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Dirty Pool

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To get what he wants, he’ll have to play a game of dirty pool.

Michel Marcello never wanted to be a mafioso like every other man in his family—he wanted to be more. That doesn’t mean he’s unfamiliar with the life, or that he can’t hold his own against other made men.

They forgot where he came from …

His chance encounter with the fiery and beautiful daughter of Detroit’s most notorious Irish mob boss stokes flames beyond the ones that ignite between Michel and Gabbie Casey. Rivals shouldn’t mix, but these opposites have never been more attracted, either.

The lines between family loyalty, their duties, and responsibility begin to blur.

Love ruins all.

But these two aren’t the only ones playing this game, and it just became far more dangerous to get out alive.

*

Dirty Pool is a standalone romantic suspense.

179 pages, Paperback

First published May 6, 2019

127 people are currently reading
604 people want to read

About the author

Bethany-Kris

108 books4,256 followers
The 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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5 stars
282 (46%)
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193 (32%)
3 stars
102 (16%)
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18 (2%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
Profile Image for Natalie  ~ The Biblioholic.
2,713 reviews1,420 followers
May 20, 2019
Michel Marcello was probably the most underrated character in the entire Marcello family. Instead of following in the footsteps of every man he knew, he was determined to strike out on his own. Becoming a trauma surgeon was his dream. He worked best under pressure and knew how fulfilling his career would be. He wasn't a made man... he had no intention of becoming a made man... but do not underestimate him. The Marcellos are cunning and clever and Michel is absolutely no exception!



When reading all of the legacy books, amid falling in love with Cross and watching these kids fall in love, I was waiting for Michel's story. I figured it wouldn't be as famiglia-oriented as every other book, but I was still interested. He was still an integral member of the family and I've wanted to know more about him ever since meeting him in Dante. The author did an incredible job of bringing him to life and I'm as in love with this young man as I am with any other man from this family (except Cross, because he's still my numero uno).



I loved the forbidden aspect of Michel and Gabby's relationship. The tension between the Italians and the Irish was felt right to the very last page and these two characters defied the odds. Their love was almost instantaneous and it was HOT!! Despite disapproval and tradition and gunshots and threats to life, Gabbie and Michel weren't letting each other go. They knew that the other completed them. They couldn't live without the other. And damn anyone who tried to keep them apart.


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Profile Image for Deanna❤Pink Lady❤️.
820 reviews845 followers
April 29, 2019
5 “Coming Home” Stars


I am a Marcello Junkie and I can not lie. There isn’t a story about this family I haven’t read. Every character gets ingrained in my reading psyche and Michel was no different. And even though Michel Marcello isn’t involved in the family business, he is a Marcello through and through.

“Michel wasn’t like them. He wasn’t obvious. A silent sort of vicious.”

Gabbie Casey is an Irish Ball of Fire. I like that she is bold with Michel and knows what she wants. She is the daughter of the Irish Mob Boss of Detroit. The Irish and Italians don’t mix and definitely don’t like each other. Nothing good can come out of Gabbie and Michel meeting and starting a relationship. It’s like a modern take on Romeo and Juliet.

These two have a fiery and passionate connection. And they will do whatever the means to be together. Sometimes love isn’t enough and being ruthless is the only option left. Michel is a Marcello.......never forget.

Loved their story and loved the epilogue.
And I have to add......Catrina and Dante #bestparentsever ❤️

*advanced copy provided by author in exchange for an honest review*
Profile Image for Bethany-Kris.
Author 108 books4,256 followers
Read
May 17, 2019
Live!

(Release, May 6th) Amazon | https://geni.us/DirtyPoolAMZ
Blurb reveal:

To get what he wants, he’ll have to play a game of dirty pool.

Michel Marcello never wanted to be a mafioso like every other man in his family—he wanted to be more. That doesn’t mean he’s unfamiliar with the life, or that he can’t hold his own against other made men.

They forgot where he came from …

His chance encounter with the fiery and beautiful daughter of Detroit’s most notorious Irish mob boss stokes flames beyond the ones that ignite between Michel and Gabbie Casey. Rivals shouldn’t mix, but these opposites have never been more attracted, either.

The lines between family loyalty, their duties, and responsibility begin to blur.

Love ruins all.

But these two aren’t the only ones playing this game, and it just became far more dangerous to get out alive.

*

Dirty Pool is a standalone romantic suspense.

Releasing April 29th on iTunes and Barnes & Noble. (Will be removed by the 2nd/3rd of May, so be sure to preorder early)
Releasing May 6th on Amazon and in KU!

Blogger signups: http://indiesage.com/tour-dirty-pool-...
Profile Image for Fanny.
2,396 reviews50 followers
January 23, 2021



Realmente Dirty Pool me tomo desprevenida, tal vez porque la saga The Marcellos no es de mis favoritas de las que ha creado Bethany Kris, de ahi el echo de que ni siquiera la termine ( me rendi despues de la novela de Giovanni ), o puede ser debido a que de verdad me apetecia leer algo de la autora, fuera lo que fuera, reconozco que la historia de Michel y Gabbie me conquisto.

La lectura es similar en estructura a los otros libros de la escritora y sin embargo, tiene algo que la hace muy muy refrescante, quizas es porque los protagonistas no son nada tipicos, especialmente el.

La forma en la que inicia su relacion no es nada del otro mundo, es mas, se podria considerar bastante predecible, no obstante, lo que ciertamente te atrapa de su historia de amor es el desarrollo que tiene, es en menor medida parecida a la de Violet y Kaz ( particularmente al ser de familias rivales de la mafia ), solo que un poco mas rapida.

Gabbie no destaca tanto, aqui quien se lleva todas las miradas es Michel, el es verdaderamente un personaje atipico, y no me refiero solo a que no quiera formar parte de la mafia y en cambio quiera salvar vidas, sino a que su personalidad en si es muy original.

Resumiendo, Dirry Pool me cautivo desde su primera pagina, e incluso tengo ganas de leer mas novelas de esta segunda generacion, puede que estos personajes si que consigan ganarse mi cariño y no como sus padres, que no me atraparon en lo absoluto con sus vidas.

Muy recomendable, es una historia de mafia que se sale un poco de lo comun.

3.5 Estrellas!
Profile Image for Carlene.
1,027 reviews276 followers
May 7, 2019
Find this review and others at Carlene Inspired.

I've been taking a break from my organized crime reading and making quite a pile of TBR books because of that, but when I saw Bethany-Kris was giving us Michel Marcello I knew I had to push everything to the side for it. Michel has no desire to be a made man, he wants to be a trauma surgeon, he thrives under that sort of pressure. His spare time is spent supporting the Detroit family, but they question his allegiance as he falls for the pretty red head with the last name Casey. He's going to have show them just how patient, cunning, vicious he can be.

"Michel wasn't like them. He wasn't obvious. A silent sort of vicious."

Let's take a second to appreciate Bethany-Kris for doing what a lot of authors fail to do with organized crime novels, make the characters real. They aren't perfect heroes and heroines, they aren't all about their family's wants, some don't want that life, and some strike out on their own and fall in love with what could be perceived as wrong person. Sure, they're still beautiful and handsome and wealthy, but they aren't just replicas of their parents waiting to step into the role upon its availability. Both Michel and Gabbie are as real as it gets, their lives do not revolve around their parents roles as the Marcello don and the Irish Mob Boss, respectively. However, their life goals and dreams don't remove them from the family, they still have that same respect, and Dirty Pool is a story about what happens when two people, from opposing families, find one another and have to make a choice. Michel and Gabbie have insane chemistry, the lust between them is off the charts, and the natural way they just fit together is a dead giveaway that the are just meant to be. Sure, they're drawn together by the passion they share in the bedroom, but soon it's emotional and I loved watching that play out. Both know what they want, but of course family ties are binding and sometimes a Marcello must be a Marcello.

"It was an experience. It was her."

Rules, traditions, bloodshed, and romance are all found in the pages of Dirty Pool. Michel and Gabbie may have respect for their family, but the feelings they share outweigh it all. I loved the different story we got with this novel, the romance was as passionate as every Bethany-Kris novel, but the organized crime and character's life was new and gave us, the readers, a different perspective. It's a story about love and loyalty. Michel's story was an absolutely pleasure to read and I am so glad we got it. It is so easy to love these two, to love their love.

ARC provided.
Profile Image for it.sgottabethebooks.
1,876 reviews89 followers
April 25, 2019
DIRTY POOL
By Bethany-Kris
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Release Date May 6

I have read every book in Bethany-Kris’ backlist and she never fails to amaze me! She has yet provided another book bf for me love in Dirty Pool.

Michel Marcello has been mentioned in several books but never his full story. His character was everything I hoped for and more. His character is sweet and equally dangerous. He may not be a made man and following the path of many of the Marcello men yet he is still just as calculating and dangerous when needed to be. Love knows no bounds with him. The connection between Gabbie and Michel is perfect. She knows what she wants and I loved that about her character.

Bethany-Kris is a pool shark in the writing world of organized crime. She has proven time and time again that mafia romance can be more than just death, darkness and crime. Whether you start with this book or another in the commission world BK has made it so all can be read as a standalone and everything interconnects or overlaps. I love it!
Profile Image for Naadira  Moodley (BookedMercy) .
369 reviews80 followers
May 19, 2019
It took me a really long time to read this book and also to decide on a rating. It’s not that the book was bad. It was in fact Bethany perfect. The problem I had with this story was that I couldn’t connect with the characters. I kept on hoping for something more. Something to make me like them in any capacity but, nada.

Michel is the son of Dante and Catherine (my OTP goals). He is studying to become a surgeon which takes him out of the mafia equation. He is not a Made Man. He prefers to just dabble in the lifestyle when he is bored but he puts his studying first. He then meets Gabbie. She is the daughter of the boss of the Irish mob. Their families are enemies but that doesn’t stop the instant attraction that blazes between them. They indulge themselves with each other. They can’t get enough. They know it is definitely going to cause trouble but they can’t seem to stop. Even when they are purposely kept apart.

I hate that I’m saying this but I didn’t like Gabbie at all. I found her too cowardly. I felt like she couldn’t stand up to her father and fight for what she wanted. Michel and Gabbie’s relationship was only sex so I don’t know how they fell in love. Where did they have the time?! I felt it so random that they were declaring their love for each other when in fact they hardly knew anything about one another. I felt disconnected from their relationship.

I feel so terrible about my criticism *hiding in a corner* but I decided to give this book a 3 star rating because the overall plot was superb and Bethany-Kris is still a favorite of mine.
Profile Image for Ari Reavis.
Author 20 books163 followers
April 25, 2019
STOP UNDERESTIMATING MICHEL!

This was such a recurring thought while I read this book. Did people forget what his last name was? Did they forget who raised this man? That viciousness and sharp thinking were ingrained in him just as much as respect, honor, and loyalty? I loved Michel. He may not have followed in the footsteps of other men in his family, but he was very much a Marcello. That confidence, that wicked tongue, the way he loved hard and didn't care what anyone else thought about his choices.
I liked that he struck out on his own path, wanted to do something different, and yet still held onto many of the traits of Cosa Nostra. Plus even not being a made man, he still managed to find plenty of trouble far from New York, but Lord, the trouble was so worth it.
I loved Gabbie. She was strong, smart, knew what she wanted and got it, no matter what anyone else had to say. And when someone got in the way, neither she nor Michel was going to stand for that. And when they came together... it melted the pages. They were perfect for each other.
There was so much action, twists and turns, surprises, and just everything I needed in this book. Michel trying to figure out what was underneath all the violence in Detroit had me reading with sleepy eyes, not wanting to put the book down to even sleep. Michel and Gabbie both made decisions I didn't think they would, but I loved them even more for their choices because when it came to their love, I was rooting for whatever got them together again.
The ending had tears coming to my eyes, because there was yet another twist I did not seeing coming and it warmed my heart.
Profile Image for Grecia Robles.
1,701 reviews472 followers
December 4, 2020
Este libro tiene una trama interesante pero simplemente no me atrapó.
No sé si culpar a que no ando en el mood de mafia
O Que ando un poco Little bitch
O a los protagonistas que no tenían tanta química y no hacían match.
I don´t know, solo sé que fue un libro para mí y tarde bastante para terminar que me parecieron años sólo porque no quería leer pero mi insistencia y terquedad me hicieron terminar.

Hasta la parte final me gustó y fue lo que rescató que no fuera una lectura desastrosa y se ve vio un poco de mafia y de lo que es capaz de hacer Bethany-Kris
Profile Image for Bookgasms Book Blog.
2,863 reviews1,569 followers
May 7, 2019
Gah I am obsessed with Bethany Kris' mafia universe. The Marcellos are mafia royalty to me and getting the opportunity to dive deep once again makes me feel like a kid in a candy store. I absolutely loved Michel and Gabbie and was consumed with the forbidden Romeo and Juliet aspect of their story. It was just so delicious. 

Words can not describe how much I loved this story. Michel and Gabbie shared an unexpected yet profound connection and I could not have been more moved by them as they were both just two people raised in a similar lifestyle who just wanted more out of life. Gah!! Their sexual chemistry and banter gave me life!!  Michel was absolutely amazing and I loved how the author wrote him. He was self-assured and confident in himself, as a proud Marcello, and nothing and no one was going to question him and his devotion to Gabbie.

He wasn't a Made man but that didn't make him any less ruthless or determined to see things his way.  Kris described him perfectly when she said "He was a silent sort of vicious." Gabbie likewise was strong and assertive and matched Michel's determination to be together with her steadfast and undying devotion to him. Both he and Gabbie were absolutely perfect for one another. I couldn't love them both any more!

Overall, I think this book was astounding and so compelling as this author once again differentiated herself as a Queen of this genre. She wrote Michel as a loving, strong and ruthless character proving that her heroes do not necessarily need to be "Made" in order to get things done. Bravo! 5 stars! ~Ratula
Profile Image for Melliane.
2,073 reviews350 followers
May 10, 2019
Mon avis en Français

My English review

After seeing Michel in the other novels, I must admit that I was really curious to discover his story.

We discover our hero during his studies in Detroit. He studies quietly in his own corner, without interfering in his family’s affairs. He’s not interested. He does not want to be told what to do and how he can live. So when he meets the daughter of the Irish mafia boss’s boss, Gabbie, he doesn’t expect to fall in love with her. Nor does he expect this relationship to be so complicated and have such an impact on the big families in the city.

As I was saying, I had a good time with Michel and Gabbie. They try to do the best they can to live as they want, but it is not easy. Gabbie is a character I particularly liked, she is fiery, fresh and determined, just like Michel on this point. Oh yes, because he’s really determined, especially when it comes to the young woman.

It was a nice novel, the ending seemed a little too fast for my taste but I was happy to discover their story.
Profile Image for Mia Bui.
144 reviews5 followers
February 18, 2019
Omg. You gals aren’t even ready for this...

Dirty Pool indeed.
Michel + Gabbie are something else.

Don’t you dare underestimate Michel- he’s still a Marcello through and through... and only proves it each step of the way. Gabbie is a fun twist to the BK Marcello world- from the fiery femininity to her Irish lingo you can’t help but love this fierce woman! Their chemistry is wonderfully plotted, and of course, it doesn’t disappoint in the “steamy” department.

Unlike most of the Marcello books this particular book mostly takes place in Detroit, and is a very different territory than what Michel is used to. Although the Marcello name is respected it doesn’t have the same pull, which later becomes problematic for him. I actually quite liked this aspect to the book as it definitely helped the plot grow.
So grab your popcorn, it’s drama filled for sure, and will certainly keep you on your toes! The Italians vs The Irish- classic but still captivating. And I enjoyed every second of it.

As always, I love that Catrina & Dante - and even Catty & John appeared in this book briefly. I love when the 2nd generation books give us nostalgia from the original books, and connects to the other 2nd gen stand-a-lones.

I genuinely appreciated how BK touched on the “adoption”. If you read Catrina & Dante’s books, it was hard not to be curious about how this would come to light. I thought it was seamlessly addressed but not dwelled on, and that Michel felt like the Marcello he was, no matter the bloodline.

The ending was impeccably executed. It may just be one of my favorite endings in all of the BK books. There was something so uniquely sweet about how it all ties together and their aspirations eventually come full circle. I wondered about Michel, and how he’d play out considering he wasn’t “made” but he did not disappoint. His desire to be something more was a great change up, and so admirable I can only imagine how proud the Don and the Queen pin feel about their son. I seriously can’t wait for outtakes of these two!
Profile Image for Manoela.
1,177 reviews24 followers
May 6, 2019
4 Stars

In Dirty Pool the author Bethany-Kris brings the story of Michel Marcello, a character I've been waiting for his story since his sister's book. And I wasn't disappointed.

This book has a very good dynamic, and one of the good points of this author is that we see a Mafia book where we can actually enter this universe and what part of this world implies.The author doesn't spare detail in narrating how this world works and inserting it in the book and for that I am grateful since one of my biggest complaints in books of this theme is the lack of this universe inserted in the book.Another positive point that strikes me is the author interconnects all of her characters and her ability to make people detest some character we once loved. Thank God this didn't happen and I didn't see myself hating old acquaintances.

The writing of this book is fluid and very captivating. The narrative is interspersed by Gabbie and Michel which causes us to know more deeply the feelings, fears and yearnings, making it impossible not to feel captivated by them.This book unlike her other books does not have many twists or mysteries, the story is more predictable, but this does not spoil the story for me, since the high point for me is due to know Michel deeper.

I liked Gabbie, she's strong, determined, stubborn just being a bit submissive for her father, but I liked that once she met Michel she began to challenge her father.And Michel, it was a pleasure to meet this other side of him and see that no one should underestimate him. After all, he's a Marcello. Already as a couple I thought it was a insta Love , I wish it had been a little more worked here, but the chemistry between them wasn't lacking and it was good to see these two characters brave and determined to fight for each other and to see how it all started between them.

I Received an unreleased copy of this book
Profile Image for Bev .
2,241 reviews485 followers
May 9, 2019
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ All the stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was just fabulous, it really was. If I'm honest I wasn't too sure this book was going to grab me the way the other Marcello books have because Michel has always just hovered on the outskirts of the family, never in it (his choice). But what the author showed to perfection was that in their world whether you chose to be "in the family" or not, the family was always going to be "in" you.

Ah, Michel! You surprised me in the best of ways. Hot, clever, protective, sly, cunning, loyal to a fault, hot ..... did I say HAWT? And Gabbie - everything I ever want to read in a heroine ... strong, sassy, brave, not a smidgen of TSTL, loyal, honest and loved so, so hard.

By far and away my favourite book by Bethany Kris, and I've read them all so that's saying something. Fast paced, twists and turns, a gorgeous forbidden romance - I could not put it down so dragging today. And another huge plus - these are youngsters, early 20's, yet not once did they come across as idiot kids. Instead both Michel and Gabbie are wise, old souls so no ridiculous dramatics. No ex drama either.

Fan-freaking-tastic.
Profile Image for Valeen Robertson (Live Thru Books Blog).
5,892 reviews213 followers
November 9, 2019




Michel Marcello isn't like the other men in his family. He's different. He doesn't want to be in the family business. But don't let that make you think he's soft or that he's not strong and badass like all Marcellos. That's why the Irish mob princess Gabbie is perfect for him in a Romeo and Juliet kind of way. She's feisty and sassy and smart af just like Michel. So when the two meet and fall in love, you just know there's going to be trouble.



I love Dirty Pool! There's something so readable about Bethany-Kris' Mafia stories - they're always suspenseful and passionate and I can't help but love them. But Dirty Pool is somehow different, but different in a good way. I suppose because Michel is different. He's not a made man, not in the family business, but that doesn't mean he doesn't find his way to his fair share of trouble. Mainly in the form of a little Irish princess who I just loved. She and Michel are perfect together, perfect for each other and made me fall in love with them just like the other couples in this Mafia world Bethany-Kris has created. I'm not sure if there's more coming about this Italian/Irish blend, but I certainly hope so because Dirty Pool has the one element none of the other stories I've read in this series have - a touch of sweetness and light to go with the usual suspense and steam always present. Can't wait for more Mafia love from Bethany-Kris!



ARC via IndieSage PR for an honest review.

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Profile Image for Angels.
2,067 reviews17 followers
August 24, 2022
We loved the story from beginning to end!
The story was filled with tons of romance, intrigue, drama and more than a few laughs.

We loved Michal and Gabbie"s story, they were perfect for one another and Gabbie had just enough sass and spice to keep Michal on his toes.

Michal has definitely gotten into a bit of hot water being in Detroit with the Waring two mob families, and he has been lusting for the Irish mobs princess, making things even more complicated. Michal is falling and falling hard but, time will tell, will he survive his courtship or not?

Even though Michal has chosen a different path than the Marcello family ways he still values his upbringing, and he has put it all to good use and to the test and prove he has the brains he outsmarts out whits the best of them and take back what was rightfully his!

Loved it! We never tire of reading about this family as they are interesting, deadly, funny and life is always full of surprises for them, and they seem to never have a dull moment which in return means more fun for us to read about. We have to say that we really enjoyed the ending, and we are so glad that we got to be on Michal's journey of becoming the doctor he always wanted to be as well as a husband and a father and begin a made man too but, just in his own special way.
Profile Image for Nerdy Dirty & Flirty.
3,985 reviews362 followers
May 11, 2019
description
The Marcellos are back!

Michel is swoony-worthy in his hotness and his love of family and dedication to medicine. Gabby knows and treasures family as well but love doesn’t always fit into tidy lines. When he and Gabby get together, tradition and bonds were tested and broken, all in the world of the mafia…

If I’m in the mood for mafia-infused romance, this author is at the top of the list! With Michel and Gabby’s story she mixed up her game with a different, but just as awesome, feel. What if you are in the business but not really? Where you skirt on the edges but refuse to cross that line? What we know for sure is that nothing is a sure thing…

The emotion was high, the chemistry electric and the drama full of so much tension. And danger. And the unexpected. And sadness. And hope. And tenderness. And sexiness. Yes, there was everything in this read to have me savor yet another amazing Marcello read…
Profile Image for Belén Coronel Blanes.
506 reviews45 followers
November 6, 2025
Michel Marcello y Gabbie Casey se conocen en un bar y desde ese momento no pueden permanecer lejos el uno del otro.
Después de una noche apasionada, Michel descubre de quien es hija Gabbie y decide que no le importa.
Sobre todo cuando unos días después Gabbie lo salva y decide recompensarlo. Y una cosa lleva a otra y el amor comienza a surgir.
Ambos personajes me gustaron mucho, tienen mucha química y en cierta manera me recordaron a Giovanni y Kim (tíos de Michel -protagonistas del segundo libro de la serie Filthy Marcello), pero sentí que a la historia le faltó más emoción. Y más mafia.
En una parte, ya quedando menos de 100 páginas para que termine, la trama parece llegar a un punto donde todo podría explotar, sin embargo, todo pasa muy rápido y se maneja vagamente.
El final es muy rosa, pero lindo. Y el epílogo fue precioso.
Dentro de todo, como un romance, la historia está bien. Es un libro de amor prohibido, ambos pertenecen a organizaciones rivales y luchan por estar juntos. Y por supuesto que el amor SIEMPRE gana.
Profile Image for Maria11.
2,003 reviews46 followers
May 11, 2019
Great as always

I love my Marcellos!!!! Darn just can’t get enough of them. Hot, sexy, loving, bad boy, smart, and protective. Gabbie was good too. Love the Irish accent!
Profile Image for simone.
414 reviews4 followers
January 15, 2021
3.5 i loved gabbie and michel so much more than expected and dante & catrina as parents crumbs was such a serotonin boost
Profile Image for Lavender.
187 reviews13 followers
May 1, 2019
4 STARS

Michel Marcello. Adaptable. Perceptive. Damn chivalrous with an evil streak. Doctor by choice. A Marcello by birthright. Michel does not follow. He leads-in life, in the bedroom, and all things.

Michel prefers the one man show. He dabbles in the family business when he wants to, and only then. The money is great, the thrill is better, and why not? Michel is damn good at being bad.

Detroit was another in and out. Do the job.
Make bank and bail. Onto the next thing.

Until Gabbie.

Playing doctor in the club bathroom was never part of the plan. But oh was it fun! The confident, fiery Irish babe was surprisingly on his level.

Keeping Michel on his toes.
Knocking him off his game.

Gabbie's sweet and sassy ways hit Michel hard. And it wasn't just the accent. One taste of Gabbie would never be enough. She wasn't supposed to matter. She was a feeling Michel was afraid to lose.

But this isn't New York.

Rules, traditions, and family bullshit are at the forefront. Michel has never been one to do what is expected. Never afraid to play dirty. Consequences for Michel's rule-breaking ways are high.

Her father's hatred was bigger than the love for his daughter. His controlling ways were not that of a loving overprotective father, but something darker and heartbreaking. Gabbie realizes she is simply a pawn in her father's game.

And in those moments they realize where the true loyalty lies...what real all consuming love feels like...and what they would give up to keep that feeling a second longer.

Because when home is a person...that's what you do.

Together they will do things their way.
Always unexpected. Ready and willing to fight dirty for what matters.
Profile Image for BLuvsBooks.
687 reviews126 followers
May 7, 2019
Michel is the son of Dante and Cat Marcello. The don and queen pin of the mafia NY
You don’t need to read their story to enjoy this book.

.Michel had no intention of going into the family crime business and left his Family In NY for medical school in Detroit.
While in his first year of medical school he does make connections with the Detroit syndicate however does not want to be controlled by them.
While out one night he has a chance meeting with Gabbie the daughter of the head of the Irish mob. And the fireworks between them begin.

I enjoyed how Gabbie was a spit fire and never gave up on Michel and was loyal to him.
Michel is a quiet strength and also uses his intellect to handle both Irish and Italian mobs. He will do anything for Gabbie.
And don’t underestimate him because he isn’t a made mafia man. He is still the son of the most powerful Cosa Nostra.
“He was a Marcello—they didn’t give anything; they only took.”
Dirty Pool
Bethany-Kris
Profile Image for Julia.
235 reviews24 followers
May 8, 2019
He is not like others but still a Marcello.

To tell the truth I've never thought about a book about Michel. I've always thought he was not interested in family's dealings and for me he was just an interesting character. That's it... but after reading this book everything has changed for me! Now Michael Marcello is one of my favourite bookboyfriends.
He was always underrated and underestimated and sometimes I thoyght people forgot that his last name was Marcello. Just knowing it one can see what he is capable of. And he can a lot. He can be patient and calm one minute and ruthless another. Just give him a try.
Gabbie in my opinion is perfect for him. Together they form one unit and it's beautiful.
I fully enjoyed this book and I'm going to reread it and not once because Michael brike my heart.
Thank you Bethany Kris for this book. It's a trully masterpiece just like all the other books.
Profile Image for Athena D..
977 reviews59 followers
May 7, 2019
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 STARS

Michel & Gabbie’ s story is another fine example of Bethany-Kris’ consummate writing skills!!!! Another Marcello man to love!

“Michel wasn’t like them. He wasn’t obvious. A silent sort of vicious.”


Michel Marcello is mentioned in many of the other Marcello books. You may know his name, but most disregard him because he’s not technically part of the Cosa Nostra family. Be warned, he may not be a made man but that doesn’t mean he knows nothing of his legacy. I love that Michel chooses a different path but still finds himself in trouble.

“A long time ago, Michel had decided that he didn’t want to be ... like every other man in his family. It wasn’t because he thought he was better than them, or that he couldn’t handle the way they chose to live. He’d simply wanted to be different, and do more than just the mafia.
...That part of him was just like them—just as volatile, and dangerous. Just as cunning, and quick on his feet. He simply didn’t show it.”


Gabbie Casey is a perfect match for Michel. She’s got spirit, also she is just as fierce and loyal as any other Marcello female. Despite the bad blood between the Italians and the Irish, Michel and Gabby do not want to let each other go so they fight hard to keep each other. ‘Cause that’s love!

“Love came when one was not expecting it because one could not plan for love. That wasn’t how it worked. Love was not meant to be a thing you went out and found for yourself, because it was the thing that found you.”


This is another great book by Bethany-Kris that I highly recommend reading. I found another EPIC read. Dirty Pool by Bethany-Kris will join the ranks of the BIBLIO-ARISTOCRACY!!!

~Thank you to the author and Indie Sage PR for generously providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.~

http://bookeverlasting.home.blog/2019...
Profile Image for Pripri.
517 reviews15 followers
December 4, 2023
3.75

Extrañaba a esta sucia familia.

Michel Marcello siempre quiso ser más. Como estudiante de premedicina y viviendo en Detroit hace todo lo posible para que no lo vean solo por su apellido. Sin embargo, las circunstancias no lo dejan apartarse de ese camino que no le es desconocido. Debo decir que llego un momento en el que pensé que Michel no lo tenía. Incluso le iba a bajar la calificación por eso. Pero me ha sorprendido. De verdad que no esperaba eso de él.

Gabbie Casey es la única hija del líder de la mafia irlandesa. Y como toda chica nacida en una familia criminal ha estado sobreprotegida por su padre. Pero es hasta que conoce a Michel que se da cuenta de que tan controlador puede ser. Gabbie no tiene nada en especial. Algo que debes tomar en cuenta cuando lees mafia es que las mujeres pocas veces se roban el show. Este tipo de libros es muy criticado por esta parte así que no esperes algo diferente.

El libro me recordó un poco al de John y Siena. Por cierto, ame la aparición de John, ustedes saben que yo ame su historia y verlo salir fue una alegría. Y también un poco a la de Violet y Kaz. Dos familias rivales se enfrentan, la pareja está en medio, no los dejan estar juntos. De cierta manera es un poco predecible.

He disfrutado el libro, como todos los libros de esta autora. Por algo es de mis favoritas. No es lo mejor, pero la pluma de la autora tiene un “no sé qué” que siempre me atrapa y me mantiene enganchada a la trama. Con los Marcello esta la particularidad de que para ellos la familia es lo más importante, es algo más que llevar la misma sangre. Como se tratan entre ellos. Lo que están dispuestos a hacer para tener aquello que aman. Y no juegan limpio, Michel lo demostró.
Profile Image for Marie  Brown (Marie's Tempting Reads).
2,767 reviews56 followers
May 8, 2019
Marie's Tempting Reads ARC Review:

A CUNNING, DARK, SINFUL STORY WITH A LOT OF DEPTH, SIZZLING PASSION AND UNFORGETTABLE CHARACTERS!

Dirty Pool was and is a sensational read. Engaging and all consuming, once I started I didn't want to put it down and when I did, I just couldn't stop thinking about it. The characters are incredible and special and the way the story is written...irresistible! Its a dark thrilling read worth reading again and again! Its exciting and twisted, but in a good way. Readers will have a hard time turning away this dark treat.

Dirty Pool gets a UNFORGETTABLE FIVE SIZZLING STARS!
Profile Image for Shirley.
673 reviews
May 20, 2019
5 Stars

I’ve always been a little intrigued by Michel. He was on the periphery and I didn’t know much about him really apart from his wife was an Irish mob boss’s daughter. Well let me just say that I was NOT disappointed at all and Michel totally proved that you don’t have to be a made man to be a filthy Marcello. He was 100% Marcello through and through.
I loved Gabbie too she was strong and sassy and just bloody perfect for Michel. I loved the scene with Gabbie and Catrina cooking and that epilogue…....just fabulous.

This was a fantastic read and whatever you do don’t underestimate Michel ☺
Profile Image for Adricrisuruta.
1,854 reviews2 followers
November 27, 2021
I expected something else from this story and it was very disappointing with Michel's character.
Whether he wanted to follow his family's path or not, I would have liked a strong, correct man with a pair of cojones.
The betrayal of the way of life he grew up in and the acts that came next to get the girl seemed deplorable to me.
The only redeemable thing was the epilogue. A show of forgiveness that will be reflected in future generations.

Profile Image for Kim  Brewing.
3,627 reviews37 followers
May 16, 2019
Time in any BK world is time well spent and this story is no exception. Falling in love was not in Michel's mind. He was focused on school and his desire to be a surgeon. But then the met Gabbie, a mafia princess...only she was an Irish princess. Can it be? or will a war end our couple for good. Loved the epilogue!!!
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