going on, especially as he begins to revolve around Lucia.

I had a good time with this last volume, Lucia tries to forgive her father for all the events, but it’s not easy. She has trouble managing her feelings, the pain that everyone is causing her. But she needs to make some choices for the future! I was happy to find the characters from the previous novels, even if this time I found myself a little more lost because I didn’t read all the previous novels. I think I should fix this!
Profile Image for Tzelina.
507 reviews130 followers
March 5, 2019
I have written and deleted this review so many times I don't even know what to say.
A 5 stars.... fucking addictive mafia romance! I LOVE Bethany Kris (surely is the Queen of mafia tales) writing and she NEVER disappoints me!!I loved it from the first page, it was an amazing tale that kept me on the edge!! Renzo and Lucia fought so long, so fucking hard to be finally together!! Both of them were so loyal to eachother!! This is a tale about strength....loyalty ..... of doing anything no matter the cost, no matter the consequences!!! Another fucking amazing ending!! Truly...A MUST read for sure!!!
Profile Image for Caroline.
1,091 reviews5 followers
March 6, 2019

This was one hell of a terrific conclusion to Lucia and Renzo’s story.

« Do you feel like this, too ? Alone all the time ? Empty, too ? That’s me without you. »

Gripping, spell-binding, beautiful, epically perfect.

« Abused dogs never forget where they come from. »

I’m emotionally hungover.

At 81% in the book I just stop breathing, hoping for a fucking miracle.

« Beep, beep, beep. Six seconds. Four to go. Renzo dropped to his knees… »

I loved it.
Profile Image for Katie.
711 reviews19 followers
June 25, 2021
Started strong, plateaued around half way and dropped towards the end.
Profile Image for Belén Coronel Blanes.
486 reviews46 followers
November 8, 2025
¡Por fin se puso buena la trama!
Los dos primeros libros me aburrieron entre poco y bastante, sentía que la pareja no tenía química ni desarrollo, y que la trama era un poco pobre, sin embargo, este libro se puso interesante desde la página 1.
Renzo debe saldar una deuda por lo que dedicó cinco años de su vida a La Liga, una organización que se dedica a formar asesinos (entre otras cosas).
Cuando Ren lleva un año en La Liga lo subastan al mejor postor, este, el comprador anónimo, le dará tareas por lo que dure su contrato. Ren deberá seguir las reglas y órdenes de su comprador.
Cuando faltan meses para que su deuda con La Liga quede saldada y que Renzo pueda volver a casa con sus hermanos e ir a buscar a Lucia, su comprador, al que conoce con el nombre de M (nunca le ha visto), le da una última misión que lo pone en el camino de su chica.
Y entonces las cosas comienzan a torcerse cuando los Marcello quedan enredados en su misión.
Mientras Renzo trata de averiguar porque su jefe le ha pedido que siga a Christian Savino, Lucia comienza a descubrir algunas verdades que su padre mantuvo en secreto para ella.
Y así, poco a poco, Lucia debe encontrar el perdón en sí misma y deshacerse de la culpa y dolor que hay en ella.
Tengo que decir que en este libro la pareja me gustó un poco más, pero tampoco es que considere que son LA pareja porque están lejos de serlo. Pero me gustaron, el amor que se tenían se podía ver.
Las últimas 100 páginas fueron un poco predecibles para mí, aún así las disfruté (o más bien estuve al borde de la silla de la incertidumbre, pues fueron muchas escenas de acción). Además, este libro no tuvo ni una escena de relleno, TODO aportaba a la trama, a los descubrimientos de cada uno, al desenlace.
Y el final es muy de la autora: la boda. Si bien no mostró mucho de ese momento, pudimos leer a Renzo dándose cuenta que en todo ese tiempo él había cambiado un montón, que había crecido y se había convertido en alguien. Ya no era Renzo Zulla, el chico criado en Bronx que salía a las calles para darle un techo y comida a sus hermanos, ahora era Ren, un asesino de La Liga que vive en Nueva York y que se convertirá en el esposo de Lucia Marcello. Él es alguien.
Por otro lado, quiero destacar el cambio que tuvo Lucian, el padre de Lucia. Él en los dos primeros libros me exaspero muchísimo, no podía creer que fuera tan forro y no pudiera ver más allá de su paranoia. Se preocupaba al extremo por sus hijos que terminó haciéndole daño a su hija más chica. Pero, aunque tardó, supo darse cuenta de los errores que cometió con respecto a Lucia y Renzo, por lo que ayuda a Renzo a escapar de prisión y a sobrevivir durante los 5 años que dura su deuda para que luego pueda encontrarse con su hija.
Dicho esto, creo que es obvio quien es M. Lucian tenía que asegurarse de comprar a Renzo para que ningún otro le de una misión lo suficientemente suicida que podría acabar con su vida, porque Renzo debía regresar con Lucia, sino, su hija nunca se lo perdonaría. Es decir, Lucian estaba cuidando a Renzo, a su manera.
No voy a explayarme más porque terminaré por contarles todo el libro, así que, terminado mi reseña, puedo decir que Contempt es el mejor libro de esta serie. La lectura fue rápida y a flor de piel.
Profile Image for A Klue.
1,500 reviews326 followers
March 4, 2019
Where do I even begin, my fellow mafia romance book loving friends? Renzo and Lucia have both been put through an emotional wringer these past five years. Somehow though they never severed their soulmate connection, despite time, distance, and hopelessness conspiring against them.

This book started off living up to its name. Ren’s contempt for his circumstances somehow made him stronger and more determined to defeat the odds against him. Lucia was a different story. The resentment she learned to embrace towards those who had robbed her of the one thing she loved most clamped around her heart like armor. It wasn’t until a small crack gave way that she realized it was destroying her. Yet, she still didn’t quite know how to let the hurt and anger completely go. When a shocking discovery is made, things start to fall into play that allowed fate to finally step in and reunite these two destined to be together lovebirds.

Ren has been through unimaginable physical and emotional hell. Torture is more like it, folks. Transformed into a man I always knew he could be, he’s had no life of his own. The only thing that has kept him going is thoughts of Lucia.

Though this book is a wrap up, I can surprisingly see how someone new to this series could still read it and get the gist of this main couple’s past and present. There was enough mention of past events to catch up on what’s transpired. Of course, for the full effect, it’s advisable to read all the books in order. Heck, don’t stop there, my friend. You can backtrack through time and really get a feel for the Marcellos family history by reading the entire Filthy Marcellos series. Though older and wiser now, you’ll get to experience the HEAs of all of those alpha male protective mafioso bros.

The explosive ending once again had me fangirling over Lucian, Lucia’s mafioso padre. He’s always a man with a plan. But make no mistake, Ren was by far the main hero here. However, a high five and three cheers go to Lucia for not sitting on the sidelines and doing her part to help out, as well.

So there you have it. Hopefully I’ve been vague enough not to spill too many beans here. Since I didn’t always see eye to eye with some of Ren’s past impulsive teenage decisions, I’d gladly somehow like to unknow some of them. But not know him ever..No, just no. I’m glad I met him, and even more so happy to see him wind up with his lady love.

Title: Contempt, Series: Renzo + Lucia, (Book 3), Author: Bethany-Kris, Pages: 272, should really read books in order, some might consider it a stand-alone, several very graphic smexy scenes with lusty language, both stay celibate during very long separate, no cheating, no love triangle, no OW/OM drama, some violence, cameos of characters from other series, best book of this series.

(I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. 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.)
Profile Image for Manoela.
1,177 reviews24 followers
March 2, 2019
4 Stars

I really enjoyed the story of Renzo and Lucia, even more than I imagined and I was happy that after everything they spent in Contempt we can see these two characters conquering their happy end more than deserved.

Throughout the trilogy I could observe how these characters grew along the journey, holding the love they felt for each other more alive than ever.This story with the touch of Romeo and Juliet made me cheer for them and every obstacle that appeared in the way of them broke my heart. It was also good to review old acquaintances and see how the lives of these characters I spend so much time with and read several generations.

The story of Renzo and Lucia was full of ups and downs, people thinking they could interfere, twists, secrets and also a lot of action and romance. A satisfying book with all the aspects of a book of that theme that I like.

I Received an unreleased copy of this book
Profile Image for Shirley.
673 reviews
March 18, 2019
5 Stars

Yes and we are back in the game. Ren and Lucia had one hell of a road to happiness and it sure was bumpy! I loved this book and all the way through their separation they never gave up on each other, their love for each other was never going to waver regardless of the obstacles thrown in their way. And believe me they had a few reasons to just give up…………those letters slayed me.

I loved Lucian in this book and he did redeem himself with knobs on………yay ♥
Profile Image for Jayne {aka cupcakesandbookshelves} .
846 reviews77 followers
March 4, 2019
I hated this had to end, but what a way to go!! This was ONE HELL OF A BOOK! Bittersweet, my emotions were rattled all over the place and my brain just went BOOM! I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS TRILOGY SO, SO MUCH. I'm going to miss Ren and Lucia so much.
4.5 Stars

*ARC kindly given in exchange for an honest review, thank you so much*
Profile Image for Alex ♈.
1,568 reviews1,405 followers
March 25, 2019
Well, no disrespect here, but the trilogy was a mess to me.
Good writing, no question, but so OTT 🙄

The League concept remained me of the tv series I floved - La Femme Nikita - yeah, I find the French version much better than the US one.

The ending was somehow aka direction of 'Rambo'.

Anyway, I found they stole 5 precious years of hero's life and the heroine didn't grow up a bit.

Safe. Both celibate during separation.

2.5 stars
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Betty.
367 reviews1 follower
March 2, 2019
Such an amazing series! I loved this so much All the drama they had to go through on previous books and this one... I’m so glad they finally got their happy ending. They both deserved it!
I would’ve liked to see a little further in the future though.
Profile Image for Ana Laura Coronel Blanes.
463 reviews15 followers
December 26, 2021
El mejor libro de la pareja hasta ahora. No es lento, no hay escenas de relleno, todo conduce a algo hacia el final.

Han pasado cinco años desde Harbor , y Renzo Zulla está llegando al final de la deuda con The League y está listo para volver con sus hermanos y buscar a Lucia Marcello, a quien no ha dejado de amar en todo aquel tiempo.

Durante los últimos casi cuatro años, Renzo ha estado haciendo trabajos para un jefe anónimo que compró su contrato, además de algún trabajo aleatorio fuera de su contrato con esta persona. Uno de sus últimos trabajos de su jefe es seguirle la pista a un traficante de drogas italiano que termina por ponerlo en el camino de Lucia. Así es como la pareja vuelve a acercarse y a ponerse al día. Lucia descubre la verdad del trato que su padre hizo para mantener a Renzo fuera de prisión, a su vez que Ren averigua quien es su jefe y se juega su vida para salvar a los Marcellos.

"—El amor tampoco debería doler, pero eso es lo que siempre me ha hecho a mí cuando se trata de ti. No es lo que quiero." Lucia.

Renzo y Lucia están lejos de ser una de las mejores parejas para mi. Pero acá lo han hecho tan bien y pude sentir que había química entre ellos y como ambos estaban reconectándose tras el tiempo separados. Ambos se aman, eso es algo que no ha cambiado en los últimos años, y están decididos a luchar por estar juntos porque nadie va a separarlos ahora.

Ni siquiera Lucian Marcello. Quien ha cambiado y tuvo su "redención".. Mientras que en los dos libros anteriores, Lucian fue exasperante en su búsqueda de mantener alejada a su hija de un tipo que creía que solo la lastimaría, ahora se ha dado cuenta de sus errores y si bien quiere el perdón de su hija, sabe que una simple disculpa no lo logrará.

Esto lleva a que sea obvio quien es el jefe anónimo de Renzo, dado que solo había una manera de mantenerlo con vida ya que a cualquier otro no le hubiese importado mucho.

"—A veces, creo que papá se preocupa demasiado por nosotros. Quiere que estemos seguros, y felices, y realizados. En el proceso, su naturaleza protectora a veces nos asfixia también. Y así es papá, es quien es, y tenemos que amarlo a pesar de todo, Lucía."John.

Este libro introduce un poco sobre The League, una organización que se dedica a formar asesinos (entre otras cosas) para hacer cualquier trabajo que cualquier persona con dinero pague para que se haga.

A su vez que nos presenta a algunos personajes como Corrado y Chris Guzzi, los hijos gemelos de Gian y Cara Guzzi ( Unraveled , quienes se entrenaron en The League y tienen sus propios libros en la serie The Guzzi Legacy. Ambos hermanos se hicieron amigos de Ren en los últimos años y lo estuvieron ayudando al buscarle información sobre Lucia.

A Cree, quien es un miembro de alto rango en la organización y quien entrenó a Renzo, lo conocimos en John + Siena Extended como el nuevo terapeuta de John.

No puedo esperar a adentrarme un poco más en el funcionamiento de The League y como esta los rompió y los convirtió en alguien mejor. Así como hizo con Renzo. Que si bien odiaba a su yo del pasado, pudo hacer las pases y aceptar que fue esa parte de él quien también lo empujó a ser el hombre en el que se convirtió.

"—¿Listo para empezar nuestro para siempre, entonces? —preguntó.
Lucía se rió dulcemente.
—Siempre he estado lista, Ren.
Sí, él también.
Con ella... siempre."


En fin, me gustó y lo disfruté muchísimo más que los dos libros anteriores, los cuales fueron aburridos y lentos. Y esta vez hay un poco más de desarrollo en comparación a lo poco que se vio en Privilege.
Profile Image for Renee.
5,193 reviews73 followers
March 8, 2019
I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author to review for Stephanie's Book Reports.

Five-years---that was the deal. Renzo Zulla gave up five years of his life to repay a dept to an organization that only wanted to break him before they could make him. Their way, their rules. He doesn't move without their okay, even if his latest job puts him right in front of her. But the five years are almost up, and he knows exactly where he's going first. Love doesn't follow rules....Heartbroken and alone-that's how she survives. Lucia Marcello is alive but a part of her still feels dead without him. She's spent far to much time running away from her past and the pain she constantly holds tight because it's easier than hating the people who caused it. But life has a way of bringing you back when your heart never will. Love doesnt fade...But time means nothing, and forever might be only an illusion for them. Because where fate doesn't step in, reality does. If hate is a game you play with your heart, and contempt is a gave you play with your mind--where doest that leave love? Vendettas don't care about love. It's in God's hands now.

Contempt is the final book in the Renzo+Lucia series. You need to read the first two books or this one is going to make no sense to you. This is the last book in the series and I expected it to rip my heart out and hand it back to me on a platter. However, I made it and my heart is still beating. These two have been through more than two people should have to go through. However, through it all one thing has stood the test of time and that is their love for each other. Even being separated for five years and they are still standing though barely. The five years have been filled with heartache and pain and Lucia is barely surviving. She is struggling and is having a really hard time getting past the way her family betrayed her. It is about an impossible task and I don't think that I would have it in me to try to even understand much less forget. Renzo has been paying his debt and it has been a dept that has cut him off from everything and everyone he holds dear. This book is not easy and will break your heart but never fear it will all be ok.
Profile Image for Valeen Robertson (Live Thru Books Blog).
5,875 reviews212 followers
March 6, 2019


It's been 5 long, lonely years since Renzo and Lucia were together. She's still so angry at her family, it's part of why she's lived in California. But the time has come for her to come home when an emergency arises.



Renzo's 5 years is almost up with The League. He's this close to being out, to being able to contact his love, Lucia, again. Surely he can wait til this one last job is up before he sees her again? He's spent the past 5 years training, hating, filled with anger, filled with CONTEMPT. But he's never forgotten Lucia, will never forget her, the only woman he's ever loved.



Sigh...I cannot express how much I love Contempt!! This whole trilogy, actually. Renzo and Lucia's love, although a young love, is so solid, so epic that they and their story feel like they've loved each other forever. Their journey back to each other is crazy intense, filled with all the things you'd expect from a Mafia love. It's gritty and raw, but it's so damn beautiful that I admit to shedding a few tears throughout, and especially at the end, during the epilogue of Renzo and Lucia's story. Bethany-Kris has surely solidified my love of her Mafia romances with this final installment of the Renzo + Lucia trilogy. I will never forget these two young lovers and their beautiful, painful story of love, Mafia style.



ARC via IndieSage PR for an honest review.

Full review posted here ---> Live Through Books Blog.
Profile Image for Tee loves Kyle Jacobson.
2,523 reviews180 followers
March 10, 2019
Okay where is the FIVE BILLION STARS this book deserves! OMG I just don't know where to start because this is one of those series that captures you right from the first page and has you reading late into the night until you finish reading it because you need to know what is going to happen to Renzo and Lucia and let me tell you this is one hell of a story.

There are so many twists and turns and so many ups and downs that I just did not think Renzo and Lucia where going to make it past the first book but they held fast and did what they had to do and the deal Renzo made was unbelievable because I did not think for one moment he would keep to his promise but he did and that makes him the man.

Fast forward five years later and Lucia comes home from Cali to NY to be with her family when they have an emergency. She is strong enough to let her father be himself but she stands strong and puts things on ice for her family. Then she sees Renzo and all hell breaks lose in her heart because she wants him and she wants him now but it is not the five years yet and she can stay strong and wait.

As this book unfolds I was ohing and ahing and sitting at the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next. I was like a kid in the candy store and I wanted my candy right then and there but this story unfolds slowly and I loved every minute of it and so will you. So go on and one click this trilogy and enjoy Renzo and Lucia!
Profile Image for Becky Rendon.
3,855 reviews81 followers
August 8, 2020
Probably the most meaningful quote (and summary of the entire book)...“Hate and contempt are not the same, dolcezza. Hate is in your heart. The other, in your mind. Sometimes, they might feel like they are the same, but they aren’t. You cannot hate the things you love..."

Bethany-Kris still surprises me and I have no idea why! I should have learned by now- all the feels, epic hearrbreak, oh and serious bad@ssery! And yet, I thought this would be a sleepy curveball after Harbor. I thought after the tidalwave of epic proportion that was Harbor would make this feel like a splash in the kiddie pool. Yeah, that's a big fat mother fluffing NO. Contempt rings loud and clear through these pages. The anger, disgust, and contempt feel like a sludge coating the reader, Lucia, and all those in either radius.

The book oozes emotions. It claws at your heart, your mind, and you emotions leaving you a bloody, but happy pulp...eventually.

You may feel Contempt but you no longer hate. And in the end, you have neither in your heart, mind, or emotions.

For those celebrating this occasion...Cin Cin!
Profile Image for Nerdy Dirty & Flirty.
3,985 reviews361 followers
July 28, 2020
description
Emotional ending to a dark, complicated, mafia series…

Ren and Lucia’s story included all the drama and emotion it could possibly hold! The author didn’t shy away from the dark elements that she is known for but as always they were balanced by family and love that made it all worthwhile…

Emotional highs and lows, devotion, loyalty – everything was found in this story, and this series… Ren stayed true to his character, always ready with sarcastic rebellion but also to step up and protect his family. His sacrifices weren’t in vain though and the well-being of those he loved, and the self-worth he now felt, were worth all the pain… Lucia was still angry, unbelievably so, but life and love tempered the edges. Faced with hard truths, she had to either forgive or live without those she loved. Nothing was easy for these two and the twist and turns that fed into their happily ever after proved it...

A great ending to the series, I’m hoping that there will still be more from the Marcellos.
Profile Image for Judy Miracle.
1,198 reviews12 followers
March 12, 2019
I could not get enough of this series. Book 2 had me hooked, book 2 tore my heart out, and this final book had me on the edge of my seat praying they got their happy ending page after page.

Bethany-Kris no doubt knows how to give you a story that will have you engrossed page after page from the very beginning and this couple is no different.
Profile Image for Nurul Diyana.
62 reviews
March 5, 2019
hmm im a little disappointed with this book.. i mean ive got high expectations because this series is a spinoff of filthy marcellos series. and i LOVE <3 the Filthy Marcellos series and also the first two parts of renzo and lucia. however , i cant pinpoint to what exactly this last part of the renzo and lucia book is lacking that made it a little boring..it is just a little below satisfaction, but overall a good ending .. nothing heartbreaking. kinda predictable .
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