Keep Me: A Mafia Romance

The Rossi Crime Family #2

by C. Hallman

She was my enemy…
I was her new captor….

She was the enemy…a tiny little temptress of a woman that made my blood sing for vengeance. I should be punishing her…breaking her from the inside out after finding her in my father’s clutches.

But when I discover the truth that she is just as much as a victim of my father's wrongdoings as I am I can’t follow through.

I know then that I can’t break my little mouse...not after she’s lured me in with her big blue doe eyes, and strawberry blonde hair, and those pink painted lips that beg to be kissed again, and again.

I don't think things can get any better...but then she makes me an offer I can't refuse… her body, her virginity, and her complete submission, and she wants only one thing in return: help finding her sister.

What she fails to realize is that even after helping her find her sister I can't just let her go she knows too much, she's become a liability...but I have a plan to make certain she’ll never leave or escape me.

A plan that involves me filling her womb with my filthy seed until I make certain a piece of myself stick, and then I’ll make her the Queen of the Rossi Empire by putting a ring on her finger.

**This is book three in the series but it can be read as a complete standalone. It is a full-length novel that contains NO-CLIFFHANGERS, NO CHEATING, and has a HEA. It is a dark mafia/crime romance and contains subject matter not suitable for all readers. If you don't like alpha's, possessive and controlling over their leading ladies then skip this one.**

Genres: Romance, Dark Romance, Mafia Romance, Audiobook, Enemies To Lovers, Dark, Contemporary

260 pages, Paperback

First published March 14, 2019

About the author

C. Hallman is a USA Today Bestselling Author who wrote her debut novel in 2018 and has since published over 100 books in various romance subgenres. Her works have been on numerous bestseller lists and have been translated into 8 languages around the world.
When she doesn't write her next novel, she publishes spicy novellas under the pen name Darcy Rose.

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Reviews

[Inga Lady Of Bookland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keep Me (The Rossi Crime Family #3) by J.L. Beck and Cassandra Hallman was something... WOW!

I liked this book a lot, it was thrilling, exciting, addictive, suspenseful and just dark. The romance was twisted but sweet. Only the ending was a tad bit too cheesy for my liking, especially for such a dark romance thriller.

I liked Xander, even he terrified me in this book and the second one as well, he is just such a protective, controlling and secretly romantic alpha crime-boss that he captured my heart by the end. Oh, and I would never want to catch his attention, I value my life too much for that :D

I liked Ella, even at times she was just a bit too naive and innocent, but at the same time she was strong, brave person, who never really gave up.

I loved to see Daemon and Keira, as Protect Me (The Rossi Crime Family #2) is still my favourite book from this series. But I can't wait to read the other two books coming in April :)

In no way I support the dark themes, events and the unhealthy parts of relationships that took place in this book. However, I can put my moral code aside and enjoy the story as an entertainingly dark fiction and nothing more. This book is not for everyone, so be warned for violence, blood, abuse, death, murder, sex trafficking, questionable consent, twisted relationships, attempted rape and life of crime.

This was a perfect guilty read for experiencing danger and fear in a safe way by reading at home on a comfy sofa under a warm blanked, cuddled with my two cats :) So I gave Keep Me 4.5 stars.

[M · Rating 2 out of 5]

OK

I like “Guard Me” Book 3 better. These are the only two books I have read in this series thus far.

The writing was good, not a lot of depth, but the story and characters had just enough depth to keep me engaged, although I will admit having skimmed thru small sections, like 2-3 paragraphs at a time. I felt Xander’s bad attitude was forced and Ella was just too naive which contradicted some of the street smarts she did have and should have had based on her background.

A few good sex scenes although Xander who is a pain/pleasure person and for Ella there one sentence dedicated to her expressing interest to explore this more - the sex scenes did not reflect the pain/pleasure aspect. This was disappointing and inconsistent.

Some other issues I had....

I think it was around page 110 Xander is yelling at Ella about saying “I love you” to him yet she never said that in the chapters prior.

Then the part where Ella was staying in Xander’s bedroom, but came out because she heard another woman’s voice (Kieras’s) and wanted to find out who it was. Xander finds them chatting in the hallway. First off Ella was like 2-3 days in staying “captive” in Xander’s home and she had zero clothes, not even under garments. She was wearing Xander’s T-shirts to cover up. Also, this was right after she was out for a day or two from being ill in which Xander ripped off the last T-shirt Ella had to care for her.

Ella’s character should have been too scared to leave Xander’s bedroom. This is a mafia boss’ house, I wouldn’t expect anyone there would want to help me. Even if she found super bravery who the hell walks out to into a hallway with essentially no clothes on except an oversized T-shirt at best and casually chats it up with a total stranger in the hallway.

Even if your a virgin at 21 YO having sacrificed most of your life to care for you little sister, a 21 YO women would have had desires and basic knowledge of virginity and slang. The author tries to make it out like Ella had never touched herself, felt desire, or understood the slang for popping of the “cherry”, etc. I thought I was reading some book based in medieval times in which even those books have all this.

The issues I had were not horrible and could be overlooked. For light reading and if you don’t knit pick like I do, overall this is a good read.

Minor grammatical errors but nothing that would disturb the flow of reading.

[Charlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun and Spicy.

I really enjoyed this book, even more than the first in the series!

As fun as it was, there is something that didn't work for me. Like book one, this book has some pretty heavy instalove, which doesn't make sense in a supposedly 'dark' romance. There's nothing really dark about it, the hero is all growly for a few pages and then he decides, for no apparent reason, that he's completely in love with the heroine. Now he wants to protect her instead of kill her and I can't see any reason for it.

The heroine is the same, she's kidnapped, spends a day or so being threatened by this guy and now she's completely in love with him for some reason. It doesn't make any sense.

But if you can get past the instalove, this is a really entertaining read. I liked Xander a lot, I just wish we'd seen more of his darker side. He talks about being a bad man a lot, emphasizes how much of a monster he is, then acts like a puppy. It's sweet but a bit jarring.

Ella is adorable, she is very sweet and innocent and I likes her. Again, I didn't understand her instant love for a man she's only known for a day and barely interacted with, but if you can ignore that, she's easy to like.

Despite the instalove, I am really enjoying this series so far, it's very sweet and fun. It's definitely not a dark romance though.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Xander and Ella... sooo to tell you the truth, I didn't enjoy their story as much as I enjoyed the previous two books in "The Rossi Crime Family" series. I can't pinpoint what was the drawback for me... Anyway, I'm going to read Ivan and Violet's story. I hope that I'll like it more!

[Paula · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too dark for me

[Sybil · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the dark elements of these two books. They had a great story that could have been expanded to make a longer story. Each story was a little over 200 pages so there was room to add those details that were missing. These stories could have used a little bit more editing as well. There were more errors that needed to be in these two stories. Just my opinion.

[Sydney · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was major YIKES. Despite being majorly disappointed with Convict Me and Protect Me, I was hoping the series would get better because I've read some great 5 star reads from these authors. Instead, it just got worse. I listened to this on audiobook and about halfway through I had to increase the narration speed because I just wanted to be done with Ella's idiocy and Xander's reprehensible behavior.

Here are some of the issues I had with Keep Me:

1. ) There's alpha bad boys and there's even love stories where the guy is pretty much a bad man because he is in the business of doing shady things. And then there's Xander, a despicable human being. I love redemption stories. I love when the bad guy can fall for the good girl. But there was next to nothing redeemable about Xander. He's bragged about f'ng women and killing them right after. He's threatened to do the same to the heroine multiple times. Rape is not attractive to me. Just because he didn't rape Ella, does not make him suddenly respectable in anyway. He has no respect or concern for women whatsoever and it's sick.

2.) I'm kind of sick of the whole "I love you, but I will kill you if you wrong me" thing. That's not love. That's I'm fond of you, but I'm going to hurt you if you upset me. On multiple occasions he talks about how he cares for her and doesn't want to break her, and then he threatens to do just that if she betrays him or doesn't follow his directions. I would rather read about a man who loved his woman, and if she betrayed him--he'd still be unable to cause her harm or even let her go (Rina Kent has written stories like this and I'm head over heels for them) because their love is just that strong.

3.) "You don't mean that, Xander"... Ella is beyond naive. She's delusional. Right off that bat, she has been given no reason to believe that he's to be trusted or better than his father. And yet, she's constantly telling him he won't hurt her, when he threatens to do it all the time. He's given her absolutely no reason to trust him. I can get falling for the villain. I've loved a lot of fictional villains But Xander displays no attractive qualities whatsoever. She even apologizes for things that aren't her fault. She gets drugged, kidnapped, and held for auction and after she is saved she keeps apologizing to Xander for it, when it was his fault she was there in the first place.

4. ) Xander supposedly loves and cares for his son above all things and does everything to protect him. Yet, he has little to no scenes with him and hardly ever thinks about him....

5.) Trust doesn't choose when and when not to trust. It's giving the person you trust the benefit of the doubt before jumping to conclusions and punishing them for perceived dishonesty. He claims that he trusts her and yet when Xander is confronted with an allegation that Ella betrayed him, he throws her in a cell and nearly chokes her to death. This is after they've exchanged 'I love you's' and been intimate. I wouldn't want to be with someone who could switch between loving me and hurting me in the span of minutes. Xander clearly never trusted her to begin with. Why should I believe that he trusts her after he discovers she's always been loyal?

The epilogue showed improvement, but it wasn't enough to save this book. I truly hate leaving negative reviews but as a reader, I always check out the negative reviews so I can know what I might be getting into. I felt I should leave a review for readers like me who might want to see the pitfalls of a book. I understand that a book will never be loved by all or hated by all. I am including my thoughts/feelings on the contents of the book.

[Che Lancaster · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually just finished this book. The story between Xander and Ella is amazing! It's hot and steamy but rough around the edges. I actually read the first two books again last week and waiting for this one and trust me, it did not disappoint 💖 If you are looking for an edge of your seat rollercoaster ride of sex, power and a love story this is it! Go for it!

[Giovanna · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disgusted at how rape situations are romanticized

[Dalia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stelle e mezzo

Questa serie, partita quasi in sordina è diventata, libro dopo libro, sempre più accattivante, sempre più convincente e coinvolgente, almeno per quanto mi riguarda. Sì, i protagonisti non sono brave persone, sono mafiosi, è gente che sembra avere il grilletto facile, con un cuore più nero della notte più buia ma, la bellezza di immergersi nelle pagine di un libro sta anche nel fatto che almeno mentre leggiamo possiamo lasciare da parte la realtà e provare a vedere cosa può succedere a far vacillare uomini così oscuri, così spietati.

Xander Rossi è la personificazione della spietatezza fin dal primo libro, la strada che ha percorso fino a questo momento non è lastricata da buone intenzioni ma da cadaveri, gente che, in un modo o nell’altro, ha punito per mancanza di lealtà o perché erano ancora più spietati di lui. Certo, si è comportato così per essere un leader, per creare il suo impero ma lo ha fatto anche per proteggere la sua famiglia, anzi, soprattutto per la sua famiglia. È stato proprio per proteggere coloro che amava che è diventato freddo come il ghiaccio, uccidendo chi non era degno di far parte della sua vita e condannandosi alla freddezza, a non avere debolezze perché tenere a qualcuno è solo una debolezza. Nel momento in cui inizia il libro, Xander ha già una grande debolezza: un figlio, un piccolo essere che non ha chiesto di essere messo al mondo ma che è tutto il suo mondo. Conscio di essere un facile bersaglio non ha alcuna intenzione concedere la sua fiducia a nessun altro, meno che mai ad una donna. E poi, poi gli succede di incontrare un “topolino” impaurito, fragile e bellissimo e tutto il suo mondo si capovolge.

Ritrovarsi legata ad un letto, con qualche straccetto addosso che non le copre praticamente nulla, non è il modo migliore per svegliarsi senza ricordare niente di come sia finita lì e quando un uomo orribile tenta di usarle violenza la situazione è semplicemente troppo assurda per trovare una spiegazione logica. In fondo, Ella, voleva solo ritrovare la sorella scomparsa senza lasciare traccia da qualche settimana. E, invece, è finita nelle mani di un essere spregevole che la userà a suo uso e consumo per poi liberarsene come se fosse carta straccia. Per fortuna, prima che possa accadere il peggio qualcuno interrompe i piani del vecchio sadico ed Ella può tornare a sperare di salvare sua sorella. Peccato che finisca nelle mani di un nuovo “pazzoide”, un uomo che due minuti prima le dice che la ucciderà e due minuti dopo si prende cura di lei. Ella è confusa, smarrita, è convinta di essere ormai spacciata ma qualcosa le dice che dietro la facciata che quell’uomo mostra al mondo si nasconda ben altro.

Ebbene, in questo terzo libro mi sono trovata di fronte due personaggi che sono stati una vera sorpresa. L’autrice li ha caratterizzati alla perfezione. Xander è un uomo pericoloso, uno che non ci pensa due volte a togliere una vita, uno che non si è fermato di fronte a nulla, eppure, la vista di quella giovane donna legata ad un letto, con gli occhi pieni di lacrime e i polsi insanguinati gli rimescolano il sangue nelle vene, gli aprono un buco nello stomaco. Lui, il grande e spietato Xander Rossi inizia a porsi domande che non gli hanno mai sfiorato il cervello. Ella, è giovane, innocente, non conosce oscurità è consapevole che insieme non avrebbero alcun senso. Certo, si rende conto che c’è una forte chimica fra loro ma sente dal più profondo di se stessa che c’è anche qualcosa che va oltre la semplice attrazione fisica. Sinceramente non mi aspettavo una storia simile, pensavo che ci sarebbero stati i soliti cliché e, invece, mi sono trovata di fronte ad un uomo disposto a tenere a bada i propri demoni per conquistare la donna che gli ha fatto battere di nuovo il cuore. Per me, è decisamente il libro migliore della serie fino ad ora. Leggetelo se vi piacciono le storie oscure, se non disdegnate qualche scena un po’ forte, se vi piacciono i “cattivi” che cercano di redimersi senza diventare delle mammolette.

La storia di Ella e Xander è oscura, peccaminosa, bollente, ti tiene incollata alle pagine fino alla fine, ci saranno momenti in cui vorresti dare una bella scrollata a Xander e abbracciare Ella, per poi capovolgere le cose e stringere Xander perché capisci fino in fondo tutto il suo dolore e la sua oscurità e preghi che Ella riesca a trasmettergli un po’ della sua luce in qualsiasi modo.

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review I liked:
Xander is the oldest brother and is in charge of the Rossi Crime family since he killed his father. Then they discovered that their father didn't die and has been in the shadows. After raiding another location looking for their father and him slipping away Xander discoverers a woman tied up he decides to keep her to torture her if he has too to find out where his father might have gone. Then something changes and even though he isn't a good man he can't seem to kill the woman he now calls "mouse."

Ella "mouse" has been looking for her sister who has been missing for a month when she finds herself in the wrong place at the wrong time. Drugged ,stripped and tied down she comes face to face with the devil himself cold sinister evil with black as night eyes. Spewing all the ways he and his men were going to enjoy breaking her until she wished she were dead. Then the raid happened and she was left tied up until a new threat walked in by the name of Xander.
Things get complicated when Ella starts getting under Xander skin and he becomes protective of her. Unfortunately nothing ever goes as plans and life gets in the way. Will he realizes the error of his ways before it's too late or will the hurt be too much to repair. This is a dark romance that will have you on the edge of your seat anxiously awaiting what will happen next. This series is getting better and better can't wait to see what happens next with Ivan and Violet in Guard Me.

[Tai Nelson-Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where has this J.L. been? Never did I ever think I would have a dark theme, disturbing theme or abuse with a J.L. Beck story but hot dang here it is, and I freaking loved it. Keep Me was so beautiful, I had to read it in one sitting. I had been waiting for this book and was not disappointed at all.

We met Xander Rossi in the last book Protect Me. He is a big jerk and has no issue with hurting people. It is pretty much what he does to protect his family and his business. When he and his brother Damon find their father, they don't expect to see Ella in their father's bed. Ella is scared and about to be rapped by their father who has run away and can't be found.

Ella is searching for her sister who was kidnapped; she had no idea that she would be kidnapped herself. When she is about to be rapped, she is saved by Xander and Damon. Alternatively, at least she thinks Xander saves her although Xander refuses to act as if he rescued her, but she won't give up on him. No matter how bad he treats her.

These two characters are fantastic. I loved Ella, she is so strong and makes herself an equal to Xander no matter how he treats her. Moreover, Xander makes himself worthy of her at the end, which you can't ask for more of a man.

I highly recommend this series. Moreover, I can't wait to see what is next.

[Ash ~ bookmaniac~]

My sole reason for reading this book was I read deadly obsession and there was a reference to Xander and Ella, and I wanted to read the story.

This is the second book in the series and can be read as a standalone so I read this first and then I'm going to read protect me which is Damon and Kiara's story.

This is a dark Mafia romance that includes captivity and it's not meant for people with light hearts and read the warnings before reading the book.

The best thing I liked about the book was that how at the end when is Xander wronged Ella, she took her time to go back to him, and in that time Xander bettered himself, he took anger control treatments and all that is a really big thing because I've never read something like that in other Mafia books which is progressive thinking and I liked that

[Yoneidis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Xander,el más cruel de los hermanos Rossi resulta que tiene un ❤️ después de todo.
Ella es secuestrada por el padre Xander y Damon mientras busca a su hermana desaparecida,Violet. Pero antes de que el padre de Xander la viole,Xander la encuentra y se la lleva a su casa pensando que podría sacarle información sobre su padre. Cuando ve que ella no sabe nada,decide quedársela ya que se siente atraído por ella y,poco a poco, se van encariñando.Pero el padre de Xander consigue sembrar la duda entre ellos,lo que facilita que el padre de Xander la secuestre de nuevo.
Si Damon era excitante,prepararse para Xander.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book in the series but can be read as a stand-alone. The story is fast-paced with lots of drama and plenty of steam. Ella is trying to find her sister and winds up in some trouble of her own, Xander finds her but is he really her savior? Great characters and amazing chemistry. I am looking forward to more in the series.

[Teresa Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving this series❤
Xander and Mouse broke me grabbed my heart and wouldn't let go.So ready for Violet and Ivan

[Sahar · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 because her pet name is Mouse and he don't call her by her real name
like "marry me Mouse" Sorry, but this is stupid

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't get enough of Xander & Ella's story. Wow. Loved these characters. And love my mafia books. I'm voluntarily leaving an honest review for a copy of the book via booksprout.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keep Me ravaged more than just my heart. It stole a part of my soul and refused to give it back. Instead it gave me a piece of a breathtaking love story that would reach past normal boundaries and find myself peering into a darkness that I wasn’t sure would swallow me whole or keep me from breaking apart. The searing heat and gentle compassion left my mind reeling as I tried to understand how to balance a dangerous man like Xander with a down on her luck woman like Ella. Their connection was wrong and yet perfect in its delicate cohesion and genuine spark. They are the very definition of opposites attract with a side of napalm.

Xander has two goals in life, and he is determined to see them both to the very end. He doesn’t have time to rescue a captured girl. Around her, he finds himself thoroughly confused and frustrated. She means nothing to him, and yet he is willing to deal with one who has no value to further his cause? He must be losing his mind. Ella is terrified of the situation she finds herself in. In order to keep the last promise she made, she is forced to make a deal with the devil himself. Can she trust him to keep his end of the bargain, or will she find herself in the fiery depths of hell itself before the end?

Ella and Xander are a true surprise and delight to the heart and the senses! They are completely unexpected, and yet we know that you can catch more flies with honey then sandpaper. Is this a story that can truly be made into anything happy, or are we just fooling ourselves? Perhaps this one will be a harsh wake-up call. Beyond it all, I found myself over the moon about the unexpected development of these fabulous characters. They turn out to be so much more than I ever imagined or hoped for, and the overall storyline had me holding my breath until the very end!

JL Beck and C Hullman have once again proven that life is full of surprises! Some are good but the best ones are the one that we never see coming until they are literally on top of us. They are the ones that we can’t stop even if we wanted to. They seek us out with single mindedness and overtake every part of our heart and soul until we become something else entirely. They transform us into something better and spectacular and something completely new.

[Clara Atkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keep Me: Broken Heroes #3, The Rossi Crime Family #3 by J.L. Beck, Cassandra Hallman

Xander is the oldest brother and is in charge of the Rossi Crime family since he killed his father. Then they discovered that their father didn't die and has been in the shadows. After raiding another location looking for their father and him slipping away Xander discoverers a woman tied up he decides to keep her to torture her if he has too to find out where his father might have gone. Then something changes and even though he isn't a good man he can't seem to kill the woman he now calls "mouse."

Ella "mouse" has been looking for her sister who has been missing for a month when she finds herself in the wrong place at the wrong time. Drugged ,stripped and tied down she comes face to face with the devil himself cold sinister evil with black as night eyes. Spewing all the ways he and his men were going to enjoy breaking her until she wished she were dead. Then the raid happened and she was left tied up until a new threat walked in by the name of Xander.
Things get complicated when Ella starts getting under Xander skin and he becomes protective of her. Unfortunately nothing ever goes as plans and life gets in the way. Will he realizes the error of his ways before it's too late or will the hurt be too much to repair. This is a dark romance that will have you on the edge of your seat anxiously awaiting what will happen next. This series is getting better and better can't wait to see what happens next with Ivan and Violet in Guard Me.

Five well deserved 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[Mel B. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not as enjoyable as the first Rossi Crime Family Book

So this is Xander’s story. He’s the head of “The Family,” and is a ruthless, cold, unfeeling killer. He murdered Kiera’s brother (Kiera is Damon’s wife, and Damon is Xander’s less deranged brother) which brought Kiera and Damon together, and inadvertently brought Damon back into the Rossi Family Fold (i.e. in order to save Kiera he now works for his brother Xander - he had to rejoin his crime family.

**SPOILERS/OPINIONS**

This second Rossi novel follows Xander & Ella (a.k.a. Mouse - as Xander calls her). After an initial “misunderstanding” where Xander thinks Ella’s working or sleeping with his father (the father who faked his death, and is now back terrifying Damon and yes, as the book progresses, even Xander because he knows his son Q - the only person he feels anything for - is and will always be in danger as long as his psycho father is still alive. Once it comes out that Ella is a VICTIM - she was merely at the wrong house at the wrong time trying to find her sister who has gone missing, Xander “let’s up” a bit - finding he believes Ella, and tells her he’ll help locate her sister.

Here is where it gets “complicated” for me, as in why I gave it 2, not 3, or 4, or 5 stars (Considering how much I loved AGAIN a Rossi man). Despite the fact that Xander really IS a villain, not even a shred of empathy or compassion like his brother Damon has, I still found Xander’s character really intriguing and looked forward to seeing what sort of woman would be the right woman to get through his carefully constructed cement-like walls. Enter Ella…she definitely is written as the one person who could get through to Xander…but to do so her character is pretty much an over emotional doormat. Xander is CRUEL in this book, oh we already knew he wasn’t a boy scout, BUT I had hoped he would’ve “chilled slightly” when Ella enters his life. But, alas, Xander is still a psychopath and can’t seem to stop from hurting Ella PHYSICALLY and EMOTIONALLY. Each and every time he does something that in my opinion crosses over the line, Ella relents and “forgives him.” Often this occurs without him even having to grovel AT ALL!! Ella literally chalks it up to his upbringing and excuses every heinous action of his with a, “He really DOES know how to love, he obviously loves his son. I know he likes me, he hasn’t killed me, so yeah, I’m sure I can get him to fall in love with me the way I’m in love with him.” Huh?!! Seriously?! For a “smart” girl she sure comes across as stupid most of the time. And I understand that the author was painting the picture of the kind of “woman” that Xander would “need,” and ultimately if he fell in love, would fall in love with. But the story/book doesn’t feel long enough to deal with Xander’s twisted complexity and Ella’s complete submissiveness. And yes, it’s clear that in order for Xander to “love” he needs to have found a girl who is willing to be “completely his,” i.e. not only submit sexually, but also emotionally. She needs to “let him” drive the “narrative,” and be okay with that…in fact WANT THAT for her life, the way Ella clearly does. The problem is, as I stated earlier, the book didn’t seem long enough to really delve into these issues enough for the reader to believe that this kind of relationship between a complete sociopath and an “innocent” truly good, kind hearted person could work in the long run. Well without making the reader believe that Ella had a total case of Stockholm Syndrome, that is.

It’s just that I honestly, as dark and seriously psycho as he was, I “liked” Xander, and even kind of understood his stance regarding his mindset, considering the position he was in. I just thought the author threw in too many scenes where he physically and or, emotionally hurt Ella, only to whiplash back to “I can’t give her up…maybe I feel something more for her,” without exploring WHY he kept doing these things, and truly showing us a repentant Xander. Oh, I know, Xander tells Ella straight up that this is who he is etc. and again, I’d have been all right with that (I enjoy a good dark mafia story, and one can’t usually get a dark mafia story without a dark, or seriously dark, and twisted mafia main anti-hero) if the book had been split into a duology to give the reader more time to “accept” Xander’s nature and why he did the things he did, and how he could do them, and yet still end up truly loving someone(s). Same goes for Ella, just in the opposite direction. Where Xander is dark twisted and has no moral compass, Ella is the complete antithesis of that. She’s giving, selfless, innocent, good, kind, and generous with not only her body but her mind and heart as well. For this kind of character we needed more time to adjust to the idea that she could accept Xander so completely after he mistrusted and hurt her over and over again.

I want to, and I actually do, root for Xander and Ella. But I was conflicted about my feelings when I finished the book because I felt uncomfortable that I still liked them together…or held any sort of respect for Xander by the end of the book. Again I believe if the book had been longer (didn’t feel so rushed) or the author had split this book into a series or even just two books following Xander and Ella, their rather “messed up” relationship could’ve/would’ve made a lot more sense, and would’ve left the reader feeling satisfied they belonged together, rather than guilty that they were okay with a character like Ella ceding all control and personality to a unapologetically self-admitted psychopath.

So, yup, in conclusion. I liked the first Rossi Family book better (even though, it too felt rushed. At least Kiera wasn’t a complete doormat) and felt as if this book had so much potential, especially since Xander’s character is very intriguing during Damon and Kiera’s book. But was uneasy by how I felt when I finished it because it felt, well, it felt…unfinished, in its own way.

If you read Damon and Kiera’s story, then yes, I think you should read Xander and Ella’s story and make up your mind on whether you have the same “feelings” as I do/did once the book was over. However, don’t say I didn’t “warn you,” about just how cold and crazy Xander is, and how little he grovels, in fact he doesn’t.

[Lady Raven RAVE! · Rating 4 out of 5]

Style: Mafia Romance
Story: 4/5
Sexual: GOOD
Enjoyment: 4/5
Series: Book 2

Xander and Ella’s story, I actually liked it. In ‘Protect Me’ book 1, Xander was so dark to me, I wondered how he would be in his own story. That Darkness mix with his arousal in this story brought up his sex appeal for me.

Book 2 picks up from book 1. So, that was good to see. The first part of the book had mainly scenes with Xander and Ella, then midway through we get to the action and Mystery that is Xander and Damon’s father and a bit of what’s happening with Ella’s sister.

Overall, I like this one and dare I say, more than Damon’s story.

***I don’t equate these stories to real life, its definitely about personal taste and what you would or want to tolerate with the stories you read. I hope this review was helpful.

[Mand Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

What force is strong enough to take on Xander Rossi? A little.Mouse ,who knew.

Xander Rossi a vicious and callous man,raids his father's house to kill him but all he finds is Ella, bound and was about to be broken.
Taking her for questioning he names her mouse..
Reading the second book in this family ,I am still captivates by this story.I loved how Ella and Xanders story entwined the right with Dancers mistrust issues and his right to kill his father.

[Bewaji · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not a Fan....

The hero in this book thought talking about how tough he was, or how he was consumed by darkness, or how he can beat up a woman then kill her is a piece of cake, made him a tough mafia guy. Not. His name for the heroine? Mouse. So degrading. The h thinking that is okay? Weakling. Like I said, not a fan...

[book_fairy13 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Xander and Ella together! They are perfect for each other and are meant to be together.
Ella is trying to find her missing sister, which somehow lands her to Xander, who does not trust her.

Xander was every bit of a mean anti-hero but he fell for Ella and would do anything for her. He would work on improving himself, just for her!!!

[Nerea · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75
*puede tener spoilers

“You belong to me, and I…I belong to you.”

Tras leer la historia de Damon y Keira, y que no me convenciese mucho, no sabia que esperar de este libro. Tenia mejor nota que el anterior, lo cual era bueno. Y l a verdad, sí lo he disfrutado más, veo que las autoras han mejorado en la pluma, y es que escribir a dos manos no es fácil, pero sigue habiendo cosas que me chirrían. Ahora, me quedo con ganas de seguir leyendo el resto de historias.

PERSONAJES
Xander Rossi: con solo 26 años es el jefe de la familia Rossi. Un hombre frio, letal e insensible. Al menos esa es la imagen que vende al mundo. Pero tiene sus debilidades. Marcado por un padre violento y una madre sumisa, no quiere tener implicaciones emocionales.
Ella: con 21 años, huérfana y una hermana de la que se hizo cargo siendo muy joven, es por ella que hace todo lo que hace. Con carácter y fuerte, pero también sensible y que quiere que la cuiden.

“You're right, I don’t think I would hurt you either. Because it would break you and breaking you, Mouse, would be my biggest mistake.”

TRAMA
En el libro anterior descubrimos que el padre de Xander no esta muerto como él pensaba y se pone como objetivo encontrarlo y acabar con él. Ella por su lado, lleva un mes buscando a su hermana Violet de 18 años, y acaba en manos del padre de Xander, un monstro psicópata y cruel, que jura que va a romperla. Pero no le da tiempo, porque aparecen sus dos hijo y tiene que huir. Ahí es cuando Xander y Damon encuentran a Ella, y el primero, confundiéndola con una de las amantes de su padre, decide usarla para poder saber donde se esconde este.

Pero desde el primer momento Xander se siente atraído por Ella y no va a ser capaz de lastimarla. Ella por su parte va a poder ver como detrás de ese escudo que tiene Xander se esconde un hombre mucho más complejo y emocional. Ambos tendrán que aprender a confiar en el otro, permitirse sentir y vivir, dejando de lado sus miedos.

OPINIÓN
Por el lado positivo, me gustan los personajes. Ambos son fuertes, han tenido que cuidarse a si mismos y esto les ha hecho protegerse del resto del mundo. Capaces de hacer lo que sea por las personas que quieren, que son pocas. Vemos como van dando pasos y acercándose inevitablemente. La implicación de Ella con Quinton se me queda un poco corta, me hubiese gustado ver más porque tenia potencial. Como se relacionan con Damon y Keira, y lo importante que es para Xander tener a su hermano en su vida, aunque no lo reconocerá nunca.

Por el lado malo, el insta-love o insta-lust, me da igual. Se supone que estamos ante hombres de la mafia, que les cuesta confiar y querer, y siento que al toque se enamoran. Es más, nada más conocerla, la quiere proteger. Por lo menos ponen que el personaje este en conflicto por esos sentimientos. La muerte del padre, que en teoría lleva años escondido delante de sus narices, es muy rápida, el gran malo, es asesinado por su soberbia y un descuido. Pues ok.

En general bien, es verdad, que es una novela corta, así que puede que también eso sea uno de los motivos por los que parece que todo pasa muy rápido.

“I’ll never get tired of having her as mine, because for once in my life, it feels like I’ve found a home.”

[Elgyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Autorky zjevně našly zalíbení v pochybných hrdinech.
I Xander se chová jako hovado. Ale hrdinka v něm vidí to dobré jadérko.
Takže když bez nějakých velkých řečí utrhne její třešničku a vysvětlí jí, jak to s tím sortimentem ovoce/zelenina vlastně myslel, hrdinka pojme podezření, že je do něj možná určitě tak nějak zamilovaná.
A pocítí potřebu mu to sdělit. Už z úvodního nadechnutí a zájmena Xander vycítí, že tohle slyšet nechce a rozhodne se hrdince ukázat, jak velké hovado vlastně je. Čímž ji utvrdí v tom, že má vlastně dobré srdéčko.

Keira konečně přestala být trubka, které stačila dobrá postel, a vypadá to, že konečně našla i mozek.
Sice bylo úsměvné, jak ji trápí a rozčiluje Xanderovo chování k Elle, když Damon se k ní choval zrovna tak.

Soudě podle toho, co se dělo na aukci, Xander nebude tak velké zvíře, jak se prezentuje.
Kdyby byl, nabídli by mu dva chlápci, že od něho Ellu odkoupí, popř. trojku?
Dovolil by si kdokoliv Xanderovi přímo před nosem Ellu zdrogovat a vydražit? Ale Xander je charakter, zaplatí za ni 5 milionů dolarů (což jí potom ještě vyčte) a odkráčí s ní. Aniž by se staral o její sestru, kvůli které tam vlastně šli a které se po dražbě může stát leccos. Takže ji pak složitě zase musí hledat.
A pak se vrátí s krvavýma rukama, bo ve jménu spravedlnosti toho zmetka, který mu zdrogoval milovanou ženu, zabil.
No nevím.

Další hrdinka, která po pár dnech zjistí, že je těhotná? Nechtělo by to u třetího dílu už třeba změnu?

[Amara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book in one sitting. No joke. I got the book and couldn’t put down my phone, that’s how sucked in I was.

Having already seen Xander in Protect Me, I wasn’t shocked at his behaviour but sometimes his actions were so gruesome that I really had to pause and take a breather. He’s intense. There’s no other way to put it.

This book follows Xander through something he never wishes upon himself and feels as though he can never have, love. It punches him straight in the gut and he’s forced to confront his feelings from the start to the finish.

Ella is timid and reserved, but that doesn’t stop her from shying away from Xander. Actually, she’s the only person willing to take him as he is but also put up a “don’t fuck with me” attitude as well. In my opinion, she’s his perfect match. She matches his insanity with her tenderness and calming nature.

There love story truly does twist and turn and at times you can’t even believe this is a romance novel because of everything that’s going on but it makes their love so much sweeter. This was an amazing read and a great way to continue the series. Xander is such a complex character that you truly want to get into his mind and understand how he feels and why he does the things he does.

Though I did love the book, I felt as though some of the actions the Hero did were too much and they had me reeling for a bit. So be forewarned, there will be some scenes that not everyone will enjoy.

This ARC was provided for an honest review.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is getting so good. They are each standalone, but I feel you get more out of them if you read them in order. This is Xander and Ella’s story. You met Xander in Protect Me and learn he is Damon’s brother. These two brothers are searching for their father whom they thought was dead. Ella is searching for her sister and ends up caught. When Xander and Ella meet, she is put at ease. She thinks he will save her. However, Xander is a cold and cruel man who never does anything unless there is something in it for him. Though he does save her, he keeps her at arms length. He doesn’t understand his feelings towards Ella. Ella can’t understand his hot and cold towards her. The more time they spend together, the closer they get and the more the walls Xander has in place starts to crumble. These two have such an intense attraction towards each other and their chemistry is hot enough to melt your kindle. This is a dark and intense read with suspense, deception and action in and out of the bed that will keep you on the edge of your seat and not stopping until it’s the end. This series keeps getting better and better and this is my favorite one so far. Xander May be an a****le, but he is all alpha and extremely hot. Those are the best kind. If you haven’t started the series, get on that, you won’t be sorry.

[Jamie Waring · Rating 2 out of 5]

I WANTED to like this one, and it even had a good start—jumping right in and capturing my attention from the get-go. Unfortunately, the more I read, the more it started to lose me. And not because of the plot. Sure, it’s been done before, but I don’t care—I’m always up for a good antihero who takes an innocent heroine and makes her his. No, my problem was the way it was executed. Xander and Ella both just fell flat for me. We’re constantly TOLD that Xander is such a bad guy, etc, but there’s really nothing in his actions to back that up. And his repetitive internal monologue about just how bad he is, and how Ella/Mouse has gotten under his skin, becomes irritating. Likewise with Ella and her constant “I know he won’t hurt me” internal dialogue. If he’s not going to hurt her, and she’s not even slightly afraid of this dude, then why am I even reading it??

Writing style also felt, for lack of a better word, juvenile. Sentence structure was very short and basic. Rather than a flowing narrative, it often just felt like a collection of brief statements, and that felt off-putting to read.

This one just wasn’t for me. But there seem to be plenty of others who did enjoy it, so hey, to each his own.