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Pagano Family #1
Footsteps
Carlo Pagano Jr. is the eldest son of a large Italian-American family in Quiet Cove, Rhode Island. He’s a disappointment to his father but a hero to the young son he is raising alone, after his wife abandoned them.
Sabina Alonzo-Auberon is a beautiful Argentine native married to one of the most powerful and wealthy men in New England. Though James Auberon is highly esteemed, the power and glamour the world sees hide a darker reality that exists within the walls of their home. Sabina is trapped in a life of control and abasement, living with a man too powerful and vengeful to escape.
Sabina doesn’t wish to be rescued and whisked away on a white horse. She’s not looking for a fairy tale hero; she knows the fairy tale is a lie. She’s waiting for the chance to save herself. But she won’t turn down help if it comes.
A fateful meeting with Carlo brings Sabina the chance to break free and make a life on her own terms. If any name demands respect and strikes fear more than Auberon, it’s Pagano. Carlo’s uncles head one of the most powerful ‘families’ in the Northeast, and they will offer their help—for a price.
What begins as an offer of assistance deepens into an intense bond, but before Carlo and Sabina can be together, they must overcome the obstacles in their path.
Together Carlo and Sabina seek true and honest love, and freedom from the demons of their pasts, but no quest was ever without its trials.
Explicit sex. Some dark themes.
Sabina Alonzo-Auberon is a beautiful Argentine native married to one of the most powerful and wealthy men in New England. Though James Auberon is highly esteemed, the power and glamour the world sees hide a darker reality that exists within the walls of their home. Sabina is trapped in a life of control and abasement, living with a man too powerful and vengeful to escape.
Sabina doesn’t wish to be rescued and whisked away on a white horse. She’s not looking for a fairy tale hero; she knows the fairy tale is a lie. She’s waiting for the chance to save herself. But she won’t turn down help if it comes.
A fateful meeting with Carlo brings Sabina the chance to break free and make a life on her own terms. If any name demands respect and strikes fear more than Auberon, it’s Pagano. Carlo’s uncles head one of the most powerful ‘families’ in the Northeast, and they will offer their help—for a price.
What begins as an offer of assistance deepens into an intense bond, but before Carlo and Sabina can be together, they must overcome the obstacles in their path.
Together Carlo and Sabina seek true and honest love, and freedom from the demons of their pasts, but no quest was ever without its trials.
Explicit sex. Some dark themes.
355 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 15, 2014
30 people are currently reading
861 people want to read
About the author
Susan Fanetti
84 books1,419 followersI was born and raised in the Midwest, but I was transplanted into the dusty soil of Northern California and have apparently taken root there. An inveterate geek and gamer, I am a fan of many things considered pop culture and maybe even lowbrow.
As a reader, my favorite genres are science fiction and fantasy, but as a writer, I've found my home in romance--or perhaps it's better to say simply "love stories." I have a yen to try other genres, too, at some point, but for now my muse wants to tell stories about lovers and families.
I write for the joy of it, and I write stories that I want to read. If others like them, too, that's just the cherry on top. I’m not interested in rules and formulae. I follow my muse and my characters and let them take me where they want to go, wherever that might be. I like big emotions, dark and light.
I like complicated characters with flaws and weaknesses as well as strengths, and I like each character’s strengths and weaknesses to be different from those of other characters. I’m much more concerned that my characters be interesting and diverse than that they be widely considered to be likable. I try to create people, not types.
Likewise, I want my stories each to be distinct from the others. Once I’ve told a story, I don’t want to tell it again. So even within a series, one of my books might be very different from the next. Some might be very dark, others equally mild.
That isn’t to say there aren’t trends and recurrences in my work. I’m drawn to certain themes and settings, and my muse has her favorite toys and tools. But I guard against those tendencies becoming a formula.
Find my blog at www.susanfanetti.com
Find my FB author page: https://www.facebook.com/authorsusanf...
A note: I don't spend much time here on Goodreads. I try not to read any reviews of my own work. Besides, this is a site for readers, but since I write at a fairly manic pace, and read and edit for other writers, I don't have much time to read recreationally. Mainly, I log on to update my info. So if you message me here, it might be a while before I see it.
As a reader, my favorite genres are science fiction and fantasy, but as a writer, I've found my home in romance--or perhaps it's better to say simply "love stories." I have a yen to try other genres, too, at some point, but for now my muse wants to tell stories about lovers and families.
I write for the joy of it, and I write stories that I want to read. If others like them, too, that's just the cherry on top. I’m not interested in rules and formulae. I follow my muse and my characters and let them take me where they want to go, wherever that might be. I like big emotions, dark and light.
I like complicated characters with flaws and weaknesses as well as strengths, and I like each character’s strengths and weaknesses to be different from those of other characters. I’m much more concerned that my characters be interesting and diverse than that they be widely considered to be likable. I try to create people, not types.
Likewise, I want my stories each to be distinct from the others. Once I’ve told a story, I don’t want to tell it again. So even within a series, one of my books might be very different from the next. Some might be very dark, others equally mild.
That isn’t to say there aren’t trends and recurrences in my work. I’m drawn to certain themes and settings, and my muse has her favorite toys and tools. But I guard against those tendencies becoming a formula.
Find my blog at www.susanfanetti.com
Find my FB author page: https://www.facebook.com/authorsusanf...
A note: I don't spend much time here on Goodreads. I try not to read any reviews of my own work. Besides, this is a site for readers, but since I write at a fairly manic pace, and read and edit for other writers, I don't have much time to read recreationally. Mainly, I log on to update my info. So if you message me here, it might be a while before I see it.
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August 20, 2014
2 Mob-Goes-Sapsville stars. DNF @71 %. Full review posted August 20, 2014
Footsteps started off promising but after my update at 20 % my interest petered out fast. Any storyline that includes the mob should be riveting, and I really expected something better, more thrilling…grittier maybe? However, I wouldn't have been surprised if a couple unicorns and rainbows had crawled out of my iPhone whilst reading Footsteps because, frankly, it was that cheesy and cotton candy sweet. I have enjoyed a few of Fanetti's books in the past and, to be honest, I didn't need to witness someone decapitating yet another character. But, again, something more atmospheric, somewhat gloomier would have resonated much better with me.
The really gritty stuff was happening off page and the talk about the heroine being so tough might have been more than slightly exaggerated. She was in her mid-thirties and acted extremely naïve. Granted, she grew up like a naïve girl and entered that marriage not in the least bit altered. Moreover, James had been showing her his ugly side already, yet she went into the lion's den without a second thought. The warning bells should have gone off loud and clear but no, he was such a handsome and distressed man and she had to show him how much she cared and understood him. She saw things through rose-colored glasses and was in love.
Anyway, and then she went through fifteen years of abuse and that was supposedly a sign of strength--as was the waiting. Then, almost was ready for her. Imagine, a woman who had been Oh, and why am I not surprised that she didn't need any therapy, either? Let's just fuck the problems to Kingdom come, shall we?
"I want to fuck you so hard right now. Tell me if you don't want it, baby. Tell me now."
(…)
"I want it. No more talking. I would like to do something with our mouths else than speak."
(…)
"You're so wet. Does baking bad cakes always make you horny?"
Duh. Sorry, but it didn't make me horny.
The word hurt was all over the story. You know when it's shoved down my throat all the time I kinda lose interest. It becomes less important and redundant.
When her body relaxed, he smiled down at her, feeling sated and spent, cozy in this little nest while the heavens lashed the world outside.
Oh my…I need to hug that beautiful unicorn now.
Carlo blurting out that he loved her at was ridiculously soon. I couldn't take these two seriously.
And then this scene…
"You made them? For Trey? You learned to knit and made them?"
"I did. Was that…wrong? Should I not have?" Sabina was growing more confused as he stared at her.
"No." He caught her arm and pulled her against him.
Baba: WTH? I couldn't help and laugh.
Aaaaaand he
Whew. Saved by the bell, Baba.
Bottom line, while the blurb did sound good, the storyline fell flat and I found the MCs to be pale and boring. I did feel sorry for what Bina had to go through for the last fifteen years, but more often than not she simply annoyed me and I couldn't connect with her. Carlo and Bina's relationship wasn't believable, either. It was just too much, too insta-everything and ridiculously cheesy. Overall the story came off as too perfunctory and unrealistic. Plus, the sex was a letdown as well. I'm sorry but Footsteps didn't do it for me at all and I'm majorly disappointed. I might give Luca's story a try but otherwise I'm not really keen on reading the entire series.
Onwards...
Footsteps started off promising but after my update at 20 % my interest petered out fast. Any storyline that includes the mob should be riveting, and I really expected something better, more thrilling…grittier maybe? However, I wouldn't have been surprised if a couple unicorns and rainbows had crawled out of my iPhone whilst reading Footsteps because, frankly, it was that cheesy and cotton candy sweet. I have enjoyed a few of Fanetti's books in the past and, to be honest, I didn't need to witness someone decapitating yet another character. But, again, something more atmospheric, somewhat gloomier would have resonated much better with me.
The really gritty stuff was happening off page and the talk about the heroine being so tough might have been more than slightly exaggerated. She was in her mid-thirties and acted extremely naïve. Granted, she grew up like a naïve girl and entered that marriage not in the least bit altered. Moreover, James had been showing her his ugly side already, yet she went into the lion's den without a second thought. The warning bells should have gone off loud and clear but no, he was such a handsome and distressed man and she had to show him how much she cared and understood him. She saw things through rose-colored glasses and was in love.
Anyway, and then she went through fifteen years of abuse and that was supposedly a sign of strength--as was the waiting. Then, almost was ready for her. Imagine, a woman who had been Oh, and why am I not surprised that she didn't need any therapy, either? Let's just fuck the problems to Kingdom come, shall we?
"I want to fuck you so hard right now. Tell me if you don't want it, baby. Tell me now."
(…)
"I want it. No more talking. I would like to do something with our mouths else than speak."
(…)
"You're so wet. Does baking bad cakes always make you horny?"
Duh. Sorry, but it didn't make me horny.
The word hurt was all over the story. You know when it's shoved down my throat all the time I kinda lose interest. It becomes less important and redundant.
When her body relaxed, he smiled down at her, feeling sated and spent, cozy in this little nest while the heavens lashed the world outside.
Oh my…I need to hug that beautiful unicorn now.
Carlo blurting out that he loved her at was ridiculously soon. I couldn't take these two seriously.
And then this scene…
"You made them? For Trey? You learned to knit and made them?"
"I did. Was that…wrong? Should I not have?" Sabina was growing more confused as he stared at her.
"No." He caught her arm and pulled her against him.
Baba: WTH? I couldn't help and laugh.
Aaaaaand he
Whew. Saved by the bell, Baba.
Bottom line, while the blurb did sound good, the storyline fell flat and I found the MCs to be pale and boring. I did feel sorry for what Bina had to go through for the last fifteen years, but more often than not she simply annoyed me and I couldn't connect with her. Carlo and Bina's relationship wasn't believable, either. It was just too much, too insta-everything and ridiculously cheesy. Overall the story came off as too perfunctory and unrealistic. Plus, the sex was a letdown as well. I'm sorry but Footsteps didn't do it for me at all and I'm majorly disappointed. I might give Luca's story a try but otherwise I'm not really keen on reading the entire series.
Onwards...
August 20, 2014
LOVED IT!! Susan Fanetti has created a new series with a big Italian-American family living in New England. The Pagano family consist of six grown children whose lives are all tightly knitted together.
Carlo is the eldest son and he's the responsible one among his siblings. His devotion to his son, Trey, made my heart melt. Trey may have been abandoned by his crazy mother but like any preschooler he adjusted well because of his Pagano family's love for him. TREY is the best child character I've read so far. He captured my heart with his cuteness and his love of all things shark.
When Carlo and Sabina's paths cross it is not a pleasant circumstance. Sabina is the trophy wife to a powerful man who abuses her. Carlo witnesses a small scene of that abuse and intervenes. That first meeting sets the foundation for what these two must battle through to be free of the ties the bind Sabina to her abuser. Both, Carlo and Sabina, are two souls, who've been mistreated by past spouses, that have come together to heal each other.
All readers have their pet peeves in books and mine are "insta-lust/love/attraction", cheating and love-triangles. I loved how Ms. Fanetti handled the "insta-attraction" between these two characters. Even though they felt that insta-attraction they still held off on fully committing to each other because of the healing they needed to do first. And to address the cheating question...
Ms. Fanetti stepped outside the box that her fans know her by, the Signal Bend series, and created a more contemporary romance series. Although FOOTSTEPS isn't as hard core as her motorcycle series I still loved it. I'm a #FanettiFangirl all the way. I love her writing style and the way the worlds she creates feel so real.
Once you are done with this book she has uploaded chapter one for book 2 -> http://bit.ly/1pePt1G
Schedule to release on 9/27/2014
*******************************************
Meet the Pagano family:
Carlo, Sr: baby brother to Ben and Lorrie. Ben is the Don of the family; Lorrie is his right hand. He decided not to follow in his brothers' footsteps and instead stay on the right side of the law. Widower. Father to 6 adult children.
Carlo, Jr: (37 years old) responsible. Provider and family man. Does what was expected of him. Single dad.
♥♥Trey♥♥: (3 years old) Carlo's son. Abandoned by his mother.
Carmen: (35 years old) a landscape designer, free spirit, big dreamer.
Luca: (33 years old) rebel, the black sheep. Wrong side of their father. Rogue.
John: (mid 20's) quiet brooder. Quiet and sweet.
Joey: (20ish years old) goofball, the fun one, youthfully bold.
Rosa: (20 years old) spoiled, pampered baby princess of the family
SERIES:
To keep up to date on when more books in the series will be released click here.
120th book of 2014
LIVE ->http://amzn.to/1mT58yR
8/16/2014
December 28, 2023
2023
Needing some space to regroup, I took a ride back to re-discover books and authors that touched me and wouldn't let go. This is another side of Ms. Fanetti.
2014
5 Definition of Strength Stars
* * * * * Spoiler Free
Oh, where to start...First please read the blurb... it will give you the premise and you will be able to get the necessary understanding of what this tale is basically about. That being said... this is a story which presents to us so much... to address all of it will take me a moment... and then I know I will miss things. So, please like I have advised before... if you want details or story breakdown, read all of the other wonderful reviews which will be posted. This book has only been out for less than 24 hours and already there are excellent choices out there.
What I will take away from this new series from Ms. Fanetti is her appreciation of a woman's strength against all circumstances. This ability to create female characters equally as strong as any man, if not more so, is a huge talent of hers. She did it in the Signal Bend series and she continues here.
In this book she presents us with Sabina, a supposed trophy wife of a respected power broker... a man looked up to and feared in business. He presents them both as the "it couple"... just the right look, events attended, and perfect mirror for his success. Yet there are moments where this tycoon has decided to flaunt his power and Teflon armor to anyone willing to turn a blind eye... with overt sexual stroking on a woman, not his wife...or a hard shove to the upset woman who is his wife. This woman who has been married for 15 years to a man who fraudulently wooed her with a pretense of charm, turned once married to the manipulator and inflicter of distress. Hands which caressed and grazed softly on her arms had long ago become instruments of pain... carefully choreographed to only impart the punishment where it can not be seen by others. There was an image to uphold after all.
This is where Sabina finds herself. She has learned to survive minute by minute... judging and weighing all words before uttering them... before allowing any facial reveal... as even that could be too dangerous. This was her life... dictated by him... stripped away of any control.... but there was a small place... in the back of her mind... and that it was there, showed her strength... still there... supporting her... holding her through it all.
This type of woman has been used in so many books... what has distinguished this character from all of the others... is the complexity, the heart, intelligence and the lingering desire to still be open to the good in the world... even with all of the emotional shit around her. Because she is locked up in a gilded cage...wealth of surroundings and things... yet at the same time destitute of self-worth. The barrage of actions should beat her down but her core being refuses to give in... there is still a kernel fight left.
Fanetti gives her a journey which could have the perfect little HEA all tied up in a pretty bow... but the beauty of how this writer layers her tales takes the story to a different level... she has Sabina think... ponder and discover what we as women at some point must do... there is no age limit as to when these actions need to be done... all of us will at some time go through these rites of passages... hopefully not with all the trials Sabina did... but we all must take that look in the mirror and recognize who we are and who we want to be.
We are also gifted with Carmen.... a stealth rock... she has a story to tell and I know it will be epic. Her strength and sacrifice are shown; her words are valuable... they don't come unless she feels the need.
You may be wondering, Wendy... what the hell... where are the men and the love story... oh, it is there and worth every hour I stayed up reading through the wee hours of the night. They are the main characters, Carlo and his amazing son Trey. Then there is the whole extended family... so many men...so many stories to enjoy...
So, as I said from the beginning...This was just my take after reading this book in basically one sitting. It is an introduction to a new family; characters with roots; conflicts, caring, and divisions of lines in the sand... it has it all, and Fanetti has planted the seeds in my heart. They have already taken hold and in September I will be back in my chair again... enmeshed in this world and engrossed in what will come next.
Footsteps (Pagano Family, #1)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
-Touch (Pagano Family, #2)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
(Pagano Family, #3)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Deep (Pagano Family, #4)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Prayer (Pagano Family, #5)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Miracle (Pagano Family, #6)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Pagano Family: The Complete Series (Pagano Family, #1-6)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
Needing some space to regroup, I took a ride back to re-discover books and authors that touched me and wouldn't let go. This is another side of Ms. Fanetti.
2014
5 Definition of Strength Stars
* * * * * Spoiler Free
Oh, where to start...First please read the blurb... it will give you the premise and you will be able to get the necessary understanding of what this tale is basically about. That being said... this is a story which presents to us so much... to address all of it will take me a moment... and then I know I will miss things. So, please like I have advised before... if you want details or story breakdown, read all of the other wonderful reviews which will be posted. This book has only been out for less than 24 hours and already there are excellent choices out there.
What I will take away from this new series from Ms. Fanetti is her appreciation of a woman's strength against all circumstances. This ability to create female characters equally as strong as any man, if not more so, is a huge talent of hers. She did it in the Signal Bend series and she continues here.
In this book she presents us with Sabina, a supposed trophy wife of a respected power broker... a man looked up to and feared in business. He presents them both as the "it couple"... just the right look, events attended, and perfect mirror for his success. Yet there are moments where this tycoon has decided to flaunt his power and Teflon armor to anyone willing to turn a blind eye... with overt sexual stroking on a woman, not his wife...or a hard shove to the upset woman who is his wife. This woman who has been married for 15 years to a man who fraudulently wooed her with a pretense of charm, turned once married to the manipulator and inflicter of distress. Hands which caressed and grazed softly on her arms had long ago become instruments of pain... carefully choreographed to only impart the punishment where it can not be seen by others. There was an image to uphold after all.
This is where Sabina finds herself. She has learned to survive minute by minute... judging and weighing all words before uttering them... before allowing any facial reveal... as even that could be too dangerous. This was her life... dictated by him... stripped away of any control.... but there was a small place... in the back of her mind... and that it was there, showed her strength... still there... supporting her... holding her through it all.
This type of woman has been used in so many books... what has distinguished this character from all of the others... is the complexity, the heart, intelligence and the lingering desire to still be open to the good in the world... even with all of the emotional shit around her. Because she is locked up in a gilded cage...wealth of surroundings and things... yet at the same time destitute of self-worth. The barrage of actions should beat her down but her core being refuses to give in... there is still a kernel fight left.
Fanetti gives her a journey which could have the perfect little HEA all tied up in a pretty bow... but the beauty of how this writer layers her tales takes the story to a different level... she has Sabina think... ponder and discover what we as women at some point must do... there is no age limit as to when these actions need to be done... all of us will at some time go through these rites of passages... hopefully not with all the trials Sabina did... but we all must take that look in the mirror and recognize who we are and who we want to be.
We are also gifted with Carmen.... a stealth rock... she has a story to tell and I know it will be epic. Her strength and sacrifice are shown; her words are valuable... they don't come unless she feels the need.
You may be wondering, Wendy... what the hell... where are the men and the love story... oh, it is there and worth every hour I stayed up reading through the wee hours of the night. They are the main characters, Carlo and his amazing son Trey. Then there is the whole extended family... so many men...so many stories to enjoy...
So, as I said from the beginning...This was just my take after reading this book in basically one sitting. It is an introduction to a new family; characters with roots; conflicts, caring, and divisions of lines in the sand... it has it all, and Fanetti has planted the seeds in my heart. They have already taken hold and in September I will be back in my chair again... enmeshed in this world and engrossed in what will come next.
Footsteps (Pagano Family, #1)https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
-Touch (Pagano Family, #2)https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
(Pagano Family, #3)https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Deep (Pagano Family, #4)https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Prayer (Pagano Family, #5)https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Miracle (Pagano Family, #6)https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Pagano Family: The Complete Series (Pagano Family, #1-6)https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
October 1, 2014
Susan Fanetti Fans! Irene and I featured this talented author today over at The Literary Gossip! Go "Back to Signal Bend" with us and learn more about the phenomenal woman who created this series!
Q&A with Isaac
Q&A with Susan Fanetti
My *spoiler-free* review of Footsteps:
5 Brilliant, Pagano Family Stars
If you’ve ventured on a Susan Fanetti journey before you know the excitement over the release of a new Susan Fanetti novel. You willingly open her books ready for an emotional trip. A trip so frighteningly honest it’s beautiful. Scenes full of passion, love, heartbreak, betrayal, utter devastation leave you limp with the experience of reading the beautiful words of this author. Blown away would be understatement for me with Footsteps. This revealing tale of two lovers with an undeniable connection honestly asks how strong we are as individuals and then as part of a couple. True strength derives from facing the darkest of demons even when you don’t arrive unscathed, you still don’t crumble. Every journey I’ve taken with Susan Fanetti she’s proved to me the belief there’s light in the dark; a purpose in hardship, beauty even. Susan Fanetti makes me want to be strong.
Endless thoughts run through my mind while writing this review. The one thought that stands out the most are the feelings I have about the strength of this heroine – Sabina “Bina” Alonzo Auberon. The character accurately reflects exactly who the author intended her to be with a genuine portrayal that stays true to the character throughout the story. A woman living in darkness, through which, she’s one of the strongest women I have ever read in fiction; even in suffering her strength in undeniable. Bina’s traveling in uncharted territory fighting for herself. Her story develops honestly and true to her character. She’s a woman lost rediscovering parts of her and the world surrounding her. Realizing the bravery in that act alone leaves the reader with so much satisfaction. This writer’s ability to make us so keenly aware of the power we hold as individuals, as women, to find our sense of self even in the rubble astounds. You want to clap hands with the fellow sisterhood and remind each other the only person able to conquer us is ourselves.
Carlo Pagano is a like a breeze on a sunny day. The story of Carlo - strong single dad, true to his family, loyal, kind – isn’t without suffering. The hurt Carlo faces in his life makes his undeniable connection with Bina so much truer. He believes in her, he believes in his family, in his own convictions. He’s a man with integrity who makes choices not always based on personal selfish needs but choices for the greater good of his life. He’s a man seeing the big picture, acting fast without worry for recourse but with the sharpness of protecting others. Carlo is charming and funny easily engaged in playful banter. A man like Carlo I’d be challenged to find.
The plot of Footsteps moves forward steadily. Told from both Carlo and Bina’s points of view, we get to see two sides of the same coin. The writing engages the reader constantly never boring or stopping for long contemplations of action. It pulls all the secondary characters into the story organically, even the villains, adding enhancements to Carlo and Bina’s journey. Each and every character serves a purpose for the greater conflict/action. Family, as always in a Susan Fanetti novel, majorly affects this story through the joys and devastation's of Carlo and Bina. And just like the other themes, we get the good with the bad never losing touch of why it’s important all the while creating a solid foundation for more stories to come from the Pagano family.
The story is compelling. It’s morose. It’s bliss. It makes you feel so much for the characters, to believe in them and their story. It easily folds you into the pages and holds you there until the end. The author’s incredible writing is addicting in the most natural of ways. Footsteps totally differs from Susan Fanetti’s MC series yet it’s everything you expect from her all at once: authentic, evocative, dramatic, beautiful. I admire this author for the stories she tells with these characters she creates. If you’ve yet to venture on a journey helmed by this author I strongly urge you to take the ride. Footsteps marks the first book of the series wrapping up Carlo & Bina's story while nicely setting the foundation for another great set of main characters from this author. It’s contemporary romance at its best.
**Footsteps generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.**
Q&A with Isaac
Q&A with Susan Fanetti
My *spoiler-free* review of Footsteps:
5 Brilliant, Pagano Family Stars
If you’ve ventured on a Susan Fanetti journey before you know the excitement over the release of a new Susan Fanetti novel. You willingly open her books ready for an emotional trip. A trip so frighteningly honest it’s beautiful. Scenes full of passion, love, heartbreak, betrayal, utter devastation leave you limp with the experience of reading the beautiful words of this author. Blown away would be understatement for me with Footsteps. This revealing tale of two lovers with an undeniable connection honestly asks how strong we are as individuals and then as part of a couple. True strength derives from facing the darkest of demons even when you don’t arrive unscathed, you still don’t crumble. Every journey I’ve taken with Susan Fanetti she’s proved to me the belief there’s light in the dark; a purpose in hardship, beauty even. Susan Fanetti makes me want to be strong.
Endless thoughts run through my mind while writing this review. The one thought that stands out the most are the feelings I have about the strength of this heroine – Sabina “Bina” Alonzo Auberon. The character accurately reflects exactly who the author intended her to be with a genuine portrayal that stays true to the character throughout the story. A woman living in darkness, through which, she’s one of the strongest women I have ever read in fiction; even in suffering her strength in undeniable. Bina’s traveling in uncharted territory fighting for herself. Her story develops honestly and true to her character. She’s a woman lost rediscovering parts of her and the world surrounding her. Realizing the bravery in that act alone leaves the reader with so much satisfaction. This writer’s ability to make us so keenly aware of the power we hold as individuals, as women, to find our sense of self even in the rubble astounds. You want to clap hands with the fellow sisterhood and remind each other the only person able to conquer us is ourselves.
Carlo Pagano is a like a breeze on a sunny day. The story of Carlo - strong single dad, true to his family, loyal, kind – isn’t without suffering. The hurt Carlo faces in his life makes his undeniable connection with Bina so much truer. He believes in her, he believes in his family, in his own convictions. He’s a man with integrity who makes choices not always based on personal selfish needs but choices for the greater good of his life. He’s a man seeing the big picture, acting fast without worry for recourse but with the sharpness of protecting others. Carlo is charming and funny easily engaged in playful banter. A man like Carlo I’d be challenged to find.
The plot of Footsteps moves forward steadily. Told from both Carlo and Bina’s points of view, we get to see two sides of the same coin. The writing engages the reader constantly never boring or stopping for long contemplations of action. It pulls all the secondary characters into the story organically, even the villains, adding enhancements to Carlo and Bina’s journey. Each and every character serves a purpose for the greater conflict/action. Family, as always in a Susan Fanetti novel, majorly affects this story through the joys and devastation's of Carlo and Bina. And just like the other themes, we get the good with the bad never losing touch of why it’s important all the while creating a solid foundation for more stories to come from the Pagano family.
The story is compelling. It’s morose. It’s bliss. It makes you feel so much for the characters, to believe in them and their story. It easily folds you into the pages and holds you there until the end. The author’s incredible writing is addicting in the most natural of ways. Footsteps totally differs from Susan Fanetti’s MC series yet it’s everything you expect from her all at once: authentic, evocative, dramatic, beautiful. I admire this author for the stories she tells with these characters she creates. If you’ve yet to venture on a journey helmed by this author I strongly urge you to take the ride. Footsteps marks the first book of the series wrapping up Carlo & Bina's story while nicely setting the foundation for another great set of main characters from this author. It’s contemporary romance at its best.
**Footsteps generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.**
October 18, 2014
HOLY. WOW. It was fantastic! I absolutely love-love-love-loved this book. It had everything I could possibly want in a book - heart warming romance, heart racing suspense and heart breaking situations. It kept me up till 4AM in the morning, because I just could not put it down. Once again Susan Fanetti delivered incredible book which you can't help but fall in love with.
Full review to follow.
Pre-reading thoughts
Full review to follow.
Pre-reading thoughts
May 3, 2015
4.5 Stars
This book to me is all about the bonds of family. I adore the way Susan Fanetti writes family drama ... with so much love and devotion.
The pain expressed in this story was incredibly real.
Sabina is undoubtedly one of the strongest female characters I've read in a very long time. I admire her ability to see beyond her own torment ... and I like how Ms Fanetti portrays the time spent in an abusive marriage as a time of quiet strength vs. weakness.
Carlo's strength is his dedication to his son (and the rest of his family). The parent-child relationship in this book was marvelous. Absolutely the best part of the story. I loved every little thing about Trey ... even his unnatural obsession with sharks. lol
The only part of this story that wasn't completely stellar for me ... I never quite got the feeling of danger from the Uncles that I was supposed to ... maybe I'm just naïve ... but I felt like they were more helpful than anything & that owing them a debt wouldn't be so terrible (not when they took care of the things they did in this story).
Overall ... another fabulous book by an amazingly talented author, who I just can't seem to get enough of ... I will definitely be moving on with the rest of this series ... SOON!
This book to me is all about the bonds of family. I adore the way Susan Fanetti writes family drama ... with so much love and devotion.
The pain expressed in this story was incredibly real.
Sabina is undoubtedly one of the strongest female characters I've read in a very long time. I admire her ability to see beyond her own torment ... and I like how Ms Fanetti portrays the time spent in an abusive marriage as a time of quiet strength vs. weakness.
Carlo's strength is his dedication to his son (and the rest of his family). The parent-child relationship in this book was marvelous. Absolutely the best part of the story. I loved every little thing about Trey ... even his unnatural obsession with sharks. lol
The only part of this story that wasn't completely stellar for me ... I never quite got the feeling of danger from the Uncles that I was supposed to ... maybe I'm just naïve ... but I felt like they were more helpful than anything & that owing them a debt wouldn't be so terrible (not when they took care of the things they did in this story).
Overall ... another fabulous book by an amazingly talented author, who I just can't seem to get enough of ... I will definitely be moving on with the rest of this series ... SOON!
August 20, 2014
DNF at 78%
I know, I hear you now..."You gave up at 78%? But you were almost done!" No, per my kindle, I had two more hours of reading left in the book....two hours I'll never get back if I chose to finish.
I'm really bummed to quit. Let me start by saying that Ms. Fanetti's Signal Bend series is bar none the best Motorcycle Club series I've read. This new series just really fell short for me. I think she excels at dark, more graphic storylines.
So, her other stuff was so awesome, were my expectations just too high? Maybe.
Why didn't this book hit the mark for me?
1- I found myself bored on more occasions than not.
2- There are so many flipping family members, I thought I was reading the Rough Riders series (which has a mammoth family tree). I'd highly recommend she add a family tree, by the way. Not only are there a ton of family members, she goes into depth describing every uncle, cousin, etc. No way I'd recall them in the future...and I know it was designed to introduce characters we will see in later books.
3- The story, mainly the female MC didn't fit in certain scenes. She's an abused wife of a ruthless man and quickly jumps into a sexual relationship with the male MC...liking it rough. Nope. Not believable for a rape victim to want it rough weeks later
4- Insta-love. That equals failure. Hate that.
5- Is this a Mafia book or a hearts and flowers contemporary romance? I went in expecting something along the lines of the Sopranos and got Nora Roberts...If you've got Mafia, you've gotta have grit. Our dark minds demand it. Or if you're looking for hearts and flowers, lose the Mafia. They don't mix.
______________________________________
So, I tried. Moving on...
P.S. I usually don't rate DNF books but I feel since I invested over 7 hours of reading before I quit, I have that right.
And I thank you!
I know, I hear you now..."You gave up at 78%? But you were almost done!" No, per my kindle, I had two more hours of reading left in the book....two hours I'll never get back if I chose to finish.
I'm really bummed to quit. Let me start by saying that Ms. Fanetti's Signal Bend series is bar none the best Motorcycle Club series I've read. This new series just really fell short for me. I think she excels at dark, more graphic storylines.
So, her other stuff was so awesome, were my expectations just too high? Maybe.
Why didn't this book hit the mark for me?
1- I found myself bored on more occasions than not.
2- There are so many flipping family members, I thought I was reading the Rough Riders series (which has a mammoth family tree). I'd highly recommend she add a family tree, by the way. Not only are there a ton of family members, she goes into depth describing every uncle, cousin, etc. No way I'd recall them in the future...and I know it was designed to introduce characters we will see in later books.
3- The story, mainly the female MC didn't fit in certain scenes. She's an abused wife of a ruthless man and quickly jumps into a sexual relationship with the male MC...liking it rough. Nope. Not believable for a rape victim to want it rough weeks later
4- Insta-love. That equals failure. Hate that.
5- Is this a Mafia book or a hearts and flowers contemporary romance? I went in expecting something along the lines of the Sopranos and got Nora Roberts...If you've got Mafia, you've gotta have grit. Our dark minds demand it. Or if you're looking for hearts and flowers, lose the Mafia. They don't mix.
______________________________________
So, I tried. Moving on...
P.S. I usually don't rate DNF books but I feel since I invested over 7 hours of reading before I quit, I have that right.
And I thank you!
August 25, 2020
2.5 stars
Here we go again... The curse of the first book in a series.
The writing is decent but I couldn't relate to the characters or with the story line. Actually, I should be happy I didn't die of boredom.
Was this really written by Fanetti?
I'm not giving up, though. Last time it paid off. So on to the next one...
Here we go again... The curse of the first book in a series.
The writing is decent but I couldn't relate to the characters or with the story line. Actually, I should be happy I didn't die of boredom.
Was this really written by Fanetti?
I'm not giving up, though. Last time it paid off. So on to the next one...
March 17, 2015
5 Misby STARS
This was a Buddy Read with the Canaries!
I’ve heard a lot of great things about Susan Fanetti and her MC series (even have the first book on my Kindle) but it was Footsteps, seemingly tamed compared to Signal Bend series that popped my Fanetti Cherry…OMG, I was not disappointed! What a splendid experience!
For me, this story was like falling in love with the raging and magical emotions, connecting with another so intimately and all the ups and downs of navigating the desire to love and be loved. And boy, fall in love, I did!
Not just with Carlo Pagano Jr., the strong and fierce yet tender and loving single father, or Trey Pagano, the blonde three year old that stole my hear, or Sabina Alonzo ( I refuse to attach HIS name to her), the beautifully graceful and unbelievably strong and resilient woman trapped in a living hell. I fell hard for the Paganos, all of them, even those on the dark side (La Cosa Nostra).
This was a breathtakingly moving, real and endearing story of two people whose paths cross, seemingly random yet, both their lives are forever altered for the better. What I loved was that this story was just not about Carlo and Bina. It was the Paganos’ story and about getting to know this rich, vibrant, diverse, close knit family.
I know that a book has touched me (even if the story is dark, disturbing or grim), when the story never leaves me. When I put down the book to go about RL and I find the characters and the story creeping into my thoughts when I least expect it. Footsteps did that to me. Ms. Fanetti creates such strong, real, human characters that it was so easy to relate to them. It was so easy for me to see Carmen or Sabina as women I would be friends with or Carlo or Luca as men I would truly like and date or Joey or Rosa as siblings that I'd shelter and unknowingly enable.
It pained me to read the last lines of this book as I did not want it to end. So much so, that I immediately searched for details about book two and bless Susan Fanetti, there was a teaser for Luca’s book!!
Thank you, Ms. Fanetti! I'm so looking forward to continuing my love affair with the Paganos.
This was a Buddy Read with the Canaries!
I’ve heard a lot of great things about Susan Fanetti and her MC series (even have the first book on my Kindle) but it was Footsteps, seemingly tamed compared to Signal Bend series that popped my Fanetti Cherry…OMG, I was not disappointed! What a splendid experience!
For me, this story was like falling in love with the raging and magical emotions, connecting with another so intimately and all the ups and downs of navigating the desire to love and be loved. And boy, fall in love, I did!
Not just with Carlo Pagano Jr., the strong and fierce yet tender and loving single father, or Trey Pagano, the blonde three year old that stole my hear, or Sabina Alonzo ( I refuse to attach HIS name to her), the beautifully graceful and unbelievably strong and resilient woman trapped in a living hell. I fell hard for the Paganos, all of them, even those on the dark side (La Cosa Nostra).
This was a breathtakingly moving, real and endearing story of two people whose paths cross, seemingly random yet, both their lives are forever altered for the better. What I loved was that this story was just not about Carlo and Bina. It was the Paganos’ story and about getting to know this rich, vibrant, diverse, close knit family.
I know that a book has touched me (even if the story is dark, disturbing or grim), when the story never leaves me. When I put down the book to go about RL and I find the characters and the story creeping into my thoughts when I least expect it. Footsteps did that to me. Ms. Fanetti creates such strong, real, human characters that it was so easy to relate to them. It was so easy for me to see Carmen or Sabina as women I would be friends with or Carlo or Luca as men I would truly like and date or Joey or Rosa as siblings that I'd shelter and unknowingly enable.
It pained me to read the last lines of this book as I did not want it to end. So much so, that I immediately searched for details about book two and bless Susan Fanetti, there was a teaser for Luca’s book!!
Thank you, Ms. Fanetti! I'm so looking forward to continuing my love affair with the Paganos.
July 19, 2018
Susan Fanetti knows how to write strong heroines and with Footsteps she made me fall in love with Sabina. Wow. Talk about an evolution she went through. She’s been in hell for fifteen years and still has strength and determination to take care of herself so she can be the best and strongest for Carlo and most importantly herself.
Carlo and his son Trey pulled at my heartstrings. These two and the rest of the Pagano family gave exactly what Sabina needed. A family of her own. Carlo is a good man who loves his son, father, brothers and sisters. His love, respect and patience with Sabina is what made their relationship grow and evolved into an all consuming and never ending love.
Carlo’s brother and sisters intrigued the hell out of me and also made me look forward to the other books in the series. Footsteps is an entertaining and captivating romance. I need and am excited to read more from the Pagano family.
Carlo and his son Trey pulled at my heartstrings. These two and the rest of the Pagano family gave exactly what Sabina needed. A family of her own. Carlo is a good man who loves his son, father, brothers and sisters. His love, respect and patience with Sabina is what made their relationship grow and evolved into an all consuming and never ending love.
Carlo’s brother and sisters intrigued the hell out of me and also made me look forward to the other books in the series. Footsteps is an entertaining and captivating romance. I need and am excited to read more from the Pagano family.
April 8, 2019
5 “Misby” Stars
I love when a book gets you invested in an entire family. Footsteps is about Carlo Pagano Jr. and the unlikely married woman, Sabina Aubergon, that comes into his life. He’s a single father, has 2 grown sisters and 3 brothers, a widowed father, and 2 uncles in the mafia. They are all close, they are family and family supports and loves one another.
I love this author’s storytelling. I will tell you that the story is visual, emotional, eye opening, heartwarming and so very engaging. I felt as if I was part of the Pagano family and couldn’t get enough. As with every large and more so with an Italian-American family, the dynamics are intricate and intriguing and the Pagano Family sucked me in...... Hook, Line and Sinker!!
I don’t feel the need to recap the story, the blurb sets the story up perfectly. Carlo and Sabina journey is one for the heart. It’s not easy because of the circumstances but it allows the relationship to grow at the speed it needs too. Carlo’s son, Trey, is an adorable 4 yr. old, a scene stealer and brings the entire family that much closer. And when Trey gives Sabina a nickname, it melted my heart. I loved this story and can’t wait to continue my journey with each and every Pagano. Onward to Luca🙌🏻
I love when a book gets you invested in an entire family. Footsteps is about Carlo Pagano Jr. and the unlikely married woman, Sabina Aubergon, that comes into his life. He’s a single father, has 2 grown sisters and 3 brothers, a widowed father, and 2 uncles in the mafia. They are all close, they are family and family supports and loves one another.
I love this author’s storytelling. I will tell you that the story is visual, emotional, eye opening, heartwarming and so very engaging. I felt as if I was part of the Pagano family and couldn’t get enough. As with every large and more so with an Italian-American family, the dynamics are intricate and intriguing and the Pagano Family sucked me in...... Hook, Line and Sinker!!
I don’t feel the need to recap the story, the blurb sets the story up perfectly. Carlo and Sabina journey is one for the heart. It’s not easy because of the circumstances but it allows the relationship to grow at the speed it needs too. Carlo’s son, Trey, is an adorable 4 yr. old, a scene stealer and brings the entire family that much closer. And when Trey gives Sabina a nickname, it melted my heart. I loved this story and can’t wait to continue my journey with each and every Pagano. Onward to Luca🙌🏻
January 15, 2016
Susan Fanetti did an amazing job with Footsteps. The approach and opening are mild and soft spoken compared to Signal Bend and the Night Horde SoCal. As the characters developed so did my emotions with them. Surrounded by a large family and united by a cause, this series will prove to be interesting. Happy reading!
February 8, 2015
Every once in a while a reader connects with an author's work in a way that leaves a lasting imprint. Such is the way I feel about Susan Fanetti's writing. When reading a Fanetti work, I become completely invested in the story. I can clearly visualize the setting, feel the emotions of the characters, and empathize with their situations. Although nothing can match the love I have for the Signal Bend series, Pagano Family is one series that I simply must explore!
The series begins with Footsteps. We meet a beautiful Italian family who loves each other deeply. And yet, they aren't your typical New England family. They are also mafia.
Carlo is the eldest of the six children. He is an architect and has a three year old boy named Trey. Carlo loves his son. He loves his family. He is also balancing work and being a single father. His ex wife left him and their sweet boy to start a new life with another man. Carlo has managed to make a way with his boy and family. While out one night attending a function for work, he bumps into Bina.
Bina is what we would call a stepford wife. Doing everything right. She must be perfect in order to please her husband. Bina is living in hell. Carlo observes her abuse first hand and tries to intervene.
Then Auberon yanked Sabina forward, away from the cab, and she fell to her knees on the curb. She cried out when her knees hit, and before Carlo had another thought, he was striding toward them. “Is there a problem here?”
"She’d fallen in love with and married the kind eyes. She lived with the terrifying."
Of course, Bina is terrified that Carlo would put himself in danger over her. She has been brutalized and caged like an animal in a loveless marriage. Bina's husband sends her away to their beach house. She quickly discovers that he has planned to off her. Bina has decided to accept her fate and make the best of her last days on earth.
"Please don’t let him kill me until the end of the week. Please give me this bit of enjoyment in this life."
Of course the one place her husband has banished her to is where Carlo and the Pagano family live. Bina meets Carlo on the beach and is moved by his kindness and tenderness. The attraction is instant. Although this might bother some readers, I found it to be very believable. A woman living in such hell would obviously be drawn to the kind eyes of a protective stranger. A broken man who has been abandoned by his wife would be drawn to a beautiful woman in need of rescue.
Bina confides in Carlo. Carlo vows to protect Bina and help her escape her husband. While the attraction is growing, we see the family dynamics of the Pagano family. They are passionate about life and taking care of each other. Bina and Carlo begin to fall for each other.
"In her entire adult life, she had never been touched by a man so tenderly, and with no purpose but to give her balm."
Although the attraction is intense, Carlo knows he needs to take things slow. He asks for help from his Uncles. They are powerful men and are willing to assist Carlo and Bina. Meanwhile, the connection between the two is growing. (Warning......off the chart sexual tension!!!)
“I know. Not yet . We can’t yet. But Bina, I want you. God, I can barely think of anything else.”
As the "family" takes care of Bina's little problem, other problems are on the horizon. Carlo's past comes back to haunt him. The family faces inner turmoil.
Overall, Footsteps was a great start to the series. It lays the foundation of the who is who and what is what. Regarding the 4 star rating- there were moments after Carlo and Bina came together that did not make me happy. I felt like Carlo made some very poor choices. I found it to be mind boggling that he fought so hard to win Bina over and then acted like a donkey's you know what. I don't think I need to elaborate. If you read the story, I am sure you will identify the situations I am referring to. At the end of the day, I like my heroes to be be tender AND take charge. (Possibly a meeting between Isaac and Carlo in Signal Bend would have helped him put things in perspective!) Bina's character was very likable. Despite her history of abuse, she is strong. And I just cannot say enough about Trey. What an adorable boy!
“Uncle Joey told Pop-Pop you didn’t come home because you went to chase some tail. Did you catch it?”
Despite the decline of Carlo's choices, I still found this to be a very enjoyable read. I will definitely check out the next one of the series.
“If you care, you stay with the other people who do. Even if it hurts. That’s family.”
The series begins with Footsteps. We meet a beautiful Italian family who loves each other deeply. And yet, they aren't your typical New England family. They are also mafia.
Carlo is the eldest of the six children. He is an architect and has a three year old boy named Trey. Carlo loves his son. He loves his family. He is also balancing work and being a single father. His ex wife left him and their sweet boy to start a new life with another man. Carlo has managed to make a way with his boy and family. While out one night attending a function for work, he bumps into Bina.
Bina is what we would call a stepford wife. Doing everything right. She must be perfect in order to please her husband. Bina is living in hell. Carlo observes her abuse first hand and tries to intervene.
Then Auberon yanked Sabina forward, away from the cab, and she fell to her knees on the curb. She cried out when her knees hit, and before Carlo had another thought, he was striding toward them. “Is there a problem here?”
"She’d fallen in love with and married the kind eyes. She lived with the terrifying."
Of course, Bina is terrified that Carlo would put himself in danger over her. She has been brutalized and caged like an animal in a loveless marriage. Bina's husband sends her away to their beach house. She quickly discovers that he has planned to off her. Bina has decided to accept her fate and make the best of her last days on earth.
"Please don’t let him kill me until the end of the week. Please give me this bit of enjoyment in this life."
Of course the one place her husband has banished her to is where Carlo and the Pagano family live. Bina meets Carlo on the beach and is moved by his kindness and tenderness. The attraction is instant. Although this might bother some readers, I found it to be very believable. A woman living in such hell would obviously be drawn to the kind eyes of a protective stranger. A broken man who has been abandoned by his wife would be drawn to a beautiful woman in need of rescue.
Bina confides in Carlo. Carlo vows to protect Bina and help her escape her husband. While the attraction is growing, we see the family dynamics of the Pagano family. They are passionate about life and taking care of each other. Bina and Carlo begin to fall for each other.
"In her entire adult life, she had never been touched by a man so tenderly, and with no purpose but to give her balm."
Although the attraction is intense, Carlo knows he needs to take things slow. He asks for help from his Uncles. They are powerful men and are willing to assist Carlo and Bina. Meanwhile, the connection between the two is growing. (Warning......off the chart sexual tension!!!)
“I know. Not yet . We can’t yet. But Bina, I want you. God, I can barely think of anything else.”
As the "family" takes care of Bina's little problem, other problems are on the horizon. Carlo's past comes back to haunt him. The family faces inner turmoil.
Overall, Footsteps was a great start to the series. It lays the foundation of the who is who and what is what. Regarding the 4 star rating- there were moments after Carlo and Bina came together that did not make me happy. I felt like Carlo made some very poor choices. I found it to be mind boggling that he fought so hard to win Bina over and then acted like a donkey's you know what. I don't think I need to elaborate. If you read the story, I am sure you will identify the situations I am referring to. At the end of the day, I like my heroes to be be tender AND take charge. (Possibly a meeting between Isaac and Carlo in Signal Bend would have helped him put things in perspective!) Bina's character was very likable. Despite her history of abuse, she is strong. And I just cannot say enough about Trey. What an adorable boy!
“Uncle Joey told Pop-Pop you didn’t come home because you went to chase some tail. Did you catch it?”
Despite the decline of Carlo's choices, I still found this to be a very enjoyable read. I will definitely check out the next one of the series.
“If you care, you stay with the other people who do. Even if it hurts. That’s family.”
June 18, 2015
5 Shark Chompin' Stars!
❤️Simply put, I LOVED IT❤️ Susan Fanetti has caused me to add two new shelves to my bookshelf: favorite author's and older MC's. In the day and age of New Adult Romance's, I was completely thrilled to read a book about older characters. To say I am a "FAN-etti girl" would be an understatement. I adore this author's writing style. She is an engaging and intriguing writer. She immerses you in the story. She had me an emotional wreck and on the edge of my seat with suspense.
Sabina Alonzo-Auberon, was married young to a man (James Auberon) with a dark side. A man who exercised control and power over everything and everyone in his path. Including and most exclusively and repulsively, against his wife, Bina. She didn't have any family or friends to free her from his wicked hold and felt lost and many times hopeless - but not helpless. She had amazing strength and determination.
Carlos Fanetti, a recently divorced single father of the MOST AMAZING CHILD CHARACTER I HAVE EVER READ - Trey! Carlos was trying to make ends meet as he got his business off the ground. In doing so, this put him at odds with his father, because as the oldest son in the Fanetti brood, it was his responsibility to take over the family business. But Carlos loved being an architect. And he knew the construction business would not make him happy.
The two meet (the second time) on the beach of his family home during a family get together. After spending time with each other, a relationship develops and it doesn't take long for Carlos to see that Sabina is need of help. James Auberon is a powerful man, but so are the Fanetti's and if anyone can help her break free of him, it would be his family.
Another thing I loved so much about this book, is how Ms. Fanetti dealt with the "instant-attraction" between Carlos and Sabina. Knowing Sabina's history with her husband and her need for independence, she was allowed to discover who she was and work on becoming whole. Susan Fanetti didn't allow Carlos to be a rebound. And that, was awesome!
I have to touch on my favorite character - TREY! Ya, for me this 3-year-old, turned 4, stole.the.show! What an amazing character! Superbly written, Fanetti brought him to life. She didn't minimize, trivialize or throw this character in for good measure. He was a real character with a charming personality. He has so many great quotes like this:
and this:
And, finally, there will be more books in this series, and gratefully, the next book will be about my other favorite character, Lucas. Touch, The Pagano Family, Book Two by Susan Fanetti.
Lucas-
❤️Simply put, I LOVED IT❤️ Susan Fanetti has caused me to add two new shelves to my bookshelf: favorite author's and older MC's. In the day and age of New Adult Romance's, I was completely thrilled to read a book about older characters. To say I am a "FAN-etti girl" would be an understatement. I adore this author's writing style. She is an engaging and intriguing writer. She immerses you in the story. She had me an emotional wreck and on the edge of my seat with suspense.
Sabina Alonzo-Auberon, was married young to a man (James Auberon) with a dark side. A man who exercised control and power over everything and everyone in his path. Including and most exclusively and repulsively, against his wife, Bina. She didn't have any family or friends to free her from his wicked hold and felt lost and many times hopeless - but not helpless. She had amazing strength and determination.
Carlos Fanetti, a recently divorced single father of the MOST AMAZING CHILD CHARACTER I HAVE EVER READ - Trey! Carlos was trying to make ends meet as he got his business off the ground. In doing so, this put him at odds with his father, because as the oldest son in the Fanetti brood, it was his responsibility to take over the family business. But Carlos loved being an architect. And he knew the construction business would not make him happy.
The two meet (the second time) on the beach of his family home during a family get together. After spending time with each other, a relationship develops and it doesn't take long for Carlos to see that Sabina is need of help. James Auberon is a powerful man, but so are the Fanetti's and if anyone can help her break free of him, it would be his family.
"You are a wonderful, wonderful man, Carlo Pagano Jr. You are my hero."
He surprised her by flinching at that. "No, Bina. No. I'm not. You're your own hero. I don't want to be that. I just want to be a man who loves you."
Another thing I loved so much about this book, is how Ms. Fanetti dealt with the "instant-attraction" between Carlos and Sabina. Knowing Sabina's history with her husband and her need for independence, she was allowed to discover who she was and work on becoming whole. Susan Fanetti didn't allow Carlos to be a rebound. And that, was awesome!
"But I want to be clear. I would like very much to be with you. You say you want to be strong, to have what you want with me. I'll give you the time and space you want. But I want you to know that I'm here. When you're ready."
I have to touch on my favorite character - TREY! Ya, for me this 3-year-old, turned 4, stole.the.show! What an amazing character! Superbly written, Fanetti brought him to life. She didn't minimize, trivialize or throw this character in for good measure. He was a real character with a charming personality. He has so many great quotes like this:
"...she smells good and we went to the 'quarium and she plays cars and makes car sounds." He stopped and considered. "They're not good sounds, but I'm showing her to be better."
and this:
Trey poked again and broke the yolk. Yellow oozed over his plate, and Trey looked up at them with a grin. "My egg is peeing!"
And, finally, there will be more books in this series, and gratefully, the next book will be about my other favorite character, Lucas. Touch, The Pagano Family, Book Two by Susan Fanetti.
Lucas-
"Well, this here is Carlo somebody or other, and I'd say it was my Hummer parked over there, but you must mean somebody else. Cuz my d*ck ain't that tiny, sugar."
January 26, 2015
3.5 stars
Oh my bad. I thought this series is about a mafia family. Guess I'm wrong. The only mafia connection we have is the hero's uncle is the mafia Don. This book resemble Kristin Higgin's Blue Heron series due to the emphasize of a big family tree and a sweet romance.
Carlo Pagano Jr. is the eldest sibling of the Italian-American family. He is a single dad and also one of the good guy. When he saw Savannah being treated badly by her famous philanthropist of a husband, James Auberon, he decided to step in to help the poor woman.
Savannah is trapped in a horrible marriage with the abusive James Auberon for fifteen years. Never had she thought she will have a chance to free herself from his sadistic clutch, but when she came across Carlo Pagano, she dare to hope for a taste of freedom.
Footsteps had a perfect recipe for a great suspense or something dark. James is one sadistic bastard, but his treatment to Savannah was not describe in graphic detail. For those who had a delicate sensibility to abuse, do not sweat. Not only that, we also had a dose of deranged ex-wife appearance. Bullets flying and all that.
My main problem is that all these conflicts mentioned above was resolved too easily and I felt totally anti-climatic about it. I felt that Susan Fanetti totally wasted this opportunity for a great psychological thriller. We should have more of the villain wreaking havoc to Carlo's life.
My favorite part of the book is the Pagano's family. I think I'm a little in love with bad boy, Luca. Who can resist this fine specimen. He had a rebellious streak, but you know deep down he is a good guy. I wish we can have more about Uncle Ben and Uncle Lorrie's family story. What can I say, I had a thing for mafiya and violence.
If you went into this for a feel good romance with a side of boisterous family, I'm sure you won't be disappointed like I do. I'm heading over to read Luca's book next.
Oh my bad. I thought this series is about a mafia family. Guess I'm wrong. The only mafia connection we have is the hero's uncle is the mafia Don. This book resemble Kristin Higgin's Blue Heron series due to the emphasize of a big family tree and a sweet romance.
Carlo Pagano Jr. is the eldest sibling of the Italian-American family. He is a single dad and also one of the good guy. When he saw Savannah being treated badly by her famous philanthropist of a husband, James Auberon, he decided to step in to help the poor woman.
Savannah is trapped in a horrible marriage with the abusive James Auberon for fifteen years. Never had she thought she will have a chance to free herself from his sadistic clutch, but when she came across Carlo Pagano, she dare to hope for a taste of freedom.
Footsteps had a perfect recipe for a great suspense or something dark. James is one sadistic bastard, but his treatment to Savannah was not describe in graphic detail. For those who had a delicate sensibility to abuse, do not sweat. Not only that, we also had a dose of deranged ex-wife appearance. Bullets flying and all that.
My main problem is that all these conflicts mentioned above was resolved too easily and I felt totally anti-climatic about it. I felt that Susan Fanetti totally wasted this opportunity for a great psychological thriller. We should have more of the villain wreaking havoc to Carlo's life.
My favorite part of the book is the Pagano's family. I think I'm a little in love with bad boy, Luca. Who can resist this fine specimen. He had a rebellious streak, but you know deep down he is a good guy. I wish we can have more about Uncle Ben and Uncle Lorrie's family story. What can I say, I had a thing for mafiya and violence.
If you went into this for a feel good romance with a side of boisterous family, I'm sure you won't be disappointed like I do. I'm heading over to read Luca's book next.
May 9, 2017
It's been almost 3 weeks since I've read this and I can't for the life of me write a review.
All I can say is that this story .... this entire series is PURE GOLD!!!
It's smart, it's real, it's mature, and simply, it's beautiful!!!
Thank you Susan for creating this unforgettable family ..... I wonder if they're looking to adopt ;D
All I can say is that this story .... this entire series is PURE GOLD!!!
It's smart, it's real, it's mature, and simply, it's beautiful!!!
Thank you Susan for creating this unforgettable family ..... I wonder if they're looking to adopt ;D
August 21, 2014
2 Sharks STARS
Review to come...
Review to come...
August 18, 2014
***DNF at 45%***
So disappointed. Review to follow.....
So disappointed. Review to follow.....
August 21, 2014
Carlo Jr is the oldest son and part of the Pagano family. His uncles are respected Mafia and his father owns a successful construction company. He would like Carlo to eventually take over. But Carlo wants to make it on his own. He's not interested in working for his father nor does he want any involvement with his uncles businesses.
His only aim is to provide for his young son, who he has been left to bring up after his wife disappears.
Now Carlo is more comfortable in jeans and boots than a tuxedo so when he has to attend a gala with his business partner he just wants to escape.
But a chance encounter with the beautiful Sabina may change his life forever...
Sabina is in a loveless marriage to James Auberon. A cruel, controlling man. A man that gets off on pain, a man that is well known and respected.
Alone and with no way of escape she endures the terrible things he does.
Carlo witnesses one of those incidents and intervenes but has he made things worse or is it enough to save her?
My thoughts
Are in 2 Parts...
The first half of this story was on its way to being a 5 Star read for me. Exciting, suspenseful and chilling at the same time.
I totally understood why Sabina found it so hard to escape from this trapped marriage. I felt her fear and acceptance to the situation.
But I wanted her to run!!!
Carlo tries to be the hero and is determined to help her at any cost.
The cost may be a huge price to pay with his family but one he is willing to do.
James Auberon OMG this man was scary he brought chills to the story.
I did have an issue with the middle and last part of the story, It kind of fell short for me.
There was dark and sweetness but I didn't feel it fitted together in a way it should of.
Then Carlo did something towards the end that I just couldn't understand.
I still enjoyed the story as a whole but my rating reflects the second part of the story...
4 Stars
Its the first time I've read anything by this author and I know I will reading more as I found her style of writing exciting.
May 15, 2016
4.5 stars!!
Well it would appear that Susan Fanetti can do no wrong in my eyes! I've been meaning to check out this series especially since it takes on some mafia family business and I'm so happy that it turned out to be everything I expected. This author is truly versatile and has some of the best writing I've read in a while.
I love the new family and relationships the author introduces us to with this opening book and I'm really excited to see what's in store next for this big Italian family. If you haven't read anything by this author you need to rectify that asap because you are truly missing out! <3
Well it would appear that Susan Fanetti can do no wrong in my eyes! I've been meaning to check out this series especially since it takes on some mafia family business and I'm so happy that it turned out to be everything I expected. This author is truly versatile and has some of the best writing I've read in a while.
I love the new family and relationships the author introduces us to with this opening book and I'm really excited to see what's in store next for this big Italian family. If you haven't read anything by this author you need to rectify that asap because you are truly missing out! <3
September 3, 2014
4.5 "Blood is Thicker Than Water" Stars
After reading so many fast-paced, over-the-top romances, Footsteps was a refreshing change of pace. I fell in love with these characters and this story almost immediately. There were just so many things I adored about this reading experience.
**Disclaimer: I do not need to have my mind blown by a plot. I have always maintained that two strangers stuck in an elevator is a much more intriguing scenario than, say, snakes on a plane. But I get that others want a high-octane read. If we differ on this point, then please read this review with that in mind.
Carlo Pagano, Jr. is the rare hero who conducts himself like a man but isn't an in-your-face, dick-swinging, ass-slapping cocky Alpha. (Well, maybe he slaps asses, but he's a gentleman, so he doesn't tell.) His particular brand of deliciousness comes from intelligence, confidence, and tightly woven moral fiber. He's surrounded by three generations of famiglia - not all of whom are on the up-and-up - and the way he navigates the dichotomous Pagano clan is impressive. I spent most of the book wondering where they grow these hot Italian boys, because my grandmother (God rest her soul) would be pissed that I missed out on that. (A good Catholic boy, too. Sorry, Grandma.)
I give Susan Fanetti props for creating a strong hero who knows how to be a gentleman, a grounded heroine who doesn't rely on her looks to ensnare a man, a riotous Italian family that rings true, and supporting characters with real purpose. I also felt the violence and criminal element of this story was just right - not overdone, not sensationalized, and true to the characters involved. (Often times when we get to the action bits of romances I'm left wondering who called in the stunt doubles, because the characters I fell in love with are suddenly gone.)
If you enjoy your romances a little less whiplash-inducing and don't need an Alpha who will degrade your spirit before fucking you senseless on a countertop, this is your book. And don't worry, Carlo Pagano may be a gentleman, but he definitely knows how to show a woman a good time.
After reading so many fast-paced, over-the-top romances, Footsteps was a refreshing change of pace. I fell in love with these characters and this story almost immediately. There were just so many things I adored about this reading experience.
**Disclaimer: I do not need to have my mind blown by a plot. I have always maintained that two strangers stuck in an elevator is a much more intriguing scenario than, say, snakes on a plane. But I get that others want a high-octane read. If we differ on this point, then please read this review with that in mind.
Carlo Pagano, Jr. is the rare hero who conducts himself like a man but isn't an in-your-face, dick-swinging, ass-slapping cocky Alpha. (Well, maybe he slaps asses, but he's a gentleman, so he doesn't tell.) His particular brand of deliciousness comes from intelligence, confidence, and tightly woven moral fiber. He's surrounded by three generations of famiglia - not all of whom are on the up-and-up - and the way he navigates the dichotomous Pagano clan is impressive. I spent most of the book wondering where they grow these hot Italian boys, because my grandmother (God rest her soul) would be pissed that I missed out on that. (A good Catholic boy, too. Sorry, Grandma.)
I give Susan Fanetti props for creating a strong hero who knows how to be a gentleman, a grounded heroine who doesn't rely on her looks to ensnare a man, a riotous Italian family that rings true, and supporting characters with real purpose. I also felt the violence and criminal element of this story was just right - not overdone, not sensationalized, and true to the characters involved. (Often times when we get to the action bits of romances I'm left wondering who called in the stunt doubles, because the characters I fell in love with are suddenly gone.)
If you enjoy your romances a little less whiplash-inducing and don't need an Alpha who will degrade your spirit before fucking you senseless on a countertop, this is your book. And don't worry, Carlo Pagano may be a gentleman, but he definitely knows how to show a woman a good time.
September 6, 2014
Susan Fanetti is an excellent story teller. She pulls you into the story so naturally. She's not into the shock value but rather the story. She pulls on your heartstrings in a beautiful way, you become vested in the story, the characters and you find yourself tearing up at the simplest of things.
So the premise:
Carlo is a single dad whose wife left him and his adorable son Trey (seriously if you don't love this kid something is wrong with you!! ) lol
Bina is a beautiful woman in a very abusive relationship to a very important man.
Carlo and Bina meet after he witnesses an altercation with her husband. They meet again at his family's beach house. He is instantly intrigued with her, she's beautiful, determined and yet reserved. Then he sees her injuries and his hero side comes out. After getting to know her better he wants to save her, free her. The only way he knows is to go to his uncles who are in the Mafia. But anyone knows if you ask for help you will owe. How much will he have to pay back? Is she worth it? Will this compromise his beliefs??
How much would you risk for someone you just met, even of every fiber in your being is screaming yes help!! This is a beautiful love story of family , loyalty and friendship!!
5***** amazing stars!!
So the premise:
Carlo is a single dad whose wife left him and his adorable son Trey (seriously if you don't love this kid something is wrong with you!! ) lol
Bina is a beautiful woman in a very abusive relationship to a very important man.
Carlo and Bina meet after he witnesses an altercation with her husband. They meet again at his family's beach house. He is instantly intrigued with her, she's beautiful, determined and yet reserved. Then he sees her injuries and his hero side comes out. After getting to know her better he wants to save her, free her. The only way he knows is to go to his uncles who are in the Mafia. But anyone knows if you ask for help you will owe. How much will he have to pay back? Is she worth it? Will this compromise his beliefs??
How much would you risk for someone you just met, even of every fiber in your being is screaming yes help!! This is a beautiful love story of family , loyalty and friendship!!
5***** amazing stars!!
August 17, 2014
AWESOME...
Start to a new series! Awesome period! I really enjoy Ms. Fanetti's writing. It's fluid and seamless. From the first page you are hooked. This story was heartbreaking and unique. It was also a beautiful love story with a lot of passion! I love her heroines they are vulnerable but always fighting to overcome it. Her Hero's are possessive and loving. The way she tells the story, leaves nothing out. Questions are answered and when it's over you feel complete.
Bina and Carlo (Trey too) will make you believe something good always follows the bad. Family is worth all the trouble! This family is large and full of trouble but I loved them all...more stories, yeah!
My only complaint, which really doesn't take away from the story...the language seemed like a lesson in vocabulary. I'm just a fan of keep it simple. We know your smart SF, your stories show the intellect. Please don't abuse us with the stuffy verbiage
Start to a new series! Awesome period! I really enjoy Ms. Fanetti's writing. It's fluid and seamless. From the first page you are hooked. This story was heartbreaking and unique. It was also a beautiful love story with a lot of passion! I love her heroines they are vulnerable but always fighting to overcome it. Her Hero's are possessive and loving. The way she tells the story, leaves nothing out. Questions are answered and when it's over you feel complete.
Bina and Carlo (Trey too) will make you believe something good always follows the bad. Family is worth all the trouble! This family is large and full of trouble but I loved them all...more stories, yeah!
My only complaint, which really doesn't take away from the story...the language seemed like a lesson in vocabulary. I'm just a fan of keep it simple. We know your smart SF, your stories show the intellect. Please don't abuse us with the stuffy verbiage
August 4, 2016
I am so excited to start a new series by Susan Fanetti. I know I am going to get a well written story, with some heartbreaking situations. I know that she will not take me down the easiest path and I'm ok with that. I'm excited about this series because I can't wait to see how the saga ends. Carlo and Sabina are going to be a tough act to follow and I can't wait to see what happens to the other members of the Pagano family.
July 17, 2018
3.5 stars for being, IMHO, a little over the top at times
October 30, 2022
5 years ago I bought all 6 books of this series - which is actually very odd for me to do....I just rarely go all in on a new to me author! I have heard great things about this author, I think she has a few big series' and I was drawn in particular to this one. I love a good large family saga AND add in a mob - I guess that is what sold me! Finally getting around to starting with book 1 ~ Footsteps.
I enjoyed the story, I will round up to 3.5 stars because overall I liked it. It was part romance, part contemporary thriller and I will say ~ I enjoyed the drama and action side more than the romance! Carlo and Sabina had a connection - but throughout the book I never felt real chemistry. Book 1 was a good intro to all the family members so hopefully it just goes deeper and gets better with each book! It took me 2 weeks to read this book. I have plenty of time to read.....I wasn't racing to pick it up and it was very easy to put down. It did have the feel of an older romance, it is also the lowest rated book of the series - So I'm going to crack open book 2 and hope it really grabs me!!
I enjoyed the story, I will round up to 3.5 stars because overall I liked it. It was part romance, part contemporary thriller and I will say ~ I enjoyed the drama and action side more than the romance! Carlo and Sabina had a connection - but throughout the book I never felt real chemistry. Book 1 was a good intro to all the family members so hopefully it just goes deeper and gets better with each book! It took me 2 weeks to read this book. I have plenty of time to read.....I wasn't racing to pick it up and it was very easy to put down. It did have the feel of an older romance, it is also the lowest rated book of the series - So I'm going to crack open book 2 and hope it really grabs me!!
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July 16, 2019
July 2019 -- 4.5 Stars
November 21, 2015
☆☆☆☆☆ 5 ☆☆☆☆☆
Sabina, wow. She was, without a doubt, my #1 in this story, she was a joy to read (especially when making breakfast), and that accent was just the icing on the cake.
Sabina is married to James Auberon, cutthroat bussinessman who she met at the department store where she worked at the time. They met, fell in love and where married after four months of courtship. She admits that there had been signs, which she understood later, about who James really was.
And now, Fifteen years later, she finds herself trapped in a toxic marriage with James, who finds the degradation of his wife his top priority.
Enter Carlo Pagano Jr. The eldest of the Pagano siblings, Architect and single dad.
We meet him at the start of the book, in a tuxedo, which he hates. Having to network at an event dedicated to high-powered developer/business man, James Auberon.
Carlo meets Sabina for the first time as they both collide into one another in the hallway at said event, and thinks nothing much of it. As he leaves he notices James & Sabina standing at a taxi, James has his wife's arms in a death grip, arguing, but too quietly to be heard. As she struggles to get loose she falls on the curb and hits her knees, Carlo without thought, heads straight to the couple...Big mistake.
His interference causes so much more trouble than he thought it would.
Things spiral out of control after the event. A Chance encounter with Sabina at Quiet Cove soon turns into more. He can't turn his back on the abuse she suffers, and it soon turns out to be a rescue mission of sorts.
But James is a wealthy, powerful man.
Carlos has family, and family is everything to the Pagano's. Bring in the uncle's.
Men who hurt women had a special place in Ben Pagano's hell.
Add an ex-wife, a troubled younger brother and this soon becomes a jam packed story full off anguish and abuse.
It does however have the cutest little kid you'll ever meet in it. Little Trey, with his passion for sharks, what a kid.
I will say that this was a great start to what I can only assume will be an outstanding series. Luca is up next.
Sabina, wow. She was, without a doubt, my #1 in this story, she was a joy to read (especially when making breakfast), and that accent was just the icing on the cake.
Sabina is married to James Auberon, cutthroat bussinessman who she met at the department store where she worked at the time. They met, fell in love and where married after four months of courtship. She admits that there had been signs, which she understood later, about who James really was.
And now, Fifteen years later, she finds herself trapped in a toxic marriage with James, who finds the degradation of his wife his top priority.
Enter Carlo Pagano Jr. The eldest of the Pagano siblings, Architect and single dad.
We meet him at the start of the book, in a tuxedo, which he hates. Having to network at an event dedicated to high-powered developer/business man, James Auberon.
Carlo meets Sabina for the first time as they both collide into one another in the hallway at said event, and thinks nothing much of it. As he leaves he notices James & Sabina standing at a taxi, James has his wife's arms in a death grip, arguing, but too quietly to be heard. As she struggles to get loose she falls on the curb and hits her knees, Carlo without thought, heads straight to the couple...Big mistake.
His interference causes so much more trouble than he thought it would.
Things spiral out of control after the event. A Chance encounter with Sabina at Quiet Cove soon turns into more. He can't turn his back on the abuse she suffers, and it soon turns out to be a rescue mission of sorts.
But James is a wealthy, powerful man.
Carlos has family, and family is everything to the Pagano's. Bring in the uncle's.
Men who hurt women had a special place in Ben Pagano's hell.
Add an ex-wife, a troubled younger brother and this soon becomes a jam packed story full off anguish and abuse.
It does however have the cutest little kid you'll ever meet in it. Little Trey, with his passion for sharks, what a kid.
I will say that this was a great start to what I can only assume will be an outstanding series. Luca is up next.
August 17, 2014
Susan Fanetti is a friend and a fellow member of the Freak Circle Press.
I LOVED this book, simply since it was so much in it to love. Both plot wise and the characters. I even loved the dog.
First off: This is a perfect first book in a series, because no matter who in the family that was introduced, my reaction was, ‘Oh! I wanna know more about him/her!’ I want to know everything about this family, and I already love them all. I’m looking forward to the rest, but feel more than satisfied with this start, if that makes sense.
I always enjoy Susan Fanetti’s plots, and I’m never bored while I’m reading, and this book was no exception. But what always gets to me are her strong, *true* characters. They’re always human and believable, and it’s not just the main characters, far from it--but those are still the focus in this review.
Like Carlo, it’s impossible to not feel strongly for a father as devoted as Carlo. And Trey! Oh my. Wonderful kid, which is another testament of what a wonderful father Carlo is. It’s also wonderful how hard he is trying to do the right thing. Both with regards to his family, his son, and for Bina, too. It doesn’t always work out as he has planned, and he makes mistakes, but his intentions are always good.
And Bina. Wow! Such a remarkably strong woman despite the situation she’s endured for years! She was sprained, but not broken--not even close--and I did like how when she find something worth fighting for, she really did. At the same time, she wouldn’t let being Carlo’s be her only goal. It truly felt from the start as if her goal was to be fulfilled in herself--a whole person—and I truly loved that. The abused women who leaves one man and uses another as a crutch never really appealed to me. She had support, absolutely, but she was her own woman. And she’s not only strong, she’s got so much love, too. Somehow it made her perfect for Carlo, it felt like what he truly needed was a woman with that capability to love.
I LOVED this book, simply since it was so much in it to love. Both plot wise and the characters. I even loved the dog.
First off: This is a perfect first book in a series, because no matter who in the family that was introduced, my reaction was, ‘Oh! I wanna know more about him/her!’ I want to know everything about this family, and I already love them all. I’m looking forward to the rest, but feel more than satisfied with this start, if that makes sense.
I always enjoy Susan Fanetti’s plots, and I’m never bored while I’m reading, and this book was no exception. But what always gets to me are her strong, *true* characters. They’re always human and believable, and it’s not just the main characters, far from it--but those are still the focus in this review.
Like Carlo, it’s impossible to not feel strongly for a father as devoted as Carlo. And Trey! Oh my. Wonderful kid, which is another testament of what a wonderful father Carlo is. It’s also wonderful how hard he is trying to do the right thing. Both with regards to his family, his son, and for Bina, too. It doesn’t always work out as he has planned, and he makes mistakes, but his intentions are always good.
And Bina. Wow! Such a remarkably strong woman despite the situation she’s endured for years! She was sprained, but not broken--not even close--and I did like how when she find something worth fighting for, she really did. At the same time, she wouldn’t let being Carlo’s be her only goal. It truly felt from the start as if her goal was to be fulfilled in herself--a whole person—and I truly loved that. The abused women who leaves one man and uses another as a crutch never really appealed to me. She had support, absolutely, but she was her own woman. And she’s not only strong, she’s got so much love, too. Somehow it made her perfect for Carlo, it felt like what he truly needed was a woman with that capability to love.
August 21, 2014
SPOILERS:
Hxh = Carlo and Sabina
I enjoy the instant chemistry & insta lust idea. However, this one has the insta love theme as well.
I'd have preferred a deep, worthy connection and a long lasting relationship for this broken heroine because she's endured unspeakable atrocities at the hands of her husband and she could do with a deserving hero.
The scenario:
His son was kidnapped while in her care (not her fault) and the hero is understandably angry and very, very, VERY upset. Devastated. Any parent would want to DIE if this happened to them. If this was a real life situation I would totally get why he reacted the way he did but I’ve been taught that not even in THIS instance is it okay for a man to hurt an innocent woman.
Instead, this is what he does to the woman he insta-loves. A woman who has endured 15 years of torture, yet is willing to take a chance with him:
EXCERPTS:
His hands got around her arms….....
Suddenly all but deaf and blind with rage, he had a vague sense of her having become somehow blurry, and then Luca and John were dragging him across the room. His vision cleared some. Bina (the heroine) was on the floor. Carmen was helping her up……….
He’d shaken her so hard that her brain had seemed to bounce in her skull and her neck shrieked with pain. When Luca freed her, and he and John hauled Carlo back, Sabina couldn’t keep her feet. Dizzy, sick, and distraught, she crumpled to the floor.
END OF EXCERPTS.
The hero should have walked away.
A real man WALKS. AWAY.
If this incident occurred somewhere near the start of the book or even halfway through, I would've stopped reading. However, this happens at about 80% in.
I could have enjoyed these two because their attraction IS great but this is not the only time he minimizes her importance in his life and nothing he does after this endears him to me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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