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Bianucci Mafia #1

Deceit for My Good Girl

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Melisande is everything to me...and I'll stop at nothing to keep her safe. Even when she finds out that I'm her enemy.

132 pages, Paperback

Published May 1, 2023

298 people are currently reading
571 people want to read

About the author

Rae B. Lake

117 books671 followers
Rae is a daydreamer, nurse, bookworm, nature enthusiast, wife, momma, animal activist and an optimist. She has lived her entire life in NYC and loves to travel with her family. She believes that sweets should have a larger piece of the nutritional pyramid and that Buffy the Vampire Slayer was one of the best TV shows ever invented. When she is not working as a nurse in her community, she can either be found reading, writing, or taking a walk while listening to music. She has been writing books in her mind for as long as she can remember but decided that maybe there were others out in the world that would find joy in the words she would put down on the page.

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5 stars
111 (31%)
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83 (23%)
3 stars
91 (25%)
2 stars
43 (12%)
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25 (7%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
Profile Image for april ♡ probably reading smut - safety reviews.
1,480 reviews2,604 followers
February 6, 2023
4/5 🌟 2/5 🔥

"No one fucking touches you but me, Mel. You want a boyfriend? Here I am."

Am I starting another series? I think yes.

Here we have Xander and Melisande, best friends of ten years. Xander is a manwhore, while Mel is being kept isolated from the male species (by Xander himself!). They're super close and it shows.

"What are you to me?" I cross my arms and stare at Xander. "I'm your everything. We just don't have sex."

They're both in love with the other person but they're scared to act on it... for different reasons. Mel, she doesn't want to ruin their friendship. Xander, he's a member of the Bianucci mafia family... and as a child, he was hired to get close to Melisande, to keep her safe. She doesn't know, of course. She's blissfully oblivious to the fact that Xander is a hitman, a killer, and he's not her best friend- he's a proud descendant of the Bianucci mafia family. He's a great actor though.

"You keep saying I don't want you. How wrong you are, Rabbit. I've wanted you since before I even knew what to do with my cock. (...) I want you, Mel. I want you, and I'm not fucking sharing you with anyone else. You've had your fun; now you belong to me."

Drama happens and Mel is kidnapped by her enemy. Will Xander save her in time? Is his name even really Xander? Did he really care for Melisande or was it all an act? I have lots of burning questions- can't wait to read book one in the series!!

"Doesn't she realize when I made her mine, it was forever? There's nowhere on earth she'll be able to hide that I won't be able to find her. One way or another, I'm going to get my Rabbit back." <3

SAFETY:
Age: unknown
Cheating: not between main characters! H has a girlfriend when he gets with h, the lines are blurry there, it wasn't really addressed.
OM/OW drama: Ugh, yes. A clingy OW.
Sex scene with OM/OW: None, but there are phone sex scenes with OW. It's unpleasant LOL.
Virgin/celibate/manwhore: heroine is suspected to be a virgin because H kept all men away from her, hero is definitely a manwhore though
Triggers: murder, assault, kidnapping, maiming, mugging, graphic violence
Kinks: none... yet
Tropes: hidden identity, childhood friends to lovers, mafia
HEA?: Cliffhanger!

My bookshelves may contain spoilers..

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Debbie Earley.
2,933 reviews18 followers
January 20, 2024
Melisande & Xander

This was a great read. Secrets, lies, a childhood friendship that turns into more. A girl on the run & a guy who can't let her go. This book has a bit of everything thing. I can't wait to see what happens next.
Profile Image for Alyx Reese.
358 reviews5 followers
February 4, 2023
JFC! I read this in one sitting. Could not put it down. Yes, it is a cliffhanger, but soooooo goood!

LOL I had to go to Rae’s goodread’s page and ask where Lies for my Good Girls was. She was quick to let me know she posted it so I could go get it, I mean, wow! I love her!

It’s a ku book but I bought it, I’ll be reading it tonight.

Melisande is the epitome of Princepessa kept in her tower. Xander is her guard, who is supposed to keep her safe. He’s dark, twisted, obsessed, and scary as f**k!

Plot twist, (not really, the truth ALWAYS comes out). But how Mel reacts surprises Xander.

Rae is phenomenal with her character development and keeping their behavior consistent. The dialogue, (between characters as well as the characters inner monologues), are always within character. I can read and feek the build up of what’s coming between characters because I know them.

This is NOT Mafia lite, it has dark sexual and violent themes and scenes.
Profile Image for GKP2460 .
4,342 reviews73 followers
February 5, 2023
This is the prequel to Lies For My Good Girl. I read Lies before this one and while it definitely can stand on it's own, Deceit gives greater insight as to how Xander and Melisande's relationship came to be. I would highly recommend reading this prior.
8,864 reviews63 followers
February 6, 2023
Melisande and Xander story is filled with steamy possesive desires. Xander will do anything to keep his rabbit safe, but isball as it seems? Well written short intro to their story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Linda Rea.
2,191 reviews15 followers
February 6, 2023
This story ropes you in right away leaving you not quite knowing why Zander and Melisande are in each others lives but just when you are happy for them something happens and I have to get the next book.
Profile Image for Chardonnay B.
71 reviews8 followers
July 15, 2023
daddy Xander

This book is based in New York Xander and Mel has been friends for 10 years so she thought. Xander was put on a mission to befriend Mel and watch and perfect her from her own family because they are the rival gang to Babbo which is xanders dad. This book gave possessive vibes and the spice is spicy, who doesn’t like being called “GOOD GIRL”?
Profile Image for Whitney.
16 reviews2 followers
May 2, 2024
DNF'd at 28%.

The verbage used for the smut was really rough to read, but that wasn't my issue with this story.

The MMC is a dick, which I think he was supposed to be, but there was nothing sexy or endearing about every woman in the series being berated and degraded. He also gave me the incel vibes of "Every woman on the planet loves me, and if they don't, I will make their life miserable". The FMC was relatively bland, and there was little personality in her as well outside of her also being loud and rude.

The petname of "Rabbit" also did nothing for me other than burst out laughing. I can't really bring myself to come back to this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
509 reviews9 followers
June 9, 2023
This is a Mafia Romance by Rae B. Lake. This is a wonderful story about Xander and Mel. As a young boy at the age of 7 Xander's father takes him to the Gerard Family to live and be groomed. The Gerard Family owes payment to Xander's father the Bianucci Boss of Tuscany. Zachiael Gerard has been teaching and training Xander what he needs to know and do. Xander Bianucci and Melisande are best friends, share an apartment and are attending college together. He has spent his life protecting her. Xander runs off any male who has an interest in Mel. Xander and Mel have been best friends since they were children, but he is still jealous and possessive of her. He tells Mel that he is her everything. His little rabbit. They just don't have sex. I loved this book. Rae is a very talented writer. I am looking forward to more exciting books.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Grinning Cat.
3,774 reviews124 followers
July 31, 2023
MMC/FMC- Xander and Melisande
POV- 1st person dual
Genre- Mafia Romance
Length- Novella
Heat- verbal only. I’d call it PC, not because it’s Politically Correct, but because they use the P and C words.
Series? Y. NOT A STANDALONE.
Safety:
-Cheating/Sharing? N
-OM/OW Drama? Not once they get together
-Virgin/Celibacy? Y
-Cliffhanger? Y
HEA/HFN? N
Triggers- Violence, Kidnapping, Profanity, Explicit Erotic Language.
Tropes- Do-Si-Do With The Mafioso, Friends to Lovers, Roommates, Ulterior Motives, Family Ties.
What I liked- The book was action-packed and never stagnant.
What I didn’t- it felt more like an introduction than a book, partly because of the length and partly because so much was left unsaid and unexplained.
Verdict- I’ll keep reading the series to see if I like the next installment better (I’m assuming it’s a serial novel).

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Debbie Brown.
2,047 reviews18 followers
February 9, 2023
A great conclusion to Xander and Melisande story. Xander has kept her safe for years, he’s become her friend, and recently now her boyfriend. Then she learns the truth and runs away. I love how Xander never gives up on her, he needs to be with her, to know she's safe, but when he does finally locate her there's unforeseen dangers all around. Due to his failure to keep her safe his father has pushed him out of his family in disgrace. All Mel wants is to be left alone, to be told who's after her and why. She doesn't seem to grasp the situation she's in until her life and her new friends could be in danger too. She has so many questions: why, who and can I truly trust anyone? Can she trust Xander again with her life and her love? Wow a great conclusion to the story! I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Coastie  Mom.
1,450 reviews7 followers
February 25, 2023
A great prequel to the next book in this series. This gives us the back story of Mel and Zander. WE get to learn how Xander grew up with only one job – protect Mel and make sure no one finds her. Best friends forever, only when they reach their junior year in college do they take it a step further and become boyfriend and girlfriend.

But what happens when Xander’s world comes crashing down and the truth comes out to who Mel really is? And will Xander be able to find her after she ran away from him? Out in the world for the first time by herself, will Mel be able to deal with all that comes with that? I cannot wait to read their story. This is a quick read, and will definitely get you ready for the next story! I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Danee.
4,921 reviews
February 12, 2023
This is the prequel to the Bianucci Mafia series. we are introduced to Xander who is about to become head of his family and the boss of the Bianucci. The Bianucci is known for being messed with because that has consequences. So is Melisande who has been his best friend since they were little and he has always been protective and now that he is head of the family she is completely under his protection. A good mafia story cannot do without the drama, danger, action. and a dose of steam. I enjoyed their story, and had to get used to the fact that once you get into it it ends in a cliffhanger, but that makes sure you can't wait for the sequel.

I received an Advance Reader copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Katie.
1,276 reviews21 followers
March 13, 2023
This book has everything that makes a mafia romance story so addicting. It has mystery, secrets, best friend/enemies to lovers, and it has a major cliffhanger that will leave you running to read the next book!

Xander has been groomed to take care of Melisande since they were little. He is her protector and has grown to be her everything. However, his intensions are not pure and when their past comes to find her their entire world is turned upside down! Melisande trust Xander with her life. He’s always been there for her and has always kept her safe. Now that his betrayal has been exposed she doesn’t know what to do or who to believe. This is an action packed story and I can’t wait to see what happens next. Happy Reading!.

1,265 reviews19 followers
February 11, 2023
Deceit For My Good Girl: A Dark Mafia Stalker Romance (Bianucci Mafia Book 1) by Rae B. Lake is the prequel to Lies for My Good Girl. This prequel gives you an insight into Xander and Melisande's relationship, Mafia drama that is full of lies, love and steamy moments. Melisande flees when she learns the truth as emotions run high and trust will be broken. Will Xander find her as he is determined to protect his little rabbit? Another hit for Rae B. Lake!!! We now have to wait for Lies for My Good Girl to learn how all of this will play out.
Profile Image for Andra Shaw.
1,315 reviews11 followers
February 11, 2023
Alexandre (Xander) is the up-and-coming head of his family and proves he is not one to mess with. Well, none of the Bianucci Family members are to be messed with. His best friend Melisande (Mel) has been under his protection since they were in elementary school, and no one messes with Mel until long-held secrets come to light.

With drama, suspense, action, and a cliffhanger that will have you pining for the next book, Deceit For My Good Girl, is an entertaining page-turner.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Carmela Dimattia.
1,921 reviews22 followers
February 13, 2023
I love reading Melisande and Xander’s story. Although it was a quick read it still had a lot of drama and a great storyline and it had the same impact that Ms Lake’s books have on your psyche. I have not read the other books in this series but knowing there are more I will definitely be reading them all. As this book leaves us with an interesting cliff hanger I am very eager to begin the next in the series. A great beginning of a new series.

I received an arc copy via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
6,168 reviews58 followers
February 14, 2023
Xander and Melisande have been friends forever. Xander has been her friend and now her boyfriend and is tasked with keeping her safe. The story was amazing and I couldn't put it down until the very end. There is suspense, lies, drama and passion. I loved the characters of Xander and Melisande and their steam and obsession with each other. This is a great book 1 of the Bianucci Mafia series. I really enjoyed this story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Mindy Lopez.
2,315 reviews14 followers
February 17, 2023
This is Book 1 in the Bianucci Mafia Series by this author. It is the prequel to the suspenseful mafia romance between Melisande and Xander. These flawed characters and the unique plot make for an intriguing read. It is a love story filled with drama, danger, suspense, secrets, action, steam, obsession, frustrating moments, unexpected twists, and passion, plus appealing secondary characters to keep the reader interested. An engaging page turner ending in a cliffhanger.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
769 reviews9 followers
March 10, 2023
Wow... what an absolutely captivating page turner! Xander is tasked with making friends with Mel and looking after her. Somewhere along the way he falls for her and will do anything to protect her. Mel is attracted to him too but believes he just sees her as a friend. Can he keep her safe and by his side? Expect lots of twists, deception, suspense, friendship, passion and so much more throughout. Enjoy this compelling read!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Sarah Nielsen.
4,223 reviews20 followers
February 7, 2023
This was a great dark mafia romance. It is a prequel to the Bianucci Mafia series and it ends in a cliffhanger so you definitely need to get a hold of the next book too in order to get the whole story. It was the beginning of Xander and Melisande’s story and I’m definitely going to be reading the next book asap.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Phyllis Wolford.
1,853 reviews
February 9, 2023
This is a good prequel for this series. It gives the background info for Xander and his Rabbit. It goes into depth about their feelings for each other and the danger that she is in the middle of. It also give a look into Xanders background and his relationship with his father, and the way his father treats him.
When his rabbit takes it into her head to run away, Xander is left holding the bag and the fall out.
Profile Image for Wendy Livingstone.
20.2k reviews257 followers
February 18, 2023
This is a prequel to Lies for my Good Girl, and an insight into Xander and Mel’s friendship. These two have been best friends since elementary school, and she has unknowingly been under his protection since. This is a well written action-packed story with family, friendships, secrets, drama, suspense, danger, and love, and is an entertaining and thrilling page turner.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
2,333 reviews7 followers
February 19, 2023
Prequel story of Xander and Mel. He is her protector and best friend only she doesn’t know he was, put there as his job when they were children. When he claims her as his girlfriend, it is to help keep her safe and not just because he wants her. People are out to get her and she has no clue why or what is going on. Cliffhanger ending.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Peggy.
2,277 reviews2 followers
February 21, 2023
This is a new series, the first book in the Bianucci Mafia Series. The story is a stalker story and revolves around Xander and Melisande. This couple has known each and been friends or years. Xander has been her friend and now her boyfriend and is tasked with keeping her safe. The story is complicated and compelling. But far too short and concludes in the 2nd book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Jay Luna .
6 reviews
March 8, 2023
Rae B Lake wow Girl!!! You did it again. Just like your other books, I didn't want to stop reading. This book was a roller coaster of emotions. It was full of suspense, amazing mafia drama, and of course, the obsession that Xander has for his “Lil Rabbit”. No one can touch her, absolutely no one. There was so much going not a dull moment at all. Can't wait to read what happens next with Xander and Melisande.
13 reviews
May 2, 2024
I had to DNF this at 28%. If you're looking for bully romance or mafia romance then this is the furthest thing from it that you could possibly read. Xander is wholly unlikable, and just plain nasty in the way that he regards women. The fetishization of cheating on your partners and lesbian relationships were also deeply far from anything that should be put into writing. The petname Rabbit leaves much to be desired. If you're considering reading this, then don't.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Flavia Karina.
714 reviews3 followers
February 10, 2023
Good start!

Good start!
Xander doesn't deserve Mel so I hope she makes him suffer in the next book.
The story is good, with scenes of violence and raw se* without a hint of romance. Good and dark.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews

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