An Offer He Can't Refuse

The Wisegirls #1

by Christie Ridgway

Meet Californian Téa Caruso . . . her mother drives her crazy, her sisters give "advice." She has a family just like any other, except for one tiny difference . . .Her grandfather isn't just in the mob . . . he is the mob!

And no one knows this better than Johnny Magee. The Caruso family destroyed his dad. Now, it's payback time—and he's going to need an unsuspecting insider . . . one who won't realize what he's really after.

Téa loves her family but hates what they do. She's tried to stay far away from her notorious relatives, making a legit name for herself as an interior designer. But her grandfather Cosimo's gala 80th birthday is coming up. Every mobbed-up member of the family from San Francisco to Sarasota will be there—and it's time for Téa to face the family or face the consequences.

Intent on using Téa for revenge, Johnny hires her to redo his home, but then she makes him "offers" he can't refuse. Soon he's falling in love with the enemy and when all the secrets are revealed, what will Téa do . . . and even worse, what will her family?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Romantic Suspense, Chick Lit, Fiction

384 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published July 26, 2005

Reviews

[Lady Gabriella of Awesomeness (SLOW) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 smiling stars...

To think i almost didnt read it becz of its PINK-Drenched cover page...WOW that was seriously close :p LOL

“Hadn’t retired reporter Stan warned him of how protective Cosimo was of his granddaughters? What if the Carusos had discovered his identity and wanted to rub him out as they’d rubbed out his father?

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and
at the hour of our death.”

i LOVED the story and the characters with the Mafia touch swoon into it. Johnny and Tea were both great and hilarious characters with HOT chemistry thats was definatly off charts... especially with tht mirror fixed on your sculptured celing there....lol..wooooowse :p



Even though this book did have the plots and makings of a mafia FANFRIC...in THE END, i had fun :) And i think thats what matters most to me :D haha !

Hope my next book turns out to be just as ahmazing ! lol adios guys !

[LaFleurBleue · Rating 3 out of 5]

It started bad, I felt after a few pages that it was turning worse and that I would not be able to stand this not-so-funny comedy in a fake-italian Mafioso environment, that reminded me of a movie I saw and really disliked many years ago (and which I have totally forgotten the name of).

However after a few chapters, I started getting into it and not resenting the tropes so much. The heroine managed to grow on me, despite her weight-acceptance problem, her absolute lack of style and her inability to take any fun when it comes. I liked how she evolved along the book. The hero was more difficult to like, probably because he lied through his teeth to the heroine from day 1 and never tried to open up even when their relationship was budding.

I would not recommend this book highly though it ended up more enjoyable and real-looking than I first expected.

[Gloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll admit it! I bought this book merely because I suffered from a cover-love and it was insanely cheap (I bought it used). And it was romance. I'm a simple girl, you talk romance I understand.

I was instantly engrossed. Téa is insecure (school fattie I SO understand her) and Johnny sees her as his golden ticket to vengeance. Of course they fall for each other. Hard. The mob is an interesting background.

I'm counting on luck to put my greedy hands on the second book. It seems I choose them by purpose, even when I don't mean to buy trilogy/series books.

[penelopewanders · Rating 3 out of 5]

This felt like a very slow start - it was hard to feel anything for Téa or her sisters and the glints of humor did not strike me as terribly funny. I think the whole first scene bogged things down a bit. Gradually the characters and the book won me over and I enjoyed it, but I have enjoyed others by this author more.

[Pravana · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is also a side story of a second couple
(The heroine’s assistant and the hero’s assistant)
This is told from their POV’s which was equally good. Their HEA was left a bit unfinished though....meaning it was implied but we don’t get to see them get their HEA....

The mafia connection is very sanitised.

Mirrors on the ceiling lead up to some HOT scenes (Though in comparison HOT scenes in the Brother’s book were Steamin HOTT)

There’s a connection with The Thrill of It All
The hero’s brother Michael is the hero of that book. He does make a brief appearance in this book which was very enjoyable. Would have liked it if there had been more scenes.

“Later that afternoon, Johnny did what any self-respecting older sibling would do—he decided to take his lousy mood out on his younger brother. He brought Cal along with him to Michael Magee's bar, The Bivy, in nearby Half Palm.
A lean, dark-eyed, dark-haired man with a stubbled jaw looked up from behind the bar as they walked inside. He crossed his arms over the ratty T-shirt that he wore with equally ratty jeans and raised a brow at Johnny. "I think you dudes have the wrong joint. Go back out the parking lot, turn left, and your first country club will be on the right”
“We'll take a couple of bottles of Corona first," Johnny replied, hitching up his khakis to slide onto one of the barstools. "If there's a clean glass to be found in a dump like this.”
“Only pussies drink their nondraft beers from a glass," the bartender said, plunking a couple of sweating bottles in front of the two men. "So then it must really be you, Johnny."
"It'll be just like old times to kick your ass, Michael." Johnny smiled at his younger brother, his mood beginning to lighten. "I can't wait."
Then they shook hands, each trying to outgrip the other. The battle lasted for ninety seconds before they broke apart, both of them grinning.
"Dog," Michael said, leaning across the bar again to smack Johnny on the side of his arm. 'Took you long enough to get over here. I thought I was going to have to mail out an engraved invitation.”

Excerpt From
An Offer He Can't Refuse
Ridgeway, Christie
This material may be protected by copyright.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I normally really like Christie Ridgway books but I could not get invested in this one. In fact, I started reading it, got about 75 pages in and then put it down for weeks. I HATE secret keeping as a plot device and even though both Johnny and Tea were keeping secrets his were so much worse because his secret was the whole reason he got involved with her in the first place. Even by the end of the story, when all of the secrets were revealed, I STILL did not like him. I am not going to give up on Christie Ridgway books, but I really hope that the next story is better.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A truly delightful book about the California mafia and the boss’ granddaughters. Keeping secrets was Te’a Caruso’s burden in life and she knew to keep away from her Grandfather Cosimo and his goons. She wanted to go legit and worked very had at hiding her true self until she met Johnny Magee and then there were fireworks. Great read and very different.

[Robyn Martin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kindle

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting storyline, strong characters.

[M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a good read.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Registered on Bookcrossing: http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/1...

This is such a fun book! There's a little mystery, but mostly it's a steamy frothy romance. I love the characters. Tea and Johnny are a great romantic duo.

[Sarah Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good setting, and the secondary romance didn't feel tacked on. Liked the insecurities of Tea, and how Johnny complemented them.

[Mom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn't bad. It was a romance with a Mafia twist. The characters were likable.

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Characters: Mafia princess interior designer, gambler
World Building: slight sports gambling, slight decorating, Coachella valley
Plot: Family issues, old murder
Sex: Medium
Read another: Of course.

[Jackie · Rating 2 out of 5]

eh.

[Becky Jo Hopkins Gross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great twisty ending!! Loved it!!

[Melabelles · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the book and would give it somewhere between good and very good. It was a good story.

[Dana Al-Basha | دانة الباشا]