The Santangelos

Lucky Santangelo #10

by Jackie Collins

Legendary mega-seller Jackie Collins chronicles passion and power in one of America's most glamorous families.

A vicious hit. A vengeful enemy. A drug addled Colombian club owner. A sex crazed Italian family. And the ever powerful Lucky Santangelo has to deal with them all, while Max-her teenage daughter is becoming The "It" girl in Europe's modeling world. And her Kennedyesque son, Bobby, is being set up for a murder he didn't commit. But Lucky can deal. Always strong and unpredictable with her husband, Lennie, by her side she lives up to the family motto-Never cross a Santangelo.

Lucky rules. The Santangelos always come out on top. An epic family saga filled with love, lust, revenge and passion.

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit, Romance, Mystery, Suspense, Audiobook, Family

544 pages, Hardcover

First published October 9, 2014

About the author

There have been many imitators, but only Jackie Collins can tell you what really goes on in the fastest lane of all. From Beverly Hills bedrooms to a raunchy prowl along the streets of Hollywood; from glittering rock parties and concerts to stretch limos and the mansions of power brokers-Jackie Collins chronicles the real truth from the inside looking out.

Jackie Collins has been called a "raunchy moralist" by the late director Louis Malle and "Hollywood's own Marcel Proust" by Vanity Fair magazine. With over 500 million copies of her books sold in more than forty countries, and with some 30 New York Times bestsellers to her credit, Jackie Collins is one of the world's top-selling novelists. She is known for giving her readers an unrivalled insider's knowledge of Hollywood and the glamorous lives and loves of the rich, famous, and infamous. "I write about real people in disguise," she says. "If anything, my characters are toned down-the truth is much more bizarre."

Jackie Collins died of breast cancer Saturday, September 19, 2015. Jackie Collins, who had kept her illness secret, said recently that she believed in an afterlife, that she had no regrets and that she had emulated Frank Sinatra in that “I did it my way.”

Visit Jackie's website: www.jackiecollins.com
Twitter:
www.twitter.com/JackieJCollins
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/jackiecollins and Pinterest:
www.pinterest.com/jackiejcollins

Reviews

[Aditi · Rating 5 out of 5]

“To seek greatness is the only righteous vengeance.”

----Criss Jami, an American author


Jackie Collins, world's top-selling novelist with over 30 New York Times best-sellers, pens her latest thriller from the Lucky Santangelo series, The Santangelos , where Jackie brings back her most notorious and edgy protagonist, Lucky back with a new game and new fame and with some new enemies. Although this book is a part of the Lucky series, yet it can be read as a standalone since it doesn't necessarily follow up the previous books.


Synopsis:

A vicious hit. A vengeful enemy. A drug addled Colombian club owner. A sex crazed Italian family. And the ever powerful Lucky Santangelo has to deal with them all, while Max-her teenage daughter is becoming The "It" girl in Europe's modeling world. And her Kennedyesque son, Bobby, is being set up for a murder he didn't commit. But Lucky can deal. Always strong and unpredictable with her husband, Lennie, by her side she lives up to the family motto-Never cross a Santangelo.

Lucky rules. The Santangelos always come out on top. An epic family saga filled with love, lust, revenge and passion.


Readers and reviewers have always been critical of Jackie's books since the begining of time, mostly because her stories are a raw mixture of all kinds of elements leading to a fast life- drugs, sex, blow job, revenge, fast cars, fast money, mansions, L.A, alcohol and murder, which leaves the reader with a bad hangover after the end of the book. Unlike those readers, I love to taste the very edge of a fast life with all those negative elements through her books, where Jackie is famous to re-create some of the famous and infamous characters of in and around Hollywood and from those from political strata, I like to say, Jackie re-create their lives, especially the scenes and the moves which we don't get to read about in TMZ, Entertainment, Popsugar, etc- the-behind-the-bedroom-door-drama. And mostly, I enjoy Jackie's lucid style of writing which draws me in like a drug. And I've managed to read few of her books in the past.

So let's talk about this book now,

Lucky Santangelo can't wish for anything more in her, a successful chain of hospitality multi-star hotels, a successful movie-maker husband, Lennie, a wanna-be model and who is currently trying her luck in London, Max, a son who is the owner of the most happening chains of night club in and around L.A., Bobby and her younger son, Gino Junior and not to mention, her ever-shining and ever-charming father who still managed live a life like a king, Gino. Behind this perfectly blissful life, there is someone out there who is trying to snatch away her happiness, and when Gino was left murdered, Lucky gets into action to find the killer and kill him, things get worse, when her beloved son, Bobby is arrested for a murder which he didn't commit. What will Lucky do? Who is trying to hurt her and her family?


The writing style of Jackie is very flawless and polished. From the very first stage, the mystery started getting thicker and thicker in the haze of high-profile drama and scandals. I'm forever intrigued by her style of narration, like she knows what the readers want to hear at the moment through her characters. The prose is very fast and it proves to be a quick read if you're looking for a no-fuss suspense-filled glamorous drama.

The characters too are very sophisticated and like Jackie says that they are real life people in disguise and it's very true. The characters are strongly developed and are masked with lots of flaws and faults and scandals which are taken right from the page of Hollywood and high-profile VIPs. Lucky is one of my favorite fictional characters, she can take you high and she can take you low whenever she wants, more like she is the one who is controlling the whole story. Lucky is sexy, generous, intelligent yet dangerous, edgy and powerful, which happens to be a vulnerable mix for others.

The mystery builds in right from the very first page, and with added drama and scandals, the author keeps us in the loop with the mystery running in the background. The author sidetracks the mystery by introducing a lot of crazy characters who makes the story more interesting and thrilling with their scandals and drugs. The best thing about Jackie's books is that her characters are sketched out with lots of depth and lots of back story to support their demeanor. The whole book is like taking a rolling down the streets of Vegas and L.A. in a hot-pink Benz where a rough cocktail of adrenaline, sweat and sleaze accompanies us, thus leaving us addicted to the storyline.

Verdict: A perfect book to be read in a weekend getaway and if you enjoy contemporary thriller, then grab a copy of this book now.


Courtesy: Thanks to Jackie Collin's publishers from St. Martins' Press, for providing me with an ARC of this book, in return for an honest review.

[Cherri · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am sure this will accidentally include spoilers so read at your own risk...

I have been a lover of Jackie Collins books since I was a teenager. My aunt, who was my best girlfriend, and I would trade them back and forth, dish about them at holiday dinners, hoard them to take camping with us so we could read while we laid outside in sunbathing. With that said, I cannot decide if I grew up or the books got worse. I will admit, I finished this quickly, the story lines (as Jackie weaves expertly together) keeping me curious to see what happened next. But, I spent much of my time yelling at the book, rolling my eyes, and swearing I would never read another.

Here are my main complaints. 1. I was worried when I picked the book up that would not remember all the books that came before. No need to worry, every time a character is mentioned you get the whole back story. Every. Single. Time. Don't remember that Lucky was married off as a teenager to a dullard by Gino because he could not control her? Don't worry. Every single time Gino is mentioned, this fact is brought up again. Every time Lucky thinks about Gino, this fact is brought up again. The previous books, and the plot lines of this book, are rehashed every single chapter. Over and over and over. 2. Bobby. He has a successful career opening hot night clubs all over the country. He travels. His success is amazing. Yet every single time his prosecuting attorney girlfriend has to go to work, he is enraged. How dare she! How dare she spend time at work? How dare she walk away from him as he needs her? She is just silly girl who is not trying to take down a cartel, she is just obsessed with a silly notion. Dumb girl. How dare she question him being in the hotel room of a call girl? She has no right! Misogyny anyone? 3. What I found to be so alluring about Lucky in my youth, impetuous! Headstrong! Free to do her own thing!-is now annoying to me. She does not care that her actions could hurt her family or even her and her parenting skills are, well, lacking. Max is missing? Well, she is probably manning the ring toss booth at a gypsy fair...why would I worry about her?

Okay, I am done. I found this book to be so frustrating. I wish I could figure out the solution to my above question. Did I grow up and out of this author or has her writing just lost some of its allure?

[Shemeika Stone · Rating 1 out of 5]

First and foremost, I want to say that I was sorry to hear about this author passing away. I've read several of her books and she will be missed by me and millions of her other fans. May Jackie Collins rest in peace!!

This book sucked. Every time a character spoke or was in the spotlight the reader is forced repeatedly to hear about their motives and background. My goodness, I know how to read. I can keep up. I didn't need to be reminded about Willow and her reasons for what she wanted, Alejandro and his motives, Pablo's motives, Lucky's motives, Max's motives, etc. If these unnecessary paragraphs were left out this book would have been 100 pages shorter. I'm not sure why Gino had to be killed and I don't know in which book she introduced this king and his son. The ending was rushed and as always, I could have passed on Max and her teenaged bullshit. Call your damned parents, if I recall correctly she had some problems with that in the past. The only reason she gets 2 stars is because I finished it. This is just a waste. Sorry.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, it's finally feeling like summer around here (it's been nearly 90 degrees for the past three days) and that means beach reading is on. (Well not at the beach for me, up on the apartment roof pool deck, but still.)

What is the perfect book to commence beach reading? Nothing beats Jackie Collins, and she has a new installment in her long running Lucky series, The Santangelos. I have been reading about Lucky Santangelo and her family, friends and enemies since Chances was published back in 1981.

Collins is an expert at creating a perfectly blended cocktail of sex, ambition, drugs, alcohol, mayhem and murder, and The Santangelos continues in her winning tradition. She manages to create several storylines that you know are going to intersect at some point and just explode, like cars on a collision course, but getting to that point keeps you turning the pages.

Lucky is still running her fabulous Vegas hotel, and still happily married to filmmaker husband Lennie. They are a great couple, who compliment each other's strengths and balance out each other's weaknesses.

Lucky is waiting for a visit from her beloved father Gino, who has moved to Palm Springs with his new wife. Lucky's son Bobby has just opened up another successful nightclub in Chicago, and 18 year-old daughter Max is in Europe partying and trying to get a modeling career going.

As usual, there are a few bad guys who want to cause problems for Lucky. A Middle Eastern king vows vengeance, holding Lucky responsible for his son's death, and when Bobby is framed for a murder and someone Lucky loves is gunned down, Lucky goes into fifth gear to find out who is targeting her family.

We see several characters pop up here from previous books- former child star Willow Price, mega movie star Billy who once loved young Max, Bobby's business partner M.J., and his girlfriend Assistant District Attorney Denver Jones- among others. I particularly enjoyed the funeral scene when many previous characters made cameo appearances.

You know what you are getting in Jackie Collins' Lucky books- lots of sex scenes, opulent homes, behind-the-scenes Hollywood stories, fabulous clothes, great parties, drugs, really bad guys, violence and loyalty- and that's what makes it so much fun.

Lucky is a terrific character, a strong-willed, ambitious, hard-working, smart woman who loves her family and friends and would do anything for them. And that's a good thing for her family and friends, because they seem to need her help a lot.

The Santangelos is a fabulous book to while away the days under the sun getting your Vitamin D. And even though it's 535 pages, you will tear through it quickly. The good news is that after you finish The Santangelos, you can start with Chances and read the entire Lucky Santangelo canon if you haven't already.

You don't need to have read any of the Lucky series to enjoy this one, Collins gives you enough information in this book that you aren't lost, but those who have read the Lucky books will get an extra level of enjoyment.

(Warning- there are graphic sex scenes in this book. If that is not you thing, don't read this one.)

Jackie Collins's website is here, and you can read an excerpt from The Santangelos there.

[Jo · Rating 1 out of 5]

I remember reading Lucky shortly after it was written and enjoying it. I did not enjoy the Santangelos. See Lucky drive a car fast. Lucky is a Santangelo. Lucky always gets revenge. Lucky does things her way. And on and on and on. There's quick sketches of all the characters and quick background explanations in case you haven't read previous books. It reminds me of Dick and Jane books when I learned to read. I disliked them, they were boring. So is this book. Thank you to goodreads for sending me an advance copy. I won't be signing up for any more Jackie Collins giveaways.

[Nick Stewart · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's hard to dislike Collins's brand of fast paced, foul mouthed, dirty minded melodrama.

[Book Addict Shaun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jackie Collins is my all-time favourite author, so to say I was excited about The Santangelos would be quite the understatement. I preordered a copy from the US and then received an early copy from Simon and Schuster which was a fantastic surprise. I can still remember the first time I picked up Chances, I completely lost myself in the world that Jackie had created. Chances is the book that started the whole Santangelo saga off, and introduced readers to the incomparable Lucky Santangelo, my favourite fictional character ever. The Santangelos is the best book I have read this year, and proves that Jackie Collins has still got it (always will). The Santangelos can be read as a standalone as there's plenty of recaps throughout of how the family got to where they are today.

The Santangelos has everything you could possibly want and expect from the Queen of this genre. It's also quite a difficult book to discuss because of just how much drama is packed into the story. Jackie has revealed this herself so it's no great spoiler but there's a murder in the novel, which sees Lucky once again seeking vengeance. I wish I could say who it was (not hard to guess) but I was with Lucky every step of the way. For those who are meeting her for the first time in The Santangelos she appears quite tamer than her early incarnations, yet she's still fiercely loyal to her family, and she just exudes glamour, money, power and sex. She's just got the lot and that makes her such a fun character to read about. The world she inhabits is so addictive to read about, so ridiculously decadent I so wish I could visit Lucky's Vegas, splitting my time between the Keys and the Marigiano both of which just sound so amazing.

Jackie's novels have a real addictive quality to them because of how fast everything moves. Each chapter following a different character, setting the scene for what's about to come, and for that dramatic finale when all of the threads start to converge. Lucky's two children are continuing to make their own way in the world. Now adults Bobby has made a name for himself without the help of his family connections, but he soon finds himself in trouble when he is framed for a murder that he didn't commit. Bobby's sister Max meanwhile is making a name for herself as a fashion model, achieving her own success also. I pictured her as Kendall Jenner. In fact I've always said Lucky could be Kris Jenner especially as she gets older. For much of the book Max is off doing her own thing and much of the drama centres around Lucky having to cope with somebody who is out for revenge as well as trying to work out who could be setting Bobby up and we also follow the various other characters that make up the story, one of my favourites being Willow. There's also plenty of mentions of and appearances from a number of Jackie's characters from across her books.

There's every single type of character you expect to find in Hollywood here, and as always one is left wondering just what and who is fictional and what isn't. Some of the characters are outrageous, and some are just so downright hateful that I spent half the book hoping they would soon get their comeuppance. As the story draws to a close I just couldn't put the book down, but at the same time was gutted that I was nearing the end. It is a 500-plus page book but I wanted another 500! It's clear that Jackie has a lot of love for the Santangelos and that shines through in her writing. Looking at the series as a whole I think there's a timeless quality to Jackie's work. Even reading Chances now it doesn't have that dated feeling you would expect from a book written in the eighties. The Santangelos are a family with countless enemies and there's always scope to continue their story and so I hope Jackie returns to the family in the future. I've said it before though and I'll say it again, still waiting for Jackie's autobiography which I always say would be a fantastic read in itself. For fans old and new The Santangelos does not disappoint.

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have read several books about the Santangelos family. Although the books read like a rich, soap, mob opera I could not stop reading the books. Call them an indulgence. So when the lastest Santangelos book came out I had to check it out. There was something missing in this book. I did not feel the love with this book as I did with the prior novels. While I still like the Santangelos, I was not invested in their lives or relationships.

Lucky even seemed to be docile in this book. Not as strong a female presence as she usually is. There was too much talking with not a lot happening. I was struggling to read this book. Even at half way there was not a lot happening. This book could have been shortened by like 100 pages and more action inserted into the plot.

[Danito · Rating 4 out of 5]

В светът на богатите и известните, животът кипи на пълни обороти.В този роман-трилър Джаки Колинс отново преплита сложни взаимоотношения- амбиици, вляст, отмъщение, ниски страсти. Хареса ми, този накъсан пъзел, който се редеше. Имах две истории, в които се надявах да се развие повече, да видя повече, но това не се случи напълно. Личи, че е 10книга, доста от героите вече имаха сложно развити истории зад гърба си. Сякаш и в тази остави още място за развитие в следваща книга. Липсваше ми развитие от положителната сила на любовта за това свалям една звезда.

[Minty McBunny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty much straight up the middle Jackie Collins, no surprises but not horrible. It was entertaining and not totally flat like some of her other recent novels. It was enjoyable trashy fluff, good for a light summer's day reading.

[Hayley Gallant · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

**"Never fuck with a Santangelo."

First off I want to say: RIP Jackie Collins. This woman right here is my all time favourite author. She wrote my favourite book; the one that got me into reading in the first place. Jackie Collins also introduced me to my first spicy reads at 15 years old.

With all that being said...

The Lucky Santangelo series is finally at an end. This was the last one in the whole series, as well as the last book she ever wrote. I saved it for a while because I just wasn't ready for it to end. Let me tell you .... it was well worth waiting. It was exactly what I needed at this time. It felt so nostalgic reading it, and was the perfect way to end this absolutely amazing series.

In perfect Jackie Collins fashion it was: cheesy, spicy, action packed, drama filled, full of twists and kept you on your toes.

Just read this series. TRUST ME!

""Hey, all is good in the world. Max is happy, Bobby's working, the boys are doing fine, the son of a bitch who arranged the hit on Gino is dead - and not by your hand, thank God, because that would've opened up a shitload of trouble."
"You know something, Lennie? I would've preferred to have put a bullet in the back of his head," Lucky said calmly, meaning every word.
"Now you really sound like Gino."
"I'm glad, because Gino did things his way, and that's exactly how it should be. Let me tell you about the Santangelo philosophy: if somebody screws you, screw them back. An eye for an eye. Street justice rules. I'm a believer."
"Not to mention a badass."
"Yes, and don't you love it?" she teased.
"Wouldn't have it any other way," he said, stroking the back of her neck. "You're my badass, and that's all I care about."
"Really?"
"You know it."
They exchanged smiles, for they knew that whatever came their way they could handle it. Together.
They had each other, and that was all that really mattered."

😭

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has been sat on my shelf since released in hardback. I have not wanted to read it because knew it was the last in the Santangelo series and the author's last book RIP JC. I have read all her books starting at the age of 14.

I read for Popsugar Challenge "book on bookshelf". I am sorry to say it disappointed me there was no thrill or unpredictable plot. The fact Gino is killed off early on was a surprise and the car accident with Max was a surprise, would have been more of a shock if she had died too. It just seemed to end with lots of "happy ever after" surely a gangster family like the Santangelos can't ever be that lucky!!!!

[Cocktails and Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review was originally posted on Cocktails and Books

I can’t believe I read my first Lucky Santangelo book back in 1982, 33 years and 10 books later I am now reviewing the most recent book. I have not read all 10 – I think I stopped around book 4 but it was not hard to pick up from where the series left off.

As per usual there is a lot of soap opera drama between Lucky, Lennie their children and the most recent threat against the family. The books is classic Jackie Collins – a lot of characters intertwined with each other and all having some impact on each others lives. Lucky and Lennie’s oldest children are featured heavily in this story along with familiar faces from the past. There is a big take down at the end of the book and of course Lucky saves the family.

I was impressed with all the current references Jackie Collins makes throughout the book, Uber, Google, Smartphones etc – she is definitely keeping up on current trends. I appreciate that. What I had a hard time with is how repetitive the narration was – things were repeated over and over throughout the book and that does wear thin after a while. It can be difficult reading a book like this with so many characters – while I think overall the characters were identified and their personalities came through if you like certain characters more than others you don’t get to spend a lot of time with them and with the people you don’t like I have a tendency to try to get through that part as quickly as possible to read more about who I do like. I would love to see Jackie Collins do a spin off set of books concentrating more on the kids – maybe give one of them their own book to explore more of their lives. Especially Max and Bobby, both are left in very interesting places in their lives and would love to explore more about them. At the end of the day this is Lucky’s book and the supporting cast help support her story in some capacity some more obvious than others but its definitely her book.

Overall if you have been a Jackie Collins fan in the past then this book follows her same formula. If you have never read a Jackie Collins novel I would recommend to start with the first book Chances – it’s the best of what I have read in the past and well worth it.

Reviewer information can be found under the Tags section of the post on our site.

[Tim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fact is, this story contains too many weak characters for a JC Santangelo novel. The usual strong Santangelo clan does not do well as the victim. The various subplot of personas adds little but distractions and predictability. I've grown accustom to better from the late JC. 6 of 10 stars

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe I've just outgrown her, or maybe it's Jackie's old age at the time of writing (rest her soul), but I didn't enjoy this half as much as everything else I read.

I am extremely sad about her death, however. I've been reading Jackie Collins since I was 12-13.

[Stasia Bruhn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have been a fan of this series since my teens..I always loved the Lucky character..Unfortunately I felt this book made her seem rather weak. There was also too much repetition this book..Seriously this book could have shaved off at least 100 pages of the same things over and over again..I understand maybe some people might have started this series with this one but the amount was just redundant . Personally the story itself wasn't that great and didn't have the spark the other ones had..Gino's death was senseless-because the king thought Lucky was involved..wow! She had a argument with his son and he automatically assumed she killed him..no evidence to show if this was true or not..It would have been a better story if there was some actual revenge going on like a old enemy of Gino's. The story was not really memorable to me.As a last hurrah to this family I think it could have been a bit better. Was it worth the price I paid for it ..Yes it was..Was it worth reading yes it was..Just to be with the Santangelos Family once more..Did I expect more ball busting from Lucky yes I did..A end of a era..

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A true masterpiece from the singular mistress of the 20th century Hollywood potboiler. I listened to the ensemble performance of the unabridged book. It's quite special to hear Jackie Collins reading her own words of her final work. This was my first "Santangelo"; and it will probably be my only. Others gallantly attempt, but Collins is extraordinarily deft in managing the arcs and venn diagrams of a platoon of unrelentingly unsavory but extremely entertaining characters. Outrageous vulgarity and sexual antics from people who without exception have a black hole where there is supposed to be a moral core. But so fun! This plot gallops along at high speed and one is not a whit left out as Collins supplies enough backstory to make sense of everything. She, I think, was a true virtuouso, and drew on what she knew. A cutting but loving satire of the Hollywood "Z" list and random hangers-on. A-one.

[Bernadette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do like Jackie Collins for a fun, unattached, fiery, sex, drugs and murder type of beach read, if that makes sense!? She’s so in your face, very Dynasty-esque. She’s always fun...for a little shock and awe.
👍🏻😬

[Sally taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book, I think because I knew the characters and wanted to see what was going on with them. I don't think I would have liked it on its own.

[Jenene · Rating 5 out of 5]

So sad that this is the last Lucky Santangelo book written before Jackie Collins passed away! Loved this series!

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good quick read. Have followed Lucky Santangelo since I read Chances and it was great reuniting with her and all the characters from previous books. A much needed easy read!

[Emma Stevens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall I still enjoyed this book, I love getting lost in the Santangelo family, and I hope we get more.

SPOILERS!!!!

That being said I still miss the Chances/Lucky days. I miss the fun everyone used to have, and seriously I miss characters like Olympia, Jess, Jake the Kid, Eden, and even the Bonattis.

What I didn't like:

Max: Jackie, I love you, you are amazing, but please stop trying to make Max happen. I have to admit that in this book she reminded me more of Bridgett (though not as great) then of Lucky. What I am really sick of is Max being in danger, but then nothing happening to her. When the car crashed, I KNEW that Max was going to be just fine. Even when they said she was in a coma, I was like "She will come out of it"

That's something I miss about the older books, because you didn't know. When Maria was killed I was devastated, when Marco was shot I was shocked, and OMG MARY LOU!!! But anymore you are just like "This character is safe" which leads me to...

Gino: I'm sorry but A. Gino was in his 100's... He was born in 1903, we know this... and this book and the last were the first time where she never stated his age, just "his ninties". I saw Gino's death coming, he was the safest target, he was already up there in age. Had Gino died 3 or 4 books ago it would have been a surprise, this... not so much. I'm sad to see him go, but it was far beyond his time (How long has Costa been dead now? Aldo? all his former friends?)

Paige: OMG!!! So I know in the last book she started to change, but this was a complete 180 from how she started (and I am aware that people change), but when did Paige turn into Susan. THIS was Susan Martino, the way she acted, the way she talked, this was not the Paige we met in Lucky. And Lucky saying she never liked her, when Lucky was the one who went to Paige to convice her to leave her husband for Gino. And I LOVE Gino, but if Paige was just a gold digger and cared about image, wouldn't she have stayed with her famous producer husband? Paige being made into a bitch was so confusing to me, and the only thing I can guess was so it was easier to kill her off in the end. It was still one of the biggest things that bugged me!

Denver: This isn't a gripe about Denver, actually it's more of a gripe about Bobby. Lucky has always been viewed as amazing cause she cares about her work, because she is strong, independent, and has never claimed to be the stay at home type. But when Denver is this way it's a bad thing. Also Denver can't help but miss Bobby, even when she is with Sam, but Bobby doesn't think twice about Denver after sleeping with Venus. I just... I really don't like the way Denver was treated.

Alejandro: Worst... bad guy.... ever. That is all... not worth my time.

Caricoa: WHERE WAS GINO'S OTHER GRANDDAUGHTER!?

Okay that's all for now. I will say that I read the book in one day, couldn't put it down. I did skim through some of Alejandro's parts, and even some of Max's (ugh).. but other than that I was in it. This is definitely better than the last two, and I am hoping the next one is EVEN better, but certain parts were definitely a disappointment, and god Max gets on my nerves.

[Alba · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally posted on: http://www.albainbookland.com/2015/09...

Quite surprisingly, this is my first Jackie Collins' book and I think that when you read for the first time such a famous and acclaimed author, you kind of feel intimidated. Especially knowing that The Santangelos is the 10th (!) book about this family so most readers already know the characters inside out and feel part of the family. But when this stunning copy landed on my doorstep, I couldn't resist diving in and what I can assure you is that this can be perfectly read as a stand alone novel. Jackie Collins fills all the gaps easily (you don't feel like she's just feeding you information for the kick of it, it all flows perfectly) and soon you find yourself caring for this family as much as the most loyal fan.


I clearly saw why Jackie Collins has made such a big name for herself. Her opera soap-like style with so much drama, betrayals and revenge instantly captures you and the story moves at such a fast paced speed that you fly by the more than 500 pages of the story without even realising. Plus, the multiple points of view make you connect with the character a lot more and understand them and their actions a lot better.

I would say The Santangelos is a highly entertaining treat that takes you to a totally different world: Hollywood, Las Vegas, luxurious hotels and night clubs, and even drug lords and a middle east king! Certainly anything can happen! And with such volatile characters, Jackie managed to surprise me a couple of times with her clever twits.

For a Jackie Collins' newbie, I found The Santangelos the perfect introduction to the family. I was really impressed with Lucky Santangelo as the main character and pillar of the family and knowing that she kicked even more asses in previous novels, I won't be able to resist picking some of her older books. But the cast of the novel certainly has something for everyone, difficult to choose a favourite (apart from Lucky) but quite easy to find someone to hate (that kind of character that you love hating).

[Lainy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Time taken to read - 3 days

Publisher - Simon & Schuster

Pages - 544

Blurb from Goodreads

A vicious hit. A vengeful enemy. A drug addled Colombian club owner. A sex crazed Italian family. And the ever powerful Lucky Santangelo has to deal with them all, while Max-her teenage daughter is becoming The "It" girl in Europe's modeling world. And her Kennedyesque son, Bobby, is being set up for a murder he didn't commit. But Lucky can deal. Always strong and unpredictable with her husband, Lennie, by her side she lives up to the family motto-Never cross a Santangelo.

Lucky rules. The Santangelos always come out on top. An epic family saga filled with love, lust, revenge and passion.


My Review

If this is the first Santangelo book you have picked up, put it down and read the others first, you will enjoy it much better if you know the history. Lucky and her brood have had their fair share of troubles over the years, people have died at their hand and now it is time to pay the piper. Just when things seem to be going well for the family, Gino & wife are enjoying the quiter side of life, Lucky & Lennie are going from strength to strength in marriage and business, Lucky's kids are making their own mark in the world but someone has to pay and they will.

Oh this was good, Collins brings all of the gang together in what happens to be a finale for the Santangelos. Someone has it out for Lucky and her family and we see Lucky spring into action as her brood are targeted and threatened. As with all these books there is sex, drugs, murder, retribution, relationships, family and the gold that holds it all together A listers and money!

This is the perfect read for by the poolside or just a wee break from reality, you don't need to put much thought into it, Collins has done all the work for you. A great trashy read that will keep you turning page after page, 3/5 for me!

[Kathryn · Rating 2 out of 5]

...And it's over. I stuck through to the end, and I have to say I wish The Santangelos had gone out with a bit more of the fantastic WTF-ery we saw in the first two books. By this story the characters we're supposed to like were getting on my nerves.

Max "I'll do what I want, not call my parents, and mope over a guy I slept with twice because he's my One. True. Love."

Bobby "How dare my girlfriend get mad at me for going to a hooker's hotel room because I thought she was hot. I'm the wronged party. Me me me."

Evil Woman-Hating King "Men good. Women chattal."

Lucky "Fuck the police. My way or the highway."

Lennie "I'll be sitting in this corner if you need me."

The whole subplot about the actress trying to score movie funding off some Colombian coke dealer could have been excised.

If you're interested in this series, the first three (Chances, Lucky, Lady Boss) are probably the best of the lot. They aren't Pulitzer material but good dirty fun. I got through this quickly, but the narrative is tired.

[Jessica Conant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome awesome awesome - I'm so so so sad Jackie Collins has passed away and this novel will be her last -- I loved all her graphic tabloid style novels full of everything juicy: drugs sex murder and Hollywood. This one was a fast paced nail biter .. Loved every minute - there is only one more book by Collins I have yet to read but have been putting it off Bc it will be sad that it will be the last of hers I will ever read unless they find some unpublished manuscripts some where --- RIP Jackie Collins you are loved and will be missed greatly - you left a huge hole in my reading life by your passing

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book. It was my first Jackie Collins book and I flew through it. The different perspectives made it exciting. You were in the mind of a group of characters, many of which we deeply flawed individuals or inflated self views. Also, thanks to the author for including an Epilogue to update us on her characters! This was a great summer read for everyone to enjoy :)

Note: I got this book as an ARC from the publisher.

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Typical Jackie Collins book....usually not my type of book but a change once in a while works. Sex, drugs, Mafia, Hollywood gossip....this book does have a good plot, interesting and likeable characters. Jackie Collins fans will certainly not be disappointed. I won this ARC from Goodreads for an honest review. Thank you Goodreads for a book I would not normally read!

[Jeri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book in exchange for a review from St. Martin's Press. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Absolutely LOVED this book. For a 535 page book, it was absolutely fast paced and full of lots of drama. Did not disappoint. Written in true Jackie Collins style and grace. I laughed, I cried, I gasped. Turned me into a complete emotional roller coaster.

[Jeanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lucky and family are back with a vegeance in this latest story by Jackie Collins! Many sub-stories made for a great read! Love it when the bad guys and scum bags get what they deserve. Think that some of the sexual content was a bit excessive, and quite honestly didn't lend much to the story, which drops the rating from 7 to 6 out of 10 for me.