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Cross + Catherine #1
Always
A Legacy Novel
A wild boy.
A sly girl.
Cross Donati defines trouble. He does what he wants because he’s never known anything different. He’s unapologetic, and he owns it.
Catherine Marcello is every bit a good girl … on the outside. Her entire world is a legacy, and she lives it. She’s curious, and she’s exploring it.
She chases bad things.
He never learned to be good.
They’re late nights, stolen cars, first times, fist fights, leather jackets, beaches, bloody smiles, and life.
They’re vicious and precious, dangerous and harmless, innocence and sin. They are love.
Love is killing for someone.
Love is living for someone.
Sometimes, you can’t keep saving your heart when it means sacrificing it, too.
Sometimes, you have to learn to save yourself.
Sometimes, love has to fall, crash, and burn.
This is what love is like when you’re a principe and principessa della mafia.
This is what love is like when you’re Cross Donati and Catherine Marcello.
***
Always is a Legacy Novel, and while it is standalone, it can also act as a prequel for Revere. Each Legacy Novel stands alone from any other book, series, or collection.
A wild boy.
A sly girl.
Cross Donati defines trouble. He does what he wants because he’s never known anything different. He’s unapologetic, and he owns it.
Catherine Marcello is every bit a good girl … on the outside. Her entire world is a legacy, and she lives it. She’s curious, and she’s exploring it.
She chases bad things.
He never learned to be good.
They’re late nights, stolen cars, first times, fist fights, leather jackets, beaches, bloody smiles, and life.
They’re vicious and precious, dangerous and harmless, innocence and sin. They are love.
Love is killing for someone.
Love is living for someone.
Sometimes, you can’t keep saving your heart when it means sacrificing it, too.
Sometimes, you have to learn to save yourself.
Sometimes, love has to fall, crash, and burn.
This is what love is like when you’re a principe and principessa della mafia.
This is what love is like when you’re Cross Donati and Catherine Marcello.
***
Always is a Legacy Novel, and while it is standalone, it can also act as a prequel for Revere. Each Legacy Novel stands alone from any other book, series, or collection.
ebook
First published October 2, 2017
231 people are currently reading
2883 people want to read
About the author
Bethany-Kris
107 books4,260 followersThe author of too many novels to count, Bethany-Kris is a Canadian, lover of much, and mother to four sons, a glaring of cats, and a pack of dogs. A small town in Eastern Canada where she was born and raised is where she has always called home. With her boys under her feet, a snuggling cat, barking dogs, and a spouse calling over his shoulder, she is nearly always writing something ... when she can find the time.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 351 reviews
September 27, 2017
Genre: Romance
POVs: Dual, 3rd person
I really wanted to love this book! After devouring Donati Bloodlines: The Complete Trilogy and loving the emotional rollercoaster that Emma and Cal Donati pushed me on, I expected Always: A Legacy Novel to deliver the same whirlwind of drama, emotional tension, and soaring level of entertainment. Yes, I expected some deliciously scandalous moments to erupt and was happy to have this e-book on my device!
This book had all of the aforementioned elements! That said, I didn't love it. I loved all the snippets of scenes the author fed of Catherine and Cross prior to the release of this story, so imagine my shock when I was trying so hard just to like these characters and then read to the end of this book, only to realize that I still didn't like them or love the direction of this story!
▣ Ultimately, I love drama but I found Cross to be too immature (for the majority of the story), annoying, and fecking rude for no reason! Yes, this is a coming of age story, so there is lots of wiggle room to write off immaturity, but I didn't completely warm to Cross or Catty.
▣ Overall, BK's writing style was great as per usual, but I didn't love the main characters and I may have wanted to stab Cross in the eye at various points throughout the story. On the upside? The ending was absolutely perfect!
*ARC generously provided by Bethany-Kris in exchange for an honest review.
POVs: Dual, 3rd person
I really wanted to love this book! After devouring Donati Bloodlines: The Complete Trilogy and loving the emotional rollercoaster that Emma and Cal Donati pushed me on, I expected Always: A Legacy Novel to deliver the same whirlwind of drama, emotional tension, and soaring level of entertainment. Yes, I expected some deliciously scandalous moments to erupt and was happy to have this e-book on my device!
This book had all of the aforementioned elements! That said, I didn't love it. I loved all the snippets of scenes the author fed of Catherine and Cross prior to the release of this story, so imagine my shock when I was trying so hard just to like these characters and then read to the end of this book, only to realize that I still didn't like them or love the direction of this story!
▣ Ultimately, I love drama but I found Cross to be too immature (for the majority of the story), annoying, and fecking rude for no reason! Yes, this is a coming of age story, so there is lots of wiggle room to write off immaturity, but I didn't completely warm to Cross or Catty.
▣ Overall, BK's writing style was great as per usual, but I didn't love the main characters and I may have wanted to stab Cross in the eye at various points throughout the story. On the upside? The ending was absolutely perfect!
*ARC generously provided by Bethany-Kris in exchange for an honest review.
Want to read
October 10, 2017
YUM! READ A SAMPLE! It was love for Cross from page one!!! And Catherine is a worthy heroine.
Book 1 in Cross + Catherine. No need to read any other books prior.
Purchase: | AMZ US | AMZ UK | B&N | KOBO |
Blurb:
A wild boy.
A sly girl.
Cross Donati defines trouble. He does what he wants because he’s never known anything different. He’s unapologetic, and he owns it.
Catherine Marcello is every bit a good girl … on the outside. Her entire world is a legacy, and she lives it. She’s curious, and she’s exploring it.
She chases bad things.
He never learned to be good.
They’re late nights, stolen cars, first times, fist fights, leather jackets, beaches, bloody smiles, and life.
They’re vicious and precious, dangerous and harmless, innocence and sin. They are love.
Love is killing for someone.
Love is living for someone.
Sometimes, you can’t keep saving your heart when it means sacrificing it, too.
Sometimes, you have to learn to save yourself.
Sometimes, love has to fall, crash, and burn.
This is what love is like when you’re a principe and principessa della mafia.
This is what love is like when you’re Cross Donati and Catherine Marcello.
Books in Cross + Catherine trilogy are most enjoyed if read in order:
Book 1: Always
Book 2: Revere
Book 3: Unruly
Read
December 19, 2017Always: A Legacy Novel
Now Free with Kindle Unlimited!
Grab your copy at one of the following:
♕
Amazon US: www.amazon.com/dp/B075NQWJG7
UK: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B075NQWJG7
CA: www.amazon.ca/dp/B075NQWJG7
AUS: www.amazon.com.au/dp/B075NQWJG7
Most commonly asked question: is this a YA novel due to the heroine + hero being aged 13 & 14 through to 18 & 20 for the novel?
No. YA & coming of age fiction is not the same. A character's age does not determine a novel's genre. If that were the case, novels like ROOM where a 5-year-old describes his life with his mother as a kidnap victim would be considered children's novels. YA is Twilight Saga and geared toward YA readers. Coming of Age fiction is Dusty (Delinquents). Always is a coming of age fiction with a contemporary and new adult romance arc.
Grab book two in the Cross + Catherine books, Revere, now:
Amazon
US: http://amzn.to/2hCFjJf
CA: http://amzn.to/2gcKJht
UK: http://amzn.to/2i4FUHI
AUS: http://amzn.to/2ycYPqc
Book three, Unruly, is live:
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2iiPW5m
UK: http://amzn.to/2zGIo5P
CA: http://amzn.to/2iYU9dF
AUS: http://amzn.to/2zHexKC
Now Free with Kindle Unlimited!
Grab your copy at one of the following:
♕
Amazon US: www.amazon.com/dp/B075NQWJG7
UK: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B075NQWJG7
CA: www.amazon.ca/dp/B075NQWJG7
AUS: www.amazon.com.au/dp/B075NQWJG7
Most commonly asked question: is this a YA novel due to the heroine + hero being aged 13 & 14 through to 18 & 20 for the novel?
No. YA & coming of age fiction is not the same. A character's age does not determine a novel's genre. If that were the case, novels like ROOM where a 5-year-old describes his life with his mother as a kidnap victim would be considered children's novels. YA is Twilight Saga and geared toward YA readers. Coming of Age fiction is Dusty (Delinquents). Always is a coming of age fiction with a contemporary and new adult romance arc.
Grab book two in the Cross + Catherine books, Revere, now:
Amazon
US: http://amzn.to/2hCFjJf
CA: http://amzn.to/2gcKJht
UK: http://amzn.to/2i4FUHI
AUS: http://amzn.to/2ycYPqc
Book three, Unruly, is live:
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2iiPW5m
UK: http://amzn.to/2zGIo5P
CA: http://amzn.to/2iYU9dF
AUS: http://amzn.to/2zHexKC
September 25, 2017
*sigh*
The coming of age story starring Cross Nazio Donati, (son of Calisto & Emma Donati) and Catherine Marcello (daughter of Chicago mafia royalty Dante & Catrina Marcello) that spans from their tender (only in numbers) age of 13 and 15, towards his 20s and hers 18 years of age.
in that time span, we already meet the force to be recon with in Cross Donati, he's a wild, unapologetic, restless spirit that takes what he wants with no questions asked. When he meets Catherine in highschool, he's drawn to her from the first sight, and the fact that her legacy and background is very much the familiar setting Cross is groomed from an early age, only intensifies the connection they feel at this young age.
So, they are kids acting "older" than they should, cause of the upbringing and the surroundings of the mafia lifestyle...yet they attend a "normal" school, but they also take advantage of their position and wealth as well...so it's kinda messed up - the way they "see" each other and yet they are lost in the growing up process...
Cross wants it all, and wants it fast, faster
Cross had known from a very young age what he wanted to be-a made man. His whole life was going to be this thing; the mafia was their thing, after all
and he thrives high BUT Catherine is torn between the "good girl" image and the "wild spirit" within, wanting the experiences but not wanting to disappoint her parents...but she doesn't know how to balance that...finding herself, finding purpose, fulfilling the image, and what not...
So, their affection is on and off, through out the story, while they explore each other, and the limits set upon them, just like teens would do, but here the repercussions are more grave than they would be in another setting, and she breaks Cross's heart several times along the way...but he always knew, he'd do anything for her, she was his...
He never asked for shit from Catherine. She gave-he took. he liked it that way.
and yet, he got squashed, stomped at while he waited out for her...
and when Catherine takes a huge bite of getting involved into a "dealing" business, it's suddenly a doom crashing down...on her, on both of them...and this "love" will have to survive the falldown
You need to learn to love yourself because I can't be the only one doing it. I'm still going to be here when you learn how to do that.
"Love you, " he said. One last time.
Catherine stared down at the floor, and the door started to close. "Promise?"
"Always."
This was a journey I didn't quite picture the same way it unraveled, and even though that's not the point in any of the books I read LOL, but somehow it still affected me in a certain way. But inspite of that, I liked the story in general, even though the performance of it was set out in a slower pace, then the dialogues felt somewhat "off" for such young characters to lead, as well as the intercourse they indulge themselves with, that were kinda a little bit "too early" for me to take them as "grand in the emotional department" rather than what it was for me, a "lust and teen hormones acting out". That all made me reflect some more and acknowledge those discrepancies (age/dialogue) that in fact, set a different tone for me and I was not immersed into the whole package as I wanted to be.
For what it's worth, Cross Donati was the one who carried the spotlight through out the whole story and he did it unapologetically, as always. *wink*
The story of Cross & Catherine is to be continued...and yet to be unraveled fully...
***ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review***
October 13, 2017
Title: Always (Cross + Catherine #1)
Author: Bethany- Kris
Genre: New Adult, Romance
Publishing Date: October 2017
Always had me in a vicious cycle of raw emotions. Saying this book was intense is an understatement. I didn't want this book to end at all.... I was a blubbering mess by the end and was actually screaming my frustration and heartache, It didn't help that the second part Revere ( Cross + Catherine #2) isn't out yet.
Always is a coming of age book, The storyline spans from the ages of 13 -15 (Catherine- Cross) to 18-20 (Catherine- Cross) years old.
Cross Nazio Donati is the son of Calisto and Emma Donati and Catherine Marcello, the daughter of Chicago mafia royalty Dante & Catrina Marcello. Knowing their parents story aka Filthy Marcellos series and Donati bloodlines series ( A must read!), I knew this book was going to be epic and Bethany- Kris didn't disappoint.
Catherine and Cross, My God... What can I say that will justify their love for each other. They were each others soul, One didn't feel complete without the other... Their love was more than what started out as a summer romance, more than a high school romance. This was a story of growing up together and being in love, in a forbidden world that is the mafia. No one will understand the anxiety inducing, heart pounding love that is shared by these two. This book was an addiction for me. Sleep was over-rated. I read until the streaks of sunlight peaked through my curtains. I cried until I felt like I had left behind a piece of my soul . I fell in love with Cross for his undying love and devotion towards Catherine. I felt the pain and turmoil Catherine went through. Most of all, I understood and loved their unfaltering, Unadulterated love for each other through duty, Love and Responsibilty.
Always is a heart-rending, beautiful story of unconditional love.
A Must Must Must Read!
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October 13, 2017
It's LIVE & on Blog Tour!! http://bit.ly/2xCS5SX
Always was very different from anything I’ve read from Bethany-Kris before, and I’ve read quite a lot from this author. It wasn’t just because it was a new adult romance or that the mafia angle, while prevalent throughout the story, especially with regards to the development of the characters, wasn’t the main angle of the plot. It was because my heart broke so many times during this read. So. Many. Times. I wanted to reach in and grab Cross and give him the biggest hug because he was absolutely EVERYTHING about this story and his sweet heart needed to be protected.
Earn a good woman by being a good man.
Cross Donati was a troublemaker. It wasn’t so much that he looked for trouble, but it always seemed to find him. He was brutally honest in both his speech and his actions, often coming across as bold, rude and cocky. But this boy was so much more than he appeared. He was thoughtful, considerate, kind, generous and loving to those he deemed worthy to share his existence.
Catherine Marcello was, to me, a spoiled brat. She seemed to be quiet, careful and obedient, but there was a darkness living inside of her. Where the darkness in Cross was out in the open for anyone to see, Catty’s was more ‘sly’ and less obvious to the naked eye. She wanted to be the perfect daughter who was the perfect friend and the perfect student and the perfect person, never realizing that perfection cannot ever be achieved. And when she failed, her fall was absolutely devastating.
I’m not the biggest fan of Catherine’s (I’m hoping this will change in the next book) and that’s why I couldn’t give this the five stars I usually award a book by this author. While I tolerated her immaturity given her age, I was too in love with Cross to accept the ways she hurt him. As I said, he was everything that was great about this story and the truest example of his awesomeness was the many ways that he loved Catherine.
He didn’t want to ever love someone else. No one else was like her. No one else was her. No one else could be.
I loved many elements of this story, such as the laughs I got from the conversations Cross had with his father, Calisto, and the crazy situations Cross found himself in. He was such a charmer and I can see his character endearing itself to any reader. If you’re a fan of angst, drama, and love, then you definitely need to add this book to your reading list.
Release Date: October 2, 2017
Genre: Contemporary New Adult Romance
POV: Dual - 3rd person
Heat: 2.5 out of 5
Type: Book 1 of the Cross + Christine series
Always was very different from anything I’ve read from Bethany-Kris before, and I’ve read quite a lot from this author. It wasn’t just because it was a new adult romance or that the mafia angle, while prevalent throughout the story, especially with regards to the development of the characters, wasn’t the main angle of the plot. It was because my heart broke so many times during this read. So. Many. Times. I wanted to reach in and grab Cross and give him the biggest hug because he was absolutely EVERYTHING about this story and his sweet heart needed to be protected.
Earn a good woman by being a good man.
Cross Donati was a troublemaker. It wasn’t so much that he looked for trouble, but it always seemed to find him. He was brutally honest in both his speech and his actions, often coming across as bold, rude and cocky. But this boy was so much more than he appeared. He was thoughtful, considerate, kind, generous and loving to those he deemed worthy to share his existence.
Catherine Marcello was, to me, a spoiled brat. She seemed to be quiet, careful and obedient, but there was a darkness living inside of her. Where the darkness in Cross was out in the open for anyone to see, Catty’s was more ‘sly’ and less obvious to the naked eye. She wanted to be the perfect daughter who was the perfect friend and the perfect student and the perfect person, never realizing that perfection cannot ever be achieved. And when she failed, her fall was absolutely devastating.
I’m not the biggest fan of Catherine’s (I’m hoping this will change in the next book) and that’s why I couldn’t give this the five stars I usually award a book by this author. While I tolerated her immaturity given her age, I was too in love with Cross to accept the ways she hurt him. As I said, he was everything that was great about this story and the truest example of his awesomeness was the many ways that he loved Catherine.
He didn’t want to ever love someone else. No one else was like her. No one else was her. No one else could be.
I loved many elements of this story, such as the laughs I got from the conversations Cross had with his father, Calisto, and the crazy situations Cross found himself in. He was such a charmer and I can see his character endearing itself to any reader. If you’re a fan of angst, drama, and love, then you definitely need to add this book to your reading list.
Release Date: October 2, 2017
Genre: Contemporary New Adult Romance
POV: Dual - 3rd person
Heat: 2.5 out of 5
Type: Book 1 of the Cross + Christine series
October 11, 2017
4 "Always" Stars
Two awesome mafia families - The Marcello's and The Donati's have children. Catherine Marcello, the reginella (Little Queen) and Cross Donati, the principe (Prince) of their respective crime families end up at the same school just a year apart. A Reginella and a Principe.....these two meet, they are only 13 and 15, but they have an instant connection. Young love is usually sweet and innocent but what if your background isn't innocent? Growing up in a mafia family, when much is given, much is expected. There are rules and codes and even the very young learn their roles in their families.
Cross Donati is an arrogant, handsome, bad boy that is a handful to his parents. Catherine Marcello is sweet, doesn't want to disappoint her parents, and straight laced. First love, first kiss.....those mean something to Catherine and she completely falls for Cross who recognizes that Catherine is special. It's not easy because they are so young. It's rocky at times, it's perfect at times, it's those teenage years that makes things volatile, amazing, rough, and wonderful, all at the same time.
I loved Cross and Catherine. Their relationship followed young love but bad boys usually can and do lead good girls astray. As they grow and love, the dynamics of their relationship changes and warps. Sometimes they are together and sometimes they aren't but the one constant that they do have is that they love one another.......Always. But the story has a dark edge.....It was Catherine spiraling in and out of control and Cross having to pick up the pieces putting her back together. Not really the job for a teenager but his love for Catherine and his promise to Always be there is what make Cross so endearing and maddening at the same time. But how can you be mad at a kid whose doing the best he can for his girl?
While I enjoyed this story, the young ages of Cross and Catherine bothered me some. What they experience, at what I consider a young age, is troublesome and concerning. There is drugs and sex and reading about high schoolers having sex just isn't for me. I felt that these kids were actually a lot older than their teenage years as well.
But throughout the story, what I really enjoyed was the connection between Cross and Catherine and their loyalty/commitment to one another. Bethany-Kris writes the best mafia stories. They are full of crime and passion and fierce loyalty towards their family and especially their love ones. While this story can be read as a standalone, having read these two parent's story completely captured me because of their parents. I'm looking forward to the continuation of Cross and Catherine in Revere. I believe that age, maturity and some therapy will bring this couple full circle to where they will ALWAYS be with one another.
Catherine + Cross = #PerfectFirstYoungMafiaLove.......
*advanced copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
Two awesome mafia families - The Marcello's and The Donati's have children. Catherine Marcello, the reginella (Little Queen) and Cross Donati, the principe (Prince) of their respective crime families end up at the same school just a year apart. A Reginella and a Principe.....these two meet, they are only 13 and 15, but they have an instant connection. Young love is usually sweet and innocent but what if your background isn't innocent? Growing up in a mafia family, when much is given, much is expected. There are rules and codes and even the very young learn their roles in their families.
Cross Donati is an arrogant, handsome, bad boy that is a handful to his parents. Catherine Marcello is sweet, doesn't want to disappoint her parents, and straight laced. First love, first kiss.....those mean something to Catherine and she completely falls for Cross who recognizes that Catherine is special. It's not easy because they are so young. It's rocky at times, it's perfect at times, it's those teenage years that makes things volatile, amazing, rough, and wonderful, all at the same time.
I loved Cross and Catherine. Their relationship followed young love but bad boys usually can and do lead good girls astray. As they grow and love, the dynamics of their relationship changes and warps. Sometimes they are together and sometimes they aren't but the one constant that they do have is that they love one another.......Always. But the story has a dark edge.....It was Catherine spiraling in and out of control and Cross having to pick up the pieces putting her back together. Not really the job for a teenager but his love for Catherine and his promise to Always be there is what make Cross so endearing and maddening at the same time. But how can you be mad at a kid whose doing the best he can for his girl?
While I enjoyed this story, the young ages of Cross and Catherine bothered me some. What they experience, at what I consider a young age, is troublesome and concerning. There is drugs and sex and reading about high schoolers having sex just isn't for me. I felt that these kids were actually a lot older than their teenage years as well.
But throughout the story, what I really enjoyed was the connection between Cross and Catherine and their loyalty/commitment to one another. Bethany-Kris writes the best mafia stories. They are full of crime and passion and fierce loyalty towards their family and especially their love ones. While this story can be read as a standalone, having read these two parent's story completely captured me because of their parents. I'm looking forward to the continuation of Cross and Catherine in Revere. I believe that age, maturity and some therapy will bring this couple full circle to where they will ALWAYS be with one another.
Catherine + Cross = #PerfectFirstYoungMafiaLove.......
*advanced copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
September 2, 2017
♚♜ The Principe & Principessa ♚♜
This book....This flipping book left me sobbing in agony. My heart is shattered. Broken in little tiny pieces. My emotions are all over the place, and I'm trying to come up with words to describe my feelings. To say I'm shocked is an understatement!
Cross... My heart will forever be yours.... well.....same goes for Calisto. XD
The love he had for Catherine, was so beautiful to read. He would go to the ends of the earth to make her happy. Consequences be damned.....he puts her feelings above all. She was the only thing that mattered in his life.
My sweet sweet Catherine....
Her strength left me speechless. What she has to go through made my heart bleed.... I sobbed right along with her. She needed help, but couldn't come up with the courage to tell her loved ones... Felt that no one would understand why she is on such a downward spiral.
First love was the worst.
First love was poison.
First love was pretty and dangerous.
First love made it hard to let go.
To see characters from other series of BK'S was bittersweet. And I'm so looking forward for what is to come in future books. BUT... I have to say the ending to this story RUINED ME!!! At the 97% mark I kept checking to see how much pages were left....once I got to the last paragraph... I dropped my tablet and sobbed in my pillow. I am such a wreck right now.... my POOR HEART CAN'T TAKE THIS!! But after finishing, and calming down, I will say this book was simply perfection. I devoured this story and loved every single minute of it. Especially Calisto and Cross's banter. He will be the death of him... that is for sure. XD
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October 9, 2020
✰ 3 cute-at-first-but-turned-meh stars ✰
this was my first Bethany-Kris book and I was excited to start it as I’ve heard she writes amazing mafia romances...unfortunately, this one didn’t work for me. :/
“Be vain, Catherine. Absolutely. Care about how you appear to others, and what they see. But never ever bend or change who you are to suit what they want. Be vain, yes, care about your outer image and reputation, but do so because you are controlling what they see and think. Nothing else.”
Catherine (h):
when I first read the synopsis, I was excited to meet Catherine because she was described as sly; however, the more I read about her, the more I grew annoyed. Not only did she keep leading on and breaking Cross’ heart (the first time she broke up with him, it was fine and I thought it was a needed angst but the other times just felt too repetitive imo), but the way she acted wasn’t the h I liked in the beginning (the fact that she ). I was disappointed with where her character went and, yes, I know she’s a teen here so she’s gonna fuck up before learning her mistakes but it didn’t make it less annoying lmaoo.
“It’s not romantic to die together because that’s the only option,” he said quietly, “that’s sad. It’s fucking sad. You don’t give up, not on anything, not on anyone worth having. You just don’t give up—ever. You figure shit out. You fight. Or you take a step away and come back at it when you’re ready to, but you don’t roll over and die. So no, it’s not romantic, it’s just sad. That’s the end of it.”
Cross (H):
so...I actually adored Cross. Yes, he was arrogant but it was the lovable type of arrogant rather than annoying lol. tho I find it funny how the one time we get a respectful H who doesn’t think it’s cool to “claim” women as a prize (especially in the mafia world), he ends up being lovestruck to the point where he can’t say no to the girl who keeps breaking his heart. I love my H to be only about his girl and staying loyal to her, but I hoped he was able to resist Catherine more?? this is where I wished the h would grovel. Aside from that, he did make me swoon at times with his words/actions and I’m honestly just glad he
“It’s always been you, you know?” he murmured. “You’ve always been the one breaking my fucking heart again and again, but I loved you through that shit. It’s my turn this time. It’s my choice this time. I love you today, Catherine, and when this is done and over with, I’m still going to love you tomorrow.”
romance:
this basically summed up their relationship (Catherine breaking Cross’ heart while he kept on giving in to her) and tho I did find them cute in the very beginning, I started to lose interest real quick as I kept reading. I ended up skimming the second half of the book cause I didn't like the direction it was heading. Thinking back, I thought their romance was fast paced and wished there was more development before they said ily.
overall thoughts:
as disappointed as I was with this book, do I plan on reading more Bethany-Kris’ books? ✨YES.✨ I definitely will. First of all, I loved her writing style and the fact that she has plenty of mafia romances means there are plenty of chances for me to like at least one of them. idk if I'll continue this one anytime soon as the direction of this story/romance didn’t work for me but, on a positive note, I loved the side characters and found them interesting! <3
this was my first Bethany-Kris book and I was excited to start it as I’ve heard she writes amazing mafia romances...unfortunately, this one didn’t work for me. :/
“Be vain, Catherine. Absolutely. Care about how you appear to others, and what they see. But never ever bend or change who you are to suit what they want. Be vain, yes, care about your outer image and reputation, but do so because you are controlling what they see and think. Nothing else.”
Catherine (h):
when I first read the synopsis, I was excited to meet Catherine because she was described as sly; however, the more I read about her, the more I grew annoyed. Not only did she keep leading on and breaking Cross’ heart (the first time she broke up with him, it was fine and I thought it was a needed angst but the other times just felt too repetitive imo), but the way she acted wasn’t the h I liked in the beginning (the fact that she ). I was disappointed with where her character went and, yes, I know she’s a teen here so she’s gonna fuck up before learning her mistakes but it didn’t make it less annoying lmaoo.
“It’s not romantic to die together because that’s the only option,” he said quietly, “that’s sad. It’s fucking sad. You don’t give up, not on anything, not on anyone worth having. You just don’t give up—ever. You figure shit out. You fight. Or you take a step away and come back at it when you’re ready to, but you don’t roll over and die. So no, it’s not romantic, it’s just sad. That’s the end of it.”
Cross (H):
so...I actually adored Cross. Yes, he was arrogant but it was the lovable type of arrogant rather than annoying lol. tho I find it funny how the one time we get a respectful H who doesn’t think it’s cool to “claim” women as a prize (especially in the mafia world), he ends up being lovestruck to the point where he can’t say no to the girl who keeps breaking his heart. I love my H to be only about his girl and staying loyal to her, but I hoped he was able to resist Catherine more?? this is where I wished the h would grovel. Aside from that, he did make me swoon at times with his words/actions and I’m honestly just glad he
“It’s always been you, you know?” he murmured. “You’ve always been the one breaking my fucking heart again and again, but I loved you through that shit. It’s my turn this time. It’s my choice this time. I love you today, Catherine, and when this is done and over with, I’m still going to love you tomorrow.”
romance:
this basically summed up their relationship (Catherine breaking Cross’ heart while he kept on giving in to her) and tho I did find them cute in the very beginning, I started to lose interest real quick as I kept reading. I ended up skimming the second half of the book cause I didn't like the direction it was heading. Thinking back, I thought their romance was fast paced and wished there was more development before they said ily.
overall thoughts:
as disappointed as I was with this book, do I plan on reading more Bethany-Kris’ books? ✨YES.✨ I definitely will. First of all, I loved her writing style and the fact that she has plenty of mafia romances means there are plenty of chances for me to like at least one of them. idk if I'll continue this one anytime soon as the direction of this story/romance didn’t work for me but, on a positive note, I loved the side characters and found them interesting! <3
November 30, 2017
Gah! I have a love/hate relationship with this book. See, although Cross is an arrogant, cocky little shit I just could not help but love him to bits, fictionally of course. If he were my kid my head would've exploded! He was barely tolerated by the adults around him, yet they're why he is like he is - cocky and arrogant with no filter .... at all. The total lack of discipline the adults showed towards these kids astounded me at times. Always is where Bethany-Kris gives us the gritty behind the scenes of living life in her mafia world so I kinda got the lack of control these adults had - didn't like it, but got it.
It's ridiculous just how good an author and story teller Bethany-Kris is. Ridiculous! It doesn't matter if she writes a standalone within a series, a duet, a trilogy or even the shortest little novella - she hits gold every. Single. Time. And then .... she takes a YA (yikes!) and it's like I hit the jackpot reading it, despite this one frustrating me at times with where she took Catherine. Which brings me to Catherine, I hated her, HATED! She's sly, devious, manipulative and self serving to the detriment of those around her. She pulled and pushed, pushed and pulled till Cross didn't know whether he was coming or going. Not. Nice! Catherine made for some pretty uncomfortable reading at times, so I'm keen (albeit it very nervous) to see where BK takes her character in the next book. If ever a character needs redemption, it's that little madam!
I just want to mention that I don't think this is a standalone, the ending is not with them living their happy and there's definitely a lot more of their story to be told so I'm jumping straight into Revere.
4.5 stars
It's ridiculous just how good an author and story teller Bethany-Kris is. Ridiculous! It doesn't matter if she writes a standalone within a series, a duet, a trilogy or even the shortest little novella - she hits gold every. Single. Time. And then .... she takes a YA (yikes!) and it's like I hit the jackpot reading it, despite this one frustrating me at times with where she took Catherine. Which brings me to Catherine, I hated her, HATED! She's sly, devious, manipulative and self serving to the detriment of those around her. She pulled and pushed, pushed and pulled till Cross didn't know whether he was coming or going. Not. Nice! Catherine made for some pretty uncomfortable reading at times, so I'm keen (albeit it very nervous) to see where BK takes her character in the next book. If ever a character needs redemption, it's that little madam!
I just want to mention that I don't think this is a standalone, the ending is not with them living their happy and there's definitely a lot more of their story to be told so I'm jumping straight into Revere.
4.5 stars
October 3, 2017
★6 Stars! Always...
“You know I love you.”
“Promise?”
It was torture.
Brutal.
Unforgiving.
He fucking hated first love.
But he didn’t hate it, too.
He couldn’t hate her at all.
Even when she was breaking his heart.
Promise?
“Always, Catherine.”
Shocked.
Speechless.
Obsessed.
Need. More!
Hands down my second favorite book in 2017!
Bethany, you've outdone yourself!
Thank you for ripping my heart out!
“You know I love you.”
“Promise?”
It was torture.
Brutal.
Unforgiving.
He fucking hated first love.
But he didn’t hate it, too.
He couldn’t hate her at all.
Even when she was breaking his heart.
Promise?
“Always, Catherine.”
Shocked.
Speechless.
Obsessed.
Need. More!
Hands down my second favorite book in 2017!
Bethany, you've outdone yourself!
Thank you for ripping my heart out!
August 21, 2017
*ARC received from the author*
I AM A FREAKING MESS RIGHT NOW. A TEARY EYED, BLUBBERING MESS. This book wrecked my heart. It gave my heart such hope, love, and vulnerability, and then let my heart crash and burn.
Cross, my sweet baby Cross. He loved Catherine with a love that never, ever wanes or dies. She was basically the one thing in life he cared about. No matter what changes came in their relationship or his life with the Cosa Nostra, she was his priority. Even young, Cross didn't play games, didn't take any shit, and cared little about most things. I loved watching him grow and mature and become the man he's destined to be.
Catherine, my beautiful broken Catty. She was trying to live up to what she thought her parents expected of her, but also trying to figure out who she was. She loved Cross fiercely and always knew no matter what that he was there, he was her safety, and he was the one who would never stop loving her. She went to some pretty dark places in this book and I cried, oh how I cried for her. For the fact that she was screaming for help, but too afraid to let out a single sound. I just wanted to hug her and never let go. Seeing her grow up was bitter sweet because although she learned much and found some of who she was, she felt alone and let that lead her down dark paths, and I just wanted her safe at home and feeling secure again.
I loved seeing various characters form Bethany-Kris' previous books in this story. It was like a coming together and a sign of great things to come in future books.
BUT THAT ENDING.... I expected heartbreak at the end, but I never thought it would come in the way it did. I had my hand over my mouth for at least the last 15 pages and was reading through tears for at least the last 7. I'm a wreck, but I loved it so much. I basically inhaled this book and hated when I had to put it down. It was so heartbreakingly beautiful.
I AM A FREAKING MESS RIGHT NOW. A TEARY EYED, BLUBBERING MESS. This book wrecked my heart. It gave my heart such hope, love, and vulnerability, and then let my heart crash and burn.
Cross, my sweet baby Cross. He loved Catherine with a love that never, ever wanes or dies. She was basically the one thing in life he cared about. No matter what changes came in their relationship or his life with the Cosa Nostra, she was his priority. Even young, Cross didn't play games, didn't take any shit, and cared little about most things. I loved watching him grow and mature and become the man he's destined to be.
Catherine, my beautiful broken Catty. She was trying to live up to what she thought her parents expected of her, but also trying to figure out who she was. She loved Cross fiercely and always knew no matter what that he was there, he was her safety, and he was the one who would never stop loving her. She went to some pretty dark places in this book and I cried, oh how I cried for her. For the fact that she was screaming for help, but too afraid to let out a single sound. I just wanted to hug her and never let go. Seeing her grow up was bitter sweet because although she learned much and found some of who she was, she felt alone and let that lead her down dark paths, and I just wanted her safe at home and feeling secure again.
I loved seeing various characters form Bethany-Kris' previous books in this story. It was like a coming together and a sign of great things to come in future books.
BUT THAT ENDING.... I expected heartbreak at the end, but I never thought it would come in the way it did. I had my hand over my mouth for at least the last 15 pages and was reading through tears for at least the last 7. I'm a wreck, but I loved it so much. I basically inhaled this book and hated when I had to put it down. It was so heartbreakingly beautiful.
September 8, 2020
La historia de Cross era una de las que mas ganas tenia de leer, la unica pega es que no me dio todo lo que esperaba.
No me malentiendan, Cross es fantastico, mejor incluso de lo que mis altas expectativas esperaba, mi problema fue con su pareja. Catherine es insoportable, su personalidad me acabo cansando con cada nuevo capitulo que leia, es de lejos la peor protagonista femenina que ha creado Bethany Kris.
Infantil, egoista, egocentrica y odiosa, es de esos personajes que no importa lo mal que lo pasan o lo mucho que sufran, es imposible conectar con ellos debido a lo mal que te caen.
La historia en si es entretenida, se lee bien y engancha, ademas todo el potencial de la trama esta muy bien usado, e incluso la historia de amor es conmovedora y especial ( al principio, luego pasa a ser de todo menos dulce ), el unico punto debil como ya digo, es Catherine.
De haber tenido una protagonista a la altura de Cross estoy segura de que no solo se hubiese llevado una mejor puntuacion de mi parte, sino que ademas yo hubiera pasado un momento aun mas memorable con la novela.
Me encanto ver mas escenas de Cal y Emma, sobre todo porque siguen siendo una pareja magnifica, y aunque en algunos momentos me molesto la actitud un tanto hipocrita de Dante, admito que leer sobre las familias de Cross y Catty fue un aspecto muy interesante de Always.
Por un lado estoy deseando leer el siguiente tomo, especialmente despues de ese final tan triste ( aunque muy necesario ), pero por otro lado, temo que la actitud de Catty sea tan insoportable como en esta primera lectura, espero que haya un salto temporal y ella haya madurado y crecido como persona, sino se que seguira " amargando " mi experiencia con esta saga.
En definitiva, Always es un buen comienzo de serie, es distinto a lo que he leido de la autora y quizas por eso estoy tan gratamente sorprendida, porque me gusto en su nueva faceta, asimismo la pluma de la escritora sigue brillando con toda su fuerza.
P. D. : Cross es un amor, justo como su padre. 😍
3 Estrellas!
October 1, 2017
Who doesn't love a forever love story? Gah! I do!! And Bethany-Kris delivered that in spades. I needed to compose myself before my review because to say I was a mess was an understatement.
I fell fast and hard for Calisto Donati in the Donati Bloodlines trilogy. Next to Dante Marcello, Calisto owned my heart. So, when I heard BK was writing a story about Calisto's son - Cross AND Dante's daughter - Catherine, this girl was beside herself! And then when I met Cross...I had my trifecta of beautiful, dangerous, and sexy mafia men - Dante, Calisto, and Cross!!
What can I say? I'm greedy that way.
As usual, the writing was flawless, beautiful prose that evoked such emotion within me and at times, I felt like I was part of the story. And Cross and Catherine were flawed and human, real in their growth from children to adults, but together, perfection.
Cross did tick me off with his attitude toward my man, Dante, but what else could I expect? He's a hot-blooded teenage boy, growing into a man, in love with Dante's daughter.
The complexity and angst only made this tale richer and more delicious!! And that ending...I knew the ending was going to wreck me. I cried like a baby to the end, and now, I'm anxiously waiting for the next book.
**ARC generously provided by author in exchange for an honest review.**
For more reviews and blog posts.
I fell fast and hard for Calisto Donati in the Donati Bloodlines trilogy. Next to Dante Marcello, Calisto owned my heart. So, when I heard BK was writing a story about Calisto's son - Cross AND Dante's daughter - Catherine, this girl was beside herself! And then when I met Cross...I had my trifecta of beautiful, dangerous, and sexy mafia men - Dante, Calisto, and Cross!!
What can I say? I'm greedy that way.
As usual, the writing was flawless, beautiful prose that evoked such emotion within me and at times, I felt like I was part of the story. And Cross and Catherine were flawed and human, real in their growth from children to adults, but together, perfection.
Cross did tick me off with his attitude toward my man, Dante, but what else could I expect? He's a hot-blooded teenage boy, growing into a man, in love with Dante's daughter.
The complexity and angst only made this tale richer and more delicious!! And that ending...I knew the ending was going to wreck me. I cried like a baby to the end, and now, I'm anxiously waiting for the next book.
**ARC generously provided by author in exchange for an honest review.**
For more reviews and blog posts.
December 7, 2020
"'Always, Catherine,' he murmured. He didn't want to ever love someone else. No one else was like her. No one else was her. No one else could be."
I have mixed feelings about "Always" because a lot of stuff frustrated the hell out of me. There was a lot of back and forth between Cross and Catherine and I was just not in the mood to deal with teenagers being teenagers. Having said that, I appreciated how raw and honest Catherine's struggles with depression and anxiety were. It broke my heart to see her downfall so the main reason I'll keep reading this series is to see her getting better.
Another thing that annoyed me was how Cross kept calling Calisto his step-father, but now that I'm currently reading book two I understand better why this was so heavily emphasized. Other than that, I loved Catherine's relationship with her parents, even if by the end it wasn't that good anymore. I think I'm going to read Dante and Catrina's book in the future cause they seem like an amazing couple.
I have mixed feelings about "Always" because a lot of stuff frustrated the hell out of me. There was a lot of back and forth between Cross and Catherine and I was just not in the mood to deal with teenagers being teenagers. Having said that, I appreciated how raw and honest Catherine's struggles with depression and anxiety were. It broke my heart to see her downfall so the main reason I'll keep reading this series is to see her getting better.
Another thing that annoyed me was how Cross kept calling Calisto his step-father, but now that I'm currently reading book two I understand better why this was so heavily emphasized. Other than that, I loved Catherine's relationship with her parents, even if by the end it wasn't that good anymore. I think I'm going to read Dante and Catrina's book in the future cause they seem like an amazing couple.
February 2, 2021
tw// rape
Sorry to all the other mafia couples but Catherine and Cross will never be topped like they delivered the best boy obsessed with girl romance and the angst is unmatched. Even if you don’t read mafia books I would 100% recommend you this book, it was such a wild ride and I loved every single part of this story !!! Catherine and Cross are both really important characters their journey really made me emotional and I just couldn’t stop reading this story I wanted them to have their happy ending. THE ENDING BROKE MY HEART but also I’m behind cross and I can’t wait to see Catherine loving herself again !!!
Sorry to all the other mafia couples but Catherine and Cross will never be topped like they delivered the best boy obsessed with girl romance and the angst is unmatched. Even if you don’t read mafia books I would 100% recommend you this book, it was such a wild ride and I loved every single part of this story !!! Catherine and Cross are both really important characters their journey really made me emotional and I just couldn’t stop reading this story I wanted them to have their happy ending. THE ENDING BROKE MY HEART but also I’m behind cross and I can’t wait to see Catherine loving herself again !!!
November 13, 2020
this is a book about kids from two other books by this author
the heroine is Dante daughter and hero is Emma's son from Thin Lies
this is their story from the beginning and they are for the most part in high school here
well it is typical teenage mess which I wouldn't read if not needed for the reading challenge.
there are more books about these two beacz+use this book doesn't give any conclusion but I won't be reading them because I don't care...
the heroine is Dante daughter and hero is Emma's son from Thin Lies
this is their story from the beginning and they are for the most part in high school here
well it is typical teenage mess which I wouldn't read if not needed for the reading challenge.
there are more books about these two beacz+use this book doesn't give any conclusion but I won't be reading them because I don't care...
December 11, 2017
I’m blown away. Beyond blown away. This ripped my heart out. It was everything, and then some. It was so fucking amazing, I want to bask in the glorious story and fucking cry.
On to the next one first.
On to the next one first.
December 9, 2018
4.5 Forever 🌟!! I loved it ...next one asap!
October 2, 2017
Spoiler Free
Cross Donati.
Catherine Marcello.
Mafia royalty at its finest.
Cross is a bloody troublemaker with blood spewing from his teeth. While beautiful Catherine is a sight to be seen, and when they just so happen to stare at one another during a school function, all bets are off.
Imagine if the unattainable, most attractive bad boy knocked out a guy for you on your first day of school? And that barely scratches the surface of these two. Not even a dent.
The relationship is rich, and wild, something of beauty. I found myself in awe of Cross, his passion for Catherine, his consistency, how no one else matter for him but her.
Always.
This story rocked me.
Rocked. Me.
Sure, Cross can knock my socks off, but I adored Catherine from the get go. As much as I loved Cross and his arrogance, it was Catherine's curiosity that kept drawing her back in, and I was eating it up!! So yes, I was just as curious. With Cross, in the beginning she's fearless, giving Cross a high he'd never tasted before. You can't simply define it as instant puppy love, either. It already felt deeper than that.
And it's a beautiful thing to witness their lives from just thirteen and fourteen. I've never truly been a fan of a jumping timeline, BUT YOU GUYS - it's perfect! I've always wanted the inside scope inside the families of these mafia legends! I felt a small sense of payback for Cal and Dante with these teenagers!
You've gotta do it, read it and fall in love with Catherine and Cross just like I did.
ARC provided by the incredible author for a honest review.
Cross Donati.
Catherine Marcello.
Mafia royalty at its finest.
Cross is a bloody troublemaker with blood spewing from his teeth. While beautiful Catherine is a sight to be seen, and when they just so happen to stare at one another during a school function, all bets are off.
Imagine if the unattainable, most attractive bad boy knocked out a guy for you on your first day of school? And that barely scratches the surface of these two. Not even a dent.
The relationship is rich, and wild, something of beauty. I found myself in awe of Cross, his passion for Catherine, his consistency, how no one else matter for him but her.
Always.
This story rocked me.
Rocked. Me.
Sure, Cross can knock my socks off, but I adored Catherine from the get go. As much as I loved Cross and his arrogance, it was Catherine's curiosity that kept drawing her back in, and I was eating it up!! So yes, I was just as curious. With Cross, in the beginning she's fearless, giving Cross a high he'd never tasted before. You can't simply define it as instant puppy love, either. It already felt deeper than that.
And it's a beautiful thing to witness their lives from just thirteen and fourteen. I've never truly been a fan of a jumping timeline, BUT YOU GUYS - it's perfect! I've always wanted the inside scope inside the families of these mafia legends! I felt a small sense of payback for Cal and Dante with these teenagers!
You've gotta do it, read it and fall in love with Catherine and Cross just like I did.
ARC provided by the incredible author for a honest review.
October 2, 2017
**Arc provided by author in exchange for an honest review**
And so the love story begins.....and what a beginning it is.
This is the story of Cross Donati & Catherine Marcello, The Principe and Princepessa of my two favorite mafia families.
We start at the beginning the first moment their eyes met and that was all it took and they would ALWAYS belong to each other no matter how many times Cross felt his heart breaking or how many times Catherine came too close to the edge...... they were tethered together.
This story spans from a young age into adulthood and many boundaries are crossed and tears are shed as they develop but one thing always remains the same and that's the love they have.
This story was an emotional ride and I can't wait to get back on that ride for book two. I had high expectations in the book and I was not disappointed. Not to mention that I get to see Calisto and the Marcello men in the book :-)
And so the love story begins.....and what a beginning it is.
This is the story of Cross Donati & Catherine Marcello, The Principe and Princepessa of my two favorite mafia families.
We start at the beginning the first moment their eyes met and that was all it took and they would ALWAYS belong to each other no matter how many times Cross felt his heart breaking or how many times Catherine came too close to the edge...... they were tethered together.
This story spans from a young age into adulthood and many boundaries are crossed and tears are shed as they develop but one thing always remains the same and that's the love they have.
This story was an emotional ride and I can't wait to get back on that ride for book two. I had high expectations in the book and I was not disappointed. Not to mention that I get to see Calisto and the Marcello men in the book :-)
January 7, 2023
“I love you, Cross.” “Always, Catherine,” he murmured. He didn’t want to ever love someone else. No one else was like her. No one else was her. No one else could be.
Why did I wait so long to start reading this series??? From the moment Catherine and Cross met, I was obsessed with them and completely engrossed in their wild story, and that hasn't happened to me in a while. I love them so much, they are EVERYTHING 🫠 I loved seeing their evolution over the years and their relationship, but they also broke my heart many times, especially with that ending. I can't wait to continue their story, to see Catherine love herself again, and to see them find their way back to each other!!!!
November 9, 2017
Cross doesn't follow the rules and as the principe of the Donati family he's able to get away with it. His future is set, he's meant to be a made-man after his step-dad, Calisto. He's restless, always bored, only calmed by his ever growing attraction to Catherine Marcello, reginella and daughter to organized crime King and Queen, Catrina and Dante Marcello. With only a couple of years between them they share a connection through the secret mafia world. At just 15 and 13 the two start a romance that spans years, though it isn't always easy. Their families and the power they hold in crime is different and there's an unspoken rule that two mafia families do not go together. Everything works against them, but they have a love that lasts, always.
"But hey...the pretty girl with the green eyes had a name."
I love mafia romance, but there's very few books out there that really live up to the expectations. When I open a book about organized crime I want to know about the families, the inner workings of the mafia, the crimes they commit, how it works with the real world, and Bethany-Kris gives you all that and more. I know when I open a Bethany-Kris book I will be sucked into a different life, where I feel just like the main characters whose POV I am reading, where I fall in love with another, but must also deal with the repercussions that come from mi famiglia and the expectations that come with being the child of a Don or Boss. Always is no different, from the moment I picked it up I was sucked in, I was another student at The Academy that Cross and Catherine attended together and I was a fly on the wall as their respective families brought them up in very different worlds. As children they don't speak about the worlds they come from, it is only known by their last name and the wealth they have. Cross and Catherine break all the rules though and I fell in love with them from the start.
"No one else was like her. No one else was her. No one else could be."
Cross and Catherine are young, younger than the age group I usually read, but older in many ways due to their upbringing. They have the usual teenage issues; parents harping on them, grades to keep up, sports, and the general angst of being young. Cross is happy without friends and with a reputation, while Catherine worries about what others think of her all the time. When they are together it erases everything, but their dependence on one another is what makes the story. Both are so focused on one another that they let things slide they shouldn't. As Cross gained interest in the world of gun-running, Catherine found her personality flourished with her secretive drug dealing. I loved that Always spanned so many years, Bethany-Kris allows us to get to know the characters in such an in depth way, making me invested from page one to the very end. It's emotional, it's full of angst, and there's plenty of drama.
"First love was pretty and dangerous. Fire love made it hard to let go."
Always is the kind of book that takes your emotions for a ride, even DURINGthe moments of love and bliss there is a lurking feeling of anxiety, much as there must have been for Cross and Catherine. It's a slow paced story, the characters age from 15 and 13 to 20 and 18, but that time is what makes this story. I truly felt like I was in the world of the wealthy and connected, their lives so different than the youth I had. Like Catherine's favorite romance, she and Cross share a fated love, their lives predestined for something more, and their battle to be together and grow up within their respective families is a journey you must read. Always is book one in the Cross + Catherine series by Bethany-Kris. It's a must read for fans of true mafia romance.
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
"But hey...the pretty girl with the green eyes had a name."
I love mafia romance, but there's very few books out there that really live up to the expectations. When I open a book about organized crime I want to know about the families, the inner workings of the mafia, the crimes they commit, how it works with the real world, and Bethany-Kris gives you all that and more. I know when I open a Bethany-Kris book I will be sucked into a different life, where I feel just like the main characters whose POV I am reading, where I fall in love with another, but must also deal with the repercussions that come from mi famiglia and the expectations that come with being the child of a Don or Boss. Always is no different, from the moment I picked it up I was sucked in, I was another student at The Academy that Cross and Catherine attended together and I was a fly on the wall as their respective families brought them up in very different worlds. As children they don't speak about the worlds they come from, it is only known by their last name and the wealth they have. Cross and Catherine break all the rules though and I fell in love with them from the start.
"No one else was like her. No one else was her. No one else could be."
Cross and Catherine are young, younger than the age group I usually read, but older in many ways due to their upbringing. They have the usual teenage issues; parents harping on them, grades to keep up, sports, and the general angst of being young. Cross is happy without friends and with a reputation, while Catherine worries about what others think of her all the time. When they are together it erases everything, but their dependence on one another is what makes the story. Both are so focused on one another that they let things slide they shouldn't. As Cross gained interest in the world of gun-running, Catherine found her personality flourished with her secretive drug dealing. I loved that Always spanned so many years, Bethany-Kris allows us to get to know the characters in such an in depth way, making me invested from page one to the very end. It's emotional, it's full of angst, and there's plenty of drama.
"First love was pretty and dangerous. Fire love made it hard to let go."
Always is the kind of book that takes your emotions for a ride, even DURINGthe moments of love and bliss there is a lurking feeling of anxiety, much as there must have been for Cross and Catherine. It's a slow paced story, the characters age from 15 and 13 to 20 and 18, but that time is what makes this story. I truly felt like I was in the world of the wealthy and connected, their lives so different than the youth I had. Like Catherine's favorite romance, she and Cross share a fated love, their lives predestined for something more, and their battle to be together and grow up within their respective families is a journey you must read. Always is book one in the Cross + Catherine series by Bethany-Kris. It's a must read for fans of true mafia romance.
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
April 11, 2019
Rating:
“I love you.”
“Promise.”
“Always.”
Always is like falling in love with reading for the first time. Or realizing that my first love was dancing. And that beaches give you serenity and a nostalgic feeling. So calm and soothing, but there's always a storm lurking behind, or that maybe just a wind stirring some trouble and that the effect is making you feel nervous but the anticipation is so good and that something you actually long for. And when it passes, the rainbows show and that feeling of being in love is back. And then it becomes a cycle that you want to give up but you can't because you want to hold on but the emotions keep coming back.
Yeah.
What makes Always something different for me that it captured my heart and soul was that reading how Cross and Catherine grow up. I mean, I'm not much for actually growing through with it, but both grew up in la famiglia and each having faced issues of their own. It showed a side of growing up in the mob that isn't like seeing glimpses of their lives through others or something bloody because the setting of the story is actually where the streets are at peace and that the usual nuances of just being part of the Cosa Nostra.
The pacing of the story was slow and one I didn't mind as it was me falling in love so slowly with both of the characters. Getting to know them, living their lives and their heartaches and their happiness. I cried. I laughed! I smiled. And I swoon so hard I thought my heart was going to burst!
It might be a little YA considering Cross and Catherine's age but there are violence and blood and subjects that wouldn't categorize it as truly YA. Also, it has a bit of innocence and first loves and teenage drama. But it's countered by the businesses that the made men does that balanced it out but not too brutal and not too bloody.
It's most likely a love story like Romeo and Juliet, but is far more romantic and sweeter and that somehow ended hopeful and heartbreaking at the same time.
Bethany-Kris just wowed me and I never expected to love these characters more than I already did. All I need is a damn family tree! lol I cannot wait to read the next book and possibly break my heart more but it is so worth it.
“First love was pretty and dangerous. First love made it hard to let go.”
Books in the series (must be read in order):
Always: A Legacy Novel (Cross + Catherine, #1)
Revere: A Legacy Novel (Cross + Catherine, #2)
Unruly: A Legacy Novel (Cross + Catherine, #3)
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March 22, 2024
4.5 Stars
Wow!
Bethany-Kris’ latest book, Always delivered a massive punch to my emotions. With my mind abuzz with what I had just read, I needed to sleep on my thoughts before I could begin writing this review. First and foremost, I need to share that Cross Donati and Catherine Marcello's story was epic. Notice the familiarity in their names? If you don't there's no need to stress as the duet written as a standalone.
Always is based upon a mafia romance surrounding the offspring of infamous mafia pseudo royalty. Cross is known within their world as the principe and Catherine, the reginella, or in English, the prince and the little queen. During their youth they reveled recklessly until they reach the stage where engaging in adulting is at the forefront. Only then does the weight of the life they were born into become an overwhelming reality for them both.
While the story begins with a youthful Cross and Catherine, it’s the nature of their upbringings that takes their journey on a surreal pathway. Being exposed to the crime world, limited to an extent by their age, they developed an awareness where they acquired a level of knowledge which denied them the innocence of a normal childhood. The upside of this for me as a reader was the story never came across as anything other than that of headstrong, determined people destined for a life way beyond the schoolyard.
It was blatantly clear they were marking time, barely tolerating the restrictions placed on them by their youth. What struck me as unusual was the relative freedom they were reluctantly given by their respective parents. My eyes were popping out of my head more than once at them not being pulled into line. It’s a miracle I’m not grieving for either or both of them, with both surviving on more good luck than anything else!
Always took an interesting harsh look at the consequences of the fictional world of organised crime. The struggles Cross and Catherine endured tore at my heartstrings. Thankfully an excerpt from the next book is included giving me sufficient reprieve to move on until I can continue with their story.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
Wow!
Bethany-Kris’ latest book, Always delivered a massive punch to my emotions. With my mind abuzz with what I had just read, I needed to sleep on my thoughts before I could begin writing this review. First and foremost, I need to share that Cross Donati and Catherine Marcello's story was epic. Notice the familiarity in their names? If you don't there's no need to stress as the duet written as a standalone.
Always is based upon a mafia romance surrounding the offspring of infamous mafia pseudo royalty. Cross is known within their world as the principe and Catherine, the reginella, or in English, the prince and the little queen. During their youth they reveled recklessly until they reach the stage where engaging in adulting is at the forefront. Only then does the weight of the life they were born into become an overwhelming reality for them both.
While the story begins with a youthful Cross and Catherine, it’s the nature of their upbringings that takes their journey on a surreal pathway. Being exposed to the crime world, limited to an extent by their age, they developed an awareness where they acquired a level of knowledge which denied them the innocence of a normal childhood. The upside of this for me as a reader was the story never came across as anything other than that of headstrong, determined people destined for a life way beyond the schoolyard.
It was blatantly clear they were marking time, barely tolerating the restrictions placed on them by their youth. What struck me as unusual was the relative freedom they were reluctantly given by their respective parents. My eyes were popping out of my head more than once at them not being pulled into line. It’s a miracle I’m not grieving for either or both of them, with both surviving on more good luck than anything else!
Always took an interesting harsh look at the consequences of the fictional world of organised crime. The struggles Cross and Catherine endured tore at my heartstrings. Thankfully an excerpt from the next book is included giving me sufficient reprieve to move on until I can continue with their story.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
dnf
November 6, 2019This my second attempt at completing this book but as much as I love mafia romances and have enjoyed this author's books before I'm tapping out. Cross was an arrogant little shit and the h was an immature wishy washy idiot and considering who her parents are I'm ashamed for her, I know they were young in the first part but really it was too much.
August 2, 2025
they are soooooo loved (by me)
September 27, 2017
The Donatis and the Marcellos.....EXPLOSIVE!!!
There's been talk, inquiries, and concerns this story might be New Age or Young Adult. Allow me to confirm although Cross and Catherine are young in age, their lifestyle and story are not. The beginning of the story NEEDED to start at their initial meeting and of course they met at age 13.
If you're looking for the darkness of the mafia life such as what we saw in the Chicago series, you won't find it in Always. Always is a backdrop, if you will, for the rest of the series. I am more than ecstatic to confirm there is an overflow of drama, intigue, and FEELS. In this story, we "see" things happening in the "family" most authors won't touch. Things that weren't discussed in the “family” in general, such as addiction and mental illiness. The author deserves kudos for incorporating imperfections within the families. It gives authenticity to normacy among the characters.
Cross and Catherine, fondly referred to as the dynamic duo, goes through it all! Their relationship is a complete roller coster and one I can't get enough of, readers! Their drama is clearly their family's drama as well! Kudos to the author for allowing us to glimpse into the world of rival families struggling to accept their kids are in love. The pissing contests are hilarious!
The final five chapters is a melting pot of drama and wtf??!!! The scenes are so realistic it feels as if I’m watching a tv drama. Things turn very quickly for the duo. The downward spiral is so gradual once its blaringly obvious you question yourself saying , "Well damn. I didn’t see THAT coming!” I cannot wait for the sequel's release in November. I am anxious to see what’s in store for the dynamic duo!
Five stars!
There's been talk, inquiries, and concerns this story might be New Age or Young Adult. Allow me to confirm although Cross and Catherine are young in age, their lifestyle and story are not. The beginning of the story NEEDED to start at their initial meeting and of course they met at age 13.
If you're looking for the darkness of the mafia life such as what we saw in the Chicago series, you won't find it in Always. Always is a backdrop, if you will, for the rest of the series. I am more than ecstatic to confirm there is an overflow of drama, intigue, and FEELS. In this story, we "see" things happening in the "family" most authors won't touch. Things that weren't discussed in the “family” in general, such as addiction and mental illiness. The author deserves kudos for incorporating imperfections within the families. It gives authenticity to normacy among the characters.
Cross and Catherine, fondly referred to as the dynamic duo, goes through it all! Their relationship is a complete roller coster and one I can't get enough of, readers! Their drama is clearly their family's drama as well! Kudos to the author for allowing us to glimpse into the world of rival families struggling to accept their kids are in love. The pissing contests are hilarious!
The final five chapters is a melting pot of drama and wtf??!!! The scenes are so realistic it feels as if I’m watching a tv drama. Things turn very quickly for the duo. The downward spiral is so gradual once its blaringly obvious you question yourself saying , "Well damn. I didn’t see THAT coming!” I cannot wait for the sequel's release in November. I am anxious to see what’s in store for the dynamic duo!
Five stars!
January 1, 2018
I have mixed feelings about this. The beginning was really good and the very end. The middle was filled with chaos and drama. I expected that to a degree but not quite like this. Cross was too cocky but he was young. Being a principe he got away with things most people wouldn't. It was Catherine that I didn't like. She started off as strong and solid, but wound up being a mess. It didn't make sense to me that she broke up, more than once, with Cross who she loved to please her father, but had no qualms about how her father felt about his daughter being a dealer. The situation with her dealing didn't seem realistic to me. It was all about men buying from her because of how she looked almost like a prostitute except she sold drugs not sex. I found it really bizarre. It broke my heart how Catherine treated Cross. He was a dick but never to her. She had no issues messing with his emotions. As the book went on, I wanted him to leave her, but I understood from personal experience why he didn't. The ending wasn't happy, but it was fitting. It was good it ended the way it did.
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April 29, 2020
February 2019 -- 4.5 Stars
Loved Cross. Crazy good.
Loved Cross. Crazy good.
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