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Banker #1
The Banker
I have a problem—I’m falling for the man I’m supposed to betray.
My father has chosen a life of crime in the underworld, but I’ve made a different choice for myself. His past has caught up to him, and now I’m the only one who can save him. They make their demand in exchange for my father’s life—Cato Marino. One of the richest and most powerful man in Italy.
Ruthless and powerful, I have no chance of capturing him. The only way to get close to a man like Cato… is to seduce him. Get in his bed and make him beg to keep me there. I do the unthinkable… and sleep with him.
But now I’m the one begging to stay. Cato has become everything I’ve ever wanted in a man. Masculine but affectionate. Reserved but assertive. He wants me at his side always, in his bed every night, and he’s erased the memory of every man that came before him. I burn in his fire and dance in the ashes. I’m the one that’s supposed to seduce him… but he’s made me head-over-heels.
Now I’m faced with the horrible betrayal I’m supposed to commit.
The men demand the exchange—Cato Marino for my father. Now I’m forced to choose between love and family. And if I don’t decide my answer soon, something worse could happen.
Cato could discover my treason—and he’s the not the kind of man you cross.
My father has chosen a life of crime in the underworld, but I’ve made a different choice for myself. His past has caught up to him, and now I’m the only one who can save him. They make their demand in exchange for my father’s life—Cato Marino. One of the richest and most powerful man in Italy.
Ruthless and powerful, I have no chance of capturing him. The only way to get close to a man like Cato… is to seduce him. Get in his bed and make him beg to keep me there. I do the unthinkable… and sleep with him.
But now I’m the one begging to stay. Cato has become everything I’ve ever wanted in a man. Masculine but affectionate. Reserved but assertive. He wants me at his side always, in his bed every night, and he’s erased the memory of every man that came before him. I burn in his fire and dance in the ashes. I’m the one that’s supposed to seduce him… but he’s made me head-over-heels.
Now I’m faced with the horrible betrayal I’m supposed to commit.
The men demand the exchange—Cato Marino for my father. Now I’m forced to choose between love and family. And if I don’t decide my answer soon, something worse could happen.
Cato could discover my treason—and he’s the not the kind of man you cross.
362 pages, Paperback
First published January 22, 2019
3622 people are currently reading
6723 people want to read
About the author
Penelope Sky
74 books6,630 followersA New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author, Penelope Sky is known for her dark romance that makes you fall for her characters….no matter how dark they seem. Her books are being translated into several languages around the world, and she’s sold more than a million books worldwide. She lives in a small town in California with her husband, where she spends most of her time writing on the back porch.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 652 reviews
January 29, 2024
4.5 Smut Stars
Yummmmmmmy.
Can’t chat now, on to book two.
Yummmmmmmy.
Can’t chat now, on to book two.
May 30, 2020
Hilarious.
The world's largest douchebag's monologues go like this:
Q:
Whether I was dressed in jeans and a t-shirt or a full suit, I was equally formidable. (c)
Q:
The second he looked at me, he flinched.
Like a pussy. (c)
Q:
Most women couldn’t tolerate my intensity. (c)
Q:
“I’m a dark and moody man.” I’d always been that way since I was a boy. (c)
Q:
Real men had skeletons to be proud of. (c)
The world's largest douchebag's monologues go like this:
Q:
Whether I was dressed in jeans and a t-shirt or a full suit, I was equally formidable. (c)
Q:
The second he looked at me, he flinched.
Like a pussy. (c)
Q:
Most women couldn’t tolerate my intensity. (c)
Q:
“I’m a dark and moody man.” I’d always been that way since I was a boy. (c)
Q:
Real men had skeletons to be proud of. (c)
February 21, 2019
So, I've read Penelope Sky's first three books in Button and Lace series, in which I liked first 2 and disliked the third one...and I obviously have forgotten the reason for it...
So when I picked up this book merely based on the blurb, i didn't even think of the previous books, I didn't even remember them... :/ BUT no matter how bad this sentence sounds, It's really not, cause I effin loved this story
Banker was dark-ish but fast paced and action packed story of sacrifice, bloodlines, revenge and betrayal BUt it was also a story of resillience, passion and altering changes...
and these characters are more than believable and palpable...so right on!
So when I picked up this book merely based on the blurb, i didn't even think of the previous books, I didn't even remember them... :/ BUT no matter how bad this sentence sounds, It's really not, cause I effin loved this story
Banker was dark-ish but fast paced and action packed story of sacrifice, bloodlines, revenge and betrayal BUt it was also a story of resillience, passion and altering changes...
and these characters are more than believable and palpable...so right on!
lost-interested
February 4, 2019DNF @ 32%
January 28, 2019
“With me, you don’t need a fire.”
Ever since the beginning, her uniqueness caught my attention. Every time she pushed me away, I pulled tighter. My attraction turned to obsession. My obsession turned to possessiveness.
uzuuuuuuun zamandır böyle bi'şey okumamıştım AMAN ALLAHIM! sonu da öyle bir bitti ki şu an ikinci kitap için çıldırıyorum... ağlicam sanırım ikinci kitabın ne kadar güzel olacağını düşünürken...
adam uyanmış I watched her while I planned my day. diyor. ben sadece bu sahne için bile 5'i yapıştırırdım.. o kadar alçak gönüllüyümdür işte dfglk
"If someone is giving you a hard time, I can give them a harder time." diyen birine nasıl ihanet edebilirsin Siena NASIL??!
December 31, 2020
I am pissed at myself for never reading any book from Penelope Sky before. At the same time, I am glad, I read her at last because from now on, she is one of my most favorite authors, and this trilogy is among my best reads of 2020.
This book is perfect!!!!!!!!
I loved everything about it but damn that ending! It is one of my favorite endings of all time. It left me completely flabbergasted. I did not see that coming at all. It knocked me completely off.
After that ending, I have embraced the genius of Penelope Sky. She is amazing.
This book is perfect!!!!!!!!
I loved everything about it but damn that ending! It is one of my favorite endings of all time. It left me completely flabbergasted. I did not see that coming at all. It knocked me completely off.
After that ending, I have embraced the genius of Penelope Sky. She is amazing.
September 19, 2019
Damn !!
I knew this would happen! I knew she was pregnant and had no idea what Kitio was going to do with Ciana in the future.
I wish Ciana would regret it sooner and would not betray her 💔
I knew this would happen! I knew she was pregnant and had no idea what Kitio was going to do with Ciana in the future.
I wish Ciana would regret it sooner and would not betray her 💔
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 17, 2024
Contemporary Romance Erotica.
Siena want to save her father, so she must take down Cato Marino, the most powerfulbanker maffioso in Italy. The problem is that Cato is accompanied by his security team everywhere and his fortress in Tuscany is impenetrable. She must plan very carefully to get close to him...
Cato (30) is a mega rich, super good-looking, sexy man who gets every woman he wants. He's also a cruel jerk and proud of it! Siena is sassy and willing to help out her father even though he was the cause her mother was killed and he put himself in danger.
It had a good storyline and potential but I didn't much care for the crude language nor those never ending graphic sex scenes.
BTW: I really dislike when story is about 200 pages, ends with a cliffhanger, and then you have to pay more $$ to continue reading! With some good editing and removing fillers, they could have easily made this into one book novel instead of three book series. But hey...why take money for only one book when you can charge money for three books? I won't continue with this series.
Siena want to save her father, so she must take down Cato Marino, the most powerful
Cato (30) is a mega rich, super good-looking, sexy man who gets every woman he wants. He's also a cruel jerk and proud of it! Siena is sassy and willing to help out her father even though he was the cause her mother was killed and he put himself in danger.
It had a good storyline and potential but I didn't much care for the crude language nor those never ending graphic sex scenes.
BTW: I really dislike when story is about 200 pages, ends with a cliffhanger, and then you have to pay more $$ to continue reading! With some good editing and removing fillers, they could have easily made this into one book novel instead of three book series. But hey...why take money for only one book when you can charge money for three books? I won't continue with this series.
March 21, 2019
4,5 ❤️❤️❤️❤️💵💰🏦🌟🌟🌟🌟s❣️❣️❣️❣️
Wow!!!! The banker and the art buyer are simply amazing❣️
Wow!!!! The banker and the art buyer are simply amazing❣️
April 15, 2025
4,5.
This story is so refreshing with a lot of action, passion and angst.
I loved it.
It’s worth reading.
This story is so refreshing with a lot of action, passion and angst.
I loved it.
It’s worth reading.
August 21, 2019
4.5 Stars
When I read the blurb of The Banker it intrigues me. And so, I wasted no time to start reading and boy, it got me hooked right away. I couldn't put it down. Cato and Siena's character were captivating. Their passion for each other is as hot as can be. The plot was great, unpredictable! I thoroughly enjoy this one and I can't wait to read The Dictator after that cliffy ending.
February 16, 2021
dnf because abusers are not my thing
February 5, 2019
I finally finished a mafia dark romance book? So. That’s a first.
This book started off well. I loved Siena even though she overlooked some very important things? She never ONCE demanded to see her father. She just took Micah and Damien’s word on the matter? They never established a timeframe for her to seduce Cato? I mean, I could overlook all that but these things were a pretty gaping hole in the story.
Like. The story was good at first. I’m not usually a fan of alpha assholes but reading about Cato from Siena’s POV was fine, and Cato’s earlier POV chapters weren’t terrible. He’s a pig and is very upfront about it. But he meets his match with Siena who can (and does) get any guy she wants.
In one instance when Cato wanted to have sex without a condom, Siena tells him no, and not until she sees his papers (and he sees hers). And guess what? He respects that.
But later in the last, oh...25% of this book? It’s pretty much all non-con. She tells him no, and he forces her anyways. He views her like she’s an object for him to possess and it’s just so sleezy and gross and very different from the Cato in the earlier chapters who was just enamored by her. Once he started to actually fall for her, he gets disgustingly possessive and this book stopped being fun.
So, I’m not a fan of the way the author writes her sex scenes? They seem so awkwardly written. The author has obviously written a lot of books at this point, but I’m still not onboard with these scenes. I’ll include examples when I write my full review. But even when all is said and done, Cato just leaves Siena is bed with come dripping out of her and he pops into the shower and she just ups and makes breakfast like no big?? Like, just let the woman shower, Jesus Christ.
So, the only other book I’ve read by the author is Buttons & Lace and I DNF’d that one. Crow is the male love interest in that book, and seeing him here is disconcerting since he’s way different and cleaned up now. But also a grandpa??? I’m not a fan of generational books in the first place, but whew I don’t know if I would be ready for the sexy male lead to be a grandparent just yet since I obviously missed a LOT in-between the books. lol
Is this book, and series worth the read? Eh. If the books were cheaper or on KU maybe. But at $6.99 each? I don’t think so. That’s just too expensive for me to read the rest of this trilogy when Cato has no redeeming qualities whatsoever.
This book started off well. I loved Siena even though she overlooked some very important things? She never ONCE demanded to see her father. She just took Micah and Damien’s word on the matter? They never established a timeframe for her to seduce Cato? I mean, I could overlook all that but these things were a pretty gaping hole in the story.
Like. The story was good at first. I’m not usually a fan of alpha assholes but reading about Cato from Siena’s POV was fine, and Cato’s earlier POV chapters weren’t terrible. He’s a pig and is very upfront about it. But he meets his match with Siena who can (and does) get any guy she wants.
In one instance when Cato wanted to have sex without a condom, Siena tells him no, and not until she sees his papers (and he sees hers). And guess what? He respects that.
But later in the last, oh...25% of this book? It’s pretty much all non-con. She tells him no, and he forces her anyways. He views her like she’s an object for him to possess and it’s just so sleezy and gross and very different from the Cato in the earlier chapters who was just enamored by her. Once he started to actually fall for her, he gets disgustingly possessive and this book stopped being fun.
So, I’m not a fan of the way the author writes her sex scenes? They seem so awkwardly written. The author has obviously written a lot of books at this point, but I’m still not onboard with these scenes. I’ll include examples when I write my full review. But even when all is said and done, Cato just leaves Siena is bed with come dripping out of her and he pops into the shower and she just ups and makes breakfast like no big?? Like, just let the woman shower, Jesus Christ.
So, the only other book I’ve read by the author is Buttons & Lace and I DNF’d that one. Crow is the male love interest in that book, and seeing him here is disconcerting since he’s way different and cleaned up now. But also a grandpa??? I’m not a fan of generational books in the first place, but whew I don’t know if I would be ready for the sexy male lead to be a grandparent just yet since I obviously missed a LOT in-between the books. lol
Is this book, and series worth the read? Eh. If the books were cheaper or on KU maybe. But at $6.99 each? I don’t think so. That’s just too expensive for me to read the rest of this trilogy when Cato has no redeeming qualities whatsoever.
January 24, 2019
Uuuuuugh......
This is what I HATE.
Hold up!
Not the book. I looooved this book.
I hate having to wait for the next one. It's like a sweet torture when you have such an incredible cliff hanger and all you want to do is message the author at 2:23 am when you've finally finished it (FYI ... I told myself at midnight I would stop) if she could please, oh pretty please, tell me how this turns out.
First off, Sky, you rock. You had me at Florence, which happens to be one of my favourite places on the whole planet.
Then you had me with Siena (not the place). The kick ass, awesomeness that is the female lead in this story. I absolutely adore her. And then you sealed the deal with Cato.
Cato.
What can I say? There's something so intrinsically good about someone so bad.
This story has some epic scenes and some that actually spiked my anxiety to super high levels. But the ending? The ending broke my heart and I'm dying to know what happens next.
What I absolutely love about Sky and her writing is that in Cato's epic failure to see through the one person he should have read like a book from the get go, he prophetically states the one thing that is so wrong. The one truth that is not truth at all:
She wasn't the kind of woman to make a sacrifice for someone else.
And I wasn't the kind of man to make a sacrifice for anyone else.
I call bullshit.
She is precisely the woman who sacrifices everything for the ones she loves and I can almost bet my bottom dollar he will do the same for her. I can only hope.
Thank you for this hot, high intensity beautiful story. I am so sad it had to come to an end and can't wait for the next instalment.
🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
April 5, 2019
Everything was going okay until He hit Her. Even mafia alphas know how to react in rage without hitting a woman and still manage to stay dangerous. And then there those instances where the heroine slaps the hero. Like many many slaps. It completely felt comic.
Lastly 3 stars for the story minus the slaps.
Lastly 3 stars for the story minus the slaps.
January 31, 2019
Get ready for your next love/lust/hate relationship with the top alpha Cato Marino. Siena long ago write off her father. His obsession with money and power usurped any warm and fuzzy type feelings she had for him. When she is contacted about a mark on her father's head unless she bends to their will, she is overcome with the sense of familiar guilt. Her target is Cato Marino - a man notorious for his steel exterior and interior. She had to find a way to break through his shell and get him to trust her, so she can betray it and deliver him up. The way into the stone man's heart is a little game of cat and mouse. But is her heart really the one in the trap?
I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this book
I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this book
October 18, 2024
Penelope is one of my one click authors! She writes, I read! That's it!
3,5 stars
Although the h was a kick-ass, she acted a little naive in my opinion! She didn't try to talk to her father, didn't take advice when she should and then when she should take action she hesitates! She was getting to know him, knew what he thought of family...
The H was a pig and he knew it! The guy is a self center prick, with god complex! The way he treated her in the beginning was horrible!
Didn't feel that he was falling in love, it was more the obsession and the possessiveness!
His character was well worked, with few actions we got all his ruthless and dark demeanor!
Hope she evolves and don't go all sappy!
3,5 stars
Although the h was a kick-ass, she acted a little naive in my opinion! She didn't try to talk to her father, didn't take advice when she should and then when she should take action she hesitates! She was getting to know him, knew what he thought of family...
The H was a pig and he knew it! The guy is a self center prick, with god complex! The way he treated her in the beginning was horrible!
Didn't feel that he was falling in love, it was more the obsession and the possessiveness!
His character was well worked, with few actions we got all his ruthless and dark demeanor!
Hope she evolves and don't go all sappy!
March 25, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. Siena's father owned a small cover up business but really was a front for a drug cartel. She wanted no parts of the business how ever was forced back in when they kidnapped her father. Her brother went into hiding so she no choice but to do what the kidnappers/crime family wanted. To lured and sleep with the most powerful man in Italy.
Cato Marino was a banker & crime lord his reach had no bounds him & his brother was the most feared men in Italy. Cato & his brother were cold blooded killers and had everything they wanted power, woman, money Cato fortress was impenetrable that is until one Italy bombshell demanded his attention. Siena got Cato's attention & more than she bargained for until he found out her plans and now she kneel on his lawn with the rest of the past traders begging for her life.
Cato Marino was a banker & crime lord his reach had no bounds him & his brother was the most feared men in Italy. Cato & his brother were cold blooded killers and had everything they wanted power, woman, money Cato fortress was impenetrable that is until one Italy bombshell demanded his attention. Siena got Cato's attention & more than she bargained for until he found out her plans and now she kneel on his lawn with the rest of the past traders begging for her life.
January 22, 2019
Oh my god!!!! From page 1 until the very last page, I was drawn in. First of all, I appreciate Penelope not allowing us to forget our loves Crowe and Bones. Second, Bates reminds me so much of Cane its uncanny!! But oh God, dayum it Siena. Not much I can say without giving away the book, but it's a serious page turner. This book makes you drop your mouth in each chapter and it never closes. Hell of a start in 2019 Penelope. 😁. I can't wait to see what happens. P.S. It's not so much as a cliffhanger. More so, you are dying to see what happens next. Simply amazing!!
January 25, 2019
Siena Russo walked away from her family after it became apparent her father would always choose power, money, and the family business over her. Unfortunately, her father has gotten into trouble facing death unless she agrees to barter his life for another. A life for a life. All that's being asked of her is to produce Cato Marino, banker to cartels, mobsters, crime syndicates, and dictators world wide, and her father goes free. Fail and not only does her father die, but Siena herself becomes collateral damage.
Protected by multiple layers of security and impossible to get to, Siena's only hope is to seduce Cato to gain his trust. Once that's done she can lure him into a private location where she can make the exchange and free her father.
Cato guards his safety and privacy as no one else. He has to as being the banker to the clients he does business with is a dangerous occupation. His only weakness, if he has one, is women but even in that he doesn't allow any to get close enough to matter. This all changes when he comes across a girl who dares to tell him something no one else has. "No."
It's a game of cat and mouse as Siena gets closer and closer to Cato who is known to execute those who seek to harm him or his family. Would he really kill her if he finds out his plans?
* * * *
Warning: This is a contemporary dark antihero erotic romance story that includes elements of violence consistent with mafia/mob lifestyle elements. Consider yourself warned.
New to me author who featured an antihero man whore character who I loved to hate but can't get enough of (luckily this is the first installment of a series). Cato has an ego that doesn't stop and uses women in a revolving door fashion, often two at a time. He does what he wants when he wants without consequences as his wealth guarantees it. Yup. Those are the sorts of characters I love to see brought to their knees, blindsided by what's to come.
The main characters sparked from the start. The adult content scenes are hot enough to melt the polar cap. The lead up to their first intimate scene was brilliant as Siena didn't take his B.S. refusing to be just another notch in his bedpost.
The secondary characters. Damien shows up early in the story and I defy any other reader not to despise him from the start. Loathsome ass wipe who I kept hoping would end up being a soprano singer, or better yet, mute, if you get my drift. Further, there are cameo appearances by characters from other series (Crow, Bones) that I'm sure fans of those series will appreciate. Other characters do compliment the overall story in varying degrees and with varied success.
Seriously, I inhaled this story, it was that good. My issues though are that this story was built off a faulty foundation which troubled me immensely. I had a very hard time getting on board with Siena's role and her lack of being smart regarding certain key story line points. She acted more the victim who had no control vs the strong woman who was a victim but didn't let that define her. Common sense was lacking for sure. Additionally, there were multiple times in the story that lacked follow through and/or attention to details. Sometimes it's the small things that matter.
Though the purchase price may give potential readers pause, it's a solid story that I enjoyed and appreciated. The adult content is smokin' hot and I'd suggest having battery operated outlets available to cool down. Not a bad thing when the actual story line is just as good.
The one residual issue I will comment on is that the cliffhanger ending is frustrating. It shouldn't end that way but does make sense to end that way ...... for now. Luckily, the next installment The Dictator comes out Feb. 19, 2019 or I'd be a basket case....
Just sayin'
Protected by multiple layers of security and impossible to get to, Siena's only hope is to seduce Cato to gain his trust. Once that's done she can lure him into a private location where she can make the exchange and free her father.
Cato guards his safety and privacy as no one else. He has to as being the banker to the clients he does business with is a dangerous occupation. His only weakness, if he has one, is women but even in that he doesn't allow any to get close enough to matter. This all changes when he comes across a girl who dares to tell him something no one else has. "No."
It's a game of cat and mouse as Siena gets closer and closer to Cato who is known to execute those who seek to harm him or his family. Would he really kill her if he finds out his plans?
* * * *
Warning: This is a contemporary dark antihero erotic romance story that includes elements of violence consistent with mafia/mob lifestyle elements. Consider yourself warned.
New to me author who featured an antihero man whore character who I loved to hate but can't get enough of (luckily this is the first installment of a series). Cato has an ego that doesn't stop and uses women in a revolving door fashion, often two at a time. He does what he wants when he wants without consequences as his wealth guarantees it. Yup. Those are the sorts of characters I love to see brought to their knees, blindsided by what's to come.
The main characters sparked from the start. The adult content scenes are hot enough to melt the polar cap. The lead up to their first intimate scene was brilliant as Siena didn't take his B.S. refusing to be just another notch in his bedpost.
The secondary characters. Damien shows up early in the story and I defy any other reader not to despise him from the start. Loathsome ass wipe who I kept hoping would end up being a soprano singer, or better yet, mute, if you get my drift. Further, there are cameo appearances by characters from other series (Crow, Bones) that I'm sure fans of those series will appreciate. Other characters do compliment the overall story in varying degrees and with varied success.
Seriously, I inhaled this story, it was that good. My issues though are that this story was built off a faulty foundation which troubled me immensely. I had a very hard time getting on board with Siena's role and her lack of being smart regarding certain key story line points. She acted more the victim who had no control vs the strong woman who was a victim but didn't let that define her. Common sense was lacking for sure. Additionally, there were multiple times in the story that lacked follow through and/or attention to details. Sometimes it's the small things that matter.
Though the purchase price may give potential readers pause, it's a solid story that I enjoyed and appreciated. The adult content is smokin' hot and I'd suggest having battery operated outlets available to cool down. Not a bad thing when the actual story line is just as good.
The one residual issue I will comment on is that the cliffhanger ending is frustrating. It shouldn't end that way but does make sense to end that way ...... for now. Luckily, the next installment The Dictator comes out Feb. 19, 2019 or I'd be a basket case....
Just sayin'
April 8, 2021
Cuando leí la serie Buttons no pensé que volvería a leer algo de esta autora.
Este libro fue bastante rápido y fácil de leer, no me tomó mucho y tiempo y pocas veces me aburrí, pero de todas formas siento que no me ha gustado tanto.
Quizás fue la traducción o quizás fueron otras cosas, pero a veces me cansaba de leer algunas palabras. Cato es un un tipo de personaje que es difícil para mí de imaginar. Su personalidad fue un poco confusa para mí y no estoy al cien por ciento segura de que haya gustado.
Por otro lado está Siena. La lealtad que demuestra fue algo que me gustó mucho, pero me hubiese gustado ver si el desenlace hubiera sido distinto si ella le hubiese contado a Cato la verdad.
Y siendo sincera, no creo que la fachada de odio que construyó le dure mucho a Cato, teniendo en consideración que Siena es la primera mujer con la que se 'obsesiona' y muy en el fondo, la única mujer que quiere. Lo del embarazo no hará más que convencerlo de que Sienna no merece morir. Pero será entretenido ver qué pasa.
Creo que lo del hermano de Cato fue demasiado parecido a lo que pasa con el hermano de Crow en la serie Buttons. No me gustó para nada.
Este libro fue bastante rápido y fácil de leer, no me tomó mucho y tiempo y pocas veces me aburrí, pero de todas formas siento que no me ha gustado tanto.
Quizás fue la traducción o quizás fueron otras cosas, pero a veces me cansaba de leer algunas palabras. Cato es un un tipo de personaje que es difícil para mí de imaginar. Su personalidad fue un poco confusa para mí y no estoy al cien por ciento segura de que haya gustado.
Por otro lado está Siena. La lealtad que demuestra fue algo que me gustó mucho, pero me hubiese gustado ver si el desenlace hubiera sido distinto si ella le hubiese contado a Cato la verdad.
Y siendo sincera, no creo que la fachada de odio que construyó le dure mucho a Cato, teniendo en consideración que Siena es la primera mujer con la que se 'obsesiona' y muy en el fondo, la única mujer que quiere. Lo del embarazo no hará más que convencerlo de que Sienna no merece morir. Pero será entretenido ver qué pasa.
Creo que lo del hermano de Cato fue demasiado parecido a lo que pasa con el hermano de Crow en la serie Buttons. No me gustó para nada.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 3, 2022
Dnf 20% I don't care for Cato at all. Skimmed to the end and yea no. Siena wouldn't be able to take punches in the face from Catos brother. She'd be passed out. Alot of ott situations ND kind of too drastic.
I only have 1 more book I want to try from penelope then that's its. I think her writing has drastically dropped or its been that long since I read the buttons series in which I thought those were good at the time now I'm not so sure.
I only have 1 more book I want to try from penelope then that's its. I think her writing has drastically dropped or its been that long since I read the buttons series in which I thought those were good at the time now I'm not so sure.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 19, 2019
DNF @ 50%
____
I forced myself to finish it because I really like the heroine.
So yup. 👍🏻
____
I forced myself to finish it because I really like the heroine.
So yup. 👍🏻
April 6, 2019
5 Stars
The Banker was a pleasant surprise. I didn't expect to like it so much, because usually American writers mess up romances with Italian mafia. This one was spot on. Love it so much!!💖
The story is taking place in Florence and Tuscany's country side.
Siena Rossi is in her 20s, she's an art consultant and works at an art gallery in Florence. She lives in a little cottage inherited from her grandmother in the country side of Tuscany. Siena has cut any relationship with her father and brother since the murder of her mother. Her father Stefano is a mafioso that deals in drugs and has a cigars business as a cover for his underworld business. Siena hates the world of her father and blames him for the death of her mother. She has asked him to leave the business and change life, but he never listened.
So she chose to live a peaceful life away from her father's world. Until the day Micah the boss of an other criminal family takes her from her home and tells her that they have her father, that his business is done, and the only way to save his life will be for her to bring them a man they want. The man is called Cato Marino.
Cato Marino is a 30 years old selfmade billionaire. Handsome, blue eyes, brown hair and over six foot tall, he's a man that can have every woman he wants.
He's the owner and CEO of a banking company with branches in Italy and Switzerland and other countries. His banking business cleans bloody money of many criminal businesses from Italy, China, US etc. He's the most powerful man in Italy and has the strongest security in the country.
When Siena makes her research about Cato, she understand the impossibility of her task. She starts stalking him in those few places she learned he goes usually with the intent to collect more information that can help her. It takes her a week to see him for the first time at the club.
When Siena sees Cato for the first time, she is completely blown away from his looks and his posture. The man is a magnet for every women and women throw themselves at him without shame, and he leaves the club with more than one.
She's sure, bedding him will not be the solution for her plan, because he has more pussy that one would wish and all these woman are model material. When she start losing hope, Cato approaches her unexpectedly at the bakery in front of his office and asks her way she is stalking him for days.
The attraction between them is super hot, and when he kisses her, Siena wants him bad. Their first try to sex is really funny. Not going to spoiler it. But all I'm going to say is, she will play hard to catch and that cat mouse game will make Cato want her badly.
These two will find themselves unprepared to the whirlwind of feelings they are going to live. Cato will fall in love for the first time ever. Siena will know a man who is very different from the cold criminal the underworld knows.
I felt so bad for Siena, she was in a cul de sac and she needed to either sacrifice her father and herself or the man she loves. I'm happy she did the right choice even though it was too late to save the situation.
Cato's heartache is understandable, but I wanted to see if he had the guts to hurt her without her final revelation.
That ending was painful, but also very promising. I can't wait to see how this story will go.
I have only two little notes about the book: 1) almost of names of secondary characters were not Italian, which was a bit odd and 2) the hero was very often described wearing jeans and t-shirt, which didn't fit well with him being Italian, Banker and from Tuscany, which is the region of the elites of Italy. Italians aren't the tshirt jeans types, that's very American. Italians even casual are fashionable.
But for the rest it was a great story!😍
I highly recommend this book.
The Banker was a pleasant surprise. I didn't expect to like it so much, because usually American writers mess up romances with Italian mafia. This one was spot on. Love it so much!!💖
The story is taking place in Florence and Tuscany's country side.
Siena Rossi is in her 20s, she's an art consultant and works at an art gallery in Florence. She lives in a little cottage inherited from her grandmother in the country side of Tuscany. Siena has cut any relationship with her father and brother since the murder of her mother. Her father Stefano is a mafioso that deals in drugs and has a cigars business as a cover for his underworld business. Siena hates the world of her father and blames him for the death of her mother. She has asked him to leave the business and change life, but he never listened.
So she chose to live a peaceful life away from her father's world. Until the day Micah the boss of an other criminal family takes her from her home and tells her that they have her father, that his business is done, and the only way to save his life will be for her to bring them a man they want. The man is called Cato Marino.
Cato Marino is a 30 years old selfmade billionaire. Handsome, blue eyes, brown hair and over six foot tall, he's a man that can have every woman he wants.
He's the owner and CEO of a banking company with branches in Italy and Switzerland and other countries. His banking business cleans bloody money of many criminal businesses from Italy, China, US etc. He's the most powerful man in Italy and has the strongest security in the country.
When Siena makes her research about Cato, she understand the impossibility of her task. She starts stalking him in those few places she learned he goes usually with the intent to collect more information that can help her. It takes her a week to see him for the first time at the club.
When Siena sees Cato for the first time, she is completely blown away from his looks and his posture. The man is a magnet for every women and women throw themselves at him without shame, and he leaves the club with more than one.
She's sure, bedding him will not be the solution for her plan, because he has more pussy that one would wish and all these woman are model material. When she start losing hope, Cato approaches her unexpectedly at the bakery in front of his office and asks her way she is stalking him for days.
The attraction between them is super hot, and when he kisses her, Siena wants him bad. Their first try to sex is really funny. Not going to spoiler it. But all I'm going to say is, she will play hard to catch and that cat mouse game will make Cato want her badly.
These two will find themselves unprepared to the whirlwind of feelings they are going to live. Cato will fall in love for the first time ever. Siena will know a man who is very different from the cold criminal the underworld knows.
I felt so bad for Siena, she was in a cul de sac and she needed to either sacrifice her father and herself or the man she loves. I'm happy she did the right choice even though it was too late to save the situation.
Cato's heartache is understandable, but I wanted to see if he had the guts to hurt her without her final revelation.
That ending was painful, but also very promising. I can't wait to see how this story will go.
I have only two little notes about the book: 1) almost of names of secondary characters were not Italian, which was a bit odd and 2) the hero was very often described wearing jeans and t-shirt, which didn't fit well with him being Italian, Banker and from Tuscany, which is the region of the elites of Italy. Italians aren't the tshirt jeans types, that's very American. Italians even casual are fashionable.
But for the rest it was a great story!😍
I highly recommend this book.
December 7, 2019
Fuck
I am so speechless right now. This book got me hooked from the very first page.
I want to thank Ms. Penelope Sky for writing such an amazing and brave heroine. I have read two of her other series and am getting familiar with her writing style. Seems like she is very capable of writing heroines that know exactly what they want and how to get it and won't tolerate any bullshit. The heroine of this book, Siena, is exactly the same. She's brave, strong, and smart. I think those 3 traits are like Penelope Sky's must-have in all her heroines. And I thank her for that.
I am so in love with Siena it's ridiculous. You know how when you read a scene and you get disappointed because it didn't play out like how you wanted it to be? I get that a lot and got so frustrated if the heroine is a submissive and meek woman. But I didn't get that feeling even once while reading this book. Siena is saying all the right things that I wanted her to say. She's hitting all the jackpot for me. Kudos to you, Siena.
But I'm not sure about my feeling for the hero. Cato is just like the other Penelope Sky's heroes. Dark, masculine, and mysterious. And don't get me wrong, I like them just the way they are. It makes them exciting. But I really don't like the way the hero describe his experience sleeping with other women. Can't say I'm excited reading about the hero manwhoring with other women. I really expect that once the hero finally meets the heroine, he will stop looking and thinking about other women. But just like Hades from Wife and Crewe from the Scotch King series, Cato is obsessed with women and constantly remind the reader (me) that he had slept with many women. Oh well, at least we're not getting the details about him with another woman just like Crewe... But I'm not sure about the next book though... I'm kinda scared that I'll get details about Cato fucking other women. And knowing Penelope Sky, I think I'd better prepared myself when that time comes.
True to Penelope Sky's style, she always like to torture us with the big misunderstanding and she torture us goodplus don't forget the cliffhanger. Whenever I finish reading her book, I'm always torn between wanting to read the next book or picking out another series to read. I'm so conflicted. On one hand I really don't want to read about how the hero treat the heroine so badly because he feel betrayed, but on the other hand, I really love the heroine. I love her enough to keep reading because I want to know what happen to her in the end. So I guess I'm reading the next book....
Please wish me luck
I am so speechless right now. This book got me hooked from the very first page.
I want to thank Ms. Penelope Sky for writing such an amazing and brave heroine. I have read two of her other series and am getting familiar with her writing style. Seems like she is very capable of writing heroines that know exactly what they want and how to get it and won't tolerate any bullshit. The heroine of this book, Siena, is exactly the same. She's brave, strong, and smart. I think those 3 traits are like Penelope Sky's must-have in all her heroines. And I thank her for that.
I am so in love with Siena it's ridiculous. You know how when you read a scene and you get disappointed because it didn't play out like how you wanted it to be? I get that a lot and got so frustrated if the heroine is a submissive and meek woman. But I didn't get that feeling even once while reading this book. Siena is saying all the right things that I wanted her to say. She's hitting all the jackpot for me. Kudos to you, Siena.
But I'm not sure about my feeling for the hero. Cato is just like the other Penelope Sky's heroes. Dark, masculine, and mysterious. And don't get me wrong, I like them just the way they are. It makes them exciting. But I really don't like the way the hero describe his experience sleeping with other women. Can't say I'm excited reading about the hero manwhoring with other women. I really expect that once the hero finally meets the heroine, he will stop looking and thinking about other women. But just like Hades from Wife and Crewe from the Scotch King series, Cato is obsessed with women and constantly remind the reader (me) that he had slept with many women. Oh well, at least we're not getting the details about him with another woman just like Crewe... But I'm not sure about the next book though... I'm kinda scared that I'll get details about Cato fucking other women. And knowing Penelope Sky, I think I'd better prepared myself when that time comes.
True to Penelope Sky's style, she always like to torture us with the big misunderstanding and she torture us good
Please wish me luck
June 29, 2021
3.5 🌟
Bueno, otra vez mi reina penelope. Es una genia del genero!
Otro dark romance, otro que me encanta.
Es verdad que le falto mas romance, al comparar con los otros libros, pero creo que tuvo mas acción y mas intriga que los demas. Y eso lo complementó. Y tiene pinta de que el romance se vienen en los demas libros, y espero que asi sea!
Pero ese final.... omgggg necesito empezar ya el 2!!!!!!
Bueno, otra vez mi reina penelope. Es una genia del genero!
Otro dark romance, otro que me encanta.
Es verdad que le falto mas romance, al comparar con los otros libros, pero creo que tuvo mas acción y mas intriga que los demas. Y eso lo complementó. Y tiene pinta de que el romance se vienen en los demas libros, y espero que asi sea!
Pero ese final.... omgggg necesito empezar ya el 2!!!!!!
February 18, 2019
4,5 bankable stars
What a brilliant start in the Banker series that is. I will be vague and quick in this review so I don't ruin everything for you. That being said, I am totally obsessed with Cato and Siena' s story. Siena is a beautiful, stubborn, loyal, strong woman. Cato is hot, arrogant, ruthless and oh so sexy. I LOVE them both so much. These two were literally explosive together. Their chemistry is instant and simply undeniable. I NEED more and more and MORE.
Overall, The Banker is an addictive, sexy, passionate, unputdownable romance full of intrigue and a bit of suspense that will make you turn the page even faster. I am completely in love with this couple, and I honestly can't wait to see what happens next in the second book, The Dictator.
If you're into dark romances, then I highly, highly recommend.
*ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest review.*
What a brilliant start in the Banker series that is. I will be vague and quick in this review so I don't ruin everything for you. That being said, I am totally obsessed with Cato and Siena' s story. Siena is a beautiful, stubborn, loyal, strong woman. Cato is hot, arrogant, ruthless and oh so sexy. I LOVE them both so much. These two were literally explosive together. Their chemistry is instant and simply undeniable. I NEED more and more and MORE.
Overall, The Banker is an addictive, sexy, passionate, unputdownable romance full of intrigue and a bit of suspense that will make you turn the page even faster. I am completely in love with this couple, and I honestly can't wait to see what happens next in the second book, The Dictator.
If you're into dark romances, then I highly, highly recommend.
*ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest review.*
December 24, 2020
Never Lie to a Banker!
The Banker opens with a fiery damsel, Siena, fleeing for her life, desperate to find weapon, and getting shot by her attacker. The action stays pretty high as she makes a deal with the devil to save herself and her father--seducing the notorious Cato Marino. This banker to mobs and heads of states alike is wealthy, ruthless, and needs more than one woman to satisfy the intensity of his libido. With only herself to offer and her life on the line, what's a girl to do?
This riptide of a tale pulls you under, drawing you through the emotional ups and downs as only chaotic scenes and exceptional writing can. It's hard to turn away from a train wreck, and this gains momentum to the twisted, delicious, cliffy end.
The Banker opens with a fiery damsel, Siena, fleeing for her life, desperate to find weapon, and getting shot by her attacker. The action stays pretty high as she makes a deal with the devil to save herself and her father--seducing the notorious Cato Marino. This banker to mobs and heads of states alike is wealthy, ruthless, and needs more than one woman to satisfy the intensity of his libido. With only herself to offer and her life on the line, what's a girl to do?
This riptide of a tale pulls you under, drawing you through the emotional ups and downs as only chaotic scenes and exceptional writing can. It's hard to turn away from a train wreck, and this gains momentum to the twisted, delicious, cliffy end.
March 12, 2024
It should be a one star but appreciate the character of Sienna which kicking out make main character whenever he tried to sleep over second star for decency of author making Sienna required all the necessary health paper and not letting sex happened without protection without paper proof , something lots of women / ladies at young age should remember , ladies are always in the higher risk with unprotected sex
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