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The Godfather's Lover
Jarod Greene doesn’t know anything about love, but that didn’t stop him from taking an IT intern from the FBI up against the wall in a moment of confusion and passion. It certainly didn’t keep him from asking the wide-eyed intern to be his kept lover. And it’s not like Chris Wilkinson’s job or life was going anywhere. Why wouldn’t he want to be the kept man of the most powerful mob boss in Los Angeles? But Chris Wilkinson is more than he appears, and so is Jarod Greene.
In the City of Angels, where every foundation is cemented in lies, two men whose first words to each other were false are about to find out how far they’ll go to discover the truth—because nothing true comes without a price to be paid in blood, and that’s especially true if you’re the Godfather’s lover.
In the City of Angels, where every foundation is cemented in lies, two men whose first words to each other were false are about to find out how far they’ll go to discover the truth—because nothing true comes without a price to be paid in blood, and that’s especially true if you’re the Godfather’s lover.
98 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 6, 2011
6 people are currently reading
152 people want to read
About the author
Ann T. Ryan
4 books66 followersA bibliophile at heart who loves to make up stories in her mind.
"If there's a book you really want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it." ~Toni Morrison
"If there's a book you really want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it." ~Toni Morrison
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
October 11, 2011
Review by Isabel De Valera
You know how when there’s a disaster or some kind of catastrophe, it’s human nature to find someone to take responsibility? And when there’s no one to pin it on, you kind of blame everyone?
This was a very difficult review to write. I kept wanting to blame someone for this disaster, and while one would expect that the author is the natural recipient, somehow I can’t help but spread the guilt around. In fact, I kind of feel sorry for the author. I mean, I assume that there was some beta reading somewhere along the line, and it had to be read to be accepted by the publisher, and then it must have gone through edits and proofreading. Didn’t anyone stop and say, “Wait a minute”? Didn’t anyone care enough to sit down with the author and say, “You have a good idea here, but your follow-through is a mite… lacking”?
The germ of the idea is a good one: Mafioso falls in love with the FBI agent who’s setting him up, and vice versa. There’s an enormous scope for an edgy, dark, passionate story with a peek into the grimy criminal underworld.
This story ain’t it.
You know how when there’s a disaster or some kind of catastrophe, it’s human nature to find someone to take responsibility? And when there’s no one to pin it on, you kind of blame everyone?
This was a very difficult review to write. I kept wanting to blame someone for this disaster, and while one would expect that the author is the natural recipient, somehow I can’t help but spread the guilt around. In fact, I kind of feel sorry for the author. I mean, I assume that there was some beta reading somewhere along the line, and it had to be read to be accepted by the publisher, and then it must have gone through edits and proofreading. Didn’t anyone stop and say, “Wait a minute”? Didn’t anyone care enough to sit down with the author and say, “You have a good idea here, but your follow-through is a mite… lacking”?
The germ of the idea is a good one: Mafioso falls in love with the FBI agent who’s setting him up, and vice versa. There’s an enormous scope for an edgy, dark, passionate story with a peek into the grimy criminal underworld.
This story ain’t it.
Read
December 19, 2011For a relatively simple book, this is somewhat of a difficult review to write. A large part of this is because of the potential this story had that failed to be realized. I don't want to give this book a rating as I think a low rating would be overly simplistic.
For some reason when reading this book I kept thinking about a J2 fanfic. I don't know why. But that is the way it came across to me. In fanfiction authors can get away with a lot of poor characterization because readers know exactly who you are talking about and their minds fill in the blanks, and their love for the persons involved make them more willing to forgive holes in plot etc.
But in original works the author does not have that luxury and has to flesh out the characters, to make them appealing to the readers. And that was something that this book did not accomplish. The characters were not as dull as some I have read but they did lack life. At times their actions did not seem justified at all, even when taken in context based on what the author told us of them.
An example. It is plainly stated that Jarod is a man-ho with no shortage of hunks lining up to do him. Repeatedly Jarod expresses disbelief at how deeply his feelings for Chris develop. Well I was disbelieving too. I mean that first "meeting" against the wall, there was NOTHING shown in Chris to set him apart from all them other guys. WHY exactly did Jarod see him any differently?
I found that the author tried to make us feel sympathetically for Jarod. Bastard father, poor mother who died etc. But I just could not like the character. It wasn't as if Jarod was forced into the clan life unwillingly and he just trying to do his "duty" through coercion. Jarod revels in his business and the book plainly says he has murdered people etc. And then talks about him being a man who respects honor etc. I just didn't buy it and cannot empathize and like such a character.
Furthermore Chris was unbelievable. For someone who the author tries to cast in a poor me on, low self-esteem light etc. Chris is an excellent manipulator. Obviously since that priest father figure was killed by the same Clan Jarod belongs to, he entered the FBI thing for revenge. I found it so hard to believe that he could so easily throw away his desire for vengeance that he had simmering for YEARS! I mean some of the men who did it could damn well be working for Jarod. And even if it WAS Jarod's father and no Jarod running things at that time, Chris was TOO logical and methodical in his one line statement where he let it all go. Emotions and logic do NOT go hand in hand. It made me feel that Chris didn't really feel all that much when priest guy died.
Morreti's nephew Brian and his fiendish plot to gank Jarod in revenge was anticlimactic when it did happen. Brian basically was seen in one scene where he does the cliche swearing it's not over thing...then ages later when we basically forget about him because he was so unmemorable...we see there's a shootout.
The ending was so contrived and Deux Ex Machina... Simply stating that Jarod knew all along. I mean really. I could go on but I won't. The editor should have done a better job and demanded some changes with this book before it went to sale.
Poor characterization, unlikeable characters, contrived plot...
For some reason when reading this book I kept thinking about a J2 fanfic. I don't know why. But that is the way it came across to me. In fanfiction authors can get away with a lot of poor characterization because readers know exactly who you are talking about and their minds fill in the blanks, and their love for the persons involved make them more willing to forgive holes in plot etc.
But in original works the author does not have that luxury and has to flesh out the characters, to make them appealing to the readers. And that was something that this book did not accomplish. The characters were not as dull as some I have read but they did lack life. At times their actions did not seem justified at all, even when taken in context based on what the author told us of them.
An example. It is plainly stated that Jarod is a man-ho with no shortage of hunks lining up to do him. Repeatedly Jarod expresses disbelief at how deeply his feelings for Chris develop. Well I was disbelieving too. I mean that first "meeting" against the wall, there was NOTHING shown in Chris to set him apart from all them other guys. WHY exactly did Jarod see him any differently?
I found that the author tried to make us feel sympathetically for Jarod. Bastard father, poor mother who died etc. But I just could not like the character. It wasn't as if Jarod was forced into the clan life unwillingly and he just trying to do his "duty" through coercion. Jarod revels in his business and the book plainly says he has murdered people etc. And then talks about him being a man who respects honor etc. I just didn't buy it and cannot empathize and like such a character.
Furthermore Chris was unbelievable. For someone who the author tries to cast in a poor me on, low self-esteem light etc. Chris is an excellent manipulator. Obviously since that priest father figure was killed by the same Clan Jarod belongs to, he entered the FBI thing for revenge. I found it so hard to believe that he could so easily throw away his desire for vengeance that he had simmering for YEARS! I mean some of the men who did it could damn well be working for Jarod. And even if it WAS Jarod's father and no Jarod running things at that time, Chris was TOO logical and methodical in his one line statement where he let it all go. Emotions and logic do NOT go hand in hand. It made me feel that Chris didn't really feel all that much when priest guy died.
Morreti's nephew Brian and his fiendish plot to gank Jarod in revenge was anticlimactic when it did happen. Brian basically was seen in one scene where he does the cliche swearing it's not over thing...then ages later when we basically forget about him because he was so unmemorable...we see there's a shootout.
The ending was so contrived and Deux Ex Machina... Simply stating that Jarod knew all along. I mean really. I could go on but I won't. The editor should have done a better job and demanded some changes with this book before it went to sale.
Poor characterization, unlikeable characters, contrived plot...
October 25, 2012
I'm DNFing this one at about 70%. The dialogue is too stilted for me and the characters feel very unrealistic. I am a fan of the mobster/cop pairing but this one is just not working for me.
December 1, 2012
I could say that this story could have been better if it was longer but I won't because I don't think it would have helped. It was a whole story of clichés. I did not connect with Jarod or Chris. The time jumps were ridiculous. If the author is going to do massive time jumps then there needs to be some kind of build up. You can't go from no mention of time to saying it is a year later and then another 6 months pass. Also, mostly everything important was off the page or never mentioned, as in what exactly was involved in. Why wouldn't you let the reader know that? If we read a mob story, we want to know about the illegal dealings. Things wern't even made up with good sex scenes. They were mostly off page too. This was a disappointment all around. 1.5 stars
September 29, 2011
Adrian explains why this failed. The idea was a good one and exciting because who doesn't love a good mobster story? Yeah it didnt work out that way, wasted opportunity.
September 6, 2013
Hmmm, so lots of bad ratings on this one but I have to say, before the 90% mark, I would have given it four stars. Maybe my standards are lower because the m/m mob books I've been subjected to lately have been so lacking but, if I read a book where the male characters actually act like men instead of simpering teenage girls it's already ahead of the game. Sad but true. But, to address some of the complaints, I LIKED Jarod and Chris' first (sexual) encounter in the alley. It was unapologetic and un-sappy. I can see where others would take issue with the logic of it but it didn't bother me, and hey, he used lube. What is with all the dry f*cking in books lately?? It is NOT sexy! I LIKED the pacing of how they eventually became full time lovers. I can see other people's issue with Chris abandoning his life to be with Jarod but again, I rolled with it. Yes, Jarod doesn't go around killing people etc, but the book was 98 pages. I never doubted that he was a crime boss; it was all there in the way he carried himself, expected to be obeyed...he was pure alpha male and I loved that. I really liked Jarod's character; both Jarod's and Chris' actually.
Up until 90%, the bigger issues for me were as follows:
I never really understood what faction of mob the Greene clan was. Jarod was called 'The Godfather of Los Angeles' but with a name like Jarod Greene, I didn't really get that they were Italian mafia, though their rivals seemed to be. The author would also make reference to the clan, so were they Irish? KKK? I jest. But, seriously, I couldn't tell. She would also refer to the members as 'brothers of the clan' which made things even more confusing.
What exactly did the Greene clan DO? Ok, they ran some nightclubs...and that's it? They were against drugs in the neighborhood, so did they run guns?? Did they have a prostitution ring?? What was Jarod the 'godfather' of, exactly? The world building there needed some work.
Still, as I always say, I was willing to roll with it.
Then 90% happened.
WHAT.
THE.
HELL!
At times like this, I am convinced that some authors either have no friends, family, beta readers, editors or a publisher. Clearly, this was self-edited and self-published. Ok, so it wasn't....but anyone who read this and didn't say to the author,' ehhhhhh, no' failed and needs to be fired, unfriended or never invited to holiday dinner again.
The ending totally ruined the book. It was not only unrealistic to the point of being silly, it didn't resolve anything. My mind is in knots just trying to follow how and why the characters would know the things they supposedly knew and go on about their business like it was all ok, and how things are supposed to work going forward.
Sigh.
At this rate, I have no idea what rating to give the book. I really, really liked it up until the ending but the ending was enough to detract from my enjoyment of it.
I'll leave it unrated for now.
Up until 90%, the bigger issues for me were as follows:
I never really understood what faction of mob the Greene clan was. Jarod was called 'The Godfather of Los Angeles' but with a name like Jarod Greene, I didn't really get that they were Italian mafia, though their rivals seemed to be. The author would also make reference to the clan, so were they Irish? KKK? I jest. But, seriously, I couldn't tell. She would also refer to the members as 'brothers of the clan' which made things even more confusing.
What exactly did the Greene clan DO? Ok, they ran some nightclubs...and that's it? They were against drugs in the neighborhood, so did they run guns?? Did they have a prostitution ring?? What was Jarod the 'godfather' of, exactly? The world building there needed some work.
Still, as I always say, I was willing to roll with it.
Then 90% happened.
WHAT.
THE.
HELL!
At times like this, I am convinced that some authors either have no friends, family, beta readers, editors or a publisher. Clearly, this was self-edited and self-published. Ok, so it wasn't....but anyone who read this and didn't say to the author,' ehhhhhh, no' failed and needs to be fired, unfriended or never invited to holiday dinner again.
The ending totally ruined the book. It was not only unrealistic to the point of being silly, it didn't resolve anything. My mind is in knots just trying to follow how and why the characters would know the things they supposedly knew and go on about their business like it was all ok, and how things are supposed to work going forward.
Sigh.
At this rate, I have no idea what rating to give the book. I really, really liked it up until the ending but the ending was enough to detract from my enjoyment of it.
I'll leave it unrated for now.
September 3, 2011
1,5 stars
I did finish The Godfather`s Lover to get it out of my system.
0,5 stars for the basic idea of a bad boy getting lucky,but the realization
ultimately was wasted time - and money.
Note
I`m so tired of nagging and giving low ratings...just want to read good books/stories...
I did finish The Godfather`s Lover to get it out of my system.
0,5 stars for the basic idea of a bad boy getting lucky,but the realization
ultimately was wasted time - and money.
Note
I`m so tired of nagging and giving low ratings...just want to read good books/stories...
September 26, 2011
http://www.rarelydustybooks.com/2011/...
This is my kind of M/M story. What is my kind you ask? I love it when there is a tough guy (assassin, mafia boss, special forces) who falls for the fun and flirty guy who isn’t impressed with all the money or power (excuse me while I :sigh:). They both keep secrets from each other and end up sacrificing to keep the other safe.
Even though this is a novella, the author was able to create two well developed characters that wormed their way into my heart. In the prologue we meet Jarod and Chris as children and get an idea of who they are going to be and why.
Jarod lost his mother and is raised by his father, a mafia crime boss. He is cruel and unforgiving and taught Jarod power and money are what matter. Jarod inherits his father’s position, but tries to do things differently. He can’t trust anyone and only has relationships devoid of emotion with his kept men. He has one best friend, his right hand man, Mike.
Chris grew up in an orphanage and even though he never had any money the priest that ran the orphanage taught him that love and family are the most important things in life.
Jarod and Chris have a drunken quickie behind a bar and go on their way. Jarod can’t forget the beautiful and sensual man he had and ends up tracking Chris down. He offers Chris the opportunity to be his kept man, but Chris isn’t what he appears to be.
I loved watching both men war with their feelings, each trying to keep the other at an emotional distance, but failing (of course!). My stomach fluttered with every touch and look that Jarod and Chris shared. The plot is pretty predictable, but there is some action, smexy loving, betrayal, suspense and even a ‘gotcha’ moment at the end. This is just a good story from a writing and character aspect. I am giving this 5 stars since it is my ‘type’ of story, but I think most readers will find this at least a 4 star read.
This is my kind of M/M story. What is my kind you ask? I love it when there is a tough guy (assassin, mafia boss, special forces) who falls for the fun and flirty guy who isn’t impressed with all the money or power (excuse me while I :sigh:). They both keep secrets from each other and end up sacrificing to keep the other safe.
Even though this is a novella, the author was able to create two well developed characters that wormed their way into my heart. In the prologue we meet Jarod and Chris as children and get an idea of who they are going to be and why.
Jarod lost his mother and is raised by his father, a mafia crime boss. He is cruel and unforgiving and taught Jarod power and money are what matter. Jarod inherits his father’s position, but tries to do things differently. He can’t trust anyone and only has relationships devoid of emotion with his kept men. He has one best friend, his right hand man, Mike.
Chris grew up in an orphanage and even though he never had any money the priest that ran the orphanage taught him that love and family are the most important things in life.
Jarod and Chris have a drunken quickie behind a bar and go on their way. Jarod can’t forget the beautiful and sensual man he had and ends up tracking Chris down. He offers Chris the opportunity to be his kept man, but Chris isn’t what he appears to be.
I loved watching both men war with their feelings, each trying to keep the other at an emotional distance, but failing (of course!). My stomach fluttered with every touch and look that Jarod and Chris shared. The plot is pretty predictable, but there is some action, smexy loving, betrayal, suspense and even a ‘gotcha’ moment at the end. This is just a good story from a writing and character aspect. I am giving this 5 stars since it is my ‘type’ of story, but I think most readers will find this at least a 4 star read.
April 22, 2012
I enjoyed this book but I think it would have benefitted from being longer. The reader didn't really get to see the relationship between Jarod and Chris develop although about a year passed during the course of the book. Had I seen more of the interaction between the two men during this time period I think it would have been easier to believe in the decisions that Chris went on to make.
June 10, 2017
The book semeed promising, but at he end... Nonetheless, it was a entertaining read.
September 20, 2011
Way too many coincidences for me to be comfortable with the plotting, but I did like the characters a lot. I mean, really, though, what sort of mafia boss takes a random hot stranger, and has sex with them while they're busy chasing down someone else? And the actions of the characters... often I felt as if I was missing something that would make it all logical, because they were consistent in their decisions, if unrealistic.
Not bad, just... not much to justify the disbelief and confusion it prompted regarding coincidence and character motivations.
Not bad, just... not much to justify the disbelief and confusion it prompted regarding coincidence and character motivations.
December 3, 2011
This book is about on par with a porn plot. Hot mobster takes undercover FBI agent as his paid sex toy. Hot sex conquers all.
There are no ethical or moral issues raised in the book - and the legal ones magically seem to disappear.
Aren't you glad that love trumps murder and racketeering? My faith in humanity has been restored...
There are no ethical or moral issues raised in the book - and the legal ones magically seem to disappear.
Aren't you glad that love trumps murder and racketeering? My faith in humanity has been restored...
September 14, 2011
From the description I guess I was expecting a bit more, it was a quick read, the writing is good, but it was missing something. I would give it a 3 1/2 if I could.
September 30, 2011
Is this the start of a series? That ending kinda pissed me off....like running towards a cliff and you wake up and your laying at the bottom but have no idea how the hell you got there.
August 8, 2019
Simple libro, simple amor, buen libro solo para pasar el rato.
September 22, 2020
re-read and review: 11/09/2020
The potential in this story was as giant as the waste in this fail. This book could have been so good if bigger.
The potential in this story was as giant as the waste in this fail. This book could have been so good if bigger.
Read
August 7, 2012love the story, i never knew i had a thing for mafia stories, i just wished it was longer and there was a little more of a back story. the author gave a very brief but direct back story of the why the two main character act the way they do and do what they do. however, i just wished that there was more written on Jarod and Chris relationship development. i'm not saying that their relationship was rushed consider the circumstance, but i would still have love a little more.
nonetheless i give this 5 stars because it was really good.
i hope i could read more about Jarod and Chris in the future or any other book by Ann T. Rayn, because she is one of my favourite author.
nonetheless i give this 5 stars because it was really good.
i hope i could read more about Jarod and Chris in the future or any other book by Ann T. Rayn, because she is one of my favourite author.
July 9, 2017
I already am in love with the idea of bosses, whether it be from the mafia, yakuza or the such. Its what made me read this. I loved every peace of it! It had and has so much potential! I can practically see what good information could be added to it to make it longer, spread out, possibly made out into a series of books or just a really long book. I'm so glad this is the book I started with for my binge! There were some minor peculiarities that I personally was able to easily overlook and I can be quite judgmental with things that irk me. But truly this was a good light reading that got me pumped up for more.
August 11, 2012
Acción y Amor
Una historia fantástica que mezcla acción y amor a partes iguales.
Jarod un jefe de la mafia, con un carácter de perro y una figura que causa estragos.
Chris un agente del FBI, con un carácter triste y una figura que enloquece a más de uno.
Ambos gays, y ambos imposibilitados de reconocer sus verdaderos sentimientos, hasta que estos son más fuertes que ellos y lo que hasta ahora parecía lo correcto se vuelve impensado.
Una genial historia de amor, que deja muchas ganas de más.
Una historia fantástica que mezcla acción y amor a partes iguales.
Jarod un jefe de la mafia, con un carácter de perro y una figura que causa estragos.
Chris un agente del FBI, con un carácter triste y una figura que enloquece a más de uno.
Ambos gays, y ambos imposibilitados de reconocer sus verdaderos sentimientos, hasta que estos son más fuertes que ellos y lo que hasta ahora parecía lo correcto se vuelve impensado.
Una genial historia de amor, que deja muchas ganas de más.
January 13, 2017
In the blurb it says...
But Chris Wilkinson is more than he appears, and so is Jarod Greene.
News Flash: No, Jarod Greene isn't more than he appears! He is a mob lord... period!
I would have been fine with this story if I hadn't been given the expectation of a twist at the end... but the twist never came... grrr
Many things could be said about this story, but the truth of the matter is... I was totally waiting in anticipation for the "big reveal" until the very end... and there was none. Sorry to say Ms. Ryan... this leaves me, one disappointed reader!
But Chris Wilkinson is more than he appears, and so is Jarod Greene.
News Flash: No, Jarod Greene isn't more than he appears! He is a mob lord... period!
I would have been fine with this story if I hadn't been given the expectation of a twist at the end... but the twist never came... grrr
Many things could be said about this story, but the truth of the matter is... I was totally waiting in anticipation for the "big reveal" until the very end... and there was none. Sorry to say Ms. Ryan... this leaves me, one disappointed reader!
March 3, 2014
I really liked the idea of this story, but the execution was a bit rough, mainly the dialogue between the characters. I don't know of anyone in real life who doesn't who use contractions (see, I used two of them right then!), and it's really really hard to believe and transport myself into a story when the stilted dialogue keeps getting in the way. So that was a problem for me. But like I say, I really liked the idea.
July 24, 2016
A pesar de las malas críticas que vi sobre este libro, igualmente me aventuré a leerlo y debo decir que no me arrepiento, si bien son personajes trillados los que encontramos aquí, el romance entre un agente del FBI y un capo de la mafia a mi parecer son una fórmula que nunca pasará de moda. La historia es romántica, encantadora, fácil de leer,aun que un poco breve tal vez, igualmente doy 5 estrellas.
September 13, 2011
I was a bit skeptic about this book because of the title. It was surprisingly good. I liked the characters and the writing style. I have to admit, the plotted story was to easy and I did miss an epilogue at the end. I would really love to read more about this couple, both Chris and Jarod, were enjoyable together.
May 12, 2013
I really don't think this book was as bad as everyone made it sound! The passing of time didn't bother me as much as some people, but I felt like I could have used more emotion and steamy sex scenes. But that's always my personal preference. The story focused a bit more on the logistics of the mob/cop story than the romance....and that was my biggest problem. Still not a horrible read though.
June 5, 2013
Well it's not a masterpiece but I think it delivered. It was enjoyable and, despite some violence within, it was a very light read. I like the cop/criminal romance stories. The moral conflict is always interesting to observe and this was no exception although it is a short story and not much exploited. I am a little disappointed though for it not being a full book because the plot is good enough.
September 9, 2011
This story had a lot of potential. Unfortunately, I felt that it was short and the writing style very awkward. I'm not sure if this is a first for the author, but I hope with time her stories improve.
September 17, 2013
If you're looking for a realistic story - look elsewhere :D
This is 100% gangster fairytale and I enjoyed the hell of it )) It contains all kinds of cliches, but fortunately I liked most of them, so it was a light and pleasant read for me. Just like one of the reviewers said - it delivered.
This is 100% gangster fairytale and I enjoyed the hell of it )) It contains all kinds of cliches, but fortunately I liked most of them, so it was a light and pleasant read for me. Just like one of the reviewers said - it delivered.
September 23, 2011
Loved this story, FBI agent devoted to taking down crime family's gets involved with the big California boss, to take down their family. But he falls in love, even as he is collecting evidence against the family. The boss also find himself falling for his newest toy. Great story!
September 15, 2011
Wanted to give this one 4 stars cuz I really liked Jarod and Chris but everything just seemed so rushed. I could have easily read another 200 pages about these guys.
September 18, 2011
I really liked this. I liked the story, the MC's, everything...except the abrupt ending. At least for me it seemed like it needed another chapter or two or an epilogue.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews