When Lacey, Meg, and The Family find themselves buckled into airplane seats and jetting across the Atlantic Ocean, it’s not a sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride sort of flight. Between Meg’s new diet, Lacey’s feverish wedding nightmares, and an unwanted stowaway, the gang’s first trip out of the country promises to be one chaotic disaster.
As the wheels touch down in Milan, Lacey Luzzi Security Services are back in business in a serious way. The Violet Society, a group of elite, uber-stealthy criminals, have come out of hiding—and Lacey’s tasked with finding them. As if gelaterias and house wines aren’t enough of a distraction, Anthony is swept away by secret business, Carlos uncovers a friend from his past, and Nora’s convinced she’s got a new grandbaby.
Despite all this, if Lacey can’t put a stop to the thefts, her client will be out millions of dollars. Even worse? If The Violet Society finds her first, she’ll have a lot more to worry about than a few missing jewels.
Note: This book can be read as a standalone, though it is part of a larger series and not all plot lines are resolved in a single book. It is rated a strong PG-13 for sarcasm and mild language. No graphic gore or sex.
Originally from St. Paul, Minnesota, Gina LaManna has also called Italy and Los Angeles home. After studying numbers and equations in college, she realized multiple choice tests were “just not for her” and began writing books instead. She loves cappuccino foam and whipped cream and would subsist solely on sprinkles if possible. She currently lives in St. Paul with her wonderful husband and family.
Lacey Luzzi Services has another security job. This time it takes the gang to Italy, more precisely Milan for Fashion Week. They have to protect Lizabeth's new jewellery line that is premiering with The Miranda piece. Not only do they have this job, they are discovering more about the business they are working in as well as finding more about Anthony's past.
Of course, any job they take on, is never going to be easy with Meg around. Although, she is a lot calmer and not as ditzy with Clay's influence, all in a good way. While Anthony is away trying to deal with ghosts from his past, the gang go into securing the venue for the event. Always close by is Nora and Carlos, who has a touching conversation with Lacey, and giving her guidance.
Gina has done a fab job again with this episode. I enjoy reading what the group are getting them selves into, and she described Milan and the little towns, just like she had been there. Mostly though, I love the reactions and relationships between them all. They are all getting more comfortable with each other, and trusting each other with their lives. And of course my favourite couple, Lacey and Anthony just get better and better. He really is just a big softie, until you cross "the Family!"
This is another fun, but rather silly installment in this mafia series. This time Lacey and Meg are off to Italy to help with security, as they have been hired (Lacey now runs a security firm) by a Hollywood person who is now a jewellry fashion designer to protect an extremely valuable necklace. All of the regulars find reasons to be there, and given that some of them first came from Italy and the nature of the family, it makes sense in this fictional world. When Lacey arrives and joins Anthony in their hotel room they hear a baby crying; it turns out her twin cousins, still kids, have stuffed a baby that is a school assignment into her bag instructing her to take good care of it so they don't get an F. Let me tell you, adding that plastic baby was a good idea, IMO, although at first I didn't think so.
Lots of mayhem, madness and fun, albeit one has to "sucker" it up to the fact that Lacey is always going to be a little on the less-than-smart side with some things (part of the humour, I guess). There are a few surprises but of course in this sort of book, part of the fun is figuring certain things out before the end.
You're going to get 'suckered' right into this one! You start of on a flight to Italy for another case. Of course Lacey brought the whole gang along, plus on unintentional passenger.
I really am beginning to feel like Anthony is helping Lacey to mature in ways I didn't expect, but it the best way possible. I feel like she is finally ready to settle down and really start a family with Anthony. I still don't know how well Meg would do with Lacey not always being available, but I am beginning to sense a new sense of maturity from her as well.
The heart to heart Lacey and Carlos had in this book really got to me. Once the case is solved you will get to read a really long epilogue in which you basically get a novella from Gina.
Speaking of maturity. I feel like Gina has really matured in her writing from Sprinkled to Suckered her writing has improved so much!
Ok guys this is a review for the entire series 😅. 🎧 I did the audios (which was such a mess and highly disappointing) so I’m gonna break down this whole series without any major plot spoilers but this will have relationship spoilers and the series character progression spoilers. I wanted a good long audio series. It was my main reason for picking this up!
Overall this was.. Romcom Suspend disbelief Silly antics Mafia family- but also not really done well Over the top antics Light and mostly fun listening Cozy mystery Crazy reacurring side characters
‼️Book 1-3…. 🎧audio was good w a narrator who did voices and personalities.
The first 3 books was hard for the romance. I didn’t like that she was dating OP and that Anthony was wishy washy. I also would have liked confirmation that he wasn’t dating and hooking up w OW.
I didn’t enjoy the weird way the author tried to write a love and romance. She dragged it out way too much and not in a fun way.
😡Why is she still hooking up w her looser ex! And why is the H waiting so long and sending mixed signals for 4books??!!!
😡Also making the h pathetic isn’t attractive. She was legit in the next room while her ex he was hooking up w OW and she has seen him w a revolving door in his bed. Why is she still hooking up w him in book 3 when Anthony has told her multiple times he wants her and they have had more then one make out sess? It makes her come off as so gross and cheap w no self respect. Way to much push and pull with Anthony the H. Makes him seem like a douche.
‼️ Book 4- 🎧Audio is the same and still good! By the end we are finally getting somewhere with the romance! And FINALLY Lacy seems to be growing a bit.
‼️Book 5- 🎧HORRID! We went to VIRTUAL VOICE🫨 after having a great narrator w personality. Also the story is FINALLY getting better and better and the romance was stating to get super sweet. So I was bummed about the audio big time!
‼️Book 6- NO AUDIO AVAILABLE!!! WTF I did Alexa reading to me. What a freaking mess! Also since the romance and story anew literally getting better w each book this is ruining my experience.
‼️Book 7-10- 🎧ALL VIRTUAL VOICE! 🫨 I guess it was better than Alexa reading it to me but WTF I mean this author really needs to get consistent with her audios. The story was great though these were my fav of the series. We had character growth. Super sweet romance that I loved. And we got some fun storylines and mysteries. TO ME THESE BOOKS WERE THE BEST IN THE SERIES AND WHERE RHE SERIES PEAKED. Such a shame about the audios! 😭😭😭
‼️Books 11- 12- 🎧BACK TO NARRATION! So great audios But man the characters and the storylines took a plummet for me. Lacy was annoying me and so was Meg. Anthony turned into her useless husband. I mean he was head security for the mafia and couldn’t keep her safe! And Lacy was pregnant and putting herself in danger. I was annoyed. It’s not cute when you have real adult stuff happening to be acting like an immature child.
‼️Book 13- 🎧Back to ZERO AUDIO! Fucking hell!!!!!! I mean really!? And I’m over it and ready for this series to end.
‼️Overall my experience of this series was def positive and I did enjoy the majority of the mysteries and stories. I love the romance after book 4. But to much stuff dragged to long w the characters and their growth and development. The audios were a freaking mess! And had I known I wouldn’t have spent money buying the first 4! By the time the series ended I felt sad to see it go but also ready. I did enjoy watching to romance bloom and grow and then get married and have kids but like I said other factors also made my experience less enjoyable to.
🍭🎂ALSO SIDE NOTE BUT NO GROWN WOMAN CAN EAT ALL THAT SUGAR! IT WAS OK AT FIRST BUT ANGUGE TURN OFF WHEN SHE BECAME PREGNANT! Not cute just gross.
Overall safe. Book 1-4 not really cause she is hooking up w her ex douche bag BF No clue is Anthony is hooking up w OW. After book 3 No OP at all.
I know I said the previous book, “Spiced” was my favorite, but now this one is my new favorite of this series. There was so much going on, but LaManna makes it all meld together nicely and doesn’t make me feel lost like some other books. Sometimes I’ll read a book and not completely understand certain portions until the very end when everything comes together. In this read, everything made sense as I trekked along.
It all started with a frilly dress, a thousand cakes, and Meg asking Lacey for relationship advice. What’s really going on here?
Lizabeth has once again hired Lacey and her family for an assignment that happens to be in Italy - the country Carlo, Nora, and Anthony are from. The Assignment? Make sure Lizabeth’s $2 million handcrafted items are not stolen.
Lacey and Anthony are premature parents to a blue goo eating piece of plastic thanks to two little girls with a school assignment. Then Carlos and Lacey go for a walk while Nora has a spa day with her imaginary friend.
“‘Patience, Lacey,’ Carlos said. ‘Magic is when patience meets opportunity.’”
There is magic and theft included and some sneaky people. Lacey is a runway model… more like a run-away model. Haha. There’s also a bomb that happens to be attached to Lacey… again. Clay is included in this “vacation”, so of course there’s a bomb!
Tons of action and Lacey even gets shot - twice - but not in the way you’re thinking.
As I mentioned, this story began with thousands of cakes, but it ends with lollipops.
Lacey and company are jet setting to Italy for a security job with Lizabeith during fashion week to guard her new jewelry collection. A series of jewelry thefts has everyone on edge to figure where the thieves will strike next. Is it the work of an uber secret society or a common criminal? Lacey is on the case! Overwhelmed by decisions she hasn't made on her wedding planning, a surprise left for her and Anthony by the twins, Meg's over the top theatrics, & Nora's ever constant meddling has Lacey at her wit's end. Trying to maneuver around fashion models, delicious food, Anthony being away, & an intriguing man named Beckett has Lacey up to her eyeballs trying to figure out the heists. With best friend Meg and cousin Clay helping her they run into magic, new friends, bombs, babies, & a runway walk to remember. Twist and turns trying to find the thieves and out think them puts lives in jeopardy while Anthony also reveals more personal details about his life. Will there actually be a wedding in the future or not?
One of the favorites in the series so far! (Though I think I say that with each new book.) Same fun and wacky characters with the addition of a few new ones (whom I'm sure we'll be hearing from again. At least I hope so.) This book takes us to Italy, during Fashion Week, but have no fear, Lacey still manages to get herself into some pretty crazy situations. Although the story has an ending (no cliffhanger,) it does have components that will leave you wanting more of. There is plenty of humor. The mystery is there. And the romance/sexiness... well, it's there more than ever. (Don't worry... still safe for the younger readers.) The best part is in the Epilogue, so make sure you read it. :)
All of Gina LaManna's books (so far) are suitable for most all ages. Clean, and easy to read. This one is a little longer than the rest, so more Lacey and crew for you to enjoy.
Another fun read in the Lacey Luzzi mystery series. This time Lacey is in Italy to help friend and client, Lizabeth, make sure her jewelry line debut goes off without a hitch as there have been jewlery heists going on with rumors that an uber elite squad of thieves called The Violet Society.
Of course Lacey solves the mystery in her normal chaotic way, making a couple new friends along the way. The book also finishes with some new information about her fiance, Anthony and the book closes with an emotional moment between characters.
I love these ice cream for my brain books.... just pure indulgence and silliness and this book from Gina LaMannas series is just as funny and silly as all the others..... I have to admit tho, her description of Lacey wanting to make a Snuggie out of napkins because she was so full her pants were tight..... oh wait she’s wearing a dress.... oh man! I sent that to my friend it was so funny! Enjoyable silly book and I do recommend it
This is such a sweet book. The traveling around Italy and the fashion show are confusing. I don't understand the bathroom scene, the limo landing or the random shopping excursion. I shouldn't say don't understand. I should say they are hard transitions. They just didn't flow well. The blue goo baby is hilarious. Meg as always is precious. Anthony and Lacey will give you a toothache with how sweet they are.
What a fantabulous book. Gina always adds humor to this series but this book takes the cake. Gina will make you laugh with the surprise the twins left for Lacey, cry as we find out more about Anthony, and dance at the surprise Gina has in store for us. If you have not read this Ser start at the beginning as this series should have a 10 star rating.
So I thought the last book was my favorite.. Turns out I was wrong.. Not as many feels in this one but it had more excitement to it. The part I was waiting for finally happened & surprises I didn't see coming happened.. Absolutely love Meg! Is she gonna be next?? Ahh I have to get to the next book.
This one was full of cheese and fluff, but also some legit character development. And Beckett, who was amazingly awesome. Not sure I think there needs to be another one, so we'll see.
If you wanted to grow up and be James Bond then you will love Lacey and friends/family. No matter what, she gets herself into many dangerous scrapes. No matter what she finds new friends to help her out.
I absolutely loved this book! Just when I think the series is amazing and That it can’t get any better; another magical, cozy, friendship, family fueled adventure gets written that outshines all others. This series is candy for my soul, a bomb to my heart, and I just can’t get enough of it.
A mystery in Milan. Lacey and crew always get themselves into trouble no matter where they go. Hopefully Lacey can figure out who dun-it before it all goes sideways. And finally get a happy ending for Lacey and Anthony
Totally enjoyable. Wacky, fun, mysterious and suspenseful. Old and new characters. Good plot twists. But Lacey’s knee got stomped on by The Chad and then there was no further mention of her injury or seeing a doctor.