I've been so conflicted about this one. On one hand, this series is one of my favorites, I've loved every single book up until End It All, and I would devour any content about the brothers. But on the other hand, I feel like this book was unnecessary and the wrong send-off for the Vitale’s saga.
I think there were way better alternatives, like a full-cast, long epilogue or a short-story anthology ( like they did with the Sadenverse’s Fake Boyfriend Breakaways). But a redemption story for the father we've been told (and shown) for five books is a deadbeat piece of crap? Sorry, that's just not for me.
Don't get me wrong, I love a good redemption arc, when we actually get to discover why the villain turned out the way he did, there's groveling, and you end up feeling for them.
There's none of that here.
Up until about 80% of the book, Cesare is still a jerk who only cares about himself. He treats his love interest like garbage and has no problem screwing over all five of his sons.
And then there's Rafael, who's basically a stereotype, and a total doormat. The book tries to sell the degradation kink, but it just doesn't work for me; it feels more like mistreatment. Plus, we're supposed to believe he's been in love for ten years when it's mostly obsession? I don't know, the whole love story feels bogus to me.
I'm giving it the two stars mostly for the final 20%, when we finally get to spend time with the brothers. That's what I wanted for the end of the series.
Even though all Cesare's wrongs were just swept under the rug because, oh no, daddy used to beat him? That rubbed me the wrong way, it felt like a weak cop-out. And then suddenly he's proud of his sons and wants to be a grandfather? Nope, thanks. I'm going to pretend this isn't canon. My Vitale boys deserved a better curtain call.