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Barone Crime Family #3

Kissing the Killer

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The killer took me, but I won’t be his.

He came in the night, killed my abusive father, and carried me away.

Brooks is an arrogant mafia hitman, all ripped muscles and dark tattoos. He kills for a living, and he doesn’t get close to anyone or anything.

But he spared my life that night. He should have shot me, but instead he took me home and kept me safe.

Now we’re on the run. If the mafia finds out what he did, we’ll both be finished.

Killer, protector, cocky jerk. I need him, but I hate that I want him.

He destroys everything in his path. I know if I let him, he’ll ruin me too.

But I have to give myself over to him, or we both might end up dead.

Kissing the Killer is heart-pounding violent, beyond steamy, and features some very dirty language. It’s only recommended for audiences 18+.

Kissing the Killer is a standalone, full-length novel. No cliffhanger. Guaranteed HEA.

280 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 29, 2016

129 people are currently reading
521 people want to read

About the author

B.B. Hamel

200 books2,522 followers
I'm a long time reader, writer, and lover of Romance! Writing is my dream and my passion, and I want to share my stories with you.

I live in the Philadelphia area with my husband and two dogs.

Website: http://www.bbhamel.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/bbhamelwriter

Check out my mailing list for updates, giveaways, and more! http://bbhamel.com/signup

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5 stars
175 (34%)
4 stars
157 (31%)
3 stars
116 (22%)
2 stars
36 (7%)
1 star
22 (4%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
Profile Image for Jadas.
193 reviews3 followers
May 24, 2016
So so so bad

Wow that was so stupid I'm so confused why this has good ratings. Just everything about was roll your eyes worthy. The cover was great the plot was promising and then the 1st page happened! Then all subsequent pages thereafter. Dialogue was stupid, characters were stupid, story was stupid. There is nothing redeemable about this story. Sex scenes were really stupid and oh my GOD if I had to hear this guys refer to his thick clock (without the L) one more time I might have thrown my own kindle!!!
Profile Image for Linda Levine.
4,640 reviews25 followers
May 3, 2016
I have enjoyed reading this series about the Barone crime family. The men that work for them have interesting ideas about their personal relationships.

Brooks may be a killer but he doesn't kill women and children. When he and his partner kill Emma's father, they don't want witnesses. Finding her in a closet makes it difficult for him. He vows to protect her but Emma has been used enough and does not trust him to keep her alive.

I really liked Brooks. He has standards and he sees things for the way they are and doesn't make excuses for his choices. He is honest with himself. Emma really brings out the best in him and he wants to protect her.

Emma was abused by her dad and very isolated. She is scared to trust anyone but Brooks gets thru her barriers. They have an amazing chemistry.

This book really enlightens those who have read the series about some unexpected activities in the family. I can't wait for the next one. I highly recommend the series but each book is a standalone with recurring characters..

I received a copy in return for a honest review.
Profile Image for Angie ~aka Reading Machine~.
3,746 reviews134 followers
May 11, 2016
Brooks is a hit man for Barone Family in Chicago. He's tasked with getting the job done as long as it follows his code of ethics which means no women and children done by him. Brooks current job should have been easy~it was until her. Emma Karsov knows it's only a matter of time before her father is taken out by the mob. Now Emma is trapped with another just the same way she was trapped by her father. Brooks doesn't know why he kidnapped Emma he's not sure he can explain it to himself. Yet Emma shouldn't want Brooks but can't deny there is an attraction between them. Will Emma admit her attraction and feelings towards Brooks? Cam Brooks protect Emma from the family? Your answers await you in Kissing the Killer.

This hard hitting sequel definitely didn't disappoint. The story hit the ground running from first page to last page. The story and characters were flawed, compelling, intriguing, raw, gritty, and hot. Definitely looking forward to more from this author in the future.
Profile Image for Rochelle.
789 reviews43 followers
July 19, 2016
Not the best of the series but I liked the darker nature of it. Good characters.
Profile Image for Raven61.
1,135 reviews8 followers
March 9, 2023
Great series potential, ❤️ seeing different perspective of family, needs editing

This is the third story in the Barone Crime Family series. While it will result in higher reader satisfaction if these are read in order, this can be absolutely be read as a STAND-ALONE. There are a few reoccurring characters and an overarching theme developing that would result in a few details lost, but most of it provides a different perspective of the mafia family (hitman vs boss).

— If you have not read any of the stories in this series, the following will contain spoilers, but hopefully only enough to adequately explain my opinions, questions, etc. about the story. —

— This is a dark-themed mafia series with all the violence you would expect from the genre. It is for adults only (18+ years old) and NSFW. I included a high-level list of potential trigger topics below for sensitive readers —

This is a fast paced read. The story universe is fairly well defined, but I still need more details on the characters, as well as their backgrounds. The intimate scenes and banter back and forth felt a little redundant, maybe because it is very similar to the second book, or just overused. There are a few areas that I kept hoping would be addressed before the end, but they never were. Such as (potential spoilers ahead …):

— BROOKS’ BACKGROUND:
=== What was Brooks’ age when Gian started mentoring him for the mob?
=== Was Brooks still in foster care? Did he live at (or above/behind) the deli, stay with the mob, or was he homeless?
=== How old is he now? Is this an age gap romance?
— EMMA’S FATHER:
=== He was a part of the Russian Bratva, but nothing special according to Emma. What type of information could he have potentially sold to the Italian mafia?
=== What was the final thing that happened that called for a hit squad from the Italian mafia?
— EMMA:
=== Emma’s last name is Karsov, which is definitely Russian. There was a whole story on how Kaley was an enemy because she was Russian, so why isn’t Emma?
=== How old is Emma? At times it seems like maybe she is mid twenties, but others maybe getting closer to thirty.
=== Why wasn’t she told to use a fake name, maybe even the same one given to Brooks by Louisa?
=== Why didn’t Kaley at least tell her not to say her last name so loudly, or freely, when they met and she didn’t even hesitate to provide it? Especially given everything she herself went through …

I mention the following for readers such as myself that visualize the story as it is read, because errors interrupt the flow. There are grammatical errors, mainly with incorrect punctuation (possessive words ending in ‘s’, missing commas, and spaces), typo, and extra inserted word. I didn’t highlight and make a note on all of the grammatical issues with punctuation, just the ones that bothered me the most tbh. There are also several inconsistencies (I.e. injuries listed for Emma, physical and mental abuse by her father, incorrect timeline in beginning with Emma and Brooks, Emma’s thought about an intimate position, etc.) that made me disengage from the story. I uploaded my notes to goodreads for anyone interested.

⛔️ Series contains references to, or scenes detailing, subject matter that may be a trigger or offensive to some, including, but not limited to: adult language; derogatory terms; mental health challenges with depression, anxiety, flashbacks, etc.; steamy adult intimate scenes with elements of BDSM (dominance, submission, restraints), lots of ‘dirty’ detailed descriptions throughout, etc.; violence throughout typical of the Italian mafia (Russian Bratva) genre such as kidnapping / abduction, murder, death, torture, theft, assault, attempted rape, rape, threats, fighting, human trafficking, mental, physical and sexual abuse of adults and children, prostitution, betrayal, drug use, drug manufacturing and selling, illegal gun sales, sabotage, child abandonment, etc.
2,886 reviews17 followers
July 14, 2018
She was in bed when she heard the noises, so Emma hid in her closet. Brooks is a hit man for the Italian mafia, when he sees the be beautiful young woman in the closet, he takes her home to save her life. Emma and Brooks fall quickly and deeply in love. The mob has their rules, even though the mafia has been his life Brooks will leave it behind in order to have a life with Emma.
Fascinating and wonderfully well written characters. A plot with suspense, violence, lots of action, romance, and a happily ever after. Fantastic book, I loved it!
1,577 reviews
March 1, 2019
Wow

Another great story line. Emma was an abused daughter of a low-level mafioso. Brooks was the mob enforcer who ended his life. But instead of being free Emma was taken by Brooks because it was the only way he could ensure her safety. This story line was great. I loved the way Louisa's character was given more depth. And the relationship between Emma and Brooks was explosive.
August 1, 2023
Well, that was an intense read. Brooks was such a wonderful character. I really like the FMC right up to the point where she chose Louise over Brooks. After everything he did for you, gave up for you, and everything you went through together. She couldn't just have an adult conversation with him and had to run away from her feelings.
466 reviews3 followers
July 14, 2017
I kinda was really disappointed with this book, as i found it to be really similar to the other mafia books written girl locked room and big bad mafia guy trying to save/protect her ... have to admit some of the paragraphs were read over just to try and finish the book ...
Profile Image for Christine.
10.7k reviews33 followers
July 14, 2018
arc review For honest review. Brooks work for the mob he has just one thing he can't do is kill women and kids. Finding Emma help him to keep that promise to himself.he has this love and protective of Emma I love that. Great read.
Profile Image for Kerrie Moore.
190 reviews
March 10, 2019
5 Stars

I gave this installment 5 Stars because it really touched me. To me Brooks was so flawed but beautiful, his struggle was real and you could tell Emma was going to change that.
They we both broken and their love and trust in each other is what was going to save them.
77 reviews
March 24, 2021
I cannot recommend this book. The premise is not original with a predictable ending.

The dialogue was amateurish and the steaming sex scenes were just hard to get through which led me to skipping pages to just finish.

I usually like this author so I will read her books in the future.
Profile Image for Angel Bare.
350 reviews
October 20, 2017
4 & 1\2 ☆'s

Super read. The story was enjoyable, believable, & has a nice lead up to Louisa's story. Brooks was hot, Emma came in to her own strength.
Profile Image for Kelly Fountain.
908 reviews2 followers
August 16, 2019
I enjoyed this one. It’s dark, has the mob, death, destruction, fear and plenty of heat. All around a good story.
Profile Image for Jasmine.
662 reviews7 followers
March 14, 2017
Brooks is a Barone mafia hitman, after his recent kill, he finds Emma and automatically tries to protect and save her from death. He has one rule, he will not kill women and children, so he takes Emma as his price after the kill. Emma and Brooks soon realize they have affect on each other, they can no longer deny. Neither is living the life they want, until they are both saved by the Spiders. Full of twists, intense love story! Another great book by B.B. Hamel.
Profile Image for Lucia.
591 reviews6 followers
May 2, 2016
Suspenseful mob romance with action, plenty of explicit dirty talk from a killer and a HEA!

Having read the previous books in this series I wasn’t sure where BB Hamel was going to go with this next book but I have to say this book surprised me. While it is in keeping with the fast paced, suspenseful, mob romance theme of the series it also took on a whole other angle with some very surprising revelations of others involved in the series previously.

There was clear attraction between the two main characters, Brooks and Emma, from the start but the development of their relationship was well paced, rather than instant, as both had to learn to trust each other, especially for Emma to learn and understand about Brooks motives towards women. Brooks comes across as a typical strong minded brutal male but has some conflicting morals towards his role as a killer. Emma was more naive but she showed as the book developed that she could be strong and stand up for herself and make her own choices as she faced tough situations. By using dual points of views in Kissing the Killer, it allowed for some character development of both Brooks and Emma and gives a wider perspective, especially relating to some of their deeper emotions relating to issues in their pasts and why they are the way they are today.

This fast paced, suspenseful romance had a good plot with a twist you fully see coming, especially if you haven’t read the previous books in this series. The book is slightly graphic in terms of the violence and if you don’t like strong cussing, you won’t enjoy this, nor will you enjoy it if you don’t like explicitly explicit dirty talking sexual content. I don’t mind personally but even for me it can be a little off putting but the plot makes up for it. Kissing the Killer is part of the Barone Crime Family series but as stated it can be read as a standalone. It helps to have read the previous books, especially with understanding one of the main characters within this book but if you haven’t, you can still follow as things are explained enough. There is a HEA for Brooks and Emma but it is clear there is more to come from this series with the ending of this book and I for one can’t wait to see what will happen next.

Overall, if you are looking for a standalone, suspenseful mob romance with action, plenty of explicit dirty talk from a killer and a HEA, you will enjoy this book!

*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.
Profile Image for Susan  Burgess-Ryan.
717 reviews13 followers
May 11, 2016
100 STARS!!! 5 STARS JUST DOES NOT DO THIS BOOK JUSTICE!!!

BB Hamel is one of my all-time favorite authors. I have been reading her books ever since last year, and I have no intentions of stopping. I love her Barone Crime Family. I look forward to each and every book that she writes on them. She never ceases to amaze me with a MARVELOUSLY WONDERFUL book each time. If you have never read one of her books, then you have no idea what you are missing, especially if you love BAD BOYS and CRIME FAMILIES!!!! “Kissing the Killer” is just another example of her amazing work. You have sex, murder, may-ham, sex, love, laughter, and did I mention sex? Oh, yea I did. This book is recommended for mature readers 18 and older because of the violence and the SEX!!!! I promise you will not be disappointed with this book.

Emma’s father was part of the Russian mob, and he owed thousands of dollars to bookies all over Chicago. Even though he was a drunk he gave Emma a ruff over her head, and a black eye every other week. But he was playing both families and the Barone Crime Family was mad and sent what Emma calls angels of death to kill her father. Brooks, was one of those angels, and he didn’t have wings. He had tattoos all over his body, and a cocky smile. He killed her father and carried her with him when he should have killed her. Will Emma escape from Brooks, or will she want to stay?

Brooks is a hitman for the mafia. He is arrogant, and his muscles are ripped and he doesn’t get close to anyone. He had more blood on his hands than anyone person should have, and no hopes of ever washing it off. When he and his partner Abram went to kill the Russian Karsov, they didn’t expect another person in the house. He spared Emma’s life even though he should have killed her. He took her home with him and kept her safe. Will Brooks be able to keep himself and Emma alive once the family finds out what he did?

No spoilers. A book you do not want to miss. ARC free book given for an honest review.
Profile Image for Mary Clark.
799 reviews8 followers
May 15, 2016
This was excellent, well-written intriguing story that had lots to offer, and I was not disappointed in the least; there were plenty of twists and turns that kept my interest throughout and the story was quite beguiling. Brooks owed Gian and the Mafia everything. Gian was like a brother to him and as he rose up through the ranks, he took Brooks with him, teaching him everything he knew; now he was a full-time hitman. But Brooks has a code, he did not hurt women. For Brooks it was supposed to be an easy job; go in, kill the old drunk, and get out, nothing he hasn’t done before. When Emma’s mother died, the part of her father she loves went too; he turns to drink and gambling, and finally gets himself murdered. Emma hates living in her father’s house, but she has nowhere else to go, so when Brooks finds her and takes her with him, she is determined not to be owned by anyone again. Emma is afraid of Brooks, but she is also drawn to him. They have a lot in common with their tragic pasts and messed up present. All Emma has known for so long is misery, anger and misfortunate; now she has to learn what it is like to be a normal person again. Although Brooks has taken Emma, and decides he will not kill her, his action puts them both in danger, until they are offered help from an unlikely source – a group dedicated to protecting those who cannot protect themselves. Now Brooks is torn between the life he values and the life that is possible, and Emma is the reason. Brooks is a killer and always would be, but can he use his skills for the greater good? A wonderful story that I would have no hesitation in recommending. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.


Profile Image for Racy.
1,711 reviews16 followers
May 5, 2016
I received this for a honest review. You know when you read on of B.B. Hamel’s books it is going to be very steamy and hot. I love that we got to know a little more bout the one that never leaves her room.

Emma was living in hell. Her father was abusive and stoled from her. Her father was in some serious trouble with the mafia. She knew it was only a matter of time when they came for him. I can not imagine the fear she must of felt when she heard her father being shot. Though she hid she had already prepared her self for death. Emma was so brave and strong, More then she really knew.

Brooks was taken back by this beautiful woman. There was just something about Emma that called to him. The thing I loved about Brook is he did not hurt women. This had to be Emma’s lucky day. Though Brooks was know as one of the angels of death he was getting ready to become a protector.

Brooks is going to find out how sick some of the people he is working for truly is. The Mafia has no morals. They have no problem hurting women and even being involved in the sex trade. Brooks is learning also about this group called the Spiders. Seems like when the mafia brings in some fresh woman the Spiders steal them away. This is truly hard for Brooks to stomach. He can not stand to see woman put in the sex trade.

Brooks will have his hands full protecting Emma. He will have to work on building her trust. But when he has more then the Mafia coming after them it makes his job more harder. Brooks wants Emma bad. He finds himself not only respecting her but falling for her as well. The question is will he be able to win Emma’s heart?
Profile Image for CYNDY.
1,149 reviews33 followers
May 5, 2016
I received and ARC for an honest review. Once again, B.B. Hamel hits it out of the park.

Kissing the Killer is the next installment of the Barone crime family; can't wait for the next book. Throw in some violence, the mafia, family obligations, moral choices, oh and the fact he's a killer meant to kill her, I was on edge the whole time wondering if they were going to get their happy ending. The attraction between the two main characters was off the charts but they both struggled. Brooks struggles with trying to protect Emma while being loyal to the Mob. Emma struggles with being captive by a man she shouldn't want and getting her freedom. It was intense it was passionate it was different Brooks was a hitman for the mafia who got brought in at a very young age and he went out on a hit killed the target swept to the house found a beautiful woman but he just could not bring himself to kill he did not want his partner to find her but it was already too late. It is definitely worth the read just to find out what happens at the end. She keeps us guessing which way they will turn throughout the story. As Always, BB Hamel leads you on an exciting journey with her Mafia bad boys. Her story line leaves you on the edge of your seat waiting anxiously for what happens next.
Profile Image for Brenda.
54 reviews3 followers
May 9, 2016
This book, like all of this authors reads, is a gritty, on the edge ride from the very first page to the very last word. I've read several things by BB Hamel and, I must admit it took me a while to get use to the style. These are not sweet, middle America, happy go lucky families smiling their way through what we consider day to day problems. This story centers around Brooks, a hit man for the Italian mob and Emma, the daughter of a man he was hired to kill. Rules were he should kill her too so as to leave no witnesses. Seems Brooks is a killer with a conscience where women and children are concerned. One look at Emma and he knew he couldn't kill her, so he took her. This is the story of how they came to be in love and how they worked through the problem of keeping her alive. It was raw, gritty and filled with explicit sexual encounters and language. If this is offensive to you, better pass this one over. If it isn't, this was an exciting, fast paced read and I think you'd really enjoy it. Pick up your copy today and settle in. The basic story line is good, but the twist and turns will keep you on the edge of your seat until the end. I was given this copy in exchange for an honest review, but I feel it is well worth the purchase price.
Profile Image for Sue.
1,945 reviews25 followers
May 2, 2016
Brooks was a killer with a conscience...for some things anyway...and when he found the daughter of one of his targets hiding during a hit, of course he had to take her home with him. Save her, use her and then kill her...what's a mafia bad-boy supposed to do besides follow rules...his heart of course.
Emma is a strong girl...has always had to be to survive her own father...but when Brooks takes her away with him, she is weak for the first time as she feels things she has never felt before for any man.
I really loved how this story grabbed me from the first chapter and kept hold on my emotions and the intensity of the actions and possible danger at every turn was really exciting.
Some twists midway through the book were a real game changer and the story took a completely different (but welcome) direction and I was kept on edge until the very end because I still didn't know who to really trust or believe.
If you like mafia hitmen, human trafficking rescue and bad-boy/good-girl type romances full of mind-blowing steamy sex, then this book is the one for you.
I received a free copy of this book for an honest review.

**** 4 **** "trust him and he will save you" stars
Profile Image for Wendy Hodges.
2,896 reviews41 followers
May 4, 2016
This was an arc given for an honest review.
Another fantastic installment of the Mafia Series, exciting, fast, violent. You have human trafficking, abuse, guns, families working against each other. There's little or no trust so it makes it hard for the two main characters to trust each other, but their bodies do even if their minds take longer. Hot graphic, dirty language sex. BB Hamel as always doesn't disappoint in any way, always keeping you on the edge of your seat. I am absolutely loving this series, each one is a different level giving an idea of how these groups are organised and run. From the bosses down to the ones that do the bulk of the dirty work, their lives are owned by the Mafia. This couple have come from nothing, her father apart of the Mafia and has betrayed them, his death ordered leaving her alone. Brooks doesn't hurt or kill women so when he finds her after killing her father he takes her with him. What comes after that is a fight for freedom and survival for them both and figuring out how to have each other as well. So much tension and suspense in this story it just keeps you reading.
Profile Image for Lenna  Wright.
3,400 reviews35 followers
May 1, 2016
This is the third story from the Barone crime family mob.
Lust at first sight for Brooks, a paid hitman for the Barone family. His job is to kill a two faced ahole and he did but he never thought he would fine a woman there hiding in the closet that was beaten up. Brooks has a code, no harming woman and kids, and he will see to this girls freedom. Until his partner crashes all hope of that. Emma has been living in fear of her father since her mother passing that took a piece of her father's love that died. Her father controlled her and stolen from her to keep here there. But all that changed when two guys killed her father and one was taking her as his prize. From then on Brooks and Emma has been living on borrowed time, until Lousia Barone takes it upon herself to share her empire that will over throw her father's. Will Emma become more then she thought and will Brooks ever step outside of the only thing he ever done and follow the rules....




~~~~~~~~ ARC was given for a honest review~~~~~~~~~~
Profile Image for Susan Foulkes.
995 reviews3 followers
May 2, 2016
Another gritty novel centered around the Barone family.

The main characters are Brooks, a killer for the Barones, and Emma, naive daughter of an abusive Russian mobster.
Despite their obvious differences their relationship develops nicely and not too quickly.

Whilst the main plot involves Brooks keeping Emma alive (thus putting his own life on the line) there is an intriguing sub plot involving Louisa Barone, she of the incredible computer skills. Just what is she up to?

The plot was well paced and the characters well rounded.

As you would expect from a story set in this milieu there was explicit violence. This was not gratuitous but germane to the story.

There was also explicit sex....lots of explicit sex.

I enjoyed the book and can't wait to read the next one...hopefully this will throw more light on Louisa and her machinations!

4* because I found the incessant bad language very, very wearing.

I received an ARC from the author in return for an honest review.

Profile Image for Michelle Ballard.
365 reviews3 followers
May 4, 2016
WOW!!! After being abused by her father for years Emma hears her father being murdered in the middle of the night and she decides to hide in her closet. The next thing she hears is her door being picked and someone in her room. He finds her.... Brooks in on another hit for the mob. Abram that other hit man he is working with is checking the downstairs....Brooks checks all the rooms but one is locked. All men have to have a code.. Brooks refuses to hurt woman and children,that is his code and he won't break it for anyone.... He needs to get inside and check it before Abram comes back. Brooks gets into the room and finds a beautiful woman hiding in the closet....He has two choices..Make her get back into that closet and hide or take her and claim her for a while before killing her. Can Brooks make that choice before Abram finds her and forces his hand??
3,061 reviews19 followers
May 15, 2016
This is one of my favourite authors when she puts out
a new book you know you are going to enjoy it.
This one is about Brook who kills for a living.
On one of his hits he had to do he found Emma hiding
and he try's to get her to go back in the closet so his partner
would not see her because the code was to leave no one who could
tell want happen and who was the killer that is how the mob works.
Emma was to slow going back in the closet and was seen by his partner
so Brooks said he was claiming her.
This is the start of the relationship between Brook and Emma.
Will they be able to stay alive and together when they have the mob
after them.
I received this book for an honest review
This book is going to keep you interested right from the
start to the end it will leave you wanting more from this author
and more bad boys story's to read.
Profile Image for Kristy Dean-Veen.
1,203 reviews14 followers
May 14, 2016
Very good HEA standalone mafia

This story was very good. The mafia romance story is well developed. The characters are strong and have growth. This was a stand alone book with bonus story "taught". I love this authors writing style. She is a one click buy for me.
Overview. Brooks works for the mafia in Chicago. The Barone family took him in at a young age since his parents died and he became a foster kid fighting the system. He was a hit man. He was sent to kill a guy with massive debt. But after the kill, he finds the daughter locked in her closet. Emma was freaked. The killer just found her but there was something different about him. Brooks takes Emma hostage, but later when they are alone he explains his reasons. Brooks and Emma from a bond that is not normal. But the future is bright for them.
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