Hide and Speak

by Everly Summers

ARRANGED MARRIAGES ARE SO LAST CENTURY… UNLESS YOU’RE ME.

Some girls dream of romance. Flowers. Love notes. Meet-cutes in coffee shops.
Me? I got a contract—signed, sealed, and delivered straight into the hands of my emotionally unavailable husband-to-be.

Meet Enrico “Rico” Bennetti—CTO, tech genius, and my future husband. He’s silent, broody, and communicates primarily through glares and judgmental eyebrow lifts. If someone could live off coffee, code, and zero human interaction, it’d be him.

And then there’s me—Alessandra “Allie” De Luca. Former mafia princess turned head chef. Loud. Stubborn. A walking hurricane of chaos and sass with no interest in playing quiet little housewife.

The problem? Rico didn’t want a wife. He wanted a business arrangement—a convenient deal with contractual obligations ( produce an heir) while he continued to treat emotions as a system bug he refuses to debug.
Me? I want sparks. I want connection. And if I have to drag him, groan by groan, into a real marriage, so be it.

It’s grumpy-sunshine meets enemies-to-lovers, with a marriage-of-inconvenience twist.
He wants silence. I want fireworks.
He’s thirty-six. I’m twenty-four. Which means I get to call him old man until he grinds his teeth into dust.

Buckle up for fiery banter, slow-burn sexual tension, emotional walls crumbling like badly written code, and a heroine who refuses to back down. Rico thinks he can keep me at arm’s length, but when it comes to love, some contracts are meant to be broken.

Book 3 in the Bennetti Boys Series! A standalone with a guaranteed HEA, spicy scenes, and a stubborn heroine who won’t take no for an answer.

Perfect for fans of Meghan Quinn, LJ Shen, and readers who love their romance witty, sizzling, and a little bit dangerous.

464 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 11, 2025

Reviews

[Keeks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I loved this book!! I devoured each book in this series but this one has just taken the top spot. The depth, the sass, the pettiness and the heartbreak! It’s absolutely everything I needed and more!

[Kristina Stangl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Gem for the Series

Another gem for the Bennetti Boys series. I was glued to every page, and the story had me at page one.

This third installment to the series follows Allie and Rico. They’ve got a few issues going on. Age gap. Marriage of convenience. Opposite personalities. She’s a mafia princess who wants love. He’s a tech guy who wants a contractual relationship. Duty calls for an heir. But Allie is not ready to just accept defeat… at least not yet. She wants a real marriage, and she’ll do whatever it takes to get it. And in the process, this story is a delightful read, romance written perfectly, and chemistry between the two leads on fire.

Can’t wait to read more from the author!

[frances · Rating 3 out of 5]

Everly Summers's Hide and Speak is a hidden little gem. It sucks you in right from the start and has such a unique and engaging premise. I absolutely loved the beginning! The writing style was so good and I loved the aesthetic around the story. And for those of us who don't like spice (aka me) Everly was kind enough to provide chapter warnings, which I loved and appreciated!!

By the middle of the book though...Rico's character hadn't progressed and he kinda disgusted me to be honest. There was this one scene where he caged her against a wall and she finds it hot and i don't know some people like that stuff but it was NOT for me. 😬 I found him to be a jerk most of the time and he actually started to be a decent human being around 90% through, which I found to be way too long of a wait and made it hard for me to get invested in the romance. I would've loved to see more of the actually healthy part of their relationship because Rico's feelings for Allie felt more like lust than anything super deep. The epilogue, though, was so so SO cute!!!

So, while I enjoyed the story and the writing, I struggled with Rico and the looong wait to see a truly healthy little romance. For someone with preferences in a book that leans more towards a spicy and lustful story with a morally gray MMC, I would recommend!

Thank you to Book Sirens and the author for the ARC!! All thoughts are my own 🧡

[Liz · Rating 1 out of 5]

1. Rico had sex with Allie, then right afterward, he said to her that his escort never complained. (She had said something to him, I don't even care to remember what it was TBH). He felt bad for his comment but never expressed that to Allie, nor did he apologize. They continued their hate-sex sessions for the next couple of days. *GAG*
2. Rico missed Allie's restaurant opening night because he fell asleep at work and blamed her for it. He didn’t openly express that to anyone but himself. When Allie got home, all Rico said was, he was "very sorry." They had more hate-sex after his apathetic apology. *W.T.F*
3. Rico made Allie sleep in his bed since she was getting home really late from work (she told him no, she didn't want to sleep in his bed but he missed her, apparently *EYE ROLL*). Instead of telling Allie he missed her, Rico continued to tell her that he had needs and that she pretty much needed to fill them. Rico also told her she was just a good fuck, a warm hole, and that he never loved her. He avoided Allie for two days after that. *SURPRISE SURPRISE* (not really since he did this for 95% of the book)
4. Rico insinuated that he went to see his escort, which FINALLY Allie decided it was her last straw. Then Rico expected his family to explain to her that he went to see a real therapist and not his escort (since they gossiped so much). *GROW TF UP* The way Rico's family meddled so much, I'm surprised they let him live after this.

Yeah. Rico did all of that and so much more to Allie, and she just sat there and practically begged for him. I guess he was hot and sexy and whatever, but grow a goddamn spine girl!

I skimmed through a lot of this story, even the spice. It gave me the ick because, was it me or was it borderline coercion sex during some scenes? It wasn't even appealing since Rico and Allie's relationship was just so cold and one-sided (he did nothing and took from her, she pushed and gave him everything). It was such a chore to read through their monologue.

I really wanted to like this, but 90% of the book was Rico doing ALL THAT and more, and Allie begging and pushing him to do ANYTHING. She was so pathetic. They both were, really.

Allie rubbed off on me too, so I kept holding out hope Rico would change a little bit throughout his bullshit, but there was nothing until the very end. Groveling was literally one chapter, the last one. The epilogue was cute (and I'm being generous with that word), but that was it. THAT WAS IT.

And honestly, I kept holding out hope that Allie would make Rico work for anything in their relationship. I hoped she would've left him earlier and never came back. I hoped she would've hooked up with Marco or hell, even Vinnie, or even Kai at this point (I know Kai is gay, but better him than Rico), or that damn guard she slept with a couple of years ago.

The only thing I liked was when Marco, the Don (also Rico's BFF/cousin), punched Rico in the face for "cheating" on Allie. It was long overdue at that point. Everyone else in Rico's family was no better, sitting there and giving Allie false hope. Their excuse was always, "it's just Rico", "it's just what Rico does". SMH. He was so fucked up mentally and emotionally unavailable, and everyone knew that. I blame his family for allowing them to get married. Rico was not ready, and Allie did not deserve the emotional abuse from him. His emotional abuse was dirty and cheap but deep. It was really bad. Sorry Allie, you deserved way better, you literally deserved anything else.

Giving this half a star for when Marco punched Rico and another half a star for Rico going to therapy. REAL therapy.

[Michelle Frater · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a universally acknowledged fact that there’s always a price to pay when you try to walk away from the mafia. Allie might be a mafia princess, but the prospect of an arranged marriage to a man handpicked by her father is enough to drive her to the Don’s door, pleading for her freedom. So, imagine her shock when the price of that freedom turns out to be… marriage to the Don’s cousin, Enrico “Rico” Bennetti. Rico, haunted by a childhood trauma, lives his life in near-total seclusion, surrounded only by his beloved computers. His genius at keeping the Bennetti empire safe from cyber threats is matched only by his social awkwardness—he barely manages the weekly family dinners, so finding a wife seems impossible. That’s where Allie comes in, his “contractually obligated” convenient wife. Marrying a stranger is one thing, but how do you build any sort of relationship with someone who can’t—or won’t—let you in? Undaunted, Allie takes up the challenge. Her determination is unshakable, and she batters at the walls around Rico with relentless energy, poking and prodding until the cracks begin to show. Rico, to his own surprise, starts to open up—talking to his brothers, letting Allie into his life, even moving her into his bed, despite having always slept alone. But of course, progress comes with setbacks. As soon as Rico begins to feel vulnerable, he panics, shoving Allie away just when she’s starting to matter most. The irony is clear—he creates distance, only to find he misses her more than he ever thought possible. I absolutely loved Allie’s persistence. No matter how many times Rico shut her out, she refused to give up, always hoping she could reach the man behind the walls. But everyone has a breaking point, and when Rico finally sees the defeat in Allie’s eyes, he realizes he may have made the biggest mistake of his life. The question is: can he win her back before it’s too late? The Bennetti family stole my heart with their constant, well-meaning interference—always there, always meddling, but always keeping Allie grounded and close. This story also carries an important message: you can’t bury trauma forever. Sooner or later, it’ll come back to haunt you. In Rico’s case, his family’s refusal to face his pain only made things worse. This book has it all—angst, heartache, humor, healing, family, and ultimately, a beautiful love story. I loved every single minute of it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Dionne Muller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everly Summers' "Hide and Speak (Bennetti Boys #3)" presents a compelling clash of personalities within the dangerous world of the Cosa Nostra.

Alessandra "Allie" De Luca, a mafia princess chafing under the constraints of her predetermined future, seeks to escape the arranged marriage that looms over her. Her daring move to strike a deal with the Don, behind her parents' backs, sets in motion a collision course with Enrico "Rico" Bennetti, the Don's stoic and scarred cousin. Rico, rendered largely silent by the trauma of childhood capture and torture, communicates through subtle gestures and an imposing presence. He is the antithesis of Allie, a vibrant and outspoken force of nature who refuses to be confined by expectations. Their arranged marriage, a strategic alliance neither truly desires, becomes the unlikely battleground for their internal struggles and growing connection.

Summers skilfully crafts a dynamic tension between the two protagonists. Allie's rebellious spirit and Rico's brooding intensity create a fascinating contrast.

The inclusion of a list of chapters to skip spicy scenes allows readers to tailor their experience.

The humour injected throughout the narrative provides a welcome counterpoint to the inherent darkness of the mafia world.

While Allie's spirited defiance is undeniably engaging, the novel occasionally suffers from excessive introspection. The constant internal debate about the practicality and potential failure of the relationship, without always being followed by concrete action or change, can become repetitive and detract from the overall momentum.

Despite this minor flaw, the book remains an engaging read, fuelled by compelling characters, sharp humour, and a tantalizing glimpse into a world of danger and intrigue.

[R J Naik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having had the pleasure of reading an advance copy, I can confidently say this installment packs the emotional punch fans expect from the Bennetti universe.

First Impressions:

Everly Summers once again delivers a bold, witty romance featuring Alessandra "Allie" De Luca, a former mafia princess-turned-chef, and CTO Rico Bennetti—reserved, brilliant, and unapologetically closed off.

Why I Enjoyed It:

Grumpy‑sunshine meets marriage-of-convenience: Allie’s vibrant chaos collides with Rico’s emotional reserve in a way that sparks—and doesn’t fade.

Expert slow-burn tension: Emotional walls crumble gradually, making the eventual connection feel earned.

Sharp, visceral banter and steamy chemistry that keeps things exciting through trial, pain, and unexpected tenderness.

Darker emotional beats: Themes of past trauma, PTSD, and abandonment run deep—treatment is sensitive, character‑driven, and authentic.
ARC readers should be prepared for emotionally intense scenes, including triggers like PTSD, childhood trauma, and manipulative behavior (viewer discretion advised).

An emotionally charged and satisfying sequel that resonates beyond the trope-familiar setting. If you're here for tortured heroes, fiery heroines, and contractual romance that blossoms into something undeniable—you’re in the right place.
I have received an advance reader copy

[Shannon Beasley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quote: "It's an iceberg in a dress shirt and jeans."

OH, MY WORD!! Everly Summers has done it again. Except, this time, she has topped the two previous books in the series about the beloved Bennetti boys.

Rico, Rico, Enrico! What a grumpy man he is. So grumpy in fact that he will absolutely never find a wife on his own. He just cannot be bothered with such nonsense. But that's okay, he has plenty of other people around him to do that for him. They are more than happy to help out in that department. Ha!

Enter Alessandra (Allie) DeLuca - once a mafia princess - now a chef. Whew! This one is snarky and just could be the answer to Enrico Bennetti's inheritance problem.

Will it happen? Will Allie be the one? This book will have you feeling all the emotions. There were times when I was laughing and there were times when I had tears in my eyes. Will Rico finally speak, or will he continue to hide? He is by far my favorite of all the Bennetti boys.

Keep in mind that this book does have spice. However, Everly was so kind enough to put the chapters containing spice at the beginning so you can skip them if you want to. You will miss nothing from this beloved story by skipping those chapters.

[Carolina CHC · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading the first two books about the Bennetti brothers, I knew I had to dive into Rico’s story—and it definitely didn’t disappoint! His personality was intriguing from the start, but I honestly didn’t expect his backstory to be so traumatic.
Rico is the brooding, quiet brother who avoids socializing, so the idea of an arranged marriage actually made sense for his character. What he didn’t expect, though, was a bride as determined and strong-willed as Alessandra De Luca.
At times, Rico’s attitude and his struggles to connect with others—especially his wife—was tough to read. But once his trauma is revealed, it becomes clear why he is the way he is. His past is heartbreaking and adds depth to his character in a way that feels raw and real. The way his family reacted during that time is, unfortunately, something that happens in real life—but in this story, it was still hard to accept and understands.
Rico’s journey had me rooting for his happily-ever-after the whole way through.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it so much

Usually, I’m not one to read an entire series of novels—most of the time, only one book is worth the read. But never say never! This time, I devoured the whole Bennetti Boys series and loved every single one.
Rico and Allie’s story in Hide and Speak
stood out the most. It wasn’t just another billionaire romance—it had depth, emotion, and struggle. Allie, the female lead, is bold, sassy, and unapologetically herself. Her fierce spirit, and the way she saw Rico for who he truly was—and showed him he was worthy of love—made it impossible for him not to fall for her. Their connection felt genuine and powerful, and I found myself completely invested in their journey.
That said, one thing did bug me: there were quite a few repetitive moments. Sometimes the author would write something, and then repeat the same idea just a few sentences later. It disrupted the flow a bit, and I found myself skipping ahead to avoid redundancy.
Still, I truly enjoyed this book and can’t wait to dive into Marco’s story next!

[SuzieQ · Rating 5 out of 5]

A slow burn, age gap, grumpy/sunshine scenario. The FMC wants out of her family (Mafia) and reaches out to the Don of the outfit. He in turn says he'll sort things out. Fast forward to a few months down the track, he contacts her - her way out is to marry his cousin (a bit removed from Mafia connections. Enter the MMC who has serious PTSD issues. No touching, kissing, no emotions. They marry with the proviso it's a contract only, for her to escape her family and for him to produce an heir or two as expected.

It is quite funny how the FMC continues to push his boundaries, slowly chipping away with her sunshiney ways. A lovely read, certainly you get annoyed with both characters but it was never going to be easy right?

This is the first book I have read in the series (will have to now read the previous 2 in order to become more involved with the Bennetti family and their lives)

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enemies-to-lovers is one of my favorite tropes and Ms. Summers did a great job with this "marriage-of-inconvenience" story!

I am falling totally in love with the Bennetti brothers!

Rico, you don't think you should be loved, but I did anyway, and I was rooting for Allie to do the same!

Highly emotional!
Definite Steam!
Fantastic, fantastic characters and a plot that was oh so satisfying!

I'm reading out of order and will be immediately starting Alex's story in "Pretending to be His!"
And then Dominic's story in "Playing House!"

I'm very excited!
I've found a new, exciting author to follow thanks to Book Sirens!

[Book Addict · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author's narration speaks to me …. her humour, her quick wit, another fantastic plot intermingled with some sassy characters. Some of the witty commentary made me LOL and want to meet the characters. That is not to say that some elements of the book are deep or dark. But characterisation is strong and whilst I don't want to spoil the plot for you, the twists and turns make it a real page-turner… Miss this book at your peril!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Theresa McKee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spicy and quick witted, had me laughing at loud at times and clenching my thighs together the next. Allie and Rico are the best at snarky, grumpy, and sunshine. There may be times when you want to shake Rico to death and kiss him the next. Allie was easy to love with all her sass and shameless flirting. Would recommend reading this book and the author’s other books. Warning, some trigger warnings.

[Auma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m truly at a loss for words after finishing this book. It’s nothing short of a masterpiece—beautifully crafted, emotionally resonant, and utterly unforgettable. The writing is exquisite, and the characters are so vividly drawn that they linger in your mind long after the final page. Without a doubt, this is one of the finest books I’ve ever read❤️.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sue Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow - super steamy grumpy/sunshine tale! Third book in the 'Bennetti Brothers' series. I loved this book which features the youngest brother, Rico and his 'arranged' wife Allie - former mafia princess and aspiring chef. This is very 'angsty' throughout with Rico being totally closed off after suffering from a horrible trauma in his teens. I enjoyed the book, but did feel his 'soul searching' went on a little bit too long and started to get repetitive. A good read nonetheless.

[Tasha FD · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this one, but not as much as the others. Rico intrigued me in the other books, and frustrated me so much in this one! Yes there was trauma and he had to work through it, but damn, I wanted to slap him at times. And Allie, man she was trying so hard.... I wish she would've stood up for herself sooner, but when she finally did, you felt it. Rico groveled.. but she deserved more groveling. Overall, a really good read like the others in the series.

[Sammye · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third addition to the Bennetti Boys series. It grabbed my attention from the first chapter and didn’t let go. I loved Rico! I loved Rico and Allie together! This spicy story has witty dialogue, sass, passion, a bit of drama, danger and intrigue. The storyline is entertaining, interesting and very engaging. An amazing read

[Camila Novelo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had trouble getting into this book. I don’t hate the MMC, but I don’t particularly like him either — it’s complicated, let’s just say haha. Maybe the whole book just felt too slow for me, and I wasn’t really in the mood for a slow burn. :(

I received an advance review copy for free, and I’m leaving this review voluntarily

[Johanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this story very much it was lotsa fun and excitement. Very steamy! The characters were well written and likeable. Plot was well thought out and held my interest. World building was excellent. Would definitely recommend.

Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Lorraine Whiteley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Besotted with Everly's books! If you want witty comebacks, LOL moments, hot and spicy passion, a huge range of emotionally invested feelings for your characters, then read EVERY. SINGLE. BOOK. she writes. Seriously. Worth it every time!!! I received an ARC and leave this review voluntarily.

[Cheyenne Rivera · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good read that makes you feel all sorts of emotions. It was funny because the banter was so good and the spice was top tier.



I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Taya Opal · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was hard because Rico really treated Allie so poorly up until the 90% mark. I kept pushing through hoping he would FINALLY have a change of heart towards her, but it took so long and at that point, I was over it.

[Karla Escutia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read.

[Erica J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whoa

Book 1 and 2 great reads. Book 3 whoa, I am shocked it’s the same author. This book has ALLL the feels!