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The Five Families #3
Blood Always
“5 Mafia Princess Stars!! I love a good mafia book and this had it all!!!” - Melissa’s Book Love
The first time I met my fiancé, I put him in a chokehold.
I wanted nothing to do with the man whose family tore my life to pieces.
Matteo De Luca was vicious claws sheathed in refinement and class.
He saw my untamed independence as a challenge.
I saw his alluring authority as a threat.
The worst part?
I wanted to experience whatever it was Matteo had to offer, and I hated myself for it.
I wanted to launch myself at him.
To kiss him.
To kill him.
To end the debilitating torture of the unknown.
The moment our paths collided, our lives were altered irrevocably.
Taking us from enemies allied by a strategic marriage to something dark and consuming.
Something that tasted like obsession.
**Blood Always is the third novel in The Five Families series, although all books in the Five Families world can be read as standalones.
Content: A dark romance with adult themes, it may not be suitable for sensitive audiences and comes with a mild trigger warning that is described in more detail on my website under the books tab. But if you like a HOT romantic story with a guaranteed happily ever after, this contemporary enemies to lovers will have you begging for more!
The first time I met my fiancé, I put him in a chokehold.
I wanted nothing to do with the man whose family tore my life to pieces.
Matteo De Luca was vicious claws sheathed in refinement and class.
He saw my untamed independence as a challenge.
I saw his alluring authority as a threat.
The worst part?
I wanted to experience whatever it was Matteo had to offer, and I hated myself for it.
I wanted to launch myself at him.
To kiss him.
To kill him.
To end the debilitating torture of the unknown.
The moment our paths collided, our lives were altered irrevocably.
Taking us from enemies allied by a strategic marriage to something dark and consuming.
Something that tasted like obsession.
**Blood Always is the third novel in The Five Families series, although all books in the Five Families world can be read as standalones.
Content: A dark romance with adult themes, it may not be suitable for sensitive audiences and comes with a mild trigger warning that is described in more detail on my website under the books tab. But if you like a HOT romantic story with a guaranteed happily ever after, this contemporary enemies to lovers will have you begging for more!
272 pages, Paperback
First published April 15, 2020
About the author
Jill Ramsower
37 books1,490 followersJill is a Texan, born and raised. She manages the hectic social calendars for her three active children and occasionally spends an evening with her dashing husband. Aside from being an author and a mom, she's a travel junkie and loves to read when she is not lost in her own stories.
With Jill’s books, you can count on confident heroines, plenty of steamy tension, and deliciously assertive leading men. There are no guarantees in life, but with her books, you know everything will work out in the end. However, a perfect ending would not be nearly as satisfying without a seemingly insurmountable challenge. Jill loves to add plenty of adversity in her stories, creating unforgettably dynamic characters and sneaky plot twists you will never see coming.
Find her on Facebook here-->https://www.facebook.com/jillramsower...
Never miss a release! Sign up for her newsletter here-->https://jillramsower_234b.gr8.com/
Check out her website here-->https://www.jillramsower.com/
With Jill’s books, you can count on confident heroines, plenty of steamy tension, and deliciously assertive leading men. There are no guarantees in life, but with her books, you know everything will work out in the end. However, a perfect ending would not be nearly as satisfying without a seemingly insurmountable challenge. Jill loves to add plenty of adversity in her stories, creating unforgettably dynamic characters and sneaky plot twists you will never see coming.
Find her on Facebook here-->https://www.facebook.com/jillramsower...
Never miss a release! Sign up for her newsletter here-->https://jillramsower_234b.gr8.com/
Check out her website here-->https://www.jillramsower.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 221 reviews
October 15, 2020
Maria is not your standard mafia Princess!
I liked this new and different take on the old standard mafia romance trope where the daughter of one mafia family gets forced into an arranged marriage by her father who is a mafia Kingpin in order to settle some sort of debt or to keep the peace between two families by uniting them in marriage. In this case it is the latter and Maria Genovese isn’t exactly forced into the marriage, she is loyal to her family and will do what is asked of her.
Though Maria does hate everyone in the Gallo family including her intended husband, the underboss for the Gallo family Matteo De Luca, even prior to meeting him. Maria’s feelings stem from the fact that the Gallo family was responsible for the murder of her brother ten years ago. She is even more worried about the marriage when Matteo informs her that they will be living at the home of his boss Anthony in the Hampton’s. Everyone knows that Anthony is crazy and volatile. He once suspected his wife of cheating and chopped her head off with an axe.
One thing I really liked about this book was that Maria was not one of those mafia princesses that we usually see in romance novels that are saved as virginal daughters for their marriage and abused by their fathers only to come into their marriage like frightened little kittens. She is also not one of those spoiled mafia princesses like we see on TV from New Jersey, though she does go to Vegas with her sisters and cousins and they seem just like those girls, “Oh – my - Gawd!”
Maria changed when she was little and after her brother died, she couldn’t get out of her loneliness and depression and her father got her into Krav Maga. He found her a very skilled instructor and it helped her. She eventually became one of the few made women in the mafia and she is a killer and a total firebrand. She can take care of herself and win fights with people much larger than herself. She always carries multiple weapons and is ready for anything.
Maria and Matteo can’t help but be attracted to each other from the start but they don’t trust each other. Though they both promise to give each other a chance and they both know that in their world divorce is not an option so once they commit to each other it is for life. I love a book with a strong female character but she is vulnerable as well. It was a terrific book!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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I liked this new and different take on the old standard mafia romance trope where the daughter of one mafia family gets forced into an arranged marriage by her father who is a mafia Kingpin in order to settle some sort of debt or to keep the peace between two families by uniting them in marriage. In this case it is the latter and Maria Genovese isn’t exactly forced into the marriage, she is loyal to her family and will do what is asked of her.
Though Maria does hate everyone in the Gallo family including her intended husband, the underboss for the Gallo family Matteo De Luca, even prior to meeting him. Maria’s feelings stem from the fact that the Gallo family was responsible for the murder of her brother ten years ago. She is even more worried about the marriage when Matteo informs her that they will be living at the home of his boss Anthony in the Hampton’s. Everyone knows that Anthony is crazy and volatile. He once suspected his wife of cheating and chopped her head off with an axe.
One thing I really liked about this book was that Maria was not one of those mafia princesses that we usually see in romance novels that are saved as virginal daughters for their marriage and abused by their fathers only to come into their marriage like frightened little kittens. She is also not one of those spoiled mafia princesses like we see on TV from New Jersey, though she does go to Vegas with her sisters and cousins and they seem just like those girls, “Oh – my - Gawd!”
Maria changed when she was little and after her brother died, she couldn’t get out of her loneliness and depression and her father got her into Krav Maga. He found her a very skilled instructor and it helped her. She eventually became one of the few made women in the mafia and she is a killer and a total firebrand. She can take care of herself and win fights with people much larger than herself. She always carries multiple weapons and is ready for anything.
Maria and Matteo can’t help but be attracted to each other from the start but they don’t trust each other. Though they both promise to give each other a chance and they both know that in their world divorce is not an option so once they commit to each other it is for life. I love a book with a strong female character but she is vulnerable as well. It was a terrific book!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Blog|Goodreads|Facebook|Instagram|Twitter|BookBub
April 16, 2020
3 Unanswered Questions Stars
It was good, but didn't really live up to my expectations on Matteo's story. It was a bit insta for me, even though they never really said I love you til the end, it still felt pretty much insta love. It didn't bother me too much at first because that meant no OW/OM drama, but I think I got a bit more annoyed as the story went on.
This book probably could have had a 3.5, maybe 4 star rating from me at first, but the last 30% everything went downhill. We had SO many unanswered questions or things Matteo was STILL keeping from Maria even though they are married, having a baby, and pretty much have fallen in love. One was Laura. Who tf was Laura? In Matteo's earlier POV he said no woman has truly gotten into his heart except one who he had just started letting in but it turned out bad. So okay, we expect him to explain about her when she was causing a big rift in their new relationship and a cause for many of Maria's insecurities in their relationship, but Matteo never did explain, which showed that he still didn't care for Maria as much. When Maria asked him if he loved Laura, he pretty much just acted and said that she shouldn't have asked him because Maria is just his wife, even though they were falling in love, and Laura was someone he loved, and the way he had said it sounded like he still held Laura higher than Maria. Another thing was the love letters. Matteo gives Maria a love letter on their wedding day, which was pretty much a slap in the face reminding Maria that he loves someone else more, because the love letters were a thing between Laura and him, almost as if Maria is now second best. And apparently the letters meant so much to Matteo because he had kept them all. But again, we never get an explanation or anything about them, or why he did that, or assurances they meant little to him now, or that he only loves Maria now, or even if he threw the letters away instead of keeping them in their bedroom. I wish Maria had confronted him on why he would give her a letter on their wedding day when he kept all of his past ones, but knowing him, he would probably dodge the question and keep Maria in the dark like he pretty much did the whole book. Luckily, he was never pining in his thoughts, and did seem like he loved Maria, but in Maria's POV, whenever Laura stuff came up if felt like she was second best. So I wish Maria had actually held back for more of their relationship. Matteo was the main pursuer at first, but I felt like she cared for him more, and she definitely gave more to him than him to her.
Then the whole plot and ending with Sal also left a lot of unanswered questions and we never got any resolutions except Sal dying, which happened so fast. His death was dragged in 3 books, just for him to die in like a page, not even questioning him or anything, zero closure. This also happened in like the last 5% of the book. So even though the couple got a HEA ending, everything was so rushed and just cut short. It was almost like the author just wanted to get to the end or didn't know how to explain everything she she just glossed over everything to finish the book quickly. Very vague minor and major details we really could have used that were vital.
Like I said, the story was actually good at the start and then just went downhil. Especially with how quickly Maria started changing. She had been a rebellious child angry at everyone because she was being sexually assaulted and no one knew, and instead of trying to figure out why she was acting out, her father involved her more into the mafia at a young age to get her head on straight pretty much, and this is supposedly a family that really cares for each other. So Maria goes all these years with hate in her heart from her past that was still affecting her, but then she so quickly started changing in this and being affectionate and crying all the time, nothing like she said she was, or how she was in the previous books or even in the beginning of this one. And not only that, the family never finds out she had been assaulted, and she still is keeping it from them, so her past never gets resolved with her family, and no closure.
Quick Note, Maria using the words "timeless fidelity" about Nico and Sofia's relationship, ya no. When the hero had cheated on the heroine, then during their long separation pretty much forgot about her while he was effing every woman up until he saw the heroine again years later? That's not timeless nor fidelity in any way, maybe a timeless jerk and manwhore.
Overall, even though I was anticipating this book, it was pretty disappointing and left with more questions unanswered than answered. I did feel the love between them, but I felt like Maria put more into the relationship than Matteo, and Laura's presence, even dead, left a big dark spot on their relationship and love. Everything was also rushed with very little closure, and though I enjoyed the overall story, it definitely could have been way better.
It was good, but didn't really live up to my expectations on Matteo's story. It was a bit insta for me, even though they never really said I love you til the end, it still felt pretty much insta love. It didn't bother me too much at first because that meant no OW/OM drama, but I think I got a bit more annoyed as the story went on.
This book probably could have had a 3.5, maybe 4 star rating from me at first, but the last 30% everything went downhill. We had SO many unanswered questions or things Matteo was STILL keeping from Maria even though they are married, having a baby, and pretty much have fallen in love. One was Laura. Who tf was Laura? In Matteo's earlier POV he said no woman has truly gotten into his heart except one who he had just started letting in but it turned out bad. So okay, we expect him to explain about her when she was causing a big rift in their new relationship and a cause for many of Maria's insecurities in their relationship, but Matteo never did explain, which showed that he still didn't care for Maria as much. When Maria asked him if he loved Laura, he pretty much just acted and said that she shouldn't have asked him because Maria is just his wife, even though they were falling in love, and Laura was someone he loved, and the way he had said it sounded like he still held Laura higher than Maria. Another thing was the love letters. Matteo gives Maria a love letter on their wedding day, which was pretty much a slap in the face reminding Maria that he loves someone else more, because the love letters were a thing between Laura and him, almost as if Maria is now second best. And apparently the letters meant so much to Matteo because he had kept them all. But again, we never get an explanation or anything about them, or why he did that, or assurances they meant little to him now, or that he only loves Maria now, or even if he threw the letters away instead of keeping them in their bedroom. I wish Maria had confronted him on why he would give her a letter on their wedding day when he kept all of his past ones, but knowing him, he would probably dodge the question and keep Maria in the dark like he pretty much did the whole book. Luckily, he was never pining in his thoughts, and did seem like he loved Maria, but in Maria's POV, whenever Laura stuff came up if felt like she was second best. So I wish Maria had actually held back for more of their relationship. Matteo was the main pursuer at first, but I felt like she cared for him more, and she definitely gave more to him than him to her.
Then the whole plot and ending with Sal also left a lot of unanswered questions and we never got any resolutions except Sal dying, which happened so fast. His death was dragged in 3 books, just for him to die in like a page, not even questioning him or anything, zero closure. This also happened in like the last 5% of the book. So even though the couple got a HEA ending, everything was so rushed and just cut short. It was almost like the author just wanted to get to the end or didn't know how to explain everything she she just glossed over everything to finish the book quickly. Very vague minor and major details we really could have used that were vital.
Like I said, the story was actually good at the start and then just went downhil. Especially with how quickly Maria started changing. She had been a rebellious child angry at everyone because she was being sexually assaulted and no one knew, and instead of trying to figure out why she was acting out, her father involved her more into the mafia at a young age to get her head on straight pretty much, and this is supposedly a family that really cares for each other. So Maria goes all these years with hate in her heart from her past that was still affecting her, but then she so quickly started changing in this and being affectionate and crying all the time, nothing like she said she was, or how she was in the previous books or even in the beginning of this one. And not only that, the family never finds out she had been assaulted, and she still is keeping it from them, so her past never gets resolved with her family, and no closure.
Quick Note, Maria using the words "timeless fidelity" about Nico and Sofia's relationship, ya no. When the hero had cheated on the heroine, then during their long separation pretty much forgot about her while he was effing every woman up until he saw the heroine again years later? That's not timeless nor fidelity in any way, maybe a timeless jerk and manwhore.
Overall, even though I was anticipating this book, it was pretty disappointing and left with more questions unanswered than answered. I did feel the love between them, but I felt like Maria put more into the relationship than Matteo, and Laura's presence, even dead, left a big dark spot on their relationship and love. Everything was also rushed with very little closure, and though I enjoyed the overall story, it definitely could have been way better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 17, 2020
4,5/5 🌟
It was by far better than the other two books!! Loved it!
It was by far better than the other two books!! Loved it!
January 4, 2022
Dnf at 3%
Heroines like this witch Maria should be burned to the ground! This trend of authors trying to make their heroines’ so different by making them bitchy and rude needs to end.
I’m not even 3% in and I am already so annoyed by Maria’s internal thoughts and actions.
1. First page in and Maria is like I’m not the touchy feely sort, I don’t do emotions. As in I’m not like these other emotional chicks out here always wearing my heart on my sleeve and being needy.
Me: okay…..🤨🤨🤨 like I see you miss Ramsower already trying to establish how DIFFERENT Maria is from the rest. E for effort 👍 but better luck next time.
2. Couple pages later Maria sits on the hero’s lap to “DEMONSTRATE A POINT” but when the hero kisses her, she CHOKES him and tells him “don’t ever touch me without my consent”. Bitch you LITERALLY SAT ON HIS LAP WITHOUT HIS CONSENT!!! 😑😑😑
This is abusive behavior in my opinion. Like he literally did what you did and you CHOKED him for it? you could just pushed him away! But nope why make a normal and sane heroine. That’s just too much to ask for these days.
Heroines like this witch Maria should be burned to the ground! This trend of authors trying to make their heroines’ so different by making them bitchy and rude needs to end.
I’m not even 3% in and I am already so annoyed by Maria’s internal thoughts and actions.
1. First page in and Maria is like I’m not the touchy feely sort, I don’t do emotions. As in I’m not like these other emotional chicks out here always wearing my heart on my sleeve and being needy.
Me: okay…..🤨🤨🤨 like I see you miss Ramsower already trying to establish how DIFFERENT Maria is from the rest. E for effort 👍 but better luck next time.
2. Couple pages later Maria sits on the hero’s lap to “DEMONSTRATE A POINT” but when the hero kisses her, she CHOKES him and tells him “don’t ever touch me without my consent”. Bitch you LITERALLY SAT ON HIS LAP WITHOUT HIS CONSENT!!! 😑😑😑
This is abusive behavior in my opinion. Like he literally did what you did and you CHOKED him for it? you could just pushed him away! But nope why make a normal and sane heroine. That’s just too much to ask for these days.
April 21, 2020
Thank you Give Me Books for a complimentary copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Blood Always
The Five Families #3
By: Jill Ramsower
REVIEW ☆☆☆☆
Blood Always is the third book in Jill Ramsower's Five Families series. I have read each book so far, but this story can be read as a standalone. Although the premise, mafia arranged marriage, resembles others in the genre, this book is an entity of its own. The bride, Maria, is not a horrified virgin who can't defend herself. Instead, she is a legit part of the mafia family and can kill, defend, fight against whatever she has to. This girl is not the shy type who will retreat when in danger. Maria is a feisty strong heroine, but she also retains her femininity. I would love to see more female characters like her instead of the typical girls. The groom, Matteo, is not much of an out of the box character. His family is the enemy because they killed Maria's brother years ago. He's possessive, scary, threatening and super sexy, but under all that, he cares about Maria and can be a tender loving man. I like him, but I've seen him before. The slow burn tension romance is well done without being overdone, and Maria and Matteo are a great couple. Both carry the weight of painful pasts, and they need each other to ease these burdens. It's just a matter of getting to know one another and figuring all of this out. Do Maria and Matteo really fall in love, or is the bad blood between their families too much to overcome? Do they cause more pain or take steps toward healing? Blood Always is a gritty, emotional and engrossing read from Jill Ramsower that I highly recommend. The Five Families series gets better with each book, and I can't wait to read the next one!
Blood Always
The Five Families #3
By: Jill Ramsower
REVIEW ☆☆☆☆
Blood Always is the third book in Jill Ramsower's Five Families series. I have read each book so far, but this story can be read as a standalone. Although the premise, mafia arranged marriage, resembles others in the genre, this book is an entity of its own. The bride, Maria, is not a horrified virgin who can't defend herself. Instead, she is a legit part of the mafia family and can kill, defend, fight against whatever she has to. This girl is not the shy type who will retreat when in danger. Maria is a feisty strong heroine, but she also retains her femininity. I would love to see more female characters like her instead of the typical girls. The groom, Matteo, is not much of an out of the box character. His family is the enemy because they killed Maria's brother years ago. He's possessive, scary, threatening and super sexy, but under all that, he cares about Maria and can be a tender loving man. I like him, but I've seen him before. The slow burn tension romance is well done without being overdone, and Maria and Matteo are a great couple. Both carry the weight of painful pasts, and they need each other to ease these burdens. It's just a matter of getting to know one another and figuring all of this out. Do Maria and Matteo really fall in love, or is the bad blood between their families too much to overcome? Do they cause more pain or take steps toward healing? Blood Always is a gritty, emotional and engrossing read from Jill Ramsower that I highly recommend. The Five Families series gets better with each book, and I can't wait to read the next one!
April 18, 2020
Reviewed by PussnBooks.net
Review by Puss’n’Books. Reviewing the darkest, most erotic and taboo books we can find. Click HERE for your next disturbingly sexy read.
This is a great wee mafia romance! In fact, it’s likely one of the best I’ve read for a while.
Wanna know why?
The heroine in this book isn’t your usual good girl lost in a harsh world, blah blah blah.
Nope.
She’s a kick-ass made woman!
She’s tough, strong and determined and needs no man to help her with anything!
MARIA
She comes off as cold and aloof. Uncaring and scary. But it’s not quite true. She appears that way because she has a ton of strong emotions going on that she’s trying to suppress and not show because she trusts no one. Like it says in the book, “She was savagely broken, doing the best she could to remain whole”.
No one really ruffles her feathers until...Matteo.
She offers herself up to be the bride in an arranged marriage in order to help her father bring the families together.
She’s never met him before and knows nothing about him.
When they do meet though she’s not quite as indifferent to him as she likes to make out and it scares the shit out of her.
This woman is amazing. She has quite the dark secret and a mean killing streak that, quite honestly, turned me on a wee bit…
MATTEO
Nom, nom, nom, nom.
He’s yummy. An older man (10 year age gap) sophisticated, hard, intelligent and alpha to the mother-fucking core.
He meets Maria for the first time and sees how cold and lethal she can be.
He’s not agreeing to this marriage for any reason other than business and has no intention of letting feelings get involved but the more he learns about Maria...the more he’s turned on by the challenge of cracking her shell.
Somewhere along the way, things get messed up and now he’s like “Wtf? When did catch feels for this chick?”
SEX SCENES
I feckin’ love angry sex! And these two are so hot together!
Again I’m like, nom, nom, nom.
“I hate you,” she spat. I switched sides again, exposing the first cheek and pressing my groin into the other to keep her in place. She was too feral and well-trained to give her an inch of wiggle room. Smack. This time her ass pressed up against me, the delicate curve of her spine arching minutely. It was a good thing she couldn’t see the triumphant grin that spread across my face. She would have raged harder. Held firm to her convictions like a rabid dog with a bone. “Lies don’t become you. I can smell your arousal, feel your heartbeat skitter with anticipation.” “That’s just the alcohol.” Smack. This time, I aimed my hand between her cheeks. I eased up on my force, but came down directly over her opening, her most sensitive flesh. Maria bit her lip, arching her head back with a pant. “Just as I suspected,” I mused, bringing my hand up for both of us to see the glistening moisture soaking my fingers. “You’re not just wet, you’re drenched.” “Just because I’m horny doesn’t mean I want you.” Smack. Another moan, this one unleashed and wanton. Smack. “I could do this all night, Maria. I want to hear those words.” Smack. “Please.” The word was so small, so broken, I almost didn’t catch it. “Please, what? You know how to get me to stop.”Her breaths quivered beneath me, but not from my weight. I’d let up enough that she’d have no problem breathing. This was an entirely different struggle. An internal one. One she was losing. “I need more,” she whispered, releasing her confession into the night. “I can give you more. Make you come until white sparks blind your vision and you writhe with pleasure. But I need to hear the words first. I’m not saying it’s forever. I don’t know what the future holds, but for now, while you’re swimming in my bloodstream, I need to know there’s no one else.” I rubbed her scalding cheeks, sliding my thumb beneath the fabric of her thong and pulling the garment snug against her swollen entrance. Her breath hitched at the pressure. “There’s no one …no one else. Please, I need to come.” Triumphant cymbals clapped and clanged in my head, sending a surge of endorphins through every cell in my body. Pre-cum oozed from the head of my cock, my own need to come pounding in my ears. I yanked her thong down, wishing I had a better view of her folds. Next time. There would be plenty of opportunities now that we’d crossed that threshold. I brought my hand down twice more, once on each cheek. Maria abandoned all restrain, spreading her thighs and moaning loudly. I didn’t release her, not because I thought she’d fight, but because that’s how we both wanted it. Needed it. “I’m going to touch you now. Once my fingers are inside you, there’s no more running. Understand?” She nodded frantically, and it was all the permission I needed. My fingers slid into her folds, gliding easily in the moisture dripping from her warm cunt. “Fuck, Maria. You feel half this good when my cock is inside you, and I’ll never want to leave.”
Final Thoughts On BLOOD ALWAYS by Jill Ramsower
It’s not actually too dark but towards the end, there are a couple of scenes and revelations that may be a trigger for some. The chemistry between these two was so good! Thoroughly enjoyed it :-)
4 Stars
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May 16, 2020
This was a bit better than the previous book however, where the last book lacked my fill of mafia life and this one delivered it two fold (loved fierce Maria and calculated Matteo) this one lacked a genuine love and it was rather slightly unsatisfying as an insta-lust, almost pushing it on us. And mainly this was due to a major WTF moment..I’ll get to that in a bit.
Maria was a badass independent ice queen who held her own as practically the right hand of her dad but harbored many secrets that made her unattainable for any man. I really liked her as I got to know her but was often frustrated with her actions. She did deserve someone who truly loved her and was devoted to her and not just someone arranged and forced to have her. Matteo was okay, likeable enough, but turned out much different than who I thought he would be and I was really ultimately left unsatisfied once I discovered who he really wanted. It was a major turn off from that point and I couldn’t get on his bandwagon. He appeared to want to try to make it work and it’s all because “if you can’t be with the one you want, just be with the one that’s here!!!” This wtf bomb that exposed the lack of true love between two star cross lovers and it’s all due to fuckin Laura?!? WTF?? Who the hell is Laura?!? And she’s not even Italian!!! I was genuine irritated and confused that they added her this story, making me feel that Maria would always take a back seat to Laura?!? When Maria asked about her, Matteo quickly brushed it under the rug like it didn’t matter. Never to be spoken about again. Ugh. You can tell he still harbored more love for that woman than Badass Maria. I was hoping Maria would use that knife and teach Matteo a lesson.
There were some good scene and chemistry between the MCs. They did have a wedding night to remember as it was hot, hot, 🔥. Then you got the rest of the story - manufactured drama, backstory drama and a whole lot of fun mafia stuff happened. But still Laura? The end. 2.75 stars.
Maria was a badass independent ice queen who held her own as practically the right hand of her dad but harbored many secrets that made her unattainable for any man. I really liked her as I got to know her but was often frustrated with her actions. She did deserve someone who truly loved her and was devoted to her and not just someone arranged and forced to have her. Matteo was okay, likeable enough, but turned out much different than who I thought he would be and I was really ultimately left unsatisfied once I discovered who he really wanted. It was a major turn off from that point and I couldn’t get on his bandwagon. He appeared to want to try to make it work and it’s all because “if you can’t be with the one you want, just be with the one that’s here!!!” This wtf bomb that exposed the lack of true love between two star cross lovers and it’s all due to fuckin Laura?!? WTF?? Who the hell is Laura?!? And she’s not even Italian!!! I was genuine irritated and confused that they added her this story, making me feel that Maria would always take a back seat to Laura?!? When Maria asked about her, Matteo quickly brushed it under the rug like it didn’t matter. Never to be spoken about again. Ugh. You can tell he still harbored more love for that woman than Badass Maria. I was hoping Maria would use that knife and teach Matteo a lesson.
There were some good scene and chemistry between the MCs. They did have a wedding night to remember as it was hot, hot, 🔥. Then you got the rest of the story - manufactured drama, backstory drama and a whole lot of fun mafia stuff happened. But still Laura? The end. 2.75 stars.
April 15, 2020
I was super lucky and won an ARC from Jill through a Facebook Giveaway 😍
So, I'm a sucker for an enemies to lovers book, I love an arranged marriage and then throw an age gap in there and this book was right up my street!
"This was a business arrangement, not an episode of The Bachelor."
I was curious about Maria from the few interactions between her sisters in previous books, and was very intrigued by Matteo from the brief glimpse we got of him in the first book, and then their surprise announcement at the end of the last book had me reeled right in! 🎣
We were thrown right in to the story with an exchange between the cool and collected Matteo and fiesty Maria and their chemistry was easily recognisable to the reader even if they couldn't see it themselves 🔥
Maria... she's fiesty, she's sassy, she'll speak her mind, is blunt and to the point, they may be married on paper but nobody is going to own her and she can hold her own, and the best bit? She's a Made Woman 😍 Matteo really has his work cut out for him but he's up for the challenge! 😈
"She’d be a pain in the ass, but a fucking gorgeous pain in the ass."
"She flaunted her independence and strength like most women flaunted a designer handbag."
Matteo is everything we love in our anti heros, he's an alpha male, possessive, jealous, dominating, ruthless, tattooed, a bad boy mobster who will kill any man who even dares to look at Maria, even though he has a sweet side only for his woman he's gorgeous and he's deadly 🔥
"De Luca was the real deal— vicious claws sheathed in refinement and class."
"He was cool indifference in an expensive suit, and I’d never seen anything sexier in my life."
I just couldn't get enough of this couple, the Ice Queen and the Prince of Tranquility, the Lynx and the Lion, their flirty banter and back and forth arguments were everything, the provocation and silent challenges to each other kept the book flowing and I just didn't want it to end!
In true Jill fashion the twists and turns and unanswered questions kept me on my toes right up to the end. Everytime I thought it was over another bombshell landed to blow my mind and I was like whaaaaaaat 🤯
I'm so in love with this world and characters Jill has created! Not only can I not wait for more books in this series but I hope Jill gives us another arranged marriage or two (or three or four!) This was just amazing I wish I could give it more than 5 stars. I know this one hasn't even been released yet (did I mention I was lucky enough to win an ARC 😏😏) but I already can't wait for the next one!
On another note I hope the wild child Filip gets a book, I'm so intrigued about him 😈 maybe Giada would be a good match 😏😏
So, I'm a sucker for an enemies to lovers book, I love an arranged marriage and then throw an age gap in there and this book was right up my street!
"This was a business arrangement, not an episode of The Bachelor."
I was curious about Maria from the few interactions between her sisters in previous books, and was very intrigued by Matteo from the brief glimpse we got of him in the first book, and then their surprise announcement at the end of the last book had me reeled right in! 🎣
We were thrown right in to the story with an exchange between the cool and collected Matteo and fiesty Maria and their chemistry was easily recognisable to the reader even if they couldn't see it themselves 🔥
Maria... she's fiesty, she's sassy, she'll speak her mind, is blunt and to the point, they may be married on paper but nobody is going to own her and she can hold her own, and the best bit? She's a Made Woman 😍 Matteo really has his work cut out for him but he's up for the challenge! 😈
"She’d be a pain in the ass, but a fucking gorgeous pain in the ass."
"She flaunted her independence and strength like most women flaunted a designer handbag."
Matteo is everything we love in our anti heros, he's an alpha male, possessive, jealous, dominating, ruthless, tattooed, a bad boy mobster who will kill any man who even dares to look at Maria, even though he has a sweet side only for his woman he's gorgeous and he's deadly 🔥
"De Luca was the real deal— vicious claws sheathed in refinement and class."
"He was cool indifference in an expensive suit, and I’d never seen anything sexier in my life."
I just couldn't get enough of this couple, the Ice Queen and the Prince of Tranquility, the Lynx and the Lion, their flirty banter and back and forth arguments were everything, the provocation and silent challenges to each other kept the book flowing and I just didn't want it to end!
In true Jill fashion the twists and turns and unanswered questions kept me on my toes right up to the end. Everytime I thought it was over another bombshell landed to blow my mind and I was like whaaaaaaat 🤯
I'm so in love with this world and characters Jill has created! Not only can I not wait for more books in this series but I hope Jill gives us another arranged marriage or two (or three or four!) This was just amazing I wish I could give it more than 5 stars. I know this one hasn't even been released yet (did I mention I was lucky enough to win an ARC 😏😏) but I already can't wait for the next one!
On another note I hope the wild child Filip gets a book, I'm so intrigued about him 😈 maybe Giada would be a good match 😏😏
April 28, 2020
4.5 stars
October 6, 2021
Where do I even begin...
I went in with such high hopes because of the hype and the trope and wow was this an absolute disaster.
Everytime authors try to write a "not your average heroine" oh she's out there she answers to no one.. It's absolute trash. They just make the heroine sound and look insanely cringe. And that's what Maria was. Also, hated the name. The name game could have been strong but oh well.
Maria is cringe level 4000 and Matteo, who appeared to be some badass big guy for literally 0.5 seconds will not and does not stop being impressed, enthralled and overall way too taken with everything Maria does. Absolute meh. I mean come on.. Every other second he's just overly impressed even if she breathes. Maria is of one THE most annoying, unattractive heroines I have read in a while and Matteo is beyond boring with his one note ERRMAAGGAAWWDDD MARIA narrative.
I went in with such high hopes because of the hype and the trope and wow was this an absolute disaster.
Everytime authors try to write a "not your average heroine" oh she's out there she answers to no one.. It's absolute trash. They just make the heroine sound and look insanely cringe. And that's what Maria was. Also, hated the name. The name game could have been strong but oh well.
Maria is cringe level 4000 and Matteo, who appeared to be some badass big guy for literally 0.5 seconds will not and does not stop being impressed, enthralled and overall way too taken with everything Maria does. Absolute meh. I mean come on.. Every other second he's just overly impressed even if she breathes. Maria is of one THE most annoying, unattractive heroines I have read in a while and Matteo is beyond boring with his one note ERRMAAGGAAWWDDD MARIA narrative.
April 14, 2020
Blood Always: An Arranged Marriage Mafia Romance by Jill Ramsower is book Three in The Five Families series. This is the story of Maria Genovese and Matteo De Luca. I have read and Loved!) the past books, which did help me to enjoy this one. But I did feel you could make this a standalone book if you wish to do so. Maria isn't your typical Mafia Princes. Maria has a role in the family business, knows how to defend herself and is a strong women who doesn't back down. But she too also knows that an arranged marriage is part of her life to help build and keep her family safe. But of course she doesn't like or trust who she is to marry. A lot changed for Maria when her brother was killed years ago and trust was one of the things she lost. Matteo too knows that its his place to marry to help with his family and growth too but he also doesn't trust Maria but that doesn't stop him from wanting her.
Their emotions run fast and furious between them. There is a trigger issue in this book that may not be for all especially very sensitive readers. But for me I enjoyed reading their page turning story.
Their emotions run fast and furious between them. There is a trigger issue in this book that may not be for all especially very sensitive readers. But for me I enjoyed reading their page turning story.
April 9, 2020
Loved this book! Maria’s character and story unravels seamlessly throughout the plot. This is by far my favorite mafia series!
November 6, 2020
Ok so help me out Matteo, did you love your ex or did you “come close” to giving your heart away? Because first you say one thing and then the other. You couldn’t reassure your new wife (heroine) by having a conversation with her where you tell her that the past is in the past and she’s not second best? No? Better to just let her wallow in insecurity and self-doubt, thinking that she’s a poor replacement for your dead love?
Total story killer. Without that the story would have been a good 3.5-4 stars
Total story killer. Without that the story would have been a good 3.5-4 stars
April 15, 2020
Sorry, not my cup of tea.
Everything was so confusing to me.
The h was weird, the H was confusing as hell
The plot incoherent, and nothing made sense to me .. sorry.
Everything was so confusing to me.
The h was weird, the H was confusing as hell
The plot incoherent, and nothing made sense to me .. sorry.
April 14, 2022
My first read by Jill Ramsower. Not bad overall. Just that I wanted more deeper connection, more everything.
April 10, 2020
"His mouth tasted like paradise. Savory and dangerous and all man."
5 Mafia Princess Stars!! I love a good mafia book and this had it all!!!
Maria is a mafia princess daughter, but he's not your typical mafia princess daughter. She's strong, independent and knows how to hold her own. And she's not afraid to call shots when she needs to. Matteo is the underboss for the Gallo family, and do I need to mention he's the most powerful one in the family? Probably not... Maria's family and Matteo's family don't have the best past, but they are looking to join forces and what better way than to marry off Maria and Matteo?? These two together are nothing short of explosive and so hot!!! Together they are complicated, sexy, and well, let's be honest totally perfect! But can they make it??
I love a good mafia book and Jill knocked this out of the park!! I was hooked the minute I started reading. And I love that Maria is a strong lead character, it's so refreshing to see these days!! I loved the storyline and well I can't get enough!! I can't wait to read more from Jill!!!
April 14, 2020
I’m new with this author, I was a lucky winner of an ARC on a Facebook giveaway.
This is the third book of a very interesting series, which I need to catch up on it, and maybe because of that I got the feeling of missing very important events and episodes with some of the characters that appear as secondary’s in this book.
I love arranged marriages and if is mafia, ohhhh you totally got me, so when I read that this book is all of that i can’t not let it pass.
I liked that Maria is a thought girl, she’s very well prepared for the mafia life, she knows her duty, even if is getting married to the man she hate and make responsable for her brother death. But all that hate is going to be mix with the attraction she feels the moment she met him, and on the process to make the marriage work she will discover that her husband is not exactly what he projects to the world.
Matteo is a mafia man, he got secrets and plans for the new era of the mafia and his territory. When he agreed to married Maria was just to make some sort a peace between the two families, as they used to do in the past. When they meet the attraction was immediately but without thrusting each other the journey to get a HEA looks impossible.
I liked a lot the interaction between Maria and Matteo, she’s not the trembling scared virgin bride that we used to see on other arrange marriages, that got all crazy on her wedding night, but will see through her nightmares that something very painful is touring her, and when the truth of all the betrayals and abuses come out we may or not be prepared for what this two mad men and women are willing to do to get revenge.
Do I enjoyed? Yes very much, although I wish for more mafia content in the book just because I’m probably way to crazy and love to read conflicts and details about how they resolve problems in their territory.
Thank you so much to the Author for the ARC.
This is the third book of a very interesting series, which I need to catch up on it, and maybe because of that I got the feeling of missing very important events and episodes with some of the characters that appear as secondary’s in this book.
I love arranged marriages and if is mafia, ohhhh you totally got me, so when I read that this book is all of that i can’t not let it pass.
I liked that Maria is a thought girl, she’s very well prepared for the mafia life, she knows her duty, even if is getting married to the man she hate and make responsable for her brother death. But all that hate is going to be mix with the attraction she feels the moment she met him, and on the process to make the marriage work she will discover that her husband is not exactly what he projects to the world.
Matteo is a mafia man, he got secrets and plans for the new era of the mafia and his territory. When he agreed to married Maria was just to make some sort a peace between the two families, as they used to do in the past. When they meet the attraction was immediately but without thrusting each other the journey to get a HEA looks impossible.
I liked a lot the interaction between Maria and Matteo, she’s not the trembling scared virgin bride that we used to see on other arrange marriages, that got all crazy on her wedding night, but will see through her nightmares that something very painful is touring her, and when the truth of all the betrayals and abuses come out we may or not be prepared for what this two mad men and women are willing to do to get revenge.
Do I enjoyed? Yes very much, although I wish for more mafia content in the book just because I’m probably way to crazy and love to read conflicts and details about how they resolve problems in their territory.
Thank you so much to the Author for the ARC.
April 9, 2020
3.5 Stars!!
I'm always a fan of arranged marriage. So, I was excited to dive in. The premise was good but the instant attraction with a hot guys and sexy beautiful woman somehow disappoints me. Why? Because I wanted to read something that's more realistic like the girl was plain Jane.
Also, I am having a hard time grasping the names of the characters.... what's their role or what happened to them.
I love that Maria is feisty... unfortunately on most part, weak when it comes sex. Matteo has that powerful character. I love when he shows that he cares for Maria but really, I would love it more had I know when he came to slowly develop feelings for her and vice versa.
There were some unnecessary scene like the Vegas part, which would have been better if those pages would be dedicated to explaining to us who
Still, an enjoyable read, if my "spoiler" wasn't that much of an issue to you.
Btw, just my opinion, but I don't like the cover... He doesn't look hot and 35... he looks 50ish to me. Sorry.
ARC won
I'm always a fan of arranged marriage. So, I was excited to dive in. The premise was good but the instant attraction with a hot guys and sexy beautiful woman somehow disappoints me. Why? Because I wanted to read something that's more realistic like the girl was plain Jane.
Also, I am having a hard time grasping the names of the characters.... what's their role or what happened to them.
I love that Maria is feisty... unfortunately on most part, weak when it comes sex. Matteo has that powerful character. I love when he shows that he cares for Maria but really, I would love it more had I know when he came to slowly develop feelings for her and vice versa.
There were some unnecessary scene like the Vegas part, which would have been better if those pages would be dedicated to explaining to us who
Still, an enjoyable read, if my "spoiler" wasn't that much of an issue to you.
Btw, just my opinion, but I don't like the cover... He doesn't look hot and 35... he looks 50ish to me. Sorry.
ARC won
April 1, 2020
ARC won from author
I swear this series keeps getting better and better! Matteo and Maria are everything.
I’m such a sucker for arranged marriages and this one was done so right. Maria agrees to marry Matteo since she is loyal to her father and his mafia family. Matteo is related to her kid brother’s killer, so already she is not planning on a love match. She’ll marry him, live with him, but not tolerate him. They have a couple of run-ins before the wedding and this is already where they start to fall in love.
Maria is strong for a mafia female. She doesn’t listen to the whole man vs woman power dynamic. She kills, fights, and plans alongside her family. Given Matteo’s position, this is exactly what he needed in a female, even if he didn’t know it. Her strength drew him to her. His kindness warms the idea of marriage to him for her. So by the time they have the wedding, they’re insanely attracted to one another and halfway in love.
I think the sex scenes - although there were not many - were done wonderfully. They’re always my pet peeve when they’re not, and the author hit these two on the head. Their attraction for one another melted off the pages.
While falling more in love with each other, the truth of her brother’s death comes to light and Matteo takes care of it for her.
Other than being a mafia arranged marriage, I just love these two’s chemistry. You could say they fell in love fairly quickly, but it really worked for them. I didn’t feel rushed through their romance at all. It was such a sweet and heartwarming story blended with a sizzling, edge of your seat concept.
I can’t wait to read more of this world!
I swear this series keeps getting better and better! Matteo and Maria are everything.
I’m such a sucker for arranged marriages and this one was done so right. Maria agrees to marry Matteo since she is loyal to her father and his mafia family. Matteo is related to her kid brother’s killer, so already she is not planning on a love match. She’ll marry him, live with him, but not tolerate him. They have a couple of run-ins before the wedding and this is already where they start to fall in love.
Maria is strong for a mafia female. She doesn’t listen to the whole man vs woman power dynamic. She kills, fights, and plans alongside her family. Given Matteo’s position, this is exactly what he needed in a female, even if he didn’t know it. Her strength drew him to her. His kindness warms the idea of marriage to him for her. So by the time they have the wedding, they’re insanely attracted to one another and halfway in love.
I think the sex scenes - although there were not many - were done wonderfully. They’re always my pet peeve when they’re not, and the author hit these two on the head. Their attraction for one another melted off the pages.
While falling more in love with each other, the truth of her brother’s death comes to light and Matteo takes care of it for her.
Other than being a mafia arranged marriage, I just love these two’s chemistry. You could say they fell in love fairly quickly, but it really worked for them. I didn’t feel rushed through their romance at all. It was such a sweet and heartwarming story blended with a sizzling, edge of your seat concept.
I can’t wait to read more of this world!
April 4, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. I have read the others in the series and each one is even better than the last. This is an arranged marriage book. The joining of two families that haven't been on the best of terms for a long time. Matteo is hot as sin and a perfect match for Maria even if she hates to admit it. I think Maria is one of my favorite characters that I've read in a long time. She's tough, but not afraid to show her softer side when needed. It was great seeing the other characters from the previous books as well. This book kept my interest with its wonderful romance, intriguing suspense, and many twists and turns. Check it out!!!
April 6, 2020
I won an ARC of this book and even though the author didn’t request I read and review, I wanted to. I am a stickler for series reading order, though, so I had to read the first two before I could get to this one. I am so glad I did. While they can all be read as stand-alones, the story of the Five Families world is built upon in each book. I can also confirm that each story is better and better than the one before. I loved Matteo and Maria. I loved how their relationship developed. And I loved that they both saw justice.
April 15, 2020
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Jill is a new to me author and I can say without a doubt that I will definitely be reading more of her work. From the very first page her writing style just clicked with me. I became entirely invested in the plot and the characters, devouring the entire book in a couple of hours.
Matteo and Maria are from feuding mafia families but a marriage between the two is proposed to end said feud and bring the five families closer together with their union. Due to her brother’s death, supposedly caused by Matteo’s family, Maria holds so much anger and resentment towards Matteo.
I want a Matteo for myself. He is ruthless, protective, territorial and possessive. What really drew me in was the respect he had not only for Maria, but her family and the values of marriage. Maria is such a complex character. Layer upon layers, she is fierce, strong, independent but so utterly broken and vulnerable. They are the ultimate mafia power couple, providing each other with support, challenging each other and sharing a sizzling attraction.
This book had all the feels, steamy scenes, the push and pull and some mystery with some twists I didn’t see coming. Overall, I really, really enjoyed Blood Always. If you’re after a mafia romance with an arranged marriage, then this is the book for you.
ARC was kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
Jill is a new to me author and I can say without a doubt that I will definitely be reading more of her work. From the very first page her writing style just clicked with me. I became entirely invested in the plot and the characters, devouring the entire book in a couple of hours.
Matteo and Maria are from feuding mafia families but a marriage between the two is proposed to end said feud and bring the five families closer together with their union. Due to her brother’s death, supposedly caused by Matteo’s family, Maria holds so much anger and resentment towards Matteo.
I want a Matteo for myself. He is ruthless, protective, territorial and possessive. What really drew me in was the respect he had not only for Maria, but her family and the values of marriage. Maria is such a complex character. Layer upon layers, she is fierce, strong, independent but so utterly broken and vulnerable. They are the ultimate mafia power couple, providing each other with support, challenging each other and sharing a sizzling attraction.
This book had all the feels, steamy scenes, the push and pull and some mystery with some twists I didn’t see coming. Overall, I really, really enjoyed Blood Always. If you’re after a mafia romance with an arranged marriage, then this is the book for you.
ARC was kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
April 8, 2020
Finally, the distant, standoffish sister Maria Genovese gets her own book! Blood Always by Jill Ramsower is the third book in the Five Family series. I have enjoyed getting to know each of the Genovese sisters as they each have their own standalone story. Ramsower does a great job telling this enemies to lovers’ mafia romance that is sure to have you reaching for a cool glass of water because it is hot! I loved how the rough and hardened mafia boss, Enzo Genovese, seems to inadvertently play match maker for his girls with nothing but love and devotion to his family. Well written with lots of action and a little dark humor from a slightly disturbed woman made this book so much fun to read. 5- stars for Blood Always by Jill Ramsower.
Maria Genovese will do anything to protect her family. As a made woman for the Lucciano family she is willing sacrifices herself to marry into one of the other Five Families so none of her sisters or cousins have to do it. Little does Maria know she is going to marry Matteo De Luca the underboss for the Gallo family, the family that was responsible for killing her brother. Matteo wants to help bring peace to the families and when Enzo Genovese asks for a union between his family the Lucciano’s and the Gallo’s, Matteo knows it is up to him to step forward. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that his bride is Enzo’s oldest daughter Maria and that she is as deadly as she is gorgeous. The Family always comes first until it doesn’t, until Matteo and Maria learn that their arrangement might be more than just a business deal. Matteo figures out that he will do anything to protect Maria, he just hopes he’s not too late.
Maria Genovese will do anything to protect her family. As a made woman for the Lucciano family she is willing sacrifices herself to marry into one of the other Five Families so none of her sisters or cousins have to do it. Little does Maria know she is going to marry Matteo De Luca the underboss for the Gallo family, the family that was responsible for killing her brother. Matteo wants to help bring peace to the families and when Enzo Genovese asks for a union between his family the Lucciano’s and the Gallo’s, Matteo knows it is up to him to step forward. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that his bride is Enzo’s oldest daughter Maria and that she is as deadly as she is gorgeous. The Family always comes first until it doesn’t, until Matteo and Maria learn that their arrangement might be more than just a business deal. Matteo figures out that he will do anything to protect Maria, he just hopes he’s not too late.
April 17, 2020
4.25 stars
"If I walked through that door, our trajectory would alter irrevocably. From enemies allied by strategic marriage to … what? Something dark and consuming. Something that tasted like obsession."
This was an entertaining and emotional read for me. The dynamic between Matteo and Maria was intense and explosive. The romance was sweetly dark with hate-to-love and arranged marriage trope, both of these are my favourite tropes, so of course I was very happy with this romance, especially, Matteo was actually a very decant guy for mafia man. I didn’t even hate to love him, I just loved him.
Matteo and Maria were both part of mafia (just different families), therefore, you can expect morally questionable actions and cold blooded murder from both of them. Hence, Maria was a very refreshing character in dark mafia romance for me. As usually the heroines in these type of romances are naive and innocent damsels in distress, even virgins at times, but Maria was none of those things. She was strong, emotionally closed but at the same time over emotional, and kick a$$ female with some very dark and blood chilling secrets from her past.
This book had intriguing mafia world, flawed and realistic characters, entertaining plot, dark secrets, emotional growth, heartbreaking experiences and intense romance. There were some steamy, some swoony, some funny, some intense, some sweet, some heartbreaking, some bloody and some triggering moments.
"He wanted to slay my demons for me, but some demons were personal. Some demons could never be slayed except by the hands of their victims."
"If I walked through that door, our trajectory would alter irrevocably. From enemies allied by strategic marriage to … what? Something dark and consuming. Something that tasted like obsession."
This was an entertaining and emotional read for me. The dynamic between Matteo and Maria was intense and explosive. The romance was sweetly dark with hate-to-love and arranged marriage trope, both of these are my favourite tropes, so of course I was very happy with this romance, especially, Matteo was actually a very decant guy for mafia man. I didn’t even hate to love him, I just loved him.
Matteo and Maria were both part of mafia (just different families), therefore, you can expect morally questionable actions and cold blooded murder from both of them. Hence, Maria was a very refreshing character in dark mafia romance for me. As usually the heroines in these type of romances are naive and innocent damsels in distress, even virgins at times, but Maria was none of those things. She was strong, emotionally closed but at the same time over emotional, and kick a$$ female with some very dark and blood chilling secrets from her past.
This book had intriguing mafia world, flawed and realistic characters, entertaining plot, dark secrets, emotional growth, heartbreaking experiences and intense romance. There were some steamy, some swoony, some funny, some intense, some sweet, some heartbreaking, some bloody and some triggering moments.
"He wanted to slay my demons for me, but some demons were personal. Some demons could never be slayed except by the hands of their victims."
April 15, 2020
What happens when your father asks you to marry into the family that you’ve hated your entire life? You agree because you would do anything for your family and you go into it like the business arrangement it is.
Except, Matteo is more than just a business arrangement, he’s oh so easy on the eyes and those tattoos? Those are just the finishing touches. And Maria has to admit, he’s pretty charming.
As far as Matteo, he’s drawn in from the start. Maria is feisty but clever, she can be rash and quick to heat, but he admires her for her strength and cunning. But she brings out the beast inside of him, and that isn’t always good for her, especially when he’s making commands he isn’t honoring himself, at least in her eyes. It brings out her rebellious streak. These two together can guarantee you will be in for a wild ride.
While Maria exudes confidence, she is, in her words, broken. There are reasons for her quiet strength, reasons she shied away from commitment, and Matteo wants to uncover those reasons. These two together? Hello, sexy time. They are incredibly good together. I had been looking forward to Maria’s story, and Jill did not disappoint. Maria is the strong yet vulnerable female lead we had been waiting for. Sexy and swoony, Blood Always is more than just a mafia story, and it will hook you from the start.
Except, Matteo is more than just a business arrangement, he’s oh so easy on the eyes and those tattoos? Those are just the finishing touches. And Maria has to admit, he’s pretty charming.
As far as Matteo, he’s drawn in from the start. Maria is feisty but clever, she can be rash and quick to heat, but he admires her for her strength and cunning. But she brings out the beast inside of him, and that isn’t always good for her, especially when he’s making commands he isn’t honoring himself, at least in her eyes. It brings out her rebellious streak. These two together can guarantee you will be in for a wild ride.
While Maria exudes confidence, she is, in her words, broken. There are reasons for her quiet strength, reasons she shied away from commitment, and Matteo wants to uncover those reasons. These two together? Hello, sexy time. They are incredibly good together. I had been looking forward to Maria’s story, and Jill did not disappoint. Maria is the strong yet vulnerable female lead we had been waiting for. Sexy and swoony, Blood Always is more than just a mafia story, and it will hook you from the start.
March 31, 2020
“Mine to devour and mine to protect…”
Well this was a really steamy surprise!! This is my first book by Jill Ramsower, I won it as an ARC in the Pepper’s Playground group on fb and I couldn’t be happier that I got this chance to know and fall in love with another author who can hypnotize me with her Mafia Romance writing!!
Maria is one of the princess daughters of mafia, but she’s nothing like you would expect her to be, she’s strong, independent and has a place in the outfit, she’s known as the Ice Queen and let me tell you that I loved this part; she’s part of the new world, the future of the mafia where women can be a really strong part in the family and not just pretty figures. But let’s get something clear, there are still some traditions that all mafia bosses respect and that’s alliances with other families, alliances through marriage. And this time is Maria’s turn to make a choice for her family, to marry Matteo De Luca.
Matteo is one of the most powerful members of his family, the place as the head of the family is soon to be his and marring Maria will bring great opportunities for both families, he didn’t expect her to be such an enigma, he didn’t expect her to be such vocal with her needs and for her to be intoxicating; but there’s a reason why she doesn’t give much about herself and there’s nothing more that Matteo wants that to know all that Maria is hiding beneath that perfect façade.
You can bet that I will be reading more of Jill, Blood Always was a hell of a ride, when you read about both characters in one scene you can truly feel the intense connection they have. I really enjoyed it, so thank you again Jill for this chance to fall in love with new stories and to give us your readers, a strong female mafia princess which we really needed.
Well this was a really steamy surprise!! This is my first book by Jill Ramsower, I won it as an ARC in the Pepper’s Playground group on fb and I couldn’t be happier that I got this chance to know and fall in love with another author who can hypnotize me with her Mafia Romance writing!!
Maria is one of the princess daughters of mafia, but she’s nothing like you would expect her to be, she’s strong, independent and has a place in the outfit, she’s known as the Ice Queen and let me tell you that I loved this part; she’s part of the new world, the future of the mafia where women can be a really strong part in the family and not just pretty figures. But let’s get something clear, there are still some traditions that all mafia bosses respect and that’s alliances with other families, alliances through marriage. And this time is Maria’s turn to make a choice for her family, to marry Matteo De Luca.
Matteo is one of the most powerful members of his family, the place as the head of the family is soon to be his and marring Maria will bring great opportunities for both families, he didn’t expect her to be such an enigma, he didn’t expect her to be such vocal with her needs and for her to be intoxicating; but there’s a reason why she doesn’t give much about herself and there’s nothing more that Matteo wants that to know all that Maria is hiding beneath that perfect façade.
You can bet that I will be reading more of Jill, Blood Always was a hell of a ride, when you read about both characters in one scene you can truly feel the intense connection they have. I really enjoyed it, so thank you again Jill for this chance to fall in love with new stories and to give us your readers, a strong female mafia princess which we really needed.
April 15, 2020
Blood Always is the third book in the Five Families Series ( I recommend reading the first two books in this series; it will make it easier to know what's going on) To say that I have been patiently waiting for Maria's book would be a lie! I've been dying to know more about her... and Jill Ramsower did NOT disappoint!
Maria & Matteo's relationship started as a "business arrangement" a way to unite their families but the 🔥🔥🔥 connection that blooms from this arrangement... well there simply isn't anything "business" about it. They both have secrets, dark pasts, and unwavering loyalty to their families... Throw in some extremely stubborn behavior, all the drama and some seriously swoon worthy moments...WOWZA! &&& you've got yourself one wild ride. The layers to both Maria & Matteo that peel away as you read... the secrets that are revealed... will have you burning through the pages and feeling every emotion as you go on this journey with them. SO GOOD 💚
***ARC Provided in Exchange for an Honest Review/ Megan Scandalous Book Blog***
Maria & Matteo's relationship started as a "business arrangement" a way to unite their families but the 🔥🔥🔥 connection that blooms from this arrangement... well there simply isn't anything "business" about it. They both have secrets, dark pasts, and unwavering loyalty to their families... Throw in some extremely stubborn behavior, all the drama and some seriously swoon worthy moments...WOWZA! &&& you've got yourself one wild ride. The layers to both Maria & Matteo that peel away as you read... the secrets that are revealed... will have you burning through the pages and feeling every emotion as you go on this journey with them. SO GOOD 💚
***ARC Provided in Exchange for an Honest Review/ Megan Scandalous Book Blog***
April 9, 2020
From start to finish, BLOOD ALWAYS was absolutely amazing and had me all in the feels. I was instantly in love with Matteo. But I knew I would after all the times he made appearances throughout the series. There was just something about him; something magnetizing. I was so very excited to dive into the very essence of Matteo De Luca and get to know him more.
I wasn’t sure how I would take a book based off Maria. She was always this untouchable character to me with hardly any emotions. But thankfully, we learn so such about her and why she lived her life the way she did. And why her walls were erected so high. Her past broke my heart. But I am so glad Matteo was there to pick up the pieces. No other man could do it. He was absolutely made for her.
Ramsower proves once again she is writing force to be reckoned with. She writes mafia romance with precision and heart. So when you crack open one of her books, you can be assured you will be getting a fabulously written story. 5 Stars!
I wasn’t sure how I would take a book based off Maria. She was always this untouchable character to me with hardly any emotions. But thankfully, we learn so such about her and why she lived her life the way she did. And why her walls were erected so high. Her past broke my heart. But I am so glad Matteo was there to pick up the pieces. No other man could do it. He was absolutely made for her.
Ramsower proves once again she is writing force to be reckoned with. She writes mafia romance with precision and heart. So when you crack open one of her books, you can be assured you will be getting a fabulously written story. 5 Stars!
April 12, 2020
This author has me completely hooked on her books! Matteo and Maria are expected to form a partnership of the most sacred variety, but they have to learn to trust more than their libidos in order to make it work. Add in the fact that Matteo has a missing mafia boss, secrets he’s unable to share, Maria has secrets of her own and old, painful memories, and we have a recipe for possible disaster. And the second these two start to trust, another wrench is thrown into the mix. When tempers are short and combustible but love is behind every feeling and fight, these two manage to find their way past all of their issues in the perfect way that only a true mafia family can.
April 9, 2020
*****5 Swoon Stars*****
This series gets better with each book. Maria is not like her sisters she was like them once to be but things changed her a long time ago. Matteo is not like anything Maria thought he would be but he’ older a complete alpha male, possessive, jealous, dominating, ruthless, tattooed and all these thing s take Maria by surprise. Matteo wasn’t expecting for the Ice Queen to make him feel different about their arrangement she's sassy, she's speaks her mind and is blunt and to the point and she was his. This won’t be an easy ride for them but they are willing to do the work. Maria secret makes hard for fully accept her new family and Matteo wants to slay anything man or demons to make Maria happy so she can find happiness. This is such a good book their flirty banter and back and forth arguments, the goading and silent challenges to each other kept the book flowing.
***** ARC from Give Me Books Promotions for review*****
This series gets better with each book. Maria is not like her sisters she was like them once to be but things changed her a long time ago. Matteo is not like anything Maria thought he would be but he’ older a complete alpha male, possessive, jealous, dominating, ruthless, tattooed and all these thing s take Maria by surprise. Matteo wasn’t expecting for the Ice Queen to make him feel different about their arrangement she's sassy, she's speaks her mind and is blunt and to the point and she was his. This won’t be an easy ride for them but they are willing to do the work. Maria secret makes hard for fully accept her new family and Matteo wants to slay anything man or demons to make Maria happy so she can find happiness. This is such a good book their flirty banter and back and forth arguments, the goading and silent challenges to each other kept the book flowing.
***** ARC from Give Me Books Promotions for review*****
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