No More Mr. Nice Guy: A Family Business Novel

The Family Business #0.75

by Carl Weber

Ripped from the pages of his New York Times bestselling Family Business series, Carl Weber brings you No More Mr. Nice Guy, the origin of Niles Monroe, the super-bad hitman who will one day become Paris Duncan’s one true love.

Niles has just returned from eight years of serving his country as a Special Forces sniper. He’s looking forward to a consulting job with Dynamic Defense and spending time with his family, including his bi-polar mother, Lorna, and his hard-drinking uncle, Willie. What Niles doesn’t know is that Dynamic Defense is actually a CIA front. He’s not interested in joining them, but they won’t take no for an answer.

Bridget St. John is one of the most beautiful women Niles has ever met, and she is also the most deadly. It is her job to recruit Niles to the Dynamic Defense team by any means necessary. When Niles is arrested for a murder he does not commit, Bridget makes him an offer he can’t working for Dynamic Defense in exchange for his freedom.

With Niles on board, Bridget begins to train him in ways he never imagined. Sometimes, however, the student becomes the teacher. Before she realizes what’s happening, Bridget falls in love. When circumstances in his personal life collide with his work, Niles is forced to use his military skills to protect those closest to him.

Fans are sure to appreciate this action-packed thriller that delivers love, drama, and suspense with Weber’s trademark flair for unexpected twists and turns.

Genres: Fiction, African American, Urban, Crime, Audiobook

Audio CD

First published January 26, 2016

About the author

Carl Weber is a New York Times and #1 Essence® bestselling novelist.

In addition to his writing, Weber is the founder and publisher of Urban Books and in 2005, he was named Blackboard's Publisher of the Year. He is the owner of the Urban Knowledge chain of book stores and a past recipient of Blackboard's Bookseller of the Year award.

Weber graduated from Virginia State University and holds an MBA in marketing from the University of Virginia.

Reviews

[Cheryl James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic Family Business Story. I am so in love with this series and I can't wait for the motion picture to come to the theater. Four books down and two more to go!! Okay Carl Weber its movie time!!

This book is about one of the new characters "Niles" and how he got his start into the story line.

He is definitely a great asset to the story.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love me some NILES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Natasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading Niles background was intriguing. You couldn't help but be endeared to him despite the lifestyle he ended up in. His uncle Willie also was a favorite of mine in this story. The females in this book took a backseat in the "like" department. I did like Kisha and Tanya, they were genuine. I felt bad for Kisha because of her situation. My only issue with the story is it didn't tie together from the introduction to the end. It made me feel like the intro was pointless, if you read Paris' story you would understand why it started that way but with the beginning going back 5 years I thought I would read more events leading up to Niles and Paris. I'll assume there will be other books, or at least one other book continuing Niles' story and closing the gap to where Paris' story left off with them. The Family Business series with these spinoffs are still books I look forward to reading so I'll definitely be on the lookout for the next installment.

[Cam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an ok book… not my favorite by this author but a quick read.

Niles has just returned from eight years of serving his country as a Special Forces sniper. He’s looking forward to a consulting job with Dynamic Defense and spending time with his family, including his bi-polar mother, Lorna, and his hard-drinking uncle, Willie. What Niles doesn’t know is that Dynamic Defense is actually a CIA front. He’s not interested in joining them, but they won’t take no for an answer.

Bridget St. John is one of the most beautiful women Niles has ever met, and she is also the most deadly. It is her job to recruit Niles to the Dynamic Defense team by any means necessary. When Niles is arrested for a murder he does not commit, Bridget makes him an offer he can’t refuse: working for Dynamic Defense in exchange for his freedom.

[Amy (Gabs) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book starts off where To Paris with Love left off. We get to learn about Niles Monroe and how he became an assassin.

This book was so good. I could not put it down. Like the majority of the other Family Business novels, Carl Weber had me hooked with the first few sentences.

I don't want to leave any spoilers or ruin the book for any others out there who love this series. If you are a fan, this is a MUST READ!!!!

[Kelly Is Brighid · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’ll not waste my words on a review.

[Diane Rembert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 7 of "The Family Business" series is all about Niles Monroe, the man that Paris fell in love with…only to find out that he was sent to assassinate her father. So, we see in this book that he was not killed in the explosion, by a phone call that he makes to his uncle. Then, the story goes on to tell the readers how Niles Monroe became a paid assassin. It also showed me the lengths that the government will go to, in order to get what they want.

It wasn't until the end that I figured out the title. Niles literally transformed from a nice guy that takes care of his mother and courts a Keisha (whom he thought was the woman of his dreams) into a cold-hearted killer that Bridget created him to be.

I loved this book, because it gave me the backstory of Niles, a character that I've liked since "To Paris With Love" and if you know me, you know that I'm big on back stories. A few people complained that this book had nothing to do with the series, but I disagree. A special shout out to New York Times bestseller @iamcarlweber and Stephanie Covington for this 💎💎💎💎 (for minor errors).

[Deedee Henson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

[Marilyn Diamond · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read as about as much as I chose to read. The story line is excellent, it's riveting an fast pace. Is it realistic? as a Veteran, yes I suppose if you are a sharp shooting assisin that in reality this happens. In Mr. Weber's creative mind and in his neighborhood I am sure that there are plenty of Niles Munroe's. I know there are drug orgainization and mass violence and senseless killing. The mass violence is what turned me from this novel. I didn't want to go to sleep with violence on my mind going through what we are in this modern day nation. The women are used pretty more for thier bodies rather than there God given talent and again used and discarded except for the female versions of Niles Munroe, Bridget St. John is a bad mother ... as well as her opposite counter part who it tuns out is a foreign correspondent trained assassin as well..
Dectective Fuller got his testicles handed to him as he should he was a dirty police officer. In this era with so much police brutality and cop killing, he was not appreciated.
Mr. Weber in his work is a product of his environment and apparantly his readers love his dirty secrets and his dangerous novels.

[Tynika Reads 🌺 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me love Niles Monroe even more. I would recommend reading a family business part 3 to get the story of what role Niles plays in Paris Duncan's life. But this gives me a better understanding on why Niles is the way he is and I can't say I'm disappointed. I'm hooked & I want more on Mr. Monroe.

[Tim · Rating 2 out of 5]

So many characters that the story is hard to keep track of at times. Also, a bit on the long side. 4 of 10 stars

[p · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I read this I had no idea that it was part of a larger series, so I read this as a standalone.

Where Weber excels is weaving several characters whose individual basic needs compellingly drive the narrative of this book. The action scenes are also pretty well written.

Where Weber waivers is writing convincingly about a secret top notch killing agency. For all the times Weber writes that one character is the “best at this”, or “the best at that” – Weber is certainly setting high expectations for the readers. Our protagonist, Niles – the best assassin, the best escapee, the best at reading subtle body language – it turns out he’s also the best male fucker in the universe. Jesus there’s nothing he’s not the best at.

Well it turns out:

- On a mission he busts in to save his partner, but he is so hyperfocused on her (who was not in immediate danger) that he missed an easy chance to eliminate the threat. Unnecessarily putting both himself and his partner at risk. (This scene wasn’t bad, just stop calling him the best assassin ever.)
- The only people he ever manipulates in the book to do things for him are young women who find him attractive. Not particularly impressive. Oh, and he does ‘manipulate’ one male security guard, but I was left scratching my head on how making the security guard chuckle got the security guard to break protocol and not make Niles go through a 10 second security scan.
- Despite being off the charts in reading and manipulating people – Niles himself is probably the most manipulated character in this book. He is lied to by Keisha, he is lied to and toyed with by Bridget. Jonathan, who Niles never met before, convinces Niles that Bridget is the bad guy. Niles does no investigation, and doesn’t even bother discussing it with Bridget.

All of this is fine, some of this is even really good writing. But it’s super-annoying when we’re constantly told how good Niles is at this and that.

Oh, and the topper: somehow in one scene amongst 4 of the elite of the elite assassins in the world, Duncan manages to make them all sound like petty middle-schoolers clawing each other over a love triangle.

Overall: an enjoyable page-turner, but filled with super-annoying and unnecessary commentary about how great and awesome all the characters are (especially Niles and Bridget.)

[Norman LaVelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is so good! It's very well written and gives insight on the Niles character from The Family Business series. The book opens up with him Just leaving Paris Duncan and her trying to kill him. The funny thing is there is never any mention of it again as the book flashes back to when Niles first came home from the military. He was offered a consulting position with a company named Dynamic Defense which is a government defense contractor. Ultimately they are a league of assassins and Niles decided very quickly that he wants nothing to do with them. But after being set up for murder he may not have a choice. Nile went out on a date with a woman, Keisha, he was close with before the military. While out the brother of Keisha's baby's father inappropriately confronts her about being out with another man, and Niles decided to teach him a lesson in manners. But when the guy ends up dead, Niles is the number one suspect.

A Dynamic Defense representative, Bridgette St. John, came to his rescue and let him know they could remove all charges if he decided to accept the position with them. He has a hard time saying no as he needed to be free to take care of his ailing mother and Bridgette was one of the most beautiful women he had met in a long time. She trained him for several months gave him a access to credit cards and cash to spruce up his image to be able to blend with the high end targets that they normally went after. But when Niles proves to be one of the best recruits the agency has seen in years. Others start to get ideas on how they will plot to take him down, meanwhile Keisha's baby's father is on a rampage to find out who killed his brother and eventually trails start to lead to Bridgette Sr. John and Niles.

In a roller coast thrill ride of suspense, drama, murder, love and betrayal, this novel by Carl Weber is sure to become a great movie. I can't wait to see if they do it justice on film. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. - Norman LaVelle

[Monique · Rating 4 out of 5]

No More Mr Nice Guy is a great book. It introduces us to Niles the guy that Paris fell for in To Paris with Love. This book was pretty good. To me it kind seems like it could have been part of To Paris with Love. I feel like somehow Carl Weber could have taken a lot of this book and somehow narrowed down and put all the info about Niles in the prior book.

No More Mr. Nice Guy I would describe as a book that introduces Niles and tells about how he became the killer that he is. Yes a charming one he is. It tells about why he go into the field he is in. It talks about his family. I can see why it is part of a family business series. Niles had his only little family business.

I guess I will have to wait until the next book to figure out what the real connection is to LC and the Duncan family because I didn't catch it in this book. But they were mentioned so he had to know something about the Duncans even before he met Paris.

I'm excited to read the next book the Family Business. Maybe I will get some more insight about what is going on here.

Overall still a good read. I didn't want to quit listening.

[Revae · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Family Business series never disappoints me. I look forward to each installment. This book followed Niles Monroe. He made his debut in To Paris With Love. In No More Mr. Nice Guy, we find out how Niles becomes a hired assassin. After returning home from the military, Niles has very few options for employment. He is heavily recruited by Dynamic Defense, a cover organization for the CIA. Even though Niles is not interested, Dynamic Defense will not take no for an answer no matter who they have to kill. It doesn't make it any easier for Niles when the woman responsible for training him is a hard woman to deny. I was enthralled from beginning to end. I am looking forward to the next book. There wasn't a preview of at the end of this one, so I hope Carl Weber doesn't make us wait too long.

[Eloise · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t get past the prologue

I saw from the table of contents that chapters alternated between quite a number of characters and I groaned. I’ve read too many books of this type recently, and I find them disjointed and unfocused. Nevertheless, I began. Within a page or two, the phrase “beautiful young woman” occurred.Spare me from male authors’ fantasies! Fortunately, it came from my library.

[Sandra (Book Loves) Atueyi · Rating 5 out of 5]

No More Mr. Nice Guy: A Family Business Novel by Carl Weber and Stephanie Covington is a good and excellent book. The storyline is on the point. Mr. Weber did his job. This is my first time reading from Stephanie Covington.

I enjoyed reading about Niles Monroe and the characters in this book. It's a page turner.

[Kishma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have enjoyed the whole Family Business series and this book was no exception. It started kind of slow for me but picked up quickly. One issue I had was the relationship between Niles and Bridget. That relationship turning romantic and them being head over heels for each other within a chapter or two seemed unbelievable BUT...I still enjoyed the book.

[Maya B · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one was the least of my favorites in this series. it was a slow read and I didn't feel a connection to Niles. I know Carl weber is writing this series with different authors so I cant expect the same reading experience each time

[Tynece · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! I really don't know what to say that won't spoil it so I'll just say.....READ IT! You won't be sorry

[Stacey Price · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was just ok to me it had some good parts and then some parts that just dragged on I think I'm done with this series.

[Keboobie1194 · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always Carl Weber didn't disappoint. I was surprised by the ending and can't wait for the next book.

[JoRolle Nola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very entertaining. Niles was so cold after getting his heartbroken twice. But he was a G about handling his business.

[S. Reid]

I'd read & listened to this book years ago then gave it another listen via audible yesterday so as i could do the recap/review for it.
Instead of going through every part of this too long book, I'll just briefly say how I feel about liking that the authors had given us a backstory on Niles Monroe & his ill mother Laura funny uncle Willie & most of all how Niles SURVIVED THAT plane crash when we all thought that he was a goner after Paris flipped that switch on his life & their relationship!
I didn't like Majestic or his boy, Bruce nor did I like Keisha's mama or even Keisha for that matter.
I loved that Vegas & Orlando Duncan GUEST STARRED in Chapter 54 which made the book even more worthwhile for me to purchase!
I don't know how I felt about Niles & Bridget's , um, intimate time together.
Ok, Imma say it if nobody else will. THIS WAS A MUCH DIFFERENT NILES MONROE THAN WHAT WAS PRESENTED IN TO/FROM PARIS WITH LOVE" & I LIKED THIS VERSION OF NILES!
In this one Niles was efficient but vulnerable. He had gotten his heart involved with Keisha waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too quickly & I look forward when Keisha makes her way BACK INTO Niles's world BECAUSE YOU KNOW THAT SHE WILL BE WRITTEN TO POP UP ON NILES WHILE HE & TRUE LOVE PARIS DUNCAN ARE LOOKING FOR WHERE NADJA HAD TAKEN THEIR SON JORDAN!
NILES MAY NEED BRIDGET'S ASSISTANCE IN LOCATING HIS SON TOO!
THIS IS WHY STEPHANIE COVINGTON NEEDS TO TAKE OVER THE ROLE OF CO-WRITING WHATEVER STORYLINE WHERE NILES & PARIS GO ON THE HUNT FOR THEIR SON JORDAN!

[Madril Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed the story. I thought it was a good mix of action, drama, and romance. My only issues with the book is that it felt rushed at times; particularly in the latter chapters of the book. The pace of the story telling was methodical and painted a perfect picture of the story up until things started to go south for the protagonists. Then for for whatever reason, Carl Weber decided to rush to the finish line. For instance, Majestic was such a evil character that you wanted, and expected, to see a lot more effort put into the battle between he and Niles. Instead all we got was about a page and a half of writing. Hardly enough considering everything Majestic did leading up until that point. It almost felt like Weber either got tired of the story and just wanted to get it over with, or he had people breathing down his neck pressuring him to meet a publishing deadline. Regardless of the rushed ending, I thoroughly enjoyed the story and look forward to reading more of the A Family Business novels.

[Dari Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

another good read

Of course as usual Carl Weber has done it again. This book is full of love, drama, and suspense. Niles Monroe is everything; he’s strong, loving, passionate, and empathetic. Plus, he’s a mommas boy. I fell in love with his character. The Family Business series is amazing. I would recommend the Family Business book series to anyone who likes/loves drama, suspense, and love because this series will keep you coming back for more. I can’t wait to read the next book.

[Cheryl James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Five star Family Business Book. It's different how the authors let you read the stories and then give you the detail story about the characters. But in this case I will take it anyway they write it. This book gives you the history of Niles, a very important, smooth, and professionally tough character. This is an awesome series and i am still excited about the soon to be motion picture. Six books down two more to go!!

[DeTerrius Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

More Niles!

"The Family Business" series is turning out to be a very hot one. Although I'm ready for the present info on the Duncan's, these back stories have been pretty entertaining. I did enjoy him in "To Paris With Love," but this story made me love him even more. His attitude was a problem at times to the point where I wanted to punch himself, but it wouldn't be Carl Weber's style to not throw my emotions into the whirlwind. I still highly recommend this series to everyone.

[Ta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well developed storyline and characters. I enjoyed this installment of the Family Business series. Honestly Niles has influenced me to read "To Paris with Love". I had no interest in an entire novel about THE most annoying Duncan prior to this novel. Still no interest in Rio unless it discusses Levi & Big Shirley aka the missing Duncans.

[Jeanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story is a supplement to the Family Business series, highlighting Niles Monroe -- the one true love of Paris Duncan. I loved how this story opened; then it went back 5 years, but didn't come back to wrap up from the opening. Just OK for me on this one -- 4 out of 10.