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Greco
In this unforgettable novel from USA Today bestselling author C. G. Cooper, a college football star struggles to pull himself free from his father’s tangled past.
It’s 1989, and college freshman Michael Greco is ready to leave his dreary small town—and the grief of his father’s death—behind. He has everything he needs for a great year: a starting spot on the football team, new friends, and a promising flirtation with a beautiful grad student.
But just as Greco settles in to campus life, his uncle shows up demanding that he take care of his father’s unfinished business with a powerful Chicago gangster. As Greco is drawn further into this cutthroat world, he struggles to shield his troubled younger brother and spiraling mother from the truth. Can he figure out who he is, and what sort of man he wants to be, before the past extinguishes any hope of a different future?
Unflinchingly honest, C. G. Cooper’s Greco is a complex exploration of identity, alienation, and the weight of atoning for inherited sins.
It’s 1989, and college freshman Michael Greco is ready to leave his dreary small town—and the grief of his father’s death—behind. He has everything he needs for a great year: a starting spot on the football team, new friends, and a promising flirtation with a beautiful grad student.
But just as Greco settles in to campus life, his uncle shows up demanding that he take care of his father’s unfinished business with a powerful Chicago gangster. As Greco is drawn further into this cutthroat world, he struggles to shield his troubled younger brother and spiraling mother from the truth. Can he figure out who he is, and what sort of man he wants to be, before the past extinguishes any hope of a different future?
Unflinchingly honest, C. G. Cooper’s Greco is a complex exploration of identity, alienation, and the weight of atoning for inherited sins.
217 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 10, 2024
197 people are currently reading
2392 people want to read
About the author
C.G. Cooper
87 books393 followersC. G. Cooper is the USA TODAY and AMAZON BESTSELLING author of the CORPS JUSTICE novels, several spinoffs and a growing number of stand-alone novels.
One of his novels, CHAIN OF COMMAND, won the 2020 James Webb Award presented by the Marine Heritage Foundation for its portrayal of the United States Marine Corps in fiction. Cooper doesn't chase awards, but this one was special.
Cooper grew up on a steady diet of Dungeons & Dragons and the travels of a Navy family.
Upon graduating from the University of Virginia with a degree in Foreign Affairs, Cooper was commissioned in the United States Marine Corps and went on to serve six years as an infantry officer. C. G. Cooper's final Marine duty station was in Nashville, Tennessee, where he fell in love with the laid-back lifestyle of Music City.
His first published novel, BACK TO WAR, came out of a desire to link back to his time in the Marine Corps. That novel, written as a side project, spawned many follow-on novels, several exciting spinoffs, and catapulted Cooper's career.
Cooper lives just south of Nashville with his wife, three children, and their German shorthaired pointer, Liberty, who's become a popular character in the Corps Justice novels.
One of his novels, CHAIN OF COMMAND, won the 2020 James Webb Award presented by the Marine Heritage Foundation for its portrayal of the United States Marine Corps in fiction. Cooper doesn't chase awards, but this one was special.
Cooper grew up on a steady diet of Dungeons & Dragons and the travels of a Navy family.
Upon graduating from the University of Virginia with a degree in Foreign Affairs, Cooper was commissioned in the United States Marine Corps and went on to serve six years as an infantry officer. C. G. Cooper's final Marine duty station was in Nashville, Tennessee, where he fell in love with the laid-back lifestyle of Music City.
His first published novel, BACK TO WAR, came out of a desire to link back to his time in the Marine Corps. That novel, written as a side project, spawned many follow-on novels, several exciting spinoffs, and catapulted Cooper's career.
Cooper lives just south of Nashville with his wife, three children, and their German shorthaired pointer, Liberty, who's become a popular character in the Corps Justice novels.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
September 10, 2024
I received an advanced copy of this book for my honest review. This book is a different type story for Mr. Cooper and it is well done. The story keeps the reader wanting more and they aren’t disappointed. I highly recommend this book and all of his other books.
December 10, 2024
C.G. Cooper, author of military thrillers Young Adult and the Corps Justice series, returns with an emotionally charged standalone, GRECO.
A college football star embarks on a poignant journey to break free from his father’s entangled past sins. This complex human underdog story will tug at your heartstrings, leaving you fervently rooting for the MC until the end.
“GRECO is an intricately woven, coming-of-age, small-town, powerful story of loss, hope, and courage in the face of evil and adversity.”
Audiobook...
Cooper is a new author for me. I was drawn to the audiobook because of the narrator, Will Damron (a favorite), who gave a superb performance with his keen storytelling skills, making the characters come alive!
About...
Michael Angelo Greco (Greco) has a bright future as a star football player. However, he has to overcome his father's sins. Now, his father is dead, and he is responsible for taking care of his mom (who is drunk most of the time) and little brother, Tommy.
He is ready to escape the small, dead-end town of Shiply, Illinois, and his childhood dysfunctional environment. He wants a fresh start. He is ready for football and academics—a bright future.
In 1989, Greco started college at Jefferson State University, the year he would become a man. This is the year everything changed. Greco wanted to build something after surviving childhood. A wonderful roommate, Leroy, and dating a beautiful grad student.
But his past finds him, unfortunately, when his uncle shows up demanding Greco take care of his father's unfinished business with a powerful Chicago gangster and organized crime.
While trying to keep up his grades, football practices, and college life, he has to worry about his troubled younger brother, a spiraling mother, and a crooked uncle, Freddy, making his life miserable with blackmail.
Who can he tell? How will he escape this mess so history does not repeat itself? Did he really know his father?
My thoughts...
GRECO is a poignant coming-of-age story set in a small rural town. It delves into the protagonist's struggle with identity and the burden of his family's past sins. You'll be deeply moved by Greco's unwavering determination to carve a better life for himself and his brother and his relentless fight to bring light into the darkness.
A line between innocence and hard wisdom, between hopelessness and faith, beautifully told, readers who enjoy tales of loss, love, family, redemption, and emotional strength in the face of hardship and adversity will cheer on GRECO to the satisfying ending.
The book is about good people placed in difficult situations and families doing their best to survive while carrying a powerful takeaway message of hope for humanity, even in the darkest times.
Compelling and heart-wrenching! An ideal pick for book clubs. It's a moving and uplifting story of broken families, secrets, survival, betrayal, and triumph over tragedy; the well-developed characters, particularly Greco, Shelia, and Leroy, provide ample material for discussion, making it a great choice for group reading.
I look forward to reading more from C. G. Cooper! Also highly recommend the audiobook.
Recs...
Brimming with tension, family secrets, and betrayal, for fans of the author, coming-of-age stories and family dramas. Also, for those who enjoy works by Catherine Ryan Hyde, Fredrik Backman, John Hart, Wade Rouse, and William Kent Krueger.
Thanks to NetGalley, Brilliance Audio for an (ALC), and Lake Union Publishing for an (ARC) in exchange for an honest review.
Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars (audio)
Pub Date: Dec 10, 2024
Dec 2024 Must-Read Books
Dec Newsletter
A college football star embarks on a poignant journey to break free from his father’s entangled past sins. This complex human underdog story will tug at your heartstrings, leaving you fervently rooting for the MC until the end.
“GRECO is an intricately woven, coming-of-age, small-town, powerful story of loss, hope, and courage in the face of evil and adversity.”
Audiobook...
Cooper is a new author for me. I was drawn to the audiobook because of the narrator, Will Damron (a favorite), who gave a superb performance with his keen storytelling skills, making the characters come alive!
About...
Michael Angelo Greco (Greco) has a bright future as a star football player. However, he has to overcome his father's sins. Now, his father is dead, and he is responsible for taking care of his mom (who is drunk most of the time) and little brother, Tommy.
He is ready to escape the small, dead-end town of Shiply, Illinois, and his childhood dysfunctional environment. He wants a fresh start. He is ready for football and academics—a bright future.
In 1989, Greco started college at Jefferson State University, the year he would become a man. This is the year everything changed. Greco wanted to build something after surviving childhood. A wonderful roommate, Leroy, and dating a beautiful grad student.
But his past finds him, unfortunately, when his uncle shows up demanding Greco take care of his father's unfinished business with a powerful Chicago gangster and organized crime.
While trying to keep up his grades, football practices, and college life, he has to worry about his troubled younger brother, a spiraling mother, and a crooked uncle, Freddy, making his life miserable with blackmail.
Who can he tell? How will he escape this mess so history does not repeat itself? Did he really know his father?
My thoughts...
GRECO is a poignant coming-of-age story set in a small rural town. It delves into the protagonist's struggle with identity and the burden of his family's past sins. You'll be deeply moved by Greco's unwavering determination to carve a better life for himself and his brother and his relentless fight to bring light into the darkness.
A line between innocence and hard wisdom, between hopelessness and faith, beautifully told, readers who enjoy tales of loss, love, family, redemption, and emotional strength in the face of hardship and adversity will cheer on GRECO to the satisfying ending.
The book is about good people placed in difficult situations and families doing their best to survive while carrying a powerful takeaway message of hope for humanity, even in the darkest times.
Compelling and heart-wrenching! An ideal pick for book clubs. It's a moving and uplifting story of broken families, secrets, survival, betrayal, and triumph over tragedy; the well-developed characters, particularly Greco, Shelia, and Leroy, provide ample material for discussion, making it a great choice for group reading.
I look forward to reading more from C. G. Cooper! Also highly recommend the audiobook.
Recs...
Brimming with tension, family secrets, and betrayal, for fans of the author, coming-of-age stories and family dramas. Also, for those who enjoy works by Catherine Ryan Hyde, Fredrik Backman, John Hart, Wade Rouse, and William Kent Krueger.
Thanks to NetGalley, Brilliance Audio for an (ALC), and Lake Union Publishing for an (ARC) in exchange for an honest review.
Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars (audio)
Pub Date: Dec 10, 2024
Dec 2024 Must-Read Books
Dec Newsletter
March 6, 2025
AWESOME READ
Very touching, heartwarming & inspiring story. Not at all what I expected. Tho, it was more than I ever could’ve hoped for.
G C Cooper has written an exceptional, timeless novel of faith, friendship, family, showing how life can be filled with ups & downs. Yet still work out in the end. You get out of it what you put into it. Even if you need help from those who love you on occasion.
This is destined to be one of those books I’ll read each year. Just to be reminded of what life’s about. How to surmount life’s hurdles. And appreciate that which you have. All it takes is honor, honesty, faith, a belief in yourself, choosing to see the best in people. And never forget all you’ve been given to get where you are. No one travels alone. We all need help along the way. And our friends, family and associates are where we get that help.
God bless you G C Cooper. Already a fan of yours because of your Corps Justice series, you’ve written a masterpiece surpassing anything I’ve read in ages. It brought me to tears. And this old grunt doesn’t ever do that.
Semper Fi, my brother
Very touching, heartwarming & inspiring story. Not at all what I expected. Tho, it was more than I ever could’ve hoped for.
G C Cooper has written an exceptional, timeless novel of faith, friendship, family, showing how life can be filled with ups & downs. Yet still work out in the end. You get out of it what you put into it. Even if you need help from those who love you on occasion.
This is destined to be one of those books I’ll read each year. Just to be reminded of what life’s about. How to surmount life’s hurdles. And appreciate that which you have. All it takes is honor, honesty, faith, a belief in yourself, choosing to see the best in people. And never forget all you’ve been given to get where you are. No one travels alone. We all need help along the way. And our friends, family and associates are where we get that help.
God bless you G C Cooper. Already a fan of yours because of your Corps Justice series, you’ve written a masterpiece surpassing anything I’ve read in ages. It brought me to tears. And this old grunt doesn’t ever do that.
Semper Fi, my brother
January 31, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for the ARC of this audiobook for my honest review
In the beginning I was so worried I wasn’t going to enjoy the story. I get easily stressed when people make dumb decisions and it felt like that would be the direction the book was going to go in. And I was like nooo I don’t want to watch him make his life worse and worse. But man was this good. He has a difficult time but that’s not the fault of his decisions so I don’t get mad at him at all. The story is still so emotional, and tense but in all the right ways. I loved the characters, the plot, and the writing was incredible. Most of all the ending was satisfying.. made me cry a lot but still it felt right. I recommend !
In the beginning I was so worried I wasn’t going to enjoy the story. I get easily stressed when people make dumb decisions and it felt like that would be the direction the book was going to go in. And I was like nooo I don’t want to watch him make his life worse and worse. But man was this good. He has a difficult time but that’s not the fault of his decisions so I don’t get mad at him at all. The story is still so emotional, and tense but in all the right ways. I loved the characters, the plot, and the writing was incredible. Most of all the ending was satisfying.. made me cry a lot but still it felt right. I recommend !
November 24, 2024
Greco comes from a dysfunctional family. Once he enters college he’s faced with cleaning up the mess that his dead father left behind. Along the way he finds love, friends, and discovers what it’s like to belong.
The narrator of the audiobook did a great job at bringing this story to life. This was an excellent story with a beautiful message. That plot twist shocked me! I wasn’t expecting it. I enjoyed getting to know Greco’s character and seeing him thrive throughout his chaotic life.
I highly recommend this book.
Thank you so much to NetGalley for the audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review!
The narrator of the audiobook did a great job at bringing this story to life. This was an excellent story with a beautiful message. That plot twist shocked me! I wasn’t expecting it. I enjoyed getting to know Greco’s character and seeing him thrive throughout his chaotic life.
I highly recommend this book.
Thank you so much to NetGalley for the audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review!
December 12, 2024
Wow! Greco by C.G. Cooper is truly extraordinary!
College Freshman Greco has a full plate of responsibilities as he attends college in a small town: a possible relationship with a beautiful lady; meeting and making new friends; and becoming a great member of his school's football team. These are exciting things that awaits him. However, he has family issues with his brother, uncle and his father that will interfere with his college life.
As you read this exceptional story, you will find yourself enthralled and amazed how excellent Cooper has written this story. You will remember this book for a long, long time after you have finished it. That's how good it is!
College Freshman Greco has a full plate of responsibilities as he attends college in a small town: a possible relationship with a beautiful lady; meeting and making new friends; and becoming a great member of his school's football team. These are exciting things that awaits him. However, he has family issues with his brother, uncle and his father that will interfere with his college life.
As you read this exceptional story, you will find yourself enthralled and amazed how excellent Cooper has written this story. You will remember this book for a long, long time after you have finished it. That's how good it is!
December 16, 2024
Great feel good short story
Greco is a good short story and a quick read. This story hits home on many levels. Big brother (Greco) leaves for college to carve out his place in life but feels guilty for leaving his little brother behind. His family is not known as the pillars of the community. When his little brother gets in trouble Greco is forced to face his past head on. Greco gets in over his head and needs help. He is a just kid himself. He finds out that his team is more than just football players but has become the family he always wanted and more importantly didn't know that he needed.
Treat yourself to a nice read during the holidays.
Greco is a good short story and a quick read. This story hits home on many levels. Big brother (Greco) leaves for college to carve out his place in life but feels guilty for leaving his little brother behind. His family is not known as the pillars of the community. When his little brother gets in trouble Greco is forced to face his past head on. Greco gets in over his head and needs help. He is a just kid himself. He finds out that his team is more than just football players but has become the family he always wanted and more importantly didn't know that he needed.
Treat yourself to a nice read during the holidays.
October 20, 2025
My heart my emotions were wild this book torn me so much that I feel like I could cry because the stuff Greco went through was sad especially when Leroy and Shelia died but I was happy when Uncle Freddy died through Shelia help this book has so much love and I adore the faith in this as well it wasn’t a book for me it was a movie I saw in my raw eyes everything cooper put into this story set in 1989 made me so invested and also pained it wasn’t an easy read but it deserves six stars because five isn’t enough
I don’t want to spoil it all I can say just read it!
I don’t want to spoil it all I can say just read it!
July 23, 2024
I chose this book for two reasons: the author and the description. Having read most of the author’s books, I don’t feel this one measures up to the high standard he has set. The book is entertaining and well-written, but missed pulling in my interest. I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher and voluntarily provided an honest review.
November 8, 2024
I have been a fan of C.G.’s Corps Justice series and writing style, and had the chance thru an arc copy to read this story.
And what a thrilling and powerful novel it was. From the characters and their backstories to the twists that kept coming, I could not put this one down.
Well done and easy to recommended.
And what a thrilling and powerful novel it was. From the characters and their backstories to the twists that kept coming, I could not put this one down.
Well done and easy to recommended.
December 12, 2024
C. G. Cooper is an amazing writer who writes fabulous stories. This one held my interest throughout. It’s about a young man who goes off to college on a partial scholarship from a broken family. This lad, Greco becomes a star football player and his life crosses many others, some of which help him to succeed.
December 16, 2024
An Outstanding read which takes a young man through his troubled family life while trying to juggle a troubled family life, an alcoholic Mom, a miscreant brother, an abusive uncle, college and football. Greco was able to survive because of true grit, family and friends. Great story about getting knocked down and getting back up
February 8, 2025
Intriguing book
This is a unique book of a working class family - struggles they faced with a gambling father, alcoholic mother, and two sons. This novel is colorful about one son struggles to change his life's fate. The struggles he faces are raw, making you recall the first of college.
Great job, Carlos!
This is a unique book of a working class family - struggles they faced with a gambling father, alcoholic mother, and two sons. This novel is colorful about one son struggles to change his life's fate. The struggles he faces are raw, making you recall the first of college.
Great job, Carlos!
December 16, 2024
Being a fan of C.G. Cooper I was totally surprised. It was not what I expected from Mr. Cooper. Greco is a college football player who comes from a very dysfunctional family. Having to grow up this way, he becomes quite a leader. A very emotional story filled with both love & hate.
January 1, 2025
This book written bt C.G. Cooper was not what I expected. But it was a thriller in its own regard.
You have to read it for yourself. Not only won’t you be able to put this story down, but it has a hell of ending. Read it you won’t be sorry.
You have to read it for yourself. Not only won’t you be able to put this story down, but it has a hell of ending. Read it you won’t be sorry.
January 6, 2025
Review
Good book about how life can be. Ups, downs, all part of life. Problem, life may be different for each of us, but just try to think positve and know you aren't alone. Everyone has some kind of problem.
Good book about how life can be. Ups, downs, all part of life. Problem, life may be different for each of us, but just try to think positve and know you aren't alone. Everyone has some kind of problem.
January 14, 2025
A solid read with engaging characters and a fast-paced plot. While the story had its moments, I felt it could have delved deeper in some aspects. Still, it’s an enjoyable action-packed read. Thank you to Goodreads for the ARC.
January 31, 2025
A very thorough provoking story of life.
The author has written a very intriguing story of the hardships of growing up with an alcoholic mother and a father who was often gone. A story that will keep you entertained and guessing as to where the story will take you next.
The author has written a very intriguing story of the hardships of growing up with an alcoholic mother and a father who was often gone. A story that will keep you entertained and guessing as to where the story will take you next.
February 5, 2025
I did not expect to like it as much as I did! I thought the pacing of the story was great and I didn’t feel like anything was misplaced or unexplained. I also like how it was written as though he was an adult looking back.
March 4, 2025
A nice, short read.
Some really good characters, especially Leroy who was brilliant! I really enjoyed the story when it was on campus but was less engaging when the story was back in Greco’s hometown and the last 20% or so I was losing interest.
Some really good characters, especially Leroy who was brilliant! I really enjoyed the story when it was on campus but was less engaging when the story was back in Greco’s hometown and the last 20% or so I was losing interest.
March 8, 2025
Super
Sometimes you read and it's like okay kinda like the rest of these kinds of books but, as you read you realize how much you can learn from it. Never give up never surrender. Great story.
Sometimes you read and it's like okay kinda like the rest of these kinds of books but, as you read you realize how much you can learn from it. Never give up never surrender. Great story.
July 12, 2025
Good read
Good read, full of good lessons and excitement. I enjoyed the beginning not knowing where it was leading. Great example of anyone can come from tragedy and make the world a better place.
Good read, full of good lessons and excitement. I enjoyed the beginning not knowing where it was leading. Great example of anyone can come from tragedy and make the world a better place.
December 8, 2025
Wonderful as aways
As with all of Mr Cooper's books you can' t put them down once you start reading. The books always flow so nicely and seem to take the reader to the next level. Thank You Mr. Cooper!
As with all of Mr Cooper's books you can' t put them down once you start reading. The books always flow so nicely and seem to take the reader to the next level. Thank You Mr. Cooper!
Read
December 18, 2024a very entertaining story of a youngster brought up in the bottomless pit of hunger and no friends. He learns how to cope, and eventually makes it good. 5 Stars
January 18, 2025
Very touching
I started thinking this may b boring. It turned out to an emotional gut dreaming book. U need to read this to feel again
I started thinking this may b boring. It turned out to an emotional gut dreaming book. U need to read this to feel again
January 21, 2025
Engaging Story
I very much enjoyed following Greco and his life. It’s an unusual college age tale, quite exciting, a few twists, a little mysterious. I recommend it. Easy read.
I very much enjoyed following Greco and his life. It’s an unusual college age tale, quite exciting, a few twists, a little mysterious. I recommend it. Easy read.
March 1, 2025
Greco
A good read. I love books with faith, love, family and happy endings. This book has all of these things
A good read. I love books with faith, love, family and happy endings. This book has all of these things
March 3, 2025
The Best
After 80 years of life, I have read the best!
I should have known it would be written by a jarhead.
After 80 years of life, I have read the best!
I should have known it would be written by a jarhead.
June 22, 2025
I wish I could give this more than 5 stars. This is a great story told by a great storyteller!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews