Faced with the destruction of everything they once held dear, the Amato and Martelli Families were forced to make a choice that turned their entire world upside down—again.
As they try to come to terms with the ultimate betrayal, a new order is put into place. The rules of the game have changed, and amongst the ashes of their old lives comes the promise of something cohesive. If they can trust themselves and each other that is.
Shattered.
Devastated by their hubris, Cristian and Allesandro find themselves adrift. For the first time ever, they are forced to face their vulnerability, and need to either learn to draw strength from it, or lose what little life they have left.
Decimated.
Their shared enemy rejoices in the divided Families, using their pain to their own advantage. As the Families try to rebuild, and the Bosses come to terms with their failings, none of it may matter as those in the shadows pick them off one by one…
Mutinous Relations is book 6 in the Crimson Bonds series and ends on a cliffhanger. All books in this series must be read in order. This is a dark MM and MMM+ story with various pairings and relationships. Please see inside for the full list of TWs.
This is an Amato Family (All's Fair Series by Abrianna Denae) and Martelli Family (Vendetta series by Leigh Kenzie) crossover. This is not a standalone story. At least one of the series, Vendetta or All’s Fair, needs to be read first to truly understand the dynamics of this story.
Abrianna Denae is a queer author living in Northern California. An English major, they have always had a passion for writing. Deciding to sit down and write one of the many stories that had plagued their mind for years was the easy part—finding the time to do it was a different story. Caffeine is their best friend, and sleep is their worst enemy. A lover of books that make the reader feel something, Abrianna tries to incorporate as much of their real-world views and feelings into their stories as they can.
I am stunned. Speechless. Traumatized. Angry. How? How do you keep doing this to us readers? How do you keep piling on the hurt and twisted darkness and make us love you still? Make us want to keep reading and devouring this series? It’s epic and twisted and so dang depraved. It’s also brilliant and amazing and I couldn’t put it down! That ending? That insane and mean (so, so mean) of a cliffhanger! The darkness in this serious is eating my soul! I feel like I was left bleeding on the floor. I am just crushed. My heart hurts so much for those final chapters, for the hurt these characters are living through and the biggest hurt from that past revelation. To see His trauma…to live it and feel it. Ugh, just why? Why would someone do that? Why do all my favorites need to hurt and bleed and have their souls shattered? And how do I keep getting sucked into this? I have no expectations but the promise of a light at the end of this very dark and painful journey. I feel like I’m going to shatter myself before the end of this series! Alright, now that I got all my feelings and brokenness out. This book was just amazing. These characters are struggling so hard but they are fighting for a better future, one where they aren’t held down by toxicity and the old ways of doing things. They want to do it together. To be better. To do better. To support one another and work as one to defeat their enemies. Lio is struggling leaving his master behind but he is so strong. Roman is breaking under the expectations of a father who doesn’t see the man and Boss he has become and the rejection of who he is at his core, and the betrayal he feels against his other dad. And Carter, he is being torn apart and his soul shattered and heartbroken because the man he loved has not only hurt him, but their son. And as a mama bear, there is no greater pain in this world than seeing your child hurt by someone who is supposed to love them unconditionally. I know that pain, I’ve lived it. And my heart hurts for Carter and Roman. These three strong bosses that claimed their birthrights are incredible and together they will thrive. I have to believe that. And I have to believe that HEA will include the redemption of people. I have to say I was absolutely floored by so much in this book and I’d love to give specific examples but I do not give spoilers in my reviews. The authors both do an amazing job spinning this twisted tale. The web of lies, deceit and pain have been spun with the threads of heartbreak and shattered souls. Oops? Really oops? So much oops. Way to go, authors. I’m addicted to this story and I can’t wait for the next one. Do heed the trigger warnings people. And let all your expectations go. The only thing you can expect from this book is to be shocked and that there is cliffhangers (cause Leigh Kenzie is the Queen of cliffhangers and she is corrupting Abri to her ways). The authors promised an HEA eventually and at this point I’m starting to worry what that HEA will look like. Cause I don’t think it looks how I expected it to look back in book 1. Amazing job to you both.
I almost don't know what to say. I could write the usual things like how much I enjoyed this book (I did), how often I was shocked by what happened (several times), and how absolutely gobsmacked I was by the ending (so extremely smacked), but none of that will do this book justice.
The biggest surprise of all was finding myself cheering Luca on, when everyone knows how much I dislike him for what he did to Lio in the Vendetta series.
But I digress. Leigh and Abrianna have once again written an amazing book. It's full of twists and turns and, as expected, ends on a cliffhanger. In fact, the cliff it leaves you hanging off is so damn high you can't see the ground.
A poly MM+ mafia romance where things have taken a dark turn, now it's time for a new order & retribution! It's fascinating how I started this series by skimming book 2 & now I'm so invested in it that I devour each book as it comes out. I read this in 9hrs, over 2 days. I'm loving the complexity of the MCs, how despite not reading the previous series(s), I've not felt too lost & have come to appreciate their bonds.
All are still reeling from the hurt caused in the last book, but the love that is & has blossomed gives them a safe space to experience the storm of emotions. I loved seeing them lean on eachother for support, to fight it out or be vulnerable 🥺. It's BDSM heavy, with most couples being Dom/Sub, but some are equals. Roman is such a sweetheart, he never feels jealous where else most of the others do feel it atleast sometimes. It's a precedent how deep the inter-mafia-family bonds have gotten with how in tune they are, + their observations of eachother. The focus is less on action, more on relationships, heartbreak, remaking & letting go. I respect & liked that.
Don't read below if you don't want minor spoilers of previous book + ships!
I feel I'll get all the ships by the end of this series lol, the families will be so intertwined, they won't be seperated any longer 😂. I loved seeing Jude solidify his love of Antonio; be his sweet, dirty dom 🥵; & even include & care for the twins (taboo kisses?! 😍)! I love me switches 😍. Emilio is still conflicted, I'm glad he's got his Sir Hollis & omg even Tennant (fangirling, def need more action there 😁) for support 🤭. I loved seeing the caring of all the relationships, old & new ones. I'm glad Roman & Ignacio seem ok now!! I'm ready for Benjamin to do more claiming 😉. I low key hope Carter gets together with Marcus+Keegan ngl, tho I feel they're gonna stay just friends 😭.
Now onto the conflict, Previous book got me so ranty, I was ready for grovelling. But I got regret/guilt yet the assholes weren't sorry enough so I was SO GLAD for revenge 😈.
Trauma has a weird way of changing people or maybe it just brings out their true selves. The Bosses betrayal, to "uphold family values", cut deep. I also never expected to feel sympathy for a goddamn r@pist 😤 or be mad at a boss who'd been good but now apparently is ok to use the ones he supposedly cares for. Like wtf guys 😑. Atleast I was glad to see some internal conflict there, tho their egos still persisted 🙄. Luca was such a fun surprise. Sexual sadism is great to punish the villains, hell ya 😁. I loved seeing the master break 🤭.
The puppeteer actually didn't do as much here but he did put the chess pieces in place. He's so gonna use this opportunity of the divided (but not really) mafia family to enact his plan. I love action but I hope no one gets kidnapped again 😅.
That cliffhanger? Hello? Ain't no way is anyone dying before I get my grovelling 😤. & Def not the oldies! So excited for the next one ❤️.
Story ratings: Enjoyed—> Heck ya 5/5 POV: 1st person, Multiple POVs 1) The Characters: 5💕/5 2) The feels: 🥺🤔🙃😯🤭😤😂😍😉🥰🥵😅😳😭🙄😑😈🤢😁 3) Sexy/Steamy scenes: 3/5 4) Levels: Moderate Angst, Kinda Cute, High-ish Dark 5) Build up & Style: 4.5/5
Things are not looking too good for the old bosses. They FA&FO real quick in this book.
It's often hard to talk about the books without giving away too many details. So, this time, I went to the source and proceeded to release some of the chaos that's in my head. Now, I don't feel that overwhelming urge to word vomit and inevitably spoil it for you all. Yay me!
Okay, let's get down to business here. Luca was/is very unexpected. Trying to keep myself contained from nagging the authors daily for this book, it was work, hard work. Lol. The need to know how Luca would factor into the mess, had me stalking my messages to see if ARCs were ready. Let's just say that Luca is different. I... I think... maybe 🤔... possibly 🧐........ uh, nope, never mind. I still don't like him. #NotSorry
Besides the Luca factor, I was looking forward to seeing how Allesandro and Cristian would be handling the families dropping their toxic azzes. I must say, their first interaction did not go well. The chapters following that were a lot, and in different ways, so have fun navigating the inevitable brain overload. I had to go back and read over a few things again, then again, and a couple more times over again.
After looking for any mistakes, clues, anything to tell me if my thoughts are right or wrong. The end result was as expected. I NEED THE NEXT BOOK!!
I need answers Abri and Leigh! Please don't make me wait too much longer. **Insert devastatingly adorable puppy eyes that no one can resist.** 😇😁
📚 Btw. This is book six in the series. They're up to book thirteen and still writing. 😳 How many more cliffhangers can my poor little heart and mind take? I don't know, but we're going to find out together. 😂😅😂
Well I am stunned again by what these two authors are doing to their characters. Things are not going well in the Amato and Martelli families, or can we even say that they are separate families at this point? I usually read a book this big in at most three days but I took a lot longer this time because I had to keep stopping and letting things settle. They are written so well and I have been reading about them for so long that they feel like real people to me and sooooooooooooooooooo much happens! It’s fascinating and horrifying, wonderful and sad. I could gush about it for hours, but I don’t like long reviews. Suffice to say that I loved it! Please read the warnings and you will be lost if you start reading with this book, but if you like dark mafia stories then read things in order and prepare to be astounded.
This series has been like a deadly game of chess -- you never know what move you're gonna make until your opponent makes their move. And the game this 'Puppet Master' is playing is dangerous and exciting. Throughout reading this book, I had the thought that it could only end a couple of ways. And the ending did not disappoint, ending on a crazy cliffhanger. If you're looking for a dark, twisted series to read, this is the one for you. Make sure you read in order and heed the content warnings at the beginning of each novel.
Viva la mutiny! Time has come the men must decide stick to what is happening or strike against in the hope of something better in the end. When lines have been broken none were prepared for Lio & Roman must decide to strike on their own for a brighter future. More hearts will be shattered but in the end let's all hope it will be for the better. Abri and Leigh keep showing how deep they can go to make these men become as they were always meant to be. Showing us the bonds formed in their masters absence were what was needed for their eventual salvation. I don't know about you all but I cannot wait to see what comes next with these two minds coming together.
Mutinous Relations is the 6th book in the Crimson Bonds series. As stated by the author's "This is an Amato Family (All's Fair Series by Abrianna Denae) and Martelli Family (Vendetta series by Leigh Kenzie) crossover. This is not a standalone story. At least one of the series, Vendetta or All’s Fair, needs to be read first to truly understand the dynamics of this story.". We are back with the Amato and Martelli Families families for more of their amazing story. These guys have gone through so much and we don't know when it will end. Through all of the drama, action, emotions, and trauma they are still going on. This was another book in the series that I couldn't put down once I started it even though I knew we were heading for a for a cliffhanger. I loved all the twists and turns and new information we get. I can't wait for the next book in the series. I would definitely recommend this book and series as 5 star reads. received a free review copy
I finished this book this morning, and I don't think I've processed what I read yet. What I can say is be prepared for one hell of a cliffhanger, because this one is a big one. I can't wait to see how it will impact everyone going forward.
This book was a bit of a revelation for me. For one, seeing Tennant and Hollis being so tender with Lio, not that he didn't need it, especially after what Il Padrone did to Emilio in the previous book.
Also, I didn't expect to like Luca again after what he did before. But I did like him, well, for the most part. I'm a bit gobsmacked about how the book ended and what he did, but that's to be expected.
Overall, another darkly fascinating installment in this compelling story that I simply can't get enough of. Just remember to please read the trigger warnings before reading. This series is not for the faint of heart.
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure; a review wasn't a requirement. ***
OMG OMG OMG OMG! Seriously yet again, the authors leave us stunned. Beware that upcoming cliff because it's a TALL one. We get to see the boys that left, living together in one house while trying to figure out life on their own with so much pain for those that they had to leave behind but also see them move on thru sheer determination. I don't like to give spoilers but I will tell you this. I generally can't stand Luca and in this book I kept having to cheer him on! That wasn't on MY Bingo card. Honestly didn't think that could ever happen after all the crap he pulled in the Vendetta series and even more with what he did to Lio and Alessandro.
That's really all I can say except that you will be on pins and needles for the next book, and seeing how these books tend to end on cliffs, probably the one after that and after that, ect ect.
This book though. It picked up right where the last one left off and every moment had me on the edge of my seat. I loved seeing new relationships grow while at the same time sad for old relationships deteriating. The ending surprised me and every cliff hanger is more cliffy than the next. Can't wait till the next one!
Why am I still reading this series? I hate cliffhangers. I’ve said it many times. I HATE cliffhangers. And yet, throughout this series, these two authors keep giving some of the most amazing (I hate it) cliffhangers ever!
Er....... Firstly, I loved it. Second, I'm going to be pissed. If my favourite baddie is dead, although I reckon Allsandro will come out smelling of roses.. But Carter? Now, oh for heaven's sake.. Dec can't come quick enough! Same, they dont let me have the frustrated emoji on here..
AHHHHH! This series is going to kill me. CARTER!!! And more surprisingly, LUCA. Though I think i get what and why Luca did what he done, I think......🤔 Poor Carter, the guy just ain't getting no breaks, mean ladies, very mean. Christian can go do one, Allesandro I think is showing signs of being redeemable, but he is absolutely not forgiven! Everyone else though, all pulling their weight, working together. Dare I say, Ten is being sweet!! The trips had me laughing and Leandro, such a sneaky, snarky sod - love him. Fabulous storytelling ladies.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
OMG I need the next book! I feel like I say the same thing every single book but I'm so anxious with what the authors are planning. I'm raging and worried every book and have no idea what twists will be thrown our way. Should I even be hoping for anything right now???
High angst and lots of hurt. I need book 7! I can barely voice any thoughts.
There are not even words to describe the OMFGs that go along with this book.
Both families are torn apart in multiple ways. There's just so much grief and suffering. And love. But love doesn't always fix things. Sometimes it destroys.
But you have to hope sometimes it can also pull you back out of the pit of despair and bring you home again.
The book left me... on a knife's edge that I don't know how I will survive until the next book comes out. THIS is why I usually wait until a series is complete, or close to complete, until I start reading it. The suspense is KILLING me... sort of like *spoiler*... Ugh.
I literally devoured the book the moment I got it!! And I have to say, I expected exactly what happened here for 5 whole books, because I am too jaded and cynical to believe in the fake dedication, concern and lovey-dovey cr*p. The moment Roman and Lio took the rule, all Hell broke loose and the door couldn't be closed. Because despite being fictional, this cutthroat mafia world reflects exactly what real life is in its pure, undiluted ugliness. And in such kind of world - real or not, there aren't absolute or sacred values, infinite love, genuine loyalty, respect, unbreakable bonds. Everything can be bought and everything can be sold. Even in the wild, where Nature rules, when a predator falls, the hyenas, jackals and vultures don't want for its final breath. These beautifully twisted characters are just an excellent example that loyalties shift, love is to a degree if it even exists and interests change. But more than everything the story shows that when someone gets a taste of power and leadership, they won't give it up and will do everything to keep it walking over anyone or anything. I am at a loss of words to describe all the emotions the story provoked because it means major spoilers. Read it, feel it, live through it is my recommendation.
My review for this book could almost be word-for-word what I wrote about Lines Drawn. 😊 I really can’t put into words how I was left speechless by the end of this one. Once again, my limits have been tested as dark romance isn’t usually my jam, but I’m here until the end of this series. And OMG, the cliffhanger!
An advanced copy of this book was provided to me at my request; my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author.
Even after these authors have continually surprised me by how the relationships between the characters in their individual series have evolved, part of me definitely assumed that some things would return to the "status quo" by the end of this joint venture. My assumption officially changed in this installment, however, as I find myself increasingly convinced that some relationships might not be repairable. This is also the first book in this relatively dark series to make me cry while reading. These two things may be connected. While this revelation might put some readers off, I remain completely invested in this series and intrigued by what twists may happen next. Especially now that even the "Families" themselves have altered as much as the relationship dynamics in this series.
Disclaimer: I received a digital review copy of this book from the authors.