Ben believes he finally has his happily ever after, but quickly learns how wrong he is. Living in California gives Ben love, opportunities, and acceptance. However, he isn’t as safe as he thinks. The Banetti family persists in interfering, causing problems in his marriage and for the Chernovs. Ben’s family threatens to knock his happiness down many notches. Maybe one too many times, destroying everything he’s worked for.
Mishka Chernov’s dream to end all family ties to criminal operations in New York materializes. Ben and Mishka begin a new life in California surrounded by the Chernov family. He acquires a legitimate business and finds himself in college. Family Ties is the continuation of two mobsters’ gay sons’ series. Ben and Mishka realize their love and marriage will always cause problems between their two mafia families, one Russian, the other Italian, but they fight for their love.
This story is book three in the Mobsters’ Gay Sons Series. MM romance that follows an established relationship. It has some D/s elements and a guaranteed HEA.
I am a retired high school teacher with a Master's Degree from California State University of Long Beach and UCLA.
I taught various high school subjects including the following:world history, math, Algebra, Careers, CAHSEE prep, Independent Studies,science, Adult School, Orientation, and even middle school for three years. Let's not talk about the middle school experience. I prefer teaching high school seniors.
During the day, I read and write. I enjoy taking writing classes in my spare time.
Ben thinks moving to California with Mishka will finally give them the peaceful, happy life they’ve fought so hard for — love, acceptance, and a fresh start far from their mafia‑entangled pasts. But safety proves to be an illusion. The Banetti family continues to meddle, threatening both Ben and the Chernovs, and putting strain on the marriage Ben hoped would be untouchable. His own family’s interference risks undoing everything he’s built. Meanwhile, Mishka’s dream of cutting all ties to the criminal world in New York is finally becoming reality. With a legitimate business, college classes, and the support of the Chernov family around them, he and Ben try to build a normal life. Yet they both know their marriage — a union between the sons of two rival mafia families, one Russian and one Italian — will always draw trouble.
I enjoyed this final instalment that leans heavily into the messy, painful reality of family ties — and how deeply they can cut, even when you think you’ve escaped them. Ben and Mishka may have built a new life in California, but the shadows of their mafia families follow them, straining their marriage and testing their trust in ways that feel both tense and emotionally honest. The constant push‑and‑pull between loyalty, fear, and love gives their relationship real weight, especially as the Banetti family refuses to let go leaving them needing more love and support from the Chernov family. What stands out most is how fiercely Ben and Mishka fight for each other despite the pressure closing in from all sides. Their bond is challenged, shaken, and threatened, yet it’s also strengthened by the very forces trying to tear them apart. A compelling continuation that shows love isn’t just about passion — it’s about surviving the storms your families create and choosing each other anyway. This was an MM story with mature content and a BDSM-like D/s dynamic.
4.5 Stars The story picks up after book 2 and needs to be read in order. Danger is always around when your part of a mobster family. Misha and Ben both know this as the truth of it. Now Ben doesn’t know who to trust on his side of his family, but he makes a boo boo with 2 phone calls. Secrets make ways for trouble… This is a another great book for the series. I couldn’t help feel for Ben with his family hating him so much but he has a new family with Mishka’s. New friends for them both and new starts begin but not without dramas. Mishka and Ben take their BDSM relationship to another level with more sexy scenes. A great HEA ending for the book.
Mishka 38 years and his husband, Ben 21 years continue their story. Bad news regarding Dante, and Ben knew his Russian Family had a hand in the murder. But that’s only the start of it what’s to come.
Ben had thought that himself, Mishka and the other Chernov's would be safe from the Banetti family once they had left New York and settled in California. But it didn't seem like Sal was going to let things stay peaceful! They had returned the club's that had originally belonged to the Banetti's as Sal had wanted but his hatred and homathobia towards Ben and Mishka continued...would they ever be safe?! Fantastic third installment in the series and I loved reading it. Their story is bursting with love and passion and hatred and vengeance, the action literally jumps from the page.
After moving to California, life for Mishka and Ben doesn't seem to have improved. Ben's family are still threatening their life and happiness.
I love the dynamics between these two, the D/S relationship and how the families rally around to help them. Always a HEA with Brina, which I approve of.
Raymond Zaver does a good job with the narration. It is excellent and clean, although I did speed it up but only to 1.30 on audible.
Family Ties Mobsters’ Gay Sons Series, Book 3 By: Brina Brady Narrated by: Raymond Zaver Series: Mobsters' Gay Sons, Book 3 Length: 4 hrs and 58 mins
❤❤❤❤❤ Overall 🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧 Narration 📚📚📚📚📚 Story Read at 1.30 speed on Audible
Ben and Mishka have been welcomed as a couple by the Chernovs, but the Banetti family is still a real danger. This book has some great steamy moments between our two guys, but there is still pain, both emotional and physical to surivive before they get their long awaited HEA. Shurik is still one of my favorite characters in this series, he does what needs to be done to save his family. If you'd told me I would fall for the head of a mafia family I would not have believed it until Shurik. I'd love to read his full story sometime. A satisfying conclusion to a great m/m series.
I really love this book. Ben, Mishka and the Chernov Family think they are safe. How wrong they are. The Banetti family want to destroy all of Ben's happiness at all costs. How far will Ben's family go to hurt him and the ones he love? Will Ben, Mishka and the Chernov survive this storm?